Ngā Kōrero o Ōtaki
MAEHE MARCH 2022
otakitoday.com
The elegant Oriwia Webster p18
TURN CLOCKS BACK Remember to put your clocks back an hour before bed on Saturday April 2. Daylight time finishes at 3am on Sunday, April 3.
Whena the architect p11
Businesses on edge By Ian Carson
Staff, supply and stock. It’s a triple whammy for local businesses on edge as they cope with the effects of Covid-19.
Local hospitality and other customer-facing businesses say they are coping so far, but taking each day as it comes. With the seven-day isolation rule for people with Covid and close contacts, some of these businesses are already struggling to provide their usual service. Options are to limit opening hours or close on quieter days. For some with limited resources, it might come to closing for good. Contingency plans are being drawn up for the coming weeks, when the peak of the Omicron outbreak is expected to be felt hardest. Supply and its partner, stock, are also critical factors. Businesses are not getting regular supplies because the producer is short-staffed, as are the office staff and transport companies. The word is to stock up as much as possible because a delivery date for the next order can’t be guaranteed. The local Hammer Hardware has queues of DIYers and tradespeople desperate for materials, but Hammer can’t get the stock. “It’s still being produced, but we just can’t get some stock in the store,” says co-owner Conor Colbourne. “It’s especially bad for building materials, like gib, decking timber and insulation.” Wife and business partner Erin Colbourne says Hammer puts in its usual orders, but it will only get what’s allocated. “You get what you’re given. The shortages must be having a massive impact on the building sector,” she says. “If the builders can’t get gib, they can’t finish the job.” Erin says their business will continue to look after local customers, but they’ll have to look at what opening hours they can support if they have serious staff shortages.
SHORT ON STOCK: Hammer Hardware owners Conor and Erin Colbourne: “We just can’t get some stock in the store.”
Matt Mullins, co-owner of New World Ōtaki says it’s a challenging environment that’s changing day by day. “We have seen extra pressure on our supply chain, however our stock levels are good,” he says. “We may not have everything at all times, but we are doing our best to minimise disruption and get customers the products they want.” There has been increased pressure with team members isolating and significant demand for online services. Regular operating hours have
been maintained so far, which Matt says New World will to continue to do as long as it can. “We have contingency plans in place around some of our departments potentially reducing their offer and reduced store operating hours if required, however at this stage we have not needed to make any changes.” Countdown says it has about 2100 staff away throughout New Zealand, either isolating as a positive case or as a household contact. “With fewer people working right across the supply chain, including those of our
suppliers, we are seeing impacts, but our focus remains on making sure we’re getting as much stock as possible into our stores and looking after our team and customers,” a head office spokesperson told Ōtaki Today. “The key thing is that there is plenty of food and groceries to go around – it’s just taking longer to get through.” It has contingency plans such as reducing trading hours or temporarily closing service counters so staff can help out in other priority areas of a store, including checkouts and online shopping.
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TŌRANGAPŪ/Politics I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
LOCAL EVENTS ŌTAKI COMMUNITY BOARD: The next meeting of the Ōtaki Community Board (OCB) is at 7pm on Tuesday, May 10, 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. Note that the meeting might be conducted online only, depending on the prevailing Covid situation. Meetings will not be livestreamed in these circumstances, but will be available to view online later at kapiticoast.govt.nz. Other meetings of the OCB for the year are: June 21, August 2 and September 13.
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 RIVER PARKRUN: A free, fun and friendly 5km walk, jog, run, volunteer or watch event every Saturday from 8am, north-east side of Ōtaki River. It’s free, but please register before you come along first time. Bring a scannable copy of your barcode to register your time. Note vaccine pass required. Post parkrun coffee at River Cottage Café. See parkrun.co.nz 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 SUPPORT GROUP & WELLNESS CENTRE: meets for “Sit & Be Fit” classes, 10am Friday mornings at 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. To list an event, contact debbi@idmedia.co.nz
whārangi 2
Spin provides clue to government thinking P
olitical spin and secrecy go together like bacon and eggs; each can enhance the other but too much of either can bedevil the indulgent.
The contract for the work was awarded to a New York firm that does not apparently have an office in New Zealand. It is reportedly continuing at a rate about $2500 a month, with about $200,000 having already been paid out. Current government “spin” strategies Minister Hipkins is said to have termed the embracing the provision of information tailored reports “public sentiment analysis” covering toward assessed preferences of voters, and Covid-19 topics. That suggests full details in minimum disclosure when information might not be self-serving, require confidentiality. the public domain should not be a problem. Secrecy starts to fray when observers of But the failure to provide them, coupled to the government in action determine decision to award the contract to POLITICS that efforts are being made to an offshore company when several gather voter opinions prior to an potential alternatives are in New announcement. Topics canvassed Zealand, raised suspicions that the provide clues to government monitoring had more to do with thinking. When they encounter a political strategies than health government reluctance to provide administration. detail, or attempts to preserve Attention on political need secrecy, they tend to search for taking precedence over neutral answers rather more persistently. governance was also fueled when BRUCE KOHN The current government is the Public Service Commission probably more “spin” conscious than most of publicly ensured the Department of Internal its predecessors. It tends to lose out more from Affairs (DIA) was aware of the government questionable administration and co-ordination guidelines requiring advertising to be done of tasks among Cabinet offices that it does from only to “fill an identifiable and justifiable” effective information strategies. But the secrecy information need. The commission’s action requirement is starting to damage perceptions followed implementation by DIA of a strongly that the Government’s responses during the worded national advertising campaign aimed at Covid-19 pandemic are driven overwhelmingly gathering support for the Three Waters Reform by health needs, with political imperatives project of the Government. The campaign was taking a distant second place. amended and then dropped in the wake of the An example is disquiet over the monitoring commission’s action and strong rejection of it by of on-line posts and conversations that the local government representatives. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secrecy around the cost of this campaign recently termed “a part of the routine social media and the consultant who recommended it is monitoring the Covid-19 group undertakes”. not enhancing government protestations of The fact that it took almost three months to “transparency”. The full Three Waters project respond to an NZ Herald request for details is being challenged in the courts and continues suggested the full themes or subject content to attract adverse comment from local searched for contained elements neither the governments around the country. Government nor the Ministry of Health were relaxed about sharing with taxpayers. Another example of secrecy that gives
grounds for suspicion of what government is up to includes its unwillingness to respond over several months to its intentions for the future of Radio NZ and TVNZ. Equally counter to government claims of transparency was almost two years it took the police to hand over to the NZ Herald figures showing the number of firearms seized in the past three years. A complaint to the Ombudsman by the Herald resulted in a finding that the delay was “unacceptable” and procrastination by the police bureaucracy had breached the Official Information Act. The Act requires a response within 20 working days. That the figures disclosed the police had discovered more than 10,000 firearms across the country over the three years confirmed beliefs that the scale of increase was far greater than it had been for decades, despite government efforts to have unlicensed firearms handed in. Against the backdrop of National and ACT closing the gap in opinion polling against Labour and the Greens, it can be expected that temptations on the government side to up the spin and “bury the dirt” will be huge. Former prime minister Helen Clark had a tactic for dealing with her caucus when polls showed the opposition gaining ground. It was to show at the front of a caucus meeting those MPs who would lose their seats if the poll results were reflected on an election night. It was said by former Cabinet ministers to “work wonders” in lifting performance. Right now, as the Government edges toward the mid-term of its current period in office, might well be the ideal time to review its information policies and ensure “spin” does not continue to undermine, rather than enhance, government information provision. 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
By Jared Carson
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Petrol prices through the roof! Credit for cartoon idea to Wallace Trickett
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, call Debbi on 027 285 4720 or 06 364-6543, or email debbi@idmedia.co.nz DESIGN by ID Media Ltd. PRINTED by Beacon Print, Whakatane.
CONTRIBUTORS: • Pera Barrett (Good Thinking) • Di Buchan and David Ledson (Museum) • Fraser Carson (Media & Community) • Jared Carson (Cartoons) • Kyuss Carson (Kids’ puzzle) • James Cootes (Local Lens) • 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 45: ISSN 2624-3067 ONLINE: ISSN 2744-354X Next copy and advertising deadline: April 5. Publication: April 13. Ōtaki Today is a member of the NZ Community Newspapers Association
PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
Year-end opening, maybe The continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic – and uncertainty about future effects – has Waka Kotahi coy about a possible opening date for the Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway. The transport agency and senior construction managers were confident earlier in the year that the expressway would be open by Christmas. That confidence appears to have been tempered by Covid disruptions. In response to enquiries from Ōtaki Today, principal project manager Glen Prince said working out a completion date was “still being worked through”. He said all big construction projects, including PP2Ō, had been affected by Covid-19, and several state highway projects had experienced delays. “The 2020 and 2021 lockdowns required work on several sites to stop altogether, which caused flow-on delays to work programmes. “With Omicron cases now peaking in the community, there have been increases in absenteeism on project sites across the country in the past week, with workers required to isolate due to positive tests or being close contacts to positive cases. “The impact extends beyond direct project employees, with subcontractors and workers employed in the extended supply chain also being impacted, including truck drivers and others.”
He said contractors were working to manage the effects as effectively as they could by rescheduling work programmes to ensure that those who remained on-site were able to continue progressing projects like the expressway. In terms of the supply of construction materials, he said the Covid pandemic had slowed the delivery of key materials because of the disruption of overseas supply chains, affecting the delivery of materials including steel, timber and specialist material like polymers and epoxy. “More recently, with the large number of community cases now in New Zealand, local supply chains are being disrupted, including delays or cancellations of the delivery of construction material due to the limited availability of truck drivers, as well as plant operators and technicians. “Contractors will continue working hard to complete PP2Ō as soon as possible, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the timeline for completing the project is still being worked through.”
STRETCHING OUT: The Peka Peka to Ōtaki expressway, looking south with the Waitohu Stream bridge prominent in the foreground. Waka Kotahi says the timeline for completion “is still being worked through”. Photo Mark Coote
whārangi 3
Four sites get heritage funding Four ecological projects in the Ōtaki district have been successful in securing funding from the 202022 round of Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Heritage Fund.
They are: • 7 Morrison Road, Te Horo (ecological site K056) – $3000 to assist with the cost of rabbit-proof fence materials • 990 State Highway 1, Te Horo (ecological site K037) – $4500 to help create a destination to be known as The Kilns at Te Horo, which will create and sustain a unique visitor destination centred around the kilns of the late potter Mirek Smizek. • 84 Te Hapua Road, Te Horo (ecological site K056) – $2072.79 to remove exotic pest trees, and install native plants and plant guards • 176 Te Hapua Road, Te Horo (ecological site K055) ¬– $2978 to install native plants and plant guards, plus animal pest and weed control.
