Wednesday November 12, 2025
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata High School (WHS) received three top awards at this year’s College Sport Wellington’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards (SPOTYS). The school’s Mixed KĪ O Rahi team won the Team of the Year Award. Continued on page 2.
Wainuiomata High School’s Mixed Kī O Rahi team, which has won the 2025 College Sport Wellington Team of the Year Award. Photo: Supplied.
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Continued from page 1
WHS, in fact, scooped the pool in the KĪ O Rahi awards at the SPOTYS, with Reihana Te Rauna winning the award for boys KĪ O Rahi Sportsperson of the Year and Nevaeh Puketapu-Utanga winning the award for girls KĪ O Rahi Sportsperson of the Year.
The Mixed KĪ O Rahi team was named Team of the Year following its victory in the National Secondary Schools KĪ o Rahi Championships in April.
Not only did they win the championship, the team also emerged undefeated.
Coached by Matauranga Te Rauna, the team beat Te Waiu o Ngati Porou 11-8 in the final to clinch the title.
The team had an even tighter encounter when they played a team from Gisborne Boys’ and Gisborne Girls’ High Schools in the semi final.
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The scores were tied at full time, and Wainuiomata took out the win when they were the first team to score in extra time.
KĪ O Rahi Sportsperson of the Year Reihana Te Rauna won the award for the most valuable player at the national tournament.
He was also selected to represent New Zealand following the event.
Nevaeh Puketapu-Utanga’s Sportsperson of the Year was a notable award given that she is still a junior.
Neveah was also a member of the victorious WHS Mixed KĪ O Rahi team and following the national tournament was named in the Aotearoa Māori representative team.
She competed in an international tournament, featuring New Zealand, Māori, Pasifika and Cook Islands teams, held in Rotorua over Labour weekend.
Another Wainuiomata resident also featured at this year’s SPOTYS.
Te Raukura Leafe, who attends St Mary’s
College, won the girls Rugby League Player of the Year.
Te Raukura was captain of her school team and a member of the Sydney Roosters Under 19 team that was a Grand finalist in this year’s Tarsha Gale Competition.
WHS’s junior K Ī O Rahi team also achieved success this month.
It secured third place in the 2025 New Zealand Secondary School Junior National
Championships, held at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria on 6 and 7 November.
After qualifying for the semi-final, WHS lost to a combined team from Rotorua Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools.
The team then competed in the match to decide third and fourth places, beating Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa Māori o ngā Kōhanga Reo o Te Awa Kairangi, which is based in Alicetown.
Wainuiomata teenager Eliana Matheson is celebrating the experience of a lifetime after stepping backstage at the internationally renowned 2025 World of WearableArt (WOW) Show: RISE in Wellington
Eliana worked as a hairdressing intern on dancers, models and performers.
The 17-year-old Whitireia and WelTec ākonga (student), who graduated in October with her New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing, joined the WOW hair team as part of an internship offered to nine Whitireia and WelTec hairdressing ākonga.
Over two weeks, she worked for up to six hours each show, collaborating with industry professionals in one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic creative events.
“To be honest I knew nothing about WOW before I put my hand up,” Eliana says.
“I was anxious the first day – I’ve had a tough time recently – but I’m so glad I did this.
“I’ve loved every minute.
“I felt welcomed, valued, and like I was part of something amazing.
“It’s honestly the best experience I’ve ever had,” Eliana says.
The former Sacred Heart Lower Hutt student says her WOW journey has been transformational.
After struggling at school she found her passion through the Wellington Trades Academy, which gave her a pathway into full-time study.
“High school wasn’t easy for me, but hairdressing gave me a future to work towards,” she says.
“Getting to be backstage at WOW has shown me I’m on the right path.”
Her tutor, Shelly McAuley, says Eliana rose to the challenge.
“The standard is incredibly high,” Shelly says.
“It’s a fast-paced, demanding professional environment.
