Helen passionate about sailing, the arts and Whanganui's heritage
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Vol. 36, No. 17 - May 7, 2020
52 Ingestre Street, Whanganui - ‘NZ’s Most Beautiful City’. Phone 345 3666 or 345 3655, email rivercitypress@xtra.co.nz
Helen passionate about sailing, the
arts and Whanganui’s heritage
Husband, Gordon, is One highlight Helen
BY DOUG DAVIDSON from a Whanganui farm- talks about was their visit Helen Craig
Helen Craig was elected onto the District ing family and had joined to Tana, a volcanic island
Council in 2013 and re-elected twice since. the Navy on leaving in Vanuatu. “We watched
She has made a name for herself, especially school. So it was per- the golden glow of the
in the areas of the arts and in Whanganui’s haps inevitable that in
2004 they left Auckland over our heads after dark.
heritage buildings but many readers are to spend a year sailing “We had a good supply
probably not aware of another passion of of food, drinks, walking
hers – sailing. sons, Fraser and Alex, shoes and coats, but un-
She says, “I took up Whitsundays and return- then aged 8 and 5, in their fortunately many others
sailing in Te Anau and ing via the Solomon Is- 57 foot yacht. She says, on the volcano were less
Queenstown lakes in my lands and New Caledonia. “There were many chal- prepared in jandals and T
However, she admits, “I lenges, with Gordon con- shirts. Unfortunately, the
when I was working in do get sea sick but after a stantly dealing with break- transport down the moun-
Tauranga.” After moving few days I usually come ages and me teaching the tain crashed and we had to
to Auckland for her job as right,” and adds, “Eight- boys, preparing meals, walk for three hours in the
a Senior Commercial In- een months of cruising cleaning, washing and dark on unpaved roads.
surance Broker, she still was obviously an incred- keeping in contact with We were very proud of our
found time to sail in Car- ible experience visiting loved ones at home. “ She sons for doing this without
penter 27’s before joining coral reefs and islands adds, “Baking fresh bread complaint.”
a 42 foot yacht sailing to and just hanging around daily, popping popcorn for By then they had decided
Brisbane via Lord Howe with whales for hours at a snacks and only one G & to come to live in Whan-
Island and then up to the time.” T at night, meant we were ganui. “Gordon was keen
pretty healthy.” on managing the family
There were times when farm CC Te Hue on the
rouge waves caused trou- Parapara and the fam-
ble. Gordon got thrown ily’s 1877 heritage home
into the air, landing on would need us eventually.
his back onto a winch and Gordon and his father, Dr
on another occasion they Bruce Craig, had both at-
had all the hatches open tended St Georges and
for the fresh air, when a Collegiate and the schools
wave came from nowhere, were also a major attractor
- for us.”
rooms. Continued on page 2
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RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 1
Check out what’s The NZ Bird Atlas Project: Tracking changes
in this week’s RCP in our bird populations
* -
ing to learn more about In 2017, the Parliamen- *+ ! will continue for 5 years
tary Commissioner for the $ until June 2024. It aims
what their views are on Environment published / to determine the present
a particular subjects. As a report titled ‘Taonga of cuckoo on both islands. distribution and status of
a journalist, I have the an Island Nation: Saving These are all endemic all New Zealand bird spe-
opportunity to explore New Zealand’s birds’. species, ones that breed cies, not only our endemic
further and this is the This report highlighted nowhere else in the world. and other native spe-
case with Helen Craig. the threatened status Overall, almost one- cies, but also those that
!^ $ of many of our iconic third of New Zealand’s recently arrived naturally
Personally I could never endemic bird species— 168 native bird species and the many introduced
have sailed around the are in serious trouble, ones.
! - just under a half are During this period,
two young kids. Way too head)—species that occur near-threatened and only members of Birds New
challenging for me but nowhere else in the world / - Zealand, along with peo-
Helen and her family Doug Davidson, and most of which have ened. The key threats are ple from other interested
did and I admire them journalist@ evolved unique features predation by introduced groups and the public
for that. rivercitypress.co.nz and lifestyles in New mammals, ongoing loss generally—are record-
Major media organi- on the dangers of tramp- Zealand over millions of and disruption of habitat, ing the presence of New
sations are launching a ing is particularly rel- years. including through inva- Zealand’s birds seasonally
buy local campaign and !}~$\ The Landcare Research sion by non-native plants and by major habitat in
the RCP is very sup- experienced it when my Manaaki Whenua was and the risk of inbreeding over 3200 10x10 km grid
portive of supporting wife broke her leg when asked to review the status in these small, isolated squares in New Zealand
local businesses as we we were tramping in the and change of all native populations. The Parlia- 3
see ourselves as almost Whanganui National land birds in New Zea- mentary Commissioner Unlike the earlier atlas
fully local. The only Park in 2000 and had to land over the past almost concluded that the situ- schemes, the present atlas
thing we can’t do locally be taken by helicopter to 50 years. ation of our native bird is using modern com-
is to print the paper here. the hospital. To do this, the research- species is desperate and munications technology
We did until the Wan- Another relevant topic ers turned to two atlases recommended various in which observers enter
ganui Chronicle printing is the International Nurs- of bird distribution in additional measures. their sightings directly ei-
works closed in 2013, ~}! New Zealand produced But how do we know ther via a free smartphone
when its owners decided 8) and an article on one by members of the 3 app, or through a personal
to outsource the printing of our early nurses, Ed- Ornithological Society successful? What impacts computer to a central
of its lower North Island ith Rudd, contributed by " #! will new threats, such as digital data repository
newspapers. Y^ !$ popularly known as Birds climate change, have? called eBird.
