Northern Courier 4 July 2012

More councils on electrical car bandwagon

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:52:43 GMT

Porirua City Council is jumping on the electrical car bandwagon.

They have just bought one which will be delivered next month, says Senior Communications Advisor Moana Wyatt.

Hutt City Council is not jumping on board though. "We have looked into leasing electrical cars," says Communications and Marketing Advisor Sonja Cabrera.

“However the cost of leasing an electrical vehicle over a standard vehicle is very expensive – at least 4 times the price,” she says.

Wellington City Council have been trialling an electric Mitsubishi car.

They have leased the car for the last two years, with the trial’s results to be analysed in September.

Although the trial has not revealed the cost and benefits of electrical cars, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is such a fan of electrical push bikes that she came up with Electric Vehicle Day.

A variety of electrical cars, motorbikes and pushbikes were displayed outside Te Papa on June 20 including a $100,000 electric sports car imported from the USA.

Despite his mum’s advice to buy a ‘banger’ as she thinks he will only ruin it, the Telsa is Ian Mirandah’s first car and the only one of its kind in New Zealand.

“I never liked the idea of burning petrol,” he says.

The sports car caught the attention of an elderly couple who know the history of electric cars.

The Telsa is named after Mr Telsa who created the first electric car back in 1931, but as petrol was so cheap back then the trend never caught on, says Mr Coleman.

The Mitsibushi i-MiEV can travel for 160km with a fully charged battery.

A charge, which takes about seven hours, cost about five dollars in power.

The car comes with a charging cable and a plug fitting that you can wire into a normal socket, says Daniel Cook, head of Sales and Marketing for Mitsibushi. Two motorbikes, retrofitted with electrically charged batteries, were on display as well as electric push bikes.

The motorbikes battery would last for 100 kms on a motorway and 150 kms on suburban roads says designer Iain Jeirret.

Craig Killey bikes from Lower Hutt to Wellington in an hour every day on his electric push bike.

He says it costs him eight cents to charge up the bike every day.

Free smoke alarms

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:50:53 GMT

Newlands residents who want them and their families to be fire safe are invited to take advantage of a special promotion organised by their suburb’s volunteer fire brigade.

The brigade has 100 smoke alarms which it is giving away free to local residents.

Chief fire officer Tony Swain says the brigade will also install the alarms free of charge. “But they are only available to people who live in the Newlands area.”

If you are interested, call the brigade on 4786088 and leave a message, or e-mail newlands@fire.org.nz

Carriage of dreams

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:49:41 GMT

Chris Evans hopes to purchase some of the electric train carriages currently available.

Inspired partly by his dad living in a train carriage-cum-dormitory during WWII and partly as a fun homage to the Orient Express, Chris Evans has his eye on two English Electric train carriages.

He wants to convert one carriage into a living area and the other into a ‘man cave’ or “carriage of dreams” once he has transported them to a site.

He is slowly putting together the pieces of the puzzle, he says, which includes the right residential site, moving the carriages, putting in foundations and organizing the carriages’ insulation.

After working on this unique dream home for the last year and a half, he says this week is “make or break” when he has to decide on the right site and organize the crane company.

He still has to decide on which two carriages to buy, so took the last trip on the English Electric train, on June 25, as a chance to check them all out.

He says site access has been a big problem.

“I have to be mindful of power lines and cables,” he says.

The self described “mildly eccentric” man wants to make his own Oriental Express.

“Some people design mock Tudor homes; I’m making a faux Oriental Express home.”

He says his family is use to his unique and unusual ideas.

“It’s not the first unusual idea I’ve had.”

His father was one of many children evacuated from London during WWII and he lived in a converted train carriage for about five or six years.

The English Electric trains ran from 2 July 1938 until 25 June 2012.

The Greater Regional Wellington Council is trying to sell them off to the public, some via Trademe.

League tables not needed

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:46:08 GMT

School principals have given the thumbs down to a suggestion by Prime Minister John Key that the Ministry of Education should compile league tables showing student performance at primary and intermediate schools. Mr Key said that schools are required to submit data on student performance in reading, writing and maths to the ministry as part of their obligations under National Standards.

But principals spoken to by the Northern Courier say league tables are a bad idea and there is already plenty of information out there for parents.

