Otaki Today October 2022

New mayor, councillors and community board: Election wrap-up page

Help for smiling Max

John Barrett in Hall of Fame

Ōtaki’s John Barrett has been inducted into the Business Kāpiti-Horowhenua (BKH) Hall of Fame.

John was honoured during the 2022 Electra Business & Innovation Awards at the Horowhenua Events Centre in Levin on September 30.

Additionally, the tourism company of which he is managing director –Kāpiti Island Nature Tours – won the 2022 BKH award for best hospitality, entertainment and tourism business.

The citation for John’s Hall of Fame noted that a kauri in the forest reflected stature and prominence, strength and durability, and an ability to survive and grow against the adversity of nature’s challenges.

“What an appropriate way to describe John Barrett,” it said.

John (Ngāti Raukawa, Te Ati Awa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira) has lived in the Dunstan Street house of his parents – and even a grandmother and great-grandmother – all his life.

However, he also has a strong and enduring relationship with Kāpiti Island. His great-grandfather, Wi Parata te Kahakura, left a farm on the island to John’s grandmother, who held a kaitiaki (guardianship) role as farming there was not viable. John first visited the island in 1955 as a young boy.

He left school at 16 and had his first job in Wellington as an office junior with Thomas Cook Travel.

In 1970 he travelled on his OE and

returned a year later to marry Susan Moffatt and started building a bach on the island. His wider whānau took an interest in the venture and without a real plan, they began developing the island business.

John, meantime, continued his career in travel, working in Levin.

In the early 1990s he operated a modest commercial fishing operation, while at the same time developing a 20-week youth development programme on the island. Young people would sleep in one room with a kerosene fridge, a coal range, and a

long-drop toilet.

Parents of the kids wanted to visit, then friends of the parents, and the seed for a tourism venture was sown.

In 1999 John and sister Amo founded Kāpiti Island Nature Tours and Nature Lodge. John is the managing director of the familyoperated, multi-award-winning business.

Three children, cousins, nieces and nephews, wider whānau and skills brought in from the community, make up a team of 40 staff operating the business today.

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John has also immersed himself in the promotion of nature-based tourism. He is a strong advocate of indigenous higher education and conservation practices.

The Hall of Fame citation said that John’s commitment to his people, community and country, has led to roles including:

• Founding trustee Kāpiti Skills Centre, founding member of Kāpiti Marine Reserve Management Committee, founding member of the Leadership Council of World Indigenous Tourism Alliance.

• Past chair of Te Ara a MauiWellington Regional Māori Tourism Alliance, and the NZ Māori Tourism Council; recently retired director of Tourism NZ; past director of the Wellington Conservation Board, and the Aviation/Tourism Training organisation; past member of Te Mana Whakahaere (board of directors) Te Wānanga o Raukawa.

• Current chair of the Māoriland Charitable Trust – Maoriland Film Festival; chair of Raukawa Whānau Ora Ltd; a director of Te Wānanga o Raukawa Foundation.

“This is not an exhaustive record of John’s involvement, but it surely portrays his energy and dedication to making a difference in his community,” the citation said.

“John has poured his life’s energy into building an iconic tourism attraction, he has weathered considerable objections to his vision, but has stayed the course and today showcases a predator-free nature reserve showcasing bird life and pristine bushland and beach.

“A man of your prominence and as humble as you are shines a light on what can be achieved. Your selfless roles across our community are to be admired, respected, and celebrated.

“This whakatauki is said of a great chief or leader: ‘He kotoku rerenga tahi – A white heron’s flight is seen but once.’

“John Barrett, you are a deserving laureate to the BKH hall of fame.”

FAMED: Business Kāpiti-Horowhenua Hall of Famer John Barrett with wife Susan at their Ōtaki home. Photo Ōtaki Today

LOCAL EVENTS

TOI MATARAU GALLERY Māoriland Hub, 68 Main Street, Ōtaki. In the exhibition Aroaromahana, artists express their connection to the natural world of te ao Māori through their specialised artforms. A gathering of visual storytelling celebrating the arrival of spring – Te Kōanga also known as Aroaromahana. Featuring Katerina French Armstrong (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu), Lorna Tawhiti (Ngāi Te Rangi, Waikato Tainui) and Toi Matarau artists. Until October 29. Open 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday.

SEASONAL SURPLUS STALL from 11am November 24 and every Thursday until May, outside Ōtaki Memorial Hall. Bring produce to sell at 10.45am. In bad weather ring Bernadine 020 4131 5780 to confirm selling.

TOTE MODERN: 47 Te Roto Rd, Ōtaki. Open 10am-3pm Friday to Sunday.

ŌTAKI MUSEUM: “The way we were: glimpses of days gone by” exhibition showcases a range of items from the museum and other collections. Play the old theatre pianola while you’re there (see 6). The Anne Thorpe Reading Room is also available when the museum is open, 10am-2pm Thursday to Saturday, 49 Main St. Ōtaki. 06 364-6886.

ŌTAKI COMMUNITY BOARD: Meeting dates for the newly elected board will be advised –look under “meetings’ at kapiticoast.govt.nz. Meetings are 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.

ŌTAKI WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CLUB

CRAFT MARKET: SH1, opposite New World. Open every Sunday during daylight saving time. 9am-2pm. Contact Georgie 027 234-1090. ŌTAKI GARAGE SALE Third Saturday of the month, 9am-11.30am, 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 St. All welcome.

ŌTAKI LIBRARY – ALL SESSIONS FREE: (Except public holidays)

JP service: every Monday 10.30am-12.30pm; Age Concern every 2nd Thursday 10am-noon Greypower 1st & 3rd Thursday 10.30am-1.30pm.

AMICUS OF OTAKI meets 2nd Monday every month, 10am RSA. Friendship and fellowship for the over 60s, excellent speakers, day trips, morning tea and meat raffle. All welcome. Contact Clive Newman 027 450 5070.

MAHARA iti, 2 Mahara Place, Waikanae Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm. All welcome. Free entry.

WAIKANAE SPRING MARKET DAY Mahara Place, Waikanae. Saturday October 22, 9am2pm. Enquiries to: Sonia 027 841 8258, or e: waikanaevillage markets@gmail.com Browse more than 150 stalls and local shops, enjoy brunch at the many delicious eateries.

WAIKANAE ARTS & CRAFTS SOCIETY

Come along to our Indoor Market Day, 9am2pm, Saturday October 15, 27a Elizabeth St, Waikanae. Arts and crafts on display and for sale along with fresh produce, plants, preserves and baking. Raffle too.

PARKINSON’S SOCIAL SUPPORT GROUP

Get together time for those with Parkinson’s and their families. 10am, 3rd Tuesday of each month. Relish Café, Elizabeth St, Waikanae. Enquiries: Prue 027 416 5029.

PARKINSON’S CARER’S SUPPORT GROUP Meet at the Mediterranean Foods, Coastlands. 10am, 2nd Wednesday each month. Enquiries –Hazel 04 904 7243.

PARKINSON’S WOMEN’S SOCIAL GROUP

Get together time for women with Parkinson’s. 10am, 1st Tuesday of each month. Relish Café, Elizabeth Street, Waikanae. Enquiries: Prue 027 416 5029.

To list an event, contact debbi@idmedia.co.nz

Performances put ministers on notice

Recent parliamentary performances by ministers might be reviewed by the prime minister when contemplating her fall in public polls over recent months.

It was American political scientist and author Leonard A Cole who wrote: “You are not responsible for what men do, but you will be judged by the company you keep.”

The performances the prime minister might review with an eye for portfolio change were those from Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis and Communications Minister Willie Jackson.

Davis, a Māori, was questioned by ACT MP Karen Chhour about a contract that Oranga Tamariki had signed with Te Whānau o Waipareira. She referred to a NZ Herald report that the Waipareira Trust group had made donations to political campaigns of John Tamihere and wanted to know if the ministry was reconsidering its partnership with the Auckland-based trust.

Minister Davis responded: “What the member needs to do is cross the bridge that is Te Tiriti o Waitangi from her Pākehā world into the Māori world and understand exactly how the Māori world operates. It is no good looking to the world from a vanilla lens.”

Following the exchange Chhour declared outside Parliament that the minister’s response was offensive.

“I am a Māori woman and I have been through the care system. Māori children are not that different to every other child. I am here trying to make a difference for those children. Attacking me like that and taking away my mana from a party that stands up and says they want to give Māori back their mana is quite distressing for me.”

Davis subsequently apologised to Chhour after Prime Minister Ardern had made clear her unhappiness at his response to the ACT MP’s questions.

During the same period of question and answers in Parliament, National’s Melissa Lee asked Jackson why no regulatory impact assessment or cost-benefit analysis of the planned merger of TVNZ and Radio NZ had been conducted. She claimed the merger would cost $370 million, but Jackson argued back it would cost $40 million over four years.

Jackson initially said he would get back to her on the regulatory assessment and cost-benefit analysis, then offered to show her in his office a cost-benefit analysis.

What was the reason for the merger, Lee wanted to know.

Jackson: “We no longer have trust in national media. We need a trusted public broadcaster because national identity is incredibly important and no longer do people trust New Zealand television or New Zealand radio. We need a national broadcaster for a great public identity.”

That the legislation to create the merger provides for a minister to direct the entity to have regard to a government policy gives the lie to claims by Ardern’s Government that the merged organisation will be independent of government. As media analyst Antony Young wrote, multiple government MPs have commented that “misinformation” is a rationale for the merger.

Between the politics of race as practised by Davis and the inability of Jackson to provide straight-up answers to the cost of, or reasons for, the radio-television merger, a tawdry picture of a government increasingly under electoral pressure shows out.

While the prime minister continues to win plaudits from overseas commentators for her performance on the global stage, back home those who sit with her on the government benches in Parliament eat away at the standing of her administration in public opinion polls.

Away from the parliamentary spotlight, a good deal of attention in the Capital is now being paid to Kāinga Ora. Property commentator Ashley Church says: “If the Government continues on the current trajectory, we run the risk of a financial blow-out which will make the failure of KiwiBuild look like small change.”

Some two years ago the Government sanctioned Kāinga Ora doubling its debt capacity. This is considered likely to peak at about $29 billion over the next 10 years. But such a level of indebtedness is a potential burden of huge significance when viewed against the backdrop of rising interest rates and ever-increasing demands for maintenance and upgrades of more than 40,000 older homes in its portfolio.

Predictions are being made that the State housing provider might have to cut back on the quality of new builds and potentially seek a fresh cash injection from the Government. Experience that Kāinga Ora chief executive Andrew McKenzie had while holding financial administrative positions with Auckland City and Fletcher Building might be pertinent.

Another and even bigger version of the debacle that the KiwiBuild programme became is not something this government needs in seeking to reverse its downward trend in opinion polls.

n

Bruce has been an economics and business editor, and a political and foreign correspondent in Washington, London and Hong Kong.

BRUCE

Ideas emerge for retail precinct.

Twenty new homes on the way

By Ian Carson

Public housing provider Kāinga Ora is delivering at least seven new homes for Ōtaki within the next 12 months, with a further 13 in the pipeline.

