petone chronicle april 2014

Petone Chronicle The

www.petonechronicle.co.nz Issue Seven: April 2014 562 7500

It's crunch time for empty HNZ Petone houses

Gala proceeds go to a good cause

Helping hand: Petone Community Board chairman Mike Fisher overseeing one of the many popular stalls at the Scared Heart School twilight gala.

By Phillipa Webb

A P e t o n e school and church's bonds have been s t r e n g t h e n e d , thanks to a twilight gala that brought the restoration of their much-needed mothballed parish hall closer.

Petone Parish Sacred Heart and Sacred Heart School have been unable to use the parish hall for almost two years since engineers found it required significant e a r t h q u a k e strengthening.

Parish hall fundraising committee member Cathy Smith says of the $55,000 needed to strengthen the hall about $32,000 has already been raised.

She says the Sacred Heart School Twilight Gala - held on March 7 - was a “big boost” to fundraising efforts.

Sacred Heart School principal Liz Heatly says it has been a tough few years without access to the parish hall.

The school of 165 pupils has been able to use the church for school assemblies, but have

by Emily Tilley

Mayor Ray Wallace will meet with Housing NZ to discuss issues concerning earthquake-prone buildings as strengthening is “taking too long”, he says.

HNZ will decide this month on the future of four properties in Petone that have been empty since they were declared earthquake-prone more than a year ago.

There are also 35 properties in Petone that HNZ last month said were vacant as they were “considering options for their future”, HNZ property services general manager Marcus Bosch says.

So far 167 properties in the Wellington region, of which 76 of are in Lower Hutt, have been strengthened, refurbished and re-tenanted.

HNZ has been waiting for the results of “destructive earthquake testing” carried out last November before a decision is made.

That testing was carried out on a four-unit 1950s Housing New Zealand block in Upper Hutt. Two big rigs were attached at either end of the block - applying pressure that simulated a big quake - until it fell down.

Results from this testing will show whether the buildings are actually more or less strong than originally determined through standard earthquake seismic assessment.

Depending on the results and what is most economically viable, HNZ will then decide whether to demolish or redevelop housing stock that remains boarded-up after being assessed as earthquake prone.

had to use other community venues for school production practices, dancing and visiting performers.

“Not having the hall really limits the kids – we couldn’t even run gymnastics last year.”

But Ms Smith says it feels good to get fundraising over the halfway mark.

The parish hall fundraising committee plans to apply for community grants in the very near future.

Anyone interested in donating to the parish hall can contact: Sacred Heart Parish Office 971 3280, or Cathy Smith 972 3280.

“For some areas it simply doesn’t make sense to invest in the work; in these cases we are likely to demolish the unsafe building and consider redevelopment opportunities or potential sale of the land,” Mr Bosch says.

This could include HNZ joining with a partner to redevelop the land.

The decision making process will consider the cost to strengthen a property versus its current market value, size and layout and demand for housing in the area, he says.

However, with only four applicants selecting Petone as their first area of choice, it looks

Continues Page 2

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HNZ houses may goFrom Page 1unlikely the houses would be kept in their

current configuration. Earthquake strengthening costs HNZ around

$120,000 per unit. Each unit strengthened has also been repainted and refurbished at the same time with insulation, new floor coverings and bathrooms upgraded.

Mayor Ray Wallace says HNZ gave Hutt City Council assurances that strengthening work on Lower Hutt stock would be complete by the middle of this year. “It doesn’t look like that many have been done… I can’t see how they can possibly meet that time frame,” he says.

Mr Wallace says work on Jackson Street particularly needs speeding up and HNZ needs to put “serious money” into upgrading the Petone homes.

“That community have gone through an awful lot,” he says. With the fatal shooting last year and uncertainty surrounding the Huchs health service, the Eastern Petone community , where the HNZ properties are located, is under immense pressure and are trying to heal, he says.

“Housing New Zealand need to be stepping up,” he says.

Mr Wallace says HCC will work with the community through a Positive Petone initiative to see what is needed for the area.

Green MP Holly Walker, a Petone resident, says she is concerned that HNZ houses and units will be demolished without any guarantee that they will be replaced by affordable social housing.

While she says she fully understands that post-Christchurch people shouldn’t be living in earthquake-prone houses, Ms Walker believes there needs to be a commitment to replace any demolished properties with the same number or more.

“For me the bottom line is that HNZ exists to provide affordable social housing,” she says.

However, the responsibility for assessing the needs of housing applicants has already been passed to the Ministry for Social Development and now there is “not much difference between HNZ and any other big property developer”, she says.

That properties have been vacant for so long and yet there are still waiting lists and families in need is “not good enough”, she says. “Clearly they have not given priority to this.”

As Petone property values have risen, Ms Walker is concerned that the more corporate model of HNZ won’t choose to replace housing stock in Petone, instead choosing a more “affordable” suburb. It will if HNZ reduces the housing stock in Petone change the demographic of the area.

“That’s a shame… Petone is a diverse suburb, that’s what I love about Petone, it’s a diverse and vibrant place to live,” Ms Walker says.

Greater Wellington Regional Council is currently consulting on its Draft Annual Plan.

As part of the consultation, GWRC is also seeking submissions on a proposal to combine bulk water services across Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley. Other work outlined in the plan includes regional leadership, public transport, water supply, environment, flood protection and parks sectors. It is proposed that regional rates for the next financial year are increased by 6.1 percent for the Hutt, less than had been previously set out in the Long Term Plan. GWRC say this will increase rates by an average of $22.

The Draft Annual Plan can be read and submissions made online on GWRC’s website www.gw.govt.nz. Submissions close at 4pm on April 28.

Rate increase down in draft plan

The Petone Chronicle, April 5 2014 3

by Emily TilleyThere’s money out there for community

groups - but it appears hardly anyone in Petone wants it.

Applications closed for the Petone Community Engagement Fund last month with only one small application being made on the last day, Hutt City Council funding officer Debbie Hunter says.

The fund will now remain open for applications until 30 April.

by Emily Tilley

Several Moera homes will be purchased by Greater Wellington Regional Council to make way for flood protection work in the area.

Greater Wellington Regional Council staff is meeting Moera residents to discuss future flood protection work in their area following the purchase of a property in Pirie Street.

Flood protection work along the stopbank in Moera will be one of the last sections of the Hutt River worked on and is not expected to go ahead for at least 15 to 25 years.

However, when a regional council officer wandering along the stopbank noticed a “for sale” notice on a property on the end of Pirie Street, they identified it as being in an area that would be needed when that work goes ahead.

GWRC entered into a purchase agreement and has bought the warehouse and 5560m² section at 45 Pirie Street.

“We have a responsibility to look to

An increase in thefts in Petone could be due to “tough times”, Community Constable Russ Kalavati says.

Of the 53 reported offences in Petone over the last month, 23 were general theft and shoplifting, an increase from previous months, he says.

“I’m not sure why but suspect it’s tough times,” he says. Although there is talk of an economic upswing, “some people are struggling more than others,” he says.

Moera homes to be purchased for flood protectionthe future,” chair of the Hutt floodplain subcommittee Prue Lamason says.

She says GWRC was “morally obliged” to buy the property. If it had gone to market a new owner may have invested in the property, only to find that GWRC would need the land for floodplain work and could take it by compulsory purchase.

The property is on a piece of land known as Woollen Mills Point that juts into the river.

Flood protection work on that point will also affect three houses.

Realising that residents hearing of GWRC’s land purchase would question the future of their properties, council representatives visited those homeowners to let them know their houses would also be needed.

Ms Lamason says she feels for the people whose homes are affected.

“It must be ghastly ... a knock on the door and being told that.”

