It’s not every day you get to put the mayor in the trash. A theatrical skit, which had students and audience members representing different types of waste, formed part of a public presentation held at the Waitaki Boys’ High School auditorium last week (June 28). Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, who represented type six and seven plastics, was allowed into an exclusive Trash Club, from which most waste was barred.The presentation was a chance for the Waitaki Girls’ and Waitaki Boys High Schools’ Enviroclubs to tell their story and share learnings about the importance of waste diversion. Waitaki District Council’s Enviroschools facilitator Lucianne White has been working with the Enviroclubs.“Sheer determination from the Envirostudents has resulted in great progress, and they are not stopping there,” Lucianne said.“They are now starting to spread the word about the necessity of getting organics out of landfill – being able to speak directly to their peers is huge.”New Zealand is one of the highest generators of waste per person in the world, and the second-worst recycling nation in the OECD.New Zealanders generate around 17-million tonnes of waste per year – with 13m of that going straight to landfill.Food scraps in landfill produce large amounts of methane - a major contributor to climate change.Waitaki Boys’ and Waitaki Girls’ Enviroclubs have been keen to tackle food waste at their schools for some time, but they were really driven to address it when the Government’s Healthy Lunches in Schools programme came into effect.While the programme saw a decrease in plastic packaging at school, it also saw an increase in food scraps going into the landfill bins.Both Enviroschools trialled some different solutions and there were successes as well as setbacks, with a lot learnt along the way.Waitaki Boys’ applied to the Waitaki Waste Minimisation Fund last year to set up an organics processing system at the school. They were keen for this system to not only address food waste but to be a valuable cross-curricular learning tool.Waitaki Boys’ Enviroschools teacher Sam Henehan is excited about the potential, and so far the social studies, biology, agriculture and construction departments have either contributed to the project or used it for their studies. The wider faculty is also on board, with bokashi bins in the staffroom proving a hit.The school has now started to collaborate with Waitaki Girls to see if they can set up a system to collect and process their food waste as well.Waitaki Girls High School journey has also been one of trial and error. Open air food scraps bins resulted in an influx of seagulls, and a wheelie bin alternative proved too cumbersome to manoeuvre.  Waitaki Girls Enviroschools teacher Jess Wright said behaviour change is the biggest challenge – and ensuring students take the time to make sure waste is correctly sorted, around multiple collection points in the school grounds, has also been a problem. Addressing this particular issue has resulted in a radical change at Waitaki Boys’ which now requires all students to eat lunch together in the dining hall.Previously, lunchtimes saw students dotted around the school with the hostel kids eating lunch separately in their dining space. Enviro prefect Cameron Bond admitted communal dining was a bit unwelcome at first for a lot of students, but they are now enjoying a more inclusive and social space that encourages big groups to mingle.Dining in the same place means students can be funnelled through one narrow exit after lunch, which allows food scraps and other waste to be correctly sorted and supervised by teachers or student leaders.Food scraps are composted and used in a worm farm system, with guidance and advice from Robbie Dick, founder of Central Otago’s Wormworx , a WBHS Old Boy and enthusiastic supporter of the project.

It was almost by accident that Uatesoni Filikitonga landed the lead role in Musical Theatre Ōamaru’s production of School of Rock.The new Waitaki Boys’ High School teacher didn’t know about the show, until the day of the auditions.“I saw it on Facebook, and thought I might just pop in and see if I can audition.“I didn’t know there was, like, an information evening, and there was a pretty lengthy sign-up process.”He was given a script and a song to learn, and told to come back in two hours.”So yeah, I had two hours to prepare for an audition, did it, and surprisingly I got it.”Perhaps more surprised, was the production crew of Musical Theatre Oamaru (MTO), having a recent graduate of Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School walk into their auditions unannounced.Production manager Melissa Yockney said they were “really excited” to have Uatesoni on board as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who poses as a substitute teacher to earn some extra cash. The role in the movie of the same name is played by Jack Black.This is Uatesoni’s first year at Waitaki Boys’, and he is on a LAT (limited authority to teach) licence, due to a skills shortage.He teaches English and Pacific studies, and is the Pasifika dean, as well as performing arts coordinator. It was “quite a lengthy process” of getting references, and checking he qualified for the LAT, and next year he starts the two-year exercise of earning his teaching diploma.“So I can teach and get the credits at the same time.”He moved down with his wife Ebony and son Uatesoni Junior (15 months), after coming here to visit Ebony’s mother, who is a teacher at Weston School.“So I came here for a holiday after we graduated, and then the opportunity came up to teach here, to be with the Pasifika students here.“I didn’t know there was quite a big Pasifika population here, so yeah, I think I just found myself where I needed to be at the moment.”Uatesoni had always seen teaching in his future, but more as a sort of “end-game”.“I just didn’t expect to do it so early, but I guess it’s good to try and get the qualification out of the way, while I’m still young,” he said.He mostly grew up in Auckland, but went to live in Tonga when he was in year 6 at school, returning to Auckland part way through year 8.His passion was Pacific dance or movement.“I love theatre shows as well. Screen, I’m warming up to - I find it weird looking at my face on a TV screen, watching something that I’m doing.” He plays guitar and sings and has always loved music, but as a school pupil went through a phase of being “shy and nervous”.“I was mocked quite a lot for wanting to do drama.“So I just thought, I’ll go play rugby, until I physically [couldn’t] play rugby anymore, and then I was like, ‘oh, I’ll give this drama thing a crack’.“So I auditioned for a year 12 combined production between Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls, and I got in, and I got the lead role on my first try, so I never looked back since then.”Uatesoni is enjoying working on the School of Rock, which opens on Wednesday (July 5) and runs until Saturday (July 8). “It’s really fun . . . I love that we’re doing a show with kids - because they naturally bring all the fun energy.”He said the MTO team was “awesome to work with”. “It’s been really fun, and a little bit tiring." “I must say this is the biggest work/life balance I’ve had to deal with - being a father, husband, teacher and rugby coach - yeah, I’m doing it all at the moment, but I’m surviving!“I think performing for me is always just a way to blow off some steam, so when I’m on stage, it feels like nothing else matters - I can just be who I want to be.“I did the show, because I didn’t want to get lazy with my craft. I wanted to somehow stay fit with my craft, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to do so.”Once School of Rock is finished, Uatesoni is working on developing a one-man show, which he hopes to perform later in the year.“In drama school, in your first year, there’s a project called Solos. So you basically make your own show, and only you can be in it with minimal props.He is going to use that solo show as a base, using other tools he had learned throughout his three years, and describes it as a “light-hearted way of attacking racism”. In his role as performing arts coordinator at an all boys school, Uatesoni’s admits he has his work cut out for him.“It’s hard at a boys school, I went to a boys school as well, so I think it’s the classic stigma of boys don’t do drama. But I find that the people who always try and put you down, are the ones who would never get up and do it.“So I guess my work so far has been trying to encourage as many people as I can to at least sing, or to at least give drama a go, or to at least express yourself creatively.”Scrano, the Waitaki Boys’ inter-house drama competition which took place at the end of June, was “an awesome opportunity” for a lot more boys to get a taste of performing, he said.“You’re like, ‘oh wow I never thought you’d get up there, but yet here you are’, so that was a good experience for myself, and I guess for the community, and for the boys as well to see. Especially people they hold up, like First XV players, getting up there and doing the drama as well, which is awesome.” For those who are keen to see more of Uatesoni's acting, a film he was involved in as part of his last assessment with Toi Whakaari will be showing in Dunedin for the New Zealand International Film Festival in August. It is called Freedom Fighter and is in the running for best short film, he said.Tickets for School of Rock, being held at Ōamaru Opera House this week (July 5-8), are still available.

