petone chronicle june 2014

Petone Chronicle The

www.petonechronicle.co.nz Issue Nine: June 7 2014 562 7500

It was celebration time last Friday when Petone Central School’s Pasefika Group marked Samoan Language Week and Samoan Independence Day with a dynamite

performance. Cameras snapped as parents, teachers and students enjoyed the spectacle. Twelve-year-old New Zealand born Hannah Meofoa (centre) says she loves being part of

the school’s Pasefika group. “I enjoy my culture and learning new

Samoan words. I like teaching kids who don’t speak Samoan.”

School celebrates its special Samoan ties

Arena proposal condition unlikely to be metby Emily Tilley

The Petone Arena proposal will be dead in the water, if councillors decide a more than eighty percent rejection of the proposal by submitters shows it has failed to meet strict conditions imposed on it.

Twelve conditions were attached to the proposal, including that it attract “a satisfactory level of community support”. Hutt City Council community facilities general manager Matt Reid has stated at public meetings that any of the twelve conditions not being met would mean

the end of the proposal.HCC officers had processed just over half of

the submissions on their Draft Annual Plan as we went to print.

Of those processed, 80.5 percent oppose the Arena, 9.3 percent don’t know or don’t mind and only 10.1 supported the proposal.

Reading through the submissions, it doesn’t seem as though those numbers are likely to change much.

There is some support for the Arena from people who argue that a stadium will bring economic benefits and a source of pride to the

Hutt. "The Petone Arena has to go ahead to

increase business opportunities,” one Petone resident wrote in their submission.

A Woburn resident thinks the city needs more hospitality jobs, particularly for young people, and building a stadium could provide these. “Please build a sports facility that attracts people to the Hutt Valley,” they wrote.

Many of the submissions in support are from football fans. They have written in from all over New Zealand and even some from Australia.

Continues Page 2

The Petone Chronicle, June 7 20142

From Page 1

The fans say a “bespoke stadium” close to an entertainment precinct would be great for fans and “exciting for football”.

The benefit for the surrounding community and the city will be the economic spend they would bring to Petone when they visit for matches. Many say they spend both before and after the matches in local shops and pubs. Some who travel from outside Wellington say they would also add to the economy by staying in local motels.

Noticeably missing from the submissions are any in support of the Petone Arena for the “community facility” it would be.

With a mandate to “add vibrancy to Lower Hutt by revitalising community facilities”, the Community Facilities Trust brought the proposal to the table saying it was a chance to “grab an opportunity” and leverage off Phoenix capital contribution to establish new community infrastructure.

However, not even those submitting in support of the proposition have identified this as a key benefit of the proposal.

Many opponents claim the opposite in their submissions, saying the current community facility provided by the Petone Rec would be diminished with a loss of sports fields and space for community sport.

The Petone Rugby Club have come out strongly against the proposal saying the loss of playing grounds will seriously affect the ability of the Petone Rugby Football Club to continue to provide sport for the youth of Lower Hutt and continue with its community based, youth-oriented programs.

“Petone teams have played on the Petone Recreation Ground since the early 1900s and the prospect of losing a 100 year plus connection with the ground in favour of a non-community based professional sports club, with no prior

association with Petone, is both untenable and offensive,” the club’s submission states.

Both junior and senior cricket would be adversely affected by the Petone Arena as Petone Rec is “an important part of the cricketing landscape in the Hutt Valley”, Cricket Wellington says in its submission.

The loss of sports field space is reiterated by numerous submitters and extends beyond the sports clubs.

St Augustine’s Scout Group uses the Rec for outdoor activities but says that, as space is already at a premium, they would be likely to find themselves unable to use the Rec if the Arena were to be built.

Sacred Heart Primary School says the school uses Petone Rec for various sports and activities and a loss of field space would be a loss to the school community.

The loss of space in the “village green” for children to play in, people to walk dogs, fly kites and appreciate space in a built up area, is the tone of many submissions.

Issues with carparking, traffic, noise, litter and anti-social behaviour are also highlighted by many, with some suggesting the Arena would have the potential to change the whole feel of Petone.

While some who oppose the building of a stadium on the Petone Rec suggest other locations may be more suitable, others oppose the council spending ratepayers' money on a stadium in any location.

The reasons are numerous but mainly financial with many saying it simply doesn’t make economic sense.

Many oppose paying for another stadium which will take money away from the WestPac Stadium which ratepayers are still paying for. Still more question the financial viability of the stadium and point to the financial failure of Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

They question what happens if the Phoenix

stops existing or the costs overrun?Any economic spend by fans in Petone would

have been made in Wellington if they had gone to the game at WestPac, therefore there is no overall economic gain to be made for the region, many submissions state.

Some people simply do not want an increase in rates or council debt.

Hutt City Council will consider the proposal and decide whether or not to include it in their Annual Plan at their meeting next Wednesday and Thursday.

If they do decide to go ahead with the Arena and move to Resource Consent mode, the Petone Rugby Club warns in its submission, “the club are prepared to contest it at the highest level”.

Petone Community Board chair Mike Fisher gave council a petition signed by 1700 people opposing the Arena and said the board gave the Petone Arena a “red card” at a meeting hearing submissions. The board say the Arena will clearly have a marked impact on residents, current users of the ground and the amenity values locals enjoy. “While much has been made of "the fan’s experience” ... the experience of local residents and sporting clubs would be irrevocably and negatively affected. It is their concerns that are paramount in our view.”

The Petone Chronicle, June 7 2014 3

Focus shifts to future of East Petone landby Emily Tilley

Despite months of questioning over the future of Housing New Zealand stock in Petone, plans to demolish just over half of the Jackson Street complex were dropped on residents like a bombshell.

The day HNZ announced plans to demolish six out of 11 buildings in the complex, 90-day eviction notices were issued to tenants of the 26 units currently occupied.

Hutt Union and Community Health Service (Huchs) representatives say they are shocked that in the same week a Parliamentary Select Committee report said HNZ’s consultation with the communities of Pomare, Glen Innes and Maraenui, was “inadequate”, plans were announced to demolish state housing in Petone.

“Despite assurances to the select committee that they had learnt from their mistakes they still made the decision to bulldoze without any community consultation,” Huchs manager Sally Nicholl says, adding that community meetings could have been held to discuss future plans in the months leading up to the decision.

However, HNZ says it stands by its comments to the select committee that its consultation processes have improved.

“Talking to our tenants about the Jackson Street changes was our priority and we visited each tenant to discuss the impact on them and the support we would offer them to move to new homes,” HNZ tenancy services area manager Stephen Wilson says.

“It’s interesting what they say consultation is,” Ms Nicholl says. “I think they are working hard at being better communicators, I do give them credit for that… but that’s not consultation.”

Local Green MP Holly Walker agrees. “Consultation isn’t telling people after you’ve made the decision,” she says.

