Otaki Mail, March 2020

ŌTAKI MAIL ©

Established in 1892

PO Box 109 Ōtaki otakimail@xtra.co.nz www.otakimail.co.nz 06 364 5500 March 2020

Catching lunch at the Kite Festival

Otaki Mail Journalists P5

A Black dragon soared above the Ōtaki skies at the recent Ōtaki Kite Festival, intent of getting his supper. Made by Peter Lynn Kites, the Ōtaki version was one similar to one he’d made for the launch of Dreamworld film How to Train Your Dragon, based on the book by Cressida Cowell.

Peter Lynn Kites made the original Dragon in 2014. It was flown over Tower Bridge in London in a display suitable for a movie company. The enormous 18 metre, 3 Dragon was towed by a speed boat down the river Thames and this escapade required the permission of the Port of London Authority which needed to open the

bridge for the occasion. It was an epic stunt, produced by experiential marketing agency PS Live.

It was an eye opening experience for Londoners, as Toothless, one of the characters in the book flew high above London. There were no pigs in sight. The black dragon which so enchanted visitors to Ōtaki Beach, even if the pig was a bit scared, is a smaller version of the original which was boxed up, never to be seen again.

Fortunately the skill of the Peter Lynn Kite making Company has enabled Toothless’ son to fly over our skies.

Anybody know if the pig survived?

Film programme P9

Music column P10

The local café everyone’s talking about!

Open 7 days 6.30am till late afternoon, including public holidays • Fairtrade organic coffee • no surcharge • 06 364-6742 • riverstonecafe.co.nz

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FAS T? NOT HIN G FOR BREAK tone Café Don’t panic ... RiverS every day IS OpEN from 6.30am RiverStone Café offers Gold Card holders a 10% discount Monday to Friday.

Tag results P13

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

free phone

0508 ENLIVEN

Enliven’s Levin rest homes have respite options available.

Respite options with Enliven’s Levin homes with Enliven in Horowhenua Enliven creates elder-centred communities that recognises elders as individuals and supports them in a way that’s right for them. Across Horowhenua, Enliven offers lively welcoming communities with specialist offerings.

In Levin, Enliven offers:

• Levin Home for War Veterans • Reevedon Home and Village retirement villages rest home hospital dementia short term respite health recovery day programmes For more information please visit:

www.enlivencentral.org.nz Ways you can settle a dispute

BY FLEUR HOBSON If you have a dispute with another person, company or organisation that needs to be decided, you can go to court.

This usually is a very expensive way to resolve something, however. It also usually takes a long time and is very stressful for the people who have the dispute.

There are a series of other ways of resolving disputes rather than going to court.

One way is to negotiate a solution that both you and the other party can accept.

You don’t have to go into this alone, either. You can, for example, have your lawyer carry out the negotiation for you.

The whole idea of a negotiation is to discuss the area or areas of concern and then come to an agreement to resolve the issue or issues.

Sometimes, however, negotiating a settlement is not the best strategy, especially where an independent person is needed to assist.

Outside of court, ombudsman or a tribunal, there are two types of dispute resolution processes that involve an independent decision maker. One is mediation and the other is arbitration.

The main difference between these two is that a mediator is there to help you reach a way to resolve the dispute but cannot make a decision, whereas an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators can make a binding decision.

A number of New Zealand’s laws include provision for mediation where there is a dispute. These include family law, employment, resource management and residential tenancies.

The above three methods – negotiation, mediation and arbitration – are not the

Enliven is reminding Horowhenua residents that short-term respite is available for local elders.

Respite care gives family carers a chance to take a break or go on holiday, while their loved ones stay with Enliven.

In Levin, Enliven has two homes that offer respite care – Reevedon Home and Levin Home for War Veterans.

Elders who choose respite care at an Enliven home can choose to participate in all the activities run at the home, have assistance at the end of a bell and of course all their meals are provided, says Enliven General Manager Nicola Turner.

“For families it allows them that break that they might need where they can relax and focus on other things.”

Respite care can range in length from a few days, to a week or longer periods, depending on the needs of the person and their family caregiver.

Nicola says if a family has a holiday

planned and is looking for respite care, Reevedon Home can take bookings up to 6 months in advance for people assessed as requiring rest home care.

“Taking time away to refresh and recharge your batteries, even for just a little while, can make a big difference to your wellbeing.”

Reevedon Home and Levin Home for War Veterans both follow the elder-centred Enliven philosophy, which encourages elders to enjoy companionship, spontaneity, variety, independence, choice and meaningful activity.

In Levin Enliven offers a full continuum of care from independent retirement living to rest home, hospital and dementia care, short-term respite and an engaging day programme. To learn more about Enliven’s philosophy and services, visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz.

You can also call 06 368 7900 (Reevedon Home) or 06 366 0052 (Levin Home).

only ways disputes can be settled out of court.

Some services, for example insurance and banking, provide an ombudsman service.

There are also a series of specialist tribunals that can hear a dispute and make a decision.

When it comes to claims, the Disputes Tribunal can hear claims up to $30,000 and decisions of the tribunal are binding.

And there are other tribunals, such as the Tenancy Tribunal, the Weathertight Homes Tribunal and the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal.

Except in exceptional circumstances, lawyers cannot represent you in the Disputes Tribunal or the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal.

However lawyers can appear in the Tenancy Tribunal if the tribunal thinks the issues are complex, the dispute is over

$6,000 or one of the parties cannot present their case adequately.

Whatever way you decide you want to resolve a dispute, it is highly recommended that you talk to a lawyer and get advice on your dispute.

Lawyers can help in a variety of ways, including advising on whether it is better to opt for negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or go via an ombudsman or tribunal, or even if it is best to go to court.

They can also help with practical issues, such as helping you prepare questions to ask witnesses and helping you prepare briefs of evidence, for example.

Thirdly, lawyers can also help you with advising on strategies for success.

For expert advice, whatever your issue, contact Fleur or Susie at Susie Mills Law, 364 7190, 282 Mill Road – opposite Farmlands.

Get the support of MILLS professional SUSIE advice with easy access locations

LAWYER Susie Mills and Fleur Hobson new office

SUSIE MILLS LAW

“Ask for Susie usie Mills ‘by name’...”

SUSIE MILLS LAW

Wills, estates, and powers of attorney

282 Mill Road (opposite Farmlands)

Waikanae – 5 Aputa Place, Countdown carpark Otaki – 65 Main St, previously McLarens Law 04 293 3735 | 06 364 7190

06 364 7190 office@susiemills.com | www.susiemills.com

Ōtaki Mail is produced by Lloyd, Ann & Penny at 176 Waerenga Road.

Printed by Beacon Print.

Delivered to every house (urban and rural) at the end of every month.

If your paper doesn't arrive, please tell us and we'll sort it.

For news, please tell us on 06 364 5500 or by email at otakimail@xtra.co.nz

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Rookie Life Savers

BY SHELLY WARWICK Ōtaki beach, the home of the Surf club, is a place where our kids can become involved in a culture that enables them to step forward in life with many skills and attributes that could open doors to many new life experiences for them. Lucky kids, have this opportunity because of volunteer time put in by the many people involved, a good portion of whom are the teenagers who themselves have been trained through the club. Ōtaki surf club started in 1953 and was first operated out of the Marine Pavillion until 1957 when the club started building its clubrooms. These have been extended and improved over the last 60 years. This has been achieved by numerous volunteers, financial donors, generous local businesses, and a lot of elbow grease by many clubbies, a good proportion of whom have been dedicated to the club for decades.

Since 1976, there have been paid lifeguards on our beach during the holiday season Monday to Friday, with volunteers manning the patrol in the weekends. The paid positions are funded thru KCDC and not only keep our beach safe but provide an employment opportunity to our teenage lifeguards.

Our local surf club comes under the umbrella of our National Surf Lifesaving organization for funding, but unlike other essential services, surf clubs receive no direct government funding. You can donate to, or support our local club if you wish, go to www. otakisurfclub.co.nz to find out how you can help to provide training, equipment, and building maintenance so the club can continue to provide the wonderful community service it does.

One critical event which impacts on the surf club is KCDC’s review of the beach by-law which is required by councils every 10 years. We all have a chance to have our say. How do we want to use our beach? How can all users co-exist so that everyone gets to enjoy our treasure as they want to, while protecting it as well? Ōtaki Beach is unique on the Kapiti Coast and our by-laws should reflect that. All year round Ōtaki beach is vibrant with

Lucy Gilpin, Daisy Braddock, Shelley Warwick, Macy Carlyon, Aylah Harrison, and Maggie Braddock at training people enjoying many activities,picnicking, swimming, fishing. Birds and shellfish also use our beach. We should protect all users and their rights. So have your say, go to the KCDC website and fill in the survey, ask to be kept

Whats ON

• Stationhouse Social Club. Railway Hotel 5 March 6.30 meal and music $45.

Tickets from Andrew London, andrewlondon11@gmail.com • Climate Change and Our Coast Forum. Nga Purupura Tasman Rd. 10am • Kapiti Horowhenua Enterprising at 50 Plus Network. 30th March, 6.308pm, Paraparaumu Library – speaker is Lucy Ambrose-Segatin from Managemy, on ‘The 5 different types of posts a business should put on Facebook’ • Community Health Forum 29th April, Taringa Roa, Mill Road • Courthouse Gallery SHI exhibition of photographic works by Charlotte Fulford • Mahara Gallery Events 21 February - 12 April 2020, AMOKURA Erena Baker and Reweti Arapere.

Artist’s talk with Erena Baker, Wednesday 4 March, 11am.

All welcome. Free event Let’s NOT celebrate Cook Robyn Kahukiwa Library Events Book Chat Friday 13 March 10.30 – 11.30am. Join a friendly book discussion book group where we talk about the books we have read Simple bicycle repair Friday 27 March 10.30am – 12pm. Skills Café session.

Learn some simple techniques for keeping your bicycle in good repair. Bring your bicycle or just observe. Please register for this session from our website or at the library https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/libraries/my-library/news- and-events/ • Ōtaki Car Show Ōtaki Racecourse Sun 1 March 10am-3pm • HAIRSPRAY (The Big Fat Broadway Musical) has auditions on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March. This is Otaki Players Society’s big musical for 2020. For more information contact Graham on 027 2449724.

Regular Events • Zumba Mon and Fri 9.30 Te Horo Hall • Ōtaki Women’s Community Club Market. SH1 every Sunday 9– 3 • Waitohu Dune Care Group Mondays, north Ōtaki Beach 9-11 • Te Horo Market Te Horo Hall, first Sunday of the month. 10am – 12.30 • The Hope Cafe 19 Aotaki St Thurs 3-5 Creative workshops for the non- arty • Ōtaki Library Books and Bickies 2nd Fri of the month 10.30-11.30 • Kapiti Horowhenua Enterprising at 50 Plus Network. Paraparaumu Library.

6.30 last Monday of every month. AngelaandBillR@outlook.co.nz • Breathe Easy Support Group. Last Thursday of Month 10am. Levin Cossie Club Lynne 063688069 • Budget Advice Service. Citizen’s Advice Bureau Ōtaki. Trained Financial Mentors. 06 364 8664 or 0800 367222, or call into 65A Main Street

up to date with information, and when the time comes, make a submission. Let’s keep Ōtaki Beach the Community playground and treasure that it is.

Thumbs up

• Thanks to the three kind people who helped a young lad who’d fallen off his bike in Mill Road.

His mum Jackie is grateful to you all.

• The volunteers who put together another great Kite Festival • Ōtaki Summer Festivals.

Thumbs down • People who complain on social media rather than going directly to the source.

• People who respond and carry on the negativity.

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

KĀPITI COAST DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS IN MARCH 2020

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY Farewell to Te Horo School stalwart Capable of juggling many balls in the air at the same time, while remaining warm and smilingly cheerful, Adele Neville, Te Horo School Office Manager, is almost in her 25th year at the school. She is retiring on the 27th of February and a memory book for people to jot messages in (to acknowledge her amazing work and “the special person she is,” that Adele can take away and read later on, is available in the school hall.

Her replacement is Micaela Young, an experienced administrator.

Te Horo-based market entrepreneur With many years behind her at the helm of Te Horo Country Market, local resident, Barbara Chatters could be forgiven for wanting to put her feet up for a well-earned rest. But, a self-confessed

“hyperactive person,” Barbara embarked upon two new initiatives, firstly the setting up and running of the Waikanae Mid-Week Market in Mahara Place, and secondly, the recent fundraising market at Lindale Village, Paraparaumu.

“A huge crowd turned up for our Lindale Market. There was a lovely atmosphere, probably helped by the beautiful Kapiti weather,” Barbara says. “We raised $4,222 for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.”

The help and support from the Kapiti community included free advertising from on-site Beach FM, venue hire donated by Lindale Village, and entertainment provided free by young jazz band, ‘Look Both Ways,’ the Kapiti duo, ‘Black-Eyed Susie,’ and talented 12 year old, Freddie Sayer. (see page 10) Barbara’s mid-week market (Tuesday, 11.00 am to 1.30 pm), beside the pop-up library, has brought life back into Mahara Place, providing weekly, locally grown fresh fruit and veggies, including avocados, honey and olive oil, seasonal fruit (berries are available at time of writing), plants and seedlings, upcycled items, soy candles, arts and crafts of all kinds, and jewellery Te Horo Country Market Rain or fine, the Te Horo monthly market will be at Te Horo Hall, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, Sunday, 1st March. There’ll be up to 40 stalls, many selling items locally grown and produced.

Drinks and Nibbles The monthly BYO community gathering is at Te Horo Hall, Friday, 6 March 5:30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food to share and something to drink. All welcome.

Thursday

5 March

Public Forum

9.00 am Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Thursday

5 March

Strategy & Operations Committee

9.30am

Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Tuesday

10 March

Ōtaki Community Board Meeting

7.00pm

Gertrude Atmore Supper Room, Memorial Hall, Main Street, Ōtaki

Tuesday

17 March

Waikanae Community Board Meeting

7.00pm

Waikanae Community Centre, Utauta Street, Waikanae

Thursday

19 March

Grants Allocation (Districtwide Facilities Hire Remission) Sub-committee

9.30am

Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Thursday

19 March

Grants Allocation (Waste Levy) Sub-committee

1.30pm

Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Tuesday

24 March

Te Whakaminenga o Kāpiti

9.30am

Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Tuesday

24 March

Paekākāriki Community Board

7.00pm

Paekākāriki Bowling Club, 10 Wellington Road, Paekākāriki

Thursday

26 March

Public Forum

9.00 am Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Thursday

26 March

Council Meeting

9.30am

Council Chambers, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu

Tuesday

31 March

Paraparaumu Raumati Community Board

7.00pm

Kapiti Boating Club, Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu Beach

Attendance at Meetings (1) Cancellation - Meetings are sometimes cancelled for a variety of reasons. To confirm whether a meeting is on, please ring the Democracy Services Manager on (04) 296 4700 or toll free on 0800 486 486.

(2) Venue – Please note that all meetings will be held in the Council Chambers, Civic Administration Building, 175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu, unless otherwise specified.

(3) Public Forum – a 25-minute session will be held before every Council and major committee meeting (9.00 am – 9.25 am) in which you can speak on any topic. Bookings are essential. Please book ahead with the Democracy Services Advisor – online booking form can be found on website.

(4) Public Speaking Time – Under Council’s Standing Orders (Appendix I) a period will be provided after the start of each meeting for Public Speaking Time to allow for oral submissions relating to agenda items, and at the end of meeting for other items not on the agenda. If you wish to address the Council or its Committees during Public Speaking Time please book ahead with the Democracy Services Advisor and you will be given an approximate timeslot. People who book ahead for Public Speaking will be given precedence over those who do not.

(5) Live-streaming: Council and Standing Committee meetings are live-streamed.

(6) Agendas are available two days before the meeting at: • Our website www.kapiticoast.govt.nz; • Council’s Libraries and Service Centres.

Wayne Maxwell Chief Executive

PB 60601 Paraparaumu | Ph 04 296 4700 | Fx 04 296 4830 | www.kapiticoast.govt.nz

Barbara Chatters

SUPERB FAMILY LIVING 79 Lupin Rd, ŌTAKI

Time for the Top End Properties!

Consistently strong prices at the bottom end of the market over an extended period of time are now really starting to ‘trickle up’ to the Top End. Those selling at the middle price bracket and wanting to move up the Ladder are now more able to do so than ever. This includes a lot of people who got their purchase timing right, by luck or design, and now have considerable equity in their homes with the increased values prevailing.

There is an increasingly aging category of property owners for whom it is not ‘if’ they sell but when! They are called Baby Boomers, and they are starting to ‘ease up’ and smell the roses more often. Many are over being

Landlords, with the new rules marking a ‘turning point’ for some, and why not cash up now while the market is so good?? “No pockets in shrouds” is a popular saying.

Already this year, we have confirmed the sale of 5 $1million plus properties in Te Horo, which co-incidentally also marks an increase in the number of Wellington buyers active locally.

The market from now up to Easter is our busiest and most productive selling time of the year.

Let us know if we can help you make the most, the very best of it!

238 Main Highway Otaki 06 364 8350 GBR Realty Ltd licensed REAA 2008

350

ensed REAA 2008

Derek Kelly Grant Robertson 021 0832 6460 derek@fnotaki.co.nz

quiries

Lifestyle or Residential, whether you are buying, selling or renting, you will always be treated as our top priority.

Highway

8350

licensed REAA 2008

nquiries

Highway

Grant Robertson Grant Robertson 021 660 113 grant @fnotaki.co.nz

Otaki First National is the real estate specialist for Otaki, Te Horo, Manakau and surrounds.

Has your family outgrown your home? Do you yearn for space, privacy and a rural outlook, but still want to be centrally located?

Well, look no further!

