Christmas comes to town
Golden Bay’s festive spirit was fully on parade in Tākaka last Saturday morning.
The main feature of the day was the annual Santa Parade, but strong supporting acts –horseback acrobatics, a brass band concert and the regular outdoor market – added to the occasion.
From around 9.30am, in anticipation of the parade, a large crowd began to gather on Commercial Street, which was closed to traffic for the occasion.
Down at Sollys yard, a fleet of trucks, trailers and utes were being rapidly transformed by busy crews into carnival floats using various combinations of tinsel and green foliage, along with bunting, banners and balloons.
Tasked with creating order from potential chaos, parade co-ordinator Tom Lake ticked off entries on his clipboard while sorting out a running order for the parade. “We want to separate the noise and the sound-sensitive,” explained Tom, consulting his constantlychanging list, “I don’t know exactly who is turning up.”
The youngest participants, from Golden
Bay Kindergarten, had turned up early with their own bicycles, ready to pedal their part in the parade.
For the first time in a few years, Motupipi School had decided to join in the fun. “It’s parents and children driven,” explained Principal Rachel Evans. “I’m trying to organise it.” Next door, staff, students and helpers from Tākaka Primary School were putting the finishing touches – including several giant gingerbread men – to their truck and trailer combination.
Regular parade performers Kidztheatre had gone for a minimalist production, a single low-slung ute providing their stage. Director Ronnie Short was confident that her young players would put on a good show. “I think we have two grinches, a couple of elves, a Santa, and a Christmas tree.”
Tasman Harbourmaster Peter Renshaw appeared to have taken the idea of a float literally and was waiting for his 6.3-metre boat Pūkāea to turn up on the back of a trailer.
While the majority of floats onsite were in the final stages of assembly, The Kahurangi Christian Church entry arrived on the yard
almost fully formed – a mix of traditional angels and shepherds, with a modern electric piano, drum kit and microphone.
Back on Commercial Street, with the parade imminent, crowds had flooded onto to the pavements. At 10am exactly, the kindergarten peloton poured Commercial Street and cycled up towards the CBD closely followed by Pūkāea bedecked with an impressive Christmas tree. Just astern, sitting on a flat deck Sollys truck, the Tākaka Citizens Band belted out festive favourites.
The carnival continued with a procession of festive floats, including big trucks, fire engines, and even an inflatable rescue helicopter and a grinchy Santa impostor, while sweets from lolly buckets were handed out to the youngsters watching from the kerbside.
Bringing up the rear, the day’s leading man – Santa – cruised past in his “sleigh”, accompanied by Mrs Claus. By now, the front of the procession had reached Junction Green where it performed a U-turn before heading back down Commercial Street giving the crowd a second chance to see the parade.
Golden Bay Community Board (GBCB) held its final meeting of the year at Tasman District Council’s Service Centre in Tākaka on Monday afternoon.
In the absence of GBCB chair Abbie Langford, deputy Grant Knowles chaired the meeting.
Grant noted there were no speakers in public forum and so, after adding late items to the agenda, the meeting began with two presentations from Tasman District Council (TDC) staff.
Water management
TDC principal scientist Joseph Thomas spoke about the management of water over summer for Golden Bay. Focussing predominantly on extractive restrictions in the Tākaka catchment, Joseph outlined the relevant policy and regulatory framework that includes consents issued under the RMA, the recently-granted Water Conservation Order (WCO), and the Freshwater and Land Advisory Group (FLAG). “Tākaka has one of the most complicated water managements,” said Joseph.
Regarding progress on the implementation of the WCO, Joseph informed the board that a report containing council’s recommendations, due to be completed shortly, would be presented to the council’s Strategy and Policy Committee in February, followed by a community presentation sometime in March, with final sign off pencilled in for April.
Two key parameters to be monitored under the WCO are nitrate concentration and water flow rate at Te Waikoropupū Main Spring. Joseph explained that noncompliance with either of these parameters could lead to TDC implementing restrictions in the aquifer recharge zone, but advised that any cease-takes and nutrient management interventions...
Continued on page 2
JO RICHARDS
Pupils and staff from Motupipi School get into the festive spirit at Tākaka's Santa Parade last Saturday morning.
Photo: Jo Richards.
"Fat Ram" adds to food options
JOYCE WYLLIE
The "Fat Ram" food truck is the initiative of a local couple adding to dining options in our region. Adam Isaac and Penelope Hobson's food truck was parked at the Ngārua Caves during last summer season and recently at the opening of the Via Ferrata climb on Tākaka Hill. They also offer catering for smaller private functions.
Penelope grew up on the Hobson sheep farm on Tākaka Hill and Adam is English. He came to New Zealand after leaving school and spent time working in Kaiteriteri. It was there that he and Penelope met and began working together. This led to them both living and working in London (with a brief stint in Sydney), for the last 10 years. Adam worked as a chef and Penelope was front-of-house, until they decided it was time to come back to spend more time with her family. They have settled into their home on Tākaka Hill, both now own sheep dogs and are working fulltime on the home farm as well as continuing to use their food and hospitality skills. Adam works out a menu based on fresh in-season food and Penelope creates beautiful table settings and looks after diners. The caves on the hill are also run by the Hobson family and the "Fat Ram" food truck will continue to reside there this summer. Penelope can be contacted on penelopejhobson@gmail.com
Bylaw leashed until March
Tasman District Council’s Dog Control Bylaw was formally approved on 11 November but will not come into force until 31 March next year.
The approval follows council’s deliberations on the 645 submissions made on the draft bylaw during the consultation period.
According to TDC, the extensive consultation helped to shape the outcome. “The council carefully considered these submissions, and some of the feedback directly influenced the final bylaw.”
Amongst the changes made to the draft as a result of submissions are several that apply to Golden Bay:
• Tomatea Reserve was changed from a prohibited area to a controlled exercise area to enable access through to Pākawau Beach. The beach also had its controlled exercise area extended up as far as Tomatea Point.
• The boat ramp and car park were removed from the Ruataniwha Inlet prohibited areas, and a clause added to enable dogs to be in the inlet if contained on a vessel. Pariwhakaoho River Mouth was changed from a prohibited area to a seasonally restricted area.
• Motupipi Reserve Beachfront was changed from an on -leash area to a controlled exercise area.
Pōhara Beach from eastern camp boundary to Selwyn Street Reserve was changed from a seasonally prohibited area to a seasonal leash control area.
In the absence of specific restrictions dog-owners are expected to comply with default requirements:
• Dogs are generally required to be under leash control in urban areas unless stated otherwise.
• If a non-urban area (such as a beach) has not been zoned, it is still subject to the requirements of the Dog Control Act 1996. This means it must be under control at all times but there are no specific leash requirements.
The period of grace before the new bylaw comes into force was granted to avoid potential perplexity over the busy holiday season, explains TDC. “The reasons for the delay were partly because we didn’t want to add to confusion by changing the rules midway through summer when a lot of places already have a change in rules for that period, and also to give enough time for education and awareness campaigns, signage changes, etc.”
The new bylaw document should shortly be available on the council's website: tdc.govt.nz
Christmas comes to town
Contunued from page 1
Shortly after Santa passed by for the second time, the event was over and the crowd started to disperse. “It was awesome,” said Tākaka resident Rachel Edmondson, whose three-year-old son Owen gave his own verdict on the best bits: “Tractors, Santa, ‘Elfs’.” He was also pretty happy with his lolly haul.
As the parade finished, the brass players got off their band-
and
At the same time, on Junction Green, the Hack
were beginning their horseback acrobatic routine in front of a large and appreciative audience, while down in the library car park the Village Market was buzzing with activity. The festive season had well and truly begun.
Controlled exercise is permitted on some beaches. Photo: Supplied.
JO RICHARDS
wagon
set up on the Village Green stage where they performed a medley of Christmas hits.
Vaulties
Tamariki from Golden Bay Kindergarten lead the parade along Commercial Street. Photos: Jo Richards.
Tākaka Primary School's float featured giant gingerbread men. Kahurangi Christian Church's nativity scene.
Tākaka Citizens Band played a selection of festive favourites.
Santa and Mrs Claus bring up the rear at the parade.
The Hack Vaulties perform on Junction Green.
GB Community Board - December
Continued from page 1
...would be regulated under the Resource Management Act “The WCO cannot impose land-use management controls.”
Joseph then outlined the function of TDC’s Dry Weather Task Force (DWTF) a group that convenes weekly to consider the state of the district’s water resources before making recommendations for usage restrictions to be applied.
He explained that the government-imposed pause on councils’ implementation of their freshwater plans had created uncertainty over the future policy framework and that is why TDC is currently focussing on its DWTF.