An Ōamaru beauty therapist is wanting to make menopause less daunting for women . . . and a bit more pleasurable.Linda Direen has piloted what she calls a “menopause support group”, and is now wanting to gauge demand for more of the same.“I just wanted to do something for ladies, where they can come and talk about their experience for support, because it’s an area that we ladies are thrown into, confused and struggling.”Having been in the beauty industry for more than 30 years, Linda has heard a lot of her clients talk about their health struggles as their years of monthly periods come to an end, but it was her own personal experiences which prompted her to look into it more deeply.“When it hits you, you have no idea what’s going on.“So the earlier we are aware of some of these things, the earlier we can look at them, and help. And knowledge is power.”Linda is still juggling how the sessions, she has named Getting intimate with Menopause, are going to work.“So I’ve got four main sessions, each with different topics, with symptoms and anatomy of particular parts, self-care and pleasure - I delve into pleasure toys, that side of it as well.“Really getting women to feel good about themselves, because it’s a time where they can feel really crap - and get stuck in a hole and don’t know what to do. “So I really want to help these women to feel empowered without shame, guilt or any judgement, because it’s tough!”She stocks pleasure toys at her beauty business, and is trying to remove the stigma around women using them as part of their wellbeing.“I think ladies are quite enjoying it. I don’t mention it unless they do - it’s all about being respectful, really.”Linda is adamant she wants to keep groups small and create a safe environment. Women would be reluctant to share with a bigger group, and she doesn’t want the sessions to be overwhelming.“You’re just confused, and you don’t think - I mean menopause can start from 35, and it is a big shock, and it’s really hard to know what to do for ladies, as well - what pathways to take. “It’s just really talking to other ladies and not feeling so isolated.”Linda has gained her knowledge through her own experience, talking to her doctor, a lot of reading, and taking part in workshops herself.“I’m not prescribing anything, I’m not saying this is the way to do it - it’s by no means any of that kind of stuff, because I’m learning as well from what the ladies are talking about.”Linda came to the idea of the sessions, after seeing a life coach. She had reached a stage where she couldn’t play sport anymore, was bored, and looking for something else.She likes to help, and likes to share.“I am a sharer, I believe sharing helps other people feel not so alone either, and as women we just kind of get on with it and suffer in silence.” Her pilot sessions had left her “fizzing” and the feedback has been positive. She sees her target market as women, particularly mothers, in their early 40s, who may have had traumatic births. “It’s quite interesting to know potentially the things they could be going into, and the things you can be aware of - because it does throw you, the things that can happen.”She thought a group of girlfriends could book together, or people could book individually - depending on which they preferred. The sessions would be completely confidential, and it was incredibly important what was said in the room stayed in the room.Linda is still trying to figure out where she wants to take things with the sessions, and at the moment is just testing the waters. “I’ve been in the beauty industry for 30-plus years, and have a fair bit of knowledge on women, and what they deal with, so this is just another different avenue.” Those wanting to know more, or express interest can email Linda at [email protected] 

Helen Jansen is passionate about the Waitaki, the place and the people. Here she has her “people” hat on, as a coach for wellbeing, performance and relationship development, working towards helping the Waitaki community with their mental fitness.So, what is mental fitness? Do you have enough to pay the bills this month? Will you get that deadline met? How well did you handle that conflict?When you can respond to the challenges of life without flinching, with a positive mindset and can sustain that over time, you have mental fitness. Mental fitness is about having and maintaining peaceful wellbeing, high performance and quality relationships. We are all familiar with physical fitness: it is about having stamina and having strong enough muscles to participate fully in life with some energy in reserve. When we are physically fit there is a physical resilience to activity and recovery rates are rapid.Mental fitness is about having the mental muscles to participate fully in life with a positive mindset and, when negative emotions strike, having the resilience to recognise them and avoid them, or to bounce back rapidly when they take over.To gain physical fitness, time has to be put aside for regular, sustained physical activity which challenges the muscle fibres and system at an appropriate level. This has to be done over a period of time, weeks at least, and results are measurable.The gym is a popular way of improving fitness. The amount of time spent, and the loads lifted, increase over time. Once a level of fitness is arrived at, maintenance is required to keep the fitness level.Gaining mental fitness has a similar pattern. Certain fibres in the brain need to be regularly used to strengthen and choice points rewired. Time has to be put aside to train. The mental fitness gym however, is not a physical space, but an inner space. The weights are conscious moments of mindfulness that interrupt the day, wherever you are, for a couple of minutes on a reasonably regular basis.Like physical muscle, mental fitness requires “reps” for each activity, increasing in number and frequency. The length of the mindful moments determine how many “reps” you score. A mindful moment is a period of time where your attention is focused utterly on one thing, with no thought.Have a go . . . Pay attention to how you are thinking and how your body feels right now. Then close your eyes and, for half a minute, rub two fingers together so gently that you can feel the ridges in the skin. Only focus on that feeling. Then feel the weight of your body in your chair and focus only on that, and then focus on your breathing, feel the temperature of the air as it goes into your nose, and then again as it leaves your nose. A minute and a half of focus. Check in, how are you thinking and how does your body feel now? How would you rate your mental fitness? Do you get consumed by negative emotions? How quickly do you bounce back?Helen JansenCoaching for wellbeing, performanceand relationship [email protected]