Dave Scoullar’s article - Doug Davidson " #$% And what about the many If you are interested in
atlas, documenting the non-native species that contributing to the New
distribution of all New now dominate our human- Zealand Bird Atlas, go to
River City Press - Zealand land birds, took
place between 1969 and
Firefighters attending 250% more rubbish fires under lockdown
isolation bubble and risk *
more than doubled "Between 23 March potential exposure to is essential and you’ve
during the lockdown and 22 April we re- COVID-19. applied for a permit,
period compared to sponded to nearly 750 "During Alert Level 3 please be patient. During
previous years and preventable rubbish New Zealanders are be- COVID-19 Alert level 3
Fire and Emergency is / ing asked to stay vigilant it may take longer than
asking people to stop the number for the same and continue following usual for permit applica-
burning. period last year when we the Government’s advice tions to be processed.
National Manager responded to nearly 390 to keep themselves and And when you do burn,
Community Readiness others safe. burn safely.
and Recovery, Steve "Please consider "Help us to keep you
Turek, says Fire and permitted and under alternatives to lighting
Emergency will respond control, the smoke often during these unprec-
to all emergencies but generates a 111 call from 3 edented times by not
is asking people to help well-meaning members lighting any outdoor
us by doing their bit of the public. 3 ]
to minimise the risk of "Every time this unless it is for essential
- industry (for example more at www.checkitsal-
avoidable call-outs for ers need to leave their crop farmers). right.nz
Being involved in the Emergency Response
to the Pike River Mine Disaster
Brian Johnson was in- of methane that was be-
volved in the Emergency ing recorded. Everything
Response to the Pike Riv- that was being used or
er Mine Disaster working intended to be used at the
for a total of four weeks mine had to be approved
at the scene. He writes by the police which was
about what was involved one of my responsibili-
in a two part article for ties. The telephone rung
the RCP. almost continuously, with
On November 19, 2010 all calls having to be man-
at 3.45pm an explosion ually recorded as to who
occurred at the Pike River it was, what they wanted,
Coalmine situated 45km when it was needed and
North East of Greymouth where. Many other calls
in the Paparoa Range. were from Media, Po-
As the Police were lice National Headquar-
leading the Emergency ters and local Mayor and
Response at the mine a councillors and such like.
call went out for volun- Any equipment required
teers to go to Greymouth for use at the mine dur-
to work. ing that time had to be ap-
My position at that time proved and paid for by the
was Area Manager Com- police Greymouth now? we had to tighten up se-
mercial Vehicle Investi- At this time we were I asked the Squadron curity at the mine due to
gation Unit based at the trying to arrange to get a Leader did they have a some media sneaking into
Ohakea weigh-station. I machine brought across spare Hercules in Auck- the site. A checkpoint was
held the rank of Senior from Australia for the land that we could use. No set up at the gate where
Sergeant. Australian Mines Rescue problems. It arrived on the any visitors arriving had
It was a complete sur- team to use. Having to Saturday morning with al- to get approval from mine
* get customs clearance ur- most the entire population headquarters before entry
that I had been selected to gently, arrange transpor- out watching this plane was given.
go to the Pike River Mine tation from airport to the I knew very little about
to be part of the Police Not often you get to hire mines when I went there
Team who were leading that were tasked in trans- an aircraft of that magni- but in a short time got
the Emergency Response porting it to NZ etc., were tude. to see and hear a lot. We
alongside Mines Rescue just some of the tasks that For the second week I were required to be very
Teams from New Zea- I had to complete. was based up at the mine sensitive as there was still
land, New South Wales We required this ma- in charge of the police 3
and Queensland. chine to be in New Zea- 3 - that had family members
Because it was still land on a Friday as we - and friends down the hole
considered to be a crime had a window of oppor- \ - so to speak, so there were
scene with 29 men in tunity to use it that week- side Mines Management, some very trying and
the mine, the Police con- end so arrangements were Mines Rescue Teams, emotional times.
trolled everything that made to have it arrive at { 3 Next week: The mine
was happening at that Christchurch and trans- personnel. itself and the project to re-
point of time. ported by an airforce truck It was during this time enter the mine.
Initially it wasn’t about to the mine on the Friday.
recovering the bodies but Unfortunately, at the last
more about securing the minute they altered the
mine to make it safe be- destination to Auckland!
cause of the high volume How were we to get it to
RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 3
Council gets to work on rates relief
Whanganui District is looking at a potential ment or remission under still needs to be worked ecutive, Kym Fell says, days. We do encourage result of the COVID-19
Council has held a spe- package which could certain criteria. “While the Council is people to continue to emergency.”
cial workshop to con- include options for rate- “We’re looking at mak- the eligibility criteria,” working through the pay their rates to enable Mr Fell says, “If this is
sider rates relief for payers to defer rate pay- ing changes to those says Mayor McDouall, necessary steps to ap- the Council to deliver an issue for you, please
people and businesses ments without incurring policies which would al- prove a rates relief pack- essential services to the contact our rates depart-
late payment penalties. low us to consider cases time for the next coun- age, we are still required community. ment to discuss pay-
He says, “The Council of hardship related to the cil meeting on 26 May, to send out rates invoices “We appreciate howev- ment options. Phone
result of COVID-19. has an obligation to col- unusual circumstances 2020 and from there for the fourth quarter and er, that many in our com- 06 349 0001 or e-mail
Mayor Hamish McD- lect rates, but we do have the Council will consult ratepayers will receive munity are experiencing rates@whanganui.govt.
ouall says the Council existing policies which year.” with the community.” these over the next few nz”
allow for rates postpone- “While some detail Council Chief Ex-
River City Press - the ultimate
Whanganui local business
The River City Press This is
was established back where the
in 1985 by a local and local or
for the last 23 years has com-
been owned by another munity
Whanganui Girls’ College lockdown local couple – Debbie
and Blair Jarrett, both of
whom work in the paper.
