275 Times March 2018

EDITION #39
MARCH 2018
275
Māngere’s
times
275 times
Free!
Our stories, our people, our Māngere
Kōrero paki ō tatou, Tāngata ō tatou, Ngā Hau Māngere ō tatou
POLYFEST FEVER!
Over 90,000 people are expected to gather
at the Manukau Sports Bowl from 14 to
17 March as 220 cultural groups from 60
Auckland schools take to the stage.
The iconic Auckland ASB
Polyfest is celebrating
its 43rd year.
Polyfest is an opportunity
for high school students to
connect with the traditions
and cultures of their heritage.
The Diversity stage is a
popular stop for festivalgoers.
This stage features
cultural performances
from China, Fiji, Tokelau,
India, Korea and Sri Lanka.
Students perform on these
stages with pride, passion
and for the honour of being
crowned top school in
their respective cultures.
There has been talk that
the festival’s original
purpose has given way
to commercialisation
of the indigenous
cultures of Oceania.
‘Alisi Tatafu, Social Studies
teacher at Māngere College
and a Tongan community
leader says, “In order to
sustain the Polyfest event it
is inevitable that some level
of commercialisation occurs.
“Sponsorship is vital for
the [festival’s] longevity
and keeping the Polyfest
an ongoing, sustainable
annual event for our
Auckland secondary students
and communities.”
ASB Polyfest Director for
2018, Seiuli Terri, says
that her team is reviewing
current structures and
processes, and meeting key
stakeholders and sponsors.
“ASB Polyfest is a huge
undertaking and I’m
working hard to ensure
that it continues to run
smoothly while maintaining
its purpose,” she says.
Polyfest helps to equip,
and enable our younger
generations. It’s an
unforgettable experience that
gives students the chance to
use and develop leadership
qualities while showcasing
our rich diverse cultures.
Go along and support our
local schools: Southern Cross
Campus, De La Salle College,
Aorere College, Ōtāhuhu
College and Māngere College.
Entry is $5 per person;
preschoolers are free.
Limited $5 parking is
available on site.
See www.asbpolyfest.co.nz
for more information.
Boys from Aorere
College’s Tongan
Group perform at
Polyfest in 2015.
(Photo: Supplied)
WHAT’S INSIDE:
P2: What Now in Māngere P5: School-leavers look ahead P7: Maramataka

2
EDITORIAL
Aloha!
It’s March, and
Polyfest fever
is upon us.
The annual
cultural showcase
is just days
away, and secondary school
students across Auckland
are buzzing in anticipation.
I auditioned for a spot in the
Ōtāhuhu College Samoan
Group back in 1994.
After spending an hour
learning a sāsā routine, I had
to perform the dance with a
small group. I was so nervous,
but I gave it my all. In the end
though, my twelve mistakes
were eleven too many!
Not being selected for the
group freed me to soak up the
atmosphere (and the food) on
festival day, so I was content.
This year, the devastation in
Samoa, Tonga and Fiji following
Cyclone Gita won’t be far from
minds of the performers as they
take to the stage. No doubt
they will perform with spirit
and mana as they represent
their beloved countries.
Local people have certainly
been doing their bit to help
in the wake of the cyclone.
Ōtāhuhu Māngere Youth
Group (OMYG), which
has collected clothes for
families in the affected
areas, is just one example.
The outpouring of love and
support across our community
has been overwhelming.
The ‘Times’ are a-changing,
and we’d love your help. Share
with us what you like about
275 Times – and what you’d
like to see more of in your
monthly community magazine.
Send us an email: 275times@
gmail.com, or message us
on Facebook: @275times.
Mahalo nui loa,
Hermann
Tuataga Hermann Arp Jr
Editor
‘What NOW’ in Māngere
Children around New Zealand got a taste of
Māngere talent, humour and hospitality in February,
when ‘What Now’ came to town.
The popular Sunday-morning
kids’ TV show broadcast its second
episode of the year live from
Centre Park on Robertson Rd.
Dozens of families joined the fun –
watching performances from Nainz
Tupa’i (Adeaze) with the Saintz Up
Performing Arts choir, Tone 6 and the
Little Saintz dancers – and cheering on
good sports Toaletai Faumuina
David Tua and Dave ‘The Brown
Buttabean’ Letele, as they tackled
some classic – and very messy
– ‘What Now’ challenges.
