28 February Wainuiomata News

The problem of dirt bikes being ridden illegally in Wainuiomata is widespread, a series of people have told the “Wainuiomata News”.

This followed the paper running an article in the 21 February edition about a petition from residents of the Wainuiomata Masonic Village that was presented to the Wainuiomata Community Board at it’s meeting on 14 February.

Continued on page 2.

A dirt biker riding on a park. Photo: Supplied.

Wednesday February

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Dirt bikes ‘notorious’

Continued from page 1

The petition, presented by village resident Cheryl King, asked for a meeting with Hutt City Council “regarding the continual health and safety problem of motorbikes (including quad bikes, dirt bikes and other noisy motor vehicles) that repeatedly use the Hutt City Council assets (parks and paths) surrounding the village on our east, north and south sides”.

The problem of dirt bikes “extends far beyond” Hugh Sinclair Park, Matthew Terrence told the “Wainuiomata News”.

In the north it includes Arakura Park and in the south it includes Leonard Wood Park and Ngaturi Park.

including the streets.

“Dirt bikes are notorious around here,” Matthew says.

“Regarding dirt bikes using the Leonard Wood Park, I had written to the council to voice my concerns and was given a big ‘it’s not our problem’.

“Only after quoting the Hutt City Council’s own bylaws did they forward my email onto the parks and reserves.

“I have received one reply” and that said they may look to make inquiries about fixing a gap next to the gate on the corner of Parenga and Wood Streets which is used to gain access to Leonard Wood Park.

says. “I had also filed several reports to the Police advising them of several dirt bikes, including school age children during school time, adults and parents and children and they spent a couple of hours one night and then [I] saw no further cops.

“A couple of weeks later it was back to it.

“They speed up and down the street, overtake cars, ride all over the road and care very little for their own or anyone else’s safety.

February. Another problem with the dirt bikes is that it’s happening at all hours.

“I know that the problem has been around for a while, but it is not something anyone has focused on at least for the last 10 years.” It would be “awesome if more could be done. I have exhausted all I can to help fix the problem,”

Matthew says.

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The dirt bikes ride around the Homedale area and the village,

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade is asking people to be careful when they are burning rubbish, especially now that water is in short supply.

The brigade had to attend “another brazier fire” where rubbish was being burned during the week, Wainuiomata” Chief Fire Officer, Ewen Heron told the Wainuiomata News.

“With water restrictions we

There is a hedge next to the gate “and they have cut all the hedging back so they can gain access to the park with their bikes,” Matthew

“Only this morning while dropping my child off I was overtaken at the crossing in the village by a dirt bike whom almost hit my car then proceeded to speed in and out of cars up the main road towards the shops,” Matthew told the “Wainuiomata News” on 21

A number of the people who have contacted the “Wainuiomata News” about the dirt bike problem did not want to he quoted in the paper.

That, they said, was because when they had tried to talk to the dirt bikers the riders had been abusive.

One person told the paper that a dirt biker had assaulted them.

don’t want to be wasting it putting out rubbish or scrub fires if they get out of hand,” he says.

It is important to make sure any fire is lit and managed in a controlled manner.

If it is a rubbish fire, it should take place in an incinerator. It must supervised by the occupant, be away from boundary fences, with a hose present and not be burnt after dark.

As well as being under water restrictions, Wainuiomata is also currently in a restricted

fire season.

This means that most types of fire will requite a permit from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). Fire permits can be obtained online by visiting https://www.firepermit.nz.

Gas cookers and gas barbeques do not require a fire permit in a restricted fire season.

“You don’t need a fire permit for an Incinerator in a restricted fire season,” FENZ says, “if you meet the following safety

requirements:

• Don’t light your fire within 5 metres of any part of a building, hedge, shelter belt or any other combustible material.

• You must have a suitable way to extinguish it within easy reach – a maximum of 5 metres from your incinerator.

• Smoke vent/chimneys must have a purpose-built manufactured cap or maximum 5 mm steel mesh fitted in the top to stop any hot ash or embers from escaping.”

To the Editor

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please. They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even when a nom de plume is provided for publication.

