Otaki Today December 2021 by ID Media

TĪHEMA/DECEMBER 2021

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Ngā Kōrero o Ōtaki

Ōtaki Yard sold p3

Meri Kirihimete

Heremaia top sports person p32

Ōtaki Today wishes all our readers and advertisers a safe and Merry Christmas, and a happy 2021. Thank you all for your support of Ōtaki Today, which has helped us to keep producing the best newspaper we can for Ōtaki. Debbi and Ian Carson

Krisha first Everiss Scholar By Ian Carson

The first Everiss Scholar – the equivalent of the Ōtaki Scholar from Scotland – is Ōtaki College’s Krisha Modi.

As dux for 2021, Krisha makes history as the first student to receive the newly established scholarship. It means she will travel to the UK, and possibly Germany, as soon as Covid-19 restrictions allow. The scholarship was announced on the college’s prize-giving night, November 18. Since 1937, the head boy of Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been named as the Ōtaki Scholar and travelled to New Zealand1. The scholarship honours the heroic battle between SS Otaki and the German raider SMS Moewe in the First World War. The captain of the Otaki, Archibald Bissett Smith, was an old boy of Robert Gordon’s College and married a New Zealander. The Ōtaki Scholarship became an institution that cemented ties not only between the two colleges on other sides of the world, but also between New Zealand and the UK. The installation of the SS Otaki Monument at Ōtaki College in 2017 has also brought together the New Zealand Navy and other defence personnel, the merchant navy, and diplomats from the UK and Germany. The New Zealand Governor-General unveiled the monument. In 2013, the first Sander Scholar was named. This scholarship – supported by Shelly MacRae Ōtaki’s Sander Ties – allowed Ōtaki College’s top student to travel annually to the UK, and importantly, to Robert Gordon’s College. However, it was acknowledged that a trust fund should be established to ensure the long-term survival of the scholarship. With the continued support of Shelly, the Everiss Trust was formalised this year, allowing Krisha to be 1. Barring 1940-46 because of the Second World

War and the past two years because of Covid-19

SCHOLAR: The first Everiss Scholar, Krisha Modi, and Ōtaki College principal Andy Fraser at the college’s SS Otaki Monument.

named as the inaugural recipient of the Everiss Scholarship. Ōtaki College principal Andy Fraser, a driving force behind the trust establishment, says the effort of former British High Commissioner to New Zealand George Raukawa Fergusson was key. “He’s done a huge job to pull together many different people who have got behind the trust,” Andy says. “He has rallied many former Ōtaki Scholars and others who have been keen to help.”

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The Everiss Scholarship honours New Zealander Carlyle Everiss, a Second World War pilot who died in 1941 when his Spitfire stalled over the Scottish mining village of Cowie. Seeing that if he bailed out the plane would crash into houses, Carlyle guided it away, but in a tailspin it crashed into a railway siding at a nearby coal mine. He died soon after. In 2007 a bronze bust of Carlyle was unveiled at Cowie commemorating his courage.

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The Everiss trustees are Andy Fraser, Robert Gordon’s College head of college Robin MacPherson, Shelly MacRae, George Fergusson, Air Commodore Shaun Sexton (NZ Defence Force), and Ōtaki College old boy Chris Parkin. n Read more about dux Krisha Modi on page 7 n Full list of scholarship recipients page 13 n Sportsperson of the year Heremaia Cooper page 32

TŌRANGAPŪ/Politics I Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

LOCAL EVENTS CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND: A magical wonderland for the kids at Ōtaki College in the week leading up to Christmas. It will run from 6-8.30pm Monday to Thursday, December 20 to 23. It’s a koha entry, or bring a can of food – along with the koha it will be donated to a local charity. The event is part of Light Up Ōtaki. Contact Kirsty Doyle if you can help with the event: lightupotaki@otakipromogroup.nz See Light Up Ōtaki on Facebook for updates and see otakipromogroup.nz LIGHT UP ŌTAKI: Businesses are lighting windows in a business light challenge, and residential houses can go into a Christmas light map if they decorate their houses. The map will be on the Light Up Ōtaki Facebook page. Business participants can win a gift basket in three categories: best night display, best day display, and people’s choice. Judging is from December 10 to 17 by Joseph Te Wiata of Body & Soul Fitness, artist Yvonne de Mille, and Rebecca Whitt of Professionals. The event is supported by the Ōtaki Promotions Group, the Ōtaki Community Board, Professionals Ōtaki and Ōtaki Today. RACES: At Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club, Te Roto Road – Horowhenua Christmas at the Races (Levin Racing Club), Friday, December 17; Ōtaki Summer Festival, Wednesday, January 5; and January Raceday, Thurday, January 13. AT WAIKAWA BEACH: Boat Day, 3pm Monday December 27 at the footbridge. Sports Day, 4pm Saturday January 1 a.t Hank Edwards Reserve. ŌTAKI COMMUNITY BOARD: Next meeting 7pm Tuesday February 8 in the Gertrude Atmore Lounge (attached to the Memorial Hall). The public is welcome. Public speaking time is allowed – arrive early and register with the secretary before the meeting. ŌTAKI BENEFIT ADVOCACY Last Tuesday of each month, 10am to midday and 1-3pm at Ōtaki Library; or book an appointment with an advocate on 021 110 2605 Find out what Winz benefits you’re entitled to, or ask about how to navigate the benefit system. Take your Winz number. ŌTAKI MUSEUM Main Street. Current exhibition is part 2 of Ko Ōtaki te awa, ko Ōtaki te kainga – Ōtaki is the river, Ōtaki is the home. Open 10am-2pm Friday and Saturday, not public holidays. otakimuseum.co.nz ŌTAKI WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CLUB CRAFT MARKET SH1, opposite New World, open 9am-2pm every Sunday during daylight saving. Contact Georgie 027 234-1090. ŌTAKI GARAGE SALE Third Saturday of the month, 9am-11.30am, rain or shine, Presbyterian Church, 249 Mill Rd. 06 364-6449. Rev Peter Jackson 021 207 9455, owpresb@xtra.co.nz ŌTAKI STROKE & WELLNESS GROUP: meets for “Sit & Be Fit” classes, 10am every Friday morning, at the Senior Citizen’s Hall, Rangitira Street. All welcome. ŌTAKI LIBRARY – ALL SESSIONS FREE: (Except public holidays) JP service: A JP at the library every Monday 10.30am-12.30pm Age Concern every 2nd Thursday 10am-noon Greypower every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 10.30am-1.30pm. WAIKANAE TOASTMASTERS: Meetings 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, 7.30pm, Waikanae Arts and Crafts Rooms 27 Elizabeth St, Waikanae. Contact Neil at 0274 417 229. KĀPITI COMMUNITY CHOIR: All welcome, no experience or auditions required. Tuesdays 7-8.30pm, Kāpiti Union Parish Hall, Weka Rd, Raumati. First night free. kapiticommunitychoir@gmail.com To list your community event, contact debbi@idmedia.co.nz or 06 364-6543.

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Luxon’s handling of pressure will be telling T

he immediate future of the National Party as the major voice of centreright politics in New Zealand is on the line under the direction of its new leader, Christopher Luxon.

The first claim was dismissed on the basis that his faith was a private matter and his approach to government was secular. The second was adroitly handled: “We are a country built on bicultural traditions, but we are also a modern multi-cultural country that needs to look Should Luxon not get the traction for his forward, go forward and get out in the world.” party among voters that he and blue supporters National Party figures say the interest in his expect against the backdrop of falling Labour popularity, as shown in recent political polls, the religious beliefs seems politically inspired. He is not known by close associates as a regular beneficiary will be David Seymour and ACT. The potential upside for both leaders is that if church attender. Co-governance, however, appears National quickly gets back to 35POLITICS certain to be an ongoing issue for 40 percent polling by attracting him and his party to deal with. swing voters from Labour, ACT is David Seymour brought it to the now sufficiently well established fore in questioning a government nationwide to be a stable coalition decision to appoint a new special partner able to nullify the select committee – Pae Ora – to influence of a revitalised NZ First consider the legislation establishing or the presence of the Greens in Maori health co-governance. Parliament. Seymour wanted to know why It is this prospect that must BRUCE KOHN the Bill couldn’t be considered by be of most concern to Labour’s Parliament’s Health Committee – appointed to strategists in the wake of growing perceptions consider health matters. that the consummate communication skills of “They are saying that if you are not Māori you the prime minister are steadily becoming less of maybe aren’t qualified to think about this Pae a cover for administrative failures than during the years of coalition government with Winston Ora Bill. And the only way it can be properly considered is to have a new committee that has Peters. more Māori people on it, because they have Consensus within Parliament was that insights other people don’t. Luxon started his tenure as National’s leader “Where they are taking us within the confines with confidence and an impressive ease of of this Parliament and its procedures is a presentation to media. He looked comfortable massive shift. It’s what Elizabeth Rata from when throwing out the verbal portrait that this Auckland University says is the difference is the time for “New National,” with internal between a nation state with citizens born free rivalries consigned to history. and equal, on the one hand, and an ethno-state Fascinating to students of Kiwi politics was where you’ve actually got to look up your family that subsequent questioning of his fitness for tree to find out what your political rights are, on the position focused on claims that he has the other.” strong Christian beliefs, and on a reluctance He added: “This move is pregnant with the to become immediately embroiled in position taking on Māori co-governance as implemented assumption that all people are not free and equal; by the Government. that some are more equal than others and that

some are better able to consider how we get better health care, not based on the matters before them; not based on any particular expertise they may have; but based on background. There’s no other reason not to just send this to the perfectly capable health committee that considers every other matter on healthcare.” Seymour’s foray into this area signaled that before the 2023 election, Labour, National and the Greens as well as ACT will need to consider positions on Treaty issues and the nation-state versus ethno-state debate to put before voters. Luxon’s initial speech on assuming his party’s leadership indicated the areas in which National expects to get traction. He said: “For four years New Zealand has had a government great at delivering good PR but woeful at delivering much else. Nice ideas and good intentions don’t pay the rent or the mortgage, educate our children, keep us healthy, keep us safe from crime and gangs, improve our mental health, lower our emissions or keep us united.” Political pressure will now build on him to spell out how National proposes to lift the economy and address the nation’s emergence from the pandemic-dominated years of the Ardern administration. His handling of this pressure will be telling – divulge too much too early and the danger of acquisition by the government becomes real; divulge too little and charges of “all talk and no plans” become accepted. The new leader promised a “New National,” just as UK Labour’s Tony Blair – in whose office Jacinda Ardern worked – signaled a “New Labour” when campaigning for office. The politics of 2022 are shaping up as a modern-day “right versus left” contest for the political soul of the nation. In the meantime, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all Ōtaki Today readers. n Bruce has been an economics and business editor, and a political and foreign correspondent in Washington, London and Hong Kong.

CARTOON OF THE MONTH – Horse ‘summer camp’ at race course (see p11)

By Jared Carson

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 ian@idmedia.co.nz OPINION: Note that the views and opinions of our contributors are not necessarily those of Ōtaki Today.

Ngā Kōrero o Ōtaki

Ōtaki Today is published monthly by ID Media Ltd, 13 Te Manuao Rd, Ōtaki. EDITOR: Ian Carson. For editorial enquiries or news tips, please contact Ian at 027 2411 090, or 06 364-6543, or ian@idmedia.co.nz GENERAL MANAGER: Debbi Carson. For advertising enquiries, contact Debbi on 027 285 4720 or 06 364-6543 or debbi@idmedia.co.nz DESIGN by ID Media Ltd. PRINTED by Beacon Print, Whakatane.

CONTRIBUTORS: • Di Buchan and David Ledson (Museum) • Fraser Carson (Media & Community) • Jared Carson (Cartoons) • Kyuss Carson (Kids’ puzzle) • James Cootes (Local Lens) • Daniel Duxfield (Fitness) • Francesca Flaws (Law) • K Gurunathan (Guru’s View) • Steve Humphries (Science) • Kath Irvine (Edible Backyards) • David Klein (Ngā Taonga) • Bruce Kohn (Politics) • Terisa Ngobi (The Electorate) • Chris Papps (Ōtaki Outlook) • Chris Whelan (Your Business).

Ōtaki Today online: otakitoday.com ISSUE 42: ISSN 2624-3067 ONLINE: ISSN 2744-354X Next copy and advertising deadline January 4. Publication January 12. Ōtaki Today is a member of the NZ Community Newspapers Association

PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Tīhema/December 2021

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Ōtaki Yard sold, markets continue By Ian Carson

Ōtaki Yard has been sold to a Wellington property development company. Settlement of the sale to The Wellington Company is in September next year. A statement from a representative of current owner and British investor Nigel Ross confirmed the sale and said the usual market days and tenants in the Collective on the site would continue operating in the meantime. “Ōtaki Yard will continue to operate as a community hub until the settlement, with the Collective open, monthly markets and other community events scheduled,” the statement said. The Wellington Company is owned by property developers Ian Cassels and Caitlin Taylor. They would not comment on the sale or indicate what future the prime retail site on the highway might have. The company has been a big player in the redevelopment of Wellington City’s urban environments and historic places. It is currently involved in a planned housing development at the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club. It has focused on rejuvenating many of Wellington’s pre-1960 buildings. The Wellington Company website says: “. . . it was this early passion for rebuilding and re-creating a city’s culture and heritage that has grown

YARD: Saturday market day at the Ōtaki Yard. The future of the site is now uncertain after its sale to The Wellington Company.

into the underlying philosophy and drive of The Wellington Company as it is seen today”. Before Nigel Ross bought what was a Caltex service station, there was speculation about the possibilities. The block of land had been vacant for about a year, creating a big gap in Ōtaki’s main retail sector.

Ōtaki Yard was due to open in March last year before Covid-19 interrupted the plans. When it opened in June it was touted as a precursor to what Nigel hoped would be a “social hub” including food trucks, boutique retail stores and entertainment by local musicians and performers.

In the final development, the big high-stud shed and the former service station building were to be refurbished. It was hoped long-term tenants could include businesses such as a micro-brewery/distillery or cafe along with complementary retailers. Richard Innes of Barak Property, which managed Nigel’s property

portfolio in New Zealand, said at the time Ōtaki Yard presented an opportunity to capitalise on the traffic going through Ōtaki. “When the expressway is finished, the travel time to Ōtaki will decrease and since Ōtaki is the only town with planned interchanges to the north and south, it will be an easy rest stop for travellers.” The concept was supported by Ōtaki Ward councillor James Cootes. He’s disappointed it’s being sold, but given the impacts of Covid he understands why. “With more than $6 million being spent on the SH1 revocation in the coming years, it’s no surprise the site has been snapped up.” James says he has seen other Wellington Company developments and he’s keen to talk with them about their vision for the site, and “how we can work together to enhance the experience Ōtaki has to offer and reinforce Ōtaki as a destination”. Market days at the Yard were initially successful. A night market in July last year with trains from Paraparaumu was almost too popular, creating traffic problems on the highway as visitors sought to cross from the railway station to the Yard. Markets this year have had mixed success, and Covid restrictions have not helped. Friday and Saturday evening food trucks have attracted a good number of customers.

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PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Tīhema/December 2021

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Magazine reveals remarkable Ōtaki past The 2021 issue of historical magazine Ōtaki Yesterday reveals many of the stories from Ōtaki’s past.

The annual publication continues its focus on the social history of Ōtaki, telling the stories of the town and district’s people. The cover story is about one of Ōtaki most iconic bands, Summer Breeze (at right). Managed by Kere and Veronica Webster, the band was so popular it was booked out a year in advance. The story is told through the voices of the band members, who remember fondly their base at the Golden Towers, and playing with some of the biggest names in New Zealand music. A feature story on Maire Street reveals how a small street of mostly State houses was a great place in which kids could grow up in the 1950s and 60s. The children who lived there give their distinct version of life in those days. The names are still well known today: Bishop, Cootes, Gilbert, Hakaraia, Kendrick, Kingi, Phillips, Pickett, Raika and Rauhihi to names a few. There’s the heart-warming story of an Ōtaki romance that started with a wartime photo in a tent in North Africa. And many people will

LEFT: The 2021 edition of Ōtaki Yesterday.

