EDITION #41
MAY 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
Mangere driving tutor Koia Teinakore is concerned
about the impact of the new fuel tax on local families.
DOES AUCKLAND
NEED A FUEL TAX?
Auckland Council is asking for feedback on the
Regional Fuel Tax and Regional Land Transport Plan.
By Donna Wynd
Two points need to be made
about this: The first is that we
all support taxes we think others
will pay but that we can avoid.
The second is that it is not
fair for the Council to be
asking the public to address
complex policy problems
without first helping people
understand the issues, and
what the options are.
Several years ago, I was part
of a transport funding group
set up to consider Auckland’s
transport funding in detail.
It took a well-informed group
of interested people about 18
months of intense negotiation –
not a couple of hours at a town
hall meeting – to agree on the
best way to fund improvements
to Auckland’s transport system.
Because the Independent
Advisory Board’s (IAB) brief
was quite specific, in some
ways this was an easier
>> continued on page 2
Stand on
the Land:
26 May
It’s time again for
our community
to take a stand
and demand that
the beautiful
landscape at
Ihumātao, Māngere,
be saved from
destruction and
protected for future
generations under
the mana of its
tāngata whenua.
SOUL (Save Our
Unique Landscape)
invites the people of
Auckland to show
our support for the
protection of this
beautiful place – to
join together at
a special ‘Hands
Around the Land’ rally
at Ihumātao, 2pm on
Saturday 26 May.
We want to make
it clear to Auckland
Council, the NZ
Free!
Above:
Māngere MP Aupito
William Sio at an
earlier public protest
on the land, speaks in
strong support for the
community campaign
to save the disputed
block at Ihumātao.
(Photo: Roger Fowler)
Government and
Fletcher Residential
that the people of
Auckland say NO
to destruction and
YES to protection of
this special heritage
land as an essential
part of the Ōtuataua
Stonefields.
For updates, see
@protectIhumatao
on Facebook.
Toitū te whenua!
Hundreds joined hands at Ihumātao two years ago as
a powerful message of support. (Photo: Jacqui Geux)
WHAT’S INSIDE:
P3: Pasifika Fono P5: Upcycle or dump? P7: Maramataka
2
EDITORIAL
Aloha!
I’ve been
getting a lot of
good tips from
our community
about weight
loss, after my April
editorial on “Bucket List Wants”.
Thank you all for your concern and
willingness to help. I can’t wait to
try some of your ideas. (Although
for the sake of the world, I will
forego the pole dancing workouts
for the foreseeable future).
I will however, stand... on the land.
We’ve been talking about the
Wallace Block land in Ihumātao
forever now. It is atrocious that
we are still having to talk about it
in such a negative light today.
Once this land, which is of cultural,
historical and archaeological
significance, is developed into a
housing area, there’s no going back.
It doesn’t always need to be about
money. In some instances, what
something means to a community
– to a people – is far more
important than what goes into your
wallets or bank accounts. This fight
to Save Our Unique Landscape
is one of those instances.
We’re heading into winter and
if the recent bout of unpredictable
weather is anything to go
by, then we will need to get ourselves
prepared for emergencies.
I’m not talking Doomsday bunkers,
but making sure you have
emergency supplies including
water – and food that’s easy to
store and carry – to last you and
your family at least 72 hours.
(Don’t forget your pets!)
If you still have fallen trees and
branches from the last storm
blocking footpaths around
your property, please contact
Auckland Council: 09 301 0101.
Lastly, we celebrate mothers
this month. So on behalf of
the staff of 275 Times – HAPPY
MOTHERS’ DAY to all mothers.
Hermann
Tuataga Hermann Arp Jr
Editor
DOES AUCKLAND
NEED A FUEL TAX?
>> continued from page 1
decision than what ratepayers
and motorists are facing.
After months of reading and
pondering the options, the IAB
decided against a regional
fuel tax because it was unfair,
provided no alternative, and did
not deliver sufficient revenue.
In its favour, it did not require a
change to any legislation, and would
be relatively easy to implement.
A better solution
Our preferred option was
something called a variable
motorway charge. This was
similar to a congestion charge
but applied only to motorways.
It served the dual purpose of not
only raising the revenue required
but also providing an incentive for
people to travel off-peak where
possible. A regional fuel tax offers
no incentive to travel off-peak.
Lastly, a motorway charge still
gave people the option of not
using the motorway. The tradeoff
was that they would take more
time to get to their destination.
A motorway charge isn’t perfect,
but it is more equitable than a
fuel tax, and directly addresses
reducing congestion.
