Beach Life Issue#1

Wa i n u i B e a c h • m a ko r o r i • s p o n g e B ay M A G A Z I N E ISSUE 1/SPRING 2008 Free to every home at the beach | norfolk pines’ last stand | wainui’s first olympian? Weddings: Page 16 | post reticulation submission blues | your septic tank and you | keeping up with mrs jones surfing: Page 40 The Day The Whales Died Baby Boom: Page 18 Premiere issue: 44 pages of news, views and infor mation beach/life | 1

M A G A Z I N E contents views and opinions 4 A community forum. Email views and opinions to views@beach-life.co.nz Delivered free to every home from Sponge Bay to Makorori. what’s up Published four times a year. 6 All the news. Look who turned up at rugby training – Wainui school kids have an All .................................. Black show them a few moves. A proposed national standard for septic tanks? Do we PuBliShed and PRinTed BY really want to see the Norfolk Pines removed from the beachfront? No 50kmh speed limit along Moana Road. A walkway under the Okitu Bridge, who’s excellent idea was that? Gray Clapham Design Arts And, at long last, safety railings on the bridge, was that overdue or what? Local boy Mike .................................. King’s big push to make the New Zealand bobsled team for the next Winter Olympics. All about the new Wainui Store. The Tsunami Bar is on the market. Wainui school old boy Kurt ediTORial ManaGeR Mastrovich is flying high and Ray Morgan’s mean, keen and ready to clean. Gray Clapham 90 Moana Road wedding bells & beach babes Wainui Beach 15 Find out who’s been exchanging vows lately and meet the new kids on the block. Gisborne Phone 868 0240 our issues Fax 867 7010 19 Post Reticulation Submission Blues A look back at the sewerage reticulation saga. We won the battle, but now it’s time to front all leTTeRS, aRTiCleS & up to sorting out a sustainable future with our on-site waste water systems. We look at the CORReSPOndenCe TO GDCs suggestions as to how this can be achieved and plans to set up a “collaboration” info@beach-life.co.nz 23 Your septic tank and you: living with your on-site system .................................. It’s one of your most important and expensive chattels. But how much do you really know about your septic tank. Practical advice from the experts about how to live a long and adVeRTiSinG happy life with your on-site system. Gray Clapham Phone 868 0240 our history Fax 867 7010 26 The day the whales died adverts@beach-life.co.nz On a stormy March day in 1970 59 sperm whales swam into the shallows at the northern .................................. end of Wainui Beach and died in a seething, bleeding mass. It was a tragic event that has become part of the history of Wainui Beach. All issues will be archived after publication on the website www.beach-life.co.nz our people 30 Keeping up with Mrs Jones The story of Muriel Jones, the First Lady of the Beach. She’s been on this Earth for 82 years and for most of that time she’s been doing things to help other people. We look back at a remarkable life. our community 35 School, club and organisation news. Let us know about your group. small adverts 37 Tradespeople, local businesses, notices. Historical photographs and assistance our surf courtesy Tairāwhiti Museum 48 Wave Rave with Kelly Ryan. Surf stories, results and what the groms are up to. 2 | beach/life

inTro Publisher’s Comment | by Gray Clapham Out of the sand and into the fire During the Wainui Beach reticulation SuBmiSSionS hearingS a giSBorne heralD heaDline reporteD: “Wainui haS Woken up.” It went on to say: “Okitu resident Gray Clapham told district Then people were being offered a million dollars and after that it councillors during submissions on the annual plan yesterday, that became a little boring if you weren’t “on the market”. proposed reticulation and the uncertainty of costs to homeowners Then just as suddenly it was all over. Or so it appears for the had woken up the seaside community. moment. While Wainui has established itself as a “sought after” “That was reflected in the hundreds of submissions received from location, real estate price expectations have certainly reversed. You Wainui residents, he said. We are serious about Wainui’s future.” can almost hear the community taking its first real breath in seven or Well, I don’t know why they picked me out, but I do think the so years. reticulation issue was most certainly a wake up call. And then along came the reticulation proposal which, after years Wainui homeowners opened their eyes to the realisation that of uncertainty, was suddenly thrust upon us as an almost done deal. they weren’t actually in control of their futures. We were faced with Suddenly we had something to really worry about, rather than rates increases of unprecedented proportions. Many may have been how to spend the millions we might make on our properties. And, forced to leave the beach. People who had been quietly going about while the real estate boom, in hindsight seemed to separate and their lives were suddenly shaken awake and were being told: “If you isolate the community, the reticulation issue reunified and refocused can’t bite the bullet, you might have to leave.” us. Or most of us. I am talking about the 416 people who went to I was also quoted in the Herald (unwittingly) as saying I had the trouble to write detailed and often heartfelt submissions against decided to “pull my head out of the sand”. I am not sure whether the proposal. this referred to the sand on the beach, or the sand in the bunkers While there must be those who are annoyed that we won’t at Poverty Bay — but either way it was a bit of an embarrassing have city sewerage and water connections in the near future, the confession. But it did wake me up. submissions against the proposal gave a head count, an incidental For several years I have been meaning to revive this community consensus of what this community is thinking and feeling. news publication. Some may remember the Wainui mini-magazines I The submissions delved way deeper than the virtues and published in the early and mid 1990s. Beachside was printed through technicalities of reticulation. There emerged the outline of a “mission 1994, then revived again as Beachlife in 1996. statement” from the Wainui community. They were well-received and a great success, but time-consuming People were referring to “our village”, our “old people”, our (there was no email then, can you believe it?) and not-so-cost- “children, our “futures”. They spoke of their desire to retain a close effective at a time when I was trying to build a new business. and caring community with a diverse population. Eventually the next issue was late, and then as time wore on, People were saying they were wary of new development, that high remained unpublished. density housing was not necessarily progress, that Wainui was not So here we are, 12 years on, and I have decided to “pull my head “all about coastal real estate”. out of the sand” and give it another lash. It was, possibly, a blood-letting in the wake of the real estate A lot has changed at Wainui over that 12 years — and, in other boom. A chance to say: We choose to live here for reasons other ways, much has stayed the same. than real estate investment: the surf, the beach, the rural outlook, We went on a rollercoaster ride through the “new millennium” the quiet streets, the social life, the sense of community. and then were immediately whisked away on the ferris wheel of the There was re-assertation of identity. We stood up and said: “Hey, coastal real estate boom. this is our place, this is where we live, so bugger off.” One day someone decided that a sea view, or even the sniff of a So that’s what this publication is really about. A celebration of sea view, had “value”. The rest is history. that identity. And a vehicle for community focus and reflection and, For those who weren’t that fussed about Wainui living, and who hopefully, an intelligent read and a whole lot of fun. decided to sell up and move on, it was a windfall. For those who So, here we go with the first issue, or actually, the very late arrival were working towards a move to the beach it was “the end of a of the next issue of Beach/Life magazine. dream”. For those who had no intention of leaving, it was exciting to Please help me with it. The pages are open for the whole watch — albeit unsettling. community to utilise. In this new age of instant communication by “What do you reckon your place is worth now?” was the email it will be so much easier, than it was before, to send in articles conversation starter at most social gatherings. and news items for this magazine. “How much would it take for you to sell?” someone would ask. With the community’s help Beach/Life will celebrate all our “We have no intention of selling, but if someone knocked on the small and major successes, help air the big issues, go in search of door and offered me a million, I reckon I’d take it,” was often the the facts, champion the causes, and do all those things a vibrant reply. community publication should do. beach/life | 3

views and opinions septic tank tips Send you views and opinions to views@beach-life.co.nz wanted WHAT ABOuT INCLuDING A A local issue, but a global perspective healthy Septic Tank Tips column in LIKE MOST OR POSSIBLY ALL WHO WERE INvOLvED IN THE PROCESS OF STOPPING THE Beach/Life – with people sharing the reticulation proposal I am happy with the outcome. Looking back on the whole thing now it is tips they have grown up with or learnt hard to believe how all consuming the thing was for a few months. I feel we not only achieved from experience. I was taught as a the result we wanted but we also won well. We persuaded Council with the merits of our kid by my mother and grandmother argument and have emerged with good relationships intact. It was my first foray into politics never to pour Dettol solution down the of any kind and on balance I found it interesting and worthwhile. It was especially interesting plughole after bathing cuts, and thus reading the views of others (many of whom I had never met) and seeing the issue through their always to use a bowl for the Dettol eyes. solution and never the bathroom basin The business at hand now is for all of us to ‘walk the talk’ by working out practical steps to or bath. Likewise when Napisan came sustainably manage our environment. I have looked over draft recommendations from GDC and along. And we were told not to pour feel comfortable with most of them. The concern some of us had was that of winning a Pyrrhic milk down the sink either, unless maybe victory whereby the imposed conditions would have been worse than the original proposal. I am if we put heaps of water down with it. I confident that this will not be the case. While there are still details to work out, the spirit of the have absolutely no idea why - will ask recommendations was positive and most of the points were those many of us had suggested in my 80 year old Mum! our submissions. Now that people have the certainty, it becomes worth their while to do the right Jennie haRRe hindMaRSh thing and be good stewards of our local environment. EDITOR: Good idea. It would also be While we all had varying reasons for our opposition, there were several strong themes which great to get a list of suggested septic came out in the submissions (yes, I have read them all). The clearest to emerge was that we all tank friendly detergents, soap powders, dearly value what we have here. We like the absence of ‘development’ and we like the diversity bath soap, etc. Readers – please email of the community. Many residents made reference to other beachside locations that they hoped your healthy Septic Tank Tips to Wainui would not become (the McMansion-ed variety). views@beach-life.co.nz. Next of course was the financial impact on the lives of a large proportion of residents earning less than was popularly supposed by the wider community. I think this genuinely surprised a lot of councillors. The rising coastal land values from 2002-2005 had us all in the ‘rich’ category, regardless of individual circumstances. Become a Probably the aspect that pleased me the most from a personal position was finally getting some traction on the stormwater link to beach erosion. It is one thing to buy on the beachfront and accept the risks that your property may get washed away, but it is quite another when Beach/Life Council sanctions activities which exacerbate that risk. We have a delicate balance to maintain and it is a relief that there are now plans to mitigate some of problems created with previous stormwater management (which was basically, get a really big pipe and run it out to the beach as voluntary directly as possible). Another recurrent theme was that of sustainability. It was impressive to see that so many in the community were in tune with the wider issues here regarding the total ecological footprint of subscriber and the reticulation option, as opposed to well managed on-site systems. I believe energy will be the big issue of the next few decades. Large scale, centralised infrastructure projects will no longer stack up as well as they have while energy has been relatively cheap. Rainwater, gravity fed into help Wainui’s tanks and disposed of on site, has in my view, a more sustainable future than the energy and capital intensive centralised model. If not being able to water lawns, wash cars or get our shirts spotlessly white is the price, then I am more than happy to pay it. michael King World wide, the concept that there are limits to growth and that we need to limit our own impact on the environment is becoming main stream. It is no longer the preserve of the hippies or the greenies to ‘step more lightly’ on the Earth. It will be forced on all of us soon enough with become our first electricity and fuel costs anyway. I am choosing my words carefully in this section because in my recent experience, this is an unpopular world view. It is however the emerging reality. The era of cheap energy and resources is over and our lifestyles will have to change. Peak oil (the point ever olympic where demand exceeds available supply) appears to be happening now. This will profoundly alter the economics of the way we inhabit the landscape and the way we look to the future. The Earth’s population has more than doubled in my lifetime and the athlete. middle classes of China and India can now afford the lifestyles that we have been enjoying and showcasing for the last 40-50 years. While I am not suggesting it is time yet to go back to growing our own food and prepare for the apocalypse, the small victory of retaining some on-site see page 15. life support is especially satisfying in this context. andRew dOnaldSOn 4 | beach/life

views and opinions Send you views and opinions to views@beach-life.co.nz THERE ARE MANY THINGS AT WAINuI As good as it gets? and Makorori we need to know more about. There are issues, problems, things that aren’t We don’t think so ... always quite right in this little patch of coast we like to think of as pretty special. Things that could be made better. the place on trail bikes. Today, everything What sort of things? There’s a long list headlands overlooking the coast, are well has to be governed, everything has to be really, if you use your imagination. looked after and landscaped to enhance their correct. There is a new management plan natural beauty. • One thing that has come out of the for the reserve. The plan, in its own words, submissions hearings is that beach people “has been prepared to assist in the day- • What about the walkway and cycle like to think of themselves as a “bit green” to-day management of the reserve, whilst track? We’ve been going on about this for in the eco-friendly meaning of the word. meeting long term management objectives. over 20 years. I’m worried I’ll be too old to There seems to be a feeling out there It sets out a framework to provide for passive use it, if it’s ever realised. It would seem such that we could make the beach some recreational use and access to Wainui a simple thing; a strip of pavement from the sort of environmentally sensitive, earth- Beach, while enhancing the fragile foredune city boundary at Rutene Road to Oneroa caring enclave. Not a bad aspiration but landscape”. Work on implementing this Road. It is genuinely needed. We love to walk we certainly have a lot of work to do in plan is quietly beginning with the removal of and we love to bike to town. But the strip that direction. The septic tank problem is “exotic plant pests” from the reserve. See of Highway 35 from Sponge Bay to Oneroa discussed elsewhere in this issue, but it will our full story on the removal of the Phoenix Road is really too dangerous for walking be, and is, one of the biggest issues we all Palms and Norfolk Pines on page 8. and cycling, and there have been deaths face. to prove it. Where is the cycle track and • For so long the beaches have been left walkway scheme stuck at the moment? The • Forestry trucks! In our next issue to exist “naturally”. But you could also say new Sponge Bay development has allowed (December) we’ll be looking at the issue of they have been left to deteriorate “naturally”. for a three metre strip of reserve land along road safety on Highway 35, forestry trucks The beaches today are very different from its boundary to accommodate such a track. and timber flow in general. What’s the what they would have been before roads, Let’s go, let’s get it done. Petrol prices are forecast? Just how many trucks can we housing, farming and tree felling. Many rising daily, we need to get on our bikes expect to see (and hear) rattling through our parts of our coastline, from Sponge Bay to again. (quiet) beachside community. Tatapouri, are in a sort of benign neglect as a legacy to human occupation over the past • On the subject of development – how • Then there’s the erosion of the beach 100 years. Can we restore these places? will new housing development continue at front. A huge issue and a huge threat. This is Should we tidy them up? Tuahine Headland the beach in the wake of the rejection of the such a long and on-going saga I think most is a fast eroding piece of geography. Must reticulation proposal? Do we or don’t we of us, those not immediately threatened by it continue to crumble into the sea? Can want to see Wainui grow, have more houses, the encroaching sea, have almost forgotten anything really be done to stop the headland more people, maybe a viable shopping about it. Winter, as usual, has delivered from eroding through? What new forces of centre one day? Are we, in fact, being selfish some huge southerly seas, sweeping away the nature will Wainui face up to without its if we don’t want to allow others to enjoy acres of sand overnight, tugging away at protective embrace? life at the beach? Is there a compromise the land’s edge. What is the reality of beach between the Papamoa experience and what erosion today at Wainui? What’s the latest • The Makorori Point lookout area is we have at the moment? on this front? What will global warming do another place that’s long needed tidying to our beachfront landscape? Another major up. This neglected, pot-holed, often-a- All interesting issues. All areas of much concern this magazine hopes to look into in dumping ground, commands one of New potential debate. That’s been the purpose future issues. Zealand’s iconic ocean views. (The whole of this column; to kick-start an era of world saw it in Whale Rider!) Yet, close-up, discussion, healthy argument and community • What’s the future of Lysnar Reserve? it’s dangerous and an eyesore. A favourite awareness through the pages of this How fortunate we are that the Lysnar family place for tossing over empty kina shells, fish magazine. left this strip of undeveloped coastal dune land overlooking the sea. What a treasure carcasses and paua guts, not to mention Communication is much easier these days, it is. Imagine if Moana Road was hidden the odd car body. Anywhere else on Earth it we are in the middle of a communication from the ocean behind a string of beach would be a heritage site. Who actually owns revolution in fact. I invite all residents to get houses similar to Wairere Road. In the past this lookout? Can anything be done to make on their keyboards to write and email. All is was just good enough that it was there as it a decent place for people to pull over and communications will be treated with care, common land that anyone could utilise with watch the surf, view the sunrise, take photos respect and given space. little restriction. Some dumped their lawn of the sweep of Makorori? Those who have The beach is a great place to live, and clippings in the dunes, people planted wild travelled the east coast of Australia will it could be so much better. Let’s get some flowers and exotic trees. Kids charged over know that such places, hundreds of lovely things done. ediTOR beach/life | 5