The confirmed rental homes will be at a recently cleared site on the corner of Dunstan Street and 275 Mill Road, and at 43-45 Matene Street. Kāinga Ora is also looking at how it can redevelop the site of old State houses at 5-9 Matene Street, plus two other sites that it says it’s not yet ready to discuss.

Three houses are to be built at Mill Road – two 2-bedroom and one 3-bedroom. At 43-45 Matene Street, three 2-bedroom and one 3-bedroom house will be built.

A similar number are likely at 5-9 Matene Street. Kāinga Ora says it’s in the early stages of exploring how this site can be redeveloped for public housing and expects to replace the existing buildings with 2-3 bedroom homes.

At the five sites, a total of 20 new houses will be built. All will be singlestorey. They will be constructed off-site manufactured (OSM), providing a flat-pack house kit. Decks and timber fencing will be built and landscaping will be completed once the houses are in place.

The OSM process allows for new homes to be built and installed on-

site about 40 percent faster than a traditional build, meaning houses can be delivered quickly for those who need it most. House kits also minimise noise and disruption to neighbours, and reduce weatherrelated on-site material damage.

Each home will be built to Healthy Homes standards; fully insulated, with carpets, curtains and doubleglazing.

Resource consents are being sought and construction is expected to begin at the first two sites by the end of the year. The houses are scheduled to be available midway through next year.

The size of the homes means they’ll be suitable for small and medium families.

Kāinga Ora says it’s moving ahead

with the new houses to help meet the urgent need for more housing in Ōtaki.

Greg Groufsky, Kāinga Ora’s regional director, Greater Wellington region, told Ōtaki Today that in addition to the current active sites, Kāinga Ora is looking at a range of housing opportunities in Ōtaki to help provide more warmer, drier homes.

“This includes working with existing providers and local iwi to identify opportunities within the community,” he says.

Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki has been working closely with Kāinga Ora to boost the housing stock available to Ōtaki people.

Greg says Kāinga Ora will match its

to

homes to individuals and families on the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Housing Register, with the highest priority for a home of that size and in that location.

“When MSD has completed the eligibility process, Kāinga Ora assesses the properties that are available and places people from the housing register based on need and eligibility,” he says. “As part of our commitment to helping our customers live well in their homes, we talk to them about their connections to schooling, the community and other groups to help us find the right home and neighbourhood for them and their whānau.

“In some cases people may come from other areas, and want to return

to where they previously lived, or they have family, iwi or other connections and support networks which will help them to live well in their new home.”

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities is New Zealand’s largest residential landlord and the largest client of residential building services. It provides tenancy services to nearly 200,000 customers and their whānau, and owns and maintains nearly 69,000 public houses while also providing home ownership products and other services.

It says it focuses on prioritising tenants’ well-being, and provides tenants with good quality, warm, dry and healthy homes.

It administers the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund on behalf of the Government. Ōtaki is the beneficiary of a recent fund announcement of $29.2 million for infrastructure to support housing developments in the town.

The funding will be delivered over the next 10 years to provide water and roading infrastructure to cope with the influx of people into Ōtaki, as well as improve facilities for existing residents. New reservoirs for water storage, for example, will be required.

The funds will enable about 1000 new homes to be built in Ōtaki, including a new development of 500 houses at the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club.

NEW HOME: An example of the new homes to be available in Ōtaki by midway through next year. Photo supplied

Voices

By Ian Carson

Ōtaki might have lost some territory – and voters – for the 2022 local body elections, but it still has three councillors who live in the district.

Preliminary results1 released on Sunday (October 9) showed Janet Holborow is the new Kāpiti mayor.

Locally, Shelly Warwick picked up the Ōtaki Ward councillor role after beating Chris Papps for the job. Fellow Ōtaki resident Rob Kofoed was successful in gaining a districtwide seat. He scored the secondhighest number of votes, just behind Liz Koh.

Liz is a Te Horo Beach resident, in an area that until earlier this year was part of the Ōtaki Ward. A swathe of Te Horo voters shifted to the

1 Final results will be known on Thursday, October 13.

In the last triennium, Ōtaki was strongly represented at the council table. The Ōtaki Ward councillor was James Cootes, who lived at Te Horo Beach. Mayor K Gurunathan lived in the Ōtaki township, and councillors Angela Buswell and Jackie Elliott both had residences within the Ōtaki Ward.

James, Guru and Angela have all retired from local politics. Jackie stood unsuccessfully for a further term as a district-wide candidate, but succeeded in going onto the Ōtaki Community Board.

Jackie is a victim of another twist to the representation review. It reduced the number of district-wide positions from five to three. She polled at No 4 after Saturday’s elections.

Former deputy chair of the Ōtaki Community Board, Marilyn Stevens, also suffered. Well-known in Te Horo,

at

she was not able to count on a sizable number of her previous voters who had been shifted into the Waikanae Ward. She missed out on a board position this year.

Chris Papps returns to the community board, but she says she won’t continue as chair.

“After six years it is time to stand aside from that role and let others take the lead,” she says. “At the first meeting of the board I intend nominating Cam Butler as chair.

“I believe he is well qualified and suited to the role and he will do an excellent job.” (See column page 12.)

The chair will be selected by a majority of board members.

The community board has one new member in Simon Black, an Ōtaki volunteer firefighter.

Although missing out on a districtwide position, Jackie Elliott also ran for the community board and secured

a role as a board member. She is not new to the board, having been a member before being a councillor.

table

THE VOTES

ŌTAKI WARD

The board will therefore comprise Cam Butler, Chris Papps, Simon Black and Jackie Elliott. Shelly Warwick will also sit on the board in her role as ward councillor.

They will have plenty to work on during the next three years (see panel opposite page).

Penny Gaylor was successful in returning for another term as a Greater Wellington Regional councillor, fighting off a strong challenge from Asher Wilson-Goldman.

Michael Moore was voted onto the Waikanae Community Board after running a campaign advocating a voice for Te Horo. In past elections he would have been in the Ōtaki Ward.

Michael was the only candidate from Te Horo to run for the Waikanae board.

Shelly Warwick 1443 Chris Papps 1030

ŌTAKI COMMUNITY BOARD

Rob Kofoed 687 (excluded as elected district-wide councillor), Chris Papps 514, Simon Black 520, Cam Butler 501, Jackie Elliott 426, Marilyn Stevens 251, Graham Fox 139.

DISTRICT-WIDE

Liz Koh 4587, Rob Kofoed 4450, Lawrence Kirby 4156, Jackie Elliott 3545, Michelle Lewis 2635, Mark Benton 1894, Ian Powell 1638, Michael Scott 1384, Maria McMillan 1095.

Note these are preliminary results only. Vote numbers have been rounded out after STV voting applied. Bold indicates successful candidates.

MARLBOROUGH & HURUNUI

GARDEN FESTIVALS

on an adventure through magnificent gardens sure to educate, entertain and inspire

wonderful 9-day tour takes

much to experience and enjoy as we meander through

part of Hurunui Garden

guests

New Zealand

tour host

experienced

for our tours from all corners

you can be rest assured

be one

looked

friendly

Mayor Janet Holborow Ōtaki Ward councillor Shelly Warwick District-wide councillor

councillor Liz

Community Board

Papps

Community Board Simon Black

Community Board Jackie Elliott – Ōtaki Community Board

Waikanae Ward after a representation review.

Penny Gaylor –Greater Wellington Regional Council

No clean slate for community board

By Ian Carson

The new Ōtaki Community Board has inherited a long list of “matters under action”, some dating back years.

It will be a challenge for the board to shift them off the list, but there will be hope delays such as inflicted by Covid disruptions will not recur. No item has an estimated date for completion. Most are “in progress” or blank.

The oldest matter under action – from December 2017 – is an upgrade of Ōtaki Railway Station. The matter is with Waka Kotahi, as it continues to discuss with Heritage NZ what work can be done on the platform canopy.

Others in progress are:

Winstone Lake easement (July 2018) – KCDC staff are working with GWRC regarding the overall Ōtaki Lakes Management Plan and the Te Roto Link options report.

Main Street wifi (November 2018) – no progress.

Civic Theatre (April 2019) – Earthquake strengthening is programmed to start in 2029-2030.

Council flats (June 2019) – Onging refurbishment, with Healthy Homes programme continuing during the next 24 months.

Te Horo Beach reserve funding (July 2019) – This item is now likely to be taken up by the Waikanae Community Board as Te Horo Beach is mostly now in the Waikanae Ward. The Ōtaki Community Board agenda says council staff are available to discuss potential projects when the community is ready. It might be a tough job restoring the funding.

Haruātai Park signage (September 2019) – Notes say a meeting is being organised between the board and the parks, open space and environment manager.

Stride and Ride programme for PP2Ō (March 2020) – The agenda says: “Council staff are abreast of developments and will eventually incorporate in collateral. In the meantime the CLG [expressway Community Liaison Group] is the primary place for PP2Ō issues.”

A status update also mentions Ōtaki Beach development (September 2014). “Road stopping process under way for land; once that has completed work can commence on the management/development plan (similar to Maclean Park),” board agenda notes say.

Building consent process gets easier

Applying for and tracking a building consent has just got quicker and more efficient.

Kāpiti Coast District Council has integrated Simpli, an online application portal, with an internal processing system that the council says will provide customers with a one-stop-shop for every facet of the consenting process.

“Until recently, customers have

only been able to use Simpli to lodge their building consent applications with us,” says building inspections team leader Michelle Salmon. “By adding extra features and integrating the two systems we hope to eliminate many of the more manual and timeconsuming processes currently used.”

From start to finish, customers will be able to submit, manage and track their building consent from the first

piece of information they enter into the portal through to the code of compliance certificate being issued at the end.

The system also allows the council to notify applicants if more information is required via the portal and customers can send a message to consent officers, as well as upload and download documents, and make payments via Simpli.

Spotlight on Te Ataahua

Total class and professionalism, with deep roots in our community, Te Ataahua exemplifies strength and mana. A smart, savvy, confident and capable lady who is an expert at juggling priorities to get the job done. Born and bred in Ōtaki, no one knows this town better. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui. Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.

GRADUATION: Graduates of 2021 courses are welcomed into Te Ara a Tāwhaki on the campus of Te Wānanga o Raukawa with a haka pōwhiri on Wednesday, September 28. The graduation ceremony was for students of Te Whare Whakatupu Mātauranga, Te Whare Kōkiri and Te Whare Oranga. Graduation couldn’t be celebrated last year because of Covid restrictions. The graduation ceremony for 2022 students will be on December

Photo Ōtaki Today

Disco helps little Max

By Ian Carson

The Ōtaki community and the Ōtaki Volunteer Fire Brigade rallied recently to help out little 3-year-old Max Tamakaha, who’s battling cancer.

The brigade put on a disco (above) for kids at the Rāhui Rugby Club on September 16 and raised more than $2000 for Max. The funds will support the family that has had to live on one income to look after Max, as well as continue parenting sister Ellah, 2.

The nature of the Max’s illness was apparent when he became unwell on the day of the diso and had to be rushed to Palmerston North Hospital.

