By Frank Neill
Arohanui Strings+, which runs a music group in Wainuiomata, was a Lower Hutt winner at the 2025 Wellington Airport Community Awards.
Arohanui Strings+ was presented the Art and Culture Award at the awards ceremony at the Lower Hutt Town Hall on 7 August.
Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball Club was the runner up in the Sport and Leisure category.
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Tamariki playing their instruments at Arohanui Strings+.
Photo: Supplied.
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Frank Neill
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Arohanui Strings+ is an early intervention music education programme for children aged between six and 18.
A Sistema-inspired programme, it teaches strings, brass and woodwind.
Receiving the award is “a real uplift for all of our hard-working team,” Arohanui Strings+ says.
“With such strong contenders in every category we were pleased just to be in their company.”
The Sistema goal is to help children in high deprivation neighbourhoods reach their full potential by learning teamwork, harmony and ensemble playing.
In working on that goal, it transforms the lives of children through music.
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Each year Arohanui Strings+ works with hundreds of children who would likely not otherwise learn an instrument and play in an orchestra.
It began with one classroom and no violins and since then has grown to four after-school orchestra/ensemble groups in Lower Hutt/Wainuiomata and three groups in Wellington city.
Founded as Arohanui Strings in 2010 it historically only taught stringed instruments.
However in 2023 it introduced brass and last year it introduced woodwind, becoming Arohanui Strings+.
Its professionally qualified music teachers work with children through in-school programmes,
all-comers after-school orchestras, and with additional private scholarship lessons offered to particularly motivated young musicians.
Arohanui Strings+ also runs all-comers holiday programmes, providing children with extra musical education out of term-time.
Ulalei Netball’s runner up award in the Sport and Leisure category is built on their values of service, respect, reciprocity and whanaungatanga.
The club’s dedication to these values has fostered a strong sense of belonging among its members and has positively impacted the wider community.
“We were honoured to be amongst finalists who had also given much of their time and commitment to their clubs,” says Ulalei Komiti member Alofa Aberdein-Tapua’Ī
“When we heard our club named as runner up for the Sports and Leisure category we were very surprised.”
“It is humbling to be recognised by Wellington Airport and Hutt City Council for the work Ulalei do on and off the netball courts,” says Ulalei President Sina Tamaalii.
“It is also satisfying that the values-based model that the club operates under is making a difference for our members and our community.”
Ulalei’s commitment to the community is evident through their various initiatives.
They ran junior netball clinics
in Wainuiomata for primary and intermediate schools, free of charge, removing barriers of cost and travel.
This initiative culminated in a junior team participating in the 2025 Atiawa Toa Pre-season tournament, where they were runners-up in their grade.
The club’s engagement with the community extended to marching in the ANZAC Parade, setting up for Matariki celebrations and participating in the Relay for Life to raise funds for the fight against cancer.
Ulalei also offers UlaFit fitness circuit classes to the wider community, promoting fitness and well-being.
The Ulalei Netball Club had an outstanding 2024 season, dominating the Netball Hutt Valley Finals Day 2024 with five teams in the grand finals of their respective grades, the most of any club.
Ulalei clinched three championships in 2024, including the Senior 4 grade, Premier 3 grade, and the prestigious Premier 1 grand final.
Ulalei Aute were the Premier 1 Champions, Ulalei Puataunofo the Premier 3 Champions and Ulalei Mālili the Senior 4 Champions.
The club’s success extended beyond the finals.
Ulalei members were recognised at the Netball Hutt Valley Awards, with Lagi Moananu named Administrator of the Year and Norah Smith awarded Coach of the Year.
The Club also had representatives in various coaching and playing roles, including Hannah Smith in the Hutt Valley Under 18s, Norah Smith as the Hutt Valley Under 16s coach, and Ponifasio Smith as the Wellington Pulse Men’s assistant coach for 2025.
The last meeting of the Board before the 2025 Local Elections will be held on:
Wednesday 20 August
Good under pressure? Great with people? You might be
21 August 6pm Trentham, Upper Hutt to learn
The meeting will be held in the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub, Queen St, Wainuiomata at 6.30pm.
Prior to the meeting, at 6.00pm, the Board will host an Open Forum. This is an opportunity for questions and informal discussion with the Board before the meeting begins.
You are very welcome to attend.
Meeting agendas are available on Council’s website: huttcity.govt.nz/council/council-meetings/meeting-agendas-and-minutes
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata High School’s Kapa Haka team, Te Tira Whakaau, are the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa regional champions.
The students from Wainuiomata High School’s Te Kura Matua o Wainuiomata won the title for the second time in a row at this year’s event, held at Brewtown, Upper Hutt, on 4 August.
The Wairarapa ki Te Awa Kairangi Secondary School Regional Kapa Haka competition is held every second year, and Te Tira Whakaau were the 2023 winners.
The team of more than 30 students performed outstandingly in all seven of the performance items at the event.