Several local children also got
to tell the TV audience about
community projects they’re
involved in – including a cloth
bag-sharing scheme in Māngere
Bridge that’s helping combat
plastic pollution, and SOUL’s
ongoing fight to save Ihumātao.
‘What Now’ has gone on the road
after 14 years in Christchurch. For
40 weeks they’ll be filming in 40 different
locations – meeting kids who
wouldn’t usually have the chance
to be part of the live show.
If you missed the Māngere edition,
you can catch it online at
www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/whatnow/episodes/s2018-e2
Top: Tia Ormsby (right) tells ‘What
Now’ presenter Erin Wells about
SOUL’s campaign to protect heritage
land at Ihumātao. (Photo: Roger
Fowler) Middle: Aupito William
Sio, Toaletai Faumuina David Tua &
Nainz Tupa’i enjoy the fun.
Bottom: A performance from the
Little Saintz dancers closes the live
show. (Photos: Aupito William Sio)

Designing for a cause
Year 13 fashion students
from Māngere College have
stepped up to help protect
heritage land at Ihumātao.
Working with SOUL (Save Our
Unique Landscape) and a team
of specialists from TV documentary
series ‘Heritage Rescue’,
the students (and teachers Nalini
Singh and Viv Maskell) have
created dozens of bright flags
to draw attention to the historic
site – and to the community’s
fight to save it from destruction.
The students’ handiwork will
feature on an upcoming episode
of ‘Heritage Rescue’ (on Choice
TV), but there’s no need to wait:
their colourful beacons – and
the rest of the artwork at SOUL’s
‘Street Gallery’ – is free to view
right now at the Kaitiaki Village
on Ihumātao Quarry Rd.
Dozens of colourful flags, sewn by Māngere College students, mark
the entry to the Kaitiaki Village at Ihumātao. (Photo: Hermann Arp)
Inset: Students sew like the wind! (Photo: Nalini Singh/Viv Maskell)
New year brings opportunity & challenge
Kia ora, tafola lava and warm greetings from all of us at the Local Board.
Lemauga Lydia
Sosene: Chair of the
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu
Local Board
Firstly, welcome to my
new regular column in this
wonderful publication.
I hope you’ve had a relaxing
and refreshing summer. It
started out with such great
weather and if you’re like me,
you took advantage of all the
great events that have been
going on around the area.
Unfortunately the weather
turned a bit in February, but
for those of us with friends
and family in Samoa, Tonga
and Fiji we know we didn’t see
the worst of it here. So please
join me in keeping those in the
affected islands in your prayers.
One of the big challenges that
our board has dealt with over
the last year, but particularly
during the summer, has been
the drunken and disorderly
behaviour happening along
Kiwi Esplanade, around
Coronation Road and next
to the Old Māngere Bridge.
In the last six months of 2017,
there were 376 call outs to
Police for a range of anti-social
behaviours, and I want to
assure you this issue is being
given our full attention. We are
working with Police, Auckland
Transport, Auckland Council
staff and local residents to find
ways to stop this disturbing
and dangerous behaviour.
However, we would also
appreciate your help, so
please call Police if you see
this behaviour continue
in coming months.
On a more positive note, I
want to encourage you all
to Have Your Say this month
on Auckland Council’s
10-year budget and our
local board priorities.
We are all working hard to
make Māngere-Ōtāhuhu
in particular, a thriving
community, so we need your
input to ensure we’re heading
in the right direction. Check
out akhaveyoursay.nz for
more info on how to do this.
Manuia,
Lemauga Lydia Sosene
Chair of the Māngere-
Ōtāhuhu Local Board
3

LOCALS SCORE MANUKAU UNITED FC
By John Palethorpe
South Auckland has more
football clubs than Central, West
or East Auckland combined. Yet
of the 36 teams playing in the
Lotto Northern Region Football
League (NRFL) divisions, just
four are from the South.
For an area with a rich sporting
heritage in rugby, league
and boxing, football seems
strangely absent. But that
might be about to change.
This month, premier-division football
returns to Māngere-Ōtāhuhu for
the first time in over a decade, as
Manukau United FC begin their 2018
Lotto Premier League campaign.