what’s up? Proposed national environmental standard for on-site wastewater systems THE GOvERNMENT IS CONSIDERING A national environmental standard for the inspection of septic tank systems. The proposal is that regional councils will Back Row (right to left): Rico Gear, Michael Bloxham, Tame Curtis, Sefton Harrison, Kosta require property owners in certain areas to Atsalis. Rear: Karl Geiseler, (Assistant Coach). hold a current “warrant of fitness” (WOF) for Middle Row: Luke Simperingham, Jeremy Gray, Kelly Geiseler, Ben McCulloch, (captain) Front Row: Jacques Klavs, (vice captain), Leroy Shaw, Jonti Cox, Kobe Johnson their septic tank system. Not Pictured: Wiremu King-Taufa, Wayne Bloxham, (Coach). To obtain a WOF, a system would be required to pass an inspection every three Wayne’s Warriors catch All Black attention years. Regional councils would identify the areas where the standard would apply. IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT AN ALL BLACK TuRNS uP TO YOuR TRAINING SESSION WHEN The Ministry for the Environment will be you’re a primary school kid, but that’s exactly what happened for the OBM Wainui Warriors running a series of public workshops to under 10-year-olds’ rugby team last term. explain the proposed standard. MFE says it has been estimated that in Leanne Harrison of Douglas Street, one of the boys’ parents, happened to approach Rico some regions at least 20 per cent of homes Gear, who was home from England recently to visit friends and family. When asked to make rely upon on-site wastewater treatment. a special visit to see her son’s team, Rico didn’t hesitate to accept the offer and also co- The MFE website says for the proposed opted his friend and Poverty Bay legend Kahu Tamatea, (prior to his move to Ireland), to help standard to operate effectively there needs take the team through some All Black drills. to be an adequate pool of suitably skilled Coach Wayne Bloxham described the reaction on the boys’ faces as: “Priceless – mouths inspectors. The mechanics of just how the wide open, absolutely awestruck!” inspectors would be involved in the national It was a great thrill for the boys (and parents) and testament to Rico’s great character environmental standard process have been putting the time back in with school kids in the district. Rico commented how quick the boys purposely left open to allow flexibility for picked up on the drills and commented that they were advanced for their years. councils in terms of how they choose to Playing under the Banner of the OBM Club, the Wainui Warriors have been lucky to field approach this. their entire team from Wainui School. Team unity is strong – they’re all mates and their squad GDC chief executive Lindsay McKenzie has largely remained the same for the past four seasons. told Beach/Life the MFE proposal doesn’t fundamentally change anything with regard The entire time they’ve had the benefit of dedicated father and coach, Wayne Bloxham, to a sewage disposal planning partnership who’s done an incredible job with these boys. Wayne makes the drive from Whangara twice with Wainui. a week for practice and, on the occasion when Wayne can’t make it down from the farm, he’s “The need to plan/partner is probably brought the team to him – an afternoon in the yards, drafting sheep never hurt rugby players! more compelling than before. The National In the competition games, Wainui remained unbeaten until a recent deadlock-breaker Environmental Standards will set some against OBM Crusaders, played as a curtain raiser at Rugby Park recently. Only a try in the bottom lines but it is still important to final minute of the game resulted in a 10-5 loss to the beach side. get community support for what the NES Wayne, who has been short-listed as one of six Gisborne finalists out of 3800 nationally for requires, or something better, if desired. the New Zealand volunteer Coach of the year award, modestly credits much of the success “Our commitment to following up with to the boy’s fitness. But sideline observers have noticed the ability of the boys to play as a the Wainui community is on a broader, cohesive unit and more structured rugby is what has so far distinguished them from their sustainability platform anyway, so waste opponents. disposal is just one part.” However Wayne is credited with more than just the consistent results. What is more Any person can make a submission pleasing is his strict code of sportsmanship and inspiring of the boys to play as a team. on the proposed standard. Submissions Without a doubt there are a couple in the team destined for greater playing honours, but must be forwarded to the Ministry for the Wayne has instilled positive team values in all the boys, a sense of discipline and a genuine Environment, PO Box 10362, Wellington or enthusiasm for rugby based on his own passion for the game. by email to standards@mfe.govt.nz in time to be received no later than 5.00pm on So if you’re driving past the Wainui School on a cold, wet Monday or Friday evening and 26 September 2008. wondering who the dedicated team are training under instructions from a man wearing a Go to www.mfe.govt.nz website. “swandri” and farmer’s hat — toot your horn or wave out, because now you’re know it’s Wayne’s Warriors! 6 | beach/life

what’s up? exotic trees to be phased out of Wainui reserves A MATuRE PHOENIX PALM IN LYSNAR Reserve, just opposite the Douglas Street tee-junction with the Highway, was cut down recently – the beginning of a systematic “phasing out” of exotic plants from the reserve. Why was it cut down? GDC’s community facilities asset manager Terry McMillan says the tree was removed as part of the WD Lysnar and Wainui Reserve Management Plan to remove “exotic” trees from all reserves at Wainui Beach. This was not a one-off action as, following the intent of the Reserve Management Plan, all Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis), also known as Phoenix palms, will be removed from Lysnar Reserve over time, probably within the next two years. Some may be transplanted, if possible. So, what other “exotic” trees will be BELEAGUERED ICONS: A view to the eroding lighthouse framed by a lone Norfolk pine. The GDC’s removed. What’s the fate of Okitu’s iconic Lysnar and Wainui Reserve Management Plan will see the singular pine tree removed. Norfolk pine trees? The Norfolk pines at the “Pines” will Pohutukawa trees will remain even though rank grass, agapanthus, pampas grass, aloe remain, but all the others will be removed, they are not originally “native” to the area. and wild ginger. over the next five years, says Terry McMillan. Pohutakawa trees were planted at the The only exception are the exotic Norfolk This should not come as a surprise, he southern end of the beach over 50 years Pines at the “Pines” dune-top, where the says. The WD Lysnar and Wainui Reserve ago for ‘beautification’ purposes. Later, in pine trees are a cultural landscape feature Management Plan was prepared over a 12 1977, Wainui Lions Club planted Pohutakawa and provide stability on the dune-face. month period and widely consulted on. It trees on the Moana Road beachfront as far However, if any of these trees poses a was released in draft and received about as the Chalet and, in the late 1980s, Project threat to public safety, they will be removed 200 submissions. These were considered Crimson planted Pohutakawa trees further and not replanted. Instead, indigenous by Council, the Plan amended and finally northward. vegetation suitable for erosion control, such adopted earlier this year. The concept is to leave all reserves at as flaxes will be planted. The Management Plan notes that the Wainui Beach in a “natural state”. The Ear-marked for clearing is the grove of reserves are currently home to a range of Management Plan points to community exotic plants opposite 125 Moana Road. introduced plants such as Norfolk pines, feedback during submissions which Residents will be advised of this and will Canary Island palms, agapanthus, ginger and supported retaining Lysnar Reserve in its be offered the chance to take plants for re- aloe plants. “natural state”. “Natural state” has been planting in their own gardens. interpreted by GDC staff and the community The Council plans to provide Wainui as long stretches of dunes and dune residents with information on “appropriate grasses. indigenous species for coastal planting and Therefore, to achieve this “natural state” erosion control” and to invite residents to join exotic species are to be removed throughout a community care initiative to stabilise the the reserve using a “phased approach”. dunes in front of their property. The main recreation areas of Pines, This “dune care programme” would be Hamanatua Stream, Wainui Surf Club, extended along the length of the Wainui Stockroute, Chalet and Northern Carpark- Beach foreshore with near-by residents being Whales Graves will be the priority areas. invited to participate in planting programmes. This means the overall eradication of all This would entail the new planting of exotic plant “pests” along the entire length of indigenous species as appropriate along the reserve. eroding dune foreshore areas (grasses), Plant pests ear-marked for removal include and small gully slips, waterway and riparian EXOTIC PESTS: At least another half dozen Canary Island palms will be “phased out” from not only the Norfolk pines and the Phoenix margins (including flax, toi toi and grasses). the Reserve over the next couple of years. palms but also “weed infestations” such as For the eroding steep country of the beach/life | 7

Makorori Headland, suggested indigenous plants include Tawapou, Whau, Hebe no 50km speed restriction likely for moana road Tairawhiti, Taupata (coprosma repens), Karaka and Pohutakawa. Puriri and Kohekohe could be put in at a later stage. The Council will maintain, trim and thin new trees and young seedling Pohutakawas under established canopies while retaining resident’s “view shafts”. Priority will be given to removing exotic plants from the Whales Grave site and replacing these with indigenous plants such as cabbage trees, flax and karo. Beach/Life made a visual inventory of Phoenix palms and Norfolk pines currently thriving within the reserve: From the north – there is a row of six Norfolk pines at the north end of the beach at the base of the headland. There are three healthy, established Norfolk pines within the fenced area of the whale’s grave site. There a two singular mature pines opposite 84 and 87 Moana Road, there are SAFE CROSSING: Bonnie Grealish of Lysnar Street leads sister Meg, with Jo and Tadhg in tow, also two Phoenix palms in this general area. across the Hamanatua bridge at Okitu. The speed limit is to remain at 70kmh. There a two more pines and two Phoenix A LOCAL PETITION CALLING FOR A 50 a visual narrowing of the highway to palms at the north end of the Chalet car kilometre per hour speed restriction along encourage drivers to slow down. Threshold park. A further two more pine trees and Moana Road has been unsuccessful – but signs create a “gateway” effect which also two more Phoenix palms sprout from the the petition has prompted Transit New highlights the change in the speed limit. bushy grove opposite the Chalet. A large Zealand to look at placing traffic and The other initiative has already been and obvious Phoenix palm stands close to pedestrian safety measures along that completed and well received by the Okitu the edge of the highway opposite 44 Moana suburban stretch of Highway 35. community. That is the pedestrian safety Road. There are three pines between the Work on safety railings and a new under- work around the Hamanatua Bridge. Okitu Store and the Pines car park. Lining bridge footpath at the Hamanatua Bridge The construction of a looping paved the sand dunes within the Pines car park are a result of that petition, says Transit NZ pathway from the land side of the bridge are a line of six more pines (which are so far regional network manager, Gordon Hart. walkway, under the bridge and into the Okitu exempt from removal). However, the speed restriction along Lagoon carpark, avoiding the necessity for There are a dozen staked new Norfolk Moana Road will remain at 70kmh. pedestrians to cross the highway, came as a pine plantings in a regrowth zone closer to Mr Hart says the petition was taken welcome surprise to residents recently. the road, some now a high as five metres. seriously and focused attention on the safety Then followed the swift erection of crash There are two pines in the Wainui of Moana Road, but it just didn’t meet the barriers and safety fences on both sides of surf club car park area, planted by club criteria that is required for a speed reduction. the bridge. members in the 1980s. There are two more “It’s not the end of the equation though,” Wainui school principal Nolian Andrews across the stream at the south edge of the he told Beach/Life. “Things do change and says the work at the bridge has been Okitu Lagoon car park. we will keep monitoring the situation. It’s not welcomed by the school which actively • The Canary Island Date Palm Tree just a matter of sticking to some rule book encourages children to walk to school. (Phoenix canariensis) are native to the on this, we have to use commonsense.” The safety issue of Okitu children crossing Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off He says one of the tests of the suitability the busy highway to get to the seaward the coast of northeast Africa. They have for imposing a reduced speed restriction side of the road and then crossing the become popular landscape trees in on a stretch of highway is if there can be a unprotected bridge was of major concern. warm climates around the world and, “realistic expectation of observance” of that Okitu parents who walk their children to when pruned and trimmed, can grow as restriction by motorists. school are very happy with the new safety high as 100 feet. He points out that there are constant measures. “It’s about time,” seems to be the • The Norfolk pine (Araucaria and numerous requests for similar speed consensus. heterophylla), is not a true pine tree restriction reductions from all over New The prospect of being caught mid-bridge and is in fact a native of the South Zealand. with a pushchair and two school kids, facing Pacific. As its vernacular name Norfolk However, he says, initiatives are already a fully laden logging truck doing 70kmh has Island Pine implies, the tree is endemic underway to make Moana Road safer and to long been a parents’ nightmare. to Norfolk Island, a small island in the reinforce the existing 70kmh restriction. The “threshold gateway sign” before the Pacific Ocean between Australia, New This summer, what Transit NZ calls bridge on the town side is hoped to reinforce Zealand and New Caledonia. The genus “threshold gateways” will be erected at each the speed limit change from 100 to 70kmh, Araucaria occurs across the South entrance to the 70kmh stretch area. further enhancing the safety of crossing the Pacific. These are large signs which provide Hamanatua Stream. 8 | beach/life

Family dining at wainui Beach’s bar and brasserie Market Fresh Fish 21.50 Tsunami Pizzas (Dine In or Takeaway) Large 18.00 Small 9.50 Beer battered or pan fried served with golden fries, garden salad and > Gourmet Meat Lovers Salami, chorizo & cured ham, herbed potato, house made tartar sauce onion jam & fresh herbs Scotch Fillet (200g) 24.50 > Vegetarian Roast pumpkin, feta, sun dried tomato, pine nuts, baby spinach & balsamic reduction Cooked to your liking served on creamy mashed potato or steak fries, > Tomato Cherry tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, capers, Spanish winter vegetables with a red wine and peppercorn jus onion, fresh basil & Parmesan cheese > Smoked Salmon Goats cheese, Spanish onion, cherry tomatoes, Primo Beef Burger (180g) 16.50 baby spinach & capers Served with crispy bacon, tasty cheese, salad, tomato and home made relish. With fries or kumara wedges on the side Entrees Tsunami Chicken Burger 16.50 Garlic and herbed bread > 7.50 Skewers: > 11.50 Tasty pieces of grilled chicken, crispy bacon, brie, cranberry sauce, salad, > Saki and ginger marinated beef with sweet soy tomato and aioli in a warm bun with fries or kumara wedges > Chilli and garlic prawn with lime & coriander sauce Lamb Shanks 1 shank 17.50 | 2 shanks 25.00 Soup of the day with fresh bread > 10.50 Crispy limed spiced squid with dipping sauce and side salad > 12.50 Slow braised with seasonal vegetables, red wine and Italian herbs served on creamy mashed potato Bar Snacks The Tsunami Antipasto Platter (to share) 36.50 Garlic and herbed bread > 7.50 A luxurious spread of cured meats, seafood and New Zealand cheeses, Bread and dips with by gourmet deli products, homemade dips and warm breads Warm selection of oven fresh breads & house made dips > 10.00 Kumara wedges with housemade aioli > 8.00 Sides Creamy mash, Seasonal vegetables, Green salad 6.50 each Chunky potato fries with tomato sauce > 6.50 Vegetarian meal options on request Crispy limed spiced squid with dipping sauce and side salad > 12.50 Fisherman’s Basket > 12.50 Desserts All 12.00 Battered fish bites, prawn cutlets & squid rings served on a bed of golden fries with dipping sauces > Warm sticky date pudding, caramel sauce and vanilla icecream > Chocolate brownie, Kapiti triple chocolate ice ream, chocolate sauce Green Salad > 6.50 > Oven baked apple slice with warm thick and creamy vanilla custard A bowl of fresh mesclun & seasonal produce tossed in olive oil & balsamic vinaigrette 15% surcharge applies all public holidays winter dining Specials: Monday night dine in Pizza: Buy one, get one free. wednesday nights: Children (under 12) dine free. Open 6 days (MOn-sat) 4pM tO late • pHOne 868 6828 beach/life | 9

