The Guardian - 13 March 2024

Driver licensing stress

ELISE VOLLWEILER

Learner drivers from Motueka and Golden Bay are travelling as far as Westport and Ashburton to sit their restricted and full licences, as they contend with long wait times and cancellations at closer testing centres. Residents have been vocal about their frustration at having delays of several months before the next available spaces at testing centres. They are also questioning why Motueka no longer has a testing centre of its own, to reduce the backlog that causes stress and uncertainty for those who are attempting to sit their licences.

However, New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) says that although they are training new staff to relieve the backlog, they can not commit to a timeframe for when Motueka might once again have its own testing centre, or whether it will happen at all.

Motueka’s Bec Lucas-Bryan’s story is similar to those that many people shared with The

SEE PAGE 7

School lunch loss would be ‘devastating’

ELISE VOLLWEILER

The removal of school lunches would be “devasting” for some of the students who rely on the service, says Parklands School principal Andrea

Smith. Parklands School has been onboard with the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme since May 2021. It was introduced by the previous government, and currently provides free,

healthy school lunches to more than 230,000 children –about a quarter of all school students across the country. It reaches 1570 students across 10 schools in the Nelson/ Tasman area.

The programme is now under review by Associate Education Minister David Seymour, who says he is looking to cut funding by up to half.

SEE PAGE 2

Parkland School’s Ryla Ferrier and Ahria Wheeler, 8, get stuck into a hot chicken pasta salad which is provided through the Ka Ora, Ka Aka Healthy School Lunches programme. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

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School lunch loss would be ‘devastating’

FROM PAGE 1

Seymour has been reported as saying that programme creates excessive waste and that there was no hard evidence that it improved attendance or achievement.

However, the Parklands principal/ tumuaki at the central Motueka primary school reports that it has “absolutely” had positive affects for the students.

“Behaviour at lunchtimes and in the afternoons has improved since the introduction,” Andrea says. “Students who rely on our

Tasman the second sunniest

Tasman was a second sunniest spot in New Zealand this summer with 605 hours of sunshine, coming in just behind neighbouring Nelson, which had 618 hours. Marlborough came in third with 604 hours of sunshine, then Taranaki at 595 hours. NIWA’s summer climate summary revealed last week that it has been the ninth warmest summer on record, with a nationwide average temperature

lunches have a sense of certainty. One thing they don’t have to worry about when they start the school day is food.” She says that if the lunches are removed, some students will again begin to struggle with their behaviour in the afternoons, due to not having enough nutritious food in their lunchboxes.

“Our kura will end up having to feed these students as there will be no other options.” This in turn takes time away from the staff, and money away from the school, she says.

of 17.6C. Summer temperatures were between 0.51C and 1.2C above average for most of the country.

Relay for Life

Members of the public are welcome to attend this weekend’s Cancer Society Nelson Tasman Relay for Life at Richmond A&P Showgrounds to support the more than 40 teams and more than 270 individuals participating in the fundraiser. The gates

The issue of waste has been raised with the school lunches, with figures from 6 to 12 percent being quoted from various political reports. Andrea agrees that some lunches are more popular than others, which she compares to a regular lunch box.

“If the students had a packed lunch, they may or may not like what is inside.” She says that the amount of waste varies each day, and that the lunch provider is given feedback so that they can streamline what is on offer. The hot lunches – items

will be open between 4pm and 11pm on Saturday and before the event’s end at 8am on Sunday.

More than $99,400 had been raised as at Monday, about $500 short of the event’s $100,000 goal.

Waimea Inlet health

Good progress continues to be made on the Waimea Inlet Action Plan which aims to improve the environmental health of the

like pasta bolognaise and butter chicken - are normally particularly popular, Andrea notes. She says that while the main goal is for students to have a tummy full of nutritious food, giving them the opportunity to try new types of food is another benefit. The eating of lunches is monitored by the teachers, and if a student is regularly not eating them, “we have a talk with their whānau and problem-solve,” she says. “Either they opt out of lunches or there is discussion around trying new things.”

estuary. The margin of native vegetation around the inlet has increased by almost 5km since 2021, with the project on track to plant 100,000 native trees by mid-2025.

Another 1200 sand-binding plants were also established on Rabbit Island last winter while 3.5 hectares of marsh bird habitat has been enhanced since 2022. Fish habitat and passage work has also been undertaken at Neimann and Pearl Creeks.

Judge hits alarm button over looming end to alcohol and drug screening service

TRACY NEAL Open Justice Reporter

The axe is about to fall on a health-funded drug and alcohol screening service in the Nelson and Blenheim courts, which the provider says will put them in line with courts around the country.

Judge Jo Rielly told lawyers in the Nelson District Court on Thursday that funding for alcohol and drug screening reports was about to end, and invited lawyers to express any concerns to relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Justice, for the service funded by Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora. Nelson Marlborough group director of hospital specialist services, Lexie O’Shea, told Open Justice that it recently formally advised the Nelson and Blenheim courts that from March 28, Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora would no longer be accepting requests for alcohol and drug reports.

O’Shea said the change would put the Nelson-Marlborough re-

gion in line with the rest of the country as most publicly (health board) funded addiction services had not provided these reports to the courts for many years.

A Health New Zealand spokesperson said the contractors provided the service in other courts, but not through the health board structure.

Ministry of Justice group manager, courts and tribunals, Jacquelyn Shannon, said in other courts alcohol and drug reports were funded by the Ministry of Justice when a judge ordered a report, or a legal aid lawyer commissioned a report for their client and requested reimbursement from Legal Aid Services.

“Where a report is sought by an offender who is represented by a private lawyer, the lawyer may engage with a private provider, and the lawyer incurred the cost of obtaining the report,” Shannon said.

O’Shea said that like most areas of health, demand for mental health and addiction services was increasing and client needs were

more complex.

“Our addictions workforce is under pressure and we, as a service, need to focus on our core business of providing care to our alcohol and drug clients,” O’Shea said.

