By LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Monday, 05 May 2008
BRADLEY AMBROSE / TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
Noel Yarrow's casket is carried to a waiting Cadillac by pallbearers, on the left (from the front) Michael Yarrow, Russell Guckert, Paul Yarrow, on the right William Tennent, Philip Yarrow and Peter Tennent.
The skies were blue and the rain had cleared, but the tributes for one of Taranaki's favourite sons continued to pour.
Noel Henry Yarrow, baker, businessman, husband, father, grandfather and philanthropist, was farewelled by more than 1500 people in Manaia on Saturday.
Those attending included family, friends, employees, sports people, school principals, students, some of the Royal New Zealand Navy's top brass and Dame Malvina Major.
Many of the mourners had been beneficiaries of the 83-year-old's renowned generosity.
Everybody spoke of Mr Yarrow's love of Manaia and Taranaki.
The crowd began gathering well before the 1pm service. About 300 mourners packed the Manaia Town Hall while others sat in an adjoining marquee. Bouquets of flowers lined the hall's entrance and foyer.
Barry Pepperell from New Plymouth was passing through Manaia and decided to pay his respects to a man he described as an icon of the region.
"He has done so much for so many."
George Duffus, who began working at the bakery in 1959, said that from the first time he met Mr Yarrow he knew he was destined for greatness.
"This business was going to progress and move forward."
Mr Duffus said Mr Yarrow often told him "if you stand still in business, you will only move backwards".
He valued their association. "In the beginning he was my boss, at the end he was my firm friend."
Peter McLeod said he had been privileged to know Mr Yarrow.
"In the short time I did get to know Noel he was a man of immense values and generosity."
Alf Bevins, who had known Mr Yarrow for more than 70 years, said he was a honourable man. "He was great to his district and his family."
RNZN Rear Admiral David Ledson said Mr and Mrs Yarrow had been generous to the navy over the years and their donations had helped improve the quality of life for sailors aboard ships. "It was done in a very low-profile way. They had no expectations of recognition."
The recognition came though. Rear Admiral Ledson awarded the Chief of Navy commendation to the couple some years ago at a ceremony in New Plymouth.
Mr Yarrow's casket was covered in red and white roses and his 10 grandchildren had placed a white baker's hat on it.
Dame Malvina, who Mr Yarrow had been proud to call a friend, sang Ave Maria before his casket made its final journey to the Manaia cemetery.
That final ride, in a silver and grey Cadillac, took Mr Yarrow past his home, through the factory and stopped for one final look at a snow-covered Mt Taranaki.
Monday, May 5
Friday, April 25
A memorable war
By LYN HUMPHREYS lyn.humphreys@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Friday, 25 April 2008
Taranaki Returned Servicemen, from left, Graeme Lowe, Peter Beckham, Jack Elliott and Ra Penn cannot see today's Kiwis laying down their lives in defence of the United Kingdom.
The squalor of war shot to hell their ideas about war and adventure. Like so many others, four World War II Taranaki veterans joined the queues for what they hoped was the experience of a lifetime. They weren't disappointed, but it wasn't what they expected. Along with the blood, guts, starvation and thrills came the realisation that a life under German or Japanese rule wasn't worth living.
Four veterans who gathered around the table at the New Plymouth RSA this week were adamant that, given the same circumstances, they would once more join up to fight for king and country.
But they are at odds as to whether New Zealanders today would do the same. They certainly agree that contemporary Kiwis will never feel the same loyalty to Britain that they did nearly 70 years ago.
Don Mander, who's 85, admits that at 20, when he joined the fleet air arm, he was ignorant of the politics that led to the war.
"We didn't even know that Hitler existed," Don admits. "We went for the adventure and to fly."
But it was all too real for 83-year-old Englishman Peter Beckham, who was living with the daily threat of Hitler and his menacing war machine across the channel. The moment Peter turned 18 in 1943, he became part of the massive sign-up of all available Brits, to the consternation of his father.
"My father's battalion was massacred on the Somme in World War I by the bad advice of generals. I'm bloody lucky to be here at all!"
And there was the horror when, as a youngster, he saw World War I veterans marching to London to plead for work and money.
"What a pathetic situation. They send them to war, they risk their lives and then they can't even feed them properly."
Ra Penn, who gives his age as "eighty-bloody-five", says he had a major falling out with his father when he also signed up as a flyboy as soon as his age allowed.
His father, who fought in World War I under General Douglas Haig, had no faith in the incompetent military leadership who had failed to protect their men.
"The old man got shot running up the beach at Gallipoli. He thought war was futile and stupid."
Jack Elliott, a soldier in New Zealand's 25th infantry battalion, experienced first hand as a prisoner of war behind German lines what the options would have been if the Allies lost the war.
"I don't regret it," the 88-year-old says. "It was well worthwhile when you consider what our life would have been either under the Germans or the Japanese."
In joining up, Jack had continued the family tradition. "I had six uncles who fought in World War I. Two didn't make it and four were invalided home wounded."
Jack was captured in North Africa after a series of desert firefights. "We had two wins and a loss that day." He would spend the remaining three-and-a-half years behind the wires.
The experience opened his naive young eyes to the realities of war. "People think that all the people who died were gassed, but they weren't. Many were starved, died of illness, or worked to death. We saw the suppression of the ordinary German people for ourselves. They were too afraid to say or do anything."
The men's hero remains a Stratford man, Lieutenant Colonel William Malone, in command of the Wellington Infantry regiment at Gallipoli during World War I, who died alongside his men on Chunuk Bair in 1915, probably from friendly fire.
Unlike other military leaders, he had tried to conserve the lives of his men and had been the only commander who achieved his objective, they say.
They are frustrated that, despite many entreaties to officialdom, the country has never given Malone the accolade they feel he deserves. "He should have been given the VC posthumously," Peter says.
Ra says the young today would never go to war as they had done.
"A lot wouldn't put a uniform on. It is just the way they are. They don't want to fight for king and country."
Don disagrees. "I think they would go again."
The group has taken heart in the recent outpouring of the younger generations on Anzac Days as they rediscover their grandparents' past.
This year's poppy-sale collection might have been down in numbers with plenty questioning whether the poppies were stolen in the North Shore theft but those who did give were more charitable than in the past.
Ra says he handed out fewer poppies and his collection box was lighter, but that was only because it was filled with notes. Most generous were the young mothers, he says.
They were also delighted to see young kids putting all their pocket money in.
The group is convinced that the dropping of atomic bombs on Japanese cities, which ended the war in the Pacific, was a necessary evil to save the lives of many millions more.
Don says the realisation of what nuclear wars could mean to the world has been an effective preventive from that time on. "There's not been a really big war since then."
The veterans say they are disgusted by the depletion of today's Kiwi armed forces, especially the Labour Government's decision to ditch the Air Force fighter jets.
"We learnt the hard way in World War II that nothing is gained without air cover. And now what do they do? Buy helicopters," says RNZN Malaysian vet Graeme Lowe. "We spend less GDP on defence of any of the Western nations less than one per cent.
"We haven't got a strike force now," Ra says. "The Skyhawks were equal to any fighter in the world. We had the best in the Southern Hemisphere. At least give them equipment. Now they couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag."
Taranaki Returned Servicemen, from left, Graeme Lowe, Peter Beckham, Jack Elliott and Ra Penn cannot see today's Kiwis laying down their lives in defence of the United Kingdom.
The squalor of war shot to hell their ideas about war and adventure. Like so many others, four World War II Taranaki veterans joined the queues for what they hoped was the experience of a lifetime. They weren't disappointed, but it wasn't what they expected. Along with the blood, guts, starvation and thrills came the realisation that a life under German or Japanese rule wasn't worth living.
Four veterans who gathered around the table at the New Plymouth RSA this week were adamant that, given the same circumstances, they would once more join up to fight for king and country.
But they are at odds as to whether New Zealanders today would do the same. They certainly agree that contemporary Kiwis will never feel the same loyalty to Britain that they did nearly 70 years ago.
Don Mander, who's 85, admits that at 20, when he joined the fleet air arm, he was ignorant of the politics that led to the war.
"We didn't even know that Hitler existed," Don admits. "We went for the adventure and to fly."
But it was all too real for 83-year-old Englishman Peter Beckham, who was living with the daily threat of Hitler and his menacing war machine across the channel. The moment Peter turned 18 in 1943, he became part of the massive sign-up of all available Brits, to the consternation of his father.
"My father's battalion was massacred on the Somme in World War I by the bad advice of generals. I'm bloody lucky to be here at all!"
And there was the horror when, as a youngster, he saw World War I veterans marching to London to plead for work and money.
"What a pathetic situation. They send them to war, they risk their lives and then they can't even feed them properly."
Ra Penn, who gives his age as "eighty-bloody-five", says he had a major falling out with his father when he also signed up as a flyboy as soon as his age allowed.
His father, who fought in World War I under General Douglas Haig, had no faith in the incompetent military leadership who had failed to protect their men.
"The old man got shot running up the beach at Gallipoli. He thought war was futile and stupid."
Jack Elliott, a soldier in New Zealand's 25th infantry battalion, experienced first hand as a prisoner of war behind German lines what the options would have been if the Allies lost the war.
"I don't regret it," the 88-year-old says. "It was well worthwhile when you consider what our life would have been either under the Germans or the Japanese."
In joining up, Jack had continued the family tradition. "I had six uncles who fought in World War I. Two didn't make it and four were invalided home wounded."
Jack was captured in North Africa after a series of desert firefights. "We had two wins and a loss that day." He would spend the remaining three-and-a-half years behind the wires.
The experience opened his naive young eyes to the realities of war. "People think that all the people who died were gassed, but they weren't. Many were starved, died of illness, or worked to death. We saw the suppression of the ordinary German people for ourselves. They were too afraid to say or do anything."
The men's hero remains a Stratford man, Lieutenant Colonel William Malone, in command of the Wellington Infantry regiment at Gallipoli during World War I, who died alongside his men on Chunuk Bair in 1915, probably from friendly fire.
Unlike other military leaders, he had tried to conserve the lives of his men and had been the only commander who achieved his objective, they say.
They are frustrated that, despite many entreaties to officialdom, the country has never given Malone the accolade they feel he deserves. "He should have been given the VC posthumously," Peter says.
Ra says the young today would never go to war as they had done.
"A lot wouldn't put a uniform on. It is just the way they are. They don't want to fight for king and country."
Don disagrees. "I think they would go again."
The group has taken heart in the recent outpouring of the younger generations on Anzac Days as they rediscover their grandparents' past.
This year's poppy-sale collection might have been down in numbers with plenty questioning whether the poppies were stolen in the North Shore theft but those who did give were more charitable than in the past.
Ra says he handed out fewer poppies and his collection box was lighter, but that was only because it was filled with notes. Most generous were the young mothers, he says.
They were also delighted to see young kids putting all their pocket money in.
The group is convinced that the dropping of atomic bombs on Japanese cities, which ended the war in the Pacific, was a necessary evil to save the lives of many millions more.
Don says the realisation of what nuclear wars could mean to the world has been an effective preventive from that time on. "There's not been a really big war since then."
The veterans say they are disgusted by the depletion of today's Kiwi armed forces, especially the Labour Government's decision to ditch the Air Force fighter jets.
"We learnt the hard way in World War II that nothing is gained without air cover. And now what do they do? Buy helicopters," says RNZN Malaysian vet Graeme Lowe. "We spend less GDP on defence of any of the Western nations less than one per cent.
"We haven't got a strike force now," Ra says. "The Skyhawks were equal to any fighter in the world. We had the best in the Southern Hemisphere. At least give them equipment. Now they couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag."
Mystery as soldier's headstone discovered
By MATT RILKOFF matt.rilkoff@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Friday, 25 April 2008
Emma Crofskey and 5th Battalion Cadre NCO Stephen Muschamp examine the headstone of World War II soldier C.D. King.
Who is C.D. King and why was this old soldier's headstone recovered miles from any cemetery in New Plymouth yesterday?
The headstone of the World War II veteran who died in 1981, aged 67, may have remained hidden for years, had the new owners of the house on Sycamore Gr, where it was found, not decided to whip their property into shape.
Only days after moving in to the house, Joe Govier and Emma Crofskey were clearing their section of debris when they found the headstone among trees and ferns down a steep bank.
"It was just lying there, down the bank, on top of a lot of other rubbish.
"It wasn't like I unearthed it or something. I didn't think it was a grave site. I just thought someone had dumped a headstone," Mr Govier said.
Once they had found it, the couple were stumped as to what to do with it.
After two days, Miss Crofskey decided to call police, who directed her to Stephen Muschamp, Cadre NCO of the 5th Wellington, West Coast and Taranaki Battalion Group.
Mr Muschamp was on the scene in a jiffy and identified it as an RSA headstone, also noting that the usual brass cross inlay had been removed.
He said it was hard to determine how long the headstone had been in the bush, but he would be particularly interested to know just how it had come to be there.
"And I thought, well, on the eve of Anzac Day, what a way to start the day, to recover this headstone of an old soldier," he said.
Graeme Lowe, senior vice-president of the New Plymouth RSA, had a different reaction to the headstone.
"It's from the Te Henui cemetery. You can tell that because of the design, and it's been removed because you can see where it sat in concrete.
"But you know what this reminds me of - it reminds me of what those damn hoods did to the Jewish cemetery in Wellington, and then that other time in Auckland."
He said if the family of C.D. King did not live in Taranaki, they might not know his headstone had been removed.
"He's served with the 2nd NZEF as a driver, and some of them went straight to England when there was the invasion threat, but when that went away after the Battle of Britain, they went into North Africa."
Mr Lowe said he would not like to guess how many old soldiers' graves were at the Te Henui cemetery, but the sexton would be able to give them more details about this particular headstone on Monday.
The headstone reads: 2nd NZEF, 35896 DVR, C.D. King, NZ Army Service Corps, 14-10-1981. Aged 67 years.
Emma Crofskey and 5th Battalion Cadre NCO Stephen Muschamp examine the headstone of World War II soldier C.D. King.
Who is C.D. King and why was this old soldier's headstone recovered miles from any cemetery in New Plymouth yesterday?
The headstone of the World War II veteran who died in 1981, aged 67, may have remained hidden for years, had the new owners of the house on Sycamore Gr, where it was found, not decided to whip their property into shape.
Only days after moving in to the house, Joe Govier and Emma Crofskey were clearing their section of debris when they found the headstone among trees and ferns down a steep bank.
"It was just lying there, down the bank, on top of a lot of other rubbish.
"It wasn't like I unearthed it or something. I didn't think it was a grave site. I just thought someone had dumped a headstone," Mr Govier said.
Once they had found it, the couple were stumped as to what to do with it.
After two days, Miss Crofskey decided to call police, who directed her to Stephen Muschamp, Cadre NCO of the 5th Wellington, West Coast and Taranaki Battalion Group.
Mr Muschamp was on the scene in a jiffy and identified it as an RSA headstone, also noting that the usual brass cross inlay had been removed.
He said it was hard to determine how long the headstone had been in the bush, but he would be particularly interested to know just how it had come to be there.
"And I thought, well, on the eve of Anzac Day, what a way to start the day, to recover this headstone of an old soldier," he said.
Graeme Lowe, senior vice-president of the New Plymouth RSA, had a different reaction to the headstone.
"It's from the Te Henui cemetery. You can tell that because of the design, and it's been removed because you can see where it sat in concrete.
"But you know what this reminds me of - it reminds me of what those damn hoods did to the Jewish cemetery in Wellington, and then that other time in Auckland."
He said if the family of C.D. King did not live in Taranaki, they might not know his headstone had been removed.
"He's served with the 2nd NZEF as a driver, and some of them went straight to England when there was the invasion threat, but when that went away after the Battle of Britain, they went into North Africa."
Mr Lowe said he would not like to guess how many old soldiers' graves were at the Te Henui cemetery, but the sexton would be able to give them more details about this particular headstone on Monday.
The headstone reads: 2nd NZEF, 35896 DVR, C.D. King, NZ Army Service Corps, 14-10-1981. Aged 67 years.
Creating list a huge effort
By PETER BINGHAM peter.bingham@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Friday, 25 April 2008
Jack Elliott has never forgotten the mates he lost at war. And their memory has inspired him to labour at a task for the past 10 years that no one else has been prepared to do.
The 88-year-old painstakingly compiled the list that appears on the front page and page two of today's edition of all the Taranaki men and women who lost their lives in World War I (1251), World War II (793), Korea (1) and Vietnam (2). It has been a protracted effort of patience and endeavour to verify and log the names of the 2047 who died in service.
"I started compiling a list for the Inglewood RSA and that sort of got me going. There were a lot I knew from Inglewood who went away [in WWII] and quite a few schoolmates from New Plymouth Boys' High School who didn't come back. That inspired me."
He has taken names from cemeteries, churches, memorials, school and hall honours boards, researched books and sought information from the National Archives and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
"I reckon my list is about 95 per cent, maybe 99 per cent, accurate. It is vital something is done because more and more honours boards and memorials are being lost as schools close and country halls come down. It would be good if all these names are put up in one block in a place like Puke Ariki. There is only a bit of fine-tuning left to do." Not every Taranaki person who served and died would be on his list.
"For example, a lot of Taranaki men served in the RAF and were regarded as members of the British forces and are on their rolls of honour." He has also compiled a list of all who died in the Taranaki Wars and the Boer War.
Jack added a year to his age and listed his job as shop assistant when he signed up. "I was only 20 and was a chemist's apprentice in Inglewood. A chemist was a reserved occupation [exempt from service], so I had to change that."
He joined the 25th Infantry Battalion and served in Greece and Libya before being captured and sent to Italy.
"We should have been released when armistice was declared in Italy, but the commandant was a fascist and held us until the Germans arrived."
They were shipped to Poland to work in a heavy machinery factory where a number of them, including Jack, trained as fitters and turners and as gas and electrical welders.
"We knew what they were up to and when they lined us up to make parts for their tanks and 88mm guns, we cited the Geneva Convention at them. They were not happy, called us swine Englanders, then loaded us on to the rattler [train] and sent us off to our next job."
Jack Elliott has never forgotten the mates he lost at war. And their memory has inspired him to labour at a task for the past 10 years that no one else has been prepared to do.
The 88-year-old painstakingly compiled the list that appears on the front page and page two of today's edition of all the Taranaki men and women who lost their lives in World War I (1251), World War II (793), Korea (1) and Vietnam (2). It has been a protracted effort of patience and endeavour to verify and log the names of the 2047 who died in service.
