Otaki Mail, June 2020

ŌTAKI MAIL ©

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

Thunderbirds are GO!

Olive oil award P3

Musical muse P8

NZTA announce $5million to fund the next step towards new $300 million trains for Ōtaki through to Palmerston North and the Wairarapa line.

Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Chair Cr Daran Ponter joined Cr Penny Gaylor on the Ōtaki Train Station platform and at Ōtaki’s Loco Miniature Railway saying it’s “Thunderbirds are go!” for getting regional passenger rail moving again.

What’s happening?

P9

Full story page 5

THANKS ŌTAKI LOCALS SUPPORTING LOCALS

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Photo taken pre-Covid lockdown

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Enliven’s Levin homes provide holistic care Staff at Enliven’s Levin rest homes use a holistic approach to ensuring all residents who have dementia feel safe, comfortable and enjoy where they live.

In Levin, Enliven operates Reevedon Home and Village and Levin Home for War Veterans. Both homes have residents with varying degrees of dementia.

Dementia is one of New Zealand’s most significant and growing healthcare challenges. Almost 70,000 New Zealanders have dementia and that number is expected to almost triple by 2050.

Enliven Trainer and Recreation Advisor Davina Solomon says a holistic approach to dementia care can help the residents retain a sense of self, feel valued and enjoy fun and spontaneity.

These approaches can range from the way staff members communicate with residents, to creating familiar environments to enable a resident to feel calm.

Davina says the way a question is framed can change the way someone with dementia will respond to it.

“We’ll use specific wording to enable a resident to understand a question. For example we’ll ask ‘may I offer you a hot drink?’ rather than ‘Would you like a hot drink?’.”

She says the slight change of wording usually invites a resident to consider their response, rather than immediately saying no.

Davina says it’s important that the rest homes are warm and welcoming places for the residents.

“People often think of rest homes, in particular dementia or hospital units, as cold clinical places, but Enliven homes

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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

are proof that it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Enliven homes include cosy lounges and domestic-style kitchens that feel familiar to the residents.

In Levin Enliven offers a full continuum of care from independent retirement living to rest home, hospital and dementia care, short-term respite, health recovery care 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).

Enliven Trainer and Recreation Advisor Davina Solomon.

Make sure the papers for your new home are correct

BY FLEUR HOBSON You’ve seen the house you want to buy and you love it.

The real estate agent who showed you through the house has given you an Agreement for Sale and Purchase and suggested that you sign it.

It is very important that you make sure what you are signing is really what you want, that it includes all the conditions you want, and that all the information, including dates, is correct and will work for you.

This is not always as easy as it seems, either, and it pays to get advice from an experienced property lawyer.

An experienced property lawyer can go through the Agreement for Sale and Purchase with you so that it really is the correct contract for you.

We had a couple come to us because they

had a big problem. They wanted to use Kiwisaver funds as part of their payment.

However, they had signed the Agreement for Sale and Purchase the real estate agent had put in front of them and that said settlement would take place the day after they confirmed their conditions – including finance.

However, one day is not enough time to access Kiwisaver funds, and the couple ran the risk of having to pay penalty interest until the Kiwisaver funds became available. Fortunately for the buyer, we were able to urgently negotiate a change in the settlement date.

Another property buyer did come to see us before he signed, and it proved very fortunate that he did. When he looked at the property he wanted he noticed a crack in a foundation wall. When we asked him if he had inspected the house and anything he had noticed, he mentioned

the crack.

We put a condition in the contract that it was subject to a satisfactory engineer’s report, as well as a satisfactory builder’s report.

The engineer’s report said the wall basically needed replacing. The seller did not want to do this, and the man went on to find another property which, as it turned out, he liked even more.

There are many details that you need to get right before you sign an Agreement for Sale and Purchase.

Key dates are an important aspect. As well as making sure they are correct, it is important that you also keep a track of them.

Another very important area is the conditions you include in the Agreement for Sale and Purchase. These can include: finance, building inspection report, valuation report, Land Information

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Memorandum (LIM) report and an engineer’s report. You may also want to make the purchase conditional on selling your current home.

While the “standard form” has provision for a title check by the buyer, in some cases this is one or more items that the seller or their agent has crossed off. It is something that, in our experience, a buyer can easily miss.

Then there are the loan and mortgage documents, and these need to be correct for your circumstances also.

They can be long and complex, and it is a very good idea to go though these documents with your lawyer too.

If you have legal documents you need to check, we would be only too happy to help you. Contact Fleur or Susie at Susie Mills Law 2019, 364 7190, 282 Mill Road – opposite Farmlands.

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Kapiti Olives has won again – in a mouth-watering way.

BY ANN CHAPMAN Not only do we, here at the Ōtaki Mail, think Kapiti Olive Oil, from te Horo makers, Helen and David Walshaw is delicious, but now so do the judges at the New York International Olive Oil Competition. And they won against 900 other contenders, from 26 countries.

There were 396 gold medals in total won.

This is a big deal for Helen and David, now in their 17th year of producing award winning oil on the banks of the Ōtaki River. The New York competition is one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.

Olives New Zealand entered Kapiti Olive’s Picual blend along with four other award winning New Zealand Oils. All five came away with Gold Medals.

Waking to the news was a surreal moment for David when he took the call early one morning. He says, “It’s really outstanding. All New Zealand oils are very different coming from various parts of the country. It’s really brilliant for the industry.”

Down here at the bottom of the world we have quite different conditions to the Northern Hemisphere where olives were traditionally grown. So our growing experience is not the same and we’ve had to learn a whole new way of doing things.”

In his book ‘Olive Oil the New Zealand Way’, David says of his oils, “I have a lot invested in each drop of this gorgeous, golden liquid. There is the time and money, of course, but there is far more than that too. The oil we are tasting is a distillation of a dream and the physical and emotional effort required to realise that dream. The flavours and aromas of the oil are like a story – the story of the tree’s experience of a year, itself a chapter in the life of the tree, and the trees life a volume in the ages long story of the cultivation of the olive. My own story is there, intertwined with the gnarled wood of the olive tree.”

Their story, their tree, their blends, their wins are all a testament of dedication and line the shelves of our supermarkets for us all to enjoy.

David says, “It’s not just olive oil I taste when I sip it, roll it around my tongue, suck air over it and finally swallow it. I can taste the sweet promise of dreams with an edge of bitterness of experience.

There’s hope there, and the salt tang of elbow grease. There’s blood and a few tears – you can taste the fear and relief, the stress and vindication. But that’s balanced by the satisfaction of risks taken and rewards reaped. All of it underpinned by a deep mellow contentment.”

We should raise a glass to their hard work, their tenacity, and their success.

Editorial

We’ve Woken up to a Different World Ōtaki dodged a bullet thanks to the diligence and care of the community in obeying the lockdown orders. Our team of 6,000 has kept our community safe.

Now under Level 2 we have awoken to a new world, one with uncertainties and fear. While Ōtaki and New Zealand may have got this virus under check, the repercussions are going to be long and hard. And we have been warned that this is a tricky virus with a long tail.

Beating the virus has taken us collectively 49 days. Beating the inevitable economic downturn will take longer. And we will need to think differently.

Without doubt businesses in Ōtaki have done it hard. Seven weeks with no income is a blow to even the most profitable of businesses.

Just as the community rallied round to keep Covid-19 out of our lives, our community, and our town, now we must rally round to support our businesses as they struggle to find a new way of operating.

We need to be innovative but careful. We know we can handle isolation but now feel the relief of visiting friends, sitting down for coffee with them at our local cafes. We learned that we need friends, and that asking for help is okay. We loved the smiles and waves from strangers as we walked on our solitary, or our bubble-exercising outings.

Our lives slowed down, and we thought about the wellbeing of others which kept us within our gates, and two metres separate at supermarkets. We respected each other as we worked collectively to keep our community safe. Our environment benefited from our enforced lockdown. Our air was cleaner, the skies bluer, the sunsets brighter. Suddenly home seemed safer.

We all relied on each other during this last eight weeks and we can still do so. Together we can rebuild our community and keep our shops open and our residents employed.

Shop local, keep our people working, look at our bright skies and see what can be achieved with vision and determination.

We know if we work together we can do it. We’ve done it for the last eight weeks.

Thumbs up

• No COVID-19 cases in Ōtaki • Kindness and smiles in the community • Sunsets

Thumbs down • People and cafes who ignore Level 2 requirements

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY Positive vibes at level two Out and about in Te Horo at Level 2 of Covid-19 presents a rosy picture. Locals are supporting their neighbourhood hospitality outlets, the sun just goes on shining, and really, things are looking great.

A coffee stop at the Te Horo Café showed there are others of a similar mind, most of us sitting chatting in the sun with our flat whites, though all keeping our respective distances. Busy through level 3, owner Jackie Wood said it is pretty much business as usual (her cheese gems taste extra wonderful coming out of level 4 and 3).

Ruth Pretty launched a new venture, ‘Ruth Pretty at Home’ during the social and culinary restrictions. Although drop off meals have always been an option, Ruth went one step further and introduced a selection of favourites, such as Boeuf

Bourguignon, Coq au Vin and Sticky Toffee pudding, all delivered to your door (Wellington, Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua and Palmerston North).

If you want a night or two away from the hob (and who doesn’t), have a browse at www.ruthpretty.co.nz The Kitchen Shop and Garden Room is now open under level 2, with tables and chairs separated at the safe social distance.

Te Horo Hall Society AGM The annual general meeting of the Te Horo Hall Society Incorporated is on Monday 22 June 2020 at 7.30pm at Te Horo Hall, School Road, Te Horo. All welcome.

Te Horo Country Market Te Horo Country Market is back on Sunday 7 June 10am to 1pm at Te Horo Hall, School Road. There will be about 40 stalls, many selling items locally grown and produced, as well as Anzil Italian cheeses and meats, and a coffee cart.

Supporting Our Community In Hard Times – The Foodbank

BY MARGARET ANDREWS The Ōtaki Foodbank has been busy supporting people in our community during Covid 19 alert level 2 and 3, with minimum wage earners among those most affected.

Manager, Lucy Tahere of the 47 parcels distributed between April 24 and May 19, 11 were for “self-referral” clients - those on minimum wage incomes, who can bring receipts for essential outgoings such as mortgage or rent payments or power accounts. This group of residents have been finding it extremely hard throughout the seven weeks of lockdown.

Businesses and people of wider Ōtaki

have been very supportive of the Food bank, with donations of cash and food to help keep the shelves stocked “we nearly ran out one week” Ms Tahere said.

Some people have requested their government monthly winter heating allowance be given to the Ōtaki Foodbank and produce growers have been supplying fruit and vegetables too.

While the food bank is there to give assistance to those in need, Ms Tahere said they have had a number of requests from organisations in Levin and Paraparaumu asking for food parcels for their clients living in this area without giving the food bank manager any details of the client or

reasons they require assistance.

“Please bring proof of recent payments, like a power bill with name and address on it and no more than one month old,” she said. “To those organisations which haven’t used our services before, please understand that we are guided by our policies and procedures.” Ōtaki Foodbank serves residents from Ōtaki, Te Horo and Manakau, being a reasonably small area cannot afford to supply parcels to people outside this area.

Most clients need to first apply through

Last month, the Ōtaki Mail and its journalists supported Ōtaki Foodbank with donations of $295 SAFE AS HOUSES 12 Renata Rd

Grandchildren, then and now!

Many years ago, through my Real Estate practice, I started being aware of the extraordinary efforts Grandparents go to in aid of their Grandchildren.

There is the obvious role as ‘child minders’ during holidays when young parents are still working long and hard days getting established. This has benefits for both parties, with love lavished in both directions.

Less obvious is the ‘positioning’ that Grandparents do, moving close to the kids school to be after hours caregivers, close to the beach so that the Grandies enjoy coming to stay, or buying a lifestyle block so that the Grandies can enjoy the farm life with animals, and copious space to

grow up free and confident.

Holidays are timed so the Grandparents are available when needed, the social whirl of countless birthdays attended, card and present at the ready, and not a one forgotten or favoured! Skype conversations at all hours, wisdom dispensed at all hours, emergency callouts answered at all hours!

And all this on top of the many hours spent doing voluntary work in the Community.

A toast to Grandparents!

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the Ōtaki CAB or if a beneficiary through Work and Income before coming to the Foodbank. Meanwhile, stocks are currently plentiful, and parcels are being provided when needed.

“I would also like to send out our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to our local businesses and individuals who have assisted and looked after us during the Covid-19 lockdown with your donations,” Ms Tahere said. “And to all our community members please buy local and support our businesses.”

Inviting offers around $550,000.

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Mayor’s Zoom clam meeting went well

BY FRANK NEILL Whether commercial clam dredging off the Kāpiti coast is sustainable was the focus of a meeting called by Kāpiti Mayor K Gurunathan on 20 May. In the meantime, fishery company Cloudy Bay Clams has agreed to a moratorium on clam fishing “until we have resolved the issue,” Mr Gurunathan told the Ōtaki Mail.

The meeting went really well, the Mayor said.

“All of the people there were keen to develop a sustainable fishery. Everyone agreed that they were looking for an outcome that would satisfy all the parties.

“Looking ahead we can have a good collaborative approach to this.

“It is now for key people [Doc Ferris, Jack Morris, chief executive officer of Raukawa ki te Tonga Asset Holding Company, and iwi representatives, the MPI and Cloudy Bay Fisheries] to organise how they will be managing the process.”

Doc Ferris, who has raised the issue of whether the clam fishing is sustainable, local iwi, Cloudy Bay Clams management, Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) representatives, and elected local body members were among those attending the Mayor’s meeting.

Wellington Regional Councillor Penny Gaylor, Kāpiti Coast District Councillor James Cootes and Ōtaki Community Board Chair Chris Papps were present.

On the one hand, Cloudy Bay Fisheries and MPI stated that they considered the fishery was sustainable, and put forward some of the “science” they had to support that view.

“It is quite clear Cloudy Bay Fisheries has a licence [to dredge for clams] and they are doing it legally,” the Mayor said.

It was also the “sole responsibility of MPI” to provide the regulatory oversight

of the fishery.

On the other hand, Mr Ferris and the iwi representatives were questioning the “science”, and they were questioning whether the harvesting really was sustainable.

They were also stating that in their view, the quality of shellfish people could take in the Ōtaki area had diminished as a result of the clam dredging, the Mayor said.

“Mayor Guru invited me to open,” Mr Ferris told the Ōtaki Mail.

The two issues he raised were, firstly the mortality rate of shellfish that are returned to the sea from the fishing boat, and secondly that the boats were fishing in a public and customary fishing space.

