Leaving on a high

Bohally Intermediate School principal Brian Tuffey compares his time at the head of the Blenheim school to like being a team coach.

''While I've been the coach of the team and been endeavouring to get the best out of my team, I'm not playing the game. The team is playing the game.''

Mr Tuffey and his wife Jan, who is curriculum leader at the school, were given a special farewell last night by pupils and staff, which was wrapped up with a showcase of cultural and dance performances.

The couple are leaving at the end of the school term on October 7 to take a break and travel. Mr Tuffey will be replaced by Andrew ReidntsT nte who will take over as new principal in term four.

Mr and Mrs Tuffey arrived at the school almost four years ago after a series of poor Education Review Office reports. The school has improved drastically, and Mr Tuffey said those changes could not have come without the hard work of his staff.

''Every now and then a cloud goes across the sun, but it will always keep going,'' he told the audience.

''Bohally is at a real peak and that's a result of everyone working here.''

When he arrived at Bohally in 2008 after 11 years as principal of Oamaru Intermediate School, he said he could feel Bohally was a good school.

Three ''common sense'' rules had been in place since he took the helm, he said ''hands off, no put-downs and respect staff''. Those rules had changed the school environment.

''The culture of the school has changed and it needed to change. You can feel it when you walk through the playgrounds now.''

Mr Tuffey was confident the school would continue to improve under Mr Reid and saw his role as getting the school prepared for it's next chapter.

''It's always been part of my belief to ensure the school was in the position where someone could come in and move it forward.''

He insisted the focus should always stay on the children.

''It's not about me, it's about the kids.''

School council chairwoman Olivia McLeod thanked Mr Tuffey on behalf of the student for ''bringing pride back to our school''.

''Even when you're gone we will continue to make good choices with our learning,'' she said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 07:17 30/09/2011

BEN CURRAN

Rousing sendoff: Bohally Intermediate School curriculum leader Jan Tuffey, left, and principal Brian Tuffey were given gifts and a grand sendoff by the school kapa haka group last night as they leave the school to take a break and travel.

Paige ready for the catwalk

Paige Kilgour is a head-turner. Passers-by on foot and in cars on Queen St, Blenheim, yesterday afternoon slowed down and did a double take when they saw the 16-year-old model some of the Stolen Girlfriends Club collection to promote the Indulge Marlborough event on Friday.

The year 12 Marlborough Girls' College student will be walking the catwalk with 14 professional models in a fashion show featuring collections by Kate Sylvester, Stolen Girlfriends Club, and Katherine Wilson.

Indulge Marlborough showcases 2011 sauvignon blanc wines alongside food from the region and New Zealand fashion.

Wearing platform boots from the Stolen Girlfriends Club 2012 winter collection and a dress from their 2011 summer range, Paige said she had not noticed the rubber-neckers during the photo shoot.

But she said it would be hard to ignore everyone watching on Friday night.

"It's a bit nervewracking. I'm not exactly used to it," she said.

Paige was chosen as the face of the event after winning a competition judged by public vote on the internet in August.

"I never really aspired to do it [modelling] until people told me I should enter the competition."

Instead she aspired to go to university to study physical education or media design but saw modelling as "something I could do on the side to meet new people".

Since winning the role she had been practising her model walk in her own high heels around the house.

She said the boots she wore yesterday were not difficult to walk in because they had thick heels.

Friends and parents were excited to see her transform from a normally sporty teen into a catwalk model, she said.

"She [Mum] is probably more excited than me," she said.

INDULGE MARLBOROUGH

What: A fashion show, release of 2011 wines and tastings, canapes matched with wines, entertainment from Midge Marsden. When: Friday from 7.30pm. Where: Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 will be transformed for the night.

Tickets: $95 from indulgemarlborough.co.nzINDULGE MARLBOROUGHWhat: A fashion show, release of 2011 wines and tastings, canapes matched with wines, entertainment from Midge Marsden.

When: Friday from 7.30pm. Where: Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 will be transformed for the night. Tickets: $95 from indulgemarlborough.co.nz

SIMON WONG

Last updated 11:45 28/09/2011

SCOTT HAMMOND

READY FOR THE CATWALK: Paige Kilgour, 16, will be modelling in the Indulge Marlborough fashion show on Friday.

New Kiwi loves Blenheim SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:56 26/09/2011

Chinese-born Barbara Song-Smart has just become a Kiwi, but she reckons her dumpling-making skills are still second to none.

The music teacher at Marlborough Boys' College was among 27 others who were made New Zealand citizens at a ceremony at the Marlborough District Council chambers on Friday.

Mrs Song, a classically trained pianist who has lived in New Zealand since 2002, moved to Blenheim in 2005 when she was offered a long-term relieving role at the college. She was later offered a full-time teaching position.

