275 Times April 2018

EDITION #40
APRIL 2018
275
Māngere’s
times
275 times
Free!
Our stories, our people, our Māngere
Kōrero paki ō tatou, Tāngata ō tatou, Ngā Hau Māngere ō tatou
On Saturday 24th March 2018 in the
Mangere Town Centre, Otara Health
Charitable Trust celebrated the
inaugural launch of the Active Futures
programme in the Mangere Community.
A variety of free fun activities were on
display on the day which included face
painting; Zumba Swagg; Photo Booth and
an Amazing Race around the Mangere
Town Centre. A lucky family who took
part in the Amazing Race won a fantastic
Toaletai Faumuina David Tua with he team from Otara Health
Charitable Trust’s ACTIVE FUTURES PROGRAM (photo supplied)
Active Futures comes to town
family prize pack filled with healthy
breakfast products, fruit & vegetables
and an awesome family sports
pack that included a signed pair of
boxing gloves by a Son of Mangere
– Toaletai Faumuina David Tua.
He endorsed the importance of
providing our tamariki/ tamaiti with
good nutrition and physical activity,
to grow into a healthy body weight.
A flash mob was planned and
executed as a fun way of
demonstrating how dance/
movement is a fun activity
continued page 4
WHAT’S INSIDE: MABUHAY! From De La Salle College

EDITORIAL
2
Talofa
Bucket List
grabs!
Recently one of
our 275 Times
condtributors -
Ernestina Bonsu Maro, made
the decision to skydive to
celebrate her 16th (*cough
cough) birthday. This local
daredevil diva, whom you all
know represented the Cook
Islands at last years Miss Pacific
Pageant in Fiji, has become the
epitome of “Living Life to the
fullest”.
One of the biggest barriers to
being able to “Live My Life to
its fullest” has been my weight.
While I’ve learned to Be Happy
with me, there is always that
wondering thought (as I pull
out my mirror so that I can see
my toes) of how much more
I could do in my life if I was in
good shape and actively fit.
Our community is no stranger
to fitness programs. This worldwide
healthy living trend is
constantly in our faces thanks
to social media. So, welcoming
the Otara Health-Charitable
Trust’s ACTIVE FUTURES
program to Mangere was easypeasy
thank you Sioeli.
Cost of good healthy food
is continuing to rise. For
some of us, it’s already out of
reach. Slap on the impending
fuel tax and the everyday
struggle will be real indeed.
Keep your heads up!
We welcome your feedback
1. What do you like about
275 Times magazine?
2. What would you like to
see featured in your local
monthly magazine?
Email us at
275Times@gmail.com
Hermann
Tuataga Hermann Arp Jr
Editor
A ‘Fiddler’s tale of th
Best friends Tia Ormsby and Mya Pritchard have a good reason to hang
out together more often. Both girls, 11, are in the Manukau Performing Arts
production of Fiddler on the Roof. Although this is not their first show together,
what makes this one special is they will be playing the same character
‘Bielke’, in an alternating child cast. They are happy because “we can share
what we need to know” and “we can give eachother tips” they announce.
Fiddler on the Roof, a musical with success on Broadway and West
End, will be at Papatoetoe’s Spotlight Theatre donning 32 kiwi actors,
directed by Regan Crummer. Set in Russia in 1905, the story is based
on Tevye, father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family
traditions amidst outside influences, which is relevant to many walks of
life today. Mya reflects a message from the story “follow your heart; just
because there are certain traditions, you can still decide your own future”.
Bielke, Tevye’s youngest daughter is “cheeky, really enthusiastic and
she looks up to her older sisters”, says Tia, something both girls can relate
to and with the cast and crew supporting their experience by making it “fun
and welcoming”. Both girls love their new theatre family, “everybody is pretty
crazy just like us and they always have a smile on their face” says Mya.
Make
Ella’s
dream a
reality
by Ernestina Bonsu-Maro
Bold, Beautiful and
Energetic. Meet 4 year old
Ella she defines courage,
Ella was born with some
difficulties one of them
unable to walk, her
extraordinary mother Kat
has gone beyond measures
fundraising, eeking
sponsors, Dinner and Raffles
you name it she has done
it all. Kat has definitely
contributed and networked
with many people to
get Ella walking again.