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PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 5
Drone looks for leaking water
House prices dip
A high-powered drone has been helping Kāpiti Coast District Council find leaks in its pipe network.
The drone has been operating above the roadways at various times during early March and has completed its summer survey. Appearance of the drone in Ōtaki elicited concerns recently of snooping by some local people wary of any drone activity. The drone contracted by KCDC from infrastructure and environmental services company Cardno, costs about $30,000. Using thermal imaging technology, it takes video images of the roads and footpaths, looking particularly for shadows that are likely to be water leaked from council pipes. Because it detects temperature, the ideal time for operation is in the early evening after a sunny day. As water is cooler than the surrounding warm ground, leaks are revealed. Two Cardno technicians have been operating the drone, supported by a security person to answer questions and in case people have concerns. The council monitors water loss in the water network and does a targeted leak detection programme in a different area of Kāpiti each year. This year, the drone is operating in Ōtaki and Waikanae.
IN BRIEF The median Ōtaki house price in February was $790,000, down $10,000 on the January figure, according to homes.co.nz. It’s the first dip in house prices since Ōtaki Today began reporting the figures in 2019. The annual rate of price rises has also slipped from a high of 51.5 percent in September last year to 39.4 percent. In the past three months, prices have risen 4.7 percent, and 10.1 percent during the past six months. (See also p6.)
Quiet month for brigade Ōtaki Volunteer Fire Brigade had a quiet month in February, with only 18 call-outs. There were 30 call-outs in January. Most of those in February were when private fire alarms were activated (five), and four were for vehicle crashes. Three were for rubbish, grass or scrub fires, and there were two each for property fires and “special services”. One was for medical assistance and one to assist the Levin brigade.
Bores for Te Horo, Hautere UP AND AWAY: A drone operator and Cardno technician fly the drone along Te Manuao Road.
Until the end of March, drone operators will be working in those towns during the evening. They are not surveying private property, and the cameras can’t see into homes or cars. Everything that’s not on the pipe network appears as darkened objects in the images captured. The drone is piloted by a trained operator certified for night flying. KCDC says the technology gives
it a much better chance than before of finding and repairing slow leaks. It’s especially so with polybutylene pipes, where traditional technologies using “listening” devices are less effective. The council’s automated systems alert it immediately to drops in pressure in a network for major leaks. Slow leaks though, caused by pipe failure, tree roots, service
providers or construction activity, can be harder to identify. Undetected leaks can waste huge volumes of water and cause extensive damage that’s expensive and disruptive to repair. In 2019 and 2020, it’s estimated the Ōtaki water network could have lost as much as 293,000 cubic metres a year, equivalent to 233 litres per person per day.
Two new production bores and one monitoring bore have been drilled to supply high-quality drinking water to about 750 residents in Hautere and Te Horo. Pipes from the new bores to the small water treatment plant are now being laid. The new bores are due to start being used in late May. Hautere and Te Horo water supply customers are currently under a precautionary boil water notice, which is likely to be in place until stage one of the treatment plant upgrade is completed at the end of May.
PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 6
Tearaway housing ‘back in balance’ By Ian Carson
The housing market in Ōtaki is showing signs of being “back in balance”, as one real estate agent put it, after increases that took prices up 250 percent in the past five years.
The online service homes.co.nz had the median Ōtaki house price dropping $10,000 in February after several years of what was at times staggering price increases. Local real estate agents believe there’s some movement for further price drops, but nothing huge, and it has to be taken in light of the massive increases. Derek Kelly of Kelly&Co says houses are still selling, and there’s many more of them available than the peak selling time about October last year. “But what used to sell in a week three or four months ago is stretching out to several weeks.” He says that since banks tightened lending late last year, first home buyers had withdrawn from the market. However, an expected easing of the lending criteria mid-year should see some of them return. Those restrictions hadn’t affected the top end of the market much. “People with the wherewithal and with a good relationship with the banks are still able to buy without difficulty.” He says with more sales subject to contract conditions, there has been more “rationality” in the market. For some vendors, it means they’re not getting the prices they previously expected. “An adjustment in the market was inevitable. It’s not just a vendors’ market any more.” Sarah Lange of Tall Poppy agrees that houses are taking longer to sell as buyers take their time and look around.
MORE TO COME: Many Ōtaki subdivisions are nearing completion with more on the way. Buyers of new and existing stock have more options after skyrocketing prices have been curbed in recent months.
“Gone are the days of getting offers after the first open home.” She’s noticed a definite trend of buyers who have the flexibility of working from home. “They’re looking for something that works for them.” Ōtaki, however, still “punches above its weight”. “People are still telling me they never knew about the township and that the beach was patrolled. I’ve loved it ever since I moved here.” Grant Robertson at First National says the market is at a turning point. “The market was robust, as was shown by us
selling 42 of the 44 sections in Rangiuru Road before Christmas,” he says. “The high point in the market was October, but after a fairly quiet January and February, we’re fielding a lot more enquiries and making a lot more sales.” He says it’s a change from a “rampant vendors’ market” to being “back in balance”. “There’s more choice for buyers and a need for good presentation, strong marketing and good negotiating skills on the part of vendors. “The froth might have gone off the top, but people are still transacting. They’re still buying and selling at current levels.” Pete Heald of Professionals DoubleWinkel
says more houses are available than there’s ever been. Many older people in Ōtaki are downsizing and that market is still strong. But he says the number of people at open homes is down. “Covid is the big one,” he says. “People are sometimes just scared to come out. You’ve also got to take account of things like petrol prices and food, and interest rates going up.” Brendon Heenan at Tall Poppy says there might be a dip in prices as vendors who want to move on sell and don’t want to wait. Prices are still good, but there’s likely to be more negotiation than in the past. The relative demise of first-home buyers has also had a trickle effect on sales. Their inability to secure finance for a property has meant the vendor hoping to move up in the market has been stymied, too. Another factor is that bridging finance is now more difficult to secure. Brendon says with more houses available and prices stabilising, it’s almost a perfect storm for buyers. “They’re not fighting over stock and if they miss out on one, they have others to look at. There are still plenty of buyers around, they’re just taking longer to commit.” Talking about new building, he says there’s a danger in coming months – especially after Covid restrictions are eased – that tradespeople will be tempted away from New Zealand to Australia. New housing, and in some cases new towns, will need to be built after the recent catastrophic flooding in Queensland and New South Wales. “Our guys will be tempted to go over there and earn some big money.”
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PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 7
Convoy remembered at commemoration By Ian Carson
The annual event at Ōtaki College to remember the gallantry of SS Otaki and honour the Merchant Navy was this year focused on the fateful convoy PQ17.
Merchant ships in the Second World War convoy from Scotland to Russia were left to the mercy of German forces after the British Admiralty issued the infamous command: “Convoy is to scatter.” The command came after it was feared the German battleship Tirpitz was about to intercept the convoy. The intelligence proved wrong and the 35 merchant ships, unprotected by their naval escort, were picked off by U-boats and Luftwaffe bombers. On one day alone – July 12, 1942 – 12 ships were sunk. Only 11 of the total number of merchant ships were to reach Russia. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill later described it as “one of the most melancholy naval episodes in the whole of the war”. Many New Zealanders, including my own father, were on the convoys that supplied the Soviet Union with war materiel in its battle against Nazi Germany. The New Zealand Russian Convoy Association, now with dwindling membership, is always represented at the wreath-laying event at the college. They are normally accompanied by Russian Ambassador Georgy Zuev, who regularly shows deserved gratitude by laying a wreath alongside representatives of Great Britain and Germany. The ambassador was conspicuously absent this year after his country invaded Ukraine. Three members of the convoy association, though now well into their 90s, did attend, including president Derek Whitwam. Derek was the keynote speaker.
Members of the Russian Convoy Association at the Ōtaki College monument on March 11. From left, George Billing (97, HMS Nabob, Derek Whitwam (96) HMS Berwick and Stan Welch (96) HMS Apollo. Photo Ian Carson
He began his address by saying that in 1942, Russia (then the Soviet Union) was an ally against Nazi aggression, though an extremely demanding one. Derek was English and later emigrated to New Zealand. He joined the Royal Navy in 1943, when the convoys were in full swing. After initial training he joined the heavy cruiser HMS Berwick and sailed on his first convoy destined for Russia, JW57, in February 1944. “After ploughng through 60-foot [18-metre] waves we developed machinery trouble and had to withdraw back to Scapa Flow for repairs,” he said. “Meeting 60-foot waves head-on is like
driving into a brick wall – very difficult to keep your balance.” Like most men on the convoys, he remembers the bitter cold as the ships crept through Arctic waters. “It was very cold, but the only cold-weather clothing we were issued with was two pars of ankle-length woollen underwear. For washing we had to geg, borrow or steal a bucket, which was used for both bathing and clothes washing.” Derek said it was often so cold the ladders would be covered in ice and waves coming over the bow would turn to ice before reaching the bridge. Ice was a constant worry, not just
because of the danger to crew, but also because it could cause machinery to malfunction and upset the equilibrium of the ship. “We were constantly chipping ice from the guard rails and most other areas on the upper deck. In fact, on one convoy the roof of the crusier HMS Sheffield’s A turret at the front of the ship, was peeled back like the lid on a sardine tin.” The men on the convoys often trained with or were friends with men on other ships. In some cases they grew up together and joined the Navy together. Convoys by their very nature involved many ships, and it was inevitable that some men would look across the heaving waves to see how their mate was doing only a few hundred metres away. One story told to me by a veteran was of waving every morning to his friend on another ship. One day after their customary salute, this veteran said he suddenly saw the trail of a U-boat torpedo streaking past his ship. It sped on and slammed into his mate’s ship just below the bridge. The ship exploded and sunk within minutes. His mate died in the attack. My own father was on PQ13, serving on HMS Trinidad. A new light cruiser with a complement of 900 men, it was heavily damaged in March 1942 when a torpedo malfunctioned – she torpedoed herself. A total of 32 men died, including Aucklander A C Dick. My dad remembered injured men in the sea gasping for air as oil seeping from the damaged ship floated around them. Incidents such as these are remembered by those who served, and undoubtedly still haunt them in moments of reflection. It’s why it’s important to honour their service with commemorations such as those at the college.
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PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 8
Ōtaki Update March 2022
Coastal hazards report helps us plan, invest, adapt
The updated ‘coastal hazard susceptibility and vulnerability assessment’ helps us understand what we’re dealing with so we can start to plan and adapt effectively. Kāpiti was one of the first councils in New Zealand to recognise the need to plan for the effects of climate change on our coastline. We saw the inevitability of parts of our coast being more and more frequently damaged by erosion and coastal flooding.
An updated coastal hazard assessment for the Kāpiti Coast will provide information to help us plan how we might respond to future sea level rise. The Council’s Group Manager, Infrastructure Services, Sean Mallon, talks about why Kāpiti needs the information in the new report.