Ms Nicholl says consultation would allow HNZ to look at the wider social implications and make better decisions. HNZ’s demolition in Pomare had far reaching results and almost led to the demise of the local school, she says.

“It may not change their plans, but at least there’s a chance to mitigate the effects,” she says.

HNZ has told the council, residents and Huchs that it has no plans for the land after demolition and will grass it over in the interim.

Ms Walker says it’s now important for the community - both the HNZ residents and people in surrounding homes - to be consulted on the future development.

However, there is some doubt as to whether the decision isn’t already another foregone conclusion as HNZ chief executive Glen Sowry told a select committee last week that “in all likelihood it will be sold for future development”, she says.

HNZ says that for a number of years there has been extreme difficulty tenanting units in the Jackson Street complex, with prospective tenants declining to live there because of safety concerns.

Ms Nicholl says HNZ is using the same approach as it did in Pomare and other areas, “where they neglect poorer areas and then justify removing state housing by blaming the community.”

“It’s almost like they’ve purposely neglected it. It gives them an excuse to bulldoze it,” she says. “You can’t blame tenants for wanting to go.”

HNZ says routine maintenance has been carried out on the buildings. Following a murder at the complex last year representatives met with tenants and took action to improve safety by installing security cameras and fencing.

Ms Nicholl says while HNZ’s intentions were good, cutting trees almost to the ground and putting up prison like fences made the complex less attractive. Working on community development and beautification would be a more

successful way of addressing issues.Residents now call it “the cage”, she says.

“Why was it not painted? Or flowers planted?” Petone Community Board member Peter

Foaese says the focus now has to be on the future for the community of Petone East.

“Whatever happens to the area that is being demolished … there are around 150 other units. Those people are still there. What are we doing for them?”

“You can be poor and very happy,” Mr Foaese says. “It’s not an excuse to say ‘they are poor, they are going to be unhappy’.”

Safety concerns need to be addressed as results so far have been limited and “fall below what’s needed”, he says.

Mr Foaese says he met with HNZ to discuss how it can support positive change and HNZ acknowledged that simply getting rid of the units is not a long term strategy.

He says HNZ says it's willing to work alongside community development and support local groups such as Huchs and Whakaoho. “There needs to be a long term plan for community development that enables the community to drive local change,” he says.

To do that everyone; the community, agencies, schools and HNZ, needs to be around the same table, he says. “HNZ is just one piece in the pie, but an important piece of the pie.”

As HNZ are the main landlords in the area, if they participate in local change it could make a difference, he says. “I applaud them for saying they are willing to be involved.”

Simple ideas can create social capital, such as murals, community gardens and installing infrastructure such as barbeques.

People also need no more surprises. “Families need stability,” he says. Being told you have to move out of your home, or fearing that will happen, “that plays with people’s lives”.


by Emily Tilley

Petone residential real estate is a “hot, hot market”, Tommy’s estate agent Sinead Diederich says.

The two highest house sales in the past four years have been since January this year, she says. They were both in the $700,000s and both sold for more than $100,000 over their GV.

Of the ten Petone houses that have sold for more than $700,000 in the last four years, five have been in the last five months, she says.

It’s the quality, well renovated, bigger properties that are getting particularly good prices, Ms Diederich says. In March a very beautifully presented, “stately” villa on Jackson Street sold for $795,000.

Overall the market is very buoyant and is “achieving results even higher that last year”, she says. Comparatively properties are more affordable than some other areas and the suburb is attracting a wide variety and large number of people.

Prospective homeowners range from the retired to young families attracted to a suburb close to town, the beach, Jackson Street and amenities, she says.

“Petone is a very cool place,” she says. “It’s got a bit of that London vibe. You don’t get that in a lot of other suburbs.”

There’s a very strong demand for houses with four or more bedrooms, she says. “People already living in Petone with growing families want to stay but are living in three-bedroom houses that are bursting at the seams.”

Leaders agent Jit Govind agrees, saying it is always these larger homes in Petone that are particularly sought after. Typically Petone houses are 110-120 sqm, three bedrooms and one bathroom and expanding families are always looking for larger homes.

He be l i eves the recent spate of higher-priced sales relates to the fact that there have been more of these larger homes on the market lately - rather than that people are paying higher prices.

by Emily Tilley

Long-standing b o w l i n g c l u b m e m b e r J o h n Latimer has been recognised in the naming of a new private road.

The Pe tone Community Board chose to name the new private road through the subdivision of the f o r m e r Pe t o n e B o w l i n g C l u b Latimer Way in recognition of Mr Latimer, who was last chair of the club’s board before its merger with the Central Club.

Following its naming, Mr Latimer and his wife attended a launch of Latimer Way with the developer and Ray Wallace. “The new development is going to be great for Petone,” Mr Wallace says.

A new public road created by the subdivision of 43a and 45 Korokoro Road will be named Te Ari-Parera Road, subject to the approval of the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.

Developer John Hughes, Mayor Ray Wallace and Mr and Mrs Latimer came together for the Launch of Latimer Way Development in Petone.

New development gets a name

The subdivision is on a former Maori cultivation site called Te Ari-Parera. The name means “to cook wild duck” and comes from a story about an ancestor who kindled a fire (ahi) to cook wild duck (parera) which he had killed by a pool in the bush.

The land was used as a cultivation site in the 1860s and as a place to catch birds. Te Ari-Parera can also refer to the area now known as Korokoro.

“It’s reflective of what’s on the market,” he says.

Mr Govind says there’s a strong demand in the area and both high-end and low-end properties seem to be selling well. “There’s good activity out there.”

“I think the critical thing for owners is that the presentation is as good as it can possibly be,” he says.

Jit Govind.

Contemporary fl owers

and giftware

0800 800 321Ph: 568-7088 Fax: 568-8922

fl [email protected] Jackson St, Petone

Petone property market remains buoyant


New Dental HygienistEastbourne Dental Centre is thrilled to welcome a new addition to our team, Lisa Bailey. Lisa has been with us for several months now and has proven to indeed be a great clinician, friendly, caring with that English charm. She has recently moved to NZ from England with her young family.

Lisa is highly qualifi ed, qualifying in General Nursing in 1993 then later retraining and qualifying in Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene in 2011. Lisa replaces Maxine who practiced with us for more than 5 years. Though sad to farewell Maxine, it is with great pleasure we introduce Lisa.

For any oral hygiene education/advice, care and scaling and polishing needs please don’t hesitate to call the surgery on Ph: 5627506. Lisa currently works with us on a Monday, and remember that it is not necessary to see the dentist to have a “clean”.

EASTBOURNE DENTAL CENTRE

Board decision will slow Seaview traffic downby Emily Tilley

In an about-turn from their previous decision in August last year, The Petone Community Board voted to support a proposal to lower the speed limit on Seaview Road to 50kmph.

