Wairarapa Midweek Wed 13th March

210km for home away from home

A chance meeting in an elevator at Ronald McDonald House in Wellington has lead to an unbreakable bond for two Masterton māmā and their sons – and a mammoth fundraising effort for their “home away from home”.

Holly McKay and Ryleigh Clode –accompanied by their combined six children – are participating in this month’s House to House Challenge: Hoping to clock in 210kms worth of exercise, with all proceeds going towards Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand [RMHC].

RMHC’s four houses, based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, provide accommodation, respite and practical dayto-day care for families with tamariki staying in hospital away from their hometown.

Throughout March, RMHC is encouraging whānau to “run, walk, cycle or swim” either 2.1, 21, or 210km: Representing the average distance families travel to stay at RMHC houses to be near their children.

In 2021, Holly and Ryleigh stayed, between them, close to five months – including during Level 4 lockdown – in RMHC house near Wellington Hospital, having given birth to premature baby boys.

Oliver McKay and Kaiden McRae, born at 25 and 30 weeks, respectively, battled their way back to health in the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU], their mums firmly at their bedsides. When not at the hospital, their parents stayed across the road in self-contained apartments, and were nurtured by the RMHC staff, receiving home-cooked meals, housekeeping help, and even toys and activities for their older children.

While at the house, Holly and Ryleigh “ran into each other in the lift” and quickly bonded once

Continued on page 4

Erin Kavanagh-Hall erin.kavanagh-hall@age.co.nz

A new programme at Featherston Community Centre [FCC] aims to bridge the gap between the generations – helping ease loneliness for older people, and arming tamariki with solid catering skills.

Next month, FCC will begin its Kai and Connection initiative, inviting children from Featherston’s three primary schools to link up with local kaumātua [senior citizens], and build relationships “through sharing traditions, knowledge, skills, and stories”.

The programme will, as the name suggests, have a strong focus on that which can connect all age groups: Food.

In the centre’s kitchen,

grants of up to $15,000 are available for projects that promote inclusion of older people in New Zealand communities.

FCC manager Jo Baldwin was hopeful Kai and Connection would give Featherston’s kaumātua the opportunity to share “all their wonderful knowledge” with a new generation, and feel more connected to their community. And, hopefully, learn some new tricks themselves.

“Our grandparents’ generation have lived through some hard times, and have so many wonderful skills: Like how to prepare a meal from minimal food choices, cooking from scratch, and growing their own food. And that knowledge isn’t always passed down, so it’s

Baldwin said the idea for Kai and Connection came about at the end of last year, after a group from Featherston School performed haka and waiata for FCC’s weekly Wisdom and Wellbeing group – mostly attended by people over 60. The children handed out gift boxes they had put together, and spent time getting to know the older members of their community.

“Both the tamariki and kaumatua’s faces just lit up. The kids loved being able to give, and having an adoring audience –and the older people loved being able share their stories. They felt seen.”

When creating the programme, it was important to Baldwin to address two main issues: Loneliness and

Sharing kai, building bridges

“After a while, it became easier just to sit at home in front of the TV.

“Kai insecurity is also an issue, for all generations. If children can prepare food here, for example, they can take leftovers home with them.”

The programme will kick off at the start of Term 2, assisted by a small team of volunteers. Baldwin hopes to make good use of FCC’s pātaka kai [food pantry], which receives regular donations of fresh produce.

“We get a lot of marrows and zucchini dropped off, for example. One time, we got about 10kg of carrots.

“There are a lot of things you can do with carrots – and it’s amazing how many people don’t

Band’s new EP is all the Rampage

Lucy Cooper lucy.cooper@age.co.nz

Local metal band

Rampage is “surprised and amazed” to have racked up more than 5000 monthly listeners on Spotify in just under a month, with the launch of their eponymously titled debut EP.

It’s an impressive achievement, particularly given the band formed only 18 months ago and the oldest member turned 15 last June.

Wairarapa College [Waicol] students Lucas Stoneley, Stephen Price, Liam MacArthur, Kyus Sanders and Connor McEwen have come a long way since their first live performance at Waicol’s 40-hour Famine concert in June 2022.

“It’s been a pretty big journey,” lead guitarist and vocalist Stoneley said. “We’ve got our brand now. We were kind of a school band, and now we are more of a proper band.”

Encouraged by their strong performances at

leading up to their spell in the studio to get the three tracks “as tight as possible,” Stoneley said.

This meant they were able to focus on recording each of the tracks –Oppression of War, Raging Fire and Power Beyond You – “almost all live” on day one, and use the second day to add solos and vocals.

“It was really buzzy hearing my own voice for the first time,” Stoneley said.

MacArthur, who plays guitar, agreed: “That was one of the coolest parts, hearing our own parts being played back to us.”

The EP was released in February on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music and BandCamp – and it gained solid traction early on.

The experience of the last 18 months –including their most recent performance at Masterton’s Summer Hummer concert last weekend – has given the bandmates the appetite for more writing and

FCC’s new Kai and Connection programme hopes to connect the older and younger generations through the art of cooking.

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

back in Masterton – and have “talked every day for the last two-and-a-half years”.

Now their preemie sons have grown into rambunctious toddlers, the fire-forged friends have joined forces to support RMHC, by “getting in as many kilometres as possible”.

“We thought we’d go the whole hog, and do the full 210km. People travel a long way to Ronald McDonald House to be with their kids – we were there with mums who’d come all the way from Napier and New Plymouth, so we wanted to do it for them,” Holly said.

“It’s a lot, but we’re committed to it now!

“Ronald McDonald House took so much stress away from us during such a difficult time. Pretty much everything is done for you. You don’t have to focus on doing the vacuuming when your baby is fighting for life in hospital.

“Without Ronald McDonald, I don’t know what we’d have done.”

A rough start to life

About halfway through her pregnancy, Holly developed HELLP Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication – “high blood pressure on steroids” – and was transferred to Wellington Hospital for monitoring.

“After three days, they were, ‘we have to get baby out now.’”

Little Ollie was born in July 2021 at 25 weeks and 3 days, weighing just 615 grams. He stayed at the NICU until November, where he fought a raft of health conditions, including

meconium aspiration, chronic lung disease [CLD], necrotising enterocolitis [NEC –intestinal inflammation], retinopathy of prematurity [ROP – an eye condition], and the heart condition patent ductus arteriosus [PDA].

“He loved those acronyms!” Holly said.

“You name it, he had it. He had about 10 blood transfusions, and was on and off a ventilator for weeks. On the whole, he had a 60 per cent chance of survival.

“He was very sick for a long time.”

Ryleigh, a paediatric nurse at Wairarapa Hospital, went into pre-term labour – while working a night shift – at 27 weeks. Though she was given medication that successfully stopped the labour, her waters broke at 29 weeks, and she was taken to Wellington Hospital by Life Flight. Due to high infection risk, Kaiden was delivered, via emergency caesarean, at 30 weeks and 4 days.

Kaiden, who was 1.3kg at birth, spent five weeks in the NICU. He and Ryleigh were eventually transferred to Wairarapa Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit [SCBU] –where they re-connected with Holly and Ollie.

A long stay

Holly and Ryleigh stayed a combined total of 150 nights at the Wellington RMHC house, with their partners mostly commuting between Masterton and Wellington.

Their older children

– Cooper [6] and Elena McKay [4], and Ngawai [6] and Alex McRae [5] – were initially able to spend some weekends with their parents at the House. However, the children weren’t able to enter the building once lockdown began in August – and Holly was separated from her older two until Level 3 restrictions were lifted in early September.

Also, due to covid restrictions, only one parent could visit the NICU at a time – which

both women found “very traumatic”.

“It was so hard. I don’t think Kaiden’s dad and I were able to lay eyes on our baby together until we were back in Masterton,” Ryleigh said.

“One time, Ollie took a bad turn, and they had to [intubate] him – and I was there on my own, while my husband was across the road,” Holly added. “It was awful not being able to look after our baby together.”

However, the “incredible support” they received from RMHC helped soften some of the blows. Having their own kitchen and bathroom spaces, meals delivered to their door – some of which were catered by community groups, families, and businesses – “a big cupboard of snacks”, a weekly cleaning service, and friendly and welcoming staff” made all the difference.

“The ladies on the front desk were wonderful. They’d always say hello and ask how our babies

were doing,” Holly said.

“They’ve got a security guard at the front door. When you’ve got a baby in NICU, you’re [expressing breastmilk] every three hours, so you can be running over the road with your milk at 11pm – and knowing you’ve got someone looking after you feels so much safer.”

Two years on Since his NICU stay, Ollie has had several surgeries – including to remove a hernia and insert a gastronomy feeding tube in his abdomen. Despite some residual health issues, he is a typical “wild two-year-old”.

“He walks, talks, runs, packs tantrums. He’s a sassy little toad,” Holly said.

“He’s frigging awesome.”

Kaiden’s journey, though his time at NICU was “fairly textbook”, has been more challenging. He contracted respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] in December 2022, and has since caught re-occuring respiratory illnesses.

As well as lung damage from the RSV and “sheer number of infections”, he has struggled with feeding, and is scheduled to have a feeding tube surgically inserted

Compounding the struggle for Ryleigh has been Kaiden’s many trips to the Wairarapa Hospital paediatric ward – her workplace.

“But I do think Kaiden’s journey has changed my practice as a nurse. When I see families of preemie babies come through our SCBU, I know what they’re going through – I have more empathy and understanding.”

And Holly’s loyal support – the friends live five houses down from one another – and Kaiden’s positive attitude help keep her afloat.

“Nothing much gets him down – he takes it all in his stride.

“Preemie babies are born fighting and they don’t stop. They’ve been fighting from day one. It humbles you how well they cope.”

ABOVE: Newborn Kaiden in Wellington Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. RIGHT: Ryleigh Clode [left] and Holly McKay, and their sons Kaiden and Ollie, have formed an unbreakable bond since meeting at Ronald McDonald House in Wellington. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

Ross relishing food rescue role

Lucy Cooper lucy.cooper@age.co.nz

On the day Midweek visited WaiWaste Food Rescue’s headquarters on Masterton’s Hope St, it was all hands on deck.

One of the food rescue agency’s two electric vans had just returned from a regular pick-up from Pak n Save, and its roomy interior was stacked to the roof with crates of bread, vegetables, fruit, and boxes and boxes of eggs.

General manager Vic Ross, operations manager Laura Garland and volunteers Nick, Kathy, Gary and Robert moved swiftly from the vehicle to the central sorting table like a well-oiled machine, grouping produce and checking use-by dates.

“This is a lot of food. All our donors are fantastic,” Ross said, shuttling between van and table, hefting crates, “And it’s great – a lot of food a great problem to have.”

WaiWaste was established in 2013 with a mission to “feed people, not landfills”.

According to its website, it has since rescued 432,697kg of food from the dump, helping to provide well over 1 million

I saw this job in the paper, and I said to myself, ‘that’s my job’. And luckily, the board agreed with me.

meals.

Last year alone, more than 150,000kg of kai was sent out by WaiWaste to its recipient agencies.

WaiWaste receives food for distribution from the New Zealand Food Network [NZFN], local supermarkets, farmers, businesses and individuals in the community.

It then distributes that food to hungry whānau via its local partner groups and organisations across Wairarapa, Ross explained.

“We are kind of like the ‘wholesale’ arm in the

system, not a retailer’” she said.

Recipient agencies include all seven of the region’s food banks and 30 other community and social organisations, such as the Red Cross, the Wairarapa Community Kitchen, Yellow Brick Road, The Ruth Project, and most recently, Good Bitches Baking [GBB].

In her fluoro orange vest, organising the latest batch of rescued bounty, Ross is in her element.

But, managing the food charity is a recent career move for Ross – who, for the past four years,

– Vic Ross

was Greytown Primary School’s librarian, had trained in theatre and make-up, and worked stints in the advertising industry.

“At the end of last year, I saw this job in the paper, and I said to myself, ‘That’s my job’. And luckily, the WaiWaste board agreed with me,” Ross said.

The variety of the role and its call for a creative approach to problemsolving suits her.

“I need to be busy to keep my brain active,” she said. “And I love the busyness. You never know

what’s going to happen day-to-day. There’s always a curveball or a challenge.

“Every day, Laura, our ops manager, and I are like, ‘Right, what are we going to do about this or that?’, and it’s great.”

Matching donated food to recipients is something of an art form, and “actually the really fun part, thinking about what’s come in and where it can go”.

A recent example was pairing up GBB with several cans of cateringsize condensed milk, which made the local GBB coordinator feel “like a hero”, Ross said.

No food goes to waste at WaiWaste, Ross explained. “We will always

find a home for it.”

In fact, nothing seems to go to waste at WaiWaste – even soft plastic packaging from donated produce gets washed and recycled.

Ross, who has now been in post just over two months, is relishing her role – and has plans to build the organisation’s network of food donors within the community and grow the volunteer team from its current number of about 20.

“We really appreciate our volunteers,” she said. “They are a great bunch, and we always have a bit of a laugh.

“They work so hard, and we couldn’t do this without them.”

ABOVE: Vic Ross, WaiWaste general manager. LEFT: Vic and her team of volunteers. PHOTOS/LUCY COOPER

station’s remote broadcasting service, will also be on hand at Creating Media.

Wairarapa’s local community access radio station is hosting a “big shoulder tap” this weekend – with an event aimed at showing people what “Arrow FM can do for you”.

