14 February Wainuiomata News

Ginny Andersen Labour List MP

Wainuiomata Level 1, 11 Queen Street 04 564 4988

YOUR LOCAL NEWS

See us online www.wsn.co.nz

/GinnyAndersenHuttSouth

Authorised by Ginny Andersen MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Wednesday February 14, 2024

Today 16-20

Thursday 17-21

Friday 17-22

Saturday 16-22

Phone: (04) 587 1660

Bus petition

By Frank Neill

A petition seeking regular bus services from Wainuiomata to Wellington is currently online.

The petition has been posted on the change.org website by Vinutha Hari and is available at www.change.org/p/ regular-bus-services-from-wainuiomata-to-wellington.

The petition currently has more than 500 signatures.

Continued on page 2.

An NCS bus, like the one that used to serve Wainuiomata, parked in Wellington. Photo: Supplied.

Chris Bishop MP for Hutt South

Please contact my Wainuiomata office, my staff and I are here to help.

Phone 04 564 8707 or email me at Chris.bishopMP@parliament.govt.nz

Authorised by Chris Bishop, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

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Wainui to Wellington buses needed Continued from page 1

Phone (04) 587 1660 Address 23 Broderick Rd, Johnsonville P.O. Box 38-776, WMC 5045 Fax (04) 587 1661 ONLINE: www.wsn.co.nz

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Hutt-based Member of Parliament Ginny Andersen added a post about the petition to her Facebook page, Ginny Andersen MP on 9 February.

“It’s time to get more regular buses between Wainuiomata and Wellington,” she says.

“Wainuiomata has an estimated population of 19,390 as of June 2021,” the petition says.

“Wainuiomata is one of the fastest growing suburbs in Wellington. “[A] huge number of people commute every day from Wainuiomata to Wellington city.

“Currently one must take at least one bus and one train ride to reach [the] Wellington CBD. “With evergrowing traffic and fuel prices, driving into town is not sustainable.

“To solve this ordeal, we would like regular bus services from Wainuiomata to Wellington city.

“We can present this online petition to Lower Hutt City Council and Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency,” the petition says.

A bus service used to run between Wainuiomata and Wellington.

New Zealand Coach Service (NCS), which is based in Taita, had run the service until 9 September 2022.

The number 80 service ran twice daily, leaving Hine Road (at Sunny Grove) at 6:45am and arriving at Courtenay Place at around 8:05am; and leaving

Ginny Andersen and Chris Bishop making their December 2022 presentation asking Greater Wellington City Council to provide a direct bus service between Wainuiomata and Wellington. Photo: Frank Neill.

Courtenay Place at 5:15pm with a scheduled arrival time of 6:30pm at Hine Road.

The NCS service was not part of Metlink, and did not receive any subsidy money to assist with operation.

Labour and National’s two Huttbased MPS – Ginny Andersen and Chris Bishop and Hutt City Councillors Keri Brown and Josh Briggs have also made a plea to Greater Wellington Regional Council, asking it to run a direct bus service from Wainuiomata to Wellington.

They attended the council’s meeting on 15 December 2022 where they asked for the return of the direct bus link.

“Not only should the route be reinstated, it should be operated

by Metlink,” Ms Andersen told the regional council.

“The more transport options for the people of Wainuiomata, which has a population of 20,000 people, the better,” she said “We would like to have a commitment today that when there are sufficient drivers, the route will be reinstated.”

“It’s a matter of equity,” Mr Bishop told the meeting.

“Wainuiomata is poorly served by public transport at the moment.

“Eastbourne has three direct bus services [to Wellington] in the morning and in the evening.

“Wainuiomata, with seven times the population of Eastbourne, doesn’t have a direct bus.”

“For us it is just around equity and fairness,” Cr Brown said.

“Johnsonville has around 11,000 people and they have a daily direct bus service.

“They could be asked to catch

the train but they are not asked to do that,” she said.

“The population of Wainuiomata is 20,000 people. We are by far the largest suburb in Lower Hutt and growing.