Taking from the poor...?
There is a further problem for
South Auckland: given Auckland
Working together
for the community
Transport’s priorities, it seems
likely that a fuel tax will mean
Auckland’s poorest residents (that
is, those who travel the furthest
to get to their low-paid jobs) will
effectively subsidise light rail for
the benefit of the wealthiest.
So, do we need a regional fuel tax?
No. There are smarter options.
Find out more:
If you’re going to make a submission
on the regional fuel tax, you can
read the IAB’s full report at www.
shapeauckland.co.nz/media/1182/
section-113-alternative-transportfunding-informationa4.pdf
HAVE YOUR SAY TODAY!
Submissions close 14 May at 8pm.
Visit akhaveyoursay.nz to read
the consultation documents,
and give your feedback online.
You can also have your say:
• in person at a Council Service
Centre, your local library, or
on Tues 8 May, 6pm–8pm at
Manurewa Intermediate School,
76 Russell Road, Manurewa
• by FREE post: AK Have Your
Say, Auckland Council, Freepost
Authority 182382, Private
Bag 92 300, Auckland 1142
• by email: akhaveyoursay@
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
• on Twitter or Facebook:
@aklcouncil #akhaveyoursay
The Working Together Group has generously donated seven new sewing
machines for the sewing classes at the Māngere East Community Centre.
Centre Manager Hone Fowler (centre in white t-shirt) received the sewing
machines at a recent community gathering at the Māngere East Hall,
which was also attended by Local Board member Christine O’Brien (left).
The spirit of Pasifika Fono 2018
Over 200 educators,
teachers and inspirational
community leaders gathered
at the Waipuna Conference
Centre in Mt Wellington in
April, for the bi-annual New
Zealand Education Institute’s
(NZEI) Pasifika Fono.
This year’s theme was Wayfinders:
Discovering New Horizons.
Keynote speakers included
historian and Rhodes Scholar
Toeolesulusulu Damon Salesa,
Pasifika health and wellbeing expert
Dr Jemaima Sipaea Tiatia-Seath,
Pasifika navigator Lilomaiava Ema
Siope and sports psychologist to
the All Blacks Gilbert Enoka.
Each spoke about the opportunities in
their lives and professions that have
helped them find new horizons and
push boundaries for Pasifika peoples.
The two-day fono featured 30
workshops, with presenters including
passionate educators FlrorrinKeni
and Moana Uriaro from Māngere’s
Southern Cross Campus Preschool.
Their interactive workshop explored
strategies to ensure preschool
children experience a seamless
transition into Primary school.
Other workshops covered cultural
responsiveness, the realities
of being a first time principal,
Pasifika principals working
collaboratively, reconnecting
to culture through music and
dance, growing polycultural
leaders and suicide prevention.
275 Times editor Tuataga Hermann
Arp Jr facilitated a workshop on
Literacy through music: Finding
your place in your identity.
He was joined by Māngere College
Cook Island students Nga Tere,
Tonorio Tokotini and Tearataua
Tavioni, with teacher Piri Tamihana.
The group impressed attendees
with their renditions of traditional
Penrhyn and Manihiki cultural
songs as well as the beats of the
Kuki Airani (Cook Island) drums.
“Sometimes the best path to new
horizons, is to remember our past,”
says Tuataga. “The quickest way to
the past and back again – and then
into the future – is through music.”
NZEI’s Mereana Epi Mana believes
the Fono is great way for educators
to gain new ideas to help teach
our Pasifika students today. And
“to have our Māngere College
musicians here, brought a true
spirit to the fono,” she says.
Above:Māngere College students Nga Tere
(left and Tearataua Tavioni (right), with NZEI’s
Mereana Epi Mana (centre). (Photo: John McCrae)
Below:Educators from across the country gained
new ideas about teaching Pasifika students at
this year’s NZEI Fono. (Photo: John McCrae)
Local Board
chair Lemauga
Lydia Sosene.
So much to be thankful for
Kia ora, tafola lava and warm greetings from all of us at the Local Board.
I hope you had a chance to
see the amazing Wizard of
Ōtāhuhu theatre production
at our Māngere Arts Centre.
The board is really proud to
have supported this awardwinning
theatre company for
the last five years, and it’s great
to see it providing a launching
pad for our talented young
people to get into acting,
directing and producing.
Another great initiative our
board funded, was the Pop
art installations which were
around Ōtāhuhu and Māngere
during March and April. We
got a lot of feedback about
how great this project was
for activating the public
spaces around businesses and
community facilities, so I hope
you had a chance to play some
ping pong or marbles at one
of these fantastic installations.
