Wednesday July 9, 2025
Huge contribution
By Frank Neill
Hutt City Councillor Josh Briggs’s commitment to Wainuiomata “has been second to none,” Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says in the wake of Cr Briggs announcing that he will not seek re-election to the council. “He has worked incredibly hard on projects like the Queen Street upgrade, which I think we are reaping the benefits of now,” the Mayor says.
Continued on page 2.
Josh Briggs, who will not be seeking re-election as a Hutt City Councillor. Photo: Supplied.
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Phone (04) 587 1660
He always put Wainuiomata first
Continued from page 1
“I have been fortunate to have worked with Josh for the entirety of his time in local government.”
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Josh will complete 12 year’s of local body service at the end of the current triennium.
He began that service when he was elected to the Wainuiomata Community Board in the 2013 local body elections.
Three years later he successfully stood as a Wainuiomata Ward Councillor.
For the last two terms Josh has served as a city wide Councillor, starting in that role in 2019.
He also served a term on the Hutt Valley District Health Board.
As well as the hard work Josh put in on the Queen Street project he had also worked to improve Hutt City Council’s grants system “which so many of the organisations in Wainuiomata and wider rely on,” Mayor Barry says.
“He’s also taken a real lead in the climate sustainability space with the installation of EV parking stations and also initiatives like removing the old gas boilers to reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of our swimming pools.
“Josh, for me, is someone who worked tirelessly as a Councillor.
“He was very diligent and always put Wainuiomata first.
“No doubt that will continue with Wainuiomata being his home and he continues to raise
there.
“It’s been a real privilege to be able to work alongside him across these 12 years,” the Mayor says.
Josh announced that he is not standing for re-election as a Councillor on 4 July.
“Being elected to represent our community has been a real privilege,” he says.
“I’m incredibly grateful to those who have supported me and placed their trust in me.”
During his time on Council, Josh has contributed to a number of significant achievements. These have included the Council becoming a Living Wage accredited employer, establishing the city’s first Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, and securing investment in infrastructure and community facilities.
“I’m proud of what we’ve delivered, often in challenging circumstances, and I know our
city is better off for it.”
Josh says he’s looking forward to supporting new leadership and is backing Ken Laban for Mayor.
“Ken brings experience, heart and a deep understanding of our people.
“I know he’ll lead with strength.”
Josh concludes by thanking the community and those he’s worked alongside.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” he says.
“Family working for Families in Tasman”
The Homestead is in the heart of Wakefield Village.
Helping to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
The four people who currently sit at the Hutt City Council table (from left) Cr Josh Briggs, Cr Keri Brown, Cr Gabriel Tupou and the Mayor Campbell Barry. Only Cr Brown is standing again this year. Cr Briggs and Mayor Barry are standing down and Cr Tupou is standing for Greater Wellington Regional Council (see page 3). his family
Standing for Regional Council
Wainuiomata resident Gabriel Tupou has announced he will stand for the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) in this year’s local body elections.
Currently a Hutt City Councillor, Cr Tupou has almost nine years of experience in local government.
“My time as a community representative on Greater Wellington’s Whaitua (Water Catchment) Committee, Chair of the Wainuiomata Community Board and as a Hutt City Councillor has given me the experience, insights and relationships to serve our region," Cr Tupou says.
"I hope to add value to a diverse and talented group of strategic leaders who also care for the health and prosperity of our region.
“I’m standing for a Regional Council that takes action on Te Mana o te Wai (water conservation), delivers reliable public transport and builds up our resilience for a growing population who experience the daily challenges of a housing and cost-of-living crisis.”
Fauono Ken Laban, a current GWRC Councillor and candidate for Mayor of Lower Hutt, is supportive of Cr Tupou’s candidacy, highlighting his strong community and governance track record.
“I have known and supported Gabriel for many years, including during his time on the
Community Board and Hutt City Council," Cr Laban says.
"He is a competent and talented governor with huge potential in public service.
