23 May Independent Herald

Major sports awards

By Frank Neill

Three major sporting awards have come to the northern suburbs.

Johnsonville bowler Kaaren Guilford is Bowls Wellington’s 2024 Women’s Player of the Year.

The Johnsonville Bowling Club won a second award when its contingent of women were named Bowls Wellington’s Womens Club of the Year.

The Newlands-Paparangi Tennis Club is Tennis Central’s 2024 Club of the Year. Continued on page 2.

Guilford holds the trophy she won as Bowls Wellington’s 2024 Women’s Player of the Year.

Allan Galbraith. Thursday May 23, 2024

Kaaren

Photo:

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Series of extraordinary performances

“Kaaren Guilford has had some extraordinary performances over the last 12 months,” Bowls Wellington says.

“On the green she has been part of some truly successful national performances as well as performing on the local scene in a number of events.

“Not only on the green, but off the green her presence has been seen in her role of President for the highly successful Johnsonville Bowling Club.”

Her achievements over the last 12 months have included winning gold in the National Open Fours, winning bronze in the National Open Mixed Pairs Bronze, playing for Wellington in the National Inter-Centre competition, playing for Johnsonville in the National Inter-Club competition, winning Bowls Wellington Champion of Champion Singles Gold, winning bronze in Bowls Wellington Open Pairs and claiming 222 caps as a Bowls Wellington Open Representative player.

The Johnsonville women “have been truly sensational over the last 12 months,” Bowls Wellington says.

They have won “almost everything they have played in over the season.

“These wins have been not solely by one or two players but spread throughout the club with a number of players winning titles.

“With great team spirit and their ability to bring through

newer bowlers, Johnsonville look set to create a dynasty for women’s bowls in the Wellington Region.

Johnsonville women bowlers have won:

the Year; bronze; finalist;

club Division 1 and Division 2 Gold; -

pion of Champion Singles, Pairs and Fours gold; and

Singles, Triples, and Fours gold.

The Newlands-Paparangi Tennis Club’s “remarkable turnaround” was a feature of Tennis Central’s citation when it named them Club of the Year.

“A short few years ago, this tennis club faced closure after

“With turf and lights needing urgent replacement and a merger with the hockey club, who financially propped up the club, the future was bleak,” the citation says.

“Membership had dwindled declining. Fast.

“The (then) committee voted to ‘shut down’ the club at a Special General Meeting. The committee had been in place for decades. There was simply no

energy to give.

“A few volunteers stepped up to take on the challenge, determined to resurrect the club to a place of strong value to the community, with a clear strategic focus on inclusion, breaking down the barriers for people to get involved in tennis, and finding innovative ways to engage people and find support from the local community.

“The club turned a corner and then accelerated – fast.

“This remarkable turnaround hasn't come without its challenges.

“But through challenge comes innovation, and thanks to a dedicated committee who continue to put their heart and soul

into the club, they are extremely proud of what they've been able to achieve for their community.” It is a “highly inclusive club delivering a great experience and outstanding value to members. And for them, that's what matters.

“They’ve undertaken a great range of activity to drive membership and value, whilst ensuring sound governance and financial management.

“A range of membership packages are available to potential members and everyone has access to the courts to bring friends and family along for casual play.

“This helps introduce people to the club.

Continued on page 3.

Next week is Budget week, the centre point of the political year, when we find out how much money will be coming into the Government coffers, and how it will be spent.

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.

and other emergencies which required Government investment. Those events required borrowing to support people, which now needs to be repaid.

Obviously with tax cuts, there will be less coming in, so spending will be cut across the board, and we will find out where those ‘savings’ will come from.

One thing we know is that with tax cuts, and the slowing economy, there will be less money circulating so the pain will be widely felt.

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.

As it will be the better-off who will get more money from tax cuts, the likelihood is much of that money will be spent on overseas trips, so won’t be spent in our economy.

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.

There is always a contingency built in, called an operating allowance, which is for emergencies. Of course, COVID was a massive contingency, requiring considerable extra spending on vaccines, wage subsidies and business support. And of course, there were the floods in Nelson, Westport, Cyclone Gabrielle

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.

Sometimes it’s necessary to borrow money; it took the United Kingdom sixty years to pay for World War Two and imagine how long Ukraine will be paying off the cost of defending themselves against Russia.

In the same way, we will be paying off COVID, Cyclone Gabrielle and other disasters for some time.

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.

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.

Meanwhile life goes on, and education and health costs don’t go away. Scrimping on day-to-day costs and importantly, required maintenance, just delays necessary expenditure until later. That is why the last Government needed to spend so much on schools, hospitals and raising wages. It’s called catch up!

There’s plenty to be getting on with.

Watch for the details in next week’s Budget to see how you and your family and business will be affected.

A group of Johnsonville women bowlers and Ōhariu MP Greg O’Connor at the club’s prizegiving. Photo: Allan Galbriath. more

Marsden welcomes visitors from China

Continued from page 2.

“Volunteers have now become very easy to come by, with so many of the membership heavily invested in the club.

“For the first time, they have a ‘surplus of demand’ for people

wanting to join the committee,” the citation says.

“From a club of only 60 members, in three seasons membership has now increased to over 160, and continues to grow.”

The Wellington-Xiamen sister city relationship has long been a beacon of cultural exchange and educational collaboration.

This partnership took a significant step forward last week as Samuel Marsden Collegiate School welcomed 11 students and three teachers from Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School in China.

The visit marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship between Marsden and Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School.

In a momentous occasion, Marsden’s Principal Paula Wells and Director of International Students Jo Burns joined Mayor Tory Whanau and members of Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two schools.

