The Eastbourne Herald April 2021

125 years celebrated

Muritai School’s kapa haka group took part in the formal welcome to visitors to the school’s 125th celebration, on the weekend before Easter. Following a gala dinner the night before, Saturday saw a day of boutique stalls, a museum set up by librarian Sue Fieldes and Eastbourne Historical Society’s Ali Carew, in the school

library, and classrooms full of artworks showing what the ākongo had learned about their history in the weeks leading up to the Covid-delayed celebration. The birthday cake was cut by Bruce Connelly, whose mother cut the 100th and grandmother the 75th anniversary cakes.

Principal Stu Devenport says 125 was

certainly was a special weekend. “It was awesome for the school to connect with the community, including past students, whanau and staff.” Verity Mackintosh, who managed the event, and Jo and Carole in the school office, get special thanks, in addition to a big team of volunteers.

Wave Defence System still a goer, despite failure

by Louise Parry

The current wave defence system will continue being used in the Windy Point construction of Tupua Horo Nuku, despite its failure during a recent storm.

During public comment at this week's Eastbourne Community Board meeting, ex-ECB chair Ginny Horrocks said the community wanted more information about the construction of the shared path.

There had been "mad rumours", including

that the seawall will be carried right through Days Bay, she said.

Construction manager John Pritchard said the wave defence system suffered a "minor failure" in November which resulted in it being removed.

The system, which is usually used for flood protection, is being used to hold back water from the new Windy Point foundations – a first in the world.

The system, which was under 2m tall, failed to hold the sea back from the construction

site and, because of a lack of staff, its skeleton had not been removed when a weather bomb which was "worse than we expected" made it too dangerous to continue.

“We had some dramas,” Mr Pritchard said.

ECB member Emily Keddell questioned why the system failed. "I don't recall a huge storm," she said.

Mr Pritchard said a combination of high tides and big swells had applied pressure both to the front and back of the structure.

Continues on Page 2

Defence stays

From Page 1

Despite this, Mr Pritchard believes the system will work, and it will be used again, but with 2.4m tall units. Forecasts of adverse weather and wave conditions will trigger its removal.

“We chose it because it’s portable, light weight, and we can get it in with minimal plant. Otherwise we’d have to use bigger and heavier plant and it would be more expensive."

Although not perfect, Mr Pritchard said the system was financially viable. “It is a cost benefit analysis on how we can win more hours in the day.” The cost of the failure was built into the project's contingency.

Eighty percent of the seawall at Windy Point will be completed within the next four weeks, with some Saturday work taking place.

Project Manager Michael Siazon reviewed designs for the Lowry and Sorrento Bay sections of the path were underway and would be consulted on in the following months.

"There will be big changes in the next four weeks - more than in the last four months."

Plans for the five bird sanctuaries to protect wildlife during Tupua Horo Nuku's construction are progressing. The protections in the dunes between Bishop Park and the sea have been controversial, with neighbours complaining about obstruction to beach access, and restrictions on dog walking there.

Bird protection measures were part of consent conditions for the path, Mr Siazon said, and while concerns from the community had been heard, "I hope you understand we are balancing community expectations with ecological requirements."

Measures to protect penguins would also be put in between HW Shortt park and the sea, including replacing the fence, dune planting, and rope fencing.

In Whiorau Reserve in Lowry Bay, the plan for a temporary site for penguin relocation was being reviewed as the path goes right through the middle of the bird protection area.

"We want to encourage good behaviour for people with dogs – not restricting dogs."

Although the resource consent means each section of the path must be completed before construction of the next begins, Mr Siazon said he hopes work on Sunshine Bay will begin soon, depending on the traffic management plan.

That's easy for you to say...

In the February issue, two Eastbourne residents voice their objections to the proposed change in speed limit from 70 to 50 kph for sections of Marine Drive.

They themselves enjoy the protection of a 50 kph speed limit within Eastbourne, but seek to deny that to residents of the bays who often have to cross Marine Drive, walk alongside it, or cycle along it.

The extra time the Eastbournites would take to get to Seaview with a 50 kph limit would at the very most be one minute.

The realities of tight bends and dense traffic means the savings would be substantially less than that.

Do they really begrudge that minuscule extra travel time so that bay residents could

feel and be safer?

Perhaps the complainants could try cycling along Marine Drive with buses, trucks and 4WD’s hurtling past at 70 kph.

One of them suggests that implementing any change would be undemocratic because more submitters in the proposal opposed it than supported it.

This is hardly surprising since the population of Eastbourne far exceeds that of the bays.

Democracy is certainly rule by the majority - but with the protection of the minority.

Andrew Edgar Lowry Bay

What's Happening Hair!?

April 'round hair!

Now as April is here and summer is becoming a memory the beachy waves take a back seat and the Autumn styles come out to play! I've been excited to see what 2023 autumn has had to offer in terms of new trends and the world has not disappointed!