Ten Auckland parks have been
awarded the prestigious Green
Flag, including our very own
Ambury Farm Regional Park.
The awards assess how well
parks meet the needs of the
local community. Judging
criteria includes quality of
services, safety, maintenance,
community involvement and
sustainability. So well done
to all the Ambury Farm staff
who do such a great job
keeping that park looking so
good and making it such an
integral part of our area.
Speaking of hard-working
staff, if you weren’t aware,
the Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa’s
indoor pool facilities will
be closed till 13 May so
staff can do their annual
maintenance work on the
facility. The Ōtāhuhu Tōia
Pool & Leisure Centre already
had its annual maintenance
shutdown last month.
To stay up with all that’s
happening in our area,
make sure you follow our
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board
Facebook page: facebook.com/
mangereotahuhu. Or email
mangereotahuhulocalboard@
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to
subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Manuia,
Lemauga Lydia Sosene
Chair of the Māngere-
Ōtāhuhu Local Board
3
THE LANDING DRIVE
ROUNDABOUT ON
STATE HIGHWAY 20A
IS CHANGING.
NEW
LAYOUT
MAY
12 TH
LANDING DRIVE
TO CITY
VERISSIMO DRIVE
TO AIRPORT
STOP ON RED – INTERSECTION AHEAD
On 12 May 2018, the Landing Drive roundabout will be replaced by an
intersection controlled by traffic lights. All vehicles will need to follow
the light signals and stop on red.
The new 8 lane intersection will increase capacity and improve safety and journey reliability to, from
and within the Airport area.
Work will continue to build traffic islands, median strips and lay the final road surface. This work is
planned to be finished by August 2018.
12 May is weather dependent and may roll to 19 May 2018.
PG 16178 418
4
Upcycle ME!
ME Family Services Resource Recovery Room Therapist
Georgina Kelly-Ngatoko had an “eye-opening experience” on
her recent trip with waste reduction organisation Waste Minz.
By Justine Skilling
Talking Rubbish, ME Family Services
During the two-day trip, Georgina
followed our trail of rubbish,
checking out the Visy recycle
plant in Onehunga, the Hampton
Downs Landfill and Green Gorilla
construction-waste recycling,
as well as two community
resource recovery centres.
“I went on the trip to see what
they do with our waste and how
other communities deal with it”,
says Georgina, whose work with ME
Family Services involves connecting
local families and organisations
with resources recovered from
Auckland Airport’s left luggage
and lost property departments.
Inspiration from ‘Upcycle Town’
A highlight of the trip was the visit
to Raglan, a small town of 2,000
households a couple of hours’ drive
south of Auckland. “It’s a real upcycle
town”, says Georgina, describing
the way the community reuses its
rubbish in creative ways – from the
upcycled wooden tables and chairs
in local restaurants, to the broken
plates used to create mosaics in
the pavements around the town.
“Even the waiting staff in a
local café wear aprons made
out of old jeans”, she says.
In Raglan, the group visited
the catalyst for all this upcycle
mania – Xtreme Zero Waste,
the community-owned and run
resource recovery centre.
The centre collects the town’s
recycling, and food and inorganic
waste, selling what it can back
to the community through
its onsite shop, and finding
outside markets for the rest.
“There’s a mixture of community
employed there – young and
old,” says Georgina. “They’re
passionate about what they do.
Everything is in its place”.
What a load of rubbish!
Contrast this with the final stop
of the trip – Hampton Downs
Landfill – a 386-hectare site in
the Waikato that receives rubbish
from most of the upper North
Island, including Auckland.
Hampton Downs has been operating
for 12 years, with another 13 to
go until it reaches capacity, at
30million cubic metres of waste.
Much of the rubbish inside the landfill
will stay there forever. “It was really,
really huge!” exclaims Georgina.
“I couldn’t believe the rubbish that
actually goes in there – 200 trucks a
day! It was an eye opener”, she says.
Throwing away tomorrow?
Georgina came away with lots
of questions and some pretty big
concerns for how our children will
deal with these landfills in the future.
“What will happen when that’s all full?
What if people need to build houses
there in the future? It could actually be
poisonous, damaging. It was horrible”.
Returning from her trip, Georgina
has mixed feelings. “At home we
collect our food waste and put it
Above:Georgina Kelly-Ngatoko
took a two-day trip to see what
happens to our rubbish.
