Arohanui Strings+, which runs a music group in Wainuiomata, won the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards Arohanui Strings+ was presented the Award at the awards celebration dinner on 13 November.
Continued on page 2.
Tamariki playing their instruments at Arohanui
in Wainuioma-
Strings+
ta. Photo: Frank Neill.
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Frank Neill
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A really nice surprise
Continued from page 1
Winning the award “was a really nice surprise”, says Margaret Guldberg, the Programme Director at Arohanui Strings+.
It is “awe inspiring” how many amazing groups there are on the awards.
“It’s really wonderful.”
“Arohanui Strings+ make music together –strings, winds, brass – all welcome,” the award citation says..
“Their lessons are free, so no one misses out.
“Students grow in resilience, teamwork, friendship and confidence and get to perform in amazing places.
“They come from many different backgrounds, but at Arohanui Strings+ they are one orchestra.
“Music connects us, lifts us, and helps us grow – that’s the Arohanui Strings+ way.”
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Arohanui String+’s win was very notable in that it came from a strong group of finalists that included the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards supreme winner, the Māoriland Charitable Trust.
Arohanui Strings+ is an early intervention music education programme for children aged between six and 18.
A Sistema-inspired programme, it teaches strings, brass and woodwind.
The Sistema goal is to help children in high deprivation neighbourhoods reach their full potential by learning teamwork, harmony and ensemble playing.
In working on that goal, it transforms the lives of children through music.
Each year Arohanui Strings+ works with hundreds of children who would likely not otherwise learn an instrument and play in an orchestra.
It began with one classroom and no violins and since then has grown to four after-school orchestra/ensemble groups in Lower Hutt/
and three groups in Wellington city.
Founded as Arohanui Strings in 2010 it historically only taught stringed instruments. However in 2023 it introduced brass and last year it introduced woodwind, becoming Arohanui Strings+.
Its professionally qualified music teachers work with children through in-school programmes, all-comers after-school orchestras and with additional private scholarship lessons offered to particularly motivated young musicians.
It is part of a visionary global movement transforming the lives of children through music.
Each year it works with hundreds of children who would likely not otherwise learn an instrument and play in an orchestra.
Arohanui Strings+ also runs all-comers holiday programmes, providing children with extra musical education out of term-time. For more information or to register a child email admin@arohanuistrings.org.
Stella (left) and JeMaine playing the violin at a Wainuiomata session of Arohanui Strings+.
Photo: Frank Neill.
Wainuiomata
Dawn blessing for major Marae works
By Frank Neill
A dawn blessing of the whenua (land) at the Wainuiomata Marae where three new projects will be developed will take place this Saturday, 22 November, at 5:30am.
Everyone in the community is welcome to attend the blessing.
It will be the first step in the development of the three projects – an eco-papakāinga consisting of 12 affordable rental houses of between one and four bedrooms, the Ngahere Korowai (urban forest), which will see plantings take place on the swamp area between the marae and the hill, and an indigenous play space.
Following the dawn blessing, work on the projects is scheduled to start on Monday 24 November.
The first stage of the project is earthworks to prepare the ground for the three projects.
Contractors will begin by preparing the ground for the Ngahere Korowai.
That will be followed by the earthworks for the indigenous play space, and then for the eco-papakāinga.
Just how long the earthworks will take will depend on the weather.
Ngahere Korowai will cover an area of around 80 square metres.
The new forest will use species native to the area, densely planted following the Miyawaki method to help drain and stablise the nearby area, which is prone to flooding.
Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki recognised that Japan’s shrine forests were
extremely resilient to storm damage, flooding and even tsunami. His “tiny forests” built in urban land proved just as resilient.
One of the native plants the organisers are looking to plant in the new forest is Swamp Maire (Syzygium maire).
This endangered plant is a distinctive native tree with smooth, light-colored bark and dark green, leathery leaves that thrives in damp conditions.
After the earthworks for the Ngahere Korowai are complete the next stage of the project will be preparation of the soil.