The ceremony was special, but becoming a New Zealander meant she had to give up her Chinese citizenship, she said.

She was philosophical about the decision.

"[Chinese citizenship] was not really hard to give up. You are who you are, no matter what passport you have."

"I've been posting photos of making homemade dumplings on Facebook and saying I'm becoming a Kiwi soon, but my dumpling-making skills will still be second-to-none," she laughed.

Her husband, James Smart, from Blenheim, had not been able to pick up the intricate art of dumpling-making, but enjoyed eating them, she said.

"He loves eating dumplings, but doesn't want to put the hard work into it."

She had not been back to China since she arrived in New Zealand as a 22-year-old international student and said it was unlikely she would go back because her husband did not like travelling.

"He is a Marlborough man through and through and has no plans to travel."

She arrived in New Zealand after completing a bachelor's degree in music education and piano performance in Guangzhou, in southern China, and most of her friends were looking for teaching jobs.

"I didn't want to start working, I thought I was too young and I was really passionate about piano performance."

She sent a video of a solo piano performance to Victoria University in Wellington and was accepted to do an honours degree and then trained as a music and language teacher.

She enjoyed living in Blenheim because of the vast number of musical opportunities

"I actually love Blenheim, the spirit of Blenheim – the Music Society, [Marlborough] Repertory, the Brass Band – it's a small town and a very vibrant place, musically. And I love the climate – it's a bit better than Wellington." Mrs Song's mother was granted New Zealand residency late last year and also lives in Blenheim.

OTHER NEW KIWIS:

Eva Cooper, Czech Republic

Richard Doggart, Canada

Christo Heyns, South Africa

Elizabeth Heyns, South Africa

Yong Hou, China

Andrew Joslin, Britain

Adele Joslin, Britain

Oliver Joslin, Britain

Thomas Joslin, Britain

Mosese Kanawale, Fiji

Paula Kenyon, Britain

Neil Kingscote, Britain

Elaine Kingscote, Britain

Beth McMillan, Britain

Nicholas McMillan, Britain

Moira Mugford, Britain

Helen Somerville, Philippines

Carl Woodburn, Britain

Lucy Woodburn, Britain

Arie Anderson Zvi, Russia

Alan Dunnicliff, Britain

Yvonne Dunnicliff, Britain

Sari Golding, Finland

Rajesh Luthra, India

Anthony Maullin, Zimbabwe

David Steflicek, Czech Republic

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:56 26/09/2011

Roy flies flag for the World Cup

If you're wondering why you can't find any country flags in Marlborough, it's because Roy Te-Keeti, of Picton, has bought them all.

Retailers in Blenheim have reported a rush on flag sales and have sold out in the leadup to the Rugby World Cup, but are expecting more in the next few days.

When told the stores had sold out of the flags, Mr Te-Keeti, who has just turned 70, said, "because I bought them all".

Mr Te-Keeti has hung as many of the flags of the 20 competing countries on his front fence on Nelson Square as he could find.

"There were some I couldn't get, but I've got the majority of them."

Stores in Picton did not sell the flags, so he shopped around stores in Blenheim about a week before the World Cup started on September 9 and said he was in the right place at the right time.

"I had to keep an eye out. They were there and the next minute they weren't."

The colourful display was a good way to promote the cup in Picton, especially for tourists driving to games in the South Island, he said.

None of the flags had been stolen from the fence, but Mr Te-Keeti is laidback about the possibility.

"If they take it, they take it. As long as they're enjoying the World Cup," he said.

Mr Te-Keeti, who has lived in Picton for about 50 years, has watched most of the games on television and said the crowds and atmosphere were excellent.

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 23/09/2011

TANIA BUTTERFIEL

COLOURFUL DISPLAY: Roy Te-Keeti, of Picton, and daughter Debra Te-Keeti outside his Nelson Square home, which sports most of the flags from the countries competing in the Rugby World Cup.

Flags fly out door

Blenheim retailers underestimated the demand for national flags during the Rugby World Cup and have ordered more stock to keep the fans happy, according to one shop owner.

Three stores contacted by The Marlborough Express sold out of the flags, including car flags, but had ordered more.

Rex McCaa, who owns the Only $3 shop in Charles St, said another shipment of flags and car flags arrived yesterday and more were expected on Monday.

He had "grossly underestimated" the number of flags he would sell, he said.

Demand had been high since just before the tournament started, and a shipment of 144 flags that arrived on Fridaylast week was sold out by the end of the day.

Aside from the popular All Blacks and Russian flags, demand for flags had been evenly spread.