Our first attempt hit some speed wobbles. A review in 2014 found our approach was sound but questioned some of the technical aspects. Those have been addressed this time round. We’ve been able to follow the Coastal Hazards and Climate Change Guidance for Local Governments issued by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) in 2017. And we’ve learned from the experiences of other communities who have done coastal hazard mapping.
It’s Council’s job to plan where and when we invest in maintaining, repairing, or building new public infrastructure. In our coastal areas these are things like stormwater pipes, beach accessways, roads, parks, wastewater pumping stations and seawalls. Some are big-budget items that take years to plan and pay for. To do it well, we need good data and reliable projections about what the locations for those assets might look like in 30, 50 or 100 years. Otherwise we risk wasting ratepayers’ money. Your money.
Taking more time to work through this process, keep the community informed and obtaining two independent peer reviews prior to the release of this report, are further lessons learnt from the previous hazard assessment work. The updated assessment focuses on coastal erosion and flooding – two coastal hazards that the MfE guidance recommends as baseline information. The report is based upon the best available data, guidance and modelling we currently have available for Kāpiti. We’ll continue to update this information as we collect more data, and as our knowledge around sea level rise and coastal responses to climate change evolves.
Further information will come from the NZ SeaRise Programme which will be issuing New Zealand-specific vertical land movement and sea level rise data later this year. When that’s available we’ll be looking at how it could affect the projections in the report. Fluvial flooding (from rivers and rainfall) is being addressed in a separate programme of work we’re doing to update our flood hazard maps. We currently don’t have reliable groundwater information for our district but that too can be added to the mix as local data improves. The Government’s RMA reforms are also expected to address climate change planning but that could be another two years away. Without releasing this report now: • Council infrastructure will face repeated repairs and rebuilds; • people will continue to invest in land that will likely be subject to coastal erosion or flooding; and • our community cannot start to plan for the changes we can expect to see in the future due to climate change. This is not only illogical but also unsustainable and unfair on our community. We shouldn’t continually delay waiting for ‘perfect’ information. That will never be available. We need to get on with it.
Read the report at kapiticoast.govt.nz/coastal-science
kapiticoast.govt.nz
Uses for coastal hazards data Kāpiti now has good information about how coastal erosion and flooding is likely to affect our future shoreline so what next? Our first goal has to be to raise public awareness about the nature and likely extent of these coastal hazards which are the result of climate change and sea level rise. Our community needs this information to start a conversation on how we respond to these hazards. Council will use the information to manage our coastal infrastructure and assets responsibly and cost-effectively. The report will also provide essential base hazard data for future district planning. People who own or want to buy property in the district will have full information about coastal hazards, just like the information they currently have access to on flooding, earthquakes, and tsunamis that affect our district. Read the report at kapiticoast.govt.nz/coastal-science.
Why we look at extremes We need to consider the full range of possible scenarios to assess whether we are doing enough to invest wisely and adapt to climate change. The Ministry for the Environment’s 2017 climate change planning guidelines for councils, tells us to consider the total range of international greenhouse gas concentration trajectories (called RCPs), from RCP2.6 to RCP8.5+. These describe different climate futures, all of which are considered possible depending on the volume of greenhouse gases emitted globally in the years to come. The guidance says the upper scenarios need to be considered by decision-makers to ‘stress test’ greenfield development (new suburbs or towns) or major new or upgraded infrastructure projects to be sure they won’t be affected by coastal hazards during their anticipated lifetimes. It’s the right thing to do when we’re spending millions of dollars on developments that we want to last many, many decades.
We’re in this together Council made a commitment to our community to work on coastal challenges in its 2018–2038 and 2021–41 long-term plans because they affect the services and lifestyle of our whole district and impose costs on all of us. The new technical report on coastal hazards affecting Kāpiti is part of that commitment. Locally, public awareness about the need to plan for the impacts of climate change is increasing thanks to the efforts of groups like Schools 4 Climate Action and Low Carbon Kāpiti. Nationally, the need to plan for coastal change is gathering pace. In 2017 the Government provided guidance for councils on planning for climate change. The Climate Change Commission, the Insurance Council of New Zealand, and the media have done a lot to highlight the need for communities work together on how to respond and adapt to coastal hazards like erosion and flooding.
What it means to ‘adapt’ With updated information on where and when we are likely to experience coastal hazards, we can start to talk about how we might adapt. There are five main approaches but it’s likely we’ll need a combination of these: • Maintain – we do what we’re doing now but increase our emergency response capability and raise community awareness. • Accommodate – we live with the hazard but use mechanisms like requiring higher floor levels or relocatable new buildings. • Protect – we keep the hazard away using engineering solutions such as dune planting or seawalls. • Retreat – we move away from the hazard, perhaps using options such as buyouts, land swaps or leasebacks. • Avoid – we don’t move into the way of the hazard in the first place e.g. through land zoning or setbacks to prevent development in that area. Keep up to date with our coastal adaptation project at www.takutaikapiti.nz
PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
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Whena goes from building to architecture By Adam Shelton
When Ōtaki’s Whena Rikihana studied graphic design and 3D animation at Te Wānanga o Raukawa he could never have imagined those skills would – 15 years later – play a part in setting him up as a director of an architectural design company. Whena last month launched his new firm, Pou Architecture, alongside co-founders Johnnie Saunders and Esekia Faiga, and is the company’s principal architectural technician. After completing his animation diploma in 2006, Whena decided a desk job didn’t suit him and headed into the construction industry where he qualified and worked as a builder for the next 15 years. “I love building – especially if you have a good crew, it makes even the bad jobs good – but an old injury started creeping up. I’m not getting any younger, and it was time to get off the tools,” he says. “I thought building design could be good. And I was encouraged by Johnnie and Esekia and others to look at the UCol architectural technician diploma.” In 2021, when he left building for full-time study on the diploma, Whena was surprised to find the building industry software he had trained on, Revit, had a similar interface to the software he used at the wānanga on his animation diploma all those years ago.
DIRECTORS: Pou Architecture directors, from left Esekia Faiga, Whena Rikihana and Johnnie Saunders.
“It helped give me a really good transition into my studies,” he says. With no work for a year as he studied, Whena says his partner, Emma Whiterod, was the rock for him and their three children (16, 14 and 11) as he left the security of a job he knew and loved for the unknowns of study in Palmerston North and then a new career.
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Now, with his diploma close to completion, and as a director of a newly opened architectural design business, Whena says he is nervous and excited about the future. In his role, he takes the ideas of his clients and the work of Esekia, the company’s architectural designer, and using Revit turns them into digital working drawings to be followed by
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builders when constructing a house. Paraparaumu-based Pou Architecture did its first design reveal to clients in mid-February, and is gearing up to focus on the Wellington market. The large number of older houses there makes the company’s core work in alterations and additions, based around healthy homes standards, a good fit.
With the team’s 3D skills, Pou offers 3D designs for every project, combined with innovative, hosted, online, 3D walk-throughs and interactive online discussions. Whena says the online approach gives clients peace of mind if health is a concern, plus makes it easy to work from Pou’s Kāpiti base with Wellington clients. Co-founder Johnnie Saunders, who also runs Kāpiti building company NZ Proud, says the demand for architectural services in Wellington is high, with building clients of his sitting on waiting lists of at least three months before an architect is even able to meet with them. “Wellington has some of the highest rates of demand the building industry has ever seen, and with Pou and NZ Proud collaborating with our integrated services, clients can now come to one place where the designer and builder are involved together from the first consultation,” Johnnie says. Pou is Māori for a supporting pole. It has the same meaning in Samoan, Esekia’s birth place, and Johnnie says the name is a great fit for the company’s work and its culture. With the three men’s complementary skills and industry experience, you could say they are the three pou of the new business, as Pou Architecture looks set to make its mark on the Wellington region’s housing sector. n www.pouarchitecture.co.nz/
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HUATAU Comment I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
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HUATAU/Comment GURU’S VIEW: K GURUNATHAN
Gaping eyes at surf’s edge speak of our unsustainable way of life A special magic of living in Kāpiti includes that walk along Ōtaki Beach. On a sunny day, with the tide turning into the wet glistening beach reflecting the blue sky. A few locals knee-deep in the salty surf seeking pipi. And there they lie. About a dozen of them scattered along the edge of the last wave. Skeletal fish heads with gaping holes for eyes. A couple of seagulls picking at the attached bony frames. I chase my dog off. Dogs have been known to eat these smelly rotting frames and end up at the local vet with bones lodged in their mouth or guts, their owners nursing hefty bills. Remnants, like these, are the result of fishers out at
sea filleting their catch and dumping the rest into the sea. For me, those heads with gaping holes are not empty. They speak. Of the unsustainable way we live our lives. Asians , like Māori and Pacific peoples, have traditionally eaten the heads and frames by stripping off every morsel of flesh and soft cartilage. In Malaysia, my original home, specialist restaurants serve only fish heads as the main dish and it’s a lucrative business.
THE ELECTORATE: TERISA NGOBI, MP
I was pleased recently to learn that some enlightened soul from the Ōtaki Boating Club had started a Facebook group to connect fishers with surplus fish heads, with those wanting them for food. Ōtaki Free Fish Heads, a public group created in January, currently has 117 members. Members, while mostly from Ōtaki, include those from Raumati and Waikanae. From what I understand the boating club has had a waste minimisation community grant to develop a physical service area to facilitate and grow this community exchange. The idea is not new. Two years ago, the Papatuanuku Kokiri Marae in Mangere started gathering them for distribution to needy families. Earlier, in 2013,
TV personality and fishing guru Matt Watson started the website freefisheads. co.nz to bring fishers with fish heads to give and connecting them with keen recipients. It worked so well in 2017 he launched a smart phone app. Matt found commercial companies discarded about 60,000 tonnes of fish heads and frames each year. While much was turned into fish meal, a lot was thrown away. Recreational fishers, while not as significant wasters as the commercial trawlers, were contributors to this waste. Matt’s website has links to the sustainability philosophy behind the scheme. As he points out, it’s ignorance and not that people are deliberately wanting to waste what they catch.
To that I add that nature has its own food chain that will clean up the fish carcasses dumped at sea by fishers. It’s better, however, if we can create our own sustainable network. Especially, over these days where inflation, already rising because of Covid-related supply chain bottlenecks, is suddenly turbo-charged by rocketing petrol prices and the cost of feeding families spirals. So you fishers out there, let’s not dump your surplus at sea. Consider it a blessing to offer to others. And my magical walk along Ōtaki Beach is not interrupted by a dozen fish heads with gaping hollow eyes. A witness to waste and neglect. n Guru is Kāpiti Coast Mayor
LOCAL LENS: JAMES COOTES
Adjusting to the new Council workload pressure begins to build reality of Covid-19 The past few weeks have seen us adjusting to Covid-19 cases here in Ōtaki. This is a new experience for us, but one that I know we can get through together. Given the number of Covid-19 cases around the rohe, you should assume you may have been exposed to Covid-19 and isolate and get tested if you experience any Covid-19 symptoms or if you are a household contact of a positive case. It has been encouraging to see so many of you already have your booster shots; there is still the opportunity to get these as an added layer of protection against Omicron.
