The

Petone Chroniclewww.petonechronicle.co.nz Issue One: September 7 2013 562 7500

Hopes are alive to save clinic Welcome to the first

ed i t ion o f The Pe tone Chronicle. Our aim is to provide Petone residents with news about you - the goings-on, people and events that make Petone the special village it is.

In this issue you’ll find a mix of news, sports and politics. We hope you enjoy reading the first of our monthly community papers, delivered free to every home in Petone and Jackson Street businesses. We’d love your feedback - you can find us on Facebook by searching The Petone Chronicle, or at www.petonechronicle.co.nz. Check out our Petone community noticeboard, and let us know what you think.

By Emily Tilley

The cost to the community of the Petone Hutt Union and Community Health Service closure will be poorer health, Peter Foaese says.

A public meeting is being held on Monday night to try to save the clinic, which offers low cost healthcare for local residents.

Chaired by Mayor Ray Wallace, the meeting is to inform people about the centre’s work, begin looking at ideas and options for its future, and will be a chance for local health officials to hear directly from the affected community.

“If we lose the centre we lose the heart of a community - a community already in need, families already struggling,” Petone Community Board member Peter Foaese says.

With past funding cuts leaving the centre strapped for cash, and difficulty recruiting and retaining doctors, Huchs Petone is facing possible closure, but may yet be saved.

“We want to get the real information out there,” Mr Foaese says. Many locals seem to think the centre is definitely closing and he’s worried people will panic and unnecessarily try to transfer to other centres.

“We don’t want people to leave the clinic. It still has a healthy financial situation and it can definitely be kept open for a while,” Mr Foaese says.

What the clinic does want, is to get the community involved in talking about how to secure its long term future.

The centre is not just about doctors being available for appointments, he says, but also about building local networks and being part of the community it serves.

Mr Foaese says a family transferring to

another clinic would see a huge difference in cost over a year.

“Even for an adult at Huchs it’s $15 and that’s it. No extra cost to write out a prescription, no extra fees. Some places do have low fees but then charge an extra $2 here and there. Even for a single adult on a low income it’s going to make a big difference.”

That’s if people can get a space at another clinic; Mr Foaese says the most needy in the community may find there are few services willing to take them on.

Without a local, affordable clinic people may put off going to a GP, get sicker and end up clogging the hospital emergency department. “In the worst case it would mean people dying,” he says.

“This isn’t just a local issue, it’s a national issue,” Mr Foaese says. “If this happens in Petone,

why not Pomare? The Ministry of Health needs to fund district services.”

In fact the plight of Petone Huchs and similar clinics has reached national attention.During question time at Parliament, Labour Party health spokesperson Annette King questioned Health Minister Tony Ryall about the closure of two medical centres and the likely closure of Huchs Petone clinic.

“Why, after all his announcements and reports about increased funding and more doctors, have three medical centres providing services to high-need patients and rural New Zealand been forced to close in the past few weeks, stating their reasons as a lack of funding and a shortage of doctors?”

Public meeting Te Huinga O Te Whanau Hall, 451 Jackson St, 5.30pm Monday, September 9.

Petone Chronicle editor Louise Goble, reporters Emily Tilley, Di O’Connell, Steve McMorran, and advertising manager Barb Scott.

Welcome to your community paper

The Petone Chronicle is independently owned and operated, and we are extremely grateful to all our wonderful advertisers for their support in this inaugural issue.

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 20132

Strong, hugely experienced voice for Eastbourne/Harbour Ward

- so necessary these next three uncertain years.

RETURN ROSS JAMIESON TO COUNCIL

Jackson St under threat from planby Di O’Connell

Four storey buildings on Jackson Street and the Esplanade will kill Petone off according to Petone Community Board member, Tui Lewis.

“What makes Petone unique is how it is now and anything that needs to be done needs to be sensitive,” she says.

Mrs Lewis is concerned the historic character suburb will end up with “enveloped” areas - where taller structures shade out nearby homes.

The plans to allow low rise apartments on Jackson Street and the Esplanade is in the Urban Growth Strategy approved by Hutt City Council in August.

Citywide the strategy targets population growth of at least 110,000 between 2013 and 2031 by providing 6000 new homes through increased development and infill housing.

That’s because without intervention the council paints a less vibrant picture of the Hutt’s future - population loss coupled with an ageing population.

But the possibility of infill apartments on

Mayor glad to see a new paper on the streets

the main street raises concerns for Jackson Street Programme chair, Leonie Dobbs. She questions the impact on the heritage precinct and whether buildings will need to be demolished to make way for apartments.

“Where are these people coming from to fill these apartments?

“I’ve suggested to the council that High Street and some of Lower Hutt that is bare of people - they’ve got existing buildings - why don’t they convert those straight to apartments,” she says.

People will be able to have their say in the next step. After October’s local government elections the new council can deal with the practicalities of the strategy.

The process of making individual changes to the District Plan includes two opportunities for consultation and one for submissions.

There was also a suggestion in the submission from HCC’s Divisional Manager of Environmental Policy, Bronwyn Little for low rise apartments on Waione Street opposite the former Exide factory.

By Hutt City Mayor, Ray Wallace

A strong community is an informed community and Petone will benefit from the launch of The Petone Chronicle.

The intention is to keep it full of community news with stories about achievements of our school children, sports people, citizens of Petone, and the affairs of council. The newspaper has undertaken to be Petone’s “local” paper. This is a good thing.

Democracy at the community level is represented by the Petone Community Board and they need to be aware of what is happening within their own community. They also need to tell the community what they are doing.

The strength of local community boards is their closeness to the people who live in their communities. They are the next door neighbours, the shopkeepers, the teachers, and the parents who all make up the various

elements of a community.Hutt City Council has strongly advocated

for local representation and a clear voice of the community being heard in relation to decisions that affect them.

Our Hutt City application to the Local Government Commission is based on what we have been told by the people who live here. There is a demand for an enhanced status quo with regional entities to look after water and transport. In the event of an amalgamation the preference is for unitary authorities with amalgamation of the two Hutt councils.

I am hoping there will be a strong turnout in the current local body election to show that our communities within Hutt City take their rights seriously and cast a vote.

The new Petone Chronicle is to be congratulated for taking the initiative and stepping out to capture readers and support businesses in the area. We are currently experiencing a growth in

business confidence across the city with a number of business operators considering developments within our city.

History on wheels - and on foot

How much do you know about Petone history? The Petone Historical Society is hoping locals will join its bus trip to notable local sites on Saturday, September 21 from 2pm-4pm. Roy Hewson will provide a lively commentary on notable people and places that have made Petone what is today. The cost is $10, payable on the day. Ring Roy on 568 6449 to book or email roy.hewson@xtra.co.nz. The bus departs from the Petone Community House.

Also leaving from the community house are guided history walks on Sunday September 15 (tour of Eastern Petone) and Sunday, September 29 (tour of Western Petone). The walks leave at 2pm, and are part of New Zealand History Month celebrations.

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 3

Main findings of the Commissioners’ report on Plan Change 29 for Petone West (The area generally bound by Hutt Road, Petone Avenue, Campbell Terrace, Victoria Street and The Esplanade):

Mixed use a rea s shou ld be established, in particular providing for residential activityRetail activity limited to shops 500sqm to 3000sqm, w i th shops smaller or larger being a discretionary activity and over 10,000sqm noncompliantAll new buildings be subject to

design guidanceMaximum building height 20mAll residential activities must provide an outdoor spaceOne carpark should be provided for each residential unitA 3m setback from the residential activity areaA 10m setback along the road frontage to The EsplanadeThere should be restrictions on activities such as child care facilities and housing for the elderly in recognition of the area’s potential risk from natural hazards.

by Emily Tilley

It’s crunch time for Petone West this month with Hutt City Council set to vote on District Plan changes that could radically alter the area.

At their meeting on September 17, councillors will vote on whether to adopt Plan Change 29. It’s widely expected they will; if not the entire process will have to be begin all over again.

Over the last year that process has involved the consideration of an unprecedented 278 submissions from individuals, groups and organisations, four pre-hearing meetings and the appointment of three independent commissioners to make recommendations on the final plan changes.

The Commissioners’ report, made public last week, is welcomed by the Petone Planning Action Group, one of the many opponents to previous versions of the plan.

“What is being recommended to council for adoption is very different to what was notified in June 2012,” Petone Planning Action Group chair Pam Hanna says.

“The recommendations ...and better policy wording being recommended will hopefully mean a District Plan that starts to go some way to properly recognising and maintaining the heritage life blood of Petone,” she says.

The commissioners have made almost sixty amendments to the original version of Plan Change 29.

Plan Change 29 originally allowed for shops of any size up to 10,000sqm to be built as a permitted activity and building heights of up to 30m.

