16 March Wainuiomata News

Ginny Andersen MP for Hutt South

Wainuiomata office 04 564 4988 Queen Street Mall, Wainuiomata Open Monday to Friday, 9am – 4pm

See us online www.wsn.co.nz

YOUR LOCAL NEWS

Authorised by Ginny Andersen MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington

Wednesday March 16, 2022

Today 12-18

Thursday 10-16

Friday 9-16

Saturday 11-18

Phone: (04) 587 1660

Tavern demolished for 30 units

By: Gerald Rillstone

An icon of Wainuiomata’s growing population in the late 60’s and early 70’s, the Fitzroy Tavern is no longer.

A demolition crew moved onto the site last week and have made quick work erasing what was once a community institution.

Continued on page 2.

A demolition crew makes quick work reducing the Fitzroy Tavern to rubble.

Photo: Gerald Rillstone.

Chris Bishop

List MP based in Hutt South

You can always contact my Wainuiomata office for assistance.

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

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Wednesday March 16, 2022

How to reach us

End of an era

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

REPORTER

Gerald Rillstone wainui@wsn.co.nz Photographed just before it opened, originally called the Wainuiomata Tavern, it was a community hub, playing regular host to functions and a host of weekly events putting the profits back into the community. Photo: Richard Eddy.

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One spectator during the demolition process was Richard Eddy.

His father, Keith Eddy, was instrumental in the building of the tavern in the 1960s and early 70’s.

Richard was 22 at the time and well remembers hanging curtains in the building the day before it opened.

“Originally there was a guy sitting out the front on a beer crate with a flagon and then the building started and the day before they opened the public bar I was hanging curtains.”

And the price of a jug of beer in those days was 38 cents.

“They only had one beer, Lion on tap and Dad formed the Licensing Trust and got it going, Eddy’s bar was named after my father,” Richard says.

“Everything for building the

Tavern was done at cost and we weren’t allowed to make any money.”

Originally the bottle store started off selling Tui’s and according to Richard they sold thousands of flagons to locals when they would come in and fill their own.

There was only one other watering hole in Wainuiomata at the time the tavern was built and that was the Empire Hotel later being renamed the Palliser Hotel.

“The Empire was a privately owned hotel and The Licensing Trust purchased it and it was the first time a Licensing Trust had purchased a private hotel in New Zealand,” he says.

Richard isn’t that sad to see it go as he says it had become a “bit of a dump.

“The carpet in the public bar went down in 1990 and I know

that because I was working for Kingsway Carpets and I quoted on it at the time,” he says.

With the Licensing Trust owning the tavern a lot of the profits went back into the valley until it was sold off in the 80’s.

“It’s good for the valley that it’s going. Maybe we might see Kentucky Fried Chicken back again,” Richard says.

Resource consent for a 30 unit development was granted by the Hutt City Council on the 10,586 square metre site. The consent application was made by Urban Edge Planning on behalf of Bharat Dayal of Hutt Park Development Limited.

Other notable events of 1970 include the Wainuiomata Mall opening, Wainuiomata Intermediate opening, Wainuiomata Bush Fire Force established.

Keith Eddy, was instrumental in creating the Wainuiomata Licensing Trust and the building of the tavern in the 1960s and early 70’s.

Photo: Richard Eddy.

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Wednesday March 16, 2022

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inbrief news Junior rugby registration Wainui Junior Rugby Registrations are now open.

They cater for nursery grade right through to year 7/8 teams.

Registration fees for the 2022 season are, $40, 2 siblings $75, 3 siblings $100.

Nurser y grade (under 5) $20 Playing tops will be issued once subs have been paid The club will hold an official weigh in day early next month and kids will be placed into teams from there.

Council’s Plan Change 43 agreed in 2019 had resulted in a surge of infill housing to meet the growing need for housing in Lower Hutt.

Photo: Supplied.

Have your say on housing intensification changes Public consultation will commence in late March on parts of Lower Hutt’s District Plan affected by new legislation requiring councils to allow higher and denser housing construction.

Parliament passed the Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters Amendment Act late last year, enabling housing up to three storeys high in most residential areas.

The changes also require Council to enable housing of at least six storeys in parts of our city that are within walking distance of train stations, the CBD and the Petone commercial area. Higher than three storey buildings will also be enabled in

residential areas around Avalon, Eastbourne, Moera, Stokes Valley and Wainuiomata suburban commercial centres.

Council opposed the legislation when it was before Parliament, contending that taking a blanket approach to housing intensification - without considering access to transport hubs, off-street car parking, and basic amenities - would have severe unintended consequences for our city and our environment.

Mayor Campbell Barry says it’s frustrating that Council’s hands have been tied by the Government to implementing the change.

“Having this legislation imposed on us has unravelled the

good progress we had been making on a full District Plan Review. It not only undermines that progress but also undoes the work we had done to increase housing intensification in areas where it makes sense to - we have gone from sensible housing intensification to something that is simply nonsensical.

“However, while the new legislation means councils can place fewer restrictions on housing intensification, there are still factors the public can influence as part of this consultation,” Campbell says.