It meant he and his nanny and koro, Michelle Tamakaha and Geoff Gutschlag (who have legal guardianship of the children) missed

an event they were all looking forward to. However, Geoff says they appreciated the efforts of the brigade and the community that’s helping to support them through difficult times.

When Geoff spoke to Ōtaki Today from Starship Hospital in Auckland, Max was undergoing the 12th of 14 rounds of chemotherapy.

Geoff said Max’s prognosis was good, but he would have hospital visits and check-ups “probably for the rest of his life”.

Max was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer in February of this year, not long after his third birthday.

When the whānau first found out that Max could have the cancer in his left femur, the first week was spent in Palmerston North Hospital where blood tests and CT scans were done.

STILL SMILING: Max Tamakaha at left after rotation plasty surgery that removed the upper part of his left leg and moved the lower half up to his hip, rotating it at the same time so his heel will become his knee. Photos supplied

After the results were sent to Starship, the paediatric and oncology team wanted him there immediately. There were more tests with X-rays, heart scans, CT scans, MRI, bone biopsy, bone marrow biopsy and lots of blood tests. The results showed he the rare Ewing’s sarcoma. It’s a cancer mostly found in children under the

age of 10. Fewer than six cases a year are found in New Zealand.

Ewing’s is a bone cancer that spreads quickly. If Max had not been treated immediately the outcome more than likely would have been fatal.

It had already invaded Max’s left leg to the extent that he needed a 10hour operation called rotation plasty.

READING UP: Max reads a book on the evening before surgery, created by nanna Michelle Tamakaha and friend Briar Ogden so Max could understood what would be happening.

He had the femur removed from his hip to just below his knee, then had the lower part of his leg and foot reattached at his hip and rotated 180 degrees – the heel faces forwards and the toes backwards.

Max’s heel will act as his knee, allowing him to be fitted with a prosthetic limb. He is believed to be the youngest person in New Zealand to have the surgery.

With no more complications along the way Max will look to complete chemotherapy in November, get his prosthetic limb and start rehabilitation early in 2023.

Geoff says Max is a fighter and a strong-minded individual with determination and strength.

“Along with the aroha from whānau and friends, we will get through and beat this disease that Max has been handed,” Geoff says. “Through it all, our wee man still manages to smile and is always telling us how fast he is going to run when he gets his new leg.”

The disco fundraiser on September 16 was the second organised by the fire brigade. Last year it helped support the family of another local boy with cancer, Liam Paroli, 10.

This year about 200 school students and their whānau attended.

The fire brigade fundraiser was supported by sponsors Koastal Kerbs, Farm Source, Ōtaki New World, Kāpiti Pak n Save, Rāhui Rugby Club and Dayna’s Kitchen.

Tenth film festival March

March 10-19 has been announced as the dates for the 10th annual Māoriland Film Festival in Ōtaki.

The festival, New Zealand’s international indigenous film festival, includes five days of film screenings, immersive VR (virtual reality), new technology exhibits, a full visual arts programme, industry days, special events and more.

Māoriland Film Festival was founded in 2014 to celebrate indigenous voices and storytelling in film. It has grown to be the largest presenter of indigenous screen content in the Southern Hemisphere.

Māoriland is celebrated for its manaakitanga and community spirit. Festival activities are at various venues throughout Ōtaki, with a base at the Māoriland Hub in Main Street.

Meanwhile, submissions have opened for the festival. Māoriland is inviting work from indigenous creatives of film, video, digital and interactive media work. To be eligible for Māoriland, an indigenous creative must be credited in a key role such as director, producer or screenwriter.

Submissions are free until November 4. n For more information, see mff.maorilandfilm.co.nz/submissions

INVESTED: Māoriland tumu whakarae Libby Hakaraia with Dame Lisa Carrington after their investiture at Government House in Wellington on September 13. Libby received her MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit), Five-time Olympic Games gold medalist Lisa was made a dame companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to canoe racing. Both were named in the Platinum Queen’s Birthday honours earlier this year, the last made under Queen Elizabeth’s reign. Libby received her MNZN for her services to media and film, and in particular for establishing the Māoriland Film Festival in Ōtaki along with husband Tainui Stephens, niece Madeleine de Young Hakaraia, and cousin Pat Hakaraia and his wife, Tania.

Businesses get lowdown on retail area upgrade

Roadworks, retail data and a new strategy for Ōtaki businesses were all on the agenda at the Ōtaki Today business network meeting on September 29.

The meeting – the first of the year after the lifting of Covid restrictions – brought Ōtaki businesspeople together for an evening of speakers and discussion at RiverStone Cafe. They heard from expressway revocation project delivery manager Ulvi Sulayev and First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson.

Ulvi outlined the process of revocation – so-named because the current State Highway 1 status will be revoked. It will no longer be under the authority of Waka Kotahi and will become a local road under Kāpiti Coast District Council. As such, it will also be renamed following community consultation.

Most of the revocation work will be around the highway retail strip, but will include the whole length of the highway from Peka Peka to Taylors Road north of Ōtaki.

“We need to make the road fit-for-purpose for the local environment,” he said.

The expressway is expected to be open by Christmas, so by early next year the team should have completed the detailed design that came out of community consultation. That will allow it to engage a firm to do the work.

“That work will happen over two seasons [summers] begining next year,” Ulvi said.

To questions from retailers who were concerned about long periods of disruption, he said the retail strip would take the equivalent of only one summer. The rest would be in other areas, such as Te Horo. Investigative work, such as identifying pipes and other infrastructure, is already happening and will hardly be noticed.

Chris Wilkinson spoke about the role of First Retail

Group, which has been engaged by Elevate Ōtaki to develop a new retail and investment strategy for Ōtaki.

“We’ve already spent a lot of time talking to the community and to businesses about what matters to them,” he said.

Chris said Ōtaki had many things in its favour that are helping to make his job easier:

• Timing – First Retail was getting involved before the expressway opened, and businesses were just coming out of Covid disruptions and now looking at new ways of doing things.

• Access – Ōtaki was “almost unique” to have negotiated access from the expressway from both ends of the Railway area. “The fact that people can come in one end and out the other is unbelievably beneficial.”

• Established brand – There’s no need to create a brand.

“Here we’ve got a great brand [Small Town, Big Heart] so to be able to leverage that is really useful. We’d love to see that used extensively in the townscape, the public realm and other consumer-facing areas.”

Discussions with former retailers that had left Ōtaki in the past couple of years revealed few decisions were made based on the pending expressway.

“Those retailers were leaving for their own business reasons, or changes in their wider category and marketplace.”

Chris acknowledged it was tough for many businesses at present. There were staffing and supply shortages –even ram raids. However, the information from local people and access to spending data, for example, was helping First Retail to formulate a strategy for the future.

“Resilience for businesses is absolutely a key part of this project,” he said. “It is something we’re considering in everything we’re doing.”

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SPEAKERS: Revocation project delivery manager Ulvi Salayev speaks during the Ōtaki Today business network meeting at RiverStone Cafe while First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson looks on. Photo Ōtaki Today

REAL ESTATE

Demand for rentals still hot in Ōtaki

By Rebecca Whitt

During the past few months, the country in general –but not Ōtaki – has seen a real shift in the rental market.

Rents are starting to decline and there’s an increase in the number of properties available for tenants to look at.

This is a massive change from the past few years of high rents and housing shortages. More rental properties are also for sale because of the soaring sales prices and the massive regulatory upheaval that the rental industry has been through.

The change in the nationwide market is partly due to the world opening back up now we are seeing the back end of Covid. In some regions a huge number of rental properties are becoming available, which has not been evident for years.

In many places, it’s now a tenant’s market.

However, this is yet to be the case in Ōtaki.

There is still a massive demand for rentals on the Kāpiti Coast, and particularly in Ōtaki.

We are still encountering a huge number of people who are looking

to move into the area and rent. It’s taking only about two weeks to rent a property, while in the rest of the country it’s more like a month. It indicates that Ōtaki is still an excellent investment when it comes to housing.

Ōtaki is becoming a real niche market as families move out of the city looking for a communityfocused lifestyle and a more costeffective approach to living.

The town and district are highly sought-after for providing quality homes at a reasonable price, and thanks to the expressway, Ōtaki will soon be a shorter drive from Wellington City. So even in our current rental market, Ōtaki is still an excellent investment opportunity for landlords looking to invest.

Don’t get me wrong, a downturn could be coming, but Ōtaki is bracing itself well to ride that wave. With the expressway set to open at the end of this year, even more people will be encouraged to move into the area. If, or when, the market does slow down here like the rest of the country, it’s unlikely to stay that way for long.

n Rebecca is general manager property management for Professionals Doublewinkel Real Estate.

Weaving on show at Mahara iti

Māori arts degree student weavers from the Palmerston North campus of Te Wananga o Aotearoa have invoked the “sacred stitch” used in woven panels to showcase their work in an exhibition at Waikanae’s Mahara iti gallery.

Tumatakahuki is the culmination of three years of study and practical work at the Wānanga, the only one in the world to provide a degree course in Maori weaving.

Mahara iti director Janet Bayly says Māori weaving developed from practical items such as baskets, clothing and fishing nets, and over time came to be recognised as a prized art form.

“Over the centuries, it has evolved from its practical origins into a

wonderful art form. Today the work of weavers is rich in story-telling and symbolism and an important element in the flourishing of Māori culture.”

Nine weavers, all women from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, have contributed to Tumatakahuki. They are Cassandra

Archer, Constance Mason, Emily Gavan, Fiona Mackie, Maliana Walker, Marjorie Nikora, Margot Bennetts, Miranda Bush and Ratahi Tamatea.

n Tumatakahuki is showing at Mahara iti, Mahara Place, Waikanae ,until October 28. maharagallery.org.nz

Special tree for river

Yet another tree was planted at Chrystalls Bend on September 28 when the Friends of the Ōtaki River had their annual walkover.

In a demonstration of the parnership between the Friends and Greater Wellington Regional Council, riverside farmers Barry and Sue Mansell planted a tōtara, along with council chair Daran Ponter. The Mansell family have farmed at Ōtaki Gorge for about 90 years, and Barry was a founding member of the Friends.

For Daran, it was the first time he had seen the work of the Friends.

“It was a real pleasure,” he said. “[There are] significant areas of planting along the river margins and trails that are going to be an asset to Ōtaki for generations to come.”

Koro Don (Te Rakauoteora Te Maipi) with artists and tutors. Photo supplied

NEW TREE: GWRC chair Daran Ponter helps Barry and Sue Mansell plant a tōtara at Chrystalls Bend. Photo Ōtaki Today

Please vote for me, I am promising you . . . absolutely nothing

I’ve been asked once or twice whether I would consider standing for public office.

Although my ego tells me I’d quite like being called Mayor or Councillor Carson, my practical mind steers me to other more sensible pursuits. Such as editing a community newspaper, which, apart from being a big conflict of interest with an elected role, takes plenty of my time already, thank you.

But the thought of a public position has made me think about how I would run a campaign. I have to say I’d probably quite enjoy campaigning, mainly because I would have fun telling the truth.

