Taranaki

Mountain Airs win tough


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Receiving a presentation for his 201st National Basketball League games in front of his home crowd was a proud moment for Airs captain Aaron Bailey-Nowell.  He walked on court to a huge cheer from the crowd holding hands with his two gorgeous children.

His strong physical play and focused determination was evident from the first to last whistle.  He stepped up under enormous pressure with 2.6 seconds on the clock, score tied at 69 – 69 and slotted two free-throws like he was at home in his backyard.  The crowd went into a frenzy and spent the remainder of the game on their feet with the game finishing 71 – 69 with the Airs taking their first win.

With the lead changing 11 times, MountainAirs biggest lead 8 points and the Pistons leading by 9 combined with the score being tied eight times, fans’ senses went into overload.

Import Suleiman Braimoh had a fantastic game scoring 29 points and claiming 16 rebounds.  Captain Aaron Bailey-Nowells netted 8 from 12 frees with the ball refusing to sink for most of his other shots at the hoop, finishing on 12 points.

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Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter : Successful Missions in 2013

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

Become a FRIEND and together we can save lives.
Over the next seven 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

Mt Taranaki claimed 22 of the 178 missions flown in 2013 with 11 requiring the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter to assist Police and Taranaki LandSAR with lost or injured climbers.

The crew’s main rescue area extended beyond the 30 minute driving time radius around New Plymouth with missions requiring patients to be flown as far away as Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Taihape and Wellington to specialist care.

The Trust’s two pilots flew missions ranging from rescuing accident casualties, assisting patients with medical issues, hospital transfers and assisting search and rescue.

  • 109 Emergency pre-hospital accident
  • 23 Emergency pre-hospital medical
  • 20 Hospital transfers
  • 26 Police, Search and Rescue

Total 178 missions for 2013 up by 17 (10%) from 161 in 2012

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Out of the darkness

As part of my correspondence course I had to submit articles to various publications.

I was SO excited when the Next said YES! This article was printed in August 2005.

We had the very creative Pip Guthrie come and do a photo shoot with us at the beach on a very cold windy Taranaki day!

It was just such an awesome experience!

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CanTeen – Helping those with cancer

Originally founded in Australia in 1985 CanTeen was founded in New Zealand in 1986.

CanTeen is for anyone between the ages of 13 and 24 who is living with cancer be it “patient”, “sibling” or “bereaved sibling”.  The aim is to provide a relaxed, friendly and fun environment where members can share their thoughts and feelings with other young people whose lives have been affected by cancer.

The New Zealand organization was launched with “Miles for Smiles” a walk from one end of the country to the other, to raise funds and awareness of adolescent cancer.  Today, CanTeen operates in 13 regions within New Zealand.

CanTeen does not receive government funding and relies on the generousity of New Zealanders.  There are many ways to donate through Cash Donations, Monthly Giving Club and Bequests (see the website for more information).

THE SIMPLEST WAY EVERYBODY CAN SUPPORT BANDANNA WEEK IS BUY A BANDANNA!

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Taranaki Huntaways win silver at Pony Club Champs

TARANAKI SUCCESS: Representing North Taranaki the Huntaways team of C Herbert (left), V Berrie, A Spurway, S Megchelse, S Henderson, O Thompson-Booth, M Henderson, P Grayling and Coaches: H Marshall and L Quay won second place at the North Island Show Hunter championships. PHOTO: Supplied
TARANAKI SUCCESS: Representing North Taranaki the Huntaways team of C Herbert (left), V Berrie, A Spurway, S Megchelse, S Henderson, O Thompson-Booth, M Henderson, P Grayling and Coaches: H Marshall and L Quay won second place at the North Island Show Hunter championships.
PHOTO: Supplied

Riders, ponies and horse-floats took over Foxton earlier this month.

Pony clubs from around the North Island competed for the Show Hunter Championship title.

Representing the North Taranaki Pony Club, the Huntaways finished a close 2nd in the team event at the annual Manawatu Pony Club run event.

Wellington Gold was first and Carlyle (Waverley) was placed third out of 23 teams from the North Island.

Joint coach Holli Marshall said the event had been held since 2007 and the level of competition had grown and improved every year.

