The Eastbourne Herald September 2020

HEAR ME ROAR

Election 2020:

It's almost election time. From October 3 you can cast your vote locally, at the Eastbourne Library during its opening hours, or over the weekend of October 10-11 you can cast your advance vote at Wellesley College from 9am-5pm. Advance voting is also available for the Referenda.

On election day, Saturday, October 17, you can vote in the General Election and for the Referenda at Muritai School 9am-7pm, or Wellesley College, 9am-7pm. The Library will not be open for voting on election day. For more information about this year's election and the referendum questions, go to vote.nz The Eastbourne Herald's election special begins on Page 16 of this issue.

Okiwi Trust clients decided Covid wasn't going to stop them having fun, and when they were given colourful, handmade masks by Co-ordinator Pippa deCourt, they couldn't resist the chance to demonstrate their resolve to keep on keeping on. Twenty masks were made by Penny Grigg and Meg Montague for distribution.

Lower Hutt’s rubbish and recycling services to get big upgrade

Hutt City Council met on 15th September, and agreed to upgrade the city’s kerbside rubbish and recycling services, which will result in the biggest changes in more than 20 years.

From 1 July 2021, Hutt City householdsincluding the Eastern Bays - will receive one wheelie bin for rubbish, another for mixed recycling, as well as a crate for glass. Households will also be able to opt-in to receive a green waste bin.

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says rubbish and recycling services are a core function of local government, and the changes agreed follow an extensive process and will modernise these services to ensure they are fit for the future.

“People have made it very clear that our current recycling service is not up to scratch,” the Mayor said. “When I was elected, I strongly signalled to Council that I would urgently progress changes to bring our kerbside recycling service into the 21st century.”

The decision to upgrade will mean that from 1st July next year, households across Lower Hutt will have a modern recycling service, similar to what has been in place in other cities for many years.

“Together with changes to recycling,” Mayor Barry says, “Council funded rubbish collection

TIMETABLE

will result in savings for most households, who put out at least one bag of rubbish a week. This will create a city-wide system that incentivises people to maximise recycling and dispose of their waste in a responsible way.”

Council’s Chief Executive, Jo Miller, says that by rolling out the new system to all ratepayers, everyone in the wider Hutt community will now have easy and affordable access to kerbside rubbish and recycling services.

“This is the single biggest change Council has made to improving sanitation,” Ms. Miller says, “and reducing the amount of rubbish around our city. The decision by Council will have a significant and positive impact on our environment. An effective recycling system will cost the city less over time as landfill charges increase.”

Council will now move to negotiate a contract with the preferred supplier and commence work to roll out the new service. This will be accompanied by a campaign to inform householders about these changes.

The Community Engagement Fund is now open. The website is - http:// www.huttcity.govt.nz/cef organisations can make an application through the Council website (they do not have to apply through the grants system). Closing date for applications 14 October.

SAT,

SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

(S)

(S)

(S)

(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

Next ECB meeting:

7.15pm Tuesday 3 November 2020, East Harbour Women’s Club, 145 Muritai Rd

Calling for nominations for the Eastbourne Awards

The ECB awards up to five ‘Eastbournes’ each calendar year to Eastbourne residents or organisations who have had noteworthy achievements in the current year, or who have made a significant contribution to Eastbourne over several years. If you would like to nominate someone for a 2020 award, please send their name and a short paragraph explaining why this person should be recognised, to Virginia Horrocks (virginia.horrocks@huttcity.govt.nz) by 1 October.

Sand build-up at Kauri Street

Many thanks to the residents who helped plant 300 plants to stabilise the sand at the end of Kauri Street in September following advice from coastal expert Jim Dahm.

Council meetings

Do you know you can view Council meetings online? You can view them live on the HCC’s Facebook page, or at https://livestream.com/huttcitycouncil live or later.

Eastbourne Community Board (ECB)

Residents are welcome to contact board members to sort minor issues directly with council staff or to ask for a report from council officers for the next ECB meeting. You can also contact us on the Eastbourne Community Board Facebook page.

Virginia Horrocks (Chair) virginia.horrocks@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 021 230 8210

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

Ph 029 494 1615

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

Ph 04 970 5159

Murray Gibbons murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 04 562 8567

Bruce Spedding bruce.spedding@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 021 029 74741

Frank Vickers

frank.vickers@huttcity.govt.nz

Ph 027 406 1419

ECB chair responds to Maire St accidents

Outpourings on social media recently regarding an Eastbourne Community Board initiative of a shared pathway in Maire Street have necessitated a response from board chair, Virginia Horrocks, in light of a couple of traffic accidents which have occurred since the inception of the pathway.

Many in the community, especially those who live in close proximity, failed to see the need for the rearrangement in the first instance and while happy to express their opinion on Facebook, were reluctant to talk to The Eastbourne Herald about the issue.

Subsequently, speculation as to the ECB’s role in the community was called into question and concerns raised that they were actioning initiatives of their own accord and not with the support of or consultation with the community at large.

As was reported in the June Herald, Hutt City Council records show that no motor vehicle-related incidents had been reported in the area, before the two recent accidents which appeared to coincide with the new pathway

arrangement.

ECB Chair, Virginia Horrocks, says that she is concerned that there have now been two accidents, both involving the northern power pole in the Maire Street parking area.

“This power pole has been hit by cars in the past,” she says, “and has been replaced twice in the past few years due to vehicle damage.”

“ECB notes that the last time this power pole was damaged and replaced, it was not painted white at the base nor fitted with reflectors on its southern face. The Community Board has contacted Hutt City to get this done with urgency.”

The ECB has also contacted the lines company, to request the two power poles in this area be removed and the wires put underground.

“We stressed that the most recent accident, which resulted in an injury to the driver, showed the location of these power poles is a serious threat, not just to the local community but to anyone visiting the area,” Ms. Horrocks said.

Around the world to Eastbourne Library

by Ann Packer

From the north-eastern corner of Africa to the north-eastern corner of Wellington harbour comes Eastbourne Library’s new manager, Taitu Lemessa.

Six weeks into the job, Ethiopian-born Taitu loves the diversity of personalities walking through the door, and the cosiness of a library where everyone is family.

“Covid taught us a lot about how valuable human connection is.”

With a BSc degree in Management and Information Systems and a Diploma in Library Science from Addis Ababa University, Taitu began her career as a librarian in her home country, working in secondary school and then university libraries in a country where most schools conduct their teaching solely in English. The education system is based on the American model and libraries use Dewey’s classification system.

Yet Ethiopia has more than 80 ethnic groups and languages, with Taitu’s people, the Oromo – the indigenous people of East Africa – the largest group by far.

Taitu met her Ethiopian husband, a political refugee then living in New Zealand, in 2009. In an arrangement set up by their families, the couple met on neutral ground in Dubai, to make sure Taitu felt comfortable with the arrangement.

“I wanted to take that responsibility for myself,” she says.

