1 April Wainuiomata News

By Frank Neill

Three Wainuiomata Softball players – Luka Sue, Linkin Gore and Scarlett Morrison – have been selected to represent New Zealand this year. Luka and Linkin have been named in the 2026 Under 15 Black Sox, and Scarlett has been selected in the 2026 Under 15 White Sox. Continued on page 2.

Wainuiomata’s three New Zealand Softball representatives (from left) Linkin Gore, Scarlett Morrison and Luka Sue. Photo: Supplied.

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Luka pretty surprised to be picked

Continued from page 1

All three are members of the Wainuiomata Under 15 Softball team, coached by Gary Sue.

All three are also students at Wainuiomata High School.

As well as being selected for the Under 15 Black Sox, Luka has also been named in the New Zealand Development Under 15 Boys Softball team.

This team will compete in the Tasman Cup Softball Tournament, to be played in New South Wales, Australia, in September and October this year.

The itinerary for the Under 15 Black Sox and White Sox teams had not been announced when this issue of the ‘Wainuiomata News’ went to print.

“I was pretty suprised to see my name in the U15 Black Sox,” Luka says.

“I knew I had been working hard and had a really good U15 rep tourny in Auckland in January but there is heaps of good players out there, so pretty stoked that I was chosen.

“Thanks to my dad for always helping me out with extras, and for coaching our club team and rep team, which we won both.

“It’s been an awesome season of Softball.”

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Luka is not new to international sport, having been selected to play Baseball for New Zealand when he was just 12 years old in 2024.

He was named in the Southern Cross Baseball Academy’s “PAC-Men” 12U team, the only player from the Wellington region who was selected.

The team contested the Carl Ripken Major 70 World Baseball Series, held in Branson, Missouri, from 8 to 17 August 2024.

The tournament was held at Ballparks of America, an amazing and unique youth baseball facility with five major league

replica fields.

Luka began playing for the Wainuiomata Softball Club when he was just three years old. When he was 11 be began playing Baseball with the Hutt Valley Hornets. Earlier this year Luka was selected to play

for the Hutt Valley U13 representative team. Baseball and Softball are among a number of sports Luka enjoys.

He has also played for the Wainuiomata Rugby Club, the Wainuiomata Rugby League Club and the Rhino Touch Club.

Strong WHS showing at Waka Ama Nationals

Te Kura Matua O Wainuiomata High School has wrapped up a successful Waka Ama campaign, taking junior girls and boys teams to both Regional and National Secondary School Championships, along with two first ever W1 paddlers representing the school at national level.

The J16 Girls Mahutonga and J16 Boys Tokerau crews, named after the waka they trained in, began preparations in September 2025 ahead of the March championships. Despite a demanding training schedule that saw numbers reduce over time, the remaining kaihoe showed commitment and resilience through weekend and mid week sessions.

Under the guidance of coaches Sapphire Phillips and Tiana Ruwhiu from Porirua Canoe and Kayak Club, the teams delivered strong performances.

Journey-Leigh Reno Tautau reached the Te Ihu semi-finals in her first ever W1 Secondary School Nationals, finishing in the top 24 nationwide.

Fellow paddler Mahinarangi Gillies also impressed, placing fifth in the Te Takere final and securing a Top 30 national ranking.

The J16 Girls crew narrowly missed a podium finish, coming fourth in the Te Takere final by just 0.10 seconds, while the all-first-year J16 Boys team reached the Te Kei semi-finals with a standout 250m time of 1:16.81.

With strong results and growing experience across all crews, the future of Waka Ama at Te Kura Matua O Wainuiomata High School looks bright.

The school acknowledges and sends a huge nga mihi nui to Kiwi Gaming for the grant for paddles, lifejackets and travel bags; Porirua Canoe and Kayak Club and Kokiri Marae Tai Patu Waka Ama for the use of waka and gear (and the donation of kids’ race tops); the Tama Te Rauru Kohai-Samoa wh nau for the boys’ caps; Skyla Rae Creations for the girls’ scrunchies; Matua Isjara for organising funding, travel and the care and wellbeing of the whole r pŪ; Papa Pete for registration and communications with Waka Ama NZ; management team Maria and Phillip Gillies; parent groups for transport, waka lifting and gear support – and lastly, but most importantly, the amazing Kaihoe.