"I started compiling a list for the Inglewood RSA and that sort of got me going. There were a lot I knew from Inglewood who went away [in WWII] and quite a few schoolmates from New Plymouth Boys' High School who didn't come back. That inspired me."
He has taken names from cemeteries, churches, memorials, school and hall honours boards, researched books and sought information from the National Archives and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
"I reckon my list is about 95 per cent, maybe 99 per cent, accurate. It is vital something is done because more and more honours boards and memorials are being lost as schools close and country halls come down. It would be good if all these names are put up in one block in a place like Puke Ariki. There is only a bit of fine-tuning left to do." Not every Taranaki person who served and died would be on his list.
"For example, a lot of Taranaki men served in the RAF and were regarded as members of the British forces and are on their rolls of honour." He has also compiled a list of all who died in the Taranaki Wars and the Boer War.
Jack added a year to his age and listed his job as shop assistant when he signed up. "I was only 20 and was a chemist's apprentice in Inglewood. A chemist was a reserved occupation [exempt from service], so I had to change that."
He joined the 25th Infantry Battalion and served in Greece and Libya before being captured and sent to Italy.
"We should have been released when armistice was declared in Italy, but the commandant was a fascist and held us until the Germans arrived."
They were shipped to Poland to work in a heavy machinery factory where a number of them, including Jack, trained as fitters and turners and as gas and electrical welders.
"We knew what they were up to and when they lined us up to make parts for their tanks and 88mm guns, we cited the Geneva Convention at them. They were not happy, called us swine Englanders, then loaded us on to the rattler [train] and sent us off to our next job."
With flying colours
By HELEN HARVEY helen.harvey@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Friday, 25 April 2008
Allan George and his wife of more than 60 years, Frances, have nine children.
The picture couldn't possibly tell the story. It's a black-and-white photo at Allan George's Manaia home. It shows two young men, both in uniform, standing in front of a plane. By the look of the aircraft and the uniform, it is reasonable to assume it is World War II.
And even though Mr George is 90 now, it is easy to pick him out. But the picture only hints of the danger, the friendships and the reckless disregard. It doesn't tell of events so painful they bring tears more than 60 years later.
And it doesn't tell of two medals the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded for bravery.
Mr George, a pilot, received the DFC after "an episode" when his Wellington bomber got "awfully shot up" dropping bombs over the Ruhr.
"My poor old rear gunner got his bum shot away. Screaming his head off, we had to pull him out of the rear turret, blood from hell to breakfast."
First a fuel pipe was severed then a fighter plane came in and shot the motor out.
"It was a miracle we never blew up, because the plane flooded with fuel."
Petrol was gushing everywhere, so an Englishman, Viv Broad, the wireless operator, bandaged up the pipe and contained the petrol. The Wellington was struggling on one motor and losing height.
"The crew said `can we bail out?' I said `hell no'."
It wasn't a good idea to bail out over the target. The searchlights would shine on the parachutes and the German gunners would shoot the parachutes down.
Mr George told his crew to hang on until they reached the coast. Once there, they still had a bit of height, so limped across the sea and crash-landed at an airfield just inside England.
By the time the rear gunner got out of hospital, he had been replaced, so the gunner joined another crew. He was shot down over Hamburg.
Altogether, Mr George flew 73 operations, 21 as a Pathfinder.
The Pathfinders were the elite.
They were the top pilots and navigators from the RAF's Bomber Command. Each one had to have completed at least one tour of operations a tour equalled 30 bombing missions. And they had to volunteer.
By 1943, Bomber Command was huge, so there were plenty to fly the missions. However, the difficulty, because of the European weather, was to find the target, he says.
"At this time, scientists had developed decent radio aids, which allowed us to become more precise. And it was realised that those of us who had done a tour of operations ... were very experienced men."
The Pathfinders flew Mosquitoes and flew ahead of the bombers. Each Mosquito carried a pilot, a navigator, flares to indicate the targets to the following bombers, and one 4000lb bomb. They had to prove, with a photo, that they had hit the target.
There was some delinquency, Mr George says blokes who were LMF (lack of moral fibre) and didn't go over the target, dropping flares and bombs anywhere.
"It was equivalent to a soldier going over the top. You knew you had to go through that barrier of flak.
There would be hundreds of bombers flying behind the Pathfinders, so they had to hit the target on time, otherwise it increased the risk of collisions.
"It was equivalent to rush hour in Auckland."
There was an 80% fatality rate for the bombing missions. For the Pathfinders, it was 90%.
That was the butcher's bill that had to be paid every night, he says.
For the extra danger, Pathfinders got extra rank.
Mr George was in 139 Squadron, which was unique, because there were 16 nationalities among the aircrew.
"They were a remarkable gang of burglars."
The squadron's purpose was to bomb Berlin. It was the most difficult target of the war, being the most defended target in Germany. Hitler boasted that no bomb would fall on Berlin, Mr George says. In March and April 1945, the RAF hit the city night after night after night.
"The idea was we had to do nothing but bomb Berlin for 50 nights in a row."
They stopped at 36 because the butcher's bill was too high and the RAF needed to build up reserves.
Aircrew worked two nights on, one night off.
Hitler surrounded Berlin with searchlights and moved in the fighter jets.
"The jets were at 40,000ft. We were at 30,000ft. They came down on us and picked us off."
Hitler was so upset at the Pathfinders' success at highlighting the targets that he ordered that any Pathfinder shot down was to be killed.
The last time Bomber Command attacked Berlin was April 20, 1945.
"There were thousands of Russian guns all the way from the Baltic Coast, down as far as you could see to the south, and that barrage kept going until the second of May and Berlin surrendered.
"April 20 was the only night there were no fighters or no flak at us. Everything on the ground was aimed at the Russians."
The butcher's bill for Bomber Command aircrew in World War II was 55,000. There were also 20,000 wounded and 12,000 taken prisoner.
"We never thought of more than today." It was said that airmen were only concerned with wine, women and song, he says.
"We didn't give a monkey's stuff for anything."
They did some stupid things, got up to all sorts of mischief, were a wild bunch.
"Every night we used to say `well, I hope it's quick'."
There wasn't much lingering.
"We'd stop a hit from flak and, with our load, would blow up. It was instant. You'd just vaporise."
One thing they used to say was they didn't want to know when their last raid would be.
But on May 2, they were called to a meeting.
"They said, `well, boys, there's one target left Kiel. You've got to go. Get home tonight and you are through the war.' That was ..."
Mr George stops, his voice breaking. He gets his hanky out and wipes his eyes.
"... the most terrible parade of the lot. You can understand I never go there. It's too upsetting."
He stops for a bit.
"I can't talk about it. We always used to say we didn't want to know which was the last raid. You get home tonight, you're through the war. You could've heard a pin drop. I don't go there."
He has recorded his last flight in his logbook, as he recorded all his flights. In neat, precise handwriting.
"May 2, 1945. Last of European war. Very good raid.
"The fighters were up and they had a bit of a mix up with us."
Berlin surrendered the same day.
After the trip to Kiel, every aeroplane in the Royal Air Force was grounded.
"They opened the bar and we got drunk."
The bar stayed open all night and the next morning, there was a huge parade. The airmen were still drunk.
"When the old parson said, We'll bow our head and give thanks to the Almighty, most of us fell over."
The logbook is one of Mr George's most prized possessions. Inside it is a piece of cloth covered in writing in English and in Russian and a Union Jack. It is called a blood chit.
Mr George carried it in his raids over Berlin.
"It guarantees a reward for not taking a life ... so if we were damaged, we could land behind Russian lines instead of the long flight home. The Russians, of course, would shoot anything. They were the most ill-disciplined bastards in the world."
It was a long way from the farm in Manaia where Mr George had grown up.
He volunteered when the call went out for air crew in 1940 and went to the RNZAF aircrew training school in Levin, then to New Plymouth at Bell Block. It's not where the airport is now, he says, it was across the road.
At the time it was the biggest corrugated iron building in the world. It burnt down later.
Mr George learned to fly for two months, then went to Ohakea and learned to fly twin-engine aircraft before going to England for more training.
First he went to Lossiemouth in the Moray Firth for a conversion course on Wellington bombers, then to 115 Squadron in Norfolk and straight into operations over Germany. By this time, it was 1941.
He got his first medal, the DFM, for flying a Wellington bomber especially fitted with a Rolls Royce motor.
"They brought out this big bomb, 4000 pounder, and they made a special plane to carry it and I was the pilot who flew it."
He dropped it on Hamburg.
Both his medals were presented to him by King George VI at receptions at Buckingham Palace.
On one of the visits to the palace, he remembers getting an urgent call of nature.
"We had all had a pretty heavy night on the booze. In a long line waiting to be introduced to the King, I said to one of the stately ushers, Mate, where's the toilet?"
The footman looked at him with disdain.
"We were just uncouth pig-islanders."
In the end, Mr George said to him, "Mate, I want to piss."
He followed the footman up and down the corridors until they got to the toilet.
"Well, you wouldn't believe it. It was on a dais. It had armrests. Having used it, being polite and a well-trained boy, where's the chain? There was no flush. There was a bloody great lever. You got hold of it and pulled it.
"I went back and told the other pilots in the line, Hey, go to the toilet it's a bloody beaut. They all went."
As well as flying bombers, Mr George had a stint as a flying instructor and at one point he was posted back to New Zealand for a couple of months "to sort out a discipline school at Delta [just out of Woodbourne] which had mutinied, but they never used the word mutinied. They had gone on strike. I came back from England and sorted it out. I went straight back to England and went on Pathfinders."
He wasn't brave, he says, he was doing what he had to do. And he wasn't scared there wasn't time. He was too busy thinking about what he was doing, flying the plane, looking for searchlights, looking for the target, dodging the flak, dodging the fighter jets.
"I've had lumps of shrapnel just miss me, been shot at, had a fighter take me on over Berlin and miss ...
"A piece of flak was buried in behind my head I must have been leaning forward, or it would have cut my head off.
"I always say to this day I never worry about not getting Lotto. I've had all the luck in the world."
Allan George and his wife of more than 60 years, Frances, have nine children.
The picture couldn't possibly tell the story. It's a black-and-white photo at Allan George's Manaia home. It shows two young men, both in uniform, standing in front of a plane. By the look of the aircraft and the uniform, it is reasonable to assume it is World War II.
And even though Mr George is 90 now, it is easy to pick him out. But the picture only hints of the danger, the friendships and the reckless disregard. It doesn't tell of events so painful they bring tears more than 60 years later.
And it doesn't tell of two medals the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) awarded for bravery.
Mr George, a pilot, received the DFC after "an episode" when his Wellington bomber got "awfully shot up" dropping bombs over the Ruhr.
"My poor old rear gunner got his bum shot away. Screaming his head off, we had to pull him out of the rear turret, blood from hell to breakfast."
First a fuel pipe was severed then a fighter plane came in and shot the motor out.
"It was a miracle we never blew up, because the plane flooded with fuel."
Petrol was gushing everywhere, so an Englishman, Viv Broad, the wireless operator, bandaged up the pipe and contained the petrol. The Wellington was struggling on one motor and losing height.
"The crew said `can we bail out?' I said `hell no'."
It wasn't a good idea to bail out over the target. The searchlights would shine on the parachutes and the German gunners would shoot the parachutes down.
Mr George told his crew to hang on until they reached the coast. Once there, they still had a bit of height, so limped across the sea and crash-landed at an airfield just inside England.
By the time the rear gunner got out of hospital, he had been replaced, so the gunner joined another crew. He was shot down over Hamburg.
Altogether, Mr George flew 73 operations, 21 as a Pathfinder.
The Pathfinders were the elite.
They were the top pilots and navigators from the RAF's Bomber Command. Each one had to have completed at least one tour of operations a tour equalled 30 bombing missions. And they had to volunteer.
By 1943, Bomber Command was huge, so there were plenty to fly the missions. However, the difficulty, because of the European weather, was to find the target, he says.
"At this time, scientists had developed decent radio aids, which allowed us to become more precise. And it was realised that those of us who had done a tour of operations ... were very experienced men."
The Pathfinders flew Mosquitoes and flew ahead of the bombers. Each Mosquito carried a pilot, a navigator, flares to indicate the targets to the following bombers, and one 4000lb bomb. They had to prove, with a photo, that they had hit the target.
There was some delinquency, Mr George says blokes who were LMF (lack of moral fibre) and didn't go over the target, dropping flares and bombs anywhere.
"It was equivalent to a soldier going over the top. You knew you had to go through that barrier of flak.
There would be hundreds of bombers flying behind the Pathfinders, so they had to hit the target on time, otherwise it increased the risk of collisions.
"It was equivalent to rush hour in Auckland."
There was an 80% fatality rate for the bombing missions. For the Pathfinders, it was 90%.
That was the butcher's bill that had to be paid every night, he says.
For the extra danger, Pathfinders got extra rank.
Mr George was in 139 Squadron, which was unique, because there were 16 nationalities among the aircrew.
"They were a remarkable gang of burglars."
The squadron's purpose was to bomb Berlin. It was the most difficult target of the war, being the most defended target in Germany. Hitler boasted that no bomb would fall on Berlin, Mr George says. In March and April 1945, the RAF hit the city night after night after night.
"The idea was we had to do nothing but bomb Berlin for 50 nights in a row."
They stopped at 36 because the butcher's bill was too high and the RAF needed to build up reserves.
Aircrew worked two nights on, one night off.
Hitler surrounded Berlin with searchlights and moved in the fighter jets.
"The jets were at 40,000ft. We were at 30,000ft. They came down on us and picked us off."
Hitler was so upset at the Pathfinders' success at highlighting the targets that he ordered that any Pathfinder shot down was to be killed.
The last time Bomber Command attacked Berlin was April 20, 1945.
"There were thousands of Russian guns all the way from the Baltic Coast, down as far as you could see to the south, and that barrage kept going until the second of May and Berlin surrendered.
"April 20 was the only night there were no fighters or no flak at us. Everything on the ground was aimed at the Russians."
The butcher's bill for Bomber Command aircrew in World War II was 55,000. There were also 20,000 wounded and 12,000 taken prisoner.
"We never thought of more than today." It was said that airmen were only concerned with wine, women and song, he says.
"We didn't give a monkey's stuff for anything."
They did some stupid things, got up to all sorts of mischief, were a wild bunch.
"Every night we used to say `well, I hope it's quick'."
There wasn't much lingering.
"We'd stop a hit from flak and, with our load, would blow up. It was instant. You'd just vaporise."
One thing they used to say was they didn't want to know when their last raid would be.
But on May 2, they were called to a meeting.
"They said, `well, boys, there's one target left Kiel. You've got to go. Get home tonight and you are through the war.' That was ..."
Mr George stops, his voice breaking. He gets his hanky out and wipes his eyes.
"... the most terrible parade of the lot. You can understand I never go there. It's too upsetting."
He stops for a bit.
"I can't talk about it. We always used to say we didn't want to know which was the last raid. You get home tonight, you're through the war. You could've heard a pin drop. I don't go there."
He has recorded his last flight in his logbook, as he recorded all his flights. In neat, precise handwriting.
"May 2, 1945. Last of European war. Very good raid.
"The fighters were up and they had a bit of a mix up with us."
Berlin surrendered the same day.
After the trip to Kiel, every aeroplane in the Royal Air Force was grounded.
"They opened the bar and we got drunk."
The bar stayed open all night and the next morning, there was a huge parade. The airmen were still drunk.
"When the old parson said, We'll bow our head and give thanks to the Almighty, most of us fell over."
The logbook is one of Mr George's most prized possessions. Inside it is a piece of cloth covered in writing in English and in Russian and a Union Jack. It is called a blood chit.
Mr George carried it in his raids over Berlin.
"It guarantees a reward for not taking a life ... so if we were damaged, we could land behind Russian lines instead of the long flight home. The Russians, of course, would shoot anything. They were the most ill-disciplined bastards in the world."
It was a long way from the farm in Manaia where Mr George had grown up.
He volunteered when the call went out for air crew in 1940 and went to the RNZAF aircrew training school in Levin, then to New Plymouth at Bell Block. It's not where the airport is now, he says, it was across the road.
At the time it was the biggest corrugated iron building in the world. It burnt down later.
Mr George learned to fly for two months, then went to Ohakea and learned to fly twin-engine aircraft before going to England for more training.
First he went to Lossiemouth in the Moray Firth for a conversion course on Wellington bombers, then to 115 Squadron in Norfolk and straight into operations over Germany. By this time, it was 1941.
He got his first medal, the DFM, for flying a Wellington bomber especially fitted with a Rolls Royce motor.
"They brought out this big bomb, 4000 pounder, and they made a special plane to carry it and I was the pilot who flew it."
He dropped it on Hamburg.
Both his medals were presented to him by King George VI at receptions at Buckingham Palace.
On one of the visits to the palace, he remembers getting an urgent call of nature.
"We had all had a pretty heavy night on the booze. In a long line waiting to be introduced to the King, I said to one of the stately ushers, Mate, where's the toilet?"
The footman looked at him with disdain.
"We were just uncouth pig-islanders."
In the end, Mr George said to him, "Mate, I want to piss."
He followed the footman up and down the corridors until they got to the toilet.
"Well, you wouldn't believe it. It was on a dais. It had armrests. Having used it, being polite and a well-trained boy, where's the chain? There was no flush. There was a bloody great lever. You got hold of it and pulled it.
"I went back and told the other pilots in the line, Hey, go to the toilet it's a bloody beaut. They all went."
As well as flying bombers, Mr George had a stint as a flying instructor and at one point he was posted back to New Zealand for a couple of months "to sort out a discipline school at Delta [just out of Woodbourne] which had mutinied, but they never used the word mutinied. They had gone on strike. I came back from England and sorted it out. I went straight back to England and went on Pathfinders."
He wasn't brave, he says, he was doing what he had to do. And he wasn't scared there wasn't time. He was too busy thinking about what he was doing, flying the plane, looking for searchlights, looking for the target, dodging the flak, dodging the fighter jets.
"I've had lumps of shrapnel just miss me, been shot at, had a fighter take me on over Berlin and miss ...
"A piece of flak was buried in behind my head I must have been leaning forward, or it would have cut my head off.
"I always say to this day I never worry about not getting Lotto. I've had all the luck in the world."
Tuesday, April 1
Rain
Heavy rain means water restrictions around Taranaki have been eased and fire bans relaxed.