Fortunately, it worked well, and continues to.

Taitu’s first job in her new country was at Wellington Hospital, where she ran the library trolley as a volunteer. While she loved the social side – “I got to talk to people, to offer human connection” – she found Kiwi accents challenging, having been raised in a country speaking American English.

Living in Wilton at the time, Taitu approached the manager of Karori Library who connected her with the Skilled Migrant Programme funded by Wellington City Council.

That led to Taitu’s first paid job at Kilbirnie, followed by the Tawa/ Johnsonville/ Khandallah cluster of libraries.

After moving to Upper Hutt in 2012, Taitu took up a position as librarian at Naenae library in 2016, then as a team leader at War Memorial Library where she enjoyed “supporting people to be their best”.

For her, one of the highlights of library work is helping customers solve problems that may involve simple solutions.

“Tasks you have done yourself for so long, such as sending an email, printing or scanning a document, can be lifechanging for some. It doesn’t matter how small – every small thing is a big thing, it’s special to each one.”

Soon after arriving, Taitu became a member of LIANZA (Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa).

She got involved in Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui (LIANZA’s Wellington regional committee) helping with professional conferences, weekend schools and Hutt professional networking.

Always in search of new challenges, Taitu is now into her third year of study for an online degree in sociology, through Massey University.

“I have a lot to learn,” she says, “but I also have a lot to give. Diversity enriches everyone’s lives – if we are open to it. So, here I am.”

Don J. McIlroy

Eastbourne Library’s new manager, Taitu Lemessa

Dune restoration begins in Kauri Street

by Carl McRae

Eastbourne Community Board members, Bruce Spedding and Frank Vickers, were amongst an enthusiastic bunch of local volunteers out planting the sand dunes at the end of Kauri Street with native grasses on September 16.

The ECB recently called on the services of restoration ecologist, Jim Dahm from Eco Nomos Ltd, a specialist with 25 years' experience in assessing coastal hazard assessment and management.

Following a site inspection in July, where recommendations for the sand issue in the vicinity of Kauri Street and for the dune solution were discussed, Jim informed the Board that a large slug of sediment has built up offshore of Eastbourne in recent decades, gradually widening the beach seaward of Marine Parade.

In his report to the Board, Mr Dahm says; “In recent years, wind-blown sand has gradually accumulated on a short length of widening beach, between Hinau and Konini streets. Sand build up in this area has led to increasing problems with windblown sand on parts of Marine Parade and adjacent private properties. Advice from long-term locals indicates that the sand accumulation is primarily associated with N-NE winds.”

Jim recommended that the best way forward is to develop a native vegetated dune, limited to the area of the natural sand accumulation. HCC advised that they have about 300 spinifex and pingao sand trapper plants available for this area, for immediate planting.

“As usual, with plantings of spinifex and pingao, it is important to include a fertiliser tablet and to plant deep, so that the roots are not exposed by any wind erosion,” Jim advised

further. “If planted before early October 2020, the plants should be reasonably well-established by February 2021. However, the plants will be vulnerable to damage from strong storm winds until they are established.”

The ECB would like to acknowledge the advice as recommended by Jim Dahm and in accordance with this, ask members of the public to be aware that this dune has been recently planted and the area needs time to adjust and settle.

Wellesley Values Bursaries

Wellesley is delighted to announce it will be offering a new range of bursaries, Wellesley Values Bursaries, for boys entering into Years 3, 4 or 5 in 2021 who are domestic students not currently enrolled at Wellesley.

Bursaries will be awarded to students who currently demonstrate and show promise of living Wellesley’s three school values: Risk taking in learning; Perseverance for personal bests; Respect and empathy for self, others and Wellesley.

Bursaries will be awarded for a period of two years and provide for between 25% and 50% of the tuition fee.

Neighbours pitch in with the dune restoration project.

Spring cleaning; a chance to help the community

For those who didn’t spring clean during lock down and are only getting stuck into it now, Eastbourne Lions offer a couple of services that can help, and also generate funds that Lions plough back into the Eastbourne and the wider community.

On the last Saturday of each month (except December) the Lions Bin is available just past the Bus Barns at the south end of Muritai Rd, from 8-11.30am, for cost effective rubbish disposal.

“Basically Lions hire a truck sized jumbo bin and charge for rubbish disposal, at a rate that compares well with other disposal options,

for example $30 for a small trailer,” says Colin Orchiston, Lions Bin Coordinator.

“The only conditions are cash only, no hazardous materials and that Lions may carry out some judicious resource recovery if they spot potential in any items,” says Gavin Redpath, Lions member.

“For example, we have recently been putting aside garden tools and plant pots for the community garden in Fairfield, and trying to divert e-waste to a Seaview specialist as long as we don’t incur extra costs “.

The other service is the annual Lions Auction, this year scheduled for November 14

at Muritai School. Donations of saleable goods are now being accepted for the garage sale and auction, contact Gavin 027 488 5602.

“This is our major fundraiser for the year," says Lorraine Shorter, Lions Treasurer. "And although it consumes a lot of volunteer hours, it generates a fairly good return, al

Charity gears up to Nourish even more this Christmas

by Carl McRae

With less than 100 days until Christmas, Nourish@Christmas, a registered charity set up by Eastbourne resident, Claire Turner, is gearing up for a bumper Yuletide. She anticipates delivery of Xmas hampers to families in need may exceed 900.

Claire started her venture seven years ago under the banner of Hutt Hamper Elves, with the goal of making life easier for local families in need at Christmas. Business partner, Gabrielle Ralph, jumped on board and quickly recognised the growth in the need, and HHE became a registered charity in 2019.

“2020 has been a crazy year so far,” Claire says, “and we know that the impacts are going to be felt by many families for a long time to come and we’re now looking ahead to what might be a very hard Christmas time for many.”

Each year the need has grown exponentially, and across the last six years they’ve provided over 1000 families in the Hutt Valley and Porirua regions with Christmas hampers, each valued at around $150. The food hampers are a combination of fresh fruit, vegetables, and eggs, pantry staples and some Christmas treats for families.

Last December, with a name change to Nourish@Christmas, 557 hampers were provided to families across the Hutt Valley and Porirua regions. This year, their partner schools have asked for them to support almost 900 families in need.

Nourish@Christmas owes a huge amount of thanks to local Eastbourne families and businesses who have helped with donations and volunteering.

“Sinead at Tommy’s has been a huge supporter,” Claire says, “running two movie fundraisers for Nourish over the last year. Jane and Chris at the Eastbourne Four Square will be running a campaign soon asking customers if they’d like to give a small cash contribution/ donation to Nourish when they pay for their groceries.”

Pak n’ Save Petone have also supported Nourish every year with the purchase and delivery of grocery items. The company also has locals who help every year with packing and

delivering the hampers across the Hutt Valley and Porirua. Claire says their volunteers are critical to everything they do. Every cent donated goes to providing hampers and Claire and Gabrielle rely on wonderful people to give up their time to support their mission.

