The Eastbourne Herald June 2019

ECB Chair declares a climate emergency

by Carl McRae

The Eastbourne Community Board is declaring a climate emergency.

ECB chair Ginny Horrocks expects to have the motion passed at next week's board meeting in time to take to a full Hutt City Council meeting two days later, declaring a citywide climate emergency is under consideration.

“Hutt City has a choice,” she says, “to give lip service to long term plans to do something by 2050, or commit to urgent action, starting now, which will ensure this city fulfils its part in keeping to the commitment in the 2015 Paris Agreement. That is, to keep global average emissions from exceeding 2 degrees centigrade and ideally no more than 1.5 degrees centigrade.”

Ms Horrocks says rising sea levels will be a huge issue for Eastbourne in the future. Recent reports stress the need to move beyond planning and get on with major reductions in our emissions over the next decade.

“If we can make the required changes by 2030,” she says, “there is a real chance we will be proud of the world we leave our kids and grandkids.

"We have an opportunity to create a positive and exciting vision for Hutt City, to give hope and to ensure a better future for ourselves and following generations.”

Ms Horrocks says the change to electing half the councillors at large brings with it a chance to make climate change the key issue ahead of this year’s local body elections.

She is expecting the full support of our community board members and is encouraging local residents to attend the ECB meeting on June 25 at the East Harbour Women's Clubrooms. Both Harbour Ward Councillors

Big turnout for opening

have declared their support for the motion.

Cr Michael Lulich says Mayor Ray Wallace, is likely to move a recommendation because of the strong community interest. Council officers are currently writing a report on how HCC can plan and begin to engage on climate change impacts and carbon reductions.

“Eastbourne and Petone residents are well aware of climate change effects,” says Cr Lewis. “The community board doing this before council has signed will hopefully encourage the rest of the city to take this seriously. The board is showing leadership.”

Quoting Admiral Chris Barrie, a member of the Global Military Advisory Council on Climate Change, Ms Horrocks says that a doomsday future is not inevitable, but without

immediate drastic action our prospects are poor.

“We need strong, determined leadership in government,” she adds, “and in business, our communities, to ensure a sustainable future for humankind.”

The Petone Community Board will meet on Monday 24 and their Wainuiomata equivalent on Wednesday 26, as all three elected community boards band together to take their individual proposals to Council.

The ECB will be asking HCC to join other local authorities in declaring a climate emergency and to make climate change an integral part of planning and decision making, including specific goals and objectives that are regularly audited.

Adults and children flocked to the San Antonio tennis courts last month for the opening of the muchanticipated and controversial skate ramp. Above, organiser Matt Hayes addresses the crowd. Photo. Glen Butler. Story, Page 8.

BRIEFS

A social media storm hit this week after a tree was cut down in southern Muritai Road, taking neighbours by surprise. The last two issues of The Eastbourne Herald have included coverage of Hutt City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council's plans for the introduction of double-decker buses.

Tree trimming, and the removal of four trees was publicly notified by the two councils, they say. Residents immediately affected by the removals were also officially notified that the tree concerned was to be taken out.

Zachary Moodie, HCC's traffic engineer network operations, says he has been informed that the four trees removed were consulted on individually by GWRC with surrounding residents.

"All trees removed were in poor form," he says. "They were growing under wires and were intended for removal anyway. No more trees are planned for removal and trimming in Muritai Road is complete.

"The tree in question... residents were told that the tree was to be removed." Mr Moodie says HCC has worked hard with GWRC to retain the rest of the trees in Muritai Road and to allow access for double decker buses to improve journey time and capacity. The

last stage of work is to consult and implement changes to traffic-line marking. To have your say, follow this link; huttcity.govt.nz/doubledecker

Muritai Road residents were concerned to discover wastewater drains overflowing with running water earlier this month. Wellington Water manager of community engagement Alex van Paassen says that on June 11, crew discovered a leak in the main outfall pipeline, which runs from the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant to Pencarrow.

The fully treated wastewater was discharging into a stormwater drain in Eastbourne.

“The flow through the outfall pipeline was stopped,” Mr. van Paassen said, “and the Seaview WWTP began discharging to the Waiwhetu stream. Wellington Water attended the site, while a Hutt Valley Water Services contractor begun to drain the pipeline to conduct repairs.”

Mr van Paassen said a sampling campaign to monitor the Coastal Marine Area was initiated and signage posted in the affected areas. The leak had been fully repaired by June 13.

SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

(S) = Sailing calls at Somes Island, subject to passengers. FERRY FARES EFFECTIVE FROM 15 JULY One way: adult $12, child $6. Family Days Bay $66 (Return). 10 trip: adult $90, student $68, child $45. Monthly pass: adult $270, student $199, child $135. Matiu Somes Island: adult $25, child $13, family $68 (Return).

Sailings may be cancelled at short notice due to weather. To check today’s sailings, tel. 494 3339

June Eastbourne Community Board

Next ECB Meeting

Tuesday 25 June 2019 - 7.15pm

East Harbour Women’s Club, Muritai Road

Previous agendas and papers available Council meetings - Home - Hutt City Council

Board members are: Virginia Horrocks (Chair) virginia.horrocks@huttcity.govt.nz

Anna Sutherland (Deputy chair) anna.sutherland@huttcity.govt.nz

Murray Gibbons murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz

Liz Knight liz.knight@huttcity.govt.nz

Robert Ashe robert.ashe@huttcity.govt.nz

Cr Tui Lewis tui.lewis@huttcity.govt.nz

Cr Michael Lulich michael.lulich@huttcity.govt.nz

Good Bitches are right here

by Carl McRae

Anjuli Muller of Eastbourne is proud to say she's a good bitch.