“If there was a network bus and it was promoted, it would get used.”

“As you know we are in a climate change crisis,” Cr Briggs said.

“For us, every single public transport option makes a difference to climate change.

“It is really frustrating when there is a reduction in services,” he said, adding that the service reduction was counter-productive to New Zealand’s objectives to becoming carbon neutral.

“Getting people out of their cars and into buses is a must,” Cr Briggs told the meeting.

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Handcraft competition and show The 2024 Wainuiomata Handcraft Competition and Show will be held at the Pioneer Church on Coast Road on Sunday 10 March.

There will be categories for quilting, journals, cross stitch knitting, soft toys and more.

There will also be a children’s section.

This competition was formerly part of the Spring Flower Show which was originally hosted by the Wainuiomata Womens’ Institute and has always been a very popular yearly event.

The trophies, which will be presented again this year, date back more than 50 years.

Entries for the competition will be accepted from 9:30am to 11:30am at the church on 10 March. The church will

The Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade team that will take part in this year’s Sky Tower Challenge (from left) Roger Whioke , Leah Lenihan, Tamati Kaa , Ahron Eastall and Sean Bates. Photo Supplied.

Firefighters taking on Sky Tower

By Frank Neill

A team of five Wainuiomata volunteer firefighters will take part in the gruelling Sky Tower Challenge on Saturday 18 May. The Wainuiomata team is Tamati Kaa, Roger Whioke, Sean Bates, Leah Lenihan and Ahron Eastall.

They will join fire fighters from throughout New Zealand and overseas in a competition that has the main aim of raising money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand's mission to care and vision to seek a cure.

The Wainuiomata team will climb the 51 flights of stairs at Auckland’s Sky Tower, dressed in full firefighting kit, including breathing apparatus.

This is the same gear fire fighters wear when attending a structural fire.

This kit weighs in at more than 25kg, making the 1,103 steps they

must climb up to the observation peak on level 51 of the Sky Tower a gruelling undertaking.

They will be, after all, climbing up the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, which is 328 metres high.

Each participant will be timed, allowing for individual and team results to be determined.

Two members of the Wainuiomata team – Tamati and Darren – also took part in this year’s Sky Tower Challenge.

Tamati will be taking part for the fifth time. He competed in the challenge in 2014, 2015 and 2016, but injured his knee during the 2016 event. He had largely recovered by the time this year’s event took place and entered it again.

Every day eight New Zealanders are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition. It can affect anyone, at any age and any

then be closed from 11:30am to 1:30pm while judging is carried out.

Competitors and members of the public are invited to view and admire all the entries from 1:30pm. Presentation of trophies will commence at 3pm.

Entry for viewing is free. Tea, coffee and home baked goodies will be on sale at tables set up in the gardens surrounding the church.

“In the past the standard of entries has been amazing so come along and have an enjoyable afternoon,” the Pioneer Church says.

A full syllabus of the categories which can be entered is available by phoning Joyce 022 326 0235 or Colleen 027 478 5114 or email to lockshiel@ yahoo.co.nz.

Chris Bishop

time in life.

Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand supports thousands of New Zealanders affected by blood cancer, as well as their families.

In addition, the organisation supports and funds research into better treatments and into finding a cure for blood cancers.

Now in its 20th year, the Sky Tower Challenge has raised more than $12 million for blood cancer patients and their families.

It raised $17,500 in its first year – 2005 – and now consistently raises more than $1 million a year.

People wishing to support the Wainuiomata team’s Sky Tower Challenge climb can make a donation at https://firefighterschallenge. org.nz. Click on “Check out the brigades” then type “Wainuiomata” under the headings “Check out the Leaderboard” and “Check out the brigades”.

MP for Hutt South Please contact my Wainuiomata office, my staff and I are here to help.