Hutt City Council first proposed the change over a year ago following a request by the Seaview Working Group.

It was put out for community consultation and fell within the Petone Board’s remit to recommend the speed limit for the road.

The road has a low crash rate and the majority of the Eastbourne community who commute daily on the road support the retention of a 70kmph speed limit.

However, the Seaview Working Group say they have seen several near misses on the road.

The Petone board’s recommendation to council last year was to keep the speed limit to 70kmph as it is “safe and appropriate”.

It was rejected by a council committee last year. The committee said the board had not adequately considered safety concerns and therefore asked the board to reconsider their recommendation.

In particular committee chair Max Shierlaw thought the board should hear from a representative of Chevron who spoke to the committee, but had not spoken to the board.

At last month’s meeting Chevron terminal manager Steve Flanagan told the board people working on Seaview Road are concerned about the safety of the road, have witnessed several near misses, people make unsafe overtaking manoeuvres and trucks find it difficult to pull out into the road.

He told the board the trucks are now heavier and pull up to 55 tonnes gross laden weight, carry 36,000 litres of petrol and are “not easy to get started”.

In late 2011 the Hutt City Council approved the route along the Petone Esplanade and Seaview Road for “50Max” trucks, following a law change the previous year allowing bigger trucks onto

some New Zealand roads.Mr Flanagan said there would be no

commercial benefit to Chevron in lowering the limit, “it’s 100 percent about safety”.

The board floated ideas for alternatives and compromises, questioning council senior traffic officer Bryan Sparey about whether any could be made.

Mr Sparey said the lanes couldn’t be reconfigured because the median strip is needed for turning vehicles and removing parking would be a capital cost.

An option to decrease the speed limit for only a smaller section of the road wouldn’t work because there would still be a stretch of industrial area within the 70kmph zone.

He said it is debatable whether 60kmph limits are useful for short roads and in order to consider a 60kmph limit the whole council process would have to go “back to square one”.

Board chair Mike Fisher said it was not an easy decision to make but after hearing evidence from other road users he had changed his mind since previously voting to retain the limit.

He said he would hate to be part of a group that voted to keep the limit and “then something happened”.

Mr Fisher, Mason Branch, Matt Reid and Peter Foaese voted to recommend the speed limit be reduced to 50kmph.

Gerald Davidson and Councillors Michael Lulich and Tui Lewis voted against.

Board member Mike Henderson, a member of the Seaview Working group, declared a conflict of interest and did not vote or take part in the discussion.

The board’s new recommendation will be now be considered by the City Development Committee on June 17, who will then make a recommendation to full council to consider.

Mr Fisher says he understands the 50kmph speed limit will come into effect in August if passed by council.


Demand for services drives call for another venueAlready having to turn some groups away, the

popular Moera Community House is asking Hutt City Council to buy a vacant building behind the house to create extra space.

Providing a venue for playgroups, cultural groups, craft classes, youth groups, seniors groups and more, the Moera Community House’s timetable is almost full. In April the house had to turn away six community groups because they were unable to accommodate them.

There is pressure on the availability of all the community facilities within Moera, in fact the

Youth group hosts evening of kai and funMore than sixty people attended a

community barbeque hosted by the Whakaoho youth programme.

Families, friends, neighbours and special guests including Mayor Ray Wallace and local MPs were invited and the young people acted as hosts and entertained their guests.

“This idea came from our young people who felt that the best way to spend time together as a family and a community was through kai, games and music at a barbeque,” youth worker Peter Foaese says.

Originally planned to be held in Schofield Park, gale force winds and rain led to a venue change to the Unilever cafeteria, however several of the “Mums” braved the weather and manned the barbeques outside in Schofield Park and the food was plentiful.

Fifteen of the young people from Whakaoho’s group had spent the previous night together on a sleepover noho. After a potluck dinner at Petone Depot, they all travelled to Stokes Valley where they stayed at a community space in the Carpenters House Church and took part in

games and activities including a mini talent quest.

After the noho, four of the five group leaders attended a Youth Week Youth Leadership Forum where they helped youth workers to run a two hour workshop o n t e a m w o r k , facilitating games with more than forty young people from across the Hutt.

A b o u t 7 5 children are now invo lved in the Whakaoho group, with a core group of thirty.

Mr Foaese is now working on an initiative to get all people working with young people in Petone, such as schools, churches and marae, to get together to discuss how they can work

Some of the young people from the Whakaoho group with Mayor Ray Wallace.

together and devise a youth strategy for the area. He is currently organising a hui to be held

later this month and would like to hear from any other groups that would like to take part. Anyone interested can email him at [email protected].

Moera Library was one of the groups the house had to turn away. The library were looking for extra space to run a successful book club that has grown in numbers beyond the library’s capacity.

Previously a Plunket rooms, a vacant property amongst the community hub of the library, community house and hall, is being offered for sale for up to $50,000.

The community house say they are not in a position to buy the building themselves, however they are asking the council to invest in the property so the house may lease it.

They have made a submission on council’s Draft Annual Plan asking for council to buy it and point out that, with a maximum sale price of $50,000, the purchase would be a minimal expense in the Annual Plan which talks of investments from $500,000 for community halls/houses and up to $25 million for the Petone Arena.

The Moera Community House say they have spoken to a number of people in the community and council officers who have voiced support for use of the building as a community facility.


Seduction and mid-life crises on Matiu/Somes Is.

Eastbourne Forest Ranger Rod Sutherland says they used to call Matiu/Somes Island “Coronation Street” when he lived there with eight other families in 1975.

Nowadays the island could just as easily be a sitcom with the animals the stars.

Mrs Mac the tuatara, who has been going steady with a male for some time, has recently been seen gallivanting with a male 25 years her junior.

The sixty-five-year old female has developed a fondness for the spritely 40-year-old from across

A tuatara prowls the predator-free environment on Somes Island. Photo supplied by Matiu/Somes Island Charitable Trust

the track, and her ex doesn’t seem too pleased.

“There’s a toy-boy who’s turned up who she’s taken a preference to,” ranger Jerry Wellington explains to a young family.

“Maybe because the other one bit a section of her tail off.”

With tuatara living to up to 130 years - Mrs Mac may just be having a mid-life crisis.

Somes Island visitors might also hear about how the island’s crew increased their sheep gene pool with a hire-a-ram off TradeMe.

“He came hog-tied in a sack on the ferry,” DOC ranger Iain Wilson explains.

“He had a month and he pretty much impregnated them all, then we sent him

In a first of four part series about Matiu/Somes Island, Massey University journalism student Jessy Edwards looks at some of the older residents of the island.

Petone residents will have the opportunity to write “letters to the past” in an upcoming exhibition showcasing some of the more than 3,000 historical objects in the Petone Settlers Museum collection.

