Edition #19
may 2016
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Our stories, our people, our Māngere
Kōrero paki ō tatou, Tāngata ō tatou, Ngā Hau Māngere ō tatou
Free!
LIVING TO SERVE EARNS HONOUR
The tragic loss of a childhood know how significant this will be.”
friend inspired Emeline Afeaki- Ms Afeaki-Mafile’o grew up in Māngere,
Mafile’o to give her life to serving attending schools such as Favona
others. And it has now led to Primary and McAuley High and her
childhood friends included Jonah
the unexpected honour of being
Lomu. But it was the death of
inducted into the New Zealand
her closest friend Susan Fariu that she
Order of Merit.
describes as one of the most defining
Ms Afeaki-Mafile’o accepted her
moments of her life.
award in a special ceremony at the
Following her friend’s death from
Governor’s General House on April 28
cancer she decided to go into social
accompanied by close family.
work and this led her to leave South
She says the news came as a huge
Auckland for the first time and move
surprise.
to Albany.
“I’m both honoured and frightened
“My parents were really upset about it
at the same time. The expectations
as they didn’t want me to leave home
that come with it are what make it
INSPIRED: Emeline Afiaki-Mafile'o, NZOM frightening and I probably still don’t CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO...
The voice of MĀngere's future
My name is Paul Lesoa, aged 15,
and a proud student of Māngere
College. A lot of outsiders who
are not from South Auckland look
down on where we come from –
Māngere 275.
Māngere is where most of us Islanders
live. Māngere is home and I know a
lot of people are afraid to tell people
that they come from Māngere. Looking
from the outside in people label us as
the Compton of Auckland. There are
people who may call us ‘overstayers’.
Well, if I'm that, then I'm going to
overstay and change this country
for the better. I'm going to change
Māngere’s reputation to a good one.
I'm going to try my best to inspire
other kids my age, younger and older,
to dream big.
The schools in Māngere may not
have the flashest facilities or have the
Paul Lesoa
luxuries that other schools have but
we have a bond, we can relate to each
other, we all have a common goal and
that’s to make our parents proud.
At Māngere College, last year’s NCEA
results were the best results our school
has ever had. We don't need the nicest
resources if we have a big heart and
a big dream. Any brown kid can make
it big. We can be the next SBW, the
next doctor, the next principal or even
the next Prime Minister. We just need
to believe. We need to realise we are
more than just the brown statistic.
Our school has produced school
principals, police officers, barristers,
nurses, doctors, sporting legends and
music stars. They had to work hard
to get where they are now so that
inspires us to work hard and to believe.
We can be the generation that gives
Māngere a good reputation for the rest
of Auckland. We can be the generation
that breaks the stereotype.
Paul Lesoa contacted us last
month to share why he loves his
community. Feel free to share
why you love your community by
emailing 275times@gmail.com
WHAT'S INSIDE: P3: Super-coach comes to town P4: Mr Lane retires P5: Get Legal P7: Sport
2
LIVING TO SERVE EARNS HONOUR continued...
but they supported me getting higher
education. They drove me to Albany
as I still couldn’t drive and I crossed
the harbor bridge for the first time in
my life.”
Her studies led her to undertake
a Master's degree and develop a
mentoring scheme particularly
aimed at helping young Pacific
women. This scheme would soon
evolve into what is now known
as Affirming Works. Since 2001,
without the support of her husband
and their faith in God.
“We just feel called to this piece of
work and it’s just by faith that we step
out. The key for us has been about
doing those small things well. Doing
the ordinary things right and I think by
doing that, things fall into place.”
Watching these young Pacific leaders
come up is what excites me now.”
Ms Afeaki-Mafile’o says her upbringing
in Māngere has given her a unique
perspective on the world to help her
achieve big things.
“It’s all about Māngere. I think it’s the
richness and diversity of the people
here that has prepared me so well
and it’s basically helped me feel
confident in being brown.”
So what's next for Ms Afeaki-
Affirming Works has supported
more than 5,000 youth and
children and provided training
and employment to more than
100 youth workers.
But Ms Afeaki-Mafile’o has
morphed from social worker into
social entrepreneur as she and her
husband have gone on to run two
cafes, a consultancy business and a
coffee plantation in Tonga.
In 2006 she was awarded the Sir Peter
Blake Emerging Leader Award, and in
2013 she was awarded the Westpac
Woman of influence for Community
and Social Enterprise.
The mother of three says she couldn’t
have undertaken all these projects
“It’s all about
Māngere.
I think it’s the richness
and diversity of the
people here that has
prepared me so well..."
She says all the proceeds from their
business enterprises are reinvested
into the support services for young
people as that remains her greatest
passion.
