Moths Three men’s Andrew London Hosts take Whiti buzz in river on song nines to memories tournament Te Horo p4 p6 p23 p32

otakitoday.com ŌTAKI TODAY • MAEHE MARCH 2021 Ngā Kōrero o Ōtaki Putting in Ōtaki It’s a simple idea that local artist Hohepa (Hori) Thompson hopes will catch on – let’s speak some basic te reo Māori in our shops and businesses to reinforce Ōtaki’s point of difference. Hori and collaborator Hape ki Tūārangi Cook say it would make a huge difference for people to hear te reo greetings and see te reo signage when they visit Ōtaki. “It’s easy, right?” Hori says. “We can all say ‘kia ora’ or ‘kā kite’. We can have our brand name in te reo and English, as well as garment labels and menus. “Wouldn’t it be great if every time someone came into a store they were met with a greeting in Māori? We want to put a bit of ‘chur’ in Ōtaki and have some fun with our reo so when people come through they leave with a smile on their face, and hopefully a bit more knowledge of our culture.” Hori says visitors would start talking about the town that truly embraces te reo, not just giving it lip service. “If we did this and it really caught on, it could be a kind of wero [challenge] for other towns, too. Let them see if they can do better than us.” Hori (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Kahungunu, Kai Tahu) and Hape ((Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Whātua, Kai Tahu)are adamant they’re not trying to force the idea on anyone – “It’s just an idea.” And it’s not coming up with something new. CHUR: Hape Cook, left, and Hori Thompson at one of Hori’s outdoor art installations on the highway in Ōtaki. They are keen to have more people using “Ōtaki is already a bi-lingual town. We would te reo Māori throughout the town. Photo Ian Carson just like to see more people – Māori and Pākehā The concept is not something about which It doesn’t mean they’re not serious about it, A hui at Hori’s main highway art gallery – using te reo more often. It’s not difficult, but it the two men have canvassed the community however. Hape, who has worked previously on planned for 5.30pm on Wednesday, March 17. could make a huge difference for visitors.” or other organisations. They say it’s simply an the website for Te Wānanga o Raukawa, has “It would be an opportunity to come in and Although Hori is based at the highway shops, idea, and they don’t want it to be bogged down built a new website to back the idea. Found at kōrero about what they think about the idea, he says business people throughout Ōtaki could with bureacracy that can become too formal churotaki.co.nz the site is a place where people and get some tips about how they can do this.” be part of it, too. and stifle creativity. They want it to have a life of can sign up for the concept, learn some basic te Hori wants to continue the meetings to “This is for everyone. I hope it will become its own, developing simply because it’s the right reo, get tips about how to implement the idea encourage business people and see what works. the norm in every part of Ōtaki.” thing to do. and share their own ideas. n See churotaki.co.nz

BULBS ARE BURIED TREASURE Bury them now in your garden or pots for a stunning Spring display. It's time to plant Anemones, Scented Hyacinths, Ranunculas, Gladioli Nanus, Anemone Blanda, Crocus, Grape 23 Peka Peka Road Hyacinths, Freesias, Daffodils now! To Peka Peka • Waikanae get the very best from your bulbs, 04 293 5437 take care of the basics. harrisons.co.nz They like a well-drained, sunny position. For an abundant display of 50/C Riverbank Rd, Ōtaki blooms it helps to mix in Bulb Food before planting, and again 0800 OTK TOW (0800 685 869) Harrison’s when the first green tips appear. This really is important as it 06 364-6111 Gardenworld encourages maximum flowering. 027 337 3436 owner If you're planting into pots, use Bulb Mix for best results. paulbranchautomotive.co.nz Lance Bills. OPEN: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Such a welcome sight at the end of Winter. PITOPITO KŌRERO/POLITICS I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 2 Middle NZ voters pose challenge to Labour

The Ardern Government has a sensitive views are at odds with those of POLITICS recommendations will not go The difficulty for National and ACT lies in political undertone that might prove to be its their communities.” unchallenged. taking issue with Labour while not provoking the biggest obstacle to a third term in office. • Encouragement for the creation Proposals for “hate speech” polarisation and divisions for which the electorate It comprises a mix of policy settings that taken of designated Māori seats on laws do not escape the author’s over recent decades has demonstrated little taste. together make up a programme for social and city and district councils – a law notice: “Labour has vowed to In 1975 Rob Muldoon confronted Labour cultural change that does not sit well with many change that will not only give introduce tight controls on what with a passion and imagery that brought middle New Zealand voters whose allegiance Māori (or more correctly part- New Zealanders may legally say Labour to its knees. He played high-stakes to Labour at last year’s election produced the Maori) candidates a shortcut about matters of race and religion politics of confrontation. They swept National overwhelming majority it now enjoys in Parliament. to representation by enabling (and very likely gender and body to power because of the close identification by Earlier this month Wellington writer Karl du them to avoid the inconvenience shape, too).” regional electorates with his opposition to what Fresne, in an article in the Australian version of winning popular support, BRUCE KOHN He wrote that New Zealand communities saw as an overwhelming Labour of London’s Spectator magazine, wrote under but will result in the election “sometimes feels as if it’s in the liking for central planning and execution. the headline “New Zealand being transformed, of councillors responsible only to people who grip of a Year Zero cult similar in tone, if not in Labour’s strong support from the ranks but not in a good way”, of transformational claim Māori ancestry. scale, to that promoted by Pol Pot’s Kampuchea of publicly supported charities, community change under the Labour Government. While • A draft history curriculum “approved by (Cambodia) where everything that has gone fundraising groups and social organisations New Zealand daily media are quick to report educational bureaucrats that’s drenched in before was renounced.” that look to it for funding, as well as from trade news items praiseworthy of the country and its neo-Marxist identify politics and presents The perspective that du Fresne holds will not unions, the education lobby and academia, prime minister, this article received little, if any, the country’s past as one characterised by the be everyone’s cup of tea. But it is a perspective means it can look to these groupings for beating coverage in the author’s home country. oppressive effects of colonialism on Māori”. rarely canvassed in political and media columns back any National/ACT strategy. Subsidisation Du Fresne wrote that the Government was Du Fresne characterises the educational that will resonate in communities away from of daily media in straitened circumstances might “pursuing policies that will entrench racial bureaucrats as having taken advantage of “an the capital’s focus on the trends championed by also be a background factor, although any deal separatism, undermine democracy, turbocharge ideological tail-wind” after having shamefully those in power and those who have their ear. made for Facebook to compensate for use of the grievance culture and promote polarisation ignored New Zealand history in the past. Notably, however, Simon Bridges’ attack on content could take this factor out of play. and divisiveness”. He sees the Climate Change Commission’s the police commissioner for what he termed his Covid-19 skewed the ideological field in 2020. Among the policies and trends he singled out recommendations for tackling climate change “woke” approach to policing seemed a signal that Authority and clear direction were wanted for to justify this view were: in this transformational context. That former at least some National Party MPs have picked dealing with the pandemic. It’s unlikely to be a • “Inflammatory rhetoric from an ideologically Labour and ACT minister Richard Prebble has up on uneasiness in the regions at the trends and factor in 2023. n Bruce has been an economics and business editor, political and driven Human Rights Commission and a also slammed the recommendations as “a return policies mentioned by du Fresne. There are also foreign correspondent in Washington, London and Hong Kong. handful of vociferous immigrant activists whose to central planning” suggests the commission’s signs ACT is on a similar page. He recently retired as CEO of the Building Industry Federation. LOCAL EVENTS CARTOON OF THE MONTH By Jared Carson

ŌTAKI PLAYERS SOCIETY 2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Thursday March 18, 7pm at the Supper Room, Ōtaki Memorial Hall. All welcome. Will be followed by light refreshments. Come along and support your local theatre. ARTSCAPE EXHIBITION: ART WITH A TWIST Local emerging young artist Brian Harvey exhibits. Open until March 28 at Old Courthouse Gallery, Main Highway, Ōtaki. MĀORILAND FILM FESTIVAL Main St, Ōtaki. March 24-28. maorilandfilm.co.nz See page 9 MAHARA GALLERY Mahara Place, Waikanae. Until 24 April: Hemi Macgregor, ‘Toitu Te Whenua, Toitu Te Moana, Toitu Te Tangata’; and Gerda Leenards, Frances Jill Studd, Sophie Saunders & Janet Bayly ‘an observational practice’. Tues - Sat, 10am - 4pm. Free entry. All welcome. THE KĀPITI RADIO YACHT CLUB races regularly at Winstone’s Lake from 1pm on Sundays (Awatea Pond in Paraparaumu Wednesdays and Fridays at 1pm, Sundays at 10am for newcomers), weather permitting. Look for Kāpiti Radio Yacht Club on the web and Facebook. ŌTAKI STROKE SUPPORT GROUP meets first Thursday of each month, 10am, Presbyterian Church lounge, Mill Road, Ōtaki. Next meeting March 4. ŌTAKI MUSEUM Main Street, Ōtaki. Current exhibition Ko Ōtaki Te Awa – Ōtaki is the River. Open Thursday-Saturday 10am-2pm, excluding public holidays. otakimuseum.co.nz ŌTAKI YARD MARKET Every Saturday 8am-2pm, SH1 shops. Growers, crafters, bakers, makers and more. To book a stall: otakiyard.nz ŌTAKI WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CLUB CRAFT MARKET SH1, opposite New World, open 9am-2pm every Sunday in summer. Contact Georgie 027 234 1090. ŌTAKI GARAGE SALE Third Saturday of the month, Ōtaki Today is published monthly by CONTRIBUTORS: Ōtaki Today online: otakitoday.com ID Media Ltd, 13 Te Manuao Rd, Ōtaki. • Di Buchan (Museum) • Fraser Carson 9-11.30am, rain or shine, Presbyterian Church, 249 Mill ISSUE 33 ISSN 2624-3067 (Media & Community) • James Cootes (Local EDITOR: Ian Carson. For editorial enquiries ONLINE ISSN 2744-354X Rd. 06 364-6449. Rev Peter Jackson 021 207 9455, Lens) • Daniel Duxfield (Fitness) or news tips, please contact Ian at [email protected] • Terisa Ngobi (The Electorate) 027 2411 090 or 06 364-6543 Next copy and advertising deadline April 2. • Steve Humphries (Food Science) SEASONAL SURPLUS STALL In front of Memorial or [email protected] Publication April 14. • Kath Irvine (Edible Backyards) • Bruce Kohn Hall, Main St. Thursdays, buying from 10.30am, selling GENERAL MANAGER: (Politics) • Chris Papps (Ōtaki Outlook) Ōtaki Today is a member of the NZ Community from 11am. Bring surplus fruit, veges and eggs. Debbi Carson. • Amy Webster (Employment Law) Newspapers Association. Contact 364-7762. For advertising enquiries, please contact • Chris Whelan (Your Business). Debbi on 027 285 4720 or 06 364-6543 or TE HORO COUNTRY MARKET Te Horo Community Hall, [email protected] School Road. First Sunday of the month: 10am-1pm. CARTOONS: Jared Carson DESIGN by ID Media Ltd. To list your community event, contact KIDS QUIZ: Kyuss Carson Printed by Beacon Print, Whakatane. [email protected] or 06 364-6543. PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 3 No signs of Ashford Park resolution The track spat that has pitted walkers and cyclists against horse riders showed no signs of resolution after a meeting at Ashford Park. The meeting on February 24 was called to canvass the views of both sides of the argument, allowing an exchange of ideas and the possibility of a solution. However, with some raised voices and much shaking of heads, compromise appeared unlikely. The evening meeting at the Te Roto Road end of the track next to the racecourse was led by Winstone Aggregates operations manager Josua Grobler and attended by Ashford Park Community Liaison Group chair Di Buchan and Ōtaki Community Board chair Chris Papps. The spat between the two groups began just before Christmas when Winstone opened a new track so horse riders could also have access to Ōtaki River. However, following liaison group recommendations, it diverted walkers and cyclists from a parallel existing track they had been using for four years, to the new track and allowed horse riders to use the old track. The diversion incensed the walkers and cyclists because the new track is narrower, has rough terrain and lacks shade. Di Buchan says her group made the MEETING: The meeting on February 24 at the Ashford Park track. No obvious agreement between walkers/cyclists and horse riders, was found. recommendation because it had advice that That might lead to the solution being a switch as part of its resource consent for using Ashford walkers, dogs, cyclists and horse riders. To horses would be “spooked” by other horses in back for walkers and cyclists to their old track. Park. Since then, an increasing number of horse ensure everyone’s safety and accommodate more an adjoining paddock. That concern appears It’s a solution that’s unlikely to please horse riders also indicated they would like access to community users, we constructed a further to have been allayed after a suggestion at the riders, whose group fought hard to gain access. the walkway. 3m-wide corridor adjacent to the original one. February meeting at Ashford Park that a trial The liaison group is likely to make a new “We want to work constructively with our The design and proposed use of the new 3m run of horses on the track be videoed to see recommendation to Winstone – which uses the communities and stakeholders,” the statement corridor was considered and agreed to by the their reaction. land for quarrying – at an April 1 meeting. said. “While our resource consent required a Ashford Park Community Liaison Group. It’s understood that video shows no sign of In a statement to Ōtaki Today, Winstone said narrower 3m walkway only, even at 5m wide, “We are currently working through horses being distressed – either on the track or that in 2015 it constructed the 5-metre-wide we felt the current walkway, which is fenced community feedback on the designation of the in the paddock. private walkway for pedestrian and cycle access on both sides, could not safely accommodate walkways with Kapiti Coast District Council.”

Tall Poppy - Kevin Crombie Memorial Golf Tournament

The Tall Poppy - Kevin Crombie Memorial Golf Tournament was held on February 26 2021 at the Ōtaki Golf Course.

Thank you to everyone who attended, the day was a very successful fundraiser proudly supporting St John & the Ōtaki Golf Course.

Thank you to our sponsors: PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 4

Moths buzz in to Te Horo Three vintage Tiger Moths flew in to Te Horo aerodrome on March 1, on their way to a Tiger Moth Club gathering in Thames. The Moths – two from Canterbury and one from Blenheim – and their pilots and passengers were to fly north the next day as they hopped from one aerodrome to another through the rural North Island. One pilot, Amanda Rutland, took up flying to emulate her grandfather, Bill Kingan, who flew Tiger Moths as a top-dressing pilot after the Second World War. Amanda was formerly from Paraparaumu but now lives in Christchurch. ABOVE: One of the Tiger Moths landing at Te Horo, LEFT: Visitors (from left): Wayne and Wendy Tantrum of Blenheim, Graham Holley (Wellington), Amanda Rutland (Christchurch), Craig Clapham, Lionel Green and Aaron Murphy (Canterbury), and John Baynes (Gore). Photos Ian Carson

7 Aotaki Street, Otaki 06 364 8696 [email protected] www.agarfenwick.co.nz Free 30 minute consultation OPEN 7 DAYS for new clients • Financial and Taxation Advice • Tax Return Preparation • Farm and Trust Accounting FREE local delivery • Payroll and Secretarial Services • Business Advisors

06 364 8389 Directors Rod Agar B.Agr.Sc, B.B.S. Titoki Street, Ōtaki 5512 Ian Fenwick B.Com, DipGrad, C.A. www.hammerhardware.co.nz

• Employment Law • Immigration Law • Corporate & Commercial Law • Elder Law • Property Law • Insolvency & Debt • Trusts & Succession Recovery • Family Law • Estates HADFIELD HALL, OTAKI 208 Main Highway, Otaki 04 970 3600 Offices in Otaki, Paraparaumu, Foxton, Wellington and come April, Levin. www.wakefieldslaw.com PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 5 Another $25,000 goes on median house prices The surge in Ōtaki house prices dampen house prices. However many continued in February, with sections – including house and land homes.co.nz reporting the packages – have already been snapped estimated median house price to up. be up $25,000 in the last month to Homes in the currently available $565,000. sub-divisions are selling at prices This follows a leap of $20,000 in between $575,000 and $650,000. January, lifting prices by $45,000 in Rural blocks of about two hectares just two months. In February last (five acres) are going for about year, the median house price was $850,000 before building even starts. $450,000. “We need even more sections,” In the past three months, prices Brendon says. “Unfortunately red have shot up 10.9 percent. They’re up tape slows their delivery.” 18.7 percent in the past six months, Grant Robertson of First National and 25.7 percent up on this time last says house-price rises are driven by COMING THROUGH: A driver pulls into the grid near the pedestrian crossing on a typically busy Sunday. year. many factors at present, including Local real estate agents don’t see low interest rates, massive stimulation an easing of the trend any time soon. from the Reserve Bank to “ward off” Hit posts stop ramp overtaking Demand is simply outstripping a Covid recession, and 12 years of Hit posts have been installed on The practice was especially The agency says the closure is to supply, they say. KiwiSaver account accumulations by the highway rise south of the new dangerous if drivers overtook improve safety and provide more “I think the fear of some home young people. bridges, known as The Ramp, just before the signalled pedestrian reliable journeys. owners is that if they sell they won’t “You can add the ‘one off’ factor north of the BP roundabout. crossing. Ōtaki Today observed one Work is expected to start on have a place to live in,” says Brendon of the expressway build, shortening The hit post are aimed at driver passing through the crossing Thursday, March 18. Heenan of Tall Poppy. “So they’re travel times, but equally importantly preventing drivers pulling into the on a red light. A wide flush median and staying put, therefore reducing stock causing full employment and fat painted grid as they head down Te Horo lane to close hit posts will be installed to availability. The stock levels in Ōtaki business profits; the special character the hill. Most drivers would likely Waka Kotahi NZTA Waka further separate northbound and are at a record low.” of Ōtaki; and the return of Kiwis fresh be locals keen on passing built-up Kotahi NZ Transport is about to southbound traffic, and to assist About 300 homes in sub-divisions out of quarantine,” Grant says. “It’s traffic – especially at weekends – to close permanently the southbound with vehicles turning in and out of are due to be built in the next three almost a perfect storm of positivity. go west into Mill Road. passing lane just south of Te Horo. driveways along the road. years, which might be expected to We are firing on all cylinders!”

