Taranaki – Page 3 – Smart Writing

Airs Suffer Heavy Defeat

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

A win still evades the Augusta Taranaki MountainAirs as they went down heavily to the Canterbury Rams in New Plymouth last night 106 – 68.

Coach Daryn Shaw said it is a constant struggle to keep the team motivated.

“We just had no energy tonight. We were just flat. We found it hard to get into a rhythm. We just couldn’t combat their size and their zones.”

The highlight of the game was an outstanding performance by Xavier Shaw with the game high of 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three turnovers.

“It felt good. I just tried to bring some energy off the bench. I tried to lift the intensity on the court. It was good that my shots were able to fall and it got my confidence up which was good.

“Stats wise it was probably my best game yet. I just go out there and play as hard as I can. That is all I can do.”

Quintin Bailey also made the most of his 13 minutes of game time adding six points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one turnover.

Airs come off second in scrappy battle with Rangers

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

The Augusta Taranaki Mountainairs attacked the James Blond Supercity Rangers head on in front of a home crowd last night at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth.

In a battle that resembled a rugby game more than a basketball game, bodies were sent flying and at one stage were even stacked up as Rangers’ Reuben Te Rangi flattened Airs’ Derek Albertson.

“On the score sheet we don’t have the biggest line ups and don’t have the biggest names. You look at that team. Anyone of their players can be in the starting five in the country really. We always look to come out and take everybody by surprise and work our arses off. I think we did a pretty good job,” said Albertson.

“We have to take positives out of everything. We only lost to them by 2 last time. We are a young inexperienced team and we are still growing.”

During most of the first quarter the Airs were matching the Rangers. Airs’ Brad Anderson was shooting well from deep while both Aaron Fuller and Dyson King-Hawea had a strong game on defence as well as attack.

Lantern House Trust brings community together to build a “home”

June 26, 2015July 3, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Dow AgriSciences

Dow AgroSciences, Habitat for Humanity and the Lantern House Trust have partnered to build a residential home in Inglewood.

The house will home up to five disabled people with their caregivers which is a first for Taranaki.

“It’s really exciting to come here and work on this house where we are collaborating to not just make it a home for a family but for the young adults who have disabilities to live together with their caretakers,” said Production Leader, Shannon Oglesby.

“This is our 6^th house in Taranaki and I’ve been involved in several that Dow has done in the United States. We are excited to get a team out today to work together to make some significant progress.

The company is very passionate about every build and uses each opportunity for team building.

“We have expertise at our manufacturing facility like electrical, construction and engineering so it was fun to get people to come out and use their skills to help.

“We’ve got people from all our different functions, manufacturing, supply chain, commercial all working together from leaders to operators to engineers. We wanted to get a cross section to come out and work together to build.”

Dow AgroSciences have been involved in Habitat for Humanity globally for over 30 years.

“This is our second one in Inglewood, though this build is different from the first, being a residential home. There are then two in New Plymouth and two in Waitara,” said office manager, Dana Candy.

“We have people volunteering today that don’t necessarily work or interact with each other each on a daily basis at work so it’s great seeing them here working alongside each other doing something a little bit different.”

Staff member and volunteer Clare Nolan said when the call went out so many people stepped forward it was overwhelming.

“I think that it is fair to say that the idea of helping out was very, very popular amongst the staff. We have got two shifts with 10 on each shift as we had more people than we could accommodate.

“We intended to paint, but of course with the weather that didn’t work out so we have been doing insulation. We have brought one of our builders with us so he is out the back helping with the carpentry. We have got some of the maintenance staff in here helping out with the roof.”

Sherry and Andy Hay along with Julie and Roger Landers formed Lantern House Trust to ensure the future care and safety of their children.

“We are all quite similar in our philosophies of raising our kids and we are quite proactive about making sure there are good choices and they have a good quality of life. We go out there actively looking for those things,” said Julie Landers.

Fay Looney shares her extraordinary photographic career

May 29, 2015July 3, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Fay Looney's photography on display in her front paddock, Koru Road, Oakura, Taranaki — Fay Looney’s photography on display in her front paddock, Koru Road, Oakura, Taranaki

Doing as her mother told her launched Fay Looney into an awesome photographic career.

“She rang me up one day and said ‘there is a little job in the paper for six weeks selling school photography to country schools, you should apply for it.’ So I did what my mother told me and got the job.”

The job was selling photos for an Australian Company to schools throughout New Zealand.

“It was a new school photography company that came into country in the late 70s. They wanted sales people to go to the schools and put things in place for the photographers to come along and take the photos. I come from a sales background so I joined as a sales person.

Nelson Giants blast Augusta Mountainairs

May 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Lachie Fenwick shoots over Ali Granger Photo - Ken Davies — Lachie Fenwick shoots over Ali Granger
Photo – Ken Davies

The top of the NBL table Nelson Giants gave the Taranaki Mountain Airs home crowd a very impressive game on Friday night in New Plymouth.

