Ewaste pop-up in collaboration with Tawa Community Centre and the Tip Shop
What an event we had at the Tawa Community Centre. We did a call out to the community, asking for all their ewaste material. This included all electric equipment, used and working or not working except for monitors and anything with refrigerants. Also available to the community, for a small charge, was tag & testing of equipment and software upgrades.
We had an amazing turnout, and the truck was already full within the hour. We were lucky enough to have space to take the overload, and within that we filled the truck once more. Two truckloads went to the Tip Shop for recycling and reusing. First load weighed 880kgs and the second was 1160kgs. A total of 2040kgs of ewaste was diverted from the landfill.
Great for the community, for the centre and for the environment. Now identified as such a huge success, we will be looking at how we can continue both at Tawa and other Community Centres in the area, so watch this space.
Mandy Russell
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Picture credits: Tony Hassed
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Picture credits: Mandy Russell
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Look at this stunning siapo artwork from Redwood School that is currently on display at the Tawa Library. This is the result of a class taught by Jo Montague, based around Samoan Language Week. The class thought the art looked beautiful and the children were ever so proud to have it displayed in a public place like the library. Many have taken their whānau to view their artworks!
All local schools were invited to create some art and to have it displayed for a month, so there could be more wonderful creations from the tamariki of Tawa to come.
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Redwood school art at the library.
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Have your say on our community facilities.
Wellington City Council is currently consulting on Te Awe Māpara - the Draft Community Facilities Plan.
These opportunities don’t come up very often - so we need to take our opportunity to be heard.
We know that a strong community voice helps the Council to see what is important to the community.
There is a long list of Community facilities in Tawa included in the plan.
One particular opportunity in the plan is to request that Council considers bringing forward the planning for a new combined Library and Community Centre facility in Tawa.
Please read the flyer and head over to the Tawa Community Board Facebook Page for more information.
How to have your say:
Head over to this website: https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/wellingtons-community-facilities
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Create a login (if you don’t already have one)
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Have a read of the plan.
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Answer the questions, and
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Make your comments on the plan:
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at TawaCommunityBoard@wcc.govt.nz
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Vibrant Tawa has organised the opportunity for you to meet the candidates for the Tawa Community Board by-election. Come and meet the candidates Liz Langham and Cyrus Ranchhod on Wednesday the 9th of August, 7pm at the Tawa Community Centre.
Please find details on the election and candidates here: https://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/2023-tawa-community-board-by-election
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“Be our Guest” from Disney's Beauty and the Beast brought to a close a magical evening of transporting spell-bound audiences through a landscape of well-loved fables and fairy tales. It would've been just as suitable as the opening piece, as the guests were served up an amazing menu of music, song and dance. This year's production was a musical 'revue', traveling effortlessly across decades of musical story-telling, showcasing the results of hard work and extraordinary talent. It was a feast for all the senses!
The familiarity of so many of the dishes made guests of all generations feel immediately at home. There was something deeply joyful in the way the mahi of the off-stage crew, on-stage cast and orchestra all came together. Perhaps all the more joyful for simply being able to again, shaking off the lost years of Covid restrictions and the impacts of the pandemic on rangatahi. But it was also that joy that comes when, having worked hard, students could deliver their performances to such a high, seemingly effortless, standard and enchant audiences.
Local parent, Liz Langham, describes this well. “I’m not sure if the community can fully appreciate the incredible skill and effort that the staff of Tawa College put into making the recent production not only a professional quality experience for audiences but also a phenomenal learning experience for our rangatahi. As a parent, I was so moved to see so many young people performing at such a high level of artistry and with utter dedication to the performance, to each other, and to sharing their talents with the wider community. Having known many of the performers since they were very small, it is mind-blowing to see the skills they have developed and the means they have been given to fully express themselves. It was a gift to be able to sit in the audience and be wowed by them all.”
Music Teacher and Musical Director, Isaac Stone, who arranged the musical pieces and directed the band and cast while playing the piano, says of the students, “I was so impressed at how our busy students poured their hearts and souls into making this production so excellent. They supported each other so well and were eager to improve. The students’ leadership in particular was outstanding, the learning they will take away from this go well beyond singing, acting and dancing."
We are so grateful to Isaac Stone, Murray Cameron, Sarah Holswich, Kate Stachurski and many others for their incredible dedication, time, and amazing skills given to develop our rangatahi.
Hannah Borrer
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'Join the Circus' from Barnum
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'Step in Time' from Mary Poppins
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The Jigsaw library continues to be successful. As one of the recent visitors recently said: "I don't know what I'd do without you."
There are now close to 1000 jigsaws including children's jigsaws! This also means that another shelving unit is needed. Please email vibranttawa@gmail.com if you have any shelves available.
Volunteers are there to greet you every Thursday from 10am to 12pm, although you can pick up and drop off anytime the Tawa Community Centre is open.
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New donations of jigsaws come in regularly. But please don't sell the jigsaws!