Although she was frantically preparing for June 16-22, National Volunteer Week, she still had time to talk to the Herald about the bakers on a mission; to make Aotearoa the kindest place on earth.

Good Bitches Baking was started almost five years ago in Wellington by Nicole Murray and Marie Fitzpatrick (known as the founding bitches), who have worked tirelessly since the charity's inception and were both recognised in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours, being made Members of the NZ Order of Merit.

“The way GBB works,” says Anjuli, “is volunteers bake in their own homes (donating time, ingredients and love) and then either they deliver their baking to the recipient organisation themselves, or a volunteer driver collects it, along with other people's baking and delivers it.”

Recipient organisations include Hospices, Women's Refuges, Food Banks, NICU, Ronald McDonald House, SANDS, Arohanui Strings, SoundsWell Singers, to name a few.

“Last year,” says Anjuli, “some of the Wellington volunteers went into Rimutaka Prison to teach some of the guys how to bake and then their baking was taken to some of our recipients. At GBB, it's about the kindness, and baking is just the vehicle for kindness.”

GBB now has 2000 volunteers nationwide and have 20 active chapters (branches) around

the country. Almost every day of the year, somewhere in New Zealand, a home-baked treat is being delivered to someone having a tough time, approximately 600,000 moments of sweetness.

“In the Wellington Chapter there are now about 520 volunteers,” Anjuli says, “and at least 11 of these are from Eastbourne/Bays.”

“Personally, I've been involved as a volunteer for nearly two and a half years and just recently took over the one paid role that GBB currently has.

"I still bake for recipients as well as the work I do.”

Anjuli says that if people would like to sign up to be a volunteer baker and/or driver they can email newbies-wlg@gbb.org.nz.

And if they want to suggest a recipient organisation they can email wellington@gbb. org.nz. Or they can go to the website gbb.org. nz for more information.

“If folk want to make a donation or sponsor us,” she says, “we're always on the lookout for different sponsorship partnerships. We have a ‘Givealittle’ page for donations and we sell cool merchandise through our fundraising shop.”

GBB are often looking for volunteers to help with running national-level projects that don't require baking skills. Anjuli says if people aren't bakers but would like to be involved there are often other things they can do.

Information about these can also be found on their website; https://www.gbb.org.nz/otherways-to-help.

Students claim 2019 STEMM win

Four Year 7 and 8 Wellesley College boys won the STEMM Cup earlier in June, a competition organised by Hutt Science, in association with the Hutt City Council in support of Science and Technology education.

The Student Challenge is part of the annual Hutt STEMM Festival, celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Manufacturing (STEMM).

Oscar Horne, James Taylor, Nikhil Cox and Mason Leach were all put through their paces before coming out on top in the competition, which includes a mix of practical activities and science quizzes, where schools compete in their knowledge and understanding of STEMM.

“We had to do both quizzes and physical challenges, and work as a team,” says Oscar. “My team had to make a tall marshmallow and spaghetti structure to test our engineering skills. My favourite part though, was answering the questions that tested our science general knowledge.”

Year 7 Teacher at Wellesley, Gretchen Elliott, took the lead in organising this year’s group.

“The boys were really excited to participate in the Hutt STEMM Competition,” she said. “Wellesley has had a history of winning the trophy in the past, so they were looking forward to the challenge of bringing the trophy back to school. The boys played on their strengths and worked well cooperatively. Wellesley took the early lead and kept it right to the end, which was just fantastic.”

Principal Brendan Pitman, said he was very proud of the quartet, for embracing the Wellesley values of ‘Perseverance for Personal Best’ and ‘Risk-taking in Learning’.

“As a STEMM school,” he said, “taking part in these challenges is important, because it broadens the boys’ experiences in challenging schools outside of our region. In this world of fast-paced technological change, our boys are using these skills to create new ideas, concepts and think through problems in a collaborative environment. All of which are skills for the 21st Century.”

Wellesley students have entered the Student Challenge since 2015 and have won every year, except last year, when the Cup went to HIBS.

selling

Faith in the Community

A full Life...

People can be forgiven for having a distorted view of Christianity and of Jesus. After all, aren’t Christians often people with an unhappy knack of sucking the fun out of any situation, or of being overly enthusiastic about their faith…? If this reflects God, then maybe it’s better to keep God at a safe distance…!

I do feel we sometimes get an unfair rap. The stereotypical view of Christians is rarely true. For me, knowing and following God puts a skip in my step and a joy in my heart. Knowing I am loved by the Creator of the universe is both humbling and affirming and brings a richness to life and a deeper love for others.

Tel: 562-7555

or Spencer Logan - 021627773

Campbell Logan - 0220938090

Email: admin@spencerlogan.co.nz

Jesus said that he had come so we might have life in all its fulness (wellness). He is positively for us and wants the best for us in life. To be all we can possibly be. We know from the recent Budget that more is being allocated to address mental health issues. Fantastic… I think a case can be made that the increase in mental health issues is not unrelated to a decrease in a belief in God. That a relationship with God can not only give people a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in their lives but also help live with, deal with and sometimes overcome, mental health problems.