Dowse Art Museum and Petone Settlers Museum senior curator Emma Bugden says next month’s “Dear Nostalgia” exhibition at the Dowse Art Museum will display many objects with an opportunity for locals to share their stories.

“Many of the objects we’ll show are ones that we have very little information on, and so we’re keen to crowd source this problem.

“We’re interested in the power of objects to unlock stories, and we are hoping that we’ll be able to capture local responses and memories triggered by the objects.”

Some of objects which will be on display include a nineteenth century Victorian British naval sword, an 1880 ceramic hot water bottle, and a WWII home guard gas respirator mask.

Ms Bugden says there will be a post box in the gallery for people to write “letters to the past” and record their memories of the objects on display.

The museum is particularly interested in what some objects are, how they were used and

who used them and why, she says.“This will be an exhibition that is aimed

at children and families, but really at anyone interested in local history.

“It is really special to hear from people in the community with these stories.”

The exhibition will also feed into the next stages of the Petone Settlers Museum’s development, she says.

“The stories generated through this will be an important part of the ongoing narrative around those objects, and we’re keen to include them when we show the objects in the future.”

“Dear Nostalgia” will be presented at the Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt, from July 26 to November 9 2014. For more information contact The Dowse Art Museum on 570 6500.

off again - not a bad job!

A walk down memory lane POWER YOGA Muritai Yacht Club, Eastbourne

every Thursday. 6.30pm-7.45pm. $15 casual or $135 for 10 class.

Email [email protected]

Main Outfall Pipeline Maintenance

Maintenance work on the city’s main outfall pipeline is planned from 16 June 2014 for approximately three weeks. This work is being undertaken in accordance with resource consents WGN120142 [31523], [31524] and [31528].

While this work is underway the treated wastewater from the Seaview treatment plant will be diverted to the emergency outfall in the lower Waiwhetu Stream. A small volume of treated wastewater will also need to be pumped from low points on the pipeline to the coastal marine area at several locations around the Eastern Bays.

Although the effl uent is secondary treated and disinfected there is some increased risk from contact recreation or gathering seafood in the immediate vicinity of the discharge points. Health warning signs will be in place to advise the public of the risk and environmental monitoring will be undertaken. Enquires contact Hutt City Council, 570 6666.


Jewelleryexhibition

now on

Parent-run trust provides a vital resourceby Kate Manson Approaching Thumbs Up in Petone it seems

like there’s a party going on - the music’s pumping and by the sound of it, everyone’s having a blast.

It’s 9.30 on a brisk autumn morning and Thumbs Up staff and clients - young people with intellectual and physical disabilities - are enjoying a music session before getting into the day. And it’ll be a varied day - among other things there’s a drama session, a Meals on Wheels run, and some of the group will be heading for a Friday ginger beer at the Petone Working Men’s Club.

Twenty-six-year-old Brian Mills who has been coming to Thumbs Up since its doors opened in 2007 enjoys what it offers.

“I like meeting people who are here. I like the music and going out to do woodwork at [Days Bay’s] Menz Shed, we have been making coasters for glasses.”

The Thumbs Up Trust is an independent charitable organisation offering a highly individualised service for the young people who attend. It was formed by a group of families who shared a vision of the kind of service they wanted for their children once they left school.

Thumbs Up Manager Briany Howes says the group looked around the community for suitable providers but nothing really excited them, so they decided to form their own service. Initially joining a larger organisation, they were able to go it alone by early 2013.

“They were able to go back to their original vision of having a parent-run organisation,” says Miss Howes.

Board member Lisa Bartosh, whose daughter Danielle attends the service, says finding Thumbs Up was a “godsend.” When Danielle was ready to leave school it was a huge challenge finding a place which would allow her to engage in her community. Mrs Bartosh says there are not enough places like that for people with disabilities.

“We looked at so many different places, talked to so many different people. It’s very hard finding somewhere where they are not just babysat. We want our young people to have a fulfilling life; we want them to be useful in the community. We want them to know people and to meet people and do things that they find fun, like any young person,” says Mrs Bartosh.

Supporting its 23 clients, aged in their 20s and 30s, to engage in, and contribute to the life of their community is one of the main focuses for Thumbs Up.

Miss Howes says jobs like delivering Meals on Wheels and taking part in activities such as volunteering for the SPCA, or cleaning the Thumbs Up vehicles - which is Brian Mills’ regular Friday job - allows the young people to contribute in a meaningful way and helps them make connections in the community.

“It’s about engagement, participation, contribution,” says Miss Howes

Finding enough money is always a challenge but Howes says the organisation is hugely lucky with the community support it receives.

Funding for Thumbs Up comes from government agencies, parents’ donations and grants from community organisations, clubs

and councils. The Pelorus Tr u s t h a s been a major s u p p o r t e r w i t h d o n a t i o n s a l l o w i n g , among other things , the purchase of the Thumb’s Up land and building.

Suppor t a l so comes in the form o f t i m e donated by organisations like Hewlett Packard.

“Hewlett Packard coming in [to do a working bee] meant that our staff didn’t have to spend half a day cleaning…so what seems like such a small thing actually gave us a half, or probably a full day of training during the term break which is pretty precious time,” says Miss Howes.

Brian Mills.

Music time at the Thumbs Up Trust gets everyone moving.


SCHOOL NEWS

Petone Community House groups:CLUBS and ACTIVITIESAlice Book Club 1st Tue month, 7.30pm 568 7798Acrylic Art Thurs, 7pm 568 7798Bluegrass Society occasional weekend 477 0069Board Games 1st 3rd Thurs, 10.30am 568 7798Car Constructors 3rd Tue, 7.30pm 232 3799Chess Nuts Mon, 7.30pm 938 3548Trade Drivers licence As reqd by appointment 027 616 9364French Conversation Weds, 6.30, 7.30pm [email protected]

Craft Group Tues, 10am 568 7798Historic Society As required- see Roy 568 6449HV Writers 4th Sat month, 11am 021 0245 9954Pilates Mon & Wed, 6.15pm 021 882 871Dressmaking Starting again Sept [email protected] SPCA adoption Sat monthly, 12 – 3pm 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 027 244 3034Toastmasters Sun fortnight,1.30pm 027 276 2512Walking 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 8877SERVICES (continued)Legal clinic Mon – Fri by appointment 568 8877Fresh Food Mon, 9.30am 568 7798Distribution

CHURCH, SPIRITUALCCJS Sunday, 10am [email protected]

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

Korokoro School

COMMUNITY LISTINGS

Petone 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]

This term Korokoro School students are investigating the history of our school and the events that shaped our country during this time frame. Our school fi rst opened in 1904 and we still have records and notes from this period. It is amazing to see the students using their i-pads and laptops in class today and realise that this same site once had staff tethering horses out the front gate! Despite all the technological developments and upgrades over the past years, we really appreciate the fact that we have never lost the country feel or close community kinship that has been the backbone of the school throughout its history.

