A Quiet Saturday Morning in Motueka

Motueka

Hear's a photographic record of Motueka on a quiet Saturday morning the 6th November 2021, not many people out and about, but there were a lot of road works going on.

 

                                                                                    

                  

Pigeon Post News

Historic Bach on Boulder Bank burns down this week in Nelson

Nelson Fire Pigeon Post News

One of the baches on the boulder Bank burnt down this week. In the 1970’s there was an outcry in the community as the baches on Bolder Bank were going to be torn down, but today they are considered historical buildings.

Many people were concerned about the fire on Wednesday 3rd November about 11.30am and many calls were made to the Nelson Marlborough Fire Emergency services as the Boulder Bank is very visible too many residents in Nelson.

Nelson Marlborough Fire Emergency services had to be transported to the Boulder Bank by the Nelson award winning Coastguard as there are no roads to the baches on the Bank.

The Bach, believed to have been owned by local Alan Cederman, became engulfed in fire and the fire services were unable to save it.

I contacted the Nelson Marlborough Fire Emergency for an update, they referred me to the police who said that police investigations into it were ongoing. Because the building was historical I asked the Nelson City Council whether they would be doing an archeological investigation, but I have received no reply.

The Department of Conservation has managed the Boulder Bank since 1992. Since then owners have been issued with five-year renewable licences for their baches. Some of the baches were built in the 1940s and 1950s, while others did originate as rough shelters constructed by local fishermen and whalers in the 1880s and 1890s.

The baches were constructed from an innovative mix of building materials, such as kerosene tins, boulders and driftwood. These structures are unique and are significant for the way they reflect the use of materials readily to hand in the manner of their construction.

On Heritage New Zealand’s website it said the Boulder Bank baches were “architecturally significant” as examples of the traditional New Zealand bach, and represented a type of building that used to be seen often in rural and seaside locations.

The Nelson Boulder Bank / Te Taero a Kereopa is of cultural significance to Maori. It is considered a wahi tapu area that is integrally connected to the history of iwi occupation of the Whakatu, Nelson area.

Pigeon Post News

Hi Gardeners - November is Here

Gardening

Another month has gone for gardening, the pressure is on to get plants in the ground growing. Space may be scarce in the vegetable garden, but you can still sow rows of carrots, radish, and parsnip. If you have room plant some more lettuce and plant out slips/cuttings of Kumara.

Keep mounding up earth around your potatoes and get your yams in the ground as they will take 6 months to mature. 

Tomatoes, cucumber, sweet corn, eggplants, capsicum and chillies can all be planted once frosts have passed.

I have a glasshouse so my tomatoes are well over a metre high, already and I’m going to try some capsicums in there this year.

All your Dallas should be in the garden and your Peonies will be in glorious bloom. Once the plants have finished flowering, don’t trim back the stems. Leave them on the plant to draw energy from the sun to feed the clump for next year’s blooms.

I would like to hear what’s going on in your garden email me editor.pigeonpostnews@gmail.com

Local Plant Nursery now open to the public

The Tasman Bay Estates are growing their own, mainly native, plants in their nursery at 35 Horton Road. They have been planting natives on their properties and they want to support local restoration groups and welcome their amazing projects. 

Now they have opened their nursery to the public for retail sales at very good rates and with special discounts for mass planting. The nursery is open for the public every Wednesday and Saturday.

Pigeon Post News

Set fireworks off safely this Guy Fawkes

 

Fire - Guy Fawkes

Fire and Emergency wants anyone setting off fireworks this Guy Fawkes to carefully plan their display.

Risk Reduction and Investigations Manager Todd O’Donoghue says on average crews have been called to around 200 fireworks-related callouts each Guy Fawkes period in recent years."Good planning and preparation can help avoid a potentially dangerous situation," he says.

He says ACC data shows the most at risk groups for fireworks related injuries are children under 10 and men aged under 35.

"Borrowing a line from the team at ACC, if you’re going to use fireworks, have a hmmm before you start. Think about who may get harmed if a fire was to start and spread."

Todd O’Donoghue says there are a few easy steps fireworks users can take to reduce the potential risks.

- Watch the weather. If it is windy and dry, don’t light fireworks.

- Read the manufacturer’s instructions, light fireworks in an open area away from anything that could catch fire and keep a bucket of water handy.

- Remember fire can spread very quickly and a house fire can become un-survivable within three minutes.

- Light fireworks on level ground and point fireworks at the stars, not at people or at other people’s property.

- Check local bylaws for the rules around using fireworks in your area. In many places, you're only allowed to light fireworks on private property.

- Let your neighbours know if you are planning to set off fireworks and keep your pets inside.

ACC injury prevention programme leader James Whitaker says, "Most injuries are predictable and can be prevented. "If you can see it coming, you can stop it happening."

"When it comes to fireworks, ACC data shows that tamariki are among those most likely to be harmed and need ACC support. "No one wants their kids to get hurt so think about how your actions might harm others.

Pigeon Post News

NMIT’s Top of the South Trades Academy Hairdressing and Beauty Competitions - Very Creative and so Elegant

 

Left to right Hairdressing and Beauty tutors Paula Canning, Bex Machon,  Suzanne Boniface, Tarlia Rowling-Elgar, Lisa Salter at the rear of  Marlborough students' mannequins. 

Hair and makeup display students’ creativity

I recently had the joy of attending the awards for the NMIT’s Top of the South Trades Academy (TOTSA) hairdressing and beauty competitions.  

International styling, the solar system and Halloween all featured in NMIT’s Top of the South Trades Academy (TOTSA) hairdressing and beauty competitions recently.

The theme for this year’s competition was Around the World and the Level 2 students 

worked in groups of three as either the hairstylist, make-up artist or model.

