Edition #15
dec 2015/Jan 2016
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Our stories, our people, our Māngere
Kōrero paki ō tatou, Tāngata ō tatou, Ngā Hau Māngere ō tatou
Mängere farewells Jonah
“We express sincere condolences on
Jonah’s sudden passing, to the Lomu
Kainga and the Tongan Community.
Rest in Peace, Jonah. Fa’afetai tele
for your phenomenal contribution,
here and afar, and all you did, for
Mangere, for South Auckland, for New
Zealand. Manuia lou Malaga, sincerely
from Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board
Members and our Community.”
- Lydia Sosene, Local Board
chair
"Prayers and thoughts are with
Jonah's family, especially to his
wife and boys. Jonah changed the
game of rugby. He paved a pathway,
especially for us Polynesians. I am
grateful and very lucky to be playing
because of the work that he has done.
He will always be remembered."
- Ofa Tu'ungafasi, vice-captain
for the Auckland NPC team.
RIP JONAH LOMU 1975-2015
"You were a hero to many of our
young people in Mangere and then
you become a hero to everybody
across the globe. You came from
humble beginnings to become a
humble human being. May God's
korowai of comfort and support be
with you and your family during this
time."
- Alf Filipaina, Auckland
Councillor, Manukau ward
"Before Jonah became a global superstar,
he was and still is a son of Tonga,
a son of the Pacific, and a proud son
of the Southside. We are all so proud
of him. When he ran, we ran with him.
When he crashed through tackles, we
crashed through with him and when
he scored, we scored with him. He
lifted our spirits high and inspired
so many. Rest peacefully brother. Ia
manuia lau Malaga."
- Su'a William Sio, local MP for
Mangere
PRINCIPAL LEAVES LASTING LEGACY
John Heyes will retire as
Principal of Māngere College,
proud in the knowledge he
has left it in good shape for his
successor.
As the second longest serving
Principal of Mangere College in
it's 44-year history he’s seen it all.
Whether the school has been
instilling scholastic skills,
sharpening sports performance
or fostering the next X-Factor
superstar, he’s always aimed
to create a family environment
which supports the students as
much as possible.
He says the improved academic
performance of the school and
developing a rich cultural and
sporting life are achievements he'll
fondly remember.
“I’m very proud what we have done
in those 13 years.
“I’m particularly proud that as a
flow-on from the MC family culture
there is a recognition of all the
extra-curricular activities of the kids
and at times you wish you could
pull a magic wand out of your boots
and ensure they’re not coming from
troubled homes.
(cont. p.2)
2
PRINCIPAL LEAVES LASTING LEGACY cont...
...“But as teachers we have the
privilege of working with teenagers
and so there is always a sense of
hope of a better tomorrow.”
Mr Heyes began his career as an
English teacher, with a speciality
in medieval English literature, at
Auckland Grammar School were he
worked alongside the likes of Graham
Henry and John Graham.
He says the desire to challenge
himself saw him head to Otahuhu
College where he rose to become
Deputy Principal.
"In 2003 the job of Principal came up
at Mangere College and so I crossed
the train tracks and came over here."
He says the farewells and student
tributes at his leaving ceremony have
been very touching but he hasn’t
allowed himself to much time for
sentimentality as he’s been busy
preparing things for his replacement
Tom Webb, who’s coming from
Onehunga High School.
"For any new Principal coming in you
probably need about a term to get a
feel for the place. So that’s why we’ve
got term one as neatly sewn up as is
possible so Tom can just come in and
go with the flow.
"It’s never a perfect time for a
Principal to go and another to come in
and so you always weigh up when the
best time is but I think I've got it pretty
much right."
Cultural bonanza at Bader Intermediate
SONG AND DANCE: Bader Intermediate students performed a range of cultural songs and dances to a packed crowd of family, friends
and community members last month. The event showcased a range of cultures; including Tongan, Maori and Korean performances as
well as original music written and performed by the very talented students.
Watch out - introducing our newest contributor
Ke Ola, Ki Na Lelei O Te
Matuaya everyone, my name is
Ernestina Bonsu Maro.
