By Frank Neill
Makara residents flocked to the Anzac Day remembrance service, held at the war memorial outside St
Remembering is vital
Matthias’ Church on 25 April. The Makara service is, says Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert, “the nicest one I go to.” Continued on page 2.
Royal New Zealand Navy Lieutenant Commander Gerard McGrath lays a wreath during the Makara Anzac Day service. Photo: Frank Neill.
Makara Beach bagpipe player Rex Billings playing during the Anzac Day service. Photo: Frank Neill.
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Remembrance can shape our future
Continued from page 1.
“It has less pomp but still the same sentiment of remembrances.
“There is a real community feel to it ... and a lot of the community come.”
“We must ensure that history does not repeat itself and lead us down the path of violence, hatred and destruction,” the Makara Anzac Day service’s organiser Pat Grace said in his speech.
“We owe it to those who have fought on our behalf for our freedom and for our security to not let their sacrifices be forgotten nor to have been in vain.
“Remembrance therefore is a vital task, and in so doing we inform ourselves and also shape our future.
“There is much work to be done.
“We should use the memories of the atrocities of war, and the memory of those who fought for our freedom, to inspire us to build a kinder and more compassionate world for future generations, a world of which we can be truly proud.
“This is a task for all of us,” Pat said.
“In January this year we saw the Holocaust Remembrance in Krakow, Poland.
“That event recalled the execution of 6,000,000 Jewish and Roma people, sexually diverse people, and politically outspoken people, all murdered by the Nazis who were determined to wipe
those people from the earth.
“In commemorating those events we recall the violence and the hate that prevailed, and the depth to which humanity can sink when evil is allowed to flourish, and is ignored far too long by the world.
“As was said by some of those who survived the horrors of those concentration camps, we must cherish our freedom, we must challenge prejudice and we must never be a bystander in the face of hatred.
“We must never allow ourselves to become enablers of violence and hatred.
“As a nation we need to speak out in the face of clear injustice, however unpalatable that may be.
“There may well be consequences, but this country has had some of its proudest moments when it has stood up for itself and spoken out.
“Today, in a world that remains full of turmoil and strife, and is witnessing the dangerous rise of anti-semitism, there can be no more important message.
“One of the problems that we all face is that we tend to become desensitized by the regular news we receive about these conflicts.
“The news avoids showing us the true horrors of conflict and the actual human injury and suffering.
“So, without personal insight and understanding it is easy to put these situations out of our minds.
99-year old World War Two veteran Geoffrey Moss, who attended the Karori Anzac Day service. Photo: Supplied.
“Each death incurred in conflict, and injuries received, involves a human being – fathers, sons, brothers, wives, mothers, sisters, uncles, cousins and friends.
“Those men and women who have fought on our behalf, and those who today still fight on our behalf, no doubt all hope that they will come out unscathed.
Continued on page 3.
Discovery sessions at the Tuhura HIVE
EveryMonday afternoon in May between 3pm and 5pm,the Tuhura HIVE recording studioat the Johnsonville Library, at the Waitohi Hub, will be open to anyone interested to learn how a fully functioning recording studio operates.
The first session is on Monday 5 May.
A staff member will be on hand to answer questions and guide those attending through the basics of the recording process.
Thought-provoking songs with Kevin Iken will take place on Wednesday 7 May from 3:30pm to4pm at the Johnsonville Library at Waitohi Hub.
Kevin is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter hailing from Dunedin.
He was a founding member of Wellington dance band The Jimmies and a former National Radio presenter.
These days he’s known for thought-
provoking songs about current issues, often in a humorous vein.
Everyone is welcome to come along, listen and enjoy as part of New Zealand Music Month 2025.
This is one of a series of New Zealand Music Month events happening at Wellington’s libraries.
Another is Sii Gentile Duo music performance on Saturday 3 May from 11am to 11:30am at Mervyn Kemp Library in Tawa.
Sii Gentle (meaning 'be kind') is a duo that plays jazz standards and some originals. They are two siblings. Richard plays violin and Daryl plays piano.
Both musicians have played jazz and other styles of music, including folk, rock ‘n roll, bluegrass and classical, for many years. They perform on a variety of instruments and always enjoy playing together.
A just struggle against evil
Continued from page 2.
“Inevitably some will die, and many will be injured.
“The impact that these fatalities and injuries have on the families is incalculable and ongoing for years and in most cases for a lifetime,” Pat said.
“Remembrance rests on our shoulders and those of future generations.”
Royal New Zealand Navy Lieutenant Commander Gerard McGrath also referred to the cruelty of the Nazi concentration camps in his speech.
“A new major focus for the New Zealanders who gathered on Anzac Day 1945 was on the horrors that were being revealed by the liberation of German concentrations camps,” he said.
“Across the world people were shocked and appalled by the accounts of the unbelievable cruelty and huge scale of the Nazis’ genocide.
“These revelations confirmed for New Zealanders that the war that had been forced upon them in 1939 had indeed been a just struggle against evil.
“Also on this day 80 years ago the San Francisco Conference opened, which led to the founding of the United Nations.
“New Zealand played a highly significant role at the conference and was particularly focused on putting in place an international system to prevent a repeat of the horrors of the Second World War.
“The international order established after the end of the Second World War, with the United Nations at its heart, is far from perfect.
