3 December Wainuiomata News

Wednesday December 3, 2025

Fantastic day

By Frank Neill

Thousands of people attended the hugely successful Christmas in the Nui celebration on 29 November. This huge turnout was very similar to both last year’s and the 2023 event, making them the biggest Christmas events Wainuiomata has ever held. Continued on page 2.

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Lots of people had fun

Continued from page 1

Christmas in the Nui was a great success, says Love Wainuiomata Co-ordinator Chastity Card.

“We have had an incredible amount of positive feedback about it.”

Frank Neill

wainui@wsn.co.nz 027 490 3916

SALES

Brenda Ingram-Johnson brenda@wsn.co.nz 021 640 152

Steve Maggs

steve@wsn.co.nz 027 765 8303 REPORTER

This year’s Christmas in the Nui was organised by K kiri Marae, TeHei Rangatahi and Love Wainuiomata. The Wainuiomata Community Hub and Library also organised Santa’s grotto, and time with Santa for tamariki and families at the event.

Christmas in the Nui “has been a great day,” says Teresea Olsen, the general manager of health and social services at K kiri Marae.

“This has been a really amazing time for the local community.

“They really enjoyed it.”

The majority of the event was created out of aroha, Ms Olsen says, as “we don’t get a lot of funds for it.”

She also paid tribute for the work TiHei Rangatahi Manager Renee Davies and her “amazing team” did to prepare for the day, which they did in conjunction with Love Wainuiomata.

The Santa’s grotto and visit by Santa was a “fantastic time for all the families to get together and have a few wonderful photos taken with Santa,” says Vera Pazan, Pou Tiaki (library assistant) at the Wainuiomata Library.

“This year’s event opened with a beautiful performance from Ng K kano Puatanga o Pukeatua Te Awa Kairangi, led by Aunty Linda Olsen and Mama Mate, setting a warm and uplifting tone for the day,” Chastity says.

“The entertainment continued with vibrant performances from Tu Te Maungaroa, Under the Sun, community karaoke, and Kaihautu and friends from Wainuiomata College representing Tihei Rangatahi.

“Dance Fit and the Junior Rock and Rollers brought energy and fun to the stage, inviting

Christmas at the Dog Park

Sunday 14 December, 10am - 12pm Les Dalton Dog Park, Wainuiomata

Share the Christmas spirit and come along to one of the greatest events on your dog’s calendar!

Be sure to dress up your dog as we will have a photographer to capture your dog’s very own Christmas portrait.

everyone to join in, move their feet and be part of the celebration.

“Free tamariki activities were a major highlight of the day, delivered by the Wainuiomata Community Board, Naku Enei Tamariki, and Barnardos.

“Kids enjoyed a wide range of games, painting, moko stencils and much more, ensuring families had plenty to explore, create and experience together.

“Thanks to Nga Hau e Wha Wainuiomata Marae and the Maori Wardens [who] ensured a safe and clean space for all.

“Stallholders filled the hall and surrounding outdoor areas, creating a vibrant marketplace

of options for wh nau to enjoy,” Chastity says.

“The event drew thousands of locals who came together to mark the start of the holiday season.

“From delicious kai shared among friends and neighbours, to dancing in the sun, to the joyful laughter of children enjoying a day full of activities, Christmas in the Nui once again showcased the generosity, spirit and unity of the community.

“And the celebrations don’t end there. There are many more fun and exciting Christmas activities happening across the Nui that you can be part of. “The festive season is well and truly alive in Wainuiomata,” Chastity says.

Jake Whitaker wins NZ title again

By Andy McGechan

Wainuiomata’s Jake Whitaker has done it again, adding a fourth national hard enduro title to his impressive motorcycling résumé at the weekend.

Whitaker completed Sunday’s finale just over 15 minutes ahead of Luke Doerner-Corson, with Owen Broughton, Bulls’ rider Connor Newton (Sherco) and Jake Wightman rounding out the top five in the premier Gold Grade.

