IN A series of clicks, poetry fans all over the world can now access the latest offerings from Whitireia New Zealand’s creative writing programme.
 
4th Floor 2012 is the freshest edition of the annual online journal which is a team effort between the tertiary institute’s creative writing and publishing courses.
 
The journal has been published this week for the seventh time to showcase the writing talent surrounding Whitireia Polytechnic’s creative writing students and teaching staff.

The online format works well for creative writing because it’s easily and instantly accessible to people all over the world says Whitireia writing tutor Hinemoana Baker.
 
“The advantages of online publishing are huge in terms of distribution and cost-saving,” she says.
 
She has edited the journal for five years and chooses poetry and prose from submissions for inclusion within it. 

Students from the Diploma of Publishing share the proof-reading work and are responsible for the technical aspects of the online form as well as copy-editing and content management.
 
“It’s a big learning opportunity for them, too, because this is something that really goes out into the world,” she says.
 
Ms Baker describes the journal as a strong collection of writing from a diverse group of contributors.
 
“I think 4th Floor offers a real variety of voices. Whitireia Polytechnic seems to attract a wide student base.”
 
She says creative writing students often choose to go on to further study or write books of poetry but still contribute to the journal.
 
“Often our students go on to do other things but they do feel loyalty to Whitireia,” she says.
 
The school boasts an impressive collection of past students and teachers who have contributed to 4th Floor 2012.
 
These include recently returned Berlin writer-in-residence Kate Camp, Iowa writer-in-residence Jeffrey Paparoa Holman and Lynn Jenner, the 2011 winner of the Jessie Mackay award at NZ Post Book Awards.
 
4th Floor 2012 is also offered as a free downloadable e-book anthology in various formats, and past issues are available from the same site.

THOUSANDS of Wellingtonians packed into Kilbirnie last weekend to revel at the suburb’s annual fair.

Among food and curio stalls, bands and artists played to the crowds across three stages.

A variety of local businesses and politicians were in attendance on the blue sky day. PAUL ORDISH captured the day in pictures.

To see captions for the photo essay photos below, click to make the window full screen, then click on “info” in the top right hand corner of each image.

Young basketballers compete for the ball during SportsFest 2016 at the ASB Sports Centre in Kilbirnie

Kenny McFadden says Kiwi kids as young as nine should already be talking about becoming “student-athletes”, if they wish to continue their sport at a higher level.

McFadden this week saw hundreds of potential student-athletes as an ambassador at Wellington’s second annual schools’ SportsFest.

The American term, defining the balance between sporting life and study, is used by those taking their chosen sport seriously, says the former professional basketballer.

“Although the better kids get the opportunity to get the sports scholarships, you’ve got to think about the schooling prior to going over to the States because you’ve got to pass the academic test to get in,” he says.

McFadden, pictured below, says college sports people from the US have the advantage over other countries as they have been integrating this idea their whole life, hence his insistence on bringing it to New Zealand kids as early as possible.

“You’ve got to have a balance between schoolwork as well as on-court, or field.

“So becoming a student-athlete is one of the biggest messages I want to pass on to these kids,” he says.

They are among about 2,500 nine-to-twelve year-olds from 47 regional schools, all competing in SportsFest.

The two-day, round-robin styled event offers football, netball, dodgeball, hockey, badminton and more across several different Wellington venues.

McFadden, who has been involved with junior coaching and development through Basketball New Zealand since 2003, says it’s always good to see the kids out there participating.

He also praises the tagline of the event – ‘fun, friendship & fairplay’ – as being especially relevant to the age-group.

“It starts with the kids. You’ve got to start from the root, to get to the fruit.

“So if you can establish that type of understanding of values, and why you play in the kids at this level, who are usually only here to have fun, then it’s easier to carry it on as they move on through,” he says.

He uses the event as an opportunity to seek out up-and-coming players.

“I see a lot of kids in Wellington throughout the year be it going to schools or being involved in the basketball itself, but when you’ve got an event like this it gives you a wider understanding of the talent that’s out there,” he says.

Seeing how high the general level of skill is lifting among younger players is exciting for McFadden.

“From when I arrived in 1982, to be able to see the kids at the level that they’re playing at now, and of course one making it all the way to the NBA, it’s great.”

The NBA player he is referring to is 23-year-old Kiwi Steven Adams, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

McFadden brought Adams through his New Zealand Basketball Academy, and served as his mentor for a number of years.

Prior to his work with the academy and Basketball New Zealand, McFadden worked as a player-coach for the Wellington Saints, leading them to seven consecutive finals and winning five of them between 1982 and 1988.

He cites the 1985 game against Auckland as the highlight of his career.

“I shot the winning shot, in overtime, three-pointer. And beat Auckland. That was pretty good.”

WELLINGTON SPORTSFEST 2016 : FAST FACTS

• A partnership between Wellington City Council (WCC), Primary Sport Wellington (PSW), and 11 Regional Sports Organisations (RSO’s)
• Runs over 2 days (Tuesday 16^th August + Wednesday 17^th August)
• Years 5+6 (ages 9+10) compete on the first day and years 7+8 (ages 11+12) compete on the second day
• 47 schools, 325 teams, and 2500+ participants competing
• Offers basketball, rippa rugby, football, netball, dodgeball, hockey, badminton and more across several venues
• Takes the form of a round-robin to ensure maximum playing time for all involved
• Emphasis on “fun, friendship & fairplay”

With fewer and fewer people carrying cash the Cancer Society is looking at new ways to raise money.

The annual Daffodil Day street appeal collects around 200 thousand dollars locally, which is about half of what is raised annually.

Cancer Society manager Graeme Milne says like any event it has a life cycle and they are trying to find new fundraising initiatives beyond the street appeal.

He says this year the Cancer Society is trying to be more digitally oriented

For more information on how you can get involved click here

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