22 May Wainuiomata News

Wednesday May 22, 2024

By Frank Neill

A programme that aims to keep young people safe, called “LovesMe-Not”, returned to Wainuiomata High School on 17 May. The programme is an intensive one-day workshop for year 12 students.

Continued on page 2.

9-13Thursday 8-14

Constable Tanya Leef, the Police’s School Community Officer for the Hutt Valley, with a Loves Me Not banner. Photo: Frank Neill

How to reach us

A super important programme

Continued from page 1

REPORTER

Frank Neill

wainui@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916

SALES

Les Whiteside les@wsn.co.nz 021 360 008

Phone (04) 587 1660 NATIONAL SALES

Sam Barnes

sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406

It has two main aims – to promote healthy relationships and to prevent abusive behaviour in relationships.

Loves-Me-Not is “such a great programme,” says Constable Tanya Leef, the Police’s School Community Officer for the Hutt Valley.

“I think this programme is amazing and super important for our young people.

“It is giving these young people the knowledge, and knowledge is power,” Constable Leef says.

“I’m positive about it because I think our young people need it.

This is about prevention.”

The programme is based on the story of Sophie Elliott, who was murdered in 2008 by her former boyfriend Clayton Weatherston in a killing that shocked the country.

The students on the programme “watch real live footage from Sophie Elliott’s life.

“They can see first-hand the warning signs of an abusive relationship,” Constable Leef says.

Sophie’s mother, Lesley Elliott, realised after her daughter was killed that if she and Sophie had missed the signs of an abusive relationship, then so could many others.

So she set up the Sophie Elliott Foundation to raise awareness among all young people, their friends and families, of the signs of partner abuse.

Education, Lesley Elliott found, was the key.

Constable Tanya Leef, the

The New Zealand Police, in partnership with the Sophie Elliott Foundation and the Ministry of Social Development, then developed the Loves-Me-Not programme to meet that education need.

On the programme, students looked at:

– what it is and why they need it; unhealthy relationships;

positive relationships; and to be an active bystander.

They were also encouraged to take action for change – for themselves, their friends, their wh nau and the wider community – to have safer communities together.

Loves-Me-Not works, a 2014 evaluation showed. This evaluation showed that young people:

were engaged in the activities and found the workshop valuable; andered are a real issue for young people and relevant to their lives.

Loves-Me-Not continues to be constantly evaluated to make sure it is meeting its aims. People can access the prgramme on the Police website at https:// www.police.govt.nz/about-us/ publication/loves-me-not.

Police’s School Community Officer for the Hutt Valley, with a Loves Me Not banner. Photo: Frank Neill

Firefighters raise over $5,000

By Frank Neill

The team of four Wainuiomata firefighters who took part in this year’s Sky Tower Challenge on 18 May raised $5,772 for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

The Wainuiomata team of Tamati Kaa, Roger Whioke, Sean Bates and Ahron Eastall climbed the 51 flights of stairs at Auckland’s Sky Tower, dressed in full firefighting kit, including breathing apparatus.

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

This kit weighs in at more than 25kg, making the 1,103 steps they climbed to the observation peak on level 51 of the Sky Tower a gruelling undertaking.

At 328 metres the Sky Tower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.

"This year's climb reinforced the bond between all firefighters that's generated when we tackle difficult tasks together,” the brigade team’s Captain, Senior Station Officer Tamati Kaa says.

“We support each other and nobody gets left behind. It's a practical application of one of the core Fire and Emergency New Zealand values: Whanaungatanga.

“We're better together,” Tamati says.

“We could not have done this without your encouragement and support.”

Although there is a competitive side to the Sky Tower Challenge, its main aim is to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand's mission.

Every day eight New Zealanders are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition. It can affect anyone, at any age and any time in life. Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand supports thousands of New Zealanders affected by blood cancer, as well as their families. In addition, the organisation supports and funds research into better treatments and into finding a cure for blood cancers.