My job is to not only give you a look which makes you feel fantastic, whether is a blow wave, fringe trim to a new colour or dramatic chop. My job is to also make sure the Eastbourne community is keeping up with and aware of tricks and trends that are happening around the globe

As the northern hemisphere says goodbye to Autumn, we say hello, and learn all about the good the bad and the interesting from the Fall just passed! This year has been all about a new and modern twist on the good old classics including a chignon, side part and side bangs Let's take the ponytail to start with, a classic everyone knows all too well, but how can we jazz it up this 2023? By adding volume in the base and the ends of the pony! When you've got your hair in the tie, back comb the underside strands of the pony and curl and flick the tips to add character to the look This is a great day-2 hair style in between washes where your hair has a little more grip and grunt to hold the curls and backcombing,

The next style which is walking all over fashion week is the low chignon bun This is the low pony in the bun world and boy oh boy is it rocking! The great thing about a chignon bun is it suits all face shapes and can be dressed up, dressed down, worn sleek with clips on a night out, or in a messy style for when you're heading out for coffee! This is one of the best styles that looks hard but is amazing! If you want to know how to create the look yourself then feel free to ask me next time your in the salon!

Anne Mackris-Berdebes

Next ECB meeting:

7.15pm Tuesday 20 June, 2023, East Harbour Women’s Club, 145 Muritai Rd.

The agenda for the meeting will be posted on huttcity.govt.nz and on the Board’s website eastbourne.nz a few days before the meeting.

Annual walkabout

Thank you to the residents who met with the Community Board during its annual walkaround on Saturday, 22 April. The walkabout is a chance for residents and resident associations to meet with the Board. We covered many topics and issues from Point Howard to Burdan’s Gate.

Community Engagement Fund

The first round of the 2023 Community Engagement Fund is open for Eastbourne trusts, clubs and societies. Applications must be received by 8 May, and the ECB will announce the successful applicants by 22 June. See huttcity.govt.nz for more information.

Contacting the Eastbourne Community Board (ECB)

Residents are welcome to contact Community Board members about other concerns. Members may ask for a report from officers for the next meeting. You can also contact us on the Eastbourne Community Board Facebook page and the eastbourne.nz website. You can subscribe to the Board’s update emails at eastbourne.nz/newsletter

Belinda Moss (Chair) belinda.moss@huttcity.govt.nz

029 494 1615

Bruce Spedding (Deputy Chair) bruce.spedding@huttcity.govt.nz

021 029 74741

Frank Vickers

frank.vickers@huttcity.govt.nz

027 406 1419

Murray Gibbons

murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz

04 562 8567

Emily Keddell

emily.keddell@huttcity.govt.nz

021 188 5106

Tui Lewis (Ward Councillor) tui.lewis@huttcity.govt.nz

021 271 6249

New drivers hoped to lift bus performance

by Louise Parry

A recent survey has shown the two Eastbourne bus routes - the 83 and 81 - are the most used bus routes in the Hutt Valley per run.

Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie presented the findings at last week's ECB meeting, acknowledging "they don't tell the full story behind things".

Bus cancellations and delays, as well as overcrowding have frustrated local bus users, and Mr Duthie said the 83 bus route had been disproportionately affected by a lack of drivers.

In January Metlink was 135 drivers short. Currently that figure has dropped to 120, with 40 new drivers starting in April and more being employed in coming months; many from the Philippines.

This shortage led to one trip out of every eight 83 bus trips being cancelled in February.

ECB chair Belinda Moss expressed concern about students standing on the bus due to crowding, when they were travelling at speeds of 90kph along the motorway.

Mr Duthie said the difficulty in finding bus drivers was exacerbated not just by historical "entrenched low wages", but also by conditions. Split shifts mean drivers are often working in the mornings, have several hours unpaid

where they may have to look after the cash boxes, and then work several hours in the afternoon or evening.

"Drivers are frontline public servants and they deserve the best pay and conditions we can give them," he said.

Metlink raised fares by 6 percent earlier this month, but off-peak Snapper trips now cost only 50 percent of the peak fare.

Prior to that, 55,000 passengers used the 83 bus each month on average, which made it the second most used service in Lower Hutt.

Congestion and roadworks have worsened delays. A transport advisory group is looking at solutions to restore reliability. Applications are open for two members from the Hutt Valley.

Mr Duthie said he would look into the recent unreliability of morning ferry sailings in response to a question from ECB member Bruce Spedding.

Raise some funds you must?

It’ll be the easiest fundraiser you’ll ever host!

Quentin Duthie.

Slip caused by leaking pipe, rain and comms breakdown

A leaking water pipe and consistent rainfall most likely caused last month’s slip which cut off water to Point Howard residents and temporarily closed Howard Road, a report has found.

Wellington Water and Hutt City Council met with residents to share the report’s findings the week after the slip occurred last month.

The review found residents had provided accurate and timely information about the status of the leak at Point Howard, and that there was an inconsistency in the flow of customer information between Wellington Water and Hutt City Council, which “impeded the timely escalation and prioritisation of this leak repair”.

Point Howard Residents’ Association spokesperson Travis Ancelet says the organisation supports the findings of the report and looks forward to working with Hutt City Council and Wellington Water.

“We hope the findings mean other communities won’t be faced with similar challenges over water,” he says.