Time for new owners to what’s up? benefit from the makeover THE TSuNAMI BAR AND BRASSERIE, WAINuI’S POPuLAR BAR daughter, Ruby Rose, and living in Douglas Street, Okitu, Wainui and family dining restaurant is on the market. After two years in the Beach. ownership of Maurice Judd and Guy Rutledge and Ray and Gail With the guidance of the Tsunami Bar directors, Neil has helped Dalton, the partners say its time to realise the investment. steer the local bar and brasserie on a steady course where it is now The partners took over the former Sandbar well and truly serving the needs of both the in late 2006 and have spent a great deal of local community and the travelling public. time and money giving the Oneroa Road As well as looking after the bar and establishment a total makeover. restaurant Neil has also had time to complete A completely new kitchen, new bar and a Certificate in Viticulture and Winemaking at serving facilities, new furnishings, new Tairawhiti Polytechnic’s Waimata Winery. computer and security systems, a state-of- He hopes to do more study and pass more the-art sound system – nothing was spared papers first, so he can eventually become a towards attaining the goal of a creating a bar qualified winemaker. and restaurant equal to Auckland’s best. Early attempts to set up the restaurant as While on the market, the bar continues to a “fine dining” experience have been relaxed operate and these days is run by manager and nowdays the bar is ticking over nicely Neil Aitkenhead. The Belfast born 35-year-old, as a “family” style dining experience with a married to a Gisborne girl, Amber Creswell, menu and prices to reflect the needs of the now calls himself a Kiwi, and has been a real local community. bonus for the Tsunami Bar since he started as For the rest of the winter the Tsunami Bar manager last January. and Brasserie will be open six days a week, Neil left the Emerald Isle ten years ago for Monday to Saturday, from 4pm. Winter dining a new life Down under and ended up running incentives include Wednesday nights where Kitty O’Shea’s Irish Bar in Wellington. children under 12 get to dine for free and on It was here he met Amber Creswell, a Monday nights, dine-in pizzas are two for the Gisborne girl working in Wellington. Now they price of one. are married, with a lovely little three year old Tsunami Bar manager Neil Aitkenhead. Wainui Beach’s reliable water supply DRIVER/OPERATIONS MANAGER: As a Wainui Beach homeowner, Greg Judd of Judd Water Supplies knows the importance of a reliable, clean source of household water for those times when the tanks run dry. Call the big green truck! 15500 litres of quality city water per load. Phone 867 6028 Greg Judd Mobile 027 230 2464 WATER SUPPLIES 10 | beach/life

Beach/life plans to run regular stories about the success of our kids, at home and our kids abroad. Send suggestions to info@beach-life.co.nz. First officer Kurt flies the indonesian skies FLYING COLOURS: Kurt Mastrovich, son of Kevin and Jill, is a former Wainui School boy who dreamed of becoming an airline pilot and is now realising that dream in Indonesia. Kurt mastrovich was one of those boys who wanted to grow up to be a pilot. And guess what, he did. it’s not an easy career to chase. it’s expensive, it’s difficult and there are never any guarantees. But 23-year-old Kurt has recently landed a fulltime job flying for a commercial airline in indonesia. This is his story. I HAD ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN FLYING AND AFTER becoming the Operations Controller where I was responsible for the visiting the flight deck on the way home from the 1999 Lytton High smooth running of a school that had 12 aircraft, 11 instructors and Japan-Malaysia trip I decided it was definitely what I wanted to do 100 students. for a job. In May this year I started working for an airline in Indonesia called I went to Wainui Beach Primary School between 1990 and 1995. Susi Air. I saw the job advertised on an Australian pilots union It was an awesome primary school and I remember being very upset website. I am flying as a First Officer on Cessna’s top-of-the-line at the prospect that I was going to have to go to another school Grand Caravans which seat twelve passengers. as I got older. There were some great teachers; my first was Mrs Out of fifty pilots, most of whom are expatriates, I am one of seven Manning who later became the Principal. Other greats who I will not New Zealanders. As First Officers we move around the bases to forget include Mrs Collier, Mr Parker, Mrs Bartje and Mrs Rowland. build experience in different environments. Wainui was very progressive. I was introduced to computers So far I have spent one month in Pangandaran, West Java, two straight away with the school having an Amiga 500 in each months in Medan, North Sumatra, one month in Jakarta and I am classroom. Early on I joined the Computer Club and then began now at our base in Sentani, Papua for a month. teaching other students how to use computers. While our bases are all at major airports most of our destinations After Wainui I went to Ilminster Intermediate and had to endure the are small airports serving small communities. This gives us a lot pink shirts – which turned out to be quite liveable given 300 other of variety flying over large smog covered cities, across jungle, and students were wearing the same thing and then I went to Lytton High hopping between small islands. Most legs are no longer than an School from 1998, becoming Head Prefect in my final year. hour. It’s an incredibly fun job and gives me a chance to travel the In 1999 I was went on a school trip to Japan and Malaysia, it was country and see the rest of Asia. definitely a pivotal moment. I got to see a different part of the world With my student loan up around the $80,000 mark I was very and on the flight home got to sit up the “pointy end” with the pilots fortunate to get my first flying job with only 240 hours total flying as we flew over Indonesia. time. In New Zealand especially you need to have hundreds more In 2003 I began my Bachelor of Aviation at the Palmerston North hours to get into a flying job like this. campus of the Massey university School of Aviation. I didn’t actually I guess I always thought I would try to fly for big airlines like do my first flight until then. Air New Zealand but having been here for four months and really During the three year degree I took 32 academic papers and enjoying the flying and travelling I am not in such a rush anymore. also gained my Commercial Pilots Licence and Instrument Rating At this stage I intend to stay here for a couple of years which will at Privileges among other aviation qualifications. least be enough time to get my captaincy and a decent amount of In 2007 I returned to the School of Aviation as a member of staff, pilot-in-command hours on the aircraft. beach/life | 11

ray’s gone from clean to superClean what’s up? started a seperate business dedicated to this service. The result is Superclean and now Ray, in his brightly signwritten Superclean van, is a common sight to see heading in and out of the beach on jobs. The engine room of the new business is a Hydromaster Boxxer 421 truck-mounted steam cleaning unit. Worldwide this machine is considered the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaners. The compact 421 is a smooth, low noise, low vibration machine with exceptional cleaning performance. The unit’s adjustable heat feature allows fine-tuning from 160° to 240°F allowing for the safe cleaning of even delicate fabrics. The pressure can be dialed up to 1000 PSI when tile and grout cleaning or pressure washing is needed. The KEEN TO CLEAN: Ray Morgan demonstrates the efficiency of his new carpet cleaning business Hydromaster can also be used to remove based around his mobile van and steam cleaning system. water after flooding. RAY MORGAN IS A vERY CLEAN GuY. started in the business after moonlighting As Ray’s website says: “Whether you’re Can’t get any dirt on this Douglas Street to make extra income when the kids moving into a new house, out of an old local. In fact he’s SuperClean. were young. He got to know the cleaning one, or looking to increase the value Ray and wife Bronwyn have been business, bought his own equipment, went and protection of your rental property, operating Ray Morgan Cleaning Services out fulltime and now has a staff of eight SuperClean Carpet and upholstery Cleaning for 20 years now. And just recently they’ve looking after many of the big commercial Services has the knowledge and technology started SuperClean, a sideline to their busy cleaning contracts around the city. you need to ensure your carpets and commercial cleaning business, with a state- Noticing an increase in the number of upholstery receive the care and attention of-the-art mobile, carpet and upholstery requests for specialised carpet cleans, they deserve. Don’t risk your money on steam cleaning system. Ray decided earlier this year to invest in an inferior cleaning service – contact us Like a lot of commercial cleaners Ray a dedicated carpet cleaning unit and so today!” Carpet and upholster y cleaning to the highest standard PROTECT YOUR MOST VALUABLE INVESTMENT • Safe, non toxic system • Reduce/remove unattractive stains & soiling • Reduces damage to your carpet from sand / soil particles • Kills & removes dust mites & allergents • Remove smells & odours from carpets not cleaned regularly PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN & PETS • Less bacteria in your home • Non-toxic/non-allergenic • Help Prevent pet soiling by removing previous pet odours • Safer environment for asthma and allergen-sensitive people • Peace of mind for you & your family IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH QUALITY OF YOUR HOME • Affordable means of ensuring clean carpets & upholstery • Less dust, hair, and other nasty particles in your home • Fast drying ensures minimal air moisture Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Services • Breathe easier with less dust mites and other creepy-crawlies • Save time, effort and money without sacrificing cleanliness Call Ray Morgan 20 years experience in cleaning industry 0800 000668 10 years in carpets & upholstery info@superclean.net.nz 12 | beach/life

what’s up? A treat in store at Wainui Beach THE FOLKS THAT BROuGHT YOu CAFé Ruba, and then Café villaggio, now bring you The Wainui Store. And what a bonus to the beach the all new Wainui Store is! Experienced restaurateurs David and Amy Whitfield, with Amy’s brother Marcel Campbell, recently took on the lease of the Wainui Store in Oneroa Road and have since turned it into classic mix of local BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL: Local dairy, fish and chip shop, burger bar, café, organic veges and dairy, café, takeaway bar, fish and chip gourmet items – there’s a lot going on at the new Wainui Store. shop and gourmet food outlet. After selling both Café Ruba in Childers brand. The result is top quality café coffee real meat sausages custom-made at the Road and Café villaggio in the Ballance at the beach. The coffee is proving hugely Ballance Street Butchery. Street village last year, David and Amy popular with David saying they are now The hamburgers are a real treat too, took some time out, went back to visit making more cups of coffee at Wainui on a created with a chef’s eye for both gourmet David’s family in England and sat around weekly basis than they did at Café Ruba. and classic Kiwi tastes. thinking about what to do on their return to The Whitfields are also making use The two centimetre thick beef patties Gisborne. of their ties with the café industry by are grilled to perfection and added to the As they live in Wheatstone Road, and accessing a few wholesale gourmet food hot buns with local lettuce and garnishings the old Wainui Store was their local dairy, products, items you wouldn’t usually including a tasty olive and tomato relish. they began talking about what they could expect to find in a local dairy. The fish burgers are fresh whole tarahiki do with the shop if they were able to get Items like pasta, risotto rice and fillets with homemade aioli dressing. Paua, the lease. olives are just a start to a growing line of veggie and cheese burgers are menu Back home in March this year, Marcel delicatessen items. They’re also stocking options. also became enthusiastic about the organic vegetables and free range eggs. The Wainui Store is open seven days concept of turning the dairy into a vibrant A Bose sound system wafting good music from 7am. Monday and Tuesday to 7pm community store and takeaway food outlet. throughout the store is another little café and Wednesday to Sunday to 8pm. They approached the former owners who extra. The takeaway food bar is serving in the were happy to hand over the lease. On the takeaway food side of the evenings only, Wednesday to Sunday, from The first thing they did was gut the business, David says they have imported 5pm. building and renovate the interior into the the same quality standards from their “At the moment this works best for us,” bigger, brighter premises it now is. restaurant experiences, the difference David says. “It means we can keep the being the food is wrapped in newspaper quality under control. It’s difficult to keep a “We really thought hard about what the rather than served on plates. kitchen hot and ready all day just to make community would want and – as we were also customers – what we would want in a They use only soya oil for the deep fryer the odd burger and a punnet of chips. local store, apart from the usual milk, paper and this is changed daily. They’ve installed However we will look at opening longer as and bread,” says David. three-phase power so they can keep the summer comes around. heat up, which is of prime importance Another feature of the new Wainui Store “While we’ve designed it and branded it when frying. They buy fresh fish, usually is an outdoor seating and eating area on to give off all the nice feelings of a classic locally caught tarakihi from Gisborne the beach side of the shop. This is still a Kiwi corner store, complete with scoop in Fisheries, which is usually fresh off the work in progress and will be developed the cone ice creams, we’ve added a few boat. “It’s so fresh they’re often still filleting more into the summer months. trendy extras like a commercial espresso it when we go for supplies”, says David. coffee machine, and a takeaway food So there it is. The all new, really cool, kitchen based on the technology and The fish is served in either a batter Wainui Store – espresso coffees, beer- quality controls we used when running our made from Gisborne Gold beer or a mix of battered fish and chips, custom-made hot restaurants.” export quality crumbs with added seeds dogs, organic vegetables – just another and spices. The chips are from the also compelling reason to love living at the David bought a ex-café espresso bought locally and cooked in the very hot, beach! machine on Trade Me and has continued a neutral-flavoured soya oil. The hot dogs are long association with the Supreme coffee Phone for takeaways: 867 8446. beach/life | 13

Beach/life plans to run regular stories about the success of our kids, at home and abroad. Send suggestions to info@beach-life.co.nz. our kids our mike’s big push for olympic selection IF MICHAEL KING’S TRAINING PAYS OFF OvER THE NEXT TWO years, Wainui Beach may very well be watching it’s first born-at-the- beach Olympic athlete competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Mike is vying to be selected as a final member of the four-man Kiwi bobsled team for the vancouver Games. On September 4 he leaves for Canada with the 8-man selection squad for an intensive training camp, on actual ice for the first time, at the 1988 Winter Olympic Stadium in Calgary. Mike will then spend much of our summer commuting to the ice and snow of North America’s winter. They will be competing in a series of events starting with the America’s Cup in November, followed by World Cup and European Cup events and then the World Championships at Lake Placid, New York, at the end of February. Mike, now aged 25, son of Steve and Sue King, got into the sport via his Gisborne friend, Otago university student Michael Coutts, who has already represented the country at various international competitions, including the junior world championships, in the one- man bobsled “skeleton” discipline. He trialed with over 70 others as part of a SPARC talent identification project that has the aim of the Zealand bobsledding team making the top 10 in the 2010 Winter Olympics. The final eight will be reduced to four before the Olympic Games. If successful, Mike will have the “second man” position in the team, the man behind the driver. Mike’s coach is bobsledding legend, Gerd Grimme, former head coach of the Canadian team, who has also coached and directed bobsleigh for the Netherlands, Norway and Germany. Weight and speed are the key to Mike’s position, attributes gained from both surf life saving, particularly beach sprinting, and rugby. The Wainui surf lifesaver and HSOB premier rugby team member has so far reached the 106 kilogram mark of his aim to get to 112kg. Mike, who went to Wainui School, gained a sports degree from Waikato university and then trained to be a secondary school teacher at Victoria. He returned home recently after five years working as a PE teacher in Wellington and last January was married to Cate Busby, daughter of Bill and Meg Busby of Tokomaru Bay (see our weddings page). They live in Lloyd George Road. Cate, a clothing designer at New Wave Surfboards, is fully supportive of Mike’s Olympic bid and the couple is looking forward to possibly combining a bit of OE while Mike’s attends events in Europe. Though the squad get sick of the “Cool Runnings” comments, Mike admits it is a pretty similar scenario. A bunch of guys with no money, little experience, with big dreams and a former world famous coach. On the subject of “no money”, Mike says thanks to Brent Simpson at Charcoal Chicken who is donating him $1 from every bottle of Powerade sold at the shop, and Mike is keen to hear from any other local company interested in supporting or sponsoring him. There is also a promotion included in this magazine to help Mike with some of the early personal costs involved in his Olympic bid. OLYMPIC DREAMS: Michael King is training hard to make the Mike works as a sports development officer at Sports Gisborne who New Zealand bobsled team for the 2010 Winter Olympics. he says are supportive of his once in a lifetime bid for Olympic glory. 14 | beach/life