An official fundraising
event for Ella will be held on
the 15th April. Proceeds will
go towards a life changing
surgery for her to be able

e two Bielke’s
Tia Ormsby and Mya Pritchard
(photo by Tawera Ormsby)
Manukau Performing Arts also brings together our deaf
community, by collaborating with a dedicated team to provide
interpretation to one show per season. This is a highlight
for Tia and Mya as they have learnt some NZ sign language
and have a greater understanding for their deaf friends.
The musical is suitable for all the family, with tickets
already sold to four generations. “It has some songs
people won’t realise they already know” Tia points
out, “and some pretty funny lines” Mya adds.
Fiddler on the Roof
Papatoetoe Spotlight Theatre
21st April – 5th May
https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2018/apr/fiddler-on-the-roof
Director – Regan Crummer
Musical Director – Edwin Randall
Choreographer – Zoe Gilmore
to walk again. In order for
her dream to become a
reality, one of the goals is
to set the World Record for
the most fairies in one area.
If you would like to know
more about Ella’s upcoming
fundraiser visit their Facebook
page https://www.
facebook.com/fairysteps4ella
if you will like to donate or
help and you are free on the
15th of April come along
with your family & friends to
a awesome event all for our local girl
Ella. Remember to dress up as a Fairy.
Most Fairies World Record Re-Attempt
#TEAMELLA
#MANGERE 275
#South Auckland
Lemauga Lydia
Sosene:
Chair of the
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu
Local Board
Don’t let the cold put a damper on
enjoying our area
Kia ora, talofa lava and warm greetings from all of us at the Local Board.
With winter just around
the corner, it can be a bit
disheartening knowing the
days are going to be shorter
and the nights will be colder.
It can be especially
concerning if your home gets
a bit damp and draughty. But
here at the local board, we’re
keen to do our bit to ensure
your family can be healthy as
well as having plenty to do
to to bring people together.
One such initiative is the
Healthy Rentals scheme.
Thanks to funding from
the local board, this project
provides support for tenants
and landlords to create warmer,
drier rentals. Successful
applicants get free resources,
advice and installations
of LED bulbs, hot water
cylinder wraps, thermostat
controllers and curtains. To
find out what you’re eligible
for; search ‘healthy rentals’
at aucklandcouncil.govt.
nz for more information.
Our local board area is also
hosting a number of great
events this month. There’s the
Toia Summer Food & Craft
festival in Ōtāhuhu on April
4, there’s the hugely popular
Harcourts Family Music Festival
in Māngere Bridge on April 8.
On Anzac Day there are
a number of civic services
and parades throughout the
region and you get times
and details at our website:
ourauckland.nz/anzacday.
We are also fortunate to
have the Pop coming to
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu which is
all about creating fun things
to do in our neighbourhoods
and includes interactive
activities like ping pong,
marbles and cycling. Go to
facebook.com/pg/popakl/
events/ for all the details.
To stay up with all that’s
happening in our area,
make sure you follow our
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board
Facebook page: facebook.
com/mangereotahuhu
Manuia,
Lemauga Lydia Sosene
Chair of the Māngere-
Ōtāhuhu Local Board
3

It’s Mangere’s turn to AFu (Active Futures)
continued from page one
enjoyed by all ages together.
Families were encouraged to
have their 4 year olds complete
a B4 School Health Check with
either Plunket or a Well Child
provider before they start school.
Local business, Countdown
Mangere Mall & Airport Mangere,
The Warehouse Airport Mangere,
Hubbard Foods collectively
contributed
free water, fruit
and prizes.
Local health
providers such
as Moana Nui
A Kiwa; Turuki
Health; Family
Fit Club; Pacific
Early Learning
Mobile Outreach
Service; Census
NZ; Family Teeth
Matters were on
board to share
their resources
and information.
Active Futures collaborated with
local Dance Group Te Ao Moana
who provided beautiful cultural
dances from the Cook Islands.
What is Active Futures?
The Active Futures service is a
comprehensive family based
nutrition, activity, lifestyle and
parenting skills programme for
pre-school children in Counties
Manukau who are identified as
obese at their B4 School Check.
