on page 2. Larry Gladwell signing the “keep and refurbish the Wainuiomata summer pool” petition with the petition organiser Anaru Ryall.
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WELLINGTON SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS
REPORTER
Frank Neill
wainui@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916
A taonga that needs protection
Continued from page 1
People can sign the petition by visiting the Facebook page Anaru Ryall for Wainuiomata Community Board, which has a link to the petition on a post dated 11 September. The petition was launched in the wake of comments made by Hutt Mayoral candidate Brady Dyer in a post answering a question posed in a Reddit “ask me anything”. When asked what he thought Hutt City Council should do if
rates revenue suddenly dropped by 10%, Brady listed some examples of planned expenditure in the current Annual Plan. The list included “having an honest conversation about the scale of the proposed $36m redevelopment of the summer Wainuiomata pool.”
He was referring to the fact that the current Council long-term plan has allocated this amount for refurbishing the pool.
“This pool isn’t just another facility,” Anaru says.
“It was built off the back of
Ulalei’s Coach of the Year
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Justin Wilson won the Coach of the Year award at the recent School Netball Hutt Valley Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to school and senior netball.
Justin has generously volunteered his time and expertise to coach the Year 5 and 6 team from Te Ara Wh ā nui Kura Kaupapa Māori.
Despite being a newly formed team, the tamariki have flourished under his guidance – growing in skill, confidence, and teamwork each week.
His ability to connect with young players and nurture their development has made a lasting impact on their learning and long term development
Justin’s influence doesn’t stop there. He also coached the Senior 4 Ulalei Moso’oi team this sea-
son, stepping up to lead a diverse group of women, many of whom are mothers balancing family life with their passion for netball.
Under his leadership, Ulalei Moso’oi went through the season undefeated and won the Senior 4 Championship.
What makes Justin’s coaching truly exceptional is the ripple effect it has created.
Members of the Ulalei Moso’oi team have taken the knowledge and confidence gained under his guidance and passed it on to other teams they coach, including Sacred Heart College, Ulalei Pu ā lulu and Wainuiomata High School.
His coaching IQ and inclusive approach are strengthening the wider netball community.
Notably, Justin is the only male coach in the Ulalei club this
fundraising by local families and stands today as the number one outdoor pool in the lower North Island. “We need to send a strong, clear message to anyone thinking it belongs on the chopping block.”
The $36 million the Council had budgeted “isn’t for some flashy new redevelopment.
“It’s a planned refurbishment –basic renewal and maintenance as the pool reaches the end of its life.
“We need to keep the refurbishment of the Wainuiomata pool in
the long-term plan,” Anaru says.
A question asking Wainuiomata Community Board candidates their view on the future of the Wainuiomata pool was asked at the meet the candidates meeting hosted by Love Wainuiomata on 14 September.
“It’s a taonga,” Nicky Smith said. “It needs to be protected.
“We really need to make sure we are reinvesting in our pool, Nicky said, adding that “it is really important to let the Council know it is not negotiable for us.”
season. He challenges norms and opens doors for more men to get involved in coaching, especially in a sport where male coaches are few and far between.
Justin’s ability to give so much of himself to the netball com-
munity is made possible by the support of his whānau, and Ulalei and Te Ara Whanui Kura Kaupapa are grateful to Justin’s whānau for supporting him and allowing him the time to coach both teams this season.
“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.
Justin Wilson With his Coach of the Year award. Photo: Supplied.
Local boxer in national champs
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata boxer Raymond Seumanu
has been selected in the Central North Island team to compete in the 2025 New Zealand National Boxing Championships.
Raymond will be vying for the national title in the elite level 70kg light middleweight division at the championships, which will be held at the Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua from 23 to 27 September.
In doing so, Raymond will be looking to pick up his sixth New Zealand title.
For five consecutive years Raymond was the New Zealand champion in the cadets and junior contests.
His first championship came in 2013 and he continued winning New Zealand titles until 2017.
Raymond’s boxing prowess saw him named Wainuiomata High School’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2015 when he was aged 15 years.
At the time he was the youngest ever to win the school’s Sportsperson of the Year award, Raymond will enter the New Zealand championships as the reigning Wellington Boxing champion, having won back to back titles in 2024 and 2025.
Those two championships took his winning provincial championship tally to eight.
Raymond, who boxes for the Wainuiomata Boxing Club, has also competed internationally.
In 2017 he represented New Zealand at the Lithuania Boxing Tournament, where he won bronze.