Although he and his partner were not able to make the meeting, he understands there was a mix of opinions, including from those who felt the disaster could have been avoided. “But at the end of the day, they acted quickly and got the report out quickly.”

Just buzz off!

by Ann Packer

It’s enough to drive you mad – that buzz of a mosquito about to bite. And it’s only going to get worse with climate change, says Eastbourneraised Tom Swan, who last year graduated with a PhD cum laude in Ecology and Population Genomics from James Cook University in Queensland.

Actually, it’s only the females who bite, points out the Asian tiger mosquito expert, who began his scientific studies with a BSc at Canterbury, followed by a Masters in Water Resource Management. It was during this time that he studied the occurrence of mosquitoes in Tonga, spending all his waking hours educating kids in schools about the importance of checking every source of standing water, where the insects could breed.

The female mosquito needs protein to feed her young; the song is to attract the males, says Dr Swan, who spent three months surveilling mosquitoes on Masig (formerly Yorke) Island in Torres Strait, off Cape York Peninsula, where he bred 3500 of them to lure with sound traps, in order to sequence the genome.

Dr Swan says the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is capable of spreading both dengue and zika viruses. It has been a global public health threat for many decades and has been responsible for the transmission of dengue on Erub, Boigu and Badu islands in Torres Strait.

“As well as being a major threat to public health, this mosquito is famously called ‘the barbecue killer’ because it’s a vicious, daytime biter and can have a big impact on people’s lifestyle.”

Spencer Logan Valuations Limited

For professional property advice

Tel: 562-7555

or Campbell Logan - 022 093 8090

Spencer Logan - 021 627 773

Email: admin@spencerlogan.co.nz

www.spencerlogan.co.nz

The Asian tiger is considered one of the 100 worst invasive species, Dr Swan says. “If it invaded Far North Queensland it could potentially compromise the success of the Eliminate Dengue program.” His studies have been made possible thanks to a research grant awarded by the Far North Queensland Hospital

Foundation.

The recipient of several prestigious awards, including a Fulbright and a Gates Foundation award, Dr Swan spent a research year in Florida during their Zika outbreak, and another on a Dengue eradication project in Melbourne. He has also worked as a flora and fauna guide on the Peruvian Amazon River.

Currently working in the field of revegetation ecology in the Northern Territory – a well-recompensed field compared with what he might earn here in New Zealand, where there is little funding for work in his field of entomology – Dr Swan says exotic diseases, and biosecurity generally, remain one of our biggest threats. He points out that New Zealand successfully eradicated the Southern Salt Marsh mosquito, first discovered in Napier, over 11 years at a cost of $70 million. “But we have also had incursions of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in NZ and it could only be a matter of time until an invasion escapes our strong biosecurity.”

https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/4/3/101

Dr Tom Swan.

Registered Valuers and Property Consultants

Sergeant Lisiate Koaneti was joined by his daughter, four-year old Lexi as he raised the NZ flag during Tuesday's ANZAC Day service at the war memorial on Muritai Road.

Eastbourne resident Petty Officer Fiona Middleton was the first speaker, and said NZ bore more than its share of hardship with the First World War and the outbreak of the Flu in the early 20th century.

She said the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers do not diminish with the years. "We keep their names alive with these services."

Come and Experience the Chilton Difference

Conveniently located in the heart of Lower Hutt City, Chilton is just a short bus ride from Eastbourne Small class sizes means each student is nurtured to their full potential Proven academic excellence with a 100% pass rate in 2022 for our Cambridge A Level exams

Exceptional pastoral care ensures each student's wellbeing is prioritised

Janet Allison and George Tuffin lead the ANZAC Day parade down Rimu Street. Photo: Phil Benge.

Mondays

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 4th Mon, 10am St Ronan's Church hall for morning tea followed by a speaker - $2 entry. Transport can be arranged for these meetings on request, ph 562 7365 or 562 8387.

• “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.00am.

• Toy Library - Two Monday Sessions at 1.30-2.30pm and 7.30-8.30pm. EastbourneToyLibrary on Facebook. Kathy 0273551950

• DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 12 noon, Drop in anytime to visit a session or call James on 022 043 7841 to arrange a visit.

• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. Lucy 021 335 391.

• The Historical Society’s Eastbourne History Room above the library is open 2-4 pm every Monday.

• Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade training every Monday 7-9pm. Ph 562 7001 for more info.

• Keas: Monday 5.15pm – 6.15pm. Kea Leader: Ed 021 738 699

• Venturers: 7.00pm - 9.00pm, Susan 0275 35 4962.

Tuesdays

• Pt Howard Playcentre Tues 9.15 -11.45am. Lucy 021 335 391.

• DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 12 noon, Drop in anytime to visit a session or call James on 022 043 7841 to arrange a visit.

• Muritai Tennis Club 9.30–noon. Merryn 562 0236.

• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 5627096.

• East Harbour Women’s Club Morning Tea & Chat Group 10am. Contact Glendyr 562 7181.

• Indoor Bowls Club 1.30pm, at the croquet club, Oroua Street. Rosemary 562 7365

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Barrie barrielittlefair@gmail.com 0204 1234511. Women welcome.