Nearly all operations are
contribu-
tion came
to the
A lot has been going fore with
done locally from the so many
on during lockdown for
research, reporting, proof residents
Whanganui Girls’ Col- reading, through to the contrib-
lege. We have moved selling, design and place- uting
collectively to teaching ment of the adverts and articles.
online which has meant page layouts. The RCP is There
a steep learning curve totally independent. were
for not only some of So we are proud of local his- on what programmes
our teachers but many having continued to tory stories, a gardening were available online
write and print the paper in Whanganui column, through the library,
of our students and through the lockdown a weekly quiz on the Sarjeant Art Gallery and
whanau. From Year 9 to period when community streets of Whanganui, the Museum, were in-
Year 13, teachers have papers owned by the me- advice on walking and cluded as well as one on
created online activities dia giants of NZME and tramping trips in the Skinny Jump subsidised
and lessons for students ^ 3 area, articles on the likely broadband. We reported
Hard packs containing worksheets and material There was never any impact of climate change on what was happening
to ensure they con-
tinue with their learning municate and support tion championship. This doubt that we would on Whanganui, poems, with the Food Bank and
continue to operate and stories written by ‘insid- the Koha Shed and on
journey and reach their our students through involves students and
initially thought it would ers’ on Easter, the Jewish how dairies were coping
potential. The govern- weekly online as- teachers logging their mean an online version Passover and the Muslim during the lockdown as
ment has provided de- semblies via the Girls’ physical activities to the only. But with support Ramadan and a variety of well as having features
vices and WIFI routers College Facebook page. Sport Whanganui page. from Whanganui District contributions on living or on Poppy Day and
to families who need These online assemblies At the moment Whan- Council during lock- being brought up in other Anzac Day.
them and we continue have enabled not only ganui Girls’ College is down level 4, we were countries. But much of this was
to communicate with the Principal to commu- leading the way, with a able to continue in print. There were a number of possible only because of
Because the govern- - the loyalty and support
families around their nicate with students and total of over 200 hours.
ment ruled out house ing their contribution to from so many of our
needs. the community, but our %3\- deliveries for community Whanganui’s business advertisers. As we are a
We have also created senior prefects who have ganui Girls’ College newspapers, we instead and community life. stand-alone operation,
hard packs containing added their advice and also created one of the put copies in dairies and Our thanks to them for dependent on advertis-
worksheets and mate- support to students dur- 3 supermarkets. We are submitting to ‘interviews’ ing for our existence,
rial for those students ing this unprecedented of 2020. This video was grateful to these stores over email. 3
who require them. Year time. put together by one of for their willingness to Readers were kept give away advertise-
Our head of Physical our science teachers, have the RCP available up to date with local ments as other papers
9 and Year 10 packs for customers. developments relating have done, although we
are available to pick up Education, Amy Fair- Blanche Cloete, and Writing a 16 to 20 page to COVID-19 including -
from school and include hurst, has been encour- involved a large number newspaper in the absence cantly reduce prices. We
work from all the core aging both students and 3 - of normal events taking Stuart Hylton appointed are grateful to all our
classes. 3 ing their artistic ability. place and our inability to as joint controller of the advertisers and thank
Our senior prefects Sport Whanganui Sec- Kia kaha, stay strong, interview people in per- COVID-19 Emergency them for supporting a
have continued to com- ondary Schools Isola- be kind. Amy Fairhurst son, had its challenges. Response team. Advice local business.
Have you seen this?
No doubt you have passed this war The inscription reads: “This section
memorial seat on the corner of the of the Memorial Avenue was planted in
Great North Road and Virginia Road, "#
probably without stopping. If you are Brigade. 1915. 1918.
on a walk, the seat provides a comfort- Whanganui District has over 30 war
able stop and a view of the passing memorials covering the New Zealand
| % Wars, the South African Boer War, WW1,
seat itself was repaired recently. WW2, the Korean and Vietnam wars.
4 - RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020
Non-urgent surgeries re-started How bridges changed tramping
at Whanganui Hospital Last week Whanganui
tramper, Dave Scoullar,
praised the beauty of the
bridge on the track to
Rangiwahia Hut in Rua-
hine Forest Park. Today
he takes a wider look at
the impact of bridges in
" #_
*
trampers have the NZ
Forest Service and Lands
and Survey Department
to thank. From the late
~ 3
began to cull deer in the
more remote areas. At this
time the back country also
started to be used more A Whanganui tramper crosses a three-wire bridge on the Hollyford Track
for recreation.
To enable both these and replaced many of the for your feet and two for 3%
undertakings huts and earlier bridges so that to- your hands. They had a wires are now rare.
With New Zealand moving to Alert after an operation in case the hospital bridges were needed. The day we have back country tendency to sway which So are cable-ways by
Level 3, Whanganui District Health suddenly needs to be ready to respond to Forest Service and Lands bridges in a multitude of unnerved many people which to cross a river the
Board is gradually resuming working {* and Survey hut-building and that is why DOC passenger sat in an open-
routines and catching up on deferred *_ ~/- - strengthened most of sided metal cage. There
surgeries and procedures. all.” incided with a huge back lar conditions in the area them. were stories of people
“We have cautiously started elective *Y country bridge-construc- to be bridged. The two wire, with one falling out of cages, get-
surgery and non-urgent specialist ap- the hospital remain the same as during 3 Swing bridges, the most each for your feet and ting things stuck in the
pointments from Tuesday, 28 April,” the lockdown. * common type encoun- hands, were the quick- winch system and being
{| * That is: One visitor only is able to visit nature of back country tered while tramping in est and cheapest form of stuck halfway across riv-
says. those in hospital at end-stage of life, in tramping, so did bridges. " # bridge to build but could ers when they discovered
“This will be a slow build-up of elec- the Critical Care Unit, in the Maternity They allowed trips in and styles. While working * _
_\ Y - bad weather without the for DOC in Whanganui, was any slackness in ei- bar to haul themselves
non-complex procedures in patients un- _ risk of being stranded by builder Dave Brockway ther cable, the user risked along.
der 70 without co-morbidities. Other hospital information came up with a design
“We are using an acuity index which
seeks to blend the requirements of those
who are the most urgent and those who
Outpatient Department: Some ap-
pointments may be through a phone call.