Together we can build happier, stronger communities. BEGIN YOUR DEGREE WITH A Invite your neighbours to an ONE YEAR DIPLOMA OVER the fence cuppa RECONNECT TO MĀORI KNOWLEDGE

Heke Reo Māori Heke Mātauranga Māori 20 - 30 March DIPLOMA IN TE REO MĀORI DIPLOMA IN MĀTAURANGA MĀORI

Hold a get together and we will support you Heke Rongoā Heke Ahunga Tikanga DIPLOMA IN MĀORI HOLISTIC WELLBEING DIPLOMA IN MĀORI LAWS AND PHILOSOPHY with a goodie pack and some great ideas! Heke Kawa Oranga Heke Toi Whakarākai (Whakairo) DIPLOMA IN HEALTH PROMOTION, SPORT AND DIPLOMA IN DESIGN AND ART (CARVING) EXERCISE SCIENCE Ko wai tō Heke Toi Whakarākai (Raranga) ingoa? Kia ora Heke Kaitiakitanga Pūtaiao DIPLOMA IN DESIGN AND ART (WEAVING) DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT e hoa! Heke Whakaakoranga Kōhungahunga Heke Toiora Whānau DIPLOMA IN TEACHING (EARLY CHILDHOOD) DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL WORK Heke Te Rangakura Kaiwhakaako Heke Puna Maumahara DIPLOMA IN TEACHING (BILINGUAL) DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Heke Whakaakoranga Heke Toko Mana DIPLOMA IN TEACHING (MĀORI MEDIUM) DIPLOMA IN MĀORI AND ADMINISTRATION

Register by 17 March at: www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/neighboursday Email: [email protected] TŌ ARA KI TE AO PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 6 River exhibition stirs 270 years By Ian Carson board for 37 years, and a further Interrupting Barry’s musings, Ōtaki Museum’s new exhibition three years with Greater Wellington George said he recalled seeing Barry about Ōtaki River has drawn the Regional Council after the local on horseback chasing a deer through attention of three men who likely authority amalgamations of 1989. a quarry. know the river and its vagaries Looking over the museum “Yes, I remember that,” Barry said. more than anyone. exhibition titled Ko Ōtaki Te Awa – “That was a deer that had been chased Carl Lutz, 95, George Gray, 90, and Ōtaki is the River, these men not only by Arnie Denton and Jim Morrah’s Barry Mansell, 85, with a collective knew about, but also experienced dogs. But not many people know age of 270, each has a lifetime of many of the events on display. about that quarry now. It’s all covered memories growing up and working on While he obviously doesn’t up. It was just by the Waiohine swing the river, dealing with its occasional remember it, Barry was born to bridge. The catchment board for 30 or ferocity, and managing its fickle Terry and Marjorie Mansell during 40 years got very hard greywacke by nature. It was clear from their gaze on a huge storm in 1936. A young man, blasting it out.” the exhibits at the museum – and their Ralph Wood, was part of a tramping While spending almost all his life conversation often interspersed with group caught in the storm. He died of farming and drawing from the river’s deep thought – that the river has been exposure at Twin Peaks in the nearby bountiful resources, Carl acknowledges a huge influence on these men’s lives. Tararua Ranges. that the river can be both friend and Carl Lutz came to the farm deep But Barry also remembers the good foe, taking as well as giving. on Rāhui Road with his family as a times. “It had a dark side to it,” he says. youngster in 1935. He still works on “My elder brother Lindsay, sister When he was 11 and his parents the farm on the north side of the river Rosemary and I would go up to the out for the day, he noticed the river nearly 90 years later. Arcus property on horseback, take rising rapidly. Eager to get the cows On the other side of the river, Barry our lunches and swim in the river in to safety and milking later that day, Mansell was born into the Mansell the summer time,” he says. “It was he and a friend staying at the time family that became synonymous with absolutely wonderful, right up above ran about half a mile along the road Three wise men of the River Ōtaki Gorge. He recalls the first 10 the Ōtaki Forks.” across a footbridge. They drove the years of life without electricity in the He also remembers riding up over cows into the shallower waters of the Three wise men of the River So when you see the flooding farming family’s home. He still lives North Mangaone Road and into river, hoping they would arrive safely Carl, Barry and George. And little damage done. in the Gorge. Anzac Flat, the headwater for the on the farm downstream. However, One lived in Rāhui Think of these three fellows George Gray was born and grew Waikanae River. Horses were then every one of them ended up on all the The others up the Gorge. And all their wisdom. up in Ōtaki. As a young man, he took the only method of transport for the neighbours’ farms – and all survived. Now the River was their worry But just you remember on the job of overseeing management Gorge families. “We were lucky to get home The River was their foe. When all is said and done. of the river for what was then the Barry’s first horse, when he was “10 ourselves – the footbridge was still But with much study With the climate changing Manawatū Catchment Board. He or 12”, was one broken in for him by passable. That was my first bad They laid the River low. The big one’s yet to come. stayed in his role with the catchment Charlie Arcus. experience of the river.” – Carl Lutz

ORGANIC PRODUCE AVAILABLE NOW OPEN OPEN NOW Friday and Saturday nights OPEN Wednesday – Sunday Please visit our website, facebook and instagram for more information.

SH 1 MANAKAU 06 362 6348 SH1 MANAKAU, OPEN 7 DAYS, 06 362 6029 quarteracrecafe.co.nz www.manakaumarket.nz

HOSTED SMALL GROUP TOURS

NELSON STAY PUT DEPARTING FROM nd 22 Mar 2021 WITH FAREWELL SPIT 7 DAYS KAPITI & HOROWHENUA

COROMANDEL CAPER WEST COAST EXPLORER th th 11 Apr 2021 8 DAYS 7 June 2021 11 DAYS For full details or information on our specialist roofing · safety surfaces · epoxy works · joint repairs and sealant SOUTH ISLAND TOP TO TOE BAY OF ISLAND WINTER ESCAPE th INCLUDING st 2021 tour schedule 18 Apr 2021 STEWART ISLAND 16 DAYS 1 Aug 2021 10 DAYS pressure grouting · floor toppings & preparation · remedial concrete please contact us on waterstopping · tanking · FRP application TOP OF THE SOUTH RURAL RAMBLER th st 9 May 2021 12 DAYS 21 Sept 2021 7 DAYS 04 297 1392

EAST CAPE MOLESWORTH / ABEL TASMAN 0800 470 005 10 Rimu Street, Otaki 5512 th rd 10 May 2021 9 DAYS 3 Nov 2021 WITH FAREWELL SPIT 10 DAYS New Zealand Ph +64 (06)3648634 TARANAKI DISCOVERER OTAGO & CATLINS th th WITH STEWART Email: [email protected] 24 May 2021 6 DAYS 7 Nov 2021 ISLAND EXTENSION 7 DAYS Website: www.concretedoctor.co.nz Maclean St . Paraparaumu Beach . Kapiti www.yourtravel.co.nz PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 7 of memories IN BRIEF Graduates to get their day WISE MEN: Looking over the Ōtaki Te Wānanga o Raukawa 2020 students Museum exhibition at left are (from left) who missed out on their graduation day George Gray, 90, Barry Mansell, 85, and Carl Lutz, 95. Photo Ian Carson because of Covid-19 disruptions will join 2021 graduates for a ceremony at John survived with the help of Jack the end of the year. A double ceremony Robinson and Jack’s son, Eric. is scheduled for Saturday, December 11. George Gray, who had spent time Meantime, the 2020 graduates will receive as an Army engineer, was given his a graduation package in the post that will first job with the catchment board include a presentation folder to hold their by Len Taucher. He started on a pick tohu (certificate), academic transcript, and shovel. tumuaki letter and an invitation to attend “I told Len I wouldn’t be staying the ceremony in December to receive long, maybe two months. I spent the their graduation taonga. next 40 years working there.” Fires near one a day George was only 28 when Len died The incidence of call-outs for the Ōtaki suddenly. He was offered Len’s job. Volunteer Fire Brigade reached nearly “That was the biggest learning one a day in February. A total of 27 calls curve of my life,” he says. “But I loved were made for fire-related incidents in every day of my job on that river.” the 28 days of the month. Of those, eight There were differences of opinion were for rubbish, grass and scrub fires; between the catchment board and six to private fire alarms; four “good the farmers, but George says there Vouchers for intent”; three for motor vehicle accidents; was mutual respect because they all two each for property fires and “special understood the river – even when museum winners services”; and one each for medical Although it was just before his time the board was prepared to let the Three then-primary school pupils correctly answered all assistance and assisting another brigade. in Ōtaki, Carl recounted the story of the Rāhui farmlands go under water if Next OCB meeting death of Ann Falder, who was staying on Chrystalls Bend flooded, to save the the questions about Main Street – with answers found The next meeting of the Ōtaki a neighbouring farm when the infamous houses and businesses in Ōtaki. throughout the display – in the recently closed Main Street Community Board is in the Gertrude flood of 1931 struck (it flooded into That threat has largely been exhibition at Ōtaki Museum. Atmore Lounge (attached to the Mill Road, Ōtaki). With water rising alleviated after the regional council Their efforts were rewarded with vouchers to spend at various Memorial Hall) at 7pm on Tuesday, around the house, Ann insisted husband carried out work at the bend. businesses in Ōtaki. March 16. The public is always welcome John, take her into town. n Ko Ōtaki Te Awa – Ōtaki is the River, Ōtaki Pictured at the museum with museum chair Judith Miller are, to attend and public speaking time is They were crossing a footbridge Museum, 49 Main St. Open 10am-2pm from left, Levi Hurcomb, Lily-Anne Wood and Ellie Maddaford- Thursday-Saturday. allowed. Speakers are asked to advise the when it gave way, tossing them Wood. See also: Photo Ian Carson secretary before the meeting. into the river. Ann was later found • River dragline, page 26 drowned near the race course; • Ida Corrigan, page 27

Your local Otaki Professionals team WE’VE ACHIEVED GREAT PRICES IN RECENT SALES IN OTAKI. IF YOU ARE THINKING OF SELLING TALK TO US NOW WHILE THE MARKET IS HOT!

Getting you more. That’s our job.

Peter Heald Natalie Malloy Josephine Case Jon Redmond Sharon Bannerman-Cooper M 027 536 5616 M 022 302 2660 P 027 390 6447 M 027 478 9057 M 027 211 8688 doublewinkel real estate ltd MREINZ E [email protected] E [email protected] E [email protected] E [email protected] E [email protected] licensed agent

PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 9 Shorts a popular feature of film festival Short films are a popular feature at the Māoriland Film Festival, and none more so than the impressive line-up secured for the 2021 event due to begin on March 24. The films, by international indigenous film-makers as well as talented film-makers in Aotearoa CREE SHORT: A clip from the New Zealand, this year total more Cree short film êmîcêtôcêt: than 60, with 18 nations represented. Many Bloodlines directed by Māoriland, now presenting its Theola Ross. eighth annual festival, is a premier Photo supplied venue for many film-makers. It is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest international indigenous film festival, run across five days. The categories of short films at Māoriland 2021 are: Meantime, Māoriland is looking for Wairua Shorts kaitūao (volunteers) for the festival 10am March 25, Māoriland Hub dates of March 24-28. Every living thing, including the Support is needed in a myriad of land, mountains, rivers, oceans has ways – ticket sales, ushering, parakore, a wairua – a spirit existing beyond keeping the whare clean and tidy and death. This collection of short films days leading up to the 2020 Covid-19 Rangatahi Shorts for Tamariki – Covid-19 lockdowns around providing support to kaimahi as they speaks of the wairua within and lockdown. Islands of Mystery (Te Reo Māori) the world. Parental guidance bring the festival to life. around us. Whenua Shorts 10am March 27, Māoriland Hub recommended. Organisers are also looking Whānau Shorts 10am March 26, Māoriland Hub Josh and his dog crash back 700 Bingo Shorts for kaihapai – rangatahi from the 12.30pm March 25, Māoriland Hub Papatūānuku sustains. But we years, to a mysterious land where 6.30pm March 27, Māoriland Hub community who support Ngā Pakiaka Whānau. Family, whatever its need to protect her. These short films taniwha roam and ancient warriors Love playing Bingo? Really love to look after the needs of audiences shape, provides the thread that encompass the ways Indigenous rule. This is the world premiere of the short films? In this session, you can do at the venues. This might include resonates through all these stories. nations recognise the relationship popular NZ animation series Island of both and win prizes, too! Bring a pen. ushering, opening screenings and Aotearoa Shorts between land and people. Mystery in te reo Māori, as voiced by Wai Shorts assisting with filming and social 2.30pm March 25, Memorial Hall Whakapapa Shorts tamariki from Ōtaki! 11am March 28, Māoriland Hub media. n To sign up as a volunteer, visit the Māoriland Shorts made in Aotearoa in 12.30pm March 26, Māoriland Hub Haumaru Shorts Nothing can exist without wai. The Hub in Main Street, or fill in a form 2020. These include the Māoriland We are all connected by whakapapa 11.30am March 27, Memorial Hall theme of water runs through all these at maorilandfilm.co.nz Book tickets at NATIVE Slam V films, made in the to our ancestors and each other. Films made during the 2020 stories. maorilandfilm.co.nz or through iTicket.co.nz

ŌTAKI STROKE SUPPORT AND WELLNESS GROUP

COST $5 Senior Citizens Hall (FIRST VISIT Rangatira St, Ōtaki FREE) INCLUDES Fri 10am to 12 noon MORNING TEA

OPEN to anyone who enjoys brain teasers, with JOSEPH TE WIATA, and a ‘Sit & Be Fit’ exercise class

we enquiries look please contact We acknowledge and thank the Philipp Family Marian Jones forward to Foundation Charitable Trust plenty of seeing you 364-5028 for their support. and your parking friends CTPH CIVIL TRIM PLANT HIRE

Image Joe Dee, Pixabay

No JOB too BIG or too SMALL

Does your driveway need work, or do you need a new one to your palace? Call Steve to get it sorted. STEVE FORSYTH is a proud local with 35 years of experience specialising in lifestyle blocks. RANGE OF WORK n Driveway maintenance n Quarry deliveries, n Project management n Lifestyle block and riverstone, chip, base course, builders mix & section clearing n Landscaping n New house topsoil n Rock walls & ponds site preparation n Drilling & fencing n Horse EQUIPMENT HIRE WITH OPERATOR arenas & yards n Water tanks, pumps, n Diggers n Track bobcats n Rollers irrigation, drainage & soak holes n Concrete n n n works n Chip sealing and asphalt Compacters Trucks Concrete breakers

Contact Steve Forsyth 027 555 2288 or [email protected] for a FREE QUOTE ‘LOCALS HELPING LOCALS’ PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 11

UP AND OVER: Ōtaki rider Paris Karl-Fields takes her horse over a hurdle at the recent Ōtaki College equestrian competition in Waikanae. Photos supplied College equestrian event draws 135 A total of 135 riders from 42 schools competed in Ōtaki College’s annual equestrian show-jumping event at Waikanae in late February. The meet is the second biggest school equestrian event in the country, growing year-on-year with riders coming from as far away as Whanganui, Wairarapa and elsewhere in the Wellington region. “It is always a pleasure to attend this event which has grown over successive years into a major secondary school equestrian event,” says Ōtaki College principal Andy Fraser. “The organisation is stunning and the level of skill, ability and determination shown by riders is unreal. “While the competition on the day is highly competitive, it’s always good to see the high levels of friendly engagement between competitors. My sincere thanks to the organisers of this event – long may it last.” This event is run by a small group of volunteers led by Lenka Fields and Sacha Kenny. Lenka says the success is only possible because of the support from local many businesses who donate goods and services. “We really couldn’t do it without them,” she says. Ōtaki College entered two teams with Aleshia Blakeley on Elation KCE taking the prize for top Ōtaki College rider in Ring 1, and Jett Barkley on River Vixen being awarded top Ōtaki College rider in Ring 2. Teams winners: 1st – Alex and Ella, Raumati Beach and Paraparaumu Beach School, Alexandra Kenny-Schlup and Alex Mear. 2nd – Onslow Red Rockets, Ashley Holmes, Jessica Todd, Ava Robinson and Micah Wratt. 3rd – Balance, Balance Primary School, Ariana Aspinal, Naomi Mabey and Bridie King (on two ponies). 4th – Solway College Navy, Alice Bourke, Amelia Westgarth, Isabella Behrns, Sofia Spencer Ring 1: Champion Sasha MacNamara on She’s Pure Class, Horowhenua College; reserve Jessica Todd on Cavallo, Onslow College. Ring 2: Champion Micah Wratt on Hugo Boss, Onslow College; reserve Jayde Timmins on Charlie, Tararua College. Ring 3: Champion Bridie King on Zena, Balance Primary School. Source: Kirsty Doyle Jett Barkley with her horse River Vixen. Jett was top Ōtaki College rider in Ring 2.

