MARCH 20-24
maorilandfilm.co.nz
– p15-18
MARCH 2019
otakitoday.com
Ngā Kōrero o Ōtaki
TURN CLOCKS BACK Daylight time ends at 3am on Sunday April 7 Remember to put your clocks back before bed on Saturday April 6, because at 3am on Sunday April 7, daylight time finishes and the clocks will go back an hour.
FREEDOM RIDERS: At the launch of the Omeo on Thursday, March 7, were users Omeo customers Tony Zwart of Nelson and Sarah Labrooy of Auckland, Omeo founder Kevin Halsall, user experience for Omeo Marcus Thompson, and customers Karl Hobman of Porirua and Ben Lucas of Christchurch.
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The innovation of an Ōtaki inventor is paying off with the international launch last week of the Omeo personal mobility vehicle. Kevin Halsall has transformed with cutting edge technology what has traditionally been a cumbersome wheelchair or mobility scooter. His prototype, the Ogo Evolution 1, has taken a giant step further with the Omeo, and it’s now set to take the world by storm. The Omeo is the only personal mobility device anywhere that fully integrates a unique dynamic seat control system with self-balancing technology. It means users intuitively govern the direction, speed and braking of
the device through body movements – completely hands-free. “This is the magic mind-body movement at work – you point your eyes and Omeo instinctively follows,” Kevin says. “It’s just like walking. What’s actually happening is the Omeo is engaging body and mind together and your core weight is intuitively shifting in the direction you want to go. “At the same time it provides a complete sense of balance and a great low impact workout for any core muscles you have.” The hands-free operation and range of all-terrain tyres give users the freedom to play sport, move around work and navigate just about any environment from city sidewalks and
trains to farm tracks and the beach. Innovative self-levelling legs provide a stable platform to transfer on and off, and its 38km battery range and powerful headlights allow users to get from A to B at any time of the day or night. The machine come in five colours and users can modify their ride to suit their lifestyle. An accessory holder provides for smartphones, cup holders, water bottles, fishing rods, camera clips and other items that people want to take with them. It has the potential to change the lives of thousands of people with disabilities. Already, the company has 31 agents in seven countries taking orders, with enquiries from around
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the world. “Our business model has been crafted around the needs of the consumer so that they have an affordable, safe, reliable and fun product,” Kevin says. “Our mission is to get the Omeo to as many people as possible who can benefit from it.” Kevin, who is the founder, designer and director of Omeo Technology, says the vehicle has gone through rigorous testing against exacting world safety standards. “It’s now ready for mass production and international distribution from Ōtaki.” Omeo Technology’s head office, with its administration, research and development areas, remains based in Ōtaki.
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NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
LOCAL EVENTS KĀPITI GRAVEL GRAB Ōtaki River. Saturday March 16, 10am–2pm. No bookings required, just turn up. Give your garden or landscaping project that extra bit of pizazz with river stones from the Ōtaki River. Bring a trailer and/or a shovel and meet us next to the river. Graders will be there to put rocks directly into your trailer for no cost. No trailer? No worries! We’ll show you an area where you can pick your own rocks to load into the boot. Help us prevent flooding in Ōtaki by removing excess stones that bank up along the river, changing its natural flow and creating a flood risk. Getting there: Turn left off SH1 after Ōtaki Bridge (if coming from Wellington). Address is the GWRC Otaki Depot - directions to the gravel grab site will be signposted from there. KAI FESTIVAL Otaki Primary School, Mill Road. Thursday March 21, 4.30-6.30pm. There will be a range of food available: chop suey, steak sammies, hamburgers, hot chips, pipi fritters and lots more, as well as the annual hangi. Watch out for the talent showcase entertaining on stage. This is the school’s major fundraiser for the year so gp along and enjoy some yummy kai for your dinner. MĀORILAND FILM FESTIVAL 68 Main St. The sixth annual festival returns March 2024. See pages 15-18. Updates: Facebook or maorilandfilm.co.nz WAITOHU SCHOOL GALA Te Manuao Rd. Sunday April 7, 11am-2pm. OTAKI COLLEGE 6Oth REUNION Otaki College, Mill Rd. April 26-27. www. otakicollege.school.nz/60th-reunion (see page 13) COMMUNITY GARDEN PARTIES Community gardens and orchards across the Kāpiti district are celebrating with a series of parties throughout autumn. Free workshops, activities and festivities are happening in seven gardens, until April 28. It’s about gardening, but also recognising the wider role community gardens can play in community building, education and encouraging local food production. ŌTAKI WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CLUB CRAFT MARKET: opposite New World, every Sunday until April 7. Thereafter, on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday of the month over the winter season. Ph Georgie 027 234-1090. ŌTAKI GARAGE SALE third Saturday of the month, 9-11.30am, rain or shine, Presbyterian Church, 249 Mill Rd. 364-6449. ŌTAKI MUSEUM 49 Main St, Ōtaki Village. Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-2pm. SEASONAL SURPLUS STALL Thursdays, buying from 10.30am, selling from 11am-noon, or until sold out. In front of Memorial Hall, Main St. Bring in surplus fruit, vegetables and eggs. Contact 06 364-7762 for details. To list your community event, contact debbi@idmedia.co.nz or 06 364-6543.
Page 2
CARTOON OF THE MONTH
By Jared Carson
NEW POWER SOURCE FOUND FOR COLLEGE
Mike in familiar territory Ōtaki senior constable Mike Howland has had 20 years service with the police. Most of that time has been spent on the beat around the Kāpiti Coast, so the Ōtaki territory is by no means foreign to him. That suits him fine, because his family is now happily settled in Ōtaki and enjoying being part of the community. Although Mike didn’t go into the police immediately after leaving college, he always had it in mind after policeman Neil Murphy spoke at a school careers day. “He was pretty inspiring,” Mike says. “He got me interested in policing and was one of the main reasons for joining up.” Mike lived in Upper Hutt before moving with his family to Waikanae when he was 7. He left school aged 16, and took on a variety of jobs before taking off for an OE, which got him only as far as the cotton fields of Queensland before he returned to Waikanae. He did an electrical apprenticeship and worked for about seven years with his father, who was himself a sparkie. Meantime, he was playing rugby for Waikanae and a couple of his playing mates talked to him about their work with the police. Mike was accepted into the police in 1997. He had a variety of posts, including
Ōtaki Today is produced monthly by publisher ID Media Ltd, 13 Te Manuao Rd, Ōtaki. ISSN 2624-3067 For editorial enquiries or news tips, please contact editor Ian Carson 06 364-6543 or ian@idmedia.co.nz For advertising enquiries, please contact general manager Debbi Carson at 06 364-6543 or debbi@idmedia.co.nz PHOTOGRAPHER Simon Neale • CARTOONS Jared Carson CONTRIBUTORS Fraser Carson (Media & Community) Kath Irvine (Edible Backyards) • Ken Geenty (Farming) • Daniel Duxfield (Fitness) • Rex Kerr (History) • Steve Roxburgh (Food Science) Design by ID Media Ltd. Printed by Beacon Print, Whakatane. Ōtaki Today is a member of the Community Newspapers Association. To view Ōtaki Today online: otakitoday.com ISSN 2624-3067 • Next copy and advertising deadline April 9.
INTRODUCING
SENIOR CONSTABLE MIKE HOWLAND at Waikanae, where with fellow officer Mike Tahere he established a community office in Mahara Place. He then took some time away from the police to go overseas again, working in Australia as an electrician, and returned to the police with a posting at the Wellington Central station. It was back to the Kāpiti station then a move further north to Otaki in 2011. In 2013 he was
posted to Te Araroa on the East Coast as sole charge officer. That posting was significant because it was an opportunity to connect with his Ngāti Porou roots. The latest move, to Ōtaki, came in 2016. Mike says that Ōtaki has its challenges but they’re not much different anywhere else. “In a town like this, we [as police] just have to build trust with people so they can talk to us and be confident that we’re listening.”
Ōtaki River entrance tides March 14 to April 17, 2019 metservice.com/marine-surf/tides/otaki-river-entrance
Thu 14 Mar Fri 15 Mar Sat 16 Mar Sun 17 Mar Mon 18 Mar Tue 19 Mar Wed 20 Mar Thu 21 Mar Fri 22 Mar Sat 23 Mar Sun 24 Mar Mon 25 Mar
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH 03:07 09:29 15:35 21:57 04:14 10:39 16:46 23:09 05:34 11:58 18:04 - - 00:28 06:53 13:13 19:20 - 01:42 08:01 14:17 20:27 - 02:43 08:58 15:13 21:23 - 03:36 09:48 16:03 22:13 - 04:24 10:35 16:50 23:00 - 05:10 11:20 17:35 23:44 - 05:54 12:04 18:20 00:27 06:38 12:47 19:03 01:09 07:22 13:31 19:46 -
Tue 26 Mar Wed 27 Mar Thu 28 Mar Fri 29 Mar Sat 30 Mar Sun 31 Mar Mon 1 Apr Tue 2 Apr Wed 3 Apr Thu 4 Apr Fri 5 Apr Sat 6 Apr
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH 01:52 08:08 14:17 20:31 02:39 08:58 15:08 21:21 03:33 09:57 16:06 22:20 04:39 11:07 17:16 23:31 05:56 12:22 18:31 - - 00:48 07:09 13:29 19:38 - 01:51 08:05 14:21 20:30 - 02:40 08:49 15:03 21:13 - 03:20 09:26 15:41 21:49 - 03:56 10:00 16:15 22:23 - 04:29 10:32 16:48 22:55 - 05:01 11:03 17:20 23:26
HIGH Sun 7 Apr Mon 8 Apr Tue 9 Apr Wed 10 Apr Thu 11 Apr Fri 12 Apr Sat 13 Apr Sun 14 Apr Mon 15 Apr Tue 16 Apr Wed 17 Apr
LOW HIGH LOW HIGH - 04:34 10:36 16:53 22:58 - 05:08 11:10 17:28 23:33 - 05:45 11:47 18:06 00:11 06:27 12:30 18:49 00:56 07:17 13:20 19:39 01:51 08:17 14:22 20:40 03:00 09:27 15:34 21:53 04:19 10:43 16:51 23:11 05:35 11:54 18:05 - - 00:23 06:40 12:57 19:09 - 01:24 07:36 13:52 20:04
Please note: The actual timing of high and low tide may differ from that provided here by LINZ. Times are extrapolated from the nearest primary port for this location, so please take care.
NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 3
Big solar plant mooted for Ōtaki A big solar energy station in Ōtaki with the capacity to power the equivalent of 500 households is in the sights of local energy co-operative coastalenergy.nz. Phil Malpas of Ōtaki, who is a director of the co-operative, is promoting the concept with other members. The plant will lease up to 6 hectares of land in or near Ōtaki for the solar generation and storage plant, which would produce 5-10 megawatts of power. The plant would be owned by a co-operative, with investors, either individuals or households, contributing up to $3000 each to fund the project. The power would be fed into the Electra grid, which supplies electricity throughout the Kāpiti and Horowhenua districts. Electra manager of lines business Max Feickert says the scheme would be a first for the power company, but it supports the idea. “We’re happy to support it and see how we can help make it happen,” he says. “Sustainable energy is the way of the future. I don’t think this scheme will be the last one we see.” Phil says he believes investors could see a return on investment of about 10 percent a year. “That’s pretty attractive, but there’s also the fact that people can help to reduce power costs, make a positive contribution to reducing CO2 emissions, and own their own power company to boot.” Phil is the founder of coastalenergy.nz (Ōtaki Energy Co-operative Ltd) and is looking for at least 2000 investors throughout the Kāpiti district – including Ōtaki – to join the scheme.
As a co-operative, the community would own the solar plant that would generate the electricity. He says he’s discussing prospective sites for the plant with various parties, but it would be in or near to Ōtaki. “The beauty of a solar power plant is that it can be sited on land that could be mixed-use, such as a farm where animals can also graze,” he says. “Solar generation has no moving parts so it quietly does the job, and it’s easy to maintain and manage. It has very little effect on the environment.” It’s also easily upgradeable, so any new technology can be simply plugged in alongside. Phil Malpas at the soon-to-be-completed Littel Ōtaki Motel, where solar panels have been installed. Phil is planning a big Phil says many homepower plant in Ōtaki that would be owned by the community and would feed the Electra network. owners are installing solar panels on their roof-tops Investors would become share-holders in fossil fuels. This equates to some 2000 million for about the same price or more than the coastalenergy.nz and would get income from the kg of carbon emissions. investment the co-operative is seeking. company by selling power to the national grid “There is no reason why our country Investment in the scheme would enable and from retail sales. cannot achieve 100 percent renewable power economies of scale for all the hardware, storage, “The icing on the cake is that by producing generation, and we can be part of it.” inverters, installation and other costs. more power from renewable energy, we can The co-operative plans a meeting soon to “The plant would generate electricity make a significant contribution to reducing show-case its ideas and inform the public. from solar power far more efficiently and carbon emissions. At present around 26 percent n For more information, contact Phil Malpas on 021 420-106 economically than is possible for individual or email info@coastalenergy.nz of New Zealand’s power generation is from households.”
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NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 4
Interchange hot topic at boards The decision by the NZ Transport Agency to not build an expressway interchange at Peka Peka is a hot topic at community board meetings this month. The Waikanae Community Board was to have a notice of motion from its chair, Jocelyn Prvanov, for its meeting on Tuesday (March 12, after press time) and it’s understood a similar motion will be put to the Ōtaki Community Board next Tuesday (March 19). The Waikanae notice of motion was that the Waikanae Community Board: 1. Notes the NZTA Single Stage Business Case for Peka Peka connectivity and its decision not to approve the proposed investment; and 2. Notes the community have identified inadequacies with the Business Case but notwithstanding it shows that by not proceeding: a. Around 2300 vehicle movements a day between Waikanae and Peka Peka interchanges will be prevented from using the purpose-built expressway and transferred onto Waikanae urban roads around high growth areas, with consequent adverse impact on safety and the environment (noise, emissions); b. Access times to and from south of Waikanae are increased for the Peka Peka and Te Horo communities; and 3. Notes the community considers these costs for acceptable connectivity at Peka Peka are seriously overstated in the Business Case, the costs to the ratepayers of using local roads have not been considered, and the value for money from leaving this traffic on the expressway is likely to significantly exceed the value gained by attempting to accommodate it on local roads; 4. Notes it understands that the [Kāpiti Coast] District Council now considers it can mitigate any adverse impacts of development from the investment by way of the RMA; and therefore in light of 1 -4 5. Supports in principle investment in connectivity at Peka Peka to make best use of the expressway investment and avoid the costs to the community of using local roads; and to that end: 6. Supports ongoing work by the community on a Business Case that addresses the inadequacies in the NZTA's case; 7. Supports taking steps to have the proposed investment included as a high priority in the Regional Land Transport Plan; and supports taking steps to protect any land from premature disposal by NZTA; 8. Recommends to the district council that it, too: a. Agrees to resolutions 1-3; b. Confirms resolution 4; c. Agrees to resolutions 5-7 and directs the CE to take the necessary steps to give effect to this support.
Cap out for kites Organisers of the Ōtaki Kite Festival are putting the begging cap out as their traditional source of funding dries up. The festival has had a large amount of its funding for the past three years from Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Major Events Fund. Before that it was able to access other council funding, and it has been supported by organisations such as NZ Community Trust and Wellington Community Trust. The Major Events Fund criteria, however, stipulate that funding is based on an event being able to support itself after three years. Most events have entry fees, which are expected to grow and allow the event to fund itself. Festival co-ordinator Kirsty Doyle says the event has always been free entry and familyfocused.
BOWLER MOTORS
Photos are from the 2019 Ōtaki Kite Festival
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The 2019 Ōtaki Kite Festival on February 16-17 was a huge success in large part due to the commitment of sponsors and volunteers, who assisted with everything from funding to parking. The Ōtaki Promotions Group, which organises the event, acknowledges the following organisations and individuals.
