River City Press Whanganui

04/10/2025

Cyber Smart Week event - Gonville Library 6 October

The Gonville Library is taking part in Cyber Smart Week – happening 6 to 12 October. The theme of this year’s awareness week is “Own your Online” – encouraging people to just take a moment to own their online activity.

This matters because in the last six months 54% of New Zealanders have experienced an online threat. Cyber crime today is so much more sophisticated than it was ever before. Cyber crime also doesn’t discriminate and we are all vulnerable, regardless of age, gender, or profession. Despite this, only 42% of New Zealanders experience cybercrime as a real threat.

The numbers, on the other hand, paint a grim picture. With scammers and technology becoming increasingly sophisticated, we see the consequences of this in the statistics:
· $1.6 billion lost to online threats to New Zealanders in 2024
· Over $1,000 is lost on average, per incident

· 88% of people describe their attacks as moderate, significant or severe
As Kat Schroyens, Manager of the Gonville Library explains, “Cyber Smart Week is a good opportunity for people to think about their online activity. Nobody can be complacent; everybody can fall victim to a scam at any point in time and the numbers do confirm this. There are quite a few precautions people can take but most important is that you take time to think before you click on links. If someone sends you a link and they don’t give you time to think about it and put pressure on you to act straight away, than it is best to either end the call or delete the mail or text. In my role here at the library, I hear so often that people won’t fall for a scam and that they know better, but it really is not always that obvious – I also hear a lot of stories of people who have been scammed.”

Kat will have a talk and present some basic tips and tricks to always keep yourself safe in an online environment. We will also play a game of Bingo – a special scam-savvy version for the occasion – and there is also a competition. Everyone who completes a Wordsearch and brings us back the answer, can go in the draw for a prize.

This event will follow the same format as Tea and Topics, with a hot drink and a biscuit being served between 10am and 10.30am. The talk will start at 10.30am and there will be ample opportunity to ask questions or share stories.

04/10/2025

QUEEN: IT’S A KINDA MAGIC TRIBUTE SHOW - 9 OCTOBER
Celebrating 50 years of Bohemian Rhapsody!

Fresh from its successful tours of Canada and Australia, the international hit show Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic returns to New Zealand to celebrate 50 years of Bohemian Rhapsody. Stopping at 20 different locations across the country. They will be performing in Whanganui on October 9 at the Royal Whanganui Opera House.

It’s been a big year for Queen fans, marking 50 years since the release of the British band’s iconic song Bohemian Rhapsody. At the time, it was one of the most controversial songs, running a full six minutes, and breaking the standard pop single length. Despite being advised to shorten the song, Queen insisted on releasing it at full-length, and it went on to become a massive hit.

Among its many credits, the historic song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004 and in 2018 it was announced as the most streamed song of the 20th century. This year, Brian May made a surprise return to the stage at Coachella Valley during Benson Boone’s cover of the famous hit, inspiring a whole new generation of fans.

Warren Vernon-Driscoll, lead singer and performer of Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic considers himself “incredibly honoured” to have the opportunity to perform such a lauded song night after night, and has put countless hours of rehearsals and study into his performance, in which he plays piano and sings Freddie Mercury’s vocal part – in its original key no less – all live on stage.

“It’s one of the biggest and most iconic songs ever written. As a singer and musician, this is the kind of music most people only dream about performing, and I get to do it all over the world, it’s truly a dream come true,” says Vernon-Driscoll, a classically-trained musician who cut his musical teeth at the prestigious Drakensberg Boys Choir School in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, where he grew up.

Vernon-Driscoll will bring an international band with him to New Zealand to deliver what producers claim is ‘a real rock extravaganza’ full of Queen’s biggest rock anthems performed live on stage, including We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Radio GaGa, I Want to Break Free, Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, Another One Bites the Dust, A Kind of Magic and, of course, everyone’s favourite - Bohemian Rhapsody.

Tickets are available at the Royal Whanganui Opera House or by visiting queenitsakindamagic.com.

