Focus on CHB Nov 2025

FOCUSON

Central Hawke’s Bay y November 2025 ent

Connecting our local communities

Welcome toFocus onCentral Hawke’sBay

Welcometothe Novemberedition ofFocusonCentral Hawke’sBaypresentedtoyou byHawke’sBayToday,part ofNewZealandMediaand Entertainment(NZME).Thisisa monthlypublicationdistributing inWaipawa,Waipukurauand ŌtāneonthelastThursdayof themonth.

Weaimtobringresidents ofCHBinformationabout communityactivitiesanda potpourriofarticlessuchas localsport,education,events, clubs,councilnewsandsoon. We’dbepleasedtoreceive suggestionsontopicsyou’d bekeentoreadornewsyou’d liketoshare.Pleasenotethat ifyoudohavenewstoshare, wewillneeditwellinadvance –atleasttwofullweeksbefore publication.Don’thesitateto contactusifyouhaveaquery orwishtoadvertise.

Pleasedirectadvertisingand editorialqueriestoshirley. randell@nzme.co.nz Coverphotocourtesyof Hawke’sBayTourism,credit KirstenSimcox.

Symphony padis musicto

children’s… feet

WaipawaSchoolstudentsare goingtotaptheirfeet–not tothemusic,buttoactually makethemusic-helpedbyCentral Hawke’sBayDistrictCouncilCreative CommunitiesScheme.

StudentsinYears7and8are designingandbuildingasymphony pad,aseriesofconnectedpads, eachplayingamusicalnote, activatedbysteppingonit. Theprojectisamixofvisualartsand design,technologyandmusic.The studentsbeganworkinJuneand willdebutthesymphonypadatthe WaipawaSchoolTwilightGalaon21 November.

EveryYear7and8studenthada roleinbringingthemusictolife. Studentschosetheprojectand teamshavebeenformedincluding artists,designersandwriters. Studentscreatedthedesign,tested itandtweakedtheresults.Itwas

cutoutwithalasercutter,andeach piecewillhavelaserprintedartwork applied.Thenthewiringandsounds willcompletethesymphonypad, whichisrobust,re-usableandwill haveitsownroadcrewcapable ofinstallingitandthenpackingit down.

Oncethepadhasbeenunveiledat theTwilightGala,itwillbetakento publicspacesinWaipawaforthe communitytoenjoy.

Theteacherinchargeoftheproject, LauraBridge,said“thestudents... andmyself…havebeenreallylucky tohavethisprojecttoworkon.It hasgonefromdrawingsonpaper, throughafewdesignchangesto makeitasrobustaspossible,and oncefinishedwillbebroughtout againandagain.”

Alltheschool’sYear7and8students haveworkedontheSymphonypad. Bridgesaysitisanicelegacyforthe

Year8’swhoareleavingprimary schoolattheendofthisyear. CreativeCommunitiesScheme fundingisavailablefordistribution tolocalgroups,orindividualsforthe fundingoflocalartsprojectsand activities.

Theproposedprojectmustmeet oneormoreofthethreefunding criteria:

•Encouragebroadcommunity involvement

•Supportculturaldiversity •Enableyoungpeopletoactively participateinthearts Forfurtherinformationregarding thescheme,pleasecontactCouncil on068578060oremailfunding@ chbdc.govt.nz. ThenextroundofCreative Communitiesfundingopensin February2026.

Embarkonanextraordinary13-dayjourney combiningthebestofSouthAustraliaandNew SouthWales.BegininAdelaide,soakingupits relaxedcharmbeforesettingsailona4-night MurrayPrincessrivercruisethroughthetranquil MurrayRiver.ExploreBlanchetown,SwanReach, Sunnydale,andNgautNgaut,enjoywinetasting atBurkSalterWinery,ariversideBBQ,wildlife tours,andthefascinatingAboriginalHeritage siteatNgautNgaut.

Next,immerseyourselfinauniqueAfrican-style experienceatthebrand-newMonartoSafari Park—thelargestopen-rangesafariparkoutside Africa.SpendthenightattheluxuriousMonarto SafariResort,completewithaguidedSunset WildlifeSafarifeaturingrhinos,giraffes,and cheetahs,followedbydrinksandcanapésasthe sunsetsovertheplains.

