275 Times February 2018

EDITION #38
FEBRUARY 2018
275
Māngere’s
times
275 times
Our stories, our people, our Māngere
Kōrero paki ō tatou, Tāngata ō tatou, Ngā Hau Māngere ō tatou
The campaign to
protect the sacred land
at Ihumātao goes from
strength to strength.
However, the foreign-owned
multinational Fletcher Building
is sticking with its plans to
destroy this unique and historic
landscape and to build 480
housing units.
Recently, SOUL (Save Our Unique
Landscape) took the campaign
to Karangahape Road with a
spirited hīkoi, led by Ngāti Whātua
veterans of the epic battle to regain
land at Bastion Point. The huge
hīkoi linked Hape, the ancestor
of Ihumātao, with K-Road.
GREEN LIGHT
After twice knocking back
Fletcher's application to destroy
the historic landscape, Heritage
New Zealand finally gave the
green light to the developers.
SOUL is appealing this decision.
Māngere/Ōtāhuhu Local Board
chairperson, Lemauga Lydia Sosene
told 275 Times, “I received notice, that
Fletcher were given the all-clear to
begin development." The local board
were kept out of the decision making
for this development, but Sosene
added, “MOLB supports the move
for a resolution, where all voices are
heard and the historical values of
the area are strongly considered.”
SOUL spokeswoman Waimārie
McFarland said, “This whenua
contains the ancient living and burial
sites of our ancestors, and the stone
walls go back to the time when Māori
at Ihumātao grew wheat to feed the
new colonial settlement of Auckland.
Fletcher has tried to downplay
SOUL spokeswoman Waimārie McFarland speaks to supporters at the Karangahape
Rd hikoi. (Photo: Raymond Sagapolutele (Rimoni Photography))
the importance of this precious
whenua, ignoring its Māori history.
In their publicity, they refuse to even
acknowledge that the land was
confiscated unjustly in the 1860s."
WE THE PEOPLE
Archaeologists Ian Lawlor and
Dave Veart shared their expertise
with the Environment Court. Veart
told 275 Times, "The Wallace Block
is as much a part of this precious
landscape as the Stonefields
Historic Reserve. To destroy it
would be as bad as bulldozing
the field next to Stonehenge.”
Māngere MP, Aupito William Sio said,
“If Fletcher decides to force its will,
then the community will have no
choice but to protest in however way
they can - to protect their land.”
“The local community are
not opposed to housing and
development...but the challenge
Free!
CRUNCH
TIME
LOOMS
FOR IHUMĀTAO
for us (is that) this is land valuable
enough to be saying - let us get all
the groups together and we find
a solution so that the land that is
earmarked for development - is not
...and the historical significance to the
people is understood,” said Aupito.
“I have engaged the Minister of
Conservation, Eugenie Sage and
the Minister for Housing, Phil
Twyford both agree in principle
with a SOUL petition and are
keen to meet with SOUL."
It is not known when this meeting
will happen. SOUL spokesman
Brendan Corbett said, "We can't
just leave it to the government.
'People power will save the land'."
Endorsing a statement made
earlier by MP Aupito William Sio.
A stalwart of the SOUL campaign,
Bev Knowles, added, "I love
this land. I love its history. It
is magic. We must save it."
Readers who want to support the SOUL campaign can visit:
www.soulstopsha.org or email saveihumatao@gmail.com or facebook: @protectihumatao

Safer
you,
safer
me
our
local community
LOOK OUT
FOR US
2
Nine community
groups in Māngere
are working together
to encourage
residents to be safe
on the roads.
From Māngere Bikefit to Papatūānuku
Kōkiri Marae, the Tongan Brass Band,
and the Tiare Taina Cook Island
Mamas’ group, locals are getting
together to talk about safer driving,
slowing down in residential areas
and looking out for tamariki.
Te Whare Koa Māngere Community
House programme coordinator
Fatima Vaaga says locals are
wanting their family members
and friends to travel safely
around their neighbourhoods.
Safety for all
“We want this community to
be safe for children, people
on bikes, and pedestrians to
walk around,” says Fatima.
“More and more residents are
thinking about how they drive around
our neighbourhoods, and how a bit
of speed reduction and safe driving
can make a big difference,” she says.
The Community House is one
of the organisations
partnering with
Auckland
Transport
to raise
awareness of
safer driving in
the Māngere
community.
“MANY DRIVERS
AREN’T AWARE
THAT THEY CAN BE
TRAVELLING AT THE
SPEED LIMIT AND
STILL BE DRIVING
UNSAFELY..."