“You can’t use numbers to represent the quality of a school,” says Andrew Bird from Muritai School. “League tables produce anxiety among parents and teachers. But they don’t improve learning outcomes for children. League tables are like repainting your house at least once a year. You’re dressing it up but not necessarily making it better.”

Mr Bird agrees that parents are entitled to information on which to base decisions on which schools to send their children. “If parents are selecting schools they should visit schools, meet the principals and talk to the teachers. And if they want information on how their children are doing, most parents find face-to-face interviews with teachers the best way to get it.”

Mr Bird says Education Review Office reports on schools are available online and provide data that parents can use to compare schools.

Wilford School principal Neil Sargison says league tables can never show progress or the difference that teachers make to the achievement of their students. “Some students will never reach national standards. But they could be making real progress every year. But that won’t be reflected in league tables.”

He says league tables could lead to a narrowing of the curriculum. “There is much more to learning than reading, writing and maths. But league tables won’t measure sporting, artistic or cultural achievement, or scientific knowledge or thinking skills.”

Carmen Jennings for Discovery School says there are plenty of sources of information for parents. “There are ERO reports and there are children’s own reports. Parents should ask them how happy they are school and what opportunities they’re getting.”

Ms Jennings says it will be a real shame for New Zealand education if league tables are introduced. “We work hard to develope the whole child – academically, physically and culturally. League tables will force schools to narrow the curriculum.”

Raroa Intermediate principal Kevin Ryan says while decisions on where parents send their children are important and should not be based on a few figures that measure only part of the educational process. “A school is more than its results on a narrow range of tests. League tables don’t tell you whether a school has a caring environment or fosters or sport.

“When parents are looking at a school they should go in and see it in action. They should talk to the relevant people and see and read the ERO report.”

Aotea College principal Kate Gainsford says data on NZCEA achievement in schools has been available for years and has often been published. “There’s a huge amount of data out there. The way it is manipulated is critical.”

Ms Gainsford says legislation already sets requirements for schools when reporting to parents.

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Historic cottage still a beauty

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:44:53 GMT

Stephanie Manning outside her 165 year old Cottage in Pauatahanui.

Taylor Stace Cottage in Pauatahanui may be one of the oldest buildings in the lower North Island but for English born Stephanie Manning, the 165-year-old building is the youngest building she has restored.

“Me and my husband like old things. The old house we had in England that we restored was 300 years old. This one's just a baby.”

It was a baby that needed raising as the old house suffered from flood damage.

They moved it, had an archeological dig which Mrs Manning was allowed to take part in “which was pretty cool”, found some pottery and then re-piled it before moving the house back onto its original spot.

It took eighteen months for the Mannings, with help from Shane Harper of Heritage Homes, to restore the building.

Eight months ago Mrs Manning realised her dream of opening a salon in New Zealand.

The Lavendar Room has benefitted from the publicity the restored cottage has got and has drawn in many locals.

“Some people just come knocking because they are curious to see what the cottage looks like now.”

For those yet to poke their nose in, the Lavender Room has all the modern equipment needed for beauty therapy, they have retained the original mantel piece and have a patch of the original wood walls on show.

The salon is painted a relaxing cream, with soothing music to match the environment.

“I wanted this location so that clients can relax and be pampered and then not step out onto a noisy main street of a city,” she says.

She had to run everything past the Historic Places Trust as the cottage is a Category One listed building. She says they were good to deal with although they disagreed on the exterior’s colour.

“We went with their colour. I wanted cream, they wanted it to match the church.”

The cottage was built by William and Anne Taylor in 1847 and was eventually sold to another pioneering family called Stace.

“They lived there on a straw floor with six children, can you imagine that,” exclaims Mrs Manning.

Wellington mayors band together to fight unemployment

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:43:16 GMT

The Mayor taskforce for jobs, that includes all the Wellington mayors Celia Wade-Brown, Nick Legget and Ray Wallace, seems to be working as the unemployment rate in Wellington has dropped to 6.1 per cent.

Celia Wade-Brown is mentoring a young Maori man through the Taskforce Rangatahi Leadership Programme, says Jan Francis, Executive Officer of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs.

The Wellington City council work with Work and Income and the Wellington Economic Chamber of Commerce to combat unemployment through programs like Straight to Work which up skills people; they have thirteen people who have been through the program and are looking for a variety of jobs on their website.

