Photo Fairfax Media

LISA Carrington and the rest of New Zealand’s Olympic medallists were welcomed home today.

After greeting fans and media at Auckland Airport, an official reception was held for the team at The Cloud at the  Viaduct. Around 170 New Zealand Olympians returned today.

The team won a record 18 medals including four gold, nine silver and five bronze – bettering the previous best of 13 achieved at both London 2012 and Seoul 1988. Carrington defended her K1 200 crown to claim a second gold medal and then won bronze in the K1 500.

THE eagerly-anticipated match-ups for the Fight For Life Ed charity tournament have been announced.

Fight promoter and Life Education Trust Eastern Bay chairman John Spring said an excellent fight card of novice boxers would put on a fantastic evening of entertainment on Saturday, September 10.

“There are many different styles and sizes of boxers, matched up as evenly as possible to produce a fair fight. It’ll be a top night.”

Mr Spring said there would be three women bouts and seven men bouts.

The event will be held at the Whakatane War Memorial Centre.

Grandstand tickets are available at the Beacon office in Pyne Street for $57.50 per seat.

The event is a major fundraiser for Life Education Trust Eastern Bay.

The money raised helps the trust educate children about healthy eating, how their bodies work, respect and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The mobile classroom travels around all the primary schools in the Eastern Bay with the trust’s mascot, Harold the giraffe.

THE proposed development at Piripai is essential to Whakatane’s future as a progressive community looking to be a serious destination for growth, both residential and commercial.

It is very clear that development in our community is a sensitive subject.

This passion is a good thing as it will ensure that this development and any future development is subject to strong challenge and due diligence.

The danger, as a community, if we continue to be divided on development opportunities, is that we will end up with no development and eventual decline as a community.

If you are not moving forwards you are going backwards as other communities will take the opportunities we are too slow to grasp, and our appeal will diminish.

Any development of Piripai will be subject to inclusive iwi outcomes for the urupa site that will protect the site’s cultural significance.

No council or developer would risk their reputation to deliver a legacy that did not respect the cultural importance of such a site, and are more likely to make an additional effort to raise the bar on other sensitive developments that have been completed in New Zealand.

Once Whakatane is seen to be open to development the opportunities will start to flow in and we can start to consider the other development opportunities that have been idle within our community for too long.

From 2006-13 the Queenstown Lakes District’s static population grew by 22.9 percent, and is projected to grow by a further 30 percent by 2030.

This growth brings prosperity, increases the rating base, allows councils to deliver better services, lowers debt ratios, strengthens microeconomics, and without question means more jobs.

Yes, there are challenges to this rate of growth, but that is why we need an energetic, ultra-advocating, and savvy council to deliver on its promises and ensure Whakatane is seen as the benchmark in New Zealand for small urban centres marching into the future with confidence.

Why can’t we be the Queenstown of the North Island?

I challenge all current and prospective councillors to get behind this and future developments to ensure we make a start on growing our community.

Robbie Watt
Whakatane District Council
candidate

TUHOE may be discussing whether to drop the G in the written form of te reo Maori, but there is still no move to apply for place names such as Maungapohatu to be officially changed.

Dropping the G in the NG sound in te reo Maori is idiosyncratic to the Tuhoe dialect and student Waitangi Teepa is exploring the practice in a research project, Te Mana Motuhake o Te Reo, which will make up her master’s thesis.

Additionally, when staff at the tribal organisation Te Uru Taumatua wrote the management plan for Te Urewera, Te Kawa o Te Urewera, the G was omitted.

The practice has raised debate within Tuhoe about whether the G should be officially omitted when the tribe uses the written form of the language.

Te Uru Taumatua chairman Tamati Kruger said no decision had been made about whether to formalise the practice and as a result the tribe was not considering applying to the New Zealand Geographic Board to officially change the spelling of place names in the Tuhoe tribal boundaries that included G.

“I don’t think we are at that stage yet. I would describe it has Tuhoe people having a conversation and discussing the language. There are all sorts of ideas out there

“Te Uru Taumatua had no desire at all to create a decree or to make a pronouncement over the Tuhoe dialect. Whether to use the dialect, that is a decision for Tuhoe themselves to make for themselves.”

