OPENING NIGHT - New Zealand International Summer Tango in Nelson Festival

 

Opening Night NZ Summer Tango Festival - Nelson College -  Photo Stevan Polder

Energy and Excitement evident at Opening Night of the Nelson International Summer Tango Festival

The 11th annual International SUMMER TANGO IN NELSON FESTIVAL started last night, Friday 3 March, in Nelson and will end on Sunday 5 March.

The festival has always been organised and directed by Mrs Anne-Maree Therkleson Director and Tango teacher of Tango Libre Richmond.

Opening night DJ was Frida Kotlyar from Sydney playing Tango music for the first nights ‘Welcome Milonga,’ during which well over 150 tangueros from throughout New Zealand and overseas all danced away a wonderful evening in the spacious and magnificent Nelson College, Assembly Hall, Waimea Road, Nelson.

Opening night DJ was Frida Kotlyar from Sydney 

Walking into the hall felt like walking into a magical other world of colour and sparkle, a space where you knew something phenomenal was about to happen. 

Special hall decorations planned ahead for months, but “actually years” Anne-Maree said as they had to cancel two festivals due to covid. The decorations were assembled during the days before the festival and all put in place by a dedicated small team of Tango volunteers, under the close eye of Anne-Maree. 

The boys and teachers at assembly on Friday morning must have had quite a surprise with the decorated assembly Hall.

A very inviting supper was supplied which was enjoyed by all. I noted there was little left by the end of the evening.

“A splendid well organised evening” was one comment I received from one of the Tango dancers and another said “so much work has been done creating such beautiful decorations."  

"Anne-Maree is always so welcoming and her festivals are always really well run - it is a joy to be here.  We go to all of her festivals every year - we are tango junkies!”

Opening Night Nelson Summer Tango Festival 2023

Anne-Maree produces four festival per year around the country, but this festival is a special one in her home town.

I asked Anne-Maree how she felt about the opening night. Mrs Anne-Maree Therkleson said “I was so excited to see everyone arriving full of energy and excitement at what the weekend would hold. We have had to cancel the last two years festivals due to Covid and it was obvious from the buzz in the room that dancers were very happy to be in each other’s arms again, feeling that awesome tango embrace.”  

“This year we have the most international visitors which is really exciting for us - being able to share our love of Nelson with people who speak the same language as us, but who come from all over - Venezuela, Germany, Vancouver, Hawaii and just about every state in Australia is represented here." 

Magical decoration with different changing colour combinations made by Mike from Westport - one of the Tango Dancers

"We have four more milongas over the weekend with different DJs and tonight is the best opening night I could have hoped for. The hall looks magnificent, fit for a tango journey.”

Anne-Maree said “We will be dancing in the Nelson  College Assembly Hall on Friday and Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon. We were going to have the Queens Garden Milonga in the Queens Gardens on Saturday afternoon, where we put down a dance floor, but we may have a few showers so we have to go to the alternative venue the Trafalgar St Hall.”

The DJ’s for this afternoon’s ‘a splash of colour' Milonga is Junko Kobayoshi from Nelson. This evening is a glitzy night of dancing where tangueros will be dressed up in their finest threads, nothing being too glamorous or too fabulous! The DJ for this evenings dancing is Deb Waltenberg from Christchurch.

Anne-Maree and her husband Stevan Polder hope this afternoons festivities go off with a great show of colour and then this evenings Milonga, back at Nelson College, where they hope all dancers will have a fabulous glitzy evening ending at midnight just in time for that carriage ride home!

www.summertangoinnelson.co.nz

www.tangolibre.co.nz

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

4 March 2023

Wakefield Community Transport - New Bus for Wakefield-Brightwater-Richmond Service

 

New Bus for Wakefield-Brightwater-Richmond Service

OVERWHELMING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THIS ARTICLE

Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust Purchase New Bus - Possible More Flexible Service Coming

The Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust has recently bought an 8 -seater Nissan Serena Hybrid, which is replacing the 12-seater bus the Trust have been running on hire from the Wakefield Homestead.

Rachel Mason, the Marketing Co-ordinator of the Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust said “the transport is still currently running every Tuesday. However, now that we have our own bus, we are able to run it as often and when we like, provided there are enough volunteer drivers.” 

The Trust are currently exploring the possibility of hiring out the transport to groups or individuals. Rachel said “the hire rate is expected to be equivalent to the current bus fare of $5 for a return trip to Richmond with the vehicle half full. This would be about $25 for the distance from Wakefield to Richmond, equating to $5.50 per person including driver.” Rachel believes that if a group or individual can fill the vehicle to capacity, the cost per person would be even less.

