Kai is important in Māori culture. It’s also playing an integral role for the Marlborough community in a cost of living crisis with many struggling to make ends meet.
Charitable Organisation Kura Kai lives by the value of manaakitanga (generosity and care for others) with a simple kaupapa of “Whānau cooking for Whānau”.
Continued on page 2.
KAI FOR COMMUNITY: Marlborough Girls’ College Year 11 Food Technology students
Tylah Newton and Maddie Farrelly along with Te Pa Wananga student, Lcione Hafoka are part of a class called Whānau Kai. The class creates healthy, affordable meals for the community.
72 High St, Blenheim Mon-Thu 9am-4.30pm www.blenheimsun.co.nz
No.1 for readership in Marlborough.
A little goes a long way
Continued from page 1.
The charity does this by raising funds to purchase chest freezers, which they then donate to high schools and colleges they support. Each school is responsible for identifying the need and distributing meals to support their rangatahi and whānau.
There are many spiritual components to the process of gathering and preparing kai notwithstanding the manaakitanga (hospitality) demonstrated by providing kai. Just ask Marlborough Girls’ College Year 11 students Tylah Newton and Maddie Farrelly
Marlborough Girls’ College technology teacher Sophie Taetuli says being aligned with the Charity, MGC has been donated a freezer for the school.
“I have a class called Whānau Kai who creates healthy, affordable meals for our community - making the tougher times a little bit easier for people in our community,” she says. “We have organisations from the community come and grab meals when needed and also staff and whānau from MGC.”
“It’s awesome mahi these students are doing to awhi/support those who need it in our community but also promote what we are doing as anyone can donate food and meals to our freezer or come and grab kai if needed.
Maddie Farrelly says its ‘pretty cool’ expanding on the notion that she is taking a cooking class while helping out the community and learning key life skills that come
with the initiative.
“We’ve learnt how to work together as a team,” she says. “Everyone has been given different roles and we have to find solutions or options to come up with a plan. It kind of makes you think there are so many ways to help others. You can do so little but it can go so far. It’s a nice feeling to hear that someone has come in to pick food up that we have prepared. It’s cool that it is being noticed.”
Fellow student Tylah Newton agrees. “People who are struggling to make ends meet can have a meal they can eat at night,” says Tylah. “My mum is one who picks up the
meals and gives them out to people.”
The students have options whether to make, cook breakfast, lunch or dinner options for the community.
Sophie says in her role as a Year 11 Dean at MGC she has seen ‘more and more’ families struggling first hand.
“Social workers come to us, attendance services use it all the time and we had a lady who had come in to see me who had recently had a caesarean and was unable to cook, It’s a real range of people getting kai,” she says. “Everyone is doing it tough and all of us need help at some point in our lives.”
“The students are running this and
driving this and making a difference not just to budgeting and nutrition. The class has become tight and there is a sense of giving.”
Kura Kai founder Makaia Carr from Tauranga was inspired by a local school’s ‘compassion freezer’ and loved the idea of giving families direct help through a homecooked meal. Makaia is one of the country’s original social media influencers and uses the platform to spread the Kura Kai message. Sun readers can help by becoming a volunteer through the website and then making meals, (great idea for workplaces looking for a cause) and bringing them into the girls’ college.
RIGHT: Kura Kai founder Makaia Carr from Tauranga was inspired by a local school’s “compassion freezer” and loved the idea of giving families direct help through a home-cooked meal.
ABOVE: Some of the Whānau Kai class, Rose Coles, Milly Lane, teachers Sophie Taetuli and Sarah Whinham, MJ Burke and Lcione Hafoka.
Vision comes together for Cure Kids
By Chris Valli
The Marlborough community’s generosity came to the fore on Saturday night.
A masquerade ball, black tie fundraiser events at the Marlborough Events Centre resulted in $13,000 raised for Cure Kids New Zealand.
Cure Kids focuses on raising funding to enable research to help save, extend and improve the lives of children diagnosed with serious life-impacting and life-limiting heath conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Springlands School student, Emily Barsanti 11, was a special guest for the fundraiser alongside Nelson’s Sophia Binns.
Emily and Sophia are two of 10,000 people living with Crohn’s disease in the country. Also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the disease affects the lining of the digestive tract causing abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and fatigue. Both girls were ‘very excited’ about the night beforehand and had been preparing for months with choosing the right dress. They were the stars of the show and spoke courageously about their own respective health journeys. Emily’s Mum Amanda, also has Crohn’s.
Another guest for the night included Ben Barrington from Shortland Street who plays plastic surgeon Dr Drew McCaskill.
Cure Kids’ South Island Philanthropic Specialist and MC for the night Will Hall is the father of two young sons who have had health challenges. The former Shortland Street actor (skateboarding Doctor Kip Denton) has a passion for ‘improving lives of children spreading the word about Cure Kids’.
Co-organiser Simon Popham says Will is very keen to turn Emily and Sophia into ‘official’ Cure Kids, South Island ambassadors.
“They have got them around
the country but they are predominantly North Island based. It was a great night and that ‘their vision came together as well as they had hoped’. Under the current economic climate, we are thrilled with what he have achieved,” he says. “The auction was a great example of just how generous people were.”
“The local support and sponsorship we had from local businesses, especially in the last couple of weeks just blew us away. We are delighted. That was the dream. Even in tough times, there are still
generous people out there willing to help.
“Would we do it again? Absolutely.”
The live auction was hosted by Bayley’s Marlborough Glenn Kirby with local band Eclectic Fix rounding off the night.
Simon and fellow local Kaycee Polkinghorne will be running the New York Marathon on November 3 as part of Team Cure Kids. Blenheim Sun readers can make a donation and follow their journey at www.nycmarathon.curekids. org.nz/simonkaycee
Local Melissa Galloway has been selected as New Zealand’s individual rider for Dressage at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Local selected Grants Fund open
Council’s Community Grants Fund, with up to $280,000 available, opened on Monday, July 1 for applications. The fund is available for not-forprofit organisations providing services in the community including arts and heritage, sports and recreation, community welfare and social services. Applications close at 8am on Monday 19 August 2024.
For more information or to apply visit: https://bit.ly/MarlCommunityGrant. For further information contact Jodie Griffiths or Natalie Lawler on Ph: 03 520 7400 or email: grantapplications@ marlborough.govt.nz
Destination Marlborough
The Marlborough District Council has agreed to bring the region’s tourism marketing agency under council management, moving Destination Marlborough’s permanent staff to the council, which will absorb the organisation’s assets and financial shortfall - expected to be about $200,000.
Marlborough District Council chief financial officer Geoff Blake recommended the $200,000 be funded by way of a loan. This was agreed by the council at the meeting. Destination Marlborough staff would be covered by the council’s contract agreements until July 1, 2025, by which point the future of the organisation’s activities would be resolved.
MASQUERADE, EVERY FACE A DIFFERENT SHADE: Guest Ben Barrington, organisers Kaycee Polkinghorne and Simon Popham along with MC Will Hall. Simon says even in tough times, there are still generous people out there willing to help.
inbrief Sun
The
Name release: Fatal crash, SH1, Grovetown
Police can now release the name of the person who died in a crash on State Highway 1, Grovetown on June 20. He was 37-year-old Kaiea Taubakou, from Kiribati. The Serious Crash Unit attended, and enquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the crash.
Dalton’s Bridge closure
As of Monday, July 1, Dalton’s Bridge, at the western end of Kaiuma Bay Road, will be closed to all traffic to allow for bridge abutment repairs. This closure will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for approximately six weeks while these works are undertaken. A detour will be in place via Te Hoiere Road during this closure.
The work will include building a mechanically stabilised earth wall and rock protection being placed to repair the abutment.
Home & Garden Show
The Marlborough Home & Garden Show is on again, July 12 - 14 at Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000. There will be a huge range of exhibitors offering expert advice, fresh ideas, trends and inspiration for your homes, gardens, and lifestyle. Enjoy exclusive show specials, giveaways, and family fun. Take a break from shopping and enjoy a bite to eat in the food court with a delicious range of food and beverages on offer.
A unique service
By Chris Valli
It’s not unusual in Picton to see Four Square owners Pete and Rachel Seddon weaving their way through town, pushing a trolley full of groceries down to the waterfront.
This isn’t your average supermarket run. That’s because Four Square Picton is offering a unique grocery delivery service via mail boat to residents of the Marlborough Sounds, and all free of charge.
Many of these homes are accessible only by boat. Rachel and Pete, as part their daily owner operator commitments, want to ensure customers get their regular delivery of fresh food and supplies, no matter where they live.
“Our philosophy is that all our customers deserve fresh food with no compromises,” Rachel says.
“So, we’ve worked very hard to cultivate a tailored service for our entire community.
“If someone orders salmon or beef, we guarantee it’s delivered within hours of it arriving to us. If we don’t have something instore, we’ll go the extra mile to try and get it for our customers.”
Every week, meticulously prepared grocery orders arrive to the store via email. Some are for busy Picton locals, parents juggling work and family, or older residents for whom a trip to the supermarket can be a challenge.
Other deliveries need to go a little farther, and these are packed with ice and secured in sturdy boxes, all set for the journey by mail boat through Queen Charlotte Sound to their final destination.
It’s all part of a day’s work for Pete and Rachel, who have always lent a helping hand to others.
Pete is a former firefighter, member of the Student Volunteer Army, and soldier who once served on peacekeeping missions overseas.
Rachel shares Pete’s passion for community service. She’s a Chartered Accountant by trade and was working at Foodstuffs South Island when she was inspired and encouraged to follow the path to store ownership.
“Store ownership allows us to
make a real impact in our communities. And that’s the sentiment I kept hearing from other owners who encouraged me to take the leap into owning my own store,” she says. “They were absolutely right.”
Four Square Picton will be celebrating 100 years of Four Square, tomorrow, July 4.
The supermarkets roots stretch back a century ago when on 4 July 1924, a square was drawn around the ‘4’ in the calendar by local grocer and Four Square founder, J Heaton Barker.
Four Square was the name Barker gave to the co-operative buying group of local grocers because they ‘would stand Four Square to all the winds that blew’.
Rachel says a 100th anniversary is a tremendous milestone, and says it’s a privilege to work for such a long lasting and beloved Kiwi brand.
“As part of the celebrations, and to say thank you to all the customers who support us, we have a big barbecue planned on Thursday and we’ll be giving away birthday cakes to community groups around town, as well as giveaways, specials and limited-edition merchandise on sale. We can’t wait to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
“Picton is 100 per cent about community, and we feel right at home. It’s a beautiful piece of paradise,” says Pete. “Here’s to a hundy.”
Four Square Picton owner operators Rachel and Pete Seddon look after their community by offering a completely unique service - grocery delivery via mail boat to residents of the Marlborough Sounds.
STARS IN YOUR EYES
‘It’s
a big song - her voice is unique’
By Chris Valli
It’s fair to say, Blenheim’s Evelyn Duncan has got some vocal pipes.
Evelyn says her decision to audition for Stars was ‘right up until the cut off’ after being involved with Blenheim Musical Theatre’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in May.
“I was worried that the audition was straight after Joseph finished including the after party and then straight into auditions. I was worried it wasn’t going to give me enough time to work out an act,” she says.
She needn’t have worried. Evelyn is finding her niche and a point of difference for the show as Florence Welch, the English singer and lead vocalist of Indie rock band Florence + the Machine. Florence + The Machine closed out their Dance Fever Tour at Auckland’s sold out Spark Arena in March 2023. The band’s debut studio album, Lungs, 2009, topped the UK chart and won the Brit Award for Best British Album.
Returning to New Zealand for the first time since they headlined Laneway (musical festival in Melbourne) in 2019, Welch wasted no time telling the audience how it was going to be. A few songs into the gig she hushed the arena with soft and then later firm words, ordering the audience to put mobiles away.
