Great property investments with
Two icons saved
By Frank Neill
Wellington City Council’s decisions to save two Wellington icons – the Begonia House and the Khandallah Swimming Pool – have been enthusiastically welcomed.
Councillors voted 15-3 to keep the Khandallah pool and 16-2 to keep the Begonia House at the 22 May meeting of the Council’s Long Term Plan, Finance and Performance
Committee.
“I’m thrilled” about the decision to save the Begonia House, says Mazz Scannell, the President of the Friends of the Botanic Garden, which led the recent “Save the Begoina House” campaign.
“On behalf of the friends and everybody else who loves the Begonia House I’m absolutely chuffed.
“It’s really pleasing that the Council changed its mind on it and
supported it.
“A big hats off from the friends to all the people who helped us.
“We had people pounding the pavements getting signatures. We had people actively promoting the Begonia House. We had people reminding other people that they had to make a submission.
“We had an army of people out there just wanting to save this building.” Continued on page 2.
Wellington’s iconic Begonia House. Photo: Mazz Scannell.
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Thrilled about saving the Begonia House
Continued from page 1.
The Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden presented a petition asking the Council to save the Begonia House to the committee on 22 May.
The petition was signed by 8,730 people.
“I understand it was the biggest petition that had ever gone to the Council,” Mazz says. “It was certainly one of the biggest.”
In addition 1,191 people made a submission to the Council asking for the Begonia House to be saved.
The committee voted in favour of the option to keep the Begonia House and do the minimum of work it requires at a cost of $11 million.
“What we are doing now is working with the Wellington construction community to see if we can sharpen up on that, so we can do better than the minimum, so that it is something that is really fit for purpose,” Mazz says.
“We have got really strong support from Wellington businesses – construction companies, glass companies, paint companies – and that is fantastic.
“It just shows what a treasure the Begonia House is,” Mazz says.
The decision to save the Khandallah Swimming Pool, and spend $7.5 on remediation, has been warmly welcomed by Save Khandallah Pool team member Maree Newsome.
“We are feeling very relieved
and excited and grateful to all the people who spoke up and contacted the Mayor and Councillors,” she says.
Council officers had recommended that the committee decide to close the pool.
However the Mayor, Tory Whanau, moved that the Council go ahead with renovating the pool and the Councillors voted in favour.
“The pool will stay open and we will be working towards that renovation happening over the next couple of years,” Maree says.
“I’m elated over the Khandallah pool decision,” Cr Diane Calvert says.
“This has been a journey that myself and the community have been on for the last eight years,” says Cr Calvert, who represents the Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward.
Cr Calvert paid a tribute to the independent working group the Council set up to look at a cost effective way of saving the pool.
Maree Newsome was one of three community representatives on that group. There were also two local engineers, who volunteered their time, along with Council officers from the parks, pools and civil works teams. A team of external experts was engaged through an engineering firm too.
The working group was “able to come up with a viable plan within 10 weeks.
“They have worked really hard,”
The hugely popular Khandallah swimming
Cr Calvert says.
Now that the remediation of the pool has been approved, Council officers are “really keen” to hear from people who are experts in their field who would be willing to help, Cr Calvert says.
They are particularly looking for people with expertise in procurement of materials, installation or construction.
The community would also need to look at what is in the plan and what is not.
As an example, Cr Calvert says that some people have asked for a spa pool “and that is something that we can help fund raise for.”
Cr Calvert also welcomed the decision to save the Begonia House.
“There was an amendment put forward to do the full $3.3 million refurbishment, which I voted for,”
Cr Calvert says.
However the amendment was not passed. “We tried and it didn’t go through.”
Another item of “good news”
from the commitee was that it decided that the net proceeds of about $460,000 from the sale of the Wadestown Community Centre would be spent on community facilities. The committee voted unanimously in favour of that, “which is really good.
“The Council will now need to work with the local community on where we inverst the money,” Cr Calvert says.
Cr Tony Randle also welcomed the decisions to Save the Khandallah pool and the Begonia House.
“It was good news for community action,” he says.
“They were swayed to keep the Khandallah pool, which was a really good outcome.
“The fact that the Council officers came along and said we should demolish it was a big disappointment.
“The fact that the Councillors came along and held the line, that’s good,” he says.
Demolition of the pool “shouldn’t have even been put on the agenda.”
pool. Photo: Supplied.
Onslow’s Scott Picard
top in korero
Onslow College student Scott Picard won first place in the Korimako Senior English section of Nga Manu Korero ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara on 21 May.
The year 11 student gave a compelling prepared korero on the topic of “He Maori Ahau”, (“I am Maori”).
Scott will now represent Onslow at the National Competition of Nga Manu Korero, held in Whanganui this September.
“When they called my name I felt something deeper than pride; I felt heard,” Scott says.
“My message had landed. My truth was heard.
“My whanau and friends were in the audience and I was overwhelmed by the Haka Tautoko from kura across the region, especially the one led by my tuakana, Billy Paratene.
“That mana, that aroha, it hit me straight in the chest. It reminded me I wasn’t standing there alone,” Scott says.
“I first got involved in Nga Manu last year, when I competed in the Sir Turi Carroll Junior English section and placed third.
“That was my wake-up call. For too long, I’ve felt like school, like society, tried to box me in and tell me who I’m supposed to be.
“But when I stood on that stage, I wasn’t just speaking words, I was staking my claim.