“We’re focused on trying to grow the
next generation of leaders by creating
opportunities for our youth to use
their giftedness.
Mafile’o and her team?
"We've run this conference
for the last three years called
"Young, Free and Pasifika" - it's
for young women to explore
their culture, identity and to
empower their communities." She
says attendees are hand-picked
from around secondary schools in
Auckland and this year it will be held
on May 27 at the Māngere Arts Centre.
To find out more check out the
YouTube clip from last's year
event: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=TPmSozuYd24
Or visit https://www.facebook.com/
affirmingworksltd/ for more info.
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Words: Justin Latif
Design: Jo Latif
Publisher: ME Family Services
We are currently reaching around 15,000
people via Facebook, Twitter and our hard
copies magazines which are distributed to
over 100 pick up sites around Māngere, Māngere
East, Māngere Bridge and the Airport District. If
you would like to promote your business AND
support this community initiative please email
us and we'll send you more info.
275times@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/275times
www
www.275times.com
what we're about
There are so many great things going on in Māngere
but unfortunately we don’t hear about them or these
positive events get overlooked.
Therefore, with the help of ME Family Services, we
have set up this local media initiative to provide a
platform for sharing the positive stories of Māngere,
celebrating successes and also bringing to light things
that matter in the community.
This is a social enterprise aimed at enriching this
community through informing and entertaining
anyone who workds, lives or plays in Māngere.
If you're unsure why the '275' - it refers to the 275
telephone prefix than many used to have and it
also has become the unofficial nickname of this
community.
Please don't hesitate to send us any feedback or ideas for stories.
future
print
Contact: Tuhin Choudhury
Unit 7/17 Airpark Drive
Football super-coach comes to Māngere
3
If you know anything about
football in New Zealand, then
you know Kevin Fallon.
His name has been synomous with
footballing titles, success and awards
ever since he arrived in the country
from the north of England in the
1970s. He was assistant coach to the
All Whites on their miraculous run to
the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He's also
coached Gisborne United, Hamilton
AFC, Central United, the U17 All Whites,
the Football Kingz as well as guiding
Mt Albert Grammar to seven national
titles. And now the heralded football
coach is coaching the top team at
Māngere’s very own Manukau City
Association Football Club.
Fallon admits himself that the move
south wasn’t one he’d have predicted.
"I was basically retired and getting a bit
bored and to a lot of people, coming to
Māngere was a bit of a strange move.
"But it’s got some things that a lot of
clubs don’t have. And as soon as I got
back I felt good to be back in it."
Fallon says he’s been in and around
professional teams since he was 15
and is relishing the chance to help
foster a new crop of talent to reach
their potential.
“I set off in football in 1964 and I’ve
had football in my head ever since.”
And Fallon says the club has the right
ingredients for success.
“The lights are excellent and training
fields are good and the main field is
It’s her genuine love for people
and an unexpected life change
that drew Karen back into real
estate in 2013.
Being born and bred in South Auckland
it was a natural choice to make Māngere
Bridge home, especially near the ever
changing Manukau Harbour she has
always loved so much.
Karen Grant-McKenzie doesn't do things
by halves and a quick chat with her
about career and personal life to date
is evidence of her love to live life TO
the full. Business ownership, Respite
Care provider, Property Stylist, Post War
(Croatia) Drug Rehabilitation Manager
and missionary, not to mention artist
and recently, wing walking on a flying
plane, Karen has a few stories she could
tell.
Previously working as a counsellor,
To see a video of the full interview search:
'Māngere's 275 Times' on YouTube.com
FRESH START: Kevin Fallon's arrival at MCAFC has already made a difference.
good –so if you’ve got good facilities -
the rest you can build on.”
And he sees great potential to grow
football in the area.
“Like any area, it has a lot of kids who
have the skills we can work with. And
this is basically an area of football
people. Whether they’ve come from
the Phillipines, Fiji, South America or
Africa. Our team is like a league of
nations. This area and club will get
stronger and stronger as it’s basically
football people.”
The club's senior team captain
Hone Fowler says Fallon has had an
immediate impact on the club.
mostly in South Auckland high schools,
Karen’s return to real estate combines
her love of people, property and styling.
Last year, the founder of Mangere
Bridge Realty Limited, which is a
boutique stand alone agency where
Karen was working, was planning
retirement. When she offered Karen the
opportunity to buy the company she
jumped at it! Since taking ownership
of the business six months ago, Karen
gets great satisfaction supporting the
community as they buy and sell homes
and ensures confidence and care during
the process, with shared excitement
about the results. She explains, “It
is so neat being a part of this vibrant
village community and because it is a
small community, confidentiality is most
critical along with ethical practice. I have
made so many great friendships already
through my work and my life here.”