Evelyn, a Wairau Pharmacy Technician, is singing the song Dog Days are Over. The catchy tune is a song about finding happiness and realising there is light at the end of the tunnel during difficult times. The song made a reoccurrence in the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, the American superhero film based on Marvel Comics.
“It’s a big song, I’ve always liked Florence right from when she bought out the first CD in 2008. Her voice is different, my voice is not poppy and the classic operatic vibrato. You get this woman who doesn’t fit into a category where everyone else is, her voice is unique,” says Evelyn. Much has been written about
Evelyn says portraying Florence Welch from UK band Florence + the Machine is an opportunity she welcomes. “You get this woman who doesn’t fit into a category where everyone else is, her voice is unique,” says Evelyn.
Florence’s voice and it’s clear the singer has something to say and her fans are on board. Florence’s own mother, also named Evelyn, is an American scholar of the Renaissance and Early Modern Period and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bristol. It’s a connection Evelyn (Duncan) is learning with Florence’s influences on her past shaping her musical journey. “She has that folkness influence underneath and it kind of builds the layers as a mezzo-soprano,” (second highest female voice) says Evelyn.
She says after the production of Joseph finished it was important for her to maintain the vocal progress she has made and with Stars, there was no better opportunity than to showcase this.
“I want to continue it and develop the next thing,” she says. “I do feel vocally I can do her justice. When she talks she is so quiet and gentle but when she performs she is the complete opposite.”
“It’s a good cause and an opportunity to get out there and build my own confidence. I hope vocally that I can do her justice,” she says.
Wairau Plain Research Presentation
The ability of the past to inform the future is behind new research into Wairau Plain sediments dating back 12,000 years. GNS Science will present the research findings at a public meeting on Thursday 11 July at Blenheim’s Scenic Hotel Marlborough from 5.30 to 6.30pm. Members of the community, environmental groups, senior school students, local business and industry, and iwi are all encouraged to attend. The GNS Science presentation will deliver the research findings using compelling visuals. The research will also be presented to Council’s Environment and Planning Committee.
Wheelie bins all go
Marlborough’s new kerbside collection began on Monday with wheelie bins replacing Council rubbish bags. Council’s Solid Waste Manager Mark Lucas says if people within the expanded collection area did not have their new wheelie bin yet, they should contact Council. To date a total of 35,000 new wheelie bins have been delivered and 2500 new maroon crates for glass. Council’s black rubbish bags will no longer be collected kerbside, but you can take them to transfer stations, the Waste Sorting Centre or the Resource Recovery Centre in Blenheim. Waste (red topped bin) is collected one week, recycling (yellow topped bin and glass (maroon crate) the next. To find what week your collection will take place go to: links.marlborough.govt. nz/collection-day
Eva Pemper
Eva Pemper Wines, Blenheim
I was a panel speaker at the Women and Wine breakfast where the topic was challenges in start-up business. A key learning for me was learning about B Corp business certification and how that can help a business internationally. It was impactful.
Iain Holdaway Water Supply Products, Blenheim
Less cloud integration (data from different systems) between irrigation control systems via two way API (application program interface) allowing data from both systems to be shared on a single platform.
• Dentures shift, tilt and wander? • Trouble speaking clearly?
Richard Steel Amiad Water Systems, Melbourne
We have a unique disc filtration system called Spin Klin Nova which combines several units to accommodate higher flow rate demands while maintaining a compact footprint.
Letters
Letters on issues of
interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please. They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even when a nom de plume is provided for publication.
The editor reserves the right to
The Marlborough District Council uplifting donated articles from Brayshaw Park Museum/Archives should be made public to the people of Marlborough that have donated articles to the museum.
Our Simonsen Collection which was started by our Uncle Innes Simonsen and carried on by members of the family has several items which seem to now belong to the Council; they were never donated to the
To the Editor
What a good paper, one knows just what is happening or has happened in Blenheim, and Marlborough.
A paper I would recommend to any person coming in to Marlborough for the first time. I have lived in the back country for many years. Cold, frost and snow. One can help to fix the cold at night by putting a woollen blanket under the lower sheet. This I did and was helpful for
We are using science to help growers make good irrigation decisions by using the select amount of water they require to get commercial results.
Sean Johnston Generator Rental Services, Auckland
We have a solar panelled generator which removes the need for diesel as a fuel source.
abridge letters or withhold letters from publication. Email them to news@blenheimsun. co.nz or present to our office at 72 High St.
Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.
council but to the museum.
How many other collections from people in Marlborough are going to have items disappear? They have been donated to the museum for safe keeping for future generations of our province.
Ruth Simonsen Blenheim
the children especially. I still do this on the colder nights of winter and it is rare to wake cold through the night. I am now in my nineties and past lots of action anymore.
Another thing, I never ever told my two boys that “boys do not cry” and purposely watched them if I knew a crash and howling was coming. I explained to them they cry because they got hurt which means they feel loved. All my children are good cooks too, just by watching
Dear Ed.
We use sap testing. Plant sap tests provide data on the total dissolved minerals immediately available to the plant and provide fast and accurate feedback on nutrient status.
I want to acknowledge Terry at the Havelock Transfer Station and his wife Belinda who have created an amazing sense of community at the dump. I have the deepest respect for them as they have finished up recently. We have lost more than a simple place to leave our refuse. I wanted to express deepest thanks.
Richard Ellena Blenheim
MDC Reply – Monday, July 1.
A Marlborough District Council spokesperson says any collection donated to the Marlborough Historical Society will stay in the museum at Brayshaw Heritage Park. The spokesperson says discussions are underway between Council and the Society for the future storage of the local government and statutory collections.
me and saying ‘my turn with the licker (one spatula)’.
Never ever think because you live out in the country they are missing out, they are not, they are able to watch many things being done that they would not see done in town. Now I must stop or I may get a job with the Sun.
Yours sincerely
Dawn
Name & address supplied.
Vanessa Burrows Hill Labs, Grovetown
Jim Mercer Fruition Horticulture, Renwick
Wheelie bins all go
Marlborough’s new kerbside collection is underway.
Black rubbish bags are no longer collected kerbside but you can take them to transfer stations, the Waste Sorting Centre or the Resource Recovery Centre.
Waste (red topped bin) is collected one week, recycling (yellow topped bin) and glass (maroon crate) the next. To find what week your collection is go to: links.marlborough. govt.nz/collection-day
Bins need to be kerbside by 7am and placed at least half a metre apart. Make sure they are clear of obstacles and not too close to other bins. For more details download the Antenno app which will keep you up to date with latest news, go to: links.marlborough.govt.nz/kerbsidecollections or contact Council on Ph: 03 520 7400.
What goes in the red bin
• household waste including food scraps
• broken glass - please wrap in paper
• nappies, sanitary items, incontinence products
What can’t go in the red bin
• garden waste - including lawn clippings
• all batteries including lithium-ion (must be taken to a recycling station)
• medical waste
• hazardous waste (take to the Hazardous Waste Centre)
• liquids
• engine parts including oil (oil and filters can be recycled at the
Hazardous Waste Centre)
• hot ashes
• any bulky, heavy items such as concrete, timber, shingle
What goes in the yellow bin (please rinse where possible)
• plastic material displaying recycling symbols 1, 2 and 5
• steel and aluminium cans
• newspaper, other paper and glossy magazines
• cardboard including egg trays and pizza boxes, cleaned of all food scraps.
What can’t go in the yellow bin
• glass
• soft plastics (take to your local supermarket)
• nappies, sanitary items, incontinence products
• food scraps
• clothing, footwear
• LPG cylinders
• paint
• plastic strapping
• cups, plates, saucers
• toys
• coffee refills
• oil containers
• polystyrene
What goes in the maroon crate
• glass bottles, rinsed without lids
• glass jars, rinsed without lids
What can’t go into your maroon crate
• light bulbs
• broken glass (wrap and put in waste)
• window glass
• mirrors
• ceramics
• drinking glasses
Children’s library card competition winners
Eight-year-old Elodie Taylor from Witherlea School and Nina O’Connor, nine, from Fairhall School, were the lucky winners of the ‘design our next children’s library card’ competition.
The colourful designs have been chosen to feature on the Marlborough District Libraries children’s library card.
The rocket, which featured on the old card, had passed its use by date and so a competition was held for children aged 5 to 13 years to come up with a new design.
Elodie was encouraged to submit an entry by her teacher and opted for a bright and colourful design.
Nina opted for a ‘keep reading’ message. “I chose an owl, as owls are known to be smart, and reading makes you smart,” she said.
The winners received a book voucher prize while the nine finalists received book prizes.
The competition judging panel was councillor Sally Arbuckle, Children’s Librarian Tracey McKean and Marlborough Art Gallery Director Cressida Bishop. They each selected their top contenders, which were then shortlisted before the two winners were chosen.
Elodie (left) and Nina with their artwork which will feature on children’s library cards
The panel was overwhelmed with the quality of the 192 entries, opting for two winners whose designs will feature on the children’s membership cards, which will be in circulation in late July.
The judges loved the variety of styles and ideas illustrated
across the many entries with the winning entries chosen for their bright, colourful design and unique creativity.
A People’s Choice competition via social media was won by Lucas London, 11, with a digitally generated design, and he also received a book voucher.
Wairau Plain research sheds new light on historic sediments
The ability of the past to inform the future is behind new research into Wairau Plain sediments dating back 12,000 years.
GNS Science will present the research findings at a public meeting on Thursday 11 July at Blenheim’s Scenic Hotel Marlborough from 5.30 to 6.30pm. Members of the community, environmental groups, senior school students, local business and industry, and iwi are all encouraged to attend.
The GNS Science presentation
will deliver the research findings using compelling visuals.
Funded by Envirolink, a regional council driven funding scheme administered by the Ministry for Business Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE), the research was conducted by GNS Science in partnership with Council. Its focus is on the Lower Wairau and its rivers and streams – including Ōpaoa River, Doctors Creek, Taylor River, Wairau River, and Pukaka Stream.
Called the ‘Assessment of naturally hard and soft bottomed rivers, Wairau Plain, Marlborough’; the research uses a new rapid assessment method to map the characteristics of sediments both across and beneath the Wairau Plain, an important first step to understand what effects human intervention has had on the plain’s rivers.
The research will also be presented to Council’s Environment and Planning Committee.
Rose pruning demonstration at Pollard Park
Council gardeners will be pruning the roses at Pollard Park next week and will be available for hands-on demonstrations and questions. Head to the park’s rose garden on Monday 8 July or Tuesday 9 July and join the gardeners between 10.30am and midday or at 1pm and 2.30pm for a pruning lesson. If the weather is wet, the demonstrations will be postponed to the following day.
Emma Toy is an arts practitioner who lives and works in Marlborough. Chris Valli spoke to the trained artistic therapist who offers individual and small group arts experiences for all ages.
The downtime of the Covid-19 lockdowns caused a lot of people to rethink their wellbeing, their priorities and how they spent their time.
Auckland University professor Peter O’Connor, who teaches theatre in schools, prisons, psychiatric hospitals and disaster zones hopes teachers around the country are finding time and space for their students to paint, draw, dance, scribble poetry, dance and move in order to help them process that their world has shifted
“To really connect to the grief, the arts are a way of expressing not just how we think and feel, but they are a way for us to [actually] think and feel, as well.”
The term ‘therapy’ used to have a stigma associated with it. That one was struggling and or had a ‘big picture’ problem. Whatever the journey, it seems the arts is the medicinal and holistic solution.
Art therapy is a creative approach to mental health that has been growing in popularity in Marlborough and can help encourage different ways of expressing what is going on in people’s lives.