He said the dialect was unique to Tuhoe and was a signal to others that the speaker was from the tribe.

“It is connected to Tuhoe’s identity and culture, like most other dialects. It is an identifier and symbolises that the person is from Tuhoe.”

Mr Kruger said he didn’t know the history of the dialect or how it evolved, but imagined it would have happened over time.

“It is hard to say, it is probably a cross between nurture and nature, just like the dialects in the Scottish language. It grows and evolves over time and it is very much influenced by atmosphere and environment.”

Mr Kruger said he was happy tribe members were discussing the use of the dialect and was hopeful it would encourage more people to use and practice the language.

He said fewer Tuhoe spoke fluent te reo Maori now than previously.

“Te Uru Taumatua is very happy because it is a conversation among Tuhoe that is about an exchange of ideas around how to write their language.

“We are happy with our efforts to retain and promote the language and promote it as part of the culture.

Tuhoe have a responsibility to protect and continue their culture and language. It is their responsibility and nobody else’s.”

karla.akuhata@whakatanebeacon.co.nz

BAY of Plenty District Health Board did not meet targets in four key health measures, according to a quarterly report by the ministry of health.

But it did meet targets for elective surgeries as well as heart and diabetes checks.

The Healthy Targets report shows immunisation rates in the Bay of Plenty are at 87 percent, 8 percent below target. Board primary health portfolio manager Andrea Baker said the board was working with primary care partners and the community to improve performance.

“Part of that focus will be on the recommendations of a recent DHB Peer Review, undertaken to examine how things can be better implemented across the Bay.

“We are committed to meeting the immunisation target of 95 percent and will implement agreed review recommendations once they have been received.”

The report also showed the health board had not met the target of having 85 percent of patients receive their first cancer treatment, or management, within 62 days of being referred.

Senior portfolio manager Mike Agnew said data collection issues hampered good results but he was sure that would be rectified by the next quarter.

The target of offering at least 90 percent of PHO-enrolled patients who smoke help to quit by a health care practitioner in the past 15 months was also not met, but health equity-public health portfolio manager Brian Pointon said progress was being made.

“The target now requires general practices to contact all their known smoking patients regularly to check whether they are still smoking, and if so to provide further advice for them to quit and offer enrolment into a quit-smoking programme.”

The district health board also maintained its performance of 94 percent for the shorter stays in emergency departments target, missing the 95 percent target of patients to be admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours.

However surgical service business leader Bronwyn Anstis said it had once again exceeded the improved access to elective surgery target.

“This is the 12th quarter, which equates to three years in a row, in which the elective surgery target has been met and exceeded, which means more Bay of Plenty residents are getting the surgery they need. This represents a fantastic result for the community we serve.”

The more heart and diabetes checks target was also met and exceeded, with results increasing from 89 percent of its eligible population having had their cardiovascular risk assessed in the past five years to 91 percent. The result took it from 17th to 7th on the table of 20 district health boards.

TO change people’s perspective of the SPCA, on Sunday the organisation will host a day in Ruatoki to promote awareness about care and protection of animals.

The day starts at 9am at Tuhoe Park. People are encouraged to bring their sick animals for a free basic health check that includes flea and worm treatment.

Inspector Liisa Jones said the aim was to show people a different side to the SPCA.

“We want to change people’s perspectives of the SPCA; we are about education and care of animals, not always about prosecuting people.”

People can also register to have animals de-sexed or gelded and horse farriers will be on hand to provide advice about hoof and dental care.

Free drenching will also be available.

The day is being held in collaboration with the Tuhoe tribal organisation for Ruatoki, Te Komiti o Runa, and communications advisor Te Whetu McCorkindale said it would be a fun day out for the family with entertainment and competitions as well as food and refreshments available.

THE Eastern Bay has three opportunities to gain representation on the Bay of Plenty District Health Board during the October local government elections.

Whakatane residents Judy Turner and Yvonne Boyes, both of whom are sitting board members, and paediatrician Richard Forster, are among 20 people nominated for seven positions. Most members on the board are elected every three years.

The members are elected at large from an area comprising the Kawerau, Opotiki, Western Bay and Whakatane districts, and Tauranga.