Phone 04 564 8707 or email me at Chris.bishopMP@parliament.govt.nz

Authorised by Chris Bishop, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

NEWS TIPS Send your tips to wainui@wsn.co.nz

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ROUND

Friday 23 February Friday 23 February Saturday 24 February Saturday 24 February Saturday 24 February Saturday 24 February

Chiefs v Crusaders Rebels v Brumbies Western Force v Hurricanes Blues v Fijian Drua Highlanders v Moana Pasifika Reds v Waratahs

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton AAMI Park, Melbourne HBF Park, Perth Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 12:00AM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 10:05 PM

ROUND

Friday 1 March Friday 1 March Saturday 2 March Saturday 2 March Sunday 3 March Sunday 3 March

Highlanders v Blues Rebels v Western Force Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua Crusaders v Waratahs Chiefs v Brumbies Hurricane v Reds

AAMI Park, Melbourne AAMI Park, Melbourne AAMI Park, Melbourne AAMI Park, Melbourne AAMI Park, Melbourne AAMI Park, Melbourne

8:00 PM 10:10 PM 7:35 PM 9:35 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM

ROUND

ROUND

Friday 8 March Friday 8 March Saturday 9 March Saturday 9 March Saturday 9 March Saturday 9 March

Moana Pasifika v Rebels Waratahs v Highlanders Fijian Drua v Crusaders Brumbies v Western Force Hurricanes v Blues Reds v Chiefs

North Harbour Stadium, Auckland Allianz Stadium, Sydney Churchill Park, Lautoka - Fiji TBC Sky Stadium, Wellington Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 2:05 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9.35 PM

ROUND

Friday 26 April Friday 26 April Saturday 27 April Saturday 27 April Saturday 27 April Saturday 27 April

ROUND

Friday 15 March Friday 15 March Saturday 16 March Saturday 16 March Saturday 16 March Saturday 16 March

Crusaders v Hurricanes Rebels v Reds Western Force v Moana Pasifika Highlanders v Brumbies Chiefs v Fijian Drua Waratahs v Blues

Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch AAMI Park, Melbourne HBF Park, Perth Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Allianz Stadium, Sydney

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 12:00AM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

ROUND

ROUND

Friday 22 March Friday 22 March Saturday 23 March Saturday 23 March Saturday 23 March Saturday 23 March

Hurricanes v Rebels Brumbies v Moana Pasifika Fijian Drua v Waratahs Chiefs v Highlanders Blues v Crusaders Western Force v Reds

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

GIO Stadium, Canberra Churchill Park, Lautoka - Fiji FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Eden Park, Auckland HBF Park, Perth

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 2:05 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

ROUND

Friday 29 March Friday 29 March Saturday 30 March Saturday 30 March Saturday 30 March Saturday 30 March

Crusaders v Chiefs Waratahs v Rebels Fijian Drua v Western Force Moana Pasifika v Blues Highlanders v Hurricanes Reds v Brumbies

Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Allianz Stadium, Sydney Churchill Park, Lautoka - Fiji Eden Park, Auckland Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

ROUND

Friday 5 April Friday 5 April Saturday 6 April Saturday 6 April

1

2 3

4 5

6 7

ROUND

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Blues v Western Force Rebels v Fijian Drua Chiefs v Moana Pasifika Brumbies v Waratahs

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

Crusaders v Rebels Waratahs v Chiefs Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika Brumbies v Hurricanes Highlanders v Western Force Reds v Blues

Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Allianz Stadium, Sydney Churchill Park, Lautoka - Fiji GIO Stadium, Canberra Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 2:05 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

Friday 3 May Friday 3 May Saturday 4 May Saturday 4 May Saturday 4 May Saturday 4 May

Hurricanes v Waratahs Rebels v Blues Moana Pasifika v Highlanders Crusaders v Reds Chiefs v Western Force Brumbies v Fijian Drua

Sky Stadium, Wellington AAMI Park, Melbourne Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nuku’alofa Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton GIO Stadium, Canberra

7:05 PM 9:35 AM 2:05 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

ROUND

Friday 10 May Friday 10 May Saturday 11 May Saturday 11 May Saturday 11 May Saturday 11 May

