26 July Wainuiomata News

Aroha Puketapu and Ginny Andersen in front of the prefab that is now home to Te Rito Maioha. Photo: Supplied.

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Great to help young people get ahead

Continued from page 1

Aroha Puketapu, who runs Te Rito Maioha with her husband Brian, approached Ginny about a year ago, saying they needed more space and that a prefab would be perfect.

“I made a few enquiries with the Ministry of Education and found there was indeed a prefab that was surplus,” Ginny says.

“After a few lengthy discussions I managed to secure it for the Marae and it was able to be transported as well.

REPORTER

Frank Neill wainui@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916

“It’s a great feeling to be able to advocate for my community and get things that help our young people to get ahead,” Ginny says.

“I’ve seen the work Aroha and Brian do and it provides huge value to our community,” she adds.

Ginny’s work to secure the prefab for Te Rito Maioha was “fantastic,” Aroha says.

“We were just shocked and really, really grateful.

SALES

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

ONLINE: www.wsn.co.nz NATIONAL

Sam Barnes sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406

“It’s a good outcome for the community.”

Not only is Te Rito Maioha grateful to Ginny Andersen, they are also appreciative of the team at the Ministry of Education, who were “fantastic,” Aroha says.

She is also very appreciative of other organisations involved in the project – Resene who provided paint and Naylor Love who put in the foundations for the prefab. They have been “great,” Aroha says.

Te Rito Maioha is a training programme for rangatahi, providing weaving for the girls and carving for the boys with the aim of linking them up with employers or with other training providers.

“We get them employment ready, but if they are not ready for employment we move them on to another education provider.”

For the boys that may mean trades training, such as carpentry or auto engineering, and for the girls it means training in such roles as hairdressing, barista work and hospitality.

“We are the only place in Wainuiomata that

does employment training every day of the week,” Aroha says.

Te Rito Maioha provides this training for 20 rangatahi every school term. Every year it works with 80 students.

During their 10 weeks on the course, the rangatahi achieve a number of credentials –including first aid and swimming certificates, micro credentials and a level 4 certificate from Te Pouhono Ki Tio, which covers the whakapapa of weaving and carving.

For their level 4 certificate the girls learn to harvest flax, prepare it and weave it, and then make ornamental pois.

The boys make a wheku, a carved face, which involves them sketching the face, making a clay model of it and then working on the timber with chisels.

“They love it,” Aroha says.

“Anything we can do to help rangatahi get good skills and make a positive contribution to our community is worth it.”

Te Rito Maioha aims to “uplift the young ones, for them to have a place to stand and feel good about themselves.”

The prefab newly installed at the Wainuiomata Marae will be used for seven days a week.

The Te Rito Maioha programme runs on week days and during the weekend a group of wahine, aged 55 and older, use the facility for activities such as raranga (weaving).

Now in its third year, Te Rito Maioha began with Lynda and Ivan Olsen, who are now kaumatua for the project, leading its establishment along with Aroha and Brian Puketapu.

Te Rito Ma wahine with the pois they have made. Photo: Supplied.

Tane Wheku at work on a carving. Photo: Supplied.

Q: What 3 things do you always have in your fridge and why?

Feta cheese, spinach and bacon. I can make so many different snacks and meals with those three ingredients in winter or summer.

Milk - essential for a cappucino. Black Olives - because they can be used in so many things. Cheese - because let’s face it, it’s just so good!

Cheese, it’s so versatile. Butter because it’s natural and I don’t like margarine type spreads. I always have free range eggs. All you need is bread to make a lot of quick easy meals.

Art award finalist from Wainui

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata High School student Ruby

Lasini has been selected as a finalist in this year’s IHC Art Awards.

The 15-year-old year 12 student is one of 30 finalists who have been selected from more than 1,200 entries.

Ruby’s outstanding artwork can be viewed on the “People’s Choice” IHC web site, https://www.ihc.org.nz/get-involved/artawards/art-awards-gallery-2023-vote.