Best season ever for Wainui Cricketers

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Cricket Club climaxed an outstanding season with their prizegiving on 28 March.

“This is probably the best summer we have ever had,” club stalwart Craig Foster said at the prizegiving. The ladies team winning back to back championships “was amazing,” he said.

It was a “true testament” to the spirit of Wainuiomata’s second team that they also took out their grade – winning the premier reserve 2 championship.

In addition, the premier team finished second in the Wellington Premier 2 competition.

“I have been here for a long time and this is definitely our most successful season,” Craig said.

Ryan Jackson, who starred with both the bat and the ball, was presented the Player of the Year award.

Jackson scored 531 runs and took 46 wickets during the 2025-26 season.

This was one of three trophies Ryan was presented.

He also won the trophy for the most wickets and as the two-day allrounder.

Marina McCarthy was presented the trophy as the Ladies Player of the Year.

Marina played a major role in the Design and Build team winning the Wellington division 3 championship when she scored 70 not out in the final. She scored the runs very rapidly too, only facing 39 Deliveries.

This was one of five half centuries she scored during the season.

Marina was also presented a second trophy as the Ladies T20 all rounder.

Tom Parima was awarded the trophy for the Most Outstanding Performance of the season.

That came when he scored a double century for the Wainuiomata premier team, playing on his debut for the

club.

Tom scored 201 runs in Wainuiomata’s division two match against Wellington Collegians Cricket Express on 7 March.

And he scored his double century in very rapid fashion.

Tom faced just 106 deliveries, recording a very impressive strike rate of 189.62.

This saw him also awarded the trophy for the highest score during 2025-26.

Abishek Singh was presented the trophy for the most runs and as the one-day allrounder, while Kevin Krebs won the trophy for the most catches.

Logan Sharpe won the trophy as the best Colt and the clubperson of the season award was presented to Jennie Wilson.

The second XI, who won the premier reserve 2 competition, was presented the trophy as the Team of the Year.

Earlier in the day the champion second XI team scored a big victory over the Victoria University Stallions at Bryan Heath Park in ther final timed over match of the season.

After declaring their innings at 233 for eight wickets, Wainuiomata then bowled out the Stallions for just 45 runs.

Philip Raju Mathew was Wainuiomata’s top scorer with 71 runs, and Dijo John also batted outstandingly, scoring 63 runs.

Tanuj Ahuja claimed a five wicket bag at a cost of 30 runs and Thomas Jacob took three wickets while conceding only 15 runs from his 10 overs.

Scott Babot was Wainuiomata’s other wicket taker with one wicket, while not conceding a single run from his one over and two balls.

The premiers faced North City, needing an outright victory to win the premier 2 championship in the final day’s play of the 2025-26 season on

28 March.

However it was not to be, and Wainuiomata finished in second place on the table.

Batting first on Bryan Heath Park, Wainuiomata was all out for 253. Norths then reached 274 for seven wickets by stumps on 28 March, giving them first innings points for the match.

Jordan Rangikauhata led with the bat, scoring 73 runs.

Ryan Jackson also batted well, scoring 34 runs and Danu Dominic finished on 30 not out.

Ryan then followed up by taking three Norths wickets for 60 runs.

Gurpreet Singh took two wickets for 27 runs, Roshan Sugathan one wicket for 23 runs and Logan Stoupe one wicket for 49 runs.

Wainuiomata Athletic & Harrier Club (Inc)

EASTER

EGG HUNT

SATURDAY 11TH APRIL, 1.30PM

Quiz night

The Hutt Sister City Foundation has organised a quiz night fundraiser, which will be held at the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Clubrooms at 7pm on Friday 8 May.

