Wednesday, December 31
Shot at victory
Taranaki Daily News | Wednesday, 31 December 2008
CAMERON BURNELL
Former Taranaki and Hawera player Frayne Bloor returns a shot from Waikato's Jayden Grinter on his way to victory in the open men's final of the Taranaki Open tennis tournament in Hawera yesterday. Bloor, who is coaching professionally in Queensland, beat 15-year-old Cambridge and leading New Zealand age-group player Grinter 6-4, 6-4 in the final.
CAMERON BURNELL
Former Taranaki and Hawera player Frayne Bloor returns a shot from Waikato's Jayden Grinter on his way to victory in the open men's final of the Taranaki Open tennis tournament in Hawera yesterday. Bloor, who is coaching professionally in Queensland, beat 15-year-old Cambridge and leading New Zealand age-group player Grinter 6-4, 6-4 in the final.
Gang fight in Hawera leaves residents shaking
Police are hoping that a violent confrontation between two rival gangs in the Taranaki town of Hawera yesterday was a one-off incident.
Officers from through Taranaki were called in after about 60 Mongrel Mob and Black Power members armed with baseball bats, tomahawks and machetes clashed.
The drama began after the Mongrel Mob members stopped in Patea, 28km from Hawera, to refuel as they made their way from Hawke's Bay to Taranaki -- considered Black Power territory.
By the time they reached the southern boundary of Hawera a large group of Black Power members were waiting for them, and violence erupted.
The rioting stopped when the Mongrel Mob members were escorted out of town
Officers from through Taranaki were called in after about 60 Mongrel Mob and Black Power members armed with baseball bats, tomahawks and machetes clashed.
The drama began after the Mongrel Mob members stopped in Patea, 28km from Hawera, to refuel as they made their way from Hawke's Bay to Taranaki -- considered Black Power territory.
By the time they reached the southern boundary of Hawera a large group of Black Power members were waiting for them, and violence erupted.
The rioting stopped when the Mongrel Mob members were escorted out of town
Monday, December 22
Thursday, December 18
Old-school pub crawler recalls
Taranaki Daily News | Thursday, 18 December 2008
Rob Hansen hasn't been on the Hawera push bike pub crawl since 1981.
When Rob Hansen and his mates set off on Hawera's first push bike pub crawl in 1977 they never dreamed it would get as big as it has.
He thinks it's great hundreds, possibly thousands, of riders will join in on Saturday and even chase a world record.
Rob, 49, got the idea from his big brother Bernie who had done something similar on his last day of teachers college in Palmerston North.
"Three of us, Chris Johnston, Kevin McCutcheon and I, got together and decided to have the pub crawl on the last Saturday before Christmas," he said.
People thought they were crazy.
"We'd been in the pub on the Friday night before and people were saying `you're mad buggers'," Rob said.
But the rules were simple.
"One handle in every pub, all participants must ride a bike, you had to ride from one pub to the next even with three pubs situated on one corner."
The three were joined by five others and they pedalled their way from a flat near the racecourse to the Normanby hotels.
Locals saw they were actually going through with their plan and by the time they'd reached the Furlong another six had grabbed bikes to tag along.
There was a slight diversion to someone's house for repairs but by the time the group had got through seven more pubs, numbers had grown to around 20.
Back then a three-speed bike was a luxury.
Monkey bars and banana seats were in and the chopper even made an appearance.
There was the odd injury but it didn't stop anyone carrying on and of course there were antics galore.
"One rider even managed to get his bike into the Dominion and rode the length of the pool table."
Rob has since left Hawera but has been keeping himself up-to-date on the event.
He'd love to have another crack at the crawl and knows some of the originals still get involved.
His last appearance was in 1981 and it had grown to about 100 riders.
"The girls joined in for that one too. Before that it was only for the boys," he said.
"I might wait until the 40th year. It'll still be going and I won't be too old by then."
Meanwhile, local contractor Dick Sybrandy has offered to help carry out and cover the cost of a traffic management plan to NZTA for Saturday's event.
There will be a coned off cycle lane and event signage with the normal 70km/h and 100km/h zones reduced to 50km/h.
Police will provide traffic control at various locations along the route and there will be fixed and moving patrol cars.
Sergeant Robyn Burnetts said in the absence of organisers Mr Sybrandy has shown great generosity and community spirit.
"All we want is for people taking part in the ride to have fun and stay safe, and it is pleasing to know that there are people in the community who understand and share our motivation."
Residents who live along the route and are affected by the annual event are being advised to consider the delays there may be in the area before setting off on any journeys on Saturday.
If staying at home and in a position to park vehicles off the road and on driveways, they are advised to do so.
Taranaki Daily News | Thursday, 18 December 2008
Rob Hansen hasn't been on the Hawera push bike pub crawl since 1981.