The owner of Cloudy Bay Clams came out with the idea that the mass mortality resulted from naturally occurring events such as rough weather and algal blooms.

However the colour of shells washed up on the beach, the shell connectivity and the fact that the mass mortality coincided with commercial dredging put a question mark over what was described as “science” supporting the idea that the fishing was sustainable.

“All the local people are all uncomfortable with the practice,” Mr Ferris said.

“They weren’t comfortable with the ‘science’.

“What the people of this coast know is that you can no longer go out and get a good feed of tuatuas.

“Local iwi are not happy with fishing so close to the shore and they are not happy with what is washing up,” Mr Ferris said.

“We are willing to talk and work though what a solution could be.”

Mr Ferris points to a long history of species being “fished out” in New Zealand. That included wet fish, such as Orange Roughy; shellfish, such as scallops; and crusaceans, such as crayfish,

$5m for Trains Business Case

BY ANN CHAPMAN Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council have secured $5m in funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to pursue a detailed business case, and commence procurement for regional trains which if delivered would prevent passengers from being packed like sardines within the next five years.

Waka Kotahi NZTA, is fully funding the $5m project which will enable the councils to complete a detailed business case, and undertake the procurement of the new trains which are expected to cost approximately $300m and bring greater capacity and frequency to a creaking inter-regional network.

GWRC’s Kapiti Coast Councillor and Environment Committee Chair Penny Gaylor says this news marks significant progress towards reaching the goal of securing the current rail connection for Otaki and her aspiration of growing the current single trip service.

“We’ve been battling for years to save the Capital Connection service,” says Cr Gaylor.

This announcement of funding for a detailed business case and to fund the procurement of new trains is exciting - it shows central government are taking very seriously GWRC’s recent business case which looked at a range of options and which pitched for electric or dual mode trains.

“We’ve long championed electric or dual mode fleets to replace older diesel trains to lower carbon emissions and this funding brings us a step closer to that reality.

from p1

Investing in a modern rail fleet also enables us to use the trains across the whole network, bringing extra capacity to Kapiti passengers and encouraging more people to make the shift from cars to public transport,” says Cr Gaylor.

GWRC’s Chair Cr Daran Ponter joined Penny Gaylor on the Otaki Train Station platform saying it’s “Thunderbirds are go!” for getting regional passenger rail moving again.

“Earlier this year the Government announced $211 Million for track improvements and this is another important piece of the puzzle.

“While the new trains will stop passengers being packed in like sardines in the next five years, we expect them to provide a resilient and reliable service that not only meets the needs of customers but also aids population and economic growth over the next 10-15 years,” says GWRC Chair Daran Ponter.

The Capital Connection has seen an annual average growth of 3.1% over the last four years.

Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils will now continue detailed investigations, including market assessments to better understand options, risks and costs, in a fast changing technology environment before completing the detail business case and undertaking the procurement process for new trains.

Fishing boat number 63018 Clam Legend dredging close to the shore in Ōtaki. Photo: Doc Ferris.

being decimated in some areas.

“I think [the meeting organised by the Mayor] was a good meeting,” he added.

As well as the 20 May meeting, Mr Ferris has also received a second response from Minister of Fisheries Stuart Nash.

Mr Nash has said that he will raise concerns about the sustainability of commercial clam fishing and its relationship to customary fishing rights with the Regional Iwi Fishing Forum. The Minister also said he would ask the forum to place it on its agenda.

“I think it is really good [the Mayor] called the meeting,” Cr Gaylor said.

“There seemed to be the right collection of people in the meeting.

“I am really encouraged that everyone had a starting point to talk about the issues.”

Before the Covid-19 lockdown, Cr Gaylor had invited Mr Ferris to a meeting of Wellington Regional Council’s Environment Committee, which she chairs.

That meeting was cancelled because of the lockdown. However, “that invitation still stands for when my committee next meets” Cr Gaylor said.

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

By Ann Chapman

Kia ora Whānau, Moving on...Covid Alert Level 2. This article is about how we will manage our practice to support your wellbeing. As you will know on an individual level, general health and well being fell off the radar a bit during alert level 3 and 4. We need to move to rectify that. And while covid is still a risk, every day the risk becomes more manageable.

So, like everyone else we are still conscious of social distancing. That is the only action we have any control over

within the practice. But we recognise that to support your health, we may need to take a few more calculated risks. The first calculated risk is that we are bringing all clinical staff back on site.

To mitigate the risk, until we take the next step, pre screening will continue, that is to say, face to face appointments will be arranged via the telephone triage process that has been in place since the first level 3 alert.

From the week beginning 1st June 2020, GP’s and Nurse Practitioner’s appointment books will be open. You will be able to arrange a consultation at a future date by calling the practice or using your ManageMyHealth app.

If you are not subscribed to ManageMyHealth call us and we will send you the forms. It will be the easiest way to book a future date face to face consult. You may also receive a notice from Think Hauora PHO about this. It is not a scam.

Before your appointment, you will receive a phone call to check that you are not symptomatic. This will take a few minutes so please be patient with us, it is necessary for the good of the wider community. All going well, your consultation will continue. If you are showing symtoms, the consultation will take place a different way.

Please also be aware that we have needed to add a clinic to our daily routine (Respiratory Clinic). This excludes a GP

or NP from general consults and could make the delay a little longer. For your information, the hi viz cones in the car parks outside the practice are to reserve those parks for Repiratory Clinic patients.

We have received authorisation from the KCD to reserve them for this purpose.

Our awesome nurse team will also be back on site and a similar procedure will occur. Booking can only be via telephone, and you will receive a call prior to your consultation. A couple of really valuable nurse team members decided to move on recently so we are a little short so the recovery will take a little longer than we had hoped for.

To finish on a high, Medlab is back!

Welcome back Jocelyn, we missed you!

Follow us on facebook for more updates.

Health services in Ōtaki and Te Horo: how it works In 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between MidCentral DHB and Capital and Coast DHB regarding access to health services for residents of Ōtaki and Te Horo.

The MoU outlines the arrangement between the two DHBs, which allows Ōtaki and Te Horo residents to access some health services through Capital and Coast DHB if it is more convenient for them.

Below are some of the common questions that are asked about access to services and their answers.

I need specialist hospital care and I would like to go to Wellington as my family support is there. Is this possible?

In general, it is expected that people from Ōtaki and Te Horo will receive their

specialist care, including outpatient appointments and surgical services, from MidCentral DHB. However, you may be supported by Capital and Coast on referral from your general practice team to the appropriate service in Capital and Coast DHB. In an emergency, can I choose which hospital the ambulance will take me to?

No, you cannot choose what hospital the ambulance takes you to.

Ambulance services for the Ōtaki community are provided by St John Ambulance. In an emergency, residents of Ōtaki and Te Horo will always be taken to Palmerston North Hospital unless the individual’s condition has a specific clinical protocol to take them elsewhere.

Feeling Unwell? - Get Tested MidCentral Health is advising anyone who is feeling unwell, got the sniffles or having flu like symptoms to get tested for Covid-10. Ōtaki has had no cases of Covid-19 so let’s try and keep it that way.

Even if you think it’s too mild to bother with, call your doctor or Healthline.

Testing is available 7 days a week and there is a site in Ōtaki.

MidCentral DHB Medical Officer of Health Dr Robert Weir says, “It’s important we test as many people as possible for COVID-19 in the MidCentral District especially during weekends where we have seen a drop in numbers at our

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testing stations. You do not need to wait until the next business day, our teams are ready to test you seven days a week.”

Dr Weir said increasing testing was critical if we wanted to keep the community free of COVID-19. “By testing those who need to be tested, we can avoid widespread transmission of the virus in our region thereby maintaining a high standard of public health.”

Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number is open 24 hours, seven days per week and is a free call to 0800 358 5453.

Healthline is monitored by registered nurses and there are minimal wait times.

Symptoms include coughing, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste, and shortness of breath. If you are experiencing any one of these, you need to call Healthline or your GP team to get referred for testing.

The paramedics in the ambulance will make the right decision for you based on your condition.

Why do some Ōtaki/Te Horo people get transferred directly to Wellington Hospital in an emergency and others don’t have the choice?

Ambulance services will only take people to Wellington Hospital if that is the referral protocol for their condition - such as for some major traumas or STEMI (a type of heart attack).

People may also be taken to Hutt Hospital in the case of serious burns.

I have received hospital care in Wellington. Am I able to have district nursing care at my home in Ōtaki afterwards?

District nursing and other community

based services will be provided by MidCentral DHB to a person recuperating in Ōtaki or Te Horo, irrespective of where you are from or where you received your hospital care. Please ask your specialist to refer you to MidCentral District Nursing Service.

I have received hospital care in Palmerston North but would like to recuperate in Wellington with my family. Can I get district nursing care there?

Yes. If you are recuperating at an address within the Capital and Coast DHB boundaries then your district nursing care will be provided by Capital and Coast.

Please ask to be referred to the Capital and Coast District Nursing services.

Moving to Level 2 – MCDHB’s Response

BY JENNY WARREN

MCDHB

The community appears to hold a degree of optimism of what Level 2 will bring, yet for many there will still also be feelings of apprehension and certainly it is fair to say that life will not be as we knew it prior to the onset of Covid 19 as individuals, businesses, organizations and services move to operate in a way which protects the safety of both clients and staff. Health services will be among the many service providers which do their best to navigate the balance between meeting community and individual needs whilst working to new or increased safety precautions. It is a time that we all need to continue to be patient and kind to both ourselves and those who are doing their utmost to provide the best possible service to us.

It has been an extraordinary time and I want to acknowledge the massive effect this has had on members of the Ōtaki

community. The restrictions placed on us during lock down in particular will be far reaching and limited access to health services including surgery will have placed an additional burden on some.

The recent announcement of a $4b cash injection into the health system to boost District Health Boards and help clear the Covid 19 backlog has been well received, but this will take time.

I acknowledge the health workforce those essential workers who continued to work throughout to support our community. I applaud your commitment. During the lock down, we celebrated International Day of the Midwife and International Nurses Day. In Ōtaki we have hardworking and dedicated midwives and nurses and I thank you for the care you provide.

As we continue to work through these challenging times together, please go well and be kind.

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Otaki Yard: New market to open on 13 June

BY FRANK NEILL

customers to Ōtaki, revitalise the region and also help local businesses get back on their feet after a difficult period,” Mr Ross says.

“The market will allow us to highlight Ōtaki’s place in the Kāpiti Coast District and showcase some of New Zealand’s incredible artisans.

“We want to bring together the best growers, crafters, makers, bakers, and more, and make it the market that people of all ages and stages cannot wait to go back to.”

More than ever Kiwis are seeking New Zealand-made products “because they want to support and shop local. We believe the market will help stimulate the local economy and turn Ōtaki into a renowned destination,” he says.

Mr Ross owns a large portfolio of leisure and retail properties around New Zealand, including the prime block of shops and two motel/backpackers in Paihia, The Sheep Ram & Dog in Tirau, The White Swan in Greytown, three further blocks of shops in Ōtaki, and hotels and motels in Nelson, Glenorchy, Methven, Picton, and Franz Josef, as well as a large part of the Lake Tekapo shopping and The Mercer Service Station on State Highway 1.

One aspect of the new Ōtaki Yard is an emphasis on operating in a sustainable way.

Ecoware has come on board to provide stall holders with discounted compostable food service products, which will be composted to cut down on the amount of single-use plastics entering landfills.

Stallholders selling food will be provided with a discount code for all Ecoware compostable products, to help the goal of becoming a single-use plastic-free market.

Stalls selling high-quality goods including fresh produce, homewares, jewellery, cured meats, cheeses, bakery items, or flowers are invited to apply for a space via the website.

For more information or to register your interest as a stallholder, visit www.otakiyard.nz/register.

The first stage of a major new development on the former Caltex site, the Ōtaki Yard will open on Saturday 13 June.

Originally scheduled to open on 21 March, the Ōtaki Yard will be able to house up to 100 stalls as well as food trucks and other food offerings every weekend.

“It’s very exciting,” says Anna ColvilleSmith who looks after marketing for the venture.

“We have had really good interest from stallholders. In fact, the food trucks are almost booked out already,” she said when outlining the plans for the Ōtaki Yard on 18 May. Although the plan is to cater for up to 100 stalls, Ōtaki Yard will be keeping the numbers down while New Zealand is under Covid-19 level 2. Ōtaki Yard will provide an “awesome” opportunity for local people, Commercial Manager Kyle Clark says.

“The lockdown has changed how people operate. People have come up with new and interesting ways of doing things.”

That will be one aspect of the new Ōtaki Yard – giving local operators the opportunity to do things differently.

“We believe the market will help stimulate the local economy and turn Ōtaki into a renowned destination,” says Nigel Ross, the developer who owns the former Caltex site.

The goal, he says, is that “Ōtaki will become a destination to travel to, not just through.

“We are delighted to have a date confirmed for the official opening.

Obviously we had planned to launch the market in March, but the pandemic was something we never anticipated. After a turbulent couple of months for many, we believe the market will be well received by the community and wider region.

“There were already too many shops currently vacant in Ōtaki, and now more than ever the community needs to see progress on their back door. This market will bring the much needed additional

Local sports update Local sports clubs are planning for their return to training and working through the format of winter sports’ competitions.

Rugby League: Kelly-Anne Ngatai.

Whiti Te Ra are waiting on a NZRL directive as to when club rugby league will start up again. Rugby League across the country is sitting in a “Get Ready” phase.

Basketball: Paxman Taurima.

Currently Raukawa Ki Te Tonga Basketball is in a preparation stage in regards to a restart with trainings, games, and leagues. Like most sporting codes they’re gathering information and preparing health and safety procedures to ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved.

Unfortunately we can’t yet confirm when we can begin but we are looking forward to getting back on the court. We hope we’ll be able to continue with the local annual social league in Term 3 and our miniball league in Term 4. Basketball New Zealand have recently cancelled a number of regional and national tournaments so we’ll be looking to fill that gap by also creating leagues for our college age kids.

Until we can confirm dates for our leagues we encourage everyone to stay active and where possible continue to work on your game. For updates on these you can follow us on facebook www. facebook.com/otkbball

Senior Rugby and Netball: Makaore Beavan Wilson We are currently very confident that there will be senior rugby in 2020. The NZFRU, the HKFRU, and the clubs are all working closely to prepare and plan as best we can. With the Heartland Provincial competition being cancelled for this year, community club rugby now has a ‘larger window’ to hold a competition. As a club we will not return to training until firstly it is deemed safe, and when the 10 person gathering is lifted to number that will allow our sides to train as a squad.

