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Wednesday March 30, 2016
inbrief news
Thai Students welcomed to Wainui High
Puppet Making at the Library Wainuiomata Community Library is hosting a puppet making workshop this Saturday, April 2. The family event will have people making their own puppets and creating a puppet show. The workshop is free and all materials will be provided. Event starts at 2pm. All welcome.
By Emma McAuliffe
Hutt City Council Annual Plan Public consultation for the Hutt City Council’s annual plan opened earlier this week. This year‘s Annual Plan is focused on projects including the Town Hall and Events Centre and upgrades to Avalon Park and Huia Pool. To have your say, pick up a consultation document at any Hutt City Library or online at huttcity.govt. nz/annualplan by Friday, April 29.
Declan with his exchange student, Dragon
Wainuiomata High School and Wainuiomata Intermediate School welcomed exchange students from Bangkok earlier this month. International Student Dean from Wainuiomata High School, Virginia Wilson, said the students would be in New Zealand for four weeks. “Some of them are thinking of studying in New Zealand if they have a good time,” she said. All students have been partnered with a family for the duration of their visit and will attend school each day with a buddy. Declan Reid-O’Connell is one of the Wainuiomata High School students with a buddy from Bangkok. He said he had been playing lots of football with his buddy, Mongkorn
Phumsawai, who goes by ‘Dragon’ whilst in New Zealand. “I’ve been showing him around my area down the coast. I introduced him to new food like fish and chips. He likes fish and chips,” Declan said. Dragon said he liked New Zealand so far. “Everyone in your country is very friendly,” he said. As part of their trip the exchange students got taken around Wellington tourist sites. Virginia said there would be a trip to Rotorua over Easter weekend. Wainuiomata High School is always on the lookout for more homes wishing to offer full board to international exchange students. For more information contact Ali Saunders at 9383224 ext. 7015 or at alisonm@wainuiomatahigh.school.nz
New Zealand votes to keep current flag By Emma McAuliffe
The results are in. New Zealand will keep its current flag. The preliminary results for the second flag referendum were released last Thursday night, with 56.6 per cent of New Zealanders voting to keep the current flag. Over two million eligible voters participated. Hutt South MP, Trevor Mallard said he supported keeping the current flag and said a slight majority voted for the current flag
in Hutt South. Voter turnout in the Hutt South electorate was 33,991 which amounted to 70.3 per cent of its total eligible voters. Of those who took part 57 per cent voted to keep the current flag. “I think people were really upset about what was being spent on it, the designs were amateurish and none really grabbed [New Zealand’s attention] like the maple leaf did for Canadians,” Trevor said. He said he originally wanted to change the flag but disagreed with the process and
context of the referendum. He said the result of the referendum did not mean New Zealand should never change the flag. “It should be done in the context, maybe in 2040 when it’s the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.” He said the referendum was a distraction from the “real issues” New Zealand was facing. “Inequality and child poverty are the issues the government should be addressing,” Trevor said.
CONSULTATION ON HUTT CITY COUNCIL’S 2016/17 ANNUAL PLAN IS UNDERWAY. We are continuing to invest in the rejuvenation and growth of Lower Hutt. This year’s Annual Plan continues work on projects like the Town Hall and Events Centre, upgrades to Avalon Park, and new learn-to-swim and hydrotherapy facilities for Huia Pool. Council’s draft budget shows we can continue the programme of rejuvenation with an average rates increase of 2.7%, expected to be the lowest in the region.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO HAVE YOUR SAY
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS IN THE PLAN FOR 2016/17 INCLUDE:
Pick up a copy of the Consultation Document at:
• One-hour free parking in time-restricted HC2 car parks in the CBD.
Any Hutt City Library, Council’s Admin Building on Laings Road, or visit huttcity.govt.nz/annualplan
TO SPEAK TO A COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE IN PERSON VISIT: Saturday 2 April, 8am – 1pm, the Riverbank Market Friday 8 April, 10am – 12 noon, the War Memorial Library Wednesday 13 April, 7:00pm, Wainuiomata Community Board Meeting, Wainuiomata Chambers, Wainuiomata Library Saturday 16 April, 8am – 1pm, the Riverbank Market
• The development of a Stokes Valley Hub to integrate community facilities. • Strategic conference and event promotion of new and existing Council facilities • Increased programmes and activities at Petone Settlers Museum • Community art and culture funding for a winter related programme of events
huttcity.govt.nz/annualplan