This included the entrance item, choral item, traditional chant, action song, haka, poi and exit item.
Te Tira Whakaau was prepared for its victory by a team of three tutors, led by Isjara Waiwai, and including Riana Atama-Adams and Taikaha Olsen.
Isjara also led the tutoring team for the 2023 regional competition victory, and
Riana and Taikaka were also tutors two years ago.
A former student at Te Kura Matua o Wainuiomata where he is now a Dean alongside the school’s Deputy Principal Mātauranga Te Rauna, Isjara is also the regional representative and runs the competition alongside the other kaiako Māori in Lower Hutt that are a part of the Māori teachers committee called WaiAwa.
A “special thanks” to Riana and Taikaka “ and all of the others who continually support us,” Isjara says.
Eight teams competed in this year’s Wairarapa ki Te Awa Kairangi Secondary School Regional Kapa Haka competition.
Following its regional victory, Te Tira Whakaau will now contest the national Kapa Haka competition in Tauranga in July next year.
Te Ria Whakaau’s victory has received high praise from Love Wainuiomata.
“What a stunning achievement,” Love Wainuiomata has posted on its Facebook page.
“Your performance uplifted, inspired and represented our rohe with mana and excellence.
At what point do we rise up and say no more?
It seems New Zealand as a land of sheep is appropriate, the Hutt Council just keeps putting up the rates and we just keep accepting.
Probably thinking, what is the use of complaining?
I complained and they said they could defer payment if I was in hardship! Where is the logic, don't pay now, only to have to pay more later?
The rates have only just gone up and now again more than 10%, so to live in my house I have to pay over $100 a week. With the demise of the one house on a ¼ acre section, replaced by 6 or more "houses" Council are getting 6 times more revenue. Its time we stood together and said NO! But we won’t. The feudal system is alive and well and yet we cannot see the serfs for the feudalism.
Stephen Owens
“You carried all of us with you on that stage.
“To the incredible kaiako and tutors who have invested so much aroha and time into supporting our rangatahi – ngā mihi maioha. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.
“As a community, we stand behind you all the way on this exciting journey to nationals.
“We see you. We’re proud of you. We back you.”
“Family
working for Families in Tasman”
The Homestead is in the heart of Wakefield Village.
Helping to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
By Frank Neill
A n ewly restored l ighthouse keeper’s cottage at Baring Head/ Ōrua-pouanui will soon be open for people to stay.
There are two lighthouse keeper’s cottages on the Wainuiomata coastline and the first one was officially opened on 14 December 2023.
The second one will be open for bookings on Monday 18 August and following that the two cottages will be open for people to stay.
For larger groups both cottages, with a combined 12 beds, can be booked. Between the two cottages is the former generator building, which has been restored as a comprehensive storytelling hub
Regional councillor Quentin Duthie recently stayed at the newly refurbished lighthouse keeper's cottage to check that it is all ready for public booking.
"It's a gem,” Cr Duthie says.
It is “comfortable, warm and nostalgic late-1960s decor.
“It's hard not to have an enjoyable stay.
"The highlight is the wild location – windy, dry, either hot or cold.”
It is remote and quiet, yet only a 30 minute drive from the Wainuiomata shops.
"I arrived in calm sunny conditions, perfect for a bike ride and star-gaze,” Cr Duthie says.
“By morning a strong southerly brought wailing winds, crashing waves, dramatic views.
“It's a tribute to the power of partnership and mahi tahi, involving Greater Wellington, mana whenua, Friends of Baring Head and the estate of the late John Nankervis.”
Greater Wellington Regional Council was able to buy the land where the lighthouse keepers’ cottages stand thanks to a million dollar donation from the estate of John Nankervis.
John, who died in 2022 after a stroke, left his estate to a series of conservation projects.
This included the donation that allowed Greater Wellington Regional Council to buy the Gollins Valley Station. The cottages are part of a complex that includes Aotearoa New Zealand’s first fully-electric lighthouse, built in 1935.
The complex was added to the New Zealand Heritage list in 2023 as having “outstanding historical significance”. The late Colin Ryder, who passed away in 2021, was a driving force in arguing to protect the cottages and secured $400,000 in funding for the restoration.
He led the campaign to have the Baring Head land bought and protected in 2010. The Friends of Baring Head continue to champion the protection of the park and lighthouse complex, and provided funding and volunteer work to make the restoration possible. More information and a link to the booking site is available at https://www.gw.govt.nz/parks/ east-harbour-regional-park/. Bookings can be made on AirB&B. The lounge in
By Ryan Imray
The torrential rain that made an appearance during the week caused five of the eight senior games to be postponed.
The Capital Premier side travelled to Wakefield Park in a hugely anticipated game. They faced back-to-back league champions Wellington Olympic who sat first on the table while Wainui sat second.
A win for Wainui would close the gap to a single point. It was also a milestone game for captain Baxter King who became the 37th member in the clubs history to make 100 first team appearances.