Rocketing forward to 2014, Korokoro School children are enjoying their newly refurbished playground. The large structure was a much loved play area that had been in constant use for many years but was nearing its used by date.. Full replacement would have meant years of fundraising and the Board of Trustees were keen to explore options. We were fortunate to make contact with Petone fi rm Metal Art who showed the school how, with their product range and skill-set, they could make the playground like new again.

Our school community are delighted that we have maintained an “old favourite” and given it a new zest of life for a fraction of replacement cost. We are also proud of the fact that many of the old decaying wooden features have been replaced by an identical looking, recycled, eco plastic product. We expect that our playground will once again give the school and community many more years of safe, fun and creative play.

Petone Community HouseSupported by Hutt City Council

Thank you to Pak ‘n Save for your support


National candidate vies for Hutt South seatby Emily Tilley

Encouraging new investment from businesses and improving skills levels in the workforce are important for the Hutt Valley, new National Party Hutt South candidate Chris Bishop says.

Born and bred in the Hutt, last month Mr Bishop was selected from five nominations as National’s candidate to challenge nine-term Labour MP Trevor Mallard for the seat.

Currently the Senior Advisor to Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce, Mr Bishop’s CV includes working as a researcher for National in opposition, as a Ministerial Advisor to Gerry Brownlee and controversially as a lobbyist for two years for tobacco company Philip Morris.

Now, aged 31, Mr Bishop is making his first foray into standing for public office.

“Lower Hutt is full of friendly, creative, hard-working people who are proud of where they live. It’s where I was born and raised, and I’m passionate about making the Hutt even better,” he says.

“I’ll be working hard to win the support of Hutt South to give our communities a strong new voice.”

Having lived in Auckland and Wellington since leaving school, he is now returning to the Hutt with a move to Petone this month.

“Petone’s changed from when I was growing up,” the former Hutt-central resident says. “It’s going from strength to strength. I think Petone is doing well. I’m really impressed with the work Leonie Dobbs has done raising the Jackson St profile.”

Encouraging business into the Hutt is one of the city’s biggest issues, Mr Bishop says.

“I want to champion new investment in the Hutt Valley from businesses that will provide jobs and growth in the region,” he says.

The Government has already invested in the “high-tech headquarters” that is Callaghan Innovation, situated locally in Seaview alongside GNS Science. Building on this backbone, the

Hutt has a great opportunity to embrace hi-tech and high-value manufacturing businesses, he says.

He says he applauds the Hutt City Council for its commitment to increase the number of young people studying science and technology. The Council are currently leading a study into science education that aims to determine how young people can be encouraged to continue with science subjects.

“Hutt City’s desire to boost the number of local students pursuing science careers fits well with the National-led government’s record investment in science,” Mr Bishop says.

It is important in all areas to improve the skills level in the workforce and the number of people achieving NCEA, he says.

He sees National’s “Investing in Educational Success” initiative as the best way to raise students 'achievements. Under the scheme $359 million will be invested in creating four new management roles in schools that aim to enable the best teachers and principals to work across a number of schools.

“I’ll be pushing it in the Hutt Valley if I have the privilege of getting elected in September,” he says.

So as he is putting himself forward for election as a local MP, how does he stand on hot-local issues such as the Petone Arena and the demolition of Housing New Zealand flats on Jackson Street?

Mr Bishop says a lack of investment in the 1990s and 2000s led to problems at the Jackson Street flats. “I think most people seem to think the area needed revitalisation,” he says. “All people living in that development will be rehoused, that’s right and appropriate.”

Now the decision to demolish has been made there is potential for redevelopment, whether that be commercial, private, Housing New Zealand or council development, he says.

The Petone Arena proposal has created useful debate around the need to attract investment

and events to the city, Mr Bishop says. “But I’m worried about the costs and the effects on the clubs and groups that use it… At the end of the day we’ve got a pretty good facility at WestPac.”

Chris Bishop.

The Petone Chronicle

Editor/Publisher: Louise GobleReporters: Emily Tilley/ Steve McMorranAdvertising: 562 7500Email: [email protected]. petonechronicle.co.nz562 7500ISSN 2324-5824


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Kirk's words inspire long-staning MPby Kate Manson

Amidst the Monday morning hubbub of Go Bang café, Labour’s hard man Trevor Mallard cuts a friendly figure.

Chatting to a couple of women while ordering his coffee he’s jovial, relaxed. If the Hutt South MP is at all worried about a recent poll in which Labour took a hammering, he’s not showing it.

“These things move all over the place and they don’t really effect what I’m doing on the ground. It’s my job to win the seat and at the same time to maximise the Labour vote in Hutt South.”

It’s a job he relishes, although there’s a note of caution in the political veteran’s voice.

“I’m a bit of a Nervous Nelly when it comes to elections, so I’m never totally confident, but I know that we have a really good Labour team working in the electorate.”

This election sees Mallard facing significant boundary changes with Hutt South now including all of the Western Hills. The changes have taken a bite out of his theoretical majority but Mallard knew they were coming and says he’s been getting out visiting schools, early childhood centres and community groups to get a feel for the new parts of the electorate.

With the days of large scale employers like the car plants and meat works gone, Mallard says creating quality jobs tops the list of issues facing Hutt South.

“For the last 20 years the main issue has been one of quality jobs…we do have some real local advantages especially coming out of IRL Callaghan…there’s a lot of people doing really good science and we’ve been getting better over the last 15 years at commercialising the ideas that come out of research.”

Education, health and housing are also high on the list of issues with the latter taking the

spotlight in recent weeks. Mallard says the issue of housing is two-

pronged.“One is how much harder it is for younger

families to buy their own house, with increases in house prices and predicted increases in interest rates. The other is the massive reduction in availability of social housing.”

He says a reduced housing stock has put a lot of pressure on marginal people, he’s seeing “poor families who sometimes end up in private rentals but every now and then I do find cases of people living in garages and caravans…I’ve seen more of this in the last three to four years than I’ve seen in all the time I’ve been an MP.”

When it comes to the idea of a super city Mallard says he’s done a “bit of a flip on mergers and amalgamations.” When he was Minister of State Services he oversaw some mergers, but now says the costs involved both in terms of dollars and morale can outweigh the benefits. Today he favours looking at alternatives, “what could be done better by working together". Ultimately he says it’s a choice for the Hutt people to make.

“I think that the Hutt community should choose…I’ll vote ‘No’ but I don’t like the idea of the decision of whether the Hutt is involved in a super city to be made by people in Wellington or Parliament.”

Mallard puts his political longevity down to an ability to change and take a fresh look at issues.

“The world changes and I think people who aren’t prepared to change with the world, well they get left behind.”

