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Tuesday, 27 July 2010
The old, outdated flags that adorned Mungavin Bridge are in the bin - replaced with vibrant images by Pukerua Bay designer Jane Comben.
The brightly-coloured flags will be put up in groups of four, loosely tied to the seasons, and switched throughout the year.
The current set on the bridge, for example, lauds the city's coasts, culture, sport and family-friendliness, says Porirua City Council marketing manager Barbara Bercic.
"The old set of flags were beginning to run out, some were getting ripped and torn, and we wanted ones that were fresh and new.
"We want to celebrate Porirua's lifestyle and landscape, and I think what Jane's come up with is great, really striking."
The cost has come from within the existing council marketing budget, Ms Bercic says, and the flags are expected to last "several" years because they will be regularly rotated.
Ms Comben says she was given an open slate by the council and was happy with the finished product.
In spring, folk are likely to see "more natural" designs, like blossoms and tui, while the summer set will feature iconic symbols associated with the city, such as the Titahi Bay boatsheds and carvings outside Te Rauparaha Arena.
Ms Bercic says the council would eventually like to erect flags at the Pauatahanui, Paremata and Plimmerton roundabouts as well, but this will come down to funding and gaining permission from New Zealand Transport Agency.
By KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
When a beakless tui sporting a deformed tongue turned up in David Green's Pukerua Bay garden in January, he feared for its chances of survival.
However, after months of being lured back to Mr Green's garden by a tub of sugary water, the bird – which struggles to eat and drink – is now healthy.
Mr Green first noticed there was something different about the tui when he looked out of his window and thought it had fishing line caught in its mouth.
"I just thought this poor pathetic thing, where has his beak gone?" 
Compared to the other tui, the young bird did not look well, and Mr Green doubted he would see it again.
Forest & Bird Lower North Island field officer Aalbert Rebergen said the bird, which was probably a female, would have been only a few months old at that point.
Mr Green showed him pictures of the tui but, without a beak and functioning tongue, Mr Rebergen did not think it would survive.
"A bird without a beak is hardly a bird at all. I've seen a bird with a broken beak but never a bird without a beak."
Tui had "quite forceful" beaks, and Mr Rebergen said it was a mystery whether the tui in Mr Green's garden had been born without it or had lost it somehow.
What Mr Green had thought was fishing line was the tui's tongue, although it seemed to have no control over it, he said.
It would be "extremely difficult" for the tui to feed naturally, and Mr Rebergen said it must be surviving only because of Mr Green and other people who put sugar water in their gardens.
"It's quite mysterious. It's very likely it completely sustains itself on food from locals. It's a very lucky bird."
Mr Green said the tui seemed to dip its head far deeper into the food tub than other birds, perhaps because that was the only way it could eat.
He and his wife, Susan, were pleased to see it had become a regular visitor in their garden and that it had been accepted by the other tui. "It was a sad, pathetic little bird really, but now it's marvellous. It's strong and flying around, and mixing with the other birds."
Source: The Dominion Post
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
The opening of the Jasmine Underhill Reserve in Aotea on Saturday "marked the end of a very successful project" said Di Sisson, spokesperson for the residential subdivision's developer Carrus.
Despite rainy weather, friends and family of the late Ms Underhill - a former Porirua city councillor and deputy mayor - joined residents to commemorate the area.
"We wanted it to be a place for residents to come on a Sunday afternoon and have a picnic, have a barbecue, play with the kids and just relax," Ms Sisson said.
The 18-month project, a collaboration with Porirua City Council, culminated in Mayor Jenny Brash and Ms Underhill's husband Jack unveiling a plaque which overlooks the couple's Cannons Creek home.
Ms Brash spoke fondly of her long-serving colleague and friend.
"She was a very gracious woman and served her community very diligently for a long time. She was my deputy and I couldn't have asked for a better one and we [the city] are grateful we can name this after her."
Ms Underhill served on council from 1986 to 2004 and was known for her commitment to her community - particularly the Cook Island people. She also served on the Wellington kindergartens and Brandon Intermediate School boards, Pasifika Women's Organisation and chaired the Whitireia Community Polytechnic board.
The reserve, which integrates two play areas, one for older children and one for under-fives, fitness equipment, barbecue and pergola area, a viewing platform and walkways, was planned with input from residents.
"It has been completed for a while and the feedback we've had from residents has been very positive. They love it," Ms Sisson said.
By ESTHER LAUAKI - Kapi-Mana News
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Three Porirua young people say their life before "boot camp" was a one-way street to nowhere.
The trio were among 80 trainees to graduate from an intensive six-week Limited Service Volunteer course at the New Zealand Defence Force base in Trentham on Saturday.
They were the first to complete the Government-funded youth development programmes run by the defence force, designed to equip youth with skills to get them into employment or training. 
Porirua trainees Stefan Makaio, Jansey Iasona and Zakery Gamble were all referred to the boot camp-style course by Work and Income New Zealand (Winz).