*
there were few bridges, so
most rivers were crossed
at fords with the danger of
which he used widely
in this conservancy and
became known as the
River City Press
have already waited the longest so we the patient will be contacted by one of being swept away. Brockway Bridge. our office is closed over the lockdown period,
can be as fair as possible to all.” the team. The Outpatients Department * * however you can contact us either by phone
Under Alert Level 4, elective sur- has temporarily moved to Te Whare Conservation Department there were many two
geries considered urgent continued at !@ $*
345 3666 or email: rivercitypress@xtra.co.nz
has continued the tradi- and three wire bridges. A
Whanganui Hospital, and this included concerns about their appointment, they tion and it has upgraded three wire had one cable Advertising and ‘good news’ stories welcomed
cancer-related cases. ~}
“We also dealt with situations where Medlab and blood tests: Phone
not taking action would likely see the ~}
patient re-presenting at their GP or
at the Emergency Department within for the test.
three months,” said Dr Murphy. Radiology: The radiology depart-
However, non-essential cases were ment has temporarily closed its walk-in
deferred as the hospital prepared its re- * /
{*/~ or other radiology treatment, they will
Dr Murphy said the hospital was now be referred by their GP and then con-
working at about 60 per cent of nor- tacted by the radiology department for
mal capacity. “We are looking to pro- an appointment.
gressively build this up in the coming People who are sick should call their
weeks,” he said. GP or Healthline on 0800 358 5453,
“We are not undertaking complex or visit a community-based assessment
procedures; procedures in over 70s; or centre.
{*/~
co-morbidities. We are mindful of still KXX ~ X
being in level 3 and we need to reduce Or for the local response go to the
the chances of people requiring pro- Whanganui District Health Board web-
longed inpatient or intensive care stays //KXX X
RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 5
Soil care in Whanganui gardens
- Phil Thomsen is a life-
long gardener, with ex-
perience in many aspects
Visit Peat Park - playgrounds, sports of horticulture. He peri-
odically takes a course on
Understanding Landscape
fields and the deer sanctuary Design at Community Ed-
ucation Whanganui, with
an emphasis on garden-
ing for Whanganui condi-
tions.
In last week’s River
City Press I discussed
how Whanganui soils can
be improved by return-
ing organic matter to the
soil (e.g. through kitchen
scraps or lawn clippings).
This week I discuss other
ways of getting the best
from the soil by bringing
in supplements.
Organic matter can be
brought in to build soil
structure. Locally avail-
able examples include
poultry manure, added in
thin layers as fresh manure
can burn sensitive roots.
Other animal manure is
also great, whether from
cows, horses or sheep.
Deer at Peat Park I was able to access a
woolshed while develop-
Peat Park is one of Tucked away at the foot and is next to Cullinane ing my present garden and
Whanganui’s oldest play- of St John’s Hill, the park College. added about 6-8 trailer-
grounds as evidenced by is located on the corner of The play areas are un- loads of sheep manure to
the Art Deco entrance. Halswell St and Peat St fenced but are a reasona- the garden over several
ble distance from the road %3
Deer seen walking the and there is ample parking
space. The sports ground
area is huge.
growth was dramatic.
Palletised sheep manure Sumptuous broccoli and brassicas growing in Phil Thomsen’s Whanganui
is available at garden cen-
streets of Aramoho The playground area ap-
peals to a variety of ages
tres and has the advantage
of not bringing in weed
fertiliser added
native birds, such as fan- residency and it is won- matter in your soil is an
A reader has told us of seeing deer walking along with a massive climbing seeds. tails and grey warblers, derful to see them darting excellent form of carbon
Paterson and Quick Streets in Aramoho. frame structure for older When I moved into can feed on these insects. storage, so you will be
She and her husband are used to seeing them on kids as well as arm grind- my current St Johns Hill I seldom used to get fan- my veranda as I write this doing your part to save
the hills but recently they were taken by surprise ers to test their strength. property 10 years ago the tails (piwakawaka) in my article! the planet. Win-win-win
when they saw them in the middle of the street ear- Small toddlers will enjoy 3 garden; now they are in Finally, building organic all around!
ly in the morning between 6 and 7am. She added the two swings, a see-saw and structureless, prob-
that they had also seen deer poo close to Somme and a spinning pole with a
Parade.
The deer appeared to have gone to the river for a
platform.