South Taranaki District Council spokesman Neil McCann says the weekend rain was enough to replenish the district's streams and rivers.
"Thankfully much of the weekend's rain fell where it was needed most, with more than 50mm around Hawera and Patea," Mr McCann said.
"The rain has allowed us to ease the restrictions and if we get some more over the next week or so we may be able to remove it completely."
South Taranaki District Council spokesman Neil McCann says the weekend rain was enough to replenish the district's streams and rivers.
"Thankfully much of the weekend's rain fell where it was needed most, with more than 50mm around Hawera and Patea," Mr McCann said.
"The rain has allowed us to ease the restrictions and if we get some more over the next week or so we may be able to remove it completely."
Thursday, March 27
Expat couple's pies hit high spots
Y LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Thursday, 27 March 2008
A former Taranaki couple making "Kiwi-style" pies are cleaning up the Aussie competition.
For three years Tom and Anne Butler have owned the Beechwood Bakehouse in Maleny, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The couple, who previously owned Butlers Reception Lounge in New Plymouth, recently won a gold certificate for their cream silverside pie and a silver in the chunky meat pie category at the Fine Food fair Show in Brisbane.
It is not their first success - they took home the bronze medal for their chunky steak pie in last year's Great Australian Pie Competition in Sydney.
The idea for the silverside pie came to them while having dinner one night.
Mrs Butler said they had not expected success in their first foray into pie-making competitions.
"We were pretty lucky to be up there, because a lot of them are big pie manufactures and we are only small-fry," she said.
The recipe for success was simple. "Good Kiwi ingenuity. We are making Kiwi-style pies."
They sell 22 different varieties of pie at the bakery, including minted lamb pies, which were sold as the Kiwi pie because of the ribbing Australians gave New Zealanders about sheep.
Their pies had met with the judges' approval - but what does the Ocker on the street think?
"They think that they are wonderful too, pies are the biggest seller in our bakery," Mrs Butler said.
The wide selection of pies has also impressed the locals.
"They are like kids in a lolly shop, they don't know what to pick."
The couple, who left New Zealand in June 1991, still have family in the region, including Tom's parents, Ken and Shirley Butler in Stratford, and son Matthew and his wife Anna in Hawera.
A former Taranaki couple making "Kiwi-style" pies are cleaning up the Aussie competition.
For three years Tom and Anne Butler have owned the Beechwood Bakehouse in Maleny, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
The couple, who previously owned Butlers Reception Lounge in New Plymouth, recently won a gold certificate for their cream silverside pie and a silver in the chunky meat pie category at the Fine Food fair Show in Brisbane.
It is not their first success - they took home the bronze medal for their chunky steak pie in last year's Great Australian Pie Competition in Sydney.
The idea for the silverside pie came to them while having dinner one night.
Mrs Butler said they had not expected success in their first foray into pie-making competitions.
"We were pretty lucky to be up there, because a lot of them are big pie manufactures and we are only small-fry," she said.
The recipe for success was simple. "Good Kiwi ingenuity. We are making Kiwi-style pies."
They sell 22 different varieties of pie at the bakery, including minted lamb pies, which were sold as the Kiwi pie because of the ribbing Australians gave New Zealanders about sheep.
Their pies had met with the judges' approval - but what does the Ocker on the street think?
"They think that they are wonderful too, pies are the biggest seller in our bakery," Mrs Butler said.
The wide selection of pies has also impressed the locals.
"They are like kids in a lolly shop, they don't know what to pick."
The couple, who left New Zealand in June 1991, still have family in the region, including Tom's parents, Ken and Shirley Butler in Stratford, and son Matthew and his wife Anna in Hawera.
Tuesday, March 18
Taranaki latest region to declare drought
1:57PM Tuesday March 18, 2008
Taranaki is the latest region to declare a drought after a prolonged dry spell in the area.
Taranaki Regional Council declared a drought today as farmers struggled to deal with the conditions.
There has been no sufficient rain since November and no rain was predicted until May.
South Taranaki District Mayor Ross Dunlop said the drought declaration would open up new avenues of government assistance for farmers.
"The council is formally asking the Government, and in particular Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton, to provide all reasonable assistance to farmers suffering undue stress as a result of this extreme situation."
He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was offering financial and welfare assistance to affected farmers through the region's Rural Support Trust.
Trustee Neville Hagenson said two coordinators were available to visit farmers in trouble.
Mr Hagenson said coordinators could provide advice and refer farmers to government departments like WINZ and the IRD.
"Our coordinators can go and sit down around the table and talk. Just say, hey, what are your problems and perhaps make suggestions," he said.
Farmers needing help can call 0800 787 254.
Financial assistance included the unemployment benefit, emergency benefit, special needs grants and recoverable assistance payments.
The drought had been declared in the area of coastal Taranaki extending south from Okato, 35km from New Plymouth, through all of South Taranaki District to the region's southern boundary, and including southern and eastern parts of the Stratford District.
Taranaki is the latest region to declare a drought after a prolonged dry spell in the area.
Taranaki Regional Council declared a drought today as farmers struggled to deal with the conditions.
There has been no sufficient rain since November and no rain was predicted until May.
South Taranaki District Mayor Ross Dunlop said the drought declaration would open up new avenues of government assistance for farmers.
"The council is formally asking the Government, and in particular Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton, to provide all reasonable assistance to farmers suffering undue stress as a result of this extreme situation."
He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was offering financial and welfare assistance to affected farmers through the region's Rural Support Trust.
Trustee Neville Hagenson said two coordinators were available to visit farmers in trouble.
Mr Hagenson said coordinators could provide advice and refer farmers to government departments like WINZ and the IRD.
"Our coordinators can go and sit down around the table and talk. Just say, hey, what are your problems and perhaps make suggestions," he said.
Farmers needing help can call 0800 787 254.
Financial assistance included the unemployment benefit, emergency benefit, special needs grants and recoverable assistance payments.
The drought had been declared in the area of coastal Taranaki extending south from Okato, 35km from New Plymouth, through all of South Taranaki District to the region's southern boundary, and including southern and eastern parts of the Stratford District.
Sunday, February 3
High Street 1957 - Telephone Book
High Street Hawera 1957
84 White Hart Hotel
86 Maypole Stores
88 Laurenson & Assoc Arch
90 Ormond H R Hrdrsrs
96 Barraclough M Butcher
98 Gamages Mlnrs
100 Norris & Frampton Hrdrsrs
102 Morgan A D Chemst
Sincere Fruit Shop Princes St Intersection
103 Bennett & Suttons Ltd Irn mgrs
112 Grubi Stvn Restrnt
112 Black Erick Wl Shop
135 Hing T Frtr
102 A MacLeans Specialty Shoes
84 White Hart Hotel
86 Maypole Stores
88 Laurenson & Assoc Arch
90 Ormond H R Hrdrsrs
96 Barraclough M Butcher
98 Gamages Mlnrs
100 Norris & Frampton Hrdrsrs
102 Morgan A D Chemst
Sincere Fruit Shop Princes St Intersection
103 Bennett & Suttons Ltd Irn mgrs
112 Grubi Stvn Restrnt
112 Black Erick Wl Shop
135 Hing T Frtr
102 A MacLeans Specialty Shoes
Union Street Hawera 1957 Telephone Book
39 Hodder & Tolley
41 McMahon Mrs Melvina
43 Grant Jno
45 McCarthy Jno G Brmn
47 Nielsen Jos m Town Clk
49 Eade Wm F Mgr
51 Hammon Mrs
51A Lovell Mrs A
53 Gardners Funeral Prlrs
55 Wilson J & H A Wd Mchts
57 Stanford Thos R Rly
57 Burgess & Fraser
63 Duffy Edwd J Rly
65 Transport Dept
67 Rick Wm C Mech
69 Johnston Mrs Msse
71 Bailey Mltn Stkbyt
73 Guilford Edwd B
76 Somerset House P Htl
41 McMahon Mrs Melvina
43 Grant Jno
45 McCarthy Jno G Brmn
47 Nielsen Jos m Town Clk
49 Eade Wm F Mgr
51 Hammon Mrs
51A Lovell Mrs A
53 Gardners Funeral Prlrs
55 Wilson J & H A Wd Mchts
57 Stanford Thos R Rly
57 Burgess & Fraser
63 Duffy Edwd J Rly
65 Transport Dept
67 Rick Wm C Mech
69 Johnston Mrs Msse
71 Bailey Mltn Stkbyt
73 Guilford Edwd B
76 Somerset House P Htl
Union Street Hawera 1957 Telephone Book
Union Street Hawera 1957
6 Hall Cycles
6A Louella Gowns
8 Wilton Richd A Grocer
12 Nolans Blds
12 Hawera Textiles
12 Para Rubber
16 Peacocks
18 Ravgee & Co Frut
20 Roberts Noe Cyc Dlr
22 Newman H R Btch
Mrs Archer
Arnold Carl B Clthr
Smith Lillian E Bty Sln
Haymans Dry Cleners
26 Dixon & Co
26 Ranford, George
38 Mac Ewan & Co
48 Masonic Hall
Moller
72 Bell Allan S Gar
Garey Peat K E
74 Ravje Govind S Frtr
Lowe Wm E
80 Guiford Dgls R Trav
82 Leishman Jas Mec
84 Farms Co Op
86 Chong Ken Frut
88 King Gordon Eng
6 Hall Cycles
6A Louella Gowns
8 Wilton Richd A Grocer
12 Nolans Blds
12 Hawera Textiles
12 Para Rubber
16 Peacocks
18 Ravgee & Co Frut
20 Roberts Noe Cyc Dlr
22 Newman H R Btch
Mrs Archer
Arnold Carl B Clthr
Smith Lillian E Bty Sln
Haymans Dry Cleners
26 Dixon & Co
26 Ranford, George
38 Mac Ewan & Co
48 Masonic Hall
Moller
72 Bell Allan S Gar
Garey Peat K E
74 Ravje Govind S Frtr
Lowe Wm E
80 Guiford Dgls R Trav
82 Leishman Jas Mec
84 Farms Co Op
86 Chong Ken Frut
88 King Gordon Eng
Thursday, January 17
Maize maze all ready to amaze again
By GRETA CLEARY - Taranaki | Thursday, 17 January 2008
Taranaki's latest maize maze is all set to amaze visitors - and to help them get lost.
The Inglewood Lions Club held a working bee yesterday to put the finishing touches to this year's maze, which will open for its seventh year on Saturday.
The summer fundraising project, which sits at No 74 on Venture Taranaki's 101 must-do list, will be open until April.
The cost of the 450,000 maize plants is covered by sponsors, and volunteers are responsible for maintaining the 2km of track within the maze. But it's worth it, say Lions Club members.
"Kids love it and family groups really enjoy it," said Kevin Knowles yesterday.
"We don't have too many problems with people getting lost. Sometimes we have to go and look for the odd child when parents get a bit anxious."
The club would like to see more social groups and businesses going through.When the fun is all over, the three-metre maize plants will be harvested into silage for a local farmer.
Taranaki's latest maize maze is all set to amaze visitors - and to help them get lost.
The Inglewood Lions Club held a working bee yesterday to put the finishing touches to this year's maze, which will open for its seventh year on Saturday.
The summer fundraising project, which sits at No 74 on Venture Taranaki's 101 must-do list, will be open until April.
The cost of the 450,000 maize plants is covered by sponsors, and volunteers are responsible for maintaining the 2km of track within the maze. But it's worth it, say Lions Club members.
"Kids love it and family groups really enjoy it," said Kevin Knowles yesterday.
"We don't have too many problems with people getting lost. Sometimes we have to go and look for the odd child when parents get a bit anxious."
The club would like to see more social groups and businesses going through.When the fun is all over, the three-metre maize plants will be harvested into silage for a local farmer.
Saturday, January 12
'Pumped' kayakers sight Taranaki
Saturday, 12 January 2008
TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
POSITIVE PADDLERS: James Castrission and Justin Jones are weary but their spirits are high as they near the end of their trip.
Two Australian kayakers attempting to cross the Tasman Sea, Justin Jones, 24, and James Castrission, 25, are paddling hard for New Plymouth after sighting Mt Taranaki about an hour before sunset last night.
At 9am today the pair were just 76km from the port city, and carving a straight line on their website's satellite tracking chart, paddling at 3kmh.
"James and Justin reported at around 8pm that they had just caught sight of Mt Taranaki," said Patrick Brothers of their logistics company Race Recon.
"They are absolutely pumped".
The two kayakers said it was a starry night, with calm seas "and the lights of New Plymouth are starting to twinkle".
The sighting followed a vexing two days in which winds and currents turned them round in a loop to the north, when they were actually trying to paddle southwest to reach New Plymouth.
Yesterday they stayed in the tiny cabin of their 9m kayak until the wind became more favourable, and put themselves back on full food rations, after halving their daily meals 30 days from mid-December.
They began paddling again about 3pm.
"The guys are so frustrated at today's progress they have decided to paddle into the night," Mr Brothers said after the sighting of Mt Taranaki-Egmont. "They are steaming for NZ".
The pair have already covered more than 3000km, weaving across the Tasman on a trip which was planned to take 42 days to cover about 2200km on an approximate straight-line route.
At dawn, the pair were less than 90km from New Plymouth, still paddling hard and chasing a Sunday finish – which would be exactly two months after they departed Forster, New South Wales.
- NZPA
TARANAKI DAILY NEWS
POSITIVE PADDLERS: James Castrission and Justin Jones are weary but their spirits are high as they near the end of their trip.
Two Australian kayakers attempting to cross the Tasman Sea, Justin Jones, 24, and James Castrission, 25, are paddling hard for New Plymouth after sighting Mt Taranaki about an hour before sunset last night.
At 9am today the pair were just 76km from the port city, and carving a straight line on their website's satellite tracking chart, paddling at 3kmh.
"James and Justin reported at around 8pm that they had just caught sight of Mt Taranaki," said Patrick Brothers of their logistics company Race Recon.
"They are absolutely pumped".
The two kayakers said it was a starry night, with calm seas "and the lights of New Plymouth are starting to twinkle".
The sighting followed a vexing two days in which winds and currents turned them round in a loop to the north, when they were actually trying to paddle southwest to reach New Plymouth.
Yesterday they stayed in the tiny cabin of their 9m kayak until the wind became more favourable, and put themselves back on full food rations, after halving their daily meals 30 days from mid-December.
They began paddling again about 3pm.
"The guys are so frustrated at today's progress they have decided to paddle into the night," Mr Brothers said after the sighting of Mt Taranaki-Egmont. "They are steaming for NZ".
The pair have already covered more than 3000km, weaving across the Tasman on a trip which was planned to take 42 days to cover about 2200km on an approximate straight-line route.
At dawn, the pair were less than 90km from New Plymouth, still paddling hard and chasing a Sunday finish – which would be exactly two months after they departed Forster, New South Wales.
- NZPA
Tuesday, January 8
Truck full of squash rolls in Taranaki
7:36AM Tuesday January 08, 2008
A Taranaki road is partly closed after a truck full of squash rolled over early this morning.
Inspector Ken Climo said the crash happened on State Highway 3 on Mokau Rd near Mount Messenger Tunnel.
The driver was not injured and no other vehicle was involved.
The road was limited to one lane.
Police were at the scene and the recovery would take a number of hours, Mr Climo said.
- NZPA
A Taranaki road is partly closed after a truck full of squash rolled over early this morning.
Inspector Ken Climo said the crash happened on State Highway 3 on Mokau Rd near Mount Messenger Tunnel.
The driver was not injured and no other vehicle was involved.
The road was limited to one lane.
Police were at the scene and the recovery would take a number of hours, Mr Climo said.
- NZPA
Wednesday, January 2
Hooligans absent from revels
GLENN McLEAN glenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Tuesday, 01 January 2008
Police are praising the behaviour of New Year's Eve revellers in Taranaki after a night free of the usual hooliganism.
Senior Sergeant Robbie O'Keefe said police made just eight arrests in New Plymouth for minor assaults and breaches of the liquor ban.
"The last couple of years have been generally quiet," he said, pointing out the city's liquor ban as the major reason for the improvement.
"It's made it a far more enjoyable place to be for everyone on New Year's Eve."
Urenui Beach, the scene of trouble last year when four young men were hospitalised after being assaulted, was also quiet, with just three arrests.
"Overall there were very few problems with a good crowd out there," Mr O'Keefe said.
Urenui Beach Camp manager Teresa Hayston said there were plenty of revellers enjoying themselves, with the only problem a few minor fights between teenagers.
"Everyone was really well behaved," she said. "There was a smaller crowd out here this year and no one hung around late being a pain or anything."
The 1500 at Butler's Reef, Oakura, to see iconic Kiwi band Supergroove were also well behaved.
Police reported few problems in Stratford and South Taranaki, with only a handful of arrests for minor offences.
A small number of drunk drivers were caught by police.
Police are praising the behaviour of New Year's Eve revellers in Taranaki after a night free of the usual hooliganism.
Senior Sergeant Robbie O'Keefe said police made just eight arrests in New Plymouth for minor assaults and breaches of the liquor ban.
"The last couple of years have been generally quiet," he said, pointing out the city's liquor ban as the major reason for the improvement.
"It's made it a far more enjoyable place to be for everyone on New Year's Eve."
Urenui Beach, the scene of trouble last year when four young men were hospitalised after being assaulted, was also quiet, with just three arrests.
"Overall there were very few problems with a good crowd out there," Mr O'Keefe said.
Urenui Beach Camp manager Teresa Hayston said there were plenty of revellers enjoying themselves, with the only problem a few minor fights between teenagers.
"Everyone was really well behaved," she said. "There was a smaller crowd out here this year and no one hung around late being a pain or anything."
The 1500 at Butler's Reef, Oakura, to see iconic Kiwi band Supergroove were also well behaved.
Police reported few problems in Stratford and South Taranaki, with only a handful of arrests for minor offences.
A small number of drunk drivers were caught by police.
Tuesday, January 1
Boy or two out of luck
RYAN EVANS ryan.evans@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Tuesday, 01 January 2008
The year 2023 could be grim one for Taranaki lads.
At least 14 could struggle to find dates, with the Taranaki Daily News birth notices recording 435 boys born last year, compared with 421 girls.
Liam and Sophie were easily the most popular names, with 13 each.
Joshua and Ryan tied for second, with eight each, while Charlotte, Ella and Olivia were recorded eight times each for girls.