Regulatory services
TDC regulatory manager, Shane Bruyns had some good news for those concerned about the lack of visible enforcement in Golden Bay. “We have a preferred applicant for a permanent enforcement officer and hope to start on 6 January.”
The officer will be based in the Bay and initially contracted until 30 June 2025. The availability of funding will decide whether the role continues beyond that date.
Shane said the job-holder would have responsibility for a broad portfolio including environmental health, dog control, outdoor fire, freedom camping and parking. “The compliance officer can be authorised to deal with most regulatory areas, but there is still work to be done.”
Government reform agenda
TDC group manger environmental assurance Kim Drummond took the opportunity to highlight the significant impact of the coalition’s reform agenda on local government. The first of three phases has now been completed with the repeal and reversal of the previous government’s policies. The second phase, Kim explained, involved “sweeping changes” in policy, with some 20 pieces of National Direction slated for early 2025 and a replacement for the RMA to be drafted around the middle of the year. Councils are expected to work together in some policy areas through “regional deals” although it is not a mandatory requirement.
Board report
Grant read out a statement from Abbie thanking all the council staff (especially Jess McAlinden, who has supported GBCB for many years), board members, the mayor and councillors for their work over the year.
Port Tarakohe plan: Councillor Celia Butler had requested this topic was added as a late item. “We’ve had a public feedback session at the boat club, which was very useful,” said Celia. “So the board could consider providing feedback to the plan.”
A discussion followed about how, or whether, the board should represent all the community’s views. Celia suggested that any submission should be “at a broad, high level” but
Councillor Chris Hill argued that board members were elected by the community and therefore can justifiably “present a position”.
It was decided that the Council team responsible for the Tarakohe Spatial Plan would be invited to the GBCB February meeting to present the public feedback before the board provided its own input.
Items from previous meeting: (See GB Weekly, 8/11 for details).
Members of Dog Owners Golden Bay (DOGB) had raised concerns about the lack of evidence supporting the council’s new dog control bylaw and posed a number of questions to the board. While the board did not respond to these questions, it was noted that DOGB were taking a constructive approach to dog control and Grant suggested that the group could consider a discretionary fund application to cover the cost of dog-training, for example.
Mohua MenzShed: This late agenda item concerned MenzShed’s current application for the lease of reserve land which the board agreed to endorse by submitting a letter of support.
Action sheet: A review of outstanding actions began with a query over an apparent discrepancy in the GBCB Special Projects Fund. Grant was concerned that $5,000 of the allocated $10,000 had disappeared from the balance sheet but he was assured by TDC’s governance advisor Gavin Dawson that the funds remained ring-fenced following the financial year rollover and the board just needed to request access to the funds. It was agreed that the three current Special Projects would be listed on a separate action sheet.
A review of progress with these Special Projects revealed that the Pākawau Playground development was being worked jointly on by TDC’s Lynne Hall and the Pākawau Community Residents Association. The ongoing saga of replacing the fence outside the Dangerous Kitchen was reliant on a builder becoming a registered contractor to TDC, while the relocation of the hanging-basket tunnel house to Tākaka Primary School remained under discussion.
The review finished with two pieces of good news: TDC are funding the servicing of the toilet at Waitapu Bridge; and some maintenance/improvement work has been completed on the Pōhara-Tākaka cycleway, although it was not entirely clear what had been done.
Financial summary
After no queries were raised with the financial summary, the meeting closed.
The next meeting of GBCB is at TDC Golden Bay Service Centre in Tākaka on Monday 17 February 2025 at 1pm.
VOUCHERS
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas and it’s time for The GB Weekly’s office team and reporters to take a break until Monday 6 January 2025.
Thank you to all our reporters, advertisers, delivery agents and other contributors for helping create and distribute our big little paper each and every week. Thanks also to you, our readers, for providing a unique insight into our community, contributing ideas for articles, and expressing your
Happy Christmas from the team at The GB Weekly.
Jo and Charlotte Richards and Nicola Wells
There will be no paper on Friday 3 January
The first paper for 2025 will be 10 January
Friday 27 December Deadline passed
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DELIVERY ISSUES?
TAKAKA CBD AND SURROUNDS 7110 POST CODE
Anita Hutchinson Ph 0272 639 220
RURAL DELIVERY TAKAKA 7183 POST CODE
Godfrey and Trish Watson Ph 0273 828 760 or email rdservices2018@gmail.com
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Trace gases hugely important
LETTERS
Bruce Collings (GBW, 13/12) writes that “it’s the sun that decides how warm we are going to be, not tiny amounts of trace gases”. Perhaps Bruce would like to use ChatGPT (or any other source) to discover that, without any trace gases, the average temperature on the Earth would be -18⁰C instead of its current +15⁰C. Therefore, trace gases are hugely important. Moreover, the solar input to Earth has been relatively stable over the last few decades, whereas the measured temperatures have been rising – by an amount which is consistent with the recorded rise in greenhouse gases and their known effects on global warming.
Piers Maclaren Grass cuts?
Is anyone else concerned about the roadside edges in Golden Bay not being cut?
Some grass is now waist high in places creating a serious fire risk especially with the high temperatures and gusty winds we've been having.
Maybe there's no money in the budget for mowing!
Amanda Smith
Bill sending country backwards
Following the idea that somehow the Treaty undermines fundamental human rights, the conundrum is that the situation for Māori is really unequal in terms of human rights. My vote on the Māori roll is equal to those on the general roll. If you vote in a Māori ward, again, it is equal to a vote in the other wards. If the human rights referred to are imprisonment, poorer health outcomes, poorer education outcomes and so on, even the Treaty has struggled to improve these human rights for Māori. What is being driven in the Treaty debates is to ensure Māori remain an underclass with poor outcomes in almost any measure. Aotearoa New Zealand does not need or want an underclass, be it a Māori, Pacific Island or any other group. However, some sectors do want an underclass, and they are behind this Treaty debate driving New Zealand backwards some 50 years.
While it becomes clear that the Treaty Principles Bill will fail, the division it has caused in New Zealand society will continue. What comes next seems to defy common sense as NZ First’s Shane Jones and National’s Paul Goldsmith have decided to continue the divisive process to change or remove references to Treaty provisions in 28 pieces of legislation. This would include the longstanding provisions in the Environment Act 1986, Conservation Act 1987 and the RMA 1991. Over the years governments of all stripes looked carefully at the inclusion of these references and understood what they meant.
Morris Te Whiti Love Climate facts in context
Dick Lamb (GBW, 13/12) is right; we’re adding some four per cent to the atmospheric CO2 tonnage – every year. Part of the addition dissolves in the oceans, acidifying them, but once that equilibrium has established, more permanent removal from the air will take around 1000 years. So the annual additions accumulate, which is why we now have 420ppm of CO 2 in the air, up from 320ppm in 1965. This and our methane and nitrous oxide emissions, are what’s driving up global average temperature, currently 1.1ºC above the pre-industrial level.
Bruce Collings (GBW, 13/12) is also right; you can get answers from AI bots without being a climate scientist. The current crop of AI bots is good at forming plausible sounding sentences,
Email: admin@gbweekly.co.nz
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which is an impressive achievement, and their answers are quite often right too. But those answers reflect the data that their underlying neural networks were trained on, namely everything on the internet from meticulously researched reports to crackpot conspiracy theories. By their nature, AI bots are unable to quote the sources they base their answers on, so are not reliable references.
The climate facts I’ve presented here and in recent letters are from: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA), Royal Meteorological Society (UK), IPCC 6th report, Wikipedia, and Our-World-In-Data. Before handing them on I have checked they are at least consistent with each other and common sense. I have kept the argument as simple as possible. I have no more to say about it via GBW letters.
Andrew Yuill
A warm thank you for firefighters
A big thank you to Tākaka and Collingwood Fire Brigades for attending and controlling the recent fire at Onekakā. The neighbourhood was very grateful for your prompt decision to call in the helicopters as well as having access to nearby water reservoirs. You all worked like a well-oiled machine with a successful outcome. A timely reminder of how careful we all need to be in the current windy and dry conditions.
Rosie Astill
Beach plastic mystery
A family group recently visited, staying at the gorgeous Pākawau campsite and delighted to be here again to experience the natural pleasures of Golden Bay.
Dismay hit hard upon discovery of the plastic “rope” lining the beach; thin sheets about one metre in length, when unravelled, approximately 400cm wide, and in various stages of breaking down and threaded with the bright green lettucekelp that helps its disguise.
It’s everywhere! From Port Puponga to Tōtara Avenue at least, small mounds of it, heaped lumps of it, half-buried in sand, not decomposing just breaking into nano bits.