Nourish also has a huge number of business and family supporters from across Wellington, however Claire and Gabrielle are concerned the impacts of 2020 could also affect fundraising efforts this year.

Nourish@Christmas has a target of 898 families to support, and that’s a huge charity

effort! And they know that they can do it with the help of the local community.

If you are able to support them in any way, Claire would love to hear from you. You can contact her on 027 558 5641,  claire@ nourishtrust.org Claire.troy@gmail.com, or you can donate at  https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ nourishatchristmas.

Claire Turner and Gabrielle Ralph of Nourish@Christmas, and below, Nourish@ Christmas hampers...ready for dispatch last year.

Scouts work to give back to Eastbourne

Following the pitching of their new Kathmandu Retreat Compass Hub shelter, at the reserve next to the Wahine Memorial, the Eastbourne Scouts set about their G.J. Gardner Homes Eastbourne Beach Clean Up – from The Bus Barn to The Pipes.

“The Breezy spring weather made us especially grateful for the new hub,” says Group Leader, Susan Kirkham, “which was made possible through a Hutt City Council, Eastbourne Community Board Community Engagement Fund grant.

“We had a good turn out with Keas, Cubs, Scouts and their families all volunteering to help look after our local beaches,” Susan added. “We managed to collect about 20 bags of rubbish and some of our more unusual finds included a dog kennel and a goal skull with the horns still intact.”

Volunteers were treated to an array of homemade baking and refreshments.

“Hot drinks were enjoyed, thanks to Hive Café for their support,” concluded Susan. “Thanks also goes to the Hutt City Council for all their assistance to make this event a success.”

Right: Elliott Halman (left), a Cub and Fraser Halman, a Kea, get stuck into the clean up.

Authorised by Chris Bishop MP, 66 Bloomfield Tce, Lower Hutt.

The show must go on - and it did!

It was a long four weeks, but Eastbourne’s Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe was finally able to mount its production of Snap! this month.

The New Zealand detective murder mystery, adapted by Fiona Farrell from the Ngaio Marsh novel Photo Finish, should have been performed in August. However, due to COVID-19 and a sudden shift from level 1 to 2 last month, the production came to a grinding halt.

“It was during our final dress rehearsal on August 11 that we heard the news about the level changes. We knew this would affect Muritai School’s decision as to whether we could continue using their hall for public performances,” said director Anne Manchester. “We were like runners at the starting block –primed and ready to go. It was a blow to have the play called off two days before opening night. A blow for the cast and crew, and for our audiences.”

During the delay, Anne worked hard to keep the play alive, continuing with weekly rehearsals and working with the school to

Come

develop a plan to enable the play to go ahead safely if level 2 restrictions continued. The sixnight season finished on September 19.

“With level 2 continuing, we restricted our audience numbers to 60 per night and we decided not to serve any refreshments during the interval. People signed in using a QR code or recorded their names on a list as they arrived

LABOUR WEEKEND PAINTING EXHIBITION

Season and times: Saturday 24th, 12noon - 5pm Sunday 25th, 10am - 5pm, Monday 26th,10am - 4pm

Plenty of Parking!

OILS AND WATERCOLOUR

NZ Landscapes, cityscapes, wildlife, portraits, prints, cards and more Jacky Pearson’s watercolours and Murray Gibbon’s oils

at the hall. Hand sanitiser was used and people were seated a metre apart. But at least audiences got to see the play and the cast of 10 was able to perform it. Despite delays and restrictions, our audiences seemed to really enjoy it. With so many other events in Wellington cancelled recently, it was good live theatre was able to continue in Eastbourne.”

President of the Wellington District Theatre Federation David Cox attended opening night and described Snap! as “everything you’d want in a Whodunit: isolated manor house, plenty of suspicious suspects, an unflappable detective, a melodramatic murder and, of course, everyone gathered at the end for the denouement. Add in some audio-visuals and an imaginative set and you’re ready for a fun evening. So good to be at the theatre.”

The cast and crew of Snap!

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.

• East Harbour Women’s Club – Contract Bridge 2pm-5.30pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985

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

• Singalong 1st Mon, 2pm at St Ronan’s.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 11:45, phone Andrea 02102797311 for more info.

• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• 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.

• Toy Library 8-9pm. St Ronans Hall www. eastbournemibase.com.au Elizabeth 021 08224664.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

East Harbour Women’s Club

• Duplicate Bridge: 2-5pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985

Keas: Monday 5.15pm – 6.15pm

Kea Leader: Ed 021 738 699

Cubs Monday 6.30pm – 7.45pm

Cub Leader: Damon 022 620 7116

Tuesdays

• Eastbourne Bowling Club. Gentleman’s Casual and Social bowling held every Tuesday from 2.30 to 4.30pm. Experience not required. Bowls and instruction provided. Casual dress code Contact Bruce 562 8401 or Warren 562 860.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Tues 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Days Bay Playcentre Puddle Jumpers Tues 10:30 to 12 noon: Messy and Sensory play for children 2 years and under. Casual sessions, $3 donation.

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

• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 562-7096.

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

• Eastbourne Embroidery Group, St Ronan’s Church lounge 10am-12noon.

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

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike

562 8688.

• Poetry group, every second Tuesday meet to read and enjoy poems old and new. Phone 562 8387.

• Toy Library9.30-10.30am. St Ronans Hall. Facebook: Eastbourne Toy Library Elizabeth 021 08224664www.eastbournemibase.com.

au

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

• Pump Dance preschool and junior hip hop. 4pm onwards St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

Wednesdays

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 2nd Wed at Tartines for morning tea and socialising 11am. Occasional outings arranged. Ph 5627365 or 562 8387.

• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Wed 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.

• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• “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!

• Baby Boogie - dance for babies and preschoolers at St Ronan's Hall. 9:30am10am. Intermediate/teen hip hop and contemporary. 5pm onwards St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

• 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, Mike 562 8688. Women welcome.

• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.30am-10.30am, 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.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

• Pump Dance boys hip hop. 5pm-6pm St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance. com

Scouts: Thursday 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Scout Leader: Susan 027 535 4962

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. Caroline 021 072 1070.

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

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• Discovery Time for 4years+ at San Antonio School, 78 Oroua Street, 9.30-10.30am. Office 562 7398.

• Eastbourne Bowling Club. Newly formed Ladies casual bowling group meets Fridays at 2.00pm. Experience is not required. Bowls & instruction available. Casual dress code. Contact Cheri - 021 0699 274.

Saturdays

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

• Lions’ rubbish bin last Saturday of each month.

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

• Eastbourne Dune Restoration Group Meets dunes area in front of the Eastbourne Recreation Ground, on the first Saturday of the month at 9am. Contact Keena for more details on 562 0992.

Sundays

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

Garden Stuff with Sandy Lang

Green Waste

August/September: Winter’s past. Spring’s here. Yeah…!