“I wasn’t asking to be heard, I was demanding it.
“I wasn’t here to fit into someone else’s mould. I was here to carve out my space and show that I belong in this conversation.
“In both of my speeches, I spoke about the same truth: our Tokotoru Taniwha, the government, keeps limiting the potential of rangatahi Maori.
“They’re making changes that, in my view, are not only unfair but actively harmful to our futures. And I refuse to sit back and stay quiet.
“I spoke because someone had to.
“I stood because too many of us are made to feel invisible. But the truth is, we’re not just here to be seen, we’re here to lead.
“My plans for the future? I want to be a positive force for change in Aotearoa – not just for me, but for my people.
“I want to live my truth loudly, uplift others and challenge the systems that try to keep us small.
“I’m not just asking for a seat at the table, I’m building a new one, one where all of us, especially rangatahi M ori, know we belong.
“This isn’t the end of the journey. It’s just the beginning,” Scott says.
This is the second consecutive year that Onslow College has won the regional Korimako Senior English Competition.
Last year Billy Paratene secured the title.
Work experience opportunities sought
Onslow College is looking for some work experience opportunities in Term three.
This is part of an iniative by the Johnsonville Business Group (JBG) and Onslow College The two are working hard to bring the next generation of leaders into the workforce, and to help your business get one step ahead.
Onslow College’s Gateway work experience programme is looking to make placements in the followinglocal workplaces or industries:
For one of the placements the college has a senior student with an intellectual disability, who is very capable and is seeking bakery work.
The Onslow College Gateway work experience programme has 18 students currently out on one day per week placements “and all are loving it,” JBG says.
“The feedback from all of the employers has been positiveand they all seem to be enjoying the experience.”
Businesses that are interested can contact Fiona Collins, the Onslow Career Pathways Co-ordinator on 021 149 1209.
Millionth ticket
City Council has a spending problem
By Frank Neill
There was some good news and some not so good news delivered by Wellington City Council’s Long Term Plan, Finance and Performance Committee on 22 May, Cr Tony Randle says. “On the plus side they strongly supported the community programmes of the Khandallah pool and the Begonia House and they have got a solution for the Karori Event Centre,” he says. There was also some good news in that they stopped some projects, saving some money. However the committee “didn’t make any cuts to the things they should have cut,” Cr Randle says.
“I proposed that they reduce the bike network programme and they declined me.
“The majority still want to continue the bike network.
“We also asked for a delay in the Golden Mile until the new Council is voted in and they turned us down as well.
“That vote was much closer though.”
Eight Councillors voted to postpone the Golden Mile while eight voted not to.
However the two iwi representatives on the committee voted with Mayor Tory Whanau not to postpone the project.
“This council does not have a revenue problem,” Cr Randle says.
“It has got a spending problem.
“We have got plenty of revenue but we are spending it on stuff that’s not essential. “We are spending more than ever.
“In the end they have not stopped anything big,” Cr Randle says.
Scott Picard with the trophy he won at the regional korero competition. Photo: Supplied.
Music month continues at libraries
New Zealand Music Month wraps up with three final performances at local libraries.
The SoundsWell Singers Neurological Choir will perform on Friday 30 May from 11am to 11:30amat Waitohi Johnsonville Library.
People attending will enjoy some old favourites and toetapping new songs.
“You’ll be blown away by this choir’s joy, harmony and fun factor,” Wellington Libraries says.
Also on Friday 30 May a Ukelele Jam will be held from3:30pm to 4:30pm at Te Takapu o Patukawenga Tawa Library.
“We take over Discovery Time for a musical ukulele jam,” Wellington Libraries
says.
“Learn some chords, sing some songs and unleash your inner muso.”
Ukuleles will be provided or people can bring their own.
The Ukelele Jam is suitable for ages three and above with their caregivers.
Voices in the Wind Choir will perform on Saturday 31 May from 11am to 11:30am at Te Takapu o Patukawenga Tawa Library.
This energetic and fun choir performs all over the Wellington area.
In their latest programme, “Songs of Love” people will recognise many well-known favourites.
Everybody is welcome at the three performances.
Newlands College student wins speech contest
By Frank Neill
Newlands College student Naomi
Tull is the winner of the Wellington regional heat of the national Lions Clubs Speechmaker contest.
The regional event was held at the Johnsonville Uniting Church on 22 May and featured students from Karori, the Hutt Valley, Tawa and the Wairarapa as well as Newlands.
“I was surprised to win because there were so many amazing speeches that were made,” Naomi says.
Contestants presented two speeches.
Following a prepared speech of between five and six minutes on a topic of their choice they were given one minute to prepare an impromptu speech of two minutes.
The impromptu speech topic the contestants were given was “what you can’t learn in the classroom”.
Naomi’s prepared speech was on artificial intelligence, its impact on the world and whether or not there are threats with its use.
A common theme emerged in the impromptu speeches by the contestants – the most common thing that is not learned in the classroom is compassion for and relations with other people.
Following her victory in the regional competition Naomi will compete in the national final to be held in New Plymouth in early August.
Naomi says she is “excited” about competing with 24 other young speakers from around New Zealand in the national final.
“I’m looking forward to it.
“I’m grateful to the Johnsonville Lions Club for sponsoring me,” she adds.
In summing up the event Club President Murray Gray noted that the calibre of the contestants was very high, and that it gave him hope for the future.
“These young speakers had clear positive messages about our society and showed that they were positive role models for other young people” he said.