A keen cyclist, fan of The Bill and recent convert to audio books - Ian Rankin’s on his current playlist - Mallard was inspired to join the Labour party in 1972 after listening to Norman Kirk speak on the steps of the Wellington town hall.

“Actually the other day, for another purpose, I looked up the words that Kirk used that got me interested,” says Mallard opening up the small, neat note book he carries with him.

“He was talking about what people want in life ‘someone to love, somewhere to live, somewhere to work and something to hope for.’ That was how he finished his speech and it just seemed to me, ‘yeah, that’s right.’”

In the intervening years the ardent rugby fan has been in government, held a number of ministerial portfolios, experienced life in opposition and the merry-go-round of promotion, demotion, promotion within his own party. Along the way he’s gained a reputation for being a bit of a tough bloke. It’s an image he’s not uncomfortable with.

“I think that people have roles to play and I’m one of our more experienced MPs, I think I know the standing orders of the house better than certainly any of our MPs and probably just about as well as the clerk of the house. So it means I do end up in more confrontational situations in parliament than most MPs do.”

He says most of the time he likes the role he plays but there’s an air of regret when he says things have not always gone the way he’d have liked.

The former teacher says in terms of policies he’s been involved with, it’s improvements to early childhood education implemented while he was Minister of Education which give him most satisfaction. The results will continue to be evident long after he’s hung up his political hat.

That said, with the campaign wheels in motion there’s no sign he’s thinking leaving the stage soon.

Trevor Mallard.


Petone ANZAC Day centenary left out of HCC planby Emily Tilley

In the shadow of the Arena debate, it appears to have gone unnoticed that over the next year Hutt City Council appears to have “little or no pegged investment into Petone”, the Jackson St Programme say.

The Draft Annual Plan outlines which projects and activities the council plan to fund over the coming year. Apart from $25 million towards the Arena, Petone doesn’t really feature in that funding.

In their submission on the Draft Annual Plan the Jackson Street Programme points to the Petone Vision Statement which was produced by council in 2007 after extensive research and community consultation.

“Projects have been started and the momentum appears to have slowed or one could say even halted,” the Jackson Street Programme says. “Why are ratepayers continually funding projects and asked to participate to be led up the garden path to where?”

“We often hear that Petone is referred to as the jewel in the crown for Hutt City. For council to be able to continue to state that, we can all appreciate that requires a certain amount of investment otherwise we can be guilty of dropping the ball.”

The Jackson Street Programme is asking the council to invest in the heritage and marketing of the area. Projects they would like funded include developing an information centre on Jackson Street and continuing the installation of heritage street lighting.

They would also like to see council funding put towards two important Petone events next year: The 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first organised settlers to New Zealand on the ship Aurora and the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

The Petone Community Board also thinks a council budget provision should be made for both events.

“The first ANZAC day ceremony was held on 25 April 1916 when a commemorative flagpole ...was unveiled at Petone railway station. Given the importance of Petone to marking the First World War it is important that financial resources are allocated to support this.”

The board say they are keen to work with officers and the community to plan for the Aurora landing anniversary with council support.

The Petone Community Board have also asked the council to fund a number of community infrastructure projects including: support for the Petone and Moera libraries to continue and a clear timeframe for upgrading the Petone library; upgrading the Petone foreshore path and adding signage indicating it is a shared walking/cycling path; looking into providing indoor community spaces; and the upgrade of Sladden Park to be brought forward.

They are asking for funding for youth and community development initiatives.

“While the Council’s social priorities are focussed in the Northern and Eastern communities of the city, the needs of the Board’s communities are still important,” they say. “Small amounts of funding could be utilised to strengthen and expand work already being done by local groups such as 153 Potluck Group in Moera, Petone Depot, Whakaoho in Petone East and Positive Petone.”

One project that affects Petone that council has budgeted for in the Draft Annual Plan is an investigation into a Cross Valley Link Road, although not until 2017/18.

The board say one of its priorities is addressing the issue of high traffic on Petone Esplanade. “The Cross Valley Link has the potential to reduce traffic volume on this road. Given this the board supports funding to investigate this option.”

Any new road needs to be developed in a co-ordinated way that permanently reduces traffic on the Esplanade and reinstating the Gracefield branchline should be seen as part of

a comprehensive plan, they say.The Petone Planning Action Group supports

an investigation into the road, but say it needs to be brought forward. “This needs to happen long before then,” they say.

They understand council officers say planning for the Cross Valley Link needs to wait until after a possible Petone to Grenada Link goes ahead. However, this doesn’t make sense as a link road would need to work in with the Dowse interchange, the group says.

Council needs to increase the Built Heritage Incentive Fund as it has remained static for years, the group say, pointing out that Wellington City Council have just increased their equivalent fund which is considerably larger.


Britannia House in the spotlightby Emily Tilley

Spending the day encouraging locals to choose to support Britannia House in the recent Z Energy token programme, Maureen Freeman was surprised to find many people hadn’t even heard of the rest home.

Maureen is the chair of the Britannia House Board of Trustees, she has been with the board for 31 years and says, “I thought everyone knew Britannia House”.

But as she spoke to people at the service station she found many people had no idea about the house, it’s history or the place it has had in the community since it opened in 1980.

Before the house opened there was no rest home in Petone, so the Senior Citizen’s Club joined with then Mayor George Gee and set about finding a suitable place for a home and setting up a Trust to run it.

“There was a Lotto grant, we found the house and bought it… and people in Petone were amazing, raising money in all different ways,” Maureen says. Since then the house has been providing a “home away from home” for elderly locals. There are 17 bedrooms, a communal dining room, lounge and gardens and the house is set up to provide a homely atmosphere for residents.

The people at Britannia House are like a family, Maureen says, with many of the staff and volunteers having long associations with the house. Maureen herself takes Housie every Monday and dresses as Santa for the Christmas party.

Maureen says getting to know the elderly in her community is one of the nice things about

being on the board. One of the touching things is to see people she’s met through other Petone community organisations come to Britannia House as residents, she says.

The house has outings for residents at least once a week and annually run a trip to the Lower Hutt Community Concert. Groups, such as from local schools, also come into the house and give concerts. “The residents are normally quite active,” Maureen says.

Although more and more retirement homes are being built in the region, most of these are large and some people don’t want to be part of a big complex, Maureen says. Britannia House is more about homeliness. “Only one of our bedrooms has an ensuite … the big places are good for people who want ensuites and upmarket furniture,” she says.

Britannia House is not Government funded so fundraising and grants are essential to keep the house open. Maureen says the board is extremely grateful for all the money donated to the house, such as the $834 raised by people choosing to support the house in the Z Energy token programme. The house also runs an annual street day appeal, holds fundraising events and runs stalls at the Petone Carnival.

Petone Rotary is one of the house’s main supporters, in the past large donations have been received from businesses and community groups such as Pak’N’Save and the Petone Bowling Club and the house has also received many grants from the Pelorus and Hutt Mana Trusts.

