waiarikiwire

ZOMBIES SET TO TAKE OVER ROTORUA

2011-09-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

SCARY STUFF: last year's annual Rotorua Zombie Walk raised $2,700 for Brain Injury Rotorua.

by Jordan McIntyre
Waiariki Journalism Student

Don’t be scared, it’s all about awareness.

That is what organisers of next month’s Rotorua Zombie Walk are telling people ahead of the event.

Organised by MovieTime, the second annual fundraising event sees people dress up as the living-dead and walk the streets in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the Rotorua division of Brain Injury Association New Zealand.

MovieTime owner and event organiser Layla Robinson said the Zombie Walk was a celebration of zombie and horror pop culture and a chance for those with an interest in alternative events to get dressed up, come together and ‘play zombie’ for a good cause.

She said initially the event was not going to be a fundraiser but after speaking with friends and family and realising how popular it might become, she decided it would be a waste not to.

“Anyone who is familiar with zombie pop culture knows that zombies crave brains and flesh when they become reanimated, so immediately I thought it would be awesome to give back to brains and donate to a local brain injury, or brain research organisation,” she said.

Ms Robinson said she was proud to host the zombie walk and expected a large turnout after the success of last year’s walk.

“I anticipate that word of mouth will raise numbers for the 2011 walk. We already have more fans on our Facebook page than we did last year, and that’s growing every day,” she said.

The 2010 Rotorua Zombie Walk raised a total of $2,700 for Brain Injury Rotorua and saw over 200 people dress up as zombies and walk through the city centre for the cause.

“We even had a mini-bus of visitors to Rotorua follow us for two blocks up the street taking photos and while I imagine they were impressed by the mud pools and geysers, the zombie walk is something I’m sure they’ll never forget,” Ms Robinson said.

Former President of Brain Injury Association New Zealand John Clough said a key reason the Brain Injury Association existed was to raise awareness and educate around the ‘silent epidemic’ of brain injury.

“Ninety New Zealanders sustain a brain injury every day and if the Zombie Walk can help to raise awareness of this, then there is every chance it could become a successful nationwide campaign.”

He said people needed to stop acting like zombies and wake up to the issues that were facing their communities.

“The zombies represent society, not those the march is intended to benefit,” he said.

The Zombie Walk will take place all around Rotorua's CBD on Saturday October 29 and will include a thriller dance and the modern zombie sprint, both popular features of the 2010 walk.

To register for the event go to http://zombies.movietime.co.nz/. Check out their Facebook page Rotorua Zombie Walk.

NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRACK HAS HAZARDS

2011-09-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

by Thomas Walker

Waiariki Journalism Student

There’s a brand new mountain bike track looping around Rotorua Golf Club’s old nine-hole course and stray golf balls are only one of the technical hazards for riders to tackle.

The 1.7 km track, which coils around bubbling mud pools and beautiful thermal lakes, was designed and built by Waiariki Academy of Sport student Carl Jones. He is a nationally ranked cross country racer who is currently in Europe competing in international events.

The track, which is just a short pedal from Waiariki’s Mokoia campus in Rotorua, includes five technical areas of varying degrees of difficulty designed to challenge mountain bikers of all levels. The land also contains a practice golfing area good enough for Bay of Plenty Golf to use for its recent elite weekend camp.

The advanced mountain bike track areas are set to test the abilities of Waiariki Institute of Technology’s elite sports academy mountain bikers while also offering the athletes the convenience of having an area just over the road to hone their skills.

Plans to extend the track by adding another 200 metres _ with more technical areas _ are expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Waiariki Academy of Sport manager Jane Borren said the new track was developed as a great place for the more advanced academy riders to test their skills as well as for recreational and less experienced riders looking for fun and exercise.

“Any of the really technical areas can be easily bypassed,” she said.

PEDAL POWER: national mountainbiking representative Scott Green rides the new Waiariki Institute of Technology mountainbiking track. Pic: Thomas Walker

Borren said a ‘Back On Your Bike’ skills course designed with the track in mind was being run in August and September by former New Zealand mountain biking representative Scott Green.

Green is a current Waiariki Academy of Sport member and said he is excited to see the new track develop as it was an “ideal place” for people to practice and hone their skills.

The Back on Your Bike course would utilise elite mountain bikers from around Rotorua to teach essential bike handling skills combined with easy rides on the new track as well as some of the other local trail networks.

For further details contact Scott Green at the Waiariki Community Recreation Centre on (07) 346 8630.

WAIARIKI STUDENT RADIO NOW ON AIR

2011-08-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

Tune into to Waiariki FM 106.7.
Easy listening tunes from the Mokoia Campus reaching out 24/7.
We currently have a student group in training, readying to bring further flavour to the local air waves.

