Bishop keen to come and stay p7
On the beat: Chris Chapman p2
Obituaries: Duffy Huff, Kevin Smith p20
Where are they now? p14-15
MAY 16, 2019
otakitoday.com
Ngā Kōrero o Ōtaki
Pinched: Where’s our beach bench?
NO BENCH: The site at the estuary (above) where there used to be a wooden bench, and a photo of the bench above right when it was installed.
Cheeky thieves have stolen the wooden bench seat at the Ōtaki River estuary lookout. On or about April 9, someone – presumably
with more transportation than a bicycle or foot power – unbolted the bench from its concrete pad and disappeared into the night. The solid wooden structure had been donated
by Rotary, and made and installed by Waikanae MenzShed. It was used by vistors enjoying the view. It’s likely the bench is now adorning someone’s backyard.
If you’ve seen something similar suddenly appearing in a backyard after the brazen beach burglar bolted, or if you have information, local police would like to know about it (06 364-7366).
Rangatahi technology hub a first Ōtaki’s young people are about to learn creative technology skills that could take them into the careers of the future. The Māoriland Tech Creative Hub (M.A.T.C.H) is to be launched at the Māoriland Hub in Main Street on Friday (May 17). It is part of a two-week expo, Korakora Matihiko, which showcases indigenous games, animation, VR&360 (virtual reality), comics and public kōrero. M.A.T.C.H will be the first Māori-led tech hub for rangatahi (young people) on the Your one-stop-shop for: Kāpiti Coast. Running weekly after school at • TYRES • WOFs the Māoriland Hub, • VEHICLE SERVICING it was created from • AA BATTERY SERVICE the new Ministry • AA ROADSERVICE of Education digital • STATE ROADSIDE RESCUE curriculum, Hangarau • TOWING & SALVAGE Matihiko, which teaches youngsters how technology works, and how they can use that knowledge to solve problems.
BOWLER MOTORS
06 364 6474 or 06 364 7171
From term 1 next year, all schools in the country are expected to be teaching Hangarau Matihiko. Its aims are to ensure that rangatahi are able to adapt to and understand technology as it innovates so they are creators, not just users. “Once the new curriculum is introduced, our kids won’t just be using devices such as computers and smart phones, but also learning the computer science principles that all digital technologies are built on,” says Måoriland Charitable Trust director Libby Hakaraia. “We believe our rangatahi here in Ōtaki have a lot to offer the creative and digital innovation sector that is expanding rapidly. M.A.T.C.H is about supporting rangatahi with experiences and opportunities, and a pathway to the creative and digital innovation sector.”
Otaki
The tech creative sector is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, creating thousands of new jobs in rural and underresourced communities. Libby says the Māoriland Charitable Trust has created M.A.T.C.H so rangatahi can be leaders in this industry, both at home in Ōtaki and on the world stage. Presenters at Korakora Matihiko include leading VR and AR filmmaker Gabo Arora of New York and representatives of INDIGI LAB (Australia), Coco Solid (Aotearoa) and Kaupapa (Ōtaki). Heralded by the LA Times as “game-changing” and “transcending all the typical barriers of rectangular cinema”, Gabo‘s widely acclaimed virtual reality documentaries have all premiered as official selections at major film festivals around the world. He is also a professor at Johns Hopkins University where he designed, leads and is the founding director of the new Immersive Storytelling and Emerging Technologies (Iset) programme and lab. He was formerly a senior economic policy advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; a UN diplomat with extensive field experience in disaster and conflict zones; and the UN’s first-ever creative director, founding UNVR, a division of the UN focused on virtual reality initiatives and campaigns. He has championed the potential of VR to make social change. His VR film, Clouds Over Sidra, in partnership with Unicef, has doubled the number of donations to support Syrian refugees.
SHUTTLE SERVICE
RIVERSTONE COFFEE CART
SEVEN DAY A WEEK SERVICE UNTIL MIDNIGHT
LOCALS LOOKING AFTER LOCALS
06 364-6001 027 439 0131
$10 + $5 per passenger between the beach and plateau • Further afield trips negotiable • Airports and bus connections Book online at www.otakishuttle.co.nz Please confirm by phone for weekend web bookings. Bookings essential after 10pm.
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$20 voucher
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