“That’s what keeps us afloat,” Maureen says.The house also relies on the time donated

by people like Maureen who manage all the fundraising and make sure the house has the facilities and resources it needs to continue to provide a home in the community for Petone elderly. There is a board of ten people from all walks of life and a group of “Friends of Britannia House” who volunteer their time.

Maureen is 78, walks with the help of a walking frame, and has been the chair of the board for many years. “I’m starting to look like one of the residents,” she laughs.

- Anyone interested in volunteering as a Friend or board member for Britannia House can email [email protected]

New Petone Community House co-ordinator Michelle Dolan is says she is planning on meeting all the community groups who use the facility in her first few weeks in the role.

This is no small task - more than thirty groups use the community house, which has been there since 1980.

With a background in the health and travel industry, she says organisational skills are a key in the new role, which includes managing the bookings of the house.

Community houses are supported by Hutt City Council, and there are other community houses in Moera, Alicetown, Kelson, Maungaraki, Naenae, Pomare, Stokes Valley, Taita and Wainuiomata.

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Petone multi-sports hub gets the tick from localsWhile the turbulent public debate over the

merits of the proposed Petone Arena continues, Petone Sportsville is able to report considerable public support for its long-term plan to develop the Petone Recreation Ground and North Park into a "enhanced multi-sports hub".

The hub proposal has largely been squeezed out of local headlines by the furore over the development of a 12,000-seat boutique stadium, a putative home ground from the Wellington Phoenix football side.

The Sportsville group, uniting eight local sports clubs including rugby and cricket, has expressed its opposition to the Arena proposal in its current form because of its effects on its members through the loss of playing and training facilities.

Its own, more modest proposal, endeavours

to maximise use of existing facilities and to redevelop those into a multi-sports centre based around the Petone Recreation Ground. In an effort to understand how local residents would respond to such an initiative, Sportsville commissioned a survey late last year to canvass their views.

Sportsville says the survey of 202 eligible Petone residents found a high level of interest in the opportunities that an enhanced multi-sports hub might provide.

The survey found that:• 81 percent of respondents (or their

immediate family) currently use North Park and/or the Petone Recreation Ground and facilities for sport and recreation.

• 52 percent of respondents belong to a

Petone sports club.• 92 percent of respondents said they and

their family would use the facilities of an enhanced multi-sports hub.

• 75 percent of respondents said they and their family would do more sport and recreation if there was an enhanced multi-sports hub in Petone.

Indoor courts and artificial turf were the most popular facilities for inclusion in an enhanced multi-sports hub.

Sportsville said its vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of the Petone community through the provision of sports and recreation opportunities. To deliver on that vision it aims to ensure its member clubs "have modern and well-maintained facilities that attract and maintain members".

Rowing club's turnaround leads to top rankingby Steve McMorran

The complete realisation of the ambitious goals set down in a business plan prepared four years ago have resulted in the Petone Rowing Club being recognised for the first time as Rowing New Zealand's Club of the Year.

In 2010, the then committee of the Petone club, under its inspirational president Russell Baxter, set down goals for the next five years which must have seemed, at the time, to be at the very limit of what might be attainable.

The club then had fewer than ten active rowers and the business plan proposed that by 2015 it should have 64. It has already cracked that mark and is still growing, so much so that careful logistics and timetabling are needed to ensure all rowers get the access they need to equipment and facilities. The club may even have to expand to additional premises to meet the needs of all members.

In 2010 the club had two coaches and planned to have 10 by 2015. Again, that goal has been achieved inside the five-year time limit. The club wanted to develop a masters crew, has done so this season - one that achieved significant club bragging rights when it recently beat the club's

junior section in an internal showdown.The success of the club in meeting all of the

goals of the 2010 document is a great cause for pride. But and even greater well of pride has come from the external recognition implicit in Rowing New Zealand's decision to recognise Petone as its Club of the Year.

The award will be officially presented to club president Caroline Robertson at the annual meeting of the Wellington Rowing Association on June 22. Petone also remains one of four finalists for the Club of the Year title in Sport Wellington's annual awards - a prize that will be presented next week.

Robertson was delighted when the news came through RNZ president Colin Shields that Petone had been honoured. She believes Petone's "point of difference" was the manner in which it had brought to fruition the goals of the business plan laid down four years ago.

The current season has already been one of unprecedented success from a competitive points of view: in Robertson's opinion, the best in the club's history. Petone has enjoyed outstanding results in local, regional and national competitions and has provided several rowers to national teams and development squads.

Ella Pudney and Beth Ross will leave shortly to spend three months at Lake Karapiro, training in preparation for the junior world championships at which they will represent New Zealand. The pair will attend school at Cambridge during that period, marking a major but welcome upheaval in their young lives.

Petone is carrying out fundraising activities to meet some of the financial obligations of its successful rowers. The young New Zealand team members must pay $275 a week for food and accommodation during their stay at Karapiro and around $6,000 towards the cost of competing at the world regatta in Germany.

Highly talented young rower James McAnalen has also been chosen for the New Zealand under-21 team which will compete against Australia in Perth later this year.

Robertson said the award of the Club of the Year title to Petone was recognition of the hard work and dedication of many members this season and in the years since the business plan was developed.

There is a note of sadness that Russell Baxter, who passed away last year, will not be present to receive an award which would have been among his proudest achievements.


SPORTSPORTPure footballers in contention at top of the table

Petone-based Hutt Valley Harriers enjoyed outstanding results across a number of age groups in the annual Vosseler Shield, one of the high points of the cross-country season in Wellington.

Joel McKay won the boys’ under-13 division,

by Steve McMorran

Petone's leading women's football team, the Pure, have finished the first half of their season in second place in Wellington division one and seem set in the second half of the season to add lustre to Petone's outstanding record in women's football.

Petone were in first place for much of the first round but dropped to second with a loss in their most-recent match. They head into the second round strongly placed to win their division and to contribute another success to many the Petone club has achieved through its women's teams.

Petone women's liaison representative Nadine Bowen said the club and the team are "pretty wrapt" with their performance so far and are confident of sustaining that performance for the remainder of the season. Bowen said the Pure - the highest-ranked of Petone's two women's teams this season - are settling down well in their competition and forming strong and successful combinations.

“We’ve had a few new players this year,” she said. “A number of younger, skilful players have come into the side and they’re making a big contribution.

“Coach Sam Morrisey is in his second year in charge and he's also settling into that role. He's

Phoebe McKnight won the girls’ under-15 title and Tim Robertson was the winner of the men’s under-20 division at the May 24 event.

Reuben Goldingham-Newsom was second in the boys' under-15 race, Julie Johnson was

fourth among the senior women, Darren Gordon was fourth in the men's 40 division and Marcus Smith fourth in men's 50 race.