The council and the chamber also provide the Skilled Newcomers Program which helps immigrants get jobs.

The Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett is focusing on business and economic development and how young people can assist in the growth of the city.

Porirua City Council seems to have some success with combating unemployment if the last survey of employment rates in December of 2011 is anything to go by; employment in Porirua City has increased by 2.3% compared to the previous 12 months and is 2.2 % higher than the Wellington region and 1.6% higher than New Zealand.

The Hutt Mayor, Ray Wallace, and the council staff are involved in a number of initiatives and also have an active youth council and link with their youth transition services.

The Hutt council has career services like TradeStart which promote the benefits of trade jobs and on the job training and group apprenticeship schemes in conjunction with Work and Income.

They also work with the Hutt Chamber of Commerce to help recruit new employees for businesses.

Hutt City Council is currently considering a business stimulus package which will encourage business to set up in Lower Hutt.

“We are also promoting science and innovation in Lower Hutt by working closely with science businesses to encourage growth,” says Mayor Ray Wallace.

He acknowledges that councils are limited in their effectiveness by the tight economy.

“We can only do our best in these difficult times to encourage job creation in the area,” he says.

The unemployment rate in Wellington fell sharply in the March quarter to 6.1 per cent; nationally the unemployment rate is 6.7 per cent.

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Ohariu Valley wind farm construction about to start

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:41:27 GMT

Work will start within two months on a 26-turbine wind farm in the Ohariu Valley that will produce enough electricity to power 30,000 homes.

That follows a decision from state-owned Meridian Energy to proceed with the $169 million project after appeals from wind farm opponents were dismissed by the Environment Court in August 2011.

Meridian Chief Executive Mark Binns says the time is right to build the project.

“We believe the combination of the wind farm’s relatively small size, location and compelling economics sets a benchmark for the industry.”

Meridian also owns Project West Wind, a 62-turbine wind farm west of Makara, which was built despite opposition from local residents concerned at noise and vibration effects from its turbines. Project West Wind generates enough electricity to power 71,000 homes.

Mr Binns says Meridian’s wind development team was able to take advantage of a number of factors to advance the Mill Creek project, including the strong kiwi dollar, an easing of steel prices and highly competitive turbine technology and construction industries.

He says the Mill Creek site benefits from a world class wind resource, harnessing the ‘roaring 40s’ wind from the Cook Strait. The funnelling effect of Cook Strait means the site has strong and consistent wind speeds, making it an ideal place for a wind farm.

“Mill Creek will earn its place alongside its neighbouring West Wind farm as one of the most productive wind farms in the world,” says Mr Binns.

The Mill Creek wind farm will be located on privately-owned farms in Ohariu Valley, with most turbines located on or close to ridgelines between Ohariu Valley and Cook Strait. It is expected to be fully operational in mid-2014.

Mill Creek will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 30,000 average New Zealand homes each year. The project will require building a road from Porirua’s Spicer Landfill to Ohariu Valley for construction vehicles.

Meridian spokesperson Michelle Brooker says Higgins Construction has been selected to build the road and the wind farm, while German electronics giant Siemens will supply the turbine technology.

Ms Brooker says Mill Creek is likely to employ an estimated 600 people from the greater Wellington region and 300 from Manawatu/Wairarapa during the construction period. Based on the experience with West Wind, Ms Brooker says about a quarter of the project budget is likely to be spent in the Wellington region, giving an economic benefit of about $42 million. There will also be ongoing employment benefits from staff needed to maintain the turbines.

Ohariu Valley Preservation Society president Siobhan Lilley says her organisation remains opposed to the development. “We still believe the wind farm is inappropriate because it is too close to residents’ houses. But legally there is nothing we can do about it

“Our focus is now on ensuring that Meridian complies with the conditions of its consents.”

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Higher power bills likely this winter

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:39:33 GMT

Despite a competitive retail electricity market, New Zealand consumers should expect higher power bills this winter and there is not a lot they can do about it, says energy campaigner Molly Melhuish.

These higher domestic power prices will also occur despite many consumers being hard pressed to pay their current bills and plenty of surplus generation capacity.

She says market players have also been manipulating the spot price – the price at which retailers buy additional electricity to keep power flowing in times of high demand.