ReturningtoAdelaide,enjoyfreetimetoexplore beforeboardingthelegendaryIndianPacific trainforatwo-nightrailjourneyacrossthe

continenttoSydney.Experiencegourmetdining, off-trainexcursionsinBrokenHillandtheBlue Mountains,andrelaxinthecomfortofyourGold Servicecabinasthelandscapesrollby.

ConcludeyouradventureinSydney,reflectingon anunforgettablecombinationofrivercruising, safariluxury,andraildiscovery—anall-inclusive, fullyguidedtourshowcasingAustralia’sdiversity atitsfinest.

Shiningalighton thedistrict’srising workforce

TheWaipukurauRotaryCluband CentralHawke’sBayMayors TaskforceforJobs(MTFJ)came togethertocelebrateCentralHawke’s Bay’spromisingyoungtalentforthe fifthyear.

Theceremony,heldon5November

attheCentralHawke’sBayMunicipal Theatre,celebratedthedistrict’s promisingyouth,youth-friendly employers,andlocalon-the-job learnerswhoarenotofferedaformal graduation.

MayorWillFoleylaunchedtheevent, “tonight,wecelebrateapowerful partnership,thedynamictalentof ouryouthandtheforward-thinking businesseswhoempowerthem.”

Foleypraisedtheemployersfortheir crucialrole,stating,“Bynurturing thistalentandprovidingreal-world experience,youarenotjustfillingjobs; youareactivelybuildingtheworkforce ofthefutureandfuellingthelong-term prosperityofourdistrict.”

MareeBrannigan,NationalProgramme ManagerforMayorsTaskforceforJobs praisedtheenduringlocalpartnership betweenCouncilandWaipukurau RotaryClub.

“It’sgreattoseelocalleadership steppingup,tomakesureeveryyoung personhasafairshot”Brannigansaid.

Ruby,ownerofRubyliciousCakes, wasnamedYouthFriendlyEmployer

oftheYearafterbeingnominatedby threeofherstaff.Thisjointawardfrom WaipukurauRotaryandJobsinCentral Hawke’sBayseekstocelebratethose employerswhoaremakingareal efforttosupportouryoungpeopleas theyentertheworkforce.

“Rubyisthebestboss,I’mnotbeing biased,shereallyis,”saidAcacia,in theirjointnomination.“Shecanalways putasmileonyourdial.Inthisdayand age,youngpeopleneedsomeonelike Rubyintheirlives,shemakeslifejust thatlittlebitbetter.”

Twootherlocalbusinesseswerealso recognisedfortheircommitmentto providingsafe,nurturingworkplaces foryoungpeople:Garry,ownerof WaipukurauMotors,andDanielleof PaperPlusinWaipukurau.

Theeventalsocelebratedthebest ofCentralHawke’sBay’syoung employees,with11ofourbrightest nominatedbytheiremployersfor showingexceptionaltalentand dedication.

EllaTweedie,our2024Young EmployeeoftheYear,shared inspiringwordsofencouragement andambitionwitheveryone.She addressedtheaudienceof2025 nominees,motivatingthemtotakethe nextstep,“I’velearntonething.Jump inheadfirst,taketherisk,andworkthe restoutlater.That’susuallywherethe

CentralHawke’sBayMayorWillFoley,RotaryWaipukuraupresidentAlastairOrmond, YouthFriendlyEmployeroftheYearRubyFogarty,ownerofRubyliciousCakes,andthe threeemployeeswhojointlynominatedher.

beststuffhappens”

TweediethankedRotaryandMTFJ, forthesupportprovidedtoherand otheryoungpeopleinthecommunity “Theseexperiencesgenuinelychange lives,andIamsogratefultohavehad mineshapedbythem”. The2025winnerswere:

•Winner,YoungEmployeeoftheYear: JosiahChesswas-BP2goWaipawa –whoreceivesascholarshipforan 8-dayOutwardBoundDiscovery Course.

•HighlyCommended:TaylaEllmersThePaperMulberryCafe

•HighlyCommended:DaejonHaltonWaipawaTimber&PalletSuppliesLtd

•AspiringYoungEmployeeoftheYear: FinnHorvath-RuahineMotors Thetwohighlycommendedand aspiringYoungEmployee’softheYear

eachreceiveascholarshiptoattend theRotaryYoungLeadershipAward (RYLA).