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• Kāpiti Coast District Council • NZ Community Trust • Creative Communities • Beach FM • NZ Kite Fliers Assn members • Concrete Doctors • Harcourts Real Estate • The Professionals • Ōtaki College (workshops) • Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club • Ōtaki Today • Byron’s Resort • Caltex Ōtaki • Dice • Green Party Ōtaki Branch • Hebe Botanicals • Māoriland Film Festival • Marlan Trading Ltd • Mower & Engineering Services • New World Ōtaki • Ōtaki Community Patrol
• Ōtaki Lions Club • Ōtaki Waka Hoe • Riverslea Retreat • Rotary Club of Ōtaki • Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupurangi Rua Mano • The Tele • Pataka Moore (Toll) • Jenny Askwith • Barbara Franks • Gina Marie Aburn • Barbara Aires • Peter Askwith • Kerry Bevan • Penny Bedggood • Livia Muller Blood • Josie Brown • Tracey Doyle • Maddy Drew • Lisa Faircloth • Brian Henderson • Trevor Hunter • Annie Jencova • Tony King • Ella Kirby • Sarah Lange • Robert Lochhead • Matthew Lochhead
• Carl Lutz • Shane Matthews • Manuka-Rose McGiven • Judith Millar • Maggie Peace • Inanga Rose • David Rumsey • Lynne Shaw • Robert Sims • Julie Sperring • Ron Sperring • Marilyn Stevens • Wayne Stevens • Fay Te Kura • Tania Te Kura • Stephanie Tidman • Helen Watch • Lesley Wicks • Malcolm Wicks Ōtaki Promotions Group: Ian Carson, Debbi Carson, Gavin Case, Lynne Corkin, Jeanine Cornelius, Norman Elder, Jonah Pritchard, Graham Rikihana, Carol Ward, Roger Ward.
“There’s no way you can have a big event like the kite festival at the beach and try to charge entry,” she says. “People would just park on The Esplanade and watch from there, or they’d clamber through the sand dunes, which would be a nightmare to police and a real hazard to the dune eco-system. “As a community event, we like to offer it as something everyone can come to and enjoy themselves without having to spend a penny.” The 2019 festival, on the weekend of February 16-17, attracted an estimated 20,000plus people to the beach. The economic benefit to the local and regional community is huge, and there are intangible benefits such as showcasing areas of Ōtaki not normally visited by people passing along the highway. Ian Carson, the chair of the Ōtaki Promotions Group, which organises the event, says funding is always likely to be an issue, but some certainty would allow organisers to plan with confidence. “I hope the council comes back on board, because it’s clearly a big event for Kāpiti that I don’t think they would like to see come to an end,” he says. “However, we have no guarantee of their support, so for the past year or so we’ve been actively looking at other sources of funding.” Other sources include major corporate sponsorship that might have naming rights. Local sponsors have been generous with donations for specific items, and several might be prepared to help fund for future years to keep the event going.
NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 5
Expressway artwork emerges Artwork reflecting the stories of Ōtaki’s landscape, waterways, people and ecology have begun to emerge as expressway construction progresses. Bridge 2 – one of the two bridges that will span the railway line and expressway just north of the Ōtaki roundabout on the current State Highway 1 – now displays panels designed by artist Piri-Hira Tukapua. They are the first of several that will appear on other expressway bridges along the project length. The design on the south-facing side of Bridge 2 is called Te Manuao (World of Birds), which makes a connection with the land on which nearby Te Manuao Road runs. It was once teeming with birdlife, including the now extinct huia. Te Manuao was also a large food growing area for early Māori settlers. On the far left of the design is a huia, sitting majestically on a branch representing the past and recalling the significance of the birds to the Ngāti Huia people living at Katihiku Marae. At the other end is a kererū with its wings open, representing the future; and in between are four karoro (seagulls) in flight which represent the present and connection to the beach, a major feature of Ōtaki. “I went to Pukehoe Hill [northeast Ōtaki] and couldn’t believe how many karoro were there, even that far
BIRDS ON BRIDGE: Artist Piri-Hira Tukapua with her artwork, Te Manuao, on the new Bridge 2 spanning the expressway to be built just north of the Ōtaki roundabout.
inland,” Piri-Hira says. The north-facing design on Bridge 2 is called Ngā wai o Ōtaki (the waterways of Ōtaki). The smaller koru in the graphic represent the puna (springs) bubbling up from the ground to the surface. Springs are to be found all over Ōtaki and are a major source of fresh, clean water. The flowing lines are the streams of Waitohu, Mangapōuri and Mangone and the many subsidiaries that flow towards the Ōtaki River. Heke Rongoā Graduate Charlie Watson Te Āti Awa.
The top lines depict the Ōtaki River, the main waterway of the town, and the large centre piece is where the waterways meet the waves at the sea. The graphics sit on the outward facing bridge barriers and will be seen from the expressway as people travel towards them. With parents who were both born in Ōtaki, Piri-Hira has enjoyed reconnecting with the town, its people and its history. It’s been an important aspect of her creative process.
“It’s important that an artist interpreting the narrative has strong connections and whakapapa to the area, because it makes the artwork authentic,” she says. “I’ve also talked with Ngā Hapu o Ōtaki and the wider community to find out what’s important to them, and then gone away to work out how to visually communicate that. “It’s been a great project. I’ve been an artist for a long time, but I never thought I would have my art in concrete."
HEKE RONGOĀ
Don’t expect same issues, NZTA says News last week that almost 16 kilometres of the Mackays to Peka Peka expressway will have to be repaired raised the inevitable question for Ōtaki residents: Can we expect the same issues with the Peka Peka to Ōtaki stretch of the expressay? Ōtaki Today put the question to the NZ Transport Agency. It replied: “The public can have full confidence that other state highway projects will not experience the same problems as the Mackays to Peka Peka (M2PP) expressway. “Through the challenges we’ve faced on M2PP, the transport agency and the construction industry have learnt a lot about the local material properties and associated construction methods. The transport agency has introduced additional quality controls, and our technical experts are working closely with the road designer and contractor to ensure that the design is appropriate for the local conditions and available materials. “We are confident that we have the right construction processes in place, and the increased level of testing being employed during construction will ensure that [we] deliver a top quality highway.”
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Ko ahau te rongoā, ko te rongoā ko ahau. Tuesday 19th March 10am – 12pm and 6pm – 8pm Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Ngā Purapura 145 Tasman Road, Ōtaki
NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
IN BRIEF
Page 6
Big future for kite fest stars
Quieter month for brigade February was a quiet month for the Ōtaki Volunteer Fire Brigade compared with previous years. “It looks like people are being more conscious of the conditions that can cause fires,” says fire chief Ian King. The brigade attended two medical incidents to assist ambulance staff, seven rubbish, grass or scrub fires, one special service for a fuel spill, and one standby at Waikanae station. The brigade, however, attended one high speed car crash where the vehicle collided with a power pole in Waerenga Road. The driver died in the helicopter on the way to hospital.
Caltex closing
The Caltex service station at the Ōtaki highway shops is to close at the end of the month. The owner of the site is believed to have plans for a significant new development, which is likely to be announced later this year. The closure leaves the 24-hour BP station at the northern end of the shopping area, and Mobil at the southern end.
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ON STAGE: James Kereama Stent and Tui Tahere Katene, both aged 12, on stage for Children’s Day at the Levin Adventure Park. – Robbie Booth photography
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Guest performances on stage at the Ōtaki Kite Festival have brought new opportunities for talented local singers Tui Tahere Katene (Ngāpuhi and Ngā Rauru) and James Kereama Stent (Raukawa ki te Tonga). Their individual live performances and subsequent online posts were enough for organisers of other big events to coming knocking at their door. On Sunday, March 24, they will be opening the NZ secondary schools volleyball national tournament at Central Energy Trust Arena in Palmerston North, after organisers contacted the kite festival team. The audience will be more than 500 people. Due to one of James’s Facebook posts from the kite festival getting thousands of views and seen by music industry professionals, he is headlining the dinner on Saturday, March 23, for the Levin Whānau Show. He will be singing hits from the 50s and 60s in front of more than 800 paying guests. The two have already performed at Children’s Day in Levin on March 3, they were a hit there, too. They even have a new song being written for them by Kāpiti author and songwriter Avril McDonald. It will be recorded and released later this year. It came about after Tui and James’s involvement in an international children’s book music project, Feel Brave. The kaupapa is all about teaching children how to “feel brave”
and strong to get through emotional challenges (see feelbrave.com). The two singers starred in a recently released music video written by Avril for the Feel Brave project called Nothing Like a Good Friend. James and Tui were the lead vocals and the clip has been aired on the children’s television show What Now. The track is available internationally on YouTube, Spotify and iTunes. The entertainment co-ordinator at the Ōtaki Kite Festival, Graham Rikihana, says he heard them both sing before the festival so was keen to get them on the festival stage. “I thought it would be good for them to experience what it was like to sing in front of a big crowd,” Graham says. “They’re both talented and they didn’t disappoint the thousands of people who heard them sing. There was a huge crowd on the Saturday when they performed.” Graham has been working with performers and teaching music for many years. “They have a great future,” he says. Both Tui and James are still only 12 years old, and they live in Ōtaki. They went to He Iti Nā Mōtai kohunga together when they were young. James is now at Kāpiti College in year 9, and Tui is in year 8 at Ōtaki School. They are performing in Ōtaki next Thursday (March 21) in the talent showcase at Ōtaki School’s kai festival.
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NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
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Bikes make for happy kids Fifty-four bikes, helmets, pumps, and even a new bike track. No wonder the kids at Ōtaki School were happy. The kids might not have appreciated the importance of it, but the dignitaries certainly did. Among those attending were South Korean Ambassador Seung-bae Yeo, Kāpiti Mayor K Gurunathan, and members of the K-Force Association (Korean War veterans). They came, gave speeches and some took a ride around the track. It was a big day for the Bikes in Schools programme. Since 1993, Ōtaki School has hosted the veterans and the South Korean Ambassador as part of its annual commemoration of the Korean War ceasefire in 1953. Recognising this special relationship, the Korean Government contributed $10,000 to help pay for the bikes.
Another $14,000 came from the Bike On NZ Charitable Trust and $9400 from the NZ Community Trust. Bike Barn Kāpiti supplied the bikes, as well as helmets, pumps and work stands for maintenance. Local company Rasmac built the track. Bikes in Schools is a nationwide initiative and Ōtaki School is first on the Kāpiti Coast. "We are absolutely thrilled with our fleet of 54 new bikes,” principal Chris Derbidge said. “The bike track it is a tremendous asset for our school and the community. “As well as recreational lunchtime use, our students will utilise the bikes as a fun component of their physical education programmes. Bike NZ will be coming into the school to teach cycle safety and the older students will be learning aspects of bike
maintenance.” The bikes are various sizes so they can be used by ages four to young adult. They’re stored in a purpose-built container on site. Ambassador Yeo said he was pleased to see the children happy. “I hope the bikes will make a valuable asset for the community, as well as the school,” he said. “It is meaningful to do something useful for future generations, and I expect this will further enhance the friendship between Korea and New Zealand in years to come. “It's all about the friendship between Koreans and Kiwis, which was first forged during the Korean War and is getting stronger ever since. We appreciate New Zealanders' continuous support for our efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula.” Top photo, Watene Kaihau gives a pōwhiri for guests as Ōtaki School children wait for a chance to ride their new bikes. Above right, Mayor K Gurunathan tries one of the bikes; far left, South Korean Ambassador Seung-bae Yeo and Ōtaki School principal Chris Derbidge on the track; left, K-Force veteran Phillip Wallace helps Kingston TaiaroaHorsfield with one of the new bikes; and at right, Zoe Wilson has no trouble getting around the new bike track.
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NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
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Zephyrs breeze in for car show The weather was kind, the crowds came and the new Ōtaki venue was declared ideal as the Kāpiti Horowhenua Zephyr Zodiac Car Club had their car show on Sunday, March 3. The meeting, which attracted about 160 cars of many varieties from around the country, was at the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club. Funds went to St John Ambulance. “This spot is ideal,” said club president Alister
MacKenzie. “We’ve got lots of space and the car owners and visitors have enjoyed it. We’ll be back.” It’s the first time the club has had a show in Ōtaki, after previously being in Paraparaumu, where traffic became a problem. It is now scheduled to be held at the racing club every year on the first Sunday of March. The show attracted not only Zodiacs, but vintage cars, drag racers, American and British classics – even retro caravans.
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Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 10
COMMENT GURU’S VIEW: K GURUNATHAN
The muddle of boundaries is not serving the community well This will come as no surprise to many. Between 2011 and 2014 there have been five community engagement meetings in Ōtaki on the access to community services in relation to the boundaries of government agencies and NGOs (non-government organisations). We need to be very clear. The issue is about access to services, not boundaries per se. Boundary matters become a problem only if they hinder access to these services. The five engagement meetings, however, have consistently shown government and NGO regional boundaries are the single biggest barrier to more accessible social services.
Kāpiti as a district comes under two police districts. WINZ and Oranga Tamariki boundaries differ. Ōtaki is within the Levin WINZ district. The district health board boundaries are another scourge. The consequences? It’s difficult to get statistical verification from cohorts across the KCDC region, which makes it difficult to secure good information to formulate policies.
LOCAL LENS: IAN CARSON
Ōtaki people are a good lot We’re an interesting bunch of people in Ōtaki. We don’t take ourselves or others too seriously. We laugh at our own jokes, we sometimes laugh as others’ misfortune, but then pitch in to help out when the need arises. We’re a good lot. We pride ourself in punching above our weight, doing more and better than anyone expects. And we prefer to celebrate our successes among ourselves, revelling in the achievement and then going out and doing it over and over again. The evidence is all around us. There are the big things that stand out not only in Ōtaki and our wider Kāpiti region, but nationally and internationally. I’m talking particularly about the fabulous Ōtaki Kite Festival and Māoriland Film Festival. This year the kite festival drew a record crowd estimated to be more than 20,000 people. That’s huge. That’s a lot of people going home and raving to their friends and whānau about how great it was, and how they should go back next year. A couple of years ago, the Lonely Planet Asia edition featured the kite festival, advising people how to get to Ōtaki from Singapore. What great publicity for a small-town event. This year, a reporter for China Daily sent images and captions back to Beijing, which promptly went up on the chinadaily.com.cn website. The potential audience would have been millions of people. As we near the sixth annual Māoriland Film Festival, we’re coming to realise the huge global impact this home-grown event is generating. Libby Hakaraia and her team in a few short years have become major influences in the global indigenous film industry. Their attendances at Berlin, Toronto, Sundance and elsewhere is noted with respect. Film-makers from around the world now know about Ōtaki – they want to be here for the festival. That kind of publicity would cost millions if it was part of a promotional campaign. There are other more personal achievements. We have young people coming through our kura and the college who are excelling in academics and sport. They are breaking through their own barriers with the active encouragement of leaders such as the college’s Andy Fraser. Te Wānanga o Raukawa is producing a wealth of new graduates every year; people who are confident in their Māori heritage or seeking to add to their limited understanding. They are enhancing not only their own well-being, but also that of others as they take their knowledge with them. So, yes, we’re a good lot. And we’ll keep getting better.
It makes it difficult to plan and monitor community outcomes. A duplicate set of stakeholder relationship is required from all parties. Travel within the Kāpiti district is disjointed. The Greater Wellington Community Response Forum Report of October 2017 concluded the situation was deteriorating. The problem will be exacerbated by two factors arising from a single assumption. The assumption is that transport infrastructure investment has significant economic, social and cultural impacts on communities. The first factor is that the PP2Ō expressway, once it’s linked to the M2PP expressway and Transmission
Gully, will synergise and draw Ōtaki south towards the rest of Kāpiti and Wellington. Secondly, given the Ōtaki to Levin expressway is not going to happen anytime soon, Ōtaki residents will continue to be straddled with a very poor SH1 connection to access services in Levin and Palmerston North. In November last year, the Mayor of Horowhenua, Michael Feyen, and I urged the NZ Transport Agency to improve safety after a series of fatal accidents. NZTA has started work, but I suspect the observation of former coroner Phillip Comber will still haunt us.
He noted that during the past 25 years, this stretch of the state highway had become “a killing field marked like a battlefield with white crosses”. Despite the previous consultation fatigue over five engagement meetings on boundary issues, and given the significant changes ahead, it makes sense, for the safety and wellbeing of Ōtaki, to initiate another community dialogue. The current government and NGO agency geographical administrative boundaries are divisive and problematic for the Kāpiti District, especially for the most vulnerable residents living in Ōtaki. n K Gurunathan is the Mayor of Kāpiti Coast and is an Ōtaki resident.