The NTCTT is currently finalising the hire agreement form and procedures, but you can already register your interest by texting or phoning 022 6822 373. You will be sent details on how to hire the bus as soon as the hire agreement form and procedures have been finalised.

Rachel said “the vehicle will still be running the door-to-door service on Tuesdays as a bus for individuals who want to travel to Richmond for the $5 fare, or $4 from Brightwater.” 

USE THE BUS! WAKEFIELD - BRIGHTWATER - RICHMOND RETURN.
VISIT www.ntctt.org.nz FOR TIMETABLE,
PHONE 020 4195 8866 TO  BOOK A SEAT OR FOR INFORMATION

Rachel went on to explain “we would like to expand the service to at least two days per week provided there is sufficient interest and also volunteer drivers. If you would like to use the bus or would like further information, please phone or text 022 6822 373.”

The new Bus being a Nissan Serena Hybrid delivers generous cabin space and comfortable seats for all with an electric powertrain that eliminates any delays in charging the vehicle. There are also many clever features such as the electric sliding doors. It has smart looks, practical boot and high torque from the electric motor. The Serena has a fuel consumption of 14.2km per litre and can travel up to 852km on a tankful.

The Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust have a number of public transport options available in Tasman make sure you have a look at their website www.ntctt.org.nz or call 0204 195 8866

The service is run entirely by volunteers with financial assistance from Tasman District Council and others.

Volunteer Drivers Needed

Volunteer drivers are needed by the Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust to drive the Wakefield Community Bus. If you are interested, please phone/text Rachel on 020 4196 0553 for further details. 

MAPUA WILLING WHEELS, CONTACT
TO BOOK A RIDE  PHONE RACHEL
022 6822 373

MOTUEKA COASTAL BUS - MOTUEKA-TASMAN-MAPUA-RICHMOND SHOPS & POOL RETURN

BOOKING ESSENTIAL PHONE 

MOTUEKA I-SITE 03 528 6543

Rachel Mason

Nelson Tasman Community Transport Trust 

www.ntctt.org.nz

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

MetService - Press release Monday 20 to Thursday 23 Feb 2023

Rain and Cold Creeping North

Cold & rain rolling in Mon - Thursday

20/02/2023

Covering period of Monday 20 - Thursday 23 February

MetService is forecasting a substantial drop in temperatures this week, as a cold front moves over the country from the Southern Ocean. The arrival of the cooler airmass will bring rain to many of the parched areas of the South Island. Several Heavy Rain Watches have been issued for the southern areas before this system travels further north. 

MetService meteorologist Alwyn Bakker said, “The change in temperature will be quite dramatic for some locations. Plenty of places in Otago and Canterbury will see a fall of ten degrees from Tuesday to Wednesday.” 

Alexandra is in for a particularly remarkable drop, with a forecast high of 30°C on Tuesday and a mere 15°C on Wednesday. 

“This isn’t the largest change in temperature they’ve ever recorded in 24 hours, but it is close,” notes Bakker, “And if Alexandra doesn’t rise above 15.7°C on Wednesday, they will see their coldest maximum temperature this summer.” 

Along with the cooler temperatures comes the rain.  

“The parched south and east of the South Island will be in for some relief, with some locations forecast to see 40mm of rain in 24 hours.  That’s as much rainfall as parts of inland Otago have had all year,” adds Bakker. 

Heavy Rain Watches have been issued for Otago, Southland, northern Fiordland, and the ranges of Westland south of Otira. Coupled with the cold temperatures, that rain may fall as snow dusting the peaks of the ranges down to 1000 metres. 

As the front travels further north, cooler temperatures continue but rainfall amounts are expected to decrease.  

“The arrival of cold air may not be welcomed, but decreased rain intensity will be a relief for those parts of the North Island affected by Cyclone Gabrielle last week. MetService advises keeping up to date with our forecasts, as the criteria to trigger Heavy Rain Warnings have been lowered in many areas,” Bakker cautions.

MetService

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

TASMAN donations going to Hawke’s Bay

Transport Company Westhaul transporting aid to Hawke's Bay

 

MOTUEKA  Westhaul offer transport for public donations - orchardists offer equipment for Cyclone-ravaged Hawke’s Bay

A Motueka-based trucking company is donating a truck and trailer to take a truck full of supplies donated by the public and orchardists to the Hawke's Bay early this week.

The trucking company is Westhaul. The managing director Karl Westrupp is calling for the public to donate household items that will be required in the recovery.

“Our trucks are frequent visitors to the Hawke’s Bay region with up to three loads per week. We usually transport in and out of the area. To see these floods wreak havoc on the lives of our customers and their family and friends is heart-breaking.”