The ‘accessibility’ of art therapy helps people understand the journey is more important than the destination. For those not ready to talk about their struggles in mental health or life in general, artistic therapy or more specifically, Blenheim’s Emma Toy is a good, safe option.
Emma confesses she has always loved art and music, including playing drums.
The 47-year-old mother of two girls at Marlborough Girls’ College grew
up in Auckland and studied philosophy and psychology. A transition to Wellington saw her add to her arts pedagogical knowledge working for central government. A relocation to Gisborne where her husband learnt how to make wine resulted in the family moving to Marlborough.
Emma trained as an artistic therapist, doing four years of training in the Hawkes Bay.
“It’s about helping people to find a place of well-being regardless of their situation using the artistic process, gently guiding people, individuals and small groups, through their art activities,” she says. “Finding connection with other people and coming together is a great thing about small therapeutic groups.”
Emma says her role includes facilitating, supporting and bringing
“There is beginning to be that sense of laughter and chatter.”
attention to ‘what is going on around us’ such as the seasons or what is happening in nature.
“The wonderful thing about the arts is that it can be non-verbal so if you’re not confident sitting there telling someone how you are feeling, you can express yourself through a different medium such as music or art. We meet people where they are at and build a relationship over time. It might not be instant but we work
through things together through the art process. Is it too dark, too light, how do I bring more colour in? It helps to bring awareness to their own well-being.”
Emma says there are a number of children attending her Creative Kids Trust classes through school referrals or agencies whether that need is support with confidence or forming connections with their peers. Other reasons stem from anxiety or low mood.
“It can be about finding a trusted adult to help them find their path through art,” she says. “Adults are more likely to talk about what’s going on and that can be a starting point. It’s different for everyone and it’s about creating a safe space for people to know that they can come and enjoy themselves.”
So how does she know they are safe or beginning to ‘feel themselves?’
“The space is non-judgemental. I’m not expecting anyone to be a great artist. It’s not about that. I can help people create a space for themselves and, hold that space for them to try something new. Using a brush stroke for example that is long and slow, might help them to relax so we use a great deal of water colour, noticing our breathing slowing down and heart rate dropping and feeling comfortable,” she says.
On the flip side of that, Emma says the use of clay can help with energy and strength as it can be thrown around and moulded into forms, and seeing what works.
“Part of my role is to take away the pressure so you feel safe to start experimenting and playing with the
art material to notice and see what happens.”
She currently has a small group she works alongside at the Cancer Society for ‘anyone’ who may have been affected by cancer, going through active treatment or experiencing bereavement.
“There is beginning to be that sense of laughter and chatter. In many ways, the conversations come about after time together and the art takes away the social pressure. It’s a place where they belong,” she says.
Speaking of belonging, Emma says she is currently doing a
Marlborough based Arts therapist Emma Toy says her role is about helping people find a place of well-being regardless of their situation using the artistic process and guiding people. “Finding connection with other people and coming together,” she says.
course of geometric art, saying any moment she has spare she ‘gets her compass out and coloured pencils and off she goes’.
So as a community, are we getting better at expressing or articulating our feelings?
“I think we are getting better at allowing those conversations to happen. Organisations are taking responsibility to promote and support individual and team well-being. It’s getting better but we have a long way to go.”
“It’s about meeting people where they are and where they can get to,” she smiles.
Desexing Days
By Chris Valli
As the Marlborough community collectively work together to tackle the huge cat overpopulation problem, the team at Springlands Veterinary Centre is proud to help as much as they can.
In collaboration with Marlborough 4 Paws and retired vet, Dr Nigel Nesbit, Springlands Vet has now hosted two recent volunteer desexing days with another coming up in July.
Vet Nurse Tash Luxton says desexing local felines is a huge step in the right direction ‘if we are to curb the soaring levels of stray cats and kittens that can be found all over Marlborough.’
“We would love to see all cats owned and valued, ensuring their health needs are met and that responsible cat ownership is practiced. Desexing and microchipping is crucial if we are to ever see this dream as a reality and to prevent the suffering of stray cats that we see all too often,” she says.
So far over 40 cats have been through the program, all of which are desexed and microchipped. An average day begins with the dedicated team from Marlborough 4 Paws arriving early in the morning, loaded to the brim with cats.
Varying ‘meows’ or ‘growls’ echo throughout the clinic as the fabulous felines arrive,
ready for their surgeries. After a quick weigh in, health check and sex check, each cat is either spayed or neutered and then microchipped. Once completed, they recover quietly under observation. The effects of the anaesthetic slowly begin to wear off and with warmth and pain relief, they head back to Marlborough Four Paws in the late afternoon, albeit much quieter this time.
Tash says although their volunteers are generally pretty exhausted by this point, she says it’s ‘such a cool feeling knowing they have contributed to hundreds (possibly even thousands) less stray cats being born around the region’.
“Strays that unless befriended by a kind human, struggle to survive and inevitably also have negative effects on our native wildlife species. All up, we feel like we have a winning combo and we are super keen to keep these volunteer desexing days rolling as long as we are able,” she says.
The team at Springlands Vet would like to thank everyone involved and also to Alex from Virbac NZ who donated the microchips and bonus Endogard worm pills for all cats that are part of the program. If you would like to support the work that Marlborough Four Paws do for the cats and dogs of Marlborough then please check them out at www.marlboroughfourpaws.co.nz
Apprentices REAP benefits
By Chris Valli
An allocated working space, healthy banter and pizza facilitated by REAP Marlborough has reaped rewards.
Blenheim apprentices Ethan Gander, 21, and Josh Knight, 25, recently completed their Carpentry Level 4 qualification as a direct result of ‘Walk-in Wednesday’ classes.
REAP Marlborough is the communities ‘go to hub’ for courses and support the education of rural residents and those who reside nearer to Blenheim, Renwick, and Picton. REAP identifies gaps in the provision of education for rural communities and develops strategies to fill the gaps either through REAP facilitated programmes or in collaboration with other providers.
One such provider has been the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO). REAP Marlborough CEO Sharon Blount says they were the first REAP in the country (starting in March 2023) to work alongside BCITO to offer literacy, numeracy and pastoral support to their trainees.BCITO, the largest provider of construction trade apprenticeships in the country, funds REAP for the ‘drop in sessions’ for apprentices.
“We have a weekly hub on a Wednesday between 5-7pm at our venue on the corner of Kinross/Stuart Street with about six of them turning up. We have a tutor who offers support, with the space and access to Wi-Fi and some pizza and banter from other apprentices,” she says. “They are not required to come but it’s a good idea if they are behind on their theory or paperwork.”
“We’re providing a space for the apprentices who might be flatting or have young families or
out of education for some time. It provides an hour or two a week to just get the stuff done.”
Sharon says Ethan and Josh have been amazing and they ‘knocked out’ their apprenticeships.
“We feel proud because we have been part of their journey. Stu is the best training advisor and the support he gives is incredible as is Darlene (Prudie) who is magic, every week, without fail and encouraging whatever they need.”
Training Advisor Stuart Caulfield, along with colleague Brendan Te Amo, look after between 160 – 170 apprentices in the Marlborough region across 16 different trades BCITO offer. BCITO offers a ‘work based learning’ qualification, where the employer takes on an apprentice and teaches them the skills required for the trade. In this case, Ethan was employed by Mike Wightwick from Robust Construction, while Josh was employed by Dylan Marsters from DJ Marsters Building.
Stuart says he would describe Ethan and Josh as chalk and cheese - two completely different individuals but who both saw the benefit in attending the Walk-in Wednesday sessions as a way of making serious progress in the theory parts of their qualifications.
“Sometimes the theory aspects can be tricky to learn on site, that is why we came up with the idea for the Walk-in Wednesday sessions. We simply provide a quiet place for all our trainees to come along to, with their resources and tackle those trickier topics,” he says. Sharon says they’d encourage more apprentices to come along to the drop in sessions as they see the value in attending.
“Having the right people is huge in their success.”
Springlands | Ph 577 7212
In collaboration with Marlborough 4 Paws and retired vet, Dr Nigel Nesbit, Springlands Vet has now hosted two recent volunteer desexing days with another coming up in July. PURRFECT TEAM: Left to right, Dr Nigel Nesbit, Julie Gordon, Tash Luxton, Barbara Grinter, Kimberley Linthwaite, and Dr Jeremy Forlong.
Blenheim apprentice Josh Knight, 25, recently completed his Carpentry Level 4 qualification as a direct result of ‘Walk-in Wednesday’ classes. With him is BCITO Training Advisor Stuart Caulfield.
The Blenheim skyline recently prior to a red dawn. Taken by Liz Davidson she says this is what the camera saw in much the same way cameras saw the auroras.
Picton RSA howitzer removed
By Chris Valli
An old howitzer gun at the former site of Picton RSA howlitzer has been removed thanks to Crafar Crouch Construction.
The howitzer previously on display outside 66 Wellington St, the former home of Picton RSA, has been removed pending installation near the Picton Library
Picton RSA’s Welfare Officer John Welch says they are grateful for the removal of the howitzer (June 17) from Wayne Bowden and the Crafar Crouch team as well as their work in levelling the elevated area where the gun stood.
The Picton RSA left their old premise in March due to an increase in insurance and rates costs and are now ‘established in the back room’ of the Texas Tea Bar
and Grill in High Street.
“The howitzer therefore had to go as well. Our preferred relocation was the main street (High St) but this was rejected by the Marlborough District Council so after negotiations the new site will be a small garden between the library and Piwakawaka Lodge,” he says.
John says the howitzer is currently being stored by Crafar Crouch in their yard. An amusing development he says is that it has to be added to the Firearms Register under cover of his personal Firearm’s Licence.
John, a retired doctor, was a medical student in the Territorial Force Army as a Corporal Medic from 1972-1975 and then a Commissioned Officer (Squadron leader) in the RNZAF 1988-2003. He
Henry Ford Show-N-Shine meet
By Chris Valli
The Ford Club Marlborough Ford car is hosting a ‘show and shine’ fundraising meet on Sunday, July 28.
The fundraiser, which benefits Marlborough Breast Cancer Support group and Marlborough Riding for the Disabled, is also the 20th anniversary of Ford Club Marlborough. Spokesperson Murray Eyles says whoever they fundraise for the money stays in Marlborough. Ford Club Marlborough welcome past and current club members to attend as well as any other Ford owners even if they aren’t members of the local Ford club. The
first meet held here in Blenheim 2 years ago saw 80 Ford vehicles on display from around the South Island.
Representatives from the Breast Cancer group and Riding for the Disabled will attend on the Sunday, select a vehicle they like and present a trophy to the owner(s) of the respective vehicle.
The fundraiser at Lansdowne Park from 10am – 2pm is a gold coin donation and will include raffles.
Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, was born in Michigan on July 30, 1863. Email fordclubmarlborough@inspire. net.nz for a registration form.
joined the RSA when he moved to Picton in 1982 and re-joined in 2021. Soon after World War II ended the organisation that had been known as the Returned Soldiers Association changed its name to the Returned Services Association (RSA). The Picton Branch of the Marlborough RSA began on 29 September 1931 holding meetings in numerous venues, including the Literary Institute (Public Library), and Forester’s Hall (now owned by the Picton Drama Club). On 1 September 1945, the Picton Branch of the RSA purchased the Services hostel and it became the clubrooms for the RSA and Club.
Howitzer is a name taken from the Prussians (Germans) and pronounced, “Haubitze”, which means sling or basket.
HORSEPOWER 101: Murray Eyles, Ford Club Marlborough, Sharyn Cameron, Marlborough Breast Cancer Support Group, Danielle Murphy, Programmes Manager for Marlborough Riding for the Disabled, and horse Sundance, Barry Holmwood, Ford Club Marlborough Treasurer and Dave Packer, Ford Club Marlborough member.