The editor reserves the right to abridge letters or withhold letters from publication.

Ban illegal biking

Had I known about the existence of a petition to ‘Ban illegal biking’ (Wainuiomata News, Wednesday 21 February 2024) two more signatures would have been added to Cheryl King’s plea for some action to be taken.

Apart from the insidious noise factor, for which I extend my sympathy to those affected, she cites damage done to the Wainuiomata Softball grounds and the considerable serious safety issue.

These noisy dirt bikes are mostly propelled at speed by youngsters through our supermarket car park, children’s playgrounds, public parks and spaces and designated pathways at will, without regard for anyone’s safety or well-being.

Recently, while walking home along the public walkway adjacent to the Wainuiomata Masonic Village I had an encounter with one of these individuals.

When I signalled the rider to stop in an attempt to politely point out that there are signs at both ends of the walkway prohibiting motorised vehicles from entering, I received

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what I could have expected – an earful of verbal abuse.

The usual amusing request to show my police badge, taunts to stop staring (nothing more than normal eye contact) at her and the toddler with her on the front of the bike, followed by an abusive lecture about my perceived superiority derived from my skin colour.

Out of nowhere jumped a highly agitated, and equally abusive male partner who decided to go one step further by giving me a couple of heavy shoves in the chest.

I was tossing up between defending myself or walking away.

I chose the latter, with open, raised hands. Meanwhile, a helpful passer-by intervened by giving the offenders some wise counsel about rules and civility.

I do not know if the kind man’s wisdom was heeded or not, but this illegal biking needs to stop.

Wainui Walker [The writer told us they were using a pseudonym for safety reasons.]

You get what you vote for

Several people have come to me moaning about what this recent Government are doing.

I said “did you vote for them?” they said “yes”.

I said “what I am about to say may put your hackles up.”

I said “you get what you vote for. You didn’t use wisdom you just went straight in and ticked the little square box to put them in. Your anxiety issues put them in.”

They knew you were stressed out over Covid and they used that to get in power.

So you who are moaning over these promises not being attended to you will either have

to wait three years to get them out or demand an early election.

Next time choose wisely. Don’t rush in and put the first one in with a cheesy smile. Those who have cheesy smiles are false.

I didn’t suffer from anxiety. I kept myself occupied in positive activities and not thinking negative.

So don’t come to me with your negative opinions . Next time just be careful who you vote for.

By the way a tree is known by it’s fruit. That also includes PMs and MPs.

Peter Wells

Warning sign about swim hazard

There is a “large swimming hazard” on Wainuiomata’s south coast, Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie told the 14 February meeting of the Wainuiomata Community Board.

As a result he is exploring the placement of warning signs, to alert people to the dangers of swimming in the area.

The hazardous area is at Baring Head – Ōrua Pouanui in the area around the Wainuiomata River Mouth.

“I have been in touch with our harbourmaster ... and our parks team about whether we have some signage there to alert people to the dangers,” Cr Duthie told the meeting.

This initiative follows correspondence to Cr Duthie and others from local resident Grace Christison. She asked if a warning sign, preferably bilingual, could be installed at Baring

Head – Ōrua Pouanui.

“It’s been raised on our Wainuiomata Community Noticeboard (on Facebook) that, in the wonderful weather we’ve been having, there has been an increase in visitors to the Wainuiomata Coast at the end of Coast Road,” Ms Christison said in her email to Cr Duthie.

“While that is fantastic, many times locals have been down there, there have been people swimming – either in the river mouth or in the beach itself.

“Many of these visitors either aren’t local and don’t know the dangers or don’t speak English.

“The community is calling for signage to be placed in the carpark warning of the dangerous conditions of the water. “We would hate to see a drowning,” Ms Christison said.

A view of Baring Head. Photo: Supplied.

inbrief news

Good market day

The Wainuiomata Community Market had a good day on 24 February.

The Koha from all the stallholders of $160 will be donated to the Pukeatua school.

Easter Market

Love Wainuiomata is hosting an Easter Market at the Wainuiomata Town Centre on Saturday 30 March.