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says he would prefer it if the Stop Co-Governance tour did not stop in Ōamaru next week.The New Zealand tour is being run by Christian evangelist Julian Batchelor, and has been running since mid-January. He will be speaking at the Ōamaru Club next Wednesday (5 July). The Stop Co-Governance website states the purpose of the tour is to raise awareness of the danger of co-governance, and to gather political support to stop it.Controversy has plagued the tour with some venues cancelled, and claims of Māori being refused entry.Radio New Zealand reported Māori were refused entry to a Blenheim meeting.As Māori turned up at the meeting, which police attended, an attendee’s video showed a Pākehā man challenging Batchelor for refusing them entry."Why aren't they allowed in? They're Kiwis like us. If you're not letting them in, it's worse than I thought it was," the man said."Doesn't seem right to me mate. Your invitations went in every letterbox."Julian Batchelor. PHOTO: Facebook. Meanwhile, at the Cromwell meeting on Tuesday night (June 27), The Central App reported Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan had gone along, out of interest. He found entering the meeting intimidating after he was told he would be removed and trespassed if he spoke. He quietly left 20 minutes later.“When I heard that our nation was at war with 1000 elite Māori, I couldn’t listen to anymore,” he said.“He is spreading hatred, and using misinformation to fan that hatred.”Gary said he would prefer the tour did not come to Ōamaru, but “we live in a free society”.“Even if we disagree passionately about what someone has to say, they usually have the right to say it.”The mayor would not be attending the event, saying he had “better things to do”.“I have listened to what he has to say, and that’s enough for me.”There was some confusion around the meaning of co-governance, and Gary said the Government “had a role to play in explaining co-governance to the public”, especially in relation to Three Waters reform.“They didn't do that, so it is understandable that many don't really know what it means. “To me, it is about iwi Māori being part of decision-making processes. It isn't necessarily co-government though. “This is a difficult time, as we come to terms with aspects of co-governance, and I think the challenge for many people is the lack of context, more so in the South Island where we have had much less experience of co-governance.”While Gary understood Julian Batchelor’s presence in Ōamaru might bother people, they were free to ignore him.“I’ll make use of that freedom,” he said.“Freedom of speech is an important tenet of our society, and freedom to ignore speech is also important. I encourage people to become informed and make up their own minds on issues.”

Coastal Waitaki had a decent spell of rain this week, most of it on Tuesday and Wednesday with official totals of 14.6 and 13.2 mm respectively.Further up the valley in the southern Mackenzie basin area, rainfall was considerably lighter with Omarama’s official reading for Sunday to Wednesday this week totalling only 6.2 mm.Looking ahead for the weekend, it’s going to be chilly throughout the region with a strong and unstable south-westerly flow affecting the entire country until early next week. Don’t head out without some extra layers on as the windchill will make it feel much colder in exposed places!There are a number of Road Snowfall warnings in force for the southern alpine passes so please keep up to date with these if you are driving - see the MetService warning below for the Lindis Pass on Saturday. In Ōamaru and eastern Waitaki it’ll be fine today with some afternoon cloud and a high of 10deg C. Southwesterlies will ease this evening with an overnight low of 1deg C.Saturday will start with morning frosts, and then a few showers may develop in the afternoon with fresh westerlies in the evening. Expect a high of 9deg C, falling to 3 C at night.MetService forecast Graphic: Oamaru.Sunday will be fine with a high of 8deg C, falling to 1 C overnight with fresh westerlies easing late. Monday looks like it'll be cloudy with showers possible and a high of 10deg C.On the western side of the Waitaki district, Omarama’s forecast for Friday is for partly cloudy conditions and isolated showers becoming more widespread this evening with the snow level possibly lowering to 700 metres. Westerly winds will increase in the afternoon and the high will only hit 7deg C, dropping to a crisp -4 C. On Saturday there will be cloudy periods, with isolated snow showers developing. Westerlies will rise to severe gale 90 km/h about the foothills in the afternoon. Expect an optimistic high of 7deg C, falling to -1 C on Saturday night.MetService forecast graphic: Omarama. Sunday looks mainly fine with southwesterlies, and a high of 7deg C, and an overnight low of -3 C.Monday will be mostly cloudy with some isolated snow showers developing. Southwesterlies could rise to gale force about the foothills with a high of 9deg C, falling to -1 C overnight. Next week high pressure will move in over the south so it's looking great for the first week of the school holidays!For the latest updated forecasts and real time conditions in your local area, click on the Waitaki towns below, or go to the Weather category, next to News|Sport in The Waitaki App!OamaruKakanuiHampdenPalmerstonMacraesNgaparaDuntroonKurowOtematataOmaramaLake Ohau Alpine Village