The flags have been particularly popular with people from island nations such as Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, who have been trying to get their hands on anything which represents their country.

Warehouse Blenheim manager Chrissie Grayling said the Blenheim store, and others around the country, had sold out of the All Blacks' car flags, but a new shipment was expected before the All Blacks v France game tomorrow.

The Blenheim store had sold almost 1000 of the car flags and did not sell flags for any other country.

Its national office had limited sales of the car flags to 10 per person because of the demand, she said.

People in bigger centres such as Auckland had been buying the flags and selling them on the street, but Ms Grayling was not aware of this happening in Blenheim.

Goods 2 U manager KB Lee said the store, in Market St, sold out of New Zealand, Russian and Italian flags, but was restocking.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 23/09/2011

Rai Valley school bouncing back

Happy and harmonious staff are the key to a successful school and that attitude rubs off on pupils, according to the caretaker principal of Rai Valley Area School.

Tony Draaijer took over as head of the school three months ago after principal Muff Newton went on extended sick leave from June 7.

Mrs Newton was the subject of a campaign to oust her by former staff and school board members and her job was taken over by a senior teacher, until school commissioner Claudia Wysocki brought in Mr Draaijer.

The former principal of Nelson Intermediate and Independent Middle School, in Nelson, Mr Draaijer said staff morale at Rai Valley school when he arrived in July was "fairly good" and the pupils were welcoming.

The role of relieving principal was an opportunity to unify staff and re-establish leadership in the school, he said.

"As a manager you look at the whole school. You look at whether the staff are well catered for, valued and have their voices heard. There is a lot of consultation that goes on. If the staff are happy and harmonious, it will rub off on the children."

This is not the first time Mr Draaijer has taken over as caretaker principal. He has been placed in other schools around the South Island, including Barrytown School on the West Coast.

A caretaker principal manages the school and administration and is not governed by the board of trustees.

Mr Draaijer, who commutes from Atawhai near Nelson, said he was happy to stay on at the school until Mrs Newton decided to return or a new principal was appointed.

It was hard to plan long-term for the school because he did not know how long he would remain in the role.

However, he was focusing on getting systems in place so Mrs Newton or another principal would be able to hit the ground running.

"My dream would be to see the school back to what it was previously under a board of trustees and principal and to get a healthy roll."

The school has 81 pupils ranging from year 1 to year 13.

The roll had been declining because some attend school in Nelson, some were home schooled and others had gone to other country schools, he said.

Some perceive the school as having been through difficult times, but it was still "healthy and robust", he said.

"The morale is fairly good already, but that needs to be emphasised to the community and people looking into the school."

The most important things were to keep morale up and for the pupils to get the best learning experience possible, he said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:30 23/09/2011

Puppets bring stories to life

Sixteen buckets of wallpaper paste, about 20 litres of paint, and piles of newspaper and cardboard.

That's what it took for St Mary's School pupils in Blenheim to make the 110 papier-mache puppets on show for parents and fellow pupils yesterday.

Pupils performed their own versions of popular stories such as Aladdin, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Jack and the Beanstalk using the life-size puppets they made.

Art teacher Denise Moran said it took about two terms to make the puppets, working with each class for an hour a week. Many of them were a combined effort by several pupils.

The performances were about movement and teamwork, as most of the children had to work together to be the arms of a puppet and to build their confidence on stage, she said.

"[The puppets] are a prop to help build confidence and think about their stagecraft – using their voice, expression and movement."

Thirty of the best puppets, chosen by teachers, will be exhibited at the Wisheart Room at the Marlborough Civic Theatre during the Primary Schools Music Festival on September 26-29, along with art from other schools.

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:02 15/09/2011

DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express

In character: St Mary's School pupils Abella Yuen, left, and Milly Burfoot work together as the arms of their Mrs Grinch puppet, one of 110 made by pupils during the past two terms.

Teen robber gets home detention

A Blenheim teenager will spend the next 10 months serving a home detention sentence for an aggravated robbery of the Riversdale Four Square store in Blenheim.

Taia Huatahi Schuster, 18, unemployed, was also sentenced on unrelated charges of wilful damage by fire, two charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, careless driving, failing to stop for police, driving with excess blood alcohol, driving while forbidden, burglary and intentional damage when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

He was also disqualified from driving for six months.

At a previous court appearance, sentencing was adjourned so his family could find somewhere for him to serve home detention and spare him a prison sentence. He will see the sentence out in a Lower Hutt home.

The court previously heard that Schuster was carrying a hunting knife when he went into the Budge St store about 4.15pm on March 20. He pointed the knife at the 49-year-old shop assistant and demanded money.

He grabbed $190 the woman took from the cash register and left.