St Alban’s: • Men’s group, a drink and a bite, first Wednesdays, 6pm, RSA. • Women’s Group third Mondays, 10am, The Hive Café.

San Antonio: Women’s group, 3rd Fridays, 2pm, various homes. Tel: Eileen 562 8806. St Ronan’s: • Mainly Music, every Thurs, 9.15-11.15am (term times). •Toy Library, Mons 8-9pm & Tues 9.30-10.30am (term times). Taizé Candlelight Service, Sunday 2 June, 6.30pm (1st Sundays, winter months).

Gretchen Elliott and the STEMM Cup winning quartet.

Secret Assembly celebrates 35 years of ‘Mr G’

Wellesley College‘s Centennial Hall was shrouded in secrecy on the afternoon of May 24 as more than 300 boys sat quietly in anticipation of a special Assembly to honour of one of the school’s longest-standing and most popular teachers, Steve Girvan.

Affectionately known as Mr G, Steve and wife Sharon enjoyed the afternoon's ceremony, with anecdotes from fellow staff members and production pieces from pupils throughout.

Among the highlights was Board of Trustees chair Geof Shirtcliffe presenting loyal Cantabrian Steve with what he referred to as a "proper rugby jersey " - a Hurricanes top to help him “broaden his rugby knowledge and horizons”.

Steve thanked all the boys and assured them that the gift would be given pride of place, in his home, next to his beloved framed Crusaders jersey.

He thanked the staff, the boys, and wife Sharon, who has also contributed so much to the school over the years.

“If you’re going to be a teacher,” he said, “you may as well teach somewhere enjoyable. You are all good boys and have given me so much in return".

Having started at Wellesley on the same day, back in 1984, fellow teacher, Murray Blandford said that Steve had always been at the heart and soul of the college.

“He has impacted on the lives of roughly 3000 boys throughout his 35 years,” he said.

"During this time, he has been the glue that

Kidztalk

This term we have three focus areas:

has kept the staff together.”

Wellesley College principal Brendan Pitman presented Steve with two framed works consisting of a “Wordle” and of the corresponding sentences that each senior boy had written about what Mr G meant to them.

Following the closing number, performed by the duo of Eric Zhang and Rick Zeng, staff and pupils went out onto the field to watch the senior boys form a number 35 on the lawn. Despite the wind, the occasion was successfully captured for posterity by drone.

News from our local playcentres

• Manaakitanga – this is generating some great conversations with our tamariki about the importance of including everyone in a game, sharing and taking turns, and good communication

• Playing shops – our newly established ‘shop’ in the fort has been a big hit. The children take turns at being the shopkeeper and the customer- and numbers and money are always popular, particularly with our 3 and 4 year-olds

• Celebrating Matariki – our activities will culminate with a whānau night with shared kai, a torch-lit bushwalk and toasting marshmallows.

Playing ‘salon’ is still a really popular game - the tamariki love to get out the box which has hair chalks, a hair dryer, face paints and nail polish. They often set up a shop with a mirror and chair for their ‘customer’, and they take appointments and collect the money after each makeover. Painting their own nails may not be the tidiest process but it’s great for fine motor skills!

“It has been a privilege to teach at such a fine school alongside outstanding educators,” Steve told The Eastbourne Herald

“It has also been fantastic to be part of such a close-knit and caring community. I value the many friendships and connections I have made in my 35 years living in Eastbourne.”

“I would like to acknowledge my first principal at Wellesley, Graeme Dreadon, a risk taker and visionary ahead of his time, who in the early 1980s set the foundations for Wellesley as it is today.”

Our whānau has grown with several new families joining us recently. If you'd like to join us too, you can visit us at 1 Ngaumatau Road any time from 9.15 to 11.45 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday – and ask us for an information pack to learn more about what we offer. You can also find out more about us by visiting our Facebook page or by contacting Caroline on 021 072 1070.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

NEWS FROM POINT HOWARD PLAYCENTRE

Steve and Sharon Girvan.

Former Black Cap's new innings at Four Square

As when he found himself with a new cherry in hand, former international test cricketer, Chris Martin, is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, as he and wife, Jane, take over the reins at the Eastbourne Four Square.

The Martins, with daughters Ruby (9) and Millicent (7), have arrived in the Bays, after a five year stint in Palmerston North, where they owned and operated the Four Square store in Hokowhitu, near Massey University.

“I’d always wanted to own my own business,” Chris said, “and as is often the case with sportsmen and women, you suddenly have to change your career path in your midthirties. That’s the pay-off for all the travel and excitement of a sporting career. But most sports folk are risk-takers. Jane and I love quality food and it is an industry in which trends and healthy options are constantly evolving - and at some pace. I saw the career path as a change with great opportunity.”

Foodstuffs themselves are the country’s second largest employer and as a part of their supermarket chain, the Four Square franchises throughout New Zealand are viewed as the entry point for people new to grocery retailing.

“It is a rather complex system,” Chris says, “where certain experience and fiscal targets must be met. But after receiving expressions of interest, Foodstuffs decide the best grocer/store fit. Our credentials were good enough to allow us the opportunity to move to Eastbourne, which certainly looks to have all the criteria we require as a family.”