The roots of this relationship trace back to the early 1980s when the Wellington City Council, inspired by then Prime Minister David Lange's vision, sought to establish friendly ties with a city in China.

Xiamen emerged as a natural choice due to the striking parallels between the two cities.

The signing of the Sister City Relationship Agreement on 23 June 1987 between Mr Zou Erjun, Mayor of Xiamen and then Mayor of Wellington, Jim Belich, laid the groundwork for a partnership based on mutual respect and cooperation.

Since then, the Wellington-Xiamen Association has been instrumental in nur-

turing this bond, facilitating cultural and educational exchanges, as well as fostering trade partnerships.

Last September a Wellington business delegation, led by Mayor Tory Whanau, embarked on a journey to further strengthen ties with Xiamen.

Marsden was honoured to be the sole school invited to showcase the excellence of education in our city.

During their stay, guests from Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School were immersed in Marsden’s culture and educational practices.

They had the opportunity to experience Te Reo M ori, share in morning tea and take a tour of the school, giving the students and their teachers an insight into Marsden’s academic programmes and facilities, while a Kiwiana lesson provided an introduction to New Zealand's culture and phrases.

Music, a universal language, served as a bridge between the two schools, with performances from both visitors and Marsden students.

Through these shared experiences, the schools aim to deepen their understanding of each other's traditions and foster lasting friendships.

Marsden embraced the visit from Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School, and was reminded of the transformative power of international partnerships in shaping the future of education and cultural understanding.

Drivers in pink

Many Metlink drivers swapped their uniform for a new pink look on 17 May as the public transport agency got behind the anti-bullying initiative, Pink Shirt Day.

The internationally recognised day aims to reduce bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness to create a world where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Metlink is proud to help drive the Pink Shirt Day message home, Greater Wellington Regional Council Transport Chair Thomas Nash says .

“For three years running we’ve supported this important day and what it aims to achieve.

?

“Deliberately hurtful actions do not belong in our community, and bullying is not welcome onboard Metlink services,” Cr Nash says.

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With the Cup they won as Tennis Club of the Year (from left) Sam Benison, Nicole Mistal, Cameron Sherley and Tracey Lines. Photo: Supplied.

Pictured during the visit to Marsden by Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School (from left) Marsden Principal Paula Wells, Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau and Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School Principal Ouyang Ling. Photo: Supplied.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Karori Food Bank needs donations

By Frank Neill

The Karori Lions Club is hosting its annual appeal for the Karori Food Bank on Saturday 25 May.

The Karori Food Bank’s needs have never been higher than this year.

“This past year has been very challenging with the increased demand for food parcels and the big jump in food costs leading to a marked reduction in the Food Bank's food supplies,” says the Chair of the Karori Food Bank Louise Hornabrook.

“So we are asking for the Karori community to help the Food Bank assist those in the community who need food parcels, by donating goods at the Karori Lions Annual Appeal at the Karori Mall on 25 May.”

The annual appeal will run from 10am to 3pm at the Karori Mall.

“The Food Bank is grateful for the past

Not too long ago these Karori Food Banks shelves would have been full. Today they are in need of being restocked with donations. Photo: Supplied.

support of the Karori community and the continuing assistance from the St John's Op Shop,” Louise says.

The Karori Lions are asking people to purchase an extra item or two of non-perishables to donate to the Food Bank.

Items the Lions are suggesting are baked beans; biscuits or crackers; canned vegetables, tamotoes, soups, fruit or fish; rice or

pasta; spreads; cereals; instant coffee; tea; laundry powder; dishwashing liquid; soap and toothpaste.

“Please no dairy, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, frozen goods, other perishables or alcohol,” the Lions say.

People can also make cash donations to the Food Bank. The bank account number for donations is 020 500 0677261 00.

Scammers targeting people in the area

and

Police are warning people to be wary of a WhatsApp scam following an increase in reports in the Wellington district.

The scammers are using WhatsApp to impersonate family members or friends, saying they need help and in particular need money.

Victims of this scam have received a message from an unknown number, claiming to be a loved one who has just lost their phone and got a replacement, Inspector Patrick Thomas says.

The scammer then attempts to obtain the victim’s credit card information.

These kinds of scams run constantly and while most people will not respond or buy into them, some people are more vulnerable. “We urge people to have conversations with vulnerable or elderly family members, to help ensure they are aware of the tactics often used by scammers and don’t become victims,” Inspector Thomas says.

“If you are in doubt because a person is claiming to be a family member or friend, ask them a personal question – for example their date of birth, maiden name, pet name or name of a sibling.

“Do not provide a password, credit card or bank details without making absolutely sure it is someone you know.

“No legitimate agency will contact you and ask for your bank details or credit card out of the blue.

“Police’s message on scams like this is simple – do not engage with anyone on the phone, and if you think you are being scammed report the incident immediately.

“Anyone who believes they are a victim of a scam, in person, over the phone or online, should immediately report it to their bank, and then to their local Police,” Inspector Thomas says.

Wrights Hill Fortress open King’s Birthday

Soldiers on parade at Wrights Hill. Photo: Supplied.

Wellington’s historic Wrights Hill Fortress in Karori will be opening for public inspection again on King’s Birthday, Monday 3 June.

The World War Two coastal battery first opened to the public in 1989 and will be accessible between 10am and 4pm.

On King’s Birthday people are invited to self-guide themselves through the tunnels and gun emplacements. The walk usually takes about one hour, so bring a torch with you for some fun!

Visitors will be able to explore the 620 metres of underground tunnels with a free map and history pamphlet.