“Eliana showed huge commitment and a great attitude. She made strong connections with the performers, who often asked for her by name.”
Eliana hopes the experience will open doors in her career, and
she has already set herself a new goal.
“I’d love to keep working backstage at WOW every year,or maybe even audition for a walk-on role one day,” she says.
The World of Wearable Art attracts around 60,000 people each year and is celebrated globally for its fusion of art, fashion and performance.
For Eliana, it’s also been a chance to make her whānau proud.
“Telling my dad about it and seeing the smile on his face meant the world,” she says.
Whitireia and WelTec have been involved with WOW for around 20 years, building a reputation for producing students who can step seamlessly into one of the country’s most demanding creative environments.
Many graduates return year after year as part of the professional makeup
and hair teams, showing the strength of the connection.
For Shelly, who has worked on WOW since 2012, and this year led the hairdressing team as Hair Supervisor, the event is always a highlight.
“It’s unlike anything else in New Zealand,” she says.
“The pace, the creativity, the teamwork – it pushes you to deliver your absolute best.
“Having students like Eliana step up to that challenge is incredibly rewarding.”
Eliana says she is determined to carry the lessons of WOW into her career.
“It showed me how important it is to work under pressure but still be calm and professional,” she says.
“I want to keep learning and maybe one day inspire other students the way Shelly and my tutors have inspired me.
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There are now six confirmed cases of measles in the Wellington region.
Measles is a potentially serious, highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The illness begins with fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (inflammation in the eyes).
Sometimes you can see small white spots inside the mouth. A rash appears two to four days after the first symptoms on the head and gradually spreads down the body to the arms and the legs. The rash lasts for up to one week.
Measles is highly contagious. One person with measles can spread it to 12 – 18 people who have not already had it or been immunised against the disease. Complications are common. The risk of
complications and deaths are higher in children under 5 years and adults over 20 years of age.
The best protection for the whole whanau is to get immunised with the MMR vaccine. Two documented doses are needed, with a minimum 4-week interval required for anyone born after 1 January 1969. The MMR vaccine is a safe vaccine. Our pharmacist vaccinators can give the vaccine to those who need it.
If anyone is unsure about their vaccination status of if you want to find out more, call the pharmacy 5648618 and we can quickly tell if you have been immunised and give the information you need.
Two little girls who attended the Wedding Expo with their parent, grandmother and great-grandmother, pretending to be flower girls for the bridal models displaying their beautiful gowns. Photo: Supplied.
While the Wedding Expo held at the Pioneer Church was deemed “absolutely fabulous” by the people who attended, the Church committee was a little disappointed that this was not the “full house” response that they had anticipated.
“Our huge thanks to the wedding vendors – the photographer, florist, cake decorator, beauty technician and
hairdresser – who took the time to display the services which they can provide for brides and their family on their big day,” the committee says.
As always at Pioneer Church events, visitors spent several hours in the garden area enjoying Devonshire scones and cream cakes and catching up with old and/or making new friends.
Bike-a-Palooza is coming to Wainuiomata on 7 December.
Featuring a morning of bike racing (the friendly type), games, a barbecue and spot prizes, the event will be held at the Wainuiomata Mountain Bike Park, Waiu Street, starting at 8:30am.
This event is open to all riders aged from 2 to 12 years old.
Four different courses (two of which will be timed) will be on offer to cater to all abilities.
This event is brought to Wainuiomata by the WORD Youth Leadership and Events team. It is both planned and run by WORD’s assistant instructors, a team of 14 to 16-year-olds.
By Andy Carruthers
With a perfect mid-week weather window, my daughter Rose and I decided to sneak away for an overnight tramp close to home.
The plan was a night in the Orongorongo Valley, somewhere quiet, surrounded by forest, with time to just slow down and enjoy being outdoors together.
We set off from Sunny Grove in Wainuiomata on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, climbing steadily up the Whakanui Track.