Judge Rielly said most people who appeared in court had alcohol and drug addiction issues and they were at risk of missing out on having someone advocate for them on this.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack told NZME she was concerned to hear of the cuts with no clear alternative proposed by either Te Whatu Ora or the Ministry of Justice.

“The sudden end of this frontline service at the end of the month could mean that Nelsonians going through the Justice system miss out on something available in other parts of the country – I don’t think many people would find that fair, and I’ll be following up with Te Whatu Ora.”

Lawyer Steven Zindel, who was in court and heard Judge Rielly’s comments, said the situation was alarming.

He said the reports were cost-effective and invaluable in providing useful information in the sentencing process.

“If addictions can be managed or cured then that is one of the best crime prevention techniques that is available.”

A Ministry of Justice report said that abuse of alcohol and other drugs remained a major driver of crime requiring social investment.

GBHS ‘well above’ NCEA national averages

GORDON PREECE

Freshly appointed Golden Bay High School principal, Jono Hay, commended his staff and student’s caregivers for its “well above” average NCEA results for 2023.

Jono says its NCEA Level 1 pass rate was 87 per cent, Level 2 was 93.3 per cent, and Level 3 bolstered a 63.3 per cent pass rate.

The university entrance (UE) achievement rate for the school was 50 per cent. National results show around

60 per cent achieved Level 1, Level 2 was around 72 per cent and 66 per cent for Level 3.

Jono says the school was “really proud” of the students’ achievements, particularly in the Level 1 and 2 areas which were higher than 2022.

“We are thankful to our staff for their dedication and support of our students’ learning, and thank you also to whanau for their support of our students throughout 2023,” he says.

Jono says merit endorse-

ments for Level 1 were marginally lower than comparable schools, but they were higher at Level 2 and 3.

He says the excellence endorsements were “roughly comparable” at Level 1 and 2 and slightly lower in Level 3 to comparable schools.

“We aspire to have as many students achieving merit or excellence as possible, but we’re pleased with the results the students achieved and we acknowledge that particularly for our Year 13s, not all of our students have a focus on

Around 60 per cent of community-based offenders had an identified AOD need and 87 per cent of prisoners had experienced an AOD problem over their lifetime, the report said.

O’Shea said Nelson-Marlborough Health had been in communication with the courts regarding this change for some time now, having first informed them well over six months ago.

“We have offered the courts support in putting a plan in place for other report writers to continue this work.

“We have also offered to develop a pathway that would allow new report writers to refer defendants to our addictions service,” she said.

O’Shea said they were also working with the Ministry of Justice to minimise disruption during the transition.

that Level 3 and UE,” he says. “The pathway readiness is the greater priority for those students, if a student knows they’re off to do an apprenticeship or off to Polytech and they don’t need that UE, then that’s all part of the picture, as long as it’s a meaningful pathway for them.”

Jono says the 2024 NCEA goals at Golden Bay High School were to maintain its high achievement levels, improve the endorsements, and ensure equitable outcomes for all students.

Judge Jo Rielly, who sits in the Nelson and Blenheim District Courts. Photo: Supplied.

Open Justice — Te Pātiti, a Public Interest Journalism initiative funded through NZ on Air.

Family violence study shows Motueka community’s awareness

ELISE VOLLWEILER

“Family violence doesn’t discriminate.”

A recent study completed by Women’s Support Motueka has pinpointed the community’s level of awareness about domestic violence.

In the 2022-2023 period, the organisation received 495 referrals, with 449 related to family violence.

The report states that family violence has been described as an epidemic in New Zealand, and that “anywhere between 50-87 per cent of people who experience family violence do not report it to the police at all”. Community engagement coordinator Mikayla Cahill carried out the “community readiness” study, and she presented the findings to the centre’s “community and whanau” combined services meeting last month.

Seeking response from all parts of the community, the four respondents represented sectors from government, non-government, health, and marae.

“There is very little sociological research about family violence in our region, so it was important to hear about how our region is unique and what responses are needed to reduce the impacts of family violence,” she says.

The study checked for the Motueka community’s attitudes, prevention and intervention efforts, as well as its knowledge and recommendations surrounding domestic violence.

“We go into detail about what family violence actually is, because family violence isn’t always physical,” Mikayla told the meeting’s attendants.

The study shows, on the ninepoint scale that ranges from no awareness to a high level of community ownership, that the

Motueka community is about halfway, sitting at the preplanning and preparation stages. This means that there are “resources available, but little awareness of services and the seriousness of the issue of family violence,” the report states.

The respondents all expressed that there were two definite groups within the community. The first is those who are directly affected by family violence, be they victims or family, friends and neighbours of victims.

happened to people I know”.

“I wasn’t overly surprised by the responses,” Mikayla told The Guardian. “Our participants are kaimahi who see our community members every day and know what could be implemented to help.”

The second group, encompassing those who are not directly affected, tend to lack “knowledge and acceptance”, the report states.

Reporting to the meeting, Mikayla said that the second group sat in a place of denial, because they think “this hasn’t happened to me, it hasn’t

The study’s action points are to create a three-tiered system to help prevent family violence. A school outreach programme, to be designed this year in consultation with schools and whānau, will contain practical information for both students and parents about family violence and age-appropriate consent education.

“This acts as primary prevention as it aims to prevent violence from ever occurring in the first place,” the report states. An awareness campaign will form a secondary prevention, because “every single participant stated that there needed to be increased awareness of the services available in our region”.

Mikayla said that this would also include a “relationship red flag” campaign, to help people recognise unhealthy behaviour within relationships before it escalated to family violence.

The third initiative will be “cycle-breaker” workshops, to soften the effects of long-term abuse and intergenerational trauma.

The Community Readiness Study Report can be viewed on the Women’s Support Motueka website: https://wsm.org.nz/ wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ Womens-Support-Motueka-Full-Community-Readiness-Report-2023.pdf

Centre manager Maluz Moreno says that the organisation is extremely excited about these initiatives as the centre continues to work toward preventing violence in the community.