FORWARD FOCUS: JAMES COOTES
No quick fix for issue of social housing Twenty years ago we sold everything to buy our first home. It was a 1910s villa we relocated on site and during the next 13 years renovated, often working till midnight. We paid $45,000 for the house, plus the additional costs of the section, electrical, plumbing, garage etc. It was a modest three-bedroom home, nothing “flash”. We remember waking in the morning and seeing our breath in the bedroom air. After much blood, sweat and tears we sold it in 2011 for $395,000, enabling us to buy our second home at Te Horo Beach where we now live. We made a modest capital gain on the transaction, taking into account our hours of labour and the cost of improvements. Previously I’ve talked about the positive economic effects that the expressways have had on our communities. I’ve also referred to the unintended consequences.
For many, owning their own home seems just a dream with house prices – and rentals – continuing to rise. Changes made to the Building Act as a result of the leaky homes saga led to more stringent building regulations, with additional costs to the build making the home more expensive. Gone are the days of the modest 2-3 bedroom home. Most new builds now boast three bedrooms with ensuite, internal access garage, driveway and landscaping. The Government promised to build 100,000 high quality, affordable homes
over 10 years (50 percent of them in Auckland). Houses will range from $300,000 to $500,000 and as of February 12, 62 houses have been built with a further 10,355 contracted and committed to build. I’m not aware of any planned for Ōtaki. We currently have 118 older person housing units (20 percent-subsidised via rates) with a waiting list of about 90. There is also a view that our council should provide social housing. You only have to look at Palmerston North to see the cost of building social housing running into $7 million-plus, and then there are ongoing costs. For us to step into that space we’d need a strong mandate from the community to do so. There’s no doubt there’s a housing crisis, but there’s not a quick or easy fix. . n James Cootes is the Ōtaki Ward councillor on the Kāpiti Coast District Council.
ŌTAKI OUTLOOK: CHRIS PAPPS
Trouts, kites and meetings keep life interesting While there has been only one meeting of the Ōtaki Community Board since the start of the year – another one is due in about a week – life and activity in the Ōtaki community has been far from quiet. As a grandmother, I also found that during the holidays there were a great many things grandmas and grandsons could do. Golf is always an option for my grandson. He’s a member of the Ōtaki Golf Club now and, at 7 – going on 8, he insists – he’s happy to play 18 holes any time when most of his peers draw the line at nine. Provided the weather was fine, swimming in our pool or the Ōtaki Pool was always on. But the events he enjoyed the most were the kite festival and the trout fishing when he and a whole lot of other kids cast a fly,
using a proper trout rod into a large pool at Winstone Lakes which had been stocked with quantities of rainbow trout.After two attempts he managed to land one and held it aloft with considerable pride. The author of The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway, could not have been more proud. My grandson took the fish home and his father filleted it and cooked it. Apparently it was as great a culinary success as it was for angling.
This year the kite festival had the best of weather and large crowds. Congratulations to everyone involved. Meanwhile, meetings besides those for the ŌCB go on and, hopefully, progress is being made. There are meetings on the shared pathway – the cycling, pedestrian and horse-riding track alongside the expressway. Fletchers will be briefing the next ŌCB meeting on that. Councillor James Cootes will be making an announcement shortly on developments with the Elevate Ōtaki branding aproach. Community liaison group meetings on the expressway continue. We’re never short of interesting and useful things to do, but none of them is as much fun as watching grandchildren grow up. n Chris Papps is chair of the Ōtaki Community Board.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: If you have something to say, write to us. Please include your full name, address and contact phone number. Only letters that include these details will be published, unless there is good reason to withhold a name. Maximum 200 words. Note your letter may be edited for grammar and accuracy. Not all letters received will be published and the publisher reserves the right to reject any letter. Write to Ōtaki Today, 13 Te Manuao Rd, Ōtaki or email letters@idmedia.co.nz
COMMENT I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
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WHAT I LOVE ABOUT ŌTAKI: GUEST COLUMN
Rhubarb, beans and tomatoes – so much like home By Judi Yung
I left Ōtaki after form 7 to go to university. I came back to teach English at Horowhenua College in Levin as a new graduate teacher; I should have known then that Otaki was in my blood when I chose to live here and travel to my teaching gig in Levin. I left again and lived in Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland and Guangzhou, China. I never imagined that I would return and settle down here, as I was determined to be cosmopolitan and worldly-wise. My “first” Ōtaki lifetime was fairly typical, and then not typical, of many of the Chinese market gardening families who made their livelihood here. As youngsters, like other families, my siblings and cousins helped in the garden. Our fathers, under the banner of J K Yung & Co, became well known for rhubarb, early beans and tomatoes. From a very early age we used to stack the banana cases, apple boxes and tomato boxes that were delivered from the Wellington Case Company. This boring job was alleviated with fort making and defending our kingdoms. As we grew older, we helped pull stalks of rhubarb and stacked them in neat piles for the adults to trim and pack into banana cases. We learned how to string up lines for the runner beans, how much tension was enough when the wires were tightened for the tomatoes, and pinch out laterals on the tomatoes. This was typical for most of the market gardening families. We were lucky because until 1963, the two Jack Yung families lived under one roof in Rangiuru Road; four adults and 10 children. Although the work was arduous, we still had a lot of fun together. The family-run market garden continued until about 1984, when Uncle Jack retired and our Dad set up a restaurant in Levin.
BACK HOME: Judi Yung at the market garden property in Rangiuru Road where she grew up with her two Jack Yung families.
Our young lives seemed to be taken up with helping in the garden, and appeared to be lacking in personal recreational pursuits; so much so that we all used to dread the first days back at school after holiday breaks to face the ubiquitous writing task – “What I did in the holidays”. There were, however, distractions that made life in Ōtaki ideal for us. We had monthly Chinese movies organised by local identity Bill Wong at the Civic Theatre on Main Street. These were in Cantonese and sourced by Dad’s best friend, Brian Yee, who worked for
LETTERS The Editor, I find it fascinating that you played up one dissenting voice among over 200 in your analysis of the Peka Peka interchange meeting. I suppose it is journalistically too much to ask why you didn’t investigate the NZTA claim that two ramps are going to cost $30 million when you are presented with one colourful media magnet who bucked the meeting trend. Of course the problem is that his argument was suspect at best. If your lone dissenter really thinks that his Peka Peka Road will remain a quiet rural haven with the no full interchange decision then he is dreaming. One of the consequences of not proceeding with an interchange will be that more and more traffic will use the coastal route through north Waikanae beach, Paetawa Road and Peka Peka Road. Why? Well it will be personally more convenient with the new low speed restriction on Te Moana Road and it will mean I will avoid the now inevitable traffic jams closer to Waikanae township centre. My belief is that you will only use the Waikanae township route if you have a specific call to make in the township. If NZTA can’t build an on-off ramp for local people, a natural consequence will be the increasing use of Peka Peka road for through traffic. Chris Harrington, Te Horo.
The Editor, I just had to write to congratulate you and your team for putting out such an interesting and informative paper. I was particularly impressed with Barb Rudd’s contribution ( I know she was a guest) but boy, keep her on! Of course you have many others who support you too. I have lived in Ōtaki for 15 years after coming from Auckland and I eagerly await my delivery to learn more about Ōtaki, the people who live here and what is happening in the past, currently and the future. Keep up the good work! I really appreciate it! Kaye Burnett, Ōtaki. The Editor, When I read Ōtaki Today I spontaneously wrote: “What an incredible document! It must rank on a world stage of hometown journals. Can I get on a subscription list? It would be marvellous if you can maintain that folksy tempo. Rewi Roach, Sydney, Australia. The Editor, Thanks for Ōtaki Today, such an interesting and informative read. I especially enjoyed the historical stories – the Whetrens. Paper much appreciated, a good read and information centre. Keep up the good work. Connie McLennan, Ōtaki
the National Film Unit in Wellington. These included Cantonese operas, comedies and kung fu action movies. There were also the toheroa gathering seasons, and then when this was banned, we learned how to gather tuatua – a lot easier for those of us who never mastered the art of spotting the tell-tale “toheroa blowhole” in the sand. I returned to Ōtaki in 2013, and as I settle down to the tranquil life here, I’m grateful to those days when we had to work in the garden. I can grow decent vegetables – but I prefer
PHOTO – Simon Neill
flowers – in my home garden without resorting to YouTube. My knowledge of how composting works came from my friends rather than from my parents, and the soil and climate in Ōtaki almost guarantees a successful crop of vegetables and fruit with minimal fuss. I also love how I can go down to Ōtaki Beach and gather a feed of tuatuas, just as we used to in our youth. A person can be fairly self sufficient in Ōtaki. The best part is when I go shopping, and I bump into people who perhaps don’t know me but knew the family. It feels so right, so much like being home.
HUHA ANIMALS
Ruby a real diamond Ruby is a little ray of sunshine, and is a recent arrival at Club Huha. She is a foxy/whippet cross and is about a year old. Ruby is such a ball of energy and fun. She’s a happy girl and loves to go walking and just loves playing. She is not suited to a home with cats or chickens, rather being suited to a town home with excellent fencing and an active busy household. She can have a bit of an attitude with other dogs sometimes, but she came from a home with dogs so will settle down and interact. She just likes to tell you and them all about it first. She is very sweet and loves attention.
If you would like to meet her please give Huha a call. Meantime, Huha is seeking helpers at their local animal shelter. They especially need caring people to be kennel hands, dog walkers and horse helpers. Please contact Huha if you can assist and make their animals’ lives a little brighter. n Ruby is based at Club HUHA in Otaki. Call (04) 392-3232 if you can help.
COMMENT I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
NEWS
Page 12
Reunions can make us happy As the Ōtaki College 60th reunion approaches, many I’ve known him for most of his life, and he’s always been will think about fellow students and staff. What the same – miserable. became of so-and-so or, did you know about suchThe other person spends no time thinking about the and-such? past, but constantly dreams of a future which seems never There are people who have achieved outrageous to arrive. He is always saying “I’m gunna do this” or “I’m success or those who are no longer alive. Then there are gunna do that” but, to his own perpetual disappointment, those whose lives might not have MEDIA & COMMUNITY he never gets there. been as fulfilling as they would So why mention all this as the Ōtaki College 60th have hoped when dreaming reunion approaches this April? about future riches in Miss Simply that I expect it will be a wonderful couple Halliwell’s 4th form class. of days and a resounding success. In part that might But what does 60 years of be because grumpy people tend to avoid school delivering people into the world reunions. Some, with rose-tinted-glasses about the tell us about what makes people past, don’t want to be confronted by the reality of happy and fulfilled? it and can’t abide happy people who might have moved on to bigger things. Then there are those Happiness, it seems, who are “gunna do something” and never do, doesn’t come in a bottle. including going to a reunion. Life’s experiences, our DNA, FRASER CARSON Of course, the reunion will doubtless be a chance circumstances and personal to see what’s become of people and to consider one’s own health are big players in whether we are miserable, happy journey to that day. It’s an opportunity to reminisce and or just mooching along. remember a time when a school set us all on a course for But as far as we, as individuals, can steer a course for the future. happiness and fulfilment, here’s a small observation. If But judging by past college reunions, most attendees some are habitually grumpy with others, they’re bound will be happy to live life in the present and enjoy the to be grumpy with themselves. Typically, these people moment with other people who just happened to help are trapped because they think their own curmudgeon is shape who we are. other people’s fault. The past is the past. The future isn’t here yet. So live life Conversely, those with a generosity-of-spirit towards in each day. Two glorious days to do that are on April 26 others find fulfilment in the reward it gives them, and and 27. they inevitably avoid social isolation. E hoa ma, ina te ora o te tangata. But here’s another big thing. I have two old school My friends, this is the essence of life. acquaintances who are serially grumpy, it seems, for two n Fraser Carson is a member of the XŌtaki College Alumni Trust and quite different reasons. One takes every opportunity to the founding partner of Flightdec.com. Flightdec’s kaupapa is to talk about his past life through rose-tinted spectacles. challenge the status quo of the internet to give access to more reliable Not much wrong with that, except that his current life is and valuable citizen generated content, and to improve connectivity and collaboration. He can be contacted at fraser@flightdec.com miserable in comparison. The odd thing about it is that
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Di Buchan outside the rotunda.
Rotunda Friends formed A Friends of the Ōtaki Rotunda was formed at a meeting on February 27, with the goal of restoring the rotunda at the former children’s health camp. The meeting at the Rotary Hall, attended by about 25 people with as many apologies, agreed to establish an incorporated society to be a community advocate for the rotunda, begin a fundraising campaign and raise awareness of the rotunda’s importance, not only to Ōtaki but also the heritage associated with the children’s health camp movement in New Zealand. Last year, Stand Children’s Services closed the health camp, saying it didn’t have the funds to keep it running. On April 1, the property will be taken over by the Department of Conservation as Crown land. DoC will then look at finding an organisation to use it for its original purpose – as a facility for children's health – but if no one can be found, it will be handed to Land Information NZ to be disposed of through the Public Works Act process. Di Buchan, who recently wrote a book on the history of the health camp called Sun, Sea and Sustenance, told the meeting that the rotunda was a category 1 heritage building and had great historical significance. A heritage architect had recently checked the building and confirmed it could be restored to its former glory. She also said the new group would have many obstacles to overcome. “I was first advised that if we established an incorporated society we could buy the rotunda from Doc for $1, provided we agreed to remove it
from the site,” she said. “However, subsequently Heritage NZ have advised they would support the restration project but they want the building to be left where it is. "I have also found that not just the building but the whole site is under a heritage listing. Heritage NZ and DoC are now in consultation to work out a common position. With the transfer to DoC, a simple purchase is unlikely.” The meeting discussed the need to move quickly to conserve the rotunda as for years rain has been falling through the roof where a chimney had been removed. It also discussed whether the rotunda would stay where it was, or if it could be moved, and possible uses. Sites suggested included the old skating rink near the surf club and where Bridge Lodge used to be near the Ōtaki River before expressway work began. There are likely to be many other options for future use but the criteria in the new group’s deed of incorporation make it clear it must be used for the benefit of the Ōtaki community. Ideas submitted at the meeting included use as an arts centre, social functions, cafe, and concerts – having exceptional acoustics. The meeting voted on a committee: Di Buchan as chair, Jock Phillips as deputy chair, treasurer Neale Ames, and committee members Chris Papps, Harry Hall, Warren Irving, Trevor Hunter and Anthony Dreaver. Once the incorporated society has been confirmed with charitable trust status, the committee will begin a membership drive and begin negotiations with DoC and Heritage NZ.
Otaki
and Whether it’s telling the news, or informing visitors. Contact Ian 027 241 1090 or Debbi 027 285 4720 or 364 6543
STREET SCENE
REUNION I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 13
Mis-spent years with mates in bell-bottoms By Ian Carson
I was never going to do well in college. It didn’t particularly bother me, but I know my parents and some of my teachers were somewhat perplexed. I was one of those kids with “potential”, whose school reports were riddled with phrases such as “could do better”. The word “lazy” cropped up more than once. Perhaps I was. I came out of Waitohu School having enjoyed my primary years. I did well academically, played rugby and cricket, and the wonderful Arthur Manz got me into gymnastics, which I carried on through most of my college years with Mari Housiaux. In fact my saving grace through my misspent college was probably sport. I loved it. I got to captain the college first XV, played in the cricket team from my first year, and competed in gymnastics competitions around the country. It was great fun, but I just couldn’t get into the academic side of things. It didn’t inspire me back then. I just couldn’t be bothered. I doubt whether I would slip through the cracks nowadays. My marks slipped and I wasn’t expected to get School Certificate in the 5th form (year 11). The great teachers of my era, Ross MacPherson and Jack Jones, were exasperated. They’d done their bit, I just wasn’t doing mine. Despite an almost complete lack of study – and certainly no swot – I scraped through with two subjects, English and French. Another 12 marks and I would also have also got history, geography and science. So into the 6th form I went. That was a waste of time, at least academically. Things never improved
Ian Carson and Debbi Bird in the 1970s.
much, and University Entrance eluded me. I went back into my “second year 6th”. I had a group of good friends at school – Ian King, Martin Ferretti and Lewis Meyer. All much brighter than I was when it came to exams. Ian was always going to be a fire chief. If the siren went, we would watch him run out of class to jump in his Morris Minor to race to a fire. Martin went on to be a top real estate agent in Auckland; Lewis to go into the ministry. Out of school, I kicked around town with Mike Hakaraia, Peter Hill and Wayne Hodgetts. Wayne and I had cars, mine a four-cylinder Vanguard obtained after I took a summer job with my brother crayfishing in South Westland. The vanguard was capable of hauling heavy logs out of a boggy rainforest, and burning prodigious amounts of rubber outside the college gates. The four of us would often sit out at the beach on wintry evenings, engaging in conversation with
WHO DO YOU RECOGNISE?
