BLUESKIN NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Est. 1985 MARCH 2020 Seacliff • Warrington • Evansdale • Waitati • Doctors Point • Purakaunui

In this issue.... Anti-viral elderberries page 2 Our gulls page 4 Blueskin on Show page 6 Waitati School page 11 Waitati Music Festival page 13 International Women’s Day page 14 Blueskin Garden Club page 16 March Wheel of What’s On page 18 plus lots more ... Blueskin Bay Community Spaces Warrington Hall Available for birthdays, family gatherings, exercise classes, dances and do’s etc at reasonable rates. Hire includes a fully equipped kitchen and tables and chairs. Contact Lyn 482 2896 or Rowena 482 2667 Waitati Hall Suitable for large meetings, weddings, parties, concerts, dances etc. (up to 120) features kitchen, toilets, stage, sound system and large projection screen. Contact Blueskin Nurseries at 482 2828 Waitati Hall Meeting Room Suitable for committee meetings, small gatherings, demonstrations etc. (up to 20 people) features kitchen and toilets. Contact Blueskin Nurseries at 482 2828 Blueskin Bay Library Meeting Room Suitable for committee meetings, presentations, training, interviews etc. (up to 12 people) features modular tables, large projection screen, kitchenette and toilets. Contact Blueskin Bay Library 482 2444 | [email protected] Hire charge is usually applicable, details can be obtained on request

2 | March 2020 Waikouaiti Coast Community Board Update Alasdair Morrison

At this time of year overgrown vegetation beside roads and footpaths can become a real issue, particularly with the mix of weather we’ve had over the past few months. DCC is responsible for trimming vegetation half a metre past the water table beside our roads & footpaths. The present system has the Transportation Department responsible for the actual roads and footpaths, but Parks & Recreation Department responsible for trimming vegetation. There have been some problems with this system and that will change from 1st May when Transportation takes responsibility for all of it. After speaking with folk who actually use the bus service from Dunedin City to the north coast area, we have submitted a draft preferred bus timetable to Otago Regional Council for discussion. We have asked for a service that recognizes that people have to get to the city in time for work and return afterwards; that people would like to go to the city at weekends, and also in the evenings to go to a movie, a concert or a sporting event. We will keep you updated with progress. The Board is allocated a Discretionary Fund of $10,000 each year which is used to provide financial assistance to community groups. If you, or someone you know, would like to apply for a grant, you can find the application form on the Dunedin City Council Website under ‘Community Boards’. Alternatively, you can speak to our Governance Support Officer, Rebecca Murray, on 477 4000, or have a chat with any of the board members. On the DCC Website you can also find Agendas, Meeting Minutes and Meeting Schedules. Our next formal meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th March. in Karitane Hall. Please feel free to give me a call with any concerns or comments you may have. Alasdair Morrison, Chairman, Waikouaiti Coast Community Board. Ph. 0274 354 384

To make the tincture: Put a cup of dried elderberries in a preserving jar and Anti-viral elderberries cover them with alcohol like vodka or brandy. Put on the lid and shake the bottle. Store it in a dark cupboard and shake every day for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, strain your tincture through some muslin and squeeze out as much juice as possible. Store in a dark glass bottle.

Dosages: At the onset of illness: adults take 1 teaspoon of tincture 3 times a day. Children take 1/2 a teaspoon 3 times a day As a preventative when other people around you have a virus: adults take 1 teaspoon once a day. Children take 1/2 teaspoon once a day by Hilary Rowley Elderberry Syrup 500g sprigged elderberries (pull the berries off the stalks Elderberries are a great natural remedy for the viruses with a fork) which appear in the cooler months and with the onset of Put the berries in a pot with the rind of half a lemon. Autumn it is a good time to start thinking about how we Cover with water and gently simmer for 30 minutes until might use them. Something we can all do which is really the berries break up. Strain through muslin into a bowl. helpful is to make some elderberry cordial or tincture Return the juice to the pot and add 350 g of sugar or and it is elderberry season right now. The trees are very honey and 1tablespoon of lemon juice. Heat until the common around here and it seems to have been a good sugar is dissolved, then put into a sterilized bottle and season for elderberries this year (a bit of good luck). seal. Store in the fridge. Elderberries enhance the immune system by boosting Use as a cough syrup or take a Tablespoon full 3 times a the bodies production of Cytokines which are the day at the onset of illness. messengers for immune system defence. They are also You can freeze elderberries until you are ready to use filled with antioxidants for reducing inflammation in the them. These elderberry potions are great for normal body which is under attack from a virus. winter illnesses and they taste pretty good too. March 2020 | 3 WHO WILL WEAR THE CROWN? TOUGHEST Chick in Town

Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust March 2020 We need low carbon builds to reduce climate impacts. The climate safe house is a model of low carbon construction and low lifetime carbon. We need simple and affordable construction with high performance technology. The climate safe house is a model of an This year at Blueskin on Show the draw card event is the adaptable, affordable, transportable quality build. We Toughest Chick in Town contest, following on from last need to reduce construction waste. The climate safe years popular Brutey Pageant. house used prefabricated components to avoid waste to landfill. We need to ensure climate justice. The climate We expect that Sheilas will be flocking to the safe house is a model of collective responsibility to avoid neighbourhood to take part in the event, Powerhouse climate ghettoisation. Pixies, Vivacious Vixen and Iron Maidens will be the The formal opening by Marama Davidson MP (pictured divisions, allowing all ages 16 and above to participate. above) was on 19 February and the house will soon be Like the Southern woman challenge contestants will be inhabited. Constructed with Structural Insulated Panels, expected to answer a few personality questions by way of double glazed windows and doors, heat recovery active an introduction, belt out a verse of their Tough chick tune ventilation, grid tied solar system with battery pack for independence and a biolytix septic system, the climate (a song or piece of prose as to why they should win). safe house is a model of adaptability, affordability, After dazzling the judges, the competition will get under transportability, all in a warm and cosy home for a Waitati way in earnest, with displays of skills, speed and strength resident. We hope to replicate this model for others. But expected. please respect that this house is now a private residence. The event will run in heats of 3 or 4 and those will the Our many partners included the Dunedin City Council, best time will become finalists and compete for the Naylor Love, Formance, Otago Polytechnic and Placemakers, and 40 other generous sponsors donated Crown and Title Toughest Chick in Town. materials and/or services. Our femme fatales will need to survive the guy bucking Housing and the built environment is one of the (a variation of the rodeo event) then contestants will be big issues we face, in Blueskin Bay, in Dunedin and expected to wheel a barrow, stack some wood, ram a nationally. It’s not only the climate risk, it’s also the waratah and sprint back via the warrior princess obstacle housing affordability problem that is challenging course. politicians and policy makers alike. BRCT is a partner Finally and most important will be getting the cap off in the new United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) for Sustainability here in Otago (www.rceotago. a (ginger) beer using a weapon of choice, a chance to co.nz), and the climate safe house project is one of the display non traditional methods and some kiwi chick RCE’s key projects. We’re excited that we have proof ingenuity to scull (skol) the beverage and finish in the of concept for climate safe housing and through the best time! partnership can work to expand the model and So if you are known to be a tough Sheila, strong, become part of the larger solution. The BRCT website is adventurous, and share a sense of sisterhood, this event www.brct.org.nz and you can contact us by email office@ brct.org.nz or by phone on 03 482 2048. is for you to showcase these skills By Scott Willis Mandy Mayhem-Bullock 4 | March 2020 My summer scholarship is aimed at developing a procedure to use remote sensing software to digitize the Waitati Inlet. By analysing the digitized data, we hope to detect the change of the Ulva spp. cover over the past 20+ years and the patchiness over the past 5 years. Blueskin Bay Myrene Otis – Nitrogen loadings The Otago Regional Council in 2020 will undertake Watch an assessment of nitrogen loading to Blueskin Bay to establish whether the estuary is at risk of eutrophication/ Written by Sue Hensley. over-enrichment. We aim to augment this monitoring of the two main inflows by undertaking water quality We are so lucky to have amazing scientists who live in sampling of various tributaries, specifically during flood our Bay. Jenny Gleeson has been writing of Steve Wing. events. Another is Marc Schallenberg who is passionate about the environment and is here for the long term uncovering My project aims to create a workable methodology for the pieces of how things work. Two of his summer quantifying nitrogen inputs from sewage treatment students have been working in the Bay and they have plants and septic systems. Developing such a framework supplied summaries of their work as follows. will aid our ability to determine appropriate nutrient budgets for estuarine systems. Xuhong Chai – Sea lettuce – Ulva BBW has booked the Waitati Hall for April 7th when The freely available Sentinel 2 and Landsat satellite we can hear more about these projects and their imagery datasets provide cost effective opportunities for investigating the long-term trends of the sea lettuce Ulva conclusions. spp. in the Waitati Inlet (Blueskin estuary). blueskinbaywatch.wordpress.com