She says that people can support their services with a donation via their platform, https://wsm.org. nz/support-us/.

Women’s Support Motueka’s community engagement coordinator Mikayla Cahill. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

History beams from Motueka’s main street

ELISE VOLLWEILER

Historical Motueka quiz time.

What was sold in Spicer’s store?

Who was the boilerman who had such exquisite time-keeping that the whole town followed the schedule of his whistle? And how many times has the Post Office Hotel been destroyed by fire?

If you knew that the answers were home appliances, Fred Sparrow, and twice, then you are either an eighth generation Motuekan, or you have sneaked a peek at the new plaques that are popping up on the buildings along the main street. The plaques,

made of adonised aluminium with powder-coated aluminium frames, are a joint project between Our Town Motueka and the Motueka Historical Association, and it has been about an 18-month process from concept to completion. They have now been entrusted to the Motueka Menz Shed for installation.

Our Town Motueka coordinator Claire Hutt says that the idea came from seeing a similar thing in Takaka, and they sought plenty of advice from Golden Bay’s historical society to recreate the concept on Motueka’s High Street.

“We made a list…and we got 63 buildings that we

could literally do stories on,” she laughs. However, their $10,000 funding, care of the Motueka Community Board, was enough to do the first 16, with the hope that more will come in the near future.

She said that the Motueka Historical Association did all of the background work, and Our Town Motueka did the legwork to make sure the concept could work.

The historical association has the funds to pay for the next round of plaques, and Claire says she hoping that the town has 50 plaques in the next couple of years.

“The buildings are so old and they hold such a lot of history.”

Nelson at your fingertips

Our Town Motueka’s Janis Ord, left, Motueka Historical Association’s Maureen Dabinett, Our Town Motueka’s Claire Hutt, Motueka Historical Association’s Coralie Smith, Motueka Menz Shed’s Grant Bleakley, and Nick Hughes of the Motueka Community Board. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Motueka Menz Shed smartens Memorial Hall doors

ELISE VOLLWEILER

The swish of paint brushes and hum of sanders were just background noise to the companionable chat at the Motueka Menz Shed last week, where about 20 members gathered to work on personal and community-based projects.

Menz Sheds started in Australia in the 1980s, as a way of connecting men who were socially isolated.

“This was one way of addressing that – bringing them together for a common purpose, just to meet up and talk,” Motueka Menz Shed chairperson Ian Davey says.

“It’s given me a place in the community,” one member stated simply.

Motueka’s Menz Shed began almost 12 years ago, initially operating out of a space by the recreation centre before a permanent premises was found at Marchwood Park several years later. It has 42 members, including – unusually for the Menz Shed model – three women.

Since its inception, the group has been quietly involved with dozens of projects, many of which involve some level of carpentry or engineering. “We give The Repair

Shop a run for its money,” someone laughs. Sometimes the group is tasked with repairs, such as keeping the artist-designed seats in the main street in good repair. Sometimes they are asked to help with projects for community groups, such as creating display stands for the Motueka Art Group. The Christmas Parade’s refurbished Santa sleigh is one of their achievements, as are the hexagonal picnic tables at Memorial Park. They

also make and sell penguin nesting boxes and predator traps to support groups like Friends of Flora with their work.

Motueka High School now has “the most substantial picnic tables in the country”, reckons one member who helped with the endeavor.

An ongoing project has been sanding back, repairing and revarnishing 12 wooden doors at Memorial Hall. State Cinema’s Mark Wentworth, who assists

with many local productions there, contacting The Guardian about the group’s craftmanship and dedication to both this project and the many others that they have undertaken. Payment for these projects is charged on a sliding scale, depending on what is involved and who is asking.

“We need to make a little bit of money for the club,” Ian explains. The charges are nominal however - charities and community

groups might be lucky enough to get assistance for the cost of the materials. Members of the public who would like help with repairs or simple projects are welcome to drop into the Menz Shed during opening hours, where they may be lucky enough to have a dozen practical heads offering solutions. Most members are retirees, but Ian says that there are no age limits – upper or lower – for the Menz Shed, and you don’t have to have a practical background to become a member.

“A side aspect, almost, is what you learn. Everybody has got all sorts of different skills,” member Tony Small says.

That’s a lot of pooled resources, as Ian points out.

“When there’s a problem, there’s probably 20 different ideas.”

Ian says they are aware that some people are not as capable as they used to be, but they are just as welcome to come along for a cup of tea.

Members are encouraged to bring their own projects to work on, as well as getting involved in the group projects.

The Menz Shed meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12pm, with the jug going on at about 10am for a cuppa.

From left, Ron Karsten, Derek Walker and Tony Small work on sanding back and revarnishing some of Memorial Hall’s internal doors. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.

Driver licensing stress and frustration

Guardian. Her son Jack, now 17, went for his restricted licence in Nelson last August, and like about half of first-time testers, failed. NZTA statistics show that only 56 per cent of people passed their restricted test first time around in the year ending December 2022, and Nelson’s overall pass rate for restricted tests, including resits, was 58 per cent. This compares to a national figure of 54 per cent for Class 1 car licenses - Blenheim’s overall pass rate for the same test was 61 per cent, and Westport’s 80 per cent. The family immediately tried to rebook the test for Jack, only to discover that there were no spaces available in Nelson until the following September. They managed to secure a spot for in Blenheim for late November, and Bec took a day off work to drive him over. Upon their arrival, they were told that an instructor was sick, and Jack’s test was cancelled.

The next available booking they could find was four months later in early March, in Westport. Bec says that finally last week, with another day off work and a 600km round-trip, he passed.

“This process is crazy,” she summarises. Jack says it would be beneficial to the youth of Motueka if they could do their practical tests in Motueka – a service that was removed in 2012, when the licensing criteria changed to require a more complex driving environment than Motueka could then offer.