ŌTAKI

Ōtaki Yesterday, 2021

YESTERDAY ISSUE 2

December 2021

Summer Breeze looks back 46 years page 7

remember talented artist Jody Higgott, who left Ōtaki for a life of adventure, which she surely had before dying tragically at a young age. Plus a story on the memorable Doug Holling of the Civic Theatre, and Rupene Waaka gives a snapshot of Te Wānanga of Raukawa’s first 40 years. Last year told the stories of a mass murder at Ōtaki in 1951, a bunch of young mates on their motorbikes, and many more. n To order copies (2020 or 2021) contact Debbi Carson at debbi@idmedia.co.nz or 027 285 4720. Cost is $25, plus $6 post and packaging throughout NZ

Meri Kirihimete Christmas is upon us, and we wish our community much aroha. It’s been a tough year for many families. If you or someone you know and love is in need, please reach out to us. We are all in this together.

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PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Tīhema December 2021

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Ōtaki School tamariki star with stirring end-of-year kapa haka

IN BRIEF Three get grants

The November funding round for the NZ Community Trust provided grants for three Ōtaki organisations: Ōtaki Sports Club – $120,739 for tennis court lighting (see page 32); Ōtaki Golf Club – $30,000 for a fairway mower; and Raukawa ki te Tonga Basketball Charitable Trust – $13299 for travel and accommodation to the Māori national basketball tournament in 2022. A total of $704,597 was distributed throughout the Wellington region, funded through gaming venues including the Family Hotel in Ōtaki.

Ōtaki School tamariki starred at the school’s end-ofyear kapa haka performance.

The school had two performances at the Civic Theatre on December 3. With many parents and other whānau who wanted to see the tamariki on stage, the school had to schedule two shows to comply with the Covid-19 rules around indoor gatherings of more than 100 people. Seating in the Civic was spaced out and the audience wore face coverings. The Covid gloom, however – especially as it was on the same day that the Orange traffic light system was introduced throughout New Zealand – was forgetten for the day as the tamariki showed their proficiency in kapa haka. They clearly enjoyed performing in front of a crowd that was equally appreciative, loudly applauding every item on the schedule in the newly renovated theatre.

Brigade attends 21 incidents

The Ōtaki Volunteer Fire Brigade attended 21 incidents in November. Six were for motor vehicle accidents, including the recent multiple fatality at Kuku. Four call-outs each were for attendance to medical emergencies and private fire alarms. There were also three rubbish, grass or scrub fires, and three special services, including a downed power pole and a chemical spill. There was only one property fire.

Top ciders Ōtaki-based Elemental Cider won a silver and a bronze in the best traditional cider category at the New Zealand Cider Awards in Napier in November.

Correction

We said in the November issue of Ōtaki Today that the median Ōtaki house price in October was $670,000. In fact it was $740,000. We regret the error.

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Krisha heading for Otago By Ian Carson

Look out, Dunedin – Krisha is coming.

Krisha Modi, Ōtaki College’s dux for 2021 and inaugural Everiss Scholar is heading to Otago University next year to study health sciences, specialising in physiotherapy. As an A-class student, being a talented sportswoman and naturally engaging, Krisha will undoubtedly do as well at Otago as she has in Ōtaki. She comes from a family of high achievers, but says their academic prowess has never put pressure on her. Brother Krunal was also dux at the college in 2016 and her parents, who recently sold the 4 Square store in Ōtaki, both had university qualifications – father Kalpesh with a masters degree in philosophy and mother Jashwanti with two years of a commerce degree. Their academic achievements wasn’t a big influence, more that they simply worked hard for the family. “They had the shop for so long and I could see them working really hard, so that motivated me to work hard as well,” Krisha says. “They inspired me to do what I wanted to do.” Clearly Krisha is her own person, happy to set her own goals. At the beginning of the year she wrote down those she wanted to achieve by the end of 2021. She ticked one off when she was named as the college’s head girl, so dux was the next logical step. “I really just wanted to do well at school this year,” she says. However, that doesn’t mean Krisha is by any means singlefocused, nor in it all for herself. One of her projects this year was with Interact, the college Rotary Club programme. She threw herself into a fundraising project to supply specialised wheelchairs for people with disabilities in Tanzania. Along with nine other Interact students, and with the local Rotary Club matching their funds, two wheelchairs were purchased. In another Interact project, she helped plant hundreds of trees along the riverbank for the Friends of the Ōtaki River.

As a sportsperson, netball has been her passion, but she also plays volleyball and loves hiking in the New Zealand outdoors. As dux, Krisha is the inaugural Everiss Scholar (see front page). It will mean she gets to go to the UK to visit the home of the Ōtaki Scholar, Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen, Scotland. The scholarship also takes in a tour of London, and it’s hoped that Germany will be added given the original action between the SS Otaki and the German raider SMS Moewe that led to the establishment of the Ōtaki Scholarship. As the Everiss Scholarship honours New Zealand pilot Carlyle Everiss, who died in the Second World War at Cowie in the Scottish district of Stirling, it’s likely Krisha will get to visit that region, too. That would include visiting Bannockburn College and the historic Stirling Castle. Krisha leaves Ōtaki College with a $30,000 scholarship from Otago University and a clutch of awards from prize-giving night, including not only the Everiss Scholarship, but also: Chairperson’s Award for All Round Excellence, Ōtaki Memorial RSA Award ($1000), Fun Zone Scholarship ($500), Andrew Philips Cup for Dux, Nathan Guy Cup for Outstanding Contribution to the Student Council, MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 13 Girl, and the Modi Award for Top Year 13 student.

DUX: Krisha Modi, Ōtaki College dux and inaugural Everiss Scholar.

Merry Christmas! Wishing you a happy holiday season

Thank you for your support over the year Ōtaki. Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year and hope that you find time to reconnect with your loved ones safely.

Sarah Lange Sales Consultant 022 317 7613 sarah.lange@tallpoppy.co.nz BULSARA T/A TALL POPPY LICENSED UNDER REAA 2008

PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Tīhema/December 2021

Passes for council sites People using Kāpiti Coast District Council public facilities such as pools, libraries and halls need to carry a vaccine pass under the new Covid-19 system. Limits on numbers allowed in at one time will still apply. “It’s our responsibility to do as much as we can to protect our staff and communities as we transition to living with Covid-19,” council acting chief executive Sean Mallon says. “Our community facilities are used by children who cannot yet be vaccinated, and the elderly and others who are particularly vulnerable to this infectious virus. We want to provide these people with the highest levels of reassurance possible.” The requirement for vaccine passes doesn’t currently apply to children aged under 12. People will still need to scan in as usual and wear masks. Limits on numbers, based on one metre physical distancing, will still apply in public facilities. The council is considering options to provide services to people who are not vaccinated. Mask wearing and physical distancing is recommended at parks and playgrounds. n See www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/ OurServicesCovid19

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Schools carry on – some staff go Some local schools have lost staff who have chosen not to be vaccinated, but none of the schools contacted by Ōtaki Today reports significant disruption.

The Government has mandated that all school staff – whatever their role – must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to protect the children in their care and other staff. If staff don’t get vaccinated, they lose their job. The mandate also applies to volunteers who assist with on-site school activities and trips away. At Ōtaki School, tumuaki Rauru Walker says he’s been in the fortunate positon to have all of his staff fully vaccinated. “We’ve actually had 100 percent of our staff get vaccinated, which is great,” he says. “The biggest issue is that there has been the odd parent who has chosen not to be vaccinated, who has been upset that they haven’t been able to support us as a volunteer on trips that we have been on. “Other than that, our school community has been pretty supportive.” Waitohu School principal Maine Curtis says from the outset of Covid-19 the school has taken a precautionary approach to safety for students, staff and the wider whānau community. “In keeping with this approach, all staff have considered how to best keep students and each other safe when considering vaccination requirements,” he says. “It would not be approriate to disclose individuals’ decisions – I can confirm though that all current staff, and staff for 2022, are vaccinated” Michelle Tate at Te Horo School said in her response to questions from Ōtaki Today: “Teaching and support staff, contractors and parent volunteer/helpers’ vaccination status is covered by the Privacy Act. The school is compliant

Image by Alicja, Pixabay

with the requirements of the Covid-19 Health Order, and we are not recruiting for more staff at this time.” At Ōtaki College, Andy Fraser said he couldn’t comment on specific questions about staff, “but I can say that thankfully the impact on the college has been minimal to say the least”. He said there could be challenges next year when the college is hosting sporting events with parents, whānau and visiting supporters attending. “We are expected to maintain maximum numbers under the traffic light system for spectators, so I don’t know just yet how we’re going to handle that, especially when we are also supposed to make certain they are all wearing masks and be vaccinated.” While the goal throughout New Zealand is to have as many people as possible aged over 12 fully vaccinated, colleges are required to accept all children, whether vaccinated or not. Acting tumuaki Urutakai Cooper at St Peter Chanel School in Convent Road said as head of a small kura, commenting on how many the school had lost would victimise those people’s beliefs. “I would rather say that we have been affected by the mandate in such a way that we felt bullied,” she said in a statement.

“At St Peter Chanel School we promote wellbeing so when we talk about bullying, for example, we discuss with our students reasons why we do not condone bullying, how we safeguard ourselves from bullies and how does someone become a bully. “This is how we felt when the Vaccination Order came through from the Ministry [of Education]. “As professionals, we chose to be vaccinated, firstly to safeguard our tamariki, our mokopuna and secondly because we couldn’t lose our jobs. Our students were the reason for our decision. “During our staff discussions, one particular comment stood out: ‘rights and freedom taken away, replaced by benefits and privileges’. “To add, our well-being programme which we set up at the beginning of 2021 was jeopardised and for me, as a teaching principal, I felt an even heavier workload. We have been fortunate to have the support of our board of trustees and kura community.” Meanwhile, Te Wānanga o Raukawa tumuaki Mereana Selby said the Wānanga had just announced that it would require anyone coming on to the campus in 2022, who is eligible to be vaccinated, to be fully vaccinated. “We want to declare the campus an ‘ahuru mōwai’, place of shelter and safety,” she said. “This is always our aim, however the Covid virus threatens this. Our best protection for people coming on campus is to require full vaccination. “The vast majority of our staff are compliant. It is our wish that we retain all staff, however, there is a very small number who may not meet our requirement and will depart.” Hamish Barham pharmacy said it was happy to say that it hadn’t lost any staff due to the vaccination mandate. The Ōtaki Medical Centre said it wouldn’t comment.

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PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Tīhema/December 2021

HOSPITALITY AT ORANGE Hospitality venues – such as cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs – can open at Orange with no restrictions if they follow My Vaccine Pass requirements. Food and beverage services that offer only takeaway – such as coffee carts and food trucks – should follow the same rules as retailers (mask and scan). If a hospitality venue chooses to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, only people with a My Vaccine Pass are allowed to be there. Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months don’t need to provide a pass. You should be asked to show your My Vaccine Pass when you are at the venue. This includes delivery drivers who enter to pick up or drop off orders. There are no limits on the number of people who can be at the venue. You do not have to be seated to be served. People without a My Vaccine Pass will be able to pick up takeaways if the venue has a contactless way to do this. If a hospitality venue chooses not to follow My Vaccine Pass requirements, it can open for contactless pick-up or delivery only.

whārangi 9

Mixed compliance at cafés Compliance by café owners and customers on the first few days of the new “traffic light” system to deal with Covid-19 was mixed around Ōtaki.

In a sample of cafés visited by Ōtaki Today, some were complying with the rules introduced on Friday, December 3, but others weren’t. The main regulation is that all customers entering café premises have to show their My Vaccine Pass. Only cafés clearly showing they are contactless and takeaway only are permitted to serve customers without a pass. At Ōtaki’s busiest café, RiverStone, vaccine passes were being requested of all walk-in customers. Owners Jeanine Cornelius and Brent Havis were comfortable with the new rules, though they had to turn some customers away. “We’ve had a few people who couldn’t show their pass, but we have to comply with the rules and not serve them,” Brent said. “We haven’t made the rules, but we will work with them so our staff and long as people without a pass don’t enter the customers are safe.” premises. He said all RiverStone’s staff were vaccinated. At Café SixtySix in the township, co-owner Eva Jeanine said the rules had even had a positive Lotka said most – but not all – customers had been effect on business. accepting of the new rules. “Customers seem much more comfortable “I think in times like these it’s very important knowing they’re at a venue that is complying with to practise kindess, show each other respect, give the rules,” she said. “They just seem more relaxed other customers and staff enough space to be able because they know we’re making sure they’re in a to social distance and to remember that it’s not safe environment.” the venue’s choice to enforce these new rules – we She said most customers had their pass ready when they arrived and had been supportive of staff have to follow them,” Eva said. The café appreciated it when customers showed when anyone had to be turned away. their pass without having to be asked. “No one likes to lose customers, and I hope we “It saves so much time.“ see them inside again, but we do offer contactless She said the year had been a challenging one for takeways from the RiverStone caravan at the front FENWICK ACCOUNTANTS| Otaki hospitality, but the Today ongoingAd support from regular of the café.” customers in mm difficult times was appreciated. mm x 184 Hospitality businesses can offer takeaways assize: 266

At Reds Café, customers were requested to wait at the door before showing their pass. At Kiss & Bake Up, on two visits by Ōtaki Today, no pass was requested and there was no clear signage saying it was required. A staff member said the owner was getting signage soon. The Facebook page of Feathers Café at Te Horo said: “We are wanting to let all our valued customers know that we are still able to serve vaccinated and non-vaccinated in our cafē.” A manager who did not want to be identified said people would sometimes show their pass – Ōtaki Today was not asked for one. She said Feathers accommodated anyone who did not have a vaccine pass by seating them outside. At the “Orange” Covid setting, only contactless trading is allowed. No signage was clearly visible on entry.

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PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 11

‘Summer camp’ for horses at race course

Big chunk of waste reduction funds goes to Ōtaki

An area for “horse camping” is being established at the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club this summer in an effort to help entice more visitors and their horses to the district.

Kāpiti Coast District Council is funding the temporary hire of a portable shower and toilet block at the racing club to create a horse-friendly camp site. The area is inside the extensive grounds of the club at Te Roto Road. The dedicated horse camping area is intended to provide all the facilities needed by riders and horses. It’s just two minutes from State Highway 1 and five minutes from Ōtaki township, in a setting that includes the Tararua Range towering in the east. Visitors will be able to set up a tent, float or horsetruck right next to their horse’s yard. Kāpiti Coast District Council economic development manager Mark Ward says that the Kāpiti Coast has a lot to offer equestrian visitors and the new horse camping facility will be a great addition to the varied accommodation options already available for both rider and horse. “The Kāpiti Coast has a solid reputation as a great place to visit for all things equestrian,” he says. “Whether beach riding, trail trekking, riding alongside the rivers in Ōtaki and Waikanae, or hacking the hilly tracks at Whareroa Farm, we cater for any style of riding. “Our recently adopted Destination Management Plan highlights more visitor experience opportunities for bridleways and when we were approached by the Kāpiti Equestrian Advocacy Group with the idea, we were happy to support this trial. “Supporting local organisations, like KEAG and the Ōtaki-Maori Racing Club, who have the shared vision

Ōtaki waste reduction initiatives have received nearly 50 percent of available funding from the Waste Levy Fund, administered by Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Ōtaki race course offers a picturesque setting for visitors.

and goal of attracting visitors to the Kāpiti Coast, is vital to our district’s economic well-being as it generates spending at local hospitality and retail businesses, and on tourism activities.” Racing club general manager Ben Jamison says the three-month trial, which began on December 1, will help to attract more equestrian visitors to the Kāpiti Coast as well as help the club determine if it’s viable to install permanent facilities for next summer. “Complete with picturesque beaches, gentle riverbanks, urban bridleways and vast nature reserves, the Kāpiti Coast is a horse rider’s paradise,” Ben says. “We want to enable more people to experience what we have to offer. “We’re really excited to start spreading the word and welcoming riders and their horses to our camping area. We’re grateful for council’s support not only in providing funding for the shower and toilet block, but also by helping to promote equestrian tourism via KapitiCoastNZ.com.” The trial period runs until February 28 next year. Showers and toilets provided on-site will be exclusively for horse campers.