Councillor Simon Edwards, Chair of the District Plan Review Subcommittee, also encourages the public to make their voice

heard through consultation.

“We’re keen to hear how our District Plan can deliver the best possible outcomes for our communities and environment while also ensuring we comply with our legislative requirements aimed at accelerating the supply of new housing,” he says.

Council’s Plan Change 43 agreed in 2019 had resulted in a surge of infill housing to meet the growing need for housing in Lower Hutt.

The number of dwelling consents has doubled - from 550 in 2020 to 1,142 in 2021 - and is expected to grow further.

Public consultation on the changes will open in late March and run until the end of April.

Connect with you neighbours Neighbours Day Aotearoa returns for another year of community-led activities, encouraging New Zealanders across the motu to connect with their neighbours. The ten-day celebration from 18 – 27 March sees people bringing their neighbours together in meaningful ways through small gatherings, special events or a shared sentiment.

2022’s theme, Kai Connections, is all about bringing people together over kai – whether it’s growing, sharing, or eating. Food brings people together in so many ways in Aotearoa, and this year Neighbours Day Aotearoa

is a celebration of those foodbased connections: supporting neighbours and communities to come together to promote wellbeing, resilience, inclusion and empowerment through kai.

Registrations are open on the Neighbours Day Aotearoa website and people nationwide are invited to register their ideas for community gatherings, events, or simple acts of kindness. Whether it’s something small like sharing homemade meals or recipes, to something a bit bigger like building a community garden or pantry, the possibilities for connections are endless. Handy

home cooks who are whipping up their latest batch of preserves can get in touch with Neighbours Day to request their own Neighbours Day jar labels so they can share their pickles and jams with their neighbours.

With 15 community activators working up and down the country to spread the word and encourage involvement, events have already started rolling in. At a time when so many New Zealanders are finding themselves isolating at home, it’s a great time to reach out to your neighbours and offer them some friendly support.

Whether this is dropping off a

home-cooked meal, offering to pick up some essential groceries, or just a friendly check-in text message, no neighbourly connection is too small and your community spirit will mean a lot!

Neighbours Day Aotearoa was first celebrated in 2009, and is a collaborative campaign organised and supported by Lifewise, Inspiring Communities, Christchurch Methodist Mission, New Zealand Red Cross, Neighbourhood Support New Zealand, K inga Ora and Auckland Council.

The kaupapa of Neighbours Day Aotearoa encourages people to get to know their neighbours better.

Kiwis love to read to their children 82% of parents of young children read with them at least once a week and usually at bedtime, according to a new study released today.

Around a third reported their children under 10 years of age had a particular book they liked to be read repeatedly, while 55% said they wished they had more time to read to their kids.

These are some of the findings from Read NZ Te Pou Muramura’s National Reading Survey. Conducted by Horizon Research Limited in late 2021, this survey is the first of its kind since 2018.

Since then, the number of adults who read or started to read at least one book in the past 12 months dropped slightly, from 86% to 85%. Meanwhile, 94% of 10–17-year-olds read at least one book, down from 97% in 2018.

1,956 New Zealanders took part in the survey in 2021. Read NZ thanks the Stout Trust and Creative NZ for supporting the research project.

Urgent need for rental WOF and register The Green Party is renewing its calls for a Warrant of Fitness for rental homes and a register of landlords and property managers after revelations the Government doesn’t track compliance with the Healthy Homes Standards.

Renters spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick says, “Aotearoa New Zealand needs to get the fundamentals in place for a functional, fair and effective rental system, recognising our country’s commitment to the UN Human Right to Adequate Housing “My questions to the Minister show the Government and its agencies do not know nor collect data on how many rentals are Healthy Homes compliant.

They don’t know how many companies hold themselves out as verifying Healthy Homes Standards, nor the reliability of those services because there is no standard or licensing those companies are required to meet.”

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

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Wednesday March 16, 2022

readers have their say... Find out the WORD on the Street.

Question: Are you happy with the tax being lifted on petrol?

Barbara O’Donnell

Debra Moyer

Graham Hancock

Karen O’Donnell

Kimberly Phillips

Sharon Gill

Yes something needed to be done to help. It was getting out of control.

I am relieved but someone is still making plenty out of petrol.

Even with the tax cuts I am still looking at going electric.

It is a crisis so any help with keeping costs down is great.

I don’t drive so the help with public transport costs is really helpful.

We all need to look at alternatives for the future and cutting the tax is a short term solution to a long term problem.

Popular path blocked Dear Editor, Wondering why/how access is blocked from Rata Street bridge by Wainuiomata College to Parkway rise by professional/Friday homes?

Surely this is a public access. I often use this to get to the water reservoir walk and yet have been unable for weeks now. Unacceptable.

Steve Owens, Wainuiomata.

itor d E e To th

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please.

They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even when a nom de plume is provided for publication.

The editor reserves the right to abridge letters or withhold letters from publication.

Email them to news@wsn.co.nz or drop in to our office at 23 Broderick Road, Johnsonville.

Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.

Letters/Opinions not necessarily those of the Wainuiomata News management.