He represented New Zealand at the Oceania Games in Samoa in 2018, winning silver. Following that, Raymond took a five-year break from boxing, returning to the sport in 2023.
Raymond has boxed in 40 matches over his career, winning 35 of them.
His ambitions are to box professionally, to own his own gymn, and to give back to boxing and help young kids.
His preparation for the upcoming national championships is progressing very well, his coach Craig Bennett says.
Raymond has travelled to Hamilton for sparring sessions and to Rotorua for both training camps and sparring sessions.
More than 200 of New Zealand’s top amateur boxers will be competing at the national championships this month.
Supporting Wainui’s thriving businesses
It is “awesome to see the town centre really coming together well,” Hutt South MP Chris Bishop said after visiting some prospering establishments on 29 August.
After taking a tour around the Woolworths supermarket, Chris met the Woolworths Director of Property Matt Grainger, Group Manager Barry Tormey and Store Manager Blair Finlayson. He expressed how “hard
working employees are the backbone of our local community” and was very impressed by the experience.
Chris was shown around the new Mitre 10 by owner, Cliff Lockyer, and Corey McMurtrie, the store manager.
He observed that it really brought the town centre together – “quite a contrast from a few years ago with the rundown Countdown and Warehouse and
of course the mall.”
Yathai is a new Thai place in the heart of Wainuiomata that Chris was lucky enough to be invited to for a visit.
He commented that “the menu looks fantastic” and that he “can’t wait to try it out.”
Chris met with store manager Supavinee Ammarapone, and Chef Opart Ukkaranugoon, both thrilled to see their local business gain some recognition.
Bird of year
Voting in the annual Bird of the Year opened at 9am on Monday 15 September.
This is the 20th year of the event, run by Forest and Bird.
People can vote by visiting www. birdoftheyear.org.nz until 5pm on Sunday 28 September and the winner will be announced on 29 September.
Information and pictures of the birds people can vote for are on the birdoftheyear website.
People can vote for up to five native birds.
In a change to the voting system this year there will be no ranking system so each bird a person votes for gets one point, regardless of the order in which they vote.
Hutt City Council is backing the kōtare kingfisher in this year’s Bird of the Year competition.
“Shimmering turquoise-green plumage and a crisp buff chest make it the best-dressed resident of the Hutt Valley,” the Council says.
Raymond Seumanu wearing one of the belts he has won. Photo: Supplied.
Hutt South MP Chris Bishop, flanked by Mitre 10 owner Cliff Lockyer (left) and store manager Corey McMurtrie. Photo: Supplied.
Hill run a huge success
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Hill Run on 13 September proved a big success, attracting 320 entries and raising well over $2,000 for the Kokiri Marae Pātaka Kai.
“We had an incredible day at the Wainuiomata Hill Run,” says Alex Harty-Morris of Inspired Events Co, which organised the run.
“The sense of community was really special.
“There was so much warmth between all the athletes, volunteers and locals popping by to see what was going on.”
One special feature of the hill run was that there was a mix of really serious athletes, along with other doing the run just for fun or as a fundraiser.
A team of 35 volunteers helped with the hill run.
“Our premium sponsor at Mitre 10 made the event possible, and that was really special because they just opened in Wainuiomata
this year and they are just across the road from the start line,” Alex says.
The team at Love Wainuiomata put on a market close to the start line.
Along with the major sponsor Mitre 10 Mega, Clive’s Chemist and Hutt City Council were also event sponsors.
As well as being a sponsor, Clive Cannons also took part in the hill run.
Eric Speakman won the longer of the two runs, finishing the men’s 10km run in 33 minutes 39 seconds, 7 minutes 13 seconds ahead of second-placed Oliver Howitt.
Meghan Sandle was the winner of the women’s 10km run.
Chris Anderson won the 10km walk and Sokmin Martindale was second, giving the female contingent a top placing.
It was a female to the fore in the 6.5km run with Gwen McGrath winning, and Michael Waton won the 6.5km walk.
Sidhaarth R Sitaram won the children’s 1km event.
Ulalei summer soccer back
Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport’s summer season is set to kick off with its third Football fun day for Māori and Pasifika tamariki on Labour weekend.
The fun day was created in response to a plea from Capital Football in 2023 for ideas as to how to increase the number of players from the Māori and Pasifika communities.
The number sat a lowly 3% of the total playing population.
The first Ulalei fun day held on Labour weekend 2023 attracted 120 tamaiti.