Here is a fantastic quality build four double bedroom, two bathroom, 200sqm home on two levels. Each floor has two bedrooms and a bathroom, as well as their own outdoor areas, giving everyone all the space that they need. Perfectly northfacing, with a fabulous entertaining deck on the top level and courtyard below. Fully insulated, with a heat pump on each level, combined with all day sun - this is a cosy home.

This is ridiculously good buying in a market seemingly moving further out of reach by the day. Inviting offers around $595,000.

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Meet our journalists in the Ōtaki Mail team

BY LLOYD CHAPMAN Ann & Lloyd have owned the Ōtaki Mail for five years. Penny Gaylor joined the ownership team in 2018. The team of contributors has grown over the years, so we thought you might like to know who they are.

Ann Chapman Ann has had three books published, one of them internationally in four languages. She is a prolific writer and has had articles published in many magazines and newspapers over the years. She was originally a nurse and public relations officer for the New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation and used those skills in holding public office over two decades, 18 years as a KCDC councillor and Deputy Mayor and 19 Years on the MCDHB, nine of which were as deputy.

She has written on public policy, health, roses and gardening. She is about to publish her fourth book, a murder mystery and a book of poems.

Belinda McLean In her early career Belinda Gillespie, later McLean, was a regular columnist for the Auckland Star, NZ Woman’s Weekly, National Business Review and Sunday Times and for six years was a staff journalist for the NBR, specialising in health and environment.

She was a founding partner of Clarity Communications and in her later career worked in a variety of roles in public relations and communications, while continuing to write occasional articles for numerous publications. She began writing for the Ōtaki Mail in 2015.

Frank Neill Starting at The Evening Post in 1967 as a cadet reporter, most of my working life has been as a writer and editor. I trained as a journalist at Wellington Polytechnic, before the journalism training was taken over

by Massey University. As well as reporting for the Evening Post, I also worked as a reporter on another daily, the Marlborough Express. From sport to courts, from police action to fires, from education to commerce, I have covered all the areas of public interest that daily newspapers present to their readers.

I have edited five newspapers: the Wairoa Star (published three times a week), the Picton Paper and City Voice (published weekly), and the Petone Herald and the Northern Courier (published fortnightly). I also edited a number of magazines, including the New Zealand Law Society’s journal, LawTalk, for five years.

In one role, I wrote, designed and published a book which is, in fact, an unheralded success story of New Zealand publishing. Called New Directions – A Guide to Managing Redundancy, this book has sold more than 60,000 copies. This is one of two books I have edited and published. I enjoy writing about anything, as things are just so interesting.

Lloyd Chapman They say you should change your occupation every ten years. Lloyd reckons he’s just about achieved that. He left a failed science degree and a year in the Australian outback to train as a computer programmer, back in the days of punched cards. Then for thirteen years he worked in Geophysical data processing in England for the Americans and the Norwegians. After a decade running an oil exploration consultancy in Wellington, he and Ann came to Ōtaki where they restored an old house and developed Trinity Farm, a heritage rose nursery. Lloyd has two published biographies to his credit. He’s bred and raced more slow thoroughbred racehorses than he cares to remember. As editor of the Ōtaki Mail, he delights in ‘telling the town about itself’.

Margaret Andrews My journey in the world of journalism began with a crazy thought for a change of life opportunity leading to a Media Studies course in Paraparaumu in the late 1990’s followed by the Whitireia Polytechnic Journalism Course and the wonderful openings to events and happenings in the wider district.

A work experience placement at the Kapiti Observer– students were expected to have at least 50 articles published during the year - was followed with a paid job offer covering Ōtaki and relieving at both Levin and Paraparaumu offices when staff were away.

Sole reporter in Levin only a couple of months after graduation, full time and a company car covering the Paraparaumu and Horowhenua districts.

I loved the work – photography changed from film to digital cameras - major new learning curve for a pre-digital day’s mid-lifer. Four years and three editors later, I left there to join the Ōtaki Mail just before Annabel McLaren (original editor) passed away.

Over the years I have meet prime ministers, members of parliament, council mayors, councillors and community board members, sports people, famous people and famous in Ōtaki people from many walks of life, children at school, sport, play everywhere and attended “100’s” of meetings.

No doubt this may seem an odd pathway for a qualified kindergarten teacher and preschool worker plus two years spent assembling fire extinguishers - we were “under” the Aircraft Engineers Union, life has been a mixed bag and I have, mostly, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Penny Gaylor Penny formerly trained as a journalist in Wellington after cutting her teeth in the Press Office of Prime Minister David Lange. She wouldn’t have imagined either opportunity when she first moved from her parent’s farm in Mid-Canterbury to the big smoke of the capital city.

Having gained her first degree in politics and history, a couple of years later she returned to Victoria University to complete her Honours Degree in Politics.

From there her journalism training led her in to a career in communications management, working back in the Beehive as a Press Secretary for Murray McCully, and then at Police Headquarters, Inland Revenue, then promotion in to roles as

Communications Manager at Justice and Barnardos.

Some might think of her in her role as a local government councillor, and it was writing her regular columns in the Ōtaki Mail that led to her becoming a co-owner of the newspaper, acknowledging that serving the need to strength community connectivity and identity is what motivates and inspires her to own a community paper.

Penny Kerr-Hislop I wrote my Honours thesis in the foothills of the Himalayas. It mainly involved counting cows and walking to villages scattered through the Dhauladahr mountains. Writing the thesis was the most difficult part but rereading it recently I am aware that there are stories in there to excavate. Forget the serious academic stuff.

I studied newspaper journalism in 1995 and wrote for the Baguio News in the Philippines. With growing confidence, I continued to write, often by kerosene lamplight, as my life took me to far flung corners of the world. I dreamed of being a war correspondent as local vendettas erupted around me in the wild west of Baluchistan. Six years living in the bush in the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania provided a unique chance to keep an unusual diary. Mostly about bugs I had seen or taken out from other people’s skin.

Back in New Zealand I developed and wrote a quarterly magazine called Global Issues.

Drawing on my years in developing countries, I focused on a different global issue each term. This issue was explored as it related to New Zealand’s role in the world and in particular to young people globally.

Beekeeping is now my interest and concern and writing for the Ōtaki Mail offers a brilliant opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with this wonderful community.

Phil Wallington By modern standards Phil Wallington is a journalistic dinosaur, who still walks the earth.

At 75, he is still working for the Otaki Mail, as well as researching and producing a TV documentary for TVNZ Anzac Day and reviewing TV programmes for RNZ National.

Wallington started his career as a cadet journalist (an apprentice) in the days of typewriters, teletext machines and carbon paper. He quickly moved into the (B&W film) early days of ABC TV in Sydney.

Phil spent two years at BBC in London (as colour TV emerged) and then returned to the ABC for 20 years and working eventually in every state of Australia as a reporter and producer. He also worked a couple of years for commercial TV (Channel 9) in Australia as an Executive producer of current affairs.

The Wallington family came in NZ in 1989 and Phil took over the Holmes Show, as TV3 was launched. He worked for 10 years at TVNZ in Auckland and in Wellington, as Executive Producer of Front-Line, 60 Minutes and Assignment.

In 2001 Phil became a freelance journalist and producer. He has produced both Linda Clark and Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon on RNZ and is often heard on ABC Radio in Australia, reporting on NZ affairs.

Phil’s journalistic travels have taken him almost everywhere in Australia and NZ. He has reported from Papua New Guinea, the UK, the USA and Afghanistan. His work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers as well as on radio and television.

Phil and his wife Carol live on a rural block, outside Levin. Carol is an ardent quilter, a keen gardener and the breeder of pedigree Boston Terriers.

Tom Frewen Tom is a retired journalist and broadcaster who has worked for newspapers, magazines, commercial radio, public radio and, briefly, for television, getting out when he saw the harms that the medium caused in the form of enlarged spleens and egos.. His main ouevre is in the thousands of hours of radio reports, now fortunately lost somewhere out in the ether, produced during 22 years of reporting Parliament. His programmes, “Today in Parliament” and “The Week in Parliament” have been replaced by RNZ with “The House” which, he says, is produced by someone recently out of kindergarten with a very low centre of gravitas.

Another programme that he founded in 2001, Mediawatch, is also, in his humble opinion, an emaciated shadow of its former self. Reflecting on a working life as a journalist, Tom quotes Walt Kelly’s famous cartoon character, Pogo, who once said “I have met the enemy and he is us.” Another thing to keep in mind, he says, is the fact that if pigs could fly they’d still have to clear Customs.

Vivienne Bailey A love of writing, a passion for gardening, art, and New Zealand heritage, combined with a strong curiosity (and interest) in her local community, drew Vivienne into the world of journalism, her background as a librarian (and library manager) serving as a solid background (research skills and an eye for detail) for her journalistic career (Diploma in Freelance Journalism, NZ Institute of Business Studies 2005).

An award-winning short fiction writer, Vivienne’s feature articles have appeared in various publications including the Dominion Post, Heritage Matters, NZ Lifestyle Block, Heritage NZ and the Kiwi Gardener, and she has also done a stint of rural reporting with Sun Media.

Part of the Ōtaki Mail team for more than 12 years, her delight in writing “a good, accurate story” continues, as does her enthusiasm for the issues and concerns, the “coming and goings” of the people of Ōtaki and her surrounding districts.

6

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

By Ann Chapman

Cancer Society Horowhenua

Levin, Foxton and Ōtaki Diary March 2020 11.30am

Being Brave – Making Complaints Face to Face Last month we talked about the impending departure of one of our Nurse Practitioners and the possibility of replacing her with a GP from Denmark. It is unfortunate for our community that the appointment of that GP has fallen through. Is it coincidental that he withdrew within a day of a negative post on Facebook?

We can’t really be sure about that, however, what you need to know is that myself or any staff at the Medical Centre cannot respond on Facebook to issues raised on Facebook, We cannot because of your right to privacy. I urge any of you who may have an issue you would like addressed to call or visit, or email direct to arrange a discussion. Phone 364 8555 and ask to speak to the Chief Executive, or email manager@otakimedical.co.nz and I will call you to arrange a discussion.

Our attempts to attract a GP to our community have so far been fruitless, this was a topic for discussion at the community forum on the 16th December 2019 and also with councilor James Cootes and Ōtaki Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group Chairman Adrian Gregory. We have been fortunate enough to find a doctor who was willing to work in our Saturday morning

emergency care clinic. This allowed us to manage the stress levels of our current GP workforce, however, this arrangement is soon to end.

The consequence of limited staffing levels is that services to the community suffer. The first and most obvious is access, currently it is a 9 day wait for a routine consultation. The next is removing our Saturday morning clinic. There is a couple of reasons, most significantly is that I cannot comply with the contractual agreement which is for a GP to work on one Saturday a month. It is likely that this will occur from April 2020.

On a positive note, we are working with a Nurse Practitioner to replace the one leaving. This means that the current level of permanent staffing remains the same and staff leave aside, routine appointments wait times should reduce.

For your information, at the last community forum, it was agreed that forums would be held quarterly. The next forum is slightly delayed and will be held on the 29th April 2020.

Monday 2

Foxton Support Group (St Johns Hall, Avenue Road)

Wednesday 4

Natural Wear. Ph 0800 622 397 for appt.

Winchester House.

Thursday 5

Living With & Beyond Cancer Series.

Week 1. Topic: New Normal. At Addis House, Palmerston North. RSVP to 06 356 5355 Fran or Kasey

10 – 11am

Thursday 5

Massage: (post treatment) ph 06 368 8624 for appt. Winchester House.

9.30am to 2.30pm

Tuesday 10

Volunteer’s Meeting at Freemasons Hall, Levin.

10 am

Wednesday 11

Pure Breast Care. Ph Liz for apt 0800 259 061 or 021 848 646 Winchester House.

Wednesday 11

Ōtaki Support Group. Gertrude Atmore Supper Rooms.

2.30pm

An Expanding Business.

Thursday 12

Living With & Beyond Cancer Series.

Week 2. Topic: Post Radiation. At Addis House, Palmerston North. RSVP to 06 356 5355 Fran or Kasey

10 – 11am

Wednesday 18

Rimu Group – Men’s Support.

Winchester House.

3pm

Thursday 19

Living With & Beyond Cancer Series.

Week 3. Topic: Sleep & Relaxation. At Addis House, Palmerston North. RSVP to 06 356 5355 Fran or Kasey

10 – 11am

Thursday 19

Lymphoedema Support. Winchester House.

5pm

Tuesday 24

Coffee Club. Women’s Support.

Winchester House.

10am

Thursday 26

Living With & Beyond Cancer Series.

Week 4. Topic: Exercise & Nutrition.

At Addis House, Palmerston North.

RSVP to 06 356 5355 Fran or Kasey

10 – 11am

P2 is growing, both the business and the family.

With a three month baby in tow Ash and Delta are about to expand their business as well as their family.

With the changing health needs of the community, people living longer with more complex needs, primary health care is becoming more important along with information about the needs of growing older.

P2 have two more highly trained Podiatrists joining them soon. ‘We have recognised the challenges that the last twelve months have caused by disrupting the quality of care that you deserve, and we pride ourselves on giving.’

Hasan Ali will be leaving Auckland to join the team in Ōtaki. Along with being a qualified podiatrist dealing with all the needs of foot care, especially for diabetics, Hasan has a keen interest in Biomechanics which looks at the way you move using knowledge about the interaction between the feet, knees, and hips. It is a discipline related to physiotherapy.

Babra Bondo also has extensive knowledge in wound care and diabetic foot problems but is keen to push further with her biomechanics knowledge as well.

For further information on any of the above please contact: Jennie Wylie, Support Coordinator, Horowhenua Services 112 Winchester Street, Levin 5510 Ph 06 367 8065, Fax 06 367 8057, Mob 027 542 0066 email jennie.wylie@cancercd.org.nz

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At The Old School House 174 Waerenga Road tel 06 364 7075

Facials Microdermabrasion Eyebrow shape & tint Eyelash tints Manicures Pedicures Makeup

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The two newcomers are interested in joining a practice with multidisciplinary services. Ash says, ‘we want a full wrap around service, from physiotherapy to podiatry and beyond into other disciplines.’

Along with new baby, Ash and Delta have seen around 15,000 people in the last 12 months.

‘With news members on our team, we will be able to respond to Ōtaki’s need, quicker and much more efficiently.’

For more information call on 022 4709180 or find us online at www.p2health.co.nz

Health and Fitness The health boffins say 30 minutes of activity a day is all you need, and Ōtaki has a wealth of opportunities where you can achieve this. If you like going solos or even with friends there are walkways, cycle ways, a pool, a river and beach where you can easily get your 30minutes or more.

For some more motivated by structure and community Ōtaki offers a surprising number of activities. We have two gyms, both providing expertise from experienced practitioners. We have aqua fit and aqua ease classes at the pool. Then there is dancing, Zumba, line dancing, ball room for those who like to exercise to the rhythm of music.

And we have sports clubs, athletics, golf, tennis and more.

I enjoy watching college kids in their sports field, but I don’t think that counts for my 30 minutes a day. Off to Zumba then or maybe it’s the pool today.

7

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

BY MARGARET ANDREWS The first meeting of the Ōtaki Community Board for 2020 provided some important information for residents; the review of the beach by-laws and an update on emergency management.

2009 Beach Bylaw Review Update: Community Board members and people in the public gallery were updated on the progress of the 2009 Beach Bylaw, a 10 yearly review of all the Kapiti coast beaches. One of the next stages will be to consult with each community on people’s views on a range of areas – vehicles on the beach, beach access, dogs - on leash or off - when and where, horse riding, surfing and kontiki long line fishing especially among swimmers are among the most regular complaints KCDC receives from areas along the coast.

Member Marilyn Stevens asked if the review would be a “one size fits all” for the total area. Review presenter Brandy Griffin replied they, the review team “don’t have any expectations that one decision will fit all areas.”

Mr Cootes said he would prefer education rather than legal actions.

Submissions will open after the draft bylaw is completed at the end of March.

Open workshops will be held in Ōtaki led

by KCDC staff in Ōtaki, Waikanae and Paraparaumu, dates to be confirmed.

Wellington Region Emergency Management Organisation (WREMO) Renee Corlett, WREMO advisor to KCDC, spoke of the aims and needs at times of emergencies, noting residential and community preparations were vital during major events. “Communities who are prepared, recover faster,” she said.

Some community options were; gettogethers, meetings where people can pool ideas on the many areas and issues which arise during an emergency, including emergency sanitation.

Takutai Kapiti – Climate Change and our Coast Summit 2020 will be held at Nga Purapura Ōtaki on March 8. The full day

programme has two parts – iwi partnership a panel discussion, a formal session but gives people opportunity to hear what has been done, proposed to come later. “All ages across the generations,” Ms Corlett said.

Public Speaking: Community Grants Kapiti Harness Racing Inc. was granted $500 to assist with costs of providing children’s activities entertainment at their February 2 meeting.

Sporting Activity Grants: Rangimarie Sturmey applied for funds to attend the 2020 Touch NZ Junior Nationals. She was unable to be present and the application was spoken to by her parents, Slade and Andrea Sturmey. They noted she had fundraised over $300 to date. OCB members granted her $255 towards expenses.

The Kapiti Horowhenua Open Men’s Touch Team was granted $500 to help with costs to attend the national Touch Tournament in March. Mr Sturmey spoke to the application, noting several Ōtaki players in the team.

Public speaking: While champion Kapiti tennis player, Patrick Joss was away playing in a tournament in Christchurch, his mother, Alison Joss, thanked the ŌCB for the assistance he has had in previous years and updated the Board on what he is currently doing.

Councillor James Cootes suggested Patrick could lead a tennis workshop at Haruatai Courts in the future.

General: Mr Cootes spoke of the new initiative opened in Te Horo by the Faith family’s new side business – Faith Farms Fresh – running alongside the dairy farm, providing non pasteurised A2 milk roadside.

Mr Cootes showed an Elevate Ōtaki short video of the Milk Shed in operation.

