8 April Wainuiomata News

Wednesday April 8, 2026

New deputy

By Frank Neill

The Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade has a new Deputy Chief Fire Officer – Tamati Kaa.

Deputy CFO Kaa was presented his new Deputy CFO helmet by Chief Fire Officer Ahron Eastall at a ceremony at the fire station on 2 April. He was promoted from being the brigade’s Senior Station Officer. Continued on page 2.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer

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Privilege to lead exceptional group

Continued from page 1

“It’s my privilege to help lead an exceptional group of people, to pass on the knowledge that I’ve learnt from others before me, and to equip them to take over this role that I currently have,” Tamati says.

Tamati began his firefighting career when he joined the Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade in April 2008.

He joined after reading a story in the local paper that said the brigade was short of members and were recruiting.

“I wanted to help make a difference and thought ‘if not me, then who’, so I made enquiries and joined.

“I was working locally at Whitireia Polytechnic at the time, and was able to turn out to daytime calls.

“After joining, I discovered that almost all volunteer fire brigades have difficulties with crewing during working hours, so me being available during working hours (thanks to a very understanding employer) was a definite advantage.

“During my time with the Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade, I learnt a great deal from Brigade Training Officer ex-DCFO Brian Gardiner.

“The skills, knowledge and practices he passed on to me have formed the foundation upon which I have built my own Fire Service career.

“I served with the Titahi Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade until December 2014, and transferred to the Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade in January 2015 after purchasing a home here to be closer to my partner’s wh nau,”

Tamati says.

His time with the Wainuiomata brigade was preceded by two job changes – first, to the Reserve Bank and later to New Zealand Fire Service National Headquarters (which

became Fire and Emergency New ZealandNational Headquarters) in 2017.

“Being involved with the organisation both operationally and at the national level gave me valuable insights into how command intent translates into operational execution.

“While working there, I had opportunities to provide operational-level feedback and context to people making decisions that would ultimately impact on me and the people I serve with,” he says.

“The Wainuiomata Volunteer Fire Brigade is a busy brigade and there have been plenty of opportunities for me to contribute to and assist the community here.”

Wainuiomata “is a unique community that people should feel rightly proud of belonging to.

“It has a genuine small-town feel while only being a 25-minute drive from our country’s capital.

“To those of you in our community who have heard the siren go off in the middle of the night and wondered if there’s anything that you could be doing to help, I would say to you, yes there is.

“Please visit fireandemergency.nz/volunteerfor more information about how you can help.”

The meetings of the Board will be held on: Thursday 16 April 2026 Thursday 18 June 2026

Thursday 20 August 2026 Thursday 5 November 2026

Meetings are held in the Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub, Queen St, Wainuiomata at 6.30pm. You are very welcome to attend.

Papakainga building contracts signed

By Frank Neill

Building contracts for the new eco-papakainga at the Wainuiomata Marae were signed on Wednesday last week by the Wainuiomata Marae Charitable Trust (WMCT) Chair Star Olsen.

The papakainga project is called He Tipu Manahau: Kia Mau Te R (To grow resilience; To keep hold of the sun).

It will see 12 affordable rental houses of between one and four bedrooms built on the Marae’s whenua.

Last Wednesday’s signing “is another milestone in the Marae’s history,” Star says. About 15 years ago “we started with just an idea and this is where we have got to.”

Currently Wainuiomata company Wellington Pipelines is working on ground preparation for the papakainga, and the new building will be carried out by Lower Hutt firms Ignite Building Co and Kiwi Build.

The WMCT has engaged Urban Plus Limited (HCC’s development organisation) as development manager. The building project manager is Jaco Roussouw of Urban Plus.

The new eco-papakainga is based on the vision and values of the Wainuiomata Marae which are contained in the Marae’s

Development Plan created in 2021.

The papakainga’s houses will be connected to the Marae through design features, pathways, tohu and services for residents.

Two ANZAC Day services

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata will honour the sacrifice of those who have served New Zealand during times of war with two ANZAC Day ceremonies this year.

The ANZAC Dawn Ceremony will take place at 6am at the Wainuiomata Cenotaph, Queen Street on 25 April.

The annual ANZAC Parade will take place at 11:30am on ANZAC Day.

The parade, featuring veterans, uniformed services, voluntary groups and school representatives, will march along Te Ara Raukura to the Wainuiomata War Memorial in Queen Street. Following the Civic Service light refreshments will be provided at the Wainuiomata Library, hosted by the Wainuiomata Community Board. The Wainuiomata ANZAC Parade Committee asks that kaum tua and dignitaries are seated by 11:20am for the parade.