ON THE MOVE: Picton’s RSA howitzer has a new home.
Smith & Sons Renovations and Extensions is a locally owned and operated award winning building company with offices based in the Redwoodtown Village.
Our team have extensive experience in a broad range of building projects, and being locals we are aware of local council requirements, weather conditions and the surrounding environment helping us to ensure that your project is successful.
Using our established and proven Project Methodology we manage the process of your home renovation, extension or new build in 3 simple steps-through the Design, Planning and Construction phases meaning that rather than employing the individual services of an architect, engineer and building company we manage the entire process, including building consent, from start to finish
for you.
We offer the use of one of our fully kitted out bathroom trailers for your use during your project, as our goal is to minimise any disruption that may occur during your project.
Our team genuinely love what they do, with the best thing about specialising in renovations and extensions being the satisfaction of a job well done.
It’s knowing that you’ve created something special and individually tailored to the specific needs of the homeowner, and that it will be loved and lived in for years to come.
Nothing can replace the feeling of watching our clients’ faces light up as they enter their new home for the first time—or watching the kids excitedly explore their brand new space.
Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.
Grey Power Marlborough
Advocating for people 50 +
From the President’s Desk
As was noted last month, the current President stepped down earlier this year and in February it was suggested that a nomination be put in for me to stand as Grey Power Federation President. After having given this much careful thought, I decided the Board could benefit from having a down-to-earth President with a good skill set so the nomination went in. There were two nominations for President.
On June the 18th at the Grey Power Federation Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Wellington, I gave my speech outlining my vision for Grey Power moving forward. On the 20th of June I was elected by the delegates at the AGM to the role. I was also very gratified to note that the results were overwhelmingly in my favour which I believe bodes well for my future work and responsibilities with the Federation.
We have a strong Board with a lot of knowledge, expertise, and experience and we will continue to advocate and raise all relevant issues to Government ministers and representatives. Of major and immediate concern is to outline the gaps in the health system for you, our senior cohort, and how
I am still dedicated to Grey Power Marlborough and will continue on as President until March 2025. I will then take on a
The vibe from the beginning of the AGM was very positive and there certainly was the will to make changes that will assist Grey Power to regain and maintain its profile and position as the go-to agency for NZ Seniors.
The biggest news you already know – our own Gayle Chambers was overwhelmingly successful in her bid for Presidency.
Good on you, Gayle!
David Marshall opened the AGM and set the tone with a very good address.
Two items of note were a new 5-year contract with Pulse Energy and NZTA working with Grey Power concerning Seniors driving licensing tests.
Speakers. Hon Casey Costello, Minister for Seniors, Associate
Minister of Health; Carolyn Cooper, Aged-Care Commissioner; Sharnie Warren, CEO Pulse Energy; and Karen Billing-Jensen, CEO, Age Concern. Full notes from the various speakers will be made available on the Federation website in due course.
There was a workshop on the draft of the new Constitution which hopefully will see fruition at the AGM next year.
The Strategic Plan, adopted by the Board, affirms that the Board works on behalf of the Federation, which in turn works for the Zones and Associations.
It emphasized that the Grey Power structure and operation supports advocacy - Grey Power’s raison d’etre for being.
There are a number of activities/ tasks that need to be achieved within
the next nine months for the Federation to move forward, and the Board is asking Zones and Associations to identify members with specific skills who can assist with particular projects.
These will include IT skills – system architecture, website, member database, email, blogging, community education, documentation storage, networks, survey development and analysis for Grey Power research. Also, Communications – external and internal, media channels and distribution.
Much more was covered, including various local remits though none that specifically affect us here in Marlborough.
All in all, an informative and productive AGM.
Annie Percy
Notes from the Federation AGM, Wellington Discount Book Notes
Some news for those needing electrical work. Unfortunately, Cresswell Electrical have ceased trading. However, electrical work can still be done through Gleeson
Electrical (577 7067) and SMB
Electrical (022 389 8732). Aotea Electric (577 6428) are also offering a discount on electrical work as well as heat pump/air conditioning.
Junkatron (021 234 5319) junk removal and moving services will
give Grey Power members a discount. Give them a call if you need anything taken to recycling or the dump or need help moving large furniture.
We do encourage you to look through yo ur Discount Book, there are some great savings to be had! Each month we would like to acknowledge the support shown to our members by some of the businesses:
• 100% Herkt Appliances, Abernethy Pest Control, Absolute Landcare, Access Mobility, Appliance Technical Solutions, Artisan Memorials, Auto Electric City Blenheim, Auto Super Shoppe Blenheim, Automotive Solutions Blenheim, and Beachcomber Cruises.
Thanks to all our Discount Book partners for their continued cooperation and service.
The Association for people 50+
Wishing all our members a special merry Christmas and a happy new year
Of Note…
Advocating for people 50 +
Phone 03 578 4950 or visit our website on www.greypowermarlborough.co.nz
Care planning seminar It’s better to leave a will Aged Care Commissioner
At the end of May, Grey Power Marlborough in partnership with Marlborough District Council held a seminar on Care Planning. The theme of the seminar was Why Keep it a Secret (WKIAS) and dealt with the many, yet often unprepared for, practicalities of getting older (for an example, see next article below). The seminar was well attended with presenters that spoke very knowledgably about different areas of the planning process as we age. Topics included Advanced Care Planning, Cancer Society Support, funeral arrangements and digital capture of memories. Many questions were asked, and indeed answered, from those present. Grey Power hopes to hold another seminar later in the year. If there are any subjects you think should be covered, let our office know.
When someone dies without leaving a will it is called dying intestate and could give rise to confusion and legal issues following their death. Where assets are less than $15,000, an estate can be managed and distributed by their next of kin. Anything more will, by law, require formal administration. The process for managing someone’s estate when there is no will is longer and more complex than if there was a will. If you want to do a little research, there are plenty of websites with really useful information and links to help you. www.sorted.org.nz has information on wills, including how to get one for a low cost.
www.publictrust.co.nz provides a useful explanation of the issues of not having a will and the rather lengthy process of sorting it out.
Carolyn Cooper was a guest speaker at the recent Grey Power Federation AGM. As Aged Care Commissioner, she advocates on behalf of older people to improve both the quality of their care and their lives. The role exists to drive quality improvement across the aged care sector and encourage collaboration and positive change. Carolyn was appointed to the role in December 2021 and brings a wealth of health-sector leadership experience in Australia and New Zealand to the role.
Carolyn spoke passionately about the problems facing our senior cohort. Some of the issues she addressed were:
Older people are renting more than ever
Better transition from hospital to home needed Respite care – are good systems in place?
Hearing-aid subsidies are too low
Subsidised oral health of older people critical for ongoing health issues She is not employed by the government so does not have to feel constrained when relaying the raw truth about the issues facing our health system. Good to hear and good to know that someone of her expertise and commitment is working on our behalf.
• Congratulations to our local committee president Gayle Chambers on her election to National Grey Power President! We are very proud and pleased for Grey Power Federation.
• Subscriptions If you still have green stickers on your membership cards, come and renew your membership at the office, or online using the information on your invoice. Office hours are 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.
• If you feel that you have paid but not received your membership cards and Discount Book, please check your bank statements. Some members still have our old account number saved in their online banking. The money leaves your account and a day or two later returns to the
originating bank account as it cannot find a valid account to go to. Unfortunately, we are unaware if you have been trying to pay. Our current bank account details are on your invoice.
• Grey Power Electricity have been sending out reminders about keeping your subscription current. Your membership card should have a yellow sticker and an expiry date of 31/03/2025 if you have already paid.
• Also, each month our office receives deposits of payments meant for Grey Power Electricity. A reminder that if you do pay Grey Power Electricity, perhaps change their name in your online banking to Pulse Energy rather than Grey Power.
• Sunday 14 July, 9.30am, Community Planting Day at Grovetown Lagoon; everyone welcome.
• Monday 15 October, 10am to 12 noon, at Picton Community Hub, 22 High Street; learn about Cancer Society services and equity with Kaye MacDonald.
• Tuesday 16 July, 10.30am –12noon, Blenheim Library, Te Kahu o Waipuna, Harakeke Hub; enjoy a cuppa, meet new people and find out about the many services, organisations, and groups in our community.
• Saturday 20 July, 2 – 3pm, Blenheim Library, Te Kahu o Waipuna; Women, War and Work talk by Museum Manager Dr Liz Ward.
• Wednesday 24 July, 10am – 12pm, Picton Library, Cuppa with Your Councilors.
• Saturday 27 July, 9am – 12noon, Repair Café Blenheim at Crossroads Café, Redwood Street. Assistance from volunteer experts who will offer free small repairs – sewing, bikes, toys, small furniture, electronics and more. Donations accepted.
Business Women in
Welcome to The Blenheim Sun’s - Women in Business Feature - where we shine the light on local women achieving great things every day
Name: Wendy Lefebre Occupation: Sales and Interior Design
What does your role entail?
Selling beautiful furniture and accessories. Assisting customers in choosing styles and fabrics they love.
In-home consultations, from one room to transforming an entire home.
What has been your biggest achievement
To believe in myself and follow my passion. I graduated as an A student with my Interior Design Diploma then threw myself into this wonderful world of design and all things beautiful.
Why I love where I live and work.
The climate and landscape of Blenheim. The seasonal changes of colour are so inspiring. At work I am surrounded by beautiful things every day and a great team of colleagues.
We have such a supportive and collaborative environment.
The greatest joy about what I do is
Creativity and connections with customers. I put my heart and soul into projects, no matter how big or small. I get lost in the creative process and it gives me such pleasure when it all comes together and the customer’s vision is created.
When not working I enjoy
Time with my fabulous friends and family, filling my tank with fun and laughter and a good wine. Going for walks or relaxing with a great read.
A woman in the world I get inspiration from Sophie Robinson is an Interior Designer from the UK. She is inspiration plus for me. Her philosophy, bold use of colour and pattern in her designs, I just adore. Listening to her podcast with Kate Watson-Smyth is a breath of fresh air and oh so stimulating.
My priorities and hopes for the future
To continue to grow and be inspired by all things “design”, and be the best I can be at what I do. That customers are confident in what I do and discover what great things we can create together.
Contact myself/business because
We’re here to help you and we’ll go that extra mile. We take time with our customers; it is important to us that a customer leaves feeling heard and enjoyed their experience with us at Lynfords.
Name: Mollie Maxwell Occupation: Health & Life Coach
Women in Business What does your role entail ?
I work one-on-one with clients to set and achieve personal development goals, empowering them to increase confidence, improve feelings of self-worth and gain life satisfaction.
What has been your biggest achievement ?
Having the courage to set up my own business and believe in myself.
Why I love where I live and work.
Over 30 years of living and working in Marlborough has made me appreciate being part of the community, along with the lovely climate and open spaces, I cant think of anywhere better to live.
The greatest joy about what I do is.
Seeing clients succeed and achieve results. Often small goals can lead to life-changing positive habits, improved health, less stress, better sleep and happier relationships. Life coaching is about helping clients to find their inner resources to achieve their goals and live life to the full.
When I am not working I enjoy.
Being out in the fresh air, walking my dog with my husband at the beach or riverbank, gardening and being creative in the kitchen.
A woman in the world I get inspiration from is
Kay Ayson, generous of spirit, caring and fun. Blenheim nurse of 40 years, former Justice of the Peace, keen cyclist, mother and grandmother.
My priorities and hopes for the future
If I can inspire others to accept that progress and not perfection is enough to make life better, that change is good for us and to never be afraid to admit that we have made a mistake, it will be a job well done.
