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Friday 17 November 2023
New dawn for high school
The whare wānanga representing a double-hulled waka, Tainui and Tokomaru seen clearly in daylight. Photo: Ronnie Short. RONNIE SHORT
Just minutes prior to 5am on Monday, a quiet, expectant huddle of people gathered at the newly established entranceway to Golden Bay High School (GBHS). Manawhenua ki Mohua (MKM) together with Te Waka Kura o Mohua (the new name for GBHS) hosted the dawn blessing ceremony. The occasion heralded the opening of a block of nine classrooms and a whare wānanga comprising a whare kai, library, and offices. Standing proudly at each side of the entrance are two impressive pou. The waharoa were designed by Robin Slow and built by Waitapu Engineering. The left pou represents the three iwi of MKM, and on the right the three ahi kā whānau: Ward-Holmes, Meihana, and Mitchell. Enveloped in darkness, people greeted one another with hugs and many a whispered “kia ora” until Barney Thomas (MKM) greeted all
and explained the ensuing protocol. Spinetingling sounds of pūtātara (conch shells) blown by Ali Reynish, Tane Ward-Holmes (manawhenua), and Maiana Mason (direct descendent of Meihana, who gifted the land), rang out. Led by the call of several kaikaranga from MKM, the entourage slowly moved towards the wide, welcoming steps of the whare wānanga. In the darkness, the outline of the whare wānanga – representing a double-hulled waka, Tainui and Tokomaru – was barely discernible. Upon entering the building, the chanting of the kaikarakia led the group in single file around the perimeter of every room. Coming together in the soon-to-be-library space, Barney first acknowledged the recent passing of Eric Lander. He endowed the belated John Ward-Holmes as “the glue who brought us all together” and gave thanks for the inclusivity of local whānau, hapu, and iwi.
And, “To you Linda, and the board, this has been the role model consultation process.” Principal Linda Tame expressed huge gratitude, “Firstly to Manawhenua ki Mohua – Ngāti Rarua, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Tama – thank you for partnering with us and guiding us in the cultural narrative and the design of, in particular, Tokomaru and Tainui. And I cannot thank Robin Slow enough... he has been absolutely integral to this whole learning programme.” Further acknowledgements went to Naylor Love managers, Andrew Pope and Cameron Orr, their team, the subcontractors and consultants led by five WSP architects. Others included Peter McNabb, Noble, and “Craig and the MOE team for always working with the vision of our learners at the centre”. She thanked Andy Williams and the school board, the community, students, and staff, for “a very,... Continued on page 2
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Inside: Armistice Day Non-violence Sustainable forestry GB climate risk THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2023
GB Community Board JO RICHARDS
November’s meeting of the Golden Bay Community Board was held at Tasman District Council Service Centre in Tākaka on Monday afternoon. The meeting began with councillor Chris Hill’s karakia in which she acknowledged the recent passing of Eric Lander. Board chair Abbie Langford was unable to attend, so fellow board member Grant Knowles stepped into the role for the afternoon. Grant welcomed Tasman District Council (TDC) CEO Janine Dowding and group manager of finance Mike Drummond to the meeting, along with acting resource consents manager Katrina Lee, who was deputising for Kim Drummond. After announcing that there were no contributions to Public Forum this month, Grant paid tribute to the outgoing CEO, who has been in the post for around five years, saying it had been “a huge journey for Janine and for council” and she had made TDC “a more inclusive place”. Presentations P l a n n i n g f o r A n i m a l We l fa r e i n Emergencies: Wayne Ricketts, national animal welfare co-ordinator for the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), made a presentation about providing for animal welfare needs during emergency events. Wayne pointed out that around 60 per cent of Kiwis have an animal (pets and/ or livestock), and they invariably choose to stay with them during an emergency, which puts them and potential rescuers at risk. Hence, in addition to the many other reasons for ensuring the welfare of animals, one of the strongest is that “saving animals’ lives saves human lives”. Wayne explained that MPI, with the support of numerous agencies – including SPCA, Federated Farmers, and NZVA – and volunteers, aims to provide for the needs of animals when owners can’t. This includes supply of food, water, shelter, and veterinary services. The emergency response regime is organised into a hierarchy of national, regional, and local. MPI, Wayne explained, has prepared an Animal Welfare Emergency Management Plan for all regions across the country, but there was a need for local communities to develop their own plans, especially in vulnerable remote locations. “Golden Bay could be cut off and need to be self-sufficient. Ask yourself, how would we cope?” Wayne said he was “happy to engage with local communities” and come over... Continued on page 3
Ray White Golden Bay RAFFLE WINNERS
1st Prize: #641 Nicki 2nd Prize: #327 Rosemary 3rd Prize: #366 Helen Heartfelt thank you to the volunteers Billy Kerrisk Ltd Licensed Agent REAA 2008 ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
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