LEFT: There were plenty of riders and supporters from 42 schools throughout the region who competed in the Ōtaki College competition. Planning for Setting the scene – the challenges our future and opportunities ahead As the saying goes, the only A growing and constant in life is change. changing population Here on the Kāpiti Coast, our Forecasts estimate that over the next 30 years district has seen significant or so, our current population of 55,500 will grow change over the last few decades, by approximately 30,000 – a higher level of growth and will continue to do so in the than anticipated in our last long-term plan. coming years. As our population increases, we must carefully plan for greater demand on Council Some changes we can foresee and infrastructure and services, and the growing pressure on our environment. It’s predicted others are less certain. that we will see continued growth in key What we do know, however, is that we demographics like older persons and young must plan ahead for change together as families which has implications for the types a community to ensure Kāpiti continues of infrastructure and services we will need to to be a great place to live. plan for in the future. This is where our long-term plan comes in. It’s a big deal because it lays out the work we intend to do over the next 20 years. It details the planned activities, services and projects, how much things are likely to cost and how we plan to pay for them. This plan has an impact on everyone living on the Kāpiti Coast, in one way or another. Formal consultation on our draft Long- term Plan 2021–41 will begin on 7 April. Deciding what to invest in and when is no walk in the park, it’s a constant balancing act and we need to make Housing availability and affordability these decisions together as Like many parts of New Zealand, the Kāpiti in October 2020 showed an average rise of 29.1% a community. Coast District is experiencing increasing demand over the last three years. for housing, affordability issues, rising rents To ensure we deliver a plan that best One of our long term goals is a resilient and pressure on its public housing services. serves our people, now and in the community that has support for basic needs and future, we need to understand the As our population continues to grow, there feels safe and connected. Housing plays a key challenges and opportunities ahead. will be more pressure on existing housing. role in trying to achieve this. This is already being felt with some of our While Council doesn’t have direct responsibility What’s driving change on the Kāpiti families having to leave the district and an for many of the drivers of the housing crisis, Coast and how do we plan for it? increasing demand for government support over the past year, we have been exploring what to access housing. can be done to increase the supply of affordable At the end of 2020, there were 165 people or homes and make it easier for people to access families on the waiting list for social housing housing in our District. in Kāpiti. We must decide if Council should take a bigger In the private market, house values have also role in housing, and if so, what that commitment risen rapidly. A revaluation by Quotable Value might look like.

kapiticoast.govt.nz Our changing climate Our climate is changing and like many coastal communities around Aotearoa, we are vulnerable to a wide range of environmental Key projects and infrastructure challenges. While the rate and magnitude of future Council is responsible for the delivery and Our property portfolio of older persons’ sea level rise and environmental change is maintenance of network infrastructure like accommodation, community halls and venues uncertain, we do know that coastal hazards will roads, sewage disposal, water and stormwater, is aged and in need of a proactive programme have increasing implications for development and community infrastructure like libraries, of maintenance and renewal. The average age and infrastructure in coastal areas. parks and recreational facilities. of our buildings is 55 years. This will mean we need to make some Through our long-term plan we’ll do more To ensure we are investing in the right places decisions as we plan for the future. work on projects we know are high priority and projects, we must identify what services for the community, like Waikanae Library and Kāpiti needs now and in the future, and what With an increasing number of events such as our stormwater programme, and we’ll get kind of physical spaces will best support this. extreme weather damage it is becoming more started on some new initiatives. This will help expensive to insure our infrastructure. We have stimulate our local economy. to look at different options for protecting our district’s assets.

Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic Our community is being disproportionately affected by COVID-19 with hardship being felt particularly by the young, elderly, Māori and The future of local government Pasifika, those already in hardship and parts Central government is progressing some major has concerns about how these expectations of our business community. changes in the local government sector which can be sustained without additional support. Our community support and NGO sector will have a significant impact for communities The Local Government (Community Well- have been overwhelmed with the need in our and the role of councils. being) Amendment Bill, which passed in 2019, district, and this need has continued to grow Some examples are the Three Waters Reform assigned councils responsibility for the social, – a trend that is anticipated to continue. Programme which has the potential to change environmental, cultural and economic health Council has developed a Recovery Plan that the way critical water infrastructure and of the communities they govern. takes a broad approach, tackling issues and services are delivered in our district, and the As we plan for the future, we need a clear steer opportunities that are both within the direct replacement of the Resource Management from our community on what’s important to remit of local government while supporting, Act which will reorient the system to focus on our role as Council and what we need to together with other organisations, other delivery of specified outcomes, targets and advocate for. initiatives that will contribute to our recovery. limits in natural and built environments. Our recovery relies on strong partnerships and At the same time, the Government’s relationships, all working together to support expectations of the role of local authorities each other and our communities. Our planning are increasing and the local government sector for the future must reflect this. How will we pay for our future? Revenue from rates account for around three quarters of Council’s income. This is because we don’t have any income generating assets. Our rates fund a wide variety of required local authority functions along with other activities identified as priorities for our community.

One of the significant issues facing us in this long-term plan is the increase to our base costs including inflation, insurance premiums and depreciation. These costs are going up faster than household inflation. Borrowing on capital expenditure that is repaid a lack of income needed to grow, even as the We have received strong feedback from our over the life of an asset is another way Council population has grown. This is the case for Kāpiti. communities that while people would prefer lower can reduce the burden on ratepayers. This We have made significant progress on rates increases, they do not wish to see services ensures that each generation that benefits improving our budgetary performance in and facilities cut in order to reduce rates. from an asset also contributes to it. recent years with a focus on strong financial New ways of generating income and delivering Without debt many communities across management and paying down debt. key projects, such as working in partnership New Zealand would simply not have the Independent financial rating agency Standard with the public and private sectors, could be infrastructure that enables them to exist and Poor’s has revised our credit rating outlook a way for Council to fund future development and grow. up two grades from A+ to AA as a result. while reducing the burden on ratepayers. Higher gross debt ratios don’t necessarily show To adequately address the challenges ahead, that councils are borrowing too much. Instead, replace aging infrastructure and cope with it can sometimes more accurately highlight current and future growth, we need to explore alternative and new funding streams beyond rates.

kapiticoast.govt.nz Protecting what makes Kāpiti a great place to live

99% 73% agree that the Kāpiti Coast are confident that is a great place to live the district is going in the right direction What matters most to you Late last year over 200 Kāpiti Coasters told us what matters most to help us prepare the draft Long-term Plan 2021–41 for consultation. In our annual survey of Kāpiti Coast residents and We asked people what mattered most as it relates to our district’s ratepayers for 2019/20, 99 per cent agreed that the future, our neighbourhoods, COVID-19, and growth. Kāpiti Coast is a great place to live and 73 per cent Key themes included a strong demand for a new community library are confident that the district is going in the in Waikanae, building community resilience, a desire for Council to right direction. be more transparent and open, the importance of keeping our airport, and the need to protect our environment. As our district grows and changes, we must decide, as a community, how we preserve the things we love the most about our home while investing See what else Kāpiti Coasters told us at: in the things that best serve the needs of our people now and in the future. Have haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz/  Formal consultation on the draft Long-term Plan 2021–41 your say what-matters-most will take place between April 7 and May 10. Stay informed and involved at: haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz/long-term-plan-2021-41 PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 DOWNTOWN ŌTAKI I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 16

Know Flute, harp and about Mulled Wine Mulled Wine Concerts, headed by pianist Mary Gow, is stroke putting on a special concert featuring the sounds of flute March is Stroke Awareness and harp at Paekākāriki’s Memorial Hall on Sunday, Month – a time when March 21. everyone can familiarise Michelle Velvin, a Wellington-based harpist, composer themselves with what and teacher, will play the harp, and Dunedin’s Bridget stroke is, its effects, Douglas will be on the flute. Both are at the top of their treatment and recovery. musical field. Ōtaki is fortunate to Michelle has a passion for performing New Zealand compositions and writing new music reflecting her life have a stroke support and CARNIVAL: A street carnival, similar to the party and lantern parade in 2012 above, is a popular idea in New Zealand. She has performed as part of all of New wellness group, which hosts with museum visitors asked about how to celebrate 100 years of Main Street. meetings at the Senior Zealand’s major orchestras and performs regularly with both Citizens Hall in Rangatira the NZSO and Orchestra Wellington. She was a winner of Street from 10am to 12 the NZ Performance Harp Competition and has created the Ideas for Main St party noon on Fridays (see page Wellington Harp Orchestra. 9). Apart from meeting Bridget studied at Victoria University of Wellington Ōtaki Museum’s recently ended exhibition about Main Street has elicited many ideas from the people who have had a and followed this with studies in the United States with hundreds of visitors to the exhibition on how the street’s 100th birthday could be celebrated stroke and support people the assistance of a Fulbright graduate award and Creative in 2021. familiar with strokes, NZ music scholarship. While in the US, she won several The most popular suggestions were a street parade and a street carnival. The two suggestions participants can join in brain competitions including the New York Flute Club Young could be combined into one event. Parade proponents suggested brass bands, marching girls, horses teaser sessions with Ōtaki’s Artist’s Competition and an Artists International Award, and carts, old cars, period costumes and races of various sorts (sack, wheelbarrow etc). Those own Joseph Te Wiata. including a recital at Carnegie Hall, New York. She joined suggesting a street carnival thought of dances in the street, music through the generations, kapa Joseph puts people the NZSO where she is currently section principal flute. haka and food stalls. The third most popular suggestion was a street fair – a “centennial market”. through some stress-less Together, Michelle and Bridget will present a programme All the popular suggestions would require street closure. activities and a “sit and be of music by Fauré, Ibert, Piazolla, Gareth Farr, Toru Another suggestion and the next most popular was to light up the old buildings, such as the Civic fit” exercise class. Takemitsu and Persichetti. Theatre, the museum, Māoriland Hub, and the Telegraph and Family hotels. The Mulled Wine 2021 season (all 2.30pm) Restoring the museum to its former glory by doctoring its 1980s façade with rendered While most of us probably Sunday 21 March – Bridget Douglas flute, Michelle Velvin harp. believe we will never have Sunday 30 May – Piano Duo Beth Chen and Nicole Chao. polystyrene or creating an optical illusion with paint was another idea. a stroke, the statistics show Sunday 27 June – Piano recital Nikolai Saratovski. If unable to enter NZ Other suggestions included a concert in the renovated Civic Theatre of music through the due to Covid, back up musicians Andrew Beer violin and Sarah Watkins decades, showing old movies at the Civic Theatre, or showing some of the videos Errol Maffey has it happens to someone in piano. New Zealand every hour on Sunday 25 July – Pianist David Barnard and friends created over the years. average. Every five hours, Sunday 15 August – Guitarist Matthew Marshall with guests Displays in shop windows with public voting for the best one was another, as was having displays someone dies, making Five-concert season tickets available for $120. highlighting and celebrating the different aspects of local history – Māori, Chinese, Italian and stroke the third leading n Tickets for the March 21 flute and harp concert $30, students $15. Door Pākehā. sales available. Email [email protected] or phone 021 101 9609. For cause of death. More than information, see www.mulledwineconcerts.com, or find on FaceBook All the ideas have been sent to the Ōtaki Promotions Group to consider supporting. 50,000 people are now living with the effects of stroke, and about a third of Levin road preferred alignment work continues them need assistance with everyday living. Waka Kotahi NZTA says it’s continuing based on this refined version of the draft The statistics are worse for to refine the draft preferred alignment of alignment as the agency completes the Māori and Pasifika people, the new Ōtaki to North of Levin (Ō2NL) detailed business case. This will provide who have a 2-3 times greater highway. information for the detailed analysis of the risk of having a stroke After the agency got feedback from anticipated costs, risks and benefits of the compared to Pākehā. property owners, the community and key preferred alignment and how it will deliver on Stroke is no longer a stakeholders during consultation in August- expected outcomes. disease of the elderly – September 2020, it has been refining the draft Once this work is complete, Waka more than 54 percent of preferred alignment of the new highway. Kotahi expects to be able to confirm a final people affected by stroke Geophysical surveys have been conducted preferred alignment later this year, and are younger than 75. Males in recent months to further investigate the work will continue on preparing a Notice of have a 20 percent greater suitability of this area, and other technical Requirement and required consents. risk of stroke compared with assessments are being completed. It is not until the final alignment is decided women, especially in young The agency says it will announce the that it will be able to fully understand age groups. refined draft preferred alignment this month. the land requirement needed for the new n If you want to donate $3 for It will contact property owners ahead of the highway. It expects to talk with landowners Stroke Awareness Month, text announcement to update on areas that have about the land that will be needed for the new ‘stroke’ to 5339. INTERSECTION: The intersection of Arapaepae Road and Queen been altered and how it affects them. highway about the middle of next year. Street, at Levin, where a roundabout will be built. Photo Waka Kotahi Preliminary design work will continue – Waka Kotahi NZTA Project Update

Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to OTAKI MONTESSORI PRE-SCHOOL Haruatai Park, 200 Mill Rd, Otaki.- 06 364 7500 • www.otakimontessori.co.nz Kia ora koutou, it’s been a fantastic start to the year at Otaki community to help with the governance and management of Montessori Pre-School. We have had lots of interest from two- our centre. We rely on parents to help manage, and know that year-olds in the area and so we continue with full classrooms. everyone is busy. Our community-based centre rallied together to do an We wonder if there is someone in the community who could amazing job beautifying, maintaining, and establishing new offer some time. Are you an ex-parent/grandparent, or just gardens and play areas. We spread bark for playground have an interest in our Early Childhood Education Community safety, gardened, and cleaned our building. Centre? Please contact us and we can have a chat! What a great day! Adults and children had lots of Libby Slow, Head Teacher laughter with sausages and patties on the BBQ (a We offer morning sessions from 9am–12pm (a great recent donation) to help sustain us. option for the little ones) or a full day session from We love it that our community is behind us to keep 9am–2.30pm. Get in touch on 06 364 7500 or email us up with the quality education and care we offer at at [email protected] to arrange a visit. Montessori. Otaki Montessori offers a unique choice of preschool We are seeking some expertise from the education. DOWNTOWN ŌTAKI I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 17

LUNCH DINNER OPEN TUES-FRI $15 OPEN 12-3pm WEDN SPECIAL TUES-SAT 5-8pm ALL DAY MENU STEAK NIGHT TUES ROAST Grilled grass-fed Sirloin AND LIGHT TUES - SAT MEALS AVAILABLE steak with fried eggs, steak fries, A LA CARTE MENU RSA VENUE and garlic butter. WEDN - SAT AVAILABLE FOR CHEF’S SPECIAL DISH FUNCTIONS OR EVENTS FRIDAYS WITH BEVERAGES PURCHASED FROM THE BAR CHEF’S BUFFET

9 RAUKAWA ST, ŌTAKI CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAYS (FUNCTIONS FOR 30 PEOPLE 021 904 404 OR MORE AVAILABLE)

FIXERS: Local Repair Café experts can help fix that broken toaster or beloved heirloom. Photo supplied If it’s fernackered, fix it If you like something, it has sentimental value or just has life who give up their time and who love tinkering. They can help left in it, don’t throw it out – fix it! with most things that need fixing. The café day also offers some If repairing something feels beyond you, then the Ōtaki Repair training on how to do repairs along the way. Café at the Memorial Hall on Sunday, March 21, could not only “It’s ‘small town, big heart – Ōtaki manaakitanga’ at its best,” get your item fixed, but also give you some valuable skills to help says Hanna Wagner Nicholls of Energise Ōtaki, which organises you fix it again or tackle another repair job.. the event. “Fixing something yourself feels good!” Everyone has hung on to broken toasters and tools, blunt As in the previous three repair cafés there will also be a special knives, and broken but beloved jewellery that clutters their corner for the children. garage, cupboards or drawers. There’s always the hope that “We want to show them that things can be fixed: a teddy with someday these things could be fixed and used again. Now they a missing ear, a toy car that doesn’t race any more, a hole in a pair can be. of jeans that would look great with a special colourful patch,” As it seems society moves further away from repairing – Hanna says. “Hopefully they take this attitude with them as they preferring to just buy a new item – there’s no better time to teach grow up.” our kids that not everything that’s broken is beyond use. n Repair Café, 10-2pm Sunday, March 21, Memorial Hall, Ōtaki. See Ōtaki www.maorilandfilm.co.nz Fortunately the Repair Café has some talented volunteers Repair Café on Facebook for updates about what’s happening on the day. Ōtaki Museum NEW EXHIBITION: Ko Ōtaki te Awa Ōtaki is the River Stories of the river as it has shaped the town and the surrounding area over the years. 30 Main Street Ōtaki • 06 262 9119 OPEN • WEDN-SUN The team at 9am-3pm • FRI-SAT CHAIRS dinner 5.30-8.30pm come in welcomes you to our salon Private functions and try to enjoy a total experience or group dinners our e: otakikitchen @gmail.com NEW Facebook Open Saturday February 20, 10am-2pm Thursday-Saturday 54 Main St, Ōtaki Village • 06 364 7039 Ōtaki Kitchen 49 Main Street, Ōtaki MENU