The numbers rose to 150 for the second fun day in March 2024, but unfortunately the third Fun Day planned for Labour weekend 2024 was cancelled due to rain.
“This tournament is a great family day that brings our Māori and Pasifika community together beautifully,” organiser Katrina Barclay says.
“It is the perfect way to open our summer programme.”
The now annual event has proven to be a successful introduction for tamaiti to the beautiful game where the majority have gone on to play for the Wainuiomata Football Club and for their schools in the Ulalei Soccer League.
“We have had over 50 tamariki registered within the first week of registrations opening, so we are expecting another good number,” Ulalei’s Vatau Sagaga says.
Ulalei’s popular primary school football league returns for its third season in November 2025.
Ulalei acknowledges the support of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Mayor Campbell Barry, MP Ginny Andersen and Councillor Keri Brown to ensure the event can be run at no cost to families.
Eric Speakman celebrating his victory in the 10km Wainuiomata hill run
Photo: Jo Morris.
Gwen McGrath on her way to winning the 6.5km Wainuiomata hill run, ahead of all the boys. Photo: Jo Miller.
Lalei Kohdy kicks the ball during a past Ulalei Football fun day. Photo: Supplied.
BLUE SEPTEMBER
More than 4,000 Kiwi men will be diagnosed with
prostate cancer this year
Tackle prostate cancer this Blue September
Blue September is currently being run by the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ to raise funds to help tackle prostate cancer.
The foundation is asking people to ride, host an event, reach a push-up goal or set a challenge of their choice this September.
“Inspire your community to tackle prostate cancer together,” the foundation says.
“Raise vital funds and show support for your mates and whānau impacted by the most commonly diagnosed cancer in kiwi men.
“The funds you raise when you host an event, smash a push-up goal, ride a heaps long distance, or set a challenge of your choice this Blue September will go a long
way to bringing down [prostate cancer].
“Here's how your funds will get to work:
• powering research into better diagnosis and treatments to improve outcomes from prostate cancer diagnoses;
• helping make a lot of noise to advocate for improved healthcare services for men with prostate cancer; and
• raising awareness about prostate cancer and the importance of getting regular checks for men,” the foundation says.
To register a challenge, or for more information, visit www.blueseptember.org.nz.
When this issue of the “Independent Herald” deadline arrived, Blue September has raised $295,314.
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Top Netball administrator
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata Intermediate School kaiako
Komia Va’a was named Neball Hutt Valley’s Top Administrator of the Year. This was one of three awards for volunteers in Hutt Valley junior schools during the past year. The other two awards were for Coach of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. Komia’s award was announced by Netball Hutt Valley on 10 September. The award was made in recognition of all the mahi Komia has done over the many years that she has been in charge of netball at Wainuiomata Intermediate School.
Funeral
Missed
Komia Va’a with the cup she won as Netball Hutt Valley’s Top Administrator of the Year. Photo: ATPhoto.
Two great results for Footballers
By Ryan Imray
Wainuiomata Football Club proved that some stories do have the perfect happy ending.
The final two games were played for the club with a lot on the line with both games.
The big one saw the Wainuiomata Capital Premier team hosting Whanganui Athletic in the second leg of the Central League 2 play off at Richard Prouse Park on 13 September.
With Whanganui winning the first leg 3-1 the weekend before in Whanganui, Wainuiomata needed to win by a margin of three goals.
In the blistering sunshine, the 500-plus fans who turned up covered in anything they could find that was green and black, made their voices heard over the beating drum from the travelling Whanganui
contingent.
Despite both sides creating chances, it was 0-0 at half time which meant the three goals Wainuiomata needed had to be scored in the last 45 minutes.
If the odds were already in favour of Whanganui before the game, they were even more as both sides emerged from the changing room for the second half.
What happened next will be etched in the memory of everyone that was there.
A Baxter King corner two minutes into the second half was met by Ben Taylor to give Wainuiomata the first of the required three goals.
A minute later, another Baxter King corner caused more problems for the Whanganui defence resulting in an own goal from Clancey Skea to give Wainuiomata their second goal.
On the hour mark, Hadley Attewell
was brought down inside the box and Wainuiomata were awarded a penalty.
Adam Ross stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to give Wainuiomata that all important third goal.
Whanganui were shell shocked and were now in need of a goal themselves. As they pushed for that goal, Jack Brown found himself in open space in Whanganui’s goal box.