GWRC told those owners they will purchase

Hard times see an increase in local thefts

their houses tomorrow if they like, or at anytime over the next 15 to 25 years before their land is needed.

The purchase price will be arranged using market, GWRC and homeowner’s valuations and all costs of moving such as removal companies and lawyers will be met by GWRC so residents are not financially disadvantaged by having to leave, Ms Lamason says.

A community meeting will be held by GWRC for Moera residents on April 10 to discuss floodplain management in their area. “For the whole community, so they understand what’s happening,” Ms Lamason says.

Petone community board member Matt Roberts, a resident of Moera, and chair Mike Fisher are also being invited to the meeting.

When flood protection work in the area does go ahead, it is expected to dramatically boost the Moera community’s resilience to severe flooding.

GWRC plan to lease the Pirie St warehouse until the floodplain work begins.

The thefts tend to be opportunistic, from both private property and businesses and most are valued under $500.

He says security footage from Pak’n’Save shows meat seems to be one of the most targeted products stolen, with people taking baskets of meat at a time, “often two baskets”.

People are not just taking the most expensive cuts but mince as well and Constable Kalavati doubts the meat is being on-sold.

Constable Kalavati says there is also an increase of homeless people in Petone including on the Esplanade and reserves but suggests this may decrease as the weather gets colder.

“It’s not a huge number, say around three to five and they generally move on after awhile,” he says.

He says they are predominantly older, around 45, and choose to stay in Petone as it is a fairly safe place, “which it is”.

Each year the Hutt City Council provides all the community board and committees with the fund to support local activities and events based on an allocation of 40 cents per resident.

The Petone Community Board currently have $3,630 available to allocate in grants through the fund.

All the community committee areas have received enough applications to fully allocate their available funds, however Wainuiomata, Eastbourne and Petone community boards have

only received two small applications between them.

Applicants must have legal charitable status and the money must be used for a specific project or items rather than going towards ongoing running costs such as rent.

See the council’s website funding page for more details or email [email protected] for enquiries. Applications close on April 30 and can be made online on the council’s website at www.huttcity.govt.nz/en/Services/Funding/ .

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Arena details scant as consultation set to beginby Emily Tilley

Community consultation on the Petone Arena proposal officially begins next week with the launch of Hutt City Council’s Draft Annual Plan.

The public will have between April 15 and May 16 to make submissions on the proposal which will then be considered by council before they decide in June whether to include the stadium in the Annual Plan.

“There will certainly be more consultation than on any other project,” community services general manager Matt Reid says.

“There will be plenty of opportunity for people to have their say and give feedback.”

Hutt City Council has especially employed someone on a two-month contract to help drive, manage and coordinate the stadium consultation alongside the existing Annual Plan team, he says.

Mr Reid says focus group sessions are planned for “key groups”, there will be a mailbox drop-off for neighbouring residents of the proposed arena, and views on the proposal will be canvassed in a telephone survey.

Harbour Ward councillor Michael Lulich says he has asked council officers to include a separate breakdown of Petone residents in the telephone survey statistics.

Although consultation is about to begin, detailed information on the proposal continues to be limited.

Mr Reid says council officers are currently working on refining some of those details such as parking and traffic management and have commissioned an independent peer review of the business case for the proposal.

He says he hopes most of that information will be available to the public before the formal start of consultation.

After that date as more information becomes available it will be made public, “it will be put up on the most appropriate website,” he says.

Petone Community Board chair Mike Fisher says the board will play an active part in the consultation process.

Already last month the board organised a public meeting so locals could hear first hand about the proposal and ask questions of Community Facilities Trust (CFT) chair Alister Skene, council CEO Tony Stallinger and Mayor

Ray Wallace. Around 250 people attended the meeting,

including local MPs Trevor Mallard and Holly Walker, and a number of city councillors.

Mr Fisher says as more information becomes available, the board will look at how best to disseminate the information and promote discussion.

“We could hold further public meetings to get discussion happening… and perhaps a table in the library,” he says.

Council officers estimate the community

consultation and further analysis will cost Hutt City around $120,000 this financial year.

Mr Reid says Gareth Morgan and Welnix will not be asked to contribute towards the costs.

He says to date the costs of preparing the proposal have been met “50/50” by the council-funded CFT and Welnix.

“Dr Morgan’s already done his bit,” he says.He says as the upcoming costs including

consultation and the independent peer review are in relation to council processes “we wouldn’t ask Dr Morgan to contribute”.


Residents disappointed at environment court rulingby Emily Tilley

North and Graham Street residents are in final negotiations with Ryman Healthcare and the Hutt City Council over a retirement complex proposed for the former Petone College site.

Both the residents and Ryman Healthcare lodged appeals with the Environment Court after resource consent was granted for a multi-complex high density development with buildings up to four and five storeys tall.

Graham Street resident Andrea Bolton says they are now in mediation so that “hopefully we can agree to changes before it becomes a full Environment Court Appeal”.

Ryman Healthcare appealed asking that some consent conditions be changed, such as extending Saturday machinery operating hours.

Residents lodged their appeal hoping to lessen the building density and ensure more detail is added to some of the conditions of the resource consent to give them “more teeth”, Mrs Bolton says.

She says residents want to ensure that conditions set down by the council are enforced.

Negotiations also concern removing part of the fifth storey of one of the buildings on Ryman’s plans.

Petone Community Board chair Mike Fisher says, “the effects of the development will be felt more widely than on just the immediate neighbours who are involved in the appeal so they are to be applauded for their efforts and it is to be hoped a good compromise can be reached".

The impact of development plans for the end of their quiet streets has been a concern for Graham and North Street residents since they first learnt of the proposal in November last year.

Residents of the streets quickly came together to work towards getting the best

possible outcome for their neighbourhood. Street meetings were organised and one good thing to come out of the process is that people have got to know more of their neighbours and become more “cohesive” as a neighbourhood, Mrs Bolton says.

Residents worked together on submissions on the resource consent application and subsequently on the appeal. They have even organised a movie fundraiser this Tuesday to raise money to go towards costs such as for the lawyer and planner.

While not against having a retirement village as a neighbour, they were shocked by the size and scale of the plans which included four large buildings covering 12,398.9sqm and up to 18.5m high; twice the permitted height for a residential area.

They were concerned not only by the out of character look they felt the village would have, but also about the effects of a development housing more than 400 residents; including stormwater, sewerage, parking, nighttime light pollution and traffic.

Another concern was the consequences of living next to a construction site for the predicted four year build time.

Prior to the hearing of their resource consent application, Ryman made some concessions to residents' concerns by moving some of the buildings slightly further away from the boundary.

However, 34 submitters opposed the scale and density of the proposal and said the development should be refused consent as it differs completely from what already exists in the area and is therefore incompatible.

The committee considering the resource consent acknowledged that the proposal is of a much higher density than is permitted within the General Residential Activity Area, would

accommodate significantly more people than permitted within the area and the buildings on the site would also be of a much larger scale than permitted.

However, two of the three committee members, councillor Margaret Cousins and independent commissioner Christine Foster, said they considered the proposal to be different but complementary to the existing residential development of the area and it would be more compatible than the existing derelict school buildings.

They said the large and distinct site and proposed architectural design elements would ensure the buildings would be compatible with the height and scale of the surrounding area and would not detract from the residential character or attractiveness of the neighbourhood.

The third commissioner, councillor David Bassett, did not support the overall proposal as he believed the height and bulkiness would contrast with the existing residential character of the neighbourhood and has the potential to result in adverse residential character and amenity effects within the wider environment.

The resource consent was granted with several conditions imposed such as limitations on construction noise and that Ryman cover repair costs to nearby homes if they are damaged due to the construction.

