Join Coach Angelo Robinson and his Team in celebrating an amazing 30 years of Hoop Club Kāpiti.

There have been many challenges along the way, but Coach Angelo has held true to his strong belief of bringing grass roots basketball to Kāpiti and supporting youth in his local community. 

The club says “We would love to know how Hoop Club Kāpiti has helped you? Better still send a video of you answering them.” 

Send your responses to this survey to contact@hoopclubkapiti.nz

Hoop Club Kāpiti is a local Basketball Club serving the Kāpiti Coast.

“Our primary aim is to provide opportunities for Basketball players and supporters of all ages and levels to participate in the sport.

“We promote a positive atmosphere which emphasises and fosters sportsmanship, teamwork, commitment, self improvement, life skills and respect for others. “

For more see: https://www.hoopclubkapiti.nz/

Christensen took the award for Sacred Nightfall, an intricately hand-painted and stitched tapestry which summons an ethereal night goddess from the deep native forests of Aotearoa.

With a strong global field of creatives from 18 countries, New Zealand designers had a standout showing at the 2026 WOW Awards; taking home 15 of the 25 prizes, including the competition’s top two honours.

Kiwi husband-and-wife team Erna Van Der Wat and Karl Van Der Wat received the Runner-Up Award for Armour of Pain, inspired by Erna’s journey with chronic pain, and its transformation from tormentor to mentor – which judges described as a “fearless portrayal of pain and power”.

A 10-time WOW finalist, Waikanae-based Kayla Christensen has received six prior awards, including placing first in the Aotearoa Section in 2024 and receiving the Dame Suzie Moncrieff Award in 2019. WOW Head of Competition Sarah Nathan says judges described Sacred Nightfall as mesmerising and multilayered, rich with kaitiakitanga and wairua.

“Sacred Nightfall asks us to listen to what remains in the darkness and protect what still lives. The extinct whēkau and ruru hinapō are painted back into existence, restoring their memory and honouring the fragile natural world that still surrounds us,” she says.

This year’s winners were selected from 108 finalist entries created by 134 designers from 18 countries; with a prize pool of over $200,000.

Alongside the leading performance of New Zealand designers, multiple artists from Taiwan also enjoyed notable success this year – including student, Cheng-Hung Lin, who took the 2026 Dame Suzie Moncrieff Award; while internationally acclaimed avant-garde designers Bethany Cordwell of Australia and Cecilio Castrillo of Spain took out the Avant-garde Section and Absolutely Positively Wellington International Design Merit Award respectively.

The 2026 WOW Competition judging panel was comprised of WOW Founder, Ambassador, and Resident Judge Dame Suzie Moncrieff; NZ surrealist and expressionist painter Kate MacKenzie and Creative Director of Taylor and The Shelter, Vicki Taylor.

The 2026 World of WearableArt Show: GLO! runs 17 September – 4 October at TSB Arena in Wellington. Tickets are on sale now at worldofwearableart.com

2026 WORLD OF WEARABLEART AWARD WINNERS

Supreme WOW Award: Sacred Nightfall, Kayla Christensen, New Zealand
Supreme WOW Award Runner-up: Armour of Pain, Erna Van Der Wat & Karl Van Der Wat, New Zealand Section winners
Open Section
Winner: More, Katherine Bertram, New Zealand
Runner-up: Spectrum of a Wallflower, Louise MacKay & Allison MacKay, New Zealand
Avant-garde Section
Winner: Hard Exterior, Alter Ego, Bethany Cordwell, Australia
Runner-up: Marginal Gravity, Chao Po-Chien, Shih Chien University, Taiwan
Aotearoa Section
Winner: Sacred Nightfall, Kayla Christensen, New Zealand
Runner-up: MOTHER VAKA, Vasemaca Tavola & Czarina Wilson, New Zealand
Metallic Section
Winner: Armour of Pain, Erna Van Der Wat & Karl Van Der Wat, New Zealand
Runner-up: The Golden Illusion, Shantanu Singh, India
Kinetic Section
Winner: Thoughts, Tracey Murphy & Isabel Costley, New Zealand
Runner-up: Lophii, Joe Blanck, Australia
Bizarre Bra Section
Winner: Bust a Move, Lyndal Linton, New Zealand
Runner-up: Busted!, Katherine Bertram, New Zealand

“The damning report details the inconsistent and incorrect answers, Board-level governance failures, and a lack of transparency around crucial procurement decisions coupled with no records from the time. This has led to aging and broken trucks, and years of delay for replacements,” Costley says.

Costley points to two key examples from the inquiry, relating to different types of fire trucks.