TE Café Sixty Six THE LE’ 66 Main St • Otaki Village ‘ h calorie loca Hig lity 06 364 8150 THE CAFÉ WITH A CONSCIENCE We use a touch of science to enhance nature's bounty, The old The perfect creating products good MADEfor both HEREyou and IN the ŌTAKI. planet. Telegraph Hotel venue for We use eco-friendly packaging for our fair trade and organic coffee and offer reusable cups, too! Come and visit our factoryPhyto-cannabinoid to see our range of serumbeauty andfor (built 1872) a family Great real fruit smoothies, milkshakes and iced coffees health products, made rightarthritis here inand Otaki. neuropathic pain. has two bars, get- available. Come in for a delicious breakfast or lunch See our website for the amazing a lounge/ together, Get sorted for summer with birthday or grab a snack if you are in a hurry. customer feedback on this dining room function Catering available. Vegan friendly. product. INSECT REPELLENT and refurbished or a drink The only natural repellent approved OPEN: MONDAY-SATURDAY from 8am-3.30pm Come and visit our outlet shop backpacker-style with for complete protection against the accommodation. friends. zika virus.to see our range of beauty and 8 HOURShealth PROTECTION products, made right here DEETin FREE!! Ōtaki. cnr Rangiuru Rd/Tasman Rd, Ōtaki Township - Contact Duane 06 364-0634, 021 0220 3105, or [email protected] 34 Riverbank Road, Otaki • 06 364 6690 fb.com/hebebotanicals www.hebebotanicals.co.nz HUATAU/Comment I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 18

Ōtaki Today welcomes Ōtaki electorate MP Terisa Ngobi to its regular lineup of columnists Working up and down electorate ia koutou, talofa everyone. It’s great to have the opportunity to Insurance and Mortgage Advisers Kdo an update of what my team and I have been up to over the last month. February was our first “sitting block” which means for three weeks of February all Members of Parliament are required in the House to attend select committees, Terisa speaking at a garden party in Ōtaki speak on Bills and participate in Question organised by host Di Time etc. Buchan (seated). For me this means I am required to Photo Ian Carson be in Wellington from Monday evening through to Thursday evening. When I am not required at Parliament you responding to property owner requests divert waste from the landfill while will find me working my way up and and works cannot start until all of the land upcycling some beautifully carved art • First home buyer mortgages • Debt consolidation down our electorate. My team and I has been purchased. pieces. You can check them out at the • Mortgage refinancing • All Insurance covers have been running constituent clinics in Highlights from this month include the transfer station in Ōtaki. • Investment property lending • Honest and friendly Paraparaumu and Levin while we wait amazing feedback from kura and tamariki I also attended the Ōtaki Kite Festival • Local knowledge/local people • Free services for our offices to be ready. on the free lunches in and I’m certain that is the biggest crowd We will be running clinics THE ELECTORATE schools initiative which this I have ever seen for this event! My family 153 Main Highway, Ōtaki in Foxton, Ōtaki and Government is very proud and I shopped at the Ōtaki Yard Market a (opposite New World Supermarket) Waikanae soon. of and we can already see few weeks ago and scored myself a great Bryce Hughes is our the benefits to our tamariki pair of earrings from a local artist, and manager MP support and their whanau. The lastly I attended a fabulous evening at the 06 364-6123 in the North and you historic achievement of the famous Ōtaki Garden Party hosted by Di 0800 367 467 can contact Bryce for an Māori Wards Bill passing Buchan. appointment on his email: and the mahi being done I know people will be feeling anxious as Please call bryce.hughes@parliament. on banning conversion we are currently dealing with Covid and for the best insurance govt.nz therapy that will make a working through levels. Let’s continue I have noticed queries TERISA NGOBI, MP massive difference to our to do our part – scan, stay home if you’re and mortgage advice around the Ōtaki to north Rainbow communities. sick, wear masks on public transport and of Levin road, or O2NL as it is more Locally I have had the privilege of wash your hands. commonly known. I would like to be attending the opening of Zero Waste We can do this. We have done this www.inprogroup.co.nz clear that this Government continues Ōtaki, an amazing community initiative before and can do this again! to be committed to this project. We are driven by Jamie Bull and the team who n Terisa is the Labour MP for the Ōtaki electorate

fairtrade organic coffee

06 364 5472 • Boil-up on Thurs and Fri • Salads • Cinnamon donuts • Paninis, sandwiches, toasted wraps/sandwiches • Fresh salads • Gourmet savouries • Meal of the day • Smoothies, milkshakes • Emporio coffee • Variety of vegetarian and keto options • REAL FRUIT ICE CREAMS 9 200 State Highway 1, Ōtaki

• freshly baked pies daily • filled rolls, sandwiches • cream doughnuts • great variety of cakes • bread and pizza bread OZ’S BAKERY 06 364 5468

Come in and be enticed by our exquisite range of homewares Peter Heald and accessories – treat yourself or that special someone to Order your ŌtakiT now! Residential & treasures for heart and home. $30 plus p+p commercial We are a store for everyone. ADULTS sizes: S, M, L, real estate cnr Arthur St and SH1, Ōtaki XL, XXL, 3XL, 5XL LEMON STREET OTAKI 06 364 0433 ŌTARA STREET TOTARA PLACE BELL STREET ATMORE AVENUE MAIRE STREET T TEMUERA STREET MATAI STREET KIRK STREET GARDNER PLACE MATENE PLACE CONVENT ROAD white or black Ts MCLAREN PLACE ITI STREET RANGATIRA STREET TE WIREMU LANE MATAI PLACE HINAU STREET IAN PETER WAY TE HARAWIRA STREET LUPIN ROAD TĀMIHANA PLACE open 7 days 10am-4.30pm WAIHURIHIA STREET RAUKAWA STREET MATENE STREET AOTAKI STREET DOMAIN ROAD TASMAN ROAD ANZAC ROAD HADFIELD STREET Children’s sizes: TE RAUPARAHA STREET M 0275 365 616 CONVENT ROAD ROAD MILL MAIN STREET

GA ROAD TĪTOKI STREET NIKAU PLACE 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 WAEREN MIRO STREET AKE AKE PLACE KATEA STREET DUNSTAN STREET HARIATA STREET RIVERBANK ROAD MOY PLACE JEAN HING PLACE STATE HIGHWAY 1 SUE AVENUE MILLHAVEN PLACE KINGI TE AHO AHO PLACE KNIGHTS CARKEEK GROVE DRIVE ARTHUR STREET BERTELSEN COURT WINIATA PLACE E [email protected] BEVAN PLACE DALDIN DRIVE JIM SPIERS LANE ALEXANDER PLACE RANGIURU ROADROAD BENNETTS ROAD WAIORONGOMAI OLD COACH ROAD ĀNUKA STREET TOI STREET MARINE PARADENGAIO M STREET KOROMIKO STREET COLENSORATA STREET PLACE HEALTH CAMP ROAD SIMCOX STREET MAHOE STREET NORFOLK CRESCENT DODDS CRESCENT RAHUI ROAD COUNTY ROAD COBB PLACE ELPHICK STREET HEMA TE AO TE ROTO ROAD BRANDON STREET WESTPEAK WAY TARARUA SPERANZACRESCENT AVENUE ARATIKA CRESCENT TARARUA CRESCENT PŌHATU LANE RĒNATA ROAD WAY MOANA STREET FREEMANS ROAD LUDLAM KŌNINI STREET TE ROTO ROAD RINGAWHATI ROAD KOWHAI STREET WAITOHU VALLEYBLVD SUNGLO ROAD TERRACE ROBERT MCKEEN STREET DITTMER STREET GREENWOOD ROAD SEAGRASS PLACE MOUNTAINVIEW TERRACE ADDINGTON ROAD TE WAKA YATES STREET BYRON BROWN PLACE SWAMP ROAD LETHBRIDGE ROAD O’ROURKE PLACE ROAD PARADE ŌTAKI GORGE TŌTARANUI ROAD BABBACOMBE AVENUE MARINE OLD HAUTEREPARENGA ROAD ROAD WAIMANU ROAD CAUGHLEY PLACE SCOTT AVENUE WAIHŌANGA ROAD KARAKA STREET HARPER ROAD

KĀPITI LANE ATKINSON AVENUE ROAD MANUAO TE KAITAWA ROAD TE WHĒNĀ STREET THE AVENUE ID MEDIA LTD Getting you more. KIHAROA STREET HEWSON CRESCENT

That’s our job.

street included street every - Ōtaki street names names street Ōtaki

ORDER your Ts at e: [email protected] or text 027 285 4720 PITOPITO KŌRERO/News I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 19

HELPLINES AND LOCAL Big upgrade for beach pipes MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Ōtaki Beach is about to get a big It’s OK to seek help. Never hesitate upgrade to its stormwater system. KCDC graphic if you are worried about yourself or The 13-month council project will TOI STREET someone else. upgrade the stormwater network If someone has attempted suicide or you’re worried about their immediate safety: along Toi Street, Manuka Street, • Call your local mental health crisis assessment Moana Street, and Tasman Road at team 0800 745 477 or take them to the the intersection of Moana Street. emergency dept (ED) of your nearest hospital New stormwater pipes will • If they are in immediate physical danger to be larger than the existing pipes themselves or others, call 111 MOANA STREET • Stay with them until support arrives and will reduce the likelihood • Remove any obvious means of suicide they of flooding after heavy rain. In might use (eg ropes, pills, guns, car keys, knives) some places, the drinking water • Try to stay calm, take some deep breaths MANUKA STREET • Let them know you care reticulation network will also be • Keep them talking: listen and ask questions upgraded to accommodate the new without judging stormwater pipes. • Make sure you are safe. The new pipes will be laid in the For more information, talk to your local doctor, TASMAN ROAD medical centre, hauora, community mental health road and berm areas, and will be team, school counsellor or counselling service. If mostly installed by open trenching. you don’t get the help you need, keep trying. Some of the water mains will be Services offering support & information: installed using trenchless methods. • Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) • Samaritans 0800 726 666 - for confidential The seven phases of work begin support for anyone who is lonely or in this month with completion emotional distress scheduled in April next year. • Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 - to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions PHASE LOCATION PIPES TIMING • Healthline 0800 611 116 - for advice from trained registered nurses 1 Intersection of Tasman Road and Moana Street Water main March 2021 • www.depression.org.nz For children and young people 2 Manuka Street - south side berm Water main March 2021 • Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email 3 Toi Street - south side berm Water main April 2021 [email protected] or webchat at youthline. co.nz (webchat avail 7-11pm) – for young 4 Toi Street Stormwater April to June 2021 people and their parents, whānau and friends • What’s Up 0800 942 8787 (0800 WHATSUP) or 5 Moana Street Stormwater June to August 2021 webchat at www.whatsup.co.nz from 5-10pm for ages 5-18. 6 Intersection Tasman Road and Moana Street Stormwater August to October 2021 • Kidsline 0800 543 754 (0800 KIDSLINE) – up to 7 Manuka Street and at intersection of Ngaio Street Stormwater October 2021 to March 2022 18 yrs. Ttimings and sequence of works might change. Timings above are approximate. More options: www.mentalhealth.org.nz

FITNESS FOR THE OVER 50s

A well functioning heart is key to good health as you grow older. Regular exercise can make a huge difference if you Dunstan Street • Ōtaki • 06 364 5543 find yourself slowing down, with stiffer joints and diminished FOR YOUR HAIR AND BEAUTY NEEDS muscle strength. If you want to get yourself back in shape, or NEW SUMMER MENU! just feel better – at your pace – give me a call. You’ll get expert Pamper yourself and feel great! help so you do the right things on your good health journey. EASTER PROMOTION Daniel Duxfield • Full facial treatments receive FREE eyebrow shaping Qualified Fitness Trainer • Buy 2 Dermalogica products, RECEIVE A $20 VOUCHER 18 Te Harawira St • Any colour treatments during March and April Ōtaki will GO INTO OUR EASTER BASKET DRAW 022 1099 442 * RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY conditioning treatment with any full colour services 5 Arthur Street, Ōtaki • 06 364 0090 JAZZ HAIR & CO OPEN Tues - Sat: 9am-6pm OPEN 7 DAYS 9am-4pm (kitchen closes 3pm) LATE NIGHT Thur 10am-7.30pm Look for duxfitfunctionalfitness on facebook.com facebook.com/redscafeotaki/

Ōtaki First National, the real estate specialist for Ōtaki, Te Horo, Levin, and Manakau. Lifestyle or residential, whether Otaki you are buying, selling or needing expert advice. Enjoy SHUTTLE SERVICE the Kāpiti Coast lifestyle – the Tararuas, rivers, beaches, Kāpiti Island, shopping, cafés and a 06 364-6001 • 027 439 0131 great climate! SEVEN DAY A WEEK SERVICE UNTIL MIDNIGHT LOCALS SUPPORTING LOCALS • Otaki to Waikanae $35 Join us for delicious homemade meals • Otaki to Paraparaumu $50 or coffee and cake in our lovely • $10 + $5 per passenger between beach and plateau • Further afield trips negotiable garden or warm café. • Airports and bus connections We look forward to serving you. DEREK KELLY TRAVIS ROBERTSON GRANT ROBERTSON Book online at: STATE HIGHWAY 1 Licensed Agent [email protected] AREINZ otakishuttle.co.nz next to Kathmandu [email protected] 022 152 6629 [email protected] 021 0832 6460 021 660 113 Please confirm by phone 10% discount 06 364 6742 238 Main Highway, Ōtaki for weekend web bookings. EFTPOS Mon to Fri open daily 6.30am-4pm For all enquiries, call 06 364 8350 or email [email protected] Evening jobs need to be booked. available in vehicle GBR REALTY LTD MREINZ licensed agent REAA (2008) Ōtaki Today, Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika/page 20 HUATAU/Comment

PLAIN SPEAKING: IAN CARSON Buzz overhead offers different perspective on a our town It was about midday on March 1 that I got a text from flyer and local architect Rob Kofoed. “How would you like to take a flight this afternoon?” he said. It’s not every day I get asked to go aloft for an aerial view of Ōtaki, and apart from an invited excursion on Chathams Air’s DC3 early last year, I’d Moths were flying in for an overnight never flown over my own patch. stay, so that was worth a photo (see p4). “Of course,” I replied, trying to Once airborne, it was clear Ōtaki seem nonchalant but quietly excited was a different place than I imagined about the opportunity. I was certainly at ground level. There are houses and eager and though like most a tad businesses I never knew existed, and apprehensive about the dangers of the unique perspective gave a clear flying, I was assured because of the indication of how close landmarks experience of the pilot. Rob has been were to each other. flying for nigh on 40 years, he’s a flying It was also clear how the natural instructor and assessor for pilot re- landscape has shaped Ōtaki. The Ōtaki licensing. and Waitohu rivers are dominant I also wanted to get a look over the features, as is the ocean beating Te Horo aerodrome, a block of land relentlessly on the beach. where many moons ago I recall going And then there is Kāpiti Island, to regular country fairs where they had like an ancestor lying quietly offshore wood-chopping, candy floss and other ready to grumble if you didn’t respect old-style attractions. I suspect the old the mainland and its bounty. go-kart track used to be there, too, or We live in a fantastic part of the certainly nearby. world. It’s always great to look at it FROM ABOVE: An aerial view of the south end of Ōtaki Beach from Rob Kofoed’s Cessna. In the foreground is the old Rob keeps his Cessna 172 at the differently every now and then. Children’s Health Camp, with the “pine forest” behind it, the Ōtaki River farther south and Kāpiti Island offshore. aerodrome, and I’d heard some Tiger n Ian is editor of Ōtaki Today Photo Ian Carson