That means I would ask people to

vote for me on the basis that I would promise them nothing. That’s right –nothing.

How refreshing would that be for the voting public?

The reason I would offer no promises is because promises are notoriously hard to keep.

I’d like to say the public is not silly, but some people are. Most voters won’t believe a thing you say,

Reason to be optimistic about our future

The prime minister recently returned from a trip to the United States where she met with a number of world leaders. From their discussions it was clear that while things have been tough everywhere, New Zealand continues to do better than most.

So I wanted to share a bit of an update on the steps that we’re taking to support our Ōtaki families through this period, and to report back on some of the economic indicators that you might have missed. These give real reason to feel optimistic about the future, and the opportunities before us.

While the world is facing challenging economic conditions, New Zealand is in a good position. GDP is up and our economy is now 5 percent larger than before the pandemic.

Unemployment is at a near record low and wages are up, which makes both families and our economy strong.

Across the key economic measures of growth, unemployment and debt we’re in a better or similar position to the likes of Australia, the US, UK and Canada.

Through our strong economic management, we’ve achieved all of these positive results with a similar debt level to what the previous National Government took on as a percentage of GDP during the Global Financial Crisis – despite the Covid economic crisis being even more severe.

Our local businesses in the Ōtaki electorate have every reason to be positive. The latest tourism numbers show that more than 100,000 tourists visited New Zealand in July alone. This demand will continue to ramp up as we look forward to a summer of big events, kicking off with the Rugby World Cup in Auckland. We’ll also see more holidaymakers and skilled migrants fill workforce gaps.

While this is really good news for the economy overall, I know things still feel tough for many of our whānau in the Ōtaki electorate as we face global pressures. That’s why we’ve rolled out a number of measures to help ease this pressure, including with our Cost of Living Payment, action on supermarkets, fuel tax cut and more.

Targeting cost-of-living support towards those New Zealanders who need it most is not only the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing to do. There’s simply no room for unaffordable and untargeted tax cuts to those who need them the least. As we’ve seen overseas, tax cuts with no plan for how to pay for them are economically reckless.

There are big challenges ahead, as the world continues to grapple with high inflation, the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues and ongoing geopolitical tensions. However, there’s a lot for our Ōtaki electorate whānau to be optimistic about, too. The latest figures show that New Zealand is in a strong position to navigate through the uncertainty, and seize the opportunities in front of us.

especially if you promise outrageously and extravagantly.

Others, however, will accept the rantings of often populist politicians who rail against – well, everything. They will create the illusion of pending disaster, offer the solutions, and fix the problems if you’ll just vote for them.

Left-wing paedophiles and gangland thugs? Yep, we should bring back capital punishment. Build the gallows now!

I’m not suggesting our recent candidates and newly elected politicians have been disingenuous in their campaigning. They’ve all made various promises, because that’s what campaigns are all about.

ŌTAKI OUTLOOK: CHRIS PAPPS

And those promises can vary wildly, depending on your experience in “the system”.

If you’ve already been a mayor, councillor or community board member, the promises usually have to be tempered by the fact that you’ve already had the opportunity to deliver. But someone with no experience of politics can shoot from the outside in and always find a ready target without the danger of selfinjury.

It’s often why populists can be successful, but as we’ve seen in the “greatest nation on earth”, things can unravel pretty quickly when reality and verifiable truth interfere.

Also, “the system” of local

government can be a wild beast to anyone with no knowledge of its workings. It means that even if an elected official is earnest about an issue, it might not be in the power of officers to institute the changes necessary.

I’m always somewhat bemused by candidates who say they’ll reduce “bloated” staff numbers to save money, but then realise that many of those same staff are bogged down answering official information requests from aggrieved members of the public.

So if I do have a brain fade and put myself forward for public office, don’t expect any promises.

n Ian is editor of Ōtaki Today

Thank you to those who have supported me

This is my last column for Ōtaki Today. I had hoped that I would continue the columns in the role of Ōtaki Ward councillor, but that is not to be.

My congratulations go to Shelly Warwick, who will be taking up that role at a time when Ōtaki, Kāpiti, the country and the world face a future with a bewildering array of opportunities, options, problems and threats.

As your next Ōtaki Ward councillor, Shelly will need judgment, diplomacy and the ability to work well as part of a team.

To achieve results for Ōtaki, the ward councillor must work well with the elected members of the council and the Ōtaki Community Board, as well as work effectively with, and through, council staff.

Making demands and expecting everyone to meet them is not the way. An ability to negotiate and to form and maintain alliances is needed.

I have been re-elected to the community board, but it is not my desire nor my intention to carry on as chair. After six years it is time to stand aside from that role and let others take the lead.

LETTERS

Awash with liquor outlets?

I feel I must reply again on the mayor’s comments (August issue) about alcohol sales in Ōtaki. He makes the town sound like we are all awash with liquor outlets. There are only two supermarkets, at different ends of the town, who are permitted to sell only wine and beer. There are three local pubs, which have been there for years, serve food and are well supported by the community. They are businesses and part of our local heritage. Up until 18 months or so ago there was only one outlet from which to buy spirits. The second outlet is at the other end of town and is well run by extremely polite staff in uniforms. The mayor mentions 12 other alcohol outlets! What on earth does he mean? The odd restaurant, the RSA, the golf club etc? Hardly encouraging unruly behaviour, I would think. So please, let’s get things in perspective with regard to outlets in Ōtaki and not overexaggerate the problem, if indeed there is one. Finally, in the

At the first meeting of the board I intend nominating Cam Butler as chair. I believe he is well qualified and suited to the role and he will do an excellent job.

Please give him and the other members of the board your continuing support.

As chair I’ve been a member of a number of committees tasked with moving Ōtaki forward in a post-expressway world. I was a member of Elevate Otaki, original chair of the expressway Community Liaison Group and involved with the design and development of the Gateway structures to the north and south of Ōtaki.

I’ve enjoyed my time as chair of the community board immensely. I have met and become friends with a wide variety of people in our community. There is a very positive “vibe” in Ōtaki.

I know many of you made submissions against the council proposals to dispense with community boards. I believe in the future and the value of the community boards of Kāpiti.

Along with members of our board I fought strongly for their retention. And we won. More than 500 submissions in support were hard to argue with.

I believe it’s vital that the incoming Ōtaki Community Board actively seeks out projects and activities to support that can, and will, make a strong contribution to the future of our people and our town.

We must keep Ōtaki at the forefront of future planning for Kāpiti as a whole.

Boundary and representation changes might be loaded against us. Ōtaki has only one ward councillor. Waikanae now has two, Paraparaumu three and Paekākāriki-Raumati, one.

Having said that, it’s going to be important for all the council members to learn to work together. Having the ability and being prepared to negotiate will be essential.

So, that’s it – my last column. Thank you to those who have read them and commented, and who gave me your support.

same issue the column on Three Waters by Bruce Kohn is the very best I have ever read on this subject and I trust Ōtaki MP Terisa Ngobi reads it, too.

Jonathon Harrison, Ōtaki

Please slow down

I have a bone to pick about Te Horo Beach Road and SH1 at the 50km/h stretch. Please . . . slow . . . down! It’s 50km/h for a good reason. Mums and dads use the bridge to pick up their kids from Te Horo School. At certain times of the day, there are kids in the cars turning right from Te Horo Beach Road. Drivers are either not paying attention or don’t care and go 70 to 80km/h. Please slow down.

Jane la Bosk, Te Horo

Is the Queen brown?

I was just reading the September issue if Ōtaki Today. On page 2 is a cartoon by Jared Carson. What I can’t quite get my head around is why the Queen is depicted as brown? I am the least PC person

around and believe in taking the piss out of everyone . . . it’s called free speech and democracy. Surely the Queen was very, very white.

Even I don’t see the meaning or any humour in it. If some Māori King or Queen died would you have the balls to draw them with snowy white skin?

I think not.The PC brigade would be down your throat, but apparently it’s OK the other way around? A little respect would have been more appropriate.

Maree Miller, Ōtaki

THE ELECTORATE: TERISA NGOBI, MP

n Chris is chair of the Ōtaki Commuity Board

Misinformation, crime and political shenanigans

Iwas recently gifted a kitchen blender and gleefully set about a daily ritual of chopping frozen berries, fruit and vegetables in the expectation it would boost my intake of vitamins and roughage.

On announcing this to a friend I was informed that blending fruit and vegetables destroys the natural goodness of the ingredients.

Somewhat deflated, I decided to do a Google search – “Does blending harm food goodness?”

The answers thrown up varied, as one expects of a search that rewards popularity over accuracy. But even so, the answers seemed resoundingly against nutrient or fibre loss, which was also supported by a bit of analysis of the information sources.

For example, would I trust the Yale School of Medicine over the opinions of Grand Papa’s Texas Remedies?

Of course, as is inevitably the case, misinformation can be based on a few facts, such as that choppedup-food can lose its nutritional qualities if left too long after chopping.

So where did my friend get the idea a blender destroyed the goodness? I rather suspect it came about in similar fashion to the widespread rumour that the prime minister’s husband was involved in drug dealing of some description. I first heard this from an acquaintance who darkly told me that he had heard it from “a very reliable source.”

That naturally begged a question – where

did the “reliable source” get the information?

Chances are, it came from another “reliable source”, who probably got it from Grand Papa’s Texas Remedies. (Note, the prime minister’s husband is not dealing drugs.)

I also recall from the 1970s a rumour doing the rounds in Ōtaki, that a gang was stealing vintage aircraft, breaking them down and rebuilding them for black-market sale from a shed off Mill Road. Yes, I believed it at the time.

But stolen vintage aircraft seem to be chickenfeed compared to the bullshit fed to the longsuffering citizens of the United States by former Prez Donald J Trump.

Trump runs a kind of Grand Papa’s Texas Remedies on an industrial scale, being the source of everything from bleach as a cure for Covid through to Barack Obama not being a naturalborn citizen of the United States, which spawned the conspiratorial “birther movement”.

Of course, Trump is not alone with any number of other populist politicians around the world gaining advantage from an intimate relationship to things untruthful – think Bolsonaro in Brazil, Johnson in the UK and Giorgia Meloni in Italy.

It prompts the question about what’s happening in the world when Trump is still the Republican Party’s nomination front-runner for the 2024 presidential elections. That’s despite the fact that he seems to have been running his businesses and political activities as a kind of crime boss, for example hush payments to a Playboy model and porn star, and an attempt

to bribe the president of Ukraine with US aid money.

Just consider that this already twiceimpeached former president and his businesses are now tangled in at least a dozen significant investigations and lawsuits. On top of that, he is under federal inquiry for allegedly mishandling sensitive government documents, efforts to overturn the 2020 US presidential election and political finance wrongdoing.

On reflection, the destruction of vitamins (or not) in a blender is of little moment, but it does hint at the lens through which we view the world and ponder what is true and what is less so.

We saw some evidence of this in our recent

local elections where several candidates around the country, were exposed as “conspiracy theorists” on all manner of topics, while protesting that they did not in fact hold such views.