Protect plants, stop beach weddings weeds and save water with garden bark from Judd Bark Supplies Good for the Earth! Recycled greenwaste products Organic Compost ......... cubic metre $50 Use for raised beds, improve the structure of your soil Bark (Nos. 2,3,4) ............. cubic metre $50 Weed control, low maintenance, moisture retention Forest Floor Bark .......... cubic metre $32 Style and texture, weed control, moisture retention GANDER-TANNER: It was a 1960s ‘hippyish style’ garden wedding at their home in Murphy Road for English emigrants Phoebe Tanner and Tim Gander on April 26. Phoebe is a talented artist and photographer, Carpet Belt Bark ........... cubic metre $26 currently working at the Gisborne Herald, although soon to go on maternity leave as their first baby is due in November. Tim is a PE Economical weed control, mositure retention teacher at Boys’ High. “We emigrated in 2005 because of the lifestyle here,” says Phoebe. “This is the perfect place to bring up a family, and we feel so privileged to be able to live at Wainui, it really is a dream All Products + Tub Mix available in 40 litre bags. come true.” PHOTO BY BRETT MEAD PHOTOGRAPHY We take and recycle all garden greenwaste. Clean, user-friendly and very competitive charges. BARK SUPPLIES Mon to Fri: 7.30am to 4.30pm Sat & Sun: 9am to 2pm MacDonald Road, Matawhero Phone 867 6028 WILLIAMS-CARROLL: Wainui beach boy Dion Williams went looking for mid-winter sunshine in Rarotonga where he and Nicola were married on July 26 in the company of a small gathering of family and friends. beach/life | 15

beach weddings KING-BUSBY: On Saturday January 19 at All Saints Church, Tokomaru Bay, Catharine Helen Busby married Michael Daniel King of Wainui Beach. Cate is the daughter of Meg and Bill Busby from Rahiri Station near Tokomaru Bay. Mike is the son of Steve and Sue King. CHAPMAN-MOSS: Nick Chapman and Louisa Moss were married at the beach on February 16 this year. Nick is a school teacher and local lad, well- known around the surf breaks, and Louisa is his imported English bride, a lawyer now working at Egan and Kite. Nick and Louisa live in Lysnar Street. PHOTO BY BEAUTIFUL DAY PHOTOGRAPHY AMOR-BENDALL: Sounds like a good name for a wine label! Noel and Alison were officially blended at their Wheatstone Road home on May 31 this year, followed by a party at the Moana Road winery. In the wedding party were Connor Amor-Bendall, Imogen Amor Bendall, Alison Bendall, celebrant Norman McLean, Noel Amor and sons Chase and Blaise Houston Amor. You can now browse our impressive ranges of premium kitchenware and appliances online www.shopatinteriors.co.nz • Kitchenware and appliances from around the world • Impressive selection of soft furnishings and blinds Gladstone Road Phone 867 9145 the kitchen shop info@shopatinteriors.co.nz 16 | beach/life

beach babes The population of wainui and Makorori Beaches has been steadily climbing over the past year or so with an amazing number of babies being “born at the beach”. Many of the new babies are second generation residents. On this page we introduce you to the newbies we could locate, and if we missed anyone, let us know, as we will update this page each issue. Boardroom owners Tom and Hayley Dalton are so happy to have Jett nicholas dalton on the surf team. Jett, weighing in at a chart topping 9lb 10oz, arrived on Friday afternoon June 6th, just in time for Friday drinks at grandma and grandpa’s. Definitely bound for equestrian glory is second generation Wainuian Toby david Rugged up and strapped in for a winter’s lane (born at 6lb 12oz on the 28th of May), walk along the beach is Jacob Christian pictured here with mum Sarah Aitken. Gilmour, who arrived on the scene weighing Sarah’s mum and dad, Trudy and David 9lb 3oz on Tuesday, March 4th. His mum and Aitken, have lived at the beach for thirty dad Steve and Caroline Gilmour are living years or more. Sarah, Tom and Toby are along Moana Road. Mum is originally from living on the “farm” at the of Lysnar Street South Africa and is an ER doctor at Gisborne where Sarah is running her riding school and Hospital. Dad is from Wanganui. Tom breeds polo ponies. New Makorori resident is Jade isabella Stirton, a grand child for John and Jan Stirton of Sirrah Street. Dad Kane Stirton is Wainui born and bred and mum Leanne Harrison is an Aussie import by way of Auckland, but has owned a house at the end of Makorori Beach for nearly ten years now. Leanne is a social environmental planner working part time for a Wellington based consultancy firm from home via the internet. beach/life | 17

The ever expanding Ryan family welcomed the six week early arrival of daniel darryn Ryan at 4lb 3oz on Wednesday, February 27. Daniel is a healthy, happy little brother to Brie 6 and Jay 2. Caroline is a full-time mum to the Ryan crew of Douglas Street and dad Kelly is a popular Lytton high school teacher and well known for his longboard surfing exploits. Kelly is also Beach/Life surfing correspondent. See page 40. Meet Perle Moana Rasby, born at 7lb 2oz on Sunday, February 10, to Brent “Young Razza” and Helena. Brent is the son of Bob “Old Razza” and the late Kathy, growing up at the beach in Murphy Road. Helena is an osteopath and a French import from Normandy, who came to Gisborne to learn to surf and works with the “Frenchmen” at ECO Osteo. Brent is a nurse at Gisborne Hospital. A second generation Wairere Roadian is Matua Kowhai Judd, born at 8lb 8oz on Monday, September 15 last year, and a happy little boy for Greg and Huia Judd and a grandchild for Bruce and well-known Wainui artist Erika Holden. Greg is the son of Denzil and Rose Judd of Matawhero, and he’s the friendly fellow who drives the D.B. Judd Holdings water truck when needed and is operations manager for the family firm. 18 | beach/life

our issues Post reticulation submission blues The people of wainui Beach took on City hall. The Council wanted sewage reticulation, the people – as it turned out – didn’t. in the face of unprecedented, organised and coherent opposition the Gisborne district Council had no option but to back down. we won the war, but now we have to face up to the responsibilities of the peace. The Council is already working on the terms of the treaty. and, looming on the horizon, is the Government’s Proposed national environmental Standard for On-site wastewater Systems. On 27 MaRCh 2008 The GiSBORne diSTRiCT COunCil Council says: “Some said that this need should be established approved a severely amended 2008-2009 annual Plan. The beyond reasonable doubt. The typical threshold for local Council would not proceed with reticulation of wastewater government is lower, i.e. the precautionary principle. It is and water at wainui Beach and wastewater at Makorori. acknowledged that for a scheme, of the cost of the one proposed, The Council had earlier received a record 416 submissions the current state of knowledge about the environmental and health relating to the reticulation proposal. Over 400 of these were risks does not justify proceeding with the proposal.” against reticulation proceeding. hearings on submissions were held over four days at which 110 people spoke to their Health risk not clearly established submissions. SOME SuBMITTERS SAID THAT THE COuNCIL SHOuLD GIvE There was something refreshing and organic about the priority to sorting out the future of the city’s wastewater treatment wainui uprising. There was a website. There were meetings. upgrade first. While many acknowledged septic tank cleanings There was a newsletter. local folk got to their feet and were would end up in the city system, many said that it didn’t make sense counted. it was democracy in action. The Council listened. to add to the burden on Poverty Bay without first resolving the city’s in the wake of the decision not to proceed with the wastewater issues. plan for reticulation the Council has answered some In its report Council says: “There is no clear evidence of immediate of the plethora of suggestions, challenges, allegations and unequivocal ecological damage as a result of current and presumptions that came out in the submissions. all wastewater practices. Likewise, there is no clear evidence of public submitters have since been posted a copy of this. health issues as a result of wastewater contamination of ground and surface water in the communities that can be directly linked to wastewater treatment practice. Consultation did not meet expectation “It has not been clearly established which proportions of SOME SuBMISSIONS MADE ALLEGATIONS OF A “LACK OF surface and ground water contamination at Wainui and Okitu consultation” and a “lack of transparency” in the Gisborne District and Sponge Bay is a result of runoff from farmland above the Council’s decision making process. residential communities and that it has not been clearly established In it’s post-submissions report Council says: “Whilst the Council’s which proportions of the current contamination are derived from intentions with previous consultation efforts were genuine, submitters agricultural and residential activities. indicated that it did not meet everyone’s needs and preferences. While “It is fair to say that the proposals were based on the the volume of information provided was ample, many people did not precautionary principle — that a medium sized concentrated feel engaged.” beachside community such as Wainui/Okitu/Sponge Bay and Many people felt that the process was “not one of consultation” as Makorori would have an environmentally more sustainable future they felt that the Council had predetermined the outcome. if reticulated water supply and wastewater disposal systems were Some submitters expressed concern that the Council had put available. forward few options and alternatives during its consultative process. “In essence, the Council still believes that proposition is valid. There was a suggestion that the pursuit of reticulation was a dogma. Nevertheless, in view of the submissions received and submitters Council has answered this by saying it appeared not well listened to, Council is prepared to accept that it is possible to understood that a decision-in-principle to reticulate had been taken contemplate a continuation of the on-site wastewater disposal earlier and that the officers had been requested to prepare a fully practices. costed proposal, that would be subject to the special consultative “It acknowledges that many wastewater systems are capable of procedure. An options analysis was part of the Proposal; six other providing acceptable outcomes and that wastewater technologies options were analysed, including the Proposal. are improving, thus allowing future improvements to be made in their “With the benefit of hindsight and based on the views of submitters, individual and collective performance. Council notes that the analysis was not as thorough as it could “There is a need for ongoing monitoring of the effects of on-site have been especially given the significant increase in the cost of the wastewater treatment, as well as a review of the requirements of proposal since 2006,” Council says. Council’s Wastewater Discharges Plan. Such regulatory intervention Many submitters believed that the need to reticulate had not been can be further developed and agreed to by Council, the Wainui/ established. Okitu/Sponge Bay communities and other stakeholders.” beach/life | 19

some implications for the Gisborne community’s wish to increase residential development and to allow its attractive seaside areas to be developed so that more people can live there. The exact effect of this is not easy to calculate, but it could be in the order of one to two hundred fewer household units not being able to be accommodated here. As the proposed Plan change 37 primarily envisaged a future of a Wainui Beach reticulated for sewage disposal and city water supply, Council believes is now “appropriate” to withdraw Plan change 37. In consultation with the local community, Council will DEVELOPERS SILENT: Many people believed reticulation was being driven by a conspiracy between land developers and consider whether a future Plan the Council. Councillors were indignant at such allegations. change should be promoted. “In that case a new proposal would be developed which is clearly based on a non-reticulated future for the communities, and Was it really about urban development? which is more specifically in line with many of the ecological and COuNCIL ALSO FIELDED ALLEGATIONS BY SuBMITTERS WHO sustainability objectives that were clearly in the minds of many believed the real reason for the reticulation proposal was the wish to submitters to the reticulation proposals. increase residential development at the beachside settlements. The implication was that it should not be up to the local community of Wainui and Okitu to fund 90 per cent of a proposal We could never have paid for it that would allow development that would be of benefit to the wider COuNCIL NOW ADMITS THAT THE SuBMISSION AND Gisborne community. hearing process clearly established that the “social and Council agreed that a desire to see some of the beach’s economic implications” were significantly larger than had development potential realised was a clear component of the been originally anticipated. reasons why reticulation has been promoted. It says the genesis of the reticulation proposal comes The Urban Coastal Strategy, that was adopted in 2005, points from a time where per-household cost was estimated in to “significant financial benefits” to Wainui/Okitu/Sponge Bay the region of $5,000-$7,500. landowners if new development opportunities were created. The Special Consultative Procedure had since According to Council the Urban Coastal Strategy had five demonstrated that the more likely cost of $25,000- general objectives. The first of these was to encourage controlled $30,000 per household scheme imposed a significant development in areas attractive to potential new residents. financial burden on the community. “The Strategy was explicit in stating that it provided for limited Council now acknowledges that whilst some further residential development and signalled the need to review households might have been be able to afford such costs, land use controls, and/or rezoning of land, to allow for further there would have been degrees of financial hardship for a residential development,” Council says. substantial numbers of households. “These intentions were given effect to by both the reticulation The Council report says: “On reading the submissions proposals and Proposed Plan Change 37 to the Council’s District and listening to the presentations of community members Plan. The latter sought to set planning objectives to promote and at the hearing, the Council has come to the conclusion maintain environmental quality and special community character that the economic effects of a decision to continue with whilst allowing for development to slightly higher densities. the proposal was likely to have been severe for many “This would have been enabled by reticulation which meant that households”. minimum site areas for residential development were no longer Council says this may have meant the possibility that governed by the constraints of on-site wastewater treatment. some people, including people on lower and medium “The Plan change sought to limit density to one unit per 800 household incomes, people with small children and the square metres, not too much lower than the current constraints elderly would have been forced to sell their homes and posed by the on-site wastewater treatment that generally requires leave the community. around 1000 square metres of land per household unit. “Council regards such effects as undesirable and “A raft of other controls to limit adverse effects of new residential contrary to the social and economic wellbeing of these development was also part of the Plan change.” communities.” Council believes that these controls were such that expressed But, as a warning, Council says it is acknowledged that fears of large scale urbanisation, similar to Australia’s Gold Coast or by making the decision it has, Council is likely to require Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, were unfounded. some households to upgrade their disposal systems. Council says the rejection of the proposal to reticulate will have 20 | beach/life

Council and community will work together to plan a “sustainable future” A small group of Wainui resident “volunteers” have had two exploratory meetings with officers of the Gisborne District Council to discuss how to best to set up a “collaboration” between the Council and Wainui residents in the wake of the rejection of the reticulation proposal. CONCERNED AT SuGGESTIONS OF “INADEquATE CONSuLTATION” that there were no “sour grapes” involved in the wake of the during the reticulation submission process, the Council is keen to reticulation proposal rejection. They said they were committed to a establish a “partnership” between Council and the beach community “positive way forward, facing good challenges and the opportunity to discuss and plan future environmental and development issues. of developing good working relationships”. The GDC officers want to establish a framework for a “proposed collaborative process” that can be developed and reported to a full Council meeting on October 30. step by step towards an on-site The Wainui residents present at both meetings with GDC staff (July 28 and August 19) are aware that they have no mandate or authority wastewater management plan to be representing their community. They were invited to attend the how a collaborative approach to achieve an on-site meetings as they were the recognisable people behind a loose group waste water disposal programme might proceed: who worked on the campaign to urge Wainui people to oppose • Develop goals with key stakeholders. reticulation. • Review the current situation and identify existing gaps in On Sunday, August 3, when Wainui people gathered for a wastewater management, including risk assessment and community get-together post-reticulation proposal, those who had analytical data. been at the 28 July GDC meeting took the opportunity to update the • Develop options for the best management programme for the 60 or so people on what was being discussed as a way to get planning community taking into account the environmental, economic, underway for a collaborative way forward. social and cultural well-beings. It was suggested that about five community members be identified • Develop options for the implementation of the various to meet with GDC on behalf of Wainui-Okitu to draft plans (not make components of the management programme: participation, decisions). The majority at the meeting felt it was important that planning’ design, installation, operation, maintenance, representatives from the community who would work with Council monitoring and compliance, enforcement. would need to be nominated and elected. • Develop methods to ensure implementation of the GDC CEO Lindsay McKenzie has since prepared a memo which management plan, permits – regular “Warrant of Fitness” explains the early work undertaken so far to form a “collaboration” and checks, administration. deals with the issue of “representation”. • Develop monitoring processes to ensure effectiveness of and He believes that some work towards setting up a formal compliance with the management programme. collaboration can proceed before a formal election takes place. • Develop education plans; develop funding options; develop Mr McKenzie says Council staff have begun to “prepare a proposal timeframe for implementation; develop approaches for those for how a collaborative approach can be given effect”. He says it’s his properties where on-site waste disposal is not practical or intention to invite some Wainui-Okitu community members to be a possible. “short-term reference group”. “Contact has been made with some of the people who the how a management programme might operate: community identified as leading the call for sustainable on-site 1. Initial inspection and assessment of all sites. wastewater disposal, and they have agreed to assist in that role. 2. Failing systems to be upgraded immediately. The first task is to prepare a “proposal on a collaborative approach” 3. upgrading to be related to lot size, coverage, soil types and for Council and community consideration. tank type. “In my opinion the first stage of the work does not warrant 4. All non-compliant (but not failing) systems to be upgraded widespread or formal community representation as the task is to when property is sold. prepare a “proposal” – a work plan, processes and budget - for 5. Annual inspections and monitoring. Council and the community to consider. 6. Systems to be upgraded if and when future inspections “A small reference group is all that is needed (at this stage) and I am show failures. intending that we should proceed on that basis.” 7. Annual charges to cover monitoring and inspections. Mr McKenzie says neither the GDC staff nor the reference group 8. Programmed tank emptying on, say, 3 year cycle. have any authority to formally decide anything. 9. Planning controls to limit (average) lot sizes to 1000m² plus. He says only after the implementation of a formal “collaboration” 10. Planning controls to limit lot sizes to problem sites, e.g. soil would the decisions about the environmental and regulatory framework type, topography, depth to groundwater. proceed. Issues the collaboration would focus on would include storm 11. Planning controls to limit size coverage of impervious water investigations, ground water monitoring and investigations into surfaces. alternative waste water disposal methods for people for whom on-site 12. All sites to have water tanks - to reduce stormwater runoff. disposal is not an option. • EXCERPT FROM THE GDC POST SUBMISSIONS REPORT At the conclusion of the July 28 meeting GDC staff all agreed beach/life | 21