In addition, following the election, the minister of health appoints a further four members to form an 11-person board.

The single transferrable voting system (STV) will be used to elect members.

Under STV, an elector has a single vote that is initially allocated to their most preferred candidate and, as the count proceeds and candidates are either elected or eliminated, is transferred to other candidates, according to the voter’s stated preferences, in proportion to any surplus or discarded votes.

Nominees for the seven positions on the Bay of Plenty District Health Board are: Mark Arundel, Mrs Boyes, Ron Chamberlain, Bev Edlin, Geoff Esterman, Dr Forster, Ron Fyfe, Carole Gordon, Marion Guy, Callum Hunter, Yvette Nora Lamare, Rob Moncrieff, Kirsten Marie Murfitt, Jane Nees, Peter Nicholl, Matua Parkinson, Janet Peters, Hylton Rhodes, Ron Scott and Mrs Turner.

AND THEY’RE OFF: Hannah Maguire Overdevest, Cleve Barraclough, Jack Maguire Overdevest, Quinn Cooper, Emmett Jones, Aaron Nilleson, Tyler Power, Cohen Lawsen, Kensy Mews, Hokianga Boynton, Georgia Watkins, Mieke Wycherley and Saron Jago try to run like the wind as educarer Yvonne Turfrey coaxes them on. Photos Louis Klaassen D4126-008

YOUNGSTERS enrolled with Waiapu Kids Homebased Childcare ran and jumped like little athletes during the childcare service’s Olympic Day last Friday.

Visiting teacher Dianne Bulled said the ministry of health recommended toddlers and pre-school children had at least three hours of physical activity every day.

She said holding a children’s Olympics day was a good way to inspire them.

“That’s something we really want to encourage with our educarers because a lot of children probably wouldn’t be getting that,” she said.

The list of activities included high jump, hurdles, long jump, running, sack races, egg and spoon races and running around cones.

Though there were children as young as six months old in attendance, the participants were between one and four years old.

It was clear that some of the children had been watching the Olympics.

“The older ones talked about running and high jumps in the Olympics, that they had seen it and they knew what to do,” she said.

They also copied some of the athlete’s traditions when it came time for medal presentations.

MEDAL WINNER:
Aaron Nilleson proudly
displays his Olympic memento. D4126-045

“We gave them all a gold medal and the older children held it in their mouths, I think they had seen that on TV,” she said.

“You could just see they love the act of running. We had the race set up for about 20 or 30 metres.

“There were five older children that didn’t want to stop and they kept running all the way to the Whakatane High School fence, which was quite a long way, probably 250 metres and then they ran it again,” she said.

As a result of the event’s popularity, Waiapu Kids planned to have regular sports days.

“We’re going to do it again. Instead of calling it an Olympic Day we’ll have a sports day. “We’ve done it in the past but this was so successful, we’ll do it more often,” she said.

FLY-IN: Two members of the Mercury Bay Aero Club fly into Whakatane Airport in their gyrocopter. Photos Louis Klaassen D4130-31

MEMBERS of the Mercury Bay Aero Club made a flying visit to Whakatane on Saturday.

The 10 club members arrived in five aircraft, including a bright green gyrocopter, came specifically to take a trip with Paul Francis from Awakeri Rail Adventures.

Mr Francis said they really enjoyed their day in the Eastern Bay, and their trip along the White Pine Bush railway, and were making plans to return with more of their members.

ADVENTURE: Jim Evans and Wally Pendray, ready for their trip with Awakeri Rail Adventures.
D4130-72

Mike van der Boom,
mayoral candidate

MAYORAL hopeful Mike van der Boom is using a light-hearted bicycle-versus-car race to highlight traffic congestion impacting the day-to-day lives of many Whakatane residents.

On Monday morning Mr van der Boom will take on 1XX’s Rebecca Blackwell, who will drive the radio station’s distinctive yellow Mustang while he pedals his 25-year old racing bike.

They will both depart The Hub together at 8.40am, bound for The Bean cafe on The Strand.

“I expect to win the race by a country mile and have enough time to smell the roses and finish a cup of tea before Rebecca turns up,” Mr van der Boom said.

