Petone Herald 15 February 2012

Rare heron makes another appearance in the Hutt

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:28:52 GMT

Photo Caption: A rare white heron spotted by Martin O'Hagan on Waiwhetu Stream.

After turning heads last year Lower Hutt’s rare visitor, the kotuku, has been spotted again much to the delight of local man Martin O’Hagan.

Mr O’Hagan says he was lucky enough to spot the rare white heron on Waiwhetu Stream just last week.

“I managed to photograph it flying. It had been in the exact same location where I came across them last year, and I believe it caught a fish as well.”

The bird caused a bit of a flap after sightings last year as to whether it was in fact a type of egret, rather than a rare kotuku. But Mr O’Hagan says he is sure the graceful visitor is a white heron.

“I saw one of the more common white-faced herons at the stream last week as well. It’s just interesting to know that we’re getting these rare herons around this area.”

He says after catching his first glimpse of the kotuku in June last year riding past the stream on his bike, he raced home to grab his camera.

“I saw the kotuku wading through the stream and knew it was extremely rare. I got back about fifteen minutes later and luckily it was still there.”

Mr O’Hagan says that fortunately he had brought both his digital and instamatic camera, as when he had gone to snap the rare sight he realised the batteries were flat. “It didn’t seem to mind me getting to within 20 feet of it to take the photos.”

After his first sighting Mr O’Hagan decided to make sure that he always carries his camera with him just in case he is lucky enough to catch another glimpse of the kotuku. “I decided that on the off chance that it’s still around I’ll keep my digital camera in my backpack.”

“I’ve lived by the stream for 13 years, and it’s just so unique to capture them both in the same spot catching fish. I’d never seen a white heron in all the time I’ve lived here.”

How to dispose of unwanted appliances

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:47:55 GMT

One of the by-products of modern life is that we depend on all sorts of electronic gadgets and appliances.

But when these appliances cease to operate effectively or get supplanted by the latest in technology, why do we do? Sometimes we keep them as mementos or as spares in case the latest technology fails us.

But for most of us, old electronic goods and appliances are redundant. They take up space and we would like to be rid of what we no longer need.

But how do we do that? In the old days an old washing machine or TV would be carted off to the rubbish tip. But in these environmentally conscious times that’s no longer an option.

The big problem is that most appliances contain quantities of highly toxic chemicals. A computer, for example, contains quantities of cadmium, lithium, mercury, arsenic and lead. All these heavy metals can find their way into the food chain and can affect life for hundreds of years.

In the past, residents' groups and councils have run regular inorganic rubbish collections, providing residents with a chance to get rid of unwanted household goods.

But most councils no longer undertake such collections. Hutt City Council did run a collection but discontinued it and has no plans to resume. “It’s not on the agenda,” says environmental sustainability advisor Sandy Beath-Croft. “It’s no longer economic.”

However, residents in Normandale can have their unwanted inorganic goods collected once a year. Normandale Residents Association chairman Peter Matcham says his association arranges for a truck to do an annual house-by-house collection. “We take anything that can be recycled. We take fridges and washing machines. But we don’t do hazardous waste.”

Despite collecting up to 3.5 tonnes of metal, Mr Matcham says the association loses money on the collection. “It’s a community service.”

So if your television, computer, microwave or fridge has done its dash, what should you do?

Earthlink, an organisation that provides work opportunities for people with disabilities, offers a free recycling service for electronic waste. It accepts computers, printers, scanners, washing machines, dryers, dishwaters and televisions. Appliances are either returned to working order for resale or are dismantled for recycling.

If you have items for recycling leave them at the recycling bins at the Silverstream landfill or take them to Earthlink’s shop at Wingate. For further information go to www.earthlink.org.nz

In Seaview, recycling company RCN operates a facility to recycle old electronic waste. It is part of a national e-waste recycling network. The facility at 5-7 Meachen St accepts computers (including printers and scanners), televisions, mobile phones, DVD players, washing machines, dryers, and electrical cables. Please note that disposal charges apply for all items apart from mobile phones. For more information go to www.e-cycle.co.nz

Rolls up for some Hutt schools

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:45:46 GMT

At both Normandale and Muritai schools the start of the school year has seen a steady increase in numbers on the roll.

Normandale School increased the number of junior classes from 3 to 6 after a recent surge in its junior roll. The junior rooms will be starting with fairly small numbers which will gradually increase throughout the year.

Principal Anne-Marie Gordon says, that normally, the school adds to the classes for new entrants part-way through the year. “There were just so many children this year that we decided to put more classes on at the start.

“It’s just great. I’m not sure why we’re getting more students, but we do have really good teaching. Our recent ERO report was absolutely stunning!”

The school’s year 6 class this year has 19 students while last year there were only 14. Ms Gordon says there are currently 25 year 1 students and the school is still receiving calls from parents trying to enrol their children.

Muritai Principal Andrew Bird says his school has a strong number of students on the roll this year. “We’ve started with over 400. Last year it was around 390, so we’ve increased by 10 which is really good.”

“We said goodbye to 50 kids from year 8, which was a large group and that was lovely. You’d think the roll would drop because of that but it hasn’t.”

Mr Bird says he has seen Muritai School’s roll increase gradually over time but it can just depend on the year. “We have a large year 2 group at the moment which seems to hold the roll.”

Hutt Valley High School says its roll is at roughly the same level but it is still waiting for things to settle down after the first week of the year.

Kids Gearing Up for Triathlon

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:44:52 GMT

Wellington kids are getting ready in the run up for this weekend's Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYalthlon. With only a few days left before the Wellington leg of the event, Weet-Bix senior brand manager Phil Irons is urging everyone who wants to get involved to sign up.