CLASS OF ‘72: Row 3 from back (left to right): unknown, Suzanne Parsons, Maria Daldin, Sandra Gallagher, unknown. Front row: unknown first three, Josephine Case, unknown next five. – Photo courtesy Brian Winterburn
a flagon of beer easily obtained from one of the local pubs, and listening to Radio Hauraki, also easily secured across the unobstructed ocean. We seemed to have simple pleasures in those days. It was the early 1970s. We had no internet, no cellphone. We hung out with mates and girlfriends, and generally caused no trouble to the local constabulary. We went to the movies at The Civic, and sometimes in Paraparaumu, Levin or even Wellington. We saw Easy Rider (groovy, man) and Woodstock. We went to the stockcars at Palmerston North on a Friday night, and ate chicken fried rice in Levin for $1.50. We got takeaways of piled-high hamburgers and fries at the Golden Chicken (where Ōtaki Seafoods is now). Instead of college balls, we had “socials”. It was a chance to pull on the bell-bottoms, platform shoes and satin shirt to impress the girls. It was where many long relationships began, including my own at a social for Queen Charlotte College in 1973 with Debbi Bird, who still tolerates our cohabitation 46 years later. There was always a live local band. Graham Rikihana, Hoani Carkeek, Tim Raika and Johnny Grey, under the name of Creed, played what would become 70s classics by Creedence Clearwater Revival (of course), Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. Some of my mates will be at the 60th reunion next month; others like Mike Hakaraia, have sadly died. Happily, however, there are unlikely to be any bell-bottom trousers or platform shoes. n Ian Carson is editor of Ōtaki Today.
Otaki College 60th Reunion PROGRAMME APRIL 26-27, 2019 Friday April 26 12pm: Open school Powhiri Registration packs available 3pm: Afternoon tea 6.30pm: Giggle and Gossip Saturday April 27 9am: Parade in decades from Domain Road 10am: Photos and morning tea 7pm: Dance, continuous supper and entertainment Register at: otakicollege.school.nz/60threunion Enquiries to: reunion@otakicollege.school.nz
COLLEGE PHOTOS PUBLISHED IN ŌTAKI TODAY Go to otakitoday.com to view photos with names or to update if you know who the unnamed people are.
Photos published in the February 2019 issue of Otaki Today were courtesy of Brian Winterburn.
CLASS OF ‘59
– Photo courtesy Ron Gibbard
1964 STAFF. Back Row (left to right): Mr. J.C. Burnett Mr. I. Lawson Mr. J. Wise Mr. J.C. Salmon Mr. W. Saunders Mr. J. B. Northern Mr. J. Fitzsimons Mr. W.G. Smith Mr. J.B. Collett Seated: Mrs. M. Ward Mr. R.H. Hosie Mr. K. Hunter Mr. J. Saunders (Principal) Miss B.A. Griffin Mrs. W.L. Saunders Mrs. E. Ross-Taylor Mr. F. Cast – Photo courtesy Ron Gibbard
1983 1ST XV RUGBY TEAM – Photo courtesy Brian Winterburn
Everything Ōtaki March 19
Celebrate your local parks this Parks Week This week we’re celebrating Parks Week 2019, so why not head down to one of your local parks and check out what they have on offer? Ōtaki has many great parks in the area, and for Parks Week we invite you to head down and check them out. From the many things to do at Haruātai Park, to the new selfie frame at the Ōtaki Dog Park, and the pirate ship at Tasman Road Reserve - there’s something for everyone! Visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/parks to search for a park close to you.
What’s on in your area Aquatics •
Te reo Māori swimming lessons Every Wednesday at the Ōtaki Pool. Please phone 06 364 5542 to book a space.
•
Dogs in Togs Sunday 24 March at Waikanae Pools. Please phone 04 296 4789 to book a space.
Ōtaki Library •
CV Help Wednesday 20 March, 10:30am
•
Get Crafty Friday 22 March, 10:30am
•
De-cluttering workshop Friday 29 March, 10:30am
To register for any of the library events, visit kapiti.spydus.co.nz/events.
Māoriland Film Festival starting next week
Have your say on speed limits
Now in its sixth year, the annual Māoriland Film Festival is the biggest indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere and once again the spotlight will be on Ōtaki for this week-long event.
We’re keen to hear your thoughts on our proposal to reduce the speed limits of more than 60 roads across Kāpiti so they’re more appropriate for the type of road. This includes several rural and township roads in Ōtaki and Te Horo.
This year’s Festival runs from 20-24 March and features more than 138 films and 62 events from 94 indigenous nations. This iconic event makes a big contribution to our economy and we’re proud to continue our support through the Major Events Fund. For the full programme visit www.maorilandfilm.co.nz. See you there!
You can have your say by visiting www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/speedlimitsstage2 and completing the online survey. Submissions close at 10am on Monday 18 March 2019.
Discussions to expand the mind The Māoriland Film Festival has undergone remarkable growth since its first outing in 2014. In this sixth year of the festival, once again many thousands of visitors will flock to Ōtaki, some for the first time and others for their sixth time. They will enjoy a broad range of indigenous films from around the world – many of them screening for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere. They will have diverse conversations with film-makers and experience exhibitions and events designed to bring joy to the many devoted fans of Māoriland. Always looking to innovate, Māoriland has put together a series of interactive discussions called NATIVE Minds. To be held at the stunning new building Te Ara a Tāwhaki at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, these engaging Māoriland forums offer an indigenous counterpoint to the globally popular TED Talks. The NATIVE Minds sessions will examine how indigenous thinking shapes the existence and life experiences of millions of peoples around the world. Expert speakers will offer their insights, and then there will be a guided discussion with the audience. These are the first of a series of monthly NATIVE Minds sessions that will be held at
the Māorland Hub and Te Ara a Tawhaki through the rest of the year. Māoriland and Te Wananga o Raukawa are aiming at growing NATIVE Minds to be food for the mind and the spirit. At the Māoriland Film Festival there will be four NATIVE Minds sessions (on March 23). They are designed to share some of the enlightening ideas that give enduring meaning to indigenous cinema. The NATIVE Minds MFF themes include the exploration of ancestral connections throughout the Pacific – in particular the way film is being used by Pasifika women to connect and to heal. The modern world offers many threats to our good health. NATIVE Minds presents the views of those who love the environment and value its comprehensive healing properties. Indigenous people everywhere share resonant experiences of colonisation and resistance. One of the tools in the fight for survival is the native tongue and the cultural behaviours that come with it. Hawai’ian film-maker Na’alehu Anthony and Aboriginal film-maker Tyson Mowarin speak of the similar but different repressions their ancestors endured, and how language now plays a key role in the survival of those who came
long after. The acclaimed producers of the innovative movie Waru and the upcoming Vai are partners in life and in the screen industry. Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton have a long record of making stories that celebrate and stretch our view of ourselves. To simply get a film made is a triumph –
because it is such hard work. To get a quality production made can be a cause for real joy. Kerry and Kiel speak of the joy and optimism they find in the art and craft of the producer. There is nothing more powerful than an idea. NATIVE Minds invites anyone interested in expanding their own minds by exploring the views of others.
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Indigenous cinema finding long Globally, indigenous film is experiencing a surge in mainstream recognition. The success of Netflix’s Roma and its indigenous lead, Yalitza Aparicio, has led to several stories about indigenous representation and indigenous perspectives in film. Ignoring the lack of indigenous people in key creative roles in the film, the coverage of Roma also revealed a disconnect between common understanding of the position of indigenous cinema and reality. Indigenous cinema has been on the rise for the past 30 years. There have been several game-changing indigenous films, most of which launched at film festivals before becoming international hits: Nils Gaup’s Pathfinder (1987); Taika Waititi’s Boy (2010); Lee Tamahori’s Once Were Warriors (1994); Niki Caro’s Whale Rider (2002), Chris Eyre’s Smoke Signals (1998), Zacharias Kunuk’s Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001), Amanda Kernell’s Sami Blood (2018), Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country (2018) and more recently Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton’s portmanteaus, Waru (2018) and now Vai (2019) which opened the Berlin Film Festival’s Native programme as its world premiere and will have its North American premiere at SXSW before opening Māoriland Film Festival next week. In New Zealand, eight of the top 10 box
office-selling films are Māori or Pasifika films. People are interested in the stories of indigenous peoples, their cultures, experiences and perspectives. It’s only in recent years, however, that the context of these films as indigenous films has begun to be recognised. It’s notable that headlines around the nomination of Roma actor Yalitza Aparicio framed her Academy Award nomination for best actress as the “first indigenous woman to be nominated for an academy award”. In reality, that achievement goes to Keisha Castle Hughes’ 2003 nomination for her performance as Paikea in Whale Rider. In 2003, there was no common framing for Keisha to be recognised for this achievement. Alongside the rise of indigenous films themselves are a growing number of organisations who place the support, development and creation of indigenous cinema at the centre of their efforts. In late February, Ōtaki’s Māoriland Film Festival director, Libby Hakaraia, and film producer and Māoriland co-founding member Tainui Stephens, were part of a 30-strong delegation of New Zealand film-makers to the prestigious Berlinale (Berlin Film Festival) where Vai and other Māori and Pasifika films had their world premieres.
For the past five years, Māoriland has been a partner at the NATIVe Stand at the European Film Market – the largest film industry market in the world. Partners to the NATIVe Stand include Arica Nativa (Chile), Film Greenland, Pacific Islanders In Communication, Winda Film Festival (Australia), imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival (Canada), Indigenous Media Initiatives, Berlinale Native (Germany), Sakha Film (Russia), International Sami Film Institute, Sundance Institute Native (USA), Vision Maker Media (USA) and Māoriland Film Festival. Together, this collective promotes the story of indigenous cinema, and individually in their own territories. As understanding of indigenous cinema grows, support for indigenous storytellers is also growing. For many indigenous peoples, attempts to erase their identities, languages and even their lives is an ongoing reality. Presentation of their realities provides an opportunity for these communities to reclaim their existence to a global audience. There are also issues of exploitation and misrepresentation whenever indigenous people are not centred in the creation of indigenousbased cinema and art. The global native film circle exists to advocate for indigenous creatives to be at the forefront of
the development, production and presentation of indigenous stories. At MFF2019, the Māoriland Charitable Trust will launch New Zealand’s first film-maker’s residence. This residence will be the result of the refurbishment of the four-bedroom villa that was the original residence for the Edhouse whānau inside the Māoriland Hub. The residence will be offered to indigenous film-makers around the world, and supported by the New Zealand Film Commission and globally by funders including the Canada Council for the Arts. “The aim is that indigenous film-makers will be able to develop projects alongside Māori film-makers that will lead to production without borders,” Libby says. For Tainui Stephens other indigenous filmmakers, it’s long been a dream to collaborate and create a wholly indigenous feature film . . . “where we have a group of indigenous producers, writers and key creatives assisting in the creation of a Māori story in te reo with a Sami DOP and heads of department coming from across the indigenous world” The highly successful Māoriland initiative Native Slam has been exploring collaboration without borders. For the past four years the Native Slam 72-hour film challenge has been held in the days leading up to the start of the
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overdue global pride of place MFF. It has brought together 39 filmmakers with a further 12 to participate in the programme in 2019. The short film teams are made up of a Māori host film-maker and other indigenous film-makers from around the world, with productions occurring around New Zealand. The resulting films premiere at the MFF. The success is that the films are picked up by international film festivals. The NSIII (2018) films have so far screened at Māoriland, ImagineNative, Winda (Sydney) and Skabmagovat. They have also played as part of Te Matatini in Wellington and one of the films is screening in New York this month at the Smithsonian. The Native Slam IV films include indigenous film-makers from Hawaii, Finland, Australia, Canada and the United States. Collaboration will be a recurring theme at this year’s Māoriland Film Festival, which opens with Vai, a film directed by eight Pasifika female directors from seven Pacific nations. It is producers Kiel McNaughton and Kerry Warkia’s second collaborative feature film. “A collaborative, collective voice is
something that is really important to us and elevates what you want to talk about,” Kerry says. “I know it’s not the only way to make a film, but we’ve found its really effective, particularly for indigenous kaupapa.” The MFF’s industry programme will also introduce its first pitch competition. Centred again on cross-nation collaboration, film-makers will have an opportunity to pitch for $3000 to support the development of a new work. Festival attendees seeking inspiration should also not miss the opportunity to see Abenaki film-maker Alanis Obomsawin deliver a film-maker masterclass at Te Wānanga o Raukawa’s Te Ara a Tāwhaki. Obomsawin is one of Canada’s most distinguished documentary makers. For the past five decades she has used her lens as a tool of indigenous resistance. Presented by Ngā Aho Whakaari, Te
Wānanga o Raukawa and Māoriland Film Festival, this masterclass is a one-off opportunity to see one of the indigenous film world’s living treasures share her knowledge and experiences. Obomsawin has seen the rise of indigenous cinema from its infancy. In her words, “any indigenous person who wants to make a film . . . if ever there was a possible time – this is it.” RIGHT: Māoriland Film Festival director Libby Hakaraia at the Berlin Film Festival 2019. BELOW: The Native Slam III team members at MFF2018.
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Matilda – from Sundance to Ōtaki Māoriland has more than 100 film-maker, festival and industry guests from around the world coming to Ōtaki for MFF2019. It’s a lot of flights, travel and accommodation to co-ordinate. Every year Māoriland has had a festival intern from one of the international indigenous film festivals help out. This year Māoriland has Matilda Poasa, who has just spent time interning at Sundance Film Festival, which is held annually in Park City, Utah. Matilda applied for the highly soughtafter internship at Sundance in 2017 when she was in the final year of her bachelor of Māori development in Māori media degree at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). “I was about to graduate and the AUT Internz International Scholarship Programme was offering this amazing opportunity to not only work for the Sundance Institute, but to do that in Los Angeles of all places,” Matilda says. “I didn’t have anything to lose, so I applied. It’s been the best experience for me.“ Matilda grew up in Auckland and is of Samoan heritage. “I love being Samoan – I grew up on stories my grandparents told of their history, of Fa’aSamoa (the Samoan way of life), myths and legends etc, and I loved that. So I loved to learn and immerse myself in other cultures because I loved finding stories that at first seemed so
different to my own and yet were very similar. “It’s why as a Samoan, I chose to immerse myself for three years in a degree in Māori media and then apply to intern for the Native American and Indigenous Program at Sundance. I always wanted to work in the TV/film industry doing something that not only championed minority voices, but also celebrated minority faces, because it was something that I rarely saw on the big screen growing up. “Any opportunity that is given to people who look and sound like me to tell stories about people who look and sound like me, is what interests me and where I want to work. “ It was at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival that Māoriland Film Festival director Libby Hakaraia met Matilda. Libby travelled to Sundance as guest of the former United States Ambassador to New Zealand, Mark Gilbert, and his wife Nancy, who both attended Māoriland Film festival in 2017. “It was an honour to stay with the Gilberts, who have had a long association with the Sundance Film Festival,” Libby says. “Sundance has an initiative of fostering indigenous filmmakers and it was the Gilberts who hosted the Sundance Native reception at their home. This is where I met Matilda.” Libby was instantly impressed by Matilda’s ability to manaaki people of all cultures. But so was Matilda’s Sundance boss, Bird
BEACH WELCOME: Matilda Poasa, left, is welcomed to Ōtaki Beach by Māoriland rangatahi manager Maddy de Young.
Runningwater, who, after her three-month internship, extended her role a further six months. “What I learned at the Sundance festival is that not everything goes according to plan and you just have to roll with it and try to accommodate as best you can,” Matilda says.