Overall, there were 272 different girl's names recorded, including Journey-Grace, Liberty, Orlagh and Mazzlin.
Boys' names were slightly less diverse, 251 names in all, but also featured some crackers such as Ten, Kadison, Rhomyn and Tanius.
Jack was the most popular boys' name in Taranaki in 2006, while Ella and Hannah topped the girls' list
The year 2023 could be grim one for Taranaki lads.
At least 14 could struggle to find dates, with the Taranaki Daily News birth notices recording 435 boys born last year, compared with 421 girls.
Liam and Sophie were easily the most popular names, with 13 each.
Joshua and Ryan tied for second, with eight each, while Charlotte, Ella and Olivia were recorded eight times each for girls.
Overall, there were 272 different girl's names recorded, including Journey-Grace, Liberty, Orlagh and Mazzlin.
Boys' names were slightly less diverse, 251 names in all, but also featured some crackers such as Ten, Kadison, Rhomyn and Tanius.
Jack was the most popular boys' name in Taranaki in 2006, while Ella and Hannah topped the girls' list
Monday, December 31
Results worth the effort
HARRIET PALMER harriet.palmer@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Taranaki has so many wonderful things that John Eagles can't help but get involved.
He's been volunteering for numerous organisations, boards and committees for more than 20 years and says it's been well worth putting in all the effort.
"Without the hard work of Taranaki people, a lot of what the region has wouldn't survive," he said.
Mr Eagles has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community, many of which include working with school boards of trustees.
He said this work came about with the introduction of Tomorrow's Schools in 1989, which enabled him to have an input in to his children's education.
"I thought it was a good idea for parents to get involved," he said.
"It was a chance to make a difference."
Mr Eagles was also instrumental in the development of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery as chairman of the Govett-Brewster foundation, he was a member of the New Plymouth Opera House trust board for 10 years, and is currently independent director of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union.
The list of causes and events Mr Eagles has invested in is almost endless and it's a wonder he has the time.
"I like being busy and I enjoy doing all the things so I don't even notice."
Taranaki has so many wonderful things that John Eagles can't help but get involved.
He's been volunteering for numerous organisations, boards and committees for more than 20 years and says it's been well worth putting in all the effort.
"Without the hard work of Taranaki people, a lot of what the region has wouldn't survive," he said.
Mr Eagles has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community, many of which include working with school boards of trustees.
He said this work came about with the introduction of Tomorrow's Schools in 1989, which enabled him to have an input in to his children's education.
"I thought it was a good idea for parents to get involved," he said.
"It was a chance to make a difference."
Mr Eagles was also instrumental in the development of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery as chairman of the Govett-Brewster foundation, he was a member of the New Plymouth Opera House trust board for 10 years, and is currently independent director of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union.
The list of causes and events Mr Eagles has invested in is almost endless and it's a wonder he has the time.
"I like being busy and I enjoy doing all the things so I don't even notice."
Tuti's retirement just means keeping going
HARRIET PALMER harriet.palmer@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Wetere says she has retired, although for her, retirement has quite a different meaning than it does to many.
Ms Wetere has been working in the community, mainly with Maori, for more than 55 years. Even though she says it's time for others to take over, she shows little sign of slowing down.
She has been a member and branch president of the Maori Women's Welfare League, was the first woman trustee of the Owae Marae Committee in Waitara, and was part of Taranaki's Clean Sea Action group.
Today, Ms Wetere wants younger people to take over the instrumental roles in Maori society, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all following proudly in her footsteps.
Ms Wetere has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.
Today that means helping to knit 800 pairs of slippers to be given to delegates at a Maori Women's Welfare League conference.
It also means travelling to Wellington to be present at the signing of the Agreement in Principle which assures the return of the Port Nicholson Block to the Taranaki Whanui.
"I don't even think about it," Ms Wetere said.
"I used to finish a day's work and wonder what else I could do."
Ms Wetere grew up in New Plymouth and is of Te Atiawa and Ngati Maniapoto decent.
She is a JP and has been a marriage celebrant, but it is her work with marae that has meant the most.
"I've always been interested in marae. They don't have any funds. They rely on koha and the goodwill of people," Ms Wetere said.
Volunteering is where Ms Wetere has met people and been able to make a difference in the lives of her people.
"It's quite wonderful," she said
Wetere says she has retired, although for her, retirement has quite a different meaning than it does to many.
Ms Wetere has been working in the community, mainly with Maori, for more than 55 years. Even though she says it's time for others to take over, she shows little sign of slowing down.
She has been a member and branch president of the Maori Women's Welfare League, was the first woman trustee of the Owae Marae Committee in Waitara, and was part of Taranaki's Clean Sea Action group.
Today, Ms Wetere wants younger people to take over the instrumental roles in Maori society, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all following proudly in her footsteps.
Ms Wetere has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.
Today that means helping to knit 800 pairs of slippers to be given to delegates at a Maori Women's Welfare League conference.
It also means travelling to Wellington to be present at the signing of the Agreement in Principle which assures the return of the Port Nicholson Block to the Taranaki Whanui.
"I don't even think about it," Ms Wetere said.
"I used to finish a day's work and wonder what else I could do."
Ms Wetere grew up in New Plymouth and is of Te Atiawa and Ngati Maniapoto decent.
She is a JP and has been a marriage celebrant, but it is her work with marae that has meant the most.
"I've always been interested in marae. They don't have any funds. They rely on koha and the goodwill of people," Ms Wetere said.
Volunteering is where Ms Wetere has met people and been able to make a difference in the lives of her people.
"It's quite wonderful," she said
Volunteer rewarded for his life philosophy
ROB MAETZIG rob.maetzig@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Thirty-five years' service to the Taranaki region in a wide variety of ways has been rewarded for New Plymouth's Lynn Bublitz, who has been made a companion of the Queen's Service Order in the New Year Honours.
Mr Bublitz said he was thrilled to have received the award, but the real honour was "being part of making a positive difference".
His many contributions have included local government, arts, education and community organisations.
Volunteering is part of Mr Bublitz' life philosophy. He believes it is voluntary effort that makes a good society.
"I hope I've been able to live that philosophy," he said.
The list of causes Mr Bublitz has given his time to shows he has well and truly lived up to his own expectations.
A New Plymouth District councillor for 18 years and deputy mayor, Mr Bublitz established the council's iwi liaison sub-committee and forged strong partnerships with the district's iwi.
He was instrumental in establishing New Plymouth's Puke Ariki museum and library complex, and was a trustee of the Taranaki Arts Festival trust for 17 years.
Mr Bublitz has also been heavily involved in the instigation and organisation of Womad, the Taranaki Youth Festival, and the Taranaki Festival of the Arts.
A member of the board of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust for 35 years and at times its chairman, he headed a fundraising campaign in 2002 to save the garden, was the fundraiser for Pukeiti's 50th jubilee, and was made a life member in 1989.
Mr Bublitz was principal of Inglewood High School for more than 10 years, a teacher at New Plymouth Boys' High School for more than 25 years, was a mentor with the First Time Principals Programme, and was awarded a Wolf Fisher Scholarship in 1985.
He has also been involved in many other community organisations, including the LA Alexander Agriculture College Trust Board, the Unesco Science Committee, and the Te Papa National Services Committee.
Thirty-five years' service to the Taranaki region in a wide variety of ways has been rewarded for New Plymouth's Lynn Bublitz, who has been made a companion of the Queen's Service Order in the New Year Honours.
Mr Bublitz said he was thrilled to have received the award, but the real honour was "being part of making a positive difference".
His many contributions have included local government, arts, education and community organisations.
Volunteering is part of Mr Bublitz' life philosophy. He believes it is voluntary effort that makes a good society.
"I hope I've been able to live that philosophy," he said.
The list of causes Mr Bublitz has given his time to shows he has well and truly lived up to his own expectations.
A New Plymouth District councillor for 18 years and deputy mayor, Mr Bublitz established the council's iwi liaison sub-committee and forged strong partnerships with the district's iwi.
He was instrumental in establishing New Plymouth's Puke Ariki museum and library complex, and was a trustee of the Taranaki Arts Festival trust for 17 years.
Mr Bublitz has also been heavily involved in the instigation and organisation of Womad, the Taranaki Youth Festival, and the Taranaki Festival of the Arts.
A member of the board of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust for 35 years and at times its chairman, he headed a fundraising campaign in 2002 to save the garden, was the fundraiser for Pukeiti's 50th jubilee, and was made a life member in 1989.
Mr Bublitz was principal of Inglewood High School for more than 10 years, a teacher at New Plymouth Boys' High School for more than 25 years, was a mentor with the First Time Principals Programme, and was awarded a Wolf Fisher Scholarship in 1985.
He has also been involved in many other community organisations, including the LA Alexander Agriculture College Trust Board, the Unesco Science Committee, and the Te Papa National Services Committee.
Museum owner honoured
GLENN McLEAN glenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Tawhiti Museum creator Nigel Ogle says he agonised over accepting the Queen's Service Medal for service to historical research and museums.
"I wondered what was going on when I got notified," he said.
"All I could think of was that there are plenty of other people doing similar sorts of heritage things in Taranaki. It is a wonderful honour, though."
As he sits hunched over his workbench at the back of his expanding Hawera museum, the smell of his creative work thick in the air, Mr Ogle says he never envisaged being where he is today.
A former teacher, Mr Ogle and his wife, Teresa, are in the middle of creating their biggest project, a $1 million South Seas Traders display, which is being made in partnership with Wellington's Weta Workshop - the Academy Award-winning film modelling and sculpture business.
Equally funded by the South Taranaki District Council and Mr and Mrs Ogle, the project is due to open in October 2009.
"The next 12 months will be the busiest I've ever worked," he said.
"But I've always toyed about doing it and to finally be able to, well, it's an incredible honour."
Founded after Mr Ogle purchased the old Tawhiti cheese factory in 1975, the museum has won seven tourism awards. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taranaki.
At a time when the New Zealand Air Force's Ohakea Museum has closed, as well as Dairyland on the outskirts of Hawera, Mr Ogle said visitor numbers at his museum continued to grow as awareness from outside Taranaki increased.
"An area needs a basket of attractions, and it's sad to see these things fall over."
Tawhiti Museum creator Nigel Ogle says he agonised over accepting the Queen's Service Medal for service to historical research and museums.
"I wondered what was going on when I got notified," he said.
"All I could think of was that there are plenty of other people doing similar sorts of heritage things in Taranaki. It is a wonderful honour, though."
As he sits hunched over his workbench at the back of his expanding Hawera museum, the smell of his creative work thick in the air, Mr Ogle says he never envisaged being where he is today.
A former teacher, Mr Ogle and his wife, Teresa, are in the middle of creating their biggest project, a $1 million South Seas Traders display, which is being made in partnership with Wellington's Weta Workshop - the Academy Award-winning film modelling and sculpture business.
Equally funded by the South Taranaki District Council and Mr and Mrs Ogle, the project is due to open in October 2009.
"The next 12 months will be the busiest I've ever worked," he said.
"But I've always toyed about doing it and to finally be able to, well, it's an incredible honour."
Founded after Mr Ogle purchased the old Tawhiti cheese factory in 1975, the museum has won seven tourism awards. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Taranaki.
At a time when the New Zealand Air Force's Ohakea Museum has closed, as well as Dairyland on the outskirts of Hawera, Mr Ogle said visitor numbers at his museum continued to grow as awareness from outside Taranaki increased.
"An area needs a basket of attractions, and it's sad to see these things fall over."
Bourke humbled by New Year award
RACHAEL MURPHY rachael.murphy@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Former South Taranaki Mayor Mary Bourke, at her Hawera home, says she accepted her Queen's Service Honour out of respect for the people who nominated her.
Former South Taranaki mayor Mary Bourke is "hugely humbled" at being awarded the Queen's Service Order - but feels it's wrong to suggest it recognises only her individual efforts.
"I've accepted the award out of respect for those who have nominated me ... being chosen to accept this award is an affirmation of all those people I've worked with over the years - because nobody is an island," she said. "Sometimes it's tempting to try to be, but it certainly doesn't get the best results.
"I've been pretty fortunate to work with some excellent teams and individuals in my time."
Miss Bourke's 15 years as mayor was a record for a woman before she stood down before the last local body elections in October.
She has since kept herself busy with a few local government contracts, involving the parts of local government that she truly enjoys.
"Making sure meetings are productive, that people stay focused and that local government is recognised as a fulfilling and useful practice rather than the entity that people love to hate - which traditionally it has been."
She has also been keeping up with her work as a marriage celebrant, with which she has commitments until March.
She has been a celebrant since 2000 and officiates at about 10 weddings each year.
But mostly she is focusing on "taking the time to do some breathing and smell the roses and consider my options".
Miss Bourke is still heavily involved in the Bishop's Action Foundation in Taranaki, is South Taranaki Medical Trust chairperson, and is on the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council.
She has done a lot of work facilitating and chairing working parties for issues related to local government, such as rates reviews and ICT (information computer technology).
Former South Taranaki Mayor Mary Bourke, at her Hawera home, says she accepted her Queen's Service Honour out of respect for the people who nominated her.
Former South Taranaki mayor Mary Bourke is "hugely humbled" at being awarded the Queen's Service Order - but feels it's wrong to suggest it recognises only her individual efforts.
"I've accepted the award out of respect for those who have nominated me ... being chosen to accept this award is an affirmation of all those people I've worked with over the years - because nobody is an island," she said. "Sometimes it's tempting to try to be, but it certainly doesn't get the best results.
"I've been pretty fortunate to work with some excellent teams and individuals in my time."
Miss Bourke's 15 years as mayor was a record for a woman before she stood down before the last local body elections in October.
She has since kept herself busy with a few local government contracts, involving the parts of local government that she truly enjoys.
"Making sure meetings are productive, that people stay focused and that local government is recognised as a fulfilling and useful practice rather than the entity that people love to hate - which traditionally it has been."
She has also been keeping up with her work as a marriage celebrant, with which she has commitments until March.
She has been a celebrant since 2000 and officiates at about 10 weddings each year.
But mostly she is focusing on "taking the time to do some breathing and smell the roses and consider my options".
Miss Bourke is still heavily involved in the Bishop's Action Foundation in Taranaki, is South Taranaki Medical Trust chairperson, and is on the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council.
She has done a lot of work facilitating and chairing working parties for issues related to local government, such as rates reviews and ICT (information computer technology).
Award the result of love for Stratford
GLENN McLEANglenn.mclean@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Life has not slowed down at all for former Stratford mayor Brian Jeffares.
The man who wore the mayoral chains in the Central Taranaki district for three successful terms is still accepting offers to sit on various committees in the town, despite almost three decades of working in the community.
The 59-year-old, who stood down as mayor at the last election, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local body affairs and the community.
The former builder turned real estate manager stands by his decision to step down from the mayoralty this year. "I think it was the right and best decision to make at the time and I don't regret it because it was time to move on," he said.
Mr Jeffares says he never envisaged getting involved in committees or local politics.
It all started from the "humble background of being a builder" when he took up an offer to work on a school committee.
"I think school committees and PTAs are a great breeding ground for community life and many people move on from there to serve elsewhere," he said.
Mr Jeffares says there is a simple reason behind what drives him to still be a Taranaki regional councillor, chair the Taranaki Electricity Trust, the Stratford Health Trust, to be a trustee on the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, a member of the Hospital Advisory Committee, the Stratford Youth Trust and a committee member of the Stratford Rugby Club.
"I guess I'm just impatient, I want to get things done.
"That comes back to my background as a builder as well, you learn to get the foundations right," he said. Many of his positions have given him a lot of satisfaction and he admits to getting plenty of pleasure out of seeing projects through to the end.
One example is the Taranaki Electricity Trust, which he says is a tribute to the people of the area.
"We have now given away about $50 million and have a portfolio worth about $90 million.
"That's a huge increase on what we started with in 1993, so yeah, that's been significant in a lot of growth in the area," he said.
"But there is a downside to it, a lot of committees now think their fundraising consists entirely of writing a letter to the TET."
Mr Jeffares says he will continue to remain fiercely loyal to Stratford.
"That's why I do everything I do, because I really love this community. If I didn't love this community I wouldn't do it."
Life has not slowed down at all for former Stratford mayor Brian Jeffares.
The man who wore the mayoral chains in the Central Taranaki district for three successful terms is still accepting offers to sit on various committees in the town, despite almost three decades of working in the community.
The 59-year-old, who stood down as mayor at the last election, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local body affairs and the community.
The former builder turned real estate manager stands by his decision to step down from the mayoralty this year. "I think it was the right and best decision to make at the time and I don't regret it because it was time to move on," he said.
Mr Jeffares says he never envisaged getting involved in committees or local politics.
It all started from the "humble background of being a builder" when he took up an offer to work on a school committee.
"I think school committees and PTAs are a great breeding ground for community life and many people move on from there to serve elsewhere," he said.
Mr Jeffares says there is a simple reason behind what drives him to still be a Taranaki regional councillor, chair the Taranaki Electricity Trust, the Stratford Health Trust, to be a trustee on the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, a member of the Hospital Advisory Committee, the Stratford Youth Trust and a committee member of the Stratford Rugby Club.
"I guess I'm just impatient, I want to get things done.
"That comes back to my background as a builder as well, you learn to get the foundations right," he said. Many of his positions have given him a lot of satisfaction and he admits to getting plenty of pleasure out of seeing projects through to the end.
One example is the Taranaki Electricity Trust, which he says is a tribute to the people of the area.
"We have now given away about $50 million and have a portfolio worth about $90 million.
"That's a huge increase on what we started with in 1993, so yeah, that's been significant in a lot of growth in the area," he said.
"But there is a downside to it, a lot of committees now think their fundraising consists entirely of writing a letter to the TET."
Mr Jeffares says he will continue to remain fiercely loyal to Stratford.
"That's why I do everything I do, because I really love this community. If I didn't love this community I wouldn't do it."
Dame given new honour
LYN HUMPHREYS lyn.humphreys@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Monday, 31 December 2007
Taranaki folk will be delighted that the farmer-diva we claim as our own has been awarded the country's second-highest honour.
Conferred with a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1991, Dame Malvina Major this year becomes a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her lifelong service to opera.
"It was a lovely surprise," Dame Malvina told the Taranaki Daily News from the family beach home at Whangamata as six grandchildren milled around, impatient to get to the beach.
She is unconcerned that it is not the supreme national accolade - for which there can be only 20 living New Zealand recipients at any one time.