The track winds through lush native forest, alive with birdsong and dappled sunlight.
It’s a solid three to four hours to reach the Orongorongo Stream from this side, but with light packs and a bit of chatter, the time passed easily.
We saw only one other person all day – a rare thing so close to Wellington.
Dropping down into the Orongorongo Valley, the sound of the stream welcomed us.
We found a sunny patch of moss, spread out our cheese and crackers, and just lay back soaking in the warmth and stillness.
There’s something special about that valley.
Once you’re in it, the rest of the world seems to disappear.
After a long, lazy pause we wandered further
down the valley to a spot I’d long wanted to camp: near the bridge by the Five-Mile Track.
A stand of towering tawa trees offered a perfect clearing for our tent. We pitched up on the edge, tried (unsuccessfully) to coax a small campfire to life and eventually settled for the hiss of the gas cooker instead.
Dinner was simple, but the evening was magic.
As the sun slipped behind the hills, the stars began to appear one by one.
We took the fly off the tent so we could watch the night sky through the mesh. Lying there together, wrapped up warm, just watching the stars, was a moment I’ll never forget. In the morning we packed up and followed the Five-Mile Track out, climbing up to meet the Mount McKerrow Track and following the ridge back toward Wainuiomata.
Rather than returning the same way, we dropped down an alternate route – a steep 4WD track – and were back at Sunny Grove just after lunch.
It was the perfect little city-edge adventure: peaceful, beautiful and easy to fit into a midweek break.
If you’re looking for an accessible overnight tramp with a real sense of escape, the Orongorongos never disappoint.
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata’s two women’s Cricket teams both won their division three round one matches on 8 November.
Following the check-in and on-the-day registrations at the rego tent in the main carpark at the end of Waiu street at 8:30am, there will be an event briefing at 9:30am.
The races start at 10am, and the race order is:
• Black Course (timed – age 10-12 years, advanced);
• Blue Course (timed – age 10-12 years, intermediate loop);
• Green Course (age 7-9 years); and
• Orange Course (age 2-6 years – parents are allowed to walk or ride with this group).
The prize giving will take place around noon. Visit word.org.nz to find out more about the event and register.
Wainuiomata Design and Build chalked up a convincing victory over Taita Queens at Heretaunga Park.
Batting first, the Taita Queens reached 122 for eight wickets in their 20 overs.
Wainuiomata took 16 overs and five balls to overtake the total, losing just one wicket when they reached 123.
After bowling outstandingly, when she took three wickets for just nine runs, Matie Whitman then chalked up a half century with the bat, retiring on 52 not out.
Amalia Lipidis and Jacey Morgan then took Wainuiomata through to their victory, with Amalia scoring 24 not out and Jacey 13 not out.
Earlier Amalia featured with the ball,
taking two wickets for 24 runs.
Marina McCarthy also took two wickets at a cost of just 7 runs.
Wainuiomata Design and Build’s next match is against Brooklyn at Liardet Park on 15 November, starting at 2pm.
Wainuiomata Life Direct defeated City Suburbs at Karori Park.
Batting first, Wainuiomata scored 133 for the loss of one wicket in their 20 overs. They then restricted City Suburbs to 123 runs for four wickets to take a 10-run win.
Opener Renee Mills notched up her half century before retiring on 50 runs.
Sarah Girling scored 18 runs and Erica Mildenhall finished on 14 not out.
Wainuiomata Life Direct’s next match is against Taita Queens at Fraser Park on 15 November, starting at 2pm.
The men’s team were not in action on 8 November as there were no games scheduled in the Wellington division 2 competition.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a sparklingnew kitchen, pantry or laundry to bring fresh life to your home in the New Year?
Mastercraft Kitchens Wellington is encouraging homeowners to come into our Seaview showroom for a free consultation now and confirm your orders before Christmas to get ahead of the queue in 2026.