Your septic tank and you ... You said no to reticulation. For now and into the future it all goes down Your drain and into Your backyard. The last thing you want is a septic system failure. SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS ARE ON-SITE, SELF-CONTAINED, Some systems, especially those installed or renewed since the mini-sewage plants designed to safely dispose of biological sanitary early 1980s, may consist of two separate tanks — one tank for the waste within the boundaries of its owner’s property. toilets, kitchen sink and dishwasher (brown water) and a smaller A septic tank system consists of two main parts — a “septic side-tank for the washing machine water (grey water). These may tank” where natural bacterial action decomposes human waste into share the drainfield or have separate fields. environmentally acceptable components – and a dispersion field. This is to stop the high volume of waste water from modern Also called a drainfield or effluent field. washing machines “flushing” through the septic tank disturbing the The septic tank contains water, sludge and scum. The sludge is bacterial decomposing and separating process. the pooey, gooey stuff that sinks to the bottom of the tank and the Conventional septic systems are not care free. They require scum is the fatty crust that floats on the top of the tank. The sludge regular maintenance. The undigested solids in the septic tank is mostly decomposed faeces and food scraps and the scum is fat should be pumped out every two to four years. If the sludge is >>> and soap residue. Between the scum and the sludge is the water – the water you Do you know when use to flush the toilets, empty out of your kitchen sink, bath and shower. Each time you flush the toilet or empty the sink Archimedes’ Principal comes into effect – an equal weight of liquid overflows from the other end of the septic tank out into the drainfield, buried beneath your garden. your septic tank was The liquid leaving the tank should have had time to become separated from its accompanying faeces, toilet paper, food, soap last cleaned out? residue and should be quite clear – if you are using your system with Just as your car requires regular maintenance, so does the care it needs to operate properly. your septic tank system As time goes by the scum and the sludge builds and as the layers get thicker, the water layer gets narrower and periodically the whole As a general rule your tank should be inspected thing needs to be stirred up into a slurry, pumped out and disposed annually and pumped out every 2-3 years. of. This is important to realise — your poos, toilet paper, food gunk, soap residue aren’t disposed of in the septic tank, merely collected If your system is not maintained regularly the build for disposal later, usually every three years or so. up of solid material and fat can block up your effluent Any gases created in the process are vented to the atmosphere system and cause thousands of dollars worth of via the plumbing vent system (the mushroom). It’s also very damage. important to make sure the mushroom vent is clear and able to With a fleet of three purpose-built liquid waste suction breath. trucks, we have the ability to respond when you need From the septic tank, the relatively clear liquid flows out to us. We also have a new truck designed for accessing disperse over a large, sub-soil, drainfield consisting of a rock-filled properties with limited access space or for small jobs. trench, or network of trenches. The trench material defines the drainfield from the surrounding soil and acts as a filter to remove We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 remaining small solids that may be suspended in the liquid. days a year to respond to urgent jobs. This liquid seeps through the rock material and into the We use WasteTRACK. The New Zealand Waste surrounding sub-soil where it becomes part of the moist sub-soil Tracking System. This system is designed to track environment. waste carted from your site to the final disposal site, with independent verification that the waste has been Vent or muShroom liD For cleaning disposed of correctly and legally. > From houSe DrainFielD > Scum liQuiD 70 Innes Street Gisborne Phone 8686007 SluDge office@baywaste.co.nz www. baywaste.co.nz SERVICING GISBOR NE FOR OVER 30 YE AR S 22 | beach/life

<<< not removed periodically, it will eventually carry over into the drainfield and cause the field to block septic system life expectancy up with gunk, become saturated and generally fail to The life of a septic system depends on the following factors: work— and then you have real problems. It’s not the septic tank that fails, but the drainfield. • Your concrete septic tank unit can last nearly indefinitely if it was well made. It is at risk of becoming “gunked up” and unusable. It’s the drainfield that has the use-by date. Replacing a failed drainfield is a real pain. Say hello to • Along with minimising domestic water usage, the most significant step major earthworks. Say goodbye to thousands of dollars. you can take to extend the life of your system is to have the tank cleaned or A well-designed system can handle a minimum “pumped” to a schedule advised by a septic tank cleaning company. amount of normal household chemicals such as laundry • Septic systems won’t fail immediately if they are not pumped. But continued detergent and bleach; but excessive usage can be neglect shortens the drainfield life as more and more solid waste escapes from detrimental. Look for cleaning products recommended the “full” tank and will result in eventual clogging of the drainfield. If you’ve for use with septic tanks. Do not pour away chemicals been putting off having your tank pumped out because “it’s working fine at the that are toxic to the bacteria, such as paint thinners, moment”, then you are living on borrowed time. In some cases, site limitations solvents, insecticides, etc. Absolutely do not pour may make replacement of the old absorption field impossible. products such as NapiSan down the sink. It is the • Being conservative with wastewater is a big factor. As stated previously, the system’s worst enemy. heavier the volume of waste going into the tank shorter its working life will be. Cooking fats and oils should also be avoided. undersink garbage disposal units are a no-no. • Avoidance of chemicals, and other items that don’t biodegrade, is also of Some of Wainui’s more recently built homes may importance. Certain chemicals in many household cleaning products can have the latest multi-tank, aerated systems which claim compromise the bacterial action within the tank, meaning sludge can overflow to treat the water to a higher degree of purity before into the drainfield, shortening its life. Absolutely never use the septic system to releasing it to the sub-soil drainfield. dispose of oils, chemicals, fats, solvents, paints or greases. People who have invested in such systems should • A conventional septic drain field has a varying life depending on the soil it is have been provided with operating manuals and may in, drainfield size, cleaning vigilance and usage level. have maintenance schedules that differ from the older • Blocking or sealing the ground surface will be a problem over just about any systems. However the general concept is the same – drainfield. Don’t build anything over a drainfield; no building, paving, fish pond, care and respect at all times. patio, tennis court, parking area or anything that compacts the soil. Ideally a tank should receive a small quantity of • There are, therefore, many influences and a range of life expectancies for a wastewater from shower and toilet use at breakfast, septic tank system. A drainfield in good soil, with a well maintained septic tank, then be given eight hours rest during the day for the may last for more than 50 years. bacteria in the tank to deal with that input. In the evening it receives more wastewater from the dinner • But, in general, a drainfield that is more than 20 years old can not have its dishes, baths and showers and then allowed to rest forward life predicted to any degree of accuracy, and therefore owners are again overnight. Low volume and time to rest, that’s the advised to be prepared for its replacement at any time. Even a well looked after ideal. That’s how a system will last for 50 years. septic tank system will eventually need to be replaced. If you’re wasteful with your tank water and are buying water regularly, you’re stressing your system. Temporary failures caused by overuse Long time beach residents even turn off the tap while brushing their teeth. Toilets are flushed only when really It usually happens at Christmas when all waste water outlets are working necessary. to maximum. Your septic system might otherwise be in good working Just because you have a new or renovated home condition, but the abnormally high rate of people using the sinks, showers and toilets over a short time can flood the system. with 10,000 litres of water storage, multiple toilets and The volume of water entering the septic tank cannot flow through into an modern washing appliances, doesn’t mean you have a already saturated drainfield. Sewage backs up the pipes into the home, wastewater system to match. usually at the lowest plumbing fixture. You will have to call your septic tank Remember septic tanks systems were designed for cleaning company for an emergency pump out. households with rainwater tanks. The conservation To avoid such an emergency have the tank checked and, if needed, practises used to save water are the practises needed pumped out before the big event. This will give extra capacity for absorbing to run a septic tank system. They are not designed for the sudden surge in wastewater volume. heavy water use. Wayne’s Septic Tank Cleaning Services Waste Septic Tank Cleaning & Bin Hire Owner driver: Wayne Baty PHONE 867 3606 MOBILE 027 434 0924 For all enquiries about the maintenance of your septic tank system. WasteTRACK compliant operator. beach/life | 23

report from the underworld: septic system survival The message in clear –if you aren’T in the backyard and keep the old tank. once it’s fixing” when the next scheduled pumping having your septic tank pumped out been established that your system has failed an comes around. approximately every three years — you’re upgrade has to meet gDc guidelines. one company says they sent out 100 clearly asking for trouble. annoying, expensive The picture that is emerging of Wainui’s reminder notices recently of which only 10 per trouble. septic underworld is a community made up cent were actioned. some of these homeowners What’s not clear is how many people are mostly of homes that have been around for 30 may have shopped around and found another neglecting their systems and what overall state or more years, mixed with a percentage of new contractor, but it does reflect a certain degree of “septic tank health” exists at Wainui Beach. homes built over the last decade. of maintenance negligence out there. enquiries to gisborne’s septic tank cleaning The older homes mostly have a variation one positive to emerge from the changing companies reveal that a percentage of Wainui of old-style systems that were recommended people-scape at Wainui is the trend towards households don’t have a regular cleaning at the time they were built. and in the times healthier eating, and therefore healthier programme in place. it’s hard to ascertain an they were built they may have been to service cooking methods. exact percentage because there are at least beach baches which were used only during one contractor says he is seeing a lot less three service companies involved. summer, or to meet the conservative needs of cooking fat, usually from roast lamb dinners, There are about 500 homes at Wainui a retired couple. This was also a time when coagulated in septic tanks these days. with septic tanks. There are as many as we didn’t have automatic washing machines a good place to start in the care of your old 25 variations of septic tanks systems and and dishwashers. in other words, the expected septic system is to find out just what sort of combinations, so each one is an individual volume of liquid through the systems was much system you have and where your drainfield case. add to that soil type, age of the system, lower in the “old days”. is. The septic tank cleaning contractor can, by the number of people living in the house, the many of these old systems have survived observation, tell you what sort of concrete tank habits of the people living in the house and it without failing for decades, with minimum you’ve got, and take a guess at what sort of becomes near impossible to arrive at an overall maintenance, because of the low volume. But drainfield you may have. in some cases, gDc picture. in the last 10 years, a large number of older may have an archived plan of your system from septic systems are failing. But not at an houses have been bought and sold, with retired the time the contractor applied for a permit alarming rate. one local contractor says they couples or solo occupiers being replaced by to install it. so if you are planning a major usually replace around three failed systems busy young families. landscaping makeover or building a granny each year. and even this has slowed over the The new families have usually come from flat, it would pay to know where you should and last couple of years as people have awaited the town and have not grown up with an awareness shouldn’t build or pave over. outcome of the reticulation issue. of conserving tank water and respecting a septic contractors report that many properties have, There are possibly a few homes right now tank system. over time, paved or built decks over their tanks, facing up to the necessity of an upgrade. and often, report the contractors, their systems which is not really a good idea. what these people will want is some sort of have failed within months of the new families so – if and when the council and community guarantee that reticulation won’t be on the moving in. This usually happens after partnership comes up with a compliancy or agenda again in a few years time, just after successive visits from the water truck. “warrant of fitness” scheme for septic tanks at they’ve invested in a new system. sellers generally don’t make a big issue of Wainui, it could be crunch time for many of us. once again it’s hard to get exact figures, the obligations, and possible future expenses, if you’ve inherited an older septic system and but an upgrade to fix a failed system can cost involved when buying into a property with an have no idea of its history, an inspection and anywhere from $8000 to $20,000. aging septic system, so often the new owner is pump out by one of gisborne’s contractors is all replacing a failed system will require a blissfully unaware of what’s really goes on after you can really do. ask how often your particular building consent following a site assessment the toilet flushes. tank needs cleaning and ask to be put on their by a gDc approved assessor. The assessor will out of sight, out of mind is the general rule, database for the next cycle. identify the system design needed. you can particularly as older septic tanks systems are get septic savvy and find out how to maintain then shop around to have the work done by one buried underground and not an obvious chattel. and look after a septic system — there are of the local installers or, where there are major The pumping contractors, who have various books, pamphlets, internet sites. site problems, you might need to contract the previously cleaned the tanks for the former But, be prepared for its eventual failure. it services of a recognised wastewater engineer. home owners, are often stone-walled with an may or may not happen in your life time. But it and you can’t always just dig a new trench attitude of “but it’s working, it doesn’t need will happen. TERRY TAYLOR DRAINAGE PHONE 868 5383 Septic Tank Cleaning Services Mobile 0274 576 664 Locally Owned Licensed Operator terrytaylor@xtra.co.nz 89 Customhouse Street Registered Drainlayer • Septic Tank Installations & Assessments •CCTV Camera Gisborne Local installer for Aerated Sewage Treatment Systems WasteTRACK compliant operator 24 | beach/life