When Rob Hansen and his mates set off on Hawera's first push bike pub crawl in 1977 they never dreamed it would get as big as it has.
He thinks it's great hundreds, possibly thousands, of riders will join in on Saturday and even chase a world record.
Rob, 49, got the idea from his big brother Bernie who had done something similar on his last day of teachers college in Palmerston North.
"Three of us, Chris Johnston, Kevin McCutcheon and I, got together and decided to have the pub crawl on the last Saturday before Christmas," he said.
People thought they were crazy.
"We'd been in the pub on the Friday night before and people were saying `you're mad buggers'," Rob said.
But the rules were simple.
"One handle in every pub, all participants must ride a bike, you had to ride from one pub to the next even with three pubs situated on one corner."
The three were joined by five others and they pedalled their way from a flat near the racecourse to the Normanby hotels.
Locals saw they were actually going through with their plan and by the time they'd reached the Furlong another six had grabbed bikes to tag along.
There was a slight diversion to someone's house for repairs but by the time the group had got through seven more pubs, numbers had grown to around 20.
Back then a three-speed bike was a luxury.
Monkey bars and banana seats were in and the chopper even made an appearance.
There was the odd injury but it didn't stop anyone carrying on and of course there were antics galore.
"One rider even managed to get his bike into the Dominion and rode the length of the pool table."
Rob has since left Hawera but has been keeping himself up-to-date on the event.
He'd love to have another crack at the crawl and knows some of the originals still get involved.
His last appearance was in 1981 and it had grown to about 100 riders.
"The girls joined in for that one too. Before that it was only for the boys," he said.
"I might wait until the 40th year. It'll still be going and I won't be too old by then."
Meanwhile, local contractor Dick Sybrandy has offered to help carry out and cover the cost of a traffic management plan to NZTA for Saturday's event.
There will be a coned off cycle lane and event signage with the normal 70km/h and 100km/h zones reduced to 50km/h.
Police will provide traffic control at various locations along the route and there will be fixed and moving patrol cars.
Sergeant Robyn Burnetts said in the absence of organisers Mr Sybrandy has shown great generosity and community spirit.
"All we want is for people taking part in the ride to have fun and stay safe, and it is pleasing to know that there are people in the community who understand and share our motivation."
Residents who live along the route and are affected by the annual event are being advised to consider the delays there may be in the area before setting off on any journeys on Saturday.
If staying at home and in a position to park vehicles off the road and on driveways, they are advised to do so.
Tuesday, December 16
Children want sporting chance
y HARRIET PALMER harriet.palmer@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Tuesday, 16 December 2008
CAMERON BURNELL
There was no basketball for Hawera Intermediate students, from left, Liam Doherty, Oliver Porter, Alexander Gilbert, and Arnez Close, all 13, yesterday. The hall was being used and the school doesn't have vital facilities such as a gym or a pool, a situation deputy principal Craig Simpson, centre, says is not good enough.
A Taranaki school says pressure to spend money on expensive technology means children are missing out on the basics.
Hawera Intermediate has no gym and no pool, a situation that's not going to change despite repeated calls by government to get children exercising.
Deputy principal Craig Simpson said pressure to keep investing in technology was taking big chunks from small budgets and other areas were seriously missing out.
"There is such a high ICT (information and communication technology) demand on schools now. A lot of funding and vision is going to that," he said.
"It would be lovely if the government could recognise that. We're still selling cakes to buy computers."
Mr Simpson said the cost and distance to the community pool meant swimming was out of the question.
Recent figures show only 50% of Year 6 students can swim 25m and drownings are expected to rise almost 50% by 2030. Despite being on the coast, Mr Simpson said he had seen a massive deterioration in the Hawera students' swimming ability.
"We have swimming sports here in February, I imagine most schools do. I'm amazed each year how few students can swim a distance, let alone strongly."
Mr Simpson said the situation was comparable with South Auckland schools where he had also taught.
"Going to the local pool is just out of reach. And we're not putting any worth on it. Less and less city kids are swimming and I see the same stuff happening in rural kids.
"Gone are the days where we could take kids down to the river for a dip. There's always safety procedures."
The school used its hall as a gym, but would love a purpose-built facility where they could store gear and exercise throughout winter.
Mr Simpson said not having one meant they were missing out on developing sports talent or offering a consistent physical health programme.
"If we had a gym children could say, `let's go down to the gym' instead of `what are we going to do this lunchtime?'
"It's just a huge ask. When I think about a gym, I don't want to say it's impossible. It just seems like a big endeavour and we're raising money for technology."