“There can, nevertheless, be no doubt that for decades it has made the world a safer place, averting and containing conflict and facilitating international co-operation and development.
“However, this system is under acute strain and the world is a more unstable and dangerous place than it has been for decades.
“But what has not changed is our commitment to honour the memory of those servicemen and women who came before us, who sacrificed so much for our nation and our values,” Lieutenant Commander McGrath said.
“We will remember them.”
They spoke to recognise the role horses had played in armed conflicts involving New Zealanders.
Horses have played a “vital role” in wars New Zealand has been involved in, including World War One and World War Two. In World War One, 6,000 horses were involved in battles.
Following the service, the community took part in morning tea, organised by Pat’s wife
There was an excellent turn out at the Karori RSA Anzac Day service, held at the Karori West Normal School. The service was held both inside a packed school hall and outside the hall.
Among those attending was World War Two New Zealand Royal Navy veteran Geoffrey Moss, who is 99 years old.
Village market
The next Khandallah Village Market will take place from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 10 May at the Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall, 33 Ganges Road.
The market will feature art and crafts as well as vintage and preloved items.
Essay competition
The annual Think Kind student essay competition is now open for entries. As well as the top prize of $1,000, the top 10 entrants will also receive a prize pack.
Run by the NZ Vegetarian Society this competition offers the opportunity for students from year 0 to 13 to submit any form of creative work which expresses the importance of kindness towards animals and our planet.
Past entries have included art work, poems, short stories, home made films and more.
Entires close on 17 August. For more information visit www.vegetarian.org. nz/think-kind.
The wreaths laid at this year’s Makara Anzac Day service. Photo: Frank Neill. Members of the M kara Pony Club, along with three ponies, also attended and spoke at the service.
Christine McGrath. Anne Rose organised the opening up of the Monk Cottage, and Rick Brains had his army vehicles on display at the Anzac Day service.
Mayor will not seek re-election
By Frank Neill
Tory Whanau has announced that she will not run for a second term as Wellington’s Mayor in October’s local body elections.
Instead she will run for the Maori Ward seat on the Wellington City Council, she announced on 29 April.
A member of the Green Party, Ms Whanau ran as an independent in the 2022 local body elections and won the Mayoralty by a landslide.
She received 34,462 votes, more than double the votes received by Andy Foster, who was the second highest in the poll with 16,711 votes. She is the first Maori woman to be elected Wellington’s Mayor. Her decision not to seek re-elec-
tion as Mayor came after Andrew Little confirmed that he would run for the Mayoralty.
“Having Andrew Little in the race, I’ve decided I’d like to step aside to give him a clear runway to win the Mayoralty,” she says.
“Running for the Maori Ward, which I think will be a success ... is a better outcome for everyone involved, certainly for the city.”
As the Maori Ward Councillor “I can keep fighting for what I believe in for the city.”
Originally from P tea in South Taranaki, with whakapapa to Pakakohi and Ng Ruahine, Ms Whanau has had a diverse career – from marketing and film censorship to chief of staff for the Green Party.
‘Give Way’ an evening of unadulterated fun
By Margaret Austin
Circa Theatre’s production of “Give Way” is providing an evening of talented performance, energy and unadulterated fun.
World-first musical comedy “Give Way – the Musical” has received almost as much publicity as the road rule fight it’s based on.
But having seen the show, I don’t have an argument with that.
Steven Page, writer of “Give Way”, is a South Island postie whom I predict has a future as a playwright.
He was unfortunately absent from the premiere night of his work, due to illness, so was unable to witness its enthusiastic acclaim at newly refurbished Circa Theatre.
A musical? About a road rule change? You’ve got to be joking.
Being a non-driver, I had to check out its history. In 2012, New Zealand’s rule favouring right-turning drivers was reversed, causing perhaps
predictably outcry and concern.
Enter a writer, a director, a cast of five and a host of other creatives to exploit the situation, and you get an evening of musical mayhem like no other.
Sophie, young, frustrated and idealistic, joins the Ministry of Transport.
She spots reversing New Zealand’s Give Way rule as a chance to make a difference. And here the politics begin.
We laugh in delighted recognition as opposition to her ambition surfaces in various forms.
A protest movement gathers, and dirty tactics rear their heads.
To complicate matters, Ben, one of Sophie’s workmates, is lovestruck.
“Nobody but a Kiwi could write a play like this”, observes producer Dave Armstrong.
“It’s a gentle satire, sending everyone up.”
Indeed everyone, meaning Wellington bureaucrats, groundswell objectors plus the general public, characterised as typically easily worked up about relatively small matters.
Satirical highlights are many: employing a public relations expert (how could you sink so low?) and the invitation to Sophie to chair a Select Committee hearing.
There is a lot to savour in this production.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in the reversal of road rule legislation, you can appreciate a witty script, you can revel in the songs and the music (direction by Hayden Taylor), adore the dancing (choreography by Manuel Solomon), appreciate the set and costume designs (Tony De Goldi), and admire the frequent character changes (four out of the five cast members play more than one role).
And all of this brilliantly pulled together by director Jacqueline Coats.
Take a hint from the title of this extraordinary show: whether you favour turning right or left, give way to your appetite for an evening of unadulterated fun.
“Give Way – The Musical” runs at Circa Theatre until 24 May.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau. Photo: Supplied.
A scene from from the musical currently running at Circa Theatre, including a “give way” sign.