In response Theresa from Parkway Rise went out to check what the issue may be.

She says there is no restriction

coming over the Rata Street Bridge into Parkway Rise (landing opposite Ron Fawcett).

People can then travel down Ron Fawcett and exit at the main street Grovedale Sq entrance to get out onto Parkway itself We have temporarily closed the new access from the western end of Grovedale as we wait for a concrete pour - delayed due to the concrete team being off with Covid.

Once that concrete is poured then it’s a direct access out onto Park-

Access is blocked from Rata Street bridge by Wainuiomata college to Parkway Rise

way itself just a bit of a dog leg at the moment due to that delay.

This new route does replace

the one that was hard up against Wanui college but this one is Council approved.

Polystyrene the new Asbestos Dear Editor, The Government has given the green light for Polystyrene kitset homes and as other building materials become hard to get will our children end up eating Polystyrene Sandwiches. Quite likely

if a recent build in Wainuiomata is anything to go by. Small amounts of the stuff ended up in my garden and after talking to worksafe and the company involved, I left it at that as the amount was small but turns out a day care facility got it

in their playground. So yes it is a concern that polystyrene could be the new asbestos and the Government needs to front up on this.

David L. F. Smith, 8 Davis Grove Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt.

Hospital upgrades to enhance care Work to boost hospital resilience underway in both the Hutt Valley and Wellington will help ensure the continuation of safe care and support for both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients.

Following the allocation of $3 million in infrastructure funding, Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast DHBs have embarked on two projects to support routine care and bolster safety for patients and staff.

“As Wellington Regional Hospital’s ‘front door’, Te Pae Tiaki Wellington ED is vital in managing the flow of patients seeking hospital-level care,” 2DHB chief medical officer John Tait says.

“In anticipation of an increase in people presenting to ED with COVID-19, we have reconfigured the ED screening area and created an additional space for secondary screening of known non-COVID-19 and potential COVID-19 patients. As well as increasing our screening capacity,

this enables improved separation of patients.”

The second project to commence is focused on planned care, and will involve the refurbishment of a currently unused building on the Hutt Hospital campus to create a new renal unit.

“A building on the Hutt Hospital site that was previously used as a daycare centre will be refurbished to create a four-bay satellite unit where renal patients who are COVID-positive can continue to receive treatment and support.

“This means these people can still receive care, while remaining separate from non-COVID renal patients – many of whom are immunocompromised and have a higher risk of infection. Work has begun on the refurbishment, and we hope for the unit to be completed and open to patients by the end of this month or early April.”

These projects are part of a wider

suite of improvement and enhancement works planned for the 2DHB campuses.

“The 2DHBs have detailed planning in place to ensure that we are able to continue delivering services safely and sustainably in the COVID-19 climate and into the future. These infrastructure enhancements will play an important part in our work to balance the safety of staff and patients, and continue the delivery of safe care to both COVID-positive and non-COVID patients alike.”

These upgrades are part of a wider ongoing programme of infrastructure improvements being made by the 2DHBs to bolster resilience and improve care and experience for both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients and clients.

These improvements include the construction of individualised service units at Ratonga Rua o Porirua, ongoing enhance-

An additional space has increased screening capacity at Te Pae Tiaki Wellington ED and enables improved separation of patients.

Photo: Supplied

ments and future proofing of the region’s new children’s hospital Te Wao Nui, reconfiguration of existing spaces within our

hospitals to improve patient flow, and design work on the mental health inpatient facility at Hutt Hospital.

Wednesday March 16, 2022

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inbrief news Youth require more protection vaping products

Take firearm safety seriously, because even if you are hunting alone, it is highly likely that other hunters will be around. Photo: Supplied.

Ensure the safety this Roar As we head into Roar season, hunters are reminded of looking after the safety of themselves and their mates, and always be well prepared for each hunt.

The Game Animal Council’s (GAC) is promoting guidance to help ensure the safety of hunters and their mates while enjoying the hunt and everyone coming home safely.

Be well prepared: Assess the weather forecast

– particularly for any rain and snow that could lead to a rise in river levels – and make your plans accordingly.

Make sure everyone has the right clothing, food and equipment for all possible conditions.

Take into account the experience and fitness of everyone in your party when planning your trip.

Know where you are going, make sure you carry a map,

know how to read it and leave detailed intentions with friends and whanau.

Carry an emergency communication device such as a distress beacon or satellite phone.

While out hunting: Involve your whole party in the decision-making and making sure everyone is comfortable with the plans being made.

Take firearm safety seriously, because even if you are hunting

alone, it is highly likely that other hunters will be around.

Identify your target beyond all doubt.

Treat every firearm as loaded and if you are sharing a firearm, make sure the person carrying the firearm maintains responsibility for checking it is in the appropriate state of load.

Wear blaze if bush hunting.

Also, don’t forget to check the Seven Firearms Safety Rules.

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

A study conducted recently by the University of Otago and Regional Public Health Wellington has found that despite recent changes to vaping regulations in New Zealand, some retailers are circumventing regulations designed to protect young people from exposure to vaping products and promotions.

