By Frank Neill
Onslow College celebrated the 2024 success of its students at its P Whakanui (Celebration of Success) on 14 November.
The evening featured a series of outstanding musical performances, the presentation of a series of awards and two speeches. Continued on page 2.
Michael Chapple plays the Cello during his outstanding performance at Onslow College’s Celebration of Success. Photo: Frank Neill.
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Continued from page 1.
Unlike other secondary schools in New Zealand, Onslow College does not have a prizegiving. Nor does it name a dux or a proxime accessit.
As the Tumuaki (Principal) Sheena Millar said at the evening: “this is not a traditional prizegiving, as it is run by students for students.”
The P Whakanui (Celebration of Success) “is something unique and special about Onslow,” Ms Millar said.
“These awards are as much a celebration of students recognising students as they are about who walks across the stage.
“It is about us as a school celebrating you and the way you are exemplifying our vision, Kei konei m tou, ka poipoia m tou pu waitanga, ka ea hoki m tou wawata, We bring ourselves, together we are nurtured to thrive and realise our aspirations.
“I do want to recognise the enormous amount of work that people have put into making this evening possible.
“Evenings like this don’t just happen so thank you to the organising committee and the staff who have supported them.
“Congratulations to everyone who is nominated or receives awards this evening.
“But perhaps more than that I want to recognise all of the students who have contributed to the people who walk across the stage.
“We need the support and the
help of others to be our best selves, to be successful,” Ms Millar said.
“I think success is about a lot more than just academic accolades.
“It’s about valuing hard work, learning to cherish and nurture relationships, knowing how to look after ourselves, being resilient and creative.
“People sometimes think that hard work and determination are all that you need to be successful but study after study has found that true success comes from building the right skills, developing the right strategies and having the right support systems.
“So thank you to all of the people, fellow students, teachers, wh nau and friends, who have been the support systems for the students we will recognise tonight.
“In giving and receiving support we create better communities and allow those around us to thrive,” Ms Millar said.
“Our students have worked hard in 2024 and despite buildings that are not at the standard New Zealand students should expect they have excelled.
“Our spirit is strong and I thank those who have taken the time to share with the Ministers of Fi-
nance and Education our desire to have certainty about our buildings and the way forward for Onslow College.
“We need to know that what we are planning for today is more than the pipe dream we have been sold for the last 10 years,” Ms Millar said.
Student Billy Paratene, who was presented the Cultural Individual Award, also gave a speech. The speech was framed as a letter to the Prime Minister around the importance of valuing M ori identity, culture and language.
Continued on page 6.
18 August 2025
9
This week’s hikoi to Parliament passed through Ōhāriu without incident, as it largely did in the rest of the country on its way from either end of New Zealand.
I recently hosted a meeting which included local property developers and representatives from the City and Regional Councils. The background for the meeting was the need to ensure all people involved in providing more housing in our electorate, whether it be those building them or those regulating and permitting that building, understand the issues which govern the ability to build the houses everyone agrees we need.
This was a great lesson in organisation, which I observed when the many thousands of protestors gathered at Parliament grounds. Participants knew what was happening, where they were meant to be, and importantly, what was happening when it finished.
There are essentially two types of development; greenfields and brownfields. Greenfields means building on currently undeveloped land, typically ex farmland on the edges of current urban areas, where infrastructure like sewers, water supply and other essential services don’t exist are usually built by the developer.
This sort of organisation was impressive to someone like me, who has been involved in public order policing over many years. Disorder often results from a lack of such management.
Brownfields development means rebuilding on existing sites, and there has been considerable discussion in recent times around how much intensification should be allowed in existing suburbs, especially changing of height limits to allow for more apartments.
What politicians should take note of, is that such a well-organised protest movement represents a formidable block which can be mobilised when incensed, as they have been by the Treaty Principles Bill. The bill was introduced at a
Both have their advantages and disadvantages; the Regional Council in particular see their role to prevent more
runoff and other material ending up in our harbours, especially the Porirua harbour in the case of development north of Johnsonville and Newlands. The Wellington City Council are concerned that the existing infrastructure cannot handle the pressure it comes under when new housing areas are developed. Existing infrastructure is aging and needs upgrading across our city, as evidenced by recent pipe failures. An advantage of intensification of existing areas means more people, therefore more ratepayers to pay for those upgrades.
Developers of course need to make a profit, and wish to keep their compliance costs as low as possible. Many believe the Resource Management Act is too cumbersome. We as government for our part have undertaken to rewrite that act.
time when there are a considerable number of bills and policies being introduced by the Government which are seen by many as antiMāori. Nothing ever happens in isolation and one of the roles of a leader is to be able to oversee the long-term impacts of policies and strategies. That’s why virtually all living ex-Prime Ministers, of all colours, have expressed everything from disquiet to, in the case of former National Prime Minister Dame Jenny Shipley, outright alarm, at the Government decision to allow the bill to proceed to select committee instead of killing it dead at first reading.
The feedback was good, but the success will be when there are sufficient affordable houses to meetdemand. That is certainly my goal as your MP.
That, and of course having a vibrant and functioning Johnsonville Shopping Centre we can all be proud of.
There’s plenty to be getting on with.