RotaryDirectorfortheVocational, Youth&RecreationServiceCommittee, CarolPedersen,marvelledatthe calibreofourlocalyoungworkforce andthecontributionstheyaremaking toCentralHawke’sBay. Additionally,9localon-the-job learnerswereawardedMayoral CertificatesforcompletingtheirLevel2 orhighertradequalificationsthisyear. Inhisclosingremarks,MayorFoley applaudedtheyoungworkforceof CentralHawke’sBay.Herecognised thesignificantroleouremployees playwithinthecommunityand celebratedthenewgraduatesfor theircommitment,perseverance,and willingnesstogrow.

LooktowardChristmas

TheCentralHawkesBayConcert Choirarelookingforward totheirannualChristmas Concert.ConductorJennyCross saysthechoirisexcitedaboutthis year’sprogramme,whichistitled, ‘LookTowardChristmas’.

“Wearesingingjoyfulchoralpieces includingabeautifultwo-partsong combiningthecarols‘WhatChild ShallCome’and‘UkrainianBell Carol’.‘JamaicanNoel’isanother favourite,”shesays.“Itreallygets ourfeettapping!”

PianistsDiJeromsonandHilary Mortonareaccompanyingthechoir thisyear.ThereisaChristmasduet fromSopranoChelseaAndrewsand BassBradSeymour.Tenorgroup

Accordwillperformcloseharmony numbersandStMary’sConsortwill playtwoinstrumentalitems.

TheConcertwillbeheldatStMary’s ChurchinWaipukurau.Thereare twoperformances,Sunday14th Decemberat2pmandMonday15th Decemberat7pm.Adultticketsare $10andschoolstudentsarefree. Ticketsareavailablefromchoir membersoratthedoor(cashsales only).

“OurChristmasConcertisalways popular,”saysJenny.“Thereare traditionalChristmasCarolstosing alongwith,somewonderfulitems andthisyear’schoralmusicisso uplifting!”

Events

CentralHawke’sBayDistrictLibraries-WaipawaLibrary andTeHuingaWai-TheKnowledgeandLearningHub

JusticeofthePeace

JPsareavailable12-1pmateither WaipawaLibraryorTeHuingaWai-the KnowledgeandLearningHub,alternating locationsonFridays.Checkthewebsite, https://www.chblibrary.nz/whats-on/ events-and-programmes-calendar/for theexactdatesandlocations.

BankingHubCommunitySupport

Westpac1stWednesdayofeachmonth, ASB2ndWednesdayofeachmonth, 10am-12pmatTeHuingaWai-the KnowledgeandLearningHub.A dedicatedstaffmemberwilloffer customerssupportwith1:OnlineBanking (Registrations/New)2:BusinessOnline Banking(Registrations/New)3:Making ChangestoSignatories4:General Enquiries5:EducationregardingEasyID process.

Children’sActivities:

SantaStorytime

TeHuingaWai-TheKnowledgeand LearningHub,Waipukurau December23rd10am JoinSantatoreadastoryandcelebrate Christmasinthelibrary!

Wiggle&Giggle

TeHuingaWai-TheKnowledgeand LearningHub,Waipukurau 10.30amonthe2ndand4thFridaysof themonththroughoutschoolterm.Bring waterbottlesandpersonalsnacks.Hot drinksandbiscuitsprovidedforparents/ carers.

SafeSpaces-SensorySessions

TeHuingaWai-TheKnowledgeand LearningHub,Waipukurau NextSession:December18th9:30am11:30am

Withlowlight,lownoiseandacontained area,youcanassistyourlittlesonesto exploreandcreate,inasafespace. https://www.chblibrary.nz/whats-on/ events-and-programmes-calendar/

CHBFarmersMarket 29November10am-2pm RussellPark,Waipukurau

SanctuarySoundsMusic Festival2025

Fri,5December,5pm-Sun,7Dec,7pm Takapau

SanctuarySoundsisanot-for-profitmusic festivalshowcasinganeclecticmixofmusic fromalloverNewZealandandabroad. Thethree-dayfestivalisatruegrassroots experience,heldonaruralpropertyin Takapau,CentralHawkesBay,whereyouwill findyourselfimmersedinmusic,art,food andfriendship!CampingisFREE,Kids13and underareFREE.