"It's important for me. It's an acknowledgment from New Zealand," she said.
Dame Malvina is well in control of her busy life despite heading towards her 65th birthday on January 28.
"It's amazing to me that at my age I'm still singing overseas and teaching. It's all a bit mad really."
Dame Malvina is a fulltime professor of voice at Canterbury University, is deeply immersed in supporting emerging musical talent through the Dame Malvina Foundation and committed to community work through endless fundraising campaigns.
Examples of just a few of those fundraising efforts in Taranaki alone are assistance with the purchase of diagnostic heart equipment, refurbishing the children's Base Hospital ward and supporting the Taranaki Hospice.
After some time off the stage to have her family, by 1986, she had picked up her career and returned to sing overseas. After the sudden death of her husband, Winston Fleming, of a heart attack at the farm in September 1990 she first moved to New Plymouth and a little over 10 years ago moved to Christchurch where her partner, Brian Law, is the conductor of the city's choir and director of music for Christchurch's Anglican Cathedral.
This year, the highlight for Dame Malvina was singing at the closing of the Rotary Convention at Salt Lake City, USA, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir before 21,000 people. Donny Osmond had performed at the opening of the convention.
Among the very full agenda for next year is representing the New Zealand Government at Washington and Los Angeles and ambassadorial work in Houston, Boston and New York for the Dame Malvina Foundation.
Dame Malvina returns regularly to Taranaki.
Taranaki folk will be delighted that the farmer-diva we claim as our own has been awarded the country's second-highest honour.
Conferred with a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1991, Dame Malvina Major this year becomes a Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her lifelong service to opera.
"It was a lovely surprise," Dame Malvina told the Taranaki Daily News from the family beach home at Whangamata as six grandchildren milled around, impatient to get to the beach.
She is unconcerned that it is not the supreme national accolade - for which there can be only 20 living New Zealand recipients at any one time.
"It's important for me. It's an acknowledgment from New Zealand," she said.
Dame Malvina is well in control of her busy life despite heading towards her 65th birthday on January 28.
"It's amazing to me that at my age I'm still singing overseas and teaching. It's all a bit mad really."
Dame Malvina is a fulltime professor of voice at Canterbury University, is deeply immersed in supporting emerging musical talent through the Dame Malvina Foundation and committed to community work through endless fundraising campaigns.
Examples of just a few of those fundraising efforts in Taranaki alone are assistance with the purchase of diagnostic heart equipment, refurbishing the children's Base Hospital ward and supporting the Taranaki Hospice.
After some time off the stage to have her family, by 1986, she had picked up her career and returned to sing overseas. After the sudden death of her husband, Winston Fleming, of a heart attack at the farm in September 1990 she first moved to New Plymouth and a little over 10 years ago moved to Christchurch where her partner, Brian Law, is the conductor of the city's choir and director of music for Christchurch's Anglican Cathedral.
This year, the highlight for Dame Malvina was singing at the closing of the Rotary Convention at Salt Lake City, USA, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir before 21,000 people. Donny Osmond had performed at the opening of the convention.
Among the very full agenda for next year is representing the New Zealand Government at Washington and Los Angeles and ambassadorial work in Houston, Boston and New York for the Dame Malvina Foundation.
Dame Malvina returns regularly to Taranaki.
Saturday, December 22
Saturday, December 8
Sir Elton John said he has never been as cold while performing than he was in New Plymouth last night.
And I've got heaters on stage, so God knows what it's like for you out there," he told the crowd at New Plymouth's Bowl of Brooklands.
But a bitter south-easterly and persistent rain before the show failed to dampen the enthusiasm of his fans, with more than 15,000 turning up to enjoy the show.
Instead, they huddled together on the grass while they waited for the star, and a huge range of raincoats, tarpaulins, oilskins and other waterproofing devices were on display.
And fortunately, the weather cleared as the music began, and fans from far and wide were rewarded for their dedication with a stellar show from the superstar.
"I can't believe I'm actually here. I could listen to him all night," Nicola Sheahan from Cambridge said.
"The rain on the drive down, and standing here in the pouring rain and freezing was absolutely worth it.
"This has been the chance of a lifetime."
Craig Flynn from Winton in Southland agreed, saying he was impressed with the Bowl as a venue.
"I've seen Elton before in London, so this is my second time," he said. "But this setting is the best I've ever seen. It's amazing."
Taranaki fans, young and old, were in on the act as well.
Cherry Phillips from Waitara said she was having a ball.
"This is my first time and it's beautiful," she said. "Taranaki's done it again. The rain stopped just in time and it's magical."
Caitlin Coughtrey, 14, Louise Henderson, 14, and Louise Hunt, 15, of New Plymouth said they grew up hearing their parents listening to Sir Elton's music. "We're all big fans," Caitlin said.
"We're having a great time."
Despite a big crowd, there was plenty of room to move about.
Queues were relatively small, with the longest lines for hot coffee and food.
The crowd began to gather from 2pm, while on the other side of town a handful of brave fans waited at New Plymouth airport for the arrival of Sir Elton's private Gulfstream jet.
Following a bumpy-looking landing, Sir Elton and his entourage were whisked straight to his dressing room at the Bowl in a distinctive silver Mercedes belonging to businessman John Rae.
Mr Rae told the Taranaki Daily News he was approached by the Mercedes dealership in Wellington and asked if he would loan his year-old car out for the night. He was happy to help out.
"Mind you, if I get it back in the morning and it's got any marks on it they'll hear about it," he laughed.
Police and St John Ambulance staff at the Bowl said the crowd had been well-behaved.
But a bitter south-easterly and persistent rain before the show failed to dampen the enthusiasm of his fans, with more than 15,000 turning up to enjoy the show.
Instead, they huddled together on the grass while they waited for the star, and a huge range of raincoats, tarpaulins, oilskins and other waterproofing devices were on display.
And fortunately, the weather cleared as the music began, and fans from far and wide were rewarded for their dedication with a stellar show from the superstar.
"I can't believe I'm actually here. I could listen to him all night," Nicola Sheahan from Cambridge said.
"The rain on the drive down, and standing here in the pouring rain and freezing was absolutely worth it.
"This has been the chance of a lifetime."
Craig Flynn from Winton in Southland agreed, saying he was impressed with the Bowl as a venue.
"I've seen Elton before in London, so this is my second time," he said. "But this setting is the best I've ever seen. It's amazing."
Taranaki fans, young and old, were in on the act as well.
Cherry Phillips from Waitara said she was having a ball.
"This is my first time and it's beautiful," she said. "Taranaki's done it again. The rain stopped just in time and it's magical."
Caitlin Coughtrey, 14, Louise Henderson, 14, and Louise Hunt, 15, of New Plymouth said they grew up hearing their parents listening to Sir Elton's music. "We're all big fans," Caitlin said.
"We're having a great time."
Despite a big crowd, there was plenty of room to move about.
Queues were relatively small, with the longest lines for hot coffee and food.
The crowd began to gather from 2pm, while on the other side of town a handful of brave fans waited at New Plymouth airport for the arrival of Sir Elton's private Gulfstream jet.
Following a bumpy-looking landing, Sir Elton and his entourage were whisked straight to his dressing room at the Bowl in a distinctive silver Mercedes belonging to businessman John Rae.
Mr Rae told the Taranaki Daily News he was approached by the Mercedes dealership in Wellington and asked if he would loan his year-old car out for the night. He was happy to help out.
"Mind you, if I get it back in the morning and it's got any marks on it they'll hear about it," he laughed.
Police and St John Ambulance staff at the Bowl said the crowd had been well-behaved.
Wednesday, November 28
Fishing guru and former teacher dies
BY RYAN EVANS ryan.evans@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Wednesday, 28 November 2007
A Taranaki fishing guru is now fishing the celestial rivers and oceans.
Noel Jack Baty died in New Plymouth on Monday, aged 91.
Born in Christchurch in 1915, he attended St Andrew's College before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1933.
He married Australian woman Gladys Staples in 1939, before serving in New Zealand and Fiji as a pilot during World War II.
On leaving the RNZAF in 1946, he moved to New Plymouth, and became manager of the Fun Ho! toy factory before training as a primary school teacher.
He taught at Welbourn and Woodleigh primary schools, and was principal of Lepperton primary school for eight years before retiring in 1976.
Fishing was Mr Baty's passion from an early age.
Growing up during the Depression, he would go fishing or hunting to provide food for his mother and four sisters.
He enjoyed trout and boat fishing as well as surfcasting, representing New Zealand in the 1962 World Surfcasting Championships.
For more than 40 years, he wrote fishing columns for The Daily News, The Taranaki Herald, NZ Rod & Rifle and the NZ Fishing News, among others. He also hosted a popular radio show and in 1993 published a book, Hooked On Fishing.
Mr Baty was a foundation member, life member and patron of the Taranaki Surfcasting Club, served on numerous other fishing bodies, and was national president of the New Zealand Angling and Casting Association.
His sons, Max and Spencer, described him as a practical joker, who never did things by half.
They said his life's work was devoted to his wife, who had suffered from polio early in her childhood.
She and Mr Baty spent the final years of their life in the Coronation Lodge Rest Home. Mrs Baty died in 2004.
Mr Baty is survived by his two sons, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
A Taranaki fishing guru is now fishing the celestial rivers and oceans.
Noel Jack Baty died in New Plymouth on Monday, aged 91.
Born in Christchurch in 1915, he attended St Andrew's College before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1933.
He married Australian woman Gladys Staples in 1939, before serving in New Zealand and Fiji as a pilot during World War II.
On leaving the RNZAF in 1946, he moved to New Plymouth, and became manager of the Fun Ho! toy factory before training as a primary school teacher.
He taught at Welbourn and Woodleigh primary schools, and was principal of Lepperton primary school for eight years before retiring in 1976.
Fishing was Mr Baty's passion from an early age.
Growing up during the Depression, he would go fishing or hunting to provide food for his mother and four sisters.
He enjoyed trout and boat fishing as well as surfcasting, representing New Zealand in the 1962 World Surfcasting Championships.
For more than 40 years, he wrote fishing columns for The Daily News, The Taranaki Herald, NZ Rod & Rifle and the NZ Fishing News, among others. He also hosted a popular radio show and in 1993 published a book, Hooked On Fishing.
Mr Baty was a foundation member, life member and patron of the Taranaki Surfcasting Club, served on numerous other fishing bodies, and was national president of the New Zealand Angling and Casting Association.
His sons, Max and Spencer, described him as a practical joker, who never did things by half.
They said his life's work was devoted to his wife, who had suffered from polio early in her childhood.
She and Mr Baty spent the final years of their life in the Coronation Lodge Rest Home. Mrs Baty died in 2004.
Mr Baty is survived by his two sons, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Much-loved music teacher remembered
SHARON MARRIS sharon.marris@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Wednesday, 28 November 2007
A Taranaki man awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to music died on Sunday aged 83.
Ernest James Arthur Ormrod (Ernie) was born in Wellington but moved to New Plymouth in the 1950s with his wife Gwitha and children.
He began playing the piano at the age of five, learning brass instruments and joining the Port Nicholson Silver Band in 1938.
In 1942 he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a bomber-gunner but kept playing in military bands. During the 1950s he became deputy conductor of the RNZAF Band, conducting it at Parliament's official opening.
In New Plymouth, Mr Ormrod managed Colliers for many years and became president and a life member of the New Plymouth City Band after administering it for more than 25 years. As well as his British Empire Medal, Mr Ormrod was recognised by the New Zealand Brass Bands Association for service to the band movement. He often performed in the band, the New Plymouth Orchestra and New Plymouth Operatic Society's orchestra.
He told a Taranaki Daily News reporter in 1985: "I would like to think my involvement in all these things has brought pleasure to people and that my teaching has been of assistance to all the young bandsmen."
One of those young bandsmen was Bryce Gordon, who is now the band's conductor. Mr Gordon learned cornet from Mr Ormrod and Ken Martin for about four years. Four words sprang to mind when he thought of Mr Ormrod - dedicated, passionate, sharing and giving.
"Ernie was very patient and he always had plenty of time to give to the youngsters," he said.
"I remember one band practice was cancelled because it was Easter but he'd forgotten to tell everyone so I turned up and he gave me an individual lesson instead."
Mr Ormrod is survived by two children and six grandchildren. His funeral will be held at St Mary's Pro Cathedral tomorrow where Mr Gordon will perform a cornet solo.
A Taranaki man awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to music died on Sunday aged 83.
Ernest James Arthur Ormrod (Ernie) was born in Wellington but moved to New Plymouth in the 1950s with his wife Gwitha and children.
He began playing the piano at the age of five, learning brass instruments and joining the Port Nicholson Silver Band in 1938.
In 1942 he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a bomber-gunner but kept playing in military bands. During the 1950s he became deputy conductor of the RNZAF Band, conducting it at Parliament's official opening.
In New Plymouth, Mr Ormrod managed Colliers for many years and became president and a life member of the New Plymouth City Band after administering it for more than 25 years. As well as his British Empire Medal, Mr Ormrod was recognised by the New Zealand Brass Bands Association for service to the band movement. He often performed in the band, the New Plymouth Orchestra and New Plymouth Operatic Society's orchestra.
He told a Taranaki Daily News reporter in 1985: "I would like to think my involvement in all these things has brought pleasure to people and that my teaching has been of assistance to all the young bandsmen."
One of those young bandsmen was Bryce Gordon, who is now the band's conductor. Mr Gordon learned cornet from Mr Ormrod and Ken Martin for about four years. Four words sprang to mind when he thought of Mr Ormrod - dedicated, passionate, sharing and giving.
"Ernie was very patient and he always had plenty of time to give to the youngsters," he said.
"I remember one band practice was cancelled because it was Easter but he'd forgotten to tell everyone so I turned up and he gave me an individual lesson instead."
Mr Ormrod is survived by two children and six grandchildren. His funeral will be held at St Mary's Pro Cathedral tomorrow where Mr Gordon will perform a cornet solo.
`We are irrigating ... a lot goes straight through'
By LIZ ST GEORGE liz.stgeorge@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Farmers in South Taranaki's coastal areas are only days away from a drought as strong, dry winds and cloudless skies sap their farmland.
Many are predicting they will be in serious trouble if there is not substantial rain within a fortnight - some say earlier.
While Metservice is expecting showers for the South Taranaki area on Friday, these are not likely to be substantial.
Many farmers are reporting an unusually dry spring with coastal areas hardest hit. Opunake farmer Joe Carey says his farm is the driest for this time of year since 1991 and the dry spell is one of the worst he has experienced in 30 years
"It is the lack of rainfall in September, October and this month," he says. "I guess there is a window of about a fortnight before it gets reasonably serious. It is not just the fact it is a bit dry, it is the effect on the crops, the turnips and maize, it is further down the track."
Taranaki Farmers Opunake Livestock rep Bryan Goodin said he had noticed water levels in the drains and rivers had dropped in the area and farms were suffering under a drying wind as well.
Taranaki Farmers Hawera livestock agent Garry Johns says the south and western sides of SH 45 where the farms have sandy soils are the most affected.
"It is certainly dry.
"It is not desperate yet. It will be another 10 days before we start to say they are in trouble."
Mark Schrider, who farms in Patea, has been irrigating since September. Normally he starts in December.
Richard Julian, who farms south of Opunake, has also resorted to irrigating earlier than usual. "We're pretty dry. We are irrigating a lot of the farm, a lot goes straight through."
Mr Julian has farmed in the area all his life and thinks it is one of the driest Novembers he has had.
Otakeho farmer Alaister Murdoch says he is more concerned about the Waimate West water scheme.
South Taranaki District Council water supply manager Peter Cook says the reservoir for that scheme is hovering around the 50 percent mark.
"The reservoir, at full capacity, only holds about two to three days storage. Unless people get the message and start conserving we may be faced with a situation of not having enough water to go around," he said.
Farmers in South Taranaki's coastal areas are only days away from a drought as strong, dry winds and cloudless skies sap their farmland.
Many are predicting they will be in serious trouble if there is not substantial rain within a fortnight - some say earlier.
While Metservice is expecting showers for the South Taranaki area on Friday, these are not likely to be substantial.
Many farmers are reporting an unusually dry spring with coastal areas hardest hit. Opunake farmer Joe Carey says his farm is the driest for this time of year since 1991 and the dry spell is one of the worst he has experienced in 30 years
"It is the lack of rainfall in September, October and this month," he says. "I guess there is a window of about a fortnight before it gets reasonably serious. It is not just the fact it is a bit dry, it is the effect on the crops, the turnips and maize, it is further down the track."
Taranaki Farmers Opunake Livestock rep Bryan Goodin said he had noticed water levels in the drains and rivers had dropped in the area and farms were suffering under a drying wind as well.
Taranaki Farmers Hawera livestock agent Garry Johns says the south and western sides of SH 45 where the farms have sandy soils are the most affected.
"It is certainly dry.
"It is not desperate yet. It will be another 10 days before we start to say they are in trouble."
Mark Schrider, who farms in Patea, has been irrigating since September. Normally he starts in December.
Richard Julian, who farms south of Opunake, has also resorted to irrigating earlier than usual. "We're pretty dry. We are irrigating a lot of the farm, a lot goes straight through."
Mr Julian has farmed in the area all his life and thinks it is one of the driest Novembers he has had.
Otakeho farmer Alaister Murdoch says he is more concerned about the Waimate West water scheme.
South Taranaki District Council water supply manager Peter Cook says the reservoir for that scheme is hovering around the 50 percent mark.
"The reservoir, at full capacity, only holds about two to three days storage. Unless people get the message and start conserving we may be faced with a situation of not having enough water to go around," he said.
Tuesday, November 20
Saturday, October 13
TRFU
TRFU to probe bar frolics
By LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Saturday, 13 October 2007
Members of the Taranaki rugby team are being investigated after late-night high jinx in a New Plymouth bar.
Yesterday, Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) chief executive Mark Robinson confirmed the union was investigating allegations about several players' behaviour at the Crowded House Bar on Sunday, October 7.
The team had been knocked out of the Air New Zealand Cup by Auckland the night before.
The allegations surfaced the same week All Black Doug Howlett landed himself in trouble with British police after he jumped on parked cars outside Heathrow Airport's Hilton Hotel, in London.
The Taranaki Daily News understands the local allegations involve unruly behaviour, nudity, players helping themselves to drinks and under-age barmaids drinking.
A duty manager at the bar has resigned and the owners are conducting their own investigation into what happened on the night.