Schuster later told police he committed the robbery because he wanted to go to jail and get out of Blenheim.

Judge Ian Mill said a prison sentence for aggravated robbery "goes without saying", but a sentencing indication by Judge Michael Behrens allowed for a home detention sentence.

"You were fortunate to get the sentencing indication you got," he said.

Defence lawyer Rob Harrison asked Judge Mill to take into account the time Schuster had spent in custody awaiting sentencing.

Judge Mill took into account Schuster's age, guilty plea and remorse.

Disorderly behaviourA member of the public called the police after seeing a Blenheim teenager challenging a group of people with a pool cue, police say.

Matthew Dwayne Preston, 19, factory hand, admitted possessing an offensive weapon, disorderly behaviour and unrelated charges of burglary and breaching bail when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

He was sentenced to 200 hours' community work and ordered to pay $105.65 reparation.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Preston was drinking with friends at a Girling Ave home about 11.55pm on August 5 when they confronted another group on the street, which turned into a short scuffle.

Preston and his friends believed members of the other group had assaulted one of their friends.

Preston went back into the house, picked up a pool cue and began challenging the other group, Mr Frost said.

A few days later, Preston and a 14-year-old, using a pair of shears, broke into a house where Ni-Van vineyard workers lived.

They were seen by a member of the public, who called the police. Preston was later found at his home a short distance away.

Defence lawyer John Holdaway said Preston's offending had been "light" until the burglary.

Judge Ian Mill said the sentence needed to reflect the crimes, which were more serious than Preston's other convictions.

Jail for receiving consoleA Blenheim vineyard worker who received a stolen video game console and then on-sold it was sent to prison yesterday.

Selenito Totau, 18, admitted receiving the PlayStation 3 and was sentenced to three months' jail when he appeared before Judge Ian Mill in the Blenheim District Court.

The sentence will be served at the same time as a 4 1/2-month jail term he received on Monday for assault, breaching intensive supervision and shoplifting.

Judge Mill said Totau was given the stolen PlayStation 3, valued at $700, between December 26 and 31 and agreed to sell it. He sold it for $300.

Other chargesGordon Leonard Wainohu, 41, of Picton, admitted two charges of receiving in relation to an armed robbery at the Cloudy Bay business park on October 30, and breaching community work.

He was granted bail until sentencing on November 1.

Petr Malecek, 30, of Blenheim, admitted possessing cannabis and was fined $200.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 14/09/2011

Big fine for abusive calls

A 28-year-old Blenheim man left abusive messages on his girlfriend's phone because he was frustrated, police say.

In the Blenheim District Court on Monday, Brooke William Adams admitted misusing a telephone by leaving voice messages on the woman's phone.

He was fined $800 and ordered to pay court costs.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said Adams made 19 calls to the woman's cellphone within half an hour on March 1 and made multiple calls on other days. She ignored many of the calls.

Adams told police he made the calls out of anger and frustration.

Defence counsel Rob Harrison said it was a "two-way street", with the girlfriend making abusive comments to Adams.

Adams knew the calls were excessive and over the top and the relationship had ended, Mr Harrison said.

Judge Ian Mill called the language "pretty disgraceful".

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 14/09/2011

Seal 'slaughter' earns prison term

A judge has taken the unusual step of sending a first-time offender to jail for what he says was an "unprecedented" attack on 23 seals.

Judge Ian Mill yesterday sent 20-year-old Renwick man Jason Trevor Godsiff to jail for two years for wilfully ill-treating 23 seals by clubbing them to death with a pipe near Kaikoura on November 26.

The attack was an "unprecedented" act which had not been seen since the seals became a protected species in 1978, the judge said when he sentenced Godsiff in the Blenheim District Court.

Family and friends packed the gallery for the sentencing and some were crying when Godsiff was sent to jail.

Jamaal Peter Roy Large, 36, from the Wairau Valley, faces the same charges as Godsiff. He denies the charges and has elected trial.

Godsiff and the co-accused had been working as builders in Waiau, North Canterbury, and were driving toward Blenheim on November 26 when they stopped at Ohau Point. It was dark and they wore headlamps and armed themselves with galvanised pipes, Judge Mill said.

They walked on to the beach and attacked the seals with the pipes. Some of the seals were only pups.

Department of Conservation workers found injured seals days after the attack, including some pups that might have starved because their mothers had been killed, he said.

Crown prosecutor Mark O'Donoghue withdrew a charge of possession of a galvanised pipe as an offensive weapon.

The killings were premeditated because the pair had gone out of their way to attack the seals, he said.

"They made a deliberate detour to slaughter the seals, arming themselves with the means to kill the animals in sheer Kubrickian savagery – by that I mean gratuitous, mindless savagery," he said.