Oak trees line the park
ably through all organic
matter being put in the
wheely bin. Now only re-
Behind the scenes statistics
drink. They appear to have no problems jumping
the fence on Paterson Street.
and are huge, providing
plenty of shade for parents
to sit and watch their chil-
ally problem weeds such
as oxalis or couch go into on Airline refunds
the wheely bin. As a con- Colin Thompson is a number of sub-
dren at both play areas and sequence of retaining this
for those watching team travel broker with NZ mitted tickets to
material, my soil is now Travel Brokers and an process - not the
in beautiful condition, is
There are two picnic ta- accredited Travel Advi- dollar value to
easy to cultivate and al- sor with TAANZ (Travel refund (which
bles – one near each of the most all plants thrive (see
two play areas. Agents Association of will be in the
the picture). NZ). He provides some billions of dol-
At the foot of the hill Compost from decom-
there is the deer sanctuary, background on what hap- lars).
posing plant matter is a pens when you ask for a As you can
which many people either great soil additive; I dis-
don’t know about or forget refund on your overseas probably
cussed compost heaps in travel. imagine, the
to go and check it out. The my last article. However,
deer are quite used to peo- Refunds (and the time time involved to
it can also be bought in it takes to process them), check, process
ple and when they come bags at garden centres or
close to the fence, they are are one of the burning and action for
in bulk. It doesn’t provide issues within the industry payment is quite
a delight to watch. the same nutrient boost right now (with good rea- frustrating to be told
that animal manure does, son), so I wanted to shed Emirates has said their eight to 12 weeks before
3 some light on what's go- goal is to get the current your refund is processed,
building up soil structure ing on behind the scenes. backlog (the 500 million) it's (unfortunately) a
and may be applied as a Emirates are an enor- processed by August. realistic timeframe at the
3 mous airline (but by no So while it's incredibly moment.
and other organic matter is means the largest in the
also great. world), so they provide a
The principle of build- good illustration of what's
ing up the organic matter happening across the
in soils applies to any soil. aviation industry.
Sandy soils can become Prior to COVID-19,
more fertile and moisture Emirates would process
retentive with this treat- an average of 35,000
ment. Clay soils become ticket refunds per month
more free draining and (globally). Now, because
better aerated (roots actu- of the pandemic, they
ally need air to breath, or are now adding capacity
they can’t take up mois- to their support teams
ture). Good soils, such as with the goal of process-
those at Aramoho, become ing 150,000 refunds per
even more friable and pro- month - that's an increase
ductive. of over 300%!
Returning organic matter To give you some
to the soil is much more context as to why they
environmentally friendly need to do this, Emirates
than putting it into the has received roughly 500
waste treatment system. million refund requests
Friendly bugs thrive and so far - that's the actual
6 - RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020
RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 7
Appreciating nurses more poignant
this year with COVID-19
International Nurses at https://www.nzno.org. Force for Change: Im- 3 "
Day (IND) on May 12 is nz/support/covid-19. `^¥ amazing profession that
a chance to highlight the The international Nurses Resilience allows us to do just that
very important contri- Day has been celebrated }~/" KY in so many ways. It may
bution nurses make to around the world on May to lead - Achieving the be as simple as taking the
society especially now 12 since at least 1974. Sustainable Development time to listen or provide
during the COVID-19 The day was chosen as Goals comfort or as complex as
pandemic. Over 10,000 it is the anniversary of }~/" Y managing multiple co-
health care workers the birth of Florence £` ` - morbidities and reducing
have caught the virus in Nightingale, the founder man right polypharmacy to ensure
the USA and over 100 of modern nursing. }~/" KY quality of life is not
healthcare workers in the Each year there is a /` Y diminished by the very
UK have died from it. In theme and this year’s Tanya Bish, Metlif- things that are supposed
New Zealand as recently theme of ‘A Voice to ecare’s Clinical Nurse to be sustaining it.
as Sunday, May 3, 57 £" \ Director, shared her I learnt a long time
3\ ` - `_ thoughts on nursing on ago that people choose
tal were stood down after more appropriate. Previ- their website. to work in this industry
three nurses were tested ous themes have been as “I want to acknowledge because they care about Writing on house windows thanking the emergency services
positive. follows: my colleagues on Interna- people – it’s not just a job
The New Zealand
Nurses Organisation
provides information and
}~¤£" KY
Force for Change: Care
3 3
tional Nurses’ Day for as
far as I can tell we are all
in it for the same reason
it’s a passion. The happi-
ness of people is truly at
the heart of what we do
200th anniversary of
Florence Nightingale
support on its web page }~£" KY – we want to make a and why we do it.
Florence Nightingale
was born on May 12,
~} }}
200th year anniversary of
her birth. The “Lady with
the Lamp” became the
founder of modern nursing
receive the Order of Merit.
\
Nightingale was put in
charge of nursing British
and allied soldiers in
% `
wards, especially her
night rounds, earned her
the nickname “Lady with
the Lamp” and helped
her begin to formalize Florence Nightingale
nursing education. She institute training for International Nurses
went on to found the midwives and nurses Day commemorates
working in workhouse her birthday every year
nursing school—the " on May 12, the 2020
Nightingale School of continues to inspire nurses celebrations will take
Nursing at St. Thomas’ all over the world with place year-round and
` ¦ her legacy of dedication further champion nurses’
~ ^ \ work.
8 - RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020
Whanganui Nurses in the Past: Win cafe/restaurant vouchers
by going to Alarm Watch
Edith Rudd (1882-1966) Facebook page
This is an abridged ver- an exciting time – “It was
sion of an article written like Wanganui had come Alarm Watch Ltd Whanganui is GIF.
by Ailsa Stewart, who alive.” running a competition on their face- Previous competitions included
has been researching - book each day with typical prizes of one with Mud Ducks with a bonus
and writing the history nation in 1908 in Palm- $40 to $50 vouchers for food at local for the person who sent in a picture
of Whanganui nurses for erston North as she was cafes and restaurants. The competi- of them dressed up as a duck. Other
the International Year of the only candidate from tion on the day of this article was to competition requirements included
Nurses. Whanganui. She was ap- win $40 voucher at Tasty Indian. All tagging a friend who you can be bru-
Edith Rudd (nee Lewis) pointed ‘Sister’ of Victoria you had to do was to share the post tally honest with and someone that
arrived in Whanganui Ward, a 30 bed women’s describing your personality with one you are grateful to have in your life.
from the UK in 1901 to ward.
stay with her uncle, Mr J
Littlejohn and work as a
In 1910 she left Whan-
ganui to work in a private A warmer winter for one
nursery governess looking hospital in Auckland, earn-
after three children.
