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In brief October 2011

Onehunga Community Festival of Auckland will sponsor the Community Festival again in 2012, with the popular event returning to Onehunga Bay Lagoon in March. The Ports of Auckland waterslide will be in action along with a stall providing information about the port to Port of Onehunga – coastal interested residents. Celebrating diversity at the shipping hub Ports Ports of Auckland has a diverse First established in the 1800s, the Port the construction industry through the workforce of more than 650 of Onehunga is owned and operated by importation of cement,” says Mr Mills. employees. This year saw the Ports Ports of Auckland. “In providing these services the port go a little further in celebrating the Although the Port of Onehunga is works closely with two key customers, diversity within the organisation by small compared to the Waitemata Pacifica and Holcim, handling celebrating Diwali. seaport, the country’s busiest seaport, approximately 400,000–450,000 Diwali, popularly known as the General Manager Marine & Multi-Cargo tonnes of cargo annually.” festival of lights is celebrated by over Wayne Mills says it has an important role is the second a billion people world-wide. It is a to play as a hub for coastal shipping. largest natural harbour in New Zealand, celebration of the triumph of good “The Port of Onehunga provides vital but navigation is restricted to several over evil and the end of the harvest services for business and industry in clearly defined channels due to a season. Diwali also marks the New South Auckland and throughout the number of factors. The harbour mouth Year in the Hindu calendar. wider , particularly is between the northern head located As with many festivals across the 66.5 metre vessel Jaguar made its at the southern end of the Waitakere world, Diwali is celebrated with a lot of first visit in January 2010, delivering food and the coming together of the Ranges and South Head at the end of approximately 1,200 metric tonnes of the long Awhitu Peninsula. grain from Timaru. family and the community. “The combination of the small Led by Indian staff members with harbour mouth and large harbour Ports of Auckland maintains and the help of volunteers from other area means tidal flow is rapid, causing operates a signal station on South Head cultures, staff enjoyed an Indian meal tidal sand bars to form. Navigation (pictured left) to assist vessels entering along with a lamp painting contest is challenging because of a curving and departing the harbour. The signal highlighting some surprising creative sand bar – the Manukau Bar – situated station is staffed by local identities Evan talents among the wharfies. several miles offshore across the and Carol McGregor who have been It was a fun day with fantastic food, harbour entrance.” doing the job since 1985. music and activities...... Join us on Facebook Port supports Te Papapa School Wonder what’s new at the Ports? Want to view images of events and Ports of Auckland is providing support to Te Papapa School Principal Robyn Curry community and its needs as a result of interesting cargo? Join our Facebook Te Papapa School under the Committee said. the partnership.” page. Simply log onto Facebook and for Auckland’s Schools and Business Students Murray Faivalu, Dion Ports of Auckland started working with type Ports of Auckland in the search programme. Tuitakau and Tevita Hala had a great time Te Papapa School since 2008, providing bar. Click on the link and once on the Ports of Auckland Chief Financial at the Giant Rugby Ball. support and mentoring in areas such as page, hit the “Like” button on the top. Officer Wayne Thompson leads the Murray said “It was awesome to visit IT, finance and governance. Image courtesy of Insight We hope to see you there! port’s relationship with Te Papapa and is and explore the enormous rugby ball. I on the school’s Board. will never forget this experience”. He says he has been impressed with Ports of Auckland also recently Public Feedback Hotline the quality of the school’s management donated 10 PCs, five screens and two Being a city port is a huge and teachers, and with the quality of the laptops to Te Papapa School. responsibility for the Ports. We education provided to the school’s 270 Stevedores from Ports of Auckland welcome feedback from our pupils. have also visited the school to read to community. To share your feedback Recently Ports of Auckland organised the children during “Library Week”, and with us, please contact our 24 hour for a group of children from the school answer questions about their jobs. public feedback hotline: to visit the Giant Rugby Ball on Queens “We’ve enjoyed working with the +64 9 348 5200 Wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. school and have enormous respect for or email [email protected] “The children were blown away with the teaching staff and the work they the experience at the Giant Rugby Ball. do,” says Mr Thompson. “We have a It was a fantastic, unique opportunity,” better understanding of the Onehunga Send your comments on Rapport to [email protected].

For more information about Ports of Auckland, visit www.poal.co.nz, email [email protected] or phone 09 348 5200......

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