New raised crossing

By Frank Neill

A raised pedestrian crossing with additional safety features is being installed on Parkway Road, near the Wainuiomata Marae.

JBL Construction began work on the raised crossing on Monday 20 May and the project is scheduled to be completed in June, depending on the weather, Hutt City Council says. Work will take place between 9am and 4pm Monday to Saturday,

excluding public holidays.

The project will be completed in stages to minimize traffic disruptions.

“To get this work completed as quickly as possible traffic management will be in place for the duration of the project to guide you through the site safely. However this may affect your travelling routine,“ the council says.

“Please plan ahead, and be kind to road workers.”

Now in its 20th year, the Sky Tower Challenge has raised more than $12 million for blood cancer patients and their families. It raised $17,500 in its first year – 2005 – and now consistently raises more than $1 million a year.

This year it raised more than $1.9 million.

Representing New Zealand

Wainuiomata’s Maia Davis has received a training contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Black Ferns Sevens development training programme.

She travelled to France on 19 May, where she competed in two sevens tournaments.

Following her time in France she returns to Mount Maunganui to support the Black Ferns Sevens in their preparation for their pinnacle

Matariki celebration

A celebration of Matariki comes to Queen Street from Thursday 27 to Saturday 29 June.

Ko Pūanga rāua ko Matariki Hiwa i te Rangi 2024 will feature a wide variety of activities.

These include: tamariki kapa haka, kaumatua huihui, entertainment, kids activities, a rangatahi workshop, mirimiri and a $10 hangi.

Wharekura Gala

Wainuiomata High School is hosting its Wharekura Gala from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 25 May.

The gala, at the school’s auditorium/ Marae, will feature a variety of kai, including kebabs, a mixed grill, fry bread, a boil up and baking.

There will also be a kapa haka performance, face painting, carnival games, a car wash, raffles and more.

event, the Olympic Games sevens competition.

Maia is a year 13 student at Manukura School in Palmerston North. The school provides education for students from year 9 to year 13, and has supported Maia academically to achieve the training contract while completing her final year of secondary education.

Maia began playing rugby 12 years ago.

At the Sky Tower and ready to take on this year’s challenge (from left) Roger Whioke, Ahron Eastall, Sean Bates (at the back) and Tamati Kaa. Photo: Supplied.

Maia Davis. Photo: Supplied.

MPs visit food rescuer

By Frank Neill

Labours MPs Ginny Andersen and Jan Tinetti visited Kaibosh Food Rescue in Pitoone last week.

Many Wainuiomata people benefit from the food that Kaibosh rescues as it supplies Pataka Kai.

“Kaibosh are legends,” Ginny says.

“Jan ... and I got to see how food is rescued and then provided to food banks, marae and community groups across the community.

“Now Kaibosh has a brand new kitchen it means that kai can be made into delicious meals and baking.

“Huge thanks for the hard work and volunteer hours that nourish our community,” Ginny says.

Kaibosh transforms food nearing the end of its life into healthy and delicious stocks, sauces, pickles, baking and more which is being distributed

to wh nau and elderly in need by its partner charities, which includes Pataka Kai.

Its other project is research and outreach with local growers and orchards, looking at how Kaibosh can help to reduce food loss between paddock and processing.

Kaibosh is building some good relationships, resulting in surplus seasonal produce donated for food rescue.

Kaibosh does not purchase food for distribution to the community.

“All our rescued kai comes from our current food donors and is at a steady volume,” Kaibosh says.

“But our partner charities have more hungry people to feed in our communities and we have a waiting list of new local charities asking us for food.”

People wanting to support Kaibosh can make a donation by visiting https://bit.ly/ KaiboshFBDonate24.

Improving outcomes for Maori

Hutt City Council has approved Te Herenga Kairangi, a rautaki (strategy) consolidating all council work aimed at improving outcomes for M ori.