One of the standout reasons for opposition to the plan was its allowance for small shops to be built, which was seen to have the potential to destroy the commercial viability of Jackson St, potentially destroying the village nature of

Petone.The amended plan change limits permitted

retail activities to shops no smaller than 500sqm and no larger than 3000sqm. The maximum permitted building height in the proposed plan is 20m, with lower permitted heights for Jackson St frontages and next to houses.

Wording of the proposed plan also means that potential economic effects on the Jackson Street Historic Retail Precinct will have to be assessed when considering consent for smaller retail premises.

This includes the cumulative economic effect new shops have had over the past five years, the number of existing vacancies in historic Jackson Street at the time and whether a suitable location is available for the development within the Jackson Street Historic Retail Precinct.

In their report, the commissioners acknowledge the “considerable value and assistance” they received from both council officers and submitters, saying the quality of reporting and submitters’ presentations was of a

particularly high standard.Ms Hanna says this recognition by the

commissioners endorses the importance of submitters’ input.

“The over 200 submitters who took the time and the energy required to make a submission and seek changes to the initial Plan Change need to be congratulated,” she says.

Submitters included GNS Science, NZTA, the Trustees of Te Puni Urupa, the Petone Community Board, the Jackson St Programme and Petone Planning Action Group.

Ms Hanna says in the future the bigger picture needs to be addressed much earlier by councillors themselves.

“Virtually unfettered development of any sort anywhere in the plan change area was what was proposed and councillors need to collectively take more responsibility than that,” she says.

“They shouldn’t rely on residents and other community members doing the work that they should really be doing before such matters go out for public submissions.”

Crunch time comes for Petone West’s future

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 20134

Shierlaw forces Petone board to revisit speed limitby Emily Tilley

The Petone Community Board is being made to reconsider its recommendation that the Seaview Road speed limit remain at 70kmph, after a council committee decided it did not adequately consider safety issues.

The PCB voted unanimously at its meeting on August 19 in favour of keeping the speed limit on Seaview Road at 70kmph as it is “safe and appropriate”. The decision was supported by the Eastbourne Community Board.

Council officers had proposed decreasing the speed limit for Seaview Road from 70 kmph to 50 kmph.

Their proposal followed a request for the speed to be lowered by the Seaview Working Group on behalf of businesses on Seaview Road.

There were six public submissions in favour of changing the speed limit on Seaview Road to 50kmph and 39 submissions against.

Three submitters against the proposal spoke at the Petone meeting. All three opponents to the submission told the board that a slower speed limit would inconvenience and frustrate through traffic.

They said having driven the road on a daily basis they did not consider it dangerous at the current speed.

They said that people adjust their speeds according to the conditions on the road which is “wider than a motorway, straight, with clear visibility and well lit at night”.

The board asked HCC senior traffic officer Bryan Sparey about the accident rate on the road and whether council officers had highlighted it as unsafe.

Mr Sparey told the meeting the accident rate was low in comparison with other Hutt roads and there had never been any accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists.

There were eight reported crashes on the road from 2008 to 2012 including one serious, one

minor and six non-injury crashes. Mr Sparey said council officers had not been

concerned with the speed limit and would not have considered looking at changing it if the Seaview Working Group had not asked for a change.

Seaview Working Group spokesperson Claire Allen said Macaulay Metals came forward first saying drivers were finding it stressful getting into and out of its premises.

A call for change was sparked and when asked, 28 out of the 39 businesses on the road wanted the speed lowered.

She said some businesses reported numerous near misses when turning into or out of their premises particularly when cars tried to duck around turning vehicles.

She said the volume of traffic had increased and that there is now a new firm with logging trucks on Seaview Road and VTNZ have changed their truck exit onto the road.

Having heard from the submitters and Mr Sparey, the board voted to recommend retaining the 70kmph speed limit on Seaview Road.

Following the meeting, Councillor Max Shierlaw emailed The Petone Chronicle to say he was “looking forward to hearing how continuation of a 70kph speed limit meets safety requirements given the recent accident history on this road”.

“I understand John Welch and other Eastbourne residents made submissions to the Petone Community Board last night that were erroneous,” he wrote.

“It is the height of ignorance for Mr Welch and others to oppose the proposed speed limit change because there have been no injuries.”

“I am aware that the Petone Community Board opposed the speed limit change and I await with interest for them to advise whether it was Mr Welch’s ignorant comments that persuaded them.”

Mr Welch neither spoke at, nor attended,

the meeting.The Community and Infrastructure

Services Committee considered the Seaview Road speed limit at their meeting on Monday and heard further submissions from the Seaview Working Group and Chevron.

Mr Shierlaw says he believes the Petone board did not adequately consider safety issues. He says a spokeswoman from the Seaview Working Group told the committee that the board “focussed entirely on the extra time for people driving through and safety issues were not given a lot of consideration”.

Mr Shierlaw says the committee was given a detailed report by Chevron and he believes the Petone Board should consider what Chevron has to say when reconsidering the speed limit.

Despite all submitters being advised by council officers that they should speak at the Petone Community Board meeting, Mr Shierlaw says Chevron did not speak at the Petone board meeting as they said they were unaware of the meeting.

Mr Shierlaw says it will be up to the Petone Community Board when they will reconsider the issue, but he believes there should be a call for further submissions for reconsideration by the board at their next meeting.

Thursday 26 September 7pm-9.30pm

Petone Library Meeting Room

All WelcomeGold coin donation appreciated

Sponsored by Petone Planning Action Group

MEET THE CANDIDATESFOR HARBOUR WARD &

PETONE COMMUNITY BOARD

Hooper’s Café and Bar160 The Esplanade, Petone

(Above ‘Petone Rowing Club)

Open Tues - Sunday 9am-5pm

Also an unbeatable function centre by night.Child friendlyUnbeatable views of wellington and surrounding islands

Bring in this ad and receive your fi rst hot beveridge FREE

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 5

FIREMANS ARMSXmas

FunctionsWe offer

BBQ Menu $20pp We supply the food you BBQ it

Webber Menu $15pp Meat smoked in our outdoor

enclosed oven with salads.Ham Menu $15pp

Ham off the bone with salads & breads.

Mini BBQ Menu $10pp Meats, bread, coleslawFull Menu - Snacks - Pizzas

11 different tap beers, NZ Wines

Function Room, Garden Bar,

Pool Table, Mini golf

Fire brigade & Petone Memorabilia

At 313 Jackson Street Petone

Ph 5687700 or www.fi remansarms.co.nz

Petone petrol drive-offs soar

by Emily TilleyPetrol prices rose again last month and so

did petrol drive-offs in Petone. Community Constable Russ Kalavati says there were six in a month. Drive-offs have been from different service stations on both sides of The Esplanade and have been mainly during the daytime, he says.

Recently, the most common offence in Petone is theft-ex car, which happens mainly overnight and on sporadic streets. People are reminded to remove valuables, lock their cars and park in garages or under street lighting if possible.

Inquiries are continuing into a fatal shooting in Petone last month.

by Emily Tilley

Consent has been granted for a nine-story 30m high hotel to be built on The Esplanade.

Plans for the hotel, which is to be built on the corner of Fitzherbert St, include 51 accommodation units, 62 carparks using a stacker system at the rear of the building and a restaurant.

The existing right of way to Lollipops Child care Centre will be maintained as part of the proposal so that parking area of the child care centre can continue to be accessed through the new building.

The consent says that the parking spaces at the rear ground floor level of the hotel will be for the child care centre.

“This area is not part of the application site and is subject to an airspace easement which

enables the new building to be built over this adjoining site above the ground floor parking area.”

Just over two years ago another eight-story hotel gained consent to be built on The Esplanade on the other side of the Fitzherbert St intersection.

At that time it was said that work would commence on the planned hotel in 2014. Hutt City Council say that the consent is still valid, however they have not heard anything further about the project and there has been no building consent application for the site.

Nine storey hotel given go-ahead

Readers and writers festival

Much has been written about Petone, and now the Petone Community House is hosting a mini writers and readers day, featuring local writers, and authors whose books feature Petone. The festival will run from 10am-4pm on Saturday, September 28 at The Petone Community House and will include authors talking about their work, dramatic readings by Geraldine Brophy, live music and a talk about genealogy.

Phone 568 7798 for more information or email petcomhouse@clear.net.nz.

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 20136

Is your data secured against- Fire- Burglary- Flood- Earthquake- Computer Crashes?

Contact us for an affordable Cloud backup solution

info@cprltd.co.nzwww.cprltd.co.nz

Call Gary on 021 511092

Join The Petone Historical Society’s bus tour and fi nd out what makes our borough such a notable place.

Roy Hewson will share insights into some of the fascinating historical features - and people - of Petone.