ŌTAKI OUTLOOK: CHRIS PAPPS LOCAL LENS: JAMES COOTES Stunning power of the haka at More public transport options Gateway meeting needed As you will probably know, the council From time to time members of the public recently made a decision to go ahead with approach us in our role as elected members the Kāpiti Gateway project. with an idea or solution to a particular need The aim is to have an attractive, biosecure within the community. and more economically effective introduction This can often be a result of personally to Kāpiti Island than the current set-up where experiencing the issue, but rather than simply people going to the island have their bags complain about it, some choose to find searched in a rather barren and inhospitable solutions. car park before boarding the boat. don’t get to vote but we are often allowed to Colin Davies was one such person, who, as economic opportunities, public transport The project’s been in the council Long- speak and we can lobby councillors and talk with a resident of Te Horo Beach, approached me and active modes are more available and/ Term Plan for the past several years but never staff about issues. about an idea of extending the bus route to or accessible, increased share of travel by quite got off the ground because of a lack of With strong views on the project, including better serve our community. Colin didn’t just public transport and active modes, reduced funds. Now, with about $2.23 million from a 3500-odd petition against the plans for the ring me up and chew my ear about the poor lack greenhouse gas emissions, reduced air and the Covid Recovery Fund, and $2.23 million building and set-up, a great many people wanted of public transport, but had put some thought noise pollution. from council funds, the project is a goer. their views heard. The public speaking and into the issue. So after a few meetings with the helpful staff There are strong views for and against the submissions went on pretty well all day. The pros He’d mapped out a possible route, timed at the regional council we had their support to proposed plans. and the cons were thoroughly explored. it, and sourced more up-to-date population investigate the proposed service. As chair of the Ōtaki Community Board I Local iwi strongly favour the project and the numbers through the council’s meshblock data. To help inform any request they put to am privileged to attend and observe council plans. They’ve even gifted a name, Te Uruhi. With that all pulled together we approached regional councillors to provide the necessary and Long-Term Plan meetings. Other They see the gateway as a way to recognise the Greater Wellington Regional Council with a funding, they needed to ascertain the level of community board chairs do the same. We significance of the partnership between iwi proposal to provide a bus service into the Te demand. That’s where YOU can play a part. To and council, a place to strengthen the links Horo community. help inform their decision, the regional council between the island and mainland, to help people Now when it comes to transport the current LETTERS TO THE EDITOR has a short survey you can fill out (see link understand the island’s national significance and government’s priorities have shifted with a focus If you have something to say, write to us. Please below). importance to them, and a place to strengthen more towards “mode shift”. That is, shifting include your full name, address and contact https://survey.researchfirst.co.nz/SE/1/J3017/ phone number. Only letters that include these biosecurity measures and protect the taonga for people’s dependency on cars and into other ?fbclid=IwAR0erOG1iAVzahBMufpKtvUPqn6 details will be published, unless there is good future generations. modes of transport. Pucc35vHokux6D-G7PA2fgqHDvHgtEEo reason to withhold a name. Maximum 200 Iwi made presentations on this and did it well. The government policy statement mentions Please share it with your friends and words. Note your letter may be edited for Afterwards, there was silence for a moment, then “better transport options to access social and neighbours to show how much demand there grammar and accuracy. Not all letters received one man stood up and began a haka. More and economic opportunities” and “developing a will be published and the publisher reserves is to justify the service. The feedback YOU more joined in. The volume and the pace grew. low carbon transport system that supports the right to reject any letter. Write toŌtaki provide could be the difference between getting It was one of the most visually, aurally emission reductions, while improving safety Today, 13 Te Manuao Rd, Ōtaki or email increased public transport in our community – and emotionally moving haka I have ever and inclusive”. [email protected] or not! experienced. It clearly annoyed some people, Along with those statements are their OPINION: Note that the views and but inspired others. The power of that haka was priorities of what will be delivered by 2031 If you complete the survey, you can go in the opinions of our contributors are not draw to win one of two $100 cash prizes. necessarily those of Ōtaki Today. stunning. It might have even changed some votes. (short to medium-term results). n Chris is chair of the Ōtaki Community Board These are improved access to social and n James is Ōtaki Ward Councillor HUATAU/Comment I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 21 Lies versus truth from the days of Miss Hoskins s a kid at Waitohu School in the 1960s, gain some kind of advantage. Let’s face it, most I recall my teacher, a Miss Hoskins, as a people routinely give out the occasional small veryA sporty type who liked to travel. lie, and if caught out, admit the mistake, quickly One day in class she revealed a desire to go back-track, apologise and move on. to the Himalayas. Keen to impress, I proudly But what happens when politicians, offered the fact that my Dad had once been to including a former United States president, the Himalayas. My little tale might even have constantly deal in untruths and never back- extended to the notion that he had roamed on track or apologise? They have so distorted the Mount Everest. difference between a lie and a truth that the lie What was I thinking? I had no idea my Dad has become the currency for their advantage, had been anywhere near the Himalayas, albeit I while the truth is just what someone else says. knew he’d been to exotic places as a Kiwi sailor In fact, when Trump is accused of anything, in the Royal Navy of the Second World War. he’s suddenly the victim and others are the ones Home I went, armed with the knowledge that spreading fake news. Miss Hoskins was keen as all hell to know more For Trump, a lie can be made up in an instant about this and had said that she’d drop by to and it doesn’t matter, to his supporters, whether quiz my father on his Nepal escapades. it stands up to critical examination. His “So Dad, you went the Himalayas, right?” MAGA fans, all caught in a bubble of slogans, Unfortunately his one-word reply confirmed conspiracies and simple explanations, have an nothing of the sort, and I was left with an empty easy attraction as every utterance deals with their troublesome realities of life – Mexicans, MEDIA & COMMUNITY boast and no idea about how Muslims, gays, black people, women, etc, etc. to rectify my a hedge, so I shot inside and hid under a bed, When we deliberately deceive others and So, consider this. If my Dad had been a monstrous lie. fearing the worst consequences of my dishonesty. make things up so it’s hard to separate fact from big liar, like the 8-year-old me, and had told There was, of Was there a punchline to this story? Well, no. fiction, we end up with a big problem. Personal Miss Hoskins a porky about climbing Mount course, a simple They had the conversation, but nothing else trust is weaker and, in communities, social Everest, she no doubt would have been none solution – admit happened and the matter was never raised again cohesion begins to fray. the wiser and ecstatic with the news. My Dad’s the mistake to by my Dad or the teacher. But the truth is never pure. It’s often a ego would have been stroked, and I would have my teacher and Except that my amplified untruth is imprinted bit ugly and perplexing. It’s the currency of learned a Trump-like lesson that lying makes put the matter on my mind to this day. academics and scientists, requiring nuanced me bullet-proof and has personal benefits. to rest. But no, It comes to mind, especially as we are understandings and critical thinking. And facts I might have lost some friends, but I would FRASER CARSON in my spongey increasingly challenged by what is true and what will always be relative, just because there is have likely made some new ones. I might eight-year-old mind, I had no escape from is simply made up, especially in social media rarely only “a fact”. There are interpretations even have decided to lie my way to becoming my extravagant claim and I simply kept quiet, and in politics. and a simple truth can evolve as we might re- president of something. waiting in terror for the arrival of Miss Hoskins Children naturally have fertile imaginations evaluate over time. n Fraser is a former member of the XŌtaki College Alumni Trust and at my house, in search of my Dad’s story. and spinning stories is part of growing up. But In life, politics and in the media, I once is the founding partner of Flightdec.com. Flightdec’s kaupapa is to challenge the status quo of the internet to give access to more reliable Duly Miss Hoskins did arrive, unannounced, as kids, we are all taught (at least most of us) to quaintly thought that facts could be open to a and valuable citizen generated content, and to improve connectivity to see my father. I spotted her foot appear under avoid falsehood and to tell the truth. bit of distortion, in order to win an argument or and collaboration.

Tall Poppy brings you New Zealand’s #1 FREE marketing package. Sarah Lange has proven results in Ōtaki.

ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD

Pukenamu Road Te Rauparaha Street Simcox Street Marine Parade Manuka Street Te Horo Ōtaki Ōtaki Beach Ōtaki Beach Ōtaki Beach

ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD ANOTHER SOLD

Arapipi Way Rugby Street Sue Avenue Toi Street Ludlam Way Pekapeka Levin Ōtaki Ōtaki Beach Ōtaki

Sarah Lange Thinking of selling? Sales Consultant 022 317 7613 Let’s talk.

[email protected] | tallpoppy.co.nz/sarah-lange BULSARA T/A TALL POPPY LICENSED UNDER REAA 2008 Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 22 PAKIHI/Business

Minimum wage for all hours worked hether you are for it or against it, the on top of it, this does not enable employers to pay Wminimum wage is set to increase from less than the minimum wage. Employers’ KiwiSaver April 1. contributions must be paid on top of (in addition The Government has set the new minimum to) the minimum wage. hourly rates of pay as: For both employers and employees, it’s also Tech monitors • $20 an hour for adult workers (increased from important to understand that certain clauses $18.90 an hour); and EMPLOYMENT LAW in employment • $16 an hour for starting-out workers and agreements (such as en-route trainees (increased from $15.12 an hour). restraint of trade clauses This increase applies to both workers paid by or availability clauses) perishables the hour and to salaried workers. require some form of It’s a common view that the idea behind payment to be effective. Amid the Covid-induced dislocation to exports of horticultural produce paying a salary is to even out peaks and troughs, Often the agreement – including throughout the Kāpiti-Horowhenua region – and its effect on and paying employees more than minimum wage will say the salary or shipping and air cargo timetables, positive news is the increased attention by some of the time makes up for the extra hours hourly rate includes technology companies to the logistics needs of the sector. they work at other times. However, the law is this payment, but that’s Of particular interest is a New Zealand-developed track-and-trace sensor system clear that employees must be paid minimum called Roambee that can provide evidence of the temperature of shipments in real wage for all the hours they work and the ability AMY WEBSTER unlikely to work if the time. This allows growers and their freight forwarders, as well as their customers, to “average” is actually quite restricted. salary or wage is the to monitor the conditions affecting products in transit. The value of this reporting minimum wage. For example, a salaried worker sometimes works system from packages or boxes lies in the ability of both exporters and customers to 40 hours a week, but other times they work 70 If employers want to stay on the right side of the seek adjustment to the temperatures inside the storage space in which the products hours. They are paid fortnightly and annually they law, and have the ability to prove they are meeting are being transported. work an average of 100 hours per fortnight. their minimum wage obligations, they also need The same sensor system shows where the ship or aircraft is and signals in real time whether packaging is subject Many employers would assume that paying to keep a record of the number of hours each of to tampering, and even a potentially damaging tilt of the this person a salary of $52,000 (the equivalent their employees have worked, and how much they packaging. Shippers can have 24-hours-a-day visibility of their of 100 hours a fortnight at minimum wage) were paid for it (called a “wage and time record”). product’s progress to market. meets minimum wage obligations. However, Employers can face fines of up to $20,000 for Roambee Variations to temperatures in transit can have significant the maximum period employers can average an failing to do this, so if your business is not doing spoilage implications for some fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, employee’s hours is fortnightly, unless employees this, get recording! dairy products and cut flowers. That’s why the new Roambee system has attracted the are paid weekly, in which case the employer must The key take-away for business owners: If you attention of Kiwi perishable goods exporters. average weekly. have anyone on your team earning less than the The real-time reporting system to a computer screen or cell phone provides an This means that, in the above example, if the new hourly rates set out above or anyone employed extra layer of security beyond that of traditional transit “loggers”, providing location employee worked 70 hours for two weeks in a row, information useful for estimating customer arrival times and making adjustment to their salary would not equate to minimum wage to work 40 hours a week and earning a salary of transit routes in the event of unforeseen timetable disruption. and they would be entitled to a “top-up” payment. less than $41,600, you probably need to give them This reporting procedure also adds security to the movement of sensitive a pay rise. Even at $47,000, you need to be keeping Clearly then, whether an employee’s hours are pharmaceutical products such as vaccines. Recording of the system’s reports can averaged annually or weekly makes a big difference a careful eye on hours; if they work more than five help track both distribution and condition monitoring, as well as the maintenance of to the amount an employee is entitled to receive. additional hours in a week you might need to pay a inventories, disclosing where supplies are held and when packages have been opened. For this reason (and others) many businesses “top-up” for those hours. Availability of the system through Auckland-based company Kaptura means it should choose to pay their staff fortnightly. (Article written with the assistance of Kailey Northcott, a summer soon become commonplace as an aid to getting Kiwi produce and flowers to world clerk at Wakefields Lawyers.) For those wondering about KiwiSaver, while markets in tip-top condition. n Amy is an associate at Wakefields Lawyers and an expert in For Kāpiti Coast growers aiming for markets in Australia, Asia and beyond, this the law enables employers and employees to agree employment law. She heads the Employment Law Team, which fresh technology might well be worth exploring. that the employer’s KiwiSaver contribution will be helps both employers and employees in all areas of employment n See kaptura.co included in an hourly rate/salary rather than paid law. Become a master at building value in your business

f you’re a business owner or executive, artforms for the ages. YOUR BUSINESS why one is driven to success. At owners must focus on planning, delegating and every decision you make should be Many of us consider this level business owners need to how much self-education and development Idirected toward building value in your ourselves proficient in many clearly articulate an inspirational and they are committed to for long-term success. company, even if you don’t intend to sell for areas. Some call ourselves engaging vision and mission to bring Remember, the goal is to have your business years. experts, but few of us are others – customers, team members, work for YOU, not you working every hour To grow value in your business, there are five ever considered masters. partners, suppliers – with them, under the Sun for it. factors to focus on: Mastery requires a higher before they can proceed to money The last level is delivery. Business owners • creating and keeping a healthy income stream understanding of any mastery. must ask: How does their organisation deliver • ensuring a tidy profit after all costs and discipline and takes time to Money mastery for a business on the brand’s promise? Everything from overheads are paid (including your own acquire. The good news is that includes understanding the key supply lines, to delivery services and customer salary) we can master business skills CHRIS WHELAN attributes, triggers and contributing experience must be analysed to ensure that • having and using a proven plan of marketing with intensive focus. factors for maximising cashflow at every level the focus is on maximising that produces consistent sales (because Ask yourself: What are the skills you want and reducing cost of goods sold. This level satisfaction. The quality of your products and marketing is maths, pure and simple) to master? What specific goals do you need of mastery includes in-depth study and how easy you make it for customers to buy from • building and serving a strong client/customer to achieve to keep on the right path? Which understanding of cash management, financing you are all inherent in this level of mastery. base factors are critical to your success? What does and lending terms, accounts payables/ Every level of mastery requires study, • being efficient and making sure you have the real success look like? Who can help you set receivables, financial statements, pricing research, and practice. But to truly call yourself best systems to free your time and reduce your the vision and keep you on track? How can you strategies, sales forecasting and more. a business master you must also be able to share frustration. measure progress and get effective feedback? While most business owners will pay for and educate others. It’s through the sharing Remember, the more the business relies Mastery is has four separate business areas: expertise in these areas, it’s critical that the of your expertise that you can ultimately call solely on you, the less valuable it is. Your Destination, money, time and delivery. owners themselves understand every area that yourself a master. “irreplace-ability” might do wonders for your Destination mastery focuses on establishing a affects results. That’s worth thinking about. . . ego, but little for your business’s value. powerful mission and vision for an organisation, Once a roadmap for a business destination n If you think you could benefit, and make your business Rembrandt is known as a great master of setting SMART goals to achieve objectives and money mastery are in hand, owners must roar in 2021, call Chris on 0222 332 669 or email art. He also taught, mentored and transformed and understanding why a business exists and shift their focus to time mastery. At this level, [email protected] Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika/page 23 MAHI TOI/Arts