Becky Bateman, host of the monthly Arrow programme Ara Toi: Pathways to Art, and Chris Parkinson, who hosts a weekly show called Waibrations

With recording technology and broadcast material so accessible these days, Wilson acknowledged some people might ask: “Why come to Arrow?”

Creating Media, held at REAP Wairarapa in Masterton on Saturday, is “a cross between a training session for current programme-makers and a way of letting the public know some things they can do with us,” Arrow FM manager Michael Wilson said.

High-quality gear and soundproof studios are two reasons, as well as the ability to tap into the extensive reach of the Access Radio whānau – the national community radio network.

Lira produces the shows of eight programme-makers “on location” in Featherston, Martinborough, Carterton and Greytown, using highquality equipment “that fits in a handbag”. Originally from Brazil, she appreciates the ability access radio provides to share and explore different cultures and languages with listeners.

It’s hoped the event will attract not only those keen on making live radio or prerecorded shows, but also those who have their own podcast or are thinking of giving podcasting a go.

“Programmemaking with Access Radio offers a kind of ‘one-stop-shop’. It’s all under one roof,” Wilson said.

“If you make your content through Arrow FM, you get access to the national network.

“As a migrant, it’s a chance to talk in your own language and to listen to your own music. It gives you a sense of home, and helps you share that with the community,” she said.

One of the drawcards of the free community event is Phil Grey, manager of Free FM – Hamilton’s community access radio station – and “a bit of a guru in the podcasting world”.

“He knows his stuff,” Wilson said. “He’ll share some hints and tips on making podcast content, and also how to promote your content so it reaches the widest possible audience.”

Other guest facilitators include

[Content] goes out to the national Access Media hub [www. accessmedia.nz] –and, from there, it can go out to YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, and other platforms.”

Programme-makers also have access to the station’s fully automated simulcast and scheduling technology, developed in collaboration with Wairarapa TV’s Toby Mills.

Alongside Wilson and fellow station manager Veronika Beall, Marina Lira, who provides the

“It’s all about diversity,” Wilson added. “If English isn’t your first language, or if you represent a different culture, Arrow FM is a good conduit for you to get your message out. We are the place to come to!”

• Arrow FM’s event Creating Media will be held on Saturday, March 16, from 1pm-4pm, at REAP House, 340 Queen St. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, email quiver@arrowfm. co.nz, or just arrive on the day.

Arrow FM’s Marina Mourão Lira and Michael Wilson talking

Lucy

Nippers put Riversdale on map

skills “while getting them exercising”.

Two Wairarapa youngsters have put Riversdale on the map at one of the country’s largest youth surf lifesaving national championships.

Keoni Tiley and Alfie Beetham, representing the Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club’s Nippers crew, have recently competed in the National Oceans 24 Festival of Junior Lifesaving, held at Mount Maunganui from February 22 to 25.

Oceans 24 is the biggest competition for children and young people taking part in the Nippers programme. It teaches children aged five to 13 beach safety

Keoni [10] was selected for Oceans 24 after an impressive performance at the Central North Island championships at Fitzroy Beach in Taranaki – where he scored medals for all bar one of the events.

A spokesperson from Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club said that alongside Keoni, they also sent Alfie [12] – and both boys “did really well”, despite facing “a gruelling competition”.

“They did really well competing against over 700 people ranging from ages 10–13,” the spokesperson said.

“Alfie made it to the semi-final for the Board Race and Under 14 Board relay. He also made it

to the quarter final for the Diamond event and competed well in the remaining events.

“Keoni made it to the final stages for the Under 12 Grand Cameron Relay straight final, Run-SwimRun, Beach Flags, Under 12 Sprint Relay, final Diamond and the Beach Sprints.”

His placings were 18th, 14th, 8th, 8th, 7th and 6th, respectively, which, said the spokesperson, was impressive. The spokesperson said the sea had strong currents – so much so that they had to move one of the swimming races from the original arena as the under 14s couldn’t make it through the course.

“The boys did extremely well to earn

their medals for finishing the race.

“Alfie and Keoni put in so much effort over the four days – with 7am starts and tough back-to-back events showing great fitness and resilience.

“They also gained experience and, on a few occasions, had to deal with disappointment and tough decisions. They grew as sportsmen and made so many new friends.”

The spokesperson noted that Alfie and Keoni’s performance on the national stage was “a good highlight” for the Riversdale Surf Lifesaving Club and the talent within.

“Now everyone knows where Riversdale is.”

LETTERS

No need to put Graeme in the naughty corner I see that Graeme Burnard has, over the last couple of weeks, been the target of Letter-To-TheEditor slings and arrows [Midweek, February 28 and March 6] – fired by people who feel their opinions are the correct

one. And, if Graeme dares have a conflicting opinion in his column, he should stand in the naughty corner for at least 10 minutes.

So can I say to Graeme that, as a person who has written many newspaper columns in his lifetime, I have found that if your column is interesting,

there is always an individual ready to fling a letter at the paper arguing that what has been written is unacceptable. Well, unacceptable for that person, anyway.

Column writing isn’t easy – and steering a path through the minefield of varying public opinion is virtually impossible.

But one thing is guaranteed. The people who have their proverbial knickers in a knot over Graeme’s column are sure to be his most regular readers.

Isn’t that a fun thought, Graeme?

Allan Kirk Masterton

CONTACT US

You may share your opinion in print and online. To comment online, message our Facebook page and feel free to comment on any of the stories. Please email letters to midweek@age.co.nz or post to Wairarapa Midweek letters, P.O. Box 445, Masterton. Include name, address, and phone number. Noms de plume are not accepted. Letter writers’ town of origin will be published with the letter. Letters should be no more than 250 words, and may be edited for space and clarity.

Freddie Wilkie freddie.wilkie@age.co.nz

Keoni Tiley [left] and Al e Beetham. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

GardenYarn with GardenBarn

The Seasons Are Changing

The days are getting shorter, the mornings & evenings are cooler, and there’s more moisture around. Autumn is the prime time for planting hedges, deciduous trees, fruit trees & veggies, get yours growing now!

Did you have a shade tree to relax underneath this summer? Did you have fresh fruit growing in your garden? If not, don’t wait any longer!

Shade Trees

Car too small?

Did you know we do deliveries every Thursday throughout Wairarapa? Come & see us for more info.

Mixed Maples Maples come in many shapes and sizes, forms and colours.

Robinias have fabulous foliage of rich golden yellow.

Apricots

have incredible colour contrasts with the

Figs trees are highly ornamental and provide one of the most ancient fruits known!

MAGNOLIAS

You can’t beat the sight of Magnolias bursting into bloom at the end of a dreary winter. Brooklynensis Woodsman Magnolia has unusual f lowers that are sought after for oral work.

Ornamental Pears such as Aristrocrat, make great shade trees. Kea tolerates dry or heavy wet soil.

LIONS CLUB OF CARTERTON Spud N Bag

Flowering Cherries

Prunus are one of the best trees to have for beautiful spring blossoms.

Children and Adult Prizes

Weigh in and judging Sunday 24 March. For full details see the Lions Club of Carterton or the GardenBarn Facebook page

Apples give us fruit, beauty, shade & the fruit can be eaten fresh, used for cooking, and columnar tree types are perfect for smaller gardens.

berries

Dogwoods have lovely autumn foliage and Spring Song has red strawberry fruits that birds love.

Fruit Trees

Dwarf fruit trees, such

Weeping

Elms are a popular lawn specimen forming a natural umbrella shape.

Almonds

All-In-One is a self-fertile soft shelled variety ideal for NZ home gardens and has beautiful early spring owers

Plums

There’s nothing better than biting into a freshly picked, juicy plum in summer, but they can take a few years to fruit so don’t delay any longer

Crabapples

look fabulous when in blossom or fruit.

Do you have nosey neighbours?

Does the noise from the street annoy you at times? Solve those issues by planting a hedge with plants grown right here by our growers. Griselinia hedges grow nice & dense which is great for blocking out noise. Pittosporums are one of the best hedging plants available, and there are lots of different varieties to choose from

you want your garden

with colour & life when winter is coming to an end and spring bulbs emerge, you must plant them in the next couple of months.

Dogwood

Ulmus Glabra Pendula

Carterton

Carterton students go to some lengths to save pool

More than 200 children from five schools swam a total of 119,793 metres in six hours at Carterton’s indoor pool last week — smashing their fundraising goal of $2000 towards the facility’s “urgent upgrade”.

The continuous swim was the Carterton schools’ contribution to the month-long Central ITM Big Swim fundraising campaign to upgrade the ageing pool, southern Wairarapa’s only indoor swimming facility.

is the only all-year-round indoor facility we’ve got in the south.”

teachers, friends and family supported the students to complete their laps.

the support of the nation behind us,” she said.

Last Thursday’s event, organised by Southend School principal Clare Crawford, involved pupils from the participating schools –South End, Dalefield, St Mary’s School, Gladstone and Carterton Schools – swimming lengths in groups.

“There’s always been someone swimming across the whole six hours,” Crawford said. “And we are doing this to save the pool.”

South End School uses the pool for swimming lessons in winter, which it runs every second year.

“We live in New Zealand, surrounded by water, so I think all kids, before they leave primary school, should be able to swim,” Crawford said.

“Our philosophy at South End is that kids need to be confident in and around water. It’s really important and a huge passion of mine.”

“They are loving it,” proud grandma Bev Dench, who came to support grandson Thomas, said.

Thomas learned to swim in the pool, and his grandmother could see he was “really doing it right” during the swim challenge.

“The upgrade is great,” Dench said, and in her opinion, “well overdue”.

“I used to swim here 23 years ago, and it looked like this then,” she said.

Thomas agreed:

“Swimming New Zealand has incorporated our campaign into its ‘Metres for Paris’ initiative. I’m really chuffed they’ve got behind it.”

The Big Swim has shown what people can do when they work together, Rossiter-Stead said.

As well as being noisy, splashy fun, pulling together to save the pool with the continuous swim initiative teaches the children the importance of community, Crawford said.

The pool, built in 1987, is in need of over $2 million worth of repairs – with community members working hard to secure funds via the Carterton Indoor Pool Project, established in 2022.

The importance of the pool to the schools and wider community is “massive”, she said. “This

“Part of our teaching and learning with our kids is if you give something to your community, your community will support you,” she said.

Throughout the day,

“Looking at the beams and all that, I think it does really need an upgrade, and I think it will be really cool.”

Catherine RossiterStead, who is helping to organise the Big Swim month, has been heartened by the support the campaign has received – not only from within Wairarapa, but from further afield.

“We’ve actually got

“The people working behind the scenes on the Carterton Indoor Pool Project have gone all out to support us. We are also really grateful to the local businesses who have supported us.”

The Carterton schools’ continuous swim raised $2535, and the Big Swim total currently stands at $23,047, with more than two weeks left to go.

• To donate or to get involved in the Central ITM Big Swim challenge, visit www. givealittle.co.nz/event/ the-big-swim-nz

The pool, built in 1987, is looking a bit shabby in places and needs an upgrade. PHOTO/LUCY COOPER

Central ITM Big Swim

community members

Some of the students from the Carterton schools’ swim-a-thon. PHOTO/CATHERINE ROSSITER-STEAD

Lucy Cooper lucy.cooper@age.co.nz

O TARATAHI COMMUNITY NEWS

CARTERTON DISTRICT COUNCIL

Charles Rooking Carter Awards

Nominations Now

Open until 22 April

The Carterton District Council’s Charles Rooking Carter Awards is a triennial awards ceremony to publicly acknowledge and celebrate the volunteer work, business innovation and achievements of members within our community.

Nominees in every category must have carried out their contributions in Carterton.

AWARDS CATEGORIES

Volunteer Service Award –recognises the important role of volunteers whose service positively impacts the Carterton Community. This award could go to either an individual or a community group.

Entrepreneurship Award

– Recognising an individual, organisation or project which is trying something new and innovative to solve a problem which is having an impact on the Carterton District.

Business Award – Rewarding a business which has demonstrated exceptional commitment, excellence,

Celebrating 150 years of libraries in Carterton

Get ready to celebrate Carterton District Library’s 150th birthday. Look out for events ahead of and on the big day – 24 March!

Waste Management Grant

Extended to 31 March

Have you got a great idea to get our community towards Zero Waste? Get support through a Waste Management Grant, now open to 31 March. More information at cdc.govt.nz/ community-funding.

and innovation in creating a positive and supportive work environment for its employees.

Environmental & Sustainability Award –

Recognising an individual, organisation or project which makes an outstanding contribution to improving Carterton’s environment and

Representation Review

A third phase of our representation review will begin soon.

The first two phases of the review, Māori ward and electoral systems, were completed in 2023. The next phase determines the number of elected members and if voting will be ‘at large’ or using wards.

Carterton schools welcome bike sheds improvements

Five Carterton schools benefitted for cycle storage improvements through funding from Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency’s Transport Choices programme.

Bike sheds are now complete at South End and St Mary’s Schools, with some fitout work to complete.

Dalefield School’s bike shed is under construction, and Carterton School’s site is ready for the foundations to be poured.

We have had great feedback from the schools, the bike sheds are a real asset to their school communities.

sustainability.

Youth Award – recognises and celebrates the passion, success and commitment of rangatahi (aged 12 to 24 years), who are leading change, innovating and creating solutions throughout Carterton. This could be in any field and in a voluntary or other capacity.

Dalefield Road Water Storage Tanks & Pump Station

The water storage tanks at Dalefield Road have been commissioned and tested. They are now storing potable water and adding to Carterton’s water resilience. A pump station has been completed and commissioned to supply water to the new tanks.