The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 2020 aims to discourage young people and nonsmokers from vaping, and regulate the promotion and distribution of vaping products.

To counter evidence that vaping is increasing among young people who have never smoked, the researchers suggest that vaping products should be sold only in genuine specialist stores, where staff have expert knowledge of smoking to vaping transitions, and where the R18 age restriction can be enforced.

Dud detergents A Consumer NZ test of 23 dishwasher detergents has found that some dishwasher powders don’t clean your dishes significantly better than a cycle with plain water.

The test looked at 16 tablet options and seven powder products, testing against washing with just water. The detergents were tested with four washes on six commonly stuck on food grimes which included egg yolk, rice starch, baked-on cheese, red wine, coffee, and minced meat.

Two of the powders received a ‘Don’t Buy’ warning in the tests. These were Green Goddess Citrus Dish Wash Powder ($17.95 for 1kg) which scored 15 and Will&Able ecoDish Powder ($11.99 for 1.5kg) which scored 36. They both performed poorly at removing most food stains. The water only cycle scored 9 overall for all stains.

What’s Cooking... in Zucchini-Mushroom Caprese Bowl Ingredients:

Potiaki at the Wainoumata HUB Vera Pazan with one of the lucky Koi lanterns being made to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Photo: Gerald Rillstone.

Lanterns for Chinese New Year

By Gerald Rillstone

Bringing good luck for the Chinese New Year, Koi lanterns are being made at the Wainuiomata HUB. The Lantern Festival, also called Yuan Xiao Festival, is a holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries that honours deceased ancestors on the 15th

day of the first month (Yuan) of the lunar calendar. The Lantern Festival aims to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.

Vera Pazan, Potiaki at the HUB, says it is a way of celebrating the culture in Wainuiomata and the making of the lucky Koi lantern gets kids of all ages involved.

s 1 medium zucchini s 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided s 2 tablespoons olive oil s 1 cup chopped yellow onion s 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic s 16 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms s 1 tablespoon unsalted tomato paste s 1 (28-oz.) can unsalted diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained s 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper s 5 ounces fresh baby spinach s 4 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese (about s 1/2 cup) 3 ounces preshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 3/4 cup) s 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil

1. Using a vegetable peeler, shave zucchini into long, even 2.

strips. Toss with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a colander. Let stand until ready to use.

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until tender, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste; cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, pepper, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, about 6 minutes. Stir in spinach; cover and cook until spinach wilts, about 3 minutes.

Remove from heat. Gently stir in zucchini strips.

3. Stir together ricotta and mozzarella in a microwavable bowl; microwave at high 30 seconds. Dot zucchini mixture with cheese mixture. Sprinkle with basil.

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Wednesday March 16, 2022

Tips to safely make food last longer If you’re isolating at home, want to reduce your trips to the supermarket, or simply make your food dollars stretch further, there are some simple food safety tips that can help, New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle says.

“New Zealanders throw out an estimated 220 tonnes of food each year. Avoiding waste can help you get more use from your food and it’s one of the little things we can do to reduce our potential exposure to the Covid virus and keep ourselves and communities safe,” Vincent says.

Use By labels a re about safety, whereas the Best Before label is about quality.

“What some people don’t know is that foods that are past their Best

Before date are still safe to eat, but are no longer at their peak quality.

Deciding whether the product is up to scratch is a personal preference, but many people will find these foods are perfectly acceptable.”

“Our advice is that if you find a jar of something down the back of the cupboard which is past its Best Before date, you might have more options than you think.”

“While Best before remains a good guideline for the quality of food, the “sniff test” is still a reliable thing you can do at home to double-check if food is suitable to eat. If it doesn’t smell or look right it should be thrown out no matter what the label says. If in doubt, throw it out,” he says.

By keeping your fridge at the right temperature and ensuring your

food is stored correctly you can get the most out of your leftovers.

“Fridges should be kept at a steady temperature between 2 and 5 degree Celsius. Avoid overfilling fridges

because that can stop cool air from circulating around the food. Also don’t use your fridge to cool hot food as that can raise the temperature of other foods inside the fridge.

“Freezing food can further extend its useability. However, freezing won’t kill most pathogens so only fresh or freshly cooked food should be frozen.”

Gopala Paneer cheese recalled Food company Gopals Sweet & Snacks Limited is recalling its Gopala brand paneer cheese due to the possible presence of listeria.

The pathogen was discovered through testing of product following two complaints of sickness.

New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle said the pathogens’ long incubation period made it difficult to establish a definitive link between the two

cases and the product.

“However, because of the detection of listeria in specific batches, we support the recall, and advise anyone who has bought paneer recently to take the precaution of checking the product date mark to see if it is affected.

“Importantly, cooking the paneer thoroughly until it is piping hot all the way through will kill the pathogen. People should not eat affected product raw.

“If you are in any doubt, please throw the product out or return it to the place it was purchased.

“Listeria poisoning (called Listeriosis) can be serious in vulnerable people, including the young, the elderly, pregnant women and the immunocompromised.

