We also won the Party vote with 16,543 for National in Tukituki. The future is so bright. John Key and our National team will continue our hard work towards an even better Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand.

Chris and I will continue to ‘Back the Bay’, every day, both here and down in Wellington, ensuring we get the best possible outcomes for the people of Hawke’s Bay.

I had the privilege to attend this event where wine and dinner was the main focus closely followed by good company and great service.

 The Dinner attracted everyone involved in the wine industry including wine lovers, wineries, winemakers, wholesalers and retailers as well as the supporting manufacturing, bottling, transport and technical providers.

 Over 400 people enjoyed the fantastic food and Bay’s finest wines.

 This unique regional award is the largest regional wine competition in New Zealand. Entries are only accepted from wineries with wine made from 85% Hawke’s Bay Grapes.

 Congratulations to all involved in such a fantastic night.

And in a smaller corner of the world another tournament kicked off on Monday with teams from across the Bay competing for the Ross Shield. My own son will be playing in the competition against many of your sons. While Parliament finished last week and we’re supposed to now be out campaigning for the election please forgive me if I spend most of this week down in Dannevirke. I will see many of you there. I figure that life is pretty short and this is a priority for me. No one’s really interested in politics with the RWC at its pinnacle. And when it comes to supporting one’s family I can’t think of a higher priority.

The Ross Shield tournament has an amazing history. It’s a melting pot of local age grade talent which has founded more than a few All Blacks. Our own Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford just two of the more recent protégés.
Many moons ago I was fortunate to be selected for the Napier side to play in the 1978 Ross Shield Tournament at Lambton Square in Wairoa. I was billeted just around the corner with my Taradale mate James Aranui (halfback) with his cousins (if I recall correctly) in Apatu Street. I have vivid memories of our week in Wairoa. I was so proud of the cap and the uniform I had been given. Greg Cooper was playing at fullback and went on to become an All Black. Ross McLeod, the smallest guy amongst all 6 teams, was honoured with the title of player of the tournament. Ross was a prolific goal kicker, even at 13, and went on to 1st class honours with Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and NZ Universities. He now coaches the Hastings West side.

Best of luck to all teams this week. In a strange twist of fate my son will be playing for Hastings East, while my electorate includes Napier and Wairoa teams.

While my Parliamentary Truck has “Backing the Bay” emblazoned down the side of it at times like this one is forced to be somewhat more parochial. I’m sure on this occasion you’ll forgive me for cheering for Hastings.

I have no doubt that the RWC will leave memories for us all. More importantly for our sons the Ross Shield Tournament in Dannevirke will leave them with memories for a lifetime.

Chris Tremain

I had the pleasure of being part of this event on Saturday 24^th September. During September and October 2011 almost 85,000 native trees will be planted honoring our Rugby Legends.

Here’s an opportunity to celebrate our special landscape by getting involved in a Living Legends planting day near you.

Check out: http://www.livinglegends.co.nz/ and get involved.

 I was made to feel very welcome and I enjoyed speaking to young and old alike.

We cut the celebratory cake and then I headed out with the team for our celebration walk around Havelock North.

Having children from a local pre school was an especially nice touch adding to our theme that of family.

Jerry is a Hawke’s Bay man through and through. Born March 10th 1940 in the Hastings Memorial Hospital, he was one of 13 children. He and his siblings were raised in a small 2 bedroom cottage at Te Hauke where Jerry remembers fondly a cot that slept 3 siblings and the double bed the rest topped and tailed. No one was more excited to see the summer come than this family, as this meant they could all sleep under the stars.

 Jerry’s parents worked hard to raise their rather large family. His dad worked on the rail lines and his mum worked as a rousey in a shearing gang. With such a large family chores were divvied up. The biggest plus for mum was that dinner was on the table when she returned home at the end of a long day. Jerry’s memories of sharing the work load is a strong one, and one that he feels needs to been reintroduced to our youth of today.