Karoro

Our Gulls Tarapuka Tarapunga

New Zealand has three Unbeknownst to most residents its home. Nests are built on braided native gulls but only one who bring their dogs to the beach river beds in September and so to have a good run and a chase of we see the Tarapuka arrive here in endemic gull – found only in the seagulls – Tarapuka have been autumn to feed. New Zealand. And this gull classified as Nationally Critical, What about others gulls? Our – Tarapuka – the Black billed the most endangered of categories two other native species (non – gull visits Warrington Beach. of the New Zealand Threat endemic), are Tarapunga, the Red – billed gull that we see in greater They commonly meet at the small Classification System (NZTCS). The numbers on the beach regularly and stream that meets the beach at same classification as Kiwi, Kakapo of course Karoro, the larger Back the Warrington Beach access car and Takahe. It is one of our New Backed gull – a bit of a bossy-boots park. A shy animal – this is not the Zealand treasures that is in danger and likely to go for those hot chips! cheeky seagull that swoops in on of extinction. It has the unfortunate our fish and chip picnic! Rather, the distinction of being the most I hope you have fun identifying Tarapuka tends to mind its own threatened gull species in the world. these three bird species – our New business, feeding at sea or hunting We are so lucky that this bird has Zealand Gulls. for grubs in wet pastureland. chosen to make Warrington Beach

March 2020 | 5 6 | March 2020 BLUESKIN ON SHOW The Historian Produce Schedule News from the archives Organised by the Blueskin Garden Club The Railway at Purakanui Blueskin A&P Society ‘Blueskin on Show Day.’ 5 April 2020 Entry Requirements – All sections are open to all age groups (except for entries for decorated wheelbarrows and hats) – Entries for produce etc is between 10am and 11.30am on the day. – All vegetables, fruit and flowers must have been grown in your own garden. – Please bring your own containers for display and water for flowers – Entries must be collected between 3pm and 3.30pm Please note any unclaimed produce will be donated to the Waitati Anti Scurvy pantry at the Library

Produce Section Vegetables Preserves Workman some secured by ropes use crowbars and hammers to cut 1. carrots 3 1. jar of pickles railway track on a cliff face near 2. onions 3 2. jar of relish or chutney Purakanui Otago 1875 3. potatoes 3 3. bottle of savoury sauce Hocken Collections 4. garlic 3 4. jar of jelly Blueskin Cliffs. 5. beetroot 3 5. jar of jam STAR, ISSUE 6289, 13 JULY 1888 6. pumpkin 1 6. jar of preserved fruit Papers Past – The National Library 7. silverbeet 1 bunch 7. jar of preserved beetroot 8. any other vegetable 8. any other preserve