I am Cook Island, African, 20 years of
age and a fresh Pacific face added to
the area of journalism, with a twist
of sport, music festivals, culture,
people, art and fashion. My passion
for success has always been driven
by family (whanau) ,happiness and
uniqueness of one's character of
talents throughout our communities.
I've just finished my last semester
of my Bachelor of Communications
degree. I would say it has been
challenging in terms of testing how
far we as individuals can push us
ourselves, which is a huge blessing,
NITTY GRITTY
Words: Justin Latif Design: Jo Latif
Publisher: ME Family Services
275times@gmail.com | www.275times.com
www.facebook.com/275times
and it has given me the confidence
and courage to be part of awesome
opportunities such as student media,
facetv, representing my nation of the
Cook Islands for netball at the Pacific
Games, writing for epic events, as
well as attending and exploring and
SPLICE, which is a group filled with
uniquely talented girls producing
positive content /stories about our
Pacific women succeeding. My goal as
a female Pacific / African leader is to
share, write and showcase more of our
unique talented Pacific people in our
small communities thriving on success
as well as helping. I would like to thank
for Jo and Justin for accepting me
into their family of the 275 Times as
a contributor for the magazine. It has
always been a goal to share the stories
of our people from our talented,
unique community of Mangere, to
help shine light in our neighbourhoods
and make a positive difference for our
community now and in the future.
Tawaiwolo (thanks),
Ernestina bonsu maro
Contact: Tuhin Choudhury
1. Visit the Mangere Markets, every
Saturday morning, Mangere Town Centre.
Best buys: Fresh fruits, raro donuts, pork buns
and "Fuelavelave" books on sale!
4. Drop a fishing line at the
Old Mangere Bridge, and spin
a yarn or two about the one that
got away.
2. Buy a bag full of the delicious
Raro donuts from the Pukapuka
Community Centre, 24 Canning
Crescent. That extra oily fat goes
straight to your hips - how else do you
shake that bon bon?
5. Grab a real fruit
strawberry ice
cream from the
famous (and ever
busy) Strawberry Farm,
127 Kirkbride Road.
3. Swim and slide at the
Moana-nui-a-kiwa Mangere
pools, 14 Waddon Place.
The outdoor pools open 13
December and close late
evenings.
6. Climb the Mangere Mountain,
take in the view of the Auckland
isthmus and the expanse that is
South Auckland.
3
7. Visit the 13 Days of
Christmas performances, at
Puaseisei EFKS Church, 36
Winthrop Way, Mangere East,
by Samoan youth groups, from
11 December till Christmas Eve.
9. Watch a couple of games
of Kilikiti at Aorere Park, Raglan
Street, as village teams take on
each other in the way more
entertaining Pacific version of cricket.
11. Bite into a warm puligi
or steamed pudding from the
Tongan Bakery, 74 Vine Street.
Best eaten with layers of custard
poured over.
13. Head to Ambury
Regional Park, 43 Ambury Road.
Visit the farm animals, play a
game of touch, or even fly a kite.
15
Things to do
in Mangere
This Summer
12. Visit the Auckland Airport, usually in
van loads, as the whole family sees off that
one cousin returning to the islands.
14. When visiting
family for Sunday toonai/feast,
buy a plate of yummy Chinese
food, or finger licking crispy chicken
nibbles from Great Tong, 6 Savill
Drive or Lims, 371 Massey Road.
Malo lava le soifua maua!
My name is Apulu Reece
Autagavaia - I was born and bred
in Mangere, currently serve on the
CMDHB and have been asked to
share my list of the top 15 things to
do in Mangere this summer!
(His children are pictured right).
8. Head to the Otuataua
Stonefields, 56 Ihumatao Quarry
Road, an internationally significant
heritage landscape and an
important natural, archaeological
and historic area. Get there before
the developers do!
10. Follow the Mangere
Methodist Church Manuao
(Christmas Choir), on the night of
Christmas Eve, as they travel in the
bus loads, all decked out in white,
singing Christmas carols all across
Auckland.