“Healthy adults are likely to experience only mild infection, causing mild diarrhoea and flu-like symptoms.

The affected product is all

batches and dates up to and including best before 5 May 2022 of: s Gopala brand paneer cheese sold in packets of various weights between 300g and 1kg It is sold at Foodstuffs, Countdown and specific grocery stores throughout New Zealand.

The Gopala brand of paneer cheese. Photo: Supplied

KEEP WAINUIOMATA ALIVE - we have all the news you need!

Wainuiomata Community Memorial hall reopening has been further delayed. Photo: Gerald Rillstone.

Hall reopening delayed SAM - s SAM WSN CO NZ LES - LES WSN CO NZ

With an extensive structural renovation under way the Wainuiomata War Memorial Community Hall in Queen Street will not be open for public use for another two months.

Work on the hall is now

expected to be complete in early April 2022 (previously mid-March). This is due to multiple supply issues and additional complications on the site, mainly extra locations being found that need to be

removed/replaced due to rot.

Issues were first discovered with the halls foundations and on further inspection it was found bearers, joists and the floor in most parts of the building would need

replacing.

With the pandemic affecting the supply of concrete there have been further delays.

Also delays with other materials and other problem areas of the building being discovered.

Wednesday March 16, 2022

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Wednesday March 16, 2022

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GARDENING THIS WEEK MINUTES WITH

Denise Anderson Mobile Hairdresser z What food do you crave most often?

Sushi but also the occasional takeaway. z When you have had a bad day, what do you do to feel better?

Have a cuppa and a chat with friends. z What’s one thing on your bucket list?

To travel to Bali and enjoy the art in Ubud.

z What was the last photo you took?

Of a dress I am selling online. z What thing do you really wish you could buy right now?

An electric car with the way the petrol prices are going.

z What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?

z What is the best or worst purchase you’ve ever made?

When I was in my teens my first car a Skoda. It was nothing but problems. z Favourite programme currently watching?

The Ozarks on Netflix. z If you had to flee the country, where would you choose to live?

The Whitsunday Islands in Aussie.

I would go to somewhere warm in Aussie.

z Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life?

My stepmother she made the best of each day no matter what was happening.

Wainuiomata Cricket Club 2021/22 prize giving Wainuiomata Cricket Club would like to invite all players past and present, friends and whanau to our 2021/22 prizegiving on Saturday March 26.

We will be holding this at the clubrooms and awards

will start from 7pm, the presentations will be followed by some food, music and beverages so come along and celebrate what has been another successful season for the green and black.

SHOP s EAT s SPEND s ENJOY

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Growing your own food : By Wally Richards You may ask why is it important to grow your own food?

Food you grow yourself; if grown naturally without man made chemicals, will be healthier compared that which is grown with chemical fertilisers and sprays.

7KLUGO\ LW ZLOO KDYH JUHDW À DYRXU unlike the bland produce that you buy from commercial growers/ supermarkets.

Naturally grown produce; when natural minerals are used, such as Wallys Ocean Solids, Wallys Unlocking your soil rock dust and Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL)then the plants take up all these wonderful minerals and elements and the result is great À DYRXU DQG VR YHU\ WDVW\ There is a simple formula ‘great À DYRXU WDVWH JUHDW QXWLWLRQDO YDOXH health’.

My Friend Jack sent me an email this week which promted me to write this current column.

Here is what Jack wrote...

This morning I was waiting to have a haircut here in Tauranga, New Zealand.

The customer in front of me getting his haircut was the owner of a big transport company in the area and was talking to the barber. This is how the conversation went: “Barber; How are things with you young man?

Answer; Not bad, but I have a lot of GULYHUV R൵ ZLWK 2PLFURQ DW SUHVHQW which is not the best.

However, my biggest concern at present is that AdBlue, an essential additive now used in most modern diesel trucks and cars worldwide, is rapidly running out and may close down the entire global diesel truck freight industry within a month or two creating global chaos in supply chains.

Barber; Why is it getting in short supply?

Answer; AdBlue is manufactured from synthesized urea and is used also for fertilizer and manufacturing conventional explosives.

Russia is by far the biggest manufacturer and exporter in the world with China not far behind.

As a result of the Ukraine crisis, and the sanctions against Russia, Russia in turn, in collusion with China, is WXUQLQJ R൵ WKH JOREDO VXSSO\ OLQHV It actually started last year. Here in New Zealand and Australia, unless this supply shortage is urgently UHFWL¿ HG LQ P\ RZQ FDVH ZLWKLQ D month I will have to park up all my

trucks and stand down all my drivers!

That is how serious it may be.”

So everyone. I have no idea if this situation will be resolved quickly or not.

However, in a very short space of time it potentially could turn very nasty!

After all, every can of baked beans doesn’t walk into the supermarket on its own - it comes in by diesel trucks!

Do I have to say any more?

Ok if there are little to no trucks to PRYH VWX൵ WKH HPSW\ VXSHU PDUNHW shelves will be more apparent than FXUUHQWO\ DOVR PDLO RUGHU VWX൵ ZLOO not only have long delays as currently with drivers isolating but maybe reduce to a trickle?