Netball is in a similar position to rugby.

All the information we have at this point leads us to believe that netball will proceed at Level one.

Makaore commented that without winter sports, overall the Rāhui Football & Sports Club is struggling at the moment as they rely heavily on our sponsors, home game takings, and player subscriptions to keep us afloat financially.

In saying that on behalf of the club I would like to acknowledge all of our local and loyal club sponsors.

Like all local sports clubs they are grateful to the local businesses that continue to sponsor the Club.

P2 Physio & Podiatry, Reo Kings Ltd, Gardner Homes, Concrete Doctors, Benner Racing, The Tele, Tall Poppy, Ōtaki New World, Ōtaki Hammer Hardware, All Area Scaffolding, Mac

Kyle Clark and Anna Colville-Smith on site with the new Ōtaki Yard banners, looking forward to the opening on 13 June.

Engineering, Wakefield Law, Whaiao Ltd, MP Developments. Local businesses also supporting the Club include; Pritchard Civil, Tau Transport, Agar Fenwick, Gibson Electrical,About Kitchens, Riverbank Engineering, Mobil Ōtaki, Cafe Novella, Dave O’Callaghan, See Hear, Tony McEwen, J Mathews Tall Poppy, Crafted & Co, Penray, HORI, & Rasmac.

Swimming: Seuga Frost Ōtaki’s Titans Swimming Club is back in the pool next Tuesday. Swimming highlights have been quite thin, with the pools being closed and the beaches a bit cold and not accessible. However swimmers have had some good times with running, jumping skipping and keeping motivated doing land training.

8

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Musical Muse –Geoff Culverwell - Jazz Trumpeter

BY ANN CHAPMAN English born, and now Te Horo resident, Geoff Culverwell has been playing trumpet since he was about ten. “Why trumpet?” I asked. “it was the only thing available,” Geoff replied. “I was living on an island in the Thames Estuary walking past a pawn shop when I saw a trumpet in the window.”

He traded in his train set and started a self-taught career in music. He plays the trumpet, flugelhorn, flutes, drums, and sings vocals.

He learned by messing about with it, “on the job training,” he says, worked out a few tunes aided and abetted by his musical mother who played ragtime on the piano. When the family moved to the mainland he “got into it” big time. His new school was very musical biased and while there he started playing in various bands including an orchestra. He was educated from a young age with a musical upbringing that had everything from baroque ensembles, large symphonic orchestras, and military bands.

After a brief spell in the UK Marines as a cadet, the family moved to New Zealand when he was 15. He joined up with a brass band while secretly playing Rock ‘n’ Roll with friends. He found soul and funky jazz at this time but couldn’t get into folk. He came upon Rodger Fox and his big brass band while living in Wellington and joined up with him as an eight-piece jazz group where he played soloist. At the same time he joined a brass band because they needed a flugelhorn player. He is a player in demand and has been a constant member of the New Zealand jazz scene for decades, with records, live shows, tours, television, and film. He is asked to play in New Zealand Jazz Festivals and has played in every one of them, include headlining in the Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown

International Jazz Festivals. He has participated in multiple recording sessions.

Along the way he has played solo, joined various bands, formed his own and played sessions from big bands to pop and jazz.

His sounds are dynamic, cool, and blue.

He has played on ‘The Brian Edwards Show’ ten times, was a soloist in the film ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’, and has been a full-time session musician with EMI, HMV, NZBC and TV. A Travelling Bard He’s a travelling bard and prior to the limitation imposed by Covid-19, regularly toured the country playing in festivals and concerts. He’s toured with a variety of international acts, both here and internationally including the birthplace of modern jazz, Ronnie Scott’s in London.

Along the way he’s travelled the world playing in Paris, Poland, Montreux, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, and Los Angeles. He’s played alongside legendary musicians like Roy Phillips once described as the voice of 19602 British Jazz/Blues and a genius Keyboard player.

“That,” says Geoff, “was a big deal.” His international gigs include playing with Al Jarreau, an American singer and songwriter, and a highlight was playing his own music at The Montreal, Poland Jaz festivals as well as a time playing at Los Carmelos in LA. His first professional gig was to compose and play for Expo 70 in Osaka Banding Together He has played in a variety of bands, (too many to note in this article) from the eclectic The Quincy Conserve 1860 Band, a slick horn led group which played covers as well as their own original tunes, some of which are considered to be amongst the best in the 1960s and 1970s.

He performed as soloist for The Wedge which won the Battle of the Bands 1969.

V.S.O.P (Very Special Old Pale) was a group of New Zealand’s finest session players and regulars at jazz festivals throughout New Zealand. This band was followed by the V.S.O.P Evolution Orchestra, a seven-piece jazz/ eurofusion band which was legendary in it day, as a fresh mixture of rhythms and styles, from funk, afro-Cuban and blues. He was a member of the Evolution Orchestra touring New Zealand for about ten years.

He now works under his own name The Geoff Culverwell Jazz Quartet of trumpet, guitar, double bass, and drums, playing in pubs, cafes, and special events. He says he reinvents himself constantly to keep his music alive. His involvement in jazz, funk, Latin is pivotal to his success.

When asked he fills in to play whatever is needed. He’s done his fair share of teaching, designing four music courses at Polytech, as a consultant and jazz educator.

Horses are his Other Great Love He moved from Wellington to Te Horo to follow a sunny equestrian lifestyle with partner Helen van der Valk and their competition horses. The couple’s Harper Rd equestrian centre was formed eight years ago as a venue for schooling and training for his successful equine therapy business ran equine treatment clinics.

His day job means he also uses his hands and sensitivity. He has devised a healing system based on Bowen Therapy called Remedial Flexion Training for Horses.

This successful method for returning horses to full fitness started by working with Bowen Therapist Alistair Brookes and was connected to the Melbourne

Veterinary Science Institute. After two years osteopathy and massage training followed by a diploma, he now works alongside equestrian centres and racing stables from Te Horo. His history with horses is as long and celebrated as his musical career, with membership of two New Zealand Eventing Squads Post Covid-19 After lockdown he’s looking forward to gigs at the El Barrio Latin Festival, sessions at Salt and Wood Café and also at Long Beach Café. “Thanks to the success of the government’s covid response, I’m looking forward to some great venues locally with new duo Doubleclick, where I can perform gigs and house parties. My music will be experimental with new grooves and ideas.

I’m feeling a little stifled after lockdown but coming up, a live recording session at with some international musician is planned,” says Geoff. Doubleclick plays an eclectic repertoire of vocal, percussion, samba, Latin and blues along with reworked jazz, jazz fusion, deep funk and neo soul.

“Interaction is key in jazz, some concerts it’s just nice tunes and others are compete extrapolation. But in all cases we are all there for the hang and the melodic and rhythmic interaction.”

Ōtaki New World Winter Trading hours as of 18th of May 7am till 9pm, 7 days We would like to thank all of our customers for your patience, kindness and support during Lockdown 3 and 4 We are extending our hours till 9pm during level 2 and for the winter trade I am very proud of my team and privileged to be able to serve the Ōtaki Community during the lock down Thank you for your support and good wishes Steven Cole

ŌTAKI

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

What is Energise Ōtaki?

Energise Ōtaki is a charitable incorporated society, working with to develop renewable energy and energy saving projects that benefit the community. It includes education projects working closely with Ōtaki College, and working with community groups such as Transition Towns Ōtaki, Citizens Advice Bureau. Kapiti Coast District Council and the Ōtaki Community Board have generously supported a range of initiatives.

Energise Ōtaki has contributed to the town in many ways. Some examples are: • supporting the XOtaki Foundation Trust to establish a solar array at the College which helps fund scholarships • working with local businesses to give advice around energy use and ways to reduce energy costs • establishing and running the Ōtaki Curtain Bank in partnership with the Wellington Sustainability Trust for people with community service cards.

Energise Ōtaki have provided over 600 thermally-efficient curtains in 200 Ōtaki houses through this initiative so far. Energise Ōtaki is currently looking at ways to keep this project moving under Covid 19.

• working with the Ōtaki College on energy education projects:

Lockdown lessons

BY LLOYD CHAPMAN Nobody saw Covid-19 coming. Some countries suffered more than most, but no country escaped. Today New Zealand is held up to the rest of the world as an example of ‘how to manage a pandemic, protect citizens and support businesses’, while many major countries are in a sorry state, particularly the once-great USA. We sought the opinion of Energise Ōtaki’s chairman Leigh Ramsey. Leigh has a background in energy and resource recovery. Today we are citizens of a new world which has brought suffering and hardship but also presents us with opportunities to stop and think about what we want and how to do it in a less harmful way. A world that is so dependent on external global supply chains, where international travel means a virus could spread globally at 800 kms an hour, a victim of high fossil fuel consumption that has allowed us to go faster and consume more and more, and undermine the stability of our world environment.

“It’s the world’s problem” he said, “but in

• developing an emulsion fuels project and teaching programme for senior students • assisting students and staff to participate in the nationwide Evolocity competition (building a batterypowered bike / trolley). The College has been a very successful winner over the last few years.

• with financial support from the World Wildlife Fund building Sunraykers and later under the government’s Curious Minds initiative to develop energy teaching tools for student use. One involved the building of ‘energy cubes’ to test the energy efficiency of different building materials.

• in 2015 Energise Ōtaki was instrumental in establishing Kāpiti’s first electric car charging station at Ōtaki New World and brought commentator Rod Oram to the town to present a challenging analysis of how New Zealand could respond to the threats of climate change to both citizens and business owners alike.

• In 2017 at Ōtaki College, Energise Ōtaki helped facilitate installation of solar heating of their swimming pool, using repurposed solar panels from the Otaki public swimming pool.

• In 2018 Energise Ōtaki installed a container at St Peter Chanel school as

a ‘Bike Space’ to encourage cycling, giving away repaired bikes that had been gifted. This project has further evolved under Sara Velasquez’ stewardship, (with great assistance from Jan Nisbet at Paekakariki), and will possibly move to the Skate Park in Aotaki Street, subject to community consultation.

• In 2019 Energise Ōtaki’s Hanna Wagner-Nicholls launched the Repair Café concept to huge public acceptance. A sewing station manned by volunteers offered sewing, repairing and darning to an appreciative crowd. Bike volunteers repaired and upgraded a number of bikes sending them away ‘almost as good as new’. An electrician tested and diagnosed a number of faulty lamps and electrical things, sending people home happy. Another Repair Café will run in the Memorial Hall later this year.

• In 2019, Energise Ōtaki announced it would be installing two new solar farms for Ōtaki in 2020, one at the College and one at larger system at the KCDC wastewater treatment plant.

With a $407,000 grant from the Wellington Community Trust the systems sized to a total 125 kWp will produce revenue for the community –

essence it’s Ōtaki’s problem. Now’s the time to rethink: if we don’t, we won’t get another chance until the next disaster.

With an awful lot of waste between” The big picture could be characterized under the headings of agriculture, travel, how we do business, energy consumption and food - all are open for change.

Leigh sees the solution for Ōtaki in resiliency. Can we make Ōtaki more resilient? We can manage our waste more effectively by better recycling, or as Leigh is doing with his business, exploring conversion of waste to energy, rather than filling up landfills. We can build better, more thermally efficient houses, we can be less wasteful of energy.

We can conserve more thoughtfully. We can use local services and buy local goods. We can ensure local supply chains for essential products like PPE that are needed in times of crisis. In other words, we can be more thoughtful about how we manage our lives. Remember, we used to be like this a generation ago.

The big focus for Leigh is a makeover the

region’s refuse problem, to include energy extraction from waste, anaerobic digestion of food waste to generate energy and high-quality fertilizer, meaning a dramatic

with Ōtaki’s sunshine levels it’s a winner. The anticipated annual income of $25,000 will go into Energise Ōtaki Community Fund which can be made available for community energy projects. The expectation is that the systems will be up and running by October 2020.

Every two months there is a community session at the Dr Gertrude Atmore Supper Room open to all, with speakers on sustainable energy projects – renewable energy production, waste to energy, transport futures, and more – and provides an opportunity for anyone to bring an idea to the table for discussion about how with help from Energise Ōtaki it can be made to work.

There are many more initiatives Energise Ōtaki is front footing and the society welcomes members of the community to get involved…to help ourselves to a smarter future.

reduction of waste to landfill. His final plea is for better public transport. Ōtaki, in his opinion is woefully deficient, by rail and by road.

Part-time Coordinator Energise Ōtaki is a charitable Incorporated Society with a bold goal of building a resilient and sustainable energy future for Ōtaki.

Over recent years we have achieved significant advances for the town, and 2020 will see us advancing some more exciting projects.

To assist us we are seeking a coordinator who will take responsibility for : Administration: Organising meetings, speakers, document management, compliance, support the committee and Chairperson, budget management.

Funding: Making applications on our behalf to funding agencies, producing reports to funders and overall funding administration Communications: Website oversight (not technical site management), newsletters, social media, public relations support

Projects: Keeping the committee and community updated on projects, volunteers support, supporting project leaders, occasional leadership of selected community projects.

You should have good computer & interpersonal skills, enjoy working with talented people and in the community.

For a motivated self-starter able to work within broad parameters and priorities, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to some exciting technical and socially / environmentally important projects.

One year contract: Flexible 15- 20 hrs/week Expressions of interest and CV to: Leigh Ramsey, Chairperson, leigh@bfsnz.net Applications close on Monday 15th June.

O2NL Starts drilling June 2020

BY TOM FREWEN The recent arrival of drilling rigs heralded the start of geotechnical investigations into the ground beneath the corridor proposed for the new highway that will replace SH1 from Ōtaki to north of Levin.

Originally one of the previous National administration’s “Roads of National Significance”, extending Wellington’s four-lane motorway via Transmission Gully and bypassing Levin, the 02NL Expressway project stalled before detailed planning could start as the incoming Labour-NZ First coalition government supported by the Greens, reviewed funding for all new roading construction.

It took just over a year before the government’s transport agency, NZTA, could reveal a preferred corridor for the new road. Starting at the Taylors Road intersection and running alongside the existing SH1 around Levin to the east of SH57 and then connecting back to SH1 south of the Waitārere Beach intersection,

the new 24.2km highway is estimated to cost $817 million. Funding was finally confirmed in January this year as part of the Government’s $6.8 billion transport “Upgrade Programme” for road and rail.

Construction is expected to begin in 2025 with completion by the end of the decade.

Announcing the start of drilling to determine ground conditions along the proposed corridor, NZTA’s Director of Regional Relationships (Lower North Island), Emma Speight, said: “What we learn about ground conditions will be considered alongside aspects such as local ecology, historical sites and effects on community as we explore options for the location of the new road within the 300m corridor.