We are a family-owned business which has proudly established ourselves as one of the sector’s largest operators in the region since 1999.
Over 15,000 customers across Wellington,
Autumn’s nearly done—we’re turning the corner toward summer. Now is the time to call Davy Heating to get your fireplace swept and checked. After nearly 50 years Peter Davy has passed the business to Karan based locally in Hutt Valley and covering All Wellington, Kapiti and Horowhenua.
Porirua, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt have entrusted Mastercraft Kitchens Wellington to deliver custom renovation or newbuild cabinetry in that time.
Also backed by a nationally-recognised brand, Mastercraft Kitchens Wellington offers a unique start-to-finish service –combining design, onsite manufacturing and assembly with installation and afterservice care.
We offer exceptional craftsmanship, reliability and service at the most competitive prices. Trust us to turn your dreams into reality!
Karan is regularly finding flues that are burnt out and releasing poisonous gases, into the home, putting at risk both family and home.
Let Karan inspect, service and carry out any repairs to your fireplace including bricks, baffles. and other parts. Is your fire over 20 years old? Karan can install a new generation ultra low emission woodburner. When they are turned down they burn hottest and super clean and burn for extended period. To contact: 0800 Chimney 244 663 / 020 494 0000 or email: kd2022limited@gmail.com
The Government has confirmed $94.2 million will be invested in long-overdue maintenance and renewals in the Wellington metro rail network and upgrades across the Auckland network. The local Hutt South MP and Transport Minister Chris Bishop said on 7 November that both cities’ metro rail networks have been underfunded over the years. “Getting to and from work should be painless, but that hasn’t been the case for thousands of people each day,” Mr Bishop said. “This investment in both cities’ metro rail networks will address the most critical over-
due renewals and help get services up to the standard that commuters deserve. “Metro rail investment in Auckland and Wellington will improve the level of service for passengers by addressing overdue and critical renewals work.” In Wellington, the renewals work will include replacing rail, sleepers and crucial track infrastructure like turnouts, which allow trains to switch between tracks, particularly on the Hutt Valley and Kapiti Lines. It will also include refurbishing bridges, improving drainage and upgrading culverts, and slope stabilisation work to reduce the risk of dis-
ruption during weather events. “This funding builds on investments we made into metro rail in last year’s Budget, including $48.8 million for critical renewals in the Auckland metro and $159 million funding to complete Auckland’s Rail Network Rebuild, along with $52.9 million for critical renewals in the Wellington metro network,” Mr Bishop said. “The renewals work is underway now and will ramp up heading into the warmer summer months. “I look forward to seeing the completion of works that will ensure a better experience for commuters.”
Public Notices
Monday 24th November 2025 7.00pm, at the Clubrooms
The 2025 Wainui Squash Executive Management Committee will address amendments to the constitution at the AGM. All members are welcome
10/11/33 – 19/10/25
Anne passed away peacefully at Shona McFarlane Retirement Village on Sunday the 19th of October surrounded by her family at the awesome age of 91.
Anne was a resident of Wainuiomata for 58 years. Anne and Grieg had their house built on Norfolk Street in 1962. Anne was very involved in the community over many years. Helping with Pencarrow School lunches and their fantastic Gala’s, collecting for the Cancer Society at the Wainuiomata Mall, driving for the Blind Foundation and delivering Meals on Wheels for the Hutt Hospital. She also played tennis at the Wainuiomata Tennis Club, was a member of the Wainuiomata Little Theatre, played Table Tennis at the Empire Table Tennis Club in Petone and joined in with the Wainui Lions Club Ladies. Wainuiomata High School was also lucky enough to have Anne as part of their Reading Recovery Programme where she helped many students improve their reading skills.
A private cremation was held for Anne on Tuesday the 21st of October. Anne’s family are laying her ashes alongside her husband Grieg, who passed away in January 2007, and will be unveiling the updated headstone at 10.30am on Saturday the 22nd of November at the Wainuiomata Memorial Garden. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Jack Brown and Ryan Imray from the Wainuiomata Football Club were winners at the 2025 Captial Football Awards.