Tree chip: They come here for it from the Hutt and beyond. “Great idea,” they say, “but a curse on those who dump their green-waste there. Nobody wants that…!”

Fly-tipping: “We don’t take green-waste,” says HCC. But green-waste costs us lots for a Waste Management bin, or at their Seaview Transfer Station. So, illegal fly-tipping continues. Let’s hope HCC changes its mind.

Methane: Let’s also hope all WM’s greenwaste gets composted. Composting is aerobic – recycling recently-photosynthesised CO2 back to the air. But buried in a landfill, green-waste breaks down anaerobically, emits methane, CH4, 23-times worse than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. Maybe it’s time to (re)consider your green-waste disposal.

Eco-pile: I say, deal with all your green-waste at home. Try an ‘eco-pile’. Composting’s for the energetic – eco-piles are for the lazy. Locate it in an out-of-sight corner of the garden. It’s where you’ll dump all your prunings and vegetable kitchen waste - not meat/bread or you encourage rats/mice. Having lots of twigs, it has many air spaces. It rots aerobically (CO2 not CH4) and slower than compost (cooler). But the spaces make homes for myriad leggy animals (arthropods). The rotting material is their food. Larger animals, geckos etc, move in to hunt the leggy animals. In case a mouse/rat moves in (unlikely) put a trap nearby. Add to your eco-pile year on year. Fairly soon it stops getting bigger. The ‘rot rate’ matches the ‘add rate’. You’ve created a mini ecosystem. It’s how nature disposes of its green-waste. Free and sustainable…

Green-waste: Most households create four sorts:

Prunings – Leaves, twigs (up to 2 cm). Snip to 60 cm. These are the basis of your eco-pile Lawn clippings – A big lawn, a deep pile, it goes claggy. Your eco-pile will take some. Sprinkle surplus (5 cm) under trees/shrubs. Clippings soon rot. They feed slaters, that feed blackbirds, that sing. They also feed the soil and suppress weeds. Kitchen – For peelings and inedible plant bits, keep a lidded plastic box on the bench. Empty it on your eco pile. Soon rots down.

Branches - Those over 2 cm make kindling/logs. Good for wood fires. Snip to 30 cm (bow-saw thick bits). Dry 6 months in box in garage. No wood burner? Give to your neighbour who does – make a friend. Some pay $1,500 yearly for firewood.

- Sandy Lang slang@xtra.co.nz

Artbourne to showcase local and regional talent

The local art scene is gearing up for the seventh exhibition and sale of renowned local artists at Artbourne, 2020, to be held at Wellesley College in October. Artbourne is part of the College’s art programme and is a popular biennial art exhibition of contemporary artworks, jewellery & sculpture from local and emerging artists.

Head of Visual Arts and resident artist, Glen Jorna, will officially open Artbourne on Thursday, October 15th at 7pm, also exhibiting his own unique range of street art. The exhibition will then be open, with free entry, Friday, 16th October, 8am –4pm and Saturday, 17th October, 10am – 4pm (also General Election Day, where the Parents Association will be hosting a sausage sizzle and bake sale at School to cater for all the extra Eastbourne and Bays voters that will be passing through)

In total, 30 artists will be showcased, including local artists Sarah Albisser and Kendall Morgan-Marshall. A small selection of current and former students' works will be for sale and that of other emerging artists. Exciting talent, Catherine Cattanach (Wellington photographer of the year in 2018) will also have her award winning prints for sale.

All artists donate 30% of their exhibition sale proceeds toward the ‘Promising Futures For Boys’ scholarship fund.

Foundation Development Officer, Rosie Torbit, says that after the ‘unsteady path’ through this year, it is important to still hold the event, as it celebrates the ‘feel good’ factor of art and it inspires students to explore pathways to creative careers.

“The unique Wellesley venue is an exciting location,” she says, “bringing the community and exhibiting artists together, whilst also raising funds for students who would otherwise be unable to financially access the school.'

Carisma Faitala, a Year 8 Wellesley Art Extension student, with his circlet artwork.

Boardwalk across Kohungapiripiri wetland to close

Greater Wellington Regional Council advised the public on September 4th that the boardwalk across the northern end of Kohungapiripiri wetland in East Harbour Regional Park will unfortunately have to close. The dynamic wetland environment, an essential link in the Parangarahu lake circuit, has been pushing the hand-driven piles downstream, making it unsafe. The boardwalk was installed in 2006.

GWRC Eastern Parks principal ranger, Jimmy Young, says since the install, the hand driven piles of the track have withstood the pressure of moving swamp water, mud and growing plants, which have put it under considerable stress and threatened the safety of the boardwalk itself, which is now on the verge of complete failure.

“GWRC takes the health, safety and wellbeing of the community very seriously,” Mr. Young says, “so it is critical that the boardwalk is closed. It is also vital to the health of the Parangarahu Lakes, which are classified as an outstanding wetland area and therefore regarded with the highest consideration.”

Over the last two years, GWRC have monitored the boardwalk closely and several options have been explored to repair and replace it, such as installing longer machine driven piles, a floating pontoon, and a swing bridge.

“Greater Wellington will continue to explore options, costs and permissions for this location,” Mr. Young adds, “and also other tracks and links in this special area. There are still a number of walking and biking loops at Parangarahu Lakes for visitors to explore including Cameron Ridge, the eastern side of Lake Kohangatera and the Lighthouse Track combined with Pencarrow Coast Road.”

Mr. Young adds that GWRC invite the community to comment on this, or any other area of the regional parks, through their

Lions bring it to Eastbourne

consultation on the draft Toitū Te Whenua Parks Network Plan 2020-30, which is the management plan for eight parks and forests managed by the Council.

To view and download the draft plan visit:  haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz/parksplan . To place your feedback visit: haveyoursay.gw.govt. nz/parksplan or you can email parksplanning@ gw.govt.nz  or East Harbour Regional park ranger Jo Greenman jo.greenman@gw.govt.nz.

Locals exercising at HW Shortt Park got a nice surprise earlier this month when they spotted the Wellington Lions practising at HW Shortt Park. The Lions have several local connections: local resident Greg Halford is their scrum coach, and Lions first five/fullback Callum Harkin (pictured above, left) cut his teeth playing rugby for Eastbourne as a schoolboy. Photo: Phil Benge.

Hound is at the heart of Best Children's Book

by Ann Packer

Remember the three-legged beagle that was a feature of the Days Bay waterfront some years ago? Kimberly Andrews’ family dog Mogul – to whom her new picture book is dedicated – is immortalised in the Days Bay author’s latest solo character, who also featured in the multiaward-winning Puffin the Architect, which took the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults’ Russell Clark Award for Illustration. A finalist in the Picture Book category, Puffin was also voted NZ Booklovers’ Best Children’s Book last year.