Let's get wired

2011-08-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

It's time to get this blog back up and running. This is a place where Waiariki Mass Media students can display their work and let the masses know what is happening in their community and or classroom.
The class of 2011 students are actively pursuing stories now, trying to bridge that gap from learning to doing, in readiness for work experience and possible future jobs in the wide world of media.
It's an exciting time to be in media: internet, tablets and interactive news changes so quickly, it's hard to keep up ... but we are going to try.

Craig Tiriana

Head of Department mass media and communications

Waiariki Institute of Technology
Rotorua
New Zealand

Tauranga fashion designer Liz Proverbs will launch her original designs at NZ Fashion Week.

2009-09-08T21:08:00.000-07:00

Dionne Bidois

An up and coming Tauranga fashion designer will showcase her debut winter collection at Air New Zealand Fashion Week this month which runs from Monday 21 to Friday 25 of September.

Liz Proverbs will exhibit 24 pieces from her new label ‘Riddle Me This’ at the week- long event in Auckland. It is the first time the young designer has been to the show and she hopes to introduce her designs to influential industry players.

Miss Proverbs said she had already had support from established designers, encouraging her to introduce her winter 2010 collection.

“I’m excited and curious about what is going to come out of it. It’s a good way to get your foot in the door and meet new buyers,” she said.

After gaining a Diploma in Fashion Design at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic in 2007, Miss Proverbs launched herself into the world of fashion and established Riddle Me This last year.
Her summer 09/10 collection was picked up by a number of clothing stores throughout NZ, including local shops in Tauranga, Taupo and Hamilton.

“My designs are targeted at the 18 to 26-year-old age group. They are for creative people who love experimenting with fashion and music,” she said.

“Youth are always checking what’s new and what’s coming out. The environment in Tauranga helps nurture creativity. There is something about the Mount that gives a different vibe,” she said.

The growing popularity of Riddle Me This was highlighted recently when a dress was stolen from one of the stores selling her label.

“The owner felt quite awful after one of my designs was shoplifted,” Miss Proverbs said. “I thought, oh that’s quite cool. They obviously wanted my dress so badly that they didn’t want to pay for it.”

Miss Proverbs uses only New Zealand (NZ) made fabrics and materials, sourced from NZ wholesalers for her label.

Aware that the current financial climate was placing pressure on local businesses, she decided to make a statement by stamping her emerging brand as ‘proudly Kiwi made and manufactured.’
“Factories are closing down all around NZ because people are getting their products made overseas. I wanted to make a statement that my whole label is designed to support NZ and the fashion-design industry,” she said.

After achieving her goal of exhibiting at NZ Fashion Week, this young designer hopes to introduce her clothing to the Australian and Japanese markets and create a menswear collection.

Waitangi Baths all cleaned up

2009-08-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hinerongonui Kingi

Recent upgrades at a popular Rotorua hot springs are well worth the money according to locals and tourists alike.

The Waitangi Soda Springs at Rotoma have been done up with a wider and deeper swimming area, steps and wheelchair access into the river, changing rooms and secured car parking.

The new $8 admission charge ($4 for children) is a small price to pay for the improvements and a relaxing bath says Megan Pederson from Hawkes Bay. She often stops for a swim when visiting family in Rotorua.

“It was nice before but I have nerve damage in my leg and it was hard for me to get in and out of the pools. I had to go down on my hands and knees just to get in and my husband had to help me. The new stairs and rail have made it a lot easier for me to get in. It was a breeze,” she said.
Mrs Pederson said the springs were also a lot cleaner since the upgrade.

“I remember before the bottom of the pools felt very muddy and dirty. Now with the sandy bottom it makes a big difference. The whole atmosphere is just a lot better. I would recommend the pools to anyone,” she said.

Local brothers and regular bathers Taumauri and Whakaaio Nopera said they were also impressed with the new look spa.

“It’s really flash now and nicer to swim in because it’s not so muddy,” Taumauri (11) said.

“We come here all the time in summer on our way home from swimming in Rotoma and we still will, even though you have to pay now. We love lying in the hot water at night and looking at the stars,” he said.

Younger brother Whakaaio (9) said while he had always enjoyed swimming at the springs, they were even better now.

“I like the new upgrades because it feels safer with the security man watching over the place and there’s music to listen to as well. I especially like the boogie boards you can get at the office. They’re fun,” he said.

“I think the changing rooms and walkway into the water are really helpful but my best thing about the pools now is the waterfall. It’s cool,” he said.

The Waitangi Soda Springs is part of a 1.9627 hectare block of land owned by Ngati Tamateatutahi/Kawiti and Ngati Te Rangiunuora and is managed by the Waitangi No.3 Trust.
Waitangi No.3 Trust member Joe Tahana said the upgrade had come about as the result of concerns about the safety of users and the general wellbeing of the springs.