This will be the first Easter Market

Love Wainuiomata has put on.

“Whether you’re on the hunt for unique gifts, delicious kai, or simply looking to soak up the vibrant atmosphere, our Easter Market has something for everyone,” Love Wainuiomata says.

Steady As You Go

Steady As You Go falls prevention classes are held at the Wainuiomata Library at 11am on Tuesdays.

Organised by Age Concern Wellington Region these classes are designed to improve strength and balance and help prevent a fall.

Steady as You Go classes improve balance and leg strength, flexibility, and general fitness and wellbeing. Classes consist of a combination of sitting, standing and walking exercises, and take around an hour.

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Urgently reduce poverty so children thrive

The latest official child poverty statistics show that “concerted and urgent action” is needed to reduce poverty affecting families, says Chief Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad.

Child Poverty Statistics for the year ending June 2023 released on 22 February by Statistics NZ show the number of children experiencing hardship in their every day lives is increasing, and the gaps for mokopuna Māori, disabled children and Pacific children remain stubborn.

“This latest official data shows that a continued focus on reducing poverty must be an ongoing project of national significance,” Dr Achmad says.

“Our nation’s children are rightly asking us to prioritise action to end poverty, and it is possible.

“Children with lived experience of poverty tell me clearly: we need to urgently reduce poverty to realise their dreams.

“Believe in us, invest in us, love and care for us.

“Every child is born with incredible potential, but right now far too many children’s dreams are sadly only for the simplest things: tummies with nutritious kai in them, less stress and not having to choose between

education or working to keep the family afloat.

“Every child in Aotearoa New Zealand should be able to dream bigger than this, rather than have the ceiling closing in on their potential because of poverty.”

The data released on 22 February shows that there have been increases across three of the nine official measures of child poverty under the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018.

Of particular concern is the jump in the percentage of children experiencing material hardship, up from 10.5% in 2022 to 12.5%.

This means around 23,400 more children are living in homes that cannot afford at least six of the 17 items regarded as essential – things like having fresh fruit and vegetables, warm clothes and shoes and doctor’s visits.

“I’m extremely concerned about the gaps that continue for some groups of children, including our tangata whenua, children of Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, and those with disabilities,” Dr Achmad says.

“It’s unacceptable that 21.5% of mokopuna M ā ori are experiencing material hardship, for 28.9% of Pacific children

this is their every day reality, and for 22.3% of children with disabilities.

“This means that Māori and disabled children are 70% more likely to be in material hardship, while Pacific children are 2.3 times more likely.

“Since 2018, we have seen positive progress on reducing child poverty, so I’m very concerned that we are seeing rates of child poverty increasing for the first time since 2018.

“Ongoing political commitment must be both enduring and urgent so that targets under the Child Poverty Reduction Act are effectively set and met.

“At a time when the cost of living combined with low-wage work and inadequate benefits is pushing families to breaking point, we must see the government investing in those most in need, so their children can thrive in ways that are consistent with their rights as children.”

Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People’s Commission notes that many people in poverty are working.

“It’s important that we recognise this, because it shows that even full-time paid employment on its own does not always provide enough for a basic standard

of living, especially for households with children.

“About half the children living in material hardship come from households whose main source of income is through paid employment,” Dr Achmad says.

Evidence from Aotearoa New Zealand shows that childhood poverty can cast a long shadow over people’s lives, affecting their daily experiences, educational outcomes, mental and physical health, and employment prospects.

“We all want children to grow up in whānau that can provide them with both the basics and opportunities to reach their full potential.

“As a relatively small, wealthy country, it’s not good enough to see our progress to reduce poverty taking a backward step.

“We must redouble efforts now with urgency, to prevent any further deepening of poverty and reduce the weight of the stress on families that it causes.

“I’m calling on the government to use this opportunity to invest in children now and implement evidence-based policy, helping them to experience their full potential and to dream the big dreams they should all be able to have,” Dr Achmad says.

Council planning on 16.9% rates rise

Hutt City Council is proposing a 16.9% increase so it can continue its significant investment in water infrastructure and transport.

This follows the council voting in its draft 10-year plan on 20 February.