“The excavated soil will be mixed with organic compost, pea straw, mulch and leaf litter from nearby bush and then we will plant the whole area out in what you might call green manure,” the project co-ordinator Pam Crisp says.
“That’s plants that will benefit the soil, bringing nitrogen into the soil and attracting microorganisms to create a very rich soil.
“Then we will plant.
“There’s lots of work to do to make a rich soil and plant the trees. We’d love local families to come along with their kids, get their hands in the soil and stay on for a cuppa,” Pam says.
The Ngahere Korowai project has a dedicated website, www.ngaherekorowai.co.nz, which includes a lot of information about the project and where people can contact the project organisers if they would like to help.
Planting is scheduled to start next autumn.
Earthworks for the indigenous play space will begin
following the earthworks for the Ngahere Korowai.
Tu Kotahi Asthma Trust and WMCT received funding from the Lego Corporation (Denmark) via the Spirit Project (John Hopkins University, USA) to develop the indigenous playspace.
The outcomes of the playspace include:
• indigenous traditions, culture and relationships with land and the environment are (re)established to improve the health and wellbeing of families;
• development of intergenerational playspaces designed by and for indigenous communities with a focus on early childhood, particularly (but not only) 0-6 year olds;
• knowledge and experience across different indigenous nations
are shared between projects, especially ways that overcome systemic barriers to improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families; and
• acceptability, satisfaction and reach of/with playspaces through indigenous and other evaluation methods.
The papakāinga will be based on the vision and values of the Marae which are contained in the Marae’s Development Plan created in 2021.
The papakāinga’s houses will be connected to the Marae through design features, pathways, tohu and services for residents.
In addition the Marae has a very strong environmental approach –above the building code and other requirements – which it will apply to the papakāinga design and operation.
The Wainuiomata Lions Club is holding a garage sale at the Louise Bilderbeck Hall, 103 Main Road, on Saturday 22 November.
The sale will run from 8am to noon. All proceeds from the garage sale will go towards replacing the defibrillator at the Waiuiomata Bowling Club.
market
The Wainuiomata Community Christmas Market will come to Queen Street on 29 November.
The market will run from 10am to 3pm at the Library.
Santa will be there.
The stall holder fees from the market will be donated back to the community.
your tips to wainui@wsn.co.nz
Putting stakes in the ground for the new ngahere korowai (from left) one of the project’s organisers Molly Melhuish, the project’s gardener Shobita Jones of Nature’s Villa (right) and two tamariki. Photo: Pam Crisp.
Authorised by Chris Bishop, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.
Possums wiped out in Wainuiomata
A recent possum control operation in the Wainuiomata/Orongorongo
Water Collection Area was so successful it momentarily knocked the possum population down to zero.
This is the lowest result recorded in the area for 20 years.
Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) carries out aerial 1080 operations in the water collection area every five years to protect water quality and health of the forest.
GWRC’s director of delivery Jack Mace says the 0% possum detection by wax tag monitoring is a new record.
The previous lowest was 0.1% recorded after a 1080 operation in 2005.
“It’s very rare that we achieve almost complete elimination like this in a 1080 operation,” Jack says.
“It was well planned and executed by our Pest Animals team.
“We know results like this never last forever – reinvasion is inevitable – but what we can do is keep knocking possums and rats down to give the forest and birds a break.
“1080 is a safe and effective tool to manage introduced predators, and there were no traces of 1080 recorded in water samples taken from waterways in the area.”
Greater Wellington now has more pest animal data than previous operations thanks to trail cameras which have been installed as part of the council’s new zero ungulate programme, which shows the operation also reduced the numbers of stoats and feral cats.
While possum, feral cat and stoat populations are regularly controlled using 1080 and trapping, the council is concerned about increasing deer, goat and pig
LETTERS to the editor
populations which have “cleared out” the forest ground cover and understory, Jack says.
“The canopy is relatively healthy; however a forest ecosystem needs all levels – ground cover, understory and canopy – to thrive.
“The zero ungulate programme will see a significant increase in pest animal control and an extension of the ungulate-proof fence to prevent reinvasion,” Jack says.