I was taught never to start or join a fight you could neither win nor need to have. Given the possible impact of this bill on race relations and stability, doing what we can to get rid of it quickly is in the best interests of the country. That requires strong leadership.
By Frank Neill
Ken Looi, one of the world's top unicyclists, has broken the record for the longest distance ridden on a unicycle in 12 hours.
Dr Looi set the new record of 251.5km at Newlands Intermediate School, where he was once a student, on 16 November.
The Wellington GP and Grenada Village resident is the first person to hold the Guiness World Record for the 12 hour unicycle ride.
This is a new category, and Guiness set the mark at 250km in order for a person to become the first holder.
Battling a stiff 30km Southerly wind for the entire 12 hours, with wind gusts up to 50km/hr, he was blown off his unicycle multipletimes.
“The wind was just unrelenting,” he says.
“Because the unicycle is so big, it acts like a sail.
"I felt great, but instead of the legs pushing me forward, all my energy was spent keeping me in a straight line."
According to the weather forecast, the wind was supposed to die down at around 7pm, but it just kept up as strong as ever.
Dr Looi was making a double record attempt, trying to beat Sam Wakeling's 2007 24 hour distance mark of 453.8km.
Because of the wind he had to abandon the 24 hour record attempt after 315km in over 16hrs 20min.
"I'd used up all my energy in the 12 hour,
[and] dropped below record pace for the 24 hour.
“It's no fun being blown around in the dark. I had good lights but dead legs,” he says.
Dr Looi is already a world record holder for the 24 hour unicycle ride. He held the record at 378.7km before Sam Wakelin bettered the mark.
The Johnsonville Business Group is partnering with Onslow College over the coming months to bring more college students into the local workforce.
“Employing students who live locally does wonders not only for the local community, but also for the next generation of workers,” says Oliver Smith, the Johnsonville Business Improvement District Manager.
“The initiative will seek to get local students into jobs across a number of industries
and set them up for the future with skills and experience.
“In turn, it aims to provide a solid stream of young proactive workers for local businesses, especially as we head into the busy summer months.
“Onslow College is also looking to expand upon its work experience schemes, with a short-term experience programme through the JBG.
“This will allow businesses to provide
essential skills and lesson for students while students get a small taste of businesses and industries that they might not otherwise experience,” Oliver says.
“We are seeking expressions of interest from businesses who might like to take part in this feel-good, locally beneficial endeavour.”
Businesses seeeking to explore the option can contact Oliver at 022 197 6803 or manager@johnsonvillebusiness.co.nz.
The Johnsonville Business Group is hosting Johnsonville’s first ever Christmas shopfront window display competition.
Named “Jolly Johnsonville”, the competition will run from Monday 2 December until Thursday 19 December with the winning store being announced on 20 December 2024.
The competition is being run to drive foot traffic and visitors to Johnsonville during the busy Christmas season.
Aside from fostering a visible collective community spirit along the main roads, the initiative aims to encourage the public to walk around and visit many shopfronts they might not otherwise explore.
The time to celebrate the incredible contibution volunteers make in the community is approaching.
The 2024 International Volunteer Day is on 5 December. The theme this year is “volunteering: something for everyone.” Volunteer Wellington in collaboration with Volunteering New Zealand will be hosting a morning tea to celebrate the day. It will be held at Two/Fiftyseven, Level 2, 57 Willis Street from 10 to 11:30am.
Paparangi School’s hugely successful Family Fun Day attracted a great attendance from the community.
Although the day was windy that did not stop those attending enjoying all the activities, and there were many.
Just some of the action is captured in these pictures.
www.ecowindows.nz
Fundraising from this event is going towards costs of the new junior slide which was installed earlier this year.
Showroom: 29 Hutt Road, Thorndon
When you have lost someone dear to you, anniversaries and the times you were happiest are often the times you are at your saddest.
Come and join us at our service of remembrance and gather strength from others.
This Christmas let us support one another. A TIME TO REMEMBER Old St Paul’s, Thorndon
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Continued from page 2.
“We are M ori – M O R I,” Billy said. The HĪkoi M Te Tiriti “is a really good kaupapa, because what the government is doing right now is not very good at all,” he said. The following awards were presented to students at the P Whakanui (Celebration of Success).
Onslow Spirit Award – Tia Te Awa-Douglas. Leadership Award – Francesca Huthnance. Innovative, Creative, Critical Thinker Award – Alison Power.
Academic Group of the Year – Crafted Cocoa: Charlotte Morley, Kate Luey, Jarrah Naidu, Mia Barrie. Community Contribution Award – Mya Willmer.
Vocational Pathways Certificatein Sports Turf Management – Xavier Crookston. Vocational Pathways Certificatein Automotives – Tara Macher.
Year 9 Junior Values Awards
Manaakitanga Award – Juliet Boys. Kaitiakitanga Award – Tukino Paurini. Pursuing Growth Award – Lilah Hawke. Valuing Diversity Award – Kate Lane. Whanaungatanga Award – Gianni Martin. Year 10 Junior Values Awards
Manaakitanga Award – Kawhai Hemi. Kaitiakitanga Award – Mya Woodfall. Valuing Diversity Award – Vishakan Gopieswaran.
Pursuing Growth Award – Ruby McKenzie. Whanaungatanga Award – Kyra Saywell. The following academic awards are listed in alphabetical order for each year.