GIVEAWAY
RCP have two double passes to give away. Email [email protected] with Queen Tribute in the subject line and include your daytime phone number to go into the draw to win. Draw closes on Monday, October 8, at 12pm.

04/10/2025

Celebrating Fijian Language Week in Whanganui
By Mark Dawson

“Ni sa kidavaki ena Macawa ni Vosa VakaViti” – “Welcome to Fijian Language Week”.

The language and all things Fijian will be celebrated from this Sunday, October 5, till next Sunday, and Whanganui’s Born and Raised Pasifika early learning centre will be at the heart of it.

The theme of this year’s observance is “Na noqu vosa me na tekivu mai vale” – “My language starts at home”.

The week includes the 55th anniversary of Fiji’s independence from British rule on October 10, 1970, and next Friday the centre will combine with its offshoot, the Pasifika Learning Centre, for a family celebration.

The children are busy learning Fiji’s national anthem, Meda Dau Doka (God Bless Fiji), and preparing their meke (Fijian dance).

Staff, resplendent in their kalavata (dresses), are making new costumes for the kids using the kesa kesa printing method, and the afternoon of festivities will be highlighted by the raising of the Fijian flag.

In the evening there will be a community event at Tawhero school hall, with Fijian lovo – chicken, pork, taro and other ingredients cooked in the ground hangi-style – and palusami (taro leaves, coconut cream, onion and seasoning).

There will also be language sessions for older children who have graduated from the early learning centre, and these will run from 5pm to 7pm from Sundy to Thursday.

Helen Puhipuhi, who runs Born and Raised in Aramoho and the Pasifika Learning Centre in Tawhero, is proud of those who have gone on from her care.
“We have had head pupils at schools, cultural leaders, international sportsmen … it is very pleasing to see them go on.”

Helen, who left her homeland for Whanganui 53 years ago, started Born and Raised Pasifika in 2003, the first early childhood learning centre of its kind in New Zealand, offering multilingual and multicultural education. The Tawhero centre was added eight years ago.

Across the two centres, 20 staff look after 61 children, from babies to five-year-olds, serving 12 Fijian families as well as Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Indian, Cook Islands and NZ Kiwi kids.

Photo: Born and Raised Pasifika staff (from left) Litea McDonnell-Bullock, Kathleen Delai, Vilimaina Buadromo, Mereia Ratumaiyale and Vaseva Baukiverata with children (from left) Viniana Delai, Elenoa Yauvoli, Saimoni Davukerua, Paula Rakala and Mereoni Voleqa.

04/10/2025

150th celebrations for Whanganui Aramoho Rowing Club

The Whanganui Aramoho Rowing Club will be a magnet over Labour Weekend, attracting people from around the globe, the country and of course, the locals, to its 150th Centenary celebrations. Currently, over 100 have registered to attend, including former Olympian and member of the Wanganui Rowing Club, Nikki Mills (nee Payne), who will be a guest speaker at the formal dinner.

Nikki Payne, alongside Lynley Hannen, won bronze in the coxless pair at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, becoming the first New Zealand women to win an Olympic rowing medal and ‘breaking the glass ceiling’ for young women in the sport.
Until 1981, the Wanganui Rowing Club had been a men’s club.

Nikki Mills explains how the transition to include females in the club came about; “Whanganui High School had always rowed for the Whanganui Club, and they’d only had a boys’ team. Two of my friends both had fathers who had been members of the club, and because they had daughters, they wanted them to take up the sport.”

The two fathers talked the club into allowing females to compete. Nikki adds, “A large cupboard was reestablished into our changing room, and we were put on probation for a year. They said that we did ok and were happy for us to go on from there.”

A wise decision by the Whanganui Rowing Club hierarchy at the time, converting a cupboard to bring about change, to supporting an Olympic medal-holder.
Nikki also wanted to acknowledge Harry Mahon, whom she considers the most famous Wanganui Rowing Club member.