Fair enough to hold an opinion, but pretending that you don’t is heaping deception on top of misinformation. Nevertheless, getting an answer that is based on a shred of evidence is obviously even better, but it is a race to the bottom if too many people pay too much attention to deliberate misinformation.

The blender is back again and working overtime.

n Fraser is founder of the community development websites flightdec.com, knowthis.nz and inhub.org.nz

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TRUE OR FALSE? Did a gang really hock off vintage planes from a shed in Mill Road?

Clean green status threatened by GE interests

In my September article I

looked at how New Zealand scientists were developing a genetically engineered “high metabolisable energy” ryegrass with high lipid content intended to increase farm production, and how there are calls to review our GE laws and revoke our GE-free status.

There are people with vested interests in the GE and agricultural industry who promote GE ryegrass, but we need to look carefully at the full implications and potential consequences of a move to GE farmland.

SCIENCE

extravagant promises and over-promotion. GE farming is not going to save a starving world. In fact, the world already produces enough food to feed everyone; the problem is inequality and inadequate food distribution. The world food crisis requires political change, not GE tinkering that just kicks the can down the road.

We need to stop going down an agricultural

a living organism in nature, and farmers of organics would be under constant threat from cross pollination contamination and losing their organic and GE-free status.

GE ryegrass was developed with traditional transgenic techniques in which foreign genes were inserted into the ryegrass. There are now newer, gene editing, technologies (such as CRISPR-Cas9) that change an organism’s existing DNA without transferring genes across species.

It’s important that GE ryegrass is not overpromoted with wild claims. For instance, there have been early reports that GE ryegrass can grow faster than conventional ryegrass. Well yes, in an artificial controlled glasshouse setting, with perfect conditions of lighting, water, nutrients, optimal fertiliser application, no insect attack and no competition from other plants. How it performs in the real world is another matter. And ultimately what needs to be assessed is how stock perform on it, data that we don’t have yet.

While controlled “laboratory” results are important to scientists, that data shouldn’t be used to create a false impression of real-world performance to sway farmer and public opinion. At this stage the claimed benefits of GE ryegrass are supposition, and safety evaluations of the impact on the environment and animal health have yet to be done.

The GE industry has a long history of

New Zealand has a global reputation for its natural, clean green image and its GE-free status, a reputation of substantial economic importance for our exporters and tourism industry. It’s hard to imagine a more effective way of tarnishing that reputation than covering our countryside in GE pasture. And once we have GE pasture, and our GE-free status is gone, the door opens for multinational biotech corporations, such as Monsanto, to bring in their GE crops. Once you go down the GE pathway it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle.

GE ryegrass is Big Agriculture: it’s agrochemical intensive farming with a focus on monoculture rather than biodiversity, and the use of synthetic fertilisers. Something will need to eat that energy-dense GE ryegrass, and that something will be more dairy cows. We don’t need more intensive dairy farming; we need to shift to a more sustainable type of agriculture.

Mike Joy, a freshwater scientist at Victoria University, has identified that the scale of harm on our freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from intensive agriculture is markedly higher than any other land use, including urban and industrial use.

where we are the only remaining major buyer of “blood phosphate” from Moroccooccupied Western Sahara, making New Zealand complicit in a foreign war and the plight of the indigenous Sahrawi people. Or being the world’s largest purchaser of palm kernel extract (PKE), a product of the palm oil industry that is responsible for massive deforestation and loss of animal habitat.

New Zealand needs to position itself more as a provider of ethically and sustainably produced food.

We already compete successfully on the world stage with our GE-free agriculture, so it’s disappointing that organic farming isn’t given the government support and funding that GE research has received.

“Since the idea of GE ryegrass was first conceived, advantages provided by quality mixed forages and non-GM high metabolic energy rye grasses with proven safety and performance have been disregarded,” says GEFree NZ president Claire Bleakley.

Dr William Rolleston, a former Federated Farmers president, has argued that coexistence between GE and non-GE pasture would be manageable. “Coexistence” sounds fair, but the reality is that it’s almost impossible to isolate

There is considerable lobbying in New Zealand to review our policy settings on genetic engineering and to reclassify gene-edited organisms as not being genetically engineered. The agricultural industry would then be able to employ gene editing, yet say they are GE-free!

But gene editing needs to be carefully regulated. While it’s frequently promoted as making precise “edited” changes, it’s not so precise that unintended mutations and unintended consequences don’t occur.

And it’s not just “speeding up natural selection” or making changes that are “indistinguishable from naturally occurring mutations”. It’s genetic change driven by corporate objectives, with the explicit intent of doing what nature has not done. That necessarily carries with it the risk of unintended consequences.

Our status as an authentic GE-free country is important for our reputation, and competitive advantage, as a producer of clean, green, safe food. We should be careful not to throw that point of difference away.

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

KIDNEY

DR STEVE HUMPHRIES

The doublethink of ‘democracy’ in Aotearoa

Last month, former Kāpiti Coast District Councillor Jackie Elliott made a Facebook post about a council meeting where Te Uruhi Gateway on the Paraparaumu waterfront was considered.

The post included disgruntled remarks about the appointment of an iwi representative to a council committee and, generally, council’s relationship with mana whenua.

Expectedly, it served as a dog-whistle for commenters to rail against mana whenua representation on governance bodies, all in the name of democracy.

It comes off the back of a rising tide of opposition to the notion of co-governance with mana whenua, fuelled by the likes of the Act Party who consistently campaign on the principle of democracy at its crudest – “One person, one vote,” says their website, under a page proposing a referendum on co-governance.

They don’t believe that anyone should have certain rights depending on “who your ancestors were”.

Also last month, the Queen died. Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

And suddenly, everyone forgot how much of a “democracy” we apparently are.

TVNZ 1 played nothing but royal tributes literally for days. Social media feeds were filled with platitudes about the Queen’s tireless “service” to us, her subjects.

Act’s David Seymour spoke in the House of [democratically elected] Representatives about how “fortunate” we all are that she filled the role of our sovereign.

My problem isn’t with people mourning her death (well, it is, but let’s not open that postcolonial can of worms). My problem is the irony at play here.

Tangata whenua are constantly having to fight New Zealanders for the rights guaranteed to us under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Rights that we intrinsically hold by virtue of our whakapapa – or, in the words of the Act Party, who our ancestors were.

Democracy is the weapon of choice by our opponents, held up as the shining beacon of the enlightened Western world. “One person, one vote” – the supposed epitome of an equal and fair society, in which no one should have more rights than anyone else.

Why, then, does everyone seem to be just fine with a non-elected head of state? It’s the most powerful position in our society, not democratically chosen by “we the people”, but inherited from ancestors.

Where’s the Orewa Speech condemning that special privilege?

A common response is that, as our head of state, the monarch is so far removed from the affairs of our country that the position is merely symbolic. That they have no real power here.

This isn’t totally true. The monarch is represented here by the governor-general (also not democratically-elected), who authorises

DEMOCRATIC?: When the Queen died, we suddenly forgot about how much of a “democracy” we apparently are.

every single law passed by Parliament and has the power to veto any law they wish. Even though I’m not aware of this ever happening, it’s still technically within her power to do.

But God forbid a mana whenua representative be appointed to a local council committee.

I just don’t understand the mental gymnastics of it – to simultaneously believe in the most reductive form of democracy while supporting the retention of a monarch as our head of state.

You can’t demand one law for all then shrug at

Image Gerd Altmann, Pixabay

the fact that we have a sovereign ruler.

George Orwell coined the term “doublethink”, which might explain it: the wilful belief in two directly opposing ideologies, which is vital for maintaining the status quo, the power of the state, and those who benefit from it.

I have a much simpler term for this: racism.

n Tīhema is an uri of Raukawa te Au ki te Tonga, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.

He is a writer and consultant who grew up in Ōtaki.

TAKI KUPU

TIHEMA BAKER

Annual leave and close-down periods

The Christmas season is approaching fast,

Annual leave

Most employees are entitled to four weeks holiday leave a year after 12 months continual employment. There are generally only a few exceptions to this.

One is where an employee works intermittently or irregularly, and it’s impractical to pay them for four weeks. Where this is the case, the employee and employer can agree that they will be paid at a “pay-as-you-go rate” (this is where the employee is paid 8 percent on top of their total before-tax earnings).

though, because if an employee is incorrectly paid at this rate, they might still be entitled to their annual leave on top of this.

Close-downs

MATTERS OF LAW

Where employers regularly close down over a certain period, for example the Christmas/New Year break, they can require employees to take annual leave over this period. Employers need to give their employees at least 14 days’ notice of such a close-down, and it’s always best practice to include this in their employment agreement.

tricky situation where an employer has a closedown period over Christmas but an employee has been with them for less than a year. In this situation, the employer can agree to let the employee take leave in advance. Any agreement to take leave in advance should be in writing and preferably signed by all parties to prevent any disputes occurring later.

Otherwise, the employer will need to pay the employee 8 percent of the employee’s gross earnings since the commencement of their employment or their last entitlement to annual leave. An employee would also be paid at 8 percent if they resigned before becoming entitled to their annual leave.

agreement cannot be reached, can the employer require that the employee take annual leave.

Cashing up annual holidays

After an employee has worked a year with their employer, they can agree to have up to one week of their annual leave paid out to them (either in one go, or in several instalments). An employer cannot pressure an employee to cash up their leave, so its important that employers tread carefully in this area. Employers need to consider a request to cash up in a reasonable time, but are entitled to refuse such a request.

Caveat

Another is where the employee is on a genuine fixed-term agreement of less than one year – again they would be paid at the payas-you-go rate. Employers need to be careful

Employers don’t have to require all employees to take leave over the close-down. For example, different departments might stay open while others close.

Employed for less than a year

Employees are entitled to four weeks leave only after a year’s employment. This creates a

Annual holidays

Annual holidays should be taken at a time agreed between the employer and employee. Employees need to be allowed to take at least two weeks leave continuously if they request it. Employers need to consider requests for annual leave and cannot unreasonably refuse them. Only where there is an annual close-down, or where

While the above is a good guide to annual leave, the first thing to do when considering issues relating to annual leave is to check your employment agreement. This will take precedence in most cases. However, the Holidays Act 2003 legislates employees’ minimum rights under law, so if anything in an agreement is less than the Act, the Act will apply. n Francesca is a general practice solicitor based at the Ōtaki office of Wakefields Lawyers.

Customers appreciate openness, transparency

Last month we spoke about some of the challenges facing business owners in a post-pandemic New Zealand.

The “perfect storm” of rising prices, staff and materials shortages and a sense that the next year might not be a whole lot better have all left people feeling jaded. For those business owners ready to do the hard yards, however, there are opportunities to be had.

Speaking to several entrepreneurs during the past few months, I’ve noted a constant theme about how they have tackled raising prices. Overall, there are seven critical aspects to raising prices, including contacting customers directly, communicating early and focusing on quality and value. We covered those three last month, so go to otakitoday.com if you missed it.

Following on and rounding out the seven areas, remember that a vivid and compelling story for why the price is being increased that focuses on WIIFT – What’s In It for Them –should always be at the core of your thinking. Ask yourself these questions as you prepare:

• What has changed about your services that provide additional value?