• 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impact - teens to 70+) Music Movement Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.com

• Pump Dance junior & intermediate hip hop. 4pm onwards. St Ronan's Hall. 0274373508. info@pumpdance.com

Wednesdays

• Cubs: 5.30pm - 7.00pm, Ed 021 738 699.

• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.

WHAT'S ON

• Pt Howard Playcentre Wed 9.15 -11.45am. Lucy 021 335 391.

• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.

• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.

• DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 12 noon, Drop in anytime to visit a session or call James on 022 043 7841 to arrange a visit.

• “Steady as You Go” Age Concern sponsored Falls Prevention and Exercise Programme. Held 12 noon each Wednesday at Eastbourne Community Hall. Classes are held for 1 hour and costs only $2. Improve your strength and balance to reduce falls and injuries. Falls are preventable. Please join us!

• EHock - Fun Stick and Ball game Girls and Boys 7- 13.Eastbourne Community Hall. Wednesdays 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. Derek Wilshere 0274303596

Thursdays

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Barrie barrielittlefair@gmail.com 0204 1234511. Women welcome.

• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.15am11.15am, during school terms. Contact Cathy 027 213 9342.

• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.

• East Harbour Women’s Club

- Bolivia 12.45pm, Contact Glendyr ph: 562 7181. Guest Speaker (3rd week of month)7pm, drinks and nibbles provide, Contact Diane ph: 562 7555

•Lions meet 2nd Thursday of the month at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club, Tuatoru St 6.30 pm. New members and visitors are welcome. Graham 562 8819.

• Intermediate Contemporary Dance

Thursdays 6:30pm - 7:30pm St Ronan's Hall

info@pumpdance.com,0274373508

• S couts: Thursday 6.00pm - 8.00pm, Vanessa 021 669 727.

• Eastbourne Bowling Club casual summer bowls 5.30pm for an hour or so. Make up a mixed team of three. Contact Keith Turner ph 04 934 4142.

• EFC Social Womens Football. Every Thursday, 6.30pm, Bishop Park (unless otherwise notified). Contact: Trysh, 02102931247

Fridays

• Pop in and Play playgroup at St Ronan's Church Hall, 9am-11.30am during school terms. All preschoolers (0-4 years) welcome. Cath 027 213 9342.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Fri 9.15 -11.45am. Lucy 021 335 391.

• AA Plunket Rooms 7.30pm. Mark 566 6444/ Pauline 562 7833

• DB Playcentre 9.15-12 noon Puddle Jumpers casual ‘drop-in’ session.$5 per child per session. Call James on 022 043 7841

Saturdays

• Justice of the Peace at the Eastbourne Community Library, first Saturday of each month 12pm-1pm.

• Croquet from 10am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.

• Pump Dance preschool & junior hip hop. 9am onwards. St Ronan's Hall. 0274373508. info@pumpdance.com

• Lions' Bin - cost effective rubbish and e-waste disposal. Last Saturday of the month (except December) by Bus Barns. Gavin 027 488 5602.

Sundays

• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021 440 705.

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

VASE LIFE

April/May: Mid/late autumn. Cool, short days. Time to tidy up. Prune only in the dry (disease). Plant leaf vegetables/salads/broad beans.

Pretty flowers: Flowers evolved to attract pollinators (insects) but Neanderthals were attracted to them aesthetically, placing them with their dead 70,000 years ago. It doesn’t stretch evidence too far to suggest they’d also have known a dish of water would’ve made them last longer. We’re better at it now. Based on mother’s wisdom and some www hacks, you should get 7+ days out of most cut flowers. But let’s apply some ‘vase-life’ science and see what really increases flower vase life.

Species: Some cut flowers last longer than others - tree blossom 3 days, carnations 8, roses 9, sunflowers 12, orchids 18 days.

Picking: When picking, choose blooms not quite open. Cut stems long. Pick early or late in the day - not around noon. Key is reestablishing their water supply by straightway putting cut ends in water. Indoors, remove most leaves (never immerse leaves in vase water).

Airlocks: Flowers get their vital water from the plant. When you cut the stalk the little tubes (xylem) that carry the water, suck in air causing an-airlock (air-blockage). As soon as possible, re-cut the stems (4 cm off) to remove the airlocked xylem and immediately place in handhot water. Any residual xylem air is warmed, expands, and bubbles out.

Bugs: Cut stems leak nutrients - good for bacterial slime. Slime will block the xylem. So, surgical cleanliness - a dishwasher-clean vase and clean water.

Placement: Choose a spot with good light, but no direct sun. Cool, not cold, not hot. Still air, not near a heat pump or open door/window. Flower aging is accelerated by ethylene, so avoid proximity to ripening fruit which give off the hormone ethylene.

Nutrients: Flowers get their nutrients (sugars) from the plant. They will last longer if you feed them.

Elixir of (vase) life: A vase solution that feeds flowers (3% sugar) and kills bacteria (bleach) will make your flowers last longer. To 3 L of water, add 1 L of fizzy lemonade (contains 10% sugar + citric acid) and 10 drops (¼ tsp) of bleach (bactericide).