Active participants (photo supplied)
The service supports families
to make and sustain a range
of lifestyle changes that will
have long lasting benefits to
their health and wellbeing.
The Active Futures programme is
a brand new service in Mangere.
Our team of Health Facilitators
work alongside parents, offering
families the opportunity to engage
in a FREE home based and group
based programme over 12 months
enabling them to be their child’s
first health and wellbeing coach!
The programme is for children
aged 3-5 year old from
Counties Manukau. Support
is provided through weekly
sessions on Physical Activity,
Nutrition, Parenting & Lifestyle.
A consenting parent/caregiver
must be able to attend each
session with their child.
For more information contact
Family Based Services
Coordinator Maddi Schmidt|
maddi@otarahealth.org.nz|
027 274 8005| 09 274 8355
4

STUDENT VOICE
MABUHAY!
DE LA SALLE
Teenagers of the Southside so often bear the
brunt of their own scrutiny. Merely living in South
Auckland betokens “the struggle is real”. Albeit due
to the magnified media portrayal of our people,
my perception of being poor was extraordinarily
incorrect – finding out for
myself walking through
the trails of litter, through
formidable humidity, through
little hands out reaching
for my bag. I was walking
through Tondo, one of the
Philippines’ most notorious
ghettos – that saw no way
of escaping her poverty.
In early December 2017,
following thousands of
dollars of fundraising, fruitful
immersion into cultures
other than our own and
months of eager anticipation,
myself along with 17 of my
fellow Lasallian brothers
boarded a flight from Hong
Kong en route to Manila,
Philippines. Our 3-day
stop there would mark the
beginning of a stupendous
adventure I will remember
for the rest of my life. We
went to the Philippines
with a readiness to give
back to the people, and so we did that mahi.
There we plastered & landscaped the makings of
multiple homes, shared hours of bonding with
kindergarten-aged children, their families and
neighbourhoods, met face-to-face with convicted
prisoners among many other outreach activities.
Service, a term discussed to us at school for so many
years and without scripture meant virtually nothing,
even we went into the community to do such a thing
– now had substance.
It was the interaction,
hype and prosperity
that us teenagers of
the Southside were
now exposed to
some 8,000km away
from the “brown
bubble” that is.
I attribute my
changed view on
the South Auckland
struggle to the everso
merry heart of the
Filipino. Mahal kita. If
I learnt anything from
who I met along the
way of our outreach,
it was to live.
By Mariner
Fagaiava-Muller
Hands around the land - Hei purupuru i te whenua
Two years ago, in March 2016,
the people of Tāmaki-makaurau
showed their support for
the people of Ihumātao in their
struggle to protect their ancestral
land from the /Fletcher Residential
‘development”. Hundreds joined
hands around the land.
Fletcher Building is still sticking
to its ill-conceived plans to
build 480 housing units on
the land at Ihumātao.
Now it is time for the people
to show Fletcher Residential,
(and the Council, and the
Government), that this beautiful
landscape must be saved from
destruction, and protected for
future generations under the
mana of its tāngata whenua.
Support the people of Ihumātao
and join Hands around the Land,
2018. Hei pupuru i te whenua!
Some of the many community
leaders who have spoken up to save
the land: Kaumatua Joe Hawke and
Haare Williams, Māngere MP and
Minister of Pasifika Affairs, Aupito
William Si’o, Green MP Marama
Davidson, City Councillors
Cathy Casey, Mike Lee and Efiso
Collins, as well as Lemauga
Lydia Sosene, Māngere-Otāhuhu
Local board and many more.
Help heal the wound that was
opened in 1863 when the land
was confiscated, a wound
was re-opened when Fletcher
Residential bought the land in
2016, ignoring the opposition
of mana whenua, and the
people of South Auckland. 5

MANGERE APPRECIATION SONG
By Shirl’e Fruean
“Gatorway Music”. If you have not heard of them, you need to get
familiar. They are an underground rap group who all grew up in Mangere,
with 8 members in the group (Cloud, Lanz, Kere Kenz,Teck2daDash,
Dillz, Benge, Rico Reigns & Wings ) one could only describe
them as a true product of their environment & music.
