8 May Wainuiomata News

By Frank Neill

A new member of the #TAGs smokefree advocacy group, Keelan Renata, attended the launch of Auahit Ū roa – A Eulogy to Tobacco held at Courtney Creative on 1 May.

AuahitŪ roa is an art exhibition that is travelling the country until early June and is a collaboration between H pai Te Hauora and the lead artists Hori Hohepa Thompson, Shane Henson, Tai Kerekere, Jessy Collins and Graham Tipene. Continued on page 2.

Keelan Renata and Leah Clark with one of the art works on display. The cigarette packet Māori Killers was designed by Tairawhiti Artist Tai Kerekere to highlight the number of Māori that become extremely ill or die from tobacco related diseases. Photo: Supplied.

REPORTER

Frank Neill

wainui@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916

Absolutely amazing being there

Continued from page 1

The exhibition is being held to promote Smokefree May 2024.

“It was absolutely amazing being there to represent the #TAGs who have done so much advocacy work to get us to a Smokefree 2025,” Keelan says.

“As a #TAG, I fear that the repeal of this legislation is going to affect iwi, hapŪ and wh nau in horrible ways.

“We’ve seen the effects tobacco has had on our people’s health and it really hurts to see people getting so sick.

“Not one more generation can be lost to tobacco,” Keelan says.

Attending the launch gave Keelan, who is a student at Wainuiomata High School, the opportunity to meet the artists and Members of Parliament Ayesha Verrall and HŪhana Lyndon.

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

Sam Barnes

sam@wsn.co.nz 021 109 4406

Leah Clark, Public Health Advisor who lives in Wainuiomata and is one of the #TAGs’ mentors, also attended the launch.

The art work on display at AuahitŪroa highlights the impacts tobacco has had on wh nau, iwi, hapu and h pori.

Daily smoking rates for M ori adults in 2022-23 were 17.1% (108,000 people) and current smokers for M ori adults were 20.2% (127,000).

Formed in 2012, #TAGs is an acronym for Holistic Action Sustainable Health Through All Generations.

They were instrumental in the Smokefree Vehicles Carrying Children Under the age of 18 legislation, where they advocated and campaigned for this to occur.

This was achieved in 2020 and came into force in November 2021.

Following this, the #TAGS continued their advocacy, focusing on the vape-free legislation change. They advocated for a reduction in the number of vape shops in communities.

They presented their oral submission to the Health Select Committee and ran a petition which received more than 2,000 signatures in support of their advocacy on vape-free legislation. The #TAGS presented this to MP Ginny Anderson in 2022.

As a result of this Ministry of Health changed compliance policies.

As well as achieving these two major pieces of work, the #TAGS continue to advocate on various social, environmental, educational and

health issues that affect rangatahi. The #TAGs were presented the M tauranga Award at last year’s Wainuiomata Spirit Awards.

“This award goes to a group of individuals working collectively within their own agency and leadership to achieve change,” their award citation said. “The #TAGS ... are a group of Rangatahi or young people that have managed to achieve big things not just locally in Wainuiomata, but also nationally.”

Keelan Renata with MP Ayesha Verrall at the launch of Auahitūroa – A Eulogy to Tobacco. Photo: Supplied.

Keelan Renata with MP Hūhana Lyndon at the launch of Auahitūroa – A Eulogy to Tobacco. Photo: Supplied.

Award for Rugby volunteering

By Frank Neill

Zoe Clark was awarded the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club’s Bryan Watt Magic Award at the club’s Old Timers’ Day on 4 May.

This award acknowledges an individual or group who represents and displays the values of volunteering and helping others within the club.

Zoe has spent countless volunteering hours over the years from managing teams to strapping players throughout all the senior teams when called upon.

She is a valued member of the club’s Building and Maintenance Committee and is the Wainuiomata premier women’s team Co-Captain.

She also raised her hand up to be the club’s gear steward this year.