The Electricity Authority is currently investigating one occurrence where a generator allegedly used its “market power” to manipulate the spot price in its favour. But Ms Melhuish does not expect much to come of the authority’s investigation. “’The Electricity Authority says high prices are fine when they are caused by people exploiting their net pivotal position.”

She says while the Electricity Authority is nominally independent, it is dominated by the industry it regulates, meaning it seldom goes into bat for consumers suffering from the effects of high prices. “The authority has recently changed its objectives to protect investors. That makes it OK for retailers to charge consumers far more than it costs to service them.”

Ms Melhuish says the Electricity Authority can do this thanks to a 2010 law change that removed a provision saying electricity is an essential service. “Retailers are now allowed to price gouge.”

While Ms Melhuish urges consumers to shop around for the best deal using Powerswitch and What’s My Number, many will not benefit. “They only work for consumers with computers and good credit histories in the main centres.”

Ms Melhuish says the partial sale of shares in state-owned generating companies is likely to lead to further price rises, as private shareholders seek higher returns on their investments.

If you want to save on your power bill, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has some simple tips:

• Switch appliances off at the wall when you are not using them. Household stand-by energy costs more than $100 million a year – which is enough to power over 55,000 homes.

• Only use your heated towel rails when needed. By using them for eight hours a day instead of all the time, you could save up to $115 each year.

• Use the sun to dry your clothes rather than a dryer. It could save you around $200 each year.

• Use cold water for washing your clothes. This uses 75% less electricity than hot water washes and, at four loads a week, could save you around $50 to $75 a year.

• Wash full loads of laundry rather than several smaller loads where possible.

For more power-saving tips, go to www.energywise.govt.nz

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Resident thanked

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:36:25 GMT

Peter Turney doing his bit for Tawa.

Tawa residents and business people have a lot to thank Peter Turney for.

For the last few years - entirely on his own volition – Mr Turney has the streets of his suburb clearing rubbish and making the place look tidy.

It is thanks to his many unpaid hours doing a job that most can’t be bothered with that Tawa’s shopping area looks so clean and inviting.

On June 23 Mr Turney was named winner of the heritage and environment category in the Tawa Community Civic Awards. He says being recognised in front of an audience of 150 people was slightly embarrassing. “This recognition does not sit well with me. I’m more grateful if people give me words of appreciation.”

Tawa Community Board chairman Malcolm Sparrow says Mr Turney was nominated by no fewer than seven people. “That shows that people notice what he is doing and are appreciative. Peter’s not the sort of person who seeks attention. He was a bit overwhelmed by it all.”

Mr Turney came to live in Tawa in 1999 and liked what he saw. “Tawa’s got a nice community atmosphere.

He can’t remember when exactly he started cleaning the streets but believes it was probably around 2008. “At the time I wasn’t focussed on picking up rubbish. I was cleaning out channels and sump gratings to keep them clear of rubbish. Because if you do that, when there’s heavy rain there’s less chance of flooding.”

Mr Turney said he started cleaning the grates because Wellington City Council did not appear to be doing the work and phone complaints brought no joy. “I was sick of ringing the council. I thought it was quicker and easier to do it myself.”

Mr Turney says the council has since improved its checks of sumps and grates, allowing him to focus on keeping the area’s streets clean and tidy. He is a familiar sight around Tawa with his plastic bags full of the rubbish he’s picked up.

But he admits winter weather means he doesn’t get out as often as he would like. “I do it when I can. I try and get out at least once every six days. But I feel rotten when I can’t get out. I feel as though I’m letting people down.

Mr Turney says his Christian beliefs have guided him. “Jesus said to his followers if they wanted to be great in heaven they should be the servant of all on Earth. We must put others before ourselves. What we do must be pleasing to God.”

Successful rugby season for northern clubs

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:34:11 GMT

Norths Coach, Ross Bond.

Three top rugby teams in the Northern Courier area are enjoying successful seasons, providing further evidence of the area’s depth of playing talent.

Northern United and Tawa have qualified for the top-tier Jubilee Cup, while Johnsonville’s senior team has made it into the Hardham Cup.

Norths coach Ross Bond says his team’s success is satisfying, given the relative youth of the side. “We’re progressing well. In the last few weeks the forwards have come into their own and we‘ve started to dominate the contact area.”