"This is the largest capital delivery programme in our city’s history,” the Mayor Campell Barry says.

“Our draft Long Term Plan (LTP) ... prioritises spending $1.5 billion over 10 years to safeguard our city’s drinking water network and to provide effective stormwater and wastewater systems for our people.

"Wellington Water has advised they could deliver up to $2.5 billion in water infrastructure over the next 10 years, but without reform or central Government funding that is completely unaffordable for our rate payers."

Mayor Barry also gained support from councillors to include an extra $2.8 million in the draft LTP so Wellington Water can eliminate the current backlog of leaks in Lower Hutt by December 2024.

The measures are designed to mitigate the risk of an acute water shortage next summer.

"The situation this summer is not sustainable year on year,” the Mayor says.

“While pipe renewals are the only longterm fix in stopping leaks, we need to be doing everything we can to avoid an acute water shortage in the short term.

"We are declaring a crackdown on leaks in Lower Hutt," he says.

"We have asked Wellington Water to work with the private sector to help clear the current backlog."

This significant investment in water and transport infrastructure, alongside the pressures of inflation, insurance increases and other unavoidable cost increases means Hutt City Council will be consulting on higher levels of rate increases and borrowing.

Cost increases have been offset through savings of around $35 million over the 10 years of the LTP which have a favourable rates impact.

The draft LTP, which maps the council’s spending priorities over the coming decade, proposes a 16.9% rates revenue increase (after growth) for the year starting on 1 July 2024.

"Elected members take no joy in proposing this level of rates increase,” the Mayor says.

“But what we aren’t willing to do is kick the can down the road on desperately needed investment in water and transport infrastructure. Nobody wins in the long run if we do that.

"Water and transport make up 83% of council’s capital investment over 10 years. We are focused on the basics."

Mayor Barry and Councillors are conscious of the rates impact on low-income households. With that in mind, a new Rates Remission Policy (RRP) is included in the draft LTP for public comment.

The proposal would see a rates remission of up to $250 a year for low-income households. It's in addition to the Government's rates rebate scheme and uses the same criteria.

"Rates are a vital mechanism to fund infrastructure and the core services, facilities and amenities that council provides,” the Mayor says.

“But we acknowledge there is real hardship

for those on a very low household income. Our rates remission proposal is a direct response to that."

Other key issues the public are invited to comment on in the draft LTP include:

• the future of Petone, particularly how to prioritise spending on the Petone Wharf, the Petone Library and the earthquake-prone Petone Recreation Ground grandstand; and

• a new weekly kerbside service to collect food scraps and green organics in one bin. The service is proposed to start in July 2027, but would only go ahead with government funding.

The public has the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft LTP from Tuesday 2 April through to Friday 3 May at 5pm.

Elected members will consider the feedback as part of the process to adopt the new LTP which will take effect on 1 July 2024.

Public transport hui coming up

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata residents will have an opportunity to input into future public transport for the valley at a hui being held at the Wainuiomata Community Hub at 7:30pm on Tuesday 5 March.

The hui is hosted by Tamsyn Harker, the Wainuiomata representative on Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Public Transport Advisory Group, and Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown.

Tamsyn is also a member of the Wainuiomata Community Board.

“Join our public kōrero to discuss Wainuiomata bus services and what we need to help our community thrive,” Tamsyn says.

“Metlink is seeking to improve public transport for Wainuiomata residents, and as part of this they’ve asked me ... to help gather feedback and ideas from our community members.

“This is a great opportunity, so please join myself and ... Cr Keri Brown.”

There is also an online survey on Wainuiomata public transport at

https://forms.gle/a7Y4EFDkmCSJGAZt5.

“It only takes a minute or two to fill out and it will make a real difference for us to be able to take our collected feedback and requests to Metlink, so whether or not you can make it to the hui please fill it out and share the link with your Wainuiomata friends and whānau,” Tamsyn says.

A Metlink bus serving Wainuiomata.

Photo;: Frank Neill.

Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry. Photo: Supplied.