They will see the engine room, shell stores, plotting rooms and the huge gun pit where Gun Number 1 used to stand, as well as a replica of the 10 metre-long gun barrel. Also on show will be historic photos, and military living history displays from World War 2 and the Vietnam period. A DVD of how a 9.2-inch gun operates will be showing as well.

The World War Two Fortress is the only

one of its type in New Zealand available to the public on five open days a year.

Wrights Hill Fortress was built from 1942 to protect Wellington from Japanese bombardment.

In the early 1960’s, the guns were cut up for scrap and sold, ironically, to the Japanese.

Admission is CASH ONLY: $20 for a family of two adults and three children under 15, or $10 per adult and $5 per child (no EFTPOS). All proceeds go to the continuing restoration of the fortress.

There will be a BBQ sausage sizzle and soft drinks on sale.

Access is via Karori Road, Campbell Street, and Wrights Hill Road. There is limited car parking at the summit of the hill. Park sensibly and use walking tracks.

Visitors can also enjoy picnic sites and panoramic views from the top of the hill. Make it a fun day for the family. Stout footwear is advised.

For enquiries phone 04 476 8593 or visit www.wrightshillfortress.org.nz.

Home: Sunday 11:00 – 11:45am & Wednesday 5:00 – 5:30pm

STEVE FEJOS & RACHEL AISLABIE

Meet the residents who love living at Summerset

Join our Open Days at Summerset on the Landing in Kenepuru and meet some of the residents who happily call the village home. They’ll let you in on the lifestyle they enjoy, share the resort-style facilities, and show you around the wonderful homes that are available.*

“It’s the best decision I have made in a long time. You get a much better social life in a Summerset village, and you can enjoy a garden that someone else has to weed.”

CLAIRE - SUMMERSET ON THE LANDING RESIDENT.

Open Days

Every Thursday in May, 10am - 2pm

Summerset on the Landing

1 - 3 Bluff Road, Kenepuru 04 230 6722 | kenepuru.sales@summerset.co.nz

Just a short distance from central Porirua, the village offers a relaxing, low maintenance and modern retirement living lifestyle. All safe and secure within our fully gated community.

There are a range of homes available, so whether it’s a villa, apartment, or serviced apartment – we’re sure you’ll find the perfect home to suit you.

Love the life you choose.

Top indoor market coming to Feilding

New Zealand’s largest indoor market, the Feilding Craft Market, will come to town on 7 and 8 June.

It will run from 9am to 4pm on each day at the Manfeild Stadium.

The market is so huge and so popular that it is held in a stadium that is the size of a full rugby field.

An amazing array of artisan fare will feature at the market, including melt in your mouth handcrafted chocolates, boutique liquors, interesting garden art, bespoke homewares, New Zealand sheepskins, textiles, wool, pottery, hand carved wood, designer clothes, children’s merino, garden furniture, hand forged fire pokers, crisp French linen cushions and striped throws.

There will also be two indoor cafes.

“It will wow you from the moment you walk in,” the organisers say.

“We know we have an outstanding collection of interesting artisans .

“Our focus is on being the best. Our vendors are part of that quest .

“Our customers are here to shop and enjoy the experience. They want to find something special.

“Customers just love it.

“Its all here under one roof and you want to be here,” the organisers say.

The Feilding Craft Market started 39 years ago with seven stalls in a small hall and has now grown to become New Zealand’s largest indoor craft market with a whopping 250 fantastic stalls .

Above: Just one of the amazing artisan’s stalls at last year’s Feilding Craft Market. Photo: Supplied.

Top Right: The packed Manfeild Stadium during last year’s Feilding Craft Market. Photo: Supplied.

The organisers’ task over those 39 years has seen them travelling all over the country looking for that special artisan to be part of this amazing event.

Plenty of parking is available at the stadium.

Every June a steam train runs from Wellington to Feilding for the market, and many people choose to travel to the event on it.

Steam Inc’s Crafty Feilding foray

Join Steam Incorporated on 8th June on a double motive power mission up to Manawatu on one of their steam locomotives, and diesel! The train leaves Wellington Station at 7.10am and arrives at Feilding 11.30am, returning back at Wellington 8.25pm.

The excursion coincides with the Feilding Craft Market but passengers can also dine in style at a former bank turned restaurant, spend the day on their heritage train, or do your own thing. Passengers can board the train at Wellington, Porirua, Paekakariki, Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Otaki, or Levin.

Hauling this excursion for the majority of the day will be one of the Da class diesel locomotives and joining it from Paekakariki, will be steam locomotive, Ja 1271.

Passengers are asked to be at the boarding station a minimum 10 minutes prior, with tickets, carriage number and seating allocations ready.

The excursion offers an opportunity to enhance the experience by choosing from a number of options:

- New Zealand's biggest indoor market, the Feilding Craft Market

The Craft Market has been running for over 30 years with plenty of home-grown talent from all over New Zealand. This huge Craft Market with its refreshing look, covering the size of a full rugby field has many talented artisans bringing visitors thousands of interesting pieces. Whether you need your own sign made on site or hand forged steel handles, rustic furniture and woven rugs, clothing, jewellery and more. There will be metal workers, potters, woodworkers, textile workers. This is an exciting shopping experience by anyone’s standards, with cafes on site and being all indoors it’s a must-do. Adults $12; Child (12yrs and under) $6;

The Crafty Feilding Express

$149/Adult; Child from (Under 12 years) - $99; Infants - FREE Saturday 8th June Departs: 7:10am Wellington; Return Arrival: 8:25pm Wellington Join Steam Incorporated on a double motive power mission up to Manawatu!