“Thirty new trucks were purchased in 2019, and none of them are in use seven years later. Aerial (ladder) appliances have also suffered significant delays. Despite a ‘final inspection’ in July 2025, they are still sitting with original manufacturers, not yet delivered to FENZ and far from being put into operational use.

“Both contracts are stuck in commercial disputes, with trucks withheld from FENZ while issues are resolved.

“Blaming today’s problems on the state of FENZ at its 2017 inception does not cut it. Many of today’s leaders held leadership roles in the Fire Service prior to 2017, and the state of the many fire appliances today is worse than it was nine years ago. FENZ have been going backwards, not forwards.

Costley says new taxes will not fix FENZ. “Funding has not been the issue, spending and delivery has been. FENZ needs to focus on consistently delivering new trucks into the fleet so every brigade has appliances within the expected age.

“It should not have taken an inquiry like this to bring these issues to light. We have seen misleading response rates, obfuscation over new appliances, and leaders telling the committee that there were processes and equipment were in place that simply were not. I have found the truth not through the answers given to the committee, but through endless hours spent trawling through submissions and speaking with firefighters from north of Auckland to the deep south.

“Despite the challenges the inquiry found, I continue to be impressed by the quality of the men and women who serve in fire stations, both full-time and volunteer,” says Costley.

In May of this year Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden announced a new Chair had been appointed to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board.

“I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Mr Raveen Jaduram as Chair of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board,” said Minister van Velden.

Mr Jaduram succeeds Rebecca Keoghan MNZM, who has served as Chair since July 2021, following her earlier role as Deputy Chair from June 2019.

“I would like to thank Ms Keoghan for her service during a critical period for Fire and Emergency New Zealand. She has supported the organisation through its post-amalgamation phase, strengthening its structure, and advancing important work on workplace culture and organisational integrity,” said van Velden.

ACT Party MP Brooke van Velden is retiring from Parliament in November.

A new essay by Eberhard Zangger, published today in The Ancient Near East Today, argues that the Odyssey is not primarily a tale of adventurous sea voyages but a profound reflection on memory, loss, and the collapse of the Bronze Age world.

The article focuses on one of the most enigmatic sections of the epic: Odysseus’ stay in Scheria, the land of the Phaeacians. Rather than interpreting Scheria as another geographical destination, Zangger proposes that it represents a deliberate literary flashback to the prosperous world that existed before the Trojan War. In this reading, Homer compels Odysseus to encounter once more the civilisation whose destruction he himself helped bring about through the stratagem of the Trojan Horse.

Instead of assuming that Plato simply borrowed Homer’s description, it suggests that both authors may have drawn on a common cultural memory of a flourishing Late Bronze Age civilization remembered after its collapse.

While that might seem a bit more esoteric than most might prefer, Nolan has his own spin on Homer’s classic tale.

Bringing a superb book to the big screen seldom works in translation (The Godfather and obvious exception), but Nolan makes no excuses that his movie is primarily an entertainment, and there it wins.

If you are looking for a Classic tale that might be told by Stephen Fry, prepare to be a tad underwhelmed. However if you seek escapist entertainment Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster version is a thrilling and very entertaining visual spectacle.

On now at Shoreline Cinema Waikanae: https://shorelinecinema.co.nz/movies/814/

Over 150 people attended the 2026 Work Ready Kāpiti Annual Awards at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti last Thursday (10 September), celebrating the outstanding achievements of the local rangatahi, employers, schools, organisations and supporters involved in Work Ready Kāpiti’s programmes. 

Kāpiti Coast Districtwide Councillor Liz Koh was in attendance, presenting awards to some of the 76 graduates of the Work Ready Kāpiti Passport programme. These youth from Kāpiti College, Ōtaki College and Paraparaumu College successfully completed this workbook-based programme that supports them to develop the skills that local employers are seeking. 

The evening was then followed by a celebration of all the award winners in 2026. This year’s award winners are: 

• Best Work Ready Kāpiti Passport, Sponsored by Pzazz Building – Zak Edmonds, for excellence in completing the Work Ready Kāpiti Passport programme.
• #EmployerMeet Star, Sponsored by Fervor – Evelyn Williamson and Jasmine-Lee Follows, for showcasing outstanding engagement, initiative and professionalism to local employers at a Work Ready Kāpiti #EmployerMeet.
• Engaged and Invested, Sponsored by EcoShifter – Kāpiti College, for outstanding commitment as a college or organisation to the Work Ready Kāpiti kaupapa.
• Most Committed Employer of Youth, Sponsored by Bryan Gundersen – Coastlands, for exceptional commitment to supporting youth. Runner-Up: CyberTeam.
• Top WEX Placement, Sponsored by Kāpiti Business Chamber – Luka Meyer, for exceptional performance in her work experience placement.
• Rise to the Challenge, Sponsored by Leith Consulting – Zak Edmonds, for resilience and determination in becoming work ready.
• Youth of the Year, Sponsored by Coastlands – Merika Beach, for embodying the spirit of Work Ready Kāpiti through initiative, leadership, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth. Runner-up: Lachie McBride.

