The Minister’s not finished yet

A couple of weeks ago Minister for Local Government, Paula Bennett made a speech which as far as I have noticed has not been widely reported – seems the Media considers that murder and mayhem are of more importance. However what she said should be made widely known. The Minister indicated that she is not finished with amalgamation but rather plans to tackle it in another way.

The mister said:
“I will not legislate for large amalgamation. I am as tired as our communities are of having an argument over how many mayors there should be and over whom is bigger than whom and which area will dominate… They (the Local Government Commission) are going to work alongside you and your communities to ensure that we have the right structure, legally, financially, and with the right accountabilities to ensure sustainable growth in our towns and cities. … Continue Reading

Tora Cook Off – What a great event!

Even though we had to compete with the Super 15 Rugby final in Wellington, we had an outstanding turn out of upwards of 70 people attend to assist with eating and judging the 34 dishes which were entered.
 
All dishes were of an outstanding quality and the variety was amazing.  I don’t believe anyone went home hungry.  This year the dishes entered by the children did really well so it would seem we may have a few young Master Chef’s amongst the community!
 
Winning Results:
Best Paua Fritter Cole I*.
Best Fish Dish – Joint winners to: Jenny Bargh with her Seafood Medley and Amanda Bargh with her Confit Fish
Best Wild Game Dish: Flyn I. with his Smoked Red Neck Wild Boar dish
Farmed Meat Dish: Simon Bargh for his Meat Pies
Home Grown Produce Dish: Anna Jones with her Pumpkin Soup
Dessert Dish: Jenny Bargh with her Tora Treats Medley
Childrens Dish: Pippa M. with her Rhubarb fool
Overall Winning Dish and Bragging rights went to Flyn I. for his Smoked Red Neck Wild Boar Dish.

* The names with no surnames are children and for privacy reasons the school doesn’t include them. 

Wharekaka Fun

We have been getting crafty this month at Wharekaka making items with clay, knitting and crocheting with the knitting group and making Rosettes to show our support for the Hurricanes in the rugby final!
The Tuturumuri School Children paid us a visit, popping in to give us a Kapa Haka performance that could be heard all the way through the facility. A big thanks to them for making the journey in to see us as part of our Maori Language Week celebrations.

A really big thank you also goes out to the Martinborough Branch of Rural Women NZ who decided to celebrate their 90th Anniversary by joining our ninety year olds (and the rest of us!) here at Wharekaka.

They provided a scrumptious afternoon tea for the event, one event goer suggested it was the best afternoon tea they had ever had! … Continue Reading

Womens institute NZ AGM

To recently be one of three hundred and fifty women in New Plymouth for the ninety fourth AGM of Womens Institute in New Zealand was an amazing experience.

Betty Finlayson and Nolene White from Martinborough Institute were visitors as were twenty other Wairarapa women who travelled to the venue in two mini buses and two cars.
The opening is always a serious affair with the Mayor Andrew Judd and MP Mr Jonathon Young in attendance. Knitting was prohibited at conferences in 1965 so there was no clicking of needles.

Guest speaker Courtney Gray thanks the organisation for the $1,010 contributed to Kidney Kids in New Zealand which was supporting four hundred and seven families.

Business included a remit by the National Committee to increase the subs to $25,00 which was carried. Another to Minister of Industries Nathan Guy to consider a ban on the use of neonicitnoid pesticides was carried. A remit to the Hon John Key to ensure that aged services meet requirements was carried. The Minister of Police was asked to reconsider the government plan to introduce a law to charge community groups for police checks. Another to the Minister of Justice to investigate the relaxing of laws around how we are able to talk publicly about suicide if so desired.

The Minister of Communications and NZ Post Mr B Roche was asked to carry out a survey of postal services being adhered to, with special reference to North/South Island delays and some city deliveries.
An announcement was made that the National Council of Women had been granted charity status.

There were eight deserving members receiving the highest Institute award, the Gold Honours Award. Our Betty Finlayson was granted this Award at last year’s AGM.

The Minister for Women, Hon Louise Upston was one of the most interesting of speakers, later Craig MacFarlane spoke of how from small beginnings he grew to be a world wide business in the Café industry. Long distance runner Lisa Tamati told of her goals. Jean Dobbs a St John volunteer told of events during her job in a comedy style, it couldn’t have been funnier. The Rev. Jacqui Paterson presided at the Thanksgiving Service.

Monday evening was a dress up as the 1960s . Entertainers were ‘The Three Birds’ three teenage girls raising funds to further their education going afield in different directions. They were dressed in army style khaki with glengarries and sung Andrews sisters songs such as We’re in the army now’. They were paid $100 each for their performance., however members were so impressed with their efforts that a collection was taken up and the girls were given and extra $500 each (well deserved).

Conference hosts, Taranaki, presented executives with goodie bags which held, among other things, bright yellow cow udder like gloves. The three hundred and fifty ladies were each given a bag of homemade cookies.

The Tinui ladies won the decorated mask part of the competitions and the scrap book competition was won by Ann Duckett of Masterton.

The four days were interesting, fun and informative, that the Spirit of Womens Institute is very much alive was in evidence. There was never a boring moment .
Nolene White.