"He would be a tremendous advocate for our community on the GWRC and I wish him well.”
GWRC Councillor Quentin Duthie also acknowledges Cr Tupou’s contribution to the Whaitua process and his dedication to Te Mana o Te Wai.
“Gabriel is a strong advocate for the Lower Hutt community and environment," Cr Duthie says.
"We worked together on ways to restore the health of our waterways so they can again be clean and safe for swimming.
"A vote for Gabriel is a vote for the health of our water, land and people.”
Cr Tupou believes in strong local representation alongside Mana Whenua on regional decisions, including major initiatives like RiverLink in central Hutt City and Puketaha – a proposed ecological bird sanctuary in Wainuiomata set to be 13 times the size of Zealandia.
“I will bring the voice of Te Awakairangi ki Tai - Lower Hutt to the regional table,” Cr Tupou says.
“Whether it’s flood protection, oversight of
Nominations for Council now open
By Frank Neill
Nominations are now open for candidates to stand for Hutt City Council as Mayor, as a ward Councillor, as a city-wide Councillor or for the Mana Kairangi ki Tai M ori Ward (covering the whole city) in the 2025 local body elections.
Alongside the Mayoral race, five Councillors will also be elected as city-wide Councillors and seven Councillors will be elected as ward Councillors.
One of these will be the Wainuiomata Ward Councillor.
Voters on the M ori roll can vote for a Councillor to represent the Mana Kairangi ki Tai M ori Ward.
Wainuiomata residents also vote to elect six members to their local community board.
Nominations are also open for the Great-
er Wellington Regional Council (GWRC).
GWRC has 13 councillors, elected in six constituencies.
Wainuiomata is in the Hutt constituency, which is represented by three Councillors. It will also elect one Councillor to represent Te Upoko o te ika a M uiM ori constituency.
The local elections are conducted by postal vote, and people who are enrolled can expect to receive their voting packs in the mail from 9 September.
Voting opens on 9 September and closes at noon on Saturday 11 October.
Hutt City Councill will post preliminary results on its web paage from 11 October and the final result will be declared on Sunday 19 October.
More information is available for voters and candidates at www.huttcity.govt.nz/ council/elections.
our regional parks or better public transport options, I'm ready to listen, engage and deliver.
"Send me to Wellington and I’ll bring my very best to represent our people and work hard for our entire region.”
Cr Tupou is a classical tenor and a former public servant.
He is a manager for the Sisters of Compassion charity, volunteers as a trustee for the Duke of Edinburgh and Hillary Award and the Manaaki Ability Trust. Cr Tupou also serves with the M ori Wardens.
Cr Gabriel Tupou. Photo: Supplied.
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Amazing Youth MP Performance
By Frank Neill
Tautalaleleia (Tau) Sa’u performed amazingly as a Youth MP, Hutt South based Labour list MP Ginny Andersen says.
Ms Andersen selected Tau for the Youth Parliament, which ran on 1 and 2 July following a training day on 30 June.
“I was just so proud of the way Tau stepped up and performed in Parliament.
“He did an outstanding job.
“It was really great to see someone from Wainuiomata speaking so clearly and representing his community so well.
“I think he’s just a great example for young people,” Ms Andersen says.
Just how successful Tau was as a Youth MP can be judged from the social media reaction after his speech was posted on Instagram and Facebook.
The speech had received 50,000 views on Facebook and 42,000 views on Instagram by 5 July.
“You only have to look at some of the comments on Facebook to see what an impression he gave people,” Ms Andersen says.
“People all think he will be a future leader.”
“So proud of you Tau,” one of the comments on Facebook said. “You were always destined to say and do great things for our wh nau and communities.”
“Well done Tau, so super proud of you getting out there and fighting for the communities of Aotearoa,”
some of the words were changed, Tau says.
After receiving the suggested changes, Tau raised his concerns with Ms Andersen and after speaking with her he decided not to change his speech.
In fact, he says he found the email with the suggested changes “more like a motivation”.