The council’s Grants Allocation Committee awarded a total o $36,828.15 to 15 recipients this year, seven of them from Ōtaki who jointly received $18,280.25. The fund was established in 2010 and aims to increase the range, scale, and number of waste minimisation activities on the Kāpiti Coast. Since then, the fund has supported 129 waste reduction projects. The money comes from a Ministry for the Environment waste levy on businesses and individuals using landfills. The grants support waste minimisation projects in the community, focusing on community projects, seed funding, and business waste reduction. This year’s Kāpiti recipients will use their grants to fund diverse projects including setting up worm farms and composting systems, rehoming excess office furniture, and establishing a residential and commercial food and garden waste collection service. The Ōtaki recipients of the 2021/22 Waste Levy Fund are: Community projects • Ōtaki Boating Club: $4650 to establish a fish processing station to redistribute fresh fish heads and frames to the community. • Ōtaki College: $518.23 to set up a composting system in its horticulture block. • Ōtaki Kindergarten: $263.44 to set up new compost bins and a worm farm. • Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito: $3488.94 to expand the Ōpara Initiative. • Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki: $700 to set up worm farms at Te Puna Oranga o Ōtaki and at Raukawa Marae. • Zero Waste Ōtaki: $5284.25 to buy a 20-foot container cover to create covered yard space at its timber recovery site. Business waste reduction • Te Wānanga o Raukawa: $3375.39 to rehome excess office furniture via All Heart NZ from its campus redevelopment.

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Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 13

MAHI TOI/Arts High hopes for symposium Covid-19 isn’t stopping organisers from running next year’s Whakaaro Whakairo Sculptural Symposium – at least that’s the hope. Co-ordinator Whare Akuhata says artists have been badly affected by Covid and are keen to get together, make art and sell it in a safe space. “The artists were keen for us to organise a symposium and it was only in the last month or so that we thought we might be able to run one,” Whare says. “Of course we are adapting to the new Covid world and so the artists will be working alone as a group of 12 or so. Everything will be videoed for the internet – for Youtube, Facebook and our website. The auction will most likely be live.” Up to 12 artists are being invited to the week-long symposium from January 28 to February 7. The artists will include Bodhi Vincent, locals Dave Hegglun and Rodney Tregerthan. Several weavers and wood carvers might also take part. An innovation this year and following the theme “mai i te kāuru ki te moana” (from the source to the sea) the artists will work at three sites along the Ōtaki River from the gorge to the river mouth. “We have still to confirm these arrangements, but the artists are excited at the prospect of working in

SUPERFIRE: Ōtaki College band Superfire, from left, Neveah Lawton, EllaJaye Milldove-Henderson, Tara Hakaraia-Lanham, Cruz Angove-Kahui, Eddy Vidulich, Mana Toimata, and Tumoana Sa’ena.

Band fires at Rock Quest Sculptor Dave Hegglun talks to a group of children about his artwork. Dave builds some of his tools on a forge he sets up on-site at the symposium. Photo supplied

these stunning outdoor locations that highlight the Ōtaki area.” Another possible refinement is the addition of music, which could be anything from hardcore techno to kaipuoro playing koauau (flutes). The Nikau Foundation is a major sponsor and others include Coastlands Shopping Centre, the Telegraph Hotel and Te Arahanga Consultants. “We are grateful to these groups for funding us at such short notice. However, we are looking for other sponsors,” Whare says.

Artist and co-ordinator Dave Hegglun says the symposium brings many benefits for the sculptors. “Sculpting can be a lonely pursuit and the symposium gives them a chance to hang out with like-minded people.” Dave first started stone carving in the 1970s and worked on the iconic Ngatoroirangi rock carving at Lake Taupō. He carved a six-metre-long lizard alongside the tattooed face of Ngatoroirangi. n See Whakaaro Whakaaro on Facebook. The first video is also available on Youtube.

College prizes 2021 Students were honoured for their achievements at the Ōtaki College senior prize-giving night on November 18.

The list is as follows, but the other much-anticipated announcement was the heads of school for 2022. Next year they will be Pounamu MacKay and Max McHugo. Ngā kaingārahu (associate heads) are Tia Brown, Kaea HakaraiaHosking, Kate Hall, Paris Karl-Fields, Charlie Simpson, Alyssa Te Wiata, Jessica Thomsen and Lily Yaxley. TOP FIVE AWARDS Chairperson’s Award for All Round Excellence 2021 Krisha Modi Sportsperson of the Year – $500 from Marlan Trading Heremaia Cooper Everiss Scholar 2021 – Krisha Modi Wakefield Group Ltd Scholarship ($600), Fun Zone Scholarship ($500) and Proxime Accessit Cup for runner-up to Dux – Quinn Straker Ōtaki Memorial RSA Award ($1000), Fun Zone Scholarship ($500) and Andrew Philips Cup for Dux Krisha Modi OTHER AWARDS Nathan Guy Cup for Outstanding Contribution to the Student Council – Krisha Modi Young Achiever’s Cup – Phoenix Sefton Thomas Kendrick Memorial Trophy – Tom Osborne Music Cup for Contribution to Music – Frankie Vidulich Ōtaki Players Cup for Senior Drama – Luca Grace Te Iho o Hakuturi (for a student who upholds and models Te Kawa o Te Ako and who contributes to powhiri, kapa haka and college-wide activities upholding Ngati Raukawatanga) – Oriwa Jury Manukura GPS Award for Leadership – Tom Osborne UCOL Accomplishment Award – $100 UCOL voucher for a student who has made significant achievement: Genna McAlpine and Paige Luka Otaki Mail Scholarship – $500 Hala Graham Concrete Doctors Outdoor Pursuits Scholarship – Summit Course, December 12-19: Lily Yaxley Concrete Doctors Financial Scholarship – $750 Aleisha Blakeley Marjorie Gordon Memorial Health Award – $1000 from Ōtaki Community Health Trust: Quinn Straker

Bruce Anderson Memorial Trust Scholarship Nikhil Singh Kevin Crombie Memorial Commerce Award and Cup – $1000 for bachelor of commerce and administration (BCA) study: Athena Su MAC Engineering Scholarship – $2500 for education in a trade as an apprentice, or attending UCOL/polytechnic: Donald Hall Ōtaki Women’s Community Club Scholarship – $750 each for further study: Larissa Arai Hau, Jayden Kyle Parkin Art Scholarship – $3000 for a senior student most likely to achieve prominence in art: Joint recipients Brian Harvey and Elleke Hietbrink Civil Trim Plant Hire Outward Bound Scholarship Paris Karl-Fields Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award – $2000: Donald Hall MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 11 Boy: Archie O’Sullivan MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 11 Girl: Bonny Brookman MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 12 Boy: Max McHugo MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 12 Girl Joint recipients Paris Karl-Fields, Jessica Thomsen MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 13 Boy: Nikhil Singh MI Turnbull Award for Top Year 13 Girl: Krisha Modi Modi Award for Top Year 13: $100 voucher: Krisha Modi Modi Award for Top Year 12: $75 voucher each Paris Karl-Fields, Jessica Thomsen Modi Award for Top Year 11 – $100 voucher Bonny Brookman XŌTAKI COLLEGE ALUMNI TRUST Max and Debbie Lutz Scholarship – $1000 for further tertiary study: Hala Graham Carla Hepplethwaite Scholarship – $2500, for study in the performing arts: Joint recipients Frankie Vidulich, Oriwa Jury Defence Force Scholarship – $500 to support Defence Force career pathway: Jayda Maihi Outdoor Pursuits Scholarship – Hilary Outdoors Leadership Week $845 plus travel: Kate Hall Spirit of Adventure Stuart & Mary Pritchard Scholarship – to attend SoA sailing: Lana Whitton Fun Zone Scholarship – $500: Frankie Vidulich Frank Bryce Masonic Trust Scholarship – for second year of tertiary year: Kaitlin Vodanovich

Ōtaki College Year 7 and 8 band Superfire has come third in the 2021 Manawatū region Rockshop Bandquest. Superfire also won best keyboard player (Neveah Lawton) and best vocalists (Ella-Jaye MilldoveHenderson, Tara Hakaraia-Lanham and Mana Toimata). With Covid-19 restrictions, Superfire had to submit a video of a pop-up concert in the college hall, filmed and recorded at lunchtime to a live audience with help from the college’s head of performing arts, Joanna Devane. All the Ōtaki College students

have been part of Pokapu Puoro Ōtaki (Ōtaki After School Music Centre), run weekly out of the college for primary school children from the Kapiti-Horowhenua area. Superfire have been mentored by Steve Poulton and Anje Glindemann, who also help other bands that entered the competition. They include Singularity of Te Horo School, which had guitarists Adam Campbell Day and Charles Henderson winning the killer guitarist award. n All the regional video submissions can be viewed at bandquest.co.nz – see Manawatū region.

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CHRISTMAS TREATS I Ōtaki Today Tīhema/December 2021

Christmas is upon us once again. If you are looking for something easy to put together, maybe something different . . . try these favourites from our recipe book.

Merry Christmas – Debbi

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE EGGNOG Eggnog probably isn’t traditional Christmas fare in the summery Southern Hemisphere, but tradition dictates that it must make the list! 750 ml whiskey I remember a debate on RNZ’s 2 litres of vanilla or french vanilla afternoon programme many ice-cream years ago about what 1 tsp nutmeg constituted the best Christmas 1 dozen eggs eggnog. I don’t recall who should Blend together, pour, and enjoy! be credited for this now, as I was in the car at the time (not driving), and only just managed to write the ingredients on a scrap of paper. Oh my, melted ice-cream mixed with booze is good . . . if you like egg nog!

Image: Bon Appetit

whārangi 16

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES Sweet and delicious. The healthiest dessert you can make, especially if you use dark chocolate. It requires only two ingredients, and is so easy to put together you can do it with your kids. • Rinse the strawberries in a strainer under cold water. • Pat dry with a paper towel – the chocolate will stick to the strawberries better. • Melt the chocolate by placing into a bowl and microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring it in between until most of the chocolate is melted. • Temper the chocolate until it is all fully melted and smooth. Do this by stirring with a rubber spatula or spoon until it’s fully melted. • Dip the strawberries into the chocolate by holding each berry by the stem. Chill in the refrigerator, then enjoy!

DIAN’S DELICIOUS CHRISTMASY DIP Mix a pottle of cream cheese and sour cream together. Place in the middle of a serving dish. Cut finely red, green and yellow peppers, red onion, and coriander. Sprinkle on top. Drizzle sweet chilli sauce over vegies. Adjust amounts accordingly – for a big crowd two pottles of cream cheese and sour cream. So easy to throw together and truly yum! Recipe orginated from Dian’s friend Adrienne Stables

CAROL’S MIXED MELON SALAD

½ rockmelon ½ honey dew ½ medium watermelon 100g diced feta ½ cup olives 2-3 mint sprigs cracked black pepper Cut melon into bite-sized pieces, or balls. Chill in a large bowl. Add feta, olives, mint and dressing. Toss gently, and season. Dressing: 3 tbsp lime-infused oil, 2 tbsp liquid honey, 2 tbsp lemon juice. So delicious, savoury, salty and sweet!

MUM’S AVOCADO, MANGO AND WALNUT SALAD 2 avocado, peeled and sliced Dressing, combine well: 2 mango, peeled and sliced 1 tsp French mustard ½ cup walnut halves 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 mignonette lettuce 1 tbsp cream 3 bacon rashers, finely chopped Cook bacon until crisp. Drain. Arrange avocado, mango, walnuts, and bacon over a bed of lettuce. Top with dressing.

OUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS PUNCH

HUGH’S FRIEND’S WHISKEY TRIFLE I can’t remember Hugh’s friend’s name now, but I certainly remember her whiskey trifle we tried one Christmas many years ago. 1 round double sponge (chocolate is good) 125g (4 tbsp) butter Whiskey 125g sugar Milk 1 tsp ground almonds 3 tsp granulated coffee 3 tsp drinking chocolate Cream butter and sugar. Add almonds, coffee and drinking chocolate. Beat in white sauce. Mix whiskey and milk. Cut sponges in half, dip in whiskey milk mixture. Layer sponge and sauce, finishing with a layer of sauce. Refrigerate overnight, decorate with cream, raspberries, sliced almonds, chocolate. White sauce: Cream butter and sugar, 30g butter add flour and milk, stir til 30g sugar thickend. 30g flour 150ml (1/4 pint) milk

2 punnets of strawberries, reserve a few 1 1/2 litres of orange juice 2 litres of lemonade Puree the strawberries, place in a bowl and chill. Stir in orange juice and slice a few strawberries to add, then mix in lemonade and serve over ice. I add a sprig of mint to the bowl, and a few blueberries. So simple, so delcious. A family favourite that can be added to with your favourite adult tipple.

Ōtaki Update

December 2021

Mere Kirihimete and season’s greetings from Mayor Gurunathan Wishing everyone across Kāpiti a peaceful and safe Christmas and New Year.

We continue to live in interesting times, and frankly we all deserve some respite. So if you can, now is the time to take a break, reconnect with friends and whanau, turn off the phone, get outside (or watch TV in bed if that’s your thing) and have fun. In saying that, please continue to remain vigilant and follow the COVID-19 guidance.

Looking back over 2021 I am proud of how our district has responded and rallied again as we continue to live through this global pandemic. The mahi and kindness of those on the frontlines, our volunteer community, our essential workers, our Councillors and Council staff and so many others is inspiring. We live in a wonderful place full of wonderful people.

If you will be working through the Christmas period, on behalf of everyone at Council I send you a big mihi for your efforts. Hopefully summer is long and there is plenty of time for rest.

It’s been a big year of work for Council too. Along with the essential services we provide we finalised and adopted our Long-term Plan 2021–41, kicked off important work to address the housing issues we face, developed or

updated plans to guide economic development and our response to climate change, and started planning for how we grow as a district. Thanks to all who have contributed to this work. I am optimistic about 2022. We will continue to see new challenges that will require us to adapt, but I know from experience we are all open to change. And who knows, Transmission Gully might even open! Kia pai ngā hararei – make these holidays great! K Gurunathan, Mayor of Kāpiti

Summer in Kāpiti Summer. Is. Here. After a long year the time has come to put the woollies away and get amongst it. There’s loads going on in Kāpiti to explore, visit or experience this summer. Whether it’s fun events, getting back to nature or enjoying playgrounds and pools, Kāpiti has got you covered. There is a range of events we’re running or supporting, from music and movies in parks to big events like the Ōtaki Kite Festival or Xterra Wellington. There’s something for everyone. We’re lucky in Kāpiti to have a natural playground at our finger tips. There are plenty of options for getting outside and Ōtaki has loads to offer, from the wonderful Ōtaki River and the trails that flank it to family fun at the Haruātai Park splashpad (open now!).  Whether you want to stay close to home or venture further afield, be sure to check out kapitisummer.nz to see what’s going on around the rohe.