Trainees undergo an intensive programme of lectures, workshops and physical activities to develop core values of respect, teamwork and trust, aimed to boost self-esteem and confidence.
"I was lazy before I came here. I just hung out with my mates and played PlayStation all day, but being here has given me a lot of time to think," says Mr Makaio.
With his ex-girlfriend about to have their first child, the 19-year-old says his priorities needed to change.
"This gave me the kick up the arse that I needed. I was acting like a kid and not thinking about my future."
He initially wanted to join the police but last week enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy after he learnt about it during the course.
Eighteen-year-old Ms Iasona, one of only six females in her platoon, says she has come a long way from "staying home and smoking weed every day".
"I honestly don't know what I'll do now, but I know it won't be what I used to do. All my friends will still be doing the same thing but I'll be out working."
Ms Iasona says she will miss the other trainees but is glad she won't have to do any more push-ups for "corrective training" again.
Mr Gamble says he found a renewed sense of self-discipline after the programme and wants to re-enrol in the music course he failed to complete two years ago.
Almost 2000 trainees will attend the volunteer courses in either Burnham in Christchurch, Trentham or Hobsonville, Auckland. Winz places all trainees in full-time employment or full-time further training when they finish.
By ESTHER LAUAKI - Kapi-Mana News
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Wellington Rugby League's minor premiership will be decided this Saturday, after Porirua Vikings and Wainuiomata posted convincing wins over Petone and University, respectively, on the weekend.
The Vikings are playing like a team with something to prove, their late-season blip of two losses and a narrow win over Te Aroha all but forgotten.
Their excellent 36-10 win over the fourth-placed Petone at Cannons Creek Park on Saturday was a statement of intent, as they played with passion and commitment.
The heavy track at Cannons Creek was a home game for Petone, who were stripped of playing at McEwan Park because of bad behaviour from their fans recently.
The Vikings scored first and dominated the opening 40, leading 22-4 at the turnaround. The second half was also one-way traffic, Petone scoring with the last play of the game to get them to double figures.
"We blitzed them," said a satisfied Vikings coach David Lomax. "All of our forwards were dominant and it coincides with Tielu [Saolele] and Frank [Rameka] coming back, they provide a lot of direction out there. We won it down the middle with our power game, put them [Petone] under pressure and they didn't handle it well."
Morale is high in the Vikings camp, with good numbers to training as they get to the business end of the competition, Lomax says. As a result, he has a couple of welcome headaches in terms of selection, with a strong squad of 20 all competing for starting spots.
"We're getting to that point in the season now, everyone wants to be a part of it. There's good leadership being shown and we're ready for Wainui."
Wainuiomata had a solid 28-12 victory over University at the new artificial turf in Newtown on Friday night and sit a solitary point ahead of the Vikings.
This weekend's match-up at Wise Park will give the winner precious home-field advantage throughout the upcoming playoffs.
Meanwhile, St George Dragons' hit a new low losing 52-14 to Upper Hutt Tigers at Whakatiki St on Saturday.
By KRIS DANDO - Kapi-Mana News
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Te Paamu, a motley crew with members from Aotea College, Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Rito and Te Kura-a-iwi o Whakatupuranga Rua Mano, stood out from other bands with their reggae sound at this year's Wellington-Hutt regional Smokefreerockquest finals.
The Otaki-based band, who outrocked the rest at the Wellington Town Hall on July 2, formed as the result of a music programme rooted in Hongoeka Bay.
Year 12 Aotea College student Matariki Styles says the band got together after a series of music workshops for young people at Hongoeka Marae in Plimmerton.
"The cousins from up in Otaki came down for those workshops and they wanted a drummer for their band, so they asked me to join."
The four-piece practise in a shed at his relatives' farm, so they called the band Te Paamu, Maori for "the farm".
"All the gear's up there, and my uncle said we could practise in the shed, so we could make as much noise as we want. We'd just sing to the horses."
Styles says they were confident going into the competition and just wanted to be as unique as possible.
It wasn't only their T-shirts, with a Maori motif designed by their keyboardist, that set them apart from the rest, guitarist Te Whaiao Manga says.
"We're inspired by bands like Katchafire and Nesian Mystik, and our sound was just a bit different from the others on Friday night. We had a bit of energy and we really tried to get the crowd into our music."
Second place went to the Velvet Regime from Naenae College, with Anthony Young from Wellington High School third. He also won the APRA Lyric Writer's Award and the Lowdown Best Song Award for Chasing the Sun.
Chelsey, from Otaki College, won the the People's Choice Award, selected by text votes at the event.
Local bands Garage Six, also from Aotea College, and Moscow Sons, from Tawa College, also made it to the finals.
Te Paamu will now submit a music video in their quest to score one of the eight places in the national final in Hamilton on September 11.