Commenting on the fact that the Ministry came back recommending changes to many of the speeches, Tau said: “I feel like there was censorship, not only for the oral presentations but the questions as well.”
“I’m a proud Youth MP for Ginny Andersen, the proud sibling of 11 others and a proud product of Wainuiomata,” Tau said in his speech.
“But pride doesn’t put food on the table, doesn’t pay the rent, doesn’t warm a freezing home when the power’s been cut.
another post said.
“You could teach our current MPs a thing or two,” another post said. Being a youth MP was “definitely a very interesting experience,” Tau says.
Going into the actual political environment was a great learning. It was most definitely very rewarding, and applying to be a youth MP is something Tau highly recommends, he says.
Tau was one of the Youth MPs whose speeches came back from the Ministry of Youth Development with a series of recommended changes. He found it “very concerning” that
“Mr Speaker, let me take off the title for a moment and speak as a kid who grew up in the middle of a crisis no one wanted to name.
“At one point, my siblings and I shared a two-bedroom house. Some slept on the floor, on couches.
“Each night, we’d fix the lounge like a puzzle, while others worked all night.
“I’d open the pantry and find canned spaghetti, instant noodles, and Weet-Bix — not because we liked them, but because they were cheap and filling.
“And that was normal. That was our childhood.
“And guess what? Thousands of other rangatahi across Aotearoa are
still living that life right now.
“I’ve spoken to tamariki who walk 40 minutes to school in the rain because their family can’t afford petrol.
“I’ve met teens working till midnight in fast food, then sleeping through their classes – not because they don’t care about school — but because they’re exhausted from holding up their entire household.
“And the worst part? These stories aren’t ‘shocking’ any more. They’re common.
“While our people ration heating, a debate takes place around whether to define the Principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“While our kids cry from hunger, women’s pay equity is a focus — a real issue, yes — but it’s being used as a shiny object to distract from the rot underneath.
“If you earn $500 a week and pay $400 in rent, how do you survive?
“How do you afford power, food, petrol, school, life?
“Imagine a three-year-old tamariki living in a damp, mould filled home –so sick from the conditions that they end up in hospital.
“After finally recovering, they’re sent back into that same enviroment.
“How is that fair? How can a single mother with four children possibly afford better housing in today’s climate?
“What are we waiting for?
“Another M ori/Pasifika rangatahi to die to preventable health problems? Another Pasifika young person left shivering on the streets?
“What are we doing by forcing
these wh nau to survive like this? Why does it cost so much just to buy a block of butter or a single piece of fruit?
“Tax cuts for landlords. Tax cuts for tobacco companies.
“But who's paying for it? People like my parents. People living in garages, in cars, in overcrowded homes! We are paying for it with our dignity.
“Cost of living? No it’s the cost of breath, cost of seeing tomorrow, cost of the future, cost of who is gonna eat and who isn’t.
“Mr Speaker, to what cost will rangatahi have to pay just to live a simple life?
“People cannot fight for their rights if they’re too busy fighting to survive.
“We cannot uplift women, M ori, Pasifika, or anyone else when they are struggling!
“If we cannot speak truth here – in the people’s house – then where?
“If Parliament cannot name injustice, challenge extremism and stand for every New Zealander’s dignity, then what is it really here for?
“Until every child in Aotearoa has a bed to sleep in, warm clothes to wear, food to eat, and hope for a better tomorrow – this country is failing.
“He aha te mea nui o te ao? He t ngata, he t ngata, he t ngata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people. It is the people. It is the people. It is the people.
“Let that be our next policy, our next budget, our legacy.
“T n koutou Katoa,” Tau said in his speech.
Wainuiomata’s Youth MP Tautalaleleia Sa’u with Hutt South-based MP Ginny Andersen at Parliament. Photo: Supplied.
Mobility parking
I refer to the item on page 4 of the “Wainuiomata News” 25 June 2025 “Mobility parking at all times”. Could the reason that people are illegally parking be that there are not enough regular car parking spaces?