Organiser of the evening Lion Ross Brown said that it was pleasing to see such a high calibre of contestants.
“It was particularly pleasing for our club to hold this successful event for first time,” he said.
“I would especially like to thank member Stephen Cook. As our MC for the evening Stephen ensured the event ran smoothly”
The judging panel consisted of two senior Lions members from the region,
The senior judge was Glen Pearce, current President of Ohariu Toastmasters and past Toastmasters Governor responsible for all of the South Island and the Wellington area.
Johnsonville Lions Club members enjoy supporting youth projects and were pleased with the success of this speechmaker event.
President Murray said that they now look forward to later this year when they will again host the annual debate between Newlands and Onslow Colleges.
Karori Food Bank appeal on Saturday
Karori Lions will again be collecting food items to fill the shelves of the Karori Food Bank.
The appeal will be in the Karori Mall from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 31 May.
Once a month the Karori Food Bank gives food parcels to households in need across Karori, Makara, Northland and Wilton.
In 2024 the parcels assisted close to 300 people.
“We are very grateful for the annual appeal support from the Karori Lions,” Karori Foodbank Chair Jan Galloway says.
“We have, in 2025, seen an increase in people requesting emergency food parcels, and we rely on people’s donations to keep this important service going.
“In addition to the annual Lions Appeal, the Karori Food Bank greatly appreciates the ongoing support from the St John Op Shop Trust, the Karori Community Centre staff, the CAB with its free and confidential financial mentoring service for clients, and members of the community.”
The Karori Lions often help with collecting for charities, including recent collections for Mary Potter
Hospice and Life Flight.
The club also makes direct financial contributions to some of these organisations from proceeds of projects such as the Karori Lions Karnival and the e-waste recycle project.
The Karori Foodbank https://www. facebook.com/KaroriFoodbank is run jointly by the five churches in Karori and relies on more than 30volunteers to take messages and make up food parcels.
Anyone in need of an emergency monthly food parcel can call 04 4763455 and leave a message.
Soundswell Singers performing. Photo: Supplied.
District Governor Ann Richardson from Upper Hutt and Past district Governor Simon Williams from Kapiti.
Naomi Tull, winner of the Wellington regional heat of the national Lions Clubs Speechmaker contest. Photo: Supplied.
Local Scrabbler to vie for NZ title
By Frank Neill
Churton Park resident Dylan Early will be looking to add the New Zealand Scrabble Championship to the New Zealand’s Masters he currently holds this weekend.
The 45th New Zealand championship will be held at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton from 31 May to 2 June.
Dylan is currently ranked sixth in the country and will be looking to wrest the title from fellow Wellingtonian Howard Warner, who has won the title a staggering 11 times.
Dylan pipped Howard to win the 2025 Masters tournament, held over Easter weekend.
Dylan and Howard finished the event tied on 17 wins and Dylan claimed the title by having a higher spread of winning points.
The event featured New Zealand’s top 24 Scrabble players and is one of the three premier events in New Zealand’s Scrabble calendar.
Originally from South Africa, Dylan has been playing Scrabble for more than 25 years.
He started playing at university and joined a local Scrabble club where, he says, he caught the Scrabble bug.
When he entered his first South African National tournament in 1993 he was “humbled” when he failed to win a single game and came in last.
This prompted him to begin studying the
game and he has never looked back since.
He went on to win the South African national title six times and also represented South Africa in the World Scrabble Championships.
When Dylan arrived in New Zealand in 2017 he joined the Wellington Scrabble Club.
Since then he has chalked up many and varied Scrabble victories.
He won the New Zealand national title in 2018.
He represented New Zealand against Australia in 2024, winning the Trans-Tasman Challenge for the first time in 14 years.
He represented New Zealand in the World Championships in 2019 in Goa India, finishing a creditable 47th.
He won the Masters Championship in 2021 and was runner-up in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
He holds the record for the highest individual game score in New Zealand with 756, scored at the Masters in 2019. This is also one of the top six scores in the world.
Dylan is a self-confessed mnemonics addict and has over 5,000 of them as ways to remember Scrabble words.
He says he now has so many mnemonics to remember, that he needs mnemonics for his mnemonics.
Outside of Scrabble, Dylan enjoys mountain biking, chess, dog walking, Joseph Herscher videos and trying to make the perfect cup of coffee.
Historic transfer of kiwi pukupuku
Kiwi pukupuku / little spotted kiwi moved from Zealandia to a new home in a historic first on 20 May — a powerful symbol of success for urban wildlife restoration and species recovery.
Two decades after they were first reintroduced to the mainland, 15 threatened kiwi pukupuku left Zealandia Te Mara a Tane to help
supplement the population at Cape Sanctuary in the Hawke’s Bay. This is the first time kiwi are being directly translocated out of Zealandia, marking a major milestone in the not-for-profit’s story.
It highlights the success of this ambitious, groundbreaking community urban ecosanctuary just
Wednesday 11th June | 5:30 - 7:30pm onslow.school.nz/open-evening-2025/
25 years after the world-first predatorexclusion fence was completed.
Zealandia’s founding kiwi pukupuku population came from Kapiti Island in 2000 and 2001. Ngati Toa Rangatira and Ngai Tahu are recognised as kaitiaki of kiwi pukupuku.
“These taonga have grown in numbers within the safety of our fence, and in the care of hundreds, if not thousands, of staff and volunteers over the years,” says Jo Ledington, Zealandia’s General Manager Conservation and Restoration.