After consultation with Mana Whenua and hapori M ori (M ori communities), three key outcomes are set out in the strategy. They are: ori have strong and trusting relationship; ori are healthy, culturally accepted, sheltered and economically secure; and

is a Te Ao M ori capable organisation.

Te Herenga Kairangi sets out a range of current and planned council initiatives and projects. Bringing them together creates a mechanism to allow the council to measure the delivery of work tied directly to outcomes. These will be reported to the community.

Te Herenga Kairangi – meaning The Interwoven Ambition to Thrive – is a tangible expression that continues council’s commitment to activating Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Mayor Campbell Barry says.

“The aspiration for developing council’s first rautaki M ori is to help set the direction for council to further our partnership with M ori to achieve better outcomes. “Working collaboratively with Mana Whenua benefits everyone in our community and I’m excited to see the outcomes of our shared ambition for Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt,” Mayor Barry says.

Central to the council’s work with hapori M ori is the T kai Here (Memoranda of Partnership) agreed with Mana Whenua.

Te Herenga Kairangi adds another layer, bringing together measurable actions to focus on. It’s designed to interweave with many existing council initiatives, including the 2024-2034

Long Term Plan. The rautaki will provide greater transparency while intentionally supporting the enabling of M ori cultural, social, economic and environmental wellbeing, Communities, Culture and Partnerships Committee Chair Cr Keri Brown says.

Cr Brown is the Wainuiomata Ward Councillor.

“The rautaki will see local government, Mana Whenua and Hapori M ori continuing to work together on shared goals to improve the well-being of wh nau, anchored in connection between people, place and environment.

“Mana Whenua has a wealth of knowledge and expertise regarding the historical, cultural, natural, physical, economic and social environments of our region. “Our partnership can effectively leverage this to enrich decisions we make for everyone in our communities,” Cr Brown says.

The priorities and actions expressed in Te Herenga Kairangi set a framework for council and Mana Whenua to

work with, the Chair of Te RŪnanganui o Te ti Awa Kura Moeahu says. “This strategy is a pathway to move forward.

“When all parts of our community are thriving, we are much better off as a city and community.

“The development of this strategy allows council to keep aspirations and outcomes for M ori as a high priority.

“We are looking forward to implementing the strategy alongside all M ori living in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.” Te Herenga Kairangi is a solid example of the quality relationship and partnered efforts with Hutt City Council and Mana Whenua to work together in a mutually manaenhancing way for the benefit of our communities, Te RŪ nanga o Toa Rangatira Chair Callum Katene says. It is important to have mechanisms in place to ensure that the ambition to thrive outlined in the strategy holds the interest of Mana Whenua and M ori at heart, Taranaki Wh nui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika Trust Chair Te Whatanui Winiata says. “The expression of kotahitanga and manaakitanga through Te Herenga Kairangi will be a good start to provide meaningful solutions to address the inequities within Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai”, says Te Whatanui.

Liz Mellish (Palmerston North M ori Reserves Chairperson) and Anaru Smiler (Chairman Wellington Tenths Trust) said it was fantastic to have the rautaki M ori in place.

“Having the history of this rohe set out in Te Herenga Kairangi is an important starting point for our shared understanding of Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai,” Liz says. “We fully support the inclusion of the h ki by Te Wharep uri which reflects the role Te ti Awa has in providing manaakitanga to all people in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai.”

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry. Photo: Supplied.

At the visit to Kaibosh (from left) Ginny Andersen, Jan Tinetti, Kaibosh driver Sarah Mills and Kaibosh kitchen co-ordinator Ange Holtslag. Photo: Supplied.

Hill slip repair starting next week

By Frank Neill

Work to stabilise the landslide on the Wainuiomata Hill Road will start next week, Hutt City Council says.

The council has budgeted $3.4 million to repair the slip.

The landslide happened near the top of the road, on the Wainuiomata side, following heavy rain in August 2022.

Remediation involves first removing vegetation and loose materials from the slope before it can be stabilised by installing anchored steel mesh. The last step will be hydroseeding to encourage revegetation on the slope.