Chris Rodley, national manager – regulatory system design for NZTA, says that at the time, Motueka did not meet requirements around minimum traffic levels, road and intersection layouts, and specific speed zones.

“The restricted licence test was strengthened to reduce the risk to safety posed by and for young and novice drivers. Road crashes are the single biggest killer of teenagers in New Zealand, and our teen crash rates are among the worst in the developed world.”

He says that nationally, eight new driver testing officers have just completed their training, with a further 10 training this month. However, no information was given about where the testing officers might be based.

“Our aim is to target locations where increased access to driver licensing services is most needed and there are a number of locations where access to improved driver licensing services will be reviewed, including Motueka,” he says.

“We are aware of the Motueka community’s desire and need for a practical testing route for Class 1 driving testing, and community views will be taken into account in our review and prioritisation process. However, we cannot currently commit to a timeframe for when a review will be undertaken.”

NZTA’s response isn’t good enough, reckons West Coast/Tasman-based list MP Damien O’Conner, who berated the organisation for its “obstinance and obstruction”.

He says that the delays create pressure on our youth “and lead to too many young people on the wrong side of the law” as they end up driving illegally while they wait months for testing availability.

He says that the Tasman District Council and the Motueka community, including the parents and grandparents of these young drivers, are doing their very best to help youth through the system legally.

Local History

With a new building, BNZ prospers in Motueka

ROBYN PARKES

During the early times, the banking business in Motueka languished and poverty, low prices, and general stagnation conditions existed which was not favourable to profitable banking. As a result the directors of BNZ decided to close the Motueka branch, as the business transactions did not warrant keeping it open.

The leading residents, however, petitioned that the branch be kept open, and at a largely attended meeting certain proposals, such as increase of exchange, were made to the bank authorities, and under those conditions it was agreed to give the branch a further trial.

Fred Symes was appointed manager in July 1895. After another 18 months, the directors again considered that there was not sufficient business to continue the branch, but Symes suggested that

instead of closing, a charge should be made for keeping current accounts, and a further trial was attempted under this condition. Thanks to Symes’ management, and to the progress of the district, the branch remained open, and the directors considered the bank was profitable enough to warrant a new and modern building which was erected on a central site in High Street, opposite the borough schools.

By July 1902 plans for the proposed offices were completed and were given to the bank’s directors for approval. These were approved and in August a tender was published inviting for the erection of the bank premises, which were planned to be completed within 18 weeks of the contract being given. The tender was secured by Mr Andrew Miller with building beginning around the end of October 1902 and completed late January 1903

Tendering for the new premises. Photo: Supplied.

with the manager Fred Symes taking possession of it.

The new building was two storeys high with the front having a substantial, business-like appearance. It was of an imposing appearance with the main entrance to the building accessed through a porch, with swing doors opening into the public office. It was 35 ft in height, with a width of

37ft and length of 32 ft, with the kitchen and scullery being joined to the northeast portion of the main building.

The banking portion consisted of the public office, which was fitted with counter, desks and other banking conveniences, a manager’s room with a fireplace and toilet.

The manager’s room, office and

passage were dadoed 4ft high with double beaded coloured rimu. Immediately behind the accountant’s desk were three large Milner’s safes, built-in with brick and cement and on solid concrete foundation. Staff accessed the bank by a side entrance.

The manager had a suite of apartments which were reached through an entrance on the southern side of the main building. On the first floor were dining, drawing rooms and kitchen as well as a larder, and on the second floor were four bedrooms, the largest 18ft by 14ft, and a bathroom. A water supply for bath and kitchen had been secured and tanks provided for storage purposes. The contractor and painter/paperhanger Frank Hargreaves and his staff were praised for the completed building.

The old premises were planned for renovation then handed over to the Police Department.

Funding boost for Tamaha Sea Scouts

ELOISE MARTYN

Five Top of the South community organisations have been given a funding boost thanks to forestry company OneFortyOne’s community grants programme, including Māpua’s Tamaha Sea Scouts.

The group received $1,430 to purchase a new inflatable tent and ground sheet which they can use for their camping trips.

“This will mean we can make the most of our weekend camps with a quicker set-up so we can maximise our time exploring what our camping location has to offer,” says group leader Amanda Brett. “Moving to these new larger inflatable tents means that our scouts will be able to camp in their patrols at regattas and we will be confident they will stay dry in wet conditions, unlike some of our older tents that have lost their weatherproofing.”

Amanda says outdoor

camping experiences are the highlight of being in the scouting movement, empowering youth and creating positive, lifelong memories with respect of the outdoors.

“These camps build teamwork and self-resilience for the youth by cooking, sleeping, playing, and exploring together with their peers.”

Kylie Reeves, OneFortyOne’s corporate affairs manager, says that the company offers one-off

grants of up to $5,000.

Tapawera’s Valley Stage Rugby club, Hearing Nelson, REAP Marlborough, and The Marlborough Fijian Community also received grants this round.

“We are particularly keen to support projects that relate to people, ideas, nature, and environment (PINE),” says Kylie.

More than $160k has been given to 60 community projects since the grant scheme’s inception in July 2021.

Tamaha Sea Scout Kea group, aged 5-7 years old, on a crab hunt session at Grossi Point Reserve in Māpua. Photo: Supplied.

Take the guess work out of making better choices with a wonderful range of exhibitors showcasing fresh, practical ideas to improve your homes, outdoors & lifestyle

Landscaping, kitchens, solar solutions, heating, flooring, sheds, plants, builders & renovators

Health, beauty, well-being, artisan foods and more

Free informative 'Ask an Expert' sessions

Delicious food and coffee

15-17 MARCH

FRI, SAT 10-5, SUN 10-4

TRAFALGAR CENTRE, NELSON

www.betterhomeandlivingshow.co.nz

Enter your details and be in to WIN a rug of your choice to the value of $1,000 thanks to Choices Flooring!