The wind and rain were relentless and made it very hard to play football, so the opening half was not as free flowing or full of opportunities but it was Wainui who broke the deadlock and they did it in spectacular fashion.
Right on half time, a great run from Jared Nicol ended with a horrific tackle to give Wainui a free kick 25 yards out and on the angle.
Jack Imray, with the wind behind him, hit one of the cleanest strikes he will ever hit to beat everyone and fly into the roof of the net.
The second half began and Wellington Olympic scored twice within the first fifteen minutes to go up 2-1 but Wainui didn’t let their
heads drop and with just three minutes to go, the scores were locked up again.
Flynn McCaul’s strike from the edge of the box evaded everyone to make it 2-2 and bring his personal tally to 6 for the season.
The game would end in heartbreak for Wainui as Wellington Olympic snatched all three points with one of the last kicks of the game to win the game 3-2.
The OC’s was the only other game to be played on Saturday as they travelled to face Petone in their cup competition.
It was a tough old day for the Wainui men as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.
The third and final game was on Sunday as the Women’s team travelled to Fraser Park to face Lower Hutt in similar conditions that were present on Saturday.
It was another game battling the elements with not many chances to either side but it was Wainui who edged it to win 1-0.
Arnika Lahood intercepted the ball and ran 30 yards before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
Most of the Junior and Youth games were able to still go ahead despite the conditions.
The Under 17’s remained top of the table with a gritty 3-2 win against Petone. Kody Fawcett scored three of the four goals for the Under
who defeated Tawa
brought up a personal milestone,
Those three goals for
With Ulalei Aute already booked in for the Premier 1 Grand Final, five more Ulalei teams have advanced to the semi-finals .
For Ulalei Fuesina, the equation was simple: win, and the semi-final spot was theirs.
The young guns delivered in spectacular fashion.
Exploding out of the gates, the team stunned Convent Old Girls with a blistering first half, racing to an unassailable 15-goal lead by half time.
The defensive pairing of Jacqui McCarthy and her tenacious teammate Rautipu Renata were instrumental in Fuesina’s firsthalf blitz.
Their relentless pressure and seamless co-ordination forced multiple turnovers, restricting Convent Old Girls to just eight goals in the opening half.
Coach Sina Tamaalii took full advantage of the cushion, rotating her bench and experimenting with fresh combinations – adding depth and versatility to her young squad.
The final score was Ulalei Fuesina 28, Convent Old Girls 21 – a win that secures their spot in the Reserve 1 semi-final.
Next week, they face a formidable challenge against the much more experienced and physically dominant Petone Panthers.
Ulalei Malili pulled off a stunner.
Facing the toughest road to the semi-finals, they had to defeat top-of-the-table Petone Panthers to keep their hopes alive – and then nervously await the outcome of other games.
Malili defied the odds and handed the previously unbeaten Panthers a resounding
57–45 defeat.
Then came the nail-biting wait. With Malili and Maidstone finishing the round tied on points, it all came down to goal differential.
By the slimmest of margins Malili edged ahead by just two goals, securing the final semi-final spot in dramatic style.
Now, with renewed confidence and momentum, Malili prepares to face the Panthers once again, this time for a place in the grand final. Tighten your belts, this one is going to be a thriller.
In a nail-biting clash, Ulalei Puataunofo edged past Naenae Collegians United 50–45. Their semi-final hopes rested on Maidstone United’s result against Petone Rugby. A win for Maidstone would have sealed Puataunofo’s spot, but Petone Rugby snatched a last-second goal to secure a draw, earning just enough points to leapfrog Puataunofo by a single point, to take the last semi-final spot.
In other games Ulalei Pualulu suffered its second consecutive defeat, going down nar rowly to Hunter Wolves 37-35. Fortunately, their earlier performances had already secured them a place in the semi-finals. They will need to iron out the wrinkles and fine-tune their game for their semi-final clash against Te Aroha.
The Ulalei Moso’oi train keeps on steaming ahead, with yet another impressive win, this time dispatching Naenae Collegians United 39–27. Their consistency has been nothing short of remarkable. For coach Justin Wil son, the challenge now is keeping complacency at bay as the team eyes a coveted spot in the
Senior 4 grand final.
Ulalei Laga’ali went toe-to-toe with Resene in a closely contested game, with Laga’ali holding a narrow 4-goal lead at halftime.
But with sharp execution and well-synced combinations, Laga’ali surged ahead to seal a 41–29 victory.
The two sides will play each other again in the semi-final, where the stakes are high and the intensity reaches a whole new level. Go on down to Walter Nash Stadium on 16 August to support the teams: Aute 8am (friendly against Men’s team), Moso’oi 9.30am, Malili 11am, Puataunofo 12.30pm (5th v 6th), Laga’ali 2.30pm, Fuesina 3pm and Pualulu 4pm.
