275 Times. September 2016.

EDITION #23
SEPTEMBER 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!
Your candidates for Auckland Council (Left to right): Efeso Collins (Labour), Brendan Corbett (ROCC - Respect Our Community Campaign),
Alf Filipaina (Labour), So’oalo Setu Mua (Auckland Future) & Ika Tameifuna (Auckland Future)
SPECIAL ELECTION ISSUE
Māngere deserves two strong voices on Auckland Council.
Who will YOU choose?
There are five candidates
standing in the current
elections to represent
the Manukau Ward on
the Auckland Council.
The Manukau Ward
includes Māngere,
Papatoetoe and Ōtara.
In alphabetical order, the candidates
are: Efeso Collins for Labour, Brendan
Corbett from ROCC (Respect Our
Community Campaign), Alf Filipaina
(Labour), plus So’oalo Setu Mua
and Ika Tameifuna from National
Party-aligned Auckland Future.
The two candidates who gain
the most votes will become our
Manukau Ward councillors.
So, which are the two candidates
most likely to take a strong stand for
our community here in Māngere?
The team at 275 Times asked the
candidates if they intend to actively
promote seven important issues
facing Māngere people today. Their
responses are published below.
We encourage you to consider
which two candidates will best
stand up for our community
as you cast your votes.
Remember: Postal voting opens
on 16 September and closes at
midday on Saturday, 8 October.
OUR QUESTIONS
We asked the candidates whether
they will advocate to:
1. Protect Ihumatao from the
proposed SHA62 development?
COLLINS: Yes. I am committed
to the protection of Ihumatao for
its historic and cultural value to
the community. I am also keen to
ensure that local iwi and residents
are consulted closely in relation to
any developments in the future. I
propose to write to the Minister to
review the decision on SHA62.
CORBETT: Yes. ROCC is absolutely
committed to ensuring that the
unique historic and geological
area of Ihumatao is protected in
perpetuity. Ihumatao is where Pacific
Islanders became Māori over a
period of 1000 years. This area is a
priceless taonga for mana whenua
and what we now see as green,
open space is a mere fragment of
the complex rural landscape that
nurtured Māori for many centuries
and Pākehā in more recent times.
Our Manukau community has
shown massive support for the
retention of this land as green
space in our ever-intensifying urban
areas. The owners of this land
turned down a Council offer of $6.5
million to buy the land and retain
it as part of the historic reserve.
I will drive the campaign at Council
level to protect Ihumatao.
Continued on page 6 >>
WHAT’S INSIDE: P4: Manukau NetHui P5: Korean Language Week P10: Use your Lunar Calendar

2
Filling
the soup pot
from the
soil up
Members of the Tiare Taina
Kuki Airani Group (Tivaevae
sewing group) have been
taking time out from their
stitching to focus on reducing
waste and producing food
at the soup kitchen they run
on Mondays at Whare Koa,
the Māngere Community
House in Robertson Rd.
The new community garden project
has been supported by Therese
Mangos, a Community Facilitator
with the Compost Collective, an
Auckland Council initiative which
aims to get people into composting.
Therese has been teaching the value
of composting through workshops
using bokashi (fermentation buckets),
worm farms, and the building of
Below (Left to right): Enthusiastic no-dig gardeners Papa Mii, Alofa Sepu, Fuatino Sepu,
and Eric Sepu, with Compost Collective Community Facilitator Therese Mangos
WITH COMPLIMENTS
an outdoor compost bin using
recovered heat-treated pallets.
Last month, Therese set up
some garden beds, using ‘Kiwi
collars’ (metre square garden
frames) which were donated
by the Compost Collective.
Therese says: “The Whare Koa
whānau have been enthusiastically
learning how to create a no-dig
garden by just building up materials
on top of the ground – like dead
leaves, grass clippings, chicken
manure, seaweed and food scraps.
“The Whare Koa
whanau have
been learning
how to create a
no-dig garden.”
Topped off with a couple of bags
of compost from a local food
collection trial, this all combines
to provide nutrient-rich soil into
which they have planted some
vegetable seedlings (silverbeet,
spinach, bok choy and celery). All
good healthy ingredients for the
soup pot in the months to come”.