The award is named after Bryan Watt, whose work in various roles for the club spans 20 years.

He is also an inaugural member of the Wainui Ale Guzzlers Association, a place for all retired players past and present.

During Old Timer’s Day the women’s premier team played in commemorative jerseys dedicated to Rachael Umaga who passed away earlier this year.

A dear friend of the club, Rachael was a stalwart for women’s rugby and her favourite

colour was purple.

During the aftermatch function the club auctioned numbers 1 to 15, with the winners being able to customise the jersey with their name on the back and the size.

“We are thankful to everyone who supported the Rachael Commemorative Jersey auction and together we raised more than $10,700 with all proceeds going towards renovating our kitchen,” the club says.

The highest bid of the night was for the hotly contested number 13 Jersey, which sold for $1,350.

By Frank Neill

The Youth Inspire Driving School “Road Ready Rangatahi” is seeking people who can be mentors.

The programme is currently very successful in helping rangatahi aged 17 to 24 years gain their licences.

The driving school runs seven days a week between 8am and 7pm.

The commitment needed from mentors is not great.

They need to commit to teaching two lessons a week for an hour each.

They also need to have had a full driving licence for two years or more and be over 25 years old.

Ideally, mentors need to have good observation skills and be both calm and patient. Youth Inspire offers training for mentors –three hours of theory and practical training and they also provide a car for the lessons. Road Ready Rangitahi is highly valued by the young people who have been on the programme and has received messages of thanks from rangatahi and from parents. Having a restricted licence increases job opportunities and provides independence for Wainuiomata’s rangatahi.

People interested in becoming a volunteer mentor driver with Youth Inspire can contact driving@youthinspire.co.nz to find out more, to sign up for the mentor training session, or both.

Zoe Clark waving the Bryan Watt Cup just after she was presented it. Photo: Supplied.

The Wainuiomata women’s premier team wearing the Rachael Umaga commemorative jerseys. Photo: Andy McArthur.

New hill run coming

A new event is coming to Wainuiomata. The Wainuiomata Hill Run will take place on 14 September.

With a goal of being accessible across all fitness levels, the event includes a 6km and a 10km route, with both walking and running options.

The event has three key purposes, to: routes, lush greenery and, above all, the beautiful community; nau moving – participants will

be setting fitness goals, encouraging others to get active and making the most of the great spaces to exercise on their doorsteps; and

Bank – demand is at an all-time high for the food bank’s services, so a portion of every registration will be directly donated to the \charity.

Participants will also be able to fundraise further for the charity if they wish.

More more about the event is on https:// wainuiomatahillrun.co.nz.

Kia ora to the Community of Wainuiomata & Hutt Valley

Honour our firefighters

By Frank Neill

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Now is a good time to thank firefighters worldwide, and especially the members of

ebrated on 4 May. Although that day has passed it is not too late to thank Wainuiomata’s firefighters for the tireless work and dedication they give to the community in times of need.

It is also a good time to acknowledge the families of firefighters for all the missed events that happen because their firefighter is on a call out.

tablished to honour firefighters for their service, which can include risking their lives to safeguard their communities and the environment.

It is also a time to pay tribute to firefighters who have made sacrifices while serving their communities.

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Wainuiomata resident Greg Nolan training for the upcoming hill run. Photo: Supplied.

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The Wainuiomata Fire Station. Photo: Supplied.

Family Works Dispute Resolution

Family Works Dispute Resolution Service is a partially or fully funded mediation service supporting parents/wh nau to reach out of court agreements to the care arrangements of their children.

Family Works can assist you to identify the needs and issues around care and guardianship with tamariki and if you are able to, come up with a plan. Through this process, you make the decisions rather than the judge.

Family Works Resolution Service achieves this by connecting people to Family Works sites and other support in their area with trained professionals. Local child voice practitioners can meet with children to gather their views and experiences about what’s going on.