Infants free. Note: Price includes private entry to the venue and return bus transfers.

- Lunch at the Strong Room Restaurant

After a short walk down the road, join us for an exquisite lunch with adults tastes in mind.

Right in the middle of town,The Strong Roomis a favourite among the locals and attracts a busy Friday night crowd. Located in a converted bank – complete with original vaults, you can rely on an extensive selection of beer and wines to suit the occasion.

Enjoy lunch, take a tour of the building, and have a beverage in hand as you wait for the return journey home.

- Self Guided Tour of the Town

After arrival in Feilding, take a tour of the area on foot. Check out the famous Coach House Museum, take the kids to mini golf or tour the Feilding Arts Centre. Grab a bite to eat from one of the many eateries in town and visit the clock tower or simply shop local! There are multiple places to go, and things to see.

- A Day on the Rails

Departing Feilding heading back to Palmerston North, the train heads down into the Manawatu Gorge. Now only accessible via rail, passengers get a unique perspective of the monumental slips which closed the Gorge to road traffic from 2017.

At Woodville, see the delights of the restored 1960s era station whilst the train is prepared for the run back to Wellington. Meridian’s Te Apiti wind farm can also be seen from the station. As the train departs from Woodville, sit back, relax, grab a drink from the bar or a bite to eat from the Buffet Car and enjoy the ride home back through the Gorge to Feilding to pick up the remainder of the passengers. This option is $30 per person.

Council needs to spend more in Johnsonville

By Frank Neill

Johnsonville needs a green space like Midland Park, an upgrade of its main street, an indoor recreation centre and public toilets in the central area.

These needs were communicated to Wellington City Council in the submission by the Johnsonville Business Group (JBG) on Wellington City Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP).

The LTP “significantly ignores the suburbs over the next 10 years of planned investment” and the JBG submitted that this needed to be corrected.

“Johnsonville is acknowledged as one of two key metropolitan centres for Wellington,” the submission said.

North Wellington’s population, at 65,330, was larger than Porirua, at 60,200, and nearly as big as Napier, at 66,800.

It was significantly larger than New Plymouth’s 58,500 and Rotorua’s 57,900.

“We now require appropriate planning and investment to support this,” JBG’s submission said.

“The desire for green space [in Johnsonville] is not simply to meet the needs of local businesses whom we formally represent, but more so for the wider catchment of Wellington residents that visit our centre.

“Johnsonville is a future high intensification area as driven by the spatial plan.

“We suggest that an accessible recreational or social open space should be within five minutes walking distance of everyone within

the high-density area zoning, as further intensification will provide limited private outdoor space for recreation in the future.”

The submission noted that the last Johnsonville Town Centre Plan was completed in 2008 and that 95% of the plan had not been implemented.

“In comparison to other suburbs, Johnsonville is the centre with the most potential for growth and meets council’s strategic priorities.

“While we support increased spending across all suburban centres, we specifically believe Johnsonville has the greatest need for investment,” the submission said.

“The budget for suburban growth is disproportionate to the economic contribution provided by the suburbs and is, in most suburban areas, well overdue.

“Historically our suburbs have not seen the level of investment required to keep up with growth when compared to the central city.

“From the $817 million annual operating budget, to have only $5 million per annum set aside for suburban growth is not enough.

“Our suburbs are our communities, and this must be recognised appropriately.”

The submission raised again with the council the development of an indoor recreation centre at Raroa Park.

JBG previously made a submission to the council on the need for such a facility at the park.

“It is proposed this be part funded by Te T huhu o te M tauranga, the Ministry of Education, and potentially the Regional

Growth Fund.”

JBG made its oral submission to the council alongside a collective presentation by all of Wellington’s Business Improvement Districts.

They all submitted that the council should not proceed with its plan to introduce suburban parking charges.

JBG’s submission said that Johnsonville was a priority growth area.

“It is critical to ensure the services we provide to our community remain feasible and accessible.

“Additional charges to our catchment will encourage these services to be sought elsewhere outside the confines of Wellington boundaries, [that is] Porirua and Lower Hutt, thereby losing revenue for our city as a whole and eroding our achievable rating base.

“The effect on local trade would be reason for many businesses to reduce staff levels and for some to close.

“Wellington City Council have not proposed any process to track the impact of paid parking on local businesses and this is entirely unreasonable given the city must balance public revenue with the economic well-being of its rate payers,” the submission said.

“The proposal for paid parking does not follow the 2020 Parking Policy that says that paid parking will be introduced if occupancy is often over 85%, turnover is low, and non-compliance is high.”

The current parking limits work well to allow both convenient access to services and

a healthy level of turnover of vehicle parking in our centre.

“We believe that the immediate outlay of installing parking meters would be disproportionate to the revenue achievable given the small amount of car parks available and their locational spread.

“Our members wish to keep our community employed and to allow our centre to flourish.

“Again, we encourage you not to proceed with the car parking charges as currently proposed,” the JBG submission said.

MID WINTER CERAMICS

Celebrating Matariki

Embracing the celestial beauty of Matariki, Star Glaze promises to be a dazzling showcase of creativity and craftsmanship.

“where earth meets sky”

Friday 28th - Sunday 30th June 10am - 4pm Entry by Koha

Market Update? YIP!

Hey Everyone! With a lot of recent sales and more new buyers coming to the market - we are finally starting to see some early signs of a recovery trend. Here are some key observations in our local property market.