The Taranaki Daily News also understands the parents of one of the barmaids is seeking compensation from the bar or the TRFU.
Crowded House is the official bar to the TRFU and was recently named top sports bar at the Hospitality Association's Awards for Excellence.
Mr Robinson said the TRFU was still trying to establish what happened.
"The TRFU acknowledges that some of its players were present, along with other members of the public."
Mr Robinson said the union had protocols to manage allegations and it was working through those.
"The union is satisfied, at this stage, any disciplinary action for the players present is unnecessary."
Up to 12 players from the Taranaki team were at the bar.
Mr Robinson said it was important the TRFU went through the process.
"We are not having this or any other inquiry aired through the media."
Young barmaids working or drinking at the bar were not a TRFU issue, Mr Robinson said.
Crowded House co-owner Kerry Simeon, who only arrived back in New Zealand on Thursday having been at the World Cup, said he was still getting the facts together.
"It sounds like the culmination of a lot of stupid fun.
"There was a little bit of drinking going on. There was, I believe, a streak through the bar."
Mr Simeon said the bar was trying to deal with the problem in a professional manner.
"Silly behaviour is always going to happen, it is how you deal with it."
Mr Simeon said he wanted to have a meeting with the two 17-year-old barmaids, and their families, this week and he hoped the TRFU would attend.
Both girls have kept their jobs.
Mr Simeon said the bar was safe and had developed a good reputation with the police and public during its 10 years. His 16-year-old daughter worked in the bar
By LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki | Saturday, 13 October 2007
Members of the Taranaki rugby team are being investigated after late-night high jinx in a New Plymouth bar.
Yesterday, Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) chief executive Mark Robinson confirmed the union was investigating allegations about several players' behaviour at the Crowded House Bar on Sunday, October 7.
The team had been knocked out of the Air New Zealand Cup by Auckland the night before.
The allegations surfaced the same week All Black Doug Howlett landed himself in trouble with British police after he jumped on parked cars outside Heathrow Airport's Hilton Hotel, in London.
The Taranaki Daily News understands the local allegations involve unruly behaviour, nudity, players helping themselves to drinks and under-age barmaids drinking.
A duty manager at the bar has resigned and the owners are conducting their own investigation into what happened on the night.
The Taranaki Daily News also understands the parents of one of the barmaids is seeking compensation from the bar or the TRFU.
Crowded House is the official bar to the TRFU and was recently named top sports bar at the Hospitality Association's Awards for Excellence.
Mr Robinson said the TRFU was still trying to establish what happened.
"The TRFU acknowledges that some of its players were present, along with other members of the public."
Mr Robinson said the union had protocols to manage allegations and it was working through those.
"The union is satisfied, at this stage, any disciplinary action for the players present is unnecessary."
Up to 12 players from the Taranaki team were at the bar.
Mr Robinson said it was important the TRFU went through the process.
"We are not having this or any other inquiry aired through the media."
Young barmaids working or drinking at the bar were not a TRFU issue, Mr Robinson said.
Crowded House co-owner Kerry Simeon, who only arrived back in New Zealand on Thursday having been at the World Cup, said he was still getting the facts together.
"It sounds like the culmination of a lot of stupid fun.
"There was a little bit of drinking going on. There was, I believe, a streak through the bar."
Mr Simeon said the bar was trying to deal with the problem in a professional manner.
"Silly behaviour is always going to happen, it is how you deal with it."
Mr Simeon said he wanted to have a meeting with the two 17-year-old barmaids, and their families, this week and he hoped the TRFU would attend.
Both girls have kept their jobs.
Mr Simeon said the bar was safe and had developed a good reputation with the police and public during its 10 years. His 16-year-old daughter worked in the bar
Friday, September 14
School produces three computer champs
RICHARD WOODD - Taranaki Daily News Friday, 14 September 2007
Joshua Brungar, and Simon Wadsworth who have beaten out competitiors to become two of the country's best young computer programmers.
Hawera High School has three computer programming champions - and one of them could be a genius.
They have beaten 50 other schools for top honours in a nation-wide programming teams contest.
One, Kieran McLaughlan, hasn't hung around. Twelve days after the contest, he flew to Boston to start a five-year scholarship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, worth $250,000. He sat the US college entrance exams and scored near-maximum in all the papers.
Kieran (18) will probably go into science-based practical research and development, says the school's head of computing, Andrew Phayer.
His two team-mates, Simon Wadsworth (17) and Joshua Brungar (18), yesterday were presented with certificates by the NZ Computer Society chief executive Douglas White, and products by corporate supporters, Obertech Group of Hawera and Gen-i Taranaki. The contest is run annually by the society.
Mr White said Hawera's success was surprising, as it was up against bigger schools with more money and resources.
Mr Phayer was the team mentor and helped the students work as a unit. They had to share one computer in the five-hour contest, at Waikato University on August 4.
"Kieran was a key member. He likes to solve the problem first, and the other two did the programming, creating the code and get it working. They were complementary," Mr Phayer said.
Most people could be trained in computer programming. "But there's also an art to it. You need desire, discipline and a flair."
Simon says the Hawera team got a lucky break: "We tackled a really difficult one first and found it fairly easy and scored very high points."
Joshua Brungar, and Simon Wadsworth who have beaten out competitiors to become two of the country's best young computer programmers.
Hawera High School has three computer programming champions - and one of them could be a genius.
They have beaten 50 other schools for top honours in a nation-wide programming teams contest.
One, Kieran McLaughlan, hasn't hung around. Twelve days after the contest, he flew to Boston to start a five-year scholarship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, worth $250,000. He sat the US college entrance exams and scored near-maximum in all the papers.
Kieran (18) will probably go into science-based practical research and development, says the school's head of computing, Andrew Phayer.
His two team-mates, Simon Wadsworth (17) and Joshua Brungar (18), yesterday were presented with certificates by the NZ Computer Society chief executive Douglas White, and products by corporate supporters, Obertech Group of Hawera and Gen-i Taranaki. The contest is run annually by the society.
Mr White said Hawera's success was surprising, as it was up against bigger schools with more money and resources.
Mr Phayer was the team mentor and helped the students work as a unit. They had to share one computer in the five-hour contest, at Waikato University on August 4.
"Kieran was a key member. He likes to solve the problem first, and the other two did the programming, creating the code and get it working. They were complementary," Mr Phayer said.
Most people could be trained in computer programming. "But there's also an art to it. You need desire, discipline and a flair."
Simon says the Hawera team got a lucky break: "We tackled a really difficult one first and found it fairly easy and scored very high points."
Saturday, August 25
Young candidate withdraws
RICHARD WOODD richard.woodd@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Saturday, 25 August 2007
South Taranaki election nominations closed yesterday with two dramatic, unexpected develop-ments.
Twenty-year-old mayoral candidate CJ Mahony got cold feet and withdrew less than two hours from the noon deadline.
Mr Mahony told the Taranaki Daily News at 10am he was withdrawing from the mayoral contest but would be nominated for a council seat. However, he failed to lodge the nomination and could not be contacted.
Earlier he said: "I thought about it long and hard and decided I'm not ready for the mayoralty and the town's not ready for me.
"I will go for the mayoralty at a later stage. The research I've done and the advice I've been given is that I need to do an apprenticeship as a councillor first."
His withdrawal still leaves eight mayoral contenders for the position being vacated by Mary Bourke after 15 years.
A by-election will have to be held in Patea, where there was only one nominee for four community board seats.
Three incumbent members (Robert Amon, John Hughes, Sharlene Stokes) are retiring but may have to carry on until the by-election, which may not be held until next year.
Council communications officer Gerard Langford said concerns began mounting a week ago when there was only one person nominated for a total of 16 community board positions.
"We hit the panic button and a lot of phone-calling produced results everywhere but Patea," he said.
"I guess the situation reflects the boards' shrinking agendas and continuing public apathy, which is a problem throughout the country."
A by-election is required within 82 days of the chief executive informing the electoral officer of the vacancy.
The election for the seven Taranaki District Health Board elected members is by Single Transferable Vote across the entire region. There are no wards or constituencies.
Postal voting papers will be delivered between Friday, September 21 and Wednesday, September 26. Voting closes at noon on Saturday, October 13.
Full results will be published in the Taranaki Daily News on Monday, October 15.
SOUTH TARANAKI DISTRICT MayorWilliam Batchelor (nominated by Jack Rangiwahia, Allan Hunt), Ian Dilworth (Alexander Little, Stevan Mikaera), Ross Dunlop (Judith Ogle, Murray Findlater), Roger Jenkins (Alistair Hurley, Dennis Hurley), Debbie Packer (Shirley Mulder, Jan McCallum), Stephen Pivac (Aileen Joyce, Jennifer Cavaney), Bryan Vickery (Dr Dan Devadhar, Pamela Field), Ian Wards (Garth Weir, Marie Dwyer).
CouncilHawera-Normanby Ward (4)
Paula Barton (Celine Filbee, Paul Rogers), Andrew Beccard* (Valerie Baylis, Fiona Hicks), Kirsty Bourke* (David Harris, Trevor Lister), Wendy London (Julie Cudby, Bruce Cudby), Peter McNamara (Cathryn Milgate, Craig Wilson), Michael Powell* (Cliff Hunt, Jeff Bigham), Simon Rangiwahia (Jack and Ruth Rangiwahia).
Tangahoe Ward (1)
Peter Johnson (Grant Pollock, Evan Vallender), Jeffrey Ward (Douglas Bates, Ethel Bates).
Egmont Plains Ward (3)
Ian Armstrong (Ronald William, Allan Harvey), Ann Hickey* (Leo Hickey, Darrell Hickey), John Hooker (June Hooker, Barbara Hana), Ian Smith* (Arthur Hughson, Maurice Murray).
Eltham Ward (2)
Alexander Ballantyne* (Gary and Judith Rodgers), Gordon Lawson* (Donald Drabble, Trevor Sharpe).
Patea Ward (2)
Warwick Fry* (Jo Byam, Helen Fairweather), Debbie Packer (Sharlene Stokes, Queenie Gripp), Ian Wards* (Marie Dwyer, Lawrence Gibbs).
Community boardsHawera-Normanby (3)
Colin Greaves*, Fiona Hicks*, Fred Kumeroa* (no election required).
Hawera-Tangahoe (1)
Kelly Judkins (no election required).
Egmont Plains (4)
Sharon Arlidge*, Ronald Brewer, Craig Dingle*, Ann Gibson*, Keith Scott, Brian Vincent.
Eltham (4)
Alexander Ballantyne*, Karen Cave, William Hansen*, Alan Hawkes*, Maree Liddington, Christine Turner.
Patea (4): Ailsa Aiken* (by-election required)
*denotes sitting member
South Taranaki election nominations closed yesterday with two dramatic, unexpected develop-ments.
Twenty-year-old mayoral candidate CJ Mahony got cold feet and withdrew less than two hours from the noon deadline.
Mr Mahony told the Taranaki Daily News at 10am he was withdrawing from the mayoral contest but would be nominated for a council seat. However, he failed to lodge the nomination and could not be contacted.
Earlier he said: "I thought about it long and hard and decided I'm not ready for the mayoralty and the town's not ready for me.
"I will go for the mayoralty at a later stage. The research I've done and the advice I've been given is that I need to do an apprenticeship as a councillor first."
His withdrawal still leaves eight mayoral contenders for the position being vacated by Mary Bourke after 15 years.
A by-election will have to be held in Patea, where there was only one nominee for four community board seats.
Three incumbent members (Robert Amon, John Hughes, Sharlene Stokes) are retiring but may have to carry on until the by-election, which may not be held until next year.
Council communications officer Gerard Langford said concerns began mounting a week ago when there was only one person nominated for a total of 16 community board positions.
"We hit the panic button and a lot of phone-calling produced results everywhere but Patea," he said.
"I guess the situation reflects the boards' shrinking agendas and continuing public apathy, which is a problem throughout the country."
A by-election is required within 82 days of the chief executive informing the electoral officer of the vacancy.
The election for the seven Taranaki District Health Board elected members is by Single Transferable Vote across the entire region. There are no wards or constituencies.
Postal voting papers will be delivered between Friday, September 21 and Wednesday, September 26. Voting closes at noon on Saturday, October 13.
Full results will be published in the Taranaki Daily News on Monday, October 15.
SOUTH TARANAKI DISTRICT MayorWilliam Batchelor (nominated by Jack Rangiwahia, Allan Hunt), Ian Dilworth (Alexander Little, Stevan Mikaera), Ross Dunlop (Judith Ogle, Murray Findlater), Roger Jenkins (Alistair Hurley, Dennis Hurley), Debbie Packer (Shirley Mulder, Jan McCallum), Stephen Pivac (Aileen Joyce, Jennifer Cavaney), Bryan Vickery (Dr Dan Devadhar, Pamela Field), Ian Wards (Garth Weir, Marie Dwyer).
CouncilHawera-Normanby Ward (4)
Paula Barton (Celine Filbee, Paul Rogers), Andrew Beccard* (Valerie Baylis, Fiona Hicks), Kirsty Bourke* (David Harris, Trevor Lister), Wendy London (Julie Cudby, Bruce Cudby), Peter McNamara (Cathryn Milgate, Craig Wilson), Michael Powell* (Cliff Hunt, Jeff Bigham), Simon Rangiwahia (Jack and Ruth Rangiwahia).
Tangahoe Ward (1)
Peter Johnson (Grant Pollock, Evan Vallender), Jeffrey Ward (Douglas Bates, Ethel Bates).
Egmont Plains Ward (3)
Ian Armstrong (Ronald William, Allan Harvey), Ann Hickey* (Leo Hickey, Darrell Hickey), John Hooker (June Hooker, Barbara Hana), Ian Smith* (Arthur Hughson, Maurice Murray).
Eltham Ward (2)
Alexander Ballantyne* (Gary and Judith Rodgers), Gordon Lawson* (Donald Drabble, Trevor Sharpe).
Patea Ward (2)
Warwick Fry* (Jo Byam, Helen Fairweather), Debbie Packer (Sharlene Stokes, Queenie Gripp), Ian Wards* (Marie Dwyer, Lawrence Gibbs).
Community boardsHawera-Normanby (3)
Colin Greaves*, Fiona Hicks*, Fred Kumeroa* (no election required).
Hawera-Tangahoe (1)
Kelly Judkins (no election required).
Egmont Plains (4)
Sharon Arlidge*, Ronald Brewer, Craig Dingle*, Ann Gibson*, Keith Scott, Brian Vincent.
Eltham (4)
Alexander Ballantyne*, Karen Cave, William Hansen*, Alan Hawkes*, Maree Liddington, Christine Turner.
Patea (4): Ailsa Aiken* (by-election required)
*denotes sitting member
Wednesday, August 15
View Mt Taranaki Live -
http://www.taranakivista.co.nz/index.php?page=home
Taranaki Vista, live Landscape Photography by Fiona Clark.Images are live from our web cam, full size and high resolution. Choose the resolution and frame rate to suit your screen and your connection. As well as the latest view of the mountain, now, there is a gallery of still pictures of great days and interesting phenomena.
Taranaki Vista, live Landscape Photography by Fiona Clark.Images are live from our web cam, full size and high resolution. Choose the resolution and frame rate to suit your screen and your connection. As well as the latest view of the mountain, now, there is a gallery of still pictures of great days and interesting phenomena.
Monday, August 13
Supermarkets
Supermarket owners have a reshuffle RICHARD WOODD richard.woodd@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Monday, 13 August 2007
Big changes have been happening in supermarket ownership in Stratford and Hawera.
Hawera's $18 million Pak 'n Save has already been sold, only seven months after it opened last December.
For a few months this supermarket's petrol station had the cheapest retail prices in the country: 21c a litre discount if you bought $40 worth of groceries.
In Stratford, New World has been bought by former Oakura Four Square owners Jimmy and Jackie Lim.
The Kovaleski family operated Pak 'n Save, after selling their Hawera New World operation to Rachel and Mike Clayton, the former Write Price operators.
The Kovaleskis have sold out to Peter Arthur, who has appointed Kevin Jones as manager. He says he intends to sell the business to him eventually, "... provided he performs."
Palmerston North-based Mr Arthur says he had a call from the Foodstuffs Group after managing director Tony Kovaleski announced the store was for sale.
Mr Arthur does not envisage an early return to the big petrol discounts of the brief Kovaleski era.
"In this game things change from day to day and it depends what the competition is doing, but we won't be giving it away, that's for sure," he says.
Mr Kovaleski and his wife, Sam, have bought a beachfront home at Paraparaumu and are looking at business opportunities in the greater Wellington area. He declined to say why they decided to sell.
Mr Arthur's entry into the grocery business began when he worked as a schoolboy at the Ngaere Store, which his parents owned. He was the fourth generation of the family in that store.
Here is the sequence of events since then, as described by Mr Arthur. "In 1977 I left school and we bought the old Stratford New World from John Hedditch. In 1986 we bought the old Hawera New World and two years later built a new store on the same site. In 1991-92 my father and myself rebuilt the Stratford New World. In 1998 the Kovaleskis bought Hawera New World and I bought the Palmerston North Pak 'n Save, which I still own.
"In 2000 my brother John bought my interest in Stratford New World and later became the sole owner when our father died."
John Arthur has sold out to Jimmy and Jackie Lim. Mr Lim was born in Stratford in 1944 to Chinese immigrant parents. They started a fruit and vegetable shop which stayed in family ownership through to 2005, when it was closed on the retirement of his brother, Kevin.
In 1994 Mr and Mrs Lim left Stratford and bought the Oakura Four Square, which they sold in May this year to buy the New World business. Mr Lim says his son and son-in-law are also involved in the business and it will provide careers for their children.
"Foodstuffs will be enlarging the carpark and improving access this year and two years further out they plan to enlarge the store," he says.
Big changes have been happening in supermarket ownership in Stratford and Hawera.
Hawera's $18 million Pak 'n Save has already been sold, only seven months after it opened last December.
For a few months this supermarket's petrol station had the cheapest retail prices in the country: 21c a litre discount if you bought $40 worth of groceries.
In Stratford, New World has been bought by former Oakura Four Square owners Jimmy and Jackie Lim.
The Kovaleski family operated Pak 'n Save, after selling their Hawera New World operation to Rachel and Mike Clayton, the former Write Price operators.
The Kovaleskis have sold out to Peter Arthur, who has appointed Kevin Jones as manager. He says he intends to sell the business to him eventually, "... provided he performs."