The new club is a partnership
between Manukau City AFC and
Māngere United. It aims to provide
greater opportunities for local
players, and to establish a pathway
for junior and youth footballers
in South Auckland to play at the
highest level of the game.
Seeking success on and off the pitch:
Manukau United coach Kevin Fallon (left), with
chairman and club captain Hone Fowler at
Centre Park stadium. (Photo: John Palethorpe)
With experienced former All
Whites’ coach Kevin Fallon at the
helm, Manukau United are seeking
success on and off the pitch.
“Obviously we want to proudly
represent South Auckland in the
Premier Division,” says chairman
and club captain Hone Fowler,
“but it’s important that Manukau
United fulfils its aim to be a club
for the local community.
“We intend to offer coaching
sessions in local schools – and give
more kids the opportunity to fall
in love with the beautiful game.”
With home games at Centre Park
Māngere, a venue that hosted a group
stage of the 2017 Oceania Champions
League, United have one of the
best playing facilities in Auckland.
But on match days they’ll still be
relying on local support to spur
them on as they represent the south
at the top of the local game.
United’s first official home game will
be at Māngere’s Centre Park Stadium,
Robertson Rd on Good Friday, 30
March at 3pm. The new club will
be taking on last year’s Premier
League champions and Chatham
Cup holders Onehunga Sports.
You can follow Manukau United
on Twitter: @ManukauUtdFC
& Facebook: @ManukauUtdFC
4

FEATURE
Decision
time for
SCHOOL-
LEAVERS
A good percentage of our
Māngere community lives in
poverty, and with ever-rising
living costs, making ends
meet can be a real struggle.
So when our local Year
13 students said farewell
to school last December,
many were faced with a
tough decision: “Do I go to
university, or do I get a fulltime
job to help my parents?”
275 Times asked four
recent school-leavers
about making this choice.
Soakai Malamala, who was Head
Boy at Aorere College in 2017, understands
how difficult it is for many of
his peers to make the right decision.
“A decision only becomes right
when the person makes it,” he says.
For Soakai, reaching that decision
was a bit of a battle. “One day, getting
a job was winning,” he says. “The
next day, university was winning.
My parents helped me understand
the pros and cons of both options.
Both were equally important.”
Soakai’s parents left the final
decision to him and told him they
would support him either way.
“You see your parents struggling,
and all you want to do is help them.
So, in the end the decision was really
an easy one to make,” he says.
For many students, individual
circumstances – and particularly
financial struggles in the family –
play a huge part in their decision.
For Cris from Māngere East, the
choice was: “Easy! I don’t need
university to get a job. But I do need
money to have a life,” he says.
Cris has already secured a job
and is happily working at the
Looking to the future: Soakai Malamala is pleased with his decision. (Photo: Hermann Arp)
same carpet-manufacturing
company as his father.
Siata Ah Chong, a former
student of Māngere College, can’t
wait for university to start.
“YOU SEE YOUR PARENTS
STRUGGLING, AND ALL
YOU WANT TO DO IS HELP
THEM. SO, IN THE END THE
DECISION WAS REALLY
AN EASY ONE TO MAKE.
Riding the bus back to Māngere from
Auckland city, she tell us: “I’m excited
about uni. It’s a whole different world.
“I was thinking about getting a
job, but after today’s Open Day, I
know that I need to be at uni.”
There is always the option of securing
a part-time job and still getting
a tertiary-level education, which is
a path that many have chosen.
Right now Jeremy is working at
McDonald’s, but he’s been accepted
to start at Manukau Institute of
Technology (MIT) later this month.
“It’s going to be hard, but like the
Bible says, ‘When I was a child… I
thought as a child: but when I became
a man, I put away childish things.’
“I am now a man, so I can
handle hard things – um – you know
what I mean!” he says, to thunderous
laughter from his Maccas’ workmates.
By the beginning of March, thousands
of first-year university students
will have begun their journey.
Nestled in the middle of them all,
in a warm enclosed music hall, will
be Soakai Malamala – a University
of Auckland student aiming for a
Bachelor of Music – majoring in Jazz.
5

Get into Performing
Arts with Shirl’e
By Beatz Revel8ah
I know what you’re
thinking… Where’s
Shirl’e? Don’t worry.