Jack won the award for the 2025 Moment of the Year.
This moment came during the match between Wainuiomata and Whanganui Athletic on 13 September, when Wainuiomata produced a second half of football that will not be forgotten.
Wainuiomata needed to score four goals in 45 minutes to secure promotion to the Central League against Whanganui Athletic, a side who had not conceded more than three goals in 90 minutes all year.
Composed by Tony Watling 11th. Nov. 2015
out moments across all clubs and leagues, that was voted as the 2025 moment of the year.
Wainuiomata’s club photographer and social media manager, Ryan Imray of Imray’s Snaps was selected as the winner of the 2025 Capital Football Photographer of the Year.
After being named as a finalist for this award four times in the last five years, this is the second time Ryan has won this award after winning it in 2023.
Against all the odds, Jack scored the decisive fourth goal in the 80th minute to secure promotion.
Our summer pools were built by us. Blends in well did cause no fuss. With hydro slide will cause a splash. And to it many people dash. Through native bush we twist and wiggle. From the children brings a giggle. Severn days a week the place is open. Hot summer days we all are hopen!
Wellington Phoenix Photographer Cameron McIntosh, better known as Photomac, has sponsored the Photographer of the Year award for the last four years.
Wainuiomata Squash Club AGM
SECURE STORAGE 14sqm $42 per week. Wainui Self Storage, Waiu St, 0274805150.
Jack found himself in open space in Whanganui’s goal box and when Hadley Attewell’s shot was saved, the ball fell kindly to Jack who made no mistake sealing the fate of the game and the tie.
In a year that provided many stand
51. J.K. Rowling chose the unusual name ‘Hermione’ so young girls wouldn’t be teased for being nerdy!
Participants submit five photos from the year to be judged.
The Capital Football Awards, celebrating both individual and club achievements from the 2025 football season, were presented at the Harbourside Function Centre on 31 October.
7.00pm Monday 30th November At the Clubrooms Corner of Main Road and Moohan Streets, Wainuiomata
The Wainuiomata Football Club
The other five finalists were the Men’s Capital Premier team, the men’s Premier team’s head coach Pedro Garcias, Premier team member Ben Taylor, volunteer Dean Brown, and the Wainuiomata Football Club for the Social
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata’s Jake Whitaker will be looking to maintain or extend his lead in this year’s New Zealand Hard Enduro National Championship this weekend.
The penultimate round of New Zealand’s ultimate off-road motorcycling competition will be raced in Canterbury on 15 and 16 November.
Jake leads the Gold Grade standings by just eight points, ahead of both Whitecliff’s Luke Doerner-Corson and Tokoroa’s Jake Wightman, who share the number two position.
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There have been four different winners in the series so far and Jake is the only rider to win outright more than once this season, making it two victories in a row after winning round three in Canterbury in May and then round four in Northland in July.
Riding his KTM 300EXC, Jake continued to lead following the latest two races on 27 and 28 September.
That was despite a fifth place finish in the first race of the weekend, held in the Akatarawa Forest.
His nearest rival after the previ-
ous rounds, Auckland’s Mitchell Gallagher, was a no-show and therefore handed a welcome points advantage to Jake.
Day two on Sunday saw a scoring glitch, which forced the organisers to award identical points to all finishers.
“I’m looking forward to the two remaining rounds and hopefully I can achieve a couple of decent results to finish off,” says Jake, a three-time former winner of this arduous competition.
“Wellington (the final round) is home turf for me, so that should suit me well.”
Contact Sandra on 587 1660 accounts@wsn.co.nz
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Account of the Year
For a club the size of Wainuiomata, this in itself was a monumental achievement.