Mrs Bolton says residents' concerns have not been met by the modified designs in the plans. Granting resource consent to such large-scale buildings in a residential area sets a “huge precedent”, she says.

“We still believe the application was non-complying and non-residential and have had expert opinion backing that up. If council had treated it as non-complying there would have been stronger tests against the application,” she says.


Cross Valley Link needs proofby Emily Tilley

Traffic on The Esplanade will have to get worse before there is justification for the construction of a Cross Valley Link to allow it to get better, Hutt City Council says.

“If Petone to Grenada happens, at that stage there will be stimulated growth,” council road and traffic manager Ron Muir says.

“Justification for the Cross Valley Link would be likely to follow suit rapidly… over time traffic would get worse, that’s the impetus we would need.”

NZTA proposes building a new road between Petone and Grenada to alleviate congestion on both SH1 and SH2 by enabling traffic to travel east to west bypassing the most congested ends of the highways.

However, it is also predicted it will add to congestion on The Esplanade, with studies estimating it would lead to around 3,000 additional vehicles on the road. Mr Muir says

the extra traffic would be stimulated growth that would build up over time. The day a Petone to Grenada road opened there would be no change in the amount of traffic on the Esplanade.

“On day one there would be no change,” he says. “The growth would be derived over time, over ten years.”

Work or even commitment to a Cross Valley Link is highly unlikely before completion of a Petone to Grenada road, Mr Muir says. NZTA’s current predictions indicate that would not be until at least 2024.

There is no guarantee that the Cross Valley Link would be built at all, but there is currently an NZTA subsidised study being undertaken into Seaview transport needs that council hopes will provide justification for a more detailed investigation. The council would not build a Cross Valley Link unless it received a subsidy from NZTA but do anticipate they will get that funding in the future, Mr Muir says. “We wouldn’t go it alone… we will hang on their coat tails in that respect.”

by Emily Tilley

Housing New Zealand may provide youth initiative Whakaoho with a community space from their housing stock.

Whakaoho are currently talking to Housing New Zealand who have said it is likely premises will be made available to the group, however nothing has been formalised yet, organiser Peter Foaese says.

Mr Foaese says it would be great to have a dedicated space for local families to meet.

Whakaoho is a community initiative developed by local parents to provide support and opportunities that empower children and young people.

“It’s families, kids, youth, all working together to realise their personal and community potential,” Mr Foaese.

The group is open to anyone who would like to join and anyone interested can email Mr Foaese at [email protected].

NZTA considers Korokoro residents' concernsRecognising the concerns of Korokoro

residents, NZTA says it will continue to work closely with the community as plans are developed for a Petone to Grenada link road.

NZTA says its staff have been talking directly to Korokoro and Horokiwi communities about the proposal. “We appreciate that the community have some concerns about the proposed link road, and we will make sure that these concerns are fully considered,” NZTA spokesperson Anthony Frith says.

Mr Frith says the NZTA preferred option for the road has been developed to have far fewer effects on Korokoro and is now more complex and expensive than previous proposals considered in the past.

Early studies proposed routes through the Korokoro Valley, however the most recent

proposal avoids the area by travelling over the hill west across the coastal escarpment of the Wellington fault from Petone.

Only the already highly modified lower section of the Lower Korokoro Valley where the industrial area of Cornish Street currently stands would be affected by the current proposal. This is where the Korokoro Stream is currently channelled underground, meaning the Korokoro Stream through Belmont Regional Park would be avoided.

The Korokoro Environmental Group have expressed concern that restructuring of the land will destroy habitat for natural species and that run-off of silt from construction of the road and the road itself is still likely to impact upon the tributaries of the Korokoro and Horokiwi Streams.

Mr Frith says that should NZTA’s preferred option go ahead, it plans to develop a comprehensive environmental management plan, and that environmental safeguards have improved immensely in recent years and there are now technologies available to help keep environmental effects to an absolute minimum.

Although large cuts would be required through Horokiwi, NZTA expects to reduce the size of these through the design process, he says.

Mr Frith says early indications are that only a very small portion of the road and the interchange will be visible to Korokoro residents. “While the interchange will be visible, this is currently an industrial area, so will not affect the view of the natural environment,” he says.

Increased walking and cycling access to the Belmont Regional Park is planned , he says.

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Eco-garden plan moves closer

Korokoro School principal Martin Hookman was a good sport when he volunteered to let students throw wet sponges at him at the school gala, and right, Korokoro school students Alice and Hugo Carter enjoying candy floss.

By Phillipa Webb

Korokoro school kids could be exploring under river rocks every playtime if an innovative eco-playground goes ahead, thanks to a successful school gala.

Korokoro Home and School committee member Tonia Joy says the gala raised $6,059 on Saturday March 15, a $2,850 increase on last year.

One of the fundraising goals of the gala was to raise money for the idea of an eco-playground, she says. Korokoro School board member Krisy Slade says the playground project was sparked by a need to reduce traffic caused by the existing playground at the 150-student school.

“The school only has one playground which gets really busy during break times.

“But a traditionally structured playground with slides and swings can cost upwards of $30,000.”

Mrs Slade says the playground could incorporate river boulders, sand, tree stumps, logs and grasses to complement the natural bush environment of the school.

“The first thing kids want outside is something to move or build.

“Research into play also shows that eco-playgrounds are as good if not better than

structured playgrounds because of the calming environment they provide.”

Ms Joy says more people through the gate, sponsorship and many helping hands were the formula for the gala’s success.

“The overall feel was fantastic and the community really supported the gala.”

The “Wet the Teacher” game saw students throw wet sponges at their teachers - one of the most popular attractions.

Principal Martin Hookman says when it was announced he would play the game there was suddenly a “mad rush” for sponges.

He is overwhelmed by the constant support of the school community.

“It’s the parents and the effort they put into the school that makes it so special.”

At this stage the project is in an early consultation phase and the school is considering options for the design, materials and location of the playground, he says.

by Emily Tilley

Some people have lived across the road for each other for years and yet never met. A Petone East community barbeque on April 26 will be a chance for neighbours to get to know each other.

Organised by Whakaoho, the barbeque will be held in Scholefield Park, the grassy park on Scholefield St, and is for all Petone residents who live east of Cuba St.

There will be children’s games and youth challenges. “The more the merrier,” organiser Peter Foaese says.

As well as neighbours getting to know each other, Mr Foaese says they will be able to add their contact details to a list that can then be used for circulating local information and emergency management planning.

There will be a sausage sizzle but people are also encouraged to bring a plate and can bring their own meat for barbecuing. “But no BYO,” Mr Foaese says. “Otherwise local community constable Russ will have a massive jump of his stats for liquor ban breaches.”

-Petone East Community Barbeque, Scholefield Park, Saturday April 26, 12pm-6pm.

The Petone Community Board will reconsider the Seaview Road speed limit at their meeting on May 12.

Council officers will write to all original submitters to advise them of next month’s meeting. Copies of all the submissions, previously not made available to board members, will be included as an appendix to the officer’s report.

Submitters will again have the opportunity to speak to the board during the public comments section of the meeting.

The issue of whether the speed limit should be lowered from 70kmph to 50kmph has been on the table for a year now. Last August the board recommended the current limit remain, however the Hutt City Council asked them to reconsider. At the board’s meeting in February the board decided it needed more time to collate and consider information and deferred making a decision until their meeting next month.

Say gidday to your neighbours

Speed revisited


by Emily Tilley

The invention of an environmentally-friendly stormwater system that could prove a game changer for developers has won Weltec engineering student Anthony Muir a top national prize.

With the system Anthony designed for his Bachelor of Engineering Technology final year project, he jointly won the coveted IPENZ Rey Meyer medal for Excellence in Student Design.

It is the first time it has been awarded for a civil engineering project.

