Porirua news
Food for thought
P3
CALL US: 587 1660
Your local news from Tawa to Pukerua Bay
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Children sign up to deliver message
SPELL IT OUT: St Pius X School students, from left, Addison Dewsnap, Josefine Haring, Adia de la Torre, Pierce Brooking, Leila Janes, Zoe Ferguson, and Deztinee Va’alele, with students from Newlands College, spell out ‘Aotearoa’ in sign language on the steps of Parliament last week, as part of the launch of an instructional DVD which teaches ‘God Defend New Zealand’ in all three official languages — Te Reo Maori, New Zealand Sign Language and English. Last week was Sign Language Week, and the gathering on the steps duplicated a celebration five years ago with the passing of the New Zealand Sign Language Act, which made sign language an official language of New Zealand. Deaf Aotearoa created the DVD resource, the first official teaching resource of the anthem created by a national deaf organisation. Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy officially launched the DVD on behalf of the Minister for Disability Issues, Tariana Turia. It is available online at www.nzsign.co.nz. Deaf Aotearoa chief executive Rachel Noble Photo: Andrew Bonallack / CCN050511ABsignDVD01 says they would like to see the anthem signed during official national and local government events.
A good sign
p7
Red for the rescue
p11
Cupboard almost bare
Continued on page 3
INFO In a Families Commission report released last year, increasing numbers of people are accessing food banks as the price of food continues to rise. In the past year food prices have increased by 3.8 per cent, with fruit and vegetable prices up 8.1 per cent. National studies have found 47 per cent of low-income households report they cannot always afford to buy the food they need such as fruit and vegetables. Running out of food is termed ‘food insecurity’ and is directly linked to obesity and chronic disease. Unhealthy diets are the number one cause of chronic disease such as cancer and diabetes that lead to 8500 deaths in New Zealand every year.
VEHICLES WANTED GET CASH TODAY!
Need Cash?
7951332AA
C AT E R I N G & V E N U E H I R E
8064147AB 85.H
Your one stop function spot
For Van, Ute, 4WD, Truck
$150 - $500*
Weddings • Conferences Anniversaries • Birthdays Christmas Parties www.CreativeHospitality.co.nz (04)8014998
MINIMUM $500 - $5000*
join THE PORIRUA CLUB
and get great membership benefits! DEAD OR ALIVE
For Complete Car
NO REG, NO WOF, DAMAGED, DEREGISTERED
CALL US NOW 0800 800 721 SERVICING ALL WELLINGTON REGIONS *selected models only
P19
• Weekly events and club night activities • TAB and live screen viewing • Gaming room with 18 pokie machines • Fully licensed bars and restaurant www.poriruaclub.co.nz Porirua Club Inc, Lodge Place P: 04 237 6143
7731190AA65/N
of them,’’ Mr Mitchell says. He says such organisations are very stringent on providing money for bulk food purchases and food vouchers, which is what Wesley has requested. In the period from January to April 2011, the Wesley food bank received 614 applications. In the same period last year, 400 applications were received. March 2011 recorded the highest number of applications (189) received for a month in over three years. Currently, the only regular food source is a bin at Thorndon New World. While individuals do drop food off, Ms Duignan says they still have to mostly buy food to
8051447AA 7708298AA
T
he Wesley Community Action group is feeling the pinch to provide low-income families with food. Wesley Community Pantry co-ordinator Kena Duignan says the extra demand of food parcels has forced them to look at other ways to source food in Cannons Creek. ‘‘On Monday [May 2] we had 27 applications. That is 27 families [to feed]. It was really empty. ‘‘This morning we didn’t
have enough food to give people. ‘‘It was the lowest I’ve ever seen it. We give people what we can. When it gets low everybody gets a little bit less,’’ she says. Wesley Community Action fundraising manager Peter Mitchell says while the demand of food parcels has increased, the donations have decreased. The organisation has now had to approach organisations for ‘‘supplementary funding’’, he says. ‘‘In the past year we have applied to all of the organisations [such as Mana Community Trust, Lions Club and Trust Charitable Foundation]. A year before that we wouldn’t have applied to all