Photo: Roc Torio.
A scene from “Give Way
– The Musical”. Photo: Roc Torio.
Water leaks getting fixed
faster
Wellington Water says it has “hit an exciting milestone”, dropping to under 400 leaks a month.
This, Wellington Water says, is “the lowest it’s been in four years”.
“Increased investment in leaks from Wellington City Council has enabled Wellington Water to ramp up their leak repairs across the metropolitan region, going from 1,720 leaks in January 2024, to just under 400 leaks in January 2025, which is a reduction of over 75%,” Wellington Water says in a media release.
“For Wellington city, our current backlog target is 133.
“Last month, there were 220 leaks in the backlog in comparison to 936 in 2024. Wellington Water also says that it is repairing leaks much faster.
“The drop in the backlog matches the steady reduction in response and repair times
in the past 12 months, with lower priority jobs being resolved much faster.
“Response time is from when the Council receives the job notification to when a serviceperson arrives on site, while the repair time refers to the time from when the Council receives the job notification to when the fault or issue is resolved.
“In Wellington city, these times are: urgent jobs, response time dropping from 2.5 hours to 1.2 hours, repair time dropping from 13.56 hours to 3.63 hours; non- urgent jobs, repair time dropping from 45 days to 13 days.
“Due to the number of leaks, the team prioritises where crews go to make the best use of resources and focus on fixing the biggest leaks that have the most impact on water supply, many of which are underground and not easy to spot, Wellington Water says.
People can keep track of the leaks backlog on the Wellington Water website.
Karori Lions e-recycling fundraiser
By Frank Neill
The Karori Lions Club is holding an e-recycling fundraiser from 9am to 1pm on Saturday 10 May at the Karori Community Centre. Proceeds from the event go to the Karori Lions Trust to support the community. It is accepting a range of items – flat screen TVs and monitors; modems and routers; servers and motherboards; laptops, tablets and PCs; printers and scanners; gaming consoles; alarm clocks
and radios; batteries; phones; DVD players; cameras; e-readers; stereos; hair driers and straighteners; keyboards and mice; and cables and wiring. Spectacles for the Lions Sight Project will also be accepted. “Rather than take your e-waste to the landfill (absolutely not recommended), dispose of it responsibly to an accredited recycler, and let us help you while earning a few dollars for charity,” the Karori Lions say.
For more information contact 027 442 0916.
Design and carve your own piece to take home with the help of our master carvers! Plus learn about the significance of carving in Maori culture.
T: 03 755 6504
E: stevengwaliasi@gmail.com
A Wellington Water crew member working to fix a leak. Photo: Wellington Water.
So much to do in
KAPITI
A green heart
Elite Arboriculture is a local, family-owned and operated tree management business on the K piti Coast, offering professional arborist services across the Wellington and Horowhenua regions. Elite Arboriculture believes the mana of trees must be respected.
Something for everyone...
They love giving back to the Earth by planting trees and to the community through volunteer service. Elite Arboriculture has carried out free tree work at their local preschools and kindergartens, as well as for their Free Tree Initiative, where they offer one lucky recipient arborist services of their choice at no cost.
“We had a team from Elite Arboriculture working at our son’s and daughterin-law’s place in Paek k riki today”, a happy client comments “This work was being done as a prize that Elite Arboriculture had donated to a local
competition. A great example of a local business supporting the local community… You folks are absolute stars, and we can’t recommend you highly enough”. Tree pruning and hedge trimming are important to maintain health and structure. From thinning to reductions, Elite Arboriculture can keep your trees healthy and looking their best.
The team can also help with planting and mulching, assisting you in finding the right trees for the right spaces and with the right aesthetics. Trees are essential to our beautiful country’s ecosystem, but an unhealthy tree can be dangerous.
If the time has come for removal, they are qualified to perform the job safely and professionally. Elite Arboriculture has a green thumb and green heart for the community and ecosystem.
Grant to support companion walking
New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded a grant of $5,000 to Age Concern Wellington to support the delivery and growth of their Companion Walking Service.
This service enables more older Wellingtonians to get out of the house, stay mobile and to remain a visible part of their communities.
“Loneliness is a serious issue for older people, increasing risks like dementia, shorter life expectancy, and early entry into rest home care,” Age Concern Wellington CEO Stephen Opie says. “The 2023 Census shows over 13,300 seniors now live alone in the Wellington region, a 17% rise.
“As our ageing population grows, so does the need for services that support connection and mobility.
“Our Companion Walking Service helps meet that need by keeping seniors active, engaged, and connected to their communities.”
Age Concern Wellington’s Companion Walking Service matches trained volunteers with older people who want to get out and about but need extra support to do so safely.
For many, a simple walk to the shops or park can be daunting due to mobility issues, health concerns, or memory loss.
A trusted walking companion helps ease those concerns and builds confidence.
Each year, volunteers complete over 1,000 walks across the Wellington region. The programme currently supports more than
75 weekly matched pairs – and with the help of NZCT’s funding, that number is set to grow.
Betty, a client of the service says: “I really enjoy walking to the shops and around my community.
“I sometimes get confused when I’m out walking on my own, so I feel much more confident with a companion alongside me.”
One Companion Walking Service volunteer says: “Mary loves being in the garden centre, so we go there for our walks sometimes.