“The aim of the project is to remove ungulates and keep them out.”
Ungulates are hoofed mammals, and include deer, pigs and goats.
“The Wainuiomata Water Collection Area is home to towering northern rātā and rimu trees that were left untouched by logging – jewels in the crown of lower North Island forest.
“This area is precious and it’s our role to protect it,” Jack says.
Ban fireworks sales
This doesn't apply to everyone. There are sensible people out there.
You are celebrating a criminal who many centuries ago tried treason over in the UK.
New Zealand has a reputation of following other peoples’ traditions. Why not have public displays on a New Zealand public holiday.
Australia has banned fireworks to the public. Why haven't we?
It's an act of stupidity to keep celebrating someone else's traditions. Here's something that will make you think again.
People are crying out that prices of food are going up and yet you can go out and buy hundreds of dollars of fireworks.
That is why the government isn't doing anything about food prices. People don't have any wisdom no more.
Well those letting fireworks off in 2025 can't complain about high food prices.
This fireworks tradition won't stop until you stop buying these waste of money contraptions.
Letting fireworks off in back yards is dangerous.
Why don't some of you peo -
New fuel stop for Wainuiomata
By Frank Neill
The new fuel stop, brought to the valley by leading independent fuel retailer Waitomo, was officially opened by Lower Hutt’s Mayor, Fauono Ken Laban, yesterday, 18 November.
The unmanned 24-hour Fuel Stop is located at 5 Parkway.
The Mayor and other guests were officially welcomed on site at 9:30am by Waitomo Group owner Jimmy Ormsby to cut the ribbon. Guests were welcomed on site with free coffee and ice creams.
They also the had chance to win dollars off their fuel-up using the Waitomo app. Ranked 4.8 stars on Android, and 4.9 on Apple, the app is loved by thousands from the upper North Island to the lower South.
Known as a market disruptor, Waitomo will bring some muchneeded competition and choice to Wainuiomata, where there was, until yesterday, only one operator.
Local customers will benefit from Waitomo’s everyday low price for Unleaded 91, Premium 95, and Diesel.
As with all new Waitomo Fuel
Stops, the pumps on site are fitted with vapour recovery technology, a system not widely used in New Zealand that sucks petrol vapour that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere back into the pump. This is the sixth fuel stop Waitomo has opened in Wellngton, as part of its national expansion plans. Established in Te Kuiti more than 75 years ago by Desmond Ormsby, the 100% Kiwi, family-owned and operated company now has more than 100 fuel stops across New Zealand, from Paihia to Invercargill.
From Wainui’s bush to new exhibition
By Frank Neill
ple v isit the burns unit a fter a fireworks night and see how many idiots have burnt their hands holding onto fireworks while drunk.
I wonder, and many more sensible people wonder, who get the thrills, the kids or the adults? Maybe it's the grown ups that should grow up.
Lots of kids these days spend more time on their computers and game m achines while the adults are outside with friends acting like kids.
I love Wainuiomata with all the backdrops and rivers and bush.
I was once a Scout in Wainuiomata. I joined the Wainuiomata Bush Fire force in 1972. Bill McCabe was our Fire Chief for the Bush Force.
When a fire broke out on the hills we had to leave our places of work and lose hours of pay because a fire had started up again from the 5th of November due to sky rockets.
These fireworks are louder and fly higher. You have seen on the news what wild fires can do.
Why can't you learn before it's too late.
Peter Wells
An artist who grew up surrounded by the native bush of Wainuiomata, Sarah Laidler is among the five artists featuring in an upcoming exhibition.
“Earth Wind and Sea” opens at the Thistle Hall Gallery in Cuba Street, Wellington, on 2 December and will run to 7 December.
The five artists will bring together their works to share their love for nature.
Sarah paints in oil, and works with clay and glass.
Her sculpture, vessels and paintings all express the many atmospheres of nature.
During her time in Wainuiomata, she “had the privilege of learning how restorative nature is from a young age – whether looking at it, being in it, or creating with it,” she says.
This will be her first exhibition, “so it’s a bit like standing naked in front of the whole community.
