Waikino Whisper June 2022 Issue 165

WAIKINO WHISPER TALES TO TELL TALES OF WAIKINO HOT POOLS ELETTE WHEELER

MATARIKI CELEBRATING, REMEMBERING LOOKING FOWARD

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ISSUE 165

•

JUNE

2022

'CROSSING OVER' BY ELETTE WHEELER

Manawatia a Matariki

Winter is upon us, and those mornings and evenings are getting pretty chilly. This month we welcome Matariki – the Māori name for the cluster of stars that rise in midwinter and for many Māori mark the start of the new year. For the first time in Aotearoa New Zealand we will officially celebrate with a public holiday on Friday the 24th of June 2022. I hope you'll join the community for the dawn viewing at Bowentown on the 24th - I'm really looking forward to my first viewing.

June is a busy month! This Saturday 4th of June is the Miners and Madams Ball at the Waikino Hotel – just $30 a ticket which includes a buffet dinner and live music (Mark Taipari). On that note – I have to apologise for a mistake in the May issue. A finger slip on my part meant the article on the Hotel read that the hotel was built in 1987... it should have been 1897. Head down to the Hotel this weekend to celebrate this massive 125 year milestone.

On the 12th of June we have the launch of the second True Tales of Waikino and Waitekauri book at the Waikino Station Cafe (more in this issue).

We welcome a new business to town – Kate Mead and Ross Vickery (previous of Wairarapa) are launching their new second hand book and coffee shop in the supper room of the Victoria Hall in Waikino in mid-June. Kate and Ross have previously run a similar business called Loco Coffee & Books in Featherston.

Welcome to the community!

Waikino School is having a community Matariki evening on 23rd of June, and the annual Matariki community concert will be on 29th June at Waihi College Hall.

EDITORIAL • SARAH HOLMES COVER PHOTO BY FERNVISION DMITRI KOTELEVSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

Sarah

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ISSUES & DEADLINES We publish twice each quarter, on the first Friday of the month. This means we won't be publishing in July. Our next issue is due on 5 August 2022. If you have an article or piece you'd like to publish, please see our deadlines below.

Bookings : 15 July 2022 Cancellations : 22 July 2022 Final content due : 5pm, 29 July 2022

A TIME FOR REFLECTION: MĀORI NEW YEAR

MATARIKI Words by Vanessa McHardy

As part of Mātauranga (literally Māori knowledge) this year sees the celebration, remembering and looking forward of the Matariki with the inaugural public holiday that recognises Te Ao Māori New Year, falling this year on Friday 24th of June. The date of the holiday will change every year according to the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).

Last year at the Te Reo Immersion Te Aataarangi Waihi Beach Ako Māori lessons we had the honour of Maringirangi Pohatu kōrero about Matariki and showing us through the making of images with rauko and gestures of what each star means in the cluster for some Iwi. 1. Matariki is mother of the eight whetu in the constellation 2. Pōhutukawa is connected to the dead, particularly those who have passed since the last heliacal rising of Matariki in the month of Pipiri. Matariki is a chance to reflect on the ones we've lost over the year.

3. Tupuānuku is the whetu associated with food grown in the ground 4. Tupuārangi is associated with food that comes from the sky 5. Waiti is connected to fresh water and creatures food.

6. Waitā is associated with ocean and food from the sea.

7. Waipuna-ā-Rangi is connected to the rain 8. Ururangi means the winds of the sky 9. Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the final whetu in this group and its name is connected to the promise of a prosperous season. It is to Hiwa that we send our dreams and desires for the year, in the hope that they would be realised.

Living by the Stars with Professor Rangi Matamua on Facebook recently shared this Whakataukī/proverb: Matariki whanaunga kore; Matariki tohu mate.

Matariki the kinless; Matariki a sign of death.

Matariki rises in the winter, a time when the weak and frail often succumb to illness and die. Matariki is often seen in the sky when people pass away and this statement is a reminder to people that while Matariki is a time if celebration and enjoyment, it also has a connection to death.

From the website Matariki Festival https://www.matarikifestival. org.nz/about-matariki/

For Māori, astronomy was interwoven into all facets of life. Experts would observe the night sky, charting star and planet movements, the relationship of the stars and planets to the moon and sun, while also noting what was happening on the whenua (land) and in the moana (ocean), lakes and awa (rivers). All of these celestial star beings were attributed qualities and named accordingly, and their stories were woven into the history of the people.

