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The Spinoff
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Spinoff
Why league legend Ken Laban wants to be Lower Hutt's first Pasifika mayor
His family is world famous in Wainuiomata, so it was only fitting that Ken Laban launched his mayoral campaign there, at the marae across the road from his beloved league club. Lyric Waiwiri-Smith headed along. It's all go at Wainuiomata Marae an hour before the launch of Ken Laban's mayoral campaign. The 68-year-old former league star and regional councillor is known around these hallways simply as 'uncle', and when we sit down in a corner to speak, the sounds of footsteps pattering through the wharekai, drumming on pātē and laughter from rangatahi almost drown out our conversation. There's plenty of momentum behind the grassroots campaign to elect Lower Hutt's first Pasifika mayor – but when you're already a local legend, that's to be expected. If you grew up in the mighty 'Nui, you're probably already familiar with the Laban family name – few whānau have been as foundational to the commuter town northeast of Wellington. Technically a large suburb of Lower Hutt, it has seen a housing boom in recent years. One of the first Pasifika aiga to settle in Wainuiomata, Laban's father and mother were public servants in Samoa's parliament before transferring to government jobs in Wellington in 1954, raising Ken and his older sister Winnie (who would go on to become the first Pasifika woman elected to Aotearoa's parliament) in the family home the Labans still live in today. The Labans regard this marae as their own, having naturally blended in with local Māori in the suburb (such as the whānau of rugby star Piri Weepu). Ken Laban's father, Ken Snr, was a member of the committee that opened Wainuiomata Marae in the 1970s, and across the road is the stomping grounds of the Wainuiomata Lions, where the mayoral candidate cut his teeth as both a celebrated rugby league player and coach, mentoring generations of future athletes and community leaders on and off the field with advice like 'you can't be a winner on Saturday if you're a loser the rest of the week'. This isn't Laban's first time running for Lower Hutt mayor, having stood in the 2007 race against incumbent David Ogden and then-councillor Ray Wallace, the latter of whom would go on to hold the mayoralty between 2010 and 2019. Once a police officer and then a Sky Sports commentator (he played a pivotal role in bringing First XV rugby games to the broadcaster), Laban became a Hutt City councillor in 2010 before being elected to Wellington Regional Council in 2013, a post he has held since. Laban's one of those older gentlemen who seems to have lived a thousand lives, telling The Spinoff that wrangling a bunch of under-15 league players can't be much harder than taking control of the council table. Going up against current councillors Brady Dyer and Karen Morgan, as well as new candidate Prabha Ravi, he says he's a 'back to basics' kind of guy, who would demand a line-by-line review of the council's budget to ensure core services such as roads, water and infrastructure are up to standard in the Hutt if he was elected. A supporter of the Melling interchange and Riverlink projects, Laban says improving the access ways and roads will be key to ensuring Lower Hutt is a 'progressive, world-class city' – but a second entrance/exit for Wainuiomata is still on the nice-to-have list at this point. To boost the city's economy, Laban would like to see the Hutt become more events-focused, hopefully turning it into a regional tourism destination. More visitors in the Hutt and more bums on seats in bars and restaurants will be key to helping the city dream a little more about what it could provide, he reckons. You might turn your nose up at the thought of Lower Hutt being a destination city, but it's not impossible: Six60 once sold out the Hutt Recreation Ground, after all. Most importantly, Laban says he wants to lead a council that properly reflects the community it serves, and in Lower Hutt, that looks like an ageing population with some 16,000 people over the age of 65 in an overall population of 113,400. 'The majority of people don't give rates a second thought, but – applying the 80/20 rule – for 20% of the population on a fixed income, they have a very different view,' Laban says. 'We need a team to make a difference for the good of all citizens, not just the people who have the money to pay attention.' The idea of a city having its first Pasifika mayor in the year 2025 might bring to mind a smaller-than-average Pacific community, but this isn't the case. According to the 2023 census, there is a larger population chunk of Māori living in Lower Hutt than in the Waikato, while 18.6% of locals identify as Asian, and 12.2% as Pasifika (higher than the national average of 8.9%) . 'Diversity of thought is very important,' Laban says. 'We have to have governing bodies that look like the communities they represent.' However, Laban's not particularly concerned with the title of 'first Pasifika mayor' – rather, he'd just like to be a 'good' mayor. 'None of us can change our life experiences, and you can't unring the bell,' he says. 'My background is my background, and hopefully it'll add something significant.' You could argue the significance is already being felt. Some 300 locals from across the Wellington region showed up to Laban's campaign launch on a Sunday evening, with a strong Labour Party presence including MPs Barbara Edmonds, Ginny Andersen and Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, as well as current Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry, who is not seeking re-election, and Wellington mayor Tory Whanau, who told The Spinoff she was 'pleased' to see Laban, a 'man of the community', running for the top job. The first speaker at the night, Winnie Laban, reflected on the family's roots in the Hutt, and that time her younger brother punched someone on the school grounds for using a racist slur against her. His conflict resolution skills have since improved, she joked, but he had continued to 'stick up and stand by people in need of support', living his life by the Samoan proverb 'o le alai le pule o le tautua' – the path to authority is through service. 'Ken is a coach and team player,' his sister said. 'He always encourages young people to participate in sport, get a good education, get a job, own a business, and be proud of your culture, your language and community.' One of his mentees was Hutt City councillor Josh Briggs, who told attendees that Laban's 'decades of governance experience' on sporting bodies and council tables had made him both a strong chair and collaborator, who was focused on providing equitable outcomes and accountability. Briggs emphasised the support Laban had offered to young Māori and Pasifika over the years: 'When I first stood for public office, Ken was one of the first to come and support me, give me advice, and ask the hard questions … Not only did he push me through the door, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me and walked through [it].'