The Mamas
are adding a
weekly walk
to their current
Zumba class, and
Māngere Bikefit is getting
more and more tamariki onto bikes.
Car drivers have a big role to play by driving
at a speed that’s safe for walkers and cyclists.
Slowing down to save lives
Seven people were killed and 27
were sent to hospital because of
speed related crashes in the
wider Māngere area between
2012 and 2016 - having a
huge impact on whānau,
friends and communities.
Auckland Transport’s
Community Transport
Manager Claire Dixon
says community
organisations are
working together to
raise awareness of road
safety changes attitudes
and encourages safer driving.
“Everyone, including children
and older people need to be able
Let’s work together to slow down
and keep our community safe.
to walk around our community
safely, how we drive affects that.
“It is good news that so many
community groups want to
encourage conversations
about safe speeds for different
road conditions,” she says.
“Many drivers aren’t aware that
they can be travelling at the speed
limit and still be driving unsafely,
so it is great that people are talking
to their whānau, friends and
neighbours about these issues.”
The probability of death for a
pedestrian increases quickly from
10 per cent at an impact speed of
30km/h to 70 per cent at 50km/h.

Getting about
By Donna Wynd
New government, new transport
priorities?
The election of a Labour-led
coalition government signals
the possibility of a change
in direction for national and
regional transport planning
and spending decisions.
It’s no secret that the previous
government’s priorities were
roads and, well, more roads.
Not local roads, but expensive
motorways deemed to be
of ‘national significance’.
How expensive? The proposed
East-West link – 5 kilometres
of sort-of motorway – on
the northern shore of the
Manukau Harbour had an
estimated cost of $1.8 billion
and no solid business case.
This road was approved by
the Environmental Protection
Authority’s Board of Inquiry
within days of the new
government announcing
the East-West link would
not proceed as planned.
The new government has
announced that the land
transport funding will be
re-prioritised for greater
spending on rail infrastructure,
cycling and walking.
Associate Transport Minister
Julie-Anne Genter (Green
Party) has campaigned for
years on improving public
transport, cycling and
walking and it is likely she
will be active in pushing
changes in these areas.
In addition, New Zealand First
campaigned on a pro-rail
platform and has solid support
in the regions to advance this.
Most recently PM Jacinda
Ardern has noted that there
is better value for money in
fixing local roads, many of
which are in poor repair as
the result of maintenance
having been deferred to
build state highways.
In response, The National
Opposition – with support
from the road transport
industry – has launched
a petition seeking public
support for its roading
projects, including the
East-West Link. There
have been reports of ‘low
morale’ at the New Zealand
Transport Agency.
The road lobby is wellfinanced
and well connected,
and will have no hesitation
in pushing back hard against
this change in priorities.
We need to make sure the
current government sticks to
its announced changes for
the sake of our health, our
environment and our wallets.
New
275 TIMES EDITOR
Talofa Lava and Kia Ora
Yearly milestones and familiarity. It’s
become almost ‘a thing’ for me to
either embark on bucket-list ventures
or take on new challenges as I near my
February birthday. What an adventure
these past few weeks have been – full
of recollection and discovery.
I am no stranger to the journalism world,
having been a part of the family-run Samoana
Newspaper, which was the longest running
Samoan community weekly newspaper
up until 2006 when it was retired to the
history books. A cousin and I were given the
chance to go ‘find ourselves, develop our
passions and make our mark on the world.’
Making their mark – are the people behind
the SOUL petition and fight to stop the
development of the Wallace Block at
Ihumatao. They have identity with this
land and hope that future generations will
understand and appreciate this taonga
tuku iho (cultural property, heritage).
Summertime in Auckland never ceases
to amaze me. Hot, cold, stormy, wet,
dry, social get-togethers on top of family
barbeques - leaving a whole lot of left-overs
and waste that have filled our rubbishbins.
Our community needs our help and
Talking Rubbish is a good place to start.
Lastly, I want to thank the Māngere/Ōtāhuhu
Local Board. With their assistance, I am able
to be the editor for 275 Times. The local
board are champions in the support of the
peoples’ voice. Fa’afetai tele lava.
See you next month
Tuataga Hermann Arp Jr
No Way to new ‘Hi Sport Bar’ pokie-tavern
By Grant Hewison
No sooner had the local community
succeeded in closing ‘Grace's
Place’ in Māngere East than
the notorious gambling
lounge is trying to
obtain a new licence
under a different name
– Hi Sport Bar.
As a new alcohol
licence, Hi Sport Bar
must be treated as a new
business coming into the
shopping centre in Savill Drive.
But it is right opposite a Medical
Centre. There are two liquor stores
already in the centre as well as
numerous food outlets.