• Have you done extra training, developed new skills or hired specialists?

• Have you expanded your service offering?

• Does your company offer benefits that currently aren’t documented in your quoting

or estimating process (such as technical support, extra resources, increased availability or shorter turnaround)?

Call an increase an increase

YOUR BUSINESS

Your customers are smart. Don’t obfuscate or use euphemisms in communicating an increase. It’s common to try to hide price increases as “updates” or “adjustments” because people are scared customers might react badly. It might seem like a small thing, but research shows that attempts to obfuscate bad news rarely pay off for brands. People appreciate helpful, transparent, and informative communication.

CHRIS WHELAN

Authenticity and honesty matter. Euphemisms don’t fool customers, they only make them suspicious, often because they perceive it as being talked down to. Call a spade a spade and let your yes be yes and no be no. Be clear on the reasons and details

To emphasise that you’re raising the prices to maintain the quality of your products and services, explain what caused the price increase. After the size of the price increase, the perceived fairness of the motive for it is the second-biggest driver of how customers react. Right now, materials shortages, a tight labour market and

overall price inflation are well recognised. Customers might not be happy to get a priceincrease letter, but explaining things openly will prove your willingness to be transparent.

Telling your customers that you can continue to provide the current level of benefits only if you raise the price – and you choose to do so rather than degrade your products and services – is a powerful argument. It reinforces your values to the customer. Think of a couple renewing their wedding vows – it reminds them of why they started the relationship in the first place.

Details matter. Clarity is power. Consider including the following information in your communications:

• When the price increase takes effect.

• The exact price that will be reflected on their next bill.

• What happens for jobs that are in progress?

• What happens for customers that are on a promotion or being offered a special price?

Don’t be afraid to share data. Know and share the increased cost of materials, the cost of labour or the expense of complying with new regulations. If it’s been a long time since

your last price increase, share that with your customers, too.

Align internally first

Consider all the stakeholders in your business when communicating price increases – employees, customers and suppliers. Inform each department to help minimise impacts on their day-to-day operations. Make sure you avoid creating confusion for your customers, for example by your sourcing and purchasing departments and your marketing department not being “on the same page”!

Your team serves your customers. They are the frontline troops and you are the general directing operations. To be effective, all your people need to know and understand and be able to articulate the reasons for the price increase. Having a consistent message is critical, because winning teams are ones that have a unified sense of purpose. In this case, that purpose is to keep on delivering consistent, high-value service.

It would be embarrassing for a frontline worker to accidentally charge a customer the wrong price, or to not know that things have changed when they arrive on site. All of your team should be on the same page in terms of the cost difference, the reasoning, and the logistics for the future.

Depending on the size and complexity of your business, prepare an internal Frequently Asked Questions document that addresses questions or concerns you expect will come up. Invest the time now and the clarity you gain will pay itself back in spades. Provide your team with the FAQs document ahead of time so everyone is able to provide a great customer experience by responding to questions quickly and consistently.

Reward loyal customers

Similar to focusing on value and quality, building loyalty with customers is always vital and never more so than right now. It doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. Communicate a sense of gratitude and appreciation and be thankful for their understanding. These have been tough times for everyone, so be authentic and ready to tell your customers why you genuinely value them.

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

MAHI MĀRA/Gardening

October in the greenhouse

The greenhouse is a God-send at this time of year, providing a haven from up-and-down spring weather whereby I can get a jump start on summer crops.

It steadily introduce tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, courgette, cucumber, dwarf beans and basil, planting them out among still productive winter salads – bok choy, spinach and celery.

• Peppers and aubergines need to go in fairly soon. They take ages to produce, so I do only the one planting.

the door is a grand plan, both outside and in.

• Bishops flower winds through the passionfruit and the climbing beans to assist pollination.

THE EDIBLE GARDEN

• Phacelia, borage and calendula survive all but the hottest months in my greenhouse. They bring in the bees, the cheer, and nourish the soil.

• African marigold and shoofly help deter pests above and below ground and feed the bees as well.

• A row of climbing beans and a couple of courgettes go in now, but by December it’s too hot and the next lot are planted outside.

• Cucumbers and tomatoes I successionally plant, until January perhaps – depending on weather and appetite.

Get a living mulch on the go Companion plants to draw predatory wasps, hoverflies and bees are important in the greenhouse for bug control and pollination. Find as many opportunities to supply nectar as you can. Something near

• Nasturtiums are another key player – winding through the lemongrass, under the grape, around all the edges and up the walls as far as I’ll let her, providing a catch crop for aphids and piles of mulch material.

• Nourishing chickweed and cleavers thrive in spring but die off when it heats up, recycling all their goodness back. I rely on these guys to keep the soil active, beat out weeds and moderate soil temperature in this hot space. When they get too bossy I simply break them off and pile them on the soil as mulch. Chop and drop mulching is a quick and easy job that beats weeding any day.

As I need to, I create spaces to plant into by chopping back the living mulch and dropping it back as mulch. As the crops grow and fill the space I chop back more and more until come January the jungle is mostly tomatoes, marigolds, peppers, eggplants, basil and cucumbers instead.

Topping up your mulch regularly with fresh material is a simple but hearty way to look after your greenhouse soil. How efficient (and we could say resilient) to use the stuff that grew there to do this job.

Watering

Take care not to over-water during cold snaps. In cold weather, plants don’t evaporate so don’t need the hydration, and summer crops like tomatoes and cucumbers would rather be a little dry rather than wet around their toes when the weather cools.

The right amount of water, delivered at the right time, makes a huge difference to plant health.

Get used to feeling your soil first to decide whether you need to water. There really is no shortcut or device as good as your own assessment.

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.

KATH IRVINE

GREENHOUSE COMPANIONS: Above left, zucchinis with living mulch of mustard and marigold in the greenhouse; above, tomatoes planted among bok choi; and below, sweet peppers with african marigold groundcover.

Dennis Quill: Talented but tragic composer

This is my second effort at writing a story for this edition of Ōtaki Today, a story prompted by some interesting comments from an elderly visitor relating to an item on display in the current exhibition at Ōtaki Museum.

The item is sheet music for a composition called Nikau Waltz.

My first effort, which was ready, I thought, to be published, was a story based around two New Zealand composers – Dennis Quill, who composed the Nikau Waltz, and Arthur Johns, the father of the visitor who set me down this path. However, what I wasn’t aware of until I was told, was that I had actually written about three men – Dennis Quill and two different men sharing the name Arthur Johns.

DAVID LEDSON

To avoid repeating this sort of mistake, this story is about Dennis Quill; variously identified as Denis Quill and Dennis Quile.

Looking at the Nikau Waltz sheet music (3rd Edition) in the display case at the museum, I was struck by two things –that the photograph on the cover was not of a nikau palm but of a tree fern, and that it was composed by Dennis William Quill, Railway Hotel, Ōtaki. He was born in 1885, one of five children of the first manager of the Railway Hotel when it opened in 1891.

Otaki Museum

Quill was a student at St Patrick’s College, in Wellington, when he wrote the Nikau Waltz, which according to one source was inspired by the five nikau palms in the front lawn of his family home in Ōtaki. It was published in 1904, when he was 19.

A July 9, 1904, newspaper article describes the composition as “a highly meritorious local production. A pretty melody is wrought into a graceful waltz, well marked in its rhythm, and with a swing that makes the feet twitch to whirl off on ‘the light fantastic toe.”’

It became very popular, notably with soldiers at Trentham Camp during the First World War, and was re-published for some time afterwards.

About the same time, he also composed the Dufferin Polka, named after a street close to Government House in Wellington, and dedicated to Lady Victoria Plunket. She was the wife of Governor-General Sir William Lee Plunket. The Plunket Society (now Whānau Āwhina Plunket) was named after her.

The year 1904 was the high point of Quill’s life. And, it’s impossible to know why the course of his life afterwards can only be described as tragic.

In March 1907 his father died, and his life seems to have quickly descended into one shaped by alcohol-related and other minor offences. On August 29, 1908, The Colonist newspaper reported: “A young man named Dennis William Quill was brought before Mr James, S.M., to-day, charged with masquerading in

feminine attire through the public streets. . . .” On October 3, 1908, The Truth newspaper reported: “Denis William Quill appears to be a curious, queer kind of cove and has taken to being a frequenter of the Police Court at Lambton Quay. . . .”

In November 1915 he joined the Army, surviving several misdemeanours until April 1916, when he was discharged as “unfit for active service” because of a serious injury suffered in 1909 when the wheel of a dray ran over his leg.

For the remaining years of his life, until 1931, Quill was employed in a variety of roles – including as a labourer, engineer and chef – but the adverse effects of alcohol on his life and on behaviour remained an overwhelming influence on its trajectory.

He died in Wellington, alone, at the age of 44.

It has been said, ki te piko tōu mātenga, ki te maunga teitei – if you bow, let it be to the highest mountain. As Dennis Quill’s story demonstrates, tragically, for some people, they are shaped to bow to the deepest valley.

n Acknowledgement: I would like to thank David Dell of the Musical Heritage New Zealand Trust for his invaluable contribution to this story, and enabling me to finally get it right.

COMPOSER: Sheet music for Nikau Waltz, above, and Dufferin Polka, below. Composer D W Quill of the Railway Hotel, Ōtaki. Images courtesy Musical Heritage New Zealand Trust

Sources: Musical Heritage New Zealand Trust Otaki Museum

COMPOSER: Dennis Quill, Ōtaki composer of the Nikau Waltz and Dufferin Polka Photo courtesy Musical Heritage New Zealand Trust

OLD

LAST

ŌTAKI SCHOOL, 1948:

Back row: Don Ludlum, Jimmy ?, Grahame Fox, Rex Sharp, Sam Chung, Charlie Brunning, ?, John Ropata, Alfie Grant, Earl Gower, Matai Wehipeihana. Row 3: Wayne Eades, Murray Willis, Ray Jackson, Ken Goodyer, Colin Bevan, John Doyle, Ian Cootes, Martin Winiata, Neil Dorne, Fraser Moss, Ken Watts, Turanga Baker, Jack Anderon.

Row 2: Barrie Kirkwood, Annette Hudson, Fay Monk, Jean McKeen, Beverley Julius, Joan Henderson, Heather Ryan. Front row: Grace Barrett, Bella Royal, Wendy Davies, Joyce Hartley, Colleen Cole, Margaret Hakaraia, Juanita Bills, Beryl Edwards, Pamela Edwards, Heather McKendrick, Barbara Tomlinson, Margaret Cootes.

Photo and names courtesy of Margaret Cootes

Ōtaki College school choir 1973

ŌTAKI COLLEGE SCHOOL CHOIR, 1973:

Back row, from left: Ralph Gordon, Douglas Taucher, ?, Martin Pettifer, David Lumley, Neil Ivamy, Louis Meyer, Simon Rowe, ?, Barry Dittmer, Roger Little, ?, Brian Henderson, teacher Brian Collet.

Row 3: Jane Pettifer, Irene Fowler, Helen Fox, Susan Lumley, ?, Helen Rowe?, Pauline Bennett, Joanne Gimblett, ?, ?, Ruth Meyer, music teacher Bill Gordon.