Level 3 Creative Hair and Beauty students created the whole look themselves on models, and the Marlborough students had hairstyles pre-done on mannequins, and photographed the make-up on each other for display. The winners for this section were cast through public vote.

The students put a lot of work and effort into their looks and the judges agreed it was hard to decide on the place-getters. 

Place-getters were as follows-:

Level 2

1^st – Payton Webber, Skye Cole, Madi Morgan, Nga Meh.

2^nd – Carolanne Ker, Kaylee Streeter, Alicia Hunt.

3^rd – Gabrielle Heslop, Hannah Savage, Piper Blackbourn.

Highly commended – Libby Green, Maria Ku Meh, Tisha Dickman.

Level 3

1^st – Alara Neuman.

2^nd – Kristen Senekal.

3^rd – Rose Stuart.

Public vote - Mannequins 

1^st – Ella Gladman

2^nd – Reihana Turner-Taylor

3^rd – Danielle Freeth 

Public vote – Make-up

Mia McNicholl

The tutors were also impressed with the students’ ability to work as a team, and to use the skills they have learnt during their course to come up with some very creative looks.

The NMIT Trades Academy courses are always popular and a perfect way for secondary school students to try out an industry and see first-hand what it's like to study and train at NMIT.

For further information on Trades Academy course's contact Jolene.Theron@nmit.ac.nz

Level 2 & Level 3 students

Level 2 students

Make up competition students

Marlborough Students' mannequins

Pigeon Post News

The West Coast is taking a fresh approach to tackle the harm methamphetamine causes in the community.

New Zealand Police

A new Navigator role has been established on the West Coast to coordinate help for people impacted by the use of methamphetamine.  

These people may not know what services and support are available, and isolation and travel can make it hard for them to access help.

The new role will help connect them with the right services for their specific needs.

James Tainui a vocational support worker at PACT will be taking up the navigator role.  He says he’s looking forward to the challenge and isn’t expecting it to be all smooth sailing.

“I’m most-excited about targeting the very real problem of methamphetamine in our community and helping find not just a service, but the right service to help them.”

“A big part of this role will be convincing people in need that they actually need help.”

“Another big aspect will be bringing all the NGOs together and being the go-between to help them work together more-effectively.”

As part of his new role, James will also provide advice and support in the creation of further programmes to address methamphetamine harm on the West Coast.

West Coast Area Commander Inspector Jacqueline Corner says reducing the impact that methamphetamine causes in the community is a real priority for Police.

“Our objective really is to address demand through prevention and intervention. 

“While Police will assist in identifying those who require targeted support the new navigator role will be that conduit for providing the necessary services to those in particular need.  This is the navigator’s primary purpose and provides the community with a pathway to those services that has not been there before”.

The Methamphetamine Impact Group had its first meeting in October 2020 after the West Coast Cross Sector Forum identified methamphetamine harm as a priority action it needed to address.

Current members of the MIG include Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand Police, Oranga Tamariki, West Coast DHB, and non-govenrment organisations that provide programmes that address meth use including The Salvation Army, and MHERC.

The group’s overall aim is to reduce the harm caused by methamphetamine and increase the wellbeing of communities on the West Coast.  The group recognises the enormous impacts and cost of meth, on the person that might be using, their whanau, their neighbours, and community at large. It’s not a problem that any one agency or group can tackle on their own.   The group is starting by joining up efforts to get support within reach of those that need it.

Ara Poutama Aotearoa’s partnership and involvement within the Methamphetamine Impact Group is pivotal in addressing the serious underlying methamphetamine issue that West Coast region faces, Acting District Manager for Nelson, Marlborough and the West Coast, Paul Watson says.

“Through partnership we will be able to provide targeted interventions for those individuals, not only under the care of Ara Poutama Aotearoa, but through wider community identification via cross-sector engagement and interactions.

“Having PACT involved within this partnership, and through their navigator, we will have a clear conduit between those identified wanting support, and appropriate intervention pathways."

Craig Churchill from the Ministry of Social Development, says addressing the impacts of Meth is a key priority for the region.

“The new navigator role provides an opportunity for agencies to become more joined-up to deliver better community support and interventions to help people get and stay meth free”.

Director of West Coast Bridge Services at The Salvation Army, Sue Hay, says The Salvation Army is committed to seeing the harm caused by methamphetamine reduced in West Coast Communities.

“The Navigator role will connect people with a range of groups offered by The Salvation Army Bridge on the West Coast and I anticipate this will interrupt the cycle of substance use much sooner than is currently the case.”

“We look forward to collaborating with other agencies to ensure this new role improves access to addiction treatment services. 

James Tainui has been in the role since August 1, though the official announcement was delayed due to the nationwide Level Four COVID lockdown.

Police and partner agencies held a program launch on Tuesday 2 November at the Arahura Marae to formally introduce Mr Tainui into the new role.

Pigeon Post News

Police Warn of IRD Phone Scam

 

New Zealand Police

Police want to warn people to be wary of another phone scam circulating at the moment. 

In this case callers receive a call from someone claiming to be the Inland Revenue Department who then attempts to obtain the victim's credit card information.

The phone number the scammers use is a New Zealand number, however it’s likely the offender is offshore.

These kinds of scams run constantly and while most people will not respond or buy into them, some people are more vulnerable.

We urge people to have conversations with vulnerable or elderly family members, to help ensure they are aware of the tactics often used by scammers and don't become victims.

Please remember that government agencies will never contact you out of the blue and ask for your password, credit card or bank details.

Police’s message on scams like this is simple – do not engage with anyone on the phone if you think you are being scammed – hang up immediately and report the incident.

If you are in doubt as to a caller's legitimacy, ask if you can call them back, or just hang up.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of a scam, in person, over the phone or online, should immediately report it to their bank, and then to their local Police.

Pigeon Post News