“He’s brought a new level of
experience and knowledge from
coaching at highest levels of the
game."
And Fowler hopes Fallon can also help
establish a South Auckland Football
Academy.
“The dream is to change the mentality
around football in our Pasifika
community. Half of the All Whites
team are of Polynesian descent so the
outcome of this initiative could widen
the pool of players for NZ and all the
Island nations to choose from."
Visit http://www.manukaucityafc.
com/ for more information.
Advertorial
Helping local people buy local homes
Property Insight Evenings.
On Thursday evenings 6-7pm at St
James - Church St, Māngere Village.
Hear from guest speakers on topics
such as subdividing and building
minor dwellings, getting appraisals
and valuations for insurance,
mortgages and finance, and info
about the upcoming Proposed
Unitary Plan. Email karen@
mangerebridgerealty.co.nz to
express interest, all welcome.
4
Get started on a new career in the trades
With projects such as the
development at Auckland
Airport, new housing areas, and
public transport infrastructure
– the opportunities for qualified
tradespeople has never been
better.
The Southern Initiative’s Māori and
Pasifika Trades (MPTT) training
programme offers free trades training
for Māori and Pasifika men and
women 16-40 years old.
“There is massive development in
construction and infrastructure across
Auckland so the work is there - our
job is train people to have the skills
needed and to be work-ready,” says
recruitment coordinator Dale Williams.
“If you are a school leaver with limited
qualifications, a mum or dad looking
to go back in to the workforce or in a
job with limited security, we want to
hear from you.”
Having a great attitude and desire to
learn is all you need to get started.
Improving employment prospects
and earning capacity of local workers
Mr Lane bids farewell
to Māngere College
is a key driver towards creating
transformational social and economic
change for South Auckland.
Skilled tradespeople can make good
money and some eventually go on to
own their own business.
MPTT provides a pathway to an
exciting career, help with getting a
drivers’ licence trainees can get help
to get their drivers’ licence and
mentoring during and after their
course.
Three of MPTT’s training providers,
Skills Update Training Institute, Te
Wānanga o Aotearoa and Tai Poutini
Polytechnic, have bases in Māngere.
If this sounds like you, call 0800
0800 874 678 (TSIMPTT) or go to
www.mptt.co.nz or Facebook MPTT:
Māori and Pasifika Training.
After 19 and half years at Māngere College, and 42 years,
7 months and 13 days (not that he's counting) in teaching,
Jerry Lane is hanging up his teacher's whiteboard marker.
The Deputy Principal says the main highlights of his time at
the college have been interacting with the students and the
end of year prizegivings. His one regret is seeing students who
don't reach their potential. But a great source of pride has been
seeing how much the school's NCEA grades have gone up
and he puts that down to the teachers working to improve the
students' study habits. His parting message to the community
is: "Māngere College is a good school - safe, happy and you
should send your kids here."
Sutton Park School strives
to help community
Get
Legal
5
Sutton Park School senior management, the school public health
nurse, the Health Promoting Facilitator for schools and the Social
Worker in Schools Heidi Lomiwes (pictured far right) are currently
planning Sutton Park’s first ever community expo. They will be inviting
doctors, youth workers, early childhood centres, police and anyone else that
offers support to this community to have a stall where they can promote their
services or give out information that is relevant to the issues facing our people.
The expo is set for Wednesday, May 11 from 3.30pm-6.30pm. For more
information about being a stall holder email: heidi@mefsc.org.nz
Sutton Park school students, families and the community filled a
container bound for Teidamu Primary School in Fiji. The container was
filled on site at the school. Students and teachers were involved in the process
of collecting, sorting, cataloguing and packing the container with items like
desks, chairs, clothes, food and sports equipment. The school wants to thank
everybody who partnered with us, especially our generous parents and Blue
Scope Pacific Steel for sponsoring the container.
Here's the latest column from
the Māngere Community Law
Centre. This month the focus is
on the Disputes Tribunal.
Have you had a car crash and the guy
at fault is refusing to pay for repairs?
Maybe your plumber did a shoddy
job on fixing the tap and you’ve had
to pay for someone else do it? Or
maybe you can't decide who should
pay for the fence repairs. Disputes
in life are inevitable but how do we
resolve it when it costs too much to
hire a lawyer. That’s where the Disputes
Tribunal comes in. The Disputes
Tribunal (formerly known as the Small
Claims court) is the place to go for any
financial disagreements under $15,000.