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Labour MPs, including local MP Ginny Andersen, announced on 6 November that Labour will, if elected, introduce free cervical screening.
They made the announcement with Mana Wāhine which is a health service run by Kokiri Services and operates in Wainuiomata.
Mana Wāhine travelled to Parliament for the announcement.
“I am proud that Labour will make cervical screening free when we are in Government,” Ms Andersen said, “adding it to the Medicard alongside three free doctor’s visits a year for all New Zealanders.”
“Each year 175 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 55 die from it,” Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said.
“Almost every case is preventable with better uptake of cervical screening and vaccination.
“Adding free cervical screening to Labour’s
Medicard will prevent cancers and avoid costly hospital treatments.
“Under Labour, cervical screening will be free of charge. A Medicard is all anyone will need to take to their local doctor or community screening event.
“Free cervical screening means earlier diagnosis, lives saved, and less pressure on our hospitals. No one should have to pay for cervical screening when other screening programmes are free.
“New Zealand has committed to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Free cervical screening and HPV vaccination will help us reach that goal.
“With three free doctor’s visits and free cervical screening, Labour’s focus is on helping people stay healthy and out of hospital.
“Labour’s Medicard is about making sure every New Zealander can get the care they need, when they need it,” Ayesha Verrall said.
Nui Hui returns to Wainuiomata with a great line-up of live performances on Saturday 22 November.
The seventh Nui Hui, it will run from 4pm to late at 14 Waiu Street.
This year’s lineup is stacked with unsigned and upcoming artists from across the region and beyond. It includes the local band Burning Embers, who will be playing at 7pm.
Accustomed to breaching anything that requires sociable etiquette Burning Embers
Wainuiomata band Burning Embers performing. Photo: Supplied. still manages to pull off its unique brand of Wainuiomata rock.
They have an uncanny habit of pulling off a great set, usually unscripted but full of the essence that is Rock n Roll.
“We’re not here long enough to care, but we do love a great audience,” the band says.
Munkiez will be the first act, starting at 4pm.
A bluesy, funk-rock explosion that proves good times and great grooves go hand-in-hand, they hail from Upper Hutt.
Munkiez is all about embracing the raw energy of rock and roll while slathering on a thick coat of soulful, slinky funk.
The Groundsmen are on next, starting at 5pm.
They have played numerous gigs (one supporting Head Like A Hole in Gisborne at Smash Palace’s 30th anniversary) and released three singles on Spotify and other streaming platforms – Black Car, Supanova and Achtung Baby.
They’ve recorded their debut album and are just about to mix and release it.
Kaletta, a Latin rock band that brings together the rhythms of ska punk and gypsy sounds in Spanish, is on at 6pm.
“We’re looking forward to sharing our music with you and creating memorable experiences through our dynamic sound and energy,” the band says.
Wellington rock band Stretch to Mould is scheduled for 8pm.
The band is known for its high energy, hard hitting riffs, powerful vocals and all-round solid musicianship.
The band released their debut album Shadows in 2012, EP Painting Faces in 2014 and is currently working on its next release.
Ras Judah and the Culture Embassy, which starts performing at 9pm, is a 10-piece NZ band of varying cultural backgrounds, hence the name.
The cultural diversity of the band is reflected in the sound of the music – a fusion of African styles, Reggae/Ska, Jazz and Afro-Latin rhythms.
The Fabulous Pakehas are on at 10pm.
Two of the band – Antony Maddock and Scott McGill – have their roots in Wainuiomata and Leslie Tearne and Bevan Ritchie complete the line-up.
The Fabulous Pakehas say they are “honoured to be playing a set of our originals for Nui Hui 7”.
More information about Nui Hui 7 and ticket bookings are available at www.undertheradar. co.nz/tour/30764/Nui-Hui-7.utr. www.undertheradar.co.nz/tour/30764/Nui-Hui-7.utr
With musicians from Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Italy, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, their sound is a blend of different beats and roots.