A stormwater flow system doesn’t sound that sexy at first and Anthony is the first to admit that a diagram of few interconnected pipes doesn’t look as flash as the “Tarzan” robot designed by the other winners, a group of Canterbury University students. However, what those pipes can do is ecologically huge.

Development is a hot topic at the moment. High-density housing, infill housing and new subdivisions are being built nationwide. Every time previously green space is covered by buildings and concrete the natural ability of the land to absorb rainwater is taken away. Instead all that water runs off and is channelled into stormwater systems.

Imagine a new supermarket and carpark built on a previously grassed 1ha site. Now every time it rains all the water that falls on the area can’t be absorbed and has to be channelled away from the site. Typically that water will end up being fed into a stream that has not previously had to deal with either the amount of water or flow rate - a huge impact on the stream’s environment.

Now imagine a big deluge - as the weather people call it “a ten year event”. Suddenly a lot more water is being washed into the stream. Unable to cope with the volume it floods and

the neighbouring houses, which have never seen flooding before, suddenly have major problems.

Developers and city councils work to try and avoid this kind of scenario, however up until now even the “low impact” stormwater systems that involve creating ponds or grass swales have only had an around 14 percent improvement on the impact of creating a development.

Anthony says his system has a 100 percent improvement. By using his system for a new subdivision the water flow impact on the streams is the same as if the entire subdivision remained grassed. “There’s no detrimental effect on the stream whatsoever,” he says.

“I came up with a very simple solution,” Anthony says. Stormwater enters his system through a normal grate and then makes its way down a pipe to the stream via a doglegged chamber that bounces the water around, dissipating the energy and reducing the flow.

If there is heavy rain the excess water is diverted to a chamber, essentially just a large pipe, where it is held back and then slowly released at the same flow rate as during normal rainfall.

Systems can be built with separate holding chambers for two, 10 and 100-year events, Anthony says. “The flow never exceeds the peak flow that would have come from the grassed area run-off,” he says. “For the first time ever there is no detrimental effect on the environment.”

Having modelled the system for three recent Auckland subdivisions built using standard low-impact stormwater systems, he has proven that not only would the system vastly improve the environmental impact, but it would create savings in excess of $500,000 for developers. “The cost savings were scary,” Anthony says. “To be honest I had to check three times.”

Designing something for developers is something Anthony knows about. His

background is in land development, having started out as a labourer and carpenter for the family business he still works for.

His first brush with academia was when licence requirements for builders were first suggested. He decided he had better get some further qualifications, “just to make sure”.

“I kept going and going and going,” Anthony says. He ended up with a Engineering Diploma from Weltec then went on to Victoria University and took an honours year in building science.

With the idea for his stormwater system in his head, Anthony decided to return to Weltec so that he could work on the project under his previous tutor Bob McGrath as part of a BEng Tech.

Anthony says winning the IPENZ award has brought not only attention to his system but also credibility having been peer reviewed in the judging by some of the most experienced engineers in the country.

Anthony is now teaming up with his father to prepare the system for market. He has already patented the system and within days of winning the award has had several large firms express interest in it.

Simple solution to flooding proves a winning idea

Anthony Muir with drawings of his stormwater system.


OBITUARYROGER BAGSHAW 1953 - 2014

On a recent Saturday friends of the late Roger Bagshaw, well known Petone artist, assembled at his home to reminisce, take a last look at the house he refurbished expertly room by room, sit in his relaxing garden that reflected his love of NZ native plants and the natural environment and to select a piece of his pottery or memorabilia as a reminder of their loved and respected friend and colleague.

Roger had connections with so many across the spectrum of his activities evidenced by the large gathering at his funeral on 21 February at the Petone Baptist Church where he was an active member for years; a wonderfully warm celebration of his life as potter, cyclist, sailor, swimmer and good friend.

Roger, with wry humour, would have been humbled and characteristically self-deprecating.

His casket with images of sea and sky, clouds, waves and mountains expressed the unbound expanse of life and nature dear to Roger beside foliage and flora from the garden he nurtured. The Order of Service sheet was a “voyage” plan with extracts from Roger’s diary, drawings, whimsical comments and searingly pertinent observations, omitting the more confronting political comments for his was a passionately left wing social conscience.

“Why is the Government closing the Environment Court? Because they can’t sell it.”*

Throughout the interactive service there were interjections with comment and anecdotes in an informal contribution. Eulogies spoke of a Resolute, Organised, Generous, Eloquent, Responsible man; ROGER!

Roger grew up in Nelson, son of Constable Tony Bagshaw and Joyce Bagshaw the librarian at Stoke, and attended Waimea Intermediate and College, swimming, sailing, music, Scripture Union and art becoming prominent in his life.

A diagnosis of diabetes at age 10 significantly impacted with serial hospitalisations and later curtailed his Canterbury University study towards a BSc. He returned to Nelson and took up truck driving until inhibited by deteriorating eyesight to the point he was unable to retain a licence.

His flat in Kawai Street was the renowned scene of creative friends, homemade sandals, incense sticks, quirky sculptures, Yamahas, repaired cars, Jimi Hendrix music and cheese and baked beans on toast.

“The secret of happiness is low expectations”* Involvement in Scripture Union drew him

to camps as a leader. The Nelson environment provided endless opportunities for tramping and climbing, and caving saw him a member of the team that took the Nettlebed cave system to its then known limits.

“God comes to you disguised as your life”.*Roger re sumed s tudy a t Vic tor ia

University towards a BA in Art History, Anthropology and Maori, settling into married life in Petone unt i l mov ing to Dunedin to pursue an interest in pottery, studying from 1986-87 at the Otago Polytechnic.

He s e t u p a pottery studio upon returning to Petone and completed his Honours Degree; this while he seriously pursued an ear ly interest in sailing, gaining the Coastal Mariners Certificate and tutoring at the Blind Sailing Association.

Many have enjoyed sailing with Roger including numerous students from Naenae College. He was a particularly competent sailor and skipper and compensated remarkably for his limited eyesight. It was said that Roger with one eye could see more than people with two.

Summer sailing trips to the Marlborough Sounds crossing the Cook Strait in his 9.2 metre yacht Imshialla with Petone crew was an annual high point, this year’s trip providing a precious, enduring memory for those involved.

“Powerboats insult the dignity of distance.”*The consuming interest in making art was

Rodger’s means to earning a living. He was a superb ceramic artist.

His pots, platters and tea pots were finely decorated with drawings, slips and glazes, the result of years of experimentation with colours and chemicals.

“If you don’t make mistakes you don’t make anything.” *

The unique smell of the hemp handles of the teapots lingered. He was an active member of the Wellington Potters’ Cooperative in the 1990s, the shop becoming an outlet for his creative talents including drawing and edgy signage. His work featured in national pottery exhibitions, WAG exhibitions and was regularly selected for the NZ Academy of Fine Arts exhibitions where in 2012 his merit was recognised in the elevation to Elected Artist Membership and a Going Solo exhibition.

His stunning pots evolved from the blue depictions of the Hikoikoi boat sheds at the mouth of the Hutt River to the warmth of terracotta and ochre shades with always a discreet bicycle lurking in a doorway, his signature image.

More recently forays into a minimalist expression, devoid of his trademark images but rich and textural with dripping glaze evoking ruptured earth and evolution, evidenced a new, freer direction.

Various friends would assist with transporting pots to exhibition venues but on one memorable occasion for Academy curators, Roger sailed his work to Queen’s Wharf Wellington and amused staff at the nearby Academy venue trailed down to the water to help unpack the boat and carry boxes of pottery ashore for exhibiting.

Roger was not one to be bound by conventions. Conversely his life was ordered and organised with a strict regime regulated by the clock to manage his diabetes.