Discover new favourites at the 2026 Wellington Women's Lifestyle Expo

The Wellington Women’s Lifestyle Expo is returning to TSB Arena on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April, bringing together shopping, inspiration and indulgence across an entire weekend.

Showcasing 150 lifestyle brands, the event promises a vibrant showcase of fashion, beauty, health, food, travel, eco-friendly products and more. Visitors can browse an exciting mix of well-known brands and unique small businesses while discovering new products, delicious treats and gathering inspiration across a wide range of lifestyle categories.

Adding to the excitement, attendees will have the chance to enter to win an incredible holiday for two to Hawaii, including return flights to Honolulu and seven nights' accommodation in Waikiki, all thanks to World Travellers and Hawaiian Airlines.

Much-loved areas return this year, including the Artisan Zone, showcasing talented New Zealand makers with handcrafted jewellery, art and natural skincare, and the Taste Zone, where visitors can sample a delicious range of gourmet foods and beverages, from sweet treats and artisan coffee to handcrafted spirits.

This year’s event also welcomes fresh faces, including Smooth Ink Studios with specialised treatments for scars and skin

concerns, and the Big Bang Adventure Race for those seeking an outdoor challenge. Returning favourites include iBody – skincare inspired by nature and backed by science, and Alexa & Kara offering stylish earrings at affordable prices.

New this year is the Seminar Sessions, a dedicated space where visitors can take a break from shopping and hear from experts throughout the day. Sessions will cover topics including women’s wellness, improving sleep and financial advice tailored specifically to women.

Emily Travers, Head of NZME Events, says “The Wellington Women’s Lifestyle Expo brings together an impressive variety of businesses, from passionate local entrepreneurs to well-known national brands.

“The atmosphere is always fantastic –you’ll see groups of girlfriends shopping together, mums and daughters discovering new brands, sampling products and enjoying a relaxed day out. With wellness experts sharing practical advice and the introduction of our seminar space, there’s also plenty of opportunity to learn something new and leave feeling motivated and uplifted.”

Earlybird tickets start from $8 (plus a small booking fee) and are available at iTICKET, or at the door for $13. Children five and under are free.

The Marae will also be developing a series of initiatives where people living in the papkainga can become involved, such as workshops.

Local grant

Arohanui Strings – Sistema Hutt Valley, which run a music group in Wainuiomata, has received a grant of $25,000 in the latest round of grants from the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT).

NZCT made the grant to pay for a contractor.

NZCT disbursed $445,930.64 to organisations in the Wellington region in the latest round of funding, announced on 2 April.

Relay for Life

Wainuiomata High School student

Ben Oran, along with some others from the school, is taking part in this year’s Relay for Life.

The relay is being held to raise money for Cancer Society NZ and people who suffer from cancer.

People can donate to Ben’s Relay for Life participation by visiting https://wellington.relayforlife.org. nz/ben-oran.

Buses becoming very popular

March was the busiest month on record for Metlink bus passengers, with nearly 2.7 million trips across the Wellington region.

Overall, Metlink services recorded 3.6 million trips across bus, rail and harbour ferries, making March the highest month for public transport use since 2019.

Greater Wellington Transport Committee Chair Ros Connelly says it’s encouraging to see more people choosing public transport.

“These figures show a rapid up take in public transport use, above and beyond annual March madness.

“The fuel crisis is having a clear impact on the cost of living, and using public transport is a great way to save money and reduce fuel use,” Cr Connelly says.

“While March shows a near record volume of people travelling across our network, Metlink is still under considerable financial pressure to maintain current levels of service.”

Transport Committee Deputy Chair Tom James says Metlink is monitoring capacity closely.

“With more people travelling, especially on Tuesdays through Thursdays, we are seeing that some services are getting really full,” Cr James says.

“We’re reviewing our capacity and are working with operators to ensure our buses and trains continue to meet demand as the fuel situation continues.

“If you have a flexible working arrangement, you may want to consider travelling outside of peak times to secure a seat and discount.”

Cr Connelly says she is confident that public transport use will remain high into April, with passengers soon able to pay adult fares with their credit and debit card on Metlink buses and trains.

“Very soon, choosing public transport will be even easier, with more ways to pay for your journey,” adds Cr Connelly.

“The introduction of electronic payments from 12 April will make public transport easier to use and help people adjust to using new payment methods, before we transition to the National Ticketing Solution Motu Move in 2027.”