Maintenance: Every 2 or 3 days recut the stalks, replace the vase, replace the vase solution.

slang@xtra.co.nz www.mulchpile.org

Jazz trio heading in our direction

by Sandy Lang

Eastbourne jazz lovers – and those wanting to find out more about jazz – can look forward to being in the groove in May when the Duncan Haynes Trio comes to St Ronan’s Church.

Duncan Haynes (piano), Blair Latham (saxophone) and Seth Boy (double bass) will present a one-hour programme of seven pieces by jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.

Hancock and Shorter came to prominence as part of the Miles Davis Quintet in the 1960s. Their careers had a massive influence on the jazz canon, says Haynes, and on music as a whole, worldwide. “They showed that technique is not just an end, but a steppingstone into making music that really connects with audiences,” Haynes explained.

The Duncan Haynes Trio promises to broaden people’s horizons in the intimate acoustic setting of St Ronan’s Church and to share their passion for creating genuine musical moments. “We want to involve the audience in our energy, drama and spirit. We hope people will almost become a part of the Trio as we explore elements of improvisation,” said Haynes.

Haynes studied classical piano and cello, completing his jazz piano degree at Massey University in Wellington. He has worked with Bic Runga on her multi-platinum albums Drive and Beautiful Collision. Overseas, Duncan has collaborated with top musicians in genres as

SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ

Sunday 14 May at 4pm at St Ronan’s Eastbourne

DUNCAN HAYNES TRIO

Duncan Haynes piano

Blair Latham saxophone

Seth Boy double bass

‘DIRECTIONS IN JAZZ’

varied as world music, rock, blues and avantgarde jazz. He returned to New Zealand in 2020 and won the Lilburn Trust composition prize last year.

Latham is a saxophonist and multiinstrumentalist with a deep love of the bass clarinet. He is to be found around Wellington in many settings from jazz, to pop, to avant-garde. Born and raised in Wellington, he completed his degree in jazz at Massey University before heading overseas where Mexico became his second home. He returned to New Zealand in 2014 and is now principal bass clarinettist in the RNZAF band.

Boy is a double bassist and composer. He is based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara where he works as a sideman and bandleader in numerous jazz and improvised-music groups, with style ranging from salsa to rock to chamber music. He completed his undergraduate studies at the New Zealand School of Music in 2019. He now serves in the RNZAF band as principal bassist.

‘Directions in Jazz’ begins at 4pm on May 14 at St Ronan’s. General admission is $20, with children under 12 free. Tickets can be purchased from organiser Sandy Lang: slang@xtra.co.nz or call 021 222 0383 for further information. There will be no door sales.

A selection of seven pieces by Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter

Programme About 60 minutes, no interval

Admission $20 - General admission - Children free (under 12 yrs)

Tickets Limit 100

Information

Sandy Lang slang@xtra.co.nz 021 222 0383

At St Ronan’s Church, 234 Muritai Road, Eastbourne

L-R: Seth Boy, Blair Latham and Duncan Haynes.

Crowd funding needed for book to be published

By Ann Packer

Ever taken part in a crowd-funding exercise? It can be quite rewarding to be part of someone’s special project, as some locals can attest.

It has taken Eastbourne resident Rudi Mack (pictured right) countless, mostly enjoyable hours over the last 20 years to complete the manuscript of his new book on Abel Tasman’s epic 1642 voyage to New Zealand and the Pacific. Having a few European languages up his sleeve helped. He has a publisher already. But to get it over the line, he needs a bit of financial assistance.

“When I first read about Abel Tasman, I thought everything that there was to know had been published,” says the antiquarian bookseller and historian, who has a special interest in Pacific sailing adventures. “But as I kept reading and researching, I found some untranslated Dutch, French, German and Italian sources about the voyage and other sources, including illustrations, that had largely been ignored by historians.”

Rudi’s new book is based on these sources, and also Māori and Tongan oral traditions. The results of his research are often surprising. The book reveals that Māori remembered many details about the brief encounters – including how news about Tasman’s visit was passed on

between iwi, and in the Pacific from Tonga to other islands.

In one of the lesser-known illustrations of the voyage, Rudi has been able to identify an ancient canoe landing site in Golden Bay, which is still visible today. This same illustration also suggests that the Dutch came very close to a landing or possibly even briefly landed – though previously it had been thought they never set foot on shore.

Rudi has his publisher but now needs to raise funds towards the publication costs, which are understandably high for a hardcover of 430 pages and 75 illustrations. He is running a crowdfunding campaign on the very reputable Arts Foundation site, boosted.org.nz. Donations are tax deductible. If you want to support a local author you can read more about the project and donate here:

https://www.boosted.org. nz/preview/first-contacts

Local house features in book of NZ's best house interiors

An Eastbourne house features in a book last month awarded the NZ Booklovers’ Award for Best Lifestyle Book 2023.

Several rooms from Kerrie Hughes’ and Hugo Wilmar’s Days Bay home – Kerrie’s

Kidztalk

tapestry-like painted hangings and a mural by son Emile – are included in Rooms – Portraits of Remarkable New Zealand Interiors by Jane Ussher and John Walsh, published by Massey University Press.