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Wobbles for proposed competition
The proposed South Island-wide First XV competition has hit a hurdle — some of the schools do not want to play in it. The mooted competition hit the headlines in May when the South Island boys' secondary school principals released a joint statement announcing the attention to develop a new competition. It was billed as part of a wider collaboration between the boys' schools to enhance achievement and the wellbeing of young men. Under the proposal, eight schools from Canterbury and Tasman would join five schools from Otago and Southland in the competition. Waitaki Boys' were quick to opt out, citing resourcing issues and player depth. Now Christchurch Boys' have shied away. Christchurch Boys' acting principal Nigel Vernon told The Press earlier this week the school recognised the value in building stronger connections across South Island boys' schools. "However, we feel we can't endorse the proposal to form a new rugby competition in its current form," Vernon told the newspaper. "At this stage, there are too many question marks for us, with more work needed around long-term sustainability, funding, and the impact on our wider sporting programme and community." There are rumours John McGlashan College has reservations as well. College acting principal John Veitch declined to comment when asked if the school remained committed to the proposed competition. "We have another SI Boys meeting next Monday to further discuss this. Therefore, I cannot comment at this time," he wrote. "Hopefully, all will be sorted out next week." John McGlashan won the Otago Schools Rugby Championship in 2022, but have fallen a little behind the top three school sides — Southland Boys', King's and Otago Boys' — since then. They were beaten 64-12 by Southland Boys' in the Southern Schools Rugby Championship semifinal at the weekend. Otago Boys' rector Richard Hall could not be reached for comment. King's rector Nick McIvor said the school remained excited about joining the new competition "knowing that further details are being worked through on things like funding and how the First XV rugby competition will run in its first year". "With regards to the new competition, there's no negative. "[It's] enabling our boys to be challenged with games outside their region. It's a win for them. "It's also an indication of the strength of unity and leadership of the boys' schools in the South Island in our commitment to world-class boys' education." The co-educational schools are not invited to the new competition. But The Press reported promoters of the South Island-wide tournament were working on a potential compromise. The boys' schools could remain in their current competitions next year alongside the co-educational schools, but could carve out some time for a boys' competition. Otago Secondary Schools Rugby Council chairman Greg Heller did not want to be drawn on the proposed competition and what impact it might have on the Southern Schools Rugby Championship. However, he felt the Championship was a quality competition that produced a high standard of rugby, while also guarding against mismatches. "We think that the current competition is serving the needs of our rugby community," Heller said. "It's inclusive, it's merit-based and it's meaningful. It's allowing our teams to find their place. And we think the competition's in good heart. "We've worked hard to get it where it is currently. And I think we've got the right teams playing in the right grades. "We're not seeing the big blowouts that perhaps we saw previously when we had full round robins."
