News in brief 7 October
Golden Bay Ward by-election
The final result for the Golden Bay Ward by-election held on Wednesday 5 October 2011 is as follows:
Votes received
SANGSTER, Paul Francis 788
SYMMONS, Mik 656
BROWN, Sue 621
BOOMERT, Laurence 138
INFORMAL 5
BLANK VOTING PAPERS 3
The voter return was 58.54 per cent
September rainfall
rainfall raindays heaviest fall
Upper Takaka 63mm 9 32mm on the 11th
Rototai 72mm 8 45mm on the 11th
Clifton 73mm 8 44mm on the 12th
Glenview Rd 80mm 9 56.5mm on the 11th
Paynes Ford 83mm 9 38mm on the 11th
Kaihoka 101mm 11 28.5mm on the 11th
Te Hapu 116mm 10 46mm on the 11th
Onekaka 118mm 10 58mm on the 12th
Anatoki 134mm - -
Collingwood 135mm 11 64mm on the 12th
Rockville 165mm 10 70mm on the 11th
Bainham 176mm 11 80.2mm on the 11th
Baby Loss Awareness Week: book and candle-lighting service
Baby Loss Awareness Week takes place from 9 to 15 October every year, culminating in International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day on 15 October.
It provides an opportunity for parents, families and whanau around New Zealand to come together and remember the lives of their babies who have died. They acknowledge the lives and deaths of all babies, no matter what their gestation, length of life or how they died. It is also a chance to highlight the work done by the Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support organisation (SANDS) around the country.
Every year in New Zealand, between 800 and 900 babies die, aged between five months gestation to a year of age. Many ordinary Kiwis are unaware that our perinatal and infant mortality rate is so high, yet many families are affected by the tragedy of baby loss.
SANDS has launched a book called What Happened to Baby? to coincide with Baby Loss Awareness Week. They hope that a copy or some copies will be given to every New Zealand primary school, kindergarten and playcentre.
Cheryl and Ian Elsey are involved in the book launch locally. Cheryl explained why.
“Having lost seven babies ourselves, we wanted to do something positive in our community to highlight that baby loss is a real tragedy and also remind people that it affects a much wider group than you could ever imagine. I was amazed the number of people who during our various times of grief, shared their own story of baby loss – whether it was two years or 50 years ago. It seems to be a topic that is not talked about, and most people assume that you will just try again. In some cases this may not be an option, and in all cases it can be a hard decision to come to. We’re going to donate the What Happened to Baby? books to the primary schools in Golden Bay, the kindergarten and also the maternity unit at the Golden Bay Community Hospital.”
Cheryl said that the text of What Happened to Baby? has been carefully designed to fit a wide range of bereavement situations, including miscarriage, stillbirth, cot death, and the accidental or natural deaths of an infant or toddler. In this way it has been developed as a book that will be able to serve and support a large number of bereaved New Zealand families. The story is simple, giving young readers clear understanding and reassuring concepts to carry with them. The 12-page picture and story book for three- to seven-year-olds is elegant in its simplicity and depth on the topic of grieving over the death of a baby.
Cheryl is inviting anyone who has lost a baby or has been affected by baby loss to join her and Ian at the Pohara band rotunda on Saturday 15 October at 7pm for a candle-lighting service.
“There will be also an opportunity to make a remembrance stone for your precious angel. Please bring a candle to light and feel free to bring flowers, bubbles to blow or balloons to release in memory of your baby or babies.”
Contact Cheryl on 525 7200 for more details.
Neil Wilson
TDC invites Archdeacon Andy Joseph to the role of Kaumātua
The Tasman District Council resolved at its meeting on Thursday 22 September to invite Archdeacon Andy Joseph to become kaumātua for the council.
“This is an important appointment for the council, recognising the role the council has in the district and the importance, and the need for recognition, of iwi and the Treaty of Waitangi in Tasman,” said Mayor Richard Kempthorne.
“I have for many years identified the need for such a relationship and am extremely happy that Archdeacon Joseph has agreed to fulfil the role of kaumātua.
“This is an important new role at council and was not arrived at without due and considered process. I would like to thank Manawhenua ki Mohua and representatives of Ngati Rarua, Te Atiawa, Ngati Koata and Ngati Kuia for their invaluable assistance and advice throughout this process.”
As kaumātua, Archdeacon Andy Joseph will provide the Mayor with support around tikanga Māori at civic events, enhance council’s understanding of iwi and Māori priorities and support the community outcome of “Our community understands regional history, heritage and culture”.
Submitted by Tasman District Council
One in four young people may miss out on the chance to vote
One in four young people will lose the chance to have their say if they fail to enrol for the 26 November general election and referendum on the voting system.
“With only a few weeks to go before the rolls close for printing, over 120,000 18 to 24-year-olds and 57,000 people aged 25-29 still need to enrol,” says Murray Wicks, national manager of the Electoral Enrolment Centre.
“By not enrolling or taking part they’re putting decisions about their future into the hands of others.”
People aged 18 and over are required by law to enrol if they are a New Zealand citizen, or if they have permanent residency and have lived in the country for one year at some point. It is not compulsory to vote but it is compulsory to enrol.
“We are urging young people to get enrolled as soon as possible to ensure they receive an EasyVote pack closer to Election Day, which will give them all the information they need to vote in the general election and referendum,” says Mr Wicks.
“Don’t miss out,” says Mr Wicks. “Enrolling is easy. You can even do it via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/IVoteNZ <http://www.facebook.com/IVoteNZ> .”
People can get an enrolment form by Freetexting their name and address to 3676, going online to www.elections.org.nz <http://www.elections.org.nz>, calling 0800 36 76 56 or picking one up from a PostShop.
Submitted by Electoral Enrolment Centre
Scrap metal theft under spotlight
Nelson Police are currently targeting those stealing scrap metal and copper as demand for and value of these products grows.
“Over the last year more than 800 dishonesty offences have been reported to Nelson Bays police relating to the theft of copper wiring, copper cylinders and other scrap metal and it continues to be a problem in the area,” said Sergeant Shane Miles.
He said a considerable amount of police time and resources are being spent investigating these offences.
“I would encourage members of the public, particularly in rural areas, to form neighbourhood support groups and to report suspicious behaviour or individuals in their area to police immediately.”
He said the community could also help reduce the growing number of burglaries and thefts by removing and selling scrap on their properties themselves or by keeping these types of items secured and out of sight.
Anyone wanting to set up a neighbourhood support group should contact Kim McDonald at Stoke Police station or email nsupport@xtra.co.nz
Anyone with information about metal thefts should contact Constable Steve Gardiner at the Nelson Police. To give information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Submitted by Nelson Bays Police