So you should stock up now with essential items as well as plant up your gardens with vegetables as the day light hours are getting shorter and growth is slowing.

There is one fresh food you can do without a garden or day light hours to worry about and that is healthy seed sprouts.

Grow your own, fresh, nutritious, tasty sprouts. Mr Fothergills Kitchen Seed Sprouter makes it simple and D൵ RUGDEOH <RX ZLOO ¿ QG WKHVH PXOWL FRPSDUW ment sprouters at Egmont Seeds in their mail order on line. https://www.egmontseeds.co.nz/accessories-c-27/seed-sprouter-mr-fothergills.

From their web site they have: Sprouts are often referred to as natures super foods, and rightly so, they are packed with powerful vitamins and minerals.

A study that involved scientific analysis of the vitamin and phytochemical content of 25 types of micro-greens, found that there were higher concentrations of vitamins and carotenoids (precursors to vitamin A) than the full-grown versions of

the plants!

Now you can use the sprouter and make the seeds even more nitrous by adding a very small amount of MBL and Wallys Ocean Solids dissolved in the water you sprout the seeds in.

If possible avoid using chlorinated tap water for sprouting as you don’t need the sprouts to take up the chlorine poison.

To overcome this problem place a bucket of chlorinated tap water outside in a sunny spot.

Take a cup of this water lift up and pour back into the bucket when the sun is shining.

This quickly removes the chlorine from the water and after a couple of days it should be free of the poison.

Also a couple of buckets outside to collect rainwater is also great value.

You change the water in the sprouter as to the instructions and ideally the sprouter should be on a window sill where it gets some natural light to green up the sprouts as they germinate.

Kings Seeds NZ is another good source of seeds to sprout with most of them being organic see https://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/shop/ Seeds+for+Sprouting.html.

Then you can always pick up seeds from places like Bin Inn such as mung beans etc.

Once you obtain a collection of seeds to sprout you then need to store them inside their packets, open or unopened and placed inside a glass jar with a lid and put inside your fridge.

That will keep them fresh for years and ready for you when you need or want to sprout.

With both Russia, Ukraine and China not supplying the West with fertilisers means that a lot of commercial growers are going to come unstuck and what vegetables that are available will be too expensive for many people.

Elderly population staying at home Almost two-thirds of Wellington’s senior population are currently staying home as much as possible, according to a new survey by Age Concern Wellington Region (ACWR).

Age Concern wanted to discover more about what was happening for seniors as large numbers of the population begin to be impacted by Omicron. This survey represents a snapshot of the wellbeing of seniors in early March 2022. Despite media and Government communications that Omicron is less severe than Delta, more than half of seniors in the survey said they are still very worried about becoming infected

with Covid-19.

With 400 respondents, the survey represents approximately 1% of the entire senior population of the Wellington Region.

“Beginning to lose some of my confidence, unsure about going places,” commented one of the survey respondents. “I just wish all this was over…, just miss all the socialising,” another says.

One of the surprising trends that emerged from this survey is that older seniors aged 80+ are slightly less anxious than those aged 65 – 79.

There is a noticeable collective trend among older seniors of being less con-

cerned about getting sick, less worried about going out and less likely to stay at home as much as possible.

Respondent comments highlighted that isolation for some is compounding the difficulties caused by the pandemic. One respondent sums this up particularly well: “For people like myself, living alone, with my family living overseas, there have been a few times when I would have appreciated a helping hand but of course my friends are of a similar age and need to look after themselves.

Sometimes I’d just love a little pat on the back for coping so well with my home, garden and self.”

Wednesday March 16, 2022

9

Celebrating local stars Nominations are pouring in for the 2022 Whakaata Maori Matariki Awards.

Nga Tohu Matariki o te Tau 2022 recognises those who have made a difference in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Nominations have been open for less than a week and are already looking to well exceed last year’s number of entries.

Ta huhu Rangapu, Shane Taurima, says many were wanting to acknowledge those who had helped others in a challenging year.

“In 2021, there were thousands of volunteers and organisations who placed others before themselves, working tirelessly for the wellbeing of whanau and their communities.

Our awards are a special mihi to all of them,” he says.

Categories are based on nine stars of Matariki to highlight and celebrate outstanding commitments to kaupapa

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Maori, Aotearoa and the world.

Nominations can be for an individual, a whanau member, neighbour, a group or an organisation whose passion, commitment, innovation and dedication made a difference between 01 January to 31 December 2021.

Winners will be announced at Nga Tohu Matariki o te Tau 2022 awards ceremony at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in Wellington on June 14 2022.

The awards categories are: · Hiwaiterangi: Award for Young Achiever Acknowledges outstanding achievement by a person under 30 years who demonstrates potential to be a future aspirational leader. · Tipuanuku: Award for Education Recognises an extraordinary contribution to, and demonstrated an outstanding commitment in, education. · Tipuarangi: Award for Arts & Entertainment

Recognises an extraordinary contribution to, and demonstrated outstanding commitment in, arts and entertainment. · Waiti: Award for Health & Science Recognises an extraordinary contribution to health and science that includes, but is not limited to; legislative and policy development, workforce development and retention, medicine, biophysics, biochemistry, environmental and cognitive sciences. · Waita: Award for Business & Innovation Recognises an extraordinary contribution to, and successful implementation of initiatives that demonstrate leadership and commitment in, business innovation. · Ururangi: Award for Sport Recognises a sports person or team who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen sport at a national and/ or international level.