Oh dear. Asking around, an ex-commercial fisherman at first suggested land-fill wash-up, but these are not bits, or bags –they’re sheets? The next possible source he told us was musselfarm cables, which he said, are wrapped in plastic sheets.
Wherever it originates – what does this non-natural "phenomenon" eventually do to fish, whales, cockles and us? Could it be this quiet invasion is a warning to act now, find accountability, and responsibility before more follows?
Judith Nicholls
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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DAIRY LISTINGS WANTED
Due to early demand and strong buyer interest, Carrfields is actively looking for dairy cows/heifers and calves to market on your behalf We are also looking for yearling breeding bulls post mating, and can assist with works cattle
Sam Riley | Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough 027 963 5076 sam.riley@carrfields.co.nz Visit www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz to view our current listings
WHAT A YEAR!!
2024 has been one hell of a year for the ITM Takaka crew.
We would like to thank you, the Community, and the builders, for the huge amount of support and well wishes after our devastating fire. You are our business, and we are hugely grateful to be part of our little community. Amongst the trying year we did have a highlight, where we won the ITM Community Sponsorship Award.
Little did the staff know that this photo was all about them. Every single one of these guys and girls have worked their butts off throughout the year, which at times has been under very trying circumstances. They have not complained once. They just got on and got the job done. We are proud of the whole team and the culture we have.
Next up, the boss also didn’t know that he is getting a mention. Without Luke's leadership and energy, we would not be the team we are. He has some seriously big shoulders, luckily, that has had to carry our team through one heck of a year. We are busier than ever, so there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make things happen.
We also want to mention Woolfy's, (Philip) huge commitment and effort to the endless emails, phone calls and meetings in planning the new store. This is an unbelievable process that consumes his full day, and night. We can’t thank you enough Woolfy.
So, it’s on to “Thrive in 25” for us, looking forward to the day we will have one hell of a new store
We wish you all a safe and happy Xmas
“We’ll see you right”
SUBMITTED BY CYNTHIA McCONVILLE
Last month I was treated to a trip with Farewell Spit Eco Tours to visit the gannet colony. It was a truly amazing day out. If you haven’t done this trip or it’s a long time since you were there, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Farewell Spit or Onetahua – Māori translation “heaped up sand,” is a unique landscape. As for the gannets, the opportunity to observe this large colony of nesting birds was unforgettable.
There was one bird in particular I had hoped to see on this trip. When Paddy called out that there were ruddy turnstones on the beach my day was complete. I knew these birds visited Golden Bay but I had never seen one on the Golden Bay coastline. Ruddy turnstones are one of around 40 Arctic breeding waders that migrate to New Zealand arriving here between August and November. They undertake a journey that spans thousands of kilometres escaping the harsh far northern winters to reach warmer climes.
The term ruddy describes the birds’ reddish-brown colouring. The name turnstone refers to the quirky habit this bird has of using its wedge-shaped bill to flip stones, large shells and flotsam such as driftwood and seaweed in search of a meal. Their stout bodies, short powerful legs and feet enable them to overturn large objects. Sometimes these sturdy, stocky, blackbird sized birds will join together to move objects that are too big for one bird to shift. It seems even birds are able to work together for a common purpose.
WHAKAARO: Genetic engineering
SUBMITTED BY LINDA O'CONNOR
Somehow, the complete elimination of predator species by 2050 has become government policy. This happened without development with the wider public or formal consultation.
The policy is currently being carried out by trapping and poisoning, but it was known from the start that it is unachievable by these methods alone, as John Key said in 2016. Predator Free NZ claims: “breakthrough genetic technologies are likely to play a key role in achieving a predator-free future”. Landcare Research scientist Dr Andrea Byrom has noted the development of promising new methods such as gene drive technology. In short, letting genetic engineering out of the laboratory and into the wild.
Despite the well-known public objection to this, the government simply treats opposition to its policy as a problem to be solved; as if people will “come around”. It has not stopped to consider whether the opposition in itself may have merit.
CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-based gene drive technology causes engineered genes to persist, even to the detriment of their carriers. Kevin Esvelt, part of the first team to identify the potential of CRISPR recognised that this technology could eliminate species altogether, prevent disease and benefit the natural world. However he also recognised the ecological risks. “A gene-drive, for pest control purposes, would target a gene essential for viability or fertility of the pest organism and thereby reduce the population over time. It over-rides natural selection, so has the ability to influence entire ecosystems.”
Esvelt, along with Professor Gemmel (Otago University advisor to Predator Free 2050), wrote in 2017: “Genetic modifications of wildlife to spread infertility are proposed as alternatives to poison use, but are the subject of international controversy among scientists and others …such drive systems lack control mechanisms and are consequently highly invasive.”
They originally thought gene drives were a promising new approach to pest management but now believe that was a mistake.
They are highly sceptical about whether it would be safe to release a self-propagating drive system unless international spread is the explicit goal. “Theoretically, a single scientist could release a gene drive into the wild, accidentally or intentionally, possibly affecting ecosystems in unanticipated ways or
breaking public trust in science. It would affect everyone, yet they wouldn’t need anyone’s consent,” Esvelt explains.
(Remember the unofficial illegal release of rabbit calicivirus?)
Even the Predator Free website has reservations. They note: “while New Zealand would greatly benefit from eradication of these pests, their extinction here must not mean global extinction of the entire species… If a gene altered possum was introduced to Australia it could be potentially disastrous to Australian ecosystems” Disturbingly, it seems it would take only a few organisms carrying a standard gene drive to escape or be released from a laboratory for that gene drive to invade wild populations. Esvelt and colleagues at Harvard have shown through mathematical simulations that gene drives are even more invasive than he expected.
The NZ administrative response is apparently to plough on, play down the risk and suppress opposing voices. New Zealand has a poor record on real consultation over introducing poisons and new species. Predator Free clings steadfastly to its policy and James Russell, a NZ ecological biologist and advisor to the Predator Free Trust, feels that “Esvelt’s simulations overestimate the risk that such drives would establish themselves in the wild”. One wonders what the basis for his feeling is when so much is at risk? Maybe it's the entire industry built around it. So decision makers double down on their commitment to keep their jobs, justify the costs and save face. Sociologists call it “Escalation of commitment”.
Esvelt & Gemmel conclude their article with “If we have learned anything from the spread of invasive species, it is that ecosystems are connected in myriad ways and that a handful of organisms introduced in one country may have ramifications well beyond its own borders”.
Concerned with the ethical implications, Esvelt wants stakeholders to review research before experiments start in the laboratory. And he wants affected communities to be involved in decision-making before release into the environment, because it affects everyone and outcome is unknown and irreversible.
In Nantucket (USA) several meetings were held with the community. One attendee asked: “If we say ‘No’ will you do it anyway?” Esvelt simply replied “No”.
I wonder – if we Kiwis say “No” to gene-drive technology will the government push ahead regardless, or might it “come around” to accepting that it was never actually a good idea?
Ruddy turnstones migrate to NZ. Photo: Rebecca Bowater.
Collingwood Area School recently received a donation of equipment through the "Fuel for Schools” programme.
In the scheme, Fern Energy donates 50 cents to a chosen school for every 100 litres of fuel the company delivers to a farm or petrol station.
Maisie Davison and David Walsh from Fern Energy visited CAS to hand over $6,000 worth of equipment selected by the school – including chrome books, a pickle ball set and protectors for netball posts.
Anyone interested in being part of the initiative should contact Maisie Davison on 027 593 6229 or maisie.davison@ fernenergy.co.nz
RW member honoured
Joyce joined Pākawau branch in February 1998 and has been an active, loyal, member supporting monthly meetings and contributing to competitions, sales tables, raffles and catering.
She organises trips, visits, speakers, applies for funding when needed and organises the annual Pink Ribbon luncheon.
Joyce has served as president from 2007-2010, 20142016, and from 2019 to the present day. She has also recently become president of Golden Bay Provincial Rural Women.
Members agreed it was a well deserved honour.
MOHUA UENUKU SURVEYING
Alexis Bourgeois
Te Kura o Aorere / Collingwood Area School would like to thank the following people and businesses for their ongoing and extremely generous support of our students through sponsorship of our prize giving ceremonies. Nganga, NV Miller Ltd, Network Tasman, Hammer Hardware, Waitapu Engineering, FreshChoice, The Mussel Inn, Whitwells - Motueka, Lone Star Farms - Pūponga Farm Park, Byrne Builders, Mayor Tim King, McKee Trust, HealthPost, Collingwood Holiday Park, ITM - Takaka, Bainham Rural Woman, GB Lions Club, Alliance Plumbing, Takaka Concrete Products, GB Tank Cleaning, First National Golden Bay, Nelson Careers Expo Committee, Billy Kerrisk Ray White Golden Bay, Ray White Golden Bay Property Management, Cleaners Wholesale, Federated Farmers, RSC - Takaka, Trash Palace, GB A&P Show Committee, The Copier Company, Golden Bay Community Board, MONZA.