He acknowledges that the bridge traffic on the town’s western side is not among the most serious issues facing Whakatane District Council.

“However, it does create a lot of frustration and wastes productive time,” he said.

“I want to live in a town where getting from point to point doesn’t mean sitting in a car for 20 minutes.

“We don’t want to end up like Tauranga or Auckland and we do want our children and grandchildren to feel safe walking and biking to school.”

Mr van der Boom said the problems would only become worse if the proposed developments on the western side of the bridge went ahead.

“The time to act on congestion is before it becomes a real issue. If there is a business case for a second bridge, let’s get it in the long-term plan.

“In the meantime the council should be taking a leading role in mitigating congestion, and I don’t believe the solution needs to burden ratepayers greatly. Instead, let’s look inside our community for some innovative solutions.”

As an advocate for active sustainable transport, he would like to see more people walking, biking and scootering to their destinations – and he adds this will go some way to alleviating the problems.

However, he believes other measures are also required and should be planned for now.

He said issues contributing to the problem included school gate drop-offs and pick-ups, itself caused by parents’ reluctance to let children walk and cycle to school; the decline in school rolls in Kawerau and Edgecumbe, resulting in higher traffic in Whakatane; unsafe routes for cycling to schools (roundabouts are formidable for children under 12); the lifestyle block developments on the Rangitaiki plains; and a societal trend toward more car use.

Mike van der Boom’s potential solutions:

• Staggered school starts-finishes
• Safe cycle routes in critical locations
• A council-led behaviour change plan to encourage active transport
• Working with Kawerau College and Edgecumbe to change perceptions and increase school rolls
• Re-vitalising Edgecumbe – encouraging residential and light industry development in outlying centres
• Park and ride facilities at or near The Hub
• Town bikes for hire at low cost dotted in key locations
• Designated drop-off zones outside school

FALLEN: A large Pohutukawa tree fell at State Highway 2 last night and the road was cleared this morning. Photo Louis Klaassen D4166-30

A LARGE Pohutukawa tree and slip fell onto the road at State Highway 2, Matata, last night, and a vehicle collided with it.
Fire fighter and officer in charge, Paul Ibbetson, said the Matata Volunteer Fire Brigade was informed of a "natural disaster" at 11pm.
When the crew arrived at the scene they found that a tree and slip had blocked the road.
"It was unknown to us there was actually a vehicle involved."
Mr Ibbetson said a vehicle with three occupants had driven into the tree.
He was told by police that the first person on the scene saw the tree, turned around and switched on the hazard lights to warn other vehicles.
"[The vehicle involved] didn't stop in time and hit the tree."
Mr Ibbetson said the crew became aware power lines were down and following protocol, the firefighters were not able to go within eight-meters of the power line until it was confirmed the electricity was isolated.
"But the people were out of the vehicle."
The occupants were checked over for injuries and told the crew they were uninjured and didn't require further assistance.
Mr Ibbetson said fog was thick and it had been raining at the scene and without confirmation of the isolated electricity, the brigade's job was to ensure safety.
He said the road was officially closed at the Tauranga and Eastern link and at Pakeha Street, Matata, at 2.30am when contractors began clearing the road.
The traffic was steady at the time and most of the traffic was diverted to Rotorua.
Mr Ibbetson said a few vehicles waited for the road to open to one lane.
For the tree to be cleared, the road is opened to one lane and stop/go management is in place.

RECYCLE: A 20-year-old Whakatane man suffered two broken legs when he fell into a dumpster at the Whakatane Recycling Park in  Te Tahi Street this morning. Photo Louis Klaassen D4169-03

A 20-YEAR-OLD Whakatane man suffered two broken legs when he was knocked into a waste bin at the Whakatane Recycling Park in Te Tahi Street this morning.

Whakatane District Council public affairs manager Ross Boreham said the man was guiding the driver of a reversing vehicle and trailer to offload waste when he was knocked in.

Two St John ambulances and the Whakatane Volunteer Fire Brigade were called to the scene to assist with the man's awkward extrication.

The fire service assisted with a stokes basket, a rigid rescue stretcher used to lift the victim from the large receptacle.

St John Eastern Bay territory manager Richard Waterson said the man was transported to Whakatane Hospital with moderate to serious injuries.