Meeting on new political party

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata resident David Smith is planning to set up a new political party and he is running a meeting to ascertain the level of interest among people in the valley.

The meeting will be held in room 1 at the Wainuiomata Library from 7pm to 9pm on Friday 24 April.

The meeting will also explore getting sufficient backing to register the party this year.

Named NZ Party of Hope, it will provide an alternative vision for the future of New Zealand.

“Our two greatest assets are the environment and the people who call New Zealand home,” David says.

“If we do not show enough intent to close the gap between the haves and the have nots we will be putting democracy in this country at risk.

“A mix of privately owned business and state provided services serves a democracy best when clear rules are in place to remind both business and [the] state that neither should control aspects of our daily lives or forget [that] environmental protection is an economic necessity,” he says.

“Democracy is the linchpin that holds societies together and holds individuals to account.

“A belief in democracy is the best defence against extremist views and brings the least damage to lives and property.

“It creates more opportunities for win-win situations and lessens the number of them and us situations,” David says.

“A functioning democracy that has the health and wellbeing of the population at is heart should be the first and most important.”

David also says that “only an atmosphere

that gives hope for things to become better sooner rather than later will persuade the majority to work together to keep democracy alive and well.”

David is looking to register the NZ Party of Hope because “I can no longer sit back and watch a community I love being taken advantage of and changed by developments on an unprecedented scale without proper planning or forethought and, most insulting of all, pushing ahead without fully consulting the locals.”

David has served as President of both the Wainuiomata Lions Club and Toastmasters.

Easter adventure encourages local exploration

This Easter and throughout the school holidays, Love Wainuiomata is inviting families to get out and explore their own backyard through a fun initiative, theWainuiomata Easter Adventure.

Teaming up with Mitre 10 MEGA Wellington, Wellington Pipelines Ltd, and The Sign Team, the activation features 16 locations spread across Wainuiomata, encouraging wh nau to visit, discover and engage with the area in an interactive way.

Participants simply scan QR codes at each location, snap a photo as proof and upload their entry to go in the draw to win one of three prizes.

Each stop along the adventure increases the chances of winning, with every location visited earning an additional entry.

Love Wainuiomata says the concept is designed to be simple, accessible and rewarding for families looking for local low-cost activities during the holidays.

Beyond the prizes, the initiative has a strong

community focus.

By keeping the activity local, the Easter Adventure helps minimise fuel costs for families while promoting the many parks, reserves and hidden gems throughout Wainuiomata. It also encourages residents to support local businesses and spend time together outdoors.

“This is about creating opportunities for our community to connect, explore and make memories together,” a Love Wainuiomata spokesperson says.

“We want wh nau to rediscover what’s right on their doorstep.”

Families can take part at their own pace over the school holiday period, making it an easy and flexible option for keeping children entertained.

More information, including how to participate, can be found online at https://www.lovewainuiomata.co.nz/wainuieaster-adventure or visit Love Wainuiomata’s Facebook page to check out the prizes.

Have Your Say in New Zealand’s Future

Interested in a fresh vision for New Zealand?

Come and hear about the proposed new political movement

NZ Party of Hope

Speaker: David Smith (Wainuiomata)

Room 1, Wainuiomata Library

Friday 24th April 7:00pm – 9:00pm

This is your chance to:

Hear a new vision for NZ

Get involved from the ground up

Help build a new political movement

We’re looking for support to form a committee and reach the 500+ members required for registration and we need your help!

LOCAL TRADES TRUST A LOCAL

Council consulting on annual plan

Hutt City Council is inviting residents to have their say on rates, fees and charges, and future choices in its Draft Annual Plan for 2026–27.

The draft plan sets out how Council is responding to cost pressures, Government proposed direction on rates capping and major reform across local government.

Mayor Ken Laban says the draft plan focuses on keeping costs down while protecting the services people rely on every day.

“We know households are under real pressure,” Mayor Laban says.

“With renewed cost of living pressures and global uncertainty, it’s more important than ever we keep rates as affordable as possible.”

The proposed rates increase is $4.33 per week, or $225 per year, for an average household. This proposal represents a 9.5% rates revenue increase after growth, down from 12.9% signalled last year.

Mayor Laban says the draft plan also sets a framework for important conversations in the coming months about matters covered in Council’sAdjusting Our Sails Target Operating Model, approved by Council in February 2026. It outlines the changes needed to reduce costs and meet the Government’s proposed rates cap.

This includes savings of about $24 million annually by 2034.