Our service area is located across the Wellington region, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wairarapa, and all of the South Island. Kathryn, Mediator and Family Works Resolution Services Manager, has been working for Family Works Resolution Service for 2 years now. “It’s really great to see and hear where people get to throughout this

process. This is a hard road, but by coming along to mediation people are willing to try something new for their children.”

To chat to one of the team about your individual circumstances, call us on 0800 737 6583.

Local grant from NZCT

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Trail Project receved a grant of $10,000 in the latest round of grants from the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT), announced on 6

May.

NZCT made the grant toward a revamp of the bike trail.

NZCT disbursed $275,587.90 to organisations in the Wellington region in the latest round of funding.

Huge milestone by Jason Love

for Wainuiomata.

Jason Love notched up a major milestone playing for Wainuiomata’s premier Rugby team on 4 May.

He played his 200th premier match, becoming just the third player in the club’s history to do so.

Allan Parker, who played 220 matches and Gavin Halkett, who played 210 games, are the only other players to reach 200 matches

As well as presenting Jason with his 200 game badge, the club also presented 11 current players from the premier team with their 150 caps.

Jason debuted in 2008 and has gone on to score a prolific number of tries. In fact he was Wellington Rugby’s top try scorer in 2013.

The Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club had another big reason to celebrate on 4 May.

It was Old Timers’ Day.

The club was not able to celebrate wins by its top three teams however.

Things looked promising for the premiers when they scored to take a 36-29 lead over Petone early in the second half.

However it was not to be with Petone scoring all the points from then on to win 60-36.

Niko Patelesio scored two tries, taking his tally to eight tries for the season.

Newspaper Deliverers

The Wainuiomata News requires deliverers in the following areas on a Wednesday each week:

AREA 1: Hamstead, Enfield, part Wellington, Kendall 220 papers

Greg Lealofi, Jordan Suilui and Tui Yandall also dotted down.

Andre Wells added a dropped goal and Tyler Tane kicked four conversions.

The premiers’ next Swindale Shield sees them meet Oriental-Rongotai at the Polo Ground on 11 May.

AREA 2: Naseby Gr, Bexley Gr, part of Wellington Rd 285 papers

AREA 3: Dover Rd, Westminster Rd, part of Wellington Rd 385 papers

AREA 4: Meremere St, Manurewa GR, Mataura Gr 300 papers

AREA 5: Faulke Ave, Burden Ave, part of Wood St 270 papers

AREA 6: Parenga St, Ngaturi Gr, part of Wood St and Coast Rd 235 papers

Petone also won the premier women’s match against Wainuiomata on Old Timers’ Day, taking out a 29-5 victory.

The top of the table clash saw the two teams swap places in the Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy competition, which Petone now leads from Wainuiomata.

Wainuiomata’s sole points came from a try to Kelly Laumalili-Tuiatua.

The next Rebecca Liua’ana Trophy match will see Wainuiomata play Northern United at Jerry Collins Stadium on 11 May.

The premier reserves also played Petone on 4 May, losing 50-24. They will play Oriential-Rongotai at the Polo Ground on 11 May.

Photo: Supplied.

Amazing day of Football

By Ryan Imray

All the Wainuiomata Football teams played at home, six games at Richard Prouse Park and two games at Bryan Heath Park on 4 May.

It was amazing seeing the clubrooms so full and packed after the 2023 season saw minimal football played here due to the state of the grounds. The two games on Bryan Heath Park were the Wellington 2 sides, Fiddick’s and Halfbaked Roundballs.

Halfbaked Roundballs have had a tough start to their season losing their opening three games but their spirits were lifted as they managed to walk away with a point against Karori who had won their opening three games.

The Fiddick’s were involved in yet another high scoring game which has become the norm, however they were on the wrong end of this result losing 6-3 to Tawa.

On Richard Prouse Park the

12:30pm games saw the Reserves play Lower Hutt, the Undertakers play Stokes Valley and the OC’s play Wellington United.