On the night, John Scutter, Chair of the Work Ready Kāpiti Board, said: “Over the past year, hundreds of young people across Kāpiti have taken opportunities to build their confidence, develop their skills, meet employers and start thinking constructively about their futures.

“While tonight we will recognise some individual achievements, I think it is really important that we recognise everyone who has taken part. Whether that is a young person who completed their first interview, an employer who offered a work experience placement, a teacher who encouraged a student to get involved, a volunteer who gave up their time, or one of our funding and business partners who helped make the programmes possible. You have all played a part.

“Work Ready Kāpiti exists because we believe young people deserve the opportunity to understand the world of work, to meet employers and to see what is possible for their future. And importantly, we believe that this works best when the whole community gets behind them,” says Mr Scutter.

The evening also benefited from the talent of local youth, with Year 12 student Sebastian Knighton keeping the crowd engaged as event MC. Fellow Kāpiti College students also wowed the audience with incredible performances from hit musicals, with Louis Okey singing ‘All I Care About’ from Chicago and Carys Ferguson singing ‘When He Sees Me’ from the musical Waitress. 

This event comes at a difficult period for youth employment in New Zealand. According to figures from Stats NZ, 13.8% of 15-24 year olds in New Zealand are unemployed, not in education, or training*. In note of this, Work Ready Kāpiti would like to especially thank all sponsors, funders, partners, colleges and the wider community for their continued support. Their investment helps young people gain confidence, real-world skills, and meaningful connections, opening more opportunities for their future and the growth of the local workforce. 

Follow Work Ready Kāpiti on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok or visit workreadykapiti.com, for up-to-date information about the Work Ready Kāpiti Programmes.

The SFO’s Counter Fraud Centre has been offering free webinars to government agencies, drawing on insights and practical examples from real SFO cases – and will now open these to all businesses with a New Zealand business email address.

“Fraud and corruption can have a substantial impact on businesses, including cost, stress to staff and reputational damage,” SFO Director Karen Chang says.

“We know that when people are under pressure, the risk of an insider threat – someone who can cause harm to an organisation from within – can grow, with small, private companies particularly vulnerable.”

According to a recent global report by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), private companies were victimised by the largest percentage of insider fraud, accounting for 44% of 2402 cases from 143 countries studied, with smaller organisations being the most vulnerable, followed by public companies and government.

The findings are backed by a recent NZ New Zealand Security Intelligence Service report, which says more insiders are causing harm to their organisations. The report said both public and private sector organisations in New Zealand are vulnerable to these threats, including theft of intellectual property, not following proper process, or misuse of assets.

“Very few employees become an insider threat, but they could do disproportionate damage to their organisations,” Ms Chang says. “It’s important to understand the risks and red flags. People may be led to commit fraud or corruption due to a series of pressures and events including financial stress, work dissatisfaction or job insecurity.

“We want to help businesses learn more about strong oversight and controls to detect and prevent fraud and corruption in their organisations.”

Upcoming webinars:

• Corruption 101 – September 22: This webinar explores what corruption looks like in practice, why people become involved, and where risk is highest across common operational areas. Participants will gain a practical, risk-based understanding of how to help strengthen an organisation’s defences.
• Fraud risks in procurement – October 15: In this webinar participants will learn about the various forms of fraud that can occur throughout the procurement lifecycle and see how taking a risk-based approach can help manage the risks.

To register visit: https://www.sfo.govt.nz/counter-fraud/workshops-and-webinars

“Our skilled teachers are passionate about their role and it shows.”

Encouraging and celebrating achievements in the water is the Custard Pie swimmer of the week. A recent winner of this was Ailee. Swim teacher Jasmine says Ailee has been so determined and dedicated to swimming ever since she first came.

“She is very amazing in the water and does an excellent job at swimming. I’m very proud of how far she’s come in the last few months from penguin, to where she is now.

“Ailee struggled a bit on her back but has been trying super hard to get it, and it’s finally paid off with her doing her first length of back kick last Saturday.”

“Ailee I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see you improve even more during the holiday block,” says Jasmine.