FRIENDS: Andrew London (second from right) with friends (from left) Wayne Mason, Rob Joass and Laura Collins under the bougainvillia at the Winemaker’s Daughter Café in Te Horo. Photo Ian Carson London on song at Winemakers Too Many Chiefs a pleasant Sunday afternoon a much more memorable Winemaker’s Daughter Café, February 21 experience than mowing lawns at home. Reviewed by Ian Carson The taverna-type venue complete with magnificent The superb musicianship and song-writing skills of flowering bougainvillias trailing through the rafters Ōtaki’s Andrew London are evident whenever he helped, perhaps prompting Andrew to say it was his performs, but amalgamating them with the talent of favourite place for a gig. other great musicians seems to bring out the best in The four complemented each other perfectly, with great him. harmony and musicianship as they performed their own This was no more on show than at his recent Sunday songs in turn. afternoon gig at the Winemaker’s Daughter Café on the All were able to let loose with their individual talents, highway just north of Te Horo. showing that small-town New Zealand can still attract Teaming up as Too Many Chiefs with the legendary stellar performers. ICONIC ŌTAKI Wayne Mason (The Fourmyula, Waratahs), Rob Joass (Hobnail, The Shot Band) and Laura Collins (Back Porch London’s ensemble produced a great show that’s worth Late summer flowers have been catching next time Too Many Chiefs get together in attracting the birds into Ōtaki Blues Band), Andrew was at his best. town. gardens in recent weeks. This He engaged guests with a mixture of wit and nostalgia, And what would a show with Wayne Mason be with photo by Janice Street shows a quietening one group who began the afternoon with range of birds enjoying the flowers their own distracting table-talk but soon recognised they New Zealand’s officially all-time favourite song, written in her back yard. were missing something special. It was his easy rapport by Wayne 52 years ago in Upper Hutt –Nature . It was the with fellow band members and his audience that made ideal round-out to a sunny summer’s afternoon. Authentic, polished performances to turn back the clock Gold Dust Woman Showcase, Southwards Theatre, February 20 Reviewed by Grant Robertson A boisterous and entertaining crowd of 250-plus Coasters sang along and stomped their feet to Stevie Nicks (AKA Rachel Williams) and Tom Petty (AKA Greg White) on Saturday night (February 6) at Southwards. There was plenty of enthusiastic interaction, the broad mix of grey heads, rockers, mums and bogans were fun to watch, and the small crowd of dancing girls swelled during the night till the whole place was pumping! The team of musicians did a fabulous job, warming to their task and loving the positive vibe as the night developed. Lead guitar Cam Sutton, well known as owner of the Family Music Store in Paraparaumu, was outstanding. Rachel Williams was “true to character” as Stevie Nicks, producing an authentic performance throughout the night. However, she could have interacted more – after all it was a live performance. Greg White lifted the audience a notch every time he stepped into character and performed the Petty songs. His 12-string guitar numbers were brilliant, and it was a great reminder of Petty’s huge contribution to popular music. Ōtaki’s own Jared Carson paced himself to start with, then unleashed a strong leadership role on the drums, never missing a beat as far as I could see, and looking and sounding every bit the professional. Underpinning it all, bassist Robbie Graham was also polished. We wish Gold Dust Woman all the best with their New Zealand tour, and look forward to further events such as this at Southwards to turn back the clock! Caption to come Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika/page 24 MAHI MĀRA/Gardening Prep soil now for winter crops he cooler nights and dewy mornings start to cool our soil down. Get planting autumn and Twinter crops of broccoli, cauliflower, soaking your garden bed with EM mixed with cabbage, kale, silverbeet, perpetual spinach, whatever liquid feed you have. THE EDIBLE GARDEN parsley, celery and leeks this month to make Kath Irvine has been growing vegetables to feed her family for 21 years. Spray-free, natural, Mulch and feed low-input food gardens are her thing. She believes smart design saves time, money and the the most of the last of the warmth. Mulch seals the deal. Create it with a quick planet, and makes a garden hum. She recycles, reuses and forages, and uses as little plastic as Hungry winter crops such as leeks and garden whip-around. Chop up old crops and possible. Kath believes in a daily serve of freshly picked organic greens for a happy mind and brassicas need awesome soil. Check in with flowers, trim herbs or other soft foliage plants, strong body. She provides organic gardening advice through her articles,books, workshops it before planting out by grabbing a handful mow the lawn and add in leaves, sea wrack, and garden consultations. KATH IRVINE and squeezing it. If it looks like a nice moist, bracken . . . whatever is to hand. Mix all these crumbly chocolate brownie, then you are on a bits and pieces together and spread them on. win. If not, you need to improve it. It won’t be You can’t buy this kind of goodness. strong enough to support good crops. If you well and truly don’t have enough Prepping soil garden waste, another option is to weigh down Aerate hard or heavy clay soil. If you can’t bits of fabric (sacking, old towel, hubby’s holey push your hand into it, your seedlings’ roots T-shirt from 1987. . .) around your plants with don’t have a chance! Aerating means sliding rocks or tent pegs. Boost your plants along Humus-rich soil your garden fork in as far as it will go, pulling it before the cold hits with weekly liquid feeds. back towards you before pulling the fork out. Emergency planting Repeat this all over your chosen spot. Then If you’re short on time and/or garden supplies spread a 1-2 cm layer of compost, sprinkle and the soil in the vegie patch is below par, gypsum or lime and a full spectrum mineral fossick about in your garden to find the best soil fertiliser. A layer of seaweed or comfrey, or on offer. dollops of well rotted manure or worm castings Never mind if the best soil is by a rose or a with each seedling are all excellent mineral lemon or with the flowers, and never mind if it alternatives. means dotting vegies all over the place rather If your soil is sandy, go down, not up. Scoop than in a line or one bed together. Nothing out the sand to about 10cm and line with a thick wrong with emergency, random seedling layer of wet newspaper then fill the hole with planting. It’s a common enough occurrence compost and continue as above. around here. Soak and plant Another option is to plant crops in pots and Sit seedling pots in water for a minute. Add a greencrop your bed over winter for some R&R drop of liquid feed if you have some. before spring. Before planting, water the soil until it’s just The important thing is to keep planting so moist, then bring soil microbes to the party by you can eat nourishing, fresh greens this winter. Crops and learning from library sharing garden The “sharing garden” at Ōtaki Library is bringing new life to the community hub. The garden is providing a range of fruit, vegetables and herbs for the community, as well as offering a ready-made outdoor classroom to enhance community education programmes. Created in late 2019, the garden is in the courtyard entrance of the library. It has salads, sliverbeet, pumpkin, spring onions, lemongrass and limes, and is home to a bee-friendly lavender hedge. “We thought it would be good to have a garden out there that provided food for the community and we wanted to run garden programmes in conjunction with the library,” says library team leader Tiriata Carkeek. “People love it and definitely use it. It’s a bit of a wild garden, but we had a good crop ready during last year’s lockdown and that was well used, and one family made all their Christmas salads with produce from the garden. People just pick as much as they need for meals.” The garden is also helping to boost the food-growing skills of the community. Workshops on composting, hydroponics, sustainable living, and taking and growing from cuttings are regularly attended by up to 100 people and are enhanced by having a real-life garden to use. Gardening tool, plant and textile swaps in the courtyard also bring people together, as do events such as summer and Matariki garden parties. Tiriata says having the garden has extended what the library can offer the community and there are plans to continue growing it. “The courtyard has more purpose and rolls into the library. We want to plant a GREEN FINGERS: Ōtaki Library team leader Tiriata Carkeek and librarian Robyn Edmonds at the sharing garden. few more fruit-bearing trees and keep it going.” Photo supplied – Everything Kāpiti, KCDC Ōtaki Today, Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika/page 25 HAUORA/Health Lead – the fatal attraction that keeps giving ead is an environmental on roofs. HEALTH SCIENCE toxin, and infants and And then there was leaded young children are petrol. It’s hard to imagine a more Lparticularly vulnerable. effective way to spread a toxin In fact everything conspires through a community than to against children. They have spew it out the exhaust of every lower body weight, they absorb car. Scientists of the day said ingested lead more efficiently it was safe, well at least those than adults, and their developing scientists employed by Big Oil. bodies (particularly the brain Experts in lead toxicity had serious and nervous system) are more misgivings, but they were out- sensitive to the damaging effects DR STEVE HUMPHRIES voted by commercial interests. of lead. America finally banned Through placental transfer and breast milk leaded petrol in 1986. But thanks to successive the foetus and baby can receive lead that has indecisive governments who failed to heed accumulated in their mother’s bones – lead is increasing scientific evidence, it took another Image Marlon Ferrer, Pixabay the toxic gift that just keeps giving. The hand-to- 10 years for New Zealand to do the same. By mouth behaviours of babies and young children that time the average blood lead levels (BLLs) also make them more prone to ingesting lead- of New Zealand children was more than 10 µg/ evidence showing adverse health effects in any pipe joints containing or made of lead”. contaminated soil and lead dust in houses (the dL (10micrograms of lead per decilitre [100mls] children below 5 µg/dL, the absence of a An analysis of water from my kitchen tap at toxic legacy of leaded petrol and lead paint). of blood), a blood level 70 times higher than measurable safe threshold, and the fact that lead Ōtaki Beach indeed confirms an extremely low The effects of lead absorption for children preindustrial times. By today’s standards half the serves no purpose in the body, the World Health level of lead at only 0.12 µg/L. That’s more than can be widespread, profound and irreversible. children in New Zealand had a notifiable disease! Organisation has concluded that there is no 80 times lower than the maximum acceptable As a cumulative poison even low levels of The burden to society has been high, though known safe blood lead concentration in children. value (MAV) for lead in water. Very reassuring exposure can ultimately result in lower IQ, largely hidden. The effects of single high doses However, with the recent lead contamination numbers. However, reticulated water can still be learning deficits, and impaired academic of lead are visible and dramatic, for example of water supplies in Otago, health officials have contaminated by taps containing lead-alloy brass, achievement. This can then translate into poorer vomiting, diarrhoea and even death. used a “reference value” of 5 μg/ dL or lead-soldered copper pipes in older houses. job advancement, lower income and even higher But these are rare occurrences. Far (0.24μmol/L) as a safe BLL. But New Zealand has come a long way but, as the rates of crime. more common are the health effects this reference value is not based on lead contamination problems in Otago show, And lead affects almost every organ system of cumulative low doses of lead, studies of lead toxicity. Instead it there is still room for improvement. Older water in the body. Long-term health effects include and this creates a far greater health is derived by surveying the BLLs reticulation systems containing lead need to reproductive problems in men and women, burden for society. Pb of American children and then be replaced. For years Master Plumbers NZ kidney dysfunction, hypertension, heart disease These cumulative effects are Lead forming a cut-off point (5 µg/ has asked the Government to make lead safety and stroke. The health burden to society caused insidious. A parent doesn’t know their dL) for the top 2.5 percent. This standards mandatory for plumbing products, by exposure to lead can be enormous. child’s IQ is four points lower than it reference value is a useful statistic rather than relying on voluntary adherence. They Given the extreme toxicity of lead you would could have been. In general, the health for identifying individuals and are still asking. think we would avoid it at all costs. But because problems are delayed, have a gradual onset, are populations with the highest exposures to lead, America now has a maximum limit of 0.25 of its useful properties (malleability, high density highly variable (people with the same BLL can but it does not tell us what a safe BLL is. percent lead in tapware, a regulation New and corrosion resistance) the opposite has been have quite different health outcomes) and those Studies have shown that for every dollar Zealand should adopt rather than just asking true. We have something of a love affair with outcomes are common health problems anyway spent on reducing lead exposure, in the long people to flush the tap in the morning (but no lead, you might call it a fatal attraction. Exposure (for example, stroke or heart disease). All this run society saves far more than a dollar through advice about when you come home from work). to lead is almost always due to our use of lead helps to hide the effects of lead exposure. improved health. Reducing lead exposure is not We need to follow the examples of overseas products. The health impacts of lead exposure are only good for public health, it’s also a sound countries and lower our current acceptable World-wide lead production was ramped up revealed in epidemiological studies, and it is economic investment. levels for lead in water and reduce the BLL for to more than a million tonnes a year to make these studies that shape public health policy. Given the lead contamination problems a notifiable disease. New Zealand was tardy in (among hundreds of other things) batteries, With the removal of leaded petrol and in Otago do we have any concerns with our getting rid of leaded petrol, we shouldn’t be tardy ammunition, pewter, lead glass and lead-soldered more awareness about other sources of lead Ōtaki water supply? KCDC water treatment now. tin cans. We fired tonnes of lead shot into our contamination, New Zealand children’s BLLs plants manager Bruce Nesbit says: “At the last lakes and waterways. Our houses were riddled have dropped to an average of under 1 µg/dL analytical report, lead levels were so low, they n Health scientist Dr Steve Humphries is a director at Hebe with lead; from lead-based paint, to lead-headed today, a 90 percent reduction over three decades. were undetectable”, (less than 0.5 µg/L) and “the Botanicals in Ōtaki. He was previously a lecturer at Massey nails, lead-soldered water pipes and lead flashing On the basis of a growing body of scientific Ōtaki water reticulation system does not feature University and director of the Health Science Programme. Taking personal responsibility for health

’ve talked often about what you can GETTING FIT adults (over the age of 15) being obese as classified in the 2-in-3. Personal responsibility means making better food do to improve your overall health latest statistics from the Ministry of Health. The official 30.9 choices, committing to regular exercise and encouraging family Iand well-being with regular exercise. percent figure has not generally changed since 2013, but in and friends to join you in some physically challenging activities. I’ve written at length about the health adults aged 45 to 64 this has increased. Saying “exercise to too hard” is just not an option and to be benefits of maintaining your fitness All of those people are likely to have type 2 diabetes show blunt, it’s a bullshit excuse. As I’ve said on my Facebook page: as you age. And especially about how risk factors to develop it. “the only reason you’re not exercising regularly is the bullshit the health sector is over-burdened, While the last year has been all about the Covid-19 excuse you’re telling yourself about why you can’t.” not just with Covid, but with the huge pandemic, people’s behaviour has had to change to protect The truth is this – if you don’t make the time now to address problems it faces with obesity and the health sector from being overwhelmed with cases. Society your health and fitness, even just for basic maintenance, you diabetes in New Zealand. adapted for the greater good; we locked down for a time, will have to face up to your doctor telling you later in life that This month’s article focuses on your washed our hands more and didn’t go to work with a cold. you have since developed serious health problems. You’ll have personal responsibility to yourself, your DANIEL DUXFIELD So why don’t we do the same for the hundreds of to make time and money available for all those tests and scans, family and our wider society. thousands of people who are classed as obese? Why is that specialist appointments and, at worst, surgery, recovery or even We live in a world now where it’s easy to blame society for not a priority? funeral expenses! the way we are, especially health and fitness-wise. There are If you’ve been willing to make changes in your lifestyle to Is that the future you want or do you want to live to a ripe lots of things that can easily destroy your health, such as fast meet the demands of the Covid pandemic, are you prepared to old age with no issues in your winter years? Perhaps it’s time to food, lack of physical challenges, sedentary jobs, etc. Life can make changes in your lifestyle to prevent you ever becoming take personal responsibility for your own health and fitness. be pretty easy and exercise looks too much like hard work to overweight, then obese and developing type 2 diabetes? many. Personal responsibility is not an outmoded concept. Our n Daniel is an exercise professional who operates DuxFit Functional Fitness from a But let’s think about this. Our health sector is under society lives or dies on its general health and fitness. Our health private Ōtaki studio. Contact 022 1099 442 or [email protected] and immense pressure. It’s not helped by almost one in three sector will never cope with that 1-in-3 obesity statistic becoming see www.facebook.com/duxfitfunctionalfitness/ Ōtaki Today, Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika/page 26 HĪTŌRIA/History Work of giant river digger on film – what a drag By David Klein Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision The new exhibition at Ōtaki Museum focuses on the Ōtaki River and features fascinating and impressive footage of a dredging operation from the 1940s. Ko Ōtaki Te Awa – Ōtaki is the River opened last month and runs until the end of November. Alongside a broad overview of the Ōtaki River, a 30-minute recording from the Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision collection titled Ōtaki Dragline, shows the dredging in 1946. The significant works were necessitated by the regular flooding that affected Ōtaki. Tracking the history of the river, an Ōtaki Historical Society Journal from 1987 notes there were serious floods in 1920, 1925, 1926, 1936 and 1940. In 1931 alone there were four floods. The major flow down from the Tararua Ranges – catchment for both the Ōtaki and Waitohu rivers – had defeated earlier attempts to constrain it. The film shows the operation of a dragline machine. This consisted of two towers, one on either side of the river, the taller of which was 40 metres high. Between them a thick cable suspended a large bucket that would drag through the river perpendicular to the flow, scooping material from the riverbed. Each scoop could remove up to 18 tonnes in one pass, with this material generally being deposited to form a stop bank. The “scouring” process would proceed along the river with the towers moving on rail tracks. The dragline could span a river up to 300 metres wide and the buckets made for a fearsome sight DRAGGIN’ THE LINE: An aerial view of the 1946 dredging of the Ōtaki River. From Ōtaki Dragline, Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision as they ploughed into the water. Can you help Ngā Taonga? Ōtaki Dragline shows the machines in action: meaning “a person or thing that is outstanding or excellent”. Several people are shown in this recording the buckets removing large quantities of riverbed Public Work Minister Bob Semple said: “I am – both in the operation of machinery and and forming new stop banks. Surveying staff satisfied these machines will be a blessing to the observing the works. View the footage at the monitor the progress, and scenes from an ŌTAKI country, just as bulldozers were. These machines museum exhibition – do you recognise anyone? aeroplane show the large scale of the work. are able to drag through a river where human The recording comes from 1946, more than The film is surprisingly engaging. Scenes are YESTERDAY beings are unable to go, and where bulldozers 70 years ago. If you know anyone involved in Ōtaki’s newest magazine well selected, shots are steady and nicely framed, would be useless.” the dragline operation, or with the Ministry of and the colour film is well exposed. Among all the that tells the stories The draglines were used for a variety of dredging Works at the time, we’d love to hear from you. of our town’s past like never before. action, four men are taken for a ride in the bucket tasks around the country. Other locations initially • Sources: Ōtaki Historical Society and Papers Past – we are as it’s towed by a bulldozer to another location. targeted for scouring were the Orari River near grateful for these resources. The power and might of the dragline Temuka in South Canterbury, and lakes Forsyth n Ngā Taonga cares for an enormous number of recordings that machines compelled the Government to buy and Ellesmere near Banks Peninsula. They were capture New Zealand life. They can be explored in the online them from the United States. Three machines catalogue at ngataonga.og.nz. Sign up for the Ngā Taonga slow, however, to become operational as the newsletter using the Sign Up button at the top of the page. were bought at a cost of £35,000 each – electric motors had to be modified to work with +$25 $6 p&p equivalent to $3 million in today’s money. New Zealand’s electric current. Despite the large expense, their purchase was The Ōtaki River project was finished in 1947, supported by the Opposition. National Party with the river being narrowed and the bed MP for Bay of Plenty Sir Bill Sullivan referred lowered. Since then, the incidence of significant to them as “bobby dazzlers”, an old slang term flooding has been greatly reduced.