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PETONE’S HISTORY?

WHEN: Saturday September 21st 2013, 2pm-4pmWHERE: Bus leaves from Petone Community House, 6 Britannia StreetCOST: $10 per seat. Ring Roy on 568 6449 or email roy.hewson@xtra.co.nz to book your seat and pay when you board.

There will also be history walks available: Sunday Sept 15 Eastern Petone - Sunday Sept 22 Central Petone - Sunday Sept 29 Western Petone.

All walks leave from the Community House at 2pm.

Noise solution may lie with “more caring” truckiesby Emily Tilley

Petone resident Hugh Lopdell is frustrated over the “dismissive” attitude of Hutt City Council towards his pleas to prohibit engine braking on The Esplanade.

For Mr Lopdell, the continual noise of trucks thundering down The Esplanade is bad enough. Engine braking doubles that noise and he wants it prohibited.

Mr Lopdell says heavy traffic is a big feature of living on The Esplanade. His house shakes “24/7” and he has spent $3,000 triple-glazing his bedroom windows to cut down night-time traffic noise.

Prohibiting engine braking would be “a small step that would help,” reduce noise pollution he says.

Mr Lopdell approached Hutt City Council to ask what could be done but says the council roading officer he spoke to was “dismissive” and told him the council couldn’t prohibit trucks from engine braking.

“He told me there were signs. I’ve used The Esplanade for 18 years now and I’ve never noticed them.

“I finally found one by the Home Ideas Centre,” Mr Lopdell says.

“As far as I can see they are ignored anyway.”Mr Lopdell suggests the signs could at least

be placed in more visible locations and near to where housing starts, “where it matters”.

There is currently no bylaw in Petone prohibiting engine braking and the signs are only a courtesy request to truck drivers.

Mr Lopdell would like the council to follow in the footsteps of other councils, such as Hamilton and Tauranga, and pass a bylaw prohibiting the use of engine braking.

“If it can be prohibited it should be,” he says.Petone Community Board Chair Gerald

Davidson says he spoke to council officers about the problem and was told that bigger signs could be put up in the 2014/15 financial year.

He says he was told there was no legal way for the council to prohibit engine braking.

U n d e r t h e Land Transport Act road controlling authorities such as Hutt City Council can make bylaws prohibiting the use of engine brakes on any roads with speed l imits of 70kmph or under.

“Yes, we can put in a bylaw, but will it solve the problem?” council s e n i o r t r a f f i c engineer Wayne King says.

Mr King says he doesn’t think increasing signage would make “the s l ightest bit of difference” and that a bylaw would have little effect.

“I don’t think it’l l change the noise,” he says.

He says that even if there were a bylaw, the Police C o m m e r c i a l V e h i c l e Investigation Unit would be the only possible enforcers and they we re unlikely to spend much time enforcing it.

Mr King says in his opinion the best way to address the problem would be to contact the Road Transport Association and ask them to forward to their local members a request for all truck drivers to be a little more caring and switch off their engine brakes when they are in residential areas.

Missed of ignored? Trucks continually use engine brakes along the Esplanade despite this sign

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 7

Fake historic chimney incurs big price tagby Emily Tilley

After last month’s 6.6 earthquake, local man Michael Thomas was glad he’d had his chimney taken down - even though he has had to pay around $5,000 for a fake one.

When Michael and Sarah Thomas moved into their Patrick Street house with their young family a couple of years ago they didn’t even realise it had a fireplace.

When they started to decorate they found there were asbestos linings on one of the bedrooms and the lounge.

It was when a specialist removed the linings that a fireplace in the middle of the house between the lounge and the bedroom was discovered.

The actual fireplace was made of concrete, but the chimney that rose from around shoulder height was made of brick.

“If there was a big earthquake and we were in bed it could very well have toppled down right on top of us,” Michael says.

The couple decided it would be best to have the chimney removed, but to do that they needed to get building and resource consent - and that became an issue.

Although their house is not individually listed with the Historic Places Trust, Patrick Street is part of an historic area in the council’s District Plan.

The Thomases were told that removing their chimney would have a “more than minor” adverse effect on the surrounding neighbourhood.

They were told that the council would prefer

them to have their chimney repaired. T h e T h o m a s e s insisted that in the interests of the safety of their family they wanted to remove it.

“ They t r i ed bargaining saying w e c o u l d t a k e down the chimney if we restored the windows at the front of the house. They are metal and they said we should restore them to wooden,” Michael says.

“ I don’t s ee w h a t w i n d o w s have to do with a chimney.”

F i n a l l y t h e council agreed that they could take the chimney down as long as they replaced it with a fake one above the roofline of the house, a project that has cost the Thomases around $5,000.

“I can see that over time historic features can get worn away. I understand what they’re trying to do,” Michael says.

“But maybe they need to put their money where their mouth is and come up with some kind of grant to maintain historic character. I don’t know, maybe there is something like that,

Hutt City Council decided that having no chimney on this Patrick St house would have a “more than minor” effect on the surrounding neighbourhood.

but we weren’t told about it.” “Still it’s a good thing we’ve taken it down,”

Michael says. When the couple finally took the chimney

down they were shocked to find that the bricks between the roofline and the fireplace were barely held together.

“Above the roof the chimney was solid but below the level of the roof line we were just plucking the bricks out of the mortar,” Michael says. “That’s when I was going ‘oh my gosh’, it was just waiting to fall.”

Michael suspects there are many other houses in Petone which would still have similar fireplaces.

“Just look at these houses, they must have the same kind of layout with fireplaces in the middle of the house.”

Secure your place with a $500.00 deposit (non-refundable) and approval of an application form (downloadable from www.anahatayoga.co.nz) More information is available on our website - for further enquiries/bookings contact Jennifer 027 415 9345 or jennifersalisbury9@gmail.com

Yoga Teacher’s Training Level One, 200 Hours | February 2014

Anahata Yoga Studio will host a 200 hour, Yoga Alliance Certifi ed, Level 1 teacher training course led by master teacher Lance Schuler (INSPYA) and his team.Lance’s team is a diverse range of teachers, all with international experience; they deliver learning with depth and excellence.

Course timetableOrientation (compulsory): Sunday 2nd February 2014 at Anahata Yoga StudioStart: 3rd February 2014Graduation: 28th February 2014

CostEarly bird offer | due end October | $4,000.00Full payment | due early January | $4,400.00

YYYoooggggaaa TTTeeeaaaccchhheeerr’’sss TTTrraaaiiinniiinnggggLeLevevell OnOnee 220000 HHouoursrs || FFebebruruararyy 20201414

VenueThe Masonic Lodge, Udy Street, Petone

Contemporary fl owers

and giftware

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

fl owersetc@xtra.co.nz282 Jackson St, Petone

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 20138

Board divided over grant spend for Seaview eventby Emily Tilley

Approving funding for the Spotlight on Seaview event split the Petone Community Board at last month’s meeting.

Each year the Petone Community Board allocates grants from its Community Engagement Fund, provided by the Hutt City Council for the support of local activities and events.

This year the board had $6,250 to allocate, but only one applicant for the fund.

The Seaview Working Group requested $2,620 for costs associated with holding the Spotlight on Seaview event in November.

Half of the board members were concerned that the fund should be going to community groups rather than a business-focussed group, with Tui Lewis suggesting that the Seaview Working Group apply for money from the council’s Event Fund instead.

“It’s not that we don’t agree with the Seaview

Working Group,” Peter Foaese said, “We need to work on getting funding to those groups who actually need it… It’s a principle for me. It should be projects that are aimed at getting our community more engaged, more resilient.”

Mike Fisher said he thought if the money was apportioned to smaller community groups instead, it could make a “substantial difference for them”.

Mason Branch argued that Spotlight on Seaview is a community event as businesses open their doors to the community.

Voting split the board in half. Ross Jamieson, Mason Branch, Gerald Davidson and Michael Lulich voted for the application to be approved. Richard Cole, Mike Fisher, Tui Lewis and Peter Foaese voted against.

As the board chair, Mr Davidson had the casting vote and voted for the application to be approved.

After the meeting Mr Davidson said he voted for the Seaview Working Group to get

by Di O’Connell

It’s an emotive hot potato with battle lines clearly drawn and it’s one Petone knows well - to fluoridate…. or not.

Petone and Korokoro are supplied from Hutt City Council’s Rahui reservoir - and are the only areas in greater Wellington receiving unfluoridated water. That status was reinforced after a public survey in 2000.

Nationally it’s in the spotlight with debate still raging in Hamilton over their decision to stop fluoridating. Hastings and Whakatane will ask their communities later this year.

And a group is taking the South Taranaki District Council to the High Court, challenging whether their decision to start fluoridating

Flouridated water improves teeth health - DHB

the money because they were eligible according to the existing system and there were no other applications..