“I’m a bit obssessed with it at the moment. It’s all I can think about,” she says, adding that there is “a lot of work to do” before the exhibition opens.
All five artists are connected through The Learning Connexion
in Taita, Lower Hutt. Pax MacKenzie needs to feel a physical connection to the natural environment. This is why she draws it, in her illustrative style, and makes small ceramic pieces inspired by it, to be worn close to the heart.
Kirsty Glasgow is a sustainable artist making sculptural pieces from found and recycled materials. Some of her most stunning pieces are made from natural beachflotsam fibres.
Yorka is drawn to organic and abstract forms that evolve through touch, repetition and response. She allows material to reveal their own language, celebrating irregularity, texture and transformation. The resulting pieces are abstract, organic, and tactile – bridging nature and process.
Dan Wilkinson’s work explores the physical and spiritual energy of the land.
“Te Whanganui a Tara is like no other part of the country: an urban suburbia threaded with bush and native species, rugged and remote coastlines and hills, rural communities connected by roads that run beside rivers,” the artists say.
“We hope this exhibition will encourage people to reflect on their own connections with nature.
“Within the range of mediums and approaches towards the same topic we hope people will find something that resonates with them – and perhaps be inspired to think about how they’ve been shaped by the natural world, and how they might like to express that.”
Lower Hutt Mayor Fauono Ken Laban just after he cut the ribbon to mark the opening of Waitomo’s new Wainuiomata fuel stop. Waitomo Group owner Jimmy Ormsby is on his left and Deputy Mayor Keri Brown on his right. Photo: Supplied.
Trail camera footage of possums in Wainuiomata. Photo: Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Sarah Laidler’s ceramics that will feature in the upcoming “Earth Wind and Sea” exhibition. Photo: Supplied. One of Sarah Laidler’s oil paintings.
Hutt City Kindergartens
With 20 kindergartens throughout the Hutt Valley, including five in Wainuiomata, HCK knows that the journey of learning starts in the earliest years. Offering affordable, high-quality education for children aged two –
FINISHED TO PERFECTION
LOCAL TRADES TRUST A LOCAL
Local fire fighter honoured
Long serving Wainuiomata fire fighter Ronald (Ron) Terry’s life was celebrated with a funeral service at the Wainuiomata Fire Station on 12 November.
Ron passed away on 9 November.
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When he joined the brigade in 1958 he and his family lived just around the corner from the former fire station located opposite Wainuiomata Primary School.
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He used to ride his bicycle to attend the fire calls at the fire station.
On one occasion his bike was stolen from outside the fire station while he was on a fire call.
Ron served with the Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade for 25 years, retiring on 12 October 1983.
29 February, 10.30 –11.30am Waiora Sports and Community Hub, Johnsonville
He was presented his Gold Star for 25 years’ service that same day by the United Fire Brigade Association (UFBA) Past President and CFO Keith Christenson.
Heart Foundation FREE session for people living with an ICD. Talk by Lin Coleman, Clinical Nurse Specialist. Contact Annette 04 4722780
He was also presented the Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade Life Membership medal at the same event by Wainuiomata’s Chief Fire Officer Bill Moolenaar.
FACT OF THE
Ron worked for the government in Wellington and on two occasions when Queen Elizabeth II visited New Zealand he was given the responsibility of organising the Queen’s visit.
On her second visit in the late seventies, Queen Elizabeth made Ron a Member of the Royal Victorian Order.
This order is a dynastic order of Knighthood to recognise distinguished personal service to the Monarch.
One of Ron’s passions was waterway fire brigade competitions, where he excelled at the very highest level.
Ron’s team was runner-up in the NZ UFBA National Championships held in Nelson in 1965, and in 1969 the team finished fifth from well over 100 teams.
After Ron retired from active competition in 1970, he spent some years judging at local and national fire brigade competition events.
Ron is a Past President of the Hutt Wellington Kāpiti Fire Brigades Sub Association. In 1973, due to his government experience, Ron was appointed to represent the brigade on the district council’s fire authority.