A $5 million boost for Ōamaru’s proposed new event centre, has moved it from a probable to a definite, says one trust member.The Waitaki District Council further discussed and adopted the 2023/24 Annual Plan at a meeting on Tuesday (27 June), where it was decided to increase council funding for the event centre project to $15m, from the initially promised $10m.Network Waitaki Event Centre trustee Deidre Senior said the additional funding from council is “fantastic”. “It confirms that the project will definitely be going ahead,” she said.“It also means now that as a trust we can confirm a real plan of attack for the last part of the funding drive, which will include us now being able to apply to other contestable funding agencies.”The fundraising target is $32m, and the council's contribution brings the total to the best part of $27m, Deidre said.The trust was aware of members of the community who were hesitant to contribute to the fundraising, as they were not sure if it would happen.“For those people it will now mean that they will have confidence in contributing to the cause, and we look forward to their contributions now coming in too.”The trust can now plan strategically for its final push to gather the remaining funding, and further developments (such as design and planning) can be carried out as a result.“We will certainly be looking under every stone for any funding sources, and will be working with council to find other local and central government funding that we might be able to access.“We are moving from 'let's make it happen' to 'it's happening' - and we want everyone who can be, to be on board,” she said.During the engagement for the 2023-24 Annual Plan, the community was consulted on whether they wanted council to hold the commitment to the event centre at $10 million, increase it to $15 million, or stop the project.The council deferred making a decision on this at the 30 May meeting, until Tuesday, to gather more information, and weigh up the benefits of the facility against the ongoing costs of running it.An artist's impression of what the Waitaki Event Centre could look like. PHOTO: Supplied/WDCCouncillor Jim Thomson said when they sat together around the table, councillors tended to focus a lot on costs.“I think this is an opportunity to focus on investment. We’re investing in the future of our young people . . . this shouldn’t be a question of 'should we or shouldn’t we', this should be a question of 'how do we make it happen?',” he said.Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele also spoke in support of the $15 million option, noting the number of families who have to travel long distances out of the district every weekend to support their children’s sporting activities. “We could offer that opportunity here in our community. I understand the challenges in terms of cost but I also want to advocate for the wellbeing of the community,” she said. She urged her council colleagues to consider the legacy they could leave by unlocking the funding to ensure the centre could achieve its full potential.Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher agreed, and said there was no doubt the centre would be a huge asset to the community and its wellbeing, and bring many economic opportunities to the wider district.“There is a real need for a facility of this scale, and we know that this will help keep families in our district, and attract new families to move here,” he said.“We are excited about turning the centre into a reality and building a facility that we are all going to be proud of, and enjoy for many years to come. “We have agreed on how our council can fund this, without all of the cost being covered by our community via their rates, which is important during this challenging time. “We look forward to exploring the opportunities the centre presents and welcoming the community to it when it’s completed.”Of the $15m agreed on, $10 million will be loan-funded over 20 years, and the remaining $5m will be funded from sources that do not have a rates impact, one of which is likely to be the RMA Reserves Fund which currently has a balance in excess of $2m.Other decisions confirmed at Tuesday's meeting was a rates increase, on average, of 7.95% - below the 9.3% predicted in the 2021-2031 long-term plan; the addition of the Maheno Water Scheme into the council’s operations, at the request of its users; and an increase to parking costs. From Saturday (1 July) the current two hours of free parking in Ōamaru's central business area will be reduced to one hour through the winter months until October, and paid parking after the free hour will increase to $2 per hour from $1. In October the free hour will be removed.Council also confirmed the Ōamaru Visitor Centre, which operates out of Whitestone City, will receive $100,000 for 2023-24. This is a reduction on the $150,000 the centre was receiving last financial year, but an increase on the $50,000 which was initially proposed.

A workshop for North Otago dairy farmers, advising around effluent storage ponds and effluent discharge to land is being held at Weston, next Thursday (July 6). The workshop is the second in a series the Otago Regional Council is running in July, with the first in Milton, South Otago, on Tuesday (July 4).ORC acting consents manager Alexandra King said the new rules have been in place for about 18 months around the subject, which applies to several hundred farms in Otago.The rules were introduced through Plan Change 8 to the Water Plan last year.“While there’s been a lot of engagement with dairy farmers through the annual compliance programme over the last two years, including workshops and letters to dairy farmers, this is another opportunity to ask questions and get advice,” she said.The two-hour workshop will be held at Weston Hall at 1pm-3pm.ORC compliance staff have been out on more than 302 dairy farms this year; and visited 277 the previous season, talking with the farmers about this issue and other compliance regulations, Alexandra said.“Most of these farms will need a consent for their dairy effluent storage at some stage over the next 30 months.”Farmers need to be considering the volume of effluent storage they have on their farm, when they need to potentially install new storage facilities or have the resource consents in place to do so. “The two workshops aim to provide consent and compliance advice for dairy effluent systems and will also offer guidance from industry experts,” she said.There will be speakers from the ORC consents and compliance teams, and technical and best practice advice from industry experts and representatives.Some farms may require substantial investment in effluent infrastructure to comply, which could include engaging engineers and planning for future modifications, replacement, or enlargement.“Now is the time for farmers to begin this process so they are on the path toward making the required changes,” Alexandra said.The new provisions introduced last year include setting minimum standards for animal effluent storage and its application to land, and for the establishment of small in-stream sediment traps where required.“Ultimately, these protections are to safeguard the future of waterways, which directly support various natural ecosystems, including farmland,” she said.Registration for the workshop is necessary. Background to rule changesIn June last year ORC Councillors ratified changes to the operative Regional Plan: Water for Otago, which allowed some key parts of proposed ‘Plan change 8’, which related to rural discharges, to become operative - which started from 4 June last year.View a fact sheet about effluentView a fact sheet about effluent storage consentsView a fact sheet about rules, definitions and timelines for effluentORC Catchment Advisors can be contacted on 0800 474 082Advice can be sought from [email protected]

Waitaki groups are coming together to help the district celebrate Matariki.In the week leading up to the Matariki Public Holiday (4-13 July), Waitaki District Libraries, Waitaki Museum and Archives, the Forrester Gallery, Waitaki Whitestone Geopark, Waste Free Waitaki and the Ōamaru Opera House are providing a family-friendly programme of free events and activities to celebrate the beginning of the Māori New Year.Building on last year’s Waitaki Matariki celebrations, which involved a public talk and star-gazing organised by the library team and Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, the expanded 2023 programme is a collaboration between the Rūnanga, Waitaki District Council and all its cultural facilities.Waitaki District Libraries manager Jenny Bean said she is looking forward to this year’s events.“Reflecting the aspirations of mana whenua, this year’s Matariki celebration is about engaging the community in the deeper meaning of Matariki – bringing friends and whānau together to remember and honour those who have passed since the last rising of Matariki, giving thanks for the blessings of last year, reconnecting with one another, and sharing hopes and dreams for the new year,” she said.Activities include a storybook trail around Ōamaru Harbour, crafts, stories and songs at the Ōamaru Library, digging into family history at the archive, badge making at the Forrester, sparkly activities at the museum, rock plotting with the Geopark, waste free reflection, and Tūhura Otago Museum’s portable planetarium at the Opera House.A competition will also be running where participants can collect stars at the events and go into the draw to win a prize.Local Ngāi Tahu astronomer and astrophotographer Damien McNamara welcomes this opportunity to share with the community his passion for mātauranga Māori and the stars.“It was an honour to be asked to help the cultural facilities build on last year’s Matariki celebrations, and it is a privilege being so involved with this year's programme," he said. “I have approached each opportunity to participate with Matariki in mind, ensuring those we have lost are remembered, celebrating the now with loved ones, while planning not just for the year ahead, but for years to come.”As part of the programme and alongside his collaborative photography exhibition running at the Forrester Gallery, Damien will be giving a public talk at 6pm, on Tuesday (11 July) at the Ōamaru library about his practice capturing the Tahu-nui-ā-Raki (Aurora Australis). He will also be inviting viewers to experience looking through a solar telescope at the library the following day at 2pm.The two-week progamme will culminate with an event at dawn at Mākotukutuku/the Cape Wanbrow lookout on the Thursday before Friday’s Matariki public holiday.Damien McNamara will lead guided stargazing and Justin Tipa (Kaiwhakahaere - Te Rūnanga o Moeraki) will share kōrero and a special ceremonial karakia as part of acknowledging the heliacal rising of Matariki.The library team will be running waiata drop-in sessions during the programme in preparation for leading the group in a waiata. All will be followed by hot soup and buns on the cape.More details and a full programme of can be downloaded from the events page on the Waitaki District Council website and printed copies can be found at council’s cultural facilities.The full Matariki programme can be found here: https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Matariki-Whanau-Fun