“We look forward to providing the community with an update on the investigation and design work in the next few months, and hearing their feedback before designs are refined.

“Safety is a major issue in this corridor and, in the shorter term, safety initiatives on the existing highway are also being

progressed,” Ms Speight says.

NZTA says the investigations will include drilling boreholes up to 30m deep, to collect soil and rock samples, and penetration tests to evaluate the resistance of the ground.

Nearly 50 tests will be carried out. The test sites do not represent where the exact route is likely to go as that has not yet been determined.

The locations are generally evenly spaced to provide information about soil and rock conditions throughout the area.

Some locations are selected for easiest access to avoid utilities, for example.

To assist understanding of foundation requirements, other locations have been positioned near areas where significant structures or constraints are expected, such as around rivers and gullies.

Addressing residents’ concerns about the potential for drilling to interfere with aquifers supplying water for homes and businesses, NZTA says the impact on local groundwater sources is considered

negligible as no water or fluids will be added or pumped in or out during drilling.

“The boreholes will be drilled, backfilled and sealed in accordance with national environmental standards, as is normal practice,” says NZTA. “The boreholes which will have monitoring wells installed will not be used for water takes or pump testing and will be sealed with bentonite and steel caps. Boreholes will be typically 100m or more away from any wells.”

NZTA says a groundwater specialist at Horizons Regional Council has confirmed that resource consenting is not required for these activities.

FOOTNOTE: An expressway is defined

by NZTA as ”a road mainly for through traffic, usually dual carriageway, with full or partial control of access. Intersections are generally grade separated.”

A highway, meanwhile, . . . .

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Good lockdown compliance in Ōtaki

BY FRANK NEILL Although Police are not detailing how well Ōtaki people have obeyed Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, it looks likely that the town has been doing well.

The Police did not have figures for the number of breaches of the Covid-19 lockdown in Ōtaki, Sergeant Phil Grimstone, officer in charge of the Ōtaki Police Station, told the Ōtaki Mail.

Neither did the Police have figures for prosecutions or youth referrals in relation to the lockdown in the town.

Judging by what they could see,“I think by and large people can draw their down conclusions,” Sergeant Grimstone said.

It looks likely, then, that Ōtaki people have generally continued to follow the lockdown restrictions after Police reported “a good level of compliance” by

and large in Ōtaki during the level 4 lockdown.

Only a few people had been issued verbal or written warnings, Senior Sergeant Sam Gilpin told the Ōtaki Mail on 23 April.

The figures, however, show that family violence may have been a little higher during the lockdown.

Compared with 27 family violence incidents in January and 24 in February, there were 30 in March and 35 in April.

“I think it’s fair to say there were some minor family harm episodes which could be attributable to the Covid-19 restrictions,” Sergeant Grimstone said.

Mill Road homicide

BY FRANK NEILL Mill Road resident Roger Min Chin was murdered at his home on Saturday 16 May. Emergency services were called to Mr Chin’s home at about 7:40pm after hearing the 59-year-old had been injured.

Despite receiving medical attention, Mr Chin died at the scene.

Police arrested a 33-year-old Ōtaki man, who was known to the victim, on Sunday 17 May and charged him with Mr Chin’s murder.

The man appeared in the Palmerston North District Court on 18 May. He was remanded in custody to appear again at

the Palmerston North District Court on 10 June.

At the accused’s 18 May appearance, Judge Jonathan Krebs granted the man name suppression until his next court appearance. Judge Krebs also suppressed publication of the reasons why the name suppression order had been made.

This latest murder came almost 100 years to the day after another Mill Road murder took place.

On 20 May 1920, Thomas McFall murdered his 17½-year-old daughter Olive and then took his own life.

A Police scene guard in place at the Mill Road property on 19 May while enquiries continued.

Ensure your vehicles are locked

BY FRANK NEILL Make sure your vehicles are locked, or you run the risk of the vehicle or contents being stolen.

This is one of the messages Police are giving following a recent series of thefts where vehicles were left unlocked.

An unlocked vehicle was stolen from an Ōtaki beach residence on 29 March.

The vehicle “became involved in a fleeing driver incident, resulting in a vehicle crash,” Sergeant Phil Grimstone, officer in charge of the Ōtaki Police Station, told the Ōtaki Mail.

After the vehicle crashed into a culvert in Rangiuru Road, two 15-year-old Ōtaki youths were arrested near the scene, having been captured with assistance from the Police’s dog handler unit.

The two youth were referred to Youth Aid Services for both this offence and four other files.

“These boys are going onto people’s properties, seeing if vehicles are unlocked, and looking to steal, either from the vehicles or the vehicles themselves,” Sergeant Grimstone said.

“This highlights again the need for people to take responsibility for their personal possessions.”

Two golf carts were taken for joy rides and then left damaged following a burglary of the Ōtaki Golf Club on 13 April.

The offenders gained entry by smashing their way into a garage at the golf club.

Two 14-year-old boys and a 13-year-old girl have been referred to Youth Aid Services in relation to the burglary.

One of the boys had also been involved in a burglary at the Ōtaki Swimming Pool on 22 February when sliding doors at the front of the clubhouse were smashed to gain entry.

We’re stil at Covid-19 Level 2

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

(06) 364 6123 0800 367 467

www.inprogroup.co.nz

Two 14-year-olds and two 13-year-olds have been referred to Youth Aid Services for the pool break-in.

Two of these boys, one aged 14 and the other aged 13, were apprehended at Ōtaki beach at about noon on 22 April after three vehicles were broken into. They have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

The Ōtaki beach pavilion, next to the Surf Life Saving Club’s premises on Marine Parade, was damaged on 6 May. Windows and toilets were smashed.

Two 14-year-olds and one 13-year-old were apprehended at the scene and have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

One of the 14-year-olds has been charged with unrelated offences and is now on bail out of the district.

A 41-year-old woman was arrested in May for two historic burglaries as a result of forensic matches of DNA and fingerprints.

She has been charged with two burglaries at Ōtaki beach – one that took place in November last year and the other in March this year.

When the Ōtaki Mail went to press, the woman was due to appear in the Levin District Court on 28 May, charged with burglary and being unlawfully in a building.

Information provided by the public has resulted in a 29-year-old man facing drugs charges.

After Police received the tip-off, they executed a search warrant at an Ōtaki beach property on 20 May. The Police discovered cannabis plants, cannabis plant material and cannabis seeds at the address.

The Police also found three firearms that had not been stored correctly.

The man has been charged with cultivating cannabis, possession of cannabis for supply and possession of cannabis seeds, and was due to appear in the Levin District Court.

• First home buyer mortgages • Debt Consolidation • Mortgage refinancing • Investment Property lending • All Insurance covers • Local knowledge/local people • Honest & Friendly • Free Services

11

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

NOT ONLY A CHANGE OF SEASON… “Like most things lately, you may notice things have changed on your next visit to Gorge,” says the owner Phil.

If you’re like us and travel around the coast and further afield to find those essentials that make your food fun, add Gorge to your list of stops.

Having lived all over the world we have gathered up our much loved foodie favourites from Europe, Asia, Africa, The States and of course the best of New Zealand and the Lower North Island and now offer a wider range of gourmet groceries.

Coming into the new season you’ll notice the abundance of winter fruits and vegetables, we have all the ingredients to make them sing.

One of our most popular products brings a taste of India to Ōtaki via Island Bay! Nela’s make delicious Chai syrup to a traditional Indian recipe right here in the capital, her Turmeric Chai might be a cafe winner when made into a Turmeric Latte but it can be used for so much more.

Turmeric Chai has natural health benefits, The active ingredient in Turmeric is Curcumin. Curcumin combined with chai spices enhances the health properties significantly. It’s an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-depressant, and also helps to reduce anxiety.

Here’s a lovely winter pudding recipe to warm your head and your belly.

Locally grown, Beurre Bosc Pears are a slender variety with a rougher brownish skin. They are a firmer variety of pear which works well and holds their beautiful shape through poaching and stand tall on a dessert plate when served.

We got these beauts at Brown Acres in Manakau.

It’s super simple and is great served with warm coconut custard. *Nelas Chai and *Nature’s Charm Coconut Custard are available at Gorge

Turmeric Chai Poached Pears with Coconut custard 4 Medium Bosc Pears, peeled.

100ml *Nela’s Turmeric Chai.

300ml Water.

1 can of *Nature’s Charm Coconut Custard (which is also vegan!).

Place the water and turmeric chai concentrate in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to the boil. Add the pears.

Cover with a piece of non-stick baking paper and top with a small plate or lid to weigh down the pears.

Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the pears are soft.

Carefully remove the pears from the syrup, increase the heat to high and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until thickened slightly if you like the syrup a little sweeter add 1 Tbsp of honey.

Spoon the syrup over the pears and warm the coconut custard to serve.

Serves 4.

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Gardening with Flower garden

Watson’s Garden Ltd Cyclamen have always been a part of 17 Bell Street Ōtaki since Don Watson Senior started working here in 1956.

Before buying the business in 1971, potted plants were shipped to Woolworths branches from Invercargill through to Kaitaia.

Today Don Senior grows a stunning selection of beautiful Cyclamen for the greater Wellington region.

Enjoy your Cyclamen indoors and out. Let the soil dry out a little before watering. Enjoy flowers till spent before popping it under a shrub or hedge with the corm exposed to Summer over.

Re-pot once regrowth appears.

Enjoy!

With Watson’s Garden Ltd, you’ll find the promise of a spectacular and satisfying garden experience!

Gift Vouchers, giftware, garden and pest products & pots are available year round.

Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm closed Sundays and public holidays.

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

Thank you to all customers for your support since Lockdown Much appreciated LUCULIAS Highly fragrant winter flowering shrub.

Available in deep pink, pale pink & white.

CAMELLIA QUINTESSENCE Exquisite fragrant white flushed pink miniature flowers. Low growing, cascading habit. Great groundcover. Fabulous for hanging baskets..

Garden tasks for June

Prune back deciduous trees and shrubs in dry weather, but don’t prune spring-flowering plants until they have finished blooming.

Hydrangeas can also be pruned – thin out any spindly or weak growth, and cut back strong shoots to 2-3 buds from the base. Remember – adding garden lime will improve pink colouring, aluminium sulphate improves blue colouring.

Continue cutting back, lifting and dividing perennials such as dahlias, phlox, asters and achillea.

You can keep planting lilies, in well-drained ground, until September.

Plant new season’s roses, and for maximum flowering give established roses a top dressing of sulphate of potash.

Ensure young trees and fragile plants are firmly staked and tied.

Sow seeds of lobelia, calendula, sweet william, alyssum, sweet peas and dianthus.

Plant out seedlings of alyssum, viola, poppy, cyclamen, hollyhock, candytuft, lobelia, sweet william, anemone, bellis daisy, pansies, polyanthus, primula and forget-menot.

Fruit and vegetable garden

New season’s fruit trees begin to arrive in garden centres this month, so start planting your apples, pears, plums, peaches and nectarines.

June is a perfect time to prune trees that have finished fruiting. Cut stems back to a healthy growing bud, and

seal cuts on larger stems with pruning paint to protect against disease.

This is also the time to spray deciduous fruit trees with Champ DP and Conqueror Oil to protect from pests and diseases.

Continue planting strawberries.

Prepare ground for new asparagus beds – crowns are usually available later this month. Clean up old beds and give a dressing of manure.

You can start planting garlic and shallots.

Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails with animal-friendly Quash granules which are rain resistant, making them longer lasting for winter use.

Sow seeds of spinach, silver beet, dwarf peas, onions, lettuce, cauliflower and cabbages.

Plant out seedlings of cabbage, broccoli, winter lettuce, spinach and cauliflower – you can also plant a few early potatoes in a warm spot.

Lawns

Avoid mowing lawn immediately after heavy rain, as this will increase soil compaction and lead to poor water penetration. In slow growth periods, such as winter, the average lawn should be cut to a height of 3cm.

Second thoughts

If the weather is suitable, this is a good time to clear overgrown areas and dig in compost.

Clear any blocked drains promptly – plant roots strongly resent sitting in saturated soil unless they are a specially adapted bog species.

Orchid growing tips If you want to excel at growing orchids you’ll need to replicate their original habitat (the Himalayas, down to Malaysia to Australia) as closely as you can. But orchids are tolerant plants – you can kill an orchid with kindness, but not with neglect.

Cymbidiums are one of the easiest of orchids to grow, generous and forgiving, bearing neglect yet still prepared to give a good flowering (remember those huge orchids Grandma grew, jammed in a pot and stuck in a forgotten place behind the garage, but still managing to put up a couple of flower spikes every year).

An ideal position for these plants is under a tree (away from strong winds). This will provide dappled sunlight during the heat of the day – hot sun will burn leaves, but too little sun will reduce flowering. If your orchid has green, lush-looking leaves it means your plant is in too much shade for good flowering – leaves should be a light, apple-green.

Flower spikes appear around May or June (mine are showing now), and should be protected from slugs and snails who love the emerging buds. Remove dead flower spikes as soon as blooms have finished.

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Cymbidium orchid

Cymbidiums like frequent watering and feeding. As a general guide, use flowering orchid food from February through to end of flowering season (usually around October/November) and switch to growing orchid food until the end of January.

As well as the popular cymbidium, two other orchids will thrive with only moderate care.

The moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) originates from India, through South-east Asia, north to the Philippines and south to Northern Australia, so it’s no surprise they love a well-lit, warm position.

Grow these orchids indoors all year, out of direct sunlight and drafts and away from windows (the first place to get cold at night). Watering and feeding frequency depends on how warm and dry your house is, but every seven to ten days is sufficient. Mix a solution of orchid food to use as a one-step, combined water and feed. Keep leaves dry – just water around the base of your plant.

Australian dendrobiums (bush or rock orchid) come from various parts of Australia. The bush orchid can be found growing on trees in the eastern mountains behind Melbourne through to Sydney. It requires similar conditions to cymbidiums. The rock orchid grows on rocks on riverbanks in Queensland so will tolerate direct sunlight.

Like cymbidiums, you can have dendrobiums inside while they’re in flower to enjoy blooms and amazing perfume. After flowering (flower spikes should show about July or August) they too need to be returned outside.

Water and feed your plants regularly, using flowering or growing orchid food, depending on the time of year.

Repotting is the same as for cymbidiums – both like to be slightly pot-bound, but once bulbs have filled the pot and there appears to be no more room for growth, the plants need to be re-potted. Spring is a good time for repotting, but don’t break your clump up into lots of small pieces – the smaller the clump, the longer it takes to flower.