15. Grab your chinese mat, pack a
picnic and head to Mangere Bridge Kiwi
Esplanade. Find a spot under the Pohutakawa
trees and have a summer snooze.
4
Inorganics
What do we do with it?
1. You will get a letter in the mail from
the Auckland Council about Inorganics
between January and April 2016
(Mangere/Otahuhu).
2. Book your inorganic pickup online or
ring the Auckland Council.
Go to: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or
call 09 301 0101
4. On pick up day, put items on your
property (around 1 cubic metre), near the
driveway or entry. Unlock gates and tie up
dogs. If unsure about where to put it ring
09 3010101
3. The Auckland Council will tell you by
email, text or phone what day they will
pick up items from your property.
1 m
1 m
DO THROW OUT:
Large appliances (fridges, ovens etc)
Furniture (beds, chairs, kitchen items etc)
Sporting (gym equipment, bikes, toys)
Renovation (tools, baths, sinks etc)
Outdoors (lawnmower, BBQs, furniture)
Electronics (TVs, computers, phones etc)
Small Appliances (vacuum cleaners, irons)
DO NOT THROW OUT:
Bags of rubbish
Recyclable Packaging
Garden Waste
Automotive (tyres and parts)
Building and trade waste (plaster, concrete, bricks)
Chemical Liquids (OIl, petrol, paint)
Hazardous Waste (Broken glass, poison, batteries)
Asbestos
Gas Cylinders (CNG & LPG containers)
proudly
sponsored
by:
DJ spins new track
Beauty
Services
BUILDING
AND
CARPENTRY
Recreation
& Sport
Forces
Pre-Entry
Welding +
Panel beating
Don’t
just dream it.
Warehousing
& Forklift
Operations
BECOME IT!
5
FRESH START: DOUG TE MONI (FAR RIGHT) WITH HIS QES CLASS.
Youth looking to make
a fresh start on their
NCEA credits should hit
up Big D - aka Doug Te
Moni - of Mai FM fame.
The long-time DJ, is also a
youth educator and has
designed the new Youth
in Action NCEA Level 1
programme which he
teaches at Quality Education
Services' Mangere campus
on Mahunga Drive.
The programme was
launched in October and is
well on the way to helping
South Auckland teenagers
get their education journey
back on track.
Doug says the course
doesn’t just focus on
academic success though,
but ensures the students
leave with valuable life skills.
"These guys have left
school with no credits or
qualifications and most
of them don’t have all the
communication skills they
need to navigate life,” he
says. “So our course is not
only about getting their
credits but also about
equipping them with all the
skills to succeed in life.”
This means the students
spend one day a week in
the community doing things
like volunteering in a soup
kitchen or helping promote a
community event.
Doug says his background
in radio broadcasting means
he can connect students'
passions for music and film
with core education skills.
“We get them doing
something they love
like a music project but
underpinning that is all
these numeracy and literacy
skills that they need in the
real world.”
“And we also get guest
speakers in like DJ Sir-vere,
who’s an icon in NZ Hip Hop.
"The students really respect
and connect with someone
like that, but he’ll also be
affirming that message of
getting qualified and getting
your key numeracy and
literacy skills.”
If you or someone
you know are keen
to do this course
contact QES on
0800-004-226.
Business
Admin and
Computing
ZERO FEES &
TRAVEL SUBSIDY
FOR 16-19YRS
FREE SELECTED
PROGRAMMES FOR
20+ YEAR OLDS
HANDS ON
TRAINING
Conditions apply
MANGERE
(09) 257-5732
KELSTON
(09) 818-1257
Retail
PAPAKURA
(09) 296-0511
If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever
you do you have to keep moving forward.” Martin Luther King Jr.
6
Christmas Message from your Māngere MP
Su’a William
SIO
MP for Māngere
Mangere Electorate Office
Unit 19 Mangere Town Centre, Waddon
Place, Mangere
(09) 275 5345 Email: sua.william.sio@
parliament.govt.nz
Facebook.com/suawilliamsio
I take this opportunity to wish all our families in Mangere a safe and peaceful Christmas and holiday season.