Mr Boreham said the incident was a “freak accident” and a Waste Management regional manager would investigate it.

Eastern Bay Life photographer Louis Klaassen left last month on his first overseas trip. His annual leave was scheduled for four weeks and the purpose of the trip was to take part in a Catholic week-long festival that culminated in World Youth Day.

He travelled with a group of people that included representatives from the Waikato and Christchurch Catholic dioceses. And before heading to Poland, where the festival was to be held, the group took some time out to check out Italy, Rome and Paris.

However Louis says the festival, held in Krakow from July 25 to 31, was always going to be the highlight – particularly the Saturday night.

Before leaving, he found out he had been selected to be among those on the podium with Pope Francis during the Saturday night vigil mass.

World Youth Week takes place every second year and is aimed at promoting the Catholic faith among young adults. This year it was expected that more than two million people, aged between 16 and 35, would attend.

And on the Saturday night, as he sat on the podium only mere metres away from the pope Louis says he gained some insight into just how many people were at the event.

As he looked out the candles were flickering as far as he could see, and that wasn’t even taking into consideration those that were behind the stage.

“In 1979 Pope John Paul II came to Poland and big crowds went along and chanted that they wanted God.

“This was at the time of communism and now, after the downfall of communism in Poland, two million Catholics were back at the same place wanting the same thing. It was really cool,” he says.

But it wasn’t the large number of people that changed Louis, it was seeing Pope Francis pray. While he had worn an All Blacks jersey loaned to him by a generous colleague, Louis says it was such a rush making his way onto the podium that Saturday night, he hadn’t even thought much about what it was going to be like when he was up close with the pope.

“I don’t know how many popular celebrities would be able to get two million people to come and watch them.

“There was something about him, he’s got amazing aura or something because I was looking at him and he was so peaceful and serene. You could really see that he loved communicating with God. It was quite moving watching the pope pray. It was quite an emotional time up there.

“Being up there, watching him pray, gave me time to think. It made me realise that we spend so much time focusing on the stuff that’s not important. Identify what is important in life and then focus on that.”

Later that night, Louis joined more than two million other people to camp out together in the open – sleeping between a hairy man and a nun, who snored.

His trip also involved staying with host families in Poland, a visit to Auschwitz and other key European sites such as Lourdes and the birth place of Francis of Assisi.

KOPEOPEO’S Lucky Halfway Store sold two second-division-winning Lotto tickets in Saturday’s draw.

The good fortune is worth $27,741 for each of the winners.

The tickets had not been redeemed yesterday morning, shop co-owner Sophie Fang said.

She said the draw was the first in which the store had sold two winning second-division tickets, although it had sold first- and second-division prizes in the same draw once before.

Lotto advises winners to write their name on the back of the ticket and check it immediately at any Lotto outlet, online at mylotto.co.nz or through Lotto’s ticket-checker smartphone app.

MEAT and beer were taken from two garages on Sunday.

Whakatane police Senior Sergeant Mark van der Kley said a garage was broken into at a Riverside Drive address and meat was stolen from the freezer. A car at the address was also broken into.

At Ngaio Road, Coastlands, meat and beer were taken from a garage.

Mr van der Kley said on the same day, an outside room at Ratima Place, Whakatane, was burgled and a few pairs of running shoes, an iPad

Air, iPhone charger, clothing and makeup were stolen.

At Alexander Avenue number plates were stolen from a car.

If you have information about any of the burglaries, call Whakatane police on 07 3085255.

THE redevelopment of the Whakatane Museum and Research Centre has received a funding boost from the Whakatane Community Board.

The proposed redevelopment will expand and renovate the existing facility in Boon Street to make museum collections more accessible to the public. Community board chairman Tony Hall said members were very happy to commit their remaining funding to the project.

“The community board has provided sponsorship for the exhibition spaces in the past, and we were given a tour of the existing museum building,” he said.

“We were very impressed with the collection, so to be able to contribute to its preservation is very worthwhile.”

Hamish Pettengell, the centre’s team leader, said the redevelopment had several funding applications under consideration, and the community board’s contribution was very welcome.