2024 Prizegiving Results
YEAR 1 - 8 SPECIAL AWARDS
Overall Academic Achievement in Year 4, Joel Reay. Most Consistent Effort in Year 4, Layla Jones. Overall Academic Achievement in Year 5, Ariana Etheredge. Most Consistent Effort in Year 5, Indi James. Overall Academic Achievement in Year 6, Elliott Roberts-Hanlon. Most Consistent Effort in Year 6, Marley Keogh. Overall Academic Achievement in Year 7, Anku Calderon. Most Consistent Effort in Year 7, Bree Dell. Overall Academic Achievement in Year 8, Louis Roberts-Hanlon. Most Consistent Effort in Year 8, Louis Roberts-Hanlon. Consistently Demonstrates CAS Values, Declan Nalder, Lawrence Urquhart, Carter Wilson, Oakley Jones, Amber Hutchison. Year 1 - 8 Highest Attendance, Thea Win, Bonnie Evans, Malakai Roberts. Year 1 - 6 Diligence Award, Robert Win. Year 1 - 6 Service to School Award, Lydia Riley. Year 1 - 6 Excellence in the Arts, Lily Davis. Year 1 - 6 Excellence in Sports, Malakai Roberts. Year 7 - 8 Service to School Awards, Warren Hitchcock, Levi Richards, Jesse Smith. Year 7 - 8 Diligence Award, Clara McQueen. Year 7 - 8 Attitude and Effort in Sports, Bree Dell. Year 7 - 8 Attitude and Effort in the Arts, Amber Hutchison. Junior DUX, Louis Roberts-Hanlon.
YEAR 9 AWARDS
Most Improved in Food Tech, Quin Riordan. Most Improved in Social Sciences; Most Consistent in English, Math, Science and Visual Arts, Yanna Moeltgen. Most Improved in Math; Most Consistent in PE and Science; Third Overall in Year 9, Ashley Iorns. Most Improved in Science and Health; Most Consistent in Health and Visual Arts; Second Overall in Year 9, Otis Dell. Most Improved in English, Science, PE and Visual Arts; Most Consistent in Social Sciences and Food Tech; First Overall in Year 9, Zach Richards.
YEAR 10 AWARDS
Most Improved in PE, Wyatt McQueen. Most Improved in Health, Bailey Heuvel. Most Improved in Food Tech and Visual Arts, Bryce Scott. Most Improved in Math and Science, Zack Riordan. Most Improved in Science; Most Consistent in English, Math and PE, Jacob Hutchison. Most Consistent in Visual Arts and Food Tech, Bianca Swan. Most Improved in English; Most Consistent in Health and Visual Arts; Third Overall in Year 10, Syriah Haare. First in Math, Science and Digi Tech; Second in English and Social Studies; Third in Food Tech; Second Overall in Year 10, Tim de Jong. First in English, Health, PE and Social Sciences; Second in Math, Science and Digi Tech; First Overall in Year 10, Logan Ricketts.
SPECIAL AWARDS FOR YEAR 9 - 10
Heywood Trophy for Toi Māori and The Arts, Bianca Swan. Social Science Cup for Achievement in Social Sciences, Logan Ricketts. Achievement in Sport Trophy, Bianca Swan. Pounamu Leadership Award Trophy, Logan Ricketts. Hindmarsh Walker Trophy for Arts, Syriah Haare. Most Outstanding Effort Overall, Logan Ricketts.
NCEA LEVEL 1 AWARDS
Most Improved in PE; Most Consistent in Hospitality, Jien EjimaSeo. Most Improved in Physics and Chemistry; Commended Achievement in Agriculture through Telford, Hayden Iorns. Most Improved in English and Math; Most consistent in PE, Cash Jukes. Most Improved in Outdoor Education; Acknowledgement in Math, Biology and Physical Education and in third place with credits achieved at Excellence level; Commended Achievement
CAS celebrates student achievements
Collingwood Area School (CAS) hall was set up for a special occasion last Friday. The end of year senior prize giving and farewell for students leaving is a significant event in the school calendar.
Chairs were set out, vases of flowers decorated the front and the table was loaded with prizes and certificates lined up in order for presentation. Shiny cups of all sizes, certificates, vouchers, a hammer, a tool box, woven driftwood and carved trophies all ready to be awarded to worthy recipients. When invited guests, parents, friends and students were all seated senior student Nora Becker, began proceedings by welcoming everyone and leading the school karakia.
First speaker was Brendan Richards, chairman of CAS board of Trustees (BoT). He took the opportunity to express appreciation to CAS staff and students who have carried on working with the two years of building activity, noise and interruption around them. With the main school block now used and full of activity, and hard courts nearly finished, the project is almost completed. Brendan gave credit to local farmer and father of students at CAS, Brendan Strange, who has donated his time, machinery and resources to complete the landscaping. As Brendan thanked teachers, support staff, families and the BoT team he acknowledged that everyone works together with the the best interests of students being their constant focus. His message to students was to ”always be the best you that you can be. Don't try to imitate someone else, be yourself.”
Principal Hugh Gully had only one week left in his role before “retirement" so promised his speech would be short as he was saving his words for his farewell the following week. He echoed
in Automotive and Horticulture; Third Overall in NCEA Level One, Elizabeth Strange. Most Improved in Hospitality; Most Consistent in English, Math, Hospitality, Chemistry and Outdoor Education; Most NCEA credits at Excellence level; Second Overall in NCEA Level One, Lily Challis-Hayes. Most Improved in Biology; Most Consistent in Digi Tech, Physics, Chemistry (L2), Statistics (L2); Commended credits at Excellence Level One and Two; First Overall in NCEA Level One, Alex de Jong.
NCEA LEVEL 2 AWARDS
Most Improved in English and Calculus; Commendation in Vocational Pathways in Travel and Tourism, Maia Bain. Most Improved in Physics, Thorin McQueen. Most Improved in Physics and Outdoor Education, Royce Rhodes. Commendation for Achievement in Vocational Pathways: Retail Service Sector, Sofie Rusbatch. Most Consistent in Hospitality; Achievement in Agriculture, Maddison Strange. Highly Commended for Achievement in Vocational Pathways: Nursing, Amelia Swan. Most Consistent in Biology ; Commended Achievement in Apiculture and Technology; Third most credits and Merit and Excellence level at Level Two; Third Overall in NCEA Level Two, Miro Weiss. Most Improved in Hospitality and Biology; Most Consistent in Visual Arts; Highly Commended for Achievement in Vocational Pathways: Hairdressing; Second most credits at Level Two; Second Overall in NCEA Level Two, Nathalie Urquhart. Most consistent in English, Calculus, Physics and Outdoor Education; Most credits at Excellence Level in NCEA Level Two; First Overall in NCEA Level Two, Cooper Ricketts.
SPECIAL AWARDS for Year 11 - 13
Network Tasman Awards for the Sciences. L1: Alex de Jong and
Brendan's words of appreciation to his team at the school and was positive about how good it has been to have classes settled into the new "Onetahua" building. "When I feel like a break from my office I take a walk over to the junior rooms and along the corridor to pop into all the classes. It is awesome. I know that I will miss that." As Hugh congratulated all the students for their year’s work he commended them for achieving a 100 per cent pass in level 1 and 2 NCEA , and year 13 students who chose to do NCEA level 3 had also passed. A great effort and reflection on the standard of education at the school.
Awards were given out for service to school, sports and academic achievements and finally the Dux prize for first in year 13 was announced. As Nora Becker stood in front of her peers they performed a spirited school haka in her honour. With the 2024 school year drawing to a close, senior student leaders for 2025 were announced and presented with their badges, ready for the new term next year. The last item on the program was speeches from each of the students leaving school for new adventures. Being an Area School, two students had attended CAS since they enrolled there at five years old and were now graduating 13 years later. Others had moved to the school more recently but they each gave tribute to teachers who had given them individual education plans, with support and encouragement to achieve their goals. The year ahead holds new challenges as these young people head to jobs on farms and woolsheds, studying nursing in Nelson, culinary arts in Dunedin or veterinary science on-line. A waiata finished the ceremony before food and drinks were served for staff and guests. An invitation was extended to two more special occasions in the hall the following week, junior break up and Hugh Gully's farewell.