Fees range from $45 to $180 and allow
you to put your side of the story to an
impartial referee who can adjudicate
on your dispute and order someone
to pay up if necessary. One good thing
about the Disputes Tribunal is you
don’t need a lawyer and it’s a relatively
quick process to get your matter heard.
At the Māngere Community Law
Centre we advise many clients to use
this avenue and people find it a really
worthwhile course of action when
they’re faced with a sticky situation.
The key to a successful claim is to
make sure you have evidence to back
up your side of the story. This could
include video evidence, receipts,
contracts or eye witness accounts.
But whatever the situation is, make
sure you can back your story up. One
last aspect you need to know about
the Disputes Tribunal is that it's not
the place to get your undisputed debts
recovered, have your tenancy issues
sorted or clear up a disputed will or
estate.
For more information visit us
or check out www.justice.govt.
nz. The Māngere Community
Law Centre has been serving
the unmet legal needs of the
community since 1986. If you’d
like to make an appointment to
see a lawyer call 275-4310.
6
Te Ara Mua
Future Streets
Work is underway on an exciting project to make the streets around
Mā ngere Central safer and easier for people to travel around, especially by
walking and cycling.
Project area overview
Town Centre Carpark
Mascot Avenue
Mascot Avenue
• Wayfinding installations
• Improved pedestrian and
cycle facilities
• Dedicated cycle lanes
• Planting and street tree
improvements
Community Trail
• High amenity shared path
• Wayfinding installations
• Reserve improvements
including planting and
lighting
• Fitness equipment
Massey Road
Massey Road
Community Trail
Town Centre Carpark
• Wayfinding installations
• Improved pedestrian
linkages to Town Centre
• Cultural features
including pou
Massey Road
• Intersection
improvements
Construction Timeline
SECTION 1
Waddon Place to Mascot Avenue
shared path construction
SECTION 2
Mascot Avenue shared path
construction
SECTION 3
Māngere Town Centre
walkway works
2016
Mid March – June
2016
March – June
2016
April – June
How will it look?
Artist impression of Mascot Avenue and Town Centre Carpark once works have been completed
J001200 Future Streets Ad_V4_KH_19.04.16
2m wide shared path
Wayfinding
dots mark
community
trail
Dedicated
cyclelanes
for improved
safety
Planting and street
tree improvements
Mascot Avenue
Town Centre
Ten marker posts identify and
locate maunga in Māngere
Emphasise pedestrian connection
from reserve to mall with raised
tables, widened footpath and
planting
Wayfinding signage
shows significant sites,
marae and education
facilities in Māngere
Dedicated
pedestrian and
cycle priority zones
through carpark
For more information visit www.AT.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/te-ara-mua-future-streets
Volleyball team a national success
SPIKE THE HEIGHTS: The team are Auckland champions and 3rd in NZ.
Māngere College's Premier Girls
Volleyball team have taken on the
best in New Zealand and fallen
just short of taking out the title.
The girls went to Palmerston North
recently for the National Volleyball
tournament and finished a heartbreaking
third.
They qualified for the event after
winning their first Auckland champs.
"We cruised through the Auckland
comp to be honest," says Akanesi
Funaki. Māngere College qualified for
the Auckland championship event by
finishing in the top 8 during the regular
season Premier competition that runs
during the year.
Big things on the horizon for Takaji
Takaji Young Yen is a young
man on mission - whether
it's on the rugby field, in the
classroom, or with his church -
he's going places.
The Year 13 Kings College student is
currently in his school’s first XV and if
he repeats his 2015 form he should be
a good chance for a repeat selection to
the Blues Under 18 development squad
and NZ Secondary Schools squad.
But what makes his rise up the rugby
rankings even more remarkable is that
he’s only been playing rugby seriously
since he was 14.
Takaji was born and raised in Māngere
and after initially taking up basketball,
he found his feet as a prop at Year 10
for Kings College.
“I just love the game - whether
it’s watching or playing,” he says.
“But fitness training is not really my
favourite part.”
He says the school has given him a
great platform to develop his rugby
and career aspirations.
“I’m looking to get into Commerce so
hopefully my study goes well. It’s hard
juggling the studies and the training.
GOING PLACES: Takaji Young Yen is aiming high with his rugby and schooling.
"But at the end of the day all the hard
work will pay off. “
He’s also proud of his local community.
“A lot of the boys [in the Kings first XV]
are also from Māngere. I love the area.
There’s a lot good places here to do
training or just to relax.”
Takaji says it’s not uncommon to get a
couple of thousand people coming to
watch the Kings College team play and
The girls say going to the Nationals
was a lot of fun but the build-up to it
was tough.
"We learnt about hard work. We had to
sacrifice things like Polyfest and family
stuff like birthdays but at the end of the
day it was worth it," says Jane Tipoki.