Monday-Friday10-4pm Regulardrop-inclinicsat: Pahiatua,Eketahuna,Greytown,Featherston Carterton,Martinborough,Dannevirke

Mike.ButterickMP@parliament.govt 0800MPMIKE national.org.nz/team/mikebutteric t WaipukurauDrop-in CHBBudgetServices,43RuataniwhaSt,Waipukurau EveryfirstandthirdMonday,10am-2pm Nextdates:6and20October

Events

WaipukurauChristmas Streetmarket

Sunday14December9am-1.30pm. Christmaslunch

StAndrew’sChurchHall

Thisisanopeninvitationtoanyonewho wouldlikesomecompanyonChristmas Day.Wewouldalsowelcomeanyone wantingtohelpontheday,orwith donationsoffoodandmoney.Ifyou wouldlikemoreinformation,please contactGaelRiddiford.0273690952.

TheLandGirls

CentralHawke’sBayMunicipalTheatre,18 KenilworthStreet,Waipawa 11,12,13December7-9pm,13December 2-4pm,14December3-5pm. WaipawaM&Disexcitedtobestaging abrand-newmusical,‘TheLandGirls’in earlyDecember2025.FeaturingwellknownsongsfromFrankSinatra,The AndrewsSisters,EllaFitzgerald,NatKing Coleandmore!WrittenandDirectedby ourveryownTimStevens.

NorsewoodPioneerMuseum 60thAnniversary&Heritage VillageMarket

Saturday13December10am-1pm NorsewoodPioneerCottageMuseum Openingceremonywithbagpipes, cakecutting,Scandinaviandancing, genealogyhub,anddignitaries.Heritage Marketwithavarietyofstalls,food,crafts, plants,woodwork&jewellery,quilts,native trees,soaps,creams&toys.

OtāneVillageArtisan Market

OtāneHall

Sunday21December

Justoffthebeatentrackandithappens onthethirdSundayofthemonth.

WaipukurauVintage Fair2026

Friday2JanuarytoSunday4January, 10am-4pm WaipukurauMemorialHall,Waipukurau, CentralHawke’sBay Wonderfuldaysofadventureshopping throughawonderful collectionavarietyof stalls,sellingVintage Wares&CollectablesJewellery,Accessories, China,Kitchenalla, Military,Art,ArtDeco,Toys, NZMemorabilia,Books, Upcycleditems,Vintage clothingandlotsmore. EntryisbyDoordonation.

Wecan treatyour Varicose

MESHFREE groinhernia repairperformedunderlocal anaestheticinourpurpose designedDaySurgeryUnit. Overallcostsareminimal makingtheproceduremuch moreaffordablethanyoumay think.

Ifyouhaveaherniathatis botheringyougiveusacallandask ourfriendlyteamfordetails,costings andavailability. ProcedureperformedbyMrBertrand Jauffret,GeneralSurgeonatUnitySpecialists, 102QueenStreetEast,Hastings4122.

Asthedaysgetwarmer,Central Hawke’sBayenterswhatanimal rescuersknowas“kittenseason.” Thisisthetimeofyearwhenlitters oftiny,unexpectedarrivalsbeginto appearingardens,sheds,andeven roadsideverges.

Everyyear,RuahineAnimalRescue receivesdozensofcallsfromcaring localswhocomeacrossnewborn kittensandinstinctivelyrushtohelp. Whilethatkindnessisappreciated, rescuerssaythatsometimesthe kindestthingyoucandoiswait.

“Weknowit’snaturaltowanttoscoop themupandkeepthemsafe,”says aspokespersonforRuahineAnimal Rescue.“Butoftentheirmumisnearby, hunting,movingthemtoanewnest, ortakingashortbreak.Interveningtoo sooncanactuallyputthekittensatrisk.” So,whatshouldyoudoifyou findalitter?

First,lookcloselybeforeacting.Ifthe kittensareclean,warm,andquietly sleeping,chancesaretheirmother isstillcaringforthem.Observefrom asafedistanceforacoupleofhours toseeifshereturns.Often,shewill, andsheremainstheirbestchanceof survival.