Lily Challis-Hayes. L2: Maia Bain and Cooper Ricketts. L3: Nora Becker and Ben Martin. Achievement Through Gateway, Maddison Strange. Riley Cup Most Cooperative Senior Pupil, Jien Ejima-Seo. Achievement in Technology, Miro Weiss. Hospitality Award, Maddison Strange. Vocational Pathways Award, Amelia Swan. The Jukes Whānau Manaakitanga Award, Imagin Dell. Overall Excellence in Visual Arts, Nathalie Urquhart. Colin Baas Cup Personal Achievement and Dedication to Sport, Natalie Iorns. Lewis Memorial Award for Excellence in Math and Science, Nora Becker. Collingwood Area School Board of Trustees Leadership Award, Amelia Swan. Federated Farmers Agricultural Award, Ben Martin. Sir Wallace Rowling Memorial Scholarship, Nora Becker. Te Tai Tapu Award, Nora Becker. Whānau Trophy, WAI. NCEA LEVEL 3 AWARDS
Most Improved and First in Statistics; Achievement in External Provider: Health, Imagin Dell. Most Improved in English; Commended for Vocational Pathways: Fencing and Agriculture; Third Overall in NCEA Level Three, Ben Martin. Highly Commended for Sport; Achievement in Agricultural Studies; Second Overall in NCEA Level Three, Natalie Iorns. Most Improved in Biology and Chemistry; Most Consistent in Calculus and Biology; Highly Commended for Achievement in Technology; Most credits at Merit and Excellence level in Level Three; First Overall in NCEA Level Three, Nora Becker.
Head Students for 2025: Lily Challis-Hayes, Aonghus Garbutt. Deputy Head Students for 2025: Maia Bain, Thorin McQueen, Sofie Rusbatch, Maddison Strange, Joy Wells. Student Trustee 2025: Cooper Ricketts. DUX: Nora Becker.
JOYCE WYLLIE
Pax Leetch presents the Federated Farmers prize for Excellence in Agriculture to Ben Martin. Photo: Joyce Wyllie.
Retiring Collingwood Area School principal Hugh Gully next to 2024 Dux Nora Becker. Photo: Joyce Wyllie.
Mentored students get a taste of the world of work
SUBMITTED BY COSMO CAMPBELL (and his mentor Neil Wilson)
“I think I might want to be a librarian in the future.”
Year 9 student Malachi Beckert describes his experience in Te Waka Kura O Mohua’s mentoring programme. Students are paired up with an adult who is not part of their family and they spend three school days doing normal workday activities with the adult. Malachi was paired up with Nerissa Cottle at the Tākaka Memorial Library and was helping with library tasks when The GB Weekly visited last Friday. “I really like the chill, friendly work environment here," says Malachi.
Malachi was impressed with a new addition to the Tākaka library, a youth activity about guessing various children's book characters based on their silhouette. It is an independent game made for killing time during the summer holidays.
About 33 mentors from across the Bay signed up for the programme and the students attached to them were engaged in a variety of activities – from washing a loader at Solly’s to assisting in a kapa haka lesson at Motupipi School.
“It’s mostly about our year nines having a relationship with an adult outside their family,” says progamme convenor Gareth Batten. “It’s great for the students to get to know the adult they choose to work with and find out about the sorts of jobs people do in the Bay. We’re really grateful to all those people who’ve made themselves available as mentors.”
the right) filled on on drums.
Angus Dench cleaning a Sollys front-end loader. He really liked hanging out with his mentor Rowan Forster. Why pick Sollys? “I want to be a stock truck driver when I'm older and helping out here is the perfect start.” Angus said that he learned that safety was a very big deal at Sollys. “You have to be aware of your surroundings around big vehicles, and you have to always have high vis and safety boots on.”
Willow Lear rehearsing kapa haka with her mentor, Rosanna Clarence’s students at Motupipi School. Willow says, “I really like hanging around little kids because they’re very nice and fun to talk to. I might like to be a primary school teacher in the future.”
Layla van Lier and her mentor
chose Nicky and the Top
because it would be “a
for her
and
Georgia Tinkler next to her mentor Annaliese van Lier and her daughter Layla de-leafing flowers for drying and sale at an upcoming market. Georgia chose the Flower Shed for her mentoring “because I really love Annie and i thought it would be a fun opportunity”.
Owner Operator Richard Hayward (Dicky) Tiff Price
Wylie Sowman with his mentor Carl Finnigan at the Golden Bay Vet Clinic. Wylie said he chose the vet clinic because, "Carl used to live on our farm and I wanted to hang out with him. He’s a very cool guy.”
Nerissa Cottle with Malachi Beckert in front of a new addition to the Tākaka library, “I really like the chill, friendly work environment here," says Malachi.
Maggie Quinn (left) spent her day in mentor Levity Beet’s studio recording her first song, “My Home”. Earlier this year Maggie won best country song-writer at the Entertainer of the Year Awards in the adult division. She is one of the youngest New Zealanders to win. Maggie says she is looking forward to next year’s awards. This reporter (on
Nicky Rusbatch at the Top Shop. Layla
Shop
mentoring experience
cool experience
lots of fun”.
Zara Hames began her day laminating menus with her mentor, Amy Mangan at Molly B's.
RESULTS
GOLF
4 December. Stableford: G Allen 33, C Hadler 32, P Solly 29. Closest to pin: 3/12 C Hadler, 4/13 G Allen, 8/17 C Hadler. Twos: D Jerram.
7 December. Medal: G Allen, 63, R Heuvel 64, N Moore 65. Closest to pin: 3/12 R Young, 4/13 N Moore, 8/17 N Moore, 9/18 R Miller. Twos: N Moore, P Solly. Happy wanderer: R Ancell. Best gross: N Moore 65.
10 December. Stableford: R Reynish 39. Closest to pin: 3/12 L Jerram. 11 December. Stableford: R Tait 34, Ray Young 32. Closest to pin: 4/13 R Tait, 8/17 R Young. Best gross: R Tait 85.
14 December. President's Cup Stableford: R Heuvel 43, M Dixon 36, T Cameron 35. Closest to pin: 3/12 R Heuvel, 4/13 N Moore, 8/17 M Dixon, 9/18 T Cameron. BRIDGE
11 December. Summer Pairs Session 2. N/S: P Nelson/H Curtis 57.77%; C Christiansen/L Godden 57.23%; David Sarll & Leanne Field 47.71%. E/W: P Smith/L Roberts 73.61%; G Hope/L Scurr 58.19%; J Harper/P Panzeri 46.75%. H/cap: N/S: P Nelson/H Curtis 55.76%; C Christiansen/L Godden 54.57%; David Sarll & Leanne Field 49.77%. E/W: P Smith/L Roberts 70.75%; G Hope/L Scurr 62.84%; A Bradnock/J Hannan 53.12%.
Golden Bay LTD | Servicing all of the Tasman region TG |027 688 5699 office |5259582 office@tgcontracting.co.nz
Sporting Teams in Golden Bay generally bear a name which reflects the unique fauna of our region. Football has tagged the mountain goat, rugby hitched a ride on the kaka and our newly revived Golden Bay Cricket Club First XI have scooped up the geoduck.
“Much like the ‘up the Wahs’ call for The Warriors team, we have ‘up the Gooeys’,” explains Club President Bradley Edmondson. “It brings the lads together.”
The newly re-formed team have certainly been coming together very effectively this season, actually sitting at the top of the table after winning eight of their nine matches. They have even recently won the coveted Kirkpatrick Cup, “It’s been around since 1926 and this is the first time since the 1990s that Tākaka has had it”, says Bradley.
Having played Motueka in an 11-a-side pre-season match in 2023, Bradley was emboldened to get in touch with Nelson Cricket this year and get his team into the regional competition.
“They were pretty keen for us to enter, but they wanted to
place us into the third division,” recalls Bradley with the faintest hint of pique. “So we fought pretty hard to get into the second division, and since then we just seem to keep finding ways to win.”
The season will finish by February, and the Golden Bay Cricket Club has plans to introduce junior cricket afterwards, and also make the club a family friendly affair with hopes of a bouncy castle and maybe even a water slide for kids at the home games.
He doesn’t mind the time commitment but is enormously grateful to local sponsors and the support of the team’s partners and families. “Without our major sponsors: NBS, Heavy Diesel Golden Bay and the Telegraph Hotel, none of this would be possible, so we are incredibly thankful.”
Playing Whakatū in Nelson couple of weeks ago, the team were told afterwards they were the loudest ever heard on the pitch. “We get right behind each other,” laughs Bradley, “we’ve quite a few supporters and it’s a lot of fun.”