Matters Under Action: Tasman Road pedestrian refuge to be sited mid-Tasman Road between the footpath and the bus stop - to be installed.

A request the plastic street-side rubbish bins along the highway be replaced with the wood and metal bins used downtown.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.53pm.

Totara House Trust shared meal, Levin

On a warm summers evening each February for the last 13 years, Ōtaki and Levin Rotarians have gathered at Totara House, McArthur St Levin, to share a meal, some fellowship, and to fundraise some additional funds for this Intellectually disabled persons Trust.

A private initiative by Graeme and Anne Carthew, Totara House is now home to 10 adult people of needs, who share a benevolent and sheltered lifestyle, well cared for by a stable staff, in a loving and caring Family environment.

We have had some cold nights, but never a wet one, touch wood, and we continue to assist this wonderful facility.

You will hear a lot soon about a new Rotary Initiative titled the “Pride of Workmanship” Awards. This is where Employers can nominate team members, members of the Public can make nominations when they have been well

served, and fellow workers can thrust ‘role models’ into the limelight. Ōtaki College Interact club is off to a flying start for 2020, with a strong surge of Members, and some great initiatives underway. Ōtaki Rotary look forward to manning the BBQ’s at OC on 13th March!!

The annual Rotary Youth Driving Academy (RYDA) was held this week at Donnelly Park in Levin, more than 200 year 12 Students from Manawatu, Horowhenua, Waiopehu, and Otaki Colleges enjoyed a pre-driving day of preparation, forethought, planning, and awareness, invaluable as most will be aiming for a licence in the next 12 to 24 months!

New Members interested in Rotary are welcome to contact Grant Robertson on 021 660 113

Celebrating Waitangi day

BY MARGARET ANDREWS The fences came down between Rangiatea and All Saints churches and Waitangi Day was celebrated with a combined picnic, worship and fellowship on the grounds between the two churches.

“This is the very first Waitangi commemoration on this sacred ground, gifted to the missionaries by nga hapu o Ōtaki,” Rangi Nicholson, assistant priest at Rangiatea said as he welcomed everyone. “This is something very new, you can see both Rangiatea and All Saints from here. Rangiatea, was built in 1849 after Te Rauparaha planted the seed for change and the coming of the gospel to a new time of peace. Today has been a team effort between both Rangiatea and All Saints. What was broken can be mended,” About 250 people from the churches in Ōtaki and as far afield as Wellington and

Levin northwards, joined together the afternoon and picnic tea. Two huge marquees were set up for children’s activities -face painting and food tables, and a smaller one to shield some of the crowd from the brilliant sunshine, during the opening worship service and later entertainment on the stage.

Opening with worship, led by the Reverends Rangi Nicholson and Simon and Jessica Falconer gave a waiata, prayer and a reading of Joy Cowley’s book Tarore’s and her Bible.

Rupene Waaka gave brief history of the signing of the Treaty in Ōtaki and the early Church of England (Anglican) missionaries. Guitarist Pete Harvey from Raumati Beach Church played during the first part of the celebration, and Ōtaki’s Graham Rikihana and Keelan Ransfield into the early evening.

As the Waitangi Day commemoration in Ōaki draws to a close, Rev Rangi Nicholson, Rev Simon Falconer and Jessica Falconer lead the closing worship.

Picnicking under the shade of the marquee some of the people who gathered for the Waitangi Day celebrations, on the grass field between All Saints Church and Rangiatea Church

The Levin Parish Youth Group manned the sausage sizzle during the Waitangi Day picnic.

8

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

The World is on its way to Ōtaki!

The 7th year of the Māoriland Film Festival is coming up and it seems that the world has well and truly discovered our beautiful town.

The numbers of international visitors heading our way is well over 75 and counting and includes filmmakers, festival directors and those involved the film industry.

The team behind the most successful event on the Kāpiti Coast have their hands full finding accommodation for all of the MFF guests and then there are all the New Zealand filmmakers and visitors as well.

“We’ve been saying we’re internationally hot for a number of years now but it seems this year is when everyone is wanting to come!” says Festival Director Libby Hakaraia.

“We could worry about not having enough motels or this and that but we have something better than the big tourism infrastructure and that’s called manaakitanga – our whole village gets behind us to make it the unique festival that it is” says Libby.

The small team behind the MFF have been working day and night over the past four months. With over 128 films screenings and lots of events it’s going to be an action packed festival week.

And now Wellington has discovered the MFF as well with Māoriland being

advertised at Wellington Airport on the big screen and on screens throughout Wellington City.

Putting Ōtaki on the map has always been part of the strategic plan for Māoriland with the town reaping the cultural, social and economic benefits from hosting what is now the largest Indigenous film festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Many of the shops in Ōtaki Village report that Māoriland is their biggest week of the year and with 12,500 people attending screenings last year the economic return was enjoyed far beyond the festival week itself.

With more people expected this year Libby recommends locals get their tickets early either online at iticket.co.nz (search Māoriland Film Festival) or at the Māoriland Hub in Main street.

Māoriland is for everyone. It is a chance to explore the world and expand ones horizons.

Some of the highlights at MFF2020 include the festival premiere of THE LEGEND OF BARON TO’A directed by Tainui filmmaker Kiel McNaughton. Kiel and producer Kerry Warkia are the team behind last year’s stunning opening night film VAI as well as the earlier and equally impressive WARU. Another Southern Hemisphere feature premiere is Sámi filmmaker Amanda Kernell’s CHARTER which has just

premiered at Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews.

Canadian filmmaker Marie Clements has a stunning feature in Red Snow about a young Gwich’in soldier from the Canadian Arctic who is is taken hostage in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

There are many more feature films including the closing night film The Sun Above Me Never Sets – a beautiful story of life and dying from the Sakha nation in Eastern Russia.

For those who love Zombie movies, we have the First Nations thriller BLOOD QUANTUM by Jeff Barnaby.

For lovers of documentaries there are a feast of stories to take including the multi-award-winning First Nations Canadian documentary NÎPAWISTAMÂSOWIN: WE WILL STAND UP and from indigenous Peru there is the highly acclaimed environmental documentary SEMBRADORAS DE VIDA. And for the first time there is a true story Celtic film called Iomramh An Chamino - The Camino Voyage about a crew including a Writer, two Musicians, an Artist and a Stonemason who embark on a 2,500 km modern-day Celtic odyssey in a traditional currach boat. For those looking to further expand their horizons, there are the provocative Māoriland NATIVE Minds sessions, as well as Virtual Reality

demonstrations in our Māoriland Tech Creative Hub – (M.A.T.C.H).

For whānau there is the free outdoor screening o of FROZEN 2.

Not to miss is the Māoriland Keynote Address at Rangiātea Church and for filmmakers there’s a whole programme of industry events.

Once again some of the finest Māori art can be found at Toi Matarau, Māoriland’s visual arts gallery with tāmoko, carvers and weavers working in and around the Māoriland Hub. Ngā Pakiaka (which means the roots) are young Māori filmmakers from across Aotearoa who are at the centre of the Māoriland Film Festival and part of the stunning crew of Kaitūao who introduce every screening at the festival. Ngā Pakiaka have programmed the Māoriland Rangatahi Film Festival and will show short films made this January during Through Our Lens workshops in Taiwan and Sapmi.

The MFF2020 Red Carpet Party will top off what is sure to be an amazing 7th Festival. We’ll see you there!

The full programme is available online now at www.maorilandfilm.co.nz Anyone wanting to volunteer for the MFF can contact kiaora@maorilandfilm.co.nz

Stone sculptors support Festival of Pots

BY WHARE AKUHATA Ōtaki is and becoming more of a hub of artistic and cultural endeavour. Currently running is the 5th Annual Whakaaro Whakairo Sculptural Symposium and follows the Ōtaki Festival of the Pots and the Ōtaki Kite Festival. Next month is the popular Ōtaki Māorilands International Film Festival.

Working together with these groups is the focus of Te Korowai Manaaki Charitable Trust, who organise the symposium. In January they took part in the Festival of Pots and exhibited a number of artworks the trust owns or is holding on behalf of sculptors. The kite festival was another venue where the symposium exhibited its artworks. Trustee and stone sculptor Dave Hegglun said the group has always envisaged working together with other like-minded community groups.

“The symposium encourages and promotes the arts in the community. It allows artists of various skills, from internationally-known to novice opportunities to collaborate, learn and share with their peers.”

Twelve artists are participating and include wood carvers and others working in mixed-media. This year Yvonne de Mille is tutoring local school kids in

kite-making. Locals Rob Cooper, Ramila Parbhu and all-rounder Merle Mete-Kingi are key contributors.

Dave said the young artists’ programme was a particular focus for the symposium and this year they were keen to run a series of art lessons for local youth.

The symposium of stone and wood carving, and other disciplines to be held in Ōtaki will run through March to the Māorilands Film Festival. Most of the activities will be centred around the trust’s pop-up gallery at 161 Tasman Rd, adjacent to The Telegraph Hotel.

One of the main events is the end of symposium auction where artworks will be available for purchase. This year the sales will be by-way of tender. This will close on Saturday 22 March. Mr Hegglun said the sale of these artworks has always been a popular part of the symposium with the opportunity for locals to buy not only stone sculptors but other art works.

These are on display at the pop-up gallery at 161 Tasman Road.

For further information please contact: Whare Akuhata Te Korowai Manaaki Charitable Trust Mobile: 021 307 327 Email: whakaarowhakairo@gmail.com

Major sponsor and The Tele publican, Duane Watt got involved in producing “Takitahi” a matau made of pohutukawa driftwood from Te Horo Beach, rimu wood from the old Punter’s Corner Bar and Taranaki andesite stone.

He was working with sculptor Bob Te Kahiwi How from Auckland.

Vancooga wins Ōtaki Mail Maiden at big OMRC meeting Saturday’s racing at Ōtaki was of the higest standard, with the feature race, the $200,000 Haunui Farm WFA Group One Classic falling to the favourite Avantage, trained by Te Akau’s Jamie Richards.

Race three, the Ōtaki Mail Maiden was won by Taranaki filly Vancooga, trained by Gavin Sharrock of Stratford, ridden by Robbie Hannam.

A big crowd on-course enjoyed top quality fields and exciting racing on a track softened by overnight rain, but holding up well to provide good footing throughout the day.

The Ōtaki Mail is a proud supporter of the Ōtaki Maori Rãcing Club. The paper sponsors one race at each of the OMRC’s meetings throughout the year.

Right: Vancooga (no 9) wins by 11/2 lengths

Ōtaki Mail editor Lloyd Chapman presents winning owner Gavin O’Dea with a souvenir bottle of wine, the label bearing a picture of the horse’s victory.

RANGIĀTEA

3:30 - 5:00 pm Docos Under The Skin

1:00 - 3:00 pm We the Voyagers: Lata's Children (Solomon Islands, USA)

SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2020 10:30 am - 12:30 pm In My Blood It Runs (Australia)

SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2020

FRIDAY 20 MARCH 2020

11:00 am - 12:30 pm 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Powhiri Māoriland Keynote THURSDAY 19 MARCH 2020

WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2020

RAUKAWA MARAE

10:00 am Industry Masterclass: How Do I Find Private Support?

8:30 pm Special Events: Red Carpet Party

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NATIVE Minds: Is Anyone Watching?

11:00 am - 12:00 pm NATIVE Minds: How To Nurture Ourselves

9:30 am - 10:30 am NATIVE Minds: Everything in Balance

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Industry: I’m a Filmmaker, I’m Not Okay 2:00 pm Industry: Pitch

9:30 am - 10:30 am Industry: We Keep Talking About The Same S**T, Who’s On Our Side?

8:30 am Industry: Industry Breakfast

12:30 pm - 2:15 pm Whakapapa Shorts

2:30 pm - 4:20 pm My Dear Mother (Sámi)

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Patutiki: L’Art du Tatouage des Iles Marquises Marquesas 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm Through A Reindeer Herder's Eyes (Sámi) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm NATIVE Slam V 6:15 pm - 8:30 pm Closing Night: The Sun Above Me Never Sets (Sakha)

10:00 - 11:30 am Whānau Shorts

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm The Cursed Harp (Sakha)

6:00 pm - 7:45 pm Rustic Oracle (Canada, M)

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Mitzi Bearclaw (Canada)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm Impact Shorts 18 + 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Whenua Shorts

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Kia Manawanui Shorts 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story (NZ) 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm Blood Quantum (Canada, 18+)

11:30 am - 1:30 pm Wawa No Cidal (Taiwan)

9:30 am - 11:30 am Sembradoras de vida (Peru)

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Fukry (USA) 18+

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Through Our Lens

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Wairua Shorts 16 +

11:00 am - 1:00 pm Bellbird (Te Reo Māori, Aotearoa)

THE CIVIC THEATRE

11:15 am - 1:15 pm For My Father’s Kingdom (NZ)

9:30 am - 11:20 am Words From A Bear (USA)

9:00 am - 10:45 AM Huahua (Ecuador) 11:00 am - 1:00 pm The Camino Voyage (Ireland) 1:30 pm - 3:15 pm Nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up (Canada) 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm NATIVE Minds: We Will Stand Up 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Bingo Shorts 8:00 pm FREE Whānau Outdoor Screening Frozen 2 (103 min)

9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Red Snow (Canada)

6:30 pm - 8:45 pm Charter (Sweden)

10:00 am - 11:00 am MRFF: Ngā Raurekau Shorts 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MRFF: Ngā Pūtake Shorts 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm Long Time No Sea (Taiwan)

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Take Home Pay (NZ)

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Marks of Mana (NZ)

9:30 am - 11:30 am MRFF: E Tu Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards 12:45 pm - 2:15 pm MRFF: Ngā Matauranga Shorts 13 + 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open (Canada)

2:30 pm VR Kōrero

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm Opening Night: The Legend of Baron To’a (NZ)

NGĀ PURAPURA

3:00 - 4:00 pm Industry: Speed Dating

MĀORILAND HUB

Māoriland Film Festival 2020 Timetable

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

9

10

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Musical Muse : Anje Glindemann - Music is in the Family

BY ANN CHAPMAN Anje was born in New Zealand to a German father and Kiwi Mother, and music was part of her childhood; it has remained an integral part of her life ever since. ‘Music was everywhere in our home,’ she says. Her mother was a wanderer, a gypsy. Anje went to 13 schools and only settled into secondary school at Aotea College when they arrived in Kapiti.

Fed up with the disjointed nature of her schooling, which made continuity of learning very hard, she quit school at 15 and found a job as a stable hand, riding work for Anton Koolman at the Ōtaki Race Course. ‘It was hard for a 15 year old,’ she said. ‘I was up at 4am, working through till after lunch when we had a couple of hours off. Then it was back to the stables until eight at night. I lasted three months.’

With chunks of her education missing, life experience was her only option. She was drafted into a ‘Steps’ scheme, a requirement if you wanted the dole at the time. They prepared her for work, taught her to drive and get her license, and they found her a job at Jayarr Jeans in Wellington. She was there for eight years working up to become a manager of this and other fashion stores owned by the company.

In spite of a successful job Anje felt like her life lacked real purpose, so during this time she told her boss “I’m not going to do this anymore. I’m going to play drums in a band”. He advised her to get some lessons and to keep the day job. A late starter, she took herself off and got a drum tutor. Initially taught by the legendary Bill Brown (The Quincy Conserve, 1860 Band), it was a formative experience for her. ‘It’s more than just banging a drum. It’s about rhythm, chops, stamina and passion’. It’s not just about strength but also about subtle techniques and to her, ‘musicality’. She’s been playing drums now for 30 years.

Still working, she bought her first drum kit when she was 20, and started her own band. ‘Tin Pan Alley’ a three-piece garage style blues band, formed with then flatmate Dave Fraser and friend Dean Houston. Their first gig was a support gig, miles from home at The Mountain Rock

Bar in Woodville. They were terrible, but inspired. The Tin Pan Alley line up changed, and Blair Allen took the helm bringing the band his experience, showmanship and expertise on the guitar to the attention and admiration of blues fans around the Wellington area for over eight years. Tin Pan Alley played gigs regularly all over the North Island and even played in The Chatham Islands twice. No mean feat for a woman with no formal music training and a passion to play music in a band.

Along the way she’s found time to do a Photography course in 2001, gaining an advanced diploma, and then went on to complete a BA of Applied Arts. She discovered that after her disruptive schooling, she had to learn how to learn.

She now uses her qualifications, and skill as a photographer to do graphic work, producing album covers and posters for bands and as a school photographer.

Anje has since been in lots of bands with some of New Zealand’s more notable musicians. Her other bands include one with three other women called ‘The Ravenmavens Quartette’, a piano-based boogie and blues band led by Cindy Muggeridge from Wellington on piano, with Kate Marshall and Marian Carter (Anje joins them on drums & vocals and sings some of Cindy’s original songs).

There is ‘The Salty Hearts’, with her husband Greg whom she met when she joined his band Monty Wolf in 2001.

They play regularly in Ōtaki along with Andrew and Kirsten London at the Stationhouse Social Club and have a decent following and play in Wellington and beyond, with Dave Allen on guitar and Richard Guerin on bass.

She was a member of the band Henpicked

(a four piece band playing Dean Murray’s original songs) with Carylann Martin and Kirsten London (due for a reunion in March at The Stationhouse Social Club).

They’ve played the Nelson Jazz Fest, Dhama Bums and The Mussel Inn. She has recorded and played with Karen Clarke, a singer from Taranaki; she was once a member of ‘The Daggs’ (a Fred Dagg styled band) with Greg Sayer, Carylann Martin and musician Ross McDermott and many other musical concoctions along the way.

The Musical Family.

Greg and Anje had the longest engagement in history, 15 years, and were married last year in time for her 50th birthday. They met when she joined his band ‘Monty Wolf’ and he bought real stability to her wandering life with his extended family. Monty Wolf played together for five years, a real band of friends. Greg is a full member of her musical life along with their son Freddy.