“It’s great to see the community getting behind this project as we look to finalise the funding for the redevelopment,” he said.

“We hope to have the project funding substantially in place this year, so that we can potentially start building in 2017.”

BEEF and lamb exports to key markets fell in July, slicing into overall meat exports, Statistics NZ says.

In the month of July 2016, total exports were $4 billion and total imports were $4.4 billion.

Beef export values and quantities to the United States were down in July while lamb values and quantities to the European Union were also down.

The US and the EU are the largest export destinations for beef and lamb, respectively.

TEST RESULTS: Tautane Station manager Matt Smith says he is impressed with
results to date from the B+LNZ Genetics beef progeny test.
Photo supplied

RESULTS coming in now from Beef and Lamb New Zealand beef progeny testing will allow commercial farmers to bank on estimated breeding values for calf weaning weights.

The test is being run across five large commercial properties and involves 2200 cows and heifers annually. Its goal is to determine how bulls of different types perform under comparable commercial conditions. It aims to put a dollar value on the worth of superior genetics – from both the perspective of breeding cow performance and finishing stock’s carcass attributes.

The numbers are rolling in, with the second cohort of calves due on the ground in coming weeks.

B+LNZ Genetics general manager Graham Alder said there were three key results for commercial farmers to note.

“The most significant result so far is around the estimated breeding value for weaning weight.

More than 80 percent of the expected weaning weight advantage predicted by estimated breeding values is being realised on New Zealand commercial farms,” he said.

Mr Alder said farmers could be reassured by the results.

“They were achieved across the country on five large-scale farms, across different breeds and with both highly-proven bulls and bulls that could be purchased by commercial farmers at most bull sales.

“The key point is the calf weaning weight EBV will largely deliver what you expect. So, if you want heavier calves, choose bulls with heavier 200 Day Weight EBVs,” he said.

Lead scientist Doctor Jason Archer said the other two key findings related to artificial insemination (AI) results and the impact of cow condition at mating.

“AI success improved markedly between year 1 and 2 of the test – likely due to improved cow body condition scores, more feed handy to yards, quieter cattle and a tighter calving period resulting from the success of the year 1 AI programme,” he said.

Dr Archer said the other noteworthy point for commercial farmers was the importance of body condition score at mating.

“Analysis of the project’s pregnancy data against body condition score reinforces what we already know – that a better condition score is important for re-breeding. For reproductive success, a minimum score of six at mating is recommended but greater than seven is optimal,” he said.

Tautane Station was one of the five properties involved in the test. Manager Matt Smith said that, while it was early days for test results, everything to date was positive.

“There will be some really great information to come out in about 12 to 15 months. For instance, I’m looking forward to seeing how the heifers perform – particularly those from high-growth sires,” he said.

Mr Smith said it all came down to efficiency.

“I don’t want big cows. I want a cow that will work hard over winter, hold her condition, get in calf and produce a calf that grows well,” he said.

The role of body condition scoring has also made an impact on Tautane.

“We are now managing our herds around body condition scores, particularly at weaning time.

“We’ve always scored them, but by eye. Now we have a figure and we are all on the same page,” he said.

The use of artificial insemination had not passed Mr Smith by.

“We are looking at using it on a commercial basis. It opens up such a large pool of genetics – and from bulls we could never afford to buy.”

CUTE AND CUDDLY: Diveworks owners Phil and Steph van Dusschoten show guinea pigs to Naomi Mayes, 4, while Nate Mayes, 2, stands nearby. D4173-55

THE 2016 Beacon Business and Leisure Show unveiled some new exhibit ideas to provide businesses with the best possible public exposure last weekend.

With 105 exhibits at the three-day event, the 7400 people who visited the show were given a wide range of booths and displays to visit.

Pro-events owner and show organiser Jo Finlay said she saw improvements with the outdoor booths, especially with the food concessions.

“This year we had a really good range,” she said.

In the time she had been involved with the event, the number of workers it took to organise it increased from two volunteers to half a dozen full-time workers.

New this year were the workshop zone, where exhibitors could demonstrate their goods or services, and a section especially for tourism.

Whakatane i-SITE information officer David Martin said having multiple tourism-based businesses close together helped attract people.

“I would definitely say it was beneficial.