Bond says halfback TJ Perenara’s broken leg received in a Hurricane’s practice game is a big blow, as he had hoped Perenara would be able to play for the club once his Hurricanes commitments finished. Perenara is a big name at Norths, with TJ’s mother Fiona being club chairman and father Tom being technical coach for the premier team.

However, one big name is likely to be back, with flanker Faifili Levave expected to turnout once the Hurricanes complete their season.

Tawa club captain Allan Davidson says appalling weather has failed to deter the Tawa premiers, beating Petone 37-3 in atrocious conditions at Lyndhurst Park. “Both teams threw the ball around like it was a seven-aside tournament,” says Mr Davidson.

He attributes Tawa’s success to international background of its two coaches, former All Black Dion Waller and Manu Samoa international Steve So’oialo.

“We’ve always had players with ability. Now we’ve got coaches with international experience. They’re two of the finest coaches in the Wellington region.”

Mr Davidson says the premiers’ success is being reflected in huge support at matches and at after-match functions.”There’s a good feeling at the club. It’s bloody tremendous.”

Johnsonville premier coach Andrew Wharakura was a happy man after his team beat Norths Senior Firsts 28-8 to qualify for the Hardham Cup.

“In 2009 we got demoted. A lot of players went on their OE. But now they’re back and we’ve got the core of the team together. We’ve also got a strong Colts side which is producing competition for places.”

Mr Wharakura says the team has been lucky with injuries. “All we’ve had is a couple of hamstrings. And because we’ve got player depth, it’s easy to slot other players in.”

He says success has been built on thorough preparation. “We started training in November.”

Johnsonville has a light forward pack and Mr Wharakura is hoping for ground conditions conducive to running rugby. “Because we’re small we need to move the ball away from the contact area.”

While Johnsonville has some tough games ahead, Mr Wharakura is confident his players are up to the challenge.

“What we lose in size we make up for in heart.”

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Letters to the editor

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:30:03 GMT

Dear Editor

To whom it may concern

Is it possible to publish a thankyou notice in your letters to the editor. I'd like to express my gratitude to the strangers who took the time to stop and help me last night in Johnsonville when my car bumper had loosened and I didn't think I could drive it. I am 36 weeks pregnant and it was 10pm so I was feeling quite vulnerable. Both people stopped and offered their own time and help and made me feel really lucky to have experienced such kindness.

I'm not sure of their names or address and hope they might see a letter in the local newspaper.

Regards, Clare Hubscher, Khandallah

Dear Editor

I can't really see the point in this, if people want to smoke they will and nothing will stop them.

All this money they are wasting on debating how to stop people smoking should be and would be better spent on stopping people drinking alcohol which does far more damage and cost way more tax payers money, just take a look at our main city centers on a Friday Saturday night.

Sheire, Porirua

Playcentre kids and parents happy to return home

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:28:34 GMT

It was a happy return home for children and parents at Johnsonville Playcentre as they celebrated coming home to a renovated and improved centre building.

The children and parents moved out six months ago to allow work to begin on a project to expand the playcentre building which is situated on the grounds of Johnsonville School.

Johnsonville Playcentre co-president Nadine Dechapunya says the work was necessary to ensure the premises complied with Ministry of Education regulations and to extend the children’s play area.

“It’s been a very long process fundraising and getting grants. Our initial ideas were too expensive and our plans had to be cut.”

She says Playcentre parents raised money for the project through sausage sizzles, movie nights, selling entertainment books and doing catering for functions.

The Playcentre has also been holding annual gala nights, with the fourth to be held at the Johnsonville Community Centre on August 18. “The community has been very supportive.”

Ms Dechapunya says the renovations have given the Playcentre extra space, including a new baby sleep area. Heating and ventilation has been improved and a baby changing area was built, along with a shower, while the old kitchen was replaced.

“We’ve now got an office which is required under the regulations. We’ve now got an adult toilet that is usable – it was previously used to store chairs.”

The playcentre moved out before Christmas and relocated to temporary premises at Paparangi School. “The school was very welcoming. But we could only take some of our equipment. Many of the toys had to go into storage."

Ms Dechapunya says everyone - including the children –is happy to be home.

However, she admits that the work is unfinished, with phase two still to be carried out. More fundraising will be required.

“We’d like to extend our deck. But that will require the roof to be redone.

Playcentres were founded in Karori in 1941 with a philosophy of providing a place where parents can educate their children through supervised play. There are currently 489 playcentres throughout New Zealand.