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Whānau across the region have been feeling the impact of rising living costs. By May 2023, food prices had risen 12.1% compared to a year earlier, and fruit and vegetable prices had increased by 18.4%!* Continuing to access kai that is healthy and nutritious is proving challenging for many.
Titahi Bay Fruit and Vege Co-op may be able to help. Supported by Regional Public Health and Wesley Community Action, its goal is to bring affordable, healthy food to our neighbourhoods. Every Tuesday, hard-working volunteers organise $15 packs of fresh fruit and vegetables, purchased in bulk at the same prices the supermarkets pay for them. This week, they packed 238 packs, which then got delivered to centres across the region. Around 30 packs come to Tawa.
Local parent Kristina, who feeds a whānau of five, says: “At a time when prices are so variable and high, it is such a help to pick up the bag of fresh fruit and veggies each week and feel that I’m getting good quality and good price. It takes away the decisions around buying (or not being able to buy) these healthy choices each week. I love the community aspect too and the friendly volunteers are a bright point.”
All that is needed is to pay $15 by the Wednesday before the Tuesday you would like to collect. You can pay in person when you collect, or online.
Visit their Facebook page for a registration form, or for all the information you need to get started, go to: www.rph.org.nz/public-health-topics/nutrition/fruit-and-vege-co-ops/titahi-bay/information-flyer.pdf
Alternately, you can email them at smac.fruitvege@gmail.com.
The packs are available for collection every Tuesday from down the back of Tawa Anglican Church, on the corner of Main Road and Lyndhurst Road, from 12pm – 12.30pm and 6.30pm – 7.15pm.
Hannah Borrer
*Statistics New Zealand
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Construction is now well underway on Wellington Water’s new project on behalf of Wellington City Council to improve the resilience of Tawa’s drinking water network. Works commenced on the Main Road Watermain Renewals on 10 July which is expected to take around five months to complete. The project involves renewing an ageing section of asbestos cement watermain between number 68 Main Road and Redwood Avenue.
A detour along Redwood Avenue is in place for northbound traffic. To allow northbound traffic space to pass through, all parking is closed on the northbound side of this road. All parking will remain open on the southbound side. This traffic management will be in place 24/7 for the duration of the work.
“We have been working hard with the community to minimise the impact these works will have on the community,” says Wellington Water Chief Advisor - Drinking Water, Laurence Edwards.
“In particular we have worked closely with St Francis Xavier School and Redwood Primary School to provide routes and locations ensuring they can drop off and collect their children safely.
We also know this project is particularly challenging for impacted businesses. We encourage residents to support local during these works as much as you can! We want to assure you that Wellington Water, Wellington City Council, and the contractor are committed to completing the work as soon as possible and we will continue to provide the community with updates on our work as it progresses.”
For more information on the project, updates and a copy of the detour map visit:
http://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/projects/tawa-main-road-watermain-project/
Dan Ormond
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SONGS OF THE NATIONS CONCERT
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Wellington Male Voice Choir Concert
Enjoy a celebration of cultural diversity in song. On Sunday 20 August, 5pm in the Tawa College Hall, the Wellington Male Voice Choir presents “Songs of the Nations – A Celebration of Cultures”. One of Wellington’s longest-established choirs, the Wellington Male Voice Choir is thrilled to be joined by the fabulous Pacific Connection – the NZ 2022 barbershop champions, fresh from competing in the world barbershop championships in Louisville, Kentucky. We are also delighted to have with us two of NZ’s most accomplished secondary school choirs, Queen Margaret College’s Voces Luce, and Tawa College’s own Blue Notes, both of whom have been selected from more than 200 choirs to compete in the grand finale of “Big Sing” – New Zealand’s national secondary schools choral festival.
The Wellington Male Voice Choir was originally formed in 1961, and 62 years later it is still going strong! While it is representative of the whole Wellington region, it has particuarly strong connections to Tawa and surrounding areas. It has rehearsed weekly in Tawa for many years (there probably aren't any current choir members who can recall rehearsing anywhere else) and many of its members are current or former Tawa residents. The choir has toured to Australia on a handful of occasions, and has performed with choirs in the lower North Island and upper South Island, most recently in November 2022, joining the Nelson Male Voice Choir as special guests at their 90th birthday celebration in Nelson.
Pacific Connection are relative newcomers to the New Zealand choral scene, but what an impact they have made in just a few short years. Based in Porirua, Pacific Connection was formed in 2019. In their first major choral competition, Pacific Connection won the New Zealand barbershop championship, recording the highest score ever achieved in that competition. In early July, they represented New Zealand at the world barbershop harmony championships in the US. As well as English, Pacific Connection sing in Samoan, Tonga, Fijian and Te Reo Māori, sharing not only their exquisite harmonies but their culture.
In this concert, the choir and its guest artists will perform a range of choral music drawn from cultures both near and far. While there will be an emphasis on NZ and the South Pacific, there will also be songs from as far away as Wales, Ireland, the US and Africa. The concert uses song to celebrate cultural diversity, yet in the words of one of our pieces: “We stand here together and lift our hearts in song ... we are one!”