“This is not the right
place for a new tavern”,
says the group
opposing the tavern,
Communities Against
Alcohol Harm.
The shopping centre
is well used by the
community, there are
school kids there on their
way home from school and it
is a family orientated environment.
“What’s more, the owner has not
changed a thing. This business
looks to be first and foremost about
gambling – just like the old one. In
that case, they should not be given a
tavern licence for the same reasons
they got refused one.”
“We encourage everyone in the
community to make an objection”.
Simply send an email to alcohol_
licensing_south@aucklandcouncil.
govt.nz saying - I oppose the new
Hi Sport Bar in Māngere East - for
the kinds of reasons above - as
soon as you can.
3

KEEPING
YOURSELF
SAFE
Penrose, Mangere,
Otahuhu
Major Hazard Facility
Operators’ Group
Mangere
Inlet
Major Hazard Facility (MHF)
operators in the Mangere/Otahuhu/
Penrose area are undertaking a
joint community consultation
project in response to new health
and safety regulations.
We want to advise how the community
might protect itself in the event of an
emergency stemming from a MHF.
First responders (Fire Service, Police, St
Johns, Civil Defence etc) work together
as to achieve a single, cohesive response.
These services will guide you in the event
of an emergency.
The four types of emergencies that could
affect a MHF site are:
1. Those which can be contained on
the site.
2. Those which could involve the
surrounding community.
3. Those which could originate in the
surrounding community such as a
fire in a neighbouring site.
4. Civil Defence Emergencies such as
earthquakes and floods.
How to respond to i
Operator
manages on
site
Evacuate
Under notification
by Police
Types of incidents
Container failure Explosion Fire
Off sit
Dial 11
Stay p
Close all do
windows &
air conditio
Flood Earthquake Lightning
MAJOR HAZARD FACILITY SITES MANGER
Chemical Care and Storage Ltd.
192 & 252 James Fletcher Drive,
Otahuhu.
Solid, liquid and gaseous
hazardous materials
Rohm and Haas NZ Ltd.
16 Beach Road Otahuhu.
Liquid hazardous materials
Lonza. 265 James Fletcher Drive,
Otahuhu.
Liquid hazardous materials.
Air Liquide NZ.
259 James Fletcher D
Otahuhu. 19 Maurice
Penrose.
Allnex NZ Ltd. 12 Ind
Penrose
Solid and liquid haza
materials
Owens.
3-5 Kahu Street, Ota
Solid and liquid hazard
4

Maramataka – Matiti
Raurehu February
Major Hazard Facility Sites
Other Hazardous Facility Sites
By Ayla Hoeta
Matiti Raurehu is the
fifth phase of summer.
Tohu o te whenua
(Signs on land)
This period is marked
by the appearance
of the Raurehu, a
white substance that
covers the lawn.
It usually occurs in early
February and signals the
end of Matiti Kaiwai (the
driest part of the year).
Traditionally, this was a
time to get equipment
ready for the start of the
harvest season in March.
is fading and other
stars are becoming
more prominent.
Matariki and Puanga are
now in the sky and will
reappear in the dawn sky
for the New Year in June.
Tohu o te moana
(signs in the water)
We come to the end of
the kahawai season and
welcome the blue moki.
Blue moki run between
February and March.
Keep an eye out for
them if you go fishing!
ncidents
e
1
ut
ors &
turn off
n units
First Responders
attend
Don’t go sightseeing
Communications
to public
Radio/mobile phone
Tohu o te rangi
(Signs in the sky)
In earlier stories, our
tupuna recognised the star
known as Poutūterangi
(Altair) as this month's
tohu o te rangi. These
days, however, this star
is usually associated
with early March.
By this time of the
year, Rehua's influence
Thanks whanau. For a
maramataka dial email
me at ayla.hoeta@
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Kakite!
KEY DATES FOR MATITI RAUREHU
Rakaunui: Highest energy day Jan 31
Liquid spills
Cryogenics (gas)
strike Storm Chemical reaction
E/OTAHUHU/PENROSE AREA:
rive,
Rd
ustry Road
rdous
huhu
ous materials
Chemstore Ltd.
7-11 Rymer Place Mangere
Solid and liquid hazardous
materials
BOC NZ.
970 - 988 Great South Rd
Penrose
Gaseous hazardous materials
Oturu & Rakau Ma Tohi:
High energy days. Plant root crops & watery
crops. (If you plant root crops on the high
energy days, we suggest you eat them as
soon as you harvest them. They won't store
well because of their high water content.)
Takirau: Plant kumara, riwai
& other root crops.