Palmerston North-based Mr Arthur says he had a call from the Foodstuffs Group after managing director Tony Kovaleski announced the store was for sale.
Mr Arthur does not envisage an early return to the big petrol discounts of the brief Kovaleski era.
"In this game things change from day to day and it depends what the competition is doing, but we won't be giving it away, that's for sure," he says.
Mr Kovaleski and his wife, Sam, have bought a beachfront home at Paraparaumu and are looking at business opportunities in the greater Wellington area. He declined to say why they decided to sell.
Mr Arthur's entry into the grocery business began when he worked as a schoolboy at the Ngaere Store, which his parents owned. He was the fourth generation of the family in that store.
Here is the sequence of events since then, as described by Mr Arthur. "In 1977 I left school and we bought the old Stratford New World from John Hedditch. In 1986 we bought the old Hawera New World and two years later built a new store on the same site. In 1991-92 my father and myself rebuilt the Stratford New World. In 1998 the Kovaleskis bought Hawera New World and I bought the Palmerston North Pak 'n Save, which I still own.
"In 2000 my brother John bought my interest in Stratford New World and later became the sole owner when our father died."
John Arthur has sold out to Jimmy and Jackie Lim. Mr Lim was born in Stratford in 1944 to Chinese immigrant parents. They started a fruit and vegetable shop which stayed in family ownership through to 2005, when it was closed on the retirement of his brother, Kevin.
In 1994 Mr and Mrs Lim left Stratford and bought the Oakura Four Square, which they sold in May this year to buy the New World business. Mr Lim says his son and son-in-law are also involved in the business and it will provide careers for their children.
"Foodstuffs will be enlarging the carpark and improving access this year and two years further out they plan to enlarge the store," he says.
Thursday, August 9
Judge dies on way to court
Judge dies on way to court
12:36PM Thursday August 09, 2007
A judge collapsed and died on the way to court this morning.
Judge Murray Abbott had just yesterday finished presiding over the seven-day trial of a suspended police recruit who was acquitted on charges of attacking and sexually violating a Christchurch prostitute.
It is understood the judge was on his way to Christchurch District Court this morning when he collapsed and died.
Judge Abbott was 57. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, and three children.
Judge Abbott is remembered as a well-respected and hard working member of the judiciary.
A partner in the Christchurch law firm Anthony Harper for many years, Judge Abbott was appointed to the District Court and Youth Court benches in 1989.
Judge Abbott was born in the Taranaki town of Eltham and went to school at Wanganui Collegiate. He studied law at Canterbury University, and after graduating in 1973 began practice with the then Christchurch law firm of Harper Pascoe and Co.
After being made a judge in 1989, Judge Abbott was appointed to New Plymouth and transferred back to Christchurch in 1996.
Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson said today news of Judge Abbott's death "came as a great shock" to all his colleagues.
"He was a very well-liked and respected judge. This is very sad news," he said.
Judge Johnson offered his "heart-felt commiserations" to Judge Abbott's family.
Canterbury District Law Society president Dr Ed Wylie QC said he was shocked to hear of Judge Abbott's sudden death.
Judge Abbott practised as a lawyer in Christchurch for a number of years before being appointed as a judge.
As a lawyer he served as legal counsel for the Christchurch Star newspaper in the 1980s.
Dr Wylie told NZPA Judge Abbott was "popular and well respected by his colleagues".
"As a judge, he was diligent, hard working and courteous, and a respected member of the District Court bench.
"I'm sure the profession in Christchurch would join with me in expressing its condolences to Mrs Abbott and the family."
Some courts were adjourned early today and a number of staff appeared upset at learning of Judge Abbott's death.
Rangiora lawyer John Brandts-Giesen, a fellow student with Judge Abbott at Canterbury University, said he would remember his long-time friend for his abilities and "somewhat zany sense of humour".
"He was a very hard-working and able judge and had a phenomenal photographic memory," Mr Brandts-Giesen told NZPA.
"It's a tragedy for his wife and family."
Brent Stanaway, Crown prosecutor for Christchurch and Greymouth, said Judge Abbott was a popular judge with an engaging manner and very fair approach.
"I am deeply saddened at the death of Judge Murray Abbott, who I much admired as an extraordinarily hard working, experienced and able District Court Judge."
Mr Stanaway said Judge Abbott was a very pro-active judge who sought to modernise trial management, with the intention of expediting the administration of justice.
He and his fellow prosecutors extended condolences to Judge Abbott's family.
- NZPA
12:36PM Thursday August 09, 2007
A judge collapsed and died on the way to court this morning.
Judge Murray Abbott had just yesterday finished presiding over the seven-day trial of a suspended police recruit who was acquitted on charges of attacking and sexually violating a Christchurch prostitute.
It is understood the judge was on his way to Christchurch District Court this morning when he collapsed and died.
Judge Abbott was 57. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, and three children.
Judge Abbott is remembered as a well-respected and hard working member of the judiciary.
A partner in the Christchurch law firm Anthony Harper for many years, Judge Abbott was appointed to the District Court and Youth Court benches in 1989.
Judge Abbott was born in the Taranaki town of Eltham and went to school at Wanganui Collegiate. He studied law at Canterbury University, and after graduating in 1973 began practice with the then Christchurch law firm of Harper Pascoe and Co.
After being made a judge in 1989, Judge Abbott was appointed to New Plymouth and transferred back to Christchurch in 1996.
Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson said today news of Judge Abbott's death "came as a great shock" to all his colleagues.
"He was a very well-liked and respected judge. This is very sad news," he said.
Judge Johnson offered his "heart-felt commiserations" to Judge Abbott's family.
Canterbury District Law Society president Dr Ed Wylie QC said he was shocked to hear of Judge Abbott's sudden death.
Judge Abbott practised as a lawyer in Christchurch for a number of years before being appointed as a judge.
As a lawyer he served as legal counsel for the Christchurch Star newspaper in the 1980s.
Dr Wylie told NZPA Judge Abbott was "popular and well respected by his colleagues".
"As a judge, he was diligent, hard working and courteous, and a respected member of the District Court bench.
"I'm sure the profession in Christchurch would join with me in expressing its condolences to Mrs Abbott and the family."
Some courts were adjourned early today and a number of staff appeared upset at learning of Judge Abbott's death.
Rangiora lawyer John Brandts-Giesen, a fellow student with Judge Abbott at Canterbury University, said he would remember his long-time friend for his abilities and "somewhat zany sense of humour".
"He was a very hard-working and able judge and had a phenomenal photographic memory," Mr Brandts-Giesen told NZPA.
"It's a tragedy for his wife and family."
Brent Stanaway, Crown prosecutor for Christchurch and Greymouth, said Judge Abbott was a popular judge with an engaging manner and very fair approach.
"I am deeply saddened at the death of Judge Murray Abbott, who I much admired as an extraordinarily hard working, experienced and able District Court Judge."
Mr Stanaway said Judge Abbott was a very pro-active judge who sought to modernise trial management, with the intention of expediting the administration of justice.
He and his fellow prosecutors extended condolences to Judge Abbott's family.
- NZPA
Monday, August 6
Historic house nearly up in smoke
LYN HUMPHREYS lyn.humphreys@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Monday, 6 August 2007
Irreplaceable treasures at Parihaka were within minutes of destruction after an electrical fire just after midnight yesterday.
"Another five minutes and it would have gone," Rahotu Volunteer Fire Brigade senior station officer Paul Mundt says. "It was very fortunate no one was inside."
It was lucky that the fire was discovered when a man, who had gone outside for a smoke from another house at the pa, smelt smoke from what he thought was a rubbish fire.
When he investigated, he found it was coming from the outside wall at Te Niho meeting house.
Although the fire brigade was called and was on its way, the flames quickly took hold and were soon leaping higher than the roof of the old tinder-dry building.
"If it had got into the ceiling space, it would have been all over," Mr Mundt says.
But people living on the pa rallied and were able to put out the flames with a bucket brigade before the firefighters arrived.
"They managed to extinguish it before we got there. If they hadn't, she would have been history."
The fire is believed to have started in a meter board on the outside of the meeting house and to have been caused by a combination of old wiring and moisture.
People sometimes stayed overnight at the meeting house, he said.
"It's a good wake-up call to everyone. Smoke alarms may have helped but no one was staying in the building that night."
The brigade intended to go to the pa this week to discuss fire safety.
Papa Kainga trustee Peter Moeahu, who does not live on site, was shocked when hearing of the fire from the newspaper.
He says the taonga on the walls of the Te Niho house include photos of past generations, paintings of the history of Parihaka and large photo prints of the pa's early years.
It also hold greenstone treasures, gifts from visitors both from across New Zealand and overseas - all of which are irreplaceable.
"You could sum it up as the museum of Te Niho."
Mr Moeahu says he will be pleased to meet with the brigade to discuss fire prevention.
Ironically, the South Taranaki Liaison Committee had just approved $8000 for the drawing up of a plan for the redevelopment of Te Niho.
Irreplaceable treasures at Parihaka were within minutes of destruction after an electrical fire just after midnight yesterday.
"Another five minutes and it would have gone," Rahotu Volunteer Fire Brigade senior station officer Paul Mundt says. "It was very fortunate no one was inside."
It was lucky that the fire was discovered when a man, who had gone outside for a smoke from another house at the pa, smelt smoke from what he thought was a rubbish fire.
When he investigated, he found it was coming from the outside wall at Te Niho meeting house.
Although the fire brigade was called and was on its way, the flames quickly took hold and were soon leaping higher than the roof of the old tinder-dry building.
"If it had got into the ceiling space, it would have been all over," Mr Mundt says.
But people living on the pa rallied and were able to put out the flames with a bucket brigade before the firefighters arrived.
"They managed to extinguish it before we got there. If they hadn't, she would have been history."
The fire is believed to have started in a meter board on the outside of the meeting house and to have been caused by a combination of old wiring and moisture.
People sometimes stayed overnight at the meeting house, he said.
"It's a good wake-up call to everyone. Smoke alarms may have helped but no one was staying in the building that night."
The brigade intended to go to the pa this week to discuss fire safety.
Papa Kainga trustee Peter Moeahu, who does not live on site, was shocked when hearing of the fire from the newspaper.
He says the taonga on the walls of the Te Niho house include photos of past generations, paintings of the history of Parihaka and large photo prints of the pa's early years.
It also hold greenstone treasures, gifts from visitors both from across New Zealand and overseas - all of which are irreplaceable.
"You could sum it up as the museum of Te Niho."
Mr Moeahu says he will be pleased to meet with the brigade to discuss fire prevention.
Ironically, the South Taranaki Liaison Committee had just approved $8000 for the drawing up of a plan for the redevelopment of Te Niho.
Tuesday, July 31
Funnyman has fond memories
JESSICA WAUCHOP - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
When Oscar Kightley was a cadet reporter at the Taranaki Herald he pulled a sickie on the day of the most exciting story of the year - Cyclone Bola.
"I looked out my window that morning, saw it was raining and called in sick," laughs Kightley.
"Everyone else was racing about covering exciting stories about roofs blowing off and I missed out," Kightley says.
It's just one of many tales from the funnyman, who's just been back in New Plymouth with the Naked Samoans for the Taranaki International Festival of the Arts.
Kightley, best-known for his roles in the TV show bro'Town and movie Sione's Wedding, is thankful for his six-month stint as a journalist in Taranaki.
"I had been working as a cadet reporter at the Auckland Star and got up to a bit of trouble. So they were very kind and instead of firing me, they packed me off to New Plymouth.
"I came here and loved it. This place was my first experience of living outside of the city I grew up in. I found it a very warm and enveloping place with culture, surf and nice people.
"By the end of my six months I didn't want to go back to Auckland."
Nineteen years after he left, Kightley is impressed with the changes in Taranaki.
"It is great to see more than one bar in New Plymouth now.
"You can stagger from bar to bar instead of up and down The Mill's stairs," says Kightley, who admits he is still struck by the overwhelming politeness of Taranaki people.
Although Kightley is grateful for his time as a journalist, he says he was never destined for it.
"At school English was my favourite subject because it wasn't like science and maths which had strict rules - English you could make things up."
"In science four and four had to equal eight but in English I could make it equal 12 - not ideal for journalism though," he laughs.
It is this creativity which is embodied in the Naked Samoans performance.
"Our performances are never the same each night. We get bored easily, so if we're not having fun with the jokes, we change them," he says.
"Being on stage in the Naked Samoans existing in the most pure form ... a group who started out as mates just looking for an excuse to hang out together."
Jessica Wauchop is an AUT journalism student.
When Oscar Kightley was a cadet reporter at the Taranaki Herald he pulled a sickie on the day of the most exciting story of the year - Cyclone Bola.
"I looked out my window that morning, saw it was raining and called in sick," laughs Kightley.
"Everyone else was racing about covering exciting stories about roofs blowing off and I missed out," Kightley says.
It's just one of many tales from the funnyman, who's just been back in New Plymouth with the Naked Samoans for the Taranaki International Festival of the Arts.
Kightley, best-known for his roles in the TV show bro'Town and movie Sione's Wedding, is thankful for his six-month stint as a journalist in Taranaki.
"I had been working as a cadet reporter at the Auckland Star and got up to a bit of trouble. So they were very kind and instead of firing me, they packed me off to New Plymouth.
"I came here and loved it. This place was my first experience of living outside of the city I grew up in. I found it a very warm and enveloping place with culture, surf and nice people.
"By the end of my six months I didn't want to go back to Auckland."
Nineteen years after he left, Kightley is impressed with the changes in Taranaki.
"It is great to see more than one bar in New Plymouth now.
"You can stagger from bar to bar instead of up and down The Mill's stairs," says Kightley, who admits he is still struck by the overwhelming politeness of Taranaki people.
Although Kightley is grateful for his time as a journalist, he says he was never destined for it.
"At school English was my favourite subject because it wasn't like science and maths which had strict rules - English you could make things up."
"In science four and four had to equal eight but in English I could make it equal 12 - not ideal for journalism though," he laughs.
It is this creativity which is embodied in the Naked Samoans performance.
"Our performances are never the same each night. We get bored easily, so if we're not having fun with the jokes, we change them," he says.
"Being on stage in the Naked Samoans existing in the most pure form ... a group who started out as mates just looking for an excuse to hang out together."
Jessica Wauchop is an AUT journalism student.
Whole lot of horror rolls into crazy town
JAYNE HULBERT jayne.hulbert@tnl.nz - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Downtown New Plymouth was not for the faint-hearted last night.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show was in town and the hundreds who turned out to see it, took the invitation for audience participation very seriously.
Not that there was anything serious about said participation.
Men dressed in drag, couples as Brad and Janet, Riff Raffs and people in any number of crazy X-rated outfits pranced across the TSB Showplace stage before the classic film was screened.
Many ensembles left little to the imagination, one man in particular providing slightly more flesh than most would like to see.
If you weren't dressed as one of the film's characters, you were in the minority.
Urged on by the Mistress of Ceremonies - singer Jackie Clarke - a competition to find the best dressed brought on screams of laughter from the near-capacity audience. After providing a language warning, Clarke issued the house rules.
"The only rule tonight, is that there are no rules," said Clarke to a huge round of applause.
Bags of rice were distributed to the audience and rice throwing quickly became a sport.
And then there's the Time Warp ...
Part of the Taranaki International Festival of the Arts, the one-off screening of Richard O'Brien's film, starring Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, was guaranteed to be a crazy night.
Downtown New Plymouth was not for the faint-hearted last night.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show was in town and the hundreds who turned out to see it, took the invitation for audience participation very seriously.
Not that there was anything serious about said participation.
Men dressed in drag, couples as Brad and Janet, Riff Raffs and people in any number of crazy X-rated outfits pranced across the TSB Showplace stage before the classic film was screened.
Many ensembles left little to the imagination, one man in particular providing slightly more flesh than most would like to see.
If you weren't dressed as one of the film's characters, you were in the minority.
Urged on by the Mistress of Ceremonies - singer Jackie Clarke - a competition to find the best dressed brought on screams of laughter from the near-capacity audience. After providing a language warning, Clarke issued the house rules.
"The only rule tonight, is that there are no rules," said Clarke to a huge round of applause.
Bags of rice were distributed to the audience and rice throwing quickly became a sport.
And then there's the Time Warp ...
Part of the Taranaki International Festival of the Arts, the one-off screening of Richard O'Brien's film, starring Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon, was guaranteed to be a crazy night.
Taranaki quartet takes honours in best of category for country
LEIGHTON KEITH leighton.keith@tnl.co.nz. - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
They're world-famous in Taranaki - but now the rest of the country is in on our secrets.
Four Taranaki icons have been rated as the best in New Zealand.
They are New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Tikorangi gardener Mark Jury, Pukekura Park and Whangamomona.
The latest issue of The Listener has devoted a section to celebrating the best our country has to offer on a range of topics and the province was well represented.
Mr Jury, famed for his world-renowned magnolia trees, has been declared one of the country's best plant breeders by broadcaster Maggie Barry.
Mr Jury says he was surprised to receive the accolade but was happy to be rated alongside some of the best.
"It is great to be put in the same category as them, it is an honour," he said yesterday.
The Listener's arts editor Philip Matthews was positively glowing about the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
"Too few galleries know how to surprise ... but this one does," Listener arts editor Philip Matthews says.
Gallery director Rhana Devenport was delighted but not surprised to learn of the kudos. "Within the arts community, for the Asian Pacific region, the gallery is well known as a leader."
Whangamomona takes the honour of best place name, along with Nightcaps in Southland, Waikaremoana, and Windwhistle near Christchurch.
Twenty-two-year Whanga resident Tania Bedwell says the town's name roughly translates to fertile valley or wait here for a fat one. Coastal Maori used the area as a camp ground on their way to trade with tribes in Wanganui and it was known for fat birds and eels.
Pukekura Park got a special mention in the best cricket ground category. The Basin Reserve, Wellington, took the top honour.
The New Plymouth ground was described as ravishingly scenic and was recently named by the cricket-lover's bible, Wisden, as one of the six greatest grounds in the world.
They're world-famous in Taranaki - but now the rest of the country is in on our secrets.
Four Taranaki icons have been rated as the best in New Zealand.
They are New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Tikorangi gardener Mark Jury, Pukekura Park and Whangamomona.
The latest issue of The Listener has devoted a section to celebrating the best our country has to offer on a range of topics and the province was well represented.