I had seen a music video of their “Mangere
Appreciation Song” floating around on Facebook and
I instantly felt a connection. However, It was their fun
g-funk style track ‘Gwalk” that got me bumping my head
& grooving along, I thought they were dope, especially
putting their own music out there independently.
A couple of months later they popped back up while I was
judging a song competition that was hosted by Flava radio station
alongside Hayden Hare (Content Director of Flava radio ) and Ty
(Smashproof). Though it was very difficult to decide, because there
were so many great songs, there was this one track that stood out
the most, Something genuine, intriguing in their voices and lyrics.
Their subtle aggressiveness & pride describing
upbringing and the urgency of breaking into the music
industry, something i could relate too, Luckily the other judges
agreed in the end this crew were named the winners.
I also discovered they had a self-made music video clip to their “Emergency” song that was shot in a guerrilla
film style, it had a raw grimy street feel to it that gave me such an appreciation for them as young Hip-hoppers.
Gatorway music will be performing at Kiwi Spirit bar in Rotorua. Then on to building their record label
as well as recording,staying as active on the music scene as they can. They can be found on Facebook,
IG , SnapChat, Sound Cloud and YouTube. Support local artists making something out of nothing.
hanau
oha
We care about
FAMILY
one organisation, many services.
we'd love to help out!
pariv
aiga
MARAMATAKA:
Paengawhāwhā (April)
By Ayla Hoeta
Kia ora whānau welcome to Paengawhāwhā
(April) the eleventh lunar month of the
year! This marama (month) is a great
time to get the gardens ready for winter
crops and also get your fishing days in
around Tangaroa days. Our kaumatua say
the animal activity begin to slow down
as they sense the coming of winter.
KEY DAYS TO ADD TO YOUR CALENDAR
LOW ENERGY DAYS:
love
6
ECE Centres of the highest
quality (20hrs free ECE*)
Experienced, qualified staff
from many backgrounds
Reliable, affordable After-
School Care
Over 10 Years in
community
kaing
Creative, structured
Holiday Programmes
Regular Fathers & Kids
events
SuperGrans programme
for local mums
Community Playgroup
FREE Van pick-ups
201 Buckland Road, Mangere & 18A Mervan St, Mangere
goodseedtrust www.goodseedtrust.co.nz (09) 275-1065
7, 8 and 9 April – Tangaroa A Mua, Tangaroa
A Roto and Tangaroa kiokio (fishing and
planting days) can be described also as more
fruitful days. There’s lots of ika to catch and
kai flourishes when planted on these days. On
these fruitful days it’s also a better time to sort
any raru or issues you might have as there
is a greater chance of a positive outcome!
11, 12 and 13 April – Orongonui, Omauri
and Mutuwhenua: Planting all types of kai.
14 April – Whiro: Lowest energy day
and best to reflect rest and plan. This is
also a good night to torch for eels.
Thanks whānau!

Tararata Stream
TALKING RUBBISH
by Justine Skilling
“The Tararata Streamwhere’s
that?”, asked
one of my born-andbred-in-Mangere
colleagues, when I
told her about my next
275 Times assignment.
Streams are the hidden
gems of our city
neighbourhoods, channelling water from our
streets out to the harbour and creating habitat
for a multitude of plants, birds, fish, insects and
people. They play a vital role in our ecosystem,
but do we treat them with the respect and care
they deserve and need? Do we even know they’re
there? I decided to spend an afternoon with
the Tararata Stream Team to find out more.
Hidden behind houses between Bader Dr
and Hall Ave in Mangere, the stream can be
reached at Moyle Park, or at entrances off
Elmdon St and at the end of Hinau Rd. I catch
up with the Stream Team as they emerge
through a gate in the fence of a neighbouring
house. Armed with sampling nets, buckets and
microscopes, the small team of dedicated locals
are here to check the water quality and see what
creatures they can spot in the stream today.
Stream neighbours (Sarah, Helen, Beau,
Cody and Catherine) and their dog are having
fun, spotting inanga and eels in the stream and
cooling off from the blazing sun. Several other
neighbourhood children are hanging over their
back fences and poking around near the water.