Kāpiti Learn to Swim says “Special thanks to the team at Custard Pie for sponsoring Kāpiti learn to swimmer of the week every week. Thank you. We love working with our community. X”

For more see: https://www.swimminglessons.co.nz/

That question sits at the heart of Mother Courage and Her Children, the powerful anti-war play coming to the Kāpiti Coast with Maven Theatre Company in partnership with Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, and with support from Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Arts Sustainability Fund.

Lee Hall’s adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s iconic play follows Mother Courage, played by Lindsey Rusling, a determined woman travelling through war with her children. Doing whatever she can to keep her family alive. Packed with humour, unforgettable characters, stirring music, and moments of heartbreaking humanity, this bold production explores the price of survival in times of conflict.

Written more than 80 years ago, Mother Courage and Her Children remains incredibly relevant. With wars continuing around the world and social division affecting communities, Brecht’s exploration of conflict, survival, compromise and the choices people make in desperate circumstances feels particularly timely. 

While the subject matter is confronting, this is far from a sombre night at the theatre. The production is filled with humour, music and theatrical energy, alongside moments that are both moving and deeply unsettling. It is theatre designed to entertain, challenge and stay with audiences long after the curtain falls.

For Maven Theatre Company, the production continues its commitment to bringing bold, ambitious and thought-provoking theatre to local audiences. Following their inaugural production The Ballad of Maria Marten in 2025, Maven is thrilled to continue their journey with this bold new work for Kāpiti audiences.

The play contains adult themes and some content that may disturb and is recommended for audiences 16+.

What: Mother Courage and Her Children

Where: Te Raukura ki Kāpiti Sir Jon Trimmer Theatre:

When: 2-10 October 2026, 7:30pm.

Tickets $38  – Book at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti or in person at the Coastlands Mall Customer Service Counter.

https://teraukura.nz/event/mother-courage-and-her-children

Jamie, of the Gillies Group, says the development, set in the Mangaroa Valley, combines open space, sunshine, rural outlooks, and practical everyday convenience.

“With Maymorn Train Station nearby and State Highway 2 just a short drive away, residents can enjoy the calm of country-style living without feeling removed from work, schools, shops, and transport links.

“As the development nears completion, buyers can now see the quality of the finished environment taking shape. Roads, services, landscaping, fencing, and open spaces are creating a setting that feels established, considered, and ready for a new community to grow.

Purchasers have been drawn to Maymorn Farm for a variety of reasons. Some value the flat, usable sections and sunny position. Others are choosing the location for its commuter access, rural outlook, and the opportunity to build a modern home that suits the way they want to live.

Maymorn Farm – September Newsletter here: https://443052672.hs-sites-ap1.com/maymorn-farm-news-september-2027?

Wingham joins the Hurricanes following three seasons with the Highlanders and is set to add competition and versatility to the club’s well-stocked front row contingent.

“I’m excited to be joining the Hurricanes in 2027. It’s a great opportunity to rub shoulders with some quality players and coaches, be part of a new environment, and to experience a new place,” Wingham said.

A powerful prop who can play on both sides of the scrum, Wingham came through the ranks in Dunedin, where he attended King’s High School. He was the school’s first New Zealand Schools representative in 23 years when he made the team in 2020 alongside fellow Hurricanes Fehi Fineanganofo, Harry Godfrey, and Siale Lauaki.

The 23-year-old continued his development with the Highlanders U20 side in 2021 and represented North Otago in the Heartland Championship the following year.

Wingham made his NPC debut with Otago in 2023 and has since played 38 times for the province. He started in last year’s historic Ranfurly Shield win over Canterbury and featured regularly in Otago’s run to the 2025 NPC final.

In 2024, Wingham made his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes and made a total of eight appearances for the club.

Regarded as a promising youngster with plenty of potential, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is eager to add Wingham to a cohort of props that also features All Blacks quartet Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pasilio Tosi, and Siale Lauaki.

“Rohan’s a young prop, plays both sides of the scrum, and already has Super Rugby experience,” Laidlaw said.

“With our strong track record of producing quality props, we really feel like we can help develop him through our props who he can learn from and compete against, as well as through Jamie Mackintosh and his coaching.

“He’s a great addition to a strong area of the team. We look forward to him coming here and competing with those boys and putting his best foot forward during pre-season.”

Rohan Wingham

Date of Birth: 4 December 2002 (23-years-old)
Place of Birth: Dunedin
Position: Prop
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 120kg
Club: Dunedin Rugby Football Club
School: King’s High School
Playing Career: North Otago (2022), Otago (2023-present), Highlanders (2024-2026)
Honours: Ranfurly Shield (2025-2026)