Contact my business because
A Life Coach is the catalyst to a more rewarding, fulfilling and satisfying life, by turning negatives into positives, following dreams and embracing change. www.maxwellcoaching.co.nz. email. mollie@maxwellcoaching.co.nz
I am the Educational Coordinator for Reap Marlborough/Secondary Transitions. I manage the Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission Contracts for Reap Marlborough, with my special area being Secondary Schools/transition to work or further education.
What has been my biggest achievement?
There’s a number but I consider bringing up my 2 children alone to be up there; Abseiling down a 100m hole and through caves filled with water at the Waitomo Caving system - Lost World many years ago when I was a member of Civil Defence, Marjorie Banks St; and more recently, living without power the last 9 months in a small caravan.
Why I love where I work and live
I get to be able to support my elderly mother who lives in Blenheim. Both my children live in Marlborough now and so being close to my family is priceless!
The greatest joy about what I do
I have lived rurally for decades so working for an organisation that supports rural communities is close to my heart.
When not working I enjoy
Looking after my many animals, including bees, goats, horses, and sheep; natural health, singing/song writing; reading and learning in general.
A woman in the world I get inspiration from
Only one? My mum, my colleagues - a wonderful bunch of wahine Toa that are constantly trying to improve the lives of their communities locally and Nationally.
My Priorities and hopes for the future
Wellbeing - which includes a good work/life balance, freedom of choice, holistic health for both the people of NZ/Aotearoa and Papatuanuku in general.
Contact myself/business because
Learning is a life-long endeavour and we are open to working with individuals and organisations of like mind for the good of our communities.
Name: Hazel Youngman Occupation: Sales Consultant
What does your role entail?
Solving problems for people wanting to buy or sell property - listening to their requirements and help them to reach them.
What has been your biggest achievement?
Moving to Marlborough from North Canterbury and working as Blenheim’s sole agent for a South Island-wide company. My family and I are continually embracing living in this gorgeous region and all it has to offer!
What do you love about what you do?
I love meeting and getting to know my clients, both vendors and purchasers.
I especially love seeing first home buyers get on the property ladder, their excitement is contagious!
How do you define success?
Success comes in many forms - big and small. Just knowing I can assist people to get a desired outcome and make them happy is really important to me. People deserve happiness and joy - sprinkle that feeling everywhere and the world is a better place!
What do you do in your downtime?
Spending time with my husband and my young son on local or overseas holidays, family time at home together, or a bit of girl-time with my friends.
What is your unique selling point that sets you apart from the rest?
We offer the complete package at an extremely competitive low commission price point with all the same bells and whistles for advertising as any other agency can offer. ‘Sell With Ease, Save On Fees’ sums it up along with our ‘Just Makes Total Sense’ slogan. I also have a very positive ‘can do’ attitude which comes naturally to me so my job never feels like work!
By Chris Valli
Marlborough Motorcycles is a locally owned family business run by Daniel and Amanda Morton.
Marlborough Motorcycles services a wide range of customers with brands Can-Am, Kawasaki, Kea Trailers, CF Moto, as well as accessories, clothing, and parts.
They have also added Suzuki bikes to the business having recently become the authorised Suzuki dealers in Marlborough.
Amanda says Daniel has had a relationship
Marlborough Motorcycles Suzuki – adding more depth to local product offering
with Suzuki from when he used to work for a local Suzuki Dealership.
They wanted to add more depth to their offering and Suzuki provided them with a good range across road, adventure and farm while growing their customer base.
Suzuki also has a large range of LAMS (learner approved motorcycle scheme) approved bikes.
With a team of four mechanics, a parts technician, and an Administration and Sales team, they are dedicated to providing their customers with a great experience.
Director Daniel believes the best part of his job is dealing with the customers and helping people find their perfect bike while creating ongoing relationships with customers.
Their customers come from a variety of industry/backgrounds including road, adventure, farm, vineyard/winery and the general public.
Daniel’s love for motorcycles started at an early age, when he got his first trail bike at eleven years old. Since that day Daniel’s passion for motorbikes grew, and he has raced motocross since 2002.
Daniel races a 2024 KX450, and last rode at local Canvastown MX Champs. He also enjoys the Can Am Maverick which he took up north to the Burm Buster in early June.
“The new Suzuki V-Strom is great for two up adventure bike riding, and we both plan to get out on that soon,” says Amanda.
Amanda says they’d like to thank their customers, new and old, for their continued support and supporting local while also acknowledging the team at Marlborough Motorcycles and the efforts they put in behind the scenes.
Marlborough’ S Far M & Vineyard Speciali S t
• Fully equipped workshop servicing ALL makes and models
• WOF's, repairs, tyres, spares
• On-site servicing
• Vineyard sales and service for Mules, quads, side-by-sides.
BEST FRIEND: Marlborough Motorcycles wanted to add more depth to their product offering and Suzuki provided them with a good range across road, adventure and farm while growing their customer base. Suzuki also has a large range of LAMS (learner approved motorcycle scheme) approved bikes. Visit Marlborough Motorcycles on Warwick Street for more info.
MAN’S
Ag Minister visits Wine Centre
By Chris Valli
A delegation supporting WinePRO last week, including Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture visited the Marlborough Research Centre last week.
The delegation included Carolien Vis, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Frazer MacDiarmid, Lead Adviser, Trade Policy, British High Commission and Stuart Smith, MP for Kaikōura.
The group toured the facilities, visiting the Bragato Research Institute (BRI) and getting a glimpse of the Experimental Future Vineyard, which will officially be opened in July.
The new Experimental Future Vineyard facility, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre - Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, will provide a unique resource
for research into wine grape production.
The Experimental Future Vineyard will support productivity and quality aspirations of the New Zealand wine sector by developing new growing practices with improved environmental outcomes.
Development of the Experimental Future Vineyard is projected to cost $3.3 million including $770,000 reallocated from the Government’s earlier Kanoa Provincial Growth Fund loan to the Marlborough Research Centre.
Plant & Food Research will operate the facility and develop research programmes in collaboration with the Marlborough Research Centre, national and local government and the New Zealand wine industry, as well as provide student opportunities through the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) Te Pūkenga.
LEFT: FUTURE VINEYARD: From left to right; Gerald Hope, CE, MRC; Stuart Smith, MP for Kaikōura; Dr Damian Martin, Science Group Leader; Todd McClay, MP, Minister of Agriculture; John Patterson, Incoming CEO, MRC; Jolon Dyer, Group General Manager Science Services, Plant & Food Research.
Dr Damian Martin, Plant and Food Research explains the giant planter pods to be used at the Experimental Future Vineyard to MPs Todd McClay and Stuart Smith.
The delegation takes a glimpse at the BRI Research Winery, led by Ngarita Warden, BRI’s Research Winemaker.
If you’re looking for retirement living options in a supportive and friendly environment for over 65s, our community at Arvida Ashwood Park could be the perfect solution. Located within nearly five acres of garden estate, Ashwood Park makes the most of Blenheim’s wonderful climate with homes that capture the sunshine and views of nature.
Cure Kids Masquerade Ball
Toi World of Wearable Arts
technology Centre sent 25 students
WinePRO
Marlborough Mayor Nadine taylor and National MP todd McClay officially opened the inaugural Aotearoa WinePRO conference last tuesday. the theme was Innovate, Elevate, Celebrate and supported by the Marlborough District Council, New Zealand Wine, bragato, Agritech NZ and Marlborough Wine. Photos: Chris Valli
HOME GROWN: Blenheim’s Bryce Blackmore, based in Wellington and father John enjoyed the conference.
OFFICIALLY OPENED: Nadine Taylor and Todd McClay welcome delegates.
Dr Peter Meihana (Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō and Ngāi Tahu) addresses delegates and the public at the Tuesday opening.
Marlborough
to the wearable arts competition in Nelson last month. Photos: supplied.
Marlborough Events Centre, Saturday, June 30. Photos: Chris Valli
Vivienne Darling and Bell Williams from Richmond View School.
AMAZING KIDS and whanau: Emily Barsanti, her mother Amanda along with Nelson’s Rosa and Sophia Binns and MC Will Hall.
Navitha Sivanathan and Brooklyn Romana from Riverlands School.
Simon Popham and Glenn Kirby from Bayley’s Marlborough.
Dave Barrett, Evelyn and Sean Duncan and Gemma Amsler. Dave and Gemma were part of a Blenheim Musical Theatre group who performed ‘Masquerade’ from the musical, Phantom of the Opera.
Rosa Cotton from Bohally Intermediate.
5 minutes with...
Kristen roberts
Trustee at Public Trust
Are you a dog or cat person?
Definitely a cat person.
My friends would say I am.. Always happy to help.
The best advice I ever received was?
Don’t worry about what other people think. At the end of the day, it’s not their life (from my dad).
What would you buy if money was no object?
A house for each of our children.
Local coffee haunt?
No coffee haunt sorry as I don’t drink it, but if you want my favourite place to have a cocktail, it would have to be Dolce.
Favourite takeaway? Kebabs.
The shop you can’t walk past is...? Any book store.
What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received?
A beautiful cross-stitched bookmark that was bought for me by my sister at a craft stall.
Where is your happy holiday place?
Locally, it would have to be camping at Pelorus and internationally, Rarotonga followed very closely by Perth.
Favourite programme or series currently watching?
I love watching all the people who come through Border Patrol who don’t understand the meaning of “food”.
What’s one thing on your bucket list? Visit my ancestor’s homeland of Denmark.
gardening this week
Soil diseases: By Wally Richards
Soils contain diverse communities of microscopic organisms, some of which (pathogens) are capable of damaging plants.
Pathogens may grow in the soil feeding on the rotting roots of a host plant, say for instance a tomato plant.
These pathogens will be fairly specific in regards to their preferred host plant.
Thus if you plant a new tomato plant in the area where previously one died there is a reasonable chance that the pathogens present in the soil will attack and damage the new tomato plants roots.
If we were to plant a lettuce instead then it’s fairly unlikely that the lettuce would be affected by those pathogens that like tomatoes and members of that family of plants.
These specialised interactions between soil organisms and plants can kill seedlings and even adult trees.
Some organisms target young plants but others only appear as problems in later stages of the plants life.
Then there are pathogens that are able to cause disease problems in many different plant species.
The soil organisms that have the potential to be plant pathogens include fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and protozoa.
Some pathogens that attack leaves, stems of plants survive in the soil at various stages of their life cycles.
Therefore, a soil phase of a plant pathogen may be important, even if the organism does not infect roots.
In spite of the potential for severe damage to be inflicted on plants by soil pathogens, most plants do not display serious symptoms of disease.
Disease usually occurs when conditions are particularly unfavorable, or when a soil pathogen is accidentally introduced into an area where a highly susceptible plant species is growing.
The intensive chemical induced production of agriculture, horticulture or forestry has increased the opportunities for diseases to develop compared with the undisturbed natural ecosystems.
Planting of similar plant species together in monoculture also increases the probability of a disease outbreak, a glasshouse full of tomatoes for instance.
In contrast, the damage caused by the fungus Phytophthora Cinnamomi to many different plant species, in diverse natural ecosystems, demonstrates the damage that can be caused by a pathogen that infects the roots of many unrelated plants.
The control of pathogens and prevention of plant disease is a natural soil biological process.
Indeed, in most situations, plant disease is not strongly evident even when potentially pathogenic fungi are present in a soil.
In nature, soil pathogens are normally held at bay due to the beneficial microbes.
Where on the other hand chemical agriculture practices have created soil
conditions and a high density of susceptible roots that encourage the multiplication of pathogens.
Once potentially damaging organisms become present in high numbers in a soil, they may be difficult to eradicate.
Management practices are required that create conditions in the soil that are not favorable to pathogens so that their growth is limited and therefore, disease it restricted.