CAMERON BURNELL
There was no basketball for Hawera Intermediate students, from left, Liam Doherty, Oliver Porter, Alexander Gilbert, and Arnez Close, all 13, yesterday. The hall was being used and the school doesn't have vital facilities such as a gym or a pool, a situation deputy principal Craig Simpson, centre, says is not good enough.
A Taranaki school says pressure to spend money on expensive technology means children are missing out on the basics.
Hawera Intermediate has no gym and no pool, a situation that's not going to change despite repeated calls by government to get children exercising.
Deputy principal Craig Simpson said pressure to keep investing in technology was taking big chunks from small budgets and other areas were seriously missing out.
"There is such a high ICT (information and communication technology) demand on schools now. A lot of funding and vision is going to that," he said.
"It would be lovely if the government could recognise that. We're still selling cakes to buy computers."
Mr Simpson said the cost and distance to the community pool meant swimming was out of the question.
Recent figures show only 50% of Year 6 students can swim 25m and drownings are expected to rise almost 50% by 2030. Despite being on the coast, Mr Simpson said he had seen a massive deterioration in the Hawera students' swimming ability.
"We have swimming sports here in February, I imagine most schools do. I'm amazed each year how few students can swim a distance, let alone strongly."
Mr Simpson said the situation was comparable with South Auckland schools where he had also taught.
"Going to the local pool is just out of reach. And we're not putting any worth on it. Less and less city kids are swimming and I see the same stuff happening in rural kids.
"Gone are the days where we could take kids down to the river for a dip. There's always safety procedures."
The school used its hall as a gym, but would love a purpose-built facility where they could store gear and exercise throughout winter.
Mr Simpson said not having one meant they were missing out on developing sports talent or offering a consistent physical health programme.
"If we had a gym children could say, `let's go down to the gym' instead of `what are we going to do this lunchtime?'
"It's just a huge ask. When I think about a gym, I don't want to say it's impossible. It just seems like a big endeavour and we're raising money for technology."
Saturday, December 13
It's on with the annual Pukekura light show
HELEN HARVEY - Taranaki Daily News | Saturday, 13 December 2008
The trees will receive special attention when the lights go on at Pukekura Park.
It is that time of year again when the lights go on in Pukekura Park. More than 800 light fittings and 6km of cable has been put up this week and the lights get switched on tomorrow night after Christmas at the Bowl.
This year's TSB Bank Festival of Lights has new features as well as oldies but goodies such as Grimace the Gorilla. New features include a moving digital artwork and an interactive piece that uses motion-sensitive technology to bring people's shadows to life.
And for the first time, the festival has its own lighting designer. Nicola Haines, who last year worked on the black-light area and poet's bridge, has been working with the council on the overall design.
While reluctant to give anything away and ruin the surprise, Ms Haines says the lights around the lake have changed.
There will be layers of colour and people can lift up their eyes and see all of the trees. She has taken special care with the notable old trees and people are definitely going to notice them more.
The lights in the islands are different and there will be a special centrepiece in the lake. She imagined it to be like a fairyland.
"I wanted a filigree of lights, tiny little lights, like fireflies, all the way around the lake. It glitters, then all other colours come up into play."
Wells Lighting has done a remarkable job considering the budget, she says.
There are always constraints.
"With a design, you go as far as you can and then come inwards. Aim for the stars."
Last year, Ms Haines designed a large signature for the poet's bridge. This time round, the fibre optic light has been remodelled and will float in the middle of the lake.
Her inspiration for the design was New Plymouth's dramatic weather.
Ms Haines witnessed first hand the tornado in Oakura last year and was inspired by the power and the rawness of it.
"But if people think it looks like a Christmas tree floating in the middle of the lake, I can live with that."
She has also expanded her oversized luminous garden in the black light area, which has been moved to a different place in the park.
It works better in its new space, she says. The trees lend themselves to the display, which works in unison with the trees. Ms Haines has had numerous walk-throughs at night to test them.
As well as the three lilies, three calla lilies and three groups of three kowhai, she has added large orchids and three flutes. The large concrete sculptures were inspired by the flowers in Pukekura Park and took a week each to make.
A designer and artist, her background is in interior design and architecture in the UK, where she also used to do sculpture.
She came to New Zealand about seven years ago to visit and thought she would love to come back here to live one day. Then her circumstances changed and she moved out two-and-a-half years ago to Oakura.
"New Plymouth completely blew me away. It's a beautiful country. It's not difficult to be inspired by the flora and fauna."
The TSB Bank Festival of Lights costs about $500,000, half of which comes from rates and the other half from sponsors.
This year's festival route is from the children's playground to the main lake through to the TSB Bowl of Brooklands.
The trees will receive special attention when the lights go on at Pukekura Park.
It is that time of year again when the lights go on in Pukekura Park. More than 800 light fittings and 6km of cable has been put up this week and the lights get switched on tomorrow night after Christmas at the Bowl.