The works are expected to take three months to complete, subject to weather.

The council will post updates on its Facebook page and people can sign-up to a newsletter at www.huttcity.govt.nz/council/ our-projects/wainuiomata-landslide-stabilisation for regular updates as the project progresses.

There will be some traffic disruptions and delays during the works.

Traffic management will be in place each day from 9am to 8pm, with one lane available for

vehicles leaving Wainuiomata. Repairing the slip is a priority for the council as the hill road is a vital link connecting the Wainuiomata community with the rest of the Hutt, Mayor Campbell Barry says.

As well as repairing the slip, the council will be “working

hard with our contractors over the coming months to deliver a safer, more resilient road that will reduce the risk of future slips and ensure better access for everyone,” the Mayor says.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey.

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As well as the work on the Wainuiomata Hill Road slip, the council is undertaking a series of other transport projects.

These include a continued rollout of raised pedestrian crossings across the city to enhance safety.

The council has budgeted $2 million to complete this work.

Wainuiomata Landslide Stabilisation

The slip on the Wainuiomata Hill Road. Photo: Hutt City Council.

Series of transport changes coming

Fare capping will be introduced on Metlink public transport services, Greater Wellington Regional Council decided on 16 May. This will be implemented when the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) is introduced, expected in Wellington in late 2025. “Fare capping makes public transport more attractive by effectively offering free travel after you've taken a set number of daily or weekly journeys,” the council’s Transport Committee chair Thomas Nash says. “It's a great way to encourage public transport use and has proven very successful and popular in lots of other cities and regions. “Metlink Explorer Day passes and 30-Day passes will be replaced by fare capping, giving similar discounts to all passengers not just those who can afford passes,” Cr Nash says. Introducing fare capping was one of four public transport decisions the council made on 16 May. It also decided that cash fares would be progressively phased out, a unit would be established for Metlink On Demand, and that after midnight bus servies would be systematically replaced.

Phasing out cash payments for fares would begin after the introduction of the NTS.

The NTS will allow passengers to pay fares with credit and debit cards as well as pre-paid public transport cards.

“Cash related crime is a major safety concern for our frontline workers. To protect our bus drivers and train staff we need to start planning to phase out cash,” Cr Nash says.

Only 4% of Metlink fares are currently paid onboard in cash, and it is estimated just 1% to 2% of passengers consistently pay fares in cash onboard. A strategy to phase out onboard cash fares will be developed to provide for the needs of cash reliant passengers, including through targeted engagement, and on the ground promotion of alternative ticketing solutions.

Cash will still be accepted by retailers to buy and top-up public transport cards.

“We’ll do everything we can to help passengers transition to contactless payment methods, which continue to be 25% cheaper than onboard cash fares, easing the cost burden on our vulnerable communities,” Cr Nash says.

“Metlink has already started removing cash from our express bus services and future

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changes will be made in a careful, clearly communicated and systematic way.”

Cash fares will begin to be phased out onboard trains when NTS ticket vending machines that accept cash are installed at most major stations. Onboard buses, cash fares will be progressively phased out on a route-by-route basis once an agreed set of criteria is developed through the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP). In a change to the RPTP the council decided on 16 May to establish a unit for the Metlink On Demand bus service currently being trialled in Tawa.

This follows the passing of the Land Transport Management (Regulation of Public Transport) Amendment Act 2023, which expands the definition of public transport to include unscheduled (on-demand) public transport and shuttle services.

Cr Nash says establishing the unit now will help with upcoming decisions on the future of the Metlink On Demand trial, which has been extended to December. “We know Metlink On Demand is popular with the community.

“It operates in areas without scheduled buses, where passengers hail rides through our app to access train stations, shops, the hospital and other services. “Council still needs to assess the success of the trial but if we want to make Metlink On Demand permanent in the future, it needs to be a unit in the RPTP to attract government support through the National Land Transport Fund.”