“I think visitors are finding it more comfortable to visit now with the pools and surrounding area being a lot tidier. The admission charges have been set up by the trust to assist with the upgrades which may also include a walkway through the surrounding wetlands area (Waiwhero) that we are hoping will be completed early in the new year,” he said.

Brothers Whakaaio and Taumauri Nopera enjoy the boogie boards at Waitangi Soda Springs.

2009-08-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Photos by Hinerongonui Kingi

2009-08-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

A Rotorua Father's struggle to save daughter from 'P'

2009-08-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

Dionne Bidois

It has been often quoted that raising children is the most difficult job in the world. This is the story of one father’s struggle to save his daughters from the ‘P’ epidemic.

Rotorua father of four, Dennis Hanson, has been struggling to save his two daughters from the clutches of methamphetamine addiction, more commonly known as 'P'. His heartbreaking ordeal has forced him to commit his eldest daughter to a psychiatric ward due to a drug- induced psychosis. Shortly after Mr Hanson thought he had successfully found help for his eldest girl, he discovered his second daughter was also addicted to ‘P’.

Mr Hanson said he hoped through sharing his story, parents can be warned and educated about the drug methamphetamine and the horrific implications of addiction. He believed the best way to slow the growing ‘P’ epidemic lay in educating young people about the realities of drug abuse.

"If there ever was a drug that the devil invented, it would be 'P'. We need to let people know what the consequences are before they even try it. I have never seen my daughter change so fast to what she was when she was on it,” he said.

The changes in their personalities were a complete turn around from the happy, loving children he had raised. Mr Hanson said the whole ordeal has been extremely hard on all family members involved.

"You are in disbelief the whole time. You don't know who this person is that was your beautiful daughter. It is the hardest thing on earth. I have shed a lot of tears, it's heartbreaking," he said.

Admitting to knowing very little about the drug before his girls became addicted, Mr Hanson said he confronted his daughters about the changes he started seeing. The irrational behaviour and dilated pupils were just some of the early warning signs.

Just when Mr Hanson had started making some progress in helping his eldest daughter through counselling services, he recognised the same signs of drug use in his youngest daughter. “I just knew she (his youngest) was smoking ‘P’. They had some of the same friends and the same signs”, he said. His youngest girl, who was four months pregnant, agreed to a take a drug test for ‘P’. The test came back positive.

Mr Hanson said that in order to keep her baby as healthy as possible he did random drug testing during the rest of her pregnancy. Thankfully the baby was born healthy.

"It is very tricky to tell when a person is on ‘P’ because they can try and trick you by controlling it, but when they are off it they become aggressive. ‘P’ totally changes their personality, they were absolutely totally selfish," he said.

Thanks to an Auckland rehabilitation centre called Higher Ground, Mr Hanson finally found help for his eldest daughter who has now been clean for two and a half years. The treatment lasted four and a half months and focused on a holistic approach to regaining her health. "Fortunately Higher Ground worked for my daughter. I am very proud of her changing her life for the better. She knew it was either one way or the other," he said.

Higher Ground director Stuart Anderson said the success of the rehabilitation centre lies partially in the comprehensive approach to the 18 week programme and incorporating the 12 step formula used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Mr Anderson is keen to emphasise that people can recover from addiction. “There is hope. The reality is there are lots of services out there, we need to be realistic,” he said.

However in a cruel blow, just after Mr Hanson’s eldest daughter finished her rehabilitation at Higher Ground, he walked into his youngest daughter’s house and caught her smoking a ‘P’ pipe. Although the road to recovery from methamphetamine addiction can be very difficult, Mr Hanson is pleased to say his youngest daughter is presently seeking help at the Wings Trust Safe House in Auckland. However, her involvement in the drug culture has resulted in her currently facing the court system. Mr Hanson said the outcome for her is hopeful but unclear.

Mr Hanson said his advice for parents wanting to keep their children away from drugs is to know where they are at all times. “If you are not comfortable with where they are, do something about it”, he said. Parents have to accept that their children might be hating them sometimes. “Just be comfortable with the fact that they might not like you, but they'll come round," he said.

Dennis Hanson is now planning to join forces with Amped4Life managing director Pat Buckley who has developed a series of programmes aimed at educating people about drug use. Mr Buckley was in Rotorua last week <> visiting different high schools and developing social skills and positive living approaches for young people with drug/alcohol abuse problems.

Mr Buckley was also recently featured alongside TV personality Paul Holmes in the documentary 'Chasing the Ghost', depicting Mr Holmes’ own fight to eradicate ‘P’. If anyone would like to know more about the Amped4Life Charitable Trust or to make a donation to help their fight against methamphetamine abuse, contact Pat Buckley on http://www.amped4life.net.nz/ or Dennis Hanson on 021 526 130.