This meant the final rankings overall saw Whitaker finish up on top, with Doerner-Corson second, Wightman third, Broughton fourth and Auckland’s Mitchell Gallagher (Beta) rounding out the top five for the series.

In the end, the multi-skilled Whitaker was the only rider to win more than one round in the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Hard Enduro Nationals, his three wins (at round three, round four and AT the weekend’s finale) eclipsing his main rivals who each celebrated just the solitary round win apiece. KTM rider Whitaker managed an unaccustomed and, by his high standards at least, disappointing fifth overall at round five of seven in this year’s Yamaha-sponsored Hard Enduro Nationals held at Moonshine, in the Akatarawa Forest near Pauatahanui, north-east of Porirua, in late September. Even so, this was still enough for him to retain his outright series lead, and he was anticipating a torrid battle in particular with his main title challengers – Whitecliffs rider Luke Doerner-Corson (KTM), Tokoroa’s Jake Wightman (KTM) and Whangarei’s Owen Broughton (KTM) – as the series headed down south for the penultimate round near Christchurch just over two weeks ago.

scene in

But that round was cancelled when heavy rain made the course incredibly treacherous and this determined that Sunday’s seventh and final round, the “Battle of Brittons” series finale, on forestry land off the Haywards Hill near Porirua, had just become a must-win for each of the key title contenders.

“My worst result of the series was at round five near Wellington, but I still had a points advantage starting the final weekend,” explained Jake, a 34-yearold father-of-two who is also a record eight-time New Zealand champion in the separate motorcycling code of trials riding.

“I just needed to stay focussed on getting the job done.

“The course was tight and relentless, with not much time to rest the body between sections.

“It was very steep in places, with waterfalls, creek beds and forestry. It had a bit of everything and was very slippery,” Jake said.

New Plymouth’s Luke Thompson (on a Vertigo trials bike) won round one in Taranaki back in March, Doerner-Corson won round two in Central Otago in April and Rotorua’s Bradley Lauder (GasGas) won round five at Moonshine in September.

First meeting of new board

By Frank Neill

The new Wainuiomata Community Board will hold its first meeting tomorrow, Thursday 4 December.

The meeting will be held at the Wainuiomata Community Hub and will start at 6:30pm.

Following the Mayor’s address, to be read by Deputy Mayor Keri Brown, the board will elect its Chair and Deputy Chair for the thee-year term.

That will be followed by a time where members of the public can speak.

One presentation is on the agenda – a verbal presentation by Belinda and Billy Weepu on the development of a care facility at the Wainuiomata Masonic Village.

The board will then set the schedule of meetings for 2026, followed by the board considering the Democracy Advisor’s report.

The new community board membership is Lesa Bingley, Anaru Ryall, Vatau Sagaga, Daniel Chrisp, Lahraine Sagaga, Nicky Smith, Deputy Mayor Keri Brown and Councillor Te Awa Puketapu.

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Regional council’s slimmer committees

Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) has slimmed down its committee structure for the current triennium.

This has come in the wake of the Government announcement that it will replace regional councils with panels of local Mayors.

“We will not be daunted by the prospect of reform or shirk the duties we’ve been elected to perform,” says GWRC Chair Daran Ponter.

“It’s business as usual.

“Buses and trains will keep running and we’ll continue to safeguard our environment with mana whenua partners.

“These functions will persist whatever form is taken by local government.

“Change may be years away, but as your elected representatives, we’ll ensure service continuity and governance of the highest calibre,” Cr Ponter says.

“As regional councillors, we’ve long anticipated reform and will carry on delivering the services our communities have elected us to provide,” says Greater Wellington Deputy Chair Adrienne Staples.

“With this skilled and energetic group of

LETTERS to the editor

Regional councils

I would like to congratulate our local MP Chris Bishop for announcing a reorganistion of local authorities.

He has announced a plan to replace regional councils with panels made up of local Mayors.

This plan has promise to deliver for ratepayers.