Top 5 Academic Awards, Year 13
James Fullelove, Francesca Huthnance, Michael Ling, Charlotte Morley and Trijal Pednekar.
Top 5 Academic Awards, Year 12 Dom Abel, Jessica Churchman, Melina Hogg, Rosie Houston and Charlie Thorn borough.
Top 5 Academic Awards, Year 11 Hamish Crookston, Emma van denEijk hoff, George Fullelove, Serah Sam and Ezra Shaw.
World AMR (antimicrobial resistance)
Awareness Week is now on, having started on 18 November.
The week is being supported by New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS).
AMR is a “global health and development threat, with the World Health Organisation declaring that AMR is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.
“AMR is what happens when germs develop the ability to resist the medicines designed to kill them, which can happen due to misuse and overuse of antimicrobials.
“So the more we can reduce our use of
antibiotics, the more effective they will remain for us for generations to come.”
To help tackle this challenge, NZFS works with the veterinary and primary industry sectors to promote careful use of antibiotics and encourage infection-prevention strategies, such as good hygiene and vaccination.
“While the use of veterinary antibiotics in New Zealand is low compared with other countries, the continued vigilance of veterinarians, farmers and other industry stakeholders, as well as our ongoing monitoring and support, are all vital to minimise the incidence of AMR,” Mr Arbuckle says.
“If you have pets or animals on a lifestyle block or farm, there are things you can do
to join the fight against AMR.” Always follow their vet’s instructions when animals need antibiotics and ask for help if having trouble giving them. Finish the course. Don’t save unused antibiotics for next time.
Vaccinating animals helps prevent disease and reduces the need for antibiotics, decreasing the risk of AMR developing. This year’s theme for World AMR Awareness Week is: “Educate. Advocate. Act Now.”
“We’re all in this together, so we will keep educating and advocating – and we hope you will help us ‘act now’,” Mr Arbuckle says.
By Felicity Wong
During Wellington’s recent Heritage Festival the Onslow Historical Society led a walk on Motukairangi/Watts Peninsula, Miramar.
The group aligted from the No 24 bus at its highest point, where local Anaru Mepham welcomed them with a karakia and explanation of the peninsula’s special significance to tangata whenua (people of the land) and mana whenua (Taranaki Wh nui).
Layers of artefacts discovered over the years from earlier tribes are testament to the ancient history of many sensitive pa and garden sites.
The bus stop is next to the imposing abandoned Mount Crawford prison, topped with razor wire.
Built in 1913 to replace the Terrace Prison (now the site of Te Aro School) it has a sad history of incarceration, like all prisons, until its closure in 2012.
The prison was planned as “progressive” compared to Victorian prisons, having both hard labour and trade training (for post prison employment).
Some prisoners were reportedly kept in solitary confinement in a very small room for up to 15 days.
Four men were hanged in the 1930s, three each for killing their partner and one for killing for a small sum of money.
Although the prison was designed for 120 people it was often overcrowded with 200 inmates.
The 13ha prison site was with the Department of Corrections but is now with LINZ as Crown property “managers”.
That “southern block” has some roading and flatish land where about 20 prison staff houses used to be behind the prison.
Under the COVID “fast track” legislation, Taranaki Wh nui applied for permission to build 650-700 houses in a “papakainga” in partnership with developer, The Wellington Company.
The iwi’s “right of first refusal” to the Peninsula under its Treaty Settlement remains active, though the detailed aspirations are not known to the wider community.
The group visited the “Prison Garden”, a delightful, peaceful and regenerative place.
Local people have taken up gardening and added a composting toilet to the splendid old greenhouse, and “allotments” managed by individuals and families.
The garden is lush with bees, veggies and fruit trees.
Educator Kate Curtis gave an interesting history of the garden which once entirely fed the prisoners from its extensive operation.
The prison garden is “open” every day to curious passerbys and has an informative website (https://www.miramarprisongarden.org/history).
The portion of the peninsula to the north of the prison was Defence land, also now “managed” by LINZ who is meant to be making it safe for public visitors having previously received $4m for that purpose.
Needless to say, there is little evidence of development for safe public access, and the public is free to fend for itself.
Walkers climb the stile to visit Heri’s cattle farm. The cattle are curious, well behaved and of great interest to children.
Kindergarten groups enjoy seeing cattle in the urban context.
There is plenty of other contemporary human activity with dog walkers, runners,
Some of the history of the Miramar peninsula. Image Supplied.
and unfortunately graffiti/“muralists” spray painting too.
All the historic concrete military installations and magazine (ammunition) storage bunkers are covered in colour spray with empty cans littered around.
An old paved road is a pleasant walk down from Mount Crawford to Shelly Bay.
It’s a 10 minute walk along the road (towards the airport) and a 30 minute hike up stairs and bush path to the No 24 bus route (a little south of the initial Mount Crawford stop).
Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University is developing a landscape proposal for the Northern Block to become an “Eco and Heritage Park”.
The architecture students and lecturer Carles Martinez have workshopped various approaches for public access and appropriate treatment of historic pa and military sites.
To incorporate a sculpture park would be magnificent, assuming it could reflect the rich histories of the people associated with the place.
Originally the peninsula was an island until it was uplifted one to two metres in a 1460 era earthquake.