"This was not just one protected animal, not just a few, there were 25."

Mr O'Donoghue said a letter from a Kaikoura iwi showed the seals were a tourist attraction with benefits for the whole community.

Defence counsel Gary Sawyer said Godsiff was 19 at the time of the attack and an apprentice builder working with Large.

The pre-sentence report writer believed Godsiff looked up to Large and a psychological report suggested Godsiff was vulnerable to forming views based on others rather than forming his own, Mr Sawyer said.

The killing was "more spur of the moment than premeditated" because the pair already had headlamps for work and the pipes were off-cuts "which happened to be in the ute".

Godsiff did not set out to harm the seals in a way that would cause suffering, but aimed to reduce seal numbers.

"It was an exercise in culling numbers rather than an exercise to cause pain and distress."

They hit the seals on the head to make their death as quick as possible, he said.

Godsiff had co-operated with police when they questioned him about six months after the killings and immediately admitted the charges. The attack was out of character, he was not a risk to the community and was "unlikely" to offend again, Mr Sawyer said.

"He's someone who made a bad decision and must now suffer the consequences."

Judge Mill said it was surprising Godsiff had no previous convictions, although people who knew him were surprised he would be able to kill the seals.

Godsiff had told the probation officer he did not believe the seals were protected and thought they were pests and could get rid of a few because there were plenty more, the judge said.

"These were vulnerable victims who were no match for you at night and on land."

While it may have been his intention to kill them as quickly as possible, some were left alive.

"How do you know those seals didn't suffer?"

Previous sentences for animal cruelty submitted by defence and prosecuting lawyers could not be compared with Godsiff's case because of the "sheer scale" of the attack, he said. The maximum possible sentence was five years.

He took into account Godsiff's age, guilty plea, lack of convictions and previous good character in sentencing.

However, he did not believe Godsiff was genuinely remorseful.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Terrific Tonga Tongan fans amped for big game

Tonga's rugby frenzy is infectious, finds Express reporter Simon Wong

I unwittingly got caught up in the Rugby World Cup fervour when I met a group of diehard Tonga supporters yesterday.

The Tongan community here is truly ready for the first Rugby World Cup clash of the tournament between their nation and the All Blacks tonight – the first time they've met on the field since 2003.

The World Cup starts at 8.30pm at Auckland's Eden Park between the Pacific neighbours, and Tongans around the country are amped.

Dressed in red and white and with painted faces, the Taumoefolau and Moli families from Blenheim will be among many in Marlborough supporting their men from their living rooms tonight.

Their enthusiasm was so contagious I could not help but throw on the red and white of the Tongan flag and join in.

Dad Tonga Taumoefolau, also the coach of the Marlborough under-18 rugby team, said an unofficial public holiday had been organised for Tongans on Monday should their side defeat the men in black.

"No other game will matter if we win," he said.

"Even if we lose they're still not going to stomp out our spirits.

"This is a home game for us.

"It's massive."

He expected the first 30 minutes of the game to be "fireworks" and said he would like to see the score within 15 points.

The two teams last faced off in pool play during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia when the Tongan side was defeated 91-7.

In a show of great patriotism Tongan supporters in Auckland have gathered in their thousands to watch their home team practise.

They caused traffic chaos when 4000 supporters flocked to meet the team at Auckland International Airport when they landed on Monday.

- Marlborough

Last updated 12:30 09/09/2011

Tongan supporters geared up for the match between the All Blacks and Tonga. L-R (front) Vei Moli, 5, Mele Moli, 7, Kyren Taumoefolau, 8 and Bray Taumoefolau, 6. (mid) Cody Harris, 11, Cory Harris, 11, Monu Moli, 9 and Linda Samasoni, 7. (back) Esafe Moli, 11, Tonga Taumoefolau, Sam Moli, 12, Simon Wong, 22, Mele Lopeti, 13 and Mrs Luseane Moli. (top back) Atu Moli, 16 (with the flag)

Go ABs: Tua Marina School children, from back left; Lorraine Regan (teacher aide), Anaru Anderson, Caitlin Tierney, Zara Jopson, Cohen Stewart, Nico vam Beek, Livvy Hodson, Sonny Gulliver and JP Alviar are right in behind the All Blacks and can't wait for the Rugby World Cup to get underway tonight. The children wore black to school today to show their support for the

Seatbelts appeal supported

A rural Marlborough school principal believes school buses need seatbelts, but the company which does all but two of the school runs in the region says it has not considered fitting them on its school buses.

Rapaura School principal Helen Williams said the new buses rolled out by transport company Ritchies earlier this year should have had seatbelts for school children.