Coastal move has changed the landscape of Wainui Beach He’s quietly changing the way we build homes on the coast. Chris shaw of Pacific modern Architecture in Wairere road muses over his decision to bring his work and his family to Wainui Beach. I GuESS IT WAS BECAuSE OF THE SuRF THAT SHAREENA FOuND herself being dragged kicking and screaming from the plush law offices on the 13th floor of the Chase Tower to a small bach at Wainui beach. It was to a small two bedroom fibrolite batch with fake plastic grass covering the deck. The net curtains were the first to go (she was not a grandma yet!) and the gold wallpaper was immediately stripped. Well, the walls stayed bare plasterboard for a few more years, but gradually the attraction of the big city faded and was replaced the enjoyment of new friends and the relaxed beach lifestyle. Child number one was joined by child number two and then three, and included that the many additions to the bach. I’m not sure just when a ‘bach’ becomes a house, but we have managed to make it a home for our family and many visiting friends while still maintaining the easy feel of a well-used holiday home. For me the main attraction here, apart from the consistent surf and great weather, was the vibrant and eclectic nature of the community and buildings. This was a genuine old-fashioned bach community. It had not been ransacked by the Papamoa-style development seen at other beach towns. There is a genuine “soul” to this beach community with its diverse range of residents adding colour and character. I decided that if I was to live in this community, then I wanted to have a hand in its ongoing development. If there was to be new development around me, then I needed to contribute – to ensure any new development added positively to the neighbourhood. The architectural practice of Abode Coastal was launched in 1999 with the design and build of the Stokes house in Wairere Road. From that I was given the commission to design a new home for Steve and Leigh Gibbs at Okitu. They were fantastic clients, whose vision and trust allowed for a project that won our first architectural award. Designed at the beach we’re an award We have gone on to design many new homes and alterations throughout winning architectural practice that has a the community, all with a distinct desire to maintain the character and add to the diverse design of our beach town. Abode Coastal was set up to focus on client focused approach to design, coastal home design, but in 2005 the practice changed its name to Pacific we listen and deliver. Modern Architecture to better reflect our emerging architectural focus which is based on a “Pacific” take on modernist design. Lets talk 868 9381 One of the particular things that has struck me about Wainui and the East Coast is the wealth of talented people who choose to live here. I get particular satisfaction when I meet someone who, through their particular skills or talents, would be valued in any major world city but, for lifestyle reasons, has made our community their home. The internet has created a revolution in small communities by allowing home-based or small town businesses to be viable. To be able to balance your working life with your family and community is a very special privilege that we at Wainui enjoy. We have a beautiful and mostly deserted beach for most of the year. Then, for the holidays, the excitement as vacationers and university students return and catch up with their friends and fill the local bars. For those three weeks Wainui buzzes and we get the chance to share our little piece of paradise with others and pat ourselves on the back for our wise decision to call this place our home. I suggested a while back to Shareena that maybe the city might have 45 Wairere Road, Wainui Beach • Gisborne opportunities to offer as the children got older. This was met with that cold look that needs no words to explain. This community has a lot to offer, and in pacificmodernarchitecture turn, the nature of our community is such that each individual has a genuine opportunity to positively contribute themselves. I think that is a good thing. beach/life | 25

our history were you there when the whales came ashore? it’s amazing how many people remember witnessing this catastrophic event on a stormy autumn day in 1970. 59 sperm whales swam into the shallows at the northern end of wainui Beach and died in a seething, bleeding mass. it was a tragic event that has become part of the history of wainui Beach. Story by Gray Clapham | Photos from Tairawhiti Museum The day the whales died IT WAS INDEED ONE OF THOSE DEFINING MOMENTS, AT LEAST rolling in the breakers, blowholes expelling stale air, flukes flapping, in local history. It was a cold, overcast Wednesday morning, March tales slapping the sandy shallows. There was nothing anyone could 18, 1970. The whales had started coming ashore in the night. At first do turn to them back. At 8am others were still coming in. light they had been spotted by a beach resident who called the local The worst half of the story was the plight of many of the pod radio station, 2XG. Reporters Derek Fox and Tony Cyprian drove to who had hit the shore further north beyond the sandy beach and the beach and filed reports over the radio. The people of Gisborne were flailing themselves on the jagged rocks of the Wainui-Makorori flocked to the beach to view the spectacle. headland. Here the sea was red. Blowholes ejected crimson I was amongst them, a 16 year old sixth former. We heard it plumes. A scene from Dante’s Inferno. on the radio and my dad drove me out before school. It was a Traffic jammed State Highway 35 for a mile. Bob Hannah, a well fascinating, ghastly spectacle. This was in an era before people known local traffic cop, was in a lather trying to sort out the double were super-sensitive about whales and their survival, but it was still parking and the snarled traffic all the way back to town. a heart-breaking thing to witness. There were mothers, babies and Later that day the Gisborne Herald front paged the event with the full grown males. headline: “Whales come ashore to die on Wainui Beach”. The sea was running high. A slow moving depression over “Gisborne residents flocked to Wainui Beach this morning to Northland had Gisborne in the grip of one of those lingering watch nearly 60 whales of the Blackfish variety (sic) die slowly in easterlies. There was a hazy sea mist. It was cold for March. The the shallow water. Fish (sic) ranging from 15 to 35 feet in length lay waves were washing high up the beach. strewn along half a mile of beach at the eastern end (sic) of Wainui. The sorry sight in the sandy shallows was only half the story. Here Hundreds of Gisborne residents, including school parties, braved we observed scores of the floundering, hulking, black mammals early morning wind and rain to get a close look at the large, dark LEVIATHAN KILLING FIELD: As the sea receded the Sperm whales lay dead and dieing on the sands of Wainui Beach . 26 | beach/life

MACABRE CARNIVAL: As the shock of the mass stranding subsided into morbid curiousity the dieing of the whales turned into a photo opportunity. coloured species of the marine life,” the Herald said. (The Herald confused, they say. It is interesting to note that there was much reported the whales to be Blackfish at first, but this was corrected publicised total eclipse of the sun on March 7th, 1970 – 11 days to Sperm whales the following day.) before the strandings. The stranding, and the burial of the whales, made the front page By 10am on March 18 it became clear there was no way to save until Friday when the story was upstaged by the arrival in Gisborne any of the whales. As the Herald reported: “A fair proportion of them that weekend of the queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne were still alive and provided the crowds with spectacular displays as and Prince Charles who were at the time making a Royal Tour of in their death-throes they reared and thrashed in the blood stained New Zealand. The royal welcome was held at Rugby Park. sea.” The GDC’s Lysnar Reserve Management Plan report quotes a As people got over the initial shock, and as the tide receded local Maori belief from the time of the stranding that the Royal Tour leaving the whales high and dry, the crowds that came and went all may have been the cause of it. day and into the night began to treat the event as an entertainment. It says: “A local Maori theory of why the event had occurred was The Herald reported: “The beach took on an almost carnival because at the time, two French war-ships were berthed in the atmosphere as despite the cold and rain many people tried to get harbour as a royal visit from the queen was imminent. History had as close to the fish (sic) as possible as amateur photographers took proven to local Maori that major human tragedies had snapshots from every direction.” coincided with previous royal visits. Maori leaders But the next day their was a gory turn in the saga of the whales agreed that the whale stranding was a major tragedy with the Herald reporting “vigilante action by some Gisborne and the whales had taken the consequences for the residents is likely if thoughtless people do not stop mutilating the people. Therefore, the people were protected for this live bodies of 60 whales that have been stranded on Wainui Beach royal visit. since early yesterday morning.” The report says: “It became evident the whales The SPCA had received numerous calls from outraged Wainui were dying and a decision on what to do had to be locals who had observed people hacking at the whale carcasses. made. It was decided that the dying whales were Men were seen knocking out whale teeth and others cutting chunks “tangata” (humans) and their grave would be revered of flesh from them while they were still alive. in the same traditions as a human burial site. Maori This reporter remembers witnessing such an occurrence where a church leaders held prayers over the whales.” couple of men hacked at a whale with an axe to the horror of more No reason, outside of the spiritual, has ever been sensitive people who were calling on them to stop. agreed upon as a conclusive reason why such a large Another witness said: “It was a scene of pure horror down number of whales came ashore at Wainui that day. amongst the huge creatures, and I was unfortunate enough to However recent research into whale strandings in the witness the attempted removal of a jawbone by someone with a North Sea suggest increased solar activity, causing chainsaw. Not something I enjoyed.” disturbances in the Earth’s magnetic field, may cause Local schoolgirl Leigh Schroeder (now Dawson) was 10 years old whales to run aground. at the time and remembers Wainui School children being taken to Analysis of documented whale strandings see the whales. The sight of the whales being chopped up by men between 1712 and 2003 shows that more (up to with axes and chainsaws was a nightmare she would never forget. 90%) occur when solar activity is high. Scientists Leigh remembers later being chosen from classmates to write propose that whales use the Earth’s magnetic field to the Council on behalf of the school suggesting that a plaque be to assist navigation like homing pigeons do. As the erected at the site to commemorate the stranding event. Sun disrupts the magnetic field whales can become By the start of the third day it was obvious that most of the >>> beach/life | 27

GRUESOME JOB: One of the biggest of the 59 sperm whales is dragged along the beach to be buried in the mass grave. <<< whales had died and concern shifted to the problem of disposing of the bodies before they started rotting. It became the Ministry of Works’ challenge and a plan was hatched to bury the whales in a mass grave to be bulldozed in the adjacent sand dunes. It was decided they only had three days to get the job done before the corpses reached advanced stages of decomposition and would be difficult to handle. On Friday, two days after the stranding, the Herald reported: “A race against time to clear Wainui Beach of the rapidly decomposing dead whales.” An estimate of between $5000 to $10,000 was given dig a hole 500 feet long, 30 feet wide and 15 feet deep. A channel was dug through the sand to the beach through which the bodies were pushed and towed by two bulldozers into the grave. Once in the grave the carcasses, totalling some 1800 tonnes, were cut open to speed up decomposition. Workmen had to spray a deodorant on the carcasses and gas masks were brought into town from Waiouru THE FINAL SOLUTION: The 59 Sperm whales, estimated at a total of 1800 military camp. tonnes, were towed into the dunes, stacked in rows and buried beneath The burying of the whales took four days and nights. According to the sand. the GDC Lysnar Reserve Management report lime was poured over the bones to aid the decomposition and to render the whalebone useless for carving, which would in turn deter would-be bone whaT elSe waS haPPeninG On MaRCh 18, 1970: carvers from plundering the grave. The area was then fenced to stop • The US army officially charged 14 officers following an people from disturbing the site, as well as to stop anyone falling into investigation into the Mai Lai Massacre. possible cavities left after the whales had decomposed • United States Postal Service workers in New York City went The recent GDC report is concerned at a lack of significance given on strike. to the site of the Whales Grave over the years. As well as upgrading • The Queen ended the first week of her New Zealand tour signage, fencing and car parking the report wants to “turn what is in Dunedin. Charles and Anne had gone on to Rotorua. They currently a rather disappointing and dangerous road-side stop into a would join up again in Gisborne at the weekend. historical feature of the Lysnar Reserve”. • Anti-Communist general Lon Nol overthrew Prince Sihanouk in Cambodia. FOOTNOTE: On October 29th, 1994, another mass stranding saw 72 • “Goodbye Columbus” was playing at the Odeon Theatre. sperm whales die on Muriwai Beach, near Auckland. • Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was the top selling album. Lee Marvin’s “Wandering Star” was the SPeRM whaleS STaTiSTiCS: number one hit single. • A new Datsun 1600 cost $3099 from G.F. Blogg and Co. Maximum length: 18m (60ft) males / 12.5m (41ft) females • A 3-bedroom executive house in Marian Drive was priced at adult weight: 63 tonnes males max / 27 tonnes females max $23,000; a villa in Whataupoko was priced at $16,000. life span: 60-70 years • A can of sliced Watties peaches cost 19 cents and a pound Sexual maturity: 7-13 years females / 18-21 years males of bacon cost 68 cents at Openshaws Supermarket. Gestation: 14-15 months • A pint bottle of milk was still just 4 cents. dive duration: 90 to 140mins • At 9.36pm that night “Peyton Place” was showing on distribution: all oceans, preference for deep waters, several WNTv1. distinct geographical sub-groups • In the whale hunting season 1969-1970 a total of 25,830 world population: Est 1 million (pre-whaling 2.4 million) sperm whales were hunted and killed commercially. 28 | beach/life

Drive away well connected, a perfect match everytime. Take the worry about updating your vehicle by talking to Ian Francis at Autoconnection. Ian’s passion is finding the exact car his clients are looking for. A mechanic by trade, Ian hand-picks each car for his yard and if you can’t find what you want there, he’ll search his extensive databases. More and more Wainui people are driving vehicles fitted by Ian Francis. He’s more than a car dealer, he’s a personal consultant for your driving pleasure. Ask anyone who’s bought a car from Ian. You’ll only hear good stories. many strandings over the years In February of 1955, the giant of the sea above was found stranded on the reef at Tuahine Point and below gentlemen of the day in July of 1919 pose like big game trophy hunters with an orca washed up on the sand at the northern extremity of the beach. Today’s concern for the dignity of sea mammals was certainly lacking in those “good old days”. beach/life | 29

our people Keeping up with mrs Jones She’s the little lady with the huge soul. The First lady of wainui Beach in every way. She has devoted years of her time to wainui Beach concerns, and those of the wider Gisborne community. and at 82 years old Muriel Jones of lloyd George Road hasn’t given up yet. Story by Gray Clapham IT WOuLD BE HARD WORK FINDING ANYONE WHO CAN KEEP Muriel lived with her Gran, a dominating matriarch, and her up with Mrs Muriel Jones. spinster Aunt Mildred until the day she was married. They were Older Wainui residents can only applaud and admire the selfless good, church-going people, helping in the community, involved work Muriel Jones has put into her community over the years — and in charities and Church of England activities. They were friends younger residents, who may not know too much about Mrs Jones, with the local vicar who went on to become Bishop Warren of will be awed by her resumé of community positions and impressed Christchurch. Aunt Mildred, known as “Mull” was a pioneer in the by her determined and level-headed work for the empowerment of area of occupational therapy, teaching sewing and knitting in the women over the last 50 years or more. Christchurch sanitarium. The first-ever woman elected to the Cook County Council was The two older women were obviously a huge influence on the christened Constance Muriel Lance after her birth in Waikare, North young Muriel, who went from child to woman under their watchful Canterbury on the 26th of March, 1926. She was the first child born eyes. As the years went by the naturally shy but quick-witted to Thomas and Meta Lance, who farmed at Horsely Down near country girl came out of herself and formed a great group of school Hawarden in the Hurunui District of North Canterbury. It was, at one friends making the most of Christchurch city life. time, one of the largest properties in North Canterbury. “My standard three teacher was W. J. A. (Bill) Brittenden, he “My parents lost the farm in the great depression, there were two made a huge difference to my life. (Bill Brittenen, 1910-1986, was lots of death duties during the 1920s and when a mercantile firm a teacher, writer, historian, cricketer, city councillor. Writer Keri foreclosed on the mortgage in 1932 we were forced to give it up Hulme is another of his protégés.) He brought me out of myself and went to Christchurch so my father could get work,” says Muriel. and I became much more of an extrovert. I liked to be involved in “I later came to understand the terrible trauma this was for my things. I played hockey, swimming and later at St Margarets I took parents. They lost everything. They had to leave the country to start up basketball (netball these days). We had dancing lessons with a new life in the city knowing they had lost the property that had the Christ College boys. At university I was involved in drama and been in the family for generations.” rowing where I was the cox.” With his skills as a farmer and a rural contractor Muriel’s father Muriel was thirteen when World War 2 broke out. By the end of got work on the Waimairi county council in Christchurch driving the war in 1945 she was 19. Her’s was typical of a wartime teenage steam engines and other machinery. life lived through the early 40s, she says. Muriel has two younger brothers and one younger sister. Her “ It was all very simple really. We used to go to Sumner beach. sister Susan, younger by eight years, still lives at Governers Bay We knitted socks and gloves for the soldiers and made camouflage near Lyttleton and they keep in touch regularly by phone and email. nets. There were shortages of things and rationing and we never “I was six when we arrived in Christchurch in 1932 and went to missed a news bulletin, listening to the list of casualties. Apart the Fendalton Open-air School. I was petrified. I was so shy. I was from my godfather who was killed in Crete, we didn’t lose any of the smallest girl at the school. I had grown up in the country, it was our family men-folk as they were involved in essential farming or fairly remote, and I didn’t know any other children apart from my manpower activities at home. two younger brothers until I went to school.” “Life was very simple in those days. We all had bicycles, there Two years later, to take up a contracting opportunity, Thomas and were no cars and we biked everywhere. Even later at university, Meta moved to the settlement of Culverden on Highway 7 in North after I had met Duff, even if we went to a ball, I went on the bar of Canterbury, with the two younger boys and the new baby Susan. his bike. Me in my ball gown and he in his dinner suit. Muriel was left behind in the Christchurch suburb of Merivale with “Every school holiday I would go to stay with my parents in North her father’s widowed mother, Mabel, and his sister Mildred, so she Canterbury which I looked forward too very much. I was missing my could continue her schooling. She later went to secondary school at little sister growing up, and the two boys, so I loved going home. St Margaret’s College and then on to university. “The first time I was waiting for the bus, it went sailing past, and 30 | beach/life