Both geological evidence and M ori oral history note the Kilbirnie land bridge was formed then.
The 1855 earthquake raised it by a further two metres.
Most of the peninsula was purchased from the New Zealand Company by James Coutts Crawford in 1839.
Crawford later purchased the rest of the Peninsula for cattle farming and drained a 200 acre shallow lagoon called “Para”, which was where the Miramar shops are now.
Crawford also subdivided Kilbirnie and Lyall Bay for residential settlement.
He travelled widely, undertook artifact collection and study and wrote about botany and geology.
The Government took 245 acres of Crawford’s land for military purposes during the “the Russian Scare” in 1886.
Crawford claimed 31,000 pounds in compensation from the Government but was awarded only 6,000 pounds after litigation.
His descendants still live across the harbour and take an interest in MotuKairangi’s future.
We are a registered service in emergency makesafe situations
The Rotary Johnsonville Christmas Market will be held on Saturday 30 November from 10 am to 2:30pm.
Father Christmas and his helpers will open the market.
“This will be a great family event with live entertainment,” Rotary Johnsonville says.
“ Last year’s event was very successful for everyone involved.”
There will be approximately 40 stalls selling a wide range of goods including Christmas gifts, jewellery, skincare products,
housewares, plants, pottery, ceramics, pictures, pet toys, clothes for adults and children, cakes, sweets and more.
This is the second year operating with the support of the centre managers in the new venue at the main car park of Johnsonville Shopping Centre.
The entrance is either near the centre entrance with the ANZ ATM Machine or the entrance closest to Broderick Road.
Johnsonville Rotary welcomes any voluntary gold coin donations, all of which will go towards its charitable projects.
Welcome to your solid three bedroom, one bathroom first home. 114 Newlands Road is your step on to the property ladder, with the added bonus of a great location. Not many first homes or investment properties sit pretty this close to all of life's amenities.
Once stepping inside, you'll be delighted with how spacious this home is. Original wooden floorboards shine and welcome you into the property and in the kitchen, allowing you to see the potential for the rest of the property. The open plan kitchen and dining area flows into the lounge. A heat pump warms the spaces with the flick of a button.
Sale Wednesday 27th November, 1 00PM
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working for Families in Tasman”
The Homestead is in the heart of Wakefield Village. Helping to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Breathtaking ocean views ... minutes from the beach; this could be your every day. Once an Air BnB, this home was sought after by people seeking a true kiwi waterfront experience. Now it's being sold and could be yours.
The main house is everything you want in a beach escape: single storey, light filled, and brimming with beach vibes. There are three spacious bedrooms, a bathroom and separate laundry. The open plan kitchen and dining area has a true bach feel. With furnishings available for purchase, all that's left to do is unpack and relax.
Auction Thursday 5th December, 12 00PM
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William YIP 021 106 9997
Open 6 days a week
Same day/ next day appointments available
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Alison Derbyshire is a New Zealand Registered Hand Therapist with 24 years of experience treating hand, wrist and elbow conditions.
Response Act 2020 was self-repealed on 26 November, marking the end to pandemic.
On 21 October, Cabinet agreed to let the time-limited Act self-repeal, allowing it effectively to expire. The Act was enacted in May 2020 and gave the then Minister of Health broad powers to make legal orders to respond to the pandemic. Orders made under the Act included mask requirements, isolation requirements and border restrictions.
The last remaining orders under the Act were removed in August 2023. Since then, the Act has had no practical effect on the delivery of public health services or public health measures in New Zealand.
New Zealand has since moved from to managing the disease as part of
Hand Therapists use splinting, casting and taping to support and protect injured hands, wrists and elbows.
Exercises are used to regain range of motion, improve strength and reduce sensitivity.
Hands on treatment and education help you know what you’ve injured, what you
the health system’s day-to-day work, alongside other communicable diseases, repeal will not affect the health system’s the community.
New Zealand also has other longstanding public health measures available to respond to communicable disease outbreaks and pandemics, including
in the community, the availability of antiviral treatments and levels of hybrid immunity across the New Zealand numbers and severity are highly unlikely to reach levels seen at the peak of the pandemic.
The health system continues to closely Zealand and globally and is ready and able to respond to any emerging risks to public health.
Source: MoH
should do and what you should avoid to get back to your normal tasks as quick as possible.
Let us help you get back to doing what you love after injury to your hand, wrist or elbow. Phone 04 237-0229 www.handwristandelbow.co.nz
Elevate your wellness career – take your massage practice to the next level
Are you a wellness and relaxation practition-
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You will be supported by experienced practitioner-educators and gain hands-on experience in our purpose-built massage clinic, advancing both your holistic and remedial massage techniques.
The New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine offers blended programmes with a flexible mix of weekly learning and intensive block courses, helping you expand your skills while staying within your professional scope.
Diet plays a huge role in our health with foods that offer specific health
Cherryvite’s Montmorency tart cherries is one such food.
As one of nature’s richest sources of your body’s free radicals, and support heart health and joint mobility, reduce stress and enable a better night’s sleep. Montmorency tart cherries are warmed and pressed to remove the cherry juice. Cherry juice is concentrated to 68° Brix by removing water. Cherryvite products contain no additives, preservatives or colouring
agents and are 100% natural. Tart cherry juice concentrate can be reconstituted into a single-strength beverage.