Greg is a singer-songwriter, plays the harmonica and guitar and professionally works with people with disabilities in a co-ordination role. Son Freddy is lucky to be born into a musical family. Now 13, music has been part of his entire life and it shows as this talented boy has already excelled in keyboard and voice, also playing guitar and loads of other instruments. Last year he was part of the Te Horo School Band, ‘The Black Diamonds’ who came third in Band Quest 2019 and 2nd in The Wellington

Intermediate Battle of The Bands. Freddy was awarded best keyboard and vocalist.

Anje The Teacher.

She has mentored bands and taught drums at Te Horo School for 7yrs and last year started with Years 7,8,9 & 10 at Ōtaki College. She has also been the drum tutor at The Ōtaki After School Music Centre for around 10yrs teaching children from 9-12yrs. Anje is passionate about getting kids to learn how to work together, how to listen to each other musically, and to perform as cohesive working bands. She hopes it gives them confidence in themselves and about their ability to be good musicians in the musical world. She doesn’t limit herself to kids however, and occasionally teaches adults privately.

The Stationhouse Social Club This wonderful local initiative was started

by Anje, Andrew London and chef Paula Gizzi and with the enthusiastic support of Lindsay who owns the Railway Hotel.

In September of 2019, they started a monthly gig there. Served with a twocourse meal and always to a full house, there are two hours of joyful music. The format has been Andrew and Kirsten London playing first with Anje on drums and singing, Dave Allen joining them part way though, followed with a set by ‘The Salty Hearts’, then guest of the month.

Finally all of them have a jam together in a raucous finale. They call that section The Big Ugly.

Local Photographer captures the moods of nature in Ōtaki

BY PHIL WALLINGTON It definitely helps to be tangata whenua.

But lovers of the light and shade, the colours and the ever-changing play of seasonal weather on our unique local landscape, seem never to tire of shooting it on film or digital cameras. Charlotte Fulford fills that bill completely. She has a keen eye for a moody photographic opportunity and a natural ability to frame a moment of time into a classic composition. An exhibition of Charlotte Fulford’s work is now on show at the Old Court House Gallery on SH. 1 (just before the roundabout).

Ms. Fulford grew up in Ōtaki, where her parents were the managers and curators of the Ōtaki Maori Racing Club complex.

For three decades, they were well-known local identities. Her Dad Harold, a Fulford and her mother Terese from the Winiata whanau, her roots did deep into the land. At the Ōtaki Racecourse, Charlotte grew up next to a generation of thoroughbreds. She spent a fair chunk of her girlhood in love with them. She also rode “trackwork”, putting the beautiful, high-spirited equine aristocrats through their paces, as local trainers and occasionally owners, stayed glued to their binoculars, keen to see a prospective winner galloping against the clock.

This month Charlotte Fulford has had an

exhibition of her photographic work on show at the Old Court House Gallery. She is self-taught and has never taken lessons in the art of wielding a camera, But her photographs are a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of the local environment. She has captured the essence of a landscape many of us are too busy to pause, to admire and to spend a moment or two refreshing our inner spirits.

Charlotte Fulford spent her late teens and early 20’s away from the district. She lived for a time in Australia and has also led a wandering life of world travel. She counts 17 foreign countries as destinations on her overseas trips.

In each of them has also indulged her love of photography. She works as a travel Agent at Flight Centre in Coastlands, where catching a cheap fare is one of the perks. But the journeys have also paid off for her clients. She is able to draw on her own experiences and to provide a wealth of personal knowledge, about the joys and pitfalls of the familiar destinations as well as quite a few landfalls, far from the beaten tourist tracks. When I met Charlotte, she was only able to spare me but a little time in her busy schedule. The travel agency is currently besieged by Kapiti locals. Many are trying to cancel long planned business trips or holidays; others to postpone their

journeys, until the extent and consequences of Coronavirus are better known. Of course, Travel Agents also offer trip and health insurance for travellers. So, unravelling the chaos caused by the spread of the disease is a never-ending task, as each new outbreak and a steadily rising death toll, frighten people into staying close to home.

Despite this, Charlotte seems undeterred by the current health scare. While she is advising caution and warning potential travellers to keep up to date with NZ Government and World Health Organisation “travel advisories” she remains buoyant. It’s her intention to remain a confident, intrepid and dedicated voyager to the proverbial “climates new and pastures green”.

11

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Kite Festival

BY MARGARET ANDREWS

There were kites from the huge whales and beach boppers to the flags and almost everything in between From howling winds to brilliant sunshine, the recent Overseas kite flyers from, Australia, England, United Ōtaki Kite Festival was deemed “the best yet” with an States of America and the Netherlands joined many of estimated crowd of over 20,000 throughout the two New Zealand’s top professional flyers from the Peter days.

Lynne Kites from Ashburton and Ōtaki’s Yvonne de They came in their thousands many just to watch the Mille and Queensland’s Phoenix Flyers were back kites, some brought their own kites or purchased one again with their precision synchronised flying onsite. Kite buggy rides were operating. There was displays. Many of the kites hadn’t been seen in NZ A huge thank you to all our sponsors, supporters A huge thank you to all our sponsors, supporters A huge thank you to all who our sponsors, supporters plenty of action on the entertainment stage with and volunteers before. The visitors were enthusiastic about the high and volunteers who helped make our supporters 2020 Otaki helped make our 2020 Otaki A huge thank you to all our sponsors, Festival happen singers, musicians and the Taiko Drummers in action and volunteersKite who helped make our 2020 Ōtaki standard of the festival, our beach and our mostly, Kite volunteers Festival happen Volunteers and who helped make our 2020 Otaki Sponsors and supporters on Saturday. People could sit on the grass area by the Kite Festival fantastic! perfect flying conditions.

Suzanne Anderson Kāpiti Coast District Council Kite Festival happen and El Bedggood pavilion with a range of food trucks proffering a wide Wellington Community Trust Volunteers Penny Only downers – Traffic, traffic and Sponsors more traffic and Kerry Beven Kite Flyers Assn members Volunteers and supporters variety from sausage sizzle to Asian and European Lesley and Malcolm Wicks Sponsors and supporters Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club Saturday’s howling wind.

Suzanne Anderson Volunteers Sarah Lange Suzanne An foods, ice creams and fruit ice blocks and hot coffee to Envirowaste Sponsors andDistrict supporters Kāpiti Coast Council Jenny and Peter Askwith Penny and El Bedggood HarcourtsCouncil Ōtaki Suzanne Anderson Kāpiti Coast District Congratulations to the Ōtaki Promotions GroupCommunity Trust Maggie Peace the tired, hungry and thirsty. There was also a variety Penny and E Wellington Kāpiti Coast District Council Ōtaki Today Sargent Wellington Community Trust organisers of our world class kite festival and the Kerry Beven Penny and ElFleur Bedggood Otaki Mail of non-food stalls offering interesting items.

Theo McGiven Kerry Beven Kite Flyers Assn members Wellington Community Trust Cafe thousands of people it brings into Ōtaki.

Gina Marie Aburn Kite Flyers AssnRiverStone members LesleyBeven and Malcolm Wicks Kerry Mobil Ōtaki Lesley and M Michelle McGrath Kite Flyers Assn members Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club Beach FM Sarah Lange Basia Arnold Wicks Lesley and Malcolm Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club Media Works Sarah Lange Envirowaste Ōtaki Surf Life Saving Club Carolyn Graham Ltd Envirowaste Web2PrintDownUnder Jenny Lange and Peter Askwith Sarah Katie Miles Green Party Ōtaki Branch Jenny and P Envirowaste Harcourts Ōtaki Valerie Towers Community Patrol Maggie Peace Jenny and Peter AskwithMaggie Pea Harcourts ŌtakiŌtaki Barbara Franks Ōtaki Lions Club Harcourts Ōtaki Ōtaki Today Matthew Lochhart Ōtaki Today Ōtaki Waka Hoe Fleur Sargent Maggie Peace Robert Lochhart Fleur Sargen OtakiToday Mail Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupurangi Rua Mano Ōtaki Ian Carson Ōtaki Mail Theo Sargent McGiven Fleur Rahui Junior Rugby Brian Henderson Theo McGiv RiverStone Otaki Mail Cafe Riverslea Retreat, Lilian Tania Te Kura RiverStone CafeThe Gina Marie Aburn Theo McGiven Tele Fay Te Kura Gina Marie RiverStone Cafe Mobil Ōtaki Maorilands Michelle McGrath Gina Marie Aburn Mobil Ōtaki Trevor Hunter Michelle Mc Beach Ōtaki FM Mobil Shane Matthews Beach FM Basia Arnold taki Kite Festival Team Michelle McGrath Carl Lutz Basia Arnold MediaFM Works Beach Cam Butler Media Works Robert Sims Carolyn Graham Basia Arnold Carol Ward Toll Transport Carolyn Gra Web2PrintDownUnder Ltd Media Works Kirsty Doyle Fletchers Construction Web2PrintDownUnder Ltd Ltd Katie Miles Carolyn Graham Lynne Corkin Katie Miles Web2PrintDownUnder Ltd Green Party Ōtaki Branch Gavin Case Valerie Towers Katie Miles Green Party Ōtaki Branch Jonah Pritchard Valerie Tow Green Party Ōtaki Patrol Branch Ōtaki Community Norman Elder BarbaraTowers Franks Valerie Ōtaki Community Patrol Barbara Franks Barbara Fra Ōtaki Community Lions Club Patrol Roger Ward MatthewFranks Lochhart Barbara Ōtaki Lions Club Graham Rikihana Matthew Lo Ōtaki Lions WakaClub Hoe Robert Lochhart Matthew Lochhart Ōtaki Waka Hoe Robert Loch RahuiWaka Junior Rugby Ōtaki Hoe Rahui Junior Rugby Ian Carson Robert Lochhart Ian Carson Riverslea Retreat, Lilian Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupurangi Rua Mano Riverslea Retreat, Lilian Brian Henderson Ian Carson Brian Hende Rahui Junior Rugby Tania Henderson Te Kura Brian Tania Te Kur The Tele Retreat, Lilian Riverslea The Tele Fay TeTeKura Tania Kira Fay Te Kura Maorilands The Tele Maorilands Fay Te Kira Trevor Hunter Maorilands Trevor Hunter Shane Matthews Trevor Hunter Ōtaki Kite Festival Team Shane Matthews taki Kite F Carl Lutz Shane Matthews Carl Lutz Cam taki Butler Kite Festival TeamCam Butler Robert Carl LutzSims Robert Sims CarolButler Ward Cam Carol Ward Toll Transport Robert Sims Toll Transport Kirsty Doyle Carol Ward The Phoenix Kite Flyers Collection synchronised kite flyers in action, from left: Bazzer Poulter (partly obscured) Kirsty Doyle Fletchers Construction Ltd Toll Transport Fletchers Construction Ltd LynneDoyle Corkin Kirsty Craig Stevens, Bodie van der Hilst and Michael Crowley. They are a popular attraction on the beach as they Lynne Corki Te Kura-a-iwi o Fletchers Construction Ltd dance, twist and twirl the kites through the aerial moves and contortions.

Te Kura-a-iwi o Gavin Case Lynne Corkin Gavin Case Whakatupurangi Rua Mano Whakatupurangi Rua Mano Jonah Case Pritchard Gavin The Harcourts Big Dig was a great success on both Jonah Pritch Norman Elder Jonah Pritchard days, with plenty of excited diggers searching for the Norman Eld Barbara Franks Norman Elder lucky prize discs.

Barbara Fra Roger Ward Barbara Franks “We had heaps of people digging and parents Roger Ward Graham Rikihana Roger Ward watching, with a more people on the Sunday.” Big Dig Graham Rik Graham Rikihana organiser, Natalie Malloy said. “We had two different areas marked out – one for the eight years and over and one for the seven and under, with a bike in each section.”

Saturday only one bike was won by Ōtaki’s Meia Putu and three discs were found on Sunday - a different colour each day. Alex Finlay, seven from Te Horo, Bede Roberts, 11, from Ōtaki and Waikanae’s Blake Edmonds six, were the lucky owners of a new bike. And there was a table full of prizes to take your pick with a spot prize disc.

Harcourts Big Dig attracted lots of eager children looking for prize discs (above the under sevens, below the over sevens)

Te Horo’s Alex Finlay was a proud winner of a new bike in Harcourt’s Big Dig competition

Queensland kite flyer, Tony Rice launches one of his newest designs – the flying lady; Tony has attended all eight of the Ōtaki Kite Festivals.

12

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Big new store opens on SH1

BY FRANK NEILL Hunting & Fishing’s big new store, next to its old shop on State Highway 1, is now open.

After being closed for two days so the business could shift from the old premises, the new shop opened to the public on 19 February.

That was what co-owner Mark Matthews described as a “soft opening”. Hunting & Fishing plans a formal opening ceremony to take place in late March.

“Our store needed a redo,” co-owner and manager of the Ōtaki shop, Ben Pond says.

“The new store is two and a half times the size of the old one, and allows us to have

a massive amount more products.

“It’s pretty exciting.”

The shop has a street level area of some 500 square metres, plus a mezzanine floor of some 180 square metres. Together with office space, the new store has close to 800 metres of floor space.

That has allowed a big expansion of products for diving, hunting, fishing, camping and tramping, as well as a much bigger range of clothing.

The new store is also a sign of Hunting & Fishing’s faith in the Ōtaki community, and its optimism about the town’s future.

“We are pretty confident that with the new expressway, things will be on the up and up for Ōtaki,” Mr Pond says.

Staff in the new Hunting & Fishing shop the day it opened. Jake Stratford and Ben Pond (front row from left) Kendra Smith, Matt Halvorsen and Janine Woodhead.

What should be allowed on our beaches?

BY FRANK NEILL What should not be allowed and what should be allowed on our beaches?

Kāpiti Coast District Council wants to know your views on this.

This year the council is reviewing its Beach Bylaw, and wants your input. It is seeking the views of residents in two stages.

The first stage is happening now and has two main components.

The first component is asking people to fill out a short online survey, which is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ beachbylawsurvey.

The survey closes on 29 February, so speed is of the essence in letting the council know what you think using this communication channel.

More than 1,400 online surveys had been completed when the Ōtaki Mail went to print.

A second component is via drop-in stations along the beach and other busy locations and a schedule of workshops planning for coming weeks.

Workshops are planned to take place by mid March. The council is planning workshops in Te Horo and Ōtaki, but dates, times and locations had not been finalised when the Ōtaki Mail went to print.

Drop-in stations on the beach were held in conjunction with other events. One was held in Ōtaki with the kite festival.

Aims of the first stage – the online survey, the drop-in stations and the workshops – is so the council develops recommendations that will be put to the community during the second stage.

This second stage will be formal consultation, which will begin in April.

During this stage, the council will seek submissions and it will assess these in May and June.

Currently, the council has not indicated when it will make a final decision on the Beach Bylaw review. However the Local Government Act 2002 dictates that a bylaw must be reviewed 10 years from the date it was adopted or it will be automatically revoked. There is a provision for a two-year grace period for local authorities to undertake this work, which means that a review of the Kāpiti Beach Bylaw must be completed by no later than 7 May 2021.

Keeping our people safe on the beaches and protecting our coastal environment will be two key aspects of the Beach

Bylaw review, according to Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Environmental Standards Manager Jacquie Muir.

“Our beaches are a taonga and play an important part in everyone’s lives and in the district’s identity,” Ms Muir says.

“We already know from our service requests from the community and other feedback that there are a few issues on our beaches people are keen to see addressed, and we want to hear from others about what is working well and what could be improved.

“This will help us pull together some options and discussion points for the consultation process.”

The last decade has seen a number of changes both locally and nationally that could be reflected in a revised bylaw, including a growing population and the impacts of climate change.

“With more change on the horizon it’s a good time to be taking a look at how we continue to protect our coastal environment and keep our people safe – the priorities of the bylaw.”

Ms Muir says all beaches and coasts are covered by a range of national, regional and local legislation or regulation and it is no different in Kāpiti.

“Kāpiti’s Beach Bylaw works with and is subject to a range of rules under transport, marine and conservation Acts, regional council regulations and customary rights provisions. The Police and Fire and Emergency also play a role on New Zealand beaches.

“It’s a complex regulatory area and there are limits to what we can implement and enforce with a bylaw, but if we are going to make changes and future-proof how we care for our beach we need the input of our community,” Ms Muir says.

The Beach Bylaw covers a range of activities, including: • how people behave on the beach; • dumping litter or green waste on the beach (which is unacceptable); • horse riding; • harvesting sand, stones and wood; • life saving; • vehicles; and • trading and events on the beach.

The current Beach Bylaw can be found on the council’s website, at www.kapiticoast. govt.nz/media/20894/beach-bylaw-2009amended-2017.pdf.

The ground floor of the new Hunting & Fishing shop viewed from the mezzanine floor.

153 Main Highway, Ōtaki Opposite New World Supermarket Monday – Friday 9am – 2pm or by appointment

(06) 364 6123 0800 367 467

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13

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Ōtaki Tag competition ends with a Finals day at the Domain

BY PENNY GAYLOR Organiser Terry Poko said they had a total of 12 teams this season, which was double from when we first started a few years ago.

He thanked the sponsors for this season: Tall Poppy Ōtaki, Concrete Doctors, Hori, Tuatara Breweries, and Tukia Sportswear. “ A huge thank you to KCDC for keeping the

grounds in superb condition,” said Terry.

“A number of players will be playing at the annual Tag Nationals Tournament in Auckland at Bruce Pulman Park for the Horowhenua Kapiti U21’s team who are off to defend their gold medal title from 2019.

“The season has been awesome especially seeing parents playing with their kids and the vibe at Tag this season has been

Above:.

Cup Champions 2020 - Ragnarok Left:.

Charlie Wilson (with ball) played for Finest Wine Right: Libby Keaney, Oceania Cup Rep, carves through the middle

Left: Terry Poko of YTG tags Tama Telford Bottom right: Plate Champions 2020 - Team YTG

outstanding,” said Terry.