“Harry Mahon was a very famous NZ coach; he started by coxing for the Whanganui Club as a teenager and ended up teaching and coaching in the Waikato and would regularly coach here in Whanganui.” He coached Nikki and Lynley, and Nikki says that it’s through those connections in the Wanganui Rowing Club that the coaching partnership came about. The sport is all about community and connections.

The event will be a celebration of, and remembrance of, a community that stretches back to the establishment of the Wanganui Rowing Club in 1875 and the Aramoho Club in 1898.

Graeme ‘Grader’ Howells, immediate past secretary of the club, adds, “The Aramoho Rowing Club was an offshoot of the Union Rowing Club “Union decided to set up a little shed up at Aramoho, right underneath the railway bridge. It probably only held a couple of boats. Then, the Aramoho rowers decided they wanted to split away and form their own club.”
The Aramoho Rowing Club and Wanganui Rowing Club amalgamated in 1986, maintaining the legacy of both.

Someone who has been a part of the local rowing community through its many changes is Richard Brock. He was part of the famed 1972 under-18 men’s eight that won the blue riband event at the Maadi Cup, pipping firm favourites, Whanganui Collegiate.

Richard is looking forward to the event and the good yarns and banter that will, no doubt, be part of the three day celebrations, saying, “There are a few of us that went to the 100th, the 120th and now the 150th. Fingers crossed, we might even have some at the 175th. I started rowing with the Wanganui Rowing Club in 1969. Some of my old rowing mates, more intelligently, stopped, and I’m still going.”

Labour Weekend Whanganui Aramoho Rowing Club 150th Celebrations programme:

The celebrations will kick off with a ‘Get Together’ at the Aramoho Whanganui Club on 24 October, at 5.00pm.

Saturday morning ‘Fun Row’ from the Aramoho Whanganui Club, starting at 9.00am.

Saturday evening formal dinner at the Wanganui Jockey Club, starting at 5.00pm.

Sunday, the Whanganui Aramoho Rowing Club will be open for a ‘Farewell Get Together’ at 11.00am. The Billy Webb Challenge will also take place at 11.00am on the lower course (turning at the Aramoho Railway bridge), and it is anticipated that a number of the sesquicentennial attendees will participate or support this historic event.

Registrations will close on 17 October. Email [email protected] or contact Graeme ‘Grader’ Howells on 027 489 2498 to register.
Photos:
1. Nikki Payne and Lynley Hannen wearing their Olympic bronze medals.
2. Organising Committee for the event: Dorothy Symes, Bruce Osborne, Jason Reid, Fiona O'leary, Graeme Howells, Neil Forlong, Tony Upchurch - Absent Peter Wood.
3. Wanganui Rowing Club logo

04/10/2025

03/10/2025

Up The Vote - a successful event last Saturday

More than 100 people enrolled and voted in Whanganui’s local elections at a Majestic Square event on Saturday.

Whanganui’s deputy electoral officer Anna Palamountain said she was delighted with the outcome.

“The sun came out, we had entertainment for the crowd and a great attendance. There was a constant flow of people – some young, some old -- registering and voting on the spot.”

Voting for places on the district council, including the new Māori wards, and Horizons regional council has been slow, but Anna was optimistic things were picking up.

“We will have pop-up events at Castlecliff library and Aramoho Four Square and continue to encourage people to vote.”

She said staff were on hand at the council offices from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, ready to explain the procedure and guide people through their voting papers. There are orange voting bins at the council and at numerous points across the city.

Voting in the election, which includes a referendum on Māori wards, closes at 12noon on Saturday, October 11, with results expected by October 16.

The council is hoping for 50 per cent turnout of eligible voters.

Photo from Whanganui District Council's page

03/10/2025

Matarawa Community Church
If you love Scottish pipe music, the place to be on Sunday 5th October is the beautiful little church in the country. 11.00am service. If it is a beautiful sunny day, you might even get to hear the Whanganui Highland Pipe Band.