“Having kiwi pukupuku at Zealandia has inspired thousands of visitors to care about this incredible rare species, and enabled people to reconnect with our national bird.
“We are proud to now be in a position to bolster other kiwi pukupuku populations around the country in partnership with Ngati Toa, Ngai Tahu, Taranaki Whanui and Ngati Mihiroa,” she continues.
This project is a collaboration between Zealandia, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika, Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mihiroa and Cape Sanctuary, as well as Kiwi Recovery and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Ngati Toa Rangatira representative and Karori Sanctuary Trust Board Chair, Russell Spratt, says “Ngati Toa Rangatira are proud of the role Kapiti Island has played in reviving kiwi pukupuku from near extinction.
“From a mere five individuals translocated to the motu in 1912, the population has grown to approximately 1,200 manu.
“Ngati Toa see Kapiti Island as a special place that has enabled kiwi pukupuku and other taonga species to thrive.
“Iwi consider it an honour to be the kaitiaki of these manu in partnership with DOC. “Translocations such as this are conservation milestones which reinforce the cultural and spiritual connections between Ngati Toa Rangatira, Kapiti Island, and the broader efforts to restore native species to their ancestral lands.”
Zealandia is currently home to the second largest population of kiwi pukupuku after Kapiti Island, and became home to the first mainland population of kiwi pukukpuku (since the 1880s) in 2000.
Zealandia’s kiwi pukupuku population has grown from 40 birds to an estimate of around 200, and surveys show that the population is in good physical and genetic health.
Kiwi pukupuku are the smallest of the five kiwi species and are very vulnerable to introduced predators.
They were the only kiwi species that was completely lost from Aotearoa New Zealand’s mainland, and their numbers dropped down to less than ten birds in the 1910s .
Zealandia is now in a position to give back and help kiwi pukupuku at a national level by supplementing the population of kiwi at Cape Sanctuary in the Hawke’s Bay. The addition of kiwi from Zealandia will help with the genetic resilience of their population.
“Taranaki Whanui are honoured to support and witness the whakakainga ano of kiwi pukupuku from the sanc-
tuary,” says Terese McLeod, Taranaki Wh nui representative and Zealandia’s Lead Ranger for Bicultural Engagement. “When we think of these kiwi pukupuku and the haerenga of their tupuna kiwi of Ngai Tahu whakapapa from Te Waipounamu to Kapiti Island, followed by a ropu shared with Zealandia Te Mara a Tane, and, now another generation of descendants being offered to the Cape Sanctuary in Hawke’s Bay – they have served and continue to serve an honourable role for Te Taiao across Aotearoa.” Hariata Dawn Bennett, Cultural Liaison Cape Sanctuary, Ngati Mihiroa, reflects on the significance of this milestone for her iwi and Cape Sanctuary.
“This is a momentous moment for Ng ti Mihiroa and the Cape Sanctuary. “It was the moemoea led by the late Hariata Te Ruru Akonga Mohi Baker to receive these kiwi pukupuku. We honour this dream and duty to devotedly care for these taonga.”
The kiwi will be carefully collected from Zealandia in accordance with Ngati Toa and Taranaki Whanui tikanga and released on the same day at Cape Sanctuary. The birds being moved have been screened for disease and fitted with locator transmitters by certified kiwi handlers.Visitors have the chance to see kiwi pukupuku on a Zealandia By Night tour within the safety of the Zealandia fence. These birds are different to the larger kiwi nui/North Island brown kiwi, which are showing up in Wellingtonians’ backyards thanks to the work of the wider Wellington community and Capital Kiwi.
Dylan Early at the end of a winning game during this year’s Masters Championship.
Photo: Cathy Casey.
& HOME Gardening LIVING
Using New Zealand’s abundant water resource to your advantage
Water Conservation:
Although conditions can vary, Kiwi summers are becoming hotter and drier, usually leading to water restrictions in Wellington. A rainwater tank allows you to collect and store rainwater for later use, reducing reliance on mains water and helping conserve this valuable resource.
Environmentally Friendly:
Rainwater harvesting reduces demand on local water supplies, crucial in drought-prone regions. It also lessens the energy needed to treat and pump mains water to your property. Plants also prefer rainwater.
Cost Saving:
Using rainwater for tasks like garden
lower your water bills, particularly during drought periods when mains water costs may rise.
Emergency Water Supply:
With natural disasters, burst pipes, droughts, and other water outages having access to rainwater stored in a tank enables you to
installed with a First Flush unit you can even drink it if needed.
They also have an easy to set tank for bulk storage of drinking water – that is it’s not connected to your downpipe.
For a full range of tank options and setup advice for your situation give the Tank Guy a call – 0508 326 8888 – or visit their website – https://thetankguy.co.nz/
Reduce heating costs with Eco Wellington
Combining uPVC’s natural insulating properties with double-glazing means Eco Doors & Windows achieve thermal insulation levels that far exceed even thermally broken aluminium – and at a very competitive price. Their uPVC doors also offer these same thermal
Eco Doors & Windows specialise in uPVC glazing. And as the cooler months arrive you’ll find just the advice and look you’re after at their premises at 29 405 Hutt Road, Lower Hutt. Their windows are ideal for helping keep your house cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Is your garden tired – in need of a make-over?