ROBYN AND OZ
“Overall though, it was an amazing experience. I’m a planner naturally, so when things didn’t go according to plan it taught me to think on my feet and problem-solve, and everyone had an amazing time so it was a win-win in the end.“ After Sundance, Matilda travelled throughout the US with the Sundance Institute’s Native Filmmaker Lab delivering youth and adult film/ story workshops, and hosting public screenings of native short films that had premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the past. Maoriland is a partner with the Sundance Institute and is working towards creating pathways for rangatahi Māori and Pasifica filmmakers to Sundance and for Sundance to bring some of its programmes to the Māoriland Hub. Libby says Matilda is one of the path-builders that Māoriland rangatahi can talk to about her experiences. “My 15-year-old, Ori, came with me to Sundance and as a direct result has made a short film that she will be submitting to Sundance. People like Matilda show it’s possible to be passionate about your culture and upbringing, and be an asset at one of the biggest film festivals in the world.” Matilda is looking forward to her first Māoriland Film Festival – and she’s loving Ōtaki, too. “It’s such a friendly town and I can feel the energy building towards the MFF.”
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Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 19
ARTS EXHIBITIONS
Autumn 2019 EXHIBITIONS
24 Feb - 21 April
Container & Shrines. Container features work by eleven Kāpiti ceramic and textile sts- 9including Birgit Moffatt and Sonia 28arti April June FRANCES HODGKINS, Snowden (Ōtaki), Rebecca Neal, Harriet from Dunedin to Waikanae. Bright, Sophie Perkins, Mary Ellen Mahara Gallery, 20 Mahara Place, Waikanae Childers, Jenny www.maharagallery.org.nz Shearer, Trevor Wright, info@maharagallery.org.nz, ph. 04 902 6242, Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm, free entry Sara Boland, Deb Donnelly, and Isabel Fernandes-Day. Shrines also features sculptured assemblages by Sue Artner. Artist’s talk with Sue Artner in Shrines. Saturday 16 March, 2.30 – 3.30pm Make your own fun Saturday 13 April & Monday 15 April, 10.30 – 12 noon: educational board game to take home, for ages 4-10 years with artist AnnaMaria O’Brien. CONTAINER: Kāpiti ceramics & textile artists. SHRINES: Sculptural assemblages by Sue Artner.
Sue Artner, Navigator’s Shrine, Honouring the Guidance of Pleiades and Good Fortune, 2010
Ellen Barrett
Chorale loses talented accompanist Kapiti Chorale accompanist Ellen Barrett is retiring are more than 30 years with the community choir. Ellen has played the piano for practices and sometimes for concerts, taken vocal training and voice sessions, and has been the choir’s contralto soloist on many occasions. Chorale president Carol Dyer says Ellen is a talented accompanist. ”She has an unerring ear and can hear when, for example, tenors or altos are struggling with a part and suddenly that part sounds out over everything else,” Carol says. “We will be very sorry to see such a valued member of the chorale leave us.” Born in Wellington, Ellen studied singing with Maxwell Fernie while attending Victoria University. Since moving to the Kāpiti Coast she has been in demand for concert, oratorio and recital work. She also maintains a busy teaching schedule. Ellen is well known as a soloist with the choir and for many years was its treasured practice pianist. She was a singer in one of the first concerts of the early Waikanae Chorale, fore-runner of the Kāpiti Chorale. Her skills as accompanist, and in particular as rehearsal pianist, have been keenly sought after by various groups on the Kāpiti Coast.
GLASS ART: Artist Pania Parry with some of her artworks at Ōtaki Library.
Beach treasures on show Artist Pania Parry has a knack for picking up the right kind of treasures from local beaches. Not just any treasures, however, but those made of glass – polished by nature’s waves, wind and sand and reconstituted by Pania into unique art pieces. She says sea glass asks questions about where it has come from, and how far it has travelled. Pania was inspired by sea glass when she lived by the sea in Ireland. “Some of my pictures capture natural light and others are backlit, creating a luminous effect in the evening,” Pania says. “I’m learning the art of framing and lighting at the Ōtaki Menzshed and I’m grateful for their support.” Natural backlighting in Pania’s current exhibition at Ōtaki Library comes in the form of the sun streaming through the windows of the exhibition space. It adds to the natural luminescence of the artworks. Pania is holding a workshop after her exhibition, which ends on March 22. n For enquiries about workshops or to buy any of the pieces, contact Pania at 022 153 8788
AUCTION Mahara Gallery’s first redevelopment project, fund-raising auction has raised almost $46,500 since February 9. “That’s a fantastic result – close to double what we expected,” says Gallery Director Janet Bayly. The money will go towards redeveloping the Gallery building so that a home can be created for the Field Collection that includes 24 paintings by Frances Hodgkins. Mahara Gallery, 20 Mahara Place, Waikanae 04 902 6242 • maharagallery.org.nz Open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm. FREE ENTRY.
1940-50s native American rituals influence artist A fascination with the rituals and sculpture of American native peoples inspired Palmerston North artist Sue Artner’s interest in creating art in the form of shrines. Ten of her works feature in Shrines of Remembrance and Essence, a new exhibition at Kāpiti Coast’s district gallery, Mahara, alongside another new show featuring 11 Kāpiti ceramic and textile artists. “The combination works really well,” says gallery director Janet Bayly. “With both, there is a sense of containment through which various stories are told, which is why we have called the ceramic and textile artists’ exhibition, Container. Sue lives and works as an artist and teacher in Palmerson North. However, she is originally from the small town of Corinth in the southern US state of Mississippi.
Kapiti Chorale
the largest community choir on the Kapiti Coast requires a HIGHLY COMPETENT PIANIST with excellent sight reading skills to: • accompany practices on Monday • play for soloists’ rehearsals as needed evenings from 7.30–9.30pm and • be well prepared for all practices occasional Saturday mornings • be punctual and loyal to the choir • play for concerts as required Previous experience in accompanying a choir is strongly desired and the ability to also play the organ would be an advantage. A suitable remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant who will be employed by the Kapiti Chorale Inc. but primarily be responsible to the Music Director. Applications and accompanying CV can be sent to:
For further information please contact:
The Secretary, Kapiti Chorale Inc, PO Box 212, Paraparaumu
Carol 06 367 6488
or emailed to: secretary@kapitichorale.org.nz
Applications close April 1, 2019.
or president@kapitichorale.org.nz
“As a child in the late 1940s and early 1950s I was fortunate to witness native Alaskan and south-west Indian rituals,” she says. “After he returned from the war, my father wanted to continue to pursue meteorology and we ended up in Anchorage, Alaska. “We had relatives in the Arizona-New Mexico area and that was how I saw the native American rituals in the early 1950s. I was also riveted by the sculptural objects of indigenous peoples I saw in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC.” Sue began making sculptural collections or assemblages in her first sculpture class at Texas Women’s University in the 1960s. The work included in the Mahara Gallery exhibition draws on images of ancient goddesses, 21st century earth mothers, Greek mythology, nautical communications and
Sue Artner
contemporary musicians. The exhibition is open until April 21. Sue will talk about her work in the Gallery on March 16 between 2.30 and 3.30pm.
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Ōtaki Today, March 2019
IN THE GARDEN THE EDIBLE GARDEN
I’m Kath Irvine. I’ve been growing all the vegetables to feed my family of six for 20 good years. Spray-free, natural, low-input food gardens are my thing. I believe in smart design – it saves time, and money, and the planet, and makes a garden hum. I recycle, reuse and forage, and use as little plastic as possible. I believe in a daily serve of freshly picked organic greens for a happy mind and strong body, and it’s my dream that every New Zealander has this. So I aim to provide the best organic gardening advice through my articles, writing books, workshops and garden consultations.
KATH IRVINE
Autumn is well and truly here Autumn is well and truly here. Cold mornings and nights start to cool the soil down, which in turn slows growth right down. May plantings will take much longer to mature than April plantings, taking longer again than March plantings. The moral of this story is to get your winter crops in today. SOW • Tray sow another lot of broccoli, cauli and cabbage to plant out next month. • If you want to be eating root crops this winter make sowing them a priority, it’s the 11th hour! • Direct sow broadbeans, salads, mizuna and kale. • Direct sow coriander and rocket. Don’t buy a
6 pack and transplant them – they’ll shoot off to seed on the next hot day. Spend $4 on a pack of seed with 50 potential plants in it and sprinkle a few seed each month directly in the garden. Thereafter let them self-seed of their own accord and never buy seed again. • Direct sow winter green crops such as oats, wheat, lupin and mustard. • Direct sow miners lettuce and cornsalad. They are great winter/spring saladings and if you let them go to seed they’ll come up year after year = solid gold! • Sow plenty of flowers such as calendula, larkspur, cornflower, borage and anise hyssop to help the bees, beneficial insects and your good
self get through winter. (Kings seeds have a helpful list on their website.) PLANT • Plant another lot of broccoli, cabbage and cauli. • Plant salads beside the brassicas. They’ll grow fast in the rich soil, and finish by time the brassicas begin. • Parsley, celery and silverbeet are the backbone of my winter kitchen and all need to be planted this month. It’s too late down this end of the island to sow them now and get a winter crop. If you don’t have the seedlings raised, go buy them. • Plant garlic. If there’s one thing we can do to beat rust, it’s get in early. Sethasseeds.co.nz are selling early garlic seed. FEED + WATER • Liquid feed brassicas and leafy greens weekly for fast growth before the cold hits. • Protect brassicas from cabbage whites with insect mesh or by spraying Kiwicare caterpillar killer. • Keep up with watering. It’s easy to dismiss once the weather cools. • Top up your dung heap • Back in the day everyone had a dung heap. Before there were blue pills for gardens, there were cow doos. Rotten manure grows the best soil, the best vegies and the best roses.
L A U ANN
• Pile up manure (any will do), and leave it to rot down. • Put your pile somewhere where the runoff will be appreciated, for example, near rhubarb or around the edges of your vegie patch. KEEP IT COVERED. • Add fresh doos to the pile as you collect them. • Scrape out rotten doos as you need them to prepare a bed or for side dressing heavy feeders such as leeks or brassica. • A dung heap will improve your garden like you wouldn’t believe. Poo is THE BEST.
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HEALTH I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
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The virtues of healthy vegetable oil – yeah, right! Local scientist Steve Roxburgh of Hebe Botanicals issues. Included among them are the increased exposes the myths of vegetable oils. use of pesticides and herbicides with the use of Vegetable oil is a commonly listed ingredient GM-resistant crops, and the disadvantaging of farmers through the concentration of corporate in processed commercial foods. The term power in the hands of the GM seed suppliers “vegetable oil” sounds healthy, but it’s who hold seed patents and sell GM seed under uninformative and misleading given that we contract. don’t actually make oils from vegetables. There’s also the reduction in crop biodiversity, So what is vegetable oil, and what are food meaning crops are less able to adapt to manufacturers hiding from us when they use changing environmental challenges. this term? FOOD SCIENCE In New Zealand there’s no labelling Vegetable oil may be a requirement to indicate that the hydrogenated oil that contains vegetable oil you’re buying is from a trans fatty acids. The World GM crop. Health Organisation has Historically, food oils, such as olive estimated that eating trans fatty oil, were produced by mechanical cold acids – found in baked and pressing. processed foods – leads to the With the advent of modern premature death of 500,000 processing it became possible to people every year from heart solvent-extract seeds for their oil. This disease. STEVE ROXBURGH has fundamentally changed the type of It’s a clear example of oils people consume. what happens when the Seed oils (such as sunflower oil, corn oil food industry is left to self-regulate. There’s and canola oil) tend to be high in omega 6 no requirement in New Zealand to declare if fatty acids, which are implicated in chronic a vegetable oil has been hydrogenated, or to inflammation and several chronic health declare the presence of trans fatty acids. problems that include cardiovascular disease. The term vegetable oil can hide the fact that These seed oils are also relatively poor in it’s from a genetically modified (GM) crop, for omega 3 fatty acids, which might have some example GM canola, corn or soybean. These protective effect against cardiovascular disease. GM oils raise several social and environmental
Vegetable oil is normally a solvent-extracted seed oil. The term vegetable oil can hide the fact that it is actually palm oil. Illegal de-forestion and unsustainable production of palm oil is threatening the survival of many animal species. More than ever we need “farm-to-table” accountability to ensure that food production is sustainable. What we don’t need is hiding an oil under the generic term of vegetable oil. Vegetable oil might be an interesterified (IE) fat. With health concerns about trans fatty acids, and consumer resistance to hydrogenated oils, food manufacturers have moved on to making these IE fats. Fats and oils consist of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule. The type of fatty acid, and their order on the glycerol molecule, determines the physical and biochemical properties of an oil. Interesterification is the manufacturing process of rearranging, or swapping, fatty acids on the glycerol molecule. These synthetic IE fats are designed to have desirable characteristics of texture and mouthfeel etc. IE fats, labelled as vegetable oil, are frequently used as a replacement for hydrogenated oils in commercial foods. Synthesised IE fats can be quite different to any oil or fat found in nature. In New Zealand there’s no requirement to declare if vegetable
oil is an IE fat, though the health effects and safety of IE fats have yet to be determined with relevant clinical trials. Food manufacturers claim that the term vegetable oil is necessary as it saves them having to change labels every time they change their source of oil. This explanation is absurd as the global supply and demand, and cost, of vegetable oils is relative stable, so there’s little need to change oils – and in practice manufacturers rarely do. Secondly, with modern digital printing, swapping out a label for a new label is fast and cheap. The real reason food manufacturers want to retain the term vegetable oil is to hide from consumers what they are consuming. Consumers should demand better.
have plenty of rest days in between your workouts to allow for a good recovery. However, if you’re a sports person or someone who loves to exercise, programme in at least two days each week where you are not in the gym or on the field. Give your body the time to recover. I guarantee that if you’re having trouble
sleeping during your training regime, then you are training too much. Take a break and if you’re sick with a cold or the flu, you should definitely rest for the week you’re ill.
Now you’re exercising, take some time to rest By Daniel Duxfield
They’ll have the remainder of the week for their body to repair and grow new muscle In the last couple of columns I’ve written about exercising, the health benefits and how fibers, and for their organs and nervous system to adapt to the new healthier it improves our lives. Now I’m going to tell environment. you about why you should take a break. However, for the more committed The body and its systems thrive under exerciser, who will be an amateur or pressure; they each benefit from the stress professional sports person, they will be created by exercise and improve themselves training and exercising several through the repairing process of GETTING FIT times a week. your resting phase. For these people, their rest When you exercise, be it lifting days are programmed into their weights, going for a jog, a run or workout schedules as a part of even a good long tramp, you place their training regime. the motivating systems in your body For these people, it’s easy to under stress. They are the muscles over-train. Over-training can that move you, the cardiovascular lead to fatigue, exhaustion and system – your fuel system – and will even prevent you from your wider metabolism. sleeping properly because your As we know, all these things can nervous system is constantly “in 6th DANIEL DUXFIELD work very efficiently, but they don’t gear” and won’t let you relax enough work efficiently forever. They need to sleep deeply. It’s during this deep sleep where to rest and recover before you can do more. your body does the most of its repairing and Much like sleep, during our resting phases our rebuilding. body rebuilds and repairs itself. It can’t do that So while I understand that it feels great to if you’re constantly placing your body under be training or hitting the gym every day, you’re physical and even emotional stress. Which actually holding back your progress by not is why I and other exercise professionals will allowing your body to adequately rest, repair recommend that our clients have rest days. and rebuild. For most people who just want to maintain My advice with rest days is this: if you’re their body in good health as they age, working exercising for general health then you probably out or exercising once or twice a week is fine.
ŌTAKI COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE 186 Mill Road Ōtaki
06 364 6367 Rooms available for rent: short or long term. For information on services phone: Janet ot Michelle
n Otaki Women’s Health Centre Sexual health clinics Cervical screening clinics Counselling Total moblity agent Health information n Mid-Central DHB Alcohol and other drugs service Child, adolescent and family mental health Health service (CAFS) Adult mental health
District Nurse wound clinic The MenzShed The Hearing Company SkinTech Kapiti Yoga: Tuesday nights, Thurday mornings n Social work practitioner: Ann-Marie Stapp n Narcotics Anonymous n n n n n
STRESSED OUT? Free councelling available for parents and caregivers with children 0-17 years. Otaki Women’s Health Centre offers free counselling on Tuesdays by appointment. 06 364 6367
n Daniel Duxfield is an exercise professional who operates DuxFit Functional Fitness from a private studio in Ōtaki. Contact 022 1099 442 or danielduxfield@gmail.com and see https://www.facebook.com/duxfitfunctionalfitness/
HELPLINES AND LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES It’s OK to reach out for help – never hesitate if you are concerned about yourself or someone else.