Our property management division has seen a jump in houses up for rent, this is likely due to houses that have not been able to sell and unfortunately needing to be put up for rent. As the number of rentals comes to market, there will be downward pressure on rent, unless demand for rentals increases (which is unlikely with the current job market/cuts)

Although the number of houses for sale is still high, there are more sales, and the supply curve has started to turn. The number of new listings every week is still high, but with the increase in sales, the trend is looking positive.

We finally saw some lower mortgage rates creep into the market, with SBS bank leading the charge with a sub-6%, 3-year mortgage rate. The first ‘advertised’ sub-7%, 1-year rate also appeared, and we should hopefully start to see this trend spread to all banks. As interest rates fall, prices historically have gone up proportionally.

The drop in inflation and spending is a high that most people are still doing it tough. Although there isn’t much hope of relief for our community in regard to this, there seems to be a general acceptance that this is our new reality and people have adapted their lifestyles to suit. It may be some time before we start seeing more money in consumer’s pockets and local businesses doing better.

The current market is ever-changing and reacting rapidly to emotional differences. Remember, the market is simply the perception of the public mass and their reaction to variables changing. If you are thinking of buying/ selling/renting/moving in today’s market, it is very important to have a pulse on the market and position your sale strategically. As we see regularly, a wrong decision/strategy can cost a seller $50k-$100k+ in sale price, so it is important to make sure you weigh up different ideas, strategies, and information before making a move. If you would like to discuss your plans and the ideal strategy for your family, get in touch – Love to hear from you!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Written by William YIP

friend

Johnsonville only just beaten in Rugby

By Frank Neill

It took a last minute try for Tawa to beat Johnsonville in their Swindale Shield Rugby match on 18 May.

With the clock ticking down at Lyndhurst Park the scores were tied 35-35.

With the final play of the match, Tawa scored in the corner to seal a 40-35 victory.

This saw Tawa win the Carman Cup for 2024 on the club’s Old Timers’ Day. They won it back from Johnsonville, who held it for the year following a memorable win in 2023. The match was closely contested through-

out, with Johnsonville holding a 15-14 lead half way through the first half.

The story was the same at half time, with Johnsonville ahead by the narrowest of margins 22-21.

In the second half Tawa managed to turn the tables, however, although only just.

Finlay Sharp scored two tries for Johnsonville, while Tyler Hall and Regan Herbert also dotted down.

As well as scoring a try Mark Sutton kicked three conversions and three penalties.

Johnsonville’s next match sees them playing Upper Hutt Rams at their Helston Park home on 25 May.

Council needs to look at mall options

hariu MP Greg O’Connor would like Wellington City Council to start looking at its legal options around the Johnsonville Mall, he says in his 17 May newsletter.

The mall’s owner, Stride Properties, “are holding back progress in our area.

“It's rapidly getting to the stage where a lack of progress in the shopping centre is becoming a millstone around the neck of the local population.

“And that population seems to be growing, with schools in the Johnsonville and Newlands area in particular quickly becoming overcrowded by the large number of families moving in and requiring to be enrolled.”

The increase in the numbers is “above population projections,” Mr O’Connor says.

“It appears the school building plans are on hold by the Government, bringing despair to Principals and their planning staff.

“Throw the curriculum changes on top of that and it's easy to see why teachers are feeling the pressure.”

Mr O’Connor also notes that his Private Member’s Bill regarding child sex offenders

is continuing its pathway through Parliament. “I hope it will become law before long,” he says.

The Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (overseas travel reporting) Amendment Bill will, if passed, ensure sex offenders on the Child Sex Offender Register must supply all their overseas travel details, including addresses they will be staying at while overseas.

Huge response to Long Term Plan

By Frank Neill

Wellington City Council received 2,722 responses to its Long Term Plan engagement, the council says in its report on the results of community engagement on outcomes and priorities for the 2024-34 Long Term Plan (LTP).

That, the council says, is a “huge increase” on the 327 responses it received on the 2021 LTP.

Improving the resilience of pipes, roads and other infrastructure; improving city safety at night; and more funding for the arts and cultural sectors were high priorities in the section on urban form, community and culture.

“However, in urban form and culture, there was also another priority that had an average close to the top ranked,” the report says.

“Better public transport infrastructure ... received the most second rankings. “For culture, the top equal priority was ‘make our cultural diversity more visible’.

“Within the economic area, there was a more even split across the number of rankings each priority received. “The top equal priorities were ‘upgrade suburban town centres’ and ‘shift to an economy that creates less waste’.

“Within the environment area, ‘improve the health of our waterways’ was the top

Wadestown cellist to study in London

Young Wadestown cellist Jack Moyer will perform his final concert in New Zealand this Sunday 26 May before departing for an exciting opportunity at one of the world’s top music schools, London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He is performing in a fund-raising concert as part of an accomplished string trio who will play Bach’s Goldberg Variations in Wellington in a one-off performance. The concert will be held at St Andrews on the Terrace at 2:30pm on 26 May.

Jack is joined by violinist Monique Lapins, who will shortly step down from the New Zealand String Quartet, and New ZealandSymphony Orchestra associate principal viola Alexander McFarlane for the 80-minute performance of a piece usually played on piano, in an arrangement for a string trio. They are playing in support of Jack, who has been given an incredible opportunity for a New Zealander – to study at one of the world’s top music schools, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

The 20-year-old has been accepted into the Guildhall’s four-year Honours Bachelor of Music Performance programme, starting later this year with head of strings Louise Hopkins.

“As an international student living in London, living costs are not cheap on top of travelling with a cello, so I’ll need financial help to study there,” Jack says.

He is fundraising furiously now. Alongside applying for grants, he is working part-time, playing in concerts and busking.

“Every little will help,” he says.

average ranked, with the most number 1, 2 or 3 rankings.