Kimberly sees this as an inclusive story –she’d rather not mention Hound’s disability, insisting he’s just “a normal dog getting on with his life” – but locals remember Mogul with such affection that this writer thinks they deserve to know that Kimberly has done him justice.

In fact, quite a few of Puffin’s other clients make an appearance here in various forms, though only observant fans will spot them straight off – giraffe, goose, platypus, moose, the pigs and the pufflings. And just as the first book featured a recurrent spot-the-snail motif, this has an inchworm popping up in each double spread.

The setting for Hound the Detective takes its cue firstly from Kimberly’s English grandmother’s home in the Lake District – a humpback bridge, a manor house, a halftimbered railway station (Keswick), a village street. The log cabin in the woods, however, while not the one Puffin designed for Pilot Moose, is definitely also out of her childhood in Banff, Canada, which informed the pictures in

her illustrations for Joy Cowley’s

Song of the River

, a Storylines Notable Book last year. And (spoiler alert) there’s a new, indigenous character here: Kakapo makes an explosive debut right at the end.

A bit of a detective herself from her youngest days, Kimberly was always stapling papers together to make notebooks; maps and plans of underground passages in Hound stay true to that childhood ethos. Her training as a biologist and geologist, who has worked at the Natural History Museum in London among other institutions, show in animal forms that remain faithful to life.

Kimberly’s style tends towards creating worlds she’d like to immerse herself in. For those who found the Puffin setting for Hound’s secret study a bit frightening, she has lightened up a little – although Hound’s home still has an “old-timey Sherlock vibe”, there are no scary

dark corners. “Every scene should be happy,” she says.

While Kimberly has standalone books starring all seven Puffin characters in her head, she’s remaining mum on which one will come next (my bet is on the baker – I love the look of those sourdough loaves). Her deadline for the completed book is 2 October – about a month before her next maternal deadline… yes, Nova, 20 months, is due to have a sibling in November. Nothing like a little pressure to get the work done!

Hound the Detective, by Kimberly Andrews, published by Puffin, is available from Rona Gallery in the village.

Kimberly, Nova, and Hound The Detective

Thanks EB for supporting Uncle Squirrel and Pūhoi Pete

Thank you Uncle Squirrel, Pūhoi Pete and I would like to say a big thank you to the Eastbourne community for following and supporting the teds' lockdown stories on our local facebook page and for the numerous suggestions that the stories be turned into a book.

Many people talked about it being a memento of this time in Eastbourne’s history. You are a persuasive bunch and so it did happen! The book was published by Wellington's Cuba Press who did a wonderful job with the editing, sorting the photos and of course the delightful design. It was released on 19 August.

At the time of writing this letter there were 24 copies left at the publishers which my children were very pleased to hear because they thought they might be getting copies for years ahead as birthday presents!

Thank you again.

Ann Garry Muritai

Aroha welcomed at Lake Pukaki

I would like to send this letter to the Eastbourne Herald to say thank you to a group of locals who helped us recover from the Pukaki fires that devastated our property on 30th August.

Before moving to Lake Pukaki in 2012 and setting up a luxury lodge and retreat, we lived in Eastbourne loving the community and friendships that we developed there. The spirit of Eastbourne was revealed after the Pukaki Fires burned through our property on 30th August and what a surreal and devastating 2 weeks we have experienced following the fires.

We want to say a HUGE thank you to the many many people who have sent us messages, hugs, food and offers of help. We have not responded in person, and we apologise for writing our thanks to you in a public forum, but have read every letter, card, email, message and listened to every phone message. You have all been so very very supportive, thank you, your messages and food offerings have lifted our spirits and helped us to navigate each day.

We want to give a very special thanks to a few people, who jumped on a plane and were here for a week following the fires to

help and support with mulching, tree cutting, irrigation systems, replanting and simply being there. I know they will not want to be named but it is important to recognise these exceptional people. Sandy and James McLean, Mark Quinn, Mike Sheedy, Mike Wiggins, Ted Montague, Steve Davidson, Warren Bolger and his brother in law Donald, our accountant Miles Lambourne, and our daughter Debbie Paardekooper. Thank you.

We also want to thank the helicopter pilots and firefighters who unbelievably saved the main buildings on our property, avoiding absolute devastation. Fire and Emergency NZ and Civil Defence incident response team for their professional and excellent support over the past 2 weeks.

These have been 2 weeks that we do not care to repeat but the kindness of our friends will always be remembered.

Kaye and Luke Paardekooper

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

High Country Estate & Luxury Villa Collection in the heart of the Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand

Kidztalk

WELCOME TO DAYS BAY PLAYCENTRE

Days Bay Playcentre would like to thank the Eastbourne Bays Community Trust for their generous grant. This has allowed us to purchase a year's supply of art supplies for our busy little artists. We have been painting, gluing, snipping and generally getting messy and creative. We have been busy in the garden, and discovering weta, caterpillars, worms and snails. Always something new for our little people to learn about.

Summer term begins Monday 12th of October. We still have places available. Sessions run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Call Andrea for more information 021 0279 7311

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Right: Dylan Hayward - a leap of faith

Faith in the Community

The ‘common good’...

In Hawkes Bay recently, I attended a gathering in a tavern put on by a local church. It was the first in a series focussing on issues affecting the ‘common good.’ To introduce the evening, the organiser Rev Jill McDonald (St Andrew’s, Hastings), said this:

“I am passionate about social justice and I am always preaching about God’s longing for fullness of life for all people. As I have been meeting with people in Hawkes Bay, it has been great to connect with so many people who are equally passionate about social justice.

If you read the poster carefully you will have noticed that this is a Public Theology Conversation series. Public theology is the Christian engagement and dialogue with society. It seeks the welfare of the state and a fair society for all by engaging with issues of common interest to build the common good. There are just two things I want to say about public theology:

1. Public theology doesn’t seek to give preference to Christianity but witnesses to values we who are Christian believe are important for the common good.

2. Public theology gives priority to the perspectives of victims and survivors, and to the restoration of justice. It sides with the powerless against the powerful, and seeks to speak truth to power.

The common good is an opportunity for us to engage with issues that are affecting our society.”

It was a productive and challenging conversation and I realised that it was such a useful perspective when approaching a General Election. Rather than voting just according to personal or sectional interests, how about giving deep thought and reflective enquiry to vote for what will promote the common good?

St Ronan’s COVID: Please sanitise your hands, on arrival. Please don’t come, if you’re unwell. Social distance 1 metre. e-Services: Just ask if you want to receive our weekly emailed services. Parish magazine: Just ask if you want to receive our monthly printed magazine The Record

E: office@stronans.org.nz

W: www.stronans.org.nz

St Alban’s Sunday services 10am at Wellesley College. Weekday Kids Club, Thursdays 10am at various venues. Refer to our website for more information on church activities.

E: office@stalbanschurch.nz

W: www.stalbanschurch.nz

San Antonio Parish office, Petone (weekdays 10am-2pm)

T: (04) 971 7885

E: holyspiritparish41@gmail.com

W: www.holyspirit.nz

Local women presented with top DoE awards

On September 5th, two young Eastbourne women were presented their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Government House, Wellington, by Dame Patsy Reddy.

