Iconic New Zealand comedian Joe Daymond began on the path to his success in Wainuiomata, where he was born and raised.
“Ken Laban was a big part of my life growing up,” Joe says.
Ken, who lives in Wainuiomata and who is currently a Greater Wellington Regional Councillor, “is like an icon back home,” Joe says.
He “really pushed public speaking onto us.
“My mum did as well.
“When it came to the community side of things, Ken really pushed that.
“In and around Rugby we were always expected to [speak publicly], even if it was small stuff like thanking the players and team supporters, or doing game day recaps in front of the other teams.
“It was little stuff like that which played a big part in my being able to find my confidence when it came to
public speaking.
“That became a big catalyst in having the confidence to even do something like stand up comedy, which I eventually did.
“Old school Wainuiomata played a big part in me getting to that point,” he says.
“I guess I’m really lucky that I did start from such a young age.”
His parents still live in Wainuiomata, “and home is still a big part of my life,” he says.
Of Maori and Fijian descent, Joe attended Wainuiomata Intermediate School and then studied at Scots College, having won an academic scholarship.
Joe began his comedy career in 2007, and has since performed both in New Zealand and internationally.
In 2020, he become the youngest comedian to sell out Auckland's SkyCity Theatre when he sold out two shows at the age of 24.
He has built an online audience of
Wainuiomata born and raised comedian Joe Daymond entertaining the audience. Photo: Supplied.
more than 350,000 and racked up millions of views.
Joe has also appeared on television.
He appeared in “Celebrity Treasure Island”and“7 Days”, and he created, wrote, directed and starred “BOUNCERS” for Comedy Central UK.
Most recently Joe hosted and curated “Joe Daymond’s Comedy Mixtape”, hand picking a comedic lineup that brought laughs and sharp wit to two Wellington shows on 6 and 7 May, having previously been presented in venues across the country.
“I’ve just come off a New Zealand tour, which was awesome,” he says.
“Then I head off to Australia in about three weeks. This year’s will be my second tour in Australia.”
He has also toured the United States, opening for Noel Milleron his international comedy tour“Everything is F#&ked”.
“Then I head to the UK later this year,” Joe says.
Group for babies’ parents
A group for parents with babies aged from birth to six months is holding meetings over the next four weeks.
The Wainuiomata Plunket in the Neighbourhood Coffee Group will meet on the next four Wednesdays at 10am in meeting room one at the Wainuiomata Library.
The group provides a relaxed and welcoming space to connect with other parents, share experiences and hear from guest speakers.
The upcoming sessions are:
Services (with the Plunket Volunteer Facilitator);
Community Karitane/Plunket Nurse;
Amy; and
Plunket Volunteer Facilitator).
Bookings can be made at bookwhen.com/pin or by emailing megan.fraser@plunket.org.nz.
Love Wainuiomata has teamed up with Hapai Te Hauora - Maori Public Health to bring free Xtreme Hip Hop Step classes to the valley. The classes, which are being held in celebration of World Smokefree May, start today 7 May at 6pm at the Wainuiomata Community Hall, Queen Street. They will be led by the legendary John Mainuu.
John became the first male in Aotearoa to be certified as a step class instructor under the banner of ‘Xtreme Hip Hop’, a programme that was first created by American Phil Weeden back in 2014.
A Fresh Chapter for Wainuiomata
There’s a buzz in the air here in Wainuiomata, with Mitre 10 coming to town. Let’s hope it’s a sign that our town is on the rise again.
For those of us who’ve been here a while, it’s hard to forget how things used to be. Back in the day, the mall was pumping. Friday nights were the big night out. You’d bump into your mates, grab fish and chips, maybe stop by the record store or the menswear shop. There was an optometrist, two supermarkets, and just about every service you could need. The stores were more than just a convenience, they were the heart of our town. Through the 90s and 2000s, things slowly slipped away. One by one, the shops closed. The mall eventually was demolished. It felt like we were losing more than just retail, we were losing pieces of what made Wainuiomata feel alive.
When Woolworths stepped in and bought the old mall site, there was hope again. Along with council investment into the
main street and Woolworths new supermarket, something had shifted. And now, Mitre 10 is picking up the baton, hopefully giving the message, “Wainuiomata is worth investing in”. What makes this even better? It’s not a faceless corporate move - it’s being opened by a bloke who started out in Kawerau. An owner-operator who knows what it means to grow something from the ground up. People like that don’t just do business in a place. They get involved and they care about the people.