I acknowledge the many challenges our families have had to face and acknowledge how courageous you have been in
supporting your families and loved ones during a difficult and challenging year for our community. I will continue to
advocate and commit my support to you and our community in whatever way I can.
As we head towards the celebrations of the Christmas holiday season, I want to just share with you a gentle reminder to
be kind to one another, especially to the women and children in our lives.
I am aware that today’s statistics paint an awful picture of New Zealand as having the highest rate of domestic violence
in the developed world. And our community is not immune to this global tragedy. Often the financial and economic
pressures faced by our families during the holiday season can trigger violence and abuse in our homes. Let us support
one another during this season.
As a proud Samoan, who values my culture, my language, my faith, and heritage, I say to all our Pacific brothers, and men
of faith – culture and faith is not an excuse for our violent and abusive behavior towards the women and children in our
lives. Anyone who believes their culture or religion gives them this right is wrong. To believe in it, is to believe in a lie,
and you perpetuate an injustice to society.
Samoans say our culture is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Let us then remember that of faith, hope and
charity, that the greatest of these is charity. Charity encompasses our love for our wives, our brotherly or sisterly love for
others, and a God-like love for those only a mother can love. Let us remember that “Charity suffereth long, and is kind;
charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth
all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Surely these are the values that should form the foundations of our
cultures!
If our collective vision is to have our children and grandchildren grow up in a society that is violent free, then we must
each begin from our homes. All of us men must strive to rid all forms of violence from our homes by our actions and
words. Our homes and our families, after all, are the fundamental foundations of our society. When our families and
homes are strong, safe and vibrant, our communities and country will also be strong, safe and vibrant.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Have a safe and happy holiday season. All the best in the coming New Year. Let us work together for strong, safe
and vibrant families.
Authorised by Su’a William Sio,
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
labour.org.nz | suawilliamsio.co.nz | Wellington +64 4 817 9870 Māngere +64 9 275 5345 | sua.william.sio@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Su’a William Sio, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
Our journey with waste: Kotiri Kindergarten
7
By Justine Skilling
“It all started with a worm
farm and a composting
course”, says Kotiri
Kindergarten teacher
Farzana Shahid.
The course was “an eye opener”
for the Mangere East kindergarten,
motivating them to look at what else
they could do to help Papatuanuku
(the land).
With a new compost bin in
operation, collecting the lunch
scraps became a competition
amongst the children and staff,
who watched closely to see
whether it would outperform the
old worm farm. The children were
given leadership of the process
and have become composting
experts, although they still open
the worm farm, throw the scraps in
and run away squealing, according
to Farzana. Grass clippings,
paper towels from the bathroom,
shredded paper and fallen leaves,
once waste items at the kindy,
started being collected to create
beautiful compost for the gardens
as well. The first batch of compost
has just been spread on the
garden ready for summer planting,
and children and staff alike were
amazed at what they’d produced.
Youth crew raising up a party
The Raise Up Crew, a youth leadership group, based at
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool & Leisure Centre have organised an
awesome Summer Pool Party Extravaganza for December
18, 4pm -7pm.
The team have been working hard for the last few months
organising this event and it's set to include live entertainment, a
bombing comp, face painting, bouncy castles, games, spot prizes
& more. For more information about the Raise Up Crew and their
Summer Pool Party search "Raise Up Mangere" on Facebook.com
“Knowledge, science and worms”
are all part of the learning here.
Sorting rubbish was next on the
agenda. Farzana sourced colourcoded
containers for the lunch
tables and kindy teachers did lots of
mat-time activities to help children
learn which bins to put things in.
“Knowledge,
science and worms”
are all part of the
learning here.
All this sorting has greatly reduced
their landfill waste. Their biggest
bin is now the paper bin that they
pass on to Paper for Trees, an
organisation that supports schools
and preschools to collect paper
and cardboard and swaps this for
free native trees. The kindy’s next
challenge is to get whanau involved
in reducing waste as well.