“This was closely followed by ‘prepare to withstand and adapt to climate change’, which had the most number 1 rankings but also received more lower rankings.”

In the urban form section of the report, it noted that there was “strong opposition to cycle ways”. That related to loss of parking with many expressing that not many people will cycle, elderly and the disabled as well as mums with young children particularly mentioned.

“Many blame the loss of parking on why they don’t go to the city centre any more.

“Many ask for more parking, finding ways to make parking and cycling work, and making sure that public transport is viable before removing car parks,” the report says.

It also noted that people want public transport prioritised to support climate change and because it is more realistic than cycling for many.

The report does not cover specific issues such as the proposals to close the Khandallah swimming pool or sell the Wadestown Community Centre.

A link to download the report is on the council’s website, at www.letstalk.wellington. govt.nz/phase-1-outcomes-and-priorities.

People can follow his journey on Facebook (Jack Moyer), or join his supporters mailing list by emailing jackmoyercello@gmail.com.

Though still young, Jack has been playing at the top level for some time, including with top chamber music ensembles and orchestras.

A trip to Europe last year, as a result of being awarded a 2023 Royal Overseas League Pettman Scholarship, enabled him to play on stage with critically acclaimed professionals Ben Baker and Daniel Lebhard.

He also had lessons with cellists in London, all of which inspired him to choose a musical career.

“I could not see myself doing anything else with my life,” says Jack, adding he knows Guildhall will “enable me to reach my full potential as a musician”. Tickets for the 26 May concert are available via Eventfinda.

A Givealittle page has also been set up so people can donate directly to help Jack to study cello in London at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ get-jack-to-guildhall.

One of the entrances to the Johnsonville Mall. Photo: Frank Neill.

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Roses: planting and pruning – pick up

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Look for the NZ new releases ‘Tottering-OnBy’, ‘Emily Bronte’ and ‘The Mill on the Floss’. Nowadays, most modern Climbing Roses are mutations or variations of bush-type varieties. Climbers can be trained to bloom more heavily by leading their canes in a horizontal direction. Loose anchoring to a support will encourage young plants to climb. Climbing roses add a whole new heady dimension to the garden and allow us to enjoy our favourite blooms at nose or eye level.

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LTP survey recording accurate

Questions left unanswered on Wellington City Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) online consultation form did not default to the council’s preferred option, the council said in a media release on 17 May.

This followed some social media posts suggesting that questions left unanswered had defaulted to the council’s preferred option.

“On Sunday 12 May council officers carried out a review of the available social media posts at the time and undertook multiple checks of the survey form, the respondent email record of results and the actual recording ofdata from the Let’s Talk engagement platform,” the media release says.

“At that time those checks confirmed that questions un-answered do not default to the preferred council option and are not recorded as such in the Let’s Talk platform or the output results of the consultation.

“This finding was communicated by email to Councillors late morning on Sunday 12 May.

“Since then further checking of results and assurance testing of both the online and hardcopy survey form, email response to respondents and recoding of data on the Let’s Talk platform has occurred.

“This comprised of four levels of testing with the following results:

online consultation survey tool with platform provider - Granicus International. Granicus has confirmed there is no capability to set such a defaulting function in the Let’s Talk survey tool. Granicus also indicated it has not heard ofany instances, from across its client network, of respondents interpreting the contents of the email to respondents as defaulting to a survey preferred option. Granicus has 5500 client organisations globally, 300 clients across NZ and Australia andhas reached 300m+ people through its various government and civic digital products. -

dia posts to identify any verifiable instances of suggested defaulting of unanswered questions. Officers found no verifiable evidence from available social media posts of the suggested defaulting.

-

eration of the survey and recording of results in the respondent email. This testing found “no evidence of any of our submission being altered in any way, with blank submissions correctly disregarded” and “the statements were correctly absent in the email”.

audit also completed two phases of testing: the same testing as the external independent testing outlined above found “the responses were correctly recorded in the survey tool as well as the email confirmation”. A verification of the accuracy of recording of survey results in the Let’s Talk platform and the consultation reporting of results. This testing was for a sample of both online and written LTP submissions received during the consultation period. The result of this testing was “All results and comments were accurately keyed, including the blank responses”.

“In summary, the results of this testing, and that the Let’s Talk survey tool has no capability to set such a defaulting function, means there is:

the

‘defaulting’ of unanswered question responses to the council’s preferred option;

and the entries in the Let’s Talk database contain the submitter responses as answered in the online or written survey form; and

officers’ conclusion communicated by email to Councillors on 12 May.

“Consequently, submitters and Councillors can have full confidence in the accuracy, recording and reporting of responses to LTP survey questions,” the council media release said.

Northern Chorale in concert

The sound of South American rhythms and rock music will fill St Peters on Willis Street at the Northern Chorale’s next concert on Sunday 26 May at 2pm.

On offer are two very different works.

The first is a folk mass, “Missa Criolla”, composed by Argentine composer Ariel Ramirez and set to the rhythms of South America.

The work is for a solo tenor, choir, percussion, guitars and piano.

From the early sixties Latin was no longer the only language allowed in the Roman Catholic Church and Ramirez took the opportunity to compose a ground breaking mass using the Spanish language and folk music.

It is an engaging and very popular work performed regularly by choirs around the world.

The second work the Northern Chorale will perform is “The Third Day” by Wellington composer Jonathan Berkahn. It is a modern cantata telling the story of Jesus’ resurrection from the discovery of the empty tomb onwards.