The judges said, “Words like opulent, lavish and luxurious come easily when we are describing Rooms… The photography, the featured rooms... every page is splendid.”

News from our local early childhood centres

NEWS FROM EAST HARBOUR KINDERGARTEN

A 'Dinosaur den' created recently at East Harbour Kindergarten. We have a range of outdoor loose parts/ construction resources that allow tamariki to use their creativity, critical thinking and problem solving as they build and explore their ideas.

These outdoor resources also reflect our efforts to be sustainable, as they are mostly recycled, repurposed or rescued from the side of the road.

Faith in the Community

A way with words...

I’ve always found Featherston author Joy Cowley’s way with words is both wise and winsome. Take for example this gem from ‘Little Lights’, Psalms for the road, p27. Jesus spoke of little lights, candles, lamps, not great bonfires, just small steady flames to brighten some dark corner of the house.

Come to think of it, Jesus always preached little – children, flowers, sparrows, the widow’s mite, mustard seeds, loaves and fishes. He didn’t expect people to make great gestures. I guess he knew that little is the currency of everyday living.

There are so many ways in which we can do the little thing that will bring a lift of heart… A smile and a cheery word to the checkout girl, a gentle touch, or an arm around a sorrowing friend, maybe a wave to the guy with the stop/go sign, or a chat over coffee down at Hive (or any one of the other cafés we are blessed with). It takes just a little thought.

Joy goes on to say that often when her own candle has gone out, it has been relit by someone from ‘their lamp of kindness’. Every New Year, we sing Robbie Burns’ familiar words about sharing ‘a cup of kindness’… Don’t let that sharing be but once a year…

Shared Service - St Alban’s + St Ronan’s: Sun 7 May at St Ronan’s church at 9.30am

St Ronan’s: Services Sun 9.30am - informal 1st and 3rd, traditional 2nd and 4th. Ask if you’d like our monthly printed magazine the Record

E:office@stronans.org.nz

W:www.stronans.org.nz

St Alban’s: Wellesley College Sun 10am communion with guest vicar. Special activities for children during term time. 1st Thurs only, 10am communion at St Ronan’s with guest vicar. E:office@stalbanschurch.nz

W:www.stalbanschurch.nz

San Antonio: Vigil Mass, Sat 5.30pm. Sacred Heart, Petone: Mass, Sun 9.30am and 5.30pm. E: holyspiritparish41@gmail.com

W: www.holyspirit.nz

Icarus myth metaphor for art, life

by Ann Packer

Mythology, in particular the Greek story of Icarus and Daedalus, and the Virgin Mary, feature in a new exhibition by Eastbourne artist Brendan Martin, at Studio Toru in Oroua St until 14 May.

Having studied art and art history at high school, Brendan had long been fascinated by the Renaissance, and the mythological and biblical subjects explored by its artists.

But it was not until his father died, in 2017, that he began to seriously study the Icarus myth, in particular, and to return to actively pursuing his creative dream.

“Dad’s death was the trigger,” he says. “He was such a huge force, I was living in his shadow.” Once he began studying, however, he says “a whole world opened up”.

Having completed his fourth year enrolled as an art student with The Learning Connexion’s School of Creativity and Art, Brendan currently works a full week in just four days in order to keep his Fridays free to paint, print and draw, from dawn to dusk, at his upstairs studio at the top of York Bay.

A talented sportsman who represented New Zealand in decathlon and once played

professional rugby league, Brendan’s father, George Martin, worked as an illustrator with TVNZ at Avalon Studios. His son says he had a particular gift for capturing likenesses of people.

In Greek myth, Daedalus was an inventor and artist who helped his son Icarus fashion wings held together by wax.

When Icarus flew too close to the sun it melted his wings and he plunged to his death. Brendan sees this as a metaphor for life’s journey, particularly the relationship between father and son.

Having read some “brilliant” interviews online with the writer Joseph Campbell that resonated with him, he began exploring the myths, which helped him come to grips with his father’s death and to navigate “a very difficult time in my life”.

The Virgin Mary also has a special place in his life. Having grown up in a Catholic household, he remembers a statue of the Virgin Mary that his mother – a devout Catholic named Mary who was born on Christmas Day – had beside her bed.

“This statue gave her reassurance and comfort, especially in times of great difficulty, and this is the same feeling that I get when I paint the Virgin Mary.”

Brendan Martin will give an artist talk at Studio Toru, 3 Oroua St, on Saturday 6 May at 2pm. For details contact 021 433 082

Artist, Brendan Martin.

Banded Dotterels - are they really worth the fuss?

While the MIRO banded dotterel/ tūturiwhatu volunteers are out on a bird monitor or banding trip, we get asked several questions about the birds by interested people, so this article will try and answer some of the more common questions as we celebrate the end of the 2022-2023 breeding season.

What is the conservation status of the banded dotterel? The banded dotterel has the same endangered status as the whio/blue duck and giant Spotted kiwi, nationally vulnerable, in decline. Unfortunately, the dotterels do not have anything close to the funding the whio and spotted kiwi have so the dotterel' survival relies on volunteer groups such as MIRO.