Owners of glasshouses become concerned about the build up of disease in their glasshouse soils when tomatoes and similar crops are planted year after year.
In the past there were chemicals such as Basamid that we could use to sterilise the soil.
That product has been banned.
Basamid was non-selective and it destroyed the good with the bad, and having no beneficial microbes to control the pathogens one could find disease problems quickly building up in the soil.
Another common problem is a row of shrubs or trees planted as a hedge or screen, they grow nicely and then one day a plant in the row becomes sick looking and dies, followed by the plant next to it and so on.
You may put in plant replacements but they also die.
You have soil pathogens that will kill the whole row in time and be impossible to plant that species there again.
There is a natural answer for the home gardener called Wallys Terracin.
Terracin uses a combination of a Bacillius Amyloliquefaciens BS-1b a beneficial soil microbe and the enzymes, bacteriocins, secondary metabolites and signal molecules from the fermentation of Enteroccocus Faecium to suppress a broad range of fungal pathogens.
Terracin works fast. Firstly the B Amyloliquefaciens directly attack the pathogens by excreting strong antimicrobial substances that inhibit the pathogens growth.
The enzymes and bacteriocins from the fermentation extract weaken the pathogen by breaking down its outer cell walls.
The signal molecules and secondary metabolites then activate the beneficial soil microbes that produce antimicrobial substances which act to further suppress the pathogens.
As the populations of beneficial microbes rise they suppress pathogens by simply out-competing them for food. Simple.
Once the pathogens have been suppressed it is important to re-establish a healthy population of beneficial microbes so 3 weeks after using Terracin you drench the area with Mycorrcin.
It is also important not to water the area with Chlorinated water (Put a 10 micron Carbon Bonded filter on your tap which is on our mail order web site) as chlorine just kills the microbes and you waste your
time and money.
To use Terracin either mix 20ml into 1 litre of non-chlorinated water and spray over 10sqM.
Alternative is mix 2ml of Terracin into 1 litre of non-chlorinated water and water over 1sqM of soil.
As we stated earlier there maybe pathogens in your soil because of past management (chemicals, herbicides and manmade fertilisers) and even if your vegetables or roses appear to be growing happily, an application of Terracin followed up by the Mycorrcin could improve your plants noticeably.
If no difference afterwards you will be comfortable in the knowledge that your gardening methods are working with nature not against it.
The applications of Terracin can be over or around existing plants with benefits to them.
It always amazes me that after removing the access to harmful chemicals such as Basamid that our ecological scientists can come up with a perfect solution working in accord with Nature rather than against it.
A email from a reader asks this question: Morning Wally, I am in the process of pruning my apple tree and also growing garlic underneath to prevent codlin moth. The branches are really getting high enough, do I just trim the high branches as if I was a giraffe?! Thanks John.....My answer is: Trimming of any branches will cause dormant buds to become new side branches which in your case would make even higher branches.
But this can be over come by either removing branches completely from source or if you do cut a branch back then when the side branches grow remove them off the main branch they came from. You may want to leave a few for fruiting purposes but do not leave too many to make it too dense.
Another reader has alerted us to scams on the internet where A1 are creating pictures of plants that are better in some respects than what happens in Nature. These incredibly beautiful plants are offered for sale on social media platforms thus the scam, they don’t exist except in pixels. Beware.
Ducks
Those ducks on Battys Rd are a damn nuisance, I have seen many get hit. Maybe the people who feed them should shoulder some blame for enticing them so close to a road?
Thank you
A huge thank you to Marlborough Lines for our power discount. It could not have come at a better time this winter.
Ferry grounding
A bit strange the ferry turning towards the beach when the steering broke. Would it not have just gone straight ahead. Failing that, bow thrusters to steer away from the beach. Engines astern, anchors down. Why not back of the beach if only touched lightly. Or did they turn too early to go down the sounds? Report will be interesting.
Re: Poor Panini
I’m sorry to hear about the service you received from this cafe in Blenheim. However, you would get a better result by naming the cafe and supplying your own name. Too easy to spout off about a place, but not name it.
Speed Signs
I live in a small lane way about 100 meters long, so who in their right mind would put up a sign saying you can go up to 40ks per hour. I understand the new speed signs around school areas has not been decided until July 11th, so who decided to put up all these 40 signs in side streets off Coleman’s road?
Ferry grounding
Great to see all the self appointed ‘experts’ come out on social media when the Ferry ran aground last week. What I found the most entertaining though were the people who blamed the current government, wholus-bolus, for the grounding.
The Ferries are 23 years old. This government has only been in power for a few months. Mind you, I’m guessing these are the same people who blame the government for everything. More of these experts we seem to have in abundance.
As with most of what the coalition is dealing with, this is no different. They are mopping up after the previous government/s.
Wheelie bins
Looks like we’ll have way more recycling capacity then previously. The yellow top bin will hold heaps more than the maroon crate. I reckon I’ll be lucky to wheel the yellow top bin out once a month. Kind of solves all the concerns about congestion on the footpaths.
Rainbows
Gods rainbow colours are not the same as the pride colours.
By all means we should give homage to Gods rainbow, His covenant promise. But let’s not confuse that with the pride people.
Muting ads
Thank God we can mute the ads, they are getting worse. The bowel ad with family clapping in the hallway while the family member does his business is insulting and degrading, that ad needs to be removed.
Ferry Fiasco
With a kneejerk reaction our govt cancelled the contract for new ferries. Are they fit to be ministers? Surely a renegotiation of the contract was the way to go. It must have cost millions in Breach of contract penalties. This could have gone towards a new contract for smaller ferries plus not put us at the back of the queue.
Butter
Supermarket click an collect butter dollar cheaper than in store so what’s their total profit on an over priced block of butter or cheese?
Re
Marlborough roads
As a resident of Birchwood Avenue, I have to point out that after some years of being ignored by Marlborough Roads and MDC to sort. When will the last part of Birchwood going to get its trees, storm drains, street lamps and road edges. You could at least try and justify your price hype.
$5m Mini Roundabout?
If the $5m costing for the mini roundabout recently (partially) completed in Middle Renwick Rd is correct, many heads should roll from the MDC.
Anything in excess of $1m would have been highly questionable for such a small project that hasn’t even been fully completed! Outdated, temporary loose chip (partial) road covering? Really?
Roll on the ‘24 Council Elections as fiscally responsible Councillors are desperately needed in Marlborough.
Distasteful use of facility
I acknowledge the importance of wine to this Region However, wine is booze. Booze is responsible for more damage to society than all other illegal drugs combined. It destroys people, families, businesses and community. As the police have recently acknowledged alcohol is involved in a significant amount of crime. Wine, beer etc increase the likelihood of stroke and heart disease. Yet we celebrate booze. Imo it is distasteful that a facility dedicated to health hosts such an event. Shame!
Ruined
Picton has been ruined by an ugly temporary ferry terminal, ugly and unnecessary rental car offices taking up prime space on foreshore and an Isite that looks like a shed hidden in the Bush. Who is responsible for this shambles .Gateway to the south !
Wondering
I’m Wondering...Is there a correlation between the rapid rise in respiratory illness in Marlborough’s children and adults (RSV & COPD) and the aluminum nanoparticles in aerosol being released by jets into our skies so frequently. ?
Basic road rules
The pedestrian refuge outside the Girls’ College is designed to offer a secure spot for pedestrians to wait before continuing across the road. Many times, I have witnessed cars stopping to allow students to cross or students walking in front of cars without paying attention. It’s a wonder there aren’t more accidents in that area.
Talk of the week
WinePRO Masquerade Ball
What a great event for Marlborough. Pity the weather wasn’t more hospitable for all the visitors who spent the week here. Well done to MDC and co for facilitating what will have been an economic boost for Marlborough.
A shout out to the organisers of the Masquerade Ball - what a stunning event! Well done. please do this again next year. Such a great cause as well.
Thank you
Thanks and a big hug to the kind person who handed this forgetful old ladies handbag in at Pak n Save on Saturday 29th. I would have been lost without it.
Its the little things
Dear kind postman on the motorcycle in Mayfield, thank you for petting my dog. You made both his day and mine brighter when I saw your act of kindness.
We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.
Limit to 70 words please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion. Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Sun management.
Golf Results
Blenheim Golf Club
June 20 Stableford Steve Andeson 38 Alan Gibbons 37 Chris Abbott 36 David Dyer 35 Duncan Cassidy 34 Jesse Miller
33 Morgan Bowe 32 Graeme Daines 31
Roy Lilley 31 9 Holes stableford Justin Taipan 20 June 22nd Gross Stableford
Andre Tewhiu 43 Leanne Stowell 39 Nigel Smith 38 Ross Agnew 37 Mike Gardiner 36 Judith Batty 35 Desz Campbell 35 Luke Yarrall 34 Jim Findlay
34 Graeme Parker 34 Ezra Kahaki 33
Tere Poa 33 Ray Herd 33 June 27th Par
Terry Poa 0 Ezra Kahaki -1 Roy Lilley -2 Don March -3 Mike Gardiner -3 Clive Drummond -3 Ray Meaclem -4 Graeme Parker -4 Jesse Miller -4 Stuart McLagan -4 9 holes stableford David Horrell 19 Brian Brown 15 June 26th LGU Medal 0-29 Marion Flynn 79 30+ Odette Roper 81 June 29th Medal Mike McDonald 67 Graeme Daines 70 Mark Le Compte 72
Roy Lilley 73 Luke Yarrall 73 Tere Poa 73 Michael Daines 74 Tom Bainbridge 75 Alex Herd 75 Ray Herd 75 Ezra Kahaki 76 Albertus van Dyk 76 Sam Rainbird 77 NTP Fairweathers 9/18 Yuichi Ando Sowmans 3/12 Michael Daines.
Picton Golf Club
Thurs 20 June S/F-Jeff Pascoe 39;Murray Selwyn 38,Graham Morell 38;Jelle Keizer 37;Hirman Taylor 35; Terry Sowman 34; Fri 21 June S/F-Lin Stone 18; Vicki Eastgate 14, Helen McIsaac 14. Sat 22 June Nett-Jock Mannington 68;Ian Johnson 69,Nick Wright 69;Jeff Pascoe 71,Ant Booker 71,Gary Aldridge 71;Ben Blackman 72;Jelle Keizer 73;Ian Molloy74,Hirman Taylor 74,Barry Slater 74. Tues 25 June Nett-Jo Prescott 72; Vicki Eastgate 80,Helen McIsaac 80;Lynette Pearce 80. Thurs 27 June S/F-Tim McCaffery 40;Gary Aldridge 39;Murray Selwyn 36;Graham Morell 35,Robert Lopez 35,Richard Avery 35;Brian Carver 34.
Pine, 3cu/m $230 Macro 3 cu/m $280. No texting, no computers. 0273267416
Urgently required two bed flat, unfurnished, 02102510407
StAmP collections, coin collections, old toys, post cards etc. Cash paid. Ph 021 138 8949.
Pennyl A ne Records always buying records. Excellent prices paid. 430 Colombo Street, Sydenham 366 3278 Open 7 days
A Flying Nun records wanted. Will pay Pin Group Coat $1000, Six Impossible Things $700, Surburban Reptiles Sat Night $1600. Anything by 25 cents, Gordons, Builders, Clean, Mainly Spaniards, Playthings, Toy Love or any other Flying Nun and 80s alternative punk bands. Dave 021 222 6144 Pennylane Records, Sydenham 7 days.
WA nte D TO BUY- Old tobacco tins, NZ postcards, military items, garden tools, woodworking tools, records from the 1970’s/80’s, old petrol station related items, fountain pens, crystal decanters/whisky & wine glasses, NZ history books, gold jewellery, antique bottles, Tonka, Fun Ho & tin toys, white Crown Lynn vases & swans & all collectables. Collector of NZ / Maori & whaling related artifacts. All of the above are popular & fetching good money at the moment. Free quotes we travel. Rarity, condition & collectability = more $$$. Just Browsing 26 Battys Rd (03)5775402.