Songs of the nations, a celebration of cultures, featuring the Wellington Male Voice Choir, Pacific Connection, the Blue Notes and Voces Luce.
On Sunday 20th August, 5pm at Tawa College Gall, 38A Duncan Street Tawa.
Tickets can be purchased at http://wellingtonmvcnz.org/, and are $25, cash door sales will be available.
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The Wellington Male Voice Choir
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History Corner – A bleak-looking sports day at Tawa College
While the original subject of this image might have been the slightly startled-looking ladies in the foreground (ideas for a caption are welcome!), as is often the case, it is the background that is of historical interest.
To the right, the western hills above Linden are relatively bare in this image from about 1980. The housing development around Victory Crescent, and neighbouring streets, appears largely complete. The area now occupied by the southern part of Fyvie Avenue, Forglen, Ordley Grove, Chastudon Place, St Aidans Way and the very top end of Victory Crescent are still a work in progress. Some scars on hillside indicate where streets are planned.
It was good to receive feedback from the History Corner piece in the March newsletter. Rosemary Escott commented that she was one of the children present during the foundation stone ceremony for St Christophers Anglican Church. By a huge coincidence there was also an item about her current work elsewhere in the same newsletter. Please don’t be shy if you feature in any of the images I post. Explaining a bit of the background to the event or even just naming some of the people all helps to fill in gaps about our local history.
David Parsons
Chairman Tawa Historical Society
Contact David on tawaparsons@xtra.co.nz
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Picture credits: Tawa College past students Facebook page
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Tawa Historical Society Incorporated will have their Annual General Meeting on Monday 28 August 2023, 7.30pm at Tawa Community Centre (5 Cambridge Terrace). Members and potential members are invited to attend this meeting and to find out first-hand about the work of the Society.
At the Annual General Meeting, we will review the past twelve months and outline our plans for the year ahead. We will then elect the officers for the 2023/2024 year. This will be followed with a presentation by Dr. John Martin, based on his book The Making of Wellington – Empire City. Coverage is from 1839 to the 1870s, with some material relating to the Old Porirua Road, and its importance in the early settlement’s expansion northwards.
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Have your say about our community facilities here:
https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/wellingtons-community-facilities
There are also currently a lot of projects and proposals that you can give feedback on! For example, have your say on traffic and parking restrictions. Go have a look, find them all here: https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz
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Vibrant Tawa (Tawa Residents' Association)
Vibrant Tawa is always on the look out for ways we can make Tawa a more attractive community to live and work in. For this we’ve adopted the 20 minute neighbourhood model (everything you want for a ‘good life’ is within a 20 minute walk, bike ride or public transport distance) as a planning tool. This will help us focus on community attributes that might be missing in our neighbourhood.
If you’ve got an idea you’d like us to look at please email Monique on vibranttawa@gmail.com
What we are currently doing is:
Bringing you Spring into Tawa (Oct 28th)
Exploring establishing a youth drop-in facility in Tawa
Publishing Tawa News – really interesting Tawa information every month
Organising Potted colour – hanging baskets on the Main Road
Supporting the Community Gardens – in Oxford Street
Supporting the Jigsaw Library
Organising AED signs
Organising funding and installation of a BBQ and canopy for Wall Park in Linden
We’re also supporting: Public Toilets in Linden, the Grenada North all weather sports park and fencing in the dog park
Planning a community survey – coming soon, your chance to tell us what you want for Tawa/linden.
AED’s – Defibrillators
Did you know that there are at least 27 defibs in the Tawa area not including Kenepuru or Grenada North? Do you know where to find them when someone has a cardiac event?
The Residents' Association have previously published the list of 27 in Tawa News and now, thanks to generous funding from Tawa Lions and technical design, manufacture and installation skills from Imagine That, will be installing signage at the locations of 12 of these defibs towards the end of August. Look out for the signs on the nearest post to:
Tawa College
Linden Medical Centre
Linden Community Centre
Tawa Baptist Church
Simon’s Unichem Pharmacy
Outlet City
Countdown e-store
Countdown Store
Tawa RSA
Tawa Library
Wellington North Badminton
Tawa AFC
Tony Hassed, president TRA
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Do you have a grab bag?
Emergencies are unpredictable and can happen at any time. You may be at home or at work and need to evacuate in a hurry. A grab bag or getaway kit is a small backpack of essential items you can grab if you need to evacuate your home or workplace with little or no warning.
It's especially important to have a grab bag if you have to walk a long way to get home during an emergency, for example if you work in the tsunami zone in Wellington CBD. Remember not to include so many items that your bag becomes too heavy, especially if you have a lot of distance to cover to get home or to your safe meeting place.
Option One: Make your own grab bag – The best and most cost-effective option is making your own grab bag. Get a sturdy backpack which would be comfortable to carry a long distance, then fill it with the items you need.