The most common reasons people have for not enjoying their garden are – it’s too windy and cold, not private enough, it has drainage issues, it’s too steep, it’s not convenient to get to from the house.
Landscaping is about identifying your needs and solving the challenges of your site to develop outdoor living spaces you can take pleasure in using. It’s about finding a user-friendly layout with shelter and screening to provide a comfortable outdoor environment for you.
This may include decks and retaining walls to increase your level areas, for entertaining or simply relaxing. Having good linkages between areas of your garden, and using materials consistent with your style of home, are important for creating unity. Need help? Groundplanz provides professional landscape design and construction services. The right design can really add something special to your outdoor living www.groundplanz.co.nz
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Buses replacing trains
Buses will replace trains over King’s Birthday weekend, as KiwiRail carries out planned infrastructure upgrades and rail improvements across all rail lines.
Buses will replace all trains from Saturday 31 May to Monday 2 June, with rail services resuming on Tuesday morning, 3 June.
King’s Birthday is also a big weekend for rugby fans, with Hur-
ricanes playing Moana Pasifika on Saturday night. Additional bus replacements will help fans get to and from the game.
Works include bridge repairs, track replacement, and level crossing safety upgrades.
This work builds on major upgrades completed over the Easter and Anzac Day holidays, continuing the progress being made to
address overdue rail renewals.
New infrastructure can take a day or two to settle or ‘bed in’ which can affect travel times.
Metlink passengers are advised to plan ahead using the latest travel information on the Metlink website, app, or by calling 0800 801 700.
For more information visit www. metlink.org.nz/rail-updates.
For many of us, wounds are a common part of everyday life, with accidents leading to cuts and scratches, grazes, lacerations, blisters and sometimes burns.
These can happen no matter how careful we are or how organised our homes or workplaces can be. A wound occurs when a physical injury to the body breaks the skin or a mucous membrane.
The body responds immediately and begins repairing the wound with the skin closing up and trying to return to normal as soon as possible. The time of repair may only be needed for a very short time and last for a matter of days or it may need to continue for weeks and months, depending on the type and size of the injury.
In the past many wounds have been “fixed” with a plaster, the multipurpose plastic dressing strip. These are fine for small scratches and cuts but there are now many more dressings available for the different types of wounds that can occur.
In the past it was believed that wounds should be kept dry but now it is recommended that to help a wound heal well it should be kept moist. This is because a moist wound environment allows the skin cells to grow more quickly, thus healing and returning to normal in much less time.
The aim of wound care is to stop any bleeding, prevent infection and to restore the health of the tissue. With any wound once any bleeding is stopped it needs to be cleaned. If it is already a clean wound then warm running water or gauze soaked in saline is appropriate to be used.
Next dry the area and apply the dressing.
the wound does not become infected. It is necessary in these cases to use an antiseptic to wash the area and remove unwanted particles and debris. Talk to your Self Care pharmacist about which antiseptics are available and how to use them.
It is important to try and prevent infection from occurring but if the area of the wound becomes swollen, red, hot and angry then it may be infected and you will need to see your doctor regarding antibiotics.
Wounds caused by burns may occur due to sunlight, flames from fire, scalds, chemical or electrical sources. The affected area must be cooled immediately under cold running tap water for at least 20 to 30 minutes. The use of ice is not recommended in these cases.
Burns can be superficial affecting only the top surface layer of skin or can be much more serious affecting many layers of tissues. Blisters should not be burst and fat, lotions or ointments should be avoided.
There are a number of life style factors that can help with wound healing such as 1) diet 2) exercise 3) medication 4) dressing type 5) warmth. Your diet can affect the speed of the healing process.
Foods associated with wound healing are protein, Vitamin C and Vitamin A and zinc and a diet enriched with these components in your diet can enhance wound healing.
Regular exercise increases blood flow, improves general health and also speeds wound healing.
WOUND CARE
prescribed will hinder wound healing. Wounds that are dressed and kept warm heal faster. Dressings also need to be kept clean so change as necessary, usually not every day but maybe every few days depending on its condition.
See your Self Care pharmacist about the many types of dressings that are available and the most appropriate one for a particular wound or for your first aid kit. Also ask for the Pharmacy Self Care “Wound Care” card to take home and share with the family.
However if the wound is unclean and is contaminated with any dirt, gravel or foreign bodies then these need to be removed so that
Medication that affects wound healing includes anti-inflammatory drugs as these can interfere with the body’s natural healing process and hamper the action of immune system cells. Talk to your pharmacist about your medication to see if any that you are
Prepared by Pharmacy Self Care, Pharmaceutical Society of NZ Inc, Grand Arcade Tower, level 10, 16-20 Willis St, Wellington 6142.
Local history – John Orr
By Felicity Wong
Polluted water caused fatal illnesses in 19th Century Wellington.
Cholera outbreaks were common and deadly.
In 1895 a Wellington hotelier donated a large drinking fountain to Kilbarchan, his Scottish family village, about 25km from Glasgow.
The John Forbes Orr Fountain in the Public Park is four and a half metres tall and made of grey granite.
It comprises a pedestal and four pillars, topped by an ornamental dome and urn, symbols of unity or democracy, and the need to make maximum use of talents before death.
The fountain provides fresh drinking water from a well and was unveiled in a widely attended ceremony.
It’s a striking sculptural memorial to a
prominent Johnsonville resident.
John Forbes Orr was born in 1835.
He was apprenticed to a baker when he was 10 years old.