Local bowler in Wellington team

Wainuiomata Bowling Club member Vikki-Lee Remuera has been selected for FoxPlan Bowls Wellington Women’s Premier Development Side for North Island Octagonal.

This is a great achievement for Vikki-Lee as she is only in her fourth year of Bowling and only seven players were selected to represent the Wellington area in the 1–10-year bracket.

Vikki-Lee has been chosen to skip the fours.

The North Island Octagonal will be played at the Howick Bowling Club in Auckland on Saturday and Sunday 16 and 17 March.

“It is an honour for the Wainuiomata Bowling Club to have a bowler playing at this level,” says Richard Morgan, the President of the Wainuiomata Bowling Club.

Two teams of Wainuiomata

Bowlers have moved closer to the premier division.

The Wainuiomata ladies and men’s top teams have been promoted to Bowls Wellington’s division 2, one spot from premier.

The ladies won division 3 outright and the men got through by finishing third in their division.

“Their achievement is outstanding for Wainuiomata Bowling Club,” Richard says.

No luck for Cricketers in Karori

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata’s first Cricket XI ended up on the losing end of their top of the table match against Karori on 24 and 25 February.

Karori ended the weekend with an outright victory in the game, played at Karori Park.

The result saw Karori move from third to second on Cricket Wellington’s division two table, while Wainuiomata dropped from second to third.

Wainuiomata scored 189 in its first innings, with Liam Magee reaching his half century and then was out for exactly 50.

Ben Coddington contributed with 34 and Yesh Prashanth was 31 not out when the innings ended. Karori scored 317 in reply.

Ryan Jackson bowled outstandingly, taking eight wickets at a cost of just 92 runs. Wainuiomata’s Captain, Callum Mackaness took the other two wickets to fall.

Wainuiomata was all out for 143 in its second innings, with both Callum and Craig Foster scoring 46 runs.

Karori then overtook the Wainuiomata total when they scored 19 without loss.

The second Cricket XI also suffered a loss playing at Karori Park on 24 February.

Wellington Collegians Hoggs won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 279 for the loss of seven wickets.

Jason Logan took four of the wickets to fall, Jordan Nevalagi took two wickets and Scott Babot one wicket.

Wainuiomata fell short by 30 runs when they were all out for 249.

Their cause was not helped when they conceded three run outs.

Nathan Samson was outstanding with the bat, scoring 62 not out and both Alex Newton and Jordan scored 26.

“We are thrilled to have teams of men and women playing at this level. It’s been a very long time since we have had a team up there.

“I believe our success is due to the influx of junior players that we have recruited over the last five years, as this has led us to have a more competitive environment where contenders are vying for their position.

“Our Twilight Bowls night on

Wednesday evening is our greatest way of recruiting bowlers and we encourage anyone who wants to try bowls to come down and join in the fun.

“We start at 6pm, and it costs $5. We will provide you with a barbecue, background music, some bowls and a friendly welcome.”

For more information and contact details visit the Wainuiomata Bowling Club’s Facebook page.

Fun Cricket for kids

By Frank Neill

Cricket Wellington is running the Wainuiomata Smash Play and Girls Smash, starting today, 28 February.

The free event will provide fun Cricket games and activities for both boys and girls. It’s aim is to provide tamariki the opportunity to “give Cricket

a go”. Smash Play and Girls Smash will take place at Bryan Heath Park evry Wednesday from 28 February to 20 March.

The event will run for an hour, from 4pm to 5pm. Boys and girls wanting to join in the fun just need to drop in.

For more information contact sarah@cricketwellington. co.nz.

Vikki-Lee Remuera. Photo: Supplied.

Wainuiomata’s winning Ladies Green Squad (from left) Vikki-Lee Remuera, Serena Tahu, Tui Reid, Faye Brown, Lorna Ramanui, Ngaire Panui and Janine Tahau. Pops Grobbelaar and Cushla Haimona are absent. Photo: Supplied.

Every week I talk to many gardeners by phone with their questions to answer and information or feed back that they give me.

It is a nice two way street as information regarding Wallys products can be handed on to other gardeners to also try for those particular applications or problems.

I had a few calls over the last couple of weeks from gardeners that have used the new Wallys

Copper Nutrient product.