Those yardsticks included good schools and Ruby and Milly are already entrenched in school life at Muritai. The beach and bush are also drawcards for Chris, who has taken

to running the tracks and is already looking forward to summer, when the water - a daily ritual for somebecomes an option.

As with his successful sporting career, Chris is prepared to put time and effort into his new investment, of which the main benefactors look set to be the residents of his new community. He admits that it will take a month or two for the dust to settle and adjustments to be made, but he wants to encourage local folk to ask for what they want.

“We might get a suggestion box going,” he said, “but I’ll always be keen to know how we can help and what people would like to see us stock. It’s a convenience store and I’m keen to shelve what the local community call convenience products. If they are in demand and we can source them, we will.”

Chris says that mainly, he’s just keen to get involved and amongst it, as he was when he opened the attack for the Black Caps. And as a former specialist test cricketer, he knows the value of taking time to settle into a rhythm

and his and Jane’s entire game plan is not going to be divulged too early.

“Some in-store tastings and demonstrations may be in order,” he said, “and a little bit of interior and exterior sprucing up. We definitely have some positive ideas we’d like to introduce.”

Cricketers are generally punters and although not strictly so in Chris’ case, his money is on India to win the ICC World Cup, which is currently underway.

“The longer the host nation goes on throughout a tournament, the more excitement is generated,” he said, “and England are certainly favoured to go a long way in this World Cup. I think we’ll be there near the finish too, but the Indian side will be hard to beat, possibly only by the conditions.”

Chris, Ruby, and Milly Martin.

Local surfing inspires eco swimwear brand

Born in New Zealand, designed in London, made in Italy and worn across the globe...

Former Eastbourne resident Janaya Wilkins (pictured) , has launched a range of sustainable, luxury ocean wear

‘Clean Lines’, was the first collection from the SLO Active founder and designer and came complete with a grassroots approach to ecoconscious retail and a global purpose; to clean up and protect our oceans.

“SLO (Sustainable Luxury Oceanwear)

Active is a lifestyle brand,” Janaya says. “We’re a community of active women who love being

RONA BAY BOOKS

Rare books, quality used books bought & sold. See our stock at: www.tinakoribooks.com

Make an appointment to visit. 26 Totara Street

562 7376 027 316 4066

tinakoribooks@xtra.co.nz

in the ocean and are for the ocean. We care about its conservation. Our fierce female focus is ocean-wear and activism.”

Janaya says that SLO was born from the fusion of what she loved and what she was good at. Growing up in Eastbourne, she developed a deep love for the ocean from an early age.

“I went to Muritai School and grew up around my dad, surfing,” she says. “Back when I was a kid, the coastline was different and there was a big surf break at Lion Rock, and there was also a break down by the rec. My dad was also the president of the Eastbourne Surf club during my teen years.”

Love of the ocean turned to concern for its protection. Janaya's love of ocean sports meant that she witnessed first hand, the impact that marine pollution can have on eco-systems and wildlife.

“My passion is ocean conservation, but I don’t have a degree in it. However, I was determined to do something with a bit more purpose. I looked into charities, but the charities I was talking to seemed to be a backward and inefficient. I have always been in favour of a grassroots approach, thinking globally and acting locally. So that is kind of what steered the direction of how SLO active was born.”

She says over consumption and "mindless, disposable mentality." mean plastic pollution is one of the biggest international environmental emergencies that the world currently faces.

With monochromatic designs and minimalism as a mantra, Janaya was determined to prove that there are smarter and more sustainable ways to consume goods, without compromising on design, quality and most importantly, the planet.

Church Services

In Eastbourne

St Alban’s Anglican: Sunday Worship 10am at Wellesley College. Thursday Worship 10am - check venue with Parish office, 11 Ngaio St, Eastbourne tel: 562 6269

Children and Families Ministry: see www.stalbanschurch.nz

St Ronan’s Presbyterian: Muritai Rd, Eastbourne

tel: Parish Clerk 562 8753

Sunday Morning Worship: 9.30am. Power Hour: 9.30am

San Antonio Roman Catholic: Oroua St, Eastbourne

tel: Fr Marlon Maylon Parish

Priest 970 8405

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5.30pm

Sunday (Sacred Heart, Petone): 9.30am & 5.30pm

“I had spent a lot of time sketching fashion drawings in fashion class at Hutt Valley High School,” she says, “and was a little obsessed with beautifully-designed swimwear, which was hard to find back in those days, and the industry was heavily dominated by the massive surf brands that support fast fashion. "

SLO active wear is made using cuttingedge, 'Yulex Pure', a plant-based alternative to

conventional, non-renewable neoprene. Yulex is crafted from raw natural rubber from Hevea trees, and is produced using environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing practices. The garments are made in a familyrun factory in Italy.

“Sustainable fashion is a hot topic at the moment for sure,” Janaya says, “but many are not practising care throughout the product lifecycle and there is a heavy amount of greenwashing going on in the industry.”

Janaya feels that the fashion industry, known to be near the top of the global ‘worst offenders’ chain, has not done enough in helping to address climate change issues.