MURIEL’S WEDDING: Duff and 21-year-old Muriel Jones at their wedding in Christchurch in 1947. I missed it. From that time on I have had a phobia about catching fly fishing, bowls and golf. I thought he was the most wonderful man buses, trains and planes on time. I am always early.” in the world,” says Muriel. In 1945 Muriel went on to the Canterbury College of the Muriel and Duff were married in 1947. Muriel was 21. It was a love university of New Zealand, the forerunner of the university of affair but also a meeting of like minds. They were both university Canterbury, still living at home with Gran and Mull. graduates, intelligent and capable. After the wedding they took a Muriel had an idea to join the united Nations and an ambition flat in Christchurch and at last Muriel was able to start a life away to become involved in relief work overseas. To further that plan from Gran. she embarked upon studying for a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in In 1948 they moved to Temuka, near Timaru, where Duff had economics, political science and English. been offered a job as assistant engineer with the South Canterbury Plans to travel the world, helping the poor and underprivileged Catchment Board in charge of river control and soil erosion. were ambushed by a handsome man named Ionoval Ellice Jones In Temuka they were to stay for the next 14 years. Here they had who she met and soon became the centre of Muriel’s life. their three children, Douglas, Diana and Elizabeth. Duff became Ngaio Marsh, well-known involved in Rotary and was “ novelist and Shakespearian elected to the Temuka Borough producer, was a friend of Life was simple in those days. We all had Council. Muriel had three her grandmother: “Through bicycles. We biked everywhere. Even if we went young children to take care Ngaio, Gran got me a part of and became involved with as a fairy in a university to a ball, I went on the bar of his bike. Me in my kindergarten and plunket. production of Midsummer In rural Temuka in South Night’s Dream. Duff was the stage manager. That’s where ball gown and he in his dinner suit. ” Canterbury — known as the Angler’s Paradise, for we met.” its reputation for fine fishing rivers — Duff re-introduced Muriel, a Ionoval Jones was known most of his life by the nickname country girl at heart who had grown up in the city, to the wonders of “Duff”. An ancestor was a Welsh bard who’s two favourite places the outdoors. on Earth were the Ionian Sea and the Spanish Mediterranean city “We were always camping somewhere, whitebaiting, fishing. Fly of valencia. The two words were blended and became a traditional fishing around Temuka was brilliant. This love of the outdoors was family name passed down through the generations. At the time to follow us to Gisborne, eventually, where we fell in love with Lake he met his little Shakespearian fairy he was an engineer working Waikaremoana and led me to play a role in local conservation.” for the DSIR, working on radar. As a can-do sort of bloke he also In 1962 Duff was offered the position of assistant chief engineer had a recreational interest in the technical side of drama and stage with the Poverty Bay Catchment Board, at Gisborne. Muriel was production. not happy at the prospect of moving to the North Island: “Before “He was a handsome man. He was a capable, outdoors sort of we came we went to a family reunion in Hawkes Bay and Duff took man. Of average height with a great shock of brown hair. He loved me up Te Mata Peak. He pointed to the north to the hazy outline of beach/life | 31

Muriel was in many ways, unwittingly at first, a GREAT ANGLE: Muriel with 2.55kg pioneer of women’s liberation. It wasn’t intentional catch at lake Waikaremoana 1990. and she says she was never a radical. In 1969 Pauline Cooper persuaded Muriel to join the Gisborne Business and Professional Women’s Club. By 1976 she was elected president. She was also greatly influenced by Frances Gregory, Gisborne’s first ever woman city councillor, and Peggy Kaua, a champion of Maori and women’s empowerment. They persuaded Muriel to become involved in the National Council of Women. She was elected local president in 1979. “Frances had a huge effect on me, my mentor in so many ways. In 1977 I went to Christchurch for the national conference of the NCW, which was followed by the second Women’s Conference. It was the beginning of the women’s movement. I didn’t agree with the radical women there, they wanted to dynamite the whole system. I believed you had to join the system and work Mahia Peninsula in the distance and told me Gisborne was as far within it. away again. I said, ‘it’s the end of the Earth, I’m not going there’.” “Local elections were due to be held that year and when I came But come north they did. They sent their furniture ahead, loaded back to Gisborne from the conferences I was talking with Frances up the vauxhall, put the kids in the back and drove up to Gisborne. Gregory, who was about to retire from the council, outside the City They rented a house in Bayley Street, Duff went off to grapple with Council offices when the then Mayor, Harry Barker, came out he his new position and Muriel went about finding schools for the said to Frances, ‘I’m sorry to hear you’re not standing for Council children. again’. Frances said, ‘I’m not, but Muriel’s standing for the Cook “I took Diana to Girls’ High where I met the head mistress, Miss County’. And Harry Barker looked at me and said, ‘You have no Duff. In conversation she found out I had a degree in economics right to.’” and political science. She said they were desperately short “Well, that was all the encouragement I needed.” of qualified teachers and persuaded me to do an Emergency That year Muriel was voted on to Cook County Council, the first Secondary School Teacher Training Course. female Cook County councillor in history. She was the only member “For the winter term I did relief teaching and by spring I graduated who had to contest the election as all the others male councillors as a certified secondary school teacher. I had never intended to be were reelected unopposed. a teacher, but I found I absolutely loved it. I taught at Girls’ High “They were all ‘good blokes’ and they just expected to get on until 1975.” again every year. I had two men against me each time I stood. I was So there she was in 1962, a fulltime teacher, wife, and mother of on the County Council from 1977 to 83, and then again from 1986 three school aged children. In 1962 that was not the norm. to 1989. Then with the amalgamation of the county and the city I “As a wife and mother I was expected to do everything that then became a district councillor from 1989 to 1995.” wives and mothers did in those days — as well as the job. Duff was During her time as a county and district councillor Muriel was the supportive, but he wasn’t always happy. He didn’t like me marking first woman to be appointed to the Urewera National Park Board. exams at night for example, so I had to get up early in the morning She also served on the Gisborne Employment Advisory Council, the to do that. It wasn’t easy.” Tairawhiti Community College “ In 1970 the Joneses bought Council and the East Coast It certainly wasn’t fashionable to build at National Parks and Reserves a section in Lloyd George Road at Wainui Beach. They Wainui Beach in those days. But we liked the idea Board. She also help set up paid $3600. They accepted a the Gisborne Citizen’s Advice builder’s tender for just over of being self sufficient with water and sewerage. Bureau and the Gisborne $15,000 and started building a Council of Social Services. new house. “It certainly wasn’t We loved the outdoor aspect, the beach. ” “Rural local body politics in those days was really no fashionable to build at Wainui Beach in those days. But we liked the place for a woman. Particularly on the urewera National Park Board. idea of being self sufficient with water and sewerage, we loved the We had to go on expeditions in the bush to look at things, and the outdoor aspect, the beach. men all used to sleep under an old fly with a fire at one end. I had “Our neighbours were Chris and Margaret Fenn, Doctor Joe and to take along a little pup tent which I had to pitch a little way down Doreen Costello, Bill and Colleen vietch; all good friends. At one the track. stage we had what we jokingly called the Lloyd George Ladies’ Surf “Later on we stayed in chalets by the lake. By then we all knew Club. We had wooden flutter boards and we’d all meet down at the each other better and I would sleep in one of the top bunks. We beach. I’m talking about Colleen vietch, Diana Drummond, Molly called it mixed flatting. Taylor. Neighbours all knew each other in those days. We had the “On field trips with the Cook County, at first they expected church and later the community centre at St Nicholas Hall. If people me to make the morning tea. I said, ‘No, I’ll open the gates, but were leaving we had a party and we welcomed new people.” I won’t make the morning tea.’ It was never easy. Some of them 32 | beach/life

TERRIFIC TRIO: Muriel with her inspirational mentors Peggy Kaua (centre) and Frances Gregory in 1995. were so rude to me. But that was the climate at that time, it really Not Muriel. After bowing out from district council duties, and was no place for a woman. There were very few women in local despite the heart operation, Muriel waded in, sleeves rolled up, to government.” do battle for a raft of community concerns. She became a member Muriel faced up to the prevailing chauvinistic attitudes, not by of the Gisborne Community Health Board; was elected chair of wielding the sharp sword of women’s liberation, but my using her the St Nicholas Wainui Community Centre; made vice-president natural intelligence and a belief in being prepared: “If something of the Gisborne-East Coast Multiple Sclerosis Society; became a was coming up on the agenda, I would go and take a look at it and board member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand; do my research. That was my only weapon, the power of being made president and later secretary of the Gisborne Stroke Support informed. To be effective I had to know what I was talking about.” Group; became a member of the Medical Council of New Zealand While Muriel pursued her political life and Duff was promoted to Competence Review Committee; became a trustee of the Disability chief engineer at the Catchment Board, the Joneses continued their Information Centre Trust; became a distribution committee member passion for trout fishing and the outdoors. They had a boat and of the Community Organisation Grants Scheme; became a support a permanent caravan at the camping ground at Home Bay, Lake worker at the Stewart Centre for Brain Injury; became a life member Waikaremoana: “It was our balance. We were very busy. Duff was of the Gisborne Cycle and Walkway Trust also president of Gisborne Rotary for two years and then started To this very day she is actively involved as a member of numerous Gisborne West Rotary and Rotoract for young people. We tried to other organisations which include the Disability Support Advisory get away to the lake as much as possible. It was an escape from Committee; the Health of Older People Steering Group; the Positive our professional and public lives.” Ageing Accord Action group; the GDC Disability Reference Group It was only twelve months after Muriel had been elected to the and there are probably others this reporter has missed — but you county council when Duff suffered a debilitating stroke: “He was get the picture. working over the road with Bill veitch, we had a communal garden Numerous awards have come Muriel’s way. These have included there. I was out canvassing for the council at the time. He was just a Suffrage Centennial Medal for Services to Women; a Rotary 57. He was stopped in his tracks.” International Paul Harris Fellowship; a life membership of the Duff never recovered fully. He stopped his professional life and Gisborne Stroke Support Group; a long service award from the New stayed at home, but was recalled for a time to help after Cyclone Zealand Stroke Foundation and a GDC Citizen’s Civic Award for her Bola. In many ways Muriel had lost her intellectual friend and community work in general. political ally. They also had financial commitments and she had At 82 at her home in Lloyd George Road, surrounded by to keep working to make ends meet: “We still had a mortgage, I photographs of her life with Duff and her family, she is up early couldn’t just give up. I was an elected councillor and I was teaching each day, on the computer, beavering her way through emails and part time, I just had to cope. But I was really lucky to have been correspondence from the various organisations she represents. involved in the community, being with people, making a difference, One of her main concerns still, is the well-being of the Wainui perhaps. At least I could come home each night, very tired and beach community. Although many of her old friends have passed sleep well.” away or moved to retirement homes, she is totally up with the play Duff lived on, having several more smaller strokes, until he died in with what’s going on at the beach and is concerned for the welfare 1998. Muriel retired from the local body politics in 1995 after a heart of all who live here. She watched with uneasy anticipation as the operation. You would think that would have been a sign that said to community fought against the proposal to reticulate. She knew she Muriel: “Slow down, put your feet up, take a break from dealing with would be one of the “older people” who would not survive the rates other people’s problems, look after yourself for a while.” increases. It worried her so much that her health deteriorated. >>> beach/life | 33

<<< She is now elated that the unfairness and unsoundness BRENT & JILL SIMPSON’S of the proposal was exposed by the community and eventually rejected by Council. “Wainui has had a rough deal all along. We have to pay the same rates as the city but we don’t get the same benefits. But the rejection of the reticulation proposal was the best thing that could have happened to us. Wainui can now look at the future and develop in an ordered way, instead off just slamming more houses OPEN 7 DAYS: MONDAY & TUESDAY – 9.00AM TO 7.45PM | SUNDAYS – 1O.00AM TO 7.45PM | WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY – 9.00AM TO 8.45PM on every half section. “I think the landscape and planning assessment undertaken by Sue Dick will be great help in determining the future. It has recognised that this is a special place. It so easy to ruin these sorts of places, just look around the world, around New Zealand; Papamoa’s a classic example. Why is Wainui so special?: “Because the people here, for the most part, are here because they love the environment. They’re not here to exploit the place or to make money from it’s continued development. If reticulation had gone ahead it would have been exploited, over-development would have been inevitable.” Is that not attempting to make Wainui continue living in the past?: “No. It’s living in the future, because we’re future-proofing it. We have people here who want to protect the place and improve on the special qualities of a small New Zealand beachside community.” So Muriel battles on. Her health is getting back to normal after the rejection of the reticulation proposal put her in hospital with a racing heart. A Wainui Beach Friend and former fellow Gisborne district councillor Raey Owned Business Wheeler, owner of the Odeon Theatre says: “Muriel is the kind of CHARCOAL CHICKEN person who, when she takes on something, makes sure she does it Whole Charcoal Grilled Chicken ............................$14.20 right. She gets out in the community and makes a difference – she 1/2 Charcoal Grilled Chicken ................................ $9.50 isn’t one to just sit around a table talking. 1/4 Charcoal Grilled Chicken ................................ $6.50 “She’s a wonderful person, she really has done so much for the PLUS: Variety of Hot Chicken Family Packs & Combo Meals community. And she’s a real family person. She adores her family. HOT ROAST CHICKEN MEALS She was devoted to her husband Duff. She should be nominated for Roast Chicken with Roasted Veges or Fries (large) ...*$15.50 Roast Chicken with Roasted Veges or Fries (small) .... $11.50 a really grand award. She’s still doing so much – I keep telling her to slow down.” HOT ROAST PORK MEALS (with crackling) Hot Pork Meal with Roasted Veges (large) ............ *$19.50 When Muriel does slows down she does it mostly in her beloved Hot Roast Pork with Roasted Veges (small) ............$12.50 vegetable garden. She grows most of her own vegetables and gives Pork, Gravy & Fries Mini Meal ...............................$12.50 lots away. She spins and knits. She reads. But she always has her Pork Pack with Apple Sauce Special (serves two) .....$12.50 meetings to attend. SPARE RIBS “I still have a few crusades to fight. There are issues at the Ribs, Ribs & Chips, Combos ........................... from $6.50 hospital. And since 1994 we have had plans for the Kaiti to Wainui SANDWICHES Walkway and Cycle Track, and I’m still waiting. There are also Hot Chicken, Chicken & Salads ...................... from $7.50 various issues to do with disability and dangerous situations in the Hot Roast Pork, Pork & Salads ........................ from $8.00 city for disabled people. I guess as I get older I start seeing things Special: Hot Roast Chicken, Salad & Fries ............... $9.00 that aren’t right from the eyes of an older person. Often it’s just EXTRAS common sense.” Anytime Meal Chicken & Gravy over Fries ................ $6.50 Muriel’s other great interest is her family. Her grown up children Fries ......................................................... from $2.50 and, particularly, her five grand children and one great grand child. Baked Potato...................................................... $6.00 Apricot Chicken Baked Potato & Sour Cream ............ $8.50 And, ironically, for a person who has devoted most of her life to the Summer Salad, Healthy Slaw, Potato Salad ....... from $4.00 empowerment of women — they are all boys. Gravy ....................................................... $2.50/$5.00 The young boys often come to stay for summer and over the Marinated Raw Fish in Coconut Cream .........$7.50/$10.50 years have brought their groups of friends. The house at the beach Cheesecakes Boysenberry & Passionfruit ................. $4.00 is often full and Muriel is seldom lonely. She goes to meetings, has Plus: Instore Blackboard Specials numerous visitors and is a member of an informal “dining group” Spend $20 or more an enter draw to win of friends who dine out at each others’ homes once or twice each $5 $100.00 cash each month. week. Saint Muriel of Wainui Beach? Well, this reporter thinks pretty *VOUCHER SPECIALS! $5.00 CHARCOAL CHICKEN VOUCHER WITH THIS MAGAZINE. much so. It is so uncommon in this day and age to meet someone so selfless, who works tirelessly and consistently for the well-being of other people, asking few favours in return. UNDER THE CLOCK • GLADSTONE ROAD And, at 82, where does she get the energy? PHONE 868 9898 34 | beach/life