Below:Hampton Downs Landfill receives
200 truckloads of rubbish a day.
in our bokashi bin. Having seen
that landfill, I wonder if it really
makes a difference. It’s out of
control”, she says. “I tell my family
about what actually happens down
there and that in time our children
will be affected by this. It’s sad”.
Taking another look at ‘junk’
But she’s also come back inspired.
“What’s happening in Raglan is
something I could imagine happening
here in our community”, she says.
“I’m starting to look at the rubbish
around my yard and thinking twice
before putting it in the bin. I know
we have people in our community
who are passionate about doing
things with unwanted junk.
“Every community in Auckland needs
a place to bring their unwanted and
broken things and to get inspired
about what they could make out of
them instead of just dumping them”,
Georgina says. “I think everybody
should open their eyes a bit wider
and see what’s happening with our
rubbish and what it looks like for
the future of our young ones”.
5
Students from the Pathways to Performing Arts
Programme celebrated their graduation in April
with a BBQ outside Māngere Town Centre.
6
Good Seed Trust
hosts a
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE!
all proceeds to Breast
Cancer Foundation
PINK RIBBON
BREAKFAST
Saturday 12th May , 7am to 8.30am
Shiloh Hall 201 Buckland Rd, Mangere
Pre-Paid tickets of $20pp will be sold at Good Seeds Children Centre
EFTPOS available
All tickets must be Paid by Wednesday 9th May at 4pm.
RSVP to Natasha Salei 0274772995 or 09 275 1069
12y.o.+ please
Pathways to performing arts
By Shirl’e Fruean
This month Word on
the Street is all about
‘Pathways to Performing
Arts’ (PTPA) – a free
community programme I
set up in 2006 for young
people from Māngere
who were having trouble
staying in school.
Some were talented
dancers, singers and
emcees. They just needed
guidance and someone
who understood them
to give them a chance.
There were no free performing
arts classes in our
community back then, so
I linked up with Puritia,
the kaitiaki of the Māngere
Community House, who
signed me up as a tutor.
Each week, young people
would come to learn
music, dance and acting.
They were excited that
there was somewhere to
go after school – a safe
space where they felt
respected and empowered
to express themselves
through their art.
One of the students
in that first class was
14-year-old Amanda
Ashton, who went on
to become a presenter
on Māori TV and is now
a successful business
woman in Rotorua.
The PTPA programme
expanded when I became
a performing arts tutor at
Te Wānanga O Aotearoa
a few years later.
Over 100 students
graduated from that
course, many with
memories of performing
on the same stage as
Pieter T, Scribe, David
Dallas, Smashproof and
Sweet & Irie – all of whom
were making big names
for themselves at the time.
This year, I started
running a PTPA
programme at Māngere
Town Centre Library.
The first students from the
six-week course (Hanna
So’oalo, Donnell Fa’auma,
Lucy Ru, Taimana Tahana-
Pou, Asena & Abigail
Panuve, Younis A Abdallah,
Johvani & Mikeymalik
Sagala, Yarran Kelemete
and Cece Apineru) all
graduated in April.
On graduation day, they
performed “Thank you”
an original song which
they wrote as a tribute to
their loved ones. Some
of the parents shed tears
of joy as they watched
their children performing
for the first time.
New PTPA classes will be
starting at the Māngere
Town Centre Library,
Māngere East Library
and Te Oro Community
Centre this month.
For more info, email
queenshirlemusic@
gmail.com
NEW ZEALAND MUSIC MONTH
With just
a little ‘Patience’
A remix of Rihanna’s debut single
catapulted local musician See Naylors
into the international spotlight last
year, with the help of a home garage
and a backyard music video.
Giving the Māngere artist a nod of appreciation,
pop megastar Rihanna tagged See Naylors’ version
of ‘If It’s Lovin’ That You Want’ to her Instagram
account – and the social media network went mad.
Thousands of people all over the world viewed the
video, and many immediately began calling for more.
See Naylors (real name Sione Filihia) teased fans
with snippets of his next single – featuring fellow
Māngere artist Swiss – but it wasn’t until March this
year that‘Patience’ finally went live on YouTube.
From there, the single shot onto the playlist at
NiuFM and into the New Zealand club scene.
Sione has recently parted ways with his record
label and decided to go fully independent.
He isn’t opposed to working with a label in
the future, but right now he’s comfortable
doing his own thing. When 275 Times caught
up with him, he’d just left work for the day
– as a product packer for Cotton On.
‘’I have to eat and pay the bills,’’ he says, laughing.