· Waipunarangi: Award for Te Reo & Tikanga Recognises an extraordinary contribution championing the revitalisation of te reo Maori me nga tikanga, which proactively influences and increases awareness of te reo Maori me nga tikanga in Aotearoa. · Matariki: Award for Community Recognises groups or organisations that have made an extraordinary contribution to enhance cultural, social, economic and environmental prosperity in their community. · Te Huihuinga o Matariki:

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The Community Noticeboard is for non-profit organisations. For $15.00 you can publish up to 25 words.

No AGMS, sporting notices or special meetings. Community Notices must be pre-paid.

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Four secondary school students will each have the opportunity to be mentored by one of New Zealand’s best professional authors in order to develop their craft and hone their writing skills.

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Puzzle DOWN ACROSS 1. “Golden” king. (5) 1. Water nymph. (7) 2. Venerated. (7) 5. Steep. (11) 3. Female relative. (6) 11. Cattle breed. (5) 4. Suspicious. (8) 12. Erect. (7) 5. Flawless. (7) 13. Bailiff. (5) 6. Urged , ... on. (5) 14. Table-napkin. (9) 7. Unbroken. (6) 15. Easy to mistake. (9) 8. Burst in. (8) 16. Walk through water. (4) 9. Be immoderate. (11) 17. Vienna is its capital. (7) 10. Onslaught (5) 19. Court usher. (6) 16. Small wire arches 23. Cask maker (6) (croquet) (7) 26. Poacher’s dog. (7) 29. Accused’s reply to charge. (4) 18. Bring upon oneself. (5) 20. Derive(from). (7) 30. Small lump. (3) 21. To understand. (3) 32. Crowd. (3) 22. Garment border. (3) 34. Formerly. (4) 24. Out-moded. (11) 35. Indicate. (7) 25. Heavy wrap. (3) 36. Judges’ chamber. (6) 27. Complete. (5) 39. Italian sausage. (6) 28. Fabled bird. (3) 40. Soothsayer. (7) 31. Turkish governor. (3) 42. Eye inflamation. (4) 33. Ship’s hospital, 46. Russian spaceman. (9) sick ... (3) 48. Cruel. (9) 37. Charlatan. (8) 50. Prevent. (5) 38. Grant respite to. (8) 51. Furnish with money. (7) 41. Extensive Grass-land. (7) 52. Craze. (5) 43. Beat severly. (7) 53. Grow worse. (11) 44. Venemous spider 54. Clear. (7)

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Solution

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For December 8, 2004

Wednesday March 16, 2022

SPORT

11

SPORTS TALK With Jacob Page

White Ferns frustrating so far in World Cup I’ve enjoyed the women’s 50-over Cricket World Cup so far even if the White Ferns’ tactics have been baffling at times.

The competition itself is entertaining, the matches are close and the effort of the players, most of whom are semi-professional at best.

The matches remind me of watching men’s matches in the mid-90s as a kid.

They are tactical battles which eb and flow.

Australia are clearly the best team in the tournament and only catching them on a bad day will prevent them from winning the final early next month.

New Zealand, England, India, the West Indies and South Africa

are vying for the three remaining semifinal spots and I expect that to be an enjoyable tussle to the end.

The New Zealand campaign so far on home soil has been in my view, chaotic and a little shambolic at times.

It started before the tournament began for me when leading spinner and wicket-taker over the past 12 months Leigh Kasperek was left out of the squad altogether.

The decision has baffled fans and only Kasperek herself and the coaching staff will know the real reasons why she was omitted but her absence has hurt the team.

The three-run loss to the West Indies showed a lack of composure in the latter stages.

Talented teen spinner Fran Jonas was exposed with both bat and ball in the opening match of the tournament and has not played since.

Not her fault by any means but more on coaches Bob Carter and Jacob Oram for putting her in that position.

Good wins over Bangladesh and India looked promising but then a pummelling at the hands of the Aussies to the tune of 141 runs on Sunday, exposed the frailties in the team and a reliance on a few, namely Amy Satterthwaite, Susie Bates, Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine, to do the work of many.

Tactically the White Ferns seem to be off the pace, twice they’ve won the toss and bowled on batting

decks and lost the game, seemingly unwilling to take the game to either the West Indies or Australia by batting first and putting a score on the board.

That’s the approach which has worked best so far in the tournament, yet the White Ferns seem happy to react to the game situation than create momentum in their own right.

It means they must win their games against South Africa, defending champions England and lowly Pakistan to make the semifinals.

That should be the minimum expectation of this team when playing at home and that is now on a knife-edge.

I hope New Zealand Cricket can see the need to invest more money into the women’s game in New Zealand.