At 15 he was a Glasgow baker.
At 19 he went to the Crimea, working on a transport ship carrying troops and sick and wounded soldiers.
In 1858 he went to Victoria joining a firm of shipowners who traded with New Zealand.
While he worked on sailing ships and steamers he visited many Australian and New Zealand ports.
About nine years later he began living in Wellington and had a commercial business in Willis Street. For five years he had an eating house on Lambton Quay, opposite Barrett’s Hotel. In 1877, with partner John Street, he built City Buffet Hotel, a wood and iron building.
CAIRNMUIR MOTOR CAMP
The partnership was dissolved and a few months later on New Year’s Day 1888 the hotel burnt down.
Shortly afterwards he built the Gresham Hotel on the same site, a grand three storey brick building nearly twice as large.
John Orr ran the hotel successfully until March 1896 when it was leased.
His partner A R V Lodder ran the business.
John bought 24 acres of land in Johnsonville.
His house and grounds were impressive.
He was married twice –Margaret Anderson, who died in 1877, and Mary Manson with died in 1922) and between them had 11 children.
John Forbes Orr died in Johnsonville in November 1904.
The following May 86 lots of subdivided land were sold from his estate raising £18,000.
In September the balance of the estate was advertised by auctioneers Macdonald, Wilson and Co.
That consisted of a large block of land to the west of Dr Taylor Terrace.
There were two large residences, one of 10 rooms and another of 9 rooms (likely where the United Church is currently on the corner of Dr Taylor Terrace and Frankmore Ave).
Each of them had more than an acre of lawn. There was also a large greenhouse, out buildings, ornamental gardens, and an orchard.
The estate included two newly erected “verandah residences”, of five rooms each, and a cottage further away on the main road (Johnsonville Road) “adjacent to the town hall”.
There were also 57 “splendid villa building sections” ranging in area from a quarter of an acre to over four acres each.
They fronted on to Dr Taylor Terrace, Railway Terrace (Frankmore Avenue), Prospect Terrace, Woodland Road, Hill and Brook Street (now Phillips Street) and were “situated quite close to the railway station”.
The terms of sale were 10% deposit, 10% in 3, 6, and 12 months, balance in five years; interest on unpaid purchase money 5%.
There was a lithographic plan of the Johnsonville estate.
Two city leasehold properties at 157 and 159 Upper Willis Street with two six-roomed “verandah residences” were also for sale.
The auctioneers expected “keen competition”.
John Forbes Orr was buried in the Bolton Street Cemetery but his grave was disinterred for the motorway.
His headstone was later relocated within the cemetery. Cholera was a big problem for Wellington. Between 1885 and 1892 more than 550 people died of cholera in Wellington.
John Orr and his wife Mary lost their 2 year old son George in 1885 and two years before that his daughter in law, Mary Jane (wife of son David), died aged 27.
Was cholera a factor in their deaths and the Fountain a response?
The Onslow Historical Society at 86 Khandallah Rd is open to visitors from 1pm to 3pm on Sundays.
Cairnmuir and the seasonal colour of Bannockburn
Bannockburn is known for its stunning late autumn colours, with vibrant hues of yellow, red, and bronze covering the landscape. The area, especially near the Clutha River and Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan, becomes a popular destination for photographers and visitors seeking to witness this dramatic foliage.
Cairnmuir Campground offers tent, cabin, campervan, caravan and vehicle sites powered and unpowered to accommodate different
preferences.
The cabins are a great place for families to stay, as well as individuals, couples and groups. It’s perfect as a facility to base yourselves as you explore the many attractions of Central Otago.
At the campground, they offer tent, cabin, campervan, caravan and vehicle sites powered and unpowered to accommodate different preferences. PBA.
Boutique Accommodation on Chatham Islands
Featuring recently on TV’s “Grand Designs” series, K pĪ Retreat is a new, purpose built fully off-grid home set on 1200 acres of farmland and native bush that overlooks the main township of Waitangi, Chatham Islands. The owners’ focus has been on the restoration of the bush and preserving fish stocks for future generations. They regard their lifestyle as living off the land, collecting their kai and would love to share with you how this comes
So close to the beautiful Lake Dunstan Trail from the farm or the sea to your plate each night. PBA.
ACTIVE winter
Travel the world through trees at Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Eastwoodhill Arboretum, west of Gisborne has a little bit of something for everyone and even provides a range of accommodation.
The tracks cater for all levels of fitness and ability, from flat tree-lined paths to a steep climb up Mt Arateitei which rewards visitors with glorious views of the arboretum and the surrounding Maunga and countryside. With driven guided tours available and many mobility scooter-accessible tracks, the whole family can visit and enjoy.
Home to over 25,000 species of exotic and native trees, shrubs and climber plants, Eastwoodhill is an arboreal ark, a safe haven for threatened and endangered trees. Their mission is centred on conservation education and research.
The immense collection of trees at Eastwoodhill has been internationally recognised and was awarded the inaugural
‘Arboretum Distinguished for Merit’ by The International Dendrology Society in 1978. The Homestead Garden has also been awarded and was recognised as a ‘Garden of National Significance’ with a five-star rating by the NZ Gardens Trust first in 2004 and as recently as 2017.