“There is lots of stopping to touch and admire the plants.
“I greatly enjoy my walks with Mary, who holds onto my arm almost all the time, making us both feel safe as I can always hold her up if she stumbles.”
“Helping older people stay mobile and socially connected with the world around them has enormous benefits for individual wellbeing and the community as a whole,” NZCT’s GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges, says.
“Grants like this wouldn’t be possible without the responsible gaming partnerships we share with our Wellington-based venues.”
Popular Ensemble return to Waikanae
On Sunday 18 May the Waikanae Music Society presents the Society’s regular favourites – the Amici Ensemble.
Unbelievably, Donald Armstrong, Associate Concertmaster of the NZSO, has been bringing his wonderful group of mostly NZSO players to Waikanae since 1989. This year they will appear as a piano quartet. Joining Donald Armstrong will be violist Alexander McFarlane, cellist Andrew Joyce and pianist Jian Liu to play two of the greatest piano quartets ever written, by Fauré and Brahms.
The programme also includes a string trio by Frenchman Jean Françaix, well- known for his delightfully energetic and fun-filled pieces.
The concert, in the Waikanae Memorial Hall, starts at 2.30pm. Door sales. Information www.waikanaemusic.org.nz
Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Nau mai haere mai ki Kapiti Island! A visit to Kapiti Island feels like a step back in time to untouched Aotearoa where birds reign supreme.
The island is one of the oldest nature reserves in the world, and a fantastic example of an active conservation project. Kapiti
Island is totally free of pests and predators allowing the ngahere (bush) to regenerate, and native species like kākā, kererū, hihi, weka, and kākāriki to thrive. Check out www.kapitiisland.com or email bookings@kapitiisland.com for more information.
Memorabilia of Noel Crombie from Split Enz at
Paekakariki Station Museum
Head to Paekakariki and take in the sights and sounds of the Station Museum located in the railway station on the main trunk line. See and
Railway and General History, and a collection of US Marines World War Two items. Check out the photos and stories about local musicians from the past like Split Enz’s Noel Crombie and their links to some iconic bands.
Admission is by donation. And pop into some real gems.
Museum open hours: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 11am to 3pm or by appointment. While in Paekakariki head to Finn’s Restaurant for a meal or beer after you’ve looked around the museum. For more information: www.stationmuseum.org.nz
The Escarpment Track – then Finn’s Paekakariki for craft beer and a meal!
The Track and Finn’s are a perfect match! Finn’s Restaurant and Bar is only minutes from the start/end of the Track and the Paekakariki railway station and right on State Highway 59. That means it’s very easy to get to by train from Wellington, or by car, making it the ideal destination for a day. Or why not make it a weekend as Finn’s is also a boutique hotel of superior studio units with spa baths, king-
facilities.
This is a contemporary cafe/restaurant and bar where you can enjoy the ambience while indulging in tasty cuisine and craft beer. If you want great food, craft beer – and live music (last Sunday each month) to set it place to be!
KAPITI ISLAND NATURE TOURS
the family-friendly Rangatira Loop or the Wilkinson Track
Public $50, Members $40 and Students $10.
Right next to Paekakariki Station!
A song of ice and a firefighter
“I’m going to have to call you back in about 10 minutes. We’ve just got an emperor penguin on the runway that we have to shoo away.”
It’s not a typical way to start an interview, and dealing with errant penguins isn’t a typical role for an aviation rescue firefighter, but it’s all part of the job for Newlands College alumnus Leading Aircraftman Pieter Lelieveld, who has been deployed to Antarctica for the summer season.
Leading Aircraftman Lelieveld has been plying his trade during the ice continent’s summer season for The New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) Operation Antarctica, which is finishing up for the year.
With the penguin safely away from any aircraft coming in to land on the Williams airfield, Leading Aircraftman Lelieveld was at pains to say that while approaching any wildlife in Antarctica is restricted, firefighters have permission to move them along from the runway.
“It’s definitely not something I trained for before coming down, but it’s one of the perks of being down here. We are the only ones who can get them off the runway if a plane is coming in.”
Firefighters spend much of their time monitoring flights coming and going from the ice runway, but also more conventional work like responding to fire alarms, medical events and any fires that break out at McMurdo Station and Scott Base.
Based at the United States’ McMurdo Station, Leading Aircraftman Lelieveld said it was an amazing experience being posted to such a unique environment and working with assets from different countries.
The team works primarily with aircraft from the United States Air National Guard
and Air Force.
Emergencies with the aircraft sometimes happen and Leading Aircraftman Lelieveld said they hit differently in the extreme environment.
“It might be a minor thing like a rudder not performing how it should, but down here that could matter more when it takes off or lands, just because it’s on an ice runway.”
When people starting on their careers look into the firefighter trade, they may not realise they could get the opportunity to work in such an unusual environment, he said.
“It’s a great experience and opens your awareness to see how things are done differently, especially because we are working alongside our United States counterparts and it’s good to see how they do things, which is really beneficial.
“Out at the airfields we don’t have water in our trucks, just foam, because the water would freeze.
“So we make do with what we have. That was a learning experience how to use it to its best effect.
“At home we have foam and water and it mixes together to be more effective.”
Getting used to the cold was the biggest challenge for Leading Aircraftman Lelieveld, but it wasn’t just people who suffered from the low temperatures.
“Even the vehicles don’t like the cold.