13

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

the Ōtaki Mail the Ō Ōtaki Mail taki Mail

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

Poppy love

I’ve always had a soft spot for poppies – I think it’s their gorgeous textured petals, sometimes crumpled, and sometimes silky smooth. I love the simple shape of the unpretentious flowers, and their wildflower habits – they happily self-seed, appearing year after year if left to their own devices.

The poppy family (Papaveraceae) isn’t large, but they come in an astonishing array of shapes, forms and colours. Most are perennial, biennial or annual, although some of the American poppies, such as the showy romeyas (the Californian tree poppy for example), are really woody shrubs.

Most poppies will thrive in an average soil, but some, like the dawn poppy, like to live in moist, humus-rich soil. Almost all resent water-logged soil. The perennials and biennials prefer to grow in dappled shade, annuals are happy in full sun – they are not worth trying in shade.

Papaver rhoeas

Poppies dislike wind, and often need staking (probably their only drawback) especially if they are used in a garden border. In their wild state poppies (such as P. rhoeas, the Shirley type) grew in the grain fields where corn, wheat and barley provided the necessary support and protection. I try to grow them either near to, or up through other plants which can support them.

Generally, poppies don’t fancy being shifted once they have germinated, and it’s a good idea to sow them where you want them to grow. It’s then easy to thin out weaker seedlings, and leave the best.

Oriental poppies, and other perennial types, can be increased by dividing established clumps or from root cuttings. These need to be taken as soon as foliage dies down.

If you decide to grow monacarpic poppies (ones that die after flowering), then it’s wise to collect seed, and sow immediately into seed trays. That way you always have a crop of new plants coming on.

Slugs, snails and aphids are the most common poppy pests. These can be treated easily with commercially available products, or you can make your own homemade remedies. I find soapy water will deal to aphids if the attack isn’t serious, and removing slugs and snails by hand is a relatively simple (if rather ‘yukky’), process.

Fungal disease is a bit more serious, and will attack seedlings as well as established plants. Try to make sure plants are well ventilated, and never crowded – that way many fungal problems can be avoided.

Common to most poppies is the white, orange or yellow latex that oozes when a stem is cut. This is most obvious with the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, which is often bled for its narcotic sap, and in the greater

Shirley poppies

celandine, Chelidonium majus, which gives out an acrid, orange fluid when a plant is cut or broken. It is believed the sap can cure warts, and a range of other disorders.

Try a mixture of seed of Eschscholzia (Californian poppies), P. rhoeas and P.somniferum scattered in light soil in full sun in summer and early autumn. This will give you masses of beautiful blooms the following spring.

Pure and simple, the poppy’s loveliness is short-lived, but truly memorable.

Old school mulberries Most mulberries originate from China and Iran, and have been cultivated since ancient times, primarily for their leaves, a favourite food source for silkworms.

Once a must-have for all home orchards, today you’d be hard-pressed to find someone under 50 who has tasted or even seen a ripe mulberry. Possibly because of their fragility, mulberries tended to be a crop of the backyard rather than commerce. Consequently they were common casualties of the subdivisions and urban sprawl that followed World War Two.

Mulberries are self-fertile (so you’ll only need one), and the archetypical, easy-care fruit tree. Once established, they will effortlessly cope with drought, frost and neglect, happily growing and fruiting, albeit slowly, in all parts of New Zealand. The plants can be grown as a bush or a standard tree (they have a graceful, stately habit and attractive leaves) although some varieties of the latter eventually reach a height of 10m or more, which makes them a tad large for many modern gardens.

The red to black fruit is tender, sweet, and juicy, containing vitamin C, K, B and E, as well as potassium, magnesium, iron and fibre. It is a particular favourite of birds, whose determined pillaging and ingenuity knows

no bounds (netting is essential). Ripe fruit will fall of its own accord, and can be gathered from inside your net. It can also be hand-picked but judging ripeness can be tricky, and unripe berries are rather sour. Ripe fruit has a shelf life of a day at most, so don’t delay when they start to fall. Best eaten fresh, the fruit works well in any recipe aimed at blackberries. Freezing is the most practical option of preservation, as the fruit soon disintegrates when rapidly heated.

You can choose from the red mulberry, (Morus rubra), native to North America, the black mulberry (Morus nigra), native to southwestern Asia (but often called the English mulberry), and the white mulberry, (Morus alba), native to China.

All three species are deciduous, and fruit on current season’s growth so they can be pruned hard each winter (when dormant) to control the size and maximise new fruiting wood. All are available in New Zealand and have similar growing requirements.

Mulberries have a deep rooting system, and like warm, deep, well-drained loam. Although fairly drought resistant they need plenty of water when in fruit, or berries may drop prematurely. They can turn rather aggressive if fed too generously, so a sparse dressing of blood and bone twice yearly is about right.

Black mulberry is the variety by which all others are measured. When ripe the fruit is absolutely delicious, with rich, wine-like juice, and few seeds (a word of warning though, the fruit stains easily, so plant away from paths and washing lines).

‘European Black’ is a sturdy, relatively fast-growing tree with abundant crops of black fruit.

White mulberry are considered the king of dessert fruit in the Middle East, and better cultivars produce masses of luscious, sweet, finger-length fruit over a long season.

‘Pendula’ is a weeping variety with slender branches trailing from a gnarled trunk. It has inconspicuous greenish-white flowers that bloom in spring followed by pinkish-white to violet, blackberry-like fruit.

‘Strawberry Shahtoot’ produces clusters of long, sweet fruit with a strawberry-like flavour.

The red mulberry doesn’t crop as heavily as the others, nor are the berries as big but it has quirky habits – fruit mature from fuzzy, green knots to pink and eventually black-red berries.

‘Hicks Early’ is a white/red hybrid (Morus alba x Morus rubra) propagated by Incredible Edibles – a vigorous, undemanding tree with good yields.

South Pacific Roses State Highway One Ōtaki

www.southpacificroses.co.nz sprn2@callplus.net.nz call us 364 8797 we can deliver locally under Level 3

14

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Growing through Covid-19

BY VIVIENNE BAILEY Our plants definitely didn’t stop growing through the stringent Level 4 and 3 of Covid-19, and now at Level 2 we can check out local garden centres again.

Online buying has reportedly been continuously fierce at most.

Harrisons Country Gardenworld at Peka Peka was buzzing when I called in. There was a happy vibe in the air as visitors grabbed coffees from the café, and wheeled full trolleys to the checkout.

“We’ve been absolutely flat out with online orders. Click and collect has been people’s go-to, and they’ve been picking plants up from outside the centre,” said manager, Lance Bills. “We’ve got all the new season’s pansies, violas, polyanthus and primulas in stock, and we’re got extra precautions in place for the health and well-being of both our customers and our garden centre team.”

Eugenie Gray at Te Horo Garden Centre was also busy, and folk were loading up car boots with plants and shrubs while I ambled around. Eugenie always has those special, unusual plants, and I wished I had more time to fossick around. Eugenie

Harrisons Country Gardenworld

told me life has also been busy for her, getting online orders ready.

Watson’s Gardens manager, Adrienne Carpenter said they had been busy right through Covid-19 restrictions apart from level four. Many were browsing at the Gardens, particularly among the lushlooking lettuce varieties, and when I later caught up with Alan Browne from Te Horo-based Common Property, he said the sunny, warm autumn had really brought his salad veggies on. He was thankful, given the present economic situation, that Commonsense, the country’s collection of organic produce shops, was the core of their business. Ōtaki’s South Pacific Roses have had a half-price sale since Level 2, a continuation of their traditional March bargain time. Preparations for the sale were complete when Level 4 struck. Now there is a need to clear stock in preparation for new roses presently being uplifted from their Christchurch nursery.

Thankfully, there are still a lot of healthy plants for rose lovers like me to choose from.

Watson’s Gardens

South Pacific Roses

Te Horo Garden Centre

Note: all Garden Centre customers are observed maintaining their Social Distance!

One day gardeners will rule the world.

15

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Ōtaki’s History

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

The ‘Albatross Hook’

BY DAVID LEDSON Over recent months this column has shone a light on items from the Otaki Museum’s ‘Small family’ collection. The family came to Ōtaki from Scotland in the early 1860s. This time it was decided to look for something different from among the items located in the Collection Store. To enter the space, was to be spoilt for choice. There were silver cups for school swimming champions in every imaginable event, a cup for the best school garden, lots of bottles of various shapes, sizes and colours, photographs, newspapers, public documents, sewing objects, flags, hats of various descriptions, toys, musical instruments, tools and other items of all sorts.

On one shelf there was a single tray. It contained a small number of hooks used

by Māori for fishing. Among them, and dominating the space, was a large hook/ matau made of bone and wood which was described as being used to catch albatrosses/toroa.

The albatross takes its Māori name from Toroa, the captain of the waka Mataatua, which was sent from Hawaiki to bring supplies of kūmara to New Zealand around 1350. The canoe made its landfall at Whakatāne. Bird and man shared the same name in recognition of their unique skill in being able to find their way beyond the horizon and back, over vast oceanic distances.

Albatrosses have been hunted across the world as a source of food; unsurprising, perhaps, given that along with the

wandering albatross, northern royal albatross are one of the largest seabirds in the world - with a wingspan of over three metres. Because the habitat of the toroa was generally inaccessible to Māori, adult birds were often hunted out at sea by trolling with a special form of hook, such as the one held in the Otaki Museum, which was baited. A principal source of toroa was around the Chatham Islands, and large quantities of albatross meat were sent from the Chathams to Taranaki between 1870 and 1900.

Notwithstanding that they were regarded as a food source, Māori regarded albatrosses as representing beauty and power. Consequently, its white feathers were highly valued as a symbol of those qualities, and were worn by high-ranking people, used in cloaks, and also as decoration for waka. Bones were used in flutes, pendants, as instruments for tattooing, for spear tips and hooks.

There is a proverb – ‘Ko te reoreo a kea ki uta, ko te whakataki mai a toroa ki tai, he kotuku ki te raki, he kakapo ki te whenua’(The voice of the kea is heard inland, the cry of the albatross is heard at sea, a kotuku in the sky, a kakapo on the ground.} It means ‘Everything has its rightful place.’

The ‘Albatross Hook’ has its place, on display in the Otaki Museum.

Come along and see it, as well as the current exhibition, during the Museum’s opening hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between noon and 2pm.

A new exhibition on the history of Main Street will open in late July.

Next steps in beach bylaw review

BY FRANK NEILL The next step in the Kāpiti Coast beach bylaw review is currently under consideration by the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

The first component of the review was an online survey, which people could fill out before it closed on 29 February.

More than 1,700 people completed the online survey, demonstrating that there is widespread interest in the future of our beaches.

The next step was for the council to hold a series of workshops.

These were not able to go ahead, however, because of the Covid-19 levels 4 and 3 lockdowns.

The council was, when the Ōtaki Mail went to print, considering how it could proceed with the workshops in a safe way.

Following the workshops, there will be a period of formal consultation, where people will have an opportunity to make written submissions on the bylaw.

“At this stage we have not settled on a final date for consultation, but will endeavour to do this as quickly as possible,” a council spokesperson told the Ōtaki Mail.

The workshops were originally planned to take place by mid March and the formal consultation was then due to begin in April.

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.

Ōtaki beach photo credit Dave Timperley

Kapiti Island News

BY DANIELLE BARRETT Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua - as man disappears from sight, the land remains.

Like hundreds of small tourism businesses around Aotearoa, Kapiti Island Nature Tours’ operating season came to an abrupt end on March 21st as the country entered into the Covid-19 lockdown.

While the manuhiri (visitors) have gone, and most kaimahi (staff) have been in their own homes, there has been a small bubble of whānau who remained on the island through Levels 3 & 4. Island Operations Manager Manaaki Barrett said it has been a pretty good place to be in lockdown - even with the cheeky kākā who is determined to pinch walnuts from inside the lodge. “I’m definitely receiving a bit more attention than usual from some of the manu (birds), but it’s still paradise”.

As always, the birds seem largely unphased by the presence, or not, of people on the island.

As a keen wildlife photographer, Manaaki has spent some of his time honing his

photography skills and says nature continues to thrive on and around Kāpiti - from birds to whales.

“In late April a young paikea (humpback whale) passed north through the Rau o te Rangi channel. Breaching as it passed, this was likely the same juvenile which had been filmed in Wellington harbour a few days earlier”.

A visit to Kapiti Island is often described as stepping back in time by a couple of hundred years. While popular with international visitors, the manuhiri hosted

by Kapiti Island Nature Tours’ are mainly from Aotearoa with around 80% domestic travellers last season. Losing expected revenue across the last few months of the 2019-2020 season has been challenging for the business. Managing Director John Barrett acknowledges the government wage subsidy programme has been critical in enabling Kapiti Island Nature Tours to keep staff employed. “Our crew have embraced new ways of working by participating in twice-weekly group learning sessions over Zoom. I’m confident that a visit to the island next season will be enhanced by this knowledge-sharing”.

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.

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,” 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-2009-amended-2017.pdf.

Kapiti Island Nature Tours has spent over 20 years supporting fundraisers across the Kapiti region, as well as using local produce and suppliers, and will continue to do so. John echoes the Prime Minister’s recent comments encouraging Kiwis to support local businesses and

explore their own backyard. “Kapiti Island is a fantastic day out for all ages, I encourage locals to book a visit for next Summer, or buy a gift voucher”.

He waka eke noa - we are all in this together.

16

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Keeping on top of things: Supporting Global Bees PENNY KERR-HISLOP Before and After

BY HOWIE C. THINGS BEFORE A woeful voice rose from behind my neighbour’s fence.

“Howie! Howie! Are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here my friend,” I responded. “Can’t really stray far from home at present, can we?”

“Yes, that’s true,” moaned the voice from beyond. “I know the shut-down is all for the best, but I’m feeling so alone.”

“Ahh... I think there are many others in the same boat,” I nodded. (Not that he could actually see me.)

There was temporary silence, unlike my chatty friend.

Then,“If we were all in the same boat, Howie, we would not be alone!”

“Ok,” my friend. “At least you haven’t lost your sense of humour. That put a smile on my face.”

“Wish I could see it,” Oldie sighed. “The fence has grown higher.”

“Or, is it more that you have become a little shorter?” I teased.

“Hrrrmph!” he grunted. “That’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

Then he sighed, “I’ll be forgetting what you look like, Howie..

I chuckled. “That could be an asset! Well, why don’t we each scout around for steps or a sturdy box to climb on, and peer over the fence?”

“Good idea!” came the response. “Stay there, Howie.

Don’t go away!” he urged.

“I have to go if I need to find something to stand on! I’ll be back,” I reassured him.