The South African
02-08-2025
- Sport
- The South African
UPDATED schoolboy First XV rugby rankings after thrilling Paarl derby
The 'unofficial' ranking of South Africa's top schoolboy rugby sides was settled at the Faure Street Stadium in Paarl on Saturday when Paal Boys' High upset hosts Paarl Gimnasium 35-33 in a match that will long live in the memory bank. Any attempt at ranking South Africa's First XV rugby schools is guaranteed to upset as many readers as it will please. The simple fact of the matter is that there is NO possible way of accurately determining a definitive list. Many lists are to be found floating around the internet – none of which are in fact 'official'. While it's true that thanks to an increase in the number of schoolboy rugby festivals around the country more schools are playing schools they previously wouldn't have faced, no school plays every other school both home and away during the season. Hence, every list should be taken with a pinch of salt and is subjective at best. Having said that, here is the unofficial 'official' First XV Top 20 rankings list after the weekend's matches: Ranking School Province 1 Paarl Boys' High Western Cape 2 Paarl Gimnasium Western Cape 3 Grey College Free State 4 Affies Gauteng 5 Oakdale Western Cape 6 Paul Roos Western Cape 7 DHS KwaZulu-Natal 8 Helpmekaar Gauteng 9 Garsfontein Gauteng 10 Noordheuwel Gauteng 12 Stellenberg Western Cape 12 Rondebosch Western Cape 13 Wynberg Western Cape 14 Outeniqua Western Cape 15 Westville KwaZulu-Natal 16 Northwood KwaZulu-Natal 17 Hilton College KwaZulu-Natal 18 Grey High School Eastern Cape 19 Jeppe Gauteng 20 KES Gauteng Milnerton 36-42 Bishops Oakdale 21-17 Paul Roos Outeniqua 45-13 Worcester Gim Paarl Gimnasium 33-35 Paarl Boys' High Parel Vallei 18-52 Wynberg Rondebosch 34-19 HTS Drostdy SACS 43-25 Brackefell Stellenberg 18-10 Boland Landbou Dale College 10-17 Graeme College Grey High School 15-46 Grey College Marlow 24-26 Pearson Stirling 5-33 Hudson Park Glenwood 53-10 Parktown Maritzburg College 27-31 Pretoria Boys High Northwood 5-38 DHS Helpmekaar 38-22 Rustenburg Jeppe 39-31 KES Menlopark 39-35 Monument Noordheuwel 28-22 Garsfontein Waterkloof 19-64 Affies NOTE: More results will be added as they become available Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
25-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Schoolboy First XV fixtures: Bumper weekend ahead
There are several mouth-watering schoolboy rugby fixtures scheduled around South Africa this weekend. Here's the full list ... Image: Home » Schoolboy First XV fixtures: Bumper weekend ahead There are several mouth-watering schoolboy rugby fixtures scheduled around South Africa this weekend. Here's the full list ... Image: It's not just the potential Australia vs British & Irish Lions series decider this weekend, there are also several mouth-watering schoolboy rugby fixtures scheduled around South Africa. As we count down to the biggest schoolboy derby in the world – Paarl Gimnasium vs Paarl Boys' High on Saturday, 2 August – before we get there, there are a number of fixtures you shouldn't miss. Below, selected fixtures from around the country this weekend: Eastern CapePort Rex vs Daniel PienaarHudson Park vs SelborneStirling vs DaleGrey High vs FramesbyNico Malan vs DF MalherbePearson vs GraemeMarlow vs Queen's Brandwag vs Muir Central regionVoortrekker (Bethlehem) vs DiamantveldGoudveld vs SentraalWitteberg vs Jim Fouche Trio vs Fichardtpark KwaZulu-Natal Northwood vs Glenwood NoordvaalAffies vs Maritzburg CollegePretoria Boys' vs KESJeppe vs DHSNorthcliff vs ParktownGarsfontein vs MonumentRustenburg vs EG JansenNoordheuwel vs WaterkloofTransvalia vs HelpmekaarMarais Viljoen vs WesvaliaLigbron vs KlerksdorpMiddelburg vs ZwartkopHTS Middelburg vs Kempton ParkLichtenburg vs Ben VorsterPietersburg vs HeidelbergSecunda vs MontanaHugenote (Springs) vs Die AnkerEldoraigne vs DinamikaPotch Volkskool vs JeuglandBergsig Akademie vs Ermelo Randburg vs Merensky Western CapeHugenote vs Charlie HofmeyrOuteniqua vs StellenbergOakdale vs DrostdyPaarl Boys' vs SACSBoland Landbou vs BishopsPaul Roos vs RondeboschPaarl Gim vs WynbergDurbanville vs BrackenfellStrand vs SwartlandTygerberg vs Milnerton Parel Vallei vs Worcester Gim NOTE: More fixtures will be added as matches are confirmed. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
First XV rugby: Palmerston North dominate Super 8 with win over St John's
Bruce Holloway and Adam Julian First XV wrap: Palmerston North show their class; Rathkeale roar to life in Wellington; Christ's College upset Nelson; Kieran Col reflects on attitude, culture and Crusaders' young guns; Otago Boys' High benefactor Des Smith set to be honoured; all the action nationwide... Palmerston North Boys' have shown why they are leading the Super 8 First XV championship with a seamless 34-0 mid-term breakaway victory over defending Central North Island rugby champions St John's College (Hamilton).