The evening is being held to support Keira, Talia Atlas and Ivy as they fundraise for their Hutt Sister City Adventure.

This will see the three rangatira welcoming and hosting students in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt in June and travelling to Tempe, Arizona, in July. Talia, from Wainuiomata, has been selected as one of the students from the Hutt Valley who will take part in the Sister City Adventure this year.

People can book a table by emailing jerichodb22@gmail.com.

The flu. Don’t get it.

There’s a nip in the air for sure lately. Which means now is the time to think about getting a flu shot.

Clive reckons that almost everyone can benefit from the protection of an annual flu shot.

Getting the flu is a major threat as it can spread quickly through the community.

Not matter how fit, healthy, or tough you are, you’re not immune to the flu. It can strike at any time and will leave you unable to do just about anything.

The flu can make you seriously ill and keep you in bed for at least a week. This is particularly true if you are elderly or have an ongoing medical condition.

However, even if you don’t feel sick, you could still have the virus and pass it on to others.

that after your shot, your body learns what the flu looks like, so if you are exposed to the virus your body can fight it off. Ideally, you should be vaccinated before May. Clive’s Chemist has the flu shot available now. Getting immunised is your best protection.

Over 65’s are FREE! It’s quick and convenient, to get vaccinated at Clive’s. I’d much rather everyone came in now for a flu jab, than have to see everyone later for flu medication.

The process is easy. One of the pharmacists at Clive’s will take you through some information regarding your vaccination to make sure the flu shot is right for you. Book on our website: www.clives.co.nz or give us a call 5648618. Come in and see us now!

Richard Prouse Park, Hine Road

A common misunderstanding is that the flu vaccine can give you the flu. This is not true. The flu shot is made up of dead flu viruses, so you can’t catch the flu from them. What happens is

Please contact my staff and I are here to help.

Phone 04 564 8707 or email me at Chris.bishopMP@parliament.govt.nz

High School Volleyballers on national stage

Wainuiomata High School’s

Senior Boys Volleyball team represented their school last week at the 56th Volleyball New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships in Papaioea, Palmerston North.

This competition is one of the largest secondary school sporting events in the country.

The school sent a Senior Boys squad of 10 players, coached by Trina Tonise and Etelini Manoa, to compete against the nation’s best.

The team was among 195 male and female teams from across Aotearoa, with more than 3,000 athletes and approximately 1,000 games played over the week long tournament.

For many of the players the tournament marked a significant milestone.

Most of the boys have played together since Year 9, and reaching a national secondary school tournament was a long term goal they were proud to achieve as they near the end of their high school Volleyball journey.

While final results are yet to be officially confirmed by Volleyball New Zealand, the team is provisionally placed 40th out of 97 Senior Boys teams.

A very proud Peter Cowan, Sports Director, confirmed that this would represent the highest placing achieved by Wainuiomata High School across all teams it has sent to Volleyball Nationals

in previous years.

The team acknowledged the strong backing of the wider Wainuiomata community, who supported their fundraising efforts making the trip possible.

Special thanks were extended to One Foundation, Way of Life Gym, and Ulalei volunteers Nii Mills and Vera Karataua for their invaluable support throughout the campaign.

Lahraine Sagaga, the PE teacher who managed the team at the tournament said: “Competing on the national stage was a proud moment for the school and a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and resilience of these young athletes, who represented Wainuiomata with pride.”

Local trainer helps keep motorcyclists safer

By Frank Neill

Two Bald Bikers is a Wainuiomata business that provides very high quality motorcycle training.

Run by Wainuiomata resident Ross Gratton, Two Bald Bikers caters for everyone from new learners to experienced riders.

As well as runnning courses in Wainuiomata, it also delivers throughout the lower North Island, from New Plymouth south, and including all the Manawatu, Wairarapa and greater Wellington.

“We are proudly Wainuiomata-based and we made that one of our core things right at the beginning,” Ross says.

“Where possible we are bringing people into the valley and they are spending in Queen Street and so on.