Moana Pasifika v Chiefs Reds v Rebels Blues v Hurricanes Highlanders v Crusaders Waratahs v Brumbies Western Force v Fijian Drua

TBC Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Eden Park, Auckland Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Allianz Stadium, Sydney HBF Park, Perth

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM 11:55 PM

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 2:05 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

ROUND

Friday 17 May Friday 17 May Saturday 18 May Saturday 18 May Saturday 18 May Saturday 18 May

Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika Rebels v Chiefs Fijian Drua v Reds Brumbies v Crusaders Blues v Highlanders Western Force v Waratahs

Sky Stadium, Wellington AAMI Park, Melbourne HFC Bank Stadium, Suva GIO Stadium, Canberra Eden Park, Auckland HBF Park, Perth

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 2:05 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

Eden Park, Auckland AAMI Park, Melbourne FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton GIO Stadium, Canberra

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

ROUND

Friday 24 May Friday 24 May Saturday 25 May Saturday 25 May Saturday 25 May Sunday 26 May

Chiefs v Hurricanes Brumbies v Rebels Moana Pasifika v Waratahs Crusaders v Blues Reds v Western Force Highlanders v Fijian Drua

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton GIO Stadium, Canberra Go Media Stadium, Auckland Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM 2:05 PM

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei Allianz Stadium, Sydney Sky Stadium, Wellington AAMI Park, Melbourne

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

ROUND

Friday 31 May Friday 31 May Saturday 1 June Saturday 1 June Saturday 1 June Saturday 1 June

Crusaders v Moana Pasifika Waratahs v Reds Fijian Drua v Rebels Hurricanes v Highlanders Blues v Chiefs Western Force v Brumbies

Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Allianz Stadium, Sydney Churchill Park, Lautoka - Fiji Sky Stadium, Wellington Eden Park, Auckland HBF Park, Perth

7:05 PM 9:35 PM 2:05 PM 4:35 PM 7:05 PM 9:35 PM

BYE: CRUSADERS, HIGHLANDERS, HURRICANES, REDS Friday 12 April Friday 12 April Saturday 13 April Saturday 13 April

Moana Pasifika v Reds Waratahs v Crusaders Hurricanes v Chiefs Rebels v Highlanders

BYE: Blues, ACT BRUMBIES, WESTERN FORCE, FIJIAN DRUA

9

Friday 19 April Friday 19 April Saturday 20 April Saturday 20 April

BYE: MOANA PASIFIKA, CHIEFS, REBELS, WARATAHS

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Wednesday November 18, 2015

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Community Board meeting To Lease

The Community Noticeboard is for non-profit organisations. For $15.00

By Frank Neill you can publish up to 25 words.

Composed by Tony Watling 11th. Nov. 2015 No AGMS, sporting notices or special The Wainuiomata Community meetings. Community Notices must Board will hold its first meeting for be pre-paid.

2024 this evening, 14 February.

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Hot summer days all are hopen! ple programme by Hutt City Council’s Heart Foundation FREE session for people living with an ICD. Talk by Lin Project Manager – Transport, and on year following the 2022 local meeting, which is an in-person lasting improvements to their Coleman, Clinical Nurse Specialist. the Coast Road slip by the council’s body elections. communities and the world. induction, is being held this 46 Waione St Petone Public Notice Contact Annette 04 4722780 Transport Engineering Manager.

Its programme includes Ms Puketapu will not be at- week.

Ph: 5685989 Open Sat 9am-3pm Greater Wellington Regional Counworking towards racial equity, tending the meeting as she is in The global community of Formerly cpa spares OF THE D AY cillor Quentin Duthie Squash will also make Atlantic Fellows exists to tackle health equity, social and ecoWainuiomata ClubEngland. a presentation as will T Beauchamp nomic equity and equity in brain She has been elected to the persistent inequities across the Funeral Director AGM on Ospri NZ’s aerial work.