I’d never known Oldie to sound so out of his comfort zone.

It was almost as if a mat had been pulled from beneath his feet.

This behaviour was completely out of character.

I found a ladder and dragged it over.

“Are you there, yet, Howie?” whined the voice from the other side of the fence. “Oh, yes,” he exclaimed as he spotted me. “I thought I’d never ever say this, but I’m so cheered by the sight of your face!”

“Hang on, Oldie. You know I’m always there for you, my friend!”

“I do know, but even though we talk on the phone, well, seeing is believing!”

“I get it, Oldie,” I said. “I’ve missed you, too. Every time I make a cuppa, I look toward your favourite chair...”

“Really?” Oldie even managed a smile. “We should get together more often... over the fence. But two metres apart!”

“Great idea,” I agreed. “Ring me any time you have a hankering to see my face!”

It was good to see a smile break out on his face, too....

Yes, I thought, there will be many lonely ‘Oldies’ in our community.

A gesture – a waving hand or a smiling face have no restrictions!

AND AFTER...

A beaming face popped up from the other side of the fence.

“Howie! Did you hear? We’re now on Level Two! You know what that means!”

“The kettle is on, my friend,” I replied. “The door is open, and your favourite chair awaits your posterior .”

Oldie was at my door before the kettle had boiled.

“Look Howie! There, on the deck! I was given one, too.”

I looked... a pot of pumpkin soup, and a home-baked bun, carefully wrapped.

“I know where that came from!” I exclaimed. “The people who introduced Thursday Soup to Ōtaki have delivered to our households.”

“Bless their cotton socks!” said Oldie. “Let’s make a celebratory meal of this, followed down by a celebratory cup of tea.” So we did.

Happy Phase Two everyone. Keep safe in your Bubbles, and don’t bubble over...

The beautiful autumn weather continues in Ōtaki and surrounds.

It is getting colder and frostier but there is still warmth in the sun and foraging to be done. Early camelias are out and providing nectar and pollen for the bees. The wasp season is drawing to a close but not going out with a whimper by any means.

The aftermath of a wasp attack on a hive is a sad sight. Wasps seem able to identify the weakest and smallest hives in an apiary. A raid can last days until the hive has been completely cleaned out. They hover around the entrance and sneak past the bees into the hive. At different times of the year they are either searching out sugar or protein and both are ready and waiting, packaged up for them like an enormous takeaway.

Honeybees will make huge efforts to defend themselves. They will crowd the entrance to the hive and attack the wasp, biting and swarming and smothering the invader with workers. But they are often overwhelmed. The wasp will kill a bee by biting off its head, removing the wings and other body parts and then take the tasty bits back to the nest.

Once the defenders are out of the way, access to the juicy protein-rich bee larvae and honey is unobstructed. It doesn’t take long for total decimation. And it is a sad thing to witness.

At this time of year, the beekeeper is counting his hives and working out how many he hopes to get through the winter. There was confusion at one site as within two weeks several hives had gone from strong and possible contenders for survival to barely alive. So, he sat and pondered. He called his mum while waiting and caught up with several grandchildren. He watched the hives. He felt depressed as he thought about the work than he had put into these hives and how it would affect his queen production next season. He already has orders for spring queens and will be hard pushed to meet these. Then he saw the wasps. There were a lot of them. They were crowding the entrances and pushing their way into the hives. The bees didn’t stand a chance. It was only a matter of time before it was all over for those remaining hives. The race was on. But what to do?

He googled wasp guards. He spoke to people. He went to his workshop and cranked up the benchsaw and the router, found some bits of plywood and steel mesh netting. He measured, he sawed, he stapled and put together a creation that he could screw on to the opening of the hive.

I didn’t really get it.

So, I went with him to the beautiful site in the pear orchard which was also under attack and we attached the wasp guards. The entrance to the hive was effectively blocked. But for everyone. So how would the bees get in and out? That’s not going to work I said.

He told me to wait and watch. He went off to grumble about something else and left me there and I watched. He had left a tiny hole in the top of the guard. Just the size of a bee. The front of the hive was covered with bees trying to find a way in. They kept searching for the entrance. They were laden with pollen and nectar and desperate to get home. The afternoon wore on and it became colder. They would all freeze to death it they didn’t make it by dusk.

Then a bee came out of the hive through the tiny hole. It stood there for a minute and a bee from outside went over to it. They touched antennae. The inside bee flew away and rather than the outside bee going in the now obvious entrance it turned around. It walked to another bee. Touched antennae. Went to another bee and so on. About half an hour later all the bees had found the entrance and it was business as usual.

Meanwhile. the wasps clung to the mesh covering the entrance. They railed against it; they could smell the food, but they could not work out how to get in. They were fixated on the entrance being there and would look no further. I took a photo of five wasps clinging to the wasp guard.

Wasps are not stupid. In fact, they are incredibly intelligent and can even recognise people’s faces.

But they are not that great at communicating with each other.

They are not a team of 50,000.

Wasps foiled in their attempts to invade and decimate the hive

Chocolate Cake Meleane Nelson-Latu 1¾ cups plain white flour 1¾ cups sugar ¾ cup cocoa powder 1½ teaspoons baking powder 1½ teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla essence ½ cup oil (I use canola) 1 cup milk 1 cup boiling water Prepare a 25 x 25cm cake tin, spray well with cooking spray or line with baking paper.

Heat your oven to 180°C. In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix well until fully combined.

Add to this the eggs, vanilla essence, oil and milk and mix well.

Finally add the boiling water and carefully stir until completely mixed together.

Pour into your prepared cake tin and bake for 35–45 minutes. It can take longer depending on your cake tin; check after 30 minutes.

Take out and cool.

You can eat it once cooled or you can decorate it! It all depends on what you want to do!

Use whichever icing you prefer!

17

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Media Muse

By Manakau’s Tom Frewen those waters by trying to help that plurality and support journalism is very important and, as we started out this interview, some people might question why that might be important but you know the function of getting information to people, especially in a time like this, is extremely important.

“Shepherd: OK, Minister. Thank you very much for your time.”

People pay for news in various ways: buying copies of newspapers, watching commercials on television, subscribing to SKY and magazines, or involuntarily through their taxes.

Journalism, however, is something else.

It’s an ingredient, like mince in a mince pie. It is not the pie. The newspaper or magazine is the pie. But try buying mince without the pastry.

- Can I buy some journalism, please?

- Certainly. What sort of journalism are you looking for today? Something serious and hard to understand, about finance or politics. What about this from the business pages of a daily newspaper?

“Most of the economic scenarios assume that global GDP this year will be six per cent lower than expected at the time of the half-year economic and fiscal update last December when they were looking for New Zealand’s trading partners grow by around three per cent this year.”

Or this from TV Guide. Brynley Stent, actress, loves all sorts of ramen (pulled noodles, apparently) and hates a brown avocado. “You spend all this time nurturing this beautiful avocado,” she shares, “and then you just have no idea what’s going to be on the inside.”

- You must have some idea, Brynley, surely?

Even if it’s your first avocado you must have seen pictures of, like, guacamole?

Brynley continues “If it turns out to be all brown and mushy and gross on the inside it’s such a letdown.”

Life is full of disappointments, some even call it a vale of tears. But does sharing one’s hatred of over-ripe avocado qualify as journalism? Is holding an avocado to account and talking truth to fruit on a par with the any of the “functions of journalism” identified by the Minister?

Brynley’s life is laid bare (both her parents were hairdressers!) in the May

The Neutron Bomb, a nuclear weapon developed in the 1970s during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, was designed to kill people while leaving buildings intact. Or the other way round, I can’t remember exactly.

Anyhoo, the Neutron Bomb came to mind while thinking about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on New Zealand’s newspapers and magazines.

Advertising revenue tanked as the economy screeched to standstill. One newspaper chain tried to buy the other for one dollar, which became the going rate for New Zealand media companies when Stuff sold everything except its Petone printing plant to its management for $1.

Mediaworks shed 130 jobs, mainly in radio and sales while its TV3 channel continued to seek a buyer. Magazines and community newspapers were ordered off the stands. The virus flattened the media while journalists were left standing.

But first, the political year so far: Brexit, Boris, Trump, Boris, Trump, Covid-19, Lockdown, Lockdown, Jacinda, Bridges, Trump, Lockdown, Bridges, Bridges, Muller.

Now, back to the question of the day: What the FAQ? A FAQ is an answer looking for a home.

Although FAQ is the acronym for “Frequently Asked Question” it is more often used to raise queries that no-one would ever think of asking even once.

For instance, who would have thought of asking this question of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage — “FAQ: Is this support package enough to help the struggling media sector?”

Or this one, straight off the ministry’s website: “FAQ: What does the first media sector support package include?”

The answer, if you really must know, is that the package includes “a suite of initiatives.”

That, in turn, raises another question, although not one frequently asked. It is: How does a suite of initiatives differ from a raft of measures?

At issue is the number of measures that can be carried on a raft. Quite a lot, I would say. Whereas initiatives are of a completely different order. Often preincentivised with sweeteners such as built-in profit motives and auto-adjusted

salary upgrades, initiatives are simply too good to travel on rafts. They have to be in suites.

FAQ: Does the media play a vital role in providing New Zealanders with reliable and up-to-date news and information?

Yes. But what about Sudoku, the Crossword and the 5-Minute Quiz? Declaring news media to be an essential service through Covid-19 Epidemic Response Level 4, the government allowed the publishing and distribution of newspapers but not magazines which were “not considered to provide up-to-date critical news”.

The Magazine Publishers Association protested, saying magazines had been singled out as the only product banned from supermarkets; that their supply chains were controlled and posed no safety risk; that magazines were an important media voice for a country in lockdown; and that the economic impact of the ban on the magazine industry would be dire.

The protest fell on deaf ears at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage which has Kris Faafoi as an associate minister. A former TV reporter himself he has views on the role of the news media and journalism. As the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, he surveyed the blasted heath created by Covid-19’s Neutron Bomb on the media landscape when he was interviewed by Simon Shepherd on Newshub Nation on Saturday 25 April.

“Shepherd: You were once a journalist, Minister. So what’s it like seeing an industry that’s so fragile now?

Faafoi: It’s difficult, and I think personally, and the Government thinks, that the function of journalism is extremely important, to make sure that questions are being asked of councillors and mayors, MPs and ministers is extremely important, and making sure they’ve got the capacity to do that, and the long-term and the viability of that is extremely important.

“We’ve got a media sector that has relied very much on advertising in the past and, before Covid hit, that was beginning to look grey and now the storm clouds have come over and made everything much more acute. So being able to navigate

BY MICHAEL MOORE

Ōtaki MenzShed reopens

After nearly two months, the Ōtaki MenzShed has reopened on Thursday 14th May, with a limit of six members allowed at the workshop on opening days.

“We have an older membership, so want to ensure we look after our members, at the same time as allowing some to return and reconnect with their friends and share comradeship,” said chair Tony King. “At this stage, we will limit the number of people at the shed, so we have space for us to spread out.”

The MenzShed will not be undertaking any work in the community by visiting homes at this time, to limit contact with other vulnerable people.

“If anyone has a job they want done, they are welcome to pop into the shed, on Tuesdays or Thursdays, between 10am - midday, and we’ll see if we can assist them, however we won’t be able to do any work at their home presently,” Tony King says The MenzShed has been serving the Ōtaki community for six years, and operates on a koha basis, undertaking small projects and fix-its. The shed is situated at 186 Mill Road, behind the Community Health Centre.

23-29 issue of TV Guide, New Zealand’s best-selling magazine. Pocket-sized and first published in 1986, TV Guide boasts average net sales of around 93,000 copies (according to the NZ Audit Bureau of Circulations’ most recent “accurate and up-to-date circulation figures” — now 15 months out of date).

TV Guide is published by Stuff, formerly Fairfax and, following $4.6 billion merger deal last December, is now part of Nine Entertainment, the giant Australian media company originally established by the Packer family, Nine reported a net profit of $251 million on revenue of $2.5 billion in 2019. A multi-media group which draws income from television, video on demand, print, digital, radio and real estate classifieds, Nine is reported to have total assets worth $4.7 billion. Quite a lot.

Nevertheless, it’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Stuff, has taken full advantage of the Government’s offer of financial support from New Zealand taxpayers to get through the coronavirus pandemic — trousering $6.7 million under the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme up to Wednesday 20 May. Readers of Stuff’s slimmed-down newspapers still pay full whack per copy while visitors to its website are met with an outstretched begging bowl. “Local reporting is vital to a thriving and connected community,” is the pitch. “Help us keep telling (insert locality) stories by making a contribution.”

Then there’s the double dipping. Readers pay $2.90 for editorial and programme listings in TV Guide and another $2.90 to see them again in the TV Week insert in the Dominion-Post.

It’s all journalism as we have come to know it, albeit sliced and diced more finely and spread more thinly over fewer pages.

It depends what you’re looking for.

Up-to-date, in-depth analysis of the impact of rotten avocados on GDP? Normally you’d find that in The Listener.

But it’s gone, along with the NZ Woman’s Weekly, NZ Woman’s Day, Metro and North & South, leaving empty shelves that magazine distributor, Ovato (another Australian company, formerly Gordon & Gotch) seems in no hurry to fill.

Five handsome old geezers contemplating another stressful day in the Menzshed (l-r) Tony, Dick, Wal, Brian and Artie

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Ōtaki - Education Town a learning eco-system

Learning from home – how did it go?

BY JIM MATHESON, TRUSTEE OF TE REANGA IPURANGI ŌTAKI EDUCATION TRUST

Well done, Ōtaki!

Congratulations, Ōtaki education community, you did well! Despite a few hiccups, learning was made available and supported across our community in this most challenging of times. Our early investment in digital learning meant that Ōtaki was better prepared than most communities to support learning from home when schools and kura were suddenly closed.

Over the last five years, Te Reanga Ipurangi Ōtaki Education Trust and the kura and schools of Ōtaki have been investing in digital learning. The Trust has enabled the purchase of chromebooks for all students who require them.

Whānau and families have supported this by buying the devices, and kura and schools have supported their teachers and pouako in developing the skills to use them. As an education community, we have had a 3-year partnership with Manaiakalani which has enabled us to have two fulltime professional development leaders.

This investment played a vital role over the last two months when all our schools were closed and students were learning from home.

Before lockdown, although not all students or teachers were fully engaged in digital learning, there was enough knowledge and competence in our education community to quickly change our model of teaching and learning.