“We had plenty of people stopping at our stall. We had Air Chathams, Awakeri Rail and Diveworks, so we had a tourism theme going,” he said.

The event helped spread the word about the special offers the tourist trade provided at this time of year.

“We were promoting what the region has to offer, especially the local deals running through September and showcasing what the area has,” he said.

Diveworks owner Phil van Dusschoten said he liked the decision to provide a dedicated area for tourism operators. For years, his company was the only tourism-based business at the show. He said having the other companies there appeared to attract more people.

“It was a definite improvement.

“It would be good to see more [tourism companies] there,” he said.

His impression was that it was a good opportunity for small businesses to meet potential customers.

“We found that it was quite positive with a good crowd going through,” he said.

He did have an issue with some of the extra costs for having a booth this year.

“I do have a concern with the price. We would have had a TV, but power was going to be $80 and we found that a little too much to bear,” he said.

Kelly Kingi, with Kangen water system distributor Enagic, said the workshop zone worked well for her.

“There were a lot of good leads so I can say it was very successful,” she said.

Having a booth and using the workshop zone was a last-minute decision for Mrs Kingi.

“I wish I had done it earlier so I could have advertised that I would be there,” she said.

Being able to demonstrate how the water filtration system worked turned out to be a good selling point.

“Of the people that were there, half of them are coming again to a presentation I’m having in town,” she said.

Photos Paula Massey

GANG member Akutina Waitohi Mihinui Toa savagely beat a woman while she was filling up her car at the Z petrol station in Kawerau.

On June 4 at about 10pm Toa, a patched Mongrel Mob member, was at the petrol station with a group of his friends when he attacked the woman.

He punched the woman several times with a closed fist and with such force that she was forced over the top of the door of the car.

He did not know the woman at the time and his only excuse was that she had been cheeky to him.

He pleaded guilty to assault with intent to injure, disorderly behaviour and male assaults female when he appeared in the Whakatane District Court last week.

He had initially pleaded not guilty to assaulting with intent to injure and male assaults female but changed his plea after undergoing a case review hearing with police.

His lawyer, Roger Gowing, said Toa accepted he owed the woman an apology and requested his client be given the opportunity to undergo restorative justice.

Judge Paul Mabey ordered Toa to reappear on October 19 so that a restorative justice meeting could be explored.

Other court appearances

In rage

WHEN Ngaromati Taipeti’s nephew was hit by a reversing vehicle, Taipeti attacked the driver.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty in the Whakatane District Court last week to a joint charge of assault with a blunt instrument.

Police prosecutor Bill Scott said the victim was leaving a property and reversing out of the driveway when he hit Taipeti’s nephew riding a scooter.

“The defendant was in a rage and attacked the victim.”

When the victim attempted to run away from the group attack, Taipeti threw a piece of wood at his back.

Judge Paul Mabey said it was a group attack on one person who was defenceless and unarmed.

Lawyer Lisa Ebbers said he reacted when he heard the mother of the child scream.

“He came out and saw the child and the mother was distraught. He accepts he let it out the wrong way.”

Taipeti was remanded on bail until October 5 for a restorative justice conference to take place.

Search finds illegal substance

WHEN police conducted a search at Jah Te Wao Tukaki’s property they discovered drugs, utensils and stolen property.

The 33-year-old Whakatane man pleaded guilty to nine charges of supplying cannabis, five charges of receiving property valued at $500 to $1000 and one charge each of possession of cannabis for supply and possession of utensils for cannabis and methamphetamine.

Police prosecutor Bill Scott said police conducted a search of his property and found 16 grams of cannabis separated for sale.

Tukaki admitted the cannabis was his and that he intended to sell it.

At the property two televisions and a laptop were found in the bedroom, which was exchanged for cannabis.

A glass pipe and bong was also found.

Tukaki was remanded until October 5 for sentencing.

Long-awaited bail

AN Opotiki woman who had been remanded in custody since the end of May was released on bail after pleading not guilty to seven charges.

Judge Mabey said Susan Daphne Green’s alleged offending dated back to February when she was charged with possession of cannabis, reckless driving, failing to stop and breach of bail.