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N The report of the board’s Chair, Te to the Atlantic Institute, based and leadership to achieve sys51. J.K. The board’s Deputy Chair, Awa Puketapu, will also be tabled.

Lesa Bingley, will chair this in Oxford. tems change.

Rowling Send your tips to wainui@wsn.co.nz 7.00pm The report will 30th cover the board’s first The board’s first induction They collectively seek to bring evening’s meeting. chose the Monday November unusual At the Clubrooms Situation Vacant Trades name Funeral Directors ‘Hermione’ Corner of Main Road so young Graham’s and Moohan Streets, Wainuiomata girls

By Frank Neill restricted fire season at 8am on 2 Painters wouldn’t February, meaning people need Get your be teased to obtain a permit before lighting The Wainuiomata Volunteer HouseBringing Exterior local news Generations of for being Fire Brigade responded to three rubbish fires. and Interior nerdy! to the community During a restricted fire season calls to fires within two days Honouring Legacy painted! most types of fire require a permit during the last week.

Experienced tradesmen www.geeandhickton.co.nz and large team The first call was to a rubbish bin from Fire and Emergency New Situation Vacant For generations, Gee and Hickton fire in Waiu Street on 8 February. Zealand (FENZ). ~ Pensioner Discounts ~ have been dedicated to caring for The Wainuiomata News requires deliverers in Fire permits can be obtained This fire was threatening a E: grahamspaintersnz your loved ones. the following areas on a Wednesday @gmail.com A solid each week: online by visiting https://www. house, but it was successfully Honouring your loved one’s legacy is W: www.grahamspainters.nz firepermit.nz. extinguished before it spread. our purpose.

Ph: (04) 564 9202 Area 1: Wright St, Hyde St, part Moohan “A Restricted Fire Season means The fire brigade received the call 021 183 9492 Our family caring for your family.

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Gr part of Wise - 400 papers Later that day the brigade re- Emergency New Zealand.

Local- Kaponga.

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7

Helping out at hidden treasure

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata volunteers regularly assist at one of the valley’s hidden treasures, the Wainuiomata Native Plant Nursery.

A joint project of Wellington and Lower Hutt Branches of the Forest and Bird Society and supported by Greater Wellington, the nursery is set in the Wainuiomata Regional Park.

The latest nursery session saw around 20 volunteers and Forest and Bird members work for three hours on 8 February.

They met at the gate leading to the waterworks site and the gate was opened for them by Gary James of Lower Hutt Forest and Bird.

Among the volunteers were 12 students from the Wainuiomata Marae Horticulture course.

As well as helping the nursery, the students also covered activities that are part of their course, including seed sourcing, sewing seed and

taking native plant cuttings.

The seeds they planted were Carex Secta, a flax plant, that is a very useful addition to the environment as it filters silt, pesticides and nitrates from waterways.

Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie also volunteered on 8 February.

“We got a lot achieved on the day.

“It was great,” Gary says.

Just one of the initiatives that will come from the nursery project is planting at Black Creek.

“We plan to plant out Black Creek with natives to protect the stream banks from erosion and provide areas where kokopu (three species of fish of the genus Galaxias) can spawn,” Gary says.

Plants from the nursery are also planted in the WaiŪ wetland.

Two to three nursery sessions are held each month and Forest and Bird is keen to encourage more people to take part.

“We are keen to get more com-

munity involvement,” Gary says.

The sessions are usually held on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday.

People can add their name to the roster of volunteers, or get more information, by emailing lowerhutt. branch@forestandbird.org.nz.

“The work of Forest and Bird and local residents to raise native plants from seed and cutting is just amazing,” Cr Duthie said following his time on the nursery session.

“These plants help restore awesome backyard spots like the WaiŪ wetland and banks of the Wainuiomata River, cleaning the water, preventing erosion, and providing homes and food for our taonga birds, lizards and insects like wētā and dragonflies.

“I commend Greater Wellington staff for their initiative and support of such community efforts.

“It’s a great model for how our council can work with community groups, job trainees and rangatahi to create a legacy for us all.”