Supreme Award – Overall winner.

All nominations must be received by email to communityevents@cdc.govt.

nz, online or in person to the Carterton Events Centre by 5pm Monday 22 April 2024. The Awards Dinner is Saturday, 22 June.

HE PITOPITO KŌRERO

Ruakokoputuna

The place now named the Patuna Chasm was named Ruakokoputuna.

In the many meanings of Rua, one that is associated with rivers is hole. A river hole is where there are deeper parts in the river and an example of this can be a chasm.

At first,

kokoputuna looks like a compound word, joining two words and in this case joining two types of fish. The Kokopu is sometimes called a native trout and a Tuna is a eel.

The most important aspect of understanding compound words is to understand the whole word first.

Ruakokoputuna is a place that attracts kokoputuna or long fin eels because of the colder waters.

Kokoputuna is a Wairarapa word. Our Wairarapa elders, including Whatahoro Jury, used it in a commission of inquiry at Parliament.

While terms that originated in Wairarapa might be supplanted by other words from other places, by keeping Wairarapa words, we can understand Wairarapa places. – Ra Smith

Opinion

State of play is political

The scoop with Coops

Lucy Cooper

There’s been a lot in the news [remember the news? Gosh, those were the days!] lately about the place of politics and protest in professional sport.

I’m not a sporty person, but I am rather political. Always have been.

From a very early age, I took pride in the fact that my nan, Florence, was the union shop steward at Klaber’s Roneo factory in 1950s East London, standing up for workers’ rights.

Growing up in Thatcher’s Britain, I was not dissuaded from shouting at Maggie when she appeared on the telly.

As a gobby 12-yearold, I was the Labour candidate at my rather Tory all-girls school’s mock elections and took delight in rarking up my Conservative opponents.

I read Emile Zola novels

in the school’s unfeasibly long corridor, and found great satisfaction in having “birds-nest” hair. My first appearance at the school Debating Society was with a speech entitled, “Men, A Necessary Evil?”

I was 11.

I was probably a real pain in the arse.

It’s probably no surprise, then, that when I heard about the Hurricanes Poua team using part of their haka to lay down a challenge to the three-party coalition, I was delighted.

Unlike Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee – whose determination to apologise to the government for the team’s “behaviour” left me feeling more than a bit queasy – I don’t subscribe to the school of thought that sport should be a politics-free zone.

I can’t see how it can be.

One of the definitions

of politics is: “Activities aimed at improving someone’s status or increasing power within an organisation.”

For many, the mere act of getting onto the pitch, wicket, court, track or field is an object lesson in overcoming all manner of financial, social or physical hurdles in order to participate – to increase their status from unseen and excluded to visible and admitted.

Many barriers to participation, such as poverty, discrimination, lack of access to healthcare, lack of access to education, fear, isolation, intergenerational disenfranchisement and trauma, have their genesis

sport in the next year.

McFadden’s subjects were all optimistic that there were signs of progress – increased participation, greater solidarity among athletes, and increased media coverage being just a few indicators of success and growth.

in political policy and decisions.

The presence of women in sport is inherently, inescapably political.

The evolution of women’s visibility in professional sport – in a Western context – is an ongoing fight for equal pay, appropriate training conditions, on-screen visibility, and a right not to be exposed to sexist language and behaviours.

Newsroom reporter Suzanne McFadden published an article on International Women’s Day, entitled “What Women Want”, in which she asked seven wāhine in elite sport if women’s sport is continuing to make progress, and what their hope is for women’s

In expressing her hopes for the future, Nicky van den Bos, chief executive of Women in Sport Aotearoa, Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa, articulated the essentially political nature of the growth of women’s sport.

“Ultimately, we want to continue to see our fantastic colleagues, sisters and friends – along with our male champions – come together as national communities of change, driving collective action towards the world’s most equitable sports system, Te Tiriti inspired.”

Community. Action.

Equity. Te Tiriti. The units of political currency in modern-day Aotearoa.

All of which I see and hear in the Hurricanes Poua team’s moving and powerful displays of courage in the public realm.

Sport is political, and women will be seen.

The Wairarapa Midweek is subject to New Zealand Media Council procedures. A complaint must rst be directed in writing to the editor’s email address. If not satis ed with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council P.O Box 10-879, Wellington 6143. Or use the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz. Please include copies

PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Charlotte Harding, community activator

When I was little, I loved to…

Choreograph dances for me and my sister, and then perform them for mum and dad.

I grew up in...

Broseley, Shropshire, in the UK. It similar to the Wairarapa in many ways, and that’s why I think I feel so at home here.

My friends and family would say I am…..

Always involved in something!

The things I love about Martinborough are….

The people and the community.

Martinborough has a fabulously generous community. I nd

Wairarapa abundant in incredible talent and skills!

Wairarapa could really do with a ...

This is a tricky question.

CONTACT US

What springs to mind are things I know people are already trying to achieve, like the pump track in Martinborough, the Wheels Park in Greytown, and the bouldering wall in Featherston. These are amazing projects driven by amazing people.

My favourite song to dance to is…..

Can’t Stop the Feeling, by Justin Timberlake. Always gets me and my little guy grooving.

The thing I love to eat when I need comfort is…

A cream doughnut from The Bach in Martinborough.

The superpower I would love to have is… Not so much a superpower, but a super portal to allow me to go and see my family in the UK more often!

The country or place I would love to visit is… Machu Picchu. I would love to walk the Inca Trail.

The last book I read cover to cover is… I have read two Holly Ringland books back to back – most recently that Joy Built. a non- ction book about creativity and the way we have little belief in ourselves, but, if what we do brings joy, we should make it a priority for noone else but ourselves.

MIDWEEK PHOTOS

Have you got a photo you want to share with Wairarapa?

Whether it’s a reader photo, a cutie, or a snap of you with your Midweek, email it to midweek@age.co.nz with ‘Midweek Photo’ in the subject line, and it could be featured in this segment.

CUTIES

You may share your opinion in print and online. To comment online, message our Facebook page and feel free to comment on any of the stories. Please email letters to midweek@age.co.nz or post to Wairarapa Midweek letters, P.O. Box 445, Masterton. Include name, address, and phone number. Noms de plume are not accepted. Letter writers’ town of origin will be published with the letter. Letters should be no more than 250 words, and

Children and animals belong together.

Reader Shiree sent in this beautiful shot of her grand-nephew, Sonny [2], sharing a special moment with her dog, Ella, at a recent family gathering in Carterton.

Shiree says Ella, a Border Collie-Springer Spaniel cross, hasn’t had a lot of experience around young children, but was “so gentle” with Sonny.

Sonny lives with his family in Brisbane – and his mum, Tasha, took this photo while they were visiting Wairarapa last month.

Exhibition explores loss and nostalgia

We live in a constant state of crisis. Fires rip through forests, flood waters erode coastlines, wars tear cities to the ground, pandemics take lives, inequality divides us, and it is easy to feel that we exist in a time of ruin.

However, it is important to also see the beauty in life and enjoy the small things. This season at Aratoi we ask you to think about the big issues we face, but also enjoy the sunnier side of life. Take a walk among majestic purple hills, discover beautiful architectural buildings, wonder over photographs from a bygone age and enjoy eclectic joyful creations. Our main exhibition this autumn is from contemporary history painter Lisa Chandler. She seeks out definitions of our time – the forces that have created this moment. It is impossible for her to ignore the various crises

that we face, and with “Landscapes of Loss” she tackles the broad external and existential forces that impact the ways in which we live our lives and perceive our world. Across the four themes of Ruin, Absence, Mercy, and Havoc, Chandler explores the pain and hope that typify these times.

In Ruin her paintings force us to confront the realities of the housing crisis, climate change, and war. While the works in Absence are intimate explorations of loss and nostalgia.

By utilising materials such as rusty iron, peeling wood, hessian, aged wallpapers, corroded nails, paint, as well as old photos, books, lace, clothes, and blankets these works use real remnants of past lives and times to express grief and love.

Art has always had a role in reflecting and affecting us – a fundamental aim

HEALTH NEWS

in all of Chandler’s work. In her “The Seven Works of Mercy after the Master of Alkmaar 1504” she follows the thematic and compositional structure of the original 16th century painting but transports these works of mercy to contemporary society.

Kindness is a word that has been heavily used over the past few years. It has been an antidote to crisis and has brought people together. It takes real work to maintain generosity, empathy, and compassion in the face of relentless bad news, but it is possible.

Havoc is where the title of the exhibition, “Landscapes of Loss”, is at its most relevant. It deals with loss in all its forms, including the loss of life, certainty, comfort, and community through rising inequality. But it is also a landscape – with layers of geological stratification. The strata of the earth are created over millennia

Providing pillars for a positive postpartum

recognised the human need “for community through authentic connection” after childbirth.

the fifth week will invite all whānau to return after the births, to share their experiences.”

and are evidence of the dramatic changes the Earth has undergone. This kind of geological timeline can give us perspective in this time of

seems urgent, and it is, but if the very earth can change and adapt, so can humanity.

• Lisa Chandler: Landscapes of Loss

Three Wairarapa women, who found they had trained in the same alternative form of postpartum care for mothers, are offering a five-week course beginning next week.

Innate Traditions Wairarapa, set up by Innate Postpartum Care practitioners Kate Williams, Helle Rosenberg and Lily Tanner, offers the course for women and their whānau to prepare for the time after birth and understand “the five essentials of postpartum healing”, Williams said.

The Innate Postpartum Care movement was founded by US midwife Rachelle Garcia Seliga, who

Garcia Seliga offers online training to people worldwide, with Williams completing her training last year.

“Until recently there were only about seven trained people in Aotearoa,” Williams, from Featherston, said. “I put the call out in Wairarapa and found Helle and Lily had also completed training.”

The trio wants to help māmā and their whānau to make a plan for their own support and care.

“The first four weeks of the course are for women who are pregnant now, to flesh out the five pillars of postpartum care and

Williams said Innate Postpartum Care was “not a band-aid approach to postnatal depression”.

“There are ancient traditions that have plans for postpartum care, that map what a woman needs after birth,” she said. Depression can set in because what women need is not being given to them. Births are sometimes traumatic, or not what they expected, and they don’t have the support to deal with it.

“If mother is well, baby is well,” Williams said. “It’s a golden time that can set up a woman’s wellbeing for the rest of her life.”

Families about to welcome second or third babies were welcome on the course too, Williams said, as those mothers may have already experienced their first postpartum period with no support or structure.

The course includes the “Closing of the Bones” ceremony, during which the mother is wrapped tightly in a woven cloth, “like a chrysalis or womb space, then released”.

“This is a time for the mother to come back to herself, so we hold that woman in that fold of support. ”

Community was one of the most important aspects of maternal health, Williams said.

“To leave a new mother alone is probably one of the worst things to do. Support catches problems early.”

• The Innate Postpartum Care five-week course will be held at the Carterton Community Courthouse, Holloway St, on Thursday evenings from March 21-April 11, and costs $400 per whānau. Email: innatepostpartum wai@gmail.com

Lisa Chandler’s Forgotten.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Julia Mahony julia.mahony@age.co.nz

[L] Lily Tanner, Kate Williams and Helle Rosenberg.

PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Masterton Motorplex

No white flags here, I’m afraid

Graeme Burnard

Goodness gracious me. Two letters of complaint in two weeks, about my fortnightly column. Must be a record.

Now, should I be worried about this cult that appears to be forming in the depths of Carterton to rid the world of the writings of Burnard? Should I offer a sincere apology and wave a white flag of surrender? Nah.

I picked up this week’s issue of Midweek to see if my letter of response to the first complaint had been published, and there it was. But, hang on. What’s this other letter? Oh, my. Now, someone is upset because I mention the words “sexy bum” and “testicles” and they didn’t like me using the word, “bless”. Oh, bless.

Am I offended or upset by these letters? Not at all. If you want to express your opinions in public, then you have to expect some backlash or opposition. In these two letters of complaint however [and I am grateful to Midweek for publishing them], I find it quite hilarious, to be honest, because both of these writers have made themselves look very silly with their comments.

Both the columns in question have been taken completely out of context. “Gross and tasteless” were the comments about me, daring to quote children’s bloopers because of their sexual content. They were quoted [from other publications and television] because they are bloody funny. The writer was the one who

sexualised them. That’s a real shame.

I think it is really sad, that someone could be so offended about the innocence that comes out of the mouths of children. To live so blinkered to the joys and laughter the world offers. The mute button on the TV must get a good workout at her house.

And to the lady who was offended by my column about my father – again, it makes me really sad to think that an innocent article about my much loved Dad could be construed as offensive.

In the second “Graeme Burnard is a waste of space” letter, the writer questions why I am even a contributor to the Midweek. I wonder that myself sometimes.

I have been writing my fortnightly column for around nine years.

I had written a couple of Letters to the Editor which had obviously resonated, and I was invited to start my own column – and was

I decided from the get-go I would not get too serious and I would write about things I have seen and done and people I have met. There are plenty of professional journalists for the serious topics – like Three Waters or cellphone towers. I just write from the heart with stories about life.

I have had six or seven editors in that time and I have only ever had one column refused. I did get a bit serious once, and wrote about a judge’s decision regarding a young caregiver who had been caught on camera abusing an elderly dementia patient.

The abuser was discharged without conviction because it would affect the nursing training she was about to start. I was appalled and wrote about it – but was told we were not allowed to be seen to be critical of

the judiciary, so I quickly wrote something about sheep.