“This approach means we can work as best as we can to help households manage cost of living pressures, which now include rising fuel prices,” the Mayor says.

“No decisions have been made and community input will be essential over the next 15 months.”

Consultation on the Draft Annual Plan 202627 closes at 5pm on 1 May 2026.

“But change at this scale won’t be easy and will involve difficult conversations about the services we provide and the assets we own.

By Frank Neill

Sunday Pickleball comes to Wainuiomata on 12 April.

It will be held every Sunday from 4:45pm to 7:45pm at Te P taka K rero o Wainuiomata – The Wainuiomata Neighbourhood Hub, starting this Sunday.

This event will provide the community with a fun and social evening of Pickleball.

“Whether you're a beginner or a regular player, come along, get active and meet others in the community,” the event organisers say.

“Bring your friends and give it a go.”

Invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game, Pickleball is a hybrid of tennis, table tennis and badminton, played using a paddle and a wiffle ball.

It is played on a badminton-sized court, which is divided by a net that is 86cm high. That is about 5cm lower than a tennis net.

It is played with a smooth-faced paddle, which is used to hit a hollow plastic ball.

The aim of the game is to hit the ball over the net in a way that causes your opponent to make a mistake.

Games are typically around 15 minutes long.

Reserves open Football season with thriller

By Ryan Imray

For the first time in 2026 Football returned to Richard Prouse Park as both the reserves and the first team played out a double header.

The reserves, who earned promotion in 2025, hosted Naenae Football Club in their opening fixture in Capital 2 and nobody could predict the 90 minutes that followed.

It only took 5 minutes for the first goal to be scored when the visitors took the lead thanks to a fantastic free-kick.

The lead only lasted a minute as Braydon Gelderblom converted the penalty that he won after being fouled inside the box.

Just two minutes later and the hosts took the lead when Braydon found himself oneon-one with the goalkeeper and calmly put the ball past former Wainui goalkeeper Jared Cunningham.

Naenae struck twice before half-time to give them a 3-2 lead going into the break.

The second half produced another five goals.

Rafin Rath scored 10 minutes into the second half before Braydon secured his hat-trick to make it 4-3 to Wainui.

Naenae made it 4-4 with 10 minutes to play

before Braydon scored his fourth goal with five minutes to go.

In the dying moments of the game, Naenae put the ball into the back of the net to make the game 5-5.

It was an entertaining opening fixture which saw Braydon Gelderblom awarded Man of the Match with his four goal haul and his assist for Rafin’s goal.

The first team hosted Palmerston North Marist for their second round Central League 2 fixture with both sides looking to bounce back from opening round defeats.

It seemed like a mirror image of the week before for Wainuiomata, when an early injury forced a substitution and they fell behind not long after.

The visitors were ahead at the break and Wainuiomata came out in the second half firing.

Unlike the first half, Wainuiomata dominated the second half but couldn’t seem to find that all important goal.

Bryce Jones on debut provided a Man of the Match performance, coming up with crucial saves in crucial moments to keep the hosts in it.

In the 92nd minute, two minutes into the

added six minutes given by referee Matt Harrison, Wainuiomata finally found the goal they had been chasing.

Ben Taylor, playing his first game of the season, was the quickest to react in the box following an effort that was deflected off the crossbarand put the ball in the back of the net.

Everyone at Richard Prouse Park erupted and jumped into rapturous celebrations but sadly, it was short lived. In the 94th minute, the visitors won it with one of the final efforts on goal.

Wainuiomata hosts Douglas Villa on the 11 April, hoping it is third time lucky and they can finally get off the mark.

Wainuiomata had two other teams in action across the weekend.

The third team travelled out to Tawa in their Wellington Plate fixture and the young side unfortunately left empty handed as Tawa won 2-0.

On Sunday, the women’s team played their Art Deco Trophy against Brooklyn United, a side playing two leagues above them.

Despite holding Brooklyn to just a 1-0 lead at half time, the young Wainuiomata squad that was thin on numbers due to the long weekend ended up losing 5-0.

Wainui kicks off 80th year with victory

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata kicked off its 2026 Rugby season, also its 80th year, with a convincing 48-14 victory over Avalon on 4 April.

In doing so they retained the Anthony Waldom Trophy, played for annually between the two clubs.

Playing on its home ground of William Jones Park, Wainuiomata led 24-7 at half time.

This scored was exactly doubled in the second spell.

Wainuiomata’s dominance saw them win the match by eight tries to two.