Therese is keen to share her love
of composting and gardening
to Pacific Communities through
Compost Collective.
Contact her on 021 905 961 or
therese@compostcollective.org.nz
Find out more about
Compost Collective at
www.compostcollective.org.nz
- Auckland Council -
WITH COMPLIMENTS
Authorised by L Fuli, 7 Fulton Cres, Otara 09) 274-8263

3
Members of Māngere PIPC Samoan Autalavou,
including President Leituala Setefano (in grey sweatshirt)
with their donations for Te Puea Marae.
Putting words
INTO ACTION
‘How can we help those in need?’
was the theme of the Māngere PIPC
Samoan Autalavou (Youth Group)
service last month - with a focus
on putting words into action!
Following the service, members of the
group organised a collection of food and
clothing and delivered the donated items
to Te Puea Marae, Māngere Bridge.
“We had seen on TV what was happening
within our community of Māngere, so it was
important to portray this message to our
Autalavou and church, and get them on
board to support this very good cause,”
said group secretary Jane Vaueli.
“This was such a humbling and eye opening
experience for us, and we were able to see
first hand the tremendous work that Te Puea
Marae do in helping homeless families.”
* * *
The team at 275 Times salutes Te Puea
Marae for their great efforts in helping
homeless families this winter.
Te Puea Marae is no longer receiving donations
of goods and clothing, however the Manurewa
Marae has now taken on this important work.
#ROCCYOURVOTE
CORBETT
FOR COUNCIL
Respect Our Community Campaign www.rocc.org.nz
Authorised by E. Worman, 18 Linnet Place, Mangere, Authorised Auckland by E. Worman, 18 Linnet Place, Mangere, Auckland

4
NetHui comes to Manukau
In October, South Auckland
will host the regional NetHui
event at MIT in Manukau.
NetHui bring people together to
discuss anything and everything to do
with the Internet, and they prioritise
participation and interaction from
attendees rather than traditional
conference-style presenting.
Topics can range from new
technologies and apps; to using
the internet in education, within
specific cultural or geographic
settings, or to tackle issues; to
discussing new online movements
– really anything of interest to the
community attending the event.
The NetHui organisers encourage
anyone with an interest in the Internet
to attend. The event isn’t just for
people working in IT, it’s suitable
for anyone that wants to talk about
the Internet - whether you know
how to write code or can barely
use Facebook on your phone.
All that matters is you are interested
in tech and the way the Internet is
changing New Zealanders’ lives.
In the past, NetHui have been
three-day events in the CBDs of
the major cities, but the group
that organises the hui, InternetNZ,
wanted to recognise the interest
and innovation happening in the
digital space all across the country.
“NetHui is for anyone
that wants to talk
about the Internet...”
South Auckland was chosen to be one
of three regional hosts because of
the amount of digital innovation and
activity happening across the region.
Both Manukau Institute of Technology
(MIT) and The Southern Initiative
(TSI) are working to support South
Aucklanders in the digital space
and encouraged InternetNZ to hold
the regional NetHui in Manukau.
“Harnessing the power of the
internet is a fantastic way for South
Aucklanders to connect, innovate
and create opportunities, TSI is also
looking at using digital technologies to
create and enable long-term, positive
change here,” says Gael Surgenor,
director of Social Innovation at TSI.
NetHui South Auckland will be held at
the Manukau Institute of Technology
on 15 October, and all South
Aucklanders are invited to attend.
For more information visit the
NetHui website at 2016.nethui.nz
MELLOW BUMPS
A six-week ante-natal programme for expectant parents.
Bond with baby and enhance their development both
during pregnancy and after birth.
Tuesdays 10am - 12:30pm
Enrol for the next course starting 10 October.
Call Tawera: 263 0798 www.ohomairangi.co.nz

5
Korean language week
at Mangere Central School
It was all about the kimchi,
the taekwondo and
the “Annyoung haseyo”
in August, as Māngere
Central School held its first
Korean Language Week.
The ‘Korean Whānau’, a language and
cultural class attended by a range
of students, wanted to share their
learning and celebrate this unique
culture with the rest of the school.
They were led by their teacher, Karina
Powys-Calder-Watson, who fell in love
with Korean culture while teaching at
an elementary school in South Korea.