He said they’re looking at expanding the competition to a social grade here in Otaki on a Thursday night and keeping Monday to a mixed competition (fun).

Whena Rikihana who organised the team said it was another great season. “Big mihi to Terry and his crew for running another successful competition,” said Whena.

“Ka mau te wehi!

“Congratulations to all teams who competed. Ragnarock is a whanau team with great tuakana-teina relationships — whanaungatanga is the real winner. Ano te pai, te ahua reka o te noho o nga teina me nga tuakana i runga i te whakaaro kotahi.”

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Gardening with Flower garden

Hebe Wiri Mist A small charming variety with a semi spreading habit. Smothered in white flowers from Spring through Summer. 60cm x 1m.

Flowering Under the tunnels we have a wonderful variety of plants and colour, annuals and perennials. .

Nandina pygmaea ‘Firepower’ A hardy sun loving small shrub up to 1m. Foliage changes from lime green to crimson orange & scarlet through Autumn and Winter.

We have gift vouchers plus garden and pest products available year round.

Monday.- Saturday 9am - 5pm closed Sundays.

17 Bell Street Ōtaki (06) 364 8758 www.watsonsgarden.co.nz

Garden tasks for March

Prune shrubs when they finish flowering so they can put on fresh winter growth.

As your watsonias and cannas die back, cut off old stems to allow the new growth to push through.

Take semi-ripe cuttings (not too soft or too woody, just at that in-between stage) of native shrubs like hebes, corokias and coprosmas, as well as ornamentals such as cistus, viburnums, vireya rhododendrons and ceanothus.

March is traditional spring bulb planting time – daffodils, tulips, ranunculus, anemone, grape hyacinth, iris, hyacinths, freesias, spring flowering gladioli, babiana, crocus and lachenalias can be planted in the garden or containers.

Sow seeds of alyssum, stock, dianthus, hollyhock, snapdragon, candytuft, lobelia, scabiosa, cornflower, godetia, linaria, pansy, cyclamen, aquilegia, carnation and calendula.

Plant out poppies, nemesia, polythanus, primula, stock – and heaps more.

If you haven’t already done so, lift gladioli bulbs when they’ve finished flowering, and store in a cool place.

Plant climbers when your soil is wet from autumn rain, except for clematis which is best planted in spring. Plant in rich soil and provide strong support.

Plan your winter rose planting, and place orders for new season’s roses.

Fruit and vegetable garden

Early autumn is a good time to feed citrus. You can do this organically by mulching generously with high

quality compost, aged animal manure or perhaps a mixture of both. It’s also a good idea to add fish or seaweed based organic fertilisers, or comfrey tea. Look for a slow release product as the most environmentally friendly inorganic option.

Powdery mildew can be a problem for fruit trees at this time of year. Infected leaves become distorted and covered with a whitish powder – apply a fungicide at the first sign of a problem.

Harvest your kumara, pumpkins and any other vegetables intended for winter storage, and store in a dark, airy place.

March is an important month for planting your winter garden – plant out seedlings of beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, spinach and silver-beet.

Sow seeds of carrot, turnip, swede, radish, lettuce, silver-beet and parsnips. Seeds of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprouts are best sown in trays for planting out later.

Lawns

Complete preparation for re-sowing lawn.

After sowing (most mixes are sown at 30 grams per square metre), water daily until fully germinated.

Mow carefully on a high cut to encourage a thick, strong turf.

Second thoughts Let your best beans, rocket, coriander, dill and Florence fennel plants go to seed. Store the seed in paper bags for sowing next season.

Cardoon: vegetable and garden star SOME STUNNERS FOR YOUR GARDEN!!

Tibouchinas - ‘Glory Bush’ versatile shrub

from South America, blooms abundantly late Summer into Autumn. Needs full sun, good drainage. Smaller varieties great in pots CAROLYN Deep purple flowers with a white star centre, white stamens.

1.5 x 1m.

The cardoon is a dramatic herb, an architectural beauty with large, arching, grey-green leaves and impressive, mauve-purple flowers. Although the young leaves and stalks, much like celery, were once blanched and eaten as a vegetable (in Victorian times), the plant has fallen out of favour. It deserves more space in today’s kitchen (it’s currently unlikely to be found on any New Zealand menu, but the young leaves taste great baked slowly, and topped with Parmesan cheese or an herb butter).

Closely related to the globe artichoke (although the head of cardoon is not edible), the cardoon is used in France and Italy as a vegetable (leaves blanched and dipped in olive oil), and also as a digestive, and an herbal treatment for liver complaints. It’s also believed to have antirheumatic properties when applied externally.

the parent plant (seed can be started inside and planted out when all danger of frost has passed).

I’ve found drought-hardy cardoon will grow anywhere, even in poor soil with little attention, but for good results, plant in autumn or spring in rich, composted soil (well-drained), preferably in a sunny spot, or at least in a place where it receives sun for at least half the day.

Space plants 1.5m apart in rows and give them adequate water so they reach their full architectural magnificence.

Planting them at the back of a border or in the middle of a deep border (or the veggie garden) makes their silverygrey, deeply-toothed leaves, and the violet-blue, purplemauve flower heads (a favourite with bees), a striking feature.

Cardoon is a perennial but often regarded as a biennial. It is a towering plant (up to 2.4m high) – much like a Scotch thistle on steroids – and the leaves can grow to a spread of about 2m. The abundant flowers, in their full glory, grow to about 1.5m high. They give off a delicious, honeyed scent, and if you let the flower-head form seeds, allowing them to scatter at will, you may find little, grey seedlings popping up some distance from

After their flowering in late summer (the leaves and flowers are excellent in floral work), cut the stems and spent leaves back to ground level. Compost and/or mulch plants so they will be ready to regenerate after their winter’s rest.

MOONSTRUCK Pale pink flowers.

2 x 2m.

BLAZE OF GLORY Purple flowers with a variegated leaf

PEACE BABY large white flowers 1x 1m great for pots

TE HORO GARDEN CENTRE Main Highway & Te Horo Beach Rd TE HORO PH 364 2142 we have some treasures for you....

15

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

the Ōtaki Mail the Ō Ōtaki Mail taki Mail

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY viv.bailey@xtra.co.nz

Focus on the ulluco

Commercially known as Earth Gems, the ulluco is a vegetable tuber (2-3 cm in diameter), small spheres of bright, shiny colour (yellow, orange, white, red, magnenta and green), with waxy skin. The elongated or curved tubers can be multi-spotted or candy-striped, and are produced on a compact, ground-covering plant, much like New Zealand spinach in appearance.

Ulluco (Ulluco tuberosus) known as “one of the lost crops of the Incas”, is a native of Andean South America, and is an ancient plant believed to have been brought into cultivation from the wild (in central Andes of Peru and Bolivia), around 5500 BC. The Incas grew a wide range of tasty root crops (including oca, yacon, achira,and maca) as well as ulluco, and it was only after the Spanish invasion in 1531 that Indian traditions were suppressed, and much of the intricate agricultural system destroyed.

Today, ulluco continues to be widely grown, and not only plays an important part in the local diet but is also an economically important root crop in the Andean region, second only to potato.

Although hardy, thriving even in relatively poor soils, ulluco are susceptible to insect pests such as grass grub, and Clint Smyth of Halfords Exotic Produce in Feilding says “they’re a hard crop to grow commercially – white weevils tend to chomp holes in the tuber.”

Clint explains ulluco are grown in a similar way to potato (though they are related to beetroot) with an underground tuber.

“You use a sprouted tuber, as you do with a seed potato, and the tuber is earthed or moulded up to prevent greening.”

The ulluco likes weather conditions that echo those of their mountain homeland where they tolerate daily fluctuating of heat and cold, high winds, and periodic rain.

“They’re a sturdy crop and although not affected by high altitudes, they are sensitive to the length of the day. Hot days and cool, dewy nights suit them, and they prefer a

free-draining soil.”

The tubers rise in April (harvest between May and October when tops have died down), and have an earthy, nutty-sweet taste, reminiscent of their beetroot links (and retain their jewel-like colour after cooking). The heartshaped, succulent, red or orange-stemmed leaves are also edible (and contain high levels of protein, calcium and carotene).

Ulluco have more than 75% water content, and nutritionally compare favourably with other root crops – high in unrefined carbohydrates and fibre, and low in fat. They also provide high levels of vitamin C and are “a good protein source.”

The white to lemon-yellow flesh of the tuber has a smooth, silky texture and combines with a variety of flavours – Halfords recommend using Earth Gems (ulluco) in place of potato in a frittata, and also suggest mixing the vegetable with chorizo and sour cream in a salad.

Hints for autumn composting There’s a heap of fallen leaves around at this time of year, but don’t let that surplus go to waste. Gather all those leaves into piles and then spread on your garden beds – you’ve created an instant mulch layer. Even better, mix your leafy bundles into the compost heap.

To successfully compost, leaves need a small amount of moisture to aid the breakdown process - even leftover kids’ drinks can be poured into the heap. The idea is to have enough moisture to encourage microbes, but not so much that oxygen is excluded. Although not strictly necessary, oxygen does make the whole process more pleasant, and regular turning, forking, stirring or tumbling will add sufficient oxygen to aerate your compost.

The range of ‘things’ you can put in your compost is pretty amazing – wood ash, chopped-up pruning bits (large pieces take a long time to break down, so think about buying a garden mulcher to reduce bits to a compostable size), vacuum cleaner waste, coffee grounds, tea leaves, eggshells and cooking oil.

Avoid using meat (because of the vermin it will attract), plastic (watch out for Lego pieces picked up by your vacuum cleaner), weeds that carry seed heads, or large pieces that may survive composting, diseased plants, and plants that have been treated with herbicide or a pesticide.

The sweetest-smelling compost is made of a good mixture of different types of components. This lasagne approach layers greens over browns at a ratio of 1:2 with a sprinkling of lime and other goodies (if you get fruit-flies it’s too acidic and you’ve forgotten the lime).

The ‘greens’ group is high in nitrogen and includes green grass clippings, weeds, manure and vegetable scraps.

The other group – the browns– is high in carbon, like

shredded newspaper, those fallen leaves (especially leaves from deciduous trees) and straw.

The composting process also works best if it’s not too hot and not too cold. This could mean building a compost heap in a sunny spot during winter, and having it in a shadier position during the summer months.

Like yoghurt, your compost needs to have some natural microbes added to get things going – this could be a small amount of old compost, or the addition of some organic fertiliser, such as blood and bone, or even a handful of garden soil. This will eventually produce a crumbly mixture of rich material that can be used to improve any type of soul. Use as a mulch, as a soil improver, and to mix into planting holes – your garden will love it.

16

ĹŒtaki Mail – March 2020

17

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Ōtaki Update February 2020

Takutai Kāpiti: Climate Change and Our Coast Summit On Sunday 8 March we’re holding a summit and community event to kick-start a conversation on the challenges climate change will bring to our coastline.

The summit, Takutai Kāpiti: Climate Change and Our Coast, will be the launchpad for a community-led process to develop solutions to help us adapt to coming change.

The summit will take place at Ngā Purapura in Ōtaki. Come along and hear from national and local leaders and climate experts about the challenges ahead and learn more about how to be involved.  For more information visit www.takutaikapiti.nz

Māoriland Film Festival set to shine

Kāpiti Sports Bank to open

Next month (18–22 March) we welcome the Indigenous world to Ōtaki for The Māoriland Film Festival. Now in its seven year, the Festival has grown to be the largest presenter of Indigenous screen content in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Kāpiti Community Sports Bank is set to open in March, giving young players the gear they need to play sports. The initiative has been established by the Wellington City Mission, with support from the Fun Zone Group and our Council. Mayor Gurunathan will open the Sports Bank at Mazengarb Reserve on Saturday 7 March between 2pm and 4pm; bring your kids along to try new sports.

The Festival makes a significant contribution to our district’s economy, attracting visitors from around the globe, and we’re proud to support the growth and development of this signature event through our Major Events Fund.

 To view the Festival programme visit maorilandfilm.co.nz

Good quality new and used equipment, from football boots to clothing, can be dropped off at locations around Ōtaki, Waikanae and Paraparaumu.

 To find out how the bank works and where to donate, visit www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/sportsbank

Have your say Shaping the Kāpiti we want for the future needs all of us to get involved, and over the next few months we’ll be inviting feedback on our 2020/21 Annual Plan, Beach Bylaw, Sustainable Transport Strategy and our Open Spaces Strategy. They won’t all be of interest to you, but if you could take the time to give us some feedback on things close to your heart, we’d be delighted.

 To keep up-to-date with opportunities and to have your say: → follow our Council Facebook page, → or visit our website kapiticoast.govt.nz to sign up to our weekly e-newsletter Everything Kāpiti

kapiticoast.govt.nz

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Climate Change and Our Coast

Summit & Community Event 8 March 2020 Ngā Purapura Ōtaki

Join us for the Takutai Kāpiti Summit and community event – combining a day of activities for the kids, live music, and food with the opportunity to find out more about climate change and its effect on our coastline. The Summit will be the first step in a community-led process to explore how we respond to coastal change and sea level rise in our district.

So, bring the family, enjoy the day and join the conversation: 10am–12pm Summit conference: opportunity to hear from national and local leaders, and climate experts. It’s free to attend but spaces are limited so register now at takutaikapiti.nz 12pm–3pm Summit community event: opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of food and entertainment and find out more about the project. (No need to book – just come along!)

Ngā Purapura, 145 Tasman Road, Ōtaki

For more information visit takutaikapiti.nz or email coastal@kapiticoast.govt.nz

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Trotting On

BY MARGARET ANDREWS The Kapiti Coast Harness Racing’s February meeting broke several records – highest number of horses racing, highest on course betting turnover in 10 years and the biggest crowd for a few years.

“Absolutely brilliant day,” said KCHR’s president, Chris Craddock. “One of the best we’ve had. With the very large crowd on course we ran out of race books.

Ninety-one horses racing were up over 70 per cent - more horses racing gave very competitive races.” Ōtaki’s sunshine drew the crowd to the Ōtaki Maori Race Course for a full for the day’s racing at the Interislander Summer Festival of Racing children’s activities.

The Kidz Kartz Taranaki was there, racing their miniature horses in their sulkies and offer children a sulky ride around the behind the members stand.

Two cups were up for line honours – the Ōtaki Cup won by Nicky Chilcott driving

Ferritts Sister and the resurrection of the Grant Plumbing Wellington Cup, which has not been challenged for since the Hutt Park track closed in 2002. This year it was won by Boyz Invasion and driver B Orange.

Challenges and changes are on the horizon for the club, Harness Racing NZ wants to can meetings at Ōtaki and only use the Manawatu track – this is a grit track and horses prefer grass.

“They want us to race at Manawatu Raceway. KCHR is local, providing the only harness racing in the Wellington district. We held a very successful meeting at the beginning of February,” Mr Craddock said.

Previously a two day meet – Friday and Sunday, the club was cut back to just the Sunday with the Friday meeting at Manawatu. Mr Craddock said it was finally approved in November that they could race on the Sunday, but they want their extra day back.

One avenue they are looking at with the ŌMRC is a combined two race days, with four harness races and seven or eight gallops, as is run at the Tauherenikau New Year meet. Both clubs are keen to use this format. Meantime they have made a submission with Harness Racing New Zealand to regain the Friday meeting. The main problem was the extra $14,000 the TAB charges to race there due to the cabling work required the day before racing.

“Kapiti Harness Racing Club’s constitution states KCHRC exists to have and promote harness racing in Ōtaki,” he said. Ōtaki can provide good facilities and competitive events and with the upcoming opening of Transmission Gully and Pekapeka to Ōtaki expressways, access and travel times will be much quicker and easier.

Matthew Braddock’s Gandy’s Beer Batter 2/3 cup self raising flour ( or normal flour with 1 tsp baking powder) 1/3 cup cornflour 1 tbsp custard powder 2/3 cup (approximately) of your favourite beer (Uncle Norman added Eno's Fruit Salts?)

Add enough beer to give a good consistency.

Flour fish before battering.

Ōtaki Cup winner, Nicky Chilcott with her trophy, tells Nigel Hopkins from radio Beach FM “Every race is hard.”

Superstar Legend and driver B Orange, take line honours in race six.

The snapper fish in this dish was caught off Otaki Beach by Grandad (Gandy), and Uncles Geoff and Andy.

The side dishes feature Potato Au Gratin and Beans made from the vege garden of Grandma and Gandy Warwick.

Winner of the Ōtaki Cup, Ferritts Sister and trainer driver, Nicky Chilcott, take a turn around the birdcage before the presentations began

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Looking after the beach and dunes

BY BELINDA MCLEAN Protecting and restoring the beach and dunes at the north end of Ōtaki Beach is what the Waitohu Dune and Stream Care Group is all about.

For most of its 20 years, the Waitohu Group has been part of a larger, nation-wide organization working to restore coastal ecosystems round New Zealand. The group regularly sends delegates to the annual conference of the Coastal Restoration Trust, which brings together the knowledge and experience of communities, iwi, science, industry and local and regional government New Zealand-wide.

“We learn so much at this conference,” said Lyndsay Knowles, Chairperson of the

Waitohu group, who is going as the group’s delegate to this year’s event in Invercargill. “Their research informs our understanding of dune systems, animal and plant biodiversity, the effects of climate change, and where and what we plant. It exposes us to the thoughts and practices of so many like-minded groups, we usually come back bursting with information and new ideas.”

The Waitohu group has prepared a poster to present at the conference, in which photographer Roy Simons has included two “before” and “after” shots, one looking south from just north of the Waitohu Stream at the beach as it was in January 1979, with almost no dune system visible. photo credit Dr Peter Bull 1979

A well-connected hut for Ōtaki Beach

Kemi, Niko and Tainui, Renée in the foreground, making connections at the Ōtaki Hut

BY BELINDA MCLEAN

The second is from almost the same spot in January 2020, showing the results of the group’s work over the last two decades—a long, low system of spinifex dunes in front.