The South Island’s rising league talents will converge on Ōamaru over the next two weekends, with both the girls and boys youth tournaments taking place.Southern Zone Rugby League general manager Liam Turner said the 14s, 16s and 18s girls tournament will be played at Ōamaru’s Centennial Park this Sunday (July 2), with teams from Southland, Otago, Aoraki and Canterbury taking part.The following weekend (July 8-10) is the boys’ turn, with West Coast teams part of the 14-team line-up.It is the first time the tournaments will be held in Ōamaru, which appeals due to its central location, and facilities, Liam said.Attending the girls’ tournament will be Kiwi Ferns’ 1995 inaugural captain, Nadene Conlon, in a new role with the New Zealand Warriors, creating a development and pathways programme for the club’s planned return to the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) Premiership in 2025.For the boys’ tournament, Liam said scouts from NRL teams the Bulldogs and the Warriors will be there.“It’s a pretty big tournament . . . Potentially there could be more, but that’s all we know of for now.”From both tournaments, a South Island representative team will be selected to go to nationals in September.Rugby league was increasing in popularity across the South Island, with good growth in numbers across all districts, Liam said.“These tournaments have definitely grown - this is the first time we’ll have an aged girls grade at this tournament, and there are 14 teams in the boys’ tournament.”The games are being held on the two back fields of Centennial Park, behind Whitestone Contracting Stadium, and spectators were encouraged to come and watch for free, Liam said.“People can just pop along and support - it will be good to get the community and people behind it.”The games will also be livestreamed on Southern Zone Rugby League Facebook page.

Waitaki’s cultural facilities held their annual morning tea last week to thank volunteers who donate their time and talents towards keeping Waitaki District Council public facilities ticking.In total, across the cultural facility sites, volunteers have provided more than 2065 hours of their time this year.“We are so thankful to have such dedicated teams of volunteers at the Forrester Gallery and Waitaki Museum and Archive,” Cultural Facilities administration officer Philippa Elliffe said.“From transcribing records in the archive, to providing a warm welcome and wonderful customer service on the gallery and museum front desks, our volunteers are such an important part of our teams.“At the gallery we have four custodians who also volunteer their time on the committee of the Friends of the Forrester, helping us run exhibition openings and events,” she said. “Special mention to Heather Machin, Brian Robinson, Margie MacDonald, and Yvonne Gillespie.”Forrester Gallery educator Liz King said the volunteers add “colour, enthusiasm, and warmth” to the gallery, whether they are on the front desk or helping at an event. “They give our small team strength!”Ōamaru Opera House director Frances McElhinney said volunteers keep their engines going.“We value their hardy sense of humour, hard work, dedication and willingness to work – sometimes long late nights – they are admirable and a great addition to our team at the Opera House.”Making sure there is access to quality library services across the whole Waitaki District is crucial, and volunteers are a key part in making this happen.Waitaki District Libraries manager Jenny Bean said the libraries at Ōtematata, Ōmārama, Kurow and Hampden are kept open by an awesome team of volunteers who give up their time to support their community. “We are hugely appreciative of the commitment and hard work of all the library volunteers – they are fantastic.”Volunteers at Ōamaru Library help with a range of library duties including getting all the returned books back on the shelves in the right place – an essential job in a library.Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu – National Volunteer Week was last week  (June 18-24), and honoured the collective energies and mana of volunteers in Aotearoa.

It looks like it’s going to be a bit of a mixed bag this week, but conditions should improve by Friday.On Monday, Ōamaru and coastal Waitaki will have a period of wet weather in the morning, followed by fine spells and a high of 13deg C, dropping down to 5 C at night. On Tuesday, cloud increases in the morning followed by afternoon rain with some heavy falls possible. Southerly winds will become fresh with similar temperatures to Monday.MetService forecast Graphic: Oamaru.Wednesday will start with early rain, some heavy, easing by lunchtime. Light winds with a high of 12deg C, and a low of 5 C at night.Thursday sees lingering showers clearing but cloudy skies remain with westerlies and a high of 12deg C. At this stage Friday's forecast is for sunny weather but it’ll be cooler, with a high of only 10deg C, dropping down to 2 C overnight.Up in Omarama there’s a similar pattern for the week, with northwesterlies, rain and isolated showers on Monday. Snow will be possible down to 1600m with a high of 10deg C, down to 1 C at night. Tuesday sees rain and a southerly developing in the afternoon with snow possible to 1200m, easing later. Temperatures will sit between 9deg C during the day and 1 C at night.MetService forecast Graphic: Omarama.Wednesday will be overcast with isolated showers and southwesterlies developing. Temperatures should be similar to Tuesday, but slightly colder overnight with -1deg C.Thursday will be overcast with isolated showers and southwesterlies again, but even colder with a high of 8deg C, down to -3 C. On Friday the sun should come out (hurrah!) accompanied by northwesterly winds and a high of 7 deg C.For the latest updated forecasts and real time conditions in your local area, click on the Waitaki towns below, or go to the Weather category, next to News|Sport in The Waitaki App!OamaruKakanuiHampdenPalmerstonMacraesNgaparaDuntroonKurowOtematataOmaramaLake Ohau Alpine Village