Ms Dechapunya says Johnsonville Playcentre has in existence since 1963 and currently has 48 families on its books. There are mixed-age sessions on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, while on under-two session on Tuesday mornings and a mixed-age session in the afternoon.

Playcentres have no staff and are run entirely by parents. “They’re different from kindergartens and childcare centres. They require a lot of parental commitment. We have quite a robust induction process for new parents which explains that.”

Differing views on super eligibility age

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:27:04 GMT

A proposal to raise the age of eligibility for National Superannuation from 65 to 67 has drawn contrasting responses from community leaders.

The proposal was part of the Labour Party’s 2011 election policy, while current leader David Shearer argues that longer life expectancy,

combined with an aging population, means a change in the age of eligibility needs to be urgently examined.

The Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan has proposed that the age of eligibility rise by two months a year from 2020 so that reaches 67 in 2033. She says this change will keep the proportion of Gross Domestic Product spent on National Superannuation at its current level of 5%, rather than rising to 8% in 2050 if current settings remain unchanged.

Paremata Residents Association president Terry Knight says his organisation has never discussed the matter. “Some residents’ associations get involved in political issues. But we don’t.”

While some residents are concerned about the issue, Mr Knight says they generally push their concerns through other organisations, such as Grey Power.

Newlands-Paparangi Progressive Association spokeswoman Tracy Hurst-Porter says her association has not taken a position on the issue. “That’s not the role of a progressive association. We wouldn’t have that on our agenda.”

However, Petone Community Board chairman Gerald Davidson says he believes the age of

eligibility should remain as it is. “I think there is a social contract. After you’ve worked for 40 years you should be entitled to a state pension.”

Despite being a Labour Party member, Mr Davidson disagree with Mr Shearer’s support for raising the age of eligibility, saying National Superannuation will still remain affordable at 65. “State money is money that is spent in the community to buy the basics. So it eventually gets paid back through taxes.”

Mr Davidson concedes that the pension eligibility age has risen from 60 to 65 over the last two decades. But says there is no need to change it again.

However, Normandale Residents Association chairman Peter Matcham says there are good reasons to consider changing the eligibility age. “My personal view is that people are living

longer. I think it is inevitable and sensible that the age of eligibility will rise. But any change needs to be signalled well in advance.”

Mr Matcham says the days at which people had to retire when they reached a specific age (either 60 or 65) have now gone. “From a social point of view it makes sense for people to continue working if they want to.”

However, Mr Matcham says his association has never discussed the issue and therefore has no position on it.

We feel this is an issue that affects our readers and would love to hear your thoughts.

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Cheerleading – the sport of champions

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:08:51 GMT

There is no shaking butts or pom poms in this cheerleading team; this is a sport, says Bigair gym owner William Davenport, whose junior team has just won the biggest cheerleading competition in New Zealand.

The team comprising of sixteen girls aged between ten and fourteen are based at Tawa Bigair gym and Mr Davenport says they work harder than almost any other sports team.

“They train for four hours a week which more than some teams, they are highly athletic, many of them are ex-gymnasts,” he says.

He says the Wellington public still can’t get over the stereotype of a blonde, bimbo cheerleader and can’t see it as a sport, the high level of skill required and the team spirit needed.

In the competition, they had up to five girls flying through the air at one time.

There are three elements to cheerleading, he says; tumbling, dance and stunting which includes building pyramids and tossing girls in the air.

Bigair is looking to recruit more cheerleaders as some of the juniors are ready to go up to the next team which has a higher level of skill.

It is the perfect sport for people with dancing or gymnastic experience; contact the gym if you are keen and they will trial you.

Even if you do not have that kind of background, you could still join the recreational team, he says.

The level of fitness is not as important as is attitude.

People of all sizes and shapes are needed; smaller people, with nerves of steel are needed as flyers to be thrown in the air, while other cheerleaders are looked to for their strength and reliability.

“Flyers have to have a lot of nerves and trust in the people who are catching them,” he says.

Bigair are also looking for more male cheerleaders, as they only have four men who are all on the senior team.

“Boys stand out at national competitions as they can do double back flips and high level tumbling skills,” he says.

His three teams are always looking for more oppourtunities to show of their sport; if your event needs extra cheer, contact the Tawa Bigair gym.