From the CEO

By Harry Wilson

Season’s greetings, everyone. We enter this Christmas season with a new Council in place, and an annual report for the 2021/22 year that is to be tabled at Council soon. 

Annual reports give a detailed rundown on how the Council’s financials are tracking, and how it delivered against its plans from the Long Term Plan. It’s well worth a read. We’re hopeful it can be adopted at the next Council meeting on December 14, subject to Audit New Zealand sign off.

Our thoughts this Christmas are with the residents at Hinekura and all the other residents this year who were affected by damage to our roads. We estimate about $2 million worth of damage has been done and we hope to claim about 72 per cent of it from Waka Kotahi. 

This year has certainly had its challenges. However, there have also been a lot of reasons for cheer. 

For a start, it’s been great to see Toast and Martinborough Fair return to the town this November, a happy reminder that while Covid-19’s tentacles are still out there, the community’s desire to get back to near-normality is very strong. 

While Martinborough’s Christmas parade isn’t going ahead this year, there will be Carols in the Square on December 10 and I hope, like me, you will all relish afresh the opportunity to come together.  … Continue Reading

First Church Annual Kirk Fair

Brian Tucker was pleased with his purchase of Peonies.

By Lyle Griffiths

On Saturday 28th October the Waihinga Centre was in full swing.  All the doors were wide open to welcome prospective customers to the Kirk Fair. 

A plethora of products was offered for purchase from antique cots to books, LP records, plants, fashion items, flowers, linen, treasures from the past, preserves and bakery products.

Jenny and Brian Tucker were thrilled to be able to purchase a bouquet of superb salmon pink peonies at the height of their bloom. “It seems our timing was just right”, said Brian. “They were the perfect present for our granddaughter”.

Shari Burgoyne was one of the volunteers helping with the fashion section. “Just look at these amazing handbags”, she said. “There is an array of top brands. Who wouldn’t want to purchase these? And just over here are the shoes. Time to accessorise.  For the complete outfit there are designer dresses waiting for a second chance.”

The Kirk Fair ably convened by Sherryl and Graham Howie and their team is a necessity for the church.  The mission of the church is to reach out to the community. Many of the local churches in the community have had to reduce services due to lack of clergy and funding.  The Fair and other fundraising ventures are a necessity for the survival of the Church. 

Earlier this year First Church held a very successful fashion show.  Building on the success of this extravaganza, a second “Spring Fling” will be held next year.

The First Church committee would like to offer a huge thank you to all who supported the Fair; those who volunteered help, those who donated products and those who turned up to get a bargain on the day. The fair raised $3,516.00.

Winners of the Raffles were: Rachel Griffiths Hydrangea plant.  Anne Wihongi Hummingbird Cake. Annette Clark Pottery. Shari Burgoyne Food Steamer.

FIRE BRIGADE REPORT

By Chief Fire Officer Jake Hawkins

Season’s Greetings from the Brigade, that arrived quickly, where did the year go? 

The Brigade would like to thank all its members, and their families, for their efforts and attendances at incidents during the year, and we hope to get Christmas Dinner uninterrupted. Give us a wave if you see us out and about. 

The Brigade expects to completed over 250 calls for assistance by the end of the year, and around 70% of these are for our Medical First Response unit. This is a lifesaving service for our Community, and as CFO I would like to thank our dedicated First Responders for their commitment in making this part of our volunteer service such a success. Remember our siren doesn’t sound for medical calls unless we need extra crew on the appliance, or we get a second medical call.

We were happy to be available to assist around the recent Martinborough Fair and thanks to all those who changed plans to be available.

Congratulations to our newest Firefighter Tamara Hudepohl on completing her recruits course at the Rotorua based National Training Centre, well done and thanks for all the extra training you did ! We also congratulate Brett Townsend on completing his Senior Firefighter Course and promotion to Senior Firefighter.

If you have any queries about assistance or response please don’t hesitate to contact me – CFO Jake Hawkins – 0272-559-440

Remember wear a seat belt every time you drive anywhere, be careful with BBQs, Pizza ovens, Hangi and Campfires, be safe around the water and wear a lifejacket.

In any Emergency cal 111 Remember we never close and are here 24/7 for you.

Every sport catered for

Winners (from left) Alesha Alexander, Aria Whiteman, Simon Fuller(Principal), Tristan Wagner, Campbell Bradbury-Mills, Jarrod Yee and Thomas Morland.

By Kim Whiteman

2022 has been a busy year for Kuranui College sport and though term one was slowed slightly with Covid competitions and achievements ramped up for the remainder of the year.

We are grateful to our coaches, managers, umpires, van drivers, sponsors and funders for the support they provide our rangatahi in achieving the best they can be in sport and recreation.

During the year students participated in basketball, netball, tennis, cricket, rugby, hockey, football, volleyball, touch rugby, smallbore, gliding, aviation, futsal, claybird shooting, badminton, 3×3 Basketball, e-sport, golf, Muay Thai, wrestling, swimming, athletics, mountain biking, archery, chess, cross country, tenpin bowling, and squash.

Congratulations to our major winners

Para Athlete – Thomas Morland (Athletics and Basketball)
Junior Sportsman – Tristan Wagner (Athletics and Football) and Campbell Bradbury-Mills (Football, Basketball, Chess, Cricket)
Junior Sportswoman – Aria Whiteman (Athletics, Cricket, Netball, Smallbore, Basketball, Coaching, Umpiring)
Junior Achievement – Duncan Allen-Alloway (Wrestling)
Senior Sportsman Jarrod Yee (Athletics and Hockey)
Senior Sports Woman – Alesha Alexander (Cricket, Netball, Smallbore, Basketball, Coaching, Umpiring)
Senior Achievement – Jack Hancock (Muay Thai) 

Most Improved Team – Girls T20 Cricket
Team of the Year – 1^st XI Boys Hockey
Coach of the Year – Jason Hutchings … Continue Reading