Beaching it Kāpiti is great all year round but really comes alive in summer – 40km of coastline make it a wonderful place for locals and visitors. We want everyone enjoying Kāpiti beaches safely this summer and making sure we protect the unique ecology that makes our home so special. One of the big issues that can cause problems is the use of vehicles on the beach. Keeping the beach largely free of cars is an important part of making sure it is safe for all. Driving is permitted for launching and retrieving boats, and in some specified areas. Please familiarise yourself with the rules before taking a car on the beach – there are loads of pedestrian accessways up and down the coast.  To keep beachgoers safe there are some regulations, guidelines and resources in place which you can read about at kapiticoast.govt.nz/beaches

Apply now for help protecting our heritage There is still time to apply for funding from the Council’s Heritage Fund. We have some special and unique places in Kāpiti and landowners can get financial help to protect them for future generations. We’re helping landowners to look after heritage features such as ecological, geological, historical, and cultural sites on their land by funding heritage projects. This year the fund has $38,000 available. Heritage projects include fencing off and protecting native bush or heritage trees. It could also mean painting, restoration or maintenance of heritage buildings or research and educational initiatives focussing on heritage management and protection. Applications close 5pm on Monday, 20 December 2021.  More information on the Heritage Fund, eligibility criteria and application forms are available at kapiticoast.govt.nz/heritage-fund

Toxic algae

Stay safe in the water

Toxic algae is a regular feature of our summers as river levels drop and can be particularly dangerous for dogs.

The weather is warming up which means more of us are gearing up to hit our rivers and beaches this summer.

If you walk your furry friend near rivers be sure to keep an eye out for it. Toxic algae looks like brown or black mats that grows on rocks in the river bed. The mats can dry out and turn a light brown or white colour and may also produce a strong musty odour.

Our waterways are usually pretty clean and safe to swim in, but sometimes heavy rain or drought can change that.

Dogs love the smell and will eat it if given the chance. Even a small amount can be lethal.

You can check if it’s safe to swim at any time this summer on the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website. Just click on your favourite spot on the map, or allow your location to find the closest swimming spots to you.

The algae is quickly dispersed by salt water so during times of low flow it is safer to walk your dogs at the beach instead of rivers.

 Check the LAWA interactive map for recreational water quality at lawa.org.nz/explore-data/swimming

 Check kapiticoast.govt.nz/safe-to-swim for more information.

Love Local this Christmas It’s been a rough year for everyone, not least for the small businesses that add so much to the Kāpiti landscape – retailers, artists, tourism operators, food and beverage producers, cafes and restaurants… the list goes on. Why not give them a boost and share a little bit of Kāpiti goodness with friends and whanau by doing your Christmas shopping locally this year? Support our local business community and make an impression on Christmas Day – you can’t go wrong loving local.  Hit kapiticoastnz.com/love-local for some inspiration.

kapiticoast.govt.nz

Ōtaki Update

December 2021

Council services over Christmas and New Year Some of our hours are a little different over the holiday period. Check below to see when our Council and community facilities and services are operating over the summer break. Some facilities will be operating a little differently to ensure COVID-19 guidance is followed.

Service Centres • The Paraparaumu, Ōtaki and Waikanae Service Centres will close from 3pm, 24 December and reopen 9am, Wednesday 5 January 2022. • You can still get in touch with us by calling 0800 486 486.

Swimming pools Coastlands Aquatic Centre, Waikanae Pool and Ōtaki Pool are closed on Christmas Day only. All three facilities will have slightly different opening hours between 24 December 2021 and 4 January 2022.  For all opening hours over this period visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/contact-us/ service-centres

Libraries Our district libraries are closed from 3pm on Friday 24 December and will reopen on Wednesday 29 December. Over the new year period libraries will close at 5pm on 31 December and reopen on Wednesday 5 January.

Building consents, resource consents and LIMs Our council offices are closed between Christmas and New Year, and building inspections are not available over this period. Building inspections and processing of building consents, resource consents and LIMS will resume on Wednesday 5 January 2022.

Waste and recycling Waikanae Greenwaste Centre, Ōtaki Transfer Station and Otaihanga Resource Recovery Facility and Reuse Shop will operate at the following hours:

Alcohol-free zones A reminder that alcohol-free zones are in place for: • all beaches from 9pm-6am every day • all public places in urban areas from Paekakariki to Te Horo from 9pm-6am every day • all skateboard parks and reserves, 24 hours a day, every day of the year • specified areas in Ōtaki, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.  Please visitwww.kapiticoast.govt.nz/ alcohol-free-zones for more information and frequently asked questions about how the zones work.

• 25 December – closed • Boxing Day – closed • 1 January – closed • 2 January – open Composting NZ – Greenwaste Facility: • 25–26 December – closed • 1 January – closed

kapiticoast.govt.nz

Ōtaki Today, Ōtaki Today, Tīhema December 2021

whārangi 20

HUATAU/Comment GURU’S VIEW: K GURUNATHAN

Law’s long arm reaches for unwashed necks of beach idiots

Summer is upon us. That promise of warm sunny days spent along our beaches is what our Kāpiti Coast lifestyle is largely all about.

But, unfortunately, we have our own collection of community idiots who think it’s their god-given right to dangerously drive their motor vehicles. There’s an increasing number of public complaints about speeding and dangerously driven vehicles, including on prohibited areas such as the ecologically sensitive coastal dunes between Pete Peka and Te Horo. The eco-damage is especially difficult for dune restoration groups to stomach. Inevitably, the aggrieved public approach their council for action. The problem is, while council has a beach bylaw that clearly prohibits such behaviour, council’s compliance staff do not have legal

powers under the Land Transport Act to stop a moving vehicle and issue a ticket. Given police resources are stretched we accepted the signals by police that we had to play our part by investing in managing these physical access to our beach. Bollards were erected at a number of illegally created vehicle accessways at Te Horo. Through the Long Term Plan we funded the erection of barrier arms at Kāpiti Boating Club, Northern Manly Street and Waikanae Boating Club. But there is only so much we can do. Already some of the bollards have been forcibly removed. Enforcement action is needed. Last year, I wrote to the police’s central region district commander seeking help. Recognising this problem along the beaches of Horowhenua to Ōtaki, the police responded by creating a police patrol team covering Manawatū to Ōtaki.

THE ELECTORATE: TERISA NGOBI, MP

. . . a dedicated police presence

[on the beach] will help reassure the good residents, while warning the community idiots that the long arm of the law has the reach to grab them by the scruff of their unwashed necks. A police survey had shown the problem to be the worst in Ōtaki. We were promised the data would be analysed at the end of the summer season to measure outcomes. I believe that data has been positive. Two weeks ago, I wrote again to the commander seeking activation of the police patrol. Last week, the police responded. The police patrol team will be back in action. We know that previously there have been altercations between frustrated local residents and these community idiots with potentially

violent outcomes. We don’t want it to come to that. While we acknowledge that the patrol team has a long coastal stretch covering nine beaches, the fact that there is a dedicated police presence will help reassure the good residents, while warning the community idiots that the long arm of the law has the reach to grab them by the scruff of their unwashed necks. Luckily, the police role will largely be a preventative one, relying more on educating and promoting safe driving practices and public safety. The officers will use quad bikes and deal with speeding cars, public disorder, lost children, liaise with beach wardens and community service groups, and attend public events. I’m thankful to the police response and commitment to keep our beaches safe again this summer. So if you see them on our stretch of the beach this summer, give them a warm Sunny Ōtaki welcome. n Guru is Kāpiti Coast Mayor

LOCAL LENS: JAMES COOTES

Keeping us all safe

Shocker of a year, followed by one to forget

As we take the next step in our Covid-19 response plan, I know many people here in Ōtaki will be looking forward to a way of life that feels a bit more normal.

In pondering what to write for my last opinion piece for the year I flicked back to the piece I wrote for 2020.

Our shift into the Orange setting of the new Covid-19 Protection Framework means that with vaccine passes we can safely enjoy all the great things our community has to offer with fewer restrictions. The framework, also known as the traffic light system, is our new way of managing Covid-19, and it’s designed to keep Kiwis safe as we carefully reopen. For almost two years, we’ve relied on the alert levels and our elimination strategy to keep us safe, prevent our health system from getting overwhelmed, and protect lives and livelihoods. This approach has served us well – we’re entering this new phase better placed than many other countries, with fewer hospitalisations and deaths, a strong economy, and one of the highest vaccination rates in the world. However, we’ve seen overseas that Delta has changed the game. Many countries that recently removed restrictions are now putting them back in place as they face fourth and fifth waves. New variants are an added reminder of why our careful and considered approach is so important. With Delta here, it’s time to change our game plan so we can safely reopen. Our plan will keep New Zealanders safe, while ensuring we can enjoy summer with fewer disruptions and more certainty. Businesses can remain reopen, big events can go ahead, and people can plan with confidence, because our high vaccination rates mean lockdowns are no longer our main line of defence against Covid. Across all settings of the new framework, vaccine passes are a key part of our plan. They’ll ensure our communities, workplaces and events are safe, adding an extra layer of protection for people who can’t be vaccinated, such as young children. At Orange, vaccine passes mean we can return to a more normal way of life. Because of the protection the vaccine provides, restrictions like being seated and separated or limiting the number of people able to enter are no longer required in many places, if all customers and staff are fully vaccinated. We’ll still need to keep up scanning in wherever we go and wearing face coverings when we’re out and about, but the vaccine pass allows us to do so more safely. If you don’t have a My Vaccine Pass yet, it’s really important to get yours sorted as soon as possible. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can request it now at mycovidrecord.nz or call 0800 222 478. If you’d like a hand downloading or printing your pass, or if you have questions, please contact our team we’ll be happy to help. The past couple of years have been challenging, but together, we have worked hard to keep our communities here in Ōtaki safe. Now, as we take the next step in our plan and shift to a new way of managing Covid-19, we can all look forward to more opportunities and another great Ōtaki summer. n Terisa is MP for the Ōtaki electorate

At the time we were on the “other side” of Covid-19, having successfully eliminated it as a country and I was reflecting on how so much could change in a year. Reading it reminded me of a meme seen on the internet where 2021 says to 2020 . . . “hold my beer” . . . with the inference being that it’s just about to outdo the latter. Things like lockdowns were a thing of the past and people were getting used to having their freedom back. If 2020 was a shocker then 2021 was a year to forget! With Covid-19’s Delta variant emerging and the Government giving up on their elimination strategy, life as we knew it changed. Now if I’m being entirely honest, it’s not been easy. From a council perspective, just like everyone else, we’ve lost precious time due to level changes

that’s impacted on how we deliver all the plans, policies, reviews etc that we do. Timeframes were shortened, the opportunity to meet publicly curtailed, with more to do and less time to do it. On a personal note, I have an elderly mum who I would consider in the vulnerable “category”, so I totally appreciate the risks Covid poses to the vulnerable. As some of you might know my wife and I own our own business in the hospitality sector, one of the sectors hit hard by Covid. Over the past few weeks, we’ve had to

struggle with the implementation of the new “traffic light system”. Not an easy task given the conflicting advice, that at times, would even change within the day! The introduction of vaccine mandates and vaccination passes has challenged the very principles we believe in. It wasn’t easy seeing valued staff lose their employment simply because they’re unvaccinated. I need to be clear: I’m not anti-vax, with all my whānau being vaccinated, nor am I anti-government. But what I have struggled with is excluding people who choose to not be vaccinated. For years society has said “my body, my choice” and now that choice is creating two classes of people and I don’t think that’s right or inclusive. All that being said, regardless of your “status”, I hope you and your whānau have a safe and merry Christmas. Fingers crossed for a better new year! n James is Ōtaki Ward Councillor

ŌTAKI OUTLOOK: CHRIS PAPPS

It’s certainly been ‘a funny old year’ Ronnie Barker, as Arkwright in Open All Hours, frequently ended an episode by musing to himself outside the shop at the end of the programme: “It’s been a funny old day.”

It’s fair to say that for the Ōtaki Community Board and its members, for KCDC, the citizens of Ōtaki and Kāpiti, indeed for all of us in this Covid world, “It’s been a funny old year!” Earlier this year the board was unfortunate to lose elected member Michael Carkeek who resigned for personal reasons, bringing the opportunity for a by-election. A candidate from the last election, Cam Butler, put his name forward and when the nominations closed, as the only candidate, he was appointed to the board. Cam made a huge contribution to the board’s submissions on the representation

review. I hope he will continue to contribute strongly to the board and the future of Ōtaki. This year’s Covid lockdown and the subsequent issues for the country, particularly Auckland and the Far North, have had a great impact on us all and that continues. The “traffic light” system and the vaccination certificates bring opportunities and increased freedoms for some, but problems for others. While vaccination rates continue to climb to 90 percent and more, there is still a significant minority who, for whatever

reasons, remain unvaccinated. While we might not all support Prime Minister Ardern, she is right in one thing. This is a time when we all need to be kind. No sooner were we, in this part of the world, out of lockdown and back to a form of normalcy, than the representation review was upon us and the community boards found themselves fighting for their existence. Thank you once again to all those who supported the boards, including the Ōtaki school principals, Ōtaki Historical Society, the RSA and the many individuals who made both written and verbal submissions. As we near the end of a “funny old year”, Covid continues to affect and divide us. I’m sure I have the support of the Ōtaki Community Board in wishing everyone the best for Christmas and our best wishes for the New Year. Let’s be positive and optimistic. n Chris is chair of the Ōtaki Commuity Board

HUATAU/Comment I Ōtaki Today, Tīhema December 2021

whārangi 21

Cohesion starts and ends with community A

thing about culture, that’s based on traditions and heart-felt values, is that it’s good because it is shared through a community and can be enduring because the culture is passed down through generations.

Think of Māori culture that sustains people through the voices of elders and the place of marae. It works by putting the community ahead of the individual MEDIA & COMMUNITY and uses values and principles to guide – things such as whakapapa (who we are and where we belong), mātauranga (knowledge and ways of knowing) and tikanga FRASER CARSON (values, customs and practices). But what happens to “culture” when our frenetic lives are ruled by the impacts of a society tipped upside down by a pandemic? Already, too many were struggling to put food on the family table, while many were likely looking for ways to get ahead in a dog-eat-dog world. Social scientists sometimes refer to loss of culture as a lack of social cohesion – what happens when people become disconnected from their community and people find themselves socially excluded in some way. New Zealand has long been considered egalitarian and a place of high social cohesion – a small, isolated country with agreeable people and climate.

What happens to ‘culture’ when our frenetic lives are ruled by the impacts of a society tipped upside down by a pandemic? Already, too many were struggling to put food on the family table, while many were likely looking for ways to get ahead in a dog-eat-dog world. Image Pixabay

But the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques concluded “a collective failure” and “a population lacking social cohesion and with a fear of speaking out”. Had New Zealand simply caught up with some of the rest of the world or was our social cohesion a myth? I suspect it’s a bit of both. But the issues of social cohesion are being debated globally and the causes are global as well. Certainly, if one looks at the polarised political and social situation in the United States, and in many other countries, it’s not difficult to see how certain groups of people are feeling marginalised and don’t hold a great deal of respect or trust in authority.

In the US, depending on which side of the race divide people occupy, white supremacists and non-whites view each other as foreigners in their own country. Neither side much trusts governments or authority, although the criminal justice system and the police are generally oneeyed in support of the white population. The Covid-19 pandemic is clearly bringing these festering issues to the surface, as is the bigger tidal wave associated with global heating and the demise of our environment. It is bringing to the surface a fundamental divide that I would characterise as ‘community verses individual’. Witness in New Zealand those recently protesting their loss of freedoms, due to vaccination requirements, or restrictions on personal movement. For even longer we have

seen people deny the environmental crisis and rail again the possibility that it will require all of us to make sacrifices if we are to save the planet and support the community and future generations. I have no doubt that social cohesion will be difficult to rebuild as we all face bigger challenges. But humans are resourceful and eventually we respond to basic human needs. One of those needs, ironically, is self-interest which in the end is best served by having the support of others in a community. In many respects, that’s what community culture is all about. It ensures we all stay connected to our roots, our habitat and to each other. n Fraser is a former member of the XŌtaki College Alumni Trust and is founding partner of Flightdec.com

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Ōtaki Today, Tīhema December 2021

whārangi 22

HAUORA/Health

Ankle-biting blood suckers at it again I

t’s that time of year when mosquitoes are active again.