An Ōamaru business is running donation-based shuttle rides to Dunedin for cash-strapped patients struggling to get to hospital appointments, while St John examines the feasibility of providing a permanent service.Hireplus owner Trevor Goodin was already making trips to Dunedin Airport but was now taking people to medical appointments in the city 110km away, after the Ōamaru Dunedin Shuttle stopped in March.Goodin said some people had considered cancelling their appointments because they could not drive or afford other taxi services, which in some cases could cost up to $300 return."People are trying to fund that out of their food bill or power bill and I just think that's horrendous for people who are already not very well," he said."I've had people ring me in tears because they didn't know where to go if I couldn't get them there. It's a dire situation, it's almost third-world."Goodin said eligible patients could be reimbursed for transport costs, but elderly people often found the process too onerous.Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said people were missing out on healthcare because of transport problems."Ratepayers here have put off appointments, or at least postponed them, some have missed them altogether just because they haven't been able to afford the cost," he said."When it comes to whether people can afford to put the heater on in winter time or go to an appointment, they're making that choice. It's terrible."A St John spokesman said it was examining the viability of establishing a health shuttle in Ōamaru, but it could take at least a year for a service to be up and running.Kircher said his council was also in talks with Otago Regional Council about a public transport shuttle between Ōamaru and Dunedin.A University of Otago study last year found mortality rates were 21 percent higher in rural areas than in urban centres, he said."It's things like these barriers that add to that statistic and anything we can do to lower that risk is obviously going to be welcomed by our community," Kircher said."We're keen to see St John get their service up and running, that would provide some real security and affordability."Door 2 Door Waitaki also offers rides to hospital appointments in Dunedin, priced from $42.50 one-way for total mobility card-holders.Owner Annabel Denize said charges varied for people depending on the trip, but a full-price ride-share service cost $160 return, with carers or support people travelling for free."We have had a few people who've said, 'Gosh, that's a lot of money,' but if they're genuinely stuck I'm going to put them in the car anyway and bring them down for whatever they can cover. We've never said no to anybody."We don't want anyone to think they can't get to the hospital."Denize encouraged people to check their eligibility for subsidies offered through the mobility card and the National Travel Assistance Scheme for patients who needed to travel long distances or frequently for specialist appointments.Ultimately, she said St John should provide a health shuttle."The sooner that happens the better for us and everyone in Ōamaru. It's just going to give that peace of mind that there is a service there. We've been filling that gap and we're very happy to continue doing that."'Really disappointing'In North Canterbury, the absence of an after-hours clinic meant people who needed urgent medical care had to travel to Christchurch Hospital's emergency department or one of the city's clinics.An after-hours centre was being built in Rangiora, but a three-year delay meant it was not expected to open until 2025.Waimakariri National MP Matt Doocey said Te Whatu Ora confirmed residents' entitlement to taxi vouchers home from hospital at a public meeting in April, so he was concerned to learn some people were still missing out.''It's really disappointing that we are constantly told by management in the hospital there are these vouchers, but I have constituents come to me time and time again saying that when they requested them, they were declined by front-line staff."Doocey said he did not want patients waiting in bus shelters in the early hours of the morning or elderly people paying unaffordable taxi fares of between $80 to $130 to get home to North Canterbury.National MP Matt Doocey sitting on Parliament's Health Select Committee Photo: Phil Smith"It's heartbreaking, some of the stories, and really concerning that people are discharged at any time of the day or night and left to their own means to get home."Te Whatu Ora said Waimakariri patients directed to the emergency department through the triage service or St John qualified for a taxi voucher home when they were discharged, if there were no other transport options available.The health agency said ED staff were regularly updated about the criteria and process for issuing vouchers and encouraged patients to talk to them if they had transport concerns.

When indie-pop quartet Hans Pucket play Oamaru's Settler Theatre on July 14, it'll be the first gig held at the historic venue in more than two years.For the hotly-tipped Wellington band – think Prefab Sprout playing Orange Juice and you're in the right ballpark – it'll be part of a nationwide tour that capitalises on momentum built up over the last few months.Last year's No Drama album (described by Rolling Stone as capturing “all the anxiety and elation of being twenty-something and trying to make it in the big, bad world”) was nominated for the Taite Music Prize, and the band has recently returned from performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas, the international music industry's most important convention.        “The time has finally come for us to take No Drama out on the road!” The band said.“It’s become a yearly tradition to tour New Zealand during the dead of winter. Everybody’s been saying we’re fools, that most people would rather stay home and watch prestige television.“But we know our fans aren’t ‘most people’. That’s why, this July, we’re touring further than we ever have, to celebrate the greatest record we’ve ever made by putting on the rock show of our dreams!"We’ve been dreaming of an extended tour of Aotearoa for years. Not just flying to the big cities but actually getting in a van and driving up and down the country. Thirteen shows is a lot, but we’re also playing on the Interislander twice so I think that counts as 15!"The show is organised by local promoters Frances McMillan and Matt Plunkett, and Plunkett will be bringing his own band, Cuticles, to the party.“It’s good to be getting out playing shows again,” Plunkett said. “The band has been reconstituted, and with an upcoming LP and 7-inch, we have to see if we can make it work in a live setting, so we can play some shows later in support of those physical releases.“It should be a set of typically bittersweet derangements from us,” he added, accurately describing the band's frazzled DIY punk sound, which has attracted the attention of at least one cult American underground label. Hans Pucket and Cuticles play the Settler Theatre on Severn Street on July 14, at 7pm. Tickets for the all-ages show are $20, and available from Under The Radar.