IN A CRISIS OR EMERGENCY
If someone has attempted suicide or you’re worried about their immediate safety, do the following: • Call your local mental health crisis assessment team 0800 745 477 or go with them to the emergency department (ED) of your nearest hospital • If they are in immediate physical danger to themselves or others, call 111 • Stay with them until support arrives • Remove any obvious means of suicide they might use (eg ropes, pills, guns, car keys, knives) • Try to stay calm, take some deep breaths • Let them know you care • Keep them talking: listen and ask questions without judging • Make sure you are safe. For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, medical centre, hauora, community mental health team, school counsellor or counselling service. If you don’t get the help you need the first time, keep trying.
Services offering support and information: • Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) • Samaritans 0800 726 666 - for confidential support for anyone who is lonely or in emotional distress • Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 - to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions • Healthline 0800 611 116 - for advice from trained registered nurses • www.depression.org.nz – includes The Journal free online self-help. For children and young people • Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@ youthline.co.nz or webchat at www.youthline.co.nz (webchat available 7-11pm) – for young people and their parents, whānau and friends • What’s Up 0800 942 8787 (0800 WHATSUP) or webchat at www.whatsup.co.nz from 5-10pm for ages 5-18. • Kidsline 0800 543 754 (0800 KIDSLINE) – up to 18 yrs. For more options: www.mentalhealth.org.nz
NEWS I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
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Plaques recognise college grants
Kids land a trout
Two new plaques have gone up in the Ōtaki College hall foyer recognising the contribution of the Philipp Family Foundation (PFF). The foundation has made significant grants to the college in recent years. One is its support for the XŌtaki College Alumni Trust to install solar panels on the roof of the hall. PFF provided $26,000 to install the panels, and $3000 for a PFF scholarship last year. The savings from the solar panels will go towards an ongoing annual scholarship.
Also last year, the science department extended the college’s relationship with Ngā Manu Nature reserve. It was able to do this with a grant from the foundation. A Ngā Manu staff member visited year 7 and 8 students last year, and year 9 students had the opportunity to be a ranger for a day. Year 10 visited the nature reserve, focusing on getting to know native species and water testing. Senior biology students (aged 16-18) also visited Ngā Manu, looking at animal behaviour, species variation and plant reproduction.
Local children got a rare chance to land a trout at the Winstone Lake on Sunday, February 17. The Take a Kid Trout Fishing day had sessions for kids aged 5-16 every 20 minutes from 10am until 1.40pm. It was a free event hosted by the Horowhenua Freshwater Anglers and Kāpiti Fly Fishing clubs, in conjunction with Wellington Fish and Game. The day provided fishing in a safe, controlled environment under the guidance and supervision of fishing experts. All fishing equipment was provided. Most children managed to catch a fish, which had been released into the lake by organisers. LEFT: Harrison Papps, aged 7, shows off his trout caught at the fishing day. ABOVE: Bella Ross Morley, left, and Cade Carson admire 7 year old Kyuss Carson’s trout, which he caught at Winstone Lake.
NEW PLAQUES: Ōtaki College principal Andy Fraser, above left, and Philipp Family Foundation trustees Irene and Ray Mackle with the plaques for the foyer of the college hall.
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Study suggests more, shorter holiday breaks New Zealanders are set to make a significant shift in holiday planning habits this year, favouring shorter but more frequent family getaways, according to a Bookabach study. The study, conducted aby Maidstone Consulting in February this year, suggests parents intend to take at least 50 percent more long weekend getaways in 2019 compared to last year. Taking several weekend holidays a year has several benefits, but perhaps most revealing from the survey is its ability to boost happiness. A total of 79 percent of respondents said the act of booking a long weekend getaway significantly contributes to a more positive outlook on daily life. The most anticipated outcome (87%) from this positive sentiment is spending more quality time with family, followed by the desire to escape daily life (49%). Both busy millennial families and older Gen X families are fond of this growing trend, with 64 percent planning to take at least three short domestic trips this year compared to only 37 percent in 2018. According to the Bookabach summer 2018 study, 76 percent of respondents agreed that family getaways delivered some of their most favourite childhood memories, and parents were eager to replicate these experiences for their own children. Access to features such as a barbecue, private pool and the simple pleasure of a late-night chat on the back porch are some of the key desires fuelling this demand. With Easter and Anzac Day in April, long weekend getaway opportunities are just around the corner.
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OBITUARIES I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 25
Three people prominent in the Te Horo and Ōtaki communities for many years died recently, all in their 90s. They came north to work on the land and raise their families. Two of them – Howie Townrow and Roseemary Black – lived next to each other on the main highway. The families operated roadside fruit and vegetable stalls. Howie and Rosemary’s husband, Gordon, were second cousins.
Nursing and a ‘water tank’ pool
Howie and Christina Townrow seated, with daughters, from left, Karen Kerridge, Joy Clifton, Jill Sherman and Lynne Baker. – Photo courtesy of Karen Kerridge
Howie loved the outdoor life HOWARD JAMES TOWNROW 21.02.1922 – 14.02.2019 Howie Townrow was born in Kelso, South Otago, and spent his formative years in and around Central Otago, where his father, Walter Howard Townrow, was a school master. Walter was later acting headmaster for two years at Ōtaki School. Howie, however, was no scholar. He loved the outdoors life and owned ferrets as a lad, using them for rabbiting and selling the skins. He loved the freedom of the hills – just him, his gun and ferrets. The day he turned 15 he left home to work on a farm. After eight months he came to the conclusion that he was never going to get rich at £1 a week, so he left the farm and moved to Momona near Dunedin to work in a dairy factory for two seasons. From there he joined the Post Office and when the Second World War started, he joined the Army. After training, he ended up in Guadacanal and the the Solomon Islands driving supply trucks. After the war he married Christina Thomson and they eventually moved to Ōtaki with their young daughters, Joy and Lynne. He got a job with Harry
Tilbury and learned about market gardening. After a few years the couple had saved up enough to buy 12 acres (5 hectares) of bare land on State Highway 1. With much blood, sweat and tears they developed a successful market garden called Double T Gardens. During this time they had two more daughters, Jill and Karen. During his Ōtaki years, Howie belonged to the surf club, the RSA, the golf club and Lions, for which he was president in 1969 and 1970. Howie loved his trout fishing and in 1972 the call became too great – it was time to sell up and move to Taupō and fishing. He loved Taupō but it was too cold for Christina, so after four years they moved to Tauranga where Howie worked at Tauranga Girls’ School as head groundsman. After another eight years they moved to Whakatane, where daughter Lynne lived. Motorbikes were always a passion and he now had the time to indulge this. He was a member of the Whakatane Ulysses Club for many years, becoming its oldest member into his 90s. Howie died peacefully in Whakatane aged 96 on February 14, leaving Christina, four daughters, 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
ROSEMARY ESTHER BLACK 11.03.1926 – 07.01.2019 Rosemary Esther Black (nee Burr), was the youngest of four, with Colleen, Purvis and Judith the older siblings. The family lived at various Wellington addresses before settling in Lower Hutt. Rosemary attended Eastern Hutt School and then Hutt Valley High School (her eldest great grandchild attended the same primary school and started at HVHS this year). During this time, Purvis, her only brother, died during relatively minor surgery. Rosemary started a 6th form year, but her mother was unimpressed with progress and secured her a job as a dark room technician in the X-ray department of Wellington Hospital. Just before she turned 18, Rosemary started her nursing training, joining Judith, who was already one year into her nursing career. After qualifying, she obtained a permanent position at the then-new Hutt Hospital. She worked in casualty and the diabetic clinics as well as running the only electro-cardiograph machine in the hospital. It was during her nursing career she met Gordon Black, a railways clerk, at one of the Hutt railway stations. They married in 1948 and bought a dairy/ general store in Plimmerton in 1950. Bronwen was born in late 1950. Three and a half years later the family moved to Ōtaki, buying a poultry farm at Ōtaki Beach. Jocelyn and Lorraine arrived in the family and the couple began selling off sections of the poultry farm to enable the purchase of 4 hectares of bare land just south of Ōtaki on the main road. A packing shed was built and the family moved into that while Gordon and friends built the family home. Blacks Gardens, as it was known, had a rocky start – literally, as the old river terraces produced hundreds of tonnes of rocks, all picked up by hand. The garden, however, was successful,
Rosemary Black, above, on her 90th birthday in March 2016, and below, at her wedding with Gordon in 1948. – Photos courtesy of Lorraine Meads
with the summer crops sold in a roadside stall which Rosemary ran, or going to the Wellington or Auckland markets, where they sold under the Black Cat brand. With the help of the taxman, Gordon built an emergency “water tank” for the garden and for fire-fighting. It just happened to be about 16 metres long by 4 metres wide, with a ladder at the shallow end and handrails down the side. It was even partially heated so the fire-fighters wouldn’t get their hands cold! Swimming became an important family focus with both Rosemary and Gordon having key roles in the Ōtaki Swimming Club. Bronwen and Jocelyn swam at the national level for three years. Lorraine also swam and is still swimming, by now having done thousands more kilometres than Bronwen or Jocelyn ever did in their training. The independent Rosemary emerged when Gordon died in 1974. The market garden was leased out and later sold, enabling Rosemary to move to Waikanae. She became a district nurse there, took up painting,
and completed a diploma of nursing as an extra-mural student. A fall brought her nursing career to an end so she decided to move to Taupō, closer to her daughters and her two sisters. Sadly, Bronwen died 15 years ago, and Rosemary lost a rock who had supported her after Gordon had gone. Rosemary finally moved to Feilding, close to Lorraine, and died at home on January 7, 2019.
City girl on a farm – a life revolving around family and friends SHIRLEY MARGARET BOTHAMLEY 03.11.1923 – 05.12.2018 Shirley McGuinness was born in Christchurch in 1923. She came from a large, close Irish and English family, and family were forever important. During the Second World War she worked in the Christchurch Tuberculosis Sanatorium and then moved to Wellington to start her general nurse training. While she was working in the soldiers’ ward she met Jim Bothamley, (ex-Navy), her training stopped, she married Jim and moved to a farm at Te Horo. She was a city girl on a farm and she wasn't always brave or helpful unless the animal was giving birth. Shirley had to go out for the day when the sheep and lambs were separated and trucked away because she couldn't cope with their desperate cries. What she could do was cook up a storm for the hay-makers and other workers, and her motto
was: “How would I want my children to be treated?” Luckily she wanted people to be treated with respect and kindness. She loved being on the farm and spent many years juggling four children, Robert, Joanna, Felicity and Elizabeth, and the many people who worked on the farm. Food came first, and then comfort and then her community. Shirley started the St Margaret's women's group to address the isolation of women without transport on farms. This was dissolved a few years ago because the needs of women had changed. Shirley and Ynes Blackburn were awarded the Bishop's award for their contribution to the church community. Shirley loved floral art, china painting and people. Later the farm was sold and she and Jim moved within Te Horo. They looked at property in Waikanae but there was no room for a tractor or a hen house. A move within Te Horo provided room for both. During this time she worked at the Ōtaki Medical Centre and loved
it.
Jim died at only 68 and Shirley stayed in a big property by herself for many years. Her sustenance was people – the more the better. Her life revolved around family and friends of all ages. She was never racist or homophobic, but she did judge people on their manners! She was devastated when her dear young friend, Steven Strawbridge, was killed and continued to remember this troubled but lovely youth. In old age Shirley moved to Winara retirement village in Waikanae, but it was a huge move because she loved Te Horo and Ōtaki. After a short illness, Shirley died on 15 December 2018 ages 95. She had a special prayer and blessing service at St Margaret's Church with her funeral at Te Horo Hall. This was followed by a wake and her life was well celebrated. Shirley left four children, eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. RIGHT: Shirley Bothamley – Photo courtesy of Felicity Bothamley
Ōtaki Today, March 2019
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HISTORY
An invitation to Ngāti Raukawa Local historian Rex Kerr explores Ōtaki’s early beginnings in Part 3. Part 4: whalers and traders: The first Pākehā. By REX KERR
DESTINATION OTAKI (signifying the large touch hole in the muskets they carried), came south. The largest, 800 As early as 1822, the Ngāti Toa chief Te strong and made up of Ngāti Huia led by Te Rauparaha had invited his close relatives, Whatanui, and Ngāti Pare led by Te Matenga Ngāti Raukawa, to join him at Kāpiti. Mātia, and known as Te Heke Mairaro (the However, under their rangatira, Te Whatanui, migration from below) arrived in 1829. These they declined as they were looking to shift to great chiefs were accompanied by smaller hapū Ahuriri-Heretaunga (Napier-Hastings). also led by their rangatira. After his victory at Te Waiorua Bay, Te At first, some went to Kāpiti as guests of Te Rauparaha realised that although Ngāti Toa Rauparaha, but eventually the great majority were mighty warriors, they were small in settled at Ōtaki on or near the great sanddune number and could not on their own defend the complex known as Taumanuka (Ōtaki Beach large territory they had conquered. today). Among the hapū initially to settle on Consequently, he sent a further pānui or near this coastal strip were Ngāti Huia, (invitation) through his sister, Waitohi, inviting REX KERR Pare, Kapumanawawhiti, Maiotaki, Moewaka, them to join him with the inducement of Waihuruhia, Koroki, Kauwhata, Whakatere, settling all the land between the Rangitikei and Ōtaki rivers. Turanga, Parekohatu and Hapuiti. As they had been driven from Hawke’s Bay and were under Later some of these hapū resettled other areas of the extreme pressure from Ngāti Haua and Ngāti Maniapoto, Raukawa Horowhenua. Despite the disastrous tribal war with Te Ati Awa were more open to the invitation. ki Waikanae (1833-39), Ngāti Raukawa, adopting the name Ngāti Initially some small groups filtered south. They were Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga (Ngāti Raukawa of the South, to distinguish Whakatere, who came from Whanganui, with Puaho of Ngāti Toa from those who remained at Maungatautari) prospered. Their pā, in 1824, followed by a party of Ngāti Rangi and others led by Te kainga (villages), mahinga kai (gardens) and hinaki (eel-baskets) Rua-Maioro, who was killed on the way. However, the bulk of Ngāti were dotted throughout the Ōtaki River valley. Raukawa came south in three great parties. It is estimated that by the 1840s about 5000 were living in The first was in 1825 when rumours reached Maungatautari that the area. There is a pepeha (tribal saying) that states: “Ko Ngāti Te Rauparaha had been defeated and a taua (war party) known as Raukawa te Kākahu” (Raukawa are the cloak which covers the Te Heke Karere (the Messengers) led by Hukiki Te Ahu Karamū, land), a reference to their large numbers. Matenga Te Mātia and others went to investigate. They found Te Not long after their arrival, the first Pakehā – the whalers and Rauparaha in good spirits and once again a pānui was extended to traders – arrived and a new chapter began. them to come south. n References: Te Ahukaramū returned and forcibly persuaded his hapū, Ngāti Burns, P. Te Rauparaha A New Perspective. A.H. & A.W. Reed Ltd. Christchurch. 1980. Kikopiri, to relocate in the journey known as Te Heke Whirinui McDonald, A. and E O’Donnell. Te Hekena Early Days in Horowhenua. G.H. Bennett (which referred to the plaited collars on the cloaks they wore). Te & Co Ltd, Palmerston North. 1979. Christchurch. 1980. Whatanui accompanied Te Ahu to conduct his own investigation. Smith, P.S. History and Traditions of the Maoris of the West Coast. Polynesian Society. Thomas Avery. New Plymouth. 1910. The next great heke in 1827, led by Taratoa Te Heke Kariritahi
100 YEARS AGO General election 1919
The New Zealand general election of 1919 was held on Tuesday, 16 December in the Māori electorates, and on Wednesday, 17 December in the general electorates to elect a total of 80 MPs to the 20th session of the New Zealand Parliament. A total number of 560,673 (80.5%) voters turned out to vote. In 1919 women won the right to be elected to the House of Representatives. The law was changed late in 1919, and with only three weeks notice, three women stood for Parliament in 1919. They were Ellen Melville in Grey Lynn, Rosetta Baume in Parnell, and Aileen Cooke in Thames. Ellen Melville stood for the Reform Party and came second. She stood for Parliament several more times, but while generally polling well she never won a seat. Though the Labour Party captured only eight seats it received nearly a quarter of the votes – a shock to conservative minds due to Labour being founded only three years earlier in 1916.