The Giants controlled the game from start to finish with super defence and impressive shooting to reach a final score 109 – 80. The Airs home crowd was left in no doubt why they have six wins while the Airs struggle to claim their first.

The Augusta Taranaki Mountainairs import Chris Hagan was out with an injury and this left Coach Daryn Shaw struggling the entire game.

“We got a good whipping. Unlike previous games we have always been in them. This game was always going to be difficult and without Chris it just got harder as we rely quite heavily on our import. We had guys trying to initiate our offence who aren’t used to doing it.

“They (Giants) capitalised on the turnovers and got an easy bucket. That doesn’t look good. They are a big athletic team with great defence.”

Nelson’s McKenzie Moore had a super game with fast breaks and slam dunks and was quite often found unmarked. His speed and agility was amazing to watch as he added 33 impressive points to the scoreboard.

He was also responsible for six steals, four rebounds and 12 assists.

Clowning with the Clown Doctors New Zealand

October 18, 2014March 12, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Programme Director Rita Noetzel on Red Nose Day 2015 — Programme Director Rita Noetzel on Red Nose Day 2014

Founder and CEO Prof. Thomas Petschner on Red Nose Day 2014

Founder, CEO and Creative Director Professor Thomas Petschner’s ultimate utopia is for clown doctors to be in every hospital as part of the hospital’s daily routine.

“We have helped 70,000 patients in the last five years.

“Like people wash their hands as part of hygiene at the hospital, I would like to have clown doctors become part of the mental hygiene. It is something that should be in every hospital and be absolutely normal and necessary.

“Knowing you have helped that many people motivates you and in many situations, as a clown doctor, the patients have changed my life and those of the people that I work with. It is extra special when you work with someone who knows they are going to die and you are able to get a smile out of them.”

Arriving in New Zealand nine years ago Petschner was dismayed to find there were no clown doctors practicing here. He immediately spoke to his colleague Rita Noetzel now Programme Director and Team Leader and they formed the charitable trust Clown Doctors New Zealand.

“The purpose of clown doctors is to help people overcome their challenges in regards to their hospital stay. Clown doctors work hard to get people out of that depressive mind set of being in a hospital by distracting them and therefore reducing their pain levels.”

Fireman Graeme Hill’s horrific burns

October 17, 2014July 3, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Engulfed by 800 degree flames and having his naked body wrapped in glad wrap are vivid memories Graeme Hill will never forget. Nearly four years after receiving his life changing injuries he talks about what happened and what he still endures.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 ended up being unlucky for two New Plymouth Senior Firefighters. Graeme Hill, 34, and his shift partner Sam Julian, 31, entered a Lepperton chicken shed to put out a fire when a flashover fire exploded engulfing them in flames.

Graeme was thrown to the ground by the blast gaining his first serious ‘on the job’ injuries from 19 years service. He received second and third degree burns to 20-30% of his body, requiring skin grafts on his bottom, back, legs, arms and hands. He spent three weeks in the burns unit at Waikato Hospital before spending a further 26 months recuperating. He was finally able to return to work on December 23, 2012.

“Sam is a very talented firefighter. His ability to work well under pressure proved to be a very handy asset that day,” says Graeme.

“He led the way to exit the building in nasty and extremely hot conditions.”

“It went from pitch black to daylight as we managed to pop out the other side of the wall. One second we were inside, the next we were out.”

As he removed his level 2 structure kit – jacket, helmet, breathing apparatus, etc, the seriousness of his injuries became apparent.

“I got a good view of my skin hanging off my fingers on both hands and down my arm. I sort of looked at all that and thought ‘oh this is a bit more serious than I thought.’

Graeme’s ever present humour kicks in and says ‘Everyone picks on a ginga – even fires do,’ as he bursts into laughter.

The men were rushed to New Plymouth Base Hospital. Sam Julian suffered burns to his bottom, back, shoulders and hands and spent 11 weeks recuperating at home before returning to work Christmas Eve 2010.

Mountain emergency – Guy Vickers

August 2, 2014March 12, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Cold wait: Guy Vickers waits for the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter to rescue him off Mt Taranaki

My unexpected ‘flight’ while exploring Mt Taranaki

A year after a serious accident on Mt Taranaki Guy Vickers reflects on the accident that he feels could have easily cost him his life.

“This local hill (Mt Taranaki) got me back in the end. I got caught out,” says the Stratford resident.

A very experienced mountain guide from the age of 20 Guy never thought he would receive such excruciating injuries while out tramping resulting in being winched off the mountain by the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter.

“I can’t thank the rescue crew enough, they got me out of a tough situation and they did it with such professionalism and efficiency. I was beyond helping myself in the end and it was great knowing they are there when you need them, they were amazing.”

