I HUTT CITY 2 APRIL 2013
Our Hutt City Andrew ‘Andy’ Leslie is a Champion former All Black captain and Number Eight, and in his own words “a staunch Petone man”.
“I’ve lived in Petone all my life, 68 years,” says the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. “Overall, Petone is just a brilliant place to live with brilliant people.”
Andy’s involvement with the Petone Rugby Club started when he was a six-year-old attending Petone’s Wilford School.
He played for the Petone Seniors and the Wellington team before being selected for the All Blacks – and notably being made captain before playing for our national side.
“The biggest highlight was being named captain. Being selected as an All Black was brilliant but being named as captain was mind- blowing. I still pinch myself today.”
Andy was captain during the controversial 1976 New Zealand Rugby Union tour of South Africa. More recently, he’s been giving back to future generations of All Blacks, by helping support more than 300 children playing in local junior grades.
He remains active in the game despite retiring as a coach and administrator. He recently stood down as President of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and is now focussing on his role as trustee for the Hutt City Community Facilities Trust.
Petone has a proud sporting history, which is evident in the Walk of Champions along Jackson St.
Along with long-time Petone retailer Kevin Rayner, Andy helped lay the first of more than 200 plaques commemorating the New Zealand representatives or champions living in Petone. Andy features there himself, along with his father, Andy Leslie Senior.
“We’ve had a lot of All Blacks, we’ve had ANDY LESLIE representative players, we’ve had some great characters as well.”
www.huttcity.govt.nz OUR HUTT CITY
Vision for growth in Hutt City The Urban Growth Strategy is Hutt City Council’s blueprint for the future growth of Hutt City, says Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace.
The Urban Growth Strategy will go out This would be achieved through a for public consultation from 16 April combination of greenfield development HOW WILL intensification and a stronger focus on to 17 May, as part of council’s Annual catering for mixed housing – a total of HUTT CITY GROW? infill and multi-unit development. Plan process. 2,500 new homes, mainly in Wainuiomata Visit www.huttcity.govt.nz and Kelson; and intensification – 2,500 Mayor Wallace says Hutt City needs to “The strategy is about growing the to view a full copy of the new homes, in the form of infill housing grow if it wants a sustainable future. city over the next 20 years to make it Urban Growth Strategy. comprising low- and high-rise apartments. a desirable city, with housing options “Standing still means our city will lose that provide a range of choices for our Option two is more ambitious, with a our young people who are essential to residents and ratepayers,” he says. target of 7500 new homes and 10,000 sustainable growth. more people by 2031. The first of two options has a target “The question being posed in the Urban growth of 5000 more homes and an This would include similar provisions Growth Strategy is how much growth “Our vision is to secure a brighter, more extra 4000 people by 2031. as option one but with twice as much do we want and what will it look like? prosperous future for our city.”
Petone Beach a natural beauty ‘Keep it natural’ is the message dunes as they give protection to surrounding homes. council received from residents during consultation on the future of “Keeping driftwood on the beach helps us do this as does the planting of dune Petone Beach back in 2009. plants. In saying this we do groom Since then council has worked with local small sections of the beach west of community groups such as Friends of Petone Wharf for those who want Petone Beach to maintain and preserve some dedicated clear space.” Amazing Reading Race the natural beauty of the foreshore. Friends of Petone Beach convener Graeme Lyon says his group of two of the large windows on the children’s “We often get questions from the public The 2012 Amazing Reading Race summer community-minded volunteers have floor at War Memorial Library,” says Denise. about why we don’t groom Petone reading programme has finished. Beach more or why we don’t remove worked alongside council for many “The children were all very keen to talk driftwood, especially after a storm when years to plant dune plants such as A record number of 695 children registered about their books and show us the items there is a lot of debris,” says Council’s Spinifex and Pingao with success. for the programme across Hutt City they had made for the activities. Library Reserves Assets Manager Craig Cottrill. “We’ve planted thousands of plants Libraries. More than half the children staff got to sample biscuits the children over the years to help create dunes completed the first level, with another 306 had baked as one of their activities, and “The answer is our community has told at Petone Beach that are more natural children going on to complete further levels. we received lots of postcards sent from us they don’t want to lose the natural and more stable. Eighty-four children completed the final children on their summer holidays.” beauty of the beach they love,” he says. level, platinum, reading 17 books or more. “We’re committed to maintaining All children who entered the programme Not tampering with the ‘look’ of the Denise Clarkson, Libraries’ Programme and completed at least one level received beach also has practical benefits. these plantings and contributing to and Content Delivery Manager, says a beach we can all enjoy,” he says. a certificate, which was presented to them “When you groom a beach, you children were encouraged to take part at their school assembly. destabilise it by manipulating the natural Natural glory: Driftwood in reading-related activities and write a distribution of sand. Because Petone is common on Petone Beach brief review of their books as they read. This year, for the first time, younger Beach is very exposed to the elements and helps keep shifting sands “Towards the end of the programme, children got involved, with Caterpillar and subject to shifting sands we need in place. It’s also popular these review cards had almost covered Capers activities for parents to do with to do all we can to keep it in place. with people looking for their 0–2 year olds and Storybook Summer activities for 2–4 year olds. This also means preserving and building free firewood.