He didn’t let what he couldn’t do stop him from doing what he could do.

He was a 10am regular at the McKenzie Pool for a 2km swim and he successfully helped fight to keep the pool open and redeveloped when closure was threatened. His togs, one said, were more “Oh” than “Speedo”, clothes being tolerated but somewhat unnecessary.

Always economical with clothing options, he was recognised for characteristically unravelling knitted jerseys and was known to arrive at the NZ Academy openings in red bush shirt and shorts exposing those great legs. Artist colleagues expected simply the addition of a tie slung loosely at the last Christmas “Black Tie” function.

“Yesterday I went to a Roger lookalike competition and didn’t win.”*

The signature bike image became poignant. Roger’s life ended suddenly as he was cycling the upper reaches of the Hutt River trail. Observers saw him fall. He suffered a heart attack

Roger left an indelible mark on others’ lives and in his distinctive work.

“Art is a discussion between what it looks like and what it means. The greatest art returns the viewer to the extreme briefness of life.”*

*Words of Roger Bagshaw- Roger’s pottery is exhibited at Alfred

Memelink Artspace, 223 The Esplanade Petone and NZ Academy of Fine Arts

By Suzanne Herschell- Sources: Mark Godfrey, Philip Carew.


by Emily Tilley

On Saturday April 12 the Solapower Throwing Academy will celebrate the official opening of their new ground.

The event, the Hirepool After Shock Thrower’s Day, will include a sausage sizzle, bouncy castle, a competition and fun events like stone throws and the “tyre flop”.

Professional strongman Levi Vaoga of Mitre 10 “big is good” fame will be a special guest.

“Anyone can come and have a look,” organiser Shaka Sola says.

Shaka, who represented Samoa in the discus at the 2004 Olympic Games, started up the academy so he could teach young people the skills that made him a world-class athlete.

At first it was based on the old Waiwhetu School site but had to move when the site was sold for housing development.

Last year he spotted vacant land, locally known as the “horse paddock” north of the Randwick Archery Club and approached the council asking to use it.

The academy is now based at the paddock and construction of new circles and a cage have recently been completed.

Shaka’s goal of creating a purpose-built throwing facility has finally come to fruition.

It’s hard to become a top thrower when there’s nowhere to throw.” A dedicated throwing facility was “something me and my coach always wanted,” Shaka says.

Phil “Taffy” Jones was Shaka’s coach for 18 years. He was an immense part of Shaka’s life and has influenced his path coaching others.

Finding a place to throw had always been

an issue. When you think about it, throwing events don’t really mix well with other sports. Heavy and sharp projectiles don’t mix well with sprinters running past.

“You’re using weapon-like equipment,” Skaka says. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can also damage the grounds.

Now the academy has a dedicated field and, thanks to an enormous amount of fundraising and support from local business, they also have purpose built facilities, “beyond anything we could afford”, Shaka says.

Horokiwi Quarries donated the base core, Placemakers gave heavy discounts on wood, Groundbreakers levelled the shot put area, All Turf NZ built the cage at a discount, trusts donated toward the build and many others donated too, he says.

Having so much is important for Shaka who believes sport needs to be accessible to all and costs kept as low as possible so all young people have a chance to participate.

The Solapower Throwing Academy is not only about producing champions but is also about helping kids grow in confidence, Shaka Sola says.

Since starting, Shaka reckons the club has had a “new kid every training” with around 40 attending the Solapower sessions.

The age-range is also increasing with a new seven to 12-year-old session starting last year.

Elite athletes are coming out of the academy: Montaya Wharehinga won bronze in the hammer in the Oceania Champs, Ben Power won bronze at the Australian Champs and currently holds records for shot put and discuss and Denzel To’o will represent the Cook Islands in the upcoming Oceania championships in June.

More champions are coming through the ranks, including Shaka’s own 7-year-old daughter Mikayla who had three golds at the recent Wellington Children’s Athletics Champs and set a new record for shot put.

While participants are growing in skill, Shaka says he also watches them grow in confidence.

Some come to him quite timid and he has seen them come out of their shells, not only at training but also in their day to day life.

He says celebrating achievements along the way is important, whether that be winning a medal or a child achieving a personal best. That could just be buying an iceblock, but it’s about acknowledging someone’s done something good.

The official opening is another celebration, through Sola’s hard work, the help of assistant coach Bradley Simes, the patience and support of his wife Bronwen and many others Solapower now has a dedicated throwing facility.

Big-hearted athlete throws party for academy launch

Shaka Sola and fellow athlete, daughter Mikayla.


Petone Community House groups:CLUBS and ACTIVITIESAlice Book Club 1st Tue month, 7.30pm 568 7798Acrylic Art Thurs, 7pm 568 7798Bird Society Mon monthly, 7.30pm 568 7798Bluegrass Society occasional weekend 022 583 4727Board Games 1st 3rd Thurs, 10.30am 568 7798Car Constructors 3rd Tue, 7.30pm 527 0335Chess Nuts Mon, 7.30pm 938 3548Trade Drivers licence As reqd by appointment 027 616 9364French Conversation Weds, 6.30, 7.30pm [email protected]

Knit, sew, craft 1st 3rd Thurs, 10am 568 7798Historic Society As required- see Roy 568 6449HV Writers 4th Sat month, 11am 021 0245 9954Pilates Mon & Wed, 6.15pm 021 882 871Sewing Mon term,6.30pm [email protected] Sewing workshop Sat monthly, 10am-4pm [email protected]

SPCA adoption Sat monthly, 12 – 3pm 568 7798Tai Chi Mon, Thur, 1.15pm 568 7798Te Reo beginners Mon & Thur, 9 – 12 027 651 5114Te Reo Adv Beginners Tue & Wed, 9.15 – 2.15pm 027 651 5114Toastmasters Tue, 6.15pm 027 276 2512Toastmasters Sun fortnight,1.30pm 027 276 2512Transform Coaching Mon, 7.30pm 568 7798Walking Group 1st 3rd Thurs, 9.45am 568 7798Piano (Practice & play anytime when the room is free)

CHILDRENBaby Wearing 3rd Wed month,10am 568 7798Musik, German Weds, 10.45, 11.15am www.musikgarten.co.nz

Kids On Foot Mon – Fri after school 027 3100 161Music & Movement Fri classes, 9am – 6pm www.musikgarten.co.nz

SELF HELPAA Tue, 7.30pm 0800 AA WORKSAA Thur, 5.30pm 0800 AA WORKSMens Tues, 6.00pm 027 222 1093SLAA Thur, 6pm 568 7798

SERVICESBudget Advice Mon – Fri by appointment 568 8877Citizens Advice Mon – Fri, 9.30am – 4pm 568 8877Justice of Peace Mon – Fri by appointment 568 8877

SERVICES (continued)Legal clinic Mon – Fri by appointment 568 8877Food Bank Mon, 9.30am 568 7798

CHURCH, SPIRITUALCCJS Sunday, 10am [email protected]

COG BibleStudy Sunday, 9am 021 210 6665New Apostolic Weds, 7.30pm 568 7798Quakers 4th Sunday, 11am 568 7798

&20081,7<�/,67,1*6

Petone

DO YOU KNOW A GROUP THAT NEEDS A SPACE TO MEET?

Petone Community House, 6 Britannia St.Phone 568 7798

For more information: [email protected]


6&+22/�1(:6

Wilford School

Petone

More community engagement is the aim of a series of classroom hui being held at Wilford School this term.

The hui are designed to get whanau more involved in their childrens’ learning, and encour-age a partnership between the school and the wider community.

Wilford School principal Neil Sargisson says one of the keys to learning is developing good relationships with the community to which students belong.