Why do you flag/band the banded dotterels? As part of our high impact permit, we wanted to find out what are the survival rates during breeding, what are the principal wintering sites for these local birds, what proportion of locally fledged birds return to the three monitored sites, what proportion of adults return to the same breeding sites each year etc. Without banding, we would not be able to identify individual birds and therefore answer these questions.

When and where do the birds go in winter? At the end of the season, birds from all three breeding areas head to Lake Kohangatera where we counted 100 individuals on the 3rd of March. Once they fatten up, the birds leave the area for their winter sites. They have been seen at Lake Wairarapa, Pauatahanui, Peka Peka and the south end of the Wellington runway, so not far from their breeding areas. The one exception is a male flagged PAP who has flown to New Caledonia three years in a row to feed at an abandoned shrimp farm. He returns to the Eastbourne foreshore to mate with the same female PEY within 10 metres of previous years' nest sites. We have banded over 130 birds, but have only identified where 5 of them go, so where the rest go is still a mystery.

How do you catch and band the birds? We catch the adults while they are sitting on the nest using a funnel trap placed on top of the nest. The trap works like a crayfish pot, it has a small entrance that the birds find hard to exit. We had one very smart female at Baring who would happily escape from the trap each time we tried to catch her much to the frustration of the banders. We catch chicks by chasing them using a net that looks like a butterfly net. The chicks can move very quickly, so it is great to have some young and fast volunteers to help chase them down. Our banders are all DOC approved to catch, handle and band both adults and chicks.

What is the nesting cycle of the birds? The birds start arriving in June and mark out their territories. The first nests appear in August and end nesting in February. Chicks are born within 28 days of the eggs being laid

and they fledge (fly) 35 to 40 days after hatching. The chicks are off the nest within 2 days and feeding themselves while their parents watch closely. Sometimes chicks would be seen by the Eastbourne Services Club as wayward chicks wander out of the breeding area.

What is the survival rate and main threats of these local birds? We identified that the main threat is the eggs being eaten by predators, the second is a large southerly swell washing nests away at the lakes and Baring, and the third was human disturbance especially at Eastbourne. With intensive trapping by GWRC, MIRO, ERAT, HEM and Friends of Baring Head, signage, temporary and permanent fencing, and a rahui placed by Taranaki Whanui at the lakes and Baring, we have taken nesting success from 3% to 56% at the lakes and Baring Head. Unfortunately, at Eastbourne domestic cats have again been recorded eating the eggs so our success is much lower.

In the 2022-2023 season the results were: Baring Head 11 nests producing 6 fledglings, Lake Kohangapiripiri and the lighthouse 12

nests producing 6 fledglings and Eastbourne 11 nests with only 1 fledgling. Our goal is 1 fledgling per 2 nests but having just 1 fledgling is still a success.

If you are interested in helping our trapping or monitoring efforts, please email info@miro. org.nz. To be a monitoring volunteer, all you need is patience, binoculars, and the ability to slowly walk around 2 km.

- Parker Jones MIRO

APPLICATIONS FOR EASTBOURNE FREEMASONS’ SCHOLARSHIP

Closing date 15 May 2023

This $5,500 scholarship is available to students who have distinguished themselves during a minimum of three years tertiary study and who have lived in Eastbourne for a minimum of five years during their life.

Application forms are available from the website www.ebct.org.nz

Contact: Gaby Brown 021 179 5311

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS

Closing date: 15 June 2023

Applications from Eastbourne-Bays groups are invited. Application forms are available on the website (see below) or from Eastbourne Librar y

Please refer to the following website for information on the Trust: www.ebct.org.nz

Contact: Gaby Brown 021 179 5311 or email: trustees@ebct.org.nz

A male tending the nest. - Photo: Eric Berger.

EB cricketers aid in Taita's winning streak

by Tim Barton

There was a strong Eastbourne flavour when the Taita District premier cricket team dined out on their rivals in the 2022-23 Wellington senior club competition.

Almost half of the McCormack Group Taita squad, which made a rare clean sweep of the three premier trophies, played their junior cricket for the Eastbourne Cricket Club, and most still live in the bays.

Nik Swain, Henry Walsh, Matt Kelly, Liam Sullivan, Toby Barton and Ryan Skene all came through the junior ranks at Eastbourne and Mitch Scott, another member of the Taita squad, also began playing cricket in Eastbourne.

Swain, who captained the team, and Walsh have both played 150 games for the club’s premier side and Kelly (125) and Sullivan (105) – who regularly opened the bowling this season - have also reached three-figures.

Barton has had four seasons with the side, after taking a lengthy break from the sport, and Skene made his premier debut this season.

Walsh, a former Wellington Firebird, had his opportunities restricted by injury during the season but recorded four 50s from 10 completed innings, including three scores over 70 and a top of 98.

The Eastbourne influence at Taita has encouraged Taita and the Eastbourne CC to discuss ways the two clubs can work together, with benefits for both organisations.