The main event, a Korean Cultural
Day, was made possible through
funding from ASIA NZ, supported by
the Korean Education Centre, and
parts of the day were filmed and will
screen on a local Korean channel.
Activities included playing traditional
Korean games, trying on traditional
clothing, and a Taekwondo lesson.
There was a noticeable connection
between the tutors and the students
and many commented that it
was a very special experience.
The volunteers and 480-odd students
thoroughly enjoyed the event, with the
learning immeasurable for both parties.
The activities were run by the Korean
Education Centre who provided all of
the resources and organised volunteers
from the Korean community in Auckland.
Māngere Central School wishes
to thank ASIA NZ for funding our
‘unofficial’ Korean language week
and the Korean Education Centre:
Yoomi Won and Daniel Hyun.
The event was a first for both the
school and the Korean Education
Centre and it marks the beginning
of a beautiful friendship.

6
MĀNGERE’S VOICES ON COUNCIL: WHO WILL YOU CHOOSE?
>> Continued from Cover page.
FILIPAINA: As people would know,
the only person who can revoke
SHA62 is Minister Nick Smith and
I will support any correspondence
asking for the Minister to reconsider
his decision not to revoke.
I have already advocated that the
voice of mana whenua has to be
heard and will continue to do so.
MUA & TAMEIFUNA: The Council
has already made its decisions on
this. There is no process for a single
councillor to overturn a decision
made by Council, but we can happily
meet with SOUL (Save Our Unique
Landscape) to discuss their concerns
and ensure that their voice is heard.
2. Consider a trial period
of fare-free public transport
in South Auckland to help
cut traffic congestion?
COLLINS: Yes, I would definitely
consider a free public transport trial
period. This is motivated by freeing up
our roads but also for the economic
benefit of Manukau residents who
are more often than not, of lower
socio-economic backgrounds.
CORBETT: Yes. To achieve the best
return on our huge investment
in commuter rail we need it to
be so attractive to commuters
that they will leave their cars and
choose rail and bus as the default
way to get around Auckland.
If rail and bus use is not maximised
we will be faced with extraordinarily
expensive pressure to build more
roads. The East-West Link between
State Highway 1 at Ōtāhuhu and State
Highway 20 at Onehunga/Māngere
Bridge is estimated to cost $1.5 billion.
This will speed the journey between
congestion at Ōtāhuhu to congestion
on Māngere Bridge at Onehunga
and do nothing to reduce the
number of cars on the road - and
may even encourage more cars.
We have been experimenting with
free travel for seniors with the Gold
Card and it has been a wonderful,
positive, life changing policy.
Many young school-leavers face
economic obstacles travelling to
work or training opportunities. Free
travel could have a major impact
for these young workers gaining
employment across the city.
Auckland commuters are aware
of the congestion load when
schools and universities are open.
Free train and bus travel for all
students could arguably reduce
congestion by 20 to 25 %. To build
25% new roading capacity would
be an astronomical amount.
Let’s be creative with our community
assets. I see public transport as how
we move around modern cities.
This is why I will advocate for a trial
of free travel on trains and buses.
FILIPAINA: This has already been
discussed around the Council
table and for public transport to
be free in South Auckland, we
need at least another $28 million
to come from ratepayers or taxes.
I am unsure if our ratepayers
would want to pay the extra.
If the residents of the Manukau Ward
wish me to advocate for this, I will.
MUA & TAMEIFUNA: Auckland
Transport has just conducted a
review of public transport fares.
We will be monitoring closely the
effects that fare reductions such as
these have on getting more people
out of cars and into buses and trains.
We need a lot more investment
in a range of transport initiatives
over the next three years, and
getting Auckland moving again
will be a major priority of ours.
3. Increase affordable housing?
COLLINS: Absolutely. This is pivotal
to a civil, caring and decent society.
CORBETT: Yes. Possibly the most
pressing issue in Manukau and
Auckland in general is the availability
and cost of renting or buying a home.
It is outrageous that homelessness,
and sleeping rough or in cars, has
been tolerated by WINZ and Council
agencies. Private construction
companies will not build low-cost
housing. Council and government
agencies must fund and project
manage the urgent construction
of emergency housing.