Ōtaki electorate
New Zealand Parliamentary electorate Ōtaki spans the Horowhenua District to the Kāpiti Coast, including the towns of Ōtaki, Waikanae and Paraparaumu. In the 1892 electoral redistribution, population shift to the North Island required the transfer of one seat from the South Island to the north. The resulting ripple effect saw every electorate established in 1890 have its boundaries altered, and eight electorates were established for the first time, including Ōtaki. Otaki was created for the 1893 election, with its first member, James Wilson, who held the seat until 1896. For most of the early 1900s the seat was won by William Hughes Field, a Liberal-turn-independent-turn-Reform. He lost it to John Robertson of the Social Democratic Party (who had continued on page 27
The finest animation studio in Horowhenua By David Klein
Did you know that Horowhenua was home to an international award-winning animation studio? Morrow Productions was formed in Levin by Bob Morrow and Mike Walker in 1950. They created some of New Zealand’s most iconic commercials and short films. You might recall Mr Dollar from the introduction of decimal currency in 1967. Hailing from Glasgow, Bob was an experienced animator who had trained with Disney experts. After working for a few years in Wellington, he and Mike headed north and found a great place in Levin to start Morrow Productions. “It was a terrible house, but the large shed at the rear of the property was a big attraction,” Bob said. Both buildings were largely gutted and fitted with almost everything they would need. Tracy White, a senior documentation archivist at Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, is a big fan of Bob’s. “It was a very sophisticated animation studio. It had rooms for drawing and design, filming cels and background paintings and even a music studio.” The animations they produced had a wonderful, distinctive style – soft lines and curves with richly detailed backgrounds. However, using traditional drawing and painting techniques was very time consuming. One minute of 24 frames per second animation required 1440 cels painted, photographed and
moved. Bob was able to turn to the community for help. “Mike had been a Horowhenua College student. A local teacher from the college composed music scores and boys from Kohitere Boy’s Training Centre were also hired. They were trained from scratch to paint the cels,” Tracey says. Aside from some of the especially repetitive tasks, Bob and Mike had a hand in everything. “They did it all: scripting, story-boarding, drawing, photographing, editing, synchronising image with sound. It was very hands-on.” In addition to animation, they also used live action recordings. Local people from Levin were used for many of these. For a Gelven Baby Soap commercial, Mike photographed more than 70 babies to get the ideal look for the animation. During the 70s and 80s, Bob created and co-produced several telefilms, including Mark II, Kingpin and Kingi’s Story, which dealt directly with the experiences of boys from Kohitere. Ngā Taonga acquired the Morrow Productions archives in 2001. It includes their films, scripts, documentation and correspondence, as well as 24 boxes of animation cels. A real highlight is the scrapbook The Story of Morrow Productions. This tells the story of the company in its own words and through behind-the-scenes anecdotes,
providing context for the work they created. Some of Bob’s finest work came with the increasing popularity of television in the 1960s. They created a whole range of commercials. Their ads for the Apple and Pear Board won awards in the UK. The series for the National Bank with Henry marrying a bank teller was much loved. Perhaps their best known was Mr Dollar, who helped teach the nation about the arrival of decimal currency in 1967. Henry and Mr Dollar are in Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision’s Sellebration online exhibition. Catch up or meet them for the first time alongside hundreds of commercials from the 1920s onwards. The exhibition shows the creative and imaginative ways advertisers have engaged with the New Zealand public. They remain an iconic part of the cultural landscape. You can view the exhibition at www.bit.ly/advnz In addition to the film and other documentation items in the Morrow Evening Post photograph. Portrait of Mike Walker (left) Collection, there are many press and Bob Morrow (right) [in the Morrow Productions clippings. offices]. [Morrow’s arm rests on a tall stack of papers, may “These clippings provide a fantastic be animation drawings]. CREDIT: Stills Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. Courtesy of Dominion Post and Morrow Productions insight into their work,” Tracey says. Ltd. Collection. “Something like Papers Past is great but only covers up to 1950. Between then an invaluable resource for researchers.” and the computer era it can be difficult to find The documentation team can be contacted at newspaper records. documentation@ngataonga.org.nz. “The specially curated and catalogued listings n To search the online catalogue and discover these items visit www.ngataonga.org.nz of the Ngā Taonga documentation collection are
HISTORY I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 27
Dramatic changes in the shape of Ōtaki farming Farming in the Ōtaki area has gone from difficulties for town milk farmers suddenly mainly livestock 50 years ago to mixed confronted with cost cutting, and their winter livestock and horticulture today. The quota milk income dropping from 36c to 21c a transition has seen forays into market litre. gardening and poultry. The gradual decline in Ōtaki FARM FOCUS Historically, farming during dairying into the 1980s and the latter half of last century later was very much against the was mainly sheep, beef and national trend of increasing dairying. For many reasons, dairy cow numbers. From livestock numbers dropped the late 1980s until today, dramatically towards the turn numbers of dairy cattle have of the century and after, as did increased from three million the shape of farming. Holdings to six and a half million. The became smaller, with many only dairy farms that survived lifestyle blocks and few of the around Ōtaki were those that established sheep, beef and could increase in size, mainly dairy holdings surviving. through amalgamation. During the 1960s and 70s Many were sub-divided into DR KEN GEENTY about 42 dairy herds were in lifestyle blocks and converted the region, stretching from Te Horo to Manakau to horticulture or other livestock farming. Fewer and supplying the Wellington Co-op Rāhui than 10 of the original 42 dairy farms have Dairy Factory for town milk. survived. Rāhui Road dairy farmer Carl Lutz said his Carl Lutz says one of the difficulties with father’s milk was transported in the 1930s in dairy farming today is obtaining skilled and 20-gallon cans first by horse and dray, and reliable labour. later by truck to the nearby Rāhui factory. Fortunately, his two sons and a grandson are Milk surplus to local requirements went to working on the farm. He says share milking Wellington in 10-gallon cans by train. still provides a good entry and that robotic In the mid-1960s refrigeration and tanker milking and once-a-day milking are innovative collection revolutionised dairy farming. Small developments. regional dairy factories started to disappear and The Lutz family milk 420 cows with a economic units originally of 50-70 cows gave split spring-autumn calving for year-round production. A modern rotary milking system is way to bigger units of 200-300 cows. Nowadays used. Sheep and beef holdings of more than 1000 average herd size is more than 400 cows. acres (400 hectares) have reduced in the region Changes in scale accompanied changes in to five or six from 20-30 earlier last century. infrastructure, with large national cooperatives Ōtaki Gorge runholder Barry Mansell says such as Fonterra taking over. This brought
100 YEARS AGO continued from page 26 been nominated by the flax-workers union) in 1911, but won it back in 1914. The seat was abolished in 1972, and Allan McCready transferred to the Manawatū electorate. Otaki was re-created ahead of the change to Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting in 1996, by combining two bellwether seats: the northern half of Kāpiti with the entire Horowhenua seat. Since its inception the boundaries have been left largely unaltered, though after the 2007 boundary review a macron was added to the name, and it is now spelt Ōtaki. The first MP for Otaki was Judy Keall,
who won by less than a thousand votes in 1996 before a more decisive victory in 1999. In 2002, her former electorate assistant, Darren Hughes, won the seat, becoming the youngest member of the House of Representatives. His 2002 majority was slashed to just 382 at the 2005 election by former Horowhenua District councillor National Party representative Nathan Guy. In a 2008 rematch, Nathan tipped out Darren by 1354 votes; Darren returned to Parliament off the Labour Party list. Nathan Guy continues to be MP for Ōtaki. – wikipedia.org
Carl Lutz at his Ōtaki dairy farm. – Photo: Ken Geenty
reasons were varied, including market changes from wool emphasis earlier to mainly meat now. Forestry along the Tararua foothills has replaced large numbers of livestock and lifestyle blocks have encroached. Reduction of sheep and beef cattle numbers to less than 50 percent of the peak late last century reflects national, declines particularly in sheep numbers. Barry says that even with declining stock numbers, productivity has held up due to greater per head production. Sheep and beef farming expanded last century after the government railway company had earlier sold land bought from Māori tribes to pay for the rail line which linked up in 1886. Romney sheep from earlier last century were improved for the hills by crossing with more mobile Perendales. Lambing percentages went from the 90s to over 120. Barry says the most influential impacts on sheep and beef farming have been tanalised pine for posts, chainsaws, and the quad bike. After a lifetime in the area, he also remembers the
advent of electricity in the mid-1940s as one of the most significant events. Long-time dairy farmer and agricultural accountant Rod Agar says the farming changes have not been without problems. The thriving poultry industry, for example, with about 42 sheds employed more than 100 locals at the Te Horo processing plant. After the Golden Coast company was taken over by Tegel in the 1980s, the industry declined and eventually all but disappeared. Surges in horticulture, including blueberries and more recently olives, have not developed significantly. Adding to the diversity of Ōtaki farming are about five deer farms in the region. Ōtaki deer farmer Bruce Niven says markets are strong for velvet and venison, and Deer Industry NZ support is good. n Dr Ken Geenty has had a 30-year research and development career in the New Zealand sheep and beef cattle industry, including pioneering research in sheep dairy production. He now lives in Ōtaki.
E TELE’ ‘ TigH h calorie locality H
The old Telegraph Hotel (built 1872) has two bars, a lounge/ dining room and refurbished backpacker-style accommodation.
The perfect venue for a family g e t - t o g e t h e r, birthday function or a drink with friends.
THE TELE
cnr Rangiuru Rd/Tasman Rd, Otaki Township Contact Duane 06 364-0634, 021 0220 3105, or duane@thetele.co.nz
Be bold and uniquely you Use an image of your choice. Then cover a wall, or large interior or exterior surface.
022 528 0394
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BIG IMAGE has its headquarters on the Kapiti Coast.
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TAMARIKI FUN PAGE
Kia ora, Autumn is here now, and the leaves are falling. Drop your coloured in entry to RiverStone Cafe on SH1 to be in to win a $40 voucher at RiverStone Café. Entries must be in by 4pm, was April 14. GET COLOURING NOW! The winner is the first drawn. Last month’s winner Jartle
TAMARIKI I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Lindberg, 10. Congratulations, Jartle! We’d love to see photos of you and your pet! Email them to debbi@idmedia.co.nz or drop them into RiverStone Cafe. DISNEY PUZZLES ANAGRAM
This puzzle contains 12 memorable female princesses and stars from Disney films. Unscramble the name of each one and write it correctly on the blank line.
Answers: 1. Ariel, The Little Mermaid (1989) 2. Belle, Beauty and the Beast (1991) 3. Ursula, The Little Mermaid (1989) 4. Elsa, Frozen (2013) 5. Dory, Finding Nemo (2003) 6. Ravenna, Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) 7. Rapunzel, Tangled (2010) 8. Anna, Frozen (2013) 9. Alice, Alice in /wonderland (1951) 10. Snow White, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) 11. Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins (1964) 12. Pocahontas, Pocahontas (1953)
NAME:
AGE:
Page 28
Felix Reynolds, 8, cuddles his lovely guinea pig Liquorice, who has just had two teeth removed and is now doing well.
PHONE:
COMMUNITY I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 29
COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
Bridge – take the challenge or just have fun If you’re interested in playing a game that is both mentally challenging and socially good fun, the Otaki Bridge Club might have the answer. Founded in 1983, the club was part of a big New Zealand-wide growth spurt in organised games in the 1970s and 80s, of what is officially called Contract Bridges. The Ōtaki club now has more than 90 members and runs sessions three times a week – Monday daytime (players bring their own lunch), Tuesday evening and Friday evening. Club president Tim Horner says while the club’s members are mainly retired or nearing retirement, there has been more interest recently from a younger age group. “We have people from all walks of life and all stages of life,” he says. “The main
thing is if you enjoy playing cards, if you enjoy mixing with others, and you enjoy giving your brain something to think about, you will enjoy playing bridge.” Like other card games, bridge can be played at several levels. “The bridge played at the club is a bit more complicated than what you might play around the kitchen table. But that’s what makes it exciting – really pitting your wits against other people over a pack of cards.” Tim says players can take it as seriously and competitively as they want, or be totally relaxed and just enjoy the company while playing cards. For those new to bridge but who would like to learn, the club offers lessons every year. This year they will start after Easter. The club will advertise
CHURCHES Rangiātea 33 Te Rauparaha St, ŌTAKI • 364 6838 Sunday Eucharist: 9am Church viewing hours, school terms: Mon-Fri 9.30am- 1.30pm St Mary’s Pukekaraka 4 Convent Rd, ŌTAKI Fr Alan Robert • 364 8543 or 021 0822 8926 otakiandlevincatholicparish.nz, for other masses Sunday mass: 11am, 5pm. Miha Maori Mass, first Sunday: 9.30am
All Saint’s 47 Te Rauparaha St, ŌTAKI Rev Ian Campbell • 364 7099 • wn.anglican.org.nz Sunday services: 9.30am
Ōtaki Baptist cnr SH1 & Te Manuao Rd, ŌTAKI Pastor Roger Blakemore • 364 8540 or 027 672 7865 • otakibaptist.weebly.com Sunday service: 10am The Hub 157 Tasman Rd, ŌTAKI Leader Richard Brons • 364-6911 www.actschurches.com/church-directory/horowhenua/hub-church/ Sunday service and Big Wednesday service: 10.15am Ōtaki Presbyterian 249 Mill Rd, ŌTAKI Rev Peter Jackson • 364 8759 or 021 207 9455 www.otakiwaikanaechurch.nz Sunday service: 11am St Margaret’s Te Horo School Rd, TE HORO Sunday service: 9am St Andrew’s Mokena Kohere St, MANAKAU Sunday service: 9am (except first Sunday of month)
Jehovah’s Witness 265 Mill Road, ŌTAKI 364 6419 • www.jw.org Sunday meeting: 10am
in the local papers and around the community. Bridge is played throughout New Zealand and Ōtaki is one of 10 clubs in the Wellington region, with neighbouring clubs in Waikanae and Levin. Belonging to a club gives players the opportunity to play against people from all over New Zealand as clubs run tournaments that players from other clubs can enter. “The Ōtaki club runs two tournaments a year and we regularly get up to 100 players from all over the southern North Island,” Time says. n For information, email otakibridge@ xtra.co.nz, see www.otaki.bridge-club. org, or ring Tim Horner 06 364-5240 or secretary Helen Walker 021-118-6025.
MEDICAL CARE Ōtaki Medical Centre 2 Aotaki Street, Ōtaki • 06 364 8555 Monday-Friday: 8.15am-5pm • Saturday: 9am-noon. After hours, including weekend and public holidays 06 364 8555 Emergencies: 111 Team Medical, Paraparaumu: After hours: 04 297 3000 Coastlands Shopping Mall. 8am-10pm every day. Palmerston North Hospital emergency department, 50 Ruahine St, Palmerston North • 06 356 9169 Healthline for free 24-hour health advice 0800 611 116. St John Health Shuttle 06 364 5603 Ōtaki Women’s Health Group 186 Mill Road, 364 6367
P-pull walk-in Drug advice and support, Birthright Centre, every 2nd Thursday 6-8pm.