Taita also had a close association with St Pat’s Silverstream for many years and Walsh, Sullivan and Kelly are all Silverstream old boys.

The Taita prems won Team of the Year at the 2021 Hutt Valley Sports Awards - after being

finalists in all three senior competitions - but by winning all three, went two steps better this year.

Taita won the T20 final and the One Day final before capping the season by becoming the first Taita team to win the Pearce Cup, the major title in the senior club competition.

The Pearce Cup was first held in the 199697 season, after the Wellington and Hutt Valley competitions were merged, and Taita had made the final only twice previously.

This year’s finalists were decided by total points earned over the one-day and two-day competitions and Taita, the top qualifiers, were down to meet Hutt Districts in a three-day final.

However, rain washed out the first two days and with no chance of either side gaining an outright win on the final day, the match was

abandoned, with Taita earning the trophy as the top qualifier.

“It wasn’t the ideal way to win but we were happy to take it,” Swain said. “We headed the points table from round one to the finish. It was a big effort to win all three trophies and winning the Pearce Cup for the first time meant a lot to the club and the supporters. It was definitely the high point for me as a cricketer.”

Taita received further accolades when the prems team earned the trophy for the best and fairest team in the senior competition. “I think that showed that as well as playing good cricket, we were playing the game the right way,” Swain said.

It was also a winning farewell for Swain, who will head overseas this year, after captaining Taita for five seasons.

The Taita team is just the third to win all three senior trophies in a season, after Karori in 2010-11 and Easts in 2013-14.

From left: Toby Barton, Liam Sullivan, Nik Swain, Matt Kelly, Henry Walsh.

Hammers top Capital Football Masters 1 league

The EFC masters teams have started the season with strong numbers and player quality with 90 registered players spread over four squads.

The club’s marquee team, the Hammers, have begun the season with two wins, notching up 10 goals in consecutive weekends with wins over Stokes Valley and Waterside Karori. The Hammers lead the Masters 1 competition and is the only unbeaten side in their league early in the season. Super striker Luis Corrales has scored four goals.

Not to be outdone, the Gs, EFC’s Over 45 team, have also started the season unbeaten after impressive 8-1 and 7-2 wins against Seatoun and Marist. Dave Groves and Andrew Wilkins bagged hattricks against Seatoun and Marist respectively.

New entrants to the Masters 4 grade, the Thirsties, have had a tough start to the season. The team has rocketed up the grades over the last few seasons on the back of a talent-laden squad. They started their Masters 4 foray with

a narrow opening loss to North Wellington followed by a 3-nil loss to Petone.

EFC’s newest Masters team, the Toros, have also had a tough start to the season. The team is playing only their second season together, in the Masters 6 grade, but have high hopes that player combinations developed last season will start to pay dividends. The Toros had a narrow loss to Wainuiomata during the weekend, made worse by a season-ending knee injury to Tony Wolken. As a show of respect between the two clubs the Wainui team was quick to reach out to the Toros

to wish Tony all the best in his recovery. Masters convener Mike Watkins is quick to point out that, while it's early in the season, it's apparent that all four masters squads have recruited well. The squads consist of regulars and new players which bodes well for what’s expected to be a challenging season ahead.

The EFC junior teams will begin their season in the last weekend of April.

- Mike Andrews, ERFC

EFC Hammers team playing at their home base on the Petone artificial turf

Great start to season for juniors

Eastbourne junior rugby kicks off this weekend, with most teams playing home games at HW Shortt Recreation Ground on Saturday morning.

The Club has six teams from Y0/1 to Y7/8 registered in the Lower Hutt competition this season. A strong number of returning players have been joined by many boys and girls new to rugby this year.

It has already been an eventful pre-season. The Club recently hosted the Ranfurly Shield and NPC trophy; and two Hurricanes players ran a fantastic skills session over the school holidays.

Our Year 4 Lions team also played a game at Sky Stadium and were Guard of Honour for the Hurricanes v Chiefs Game.

Amazing experiences that the kids will remember forever.

Starting on Friday 5 May, Eastbourne Rugby also runs a preschool session for 3-4 year olds each Friday evening at the Eastbourne Community Hall.

This is a fun skills session, full of games and activities that the kids and parents enjoy (siblings welcome too).

There are still a few more spots available. For more information please see www.sporty. co.nz/JnrERFC

Meanwhile the under-85kg team have been struggling with numbers this year. Three big losses haven't dented their team spirit and they are turning up each week and showing plenty of heart.

Apologies to Brighid Jamieson and her daughter Misha, who were in the photo we ran last month with our Wharf to Wharf story, and to Kate and Grace Wright, who we mistakenly identified in it.

The day the Ranfurly Shield came to Eastbourne. L-R: Paddy Keenan, Lark Hughes, Harry Sellars, Murphy Theobald, Hugo Livingston, Harri Hayes, Cooper Halford and Albie Sellars.

Hurricanes players Hunter Morrison and Justin Sangster joined Eastbourne rugby juniors.

Eastbourne 5 Howard Road, Point Howard

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Catherine Lockwood-Jones 027 405 1670 catherine.lockwoodjones@bayleys.co.nz

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