1. With the upgrading of Wainuiomata Queen Street we lost approximately 20 to 30 regular spaces.
2. We lost nine parking spaces from the Community Centre/Library parking area.
3. The construction of multi storey apartments with NO off street parking has resulted in tenants’ cars being parked along thekerbside of the approaching roads to Queen Street. This is only covering Wainuiomata and I believe other areas are affected natiowide.
Dorothy Gallagher
Football girls represent Wainui
By Ryan Imray
There was a shorter football schedule over the weekend due to the Wellington Cup Competitions taking place meaning only a few Wainuiomata teams were in action.
On Saturday evening the Reserves hosted Miramar Rangers, looking to close the gap on first placed Upper Hutt.
Rowan Whitfield got Wainuiomata in front early as he was the first to react to a goalkeeper error to calmlyput the ball in the back of the net.
Five minutes before half time and the lead was extended through an unlikely goal scorer.
Centre back David Prendergast saw the ball kindly land at his feet from a corner and he took the opportunity, and 2-0 was the score line at the break.
Miramar pulled a goal back early in the second half but Wainui were able to hold on for a 2-1 win and climb to second on the ladder.
On Sunday the Women’s first team began life in Capital 3 after gaining promotion and their first task was Tawa AFC.
In what was a five-goal thriller, goals to Maddie, Bailey Te-Maipi and Arnika Lahood gave Wainui a
3-2 win.
Down the road it was a big day for Wainui’s threegirls only junior sides as they participated in the inauguralKahurangi Girls Only Tournament hosted by Petone Football Club.
Under 10 Orongorongo, Under 12 Remutaka and Under 12 Whakanui spent the day representing Wainuiomata.
Ethan Hakaraia and Nikki-Lee Bouzaid’s Under 10 Orongorongo finished sixth overall after their six
games.
It was a tough tournament for the girls playing against teams from leagues above them but they gave a really good account of themselves.
Vicky Johansen’s Under 12 Remutaka finished in ninth place. This side is brand new and while they didn’t win a group game, they did a really good job staying in their games and keeping the scoreline very low against, not only teams more experienced, but against the eventual tournament winners Petone
and runners-up Onslow.
They ended the day in the best way possible, beating Western Suburbs in the ninth and tenth place play off.
Jon Lucas’s Under 12 Whakanui, playing with face paint, glitter and hair dye, went through the tournament undefeated to finish in fifth place.
With three draws and one win, they ended up beating Upper Hutt in a penalty shootout in the fifth and sixth place play off.
If those draws were able to have
Ulalei dominates Netball round one
Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball Club is celebrating a remarkable start to the 2025 season, with three of its teams finishing first in their respective gradesat the conclusion of Round 1 of the Netball Hutt Valley competition.
Ulalei Moso’oi delivered an outstanding performance in the Senior 4 grade, going undefeatedin round 1.
Their most intense match came against Convent Old Girls, where they relied on their skills and experience to outsmart and outplay the opposition to secure a narrow 28–26 victory.
Ulalei Malili earned a well-deserved promotion to the Premier 3 gradeafter a decisive 38–28 winover Upper Hutt Rams, finishing at the top of the Senior 1 table.
Ulalei Pualulurose to the occasion in their final Senior 3 match, needing a win to claim first place. They did so in commanding
fashion, defeating Upper Hutt Maidstone United 38–24.
In the Premier 1 grade, Ulalei Autefaced a strong challenge from the Wellington Men’s team, going down 44–57in a hard-fought match – their only loss of the season.
Despite the loss, Aute boasted the best goal difference against the Men’s team compared to other teams in the grade.Aute finished second overall.
InPremier 2, Ulalei Puataunofosecured third placeafter a high-scoring63–53 winover Petone Panthers.
Ulalei Fuesina and Ulalei Laga’alilost to Convent Old Girls and Marist respectively.
Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball Club extends its sincere gratitude to Haven Falls Community Trustfor their generosity and support, highlighting the power of community partnerships and inspiring others to get involved.
been turned into victories, it could have been a different story but going undefeated is something to be extremely proud of.
Sophie Brown finished the day as Wainui’s top goalscorer as she scored all four of Whakanui’sgoals throughout the tournament, including a double over Palmerston North Marist.
On Saturday afternoon, Pasifika Originals who are sitting at the top of the Masters 4 league, fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Stop Out.
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26. Poacher’s dog. (7)
29. Accused’s reply to charge. (4)
30. Small lump. (3)
32. Crowd. (3)
34. Formerly. (4)
35. Indicate. (7)
36. Judges’ chamber. (6)
39. Italian sausage. (6)
40. Soothsayer. (7)
42. Eye inflamation. (4)
46. Russian spaceman. (9)
48. Cruel. (9)
50. Prevent. (5)
51. Furnish with money. (7)
52. Craze. (5)
53. Grow worse. (11)
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25. Heavy wrap. (3)
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28. Fabled bird. (3)
31. Turkish governor. (3)
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The Wainuiomata Under 10 Orongorongo, Under 12 Remutaka and Under 12 Whakanui teams. Photo: Imray’s Snaps.
The first-placed Ulalei Moso’oi team, unbeaten in Round 1, pictured with coach Justin Wilson, their tamariki, whānau, and loyal supporters. Photo: Supplied.
Ride to promote Maori wards
By Frank Neill
Hutt-based Wellington Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie has joined a bike ride to raise awareness of the M ori wards.
Jack Karetai-Barrett is currently cycling from Whakat ne to Wellington on his 12-day awareness raising mission.
He left Whakat ne on 28 June at the start of his 894km journey, riding his Focus Atlas 6.7 gravel bike.
Jack wants his vote “yes” to M ori Wards to come across loud and clear as a result of his ride.
As he is 15 years old, Jack’s only “voting” option is to undertake the ride, as he is too young to actually vote in the upcoming referendum.
Quentin is joining the final leg of the ride, from Featherston to Wellington, today, 9 July.
“Jack's my sort of rangatahi – informed, active, driven,” Quentin says.
“I feel compelled to bike with him from Featherston to P neke, if I can keep up.
“Last year Greater Wellington voted unanimously in favour of a M ori constituency, and this October M ori roll electors will choose our first such Councillor, increasing
representation and diversity.
“I’m very proud of that decision we made.
“Meanwhile, the Government is forcing us to hold a referendum on reversing this democratic decision, costing ratepayers $300,000.
“I'm confident the region supports a M ori constituency, but we elected representatives need to stand up and back our decision.
“So I'll ride with Jack over the Remutaka Rail Trail and down the Hutt River Trail,” Quentin says.
“For Greater Wellington the very first M ori elected to the regional council [Hikitia Ropata] was elected in 2022, so that’s 40 years with the regional council having no M ori representation at all.
“That’s quite amazing for a region like Wellington with a strong M ori population.
“Greater Wellington is a council that is focused on the environment in many different ways and clearly the M ori interests and tangata whenua are so important to that management,” Quentin says.
Quentin has been one of the features at the Wainuiomata Community Board this triennium, presenting an update on Greater Wellington Regional Council at each meeting.
One win and one loss for Wainui
By Frank Neill
Wainuiomata’s defence of the Hardham Cup got off to a slow start when they were defeated 25-19 by Northern United on 5 July. Wainuiomata led for most of the match, only to seeNorths come from behind late in the game.
The result came as a surprise for many, as the upset victory was Norths’ first win in more than two months.
Playing on their home ground of William Jones Park, Wainuiomata took a 12-10 lead to the half time break.
Wainuiomata Lions win again
By Frank Neill
The Wainuiomata Lions Rugby League team defeated Whiti Te Ra 18-14 on 5 July, recording their third victory in a row. Not only that, they have beaten the top three teams in the Wellington premier competition in their last three matches.