He later became the Chairman of the Council’s Fire Authority body and held this position until the Fire Service Commission was established In the late seventies, Ron was promoted to third officer, a position he held for some years. Due to his financial expertise, he was also the brigade’s Treasurer for many years.
Ron Terry speaking at a Fire Brigade event. Photo: Supplied.
Comfortable win for Wainui Cricketers
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Life Direct premier mens Cricket team took out a comfortable two wicket win over Wellington Collegians Cricket Express on 15 November.
After winning the toss, Wainuiomata bowled Collegians out for 126 in 31 overs and three balls on their home ground of Anderson Park.
Wainuiomata then scored 128 for eight wickets in 27 overs and four balls to secure the victory.
Ryan Jackson was in stunning form with the ball, taking a five wicket bag at a cost of just 26 runs.
Roshan Sugathan took two wickets for 20 runs, James Riley one wicket for one run, Loyis Edwin one wicket for 25 runs and Logan Stoupe one wicket for 33 runs.
FACT OF THE DAY
Jordan Rangikauhata was approaching a half century when Wainuiomata scored the winning runs, and finished on 43 not out.
Callum Mackaness scored 24 and Abishek Singh 17.
Wainuiomata’s next match sees them play
Naenae Old Boys at Bryan Heath Park on 22 November, starting at 10:30am.
The Wainuiomata Design and Build women’s team gained their second win from the two games played this season when City Suburbs defaulted the match on 15 November.
POOLS OF SATISFACTION
The Wainuiomata Life Direct women’s team did not fare so well in their match against the Taita Queens on 15 November.
Our summer pools were built by us. Blends in well did cause no fuss. With hydro slide will cause a splash. And to it many people dash. Through native bush we twist and wiggle. From the children brings a giggle. Severn days a week the place is open. Hot summer days we all are hopen!
Batting first Wainuiomata scored 85 for the loss of five wickets at Fraser Park in their 20 overs.
The Taita Queens took just nine overs and three balls to overhaul that score, finishing with 86 for the loss of one wicket.
Extras was the biggest contributor to the Wainuiomata score, with the Taita Queens bowling 25 wides and 22 no balls.
Next week sees the local derby, with Wainuiomata Design and Build team playing Wainuiomata Life Direct at Bryan Heath Park on Sunday 23 November, starting at 2pm.
or email jack.powell@outlook.com
Top players chasing their dreams
By Frank Neill
Seven young Wainuiomata Rugby League wahine, all of them top players, left for Australia last week.
51. J.K. Rowling chose the unusual name ‘Hermione’ so young girls wouldn’t be teased for being nerdy!
The seven are among the very best in not only the Wellington region but also New Zealand, and they are in Australia chasing their dream of playing at the top level.
They are currently preparing to play in the Brisbane Elite under 17 and under 19 Rugby League competitions.
Three of the players are under 17 –twins Talia and Maia Mapakaitolo and Rangitiare Graham.
They will be playing for Wynnum Manly.
Four of the players are in the under 19 teams – Mia Ualesi, who will play for Norths Devils, Mariah Nicholls, who will play for Wynnum Manly, Hoana Hohepa, who will play for Wynnum Manly and Kyla Mere Pasene, who will also play for Wynnum Manly.