This is replacing the high, unstable marram dune behind, which is eroding with the effects of weather and human activity.

“The spinifex dune system acts as an all-seasons buffer against storms and high seas,” said Knowles. “It erodes in extreme conditions, but the long, trailing roots and runners of spinifex remain and soon recapture sand, so the dune rebuilds.”

2020

The bird has flown, the barrier stays Despite the best efforts of locals and Kāpiti Coast District Council, a pied stilt nesting near the Waitohu Stream disappeared soon after a barrier and sign were put up to protect it. (Ōtaki Mail Feb 2020) “It was a great gesture, and full marks to neighbour and KCDC employee Tony Martin for acting so quickly but the bird left anyway.

There were tyre marks showing that a quad bike drove in front of and behind the barrier and it also looked as though someone had been throwing stones at it,” said local and keen bird-watcher Sue McIntosh.

“I have mixed feelings about what to do for these birds,” said McIntosh. “Do you protect the nests and therefore make them obvious, hoping people will leave them alone? Or do you just let nature take its course and hope for the best? I’ve tried both methods, with very mixed success.”

“I’m hoping that KCDC will consider putting up more comprehensive fencing to keep out all vehicles, taking in the whole area where the dotterels, oyster catchers and pied stilts like to nest. This would also prevent people taking driftwood, which provides insects for the birds and encourages the development of the dunes,” she said.

As a long-time member and former chair of the Waitohu Dune and Stream Care Group, McIntosh has recently taken on the job of compiling information from locals about vehicles on the beach and other infringements in preparation for KCDC’s community consultation on the 2009 Beach Bylaw, due later this year.

“So far I’ve had reports of horses and motorbikes on the dunes (both are banned).

Yesterday a group lit a ‘party fire’ and the fire brigade was called to put out the remains—bottles and rubbish were scattered widely. Someone took their dog for a run by letting it loose while they drove their ute slowly along the beach.

Quad-bike riders have been seen taking their bikes under the protective tapes which are supposed to protect the dunes.”

McIntosh recommends ringing KCDC on 9899 486 486 to report complaints. “Make sure you request a complaint number,” she said. “Then you can follow up later and see if any action has been taken. If you don’t get a number, the complaint vanishes into a black hole. Ask for the Compliance Officer if you don’t get a satisfactory response.

“If you do see anything untoward, try to get photographs and number plate info to support your complaint”.

McIntosh urges beach-lovers to complete KCDC’s short on-line survey, which will provide community input on how Kāpiti beaches are protected and managed ahead of the by-law review. See www. surveymonkey.com/r/beachbylawsurvey.

She notes that there are a mass of rules and regulations from different sources covering beach activity, but despite the complexity it’s essential for the community to have its say to care for and manage Ōtaki Beach into the future.

blanket. The log-book was well-used, so we developed that idea. The huts also After a few days of building in damp and became exchange points--for things like windy conditions, it was a calm, sunny bottles of wine, jewellery, art materials, morning on January 30 when hutsports equipment—we hope similar builders Kemi and Niko declared their things might happen here.” completed north Ōtaki Beach hut open A “roaming hut” built on the back of a for the business of attracting locals to trailer is also part of the project and with enjoy, wonder at and contribute to its it Kemi and Niko will roam the greater presence.

Wellington area throughout the festival, A small crowd gathered to hear Tainui “Like a space-ship tramping hut,” said Stevens bless the hut and, in his kōrero Niko. “It will descend into areas where compare its making to that of building a it’s never been seen before and translate waka, a community effort, where many the tramping hut experience into urban parts and many hands are are needed to environments.” collect materials, lash it together and Gather the whānau and head outdoors for launch it. an artful expedition in search of bespoke Niko took up the theme of community little huts full of stories and imagination, and connections, acknowledging the help urges the Urban Hut Club leaflet. Visit and support of KCDC, of Tainui Stevens, urbanhutclub.nz for a full description of Libby Hakaraia in finding the site, the and directions to all the huts, for the support of the Waitohu Stream and Dune Roaming Hut itinerary and captivating Care Group, who helped throughout the photos and videos of the huts, under project and of local writer Renée for her construction and completed. story, inspired by the hut.

Printed leaflets, copies of Renée’s story “We hope that local people use it as a and a code to unlock an audio copy can base for their own additions and be found at the Ōtaki Hut. Follow the collections. Please do put your own stamp online directions or take the beach track on it! “ from the end of Konini Street and look to The NZ Arts Festival commissioned the left as you walk towards the beach.

Kemi and Niko to carry out the project of building five Kāpiti Coast huts, to be open for the duration of the festival, from February 21 till March 15.

Collectively known as “The Urban Hut Club”, they are at Whareroa Farm, Hemi Matenga, Kaitawa Reserve and Paekākāriki Community Garden, as well as Ōtaki. Each design is unique, inspired by the different locations and salvaged materials available.

“Our first huts were actual miniatures,” said Niko, speaking of their earlier projects for Wellington City Council’s summer arts programmes, Huts of Wellingtown and Miniature Hikes, where they built seven huts in wild spots around the city. The huts took on a life of their own as the idea of “miniature hikes” developed. Different community groups, families, running groups started going from hut to hut, picnicking, doing yoga, performing or simply doing their own miniature hikes.

“Early on we did experiments in Wellington’s green belt to see how locals would react,” Niko said. “One Local writer Renée opens the door to the Ōtaki of them was a bench seat in a spot Hut.“I was inspired by the idea of a hut as a with a good view. The bench lifted sanctuary, a place where arguments could up and inside was a log-book and a happen and it would still be safe,” she said.

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Media Muse

Denial is the first stage of grieving and it was clear that when Radio New Zealand’s chairman, Jim Mather, fronted up at Parliament to explain the sudden death of a plan to turf the Concert Programme of its FM frequency and fire all its presenters he was still a long way from the fifth and final stage of acceptance that it had all been a monumental cock-up.

Like Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poetic revisiting of a massive strategic blunder as an heroic act in “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, Mather told MPs: “We as a board could quite simply have sailed along comfortably through the tenure of our three-year term and accepted the status quo. Or, as we have done, chosen to make some unpopular but ultimately appropriate decisions about the future of RNZ.” While the decision to automate Concert FM, fire its on-air talent, move it on to an AM frequency with inferior audio quality, thereby alienating its loyal audience of 170,000 listeners per week and large chunks of the arts and cultural sector including multiple prime ministers, was certainly brave and bold, it cannot also be described as “appropriate” if it had to be reversed within a week.

Try as they might, MPs on the Economic Development, Science and Innovation committee could not get Mather or his chief executive, Paul Thompson, to admit that there had been any mistakes other than, possibly, a mis-communication leading to a misunderstanding which could well have been the fault of the Minister, Kris Faafoi.

Mather proceeded to walk MPs through the issue in a Q&A format much loved by spin doctors and politicians in a tight spot.

“Did RNZ follow an appropriate (that word again!) process in keeping the Minister adequately informed of our new service for young New Zealanders?

Absolutely.

“The Minister was briefed on our new

strategy and the potential impact on RNZ Concert in August 2019, October 2019 and most recently on January 29 this year.”

The chairman continued to ask himself questions for which he had prepared answers that only raised more questions.

“Did RNZ ignore the request of the Minister at the meeting on January 29?

“We definitely did not ignore the request.

We believe that the Minister had agreed to RNZ not delaying our internal staff consultation of potential changes to RNZ Concert whilst MCH (Ministry of Culture and Heritage) explored the option of reviewing the FM frequencies previously reserved for youth music.”

(This was the 102FM frequency, unused for two decades apart from when Mediaworks gave it a brief trot as KiwiFM. MCH had already informed RNZ it would be difficult to access and fund that frequency.)

“There was clearly a misunderstanding,” Mather said. “The Minister thought that our consultation processes should be halted while MCH looked into the FM frequency availability as they were tasked to do at that meeting.”

So it emerged that the ministry, which was negative about using and funding the youth frequency, as Thompson had earlier informed the committee, had been represented at the January 29 meeting.

The minister of broadcasting’s own advisers would have also been, along with officials from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to assist him with another of his portfolios — communications.

Not there, however, was the board chairman. Mather didn’t get to where he is today without some experience in the art of duck-shoving, aka buck-passing, aka evasion of responsibility.

Asked by National’s broadcasting spokeswoman, Melissa Lee, to clarify the exact nature of the aforementioned

“misunderstanding”, Mather responded with yet another Q&A: “What was misunderstood? And I should also preface my response by saying I was not attending at the meeting. But I had phoned into the meeting and the other attendees at the meeting were our chief executive, Paul Thompson, and a board governor, Peter Parussini.

New to the RNZ board, one of two appointments by Faafoi since he became minister, Parussini is a career professional in public relations and, ironically, communications. He is head of corporate affairs for ANZ Bank.

Back to Mather . . . “Now, the misunderstanding arose from the aforementioned governor, Peter Parussini, asking the minister whether we were required to halt our consultation and not proceed with our planned move with the new strategy.

“The belief on the part of that particular governor of RNZ was that the minister had affirmed that it would be acceptable to proceed.”

By implying that it was Faafoi who gave the green light for shutting down ConcertFM, the board chairman effectively dropped his Minister right in it, not a smart move when the Minister holds the purse-strings when RNZ makes it’s budget funding bid, now enlarged by several millions to pay for extra staff and an FM network for its new youth music strategy.

Also absent from that January 29 meeting was the proverbial elephant in the middle of the room. Apparently not invited, either because the room was already packed or because its existence had been overlooked from the outset, the elephant was the fact that RNZ’s licence to broadcast ConcertFM is contained in an Act of Parliament.

Section 174 of the Radio Communications Act entitles RNZ to use “certain frequencies” for “the operation of four services including “the service known as

the largest wild population of around 1,200 - 1,400 birds. Given these numbers guests sometimes expect the island to be teeming with Kiwi at night, but the reality is that a skilled Kiwi guide needs to help out.

Drier conditions make life difficult for Kiwi, who rely on an abundance of insects and invertebrates in soil soft enough to get their beaks into. This drives them further looking for food.

The valley at Waiorua has an area of wetland which provides fresh water and softer soil. Kāpiti Island Nature Tours Kiwi guide Kiri Poananga said “we’ve had some great encounters this month - a couple of nights ago we saw a pair of Kiwi together, and we often see Kiwi at the water trough near the lodge that we keep filled up for the birds”. Brown Kiwi have also been seen 3 times this season.

One of these sightings was particularly special for a group of manuhiri (visitors) as the Brown Kiwi was having a squabble

with a Little Spotted Kiwi.

Manaaki Barrett - Kāpiti Island Nature Tours Island Operations Manager - said he was stunned by the event “we offer one of the best chances to see little spotted Kiwi in the wild anywhere in the world - we’re successful around 80% of the time - but to see 2 different types of Kiwi interacting in their natural habitat was incredible!”

Kiwi are highly territorial and fiercely protect their patch using their sharp claws and powerful legs and feet to inflict wounds.

Once territories are established, border disputes are usually resolved by less dangerous means – birds call to mark the edge of their territory, and the sound can carry several kilometres. To avoid a confrontation, Kiwi speed back into their own territory before returning their neighbour’s call.

Kāpiti Island news

BY DANIELLE BARRETT Kāpiti Island Kiwi appear to be doing well in 2020 - despite the dry summer - with plenty of successful Kiwi-spotting tours taking place at Waiorua Bay at the North End of the island. Kāpiti Island Nature Tours take small groups of overnight guests on guided Kiwi-spotting walks once darkness falls. In Aotearoa there are 5 types of Kiwi - Brown Kiwi, Roroa (Great spotted Kiwi), Kiwi Pukupuku (Little Spotted Kiwi), Rowi & Tokoeka. Kāpiti Island is home to a small number of Brown Kiwi & a substantial number of Little Spotted Kiwi - the smallest of the breed. The Little Spotted Kiwi is the only species to have become extinct on the mainland. DOC estimate the total population of Little Spotted Kiwi is around 2,000. Most of these birds live in predator free island reserves.

The Kāpiti Island population grew from 5 birds that were translocated at the beginning of the 20th century and is now

By Manakau’s Tom Frewen the FM Concert Programme”. Section 175 specifies the conditions of the licences relating to the FM Concert Programme and National Radio. Any change would require an amendment to the Radio Communications Act, opening the issue up to debate in Parliament and public submissions to a select committee.

Shutting down Concert FM was never within the power of RNZ’s management and board and, although it is incredible that none of his small army of officials and advisers never alerted the Minister to the risks involved in his finally having to front the closure in Parliament, it is typical of Faafoi’s loosey-goosey ministerial style.

After promising all year to announce a big new media policy, Faafoi failed to get Cabinet approval for it before Christmas, coming back on January 29 with a decision to commission a business case for a merger of TVNZ and RNZ plus — and this is significant — more money for NZ on Air. RNZ’s political editor, Jane Patterson, who had the inside running on this story, probably with assistance from NZ on Air, reported on January 29 that, had Faafoi’s plan been green-lit in December, “the government would have been readying now to pass legislation under urgency to disestablish RNZ and TVNZ, and then proceed with a business plan later in the year.”

As there is no reason to doubt the reliability of her sources, Patterson was saying that Faafoi was prepared to push the most radical change in the country’s broadcasting system in 30 years through Parliament with no opportunity for any public input.

If it is astonishing that a political editor of Patterson’s experience and seniority would not think that worthy of comment, but it is absolutely gobsmacking that Faafoi would even think it was politically feasible.

Little spotted Kiwi

Brown Kiwi

Great spotted Kiwi

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Ōtaki - Education Town Local Schools’ Expanding Rolls

BY MARGARET ANDREWS Ōtaki’s population is growing and these newcomers are bringing many new children and families to our schools, with some reporting lots of new pupils. Ōtaki College: “This is one of the most important days we have at Ōtaki College, it is the day you hand your children to us,” principal Andy Fraser said, as he welcomed new pupils and families during the first day powhiri.

The college, a year seven to 13 school, currently has 506 pupils including 24 international students from France, Germany, Spain, Austria and Japan. There are five new teachers and the board of trustees is looking for another teacher for year seven and eight pupils, an increase to six classes. Year nine now increases to four classes and the College is looking for new teacher for that.

“In general things are going very nicely, good feelings among the staff,” deputy principal Hamish Wood said. “While Andy does a good job at finding other local businesses and people keen to support the college, the new government funding is very welcome to continue work around the college.”

Last week’s welcome rain meant the athletics championships were postponed twice and will be held this week, but the swimming champs went ahead as scheduled with a few records in the pool broken. Ōtaki School has a roll of 164 including over 20 new pupils, many new five year olds with lots of new families to the district. The school operates three learning pathways, Matariki - English

a learning eco-system

immersion with three classes, Te Korowai Whakamana te reo immersion, new entrant to year eight filling four classrooms and two bilingual classes Kia Manawanui new entrants to year six and just one new teacher this term.

“The school has settled in for the new year and the new kids are joining together with the three pathways,” principal Chris Derbidge said. “All the kids are swimming daily, our pool is up and running and the senior kids go to Haruatai Pool for their class time swimming development class. The new pump track is finished, and the kids are enjoying it and the circuit track.”

Probably the biggest news from the school is Mr Derbidge has announced he is retiring at the end of term 2 after 44 years in the teaching profession.

Te Horo School With a roll of 221 pupils, many of them new entrants with families new to the area, and some new teachers as well, the school was off to a good start.

“It’s been a very positive start to the year,” principal Michelle Tate said. “The kids are back very positive and settled in.

This term’s school focus is on school waste, schools gardens – planting, composting and paper recycling and “what comes to school in our lunch boxes.”

The school is known for its very successful music productions, but this year there will be a whole school performance with all pupils taking part – developing it from “grassroots”.

St Peter Chanel: A year one to eight school under the Catholic Church, they have constant

staffing, and increasing roll numbers with several new entrants this year.

“A really good start to the beginning of the year and everyone is very settled,” principal Sandy Johnston said. “We have one returning teacher, former SPC pupil Urutakai Cooper comes as deputy principal. We’re looking forward we have a strong constructive year developing bilingualism - developing te reo Maori in conversation, conversing with each other and normalising te reo Maori speaking to our children.”

While English, maths and writing will be taught in English, many of the other interactions will be in te reo.

With environmental care the school will focus on Reduce, Recycle and Reuse as their theme for the year. Through their relationships with the wider community and a good cross section of people from the community and the church, they’re hoping to have more murals painted

around the school.

Waitohu School: A busy start for pupils with more than 20 new entrants, the roll stands at 245 pupils. They had no staff changes this year.

“A great start to the year with students settled very positively into their classes,” principal Maine Curtis. “We’re looking forward to a fantastic year ahead.”

Swimming is popular at all age levels and abilities and with the annual picnic day at Waikanae Pools coming up, swimming races will be included for the year four, five and six pupils. Another popular out of school activity is the touch rugby games played among the schools at Ōtaki Domain.

“We look forward to our annual events – the gala, fireworks and sporting events” Mr Curtis said.

Sharing our stories to build strong global relationships Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari taku toa i te toa takitini Over the period that this wānanga has been in existence we have welcomed many indigenous groups and individuals from around the globe who have expressed interest in our work. Many of them were keen to learn from our experience and gain first-hand insights into how they might create similar development opportunities for their own people. The latest of these is a Native Hawaiian doctoral candidate at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Kapua Chandler, who joined us recently at the first pōwhiri of the year to welcome new students to the campus.

Kapua, from the island of Kaua’i is visiting Aotearoa, hoping to build strong relationships and to learn about indigenous processes and practices (the processes of how policies, practices, curriculum etc. have developed over time), their values and how that is sustained over time. The building of strong connections is highly important to her “…so that native people can see other native people being successful.” Her first-hand experience through interviews, observation and interaction with staff at Te Wananga o Raukawa and how it operates is something that she is much looking forward to.