Leaving volunteer groups and Marae
to do the work of government is
criminal neglect. Affordable housing
is possible and examples such as
the Waimahia Estate at Manurewa
demonstrate how this can be done.
Thousands of tradespeople are
being trained across Auckland by
schools, polytechs and private
training providers and with some
coordination they could be the
workforce that will help deliver the
thousands of houses needed.
I will advocate in council to support
groups working to solve this issue.
FILIPAINA: I have advocated for
affordable housing across the region
but like everything else when you are
dealing with regional issues, you are
just one vote amongst 21 people.
MUA & TAMEIFUNA: Auckland has
not built enough houses for the last
30 years. This has meant that housing
has become unaffordable for far too
many Aucklanders. The Unitary Plan
provides for 420,000 more houses to
be built. Auckland Future has been
supportive of the Unitary Plan since
the Independent Hearings Panels
reported back. The only way to make
housing more affordable for more
Aucklanders is to increase the supply
of housing. Auckland Future has a
range of initiatives to make sure that
the Council delivers on its plan.
4. Extend rail services
to the airport?
COLLINS: Yes. I still can’t understand
why this hasn’t been done to this
point in our history. I also support
a heavy rail option to the airport.
CORBETT: Yes. This is a critically
important piece of infrastructure.
Auckland Airport has accepted the
reality of how a modern airport
of this scale should operate and is
building a railway station into the
new terminal as we speak. They
are yet to decide if it will be light
or heavy rail but it will be rail.
I will advocate to get a commitment
from Council to build the airport
branch line heavy rail from either
Wiri or Onehunga. This must be
decided and implemented now.
FILIPAINA: I am on public
record for supporting the heavy
rail option to the airport.

7
Which candidates will support the community campaign to save Ihumatao from the SHA housing project?
MUA & TAMEIFUNA: There are
many projects that Auckland needs
to get underway to get Auckland
moving again. Many of these come
from the Unitary Plan, which is an
integrated housing, transport, and
infrastructure plan for Auckland.
If a rail service to the airport
stacks up economically, then we
will support it, but it has to be
judged alongside all the other big
infrastructure needs that Auckland
has over the next twenty years.
5. Uphold local democracy?
COLLINS: Yes. As a chair of a local
board I am keenly aware of the views
of local residents and am committed
to ensuring that their views are heard
and that they are provided with full
and unprejudiced information.
CORBETT: Yes. Our modern
society is built on a foundation of
democracy. We must ensure that
tradition continues and flourishes.
With recent government legislation,
for example, the Special Housing
Area Act 2013 removed the
right of communities to be
notified or to be able to object
to zone changes for housing.
The Local Government Act 2002
Amendment Bill (No 2). will give the
government the ability to appoint
directors of Council Controlled
Organisations (e.g. Watercare) instead
of elected local representatives having
that role. That’s hardly council control.
The Government’s preoccupation
with privatising public infrastructure
will remove local accountability
and decision making. The ability
of Local Boards to advocate for
their communities is also under
huge pressure. The courageous
Māngere/Ōtāhuhu Board was
recently prevented by the Auckland
Governing Body from objecting to
the issuing of Liquor Licences in
Māngere. The Chair, Lydia Sosene,
was forced to pursue the case in
a private capacity. In no way does
this situation represent a model
of effective local democracy.
These attacks on basic democratic
functions of our local bodies
must be resisted strongly. I will
advocate for strengthening the
role of Local Boards and hold the
Democracy Services division of
Auckland Council to account.
FILIPAINA: Yes. The Māngere-
Ōtāhuhu Local Board is your
local voice and they will
continue to be that.
MUA & TAMEIFUNA: We are
deeply committed to ensuring that
local democracy is maintained
and strengthened, and that
our communities are able to
express their views and that
Council hears our voice.
6. Restrict liquor
& gaming outlets?
COLLINS: Totally. Liquor stores and
pokie machines are an indictment
on our Manukau area and South
Auckland has more of these than
other parts of Auckland. This is
unacceptable and the poor are being
preyed on by ruthless business
owners and poor laws that allow for
this. I have this term advanced the
need to review District Licensing
Committee (DLC) hearings so that
community voices are heard and not
made to feel belittled and intimidated.