This is what made a difference when we all suddenly had to go into lockdown: • all tumuaki and principals had already made a commitment to digital-based learning and were implementing it in their kura and schools • most ākonga/students who needed a device had one • about 30 teachers had completed an intensive course on leading digital learning • two fulltime digital learning leaders were already working in our community.

When lockdown began, the kura and schools had very limited time to establish their programmes online. They were

helped greatly by our two professional development leaders, Vicki Archer and Makaore Beavan Wilson. Vicki and Makaore knew the pouako/teachers, the kura and schools, and were quickly able to provide support for establishing online learning programmes. Kura and schools were able to quickly identify those who did not have a device and see that they got one.

Enough teachers were familiar with digital learning to be able to start moving their learning online and some could also support any who were struggling. So within a very short time all Ōtaki students had access to a home learning programme, most of which was digital.

Although we are only just out of the lockdown period this is a summary of our understanding of the experience so far.

What was it like for learners?

The school leaders working with Vicki and Makaore surveyed some of our students about their experiences of learning during lockdown. Most said they enjoyed that they could choose when and what work they did and that they could complete work to their own timetable.

Their comments included: Having the ability to get stuck in and get going, also the flexibility of when you can do which classes, and doing them when they suit you.

If I got frustrated, I could just have a break.

I liked the freedom we had when choosing what subjects to study. Meaning when I was more motivated to work on one subject I could be quite productive.

Many learners extended their digital skills during lockdown with a big increase in the number sharing their blogs.

What they didn’t enjoy so much was not socialising and it being more difficult to get help when they needed it. One student described it as: There isn’t much motivation for me to keep going because of the freedom I got.

Harder learning something over a screen than it is in class when you can ask questions to not only the teacher but your friends who are also in the class.

Unsurprisingly, the thing that most reported that they missed most about school was seeing their friends. And the next thing they missed most was seeing their teachers (this was a distant second,

but ahead of sport and lunch!).

When asked what was important to keep for the future, many students were keen to see digital learning a permanent part of their learning programme. They liked the sense of ownership and control that it gave them over their work.

What was it like for the teachers?

The teachers’ workload was very demanding in the early stages as they set up programmes online. They had to rethink how learning material was presented, use technology they were not always familiar with and do this from their homes. Many of them were also looking after their own families at the same time. They said that many students enjoyed the approach to learning. But they were also aware of many students who were struggling to manage the work and the limited support teachers could give during lockdown.

One of the biggest positives from this whole situation is the increased level of connection that I think is happening, not just with us as teachers with our students, but them with each other as well. While it is not face to face, everyone is going through a shared challenge, and they are giving each other tips and help on how to get through it.

There were some surprises. Some students, who in a face-to-face class do well, struggled in the online environment.

Others, who may not engage very enthusiastically in a normal class, found it much easier to complete work when online. Teachers put a lot of effort in supporting their students and were concerned about the wellbeing of each.

It is good to remember that all our kids basically want to be good, even the ones who would normally give us grief. I think the most important thing is to keep them connected and to not add too much expectation of pushing ahead with work.

How was it for tumuaki and principals?

All tumuaki and principals felt that the investment they had made in digital learning set them up well.

When word came we would be going into lockdown and online learning we were ready, we were at a point where we needed to fine tune and adapt, we were not in a state of panic, our staff knew they had the tools and skills to meet the challenges and work through any issues.

They all valued the assistance from Vicki and Makaore and all acknowledged the extra efforts made by their staff.

Principals would even deliver a device to those who needed one. They were aware of the challenges many families faced while in lockdown so the emphasis was on wellbeing and support rather than high expectations of completed work. The principals also acknowledged the extra contribution of many parents and whānau to learning. Some said they had the highest levels of engagement ever!

Whānau and parents took the opportunity to engage more deeply with what their young people were learning.

I believe a huge plus of this experience is that parents/caregivers have been able to witness the learning possibilities that are provided with online learning. Even though it has been possible and occurring previously it has been far more obvious to them in a lockdown environment.

As for the future well …from this experience, there’s no doubt for us that having the mix of both onsite face to face, as well access to online platforms is the ideal.

The stars of learning during lockdown So let’s all celebrate our ākonga/students who persevered with their learning despite this disruption to the normal routine. Let’s recognise and value the contribution from the whānau and families who supported their young people on this journey. As a community we are indebted to all our education professionals who did a remarkable job re-inventing schooling for it to become learning from home. Let’s acknowledge the leadership of our tumuaki and principals who had the foresight to invest in approaches to learning that helped prepare our community as well as possible for this challenge.

Thank you to my fellow trustees of Te Reanga Ipurangi Ōtaki Education Trust for continuing to advocate for the benefits that come from greater collaboration across our education community. Thank you also to the wider community both individuals and organisations who have provided funds to support the work of the Trust. These contributions have been essential in giving the learners in our community the support they need.

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Ōtaki College News March 2020

www.otakicollege.school.nz

From the Principal Andy Fraser Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua Care of the land, care of the people, go forward!

It was with great relief that we left Alert Levels 3&4 and moved to Alert Level 2, allowing our students to return to College. By the time this article goes to press we may even have moved to Alert Level 1.

Whether or not that is the case, it is fantastic to see and hear our young people back in the College and back into learning and I can only describe it as breathing life back into what we once took for granted. The return to school has gone really smoothly and it has been brilliant to see how excited the students have been to get back to their learning and social routines. We are now in a new norm – which is not the old norm – and I must congratulate our students on the manner in which they are conducting themselves around social distancing, hygiene and generally looking after on another.

During the lockdown period we are aware that the experiences of our

students were many and varied. As a result of this our major focus as we return to teaching and learning is around recreating relationships, focusing on student hauora and making sure that we establish where students are at with their learning in order to recommence moving them forward.

Post lockdown we have been able to survey and speak with students about these experiences and this information has been shared with Jim Matheson, Co-Chair of Te Reanga Ipurangi Ōtaki Education Trust. The summary of these responses can be read in Jim’s article “Learning from Home – How Did it Go?” published in this edition.

We do know that some families are still feeling anxious about sending their children back to school, which is understandable given everything we have been through these past 2 months. We would like to assure whānau that: • It’s really important children do return to school, not just for their education but also their health and wellbeing • Instances of Covid-19 in New Zealand are very low and here in

Wellington Region we have 0 cases, with the last case reported on 16 April • We’re aware of concerns out there that people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus. The Ministry of Health has advised us that there is no instance in New Zealand of someone spreading the virus without ever having symptoms • •Our schools are safe. Even though there is such a low risk of the virus getting in the school gates to start with, we will be keeping up our hygiene practices and other public health measures as an extra precaution for as long as this is necessary.

If you are worried about your child, please remember that we have the SchoolTV resource which can be found on the College website homepage. This resource is an important one-stop shop for advice to both students and whānau.

Their most recently published Special Report is “Coronavirus - The Transition Back”.

We are looking forward to sports starting back up at College and as details become

available these will be published in our school notices (viewable to parents via the Kamar Portal), on Skool Loop, in our Newsletter and on our Sports Facebook page.

In closing I would like to sincerely thank students and whānau for the efforts they have made during our time of home learning. In the Prime Minister’s words – Be Strong, be kind, we will be OK, we are all in this together.

Ngā manaaki tāngata kia kokiri whakamua.

The Marlan Trading Uniform Shop is now open five days a week from 10.00am to 4.00pm, above NZ Natural, Main Highway, Ōtaki.

Please note: • College Ties are now in stock and should be worn with white shirts and white blouses • The Year 13 Tie is now available to be purchased by all Year 13 students.

Never Waste a Crisis…

BY KAHUKURA KEMP So said one of our country’s recent political leaders. Well, Te Wānanga o Raukawa hasn’t wasted any time in confronting the worldwide crisis that is Covid 19, and this is what we’ve done.

Kotahitanga was, and continues to be our focus in ensuring physical health, employment and/or engagement in study and mental wellbeing of students and staff.

Very early on, in mid March we met as staff to discuss the most appropriate kaupapa response for our organisation.

We monitored the situation daily and readied ourselves for moving into business continuity and staged planning.

Planning was essential because as the biggest employer in Ōtaki it meant protecting students (who travel to Ōtaki from around the country) and their whānau, staff and their whānau and the whole Ōtaki community against the virus.

The groundwork was set by our Emergency Response Team, Te Ohu Haumaru, who formulated our own four Levels of Response, parallel to that of the government for nationwide safety and security. Te Ohu Haumaru, already a part of our business continuity plan, seconded to the team staff from business critical areas to ensure that our organisation was ready to deal effectively and efficiently with the challenges ahead affecting our students and staff during the national Level 4 and 3 lockdown. In its current makeup it is our intelligence centre for

this crisis, it keeps abreast of national and international information and our present operations are carried out on its advice. It meets daily, seven days a week.

We have not yet returned to being a fully-peopled campus but are open Monday to Friday on a 9 am. to 5 pm. timeframe. We are maintaining arrangements put in place by Te Ohu Haumaru for Alert Level 2 which include there being no travel by students or staff, online programme delivery only for Semester 1 and online meetings only.

Many staff continue to work from home where that is the best option. We are measuring and reviewing our progress fortnightly. The next two weeks will be a consolidation of the last eight weeks. Our two biggest threats are complacency and impatience - human foibles that can creep up on any one of us if we are not vigilant.

We are going to be unwaveringly consistent with our plan because we are obliged to protect ourselves and our community. We have a contact tracing app for staff and visitors to campus.

We could remain at Level 2 for some time to come. We will ease back to normal only when the time is right for us and we can assure ourselves that it is safe to do so. In the meantime we require everyone to follow the kaupapa of kaitiakitanga – rigorous hygiene practices, physical distancing, managed arrangements for shared spaces, contact tracing and limited movement around campus.

The library is open on a carefully

managed basis. Students wishing to come in and use it are welcome but bookings are preferred. It is also operating a call and collect, and courier service.

Ngā Purapura, the gymnasium, is open to members and is not accepting casuals right now. If you are a member and feel the need for some physical exercise we welcome you but please book ahead.

See our phone contact details below.

Our popular café is open and food is available on a call and collect basis, with marked spaces.

He Iti nā Mōtai childcare centre is open, as is the Kura Tiaki, an after-school programme. However, we remind those who would like to use these services that children who are unwell need to be cared for at home.

During the last eight weeks we have learnt much about our capability and capacity to provide educational programmes under considerable strain.

Staff have progressed their own abilities to ensure students are given what they need to succeed. While we have been launched into it sooner than we had anticipated, our creativity, capability and capacity with increased skills has lifted to a higher level. Our students remain forefront in our minds with the need for them to stay supported, informed and engaged. A recently established Quality and Innovation Hub to assist academic areas in the construction of online programmes will enhance what we have already produced. This will provide

students with a model of excellence, quality and innovation. Even some areas that we had previously seen as ‘no go’ or ‘do not interfere with’ have been or will be trialed to establish unique innovative methods of teaching and learning.

To bolster the technological progress we also have Support Champions from each area who work alongside programme directors, administrators and teachers – educating, facilitating, finding solutions for staff. We now have a team over 60 people from all areas of the wānanga able to support this work. A Learner Support Call Centre is currently being established.

It is quite on the cards that the new ’normal’ for Te Wānanga o Raukawa may look quite different from that of the past.

The Covid 19 crisis has enabled us to plan a new, exciting future. We will need to have future discussion about what would we like to retain from pre-Covid life and how we can integrate all of our recent learnings into a high quality experience for all who engage with us.

We didn’t waste this crisis, but used it to create opportunities.

Visit us at 144 Tasman Road, Ōtaki when this is over!

Phone us at 0800 WĀNANGA Visit our website at www.wananga.com Email us at tetomonga@twor-otaki.ac.nz

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

Rotary Revving Up! Ōtaki Rotary have been meeting regularly during lockdown via ZOOM technology.

A bit challenging at times, but the vital Fellowship and Community service ethic have been maintained!

We have a ‘Lets get cracking’ breakfast planned for Thursday 4th June, a full meeting with Dinner set down for 11th June at the Rotary Lounge, and Changeover is set down for 25th June, all ‘Covid-19’ allowing.

Incoming President for 2020/2021 is Adrian Gregory, (wife Ann) well known to many of you via his commitment to Community health outcomes, and as Chair of BirthrightNZ. We are already in preparation for our role catering for the Big Bang Adventure Race held on the first Saturday in November.

This will be our 10th provision for this fun event, so if you want to chuck off the sloth of Lockdown, get fit and get well

fed, register now for this highlight of the Multi-sport calendar! Ōtaki Rotary has provided an ERK (Emergency Response Kit!) to Vanuatu to assist with shelter and supplies badly needed after the recent Cyclone.

Clubs throughout NZ have risen to the occasion, and maintained our commitment to our Pacific Island neighbours in time of need.

The Rotary Lounge is now open again and available for hire. Bookings and Keys are available from Joanne at First National Ōtaki, (06)364 8350, based on $25 per hour. It has good heating and kitchen facilities, and can host up to 85 Persons, depending on the nature of your event.

We look forward to a Winter and Spring of greater activity!

Grant

We are a registered and recognised funeral provider as per covid 19 requirements, and provide options for whanau to farewell their loved ones.

As always we are still answering our phone 24/7, so please feel free to ring us with any queries or concerns you may have.

We are here to help you and offer professional advice, while we support one another during this time We will be doing all we can in the current circumstances to help whanau have a meaningful farewell for their loved one Regular updates at www.harveybowler.co.nz Kia Kaha Otaki

Open Tuesday Mornings or by appointment Freephone: 0800 FD CARE Email: support@harveybowler.co.nz

www.harveybowler.co.nz

Te Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa

Changes to our Service

Last year’s Big Bang was a huge success: best of luck in 2020

Hey-ho, hey-ho, it’s back to work we go As most of us will be heading back to work these days, our pets will stay behind. At home. By themselves.

For some of them this will be a cause of stress and separation anxiety.

There are many ways stress can manifest itself in our animals. Whining and hyperventilating, marking and urinating in inappropriate spots, excessive grooming or licking are just some of them.

While the best approach is to not let your pet get stressed in the first place, there are options in dealing with it.

Working on the behaviour and psyche of your pet, re-training and re-setting their behaviour is best achieved by consulting with a veterinary behaviourist. These are qualified vets who underwent extensive extra training and exams in animal

behaviour. They can come to your home to work with you and your pet individually, in your particular environment.

Natural calming remedies for pets will work for some but not for others.

Pheromone based products, available from your vet clinic, are products that mimic your pet’s natural chemical signals, creating reassurance, calmness, relaxation and comfort.

These smells can only be smelled by your cat or dog, not by humans.

Products like these, reduce signs of stress and anxiety and can be of great help.