On a recent weekend I was down at Te Puna Oranga in Ōtaki supporting the awesome workers at the RATs collection station. The Māori wardens were also there, doing an amazing job greeting people at the entrance and explaining the process. At times like this we really do see community coming together. They were handing out RATs again last week, Monday through Friday and also Sunday from the back of the old runanga building at 51 Main Street. Please do not go to collect RATs if you are Covid-positive. You can contact them on 0800 141 487 and they can have someone drop tests off to you. Something that I know many people have been looking forward to has been reuniting with family and friends from overseas. Thanks to changes announced recently, vaccinated Kiwis overseas can now return to New Zealand without entering MIQ or having to self-isolate. This means travellers can hop off a plane and immediately connect with family and friends, as long as they test negative within 24 hours of arriving. This is an important step in our Covid response, and one I know many people here in Ōtaki have waited a long time for. Being separated from loved ones has been, for many, one of the hardest parts of the pandemic. While it’s been tough, this effort has saved countless lives. Our border controls have resulted in New Zealand having fewer Covid deaths than most other countries, and ensured we could protect more people with boosters before Omicron spread into our communities. In fact, more than 70 percent of people aged 18 and over have now had their booster, which is fantastic to see. If you haven’t had yours yet, I’d really encourage you to get it as soon as you can. Boosters are our strongest weapon against Omicron, offering an extra layer of protection and reducing your chances of ending up in hospital. Getting boosted could save your life, and it will also help protect our more vulnerable community members through the current outbreak. As we continue to face the Covid challenge, I want to, once again, say a huge thank you for everything you’re doing to keep our community safe. The next couple of weeks might not be easy, but I know that if we continue to work together and keep up those important health behaviours, we’ll make it through. n Terisa is MP for the Ōtaki electorate
This year is shaping up to be another big year as already we start to feel the pressure of the workload before us.
Having just signed off on our Growing Well strategy we’re straight into Annual Plan discussions with the view that, given it’s only year two of our recently completed Long-Term Plan, we’ll largely be sticking to what was in year two of the LTP and not consult this year on any changes. We’ve been trimming budget, doing our best to reduce the size of the rate increase, understanding the pressure people are under. Over the past 12 months we’ve seen a significant number of projects in the Ōtaki/ Te Horo area – progressing with stage 2 of the Ōtaki Beach stormwater upgrade, the water main at Ōtaki Beach replaced, 1.2km of the Tasman Rd 300mm water supply upgraded, further work on the Tasman Rd wastewater treatment plant and work on the Hautere water supply project to remove the need for “boil water notices”. In County Rd the renewal of the wastewater pump station was completed. To help inform the refurbishment work for the Ōtaki Beach Pavilion, seismic work is being undertaken and a heritage architect report
under way. Scoping for the Ōtaki Youth space has seen a youth engagement report nearly completed based on feedback from youth from Ōtaki College, Te Hunga rangatahi programme and mana whenua to help inform the next steps of the project. In the housing space, early-stage planning work is under way on the property council purchased in Rangiuru Rd. A housing survey was progressed to understand the district’s current and emerging housing and social needs. All this work will help inform the council’s Housing Strategy that will identify the actions council will take. Over the past six months we’ve also refurbished several of our Older Persons Housing units. I thought I’d also report on council’s financial position. Current “net debt” is $163
million, which is largely due to the significant investment in our infrastructure. A total of $17.8 million has been spent in the past six months on capital projects with a projected $58.3 million to be spent by year end. I know there’s a lot of interest with reopening the Ōtaki Forks. Following the second slip, we’re now investigating all options in discussions with DoC, Waka Kotahi and GWRC. There’s further geotechnical work to understand the extent of the new slip and to evaluate whether opening up the existing road is viable or whether there are other longer term options that might be more sustainable. Everyone appreciates the importance of the area, the visitors and locals it attracts and we’ve already spent well over $500,000 addressing the first slip to re-open the road, then further money on the second slip, and were about to open the new temporary pathway the day the third slip happened and now further funding on geotechnical etc. So I’ve supported the current approach of taking a step back and having a wider look at ALL options and will update you when we know. n James is Ōtaki Ward Councillor
ŌTAKI OUTLOOK: CHRIS PAPPS
Meeting exclusion leaves boards in the dark
Just a few months on and I’m wondering whether the fight for democracy in Kāpiti, which resulted in more than 500 submissions in favour of retaining community boards, was actually successful.
We won the battle but may have lost the war. Community board chairs were recently invited to a council Zoom meeting. It was for a lengthy, but interesting, briefing on the effects and implications of the recent government changes to medium density housing requirements. There’s been wide publicity and discussion about this already. Put simply, on most residential lots you might be able to build another three twostorey units without resource consents and without consulting your neighbours. This has huge implications. It’s seen as one part of the solution to the housing crisis, but will have dire effects on what we currently see as “normal” housing design standards and values. The legislation overrides existing council district plans. We’ll be hearing much more about this in future. The next briefing was on the equally as important and complex issues of what’s
called the Government’s “Three Waters’ Plan”. Effectively this will result in the Government taking over and nationalising the water assets of councils throughout the country. That’s wastewater, stormwater and drinking water. Once again, the implications are huge. In Kāpiti we’ve invested heavily in our three waters infrastructure and we even have a dam site as a contingency. Places such as Wellington and Lower Hutt have spent nothing on much of their water infrastructure for many years. The Government’s plan is to take over the lot. Wellington and Lower Hutt will be pleased, but we’ll get paid a pittance for our systems. The planning issues for housing are important. Community board chairs were invited to that meeting. The Three Waters issues are significant to all of us, but council in its wisdom told the chairs we were not invited.
Ōtaki people are asking me questions about Three Waters. I need to know about it. When I first became chair of Ōtaki Community Board, more often than not we were invited to attend public-excluded sessions. We had no speaking or voting rights but we were seen to be part of the council “team” and entitled to be privy to matters that might be commercially confidential or legally sensitive. At the beginning of Mayor Guru’s first term there was discussion about giving community boards greater responsibilities. What was meant by this has become somewhat confused, but it was obviously off the table when the current council attempted to get rid of the boards last year. Now that the community of Kāpiti has clearly voted to retain the boards, there has been some fresh discussion on increased responsibilities. It would be a clear step in the right direction if the council reconsidered its approach to attendance and speaking rights of community board members and chairs at meetings and briefings. n Chris is chair of the Ōtaki Commuity Board
HUATAU/Comment I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
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What happens to the world when we lose trust? A
s a teenager I had a classmate who said he could drink Janola, or seawater, and he would be fine. In fact, his thirst could be quenched and he claimed to prefer it to regular liquids such as water or coffee.
I’m not sure what became of him. Maybe he’s deceased – one could speculate on the cause – or he’s a professor of bleach science at Oxford University. MEDIA & COMMUNITY Nevertheless, to this day I never witnessed him actually glugging the Janola and I didn’t see it suddenly appear in the tuckshop drinks cabinet. It came to FRASER CARSON mind when another delusional character, this time the then president of the United Sates of America, recommended that bleach, body heating or horse dewormer could cure people of Covid. It also reminded me about the misinformation and delusions fuelling Putin’s concocted invasion of Ukraine, but I’ll come back to that later. At the time of the Janola promotion, I simply thought it rather amusing and dismissed it as an odd person with an odder idea, seeking attention. But it just goes to show that delusional thinking, or at least dreamt-up notions of reality, have always been around. Most others and I could dismiss the Janola story and that would be the end of it, one would hope.
Photo: Pixabay
But we now live in a world where crack-pot ideas and deliberate misinformation is becoming mainstream and can be carried faster than Omicron around a protest convoy, with any number of people unwilling to doubt or challenge the voracity. I speak especially, of course, about social media and its braided ecosystems. The net result is that the pillars of trust and connectedness are too easily replaced by division, isolation and a dramatic loss of social cohesion. We witnessed this with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques, which concluded “a collective failure” and “a population lacking social cohesion and with a fear of speaking out”. The Christchurch attack led directly to the
“Christchurch Call” where our prime minister and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, brought together heads of state and government, and leaders from the tech sector, to adopt a commitment to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. It rests on the conviction that a free, open and secure internet offers extraordinary benefits to society, and respect for freedom of expression is fundamental. However, no one has the right to create and share terrorist and violent extremist content online. Of course, this is a good thing. But our loss of social cohesion through widespread and deliberate falsehoods is enabling everything from smalltime violent crime to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of
Ukraine. In this case, we are reminded that Putin is the Russian guy who, according to the US Special Council report, engaged in extensive attacks on the US presidential election of 2016. That in turn benefited one Donald Trump, who went on to attempt to coerce Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into smearing Joe Biden, the 2020 Democratic challenger Trump most feared, by withholding $391 million in military aid to Ukraine. It all makes sense when we consider that the original theory about Biden came from you-know-who, Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Trump’s fawning comments about Putin, disdain for Nato and strong-arming of Zelenskyy fairly much make it an open-and-shut-case. Now Trump is still banging on with falsehoods about being robbed of the 2020 election, after failing to overthrow the republic to remain in power with a violent mob insurrection. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has become a global hero for his leadership and presentation of the ugly truth in his war-torn country, against Putin’s wild assertions and aggression. As if it is not completely obvious, declining social cohesion, for whatever reason, is a straightout race to the bottom. When people trust misinformation and mistrust more trustworthy information, poison fills the void and the lawof-the-jungle takes its place. One only needs to look to the atrocities visited on the people of Ukraine, or a maskless Covid protestor throwing bricks at cops, or a gang motorcyclist riding down the wrong side of the Waikato motorway. If you choose to do that, or drink Janola, that might be your choice, but please don’t inflict it on the rest of us. n Fraser is founder of the community development websites flightdec.com, knowthis.nz and inhub.org.nz
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PAKIHI/Business I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
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Will saves angst for those left behind
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your estate, or even longer if your relatives can’t be verified or found. Who gets your assets? Without a will to guide your administrator, the distribution of your estate is guided by the law. Your assets will be distributed according to your family circumstances. This will factor in whether you have a surviving partner, children, parents, and/or siblings. If you have a partner but have always intended to leave everything to your children, siblings, or parents, you might be shocked to find that your partner could make an application to the court to receive a share of your estate on your death. Further, if you own property jointly with your partner, your partner will inherit the property as a matter of survivorship – this is the case even where you have a will. How to fix this Your will directs who your assets are left to. If you own property jointly with your partner but you would like to ensure it is left to your children, siblings or parents, then it’s advisable that you get legal advice. It might be that you need to enter into an agreement with your partner to clarify who retains what assets in the relationship, and who your assets will be left to under your will. n Francesca is a general practice solicitor based at the Ōtaki office of Wakefields Lawyers
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PAKIHI/Business I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 15
Focus on what you can control to get back on track
I
t strikes me that one of the best things we can do to grow our businesses is to focus.