03/10/2025

The Whanganui Jazz Club welcomes DNA this Sunday

This Sunday, the Whanganui Jazz Club has the pleasure to welcome another band from the north. Somewhat serendipitously, because this band, DNA, will be in town on Saturday to perform for a private function, and we seized the opportunity to ask them to play for us. Thank you to our committee member Linda Mallasch whose son Nick is the band’s drummer. Rob Barry on guitar, Vuk Tomic on keys and Alex Vagle on bass make up the quartet. Rob is the lead vocalist and the others join him on backing vocals.

With a repertoire spanning genres and eras, DNA delivers a musical journey that has captivated audiences across the nation. Founded in the vibrant musical landscape of Auckland, DNA boasts a collective expertise that goes beyond the ordinary. Each member brings a wealth of experience, finely tuned over years of performances, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable live music experience. Navigating the diverse sounds of Kiwi culture and global influences, DNA crafts performances that are as dynamic as the Auckland skyline. From classic hits to contemporary chart-toppers, their setlist is a testament to versatility and crowd-pleasing finesse. This should be a highly entertaining evening.

For those not familiar with the Jazz Club, meetings are held at the St Johns Club on the first Sunday of every month from March through December. Memberships are available at the door and everyone is welcome. We are looking forward to having the wonderful Erna Ferry with the Whanganui Jazz Orchestra perform for us at our penultimate concert in November, and in December, international vocalist Hetty Kate will headline our year end celebration.

More than anything, it is the music that inspires us. Come and join us.
Sunday 5 October, 6:30pm @ St Johns Club, 158 Glasgow Street
Members and Guests of the St Johns and Whanganui Jazz Clubs $15

03/10/2025

Lovely Lijiang - sister city talk this Sunday

In 2015 our Whanganui District Council established ‘sister city’ relationship with Lijiang – a small city in the south-west of China. It is a fascinating place. The Council is keen to revive activity with them – as indeed they wish to do so with us. There are wonderful opportunities for our youth, tourists, businesses, education seekers, and explorers!

NZ-China Friendship Society, operating for 73 years, has a branch here in Whanganui. We’d like to introduce you to this lovely sister city of ours at this time when international friendship is so necessary.

To celebrate, we’ve invited several notable Whanganui citizens who have been to Lijiang to share their experiences of this fascinating “small city”. Their talks, enlivened by slides and film, will show you just why Lijiang was chosen as our sister city. Mayors Annette Main, and Hamish McDouall both visited.

Lijiang (Beautiful River), is in a region with southern Himalayan snow-covered mountains, lakes, the great Yangtse River (Tiger Leaping Gorge!), the home of most rhododendrons, as well as a rich diversity of very ancient cultures including Tibetan, and much more!

It is interesting that NZ has been active in many development projects in Yunnan since the 1970s. The region attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year. Lijiang’s fascinating ‘ancient town’ was for centuries the trading post for Tibetans buying Chinese tea … caravans often each of a thousand horses and taking months for the journey. Note: the ‘new town’ has a highly-rated School of Tourism; a marvellous opportunity for our youth to train and connect!

In fact, Whanganui has a very special historical link to the area – but you’ll have to come along to find out what that link is! … and to open the door to the opportunities awaiting you!

Public meeting on Sunday 3 pm to 5 pm, 5 October, in the Heritage Library

03/10/2025

Event supporting mental wellness this Saturday - Majestic Square

Elena King, from Balance Whanganui, is spearheading an event this Saturday at Majestic Square – He Hononga Ora – Connections that Give Life, sponsored by Love and Learn Care and Education Centre and Restorative City Whanganui. The event is to highlight the support that’s in the Whanganui community for anyone struggling with mental health issues.

A host of organisations will be present on the day, including Pride Whanganui, Healthy Families, Whatever, MIST, Jigsaw, Whanganui Community Living Trust, Te Oranganui and Hakeke St Community Centre and Library, and Love and Learn Care and Education Centre. It’s a whānau-friendly event, and everyone is welcome.