Interactive toys can also be good distraction and entertainment. But make sure the toy is safe to be used unsupervised.

The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has made the tough decision to cease our face-to-face service to walk-in clients (including clinics) due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This is about putting the safety of our people, clients and communities first during the Covid-19 outbreak.

However, you can still access the CAB service in Ōtaki by phone and email.

You can phone us free anytime, including from a mobile, on 0800 367 222 and 06 364 8664

or email us anytime at otaki@cab.org.nz . We will get back to you Monday to Friday (except public holidays) between the hours of 10.00 am and 1 pm.

You can also find lots of great information, including information about the impact of Covid-19, on our website (www.cab.org.nz).

We will be reviewing this situation regularly to assess when it is safe to resume our face-to-face service and we will advise you when we return to our full service

Some more tips to help keep your dog calm while you’re away are • create a safe space, where your dog or cat can go to hide or relax • take your dog for a tiring walk before you leave home • do not make a fuss when you leave the house

And the hardest to follow tip: • when returning home to your dog your return should be kept calm to avoid your dog becoming excited Good luck everyone, and remember that your vet clinic is always happy to give advice and help you find the best solution for your situation.

Ōtaki Vets

269 Mill Road 364 6941 364 7089

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

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Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

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

LIBRARIANS CHOICE I Capture The Castle

The Good Turn

by Dodie Smith

by Dervla McTeirnan

Reviewed by Tiriata There wasn’t much reading at my house during lockdown. So I’m reviewing a “classic” – one that deservedly makes those lists of books you should read before you die. I Capture the Castle is a very English coming-of-age story, written

by British author Dodie Smith during WWII when she and her husband (a conscientious objector) were living in California. I first read this book about fifteen years ago. I was absolutely delighted – but also upset that I hadn’t found it sooner. It is the perfect fit for dreamy adolescents.

The narrator is 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, an aspiring novelist, who lives with her offbeat and penniless family in a crumbling rented castle. Through her personal journals, Cassandra hones her writing skills by “capturing” her household’s story. Her novelist father is wrestling with writer’s block, her stepmother Topaz is a naturist, her older sister Rose imagines herself a Jane Austen heroine, while little brother Thomas is fifteen and precocious. There’s also the shy, beautiful gardener Steven, who works unpaid out of loyalty. He is in love with Cassandra, who finds his affection slightly awkward.

Dervla McTiernan returns to her award winning series of Irish-based crime novels with another winner in The Good Turn. While the previous two books in this series (The Ruin and The Scholar) centred around lead detective Cormac Reilly, The Good Turn moves the focus onto his young offsider Peter Fisher.

When Peter Fisher is called to the scene of a supposed prank call, irritation turns to terror when he realises this is no joke.

A young boy says he witnessed a little girl being bundled into a car, and Peter believes him.

DI Cormac Reilly and Peter search frantically for answers, but find obstacles put in their way by the one person who should be helping them: Superintendent Bryan Murphy. Frustrated and severely short-staffed, Peter and Cormac are pushed to breaking point, resulting in a fatal mistake.

Cormac is suspended from duty and Peter is banished to a tiny town on the West Coast of Ireland, where’s he’s tasked with doing the paperwork in a murder investigation that’s supposed to have been resolved. But something isn’t adding up, including the mysterious appearance of a young woman and her nine-year-old daughter, who hasn’t spoke a word in months . . .

With the arrival of the family’s new American landlords, the wealthy Cotton brothers, Rose sees an Austen-like opportunity for them all to escape their impoverished circumstances. This sets off a series of events that result in changes in the family – and new romantic opportunities for both sisters. Utterly charming and sweet, this really is a must-read (before you die).

Te Reo Māori : the basics explained

by David Kārena-Holmes The use of te reo Māori has snowballed in the past few years, as has the demand for Māori language courses and resources.

But many English speakers yearn for a thorough guide to the building blocks of grammar in te reo, and the differences between Māori and English language principles. Te Reo Māori: The Basics Explained offers just that.

After an introductory chapter on pronunciation and written forms of the language, a further 17 chapters introduce the main base words, particles and determiners that guide their use. The book employs real-life examples to illustrate how Māori grammar works day to day, while teaching how to build phrases, sentences and paragraphs. All in a user-friendly layout, with key language aspects highlighted.

David Kārena-Holmes, has been learning te reo Māori and teaching the language to others for over 40 years. His interest was piqued in the late 1970s, when he returned home after a stint overseas. He has received some criticism in the past for being a Pākehā writing about te reo Māori. However, as he writes in the book, ‘if te reo Māori is to thrive into the future it must be used in practice continuously”.

Te Reo Māori: The Basics Explained, draws on his previous books and decades of experience to provide an essential companion for speakers at any level.

Historical Duo: Awakened by the prince’s passion

by Bronwyn Scott /

Her convenient husband’s return

by Eleanor Webster.

For all those unapologetic lovers of historical romance comes this 2-for-1 deal from Mills & Boon. Just the thing if you’re looking for love and a happy ending in the age of physical distancing.

Sit back with a nice cup of tea, join the swoon club and be swept away.

Awakened By The Prince’s Passion: Crown Princess Dasha is plucked from the flames of rebellion and sent to London with no memory of the past - though everyone says she’s the heiress to Kuban’s throne. Yet she trusts Ruslan Pisarev on first sight and he becomes her protector, her confidante, even her lover.

But can Ruslan claim her forever when she is awakened to the truth of her identity?

Her Convenient Husband’s Return: After Beth married her childhood friend to escape from debt, he swiftly returned to his life in London. But now Ren’s back as Lord of the Estate and Beth’s heart pounds whenever he is near! She’s wary of his expectations of her to produce an heir, for fear of passing on her blindness.

But Ren’s hidden sensitivity is a surprise - could their arrangement become something much more passionate?

Did you know: Thirty-five million Mills & Boon titles are sold each year worldwide. . . which translates into a Mills & Boon book being put through the tills every 3 seconds!

22

Ōtaki Mail – June 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

368 2037 364 7495 364 3322

Concrete Work Bevan Concrete 0800 427522 0274 443 041 Rasmac Contractors Koastal Kerb 027 554 0003 Estate Agents First National 364 8350 Harcourts 364 5284 Professionals 364 7720 Tall Poppies 0274 792 772 Property Brokers 06 920 2001 Funeral Directors Harvey Bowler 368 2954 I.C. Mark Ltd 368 8108 04 298 5168 Kapiti Coast Funeral Waikanae Funeral 04 293 6844 Funeral Celebrant Annie Christie 364-0042 Insurance Inpro 364 6123 Nurseries 100&1 364 7084 Talisman 364 5893 Te Horo Garden Centre 364 2142 364 8758 Watsons Garden Centre Kapiti Coast District Council General Inquiries 364 9301 Toll Free 0800 486 486 364 9317 Ōtaki Library Ōtaki Swimming Pool 64 5542 Lawyer Susie Mills Law 364 7190 Simco Lawyers 364 7285 Locksmith Ōtaki Locksmith 021 073 5955 Mowers Mower & Engineering 364 5411 Plumbing About Plumbing 364 5586 Henderson Plumbing 364 5252 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

CENTRAL AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES MAIN ROAD SOUTH, LEVIN

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

FULL DIESEL REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

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

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)

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

364 8886

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

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

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

otakicr@gmail.com

www.otakicollisionrepairs.co.nz

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

23

ĹŒtaki Mail – June 2020

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

Locally owned and Operated by the Mark Family since 1973

ƒ „ …†‡ ˆ

‰ Š ‹ ŒŠ Ž

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

We provide a 24 hour service, we do have standard office hours but sometimes you need us immediately. Our four funeral directors are professionally qualified and live locally in this region, Graham grew up in Otaki. We have purpose built facilities, 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 fitting farewell. In �mes of need we are here to help.

Plumbing Gasfitting • 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

John, Merryn, Andrew, Graham, Diane, Rodney

It’s about being there in times of need

ĹŒtaki Churches welcome you ANGLICAN

� �� ���� � � ­� € ‚ � �

 �

Phone: 0274 443 041 or 0274 401 738

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

ĹŒtaki 9.30am 47 Te Rauparaha St 1st and 3rd Sundays Eucharist 9.30am Te Horo St Margarets 38 School Rd 2nd and 4th Sundays Eucharist 9.30am Manakau St Andrews 23 Mokena Kohere St 5th Sunday 9.30am Eucharist ĹŒtaki Rangiatea Church Services 37 Te Rauparaha St Sunday Eucharist: 9am Church viewing hours, school terms: Mon–Fri 9.30am–1.30pm Acts Churches The HUB tel ofďŹ ce: 364 6838 Tel: 364 6911 email: rangiatea.church@xtra.co.nz ShannonTurongo Church, Poutu Marae 157 Tasman Rd, ĹŒtaki 10.15am Family service Shannon/Foxton Highway 10.15am Big Wednesday 3rd Sunday 11.30am Baptist Levin Ngatokowaru Marae Tel: 364 8540 Hokio Beach Road Cnr Te Manuao Road/SH1 4th Sunday 11am 10am service CATHOLIC ĹŒtaki St Mary’s “Pukekarakaâ€?

4 Convent Road Weekend Mass Sunday Mass 10am Kuku St Stephens Last Sunday of the month, 9am

Presbyterian Rev. Peter L. Jackson Tel: 364 6346 249 Mill Rd, ĹŒtaki Worship: 11am Cafe Church: 2nd Sunday, 10.45am

24

Ōtaki Mail – June 2020

RECOGNISING AWESOMENESS

BY NIKKI LINDIE We haven’t been able to hold our annual prize giving due to the current Covid restrictions, but that hasn’t stopped us celebrating or acknowledging that we have some awesome clubbies in our midst.

First up, winners of our nipper cups for 2019-20 season: Highly Commended - Board Paddling • Nikaia Higson, Toby Mannix and Ollie Moyle Highly Commended - Swimming • Nikaia Higson, Thomas Kelly Most Improved - Club Cups • Most Improved Boy 10 yrs or under Jake Hawkins • Most Improved Girl 10 yrs or under Isla Yaxley • Most Improved Boy 12 yrs or under Fraser Martin • Most Improved Girl 12 yrs or under Ruby Hawkins • Most Improved Boy U14 yrs or under

Victor Perkins • Most Improved Girl U14 yrs or under Zara Brooker Outstanding Attitude & Commitment • Kareena Lenaghan Competition Cups • Most Successful Junior Competitor, Best U14 Board Paddler, Best U14 Swimmer Khendall Maxwell Next, winners of our senior cups for 2019-20 season.

Best senior swimmer and board paddler Luther Maxwell - Luther has had an impressive season, gold and silver in the surf race and run swim run at Nationals, silver in the U19 Iron, bronze in the surf teams and board race. At Eastern’s Luther collected golds in the iron and surf race, silver in the surf teams and bronze in the taplin and board.

Best senior ski paddler Ella Kingi - Two silver medals at Nationals in the surf race and an impressive silver in the open women’s iron, two bronze medals in the U19 iron and tube rescue. Ella also

won silver at Eastern’s in the U19 Iron and a bronze in the ski race.

Most improved competitor certificate Logan Philp The improvement Logan has made over the past season is amazing congratulations Logan all of your hard work is paying off.

2019-20 Rookie of the Year Ella Gilpin - Ella is a regular on patrols who is always keen and willing to lend a hand. We are looking forward to Ella becoming a lifeguard this coming season.

The Craig Family Trophy under 16 Member Anika Edginton - A new lifeguard this season Anika has really learnt a lot over the passed season and proven herself to be a valued member of her patrol.

The Progress Award Xyvana Stephens - Xyvana is in her 2nd year as a lifeguard and achieved level 1 first aid this season. Xyvana was a regular helper with nippers over the season.

McMurchie Family Trophy for most patrol hours – Ethan Rutter

Ethan completed 69 voluntary hours over the season - spending time on nearly all of our 5 patrols a great start to his lifeguard journey.

Pat McGreal Trophy for volunteer of the year – Peter van der Sman - Peter has helped out with a large number of projects around the club this season building our flash new board racks, installing our awesome new storyboards and a heap of those other jobs that need doing.

Under 19 Lifeguard of the year – Nicholas Fleming - Nick has had an awesome season, as vice pc on his patrol he has spent many hours teaching and guiding the new lifeguards and rookies.

Nick is helpful, knowledgeable and a great role model for our younger members.

Surfmans award for Lifeguard of the Year Cassie Lundie - Patrol Captain on patrol, nippers coach, lifeguard instructor, head regional guard, lifeguard in charge of our water safety sessions and all round great role model.

Ōtaki Pool opens Welcome back Hoki Mai Ōtaki. We have been back in action for a week now, and it’s been great to see the return of some familiar faces.

We are open during our regular hours, but under some restrictions.

At present, we cannot offer any pool equipment to lane swimmers or families on the weekend, and our spa and sauna are also out of action, although we hope to have reopened at least our spa over the coming days.

For up to date information, please feel free to call, or pop in. Hope to see you soon.

Hei kōnei hei ākuanei

Bowls gets back under way

BY FRANK NEILL

Jane Selby-Paterson in action when bowling got back under way in Ōtaki on 17 May.

Bowling got under way on 17 May following the Covid-19 lockdown when the Ōtaki Bowling Club held its club day.

The competition attracted 18 players in what Club Captain Paul Selby described as a “fantastic” afternoon’s play.

“We are looking quite good at the moment,” Mr Selby says.

“We have quite a few prospective new members, although we would desperately like some new women members.

“This new green would be as good as anything in the country.” Made from tiger turf woven material, the new green cost the club some $230,000, largely made possible by grants, “We were lucky to get a grant from the New Zealand Community Trust towards the costs of the new green. We started playing on it in October last year,” Mr Selby says. Ōtaki Bowling Club is just one club that plays on the green at Waerenga Road. So, too, does the Ōtaki Railway Bowling Club.

The only person from the Ōtaki Railway Bowling Club who played on 17 May was the secretary-treasurer Maureen Beaver, although she was playing as an Ōtaki Bowling Club member.

Bowls will be held at the club from 1pm on Wednesdays and Sundays, and new players are welcome to attend.

There was some not-so-good news for the two Ōtaki champions, however.

Paul Selby won the Kāpiti Coast Bowling Centre’s champion of champions singles on 7 March.

Mr Selby’s wife, Jane Selby-Paterson, and Ronnie Crone won the Kāpiti champion of champion women’s pairs in late February.

With their victories, Mr Selby qualified for the national singles in Naenae in July, while Mrs Selby-Paterson and Mrs Crone qualified for the national pairs in Dunedin, also in July.

These events have been cancelled, however, because of Covid-19.

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.