Hadley Attewell’s shot was saved but the ball fell kindly to Jack who made no mistake sealing the fate of the game and the tie.
Whanganui pulled a goal back in stoppage time but it didn’t matter, as Wainuiomata won the game 4-1 and the tie 5-4 on aggregate sending the Wainuiomata fans into scenes that are not often seen at Richard Prouse Park.
The fans stormed the pitch and
Wainui’s rising Rugby star
When it comes to Rugby Wainuiomata has produced some of the biggest names on the world stage – Tana Umaga and Piri Weepu just to name two.
And for local girl Keira Su’a-Smith the possibility of joining that group is becoming more of a reality.
Keira, who only turned 20 last week, made her debut for the Black Ferns XV against South Africa back in August during a two test series as a build up for South Africa’s World Cup bid.
She has now been called into the Black Ferns Sevens squad for their upcoming Oceania tournament in Fiji, where they will play Australia, Great Britian and Fiji.
“It’s been a crazy couple of months,” Keira says.
“My goal at the beginning of the year was to have a real good club and Wellington Pride campaign and hopefully get selected for the Hurricanes Poua for 2026.
“Then I got a call from Willie Walker, Head Coach of the BFXV asking if I was fit and that I had been selected for the trial game against the Black Ferns in Whangarei.
“It was such an amazing experience, to be coached by people like Willie Walker and Carlos Spencer and to train and play alongside some top athletes but also get to play against someone like Jorga Miller in the trial game.
“It was mind blowing,” Keira says.
The past 12 months for Keira have been full on as she steps into the professional environment.
Keira made her Wellington Pride debut last year, playing in all six games.
She was then offered a three-week contract to play in the Global World 10s Championship in America just before Christmas.
After initially missing out on the Hurricanes Poua, Keira was called in as an injury replacement and made her debut in February against the Auckland Blues.
At the end of the club season after captaining
Keira Su’a-Smith (centre) before the trial game against the Black Ferns in Whangarei. Photo: Supplied.
her side to back to back championships and being named MVP of the final, the talented 20 year old fullback packed her bags and joined the BFXV as they prepared for their Tour of South Africa, though Keira only played limited minutes.
“Putting on the Black Jersey for the first time and singing the National Anthem was just an amazing experience and something I will treasure forever,” Keira says.
After returning from South Africa, Keira was named Vice Captain of the Wellington Pride. Keira came back full of confidence and started the Pride campaign with a bang, being named Player of the Match in their first game against Tasman. It has been and up and down campaign so far for the Pride, however Keira has continued her consistent form, scoring in all five matches to date. The Pride played their semi final against the Northland Kauri on Saturday 13 September.
Unfortunately Keira was not available for the match, as she left on Sunday 7 September to join the Black Ferns Sevens, who were in camp preparing for their trip to Fiji.
Hopefully this Wainuiomata local will get another chance to add to her Black Jersey collection.
the celebrations began between fans and players. The win means Central League Football returns to Wainuiomata for 2026 and for the second time in five years, they get their hands on the Graeme Sole Cup.
First up on Saturday was the Reserves as they faced Petone Stonecutters in the Capital 3 and 4 Cup Final. These two sides had met previously twice this year during the league with Wainuiomata coming out on top on both occasions, 6-4 and 2-1.
Played at a neutral venue in Maidstone Park at Upper Hutt, it was an opening first half with Wainuiomata threatening the goal on a number of occasions. Despite being on top, they found themselves 1-0 down at half time with Petone striking with the last kick of the half. Scott McLeod made some changes at half time and it had an almost immediate
effect when Cameron Gelderblom equalised just 10 minutes into the second half.
After threatening the Petone defence during the first half, Cameron was rewarded when he dribbled past the defence and rifled a shot into the roof of the net. Just two minutes later Wainuiomata found themselves in front thanks to half time substitute Oliver Burton.
After Lachlan Harris saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper, Oliver was the first to react to slot home the rebound. Wainuiomata could have added to their tally and Petone pushed for an equaliser, on more than one occasion sending their goalkeeper up to try and get on the end of a corner, but Wainuiomata held on for a 2-1 win and saw them add a trophy to an impressive season that also saw them promoted to Capital 2 for 2026.
Wainuiomata Reserves celebrate lifting the Capital 3 and 4 Cup. Photo: Imray’s Snaps.
Wainuiomata Men's Capital Premier side with the Graeme Sole Cup. Photo: Imray’s Snaps.