Woodland Glen is a peaceful base on the West Coast
Whether you want a passive few days or to make it the base for experiencing the West Coast, Woodland Glen Lodge Bed and Breakfast – accommodation set in a beautiful country house 2km out of Hokitika is the perfect choice. With five guest rooms, three of which are en suite; the other two share a private bathroom, but can be booked individually. Escape the bustle
of the city for tranquility when you stay. They have 21 acres of park like grounds to wander through, they also have a wonderful orchard to sit and enjoy listening to the birds maybe enjoying a glass of wine and a picnic. Drive out to one of the beautiful local lakes where you can sit or swim in the crystal waters. Book direct using promo code 592 for more savings.
Karate is exhilarating! Try your FREE trial class
Menno Kluiters, Eastwoodhill Curator
Budget rail funding welcomed
Funding for Wellington rail network renewals in Budget 2025 is recognition of the precarious state of the metropolitan network, but ongoing investment is required, says Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter. The government has allocated $143.6m for critical rail infrastructure renewals in Wellington and Auckland, from a total spend of $604.6m for the last two years of the Rail Network Investment Programme 2024-2027. Cr Ponter says the funding is essential for fixing broken down track assets and infrastructure that are plaguing the reliability of Metlink passenger services.
“It’s music to my ears to hear the government has taken on board our
calls for ongoing investment in rail infrastructure,” Cr Ponter says.
“Greater Wellington stands ready to work with KiwiRail to make the best use of this funding.
“We’re relieved the Ministers for Transport and Rail understand the relationship between failing track assets, their impact on service reliability and falling passenger numbers. “To restore commuter confidence in Metlink rail services, the investment announced [last week] is a step towards faster and more punctual trains that reduce the road congestion stifling our region’s economy.” Greater Wellington Transport Committee chair Thomas Nash says the funding is long overdue and will need to be
LOCAL TRADES
sustained in future government budgets. “We’re grateful for this money and pleased the government has acknowledged more investment is required to properly renew its assets on the metropolitan rail network,” Cr Nash says. “Currently our passenger services are beset by speed restrictions where track infrastructure is aging and cancellations when it fails. “This has contributed to a steady decline in rail patronage, now down a third in Wellington from pre-Covid levels. “Disgruntled rail passengers are continuing to switch to the roads, clogging State Highways and our cities with traffic, increasing carbon emissions and hampering economic activity.”
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter. Photo: Supplied.
Mixed reaction to Event Centre decision
By Frank Neill
Delighted but very disappointed, was how chair of the Karori Event Centre Trust, Heather Baldwin felt when she saw the 22 May decision of Wellington City Council’s Long Term Plan, Finance and Performance Committee.
Selling the Karori Event Centre was recommended by the Council staff.
The committee did not vote in favour of that recommendation, though, and instead voted to gift the building back to the trust with a $1.9 million contribution.
The gifting comes with conditions, including a requirement that the trust develops a remediation and operating plan in three months.
Sixty two percent of submitters on the Council’s Long-term Plan wanted the Council to finish the Event Centre, Heather says.
“The community spoke, and the council ignored us.
“They agreed to spend nearly $5 billion dollars on big civic projects in the Long-term Plan, and yet they can’t find $1 million to finish the Event Centre.
“Other community projects received large sums – $7.5 million for the Khandallah Pool and $8.1 million for the Begonia House.
“Council should honour its long standing commitment to Karori, rather than walk away to save $1 million,” Heather says.
“Instead council passed an amendment to gift the building back to the Trust, with a set
of draconian conditions designed to force our hand ahead of the election.
“There was no discussion with us about this amendment, or its terms. In fact we only learned about it through social media just before the Council meeting.”
The amendment requires arrangements to be settled with the Trust within three months or Council will sell the Event Centre, originally funded with $2.2m of community money.
“Council took over two years to do their due diligence before they accepted the gift of the building in 2022,” Heather says.
“Then they agreed to finish it with their budgeted figure of $1.9 million.
“Two and a half years later there is no visible progress”, Heather says.
“How can they then think it is fair and reasonable for volunteers, in such a tight time frame, to make an assessment of the current state of the building, brief an architect and quantity surveyor to do costings, review those costings?
“In addition we also need to determine if we can raise any further funds needed. It’s outrageous,” Heather says.
Wallace Simmers, founding Chair of the trust and a current trustee says: “There is a very long history of council involvement in community halls in Karori, since 1944 when the Progressive Association and the RSA built a memorial hall.”
This later became Council property and repurposed as the Karori Recreation Centre 1996.
“Council agreed in 2005 there was a huge need for a community hall and that they would work with the community to fund a new facility.
“These promises have been restated time and again.
“It’s shameful that they walk away after the strong statement the community made about
wanting them to finish the Event Centre,” Wallace says.
Despite the frustration and disappointment the community feels, the trust will continue to work with council in good faith to reach the end goal – finish and open the Karori Event Centre, Heather says.
“As a local ward councillor, I’ve consistently supported seeing the Karori Event Centre completed,” Cr Diane Calvert says.
At the 22 May meeting “I voted in favour of providing the full $3.3 millionfunding to make that happen.
“While that option didn’t gain majority support, Council did agree to gift the building back to the Trust with a $1.9 million contribution and clear conditions aimed at
ensuring the project’s success.
“I voted for that. Voting that option down would not have moved things forward in any way.
“This isn’t about ‘saving $1 million’ from a large budget – it’s about finding a responsible way forward that delivers a viable, lasting facility for Karori.
“Other community projects, like the Khandallah Pool and Begonia House, were able to work closely with Council to develop workable solutions in a short timeframe. I believe the same is possible here.