Ifthekittensare cold,cryingconstantly, visiblyunwell,orifmumhasn’t returnedafterseveralhours,thenit’s timetostepin.Movethemcarefullytoa warm,dryboxlinedwithatowelorsoft blanketandcontactyourlocalrescue orvetsforadvice.Donottrytofeed themcow’smilkoranyhomemade mixture,asthiscancausemoreharm thangood,especiallyifthekittens arecold.Theyneedspecialisedcare

and,ideally,kittenmilkreplacer,which experiencedfostersorvetclinicscan provide.

RuahineAnimalRescueencourages peopletoreachoutbeforetaking action.Theteamcanhelpassess thesituationandguideyouonthe safestnextsteps.“We’realwayshere tosupportpeoplewhowanttodothe rightthing,”thespokespersonadds. “Sometimesthatmeansproviding adviceoverthephone,andothertimes itmeanstakingthekittensintofoster care.”

Alreadythiskittenseason,Ruahine AnimalRescuehastakenintwotiny littersthatarenowsafe,warm,and thrivingthankstothededicationof theirfostercarers.Eachonerequires countlesshoursoffeeding,cleaning, andcare,whichisahugecommitment fromourvolunteers.It’salsoareminder thatwhilekittensareadorable,they needtime,resources,andlifelong dedication.

Pleasehelpreducethenumber ofunwantedlittersbyadopting responsiblyandensuringyourpets arespayedorneutered.Together,we canmakearealdifferenceandgive everykittenthechancetogrowupsafe, healthy,andloved.

Formoreinformation,visitwww. ruahineanimalrescue.org.nz

Formoreinformation,pleasecontact: AmberMcArthur-Spokesperson, RuahineAnimalRescue

Email:marketing@ ruahineanimalrescue.org.nz

Phone:021556061

Rightnow,theNapierDistrictMasonicTrust, hasalimitednumberofbeautifullyrenovatedvillas availableforsaleinlocationstosuityourlifestyle. So,ifsecure,cosyandlowmaintenanceareon yourlist,don’tmissyourchancetoenjoythe retirementyou’vealwaysdreamedof.

Thepurchasepriceisinclusiveofinsurance,rates, andupkeepcosts,andeveryvillacomeswithitsown outdoorgardenandprivatecourtyard.Perfectfor pottering,entertaining,orjustsoakinginthesun.

Talktoustodayorcheckoutourwebsite andgetreadytorelaxintoyourretirement. (06)8459220|ndmt.co.nz/villas-available

VILLAFEATURES

1-bedroomvillawithcarportor 2-bedroomvillawithinternalgarage

Levelaccess,open-planliving andmodernkitchen

Double-glazingforyearroundwarmthandcomfort

Outdoorgardenandprivatecourtyard Priorityaccesstocontinuumofcare

Ongaonga 150th Jubilee Celebrations

The weekend of 17-19 October was a unique celebration of the founding of Ongaonga Over a thousand people flocked to the village to enjoy a parade, markets, singing, dancing and a golf tournament

immunisationandsupport

Althoughtherearecurrently noreportedcasesofmate karawaka(measles)inCentral Hawke’sBay(CHB),theriskofan outbreakremains.Measlesisone ofthemostcontagiousdiseases weface,anditcanspreadrapidly throughourhāpori(communities).The bestwaytoprotectyourselfandyour whānauisthroughimmunisation. AtTeAraWaioraclinic,weknowthat manypeoplehavequestionsabout immunisations,whattheyare,how theywork,andwhytheymatter.Our clinicisasafe,friendlyspacewhere youcankōrerowithournurses,ask questions,andgettheinformation youneedtomakethebestchoicesfor yourwhānau.

Whyimmunise?

Measlesspreadseasilythrough coughing,sneezing,ordirectcontact withsalivaorhupe(nasalsecretions). Symptomscantake10–12days toappear,andtheillnessismost contagiousfromaboutfourweeks beforetherashappearstotwo weeksafteritgoes.Signstowatch forincludehighfever,rash(including ontheface),cough,conjunctivitis, bluish/whitespotsinsidethemouth, tiredness,andlossofappetite.Since theviruscanremainactiveon surfacesforaslongastwohours,

it’scrucialtomaintainaclean environmentincludingcleansurfaces likeyourkitchenbench,tables,and workspaces.