It’s a positive sign.
We might not be heading back to the 70s - times have certainly changed, and so has the way we shop and connect. But that doesn’t mean we can’t build something meaningful again. A CBD that works for today. One that serves the people who live here, celebrates local business, and keeps our community strong.
Let’s hope this is another step in the ongoing revitalisation of our community.
Civic and Youth Award nominations open
By Frank Neill
Nominations are open for the Lower Hutt Civic and Youth Awards.
These awards honour “local legends” who have gone “above and beyond for our community,” Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says.
Their contribution could have been in the arts, education, environment or in supporting others.
Recipients receive a certificate and silver medal presented to them by the Mayor at Lower Hutt’s Volunteer Awards celebration.
There are two types of Civic Awards. The Civic Honour recognises outstanding, long-term voluntary community service.
The Youth Award recognises outstanding voluntary community service from those aged between 15 and 25 years.
The Civic Awards are made in six categories: community service, cultural
affairs, educational service, environmental, youth activities and health and wellbeing.
The number of honours available is not restricted, but in recent years the number awarded has ranged between three and five.
It is rare for all people nominated to receive a Civic Award.
The emphasis in the Youth Award is on how actively involved the young person has been in their community.
Up to one Youth Services Award can be presented each calendar year.
Depending on the nominations received, Council may choose not to present an award.
Nominations close on 15 April.
For more information and to make a nomination visit hutt.city/civicawards.
Wainuiomata resident Joyce Lockyer was honoured with a Civic Award in 2023.
Joyce “has a passion for the Wainuio-
mata community and the Wainuiomata Pioneer Church,” her award citation says.
“From when she moved to the suburb in 1962, Joyce immersed herself in the community by being elected Secretary of the Wainuiomata Free Kindergarten and serving on the Wainuiomata Intermediate and College committees, as well as numerous other community groups.
“But arguably her most impactful work is initiating the restoration of the Coast Road Pioneer Church.
“Joyce formed a committee in 2012, and instigated and organised countless fundraising projects to help fully restore the church, which is now a Heritage Building the community can proudly use.
“Joyce continues to tirelessly work for the church, always being one of the first to raise her hand to volunteer as well as looking after the grounds as part of their garden group,” the citation says.
Hutt City’s Deputy Mayor Tui Lewis (left) presenting the 2023 Civic Award to Joyce Lockyer. Photo: Suplied.
Premier Footballers climb to third
By Ryan Imray
It was a mixedbag of results for Wainuiomata Football Club with four teams suffering defeats and four teams picking up points, one of those with a draw last weekend.
It started at lunch time Saturday 3 May when the Capital Premier side travelled to face Petone.
Sam Gribben gave Wainuiomata the lead in just the seventh minute.
Petone equalised through Ali Nazari before Adam Ross restored the lead in the 35th minute. His shot on goal was too powerful for the goalkeeper and despite getting a touch on it, the ball managed to make its way into the goal.
As it was looking like 2-1 would be the half time score, Flynn McCaul scored his sixth goal in three weeks to give Wainuiomata
a 3-1 lead.
Petone came out in the second half looking to come back into the game and Finn O’Connor gave them hope in the 70th minute.
They had another chance from the penalty spot but Wainuiomata’s keeper Daniel Stewart was able to keep the shot out.
It finished with Wainuiomata winning 3-2 and it sees them climb to third on the table.
The Reserves left it late to rescue a point against Brooklyn United.
Lachlan Harris scored in the dying minutes of the game to make the score 1-1 and remain top of the Capital 3 table.
The Thirds had a tough day on the road going down 8-3 to Victoria University and Halfbaked Roundballs narrowly lost to Tawa 1-0.
In the Masters games, the OC’s
Dominant win by Wainuiomata
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata completely dominated their premier Rugby match against Northern United, winning 67-22 on 3 May.
In doing so they retained the Alf Keating Trophy and have now held it for three successive seasons.
Playing on their home ground of William Jones Park, Wainuiomata led the match 26-12 at half time. By full time they had scored 11 tries, compared with the four scored by Norths.
Keanu Kotuhi celebrated his 50th premier match for Wainuiomata by scoring one of the tries. The half back was then substituted off in the second half, after having made an outstanding contribution to the match.