The race is held annually on Mount Victoria and is famous for the tough and technical nature of its courses.

Hutt Valley Harriers runners were also prominent in the University Relays on the previous weekend.

Nathaniel Graham was first, Nicholas Green second and Henry Mellor third as HVH swept the boys’ 9 and under race.

In the main teams event, HVH had four second placings.

Phoebe McKnight, Lucy England, Ruby Heath, and Bailey van de Coolwijk were second among nine teams in the junior women's race; Laura Robertson, Julie Johnson, Gail Kincaid, and Eva Blush were second among 13 senior women's teams; Tim Robertson, Joel Wyatt, Nick Sasse, and Mathew Rogers were second of 18 in the senior men's race and Marcus Smith, Bill Trompetter, Karl van Polanen, and Richard Kellett were second of 10 in the masters race for men over 50.

Hutt Valley Harriers will host the Dorne Cup, another of Wellington's key cross-country events, at Trentham Memorial Park on June 14.

Action from the Petone Pure's latest match against Marist.

got to know the players well and he's starting to build a very strong foundation.

“The team plays a good sort of football. Playing on the artificial turf has helped to play

that skilful style.“It’s been a great team effort. You can’t really

single out individuals, it’s just a matter of the players getting together and providing good support to each other.”

Harriers cap off successful season


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SPORTIt's no surprise Petone rugby team is doing well

Head coach Peter Green has witnessed the surprising transformation of the Petone premier rugby team in the first half of this season, from a fresh and green combination when their competition began to one, he believes, is capable of approaching “the Petone teams of old.”

Petone finished third in the Swindale Shield competition behind winners Marist-St Pats and finalists Tawa, exceeding Green’s expectations and giving him confidence that the team while be highly competitive in the impending contest for Wellington rugby’s greatest prize, the Jubilee Cup.

Green has seen his players grow and develop confidence in themselves, their teammates, their combinations and their gameplan as the season has progressed and he says Petone will now approach the Jubilee Cup as a week to week proposition, sure of their ability to match other sides.

Petone will face Marist-St Pats in the first round of the competition, which means it has an intensely tough match against one of its oldest traditional rivals. But Green would have it no

other way. He believes Petone are ready to take on Marist and that the match will provide the perfect benchmark on which it can build for the second half of the season.

“I’m really proud of the guys and what they’ve achieved so far,” Green said. “It’s more than I could have hoped for.

“But while I’m pleased, I’m not surprised. This is a great group and the way that they’ve worked hard and believed in themselves has meant they’ve been able to achieve much more than many people would have expected.

“And I believe that the progress we’ve made so far this season could be snowballing. What’s happening is that this team, which is a very young team in many respects, is starting to play like Petone teams of old.

“They’re doing the hard work that’s necessary to set the platform in every game and then, when the attacking opportunities are there, they’re trying to use the ball. They have the confidence in themselves and each other now that allows them to do that and, for the coaching staff, that’s really exciting.”

Green said the fitness of the players was evident, the result of hard work in the pre-season, and the team was also showing the benefits of strong on-field leadership, sound planning and teamwork.

“Our goal at the start of the season was to get into the Jubilee Cup,” he said. “We’ve done that and now it’s week by week from here.

“As coaches we’ve tried to put certain things in place but it’s been up to the players to take it from there. If the players are prepared to buy in to what we’re doing, to own it and take responsibility for it then your really can’t ask for anything more.

“It’s not easy being a coach in this competition. It’s so close that your nerves are pretty stretched in every match. But having such a good bunch of guys makes it a lot easier.

“We have very good leadership on the field from guys like Josh Hrstich, Mateaki Kafatolu and Eugene Smith and there are unsung heroes such as Jacob Goode who does so much around the field, really everything you could ask for.”

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SPORT SPORTInjuries affect footballers' success

by Steve McMorran

It’s the small things in football that make the difference and Petone premier coach Graham Little believes when those things click into his place, his team will be a force to be reckoned with in this season's Central League.

A consistent lineup is one thing but injuries and the unavailability of key players have combined to affect that so far this year, having a knock-on affect on Petone's consistency of performance.

Young players are being inducted into the Petone gameplan and they are steadily learning and fitting into their roles.

Luck, perhaps the most immeasurable factor, has to be with you as well, at key times.

But Little places critical emphasis on mindset and he believes as Petone's mindset develops, firming in partnership with the team's confidence, its results will steadily improve.

Petone is currently seventh on the Central League ladder, with two wins, two draws and three losses and with a game in hand over most of its closest rivals. The competition is so close that Petone finds itself only a win outside fifth place and just four points behind fourth-placed Wairarapa United.

Petone has drawn with two of the top four teams - Wairarapa and Wellington Olympic (2-2 in both cases) - and Little firmly believes it could have won both of those matches and, if it had done so, could be pushing towards the top of the ladder.

Little says Petone could have, and probably

deserved to win both of those games but victories narrow eluded them, often because of goals conceded by momentary lapses in concentration. He believes Petone can take confidence from its recent performances and, as its confidence grows, those slip-ups will evaporate and there will be more entries on the winning side of the ledger.

Petone's most recent match, against Napier City Rovers in Napier, provided a classic example of its season it microcosm.

After a five hour bus trip, Petone faced a Napier team which - in Little's words - "threw the kitchen sink" at it in the opening stages of the match. It managed to weather that storm, then to gradually get on top of its opponent and, after some sound combination and slick finishing, took a 2-1 lead to halftime.

But Napier was able to equalise after halftime from an error when Petone gave away possession in defense and took the lead from a goal which stemmed from a refereeing error. Napier added its last goal, skewing the final scoreline, as Petone tired in the dying moments of the match.

Little said Petone should be encouraged by their performance and should be able to take heart for coming matches. Napier is one of the best teams in the competition and certainly has one of the best home ground records, winning its last nine matches at what used to be Park Island.

Petone fully stretched them and, Little believes, should have come away with a win. They didn't do so but they now know they are competitive against the best teams in the Central League, even in the most disadvantageous circumstances.

“At halftime we were really thinking ‘we can win this’ and I believe we probably should have won it,” he said. “But perhaps one sloppy clearance and one of the worst refereeing decisions I’ve seen in recent times cost us what could have been a really good result.

“That’s probably the story of our season. But, I still think we can take a lot from that game.

“One of the biggest things is mindset. Our boys seem to have no trouble at all getting themselves up for the big games and they always tend to perform well in those but then they seem to let things slip a bit when they play one of the weaker teams.

“We really have to get over that and we have to start taking our wins when they’re there to be taken. I think we have to try to get on a roll when it comes to winning.

“We’re working on a few things that might take a little while to come to fruition but I think we’re a very good team when the mindset is right.”

Action from Petone's latest Central League match against Napier City Rovers.

petone chronicle june 2014

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