First 2023 Grey Power meeting

Grey Power Wainuiomata will have its first meeting for 2023 on Wednesday 22 February at 1.30pm at the Wainuiomata Bowling Club in Moohan Street.

Phil Galley from Ray White Real Estate will be the guest speaker. He will give an overview of real estate in the valley currently and what to beware of if you are buying or selling.

Grey Power advocates for seniors (50 years +) and lobbies on issues that impact people’s lives and well-being.

Grey Power is a voice that both local and central government of- ficials respect and listen to. The association may not always get the answers it wants but it is heard and considered on many issues. One such issue is the review of the Retirement Villages Act.

The new Minister for Seniors is Hutt MP Ginny Andersen. She takes over from Dr Ayesha Verrall, who worked hard on behalf of seniors across New Zealand, and Wainuiomata Grey Power will support Ms Andersen to continue this work.

Anyone is welcome to speak at Grey Power meetings and members are encouraged to let the

Please don’t litter

Dear Editor,

I have proudly lived in Wainuiomata for the last 51 years. Yesterday was the first time I felt ashamed to be here. As I walked down Queen Street, I noticed that our newly planted gardens and recently constructed footpaths were covered in dark stains and litter. (The Hutt City Council has spent millions of dollars upgrading our township – to have it completely defaced by uncaring litterbugs).

There are several new rubbish bins lining the footpaths. It only takes a few steps to put rubbish inside them. As my parents and teachers would

Action needed

Dear Editor, When I stood for Mayor of Lower Hutt Previously I suggested we needed to get behind flying cars and more multipurpose vehicles.

It is no longer a suggestion, it is a demand.

Four wheel drives and utes should be encouraged as stop gap – even horses.

Car dealers should wake up to facts and change what they import accordingly, before abandoned cars that cannot cope with climate change are a common sight and insurance will no longer be available for most cars.

Parliament needs to make the hard decisions and decommission some roads, except for approved vehicles to use, and ramp up alternatives like coastal shipping and river craft now because if they don't not only will our ability to get around but getting exports to market will be difficult and there will be even more social problems we cannot fix.

If it was up to me, spider cars or committee know what they want to hear and who they want to hear from. This ensures the committee is getting correct information in a timely manner.

Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry and Wainuiomata Ward Councillor Keri Brown are regular guests, keeping Grey Power updated with projects around the community and the city.

It would be lovely to welcome more people to join the association. For any questions contact Helen Thomas, President of Grey Power Wainuiomata, on 022 019 6722.

Ulalei Sports Club’s touch football were first to return to action after the Christmas break when its under 16 girls team played in the annual Rhino Touch Tournament at William Jones Park on 4 February.

Ulalei’s youngsters acquitted themselves well against some high-quality opposition, which included defending champions OutKast from the Hawke’s Bay and the representative teams from Wellington and Manawatu. The bulk of the Ulalei squad will go on to play for the Wellington under 16 mixed team at the National Youth Touch Tournament in Christchurch from 10 to 12 February.

“We came into the tournament seeking some quality competitive game time ahead of the nationals next week,” says manager Lenora Sopoaga-Smith who will also

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.

say: “Life is what you make it”. Some of our local residents should think about this phrase – and learn to apply it to their daily lives. Please have some personal pride, and learn to take care of our local environment or we will be called “Nappy Valley” for ever.

Betty Wright

The editor reserves the right to abridge letters or withhold letters manage the Wellington mixed side. from publication. Email them to news@wsn.co.nz or drop in to our office at 23 Broderick Road, Johnsonville. Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.

“We definitely got that from some of the top open women’s teams in the North Island, so we are taking away some valuable lessons from today.

“That in-tournament experience is invaluable, particularly to the girls who haven’t been to the nationals.

“They learnt a lot in terms of preparation, hydration, nutrition and learning how to switch on and off between games,” Lenora says.

OutKast successfully defended its title holding off a stubborn Wellington open women’s team, 7-4, in a classic final.

Ulalei again acknowledges the generous support for this tournament from One Foundation, Tu Manawa (Nuku Ora) and Des Smith real estate agent.

Letters/Opinions not necessarily those of the Wainuiomata News management.

Don’t break road rules

Dear Editor, they cause others to end up in hospital due to their stupidity. similar would be made available, allowing doctors and nurses to get to patients and other essential personnel to get where nothing will be able to be accessed even by horses. More drones with bigger load carrying ability should be procured immediately. An emergency sitting of Parliament should now be called to consider these matters. I suspect I may have to set up my own party for these demands to be met.

Have you ever seen so many car drivers who can’t drive for peanuts?

I don’t know how these idiots pass their licence.

David L F Smith

They drive without using indicators. They drive through stop signs and also don’t give way at give way signs either. I have seen this happen at Wainuiomata Road near The Strand, at Fitzherbert Road / Queen Street and at the Countdown carpark entrance.

I have seen people tailgating so close they could nudge the car in front. These idiots should be taken off the roads for 24 months.

I have seen idiots go around a roundabout the wrong way.

Why do I call them idiots? Because

They should be put through a tough road defensive driving programme straight after getting their licence. I have had close calls with people pulling out of stop signs without stopping and when you honk the horn they give you a two-fingered or one-fingered salute out of the car window.

One more bit of advice – do not get into road rage with a truck. You will come off worse. People who get road rage attitudes should not be driving at all.

Be happy. When you start off driving don’t take your temper out with you when driving. Leave your temper behind.

Peter Wells