(We wrote about this product in the early spring as a new way to deal to curly leaf in stone fruit trees.)

Here is an extract from my original article: Copper nutrition products work by providing plants with a source of copper, which is an essential micro nutrient required for plant growth and development.

Copper helps to activate enzymes involved in several physiological processes in plants, including photosynthesis and respiration.

Additionally, copper has been shown to have anti-fungal properties, which makes it effective in controlling plant diseases.

Studies have shown that copper can enhance plant immune responses by regulating gene expression and enzyme activity involved in defense mechanisms. End.

I used the copper Nutrient spray on my small peach tree that is about 3rd season in the ground.

The previous year over 90% of the foliage contracted the curly

GARDENING THIS WEEK

AROUND THE GARDEN THIS WEEK : By Wally

leaf disease to later fall off and be replaced with clean foliage.

This year from an initial spray at the 10ml rate prior to bud boost and then a weekly spray at the 5mil maintenance rate while the tree came into full foliage about 95% of the leaves were clean with only a couple of areas where there were a bunch of curly leaves.

The tree is in the free range area of my chickens and had only set one fruit which I watched with interest each day when tending to the chickens waiting for it to reach maturity.

It was starting to ripen and the following day not a sign of it. Obviously the chickens got it as there was a slight peachy flavour in some of the eggs for a couple of days.

But great results in regards of curly leaf control.

Like wise similar reports from a few gardeners say the instance of leaf curly was greatly reduced.

Talking to the supplier they said that likely the next season using Wallys Copper Nutrient will have even better results as the health of the trees will build up..

I also had some gardeners whose stone fruit have suffered in the past from brown rot tell me; that most of their crop this season was NOT damaged and uneatable.

This was something that I was hoping to hear as brown rot is a terrible disease and one that I have found in the past difficult to control.

The only control that has been found to be successful is a combina-

tion spray of copper, sulphur, potassium permanganate and Raingard. This would be applied to the fruit when half way towards maturity every two weeks till harvest.

Spraying the fruit gave them protective coating over the growing fruit preventing the disease from establishing.

The Raingard keeping the protection on and preventing it washing off in rain.

It works but a lot of target spraying seeing only the fruit is sprayed not the tree.

One gardener this week said he used the Copper Nutrient on his plum tree and this season he and the birds have enjoyed a lot of plums to eat with only a few showing signs of brown rot. Another couple of gardeners that used this new copper told me that the fruit are much bigger than normal one saying his fruit was just about the size of a baseball!

Go back to what I wrote above ‘Copper helps to activate enzymes involved in several physiological processes in plants, including photosynthesis and respiration’.

Bingo... plant getting more energy from sun, better health bigger and better returns.

So the next step at the maintenance rate of 5 mils per litre of water is to spray you tomatoes, capsicum, vegetables and preferred plants such as roses.

Do this once a month during the growing season and you can add Magic Botanic Liquid to the spray

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as well.

It may help reduce the instances of leaf diseases such as black spot and rust and blights in tomato and potatoes.

If later on it helps prevent garlic rust on our garlic that would be another winner.

Besides eating your food crops that contain a little copper will be good for your health also.

Some people with arthritis problems wear a wrist band of copper to help relieve their condition. My advise to anyone with aches and pains such as arthritis is to take the organic sulphur supplement called MSM twice a day.

Birds and fruit are the bane of gardeners and there are no easy ways to stop the damage.

Bird netting can help but it really needs to be on a frame over and

around the tree/vine in fruit otherwise if just over the foliage birds sit on it and peck the fruit.

Worst thing that happens is birds get caught up in the netting and you have to rescue them.

One answer I found that does work is the Crop Cover that we sell. You make a cocoon of the cover over a branch that has fruit on it about the time it starts to ripen and the birds start attacking.

Cut a strip wide enough to wrap around the branch and at the trunk end tie it on with cord.

Along the seam which should be under the branch join the two edges of the crop cover together with suitable clothes pegs.

You could staple it but the clothes pegs are better and you can reuse the crop cover year after year for this purpose.

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