“There used to be an attitude that schools and teachers know best, but now we have a better appre-ciation of what parents and the community want for their chil-dren, and a better ability to work together,” he says.

Over the years Wilford School has tried different methods to increase communication between school and home, and hit on the idea of the hui after it was introduced through the two bilingual classes.

“This is about getting a collective community voice and about letting the community know what we are doing, and hearing what they want,” Mr Sargisson says.

A focus on swim-ming lessons has paid off for Wilford School students, who took part in swim-ming sports last week.

Last year, the school decided to make better use of the onsite swimming pool, and has made improving the facility a priority for fundraising.

Principal Neil Sargisson says the pool, while well used dur-ing summer and outside of school hours for les-sons, was not being used by the school during winter. The roof structure was fixed, and with the next focus being on pipe work and improving air flow so condensation inside the building is no longer and issue, the pool is being used most days.

The daily swimming lessons result-

Engaging with home Pool work shows at sports day

ed in much better participa-tion in the swimming sports, held at Naenae Pool.

“We had far fewer kids doing the flutter board events, and more swimming lengths,” Mr Sargisson says.

Photos: Top: L-R Taimana Toatoa, Rosa Pennington, Nick Drayton, Gregguil Besa and Megan Drayton. Bottom: Ava Grantham, Ruby Cross and Lexie Brown.Photos: Megan Drayton


by Emily Tilley

Two Anzac Day services will be held in Petone to commemorate those who served and died for their countr y and honour ing returned servicemen and women.

The first is the flagpole service which will be held at the Anzac Memorial Flagstaff at Petone Railway Station at 7am. The Australian Red Ensign will be raised, a tradition that began on the first Anzac Day in 1916.

The larger event is the observation at the Garden of Remembrance.

Participants assemble at 8.15am at the corner of Bracken and William Streets. Accompanied by the Hutt City Brass Band, the parade marches to the Garden of Remembrance in Memorial Park for the memorial service at 8.30am.

The ceremony will be conducted by Major Anthony George and the service will be held by Monsieur Charles Cooper.

Over the past ten years numbers at the services have been growing, with around 400 people attending last year’s Garden of Remembrance service, Petone Community Board member Gerald Davidson says.

Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the day Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops first came ashore at Gallipoli for the battle which would last eight months and cost 2,721 New Zealand soldiers their lives.

To mark the occasion special celebrations are being planned, hopefully including the presence of the restored steam locomotive Passchendaele at the Flagstaff service, Mr Davidson says.

One of the first Anzac Day services and the first attended by the Prime Minister was held in 1915 at the flagstaff site next to Petone Railway

Station.An enormous crowd attended that first

ceremony made up of many members of Parliament, the mayors of Petone, Lower Hutt and Wellington, hundreds of people who had travelled from out of town and many locals including around 1,200 Petone school children.

Petone men who had fought at Gallipoli and were invalided home also attended, ranged in front of a specially built official platform decorated with ferns, pot plants and recruiting banners.

A specially built flagstaff made from Australian hardwood and New Zealand kauri to symbolise unity had been erected and PM William Massey unfurled the Australian Red Ensign.

Simultaneously in Australia a New Zealand flag that had been made by staff of the old Petone

railway workshops was raised on the Hornsby Station flagpole.

While the tradition of raising the Australian flag each year has been kept alive in Petone, the reciprocal action no longer continues in Australia.

Mr Davidson hopes that for the centenary of the flagpole in 2016, the Australian part of the observance can be reestablished.

Two ANZAC Day services to be held in Petone

Anzac day commemoration at Petone. Godber, Albert Percy, 1875-1949 :Collection of albums, prints and negatives. Ref: APG-0589-1/2-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand


Brave Petone priest ties parish to Belgiumby Louise Goble

An app being developed by the Messines Council for their "In the footsteps of New Zealanders" battle field tour, has provided the impetus for Sacred Heart Church parishioners to research the life of one of their earliest priest, Father James McMenamin.

This year marks the centenary of the beginning of the Great War. The anniversary has given momentum to countless history projects worldwide, and for Petone's Catholic Church, it is providing an insight into the untimely death, and brave life, of one of their first parish priests.

Little is known about Fr McMenamin, and one of the most significant pieces of his history - a framed photo of him - was nearly thrown out a few years ago.

Hanging in the presbytery for many years, parishioners were largely unaware of the significance of the photo. However, for the past few years the photo has taken pride of place at the alter adorned with a poppy during the service at the Anzac Day mass. Behind it sits the stained glass window dedicated to the priest from the former church built in his honour in 1934.

Now, Mr Stenhouse and fellow parishioners including historian Sharon Cole, are setting out to learn about the priest's early life, and his WWI service.

James McMenamin lived with his parents for some time in Wellington, and some time in Petone. He attended St Patrick's College, Silverstream.

Leaving school, he trained as a cabinet maker, and being an accomplished pianist, toured New Zealand playing concerts for a time.

He trained for the prieshood at Holy Cross College in Mosgiel, and returned to Petone for his first and only parish position, at Sacred Heart Church.

A keen cricketer, he played for the old Waiwhetu and Petone cricket clubs.

Fr McMenamin's time was served in the original church - now the church hall.

While he was only there for three years, from 1911-1914, Mr Stenhouse says he made a big impact on the community.

When he volunteered to join the army as a chaplain, the parish presented him with a chalice which he carried to the battlefields.

"He must have made a real impression on the parishioners," Mr Stenhouse says.

Fr McMenamin was one of the first to volunteer to serve, and was ranked Chaplain Captain, serving in camps, on a troop ship and in the hospitals of Egypt.

"His cheerful personality and devotion to his priestly duties won him the love and respect of all soldiers," an Auckland Star newspaper report from February 24, 1938 said.

Fr McMenamin was among the first men ashore on the Gallipoli Peninsula in April, 1915.

While men fell around him, he rowed ashore with his chalice, and fellow chaplain, an Australian.

The troops headed to what little shelter they could find at the base of the cliffs the Turkish forces fired from, but Father McMenamin stayed out on the beach, performing Last Rites on the hundreds of dying soldiers.

His Australian counterpart, losing his own chalice in the landings, borrowed Fr McMenamin's.

The Auckland Star says of the priest's time in Gallipoli, quoting Anglican Chaplain, Father Patrick Dore as saying; "Gallipoli brought out the revelation of his supreme courage.

"No place was too hot for him if there was work to do, no task too simple if it would cheer or help someone.

" He carried water, he helped wounded to the beach he was up night after night doing good. For five solid months he hung on."

Although he escaped the fate of the more than 2700 men who died at Gallipoli, he became ill and was invalided back to New Zealand where he spent some time at Wellington Hospital.

The Auckland Star report said; "Long hours, hard work, poor food had brought him down to

less than seven stone in weight, and, protesting, he was at length driven away by those who loved him to seek rest and health...he was a brave soldier a true man, a Christian gentleman."

When he had recuperated he returned to the Front - this time to the battle of Messines in Belgium, which resulted in 3700 casualties, including 700 dead.

Sadly, the priest met his own death while conducting a funeral for a soldier. A shell exploded, killing him instantly and injuring many others.

Fr McMenamin was buried in the Cure's Vault under the crucifix in the Nieppe Communal Cemetery.

Mr Stenhouse says the priest took some Continues next page

Father James McMenamin during his time at Sacred Heart Church, Petone.


Research underway on Fr McMenamin's life

From previous page

services at the Church of St Nicholas in Messines, and since embarking on the research, Petone parishioners are forging strong ties with the church parish and school there.

According to a newspaper report in The Auckland Star of 24 February 1938 about St Patrick's College old boys killed in battle, Fr McMenamin was recommended for a Victoria Cross for his bravery at Gallipoli.