Acorn Stairlifts – making your home so much more accessible!
It is a simple truth that staying in your own home gives you a sense of stability, safety and independence. An important aspect of this is being able to move around freely and easily, without worry, pain, or struggle. So why let getting up and down stairs keep you from fully enjoying your home?
Your home is your refuge, where you entertain, welcome family and friends or simply relax. Your home is also where you live your life, and the place you call your own.
Acorn Stairlifts are innovative on every level, making Acorn the safest alternative for staircase use in every home.
All Acorn Stairlifts are easy to use, easy to maintain, and all feature the very best in design, engineering and safety. There are additional features built to keep you safe and provide a smooth ride around the curves of your stairs.
As people enjoy longer lives and wish to remain living independently at home, the demand for domestic stairlifts continues to grow.
Acorn Stairlifts will help you master ‘the three Rs’: Regain your independence, Retain full use of your home, and Remain in the home you love. Installing an Acorn Stairlift turns your home into a bungalow, by removing the obstacle of stairs if they become too challenging.
As an example of Acorn’s commitment to excellence and safety, they are proud that their products have earned the prestigious Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. This commendation is only awarded to companies whose products have passed rigorous testing proving they are easy to use for people with arthritis.
Acorn is the world’s biggest company dedicated solely to the manufacture, direct sale, installation and maintenance of home stairlifts.
There are a number of conditions and situassessed and treated by a podiatrist. First on the list is diabetes. Timely care by a podiatrist can help prevent some serious problems that ca develop in patients with diabetes. An annual check up is a bare minimum. A second category of necessary care is for patients with diminished circulation. risk if an infection enters the body via a wound or break in the skin on the feet or toes.
Cancer Society’s tips on
A third category is anyone with impaired eyesight which can make self-care of nails and feet a risky proposition. As we age there is a tendency for feet to get further away! This is not due to your legs getting longer down to our feet and safely attend to them becomes limited.
All of these situations, plus any pain you may suffer in your feet, are plenty good reason to make a booking to have your feet under the care of a Podiatrist.
Stay SunSmart when outside this summer!
Harmful UV radiation can damage your skin and eyes even on cool or cloudy days.
In New Zealand, UV levels are highest from September to April, so remember the SunSmart steps: Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Wrap on sunglasses and seek shade.
Check the free UVNZ app for real-time UV levels in your area. Protect yourself and your loved ones – skin cancer prevention starts with SunSmart habits! For more details, visit sunsmart.org.nz.
The Kapiti Women’s Triathlon, to be held on Sunday 23rd February 2025, is the longest-running women’s-only event in New Zealand.
This iconic contest began in 1983 with the aim of encouraging women and girls to get out and have a go, focusing on fun, fitness and health. It remains an amazing ‘grass roots’ event for women, run by women with a low key fun and friendly approach where any woman can find a challenge to suit them.
One of the unique aspects of this event is the great Group training options available to everyone.
From openwater swim practices to cycle and run technique sessions and regular Sunday morning group swim sessions at Coastlands Aquatic Centre. Details can be found on the ‘Training’ page of kwt. org.nz website.
Women can choose to take part in the full triathlon, a duathlon, a team event, a fun run or the sprint distance triathlon for those who wish to push themselves.
From a 5km or NEW 10km fun run/ walk to a short/med/long-distance triathlon or duathlon , the Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon truly offers events for every ability – you choose your own level of challenge!
The bike (or E-bike) and run component offers mostly flat terrain while giving you the best of Kāpiti’s coastal scenery.
Enter with your daughters, mothers and friends, either as individuals or in a team, and feel completely welcome by other like-minded wāhine.
If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer, KWT can find a role for you.
By Frank Neill
Zoya Azhar was the Supreme Award winner at the 2024 Karori Youth Awards.
The award was presented to Zoya for overcoming adversity and being an exceptional role model to her peers.
A year 7 student at Karori Normal School, Zoya “exhibits a positive disposition and cando attitude despite the disadvantages that she faces every day,” her award nomination says.
“Zoya has Cerebral Palsy, meaning that half of her body has a severe lack of muscular formation and therefore requires her to move around in a motorised wheelchair.
“The condition also affects cognitive function, meaning that Zoya operates at a curriculum level significantly below that of her peers.
“Despite these challenges Zoya arrives at school every day with a positive attitude. She tries exceptionally hard to interact with, and be accepted by, her peers and has developed her social skills as a result of this practice.
“When it comes to academics Zoya has made significant gains in her learning, particularly in literacy.
“This is because she has spent both her own time outside of school, and demonstrated diligence within school, in order to make progress in an area that she is well behind.
“She does this every day with a smile on her face, and an understanding that as long as she tries her best she will become the best version of herself.
“At school Zoya demonstrates the willingness to serve. She has volunteered and trained to be both a Peer Mediator and Librarian as well as offering her services as a Wet Day
Monitor and becoming a participant of Kapa Haka.
“In summary we think that despite the adversity that Zoya faces on a daily basis, she is a perfect example of a candidate for overcoming adversity within the Karori community,” her nomination says.
“The Karori Youth Awards ran successfully again for the 25th year,” the organisers say.
“This was an event that was fun, full of awesome young people and had an excellent turn out.