“The season was a bit later than normal. They quite often say when you have an accident it is a combination of different things all coming together that just don’t quite fit together … and then something happens. That’s pretty much what happened on that day.”

A night shift with the Community Patrollers

June 17, 2014 by Sharyn Smart

The New Plymouth Community patrol police liaison officer Senior Constable Graeme Jones advises how to protect you and your property:-

“Reality is if you want to reduce the crime and prevent yourself from becoming a victim just take these simple steps:-

lock things up when you are not using them including your car in the driveway
put your vehicles in the garage if you have one available
take valuables inside, do not leave valuables in plain sight – even placing them in the boot out of sight is a better option.
take photos, record serial numbers and any distinguishing features
make a list of your make, model and serial numbers of your valuable items remembering to keep it somewhere safe.
Invisible DNA markers are a great invention for coding your valuables.

Our plan is to make the community part of the solution as opposed to the problem by being aware of situations around them and looking after yourself and your neighbours.

There is a misconception of what the community patrol does so freelance writer Sharyn Smart spent a “night shift” with New Plymouth volunteers Jonathan Weatherall (left) and Ray Shute (right).

Patrol landscape Meeting at the police station at 10:15pm on a Saturday night was an experience in itself. Getting out of my car a drunk male offered me $20 to drive him to the other end of town. “I’m meant to be at the police station and I’m running late” seemed enough of a deterrent as he turned and stumbled away.

Every community patrol shift starts with a meeting. The community patrol police liaison officer Snr Constable Graeme Jones discusses the plan for the night. Only fully trained patrollers are allowed because of confidentiality so I patiently wait in the reception area of the recently opened New Plymouth police station.

Mountain Air too thin for Rams

May 19, 2014 by Sharyn Smart

17-5-14 (4) 17-5-14 (3)

The noise was deafening and the crowd were on their feet for the final 37.1 seconds of the game at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth as the Good Home Taranaki MountainAirs held off the Rams to claim their fourth win.

With the score 93 – 90 the Rams’ foul count soared as they fought with desperation for the win. Both Marcel Jones and Matthew Rogers clocked up the fouls and were shown the door late.

The fouls kept coming for the Rams with Jeremy Kench the last of the night. Suleiman shot 1 from 2 to end the game 98 – 93 a fourth win in a row for the Airs with the crowd roaring their approval.

Airs’ Coach Daryn Shaw said he thought the Rams had stepped up and played a lot harder than previously.

“Canterbury is a really talented team. They have got some really good players. They certainly did some things that caused us to adjust for sure.”

“Our four main guys really came to the party and played really well at the critical moments. I think it was an exciting game and all the boys played well. They (Rams) threw a lot of hooks at us that made us adjust but I think we always just grind it out.”

Taranaki Rescue Helicopter winches badly injured man off Mt Taranaki

May 12, 2014 by Sharyn Smart

The Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust FRIENDS fundraising campaign is now on.

Become a FRIEND and together we can save lives.
Over the next eight weeks representatives of the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter will be calling homes rallying for help – will you answer the call for help?

By freelance writer Sharyn Smart

Stratford man Guy Vickers says he would have died without the help of the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter crew winching him off Mt Taranaki.

“I can’t describe the feeling when I heard the thump of the copter. It was an amazing feeling. The first person to see me was crewman Phil Dwyer. He pointed to me and gave me two ‘thumbs up’ from the chopper cargo bay. At that point I knew that I was absolutely safe. They’d found me.”

Guy was climbing on the slopes of Mt Taranaki when he fell threw a snow pocket and severely broke multiple bones in his ankle.

“I walked into the gully OK on snow … but as I retraced my steps I chose to move further down towards the gully base. After the fourth step my left foot just broke through the surface of the snow and I went down about a metre where my crampons grabbed on a sloping rock underneath. The weight of my body with my day pack came down on that left foot and just snapped outwards, breaking several bones in my ankle area!”

‘AO’ comes up BIG for Airs

May 11, 2014 by Sharyn Smart

A 3 pointer by Derek Albertsen on the final buzzer completed a superb win for the Taranaki Good Home MountainAirs.

The Airs came out on fire only slowing slightly in the 4th quarter in front of their home crowd at the TSB stadium in New Plymouth.

Airs’ Adrian Oliver played his best game yet proving to critics he has found his “shooting mojo” with a massive 42 points with four from seven 3 pointers, 4 from 5 frees and 7 rebounds.

Coach Daryn Shaw was impressed with Oliver stepping up and delivering with the crowd also voicing their approval.

“We have put the heat on AO. He’s an outstanding shooter/scorer and we haven’t quite seen it. For him to come out tonight and really put on a great performance is not a surprise to him or to us.”