“The plan is to bring as many organisations as possible in the community together who offer support services so they can show who they are, what support services they offer, how to access them, and who can access them”, says Elena.

Elena adds, “We have a free sausage sizzle; the Play Trailer will be there, and other activities for the kids. We have three singers, Charlotte Melser, Mere K Tiiweka and Gary Spooner, and a speaker from Auckland is coming down. “

The speaker from Auckland is Rob Mokoraka, of Shot Bro fame, who will share his message of resilience, aroha, and practical tools for well-being.

“I work as a Lived Experience Consumer Advisor for Mental Health and Addictions and also as a peer support worker for Hāpai Mauri Tangata Crisis co-response team.” She has worked at Balance for eight months and moved to Whanganui from Wellington five years ago.

Elena shares the inspiration behind organising her first event, saying, “In my role as Lived Experience Consumer Advisor, a lot of the feedback I get from the community is that people don’t know where to go to get the help. There are so many services available, they don’t know which door to go through. So we’re trying to bring that connection about through this event.

There will be a remembrance at the event for those whose lives have been lost to su***de, alongside the celebration of those who have struggled, or are struggling and still here, because they matter.

Elena is no stranger to the struggles with mental health and connected with peer support for the first time in Whanganui. “It was a game-changer talking to someone who knew where I had been, was amazing.” Human-to-human interaction.

There will also be Community Shoutouts, recognition and prizes given out on the day for five categories: Manaaki Wahi Mahi (above & beyond organisation), Manaaki Kaimahi (supportive worker), Manaaki Tangata (a person who gives to everyone, and expects nothing in return), Manaaki Rangatahi (supportive youth) and Manaaki Tamariki (awesome child). Nominations for the categories have been flowing in.
Businesses have got behind the event – PakNSave Whanganui have provided food for the day, and prizes, as has Mitre 10 Mega Wanganui. Harrisons HireMaster has supported, too.

He Hononga Ora – where every token tells a story, and every station sparks connection. Whānau will journey through games, korero, and shared laughter to discover the services life to our community.

He Hononga Ora – Connections that Give Life
Saturday 4th October
Majestic Square, Victoria Avenue
12pm – 3pm
All Welcome

02/10/2025

Victorian wedding fashion in the spotlight at Whanganui Regional Museum
By Karen Hughes

Whanganui Regional Museum’s outfit of the month for October is a two-piece Victorian wedding ensemble of jacket and skirt, worn by Caroline Phoebe Newing when she married Samuel Toy Beard at Matarawa in June 1880.

The outfit, made from a striped cream silk with a self-stripe pattern, is an example of wedding fashion in the early 1880s. Two-piece ensembles allowed for versatility and could be reorganised for other formal wear after the occasion - a practical concern in colonial societies. Other key features of the time were bustles or padding at the back of skirts that enhanced the silhouette and fitted jackets that shaped the waist. Popular fabrics included silks, satins, and brocades, often decorated with lace or ribbons.

Pou Tiaki/Collections & Curatorial Lead, Trish Nugent-Lyne said, ‘When you get close to this cream silk ensemble, you can see not only the fine stripe woven into the silk but also the careful shaping of the jacket: It speaks of skill, but also of what mattered to brides of that era. It’s a story of style and identity, but also practicality.”

The carefully kept family heirloom was donated to the Museum in 1974 by the couple’s granddaughter Laura Ingram. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the style and elegance of late-19th-century wedding attire. The garment is over 140 years old, having survived conditions that often degrade silk and delicate fabrics, which adds to its historical value.

To share the story behind the outfit, Pou Tiaki/Collections & Curatorial Lead Trish Nugent-Lyne will present a free public talk on Friday, 3 October at 12.15pm. The ensemble will remain on display throughout October as part of the Museum’s popular Outfit of the Month series, which highlights treasures from the textile collection. Admission is free; koha to support the Museum’s heritage preservation work is welcomed.

The 1880 wedding skirt features a train decorated with pleated trim.
Photo credit: Kathy Greensides/Whanganui Regional Museum