Speaking to several business owners recently, it’s clear many of them are running from pillar to post trying to “get everything done”. In one case (from the construction sector), the business owner was dealing with a few issues – a senior manager not being a “team player” for want of a better term, the need to have a marketing plan for the next few months so he could keep speaking to his customers in the uncertainty of Covid, and finding good staff to meet the backlog of work. Plus he wanted to re-write his “How To” processes so the business could run efficiently when he wasn’t always checking what the team was doing! Our urge for fight, flight or freeze is hardwired into our amygdala. It’s what has helped us to survive, so no problem there! But, when that
construction business owner things weren’t as bad as he’d been YOUR BUSINESS (let’s call him Joe) set out the telling himself. challenges he was facing, it was That took us to the third step, almost as if he was “caught in examining his options to move the headlights”, not knowing forward. That helped Joe re-set, where to start. He was being because he realised he did have overwhelmed by things coming a pretty good handle on who his at him from seemingly all ideal market was, he did engage directions and as a result he was them well when he needed to in a downward spiral. and, in fact, there were three or I share this with you only four ways to quite quickly get his CHRIS WHELAN because there is hope if you find processes running much more yourself in a similar situation. Joe and I sat back smoothly. and went through a few things, starting with The issue with his manager will be most likely re-examining his goals. It took a while, but by a longer-term challenge, but now he at least coming back to what his goals were for the year, knows other things can continue. Joe refocused on what really mattered to him Before we finished our session, Joe and I and to his business. planned his next fortnight. It gave him a way The second thing we did was to take a hard forward, with clear objectives to focus on. Did look at what the reality is right now. We didn’t we solve all his challenges? Absolutely not – yet! sugar coat it, but pretty soon Joe realised that What we did do though, was focus on what
we could control and put good plans in place to move forward. Joe’s comments were priceless: “I feel so relieved that I’m back on track! Coming to our meeting I was super stressed and my anxiety was through the roof. Now I know I can do this, one step at a time. Thanks!” We aren’t all in the same boat. If you find yourself in a storm, focus on what you can control, define your reality and narrow your focus to what matters most. That way you take back the power and give yourself every chance of winning. Focus, accountability and mentoring are the keys to unlocking your future. n If want to grow your business, call 0222 332 669 or email chris@centreofbusinessexcellence.com. To join the Centre of Business Excellence, ‘Like’ centreofbusinessexcellence on Facebook. Sign up for the newsletter at centreofbusinessexcellence.com
Pete scoots around town “Give me a toot for the scoot,” has become the cry for Pete Heald.
Pete uses a new scooter, forsaking his more expensive-to-run car to do much of his real estate work. When the weather and other conditions are right, he uses the scooter to get to client meetings, open homes and just around town. It’s branded, of course, with his name and the local agency he works with, Professionals DoubleWinkel Real Estate. LEFT: Real estate agent Pete Heald on his branded scooter. Photo supplied
“I love it,” he says. “I even had someone stop me in the supermarket to talk about my scooter.” Pete bought the 125cc machine last month, and is pleased with the timing of his purchase. “When you see petrol prices rising quickly past $3 a litre, I think I’m on a winner. I’m saving a lot of money already.” It wasn’t just the money saving that motivated Pete to buy the two-wheeler. “When you think about the low emissions of a scooter like this, the convenience of parking, and just the fun I get – and other people, too – it made perfect sense.”
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Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 16
HAUORA/Health
Versatile vanilla – from perfume to ice-cream V
anilla is perhaps the world’s most popular flavour. It rounds out the taste of chocolate and it enhances and balances the flavour of coffee and dairy products.
In baked goods and confectionaries, it adds a sweet smoothness. It’s the most popular ice-cream flavour and is an ingredient in 75 percent of icecream – vanilla adds creaminess. Vanilla is also SCIENCE one of the most popular fragrances in the perfume world. Comforting warm vanilla notes are in 70 percent of the top perfumes, from the classics of Shalimar and Chanel No 5 DR STEVE HUMPHRIES through to contemporary perfumes such as Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck Enchanted. Vanilla comes from the vanilla orchid, a native of Mexico and Central America. The orchid’s green pods must be carefully cured to become the familiar dark brown vanilla pods, and to develop that wonderful vanilla aroma and flavour. It’s during the curing process that enzymatic and chemical reactions create the characteristic vanilla character. The principal component, that smells and tastes of vanilla, is appropriately named vanillin (4-hydroxy 3-methoxybenzaldehyde), though the full richness of vanilla depends on more than 200 different compounds. Growing the vanilla orchid, and curing the pods, is a highly skilled, time-consuming, and labourintensive activity. Vanilla isn’t cheap. The Aztecs not only used vanilla to flavour their cocoa drinks (chocolatl), but also used the cured pods as a unit of currency – money grew on trees!
Spanish conquistadores were quick to bring the vanilla pods back to Europe, where vanilla became immensely popular. But without the native Melipona bee to pollinate the orchid, commercial vanilla crops could not be grown. The world had to wait nearly three centuries for a 12-year-old slave, Edmond Albius, to discover that the orchid could be effectively pollinated by hand! Now vanilla could be produced wherever there was a suitable tropical climate. Fortunes were made, but sadly Edmund died in poverty. Madagascar, and neighbouring Réunion Island, quickly became recognised for producing superior quality vanilla. Because Réunion Island was then named Bourbon Island, vanilla from that region was known as Bourbon vanilla – a mark of quality. Today ‘bourbon’ signifies either vanilla from that region, or quality vanilla from that cultivar, vanilla planifolia. Excellent quality vanilla is now produced in many regions around the world. Vanilla characteristics and quality depend on the cultivar, growing region, seasonal weather, and the curing process. Like wine, vanilla can have a range of different fruity, floral, caramel, chocolate, spicey and woody notes. Because of the high cost of natural vanilla (second only to saffron) chemists looked for ways to make cheaper synthetic vanillin. Vanillin was first synthesised from eugenol, the chemical that makes clove oil smell like clove oil. Then it was synthesised from lignin, a byproduct of the wood pulp industry. And while it sounds advantageous to use a by-product, the environmental impact of this synthetic pathway is substantial. You can’t say chemists haven’t been creative in their search for ways to make vanillin. The 2007 Ig Noble Prize in chemistry went to Mayu Yamamoto for making vanillin from cow dung! Today most vanillin is made from petroleumderived guaiacol. Synthetic vanillin, at $20 a kilogram, is massively cheaper than vanillin extracted from vanilla pods, which can exceed $20,000 a kilogram! Little wonder that of the
Photo by Vinashab, Pixabay
25,000 tonnes of vanillin produced annually, less than 1 percent comes from the vanilla pod. Even expensive perfumes contain synthetic vanillin. Chemists have not only synthesised vanillin, but also synthesised vanillin derivatives that don’t exist in natural vanilla, such as ethylvanillin. Ethylvanillin resembles the smell of vanilla, though sweeter, more floral, and less complex. It has the advantage of being three times stronger than vanillin and is frequently used in vanilla products. Unfortunately, synthetic vanilla lacks the complexity and depth of true vanilla. For example, the overly sweet floral aromas of many of today’s vanilla-scented candles is a sad approximation of the real thing. And unfortunately, people have come to think that is what vanilla smells like! Vanilla extract is made by extracting vanilla pods with alcohol. Most extracts are “single fold”, 100g of extracted vanilla pod per litre. Here at Hebe Botanicals, we make a four-fold extract using four times as many vanilla pods. This high concentration brings out the depth and chocolatiness of real vanilla. The four-fold extract
is then used in making some of our body oils. Vanilla extract, made from vanilla pods, should not be confused with vanilla essence, made using flavour compounds; vanillin, ethylvanillin and any number of other approved flavours. An essence is substantially less expensive than an extract – you get what you pay for. With the increasing consumer demand for sustainability and all-natural foods, scientists have turned to biotechnology. Ferulic acid (obtainable from plant sources such as rice bran or sugar beet) can be biotransformed by yeasts, bacteria or enzymes into vanillin. These fermentation processes, using plant-based feedstock, allow the label of “natural vanillin” to be used. These evolving areas of technology raise difficult questions about what “natural” means, and who gets to define what is natural. 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.
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HELPLINES AND LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES For more options go to : mentalhealth.org.nz
Ph: 06 364 6690
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
06 364-6001 • 027 439 0131
Do you need transport to your health related appointments in Palmerston North and Levin?
7 DAYS A WEEK SERVICE • WEEKENDS BY APPT
The St John Ōtaki Health Shuttle service can help.
• Otaki to Waikanae $35 • Otaki to Paraparaumu $50 • $10 + $5 per passenger between beach and plateau • Further afield trips negotiable • Airports and bus connections Book online at: otakishuttle.co.nz Please confirm by phone for weekend web bookings. Evening jobs need to be booked. 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.
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We offer a door to door service.
Bookings need to be made at least 24 hours before your appointment. This does not include weekends. Health Shuttles are provided as a community service, and any donation you make assists us to keep the service running. To make a booking or enquire about this service, please call 0800 589 630 Opt 2 between 8.30am and 3pm Monday to Friday.
We would welcome more volunteer drivers and assistants one or two days a week.
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
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.
Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 17
MAHI MĀRA/Gardening THE EDIBLE GARDEN
KATH IRVINE ABOVE: Peas in plug trays ready to plant out, and at right, sweet peas on the netting, too – simply for the joy of it.
The autumn delight of peas in the garden
T
he mild weather of autumn marks the beginning of pea season. In my Horowhenua garden, I can sow them autumn through spring.
When temperatures rise, they stop/ reduce flower production. Find your own perfect pea moment by trying all the timings. Sow Peas can be either direct sown or tray sown. I prefer trays as it means planting out good sized seedlings, better able to survive slugs, birds and mice. Plug trays are best, because peas prefer as little root disturbance as possible. Sow three seeds per plug. Pea stems are so fragile they perform way better in a group. Three vines in one hole also takes productivity up, making the most of your space. Pea seed easily rots before germinating, so take care not to overwater at this early stage.
