Viv Napier, Mayoral Candidate

Though I was born and raised in Wellington, I have been a proud South Wairarapa local for over 40 years, raising our three children here and participating strongly in the community in many and diverse ways. Along with my husband, Martin, we have operated a number of local businesses – from apple orchardists (‘Homestead Orchards’); to gallery owners (‘Hangs Ups’); and now the selling of imported tractors, machinery and vehicles (‘Katson Imports’) .As a qualified primary teacher, I also spent many years teaching across the schools in our district mainly Greytown and Pirinoa.
As you bring up your children in a district as wonderful as ours, you also grow as a member of the community and want to share your voice and make a personal contribution. Personally I initially began this through volunteering for a number of organisations and causes over the years, including Plunket, our local schools, stream care, sports clubs, and community action groups.
I believe that if you want to voice an opinion about important issues in your local community, you should also be prepared to act and involve yourself so that you can do something on a personal level to contribute. This is why I became a SWDC councillor, as well as being a National Plunket board member and Wairarapa DHB board member in the past.
I initially stood for SWDC because of the interaction I had experienced with our council while subdividing our orchard. Our subdivision was the first of its kind in our district and it required many hours of discussion with the council of the time, some positive and some negative. I thought there should be an easier way to navigate the process and I wanted to be part of the solution.
And when the DHBs were in the process of being established, after being involved in many health-focussed interested groups, I decided to stand for the Wairarapa DHB. I served three terms on the DHB, broadening my governance skills further.
South Wairarapa has certainly changed over the years I have lived here. Tourism, both local and international, has grown enormously as our region and towns have developed as destinations. There has been an influx of new residents across the district, including a recent increase in young families to the district, which bodes well for the future. My own daughter has recently brought her family back from overseas to live in Greytown, which is wonderful for us as grandparents and gives me more motivation to continue to be a leading advocate for our district.
I look forward to having the opportunity to talk to you more about my plans and visions for our great district.
Viv Napier

Thought provoking film at Circus cinema

Currently showing at Circus Cinema notes to eternity, directed and produced by New Zealander Sarah Cordery, is a meditation on the Israel-Palestine conflict centering on the lives and ideas of three Jewish Americans: world renowned public intellectual Noam Chomsky, writers Sara Roy and Norman Finkelstein, and internationally acclaimed British foreign correspondent and author of The Great War for Civilisation, Robert Fisk.
All four have strong connections to the issue, not least Roy and Finkelstein, who are the children of Holocaust survivors. All four are robust critics of Israeli policy.

notes to eternity traces the historical events and cultural influences that frame their lives. “Impressive and affecting”, the film has been described as a “philosophical meditation” on the issue (The Lumière Reader).
An exploration of the very act of representing injustice suffered by another, the film is also a testament to the realities of dispossession that reverberate through all narratives of forced displacement and colonisation.
“As a filmmaker, I’m interested in the bigger picture: what drives people to do what they do, to commit the crimes they commit,” says Cordery.

The film was shot over a number of years primarily in Israel-Palestine and the United States. It contains the work of celebrated NZ cinematographer Alun Bollinger and award-winning NZ graphic novelist and artist Ant Sang. The soundtrack includes recent NZ Arts Laureate recipient Delaney Davidson and NZ band The Renderers.
The film is currently screening weekly (several sessions per week) at the Circus Cinema. Sarah Cordery will be attending on Friday 8 July for a Q&A with the audience following the screening at 5.30pm.

“Inspired and inspiring example of world-class film craft” – The Lumière Reader
“Impressive” – Bill Gosden, New Zealand International Film Festival

Seasonal Eating

As the weather finally turns cooler, we start to crave more warming, comforting foods rather than the fresh, chilled salads of summer. Hearty casseroles, soups, baked puddings and roast dinners can satisfy our appetites and souls, but comforting foods can still be nourishing without bloating or adding inches to your waistline!
Adding in legumes (lentils, split peas, chickpeas, cannelini beans) and extra veggies to your soups and casseroles will provide you with additional fibre to keep you satisfied and healthy on the inside. Tempt your tastebuds with fruit based desserts such as poached pears or stewed tamarilloes for a sweet end to your winter dinner.

Mother Nature gives us plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables that provide us with exactly what we need for a strong immune system to help ward off winter ills. Feijoas, mandarins, lemons, broccoli, leafy greens and root vegetables give us a variety of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins A and C, and magnesium to enhance our immunity and nourish our cells. … Continue Reading

OPERATION COVER-UP” Raffle Result

The beautiful black and white crocheted rug, that was raffled recently at Pain and Kershaw, has been won by Beverley Mahaki. Money raised by this raffle has been used to buy more wool for knitters. Knitted rugs and garments will be on display at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Dublin St. on Saturday 30th July from 1.30 to 3.30pm. before being sent to Ukraine and Eastern Europe.  Everyone is welcome.
 
Many thanks to Pain and Kershaw and to Cotter and Stevens for sponsoring this project.