“We make a purchase and vote for the kind of world we want to live in,” says Janaya. “Where does this come from?” Where will it go at the end of my time using it?’ It’s our responsibility as consumers to ask those questions.”

Through SLO active’s ‘Earth to Ocean’ scheme, the buyer chooses from one of the ocean charity partners and SLO donate 3 per cent of revenue from each purchase to that organisation. Furthermore, for every garment sold, the company will plant one tree to help offset its carbon footprint.

Sun shines on new skate facility

The long-awaited opening of the Eastbourne Skate Ramp took place on May 27 and co-organiser Matt Hayes says he was blown away by the level of community support from those who turned out at the official opening.

“It’s an amazing facility for our youth,” he said, “and we hope they enjoy it and look after it.”

Fellow organiser, Sinead Diederich, says that the idea of the ramp was always to provide a focal point for kids, to get them out and about in Eastbourne – particularly when it's time to leave the suburb for high school.

“It’s so nice for them to have local activities they can participate in at the weekends (and

for their chauffeur-driving parents),” she said. “Skating is a growth sport and the level of appeal of the ramp has not surprised me at all.”

Nor Matt, who says the demand since opening has been phenomenal and that clearly, there was an unmet need for local youth.

“It’s totally changed the area for the better,” he says, “and the local kids and parents are just loving it. I’d like to thank again, all our supporters, the Local Community Board and Janet Lawson at Hutt City Council who helped us get this across the line.”

Sinead says that it seems like a natural consequence that there have already been calls for further ramps.

Winter

-Beef Brisket

-Osso Bucco

-Pulled Pork Shoulder

-Lamb Shoulder

-Corned Beef

-Chicken

“I believe this is a fantastic recreational facility,” she added, “and it is with the greatest of joy that I have watched my kids, and others, making the most of it.”

The crowd at the skate ramp's opening. Photo: Glen Butler.

Re; recent articles on a subdivision from Gill Road, Lowry Bay that is upsetting residents of York Bay because council approval allows access via Waitohu Road, York Bay. Trade vehicles and machinery will travel from the waterfront upwards during several years of land works and construction. Thereafter, five residences implies at least five more cars in perpetuity. As the application did not qualify for public notification, residents discovered it belatedly. Hence their distress.

At public meetings, and in local canvassing, Waitohu Road residents have not objected to the development itself but strongly oppose this access. The road is mostly single lane with no footpaths and, in places, does not meet the minimum legal width. Vehicles encountering each other commonly nose into private driveways to pass.

In 1980, the Eastbourne Borough Council, stated “Council has a policy that there is to be no further subdivision off Upper Waitohu Road because of the difficulty of access. This policy…relates to traffic density in areas such as Upper Waitohu Road which were never designed for continued residential development.” However, this has no formal

force because Hutt City Council did not carry it into its consent protocols. Common sense suggests that, nearly forty years later, that farsighted prohibition should have even greater force today.

Many residents of York Bay would wish Hutt City Council to:

1. Respect the overwhelming wish of people who live in the path of this proposal;

2. Reactivate the 1980 prohibition for Upper Waitohu Road;

3. Require the five new properties off Gill Road to take their vehicle access from there.

If the project proceeds in its present form, present and future residents of York Bay will inherit great inconvenience long after the proposers have left the scene.

Michael Rudge York Bay

Wonky bird's a winner

Mahina Bay resident Muskaan (9) (pictured), won the under 16 category for designing ‘Tubbly Tubble’ a wonky bird, in the competitive crochet collaboration between About Space Hutt City, Hutt City Libraries, Colab Cafe, Creative Communities Hutt City and Wonky Stitches, NZ.

Organiser, Sam Hughes, said, ‘I loved Tubbly Tubble Wonky Bird so much. It was such a beautiful design with bold colours and long head feathers.’ Sam made ‘Tubbly Tubble’ in crochet and exhibited him in Colab Café, as part of the Winter Wooly Bird Trail last weekend.

Entrants were encouraged to name their creation, so vegan Muskaan wrote, ‘Tubbly Tubble tries to fly but he can’t get high because he’s a Tubbly Tubble Wonky Bird.’ He reminds me of Tobasco our cat,’ she said, ‘Tobasco wants to climb trees but he finds it hard because he’s got skinny legs and a big body. I love him anyway. I like all animals especially elephants and dolphins. I guess that’s why I make animals out of pottery too. It’s important to care for animals and not to eat them.’

Eastbourne Librarian Megan, said ‘We really encouraged the competition at our library and scores of local school children took part. It’s great one of our wonderful customers has won.’

Muskaan, who moved to New Zealand from India in 2017, doesn’t just design art work, she also makes it. She learned how to knit at the

East Harbour Women’s Club Knitting Group and is a regular potter at the Hutt Art Society and Vincent’s Art Studio, along with her mum Maya. Muskaan, an exhibited artist, attends Raphael House, Waldorf School where she’s currently tackling Fair Isle knitting and looking forward to learning crochet herself.

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

June/July: Days lengthening (since winter solstice 22 June). Time to tidy up…

Tree too big? Take out a whole main limb (or two, or three) from the base. Choose it right and the tree still looks natural, attractive and of balanced shape - but less dense and smaller. Cut bigger limbs twice. (1) Cut further out to remove most of the limb and leave a ~30 cm stub (there’s often bark damage as a limb falls), (2) Cut off stub 5 cm beyond the ‘collar’ (disease). Seal cut surfaces with house paint (disease). SAFETY - Limb too big, too heavy, too high? Don’t die. Employ arborist. They’ve skills and gear.