Mr Jury, famed for his world-renowned magnolia trees, has been declared one of the country's best plant breeders by broadcaster Maggie Barry.
Mr Jury says he was surprised to receive the accolade but was happy to be rated alongside some of the best.
"It is great to be put in the same category as them, it is an honour," he said yesterday.
The Listener's arts editor Philip Matthews was positively glowing about the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
"Too few galleries know how to surprise ... but this one does," Listener arts editor Philip Matthews says.
Gallery director Rhana Devenport was delighted but not surprised to learn of the kudos. "Within the arts community, for the Asian Pacific region, the gallery is well known as a leader."
Whangamomona takes the honour of best place name, along with Nightcaps in Southland, Waikaremoana, and Windwhistle near Christchurch.
Twenty-two-year Whanga resident Tania Bedwell says the town's name roughly translates to fertile valley or wait here for a fat one. Coastal Maori used the area as a camp ground on their way to trade with tribes in Wanganui and it was known for fat birds and eels.
Pukekura Park got a special mention in the best cricket ground category. The Basin Reserve, Wellington, took the top honour.
The New Plymouth ground was described as ravishingly scenic and was recently named by the cricket-lover's bible, Wisden, as one of the six greatest grounds in the world.
Colour captures imagination of exchange teacher
The walls of Ryo Nakamura's Japanese classroom could soon be covered with colourful children's artwork thanks to an idea sparked in New Plymouth.
While primary school classrooms in Japan could be viewed by outsiders as white and sterile, New Zealand classrooms are wall-to-wall colour.
The brightness of Kiwi classrooms is something that has captured the imagination of exchange teacher Mr Nakamura.
"Everything is so colourful in the classroom. Even the walls are painted in many colours.
"Everything is white in Japan. I am quite amazed that you use lots of colour and even display the children's artwork," Mr Nakamura said through an interpreter.
The 31-year-old is the first Japanese teacher to take part in the New Plymouth-Mishima teacher exchange programme, initiated during a New Plymouth District Council sister city trip to Mishima two years ago.
Mr Nakamura, who is a primary school teacher at Mukaiyama Shoggakko school in Mishima, arrived in New Plymouth on Saturday and will spend a month in various classrooms in the district.
Yesterday, while at Central School, Mr Nakamura said he was keen to introduce colour into his white classroom. Just how his superiors would react to the sudden colour explosion was another thing. "They will be very surprised."
It is the first time Mr Nakamura has been out of Japan and year six students at Central School were keen to inform him of where he should visit in Taranaki. Taking a trip up Mt Taranaki, visiting Puke Ariki, a marae and a farm were among the suggestions, but it was the idea of going surfing that had Mr Nakamura particularly excited. He hoped he could get in a few lessons while in the region.
He is also keen to learn more about New Zealand music. He will teach Central School's choir a Japanese song.
Mr Nakamura will visit the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Welbourn, Westown and Vogeltown, Egmont Village and Inglewood primary schools, Te Pihipihinga Kakano Mai i Rangiatea kura kaupapa and Highlands Intermediate.
New Plymouth has sent two teachers to Mishima - James Los'e from Spotswood College and Vicki-Ann Ritchie from Inglewood Primary School.
ROCHELLE WESTrochelle.west@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
While primary school classrooms in Japan could be viewed by outsiders as white and sterile, New Zealand classrooms are wall-to-wall colour.
The brightness of Kiwi classrooms is something that has captured the imagination of exchange teacher Mr Nakamura.
"Everything is so colourful in the classroom. Even the walls are painted in many colours.
"Everything is white in Japan. I am quite amazed that you use lots of colour and even display the children's artwork," Mr Nakamura said through an interpreter.
The 31-year-old is the first Japanese teacher to take part in the New Plymouth-Mishima teacher exchange programme, initiated during a New Plymouth District Council sister city trip to Mishima two years ago.
Mr Nakamura, who is a primary school teacher at Mukaiyama Shoggakko school in Mishima, arrived in New Plymouth on Saturday and will spend a month in various classrooms in the district.
Yesterday, while at Central School, Mr Nakamura said he was keen to introduce colour into his white classroom. Just how his superiors would react to the sudden colour explosion was another thing. "They will be very surprised."
It is the first time Mr Nakamura has been out of Japan and year six students at Central School were keen to inform him of where he should visit in Taranaki. Taking a trip up Mt Taranaki, visiting Puke Ariki, a marae and a farm were among the suggestions, but it was the idea of going surfing that had Mr Nakamura particularly excited. He hoped he could get in a few lessons while in the region.
He is also keen to learn more about New Zealand music. He will teach Central School's choir a Japanese song.
Mr Nakamura will visit the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Welbourn, Westown and Vogeltown, Egmont Village and Inglewood primary schools, Te Pihipihinga Kakano Mai i Rangiatea kura kaupapa and Highlands Intermediate.
New Plymouth has sent two teachers to Mishima - James Los'e from Spotswood College and Vicki-Ann Ritchie from Inglewood Primary School.
ROCHELLE WESTrochelle.west@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Saturday, July 28
They served Eltham
RICHARD WOODD richard.woodd@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Saturday, 28 July 2007
Eltham is mourning the loss of two of its community stalwarts.
Dorothy Lillian Nicholls died on July 19, a month short of her 91st birthday and her close friend Lawrence Stephen (Curly) Murray a day later aged 87.
Red Cross voluntary work was a common thread in their lives.
Mrs Nicholls became a Red Cross nurse in 1936, she was an Eltham branch life member and was awarded a medal for 60 years' service last year. She was awarded the NZ Order of Merit in 1996.
"The Red Cross was her life," says Jeanette Mann, the former Eltham branch secretary, now living in Southland.
During the Vietnam War, Mrs Nicholls and her husband Herbert Eckroyd (Roy) personally delivered four woolpacks of toys, clothes and medicines to a children's hospital in Saigon. Such flights were known as "teddy bear runs".
The Nicholls flew with the cargo in an RNZAF Hercules, strapped into armchairs for the long flight. Mrs Nicholls had been patron of the Eltham Plunket and Horticultural societies and was a national judge for the Taranaki Rose Society.
Her husband was the town chemist.
Mr Murray started as an apprentice joiner in 1935. He bought the N. G. Tucker Joinery business in 1957, with Ilay Stanners as a partner, and renamed it Eltham Building Supplies. It is still being operated by his two sons, Donald and Ian.
He was a member of the Taranaki Masonic Trust and his Red Cross service included repairing all wheelchairs loaned out by the Red Cross in Taranaki.
He joined the Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1938 and was chief officer 1949-63.
Eltham is mourning the loss of two of its community stalwarts.
Dorothy Lillian Nicholls died on July 19, a month short of her 91st birthday and her close friend Lawrence Stephen (Curly) Murray a day later aged 87.
Red Cross voluntary work was a common thread in their lives.
Mrs Nicholls became a Red Cross nurse in 1936, she was an Eltham branch life member and was awarded a medal for 60 years' service last year. She was awarded the NZ Order of Merit in 1996.
"The Red Cross was her life," says Jeanette Mann, the former Eltham branch secretary, now living in Southland.
During the Vietnam War, Mrs Nicholls and her husband Herbert Eckroyd (Roy) personally delivered four woolpacks of toys, clothes and medicines to a children's hospital in Saigon. Such flights were known as "teddy bear runs".
The Nicholls flew with the cargo in an RNZAF Hercules, strapped into armchairs for the long flight. Mrs Nicholls had been patron of the Eltham Plunket and Horticultural societies and was a national judge for the Taranaki Rose Society.
Her husband was the town chemist.
Mr Murray started as an apprentice joiner in 1935. He bought the N. G. Tucker Joinery business in 1957, with Ilay Stanners as a partner, and renamed it Eltham Building Supplies. It is still being operated by his two sons, Donald and Ian.
He was a member of the Taranaki Masonic Trust and his Red Cross service included repairing all wheelchairs loaned out by the Red Cross in Taranaki.
He joined the Eltham Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1938 and was chief officer 1949-63.
Saturday, July 14
Ropiha takes out Maori sportsperson award
Taranaki Saturday, 14 July 2007
Taranaki's leading amateur golfer Troy Ropiha was last night named Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year.
Ropiha, who is in England playing in amateur events, was named overall winner after earlier taking the sportsman of the year award at a function in New Plymouth.
The full list of winners was:
Kaiwawao (game official award), Sam Tamarapa.
Kaiako (coach award), Rangi Hiroti, touch, rugby and rugby league.
Kaiwhakahaere (volunteer administrator award), Karen Brooks, netball and basketball.
Taiohi Tama (junior sportsman award), Derrin Jesse Puata, jujitsu.
Taiohi Kotiro (junior sportswoman award), Ashley Rupapera, swimming.
Pakeke Tane (senior sportsman award), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Pakeke Wahine (senior sportswoman award), Kim Hiroti, touch.
Toa Tira (Maori sports team award), Taranaki Whanui Maori rugby league.
Toa Tautoko (contribution and service to Maori sport and recreation), John Niwa, lawn bowls.
Kupu Whakanui (special commendations), Patsy Broughton, Daniel Brooks, Jan Manu, Keisha-Dean Soffe.
Toa Rongonui (sports hall of fame), George Wharehoka, Maurice Crow.
Toki o Te Tau (Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Taranaki's leading amateur golfer Troy Ropiha was last night named Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year.
Ropiha, who is in England playing in amateur events, was named overall winner after earlier taking the sportsman of the year award at a function in New Plymouth.
The full list of winners was:
Kaiwawao (game official award), Sam Tamarapa.
Kaiako (coach award), Rangi Hiroti, touch, rugby and rugby league.
Kaiwhakahaere (volunteer administrator award), Karen Brooks, netball and basketball.
Taiohi Tama (junior sportsman award), Derrin Jesse Puata, jujitsu.
Taiohi Kotiro (junior sportswoman award), Ashley Rupapera, swimming.
Pakeke Tane (senior sportsman award), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Pakeke Wahine (senior sportswoman award), Kim Hiroti, touch.
Toa Tira (Maori sports team award), Taranaki Whanui Maori rugby league.
Toa Tautoko (contribution and service to Maori sport and recreation), John Niwa, lawn bowls.
Kupu Whakanui (special commendations), Patsy Broughton, Daniel Brooks, Jan Manu, Keisha-Dean Soffe.
Toa Rongonui (sports hall of fame), George Wharehoka, Maurice Crow.
Toki o Te Tau (Taranaki Maori sportsperson of the year), Troy Ropiha, golf.
Farm-scene art for telephone books
Taranaki Saturday, 14 July 2007
The telephone book artwork.
A weekend drive to the mountain inspired the winning entry in this year's White Pages Art Award.
New Plymouth artist Henriette Reason's painting will grace the cover of the 2007 Taranaki telephone book, due out in August. Her work is called Heard Of Cows?
"While driving I saw herds of cows. I stopped my car to have a look and the curious cows came to say hello. I had fun feeding the friendly ones, while others stood back and watched," says Danish-born Reason.
To create the artwork she made some rough sketches from photos taken of the cows, then used oil paints on canvas board.
"I wanted to convey feelings of curiosity and excitement. Taranaki is a clean, green place and the mountain portrays boldness."
She was overwhelmed about winning the award.
"I phoned my mother in Denmark to tell her the good news and I admit, I couldn't sleep that night."
Reason is a self-taught artist who only started painting in recent years.
"I've always had an interest in art, but only started painting seven years ago. I gave up my fulltime job last year to devote all of my time to my art."
She entered the awards hoping it might boost her career and, having won, hopes it will be a stepping stone towards being a successful artist.
The judges were impressed with her painting and said it had an added dimension of mischief, which went beyond depicting a herd of cows in a typical Taranaki landscape.
Reason has lived in Taranaki for 10 years and says dairy farming and the mountain are constant sources of inspiration for her art.
"Dairy farming is the heart and soul of the Taranaki region and the mountain has stood through times of change.
"I wanted my painting to reflect traditional Taranaki with an openness and courage to move ahead."
The White Pages Art Awards programme is a nationwide regional arts competition, open to all New Zealanders.
The awards are designed to promote emerging and established artists throughout the country.
The 18 regional winners each receive a cash prize of $2000. At the close of the awards programme, all entered artworks are eligible for the annual White Pages Arts Charity Auction. All money from the sale of artworks is donated to charity.
A total of $50,417 was raised for What's Up at the 2006 White Pages Arts Charity Auction.
The telephone book artwork.
A weekend drive to the mountain inspired the winning entry in this year's White Pages Art Award.
New Plymouth artist Henriette Reason's painting will grace the cover of the 2007 Taranaki telephone book, due out in August. Her work is called Heard Of Cows?
"While driving I saw herds of cows. I stopped my car to have a look and the curious cows came to say hello. I had fun feeding the friendly ones, while others stood back and watched," says Danish-born Reason.
To create the artwork she made some rough sketches from photos taken of the cows, then used oil paints on canvas board.
"I wanted to convey feelings of curiosity and excitement. Taranaki is a clean, green place and the mountain portrays boldness."
She was overwhelmed about winning the award.
"I phoned my mother in Denmark to tell her the good news and I admit, I couldn't sleep that night."
Reason is a self-taught artist who only started painting in recent years.
"I've always had an interest in art, but only started painting seven years ago. I gave up my fulltime job last year to devote all of my time to my art."
She entered the awards hoping it might boost her career and, having won, hopes it will be a stepping stone towards being a successful artist.
The judges were impressed with her painting and said it had an added dimension of mischief, which went beyond depicting a herd of cows in a typical Taranaki landscape.
Reason has lived in Taranaki for 10 years and says dairy farming and the mountain are constant sources of inspiration for her art.
"Dairy farming is the heart and soul of the Taranaki region and the mountain has stood through times of change.
"I wanted my painting to reflect traditional Taranaki with an openness and courage to move ahead."
The White Pages Art Awards programme is a nationwide regional arts competition, open to all New Zealanders.
The awards are designed to promote emerging and established artists throughout the country.
The 18 regional winners each receive a cash prize of $2000. At the close of the awards programme, all entered artworks are eligible for the annual White Pages Arts Charity Auction. All money from the sale of artworks is donated to charity.
A total of $50,417 was raised for What's Up at the 2006 White Pages Arts Charity Auction.
Saturday, July 7
The state of emergency has been lifted in tornado-hit Taranaki.
No further damage was reported during the night and the community now was busy cleaning up, said Civil Defence controller David Lean.
Police were continuing round-the-clock patrols in Oakura to ensure the security of houses and property damaged when the tornadoes struck on Thursday night.
At least six twisters hit Oakura, Egmont Village, Inglewood and the Waitara area about 5.30pm on Thursday trampling houses, trees and power poles, causing millions of dollars worth of damage and leaving dozens of families homeless.
Civil Defence spokesman Rusty Ritchie said everyone was in clean-up mode today.
The quicker this was done the better, he said, as it would prevent any further damage being caused by loose debris flying around.
Strong winds last night did cause some debris to move around.
The Taranaki District Council is to make a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish at
midday
Houses which sustained the worst damage were now covered in tarpaulins and the Fire Service was on hand to resecure any which had come loose.
The Taranaki District Council (TDC) made a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish today, moving quickly to reduce the risk of further damage from wind-blown debris.
But mostly the clean-up is a community effort, with friends and neighbours all helping those whose properties sustained damage, Mr Ritchie said.
"Carpenters and builders will be out there, too, getting on with the job."
The weather has calmed down and the forecast for the region is for clearing conditions and no significant wind.
A welfare centre is to remain open at Oakura Bowling Club through until at least Tuesday and the welfare hotline (0800 779 997), set up for people needing practical help or feeling the stress, would also stay open in the meantime.
Power has been restored to all but a handful of properties.
Mr Lean said Civil Defence would continue to assess the needs of people affected by the tornadoes next week.
"It's very likely that by early next week, the reality of what's happened will set in for some people, and anyone needing assistance should go to the welfare centre or use the welfare hotline," he said.
Insurance assessors were also in the region helping people with their claims. Fifty houses have already been assessed as having sustained at least 80 per cent damage. Some have been completely destroyed and some cars have been crushed by fallen trees.
Early assessment indications from the Insurance Council put the damage in New Plymouth at about $2 million, with another $5 million estimated in Oakura. Those figures were expected to rise.
The Bank of New Zealand has set up an account for donations to assist with disaster relief. People can make donations at any BNZ branch.
- NZPA
No further damage was reported during the night and the community now was busy cleaning up, said Civil Defence controller David Lean.
Police were continuing round-the-clock patrols in Oakura to ensure the security of houses and property damaged when the tornadoes struck on Thursday night.
At least six twisters hit Oakura, Egmont Village, Inglewood and the Waitara area about 5.30pm on Thursday trampling houses, trees and power poles, causing millions of dollars worth of damage and leaving dozens of families homeless.
Civil Defence spokesman Rusty Ritchie said everyone was in clean-up mode today.
The quicker this was done the better, he said, as it would prevent any further damage being caused by loose debris flying around.
Strong winds last night did cause some debris to move around.
The Taranaki District Council is to make a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish at
midday
Houses which sustained the worst damage were now covered in tarpaulins and the Fire Service was on hand to resecure any which had come loose.
The Taranaki District Council (TDC) made a kerbside collection of tornado-generated rubbish today, moving quickly to reduce the risk of further damage from wind-blown debris.
But mostly the clean-up is a community effort, with friends and neighbours all helping those whose properties sustained damage, Mr Ritchie said.
"Carpenters and builders will be out there, too, getting on with the job."
The weather has calmed down and the forecast for the region is for clearing conditions and no significant wind.
A welfare centre is to remain open at Oakura Bowling Club through until at least Tuesday and the welfare hotline (0800 779 997), set up for people needing practical help or feeling the stress, would also stay open in the meantime.
Power has been restored to all but a handful of properties.
Mr Lean said Civil Defence would continue to assess the needs of people affected by the tornadoes next week.
"It's very likely that by early next week, the reality of what's happened will set in for some people, and anyone needing assistance should go to the welfare centre or use the welfare hotline," he said.
Insurance assessors were also in the region helping people with their claims. Fifty houses have already been assessed as having sustained at least 80 per cent damage. Some have been completely destroyed and some cars have been crushed by fallen trees.
Early assessment indications from the Insurance Council put the damage in New Plymouth at about $2 million, with another $5 million estimated in Oakura. Those figures were expected to rise.
The Bank of New Zealand has set up an account for donations to assist with disaster relief. People can make donations at any BNZ branch.
- NZPA
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