The new Cannons Creek Library is at Bedford Reserve, 170 Bedford Street, alongside Cannons Creek Pool.

The opening day will run from 9.30am to 3pm, with free activities and kai including performances, face painting, storytelling, the Wā Tākaro play trailer, a sausage sizzle and soup.

Niue and Kuki Airani storyteller and writer Inangaro Vakaafi and Wellington storyteller, writer and poet Moira Wairama will lead storytelling sessions at 10am and 1pm in the new children’s area, with stories and myths from Aotearoa and the Pacific.

Cannons Creek Pool will also have inflatable activities from midday until 3pm, with normal pool entry fees applying.

The opening gives Cannons Creek a new, modern home for a library service that has become an important meeting, learning and after-school space for the community.

Porirua Libraries Manager Brian Anderson last month said that the library had developed into much more than somewhere to borrow books.

“The new library will be a space current and future generations will be proud to call their own,” Anderson said.

The new building replaces the Cannons Creek shopping centre library, which has served the community for more than 40 years.

That library officially opened on 11 May 1985 in a building previously occupied by Bonners Drapery. At the time it was three times the size of the suburb’s original library and was notable for reflecting Cannons Creek’s multicultural community, with signage in Māori and Pacific languages and carved panels depicting the creation of Porirua’s harbours and Pacific migration.

Cannons Creek’s first library opened on 5 February 1969 in a former Ministry of Works house that had been relocated from Prosser Street in Elsdon to Cannons Creek Park.

The new facility will therefore become the suburb’s third library.

The project was developed after the existing library increasingly struggled to accommodate the range of activities taking place there, including school visits, after-school use, public computer access and community activities.

The new library has been constructed using modular technology, allowing the building to be expanded in future if required. It will also provide new computers for public use.

Porirua City Council allocated $4 million to the project from funding already included in its 2024–34 Long-term Plan.

The community opening day will take place at the new Cannons Creek Library, 170 Bedford Street, from 9.30am to 3pm on Monday 28 September.

Tahau-Hodges, of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Tūhoe descent, launched the te reo Māori picture book Toitū alongside its English-language companion, Hīkoi: A Māori Alphabet Book for Little (and Not-so-Little) Activists, at Pātaka on 12 September.

The books are illustrated by Josie Selkirk of Ngāti Whātua.

Publisher HUIA says the books were inspired by the 2024 hīkoi to Parliament in response to the Treaty Principles Bill.

The books were inspired by the 2024 hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principles Bill, which brought thousands of people together in defence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Tahau-Hodges created the books to preserve the significance of that moment for tamariki and future generations.

Tahau-Hodges said she wanted young people who witnessed the hīkoi to have a record of what happened.

“The hīkoi brought people from all walks of life together with such strength, purpose and unity, and there were so many tamariki there.

“I wanted them to have a record of that moment, to see themselves and our people in the story, and to understand that they are part of a long legacy of courage, resistance and collective action.”

The launch at Pātaka was held immediately before Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, with whānau invited to bring flags and banners and wear clothing associated with the hīkoi.

HUIA director Eboni Waitere said the books were intended to preserve an important piece of living history for younger generations.

“These books capture a significant moment in our living history. Telling that story through a Māori lens, in te reo Māori and English, helps tamariki understand the courage of those before them and recognise their own place in upholding Te Tiriti and standing strong for our people.”

Toitū is the Māori-language edition, while Hīkoi tells the story in English.

Tahau-Hodges is also a publisher and director of HUIA, with a strong focus on Māori storytelling and Māori language revitalisation. Her earlier picture book Mokopuna Matatini was among six HUIA titles selected for the inaugural IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages.

Both books are now available through HUIA and booksellers: https://huia.co.nz/search?q=toitu

The week began on Monday with the raising of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag at Pātaka, followed by a major celebration at Te Rauparaha Arena involving students from schools across Porirua.

Hundreds of tamariki gathered at the arena to celebrate te reo Māori through song and dance, with school groups and local artists taking to the stage.

One of the morning’s standout moments came when Aotea College students taught hundreds of younger tamariki the waiata Nau piki mai ki Porirua.

Porirua City Council described it as “a very special moment”.

Earlier in the day, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker joined the flag raising at Pātaka, describing the gathering as a “fantastic morning” and saying it was “incredible to see such an awesome turnout from our community”.

She thanked Jarom Hippolite and Taku Parai for their kōrero about the importance, beauty and strength of te reo Māori.

The event also included waiata from the Porirua City Council Te Kaunihera group and a performance by Porirua College’s Te Rōpū Kapa Haka o Te Kareti.

Tuesday brought te reo into play, with both bilingual and full-immersion Kindy Gym sessions at Te Rauparaha Arena for young tamariki.

On Wednesday, Waiata Wenerei brought people together at Pātaka for Māori language and song, while the City Centre Library hosted a special Reorua edition of Story World.

The celebrations continued on Thursday with Waiata Pēpi at the City Centre Library, giving pēpi, preschoolers and their caregivers another chance to share waiata and te reo Māori.