Other: Prune grapes, roses, fruit trees etc for training, shaping and flowering/fruiting… Plant trees, shrubs… Kill weeds, don’t pull. Pulling disturbs soil and triggers weed-seed germination… Mulch over to stop new weeds. There’s heaps of free mulch at the bus barns just now…

Clever plants: To survive and thrive, plants must be aware of their surroundings. They’re clever little chappies…

•Shoots up/roots down - Google ‘statocytes’ - Like marbles in a can, statocytes sink to the bottom of the cell and let the cell know which way is down/up.

•Time of year - Google ‘phytochrome’ Google ‘red/far-red ratio’ - Daylength is a much more reliable indicator of season than weather. Daylength triggers flowering at the right time. Plants detect sunrise/sunset and a bio-clock measures the time difference.

•End of winter. Google ‘seed stratification’Most seeds are dormant. A period of wet and cold lets seeds know it’s springtime. Break seed dormancy in the fridge (1-3°C, for 1-3 months).

•End of winter. Google ‘chill units’ - Cherry trees won’t flower north of Hawkes Bay. It’s not cold enough for long enough.

•Seed dormancy. Google ‘phytochrome’ - Light triggers weed-seed germination. Disturb the soil by weeding and you expose buried dormant seeds to the light. Whoopsie…

•Where’s the sun? Google ‘heliotropism’Sunflowers swivel their heads to follow the sun.

•Day vs. night. Google ‘nyctinasty’ - Lawn daisies open day, close night. Keeps the pollen dry. Apple flowers do too.

•Touch. Google ‘thigmonasty’ - Venus fly trap and mimosa move fast when touched.

•More? Google ‘nastic movements’, Google ‘tropic movements’, Google ‘taxis movements’

Sandy Lang slang@xtra.co.nz

The Point Howard Assn (PHA) and the Point Howard Tennis Club held their AGMs on Sunday, 28 April. We had a great turn out of residents and welcomed two new members to the committee! We are hoping that with Darren as our new Tennis Club captain that the tennis court will be fully utilised as intended. Red is also on board as our Point Howard Emergency Hub Officer.

A number of items were discussed at the AGM. Noise continues to be a hot topic for residents all over the hill, whether it be industrial noise from Seaview, the Centreport Terminal, Seaview Marina launching ramp & wash out area, jet skiers, boy racers on Port Road or the use of Marine Drive as a rally venue. Unfortunately, SIMS Metal Recyclers were given a heads up of the time and date that HCC would be monitoring them and were on their best behaviour during the 90-minute monitoring. We are working with the ECB to have the noise from them addressed as it is a health and wellbeing issue for residents.

Residents will by now have received a copy of the PHA “What We Do” flyer for 2019/2020 in their letterboxes. Please let the PHA know if you are missing your copy by emailing pthowardassn@ gmail.com.

It’s also subs time again. You can renew your membership or join the residents’ association for $25 per year per residential address. The membership year runs from April to March. Please refer to the “What We Do” flyer for payment methods, or contact pthowardassn@gmail.com for further details. Thanks to all those residents who have joined or renewed their membership. We really appreciate your support!

pthowardassn@gmail.com

Where are all the females?

Godan (5th Dan) Renshi of the local Karate Club, Lindsay Johnson, has put out an appeal to Eastbourne women to come and join the karate dojo, so that the club can contest in more divisions  of regional competitions next year.

“Mums, if your kids have moved on,” he says, “come and give karate a go. Our lady members say that the exercise is better than a gym workout, more subtle.”

Lindsay says that six or nine extra women would be the ideal, as for team events, they require teams of three. Within a year of training,

they could be in a kata at tournaments, having a lot of fun.

“Of course the door is open to any age group or gender,” he says. “We’ve always encouraged parents and kids to come along together. The mix encourages a more regular attendance. And karate is a military sort of training, but one of a very friendly nature.”

Karate offers a niche for those kids who are a little shy or not necessarily seeking the accolades of other more popular sporting codes, Lindsay says.  “The belt system is great for these kids,” he adds. “They can graduate through the grades at their own pace, achieve success in their own time.”

In recent years Lindsay has decided that more regular entry into competitions is a great idea, as it offers a bit of excitement and reward to those who have had the discipline to put in all the hard work.

And at the recent Karate NZ Lower North Island Tournament at the Kilbirnie Recreation Centre, the Eastbourne dojo took out 16 medals from both team and individual kata divisions. Lindsay was thrilled that the success was shared around team members.

The next tournament for the Eastbourne Karate dojo is in Palmerston North in September.

News from Point Howard

The Eastbourne dojo collected 16 medals at the recent Lower North Island tournament in Kilbirnie.

Winter is upon us and the planting season is well underway at both the Parangarahu lakes and Baring Head. We are fighting off the hares at Baring Head with a 3-pronged attack: protectors, night shooting, and soon to come a chemical deterrent. We are looking for up to 15 adults with ‘medium fitness and spades and three 4WD vehicles to join us at Lake Kohangapiripiri on Saturday July 13, 9.30am –4pm (children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult). Enquire by email to info@miro. org.nz .