Concerns have been raised following a horrific crash in the Bay of Plenty on Monday in which a logging truck rear-ended a school bus, injuring 35 children.

Mrs Williams said 49 of the 122 Rapaura pupils caught the bus to and from school every day.

"I would feel a lot happier if the children were belted in."

Country roads were "traditionally dangerous" because there were no places for buses to pull over and were often high-speed roads.

She said the Ministry of Education should have seatbelt guidelines or make it a condition of tenders for school bus runs.

A spokesman from Ritchies, which does the school run for all schools except Ward School and Queen Charlotte College, said retrofitting its fleet with seatbelts would take about three weeks and cost about $55,000 for each bus.

The process would involve removing the floor so framing could be reworked to bring it up to the engineering standard required. The buses are built on a truck chassis.

The company's long distance coaches have seatbelts and it holds some contracts with schools that require them as a condition elsewhere in New Zealand, but students do not wear them, the spokesman said.

Bus contracts in some schools are put out to tender by the school itself while the Education Ministry handles the process on behalf of others.

Queen Charlotte College principal Tom Parsons said the school runs its own bus which does have seatbelts, but most students do not wear them.

It was drawing a long bow to expect a bus driver to check if students were wearing them, he said.

Grovetown mother Wendy Palmer emailed Education Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Education Minister Pita Sharples calling for an urgent review on policy regarding seatbelts on school buses.

She had been worried for some time about children riding unrestrained in buses and the crash on Monday was a reminder of what could happen, although unlikely.

A spokesman for Mrs Tolley said the email had been received and a response would be forthcoming.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:30 09/09/2011

craig #1 4:08pm

Disagree with having the seat belts, yes of course I'm for the safety of the children, however "the driver" is responsible for children under the age of 14 in cars etc... don't think the driver of the bus will be able to police "ALL" kids on the bus are correctly wearing them. Bus drivers dont want more responsibility, Don't tarnish all busses because of one accident.

Big Marlborough welcome for Russians

Marlborough people turned out in force with flags, homemade banners and posters to officially welcome the Russian Bears at Blenheim airport yesterday.

The Russians were greeted with a spirited haka and waiata by Marlborough school children on the tarmac as the team left their aircraft about 5pm.

Many of the team applauded, smiled and some even recorded their welcome on cellphones and other devices.

Hundreds of children and parents were waiting inside and outside the terminal to get a glimpse of the team arriving as if waiting for rock stars.

Among those waiting were Ben and Jack Holdaway, 8 and 11, who had been at the terminal for 45 minutes before the team arrived.

They had spent about two hours painting a long banner with the white, blue and red Russian flag and the word Russia in cyrillic text.

They even took the opportunity to get a signature from former All Black Frank Bunce who was also waiting at the terminal.

The fanfare grew with applause and shouting as the team touched down and stepped on to Marlborough soil.

The Russian team will be based in Blenheim during their first World Cup campaign using Lansdowne Park as their training ground.

The straight lines of students performing on the tarmac broke quickly afterwards as the children rushed to shake the hands of Marlborough's adopted team.

Marlborough mayor Alistair Sowman welcomed the team to "this small, but very special part of the country" and said the region would do its best to help the team during their campaign.

"You have some big games ahead of you and we want to do all we can to prepare you for them.

"The town is ready to adopt you," he said.

Preparation of their training ground had been months in the making and they would not be disappointed, Mr Sowman said.

A spokesman for the Russian team thanked the crowd for their welcome, especially after their long journey to Blenheim.

"It's lovely to have such a grand welcome and to see smiling faces. We've been in the air for many hours, but we're excited to be here."

The team was mobbed by young fans keen for signatures and photos as they walked from the terminal to the team bus.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 07/09/2011

Welcoming party from Bohally School

Woman woke up to teen in room

A Blenheim woman woke up in the middle of the night to find a 17-year-old male standing over her, police say.

The teenager, Johnny Peter Materoa, of Blenheim, admitted unlawfully being on a property, possession of an offensive weapon and breaching community work, when he appeared in Blenheim District Court yesterday.

He was sentenced to five months' community detention and six months' supervision.

Judge Richard Russell said Materoa entered the back door of a home in Lucas St about 2.30am on May 27. He walked through the hallway into the lounge, where a woman was sleeping on the couch, and stood over her.

The woman woke up in a panic and rushed outside to call police, who could not find anyone when they arrived.

About an hour later the woman was watching television in the lounge when she heard someone at the back door, which she had since locked.

She woke her daughter and heard scratching on a window in another room and saw Materoa trying to climb in a window with his arms and leg on the inside.

Defence counsel John Holdaway said the woman was a family friend and Materoa had no intention to harm her.