Half back Keanu Kotuhi, midfield back Ray Va’a and full back Campbell Cowie scored two tries each.

Wainui

By Frank Neill

Playing in his debut match, centre Emmanuel Solomona scored one try, and Wainuiomata was awarded a penalty try.

Emmanuel also ,kicked two conversions, while Tyler Tane converted another try.

Renata Kotuhi chalked up a milestone in the match, playing his 50th Premier match for Wainuiomata.

He played his debut match in 2022.

Emmanuel was one of six players who made their premier debuts on 4 April, with Terra Masae, Brandon Maneff, James Holbrook, Kapani Maake, and Elijah Solomona also running onto the field

The opening sector of the season

sees the 14 teams in the Premier competition play each other to decide the Swindale Shield.

Following that the top eight teams in the competition will contest the Jubilee Cup, the symbol of supremacy in Wellington club Rugby.

Wainuiomata’s second round match is against Old Boys University at William Jones Park on 11 April, with a 2:45pm kick off.

Wainuiomata’s premier 2 team did not have such a good day on 4 April, losing to Avalon 41-8.

The special year for the Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club sees it celebrating its 80th anniversary, and the club is planning Jubilee events around King’s Birthday weekend.

Boxer continues winning ways

Wainuiomata boxer Raymond Seumanu continues his progress towards possible selection in New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games team.

In his latest match Raymond won a unanimous points decision over Hamilton boxer Ayed Ashtar, despite giving away 5kg in weight.

This meant he was facing a boxer in a higher weight category.

Following his 28 March victory in the match, held in Tauranga, Raymond attended his third Commonwealth Games three-day training camp in Auckland, which finished on 5 April.

He attended the training camp following his selection in Boxing New Zealand’s Commonwealth Games training squad.

His selection came after he won both his 2026 Commonwealth Games Selection

Box-offs in the 70kg light middleweight division, held at the Velodrome in Cambridge, Hamilton, in December.

Raymond boxes for the Wainuiomata Boxing Club and the club is now fundraising for Raymond’s Commonwealth Games bid.

Any donation, no matter how small, would be appreciated, and people can organise making a donation by contacting Craig Bennett on 027 453 893.

Any local businesses that would like to assist Raymond with his fundraising are also welcome to contact Craig.

Raymond began boxing when he was 11 years old and has been boxing for about 10 years.

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.

Ulalei celebrates biggest summer

Ulalei Wainuiomata Sport has wrapped up its primary schools summer programme after recording its biggest season since launching in 2023.

A total of 104 football teams and 100 touch teams took part across Ulalei’s third Monday Night Football league and its second Friday Night Touch module.

The events have now cemented themselves as permanent and much loved fixtures in Wainuiomata’s sporting calendar.

“We weren’t sure how it would go when we started this,” Ulalei’s Scott McLeod says.

“But once we saw the response, we knew we needed to make sure these events had a long-term home in Wainuiomata’s summer sports programme.

“Things have gone really well in season three as we continue to learn about running events,” Scott says.

At a time when several junior rugby clubs across Aotearoa are offering free registrations to encourage participation, Ulalei has been operating that way from day one.

“That was a nobrainer for us when we set these events up,” Ulalei’s Katrina Barclay says.

“We didn’t want any child missing out if we could help it.

“We are incredibly grateful to all our sponsors and supporters who make that possible,” Katrina says.

As schools now turn their attention to the winter codes, Ulalei acknowledges the generous support of the organisations that have enabled the competitions to remain free to enter: Nuku Ora, Hutt City Council, Healthy Families Hutt Valley, NZ Community Trust, Bunnings Warehouse Petone, Capital Football, McDonald’s Hutt Valley and One Foundation.

Arrest follows death in Wainuiomata

By Frank Neill

Police are treating the death of a man in Wainuiomata on Thursday 2 April as homicide and they are appealing to Wainuiomata people to provide them information.

The day after the man died the Police announced they had arrested a young person who has been charged with assault with a weapon.

Police were called to Wainuiomata Road, near Reading Street, about 9am last Thursday after a report of the man having been found unresponsive.

He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

“While his death was initially being treated as

unexplained, Police are now investigating the matter as a homicide,” the Police’s Wellington District Crime Manager Inspector Nick Pritchard says. Enquiries are ongoing.

“We would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident involving parties known to each other.

“There is not anticipated to be any risk to the wider public.

“Police are asking to hear from anyone who witnessed ... events unfolding, or who might have information to share.

“If you can help, please use our 105 service, and quote reference number 260402/6956.

“You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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.