The work’s musical styles range from recitative-like plainsong, to siciliano rhythms and heavy metal guitar using a range of instruments – double bass, flute, organ, piano, piano accordion and percussion.

As for the cantata’s pop/rock musical style Jonathan says: “I like making music with my musician friends and happened to have a small group who could take this type of material and run with it.

“Growing up as an evangelical teenager I was very involved with current pop music, so I decided to use such an approach as a very direct, tuneful and appealing way to go.”

LTP being considered by council

By Frank Neill

Wellington City Council is well down the track of hearing oral submissions on its Long Term Plan (LTP).

The Mayor and Councillors have been running oral hearings, where people were able to speak to their submissions since 9 May.

Today, 23 May, is the last scheduled day of the oral hearings.

The closing of submissions on Wellington City Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP) began a series of actions that will lead to the plan being formally adopted.

The first step was to give the Mayor and Councillors copies of all the submissions.

Council officers also prepared reports on the submissions, outlining how many submissions were made and what the main themes and comments were.

The Mayor and Councillors then held oral hearings.

Final deliberations on the LTP will take place at the Long-term Plan, Finance and Performance Committee on 30 May.

The Mayor and Councillors are scheduled to adopt the final plan on Thursday 27 June 2024 and the plan comes into effect on 1 July. More information is on the council’s LTP web page, which is at www.letstalk. wellington.govt.nz/hub-page/long-termplan-2024-34.

Marsden celebrating Matariki

By Frank Neill

Samuel Marsden Collegiate School is celebrating Matariki on Friday 21 June and everyone is welcome.

The celebration runs from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

It will include live performances; Matariki-inspired activities including star gazing and harakeke weaving; a fluorescent art

installation in collaboration with Marsden’s Artist in Residence, Lori Davis, alongside her exhibition; food trucks and kai stalls.

“Wrap up warm, indulge in delicious kai, gaze at the stars through telescopes, and embrace the spirit of Matariki as we gather together to honour our tĪpuna, give thanks for our blessings, and look forward to new beginnings,” Marsden says.

Preparing for the upcoming Northern Chorale concert (from left) Thomas Nikora, Musical Director; Jonathan Berkhan, piano accordion; Antonia Grant, violin; Jan Dee, electric bass; and Bernard Ellis, electric guitar. Patrick Shanahan, percussion, is seated at the front.

Photo: Supplied.

Kite festival coming to Churton Park

By Frank Neill

A kite festival is coming to Churton Park on Sunday 14 July.

The festival, which is being run by the Churton Park Community Centre and Foxtail Events, will run from 11am to 2pm at the Churton Park Reserve, Halswater Drive.

The aim of the day is to celebrate the joy of flying kites.

Activities and entertainment at the festival will include kite-making workshops, kite-flying competitions, face painting and demonstrations by professional kite flyers.

“There will be something for everyone to enjoy,” the organisers say.

“Plus food stalls offering tasty snacks and refreshments will surely keep everyone energised

and ready to fly their kites high.

“Let’s make some unforgettable memories together at the Community Kite Day Festival.”

The Churton Park Kite Festival follows the hugely successful 2024 taki Kite Festival, held on 17 and 18 February.

Thousands of people flocked to taki for this event, which saw the town gridlocked because of the high number of vehicles that poured in.

taki beach was “diabolically busy” on the second day of the event, the Festival Director Kirsty Doyle said.

“There were people everywhere.”

As well as attracting a record of around 25,000 people over the two days it also attracted a record number of around 50 kite flyers.

Just some of the kites that featured at the Ōtaki Kite Festival. Photo: Frank Neill.

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Wellingtonians oppose airport sale

An overwhelming majority of Wellingtonians oppose Wellington City Council’s plan to sell the 34% public stake in Wellington Airport, a new poll shows.

The poll, commissioned by Unions Wellington, found 74% of Wellingtonians oppose the airport sale, compared to just 26% in favour.

The poll also showed strong opposition to the airport sale from every single Wellington City Council ward as well as from respondents who stated support for Labour, the Greens, New Zealand First, Te P ti M ori and National.

“This is a clear message to the council that the public does not support asset sales,” says Unions Wellington spokesperson Sabina Rizos-Shaw.

“We urge Councillors to listen to the public and put an end to

this unpopular and misguided proposal.

“Public ownership is important because it gives our city a say on the future of the airport, something that is more critical than ever as we face the challenge of climate change.

“The airport is also a good long-term investment for Wellington.

“This year it will return a $20.4 million dividend, which can help protect vital services, invest in infrastructure and keep pressure off rates at a time when households are struggling with the cost of living.

“There has never been public support for the airport sale,” Sabina says.

“Wellington did not vote for asset sales in 2022 and the numbers in this poll could not be any clearer.

“To proceed with a sale would

be undemocratic and further erode public trust in the council.

“Just last week Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown dropped his plan to privatise the Port of Auckland due to public opposition.

“We are calling on Mayor Tory Whanau to do the same and put an end to the airport sale,” Sabina says.

The poll was conducted by professional polling firm Community Engagement Limited and surveyed 1,376 people within the Wellington City Council boundaries by landline and mobile phone between 11 and 14 May 2024. The margin of error is 4.1%.

Enrolment at Bellevue School is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from our website: www.bellevue-newlands.school.nz.

The board has determined that up to five (5) places are likely to be available for out of zone students for the fourth enrolment period in 2024 (Saturday 14 October 2024 to Tuesday 17 December 2024). The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone. For students seeking enrolment within the second enrolment period of 2024, the deadline for receipt of applications for out of zone places is 9am, Friday 28 June 2024.