“We’re encouraging all parents and caregivers to register their children in advance to ensure they don’t miss out on this popular event.”

The Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon will be celebrating its 20th anniversary as the world’s largest sporting event for children. More than 1500 local kids aged 7 to 15 have already signed up.

Eleanor Humphrey, 9, is eager to give the triathlon another go after taking part in it two years ago. “I found it really fun last time and so I wanted to do it again.”

Eleanor says while she did well last time she got quite tired. “I really like running which is what I’m good at. I’ve been practicing lots for it this time, and my big sister is doing it too.”

The run, swim and bike event will be held on Sunday February 19 at the Hutt Recreation Ground. Sporting stars including Aaron Barclay, Pero Cameron and Temepara George will be there to cheer on the kids and hand out gold medals at the finish line.

Kids can participate in the event as individuals, or in a tag-team of two or three. There will be spot prizes to be won on the day, including Weet-Bix vouchers, Adidas prize packs, Avanti bikes, ASB prizes and more.

“It’s not too late to register for the Wellington event, so if you have ever thought about entering your children into the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYalthlon, the 20th anniversary is the perfect time to be part of this iconic Kiwi sporting event,” Mr Irons says.

While registrations close for the Wellington leg at midday on Thursday 16 February, late registrations will also be taken on the day of the event at the registration tent.

Every child who registers receives an event pack including a Weet-Bix Kids TRYalthlon t-shirt, a swim cap for all swimmers and an official race number. Register online at www.weetbix.co.nz or phone 09 531 5080.

Council watches closely as new right-turn rules take effect

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:43:05 GMT

Hutt City says it has no plans to follow Wellington’s example and change the phasing of traffic lights in advance of next month’s changes to the right-turn rules.

From 5am on Sunday March 25, traffic turning right will have to give way to left-turning vehicles, reversing the current law. The change will bring New Zealand into line with most other countries, including Australia.

Last month, Wellington City Council announced it will be changing the phasing of traffic lights at five major intersections before the new law comes into effect. It says the new phasing will make right turning easier for motorists, but pedestrians should also take care if they use these crossings regularly.

The council is also putting in new ‘Give Way’ signs and road markings at 46 uncontrolled intersections to make it easier for drivers when the new rules take effect.

However, Hutt City traffic assets manager Lyle Earle says his council has no plans to do anything similar. But it will monitor the effects of the new rule and will consider changes if they are warranted.

He says the new rule is an “efficiency tweak”. Mr Earle says traffic flows could change, which could lead to traffic lights being rephased. But that will happen after the new rule comes into effect, not before.

He says lane markings might be reassessed, especially when straight-through traffic is held up by right-turning vehicles sharing the same lane.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) chief executive Geoff Dangerfield says a multi-media public awareness campaign will kick off next month to ensure that drivers are aware of the upcoming changes.

“In the long run the new rules will help to reduce confusion and reduce crashes by making decision-making easier for drivers at intersections. But there are obvious safety risks if some people start following the new rules too early. That’s why our

publicity will be carefully timed and delivered.”

The change is also supported by the Automobile Association. “It’s something the AA has lobbied for for many years,” says its general

manager of motoring affairs Mike Noon. He says the new rule is simpler than its predecessor and will result in 200 fewer crashes a year.

Mr Noon says drivers will quickly adapt to the changes and dismisses concerns that confusion will lead to carnage on the roads. “If we get the message out there, people will take more care and exercise more caution at intersections.”

Information and diagrams on the rule changes are available at www.giveway.govt.nz

Are you ready for the new right-turn rules? Do you understand them? Tell us what you think. Send us your views via e-mail to mail@pcn.co.nz or online at www.pcn.co.nz/petoneheraldlive

Resilience key to success for graduates

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:39:09 GMT

With youth unemployment at record levels, pessimism among local graduates is increasing as many struggle to reach the first rung of the ladder.

Victoria University psychology student Julia Knight feels that the prospect of finding a job after she graduates this year is “not looking fantastic.”

“I’d like to get a job in marketing, but I think I’ll just have to go with the flow.”

Careers New Zealand Wellington career consultant Chuni Bhikha says that finding work can be a real challenge for graduates, particularly taking into account the latest Robert Walters Global Salary Survey.

Mr Bhikha says in light of the survey it seems that local companies are looking to see clear evidence that candidates have improved the fortunes of their organizations before making the decision to hire. “Obviously, such an approach would be disadvantageous to new graduates.”

He encourages graduates to have a well developed career plan B. “A well considered alternative will allow you to enhance your skills and experiences, and will also help you to move yourself back towards your original career goal.”

Ms Knight says she will be looking to start her career overseas if she is unable to get her foot in the door here. “I think there are more opportunities overseas in general.”

However, Mr Bhikha says that the majority of new job opportunities in New Zealand are found through what is known as the “hidden job market.”

“Don’t just rely on the newspaper and the internet for your job search, you must be on the lookout for jobs that exist but are not advertised. It’s estimated that nearly 80 per cent of new jobs are found through the hidden job market.”

He advises graduates to tell friends and acquaintances about the types of jobs they are interested in. “Identify your ‘allies’—they may know of vacancies, or know of someone else who may be able to help you.”

“Sell yourself to companies through phone calls, letters or emails; register with recruitment agencies; and use professional networking sites.”

Mr Bhikha says the biggest mistake students seem to make is when their expectations do not reflect reality.

“They need to start their career planning during their studies to keep themselves well aware of the labour market. That way, there are few surprises and a better likelihood of dealing with the current tight employment conditions.”

He says that for graduates the key to success lies in persistence and resilience.

Resilience key to success for graduates

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:38:49 GMT