CROSSWORD
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
ACROSS
1. Showman’s covered wagon (7)
Result (5-6)
1. Result (5-6)
5. Chase(quarry) to lair (3,2,6) 11. Dig(5)
Scoundrel (7)
7. Scoundrel (7)
By Russell McQuarters
By Russell McQuarters
Boredom(5)
51. Angry (5)
Large battleship(11)
Error(7)
Anaesthetic (5)
Pulls (5)
11. Pulls (5)
Deviousness (7)
12. Most unsightly(7) 13. Taunts (5) 14. Costly(9) 15. Sinners(9) 16. Abound(4) 17. Parade(7) 19. Kiwi golfer, Frank (6)
12. Deviousness (7)
(5)
13. Excellent (5)
Excellent (5)
Costly(9)
14. Alert (9)
Sinners(9)
15. So (9)
(9)
Abound(4)
16. Directs (6)
Parade(7)
18. Skull (7)
(7)
Kiwi golfer, Frank (6)
23. Mean(6)
21. Disorder (4)
Mean(6)
(4)
23. Racket (3)
25. Take by sips (3)
Hand operated fire-fighting device, pump(7)
26. Hand operated fire-fighting device, pump(7)
27. Stake (4)
29. Cast off(4)
28. Artlessness (7)
Cast off(4)
30. Main point(of story) (3)
32. Offer(3)
30. Low chair; Chaise (6)
Main point(of story) (3)
32. Expert; hand (3)
Offer(3)
34. Component(4)
33. Strange (3)
Component(4)
35. Longed for(7)
34. Zealous (6)
Longed for(7)
36. Muse(6)
35. In brisk time(music) (7)
Muse(6)
39. U.S. writer, Hemingway(6)
36. U.S. state (4)
U.S. writer, Hemingway(6)
40. Short chopper(7)
37. Biblical vessel (3)
Short chopper(7)
42. Sheep enclosure(4)
39. Curve (3)
Sheep enclosure(4)
46. Mirth(9)
41. Cupid (4)
Mirth(9)
48. Schoolmaster(9)
43. Exposed to air (7)
Schoolmaster(9)
50. Frighten(5) 51. First (7)
45. Female relatives (6)
Frighten(5)
48. An endless time(Lat) (9)
First (7)
49. Left handed people(inf) (9)
52. Boredom(5) 53. Large battleship(11) 54. Error(7)
1. Obtain by begging (5) 2. Fall back (into illness)(7) 3. Austrian capital(6) 4. Marine(8) 5. Disencumber(7)
2. Fall back (into illness)(7) 3. Austrian capital(6) 4. Marine(8) 5. Disencumber(7) 6. Sister’s daughter(5) 7. Get(6) 8. Lively dance(8)
Sent (11)
1. Sound (5) 2. Sent (11)
3. Shy (8)
Shy (8)
Sister’s daughter(5)
Of public revenue (6)
Get(6)
Of public revenue (6)
Turn outwards (5)
Lively dance(8)
Turn outwards (5)
Constrict (7)
Flawless(11)
Constrict (7)
9. Flawless(11)
Has high morals (8)
Has high morals (8)
Reduce (6)
Writing tables(5)
Reduce (6)
10. Writing tables(5)
Accolade(7)
16. Accolade(7)
Sanction (7)
Sanction (7)
Tend(5)
18. Tend(5)
Audacity (5)
Audacity (5)
Commanded(7)
Arrange in steps (7)
Hotel(3)
Arrange in steps (7)
‘Old Blue Eyes’ Frank (7)
Young of a fox (3)
Competitor (5)
Competitor (5)
38. U.S. horse race; Derby (8)
38. Suspended swinging weight(8) 41. Designate(7)
41. Designate(7)
43. Transparent fabric of silk(7)
40. Restrained (8)
43. Transparent fabric of silk(7)
42. Casual (7)
44. Breed of sheep(6) 45. Monster(Fem) (6)
44. Breed of sheep(6)
45. Monster(Fem) (6)
44. Annual calendar (7)
46. Prize(5)
Prize(5)
46. Scoffs (6)
47. Object(5)
Object(5)
47. Manservant (6)
48. Form of expression (5)
Expel from native country (5)
49. Expel from native country (5)
49. Water vapour (5)
50. Gambol (5)
Solution
Last week: 12 November 2025
‘Old Blue Eyes’ Frank (7)
Calculate trigonometrically(11)
N.Z. Prime Minister
20. Commanded(7) 21. Hotel(3) 22. Young of a fox (3) 24. Calculate trigonometrically(11)
Unexploded bomb(3)
(7)
Sir Robert (7)
Boils (7)
Boils (7)
25. Unexploded bomb(3)
Warble(5)
Catch (3)
27. Warble(5)
Catch (3)
Spot on a dice (3)
28. Spot on a dice (3)
Group of whales (3)
Group of whales (3)
Topic (5)
Topic (5)
Turkish govenor(3)
31. Turkish govenor(3) 33. Put on(clothes) (3)
Uninvited guest (4-7)
Ryan Jackson who took five wickets for Wainuiomata on 15 November. Photo: Frank Neill.