Option Two: Buy a pre-made grab bag – There are a number of different branded bags which are available to buy from online retailers. You will still need to add personal items such as sturdy shoes, hygiene items and your own food.
Don’t forget your pets! Include them in your emergency planning and preparation. This includes making a grab bag for your animals or adding supplies for them into your own grab bag.
For more information and a list of suggested items, check out www.wremo.nz/grab-bags.
From Heather McCaskill
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Be aware of the feline burglar around Tawa. Recently a cat called Milo Yousef has been coming home with some unusual gifts for owner Vanessa Stevens. Milo is a beautiful Maine Coon, eighteen months old and has brought home quite a few toys recently. Milo is especially fond of furry toys!
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Picture credits: Vanessa Stevens
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July has been a busy month, Matariki at the start and the Women’s World Cup Football kicking off in the middle with an exciting win from the Football Ferns. Rowena spent a weekend in Rotorua at the Booksellers Conference and came back buzzing!
Friday night was a book launch of Dice by Claire Baylis. Rowena had only just started reading, so it was a highlight to hear about the writing and research process which added an extra layer of depth and meaning to the book. We've added the reading notes from the publisher Allen & Unwin to our store copies, as well as adding Dice to our online collection found here: https://www.tawabooksandpost.co.nz/collections/web-links-for-product
Another highlight was a morning talk from Catherine Chidgey. Wow! if you ever get a chance to hear Catherine talk, please do – very relatable, wonderfully warm and honest. We were also very spoiled with a reading from her next (not yet published) book. Pet by Catherine Chidgey is also on our website with a link to her May interview on RNZ Saturday Morning. An interesting side note, Catherine has also read and reviewed Dice, check it out instore or on our website.
We are looking forward to seeing you instore, from the team at Tawa Books and Post.
From Rowena, Paul, Gaylene, Dana & Sharon
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Kids Enhancing Tawa Ecosystems
At the beginning of July, a group of our young KETE Student Leaders had the opportunity to share with the Tawa Community Board about the mahi they are doing to help restore Te Kenepuru (Porirua) stream and its environs. Their presentation was very well received, and they ably tackled questions about the programme. Jill Day, Chair of the Tawa Community Board, wrote: “The community collaboration happening with KETE in Tawa is very exciting. The knowledge and passion demonstrated by the students was inspiring and yes also gives us much hope for a healthier future for our local environment. Thanks to all who work to make this important kaupapa happen.”
All eight schools in Tawa are involved in KETE and are now underway with planning for their backyard planting projects. Student leaders and enviro group members map out their school, think about what the environmental conditions are where they want to plant, what they want to achieve through the plantings and what are the most suitable plants. Wellington City Council is providing 1200 native plants this year to be shared out amongst the schools.
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Student Leaders had the opportunity to take part in two workshops during the school holidays, one on biodiversity and pest mammals, and the other working in the Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves nursery.
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We were delighted to hear recently that funding has been made available by Nikau Foundation, Lotteries Wellington and the Trust House Foundation to cover our Programme Coordinator’s salary for the next financial year. This is greatly appreciated as it gives certainty to the programme and endorses the wonderful work being done throughout Tawa amongst the schools and community groups.
Lastly, we would like to invite whānau and friends along to our Community Planting Day up at Takapū Valley. Come along and see what we have been working on and join in with some planting and matting.
The Takapū Stream Community Planting Day is on Sunday 13 August, 9.30am – 3.30pm. Meet at the end of Takapū Road by the substation. Bring warm clothing, wet weather gear, sturdy closed-toed footwear, a full drink bottle and snacks.
Sue Lum, Programme Coordinator
Sue.lum2@wcc.govt.nz
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Getting ready for seed-raising
Well, it had to come sometime, rain that is! After a very mild, quite dry, autumn and start to winter I found myself having to water pots in my garden, a first for me in July. Of course, the inevitable happened a couple of days later. The skies opened, everything became sodden and I found myself longing for that parched look some pots had just a few days prior. The sky has cleared again and I have just strolled around the garden to see how it’s looking. Pretty good actually!
The last few weeks have seen a lot of activity as the garden was readied for a period of zero maintenance from me while I recover from eye surgery and a strict 'no gardening' ban! It will be difficult to obey but at least I will have time to appreciate the structure of the bare winter garden and the precious new shoots pushing through the compost covered soil. The ground is surely stirring with the first signs of growth now, and spring in all its glorious splendour is not far away!
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Winter structure
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In the vegetable garden we are not planting, but harvesting cos lettuces, pak choi, celery, rocket, parsley, coriander, spring onions, rainbow beet and spinach (all the crops planted back in early autumn). I find broccoli a difficult crop. Some years it’s magnificent but others, like this year, the plants just fail to get going and form tiny little heads about now. It’s disappointing when we’ve given up so much space for them. I still have hope the gorgeous chartreuse cones of Romanesco broccoli will appear as the weather warms up, but the Green Dragon looks to be a flop this year.