Historically, new year celebrations provided the opportunity for whānau to come together to acknowledge the year gone by, prepare and plan for the year ahead; to celebrate with kai, kōrero, ceremony and entertainment.

Join the celebration ceremony Friday 1st July 6am top of Tohorā View Rd, Waihi Beach, then to Breakfast /kai at Waihi organised by Waihi Beach School and Te Whānau o Tauwhao

For a time, these celebrations were only acknowledged and celebrated by iwi, but at the beginning of the 21st century a cultural renaissance occurred, making knowledge of this special time of the year an important part of New Zealand’s history.

Today, everyone in Aotearoa has the opportunity to celebrate the unique places we live in, show respect for the land we live on, and to share and grow together through traditions that continue each year, with the support of kaupapa like Matariki Festival.

The following resource gives a good explanation of how to find Matariki in the night sky: https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram /5159/matariki-in-the-night-sky

SCHOOL LIFE Cross Country Event by Tia Wednesday the 25th of May we had our school wide cross-country event down at the Waikino Domain.

Everyone had a good time and was supporting each other by cheering them on. Navy, Ella Egan, William Lathan, Marika, Finley, Aria Kuyper, Sonny, Sophia Egan, Jordan, Abby, Zoren and Molly congrats to them for placing and a big thanks to all the parents for coming. They have been practising every day even when they didn’t want to.

This was a big day for our tamariki, lucky they all had a good day.

Thank you to the community of Waikino for driving carefully every morning while we practiced and when all our parents came to watch.

Kai for kura - by Marley Year six students this term did a project of cooking food for the school . The main objective was to utilise what is growing in our gardens, showing off our garden to table concept. The money raised will cover the extra food costs and form part of the year six group fundraising for their end of year

Life Skills Mental Health & Wellbeing by Amy Vanessa, a local Life Skills specialist, comes in every Tuesday to teach the students of all ages facts about the brain. One week we were taught about the four different parts of the brain, the reptilian, alarm system, the mammalian and the frontal cortex.

The alarm system part of the brain is the fight, flight or freeze/fawn.

Vanessa gave us an example by making us feel relaxed until she blew the whistle and asked what our reaction was; fight/flight/ freeze. The Mammalian part of the brain is the emotion, sense and feeling. Frontal Cortex is the thinking part of the brain, where you do your learning, maths and reading.

cross country Keep an eye out for our environmental warriors, as we have signed up to be a part of the nationwide project 'Backyard Battle'. Our students will be collecting litter from local areas, recording all the data and helping to feed this back to the National Litter Audit for New Zealand. They will become Citizen Scientists surveying the local area and working through what it all means. Watch this space - we may need some community help along the way!

Vanessa showed us on a slide how the Frontal Cortex develops as you get older, when you're 10 you will only be 35% of the way! The Mammalian is only 60% developed when you're born since you need to adapt to the place around you, she gave us an example: So, if a kid is born in London there's lots of traffic so he must adapt to that environment or if a kid is born in Waikino there's not lots of traffic so that kid adapts to that environment.

At these sessions we learn to relax using our breath, show how we are feeling through the 1 to 5 chart (shared in issue 164) and talk about how we feel our brain helps us, or works.

It is a lot of fun learning all about our brain!

trip. The first week the whole group made hot dogs to get a feel for how it will all work. Then it was the turn of group 'MMMMZ', they made spaghetti with meatballs.

'Crazy Weirdos' vegetarian option of Frittata. Lastly, it was the year six boys and yummy nachos. All the students at Waikino loved the food, had fun eating in our café all together. Thank you, Dan, Alex and Mrs Wheway for your support.

We had fun! We want to do it again!

A huge thank you to Tessa Hennessy, who works at Waikino School but also is an amazing swim coach for Waihi Swimming. We are very lucky that our tamariki get swimming lessons as part of their day in Term 1 at Waikino School.

LOCAL ACTIVITY

WHAT'S ON The Council is asking for feedback on a few things at the moment. We've pulled out the parts most relevant to Waikino for you to look at.

SPEED LIMITS

Selected rural roads are being proposed for speed limit changes. Most of Waitawheta Road is proposed at 80km/h, except for a 40km/h portion near the Owharoa Falls. Most of Pukekauri Road is proposed at 80km/h, except for a 60km/h portion along Pukekauri Road (this is shown on the map below).

80km/h speed limit proposed: Old Tauranga Road, Pukewera Road, Swetman Road, Taieri Road, Kennedy Road, Dickey Flat Road, Franklin Road, Dean Road, Spence Road, Hume Road, McLean Road, Bellamys Road.