In March she allegedly breached bail and in May was charged with resisting police, possession of an offensive weapon, namely a cross bow, and possession of cannabis.

Lawyer Cate Andersen said the charges resulted in Green being remanded in custody, where she had remained.

Up until last week Green represented herself in court and no bail application had been made.

The alleged May offending was the result of a warrant for her arrest.

A warrant was issued for her arrest when she failed to attend Opotiki District Court.

Miss Andersen said she phoned the court to advise she would not be able to make it at the time and would make a voluntary appearance later in the day. A warrant for her arrest was issued which she believed should not have been issued.

While in custody she was psychologically assessed and found to be mentally healthy and fit to plead.

Judge Mabey said she was not a flight risk or at risk of interfering with witnesses and further reoffending.

He bailed her to appear in the Opotiki District Court on October 13.

Sentence appealed

THE Te Teko woman sentenced to 12 months in prison for fraud has appealed her sentence.

Matekitawhiti Tangitu was sentenced on August 3 on three charges of causing loss by deception, after conning three people into giving her $6500 – while serving a home detention sentence for benefit fraud.

There was one charge outstanding to which she had not pleaded and lawyer Cate Andersen said this case had been adjourned until last week and Tangitu’s presence had been excused.

Since the sentencing, Tangitu had appealed her sentence.

If she was sentenced to imprisonment on the remaining charge, and the appeal was granted, it would create a difficult situation, Miss Andersen said

She was remanded in prison until October 5 for a case review hearing on the outstanding charge, which could be dealt with administratively.

Fire arm found without licence

ASSAULT and firearm charges against Matahi man Cornelius Wallace were downgraded and he was sentenced to nine months supervision.

Wallace initially faced charges of male assaults female and unlawfully carrying a fire arm but police amended the charges to common assault and possession without a licence.

Lawyer Kaushlyn Kumar said there had been an argument between Wallace and the victim and, when he went outside to start his truck and bring in his washing, the victim locked the door.

He then jumped through a window to open the door and the two started pushing and shoving each other.

When police arrived at the property they found a Parker Hale .270 rifle.

Judge Mabey said police wanted to destroy the firearm but instead of ruining a good gun, he told Wallace to get a gun licence-holder to pick it up from the police station and secure it.

Fine for $800 theft

NGAMANE Malae Phillips-Samu of Whakatane pleaded guilty to theft ex dwelling and failing to answer district court bail.

The 21-year-old stole clothing, makeup, perfume and a cell phone together valued at $800.

Lawyer Cate Andersen said most of the items were returned and outstanding reparation was $20.

Judge Mabey fined Phillips-Samu $200 plus court costs of $130.

“Paying a small fine will remind you every time it comes out of your benefit that [the offending] is not worth it,” Judge Mabey said.

First time

WITH no prior drink-driving convictions, Judge Mabey ordered Tamati Rangi Neville Carter to pay a $500 fine.

Carter pleaded guilty to one charge of driving with excess breath alcohol.

He was stopped on August 2 at about 7.20pm by police after they noticed him driving without any headlights.

When asked to undergo a breath alcohol test, he returned a result of 491 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

Judge Mabey said Carter would also have to pay $130 for court costs.

Agitated state

WHEN police turned up to a family party to help deal with some unwanted guests who were causing trouble, Vince Maakariini Himiona was already in an agitated state.

So when his brother became involved in a physical altercation with police, he reacted by standing on a police dog.

He pleaded guilty to obstructing police and was fined $350 plus court costs.

Overturned sentence

JUDGE Mabey had to overturn a sentence of community work handed down to Turinga Samson Tawera after police were unable to prove the substance he had was non-approved psychoactive drugs.

Tawera had pleaded guilty to the charge at an earlier appearance and received a sentence of community work.

He was facing another charge of possession of non-approved psychoactive drugs for supply.

Tawera wasn’t in court last week but police revealed analysis showed that the substance was not considered a psychoactive drug so the charge had to be dropped.

Judge Mabey said the result of the analysis also meant that Tawera’s guilty plea would have to be vacated and the community sentence overturned.

“Cannabis is the only thing that we know what it is without analysis. If it is not cannabis then get it analysed because it is the only drug you can be sure of.”