“I sincerely hope the trust is open to genuine collaboration so we can all focus on the shared goal: getting the centre open and serving the community.
“Karori deserves that,” Cr Calvert says.
Painters
THURSDAY FACT
The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire”, a Christmas special. “Some Enchanted Evening” was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990, as the last episode of the first season, because of animation problems.
Indication (5)
Bet takers(coll) (7)
Presses (5) 54. Ornamental staff (7) 55. Takes back property (for non–payment)(11)
Extreme.(5)
Baggage (11)
Obstinately wrong (8)
Harvested (6)
Donkeys (5)
Character (7) 7. Band member (8) 8. Sift (6)
Hinders (7)
Punctured (5) 16. Frequents (7) 17. Inns (7) 19. Think (5)
Grapples with (7)
Angers (7)
Bind (3)
Deed holders (11)
Ocean (3)
Large Indian tree (3)
Dreadful (8)
Repeat (7)
Rise (6)
Wakens (6)
Hauls (5)
Preen (5)
Karori Community Hall Trustees: Lorna Ingram (trustee), Nigel Hubbard (advisor), John
Rowe (trustee), Fiona Simmers (advisor), Wallace Simmers (founding Chair and trustee),
Graeme Titcombe and Bryan Shepherd (both trustees). Photo: Supplied.
Wharfies fight back to claim vital point
By Hamish Wareham
We have reached the halfway point of the 2025 men’s Central League Football competition, and the table has already started to take shape with many suggesting it’s going to end largely similar to how it lies now.
Despite going up against a Phoenix Reserves side sporting a number of first team players, Waterside Karori came from a goal down twice to earn a hard fought point in a 2-2 draw at Fraser Park on 24 May..
After Luke Brooke-Smith put Phoenix 1-0 up in the 34th minute, Ryan Harrison equalized in the 39th sending the game to halftime locked at 1-1.
Daniel Makowem put Phoenix 2-1 ahead in the 88th minute, but with time rapidly running out Joe Chiari equalized in the 95th minute and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Round nine of the competition on 24 May saw ninth take on tenth as Upper Hutt hosted North Wellington at Maidstone Artificial.
Alex Mort’s first goal since returning to North Wellington gave the visitors a 1-0 halftime lead, which was cancelled out by a Donal Gahan goal shortly after halftime.
A second goal in as many weeks for Darren
Juru put North Wellington back in front at 2-1 after 53 minutes.
Lucas Hansen and Ethan Barbier who between them had scored all of Upper Hutt’s central league goals this season (five) both were on the scoresheet again as Upper Hutt led 3-2 in the 78th minute before Mort scored again his third of the afternoon after having one ruled out for offside midway through the first half making the scoreline 3-3 with less than five minutes of normal time to play.
An own goal deep into added time saw Maidstone Park erupt, as Hansen fired a shot at goal that took a deflection off North Wellington captain Josh Zatorski and wrongfoot Brooklyn Browne into the back of the net for a 4-3 Upper Hutt lead and victory that they would see out during the remaining few minutes.
Both sides are in Chatham Cup action next week.
North Wellington have a repeat of their opening season encounter taking on Island Bay at Alex Moore at 2:30pm while Karori head to Arena Manawatu to face Palmerston North Marist at 5pm.
Huge victory for J’ville Hawks
By Frank Neill
The Johnsonville Hawks totally dominated their Swindale Shield Rugby match aginst The Wellington Axemen at Hataitai Park on 24 May.
The Hawks won by a huge margin, easily the biggest of the day with their 71-5 victory.
After leading 31-5 at half time, the Hawks scored even more points in the second half while keeping the Axemen scoreless.
The Hawks won 11 tries to one, with Jacob Walmsley scoring a hat-trick.
Seven other Johnsonville players dotted down, and they were also awarded a penalty try.
Finlay Sharp, Jacob Kennedy, Raja Sami, Olly Paotonu, Kuso Tuitama, Manihera Gardiner and Haamea Ahio each scored a try.
Ken Kurihara kicked seven conversions.
Following the eighth round of the competition, Ken sat second on the table of top points scorers with 90 points, behind Oriental-Rongotai’s Tom Maiava on 98 points.
The Hawks next match sees them play Marist St Pat’s at Evans Bay Park on 31 May.
The two teams will be playing for the inauguralTrent Eagle Cup.
Trent Eagle played for both teams during his premier career.
He played 125 games for the Hawks, including many as captain, before making the move to Marist St Pats.
He then played 95 Premier games for Marist St Pats, winning three Jubilee Cups
Trent captained the side when it won the Jubilee Cup in 2002.
Churton Park School celebrates 50th
Churton Park School’s celebration of its 50th birthday was great fun, despite the day being wet and windy, the school says.
The school’s House Captains organised a dress up day to mark the school’s birthday.
Students dressed up in clothes from the 1970s for the celebration.
The school also ran an open morning, with tours of the school.
“Our House Captains enjoyed sharing
our school with you on their guided tours,” the school says in its latest newsletter.
“It was a step back in time to see velvet jackets, wide ties, flared trousers, fringed vests, head bands, kaftans, brightly patterned dresses, a lot of brown and burnt orange shirts, large moustaches and tie dye tops.
“At lunchtime the tamariki had fun in the hall parading in their costumes.”
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
W: www.bonznstonz.co.nz
Sunday 15 June 11am-1pm