“We were blessed to have an awesome performance from the Karori West Kapa Haka group and spent a little over an hour celebrating some of the great things young people have done for our community.
“We were able to celebrate 22 young people this year ... and we can only hope that this momentum makes the event bigger and better
in years to come.”
The following awards, in addition to the supreme award, were presented: Award for service to their community: Emma Wills, Lucy McMechan, Mark Braganza and Hope Palake.
Award for service to sport: Charlie Kettle, Adam Baikie, Ruby Davis, Gabriella Ketterer, Quin Bailey, Emily Ridgewell and Kate Hurley. Award for a community group: Karori West Kapa Haka group. Award for overcoming adversity (with distinction): Zoya Azhar.
Award for a community group providing service for young people: Karori Baptist
Church Youth Group and Karori Baptist Church Pulse.
Award for service to young people: Grace Finnigan, Livia Robinson, Gabriella Andrade Wood, Charlotte Reynard; and with Distinction: George Garnett and Sam Beard.
“We must say a huge thank you to all of our sponsors, without which we wouldn’t have been able to run the awards,” the organisers say.
“Karori Rotary Club financially sponsored the event, Lions Club of Karori generously supplied catering afterwards and Karori Baptist Church allowed us to use their hall for free.”
The 31st annual Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal to support those in need at Christmas time kicked off on 18 November.
Salvation Army Chief Secretary, Gerry Walker and Kmart Chief Financial Officer Joel Denney officially launched the appeal at Kmart Porirua.
The event included a performance by Wellington’s Te Kura M ori o Porirua, as well as The Salvation Army Band, a visit from Santa, ribbon cutting and the official handing over of a donation from Kmart to The Salvation Army of $100,000 to kick start the appeal.
The appeal faces a new reality this year, with many New Zealanders experiencing hardship.
Earlier this year, The Salvation Army released its annual State of the Nation Report, demonstrating ongoing, deepening pressures on individuals and families across Aotearoa. Indicators attributing to this adversity include an intensified cost-ofliving crisis, increasing rental costs, lack of affordable housing and wage inequality for women.
By Frank Neill
The latest selection of talks presented by TEDx Youth Paparangi proved highly engaging and informative.
Based on the theme “Rewrite the Narrative”, the talks focused on making positive change.
This theme “challenged speakers, performers and the audience to question traditional stories and inspire fresh perspectives,” one of the event’s organisers, Aarthi Candadai says.
“This theme resonated deeply, with speakers sharing thought-provoking talks on issues that matter most to our generation – M ori and Pasifika representation in academia, the importance of men’s mental health, and redefining success beyond society’s expectations.
“Each talk brought new insights, offering ways to break down stigmas, promote inclusivity and envision a more compassionate world.
“One of the most powerful elements of the night was the dynamic engagement of the audience.
“Each performance and panel session sparked conversations that continued long after the event ended.
“Audience members were invited to reflect, question, and dream bigger, leaving with fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose.
“TEDxYouth@Paparangi was a reminder of the power of young voices to influence real change and to challenge outdated narratives that no longer serve us,” Aarthi says.
“This year’s event taught us that young people are more than capable of driving conversations, challenging norms, and advocating for the future they believe in.
“TEDxYouth@Paparangi is about more than ideas; it’s about action.
“It’s about empowering young people to take ownership of their narratives and build a better world.
“As we look ahead to 2025, I’m excited to see how future youth leaders will continue rewriting the narrative, inspiring us all to think bigger and dream bolder,” Aarthi says.
Seven speakers presented at the event.
Ansh Arya, a year 13 student at Wellington College, spoke on mental health.
Ansh runs his own business promoting health for the elderly and injured.
He focussed on the stigma surrounding men’s mental health – which lies beneath the surface and is a force that is impactful and yet unseen.
He talked on how it is time to rewrite the narrative, shifting from silence to understanding.
Esther Sovincet spoke on becoming an empowering wordsmith.
Around age 14, she realised there was so much power in words.
She harnessed this power by becoming an author at the age of 16, writing her first book, “The Young Poet,” and participating in many speeches where she was given the opportunity to share her ideas.
Her proudest moment in this field was being named the 2023 National Champion of the Race Unity Speech Competition.
Jared Lasike, who is head boy at Rotorua Boys High School talked about M ori and Pasifika people in academia, the current state of it in New Zealand, the stigma that surrounds it and what he hopes for the future.
He is of Tongan and M ori descent and this is something which has greatly influenced his speech.
Leilani Faaiuaso is finishing a double degree, Bbus/BZ, at Massey University. By sharing her stories and experiences, Leilani unpacked how her lived experiences
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have impacted her journey to connect and embrace her culture.
She looked at being empowered to challenge cultural imposter syndrome in knowing that enough is enough.
Palmerston North Boys High School student Leo Robin Mwape explored human perceptions and its alignment with reality.
He noted that themes of ‘counter-culture’ and intellectual development continue to be a prevalent topic of conversation at every point in our society’s history.
Lola Fisher is an advocate for youth representation in media and is the CEO of Create Happy Media, the largest youth-led media platform in Aotearoa.
Her TEDx talk explored the power of youth storytelling, and how genuine representation can shape public perception and give young people not just a seat at the table, but a say in the conversation.