“Riders have been training, trialling and working hard with their horses and ponies.  Many people made this event a success,” she said.

Huntaways team captain Cassie Herbert said it was a successful end to a great event.

“Everyone in the team rode really well and we all had some real good individual results which made the team come out on top,” she said.

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Taranaki Guides and Brownies Provincial Outdoor Fun Day

HAVING FUN: Rotokare leader Vanessa Butcher encourages Brownies and Guides to give “jump rope” a go as part of the Provincial Outdoor Fun Day. Photo: Sharyn Smart
HAVING FUN: Rotokare leader Vanessa Butcher encourages Brownies and Guides to give “jump rope” a go as part of the Provincial Outdoor Fun Day.
Photo: Sharyn Smart

Volunteering to plant native shrubs and grasses on the Coastal Walkway, turned out to be harder work than expected for a group of Taranaki Brownies and Girl Guides.

About 100 girls, leaders and family members took part in a Provincial Outdoor Fun Day this month which incorporated the Great Living Legends Muck In.

The job of planting about 3000 native shrubs and grasses with other members of the public proved quite tough.

“I brought my own shovel and ending up bending it,” Brownie Keira Hills-Wilson, 8, said.

Girl Guide Laura Smith, 12, also found the going a bit tough.

“It was fun and hard work digging,” she said.

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Holiday spruce up at Vogeltown School

OFFICE UPGRADE: Vogeltown School pupils Finn Heard,10, Megan Schwank, 9, and Germaine Grewel, 9, approve of the recent renovations to the school’s office block. Photo: Sharyn Smart
OFFICE UPGRADE: Vogeltown School pupils Finn Heard,10, Megan Schwank, 9, and Germaine Grewel, 9, approve of the recent renovations to the school’s office block.
Photo: Sharyn Smart

A steady increase in the school roll over the last five years has meant Vogeltown School‘s office block needed an update.

The office block is currently undergoing a $35,000 interior and exterior upgrade which was started in the school holidays.

Principal Mark Luff said the roll used to be around 230 and currently sits at 270.

“Just today we’ve had six enrolments,” he said.

The “hub” of the school was last revamped in 1998 and Mr Luff said it was now being brought in line with other school developments.

“We also have the centenary coming up in 2015 so we want to make sure the school is looking all tidy,” he said.

Work on the office interior is half done but work on the outside of the building was scheduled for a later date.

Pupils Megan Schwank, 9, Germaine Grewel,9, and Finn Heard,10, got a surprise as they came into the new office area yesterday.

“It looks awesome,” said Finn.

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New Plymouth Bears (MountainAirs) celebrate 20 Years with a Win

The MountainAirs did a great job coming away with a hard fought win on a night they celebrated 20 years of Basketball in Taranaki.

To celebrate the milestone the team played in an alternative strip featuring their old name – The Good Home New Plymouth Bears – however that was the only thing ‘old’ about their performance.

From the first whistle Airs’ Jack (young legs) Leasure came out to share the “pleasure” scoring 33 points in a very fast paced game whilst Kenny “showman” Gabriel entertained the crowd and was on fire with 22 points.  He was just as impressive on defensive leaping his way to 12 rebounds.

Brad Anderson and Ethan Rusbatch also had an outstanding game both scoring 16 points.

Whilst on the other ledger the Rangers’ Duane Bailey scored an impressive 23 points, with Houston O’Riley and Carl Buck both scoring 18 points. The first half was full of steals, fast breaks and spectacular baskets from both sides which impressed the crowd.

With seconds remaining until half time Airs’ Ethan Rusbatch launched the ball at the hoop from halfway earning himself a gigantic 3 points and a roar of approval from the crowd.

The Airs were relentless in their defence which was reflected in the score – going into half time 56 – 47.

Airs “Mr Reliable” Link Abrams had a frustrating night with only 8 points and 3 fouls.  Every decision seemed to go against him.  He took his frustration out in defence with 3 blocks, 6 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

Not to be left out of the night’s winning tally Dane Brooks and Aaron Bailey-Nowell both scored 7 points, Andrew Green 3 and Ben Crombie 2.

When the Rangers’ found the opportunity they made very fast breaks to score but spent the entire game playing catch-up.