CORBETT: Yes. These businesses
offering liquor and pokie machines
are destroying people’s lives and have
a huge negative impact on family
and community welfare. We do not
need a liquor store and a pokie outlet
in every community shopping area.
Our communities must decide where
and how many of these outlets
should be allowed, not the Liquor and
Gaming industry as is happening now.
Only 10% of the money generated in
the pokies in Manukau is distributed
to organisations in Manukau. Once
again our community is being
exploited and impoverished.
I will advocate for community board
control of licensing these outlets.
FILIPAINA: Yes. I supported the
Local Boards in their advocacy for
a stronger voice in regards to the
District Licensing Committee.
MUA & TAMEIFUNA: This is
an issue that frequently comes
up when we are speaking to
church-based communities and
door knocking in Manukau.
We strongly support the right of local
communities to play an active part
in the decisions about the number
and density of liquor and gaming
outlets in our communities.
7. Upgrade community facilities?
COLLINS: All our community facilities
need to be well maintained and I
have experienced a few in Ōtara that
are desperately due for upgrading.
Our locals deserve the best facilities
which extend libraries, sports fields,
community halls and the like.
CORBETT: Yes. We must be creative
and holistic in addressing how we
keep our communities healthy,
positive and safe. Well-funded and
well maintained facilities are essential
to achieving a good quality of life and
a liveable city of vibrant communities.
FILIPAINA: [No response]
MUA & TAMEIFUNA: We will always
support the development of the
community facilities in Manukau. We
believe we can do a lot better, through
better representation at the Council
table and better representation on
our Local Boards to ensure that
Manukau is getting a fair share
of community facility funding.

8
Reach new heights in trades
It’s a common fact that many of our Māori and Pasifika young people are
practical, hands-on learners who learn by doing; this is a great way to gain
skills and learn a trade.
By Dale Williams
The Southern Initiative,
through the Māori & Pasifika
Trades Training programme,
offers completely fees-free
trades training that assists
Māori and Pasifika aged
16-40 years to become
qualified in a trade.
Opportunities are
available to enter into an
apprenticeship and become
sustainably employed in the
infrastructure, construction,
horticulture, automotive
and electrical industries.
The Māori & Pasifika Trades
Training programmes
include work readiness, free
driver-licence training, and
a $1000 tools grant upon
completion of training and
once into employment.
Trainees also benefit
from employer links and
exposure to the various
trade-related industries.
Currently, we have 33
young women enrolled
in The Southern Initiative
Māori & Pasifika Trades
Training programmes,
and these trainees will
be given opportunities to
engage with our employers
throughout their training.
Employers have explained
that there is a shortage of
female trainees within the
trades industries, and we
collectively support raising
the participation of female
Māori and Pasifika aged
16-40 into trades as an
alternative career option.
Discover your
potential by learning
a trade – what have
you got to lose?
When I visited Skills
Update last month, I spoke
to Sapphire Rauwhero-
Ashworth, a female
trainee enrolled in the
automotive programme
at the Māngere Branch.
When I asked what
she enjoyed most
about the programme,
her response was:
“My automotive tutor
inspires me to learn the
skills needed for the trade.
He is supportive and makes
me want to learn and come
to the course every day”.
She continued to explain
that “Being able to work
with engines and going to
an automotive workshop
in the weekends helps
me put into practice
what is learnt in class”.
The automotive
programmes are currently
being delivered at the
Skills Update Training
ADVERTORIAL
Above: Sapphire Rauwhero-
Ashworth, automotive
trainee from Skills Update,
Māngere in work placement
Institute’s Māngere and
Takanini Branches.
For more information
visit our website: www.
mptt.co.nz, or call our free
phone (0800) 874-678.
ENROLLING NOW FOR
2017
Court Town Close, Māngere, Auckland, New Zealand
Ph: 09 275 4332 Fax: 09 275 5420
Email: officeadmin@bader.school.nz
www.bader.school.nz
Above: The team from Manukau City AFC
CONGRATULATIONS
Manukau City AFC!