People can vote for Ruby by visiting the above link. Voting closes at 5pm on Monday 31 July. People can vote for Ruby every 24 hours.

When asked his reaction to Ruby being named a finalist, her father Joe Lasini said: “We’re pretty rapt.”

However he was not surprised, as Ruby has been recognised as one of the best artists at Wainuiomata High School.

She has had a lot of her art recognised,

albeit at a lower level, Joe says.

A couple of years ago she also won a local art competition.

“I speak highly of Ruby. She is good.

“She is very creative and she’s good at expressing herself.

“Even though she is an ADHD student in a special class, she is doing really well at art,” Joe says.

Along with her painting and drawing, Ruby also makes toys and makes figurines.

“When I saw her with one of the toys, I asked her where she had got it from, and she said: ‘I made it’,” Joe says.

As well as performing highly as an artist, Ruby is also an outstanding sportswoman.

In May this year Ruby finished second in the Wellington Regional Schools Cross Country Championships.

Her second placing came in the 2km para athletes girls’ race, leading Wainuiomata High School to victory in the teams event.

The three essentials in my fridge are beer, a cold glass for it to go in, and white wine. Why? Rhetorical question really....

The first thing I always have is milk as I can’t drink black coffee. Next most important - butter and cheese. I totally ADORE cheese and couldn’t live without it and butter is used for many things, so I find it essential!

1. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables for the children’s school lunches,

2. A bottle of bubbles in case a friend stops by,

3. A stash of chocolate for an afternoon sugar fix.

Chris Bishop

Ruby Lasini’s art work, entitled “Mind of Madness”, which has been selected as a finalist in the IHC Art Awards. Photo Supplied.

Ruby Lasini busy putting together another art work. Photo: Supplied.

Makaela Richmond

Errol Gardiner

Lynette Atkinson-Parker

Sue Norrish

Sharon Blount

Julie McDonald

Another award for Teresea Olsen

By Frank Neill

Teresea Olsen QSM was presented the Wh nau Ora Matariki – Community Service Award at the Ng Tohu Matariki o te Tau 2023 annual awards on 12 July.

The awards were presented at a ceremony at the T kina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Teresea gained the award for her “extraordinary contribution to enhance the cultural, social, economic and environmental prosperity in their community”.

Of Ng ti Porou descent, Teresea was also named the 2022 Wellingtonian of the Year.

She is general manager of health and social services at K kiri Marae.

Her community service has included leadership and support of foodbank initiatives as well as health, well-being and social services.

Under her leadership K kiri Marae was a New Zealand leader

in vaccinating vulnerable communities against Covid-19.

When protesters threatened to occupy the Wainuiomata Marae, opposing the Covid-19 vaccine, Teresea stood her ground. Along with other members of the community standing alongside her they were successful in keeping the protesters from occupying the Marae. Another major award was presented to her last year. She received the Public Health Champion Award by the Public Health Association of New Zealand.

The award was presented for the work of Ms Olsen and the staff at K kiri Marae Health and Social Services.

It was presented in recognition of the primary and public health services delivered to the K kiri Marae wh nau and community and for leading working during the Covid-19 epidemic to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of wh nau, hapu and iwi.

& Trades SERVICES

Teresea Olsen with her Whānau Ora Matariki – Community Service Award. Photo: Supplied.

Lions make League Grand Final

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Lions have qualified for this year’s Wellington Rugby League Grand Final following a stunning semi-final victory over reigning champions Whiti Te R taki on 22 July.

After leading 10-6 at half time, the Lions went on to win the match, played at Frederick Wise Park, 16-10.

The victory came following a tense period late in the game where two yellow cards in quick succession saw the Lions reduced to 11 players for eight minutes.

At the time the Lions held a slender 12-10 lead with just over 10 minutes to play.

One of the players who spent 10 minutes in the sin bin was co-captain John Tahana Wharepapa-Rawiri.

When John came back onto the field he was to play an important role in the Lions final try scored in the closing stages of the match.

John and co-captain Ulai Oti-Lahood once again led from the front in the semi-final –just as they have done all season.