“There’s not much we can do about that though. If the vehicles don’t start we get a heater next to it and hope for the best,” he laughed.
“When I arrived the temperatures, with the wind chill factor, could reach -35°C.
“It’s a dry cold though, so it’s more bearable than you think, but if you go out for a hike your face can start to freeze and your face/
neck protection will start to freeze with the condensation from your breath.
“But in the peak of summer we were able to wear shorts and singlets – I mean it wasn’t warm, it was still about 0°C, but it was warmer than it had been and we had all acclimatised by then.”
Leading Aircraftman Lelieveld’s enduring memories of Antarctica will be the people and the connections he has made with not just other NZDF personnel, but with the international community who make their homes on the ice continent over the summer season.
“We live in shared accommodation so we have different room-mates that have different jobs and you make connections.
“It’s not just New Zealanders, it is with people from around the world who work down here. Another memory will be the views, they are pretty wild.”
Alongside all the outdoor recreational activities like running a marathon and walking an abundance of nature hikes, another interesting aspect were lectures put on by the scientists every Sunday afternoon.
“They’re really interesting, even though I don’t understand everything they talk about.
“A lot of the lectures are about the Antarctic wildlife, the rate of ice melts, the geology of the place – they can tell when periods are where the ice has frozen, melted and then refrozen,” he said.
“I feel privileged to be working down here and supporting the scientific research programmes. Even though my role as a firefighter is small, I know I’m directly helping.
“Nothing could really happen down here without us because regulations state there has to be firefighters present whenever an aircraft comes in and nothing would happen down here without the planes.
“People wouldn’t traverse the pole every year and they wouldn’t go to the middle of nowhere to set up camps without us being here.
“It’s a vital but less-known role for us to be down here. It’s cool to know we’ve contributed to that.
“These are the opportunities that I joined up for, to be able to do this stuff. Not many people get to do it,” he said.
Leading Aircraftman Lelieveld says he never thought his RNZAF firefighting career would have him shooing away penguins and taking in scientific lectures in Antarctica.
Photo: Supplied.
Ohariu’s new Youth MP
By Frank Neill Newlands College student Sophie Blacklock is the new Youth MP for Ohariu.
Sophie, who is a year 12 student, began in the role on 29 April.
She was selected from “a very strong field who applied,” Ohariu MP Greg O’Connor says.
He received 14 applications, much more than during the last Parliamentary term, when three people applied.
The applicants, and Sophie in particular, showed “that they really do not just understand but care about what’s happening in their world now and in the future,” Mr O’Connor says.
“The other part is that I see Sophie as someone who can advise me.
“She is very astute, and can help
me see through the eyes of a young person, which is very important.”
“I’ve had an interest in politics for a long time,” Sophie says.
“My grandfather [who was a member of the Labour Party] was very political and he raised me to be quite politically aware.
“It has always been part of my life.”
She applied to become a Youth MP because “I thought this would be a really good opportunity to gain essential skills and it is also a really good opportunity to gain an understanding of how Parliament works.”
When she leaves Newlands College, Sophie plans to study law at university.
“This opportunity as a Youth MP can help give me some experience that transfers over to the law field as well,” she says.
During her time at college Sophie has held a series of leadership positions.
She is currently a year 12 Form Representative – the fourth year she has been a Form Representative.
She represented her Youth Group on the School Council in 2023. She has also been involved in the leadership of TEDxYouthPaparangi and has served on the 40 hour famine committeee.
TEDxYouthPaparangi is a locally organised, independently run TEDx event aimed at providing a platform for young people in the community to share their ideas, stories and insights during speeches they present.
The first duty of the 2025 Youth MPs is to complete four online training sessions, with the first of them on 29 April.
They will then travel to Parliament at the end of July and go into the House during a non sitting week.
“Sophie will occupy my seat in Parliament as the local MP,” Mr O’Connor says.
“She will be the last Ohariu Youth MP,” he notes, following the decision of the Electoral Committee to disestablish the Ohariu seat.
While sitting in Mr O’Connor’s
seat, Sophie will be taken through a series of exercises, culminating in the Youth MPs speaking in the house.
“The whole idea is that they will do what MPs do, which is to understand a bill and how it comes into the house,” Mr O’Connor says.
“They will then speak on it and debate it and vote on it.”
Ohariu MP Greg O’Connor and Ohariu’s 2025 Youth MP Sophie Blacklock. Photo: Frank Neill.
“Expectations” Cochran Hall Khandallah
Five short theatrical delights - period, modern, comic, dramatic – all captivating. This weekend only. May 2-4 https://kat-theatre.org.nz/ bookings
Onslow Historical Society
Our historical centre at 86 Khandallah Road is open every Sunday afternoon from 1-4pm. Come along to learn about local history.
Recycling comes to Crofton Downs
For four years Bill Dashfield has tried to find a local recycling option for expanded polystyrene and now, thanks to Mitre 10 Crofton Downs, he’s finally got his wish.
Bill’s local Mitre 10 store has become the first in the Wellington region to launch an expanded polystyrene take-back scheme, where members of the public can return polystyrene packaging or clean offcuts, from product bought at Mitre 10, to the store for recycling. The recycled material is then remanufactured and used in bean bag refills and other polystyrene products stocked by Mitre 10. A member of the Ngaio Crofton Downs Residents’ Association, Bill works with his community to increase the amount of material recycled locally, in an effort reduce their carbon footprint. “Clean expanded polystyrene from packaging or insulation offcuts is 100% recyclable, but very few businesses – including Expol – recycle it in New Zealand because it’s relatively bulky it’s not the easiest material to deal with, and is very costly to landfill,” Bill says.