facebook.com/huttcitycouncil twitter.com/huttcitycouncil www.huttcity.govt.nz/whatson Colour-coded: The new parking system outside the War Memorial Library makes it clear where people should or shouldn’t park during events at nearby St James Church. Parking rules clarified War Memorial Library-goers can use posted church events at other times, such as funerals. Mr King says the new blue the ‘St James Precinct’ blue car park markings make it clear where library users spaces outside the library, but only at should not park on those occasions when certain times. church-goers have priority. Outside of church service periods, library A lot of people have been asking library and Riddiford Gardens users are free staff about the car parking rules since to park for up to two hours in the blue some of the spaces were re-painted with spaces. White spaces are for library-goers WASTE NOT: EARTHLINK’S MAURICE PICARD WITH SOME OF THE ELECTRONIC blue lines several weeks ago. to use at any time, while yellow spaces are APPLIANCES NOW BEING COLLECTED. “We share the car park with the St James reserved/private parks and not available for Anglican Church and the new system public use. makes it clear where library-goers should If the car park is full, Mr King suggests avoid parking during church events,” says people park in nearby Myrtle St or Laings Traffic Engineer Wayne King. Free e-waste collection Rd and walk the short distance through St James Church services have always the Riddiford Gardens to the library. Do you have unwanted or broken Council is a major supporter of Earthlink, had priority on Sundays and during sign- “It’s a lovely walk.” and Environmental Sustainability Manager electronic appliances cluttering Jez Partridge is full of praise for their free up your garage or basement? If so, e-waste collection initiative. Earthlink wants to hear from you. “Modern electronics aren’t always built to last, or they easily become redundant Earthlink now offers a free e-waste when new models are released,” says Jez. collection service for Hutt City residents. IN BRIEF If it’s got a plug or a circuit board, they’ll “It’s not uncommon for people to have Safe driving for seniors Motorcycle skills come and collect it. If it’s fixable they’ll a drawer full of obsolete cell phones Attend a ‘Staying Safe’ refresher Council is running more of its popular repair it for sale in their recycling shop in or an old computer tucked under the bed course to keep yourself confident on Motorcycle Skills workshops Sunday Wingate, otherwise it gets dismantled and simply because they either don’t know how the road. Course material includes 7 April and Sunday 19 May. the components are recycled, or the parts to or can’t easily dispose of these items. an update on road rules, other used to repair new appliances. Register now for a one day workshops useful tips on driving safely, and “The beauty about Earthlink’s free service in Lower Hutt, where you can learn They take everything from cell phones to is NZTA approved. You’ll receive a is that it serves some really important tips from the experts on how to stay ovens, from washing machines to radios. free booklet, and information about functions: it’s helping recycle products that safe on your bike. One of the best They currently can’t collect fridges or licence renewal. Maximum of 14 might otherwise end up dumped, and it’s ways to avoid crashes is to keep freezers, and there’s a fee for collecting participants. re-using the valuable components found in developing your riding skills. The more old-style TVs and computer monitors. many appliances.” When: 9.50am–12.10pm on you know, the safer you’ll be. Earthlink is a local not-for-profit organisation Thursday 11 April Call Earthlink on 567 7111 to arrange To enrol or find out more contact offering employment opportunities for a time for them to collect. As well as Where: Petone Community House, Jan Simmons, Road Safety people with health and social barriers to electronic items, Earthlink also recycles 6 Britannia St, Petone Coordinator, on 570 6730 or employment. Recycling is a big part of and sells household items such as Bookings: Contact Bev on [email protected]. their business, and Chief Executive Shirley books, toys, furniture, BBQs, bikes 568 7798, or Cressy says e-waste is a commodity that’s and more. For details visit [email protected] always in demand. www.earthlink.org.nz. Cost: $10