Zahbian Pirimona, a student on the Wainuiomata Marae Horticulture course, and Cr Quentin Duthie at work during the recent nursery day.

Photo: Supplied.

Officially opened on 30 July 2021, the Wainuiomata Native Plant Nursery grows eco-sourced plants from the Tararua ecological district, mainly from seed although seedling collection and cutting production is also undertaken.

The plants are supplied to or-

ganisations and individuals that are engaged in native plant conservation in Wainuiomata and the Hutt Valley with the priority sites being WaiŪ wetland, Baring Head, Manor Park, Waiwhetu Stream and the Wainuiomata Recreation Area.

Hutt Valley, sponsored spot prizes, kai and the sign on the hill.

A “special thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and helpers,” Anaru says.

“We could not have done it without you all.”

The pool party was Anaru’s last day as Co-ordinator for Love Wainuiomata. He has left what was a part-time position to take up a full-time role.

Hugely successful pool party

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Swimming Pool was packed to capacity for the highly popular Free Pool Party on 10 February.

“It was a real success,” says Love Wainuiomata’s Co-ordinator Anaru Ryall.

“It was a good way to kick off the year,” he says.

“The kids really enjoyed it and it

was good to bring the community together.

“Its always amazing when community comes together for each other,” Anaru says.

The pool’s maximum capacity is 600 and Anaru estimates that around 600 people attended. That was confirmed by the pool staff closing the gates. Love Wainuiomata hosted the pool party and it was sponsored

by Bayleys Lower Hutt.

There was big community support for the pool party.

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry donated the sausages and “all the 1,000 sausages went,” Anaru says.

Love Wainuiomata committee members helped with the sausage sizzle.

Mayor Barry also judged the “awesome manu competiton” along with Councillor Keri Brown, who also volunteered. Hutt City Council’s Sport and Recreation team volun-

teered too.

The Officer in Charge of the Wainuiomata Police, Sergeant Pat Tangipo, donated prizes, as did Kokiri Marae Health and Social Services.

Lisa Bingley, the Deputy Chair of the Wainuiomata Community Board, donated ice blocks.

Littleriver Equestrian donated vouchers, and Henry Levao, from Bayleys Lower Hutt and Bayleys

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8 Wednesday February 14, 2024

Cricket milestone for Craig Foster

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata’s premier Cricket team was well poised following the first day of its two-day match on 10 February.

Playing on their home ground of Bryan Heath Park, Wainuiomata bowled out Petone Riverside for 219.

The home team then reached 147 for the loss of just three wickets at stumps.

Ryan Jackson was once again outstanding with the ball, claiming another coveted five wicket bag and finishing with figures of 5 wickets for 51 runs.

Liam Magee also bowled very well to take three wickets while

conceding 33 runs.

Captain Callum Mackaness took one wicket while also proving highly economical as he conceded just 20 runs from his 10 overs.

Brett Dransfield took the other wicket to fall at a cost of 33 runs.

Not only did Craig Foster star with the bat, finishing the day on 44 not out, he also set a new milestone. Craig scored his 9,000th run for the Wainuiomata premier team.

Craig and Callum, who was on 17 not out at stumps, will be looking to at least close the gap on Petone Riverside, if not overtake their first innings score

on day two of the match on 17 February.

As well as taking five wickets, Ryan also contributed well with the bat, scoring 27, while Ben Coddington scored 36.

Wainuiomata was lying second on Cricket Wellington’s division two table at the end of play.

Both the Wainuiomata men’s second XI and the women’s team scored victories on 10 February.

The top of the table Wainuiomata second XI had an impressive five wicket win over Wellington Collegians FalconHawk(e).

Batting first at MacAlister

Park, the Collegians were bowled out for 145.

Wainuiomata then took out the win in just 22 overs and three balls, finishing on 146 for the loss of five wickets.

The Wainuiomata women’s team restricted Upper Hutt to 143 for the loss of three wickets in their 20 overs at Trentham Memorial Park.