“I thought that we shouldn’t make the rules up as we go. If people want the rules revisited then that’s fine,” he says.

Mr Davidson said the council put notices in local newspapers advertising when the fund was coming up and in years past he had occasionally rung groups who he thought might have projects or events coming up that might be interested in applying, but “I haven’t heard of any other projects happening about”, he says.

The $3,630 of unallocated money remaining in the Community Engagement Fund will be put forward to a second round of funding that will likely be opened at the beginning of next year.

Council’s examples of possible applicants include those running sports tournaments, food and cultural festivals, heritage events, community Christmas celebrations, youth group events and projects run by the elderly or citizens associations.

Waverley and Patea’s water was legal under the Bill of Rights Act.

Dr Neil Stephen, Clinical leader of the regional school dental service at Hutt Valley DHB knows where he stands.

“In the hospital dental clinic I still have 300 to 400 kids a year, as young as two, needing an anaesthetic. Fluoridation doesn’t stop that but it will reduce it,” he says.

“There’s difficulties with the data, particularly because only 3 percent of Wellington’s population live in non-fluoridated areas, but generally non-fluoridated children have poorer oral health compared with their peers. Mostly, the poorest kids have the worst teeth and ethnicity can be a factor as well,” Dr Stephen adds.

Dental caries is the most common disease affecting children in New Zealand.

“I don’t think it will ever be worth fluoridating Petone’s water supply as the small pocket offers the wider community a choice” he says.

“In economic terms, roughly for every dollar a community spends a year on fluoridation that’s $38 in averted treatment for every person. That’s pretty staggering,“ he added.

Ultimately, Dr Stephen’s message is clear.“If children brushed their teeth every day

and didn’t drink sugar sweetened drinks there wouldn’t be a need to fluoridate the water supply.

“Fluoride is never going to stop decay but it does reduce the number and severity - and that’s a win,” Dr Stephen says.

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 9

LA ROTISSERIE DU CANARD

Every Saturday atOntrays Fitzherbert St, Petone

We are selling Free Range Roasted Chicken, Duck Truffl ed Onion Soup,

Chicken Baguette and Le Canard’s homemade charcuterie:

Duck terrine, Duck liver mousse, Duck Fat...

We are looking forward to seeing you!

JSP news goes multilingual to help retailersby Di O’Connell

The Jackson Street Programme is trialling translating its monthly newsletter into other languages.

‘Vietnamese and Filipino speakers will be the first to receive their own versions of Street Talk.

A 2013 JSP survey showed a quarter of the people on the street spoke English as a second language.

And it won’t be just business news. JSP coordinator Hellen Swales witnessed

reactions on Jackson Street to the August earthquake.

I was watching and listening to the diverse languages of the people. They all ran to middle of the street screaming in their own languages and I thought … that was such the wrong thing to do,” Swales says.

“It’s keeping it very simple so someone can look at a sign after the earthquake and see 1,2,3 in my language and go “Right, what do I do”, ” JSP Chairman Leonie Dobbs says.

“It’s a good idea to have so people can understand how to prepare, because some immigrants’ English is not good,” says Vietnamese translator and local business manager Thuy Huynh.

The JSP will also access information from the Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO) in Chinese.

The JSP is undergoing a strategic review that shifts its focus to events.

“You can do too many events. But you have x amount of money so you’re better off to do

Paris Saigon Bakery Cafe manager Thuy Huynh and JSP coordinator Hellen Swales.

less but more. So we’ve agreed that we will do four events a year, that we will concentrate on making them really special but then we would add value to the events that other people bring to the street”, Hellen Swales says.

It will shortly announce an end of year celebration aimed at bringing Christmas back to the street.

OUR TOWN...YOUR HOUSE!! PETONE COMMUNITY HOUSE MINI READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL

Be entertained

Petone Community House, 6 Britannia St 10am - 4pm Saturday 28th September

For more info or to participate please phone 568 7798 or email petcomhouse@clear.net.nz

ALL WELCOME gold coin donation please

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201310

Community Listings

AA Petone (group 1): Tuesday 7.30pm 0800 AA WORKS

AA Petone (group 2): Thursday 5.30pm 0800 AA WORKS

Alice Book Club: 1st Tuesday month 7.30pm 568 7798

Alzheimers Support: Thursday bi-monthly 9.30-12.30 Annie

972 2594

Alzheimers Carers course: 4x Mondays 1-2.15pm Annie 972

2594

Acrylic Art: Thursday 7-10pm 568 7798

Baby wearing: 3rd Weds month 10am 568 7798

Bird society: Monday monthly 7.30pm 568 7798

Bluegrass Society, banjo workshop: Saturday Sunday as

required 022 583 4727

Board Games: 2nd 4th Thurs month 10.30am 568 7798

Budget Advisory Service Monday- Friday by appointment

568 8877

Constructors Car Club: 3rd Tuesday month 7.30pm 527 0335

CAB Citizens Advice Bureau: Monday - Friday 9.30am- 4pm

568 8877

CAB Justice of the Peace clinic: Monday - Friday by appoint-

ment 568 8877

CAB Legal clinic: Tuesday by appointment 568 8877

ChessNuts Chess group: Monday 7pm 938 3548

Church CCJS: Sunday 10am tagatauli12@gmail.com

COG Bible study: Sunday 9am 021 210 6665

Craft, sewing, knitting BYO learn: 2nd & 4th Thurs 10am 568

7798

Counselling: Thursdays by appointment 021 822 002

Food bank distribution: Monday 9.30am 568 7798

French conversation: Wednesday 6.30, 7.30pm mmisovska@

gmail.com

Hutt Valley Authors and Writers: 4th Saturday month 11am

021 067 1965

Kids on Foot - after school care: Monday - Friday 3- 6pm 027

3100 161

Male Survivors: Weekly from 5.30pm 027 222 1093

Music and Movement for Children: Friday classes all day

www.musikgarten.co.nz

New Apostolic Church: Wednesday 7.30pm 568 7798

Piano practice and play: anytime when free 568 7798

Pilates: Monday & Weds 6.15pm 021 882 871.

Quakers: 4th Sunday month 11am 568 7798

Qi Gong: Monday 6.30pm Micelle 566 5076

Seniors driver refresher class: as required 10am 568 7798

Sewing classes: Monday 6.30pm jenbob.Ellison@extra.co.nz.

Sewing workshops :Saturday monthly 10am - 4pm jenbob.

Ellison@extra.co.nz.

SLAA: weekly 6pm 568 7798

SPCA kitty adopt-a-thon: Saturday monthly 12- 3pm 568

7798

Tai Chi for arthritis: Monday 11am 568 7798

Tai Chi general: Thursday 1.15pm 568 7798

Te Reo Maori (Te Ataarangi): Tuesday, Weds 9.15am - 2.15

027 651 5114

Toastmasters Petone: Tuesday 6.30pm 027 276 2512

Toastmasters: Sunday afternoon fortnightly 1- 4pm 027 276

2512

Transformation coaching: Monday 7.30pm 568 7798

Violin Suzuki method for children: Tuesday lessons 3-7pm

alisone123@gmail.com

Walking group: 2nd 4th Thurs month 9.45am 568 7798

Many other NGOs, AGMs, meetings and clubs as required Phone 568 7798 for more information.

Petone Community House groups

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 11

A new way of learning - and teachingWilford School will introduce a new

teaching and learning philosophy, along with a revamped senior school, next year. The project will see the two Year 7 and 8 classrooms joined together. But Wilford School principal Neil Sargisson says the impact on the children’s learning will be much more significant than the removal of the wall between the two rooms. Up until now the two classes, which are combined year 7 and 8 classes, have operated in a conventional manner; one teacher has taught each class, and the curriculum has been divided up into sections during the day.

The new class will be one open space, and will incorporate “break out” spaces for children to work independently, as well as one on one and small group teaching still occurring.

There will also be space for large group teaching, and Mr Sargisson says the plan is for children to take more responsibility for their learning. Each child will know when they are to meet with their teacher, and they will use technology to do much of their independent work.

To this end the school has fund raised to buy laptops and iPads for the children.

Mr Sargisson says, like most secondary schools, the students may have different teachers for different subjects. The teachers, Faye Mayo and Brian Lenihan, will group the children based on ability for maths and reading, but unlike traditional primary school classes, the student may experience different teachers throughout the day.

Mr Sargisson says most new school building incorporates some aspects of collaborative teaching. As part of his research into the idea, which came about when the school was planning scheduled refurbishment of the senior school, Mr Sargisson, a Board of Trustees member and the two teachers visited Amesbury School, in Churton Park, which opened last year as a completely open plan school.

They also visited intermediate schools in Upper Hutt and Tawa and did lots of research, before “picking what we like and what we think will work at our school”, he says.