570 6666 WHAT’S ON
TUESDAY 2 april – Monday 8 april ALSO ON THIS WEEK CONNEX Mondays 4.30 - 7pm Fraser Park, Taita Thursdays 4.30 - 7pm Naenae Park, Naenae Fridays 6.30 - 9pm Taita Community Hall, Taita FREE | huttcity.govt.nz/connex Connex is a free programme of sport, music and food for 16 - 20 year olds. FREE INFORMATION SESSION FOR MIGRANTS - NEW ZEALAND ENGLISH AND KIWI SLANG Friday 5 April | 10 - 11.30am Room 3, Te Awa Kairangi Building, cnr of Laings Rd and Myrtle St, Lower Hutt FREE | huttcity.govt.nz/seminars-workshops Japanese Martial Arts Expo Fluent in English but still don’t know what people are talking about? Come to SUNDAY 14 APRIL | 1PM - 4PM | HUTT MINOH FRIENDSHIP HOUSE, 38 NORMANDALE ROAD, LOWER HUTT | FREE | 04 586 4180 our free session on Kiwi slang to “get to grips” with basic Kiwi-ese. Hutt Minoh Friendship House is pleased to host this exciting event in 2013! See demonstrations of Karate, Aikido, Sumo, Judo, Kendo and from the Kyudo (archery) Club which is based at the house. Find out MAYORAL CLINIC about locally based Japanese martial arts groups and how you can become a member. Saturday 6 April | 11am - midday Eastbourne Library, Rimu St, Eastbourne Park at the Normandale Overbridge carpark or in Normandale Road near where the skateboard ramp used to be. Mobility parking is FREE available at the house, via its recently-repaired drive. Meet with Mayor Ray Wallace and discuss in person issues affecting the Lower Hutt region. IMPACT - KONFIDENT KIDZ Saturday 6 April | 9.30am - 3.30pm Wainuiomata Community Hall Wainuiomata $3 per person before the day, $5 on the day 04 564 9577 A step by step easy and fun course teaching real life on bullying and stranger danger for parents and kids. LOWER HUTT PARK RUN Saturday 6 and 13 April | 8am start THE SPIRIT OF BALLROOM CRAZYMAN PETONE South end of riverbank carpark | FREE parkrun.co.nz to register in advance CHAMPIONSHIPS SUNDAY 5 MAY | 7.30AM - 3PM WINTER CARNIVAL START – DAYS BAY A free timed 5km run along the Hutt SATURDAY 6 APRIL | 4PM ONWARDS SATURDAY 3 AUGUST | 12PM - 7.30PM River Trail. FINISH – PETONE WHARF HORTICULTURAL HALL, LAINGS ROAD PETONE FORESHORE, THE ESPLANADE, PETONE ENTRY FEES APPLY | crazyman.co.nz LOWER HUTT FREE | petonecarnival.co.nz THE HUB PETONE CYCLE RIDES $10 (ADULTS AND SENIORS) | $5 (CHILDREN) Central New Zealand’s premier Lock in Saturday 3 August for this year’s Saturday 6 and 13 April | 8am multisport event is back for 2013! ballroom.netfirms.com Petone Winter Carnival! Set to be bigger Meet at Petone Baptist Church A 65km scenic tour over the hills, and better than ever, Lower Hutt’s largest 38 Buick Street, Petone | FREE The Wellington Branch of New Zealand beaches, harbour and river that make annual event returns. startmeup.org.nz Federation of Dance Teachers is holding a our city the outdoor wonderland Ballroom (Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep), Latin An informal weekly cycling group for that it is. Featuring loads of kids entertainment, American (Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba and intermediate cyclists with a medium stages jam-packed with music, street Jive) and New Vogue (a pure Australasian Established in 1991, the Crazyman is fitness level. performers, art, food, market stalls and style) competition. one of New Zealand’s longest running finishing with the spectacular fireworks multisport events and attracts around display, the Carnival is an event on the This is a regional event with competitors 500 entrants every year. Participants calendar that you don’t want to miss! coming from the lower half of the North enter as individuals or teams in Island and top of the South. Competitors either the full multisport format (run/ To register your early interest, please send from ages 4 to 65 will be competing in the mountain bike/kayak) or as duathletes an email to: [email protected] different age groups. (run/mountain bike).
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