Come and support The Gooeys tomorrow at the Rec Park at 12.30pm.
ALISTAIR HUGHES
Golden Bay's cup-holding cricket team: Back row, from left, Simon Bruning, Tawhai Port, Hamish Hills, Dave Cook, Bradley Edmondson, Greg Edmondson. Front row, from left, Jerry Hambrook, Scott McKinley, Sam Berkett (captain), Blake Cottle, Dale Green. Photo: Supplied.
Giving some love to Cobb Valley huts
JOYCE WYLLIE
Federated Mountain Clubs
NZ (FMC), has initiated a campaign called "Love Our Huts" and Golden Bay huts have benefited from some local love.
FMC listed approximately 1000 huts around the country and encouraged anyone to sign up to nominate one or more they would like to give some love to. On Tuesday 3 December, a team of four willing volunteers from the Golden Bay Alpine and Tramping Club set off on a trip into the Cobb Valley armed with a pack loaded with cleaning equipment. Their goal was to give both Myttons and Trilobite Huts some really good love. FMC provided a comprehensive checklist of things to take and to clean. Other tasks requested were checking the condition of the building, taking notes from the hut book to count numbers of people who have been there, and noting the different reasons the hut gets used, whether safety, conservation or recreation.
The party of Madeleine Rohrer, Jen Kingston, Suze Lord and Grant “Wattie” Watson started with Myttons Hut first. Fortified by good strong coffee, they each found a corner to get stuck into. All surfaces, windows, walls and the toilet were given a good scrub and a bag of rubbish was removed. Jen commented that "reading through the hut book, it was evident how much this little
hut is appreciated by so many that stay".
From October 2022 until December 2024, approximately 280 people used the hut. For many years a group called “Friends of Myttons” have provided the maintenance. Recently it was handed over to the Golden Bay branch of the Deer Stalkers Association.
After a quick walk up to Peel Ridge for lunch, Trilobite was the next recipient of the hut love. Jen said that while "we were all down on our hands and knees scrubbing away we decided that Trilobite was certainly the
'grimier' of the two huts". A bucket of soapy water quickly turned to a black soup after each cloth was squeezed out. The outcome was satisfying though as after finishing Jen enjoyed how "the windows gleamed and we could see the surrounding bush covered hills reflected in them. We smiled and patted ourselves on the back, satisfied with our efforts".
The FMC campaign was planned for November 2024 with about 500 huts signed up, but all our huts always need to be loved, respected, cared for and kept clean.
Tākaka Hill underslip repairs completed
SUBMITTED
Work at the underslip site on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill has wrapped up just in time for the busy holiday season with the road reopened to two lanes last week.
Since June, the road has been restricted to one lane and stop/go traffic management after a slip occurred uphill from the Riwaka Valley Road intersection during a heavy rain event.
Rob Service, system manager Nelson/Tasman, says a project of this size and scope would usually take around 12 months to complete.
“However, our crews worked swiftly and managed to complete the project in six months. They drew on their experience from constructing similar repairs on this section of State Highway 60, and across the country.”
“We promised the community we would have this underslip
is now
repaired and the road restored to two lanes before Christmas, and we are delighted to have delivered on that commitment,” Rob says.
He says the repair has required big effort from contractors.
“Over the last six months they have installed a new steel post and timber batten wall. They have built more resilient and improved, drainage, constructed a new pavement, and completed line marking. Planting will be carried out at the site next year.”
“I especially want to thank the Golden Bay community, transport operators, and other road users for their patience and understanding while this critical project was completed. Getting the road fixed has been as much a priority for them as it has been for us.”
From left, Suze Lord, Jen Kingston, Grant “Wattie” Watson and Madeleine Rohrer teamed up to "love our huts" and ventured into the Cobb to Myttons and Trilobite huts Photo: Supplied.
The underslip site on Tākaka Hill in late June.
The road
open to two lanes at the repaired site.
Holiday hours, gift ideas, Christmas wishes
FABULOUS HOUSEPLANTS!
Great gifts FREE gift wrap!
earthgemstakaka@gmail.com
Season’s Greetings
From the team
Please note a change in our hours over the holiday period:
If you have an accident or are in need of urgent care
Urgent Care appointments only:
21 December 2024 – 20 January 2025
Please note additional surcharge applies
Open again for appointments as normal from: 21 January 2025
Call us on 0800 PhysEx (749 739) for further information or to book your appointment.
Yours in Health
The PhysEx Team
ANATOKI SALMON fishing and café. Catch your own lunch or order from the menu. Open every day from 9am-4pm. www. anatokisalmon.co.nz
COLLINGWOOD TAVERN. Open 7 days, 11am till late. Catering and large group bookings available. Ph 524 8160. COURTHOUSE CAFÉ, Collingwood. Open 7 days, 8am-3pm. Pizza night every Saturday, dine in or takeaway, 5-7.30pm Ph 524 8194.
COURTYARD CAFÉ, Tākaka. Open 7 days, 7am-5pm. Also, bookings for dinner. Ph 525 8681.
DANGEROUS KITCHEN. Open Wednesday-Saturday, 9am8pm. For bookings and takeaways ph 525 8686.
The Golden Bay Toy Library Committee wishes to thank the following for their continued support in 2024
Toy Library Federation of New Zealand, FreshChoice, NBS, Golden Kids, Noel Baigent, Kelly at Unlimited Copies, Carrie Dobbs, RSC, Lotteries Grants Board, Top of the South Foundation, Rata Foundation, GB Weekly, GB Community Trust, Jennifer Jackson, Classic Car Club, Larissa Dunn, Kerstin Schmidt, TDC
DE-LISH DELICATESSEN . Sumptuous, delicious food. Lunches, catering, coffee, chocolate, cheeses and epicure items. Weekdays from 6.30am. Ph 525 7111.
ESSENCE of AROHA AHORA, 90 Commercial St, Tākaka. Fresh frequency food and divine delectable drinks. Vegan, vegetarian, GF, DF. Open everyday. Ph 525 6111.
GOOD AS GOLD CAFÉ, Tākaka. Open Monday-Friday, 7am4pm. Ph 525 8193.
LANGFORD STORE, Bainham. Perfect scones and more. Open Saturday-Thursday, 9am-5pm. Ph 524 8228.
MOLLY B’S, Pōhara. Open Monday from 3pm, Tuesday Xmas Eve 9am-3pm. Closed Xmas Day. Boxing Day from 12pm. Then
open everyday from 11am. Salt and Soil open everyday from 8am. Ph 525 7678.
NIKAU BAR AND CAFÉ, Pōhara. Open 7 days, 8.30am to late. Bookings ph 03 970 3992.
O’SHA. Open Tuesday-Sunday, lunch 11.30am-2.30pm and dinner 5-8.30pm. Ph 525 6117.
THE MUSSEL INN. Open 7 days from 11am. THE WHOLEMEAL CAFÉ. Open 7.30am-3pm daily. TOTO'S CAFÉ PIZZA. Open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 11am-4pm. Updates on Facebook and Instagram. Ph 03 970 7934, totoscafegallery@gmail.com
EATING OUT / Kai wahi kē
Holiday hours, gift ideas, Christmas wishes
Collingwood
Summer hours: Open 7days 8am – 7pm. Closed Christmas Day only
We have REAL FRUIT ICE CREAM! Come in and give it a try
Christmas stock has now arrived, so come on in and have a look. We have everything from Christmas Treats to fishing gears. You may be surprised!!
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CLINIC HOURS
25th December No Clinic
Please
26th December 10am - 1pm (Urgent Care walk-in clinic)
27th, 30th, 31st December
Usual opening hours 8.30am - 5pm 1st and 2nd January 10am - 1pm (Urgent Care walk-in clinic) 3rd January
Usual opening hours 8.30am - 5pm 4th and 5th January 10am - 1pm (Urgent Care walk-in clinic)
From 6th January
Normal clinic hours (8.30am - 5pm) and Weekend & Public Holiday Urgent Care walk-in clinics (10am - 1pm)
PAYMENT IS REQUIRED ON THE DAY
Please note: After-hours rates apply for weekends and public holidays. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all the team at GBCH
Golden Bay Dental Centre
We will close on 19 December and reopen on 7 January 2025
Grace, Danielle and Fiona wish everyone a happy and safe holiday
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Continue supporting us with your clean, saleable items so we can continue supporting our community
We will be CLOSED on 25, 26, 27 Dec & Jan 1st and 2nd
Many thanks from The Trash Palace Team
- BIKES, LAWNMOWERS, CHAINSAWS & MOREOpening Hours: MON to FRI - 8am - 5pm Christmas Day - CLOSED Boxing Day - CLOSED WED 1st Jan to WED 8th Jan - CLOSED
GRAZING available mid-January. Ph Nathan 027 226 0488. LEARN to fly with Golden Bay Flying Club. Email: zktkagbfc@ gmail.com
NARCOTICS Anonymous Golden Bay meeting, Mondays 6pm, 42 Commercial Street, hall behind church. All welcome. GB Animal Welfare Society Inc (ex-SPCA). Ph Carol Wells 525 9494, 8am-5pm weekdays.