Ōamaru’s Business Hive was “buzzing” with potential last night, at an inaugural event hosted by Inspire Waitaki. About 70 people attended the evening to hear three South Island business owners share their stories, and talk about creating a business ecosystem focused on sustainable, environmental innovation. Inspire Waitaki has come together to try and help foster innovative environmental entrepreneurship in the district (Group looking to inspire start-ups in Waitaki).Ōamaru’s Jane Thompson and James Porteous spoke about their businesses Moa Bakery Cakery, and Ōamaru Organics, respectively, while Central Otago-based orchardist Mike Casey spoke about his ventures Forest Lodge Orchard and New Zealand Zero.Following the talks, there was a Q&A from the room.“What an atmosphere,” said Business Hive co-owner Alex Regtien. “All sorts of conversations and connections were being made - it was buzzing.”Inspire Waitaki member and Putiputi Rau Peonies owner Gareth Boyt was MC for the event, supported by fellow member Jinene Clark of Start Up Queenstown Lakes.Creating an ecosystem was up to every single person involved, Jinene told the room at the outset, promising to share the experiences of Start Up Queenstown Lakes to help Waitaki avoid “making the same mistakes”.Each of the speakers highlighted key areas of learning and opportunity. Jane talked about sustainability, not just in her business, but in her life - reminding us that looking after our own health and capacity was essential for every business owner. James highlighted the historical and close connections between Ōamaru as a food producing district supplying Queenstown and the lakes region, noting “the opportunity is there” and that distribution doesn’t have to go via Dunedin or Christchurch.Mike took the crowd through his experience creating the world’s first 100% electric, zero-fossil fuel orchard. His numbers were impressive, clearly making the business case for horticulture and viticulture embracing electric technologies from both environmental and commercial perspectives.Mike also introduced the room to New Zealand Zero, a new movement to showcase and celebrate fossil fuel-free food production. He said zero carbon can mean planting pine trees, whereas “fossil fuel free” is clear, and legitimately commands a premium price. James also talked about the benefits of collaboration, citing his recent project with local award-winning cheesemaker, Whitestone Cheese to produce a sell-out organic blue cheese and broccoli soup.The crowd took Jinene’s encouragement to talk and connect seriously. Participants commented, “great starting content for what could/should become a significant change agent for our region”, “great turnout” and “this feels like the start of something exciting”.North Otago man Daniel Carson, fresh from Hamilton’s Fieldays, gave people the first chance to try his native ingredient-flavoured alternative to beef jerky, Mīti (Innovation offers solution to dairy calf issue), as people connected and discussed their business needs, ideas and opportunities.The organisers were thrilled with how things went.Cara Tipping Smith, fellow organiser, said this is just the beginning for Inspire Waitaki."A wonderful start and we’re keen to keep the momentum going. Watch this space."Mel Jones, Waitaki District Council's business attraction and recovery manager, and Inspire Waitaki member agreed."It was so refreshing to see new faces in the room, hearing animated conversations following the keynote speakers and seeing people make new connections. I certainly felt inspired by the people I met," she said. "I love that this initiative has been a collaborative effort and really appreciate the input from the small core team."Jane spoke for everyone when she said: “I really hope it inspires more people to think about all aspects of sustainability.” Reading the room, it did just that.Jane Thomson of Moa Bakery, Cakery, James Porteous of Ōamaru Organics and Mike Casey of Forest Lodge Orchard and New Zealand Zero.Mike Casey, Forest Lodge Orchard and New Zealand Zero.James Porteous, Ōamaru Organics.Jane Thomson, Moa Bakery, Cakery.Sarka Cibulcova and Oisīn Altena-Russell.Gareth Boyt and Helen Jansen.Daniel Hunt, Mike Casey and Tinaya Kelly.Erin and Josh Soper with Daniel Carson and his native ingredient-flavoured Mīti.Daniel Eisenhut and Fraser Lewry.

The girls were on the tools at Whitestone Contracting Ltd earlier this week, as part of an initiative to get more females involved in the construction industry.A group of students from Waitaki Girls’ High School took part in a Girls with High-Vis day at the company's Deborah site, just south of Ōamaru, on Wednesday (June 21).Girls with Hi-Vis is a Connexis Te Pūkenga initiative that aims to encourage more women into infrastructure and trade-based roles, which they may not have considered previously. The company provides on-job training and career pathways to help people gain tertiary qualifications, without needing student loans, Connexis Te Pūkenga training advisor Kelly McEvedy said.Kelly is based in Christchurch, but works across eight regions, including North Otago, to support communities and their trainees through the company’s programmes, she said.The open days are about giving female high school students the opportunity to visit an infrastructure company with their school, get hands-on experience and hear from inspirational women in the industry.It offers them an understanding about what’s involved in the many and varied roles in infrastructure’s civil, energy, telecommunication and water industries.“It’s not an industry traditionally that girls look at, although more and more it is. So, yeah, it’s just giving them an opportunity.”Females make up 50% of the population, yet only account for 11% of infrastructure trainees, Kelly said.“At the same time, the infrastructure industries are in huge demand and have critical worker shortages. By highlighting the infrastructure industry and the careers available to women and men alike, we can tap into a wider pool of talent and broaden the job opportunities for women.”On Wednesday morning the girls were shown some of the outdoor roles possible at Whitestone Contracting by three female employees - Central Otago landscaping leading hand Tracy Bowen, Dunedin divisional manager Laila West, and Ōamaru-based driver/labourer Georgia Campbell.They got to try their hand at activities such as operating diggers, and using surveying equipment, while in the afternoon they were shown some of the more administrative roles available at the company. Whitestone Contracting chief executive Paul Bisset said there were a number of benefits for the company to take part in the day “We’re all short of staff, and we’ve got half the population that hasn’t really been involved with the industry that well, other than probably admin roles. I think there’s more opportunities in the industry rather than Stop/Go or admin roles. “As the machine operators, to me, they tend to be a little bit more gentler with the gear, rather than some blokes. “There shouldn’t be any inhibitors there, if we can get some people on board and get them involved in the industry.”“Thirty years ago I was on the dole and got involved in the industry. If you work hard, and take the opportunities, you can go places.”It was the company’s first time taking part in the day, and Paul said there were areas the company could still improve to make the workplace more female-friendly.“We are getting a lot better than we used to be. The more females we get, the better it’s going to get, and to me there shouldn’t be any blockers.“If these girls decide to give this a crack, they’ll learn that every day’s different - and some of the projects you work on can be hard work when you’re doing them, but they’re really rewarding when it’s done. And if you drive past them in 20 years time and they’re still working well, you can tell your kids about it.”He said adding females into the mix of a male-dominated industry worked well.“It’s just that different point of view, you know. You get a room of blokes together and it can be hard to get stuff out of them. Females have that different lens, and that mixes quite well - it’s quite healthy.”Kelly said people that get into the construction industry tended to love it.“And they really, most often stay. “I don’t see a lot of people leaving it. It’s just probably kind of an unseen industry, but actually infrastructure is an essential service, and so needed. We want people that love their jobs in the industry at all levels.“The cool thing about this industry is that you don’t need a qualification to get into it. So a lot of school leavers come and find their way here by accident, but they stay forever,” she said. Ōamaru-based driver/labourer Georgia Campbell instructs a student how to operate a digger. PHOTO: Ashley Smyth