In late July it is time to sort out your seed packets and order for the coming season. Sowing time is just a month away and it’s good to get everything you’ll need ready. Give seed trays a good clean, buy in good quality seed-raising mix and organise seeds in the order that they can be sown. At the start of the season I prefer to sow into trays for transplanting later, but a few seeds like edible peas, sweet peas, calendulas and poppies, violas, can be sown direct into the ground provided it’s not too wet.
Mid-August is always tomato sowing time for me. I like to plant a variety of cherry tomatoes and a couple of larger types. They need warmth, and not having a glasshouse, the way they get that is on my lounge windowsill. For a greater variety of edibles and blooms, seed-raising is definitely the way to go. Why not give it a try?
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Foliage contrast provides winter interest (left). Beautiful Abutilon megapotamicum flowering against a purple backdrop of Tibouchina (right). Picture credits: Carolyn Campbell
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Update from Councillor McNulty
Kia ora Tawa, council are engaging on one of the most important consultations it will do this term. Please take 5 minutes to make your voice heard around the future of community facilities in Tawa.
As always, remember that Fixit is available report any problems to Wellington City Council (Fixit - Wellington City Council) and feel free to get in touch if you’re having any issues dealing with the council (ben.mcnulty@wcc.govt.nz).
Draft Community Facilities Review
Wellington City Council has a large volume of community facilities, but many of them are poorly utilised. Your rates fund these facilities through depreciation, utilities and other costs. To ensure a sustainable footing for the future of our community facilities the council has put together the Draft Community Facilities Plan.
This plan sets out criteria for evaluating the need for existing and future libraries, aquatic centres, community centres, recreation centres, toilets etc.
We know that the Library, Community Centre and Rec Centre in Tawa all face issues with size, scope and maintenance. Your voice to emphasise the need for facility upgrades and support for what is already on offer in Tawa is critical. Submit at the link here: https://www.letstalk.wellington.govt.nz/wellingtons-community-facilities
Contact Cr Ben here: ben.mcnulty@wcc.govt.nz
Update from Councillor Randle
As this is my first article in Tawa News, I thought I would start with a brief introduction. I have lived in Johnsonville for nearly 30 years, and I have been a member of the Johnsonville Community Association for 20 years. I have a passion to improve our public transport (obviously with not much success) and to ensure growing Northern Ward suburbs get the investment we need.
I have many connections with Tawa, but I’d highlight all my three children attended The Tracey Odell School of Modern Dance and, through this, we made many friends.
I am one of the “Independent” Councillors. This means I believe the council should focus on core services and community support.
For this reason, I ask you to have a look at the draft Community Facilities Plan and perhaps made a submission (Search for “Community Facilities Plan” on the WCC web site: wellington.govt.nz).
Finally, I want everyone to know that the three Northern Ward Councillors are working together to represent you and to sort out any issues where the council is letting you down. To reiterate Ben’s message, the Fixit App is the best way to first report any problems to Wellington City Council (Fixit - Wellington City Council) and feel free to get in touch if you’re having issues dealing with the council.
Cr Tony Randle
tony.randle@wcc.govt.nz
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We encourage our politicians and councillors to reach out to us with news.
From local MP Greg O'Connor:
"This week we were all shocked by the shootings in downtown Auckland. Naturally when such things occur we look at our own communities and wonder if such things could happen here in Tawa. So we look at the issues around mental health, imprisonment, firearm availability, and seek reassurance that what can be done to mitigate the risks is being done. In the case of firearms, we know the killer wasn't licenced but we don't know about the gun. Our newly introduced firearms register means each firearm is traceable to its last legal owner, some of whom in the past have been supplied to criminals knowing the gun couldn't be traced. Effectiveness of home detention and ankle bracelets will be the other issue to be investigated.
So while bad crimes will always happen, here in Tawa and elsewhere, what we look at is the lessons to be learned and implemented to prevent such things happening again. As someone who has previously policed in Tawa, I do think the nature of the suburb does make us somewhat 'target harder' than many other places, but we can never be complacent. Having a community Constable responsible for our area helps considerably."
You can contact Greg with any concerns by emailing greg.oconnor@parliament.govt.nz or calling 477 3332.
No update from Mana MP Barbara Edmonds:
Contact Barbara at mana@parliament.govt.nz or 237 9842.
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The Beehive is the executive wing of the New Zealand Parliament buildings.
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Celebrating women’s football
Several businesses throughout Tawa have been showing their support for the women’s world cup football by decorating their windows with bright football-themed bunting.
Wired Pup has a special soccer-themed thick lime shake with lemonade candy floss, edible gold glitter and decorations. All milkshakes can be made with dairy-free ice cream and milk. Pop by to their new kiosk in the Plaza.
The Chef’s Special at Pizza House will be a football-inspired pizza with pepperoni, olives and much more. Head over to 218 Main Road to order one.
The Borough is combining the thrill of football with the elegance of wine. Partake in a friendly competition to see if you prefer NZ wines to other countries' contributions.