Kapua was born on Kaua’i, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands geologically, but the youngest according to Hawaiian cosmology. She describes herself as “an ‘Āina girl” in that she was raised, along

is tat sustained over time? with three older brothers, in the Hawaiian cultural practice of fishing, farming and It is Kapua’s goal to open a Hawaiian hunting, to sustain themselves. The word college in her local community on Kaua’i. ‘Āina is a name common to multiple nations, build relationships and create She sees the creation of an ‘Āina cultures but with differing meanings. In new knowledge. So we are excited to university as community driven and Hawaiian it literally means ‘that which accredited. She has identified two tertiary have Kapua reside amongst us in Ōtaki feeds’. Kapua is quick to point out that for a few weeks so that our international operations that are closely aligned to her the “feeding” relates to people, to the indigenous community of knowledge ultimate purpose: a tribal college in earth and to the ocean. keeps increasing and expanding for the Mission, South Dakota for Lakota people; benefit of us all. Poipoia te kākano kia and our wānanga here in Ōtaki. These Her formal education has traversed the puawai. two institutions will form case studies Kamehameha Schools Kapālama; the from which she will draw inspiration, University of Portland, Oregon from Visit us at 144 Tasman Road, Otaki information and decision making for a which she graduated with a double major Phone us at 0800 WĀNANGA Hawaiian college model. degree in mathematics and computer Visit our website at www.wananga.com science; and her current study at UCLA in We always welcome the opportunity to Email us at tetomonga@twor-otaki.ac.nz the Higher Education and Organisation share stories with other indigenous Change programme. Her original plan on graduation from the University of Portland was to write programmes for native Hawaiians in non-profit organisations to get technology to the rural community, however she found she was being pushed into mainstream technology. Attendance at a research conference brought her into contact with a professor from UCLA who encouraged her to apply for their doctorate programme.

Her thesis topic is looking at indigenous models of higher education. Her dissertation is about building an ‘Āinabased university for farming, agriculture and aquaculture comprising hands-on learning. It will be based on three questions: what are the processes and practices to indigenising higher education institutions; what are the values attached Kapua Chandler photographed alongside a depiction of the three iwi of the ART to those processes and practices and how Confederation, who established Te Wānanga o Raukawa

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Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Ōtaki College News

February 2020 From the Principal Andy Fraser

www.otakicollege.school.nz

Schools are always busy places and our young people are often involved in many other sporting, cultural or recreational interests. Over the holiday break we had students engaged in many exciting activities, both at home and overseas.

Our 2019 Sander Scholar, Lauren Blakeley was travelling in Scotland and Kaea Hakaria-Hosking was filming in Taiwan.

Our Head Boy and Girl took part in a leadership course on Great Barrier Island, Year 12 student, Krisha Modi, was sailing on the Spirit of Adventure and Deputy Head Boy, Damien Doyle, attended a Hilary Outdoor Leadership course in Tongariro.

I would like to personally congratulate them on their efforts and look forward to their continued contribution and successes throughout 2020.

Ngā mihi, Andy Fraser, Principal From Ōtaki to Scotland: Lauren Blakeley, 2019 Sander Scholar, talks about her trip ...

From the warm summer of Ōtaki to the freezing city of Aberdeen, this trip was sure to be a change in weather - however that definitely didn’t take away from the trip of a lifetime. After over two days of flying I was greeted at Aberdeen Airport by my host sister Piper Kerr and her family, who I would be staying with throughout my trip. They were absolutely wonderful and went out of their way to make sure I had the most amazing trip.

My first week in Scotland was spent at Robert Gordon’s College getting to experience Scottish schooling and culture. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful, which made a daunting experience in such a massive school much easier. I spent the afternoons/nights with Piper and her friends and family, attending things such as sports games and practices which was right up my alley.

The next week, Harriet, a gap student from Scotch College in Adelaide Australia, and I set out on a tour

around Scotland. Starting out in Glasgow we were met by previous head girl of Robert Gordon’s, Morna Holmes. We were lucky enough to be shown around the city by Morna. Visiting Glasgow University, which was awesome and also catching the subway along with lots of cool other things.

The next morning Harriet and I started a three day tour of the Isle of Skye. This was an amazing experience that took us around the highlands, visiting lots of beautiful castles, and places such as the Harry Potter bridge and Lochness. The views and scenery were absolutely beautiful. We were lucky enough to experience all sorts of Scottish winter weather such as, thunder and lightning, snow, hail, and lots of rain and wind.

Back in Aberdeen, I had a farewell meeting with Mr Mills, principal, and Walter Stephen, the Ōtaki Scholar from 1967, who I had met previously in 2018 when he traveled to New Zealand with Cameron Stephen.

I was sad to see the end of this trip of a lifetime and would like to also sincerely thank Shelly from Sander Ties, Matua Andy and Ōtaki College, and everyone at Robert Gordon’s. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime and am beyond grateful for being given this opportunity.

2020 Head Boy, Jacob Gates, on Great Barrier Island Courage. What do we think when we hear this?

Bravado? Heroic and grand sacrifices? Maybe these are true. But what I have learnt is that courage is as simple as putting yourself in a vulnerable position, for the benefit of your team or yourself.

From the 12th to the 17th of January, Kahe Nakhla and I had the pleasure of travelling to Great Barrier Island for an outdoor education leadership course helmed by Hillary Outdoors.

We stayed in the beautiful and striking Orama Bay, along with 47 students from all across Aotearoa. We took part in various outdoor activities, such as: Sea Kayaking, Coasteering, jumping off large ledges into cold water, leading our teams in different and challenging team activities, high ropes course, rock climbing, Via ferrata, hiking and navigation.

A personal highlight would be,the ‘leap of faith’. We had to climb up a pole and leap onto a suspended bar, whilst being belayed by the rest of our team. It was particularly special because it was the first activity we did as a group and was the beginning of many situations where we were taken out of our comfort zone.

Through these we were taught the lessons of showing courage and gaining mana. Getting to know our new team members was a mission and a half, but after kayaking to BBQ bay, setting up camp and being woken up at 3 AM and then hiking all across Great Barrier island, we all became very close friends.

We learnt to recognise each member’s strengths and weaknesses and to alter our tactics to suit. We learnt different leadership styles and approaches, how to use them and when they are appropriate.

All of these lessons I learnt will be extremely conducive for achieving my goals as Head Boy and my future endeavours. I would like to thank Matua Andy and the College for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Swimming Sports Ōtaki College’s annual swimming sports day was held on Monday 10 February on a lovely sunny day.

Student participation was high with lots of students swimming in all of the individual competitive events

Kapiti Performing Arts Centre – It’s for us too

BY MARGARET ANDREWS The long awaited Te Raukura ki Kapiti, the Kapiti Performing Arts Centre-, opened its doors to the public last Saturday (Feb 22) with guided tours through the two theatres, sprung-floor dance studio, recording studio and music rooms.

The day began with a powhiri at 8.30am and the official opening by Grant Robertson, Associate Minister of Arts, before the doors were opened to a steady stream of several thousand people throughout the day.

The locals visitors were entertained all day with many choirs and musical groups from the wider Kapiti district

singing and playing in the large music room - for enthusiasts several hours of quality music all for free.

Outside the main doors Kapiti College Pacifica students treated the visitors with demonstrations of their dance and music, while more students entertained with a mix of dance, musical instruments and genre.

This building will be an amazing addition to the performing arts on the Kapiti Coast from the main 331 seat theatre – The Coastlands Theatre, to the Sir Jon Trimmer Theatre - a smaller 200 seat “black box” theatre space .

to try to be crowned year level champion. Multiple records were broken.

In the afternoon the whole school competed in hotly contested relays, fun swims, bomb competitions and a staff vs Y13 relay.

Year level and 2020 Swimming Champions Year 7 Boys - Campbell Carlyon Year 7 Girls - Nevaeh Gardner Year 8 Boys - Fraser Martin Year 8 Girls - Nikaia Higson Year 9 Boys - Fintan McHugo Year 9 Girls - Jana Vodanovich Year 10 Boys - Ethan Rutter Year 10 Girls - Ella Gilpin Year level Champions Runner up to Senior Girls Champion - Alex Lundie Senior Girls Champion - Cadence McHugo Runner up to Senior Boys Champion - Heremaia Cooper Senior Boys Champion - Damien Doyle College records broken 25m Freestyle - Junior Girls - N Gardner - Senior Girls - C McHugo 100m Freestyle - Senior Girls - C McHugo 200m Freestyle - Senior Girls - C McHugo 400m Freestyle - Senior Girls - C McHugo 25m Butterfly - Junior Girls - N Gardner 25 Breaststroke - Senior Girls - C McHugo 100m Individual Medley - Senior Girls - C McHugo Senior Boys - Damien Doyle

Ōtaki College

Caretaker Required

Ōtaki College invites applications for the position of College Caretaker, with a preferred start date of 14 April 2020.

The successful applicant must be highly motivated and self-managing with an exemplary work history. A background in carpentry, cabinet making and the building and construction industry will be advantageous, as will basic computer literacy.

A clean driver’s licence is essential.

This position has a College house attached to it.

Please contact Viv White, Principal’s PA; ph. (06) 364 8204 ext 701, email vwt@otakicollege.school.nz for a full job description and application pack.

Applications close Monday 9th March 2020.

24

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Ōtaki’s History

Contributed by the Otaki Historical Society and the Otaki Museum Contributed by the Otaki Historical Society and the Otaki Museum

Ōtaki Museum Collection

BY DI BUCHAN

This month’s special items display

The collection from the Small family of Clifden farm is once again the subject of this month’s special display at the Museum. This time the topic is smoking pipes of which Alexander and his son Harold had a large collection.

Tobacco pipes have been in use for most of recorded human history, with different materials being favoured at different times. Over the centuries pipes have been made from such materials as briar, clay, ceramics, corncobs, glass, metal, gourds, stone wood, bog oak (oak that has been buried in peat for hundreds or sometimes thousands of years) and calabash. In the 18th century, meerschaum was a popular material for people who took their smoking habit particularly seriously and liked to display their wealth.

Meerschaum is a soft white clay which lends itself to ornate carving. An extreme

example of such a pipe is shown here.

A particularly unusual pipe material, maybe used only in Ōtaki, was a Karaka berry with a straw. Sylvia Bennett recalls in in OHS Journal (Vol. 28) that as children, she and her siblings would get a ripe berry, cut the top off and scoop the inside out, then get a nail to make a hole in the side into which they would push a straw. They would fill their “pipes” with dock seeds and pretend to smoke!

There have been many famous pipe smokers over more recent years including Popeye, Sherlock Holmes, Detective Maigret, Bing Crosby and Albert Einstein. No doubt these famous characters helped to promote the practice.

According to world statistics, the

practice of pipe smoking rose sharply during the 1940s but began a steady decline from the end of the 1980s.

The pipes from the Small Family collection date from around 1900 to 1930 and are made from a variety of materials.

Two are clay pipes, and three are made from different wood types.

One of these has a stem made of resin which has been damaged with the heat from smoking (a common failure in this type of material) and has been repaired with silver bands.

Two of the pipes are made from Bakelite, a type of plastic which was patented in 1907. Bakelite contains formaldehyde and asbestos both of which are toxic and now believed to cause lung diseases so the users of these pipes were putting their health at risk not only from the tobacco smoke but from the pipe itself!

Smoking pipes of quality were treasured items and two such pipes are included in the display enclosed in their special cases which are made of leather and lined with velvet.

One particularly interesting item is a long narrow pipe stem, probably of Asian origin, which unfortunately has lost its bowl.

It is likely that the bowl was made from clay but it may also have been made from a hollowed-out corn cob as this was quite common for smokers who were less wealthy.

The display also includes two tobacco tins and a box of waxed matches.

If you have any unusual, old pipes or tobacco tins that you don’t want to keep any longer, the Museum would love to increase its collection and give them a new home.

There are very interesting articles about the Small family in 3 Journals produced by the Ōtaki Historical Society. These can be viewed or purchased at the Ōtaki Museum.

The current museum exhibition Health on the Hill will remain open until May.

Annual General Meeting Sunday 15th March at 4.00pm: Ōtaki Players Society Annual General Meeting, held at the Ōtaki Civic Theatre. All welcome.and will be followed by light refreshments, come along and support your local theatre.

Supporting Global Bees PENNY KERR-HISLOP The Ōtaki Buzz Club meets once a month on the 3rd Wednesday at Waitohu School on Te Manuao Road at 7pm. It is a great club to join if you are a newcomer to keeping bees as it offers lots of advice, community and opportunities to learn more.

This month’s meeting will be a buzz of conversation about the season, the weather, and of course, the honey crop.

The inevitable, ubiquitous varroa treatment advice and ideas will flow like honey and there will be lots of questions from the floor. The club has a huge range of experienced beekeepers and plenty of novices. Everyone benefits from the conversation and information and there is chance to chat and catch up over a cuppa at half time. If you are interested in joining our local buzz club, please contact Shaun Wakeford on 0274353640.

Many beekeepers are harvesting their honey now depending on the region, but all agree that we need to move the honey despite the current slump in prices. To store the honey in the hope of a better payout will only exacerbate the problem as there are already stockpiles of non manuka crop and this needs to be sold.

While there is a big stockpile sitting around, prices will not move up. This of course applies more to our commercial beekeepers. The small scale producers continue to share their liquid gold among friends and families or sell to extractors.

Most farmers’ markets in New Zealand have local honey available for sale from beekeepers who have extracted and packed their honey. This should always be labelled to ensure identification as well as tested for tutin (a native poisonous plant).

This enables trace back in case of any mishap and ensures quality control. So punters, get out there and enjoy the best and most natural sweetener in the world.

The New Zealand honey product of whatever flavour is unsurpassed and our beekeepers need your support!

The Friends of the Ōtaki Rotunda (FOR) has been set up as a charitable trust to save and restore the rotunda building at the old Ōtaki Children’s Health Camp so that it can be made available for community use.

The Board of Trustees is wanting volunteers to fill a few gaps in the expertise available to the board. Do you have skills in any of the following areas?

• Managing finance (treasurer) • Maintaining a data base of members (membership secretary) • Drafting press releases and/or posting items on social media (communications and marketing) Do you have any of these skills and if so, are you prepared to volunteer a few hours per month to help the Trust achieve its goals? The treasurer and media support person will also need to attend meetings of the Trust (usually 2-monthly and held during the day).

If you have the skills and the time to fill any of these positions we would love to hear from you.

Please contact the Chair of FOR, Di Buchan phone 06 364 0180

25

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Kia ora from the Ōtaki Public Library – Te Wharepukapuka o Ōtaki

LIBRARIAN”S CHOICE Reviewed by Nyria Ratana

Animalkind Remakable Discoveries

about Animals and Revolutionary New Ways to Show Them Compassion

By Ingrid Nekirk & Gene Stone.

This book is powerful. Animalkind explores the wonders of animal life – sharing amazing stories about how animals show love, compassion and empathy. It even provides proof that fish feel pain!

The book is also full of stories and facts about how animals communicate. I thought the case of “Clever Hans” the horse who could add, subtract and do division - by clapping his hooves – was both amusing and thought-provoking. But it turns out Clever Hans was even more clever than they could imagine!

The second part of the book requires a strong stomach in parts, but it’s well worth the read to learn how we can show empathy and find new ways to move forward. The scientific research section looks at cutting edge, cruelty-free techniques – including the use of organoids and human organ chips - that could prove revolutionary.

Stainton Workman: the life and I Will Miss You Tomorrow

by Heine Bakkeid Straight-out of a stint in prison, sacked and disgraced chief-inspector Thorkild Aske wants to lose himself in drugged dreams of his beloved Frei, the woman he loved. The woman he has lost forever.

When Frei’s cousin Rasmus goes missing off the Norwegian coast, Thorkild reluctantly agrees to help the family find him – dead or alive. But tormented by his past, Thorkild soon finds himself deep in treacherous waters. There are many secrets in this remote part of Norway — and men with much to hide from a washed-up former policeman.

Dark, gritty, and atmospheric, Will Miss You Tomorrow is a psychological drama and a suspenseful chiller/thriller filled with mystery and distrust. It is also the first instalment in the new Thorkild Aske series – and Bakkeid’s first venture into crime fiction.

Mophead : how your difference

times of a 19th century New Zealand whaler

by Marilyn Wightman

makes a difference

by Selina Tusitala Marsh.

Scottish-born Stainton Workman was part of the first group of European emigrants – sealers, whalers and traders - who had begun living in New Zealand at the turn of the 19th century. At Kororareka, the “hell on earth” whaling station, Workman rode the first horse brought to New Zealand, and won the first race. As a young man, he also worked at an island whaling station adjacent to Kapiti Island, under the protection of Te Rauparaha.

While at this station, he married Kokoroiti Rewheunga, of Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane heritage. From then on the couple were known as John and Ellen; they had nine children and a long, contented marriage, eventually settling at Kaikoura. After his wife’s death, Stainton moved to Petone.

His great-great-great-granddaughter, Manawatu historian Marilyn Wightman, not only traces Workman’s many adventures, but also provides an interesting account of those early years.

At school, Selina is teased for her big, frizzy hair. Kids call her ‘mophead’.

Selina does everything she can to tie her hair up and be the same as the other kids.

Until one day – with Sam Hunt as inspiration – she decides to let her hair out, to embrace her difference, to be WILD! Selina Tusitala Marsh has written and illustrated her own inspirational graphic memoir. This beautiful hardcover book tells her story - from becoming head girl to being one of the first Pasifika women to hold a PhD. She reads for the Queen of England and Samoan royalty. She meets Barack Obama. And then she is named the New Zealand Poet Laureate.

Also included in the book is a glossary of words - Tusitala Marsh uses Māori, Samoan, Rarotongan and Tongan in the book.