The Undertakers walked away comfortable 2-1 winners, while the OC’s and the Reserves showed amazing spirit to come from behind to walk away with a result.

The OC’s came from 3-0 down to draw the game 3-3 while the Reserves climbed to third on the table as they came from 2-0 down to win 4-2.

At 2:30pm the first team played North Wellington and both Pasifika teams played, the Originals against Kapiti and the Old Boys against Brooklyn.

It was easy sailing for the Old Boys as they kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win but the Originals walked away with a point in a 10 goal thriller as it ended 5-5.

The First Team were denied anything from their game as North Wellington goalkeeper Ryan Bain

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata M ori Club is establishing a programme for juniors and midgets.

It is holding an event on Tuesday 28 May at the Wainuiomata Marae from 4pm to 5pm.

This is a wh nau friendly event for all ages to attend, and tamariki aged 8 or younger need to be accompanied by an adult. People from all cultures

are welcome.

The evening is aimed at teaching tamariki about things M ori and getting them used to coming onto the Wainuiomata Marae.

During the evening people will learn about karakia, waiata tautoko, mihimihi, Te P p h o Wainuiomata, Te Reo M ori for beginners, kapa haka, tikanga and kawa, and more. Registrations are taken on the day.

had one of the greatest games ever seen by a goalkeeper to single handly help his side to all three points.

Goals to Wainuiomata’s Beauyn Goochwood and Flynn McCaul were not enough as North Wellington won 3-2 in a entertaining game of football.

The Royal Albatross Centre

The Royal Albatross Centre, nestled at the tip of the Otago Peninsula on Taiaroa Head near tepoti Dunedin, is home to a colony of Northern Royal Albatross and offers guided tours to an observatory in the nature reserve to see a section of the nesting site. During the tour, we see giant fluffy albatross chicks sitting

in their nests and the chance of parents flying in to feed them once every two or three days.

Chicks are here until September when they fledge as fully grown albatross.

Hidden underneath the albatross colony is a military fort established in the 1880’s in response to fear of Russian inva-

WELLINGTON DIRECT TO CHATHAM ISLANDS

sion. Optionally added on to the end of the albatross tour, your guide will walk you through the underground tunnels to see the Armstrong Disappearing Gun and learn about the headland’s human history.

The centre also has galleries, a giftshop, café and viewing platforms for all to enjoy.

Experience 8 days in one of New Zealand’s most remote and unique places. The Chatham Islands are the closest most New Zealanders can get to international travel without packing their passport.

Tour #53 (Incorporating the 2024 Festival of Science)

Tue 13th Aug 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Tue 20th Aug 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:45am

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Fri 19th Sept 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Thur 19th Sept 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Fri 26th Sept 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:45am

Thur 26th Sept 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:45am

Tour #57 (Incorporating the 2024 Transit of Venus Celebrations)

Thur 17th Oct 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Thur 24th Oct 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:35am

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Jake McKechnie beats Lower Hutt's Taj Singh to the ball to give the Wainuiomata Reserves the lead.

Photo: Imray’s Snaps.

John Bertrand Collectables

Buying in Wainuiomata and Hutt Valley Next Week

Once again, the gold and collectables buyers from Wellington company John Bertrand Limited are visiting Wainuiomata and Hutt Valley next week. Mr Tony Grant from the company says, “If you are downsizing or wanting to dispose of things because they no longer serve any purpose to you or your family bring them in”. “Next week will be a great opportunity to have any items you want to sell assessed by our buyers” said Mr Grant. Particularly wanted are Gold and Silver (in any of its forms) and Collectables such as Coins, Banknotes, War Medals, Old Wind-up Watches and other interesting Small Collectables.

“We are keen buyers, especially of the items in the list below” said Mr Grant.