I have never had a column sent back for a rewrite because it had offensive content so if the editor is happy, then all’s well with me too.

I would love to have a sit down and a cup of tea with these two letter-writers, but they probably wouldn’t have me in their house. I’d be happy to sit in the car and talk through the window. I’d even bring a thermos, so I don’t contaminate their cups, and I promise not to mention my father or anyone under the age of 10.

They are most welcome to visit me at my house –but please don’t ask the name of the cat. It’s Lard Arse, and that might just tip you over the edge. Bless. Oh, bless.

et Chat V with

The Vet Clinic Wairarapa

Dental care for your dog and cat

It is essential for your pet to have healthy, clean teeth free from plaque and tartar. The build up of plaque and tartar lead to periodontal disease which can lead to serious health issues for your pet.

Plaque occurs when bacteria stick to the surface of the teeth and form a white to brownish lm or layer called plaque. This layer hardens and form a brown, rough crust on teeth which is dif cult to remove. Over time the bacteria and irritation of the tartar and plaque lead to raw, bleeding, painful and damaged gums. Structures that support the teeth are affected and in turn lead to loosening and then loss of teeth. To spot dental issues or gum disease regular checks of your pet’s mouth and teeth should be made at home. A daily check is not a bad idea. Some examples of what to look out for are:

• Bad breath in your pet is not normal and can point to an underlying dental or gum disease.

• Bleeding gums and blood stained saliva are a sure sign of gum disease.

• Your pet chewing with dif culty, not to keen on biscuits, but will eat soft/tinned food.

• Your pet’s mouth and nose painful to touch.

• Swollen face especially under the eye.

These type of changes could indicate dental problems and a good idea would be to ask your vet to do an oral heath exam on your pet and to advise on any treatment necessary. A scale and polish may be the only treatment required to remove plaque and tartar, but in more serious cases dental surgery may be necessary. At home care is very important to help keep teeth and gums healthy.

• Check mouth and teeth regularly.

• Train your puppy to get used to their teeth being brushed. (Use doggy tooth brushes and toothpaste.) You can do this daily.

• Give your dog food and toys that are formulated and designed to help keep teeth clean. Some toys can damage teeth and gums.

Care for your pet’s teeth as you would your own.

Keep

Below are some health indicators which I have taken from brochures I picked up at Wairarapa Hospital. They are in a rack near where the blood tests are taken. This information follows on from our previous guidance notes. As we said in our last article, don’t panic after reading. But, if you feel you have several of the symptoms, it would pay to check with your doctor.

Immunise during pregnancy

This information is for pregnant women and their families. It explains the immunisations recommended to protect mum and baby against serious diseases such as whooping cough and influenza.

What is whooping cough

Whooping cough [pertussis] is a serious disease easily spread by coughing and sneezing. It can be very upsetting for you and your baby – it can cause severe coughing attacks and may lead to serious complications like pneumonia and brain damage.

It starts just like a common cold – runny nose, sneezing, slight fever, and a mild irritating cough. The coughing attacks get worse and can be followed by a gasping breath or a ‘whoop’ and sometimes vomiting. The cough can last for up to three months.

Who is most at risk?

Whooping cough is worse for babies under one year old. They are often unable to feed or breathe properly so become very ill and may need hospital treatment. Babies who

are not yet immunised are at greatest risk.

Whooping cough immunisation is recommended in each pregnancy as protection can wear off over time.

Remember also baby’s first immunisations at six weeks.

What is influenza

Influenza is not a cold. Symptoms are usually much more severe, and include a cough, headache, fever or chills, body aches and pains, fatigue and generally feeling miserable.

Influenza can pose a serious risk to your life and that of your unborn baby.

How serious is it?

Pregnant women and their unborn babies are most at risk of serious complication from influenza. It can lead to early birth, miscarriage, still birth, and lower birth weights.

Changes in the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women more at risk of serious influenza complications. Pregnant women are nearly five times more likely to be hospitalised with influenza than women who are not pregnant.

Immunisation is the best way to protect your baby and yourself against influenza.

It can protect you from serious illness that could affect your baby. The best time to get vaccinated is autumn, before the winter peak of influenza.

The vaccines are safe for use in pregnancy. The vaccine itself doesn’t get passed on to your baby but the antibodies you produce in response to the vaccine do.

Endometriosis –finding a way forward with hope and strength

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common, chronic

in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus, is found in places outside the uterus, most commonly in the pelvic region.

Who is affected?

Endometriosis is generally considered to affect people in their reproductive years. For some, it can be as early as their first menstrual period, whereas, for others, it could begin to occur much later in life. The disease affects an estimated one in 10 women, girls and those born female –approximately 120,000 people in New Zealand.

Why? We don’t yet know the cause of endometriosis. Research shows that there is a strong genetic link, meaning it can run in families. Not everyone with symptoms may have been diagnosed. Symptoms associated with endometriosis include, but are not limited to:

Painful periods [the most common symptom].

WAIRARAPA PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

when to immunise

Pain during or after sexual intercourse.

Abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Pain between periods, e.g. with ovulation or intermittently throughout the month.

Fatigue, tiredness, and low energy.

Bladder troubles like pain or frequent urination.

Pain in other places such as the lower back.

Premenstrual syndrome.

Migraine.

Irregular periods or heavy periods.

Difficulty getting pregnant.

The severity and type of symptoms can differ for everyone: Some people may not experience any pain or symptoms.

Symptoms often have a significant impact on an individual’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

If anything you have read above resonates with you we recommend speaking to your GP. You can talk to your doctor about your symptoms, discuss treatment options

and ask for a referral to a gynaecologist.

Medical and surgical treatment

Your doctor may suspect you have endometriosis based on your medical history and symptoms. They are likely to perform a physical examination and request investigations such as an ultrasound and blood tests. These tests usually do not diagnose endometriosis but can be useful in determining treatment options and/or next steps.

Usually a laparoscopy [keyhole surgery] is required to make a final diagnosis of endometriosis. You should discuss these options with your doctor and make sure you understand how and why they might help you. You should feel comfortable to ask what the advantages and disadvantages are for the treatments you’re offered, and you may need different treatments at different times in your life. Sometimes it takes trialling a few things

before finding the right combination for you.

We at Citizens Advice Bureau hope our two health articles will help you rather than scare you – remember these are only guidelines. Your GP is the person to see if you want further advice.

We are celebrating our 50th anniversary this month. We feel we have been able to give helpful and practical advice to many people in the past 50 years and we hope we can continue to be of service to those in our community who just need someone to help sort things out.

Wonderful day out for family and whānau

of Riding for the Disabled in Masterton

Wairarapa Riding for the Disabled (RDA) has been actively involved in supporting people with disabilities or challenging needs for 50 years. It provides life-changing opportunities through therapeutic interactions with horses, improving the wellbeing and health outcomes of physically, intellectually, and neurologically disabled children and adults. Next week, a remarkable 50 years of voluntary contributions to RDA will be acknowledged and celebrated. These contributions have come from the founders, the children of the founders, the sponsors of horses, the many volunteers, and people whose donations help keep the enterprise thriving. Activities will be taking place on 22 and 23 March from RDA’s base in the idyllic Te Whiti Road grounds in Masterton, tucked right behind the AFC football club. Drive on down as if you’re going to the football club, then drive a bit further to arrive at RDA’s ample parking.

What RDA does

Nationally, RDA provides more than 3000 children and adults with lifechanging opportunities every year. In Wairarapa, up to 28 children are currently accepted each year for a programme of activities with currently, eight horses.

Each rider is always accompanied by at least two volunteers. The ‘leader’ or handler focuses on the horse: its attitude, movement, and behaviour. The sidewalkers focus on the rider: supporting them physically, emotionally, and with their exercises. The RDA complex has up to four coaches who develop individualised programmes tailored to the needs and conditions of each rider, covering therapeutic, education, and sport and recrelation elements.

“The children learn con dence and can become more relaxed and less anxious as they ride their horses,” says Ian Bruce, son of Wairarapa’s

RDA founders Logan and Ysabel Bruce.

Sitting on a sheepskin rug or in a saddle, depending on the degree of support required, the rocking motion moves through the rider’s body. For people who usually sit in wheelchairs, being able to get up high and o the ground is a liberating experience.

“Riders can tone their core strength, and improve their respiration, coordination, exibility, mobility, and also their balance, through riding,” Ian says.

Some of the exercises for exibility involve activities like leaning across the horse’s neck and putting a hoop over a pole, or placing a can or peg on it, throwing a ball into a net, or stretching out to hug the horse. One rider initially needed two sidewalkers to hold him upright on his horse. After a year of these exercises, he could ride in a saddle without support, the sidewalker strolling alongside.

“And the riders’ attention span, their ability to focus, also improves,” says Marilyn Palmer, Ian’s sister. “A bond grows between

the riders and their horses, which improves rider wellbeing. They gain social and communication skills, too, along with a sense of independence.” Some even start to speak for the rst time.

Alongside individual riding, group classes are held so the riders are involved in a team sport. The indoor arena contains hoof ball, which the horses can kick along, changing their gait and mixing things up. The arena is lined with art, much of it provided by students from Makoura College, St Matthews Collegiate, and King Street Artworks.

As well as the indoor and two outdoor arenas, the RDA grounds have walking trails through native

HAPPY HORSES AT WAIRARAPA RDA’S GROUNDS

Riding for the Disabled originally began in 1962 from a Hawke’s Bay pony club. The establishment of the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association (NZRDA) happened ten years later.

Soon after, Logan and Ysabel Bruce, owners of a Masterton farm, became a liated with RDA.

“We were always involved in horses as a family,” Ian, one of eight siblings in the Bruce family, recalls. “There was hunting, show jumping, and three-day events. And dad was a horse-riding instructor.”

As committed Catholics, the Bruce parents were connected with Carterton’s Home of Compassion, which would bring children with disabilities to their farm for riding lessons. Then Ysabel saw an advertisement for the rst RDA conference to be held in Wellington in 1973. One thing led to another, with their riding lessons becoming a liated with RDA in February 1974.

“Mum spent years raising money for the branch before she passed away,” Marilyn says. “When Dad eventually sold the Masterton land, three acres were left to RDA to continue the riding sessions.”

The land was later extended to

the current property of about seven acres. Ian and Marilyn remain committed volunteers and committee members at RDA’s Te Whiti Road grounds.

Many community groups, businesses, schools, and people support Wairarapa RDA. Individuals and organisations such as Rotary donate their time, their labour, and either goods or nancial donations. Some come and trim trees, repair roofs, and fence the arenas. Farmers donate truckloads of lime. The company Power Farming has donated a tractor for use at the complex. Individuals and businesses sponsor the horses and, twice weekly, volunteers are the “gold” that makes it all possible.

Ian and Marilyn can’t thank the donors, sponsors, and volunteers enough. The cost to families of their loved ones riding at Masterton’s RDA can be kept minimal, thanks to 50

years of support. Logan and Ysabel Bruce have left a lasting legacy, supported by Wairarapa’s community and carried on by two of their children.

Volunteers are wanted and welcomed: currently, Masterton’s RDA is open for business on Thursday and Friday morning each week during each of the four school terms. Volunteers are o ered training and support, becoming part of a friendly welcoming team.

With more volunteers as sidewalkers and leaders of the horses, the entity could potentially o er the service to more riders, more mornings each week.

Contact RDA: if you’d like to volunteer or if you’d like to put someone on the waiting list for a year of riding. Referrals of all types are accepted. Call 06 378 6503 or email wairda@xtra.co.nz.

A horse’s life

“RDA’s horses spend most of their lives munching grass in the paddocks,” Ian Bruce says. “It’s a wonderful retirement life for the horses. And then, twice a week, the horses are brought into the stables and a group of riders come to spend a morning with them. Volunteers also come in on a Sunday to exercise them, and Mel (our volunteer Vet), checks in on them every day. The horses have a lovely life with their herd mates.”

RDA OPERATING IN MASTERTON

GRIFFIN: Sponsored by Lifestyle Property Management. At 24 years old, this gorgeous liver chestnut gelding is a reliable and kind elderly gentleman who loves cuddles.

JACK: Sponsored by Firewatch. Jack the Lad, a bay Welsh mountain pony, doesn’t like standing still, even though he’s turned 24.

BEN: Sponsored by Rigg Zschokke Ltd. Aged 17, this baycoloured gelding is sensible and reliable. All the mares have a crush on him.

ARGO: Sponsored by ROVA Chartered Accountants. Nine years old, this dark bay Kaimanawa mare loves her food and is in love with Ben.

From a former RDA rider

Stace, a former RDA rider in Hamilton and now a Wairarapa resident, remembers his three- or four-years of riding from about the age of ve, as life changing. This was in the early 1990s.

“It was incredible,” he says. “The riding sessions were during lunchtime and early afternoon on school days, and I always looked forward to them. The experience turned me into a horse lover, but also let me experience freedom of movement.”

Born with the physical disability of cerebral palsy, Stace relished the feeling of “not being left behind,” which was his daily experience otherwise. “On a horse, I was on the same footing as the other

disabled kids in the group, and we could all keep up with each other.”

The therapy involved in riding was undoubtedly important on a practical level, he recalls, but “for me, that was the least of it. It didn’t feel like any of the other therapies I was required to do. The riding was empowering, con dence building, and gave me a sense of agency. And I experienced going fast and directing the pony. Mostly the pony obeyed.”

He has fond memories of watching the horse racing on TV with his grandma as she sat knitting but doesn’t think he would have stumbled over his love of horses if it hadn’t been for RDA.