He that plays with cats must expect to be scratched We consistently talk about fleas and associated itchies and scratchies.

But wait, there is more…..

What does the flea, and Cat Scratch Fever have in common? The answer… a bacterium called Bartonella henselae.

Bartonella bacteria are carried by the flea and passed into the flea dirts, or flea faeces.

Classically, cats can transfer the organism if they are parasitised by fleas. They scratch themselves, and accumulate infected flea dirt (digested blood excreted by fleas) in their claws. If they then scratch a person with their dirty claws, they inoculate flea dirt into the skin, and transmission of the Bartonella bacteria may cause Cat Scratch Fever in the person.

Bartonella infection results in a painful swelling with enlargement of the draining lymph node, and a fever may develop. It is particularly concerning for immune-

suppressed and older people, and may need antibiotic treatment.

This might sound somewhat concerning for cat-owners but it is important to realise that a cat cannot transmit the infection without a claw full of flea dirt.

If the cat is flea free, there will be no flea dirt in the coat and no risk of disease transmission.

Flea dirt looks like black specks in the pet’s fur, or bedding. On closer inspection some of the specks are comma shaped. If brushed onto wet tissue paper, a brownish-red colour will seep out.

This is actually blood digested by the flea. Therefore it is a good way to differentiate it from sand or soil.

Prevention is of course a no-brainer.

Regular, effective (veterinary grade)

flea control, and wash any scratches thoroughly with antiseptic.

And the next question – do cats get Cat Scratch Fever? The answer is no – now there is a dilemma.

Ōtaki Vets

269 Mill Road 364 6941 364 7089

contact@otakivets.co.nz www.otakivets.com Come and meet our friendly team

26

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Handy folk to know Health Womens Health AA Arthritis Ambulance Shuttle Cancer Support Stroke support Plunket Helplines Mental Health Crisis Depression helpline Healthline Lifeline Samaritans Victim Support Youthline Alcohol Drug Helpline Community Citizens Advice Budgeting Foodbank Menzshed Community Club Timebank Birthright Cobwebs Community Patrol Amicus Pottery Mainly Music Genealogy Bridge Museum Historical Let’s Sing Ōtaki Players RSA Rotary Lions FOTOR Transition Towns Waitohu Stream Care Energise Ōtaki Older People Age Concern Kids Scouting Toy Library Marriage celebrants Colleen Logue Penny Gaylor Roofer Ryan Roofing Taxi Ōtaki Shuttles Vets Ōtaki Animal Health Windows Window & Door Repairs

364 6367 0800 229 6757 364 6883 368 6369 06 367 8065 021 962 366 364 7261 0800 653 357 0800 111 757 0800 611 116 0800 543 354 0800 727 666 0800 842 846 0800 376 633 0800 787 797 364 8664 364 6579 364 0051 364 8303 364 8754 362 6313 364 5558 021 160 2710 027 230 8836 364 6464 364 8053 364 7099 364 7263 364 7771 364 6886 364 6543 364 8731 364 6491 364 6221 06 927 9010 021 267 3929 364 8918 364 5573 364 0641 364 6140 0800 243 266 364 8949 364 3411 027 688 6098 027 664 8869 027 243 6451 364 6001 364 7089

Auto Central Auto Services Otaki Collision Repairs SRS Auto Engineering Builders Concrete Work Bevan Concrete Rasmac Contractors Koastal Kerb Estate Agents First National Harcourts Professionals Tall Poppies Property Brokers Funeral Directors Harvey Bowler I.C. Mark Ltd Kapiti Coast Funeral Waikanae Funeral Garden services

368 2037 364 7495 364 3322

0800 427522 0274 443 041 027 554 0003 364 8350 364 5284 364 7720 0274 792 772 06 920 2001 368 2954 368 8108 04 298 5168 04 293 6844

FULL DIESEL REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

All C.O.F. Work Transport & General Engineering Tel: 06/368 2037 or 06/368 1591 (24hrs)

Locks * Rollers Handles * Stays Glass * Leaks Draughts * Seals

SAVE $$$$

Call Mike Watson Free 0800 620 720 or Otaki 364 8886 Find me at: www.windowseal.co.nz Or like at: facebook.com/windowseal

BIRTHRIGHT OP SHOP 23 Matene Street, Otaki Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm Saturday 10am – 1pm

Good/Used clothing for sale Baby clothing $1

Adult shoes $3 - $5

Children’s clothing $2

Lots of bric-a-brac from $1

Adult clothing $4

Assortment of antiques for sale

(or as priced)

It's your vehicle, you can tell your insurer who you want to use – Keep it local, call us today

Otaki Shuttle Service 06 364 6001

Seven Day a week service up until midnight Set Tarriff charges of $10 + $5 per passenger between Otaki beach & plateau • Further afield trips negotiable • Airport & bus connections EFTPOS

We are always looking for volunteers to help in our shop – please see the Shop Manager for an application form.

available in vehicle

CONCERT OTAKI STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

Make a booking online at www.otakishuttle.co.nz

invites you to a concert for stroke awareness week

March 5, 2020

10am morning tea 10.30am – 12pm concert

OF P$5Rp/pOpayable at door

Your trusted local crash repair specialist using the latest up-to-date equipment and technology • PPG Water Borne Paint System • (Environmentally Friendly) • Spray Booth • 3D Measuring System • Chassis Straightening Machine • Inverter Spot Welder • Crash Repairs • Rust Repairs • Plastic Welding • Free Courtesy Cars • All Insurance/Broker Work

Please share your giveaways with us.

Every dollar goes back into the Otaki Community

Window & Door Repairs

I fix all Doors, Windows & Conservatories

ENTERTAINER: Greg Christensen, vocalist/ comedian and former front man of the band Creation with chart topping hits "Carolina" and "Tell Laura I Love Her", will sing and play Elvis Presley, John Denver, and Engelbert Humperdinck, together with his own brand of comedy.

www.otakicollisionrepairs.co.nz

Tuesday – Friday 10 – 4pm Saturday 10 – 1pm

K.S. McFadyen & I.J. Buckley Ltd

Presbyterian Church, Mill Road, Ōtaki

364 8886

otakicr@gmail.com

Main Street

MAIN ROAD SOUTH, LEVIN

Insurance Inpro 364 6123 Nurseries 100&1 364 7084 Talisman 364 5893 Te Horo Garden Centre 364 2142 Watsons Garden Centre 364 8758 Kapiti Coast District Council General Inquiries 364 9301 Toll Free 0800 486 486 Ōtaki Library 364 9317 64 5542 Ōtaki Swimming Pool Lawyer Susie Mills Law 364 7190 364 7285 Simco Lawyers Locksmith Ōtaki Locksmith 021 073 5955 Mowers Mower & Engineering 364 5411 Plumbing About Plumbing 364 5586 364 5252 Henderson Plumbing Ryan Plumbing & Gas 027 243 6451 Rest Homes Ocean View 364 7399 Enliven 0508 365483 Computers TechMan 022 315 7018 Sports Clubs To come, (when you let us know!)

Storage Otaki Secure Storage 0800 364 632

Simon Taylor: Owner/Manager 3 Arthur St, Otaki Ph 06 36 47495

Cobwebs Op-Shop

CENTRAL AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

ŌTAKI Secure Storage • Secure storage • long or short-term • smoke alarms and security cameras • any size, from garden shed to house-lots 13 & 19 Riverbank Road 0800 364 632 www.otakisecurestorage.co.nz

Ōtaki Churches welcome you ANGLICAN 9.30am 47 Te Rauparaha St 1st and 3rd Sundays Eucharist Te Horo St Margarets School Rd 2nd and 4th Sundays Eucharist 9.30am Manakau St Andrews 1st Sunday, Cafe Church, 9.30am 2nd & 4th Sundays, Eucharist 9am Ōtaki Rangiatea Church Services 37 Te Rauparaha St Acts Churches The HUB Sunday Eucharist: 9am Church viewing hours, school terms: Tel: 364 6911 157 Tasman Rd, Ōtaki Mon–Fri 9.30am–1.30pm 10.15 am Family service tel office: 364 6838 email: rangiatea.church@xtra.co.nz 10.15 am Big Wednesday Shannon Turongo Church, Poutu Marae Baptist Shannon/Foxton Highway Tel: 364 8540 3rd Sunday 11.30am Cnr Te Manuao Road/SH1 10am service Levin Ngatokowaru Marae Presbyterian Hokio Beach Road Rev. Peter L. Jackson 4th Sunday 11am Tel: 364 6346 CATHOLIC 249 Mill Rd, Ōtaki Ōtaki St Mary’s “Pukekaraka” Worship: 11am 4 Convent Road Cafe Church: Weekend Mass 2nd Sunday 10.45am Sunday Mass 10am, 5pm Kuku St Stephens 1st Sunday 8am Ōtaki

27

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

WANT TO EARN SOME EXTRA INCOME? Reliable distributors wanted for part time work delivering catalogues and mailers into household letterboxes, in Ōtaki.

You’ll be delivering for Reach Media - an established National Distribution Company Call / Text: John 027 266 3916 Email: it455@hotmail.com

Phone: 0274 443 041 or 0274 401 738

Plumbing Gasfitting • Earthmoving / Aggregate • Drainage Site Works / Section Clearing • Drive Ways Excavation / Tarseal / Hot Mix • Top Soil / Farm Roads

Hartley Electrical Contracting Ltd Otaki INCORPORATING WAIKANAE MEMORIALS AND KAITAWA CREMATORIUM

Covering the Kapiti Coast – Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Paekakariki.

04 293 6844

(24 HOUR AVAILABILITY AND SERVICE)

17-21 Parata Street | PO Box 300 | Waikanae 5250 info@waikanaefuneralhome.co.nz | www.kapitifunerals.co.nz

General electrical contractors for all your electrical requirements Domestic • Commercial Industrial • Farm Mobile: 021 418 751 After hours: 06 364 2070 Email: hartleyelectrical@gmail.com

• Wetbacks • Residental • Commercial • Woodburners • Solar Hot Water Systems

Roofing • New and re-roofing • Longrun coloursteel • P.V.C & Coloursteel Spouting • Repairs and Maintenance • Flashing Fabrication • Sheetmetal Work 0272 436 451 06 362 6595 Manakau

For all Kerbing, Paving, Floors, Drives, Paths and Concrete Work FREE QUOTES Phone Nathan Howell 027 554 0003

John, Merryn, Andrew, Graham, Diane, Rodney

We provide a 24 hour service, we do have standard office hours but some�mes you need us immediately. Our four funeral directors are professionally qualified and live locally in this region, Graham is from Otaki. We have purpose built facili�es, our own chapel, lounges and a crematorium, located at the cemetery. We will provide the funeral you want, we’re not here to tell you what to do, We’re here to help you with all details and make sure your loved one has a fi�ng farewell. In �mes of need we are here to help.

Our Own Kapiti Crematorium

Quality Vehicles

Our Main Chapel

28

Ōtaki Mail – March 2020

Ōtaki Nippers Shine at Capital Coast Junior Championships

BY NIKKI LUNDIE Our courageous nippers did our club and themselves proud at the Capital Coast Junior Championships held in Titahi Bay on Sunday 16th February. The conditions were challenging to say the least. Winds were up and the surf was big. But the sun was shining and our nippers’ efforts and attitudes were “nothing short of amazing” said coach Carrie Yaxley. All up we had 20 nippers entered in the carnival, which is a huge turnout from our club. The nippers have been working hard this season and it certainly showed on the day.

The programme for age groups ranged from under 8’s through to under 14’s and included a Surf Race/Run-Wade-Run; Board/Bodyboard Race; Diamond; Beach Sprint; Beach Flags; Board/Bodyboard

Relay; U10 200m badge Board Race and U10 200m badge Diamond.

Top 10 results per age group: U11 Female Beach Sprint – 5th place Khendall Maxwell U11 Female Board Race – 7th place Khendall Maxwell U11 Female Surf Race – 2nd place Khendall Maxwell U11 Male Beach Flags – 6th Christian Lange-Gerrard U12 Female Beach Flags – 6th Ruby Hawkins U12 Female Beach Sprint – 3rd Ruby Hawkins, 5th Kiana Scrimgeour U12 Female Board Race – 10th Nikaia Higson U12 Female Surf Race – 8th Nikaia Higson U12 Male Surf Race – 9th Campbell Carlyon U13 Female Beach Flags – 6th Macy Carlyon U13 Female Beach Sprint – 8th Zara Brooker U14 Female Beach Sprint – 8th Elliot Yaxley U14 Male Beach Sprint – 3rd Spencer Martin Congratulations to all young athletes and a big thanks to our dedicated team.

Ōtaki victorious in cricket

Ōtaki teams leading in tennis

BY FRANK NEILL

BY FRANK NEILL

The Ōtaki President cricket team scored two convincing wins on 8 and 15 February as they continue their quest for six successive victories in the grade.

Against probably the weakest team in the competition, Weraroa, Ōtaki batted first and notched up 302 on 8 February.

They then bowled the Levin-based team out for 88, to score a very comfortable victory.

The following week saw Ōtaki up against Kāpiti Old Boys.

With captain Inder Singh taking five wickets for 27 runs, Jacobus Van der Riet taking three wickets for 25 runs and Kere Strawbridge taking two wickets for 27 runs, Ōtaki bowled Kāpiti Old Boys out for 147.

In reply, Ōtaki reached 151 for four wickets with 18 overs to spare. Sam Whitt ended up unbreaten on 56, while Nathan Wood scored 35 before losing his wicket.

This took Ōtaki’s tally to eight wins and two losses, assuring them of a place in the semi-finals of the competition, which will be played on 14 March.

The final will be held a week later, on 21 March, with 22 March as a reserve day if the weather is inclement.

The Ōtaki junior cricket team also won their match on 15 February.

They scored 101 runs against Kāpiti Old Boys, who ended the day with 93 runs.

Two Ōtaki junior teams were leading the post-Christmas Tennis Central Interclub competitions when the Ōtaki Mail went to production.

Both the Junior A team and the Novices, for players aged under 12, won the first two rounds of the competition.

In the latest round, both teams scored clean sweeps, winning all six matches.

The Junior A team notched up their clean sweep against Paraparaumu Beach on 15 February, repeating their six-match win over Pukerua Bay a week earlier.

The Novices gained their clean sweep over Whitby on 16 February.

Two brother and sister combinations feature in the Junior A and Novices lineup. Forrest Glanville-Hall and Archie O’Sullivan play for the Junior A team, while Pearl Glanville-Hall and Elsie O’Sullivan are in the Novice team.

Thorsten Edginton, Robson Chapman and Nathan Sparrow complete the Junior As while Daya Bramley, Levi Murti and Stanley Butler are in the Novice team.

Following the first round, the Junior A’s number one, Thorsten, sustained a wrist injury. At first it was thought he had broken his wrist, but he had not, and was scheduled to return last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Junior B and C teams are holding steady around the middle of their competitions.

Inder Singh in action with the ball. He took five wickets and conceded just 27 runs against Kāpiti Old Boys.

The Ōtaki Titans team with the Personal Best Trophy they won at the Gold Coast Swimming Meet on 16 February (back row from left) Nevaeh Gardner, Nathan Baillie, Kokoro Frost (coach) and Riley Cohen front row from left) Kupa Gardner, Samantha Baillie, Giorgio Bevan and Nevaeh Lawton.

Two gold medals for Titans swimmer

BY FRANK NEILL Ōtaki Titans swimmer Kupa Gardner won two gold medals at the Manawatu Age Group Swimming Championships, held in Palmerston North on 1 and 2 February.

Kupa’s first placings came in the 100 metres butterfly, where he clocked a personal best time of 1 minute 59.67 seconds, and the 100 metres backstroke, where he again swam a personal best of 1 minute 40.50 seconds.

Two more podium finishes came the nine-year-old’s way when he finished second in the 50 metres backstroke and third in the 50 metres breaststroke in another personal best time of 54.31 seconds.

He backed up those silver and bronze medal placings with fourth in the 100 metres breaststroke, sixth in the 50 metres butterfly and seventh in both the 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle.

His sister, Nevaeh Gardner, who is one of the Titans top swimmers, was not able to compete because of illness.

Other Ōtaki Titans results from the event were: Alex Van Wyk (8): 50m backstroke 4th; 50m freestyle 5th.

Riley Cohen (11): 100m butterfly and 50m breaststroke 4th; 50m backstroke,

50m butterfly and 50m freestyle 6th; 100m freestyle 7th; 100m backstroke 8th and 100m breaststroke 9th.

Jazz Aungiers (11+): 50m and 200m breaststroke 5th; 50m butterfly and 100m breaststroke 6th; 50m backstroke 7th; 100m backstroke 9th and 50m and 100m freestyle 11th.

Giorgio Bevan (11): 50m backstroke 10th; 50m breaststroke 11th and 50m freestyle 16th.

Nevaeh Lawton (11): 50m breaststroke 12th; 100m backstroke 14th; 100m breaststroke 15th; 50m backstroke 18th; 50m freestyle and 20m butterfly 21st and 110m freestyle 22nd.

The Titans came away with another trophy, retaining the Personal Best Cup when they competed in the Gold Coast Zone Swimming Meet, held at the Tawa Pool on 16 February.

All seven swimmers clocked up personal best times.

The personal best times were achieved by: Samantha Baillie in the 50m freestyle, Giorgio Bevan in the 100m freestyle, Alex Van Wyk in the 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke, Neveah Lawton in the 100m medley and 200m breaststroke, The Ōtaki Junior A team number one, Kupa Gardner in the 100m and 200m Thorsten Edgington, plays a backhand medley, and Riley Cohen in the 100m and during practice 200m medley.

Ōtaki Mail – a community newspaper produced monthly by Ann, Lloyd & Penny, from 176 Waerenga Road, Ōtaki. Printed by Beacon Print, Whakatane.

If you have any news, or don't receive your paper by the end of the month, please let us know by phoning 364 5500.