Manukau City AFC, which is based at Walter
Massey Park in Māngere, is celebrating the final
stages of a successful 2016 campaign, having
won promotion to Division 1 of the Northern
Regional Football League for next season.
The team is also likely to take home the Championship
title this year - at the time of writing they have just
one game left. Congratulations to all involved!!

Cultural brothers
& sisters at Bader
Intermediate
Community is everything,
and we are blessed that
Māngere has both a
strong, unique identity
and a cultural richness
not seen anywhere
else in New Zealand.
In the spirit of building great
communities, Sir Douglas Bader
Intermediate and Māngere College
have been working together more
than ever to develop stronger
links between the schools.
One of the great initiatives to emerge
is the tuakana-teina relationship, or
big brother/sister supporting and
guiding our younger students.
Every week, a dedicated group
of Māngere College students
(Winners of the Samoan stage at
Polyfest) tutor the Diversity Team
at Sir Douglas Bader Intermediate
in Pasfika dance and song.
Danita Samuelu, Mema Futi,
Fiapai Leota, Mike Sanerivi Pio
and Clarance Soti dedicate their
time and skill to supporting the
talents of the students at Bader
Intermediate, who hope to follow
in their footsteps and represent
Māngere College on the main stage
at Polyfest in years to come.
This is a great example of not only
how the two schools have come
together to support each other, but
also the selfless commitment of older
students supporting young people to
explore and be proud of their culture
and identity; while providing them
with great community role models.
Sia Halatanu and Pesi Tevaga,
students at Bader Intermediate agree
that the students from Māngere
College make the learning fun. “They
teach us things that we haven’t learnt
before, so its new and exciting.”
ADVERTORIAL
Driving without a licence:
It’s not worth the risk
Cameron (27), has recently gained his learner licence after
four attempts. So, what made the difference this time?
“The way Koia, the Behind The
Wheel tutor, explained things helped
– and the after-work classroom
environment,” he explains.
Cameron admits that in the past
he’s driven without a licence due
to pressure from friends and family.
He’s had three cars impounded and
received hefty fines: “Four hundred
bucks every time!” Then he’s had
to pay to get the cars released
after 28 days. “If you don’t have
the cash up front, the price [for
the storage fees] keeps going up”,
he says. “It’s just a massive hassle
and very costly, especially when
you have a family to support”.
Cameron recommends other
young people ignore the pressure
-“it’s not worth the risk”- and join a
driving course to get their licence:
“Get it over and done with!”
Coping with peer & family pressures
ÊÊWe know it can be tempting
to ask a young person in the
whānau to drive somewhere for
you, even though they might not
Above: Behind The Wheel tutor Koia
(right) congratulates Cameron (left)
on receiving his learner licence.
have the right licence. But it’s
also important to keep them safe.
Remember, you’re not only asking
them to do something illegal but
also putting them in an unsafe
position. Let’s come together to
look after our young people and
find a safer option that doesn’t
involve them breaking the law.
ÊÊIf you’re a young person feeling
the pressure to break the rules
of your licence or even drive
without one, remind those who are
pressuring you that you could face
a fine of $100 and 35 demerit points.
ÊÊDriving outside of licensing
conditions puts our young people
and others on the road in danger.
That’s why it’s important we help
them to cope with any pressure to
break these conditions – we can
do this by role-playing or talking
through what they might do to
be prepared for these situations.
Find out more about local driving courses at www.behindthewheel.
nz or on Facebook@behindthewheelmangere
9

10
Eating healthy,
staying healthy
By Justine Skilling
Waste Minimisation Facilitator
Talking Rubbish, ME Family Services
Hari Narayan is a Māngere local with
a wealth of gardening wisdom, which
he freely shares with his community.
Originally from Fiji, Hari came
to New Zealand with 23 years’
experience in the forestry industry.
His family loved life in New Zealand,
and Hari decided to retrain in
horticulture as his ticket to stay.
After working in logging and having to
wait 10 years for trees to grow, he loved
being able to see vegetables harvested
and eaten only six weeks after planting!
Hari completed his studies at MIT
and by the time he graduated, was
already teaching on the course.
His first job took him to an organic
farm, where it became clear to him
that if you wanted to grow healthy
vegetables, you needed healthy soil.