Who is the Ōtaki dude with the flash glasses and haircut looking after Tina Turner during filming ofMad Max Beyond Thunderdome? Find out in Ōtaki Yesterday. GET YOUR COPY NOW Email: [email protected] phone: 06 364-6543 text: 027 285-4720 or RiverStone Cafe or Māoriland Hub HĪTŌRIA/History I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 27 Remarkable Ida had busy life on the river his month, the exhibition Ko Ōtaki te Awa opened to Tacclaim at the Ōtaki Heritage Museum. It’s a huge step up for the museum in terms of the quality of illustrations and materials on display, so make sure you visit the museum at least once during the next six months. There is so much to say about the river and the people who have lived along it, battled with it and shaped it over the years – tangata whenua, settlers, farmers, timber millers, river managers and conservationists. But I noticed as I walked around the display that not many women were featured in the river’s story. Nevertheless, there were women living along the river and in the bush, raising children, running households, helping on the farms and providing FORKS POST: The post office at Ōtaki Forks in the early 1940s. Photo Ōtaki Historical Society, Ōtaki Lions donation services to the small communities up hard work in one flash flood. So I the area by storms. at the mouth of the Gorge. And in from the river. At some time after the Gorge and beyond. have decided to use this column to Ida’s husband was Harold Corrigan, 1936, when she and Harold moved the Second World War, Harold went They, too, tolerated the hard highlight some of their stories. The who was secretary of Tangata to their new home on the terrace, she to the Solomon Islands. He died in conditions, and learned to live with first woman I have chosen is Ida Timber Mill Ltd, which operated the had a veranda built onto the house to Burma in 1954. a river that could wipe out their Corrigan. Corrigan Mill No 2 on the bank of accommodate a school. She was duly Ida moved to Ames Street in DI BUCHAN Ida was a remarkable woman the Waitatapia Stream at Ōtaki Forks appointed sole charge teacher with Paekākāriki, where she resided until full of energy and enthusiasm, who from about 1934 to 1938. It took only 11 pupils. she died in 1979 aged 93. won praise for her kindness and four years for all the good timber to The year before, the post office The site of the Corrigan hospitality. She ran a school at Ōtaki be cut out of this area, and the mill had been built on the terrace with a homestead, school and post office is Forks, operated the post office there subsequently closed. seven-line manual exchange. Initially now marked by bits of concrete and (one of four servicing Ōtaki at the Harold and Ida didn’t live on the Ida’s mother ran the post office, but bricks surrounded by exotic English time), and ran an orphanage attached mill site at the time of its operation, Ida took over shortly after. She had an flowers and shrubs. The skid site for to the post office. She was secretary but after it closed they moved into the orphanage built onto the side of the Corrigan’s No 2 Mill is above the of the Correspondence School Parent manager’s house until it was washed post office and the children helped Roaring Meg stream. The remains of and Teacher Association from its away in a flood. After that they moved bolster the school roll to ensure the steel ropes used to winch the logs inception in 1936 and was honoured to a new house on a terrace above the it stayed open even after the mills cross the river indicate its location. with life membership in 1943. Forks. closed. A Lausonia Cypress tree, which Ida Ida was also a founding member of Ida was childless, her only child The Corrigans left their home planted, is still on the skid site. the Ōtaki Forks Women’s Institute. being still-born. However she in 1942 after an earthquake wiped Sources: Her home was the social centre for managed to surround herself with out the road and a fire destroyed Kerr, R. Not only Te Rauparaha & Hadfield but also. . . 2018 the small community at the Forks, children even in such an isolated the house. The post office closed at Otaki Otaki Historical Journals as well as a refuge for lost trampers, area. In the early 1930s she was a the same time. They moved to 27 n Ōtaki Museum, Main Street. Open Thu-Sat Museum search parties and people trapped in teacher aide at Waiohanga School, Wellington Street, Paekākāriki, far 10am-2pm.

OLD SCHOOL PHOTOS

Ōtaki School, S1, 1958 Thanks to Janice Cole Street for providing this photo with all the names! LAST MONTH’S PHOTO

TE HORO SCHOOL, Primer 1 and Standard 1, 1935. No identifications for this school photo ... ŌTAKI SCHOOL Standard 1, 1958 (left) Back row (l-r): John Gilbert, Bayne, Orrberg, Michael Gordon, Brian Horn, Phillip Webster, Edwin, Dave Warren, Graham D’ath, Noel Leighton, Robert Campbell. Row 3: Christopher Harrison, Stephen Foster, John Marshall, Ross Cudby, Elizabeth Hart, Bronwen Evans, Denis Aden, Alec Young, Joey Chong, Michael Karipa. Row 2: Pauline Lipscombe, Yvonne Phillips, Kathleen Kenna, Jeanette Mathie, Anne Waterson, Bronwen Black, Denise Watkin, Janice Cole, Jill Campbell, Christine Tucker, Lynda Mathie. Front row: Helen Jorey, Carla Lutz, Carol Peter, Lexine Gerrard, Marilyn Hodges, Norah Caird, Catherine Jenkins, Carol Johns, Margaret Kendrick, Pauline Wright, Glenyis Wilton.

If you have school photos you’d like to share, please email debbi@idmedia. co.nz. If you can identify or have corrections, we’d love to hear from you. COLURING MPET to win a $20 book voucher NAME: AGE: . PHONE: or an Animals in Vehicles

S Ōtaki Today’s box at

be made out of the of your coloured Riverstone T of words that can

Drop a copy word Did you know picture into

the number

April 11. book by

P SPIDER

76! A

Café

is I M see fulllistpage 31 Here’s afewwords MAKER WORD to startyouoff: ride, dip,red...

A

D D

YOU how

R

are above. are Answers Answers

E

can

See See

many

find

R

I

K Kyus’ AQUATICANIMALSWORDSEARCH kittens! many Too Zealand tohelpwithfostercare.Ifyoucangoto:www.spca.nz level 4 COVID-19 lockdown. The SPCA iscallingonanimal-lovers inNew the end of2020 because catswereunabletobedesexed duringlastyear’s increased to4000.There wasaspike inthe number ofkittens borntowards had 3500 animalsin SPCA centres. The its a dayhavecomeinto More than800animals is overrunwithkittens. New Zealand’sSPCA family? your dog in have a do you -highway-1/swimsite www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/wellington-region/swimming/otaki-river-at-state I OT KIDS’OT NEWS Look UP, down,ACROSS,diagonallyand checking the statusofthese blooms Keep yourselfandyour petsafe Testing is small amount,thesizeofa 50 centpiece,cankilladog. and mayeatmatsthatwashupontheriver’s edge. A they eatthealgalmats.Dogs areattractedtothesmell cyanobacteria toformbloomsthatcanbetoxic todogsif Summer’s hightemperaturesandlongdryperiodscause it isrecommendedthatchildrenandpetsnotswimthere. Blooms oftoxic algaehavebeenfoundin Ōtaki Riverand 1 bridge(aboveright). BACKWARDS! Putalinethrough each its care lastsummer. This year thatnumber has FUN

done onthe Ōtaki Riverjustupstream ofthe SH word asyoufindit. before swimming at: by HAPORI/Community I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 29

To list your group, or update contact details, email [email protected]

COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AMICUS CLUB OF ŌTAKI 364 6464 COBBLERS LUNCH CLUB Thursdays 11.15am-1.30pm Gertrude Atmore Lounge. Free soup. FOREST & BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY Joan Leckie 368 1277 FRIENDS OF THE ŌTAKI RIVER Trevor Wylie 364 8918 FRIENDS OF THE ŌTAKI ROTUNDA Di Buchan 364 0180/027 683 0213 GENEALOGY SOCIETY Len Nicholls 364 7638 KĀPITI COAST GREY POWER June Simpson 021 109 2583 KĀPITI HOROWHENUA VEGANS: Alastair 364 3392 Eric 367 2512 KEEP ŌTAKI BEAUTIFUL Margaret Bayston/Lloyd Chapman LIONS CLUB OF ŌTAKI Phil Shaw 027 259 1636 MORRIS CAR CLUB Chris Torr 323 7753 ŌTAKI BRIDGE CLUB Tim Horner 364-5240 ŌTAKI COMMUNITY PATROL Errol Maffey 027 230 8836 ŌTAKI & DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS Vaevae 027 447 7864 ŌTAKI FLORAL ART & GARDEN CLUB Macha Miller 364 6605 ŌTAKI FOODBANK 43 Main St, Lucy Tahere 364 0051 ŌTAKI HERITAGE BANK MUSEUM TRUST 364 6886 PLAY TIME: An early indicative scope of what the playscape will look like – work is still under way to finalise details. Photo supplied ŌTAKI HISTORICAL SOCIETY Sarah Maclean 364 2497 ŌTAKI MENZSHED 022 406 9439 [email protected] ŌTAKI PLAYERS SOCIETY Roger Thorpe 364 8848 or 021 259 2683 Playscape in Lions’ sights ŌTAKI POTTERY CLUB Rod Graham 027 445 7545 ŌTAKI PROMOTIONS GROUP Cam Butler 021 703095 A specially designed therapeutic “playscape” is the target Foundation, Mark Dunajtschik made an extraordinary gift of ŌTAKI AND DISTRICT RSA, 9 Raukawa St 364 6221 of an Ōtaki Lions garage sale on Saturday, March 27. $50 million to build a new world-class children’s hospital for ŌTAKI SPINNERS & KNITTERS’ GROUP, Barbara Austin 364 8381 The playscape will be at the new Wellington region the region. ŌTAKI STROKE SUPPORT GROUP Marian Jones 364-5028 children’s hospital that’s under construction. It will feature “This unprecedented generosity is deeply appreciated and ŌTAKI WOMEN’S NETWORK GROUP Carol Ward 027 235 6151 various therapies to aid rehabilitation and increase social will ensure a brighter and healthier future for thousands participation and well-being. of Kiwi kids,” says Bill Day, chair of Wellington Hospitals ŌTAKI WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CLUB/SUNDAY MARKETS It includes custom-made equipment with special Foundation. Kerrie Fox 027 340 0305 surfaces for sensory and developmental benefit, and will With community support, including the Lions clubs, the ŌTAKI WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Rema Clark [email protected] use medicinal and native plantings to provide a natural and foundation is raising $10 million to outfit and equip the RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRE Jamie 027 444 9995/Drew 021 288 7021 stimulating environment for creative and imaginative play. interior of the new hospital. ROTARY CLUB OF OTAKI Michael Fagg 021 294 3039 Playscape will be a welcome distraction for children and Ōtaki Lions president Jenny Askwith says the last garage TIMEBANK Suzanne Fahey 021 1275 074 their families – including from Ōtaki – from the challenges sale was a huge success. TOASTMASTERS OF WAIKANAE Graham 04 905 6236 they are facing. All Lions clubs from the Wellington Hospital “We were blown away by the generosity of our community TRANSITION TOWN OTAKI Jamie Bull 364 0550 catchment area have pledged to raise a combined total of and their donations, and by the support for the sale on WAITOHU STREAM CARE GROUP Lynda Angus 020 459 6321 $500,000 for the construction of the playscape. the day,” she says. “We’re hoping for the same this time CHILDREN The integrated Child Health Service and children’s hospital as Playscape will provide such an amazing service to our ŌTAKI TOY LIBRARY 027 621 8855 Saturday 10.30am-noon will be named Te Wao Nui – The Great Forest of Tāne, community.” Memorial Hall, Main St. in recognition of the cultural significance and life-giving The club is collecting suitable household items (not KIDZOWN OSCAR 0800 543 9696 properties that Māori associate with the forest. televisions, computers or printers). All electrical items must LITTLE GIGGLERS PLAYGROUP Baptist Church Hall, Te Manuao Rd. The Wellington Hospitals Foundation says every year there be in good working condition. The garage sale will be at the 10am-12noon Friday each fortnight. Denise 027 276 0983 are more than 87,000 visits from children and young people Rotary Lounge in Aotaki Street, Ōtaki, from 8am to 2pm. MAINLY MUSIC Hadfield Hall, Te Rauparaha St. 021 189 6510 to the current children’s hospital. They come from across ŌTAKI KINDERGARTEN 68a Waerenga Rd. 364 8553 ŌTAKI MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Haruātai Park, Roselle 364 7500 the Greater Wellington region from Taranaki, Whanganui n To arrange pickup, phone Peter 06 364-2417, Colin 022 091-5752, Clive to Napier, and down to Nelson and Marlborough. Three 027 450-5070 or Jenny 06 364-6538, or email ŌTAKI PLAYCENTRE Mill Rd. 364 5787. Mon, Tue, Thu 9.30am-noon years ago, following an approach by the Wellington Hospitals [email protected] To donate to the hospital, see whf.org.nz ŌTAKI PLAYGROUP [email protected] ŌTAKI SCOUTS, CUBS AND KEAS Brent Bythell 364 8949 PLUNKET MANAKAU PLAYGROUP Honi Taipua St, T & Th 9.30am-noon SKIDS ŌTAKI out of school care, St Peter Chanel School. Sonia 027 739 1986 CHURCHES MEDICAL TE KŌHANGA REO O TE KĀKANO O TE KURA Te Rauparaha St, 06 364 5599 TE KŌHANGA REO O RAUKAWA 5 Convent Rd, 06 364 5364 Ōtaki Medical Centre 2 Aotaki St, Ōtaki 06 364 Rangiātea 33 Te Rauparaha St, ŌTAKI • 364 6838 8555 • Monday-Friday: 8.45am-5pm. SPORTS CLUBS EASY-CISE/WALKING GROUP (BODY & SOUL) Joseph 364 6191 Sunday Eucharist: 9am • Church viewing hours, school Emergencies: 111 EQUESTRIAN HORSE CLUB 364 6181: Horse Trekking club Debbie terms: Mon-Fri 9.30am- 1.30pm AFTER HOURS: Team Medical, Paraparaumu: 04 297 3000 Coastlands Shopping Mall. 8am-10pm 364 6571; Ōtaki Pony Club Paul Pettengell 364 5781 St Mary’s Pukekaraka 4 Convent Rd, ŌTAKI Fr Alan Robert every day. GAZBOS GOLDEN OLDIES Doug Garrity 364 5886 364 8543 or 021 0822 8926. Sunday mass: 10am. Miha Māori Palmerston North Hospital emergencies, HAWAIKINUI TUA RUA KI ŌTAKI (waka ama) Mass, first Sunday. For other masses: otakiandlevincatholic 50 Ruahine St, Palmerston North • 06 356 9169 DeNeen Baker-Underhill 027 404 4697 parish.nz. Healthline for free 24-hour health advice ŌTAKI ATHLETIC CLUB Kerry Bevan 027 405 6635 Anglican Methodist Parish of Ōtaki St Margaret’s, Te Horo. 0800 611 116 ŌTAKI BOATING CLUB Trevor Hosking 021 642 766 All Saints’, Ōtaki. St Andrew’s, Manakau. Co-Ministers: Jessica St John Health Shuttle 0800 589 630 ŌTAKI BOWLING CLUB Paul Selby 927 9015 ŌTAKI CANOE CLUB Jane Bertelsen 364 5302 Falconer 021 778 345. Rev Simon Falconer, 021 857 744 P-pull walk-in Drug advice and support, Birthright Centre, every 2nd Thursday 6-8pm. ŌTAKI DANCE GROUP Barbara Francis 364 7383 email: [email protected] Services: 1st and 3rd Sunday of ŌTAKI GOLF CLUB 364 8260 each month, All Saints’, Te Rauparaha St, Ōtaki, at 9.30am. 2nd COMMUNITY ŌTAKI GYMNASTICS CLUB Nancy 027 778 6902 and 4th Sunday of each month, St Margaret’s, School Rd, Te Horo, ŌTAKI INDOOR BOWLING Jane Selby-Paterson 927 9015 ŌTAKI POLICE 06 364 7366, cnr Iti and Matene at 9.30am. 5th Sunday to be advised. ŌTAKI MASTERS SWIMMING CLUB Sonia Coom 04 292 7676 Streets, Ōtaki. Ōtaki Baptist cnr SH1 & Te Manuao Rd, ŌTAKI ŌTAKI PETANQUE CLUB Val Clarke 364 5213 CITIZEN’S ADVICE BUREAU ŌTAKI 364 8540 or 027 672 7865 otakibaptist.weebly.com ŌTAKI RAILWAY BOWLING CLUB Maureen Beaver 364 0640 • Sunday service: 10am 06 364 8664, 0800 367 222. 65a Main St, Ōtaki. ŌTAKI SPORTS CLUB: TENNIS, SQUASH & SOCCER Hannah 027 327 1179 [email protected] The Hub 157 Tasman Rd, ŌTAKI • Leader Richard Brons ŌTAKI SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB Kirsty Doyle 021 102 0058 AROHANUI HOSPICE SHOP 11 Main St, Ōtaki. 364-6911 • www.actschurches.com/church-directory/ RĀHUI FOOTBALL AND SPORTS CLUB Slade Sturmey 021 191 4780. 06 929 6603 horowhenua/hub-church/ • Sunday service and Big Rahui Netball Kylie Gardner 0275 490 985. Junior Rugby Megan BIRTHRIGHT ŌTAKI OPPORTUNITY SHOP Wednesday service: 10.15am Qaranivalu 022 165 7649 23 Matene St, Ōtaki. 06 364 5524 TAE KWON DO Jim Babbington 027 530 0443 Ōtaki Presbyterian 249 Mill Rd, ŌTAKI • Rev Peter Jackson COBWEBS OPPORTUNITY SHOP TRUST Main St. TAI CHI Gillian Sutherland 04 904 8190 364 8759 or 021 207 9455 • www.otakiwaikanaechurch.nz OCEAN VIEW RESIDENTIAL CARE Marine Parade, WHITI TE RA LEAGUE CLUB Kelly Anne Ngatai 027 256 7391 Sunday service: 11am 06 364 7399 WILD GOOSE QIGONG, CHEN STYLE TAIJIQUAN (TAI CHI) & CHUN YUEN (SHAOLIN) QUAN. Sifu Cynthia Shaw 021 613 081. RUNARUNA TOKERAU/AUTUMN LEISURE I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 30