“It’s about providing a different teaching and learning product for our year 7 and 8

students,” Mr Sargisson says.The philosophy is widely accepted,

and while it is a more recent innovation in New Zealand education, it is based on best international practice, and is widely implemented in Britain, Australian and the United States.

Mr Sargisson says the senior school was the most logical place to start implementing the change, but he hopes to spread the new philosophy through more of the school in years to come.

“We’re starting with the older kids first, then hope to do similar with the year 3-6 classes in the future, as resourcing becomes available,” he says.

Just 18 months into his role as principal, Mr Sargisson says this is the first major change he has brought to the school.

“It’s a very exciting time,” he says.

Wilford School is upgrading a much used and loved community resource - its pool.

Hundreds of Hutt Valley children have learnt to swim in the pool, which is one of the few remaining school pools in the area, partly due to the presence of Hamish Wright’s swimming school.

Now, the pool is undergoing an upgrade, with new wooden beams already inserted into the ceiling, and work set to continue.

A $20,000 Pelorus Trust grant will mean the pumps, filters and pipework will be replaced, which will help deal with air circulation and condensation, which has contributed to the timber in the building rotting, Wilford School principal Neil

Sargisson says.The pool is kept at a constant 32 degrees

Celsius, and this year the school began using it year-round for swimming lessons during the day.

Children swim once a week during

winter, and in summer they were swimming in the pool almost every day.

“We see it as a community asset.” “It’s too good an asset not to use regularly

and we want to get the facilities back to being top quality,” Mr Sargisson says.

School News

Wilford School pool upgraded

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201312

“Fashions Fade, Style is Eternal” - Yves St Laurent

A perfect mix

of Pre-loved

and New Designer

items

New stock arriving daily137 Jackson St

Petone568 8255

styleonjackson@xtra.co.nzwww.styleonjackson.co.nz

The money’s there for aspiring artistsby Emily Tilley

New Hutt City Community Arts Advisor Pippa Sanderson wants to encourage any locals with an upcoming art project to apply for funding.

This week a new round of funding from Hutt City Council’s Creative Communities Funding Scheme opens and Pippa is looking to support art projects with broad community involvement, those involving young people or those that support the diverse art and cultural traditions of the local community.

“It’s not just visual arts,” Pippa says. “It can be kapa haka, music, theatre, festivals, murals, craft classes, literature … broad arts.”

Pippa is keen to talk to anyone who wants to apply before they put in an application so that she can help them put in a strong application.

Both Pippa and council community grants officer Debbie Hunter will be at Petone Library from 2pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday September 17 to help people with their applications. “People can bring draft copies so we can go through it with them,” Pippa says.

“Now’s the time to make applications for funding for projects that will be from late November to the first half of next year… so anyone planning any Waitangi Day festivals, Mataariki festivals or Christmas art events should apply now.”

Pippa says grants in the past have made possible some really exciting community projects such as a mural project at Taita College which has seen six artists working with young people to produce murals throughout the school.

Earlier this year a drumming workshop in Petone was supported by Creative Communities.

As well as looking after the creative communities funding, Pippa’s role entails building relationships with local artists and

strengthening local art networks. Pippa is a visual artist herself, has worked

as an art tutor and writer and, before taking up her new position with the council two months ago, worked for Arts Access Aotearoa. Now Pippa is enjoying reconnecting with old arts contacts in the Hutt and establishing new ones.

“I’m getting to know people and what’s happening,” she says. “I already have an overview. I want to see how community arts societies and artists can work together.”

A Community Arts Network meeting at the Dowse on September 24 will be another chance for Pippa to make new connections. “Any artists or arts groups are interested in coming can contact me,” she says.

-Applications for Creative Communities Funding can be made online on the Hutt City Council’s website. Applications close October 14. For more information email Pippa, pippa.sanderson@huttcity.govt.nz

Pippa Sanderson.

The Dummy’s Guide To Buying A New ComputerWritten by Petone’s local computer expert Neil Potter this booklet explains;

The 7 biggest mistakes people make when buying a com-puterHow to avoid being ripped off (by buying more than you need)

need but are often soldTerminology you need to know (and what each word really means)The difference between Mac vs PCThe difference between tablet vs laptop vs desktopLearn the difference between the operating systems Windows

No techspeak, no jargon, no B.S. just simple plain advice to give you confi dence when buying and help you avoid making costly mistakes.

You Talk To A Salesperson

Email info@pcpatch.co.nz and make sure to include your name and postal address and your free copy will arrive in your mailbox within a few days - Or call 04 568 6885

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 13

by Emily Tilley

A six-week youth art workshop starts this month with the theme, “My dream for Petone”.

Every Tuesday a group of young people and their parents will work together on art activities at Te Huinga o te Whanau in Petone East, with an auction and exhibition of their work planned at the end of the programme.

Organised by Peter Foaese, it’s based on the Human Rights Commission’s theme My dream for Aotearoa .

The programme will offer a practical, fun way for Youth Infusion, the Hutt City Council’s youth council, to consult with local youth about what is important to them.

Together with other members of the youth council, Mr Foaese developed a Youth Development Strategy for Hutt City. They are now looking to develop a five-year local strategy for Petone.

“There’s a Children and Young People’s Plan but that only directs what council does, not communities,” Mr Foaese says. “Four of us are trying to develop sub-strategies for our own communities - still tying to council objectives but with our own flavour.”

Entitled Whakaoho, which means the awakening, the strategy is about awakening the community, family and child’s potential. “Me, parents, youth workers, we feel Petone’s an amazing place, the only thing is we need to look at the way we use our resources.”

Mr Foaese says they want to look at the possibility of establishing a youth council, a homework centre and a child and youth programme that would give young Petone people a chance to learn basic life skills.

Work started on “abandoned” beach

Landscaping work at the food kiosk.

by Di O’Connell

Visitors can already see the progress as a face lift of Petone Beach, starting at the eastern end, takes shape.

“Work is underway around the Lions Park area including landscaping by the food kiosk,” Petone Community Board member Mason Branch says.

Mr Branch has secured $15,000 from Hutt City Counci l for an ongoing programme to tidy up the beach.

“We’ve spent 25 years gentrifying the town, but the beach looks abandoned,” Mr Branch says.

“You can’t put a blanket down, you don’t know what the kids are standing on – it’s just not that recreational”, he adds.

Branch is a firm believer that a balance can be reached between recreational use and sand dune conservation. And that it’s not about changing the essential nature of the area.

“ I w a n t s t e a d y b u t determined improvements. It’s hoped the revamped eastern end will set the standard and be repeated along the beach,” he says.

“The toilet block has already been upgraded and I’m working on plans to add public barbecues and repeat the popular western end cold water shower,” he adds.

“This project is funded separately from the

recent storms clean up, Mr Branch says. And money has been secured for a group

on Periodic Detention to collect rubbish and driftwood on a weekly basis.

All that’s needed is a volunteer to drive the quad bike and trailer.

Branch also has designs on beautifying the area between the wall and the road.

And all in time for summer.

Kids dream of a better Petone

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201314

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 15

Pool’s on target for Nov openingby Di O’Connell

Hawkins Site Manager Warrick English has enjoyed bringing his family to McKenzie Pool from Lower Hutt for the past 11 years. Now he’s looking forward to putting down a blanket, having a picnic and throwing the kids in the deep end. That’s after he’s overseen the $2.2 million dollar redevelopment of the 83 year-old facility.

“Work is really moving. The building is sealed up and the pools have been installed and tiled,and the splash pad area is starting to take shape,” Hutt City Council Recreational Facilities Manager Stephen Keatley says.

The upgraded changing rooms will feature two additional showers and an accessible toilet/shower area. This, combined with the ramp into the main pool, will make the new facility more accessible, according to the council.

A McKenzie Pool frequenter growing up in Petone, Green MP Holly Walker, advocated to stop the pool closing late in 2011. Demolition and construction work began in March this year.

“I’m disappointed at how long it took for work to start and that the pool was closed all last summer,” she adds.

“It’s good to see the work finally happening now. I just hope it’s in time for summer,” she says.

It’s on target to open in November”, Mr Keatley says.

Hawkins Site Manager Warrick English.

by Di O’Connell

Not only is Harbour Ward Councillor Michael Lulich inspired to brave the chilly sea during the recent Petone Winter Carnival but he’s also up for a dip when many of us are still tucked up in bed.

He’s a supporter of early morning swimming at the McKenzie Pool when it reopens.

The Hutt City Council has no plans to open at 6am and so far no-one’s formally asked them to, according to its Recreational Facilities

Manager Stephen Keatley. This season’s operating budget has already

been set based on previous years and the cost for an earlier 6am opening would need more than $11,000 extra.