“Healthy soil, healthy vegetables,
healthy people”, says Hari.
This learning has all come together
in his current roles: working as an
educator with both Gardens for
Health and the Compost Collective.
Above: Hari Narayan offers free gardening
and composting workshops in Māngere.
“Health is wealth...
We spend a lot of money on
our health, but prevention
is always better than cure.”
In Māngere, Hari works closely
with seven community gardens,
where he runs gardening and
composting workshops and teaches
people how to feed their families
from their own backyards.
“If you grow your own, you know
what’s going into the soil and
what’s in your food”, says Hari.
“You can avoid the chemicals that
are going into growing the food
that’s sold in supermarkets."
People don’t need to spend lots
of money on gardening, Hari
believes. Growing in containers that
you recycle from your home and
making your own compost and
fertiliser from your household food
scraps works well and helps the
environment at the same time.
“We should be proud Kiwis trying to
stop waste going into landfill”, he says.
Hari believes that it’s important for
us to look ahead at the future for
our children. “If we start educating
our kids now, the future will be very
bright for everyone”, he says. “We
need to rethink our health and go
back to the way things were in our
grandparents time. They had their
own ‘supermarkets’ in their backyards
and grew food without chemicals”.
Hari’s workshops, through
the Compost Collective and
Gardens for Health, are free.
Check out the websites below to
find out about upcoming workshops,
or contact Hari directly at Kiwi
Garden & Composting Ltd (ph.
021 029 17519), if you’d like him
to come and run a workshop in
your neighbourhood or group.
“Health is wealth”, says Hari.
“We spend a lot of money on
our health, but prevention is
always better than cure”.
www.compostcollective.org.nz
www.dpt.org.nz/ourprogrammes/garden-4-health
RISING
STARS
By Ernestina Maro
Ex-Māngere College students Gloria Aiono and Tolu Lesa are representing New Zealand
in volleyball and gridiron respectively.
Gloria has recently returned from Australia, where she has been playing for the New
Zealand Women’s Volleyball team in preparation for the Asian Volleyball Championship.
Tolu Lesa is an up-and-coming star from the gridiron fields of South Auckland,
who has managed to claim a spot in the NZ Gridiron team.
Both these athletes have worked extremely hard to get to where they are. Your
community congratulates you and your families on your successes and wish you
both all the very best in your endeavours.
NZ Volleyball & Gridiron Reps: Gloria Aiono (bottom row, second from right) and Tolu Lesa (below).

11
MARAMATAKA
SEPTEMBER 2016
B y Ayla Hoeta
Our tupuna created
the maramataka (moon
calendar) based on three
connected elements:
the sky (Te Rangi), the
land (Te Whenua) and
the water (Te Moana).
By observing the sky, the
land and water, we can
predict activities in our
natural environment.
In last month’s 275 Times we
introduced the dial which
helps set the activities for
each day of the month.
To set your dial:
1. Cut out the two circles.
2. Place the small circle inside
the large one and put a pin
through the middle of both.
3. Now you need to set the month,
which starts on Rākaunui.
Rākaunui falls one day before
the full moon (West Coast) and
on the full moon (East Coast).
4. This September, the full moon
is on the 17th, so rotate the
small dial to make the number
‘16’ line up with Rākaunui on
the big dial. You should see
that September 1 falls on Tirea.
The 9th is Huna and the good
fishing Tangaroa days are on
September 22, 23 and 24.
Now you’ve set your dial, you
can start looking at key days of
the month such as high energy
days: Ōturu, Rākaunui and Rākau
Mātohi (September 15 - 17). High
energy days are best for planning
events that require a lot of energy
or working outside, e.g. planting
crops like hue, kamokamo,
watermelon and pumpkins.
Another recent event was the
coming of spring (Koanga).
In the maramataka this is
predicted by the sighting of two
stars that rise before day break
in the eastern sky. These stars
are Whakaahu Kerekere (Pollux)
and Whakaahu Rangi (Castor).
This year, both stars were visible
from about August 24, therefore
contrary to popular belief, spring
actually began on August 24
not the 1st of September.