40km/h speed limit proposed: Parts of Princes Street, Abbott Road, Queen Street, Poland Street, Larsen Road, Old Waitekauri Road (from Victoria Hall end to Larsen Road).

Roads were selected based on proximity to the school, crash data and customer requests.

The Council doesn't look after state highways, so has no ability to change speed limits through the Karangahake Gorge (state highway 2).

STOCK CROSSING

The Council is proposing that permits will be required to cross stock on the Council's roads in some areas. This is to protect people driving, and reduce the damage to roads caused by stock and effluent.

HAVE YOUR SAY SPEED LIMITS, STOCK CROSSINGS, AND MORE

Whether you'll need a permit or not will depend on the road location, how busy it is, and how many times you cross stock. If you're a farmer and this affects you, head to the website and review the list of roads to see if you will require a permit.

MORE RUBBISH

Council's proposing to license certain waste operators collecting waste in the District. They're also proposing that organisers of large events will require waste minimisation plans. Waste minimisation plans will also be required for building projects over $500,000.

TRAFFIC RULES

Heavy vehicle restrictions are proposed for turning off Waitawheta Road onto Pukekauri Road (and vice versa), as well as a 'no motor vehicles' rule for the end of Taieri Road. The Council is also considering the level of enforcement or parking, and whether to appoint someone to address persistent issues, like ongoing parking over footpaths or in mobility carparks without a permit. Read more on the website.

Watch recorded webinars, read more, and give your feedback at: https://weneedtotalk.haurakidc.govt.nz/

Dark blue - 40km/h Red - 80km/h Orange 60km/h

WHAT'S ON

February 2022 | pg 8 June 2022 | pg 5

Our stories preserve our history for years to come FERNVISION DMITRI KOTELEVSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

HI DDEN GOLD

TALES TO TELL Waikino & Waitekauri

With the history that Waikino has, there’s bound to be some good stories to be shared. A new book being launched this month does just that, sharing and celebrating some of these stories.

Two Treasury Archive and Research Centre volunteers have been working hard over the last few years to collect local stories by local people, to publish in its new ‘ More True Tales of Waikino and Waitekauri ’ book.

An earlier edition of True Tales was published in 2016 (pictured). By the time it was published, long-time Waikino resident, history lover and story collector Bev Stubbs had already started finding and receiving more tales to share. With the first book proving popular, she realised a second book of tales needed to be published.

More True Tales of Waikino and Waitekauri is the latest addition to the nationwide True Tales series, and the latest of many local True Tales books published by The Treasury Archive and Research Centre. What is special about the True Tales series is that they are a collection of local stories written by local people. Editor Geraldine Dunwoodie emphasises that this isn’t another history book written by academics. “These are about new stories and photos coming to light. These help preserve our history for years to come. Some of the authors have already passed on and if it wasn’t for Bev asking them to write their story, they would have been lost.”

The book includes a variety of stories about life in Waikino and Waitekauri – its people, places, and businesses. From the Waikino School of Mines to the Falls Retreat to the full lyrics of the ‘Waitekauri Ev’ry Time’ song. A bonus section in the book sets out previously unavailable information on the Victoria Battery from the last supervisor there.

HIDDEN GOLD * The Treasury True Tales By Katherine Quinn

FERNVISION DMITRI KOTELEVSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

More True Tales is not just about tales of the past. The new book includes ‘What Makes a Waikino Kid’ stories from local Waikino School tamariki/children.

Bev Stubbs and Geraldine Dunwoodie

More True Tales will be launched at the Waikino Station Café on Sunday 12 June 2022 at 2pm.

Bev and Treasury spokesperson Beth Mackay invite all locals to join them as they celebrate the release of this book. Excerpts of the stories will be shared and refreshments provided.

The Treasury 705 - 709 Queen Street, Thames Phone: 07 868 8827 Website: https://www.thetreasury.org.nz/ Email: manager.thetreasury@gmail.com Facebook: @TheTreasuryThames

Geraldine notes that it is only through volunteer hours, local enthusiasm and financial support from funders that the new book has come to fruition. A generous grant from the James Searle Say Foundation has funded the printing of the books, professional photography and the launch event.

Other funders including the Hauraki District Council help The Treasury run its archive and open the doors to its research centre.