Finally, Lifestyle Sports in Outlet City is the only place in Wellington where you can buy merchandise to support your favourite team. So, if you’re attending a match or watching in a local bar, make sure you are kitted out with your team’s football shirt.
Update from Tawa Business Group
Zahabia Rehan has joined the Tawa Business Group as their BID support. She will be working alongside the BID Manager, Bernadette, on various projects and services that benefit the business community. Her main focus will be updating our social media presence and keeping the job board up-to-date, as well as engaging with our business members. If you are interested in knowing more about what the Tawa Business Group is doing, you can follow us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/tawabusiness
The job board is updated every week with new vacancies within various businesses and organisations throughout Tawa. If you’re looking for a change or a new challenge, check it out: https://www.tawabusiness.co.nz/jobs.
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Community soup day
Tawa Comunity Centre had its first weekly soup day this week. They were serving some lovely artichoke and carrot soup with toast. Ngā mihi nui, massive thank you, to volunteer Sandra, to Tony for donating the soup, and to Tawa New World for the bread! They will do this every Tuesday until 1pm and then between 2pm and 4:30pm.
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Volunteer Sandra and Chris on the left, and Peter on the right. Picture credits: TCC
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Bilingual storytimes
Nohinohi Reorua! Whāngaia tō Tama Toa ki te pānui pukapuka! E toru tekau meneti pakiwaitara, rotarota, waiata hoki i roto i te reo Māori me te reo Ingarihi, nō ngā kōhungahunga me ō rātou mātua kaitiaki.
Get your superhero hooked on books with Nohinohi Reorua — our special bilingual storytimes! Featuring stories, rhymes, and songs in te reo Māori and English, these 30-minute sessions are open to anyone, and are recommended for tamariki aged 2 to 6 with their caregivers. We will be hosting Nohinohi Reorua at the community centre on the last Wednesday of every month at 11am, beginning Wednesday 26 July.
Steady as you go classes
We have Monday and Thursday afternoon Steady as You Go classes here at the community centre and our Thursday class is looking for more attendees and for more peer leaders. If you are interested in attending the classes, they are from 1-2pm here at the community centre and cost $2 per person. If you are interested in becoming a peer leader, there will be a training day on Tuesday 22nd August, 9:45am-2:30pm at St Peter’s Garden Room, Willis St, Wellington. The training will involve going over paperwork, exercises, and some first aid. If you are interested in attending the training, please email Ann at communitysup@acwellington.org.nz.
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Crop Swaps is a new project at the Linden Community Centre together with Take 10, the Community Garden and the Crop Swap team. Come and join every last Saturday of the month for crop swaps among the community. This will run for the first time on 29 July from 9am to 10am.
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Picture credits: Linden Community Centre
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Spring into Tawa 2023: only 91 days to go!
We’ve been thrilled by the response from people wanting stalls at Mexted Motors Spring into Tawa on Saturday 28 October. We’ve had more people apply for stalls than we can accommodate so we will be operating a waiting list. If you would like to be added to the waiting list for a stall space, please email stallholders@springintotawa.nz for more information.
The road closure for this event has been approved by the Tawa Community Board. More details on the road closure can be found on our website: https://springintotawa.nz/road-closure/. If you have concerns or questions about how this road closure will work, please get in touch with us at info@springintotawa.nz. We have engaged ATMS to provide their expert traffic management services and we are keen to work with residents and businesses to minimise disruption.
We have a big focus at Mexted Motors Spring into Tawa on reducing the impact of our event on the environment. We do this by minimising the amount of waste generated and that goes to landfill, and encouraging sustainable practices. In recent years, we’ve had a ban on the use of single-use plastic bags, and ensured that all our food vendors are using compostable packaging. This year, we’ve also banned the use of plastic, non-biodegradable balloons as part of stalls – either as decoration or giveaways. More information on our zero waste journey can be found here: https://springintotawa.nz/zero_waste/
Remember to stay tuned to our social media for more updates on Mexted Motors Spring into Tawa on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SpringIntoTawa/ and on
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spring_into_tawa/
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Picture credits: Zapdog photography
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There are some interesting weekend workshops happening this term. If you apply for funding for an organisation, have a look at our Funding Applications course being held for the first time in August. We also have a new one day drawing workshop - guaranteed to improve your drawing skills in one day.
Saturday: Overlocker Basics, Self Defence, Xero.
https://www.tawacomed.co.nz/Saturday
Sunday: Cheesemaking, Funding Applications, Handmade paper, Learn to Draw, Metal Jewellery, Patchwork, Spin Your Own Yarn and Zentangle. https://www.tawacomed.co.nz/Sunday
Follow the links to get more information and enrol for these courses.
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Foster Hope/Tawa Rotary winter pyjama drive
Tawa Rotary would like to thank all those people who generously delivered more than 70 pairs of children’s winter pyjamas into the Tawa New World collection point. Thanks are also due to those who knitted beanies for the fostered children. They have all been delivered by Tawa Rotary to June Matthews of Foster Hope.