The final score was 114 – 93 to the MountainAirs

The Good Home New Plymouth Bears (MountainAirs) – Jack Leasure 33, Kenny Gabriel 22, Brad Anderson 16, Ethan Rusbatch 16, Link Abrams 8, Dane Brooks 7, Aaron Bailey-Nowell 7, Andrew Green 3, Ben Crombie 2.

Super City Rangers – Duane Bailey 23, Houston O’Riley 18, Carl Buck 18, Shea Ili 13, Patrich Bolstad 12, Cameron Stuart 5, Kristoph Farensohn 2, Robson Tavita 2,

This article was published on the NZ Hoops website

Taranaki wins Ecomist’s franchisee of the year for 2013

Top prize: Ecomist Taranaki franchisee Gordon Gower has been awarded NZ franchise for 2013 at the company’s annual awards in Christchurch recently. Photo: Sharyn Smart
Top prize: Ecomist Taranaki franchisee Gordon Gower has been awarded NZ franchise for 2013 at the company’s annual awards in Christchurch recently.
Photo: Sharyn Smart

Ecomist Taranaki has claimed the insect control company’s 2013 award for best franchise, the third time it has claimed the top prize.

Owner/operator Gordon Gower said he was honoured to be named Franchise of the Year at the company’s annual awards in Christchurch recently.

“It was a great honour to receive the award,” he said.

Ecomist Taranaki was recognised for the systems and practices it has in place to run the business, and the sales it achieved.

Mr Gower was proud of the hard-work his team had accomplished and thankful to the business’ loyal customers.

“Kudos to our team. When you are performing at the top of your game it’s great to be acknowledged.

“There are 18 franchises so to be the top is great,” he said.

The business has gone from strength to strength over the last 17 years and now employs eight part-time staff in the Taranaki and Wanganui region.

And after seven years operating out of Cutfield Rd, Mr Gower was able to shift operations to lower Carrington St last year.

He said having a larger number of businesses around them had helped increase the business’ sales figures, especially the foot traffic.

“In a franchise system when you are performing at the top of your game it feels really good,” he said.

Every Wednesday Mr Gower can be found in his car driving around the mountain delivering orders and installing insect control cans.

He said people appreciated the personal service as he installs systems for those who were unable to do so themselves.

“We have a real loyal customer base.  Some of them have been with us from the beginning,” he said.

As well as insect control products many businesses are now using Ecomist’s range of fragrances to personalise their premises.

Ecomist Taranaki has won the award previously in 2006 and 2007.

This article was published in the Taranaki Daily News on July 8, 2013

Tourism TripAdvisor prize for Heliview

helivew stand

Taranaki Daily News 18 June 2013
BY : SHARYN SMART

New Plymouth adventure tourism operators Heliview have bagged another award, this time from an international travel website.

TripAdvisor, which describes itself as the world’s largest travel website, has awarded the Breakwater Bay business a Certificate of Excellence.

Jolanda Foale, who runs the helicopter passenger service with her husband Richard, said she let out a big “wahoo” as she read the email advising them they had won.

“We really appreciate this award as a thank you back from our customers for our hard work and thanking us for their experience,” Mrs Foale said.

The award recognises hospitality excellence and is given to businesses that consistently achieve four or five star reviews from people who have used a service.

“We have received 28 reviews with 27 being excellent or five-star and one being very good of four- star,” Mrs Foale said.

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Kiwi chick released on Mt Taranaki

“It was an honour to handle and release him,” said Brian Thomas.

tdn kiwi standInto the wild : Eltham couple Audrey & Brian Thomas arrive with Squeak for his release onto Mt Taranaki.

Article and photo by SHARYN SMART – Published in the Taranaki Daily News – 22/05/2013

Eltham farmer Brian Thomas saw the reward for months of hard work when he released the kiwi chick Squeak on to Mt Taranaki earlier this month.

The young bird, which carries Mr Thomas’ own nickname, is the first chick from the Taranaki Kohanga Kiwi at Rotokare project to be released into the wild.

“I originally got involved with the project by being a volunteer, working on the predator fence at Rotokare,” Mr Thomas said.

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