Following a deep decline in patronage, After Midnight bus services will eventually be

replaced by services added to regular Metlink bus routes with operating hours extended earlier in the morning and later at night.

Greater Wellington councillors have enabled the change by agreeing to remove reference to the region’s ten After Midnight bus routes from the Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP).

Council chair Daran Ponter says as patronage fell, After Midnight services were reviewed with safety group the P neke Promise and the community.

“The safety of passengers and drivers is our top priority. But with so few people using night buses it’s clear we need to replace them with services that maintain public safety while better serving passenger needs,” Cr Ponter says.

Patronage on After Midnight services, which run on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 1:00am and 4:30am, has fallen 76% since 2006, from about 57,500 to 13,500 per year.

Despite recent advertising campaigns and fare reductions, After Midnight services currently only average about six passengers per bus. Patronage on many night buses falls below the RPTP threshold for sufficient demand, set at ‘Minimum regular use of 4+ passengers per trip’. Feedback from passengers, community organisations and Metlink’s Public Transport Advisory Group indicates a preference for later and earlier services on regular routes at times better suited for shift workers as well as late night entertainment patrons.

Metlink will widely publicise any changes to night buses before they take effect.

Big victory by Rugby premiers

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Wainuiomata’s premier Rugby team chalked up a huge victory over the Wellington Axemen on 18 May. Playing on their home ground of William Jones Park, Wainuiomata ran in seven tries to win the Swindale Shield encounter 47-11. In doing so they ensured their hands were firmly grasping two trophies. They won the Bill Jones Cup, a trophy that is named after the same Wainuiomata identity as their home park is named after. William Jones, who died in 1966, was a patron and life member of the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club. The premiers also successfully defended the Bill Brien Challenge Cup for the first time.

ACROSS

1. Magnificent. (11)

7. Nut of the hazel. (7)

11. Forgers’ block. (5)

12. ad , to the point of digust. (7)

13. Ex Silver Ferns coach, Leigh ... (5)

14. Game bird. (9)

15. Perturbs. (9)

16. Limited. (6)

18. More daring. (7)

21. Small island. (4)

23. Go astray. (3)

25. Dowry. (3)

27. Real name Burle Icle Ivanhoe, singer Burl (4)

28. Standard. (7)

30. Small edible crustacean. (6)

32. Spike. (3)

33. Hovel. (3)

34. Loathe. (6)

35. Flourish. (7)

36. “Once were warriors” author, Duff. (4)

37. Stomach(inf) (3)

39. Small cask. (3)

41. Pile. (4)

43. Single eyeglass. (7)

45. Fragment. (6)

48. Logic. (9)

49. Gallant. (9)

51. Allege. (5)

52. Unlawful. (7)

53. Sacred images. (5)

54. Decide. (7)

55. Dies before (another person) (11)

DOWN

1. Knave (5)

2. Surroundings. (11)

3. Bear. (8)

4. N.American country. (6)

5. Parasitic insect. (5)

6. Small species of deer (male) (7)

7. Starved. (8)

8. Papal ambassador. (6)

9. Preserves a body. (7)

10. Chores. (5)

16. Splinter. (7)

17. Printing mistake. (7)

19. Bury. (5)

20. Pulpit. (7)

22. Enrol as a jury. (7)

24. Staff. (3)

26. Belonging to thee. (3)

Of the nose. (5)

Eminent. (11)

Two players – Niko Patelesio and Kade Tiatia – each scored two tries in Wainuiomata’s rout of the Axemen. Teru Time and Jacob Stowers-Kesiano dotted down too. The other try scorer was Tyler Tane, who also kicked four conversions, while Andrew Wells added two conversions. The premiers next match sees them meet Hutt Old Boys Marist, currently in second place on the Swindale Shield table, at the Hutt Recreations Ground on 25 May. Wainuiomata’s second team did not have such a good time in their Harper Lock Shield match against the Wellington Axemen. Wellington took out a closely contested encounter 42-35. The Wainuiomata premier women’s team had a bye on 18 May.