Whatshouldyoudo?

Ifyouhaveconcernsaboutmate karawaka(measles),orifsomeone inyourwhānauisunwell,callyour nearesthealthproviderorcomeand seeusatTeAraWaiora.Ournurses areheretosupportyou,answeryour questions,andmanaakiyourwhānau. Ifmeaslesissuspected,callusand we’llguideyouthroughwhattodo, includinghowtocareforyourtamariki athomeandwhentoseekfurther help.Recoverycantake10–14days, andrest,fluids,andsupportarekey. Visitus

WeinviteallwhānautovisitTeAra Waioraclinicat15NorthumberlandRd, Waipukurauorcallus0800483272. Whetheryouwanttoimmuniseyour tamariki,learnmoreaboutmeasles, orjusthaveakōrerowithourfriendly team,ourdoorsareopen.Vaccinating ourtamarikiisthebestwaywe knowtostopmeaslesandkeepour communitysafe.

Naumai,haeremai,comein,ask questions,andtakeactionfor yourwhānau’shealth.Protectyour whakapapaandprotectyourself againstmeasles.

TheDOC200andFlippingTimmytrapsareavailableto borrowattheTLCTrapLibrary.

InOctober,localfarmer-ledcatchmentcollective TukitukiLandCare(TLC)launchedHawke’s Bay’sfirst-everpredatortraplibrary,giving Tukitukifarmersaccesstomorethan500free-toborrowtrapstohelpcontrolpredatorsacrossthe catchment.

Theprojectaimstoreducenumbersofmustelids, rats,hedgehogs,andpossumstoboostnative biodiversity,supportwetlandandbushregeneration, andlimitthespreadofdiseasesthatcanaffect livestock.

ThelauncheventinOngaongadrewfarmersfrom acrossthecatchmentkeentoshareideas,learn abouttrapping,andtakehometrapstoputstraight touse.“Itwasgreattoseesomanytrapsloaded

intoutesandheadingouttolocalfarms,”saidTLC boardmemberMattWade.“Peoplearemotivated togetontopofpestsandseethebenefitsforboth theirlandandlocalwildlife.”

Thehighlightofthedaywashearingfromhunter, fisher,conservationist,andtrappinglegendSam “TheTrapMan”Gibson,whosharedstoriesfromhis trappingandhuntingadventuresalongwithinsights fromhisconservationwork.Samofferedplentyof practicaladvice-fromchoosingtherightbaitand trapstoknowingwhereandhowtosetthemfor differentpredators.

“There’ssomuchbiodiversityonlocalfarms,andit’s reallyimportanttostayontopofthepredatorsthat threatenit,”saidSam.“Traplibrariesareagreatway todealwiththoseoneortwoproblempredators thatcanbearealniggleathome.”

NathanAlexander,BiodiversityAdvisoratHawke’s BayRegionalCouncil,alsospokeattheevent. Havingspentthepastdecadeworkinginpredator controlacrosstheNorthIsland,Nathannowfocuses onprotectingHawke’sBay’sthreatenedecosystems andspeciesthrougharangeofpestcontroltools. Heencouragedfarmerstogetinvolved.“Youdon’t needtenyearsofexperiencetogetstarted,”hesaid. “Thereareplentyoffree,easy-to-followguidesand localorganisationsreadytohelpyoubegin.”

TheresponsetotheTrapLibraryhasbeenreally positive.Withinthefirstweek,morethantwo-thirds ofthetrapshadalreadybeenloanedouttolocal farmers,andonefarmerhadreportedcatching threepossumsonhisproperty-animpressivestart fortheinitiative.

TLCisaskingthosewhoborrowtrapstologthe trapsandcatchesonTrap.NZ-afree,user-friendly mappingtoolthathelpsrecordtraplocationsand catches.Overtime,thisinformationwillhelpbuild aclearerpictureofpredatorcontrolacrossthe Tukitukicatchmentandwhatimpactitishaving. FarmersintheTukitukicatchmentwhoarekeento borrowatrapcanvisitwww.tukitukilandcare.orgto findoutmoreandmakeabooking.