Judge Russell called the behaviour "simply dreadful" and said he would have considered a prison sentence if Materoa was older.

Discharge refused

A vineyard worker on the recognised seasonal employment (RSE) scheme may not be able to re-enter New Zealand after the judge denied his application for a discharge without conviction for assault.

Elton Taiki Vuti, 26, from Vanuatu, admitted assault on a 15-year-old girl by grabbing her arm after asking if she was a sex worker. He was fined $200, plus court costs, and ordered to pay $450 in emotional harm.

Defence counsel Tane Brunt said Vuti, who is due to leave the country at the end of the week, was the main income earner for his family and a conviction would jeopardise his ability to return on the RSE scheme.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Immigration New Zealand would be notified and would put a mark on his file making it unlikely he could return.

Vuti should get a conviction and discharge at the very least, he said.

Vuti and two other RSE workers were on New Renwick Rd about 10.20am on September 3 when they saw the teenager across the road, Mr Frost said.

After asking her for directions, he asked where he would be able to find some sex workers and then asked if she was a sex worker and offered her money. The two other workers stood at either side of the girl and as she tried to leave on her bike, Vuti grabbed her arm. She managed to get away and call police.

Ad Feedback

Vuti denied touching the girl.

Judge Russell said a suggestion of cultural difference "doesn't do it for me".

Stole wristbands

A Blenheim man was reprimanded yesterday for stealing wristbands being sold to raise money for the Christchurch earthquake relief effort.

Judge Russell scolded Timothy Mark Bayston when he appeared in court for taking two $5 fundraising wristbands from the NZ Post Shop in Blenheim on August 31 without paying for them.

Bayston, 48, admitted shoplifting and was sentenced to 50 hours' community work.

Defence counsel Mr Holdaway said Bayston spent 30 hours in custody as a result of the theft. Judge Russell said he hoped that time gave him an opportunity to think about what he had done.

"If you see a worthwhile charity, you either give or keep walking, not rip them off like you've done."

Domestic incident

A Seddon couple were charged over a domestic incident which involved one slashing a car tyre and the other nudging a bike with a car while the other was on it.

Nikita Sharon Maker, 25, admitted dangerous driving when she appeared in court yesterday and was sentenced to six months' supervision and disqualified for six months.

Dylan Rhys Sadd, 24, a vineyard worker, admitted intentional damage of the tyre and was fined $300, court costs and ordered to complete six months' supervision.

Mr Frost said the couple were arguing at their Seddon home on August 7. Sadd became agitated when Maker did not let him have the car keys so punctured a tyre on the car with a knife and rode to the end of the street on a bike.

Maker saw Sadd on his bike as she drove to town to get the tyre fixed, slowed down and nudged the bike, backed up and drove over the bike.

She told police she was not trying to hit Sadd, but admitted hitting the bike.

Maker's lawyer Tane Brunt said this was the first charge of its type for the mother-of-two.

Judge Russell said there had been a lot of provocation and told Maker there were other ways of managing stress and anger.

Unauthorised hunting

Cameron Ross Fyfe, 18, of Blenheim, admitted hunting an animal on land without authority and unlawfully possessing a firearm, and was fined $950 and court costs.

Cannabis charges

Te Otinga Tanerau, 26, of Blenheim, admitted disorderly behaviour and possessing cannabis and was fined $650 plus court costs.

Jonathon Mark Nicholson, 27, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, admitted possessing cannabis and was sentenced to 40 hours' community work and six months' supervision.

Unlawfully on property

Kevin Neil Reynolds, 41, of Blenheim, admitted unlawfully being on a property and was sentenced to 90 hours' community work and six months' supervision.

Disqualified drivingBrandon Gary Hefferen, 19, a process worker of Blenheim, admitted driving while disqualified and was sentenced to 50 hours' community work and disqualified for six months.

Intentional damage

Samuel Wiremu John Edmonds, 27, a labourer of Blenheim, admitted intentional damage and was sentenced to 70 hours' community work, six months' supervision and ordered to pay $562 reparation.

Disorderly behaviour

Jed Lockyer, 36, of Picton, admitted disorderly behaviour and was fined $375 plus court costs.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 06/09/2011

Drunk teacher fined for being asleep at wheel of vehicle in car park

A Blenheim teacher was found drunk and asleep at the wheel in the Burger King car park with her car idling, police say.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said members of the public called police about 1.50am on July 15 after seeing Stacey Maree Grainger, 33, at the wheel of a car stopped in the Opawa St car park for about an hour.

She was found to have an excess blood alcohol level of 218 milligrams. The legal limit is 80mg.

She was fined $900 in the Blenheim District Court yesterday, ordered to pay court costs and medical expenses, and disqualified from driving for six months.