Both male and female mosquitoes are nectar feeders, and useful flower pollinators, but females need a good protein-rich blood meal for egg production. And, thanks to 200 million years of evolution, they have become pretty adept at finding us for that blood meal. The female mosquito employs a number of cues to track us down. They are attracted to a large array of chemicals in our breath and sweat, including carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol. People who are “mosquito magnets” emit a particularly enticing mix of chemicals, but as this is largely determined by genetics there’s not a lot you can do about it. It’s frequently reported that mosquitoes have a preference for blood type O, but different species seem to prefer different blood types, and New Zealand mosquitoes have not been studied. In any case, mosquitoes don’t seem to be all that fussy – even the least preferred blood types still make a fine meal. As mosquitoes zero in on us, visual cues become important, and there’s some evidence that darker clothing might make you stand out more, and easier to find. Mosquitoes also use thermal cues to find a person, and ultimately to locate the best capillary to tap into. It’s thought that active people and pregnant women tend to be more attractive to mosquitoes because they are warmer and exhale more carbon dioxide. A few studies indicate that drinking beer or other alcohol can make a person more attractive to mosquitoes, presumably by raising body temperature, increasing carbon dioxide exhaled and changing other attractant chemicals emitted. Though

HELPLINES AND LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES For more options go to : mentalhealth.org.nz

The female mosquito employs a number of cues to track us down. They are attracted to a large array of chemicals in our breath and sweat, including carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol. People who are “mosquito magnets” emit a particularly enticing mix of chemicals, but as this is largely determined by genetics there’s not a lot you can do about it. perhaps the biggest problem with common native species. It’s the one alcohol is that you forget to apply that can annoy you with its highyour repellent! pitched whining. Although birds Of the more than 3000 mosquito are its main target (having evolved species worldwide, fortunately only in New Zealand in the absence of 16 are found in New Zealand – 12 mammals) it has adapted well to are endemic, and four introduced. feeding on us. Here on the Kāpiti Coast we are The brown house mosquito (Culex most likely to be bitten by Aedes Q) is native to America, but was notoscriptus, Culex pervigilans and introduced here by whaling ships in Culex quinquefasciatus (let’s just call the early 1800s. An evening or night it “Culex Q”). biter it attacks us indoors and out. Aedes notoscriptus All these mosquitoes SCIENCE was accidently have adapted introduced by ships well to the urban in the 1920s. It’s environment. Artificial called the striped water sources (blocked mosquito because of gutters, pots, jars, the distinctive white buckets and tyres) are bands on its legs and a mosquito breeding proboscis. It prefers to paradise because they bite in the evening, but lack natural predators it’s an avid biter that can of mosquito larvae. strike any time of the DR STEVE HUMPHRIES The best strategy for day or night, outdoors getting rid of urban or in your home. mosquitoes is to get rid of their urban It’s also, appropriately, called the water sources. ankle biting mosquito – an effective There are many myths about what “fly-in-low” strategy if you’re a biting can repel mosquitoes. insect not wanting to be swatted. Wrist bands or patches infused That’s not to say they won’t take the with botanicals provide very little opportunity to bite you anywhere protection, and certainly not they think they can get away with it – “whole body” protection. Oral such as the back of your neck. supplements, such as vitamin B, are Culex pervigilans is our most not effective. Many essential oils

It’s OK to seek help. Never hesitate if you’re worried about you or someone else. If someone has attempted suicide or you’re worried about their immediate safety: • call your local mental health crisis assessment team 0800 745 477 or take them to the emergency department 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) • stay calm, take deep breaths • let them know you care • keep them talking – listen and ask questions without judging • make sure you’re safe. For more information, 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, keep trying.

Image Mark Minge, Pixabay

can repel mosquitoes, but they are smelly, potentially toxic to the skin in the concentrations required and their action is too short-lived to be convenient or practicable. No essential oil is approved for protection in areas where there are mosquito-borne diseases. Independent studies of ultrasonic mosquito repellents show they don’t work. Although we talk of repelling mosquitoes we should not think that chemical repellents actually repulse them by the smell. They work by blocking the ability of the mosquito receptors to detect the attractant chemicals you emit. Highly effective repellents might have little smell; conversely strong, ugly-smelling chemicals might have no repellent effect. Here at Hebe Botanicals we have developed a natural repellent with a pleasant scent that has been independently tested to give more than eight hours’ protection by the official arm-in-cage test, and it’s approved for use in all countries. You should avoid products that combine both sunscreen and insect repellent. In the middle of the day you need a sunscreen but might not require the repellent; in the evening you need the repellent but not the sunscreen.

Services for support & information: • Lifeline 0800 543 354 • Samaritans 0800 726 666 – confidential support if lonely or in emotional distress • Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or text 4202 – talk to a counsellor about how you’re feeling or to ask questions • Healthline 0800 611 116 – advice from trained registered nurses • www.depression.org.nz • Local counselling: Bill Logan, Te Horo Beach. 027 243 1098. bl.co.nz

Also, sunscreen should be applied more often than repellent, so you can end up applying far more repellent than required. If both sunscreen and mosquito protection is required, a sunscreen should be applied 10 minutes before the repellent. We are lucky to be in a country with no mosquito-borne diseases, though over the years there have been many interceptions at our air and sea ports of exotic mosquitoes that can carry disease. On two occasions we have managed to eradicate an introduced species (the southern saltmarsh mosquito in 2010, and the saltmarsh culex in 2020) with surveillance and spraying programmes. Unfortunately, climate change, with increasing temperatures and rainfall, is making our environment more favourable for the spread of mosquito species and mosquito-borne diseases such as Ross River virus and Dengue fever. In terms of killing people, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal in the world. We need to be prepared and vigilant. n Health scientist Dr Steve Humphries is a director at Hebe Botanicals in Ōtaki. He was previously a lecturer at Massey University and director of the Health Science Programme.

For children and young people • Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or webchat at youthline.co.nz (webchat avail 7-11pm) – for young people, 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 years.

HAUORA/Health I Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 23

It’s Christmas – num, num!

IN BRIEF Prices up another $15,000

Ōtaki house prices continue to rise, with another $15,000 added during November to take the median price to $755,000. It follows a rise of $15,000 in October. Prices have risen 5.2 percent in the past three months, 19 percent in the past six months, and 47.6 percent in the past 12 months, according to homes.co.nz. In January the median was $445,000.

t’s Christmas time and we all know what that means: Christmas and summer foods.

I love the food at this time of the year – roast chicken, ham on the bone, roast lamb and large chunks of beef, roasted potatoes, green salads, prawns and sausages on the barbecue. Now you might be thinking, you can’t eat all that if you’re an exercise professional. You need to be setting the example, and to an extent you’re right. For a “mostly carnivore” like me, I can have a smorgasbord of food for Christmas Day. However, because I exercise regularly – as you should, too – we can eat whatever we like without any of the guilt of “falling off the diet wagon.” Being healthy, fit and strong means we don’t have to worry about a little extra fat or carbohydrates at certain times of the year. So we should enjoy this special time of the year with family and friends. We don’t not have to feel guilty about eating a second helping of pavlova. If you feel you must be stricter with your diet, the Christmas season still offers many healthy choices. I tell my diet-conscious clients that the summer Christmas seasonal food is easy to manage. Every barbecue you go to this summer will have your basics on offer: protein and carbohydrates, but protein in the form of lean meats, GETTING FIT and carbohydrates in the form of salads and fibrous vegetables. Protein: meats such as lamb, beef, pork, chicken and fish. For carbohydrates there are the obvious ones such as bread rolls, sliced bread, pasta salads, potatoes either in salads, roasted or mashed. All of DANIEL DUXFIELD which are easy to avoid

Skinny Jump at library

Image Brenifumi Pixabay

so you don’t have to have carbohydrates. Instead you could have green salads, broccoli, cauliflower, courgettes, asparagus, and of course, fruits low in sugars. So as you can see, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Speaking of cake, if you’re going to have some, don’t punish yourself if you do. I know there will be pavlovas, Christmas cakes, custard, trifles and all the rest with lashings of ice-cream. Have some – maybe not all of it – and enjoy yourself. One yummy dessert is not going to make your waistline explode. The old phrase, “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips” applies only if you refuse to exercise. Plus you can always get some light exercise the next day or even the days leading up to feast day. As for exercise, try a walk after the big Christmas dinner. It’ll help your digestion and force your metabolism to turn on after eating to get all that yummy food digested. Then you can have your nap! Any exercise that’s high intensity will burn lots of calories, so get some in around this time. It will also help with any holiday stress, which we all know always comes up. n Daniel is an exercise professional who operates DuxFit Functional Fitness from a private Ōtaki studio. Contact 022 1099 442 or danielduxfield@gmail.com and see duxfitfunctionalfitness on Facebook

Skinny Jump is now at Ōtaki Library. The service provide affordable broadband to Ōtaki homes via a flexible prepaid service. The service has no contracts or credit checks. The modem is free and data can be bought for as little as $5 for 30GB to a maximum of 150GB for $25 per month. This service is for people who don’t have a broadband connection at home because of the cost.

AstraZeneca available

The AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is now available for anyone aged 18 and older who wants a different option or cannot get the Pfizer vaccine. Both vaccines will protect against the symptoms of Covid-19. AstraZeneca is available only at certain vaccination centres. Book online or call free on 0800 28 29 26 (8am-8pm, 7days a week).

Adventurous speaker

Ōtaki adventurer Linsday Gault is available for speaking engagements to groups in Ōtaki. He has just ridden his mountain bike through the deserts of Australia and sailed home across the Tasman. He has also ridden from the Arctic in Canada across to the east coast in Nova Scotia, and twice ridden through Africa. Lindsay is raising funds for cancer research. Contact Lindsay at 021 570 169.

BILL LOGAN Counsellor and celebrant

027 243 1098 www.bl.co.nz

Counselling and narrative therapy help to resolve problems, issues, questions, or to make improvements in experiencing the world. People often begin by seeing themselves as the problem, but the beginning of progress often comes by understanding that the problem is the problem. I can help you look at your life in ways that help you “write” new stories and “re-write” old ones. This can have remarkable healing effects. Bill Logan: MNZAC, VCANZ, BA (Hons) (VUW), Dip Counselling (Applied) (CIT), Cert Supervision (WelTec)

RSV VACCINE RESEARCH STUDY Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that can impact everyone. In mild cases RSV presents like a common cold, however, RSV can also cause more serious respiratory illness, particularly in young infants and older adults, and can lead to infections in the breathing passages and lungs, in some cases requiring hospitalisation. P3 Research is participating in a worldwide research study for an investigational RSV vaccine and is looking for volunteers to take part. To take part you must: Be aged 60 years and over Be in generally good health or have medical conditions that are well managed. You will be reimbursed for study visits and for reasonable study related travel expenses. For more information and to apply online, visit: www.p3research.co.nz and follow the links to the 'sites and studies' page, or phone our Kāpiti team on 0800 737 883.

Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 24

MAHI MĀRA/Gardening

Mulch well to hold moisture.

What perfectly moist soil looks like.

Look to the soil for guidance on effective watering

tart the summer with a new intention – to check the soil before you water so you water only when your soil needs it.

shallow rooters, test by squeezing a handful of soil together. Open your hand out giving it a small shake as you do. If the soil mostly holds together and a few crumbs fall away then it’s Overwatering creates fungus and encourages perfectly moist. If it holds its shape and you sappy, pest-prone foliage. Underwatering ergo THE EDIBLE GARDEN can shape it into something – way dry soils – means minerals aren’t too wet. If nothing holds together – converted and plants are stressed. way too dry. Either way, soil life, the key to our How to water your garden like whole operation – disappears. a pro When you water on a needs Here’s a snapshot of different basis, the reduction in disease is watering needs at different times. stunning! Babies (direct sown seed/new Here’s your do-I-need-water? transplants/newly emerged seedlings): test: Begin on a win by soaking the • For established crops – the tall soil at planting/sowing. Where the and sprawling – test by pushing KATH IRVINE water goes the roots will follow. your finger in the soil. The tip of Roots that go deep bring lasting power. Keep your finger tells you whether to water or not. Yes, really! All the way down there. If it’s moist soil consistently moist, never wet. Make your mantra “barely moist”. A layer of mulch makes at your fingertip let it be. If it’s dry, water. • For newly sown seed, new transplants and moisture last.

100&1 GARDEN AND HOUSEPLANTS Have you considered a living gift for Christmas? We have a great selection of indoor and outdoor plants, as well as decorative pots, garden tools, potting mixes, and much more. Our friendly staff are very happy to provide advice at the shop or through social media.

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Teenagers Pre-flowering, make ’em work for it! Create robust/resilient plants by rolling out a bit of tough love once they are big enough. Load on the mulch and push the gap between waterings as far as you dare to force their roots deep. Testing using the tip of your finger as a moisture guide begins here. Mummas Flowering/fruiting is a key time. Pull back on the tough love – go mother love and keep the soil nicely moist. Leave the topsoil to dry a tad between waterings for fungal-prone plants like zucchini, basil and tomato. Exceptions to the rule Of course, there are exceptions! Different crops have different water needs. • Chillies develop more spice with less water and tomatoes are tastier by far • Squash and cucumbers need more water than tomatoes and potatoes.

• Bean seeds rot easily. Err on the drier side until germinated. Provide consistent moisture from flowering. • Avoid fungus-y basil foliage by letting soils dry out between waterings. How much water do your plants need? There’s no rule here. Sorry guys. I know you want one, but every plant is different, every stage of the plant growth is different, and every soil is different – how can there be one rule? Do all the things we’ve talked about and your crops will flourish, and you’ll use heaps less water. Watch and learn. Trust your eyes. Three best times to water your garden Cloudy, drizzling and definitely in the morning = three best times. n Kath Irvine has been growing vegetables to feed her family for 21 years. Spray-free, natural, low-input food gardens are her thing. Kath offers organic gardening advice through her articles, books, workshops, and garden consultations.

Cobblers thanks supporters Strawberry myths busted Myth: Strawberries are best picked just before ripening so they last longer as they will ripen while standing. Strawberries are nonclimacteric fruit, meaning they can’t continue ripening after picking. Underripe berries also lack the nutrition and flavour of fully ripe berries. Always pick when ripe and bright red. The bigger the strawberry, the more flavourful. Size doesn’t matter. In fact, larger fruits are often less flavourful. Berries should be the same size. Store-sold strawberries are often big and about the same size, but this is just marketing. They lack the flavour and nutrition of varied-size strawberries found at markets, PYO gardens, or at home. Strawberries don’t taste as good when cold, so don’t refrigerate. Refrigerating strawberries keeps them fresh. Take them out and let them get to room temperature before you eat or cook with them. Wash all your strawberries at once, then store them for later. Moisture promotes mold, so wash only as many strawberries as you need at the moment. Store the unwashed ones so they last longer.

Cobblers Lunch expressess its THANKS and APPRECIATION to Brent Bertelsen at Penray Gardens, and Jeff and Cam Lewis of Lewis Farms, for the generous supply of asparagus and vegies that our wonderful volunteer team turn into amazing soups each week. We also must mention the valuable support of RiverStone Café and Cobwebs Op Shop. The soups are served to the public at the Atmore Supper Room on Thursdays, accompanied by fresh bread rolls donated by St Vincent de Paul. The team would not be able to do this without your continued support. THANK YOU for your amazing generosity. THANK YOU, too, to the dedicated team who make the soup, set up, serve, and wash dishes every week. Without you we would not be able to offer this to our Ōtaki community. HAVE A WONDERFUL, RESTFUL CHRISTMAS. Cobblers is closed December 30 and January 6, 2022. – Tony and Sheila Hart.

Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 25

PAKIHI/Business

Build a great business with the end in mind

here’s only one way to live our lives and that is “wholeheartedly”.

onto setting SMART goals and recognising what we need to learn to meet those goals and achieve our dreams. Of course, all of that will To be successful – however each of us defines come to nothing without a definite plan and that – we need to embrace every opportunity consistent action. After all, only completion that comes our way, because as the Quaker changes things! missionary Etienne de Grellet noted: “I shall Former All Black captain Richie McCaw talks pass this way but once”. Time is the single commodity we can’t renew. about having a dream from a very young age to play for the All Blacks. No real surprise there, When Tom Watson started IBM, he built it because pulling on the black jumper is probably on three clear steps from the outset. First, he the dream of almost any young Kiwi who picks developed a clear picture of what IBM would look like when it was “done”. This was his vision up the oval ball. However, McCaw took his early dream further than most and secretly wrote of success, and he took it further by asking down the three letters that perhaps came to how that future company would need to act in define him as a player and captain: GAB. its successful state. Third, he was clear that to He wasn’t going to be satisfied being an All become a great company, IBM would need to Black, he wanted to be a Great All act great long before it was great. YOUR BUSINESS Black and he set about crafting Then, every day, Watson clear interim goals – specific, and his team measured where measurable, achievable, resultsthey were against where they’d oriented and time-bound – to committed to being and the move him consistently in the following day set out to close the direction of his dream to be a gap. As an entrepreneur, he knew GAB. He studied the legends of that what IBM did was far less the game that had gone before important than the business itself him, learned his craft through – how it looked, how it acted, the age group teams and put in how it delivered what it intended CHRIS WHELAN the hard yards regardless of the to deliver. His outside-in, obstacles along the way. from-the-customer’s perspective view of IBM Both McCaw and Watson’s examples can meant that the business became an integrated serve us well in running our businesses. They system for producing solutions to the specific embraced the reality that what they were frustrations of customers. Few of us running businesses in New Zealand building went far beyond business machines or a single rugby match. They relentlessly tested will achieve the global status of IBM. But and measured their progress and constantly the formula for success for our businesses is course-adjusted to keep on track. They took remarkably similar, regardless of the scale. It’s onboard the insights and lessons others actually quite simple, even if achieving success isn’t easy: It starts with having a dream, moves could provide and weren’t afraid to be kept

Image Michal Jarmoluk, Pixabay

accountable. Their dreams became their North Stars and so they were able to navigate despite whatever storms raged. Famously, in McCaw’s case, he played through a broken foot to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy twice and confirm the All Blacks as the greatest rugby team of the generation (if not of all time). So, what is your business dream? Have you clarified the goals that will take you there? Do you know what you need to learn and how you plan to go about it? What is your written-down, documented plan of action to become your business’ version of a GAB to become a Great Business Owner?

As we head into the final stretch for 2021, let me wish you and your families a blessed, peaceful and well-earned rest. And may 2022 see you and yours prospering as we build successful communities and businesses together. n If want to grow your business and achieve your dreams, give me a call on 0222 332 669 or email chris@centreofbusinessexcellence.com to how in my 25 years of business experience can help you. To become part of the Centre of Business Excellence community, ‘like’ centreofbusinessexcellence on Facebook. Sign up for my newsletter at www.centreofbusinessexcellence.com

Commercial lease essential for business owners T

here are three key reasons why your business needs a commercial lease. 1. Certainty of terms

Image Jens P. Raak, Pixabay

to have recorded how often the landlord can change the rent, and what process they will use to change it.

2. Goodwill

When selling your business, one of the factors A formal lease is a legally binding agreement contributing to the total purchase price is goodwill. that sets out in writing the rights and obligations of Goodwill is an intangible asset, comprised of things business owners and their landlords. Having these such as reputation and location. For example, a rights and obligations recorded helps to guide parties business may be more valuable if it is on a busy road to the agreement and clarify disputes if they arise. that receives a lot of foot traffic. However, it’s not Formal leases often include the following enough that a business trades in a prime location – a provisions: lease agreement is also needed. Without one, there Condition of the premises is nothing to stop the landlord from terminating the A formal lease will contain provisions that the tenancy with the new owner of the business. For tenant must leave the premises in the same condition location to be factored into a business’s as when the lease began. If a premises MATTERS OF LAW goodwill, there needs to be certainty condition report is prepared and that the purchaser will be able to attached to the lease, it will be clear what continue to operate from that premises. is expected of both parties when the 3. Lending lease ends. Having a formal lease will also help Duration and nature your business to apply for funding from A formal lease will have provision banks. When considering whether for the duration (also known as the to make a loan, a bank will review a term) and nature of the lease, and for business’s past financial records and example whether the tenant has any likelihood of future trading. A bank will rights to renew the lease. Without a clear FRANCESCA FLAWS want to be assured that the business can term, the tenancy could be found to be continue to operate in the same location throughout periodic, which rolls over month to month, and in the duration of the loan. Having a formal lease to point which either party can give notice of 20 days to end to gives the bank this certainty. Without a formal lease, the lease. a bank might be less willing to lend to your business. Repairs, maintenance and insurance There are many reasons to enter into a lease A formal lease will contain provisions about who is agreement, with this article listing just a few. If you responsible for repairs, maintenance and insurance. are a business owner about to lease premises, make Generally, it will be up to the landlord to repair the sure to enter into a lease agreement. It might seem premises and insure the property, while general unimportant or expensive at the time, but it will save maintenance will be the responsibility of the tenant. you a lot of hassle further down the line. Rent and rent reviews A formal lease will contain a process through which the n Francesca is a general practice solicitor based at the Ōtaki landlord can change the rent (a rent review). It’s important office of Wakefields Lawyers

HĪTŌRIA/History I Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 26

HĪTŌRIA/History

River an enduring influence on the community

was born in Reefton on the West Coast. As is the case with most townships throughout New Zealand that have their own river as a dominating presence, Reefton has its river, the Inangahua.

recent time here, and drawing on the little I now know of the history of the area, I believe the Ōtaki River has had the more commanding and enduring influence on the community and its environs. Given this, and the Ōtaki Museum commitment to telling Ōtaki stories, it’s not As a child, I swam in it during sweltering surprising that by May next year, there will have summers, fished for trout in its quietness and been two exhibitions over some 15 months, in solitary enjoyment. And I fished for eels, each with different stories about the Ōtaki with friends, breaking eggs in the darkness and River. The first exhibition – Ko Ōtaki te awa: throwing them into the river to entice the eels Ōtaki is the river – was taken down onto our hooks. DAVID LEDSON at the end of November. I canoed through its rapid flows The present one – Ko Ōtaki te in inner tubes and clumsy canoes awa, Ko Ōtaki te kāinga: Ōtaki is made of corrugated iron. Hours the river, Ōtaki is the home – was were spent wandering along its banks and in its shallows, looking opened on December 4. under rocks for cockabullies, and The first exhibition was a full into them for a speckle of quartz body turn to look at the distant and a glint of gold. In summer, past. It included a Ngā Hapū ō its flow was generally sparkling Ōtaki view, stories of the Friends and languid; in winter, dark and of the Otaki River, early European vigorous – on occasions flooding settlers, surveyors, and of the the town. challenges raised by the river. And, on special occasions, The current exhibition is a a bonfire would be flamed on the bank, the glance over the shoulder, recounting more community gathering around in the comfortable recent stories. It covers the use of gravel from darkness. the river in building roads, railways, and As the Inangahua River is a captivating buildings, provides a Ngāti Huia perspective, memory of my childhood in Reefton, the Ōtaki and tells stories of dairy farming and marketing River will be a similar recollection for many gardening, and the various adventurous of those who spent theirs in Ōtaki. However, activities in the area. reflecting on my years in Reefton, and my more It seems to be well received by visitors – and

Otaki Museum

CRUSHER: Gary Phillips looks over a model of the “crusher” at the river exhibition in the Ōtaki Museum. The gravel crusher has been an Ōtaki landmark near the river for decades. Photo Ian Carson

we have had a number come back to have another look. A couple of weeks ago, I was on duty at the museum. An elderly chap, about my age, as he was leaving said to me: “Well, it’s not much progress.” Thinking he was referring to the new exhibition relative to the previous one, I wondered where we had gone wrong. It turns out he was talking about the changes in Ōtaki told in the stories. If the exhibition encourages

people to reflect about the things that have happened here rather than never give them a thought, I judge it a success. People and things change in different ways with the passing of time, but the river remains constant on its course from the mountains to the sea. n The exhibition Ko Ōtaki te awa, Ko Ōtaki te kāinga: Ōtaki is the river, Ōtaki is the home is on now at the Ōtaki Museum. The museum is open Friday and Saturday excluding public holidays, 10am-2pm.

Are traditional Christmas parades a thing of the past? by car and railway that had characterised early parades were dropped in favour of more exciting means of travel. During the 1930s Christchurch store Armstrong’s had They began in the main centres in the early Santa arrive on an elephant, while Farmers in 1900s. They were established by department Auckland and DIC in Christchurch had their stores to promote the arrival of in-store Santas, Santas arrive by plane (though he then had to with the clear aim of drawing customers travel by car to their stores). In 1937 Farmers directly into their stores. outdid all previous efforts by having their George and Kersley Ltd’s Wellington store Santa parachute into the Auckland Domain. “the Economic” appears to have been the first Santa’s entourage also grew during this to “parade” their Santa. In 1905 they invited period. Fairies and giants were popular. In local boys and girls to come and see Mother Farmers’ first “grand parade” in Auckland in and Father Christmas arrive at the railway The first NZ Santa parade? George 1934, Santa was accompanied by the Waggles station. The following year the pair stopped and Kersley Ltd’s Wellington store the Economic promote the arrival of and Goggles, The Fat Boy, The Man that Walks off in the Hutt Valley and Petone en route to on his Hands, Harold Lloyd, the Giant and the their ‘Mother and Father Christmas’ the store in Lambton Quay, while another in 1905. Big Fiddle. character, Punch, visited local suburbs and the The following year local competitor hospital. George’s Court paraded Santa with the Boop family of giants. Over the next two decades Santas became a Christmas The Second World War brought a halt to the parades. But by fixture at department stores – and stores sought more and more 1948 Farmers had reinstituted their Auckland parade, and Hay’s elaborate ways to promote their Santa’s arrival. The journeys in Christchurch held their inaugural parade with a series of floats depicting nursery rhymes and seasonal themes. The next few decades were a period of relative stability for Santa parades. Particular department stores came to dominate those held in the main centres – Farmers in Auckland, James Smith’s in Wellington and Hay’s in Christchurch. Many of the elaborate floats created for these events still grace Santa parades today. And many of the traditions established during this period, such as Santa being preceded by a number of other acts, are hallmarks of the modern Santa parade. But by the late 1980s the parades were becoming too expensive for individual department stores to run. Between 1989 and

Santa, or Christmas, parades take place throughout New Zealand in November or December every year.

Santa’s arrival grows more elaborate. Christchurch store Armstrong’s has Santa arrive on an elephant during the 1930s.

Carterton’s annual Christmas parade was cancelled in 2021.

1991 the long-standing parades in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch were taken over by charitable trusts. The parades have become more overtly commercial as the trusts sell off the naming rights to both the entire parade and individual floats and characters. At the same time the parades have become more representative of New Zealand society, with a broad range of community and voluntary groups participating alongside local businesses and traditional floats. The parades are frequently criticised for being overly commercial. Several councils have considered stopping or cutting their funding, and directing it to more “community orientated” events such as Christmas in the Park. But while many parades get funding from councils and community trusts, they also rely heavily on commercial sponsors to make up the cost of staging the event. Today’s parades are elaborate affairs involving hundreds of floats and acts, thousands of participants and volunteers, and hundreds of thousands of spectators and dollars. Many small towns, such as Carterton, Blenheim, Temuka, and Geraldine, still hold their own community Christmas parades, but sadly many have ben cancelled due to Covid-19. Reprinted with permission: nzhistory.govt.nz/media/interactive/santa parades (Ministry for Culture and Heritage)

HĪTŌRIA/History I Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 27

OLD SCHOOL PHOTOS

Compiled by Debbi Carson (nee Bird/Cootes)

LAST MONTH’S PHOTO

ŌTAKI CONVENT SCHOOL PRIMERS, 1949: Back row from left: Kevin Larsen, Tommy Pickett, Kevin Housiaux, David Raika, Mikey Winterburn, Sibi Morehu, Ernie Gray, Joseph Te Wiata. Middle: Francis Nicholls, Keith Gray, Kate Henry, Mathilda Henry, Ann Hudson, Rouvet Blanche, Peter Larsen, Johnny Nicholls. Front: Kathleen Garrett, Mary MacLeod, Janet Mortiboy, Eileen McCormack, Marina Bertini, Alice Enoka, Patricia Enoka, Theresa Larsen, Mary Nicholls, Patsy Te Wiata. Photo thanks to Adelade Nicholls Phillips

Ōtaki School 1964, Form 1: Back row from left: unknown, Kevin Rauhihi, Steven Foster, Michael Williamson, John Gilbert, Joey Chong, Graeme D’Arth, Brian Horn, Robert Judd? Row 3: Noel Leighton, Alex Chung, unknown, Browyn Black, Lynda Mathie, Ann Sinkinson, Michael Gordon, Michael Karipa, John Marshall. Row 2: Jill Campbell, Elizabeth Hart, Carla Lutz, Judy Gow, Leonie Adamson, Marilyn Ashley, Carol Johns, Beryl Giddens, Pauline Lipscombe, Kathleen Kena, Janice Cole. Front row: Helen Jorey, unknown, Sheryl Kendrick, Christine Tucker, Kathryn Jenkins, Bronwyn Evans, Anne Waterson, Lynette Henderson, Lyn Dawson, Carol Peter. Sitting on grass: Warren MacGregor, Ian Cooksley. Photo Janice Street

GOT SOME OLD PHOTOS? If you have old school photos – or any photos of old Ōtaki – please get in touch. We’re building our archive so we can keep publishing snapshots of life when the town and district were younger. Email us individual photos, or give us a call about how we can get them. Include as many names and other information as you can. Contact debbi@idmedia.co.nz especially if you have additions or corrections to school photo captions,

Recordings of memorable Christmases in archives By Sarah Johnston, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

emories of “Christmases past” are found throughout the sound collection of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

Christmas had to be marked on-air by broadcasters every year, so recordings about the occasion were often stashed away in the archives, to be brought out annually and edited into holiday radio programming. In oral history and interviews, elderly people often reflect on past Christmases that were celebrated in unusual locations or under difficult circumstances. You can listen to some of these on the Ngā Taonga website – you’ll see “A most unusual Christmas” at ngataonga.org.nz/blog Christmas with Chinese gold miners A treasure trove of oral history is a series of recordings made by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service Mobile Unit, which interviewed elderly people all over New Zealand between 1946 and 1948. In Central Otago these included many who had been born during the gold-mining era of the 1860s-1880s. In Arrowtown in 1948 they recorded Catherine Dudley, the daughter of a gold miner who had grown up in the boomtowns of Cardrona and Macetown. She remembered living alongside the Chinese miners, recalling how they supported her

when her husband was ill and how in return, she nursed several elderly members of the community during their final days. She about the European and Chinese miners getting together to share a few drinks and a meal at Christmas in Macetown. Christmas in an internment camp A member of another group of migrant New Zealanders talked of Christmas during the Second World War as an interned “enemy alien” on Matiu Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. The camp held several hundred German, Italian and Japanese New Zealanders in both world wars. This recording is by an unnamed German man, remembering the events of Christmases in 19391941. He arrived on the island on Christmas Eve, and though it was a sad occasion, the commandant tried to cheer new guests. Internees were invited to join in Christmas celebrations with the camp guards – a “magnanimous gesture of good will” that laid the foundation for relations between the two groups. Christmas on the ice Another recording comes from the BBC in

Gold miners at Macetown, about 1900.