The hunting season is also well advanced. I am no hunter, the last time I handled a gun of any sort was as a teenage national triathlete, pistol shooting in the UK many moons ago, although I did well I did shoot my own toe on one occasion! After attending a special education seminar and undergoing biosecurity checks, Duck shooters have visited the lakes and others headed for the Wainuiomata River. The winners of the deer ballot journeyed in to Gollans Valley in March and April. I am particularly aware of the sensitivity to firearms and feel a sense of duty to ensure public safety and understand the pros and cons of hunting in East Harbour.

Deer have no natural predators (apart from hunters) and by selectively targeting forest plants, trees and seedlings, deer can change the composition of the forest understorey and natural regeneration cycles. Some plants like taupata, broadleaf, rimu, five finger and lancewood can be all but removed from the ground. As a known area of high biodiversity value, reducing pest numbers is a key strategy to increasing ecosystem health. Deer are also responsible for considerable damage to private gardens surrounding the park. Hunting has been taking place in the eastern hills for many generations and regional parks also have a role to promote wellbeing and healthy lifestyles by providing recreational opportunities.

The ballot hunters enjoyed the opportunity to explore this beautiful valley and were rewarded with one stag. Since then professional

hunters from Trap and Trigger Ltd, have been covering a wider area and have removed four more deer.

NIWA classifies Lake Kohangatera’s condition as “excellent” with a nationally outstanding botanical value, placing it 10th best out of NZ lakes. So it is with a heavy heart that we report that despite control of the pest aquatic weed, Egeria upstream in Gollans Wetland, fragments have made their way down stream into the main body of the lake. Egeria (Egeria densa) has major impacts on indigenous plant biodiversity and can form a thick mat across the lakes surface. We are now in discussion with NIWA as to what might be a useful course of action.

The light house complex at Baring Head/ Ōrua-pouanui has been closed to the public whilst two of the buildings (the future volunteer base and day visitor story telling centre) are stripped of lead based paint and repainted. Friends of Baring Head have an outstanding vision for this complex. If you want to donate, volunteer or find out more visit www.baringhead.org.nz or givealittle. co.nz/Baring Head. The two houses will get the same treatment towards the end of the year and the site will be closed again. Keep an eye on the website www.gw.govt.nz/eastharbour/ for updates.

Te Rōpū Tiaki (the advisory body for the co-management of the Parangarahu Lakes and wider Pencarrow area) is looking forward to a planting day at the end of July and signing off on interpretation under development for the Baring Head light house complex.

We are also about to reinstate the banded dotterel fences in anticipation of them returning to “muck about” prior to settling on a bare patch of sand to nest. A tricky decision I presume!!

- Jo Greenman, East Harbour Regional Park Ranger

CLASSIFIEDS

Cash for scrap - Copper, Brass, Aluminium, Stainless, Cars, Whiteware, Steel. Ingot Metals, 2 Port Road, Seaview. Ph 568 8300.

GARDEN WORKER for all weeding, tidying and garden maintenance contact Hamish on 022 3748453.

SONNY’S YOGA - EASTBOURNE CLASSES - Enjoy a relaxing yoga class near the ocean. Every Wednesday 6.30pm at Muritai Yacht Club. Beginners welcome. For more info call Sonny on 021 800 512.

Dan Reed lawn mowing, lawn and garden care. Contact 027 337 1360.

SMOKE SIGNALS

Did you know that one in four house fires start in the kitchen?

Making your kitchen fire safe is a really important part of having a fire safe home. Here are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk of a fire starting in the kitchen: When you’re cooking

• Don't drink and fry. Alcohol is involved in half of all fatal fires. Instead, preprepare a meal, get takeaways, or use the microwave. Never attempt to drink alcohol or take medication that makes you sleepy when cooking.

• Don’t leave the room when cooking. If you have to, always turn off the stove first. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in New Zealand.

• Keep curtains, tea towels, oven mitts, loose clothing and any flammable items well away from the cooking area when you're cooking.

Keeping a clean and safe kitchen

Clean your stovetop after each use. This prevents spilled fats and burnt foods from building up.

• Clean rangehood filters regularly.

• Keep a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket somewhere in your kitchen. Make sure you know how to use them.

Remember!

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives.

Emergency Call Outs:

• 28 May 19 – Rubbish Fire, Marine Drive

• 28 May 19 – Alarm Activation, Wellesley College

• 31 May 19 – Medical Response, Marama Tce

• 01 June 19 – Chimney Fire, Pencarrow

• 02 June 19 – Alarm Activation, Bus Barns

• 02 June 19 – Tree Branch on Power Lines, Oroua St

• 05 June 19 – Alarm Activation, Rimu St

The Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade is still 12 Firefighters short of its optimum membership which is 50% of the Brigade operational establishment, so please give some serious thought to becoming a Volunteer to help protect your community.

Please call Ross Carroll, Chief Fire Officer (021 648 114), if you think you’ve got what it takes.

Pathway consent delayed

Planning for the shared pathway around the Bays has been delayed due to a request for more information from Greater Wellington Regional Council.

“The request for information is part of finalising the resource consent application,” Hutt City Council senior project manager Simon Cager said. “This is further information of a technical nature on penguins, seagrass, foraging birds, presence of sea mammals, skinks/lizards. The applicant team is in the process of providing these answers. Some of them are quick answers and some are not. Some will be easily dealt with and some will require a little additional work.”