After the initial watering at sowing, you might not need to water again until sprouting. Err on the side of slightly dry. Soil prep Free drainage is your most important consideration. As for food, they need very little because they are a light feeder and a nitrogen fixer – able to convert atmospheric nitrogen and fix it to their roots. • On clay or poorly drained soil, make a raised ridge of homemade compost and/or vermicastings. • On light and sandy spread a 2-5cm layer of home-made compost on top the existing soil. Bought compost is too rich on its own. Mix it 50/50 with soil or home-made compost. Grow Two-metre high netting of any kind suits peas, which climb and grip on with tiny tendrils.
When seedlings are 5-7cm tall, pop the little group of three out of the plug and plant them as is at 10cm spacings. Create a living mulch by planting lowgrowing companions in front. Stack the production with leafy greens and salads. Add flowers such as nasturtium, phacelia or calendula for soil health and beneficial insects. I always send a few sweet peas up the netting as well, simply for the joy of it. Soil bacteria Peas have a symbiotic relationship with the soil bacterium, rhizobium leguminosarium. This enables nitrogen fixation and may be what’s missing if your peas aren’t productive. Pull out a plant and check the roots. Small whitish, pinkish balls (nodules) show you the bacteria are present. In most good soil, these bacteria are abundant, but they might be absent where
legumes haven’t been grown before. So too where environmental stresses such as herbicides and artificial fertilisers are used, or soil is poor. Find a general inoculant and dust your seed, before sowing. Once is usually enough to get the ball rolling. Harvest Regular harvest promotes flowering and keeps vines productive. Get your eye in by sampling when the pods are swollen and the shape of the peas visible. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it! Even if there are but a few ripe, pick them to keep productivity up. Floury, tough peas have been on the vine a day or so too long. Use these in soups or stews. 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.
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Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
HĪTŌRIA/History
Elegant, creative Oriwia Webster W
hen looking for a subject for this month’s article, long-time Ōtaki resident Trevor Wylie suggested Arthur (Doug) Webster.
I looked up Doug in the Otaki Historical together in Māori, which Rosemary remembers Journals and found a lot of information about being beautiful to listen to. She remembers that him. But, as is so often the case, there was as a child, Oriwia sang to her in Māori with a nothing about his wife, Oriwia – known in beautiful rich, deep voice. Pākehā circles as Doris – other than a small Over the years, the Websters made a big mention that she had access to Māori land that contribution to the Ōtaki area known as The Doug was able to buy to build some of their Railway. shops in the Railway area. That caught my They built numerous shops – some on the interest. Māori land bought in Oriwia’s name – as well And so it was that a week or so as the Railway Theatre opposite the DI BUCHAN later, thanks to Oriwia’s grandson. Railway Hotel in Arthur Street. It Wayne Webster, I found myself was hugely popular as a dance venue in Palmerston North talking in the 1930s and 1940s. They also with Mana o te Rangi Rawinia owned several farms and successful Rosemary Cousins (known as race horses, so money was never an Rosemary or Mere to the family), obstacle to achieving their dreams. Oriwia’s only remaining child. They could afford housekeepers and Rosemary’s sister-in-law, Veronica nannies for the children, which left Webster, and two of Oriwia’s Oriwia free to follow her passions, grandchildren – Wayne Webster of which she had two in particular and Linda Griffiths – joined us. gardening and fashion. What a wonderful time it was, Rosemary and Veronica described hearing the stories and looking her as a real fashion-stopper. When through the family’s photo albums. she was at the races everyone would turn to Oriwia’s mother was Rongopamamao look at her. She had beautiful, stylish clothes. Piripi Kohe (Rongo) and her father was the She loved hats and always looked great in them. government surveyor, Morgan Carkeek. She had Doug was very proud of her – her beauty, a sister called Mae (Higgot) and a half–brother, her Māori heritage, her ability to converse Rikihana (Bunny) Carkeek. with everyone from all levels of society. He Oriwia and Mae went to school at St Mary’s was always buying her beautiful things, but convent in Wellington and throughout her life according to Rosemary, diamonds were her Oriwia was able to operate in both Māori and favourites. Pākehā worlds with ease. She and Bunny spent Oriwia shopped at Kirkcaldie and Stains several years employed as translators for the and James Smiths in Wellington. Rosemary Government and Oriwia was New Zealand’s remembers that she never went into the main first Māori female justice of the peace. shop – as Mrs Webster she was taken into a special Throughout her life she was very involved room and things were brought to her to view. in Māori organisations, travelling, often by In 1939 renowned landscape designer Arthur train, to hui and other special functions often Buxton was engaged to design a garden for the based around the Kingitanga movement in large area around the villa using the native bush Ngaruawahia. and a small stream to form the basic structure. She met and married Doug Webster during There was a waterlily pond with arched bridges the First World War. They lived in Aotaki Street and weeping willows reminiscent of Monet’s while they built a spacious villa on land they famous garden in Giverny, France. There was a bought from Morgan and Rongo in Te Roto fountain, a sunken garden, colourful flower beds Road opposite the entrance to the Ōtaki-Māori of delphiniums and roses, a pergola covered Racing Club. with an apricot tea-rose and lots of maples They named their villa Mana-O-Te Rangi and and other deciduous trees. The garden even lived there all their married life. (This house, accommodated a bowling green! which has since been extensively modified, is Over the years Oriwia worked constantly now owned by Campbell Andrews.) in this garden maintaining and adding to its Oriwia and Doug had 13 children but only 10 beauty. She bought kauri trees that arrived in survived to adulthood. One child was still-born, huge wooden crates from Kaitaia in the Far Puna died in infancy and Hori died as a child. North and boxes of tulips were shipped to her The surviving offspring were Turoa, Kohe, from the Netherlands. Rewa Webber, Petal Summers, Kere, Pataka, Oriwia hosted many garden parties for Rakaherea (known as Ra), Majorie Burnside, community groups and the Labour Party. John, and Rosemary Cousins (known by the Caterers were hired and any food left over was family as Mere). sent to the Feltham Children’s home on Marine Oriwia and her sister and mother spoke Parade (now Ocean View). She and Doug were
Otaki Museum
both firm Labour supporters. Bob Semple, Minister for Public Works in the 1935 Labour Government, was a close friend. Doug owned a champion racehorse called First Acre and for some years, Oriwia and Doug made annual trips to Australia to attend horse racing events. On one of these trips Oriwia came across a special pink carnation with a heavy scent. She took some samples and brought them back to New Zealand in her handbag. In her Ōtaki garden she raised cuttings that she marketed as Otaki Pinks. Many gardens in Òtaki now have these lovely plants – a legacy of this special woman. As time went on she began to look into Māori land issues and in particular undertook research to find what had happened to the lands her mother had DRESSED UP: A young Oriwia (Doris) Webster dressed in an outfit with owned around Taupō and harakeke. Photos courtesy of the Webster whānau other parts of the country. The beautiful dress for the royal garden party But she was never able to locate them. was never worn. She is buried in the Rangiātea In 1949 Doug was selected for the New Church urupa not far from the main door. Zealand bowling team to play in the world Rosemary and Veronica described Oriwia as championships in London. The trip was to beautiful, elegant and creative. She was also well include a garden party at Buckingham Palace known for being strong minded and forthright – and Oriwia, true to form, bought a beautiful she didn’t suffer fools, and from the children she dress for the occasion. Before leaving she went didn’t stand any nonsense. But she was also kind to Dr Gertrude Atmore for a check-up and and had a great sense of humour. She was highly found that her heart was in such poor condition regarded by all she met and worked with. that the trip had to be called off. The scent of an Ōtaki Pink will forever remind She died four years later at the age of 53, me of this amazing woman who, although she attended in her last years by Rosemary, who left died young, lived the years she had to the full. school to look after her.
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER: The ever-elegant Oriwia, above left, and her mother, Rongopamamao Piripi Carkeek (nee Kohe).
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HĪTŌRIA/History I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 19
OLD SCHOOL PHOTOS
Compiled by Debbi Carson
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.
ŌTAKI SCHOOL, STAFF 1948. Back row: All unknown, but Mr Hewitson next to the dental nurse. Front row: unknown, Howard Townrow, headmaster John James, other two unknown. We have names for three of the women – La Hore, Heron, and Katherine Keddell – but which ones are they? If you know, please tell us. Interesting, however, that the men are identified, but not the women – a sign of the times. Photo courtesy of Chemung Young Dong (David Young)
Recording documents the emerging life of a waka By Maimoa Toataua-Wallace
N
gā Taonga Sound & Vision has compiled a short film that looks at the building and paddling of waka, using films and videos from the Archive.
Huinga Waka – A Gathering of Canoes was shared with libraries around the country to commemorate Waitangi Day. The recording is a timeless and fascinating look at the huge cooperative undertaking needed to get a waka on the water. The kaupapa Waitangi Day invites all of us to reflect on the foundation and development of our country – and the role we each have to play. The kaupapa of this programme was inspired by two things – the vision of Te Kirihaehae Te Puea Hērangi, and various whakataukī (proverbs or sayings). For the 1940 commemorations of the centenary of the signing of Te Tiriti, Te Puea envisaged the construction of seven waka tūpuna that would recall the migration of iwi Māori from Hawaiki to Aotearoa. Though some waka were built, her vision was not fully realised until 1990, for the sesquicentennial. In addition to this, Huinga Waka is guided by whakataukī that illustrate key messages and concepts, in particular the importance of cooperation required for a successful voyage.