Brianna Kirkham and Bridie Sheedy, gained their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards through Queen Margaret College and completed their expeditions with Eastbourne Scouts.

Their expeditions included summer and winter tramps at Nelson Lakes and a bike/walk from Ohakune to Wanganui, led by Eastbourne Scout Leaders including Bridie’s dad, Mike and recently retired Group Leader, Gavin Redpath.

“The highlights of my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award were my Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions and my Residential Project,” Brianna said. “My expeditions allowed me to travel around New Zealand and to meet new people with similar interests. My Residential Project in Chile improved my Spanish language skills and allowed me to gain a deeper

understanding into Chilean culture.”

Bridie said that the Duke of Edinburgh Award motivated her to do tramps that were long, arduous and well out of her comfort zone.

“It was also great to meet people and to help out my community through volunteer work. I learnt many new things about myself through this programme and am so grateful for the opportunities it gave me.”

Both young women are currently studying at university o – Brianna is in her first year of a BSC aand Bridie is in her second year of a BCom.

We are here for the community. We can deliver to those who wish to lock down. Under level 2 you can come inside, 2 at a time. We will follow all the correct hygiene procedures to keep us all safe.

Bridie Sheedy and Brianna Kirkham, DoE award recipients at Government House on September 5.

ELECTION 2020

As we come out of alert level 2, ACT will play a consistent and constructive role as an opposition party. We will offer constructive criticism where necessary and make helpful suggestions where possible. We will also ask the questions that need to be asked.

There will be time enough to ask why another lockdown happened, but right now we must get on top of it before there is loss of life or livelihoods. We all need to do the right thing to beat the virus.

We also need the Government to play an effective, transparent, and competent role. It must be 100 percent open and transparent about all the data, the options, and the decisionmaking process.

ACT alone is campaigning for a faster recovery with lower taxes and less debt. ACT has put forward positive, practical solutions to the real issues facing us.

ACT is the only party with a comprehensive 5-point plan to restart the economy and repay the debt. At the same time, we need a Government that is serious about public health.

An election should be a genuine contest of ideas and it is concerning when the major parties start to sound the same. ACT is providing a clear, consistent alternative to the red-blue duopoly. New Zealanders from all

walks of life are turning to ACT as we focus on the real issues facing our country.

The Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update released by the Treasury on 16 September has revealed our fiscal position has worsen since the Budget.

New forecasts show public debt, unemployment and economic growth will all be worse after the Government and Reserve Bank-funded ‘sugar hit’ wears off.

New Zealand’s historic debt levels demand serious political leadership. Our current fiscal track is totally unsustainable.

Every other political party is now in a race to spend even more taxpayer money. Every vote for ACT is a vote for lower debt, less tax, and a faster recovery. Only ACT has a fully costed plan to get back to a budget surplus and start repaying the debt now.

Only a Party vote for ACT is a vote to stop the spending splurge and balance the books with no new taxes. A Party Vote for ACT is a vote to tackle this once-in-a century crisis as a democracy that welcomes an open debate on our future. We will come through this situation stronger than ever.

Kia ora tātou. I’m Richard.

I'm the Green candidate in the Hutt South this election. I work in Public Programmes at the National Library of New Zealand, am a self-employed arborist, a civil celebrant, company director, union delegate and father of two grown-up kids. I’m an organic gardener, conservationist and rugby league supporter.

I'm a staunch advocate of our core Green principles: watertight environmental protection, fair pay and conditions for workers, and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Greens have had some big wins over the last three years, which wouldn’t have happened without us being in government.

I’m personally driven by the need to urgently address collapsing biodiversity in our food systems and in the natural environment. This has led me from my first jobs spraying 2,4-D on dairy farms to community gardening, conservation activism and to work for the Department of Conservation.

Our vision for Aotearoa New Zealand demands a clean economy, healthy nature and fairer communities.

Think about conservation. As part of the Covid-19 recovery package the Greens have locked in $1.3b of additional funding

for conservation organisations and community groups. This will create 6000 vital new jobs, moving us closer to achieving predator-free New Zealand 2050. Our advocacy at the cabinet table boosted DoC funding to address the beech mast event of 2019 and prevented extinctions.

For decades now other parties have prioritised road building over public transport, cycling and walking. The result? Increasing carbon emissions from private motor vehicles, jam-packed roads and unaffordable buses and trains. The Greens have always been clear that we can have cheaper, healthier transport.

Inequality of income and housing is a persistent problem. The last generation has seen net wealth migrate consistently away from those with less means to a few with most. The middle classes have not been immune from this trend either. A developing underclass now suffers the misery of working poverty in New Zealand towns and cities. This is unfair, costly to the public and undermines societal cohesion. Green proposals to reform the tax system signal our intention to address this issue.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me via my Facebook page or you can email me richard.mcintosh@greens.org.nz. I am happy to discuss any local issue with you face to face or over the phone.

Richard McIntosh,Green Party.

Andy Parkin, ACT Party

Ginny

Andersen - your local Labour voice

As I sit down to write this, we are less than 24 hours into a level 3 lockdown in Auckland, and level 2 restrictions nationwide. While we have all worked incredibly hard to prevent this scenario, we have also prepared for it. And while there are still some unknowns, as a team of 5 million we know what to do, and we will get through this.

Since lockdown I’ve visited dozens of small businesses, and knocked on hundreds of doors across Hutt South. Across the board, the support for the government response to COVID-19 has been overwhelmingly positive. Businesses were protected by the wage subsidy, jobs were retained, and lives were saved. As we look towards the next phase, my priority is keeping the Hutt community safe. We need to remain vigilant. Stay safe, download and use the NZ COVID Tracer app, and wash our hands.

I’m proud to have served in a Jacinda Ardern-led government that has shown strong and decisive leadership to tackle this virus. And while this has become a COVID election – the Hutt has also benefited from a number of other government initiatives this term.

Should I be elected as your local MP – the commitment I made in my first speech in Parliament remains strong – that every child in

Hutt South goes to bed with a roof over their head. Under the previous National government, I remember protesting at the vacant Housing New Zealand land in Epuni in 2017. Under this government, we are seeing the rollout of over 150 homes on that site. But there’s always more to do. And I remain committed to ensuring warm, dry, affordable homes across the Hutt.

Eastbourne has a stunning natural environment. One that must be protected. Jacinda Ardern called climate change her generation’s nuclear-free moment – a moment that requires decisive action. I marched alongside the passionate, strong-willed voices at the School Strike 4 Climate. These are our climate leaders, and it is their voices that must continue to be heard. This term we have passed the Zero Carbon Act, invested $1.1 billion in the creation of thousands of green jobs and finally funded the Eastern Bays Cycleway. There is still a lot more progress to be made in tackling climate change head first. I will continue to advocate for our climate leaders, and I will fight for the protection of our environment.