The council will look at repeating the successful Eastbourne Iceberg programme where swimmers paid $90 for a special pass to access the pool from 6am to 8:30am on weekdays in December, January and February.

“That would show there’s community support,” says Mr Keatley.

Harbour Ward Councillor Michael Lulich

Any resident enquires/issues please contact me on Tel: 977-3166 Cell no: 0210304561 E-mail: michaellulich@hutcity.govt.nz Numbers needed for early swimmers

ALAN WEBBRegistered Valuers

“ Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated”.

We value Residential & Commercial properties

in the Hutt Valley.Offi ce: 569-2095 Mobile: 0274 460 613Visit our Website: www.lindsaywebb.co.nz

ANZIV SPINZ

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201316

Check out our our latest Promotions

on our Facebook page

Book your appointment by visiting our link on

Facebook:

“Styling Petone for 10 years”

Election Candidates - the future voice of PetoneNine candidates are standing for the six seats

of the Petone Community Board in next month’s local body elections.

All the current board members are standing for re-election, apart from Richard Cole who is standing down after nine years with the board. Mason Branch, Tui Lewis, Mike Fisher and Dorothy Fox are also standing for the Harbour Ward.

Formed in 1989 following the amalgamation of Petone Borough with Hutt City, the board’s main role is to act as an advocate for the Petone community and represent the community’s views to council.

They maintain an overview of local council services, liaise with local community groups, recommend to council on matters concerning

Petone and submit annually on what they think council should spend money on in the area.

Mayor Ray Wallace started out in local body politics as a member of the Wainuiomata Community Board. He says community boards are “the active grass roots of representation in the community”.

The local body elections are held by postal vote on Saturday October 12 and Petone residents will also get to vote for Harbour Ward Hutt City Councillors, Greater Wellington Regional councillors and Hutt Valley District Health Board members.

Board and Harbour Ward candidates will introduce themselves and answer questions at a “Meet the Candidates” evening sponsored by the Petone Planning Action Group which will be held in the meeting room behind Petone Library on Thursday 26 September 7pm- 9.30pm.The Petone Chronicle asked Petone Community Board candidates these questions:1. What do you think are the three main

issues facing Petone in the upcoming three years?

2. What role do you see yourself/the board playing in facing the issues?

3. What skills and experience do you have that could help you in your role as a community board member?

Gerald Davidson (current board chair)

1. The cur rent library needs replacement and does not properly meet the needs of the community. I will be putting forward a new library in the election campaign and I look forward to Counci l

approving expenditure next year. I would suggest that the former Borough buildings are demolished along with the library building and a new council facility is constructed providing for a modern library, exhibition space for the Settlers Museum, and commercial space to rent to offset cost. For the record I would not propose including the community house in the new building : the house is working perfectly well

where it is, and is fully used by the community.-Completing the implementation of the

Petone Vision. One matter that has not been progressed was the heritage overlay we agreed to. This was to apply to the residential parts of Petone and houses older than 1930. We also need to put into effect two new historic residential precincts agreed to by Council in 1996 (the Edwardian sub-division in the northern part of Nelson and Richmond Streets, The railway houses in Moera) and the investigation of extending the Riddlers Crescent precinct to include Hector Street and Mill Road.

- We need more employment in this area and the re-establishment of the manufacturing base of the Hutt. This was a point I made at the hearings for the Urban Growth Strategy. There is an interesting initiative being developed in the central North Island where the Taupo District Council is involved with a Chinese company in the setting up of a timber processing plant currently. With the amount of logs going through the Hutt Valley there does seem to be an opportunity for a similar venture here. There is already a log depot in Seaview and the former Rail Yards could be used as a site. I believe it is worthwhile exploring milling here as more and more trees are hitting their harvest time. The concept of a «mega saw mill» is being floated to a potential consortium of investors by Taupo District Council and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

2. Campaigning and advocating as we usually do.

3. 18 years’ experience

Matt Roberts 1. -Helping maintain

the hear t of Petone retailing while addressing the issues of earthquake strengthening and bulky retail growth will be significant challenges. Also keeping healthy retail

in the suburbs such as Moera and other areas.

Continues Pages 17-18

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 17

Election Candidates - the future voice of Petone From Page 17

-Ensuring quality community facilities are available such as libraries, parks, community centres and meeting places. Council has a focus on new community hubs and a community board voice on this will be important.

-Creating a route to Wellington that is better protected from storm damage or slips, especially the vulnerable railway line. Also creating a safer cycling route to Wellington.

2. The Board can be a voice to Council about what residents and ratepayers think is important. It can advocate for heritage, facilities and transport. The more connected the Board is to the community the stronger its voice. Building connections to other groups and networks, meeting in different areas in the community and building a profile are all important.

3. I have worked in local government as a community development advisor with young people in Parramatta, Sydney. As a result I have a good understanding of how a Council works, and the Board is part of a Council. I currently work in youth policy at the Ministry of Social Development so have a knowledge of young people and policy processes. I am a parent of children aged five and seven so bring a perspective that reflects younger families’ experiences.

Brian Scott1.-Retaining local

decision making and democracy within the Harbour Ward. This is especially important in any reorganisation of the Greater Wellington area,

of which I am opposed to the “supercity” concept.-Related to this is how to ensure Petone and

the Harbour Ward retain and enhance its distinct identity as a shopping, heritage, and recreational destination.

-The changing demographics of the Ward. How will this impact on housing, business and transport needs?

2. My role, if elected, is to provide leadership and a voice for the community. This would include meeting with local groups, as well as using social media and other forms of technology, so that the Board has a genuine relationship with all residents.

3. I have successfully run retail businesses, and have recently gained a postgraduate degree in commerce and administration, with a major in information systems. I have tutored in social media. My research topic was on the use of community wikis, including what motivates volunteers.

Mike Fisher (current board member)

1.- The final steps of the consultation process and decision on Plan Change 29 Petone West and its potential on Petone’s future look.

- Likewise the final outcome of the local government structure and the impact on community representation

- Decisions on Petone/Grenada and Cross Valley Link roads and impact on The Esplanade

2. The Board needs to be actively engaged and communicating with residents to ensure we are effectively and accurately advocating on their behalf. I am mindful that not all residents attend meetings and make submissions so we need to try and represent the broader views of the community and listen and utilize social media etc.

3. Elected in the July 2011 by-election I have been actively involved in submissions hearings in council, attendance at briefings and meetings, and community events. I am a confident public speaker, good listener and enjoy discussing and learning about issues and concerns, and facilitating outcomes. I am approachable, thoughtful and have found working on behalf of the community a real pleasure which plays to my strengths.

Dorothy Fox

1. - Ethnic imbalance concerns me a lot. This is partly because cultural backgrounds do not always meld very easily or well.

- Over-population in Petone is a looming

threat. Do we really want to find ourselves in a “one-child” situation like China has?

- Traffic congestion is not improving; large trucks need to be diverted from the areas where people move around. There are many very large trucks coming into the area. They are dangerous. I must admit that most of them show signs of trying to be considerate but we do not like our cyclists being run over and killed.

2. As a member of a Board I would probably approach each problem on its own merits, especially at this stage when I am not there yet! I like to be a member of a team and would consider another person’s point of view in a fair way when trying to find a solution.

3. The skills I have are general ones as a shorthand typist, word processor and in office administration - my failing is that I am very untidy! My work area has been in education areas. My people skills are undefined! My qualifications have been obtained, mainly, as an adult.

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201318

From Page 17

Mike Henderson

1. -The threa t o f being forced into an amalgamation (with the rest of Lower Hutt) as a super city alongside s e r i o u s l y i n d e b t e d councils.

-The provision of suitable infrastructure to assist in the economic operation of the regions largest industrial and commercial hubs; Seaview and Gracefield.

-The continuing development of Jackson Street as a retail and restaurant destination for the region.

2. The board would hopefully consist of members whose individual skills would be complementary in assessing and promoting to council realistic means of attaining set goals for the benefit of the whole community; whether residential or commercial.

3. I am an experienced manager, with excellent people skills, and organisational skills.

I am an excellent communicator in every fashion. Most importantly I have a sensible and practical nature, and an ability to find the best solutions to problems using available parameters.

I consider myself to be the voice of the “silent majority”.

Mason Branch (current board deputy chair)

1. -Getting council to agree to constructing a new modern library and museum building while not forcing the closure and sale of our community house. By including space

for commercial rent in the new building the ongoing income will outstrip the one off rewards of the land sale. Councils programme to upgrade community amenities is commendable but must be tailored to each community.

-The perennial issue of traffic on the Esplanade. Noise, congestion, safety, inefficient servicing of Seaview/Gracefield and the list goes on. Not to mention the loss of potential recreational development. This all comes back to the need for the Cross Valley Link.