MIMI: Sponsored by PGG Wrightson & Northco Insurance Brokers. Also 24 years old and a bay Welsh mountain pony, Mimi has decided she’s Jack’s girlfriend.

NOA: Sponsored by Ray White Carterton. A kind and gentle grey Welsh mountain pony, this little fella is aged 15.

PIXIE: Sponsored by Fresh Choice. Nine years old, this chestnut mare is a pretty, friendly young lady.

SPICE: An Appaloosa X mare, Spice is friendly and kind, aged seven years old, she likes to tease poor old Gri n.

“After RDA, I gravitated towards horses and even worked in a stable on and o for about 10 years from the age of 14 – it was my rst job.”

The stable was super inclusive.

“They looked out for me, but I wasn’t treated as if my disability was a barrier in any way.”

It’s fair to say that the RDA experience can have lasting impacts on the quality of a person’s life.

“Riding changed how I felt about myself and how I approached life,” Stace says. “Therapy may be a primary driver for someone riding with RDA, but I wouldn’t underestimate all the other things it gives a person.”

Be present, take chances

We never know when an opportunity will come our way. Sometimes things come completely out of the blue, and other times they may have been simmering in the background for years. Either way, a decision needs to be made when opportunities arise. Do we take them or let them pass?

One thing to always consider is what’s stopping us from taking opportunities? Are we overthinking situations, perhaps looking at the most unlikely outcomes, thinking how we might be judged when, in truth, others aren’t thinking about us at all?

Sometimes opportunities do come along that we should be willing to take, maybe even if there’s some risk involved. In my own life one has recently passed me by, but in the same area another has arisen, which I have chosen to take. Who knows what the outcome will be, but one thing is for sure, the only way to find out is by taking it.

Tim Nelson

Turn everything o

This evening I went for a walk. I live in the country, so it’s pretty quiet, very little traffic or people, really just a lot of quiet countryside.

When I started out I was listening to the end of a panel discussion on politics. It was quite interesting, but also very negative [and quite funny]. The panel discussion ended and I was about to choose another podcast to listen to. However, I decided to put my Airpods away and to listen to nothing instead.

My walk ended up being quite different to what it otherwise would have been. I noticed more around me and took photos of animals, landscapes, and a garden statue.

I also spent the time thinking about whatever came into my

mind – like banning two handed backhands in tennis – as opposed to just absorbing more information, which I would have done by listening to another podcast.

I’m going to make this an evening habit. We’re constantly bombarded with information overload. This will be my way of fighting back and being a little more present with the world around me.

How to help someone

Today a person who has been through quite challenging times shared with me her very enlightening insights in what others could have done to help her overcome the challenges she was facing.

What tends to happen with offers of support is that, with the best of intentions, someone will share what they believe

could help, usually from their perspective. Although this may seem to make sense, my friend found the suggestions given weren’t helpful at all and, in fact, were a little condescending. Though she did express gratitude to the person who was trying to help.

What eventually happened is that my friend told her friend what she could do to be supportive, as opposed to her friend just guessing. This meant the support needed was given.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll probably see that in at least one area we’re not satisfied, knowing we haven’t put the necessary focus, attention or effort in.

There is a way forward and it’s quite simple. Keep doing what you have been doing in the areas where you’re satisfied. In the areas where you’re struggling, think about what it is you have been doing, then make significant changes, even to the point that you’re almost doing the opposite.

The message here is that if you know someone is struggling and you want to help, ask them what they need. This takes away the guesswork and enables specific steps to be taken that really will help.

Where are you right now?

Sometimes it’s worth taking the time to reflect on where we are in our lives in key areas: relationships, careers, finances and health, being four examples.

It’s not easy

I have this set of cards on my desk; they’re called confidence cards and were created by the School of Life organisation. I read one every morning and always enjoy the messages shared. The wisdom is something I appreciate and learn from.

The card I read this morning described how we often look at people who are successful in life, with the success seemingly having come

breathe

to them with relative ease. However, the truth is in almost all cases somewhat different.

Pretty much everyone who has achieved success in any field has done so through hard work, grit and determination.

We may not see the work that goes into the success of others, but we should trust the fact that reward comes with effort and the willingness to push ourselves to achieve our goals and dreams.

A beginner’s mind I read today about the ‘beginner’s mind’ concept.

Essentially it’s about approaching things from the perspective of a beginner, with no preconceived ideas as opposed to how you might think others have done it before, or how you should do it.

The beginner’s mind forces us to tap into our creative genes, to approach the task with nothing more than a willingness to explore possibilities without

being influenced by past experiences.

Don’t wish your life away

Often there are days that we almost wish away. This could be because there’s an event coming up you simply can’t wait for and you want the time to pass quickly as you anticipate it happening. It could also be because something you’re not looking forward to will take place and you just want to get through it.

Perhaps we could take a different perspective. Imagine if you had only very limited time left. Suddenly every moment is so much more valuable. What would we give if we knew we weren’t going to experience them again? How much are these experiences truly worth? My feeling is, a lot more than we acknowledge.

For me, here are experiences I will have today that fit into the category of me often taking for granted, but are truly rich experiences:

 Walking through every class at my school to see my pupils.

 The F45 gym class I will attend this evening.

 Calling my sister for a catch-up.

 Watching the new series of Survivor Australia.

 Having a coffee at

Strada Cafe. Each of the five listed above are things I enjoy immensely. Life would be less if I couldn’t do them. But they are all easily overlooked as just regular life activities when, in fact, they make my life richer and more enjoyable.

• Tim Nelson is

Old church off to new home

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

principal of Lakeview School and author of the book Small Steps for a Happy and Purposeful Life. He endeavours to learn something new every day by reading books, listening to podcasts, and engaging with a wide range of other content.

Lifestyle

A Zealandia in Wairarapa

Throughout 2023 a conservation group has been using acoustic recorders to search for long-tailed pekapeka [an indigenous member of the bat family] in Wairarapa.

They have found them along the Tararua foothills and elsewhere, including in the Carterton district water supply facility at the top of Dalefield Road.

Monique Leerschool, who lives nearby, recalls seeing pekapeka in the early evenings 20 years ago, but not recently. Concerned about the decline of pekapeka, Leerschool is proposing enhanced predator control in the water catchment and nearby blocks.

One block of interest is a 350-hectare forestry block owned by Carterton District Council [CDC] that is adjacent to but not part of the water catchment. It is about two-thirds planted in pines, with

harvesting planned over the next 20 years. The pines were valued at $1.1 million, now down to $870,000. Even this figure may be heroic as the council had to pay $30,000 in negative stumpage in the latest logging operation.

Leerschool and others are now proposing that the 350ha block be repurposed from forestry to a conservation and recreational reserve. It already has a small bike trail and is used for horse trekking. Other recreational uses could be picnic areas and walking tracks.

The proposition is to expand protection for pekapeka to all our threatened indigenous plants, fungi and animals. The first steps would be to inventory what biodiversity is present in the block, start a trial predator eradication process and deal with invasive weeds, including wilding pines.

As the plantation pines are harvested, native trees would be encouraged and planted so the block can revert

to a native forest. As at Zealandia some pines would be kept. Besides being a known nesting site for pekapeka, our native birds make use of tall trees.

There are deer, pigs and goats in the block that cause significant damage and, due to incursions from the forest park, will be difficult to control. A deer fence would be a possibility. But then why not put in a predatorproof fence and create another Zealandia? The conservation, cultural, educational, tourist and economic benefits would be immense.

Leerschool is presenting the reserve proposal to community and conservation groups in Wairarapa. Besides endorsing the idea, Forest & Bird has the nearby Fensham Reserve, whose volunteers will provide support on the ground.

It’s over to you, Carterton.

Long-tailed female bat.

PHOTO/COLIN O’DONNELL

GREYTOWN SURROUNDS &

GET YOUR FILL OF DELICIOUS PRODUCE AT PINEHAVEN

Much has changed in Greytown over the years – but Pinehaven Orchards, and its delicious, home-grown apples, has been going strong since the early 1900s. Pinehaven is the last commercial orchard in Greytown to grow its wares on site and to sell directly to the public and we are the only orchard that’s open 12 months of the year.

From its two large orchard spaces, Pinehaven produces 12 varieties of apples, six varieties of pears, stone fruits, berries, quinces, feijoas, and a selection of vegetables – including outdoor saucing tomatoes.

With no middleman involved, Pinehaven is able to sell its produce at a ordable prices – with customers able to buy seasonal fruit and vegetables in bulk throughout the year. Pinehaven is now in its third generation of family ownership, with Stephen Meyrick, an orchardist his entire career, and wife Sarah at the helm since the late 1990s.

The business began life as Orchard Holm, founded on Udy Street by

pioneer apple grower James Hutton Kidd – best known for developing the successful Kids Orange Red, Gala and Freyberg varieties.

Stan Meyrick, an orchardist since 1926, bought the business in 1953, renaming it “Pinehaven” and eventually passing it on to his son Stuart.

The business thrived throughout the 1980s and 90s with many overseas contracts – however, when Stuart’s son Stephen took over in 1997, the export market was on the decline so Stephen and Sarah began to focus solely on the local market.

Since 2005, they have supported Wairarapa producers by o ering the opportunity to sell their produce in the Pinehaven shop – diversifying the business, and proving popular with customers. The store o ers a range of meats from Greytown Butchery (including its award-winning sausages), locally sourced eggs, fruit, spices and jams, and seedlings and plants from Zealandia.

Pinehaven also sells its own range of apple juices – made using its Paci c Rose, Braeburn and Cox’s Orange varieties – as well as real fruit ice creams. Pinehaven’s delivery service supplies fresh produce to restaurants, cafes and rest homes throughout Wairarapa.

As veterinarians report seeing a significant increase in the number of parvovirus cases, the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe [NZVA] is calling on puppy owners to prioritise essential vaccinations to prevent heartbreak.

“It is important that new puppy owners factor in the cost for the course of vaccinations when they purchase or acquire a puppy,” NZVA head of veterinary services –companion animals, Sally Cory said.

“Vaccination is a highly effective way of avoiding parvovirus and the associated costs are far less than managing a very unwell puppy.”

Cory, who also works as an emergency vet at the Wellington After Hours Veterinary Clinic, said her team is seeing cases of parvovirus on a daily basis, some of which have resulted in death.

“There is definitely a significant amount of parvovirus around at the moment. It’s been one of the worst I’ve seen in 20 years with many people struggling to prioritise the cost of their pet’s vaccinations,” she said.

“Unfortunately, parvovirus is catching

people out and instead they’re having to pay for intensive treatment or having to make tough calls about putting their animal to sleep, if the dog is very unwell.”

Parvovirus is a highly contagious, viral disease affecting the dog’s gastrointestinal tract.

Those most at risk are young [six weeks to six months], unvaccinated, or incompletely vaccinated puppies.

food and water bowls, or footwear that contains the virus. The signs of parvovirus usually occur within five to seven days of exposure and may include lethargy, lack of appetite and fever that then progresses to vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. The disease can progress quickly, and severe disease often results in death.

“We understand finances are tight and it’s hard to prioritise vaccinations when you have a happy, bouncy puppy in front of you,” Cory said. “However, we urge new puppy owners not to delay vaccinations or assume they’ll be okay. It’s heartbreaking when we see people bring their puppies in for emergency treatment when we know the illness is preventable.”

When purchasing a puppy, be certain you know if vaccinations have been started or not and when the next booster is due. If you are advised they have had their vaccinations, then you should receive a vaccine certificate booklet with confirmation. If you have no proof that vaccinations have been administered, then always assume the puppy has not been vaccinated and discuss this with your veterinarian.

Puppy vaccinations urged Lifestyle

Parvovirus can be passed on when dogs sniff, lick or eat contaminated faeces, or through encountering

Cory said parvovirus had always been prevalent in some urban areas. This year, cases appear to be on the rise, especially in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.

At the same time as preventing the risk of parvovirus, owners should not forget that it is extremely important puppies are wellsocialised from the ages of three weeks to 12-16 weeks. To help socialise puppies before they have completed their vaccinations, the NZVA encourages owners to enrol their pet in puppy

classes, and check out the Puppy Socialisation Bingo chart from Fear Free Pets for more ideas.

If adult dogs received their full puppy vaccination programme, they should receive their first parvo booster at 12 months, and then every three years, Cory said.

Reduce the risks of your puppy contracting parvovirus

 Get them vaccinated by a veterinarian. Parvovirus is highly preventable with the right vaccinations.

 Keep them away from unvaccinated dogs and public areas where dogs commonly walk.

 Keep them restricted to properties with no history of parvovirus as the disease can survive in affected areas for years.

 Make sure no one is bringing potentially contaminated material on to your property [remember to “clean the poo from the shoe!”].

The incidence of parvovirus varies between locations. Talk to your veterinarian about the your area’s parvovirus risk, and an appropriate vaccination and socialisation programme for your puppy.

PHOTO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

After transforming Featherston’s hospitality and degustation scene over the past seven years, the founders of the Brac and Bow restaurant and bar have put their beloved business on the market.

John Richards and Theo Wijnsma – who cite new ventures as the reason for selling up – first moved from Wellington to Featherston in 2017, prompting their family and friends to question their sanity, Richards said.

“We decided to jump into the unknown,”

Richards said. “Our family and friends thought we were nuts leaving the security of good Wellington jobs.”

They bought the former Chapelli’s with a vision of what the dilapidated building could become with a little love and care and spent the next six months restoring the premises.