Nishka Parekh’s speech was about the importance of small successes, highlighting the harms of stereotypes and the narrow way success is often depicted in our
society.
She explored the power of shifting our perspective from “I” to “we” when we celebrate success, recognising the significant contributions that rangatahi make and have the potential to make in the world today.
“Our event was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors: Creative HQ, Wildfire Pizza, Generation Hope, Save the Children New Zealand, Voice of Aroha, Victoria University, Lions International, Forest and Bird Youth, Gen-Z Aotearoa, Take 10, Make It 16, and Flamingo Scooters,” Aarthi says.
“This partnership allowed us to create a space where youth voices were amplified and their ideas celebrated.
“As a Newlands College student, I am especially grateful for the support of our school, which allowed us to bring this vision to life and create a platform for youth voices.
“Together, we achieved something remarkable, and I’m proud to be part of a legacy that has grown since TEDxYouth@Paparangi was founded in 2022.”
Wairarapa Singers and Wellington
Male Voice Choir - over 70 singers.
4pm, Saturday 23rd November. St James Anglican Church, 71 Woburn Rd, Lower Hutt Tickets $25
Two local groups meet regularly to support people who have experienced a stroke.
Wellington’s Western Suburbs Stroke Survivors Group meets at 10.30am on the second Tuesday of the month in the Recreation Room at Huntleigh Home, 219-221 Karori Road.
The Northern Suburbs Stroke Survivors Group meets at Zampelles Coffee Lounge, Johnsonville Mall, on the first Wednesday of each month at 2pm. For more information email Peter Macleod at wgtnwsss@yahoo.com.
Wellington Male Voice Choir has practice sessions every Monday 7-9pm at St Christopher’s Anglican Church, 1 Lyndhurst Rd, Tawa. 2nd Tenors, Bass, Baritone. Music Director: Mark Stamper, President: Les Williams lesliewills47@gmail.com mob 022 106 1574
and Interior painted!
Experienced tradesmen and large team
E: grahamspaintersnz @gmail.com
W: www.grahamspainters.nz
Ph: (04) 564 9202 021 183 9492
“People who have had a stroke can talk freely about their situation and how they are coping,” says Peter Macleod, who started the Western Suburbs Stroke Survivors Group three years ago.
“Each stroke is different, though sufficiently similar that people at the meeting understand what they are going through.
“We are all on the same recovery journey. We also invite speakers to give us information that may help us,” Peter says.
People can receive information about online forums, speakers, events and monthly meetings by joining the group’s email list by emailing Peter at wgtnwsss@yahoo.com. Huntleigh has some parking available, and people can come down the drive. If the parks are full up people may have to park on the street.
The Western suburbs group recently had the Information and Equipment Advisor from Well Able, a disability information service based at K piti, talk and show products which make stroke survivors’ lives easier.
For example, the group tried out many products to make opening cans and jars easier. Many of in the group have hemiplegia, meaning one side is paralysed or very weak so it is difficult to do simple things like opening a can.
More recently Apoorva Rajashekar, a Health Improvement Practitioner, told the group about HIPs, a new Health Improvement Programme.
“There are new fully funded Health Improvement Programmes (HIPs) services in Wellington and Hutt, attached to most Public Health Organisations (PHOs) based at medical centres,” Apoorva said.
“They are funded by the Public Health arm of Te Whatu Ora and free to users such as people with mental health or long-term conditions, including stroke, or their carers.
“HIPs are designed to give people access to services and choice.”
Stroke is New Zealand’s second single biggest killer (after heart disease) and a leading cause of adult disability.
While stroke tends to be associated with older people, up to 30% of strokes are experienced by people under the age of 65. Whatever age, it can devastate people’s lives and greatly impact their families and friends.
Every year, at least 12,000 strokes and TIAs (Transient Ischaemic Attacks or warning strokes) are experienced.
Around 2000 people will die from stroke each year, and the remainder will have effects that depend on which part of the brain was damaged and the severity.
Some people make a speedy recovery and return to their normal lives. Others have disabilities that may improve with time and can be managed.
For many, disabilities may last a lifetime. A small number of people will need full time medical care.
Up to 90% of strokes are avoidable, according to Stroke Foundation New Zealand.
High blood pressure is the number one modifiable risk factor for stroke. Other risk factors include lack of adequate exercise, smoking and excess sodium (salt) consumption.
Stroke Foundation NZ has a free helpline, 0800 STROKE (0800 78 76 53), and a team of Community Stroke Navigators across New Zealand who can help people reduce their stroke risk and offer support to people and their families after a stroke.
Stroke Foundation NZ is the is the national organisation dedicated to stroke prevention and recovery. Their mission is simple: to prevent stroke, improve outcomes and save lives. Find them at www.stroke.org.nz.
Whenua Tapu cemetery has retained its Green Flag status for the fourth year running, recognising its high quality and welcoming experience for visitors.
Following mystery visits from judges experienced in recreation and green spaces, the Green Flag accreditation, overseen by Recreation Aotearoa, was awarded to Porirua Parks and City Services manager Julian Emeny.
“It’s a credit to the work our cemeteries manager Daniel Chrisp and his team do,” Julian says.
“We know how important Whenua Tapu is to our community, and to visitors from outside Porirua, who come to visit their loved ones.