This year’s Te Wiki campaign is centred on Te Reo Towns, encouraging communities to make te reo Māori visible, heard and used in everyday life.

Porirua’s programme continues into the weekend.

Friday 18 September

At 12.30pm, Pātaka hosts Mutumutu ki Mukukai: Freshwater to Saltwater, with curator, cultural advisor and educator Te Rauparaha Horomona sharing kōrero about the Ngāti Toa Rangatira exhibition and the iwi’s enduring relationship with the region’s waterways.

A poi-making workshop follows at the City Centre Library from 3.30pm to 5.15pm.

The evening moves to Cannons Creek, where the Pacific Night Market will take on a Te Wiki o te Reo Māori theme from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Te Akapuanga Hall, 14 Mentor Lane.

Saturday 19 September

The celebrations head to the water at Te Rauparaha Arena Aquatics, with a Manu Platform running from midday to 4pm and inviting people to show their best moves.

Sunday 20 September

Sunday marks the final day of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, bringing Porirua’s week of events and activities to a close.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori runs from 14 to 20 September.

Launched this year, the OTA Upskilling Initiative trains Operating Theatre Assistants (OTAs) to take on additional non-nursing responsibilities in theatre, including helping position patients, preparing theatres and supporting equipment needs – allowing Registered Nurses (RNs) to spend more time on critical clinical duties.

Wakefield’s Peri-operative Manager Rae Billing, who co-developed the programme, says the initiative is about making the best use of the skills across the whole theatre team – and is also motivating some into new healthcare career opportunities.

“Investing in our OTA’s upskilling has helped ease workload and physical demands on RNs and strengthen teamwork across our theatres. For patients, that means having a well-supported theatre team with the right people focused on the right aspects of their care.

“One of the most satisfying outcomes of the programme so far has been our OTA, Ryan McQuinlan, who is now preparing to qualify for medical school after being inspired by his expanded role working alongside surgeons and theatre teams.”

Ryan says he was always keen to see where his career in healthcare could take him, and the OTA programme has advanced those opportunities.

“I have been able to start doing very hands-on, non-clinical support activities before, during and after surgical procedures in theatre, plus they are activities that involve greater patient interaction than what I was previously doing as an OTA which is something I really enjoy.”

Ryan’s proud Tongan and Māori heritage is also a big motivation in advancing his medical career.

“My Māori father is a doctor and my Tongan mother is a nurse, so I have plenty of support and encouragement for where I’m heading. I know it would also make my grandmother very proud. She was one of the first nurses from Tonga to migrate to NZ in the 1950’s and work here as a nurse, so continuing to represent my whakapapa in medicine is a big part of why I want to go as far as I can.”

Billing says Ryan’s example shows the wider impact investing in our people can have – strengthening our teams today while creating opportunities for people to grow and build their careers in healthcare.

OTAs taking part in the programme receive supervised, hands-on training in theatre alongside formal education through Elevify, an approved online course provider, giving them the skills and confidence to safely take on greater responsibilities.

“The initiative was initially developed in response to workforce pressures in orthopaedic spine and neurosurgery, where complex procedures require highly skilled theatre teams and experienced RNs. It is already having a positive impact within Wakefield’s orthopaedic spine and neurosurgical theatres, and feedback from the teams involved has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Billing.

Building on its early success, Wakefield Hospital is now exploring opportunities to expand the model into other surgical specialties, including urology.

Wakefield Hospital General Manager Carole Kaffes says the OTA Upskilling Initiative reflects Wakefield Hospital’s commitment to developing its people and strengthening theatre teams for the future. By making the best use of skills across the team, Wakefield is building a more resilient workforce and continuing to deliver safe, high-quality care for patients.

Zane O’Gorman was named Learner of the Year – Drilling at the inaugural MITO Industry Summit and Awards, held at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre on 1 September.

O’Gorman works for Griffiths Drilling, part of the Griffiths group headquartered on State Highway 58 in Pāuatahanui.

MITO said O’Gorman had progressed rapidly from working as a driller’s assistant to independently operating a drilling rig.

He was recognised for his technical ability, initiative and professionalism, including consistently achieving strong core recovery and producing high-quality bore logs.

MITO also highlighted his approach to safety, reliability and willingness to take responsibility on the job.

O’Gorman was presented with the award by MITO board director Iain Haycock and chairperson Sturrock Saunders.

The awards formed part of MITO’s first Industry Summit, which brought more than 200 representatives from industry, government, education, employers and training organisations to Wellington.

The summit covered industries including automotive, transport and logistics, drilling, mining and quarrying, and gas.

Minister Shane Jones delivered a keynote address focused on the role those industries play in New Zealand’s economy and the importance of industry training in developing the future workforce.

Griffiths has operated in New Zealand for more than 50 years and carries out geotechnical and environmental drilling, water bore drilling and specialist drilling projects around the country.

The incident happened about 5.30pm on Thursday, August 27, at a school near Spinnaker Drive.