The seven Rugby League players who travelled to Australia last week, along with a friend and their two coaches (from left) Rangitiare Graham, Mia Ualesi, Talia Mapakaitolo, Mariah Nicholls, Ryshia Leota, Hoana Hohepa, Kyla Mere Pasene, Maia Mapakaitolo and coaches Thomas Kiwara and Chris Fox. Photo: Supplied.
Wainui rider’s race cancelled
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata’s Jake Whitaker did not get to race in round six of the New Zealand Hard Enduro National Championship on 15 and 16 November.
The penultimate round of New Zealand’s ultimate off-road motorcycling competition, due to be raced in Canterbury, was cancelled.
The event organisers say they had to cancel because of a combination of dry weather, high fire risk and forestry closures.
This means that Jake continues to lead the championship, although by a narrow margin of eight points.
The number two position is shared by Whitecliff’s Luke Doerner-Corson and
Tokoroa’s Jake Wightman.
The cancellation of last weekend’s racing means that the competition now heads into the final round, to be raced in Wellington on 30 November.
Riding his KTM 300 EXC, Jake will go into this round as the favourite to take out the 2025 New Zealand title.
There have been four different winners in the series so far and Jake is the only rider to win outright more than once this season, making it two victories in a row after winning round three in Canterbury in May and then round four in Northland in July. He is looking forward to the final race in the series.
“Wellington (the final round) is home turf for me, so that should suit me well,” he says.
Late opening for Wainui pool
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Summer Swimming Pool was a little over a day late opening for the season.
The pool was scheduled to open on Saturday 15 November.
However people going to the pool were greeted with a sign at the entrance saying it was closed due to water purity issues.
The pool finally opened the next day, and Hutt City Pools + Fitness posted on their Facebook page early on the afternoon of 16 November: “All fixed. Wainui pool is open. Head on down to enjoy the sun. We’re open until 6pm today.”
The pool is scheduled to be open for the 2025-26 summer season until 9 March next year.
There will be a series of different opening hours, depending on the date.
From the opening until 21 December the pool will be open from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Over the Christmas-New Year period the pool will be open from 10am to 6pm on 22 and 23 December, 10am to 3pm on 24 December, and closed on Christmas day.
It will open from 10am to 6pm from 26 to
30 December, 10am to 5pm on 31 December and will be closed on New Year’s day.
The pool will be open from 10am to 6pm from 2 to 4 January.
The pool opening hours between 5 and 25 January are: Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 6pm.
The opening hours between 26 January and 9 March, when the pool will close for the season, are 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
The Wainuiomata pool features four outdoor heated pools situated among rose gardens and shrubs and surrounded by native bush.
It also features and 80 metre open air slide running down through bush to the pool.
Another feature is the poolside spa.
The pool is available for hire, for events such as birthday parties, corporate or social functions or fundraisers on Saturday or Sunday nights after 6pm.
It also has a meeting room that can serve as a birthday party room on the floor above the pool reception.
This room is suitable for meetings of up to 80 people or birthday parties of up to 50 people.
KOKIRI MARAE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Measles is here
Find out if you and your whānau have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. Check your Plunket / Well Child books, or call your GP.
Not vaccinated or don’t know? Get your MMR vaccine. It’s FREE.
If you’re not sure, no worries. Contact your doctor to check. It’s safe to get the vaccine again if you have no record of receiving it.
Stay home if you’re unwell
If you have cold or flu symptoms and a rash, stay at home and call your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice.
Kokiri are able to check to see whether you have had the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination as well – this saves you a call to your GP. If there is no documentation as having received the MMR vaccine, then it is safe to have.
The water slide at the Wainuiomata Pool. Photo: Hutt City Council.
Jake Whitaker in action on his KTM 300EXC. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