“Expol include recycled material in their underfloor insulation. Their ‘Green Beans’ are
Out of Zone Enrolment
Rewa Rewa School currently has up to 5 student places available in New Entrants and Year 1. These places are open to students living outside of the Rewa Rewa School zone. The deadline for receipt of applications for out of zone places in Term 3 2025 (Monday 14 July 2025 to Friday 19 September 2025), is 9am, Friday 06 June 2025. Submit an online enrolment application at www.rewarewa.school.nz.
100% recycled and recyclable. “I’ve been a Mitre 10 customer for a long time. “I’ve used expanded polystyrene in both mine and my daughter’s homes,” Bill says. “My daughter’s house is on poles and I found expanded polystyrene the best material for underfloor insulation as it is draught proof.” The Residents’ Association is working towards carbon neutrality for its neighbourhoods by 2050, so they focus on collecting materials which can’t be put in kerbside recycling. For the Residents Associations’ Chair, Ian Turk, the focus has always been on empowering his local community through local connections. “This is exactly the kind of project, from within our community, that we want to support,” he says.
One of the initiatives the Ngaio Crofton Downs Residents Association has set up is the Ngaio Climate Crew. The aim is to make Ngaio the first zero carbon suburb in New Zealand. “It’s not just about money for us. It’s about working with businesses to do more together, towards our goal of ultimately being carbon negative.”
“While Expol facilities will accept some material, a system like this is much better. There are many more Mitre 10 locations and they don’t require a special ‘drop-off’ trip,” Bill says.
For Mitre 10’s Sustainability Manager Julie Roberts, it’s a no-brainer to support Wellington’s residents in their recycling efforts. “Mitre 10 is keen to take responsibility for its packaging, and this programme is part of that,” Julie says.
“We’re grateful to Bill and Ian for their dedication to finding a solution for their community, and for their patience while we created one.
“Solving our waste challenges isn’t always a straightforward path, but Mitre 10 is committed to helping Kiwis create warmer, dryer, safer homes, where they can connect with nature and live more sustainably. “Working with organisations like the Ngaio Crofton Downs Residents’ Association helps us do that.” The expanded polystyrene recycling scheme will be rolled out to other Mitre 10 stores in Upper Hutt, Porirua, and Petone later this year. “Whilst buying some bolts and timber at Crofton Downs Mitre 10, I noticed a young couple each carrying a bag of expanded polystyrene packaging,” Bill adds.
Enrolment at our school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available on our website. The board has determined that up to 12 places will be available for out-of-zone students in 2025. The exact number of places will depend on the number of in zone student enrolments. If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot for out of zone places is required, it will be held on Monday 09 June 2025. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.
Parents of students who live in zone should notify the school when their child turns 4, to assist the school to plan appropriately.
Graham’s Painters
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“I asked them how they knew to bring it. “They said they’d been delighted to see from a Google search that Mitre 10 would take back this packaging for recycling.
“Because their local Mitre 10 wasn’t yet in the scheme, they’d made a point of visiting Crofton Downs Mitre 10. “People concerned about sustainability and recycling will make a special effort to make it happen.” And as for Bill’s next project, “I’m following up on other single-use plastic packaging now,” he says. "To recycle your clean white expanded polystyrene packaging and Expol insulation offcuts, simply give it to a checkout operator in the main Crofton Downs Mitre 10 shop.” To find out more about sustainability and the Climate Crew project, or to join in, search online for 'Ngaio Climate Crew' or click 'Climate Crew' in https://ngaio.org.nz/.
49.Sufferer of sleeplessness. (9)
51. Anoint with oil. (5)
52. Repeat. (7)
53. Banal. (5)
54. Skill. (7)
55. Impressive. (11)
DOWN
1. Flat seafish. (5)
2. Bedroom servant. (11)
(4)
Existence(Phil) (3)
Purpose. (3)
Fertile soil. (4)
Temper fit. (7)
Cask maker. (6)
Limb. (3)
Movie,”silence of lambs” (3)
34. Corset. (6)
35. Windpipe. (7)
36. Jump. (4)
37. Ex N.Z. first minister Henare. (3)
39. Literary gossip. (3)
41. Small whirlpool. (4)
43. Too eager to fire gun, ... happy. (7)
45. Group of performers. (6)
48. Entrusted friend. (9)
3. Short summary. (8)
4. Normandy Native. (6)
5. Swiftness. (5)
6. Set right. (7)
7. Divide into degrees. (8)
8. Motionless. (6)
9. Free. (7)
10. Social rank. (5)
16. Size of gun bore. (7)
17. Beg. (7) 19. Bury. (5) 20. Bewitch. (7) 22. Division of ode. (7) 24. Kiwi actor, Neill. (3)
Hare(fem) (3) 29. Male relative. (5)
(3)
Town-dweller. (8)
Fragrant. (8)
Underground cell. (7)
Reaps. (7)
Upper-arm muscle. (6)
Concur. (6)
Corn husks. (5)
Angry.. (5)
Comfort. (5)
Checking out the recycling initiative at Mitre 10 Crofton Downs Ian Turk (left), Bill Dashfield, and Mitre 10 managers (from left) Grant Fraser, chief legal and sustainability officer; Roy Tessner, retail manager; Julie Roberts and managing director Brendan Hall. Photo: Supplied.