ASK AN EXPERT!

Prizes to be won, giveaways and Show exclusive specials

Get creative with Resene Paint-a-Birdhouse from 11 - 2 Sat & Sun

“I’ll see you there!”

Resident Builder

Peter Wolfkamp

Bring along your plans, questions & ideas & enjoy free daily sessions!

10.30 am

You don't need a home improvement project on the go to enjoy the Nelson Better Home & Living Show! Take a break from the shopping and enjoy a bite to eat, there is a wonderful variety of artisan goods, health, well-being and more!

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Adults $5, Gold Card Friday $2.50 Under 16 Free

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The latest Technology in Off Grid & On Grid Solar Power Systems

Lance Double, ESOLAR

Maintaining a Healthy Home

Vicki White & Manfred Plagmann, BRANZ

What Does Good Look Like

Peter Woflkamp, Resident Builder

Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand

Shannon Norton, Head of Nursing, Cannabis Clinic

Extraordinary Design for people with Ordinary Budgets

David Maurice, LTD Architectural Design

There is a fantastic range of trades all under one roof at the Nelson Better Home & Living Show! Check out builders, renovators, kitchens, solar solutions, flooring, spas, roofing, sheds, cabins, landscaping & more!

Bring along your plans, questions and ideas to the free Ask an Expert sessions! We are pleased to welcome Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp to the Show on Saturday and look forward to hearing his tips and tricks on 'What Does Good Look Like'.

Shrinking media ‘worrying’

The rapidly shrinking local and national news media is worrying. Very few people under forty watch TV news let alone know the difference between uninterested, (which they are) and disinterested {which the News Reporters should be.) Media companies are losing vital revenues as it is getting harder, with dwindling audiences, to persuade vendors to buy advertising time during TV news or current affairs programs. Newspapers have already suffered a similar loss of revenue. With young people no longer buying or even reading newspapers, and since the likes of TradeMe vacuumed up all the ‘small ads,’ many ‘daily’ newspapers have been forced to cut their production to four days a week or less and close local offices just to break-even.

For more than thirty years I minuted Council meetings. On the rare occasions when the local reporter was absent, politicians would often make the most inappropriate comments and suggestions that they wouldn’t have uttered if a reporter had been present.

Without the independent ‘checks and balances’ journalists provide, even Prime Ministers bent on ‘saving’ public-money, would not be held to account and asked why they paid themselves $1100 a week from the public-purse to live in a house they own.

Andrew Rose

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Kaye Crawshay

Record

147 boats drawn to show

It was awesome to see such a variety of boats there.

Shirley Keen

Doors open to Māpua’s district health nurse clinic

How wonderful!!

Philippa Foes-Lamb

What’s

Apirana Poetry Reading

Friday, 15 March 6:30pm

Motueka Library Te Noninga Kumu

Suggested Koha from $10

Riverside Music Festival

Saturday, 16 March, 11am-9pm

Riverside Community Cultural Centre

A day of music, activities, stalls, and community connectedness.

$20 Adults, $10 Children (14 –17 yrs), Children under 13 FREE, Family Pass (2 adults & 2 teenagers) $45.

Motueka Recreation Centre Community Open Day

Sunday, 17 March. 10am-4pm

40 Old Wharf Rd

The entire centre is open and free to use including the gym. Come and see what we have to offer.

Bayleys Motueka

208 High Street, Motueka

David

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

atourlibrary

Te Noninga Kumu - 32 Wallace St - 03 528 1047

Make a Butterfly Mobile – Thursday 14 March, 1pm-2pm

Make a beautiful Butterfly mobile to celebrate World Butterfly Day, for adults.

Apirana Taylor visit – Friday 15 March, 6.30pm-8pm

Hear and meet Apirana Taylor, an internationally published Māori poet, Storyteller, playwright, novelist, actor, musician, painter and performer.

Suggested koha from $10, profits to Motueka RDA.

A sign will be put out when the Event is full.

Sensory Space for Adults – Monday 18 March, 1.30pm-3pm

Come along and enjoy “Paint by numbers” an activity for the special needs community. Adults to be accompanied by a caregiver please.

UniTea – Wednesday 20 March, 4pm-5pm

We invite you to connect over a cup of tea to acknowledge Unity Week 2024. Unity in diversity and collectively build community resilience.

Write proverbs or words of unity on our garland to be displayed in the library.

Beach Terrarium – Thursday 21 March, 10.30am-12pm

Come and create a Beach Terrarium so you can enjoy beach memories anytime. Book in at the library or phone (03)528 1047.

Paper Artsy – Thursday 21 March, 1.30pm-3.30pm

www.nmdhb.govt.nz

Thinking about your drinking

Have you ever thought about changing your drinking habits? Is alcohol starting to cause problems in your life?

Alcohol is the most commonly used drug in New Zealand. Unfortunately, it can cause problems for your physical health, mental health, relationships, finances, and spiritual wellbeing. Some people find that they may be drinking more than they would like to but are not sure how to reduce or stop. Some have tried to cut back but have slowly returned to higher amounts. Whatever you or your loved one’s concerns are, the good news is that there is free support available.

Where to get help:

Visit: www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz to find local support. You’ll find free, non-judgmental information,

education and services.

Call the Alcohol & Drug Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 787 797 to speak to a trained counsellor. The Māori Line is 0800 787 798, the Pasifika Line is 0800 787 799, and the Youth Line is 0800 787 984.

You can also look at the Living Sober website at: www.livingsober.org.nz for support.

Ideas to cut down your drinking might include:

• Plan how many drinks you will have before you start and stick to it

• Eat before you drink and while you are drinking

• Drink a glass of water in between alcoholic drinks

• Try having non-alcohol days each week

• Drink slowly, sip your drink

• Drink lower strength alcohol drinks such as beer instead of wine or spirits

• Let your friends and family know you are trying to cut back and ask for their support

• Spend time with people who do not drink alcohol

• Try an alternative drink such as ginger beer or soda water with lemon

• Contact a local alcohol service for ideas and support

Wondering whether you or someone you know has a problem?