For a start it will reduce the cost of providing the services regional councils currently provide by doing away with the costs of running meetings, paying the regional councillors and probably some staff costs, among other cost savings.

Maori wards

Can’t understand the fuss.

The M ori ward members are elected by democratic vote which is more than I can say for many MPs, including M ori, who have no loyalty to anyone except themselves. Of course there are exceptions and we as

Councillors, we’ve worked hard to shape a prudent committee structure and choose leaders to preserve and strengthen Greater Wellington functions as we move together towards a brave new world.”

Lower Hutt Councillor Quentin Duthie, who has regularly presented at Wainuiomata Community Board meetings over the last three years, has been appointed Chair of the Environment and Climate Committee.

Wainuiomata resident Gabriel Tupou has been appointed Deputy Chair of the Committee.

The leaders of the other GWRC committees are: Regional Transport Committee, Penny Gaylor (Chair), Daran Ponter (Deputy Chair); Public Transport Committee, Ros Connelly (Chair), Tom James (Deputy Chair); Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, Yadana Saw (Chair), Sarah Free (Deputy Chair); Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti, Daran Ponter (Chair), Shamia Makarini (Deputy Chair); Chief Executive Employment Committee, Simon Woolf (Chair), Phil Rhodes (Deputy Chair).

Pool petition handed to Mayor

The new panels will obviously still need to employ staff, such as park rangers for example, but it is likely that some other staff will no longer be needed.

It could also possibly see some enhanced decision-making, as well as enhanced cooperation between councils in the region.

In my view it is an idea that is certainly well worth trying out.

I cannot put my name forward for publication as my employer has a requirement that we don’t make statements to the media.

Anonymous

The Wainuiomata Pool Petition was formally handed over to Lower Hutt Mayor Fauono Ken Laban and the Hutt City Council on Friday 28 November.

The petition was handed over by its organiser, Wainuiomata Community Board member Anaru Ryall.

voters are maybe more to blame for that than them along with the two major parties who are waiting for the other party to blink on this matter.

So if you want to keep democracy in NZ?

David L F Smith

Your Trusted Concrete Experts in Wellington for Over 25 Years

The petition attracted 800 signatures. It calls on the Council to recommit the $36 million already earmarked in the Long Term Plan for the much-needed Wainuiomata Pool refurbishment.

“A huge mihi to Mayor Ken for formally accepting this petition,” Anaru says.

“This is what strong community organising looks like.

“Because of the mahi of our people, every single Mayoral candidate publicly committed to keeping this funding in place.

“That was a massive achievement for our community.

“But now that the election is over, it’s critical we ensure that commitment sticks, especially with a line-by-line budget review under way in the first 100 days of the new administration,” Anaru says.

Tabling this petition “sends a clear message: to stay;

refurbished pool facility; [and] and hold decision-makers accountable.

“Thank you to everyone who signed, shared, rallied and believed in this kaupapa,” Anaru says.

“Wainuiomata deserves its fair share, and we’re not backing down.”

LOCAL TRADES

TRUST A LOCAL

Only a starting point

The government’s announcement that it will replace regional councils with panels made up of local Mayors “is only a starting point,” Lower Hutt Mayor Ken Laban says.

“We will wait to hear more from the Government about what this could mean for the Hutt and wider region.

“I look forward to having conversations with our regional colleagues soon,” the Mayor says.

There was clear majority support for a discussion around council amalgamation in Hutt City Council’s non-binding referendum, held as part of this year’s Local Body Elections, the Mayor says.

“There has been k rero for some time about the future of regional councils and at some stage we were always going to have this conversation.

“There are many separate councils across our region, and we need to work with the Government to make sure we have the right structure and the right scale to serve our communities well.

“In our recent referendum, a majority of Hutt residents voted in favour of looking at amalgamation.

“That’s an important signal and the government’s announcement reflects a similar mood across the region,” Mayor Laban says.

Selected for games box off

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata boxer Raymond Seumanu has been selected to box off for possible selection in New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games team.