If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot for out of zone places is required, this will be held on Friday 28 June 2024. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held. Details of how applications from out of zone students are processed are available on the school website.

Parents of students who live within the home zone and intend enrolling their child at any time during the next year should notify the school by as soon as possible to assist the school to plan appropriately for next year. Students who live in the home zone are entitled to enrol at the school.

Enrolment packs are available online at www.bellevue-newlands.school.nz.

Enrolment at Northland School is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office or the school website www.northland.school.nz.

The Board of Trustees has determined that places only in Year 1 and 2 and Year 3-5 will be available for out of zone students eligible for enrolment.

As the Board operates an enrolment scheme, it is required to fill any vacant out of zone places by ballot in cases where there are more applications for enrolment than there are places available. Under the terms of the enrolment scheme siblings of out of zone children and children of Board employees currently at the school get priority for available places.

The deadline for receipt of applications for out of zone places is 4.00pm Friday 14 June, 2024.

Application forms for the ballot are available from: Northland School 14 Harbour View Road Northland Wellington 6012 office@northland.school.nz

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Presses (5)

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Ettiene

Football cream rises to the top

By Grant Stephen

After the latest round of Men’s Central Football League results and with some teams already playing half of their allocated 18 games, the cream has risen to the top in terms of which sides can claim to be the best and stand out from the rest.

Wellington Olympic, Western Suburbs and Napier City Rovers are all sitting on 21 points and are no doubt having loose thoughts about spending the summer playing in the 10 team National League.

The top three local sides will be up against the best four sides in the Northern region and the top two sides from the Southern region during this competition.

Rounding out the top 10 will be the Wellington Phoenix Reserves who have automatic entry every year and are the only side to have the luxury of a guaranteed ticket to ride.

With an Auckland-based team entering the A League next year, there will no doubt be a rejig of the rules to determine how many sides will be able to play in the National League.

With Miramar Rangers sitting on 16 points and Waterside Karori on 15, they are the only likely teams to challenge for the top spots.

Rangers have the slight edge over Wharfies when they prevailed 4-3 in a high scoring match at David Farrington Park.

The difference was a hattrick to Rangers’ Agustin Contratti who scored the first and last goals of the game, the latter occurring on full time and just four minutes after Sam Mason-Smith scored from the penalty mark for Miramar.

The goal scorers for Karori were Seth Ward, Jack Eccles and Lachlan Candy.

TFS North Wellington hosted Napier City Rovers and were more than happy

to go into the sheds at half time 2-0 up over Rovers.

It wasn’t enough though for the locals and the final score was 3-2 in favour of Rovers.

The two goals credited to Norths were quality and the Johnsonville side played their best football for many a long while.

It was vintage stuff and the local stalwarts were more than happy with what they saw.

The scoreboard attendant was put to use early and Norths went one up thanks to a beautiful piece of work that was well executed by Blake Chandler after just three minutes of play.

Norths second goal was recorded after 29 minutes and was eventually listed as an own goal to Rovers.

The end-to-end passage of play and overall execution was reminiscent of a hot knife through butter and there was no doubt that a goal would be scored.

Local team first holders of new trophy

By Frank Neill

Waterside Karori are the first holders of a new trophy – the Nora Watkins Memorial Shield – Capital Football has just introduced into the women’s Central League.

The shield honours a pioneer in New Zealand women’s football, as Nora Watkins (nee Hetherington) left a significant mark on the sport.

Waterside Karori are the inaugural holders of the shield after being crowned the 2023 Central League champions.

Similar to Rugby’s Ranfurly Shield this trophy will then be open to challenges.

“This Memorial Shield symbolises the pinnacle of achievement in women's football, echoing the legacy of its namesake,” Capital Football says.

“From her remarkable tenure as a Football Ferns player to her groundbreaking role as the team's first female coach, her contributions

have shaped the landscape of women's football.

“As a player and coach, she exemplified dedication, skill, and leadership.

“Over the years Nora represented the Wellington region with seven national titles and seven goals to her name.

“Nora played and coached at several local football clubs including Petone FC, Upper Hutt FC and Miramar Rangers FC.

“Her involvement in the women’s game has been immense and after her passing in 2023, Capital Football and her family are delighted to introduce this Memorial Shield,”

Capital Football says.

“The Nora Watkins Memorial Shield stands as an opportunity to honour a trailblazer in women’s football and provides a platform for female athletes to showcase their talents and inspire future generations.”

Nora played in the Football Ferns’

It was just a surprise to find out that Rovers endured a self-inflicted wound. The come back from Napier was equally as impressive and Norths yielded twice in quick succession to concede the loss.

At Endeavour Park Western Suburbs were too good in the end, winning 2-1 over the Wellington Phoenix Reserves while Wellington Olympic marched on and recorded a 5-1 win over Petone.

The relegation battle between Island Bay and Stop Out proved to be good news for the Bay when they came out on top 4-3 and in

doing so, left Stop Out on 2 points to date for another week at least.

In the Women’s Central League

Waterside Karori had the weekend off with their match over Victoria University being postponed.

The top of the table clash between Petone and Wellington United ended in a 2-2 draw. Moturoa (New Plymouth) had a comfortable 4-0 win at home over Seatoun.

Taradale were not as comfortable at their home though, going down 3-2 to visitors, Palmerston North Marist.

first 10 matches from 1975 to 1980, scoring two goals.

She was the Football Ferns Assistant Coach from 1989 to 1994 and became the first female to coach the Football Ferns in 1995.

Action in the match between North Wellington (in the blue) and Napier City Rovers. Photo: Terry Douglas.

The Nora Watkins Memorial Shield. Photo: Supplied.