Green Beans are
Public Notice
Last minute try sinks Hawks
By Frank Neill
Johnsonville’s premier Rugby team was denied by a last minuie try in their match against Wainuiomata on 26 April.
After leading most of the match the Johnsonville Hawks saw their opponents tie the scores at 24-24 late in the match.
Their backline then had possession and was looking to make a move when Wainuiomata’s first five eight Andrew Wells intercepted a pass and scored a runaway try to claim victory for his team.
Playing on their home ground of William Jones Park, Wainuiomata began the match with a roar, scoring the first try of the match
to lead 5-0.
The rest of the first half belonged to Johnsonville, however, and saw them score three tries.
The third of these was scored by the Hawks Captain Finlay Sharp and saw the Hawks go to the half time break with a 19-5 lead.
Wainuiomata then scored two converted tries to level the scores at 19-19 before losing a man to the sin bin.
Almost immediately Ish Perkins dotted down to restore the Hawks lead, but that would be their final score of the match.
Johnsonville’s next match sees them play P neke at Kilbirnie Park on 3 May.
Road Safety Week returning
There’s still time for people to join in with Road Safety Week (12 to 18 May) and join hundreds of communities, schools and organisations running activities to help raise awareness of road safety.
The year’s Road Safety Week has the theme “Be a road safety hero”, recognising all those who are working to make our roads safer and who care for people after a crash. That includes emergency services workers, road designers and engineers, road workers who build and maintain roads, school crossing patrols, walking school bus volunteers, health professionals and community campaigners.
Road Safety Week is co-ordinated by Brake and is sponsored by NZ Transport
Agency Waka Kotahi and Beca. Brake is encouraging community leaders, organisations and groups to visit www. roadsafetyweek.org.nz/communitiesfor more information and to register for a free resource pack.
This includes downloadable resources and activity ideas, interactive resources, activity sheets, advice, and case studies showing how others have got involved in previous years.
Road Safety Week has been engaging communities in road safety for more than 10 years and is a great chance for community groups, families, and organisations to take action on local road safety issues and raise awareness to prevent needless casualties.
Golden Mile is bad news
Some bad news has been announced. Work on the Golden Mile is due to start on 4 May, Wellington City Council says in a news release on its website.
I have yet to hear anyone in my community say that they think this project is a good thing. Not one.
On the other hand I am hearing many people say that they don’t agree with it, or that they think it isn’t a good project for the Wellington City Council to be doing.
Many of these people refer to it as a “vanity project”, and say that we are paying too much money in rates, just so that projects like the Golden Mile and the many, many cycleways and largely unused bike racks can be constructed.
The Golden Mile project, the Council says, will cost us ratepayers $116 million.
Celebrating 60 years of floral art
The members of the Johnsonville Floral Art Club have made paper flowers to advertise to the public the upcoming New Zealand Floral Art competition and displays being held in Wellington on 2 and 3 May.
Floral Art New Zealand is presenting ‘Flowers Alive’ celebrating 60 years of Floral Art.
It will be held in the Rongomatane Room Takina Convention Centre Wellington.
The Johnsonville club is inviting people to join them for this celebration display where flowers come alive through inter-
active demonstrations.
The National Designer of the Year competition designs will be on display.
Wellington is where Floral Art New Zealand began, a city of thriving creativity and artistic aspirations.
Takina Convention Centre is the downtown city heart and Rongamatane rooms on level one are accessible by lifts and escalators.
The public can visit on Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3 from 11am to 3pm. For more information ring Jill Merrick 234 8693 or Debbie Nguon 478 7636.
That is, quite simply, money that many of us cannot afford.
Indeed, there are some families near me who have gone without a meal or two just so they can pay the really high rates the Council now charges us.
Another really bad thing is that the Council is not listening to us ratepayers.
The majority of us don’t want the Council to be involved in projects like the Golden Mile, but we are not being listened to.
We are all hoping that the next Council, to be elected later this year, will listen to us.
I am not able to publish my name with this letter, as one of the conditions of my employment is that I am not allowed to make statements to the media.
1x pack bacon $20 – Xavier Numia
2x pork loin chops $10 – Asafo Aumua
3x porterhouse steak $25 – Tyrel Lomax
4x lamb loin chops $10 – James Tucker Isaia Walker-Leawere
6x chicken kebabs $25 – Devan Flanders
7x marinated lamb chops $30 –
8x choice of any sausage $20 – Brad Shields
Johnsonville Floral Art Club members working on making paper flowers.
Photo: Supplied.
Local history – great commander
By Felicity Wong
Buried in Karori cemetery is one of New Zealand’s greatest military commanders.
Major General Sir Howard Kippenberger was one of the most respected New Zealand Army leaders.
He inspired loyalty and devotion from those who served with him.
Sir Howard had a phenomenal memory for names and faces. His approach brought out the best in the tough individuals of the infantry divisions he commanded.
“Kip” became a symbol of New Zealand achievement and, for many, the pain and cost of participation in the Second World War.