Four new exhibitions have opened at the Forrester Gallery.Touring from the Ashburton Art Gallery, Elfi Spiewack’s In Splendour Moot, Adornment Re-framed is a striking exploration of jewellery as a marker of self-expression. Spiewack said nature has always been a big inspiration for her and she is interested in working with ordinary materials and elevating them - putting them into a different context. “I want to open people’s minds as to what jewellery can be, to challenge the traditional definitions of what jewellery is.”In this exhibition Spiewack reconstructs the traditional jewellery pieces worn by those of high social rank in portrait paintings from the Renaissance, Baroque and Victorian eras.Presented on painting reproductions, Spiewack’s creations have been crafted using silver, gold and pearls, juxtaposed with materials of low monetary value like animal bones, antlers and synthetic hair, to question notions of beauty.This is emphasised through an interactive mirror installation which gives visitors the opportunity to see themselves ‘wearing” Spiewack’s creations.Brooch and Bracelet, 2017, Elfi Spiewack, deer bone, antler, pearl and sterling silver on print - Portrait of a Young Man by Agnolo Bronzino, 1530.From flowing landscapes to serene lakes and coastal panoramas, the photographs in Tahu-nui-ā-Raki showcase the harmony between Papatūānuku/Earth Mother and Rakinui/the Sky Father, where nature's celestial brushstrokes paint the atmosphere with vivid streaks of green, red, and purple.Featuring astrophotography by Damien McNamara and fellow astronomers, Tahu-nui-ā-Raki (Aurora Australis) is visible most often from the southern-most parts of Aotearoa. Māori believe the Aurora Australis is lights from the campfires reflecting in the night sky, from ancestors who travelled further south beyond Aotearoa.Upstairs, complementing Tahu-nui-ā-Raki, is the interactive wonderlab exhibition Mānawatia a Matariki. Matariki is a time to gather with whānau (family), hoa (friends), and hāpori (community) to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. Enjoy this interactive exhibition to celebrate and connect with whānau in the spirit of Matariki.KĀKAUNUI | KAKANUI explores the landscapes, immense sky, elemental waters and townscapes of the surrounding area. This exhibition represents Alexandra photographer Eric Schusser’s photographic work from 2016 to 2022 and incorporates a variety of “scapes” to give the viewer a greater sense of place with regards to this small coastal North Otago settlement. Schusser’s photographs combine to speak of the peace, calm and rhythm of the sea and community.KĀKAUNUI | KAKANUI and Mānawatia a Matariki opened to the public last Saturday (June 17).In Splendour Moot and Tahu-nui-ā-Raki open to the public tomorrow (June 24), and are on display until August 27. Entry is free.

This National Volunteer Week the Waitaki App spoke to Loved 4 Life Ōamaru co-ordinator Marilyn Wreakes.When Ōamaru’s Marilyn Wreakes heard about the need for somebody to start a local branch of a charity for newborn babies, she was quick to volunteer.Loved 4 Life is a not-for-profit community organisation founded in 2007, by Marcia Guest, in the small Kapiti Coast community of Te Horo, following the murder of twins Chris and Cru Kahui at 84 days old.When new mothers arrive home from the hospital after giving birth, they receive a Loved 4 Life package through their midwife home visits, Marilyn said.“They get a Loved 4 Life quilt, a cardigan or jumper, beanies, stay on socks, booties. It’s a nice little package - and then somewhere in that six-week period they also get a home-made meal.”All quilts have “Loved” on them, along with a heart and a label on the back, stating where they came from.It is a way to reach out to families after the birth of a new baby, to show that they are loved and supported, particularly with a lot of new parents living away from grandparents and extended family.There is a growing number of organisations around the country, with more than 160 volunteers, and close to 9000 families have benefited from the charity.The group began in Ōamaru last year, after former local woman Cathy Taylor, who started the Ōmokoroa group near Tauranga, came back for a visit and to gauge interest here last November, Marilyn said.“I phoned Cathy and she was really excited, and I asked her what was involved in being a leader - she made it sound very easy!“I’ve always been up for a challenge. I’m a sewer also, and I do do quilting, and I had a lot of material cut into squares.“So the interest was always there, I was a sitting duck for it.” Once word got out that Loved 4 Life had arrived in Ōamaru, people started contacting Marilyn straight away. “It was just amazing. I had a cupboard full just before Christmas, and that was only six weeks.”The first packages were taken to the midwives at Ōamaru Hospital in April, and 13 more went down a week ago.“So they’ve had 20 so far,” she said.About 20 women were knitting for Marilyn, but she was struggling to find enough bassinet quilts. “I really need quilts and I really need ladies who can cook a meal.Marilyn said there were more babies being born in Oamaru than she expected, “Our population is exploding. Ninety-six were born up to the end of June this year, and we’ve got just over 100 coming for the rest of the year,” she said.“I’m trying to get ahead of them, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to manage that.”Applying for funding is also time-consuming, as Loved 4 Life supplies all the merino wool and quilting materials to the crafters, and the cost was estimated at about $80 per baby. Marilyn has heard, via the midwives, that families are “really appreciative” of the packages they receive.As well as the Loved 4 Life volunteer role, Marilyn is responsible for her Clydesdale Drive Neighbourhood Support group, hosting morning teas and making contact with new residents, in the ever-growing Holmes Hill subdivision.“It’s a good little safety net. Most of the people here are retired, which is quite good because most of us are home most of the time.”She said her volunteer roles are rewarding.“What you give out, it actually comes back, in the way that it’s a satisfying feeling.”The women who knitted for her feel the same way.“The ladies who are knitting, they feel like they’re in a community where they feel satisfied that what they’re doing is for young babies, so it’s not just - oh, you’re just knitting and you hand it over.”People wanting to contribute to Loved 4 Life, either by quilting or cooking meals, can contact Marilyn on 0272822042 or email: [email protected]

The PPTA has called off all industrial action immediately as it has agreed on the arbitration process for its pay dispute with the Ministry of Education.The Post Primary Teachers' Association said its executive voted yesterday afternoon (June 21) to approve the arbitration process."We hope an independent arbitration panel will review the matters under dispute fairly and objectively and provide recommendations that would form the basis of a new collective agreement," PPTA Te Wehengarua acting president Chris Abercrombie said in a statement."Now that we have agreed on the arbitration process, PPTA Te Wehengarua national executive is calling off all industrial action immediately. There will be no further industrial action while the arbitration process works through to its conclusion."The action has been called off immediately, but Abercrombie said that schools may need time to implement the change.On Tuesday, the union for secondary school teachers and the Ministry of Education began drawing up terms of reference for the arbitration.Abercrombie said the three independent arbitration panel members would be announced within the next few days.The arbitration process is expected to take three weeks from the time the panel convenes, then a further two weeks for the government to respond to its recommendations and for the PPTA members to vote on a potential settlement."Paid union meetings scheduled for next week will still take place to discuss the arbitration process and the move to individual employment agreements for all members from 1 July," Abercrombie said.The teachers' industrial action had included rostering home different year groups on different days of the week, with Year 9 and 13 students off on Wednesday this week and Year 11 and 12 students off on Tuesday.