“Our staff don’t come to work for awards, but they see the Green Flag status as a badge of honour for the love and attention they give this important part of our city.”
Green Flag status recognises not just a recreation or green space being neat and tidy, but ensuring the right plans are in place to run it effectively, safely and sustainably.
In 2021, the cemetery’s chapel and
Restores to health (5)
Blasphemous (7)
Italian city (5)
Comforts (9)
Hold spellbound (9)
Christen (7)
Evergreen tree (5)
Sacred scriptures of Zoroastrianism (6)
Turn outwards (5)
Scold (4)
Pharmacist (7)
crematorium re-opened after an extensive refurbishment, while in 2023 a new children’s area was established.
“Whenua Tapu is a beautiful place and people are seeing the benefit of combining excellent day-to-day mahi, but we always have an eye on constantly looking at what we can be doing in the medium and longterm,” Julian says.
Other Green Flag winners include Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, Cornwall Park in Hastings and Waimate Cemetery.
Nonconformist chapel (6) 8. Poorly spoken (12)
Stay in bed late (3,2) 10. Ping-pong (5,6) 15. Hotel (3) 16. Church recess (4) 19.Art of growing dwarf trees (6) 21.
By Hamish Wareham
Three goals inside the first 10 minutes basically handed Waterside Karori all three points against previously fifth placed West Coast Rangers at Martin Luckie Park on Saturday 16 November.
Nikki Furukawa opened the scoring in the second minute before Emma Star found the back of the net for the fourth consecutive game to double the home side's lead.
Tupelo Dugan scored Wharfie's third and final goal in the eleventh minute, which had West Coast
wishing they had stayed home.
Rangers did pull one back in the 65th minute through Shannon Henson but the damage was done inside the first quarter of an hour as Karori won their final home game of the 2024 season 3-1.
Earlier on Saturday, Auckland United had secured top spot beating Southern United 2-1 and Canterbury United came from a goal down to beat Central 2-1.
But all eyes were on Sunday, as Eastern Suburbs needed a win over Wellington United to remain in the hunt for second spot.
It was Wellignton United that handed Waterside Karori their spot in the final, scoring twice inside the first 10 minutes with goals from Sarah Alder and Carolyn O’Reilly. This saw the Diamonds lead Eastern 2-0. Suburbs did come back to level the game up at 2-2 before half time, but neither side could find a winner.
With only one round remaining Karori hold an unassailable four points lead over Eastern Suburbs in third, meaning the Women’s National League final is booked between Auckland United and Waterside
St Benedict’s School in Khandallah held a colourful book character day on 15 November. The students looked fantastic as characters new and old and the teachers impressed everyone as “Where’s Wally”. The “Independent Herald” features photos from what proved a hilarious day.
Karori at Go Media Stadium in a fortnight.
It was an action packed Sunday in the Men’s National League, with four games that could have gone either way and all of them had an effect on the race for the finalists spot.
Heading into the weekend Napier led the table. However they slipped to second when they fell victim to a 1-0 defeat from Auckland City thanks to a goal right at the death from Stipe Ukich.
Western Suburbs, despite being last, had a chance to upset the apple cart at the other end of the table, but
was quickly quashed as they were hammered 4-0 by Western Springs who moved into second with that result.
Despite going a goal behind, Wellington Phoenix ensured there will be at least a new finalist this year as they ended Wellington Olympic’s final hopes with a 3-1 win at Fraser Park.
Birkenhead United took back second spot late in the day with a 2-1 win over Coastal Spirit, also coming from a goal down and scoring the winner thanks to a penalty right at the end of stoppage time.
The Wellington Cathedral of St Paul’s annual Christmas Tree Festival returns this year to celebrate the joy of Advent through beautifully adorned trees decorated by local organisations.
Following last year's displays by Wellington mission groups, this year’s teams from funeral homes across greater Wellington will take on the pleasure of trimming the trees.
In the morning of Saturday 30 November the teams will gather for a “Trim-the-Tree” working bee, hanging fairy lights and sparkly things to start off the joy of the festive season. The trees will stay up until 6 January for Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas. The Cathedral is open during the week from 9am to 5pm, so everyone is invited to pop in to enjoy the handiwork.
be used
Bike racks on Metlink buses are no longer available following guidance from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
In October, NZTA issued an alert reminding public transport authorities that bicycles fixed to bike racks on the front of buses should not obscure bus headlamps during the hours of darkness.
Metlink group manager Samantha Gain says the alert has caused confusion within the bus industry, calling into question the compliance of bike racks, and prompting calls for their removal.
“Metlink’s priority is the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and staff. While we await clarity from NZTA, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily disable all bike racks in the Metlink fleet,” Ms Gain says.
“To prevent conflict and con-
fusion, passengers will not be able to use our bike racks during daylight hours as well as the hours of darkness. We apologise for the inconvenience, but we will not compromise on safety.”
To resolve the issue, Metlink is working with other public transport authorities, bus operators, the Bus and Coach Association, and NZTA, Ms Gain says.
“Previous testing indicated most bike racks in the Metlink fleet are compliant. Rather than removing them, bike racks on Metlink buses will be locked shut until the matter is resolved.
“We’re grateful for our passengers’ patience and consideration for our drivers while we work to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”
Passengers can continue to travel with bicycles on Metlink trains.