COMMUNITY ŌTAKI POLICE 06 364 7366, cnr Iti and Matene Sts. CITIZEN’S ADVICE BUREAU ŌTAKI 06 364 8664, 0800 367 222. 65a Main Street, Ōtaki. otaki@cab.org.nz AROHANUI HOSPICE SHOP 11 Main St. 06 929 6603
BIRTHRIGHT OTAKI OPPORTUNITY SHOP 23 Matene Street, Ōtaki. 06 364 5558
COBWEBS OPPORTUNITY SHOP TRUST Main St. HUHA OP SHOP 208 SH 1, Ōtaki. 06 364 7062. OCEAN VIEW RESIDENTIAL CARE 06 364 7399 ST JOHN’S SHOP 4 Arthur St. 06 364 5981 THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANIMALS OP SHOP 236 SH1. 06 364 2241
AMICUS CLUB OF ŌTAKI 364 6464 FOREST & BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY Joan Leckie 368 1277 FRIENDS OF THE ŌTAKI RIVER (Fotor) Trevor Wylie 364 8918 GENEALOGY SOCIETY Len Nicholls 364 7638 KĀPITI COAST GREY POWER JUNE SIMPSON 021 109 2583 KEEP ŌTAKI BEAUTIFUL Margaret Bayston/Lloyd Chapman LIONS CLUB OF ŌTAKI Peter 364 5354 MORRIS CAR CLUB Chris Torr 323 7753 ŌTAKI BRIDGE CLUB Lyn Edwards 364 7771 ŌTAKI COMMUNITY PATROL Errol Maffey 027 230 8836 ŌTAKI & DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS’ ASSN Vaevae 027 447 7864 ŌTAKI FLORAL ART & GARDEN CLUB Maureen Jensen 364 8614 ŌTAKI FOODBANK 43 Main St, Lucy Tahere 364 0051 ŌTAKI HERITAGE BANK MUSEUM TRUST 364 6886 ŌTAKI HISTORICAL SOCIETY Sarah Maclean 364 2497 ŌTAKI PLAYERS SOCIETY Roger Thorpe 364 8848 or 021 259 2683 ŌTAKI POTTERY CLUB Rod Graham 027 445 7545 ŌTAKI PROMOTIONS GROUP Ian Carson 364 6543 ŌTAKI RAILWAY BOWLING CLUB Maureen Beaver 364 0640 ŌTAKI SPINNERS & KNITTERS’ GROUP, Barbara Austin 364 8381 ŌTAKI WOMEN’S NETWORK GROUP Carol Ward 06 364 7732 ŌTAKI WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CLUB/SUNDAY MARKETS Kirsten Housiaux 027 466 3317 ŌTAKI WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Rema Clark remaclark@xtra.co.nz RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRE Jamie 027 444 9995 or Drew 021 288 7021 ROTARY CLUB OF OTAKI Michael 021 294 3039 TIMEBANK Suzanne Fahey 021 1275 074 TRANSITION TOWNS Fiona Luhrs 364 6405 WAITOHU STREAM CARE GROUP Lyndsay Knowles 364 6283
CHILDREN
ŌTAKI TOY LIBRARY 027 621 8855 every Saturday 10.30am12noon at the Memorial Hall, Main St. KIDZOWN O.S.C.A.R. 0800 543 9696 LITTLE GIGGLERS PLAYGROUP Baptist Church Hall, Te Manuao Rd. 10am-12noon Friday each fortnight (next session Feb 15). Denise 027 276 0983 MAINLY MUSIC, Hadfield Hall, Te Rauparaha St. 021 189 6510 ŌTAKI KINDERGARTEN 68a Waerenga Rd. 364 8553. ŌTAKI MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Haruatai Park, 200 Mill Rd, Roselle 364 7500. ŌTAKI PLAYCENTRE Mill Rd. 364 5787. Open 9.30am-12 noon Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. ŌTAKI PLAYGROUP Fiona Bowler otakiplaygroup@hotmail.com ŌTAKI SCOUTS, CUBS AND KEAS Brent Bythell 364 8949. PLUNKET MANAKAU PLAYGROUP Honi Taipua St, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am-12noon. TE KŌHANGA REO O TE KĀKANO O TE KURA Te Rauparaha St, 06 364 5599 TE KŌHANGA REO O RAUKAWA 5 Convent Rd, 06 364 5364
SPORTS CLUBS
EASY-CISE/WALKING GROUP (BODY & SOUL) Joseph 364 6191 EQUESTRIAN HORSE CLUB 364 6181, Horse Trekking club Debbie 364 6571, Ōtaki Pony Club Paul Pettengell 364 5781 GAZBOS GOLDEN OLDIES Doug Garrity 364 5886 HAWAIKINUI TUA RUA KI OTAKI (WAKA AMA) DeNeen Baker -Underhill 027 404 4697 ŌTAKI ATHLETIC CLUB Kerry Bevan 027 405 6635 ŌTAKI BOATING CLUB Trevor Hosking 364 8424 ŌTAKI BOWLING CLUB Paul Selby 927 9015 ŌTAKI CANOE CLUB Jane Bertelsen 364 5302 ŌTAKI DANCE GROUP Barbara Francis 364 7383 ŌTAKI GOLF CLUB 364 8260 ŌTAKI GYMNASTICS CLUB Nancy 027 778 6902 ŌTAKI INDOOR BOWLING Jane Selby-Paterson 927 9015 ŌTAKI MASTERS SWIMMING CLUB Sonia Coom 04 292 7676 ŌTAKI PETANQUE CLUB Val Clarke 364 5213 ŌTAKI SPORTS CLUB: TENNIS, SQUASH & SOCCER Adrian Mourie 364 3032 ŌTAKI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB Kirsty Doyle 021 102 0058 RĀHUI FOOTBALL AND SPORTS CLUB Slade Sturmey 021 191 4780. Rahui Netball Kylie Gardner 0275 490 985. Junior Rugby Megan Qaranivalu 022 165 7649 TAE KWON DO Rachael or Jim 06 364 511 TAI CHI Gillian Sutherland 04 904 8190 WHITI TE RA LEAGUE CLUB Kelly Anne Ngatai 027 256 7391 WILD GOOSE QIGONG & CHUN YUEN (SHAOLIN) QUAN Sifu Cynthia Shaw 021 613 081.
To list your group here, or update contact details, email debbi@idmedia.co.nz
AUTUMN LEISURE I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 30
© Lovatts Puzzles CROSSWORD #5451 March 2019
ACROSS 1. Harbour work boats 7. Birthday greeting 10. Gallopers’ tracks 11. Astronaut, ... Shepard 12. Actor, ... Ifans 13. Sweat droplet 15. Strike with head 17. Capture (criminal) 18. Took cover 20. River, ... Grande 21. Hearing organ 23. Alien craft (1,1,1) 24. Lamb’s bleat 26. Auction offers 27. Wipe the dishes (3,2) 29. Fitness clubs 31. Stretched firm 32. Char 33. Unemployment pay 35. Hunker down (3,2) 37. Every single
39. Form a curve 41. French no 42. Male or female 43. Muppets creator, ... Henson 44. Practical joke 45. Sphere 47. Liver paste food 50. Tumble 52. Chamber 53. Exude 54. Sight-tester 55. Wrongdoings 56. Sleigh DOWN 1. Coach (team) 2. Snatched 3. Logically thought-out 4. Indecent 5. Appal 6. Dirty child 7. Sure-fire thing 8. Smoker’s receptacle
9. 70s dance music 14. Voice publicly 16. Computer port type (1,1,1) 18. Inflicting pain 19. Extinguishing 22. Daisy-like flower 25. Go along (with) 26. Awful 27. Worthless 28. Writing tool 30. Fah, ..., lah 34. Send-up 36. Small pointy beards 38. Salamander 40. Bed 42. Therapeutic water tub 43. Sudden movements 46. Haemorrhage 48. Sound boosters 49. Greek Cupid 50. Golfer’s warning 51. Profit or ...
CROSSWORD SOLUTION (see below)
SUDOKU PUZZLER
www.sudokupuzzler.com by Ian Riensche
Use logic and process of elimination to fi ll in the blank cells using the numbers 1 through 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and 3x3 block. Puzzle solutions below.
GENERAL QUIZ 1. Who was the legendary Benedictine monk who invented champagne? 2. Name the French novelist and poet, born in 1802, who was exiled to Jersey and who wrote about a hunchback. 3. What is allspice alternatively known as? 4. Home to the Ross Sea and a species of flightless bird. Where is this? 5. Who wrote the Vampire Chronicles, which include the novels Armand, Blood and Gold and Interview with the Vampire? 6. What flavor is Cointreau? 7. What national holiday in Mexico has picnickers munching chocolate coffins and sugar skulls? 8. Which type entertainment has cars but no roads, curves but no figure, and white knuckles? 9. Name the British woman who played a role in the Crimean War, and who received the Order of Merit in 1907?
10. In The Simpsons, what is the name of the beer served in Springfield? 11. What is the world’s biggest spider? 12. Name the Spanish artist, sculptor and draughtsman famous for co-founding the Cubist movement. 13. What rock band started in Georgia, 1980, with Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry? 14. Churchill, Sherman, and Panzer were all developed as types of what? 15. Which talk-show hostess appeared in The Color Purple? 16. Who created the animation for Monty Python? 17. In which film did Humphrey Bogart say, “We’ll always have Paris?” 18. Info.cern.ch is famous for being what? 19. By what other word are the Motion Picture Academy Awards also known? 20. What is another word for lexicon?
ULTRA EASY #13
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
Penray Gardens is famous for its 15 acres of home garden produce. Equally famous is our range of Penray Gardens’ home-recipe sauces and relishes made onsite by Jane. We also have a range of nuts, seeds and dried fruits; a variety of spices and seeds in resealable packets; New Zealand gourmet food products, and our local free-range eggs delivered fresh three times a week.
PENRAY GARDENS
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Dom Perignon. 2. Victor Hugo 3. Pimento. 4. Antarctica 5. Anne Rice. 6. Orange. 7. The Day of the Dead. 8. Roller coaster. 9. Florence Nightingale. 10. Duff. 11. Goliath birdeater tarantula. 12. Pablo Picasso. 13. R.E.M. 14. Tank. 15. Oprah Winfrey. 16. Terry Gilliam. 17. Casablanca. 18.The world’s very first website. 19. Oscars. 20. Dictionary.
ULTRA EASY #13 MEDIUM #14
SUDOKU ANSWERS
MEDIUM #14
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CROSSWORD SOLUTION # 5451 (see page 30)
SPORT I Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 31
Funds still needed to finish Whiti job A big boost of $150,000 from a New Zealand Community Trust grant is still not enough for Whiti te Rā to complete its clubrooms. The Ōtaki league club needs another $60,000 – and it’s putting the word out to seek donations from supporters. “We’re ploughing ahead with the work, but we need to be proactive in raising the shortfall funds to finish the job,” says club co-chairperson KellyAnne Ngatai. “It would be a tragedy if we had to stop work when it’s so close to completion. As a club, we need to ensure this doesn’t happen. The money we’ve got will see about two-thirds of the work done.” Whiti has already raised nearly $6000. It is looking for the rest through $100 donations, which will put the donor on a sponsor plaque in the clubroom, and regular small donations through weekly or monthly automatic payments from a donor’s bank account. “We’re looking at anything that will bring in some funds,” Kelly-Anne says. Meantime, work is continuing inside the clubrooms, where there will be a large meeting room, a
kitchen, bar and toilets. A wheelchair ramp, deck and furnishings will be needed once the main work is done – hence the extra funding required. The work could be completed within four months if the money is found – just in time for the grand final of the club season. Whiti te Rā's senior team has an enviable record, winning six premiership league titles in a row, three each in the Wellington and Manawatū competitions. Staying true to its strong connections with the community, as much work and materials as possible is sourced from local firms. Murray (Muzza) Ropata of M & H Builders is the project manager, All Area Scaffolding is supplying the scaffolding, and Muzza uses his local sub-contractors for work such as plumbing, electrical, plastering and painting. The project is 19 years in the making. When the club was formed, there was only an ablution block on the site. A second floor was put over it, but there has never been the money to compete the work. Visiting teams have had to be hosted under marquees outside.
IN BRIEF Rob in squad
Ōtaki’s Rob Bigwood has made it into the training squad for the NZ men’s roller derby world cup team. It’s the second time he’s made the squad.
Inline hockey success
WORK TO DO: Hinerangi Ropata, Murray Ropata and Whiti te Rā club secretary Kelly-Anne Ngatai outside the still-to-be completed clubrooms.
Kelly-Anne says Whiti applied for the full amount from NZCT, and although the club didn’t get it all, it is nonetheless appreciative of the funding. “It was fantastic, a big boost,” she says. “The trust came and had a look at what we wanted to do, and we talked about the achievements of the club on the sports field. It comes easily to passionately talk about our club, and I think that made a difference. We also
talked about how we work with the community and how we have so many youngsters in the club. I’m sure that made a difference when it came to getting the funding.” The rooms will be used for club activities, but will also be available to other groups, such as waka ama, and even for learning, such as te reo classes.
Ōtaki inline hockey players enjoyed success at the first Battle for the Thuderdome in Levin on March 3 and 4. Andrew Montgomery of Ōtaki and his team, the Levin Thunder, won the masters division with the New Plymouth Beers second. Andrew’s Montgomery Motor Bodies sponsored the Ōtaki Dreadnoughts in the open seniors competition – they were pipped in the final by the Levin Rebels. The Wellington Penguins won in the women’s division.
n Anyone wishing to donate can make a deposit to: Whiti the Rā Building, ANZ Waikanae, 06 0592 00526734 004.
Encouraging signs for Rāhui in pre-season The Rāhui senior rugby team dominated in a pre-season game against Rātana Pā of Whanganui last Saturday (March 9, at left) at Ōtaki Domain. Under a warm sky and with near-perfect ground conditions, Rāhui romped away with a 77-7 win. Only a late try to Rātana avoided a whitewash. The Rāhui Rugby Club will again field a senior A and senior B team in this year’s Horowhenua-Kāpiti club rugby competition. – Photo: Al Paton
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Andrew Montgomery lifts the trophy for his Levin Thunder team.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Ōtaki Today, March 2019
Page 32
SPORT Rugby star Kiki sets sights high She was born in Ōtaki, went to Ōtaki School and played for Rāhui – now she’s one of New Zealand rugby’s rising stars. Kiki Tahere was selected early this year for the Black Ferns sevens development squad. It’s already resulted in games against touring Chinese and French teams – and would have meant a trip to Japan in February to play against Japanese teams but for a shoulder injury. Her father, James Porter, says Kiki suffered a dislocated shoulder in a tackle and needed recuperation. “She’s back training, but you can’t rush things,” he told Ōtaki Today. “She’ll make a full recovery. It’s her first injury, so she’ll learn from this.” The development squad is seen as a stepping stone to the national Black Ferns team, where names such as Portia Woodman stand out on the world stage. It prepares players with outstanding potential for the professional environment of World Series and Olympics rugby. The summer Olympics will be in Tokyo in July-August 2020. Meantime, Kiki has an interim training contract with the development squad, and is working as an intern at the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union in Tauranga. “The opportunity to rub shoulders
with some of the best players in the world is huge,” James says. “The women have to train twice as hard as the men to prove themselves, so for girls like Kiki, it’s a real privilege to be around them.” Kiki has set herself a goal of being at the Olympics with the national sevens team. “It’s definitely in my sights, something to train for and work towards,” she says. “The Black Ferns are a world-beating team, so there might even be a gold medal. “Getting to this position has taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice which has been worth it. I realise now that this is only the beginning and hard work and sacrifice is an everyday thing. If I want to stand among the Black Ferns 7s and wear an Olympic gold medal then I know what I have to do” At only 18, Kiki still has plenty of time to develop her game. Her adaptability as a utility back means she can play anywhere in the backline. Although rugby stardom is a possibility for Kiki, James is mindful that his daughter needs to stay grounded. Remembering her whakapapa to Ōtaki is part of that. “There’s still a strong connection to Ōtaki,” he says. “It’s where she grew up playing rugby. As parents we love
all our kids the same, Kiki is fortunate to play a game we all love so she gets a little more attention outside our home. Regardless of what she achieves on the field this will never change for us. She will always be one of the tribe and we think that’s important for her to know.” Kiki played in age group sides for Ōtaki’s Rāhui Rugby Club from the age of 4, moving on only when at 12 she could no longer play in mixed boys and girls teams. She then played for the Kāpiti College girls team, even though she was initially still at Ōtaki School. She later moved to the Tauranga, where she attended Te Wharekura o Mauao. James is the manager of high performance rugby for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, and her mother, Michaela Tahere, is the Go for Gold central region women's manager. Her grandmother, Yvonne Tahere, is a teacher in Ōtaki School’s te reo Māori full immersion classes. Kiki’s exceptional abilities were spotted when she was playing for Wellington age-group sevens and rugby union sides last year. She made the Go for Gold squad last year, which is aimed at unearthing rugby talent with an eye for the Olympics and World Cup. Players from the lower North Island gathered in March-April and met regularly in Ōtaki on Sundays.
Kiki Tahere on the run. – Photo supplied
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