‘’As an independent artist, you’re juggling all
the roles: producer, manager, agent, vocalist,
instrumentalist and promoter – and on top of
all that your role in your family and home.”
Big dreams for See Naylors (AKA Sione Filihia)
Sione thinks the biggest difficulty independent
artists face is sound quality, but with the help
of friends in the industry, and testing his sound
with audiences, he’s found what resonates well.
His dream is to break into the international scene.
‘’It’s possible,” he says. “Savage has done it. And
the thing I like about Savage is his work ethic and
his ability to remain grounded and humble.”
Sione has been battling a kidney illness recently.
While he has his high and low days, he says
he’s now managing this challenge better.
‘’It isn’t going away, but it hasn’t stopped
me from working on realising my dreams.
It is what my life is,’’ he says.
A former student of Māngere College, Sione finds
opportunities to inspire others.‘’To this next
generation I say: always chase your dreams.’’
Sione’s singles are available for sharing and
downloading free on SoundCloud and YouTube.
You can find him on social media @seenaylors.
MARAMATAKA: HARATUA (MAY)
By Ayla Hoeta
Kia ora koutou, welcome to
the last month of the year!
Known as Hakiharatua, Haratua and
Te Wehewehe, this is the time we
prepare for the rising of the star
Puanga (Rigel in Orion) and the Māori
New Year (in West Coast communities).
It’s a great time to organise your
calendar. Take advantage of lowenergy
days like Whiro (13 May) to
make your plans. Then, when Oturu,
Rakaunui and Rakau Ma Tohi (high
energy days) come back ‘round
in June – you’ll be ready to start
putting those plans into action!
KEY DATES FOR HARATUA:
29, 30 April & 1 May – Oturu,
Rakaunui & Rakau Ma Tohi: High
energy days. Great for events,
sports, planting and most things
that require lots of energy.
3, 4 & 5 May – Korekore Te Whiawhia,
Korekore Te Rawea & Korekore Piri
nga Tangaroa: Low energy days.
Good for quieter activities, planning,
reflecting and letting go of worries.
When energy starts to return, you can
rebuild your strength and start afresh.
6, 7 & 8 May – Tangaroa A Mua,
Tangaroa A Roto & Tangaroa kiokio:
Fishing and planting days. There’s
lots of ika to catch, and kai flourishes
when planted on these days. Also
a good time to sort any issues you
might have, because there’s a greater
chance of a positive outcome!
10, 11 & 12 May – Orongonui,
Omauri & Mutuwhenua: Good
for planting all types of kai.
13 May – Whiro: Lowest
energy day. Best for reflecting,
resting and planning. A good
night to torch for eels.
Thanks whānau! For an updated copy
of the maramataka dial, or if you
need help to set it, email me: ayla.
hoeta@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
7
Community Notices
LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP
South Auckland Leaders & Communicators invite you to
a FREE workshop on Saturday 12 May from 10am–1.30pm,
at Allan Brewster Leisure Centre, Tavern Lane, Papatoetoe.
Learn how to be the confident speaker and leader that you’ve
always wanted to be. Adults and youth (11–17 year olds)
welcome. Contact Hitesh for more info. Ph. 020 0561501
or area_h6@toastmasters.org.nz.
TAKE A STAND TO SAVE THE LAND
Make your support visible! Join hands with SOUL (Save Our
Unique Landscape) and help create a massive human chain
around Ihumātao. It’s time to show Fletcher Residential,
Auckland Council, and the Government that this whenua must
be protected. Sat, 26 May, 2–3pm. Meet at the Kaitiaki Village,
Ihumātao Quarry Rd, Māngere at 2pm. This is a free, childfriendly
event. More info on Facebook @protectIhumatao
MA – NGERE BRIDGE LIBRARY – WHAT’S ON
Learn to play the ukulele: Celebrate NZ Music Month with an
afternoon ukulele lesson. Fri 25 May, 3:30pm–4:30pm. A small
number of ukulele will be available for participants to use
during the class, but do BYO uke if you have one! All welcome.
FREE COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Māngere East’s Village Café and MAU Studio in collaboration
with Satya Chai Lounge and Plant Magic are putting on a
FREE pop-up breakfast serving a selection of South Indian
favourites. Sat, 9 June, 9am–12pm. Māngere East Hall (Metro
Theatre), 362 Massey Rd, Māngere East. Check out
@TheVillageCafeMangereEast on Facebook for more info.
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 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 May 2018.
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Editor: Hermann Arp Design: Belinda Fowler
Publisher: Māngere East Community Centre
275times@gmail.com
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