“When we took it over, we had to work it out as we went – we had good knowledge of restaurant and hotel management but no idea of what it was like to own one,” Richards said.

“It finally started to look like ours, a place we would be proud to welcome people, for groups of

friends to come together and celebrate local food and wine.”

The pair ran Brac and Bow from that site for around three and a half years before relocating to the Royal Hotel Featherston and taking over management there, which Richards said meant more room to run a bigger operation.

“We began to do things that the old building could never have coped with,” Richards said.

“We wanted everything to reflect the quality and style we appreciate and to ensure everyone knew where we were, with new signage, outdoor

planters, stunning crystal chandeliers, updated furnishings and guest rooms.”

This included various catering operations, degustation events, and having more creative freedom to experiment with different themes and styles, with the formal dining room named after beloved Featherston author Joy Cowley.

Notable innovations the duo offered at Brac and Bow over the years include making the space available for weddings, theatrical functions, and themed dinners, which Richards said created memorable experiences for patrons.

“We tried to create and enjoy the process of being a small business in a small town and showing we can actually be a standout,” Richards said.

“You’ve got to have your head screwed on and really look at the numbers and analyse the business, but also be open to trying new things and have fun along the way.”

Although the hospitality industry has had a rough ride over the past few years, Richards is optimistic about how the business is placed heading into 2024 – and beyond.

“It’s really picking up, we’ve got huge amounts of domestic travel,” he said. “Featherston can definitely be the silent one in South Wairarapa

when compared to Martinborough and Greytown, but we find we get people for dinner and accommodation the night before they head to Martinborough, so it definitely works really well.”

With weddings booked for their catering business until 2027, Richards said they will still be part of the community, with an opportunity to travel to Holland also on the horizon.

The business is listed on TradeMe, and Richards said he has already received several inquiries.

“We’d like someone to take it over who actually loves it like us – it’s important that it goes into the right hands.”

LEFT: Brac and Bow owners Theo Wijnsma and John Richards. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED

Lifestyle

Trendy venue pulls in musicians

There’s a growing hum in the artistic community about Featherston arts venue Common Ground, with more artists being drawn to play intimate shows in small-town New Zealand.

As well as a steady stream of art exhibitions and sound immersion sessions, Common Ground is providing the opportunity for smallscale gigs, providing artists passing through Featherston with a venue space.

Having run Common Ground since May last year, owner Zac Winterwood said part of the goal has been to create a space that is “inviting for performers”.

“It’s quite minimalist, we don’t have too much in the way of equipment,” he said.

“But the selling point to artists is the intimacy of the space and the cultural experience of playing at a town like Featherston.”

Calling the trek over from Wellington a “romantic drive over the Remutaka Hill”, Winterwood said he had initially kept engagement expectations low.

“It’s a huge gamble to open somewhere that

relies on the interaction of the public,” Winterwood said.

“You’re running on the smell of an oily rag, and it’s a risk.

“But in saying that, what I’ve found surprising is the consistency of the audiences for the shows, so that’s been really refreshing.”

With audience members predominately from Featherston, Winterwood said there is an interesting demographic.

“Some people who come are hardcore music fans who definitely had their own bands at some point,” he said.

“Others just want to get out of the house and support something that’s happening in the area or feel like something a bit different.

“They’ve twigged on that what’s going on here is really special.”

At the same time as a core audience has started to settle into the Common Ground seats, musicians’ interest in playing in Featherston is also beginning to snowball, Winterwood said.

He said this stems from artists who are booked in to play larger shows or festivals in big cities, but also want to make the most of touring and play sideshows in new places.

“Since December, we’ve been getting a large influx of communications from different artists reaching out,” Winterwood said.

“I think from the concerts held in 2023, there’s word of mouth happening and generating interest through the grapevine.”

Joining up with Booktown this year, Winterwood said the venue will be hosting a few events as part of the literary and arts festival.

Bella Cleary bella.cleary@age.co.nz

Christchurch artist Sam Bambery playing a gig at Common Ground.

Auckland singer and songwriter Mali Mali enchanted an audience at Common Ground last year.

Jumbo crossword

68 Ageism (anag)(6)

69 Alter slightly (6)

73 Group of notes played together (5)

74 Pass (8)

76 Evaluation (10)

81 Acquires (7)

82 Small harpsichord (6)

83 Land surrounded by water (6)

84 Mountain lake (4)

85 In tiers (7)

86 Literary work recast as a film or play (10)

87 Quandary (7)

DOWN

1 Pip fruit (5)

2 Pulling contest (3-2-3)

3 Jewels from the sea (6)

4 Turns acidic (5)

5 Cereal heads (4)

6 Dry (7)

7 Symbol (6)

8 Jewish religious teacher (5)

10 Mature (4)

11 Merit (7)

12 Novel appliance (6)

17 With elegance (10)

18 False blow (5)

55 Quietens (5)

56 Play segments (4)

57 Tropical lizard (6)

58 Fecund (8)

61 Temperature scale (7)

62 Latticed metal screen (6)

63 Lays back (8)

66 Unable (9)

22 Weather shield (8)

23 Thin biscuit (5)

24 Shrub with drooping flowers (7)

26 Tops (4)

28 Short pithy saying (7)

29 Spurn (6)

30 Winged child (6)

31 African expedition (6)

33 Edges (anag)(5)

35 Volley of shots (5)

36 Alone (4)

37 Monster (4)

43 Ground-levelling machine (6)

44 Identifies (5)

46 Chop at roughly (4)

47 Spendthrift (7)

48 Sherried dessert (6)

49 Red powder (5)

50 Freakish (8)

51 Dirty, squalid (6)

52 Senseless nonsense (10)

53 Present (4)

54 Selected passage (7)

59 One from Havana (5)

60 Measure of land (4)

64 Soothing ointment (5)

65 Tepid (8)

67 Provide a commentary for (7)

68 Disinclination to move (7)

70 Extreme irrational fear (6)

71 Short sleep (6)

72 Wrote (6)

75 Quick (5)

77 Hairdresser’s premises (5)

78 Athlete’s foot (5)

79 Long ago (4)

80 Pacific country (4)

Last week’s crossword solution

ACROSS: 1 Couch, 4 Capsules, 9 Caress, 14 Hoist, 15 The whole caboodle, 17 Olive, 18 Oar, 19 Predict, 20 Diligence, 21 Tender, 24 Presuming, 25 Dismal, 26 Tamper, 29 Heightened, 31 Lie, 32 Hamper, 33 Flea, 35 Lei, 37 Pops, 39 Appraisal, 40 Longitude, 41 Shell, 42 Newsreel, 47 Slippers, 51 Worry, 55 Tarantula, 56 Exuberant, 58 Robe, 59 Awl, 60 Drop, 61 Kernel, 62 Lit, 63 Advertised, 66 Upkeep, 67 Ensued, 69 Rebellion, 72 Sunken, 73 Chihuahua, 75 Twosome, 77 Aft, 80 Urged, 81 A tower of strength, 82 Loses, 83 Stayed, 84 Sundries, 85 Edict.

DOWN: 2 Otherwise, 3 Cowed, 5 Aces, 6 Swahili, 7 Looking-glass, 8 Sedge, 9 Coerces, 10 Riot, 11 Sniper, 12 Minor, 13 Starter, 14 Headway, 16 Orchestrate, 22 Turnip, 23 Sawmill, 24 Pegasus, 25 Dwells, 27 Pollute, 28 Kennel, 30 Dead, 32 Hides, 34 Avers, 36 Limp, 38 Ode, 42 Noted, 43 Warlock, 44 Rung, 45 Eluded, 46 Trial, 48 Interviewer, 49 Portion, 50 Rib, 51 Warning, 52 Yelled, 53 Subterranean, 54 Feta, 57 Anvils, 64 Enigmatic, 65 Heinous, 66 Usually, 68 Unheard, 70 Boudoir, 71 Weight, 72 Stash, 74 Hoops, 76 Synod, 78 Eddy, 79 Isle.

Insert the missing letters to complete ten words — five across the grid and five down. More than one solution may be possible.

Golden Shears highlights the Mongolian connection

A team of 10 Mongolia herders travelled more than 12,000km from the steppes of home to participate in this year’s Golden Shears, held this month.

One of them was an entrant in the Novice

Wool Handling event, while six participated in the Junior Shearing category, and three competed in the Intermediate Shearing classes.

The Mongolian team is part of an international collaboration called Share Mongolia, committed to

supporting Mongolian herders and farmers to farm more efficiently, profitably, and sustainably. They were hosted by the Masterton Marangai farmstead while they competed in the Shears.

Woolhandler Lkhagva Bolortsetseg said attending and taking part in the international

event was an “exciting” experience, and said in Mongolia, the sheep, sheds, and shearing are very different from what they found in New Zealand.

Although Mongolia boasts 32.3 million sheep – outstripping New Zealand’s 25.07 million – the herders there shear their

flocks with traditional hand shears, which Bolortsetseg said is hard for them.

Last year, Share Mongolia volunteers from New Zealand visited the country and taught Bolortsetseg’s team how to shear sheep using electric equipment, which they’re now determined

Ten

Kate Judson kate.judson@age.co.nz

to hire in the future.

“It was so efficient, it saved money and saved time,” she said. “I hope after three years, all Mongolian herders can use electric machines to shear.”

The trip to New Zealand – where the Mongolian team spent three months in the leadup to the Golden Shears being mentored by agriculture experts – was Bolortsetseg’s first time abroad, and returning home will involve a 15-hour flight followed by a sevenhour bus ride.

The travel time is no deterrence to the team, however, who intend to come back to compete in the Golden Shears in 2026.

up on a stage and shorn a sheep.”

The herders had to raise $4000 to travel to New Zealand, which was difficult, Brough said, given they earn about 50 cents a sheep and the annual wage in Mongolia is just NZ$1000.

In contrast, during the time they spent working here the herders were able to earn about $600 a day and $2 dollars a sheep.

Brough’s idea for the not-for-profit collaboration came after a visit to Mongolia in 2019 during which he met a shearer “with extremely calloused hands” who clipped 30 sheep by hand a day.

A

but didn’t have the instructors to keep them going, Brough set about gathering together some willing volunteers.

As well as teaching herders to farm more productively, profitably, and sustainably, the Shear Mongolia initiative also aims to connect them with buyers who buy wool for $1 a kilogram.

As a result, some herders have enjoyed their first formal deals with buyers for 30 years. Most herders put their wool in a heap in the desert in the hope that passers-by will buy it.

On 1 April, the minimum wage goes up from $22.70/hr to $23.15/hr (adult wage). This means that someone on a total salary (annual salary before any deductions such as PAYE and rent) of $46,000 a year can only work 38 hours a week before a top-up is required, and someone on $60,000 a year it is 50 hours a week.

All employees must be paid at least the minimum wage for every hour they work. This applies to employees who are paid by the hour and employees who receive an annual salary. You cannot average an employee’s salary over a season. Instead, you can average it over a week or fortnight depending on their pay period.

Keeping accurate timesheets is a legal requirement for all employees (waged and salaried). These should be used to reconcile the hours worked against the wage or salary paid each pay period.

More information on minimum wage and how total package value with accommodation affects this can be found on the DairyNZ website www.dairynz.co.nz/people/ employer/rosters-pay-and-leave/salary-and-wages/

Paul Brough, who founded Share Mongolia and is finance manager for Rabobank, which sponsored the team, said the Golden Shears was an “incredible” experience for the group.

“They were so nervous,” he said.

“They’ve never seen a stadium, let alone been

Struck by how “ridiculous” this was, Brough asked a United Nations contact whether the organisation had ever thought of teaching people how to shear with modern machines.

When he discovered the UN had run shearing programmes through its United Nations Industrial Development Organisation [Unido]

Unido has calculated that electric shearing has the potential to create 4000 seasonal jobs in Mongolia, many of which would be filled by women and could double the price that wool currently fetches there.

The goal is to provide 150 Mongolian herders with the skills and equipment they need to start their own businesses each year.

The Mongolian way of shearing sheep.

Mongolian child holding a sheep.

day’s work is trucked away.

Events

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

Alcoholics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7.308.30pm. Call 0800 229 6757.

Belly Dance for Beginners: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-7.30pm. Call Antonia Blincoe [021] 105-7649.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High Street, Carterton,1pm for 1.30pm start. Call Pauline Hodgson [027] 406-672.

Carterton Community Choir: 7.15-9pm, St David’s Presbyterian Church Youth Wing, 164 High St South. Call [0278] 205-801.

Carterton District Historical Society: 142 High St North, Carterton, open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564 or email carterton.hist.soc@gmail. com

Carterton Scout Group: At Rangatahi Hub [behind Carterton Event Centre], Scouts [11-14 years] 6.30-8.30pm. Contact Sylvia [027] 249-3395.

Danzability Class: 11am-noon, at Studio 73, Greytown. Contact physio. rachel.horwell@gmail.com or [022] 077-2654.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call [0800] 373-646 to book or for advice.

Martinborough: 9.30-11.30am, St Andrew’s Church; Featherston: 1.30-3.30pm, Featherston Community Centre.

Fareham Creative Space: Also

Fri/Tues, open studio, 10am-3pm, 80 Underhill Rd, Featherston. Email: registrations@farehamcreativespace. nz

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 6.30pm. Food Market: Food trucks, 4.30-7pm outside the Masterton Town Hall, rain or shine.

Friendship Force Wairarapa: Travel and cultural experiences through home hosting. Contact June Roseingrave [022] 305-9234.