The Alcohol and Drug Helpline have put together a free quiz to assess whether your drinking might be putting you at risk of alcohol-related harm. Head to: www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz/problem to take the quiz.

SPEEDWAY

Dowie CONTRACTING

Phone 03 544 4726

Mobile 027 285 7633

P

Proud

The PTS Stampede welcomes three-time New Zealand Superstock Champion Asher Rees to the double-header weekend in Nelson. After winning the NZ Stockcar title at his last major visit in 2015, Asher has gone on to win the NZ Superstock title an unprecedented three times in a row and joins Nelson’s Craig Boote as the only other person to have won three NZ championships. Asher will return next year to defend his 1NZ title when Nelson hosts in 2025 and the Stampede will give him valuable track time amongst a top line-up in preparation for next year. The list of drivers that have entered the Stampede includes 2NZ Blair Uhlenberg; seasoned racers Jack Miers and Dale Robertson; teams racing legend Kerry Remnant; and up and comers Braydon Lennon, Jacob Buckrell and Tom Cooper. There are some legendary drivers attending as well including Ross Ashby, Bryce Vazey and Peter Field who have decades of racing behind them. For some local nostalgia, spectators will be excited to see the return of Brett Nicholls and the ex1NZ 18n Harwood car that will be driven by Jay Holtham. Two of

the biggest stirrers in Superstocks, Jayden Ward and Harley Robb, are attending and their performance alone will be worth the entry fee. Add in the hometown heroes - defending Stampede Champion Shane Harwood, along with Alex Hill, and newbie Callum Russ alongside regular visitors Mitch and Jake Berry, Adam Groom and Hepi Paul who are all making the trip back to Nelson. There have been some epic final races over the past few years and this year’s line-up promises to provide an even bigger finale to the weekends racing. The Stockcars join the fun with their Summer-Slam, racing as pairs for points over the heat races.

The top five teams then compete in a three-lap, teams-racing style run-off to advance to the final race, and to find the overall winners. The lead up was an epic battle in the all-new format with upsets and excitement right down to the very last lap. The teams needed to be fast thinking, adaptable and reliable to survive throughout the weekend. Some drivers who are usually mates might have to battle each other, and there will be no love lost in trying to win the trophy this year. Riley Eathorne won with partner Dylan Clarke against some top teams last year. With Clarke out injured this weekend, Eathorne has the NZ GP champion, Wade Sweeting, as his

partner and they will be a formidable duo. Roydon Winstanley paired with Jack Rarity, will also have one eye on the trophy. New club champion, Max Baker, will pair with brother Zak, and the fierce competition on the track means you could expect an upset or two along the way. Ministock Mania is the other big competition for the weekend. With the club already bursting at the seams, it will be a maximum field of cars that will battle for Mania Glory. Four North Island cars will attend and try to grab the top honours again after they had a clean sweep last year. The Mania trophy backs up from the Christchurch challenge the week earlier. It’s a busy last part of the season with many of the major Ministock events happening, so the drivers should be at peak performance, and there’s plenty of competition to see who will come out on top. The classic stock cars make their annual return for the weekend with a couple of new cars making the local line-up, while a fleet of North Island cars are coming down to rekindle old yarns from last year. They are running a North/South Pairs combo over the weekend. Competitors are normally handicapped by speed as a large number of the cars span many generations of racing, It's a great insight to seeing cars of yesteryear racing alongside their modern counterparts. After having each other’s backs at the NZ titles and State of Origin, it will be every person for themselves this weekend when the Streetstocks hold their Open Club Champs. As with all the major events, there’s always a chance that the action will only get better as drivers race for club pride and a few numbers get dusted off on their dashboards. Racing starts at 6pm Friday and 5pm Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online via the Nelson Speedway Website.

It’s all on the app. Are you?

The Nelson App has been the go-to place for the latest news and sport since 2017.

Every day tens of thousands of Nelsonians open the app to stay informed about what's happening in our region.

But it isn't just news on the app, it features up-coming events, funeral notices, the latest property for sale, flight information, places to eat and drink, local businesses, weather and tide reports, a TV guide and much more.

So, next time you open the around, you might be surprised what you find.

• NEWS

• PROPERTY

• SPORTS

• RURAL

• LIFESTYLE

• FLIGHTS

• DINING

• TIDES

• WEATHER

• GEONET

• TO DO

• FUNERALS

• JOBS

• OUTAGES

Parklands School’s swimming pool was churning with activity last Thursday, during the school’s annual swimming sports. Students competed for house points, and as well as the more formal age-group races, there were points to be scored for the fastest doggy-paddlers and the best manu/ bombs. The day ended with the classic showdown between the speediest students and Matua Craig, who remains undefeated. Photos: Elise Vollweiler.

Manaaki Poulsen, 8, is zoomed across the pool by his schoolmates.

Kevin Xucheng, 6, is helped across the pool.

Kaylee Evans, 12.

Ruby Riodan, 5, and Tia Herewini, 11.

Community Notices

MONDAY

MOTUEKA HIGHLAND PIPE BAND, Mon, 7pm. Band is located beside Motueka Recreation Centre. Promoting Scottish tradition and culture. We look forward to your participation. More info: Ph: 027284 8361.

MOTUEKA ELYSIUM Mon, 9.30am, Muses Café. For Widows and Widowers. Join us for coffee and chat, friendship, and support. Ph: Carol 035285027.

WOULD YOU LIKE A BIKE? Bike Hub Nelson accepts donations of good used bikes, fixes them up and gives them away for a small koha. 142 Saxton Rd. Mon, 5.30-7pm. For other opening times and a map e: bikehubnelson@gmail. com.