She decided to train as
ing considerably more. In
1915 she was appointed
million New Zealanders
a nurse starting in 1905 matron of the HMNZ Over 1 million New Zealanders have “A core part of the Government’s
at Whanganui Hospital Hospital ship ‘Marama,’ more to spend on warmer homes to- response to COVID-19 is to ensure
under matron, Miss Jean spending six months get- day as the Government’s doubling of families stay healthy and focused on
Y% ting it ready for the war the Winter Energy Payment kicks in their wellbeing which is good for them
how to make a bed – pil- zone. She made four voy- to keep people well and stimulate the and good for our health service,” Car-
lows for comfort, not for ages bringing wounded economy, announced Social Develop- mel Sepuloni said.
looks. soldiers back to New Zea- ment Minister, Carmel Sepuloni. She added that those on lower
In her book ‘Joy of Car- land. The Winter Energy Payment for incomes generally spend any extra
ing’ written in 1963, Edith At the end of the war 2020 runs for 22 weeks from 1 May money on household items that keep
commented that although she returned to New Zea- to 1 October and doubles to $1400 for their families well and so doubling the
hospital life had changed land on the ship ‘Ruapehu’ Edith Rudd couples and $900 for single people Winter Energy Payment will act as an
greatly over the last 100 bringing back with her a ‘Maunganui’. She replied, two of the 12 voyages, be- this year. About 850,000 people will immediate stimulus in local economies.
years, the basic principles tiny baby boy. His mother “I’m too old,” but the au- tween 1941 to 1944, carry- ~ - % -
were the same in the care had died and his father was thorities would take no no- ing a total of 5600 patients. lion kept warmer once children and
of the patient.” in Wellington. Nicknamed tice of age – it was experi- She was a much loved and other household members of recipi- to the net average wage rather than the
Entertainment at the turn ‘Ginger Nick’ he had plen- ence they were wanting. ents are included. Consumer Price Index, is the largest
of the century included; ty of keepers and was reu- Y - ‘Mum Lewis.’ She was “The Winter Energy Payment started across-the-board increase in several
“riding a bike or sitting nited with his father seven ting the ship out and her presented with a Kashmir as part of the Government’s December decades and is estimated to help support
in the pit to see a play at weeks later on the Welling- 3 carved box engraved with 2017 Families Package designed to 350,000 low-income individuals and
the Opera House.” Edith ton wharf. having the ship and hospi- ‘Number 1 NZ Hospital help older New Zealanders and many families.
enjoyed her years while Edith returned to civilian tal fresh and attractive for Ship. To Mum from the of our poorest families heat their %3 ¤
training, making the most nursing serving as matron their patients. The pretty boys.’ homes over winter. helped to get us in a good position to
of the small pleasures of the Wairau hospital in green of the paintwork was She later received the “When the impact of COVID-19 tackle the virus and we each continue
such as having a cof- Blenheim for the next 20 restful to those who, for so nursing decoration of the ¨ to have a role to play as we begin to
fee and bun at Dustens, years. When WW2 broke long, looked upon sand. Royal Red Cross and in $12.1 billion dollar support package reboot our economy for the good of
a well-known cake shop out she was called to Wel- Kiwi soldiers also appreci- 1946 she married George for New Zealanders and business. all New Zealanders,” Carmel Sepuloni
in Victoria Ave. The in- lington to be told that she ated being nursed by a fel- Rudd. In 1961 she received It was within this package that we said.
stallation of the tramway would be appointed ma- low New Zealander. the Florence Nightingale ©}¤ “The Government is here to support
system in Whanganui was tron of the hospital ship Edith sailed on all but Medal and died in 1966. the Winter Energy Payment. those who need it.”
RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 9
Kiwis lockdown insight to design ultimate home Real Estate after
With a month spent what they would change
locked in our homes we
have gained a new per-
spective on life and how
we use space and a new
and ultimately what they
New Zealanders can
%` "#
COVID-19
initiative aims to harness @ Real Estate agents are back in business after the end
these insights to design - of Level 4 lockdown and it appears that anyone in-
volved in the business, as well as plenty of economists,
¬% ` "# @ _ Following the research, are predicting a fall in house prices – but as to how
^ award winning designer, 3
` ^- Comparisons are being made with what happened
¬ _ after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis when medium
communities across the house prices across New Zealand fell by just under 6%
country to create a home ª ^ -
^ -
corona virus crisis has ^ * Factors to consider are:
` "# @ *
{* was a wonderful opportu- the market, allowing more opportunities for especially
provided a unique oppor- nity for people to get crea-
tunity for people to assess tive and rethink how space % @ // -
the space around them tio prescriptions which should make it easier to buy a
and what it means to be * 2. Peaceful or playful? over or do you prefer to eat to meet a budget and wish
secure and connected,” helped people realise they ª - From Casablanca, Morocca Horizons Regional Council joins its counterparts
in submitting environmental enhancement
to Whanganui projects to Central Government
- Leon Benbaruk
Leon Benbaruk is a Horizons Regional include an
Jew and was brought up Council Chair, Rachel expansion
in the Jewish commu- Keedwell, says Council to exist-
nity in Morocco before has welcomed the op- ing stream
being sent to boarding portunity to submit shovel fencing and
school in Israel. In this ready projects in the en- planting
article he tells of life in vironmental enhancement projects and
Casablanca. In subse- space for consideration the SLUI
quent articles he will by central government to programme
discuss life as a young stimulate the economy - both of
adolescent in young and create jobs. which were
Israel and then about Cr Keedwell says oversub-
returning to Israel in “Horizons has submitted scribed
2019. a comprehensive package prior to the
Life as a child in of proposals to extend the COVID-19
Casablanca existing environmental event.