ALCOHOLICS Anonymous, open meeting, all welcome. Thursdays 7pm, 94 Commercial Street. Hall behind the Catholic Church. Ph 0800 229 6757.
FRESH FM needs your help. Are you willing to host a fundraising event to support local radio? Or help run one? Check out our website freshfm.net. We’re a Charitable Trust – a $30 donation (that can be made on our website) is tax deductible.
FOR SALE / Hei hokohoko
GARAGE sale. Sunday 22 December, 9am-2pm, for The Peaceable Kin-dom. 18 Rototai Road. Good-condition donations welcome, ph 027 693 0071.
FIREWOOD, good selection. Ph Bay Firewood 027 769 6348. NATIVE trees and grasses at TLC Nursery. Big grade trees available and welcoming orders for 2025. Ph 525 6183.
SUBARU Forester, 2002, WOF one year, runs well. $1600. Ph 027 212 4020.
STOCK bins (ex-Pipeworx). White 1,000mm high x 600mm deep x 1,765mm long. $100 each. Ph 027 525 9482.
TO GIVE AWAY / Koha
ROOSTERS. Three 3.5-month-old Barred Rock roosters. Please ph/txt 027 373 9990.
HEALTH & WELLBEING / Hauora
APOTHECARY, medical herbalist, iridology, reflexology, reiki. Lisa Williams, ph 027 451 9797, www.goldenbayiridology.com
KINESIOLOGY. Energetic kinesiology. A holistic approach to health and wellbeing. For an appointment/inquiry ph or text Mark Bonar 027 575 359.
MASSAGE. Ph Willem 022 134 1726.
MASSAGE. Ph Paul Frika 027 772 7334. 30 years of experience.
kerbside collections for Christmas and New Year
Rubbish and recycling collections scheduled for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day will move to Thursday. All other collections in those weeks will also be one day later.
Resource Recovery Centre opening hours 20 DEC – 13 FEB
Tākaka Resource Recovery Centre
45 Scott Road, Tākaka
Monday– Friday 8.30 am – 4.00 pm
Saturday 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sunday 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm
• Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Collingwood Resource Recovery Centre
93 Bainham-Collingwood Road, Collingwood
• Monday – Sunday 9.00 am – 12 .00 pm
• Closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Tasman District Council | Tākaka Office 78 Commercial Street, Tākaka | 03 525 0020 www.tasman.govt.nz
Please place your recycling bins and rubbish bags on the roadside in a location where our drivers can see them clearly. If you leave the area prior to collection day or have extra, you can drop your official rubbish bags and recycling at any Resource Recovery Centre free of charge. Make sure you do not overfill your recycling bin or glass crate, or it will not be collected. If you need a second crate for glass, you can buy one from a Council office or Resource Recovery Centre for $31.35. Because this is a busy time of year our contractor will have extra vehicles on the road and will be starting early.
Please remember to have your rubbish and recycling out by 7.00 am and please take care when passing our collection vehicles.
address pain, injury, trauma, life transitions. Pivotal for immunity health and post viral syndrome. Working with individuals, children and babies. Ph 027 338 9504 www.inbodyhealth.co.nz ꟾ info@inbodyhealth.co.nz Healing with Grac e MASSAGE
Spotted in Rockville! Photo: Mrs Claus?
Abel Tasman Accounting Limited Xero Certified, Public Practice CA. Taxation services and general business support for clients of all shapes and sizes. Available evenings and weekends. Ph Bronwyn 027 268 4010, bronwyn@abeltasmanaccounting.co.nz
ACCOUNTANT and tax advisor. All Inland Revenue returns filed for big and small businesses and individuals. Self-employed and rental property reports prepared. Day and evening appointments available. Ph Susan Ayton Shaw 929 7507 or email taxayton@gmail.com
ACCOUNTANT. Long-standing market leader with unbeatable professional qualifications and experience. Warn & Associates, ph 525 9919.
ARBORIST, qualified, ph Jack Stevens 021 211 5580.
ARCHITECT, registered. Please phone Ben from Allinson Architecture, 020 471 2479.
ARCHITECT services. Building and resource consents. Residential, commercial and industrial. Chris Pyemont Architects, ph 021 0278 4729.
BUILDER: GL Building Tākaka. Renovations, alterations, extensions, new builds, decks and all your repair and maintenance needs. Ph Grant 027 485 5987.
BUILDER: Alistair Middleton, Homes Created Ltd. Renovations, new builds, decks, etc. Ph 027 654 0316, al.homescreated@ gmail.com
CARS wanted. Will pick up for free (some conditions apply). Motueka Auto Parts. Ph 03 528 9576.
CHIMNEY cleaning, handyman. Ph Ry South 022 513 3947.
CHIMNEY sweep and firebox maintenance. GB Chimney Cleaning ph 027 458 7679.
CLEANER. AJ's Cleaning Services. Visit ajscleaning.co.nz for more information.
COURIERS. TG Couriers delivering between Golden Bay and Nelson five days a week. Ph 027 717 7188.
FLORIST. Place your order online www.goldenbayflowers. co.nz or ph 027 758 1138. Teresa Brough Designer Florist. FREEVIEW TV, radio, HiFi, WiFi, electronics. Ph 027 246 2432. GOLDEN BAY DIGGER HIRE 1.7 tonne. Ph 027 713 0684.
GOLDEN BAY ROOFING
Maintenance, leaks, repairs and roofing supplies. Licensed Roofer. Ph 027 395 0037.
GOLDEN Bay Storage, Tā kaka. Dry, safe, secure, alarmed, insurance approved. Furniture trailer available. Ph Marg 027 222 5499, goldenbaystorage@gmail.com
GOLDEN BAY ORGANICS
- Fresh Produce - Natural Health Products - Bulk Foods - Housekeeping Products 525 8677
HEAT pump installation, sales and servicing. Ph Dave McKay 027 404 4740, 525 8538.
KRW Contracting. Tiling, Ardex licensed waterproofing applicator, blocklaying and bricklaying. Ph Ken 021 307 019. No job too big, no job too small.
LAWN mowing. Bainham, Pākawau, Collingwood to Wainui. ProMow Services NZ, ph 027 458 7679.
LAWNMOWING, www.goldenbaypropertyservices.co.nz, ph 027 690 0769.
MOHUA Glass and Glazing. Ph 027 410 9105, mohuaglass@ gmail.com
ONEKAKA Production Unit. Film dollies, cranes, lighting and more. Ph Hamish 027 484 8602.
PAINTING and interior, exterior plastering. Licensed qualified local tradesman. Ph CM Coatings 027 222 0507.
PENINSULA Plasterers for all your interior plastering needs. No job too small. Quality assured. 20+ years’ experience. For a free quote ph Craig 027 472 4376.
PICTURE framer, Ph Anna Quartly 027 543 4357
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED. Ph Shane 027 647 4913.
SEWING SERVICE, NEEDLES, THREADS, WOOL, BEADS. Stitch ‘n Sew ph 525 8177.
STUMP grinding specialist. Tree care and property maintenance. Ph Carl 027 263 5353.
SUMMER pruning, sustainable property advice and management, edible landscaping, soil testing, garden mentoring. Sol Morgan, GroWise Consultancy, ph 027 514 9112.
SURVEYING: GPS and drone surveys. Topo, building setout, boundary location. Mohua Uenuku Surveying, ph Alexis 021 023 91 364.
ĀKAKA Garden Services, for all your lawn and garden needs. Ph 027 525 8006 or 525 8806.
TILER. Professional wall and floor tiling and design. Wayne Robinson Tiling. Ph 027 576 1620.
WINDOW cleaning. Ph Willem 022 134 1726.
WINDOW cleaning, www.goldenbaypropertyservices.co.nz, ph 027 690 0769.
CHURCH SERVICES ON
SUNDAYS
GOLDEN Bay Anglican Parish warmly invites you to join them on Sunday, 10am at Takaka or 4.45pm at Collingwood (starting with a cuppa). Fellowship gatherings (fellowship, songs, prayer and bible study) held fortnightly, 1, 15 and 29 December; traditional services (with a speaker) held on alternate fortnights, 8 and 22 December.