June Matthews said there was a very high demand this year for winter pyjamas and beanies and the generous donations will help keep 70 foster children warm.
Shout-out to Tawa New World for making space available for collection and to Lyn Calman of Ray White Real Estate for signage sponsorship.
From Elizabeth Sutton, Rotary Club of Tawa
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A huge thank you for the generous donations!
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Gold medal for Briana – now to attend world championships
Congratulations again to Briana Trewern! Briana has been selected by Canoe NZ Inc to represent NZ at the International Canoe Federation Marathon World Championships, to be held in Denmark from 31st August – 3rd September, 2023. Briana competes as a Junior (under 18 years of age) in the Canoe Marathon event (19 kms). This events involves both paddling the full distance and a portage (canoe carrying) of 200 m for each circuit of the course.
She was selected after her success in winning this event at the NZ National Championships held in Auckland in May. NZ will be represented in a range of events by a seven member team. Her participation will be ‘self-funded’ with little, if any, funding provided. Briana is now fund-raising and would love to meet up with a sponsor/s or donors who would like to contribute towards her costs to compete. Please contact her at dvtrewern@hotmail.com.
Thanks to Harcourts Tawa, Tawa Rotary Club, friends and family who have contributed so far.
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Junior fun at Tawa Squash
Tawa Squash has a great programme for kids giving them a great start in life gaining confidence while improving balance, anticipation, co-ordination and fitness. The programme includes:
Monday squad coaching, an 8-week programme during the school term. Tawa Squash is offering 1 free lesson so that children can come and give it a go before committing to it. If children are keen to continue after their 1 free lesson, they will be able to sign up to the remainder of the term at a discounted rate.
Friday night junior club night, a fun night for juniors to come along with their family or friends and play some games. The first session is free and then $5 each session after that for non-members (members are free). We invite 5 to 8 year olds from 5.00pm – 5.30pm and older kids from 5.30pm – 7.00pm. There are 5 Friday Club nights left this term: August 4th and 25th, and September 1st, 8th, and 22nd.
So here's a great chance to get the kids off the couch and onto the court to learn how to play the "Healthiest Sport in the World" (according to Forbes magazine) And parents, you can watch from the comfort of an air conditioned facility out of the wind and the rain.
Even if your child(ren) play other sports, squash is a great alternative sport that is non contact and can be played any time and in any weather, enhancing the basic skills that are required for success in most other activities. Further, it is a brilliant family sport.
For more information, or to arrange a free session to try squash out with your children, contact the Tawa Squash Club on 04 2328200 or email info@tawasquash.co.nz.
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Tawa MenzShed is still selling $10 boxes of firewood to raise funds to assist with shed development and as a service to the community.
They can be delivered within Tawa.
To place your orders please contact Faith on 027 322 1372, or email Richard at
herbert.r@xtra.co.nz.
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It is easy to forget, with all the rain this week, that we had a lot of beautiful days and sunsets as well! The picture above is from John Plunkett. The picture below is from Sonja Farmer. Lots more pictures were posted on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/701254429944972/?multi_permalinks=9537986732938320&ref=share
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Cyber scamming:
Tawa College is planning an event on the 9th of August about cyber scamming.
Keep an eye on the Tawa College facebook page, or the Vibrant Tawa facebook page for details.
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Great Matariki celebration installation!
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Redwood School PFG is holding a Quiz Night on Saturday, 12 August 2023 in the Redwood School Hall. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets are $20 per person. There will be prizes for the best dressed, with the theme being A Journey Through the Decades. This will be a licensed event (R18 – no children allowed), with wine and craft beer available to purchase on the night. Contact Charlotte on pfg@redwood.school.nz.
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Three new EV Chargers have been installed at the Mervyn Kemp Library. You’ll find them at the rear of the building, just off Cambridge Street. These chargers are 24kW DC with both CHAdeMo and CCS2 connections, which fit most battery electric vehicles. To use the chargers, just download the app here: https://zero.meridianenergy.co.nz/app, follow the instructions and you’re good to go! Picture credits: WCC
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Another great picture! Just before you go under the motorway. From Tracy Wood.
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Coming up is another preloved sale for kids clothes, toys, books and gear in Tawa on the 2nd of September. This will be a fundraiser for the Tawa-Linden Playcentre, and at the end a raffle will be drawn. The sale is from 9-12, at the Emmaus Centre at the Anglican Church, 167 Main Road Tawa. This is a cash event, with koha entry.
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Wired Pup Coffee and Milkshakes has moved to Unit B, 204 Main Road Tawa. Enjoy their exquisite coffee and milkshake variety. Check out their Instagram for a taste: https://www.instagram.com/wiredpupcoffee/
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Dream Kebabs Food Truck is now open at 24 Main Road. See their menu here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=208325092179083&set=p.208325092179083
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How about this iconic letterbox?