Sir Howard was born in Halswell south of Christchurch in 1897. His secondary schooling was not a huge success.
He lied about his age and enlisted in the infantry.
At the battle of the Somme (1916), where so many New Zealand troops were slaughtered, he experienced constant artillery barrages.
Taking part in two frontal attacks, he was made a battalion sniper before being seriously wounded and brought home.
At Canterbury University he studied law before becoming a solicitor in a local firm and qualifying as a barrister in 1926.
Sir Howard served on the local council and chaired its finance committee.
He was fully involved in local community activities.
Sir Howard continually studied past campaigns in order to master the theory of warfare and military training practice.
He started what became a very significant collection of material and information that is now held in the Kippenberger Wing of the Army Memorial Museum at Waiouru.
He realised a new war was inevitable and joined the Territorial Force in 1924.
In 1936 he was made a Lieutenant Colonel and given command of the 1st Battalion of the Canterbury Regiment.
In September 1939, Sir Howard was given command of the 20th Canterbury-Otago Battalion, and in January 1940 he again sailed for war.
Sir Howard led the battalion through the frustrating Greece campaign, and its subsequent withdrawal.
In the battle for Crete, he was one of the few senior New Zealand officers to emerge with his reputation enhanced.
His performance earned him a DSO and marked him out as a cool and decisive battlefield commander.
His quick thinking and command abilities prevented a rout of panicking New Zealand troops, while the counterattack on Galatos, which he organised, was a stunning success.
Sir Howard’s “Operation Crusader” in North Africa in late 1941 was a mixed success.
During the fighting he commanded seven successful military actions in four days and was promoted to temporary Brigadier after the battle.
He was wounded and captured but he and 19 others subsequently made a daring escape.
Sir Howard went on to command the 5th New Zealand Infantry Brigade in the desert campaigns of 1942 and 1943 and he earned a bar to his DSO.
On reaching Italy in early 1944 General Freyberg was elevated to a temporary corps command and Sir Howard was appointed to command the division.
His first battle was at Cassino, the strongest part of the Germans’ defensive line, where his force was repelled by the Germans.
While planning a second attack he was seriously wounded by an anti-personnel mine and lost both his feet.
Sir Howard was hospitalised in England and fitted with artificial feet.
He apparently asked his wife how tall she wanted him to be.
He was promoted to Major General, and in September 1944 was appointed to command the unit responsible for the smooth relocation of prisoners of war to New Zealand.
On his return to New Zealand in 1946 Sir Howard was appointed editor in chief of the War History Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs.
His team produced 23 high quality volumes, the definitive record of World War 2 participation.
In 1949 Sir Howard’s own account of the war, “Infantry Brigadier”, was published to much acclaim.
It was translated into seven languages, and is still used widely as a textbook on infantry tactics.
In 1948 Sir Howard was elected President of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, a position he held for seven years. He remained a prominent public figure until the end of his life.
General Sir Howard Kippenberger.
He was knighted in 1948.
Sir Howard took an unpopular stand against the 1949 rugby tour of South Africa because of the exclusion of M ori players.
He believed that M ori should represent New Zealand on South African rugby playing fields, just as they had represented New Zealand on the battlefields of the world.
In 1955 he received an honorary Doctorate from the University of New Zealand (VUW’s forerunner).
He unexpectedly died of a stroke on 4 May 1957, at age 60.
Richard Bentley of the Onslow Historical Society and the Friends of Karori Cemetery, says: “Kippenberger is, in my view, the most
important burial in the Karori Servicemens’ Cemetery.
“He was a most unusual fellow.
“He had a way of relating to ordinary soldiers that appears to have dumbfounded the British.
“They apparently just called him ‘Kip’. Freyburg was more aloof, though a tough soldier too, and he had the mana and experience to deal with the British. Great pair.”
Sir Howard is buried in a prominent position in the Karori Cemetery’s Servicemens’ Cemetery. The cemetery is open to all visitors everyday.
Thanks to Richard Bentley for the information.
Take extra care with driveway safety
Police are asking people to pay extra attention to driveway safety after a number of incidents recently involving children being harmed.
“Driveways can be extremely dangerous,” Inspector Brett Callander says.
“People need to do everything they can to ensure they keep themselves and others safe, especially where children are present.
“Children move around quickly, and often won’t be seen as you are reversing down your driveway.
“Always check your driveway before driving in or out, and make sure you know the whereabouts of any children.
“Please use your reversing camera if your vehicle has one installed.
“Alternatively, ensure all children not in the vehicle with you are accounted for.
“If another adult is at the property, make them responsible for ensuring children are well clear of any moving vehicles.
“If there are no other adults present, have
a ‘safe spot’ for children to stand and wait for the vehicle to stop moving.
“This should be somewhere in view of the driver,” Inspector Callander says.
“Check your blind spots often, and if you can no longer see a child, stop your vehicle and move them somewhere safe before you continue driving.
“If your driveway is close to the children’s play area, consider a fence or gates to separate the play area from the driveway.
“You should also take the time to speak to your children about the dangers of moving vehicles and remind them that just because they can see the driver, doesn’t mean the driver can always see them.
“Taking those extra few seconds to make sure our tamariki are in a safe space when you drive in and out of your driveway can help prevent so much heartache and trauma.
“Remember they don’t understand the potential consequences,” Inspector Callander says.
Major
Photo: Supplied.