On June 19, 1917, Sacred Heart Church in Petone was draped in black and white for the Requiem Mass for the soul of Chaplain-Captain McMenamin.

In a letter published in the Personal column in the Colonist of June 8, 1917, a Petone patient from Walton-on-Thames hospital said Fr McMenamin, known as "Father Mac" was "always looking after the boys, who swear by him. ..Catholic, Jew, or Protestant, it is all the same. There's no creed or colour drawn by Father Mac."

Mr Stenhouse says part of their research involves investigating the report that a VC may have been applied for on behalf of Fr McMenamin, which military historian Chris Pugsley i s looking into.

O n e o f t h e tasks Mr Stenhouse i s mos t look ing forward to is seeing letters stored at the Turnbull Library the priest wrote from the Front.

"Apparently the letters start off full of excitement but that tapers away fairly quickly."

The parish hopes to mark the hundredth anniversary of Father McMeMenamin's death in 2017 with a trip to Belgium, and is hoping for future exchanges between the parishes and parish schools.

"The connection between Petone and

Belgium is absolutely fantastic for the children and the church," Mr Stenhouse says.

The App will be launched on Anzac Day this year along with a dedicated website which will replace the current blog: www.messines1917.blogspot.be/

Mr Stenhouse is especially keen to hear from anyone with further information about Fr McMenamin or his family. He would like to find where his medals are. Mr Stenhouse can be contacted by emailing [email protected]

The chalice parishioners presented to Fr McMenamin before he went to war.

Father McMenamin's funeral service in Belgium, and below, his vault beneath the crucifix at Nieppe Communal Cemetary. He was thought to have orignally been buried behind Hill 63.


Confusion remains over first Petone All Blackby Steve McMorran

The start of a new rugby season in Wellington, the 130th for the Petone Rugby Club, may furnish a moment to pause and reflect on the poignant story of one of Petone’s first-ever All Blacks, George Maber, who died 120 years ago this year.

The New Zealand Rugby Union website lists Maber as the first Petone player to be chosen for the All Blacks when he made his solitary appearance against New South Wales in Christchurch in 1894 - keeping in mind the term All Blacks wasn’t coined until 11 years later.

It is more likely that honour belonged to Walter Pringle who played for New Zealand against a Combined XI at Wellington in 1893, two years after his Epuni club side had amalgamated with Petone. As part of the agreement around that amalgamation, Pringle became Petone's vice-captain.

W.S.(Mac) McKenzie was a member of the first official New Zealand team that toured Australia in 1893, also played against the Combined XI and went on to play a total of 20 matches for the All Blacks. But it is likely he was first selected while playing for Wairarapa, though he was certainly a Petone player when he represented Wellington from 1893 to 1897.

The frisson of doubt about whether Maber was the first Petone All Black highlights the enigmatic nature of the man and his career. In recognising that, it's important to note the tragic juxtaposition of dates - that Maber both became an All Black in 1894, on the 15th of September of that year, and that he died in the same year, only three months later, when he was just 25 years old.

Of all the sportspeople honoured with a plaque on the Jackson Street Walk of Fame, Maber is the second earliest, after McKenzie, to have represented New Zealand.

Maber was born in Kaiapoi, just north of Christchurch, on November 2, 1869. That may have been the source of the first note of confusion surrounding his career: some official histories list him as a Canterbury player.

It’s likely they only did so because of his place

of birth but he was certainly a Petone player when he made h i s New Zealand debut as, in the words of the New Zealand rugby history, “a fiery and aggressive loose-forward”.

He played all of his representative r u g b y f o r Wellington - his career was confined to the 1893 and 1894 seasons - as a Petone player and he was a member of the Wellington side that beat New South Wales 9-5.

T h a t p e r f o r m a n c e may have been enough to secure his selection for the unofficial 'test' b e t w e e n Ne w Zealand and New South Wales when Wairarapa's Billy Watson withdrew.

That his only N e w Z e a l a n d appearance ended in an 8-6 defeat added to the sombre nature of his career.

Maber left New Zealand in 1894 and for many years little was known about his life beyond that point. But in 2001, the New Zealand Rugby Museum received a portrait photograph of Maber, which was inscribed on its reverse side “b 2-11-1869 d 18-12-1894”.

It wasn’t until 2006 that Wellington researcher Yvonne Chisholm obtained a copy of Maber’s death certificate which showed he died of typhoid at Coolgardie in Western Australia on

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An enlargement from a photograph of the 1894 New Zealand team that played New South Wales at Christchurch, thought to be among the only surviving images of that team. Petone's George Maber played his only match for New Zealand and died three months later.

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December 17, 1894, only three months after his rugby career had reached its zenith.

As Petone begins a new season, it may be a small act of tribute to remember the brief life of George Maber who wore the club colours with such distinction 120 years ago.


Next PCB MeetingMonday 12 May 2014 - 6.30pm Pelorus Trust Sports House, SeaviewFinal agenda and papers will go on PCB website and Council meetings - Home - Hutt City Council

April Petone Community Board

Annual Plan Process As we head into the annual plan process, the Community Board will be encouraging residents to make their views known on the proposals being suggested in this year’s draft annual plan for our city. We have all heard about the Petone Arena idea for Petone Recreation Ground – is this desirable, do you want ratepayers money spent on this??? Now’s the time to let the City Council know your opinion on this and other proposals. Watch out for information and copies of the draft plan in the mailbox, at libraries or online. Have your say

Members of the public are welcome to attend Board meetings and speak to any item on the agenda.Our next meeting will be 12 May 2014 at the Pelorus Trust Sports House, Seaview. Please feel free to contact Board members at any stage if there are issues or concerns you would like to discuss.

Board members are:

Chairperson Mike Fisher mike.fi [email protected]

Deputy Chairperson Peter Foaese [email protected]

Mason Branch [email protected]

Gerald Davidson [email protected]

Mike Henderson [email protected]

Matt Roberts [email protected]

Cr. Tui Lewis [email protected]

Cr. Michael Lulich [email protected]

PETONE COMMUNITY BOARD

Profi les of board members and contact info is available on the Hutt City Council website.

By Phillipa WebbPetone locals are calling on people to secure

their household rubbish and recycling bins after a shocking 12 bags of rubbish were collected in a community effort to clean up the coastline as part of this year’s “Seaweek.”

Hutt City Council contractor Micheline Evans said 60 Petone locals attended a beach clean up and sandcastle competition on Petone Esplanade that saw 12 bags of mainly plastic rubbish collected – the equivalent of a 240-litre wheelie bin.

“A major aim of the Seaweek event was to encourage people to consider the impact of the rubbish we create and that aim was achieved,” she said.

“So many participants were horrified by the scale of the problem.”

Ms Evans said the cause of the rubbish was not from a culture of littering, rather it came from the Hutt River and water sources that drained into the harbour, storm water drains and from household rubbish that was not securely stored.

The clean up was part of the New Zealand Association of Environmental Science annual Seaweek, which focused on learning from the sea.

The 2014 Seaweek theme was “Our fragile finite taonga,” aimed to highlight the fragility of the marine environment and its treasures.

However future beach clean ups should be an “end of the pipe solution,” said Ms Evans.

“If we went to the beach in a few weeks time,

we would be able to pick up a similar amount of rubbish again.”

Part of the council’s work to address the problem has been to encourage people to secure rubbish in bags and not overfill household rubbish and recycling bins.

This includes promotion of the Enviro Flexinet that can be used to secure rubbish in council recycling bins.

“But it was wonderful to see so many people spending their Saturday to clean up a place they love,” said Ms Evans.

-Enviro Flexinets can be purchased from Hutt City Council for $5.