Westrupp says people can donate “whatever they can find as long as it’s good – furniture, kitchen items, non-perishable foodstuffs, canned foods, clothing, blankets and bed linen.”

One of many destroyed homes in Hawke's Bay

People can take items to Wairepo Holdings in Weka Road, Tasman. Goods must arrive by Monday evening and the truck will then head north on Tuesday morning on the Cook Strait ferry.

The Tasman area is similar to Hawke's Bay in that it is home to many orchards. Westrupp said one orchardist asked if he could send some equipment to Hawke's Bay, which encouraged him to spread the word.

Orchards devastated in Hawke's Bay

People can take items to Wairepo Holdings on Weka Road, Tasman, by Monday evening. 

The truck will head north on Tuesday morning on the Cook Strait ferry.

This was noted on Facebook

We've just been contacted by Westhaul Motueka - They are organising a "charity drive" collaborating with Wairepo Holdings and Fairfield Orchard to take a truck up to Hastings this coming TUESDAY.

Westhaul are taking the truck up, Aaron Drummond is putting his digger and bob cat into the truck, Wairepo Holdings are using their cool store in Mariri to hold the items ready to load on Tuesday.

They want to make the most of the truck - so if you have any items you would like to donate to the displaced families up there please drop off to the cool store. 

Items such as food, adult & children's clothing, gloves, buckets, shovels, sanitary products for women, nappies, plus any other items you think will be useful to families who have had to leave their beloved homes.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman

Weather Forecast - fine weekend by the coast

 

Weather Forecast for Tasman and Nelson

No severe weather watches or warnings for this location.

Issued 9:53pm Wed 15 Feb

TODAT 18 Feb

Morning cloud clearing to fine about the coast, but remaining partly cloudy inland with isolated afternoon and evening showers. Light winds turning northerly late morning and dying out in the evening.

Issued 11:13am Fri 17 Feb

SUNDAY 19 Feb

Fine. Northwesterlies developing.

Issued 10:01am Fri 17 Feb

MetService Press Release - Tasman - Nelson Weather

 

MetService

Cyclone Gabrielle moves away but its tail brings more rain

15/02/2023

Covering period of Wednesday 15 - Sunday 19 February

Cyclone Gabrielle was located 400km to the east of Gisborne at 10am this morning (Wednesday) and is continuing to move further away to the southeast, weakening as it travels towards the north of the Chatham Islands. MetService advises that severe weather has eased in most places, however heavy rain continues to impact parts of Central New Zealand through until Thursday evening.

MetService Meteorologist Jessie Owen explains, “A front extending back from Cyclone Gabrielle is bringing heavy rain to northern Canterbury and eastern Marlborough today. This front is expected to spread up the eastern North Island from tonight and into Thursday and Friday bringing another burst of southerly winds and rain before pulling away over the ocean.”

A MetService Orange Heavy Rain Warning is in force for Eastern Marlborough south of Ward, including the Kaikoura Coast, and Canterbury north of Waiau until 9am Thursday. A Heavy Rain Watch is in force for Canterbury north of Methven until 5am Thursday. An Orange Heavy Rain Warning has been issued for Wairarapa south of Masterton and the eastern hills of Wellington starting from 10pm Wednesday until 6pm Thursday. 

Rain is then expected to spread up the east of the North Island on Thursday, and there is a risk of thunderstorms in the ranges of Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti / Gisborne. 

“While rainfall accumulations are not expected to reach warning amounts in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti / Gisborne on Thursday and Friday it will be falling on saturated soil in an area where rivers are still running high and floodwaters remain so there could still be further damage and flooding associated with it,” says Jessie.

The remainder of the country is experiencing relatively settled weather today(Wednesday). On Thursday the front in the east moves north bringing rain to eastern areas, and the rest of the North Island can also expect to see some showers throughout the day. 

On Friday a ridge of high pressure pushes in from the west and Cyclone Gabrielle will no longer be affecting the country. The North Island can expect settled weather from Friday and into next week – good news for the recovery effort.

Weather stats:

Many areas of the country were hit hard by this extreme weather event, here are some numbers illustrating just how much rain and wind was experienced across the North Island and the top of the South Island (from 12am Sunday to 7am Wednesday): 

Northland:

250 – 400 mm of rain was recorded across the region with the largest amount recorded at Glenbervie Forest (408.7mm). Whangārei Airport received 320.4mm. Wind gusts over 130 km/h were recorded in the most exposed stations with 141 km/h recorded at Cape Reinga. Whangārei Airport recorded a gust of 102 km/h.