The whakataukī Te wao-nui-ā-Tāne – The great forest of Tāne Our waka journey begins not with a paddle in hand, but an adze or saw, in the great forest of Tāne. We must first construct our vessel: “The life of a waka begins with the death of a tree,” as Tukuroirangi Morgan notes in Waka – The Awakening Dream (1990), one of the items featured. Many karakia are conducted to ensure that when taking from the forest of Tāne Mahuta, respect for the sacredness of rākau (trees) is shown. These concepts and more are acknowledged when conducting karakia. Kohikohia ngā maramara – Gather the chips together Once we have our tree, work on the waka can begin. This whakataukī derives from a tongikura (saying) of King Tāwhiao: “Kohikohia ngā maramara o te waka kia topu ai ki to aroaro. Waiho ma waho hei wherawhera he kokopi tau – Gather the chips of the canoe together and confront the challenges before us.” It is also a call to people to gather together in trying times. Each iwi have their own kaupapa, techniques and processes for waka construction, but they
all require many people to come together. The work is overseen by tohunga – in this way, the less experienced can learn. Traditionally, native trees are used in the construction, although material such as fibreglass is also an option. Lastly, work on the waka is not complete until we “gather the wooden chips together” and burn them. Me he pītau whakareia – Like the carved figurehead of a canoe This phrase is an acknowledgement of appreciation – each waka is unique, beautifully crafted and rich in meaning. The iwi and the wider community will be able to see the skill and care put into the waka taua. The term “pītau” is the carved figurehead of a canoe that is often ornamented with specific spiral designs that varies from iwi to iwi. The term “whakarei” means to ornament or to embellish. We can now prepare for launch. Rere ki uta, rere ki tai – From land to sea This whakataukī is often heard when embarking on a journey. It is said in hope of safe travels from land to sea; then from the domain of Tangaroa back to Papatūānuku. After the long journey it
takes to construct a waka, here we arrive to the shore, or perhaps the bank of the Waikato River, for the launching of waka. For kaihoe (paddlers) and kaiarahi (leaders), now is the time their long hours of training are called upon. Te pae tawhiti – The far horizon “Te pae tawhiti” derives from the whakataukī “Ko te pae tawhiti, whāia kia tata. Ko te pae tata, whakamaua kia tīnā – Seek to bring distant horizons closer and sustain and maintain those that have arrived”. As the challenging voyage nears its end, we now think about our arrival. For many in 1990, the destination was Waitangi as 22 waka and other ships arrived from throughout New Zealand for the 150-year commemoration of Waitangi Day. As a country we come from different places, but at the end of a long journey, we all savour being welcomed home by loved ones. You can view Huinga Waka – A Gathering of Canoes – at www.ngataonga.org.nz/blog/waka n Ngā Taonga has a huge number of recordings that capture New Zealand life. They can be explored online at ngataonga.org.nz. Get the Ngā Taonga newsletter using the Sign Up button at the top of the page.
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RUNARUNA TOKERAU/AUTUMN LEISURE I Ōtaki Today, Maehe/March 2022 CROSSWORD #1836F Crossword solution right 1
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TOLERANCE WORD MAKER ANSWERS from page 24: coeternal electron carotene relocate central cleaner acetone clean clone lance acorn canoe clan acne cane cant cent clot coal coat cola colt care cart cone corn lace once acre can ace act arc car.
ACROSS 1. Surname of the only Victoria Cross recipient for NZ (6) 5. Morsels (6) 9. Wrench of the ligaments (6) 10. Founder of the world’s fourth largest religion (6) 11. Name of a South Island river and a 19thC Governor of New Zealand (4) 12. Member at a conference (8) 14. Spectacular Otago gorge (6) 16. Pompallier, NZ’s first Catholic .... (6) 19. Gesundheit (5,3) 21. Research subject for NZ scientist Ernest Rutherford (4) 22. Visit (4,2) 23. Glob (6) 24. Third most abundant element in the universe by mass (6)
whārangi 20 25. Well-paid, city dwelling, young professional (6) DOWN 2. National park which includes Punakaiki (7) 3. Examine in detail (7) 4. On-air name used by Maud Ruby Basham, NZ radio broadcaster from 1930 to 1963 (4,5) 6. Waken (5) 7. Therapeutic activity in Rotorua (3,4) 8. Upheaval (5-2) 13. Holiday celebrated on the fourth Monday in October (6,3) 14. Crop first grown in New Zealand in mid 1800s (7) 15. In a perfect world (7) 17. Popular NZ shellfish (7) 18. Home of Opo the dolphin (7) 20. Boast (colloq) (5)
SUDOKU PUZZLES thepuzzlecompany.co.nz EASY #37 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.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION #1836F ACROSS 1. Apiata, 5. Crumbs, 9. Sprain, 10. Buddha, 11. Grey, 12. Delegate, 14. Taieri, 16. Bishop, 19. Bless you, 21. Atom, 22. Call in, 23. Dollop, 24. Oxygen, 25. Yuppie. DOWN: 2. Paparoa, 3. Analyse, 4. Aunt Daisy, 6. Rouse, 7. Mud bath, 8. Shake-up, 13. Labour Day, 14. Tobacco, 15. Ideally, 17. Scallop, 18. Opononi, 20. Skite.
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GET INFORMED TRIVIA QUIZ 1. What is misinformation? 2. What is disinformation? 3. What year was the word misinformation Dictionary. com’s Word Of The Year? 4. What is the US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones known for? 5. What is QAnon? 6. What is an internet meme? 7. In November 2018, fact-checkers from the Washington Post shared their record of all the false or misleading claims Trump had made since becoming president in 2016. What number per day was this? 8. Not all information online is always factual and accurate. What should you do before sharing it? 9. What is New Zealand’s independent, non-profit online safety organisation? 10. “Alternative facts” was a phrase used by what Trump adviser defending a White House Press Secretary’s false claim about attendance numbers at Trump’s inauguration? 11. Name some Fact-Checking sites you can use to factcheck, evaluate, and stop the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation. 12. Australian politician Wayne Swan said this about what recently released book? “Read this book if you want to save democracy”. 13. What are deepfakes? 14. What is fake news? 15. What is an internet troll?
GET INFORMED TRIVIA ANSWERS 1. Misinformation is “false information that is spread, regardless of intent to mislead. 2. Disinformation means false information, knowingly spreading misinformation, deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda. 3. 2018. 4. Known for spreading disinformation about US school shootings. 5. QAnon is the name of a far-right conspiracy theory that believes there is a deep state plot, slowly being exposed online by an anonymous leader named Q, against President Donald Trump. 6. A piece of media, often humorous, that spreads rapidly through the internet. 7. At the time of that report, the count was at 6,420, an average of about 10 false or misleading claims a day. These claims are heard around the world and believed by many. 8. Ask yourself where the information
is coming from, and what the author wants you to believe. Before sharing a story it is important to check if it is credible. Check where the original story appeared, who is promoting it, and what other people are saying. For instance, do a Google search of the information or the organisation it has come from, and read what trusted reliable sources (such as academics or the mainstream media) say about it. 9. Netsafe | Netsafe.org.nz 10. Kellyanne Conway. 11. Snopes,
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ŌTAKI TODAY NEWS STANDS Ōtaki Today has news stands at RiverStone Café, Ōtaki New World, Ōtaki Library, Café SixtySix, and Ōtaki Beach dairy. Out of town, there’s a news stand at Manakau Market, The Sponge Kitchen in Levin, and Olive Grove Café, Waikanae.
SUDOKO SOLUTION EASY #37
UNWANTED ANTS ARE OUR SPECIALTY!
FactCheck.org, Politifact, The International Fact-Checking Network: ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/. 12. Facts and Other Lies: Welcome to the Disinformation Age by Ed Coper, a handbook for defeating disinformation and fake news. 13. Quoting from online dictionary Merriam-
Webster, “The term deepfake is typically used to refer to a video that has been edited using an algorithm to replace the person in the original video with someone else (especially a public figure) in a way that makes the video look authentic.” 14. Fake news is purposefully
Ōtaki River entrance tides March 18 - April 13, 2022
crafted, sensational, emotionally charged, misleading or totally fabricated information that mimics the form of mainstream news. 15. In internet slang, a troll is a
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. https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Otaki/tides/latest HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH FRI 18 MAR 5:09 11.18 17.30 23.37 SUN 27 MAR 6.18 12.56 19.22 TUE 5 APR 1.37 8.01 14.30 20.46 WED 6 APR SAT 19 MAR 5.41 11.50 17.24 23.29 MON 28 MAR TUE 29 MAR 2.54 9.09 15.29 21.41 THU 7 APR SUN 20 MAR 5.38 11.44 18.02 MON 21 MAR 00.42 6.48
12.57 19.08 -
WED 30 MAR -
3.45
TUE 22 MAR 1.17 7.24
13.33 19.44 -
THU 31 MAR -
4.27
16.13 22.22 FRI 8 APR 10.37 16.50 22.59 SAT 9 APR
WED 23 MAR 1.53 8.02
14.12 20.23 -
FRI 1 APR
-
5.03
11.12 17.24 23.32
THU 24 MAR 2.34 8.46
14.57 21.09 -
SAT 2 APR
-
5.36
11.44 17.55 -
FRI 25 MAR 3.24 9.41
15.55 22.10 -
SUN 3 APR
00.03 5.08
SAT 26 MAR 4.33 11.01 17.24 23.45 -
MON 4 APR -
5.39
9.57
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH 00.02 6.09
12.15 18.22 -
00.31 6.39
12.45 18.52 -
1.02 7.11
13.18 19.25 -
1.36 7.48
13.56 20.04 -
2.20 8.38
14.50 17.03 -
SUN 10 APR 3.30 10.02 16.26 22.47 -
MON 11 APR 5.22 12.00 18.22 11.15 17.25 23.32 TUE 12 APR 00.34 6.54 13.19 19.32 days after these were not available at time of print 11.45 17.53 -
person who posts inflammatory, insincere, digressive, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc), a newsgroup, forum, chat room, online video game, or blog, with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses, or manipulating others’ perception. This is typically for the troll’s amusement, or to achieve a specific result such as disrupting a rival’s online activities or manipulating a political process. Even so, Internet trolling can also be defined as purposefully causing confusion or harm to other users online, for no reason at all.
PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 21
Ernest Papps in final exhibition
Duo back by popular demand
Artwork by celebrated Ōtaki painter Ernest Papps is part of the current exhibition at the Tote Modern Gallery, based at the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club in Te Roto Road.
The Salty Hearts host Kate Marshall and Bob CooperGrundy on Thursday, April 21, back at the Ōtaki Golf Club by popular demand.
The two musical geniuses performed at the same venue with the Stationhouse Social Club in May last year. Bob Cooper-Grundy is someone who, over the past 40 years, has begun to look more and more like the songs he sings. He seems to accumulate authenticity in the same way that wear-and-tear somehow makes old guitars sound better. Kate Marshall is the perfect foil for Bob’s musical persona, bringing fiddle, accordion, flute, and a certain tenderness to the partnership. Local band The Salty Hearts are the hosts and will play a set of music during dinner. Bob and Kate are based in the Wairarapa but play gigs regularly around the southern half of the
DUO: Musical duo Bob Cooper-Grundy and Kate Marshall.
North Island. The song list veers between swing sounds of Texas, mixed with the blues and jazz served up in the Bob and Kate way. Bob Cooper-Grundy has pursued obscurity for some 40-odd years playing blues guitar and singing country songs. He has opened for
Photo supplied
Guy Clark, Townes van Zandt, Tom Russell and Jimmy LaFave. He plays both finger picking and slide guitar with some virtuoso flourishes. Kate Marshall plays violin, accordion and flute, and is a beautiful singer. She started with
classical piano and singing in choirs and you don’t have to listen that carefully to hear Bach and Mozart lurking behind Bob Wills and Memphis Minnie. n 6.30-9pm April 21, Ōtaki Golf Club n Tickets $45pp, includes 2-course meal. Email gregandanje@xtra.co.nz
Ernest is joined in the exhibition by Brent Craig, guest potter during March. Brent runs Awatea Pottery, and has been creating his functional pieces for 30 years. He is also a pottery tutor for the Ōtaki Pottery Club. Ernest is English by birth, coming to New Zealand in 1955 and Ōtaki in 1972. His works became well known to generations of school children after his illustrations were featured in more than 100 titles of the Price Milburn School Readers. He is perhaps best known for his paintings of natural scenes, inspired by the traditional techniques of the old masters – plus his love of New Zealand’s mountains and rivers, and it pioneering history. Ernest has indicated this will be his last exhibition. n Tote Modern Gallery. Open 10-3 Friday to Sunday. 47 Te Roto Rd, Ōtaki.