Success in the local beauty industry

2009-08-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Mischellé Tohu

The beauty industry is proving a popular and rewarding career choice for Maori women locally.

You Beauty owner and operator Susan Sykes, who graduated from Images Beauty College in 2005, said her business had given her the opportunity to work in television and film productions, including doing makeup for kuia on Maori Television’s Marae DIY.

She said she had always enjoyed pampering herself as she was growing up and chose the beauty industry because she wanted to make people feel good for a living.

“In the future I would like to work more on holistic healing, making people feel good on the inside as well,” she said.

“I enjoy doing mirimiri (Maori massage) and would love to explore Maori medicine.”

Ms Sykes said more Maori were also visiting beauty therapist these days.

“Bus loads of kuia come through. They buzz out on their nails or their facials and say things like, ‘Ooh I’m going out to get me a boyfriend now’”.

Tonic owner and operator Zarnia Lee (Tuhourangi, Ngati Wahiao) graduated from Images Beauty College in 2001 and has been running her own business for six years.

“I was working in hospitality and wanted a change,” she said.

“I have always been interested in self appearance.”

Ms Lee said her goal was to expand and grow within the business.

Hails Nails owner and operator Hayley Taura started her beauty salon after wanting to learn how to look after herself, particularly for job interviews.

She said she loved the freedom her business gave her as well as the profit.

Ms Taura said she believed there were more Maori women visiting and working as beauty therapists these days because they were more independent, worked in top jobs and wanted to be as presentable as possible.

Flowers on the Orient

2009-08-19T21:57:00.000-07:00

Dionne Bidois

Multi award winning florist Nina Healey will be representing New Zealand at an international floral art competition next year.

Mrs Healey will be competing at the Interflora World Cup held in Shanghai China in March 2010. She will be up against 20 of the world’s top designers after her win at the national finals in March this year.

Winning all four categories at the Hamilton semi finals last year, Mrs Healey went on to take top spot and win the Pacific Cup and 2009 Interflora Florist of the year title.

Mrs Healey said it took a lot of work to compete in both stages of the competition because of the short time frame between the semi-finals and the finals. “It was a huge amount of work to do, so I always said right from the start it would be the last man standing through everything, whoever has the most endurance,” she said.

She said because contestants are able to get the judges marking schedule she was able to construct an arrangement that would tick all the boxes.

“I was thinking does it give them something for everything so they can give you high marks? I want to win,” she said.

After applying for a job as a florist, simply because she liked the pottery sold in the store, Mrs Healey said it didn’t take long before she developed a passion for the industry. “How many people actually enjoy what they do for a third of their life? There is a pleasure that nobody can take away from you, the job satisfaction is on a whole different stratosphere,” she said.

Mrs Healey has won florist of the year for seven years running in the U.K. and holds three different Diploma’s from three different countries: New Zealand, America and the United Kingdom.

Although Interflora have offered $30.00 as sponsorship for Mrs Healey to go to Shanghai, she said that it costs a lot of money to compete at this level and has put together a raffle of goodies worth $1200 to help fund the trip. Tickets for the raffle will be available at her store ‘Living Colour.’

‘Flowers on the Orient’ will be the theme for the Interflora World Cup and Mrs Healey will be accompanied to the competition by her husband, Ross Healey, who will also be her assistant for the event.

Rotorua's Pocket Rocket

2009-08-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

Dionne Bidois

Rangi Pirika's friends know him as a champion pool player, and now it's official.

The Rotorua pool shark has beaten New Zealand’s two top ranking competitors by winning the North Island 8 Ball Singles Championships.

Around 140 of the North Islands top pool players entered the annual event in New Plymouth last week. Mr Pirika had only hoped to get into the quarter finals. "I thought I might get in (with) the last 16 players," he said.

"I was so thrilled. I wasn't expecting to go that far...I was on my game," Mr Pirika said.

This was only the second time Mr Pirika has entered into the North Island Championships.

He was introduced to the game by his cousin at age nine. This started a life long passion that Mr Pirika is keen to pass on to our young.

"Pool is a great sport. It teaches them discipline, organisation and (they) learn to control the game," he said.

Along with winning a cash prize and two trophies, "one for home, one for the club," the most satisfying part for Mr Pirika was making the top spot, "It's the title I was thrilled about," he said.

Since his win, the humble champion admits to a fair amount of praise and "free drinks" from his friends at the Rotorua Citizens Club. He has been a member of the club for 28 years.

"I would like to thank the Rotorua Citizens Club and staff for supporting me, especially the manager, Richard Hyland," Mr Pirika said.

The national championships will be held during September in Christchurch where Mr Pirika will represent the Rotorua Citizens Club.

At the same championships Mr Pirika will be competing in the New Zealand pairs division with friend and fourth ranked New Zealand pool player, Rick Keepa.