Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 31 July 2019
Downer takes out title
Basketball is in the genes
Page 6
Page 19
Desperate father’s plea to help son Charles Anderson Editor
charles@nelsonweekly.co.nz
The saga of a mentally ill Nelson man who is falling between the cracks of the health and justice
systems could be a “tragedy waiting to happen,” says Nelson MP Nick Smith. Patrick Awarangi, 26, is currently in jail awaiting a court date for the latest in a long string of violence offences. He has been identified
as being on the autism spectrum but does not fit the right criteria for supported living, something his father says he is desperate for. “Patrick has lived here but has wrecked the house and the cars,” Koro Awarangi says. “He is just
like a tornado.” Koro says Patrick needs a supported place where he can go home to no matter what sort of day he has had. He has a short temper that can quickly explode into a violent rage.
However, over the years Koro says he has been endlessly frustrated by the mental health system, which says Patrick’s disorder is not acute enough to warrant extra care.
SEE PAGE 2
Furry friends take the cake
Kate Russell
Nelson SPCA’s sweetest day is returning to help animals in need - and they need your help to make it a success. Monday, August 5, is Cupcake Day - the charity’s biggest fundraiser where cupcakes are baked and sold around the country to raise funds for the ongoing protection and care of animals. SPCA spokesperson Jessie Gilchrist says they still looking for another 150 bakers to sign up this week to reach their target of raising $300,000 this year. These funds will be used across the country to aid in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need. You can register to bake and sell as an individual, team or school at www.spcacupcakeday.co.nz
Cupcake Day will help animals in need, like Nelson SPCA husky-cross Eli who is one-and-a-half years old and looking for his forever home. Photo: Kate Russell.
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