The team lost a five-set nail biter to
Tauranga Girls High in the semi-finals
and then easily beat Marlborough Girls
College in the 3rd and 4th play-off
despite having lost to them earlier in
the tournament.
Jane says their success surprised many
but not them.
"Coming from a school where
everyone looks down on you but then
to prove everyone wrong [by winning
the Auckland champs and then
finish third in the nationals] is pretty
overwhelming."
Māngere College Premier Girls
Volleyball squad: Jane Tipoki, Rosita
Sauni, Akanesi Funaki, Uamiata Salai
Keni, Victoria Tilo, Jennice Ioramo,
Madison Oa, Ana Salaikeni, Kiara
Tufuga, Sela Filisione, Siata Ah Chong,
Sarah Ah Chong, Mary Vaafai, Ruta
Urika. Coach and manager: Nancy
Palelei, Mr Stevens.
they are hoping to repay their loyal
supporters with a title this year.
"At times it can be overwhelming
[the big crowds] but once the whistle
blows, you don’t really notice the
cheering and you’re more focused on
the game. We lost in the 1A semi-final
to Grammar last year but the team this
year is pretty strong so hopefully we
can take it out [the title].”
7
Community Notices
MĀngere bike fit
The Cycle Safe Awareness event will be taking place on Monday,
June 6 Queens Birthday weekend at the Māngere Town Centre.
Remember to also support Red Lunday de Waal, who is walking
the Te Araroa Trail in aid of Teau Aiturau's Time To Thrive
Charitable Trust & Māngere BikeFIT. Go to her Give-A-Little
page to make a donation: https://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/
redwalks4time2thrive
MĀNGERE FRIENDSHIP GROUP
Communicare Māngere run a Friendship Centre in Māngere.
They are a nonprofit multicultural organisation running a weekly
group meeting in the Netball Centre in Court Town Close opposite
the Town Centre. Guests enjoy morning tea, light exercise, craft
activities then some bingo and a cooked lunch from 9.30-12.30
for $6. Transport can also be arranged for those needing it. Their
phone number is 09 631-5968 for further information.
MĀNGERE ARTS CENTRE UPCOMING EVENTS
Adrift, Opening May 6, 6pm. Collaborative works by Pacific People
and Afghan former refugees. Exhibition will run until 4 June.
The Great Adventure, May 12, 7pm, brought to you by Monica
Moore Productions and Marcellin College. The May 12 event will be
a Gala opening with special tickets that include drinks and nibbles
from 6pm.
MĀNGERE TOWN CENTRE LIBRARY
Dance all around the world, May 9, 10.30am - 11.15am. Come
along for a Wriggle and Rhyme session with home-grown NZ
music. NZ Music Month KEWL Club performances, May 10, 4pm
– 4.50pm. Enjoy some special performances from the OSCAR
students from Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa.
Sing-along storytime, May13, 10.30am - 11.15am. Come and join us
as we learn some well-known Kiwi tales and tunes!
PREPARE FOR WINTER - FREE INSULATION
The Warm Up New Zealand Programme which provides free
insulation in homes with a Community Services Card or Super Gold
CSC is running out in June! Ring 0800 777 111 to find out more.
NGA MANGA O MĀNGERE NETWORK MEETING
A community network meeting for anyone working or living in
Māngere, 10am, May 26 at Māngere Community Law Centre.
Welding +
Panel beating
BUILDING
AND
CARPENTRY
Employment Skills
Automotive
Recreation
& Sport
Joinery
& Cabinet
making
Forces
Pre-Entry:
Army, Navy,
Air force,
Police
Don’t
just dream it.
Warehousing
& Forklift
Operations
Fitness &
Exercise
BECOME IT!
8
New mural brightens up
Robertson Rd School
FREE LEARNERS
OR RESTRICTED
LICENCE *
ZERO FEES &
TRAVEL SUBSIDY
FOR 16-19YRS *
FREE SELECTED
PROGRAMMES FOR
20+ YEAR OLDS
HANDS ON
TRAINING
Mural by Charles & Janine Williams
World famous South Auckland artists, Charles and Janine
Williams faciliated a workshop at Robertson Rd School,
working with students and using research of the local area
to come up with the mural callled 'Hikoi' (Journey).
Some key components of the mural were the Torea (Pied
Oyster Catcher), a local bird which they drew parallels to
community life, search for knowledge and stewardship.
The artists want to give a big thanks to Principal Wayne
MacGillivray for inviting them into their school and for the
support of the teachers.
MANGERE
(09) 257-5732
59 TIDAL RD
Conditions apply.
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