“We do our learn to rides and basic handling, which are prerequisites to getting a motorcycle licence, here at Parkway Park.”

This is located at 33A Parkway.

“We run all our ACC subsidised Ride Forever courses starting in Wainuiomata as well,” Ross says.

“Ride Forever is a national standardised motorcycle training programme.

“It’s a little bit of a world leader.”

ACC began the Ride Forever programme after discovering it was a lot cheaper to train riders than it was to pay injury claims.

Run nationally since 2011, the programme caters for around 10,000 riders a year.

The three courses for motorcyclists are: on their restricted licence;

who have a full licence; and performance coaching.

“ACC will pay for you to do two courses a year, every year,” Ross says.

“People who do these courses are between 30 to 50% less likely to have an injury accident.

“It stands head and shoulders as the most effective injury prevention initiative that ACC have ever run.”

With the fuel crisis taking place, Ross suggests that people would be well advised to consider moving from using cars to motorcycling.

“It makes financial sense,” he says.

“You might be paying $200 a week for fuel just driving in and out of Wellington by car.

“You might be paying $50 a week for a motocycle and there is free parking in town for motorcycles.”

For more information on Two Bald Bikers visit

Ulalei mamas, aunties and nanas take the court

By Vaegaau Isaac

The Ati Awa Toa FM Pre-Season Tournament was a special one for Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball this year, with all five social teams taking part.

This week it was the turn of the m m s, aunties and nanas to step onto the court, cheered on by their children, mokopuna and aiga from the sidelines.

For many players, it marked the beginning of another season.

Some were returning after welcoming a new baby, others after time away from netball, and some after years spent supporting their children from the sidelines.

There was a wide mix of experience, skill levels and fitness, but what everyone shared was a genuine love for the game and the joy of being back on court together.

One of the club’s new players summed up the feeling of the day perfectly, saying: “I love the connection, kids hanging out together and the sense of family and community.”

Another player reflected on the strong sense of belonging within the club, adding: “When a Netball club feels like family, you know you have found your people.”

On the court there were plenty of highlights across the teams.

Ulalei Moso'oi, the veterans of the club, had a great day out, pipped by one goal to miss the play off for first and second place. Moso'oi won three out of four games to finish in third place.

Ulalei Teuila also put in a strong performance, winning two of their four games to take fourth place overall.

For Ulalei Laga'ali/Matalafi and Ulalei Nonu, the club’s newest teams, the tournament was about getting back out on the court, building confidence and enjoying the game.

Both teams embraced the day with smiles and laughter, ending the tournament with a fun match against each other.

In a closely contested game, Laga'ali/ Matalafi edged out Nonu 9-5, rounding out

a positive first tournament experience for both sides.

The tournament was a reminder of what community sport is all about – connection, whanaungatanga and having fun.

The club sends a warm fa'afetai to Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport for the use of its van and generously supplying the branded tournament gazebos and sideline seating, that not only created an inviting environment for players and supporters to gather and relax, but also provided a professional look and class to elevate the overall tournament atmosphere.

A huge nga mihi nui goes out to all the aiga, non-playing club members and supporters who helped with setting up, packing down and running the fundraiser throughout the day. With grading day due to start on 18 April, the smiles, laughter and memories from the Atiawa Toa Pre-Season Tournament have set the tone for what promises to be another great season of netball for Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball.

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Wainuiomata Under 15s win Softball

The Wainuiomata Under 15 Softball team are the 2026 Hutt Valley champions. The mixed team of boys and girls won the title following a nail biting game at Fraser Park on 28 March.

Wainuiomata defeat Hutt City United 7-6 in the final.

After Hutt City had placed first ahead of Wainuiomata in the round robin matches, Wainuiomata would have gone into the final as underdogs.

However they then turned around their loss to Hutt City earlier in the season to become the champions.

Hutt City managed to score two runs in the third innings with Wainuiomata failing to score. Going into the fourth innings Wainuiomata was up by one and by some impressive fielding by infielders Rico and Luka managed to keep Hutt City from scoring.