The Treasury Archive and Research Centre collects and protects records for the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Plains at risk of being lost.This includes old photographs, maps and plans, medallions and medals, certificates, diaries and letters, manuscripts, books, genealogies and family stories. The Treasury also provides a research centre in Thames and online to support people in researching their family and local history. Members of the public are welcome to bring historical family memorabilia to the archive for long-term preservation.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the launch or can be pre-ordered at all good bookshops in the area or the website below.

All proceeds go to The Treasury.

Opening Hours

11am - 3pm Monday, Thursday, Friday.

Closed Public Holidays and between Christmas and New Year.

June 2022 | pg 7

L O C A L

C R E A T I V E

Written by Sarah Holmes

Elette bought her Waitekauri property 16 years ago, and made the permanent move here 2 years later, feeling ‘taught out’. She had been a lecturer and coordinator at the Auckland School of Design, Massey University, Albany, and when the programme ended, it was a good opportunity to take the leap into the simpler life in Waikino.

ELETTE

Elette is a talented and varied artist – from honey label illustrations, to paintings, portraits, children's books, and graphic novels. She works from her home in Waikino, and has no lack of projects to keep her busy. Her work is generated by word of mouth, or from 'hauntings' of subjects that she feels compelled to capture.

Art has to have meaning and value to ignite Elette. It is a spiritual experience, and she connects with her subjects by giving herself a higher reason for doing them. For example, a current project she's working on is a series of horse paintings. She says they were on her mind for a year before she finally put pencil to paper. Elette doesn't take the calling lightly, and is meticulous in researching and drawing to feel the essence of 'horse' or whatever she aims to construct.

Anyone can draw – Elette says it’s just about starting. She follows the practice of somatic learning. This is a practice of embodying by doing, using the intelligence of your body to create. You can start with nothing in your mind, or have a clear vision of something, but what humbles her as an artist is manifesting something from nothing. Before that image is drawn or painted, it never existed in the world before.

Some of Elette's paintings will be for sale in the future, however she is currently not taking on new work.

Anyone can draw it’s just about starting

hot pools

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

EXPLORING LOCAL

By Vanessa McHardy

DIVINE HOTPOOLS

I grew up in Tauranga and hot pools were a treat something that was on our family outing list. Each of these hotpools have different benefits and experiences.

Closest to home is Athenree hotpools: 30 mins which are mineral pools. When you're soaking you can feel the silk-like bubbles on your skin, your hair and body are saying a huge thank you. Why not include a walk on the beach at Bowentown? If you include a stop at the Surf Shack for the best burgers in NZ (quite the accolade awarded by Lonely Planet), perfect day out.

Te Aroha Mineral Spa: 35 mins Under the mountain of love lies the healing mineral hot waters we can now soak into – in the luxury of private tubs. You can hire them by the half hour and there are other spa treatments available so you can make it a great day out.

Mount Hot Pools: 1 hr 15 mins from Waihi these pools have been revamped and are world class.

Choose from two large pools, one cooler and for lane swimming; there are swim fit aerobic classes during the week. The other is hot and has the best shoulder water pressure points ever! Then there are more hotter adult only pools PLUS private Sapphire Springs: 35 mins spas, complete with Bluetooth features three warm outdoor sound systems! Combine this with swimming pools and two hot tubs, the awesome cafe, shops, with bbq facilities, plus bush walks - restaurants - great day out! amazing! The pools are fed from a natural warm water spring.

Need Whiteware? Need a TV? Need a Heat Pump?

Need any home appliances?

....then contact your locally owned and operated 100% store for all you appliance needs

WAIHI 24-26 Rosemont Road, Waihi Phone 07 863 8207. Fax 07 863 7070 Email waihi100@xtra.co.nz

WAIHI PLUMBERS

KELWYN GARRETT Plumbing • Drainlaying • Roofing HYNDS Lifestyle Wastewater Systems Mobile 0274 975 580

A/Hrs 07 863 7153

Opening mid-June in the Waikino Victoria Hall

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE O'Hagan Vision Care Main Office, Willoughby Street PO Box 106 | Paeroa 3600 T 07 862 8978 F 0800 666 717 E info@ohaganvisioncare.co.nz

no job too small domestic and commercial repairs, alterations, renovations, indoors and out, simple pricing, reliable and on time

Rod Hawkins

021 979 221

NEW WAIKINO BASED ELECTRICIAN Matt is an experienced commercial, industrial and residential electrician, now based in Waikino.

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Matt Good 021841189

Brooke Edwards Residential & Lifestyle Sales 07 863 2288 • 027 435 5905 EVES Real Estate (Waihi), 42 Seddon Street

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