Both GWRC and HCC have asked for further particulars regarding the resource consent application. HCC have requested one month to provide this information, which has been accepted by GWRC.

“Once we have provided this information and GWRC are content,” said Mr. Cager, “the consent will be formally notified and the public submissions process can begin.”

“In terms of timelines it’s very difficult to predict when things will get moving.”

Our community is the future

Ex Eastbourne Community Board chair Derek Wilshere is fired up about the future of the Eastern Bays.

The winds of change are blowing, and we need a strong presence to secure our place in the sun. The upcoming local government elections will be different and offer a real opportunity for change.

Since 1989 Eastbourne, Petone and Wainuiomata have had community boards with democratically-elected representatives and ward councillors for each board. The council has comprised an elected mayor and two councillors for each of the six wards. At recent mandatory six-yearly Representation Reviews , this model of representation remained after consultation.

The potential of boards has consistently been undervalued – let's change this. Any changes suggested such as 'at large' councillors and city-wide community boards were rejected. This 2018 decision was appealed to the Local Government Commission by two of the six objectors, for which I am thankful. The commission accepted the appeal and mandated that Hutt City Council would have six ward councillors and six councillors at large. The three community boards would remain, each with a single councillor.

This is exciting news as it improves the democratic opportunity for voters. Eastbourne

electors will have a vote for one councillor for their ward, six at large councillors and our community board members. So, there is likely to be a change in both council membership and governance practice.

The next triennium 2019–2022 will be challenging for both HCC and our community board. As well as the usual mix of council activities one new one stands out above all others….Climate Change, with its mix of more frequent and bigger climatic events and of course for us sea level rise. It is heartening to see HCC beginning to give enhanced recognition to this. The expectation is that our community will be local leaders in the process of collectively improving its understanding of the science of climate change and the associated risks. We are very vulnerable to each as well as earthquake/ tsunami impacts. Then of course and most importantly there is adaptation - we will need a plan for our Eastern Bays communities.

Working on these things will be a high priority for the new councillors and particularly for the Eastbourne Community Board.

Our young people have marched and spoken about climate change, and we would be ignorant to ignore and criticise them as some have.

Eastern Bays Shared Path: The highest priority for Eastbourne residents in the 2014 Community Board Survey was the Eastern

Bays Shared Path – we have tired of the toing and fro-ing on this. Now this complex project has been developed with a significant amount of consultation with residents and a very high-powered team of expert consultants. This investigation and reporting have been state of the art and at last a final proposal is in the process of being submitted to the Regional and Hutt City councils for resource consent. However, while the project has been accepted for significant NZTA subsidy it requires cofunding from a cash-strapped council. Your community board has strongly advocated on the project for years and Mayor Ray Wallace has publicly declared his support. This must not be stalled.

Now, and looking ahead: These are exciting challenges and we will need strong and passionate leadership from our elected representatives to press our case.

My plea is for you to consider standing for the community board. It would be great if we had strong nominations particularly from students from secondary school up – we need to hear you - it is your future. I assure you that it will be rewarding, interesting and respected. A community together is a formidable community.

- Derek Wilshere

More information available on:

http://www.huttcity.govt.nz/YourCouncil/About-your-Council/localgovernment-elections/local-governmentelections-2019

SUPERB ONE-BED APARTMENTCENTRAL LOCATION

147 Muritai

CHARACTER HOME IN EASTBOURNE

By appointment Open Home

Sinead Diederich

Located at a popular company share complex just a few minutes walk from Eastbourne village, 6/238 Muritai is terrific. Offering 1 good sized double bedroom, with built in robes. It has an abundance of features like modern bathroom, a lovely stylish open plan kitchen-lounge & surprising amount of storage all set on one level. sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

You're invited to a Movie fundraiser for the Hutt Hamper Elves

When: Sunday, 21st July 2019

Where: Lighthouse Cinema, Petone

Time: 4.30pm arrival, 5pm movie starts

Price: $25 ticket or $30 including 3 raffle tickets

Who are the Hutt Hamper Elves: A volunteer group who work hand in hand with schools across the Hutt Valley, delivering hampers for them to pass on to the local families they’ve identified are most in need over the Christmas break. All of our work is done by volunteers, so every dollar donated goes straight to the families who need it most.

Please contact Sinead if you would like to come along & support this great cause.

Sinead Diederich 021 025 81960

Sinead

By appointment Open Home

Sinead Diederich

Truly at the heart of Eastbourne village, this gorgeous character home is close to everything. Traditional in layout, the home offers 4 excellent bedrooms and 2 separate living spaces - ideal for growing families. Situated on the main road and the junction of the village high street (Rimu St), 147 Muritai is on a compact section, with minimalist but pretty gardens, so is easy care outside. sinead@tommyshv.co.nz

04 392 0001 | 021 02581960

CURRENT LISTINGS

VIEW DETAILS OF THESE HOMES ON www.tommys.co.nz

OR POP IN TO OUR OFFICE IN THE VILLAGE

021 025

tommys.co.nz

6/238 Muritai Road, Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $320,000

REF: THV02408

Road , Eastbourne Buyer Enquiry From $875,000

REF: THV02385