There are many tohu/signs
in our natural environment -
like the kohurangi. When the
kohurangi starts to flower it’s a
sign that we can start planting
crops. This year it flowered
in mid-July. Really early!
These tohu continue to help us
understand and predict what is
happening around us. By keeping
up with the maramataka we
too should be able to do this.
In next month’s column will have
more explanations of each Māori
name in the dial as we head into
the seven periods of summer.
#watchthisspace
* * *
If you’re enjoying learning about
the maramataka, why not head
along to the Wananga Tirotiro
Whetu/Free Science & Stargazing
Expo on Sept 7. See the Community
Notices on page 12 for details.
More than just books
Beside the village green
is Māngere East’s best
kept secret – our local
library. The library is one
of three in the Māngere
area and one of 55 in the
wider Auckland region.
Joining is easy and
gives you access to
the whole network.
The friendly staff are
always on hand to
show you around the
collection, which includes
an extensive range of
electronic resources.
They also offer computer
services including printing,
copying and scanning - and
you can now print directly
from your personal devices.
The library is an active
part of our local
community, celebrating
the diversity of our local
people through culturally
specific collections and
annual language weeks.
The next focus is on
the Tongan language,
beginning 4 September.
Drop in for the weekly
activities, a warm place to
study or cosy up with a
book, or even just to have a
chat – everyone is welcome
at Māngere East Library.
Run, stroll, cycle or
drive on down – there’s
so much more to the
library than books!
Check out these
regular activities:
Knitting & Craft Club:
Thursday 10.30am
Any level welcome;
learn something new
or bring along a current
project to work on.
Above: You always get a warm welcome from the
librarians at the Māngere East Library
Wriggle & Rhyme:
Tuesdays 11am
Brain development through
active movement to music
for mums and babies.
After School Club:
Mondays & Thursdays 4pm
Games, crafts and
activities for primary to
intermediate age kids.

12
Community Notices
ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT (A2E)
All the tools you need to get a job. The A2E programme is a
relaxed, informal session held in the Māngere Town Centre
Library at 10:30am on Friday mornings. Meet other locals and
hear from employers and training agencies about opportunities
and advice that can assist you in your job search. All ages and
backgrounds welcome.
COMIC BOOK MONTH: MANGERE BRIDGE LIBRARY
Delve into the world of comics with Comic Book Craft on Friday
9 Sept at 3:30pm, Superhero Sing-a-long Storytime on Friday 16
Sept at 10:30am and Superhero Sunday on 25 Sept. For more
info, check out the library’s website or Facebook page, pop in, or
contact the library on 09 636 6797 or email:
Mangerebridge.library@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
WANANGA TIROTIRO WHETU
FREE SCIENCE & STARGAZING EXPO
An introduction to science combined with mātauranga Māori
and mātauranga Pasifika. Join Rereata Makiha and colleagues
from the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions
for a public workshop on 7 Sept from 6:30pm - 9pm at MIT,
above the Manukau Train Station. Contact David Rameka:
david.rameka@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
STRIVE SPRING CLEAN GARAGE SALE 2016
A family and community event that attracts bargain-hunters
from all over Auckland, and gives families, sports team, and
community groups the opportunity to raise funds by selling
things they no longer want. This year’s event will be held at Ngā
Tapuwae Hall, 253 Buckland Rd, Māngere, on Saturday, 24 Sept,
from 7am - midday. If you’d like to be a stallholder, call 09 255
0144 or 021 0877 4234 or email matariki.strive@gmail.com.
YOUNG WOMEN’S SUPPORT GROUP - MANGERE
Grab your girls and come to this FREE support group - all
welcome! Get to know other young women - share what’s up in
your hood - learn new things - increase your self-confidence.
Every Tuesday 4pm - 6pm at the Māngere East Community
Centre. Contact Bonnie: 021-022-76486.
MANGERE FRIENDSHIP GROUP
Communicare Māngere run a Friendship Centre in Māngere.
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. Call 09 631-5968 for further information.
Community notices are FREE for non-profit organisations.
Send us details of your group or event for the next issue!
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Design: Belinda Fowler Editor: Roger Fowler
Publisher: Māngere East Community Centre
275times@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/275times
www
www.275times.com
09 275 6161
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Unit 7/17 Airpark Drive