Clothing Alterations: by Lynette Atkinson-Parker
For your sewing requirements
Quality Service Guaranteed Phone 03 578 1010 or 027 578 1010
HAVELOCK BOWLING CLUB AGM
Will be held in the Clubrooms 7 Neal Street, Havelock Sunday 28th July 2024 at 1pm
As Matariki rises and we reflect on the year, it was timely to celebrate and thank the many Cancer Society volunteers during National Volunteer Week in June. Our small team at the Cancer Society in Marlborough are supported by a range of wonderful volunteers, whose dedication and compassion are our strength. They help us extend our reach and support to our community by providing volunteer driving support, visiting people at home or running essential errands to support them while they are undergoing treatment, help with office administration, provide governance to support our local Centre, help organise fundraising events, provide baking to oncology as well as advocacy, support and camaraderie. We thank you for your mahi/ work and for making a difference to our impact locally, we couldn’t do this without you.
Daffodil Day Volunteers
Ryan Lawnmowing
Blenheim
Renwick Picton
Phone/Txt 022 322 6515
Sunday 14th July 2024 at 10am Agenda
• Apologies
• Confirmation of the Minutes of the 2023 AGM
• Matters Arising
• Presentation of the President’s Report
• Presentation of the 2023-24 Statement of Accounts
• Set Subscriptions for 2024-25
• Election of Officers
• Awards
• Memorandum of Understanding
• Constitution
• General Business
Waen 027 7222647
Public Notice of Decision on Submissions on Variation 2: Ecologically Significant Marine Sites
On 3 July 2024, the Marlborough District Council gives public notice that it has made its decision on the provisions of Variation 2: Ecologically Significant Marine Sites and the matters raised in submissions. As of this date the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan is amended in accordance with this decision.
The decision is available to download from the Marlborough District Council’s website www.marlborough.govt.nz.
Copies of the decision can also be viewed at:
• Marlborough District Council offices – Blenheim and Picton
• Libraries – Blenheim and Picton
If you have further questions, please address these to variations@marlborough.govt.nz or phone: Karen Bloor on 03 520 7400.
Notice of the decision has been served on all persons who made submissions or further submissions.
Any person who made a submission and/or further submission may appeal the Council’s decision to the Environment Court. Further details of the appeal process are available on the Council website. Any appeal to the Environment Court must be in the prescribed form (with filing fee) and lodged with the Environment Court (PO Box 2060, Christchurch) within 30 working days of service of the notice of decision. The closing date for appeals is Friday 16 August 2024.
Dated at Blenheim at 8:00 am on the 3 July 2024
MARK WHEELER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Daffodil Day is just around the corner, we are starting to make arrangements for our annual street appeal on Friday 30th August. We’ll be contacting the many volunteers who have helped us in previous years. Please let us know if you would like to help with preparations for fresh daffodils or the street appeal. You can email our Volunteer Coordinator, Hilary on hilaryg@ cancersocorg.nz or call our office to find out more on 03 579 4379.
Ngā mihi nui/Best wishes, Cancer Society Marlborough team
Important Dates
We have a range of other support groups and forum available, please contact us for information:
• Toi Ora – Art for Wellbeing ‘Taster Sesson’ – FREE art session with therapeutic art facilitator Emma Toy – September 11, 1:30 pm – 3:00pm. Expressions of interest to: marlbgorough@cancersoc.org.nz dallacel@cancersoc.or.nz or 035794379
• Blue Brothers exercise and wellness group for men –Tuesdays 10 am – FREE. Contact Dallace – dallacel@ canacersoc.org.nz
• Live Stronger – exercise and wellness class for women – Wednesdays 6 pm – $5 per class. Contact Dallace – dallacel@canacersoc.org.nz
• Partners of men living with cancer coffee/support group – Every 3rd Thursday – 1:30 – 3:00 pm. Contact Dallace – dallacel@canacersoc.org.nz
• Look Good Feel Better – FREE skin care workshopCommunity Class Link https://lgfb.co.nz/patients/ community-classes/ or phone 0800 865 432. Or contact Dallace – dallacel@canacersoc.org.nz for registration support.
Cancer Contacts
Cancer Society Marlborough, 76a Maxwell Rd, PO Box 233, Blenheim. Phone 03 579 4379
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am-4:00pm
Email address: marlborough@cancersoc.org.nz
Cancer helpline: 0800 CANCER (226 237) Cancer Society website: www.cancer.org.nz for reliable and up to date information, links and chat forums.
URGENT services
Urgent Care Centre: Wairau Hospital Grounds. Entry off Hospital Rd, Blenheim, 8am-8pm daily. Phone (03) 520 6377. Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non urgent 578 0797.
After Hours Chemists: Springlands Pharmacy: Monday - Friday 8.30am6pm. Saturday 9m - 5pm. Sunday 10am - 4pm. We will be closed on the following days: Anzac Day 25 April, Kings Birthday 3 June, Matariki 28 June
Community Care Pharmacy: Within the Blenheim Warehouse, open 7 days 9am8pm. Only closed Christmas Day. Lifeline Marlborough: 0800 543354, 24hr helpline.
Women’s Refuge and Sexual Violence Support Centre Marlborough: Crisis line number phone 0800 refuge or 03 5779939.
Victim Support: 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846)
Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 AA WORKS - 0800 229 6757.
Wairau Hospital: Hospital Visiting Hours: Daily 2.30pm - 8pm, children under 12 may visit parents only.
Maternity Ward: 10am-noon, 4pm-7pm. Children's Ward: Daily 10am-8pm. Visiting at all times is subject to the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward.
APPERLEY, Harleen Rose (nee Bain). Passed away on Friday June 28, 2024 at Redwood Lifestyle. Aged 84 years. Loving wife of the late Gilbert. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Denise and Doug Powell, and Cushla Apperley; Gran to Sarah and Ben Wilson, Megan Powell, Justyn and Max Armstrong and Great-Granmother to Evie; Sister and sister-in-law of Colin and Raelene Bain (Kaikoura). Messages may be sent to 2 Ruthken Crescent Blenheim 7201. A funeral for Harleen will be held at Mayfield Chapel, cnr Hutchison and Parker Streets at 1:30pm on Friday July 5, followed by interment at Fairhall Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and details may be accessed via our website www. sowmans.co.nz/upcoming-funerals
T: 03 578 4719
E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz
W: www.sowmans.co.nz
Death notices
FIFIELD: Kathleen Lynden (Kath) – formerly Williams, nee Henry. On 22 June 2024, peacefully at Ashwood Park Retirement Village, aged 82 years. Dearly loved wife of David William Fifield and the late Pat Williams. Much loved mother of Chris Williams, Jane Newman, Wendy Eaton and Kaye Williams. Mother-in-law, sister in law, Aunty, Nana, great & great great Nana. A big thankyou to the staff at Ashwood Park for their wonderful care. At Kath’s request a private cremation has taken place. Messages to C/- P O Box 9 Blenheim 7240, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services and www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz.
Cloudy Bay Funerals 03 578 2004 F.D.A.N.Z.
JONES Helen Muriwai (nee Pacey). Sunrise 19 July 1938 Sunset 30 June 2024. Aged 85 yrs. Loved Wife of Les, adored Mum of Ray, Brian, Barb, Wayne and Partners. Cherished Grandma/Granny of her Grandchildren, Great children and Great great grandchildren. Loved and Respected by many. Mum passed peacefully surrounded by family 3.45am 30th June 2024. Mums funeral service will be Friday 5th July 2024 at 1.30pm, Port Marlborough Pavillion, 181 Waikawa Rd, Picton. Rest peacefully knowing we will forever miss you
PERRY: Nigel Ernest (QSM). On 27 June 2024, peacefully at Ashwood Park Retirement Village, in his 96th year. Loved husband of the late Eileen and a much loved father and fatherin-law of Linda and John Mortimer. Dearly loved uncle, cousin and friend to many. Messages to c/- 144A Weld Street Blenheim 7201 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Marlborough Hospice (Acc. No. 03 1369 036520700 Ref: Perry) would be appreciated or may be made at the service. Our heartfelt thanks to Wairau Hospital, Ashwood Park, the Marlborough Hospice and Dr Georgina Walton for their care of Dad. A celebration of Nigel’s life will be held at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services, 15 Boyce Street on Wednesday 3 July at 2.00pm followed by private cremation. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services website. “Dad you have served your last ball and taken your last photo” Rest in Peace
Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non-urgent 579 4870.
Chemist: Picton Healthcare Pharmacy. Ph 573 6420 Mon -Fri 8.30-5.30pm, Sat 9-2pm. Medical Centre Pharmacy, Ph 928 4265, Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm
Babies Babies Sun
Heberley: Amelia Louise born June 7, 2024 at 10.20am Weight 3.4kg Hospital
Christchurch Women’s
Angela and big sister Natalia are excited to announce the arrival of Amelia Big Thankyou to midwife Rosie, the NICU team and Mama and Grandad xxx
Picton: Email
HAD A BABY?
BARNES: Kenneth Frederick (Ken). Passed away on 26th June 2024 aged 86 years. Peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family. Dearly loved husband of Pat and much-loved father and father-in-law of Nadine and Graham Taylor; Peter Barnes; Glenda Barnes. Loved and respected grandad of Matt and Nick Taylor, Pippa and Annabelle Barnes, Liam Hardman, Sky and Quill BoskettBarnes. A loved brother and brother-in-law, and uncle. The family thanks the Access carers who supported Ken and Pat over the past year, and the District nurses and Hospice staff who provided care to Ken in the last few months. In lieu of flowers a donation to Hospice Marlborough would be appreciated and may be made online at: 03-1369-0365207-00 Ref: Barnes. Messages to C/- P O Box 9 Blenheim 7240, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services and www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz At Ken’s request a private service has been held.
T: 03 578 4719
E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz
W: www.sowmans.co.nz
DAY: Brian Joseph (Daisy). Reg. No. H78609. Peacefully passed away Monday 24th June 2024 after a long illness. Leaving behind loving wife Rosie, children Brett & Pam, Shane & Lyree , grandchildren Cody & Bailey. Rosie would like to thank St Johns ambulance & the staff at Wairau hospital for their care & support. Donations to St John (Acc. No. 12 3167 0165142 00 Ref: Day) would be appreciated. Messages to the Day family c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim or www. cloudybayfunerals.co.nz . Brian’s memorial service has been held. The service was livestreamed and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services website.
PALMER, Rodger Henderson (Rod). Passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Hospice Marlborough. In his 80th year. Loved husband of the late Jan and the late Gwynne. Special Father/Dad of Robyn, Trudi, and Linda. Loved Grand-Pop of Anthony, Renee, Blair, Cameron, Haylee, Jake, June, and his great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Hospice Marlborough staff. Messages may be sent to the Palmer family at 956 Queen Charlotte Drive, RD1, Picton 7281. In lieu of flowers a donation to Marlborough Four Paws would be appreciated and may be made to a/c 02-0600-0312016-000 Ref. Palmer. In accordance with Rod’s wishes a private cremation has taken place.