Looking downstream towards Mangere Mountain,
it feels as though we’re out in the countryside.
The stream was a great resource for Maori,
a source of freshwater and abundant fish”, says
Julia. “It links us to the sea, with tidal water
coming up as far as Hinau Rd. Fish and birds
move between stream and harbour. Shortfin
eels, to the delight of children, still come from
the ocean - Moana Nui a Kiwa - in spring, and
some live here for 50 years or so before leaving
New Zealand forever to lay their eggs deep in
the ocean. Little inanga come downstream to
the tidal area in February and March to lay their
eggs in the grass. Their babies will spend the
winter in the Manukau Harbour, and come up
our stream in spring as whitebait”, explains Julia.
There’s still life in the stream, but it certainly
needs some love. Local resident Tere Arere
got involved last year, after receiving a letter
inviting her to a planting session down at the
stream. She’s concerned about the amount
of rubbish being dumped in and around the stream and
the potential for flooding that this creates. Long-time
stream kaitiaki Maurice Sinclair is also concerned. He’s
down at the stream most days, pulling supermarket
trolleys of rubbish out of the stream and clearing away
the waterweed that’s building up on the silty stream bed.
Human actions can have a detrimental impact on
stream life, but the Stream Team remains positive. They
see the potential for the stream to be a place for the
Ways to get involved:
•Join the Tararata Stream
Team facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/1947178058889289/
•Bring the kids to join in
with water testing work
and planting days
•Watch and warn people
who try to dump litter
•Come along to the
Matariki celebrations being
planned at the stream
•Enjoy the stream!
community to
value and nurture.
Their current
projects include
the installation of
a fish refuge in the
stream- a structure
that will allow the
fish to shelter from
the strong flow
of the current.
They aim to bring
life back into the
stream and to
encourage people
to engage with it.
“We want people
to notice that the
stream’s looking
a bit sad and to
ask “why?” and
“what can we do?”, says Julia. She hopes that more of
the stream neighbours will join in and enjoy the stream.
WANTED! EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKERS
Part-time work available.
Work with children with special needs in early childhood education.
Experience preferred, but not essential. Training provided.
Speakers of Samoan and/or te reo Maori are particularly encouraged to apply.
Call Shayla today
ph. 09 263 0798
7

Community Notices
IHUMATAO NEEDS YOU
SAVE OUR UNIQUE LANDSCAPE (SOUL)
: PROTECT IHUMATAO
HANDS AROUND THE LAND: HEI PURUPURU I
TE WHENUA
SATURDAY 26 MAY 2018
2PM - 2.30PM
OTAHUHU MANGERE YOUTH & HEALTH EVENT
SATURDAY 14th April 2018
11am - 2pm
Otahuhu Town Hall
High Street, Otahuhu Auckland
Great stories
begin here
ZERO
FEES
Conditions
apply
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Time to spare, or skills to share? Volunteer for
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Māngere, Ōtāhuhu or
Papatoetoe! The CAB is all about the client – making
sure individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their
rights and responsibilities. Apply online at www.cab.org.
nz, or call or drop in. CAB Māngere is on the Orly Ave
side of Māngere Town Centre (ph. 09 275 6885), CAB
Ōtāhuhu is in the Tōia Precinct, 30–34 Mason Ave (ph.
09 216 9813) and CAB Papatoetoe is at the back of the
Town Hall, 35A St George St, Old Papatoetoe (ph. 09 278
5191).
FREE CLASSES IN MA – NGERE EAST
Māngere East Community Centre runs FREE & low-cost
classes in parenting, te reo Māori, Samoan, korowai,
drivers licence theory, tai chi, zumba – and more! Visit
www.mangereeast.org, email: fiona@mangereeast.org,
ph. 275 6161 or drop in to 372 Massey Rd (behind the
library) Māngere East to find out more.
Community Notices are FREE
for community groups.
To list your group or event in the next issue, send
us a 50-word summary by 20 April 2018.
275 times
275
Māngere’s
times
Editor: Hermann Arp Jr.
Publisher: Māngere East Community Centre
275times@gmail.com
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