Police said the child was not physically injured, but they and their family were left shaken by the incident.

Investigators want to hear from anyone who saw a male leaving the school grounds and entering the Whitby walkway around the time of the assault.

The male is described as Caucasian, about 16 years old, of medium height with dark-coloured hair.

He was wearing a school uniform consisting of grey trousers, a white shirt and a dark-coloured jersey.

Police said enquiries into the incident were continuing.

Anyone with information can contact Police through 105, either online or by phone, quoting reference number 260827/2001.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

The market will run from 10am to 1pm at the community centre at 10 Linden Avenue, Linden.

Organisers say the event will include face painting, native plants, flower plants, household goods, toys, crafts, new and repurposed goods and a range of other items.

Local stallholders will also be taking part, including The Cosy Candle Nook, which will have candles available at the market.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome.

For enquiries, contact lindenmarket26@gmail.com.

Thirty-seven years later, the Porirua Libraries Manager has watched the city, technology and libraries transform, but says it is working with the community that continues to keep him here.

Brian was originally drawn to Porirua by the liveliness of the city when he began as deputy city librarian. Over his career, he has seen major changes across the city, including the development of North City Plaza, the Mega Centre and the area around Te Rauparaha Park.

Libraries have also changed significantly during that time.

“We have moved from a very temperamental mini mainframe with monochrome text screens to a very sophisticated web-based library system, and we no longer have to stamp books,” Brian says.

One of the projects Brian is particularly proud of is the SMART library collaboration, which has connected most of the region through a shared library service.

Despite the changes in technology, Brian says the focus remains on helping library users and supporting the community.

He can still be found on the library floor helping people find a good book to read and connecting with library visitors.

The Porirua Libraries team is now looking forward to the opening of the new Cannons Creek Library, which is due to open next month.

Brian says the new library will provide an important community space for current and future generations.

“The Cannons Creek Library is a vibrant community space that hosts many school visits and has become a thriving after-school spot, as well as being a drop-in place for people to connect and relax.”

“The new library will be a space current and future generations will be proud to call their own.”

Te Waka Whaiora says families struggling with cold homes, food shortages and financial pressure are experiencing conditions that can have lasting effects on children’s wellbeing.

The latest Ministry of Social Development figures show about 169,300 New Zealand children were living in material hardship in 2024/25, around one in seven children. The number has risen sharply since 2022.

Carole Koha, Pou Kaihautu of Te Waka Whaiora, said the wellbeing of tamariki could not be separated from the conditions they lived in.

“A cold house and an empty cupboard don’t just make a child sick. That’s the kind of hardship that follows a person for life, and we see where it leads if nothing changes.”

Te Waka Whaiora provides kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction services across the Porirua to Ōtaki corridor, including health coaches working within GP practices.

Koha said the organisation regularly worked with whānau dealing with pressures extending well beyond what could be addressed through clinical care alone.

“We work with whānau every day who are carrying more than any family should have to. You can’t fix a child’s mental health in a clinic room and send them home to a house that’s cold and a fridge that’s empty.”

The issue has also been raised nationally by outgoing Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, who has described the latest child poverty picture as a “national shame” and called for political parties to agree on a long-term Child Poverty Reduction Accord.

Achmad said about 47,500 more children were living in material hardship than in 2022.

With New Zealand’s general election scheduled for November 7, Koha said child poverty should be treated as a long-term priority rather than simply an election issue.

“This is the kind of thing that gets talked about at election time and forgotten straight after. Given the state of the country right now, and the real chance of a change of government, whoever’s in charge next needs to actually commit, not just talk.”

Te Waka Whaiora is backing the Children’s Commissioner’s call for a cross-party agreement on reducing child poverty.

The funding will go towards practical support including care packages and emergency supply kits for families experiencing sudden financial pressure.

Porirua Whānau Centre Chief Executive Liz Kelly says the grant reflects a relationship built over several years between the charity and Mercury.

“This relationship has grown out of years of Mercury genuinely turning up for our community, so we’re extremely appreciative of the extra support,” she says.

The partnership began through Mercury’s Here to Help programme, which has worked alongside the Whānau Centre to help whānau stay connected to power when previous credit issues may have prevented them from securing an electricity connection.

“Power is one of those things people don’t talk about until they don’t have it,” Kelly says.

“Mercury has patiently worked with us for years to help whānau who’d otherwise be locked out because of a bad credit history can still get connected. That’s a good community partner.”

Porirua Whānau Centre is a kaupapa Māori community hub supporting whānau throughout the greater Wellington region through services including housing support, budget facilitation, early childhood education and wider wraparound assistance.

Kelly says the additional funding will make a practical difference for families who need support.

“We’re grateful Mercury sees the value in what we do here every day.

“We appreciate this isn’t a life changing amount, but anything extra we can put towards supporting our whānau and community is money well spent.”

Mercury says the grant is part of its ongoing commitment to supporting communities and organisations that provide essential services for local families.