Korekore Te Whiawhia,
Korekore Te Rawea & Korekore Piri:
Low energy days – good for reflecting.
Tangaroa A Mua, Tangaroa A Roto
& Tangaroa kiokio:
Fishing & planting days. (On Tangaroa
kiokio rats come out during the day!)
Orongonui, Omauri & Mutuwhenua:
Good days for planting all types of kai.
Whiro: Lowest energy day. Best for resting &
planning. Also a good night to torch for eels.
Jan 29 & 30
Feb 1
Feb 2
Feb 4,
5 & 6
Feb 7,
8 & 9
Feb 11,
12 & 13
Feb 14
5

LOVE
YOUR
MAUNGA
A community celebration of Māngere Mountain and the Tūpuna Maunga
(ancestral mountains) of Tāmaki Makaurau
LIVE on stage
Vince Harder
Nofo Lameko
RAZE
TJ Taotua & Friends
The Oneill Twins
-
Supported by
Lavina Williams
Gatoraway Group
PTG
Queen Shirlie
Kapahaka and more
By Shirl'e Fruean
Smoke and alcohol free
The 'Love Your Maunga’ event popped
www.maunga.nz
into mind and I felt this would be great
to kick off my column for 2018.
Sat 17 February
11am–3pm
Māngere Mountain
Māngere
Food stalls
Craft markets
Kids Zone
So this event is quite special as it celebrates the different
Maunga (Ancestral Mountains) across Auckland. The
aim is to 'celebrate the Treaty settlement and the
significance of the Tūpuna Maunga to Mana Whenua
-
FREE EVENT
Brought to you by
and to maintain the living
connection to local communities.
It is a great opportunity to also
celebrate the Maunga as a place
to be treasured, respected and to
acknowledge its value so that it is
maintained for future generations.
I’m very proud to hear that it's now coming to Māngere
Mountain. I attended the opening in 2016 held at
Maungawhau/Mount Eden. There, I discovered that
'part of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement, 14 Tūpuna
Maunga were returned to the 13 Mana Whenua iwi and
hapū of Auckland, marking an important milestone in
the restoration of these iconic taonga (treasures).
It's great news to know that this event will be held on the
17th Feb 2018 from 11am - 3pm at the Māngere Mountain
domain...and...it’s FREE! This year there will be special
live performances by the incomparable Lavina Williams,
Vince Harder, Razé, Pakkz the General, Gatorway Music
(winner of the FLAVA radio station Hip Hop Quest song
comp) and...me...QS...performing a few songs as well.
There will be market stalls (food, information, community)
so bring the whole whanau & come along to celebrate
our beautiful Māngere Mountain and its cultural history.
For the full programme, please visit the 'Love your
maunga' Facebook event page or tune in to Waatea Radio
- Māngere radio station - to hear more about this kaupapa.
It will be a fun, whanau friendly community event
for everyone, I hope to see you all there.
He whakamaumahara
After seeking assistance from Ohomairangi
Trust two years ago, Bowen Wi became a
mentor for Hoki ki te Rito - Mellow Dads, and
gave back tenfold.
A good man and generous colleague, whose insights
into fatherhood and family separation came from his
own life experience, Bowen is sadly missed by us all at
Ohomairangi Trust and the Māngere East Community
Centre.
"Haere ra e te rangatira. E kore koe e ngaro, he kakano
i ruia mai i Rangiatea."
6

If you have a passion
for contributing to the
regeneration of your
community, and would
like to share the Talking
Rubbish message with
your friends, family,
community group, school
or workplace, we’d love
to hear from you.
Justine Skilling
Talking Rubbish,
ME Family Services
We’re planning to offer some
training sessions this year where
we’ll provide resources and ongoing
support for anyone that wants to
become a Talking Rubbish volunteer
in their own setting. Everyone’s
contribution is valued and welcomed.
In volunteering with us, you’ll
gain useful skills and experience,
become part of a network of waste
and sustainability champions, see
positive changes in your community
and have access to all the resources
and support of the wider ME Family
Services family. Long-standing
Talking Rubbish volunteer Toha
Wade says she loves the interaction
she gets with people through her
volunteer work. “I get a buzz out
of teaching kids how to separate
waste, and seeing them doing the
right thing and then showing their
friends how to do it as well”. Toha is
grateful for what she’s learnt about
reducing waste herself and feels
she’s gained more confidence.
To find out more about the work
we do, or to register your interest
in taking part in our training and
becoming a Talking Rubbish
volunteer, please check out our
facebook page (www.facebook.com/
wastechamps/) or website (www.
mefsc.org.nz/what-we-do/talkingrubbish/),
and get in touch with us at
justine@mefsc.org.nz/ 0221028195.