"It’s all
about caring for Papatuanuku and
thinking about the effect we are
having on our next generation."
EDITORIAL:
Season's greeting to you all. The holiday
season always brings with it so much
hope and excitement. Lazy hazy days
in the sun, catching up with family and
friends over good food and drink and
the chance to reassess your goals for
the year ahead are all reasons to enjoy
this festive period. But as we also know,
this time of year is also an opportunity
to remember another hope - that of
Jesus Christ, who's birth we celebrate
on December 25. Whatever your faith
tradition, or religious belief, we hope
you can take time to reflect on the life
and example set by this extraordinary
man, who did great things (by all
accounts), gave us amazing teachings
(which still inspire so many) and made
fantastic claims about what the future
could be. At 275 Times, we genuinely
believe he wasn't a liar or a fool as some
may say but in fact the Son of God
as he claimed and it's His Words and
deeds which inspire and motivate us to
produce this newsletter for you all. I trust
you enjoy it and see you next year.
Blessings, Justin and Jo Latif
Community Notices
Mangere BikeFIT club
We will be still running the program over the Christmas break at the
community house. The club provides bikes and helmets and have
our club rides every Fridays 5pm to 8pm also run a Bike fitness class
every morning Mon to Sat 6am to 8am.
COMMUNITY ARTS EVENT
An open meeting to talk about potential projects as part of the new
arts broker service will be held on December 5, 10.30am, Mangere
East Community Centre. All are welcome to attend and bring along
any existing or future arts project ideas to discuss.
Reading adventures BEGIN
You’re invited to the Dare to Explore and Kia Māia te Whai launch
party! Come celebrate with us at the launch of Dare to Explore/ Kia
Māia te Whai, Auckland Libraries’ Summer Reading Adventure at
Ōtāhuhu Tōia Recreation Precinct, 30 Mason Ave, Ōtāhuhu
When: Sunday 6 December 2015, 11.30am – 2.00pm
Christmas to our youth
We look at Christmas and what it means to the NZ youth of today.
Kirihimete o te Rangatahi, Mangere Arts Centre, December 10-13,
7:30pm – 8:30pm.
Out and About Amazing Race
David Lange Park, Bader Drive, January 13, 10:00am – 12:00pm.
Want to get to know you local park better? Come and join the Out
and About team and give our Amazing Race a go! Choose one of the
two course options overcome the challenges and see who finishes
first! Great fun for all ages and stages!
Christmas is about
to hit Centre Park
Classifieds
Home Grown Education. We are a passionate
home based childcare & education service.
Contact: Casey Smith | casey@homegrowned.
co.nz | 021 2476975 | www.homegrowned.co.nz
Diakonic Design. Handmade bibs and baby
bedding. Contact: Tasha Prendergast | 021 109
7227 | diakonicdesign@gmail.com | facebook.
com/Diakonic-Design
Manea Tattoos - Polynesian Tattoos
Contact: Joseph Vaeau. Phone: 021 236 4261
Totally Toha. Handmade, nature inspired
beauty products.
Lip balm, moisturiser, insect repellant, soap.
Contact: garden.pest37@gmail.com |
0211868130
Iri Morunga. Gardening mentoring.
Set's up food gardens in people's homes,
guiding them along the process. Contact:
irimorunga@yahoo.com | 022 164 0617
Wanna make your Facebook page sing?
Call Mez Aue on 021 190 0668 for social media
consultantcy, communications and marketing
services.
8
Mon 21 December- 10am onwards
Christmas in Centre Park is set to be bigger and even
better than last years inaugural knock-out event.
So make sure you and your tamariki head to the Centre Park
on December 21, from 10am. The action-packed day will
include a range of music and cultural performances, food
stalls, train rides, Ki-O-Rahi competitions plus much more. The
super awesome organising committee are made up of Delaney
Papua, Wilz Puiri, Gloria Finau (pictured) and Caroline Paepae.
They say despite some challenges they are fully confident this
year will be another successful and family friendly event.
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