I was born in Casa- enhancement work coun- “Further
blanca and my world cils already have under- water
was like the little Prince way in partnership with quality
of the French writer iwi, landowners and other improve-
Saint Exupery - some- stakeholders. ment pro- Fenced wetland in Whangaehu
times solitary and “The major focus is ject proposals relate to
thinking that the world job creation and it is on-farm work, including sanctuary are included in sector, have pulled
did not extend beyond recognised that any new wetland development and Horizons’ proposal. The together comprehensive
Morocco. projects must have a restoration and reducing Eco sanctuary in the Erua packages for central
I had a middleclass long term future so that the impact of stock access area is an iwi lead project government to consider.
upbringing, living with The book by Leon’s dad. Leon’s name is to waterways, as well as that includes a predator The projects put for-
my family and having a mentioned in paragraph 3. government investment ® proof fence, visitor centre ward build on our strong
strong kinship with the continues into the future. - ~ 3 experience in delivering
extended family. I went with the Brotherhood name was ‘Rollo.’ The Collectively, our focus is sages within river systems for pest control. environmentally focused
to a Catholic Kinder- of the Last Rites (Hevra Israeli government was on enhancing biodiver- “An urban pest control projects.
garten run by les Soeurs Kadisha). I used to fol- hell-bent on transplant- sity and water quality, populations. project for Ashhurst, “Most of these projects
Marcelline and then on low him on Sundays to ing the largest Jewish responding to a changing “Biodiversity and Woodville and Palmerston are planned or under-
to French school becom- the cemetery and whilst community of 100 000 climate, promoting sus- biosecurity enhancement North, will add to the Y
ing acculturate. French he tended to his busi- to Israel after the Shoah tainable land management projects include extending injection would enable
culture and language are ness, I would run to my (The Holocaust). I re- practices and creating priority habitat protection predator control already fast tracking and provide
like a steam roller - they grandfather’s tomb - an member Israeli emissar- employment opportunities programmes such as bush %¯ / «
became my refuge value impressive tomb made ies, Mossadniks, visiting that enhance social and remnants and wetlands '¨ region’s social, econom-
and cultural identity. of granite. I revisited the our home. My dad later economic wellbeing. and upgraded pest plant “Further support has ic, environmental and
We had a Muslim maid grave in 2009. wrote a book about his “The regional council and animal control pro- been sought to fund iwi cultural wellbeing.
living at home called On Yom Kippur, experience. sector’s proposal for $1.5 jects for areas such as the management plans and “While the time
Zohra. She took me to the holiest day of the Soon after, our family billion equates to 276 Ruahine Ranges, Tararua also for an environmen- restraint to get our
school and brought me Hebrew calendar, my was split. My sister and I projects and an estimated % - tal enhancement team submission into central
back every day. I consid- father would welcome went to Israel for school- 5,522 new jobs. Horizons’ serve Regional Park. to undertake on the _3
ered her like my second Moroccan Prince Hassan ing while my older sister proposal totals over $74 “In Ruapehu, an expan- ground works to improve conversations with all
mother and have never II at the synagogue. Dad was sent to America to million and is predomi- sion of the successful biodiversity and freshwa- of our partners, we are
forgotten her. She gave fought for the independ- pursue her university nately extensions of exist- \ « ter outcomes across the «
|- ence of Morocco in career. Our family bonds ing work programmes. protects kiwi and whio Horizons Region. have put forward can be
ity with Arab people. 1956 with the PDI (Parti were loosened. I’ve al- “Horizons’ environmen- (blue duck) populations “Overall, Horizons and delivered on should our
My Dad was in insur- Democrate Independant). ways envied my cousins tal enhancement proposals the wider regional council proposal be successful.”
ance business and later At the same time Dad who live within a 20 mile
on, owned a printing was a big cog in the radius from each other.
company. He was heav- clandestine emigration of I know that my father
ily involved with the Jews to Israel run by the regretted that decision of
Jewish community of Mossad. (Israel’s Intelli- sending us throughout
Casablanca, especially gence agency). His code the corners of the world.
RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 1112 - RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020
RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 13
Fish are smarter than you may think Karaka tree berries dangerous for dogs
In NZ you should espe- Be sure, be safe
cially watch out for Karaka *_
check the safety of any
% * _
! £ Y $
- particular plant, talk to your
3 *
£ your dog shows symptoms
% - such as vomiting, diar-
nels in the fruit contain the |
alkaloid karakin, which is !