Judge Richard Russell said he imposed the minimum disqualification because she was not driving and the car was not moving. Defence counsel Laurie Murdoch said Grainger had no previous convictions.

Other drink-drivers dealt with yesterday:Anthony William Smith, 42, a retail manager of Blenheim, excess breath alcohol of 754 micrograms (legal limit 400mcg); fined $1000 and court costs, ordered to complete six months' supervision and disqualified for 10 months.

Daniel Fetu Aupaau, 41, a fisherman of Waikawa, third or subsequent charge, 860mcg and also admitted driving while forbidden. Remanded for sentence on October 17.

Wayne Nyberg, 51, unemployed of Blenheim, third or subsequent charge, 514mcg; sentenced to four months' home detention, 150 hours' community work, disqualified for 18 months.

Moana Marie Smith, 25, Picton, 687mcg, admitted driving without L plates and unaccompanied. Given 100 hours' community work, six months' supervision, disqualified for 10 months, fined $100.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 06/09/2011

Driver to meet with victim

Sentencing for Rodney Joseph Bryant, 40, a logging contractor of Havelock who has admitted dangerous driving and failing to stop after an accident, was adjourned for restorative justice when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

He will reappear for sentencing on October 3. Restorative justice involves a meeting between the offender, the victim and other parties. Bryant was the driver of a Toyota Hilux which hit 51-year-old Wairau Valley nurse Glenys Parsons on State Highway 63, near Renwick, about 7.50am on May 22 as she drove to work.

The court previously heard Bryant had been at a friend's 60th birthday party at a home in Middle Renwick Rd, Blenheim on May 21, and continued drinking into the early hours of the following day.

The impact caused substantial damage to both vehicles, including the bullbars on the Hilux. Mrs Parsons' car was spun around and went backwards into a ditch.

Mrs Parsons was left lying down the step bank with a broken leg, broken ankle, broken ribs and severe spinal pain.

Bryant left the scene after talking to her and a Blenheim father and son found her and called emergency services soon afterwards.

Last updated 13:00 06/09/2011

Soldier worked at Mistletoe

Slain SAS soldier Doug Grant who was killed in action in Afghanistan last month was one of a group of soldiers who built the Mistletoe Bay Eco Village in the Marlborough Sounds.

Mistletoe Bay Trust chairman Simon Heath said Corporal Grant, 41, was one of 20 soldiers in the Engineer Regiment based at Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North, working in small groups building cabins and other buildings in 2006.

Mr Heath sent a letter of condolence to the camp and Corporal Grant's family on behalf of the trust.

"The trust is really saddened by the whole thing.

"It just shows you how small the world really is."

Mr Heath did not remember Corporal Grant specifically, but was at the bay every week talking and meeting the soldiers during their 10-week stay.

"While I didn't get to know them personally they were a great example of young people working in the community."

A group of about 24 soldiers from the Linton Camp who will be at the site doing more building over the coming 10 weeks would have known and worked with Corporal Grant, he said.

Corporal Grant was killed on August 19 when he was shot during a Taleban attack on the British Council diplomatic offices in Kabul, Afghanistan.

About 1500 people gathered at the Linton Military Camp for a full military funeral for Corporal Grant on August 29.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 05/09/2011

Ngaire thanks samaritans

Anyone who thinks people walk by those in need these days should talk to Ngaire Spall of Blenheim.

When the 89-year-old fell over in Battys Rd, Springlands, about 4pm last Wednesday at least 15 passersby rushed to help her.

Mrs Spall said she lost her grip on her walker, which got away on her on a small rise, as she was walking back to the Springlands Lifestyle Village after popping down to the supermarket.

"I had the brakes on, but it wouldn't stop," she said.

As she lay on the ground in terrible pain, with a broken arm and heavy bruising developing around her shoulder and face, helpers arrived one after the other.

They did not move her because of the level of pain she was in, but someone offered her a blanket, another person called an ambulance and someone else sought help from the rest home.

Village receptionist and activities co-ordinator Colleen Rakiraki-Steele said people of all ages had offered help.

"I honestly can't believe how many people stopped and offered assistance," she said.

Mrs Spall usually lives in her own home but had been at the village for about a week receiving respite care. She moved to Blenheim some years ago with her late husband from their farm near Palmerston North.

She said she was grateful to everyone who had stopped.

"Blenheim people are nice," she said.

"I've always loved Blenheim."

The keen rugby fan hoped she would recover enough to watch the Rugby World Cup in comfort when it starts on Friday.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 05/09/2011

SCOTT HAMMOND

ON THE MEND: Ngaire Spall is grateful to the many people who stopped to help her when she fell over last week.