CROSSWORD #1794i Crossword solution right SUDOKU PUZZLES www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz 1234567 Use logic and process of elimination to fill in the blank cells using the Ōtaki River entrance tides numbers 1 through 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and 3x3 block. Puzzle solution pg 23. EASY #31 March 10 - April 14 metservice.com/marine-surf/tides/otaki-river-entrance 8 9 Please note: The actual timing of high and low tide might differ from that provided here by LINZ. Times are extrapolated from the nearest primary port for this location, so please take care. 10 11 HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH WED 10 MAR - 02:05 08:26 14:40 20:53 1. Haast’s Eagle, Eagle, : 1 1. Haast’s 12 THU 11 MAR - 03:01 09:16 15:29 21:41 FRI 12 MAR - 03:46 09:57 16:11 22:21 13 14 15 SAT 13 MAR - 04:26 10:34 16:49 22:57

i ACROSS SUN 14 MAR - 05:02 11:08 17:24 23:30 16 17 18 MON 15 MAR - 05:36 11:40 17:57 - TUE 16 MAR 00:02 06:09 12:12 18:29 - 19 20 21 WED 17 MAR 00:33 06:41 12:43 19:01 - THU 18 MAR 01:04 07:14 13:16 19:34 - 22 FRI 19 MAR 01:38 07:49 13:53 20:10 - SAT 20 MAR 02:16 08:31 14:36 20:52 - SUN 21 MAR 03:04 09:24 15:30 21:46 -

23 24 5. Generous, 4. Exempt, 2. Amass, 3. Trim, : 1. Heaphy, MON 22 MAR 04:08 10:32 16:37 22:55 - TUE 23 MAR 05:27 11:50 17:54 - -

DOWN WED 24 MAR - 00:16 06:46 13:02 19:07 25 THU 25 MAR - 01:28 07:47 14:01 20:08 FRI 26 MAR - 02:24 08:36 14:50 20:58 CROSSWORD SOLUTION #1794 SOLUTION CROSSWORD 8. Avarice, 9. Needs, 10. Host, 11. Purpose, 12. Rat, 13. Able, 15. Urea, 13. Able, 15. Urea, 11. Purpose, 12. Rat, 9. Needs, 10. Host, 8. Avarice, 25. Hudson 24. Grapple, 20. Herb, 23. Often, 17. Pus, 19. Hawaiki, Halls. 6. Eyesore, 7. Dasher, 12. Resigned, 14. Bewitch, 16. Chooks, 17. 16. Chooks, 14. Bewitch, 12. Resigned, 7. Dasher, 6. Eyesore, 21. Expel, 22. Rash. 18. Obsess, Pingao, SAT 27 MAR - 03:11 09:20 15:35 21:43 ACROSS 24. Wrestle (7) SUN 28 MAR - 03:54 10:02 16:18 22:26 1. Extinct giant bird which 25. The stars of a MON 29 MAR - 04:36 10:44 17:01 23:09 KNOW YOUR TOWN QUIZ TUE 30 MAR - 05:19 11:27 17:45 23:51 How much do you know about the town you live in?. in Māori legend is called 1970s/80s New Zealand WED 31 MAR - 06:03 12:11 18:29 - Test your knowledge with our quiz. pouakai (11) cooking show (6,5) THU 01 APR 00:36 06:49 12:57 19:15 - FRI 02 APR 01:22 07:38 13:47 20:04 - 8. Greed (7) DOWN 1. Name the two peole who together 11. How many whaling stations were SAT 03 APR 02:13 08:32 14:43 20:59 - organised the building of Rangiatea in there on Kāpiti Island in the mid 1830s? 9. Requirements (5) 1. Explorer, soldier and SUN 04 APR 03:12 08:36 14:49 21:02 - 1851. 12. Which Ōtaki market gardener was one 10. Multitude (4) artist who had one of NZ's MON 05 APR 03:24 09:51 16:05 22:18 - 2. How many marae are there in Ōtaki of the first NZ growers of broccoli? 11. Intention (7) TUE 06 APR 04:47 11:11 17:27 23:39 - great walks named after affiliated with the iwi of Ngāti Raukawa ki 13. What year did a coach service began, 12. Animal, kiore to Māori WED 07 APR 06:05 12:23 18:39 - - him (6) te Tonga and its hapū? carrying mail and passengers from THU 08 APR - 00:47 07:05 13:19 19:34 (3) 2. Accumulate (5) 3. What club was established in 1886 and Wellington to Wanganui, and later to New FRI 09 APR - 01:39 07:51 14:05 20:18 13. Competent (4) is the only one in the world? Plymouth? The route ran along the beach SAT 10 APR - 02:23 08:30 14:44 20:56 3. Milk which has a light 4. Te Wānanga o Raukawa is a Tikanga from Paekakariki to Foxton. It turned off 15. Product used in SUN 11 APR - 03:00 09:05 15:20 21:29 green top (4) Māori university, What does this mean? the beach along what is now Old Coach MON 12 APR - 03:35 09:38 15:54 22:01 fertiliser and animal feeds 4. Excused (6) 5. What year did the Ōtaki Golf Club Road, Rangiuru Road, Te Rauparaha TUE 13 APR - 04:08 10:09 16:26 22:32 (4) 5. Benevolent (8) establish in? Street, Convent Road and Old Coach Road WED 14 APR - 04:40 10:40 16:57 23:02 17. Fluid from wound (3) 6. Who was the Ōtaki-born Māori again to the beach. Ōtaki was a major THU 15 APR - 05:12 11:12 17:29 23:33 6. Blot on the landscape (7) bass-baritone opera singer, film actor, stop. a. 1861 b.1863 c. 1865 d.1866. FRI 16 APR - 05:45 11:45 18:02 - 19. In mythology, home to 7. One of Santa's team (6) whakairo (carver) and artist born in 14. In 1878 two ships were wrecked off

Maori before they sailed to 1915? Ōtaki beach. What were they called? 1947 a. 20. School. High District 12. Quit (8) Ōtaki 19. Hall. Rotary The 18. Stones 17. 1911.

7. What Ōtaki rugby player played for 15. What year did the first Ōtaki New Zealand (7) 16. Times. Horowhenua The 1892, 15. Auckland.

14. Enchant (7) the All Blacks from 1947-1954? newspaper

d.1866. 14. The Felixstowe and the City of of City the and Felixstowe The 14. d.1866. 20. Plant type used in 16. Egg producers (colloq) 8. What year did the first postal service begin and what was it called? 13.

cooking and medicine (4) (6) come through Ōtaki? a. 1825 b. 1841 c. 16 What year was the new (exisitng) otaki crops. trial do to 1980s the in him approached Ransfield.

23. Repeatedly (5) 1863 d. 1846. Railway Station built? a. 1911 b.1891 c. companies Seed Chung. Dow 12. Five. 11. 10. 10. 17. Sand- James and Jenkins William Cootes, James

9. The Bevan children, including Thomas 1921 d.1901.

binding plant, Bevan Senior, walked from Wellington to 17. In 1932 a Public Works camp was 1845. 9. foot. on carried Ōtaki, through Proverbs 1:3 NCV came service postal first The 1841. b. 8. Bevan.

aka golden sand Waikawa to join their father. The family established for unemployed men in Te

“They will teach you how to be later settled around Manakau. What Horo. Housed in tents the men picked up Vince 7. Wiata. Te Inia 6. 1901. 5. law. customary sedge (6) style, protocol, method, mechanism, meaning,

wise and self-controlled and will year was this in? a. 1841 b.1843 c. 1845 ‘Hautere turnips’. What were these?

teach you to do what is honest 18. Fixate on d.1847. 18. In 1952 the Wesley Youth Hall was manner, lore, formality, fashion, etiquette, ethic,

and fair and right.” something (6) 10. In the late 1820s whalers settled in built. What is it known as today? custom, culture, — meanings of range wide a with

Ōtaki, working from Kāpiti Island in the 19. In 1959 Otaki College opened. What language English the into translated is Tikanga 21. Throw out knowledge. Māori Māori, mātauranga from

whaling season and the rest of the year was it first known as? (5) values and practices incorporating concept Māori

living on the mainland on small properties 20. The Ōtaki Players’ Society began 22. Foolish (4) granted them by the families of their in what year? a. 1947 b.1957 c. 1937 a is Tikanga 4. Club. Racing Ōtaki-Māori The 3.

Māori wives. Who are some of the whalers d.1967. Marae. Tainui o Pou Te and Marae Raukawa Two. 2.

who settled permanently in Ōtaki? (Answers at right) Rauparaha. Te chief Toa Ngāti and Hadfield Octavius KNOW YOUR TOWN QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Missionary Missionary 1. ANSWERS QUIZ TOWN YOUR KNOW

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

BRANCHY’S LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES LTD ANTI TOPSOIL • ORGANIC COMPOST • BUILDER’S MIX PEBBLES • BARK • MULCH • DRIVEWAY METALS • PAVING SAND ANTS AND MUCH MORE, CALL IN FOR A LOOK We do WINZ quotes, we do deliveries. Local Electrician OPEN Monday-Saturday: 9am-4pm join us on Facebook.com/Branchys-Landscape-Supplies-Ltd Tom Mackley UNWANTED ANTS ARE OUR SPECIALTY! For all your building Email or call Tom for a free, Our treatments are guaranteed odourless and renovation needs, no-obligation quote today. and stain free. We also have solutions to servicing the Kāpiti control wasps, flies, spiders, cockroaches, and Horowhenua area, [email protected] mosquitoes, silverfish, moths, plus rats and mice contact Daniel at 027 699 3743 Get Hammered Construction PROTEKT PEST CONTROL for a free, no obligation quote phone PAUL 06 364 5759 or 027 448 3910 9 Titoki Street, Ōtaki www.sparkytom.co.nz or Wellington 04 472 9948 027 815 5449 yard • 027 321 9924 Nathan 021 128 9294 TĀKARO/Sport I Ōtaki Today, Maehe March 2021 whika page 31 A day at the races The Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club had spectacular summer weather for its meeting on February 27. On a perfect track well prepared by track supervisor Reg Winiata, race-goers were treated to exciting equine rivalries and the spectacular environment that is Ōtaki racing. While there were eight races on the card, all eyes and the big money were on the seventh, the $200,000 El Cheapo Cars weight for age classic run over 1600 metres. Clear favourite Advantage, trained by Jamie Richards and ridden by Opie Bosson, was the winner, pushed closely by Callsign MAV and Travelling Light third.

LEFT: Opie Bosson rides Advantage home ahead of Callsign MAV to win the feature race at Ōtaki. Photo Ian Carson

The Ōtaki Promotions Group thanks the sponsors, supporters and volunteers who helped make the Ōtaki Kite Festival 2021 the fabulous and successful event it was.

(Note this is an updated list from that which Ōtaki Today incorrectly advertised in the February issue.)

SPONSORS AND Ōtaki Barbara Johns SUPPORTERS VOLUNTEERS Kate Lindsay Kāpiti Coast District Gina Marie Aburn Mathew Lochhead Council Barbara Aires Robert Lochhead NZ Kite Flyers Assn Basia Arnold Isabelle London members Jenny and Pete Askwith Michelle McGrath Ōtaki Surf Life Saving (Lions) Stephen McPhail Club Roger Beech-Pooley Judith Miller Envirowaste Kerry Bevan Krisha Modi Harcourts Ōtaki Ian Carson Moko Morris Ōtaki Today Derek Chisholm Sandy Murray RiverStone Cafe (Rotary) Golf cash for good causes Zeal Ōtaki Waka Hoe Ōtaki Community Charitable Trust The Tall Poppy Kevin Crombie particular passion for assisting course enjoying themselves.” Patrol (teams) Memorial Golf Tournament at St John. About 100 people in 27 teams Ōtaki Boating Club Maureen Owen Ōtaki Golf Club on February The first annual tournament competed, with the team of Ōtaki Lions Club Maggie Peace 26 raised $2825 each for the was in 2017, but Covid-19 Hendrix Maru, Toddy Eriha and Ōtaki Scouts Group Shay-Marie Peneha Ōtaki St John ambulance intervened last year. Collin Swainson taking the top Ōtaki Waka Hoe John Peters (Rotary) service and the golf club. “We intend to carry on title. No one claimed the Tall Rotary Club of Ōtaki Jim Parse Katie Agar, who organised the annually,” Katie says. “It’s great Poppy $10,000 prize money for a Lions Club of Ōtaki Graeme & Michelle tournament, said the event was for the community and a great hole-in-one. The Soap Box Peter a great way to honour Kevin. way to raise some funds for good Professionals Ōtaki, Dale & Bruce Davey Margaret & Mark He had been a principal in the causes.” #31 Double Winkel Real Maddy Drew (+Emily Ranum accounting firm Agar Crombie Brendon Heenan of Tall Poppy Estate +Philippa) (now Agar Fenwick), with Katie’s agreed. Inanga Rose Rāhui Junior Rugby Barbara Franks Tammy Rumsey father, Rod. “It gets people in the Isaac Fulford Riverslea Retreat Deb Shannon Kevin died suddenly at community out to support St The Tele Kirsten Fulford David Smith the club in 2015 aged 60. He John and the golf club,” he says. Mobil Ōtaki Pat Futter Julie & Don Sperring supported many charities “And it was good this year to see Ōtaki College, Jenny Gordon (Lions) and other local organisations a lot of young people who usually Manukura GPS Carolyn Graham throughout Ōtaki, but he had a play other sports getting on the Jackie Sutton SUDOKU ANSWERS EASY Trevor Hunter Adrian Gregory Shane Matthews (Rotary) Fay Te Kira WORD MAKER ANSWERS 1. peris 2. piers 3. pride 4. pried 5. pries 6. prise 7. ripes Carl Lutz Audrey & Jon Grundy Tania Te Kira 8. riped 9. redip 10. resid 11. rides 12. siped 13. spied 14. spier 15. speir 16. sired Robert Sims Donald Hall Stephanie Tidman 17. drips 18. spire 19. dries 20. drip 21. pied 22. ripe 23. dire 24. dips 25. rids 26. reis Farmlands ŌtakI Glenda Heyward Pip Van der Mespel 27. dies 28. reps 29. ride 30. sire 31. reds 32. rips 33. ired 34. ires 35. sipe 36. peds Higgins, Traffic Pete Heald Helen Walch 37. side 38. peri 39. ides 40. rise 41. sped 42. pier 43. pies 44. rip 45. ser 46. sei Hammer Hardware Brian Henderson Lesley and Malcolm 47. sip 48. sri 49. rid 50. res 51. per 52. ped 53. ire 54. ids 55. ers 56. dis 57. dip Ōtaki Deb Hunnewell Wicks 58. die 59. pes 60. psi 61. sir 62. red 63. rei 64. pis 65. pie 66. rep 67. er 68. re 69. es Tall Poppy Real Estate Shauna-May Jopson Jane Windle 70. id 71. pi 72. ed 73. is 74. pe 75. si 76. de Ōtaki Today, Ōtaki Today, Pēpuere February 2021 whika/page 32 TĀKARO/Sport Hosts take Whiti nines tournament Six teams competed in the annual Whiti te Rā league nines tournament at Ōtaki Domain on Saturday, February 27. Playing under bright summer skies and heat, the hosts won the tournament in a local derby final against Rāhui. The Whiti win reversed the Rāhui finals outcome from 2020. Whiti te Rā fielded two teams. Rāhui had one team, along with Victoria Hunters (Victoria University), Wainuiomata Lions and Toa (Porirua). It’s the third time Whiti te Rā has hosted the tournament. PHOTO: Rāhui’s Nick Fleming streaks away for a try against the Victoria Hunters, with Paora Connor-Phillips in support. Photo Ian Carson

SAM DOYLE KOHI PŪTEA Funeral Directors & Stone Masons MATCH RĀHUI VS FREYBERG K o h a / d o n a t i o n e n t r y t o t h e g r o u n d

Otaki Office SATURDAY 13 MARCH, ŌTAKI DOMAIN - 2:45PM WE OFFER: •Extensive knowledge in •Personalised friendly the industry A u c t i o n t o b e h e l d service •Fully qualified •Expert advice professionals d u r i n g t h e a f t e r m a t c h •Honesty and •Comprehensive commitment showroom •Competitive pricing •Free quotes 0800 426275 ~ (06) 368-8108 197 Mill Road, Otaki 545 - 547 Queen Street East, Levin www.icmark.co.nz