This year's TSB Bank Festival of Lights has new features as well as oldies but goodies such as Grimace the Gorilla. New features include a moving digital artwork and an interactive piece that uses motion-sensitive technology to bring people's shadows to life.
And for the first time, the festival has its own lighting designer. Nicola Haines, who last year worked on the black-light area and poet's bridge, has been working with the council on the overall design.
While reluctant to give anything away and ruin the surprise, Ms Haines says the lights around the lake have changed.
There will be layers of colour and people can lift up their eyes and see all of the trees. She has taken special care with the notable old trees and people are definitely going to notice them more.
The lights in the islands are different and there will be a special centrepiece in the lake. She imagined it to be like a fairyland.
"I wanted a filigree of lights, tiny little lights, like fireflies, all the way around the lake. It glitters, then all other colours come up into play."
Wells Lighting has done a remarkable job considering the budget, she says.
There are always constraints.
"With a design, you go as far as you can and then come inwards. Aim for the stars."
Last year, Ms Haines designed a large signature for the poet's bridge. This time round, the fibre optic light has been remodelled and will float in the middle of the lake.
Her inspiration for the design was New Plymouth's dramatic weather.
Ms Haines witnessed first hand the tornado in Oakura last year and was inspired by the power and the rawness of it.
"But if people think it looks like a Christmas tree floating in the middle of the lake, I can live with that."
She has also expanded her oversized luminous garden in the black light area, which has been moved to a different place in the park.
It works better in its new space, she says. The trees lend themselves to the display, which works in unison with the trees. Ms Haines has had numerous walk-throughs at night to test them.
As well as the three lilies, three calla lilies and three groups of three kowhai, she has added large orchids and three flutes. The large concrete sculptures were inspired by the flowers in Pukekura Park and took a week each to make.
A designer and artist, her background is in interior design and architecture in the UK, where she also used to do sculpture.
She came to New Zealand about seven years ago to visit and thought she would love to come back here to live one day. Then her circumstances changed and she moved out two-and-a-half years ago to Oakura.
"New Plymouth completely blew me away. It's a beautiful country. It's not difficult to be inspired by the flora and fauna."
The TSB Bank Festival of Lights costs about $500,000, half of which comes from rates and the other half from sponsors.
This year's festival route is from the children's playground to the main lake through to the TSB Bowl of Brooklands.
Tuesday, December 9
We've had it wrong all the time
We've had it wrong all the time - Mt Taranaki is in the South Island, not the North.
That's according to calendar manufacturer John Sands.
One of the Melbourne-based company's New Zealand pictorial calendars contains a photograph of Mt Taranaki at dusk, and the caption tells us that our mountain is in the South Island.
The error was spotted by New Plymouth's Charles Delworth, who had bought five of the $4.99 calendars to send to friends overseas. "It's a lovely wee calendar - except for the blunder," he said.
But how did it happen?
A John Sands' spokeswoman said she would find out how the error made it into the calendar, which was printed in China.
If anyone who had purchased the calendar was offended by the error, it would be replaced with another.
But she had no idea how the error had occurred.
So we contacted Dunedin photographer David Wall who took the photograph of Mt Taranaki at dusk.
He'd already been emailed about the captioning error, and he also had no idea how it happened.
"I think we just need to put it down to being one of those things," he said.
"I'd like to assure everyone that Mt Taranaki is indeed still in the North Island - in fact we have 700 images of the mountain on our website.
"And I've just been up there taking more pictures.
"We flew over and around the mountain at sunrise, and as the sun came up it was orange and then pink. Absolutely stunning."
That's according to calendar manufacturer John Sands.
One of the Melbourne-based company's New Zealand pictorial calendars contains a photograph of Mt Taranaki at dusk, and the caption tells us that our mountain is in the South Island.
The error was spotted by New Plymouth's Charles Delworth, who had bought five of the $4.99 calendars to send to friends overseas. "It's a lovely wee calendar - except for the blunder," he said.
But how did it happen?
A John Sands' spokeswoman said she would find out how the error made it into the calendar, which was printed in China.
If anyone who had purchased the calendar was offended by the error, it would be replaced with another.
But she had no idea how the error had occurred.
So we contacted Dunedin photographer David Wall who took the photograph of Mt Taranaki at dusk.
He'd already been emailed about the captioning error, and he also had no idea how it happened.
"I think we just need to put it down to being one of those things," he said.
"I'd like to assure everyone that Mt Taranaki is indeed still in the North Island - in fact we have 700 images of the mountain on our website.
"And I've just been up there taking more pictures.
"We flew over and around the mountain at sunrise, and as the sun came up it was orange and then pink. Absolutely stunning."
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