ª $ -
^ vation, weakness or other
weakness, vomiting, confu-
In this article aquat- % Toxic plants for pets !{{$ @_ @ !¨-
ics tutor, David Cooper, % information through elec- Watch out for these plants 3 ! $
helps us delve into the % in New Zealand as they are $ o Bird of Paradise plant
36 months so for 30% of special sense that gives if they are not displaying toxic for our pets: o Foxgloves o Wandering Jew
We’ve all heard the say- their lives they retained symptoms yet, if you have o Black nightshade *! $ @ ¨
ing ‘memory of a gold- this knowledge which is electrical currents omitted any concerns that your pet o Deathcap mushroom o Lilies
_ ] from other animals and may have eaten any, please o New Zealand tree nettle Y /^Y
more intelligent and have Y seek veterinary treatment
The Spot
Y _ -
ues to fascinate, as David It is also important to note
each day knows they re- { - -
gest things that might sur- main toxic for a long time,
including how to per-
Y
-
@ Y
focused on teaching a
feed point every day and
°]
^
live up to 40 years of age
*
^ Y -
_
%
quite distinct and easy to
Report
Congratulations Whan- $ -
and can recall human and - spot; they have thick dark ganui - We have come %
spatial learning task, re- 3 % leaves and can grow up to through these last two means another dog can pick
quiring them to memo- * watch Coronation Street ~¤ |
% - % -
Last month I noted some poo or people can spread
involved a maze style set _ 3 - things to do with your dogs -
up in a tank, where cer- right! One research study %
*
tain parts of the maze had }~} When Coronation Street are a vital food source for @ Worm eggs are shed in the
can outperform primates Kereru so we advise that ¨
Kong or chewie to occupy
] on memory tests and have from the tank intently and if you have spotted any walked these days than ever _
Y if you change the channel in your local area, to keep
* 3 ¨ -
^ it thrashes around as if an- your dog on the lead or take everyone that we are still and other dogs’ poo is no
then retested twelve ] them to an alternative loca- tance and time away even-
practicing social distancing 3
months later and they /^Y and that means our dogs as % £
^ Y \ sure he is relaxed and not
Y dogs shred the house, poo *
_ * signs of distress, shorten
heard so many people com- whine and howl incessantly the time and distance until
and generally cause may-
dog poo on front lawns, %
* For more good training
therefore remind everyone Your dog has had a fan-
why it is so important to tastic time with everyone at X/ X/
_ X
poo carries diseases such as
working with puppies,
Parvovirus - your dog \Long-neglected road repairs must The downside of Zooming
be part of virus response - AA or Skyping
The AA is urging the
¨ Downloads of the apps
repair SH4 (“the Para- Zoom and Skype and vid-
paras”) as part of the eo conferencing methods
COVID-19 economic re- have rocketed during the
covery package. lockdown with everyone
The highway still has from politicians to book
club members to Rotarians
}~¤ choosing to use them in
and the AA Whanganui the absence of face-to-face
district has called for the encounters.
work to be included on But, as the New York
the list of infrastructure Times reports (April 30),
projects pushed forward “there are reasons to be
by the Government to wary of the technology be-
help stimulate the econ- yond the widely reported
omy in the wake of the privacy and security con-
pandemic. The Paraparas - SH4 cerns.” The writer, Kate
“It’s hugely disap- jor transport area where around the country.” “Instead of downgrading Murphy says, “Psycholo-
respondents wanted more The Whanganui and the highway at Ohakea gists, computer scientists
years on from the origi- investment from Gov- Manawatu AA districts the current situation has and neuroscientists says
ernment. About 70% of are also jointly urging that opened the door for the distortions and delays in-
still parts of SH4 waiting Whanganui respondents upgrades to SH1 at the Government to invest in herent in video communi-
to be repaired. NZTA’s said the quality of the Ohakea air base be part of doing the job properly, cation can end up making
quick response to the ma- road surface and wast- the virus response. rather than taking cheap you feel isolated, anxious
jor slip on the Paraparas ing money through repeat With more Royal New short-cuts. and disconnected (more
}~ work were their great- Zealand Air Force vehi- “The AA is calling for than you were already).
can be done if there is est concerns around road cles about to start oper- a plan to safely handle ± 3
talking on the phone. What people really do when zooming.
the will to act. This is a maintenance. ating out of Ohakea the |
key economic route for “The AA has been in- | out of the base while still The article comments ticularly around the eyes cally perhaps, but most of
local and regional road creasingly concerned //3 keeping our main high- that “disruptions, some be- and mouth, often subcon- us on a video call tend to
users and its current state about road maintenance at the base is increasing. way up to the standards it low our conscious aware- sciously perceived, but look at ourselves than at
suggests that provincial not being kept up to stand- Up ‘til now, the plans for should be. It doesn’t have ness, confound perception essential to our under- the camera or even at oth-
New Zealand has not had ard in recent years and the dealing with this have to be one or the other – we and scrabble subtle social standing of one another. ers on the call.
the transport investment ¨ 3 been to close the passing can have both.” cues. Our brains strain The article points out that In the USA in-voice
it deserves,” says AA to miss the opportunity lane and reduce the speed Other AA districts “not only does video con- calls have also increased
Whanganui Chair, John now to deliver long-need- limit. around the country have make sense of the disor- ferencing mess with our hugely since the start of
Unsworth. ed transport improve- “There is no way we - der, which makes us feel perception but it also plays the pandemic as well as
“Now is the opportunity ments in the Whanganui should be compromising ed local transport projects, vaguely disturbed, uneasy havoc with our ability to an increase in the length
to put that right.” region.” our main highway – liter- while at a national level, and tired without quite mirror, an essential ele- of these calls. The arti-
A recent survey of AA “The recovery from the ally New Zealand’s num- the AA has called on the knowing why.” ment in communicating”. cle concludes, “When it
Members throughout the current crisis gives us ber one road for moving Government to super- Another reason is that Video chats have also comes to developing in-
country found that road the chance to take a big people and freight – when charge investment in key humans are especially been shown to inhibit trust timacy remotely, some-
maintenance and im- step forward in the safety we don’t have to,” says areas of road safety and sensitive to one another’s because we can’t look one times it’s better to be
provement was the ma- and quality of roads right John. maintenance. facial expressions, par- another in the eye. Ironi- heard and not seen.”
Now is the time more than ever to #arohalocal
businesses here in our community
This is a challenging time
for many of our local
W H A N G A N U I
businesses.
The livelihoods of
people they employ here
in the region are also
at stake.
These businesses & people
are an integral part of our
community so now,
more than ever,
we need to support them.
It is time to #arohalocal
business & in turn
#arohawhanganui
Check out our website www.mainstreetwhanganui.co.nz
for a full list of businesses within the town centre,
who are operating during Covid19, Level 3
RIVER CITY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 - 15You can also read