Wainuiomata was also unable to score in the fourth innings, providing the team with a 7-6 win and an awesome way to end their junior season with the Wainuiomata Softball Club.

After the first innings the score was 4-4 with Rico Te Iwimate, Luka Sue, Rukua Ngatoko and Linkin Gore all scoring a run each. Wainuiomata let no runs in during the second innings then on bat Luka, Rukua and Scarlett

Wainuiomata’s pitchers, Tumanako Glen and Scarlett Morrison, both showed great determination during the final.

The team is coached by Gary Sue and assisted by James Te Iwimate and Grant Gore.

Correction

I write to proactively correct my comments in relation to the new Parenga Street bus shelter (‘Wainuiomata News’ 4 March) where I said: "Metlink's budget for new shelters halved when the Government cut our public transport funding by $130m in 2024. Sadly we can now only afford to install two new shelters per year across the region".

"Great communication for work completed with replacing our guttering, & drainage for a new soak pit. Very satisfied with the work completed thanks."

-Robert

Metlink's budget was indeed halved when the Government cut PT funding, but Council decided that installing new shelters was important to bus users and agreed to cover the funding gap with rates in our Annual Plan. We continue to install 8 to 10 new shelters each year across the region, which equates to roughly two per year in Lower Hutt. So no change in the budget and number of new shelters; just all paid for through your rates when ordinarily the Government would go halves. GW Cr Quentin Duthie

Top team for former Wainuiomata player

By Frank Neill

Rugby League prop Fanua Rimoni has just been promoted to the Gold Coast Titans top 24 after some stunning early pre-season performances. Before joining the Titans, Fanua featured for Ng Hau e Wha, the Wainuiomata Lions Rugby League Club and the Wellington Rugby League Orcas network and pathways.

Fanua was signed by the Titans as a development player.

However she excelled in the early sessions of pre-season training,

earning her elevation to the Titan's top squad and a chance to make her National Rugby League Women’s debut when the campaign kicks off later this year.

"Fanua has been extremely impressive across all our NRLW sessions to start the year and is thoroughly deserved to be promoted to our top 24 squad," the team’s coach Karyn Murphy says.

"She's stood out and held her own in the middle against other players in her position at training and is such a strong and powerful athlete with a durable engine that allows her to play

big minutes up front. "I'm really looking forward to watching her continue to develop in our squad."

Aged 18 she moved to the Titans from the Norths Devils after 12 games of BMD Premiership last year. She started in every 2025 appearance, averaging 144 running metres and 24 tackles over 61 minutes per game.

A powerhouse forward, Fanua was selected in the Under 18 New Zealand M ori K tiro Rugby League team in 2024, while she was still living in Wainuiomata.

Tough start to Football season

By Ryan Imray

Wainuiomata’s first team kick started their Central League 2 campaign making the longest trip they will have to make all season, up to Napier to face Taradale AFC. It was a scorching 26 degrees and a beautiful day for Football.

The opening 20 minutes didn’t create much. Both teams were feeling each other out while also battling the elements.

The first opportunity came to the visitors around the half hour mark which forced a great save from Wainuiomata goalkeeper Calum MartinBond.

Things took a turn for the worst for Wainuiomata just before half time.

Jack Imray was forced off with a back injury and a couple of minutes later, Taradale took the lead taking advantage of a re-shuffled defensive line.

Two minutes into the second half and Taradale doubled their lead.

Wainuiomata battled and tried to find an opening but the physicality and experience of Taradale proved too much and in the final 10 minutes of the game, Taradale secured all three points with their third goal of the game.

Wainuiomata’s Ethan Clarey fought hard in defence despite playing the final 10 minutes with a broken wrist.

Wainuiomata walked away with plenty of learnings from their first game at this level. Several players made their Wainuiomata debut and a few of the younger players got some valuable minutes, which will benefit them as the season progresses. The side will look to bounce back in their first home game of the season when they welcome Palmerston North Marist to Richard Prouse Park on Saturday 4 April.

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Of public revenue (6)

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