-I feel we have had our warnings. Now is the time to make sure we are disaster ready. We all need to know what to do in an emergency and services need to be well managed and well rehearsed should disaster strike.

2. Whatever issue arises in the community I feel it is best served by a permanent delegation to council that can through established good working relations gets the best hearing and thus decisions better tailored to the community.

3. I believe the motivation and discipline you acquire from being self employed provide me with skills that are relevant to the board. Plus I’ve had six years serving and feel I’ve picked a few things up. I’m level headed, fair minded and an efficient and effective communicator.

Peter Foaese (Current board member)

1.- Development - not that it is a problem but we need to make sure that it’s sustainable and reflects the needs of our community as well as well as attracting visitors and

new business. It needs to promote social cohesion rather than the opposite.

- Our environment - that is preserved and in areas where needed upgraded. We need to make sure that our beaches, rivers and streams are kept available for all generations to utilise.

-Social capital - basically community development. Doing our best to engage and develop the community through activities and by providing quality facilities. Ensuring equality - we have a very diverse community, such as socio-economic disparity. Young people need to be able to be big stakeholders in decision making.

2. The board is the facilitator of discussion and civic participation which includes distribution of information , promoting awareness of issues and ensuring the voices of all residents are heard. It is not the board’s role to decide what’s best but to convey what the community thinks is best for the community. My main role would be to ensure that all parts of the community are represented

including all generations, cultures and faiths. My personal passion is young people and the disadvantaged.

3. I’ve worked for the council so I know the systems and processes, such as those required for applying for funding, making submissions and getting support from different council resources and facilities. My work experience is in community development, youth work and advocacy. I have sat on a lot of different governance groups, such as youth organisations, the Hutt Multicultural Council and the Board of

Trustees for two different High Schools.

Tui Lewis (current board member)

1. - Residents not being aware until it’s too late of the endless changes that are reshaping our

neighbourhoods and the region.- Urban Growth Strategy: As it is currently

worded, will affect a lot of residents in the Hutt City; for Petone though it has the potential for future developments to remove the heritage look and impact the character and the uniqueness of Petone.

- Grenada to Petone connection and Esplanade: Should be a huge concern for Korokoro and Petone residents around traffic increase and loss of residential and recreational amenity.

2. Encouraging and assisting residents to speak up around issues that affect us all.

3. Continued community engagement for better community input into the future growth of the area.

Election Candidates - the future voice of Petone

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 19

SPORTby Di O’Connell

“This is for them, knowing that their only son is never forgotten,” Brian Faitele says nodding.

“This” is the senior thirds trophy - and ‘them’ are the parents of Fuki Lafituana’i - to whom the team dedicated Sunday’s Johnsonville Centennium Cup triumph.

In 2009 the Petone player collapsed and died aged just 27. At his funeral ten sets of brothers came up with the idea to honour their club mate, band mate and relative.

It led to leaving their own rugby clubs and forming a tribute team at Petone, just for the season.

For Fuki they called themselves “the Brotherhood’.

That was three years ago, and it’s gone from strength to strength.

“What you notice is we all come as individuals but we leave as family, says founder and Coach Brian Faitele.

Yes, many of them are actually related - 20 sets of brothers have played for the team - but it’s by no means exclusively Samoan. Tokelau, England, America, Tonga and Maori represent.

It’s Petone’s most successful team this year, picking up the JDR Cup for 2013 early in the season and convincingly taking out the Championship semi-final 36-22 against HOBM Originals.

Faitele sports a broken arm from that game and missed playing in the 16-5 final victory over the Barbarians. He didn’t miss the celebratory singing in the changing rooms afterwards.

“Winning the championship is surreal. Basically it started as an idea and it’s come to this - a lot of love, unity and respect,” Faitele says.

On the sideline Moni Pi’o Masina watches his two sons and their cousin. He talks of Uso loto gatasi - a Samoan phrase embracing the values of

brotherhood. Fu k i ’s p a r e n t s

Sautiaimalie & Sipili Lafituana’i are close by.

“ T h e y c o m e to every game” says Kim Masina, another supporter with family ties to the team.

“They feel humble the team was formed to support their son. It speaks volumes of the friendship the players had with Fuki and his family.”

Petone Assistant Club Captain Eugene Winterburn speaks of pride, respect and culture ... terms often thrown about in sport, but he’s clearly moved.

“What I really want to emphasise is what a special bunch of guys they are and it’s a pleasure to be part of,” he says.

It’s no longer just a tribute team, they’ve become very competitive and technically sound,” he adds.

And that’s not just words they have the silverware to prove it.

The victorious Brotherhood senior third team.

by Di O’Connell

The Petone Rugby Club is exploring an invitation from Sportsville to join its organisation.

The umbrella body for several Petone sports presented its case to the club on Thursday evening and it was received very well according to Club chairman Dave Linkhorn.

Sportsvilles are popping up around the country and the Petone version came from a partnership project lead by Hutt City Council and supported by NZ Community Trust and Pelorus Trust. It includes local tennis, gym, hockey, bowls, cricket and swimming clubs.

It aims to create a modern well maintained sporting hub and:

Grow prosperous Petone Sportsville member clubsSecure Petone Recreation Ground and North Park for ongoing sport and recreation use Advocating state of the art facilities ( playing surfaces and clubroom) Continuing Petone’s successful sporting legacy and reputation.

Of the meeting, the club’s website says (there was) “caution and suspicion given our past history in a similar set up.” “There is still quite a way to go but it would be fair to say that there is more clarity and some degree of comfort is beginning to form.”

“It will go to a vote at the Club’s AGM in November,” Mr Linkhorn says.

Rugby looks at Sportsville invitation

2013 victory a fitting honour for Petone team mate

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201320

SPORTRowing turns from social to serious in a year

by Di O’Connell

Last July Caroline Robertson posted an invitation on Facebook calling for rowers interested in forming a women’s Masters team.

One year on, five who put their hand up have been selected to represent the North Island in a Women’s Eight competing against a South Island and an Australian Crew at the NZ Masters Champs in Twizel this month.

That’s no mean feat since most of Robertson’s twelve-strong team for Twizel had never picked up an oar before.

“These women have spent their lives putting their families first, now they’re doing something for themselves,” says Robertson.

She’s one of the odd ones out who’s rowed since age 14. At 33 the mother of two is the baby of the crew.

Among the Petone crew are the Jones sisters, Kyra’s a GP, Pippa’s a builder and there’s an ex-electrician and a photographer pulling their weight.

Lining up will be Sally Saunders, whose kids rowed but hadn’t tried it herself. She’s 56. There’s Kat Walton, a make-up artist - who always

wanted to give rowing a go - and who was close to tears when she did.

And Francee Pilcher. She was fascinated by the Petone rowers seen from the train as a young girl. Her dream was to join them.

But up until the mid-1990s the club banned women from rowing. Finally at 52 she’s fulfilling that childhood ambition.

They’ve tasted success in their first year, “One of the Fours teams won gold at the Hamilton Masters in April. They are so chuffed with themselves, training twice a week - we can’t keep them away,” Robertson says.

As well as the inter island - trans-Tasman match up, the Petone women will compete in different combinations from pairs to eights at

the champs. The only one not rowing will be Pilcher.

But rupturing her Achilles in Singapore while helping her husband volunteer in an orphanage isn’t stopping her supporting her crew in Twizel.

by Steve McMorran

The Petone Central Bowling Club will open a new season this weekend with two days of fun activities and an outstretched hand to welcome new members.

The club will hold its Opening Day festivities on Saturday (September 7) with an accent on informality. There will be a mixed tournament open to all comers but no need for participants to dress in their best whites or in club colours which might disadvantage newcomers, not yet equipped for the new season.

On Sunday the club has programmed a Family Fun Day from 10am. The day offers a chance to prospective new members to visit the

club, inspect facilities and get a feel for the game of bowls. All equipment will be provided and anyone wanting to take part need only bring a pair of flat-soled shoes.

Existing members are able to bring friends and family along to also participate in a day in which the accent will be on fun and fellowship.

Club secretary Phillip McNeill said the day provided a perfect chance for prospective members to experience the game of bowls and the atmosphere of the club.

The Petone Central clubrooms have undergone extensive renovations in preparation for the coming season. There is a new kitchen and a new ladies’ locker room, an upgraded bar and an extension to the administrative offices and committee room.

Members of the Petone women’s masters rowing group.

The club expects to retain membership at about last year’s levels but is always eager for new members to join. Petone Central is also the latest of seven clubs to join the Petone Sportsville concept which provides a hub for sports clubs within the Petone area.