The Hutt is a community that backs each other, and I will always back the Hutt. But there is more to do. And I’m asking for your support to keep delivering for the Hutt.

For the last three years it’s been a privilege to be your local Member of Parliament. I am asking for your support at this election so I can keep working hard and getting things done for Eastbourne and the Bays.

A big focus of the last three years has been battling the Hutt Council’s ‘Significant Natural Areas” Plans. Working alongside local residents, we successfully pushed the Council to adopt a voluntary approach. The Council’s approach was wrong-headed from the start and antagonised many landowners, most of whom care deeply about preserving our environment. I’ll continue to stand up for local residents and work alongside them on this issue.

I’ve also continued to push hard for funding for the Eastern Bays Shared Path. The consents have been lodged and as National’s transport spokesperson I’ve announced that we will fund the project to make sure it goes ahead. We will also fund and fast-track the Petone to Ngauranga cycleway.

Transport is a critical issue for our city, with congestion grinding key roads like the Petone Esplanade to a halt, and a lack of resilience leaving us vulnerable to disruptive road closures from even the slightest slip.

National has an ambitious plan of transport investment to get the Hutt moving. We will fully-fund a new multi-modal Cross Valley Link road from the east of the Hutt to the west, plus the new Petone to Grenada Link Road.

This will get the trucks off the Esplanade and decrease congestion at the Petone interchange and along SH2.

National will also invest $300 million more into our rail network for more trains, to increase frequency and reliability, as well as deliver the new Melling Interchange which I was proud to fight for in 2019.

As your local MP, I’ll continue to fight hard for:

• Improved health services, particularly for mental health and maternity care.

• Predator Free Hutt Valley – the battle to rid the Hutt of introduced predators like rats and stoats.

• New housing to improve affordability and end homelessness in our city. Rents are up 25 per cent in the last three years, and we simply must grow housing supply in the city with local and central government working together.

• “Technology Valley” – making the Hutt the home of science, technology, and manufacturing businesses.

Under MMP, choosing your local MP isn’t about what colour ribbon they wear. It’s about who can be the most effective advocate for our community in Parliament. At this election, I’d love your support.

Ginny Andersen, Labour.

Chris Bishop, National.

My name is Wilf Bearman-Riedel and I am standing in the Hutt South electorate for the New Zealand Outdoors Party.

Two of the main issues that Hutt South continues to face are a lack of clean drinkable water (without chemical additives); and the absence of an effective sewerage waste system.

The sewerage infrastructure in Lower Hutt is severely inadequate. After heavy rain or when maintenance on the system has been carried out, raw sewerage is often released into the harbour. The other main issue in the Hutt relates to our tap water. The drinking water we receive in our taps is now laced with the toxic chemical Chlorine. We once had the best drinking water in the country.

The Hutt River and Wellington harbour are key elements in the development of the Hutt South electorate. So let’s look after them.

The Outdoors Party Fresh Water Policy is focused on fresh clean water for all NZ rivers, to a drinkable quality. To achieve this we must make any polluters responsible for their actions. This includes both the rural and the urban sectors. We will set up a governing body that will oversee the regulation of water quality, that body will also ensure that local authorities are meeting required obligations.

If elected, the New Zealand Outdoors Party will ensure that central government will prioritise spending on sewerage infrastructure, and uncontaminated drinking water.

In essence, we are very concerned about the environment, and we aim to ensure that:

• water quality is maintained in all rivers (keeping rivers in a natural state)

• there is no privatisation or private ownership of water in New Zealand

• natural fibres will replace plastic where possible

• there is a reduction of poisons, and insecticides used in the environment for pest destruction

• organic and regenerative farming is encouraged and supported.

Our strategic direction is focused on benefiting all New Zealanders through adopting a sensible environmentally sound approach.

You can find more information about the New Zealand Outdoors party by going to our website: www.outdoorsparty.co.nz

Thank you for your support

Wilf Bearman-Riedel

Hutt South Candidate for the NZ Outdoors Party

As Co Leader of the ONE Party I am excited and honoured to stand in the Hutt South Electorate. From Auckland, my wife and I are now based in Upper Hutt. However, since mid-June we have been on the road travelling through the towns and cities, meeting the people of Aotearoa, New Zealand, presenting to them our ONE Party solution for a hurting Nation, and listening to their concerns and desires.

I have travelled extensively and experienced many cultures, but my heart is for my country, New Zealand. In recent years I was involved in Property Design, Development and Management. Earlier, my 36 year career with Air NZ was a challenging mix of both managing and serving people. In 1995 Air NZ selected me to manage the Queen’s first commercial flight from London to Auckland.

I bring this wealth of Management expertise to the table, with excellence and compassion. I am standing in Hutt South, well trained and committed to serve my constituents with care and steely determination to see the unborn, abused, vulnerable, lonely and elderly better protected and supported. I believe every life has value and will promote respect, self-worth, productivity and opportunities that create

vibrant healthy functioning families, and humming communities. I am a Candidate, but also a Party Co Leader who walks the talk. I roll up my sleeves and get the job done. Recently, an elderly Samoan man had a heart attack and was laid out on the carpark, with no heartbeat or breath. He was dead. I did not accept that, I got on my knees and administered CPR. I did not quit until he came back to life, and breathed once again. I would have done the same for any one of my Hutt South constituents. I am pro-life all the way! I am committed to breathe a new level of righteousness, justice, truth, freedom and prosperity into our community.

ONE Party is the only Christian party standing in the 2020 Election. We represent a new centre challenge option from the Left and the Right, to arrest the rapid moral decline, struggling economy, injustices operating in many spheres, corporate greed, foreign ownership, increasing migrant numbers, the poisoning of our land, air and water and our fast eroding freedoms. ONE Party want New Zealand restored to Godzone. Quite simply, society functions optimally when we love God and love each other.

Wilf Bearman-Riedel, Outdoors Party.

Edward Shanly, One Party.

Unaffordable rents and housing costs are the biggest issue facing New Zealanders, and residents of Hutt South are no exception. The average rent has increased 35% in the last three years, house prices are up by the same amount. The amount of stress this is putting on family budgets is huge, especially when covid-19 is causing job losses. We all know that high housing costs take food and medicine from the mouths of the poor, but they also take luxuries away from the better off – after all, for the price you pay for a house in New Zealand, somebody in another country could have a house And a nice car, or a house And a holiday every year! Worse than that, high housing costs are taking away from businesses the capital they need to grow and expand, and create better paying jobs.

The inability to get rent and housing costs under control has been an absolute failure of governments of both stripes for the last three decades. You’ve got to ask yourself – is this really good enough? Labour and National have both proven themselves time and time again to be unwilling to take the steps necessary to get rent and housing costs under control.

The solutions are out there, and experts have been pleading with every government for the last twenty years to implement them. We desperately need change to solve this problem, and that is what TOP is.