1941. It’s by former Royal Navy officer Edward “Teddy” Evans, who in 1910 was captain of the ship Terra Nova that sailed from Lyttleton with Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic expedition. In late 1911, Teddy was a member of Scott’s party that set out to reach the South Pole. About 100 kilometres from the Pole, Teddy was sent back to base ill with scurvy through a lack of vitamin C. He eventually recovered. His illness saved his life as the rest of Scott’s party died on the return journey from the Pole in January 1912. Other survivors of the Terra Nova expedition recalled that seal meat, particularly seal liver, was one of the main sources of vitamin C in their diet. But Teddy wasn’t a fan, which might

Ref: 1/2-019150-F. Alexander Turnbull Library

account for his illness. In the short recording made during the Second World War, Teddy recalls the final Christmas dinner he celebrated in 1911 with Scott. The “pemmican” he mentions was a mixture of ground meat and fat, mixed with dry biscuits to form a stew. Whatever your holiday celebrations, we hope you enjoy them. All the best for the season from the staff of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. n Ngā Taonga looks after a huge number of recordings that capture New Zealand life. They can be explored online at ngataonga.og.nz. Sign up for the Ngā Taonga newsletter using the Sign Up button at the top of the page.

Our quality journalism attracts more readers. Your advertising attracts more business. The smarter ad spend. Go to: otakitoday.com/Advertise

FUN

TAMARIKI OT KIDS’ NEWS

105 YEAR OLD BREAKS 100M WORLD RECORD JULIA HAWKINS, nicknamed Hurricane, took part in the Louisiana Senior Games recently and set a new 100m world record at the grand age of 105! The retired teacher broke the record, running it in one minute and two seconds while competing in the women’s 105+ age category. However, competitive Julia said she was disappointed with her time and that she had hoped to run faster! “It was wonderful to see so many family members and friends. But I wanted to do it in less than a minute,” she said after the race. “I love to run, and I love being an inspiration to others. I want to keep running as long as I can. My message A have to stay active to others is that you if you want to be healthy and happy as you age.” Julia took up running at 100 after deciding to give up cycling. She said she became tired of beating everyone in her age category all the time! Her four children are often at the side of the track to cheer her on, and she describes winning races as “magic moments”. What we can’t find out is how many other runners were in this race. Would your grandparents be able to do this, or your great-grandparents? SPEEDY GRAN! Hurricane Hawkins sprints along the track on her way to setting a new world record.

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Look up the meanings of the words you don’t know in the dictionary.

See how many W OR DS you can find

WORLd’S TALLEST WOMAN Turkey’s Rumeysa Gelgi has been named the tallest woman living at 215.16cm (7ft 7”). She has an extremely rare condition called Weaver Syndrome, which causes accelerated growth. It also means that Rumeysa with adjudicator on Rumeysa has a chair. to use a wheel chair most of the time, but she can move for short periods using a walker. She says her height makes people intrigued when they pass her on the street, but most people are kind and supportive. Her family are very happy and proud of her for having the Guinness World Records title.

AGE: .

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a moose on the loose A BUNCH OF KIDS at a school in Saskatchewan, Canada, got the surprise of a lifetime when an adult moose crashed through their classroom window. A before-school programme was just wrapping up in the room at the time of the moose’s entrance. The moose was tranquilised by authorities and all the students were safely ushered to safety as the dazed animal slumped to the ground. Saskatoon Public Schools said one child sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. The moose was relocated to outside the city. Officials said the rest of the school day Drop your continued coloured pictu re into as normal. Ōta

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HAPORI/Community I Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 29

Volunteer and connect to your community The Kāpiti group connecting volunteers with community organisations is keen to boost its role in Ōtaki.

Volunteer Kāpiti is already promoting 20 volunteer roles based in Ōtaki, and sees potential for many more. “We know there are amazing community groups and volunteers in Ōtaki and we would love to increase our support for this mahi,” says Volunteer Kāpiti manager Susan Ansell. “We can help to connect people that want to volunteer with volunteer roles, and help community organisations with their volunteer needs.” At a recent visit to Zero Waste Ōtaki, Volunteer Kāpiti saw how the wood recycling project was humming with volunteers and visitors. “It’s a great example of the local community seeing a need and working together to make it happen,” Susan says. She says anyone interested in volunteering can contact Volunteer Kāpiti, who can help find a role that fits. Volunteering is a great way to connect to the community, make new friends, use or learn new skills and connect passion with purpose. Likewise, if you’re part of an Ōtaki community organisation, Volunteer Kāpiti can visit and advise on the support it can provide. Statistics from Volunteering NZ show that more than a million people in New Zealand volunteer both formally and informally for an organisation, contributing about $4 billion to the economy. Zero Waste Ōtaki co-founder Jamie Bull at the group’s wood recycling “But we know that statistics do not fully capture all the station. mahi aroha and informal volunteering that happens in Community Wellbeing Fund to help it increase its services in Ōtaki every day,” Susan says. Ōtaki. Volunteer Kāpiti recently received a grant from the n Contact Volunteer Kāpiti, 06 364-6887 or visit volunteerkapiti.org.nz Wellington Community Trust and the Lottery Covid-19

CHURCHES

MEDICAL

Rangiātea 33 Te Rauparaha St. 06 364-6838. Sunday Eucharist 9am. Church viewing during school terms Monday to Friday 9.30am-1.30pm. St Mary’s Pukekaraka 4 Convent Rd. Fr Alan Robert, 06 364-8543 or 021 0822 8926. Sunday mass: 10am. Miha Māori mass, first Sunday. For other masses see otakiandlevincatholicparish.nz Ōtaki Anglican Rev Simon and Rev Jessica Falconer. 06 364-7099. All Saints Church, 47 Te Rauparaha St. Every Sunday at Hadfield Hall, 10am. Christmas Eve: 10.30pm Hadfield Hall. Christmas Day: 10am Hadfield Hall. Alternate Sundays 10am at St Margaret’s Church, School Rd, Te Horo. For Hadfield Hall bookings, email office@otakianglican.nz Ōtaki Baptist cnr State Highway 1 and Te Manuao Rd. 06 364-8540 or 027 672 7865. Sunday service at 10am. otakibaptist.weebly.com The Hub 157 Tasman Rd, Ōtaki. Leader Richard Brons. 06 364-6911. Sunday service and Big Wednesday services at 10.15am. www.actschurches.com/church-directory/horowhenua/ hub-church/ Ōtaki Presbyterian 249 Mill Rd, Ōtaki. Rev Peter Jackson. 06 364-8759 or 021 207 9455. Sunday service at 11am. See otakiwaikanaechurch.nz

Ōtaki Medical Centre 2 Aotaki St, Ōtaki 06 364 8555 Monday-Friday: 8.45am-5pm. EMERGENCIES: 111 AFTER HOURS: Team Medical, Paraparaumu: 04 297 3000 Coastlands Shopping Mall. 8am-10pm every day. Palmerston North Hospital emergencies, 50 Ruahine St, Palmerston North • 06 356 9169 Healthline for free 24-hour health advice 0800 611 116 St John Health Shuttle 0800 589 630 P-pull walk-in Drug advice and support, Birthright Centre, every 2nd Thursday 6-8pm.

COMMUNITY ŌTAKI POLICE 06 364-7366, corner Iti and Matene Sts CITIZEN’S ADVICE BUREAU 06 364-8664, 0800 367 222. 65a Main Street. otaki@cab.org.nz AROHANUI HOSPICE SHOP 11 Main St. 06 929-6603 BIRTHRIGHT ŌTAKI OPPORTUNITY SHOP 23 Matene St, Ōtaki. 06 364-5524 COBWEBS OPPORTUNITY SHOP TRUST 60 Main St. OCEAN VIEW RESIDENTIAL CARE Marine Pde 06 364-7399

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COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AMICUS CLUB OF ŌTAKI 364 6464 COBBLERS SOUP LUNCH GROUP: Thursdays 11am-1.30pm Gertrude Atmore Lounge. Free soup (koha appreciated). FOREST & BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY Joan Leckie 368 1277 FRIENDS OF THE ŌTAKI RIVER Trevor Wylie 364 8918 FRIENDS OF THE ŌTAKI ROTUNDA Di Buchan 027 683 0213 GENEALOGY SOCIETY Len Nicholls 364 7638 KĀPITI COAST GREY POWER June Simpson 021 109 2583 KĀPITI HOROWHENUA VEGANS: Alastair 364 3392 Eric 367 2512 KEEP ŌTAKI BEAUTIFUL Margaret Bayston/Lloyd Chapman LIONS CLUB OF ŌTAKI Don Howden 022 437 1275 MORRIS CAR CLUB Chris Torr 323 7753 ŌTAKI ARTHRITIS SUPPORT GROUP info@arthritis.org.nz ŌTAKI BRIDGE CLUB Tim Horner 364-5240 ŌTAKI CHRISTIAN WOMEN awomensoccasion@gmail.com ŌTAKI COMMUNITY PATROL Martin McGrath otaki@cpnz.org.nz ŌTAKI & DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS Vaevae 027 447 7864 ŌTAKI FLORAL ART & GARDEN CLUB Macha Miller 364 6605 ŌTAKI FOODBANK 43 Main St, Lucy Tahere 364 0051 ŌTAKI HERITAGE BANK MUSEUM TRUST 364 6886 ŌTAKI HISTORICAL SOCIETY Sarah Maclean 364 2497 ŌTAKI MENZSHED 022 406 9439 OtakiMenzShed@outlook.com ŌTAKI PLAYERS SOCIETY Roger Thorpe 364 8848 or 021 259 2683 ŌTAKI POTTERY CLUB Rod Graham 027 445 7545 ŌTAKI PROMOTIONS GROUP Cam Butler 021 703095 ŌTAKI AND DISTRICT RSA, 9 Raukawa St 364 6221 ŌTAKI SPINNERS & KNITTERS’ GROUP, Barbara Austin 364 8381 ŌTAKI STROKE SUPPORT GROUP Marian Jones 364-5028 ŌTAKI WOMEN’S NETWORK GROUP Michelle McGrath otakiwomensnetwork@gmail.com ŌTAKI WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CLUB/SUNDAY MARKETS Kerrie Fox 027 340 0305 ŌTAKI WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Rema Clark remaclark@xtra.co.nz RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRE Jamie 027 444 9995/Drew 021 288 7021 ROTARY CLUB OF OTAKI Michael Fagg 021 294 3039 ROTARY HALL HIRE Pete Heald 027 536 5616 TIMEBANK Suzanne Fahey 021 1275 074 TOASTMASTERS OF WAIKANAE Graham 04 905 6236 TRANSITION TOWN OTAKI Jamie Bull 364 0550 WAITOHU STREAM CARE GROUP Lynda Angus 020 459 6321

CHILDREN

ŌTAKI TOY LIBRARY 027 621 8855 Saturday 10.30am-noon Memorial Hall, Main St. KIDZOWN OSCAR 0800 543 9696 LITTLE GIGGLERS PLAYGROUP Baptist Church Hall, Te Manuao Rd. 10am-12noon Friday each fortnight. Denise 027 276 0983 MAINLY MUSIC Hadfield Hall, Te Rauparaha St. 021 189 6510 ŌTAKI KINDERGARTEN 68a Waerenga Rd. 364 8553 ŌTAKI MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Haruātai Park, Roselle 364 7500 ŌTAKI PLAYCENTRE Mill Rd. 364 5787. Mon, Tue, Thu 9.30am-noon ŌTAKI PLAYGROUP otakiplaygroup@hotmail.com ŌTAKI SCOUTS, CUBS AND KEAS Brent Bythell 364 8949 ŌTAKI TITANS SWIMMING CLUB Carla Lingnau 021 235 9096 PLUNKET MANAKAU PLAYGROUP Honi Taipua St, T & Th 9.30am-noon SKIDS ŌTAKI out of school care, St Peter Chanel School. Sonia 027 739 1986 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 ŌTAKI (waka ama) DeNeen Baker-Underhill 027 404 4697 ŌTAKI ATHLETIC CLUB Kerry Bevan 027 405 6635 ŌTAKI BOATING CLUB Trevor Hosking 021 642 766 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 RAILWAY BOWLING CLUB Maureen Beaver 364 0640 ŌTAKI SPORTS CLUB: TENNIS, SQUASH & SOCCER Hannah 027 327 1179 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 Jim Babbington 027 530 0443 TAI CHI Gillian Sutherland 04 904 8190 WHITI TE RA LEAGUE CLUB Kelly Anne Ngatai 027 256 7391 WILD GOOSE QIGONG, CHEN STYLE TAIJIQUAN (TAI CHI) & CHUN YUEN (SHAOLIN) QUAN. Sifu Cynthia Shaw 021 613 081.

whārangi 30

RUNARUNA RAUMATI/SUMMER LEISURE I Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021 HARD #42 Use logic and process of elimination to fill in the blank cells using the numbers 1 through 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and 3x3 block. Puzzle solution below.

1. Santa or Christmas parades take place throughout New Zealand in November or December each year. Why were they established? 2. And when were they established? 3. Which popular Christmas beverage is also called “milk punch”. and where did it come from? 4. Which real-life person is Santa Claus based on? 5. What are you supposed to do when you find yourself under the mistletoe? 6. How do you say “Merry Christmas” in Spanish? 7. In the movie Elf, what was the first rule of The Code of Elves? 8. What was the highest-grossing Christmas movie of all time? 9. What is the name of the last ghost that visits Scrooge in A Christmas Carol? 10. Visions of which food danced in children’s heads, as they slept, in the poem Twas The Night Before Christmas? 11. What gift did the Little Drummer Boy give to the newborn Christ? 12. What is the best-selling Christmas song ever? 13. Three of the names of Santa’s reindeers begin with the letter “D”. What are those names? 14. What popular Christmas song was written for Thanksgiving in the US? 15. What is wassailing? 16. What is traditionally put in Christmas puddings for luck? 17. When was the term “Xmas” invented? 18. What two things made red and green popular Christmas colours? 19. How fast would Santa’s sleigh have to travel to deliver presents to all the children in the world? 20. Where does the advent calendar tradition come from? CHRISTMAS TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWERS 1. By department stores to promote the arrival of in-store Santas, with the clear aim of drawing customers directly into their stores. 2. The early 1900s. 3. Eggnog, England. 4. The Christian bishop St Nicholas. 5. Kiss. 6. Feliz Navidad. 7. Treat every day like Christmas. 8. Home Alone. 9. The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. 10. Sugar plums. 11. He played a song for him on his drums. 12. White Christmas by Bing Crosby. 13. Dancer, Dasher, and Donner. 14. Jingle Bells. 15. Going carolling. 16. Coins. 17. While you might think the shortened version of “Christmas” is a modern creation, it actually harkens back to the mid1500s and the Greek letter X, which is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ: Χριστός. 18. Holly and Coca-Cola. While the tradition of red and green holly dates back to Roman winter solstice celebrations, Coca-Cola popularised the plump and jolly red-suit-wearing Santa in an ad in 1931. 19. About 10 million kilometres an hour, as reported in the Telegraph. Exeter University physicist Dr Katy Sheen worked it out by factoring in the number of children who celebrate Christmas around the world (about 700 million) and the total time Santa would have due to time-zone differences (31 hours). 20. While the religious advent season celebrated by Christians technically starts four full weeks before Christmas, the celebratory advent calendars most use today usually begin on December 1 and date back to the 19th century. The tradition was first started by German Protestants who lit candles or made chalk marks on doors every day during the month of December.