 “Money was tight growing up, and respect and values are more important than money” says Jerry. His upbringing was so totally different to that of his own children and grandchildren. He can see that as an elder there is a lot of wisdom to pass on. “Money has no value unless you have motivation to make postive changes in your life.”

 For five years Jerry recalls walking from home to his primary school at Te Hauke. This was a fair hike; but Jerry, as a 5 year old, walked there and back with sibling in tow. That is what was expected. Unfortunately for Jerry he was not to follow his older brothers to Te Aute. His mother said his school report was not good enough and he was sent off on the bus to Waipawa District High School.

 During his time at high school, Jerry realised the value of money, and helped out in a shearing gang. By the age of 15 he could shear a sheep and by 16 left school to become a permanent shearer.  Jerry says “This is the start of earning respect; looking out for yourself and others.”

 Jerry married his beloved wife Parenanuwhiri. They were married for 47 years and in that time they had eight children of their own. In 2008 Jerry received the Insignia of a Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to Maoridom. Jerry fondly says when this honoured was bestowed upon him; he in return bestowed it upon his wife. Without Parenanuwhiri supporting him in every way this honour would not have happened.

 One of Jerry’s greatest joys in life is having his grandchildren. “The other is giving them back!” he laughs. Jerry believes strongly in communication and talking with his family regularly to resolve any issues that arise in or outside the family. Jerry has taken this attitude in his role at Havelock North High School where he meets all new year 9’s to reinforce the importance of listening, of education, and of making the most of every opportunity that comes their way.

 Older people, no matter their background are our community ‘Kaumatua’s. They are wise, full of life experiences and have values that we all need to embrace. Older people are an exceptionally valuable part of our lives. As the years go by more and more responsibility falls on the shoulders of the older generation. They need to share and educate our young generations by passing on knowledge, wisdom and respect.

Jerry reinforced my understanding of the importance of our senior citizens. We all need to embrace our elders, to honour every senior citizen throughout New Zealand. These are the people who have contributed to making our country is what it is today. I asked when you become a senior citizen. He answered “You are only as old as you feel”. I think the answer is as simple as that.

 Thanks to Jerry for sharing your life’s journey with me.

 Nga mihi nui e hoa

We were privileged to share in this Mum’s joy of the safe arrival of her twin boys.

 Still yet to be named, although we all had many suggestions!

 A great team doing a great job. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.

Craig Foss says “There are many people and organisations within our region that are making positive contributions to our local community. These are our unsung heroes who go about their work not looking for recognition but with a passion and commitment in supporting their community groups through voluntary work and leadership”

“Nominating in these awards give us an opportunity to recognise, celebrate and encourage those Kiwis making a difference in our communities” says Chris Tremain.

Nominations can be made for the Senior New Zealander of the Year, Young New Zealander of the Year, Community of the Year, Local Heroes Awards or the prestigious New Zealander of the Year for 2012. The winners and runners up in each category will be honoured at a gala awards dinner on 16 February 2012. The five category winners will each receive $5,000 from Kiwibank as well as a hand crafted trophy.

The recipient of the 2011 New Zealander of the Year title is Sir Paul Callaghan, a world class scientist who has shown outstanding leadership also as a teacher and a communicator.

New Zealander of the Year Awards Manager, Emma Mcdonald is encouragingall New Zealanders to take the opportunity to identify and nominate an inspirational Kiwi for these prestigious awards.

Miss Mcdonald says “Anyone can be nominated as long as they are a New Zealander and have demonstrated achievements in their chosen endeavour which benefits our nation.  These could be community, business, academic, medical or sporting successes for example and there are Award categories for Young and Senior New Zealander of the Year as well as Community of the Year.”

Up to 250 medals will be awarded to Local Heroes in across 15 regions in New Zealand to individuals making significant contributions locally.

Nominations close on Friday 14th October and nomination forms are available from Countdown Supermarkets, Kiwibank and Mitre 10 branches or by free phone 0508 692 927. You can also nominate online at www.nzawards.org.nz  or text ‘nominate’ to 244 for more information.

Here is a picture of a few of those volunteers. Thanks team for hard yards done all year round.