We will make the building materials market more competitive by allowing materials from other similar countries. We will replace the RMA with a consultation-first system instead of an appeals-last one. We will fix the tax loophole so that housing pays the same tax that businesses and Kiwisaver do. We will give councils the GST component of all new builds so that they have a reason to say yes to new development instead of no, and so that they have the funding they need to repair and improve our creaking water pipes.

The solutions are out there! This is what the experts are telling us to do, but we need a new party with a mandate for change to take us there. A party that will listen to the experts, and who are ready for New Zealand to change for the better. That is what TOP will deliver, and it’s what no other party can deliver.

Please note: The Eastbourne Herald asked all Parties with a Hutt South candidate to contribute to this feature. Not all sent in contributions. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order of their party's name.

I believe poverty is one of the major issues facing the Hutt South. I want to see a Hutt where every family enjoys warm, affordable housing and all children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment where they are supported to reach their greatest potential as gifted and contributing members of their community.

Through my own journey I have gone from homelessness to homeownership, from criminal activity and low education to becoming a businessperson and entrepreneur, from hopelessness to being a transformation agent for many men in our local community. I have worked tirelessly over the years helping to break the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse and the resulting violence and depression that has torn families apart, divided homes and resources and left children even more vulnerable. A strong physical infrastructure is important but the cornerstone of a strong and prosperous community is a strong family and a healthy home.

I will prioritise efforts on strengthening this crucial unit believing that what flows from a strong home will be law abiding, resilient individuals who have respect for themselves, for others, and for their environment. They are innovative and primed to fulfil their greatest potential.

I am committed to channelling sufficient

resources and investment to local organisations across a number of domains - churches, sport and rotary clubs, community groups and services that work directly with families to build and nurture strong communities. Groups that display evidence of real results and change for the better amongst the most vulnerable and at risk, and organisations that promote innovation and opportunity for young people. By raising a generation of confident and financially astute young people we will turn the tide on homelessness, mental health, crime and suicide and encourage and support the journey towards first home ownership and future investment.

A key part of improving our physical and social environment is removing the elements that threaten wellbeing. Alcohol consumption is a major issue leading to ongoing incidents of family harm spurred on by financial stress. We need to regulate for a healthy environment by restricting access and availability to alcohol throughout the Hutt Valley and imposing harsher penalties for irresponsible supply.

We will increase direct financial investment in the new-born child and key adults who are part of the child’s day to day care and ensure through our community health model the most affordable ongoing access for all families to quality health care.

Our greatest asset is our people, our families. Grow them strong and our nation will prosper in all areas.

Dr Ben Wylie-van Eerd, TOP

Paris Winiata, Vision NZ.

Eastbourne a gallant second in U85 grade

The Eastbourne RFC U85s had it all to play for on Saturday in their final match for 2020. Although they started the match second on the JC Bowl ladder and had no chance of overhauling the opposition (leaders, the Upper Hutt Rams), their effort was gallant and the match hard-fought.

Eastbourne played well enough, but were unfortunately beaten by a better side, who were tactically very well organised in defence. Unbeaten throughout the season, the Rams secured the title, by taking out the game by 30 points to 14.

A contingent of Eastbourneites made the trip to Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt to cheer the team and from time to time the famous cry of “Eastabourna" resonated around the ground.

The EFC Hammers have taken out the Masters Qualifier Grade for 2020 and in doing so, have fulfilled their season long ambition; to gain promotion to Masters 1 for 2021. This is a major achievement for such a small club as Eastbourne and thoroughly deserved after all the hard work the side has put into the challenge, especially after the disappointments of their last campaign.

Just three weeks ago, it looked as though the Hammers would have their work cut out to gain that desired elevation, following a 2-6 defeat at the hands of competition leaders, North Wellington Rampage, who had in their ranks one ex-Nix and All White defender, Ben Sigmund.

The Hammers were on top of the table before that match and were aware that by finishing second, they could still qualify. But the side wanted to win the grade and make the cut on their own terms, having won the Masters 2 competition in 2019. But with the reformatting of the leagues to just eight teams due to Covid, they were then placed in a ‘Qualifying’ League, which meant they needed to do it all again.

EFC Chairman, Mike Andrews, says that it is not only richly warranted, it is a ‘hell of an achievement’ for a club with such a small population base. Essentially, the entire squad are residents of Eastbourne or the bays area.

“It was a great result alright,” he said. “The guys are very excited about the prospect of matching it with the big guns in the Cap Football Master One Grade next season.”

“We drew a game, then we lost two in a row (last being the 6-2 loss to NW)," said team member, Neil Drummond. “We were pretty low at that point, but also knew we had a lot of people with injuries, or carrying injuries for those games, so as these players started coming back we still had the belief we could achieve at least second place.”

But the Rampage had left the gate ajar on September 5th, with a surprise 1-3 loss to Lower Hutt and the Hammers were looking to exploit that hiccup. They did so with three wins on the trot, the last on Saturday, a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Karori, to finish atop the table, one point ahead of North Wellington.

Scorer of a furiously dispatched goal in the 80th minute, Drummond says that the team knew on Saturday that they had to win, with themselves playing mid-table Karori, while the Rampage were up against the cellar-dwellers, Western Suburbs.

In trying conditions, the Hammers opted to play the first 40 into the wind and had an ideal start, with a goal inside two minutes. After a fine strike by Chris Houston and a good save by the Karori keeper, Jonathan Rowe was the first to react and put the team a goal up.

The first half continued with both teams creating opportunities. Karori had the best chance to equalise, which brought out ‘the save of the year’ from Ben Waitt, to keep the Hammers 1-0 in front at half time.

Playing with the wind, the Hammers took full control of the second half and began to

create more. A precise corner from Christian Lewis was partially fumbled by the Karori keeper and Jeremy Field expertly guided in a header, making it 2-0 at 65 minutes.

The Hammers continued to press and in the 80th minute, a well worked team move down the left saw Nacho Sauri passing inside to Jeremy Field, whose probing cross into the box was guided down by Johnathon Rowe, shielded by Nigel Butt and put away by Neil Drummond (following some verbal motivation from David Healy).

“Cue the champagne celebrations,” says Neil, “starting in the Karori changing rooms and ending late in the Eastbourne Sports & Services Club.”

“It was good to be there when the team were given the grade-winners trophy by a rep from Capital Football,” Mike Andrews adds. “The guys had a good session that night at the ESSC to celebrate.”

Having three masters squads was essential to the Hammers’ success, as they were able to rely on injury call-ups from the ‘Thirsty Fives’ and the ‘Over 44’ squads throughout the season.

“A big shout out to the managers of all three Masters squads,” Mike concludes, “for their collaboration with each other.”

“We are stoked to have won the league,” Neil adds. “We were determined to keep the pressure on NW and were motivated to win this league outright after being denied Masters 1 last season.”

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CURRENT

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