The good teams are usually split by the quality of their ground fielding and catching and until players are paid a decent wage as cricketers, that area of the game will always be under-appreciated by part-time players.

If you have not seen much of the tournament so far, I encourage you to do so.

It is of an entertaining, industrious standard with the added bonus of hearing Ian Smith commentate cricket once again.

Now that is a perk worth celebrating.

New Zealand Cross-country Championships

By Andy McGechan

There were fresh faces on the top of both the junior and senior podiums at round one of the 2022 New Zealand Cross-country Championships near Marton at the weekend.

A larger-than-normal turnout of riders ensured it was always going to be a frantic battle for honours and it was a high calibre field of riders who turned up on farmland for this first of four rounds in the Yamaha-sponsored series.

Oparau’s James Scott (Honda) led virtually from start to finish to win the three-hour senior race on Sunday, taking the chequered flag just over a minute ahead of Wairoa’s defending national champion Tommy Watt (Yamaha) and two minutes ahead of third-placed rider Wil Yeoman (Yamaha), of Taupo.

In the 90-minute junior race staged earlier in the day, Cambridge’s Jared Hannon led a Kawasaki 1-2 to the top of the podium,

edging out Pukekawa’s national junior 250cc motocross champion Tyler Brown, with New Plymouth’s Josh Houghton (Husqvarna) completing the podium.

Both senior winner Scott and junior winner Hannon are only rarely observed on the cross-country scene, these riders more at home on a motocross track, but such is the versatility of these riders and their bikes, that the transition was virtually seamless.

With the very nature of crosscountry racing, where wide open spaces are the norm and mass gatherings of spectators typically not an issue, COVID-19 pandemic health regulations were able to be enforced, making this event the first and possibly one of the only national championship motorcycling events able to be considered viable this season.

MNZ cross-country commissioner Chris Smyth says he was “delighted to be able to get the event

Oparau’s James Scott (bike No.108) is off to a great start after the shotgun blast that signalled the beginning of the senior race on Sunday. Scott is flanked here by Taupo’s Wil Yeoman (No.96) and Te Awamutu’s Jack Carmichael (No.400). Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com

off the ground”.

“It was certainly good to have the Bush Riders Motorcycle Club and Kiwi international cross-country legend Paul Whibley step up to make this happen. Having gotten this underway has helped to pull the other clubs along and help out too.

“We’ve got some good venues lined up for the other rounds too.

There’s a fresh venue near Pahiatua for the second round, so that will be

exciting too.”

The next two rounds follow closely together, with round two set for farmland near Pahiatua on Saturday, April 16, and round three near Dannevirke just two days later, on Easter Monday, April 18. The venue for the fourth and final round on May 14 is yet to be confirmed.

Points from only the best three results from the four rounds will be counted towards the championship titles, with riders to discard their

worst result, ensuring the contest will go down to the wire.

2022 NZ Cross-Country Champs Round One – Sunday, February 27 – Bush Riders MCC, Marton Round Two – Saturday, April 16 – Bush Riders MCC, Pahiatua Round Three – Monday, April 18 – Central Hawke’s Bay MCC, Dannevirke Round Four – Saturday, May 14 – Host club and venue to be decided.

Winter sports registrations for kids With the winter sport season just around the corner, your child might be interested in registering at one of the local community run sports clubs.

Here are the registration details for Wainuiomata’s local rugby, rugby league, hockey and football clubs.

Wainuiomata Junior Rugby Club Wainui Junior Rugby Registrations open now!!!!

Go to the link below to register your child . We cater for nursery grade right through to year 7/8 teams. https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/176338 Registration fees for the 2022

season Wainuiomata Junior Rugby Club Westpac 03-1535-0011712-000 Please use child’s registered name as reference.

Season fees $40 2 siblings $75 3 siblings $100 Nursery grade (under 5) $20 Playing tops will be issued once subs have been paid The club will hold an official weigh in day early next month and kids will be placed into teams from here.

We look forward to seeing you

all back in the mighty green and black!!!

Wainuiomata Rugby League Club Wainuiomata Rugby League Club welcomes all new & returning players to register for the 2022 season.

-mini, mods & youth grades(U6U16) -Reserve, Premier, Women’s & Masters grades -Registrations close Monday 11th April We also welcome any interest for Coaches, Managers & Volunteer staff for the 2022 season,

Register at the link below, for enquiries please contact, Narrisa Fraser-022 525 3123 https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/155321 #LionsDen #LionCubs #Lioness #Wainuiomata #Roar Wainuiomata Junior Hockey Club Registrations are now open for 2022. https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/196808 Fees for the season are $85 per player. — feeling excited.

Wainuiomata Football Club REGISTRATIONS are now open for the 2022 season for Juniors, All players/coaches/managers need to register for the 2022 winter season online via the below links: Junior/Senior Players https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/155867 Our club runs a 4 to 6 program with small sided games and skills to introduce them to the game of footy. The season starts 7th May and registrations close 6th April 2022.

For more information please email: wainuiafcjuniors@outlook.com

12

Wednesday March 16, 2022

OUR PERMANENT COMMITMENT TO SAVINGS

PETONE