SACRED Heart Catholic faith community, Christmas timetable: Mass: Saturdays 21 December and 4 January, 5pm; Christmas Eve, 24 December, 4.30pm preceded by carols starting at 4pm. All warmly welcome. Weekend of 28/29 December: no service.
ST Andrews Presbyterian Church extends a warm welcome to join us at 10am for a time of worship and fellowship, with Rev Barry Ayers.
UPCOMING EVENTS / Mea pakiri haere
SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER
DISC GOLF: 6.30pm, Park Ave. All levels welcome, disc hire $2.
TUESDAY 24 DECEMBER
DISC GOLF: 5.30pm, Park Ave. All levels welcome, disc hire $2.
GB WEEKLY DEADLINE: noon on Tuesdays. We're back in the office on 6 January 2025.
WEDNESDAY 25 DECEMBER
CHURCH SERVICES. See advertisements on the next page.
LATER EVENTS
LUNASA FESTIVAL 31 January-3 February 2025. Live world music, inspirational workshops, ceilidh, Balfolk dances and more! Canaan Downs-Pikikirunga. Admission passes from www.luminatefestival.co.nz/lunasa
O NEKAKA PLAYGROUP, all welcome, Wednesdays 10am12.30pm, Onekaka Hall.
MISSING YOUR KITTIES while visiting Golden Bay? Volunteer with the beautiful rescued cats at The Peaceable Kin-dom. Ph 022 344 6606.
The Mussel Inn Coming Up...
Sat 21st THE COWPOKERS plus THE FAIRY DOGS. No covercharge!
Mon 23rd SINGALONG ‘ROUND THE PIANO Encore! With Craig Denham, 7pm, all welcome.
Wed 25th CLOSED for you know what.
Sat 28th NEWTOWN ROCKSTEADY. $20 door.
Sun 29th NEWTOWN FOLKSTEADY acoustic session. $10 door.
Tue 31st RAW COLLECTIVE + FUNK FIENDS + DELUSIONAL DISCO DRONGOS + DJ SKOPUS. $35 tickets limited. $40 gate sales from 5pm if available.
JANUARY
Wed 1st CLOSED for a sleep in.
Thu 2nd DEAD BIRD WRITERS SHOW - DOMINIC HOEY, ISLA HUIA, JENNY ROCKWELL and LIAM JACOBSON. $20 door from 8pm.
Sat 4th NIKO NE ZNA. $20 door.
Sun 5th BILLY EBELING. $15 door.
Wed 8th BRAZILIAN SOCIAL CLUB. $15 door.
Fri 10th LABRETTA SUEDE. Tickets @ undertheradar. Sat 11 OSCAR LADELL + WILSON BLACKLEY. $15 door.
Wed 15th NINA LANE & BRYAN OWENS + CALLIE. $10 door.
Sat 18th THE DORADO EXPERIMENT. $20 door.
Sat 25th YOUNG MOON.
$20 tickets @ undertheradar, $25 door.
Wed 29th GUSTO GUSTO. $20 door.
CROSSWORD 296
The winners of the November crossword competition are Piers and Jenny Maclaren Congratulations, your prize is at Paper Plus Tākaka.
SOLUTIONS
Increased energy and well being. Freedom from fear and intimidation through meditative practice. Self defense.
Fri 31st RICHTER CITY REBELS. $20 door. for more details see www.musselinn.co.nz KUNG FU EXPERIENCE
ACROSS: 1. Mosaic 5. Termites 9. Rely 10. Strongroom 11. Maltreatment 13. Bona fide 15. Trot 17. Asps 18. Abandons 20. Achilles heel 23. Economists 24. Rook 25. Trades in 26. Strife DOWN: 2. Opera house 3. As yet 4. Cosmetic 5. Turn the tables on 6. Rinsed 7. Irritated 8. Eros 12. Sounded off 14. Abstained 16. Caresses 19. Thumps 21. Hirer 22. Scar
Late entries accepted across all sections of show at discretion of section Chief Steward late fees apply Schedules & gate tickets available at showday.online/show/goldenbay
Secretary: Anita 027 263 9220 goldenbayshow@gmail.com
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth “
Programmes to listen out for:
BalanSING airs Fridays at 12 noon with a new episode every 2 weeks
LOOKING FOR SPONSORS:
Fresh FM is a non-profit Access radio station and our programme makers need sponsorship to cover the costs of going to air. You or your business can easily become a sponsor of local content. Drop us a line on motueka@freshfm.net.
Friday: Easterlies, may freshen about Farewell. Rain about the ranges and at times elsewhere
Saturday: Light winds, mainly easterly. Rain or showers at times, may be heavy locally.
Sunday: Light winds, tending southwest later. Some showers gradually becoming confined to the ranges later
Monday: Southwesterlies, fresh about Farewell. A few showers in the west otherwise mainly fine
Tuesday: Light winds, tending northerly. Mainly fine and becoming warm
Christmas Day: Northeasterlies freshening. Cloud thickening with rain developing
Boxing Day: Easterlies, may tend southerly later. Rain at times, gradually easing
Christmas
CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES
SACRED Heart Catholic faith community, Christmas timetable: Mass: Saturdays 21 December and 4 January, 5pm; Christmas Eve, 24 December, 4.30pm preceded by carols starting at 4pm. All warmly welcome. Weekend of 28/29 December: no service.
ST Andrews Presbyterian Church extends a warm welcome to join us at 9.30am on Christmas Day for a time of worship and fellowship, with Rev Barry Ayers.
Golden Bay Anglican Parish – 2024 Christmas Services –
Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24 December
7pm Collingwood: St Cuthbert’s 9 Lessons and Carols
11pm Takaka: Church of the Epiphany 9 Lessons, Carols and Communion
Christmas Day – Wednesday 25 December 10am Takaka: Church of the Epiphany Christmas Celebration Service (no Communion)
You are welcome to join with us as we celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus.
Enquiries contact: gbanglican@xtra.co.nz
Church THE VILLAGE GREEN DECEMBER 22, 7 PM TRADITIONAL CAROL SERVICE
Join us for songs, readings and drama retelling the Christmas story
Christmas costumes encouraged If raining, we will meet in the Anglican Church
Kahurangi Christian
Golden Bay
ICONIC HERITAGE & ENDLESS POTENTIAL
The former Post Office, commercially zoned land with a Category 1 Heritage Listing. It features original office spaces, separate commercial & residential entrances. Upstairs, there are spacious bedrooms with superior views of the Inlet & sea. Perfect for a business venture or to combine work & home in one remarkable location. Call now.
Jana McConnon 021 245 2197
Paul McConnon 027 504 2872
297
GETAWAY
This home offers great potential with some TLC. It features a combined kitchen and dining area, a separate lounge, and plenty of room to make it your own. Outside, you'll find garden space and a glasshouse. Sold "as is" – call today to schedule a private viewing!
Belinda J Barnes 021 236 2840
873 Cwd-Bainham, ROCKVILLE
THE CALL OF THE COUNTRY
This renovated home is fresh, bright & ready for you to view. With a new kitchen, updated electricals, new carpet & freshly painted interiors. A woodfire & heat pump for heating. Located on the school bus route, it’s ideal for a young family. Arrange your private viewing today!
Belinda J Barnes 021 236 2840
Your private retreat above Pohara offers superb sea views & seamless indoor-outdoor living. Enjoy privacy, a sun-drenched deck & proximity to the beach. With double garage & extra parking. Tucked away amidst lush plantings, you must view to appreciate what is on offer. Call now.
Jana McConnon 021 245 2197
Paul McConnon 027 504 2872
UP THE GARDEN PATH
To this charming villa with verandah and deck allowing views of Collingwood, sea, mountains & estuary. Timber floors & high ceilings, with plenty of gardens to enjoy. It must be viewed to appreciate the character, charm & potential. Call me for private viewing
Belinda J Barnes 021 236 2840
366 Abel Tasman, MOTUPIPI PERFECT FAMILY HOME
This substantial family home has been thoughtfully designed to take full effect of the sun and lovely rural views. The separate garage provides plenty of storage for all the toys. A central location close to Takaka and Pohara. Call me today.
James Mackay 027 359 0892
254 East Takaka Road, EAST TAKAKA LIVE THE GOOD LIFE
This charming cottage is nestled on a generous 3450sqm lot, offering space for a pony paddock. Revel in the peaceful rural setting with breathtaking mountain views, all just minutes away from local schools and amenities. If you're looking for a rural lifestyle, then contact us today!
Jana McConnon 021 245 2197
Paul McConnon 027 504 2872