Prizes at the national final include a New Zealand On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, musical equipment to the value of $10,000, recording time at York St Studio, and radio promotional support for a single.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Aotea College students captivated guests and dignitaries with their singing at the United States embassy's Independence Day celebrations recently.
Over 200 guests, including Government ministers and local politicians, enjoyed an evening of food and entertainment at Wellington's Intercontinental Hotel on July 2.
The Fource, this year's New Zealand Young Singers in Harmony female barbershop quartet national champions, turned on the charm with some of the songs they performed at the competition earlier this year.
"They were fantastic. The ambassador had, of course, met them before, so months ago, when we were discussing ideas for entertainment on the night, he made sure they were top of our wish list," said the embassy's political officer, Peter Tinsley.
The ensemble plan to compete next year at the Rising Star competition in Seattle.
"When you are an American living overseas, holidays like Independence Day and Thanksgiving take on a special significance," Mr Tinsley said. "Being able to share a little bit of American culture, as well as good old American hospitality, is important. Last week's celebration gave the embassy staff a chance to share some of the pride we feel as Americans with our Kiwi friends and colleagues."
Aotea College's Performing Arts Academy students sang 'We Are The World' to commemorate the day.
"I've been to many Independence Day celebrations, both in the US and overseas, and this was one of the best. I think that was because we made a special effort this year to engage the local community," Mr Tinsley said.
Article written by Esther Lauaki - Kapi-Mana News
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Porirua College is awash with silverware after six students came home with trophies from the national Samoan Language Speech Competition in Auckland.
Twelve schools from Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland took part in the competition on June 25. The topic for the speech that all competitors had to deliver was, "Why is my Samoan language important?", the same theme as this year's Samoan Language Week.
Ruby NgLam (year 10) and Faafetai Viliamu (year 13) brought home first-place trophies, while Sugaluopea Filipaina (year 11), Lauagaia Akerise (year 10), Peter Togafiti (year 13) and Soka Keresoma (year 12) all placed second.
Porirua College's head of Pacific Studies, Aliimuamua Nofoitumua, was not surprised by how well her students fared, saying they worked hard and prepared well.
Of Porirua College's 650 students, 206 are Samoan, with the Samoan language the third most commonly spoken in New Zealand after English and Maori.
Galumalemana Hunkin, national president of the Association for the Teaching of Samoan in Aotearoa, says the quality of presentation and evidence of passion was very high at the nationals.
"Much more so, of course, from Porirua College's students in the manner in which their confidence, preparation and creativity on stage came through."
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
28 Families graduated from e-Learning Porirua’s Computers in Homes programme on Wednesday 7 April with a refurbished computer for the home, a broadband internet connection, relevant basic training and technical support.
Graham Kelly, e-Learning Porirua Trust Chairman was pleased to announce that “this group of families joins the hundreds before them, that have gained skills to enable them to get jobs”
Arnia Hurunui first heard about Computers in Homes through a friend who had completed the programme in 2009. The course which was delivered for 8 weeks in Term 1 from 12pm – 2.30pm on a Wednesday fit perfectly with her day to day schedule.
“I decided to apply for a place on the course as I feel that learning how to use a computer properly and in addition, having a computer to take home will benefit the futures of my 12 yr old daughter, second child on the way and several nieces and nephews that I care for in my home.” she says.
Prior to participating in Computers in Homes Arnia had completed small courses in Business, Customer Service and Retail, upon completing these courses and several unsuccessful job applications in trying to find employment, Arnia realised she did not have enough knowledge on how to use a computer, Microsoft programs and Internet/Email services.
“Gaining computer skills was the next step in advancing my future - since completing the programme I have been offered a paid Work Experience opportunity to pass on what I have learnt to other people”
The Computers In Homes project (CiH) aims to support low income communities to use ICT to strengthen their education. Its purpose as a community driven programme aims to provide computers in Homes, Schools and Community Learning Centres to families who are socially and economically disadvantaged, and provide them with the necessary skills and internet access to support their children’s learning and engage more fully in society. Registrations for Course 36 will start at 12pm on Wednesday 21st April 2010, in the training room situated upstairs in the Porirua RSA at 3 McKillop Street, Porirua East. For further information contact 0800555563 or visit www.cih-porirua.blogspot.com
Thursday, 1 April 2010
In term one, several Community Max workers completed the Digital Porirua Trust's Stepping UP programme at Maraeroa Marae. A FREE training course initiated by 20/20 Communications Trust and supported by Microsoft.
Maraeroa Marae was established as a Community Access Point in 2009 with the assistance of the Digital Porirua Trust and Education Grant from Hewlett Packard allocated to Porirua.
Maraeroa Marae has a suite of 10 Hewlett Packard PC's, Colour printer and access to DPT's mobile classroom (a suite of 30 laptops).
Maraeroa Marae is just one of many Community Access Points in Porirua providing Digital Literacy Training.
For more information about Stepping UP check out www.steppingup.co.nz
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