Beach rubbish staggers crew

Harbour Ward Councillor Michael Lulich looked pretty in pink as, although a Petone resident, he was coopted into the Point Howard team for the ‘Drag O War’ event at the recent Eastbourne Games.

Unfortunately, despite their attractive garb, he and his teammates didn’t prove to have much pulling power as they came last overall. Mr Lulich was also one of two MCs and judges for the Project Runway event.

What a drag!

Michael Lulich as you've never seen him before.

8-year-old Oscar Strickland (left) took the Seaweek sandcastle competition seriously when he attempted to build “the biggest sandcastle in the world.” His 3-year-old brother Finnigan (right) was on hand to help.


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by Steve McMorranPetone premier rugby captain Mateaki

Kafatolu is a man of few words but his leadership was critical to his team's 28-8 win over Wellington in the opening round of the Swindale Shield competition on this weekend.

Kafatolu led a Petone team which found itself in the unusual position, for one of Wellington's oldest and most famous clubs, of having eight players making their premier debuts in the same match.

The youth and inexperience of the Petone side was probably evident in a scrappy first half, after which it led 9-3, but they grew in confidence and efficiency in a second half, inspired by a massive effort in the loose by Kafatolu.

The Wellington Lions representative carried the ball with strength and determination and was part of a Petone loose-forward trio that gradually took charge at breakdowns. That effort led to three second half tries, one scored by Kafatolu, which ensured Petone made a winning start to its season.

“Mateaki is a man of very few words but, for that reason, when he has something to say people tend to listen," Petone coach Peter Green said. "You don't need to say much to lead by example and that's what he does.

“Some people can talk it and some people can walk it and Mateaki's definitely in the second category. In fact, the problem we have with Mateaki is a bit like the problem the Crusaders have with Richie McCaw; it's about trying to get him to slow down a bit and not go at it so hard in every moment of every game.

“Like Richie, Mateaki just doesn't know how to give anything less than 100 percent all the time. But we're doing our best to try to convince him to pace himself because we're going to need him and it's a long season."

Saturday’s match was the first clash at Premier level between Wellington and Petone - respectively, Wellington's first and third-oldest rugby clubs - in 12 years. Wellington's readmission to Premier rugby made possible a revival of a rivalry which was once one of the cornerstones of Wellington club rugby.

Green played in some of those matches and said it was a delight to return to the Wellington clubrooms and to enjoy the special pleasure that comes from a victory in a contest which such a long tradition.

He was especially pleased with the performance of Petone's young players and said working with those youngsters and being able to watch and husband their development this season is one of the reasons he chooses to coach.

“It’s a real ly young side by Petone standards,""he said. "To have eight players

making their Premier debuts at one time is quite extraordinary.

“But I couldn’t be more pleased with them. We’ve done a lot of work pre-season but they probably weren’t sure what they were up against in their first Premier match. Green said the young players would be the key to the team’s success this season.

“They’re good people,” he said. “We had a leadership group of four or five old heads but we’re looking to those young guys to contribute a lot more as the season goes on.

Quiet player steps up for role in rugby team


SPORT

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by Steve McMorranFormer adversaries will put aside rivalry and

find common cause when Petone, Eastbourne and Stop Out field a combined side this season in the 14th grade of Wellington's elite Junior Football Premier League.

Petone will contribute four players, Stop Out

Back row: Graham Tennent, coach (Stop Out), Lyndon Murray (Eastbourne), James Hazeldine (Stop Out), Tom Walsh (Eastbourne), Connor Peoples (Petone), Rupert McRae (Eastbourne), Tim Kent-Royds (Eastbourne), Jordan Diamond-King (Petone), Raine Parlby (Stop Out), Ralph Morley, assistant coach (Eastbourne)Front row: Li Parmenter (Petone), Cared Blackham (Eastbourne), Joel Tennent (Stop Out), Dorian McRae (Eastbourne), Max Odgers (Petone), Amir Abdullahi (Stop Out), Ethan Stewart (Stop Out).

Old rivalry put to rest as three footy clubs combine

four and Eastbourne six to the composite team which will compete in the regional competition which began on April 5.

The team, coached by Graham Tennent assisted by Ralph Morley, takes the JPL spot won last season by a combined Eastbourne-Stop Out team. None of the three clubs had enough players to fill a JPL team on its own but by combining

they are able to offer their players the chance to play at the highest level of the Wellington regional competition.

The team has been dubbed "The Mariners" and has its own distinctive strip and badge which it wore for the first time in a match against a Combined XI at Eastbourne on March 23.


SERVICE EXPERTS

SPORTPetone league manages to field a premier team

by Steve McMorran

It's been a struggle but there will be a Petone team in the Wellington premier rugby league competition this season.

The season kicked off on Saturday and for a while it seemed player numbers might be too lean to allow Petone and another of Wellington’s former powerhouse clubs, Upper Hutt, to field premier teams.

But a lot of hard work by coaches, committee members and others has enabled both clubs to piece together premier squads, to ensure their long legacies in Wellington rugby league continue.

Petone won’t have a reserve grade team this season but that allows it both to funnel players from that squad into the premier side and to focus its attention fully on its leading team.

Club spokeswoman Joelene Taumata said there had been considerable apprehension about Petone’s ability to field a premier team but adequate numbers had finally be found.

“It’s been a scary process,” she said. “It wasn’t looking too good there for quite

a while.“Last year was a tough season for us and

we had a real struggle to find players. This year we decided not to participate in the pre-season competition and just concentrate on starting this week, the first week of the premiership.

“We wanted to just get ourselves in a position

to field a premier team and we’ve managed to do that.

"We’ve had a core of about 13 players at every pre-season training and we’ve managed to get there.”

Taumata said it was mainly newer and younger players who had attended pre-season training and “old school players”, some of the veterans of the club, had been conspicuous by their absence. But she said she understood the reasons for that.

“These guys have jobs and families and it’s not as easy as it used to be to get away to play club sport,” she said.

“And if you consider that softball and other summer sports are just finishing, some guys haven’t really had the chance to think about winter sport at this stage.

“It’s not just Petone who is struggling. Upper Hutt, obviously, have also had problems getting a team together and, according to some reports, they’re worse off than us.

“But all clubs are struggling. I heard that at least one team in the pre-season competition turned up with only 12 players. “There are a lot of reasons for that but one of the main reasons is the position we’re in with our juniors.

“In rugby union, the young players play flag (or non-contact) rugby until they get a bit older but in rugby league it’s contact for all age groups.

“For that reason, a lot of schools don’t want to know us. They don’t want their kids playing

contact sport and so we can’t get into those schools, even to advertise.

“That really makes it hard because you really have to have a strong junior foundation to have any hope of being strong at senior level.”

Petone Chronicle The

Editor: Louise GobleNews:Emily TilleySports: Steve McMorranEmail:[email protected]:562 7500Website:www.petonechronicle.co.nz


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by Steve McMorran

Cathy Gordon overcame difficult conditions to win the annual Somes Island to Petone Wharf swimming race.

The race was postponed for two weeks in a row because of high winds - strong northerlies on

the first occasion and strong southerlies on the second. Conditions on race day were extremely testing with cool water temperatures and winds which whipped up a swell of up to a metre at times.

Gordon was first out of the water in 1 hour, 10 minutes, 53 seconds, ahead of Pam Roberts in

1:11.52. Bill Roberts, who swam with one hand in a cast, was next in 1:12.20.

The youngest swimmer, Jack Wilson, completed the race in 1:38.10.

All swimmers were cold and tired when they completed the race but also proud of their achievements in trying conditions.

SPORTAnnual Harbour race is not for the faint-hearted

Competitors at Somes Island prepare for the race.

petone chronicle april 2014

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