MOTUEKA BETTER BREATHERS, Mon, 11.30am, Motueka Recreation Gym ‘Functional Fitness Room’, Old Wharf Rd. A 60-minute series of guided exercises done seated or standing, specifically designed to help those with breathing difficulties. Ph: Jess 0275467675.

MAPUA FRIENDSHIP CLUB. Indoor bowls, 1st & 3rd Mon. Mapua Bowling Club rooms. 2pm, Bring a plate of afternoon tea. Lots of laughs. Ph: Val 035403685.

TUESDAY / WEDNESDAY

MOCKINGBIRDS MUSIC GROUP, Tues, 2-2.30pm, Senior Net, Pah St. If you enjoy some fun singing/playing music, come along with our instrument, we’d love you to join us. Beginners very welcome. Ph: Sue 02102416155.

THE MOTUEKA HEART SUPPORT GROUP meeting, Wed, 20 Mar,10:30am, Motueka Community House. This month's guest speaker is Cardiac Nurse Specialist Paul Peacock to discuss heart function and living with heart failure. Pre-registration recommended. Contact Janet Kelly 0272296260.

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ: Wed, 20 Mar, 10am-11.30am, Motueka Library. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection and finding out about groups, activities, and services. www.wellby.org.nz. Ph: 035467681.

MOTUEKA BRASS, Tues Evenings. Discover your musical talent with us! Join our lively brass band for an unforgettable experience To join Ph: 021728168 or come along.

MOTUEKA ARTS COUNCIL office at Community House, Decks reserve. Wed, 11-3pm. Inquiries about art activities; funding for Art; Art ideas for Motueka. Ph: 0210589388.

AGE CONCERN TEA & TALK, Every Wed, 10.30am, The Shed, 24a Tudor St. More info Ph: 0279214074.

KNIT & NATTER Wed, 10-12pm, Motueka Over 50s Social Hub, 10 Pah St. Friendly group for all ages. Includes refreshments. Ph: Roz 027415636. All welcome.

WALK 4 HEALTH, Wed, 8.30m, Motueka Community Garden. 30-50 min walk at your own pace, for any age, any fitness and size. Ph:0273015598 or wellontrack@gmail.com

TOASTMASTERS MOTUEKA meet 1st & 3rd Wed of month, 6.45pm start, St John’s rooms, Jack Inglis Hosp, Courtney St. Gain speaking confidently, friendly environment. More Info Ph: Peter 0277468311.

RUM MORRIS DANCERS. Musicians and dancers but mostly friends. Slightly random - mostly Tues evenings, sometimes Wed. Get yourself a second favourite form of aerobic exercise. Ph: Dorris 02040618088

THURSDAY / FRIDAY

MEDITATION, Weekly meditation sessions open to all. Thurs, 12.15-12.45pm, Te Noninga Kumu - Motueka Library. During term time. No registration needed. Just come along. More info: Ph: Louise Petzold 0278789240.

NELSON BAYS HARMONY CHORUS, (women’s choir), is seeking new members to join our happy group. Thurs evenings, Club Waimea, Richmond. Ph: Carole 0274360910.

MOTUEKA 50+ WALKING GROUP every Thurs. More info Ph: 0212640403 e: secretary50pluswalkers@gmail.com, or www.motueka50pluswalkers.org.nz.

RUMMIKUB Thurs, 1-4pm, Motueka Over 50s Social Club, 10 Pah St. Friendly group, includes refreshments. All welcome. Ph: Keith 0274516422.

DEADLINE: 10AM FRIDAY

50 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLY SEND TO: office@topsouthmedia.co.nz

THE DOCTORS MOTUEKA – Walking Group, Thurs, 9am, by the Janie Seddon Shipwreck carpark. Walking for 30 mins, suitable for all fitness levels. Make your daily walk more fun and meet new people. Ph: 035288358.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP meet 1st Thurs of the month, 1.30-3.30pm, Broadgreen House, 276 Nayland Rd. Ph: Bill 035448635 or 035391137.

MOTUEKA G.R.G 2nd & 4th Thurs, 1-3pm, St Andrews lounge, 64 High St. Support group welcomes grandparents/kin raising/ supporting grandchildren. Join us for a confidential relaxed and supportive time with others. Ph: 0211337299.

SENIORNET MOTUEKA, The Genealogy Interest Group meets 2nd Fri, 2pm. Ph: Allan 0279711100 or visit www. seniornetmotueka.org.nz

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

ORCHID SHOW MOTUEKA, Sun, 24 Mar, 10-2.30pm, Motueka Library, Wallace St. The Nelson Orchid Society is presenting an Orchid Show. Sales table. Members displays. New members welcome. All welcome to come along to make the most of the sales table and displays. $2 entry fee. Eftpos available.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE Sat, 10-12pm, Motueka Library. Free services, including copy certification and witnessing signatures are available.

GENERAL GROUPS

SALTWATER BATHS, Good swimming, High tides until 17 Mar. Tides lower from then on. Clean out 15 Mar, 8am. Refilled mid PM.

ART EXHIBITION, Sat, 29 Mar – Mon 1 Apr, 10am – 3pm (until 1pm on 1 Apr), Pakawau Memorial Hall. Full moon group, painting, photography, jewellery, fibre art.

MOTUEKA DISTRICT BRASS Do you want to be part of a fun, social and competitive band, who make players welcome? e: motueka.brass@gmail.com or Ph: 021728168

MOTUEKA NEWCOMERS New to Motueka? We’re a social group, mostly retired (50+) who meet regularly and welcome newcomers. More info Ph: Jana 035284355.

INDOOR BOWLS, Mon & Wed, 1.15-3pm, Motueka Over 50s Hub, 10 Pah St. All abilities welcome. Ph: Jude 0273244226

RIWAKA CROQUET CLUB, do you and a group of friends/ family/workmates want to spend a fun few hours learning to play croquet? You need a minimum of 8 players, $10 each, all equipment provided and someone from our club to help you learn the game. Full access to the clubhouse kitchen. For info Ph: 0276308910.