She’s still here.
We just got the “Word”
that Queen Shirl’e is
preparing to throw
down her wisdom and
skills in an awesome
community arts
programme for high
school students.
‘Pathway to Performing
Arts’ will be presented
by the Queen over four
Friday afternoons –
beginning on 2 March.
Each session will run
from 4pm to 5pm at
the Māngere Town
Centre Library.
Students will build
confidence as they
learn the basics of
song writing, film
acting, beat making
and performance.
And apparently, it’s
all free! (One can’t
argue with free...
Um, can I join?)
If you haven’t already
enrolled, pick up a form
from the Māngere Town
Centre Library today.
Hmm… It’s kind of
nice out here on “the
Street”. I wonder what
else is happening?
COMMUNITY
OUTREACH PARTNER:
PRINCIPAL FUNDERS:
6

MARAMATAKA:
Poutūterangi (March)
Artists for the future (left to right): Anonymouz (Matthew Faiumu
Salapu), Musu Neil Tupu-Sitagata, Milo Fuli (Skolar), To’asavili
Tuputala, Lastman So’oula, Lemoa Henry Sevesi Fesulua’i & Kas
Futialo (Kas tha Feelstyle). Photo: Raymond Sagapolutele.
4 THA LUMANA’I
In a ground-breaking live performance led by
local music and sound producer Anonymouz,
‘4 Tha Lumana’i’ finds the parallels between
traditional Samoan oratory customs and
contemporary hip hop art forms.
While visiting Samoa to celebrate
the 50th anniversary of
the country’s Independence,
Anonymouz became interested
in exploring ways to integrate
his Samoan culture into his work
in the hip hop and commercial
radio scene in New Zealand.
This eventually led him to
take his own tatau (traditional
tattoo) journey with
master tufuga (tattooist)
Su’a Paul Junior Suluape.
“...one of my ideas at the time
was to sample [the] sounds
of the tufuga’s (tattooist’s)
tools tapping to turn into a
beat for a jingle,” he notes
in a recent blog post.
Anonymouz found similarities
between the way rappers ‘rep
a crew’ when battling other
rappers, and how Samoan
tulāfale (orators) represent
their families as they battle
other tulāfale for the right
to be the main voice.
To tell this story of cultural discovery,
a cast of local Samoan
tulāfale joins rappers, poets
and community performers
for a living conversation about
the past, present and future.
‘4 Tha Lumana’i’ will run for
two nights on 23 and 24
March. Both shows start at
7:30pm at the Māngere Arts
Centre, Corner Bader Drive
& Orly Avenue, Māngere.
Book your FREE tickets
Tickets are free, but you must
book to guarantee your seat.
Drop in to the Māngere Arts
Centre, or book online at:
www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/
whanui-the-lumanaii/
auckland/mangere/tickets
WANTED! EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKERS
Part-time work available.
Work with children with special needs in early childhood education.
Experience preferred, but not essential. Training provided.
Speakers of Samoan and/or te reo Maori are particularly encouraged to apply.
Call Shayla today
ph. 09 263 0798
By Ayla Hoeta
Kia ora koutou, and welcome
to Poutūterangi!
Poutūterangi is in the sixth phase
of summer (Matiti Rautapata).
After an incredibly hot few months,
the temperature cools and we
move into the harvest season.
When it comes to harvesting, our
kaumatua share stories of whānau
gathering and preserving lots of kai for
tough months ahead. The cupboards
and storehouses (pataka) were full!
Today you may see the preserving
of peaches, jams and pickles.
Tohu (Signs) for Poutūterangi
The star Whānui (Vega) is the tohu in the
sky for the start of the harvest. At 5:30am
on 5 March, it can be seen in the north-east
sky at about 35˚. The other star marker
for this time is Poutūterangi (Altair), who
stays in the sky for most of the year.
The tohu in the water are tuna (eel),
which start to migrate to the sea,
and the tohu on land include the
fruit which will be preserved.
Key dates in Poutūterangi
1 Mar: Rakaunui – Highest energy day
28 Feb & 2 Mar: Oturu & Rakau Ma
Tohi – High energy days. Good for
planting root crops & watery crops.
