July 6 2021
DIGITISE YOUR HISTORY
Videos, images, slides and negatives transferred to USB or DVD. Passport and ID Photos taken Instore Kaipara’s Only Regional Newspaper | Kaipara owned and Operated
Cnr Kapia & Totara Street, Dargaville Ph 09 439 8824 • www.adfocus.co.nz
10,450 Copies DELIVERED FREE throughout the Kaipara
Power star spells success u by Paul Campbell
The recruitment and training of apprentices for the electricity sector have produced a local star for Northpower, with Dargaville’s Mystee Opai achieving great success and stepping into the footprints of her father and grandfather before her.
Planting for Matariki Citizens and students have pitched in with planting initiatives …
P3
Water debate heats up
Ruawai farmer and Act MP Mark Cameron has introduced a bill …
P5
Ruawai students honoured Ruawai College students who have achieved excellence …
P7
The 25-year-old has 30 months to go to complete her apprenticeship and embark on a career as a cable jointer, a traditionally male-dominated role very few women in New Zealand have ever tackled. The power company received a significant boost last year when it was granted $1.5 million under the Regional Apprenticeship Initiative to help bring 40 people into the electricity sector by the end of 2022. Mystee was working night shifts in the retail sector when she saw the chance to join the scheme. Determined to carve out a career, she would work nights, sleeping for an hour, then attend an all-day course for the level two NZ certificate. After two hours of sleep, she would be back on the night shift, a routine that continued five days a week for 20 weeks. “In my retail job, it didn’t matter how much work you did; it seemed it was never enough to please people. However, at Northpower, the attitude is completely different. We work as a team, and people appreciate your efforts, so it makes coming to work even more enjoyable. I love coming to work because the people are great,” says Mystee. What makes the 25-year-old’s situation unique in her journey is that her grandfather Toma Ihaka and her father Heta Ihaka trained as cable jointers at Northpower’s Dargaville depot. “It was explained to me when I came here that if you are a team player, you will go all the way, and that’s what I plan to do. I want to learn from my team, learn from
p Top electricity apprentice Mystee Opai leads the way for her peers
my mistakes and keep getting better at what I do,” Mistee says. Her training manager Mackenzie Ashby has no doubt Mystee will succeed. “She is always positive, smiling, happy to talk to people and does not want to be treated differently. In the long-term, one of the things that will get you places in the electricity sector is positivity towards your team.”
When she’s not pursuing her career, Mystee says she spends time helping out in a whānau community kitchen providing meals for those in need but admits to relaxing sometimes. “I play several instruments, especially the guitar. I am enjoying life, and my message to other young people like me is that if you put in the time, you and indeed anybody can achieve your dreams.” ¢
LOW COST
700cc QUIET, KAWASAKI POWERFUL ENGINE
HEAVY ENGINEERING
LOW SERVICING COSTS DESIGNED WITH SERVICING IN MIND
ROBUST 700CC SINGLE PACKS PUNCH LOCKABLE DIFFERENTIAL AND FULL ENGINE BRAKING
BUILT KAWASAKI STRONG USING KHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES TECHNOLOGY
OF OWNERSHIP
$17,995
+GST
WINDSCREEN AND WIPERS NOT INCLUDED AND ARE OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES. PRICE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WHILE STOCKS LAST.
RELIABILITY COMES STANDARD 09 439 0170
SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY OR VISIT
www.kawasaki.co.nz
CA Motorcycles 104 Jervois St, Dargaville
ROUSE MOTORCYCLES
PH: 09 433 8471