MOTUEKA SENIORNET Take advantage of the many interest groups offered. Join SeniorNet Motueka. To join, visit www.seniornetmotueka.org.nz, or Ph: Allan 0279711100.

MOTUEKA MENZSHED. Come and have a yarn, a cuppa or so a project. e: secretarymotmenzShed@gmail.com or just turn up at MenzShed, Marchwood Park, College Rd, Wed or Thurs 9-12pm.

MOTUEKA TRAMPING CLUB, would you like to go walking on the weekends but are not sure where to start? Start with your local club: www.motuekattrampingclub.org.

RED CROSS MOTUEKA BRANCH Fundraising shop, open Mon – Fri, 10-2pm. Community House, Decks Reserve. We sell clothing, household linen and books. Donations of sellable goods are appreciated.

SURVIVORS AND THRIVERS, if you have or have had cancer, supporting someone with cancer, come and meet others in this friendly atmosphere. Ph: 035391137 or info@ cancernelson.co.nz for info or to reg.

MULTICULTURAL MOTUEKA welcomes migrants and refugees every Tues & Fri, 8.30 -1pm, Community House, Decks Reserve. We provide connection and practical assistance for newcomers to our region as well as support for all cultural activities happening in our community. Ph 027 5286744 or sez@multiculturalnt.co.nz.

MOTUEKA TENNIS CLUB. INC. Every Tues & Thurs,

9-11.30am. Courts behind the Memorial Hall Pah St. Racquets available to borrow for new Members. All welcome.

GATEWAY TO YOUR WELLBEING, Wellbeing is important for all of us to thrive. The shed is a safe place to meet new people in a supportive and caring environment. We can connect you with other agencies for the right support needed. More info Ph: 0279214074, E: admin@ght.co.nz or pop in 24a Tudor St, Motueka.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. Is alcohol causing problems for your life? Want to stop drinking but can’t? Maybe we can help. Support meetings every day. Ph: 0800aaworks, 08002296757.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, If you have or have had breast cancer, come along to this friendly atmosphere. 102 Hardy St, Nelson. Reg: 035391137 or E: info@cancernelson.org.nz.

SUSTAINING TENANCIES Having trouble with your Tenancy? Need help working things through with your landlord or tenant? Gateway Housing Trust. Info E: housing@ght.co.nz or Ph: 035457100.

NEED A LIFT? Mapua Willing Wheels Volunteer Drivers Service, affordable transport around Mapua, Motueka, Richmond, Nelson (no airport runs). To book Ph: 0226822373 or mapuawheels@gmail.com. 24 hrs’ notice required. NELSON HOSPICE The Motueka shop needs volunteers! If you would like to volunteer for us, please enquire at the shop or Ph: 035281178.

RADIO CONTROL SAILING Wed and Sun, 1pm onwards, Best Island. Weather permitting. IOMs and Dragon Force etc. New members welcome. More info Ph: Peter 0275443923.

MOTUEKA DISTRICT TOY LIBRARY, Tues, and Thurs, 9-11am, and Sat, 10-12pm, 44 Pah St. Annual membership $30. Hundreds of toys for all ages.

GREYPOWER MOTUEKA welcomes visitors at the Community House office, Decks Reserve on Wallace St. for ongoing service requests. Discount provider list available. Ph: 035289076 or e: greypowermot@gmail.com.

Community notices are free to community groups, schools, churches, gold coin donation events and fundraising only. For classified ads and public notices please call 528 2088.

Due to the popularity of this column, while every effort will be made, inclusion cannot be guaranteed for free ads.

Brothers Tate and Callum Burns prepare for their race on Saturday at Lake Rotoiti as part of the Rotoiti Powerboat Club Regatta. Competing in the club class for juniors it was Tate who beat his brother in the first of their races. Callum did say with a grin on his face that his brother had “no more skill, just a faster boat”. Photo: Steve Page.

NBS Motueka

Golf Club results

Ladies Tuesday, 6 March

Ladies 9 holes

1st Gaye Milnes 36

2nd Penny Brown 37

3rd Trish Harrris-virgin 38

Mens Veterans Wednesday, 7 March

Men

1st Ian Shirley 37

2nd Barry Riordan 36

3rd Maurice Collins 36

Pah Road Cafe Closest to the pinBob Ilton

Saturday, 9 March

Motueka Bridge Club results

Monday, 4 March Kaiteriteri Handicap (Round 3 of 3)

NORTH-SOUTH

1st Bet Glengarry / Mary McCallum 64.95%

2nd Janet Howell / Karen Hawker 57.05%

EAST-WEST

1st Alison McMillan / Doug Elliott 59.75%

2nd Gillian Treadwell / Clive Thomas 58.1%

Tuesday, 5 March Junior Kaiteriteri Handicap (Round 2 of 3)

NORTH-SOUTH

1st Bet Glengarry / Lois Cocks 54.21%

2nd Diana Furlong / John McArthur 53.83%

EAST-WEST

1st Julie Marshall / Arjen Los 59.26%

2nd Elizabeth Bartlett / Lois Brookes 54.48%

Congratulations to the Kaiteriteri 3 Round Handicap winners overall:

Monday: Bet Glengarry and Mary McCallum with a score of 60.55% finished in the top position followed by Ray Cannell and Jana Bott on 56.06%

Tuesday: The winners were Ron Tippett and Geoff Tucker with a score of 52.38% followed closely by Lois Brookes and Elizabeth Bartlett on 51.51%

Men Russian Roulette Stableford

1st Rob Vincent and Peter Cederman 88

2nd Ron Noordijk and Ian Shirley

87

3rd Karl Heke and Bob Ilton 81

Ladies Hidden Partners Stableford

1st Donna Mitchell and Sandra Ilton 72

2nd Alison McMillan and Diane Strong

Upper Moutere Store closest to the pin Ladies Glenda Molgat Men Jon Gammon