Wainuiomata Community Market

Saturday the 29th July, at the Wainuiomata Library in Queen Street, from 9am till 3pm. All welcome. Love

Lokeni Saumokia about to crash over to open the scoring for the

The two co-captains have been hugely influencial for the Lions throughout 2023, leading by example.

Three players scored tried for the Lions –brothers Lokeni and David Saumolia, and Bree Henderson.

Te Aorere Wanoa kicked two conversions.

No one player stood out for the home team in its victory over Whiti Te R , with the team collectively playing an outstanding match.

This year sees the Wainuiomata Lions qualifying for the Grand Final for the first

Good win for Ulalei Aute

Ulalei Aute delivered another match winning performance annihilating St Orans Club 60-40 in Netball Hutt Valley’s premier 1 competition on 22 July.

ANZ Premiership star Renee Savaiinaea clocked in a strong performance at centre displaying some razzle dazzle skills throughout the court that wowed the crowd.

Aute have now secured five wins on the trot.

Ulalei Laga’ali started the senior 4 division game strongly against Ulalei Pualulu, taking an 11-5 lead after the first quarter.

time since 2016.

The Lions premier reserve team has also qualified for the final in its division, following a 24-14 victory over the Petone Panthers, also played on Frederick Wise Park on 22 July.

This is the first time for many years that the Lions have made both grand finals of the top two Wellington Rugby League divisions.

They are both scheduled to play the Porirua Vikings at Wellington Rugby League Park on 29 July.

Laga’ali built on their good start to stretch their lead to 22-11 halftime.

By the end of the third quarter Laga’ali had an unassailable 30-18 lead, pulling away further from Pualulu in the final quarter to complete a comprehensive 45-22 win.

“I am very pleased with Laga’ali’s performance,” says manager Karina Sagaga.

“They are finding their rhythm with some wonderful full court play but more importantly just enjoying the game,”

WEDNESDAY

Which country first adopted time zones?

On November 2, 1868, the thenBritish colony of New Zealand officially adopted a standard time to be observed throughout the colony, and was perhaps the first country to do so. It was based on the longitude 172°30 East of Greenwich, that is 11 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

Puzzle

publicly (5)

14. Relieve from anxiety(3,2,4)

15. Illicitly distilled whisky(9)

16. Aircraft shed(6)

18. Officiate(7)

21. Irritates(4)

23. Shelter from wind (3)

25. Wear down(3)

27. Quantity of paper(4)

28. Collapsible paper light. Chinese (7)

30. Quiet(6)

32. Tune(3)

33. Goddess of mischief (Grk myth) (3)

34. Sheep’s wool(6)

35. Attribute(7)

36. Sundry items, and ends(4)

37. Night before(3)

39. Weep(3)

41. Without firmness(4)

43. Precisely(7)

45. Almost(6)

48. Neglect(9)

49. Lead(attack)

51. Giraffe-like animal(5)

52. Phoenix is its capital(7)

53. Open(5)

54. Raise(7)

55. Miserly people(11)

DOWN

1. Stylish excellence (5)

2. Songbird(11)

3. Ultimate(8)

4. Tumult(6)

5. Lordly(5)

6. Igloo dwellers(7)

7. Steals away(8)

8. Maintain contact with(6)

9. Combatant(7)

10. Evade(5)

16. Injurious(7)

17. Soothe(7)

19. Scolds(5)

20. Oriental(7)

22. Meet wishes of(7)

24. Head of corn(3)

26. Unrealistic aspiration, in the sky(inf) (3)

29. Agricultural. (5)

31. Approval(11) 32. Succesful fighter pilot(3)

33. The alphabet(3)

38. Unearth(8)

40. Annual(8)

42. Knead(7)

44. Of the heart(7)

46. Part of the eye(6)

47. Abscond(6)

48. Male honey bee(5)

49. Range(5)

50. Becomes old fashioned (5)

Solution

SOLUTION

Last Week: 20 July 2023

For April 20, 2005

Lions.

Photo: Six.One Creative.