3 Mar: Takirau – Plant root crops.
5, 6 & 7 Mar: Korekore Te Whiawhia,
Korekore Te Rawea & Korekore Piri
– Reflecting & low-energy days.
8, 9 & 10 Mar: Tangaroa A Mua,
Tangaroa A Roto & Tangaroa Kiokio
– Fishing & planting days.
12, 13 & 14 Mar: Orongonui, Omauri &
Mutuwhenua – Plant all types of kai.
15 Mar: Whiro – Lowest energy
day. Best for resting & planning.
For a maramataka dial, email:
ayla.hoeta@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Thanks whānau!
7

Community Notices
MANUKAU HARBOUR CLEAN-UP DAY
Help the Sustainable Coastlines crew with this massive job!
Sat 10 Mar: 9am – 1pm. Register online, or on the day at
Māngere Boating Club, Kiwi Esplanade, Māngere Bridge. You
must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes to participate. (No
gumboots!) You’ll also need warm clothes, a raincoat, a sun
hat, sunscreen, a drink (in a reusable bottle) and your favourite
snacks. Sustainable Coastlines will provide reusable rubbish
sacks, gloves, extra sunscreen, drinking water, hand sanitiser/
soap & water for hand-washing, and refreshments at the end
of the event. For more info, visit: sustainablecoastlines.org/
event/manukau-harbour-public-clean-day/
ADULT BIKE SKILLS & MAINTENANCE
FREE drop-in session: Thurs 15 Mar, 6pm – 8pm at Centre Park,
Robertson Rd, 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,
see the events page @aucklandtransportcycling on Facebook.
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Time to spare, or skills to share? Volunteer for Citizens Advice
Bureau (CAB) in Māngere, Ōtāhuhu or Papatoetoe! The CAB
is all about the client – making sure individuals do not suffer
through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities. Apply
online at www.cab.org.nz, or call or drop in. CAB Māngere is on
the Orly Ave side of Māngere Town Centre (ph. 09 275 6885),
CAB Ōtāhuhu is in the Tōia Precinct, 30–34 Mason Ave (ph. 09
216 9813) and CAB Papatoetoe is at the back of the Town Hall,
35A St George St, Old Papatoetoe (ph. 09 278 5191).
FREE NEIGHBOURHOOD BBQ – 24 MARCH
Sat 24 March, 5:30pm – 7pm. Bring your family and neighbours
and join Māngere Connect for a FREE BBQ at Boggust Park,
Favona, Yates/Ferguson Reserve, Māngere East OR Miami
Park, Māngere East. Bring a picnic mat and salad, Māngere
Connect will provide the meat! Sponsored by Māngere
Ōtāhuhu Local Board, Māngere Community Patrol, CPNZ and
Neighbourhood Support as part of Neighbours Day 2018
(www.neighboursday.org.nz)
FREE CLASSES IN MA – NGERE EAST
Māngere East Community Centre runs FREE & low-cost classes
in parenting, te reo Māori, Samoan, korowai, drivers licence
theory, tai chi, zumba – and more! Visit www.mangereeast.org,
email: fiona@mangereeast.org, ph. 275 6161 or drop in to 372
Massey Rd (behind the library) 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 March 2018.
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Editor: Hermann Arp Design: Belinda Fowler
Publisher: Māngere East Community Centre
275times@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/275times
www
www.275times.com 09 275 6161
THE EVENT CENTRE
Affordable Venue hire for all your special events, Feel free to contact us now.
book
now
TO BOOK OR VIEW PLEASE CALL
027 200 7368 or 0800 DJ DAVE
792 GREAT SOUTH ROAD,WIRI
www.djdave.co.nz - fb/DJDavesEntertainment
Great stories
COURSES FOR AGES 16+
Barista & Hospitality
Building, Construction &
Carpentry
Electronics Technology
Electrical Engineering
Warehousing & Distribution
begin here
COURSES FOR AGES 16-19
+Travel Allowance and
Learner Licence
Automotive
Foundation Skills
Retail
Security
CALL NOW 0800 000 055
OR FREE TXT INFO TO 590
59 TIDAL ROAD, MANGERE
SKILLS
UPD TE
TRAINING INSTITUTE
www.skillsupdate.co.nz
ZERO
FEES
Conditions
apply