“Wainui rescue” keeps our community beach safe for swimmers sharks and Demons fly the footy flag ALSO GOING STRONG AFTER ALL THESE years is the Wainui Sports Club which fields teams for the Eastern League Football competition in Gisborne. It all started one night in the High School Old Boys rugby club rooms when a hard core of Wainuiians playing in a soccer team loosely attached to HSOB, and practising at Nelson Road, reckoned there should be enough interest to start a team based at Wainui. Julian Kohn, Peter Tate and Tom Grimson were amongst this bunch who led the Wainui juniors Dawson and Mackie Logan. breakaway to the beach. Around that time the Elmers were AFTER 71 YEARS OF OPERATION THE a new pair of speedos, but it does give you planning the Ocean Park subdivision and success of the Wainui Surf Life Saving valuable knowledge and skills, which prove had to contribute so much of their property Club continues to grow due mainly to the invaluable for the life we love at the beach. for a recreational reserve. Peter tate and strength of its voluntary members. Wainui Surf Club provides Nippers Wayne Hastie lobbied the Council to make Last season the club had over 130 each Sunday morning beginning around the reserve specific to a soccer field which members, including junior surf, associate November, Junior Surf programmes and proved successful. members and active patrolling and coaching programmes. The Wainuiians had their own grounds. competing members. Competing in surf life saving events is Lights were purchase by the club members The club is ultimately responsible for another area which Wainui focuses on. in the mid-90s to allow for mid-week helping to keep the beach safe for the Wainui has had some outstanding training. The lights are the property of the public with lifeguards setting a district competitors and teams through the years club who controls there use and pays the record by putting in over 1700 voluntary and now have a great group of young electricity charges. patrol hours last summer. competitors showing lots of promise. Around the turn of the millennium the The club is run by an appointed The conditions at Wainui can prove very club had grown to field three mens teams, committee of voluntary members. The challenging at times, but with coaching current Managers are Rachael and Daniel and training, competitors gain a lot of first, second and third division – with a Williams. Committee members include confidence in these conditions. highlight being the winning of the Eastern Kevin Mastrovich (President), Trevor Canoe and IRB are events that Wainui League first division a couple of years ago. Williams, Dion Williams, Jeremy Lockwood, has always done well at and those At one stage the club fielded a womens Justin Martin, Mike King, Alan Bayliss, traditions are continuing on today. team and a cricket team in summer. Steve Gibbs, Liz Brown, Murray Robertson, The Surf Club is excited about the new According to stalwart Julian Kohn all and Chrissy Andrews. clubhouse extension. The club is now teams have had success over the years Justin Martin is the Club Captain and bigger and better than ever. The members being “there or thereabouts” in their facilitates the IRB program, Dion Williams is have great fun utilizing the club facilities, respective divisions. the Junior Surf Coach, Murray Robertson is which is also available to hire for certain This year they have two teams – Wainui Canoe Coach and a core group of parents functions and conferences. Weddings are Sharks in the 1st Division and Wainui and volunteers are responsible for the proving very popular, with couples enjoying Demons in the more social 3rd Division. Sunday morning Nippers programme. a quality venue and great views over our On the subject of stalwarts, long playing Last summer 14 new club members beautiful beach. members include Mike vita, Noel Amor and sat their Bronze Medallion, some wanting The Wainui Surf Life Saving Club is Patrick McHugh. And of course the club to be involved in sport, others wanting looking forward to another successful will always remember one of its earliest to gain confidence and skills in the surf, season and we would like to invite others to founding members, Sandy Stirton. and a group of mothers wanting to make join up and become a part of the club. Each year they have an end of season sure they have the ability to ensure their For further information about The Wainui wind up, usually at the Wainui surf club. children’s safety in the surf. Surf Life Saving Club please contact Enquiries to Julian Kohn at 867 6537 or Getting your bronze award doesn’t Rachael or Daniel Williams, 0276504330 or Mike vita 867 6414. Mid-week training is mean you have to compete or get yourself 8674554. underlights Wednesdays from 6.00pm. beach/life | 35

school report Great school, great kids WAINuI BEACH SCHOOL IS THE HuB OF THE BEACH AND A very fine school it is. The bell first rang in 1964 and the school has been going from strength to strength for 44 years. There are several residents still in the community who were first day pupils and can look back to when the school on Wairere Road was very much a quiet little country school. Today the school has eight classrooms and eight full-time teachers looking after around 210 children. Everyone associated with Wainui Beach School is absolutely passionate about it, and none more so than current principal Nolian Andrew. Nolian has a long association with the school, having first turned up here in the early 1980s, then just a few years out of training college. After 28 years here she claims Gisborne as her home town. But it’s Wainui Beach where her heart lies. She came for a year in IN CARING HANDS: Passionate about Wainui Beach School are principal, 1982 under Jim Calder, when there were only four class rooms and Nolian Andrew and office administrator, Margo Calcott. 90 students, and “fell in love” with the school. Her teaching career took her away from Wainui until 2003 when Bay development is within the old school zone. she came back as acting principal while Andrea Ford took a year off Wainui is popular with families not from the beach area with about to study. “It broke my heart to have to leave at the end of the year,” a third of the roll coming from Gisborne city. she says. “This was my dream school.” Recently the school has had a physical makeover with new That dream was to come true two years later when Andrea fencing and a new garden planted. The fence was paid for from a Ford left the school to have a baby and Nolian was the successful grant from the J.N. Williams Trust and was erected mostly to keep applicant for the vacancy, starting work on the first day of the school balls from being kicked onto the road, and less for security. Nolian year in 2006. points to Wainui being a “very safe” community where everyone “And I expect to be here for sometime,” she says with her feet keeps an eye out for the children. It is one school where the children firmly under the principal’s desk for nearly three years now. “It’s an are actively encouraged to walk to school. exceptional school. It has a great reputation for the quality of its The “native garden makeover” was the result of being one of education and also for the really lovely children who attend.” four schools nationwide out of 188 who won a Project Crimson “It doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to be done. There’s the challenge Competition. The project, the work of 50 or so volunteers who to keep doing really well, to keep being proactive. We have a really turned out for a working bee in April, saw the creation of a bush- committed, hard working staff and enthusiastic support from the clad area along the front boundary, which is hoped will attract native children’s families.” birds and offer the children a place to learn, relax and play. “There is a very positive feeling at this school. People who come And so the school continues. There is good sporting tradition with into the school remark on it. There is a positive peer pressure the school fielding several soccer teams, a rugby team and a netball amongst the students that is obvious in so many ways. The only time team this winter. And in summer interest usually turns to the beach I see individual students in my office is usually to congratulate them with the school having a strong surfing group, others go to Wainui on their good work!” nippers and the school has three or four cricket teams. The big “There are over 200 children at the school and I know every one interest at the school this year is hip-hop dancing. of them by name, and just about all the parent’s names too. All the Wainui Beach staff 2008: Principal, Nolian Andrew; Deputy teachers here are the same. Children do come and go, but most of Principal, Francis Rowland (on study leave); Acting Deputy them stay at Wainui right through their primary school years, so you Principal, Jo Arnold; Acting Assistant Principal, Gillian Hoy; Office do get to know them very well.” Administrator, Margo Calcott. Looking to the future Nolian doesn’t want to see the school get too Class teachers: Storm Dunn with trainee Diego Pedrioli, Jo much bigger where it may lose this closeness. It is hoped to keep the Arnold, Tim Donnell, Heidi Rice, Emma Gibson, Katie Knight, Lil school roll at 238 maximum. Rangihuna, Liesje Bartie, Gillain Hoy. Part timers: Sandra Cooper, For this reason new housing developments, particularly that at Jodie Saunders, Sandra Cooper, Kelsey Benson, Anne Fitzharris. Sponge Bay Estate, are watched with interest. The arrival of new Reading recovery, Katie Knight; Specialist teacher, Gina Robinson. young families there could have a big impact on the school in the Teacher’s aids: Barbara Harris, Marie Paddock, Wendy Glasgow future. Even though Wainui is a now a zoneless school, the Sponge Caretaker is Shawn Collier and cleaner Pat McCormack. 36 | beach/life

MORElandscaping Gisborne’s biggest range of framed photo prints & artworks S E R V I C E S • Design and build • Plans & concepts • Domestic & commercial Maxine Francois • Quality workmanship Wainui Beach, Gisborne • Instant lawn Phone 06 868 3131 • Irrigation Specialists Mobile 021 23 22 333 MERCADOS MOREdingo S E R V I C E S A Wainui Beach Business Picture Framing & Laminating 57 Gladstone Road • Phone 867 4305 p: 863 1110 m: 0274 15 6363 jeffos@clear.net.nz admin@morelandscaping.co.nz GISBORNE’S LEADING INSURANCE BROKERS A handy man in the garden! • Commercial • Livestock • Lawn Mowing • Farm • Medical • Domestic • Forestry • Edge Trimming • Marine • Liability Peter Stewart • Hedge & Tree Care • Life • Superannuation • Gardening & Landscaping consultation, design and installation of JAMES LoVELoCK audio/visual systems Mobile 021 73 66 22 Home 06 863 2833 A Wainui Beach 163 CARNARVON STREET • PHONE 867 9811 p 06 867 6929 Business lawn&gardenservices office@e-h-insurances.co.nz m 027 278 9516 jimmyj@inspire.net.nz P I L AT E S • MASSAGE • REIKI CHRIS JAMES PLUMBING & PUMP Aertex Shirts & Suit Hire SERVICES Catering for big sizes. Craftsman Plumber/Gasfitter & Reg. Drainlayer Collier’s Menswear Ltd • Installation & maintenance of all plumbing, gas & drainage services 110 Gladstone Road Ph 867 3447 • Pump & irrigation systems designed, Wendy sHUtt 55 Lloyd George Road GENERAL MENSWEAR installed & maintained Wainui Beach & SUIT SPECIALISTS Chris (Fred) James Phone 863 1087 Collier’s Menswear is a Wainui Phone 027 483 1116 A/H 06 868 7444 lotusstudio@xtra.co.nz Beach owned local business. Email:fredjames@xtra.co.nz Dynamic, creative, living website solutions www.designarts.co.nz www.xphoto.co.nz 90 moana road wainui beach gray clapham designarts phone 868 0240 art@designarts.co.nz xphoto image library Beach/Life Small Ads = $75.00 + GST. Phone 868 0240. Email adverts@beach-life.co.nz beach/life | 37

the Girls under 12 division. Hannah’s smooth style and keen attitude should see her progress well in future events. Hannah is surfing well for her age and can be found surfing around the district in all conditions. Other Gisborne standouts were Jayda Martin-Fitzharris who won the Girls under 14 division and also placed 3rd in the Girls under 16 division. Chloe Shutt placed 3rd in the under 14 Girls division. Two Wainui surfers, Maz Quinn and Jared Ferris, have been selected to compete in the New Zealand team at the ISA World Surfing Games which are being held in Costa De Caparica from the 10th-19th October. Costa where? (The first grommet to come over and tell me, correctly, what country Costa De Caparica is in will win a free block of wax.) HI THERE, BEACH RESIDENTS AND LOCAL SuRFERS! I’vE BEEN The ISA World Surfing Games are a prestigious biennial event known asked to write a bit about the local surf scene for Beach/Life. So also as the Olympics of surfing. Each country sends a team with here goes. 4 open surfers, 2 women, 1 longboarder and 2 bodyboarders. The event is open to amateur surfers only. If you’re a surfing school kid or teacher, or were able to get some time off work over the school holiday period, you would definitely be Maz Quinn is now officially retired as a professional surfer and celebrating more than just the scraping of the reticulation proposal. Waves around the Wainui area were nothing short of spectacular with medium sized SE swells being fanned by very light offshore winds for 12 days straight! One greedy teacher managed 2 surfs on nearly every one of those days. Young Wainui Grommets revelled in the conditions and had over a week to prepare for event two of the Rip Curl Grom Search Competition, a very successful national series run by Surfing NZ, that arrived here for the final weekend of the school holidays. The local boys and girls must have been stoked when Wainui was chosen, as the venue as the home advantage is invaluable in this sport. Young Johnny hicks (Wainui Beach) took control of the under 16 Johnny Hicks. Boys final and comfortably smoked the country’s finest Grommet Searchers to make it back-to-back wins in the under 16 Boys won the Surfing New Zealand Corona Crown series this year so is division, having won the previous event ten weeks ago in Taranaki. heading away for a shot at an ISA World Surfing Title. New Zealand Conditions for the final were probably the worst of the day with the finished 12th in 2006 and with Maz on board the team is looking swell dieing and the tide filling in, making only the occasional set stronger this year. waves worth surfing. Bodyboarding legend Jared Ferris is the second Wainui member of Johnny was patient and carefully placed himself in the right place the team and he has been training hard with his good mates Reuben at the right time, executing a series of sharp, vertical and controlled and nathan Quirk out the front at Okitu. Jared is looking sharp and backhand snaps to finish with a score of 13.0, well ahead of 2nd in very good form at present, showing excellent wave selection and place getter, Tane Wallis (Piha) who scored 9.45. nice combinations of critical turns both in prone and drop-knee. adam Grimson (Wainui Beach) managed to finish 3rd in the highly We wish the Wainui boys well and know they will represent Okitu competitive under 14 Boys division. Adam was a little unlucky with Assassins and Stock Route Mafia with pride! this result, his form leading up to the final and recent free surfing Three Raglan surfers round out our open men’s team in the form of performances have been excellent. luke Cederman, leon Santorik and Zennor wernham. hannah Kohn (Wainui Beach) was another young resident finalist in Wernham being the most experienced at this event, as this will be his 4th time he has earned selection and competed. Stephen Roberts is back (excuse the pun) after run in with a particularly gnarly White Fence sand dredger that saw him impact upon the sand with serious consequences. Steve broke one of the bones in his back and was hospitalised, spending some 4 weeks in a brace. Not one to let injuries slow him down Steve gave the full body and neck brace an early flick just in time for the school holidays and is back to full strength. ACC were not secretly filming when Steve was spotted with father John clearing trees off his Wainui Beach Adam Grimson. section during the second week of the school holidays. 38 | beach/life

Steve Roberts. Jared Ferris. Kiwi Surfing Magazines chief photographer for the past decade Cory Scott has moved to Gisborne from Mt Maunganui. I cannot disclose his actual address, as he doesn’t want any more beer bribes for shots. Cory is watching his waistline and back into the gymnastics full time. Cory is still contracted to Kiwi Surfing Magazine and will be shooting all local rippers. The Gisborne Boardriders Club has increased its membership and the base of Gisborne’s surfing talent by introducing the grommet comps and coaching events run by Fitz, heather Kohn and many other motivated parents. It was amazing to see nearly 40 kids in competition shirts regularly competing in individual under 14, under 12, under 10 and tag team events at Pipe, Northerns and Stock Route throughout the winter season. Finally, if you have any surf news for me I would love to hear from you and publish your stories or results in the next issue. And remember the best waves are in winter and the water temperature is hovering at a slightly warmer than usual 14 degrees! So wack on some good rubber and get out there before the crowds, sea breezes and tiny waves return in October. K.R. P 867 1684 W www.surfboardsnet.nz INTRODUCING 2008 VINTAGE AMOR-BENDALL PINOT GRIS & SAUVIGNON BLANC 100% vine ripened fruit from the 2008 vintage. Complex, full, tropical flavours. A very good year. Available at the winery. Moana Road. Wainui Beach. Phone 868 0928. beach/life | 39

The Way it Was FLASHBACK: The original Wainui Beach surf life saving clubhouse at Okitu circa 1937. The near building was the clubhouse with the boat shed built alongside and the patrol tower on the dunes above. Club member Jack Campbell is pictured. The Wainui SLSC is now in its 71st year. 40 | beach/life

Beach Life Issue#1

by BeachLife Magazine

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

Statistics

Beach Life Issue#1 Document Transcript