“Nothing is too small for our consideration. We are just as happy buying 1 item as we are buying 1,000 items” he said. The buyers will be in convenient locations in Wainuiomata and Hutt Valley next week (see details below). As Tony Grant points out “If you are in doubt about any items you may wish to sell, bring them along for an instant appraisal.”

Gold & Silver At Near Record Prices

During these uncertain times

we have seen a sharp increase in the price of precious metals. The gold price in New Zealand is at near record levels so gather up all your unwanted items and take them along to the buyers. Tony Grant says “We can buy old gold items in all forms, including Jewellery (Rings, Chains, Brooches etc), Coins (Sovereigns and the like), Alluvial (River Gold), virtually anything, even Gold Teeth! We also need all Sterling Silver including Cups, Tea Services, Cutlery and Old Coins” he said.

Interesting Small Collectables Wanted

The buyers from John Bertrand (Collectables) Ltd, visiting Wainuiomata and Hutt Valley next week, are happy to look at any interesting items, for example vintage pocket and wristwatches such as Rolex, Men’s Omega, Breitling and gold watches etc. Also wanted, pre 1950’s picture postcards, Maori and Pacific artefacts, old fountain pens and other small antique or historical items.

“If you have something unusual which you would like to sell, please bring it into one of our venues, we would like the chance to at least have a look at it” said Tony Grant, buyer for the Company. “We will consider anything which may be of interest to a collector” he said.

Some Big Dollars in Early Banknotes

Early New Zealand Banknotes dated before 1932 are currently fetching big money! This is according to Mr Tony Grant, author of the John Bertrand New Zealand Coin & Banknote Catalogue Mr Grant is in Wainuiomata and Hutt Valley next week on a buying trip for John Bertrand (Collectables) Ltd and would be very keen to see any of these issues. “We will pay at least $300 for any undamaged Ten Shilling or One Pound banknote from

a New Zealand trading bank dated 1932 or before.

Denominations of five pounds and higher would be worth from $700. “Any banknote dated prior to 1900 would be worth at least $1000” said Mr Grant. Also purchased are any Reserve Bank of New Zealand pre-decimal issues, especially 50 Pound notes. All overseas banknotes are also wanted, especially early Pacific Island issues.

Collectors Need War Medals

Currently, throughout NZ and the world there is a big demand by collectors for war medals. These cover all wars right through from the New Zealand Land Wars and the Boer War, to the First and Second World Wars and the later Korea and Vietnam conflicts. New Zealand Servicemen and Women first served overseas in the Boer War in South Africa around 1900 and the war medals awarded for this service are needed by the buyers, as are any other Medals from early New Zealand and the New Zealand Wars. General service medals from both the First and Second World Wars will also be purchased, but as can be imagined these were awarded in fairly large numbers. “If a group of medals has any special award for bravery such as the Military Medal, Military or Flying Cross or other medals for Distinguished Conduct or Meritorious Service, these can add great value to a group” stated Mr Tony Grant, buyer for John Bertrand (Collectables) Ltd. “Many families have old medals, some dating back to early Imperial days, that they are not sure what to do with. These are better off in the hands of collectors who will look after them. We will be happy to look at any war medals whatsoever, just bring them in to venues” he said.

Old Coins Can Toss Up a Rarity

Do you have a bunch of old coins sitting around in your drawers and cupboards? You just never know what rarities may be lurking there. The advice from Tony Grant from John Bertrand (Collectables) Limited is to “bring them in and let us have a look”. “No need to sort anything out just bring them in ‘as is’ and please don’t clean them! We can go through coin accumulations and collections fairly quickly” he said. The buyers are particularly keen to buy pre 1946 New Zealand Silver Coins for at least 10 times their face value (more for quantity). “In any event we will buy All Coins,” said Mr Grant.

Mr Anthony (Tony) W. Grant

Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand Incorporated

Director and Buyer John Bertrand (Collectables) Ltd

Author of the John Bertrand NZ Coin & Banknote Catalogue