Row 2: Teacher Neil Munro, Kathleen Bennett, ?, Matthew Housiaux, ?, ?,?, ?,?, Timothy Moffatt, ?, ?, ?, Colleen Taratoa, Betty Chung. Row 1: ?, Margaret Marchant, ? Donna Solomon, Angela Johns, Kathryn Bayston, ?, ?, Christine Thorpe, Sandra Dorne, Robyn Young.

Front row kneeling: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?,?, ?.

GOT 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, or give us a call. Include names and other information as you can. Contact debbi@idmedia.co.nz especially if you have additions or corrections to captions.

To order copies of the historical magazine Ōtaki Yesterday, contact Debbi Carson by email at debbi@idmedia.co.nz or text 027 285 4720. $25 per issue, plus $6 post/packaging throughout New Zealand. Also available at RiverStone Cafe, Books & Co, Māoriland Hub, Koha Hair Design and Ōtaki Museum.

The 2021 issue of Ōtaki Yesterday (left)

OTAKI YESTERDAY featuring local band Summer Breeze on the cover, and the 2020 issue (right) featuring Queenie Rikihana.

Compiled by Debbi Carson

Photo courtesy of R Moy Collection

Whitcoulls has unveiled its Kids’ Top 50 Books List, announcing readers have an insatiable appetite for book series, local New Zealand books and adventure stories. Whitcoulls book manager Joan Mackenzie says: “The importance of New Zealand books for children can’t be overstated – it’s so important they see themselves in some of these stories, and see their own environment reflected back to them. Our local authors, illustrators and publishers do a wonderful

job.” Sixteen of the titles voted onto the list are books in a series, with 10 of those appearing in the top 25. Nearly 40% of the titles are books by New Zealand authors and illustrators, both new faces and leading names, including Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy; Aroha Series; The Little Yellow Digger; and How Do I Feel? Keeping young readers engaged is a huge factor in keeping them reading and book series enhance their enjoyment.

Kyuss’S halloween

WORD SEARCH

The Government is to provide $5 million in funding for projects to reduce plastic waste.

Recycled pipes, biodegradable nursery pots and turning polystyrene into building products are some of the innovations being invested in. Environment Minister David Parker says Aotearoa has some way to go to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of its recycling practices.

"The quantity of plastic waste in the sea is soon to overtake the biomass of

fish in the sea which is a shocking statistic."

Even with radical change, this was set to worsen up to five times before it got better. He says wealthy countries such as NZ needed to be leading by example. Chair of the project Tony Nowell says it will transform how we use and recover plastic packaging in New Zealand. "Ultimately, the project will look at how plastic is currently collected – or not – and whether there is a more efficient and effective way to do this."

Vampire Werewolf Zombie Witch Monster Ghost Jackolanter Trick Treat Candy Costume Spooky

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 Geoff Ritchie 06 927 0281

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

MORRIS CAR CLUB Chris Torr 323 7753

Ō

TAKI BRIDGE CLUB Tim Horner 364-5240

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

Ō

TAKI HERITAGE BANK MUSEUM TRUST 364 6886

Ō

TAKI 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

Ō

TAKI PROMOTIONS GROUP Cam Butler 021 703095

Ō

TAKI AND DISTRICT RSA, 9 Raukawa St 364 6221

Ō

TAKI SPINNERS & KNITTERS’ GROUP, Barbara Austin 364 8381

ŌTAKI STROKE SUPPORT GROUP Marian Jones 364-5028

Ō

TAKI 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

WAITOHU STREAM CARE GROUP Lynda Angus 020 459 6321

ZERO WASTE ŌTAKI Jamie Bull 027 444 9995

CHILDREN ŌTAKI TOY LIBRARY 027 621 8855 Saturday 10.30am-noon Memorial Hall, Main St.

KIDZOWN OSCAR 0800 543 9696

LITTLE GIGGLERS PLAYGROUP Baptist Church Hall, Te Manuao Rd. 10am-12noon Friday each fortnight. Denise 027 276 0983

DEFIBRILLATORS

Defibrillators, or AEDs (automated external defibrillators) can save lives in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest (heart attack). An AED is a lightweight, portable device that analyses the heart’s rhythm and if necessary, delivers an electric shock, known as defibrillation, to help restore the heart’s natural rhythm. They can be used by someone with little or no training. Through visual and voice prompts, AEDs guide users through an emergency by diagnosing the victim’s heart rhythm.

The following list is compiled from aedlocations.co.nz. Please let us know if any locations need updating.

ŌTAKI

Ōtaki Medical Centre, 2 Aotaki St, 06 364-8555. The AED might not be available at certain times.

Ōtaki Library, cnr Aotaki St and Main St. 04 296-4760. The AED might not be available at certain times.

Countdown Ōtaki, Mill Rd, 06 364 9001. Open 8am-10pm. Ōtaki Fire Station, 96 Mill Rd, phone 111. The AED might not be available at certain times.

Ōtaki RSA, 9 Raukawa St. Behind bar in lounge area. 06 3646221. Open Mon: 9am-7pm, Tues 9am-9pm, Wed-Fri 9am10pm, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

Ōtaki Golf Club, 2 Old Coach Rd North. Clubhouse, yellow cabinet at downstairs office. Phone: 111 for combination to cabinet. Available 24/7.

Te Wānanga o Raukawa, 144 Tasman Rd, at main security office in white Portacom. 0800 926 264 Ext 0. Available 24/7.

Ngā Purapura, 145 Tasman Rd, at reception. 06 364-9018. Available Mon-Fri 6am-8pm, Sat 7am-1pm, Sun 8am-1pm. Ōtaki School, 123 Mill Rd, in Administration Office. Open MonThur 8am-4pm, Fri 9am-5pm.

Mowbray Collectables, 257 Main Highway, at front counter on grey cupboard. 06 364-8270. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm.

Lumino The Dentists, 31 Dunstan St, 06 364 8071. The AED might not be available at certain times.

MAINLY MUSIC Hadfield Hall, Te Rauparaha St. 021 189 6510

Ō

TAKI 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

Ō

TAKI 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

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, Family Service. For Hadfield Hall bookings, email office@otakianglican.nz

Ōtaki Baptist cnr State Highway 1 and Te Manuao Rd

06 364-8540. Sunday service at 10am. otakibaptist.weebly.com

The Hub 157 Tasman Rd, Ōtaki. Leader Richard Brons.

HORSE CLUB 364 6181: Horse Trekking club Debbie 364 6571; Ōtaki Pony Club Paul Pettengell 364 5781

EQUESTRIAN

GAZBOS GOLDEN OLDIES Doug Garrity 364 5886

HAWAIKINUI TUA RUA KI ŌTAKI (waka ama)

DeNeen Baker-Underhill 027 404 4697

Ō

TAKI ATHLETIC CLUB Kerry Bevan 027 405 6635

ŌTAKI BOATING CLUB Trevor Hosking 021 642 766

ŌTAKI BOWLING CLUB Paul Selby 927 9015

CANOE CLUB Jane Bertelsen 364 5302

ŌTAKI DANCE GROUP Barbara Francis 364 7383

GOLF CLUB 364 8260

TAKI GYMNASTICS CLUB Nancy 027 778 6902

TAKI INDOOR BOWLING Jane Selby-Paterson 927 9015

TAKI MASTERS SWIMMING CLUB Sonia Coom 04 292 7676

TAKI PETANQUE CLUB Val Clarke 364 5213

TAKI RAILWAY BOWLING CLUB Maureen Beaver 364 0640

TAKI SPORTS CLUB: TENNIS, SQUASH & SOCCER Hannah 027 327 1179

TAKI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB Kirsty Doyle 021 102 0058

ĀHUI 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

To list your group,

details, email debbi@idmedia.co.nz

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

MEDICAL

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 SERVICES

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 Ambulance Station, 51 Dunstan St, phone 111. The AED might not be available at certain times.

New World Otaki, 163 Main Highway, external cabinet on highway, access code from duty manager during store hours. Phone 111 for cabinet combination. Available 24/7. Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club, 43 Marine Pde, 06 364-7386. The AED might not be available at certain times. Watson’s Garden Centre, 19 Bell St, in cabinet by front door. Phone 111 for cabinet combination. Available 24/7. Transpower, 47 Miro St. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Higgins Concrete, 72 Riverbank Rd. In smoko room/kitchen. Drive in gate, first building on left. Phone 027 925 9157 or 06 364-0088. Open Mon-Fri 6am-4pm.

GBC Winstone Aggregates, State Highway 1. In workshop inside south entrance, below the lock boxes. Open Mon-Fri 6am-5pm.

TE HORO/HAUTERE

Private address at 149 Old Hautere Rd, on fence at road gateway. PIN code controlled cabinet; phone 111 for combination. Available 24/7.

Te Horo Fire Station, School Rd, phone 111. The AED might not be available at certain times.

Te Horo Beach Community AED, cnr Te Horo Beach Rd and Dixie St. Secure external cabinet. Phone 111 for cabinet combination. The AED might not be available at certain times.

WAIKAWA/MANAKAU

Frank Edwards Reserve, opposite 6 Manga Pirau St, cabinet on outside of public toilets. The AED might not be available at certain times.

Manakau United Football Club, inside pavilion, 38 Waikawa Beach Rd. The AED might not be available at certain times. Manakau Hall, external cabinet, 12 Mokena Kohere St. Available 24/7. Phone 111 for cabinet combination.The AED might not be available at certain times.

– Source: aedlocations.co.nz

ALL

Across

An optional extra when you buy a Lotto ticket (6)

5. Survey cancelled in 2011 due to the Christchurch earthquakes (6)

Down 2/16. Internationally renowned NZ fashion designer (7,6)

Actor and director who plays Frank in the 2021 TVNZ series The Pact (3,4)

ŌTAKI

NEWS STANDS

Café, Ōtaki New World, Ōtaki

SixtySix,

OCTOBER QUIZ

flower for the month of October?

A. Carnation B. Calendula C. Orchid.

What is the name of the world’s first artificial satellite, which was sent into orbit on October 4, 1957, by the Soviet Union? A. Sputnik 1 B. Explorer 1 C. Sina 1.

Which company was acquired by Google in October 2006 with a deal of US$1.65 billion? A. YouTube B. Whatsapp C. Android.

In November 1968, which legendary rock band signed a US$143,000 contract with Atlantic Records, the biggest deal at that time for a new band?

A. Queen B. The Beatles C. Led Zeppelin.

Oktoberfest, the largest beer festival in the world, takes place annually between September and October in which German city? A. Berlin B. Munich C. Hamburg.

6. Which modern-day country was founded on October 1, 1949? A. China B. India C. Russia

7. The word “October” is derived from the Latin word “octo”. What does it literally mean?

A. Six B. Eight C. Ten.

8. The first ever Summer Olympic Games in Latin America was in which country from October 12-27 in 1968? A. Argentina B. Brazil C. Mexico.