GirlGuidingNZ: Carterton Pippins, 5-7 years, 4.15-5.30pm. Carterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 6-7.30pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm.

KeepFit!: 10.30am, Senior Citizens Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Masterton Petanque Club: 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous: 7.308.30pm, at St Matthew’s Church, Church St, Masterton.

Parkinson’s Exercise Class: 1.30pm, at the Wairarapa Boxing Academy, Dixon St. Call Roslyn [027] 264-8623.

Patient Activity Programme: At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-1pm. Call 378-8888.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 5-7pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Ruamahanga Club: Cards, 500, 1-4pm, at Wairarapa Services Club, Essex St, Masterton. Social Learners Bridge: 1-3.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Barbara [06] 304-9208.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Thursday Morning Bikers: Meet at the fountain at the Queen Elizabeth Park entrance, 9.30am. Contact David [021] 246-0295.

Wairarapa Fern and Thistle Pipe Band: Weekly practice, Masterton Brass Bandrooms, Park Ave, Masterton. Email fernandthistle21@ gmail.com

Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome. Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, intermediate, 1-2.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 377-1135.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

Aratoi: Lester Blair: Twenty-Four Churches to Apr 16; James Bragge: Splendid Scenic Gems to May 5; Choice: Staff picks from the collection to May 5; King Street Artworks to May 26.

Carterton Craft Market: Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm, Sun: 10am-3pm, 25 High St North, Carterton. Call Desley [027] 787-8558.

Carterton Senior Citizens: 12.303.30pm, play cards, Rummikub and Scrabble, at the old courthouse next to the library.

Cloth Collective Sewing Workshop: 10am-2pm, Kiwi Hall Supper Room. Call Sara Uruski [0274] 474-959.

Dance Fit: At Carrington Park, Carterton, at 6-7pm. Text dance groove to [022] 321-2643.

Featherston Friday Night Market: 6-9pm, food trucks, live music, facepaint/ tattoos, 33 Fitzherbert St.

French Conversation: U3Aaffiliated group meets at the Education Centre, Dixon St, Masterton, 11am-1pm. For people wanting to converse in French or improve speaking in French. Contact Brett [027] 363-4039 or Robyn [021] 169-9415.

Greytown Music and Movement: For pre-schoolers, 10am, at St Luke’s Hall, Main St. Contact email admin@ stlukesgreytown.co.nz

Justice of the Peace: Carterton library noon-2pm; Masterton District Court 11am-1pm; Eketahuna Library

1.30-4.30pm. Masterton Bowling Club: Funzie Friday, 12.30pm for 1pm start. Call 377-4664 after 4pm.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward 377-4401.

Masterton Masters Swimming Club: Club night 5.30-6.30pm, Trust House Recreation Centre back pool. Call Stu [027] 295-4189 or Lucy [021] 0204-4144.

Needlework & Craft Drop-in: 10am-noon, Featherston Community Centre. Call May [06] 308-6912 or Virginia [06] 308-8392.

Spontaneous Dance: Kiwi Hall, Featherston, 6.30-8pm. Call Pavla Miller [022] 075-3867.

Wairarapa Kids Choir: For children aged seven years up, 3.50-4.50pm, during school terms, Courthouse, Holloway St, Carterton. Call Jill [027] 347-5891.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Quit Clinic at Whaiora 9amnoon. Support across Wairarapa. Call Whaiora 0800 494 246.

Walk and Talk: Meet outside Dish Cafe, First St, Masterton, 9.30am.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High St, Carterton, behind clock tower. Call Pauline [027] 406-6728.

Cobblestones Early Settlers Village: Open 10am-4pm seven days.

Crop Up Greytown: Fresh produce, seafood and kitchen creations from Greytown and South Wairarapa, from 9am, at Truckstop Greytown, 102 Main St. Check Facebook.

Featherston Heritage Museum: Behind the Featherston Library and Information Centre. Sat/Sun 10am2pm, other times by arrangement.

Call Elsa [021] 263-9403.

Featherston Weekly Market: 8am2pm, 33 Fitzherbert St. Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon.

Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

Justice of the Peace: Service centre available at Masterton Library, 10am-noon.

Lions Book Sale: 9am-1pm, under the grandstand, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton.

Martinborough Men’s Shed: Old Courthouse, 20 Cork St, 9am-noon. Call John [021] 314-2485.

Martinborough Museum: Open Sat/Sun at No 7 The Square, 10.30am2.30pm. Donation/koha appreciated. Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 378-7109.

Masterton Tennis Centre: Organised doubles from 12.30 pm at 147 Dixon St, Masterton. Contact Sue McRae [027] 449-0601.

Parkrun: Weekly 5km run/walk. 8am start, at the Woodside end of the Greytown rail trail. Info: parkrun. co.nz/greytownwoodsidetrail

Tinui Craft Corner and Museum: Open Sat/Sun 10am-4pm. Call Lesley Hodgins [06] 372-6433.

Toy Library: Masterton: 10am1pm, 365 Queen St. Featherston: 14 Wakefield St, 10am-noon.

Wairarapa Cancer Society Supportive Care Services: For anyone needing support after a cancer diagnosis. Call (06) 378-8039.

Wairarapa Farmers’ Market: 9am1pm, Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton.

Wairarapa Shafts and Wheels

Driving Association: First day of two-day carriage driving competition. Dressage and Obstacle Cones from 8.30am, Clareville A and P Showgrounds. Contact Bob Macfarlane [027] 334-7730.

Women’s Self Defence: With Dion, 9am, band rotunda, Queen Elizabeth Park. Call [020] 4124-4098.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

Carterton Farmers’ Market: High St, Carterton, 9am-12.30pm.

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 1pm. Greytown Country Market: Stella Bull Park, 10am-2pm. All profits go to the Greytown Trails Trust

Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, bowls roll up at 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call [027] 957-1012.

Masterton Petanque Club: Club day 2pm, in Queen Elizabeth Park. Call Myrna Lane 377-3064. Masterton Tennis Centre: Social doubles from 9am at 147 Dixon St, Masterton. Blackboard draw.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, 365 Queen St.

Narcotics Anonymous: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call 0800 628 632.

Rotary Sunday Market: 7-11.30am, Essex St car park. Contact thehodsons@xtra.co.nz

South Wairarapa Pipe Band: Practice at St John’s church hall, Featherston, 4-6pm. Call [027] 6285889 or [027] 453-0182.

Wairarapa Gourmet Toastmasters Club: 11am-1pm.

Contact Carol [027] 600-1710.

Wairarapa Model Aero Club: 9amnoon, at the Masterton Aerodrome. Wairarapa Shafts and Wheels

Driving Association: Second day of two-day carriage driving competition. Marathon and obstacles, from 8.30am-noon, Clareville A and P Showgrounds.

MONDAY, MARCH 18

Art for Everyone: Featherston Community Centre, 7-9pm. Call Sandie [021] 157-4909.

Carterton Alcoholics

Anonymous: 8pm, Salvation Army Community Rooms, 210 High St. Call Bob [021] 042-2947 or Martin [06] 372-7764.

Carterton Community Toy Library: Events Centre, Holloway St, Mon-Sat during CDC Library hours.

Carterton Food Bank: 10-11am

Mon-Fri at Haumanu House. Call 379-4092.

Carterton Scottish Dance Club: 7.30pm, at Carterton School Hall, Holloway St. Call Elaine 377-0322.

Carterton Scout Group: At Rangatahi Hub [behind Carterton Event Centre], Keas [5-8 years] 4.30-5.30pm; Cubs [8-11] 6-7.30pm.

Contact Sylvia [027] 249-3395.

CCS Disability Action Wairarapa Office: 36 Bannister St, Masterton, 10am-1pm Mon-Fri. Call 378-2426 or 0800 227-2255.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, 43 Perry St, Masterton. Call 377-0078 or 0800 367-222.

Creative Hands Programme:

At Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton, 10am-noon. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

East Indoor Bowling Club: 7pm. Call Julie 377-5497 or George 3789266. Featherston Music Club: 7-9pm. Call Shaun O’Brien [027] 672-6249.

Free Community Fit Club: Mon/ Tues/Fri, 6am and 11am, Carrington Park, Carterton. Call Di [027] 4987261.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Rangers, 12½-18 years, 6.30-8pm. South Wairarapa Guides [Greytown], 9-12½ years, 6-8pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Hospice Wairarapa Support

Services: For anyone dealing with a terminal illness. Call [06] 378-8888.

Housie: 7pm, Club Carterton, Broadway. Call 379-8069.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 9.30am-12.30pm.

Keep Fit!: 9.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St, Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Line Dancing: 10.30am, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St Masterton. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

Literacy Aotearoa: Free computing and digital device classes for adults. Call 377-4214.

Mah-jong: 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Pat Hamilton [06] 308-9729.

Masterton District Brass Band: Rehearsals at 7pm, in the Band Room, Park Ave, Masterton. Call [022] 574-0742.

Masterton Food Bank: 9 Church St, Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm. Call 370-8034.

Play Gym: St James Church Hall 116 High St, Masterton, 9.30-11am, for 0-3-year-olds.

Red Star Table Tennis Club: 6-8pm at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Senior Citizens Club: Cards 1-4pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Val [06] 308-9293.

Steady As You Go: Falls Prevention and Balance Class, Featherston: 9.30am, A/G Church. Masterton: 1.30pm, Senior Citizens’ Hall, Cole St. Call Age Concern [06] 377-0066.

The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Beginners Linedance Class: 6-7pm. Linedance Intermediate Class: 7.30-8.30pm. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Troubadour Music Group: 6-8pm, Wairarapa Community Centre, 41 Perry St, Masterton. Contact Stefan [027] 226-6019.

Wairarapa Futsal: 6pm Clareville Showgrounds. Call Robyn [027] 235-8673.

Wairarapa Services Club: Cards, 500, 1.30pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Stop Smoking Service: Call a Quit Coach based at Whaiora 0800 494 246.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

Caregivers Programme: Caring for your loved one who is unwell, at Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall St, Masterton. Call Kirsten 399-1050.

Carrington Bowling Club: 57 High St, Carterton, behind clock tower. Call Pauline [027] 406-6728.

Carterton District Historical Society: 142 High St North, Carterton, open 2-4pm or by appointment. Call Vivienne 379-5564.

Central Indoor Bowls Club: 7.30pm, Hogg Crescent hall. Call Mathew or Graeme 378-7554.

Chair Exercise: Gentle chair exercises, 2-2.45pm, at St John’s Hall, Greytown.

Clareville Badminton Club: Main Stadium at Clareville, 7.30pm -9pm. Call Steve [027] 333-3975.

Dance Fitness: 6.30-7.30pm, at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call [0800] 373-646 to book or for advice. Carterton: 9.30-11.30am, Carterton Library; Greytown: 1.30-3.30pm, Greytown Library.

Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club: During school terms. Classes are weight and skill dependent; Beginners, 5-9 years, 5.30-6.15pm; 10 years+ [including adults] 6.157.30pm.

Featherston Menz Shed: 61 Fitzherbert St, open from 10am.

Featherston Toy Library: Featherston Community Centre, 9-11am.

Featherston Wahine Singers: 7-8.30pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Susan [021] 246-4884.

Free Literacy and Numeracy Classes: At Literacy Aotearoa, 340 Queen St, Masterton. Call Carol [022] 524-5994.

GirlGuiding: Masterton Pippins [5-7 years] 3.45-5pm. Call Chrissy Warnock 372-7646.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB 11am-1pm.

Knit and Natter: 3pm, Wairarapa

Community Centre, Perry St; 7pm, Te Awhina Cameron Community House, 2 Stuart Cres, Masterton.

Mah-jong: Carterton RSA, 1pm. Call Margaret 379-8681.

Masterton Alcoholics

Anonymous: 7.30pm, St Matthew’s Church Hall, 35 Church St. Call Anne 378-2338 or David [021] 116-5505.

Masterton Croquet Club: Golf Croquet 9.15am behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Russell Ward 377-4401.

Masterton Judo Club: Tues/Thurs, youth class 5-6pm, adults 7-8.30pm, Nga Totara Dojo, 205 Ngaumutawa Rd, Masterton. Contact Simon [021] 248-6111.

Masterton Senior Citizens and Beneficiaries Association: Social indoor bowls, 500 cards, or a chat 1-3pm, Senior Citizens hall, Cole St. Call Ngaire 377-0342.

Masterton Toastmasters: Meet fortnightly, Salvation Army Hall, 210 High St, Carterton, 7.30pm. Call Wayne [027] 335-5825.

Masterton Toy Library: 10am-1pm, at rear of Masterton YMCA, 162 Dixon St, Masterton. Red Star Table Tennis Club: 9amnoon at Red Star Sports Association 10 Herbert St, Masterton. Call Peter [027] 566-4664 or Brian 377-4066.

Scallyrag Border Morris Dancing: 7-8 pm at the Auditorium, Kuranui College, Greytown. Contact Alison [021] 111-1894.

Social Bridge: At South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club, 1.30-3.30pm. Call Lesley [021] 299-6389.

South Wairarapa Workingmen’s Club: Games afternoon. Call Doff 304-9748.

Wairarapa Genealogy Branch: Family History Research Rooms, 5 Church St, Masterton, 1-3.30pm.

Wairarapa Herb Society: Old Court House, Holloway St, Carterton, 1.303pm. Contact waiherbs@gmail.com

Wairarapa Modern Jive: Carterton School hall, 7.15-7.30pm Intermediate workshop; 8-8.45pm Beginners class. Contact Lance [021] 134-5661.