The visitors took just 15 overs to take out the victory, finishing with 148 for the loss of one wicket.

That saw Wainuiomata in third equal place on the women’s division two table, along with Upper Hutt and City Suburbs Lionesses and Wildcats.

Craig Foster, who scored his 9,000th run for the Wainuiomata premiers on 10 February. Photo: Supplied.

Ulalei fares well in Rhino Touch Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport’s senior touch football team were in action at the third Rhino Touch Club tournament played in perfect conditions at William Jones Park on 10 February.

The two-day tournament featured the mixed competition on Saturday backed up by the men’s grade on Sunday.

The field of six teams in the mixed competition produced touch football of the highest quality.

Ulalei fared well with the victory over the Wellington representative team being the highlight.

Coach Earl Va’a was upbeat about Ulalei’s form saying: “We did well against some very impressive and well-drilled sides.

“I was particularly proud given our squad’s age range.

“Young Logan Chahnsamone is 13 playing with guys like James Patea and Wayne Gurdler who are in and around

the 50 zone. So in that respect it was great to see our version of ‘the fossils’ helping a nd guiding the young ones.”

Both grades were taken out by the Pure Stylez Touch Club from Manawatu.

Rhino Touch manager Nui Ririnui confirmed the competition will continue in 2025.

Ulalei acknowledges the great support from Nuku Ora, Tipene Funeral Homes, Raven Architects and Ben’s Movers.

Ulalei’s father and daughter combination Earl and Billie Va’a in action. Photo: Supplied.

Softballers represent Hutt Valley

By Frank Neill

Seven junior Wainuiomata Softballers competed in the national Rookie Sox under 13 tournament held at Fraser Park on 3 and 4 February.

All seven play Softball with the Wainuiomata Junior Softball Club.

Isabella Vaeau-Renata was selected in the Hutt Valley girls team, which finished the tournament as runners-up.

Four Wainuiomata players – Luka Sue, Rico TeIwimate, Linkin Gore

and Exodus Lia-Smith – were in the Hutt Valley boys green team which finished third in their competition.

Hutt Valley boys green was also coached by Wainuiomata coach and convenor Gary Sue jr.

Cole Simpson and Jackson McLeod were members of the Hutt Valley boys yellow team that finished in fifth place.

The Hutt Valley teams all competed well, however they were not able to defeat Counties Manakau, who took out both the girls and boys titles.

The six Wainuiomata boys who represented the Hutt Isabella Vaeau-Renata, who played for the runValley (from left) Jackson McLeod, Cole Simpson, ner-up Hutt Valley girls team. Photo: Supplied.

Exodus Lia-Smith, Rico Telwimate, Linkin Gore and Luka Sue. Photo: Supplied.

Chance to try Squash for free

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Squash Club is giving people the opportunity to try out the game for free.

The club is running “Introduction to Squash” evenings for four weeks from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesdays.

The first evening was held yesterday, 13 February, at the clubrooms on the corner of Moohan Street and Main Road.

The next three evenings will

be on 20 and 27 February and 5 March.

People can join in the sessions in any week and there is no need to attend all four weeks.

The club will provide racquets and asks that people wear non-marking shoes.

The sessions will include learning the basics of Squash, serving, returning, backhands and forehands.

The club will also soon be starting its club nights each Friday, and people will be

welcome to come along and try their hand at Squash if they cannot make it on a Tuesday.

The club nights will be advertised on the club’s Facebook page.

There is also a junior programme run on Mondays during the school terms from 5:30 to 6:30pm.

The club has around 100 members and has a strong whānau culture where everyone gets along really well and loves to have a laugh.

Anyone can join the club.

Joining gives members 24/7 access to use the courts and there is also a sauna available.

There are a variety of ways to play: interclub, tournaments, social hits at club night, in house mini tournaments or just casually by using the online court booking system.

To get in touch with the club people can either message directly on the club’s Facebook page or email woasquash@ gmail.com.

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