WHO WE ARE
Four years ago the ME Family
Services added Talking Rubbish
to its team of social workers, Early
Childhood Centre and Men’s Shed.
We’ve connected with hundreds
of local groups, organisations and
Māngere/Ōtāhuhu residents, finding
plenty of waste champions and
sharing practical ideas for reducing
waste in our homes, workplaces,
churches and community. Through
our work, we aim to reconnect
people with the cultural wisdom
and about how to live in harmony
with nature. It’s been exciting to
see people rediscovering what
it’s like to grow their own food,
make, repair and upcycle, and to
revalue the skills their parents and
WE
NEED
YOU
Above: Justine Skilling (left) and Koia Teinakore, Waste Minimisation Facilitators.
grandparents took for granted.
Māngere is a big place. At the
last census count, there were
over 70,000 people living in our
local board area. 43% were born
overseas. With the growing interest
in finding ways to reduce waste in
our community, Talking Rubbish
is looking to find ways to connect
with a diverse audience and to see
our vision of a “zero waste Māngere/
Ōtāhuhu” become a reality.
Justine Skilling
Talking Rubbish, ME Family Services
TALKING
RUBBISH
BUILDING
OUR LEGACY
ENROL
NOW
free PARENTING PROGRAMMES
Hoki ki te Rito
O – ranga wha _ nau Mellow Mums & Dads
Mellow Bumps
Antenatal sessions
Incredible Years
For Parents
Day & evening programmes start this month (February 2018).
Ma _ ngere East Community Centre, 372 Massey Rd, Ma _ ngere East
ph. 09 263 0798 | e. admin@ohomairangi.co.nz | www.ohomairangi.co.nz
7

Community Notices
ADULT BIKE SKILLS & MAINTENANCE
FREE drop-in session: Thurs 15 Feb, 6pm - 8pm at Centre Park,
Robertson Road, Māngere. Learn how to ride, improve your
cycle skills, or find out how to look after your bike. No need
to book, just turn up. Bikes will be available to borrow for the
session on a first-come, first-served basis - so be early! For
more info, visit: http://bit.ly/2ngMA4u or check the events page
of @aucklandtransportcycling on Facebook.
YTECH 2K18 - YOUTH TECHNOLOGY EVENT
Get an insight into the ever-advancing field of technology at
this FREE student-organised event. Meet professionals, attend
cool workshops, win prizes, eat free food and more! For 15- to
18-year-olds. Sat 17 Feb, 10am – 5pm at Datacom, 58 Gaunt St,
Auckland. Register at Facebook: @ytech2k18
FREE DESEXING FOR CATS: 5 - 16 MARCH
SPCA Auckland is working with local vets to offer FREE desexing
for cats. Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. Cats
and kittens weighing 1kg or more can be desexed. Please call
the SPCA today on 09 256 7310 to book in.
MA – NGERE EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL
ENROLLING YEAR 7 & 8 STUDENTS NOW
Māngere East Primary students work in a modern environment
and are encouraged to develop their independence. The
school offers high quality programmes, with specialist teaching
in design-robotics, food/cooking, fabric/sewing, art, and tutors
for choir, kapahaka and hiphop. No donations requested.
Stationery $28. Spaces limited. Contact Karen: 09 276 4689 or
karennep@meps.school.nz.
MA – NGERE EAST LIBRARY – WHAT’S ON
FREE Knitting & Craft Club: 10:30am every Thurs. Bring your
knitting or craft projects, or simply drop by for a cup of tea
and a chat. Make new friends; learn a new hobby. All welcome.
FREE Wriggle & Rhyme – Active Movement to Music: 11am
every Tues. Fun and interactive sessions to help develop baby’s
brain and body. For babies and toddlers up to two years old.
Older siblings also welcome. For more info, ph. 09 275 5420 or
drop in to the Māngere East Library at 370 Massey Rd.
FREE CLASSES IN MA – NGERE EAST
Māngere East Community Centre runs FREE and low-cost
community classes in parenting, te reo Māori, Samoan,
literacy and numeracy, korowai, drivers licence theory, tai chi,
zumba – and more! Visit www.mangereeast.org, email: fiona@
mangereeast.org, ph. 09 275 6161 or drop in to 372 Massey
Road, Māngere East to find out more.
Community Notices are FREE for community groups.
To list your group or event in the next issue, send
us a 50-word summary by 15 February 2018.
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Editor: Hermann Arp
Design: Belinda Fowler & Jo Latif
Publisher: Māngere East Community Centre
275times@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/275times
www
www.275times.com 09 275 6161
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