T: 03 578 4719
E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz
W: www.sowmans.co.nz
PITTS, Lois Fay (nee Kennedy). Passed away peacefully in her 80th year at Hospice Marlborough (after a long illness) on 24 June 2024. Dearly loved wife and best friend for 55 years of Edwin. Loved mother of Mark and Anna, Nige and Jen, Steve and Jo, Andrew and Sarah. Treasured grandmother of Charlie and Ted, Nicholas and Emily, Thomas, Blake and Libby, Oscar and Es. Loved sister of Jill (late) and John McLellan and John Kennedy (late). Please send messages to the Pitts Family, C/- PO Box 110 Blenheim 7240. Our heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Hospice Marlborough and Wairau Hospital Oncology Department and Surgical ward. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Marlborough would be appreciated using Pitts as a reference at hospicemarlborough.org.nz or bank account. Marlborough Hospice Trust SBS Bank Account #03-1369-0365207-00. A family farewell has been held in accordance with Lois’s wishes.
T: 03 578 4719
E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz
GIFFORD; Ian Maurice. On Friday 28th June 2024 peacefully at Ashwood Park Retirement Village in his 87th year. Dearly loved husband of the late Jean and a dearly loved father, father-in-law and grandfather of Robyn and Richard, Rod and Angela, William and Alastair. Loved and respected brother of Graham; Gwenda Cresswell and the late Gayna Weaver. Messages to 260 Hammerichs Rd Blenheim 7273 or www.cloudybayfuneralservices.co.nz. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Alzheimers Society, 8 Wither Road, Blenheim 7201 (Bank Acc 02 0600 0112284 00) Ref; Gifford would be appreciated or may be made at the service. A service for Ian will be held at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services, 15 Boyce Street, Blenheim on Friday 5th July at 11am followed by interment at the Rapaura Anglian Cemetery. Ian’s service will be livestreamed and may be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services website.
STRANGE: Peter. Passed away on 21 June 2024 at Christchurch Hospital, aged 77 years. Dearly loved husband of Jan, much loved father and father-in-law of Michael and Lara, Tony and Lizzie, Michelle and Fred. Cherished Grandfather to Arnaka, Sierra, Tyson, Starsh, Josh, Shelyse and Jacob. A muchloved brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend to many. A special Dad to Benji dog. Messages to c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz A celebration of Pete’s life has been held.
TICEHURST: Judith Ann. On June 29th, 2024 Judith passed away suddenly at home, at the age of 80. A strong brave woman at rest. Much loved wife and best friend of Ashley. Loving mother of the late Arndrea and devoted grandmother to Victoria and Georgia. Messages to 147 Wakamarina Road Havelock 7178 and www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Marlborough Hospice (Acc. No. 03 1369 036520700 Ref: Ticehurst) would be appreciated. In accordance with Judith’s wishes, a private interment will be held.
WESTWOOD: Donald Thomas (Don). Passed away peacefully at Ashwood Retirement Home on 27th June 2024, aged 94 years. Dearly loved husband of Joan, beloved Dad of Linda McKinley and Alan Westwood, greatly respected grandad of Lorena (deceased), Blair, Nicola, Steven, Christopher and Ben, loved by all his great grandchildren. Messages to c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz . Special thanks for the loving care given to Don by Ashwood Retirement Home. At Don’s request a private cremation has been held.
Cloudy Bay Funerals 03 578 2004 F.D.A.N.Z.
UNSWORTH: Patricia Ruth (Ruth). Peacefully at Springlands Lifestyle on 27th June in her 94th year. Much loved wife of the late Roy. Loved mother of Jane Tomkinson (Christchurch); Mark and Janet (Wellington); Sarah Hammond and Chris (Blenheim); John and Sharon (Whanganui). Very proud “Gran” to her 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Much respected mother-in-law to Scott. A private service has been held. The family are extremely grateful for the many supportive messages received. Thank you to the staff of Springlands for their amazing care of Ruth. Messages to 30 River Terrace Renwick 7204 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz
Doug’s legacy rewarded
By Chris Valli
A restoration of a diesel locomotive by the Blenheim Riverside Railway has resulted in an award at the recent Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand conference. Held in Palmerston North, BRR won the Motive Power Award which recognises
excellence in the restoration of petrol, diesel, diesel- electric, electric vehicles and railcars by the members of the Federation. The award comes with a $500 prize to the winning group.
FRONZ represents its member groups which are organisations in the heritage and tourism rail industry in NZ.
WinePRO - ‘immersive’
By Chris Valli
Marlborough rolled out the red carpet welcoming national and international visitors to the region for the inaugural WinePRO at Stadium 2000 last week.
WinePRO New Zealand was promoted as ‘one of the biggest and most comprehensive wine trade events to be held’ offering an opportunity to celebrate, learn and connect within the vibrant and dynamic wine community that is Marlborough.
The event demonstrated the ‘most extensive showcase of equipment’ with 70 suppliers within the industry with indoor and outdoor exhibits providing a comprehensive overview of the latest innovations and technologies shaping the future of the wine industry.
Minister of Agriculture (including viticulture) and Trade Todd McClay was a special invited guest for Tuesday’s opening, his third visit to the region since the election in 2023.
As part of National’s trade policy and pre-election visit to Marlborough in October, the party says it had plans to ‘turbocharge the primary sector’ and to help double trade exports over the next decade.
McClay says, in 1999 New Zealand exported 125 million dollars worth of wine. In 2024 it is now 2.4 billion dollars.
“In different parts of the world I go to in my role, people want to try wine from New Zealand and Marlborough because of its reputation which is a remarkable thing, it’s exceptional. We have an obligation on behalf of New Zealanders to sell more overseas.
The New Zealand – United Kingdom FTA (free trade agreement) is one of the highest quality and most comprehensive free trade agreements the country has ever concluded McLay says this year alone, New Zealand wine growers would save 25 million dollars in tariffs with not paying tax at the border.
The Da class established the initial numbering practice for NZR diesel locomotives, numbering the units sequentially with the class leader numbered in reference to the locomotives horsepower. While the locomotives were actually rated at 1425 hp, numbering started at 1400 and continued up to 1545.
The locomotive was built by engineering company A&G Price based in Thames in 1951 with two others. They were known as the “Da” type and were number 6, 7 and 8 – in reference to the 166th, 167th and 168th locomotives Prices had built. Riverside Railway also has Da #6, their first engine. Spokesperson Ryan Gibbs says they were built for the government owned coal mines at Ohai, and were in service there pulling little coal tubs from the mines to the unload point until the 1970s. Da #8 was sold to the Kerikeri Orchard Railway taking tourists
around the orchards, before being sold to the Totara Springs Christian Camp near Matamata. It spent many years taking kids for rides before being parked up due to a worn-out track.
In 2016 Riverside Railway purchased Da with two carriages. After a brief overhaul it first went into service in 2017 and needed an engine change in 2022, and by 2023 this was done.
Doug Dean was a long serving member of the society, who worked as an engineer maintaining the fleet of trains and building new ones. His legacy deserved a locomotive named after him, so with the new engine put into the locomotive it was officially named ‘Doug’ in April 2023.
Ryan says some of the members who worked on the restoration were Gary Coburn, Jack Somerville, Paul Morgan, Graham Bush and Scott McIntyre.
Vector Free Marlborough (VFM) wishes to advise the public of its intention to aerially apply the toxin Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) to the Mt Alexander – Clarence Reserve North area for the purpose of controlling possums. The Mt Alexander – Clarence Reserve North operation is being carried out on behalf of OSPRI as part of its TBfree New Zealand programme, which aims to eradicate bovine tuberculosis from wildlife vectors that pose a risk to farmed cattle and deer. Unfavourable weather conditions over recent weeks have delayed the planned completion of this operation, originally scheduled for May 2024.
Description of Area
The operational area is comprised of two distinct blocks, Mt Alexander and Clarence Reserve North, which share a common boundary along George Spur.
The treatment area for the Mt Alexander block takes in land to the north of Puhi Puhi valley and to the east of Blue Duck Valley. The northern boundary is defined by George Spur and runs parallel to the Clarence River, the eastern boundary is bounded by SH1 and the Kaikoura coast.
The FTA he says was ‘rushed through parliament’ in six weeks so that New Zealand exporters could save 100 million dollars in tariffs.
“More importantly, there are goods on the markets straight away. We don’t compete on price, especially somewhere like the UK. It’s on quality and reputation. We want to double exports by value and open doors and level the playing field, make it easier to trade.”
McLay quipped he was looking forward to a glass of wine before he caught his lunchtime flight.
Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor says the wine industry ‘as a whole’ was fascinating for all who attended the three day conference.
“This week we are going to celebrate, innovate, and elevate New Zealand’s international wine reputation as a producer and cement something that we know locally but needs to be cemented nationally and internationally with Marlborough’s place as a hub of technology and innovation,” she says.
The event featured an industry-led conference with a theme of Innovate, Elevate, and Celebrate. Focussing on business intelligence, it offered thought-provoking discussions on emerging trends, sustainable practices and technological advancements.
Marlborough dominates New Zealand’s national production of wine with over 80% of all wine coming from the region while Marlborough is the world’s sixth largest exporter of wine by value.
The event was supported by Marlborough District Council, New Zealand Wine, Bragato, AgriTech NZ and Marlborough Wine.
Gary FitzRoy, the show organiser says it had been a great experience seeing the vision of the Marlborough District Council come to life and their support in getting the event off the ground.
The treatment area for the Clarence Reserve North block abuts into the Mt Alexander operation along George Spur and takes in the Seaward Kaikoura Range in the southern portion of the block. The Clarence River runs parallel along the eastern boundary and then through the northern portion of the block and wrapping along the western boundary. To the north of the block is Sawtooth Range.
The treatment area for the 2024 Mt Alexander – Clarence Reserve North operation takes in approximately 18,200 hectares of privately and publicly owned land, administered by various agencies including the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand and local authorities. A detailed map may be obtained from VFM as per the contact details below.
Commencement Date
Note: This is a re-publication of an earlier notice for this operation which advised that work would begin from 01 May 2024. The application of non-toxic prefeed was completed in early June.
Subject to favourable weather, control is planned to continue through July 2024, with the aerial application of bait containing biodegradable sodium fluoroacetate (1080).
All work is weather dependent, and commencement may be later than indicated. In the event of an extended delay, further notices will be placed to advise the public.
Bait Description
Aerial control using 1080:
• Pre-feed - Non-toxic cereal-based pellet, approximately 16 mm long, cinnamon-lured, and non-dyed (sandy coloured).
• Toxic bait - Cereal-based pellet, approximately 16 mm long, cinnamon-lured, and dyed green with a toxic loading of 0.15% Sodium fluoroacetate (1080).
The aerial operation will use helicopters equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware and calibrated buckets to ensure accurate placement.
Precautions
The pesticide is poisonous to humans and domestic animals. The public are reminded of the danger that toxic baits and possum carcasses pose, particularly to children and dogs.
• DO NOT TOUCH OR EAT BAITS
• Children must be kept under strict supervision in the control area
• Dogs must be kept under strict control at all times and not have access to, or be taken into, the control area, as they are particularly susceptible to harm from contact with toxic baits and poisoned carcasses. The risk that poisoned carcasses pose to dogs may extend downstream of the control area.
• Toxin warning signs will be installed at main public entry points and the public are reminded that it is an offence to remove this warning signage. Please follow the instructions on the signs.
• Game animals should not be sold or taken for eating from within or adjacent to this area until it is declared clear of pesticides.
If you suspect poisoning
Contact your local hospital, or dial 111
National Poisons Centre 0800 POISON - 0800 764 766
In the case of a domestic animal being poisoned, contact a local veterinarian
For further information please contact:
Operation Controller – Mt Alexander – Clarence Reserve North Vector Free Marlborough PO Box 5171, Springlands, Blenheim 7241 Free Phone: 0508
2024 MT ALEXANDER – CLARENCE RESERVE NORTH AERIAL POSSUM CONTROL OPERATION
The restoration of Da8 locomotive ‘Doug’ has seen Blenheim Riverside Railway win the Motive Power Award at the Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand conference.