Three players dotted down twice –Kitiona Leitufia, Ray Va’a and Matt Jacobs.
Lorenzo Pili, Tyler Tane, Tyrone Lepou and Greg Lealofi also scored tries.
Andrew Wells kicked six conver-
sions.
Wainuiomata’s next match is against Petone at the Petone Recreation Ground on 10 May.
The Wainuiomata premier women also had a convincing win on 3 May, defeating Paremata-Plimmerton 3910.
The Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy match was played at William Jones Park.
The premier women’s next match sees them play Petone at the Petone Recreation Ground on 10 May.
Wainuiomata’s Ruben Love orchestrated a major comeback victory for the Hurricanes on 3 May.
Playing first five eight, Rubens performance was the major factor in his team coming back from a 9-17 deficit to defeat the competition leading Chiefs 25-17.
Ruben switched to the number 10 jersey three weeks ago, and his team have not lost since.
That includes beating both the comeptition leaders and the second placed Brumbies, giving them two wins on the trot.
unbeaten start came to an end as they lost 3-0 away to Petone while Pasifika Old Boys suffered a 2-0 defeat to Upper Hutt.
Pasifika Originals were able to walk away with maximum points as they comfortably beat Kapiti Coast United 6-0.
The weekend was wrapped up with the women’s team away to the Waikanae Western Suburbs Collaboration side and a dominant display saw them win 7-2.
Arnika Lahood’s goal scoring form continued as she scored four.
Shaelyn Kilburn scored her first goal for Wainuiomata and added a second goal and Leanne Smith sealed the deal.
The win keeps them firmly at the top of the Capital 4 table with just the one defeat all season.
Ruben recently recommitted to the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2028.
“I’m very honoured to re-sign my contract with this club,” Ruben says.
“I have great love for this team, and it is truly an honour to represent my people and play on the land where I grew up.”
“Super excited to have Ruben Love re’signing with us,” the Hurricanes Head Coach Clark Laidlaw says.
“He’s an example of local talent, through school and then onto Wellington Rugby.
“He had a tricky start at the beginning of his professional career with injuries but as we saw last year, when has a run at games he has great quality in his performance.
“He’s shown real maturity after returning from his time in the All Blacks and he has potential to become a real leader and outstanding player for the future. “He is everything we want in a Hurricane, an unbelievable professional and sets a high standard for himself and others around him.”
Free intro to Squash
By Frank Neill
The sessions run from 6pm to 7pm at the club, 97 Main Road.
People attending will learn the basics of Squash, how to serve,
People wanting to try their hand at Squash can do so at the Wainuiomata Squash Club on Friday nights this month. The club is offering free Squash introduction nights, starting on Friday 16 May and running until Friday 30 May.
returning, and playing forehand and backhand shots.
Rackets will be provided and people are asked to wear non-marking shoes. For more information email woasquash@gmail.com or message the club on its Facebook page.
Arnika Lahood celebrates the first of her four goals with Renee Parr.
Photo: Imray’s Snaps.
Ruben Love in action, scoring a try. Photo: Supplied.
Wainui rider killed in crash
Wainuiomata's Shane Richardson leads Rogan Chandler at Whanganui's Cemetery Circuit on Boxing Day 2023. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com.
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata motorcyclist Shane Richardson died following an 11-bike crash at the British Supersport Championship on 5 May.
Shane was treated trackside following the crash, which happened on the first corner of the race, and was being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries, but died before arriving.
Aged 29 years, Shane is a former New Zealand Rider of the Year.
He had been racing motorycles for 24 years, and moved to the United Kingdom to pursue his dream of becoming a professional motorcycle racer.
He worked for Triumph Motorcycles in Leicester as a test rider and also ran a joinery business.
Shane made his debut outing on a 1000cc
superbike in Taupo in 2018.
His racing career included a stunning peformance at the 2023 Suzuki International Series on Boxing Day.
Competing with the KMD Racing Team, Shane won both his races to become the 2023 Formula Two/Supersport 600 class TT title winner.
Not only that but Shane became the first person on a Formula Two/600 bike to break into the 48 second club on Whanganui’s Cemetery Circuit.
In doing so Shane joined a very small club of riders to run a 48 second lap time on the circuit. He achieved this when he clocked a lap of 48.520 seconds during the Robert Holden Memorial race.
Shane finished third in the Robert Holden event, which also featured riders from the premier Formula One/Superbikes class.