9. Sport played in the ATP Auckland Open (6)

10. Staid (6)

in

11. Native formerly called red pine (4)

Subject of TV show of the 1970s and 80s, On the Mat (8)

Tranquil (6)

See 2 Down

9. In October 1915 the man often regarded as the greatest cricketer of all time died. What was his name?

10. The United Nations was formed in October 1945. What organisation did it replace?

Retail category for Barkers and Hallenstein Bros (8)

category for Barkers and

Bros

Bacteria (4)

Impotent (6)

Foolishness (6)

(6)

South Island flightless bird (6)

South Island flightless bird (6)

Iconic point on the Catlins coast (6)

Iconic point on the Catlins coast (6)

solution

solution

1. Train, 4. Shears, 9. Plateau,

organ (7)

Language of a country of the United Kingdom (5)

Lotto,

Poet, 12. Entreat,

MPI, 14.

Zeppelin.

OCTOBERQUIZ

16. Muss, 18. Tie, 20. No hoper, 21. Free, 24.

25. Affable, 26. Skewer,

Rally. Down: 1. Te Papa, 2. Adage, 3. Need, 5. Half-time, 6. Actress, 7. Scouts, 8. Turei, 13. Misplace, 15. Athlete, 17. Annals, 18. Trial, 19. Merely, 22. Rebel, 23. Afar.

Train, 4. Shears, 9. Plateau, 10. Lotto, 11. Poet, 12. Entreat, 13. MPI, 14. Tahi, 16. Muss, 18. Tie, 20. No hoper, 21. Free, 24. Arena, 25. Affable, 26. Skewer, 1. Te Papa, 2. Adage, 3. Need, 5. Half-time, 6. Actress, 7. Scouts, 8. Turei, 13. Misplace,

Annals, 18. Trial, 19. Merely, 22. Rebel, 23. Afar.

GOT A JOB GOING OR LOOKING FOR A JOB?

Ōtaki River entrance tides

wellington/tides/locations/otaki-river-entrance

actual timing of high and low tide might

from that provided here. Times are

from the nearest primary port for this location,

please take

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH

12 OCT 05:36 11:43 17:53 23:55

13 OCT 06:13 12:18 18:30

OCT 00:31 06:48 12:53 19:08

OCT 01:08 07:25 13:31 19:50

SUN 16 OCT 01:51 08:07 14:17 20:40

MON 17 OCT 02:42 08:57 15:16 21:43

TUE 18 OCT 03:47 10:01 16:32 22:57

WED 19 OCT 05:03 11:20 17:51

THU 20 OCT 00:10 06:17 12:35 18:55

FRI 21 OCT 01:10 07:19 13:34 19:45

SAT 22 OCT 01:58 08:07 14:19 20:26

SUN 23 OCT 02:39 08:48 14:57 21:02

MON 24 OCT 03:16 09:25 15:34 21:38

TUE 25 OCT 03:53 10:01 16:10 22:14

WED 26 OCT 04:31 10:38 16:48 22:52

THU 27 OCT 05:10 11:16 17:29 23:33

FRI 28 OCT 05:52 11:57 18:12

SAT 29 OCT 00:17 06:36 12:42 19:01

SUN 30 OCT 01:07 07:25 13:33 19:56

MON 31 OCT 02:04 08:20 14:33 21:01

TUE 1 NOV 03:12 09:24 15:46 22:14

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

MON

TUE

WED

NOV 04:28 10:39 17:06 23:30

NOV 05:47 11:57 18:21

NOV 00:40 06:58 13:07 19:23

NOV 01:40 07:57 14:04 20:14

NOV 02:30 08:46 14:52 20:58

NOV 03:14 09:28 15:35 21:39

NOV 03:55 10:07 16:14 22:17

The New Zealand Wars – two films compared

Annabel Cooper authored the book Filming the Colonial Past: The New Zealand Wars on Screen and is co-curator of the exhibition He Riri Awatea: Filming the New Zealand Wars, at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington.

Daniel White of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision recently caught up with Annabel to ask about and compare Rudall Hayward’s 1927 silent film The Te Kooti Trail, and Geoff Murphy’s 1983 epic Utu

Q. To what degree do you consider The Te Kooti Trail and Utu to be historically accurate?

The films made very different kinds of claims about their relationship to actual historical events. Hayward’s publicity screamed that The Te Kooti Trail told “the truth!” and his appeal to audiences was very much based on this idea that they would be witnessing a detailed re-enactment of events.

But of course, in making a historical film there are hundreds of decisions that direct our attention and leave out most of what was happening: that’s the nature of writing history as well as making historical films. And Hayward added a romantic plot and a fictional

frame, and invented dialogue as historical features always do, because no one was standing by to record what everybody said at the time.

That said, there are some events –the remarkable example is the scene of Monika’s death – where detailed documentation by an eyewitness did exist, and the film could be staged and scripted with close reference to what was recorded near the time. That scene is so interesting and moving, because it was Monika’s sister, Erihapeti, who held her hands as she was executed, who remembered the scene so intensely and told it to Gilbert Mair, who was her friend, and also Monika’s.

Hayward had Mair’s written account and James Cowan’s account drawn from it, but he had also met Mair who very likely told him about it. Hayward used Erihapeti’s words in te reo in the scene. I think it lives very powerfully still, infused with the strong feeling that Mair communicated about it.

But in Utu – 60 years further away from such immediate personal stories – Murphy and his co-writer, Keith Aberdein, were taking a broader approach to historical truth. They backed right off the idea of following the career of any specific historical figure.

Actually, there is a character called Te Kooti in an early draft of the script, but in later drafts, the name is fictionalised, and the character now called Te Wheke is a mix of several historical figures. There are incidents that echo documented historical events but no attempt at

Purebread back for Ōtaki gig

Free outdoor music is back at Memorial Gardens next to the Civic Theatre with the Purebread SpringMusicFest 22 on Saturday, October 29.

Music starts at 11.30am with DJ Just Press Play, who will continue throughout the day between live acts, and conclude at 5.30pm.

Puke, Moana & Jim open the live music at midday, with easy listening including soul, blues and country rock.

Kāpiti-based Latin American

jazz ensemble Loaded Brasso perform from 1pm. Their musical set includes some originals and popular covers with a jazz twist. Talented female vocal soloist Tineke Jennings will perform several numbers with the band.

At 2.30pm, Horowhenua’s five-piece band Peanut Slab will entertain with originals and covers. They have a rhythm and blues base with a reggae twist and covering music from the 1970s to now.

Fernando & Friends, a Latin

American jazz band, will be on from 4pm. Derived from the Kāpiti Coast and Wellington, the band boasts highly talented musicians. It features Kāpiti musical identity Fernando Figueroa.

If the weather is wet, the event will be across the road at The Telegraph Hotel.

During the evening, music will continue at The Tele, with a further four hours of live music.

RIGHT: Peanut Slab at an earlier gig in Ōtaki. Photo supplied

Murphy later reflected that “the object wasn’t to represent history in any real way, but to create a creative space in which history could be commented on”.

This is very different from what Hayward was doing. Murphy was quite consciously offering a version of past events which spoke to the present of 1983, a time in which our colonial past was being reassessed through vigorous debate and protest action.

Q. What can a history student learn

about the New Zealand Wars from watching these fiction films?

One important lesson that can be drawn from these films, I think, is the fact that historical interpretations aren’t fixed: new knowledge and new perspectives are always altering how we understand the past.

We focus on different events and individuals, we interpret actions differently, our sympathies change over time. Historical films are made in the context of their time, and looking back over the different films and their perspectives gives us an insight into how understandings of the past change.

• Making Utu, Utu Redux and The Te Kooti Trail are screening at the National Library of New Zealand in October – go to www.ngataonga.org.nz/ourevents for details. He Riri Awatea: Filming the New Zealand Wars is at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata in Wellington until November 6.

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.

re-enactment.

OLD FILM: The cast and crew of The Te Kooti Trail (1927). Photo courtesy of the Hayward Collection, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

TĀKARO/S

A full life for proud dad Sam

Samuel Campbell Doyle b 28.01.1970 – d 01.10.2022

By Ian Carson

Sam Doyle packed everything he could into his 52 years.

As a talented rugby player and remarkable teacher, he had many achievements – but as wife Tracey says, their girls were his greatest pride.

Sam died early on the morning of October 1 after more than two years battling leukaemia. Even as he drifted in and out of consciousness in his finals days, he was able to hear that youngest daughter Raukawa had just won a national speaking competition. He would have been supremely proud.

Sam was the oldest of four children to Bill and Kath Doyle (nee Hakaraia). They say he was a mischevious kid, but naturally talented in just about every endeavour he pursued.

He didn’t start playing rugby seriously until his late teens, but once he did, his talent and work ethic opened opportunities. He almost made it to the All Blacks, playing two trial games.

But in 1996, in the fledgling era of professional rugby, he was a founding player for the Hurricanes. Taken in alphabetical order, he went into the

record books as Hurricanes #11. He played alongside players such as Tana Umaga and Filo Tiatia, who both attended his funeral in Ōtaki.

Speaking at the funeral, Tana said Sam was his inspiration. Sam had

been offered an All Blacks trial; Tana hadn’t. He said the snub motivated him to work harder, leading him to All Blacks greatness and the captaincy.

Despite his many games for the Māori All Blacks, Wellington,

PENSIVE: Tracey Doyle took a photo of a viaduct on a recent train trip through the North Island, but without knowing it captured as well a reflection of a pensive Sam looking towards the viaduct.

Manawatū and Horowhenua-Kāpiti, Sam’s heart was always with his Ōtaki rugby club, Rāhui.

Sam was also an academic –thoughtful and enjoying the power of words. He wanted to be a teacher, but he took 10 years to complete his training with rugby interfering in his studies. He and his family travelled extensively, even to Spain where Sam played for a season with a Barcelona club team.

Although te reo Māori was not his first language, Sam embraced it and became fluent. It led to his first teaching role at Kura Māori o Porirua, then six years with Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano in Ōtaki. For five years he was tumuaki (principal).

He then briefly worked as a senior Māori adviser and as a contractor with the Ministry of Education checking the accuracy of te reo text.

While Tracey and daughters Kara, Kotuku, Wikitoria and Raukawa are now mourning Sam, Tracey still finds

RUGBY RECORD

Sam Doyle played: Rāhui – 42 games

Māori All Blacks – 15 games Hurricanes – 2 games (rep #11) NZ Colts – 1 game

All Black Trials – 2 games NZ Divisional – 12 games

Central Māori – 1 game

Southern Māori – 2 games

NZRFU Presidents – 1 game

HK Invitational – 1 game Wellington – 31 games Manawatū – 43 games

Horowhenua-Kāpiti – 19 games (rep #1039)

Career total: 131 games, 53 tries, 34 conversions, 25 penalties, 392 points.

time to offer advice to families who might be going through the rigours of serious illness.

“Say ‘yes’ to everything,” she says. “Don’t turn down anything through pride, because you’ll need it.

“The fundraising efforts were a fantastic help. You’ll be offered all sorts of support through the hospital system, including counselling.

Someone might offer a stack of firewood, some food, to clean the windows . . . say ‘yes, thank you’.”