Everyone gets a chance to try bowling

The

Petone Chronicle

Publication deadlines

October 2013Ad booking: Wed, Sept 25

Ad copy: Thurs, Sept 26

Deliveries: Oct 4/5

November 2013Ad booking: Wed, Oct 23

Ad copy: Thurs, Oct 24

Deliveries: Nov 1/2

email: editor@petonechronicle.co.nz

Phone 562 7500

The

Petone Chronicle

Editor/Publisher: Louise GobleReporters: Emily Tilley/Di O’Connell/ Steve McMorranAdvertising: Barb ScottEmail: editor@petonechronicle.co.nzwww. petonechronicle.co.nz562 7500ISSN 2324-5824

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 21

Buy your Emergency Water container and get a free sterilizing agent for only $25.

A must have for your civil defence kit.

Available from Clorogene Supplies 58 Waione St Petone.

Phone 568 5530 www.clorogene.co.nz

BE PREPARED

SPORTTiki Tama team brings girls together for netball

The Pito-one Tiki Tama netball team.

Pito-one Tiki Tima netball team celebrated the end of their first season with a swim, food, and - of course - a game of netball.

The Petone team started this year as a result of a few good conversations amongst some of the players’ Mums.

The team, made up of children from different primary schools, was formed in time for the netball season. They took to the courts in their tiki emblazoned tie-dyed yellow t-shirts.

Coaches,Tarsha Te Rure and Sharm Neil, say that one of the biggest challenges was working with such a range of abilities and ages, with girls aged between seven and ten years old . Their intention was to encourage a love of the game, and building relationships.

“We have a great bunch of girls and they all loved playing and we had awesome support from whanau and friends,” Sharm says.

“We had whanau games too, which was fun for everyone. It’s been a combined effort by all really, and that’s made the season all the more

enjoyable.”Tarsha also believes

the Tiki’s are as much about strengthening r e l a t i o n s h i p s a n d community as it is about playing netball.

“It’s a real reflection of community spirit & friendship. Our girls all go to different schools and three are home schooled.

“We practised at Sacred Heart Primary and our b ib s were donated from Petone Central School’s old stock.

“Ange from Silver Circus is also one of the parents so she screen-printed the t-shirts.

“We had an umpiring roster for the parents too.

“I even had a friend with no connection to the team, give us a koha. It’s been pretty awesome really.”

The Pito-one Tiki team are already looking forward to the next season and with younger siblings waiting in the wings they may even have two teams on the courts next year.

The Petone Tennis Club is eagerly looking forward to a new season on new courts with new lights and among new faces.

Club captain Stuart Collins said the Petone club had new courts laid last season, installed new lighting and was now looking forward to its first full season in which it could enjoy those quality facilities.

The club will open its new season this weekend with an opening day on Saturday and further activities on Sunday. Junior players, of which there are an increasing number, will play on Saturday morning and the social part of the Opening Day ceremonies will begin from 1pm.

Petone is always eager to welcome new members who can visit the club during its weekend activities which begin at 1pm on Saturday›s and Sundays. Details of membership costs and opportunities are available on the club website at www.petonetennis.org.nz

New season, new courts

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201322

SPORTby Steve McMorran

The Petone-Riverside Cricket Club is ramping up preparations for the new senior season which will begin at Labour Weekend, looking to build on a recent history of strong performances in premier reserve and other senior competitions.

Club captain Leigh Kelly said the return of the players who formed the nucleus of last year’s premier team, and who will work again under coaches BJ Crook and Australian Steve Hart, provided stability and the chance for further improvement this year.

Kelly said Petone-Riverside, whose Petone-Eastbourne combined team played for the first time last year in the Wellington premier reserve division, was soundly placed to launch its new premier campaign.

The club hasn’t added any high-profile players to its premier roster - though it remains on the lookout for new talent - but had confidence in the ability of returning players to progress under

the coaches and captain Nick Ward.Kelly said Ward was expected to retain the

captaincy this season which would enable him to marshal the talent of a young and highly-promising side.

“At this stage it’s the status quo in player terms,” Kelly said.

“While we haven’t added any high-profile players, we also haven’t suffered any heart-breaking losses.

“We’re still working in the background to bolster the squad. Getting to this stage of the pre-season it probably isn’t possible but we’ve still got our ears to the ground.”

Kelly said he hoped that the coming season would see the premier team progress as the Petone-Eastbourne concept was consolidated in its second season and as coach Crook and his players came to know each other better.

“Last year was BJ’s first year and it takes time to build relationships with players,” he said.

“We’ve also brought Steve Hart into the coaching setup and I’m sure he’ll also be making a big contribution.

Cricketers ready to hit the ground running

Rugby club looks beyond tough seasonby Steve McMorran

Club captain Mike Carroll acknowledges that 2013 wasn’t the greatest year in the trophy-laden 128-year history of the Petone Rugby Club.

Apart from the exceptional success of The Brotherhood, the club’s unique, family-centered senior third team whose exploits are recorded elsewhere in this edition, the successes of Petone’s senior teams were few.

Lean seasons such as the one just ended perhaps are felt more keenly at Petone than in any other club in Wellington because its successes in the past have been so numerous and the continuation of that proud lineage is expected.

But Carroll, for one, remains convinced that the past season has not been entirely fruitless and he detects the growth of a strong and proud club culture that will lead to significant successes in the future.

Carroll believes that success derives from

Former Eastbourne junior Toby Barton joined the Petone-Eastbourne team last season directly out of high school and made a strong impression, increasing expectations of his development this season.

The Petone premiers will play in pre-season tournaments in Nelson and the Wairarapa to ensure they are ready to hit the ground running when the interclub season begins.

Kelly said it seemed likely Petone-Riverside would have the same number of senior teams that it fielded last season.

That was likely comprise three teams in two-day grades, one one-day side, three men’s Twenty20 teams and a women’s Twenty20 side. He said an accurate estimate was hard to make because players involved in winter sports often left it to the last moment to sign up for summer codes.

He said Petone-Riverside would establish an academy this season for college players in an effort to maintain an association with those players in the period between their junior and senior years.

hard work and concerted effort and he has detected, in the efforts of players and coaches over the past year, the growth of a new ethic which will serve the club well in coming years.

This season’s premier team - which was founded on the experience of players such as Chris Molenaar and Cameron Incledon, who both played their 200th premier games - did not rise to the level its most fervent supporters had hoped. It finished sixth in the Swindale Shield round to qualify for the Jubilee Cup but failed to find its best form in the latter competition and finished eighth of eight teams.

The senior one team mixed its form and finished fifth overall in the Harper Lock Shield. The senior second team - leaving aside the achievements of The Brotherhood - was also inconsistent but Petone fielded two under-21 teams, the hope of the future, who embellished the club’s strong reputation in age group rugby.

“We’ve got to be positive about the future,”

Carroll said. “We were not able to be where we want to be right now but we will be in the future.

“It’s understandable that we all want results right away but if you haven’t done the groundwork that won’t happen.

“Our strategy has to be to put in the hard work now and successes will come when everyone works together towards the same goals.

Carroll said the high expectations that attach themselves to the Petone Rugby Club, and the pressure that brings, was something that had to be reconciled and expected.

“This is the 128th year in the history of a very proud and very successful club,” he said.

“There will always be high expectations and we might not always meet those expectations. That’s part of what it means to play for a proud club like Petone.

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 2013 23

SERVICE EXPERTS

DecksFencingPavingDrivewaysPlantings

Matthew Diederich

P 021 0258 1959 / 562 0917 a/h

E matthew@quercuslandscapes.co.nz

All aspects of hard and soft

landscaping including:

RIDLEY AND CUTTINGFLOORING LTD

Carpet - Vinyl - CorkCarpet Overlocking

FREE MEASURE & QUOTEPh 586 7867

333 Jackson St, PetonePLUMBING * DRAINAGE

ROOFING * BATHROOMSKITCHENS * RENOVATIONS

CENTRAL HEATING

PLUMBER

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

021 241 7315 566 6367

GROUNDBREAKERS LANDSCAPING LTD

Todd Wagner

- 16 years experience

DESIGN - CONSTRUCTION- PLANTING

Dewar AppliancesFirst Class Service...Every time!

We repair/service most brands of appliances

We offer:Friendly/professional fi rst point of contact when calling our offi cePrompt, effi cient serviceDomestic appliance repairs with workmanship guaranteedInformative details regarding diagnosis/repair of your applianceA family business that understands the need to get your appliance repaired quickly

F

DIA

P

For Quality repairsCall us now on...

04 568 2550info@dewarappliances.co.nzwww.dewarappliances.co.nz

The Petone Chronicle, 7 September 201324

Jit Govind:The best in Real Estate service

estate.

Jit, Parbhu, Sam and Lalita Govind.

Call Jit today on 027 241 7339/ 920 4018.Check out his listings at

www.jitgovind.com or email him at jit@jitgovind.com