Kea leaders needed The Kea Club of Ōtaki Scouts for 5-8 year olds is in danger of closing because of a shortage of adult leaders. The group is looking for responsible, creative people aged 18 or older, who will need to pass a police vetting test. The Kea Club meets at the Scout Hall in Haruatai Park on Tuesdays 5.30-6.30pm. Enquiries: email otaki@group.scouts.nz or call Brent Bythell at 06 364-8949.
PAINTING LTD Fences scattered as car ends up in playcentre OOPS: Ōtaki constable Josh Furze attends an incident about 6.30pm on March 8 when a car lodged itself under the trees at the Ōtaki Playcentre on Mill Road. Heading towards town, the driver had crashed through several fences, across a front yard and Jim Spiers Lane before coming to rest through the fence of the playcentre. Police say the driver was a 37-year-old male, who was not seriously injured but was taken to hospital as a precaution. Enquiries are continuing, but initial investigations indicate fatigue or a medical event as a factor.
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NZ’s HOTTEST YEAR
Last year, 2021, was New Zealand’s hottest year on record, according to the country’s National Institute of Water and Aeronautic Research (NIWA) The average temperature was 13.56 degrees Celsius. This is the highest average NIWA has recorded since it began taking records in 1909. The latest news has been part of an ongoing trend with seven of the past nine years being among New Zealand’s warmest ever. Experts believe that these increases will only increase. Dr James Renwick, from the Victoria University of Wellington said: “We can expect more and more of the same in future – the record high temperatures we have just experienced would be counted as a cold year by the 2040s.”
australia’s first marae
Australia’s first marae is to built in a Sydney suburb on Aboriginal land. The Sydney Marae Alliance (SMA) has been raising funds for 30 years with the aim to create a place for Māori to connect on Aussie soil. The 15ha-hectare site at Hyland Road Reserve in Greystanes will feature a $4 million purpose-built community facility that supports cultural and educational activities. More than 150,000 Māori call Australia home, and 65,000 of them live in New South Wales. This will be the first traditional marae for Māori living outside of New Zealand. “It will be a combination of tradition, heritage and contemporary cultures, a place for future generations to learn and connect with their culture and identity,” Sydney Marae Alliance chief executive Domenic Brunetta says.
Would you smell dog poop for a job? British plant-based pet food company OMNI is offering to pay a dog owner more than $6000 to switch their dog’s diet for two months. The main catch is that you keep track of the pet’s poop smells. They are looking for “a dedicated dog owner to sniff their dog’s poop, to test the effect a plant-based diet has on their dog’s digestion, stool odor, and general health. Only one person will be selected from those that apply. They will be asked to report on the effects the food has on the animal’s frequency of bowel movements, poop odor, energy levels, behavior, sleep patterns, weight, and fur condition. The dog will be examined by a veterinarian at the start and end of the two-month period, OMNI said.
companies pull out of russia McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Shell and other large companies have temporarily stopped the sale of their products in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. McDonald’s 850 restaurants in Russia will close, but its 62,000 employees will continue to be paid. It has also temporarily shut its 108 restaurants in Ukraine. Film companies Disney and Sony recently said they’ll no longer be releasing their films in Russia, and a number of concerts and shows have been cancelled too. Starbucks will be closing 100 coffee shops.
Drop your coloured pictu re Ōtaki Today ’s b into ox Riverstone Café at by April 10 win a $20 boo to k vou or an Animals cher in Vehicles book .
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ow Did you kn ber of the num at can be words th d of the wor made out C E is
TO L E R A
Kyuss’S Te reo WORD SEARCH Look UP, look DOWN, ACROSS, DIAGONALLY and BACK! Put a line through each word as you find it.
N
409
TOLERANCE means willing to accept or respect different in others, specially their beliefs and customs. How many words can you make from tolerance? There are so many we can’t possibly print them here, but give it your best. See some of the more common words on page 20.
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HAPORI/Community I Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 23
The world through different filters W
e probably believe in very different things.
aren’t how everyone else views the world. The people I know who listen and share kōrero about the prime minister being Who or what created the Earth. What corrupted and paid off by big pharma, happens when we die? Those are some probably hear that through a bias of pretty fundamental beliefs that most of distrust for government, so it sounds us know we can co-exist with. We have plausible. They’re not crazy, that kōrero sits different beliefs about what’s going on well in their bias. around us all the time. Others I know are biased towards We look at the same world through our trust for the Government and discount different biases and filters and what we what to them and their filters sound like interpret comes back different. I view our conspiracy theories. That doesn’t make Government through a learned filter, an them sheeple. unconscious bias towards distrust based We’ve all been brainwashed to an extent, partly on stories of my great-grandfather by our own biases. fighting to return confiscated GOOD THINKING I don’t need to know lands, suppression policies what you believe about the forced on my nana’s protests or vaccinations. generation, and the state of But we should both know my governed people’s health what our biases are when today. I’ve formed a bias it comes to thinking about watching the justice system this kaupapa, and how they knowingly take away the might affect our thinking. father of children I love. My filters of distrust can I’m also biased towards unconsciously slip on when believing in the science PERA BARRETT I view the Government of vaccinations because I and apply it to everything. But I know had a good experience learning biology, they’re there, so I try and make sure because my immediate whānau have they don’t affect my interpretation of been privileged with good experiences situations where those past experiences are in the health system, and because of irrelevant. In my opinion, the likelihood conversations with practitioners of of Jacinda Ardern being a child trafficker, medicine who I trust. The experiences we have over time affect or paid by big pharma to poison millions, how we view the world today. Those filters are unrelated to the Government’s failings
The people I know who listen and share kōrero about the prime minister being corrupted and paid off by big pharma, probably hear that through a bias of distrust for government, so it sounds plausible. They’re not crazy, that kōrero sits well in their bias.
under Te Tiriti, so I acknowledge my bias and think about how I’m thinking. Protesters aren’t crazy. People wearing masks aren’t weak. We’ve all interpreted the world through our biases, and responded to what came back. What are your biases? What filters make you view the world the way you do? And how do you make sure those biases don’t steer you wrong? Being open to re-think our own assumptions is how we adapt and survive. Acknowledging others have different biases and different interpretations of the world is how we survive together. n Pera is a rap singer, story writer, and founder of Shoebox Christmas. He received the Local Hero award at the New Zealander of the Year awards in 2019.
MEDICAL
CHURCHES 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. Church service every Sunday at Hadfield Hall, 10am. 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
Ōtaki Yesterday, 2021
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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
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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
Ōtaki Today Maehe/March 2022
whārangi 24
TĀKARO/Sport Rāhui tributes for ‘superb’ HK ref Tributes poured in last week for HorowhenuaKāpiti rugby referee Mike McNamara, who died suddenly on Thursday (March 10).
Mike was to referee the pre-season game between Rāhui and Paremata-Plimmerton at Ōtaki Domain on Saturday. The game was called off because of increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases among players and support personnel. In June last year, Mike achieved the rare feat of officiating in 200 premier games. He was for many years in a row awarded best referee in the district. Mike was respected in rugby circles for his superb fitness, and his fair and consistent rulings on the field at all levels of the sport. He always made a point of attending after-match gatherings in the host clubrooms. “Thanks for all the games, support, mentoring, and inclusive for women to ref our amazing sport,” Ōtaki’s Black Fern, Jude Broughton, posted on Rāhui’s Facebook page. Hayden Oggy Ogden also said it was sad news, and acknowledged Mike’s refereeing skills: “. . . always fair to me, last of the refs that understood scrummaging!”
TOP REF: Mike McNamara on the field at Paraparaumu in his 200th premier game.
Photo Ian Carson
Year-round activity at sports club With the days shortening and the temperatures dropping recently, Ōtaki Sports Club always gets an unmissable natural reminder each year of when tennis is coming to an end and autumn squash is about to kick off, followed by football.
enthusiasm everyone brings to their chosen activity. We are also united by our beautiful setting here in our back corner of Haruātai Park. As you head up the hill, come past the swimming pool and then turn the corner into our parking area. The club almost feels Iike its own small and very welcoming world. GRIMMETT The beauty of the park and the tranquility of our tucked-away clubrooms make it easy to want to get out and exercise. In fact, our tennis players are so into their sport they went out and raised nearly $130,000 in the past year to get floodlights on the courts to make tennis here a year-round sport. The floodlights are in transit from the United States, the 12 metre-high pylons are being made by a Christchurch company and Ōtaki electrician Sparky Tom is managing the project to get everything installed. It was a big job to get resource consent for the pylons but worth it as the project will transform the courts and help our players get the extra court time they’re after to boost their sport and their tennis abilities.
GOOD SPORTS
As our tennis interclub players HANNAH complete their final rounds this month, on the football fields behind the courts our senior football squads are well into their pre-season training, and the squashies are coming and going from their courts. A big part our club’s appeal is that you can always find someone doing something active here all year round, and there’s always someone friendly to say kia ora to, even if they don’t play your sport. Our club whānau is united by our enjoyment of keeping active and learning and improving physical skills, whatever the sport. It’s part of who we are here to appreciate the skills and LEFT: Emma Whiterod, an Ōtaki Sports Club tennis champion in 1991, is a favourite for more club titles this year. Photo Frank Neil
Tennis is on a bit of roll, with a big increase in playing numbers this season based on some great programme development from our club tennis community. And this year, to mark the end of the summer season, we’ve brought back the Ōtaki Sports Club tennis championships. We think it’s the first time the club has run the tennis champs since some time in the 1990s, and it’s fantastic to see everyone embracing the competition, even if the prospect of playing singles is a bit nerve-racking for some of our – how can I put this politely? – less fit members. Much to our shame, our honours board of tennis champions hasn’t been updated since the 1990s but we hope to remedy that this year. One Emma Whiterod was the club’s women’s singles champion in 1991 as a teenager, and is one of the last names up on the board. It’s inspiring to see Emma back in the draw again this year. Her skills have only improved since then, and even with a young family and having a busy job to contend with, Emma is a mainstay of our senior A grade interclub team and will be tough to beat in the championships. Finals weekend is April 2-3. If you’d like to come and watch some quality tennis action, we’d love to see you there.