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metservice.com/marine-surf/tides/otaki-river-entrance Please note: The actual timing of high and low tide might differ from that provided here. Times are extrapolated from the nearest primary port for this location, so please take care. HIGH LOW WED 08 DEC 01:11 07:14 THU 09 DEC 02:00 07:56 FRI 10 DEC 02:53 08:44 SAT 11 DEC 03:52 09:46 SUN 12 DEC 04:58 11:14 MON 13 DEC - 00:22 TUE 14 DEC - 01:33 WED 15 DEC - 02:25 THU 16 DEC - 03:07 FRI 17 DEC - 03:43 SAT 18 DEC - 04:16 SUN 19 DEC - 04:47 MON 20 DEC - 05:19 TUE 21 DEC - 05:52 WED 22 DEC 00:20 06:27 THU 23 DEC 00:57 07:04 FRI 24 DEC 01:39 07:44 SAT 25 DEC 02:26 08:30 SUN 26 DEC 03:20 09:24 MON 27 DEC 04:20 10:34 TUE 28 DEC 05:25 11:57 WED 29 DEC - 00:48 THU 30 DEC - 01:54 FRI 31 DEC - 02:50 SAT 1 JAN - 03:39 SUN 2 JAN - 04:25 MON 3 JAN - 05:08 TUE 4 JAN - 05:49 WED 5 JAN 00:17 06:28 THU 6 JAN 01:03 07:07 FRI 7 JAN 01:49 07:47 SAT 8 JAN 02:36 08:28 SUN 9 JAN 03:25 09:14 MON 10 JAN 04:18 10:08 TUE 11 JAN 05:16 11:18 WED 12 JAN - 00:15 THU 13 JAN - 01:27 FRI 14 JAN - 02:25

KIRIHIMETE WORD MAKER ANSWERS from page 28: 7-letter word: 1. emeriti. 6-letter words: 2. reemit 3. either 4. hermit 5. therme 6. retime 7. mitier 8. metier 9. mither. 5-letter words: 10. retem 11. retie 12. remet 13. remit 14. ither 15. rehem 16. metre 17. miter 18. kiter 19. kithe 20. mirth 21. merit 22. hiker 23. timer 24. three 25. therm 26. there 27. theme 28. trike 29. their 30. ether 31. meter 32. mitre. 4-letter words:33. mite 34. tree 35. trek 36. mirk 37. tire 38. mire 39. mike 40. thir 41. thee 42. time 43. tiki 44. term 45. teem 46. rite 47. them 48. rete 49. rime 50. trim 51. tier 52. reek 53. kite 54. tike 55. miri 56. mete 57. heir 58. khet 59. keir 60. keet 61. heme 62. item 63. here 64. herm 65. hike 66. hire 67. kier 68. mere 69. meet 70. meek 71. emir 72. kith 73. emit 74. merk. 3-letter words: 75. eke 76. hie 77. him 78. the 79. het 80. eme 81. her 82. ere 83. hem 84. tie 85. eth 86. tee 87. met 88. mir 89. kit 90. kir 91. khi 92. ree 93. rei 94. rem 95. ret 96. irk 97. hit 98. ire 99. rim. 2-letter words: 100. it 101. me 102. em 103. mi 104. er 105. hm 106. et 107. hi 108. re 109. ti 110. he 111. eh. Ōtaki Today has news stands at RiverStone Café, Ōtaki New World, Ōtaki Library, Café SixtySix, and Ōtaki Beach dairy. Other news stands are at Manakau Market, The Sponge Kitchen in Levin, and Olive Grove Café, Waikanae.

Ōtaki River entrance tides

ARE YOU STRUGGLING? DO YOU NEED SUPPORT? DO YOU NEED AN ADVOCATE? Perhaps we could help you access what you are entitled to? Please call us for help or support 021 110 2605 Ōtaki Penihana Whakaawae Benefit Advocacy People helping people.

HIGH 13:35 14:24 15:19 16:20 17:27 06:09 07:17 08:17 09:07 09:49 10:26 11:00 11:32 12:05 12:40 13:18 14:01 14:50 15:46 16:47 17:52 06:32 07:37 08:37 03:40 10:21 11:09 11:54 12:40 13:25 14:11 14:58 15:48 16:42 17:41 06:19 07:25 08:26

LOW HIGH 19:41 20:30 21:29 22:51 - 12:45 18:36 13:52 19:40 14:42 20:36 15:23 21:22 15:58 22:02 16:32 22:38 17:05 23:12 17:39 23:45 18:13 18:50 19:30 20:15 21:08 22:13 23:31 - 13:14 18:58 14:18 20:01 15:12 15:13 09:31 16:02 16:47 22:43 17:31 23:31 18:13 18:54 19:36 20:18 21:04 21:56 23:00 - 12:40 18:44 13:52 19:48 14:48 20:46

CROSSWORD #GNT104 SOLUTION OPPOSITE PAGE ACROSS: 1 Split, 4 As the crow flies, 11 Pound, 14 Anvil, 15 Application, 16 Humorous, 19 Frigate, 20 Value, 21 Interfere, 24 Marmalade, 26 Queasy, 27 Sentry, 31 Drain, 32 Umbrella, 34 Fall to bits, 38 Durable, 39 Addict, 40 Lotion, 41 Spry, 42 Beneath, 45 Krugerrand, 50 Dwindle, 54 Vain, 55 Madden, 56 Geneva, 57 Elapsed, 60 Lead astray, 61 Icecream, 62 Mural, 65 Decide, 66 Speech, 67 Acquitted, 72 Carpenter, 73 Worry, 74 Isolate, 79 Marathon, 80 Complainant, 81 Front, 82 Alone, 85 Bury the hatchet, 92 Cheat, 95 Krill, 96 Celebration, 97 Trombone, 100 Scandal, 101 Ad-lib, 102 Asparagus, 105 Gratitude, 107 Direct, 108 Assure, 112 Crypt, 113 Bassinet, 115 Hammerhead, 119 Tedious, 120 Belief, 121 United, 122 Boom, 123 Regatta, 126 Flatulence, 131 Stetson, 135 Goal, 136 Stolen, 137 Kimono, 138 Reverse, 141 Defamation, 142 Mona Lisa, 143 Strew, 146 Bottle, 147 Assent, 148 Appraised, 153 Facetious, 154 Skits, 155 Centaur, 160 Chivalry, 161 Parenthesis, 162 Frail, 163 Rogue, 164 Skate on thin ice, 165 Least. DOWN: 2 Pantry, 3 Icing, 5 Sips, 6 Halyard, 7 Cactus, 8 Oats, 9 Flounder, 10 Stuffy, 11 Proprietor, 12 Upon, 13 Display, 17 Stamp, 18 Get started, 22 Plumb, 23 Stripped, 25 Agitate, 26 Quarter, 28 Arouse, 29 Flying, 30 Almond, 33 Radar, 35 Style, 36 Flat, 37 Flea, 42 Bevel, 43 Nuisance, 44 Hearth, 45 Kidnapping, 46 Ulna, 47 English, 48 Runner, 49 Never, 51 Wall, 52 Neptune, 53 Leeway, 58 Sandcastle, 59 Gamut, 63 Peter out, 64 Stash, 65 Dilemma, 68 Chronic, 69 Aplomb, 70 Sonata, 71 Stanza, 75 Larch, 76 Ergo, 77 Apse, 78 Once, 83 Lyrics, 84 Nylon, 86 Used, 87 Yielded, 88 Hernia, 89 Hate, 90 Trousers, 91 Threat, 92 Compulsory, 93 Eros, 94 Treacle, 98 Tasty, 99 Saccharine, 103 Stray, 104 Numerous, 106 Replica, 107 Dutiful, 109 Breeze, 110 Enlist, 111 Embers, 114 Swell, 116 Demon, 117 Putt, 118 Ruin, 123 Rigid, 124 Graffiti, 125 Astute, 126 Follow suit, 127 Acne, 128 Unkempt, 129 Ermine, 130 Canal, 132 Tier, 133 Trestle, 134 Oyster, 139 Amalgamate, 140 Users, 144 Regulate, 145 Fixed, 146 Bouncer, 149 Pattern, 150 Debris, 151 Sketch, 152 Quoits, 156 Terse, 157 Ring, 158 Seen, 159 Zinc.

CHRISTMAS TRIVIA QUIZ

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CROSSWORD #GNT104 solution left ACROSS 1 Cleave (5) 4 In a direct line (2,3,4,5) 11 Hit hard (5) 14 Smithy's block (5) 15 Use (11) 16 Witty (8) 19 Naval vessel (7) 20 Worth (5) 21 Meddle (9) 24 Citrus spread (9) 26 Nauseous (6) 27 Lookout (6) 31 Sap (5) 32 Weather shield (8) 34 Disintegrate (4,2,4) 38 Long-lasting (7) 39 Habitual user (6) 40 Balm (6) 41 Nimble (4) 42 Lower than (7) 45 Gold coin (10) 50 Wane (7) 54 Conceited (4) 55 Infuriate (6) 56 City in Switzerland (6) 57 Pleased (anag) (7) 60 Tempt into wrongdoing (4,6) 61 Cold food (3,5) 62 Immovable painting (5) 65 Settle (6) 66 Oration (6) 67 Pronounced not guilty (9) 72 Woodworker (9) 73 Pester (5) 74 Quarantine (7) 79 Long race (8) 80 Plaintiff (11) 81 Forepart (5) 82 Solo (5) 85 End a feud (4,3,7)

92 Swindle (5) 95 Whale food (5) 96 Festivity (11) 97 Musical instrument (8) 100 Public outrage (7) 101 Improvise (2-3) 102 Vegetable in spears (9) 105 Thankfulness (9) 107 Steer (6) 108 Convince (6) 112 Burial chamber (5) 113 Small bed (8) 115 Type of shark (10) 119 Humdrum (7) 120 Conviction (6) 121 Joined (6) 122 Microphone pole (4) 123 Boating event (7) 126 Gas problem (10) 131 Hat (7) 135 Objective (4) 136 Purloined (6) 137 Japanese garment (6) 138 Back (7) 141 Slander (10) 142 La Gioconda (4,4) 143 Scatter (5) 146 Container (6) 147 Agreement (6) 148 Disappear (anag) (9) 153 Tongue-in-cheek (9) 154 Short comedy sketches (5) 155 Man-horse (7) 160 Courtliness (8) 161 Brackets (11) 162 Delicate (5) 163 Scoundrel (5) 164 Place oneself in a dangerous or delicate situation (5,2,4,3) 165 Minimum (5)

DOWN 2 Food store (6) 3 Cake topping (5) 5 Drinks cautiously (4) 6 Sail rope (7) 7 Desert plant (6) 8 Grain crop (4) 9 Fish (8) 10 Airless (6) 11 Owner (10) 12 On (4) 13 Exhibit (7) 17 Walk heavily, angrily (5) 18 Make a beginning (3,7) 22 Exactly vertical (5) 23 Denuded (8) 25 Shake (7) 26 Divide by four (7) 28 Titillate (6) 29 Airborne (6) 30 Marzipan flavour (6) 33 Navigation aid (5) 35 Fashion (5) 36 Level (4) 37 Insect (4) 42 Sloped edge (5) 43 Pest (8) 44 Fireplace (6) 45 Abduction (10) 46 Arm bone (4) 47 Shingle (anag) (7) 48 Athlete (6) 49 At no time (5) 51 Roof support (4) 52 Planet (7) 53 Room to manoeuvre (6) 58 Seaside construction (10) 59 Entire range (5) 63 Diminish, finally cease (5,3) 64 Secret store (5) 65 Quandary (7) 68 Inveterate (7) 69 Self-assurance (6) 70 Musical composition (6) 71 Verse (6) 75 Tree (5) 76 Therefore (4) 77 Church recess (4)

78 Long ago (4) 83 Song words (6) 84 Synthetic fibre (5) 86 Took advantage of (4) 87 Produced (7) 88 Strain injury (6) 89 Loathe (4) 90 Clothing item (8) 91 Intimidatory remark (6) 92 Mandatory (10) 93 Love god (4) 94 Dark syrup (7) 98 Palatable (5) 99 Cane chairs (anag) (10) 103 Digress (5) 104 Many (8) 106 Copy (7) 107 Compliant (7) 109 Zephyr (6) 110 Sign up (6) 111 Hot coals (6) 114 Distend (5) 116 Evil spirit (5) 117 Green shot (4) 118 Spoil (4) 123 Unbending (5) 124 Wall scrawls (8) 125 Sharp (6) 126 Do likewise (6,4) 127 Spots (4) 128 Dishevelled (7) 129 Stoat in winter coat (6) 130 Waterway (5) 132 Layer (4) 133 Table top support (7) 134 Shellfish (6) 139 Combine (10) 140 Consumers (5) 144 Control (8) 145 Repaired (5) 146 Nightclub heavy (7) 149 Decorative design (7) 150 Rubble (6) 151 Diagram (6) 152 Throwing game (6) 156 Short (5) 157 Circle (4) 158 Spotted (4) 159 Metal (4)

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Ōtaki Today, Tīhema/December 2021

whārangi 32

TĀKARO/Sport

Heremaia top sportsperson READY FOR LIGHTS: Ōtaki Sports Club tennis captain Gary Quigan and tennis player and club treasurer Lilian Bramley in front of the courts that are soon to have floodlights, courtesy of a $120,000 grant from New Zealand Community Trust. Photo supplied

Club delight at new lights Tennis in Ōtaki continues its resurgence with the awarding of a $120,000 grant to Ōtaki Sports Club to install floodlighting around its courts. The grant, in November, from community funding agency New Zealand Community Trust, covers the bulk of the $125,000 lighting project and means the club can now make a start on construction. Six 12-metre pylons, each holding two LED floodlights, are to be erected around the combined four tennis courts and two futsal (five-a-side, court-based football) courts at Haruātai Park. Club president Hannah Grimmett says the club is has appreciated that New Zealand Community Trust saw the merit in its funding application and understood the high importance of sport to the Ōtaki community. The grant is the result of a 13-month project by a club sub-committee. It included working with lighting experts to design quality light coverage on court with little light impact outside the Haruātai Park boundaries, getting resource consent from

Kāpiti Coast District Council, and seeking funding. “This project is another excellent step forward in developing and boosting healthy sporting opportunities not just for club members but also the wider community,” Hannah says. “We have an amazing group of dedicated volunteers at the club putting in hard yards to ensure the success of all sorts of quality sporting opportunities for our tamariki, rangatahi and adults. This lighting will help widen the tennis and football options they can provide.” Club tennis captain Gary Quigan says the lighting was designed to Tennis New Zealand standards for competitive tennis and would allow the club to hold official competitions at night, as well as social events. “We are looking forward to planning evening events that until now have been only a pipe dream,” he says. “Tennis is a year-round sport at Ōtaki Sports Club and the lighting will let us play and coach after work on weekdays during winter. It’s going to make a real difference.”

The grant is the second significant tennis grant for the Ōtaki Sports Club this year. In July, the club received nearly $4000, from Wellington Community Trust, to hire professional tennis coach Kurt McNamara for junior coaching sessions in term 4 this year and in term 1, 2022. Kurt travels from Palmerston North every Tuesday for three hours of junior coaching at the club. Gary says Kurt has been doing a great job lifting the skills of Ōtaki junior players. “Our juniors have been coached by parents in the past who were totally enthusiastic and dedicated. Having a pro coach here has really added to their work and helped sharpen the kids’ skills base.” Adult coaching was also introduced this year with Kurt fitting in paid lessons before and after his community-funded junior sessions. “There has been a real uplift in enthusiasm and participation in tennis in Ōtaki this year due to the opportunities we have been able to offer. And now that we have the court lighting confirmed we are pretty excited about growing tennis programmes even further,” Gary says.

Heremaia Cooper was named as sportsperson of the year at the Ōtaki College prize-giving on November 18.

The award recognises Heremaia’s outstanding achievements in rugby and waka ama, as well as swimming in which he has broken college records and won the senior boys’ swimming cup. He won a bronze medal in the W6 and W12 events at the national secondary school waka ama championships. Ōtaki College principal Andy Fraser describes Heremaia as a naturally gifted sportsman well deserving of the award. “He’s a powerful young man,” Andy says. “He’s the sort of person who will give anything a crack and when he does he gives it everything. He’s so passionate about his rugby – he really wants to go places, and he will.” Heremaia played for the Paraparaumu College 1st XV this year as Ōtaki didn’t have a team in that grade. His talents were recognised with selection in the Horowhenua-Kāpiti U18 team, and the Wellington Māori U18s. So what’s his goal? “I want to get into the Hurricanes if I can,” he says. “But next year I’ll see if I can play for Levin Wanderers where my old man [Adam Cooper] played more than 300 games.” Still only 17, Heremaia has a great future. An All Blacks jersey is well within his capabilities. As college sportsperson of the year, Heremaia receives the Marlan Trading Scholarship worth $500.

Otaki Today December 2021

Articles inside

n Sportsperson of the year Heremaia Cooper