Auckland:

Over 200 mm of rain was accorded around the region with Waitākere recording the most (248mm). Wind gusts of up to 130-150 km/h were recorded at the most exposed sites. Auckland Harbour Bridge recorded 115 km/h and the airport recorded 78 km/h.

Coromandel Peninsula:

The Pinnacles station in the ranges recorded 447mm of rain and other elevated stations received 220 – 270 mm. Whitianga recorded 170.6 mm. Golden Valley (near Waihi) experienced wind gusts of up to 109 km/h.  

Bay of Plenty:

The highest rainfall recorded in the region was at Queenshead (163.5mm). Tauranga recorded 122.7 mm, Rotorua 86.1 mm, Whakatāne 82.8 mm, and Te Puke 78.6 mm. Wind gusts recorded in the area were between 80-90 km/h.

Tairāwhiti / Gisborne:

The largest rainfall accumulation was recorded in Hikuwai where 488 mm of rain fell. A number of other stations (mainly in the ranges) recorded over 400 mm. Gisborne Airport received 185.3 mm (although due to power cuts it stopped recording after 2am Tuesday). Wind gusts were recorded across the region up to 93 km/h.

Hawke’s Bay:

Elevated stations in the ranges recorded the most with Pukeorapa receiving 337.5 mm. Napier Airport recorded 203.8 mm and Hastings recorded 143.8 mm. Wind gusts were recorded up to 90 km/h with exposed stations near the coast reaching higher such as Cape Kidnappers (131 km/h).

Wairarapa:

The most rainfall was recorded at elevated stations in the ranges, between 180 – 280 mm. Masterton Airport received 62 mm. Exposed stations near the coast recorded high wind gusts; Cape Turnagain recorded 146 km/h and Castlepoint recorded 113 km/h.

Taranaki:

Rainfall was moderate with 30 – 45 mm recorded across the region, but the wind was very strong – New Plymouth Airport recorded gusts of up to 128 km/h.

Whanganui:

Rainfall of 60 – 90 mm was recorded around the region and gusts of 98 km/hr were experienced at Whanganui Airport.

Wellington:

Highest accumulations were recorded in northern and eastern parts of the Hutt Valley (100 – 160 mm). Mt Kaukau (an elevated site) recorded the highest gust of 146 km/h, around the city gusts of up to 100 km/h were experienced.

Marlborough:

Snowflake Ridge (a very elevated site) recorded 230 mm of rain. Other stations around the region recorded up to 100 – 130 mm. Kaikōura received 59.8 mm and Picton received 59.5 mm. Cape Campbell recorded wind gusts of up to 93 km/hr and Kaikōura recorded 65 km/h.

Weather Forecast for Tasman and Nelson

No severe weather watches or warnings in force for this location

Issued 9:53pm Wed 15 Feb

Cyclone Gabrielle

At 7am Wednesday morning Cyclone Gabrielle (979hPa) was located near 38.3S 177.7W, about 360km east of Gisborne, moving east at 15kt (28km/h). Cyclone Gabrielle is expected to move further southeast away from the North Island today while weakening, and should remain well to the east of the Chatham Islands as it moves past them tonight.

--------------------------

TODAY 16 Feb

Mostly cloudy with scattered showers, possibly heavy about Golden Bay, clearing and becoming fine in the evening. Southwesterlies.

Issued 9:53pm Wed 15 Feb

--------------------------

FRIDAY17 Feb

Fine. Light winds.

Issued 10:02am Wed 15 Feb

METSERVICE

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.

The whole of New Zealand feels magnitude 6.3 earthquake

The Top of the South and Lower North Island rocked by magnitude 6.3 earthquake

Geonet listed the magnitude as 6.3.

The magnitude 6.3 quake struck at 7.38pm on Wednesday evening and was centred 50km northwest of Paraparaumu and at a depth of 50km. 

Geonet classified the quake as ‘strong’.

Geonet received 60688 people from the top the North Island to the bottom of the South Island report feeling the quake. The majority of those called the shake light.

In Tasman, Nelson like Marlborough and up through Wellington many felt a very severe jolt. In Richmond the jolt was sever and went on for about 15 seconds.

Facebook’s Tasman and Nelson pages had 100’s of comments and over 500 shares of the NZ Cicil Defence reporting the shake.

The National Emergency Management Agency had cleared any threats of a tsunami following the quake, while partner agencies and councils were checking for any superficial damage.

NZ Civil Defence Tweeted “Noah a big shake there!” Gave details of the quake and went on “It is already a really stressful time for people -  look after yourself and the people around you.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said it had not been alerted to any incidents relating to the quake.

Pigeon Post News Richmond, Tasman.