The Lions defeated the Randwick Kingfishers 14-8 on 28 June and completely dominated their match against Toa on 14 June, winning 38-12. There were no Wellington Rugby League matches on 21 June.
The Randwick Kingfishers and Toa are on 16 points at the top of the ladder, while Whiti Te Ra is third on 14 points and the Lions are fifth on 10 points.
Playing on their home ground of Frederick Wise Park, the Lions and Whiti Te Ra were locked in a close battle throughout the match.
The Lions opened the scoring in the 13th minute when John Wharepapa-Rawiri scored a try.
Whiti Te Ra responded 13 minutes later with a converted try to take the lead, before John scored his second try, which Joshua Le’afa-Paki converted.
That saw the Lions go to the half time break with a 10-6 lead, a lead they would hold onto in the second spell when both teams scored eight points.
Aethan Tuisila and Nesta Waitoa both dotted down for the Lions.
Next week the Lions have the bye and their next game is against the St George Dragons at Cannons Creek Park on 19 July.
The Dragons are currently one spot ahead of the Lions on the table, sitting in fourth place.
This match may prove crucial for the Lions as they seek to make the top four who will qualify for the semi-finals of the Appleton Cup.
They will be very keen to make the semi-finals too, as it will give them the opportunity to become the Wellington Rugby League champions for the third successive year.
The Lions won the Appleton Shield as champions last year when they defeated the St George Dragons 40-30 in the final.
The Lions defeated the Porirua Vikings 22-18 in the 2023 Appleton Shield final, lifting the trophy for the first time since 2007.
This came after number 8 Braydon Soi scored a try which Andrew Wells converted, and then Mikade Fono dotted down.
Wainuiomata continued to lead the match when wing Raymond Va’a, who played outstandingly for the home team, intercepted a pass and sprinted 50 metres to score a well deserved try which Andrew converted.
The premier’s next match is against Old Boys University on 12 July.
Wainuiomata’s premier 2 team had a much
better day on 5 July, defeating Avalon 20-13 also on William Jones Park.
Two tries to prop Mike Sa’u – one in each half – and four successful kicks by Cory de Kort – two in each half – secured the victory for Wainuiomata.
Cory kicked one conversion and one penalty in each half of the HD Morgan Memorial Trophy encounter.
The premier 2’s next match is against Northern United on 12 July.
Standing for Hutt Mayoralty
By Frank Neill
The founder of the Natraj School of Dance, Prabha Ravi, has announced that she is standing for the Lower Hutt Mayoralty in the upcoming local body elections.
She is standing on the platform of “smarter with your money, stronger for our community”.
Ms Ravi was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 2017 for her services to ethnic communities and dance.
As the founder of Grow Consultancy Limited, she has supported New Zealand businesses and education providers with international strategy and public policy.
Her background in economic development and stakeholder engagement includes senior roles at national organisations like Education New Zealand and Toi Whakaari.
Among her community leadership roles she is Chair of the Hutt Valley DHB Consumer Council.
“My commitment as your Mayor is clear: to listen, act and get the best for Lower Hutt,”
she says.
Ravi’s speech at her campaign launch on 27 June outlined three core priorities:
1. Value for Money. She committed to commissioning an immediate financial review of the Council and introducing a "Ratepayer Value Charter" to ensure spending is focused on outcomes. “Every dollar must work harder for the families who pay it,” she said.
2. Infrastructure That Works. She pledged to prioritise investment in basics like roads and water systems, while advocating for more frequent and affordable public transport.
3. Inclusive, Connected Communities. Ravi promised to invest in libraries, parks and community spaces, and to launch initiatives like “Community Connect” to fund grassroots projects and elevate underrepresented voices.
Ms Ravi is a Justice of the Peace and management consultant with more than 20 years of governance experience across the health, education, arts and community sectors.
Jack Karetai-Barrett, who is currently cycling from Whakatāne to Wellington to raise awareness of the Māori Wards. Photo Supplied.