Last Saturday, a reconstruction team of 10 persons, including a Samoan translator, left Wanganui to spend 10 days in the village of Satitoa, Samoa. The team is working on a project to rebuild a communal dwelling in the village, which was devastated by the September tsunami.

The team is headed by Cr Danny Jonas and the council's economic development manager, Allan MacGibbon. Members of the team (pictured) are (back row left to right) Tim Thorne, Quentin McGregor, Blake Jones, Keith Smith, Bruce Baldwin, Graeme Hoskin, (front row left to right) Cr Danny Jonas, Tumena Leafa, Anne-Marie Emerson, Alan Hoskin. Click on the photo to see a larger image. Allan travelled ahead of the team to ensure work could begin on their arrival. Mayor Michael Laws is co-ordinating the project from the Wanganui end.

The project has been funded by the district-wide Samoa Tsunami Appeal which raised over $40,000. A container of equipment and donated goods was sent on ahead to the area.

Mayor Michael Laws is in regular contact with the team and is grateful for the work they are doing.

"The pictures we have seen from Satitoa show the total destruction caused by the tsunami. Large parts of the village were literally wiped out.

"I am heartened that the work the team is doing will make a positive difference. This project has come about as a direct result of the generosity of the Wanganui people. I am sure they join me in thanking the team for their hard work."

The team are staying on the ground floor of the Matamatagi Motel, on the waterfront in Satitoa. The building was damaged by the tsunami but is mostly structurally sound. It has running water, electricity and space for the team to spread out their belongings and air-beds.

Work has started on the new communal building. After some debate, a decision was made by elders to construct the building on a new site in a coconut plantation on higher ground and 300m inland from the village, rather than on the original site. The building is on schedule to be completed before the reconstruction team arrives back on December 15.

Awesome start to Satitoa building work

The time difference between Samoa and New Zealand is 24 hours. This means that all reports from Satitoa are a day behind.

Cr Danny Jonas, in Satitoa, describes the start to the project as "awesome".

"We are up at 5am and ready to start building work at 6am. It's 30 degrees by 8am and by then we are on our second lot of sunscreen. It’s incredibly hot as there is little breeze where we are working – it's slightly cooler down in the village.

"Building work has gone really well so far. The piles for the building are in and the concrete is laid.  The local people here are keen to be part of the project. They helped us to unload the container when we arrived and have been working with us on the building.

"Satitoa is absolutely the right village for this project. There is total devastation here caused by the tsunami. When we look around we still can't really find the words to describe what it is like.

"We will get the building completed before we leave but it's clear that long-term help is needed here."

The reconstruction team is providing regular updates on the situation in Satitoa. The team's progress can be followed on this page.

On Tuesday, December 15, Mayor Michael Laws will host a special reception for student representatives from Opunake Primary School, in recognition of their generous donation to the Samoa Tsunami Appeal.

Students from the school raised $1,557 and donated it to Wanganui’s Samoa Tsunami Appeal. Each of the nine classes at the school chose a different fundraising activity including a sausage sizzle, games afternoon and a Bring and Buy table. 

Members of the school’s student council will visit Wanganui and spend time at the Splash Centre before heading to the Council Chambers for a lunchtime reception.

Mayor Laws will spend time with the students and present a plaque to thank them for their outstanding fundraising efforts and generosity.

Mayor Michael Laws will officially open the newly constructed Somme Parade shared pathway on Thursday, December 10, at 12.30pm, at the start of the pathway opposite Bates Street.

The 1.1km pathway took five months to construct and runs between Somme Parade and the riverbank from Dublin Street Bridge to opposite Bates Street.

The concept for the pathway was developed by architect Mark Southcombe of Void Architecture, who designed the initial boardwalk from City Bridge to the Waimarie moorings.

Mayor Michael Laws sees the new pathway as a further enhancement to making the Whanganui riverbank areas accessible to the community and visitors. The pathway is already proving to be a popular route for walkers, runners and cyclists.

Following the official opening, everyone is invited to join Mayor Laws to jog or walk the new pathway to the Dublin Street Bridge and back.

Gonville petitioner Noelene Lane and Mayor Michael Laws will officially open the new Abbot Street pedestrian crossing on Friday, December 11, at 2pm.

The crossing is sited on Abbot Street between Gonville Shopping Centre and the new Gonville Centre. The completion of the Gonville Centre highlighted safety issues related to crossing the busy road.

Mayor Laws is impressed by the efforts of local resident Noelene Lane who raised community awareness of the need for a crossing and presented a petition with 400 signatures to council.

"Noelene galvanised a community, convinced council of the need for a pedestrian crossing and has ensured a great outcome for her community.

"The new crossing is a fantastic example of individuals making a difference. This is Wanganui democracy in action."

The new crossing will slow traffic flow and ensure people can cross safely. The crossing will be the first pedestrian crossing in Wanganui with dedicated lighting at night.  In addition, the existing bus shelter will be relocated and replaced by similar to that in Maria Place.  A "Stop" restriction has been added on Harper Street to further facilitate traffic safety.

The sun shone as families enjoyed the second Picnic in the Park at Kowhai Park last Saturday. The event was organised by the council's Youth Committee and was enjoyed by everyone who went along.

Thanks to everyone involved in making this a fun and successful event. Plans are already under way for next year's Picnic in the Park, to be held on the first Saturday in December.

Going to the Big Day Out 2010? If you're aged between 16 and 20, the WDC Youth Committee can help you get to Auckland and back safely with the "Cheapskates $20 Bus to the Big Day Out".

The $20 ticket is for the bus ride to Auckland and back only – it doesn't include a ticket to the BDO (available online), accommodation, food or other transport.

The BDO is on Friday, January 15. The bus departs from i-SITE Visitor Centre at 10.00am on Thursday, January 14, and arrives in Auckland at approximately 6.00pm. The bus departs central Auckland at 10.00am on Saturday, January 16, and arrives in Wanganui about 6.00pm. Trained youth workers Ben Mashiter and Stacey Foskett will for the third year accompany the festival-goers, and are available if required during the entire trip.

Bus tickets are only for Wanganui youth aged 16-20 years who are attending the BDO. Everyone needs to sign a form at purchase and those under 18 must have parental permission. Tickets are available from MyMusic and Cheapskates (both in Victoria Avenue).

The Youth Committee thanks major sponsor Cheapskates and supporting sponsors First Mobile, Tranzit Coachlines and Double S Motordrome.

For more info about the BDO, go to www.bigdayout.com.

Nominations are being sought for the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognise sporting achievements by athletes and coaches who have made a significant impact on Wanganui's sporting heritage.

The current inductees into the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame are:

Gary Anderson (cycling), Philippa Baker-Hogan (rowing), Ernest (Moke) Belliss (rugby), Peter Belliss (lawn bowls), Harry Cave (cricket), Ron Cheatley (cycling coach), Trevor Coker (rowing), Coleman Family - Percy, Rod and Bob (motorcycling), Arthur Holder (athletics), Alan McIntyre (hockey), Bill Osborne (rugby), Arthur Porritt (athletics), Billy Webb (rowing), Les Wilson (hockey).

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, nominees must be from the Wanganui District, by birth or adoption, have been retired at least five years from top competition, represented New Zealand at 'senior' level and/or contributed positively to, and brought credit to, sport in the District.

Nomination forms are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui and on this page.

Nominations close on 8 January 2010.

Council – Monday, December 14
- The Council will consider any outstanding reports, along with reports direct to Council.

The meeting will be held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.