33. Fix. (3)

38. Reflect ethically. (8)

40. Study plants. (8)

42.

50.

For December 15, 2004

(abbr) (3)

Short sword. (7)

44. Coincide partly. (7)

46. Front of saddle. (6)

47. Integrity. (6)

48. Happen again. (5)

49. Secret hiding place. (5)

Throws. (5)

Lions edge Randwick in a thriller

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Lions edged Randwick 26-24 in a very closely contested Rugby League match at Frederick Wise Park on 18 May. They had to come from behind to snatch the victory, however, as Randwick led 24-22 late in the match.

The winning points came when Lions forward John-Tahana Wharepapa-Rawiri scored the third try of his hat trick with just two minutes remaining in the match. It came after John-Tahana made a strong burst, only to get held up short of the try line. The Lions again come up short in the next tackle, but then John-Tahana found a narrow gap and dived over from the side of a ruck.

Ranwick opened the scoring with a try and then the Lions took control of the first half, moving out to a 14-4 lead before Randwick scored a second try.

John-Tahana answered with the

first of his tries to help his team take an 18-8 lead at the half time break.

He scored again soon after the second half began, giving the Lions a 22-8 lead.

However that would mark the beginning of a long period of Randwick dominance, one that saw them edge ahead of the Lions, until John-Tahana scored his late touch down.

Andrew Pasene, Dante Kakahi, Isiah Tuari each scored a try for the Lions and Rhemus Rytene kicked one goal.

This encounter was the second of two close matches that were both won late in the game, keeping the big crowd at Frederick Wise Park on its toes.

In the curtain-raiser the Wainuiomata reserves scored a try on the last play of the match to beat the University Hunters 42-36.

The Lions next match sees them take on the Porirua Vikings at Frederick Wise Park on 25 May.

Ulalei Puataunofo’s emphatic victory

Ulalei Puataunofo opened their account in the 2024 Netball Hutt Valley premier 3 competition with a comprehensive 70-39 win over Naenae Collegians United.

Ulalei Puataunofo started strongly with some excellent defensive work from Karla Kirk, Janique Te Wiki-Mu and Sonia Ravindran winning turnover ball with brilliant tips and intercepts and then bringing the ball through the court effortlessly.

Some fantastic feeding was on display from mid-courters Hannah Smith and Waiapu Tangianau to their goal shooters Bree Itula and Tiana Weepu, who finished off with some accurate shooting.

With nine seconds left in the first quarter, Puataunofo took the centre pass and in three quick passes scored on the buzzer to take a 19-10 lead.

In the second quarter Ulalei Puataunofo's defensive unit of Kirk, Te Wiki-Mu and Doris Tagaloa stamped their dominance on the game, forcing errors and turning over ball to take an unassailable

41-19 lead at half time.

Ravindran was outstanding on defence, taking crucial intercepts and making it a difficult day in the office for the Naenae feeders.

Mid-court youngster Kim-Marie Aurupa contributed with some brilliant slick feeds to the shooters,assisting in their resounding 31 goal victory.

Ulalei Puataunofo led from start to finish dominating Naenae in each quarter.

It was a beautiful game to watch, with every member of this young team executing their roles with finesse and precision.

Coach Nora Smith and Manager LeiMarie Rooney were ecstatic with the win and pleased for the players who had a strong pre-season leading into the competition.

The club is holding a bingo night fundraiser on Friday 31 May at 7pm at the Wainuiomata Rugby League Rooms.

More information is available on their FaceBook/Instagram page.

Club price from $4,250per person twin-share. additional.

Action from the match between the Wainuiomata Lions and Randwick. Photo: Supplied.

Karla Kirk, who had a strong game for Ulalei Puataunofo, looks to make another pass. Photo: Supplied.

Goal Keep Doris Tagaloa defending a Naenae shot at goal. Photo: Supplied.