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Did you know that there are over 2000 e-magazine titles available for reading at the Wellington City Libraries? With Libby, the library reading app, you can access over 200 craft magazines on many different art forms, including: knitting, origami, quilting and crochet! All you need is a library card.
For more information about Libby, go to https://help.libbyapp.com.
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5 minutes with Tony Afendoulis
Can you tell us something about yourself?
I’m Tony, or as many Tawa locals know me “Big Tony” or the Don of Tawa! I am of Italian and Romanian stock and proud to be a New Zealander, I am married and have two adult children (Dan, 22 and Talia, 25) both born and bred in Tawa. We have lived and worked in Tawa since 1987. Family and community connections mean everything to us as a Kiwi/Italian/Romanian family. We have our matriarch (my mum) who has just reached the ripe old age of 101 and still going strong. She often suggests it’s having a “grappa” a day is what has kept her so alive and well!
Can you tell us something about your life after finishing school?
At the age of 21, I moved to Tawa and purchased my very first property – it was then that I realised how amazing Tawa was and what paved the way to my embarking into Real Estate as a property investor, buying and selling property in the 1980s before becoming a real estate salesperson.
I was a keen sportsman, who played tennis, cricket and rugby. After finishing school I played club rugby for Põneke. I recall the 1987 Rugby World Cup was played in NZ and I got to meet the Romanian rugby team on tour. Someone had told the Romanian rugby captain Mircea Paraschiv that I was of Romanian origin and was playing provincial rugby in NZ. I was asked to join the practice sessions and throw the pill around with the team. I recall being selected by the Romanian rugby federation to join the World Cup squad. I was thrown the No. 18 shirt and became a backup scrum-half for Romania. I did not get to play. The pool consisted of France, Scotland and Zimbabwe and Romania and this was the highlight of my sporting life. I had officially become a rugby international for Romania.
Having lived and worked in Tawa since 1987, I joined the Tawa Lions, Tawa Cricket Club and even the Tawa Rugby Club in my latter years as a golden oldie for the Tawa Toads.
I was involved in my children’s sport and coached Cricket for Tawa Cricket junior teams for both my son and daughter.
What do you like about Tawa?
Tawa has grown and thrived as a suburb since 1987, and it’s been amazing just watching our township grow and change while bringing up a family in such a family centric community. I recall there being roughly 5000 residents in 1987, it was a dry area and traffic was a breeze.
Today in 2023 we have over 9000 residents with a busy bustling community and a busy main street for cars. Many still don’t know that Tawa is the second largest township in Wellington.
Over the last 36 years I have been directly and indirectly involved in real estate, I‘ve met so many amazing locals and helped so many to move forward with their real estate needs and today, my son and I still continue to do so.
Having worked for Professionals in Paraparaumu, deciding to work in Tawa helped ground me. I recall servicing 500 homes in my allotted streets patch in Paraparaumu and when moving to Tawa, my patch became 5000 overnight. I was fortunate to quickly list and sell my first property and have since individually amassed over 200 Tawa listings and sales, making me one of the top recognised salespeople in Tawa today.
Real Estate is not a 9–5 job, it requires commitment and passion 7 days a week. I always yearned to have my own business and always happily worked for others. My real estate took me to the Professionals, The Collective and now, a franchise with my son Dan under the Lowe and Co Umbrella.
As a business partner, I now feel I can offer more to The Tawa BID (Business Improvement District) where I am a committee member on the board of governance that liaises with the council on relevant issues affecting Tawa business and Tawa community. We all need a say, and I’m happy to muck in and, where possible, make Tawa a better place.
My community involvement with the Tawa Lions allows me to do my community proud, whether it be collecting for the Mary Potter Hospice, RSA, Pink Ribbon, Daffodil Day or Blind Low Vision, both my son (Dan) and I will always make the time to help such amazing causes.
The newly created Lowe and Co Tawa office purpose is to be there for our locals, to hopefully raise the bar in real estate, provide more competition and offer an affordable premium and seamless service. It’s all about helping people move forward – we are a family within a business, that's what helps us gel with all our locals.
Anything else you would like to add?
Our Lowe and Co vision or focus in the next 5 to 10 years in Tawa is for us to ideally become the first real estate leaders in promoting waste minimisation across all our offices and to contribute toward making Tawa cleaner and more sustainable for our locals. On a personal level, we hope to see more parking become available with better traffic flow and see more businesses thriving. The dream is for Tawa as a suburb to continue to become the best, or more importantly, being perceived and known as one of the best places in Wellington to bring up children and a safe place to live in.
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The Tawa Residents’ Association monthly meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be on Monday 4 September. Feel free to come along! We are always open to new people joining the committee, helping out, or sharing ideas.
We meet upstairs at the Tawa Squash Club on the second Monday of the month, 7.30pm. You can find the agenda on our website here: https://tawa.org.nz/tra-meetings/
We look forward to meeting you!
Elizabeth, Jackson, Monique, Miriam, Peter, Richard, Susan & Tony
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