Wairarapa Services Club: Cards, Euchre, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Woops A Daisies: Leisure Marching Team practice 4-5pm, at the Trust House Rec Centre Stadium. Call Cheryl [06] 370-1922 or [027] 697-6974.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20

AA Meeting: At 7.30pm, Epiphany church hall, High St, Solway, Masterton. Call [027] 557-7928.

Athletics Wairarapa: Club night, 5.45-7pm, Colin Pugh Sports Bowl, Masterton.

Cards: “500”, 1.15-4.15pm, at the Carterton Club. Call Barbara 379-6582 or Val 379-8329.

Carterton Cycle Group: From Belvedere Rd [weather permitting]. Call Irene [027] 634-9167 or Lesley [021] 299-6389. Dance Fitness: 9.30-11am, preschoolers with parents or caregivers at Fareham House Hall Featherston. Call Justine [0204] 105-2830.

Digital Seniors Wairarapa: Call [0800] 373-646 to book or for advice. Masterton: 10am-noon, Masterton Library.

Free Classes: Literacy, language, numeracy for adult learners. Call Literacy Aotearoa 377-4214.

GirlGuidingNZ: Masterton Brownies, 7-9½ years, 5.30-7pm. Call Sharon [021] 033-0550.

Greytown Menz Shed: 9am-noon. Call Paul Dodge [021] 0262-6595.

Healing Rooms: Confidential prayer for healing or any situation, 2-4pm, at St Matthews Church Hall, Church St, Masterton. Call [027] 245-2819.

Heart of Arts Wairarapa: A community gallery, 47 High St North, Carterton, Wed-Fri, 10am-4pm, weekends, 10am-2pm.

Juesday Art: 10am-12.30pm, AOG Church, Birdwood St, Featherston. Call Julia [06] 308-8109.

Justice of the Peace: Masterton CAB noon-2pm.

Kiddie Gym: For under-5s, 9.3011am, at St David’s Church, corner High and Victoria Sts, Carterton. Call Judy or Joan 379-8325.

Martinborough Men’s Shed: Old Courthouse, 20 Cork St, 9am-noon. Call Doug [027] 444-7331.

Masterton Art Club: 10am-2pm, also print on Fridays, at 12 Victoria St. Call Elissa [0274] 706-528.

Masterton Croquet Club: Association Croquet 9.15am and 12.45pm behind the Hosking Garden in the park. Call Carl Redvers 3787109.

Masterton Park Bowling Club: Queen Elizabeth Park, 1pm, names in by 12.45pm. Call [027] 957-1012. Men’s Group: Meet for support and friendship, at the Salvation Army Village, Ngaumutawa Rd, Masterton, 7-9pm.

Parkinson’s Singing Group: 10am, at the South Wairarapa Workingman’s Club, Main St, Greytown. Call Marguerite Chadwick 379-5376. Rangatahi to Rangatira Youth Group: Sports, food, and leadership, Carterton Events Centre. Text “R2R” to [027] 742-2264.

Recreational Walking Group: 9.30am, Essex St car park. Call Ann Jackson, 372-5758, or Ann Duckett, 378-8285.

Scrabble Club: 1-4pm in Masterton. For venue details, call Sue McRae [027] 449-0601. Silver Ukulele Club: 1-3pm, Featherston Community Centre. Call Jan [06] 308-8556.

Soulway Cooking and Crafts: 10am-noon, High St, Masterton. Call Nikki Smith 370-1604].

South Wairarapa Caregivers Programme: Caring for your loved one who is unwell, at a café in South Wairarapa. Call Kirsten 399-1050. Taoist Tai Chi: From 5.30pm at St Mark’s Church Hall, 185 High St, Carterton. Contact www.taoisttaichi. org

Te Runga Scouts: Cubs, 6-7.30pm, 45 Harley St, Masterton. The Dance Shed: 450A Belvedere Rd, Carterton. Line Dance Class 6-7pm; Rock N Roll Dance Class: 7.308.30pm, Beginners/Couple Coaching, Social/Competitive. Call Wendy [027] 319-9814.

Toi Wairarapa – Heart of Arts: 10 Minute Bites, 12.10pm, BYO sandwich. Wairarapa Rockers: Rock’n’roll. Couple inquiries to [027] 333-1793.

Wairarapa Services Club: Rummikub, 1pm, at the club, Essex St, Masterton.

Wairarapa Singers: Choral singing. Call Graeme Burnard [027] 270-5666.

Wairarapa Spinners & Weavers: 10am in The Wool Shed, Dixon St, Masterton. Call Trish 378-8775 or Josie 378-6531.

Whakaoriori Shufflers: Line dancing, Red Star clubrooms, Herbert St, Masterton, improvers 5-6.30pm. Call 377-5518 or 377-1135.

Wisdom and Well-being: Featherston Community Centre, 10.30am-12.30pm. Call Pauline [021] 102 8857. * To have an event listed please email event@age.co.nz by noon Thursday prior

Firewood

FIREWOODSUPPLIES.CO.NZ 06 306 9110

GUM 4m3 $720, 2m3 $420

DOUGLAS-FIR 4m3 $710, 2m3 $410

MACROCARPA 4m3 $710, 2m3 $410

SPLIT PINE 4m3 $600, 2m3 $350

BAGGED KINDLING $17each

COMBO’S (2M3 X 2= 4M3)

GUM & D/FIR $740 GUM & MAC $740

GUM & S/PINE $680 D/FIR & MAC $730

D/FIR & S/PINE $670 MAC & S/PINE $670

Delivery & GST included, Winz Approved

Public Notices

Dalefield Hockey Club Annual General Meeting

To be held Tuesday 19th March 6.30pm at the Hockey Pavilion, Clareville.

Public Notices

www.getthru.govt.nz

All supporters, players and Life Members most welcome

If you require more information Contact Secretary Gail Miller 0274 363 239

HUI A TAU - ANNUAL GENERAL HUI

FRIDAY 22 MARCH 2024, 5 - 8pm

Shareholders to Maori Land Blocks Hurunui-o-rangi X3, X4, X5 and Hinana 9B

Nominations for trustees need to be on forms available from francesirs@gmail com Completed nomination forms close 4pm 20 March 2024

RSVP - 20 March: for Catering & Available Overnight whakawhanaungatanga noho

NOREIRA; HAERE MAI, NAUMAI

Nanny Mihi & Whaea Frances

Public Notices

CARTERTON DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICIAL

PROPOSAL TO CLOSE ROADS TO ORDINARY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC

PURSUANT to the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closure) Regulations

1965, notice is hereby given that the Carterton District Council proposes to close part of Tea Creek Road for the purpose of a speed event: Tea Creek Gravel Hillclimb for the period indicated hereunder:

Period of Closure:

Sunday 12th April 2024 7.00am – 7.00pm

16

For Sale

Opening Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs 7:30 - 5pm

For all your iron and roo ng needs call

Gardening & Landscaping

Paul August

Cole Street

Roads affected: Tea Creek Road – 2kms from the intersection of Tea Creek Road with Maungatarere Road to the end of Tea Creek Road

The closed section will be adequately and properly signposted, at the beginning of the closed road, being manned with radio communication to allow the passage of through traffic in an emergency.

Any person objecting to the proposal is called upon to lodge his/her objection and grounds thereof, in writing before 3rd April 2024 at the office of the Carterton District Council, Holloway Street, Carterton.

Johannes Ferreira Infrastructure Manager

www.cdc.govt.nz

34 Dale eld Road, Carterton Email: admin@CtnCF.co.nz

Employment

Aluminium Window & Door Fabricator

A vacancy exists in our Masterton factory for an Aluminium Fabri cator

We are looking for a keen applicant to be part of our busy team

* Experience in the industr y is preferred but not necessary as full training will be given.

* We want you to be honest and reliable.

* We need you to be ph ysically fit and healthy

* Do you have an eye for detail and pride in your work?

* Have a great work ethic

If this role is of interest to you, please forward a CV and references if you have them to; accounts@hollingsfirst.co nz or phone Ian on 06 377 3676

Permanent Full or Part Time Position Trained & Registered ECE or Primary Teacher

Are you passionate about teaching? Looking for a small, fun, and professional team to

Bell St Early Learning Centres are small privately owned, mixed -age centres in Featherston and Martinborough Our teams of teachers are close, hardworking, and passionate about working with young children.

Bell St Featherston is licensed for 23 children

We are looking for a new teacher to join our team in a permanent full or part time capacity, whichever suits for the right person You will need to be trained and registered (ECE or attitude, be energetic, like to laugh, have fun and will share our passion for workin g with young children. New graduates are welcome to apply and will be supported through their certification journey.

This is a permanent, full or part time posit ion commencing April 2024.

If this position sounds like you then we would love for you to send us your application or give us a call if you would like to find out more

Please send your CV and cover letter to Lisa or Ana via e-mail lisa@bellst.co nz or ana@bellst.co.nz by 5pm, Friday 15th March 2024.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this position further, please feel free to ring Lisa on 022 066 5915 or Ana on 0274 526 504.

Landscape Design

Landscape Consultation & Design Service 027 446 8256

august.landscape@orcon.net.nz www.augustlandscapes.co.nz

Entertainment

Bridge is a fun card game that keeps your brain active Come along to our 10 introductory lessons starting on Monday 8th April 6:30pm at Masterton Bridge Club, 112 Villa St, Masterton

E-mail mastertonbridgeclub@xtra.co.nz or contact Cheryl 0275 498 61 7

Employment

PRACTICE NURSE

Featherston Medical are looking for a Practice Nurse to join our team The position is a part-time position for 3-4 days per week.

Applicants must have at least two years clinical experience in either hospital or general practice work.

Interested applicants should call the Practice Manager on 06 308 9220

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE FACILITATORS

These are contracted positions and will suit people who are self-employed or wor king parttime: you must be able to devote some hours of the normal working week to restorative justice. You should live in the Wairarapa, Hor owhenua or Manawatū Districts.

Key Attributes:

• The ability to work with people fr om all backgrounds

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

• The ability to engage people in an unfamiliar process

• Good planning and organisational skills

• Well-developed cultural awareness Desirable, but not essential, is experience of working in the field of family violence. A sound understanding of tikanga and Te Ao Māori would also be very useful.

Training will be provided by the organisation, and this will be followed by a one-week c ourse later in the year. All expenses for this will be paid. Applicants must hold New Zealand residency or a valid NZ work visa, and will be required to consent to vetting by the NZ Police.

Applications should include a covering letter and a curriculum vitae that includes the names and contact details of three referees

Further information can be sought from Philip Peters, Manager, Manawatū Restorative Justice Trust: mrjt@xtra.co.nz or 06 354 1107.

Applications close on 1st April 2024 and should be emailed to the above address or posted to Manawatū Restorative Justice Trust, 193 Broadway Avenue, Palmerston North 4410.

Wintle wins it all

MOTORSPORT

Chris Cogdale chris.cogdale@age.co.nz

Eva Wintle was “beyond words” after winning a national motorcycle championship in only her first full year in the championship.

The Masterton 23-yearold went into the final round of the GIXXER 150 class at Hampton Downs over the weekend, holding a 29-point lead over Sebastian Mitchell, with Nixon Frost a further point back.

Mechanical problems in Saturday’s first race saw Wintle limp home to pick up a valuable nine points, with Frost taking the win and Mitchell finishing third to close the gap.

two laps, meaning it was all on in the third and final race. Windle rode a controlled race to finish second just ahead of Mitchell to wrap up a deserved championship.

“The feeling going over the start-finish line in race three was beyond words,” the Tremains real estate sales consultant said.

“I really did not think that I was going to pull it off because the calibre of riders that have come through this class in the last several months has been exceptional. So I truly did not think going into this weekend with the bike issues that I had, and things like that, I could do it.”

over the five-round series. She picked up two wins, two second placings, and two third placings for 211 points, 27 ahead of runner-up Mitchell.

“I was very fortunate I didn’t crash out in any races. I did in practice, though, but not in races.

“It did come down to consistency. I podiumed in a few races, which was really cool, and it was one heck of a season.”

Wintle intends to compete again next season in the GIXXER 150, the development class created by Suzuki NZ for young riders and raced solely on Suzuki GSX150F bikes, but she is also looking at other options.

“Unfortunately, on Saturday, I had some bike issues, where it lost almost all of its power, so it wasn’t responding very well. I managed to keep circulating in order to get points in that race, but it wasn’t the outcome I had hoped for from race one,” said Wintle, who luckily had a good backup bike in working order for Sunday’s two races.

Heavy rain made the track unsafe and forced the second race to be red-flagged after

Wintle was thrilled to secure the title with her father Jarrod and sister Nerissa present at Hampton Downs, although she was gutted that her stepfather and five-time sidecar national champion ‘Spike’ Taylor could not be there to celebrate. He could barely walk after severely damaging his ankle, an injury which also ended any hope of him pushing for a sixth title.

He eventually had to settle for second in the Formula One class.

Wintle’s victory was built on finishing races and consistently scoring points

“It’s a really cool class to get people involved in the sport. It’s done heaps for my experience and confidence in racing, so it would be really cool to see it grow and progress,” she said.

“I bought a [Kawasaki]

Ninja 300 track bike last year, which I’ve done a couple of track days on, and that’s the next class to progress to. I’m thinking of taking a step into that class potentially, but I will continue riding the 150 as well because it’s a cool class to be a part of. I could do both the 300 and 150.”

Eva