He is one of four boxers selected for the box-off, which will take place in Cambridge, Hamilton, on 12 and 13 December.

Raymond will need to win his first match, on 12 December, to progress to the 13 December round.

If he wins that, Raymond will then go into another selection process, which will involve boxing overseas early next year.

His selection in the Commonwealth Games team will involve Raymond not only winning but also showing the selectors that he is a good medal prospect for New Zealand.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland from 23 July to 2 August next year.

Raymond will be boxing in the 70kg light middleweight division.

His selection for the box off follows Raymond winning the light middleweight silver medal in the 2025 New Zealand National Boxing Championships held at the Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua, from 23 to 27 September.

He won every round of his matches on his way to the final.

Raymond then found himself facing the vastly experienced Auckland boxer Wendell Stanley, who has won five New Zealand titles and secured the prized Jameson Belt, awarded to the most scientific senior boxer, in 2023.

A much taller boxer than Raymond, Wendell won the final on points.

Raymond, who boxes for the Wainuiomata Boxing Club, entered the New Zealand championships as the reigning Wellington Boxing champion, having won back to back titles in 2024 and 2025.

He began boxing when he was 11 years old and has been boxing for about 10 years, having taken around five years away from the sport.

He has now boxed in 43 matches over his career, winning 37 of them.

His ambitions are to box professionally, to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games, to own his own gymn, to give back to boxing and help young kids.

Raymond already has five New Zealand titles to his name, having won cadets and junior titles for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2017. He has also competed internationally.

He won bronze while representing New Zealand at the Lithuania Boxing Tournmament in 2017.

He went one better a year later, winning silver at the 2018 Oceania Games in Samoa while representing his country.

Raymond’s boxing prowess saw

Ulalei Oli lighting up Netball

By Karen Sagaga

Ulalei Oli’s talented Year 5 and 6 team are lighting up Netball Hutt Valley Twilight Competition.

The team is made up of 9 and 10 year olds from St Claudine’s School.

Most of the players played during the winter season and loved it so much they were keen to play in the twilight competition.

Ulalei Oli have continued to build their skills and confidence under the guidance of coach Alofa Aberdein-Tapuai.

Alofa brings a wealth of skill and experience to the team, being a double Premier 1 champion with Ulalei Aute in 2024 and 2025.

Playing on Monday nights, the team has dominated their grade, winning all but one match, including a stunning 20 goal victory last week. Alofa is pleased with the progress of the players skill

level.

“I really enjoy coaching them, they bring lots of good energy to both training and games so it’s a joy to take them,” she says.

One of the parents was extremely complimentary of Alofa’s commitment and her ability to communicate with the youngsters.

She said: “The girls have shown incredible progress under Alofa’s coaching and are fortunate to be developing these foundation skills at such a young age.

“She has no personal connection to any of the players and yet she gives her time so generously.

“The players love Alofa. Every team needs an Alofa”

Ulalei Wainuiomata Netball is proud that senior players like Alofa are giving back to the community and helping grow the game of netball at the grassroots.

Seumanu. Photo:

named Wainuiomata High School’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2015 when he was aged 15 years.

At the time he was the youngest ever to win the school’s Sportsperson of the Year award.

49. Advocate (9) 51. Indication (5) 52. Bet takers(coll) (7) 53. Presses (5)

54. Ornamental staff (7)

55. Takes back property (for non- payment) (11)

DOWN

1. Public square (5)

2. Things that hinder progress (11)

3. Style of lightly fried egg (4-4)

4. Science of vision (6)

5. Prayer leaders(in mosques) (5)

Colour (4)

Injured parties (7)

Barrel maker (6)

Look (3)

Snow runner (3)

Closer (6)

Some (7)

Ballad (4)

Insect (3)

Garland (3)

Whirl (4)

Ungenerous (7)

Traps (6)

Funds official (9)

6. Japanese seafood dish (7)

7. Band member (8)

8. Parhelion (3,3)

9. Hinders (7)

10. Punctured (5)

16. Frequents (7)

17. Inns (7)

19. Wood-turning machine (5)

20. Giggles (7)

22. Angers (7)

24. Baked dish (3)

26. Maori dance prop (3)

29. Makes acquaintance of (5)

31. Deed holders (11)

32. Ocean (3)

33. Large Indian tree (3)

38. Dreadful (8)

40. Very quickly (2,2,4)

42. Repeat (7)

44. Zeal (7)

46. Rise (6)

47. Wakens (6)

48. Hauls (5)

49. Preen (5)

50. Chores (5) Solution

Last week: 26 November 2025

Big win by Wainui Cricketers

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Life Direct premier mens Cricket team scored their third straight victory with a big eight wicket win over the Sri Lankan Sports Club on 29 November.

The Sri Lankans won the toss and chose to bat in the 50 over premier 2 match on Bryan Heath Park.

Wainuiomata then bowled the visitors out for just 110 runs in 33 overs and three balls. It took the home team just 25 overs to cruise to victory, and they finished on 111 for two wickets.

Logan Stoupe starred with the ball, taking four wickets at a cost of 28 runs in his 10 overs.

Ryan Jackson chimed in with two wickets for 30.

Gurpreet Singh took one wicket for 18 runs, James Riley one wicket for 26 runs and Liam McGee secured two run outs.

Jordan Rangikauhata scored a half century and went on to finish the day on 54 not out.

Roshan Sugathan also kept his wicket intact, scoring 27 runs.

Ryan followed up his good bowling by scoring 17 runs.

Following Saturday’s victory, Wainuiomata sits in third place on the Wellington premier 2 table. Wainuiomata travels to Alex Moore Park on 6 December and will play the second

placed Johnsonville team. The match starts at 10:30am.

The Wainuiomata Design and Build women’s team dominated Naenae Old Boys in their T20 match, played at Ian Galloway Park on 29 November.

After restricting Naenae to 119 for the loss of three wickets, Wainuiomata did not lose a wicket in overhauling Naenae’s total. They took just 13 overs to reach 122 without loss.

Just as she had done a week earlier, Marina McCarthy scored a half century for Design and Build before retiring.

She finished the day on 51 not out, scored from just 35 balls. Matie Whitman finished the day on 55 not out, and also scored at a fast rate, having faced only 38 deliveries. Isabella Peniata took one of the Naenae wickets to fall at a cost of 9 runs and Amalia Lipidis took one wicket for 18 runs. Wainuiomata Design and Build currently leads to division three table and is the only undefeated team with three wins from its first three matches. The teams’s next match is against Upper Hutt United at Richard Prouse Park on 6 December, starting at 2pm. Wainuiomata Life Direct were due to play City Suburbs – Brooklyn on 29 November, but the game was cancelled

They will play Naenae Old Boys at Richard Prouse Park on 6 December, starting at 2pm.

Friday gala at High School

By Frank Neill

Te Kura Matua o Wainuiomata is running its Wainuiomata Christmas Gala from 5pm to 9pm on Friday 5 December.

The gala will take place at the Wainuiomata High School car park.

It promises to be a “vibrant night out with arts and crafts stalls, delicious kai

and festive community fun for the whole family,” Wainuiomata High School’s Deputy Principal M tauranga Te Rauna says. The gala will be “a magical community evening filled with holiday cheer, awesome gifts and delicious kai.” In fact it will be “festive community fun for the whole family.” The gala is free, and stallholders do not have to pay for a stall either.

KOKIRI MARAE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Measles is here

Check your Plunket / Well Child books, or call your GP.

If you’re not sure, no worries. Contact your doctor to check. It’s safe to get the vaccine again if you have no record of receiving it.

0800 611 116 for advice.

Kokiri are able to check to see whether you have had the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccination as well – this saves you a call to your GP. If there is no documentation as having received the MMR vaccine, then it is safe to have.