Fruit Flowers 1. eating apples 3 1. Tussie Mussie using flowers and herbs 2. cooking apples 3 2. Rose – one stem, single bloom 3. pears 3 3. Rose – one stem, multi bloom 4. tomatoes 3 4. Dahlia – one stem, any colour 5. cherry tomatoes 3 5. Hydrangea – one head 6. small bowl of berry fruit 6. Any other flower 7. any other fruit

Novelty Other. 1. biggest root vegetable 1. Best Decorated Wheelbarrow 2. character carrot 2. Basket of mixed fruit and vegetables 3. longest bean 3. Decorated Hat 4. fattest rhubarb Three age groups for wheelbarrows and hats. Under 8 yrs, under 14 years, over 14 years Sand Saucers to be made on site, all requirements will be provided A Display Box of Garden Produce grown at local schools and play centres Visit the Blueskin Garden Club marquee to purchase Raffles and Plants

March 2020 | 7 BLUESKIN BAY LIBRARY 28 Harvey Street, Waitati, 9085 • Ph 03 474-3690

WHAT’S ON Beyond all binaries Friday 27 March, 5pm Children’s Book Club SHE + THEY is a casual interview-style, Q&A with a Monday 9 March, 3.30 - 4.30pm small-town Northland couple that began hormone therapy in opposite directions at the same time. It highlights the humour, challenges, surprises, and greater love they found together as individuals, and a couple in their own regional community. Its intention is to bring the growing diverse population to underexposed areas in a personable, friendly, and all-ages way. Blueskin Bay Knitwits Mondays, 6.30 - 8.30pm 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesdays, 2.30 - 4.30pm All ages and experience levels are welcome. Bring your own wool and knitting needles, and maybe a This month we’ll be looking at a favourite art activity pattern or two to swap with fellow knitters. – the art of paper marbling. I’ve found some old and some contemporary examples to inspire us before Wunderkammer we have a go and get creative. – Stephaney We’re not over the teapot theme just yet, in one of our cabinets we have Kay’s beautiful handmade Lego Club teacosies. The other cabinet houses a sample of Thursday 19 March, 3.30 - 4.30pm Paul Clement’s fascinating bottle collection. We supply the Lego you bring your imagination. Suitable for ages 5+. Dunedin Public Libraries App The DPL App makes reserving and extending loans Game On! really easy, ask at the desk or search your App Store Every Thursday, 2 - 5pm for Dunedin Public Libraries. We have chess, Monopoly, Uno, Connect 4, Tumble and more – games galore for all ages available in the library meeting room every Thursday afternoon. Bookshare Friday 27 March, 2.30 - 3.30pm Nau mai haere mai. Our Book Share group is growing. Please join us each month for a lively kōrero about what’s hot (and what’s not) in Te Ao Pukapuka Service Centre (the world of books). Refreshments provided. Open until 5pm weekdays for DCC rubbish bags, dog registrations, Bokashi buckets, parking fines and rates. DCC Rates are due 6 March 2020.

Book a Librarian Need help using the library? We can show you how to use our computers, search our catalogue, set up an email account, download e-books or e- audio, and help with your research project. Talk to us about booking a FREE 30 minute session, for one on one assistance with a librarian.

Library Hours Mon & Tues: 2-6pm Wed, Thurs & Fri: 10am - 12pm & 2-6pm Sat: 10am - 1pm

8 | March 2020

What Makes me Mad The Rant Seeing a news item about another penguin killed by an unleashed by Dean Griffiths dog. Why is that so many dog owners have a sense of entitlement This is an opinion piece designed to promote when it comes to taking their dogs to the beach, unleashed and feedback. If you feel you'd like to respond – not under control. I have personally witnessed dogs chasing and email [email protected] harassing our precious native wildlife while their owners don’t notice, turn a blind eye, and sometimes even laugh and encourage the dog. With so many native birds in decline and at risk at the very least we should give them the space and peace to live their lives free of the stress of roaming dogs. After all the beach is there natural habitat and their home. Control your dogs please and a big yahoo to those that already do. What makes me sad: That racism is still pervasive in our society. I see it on the bus, in shops and on the street. And racism does not have to be verbal it takes many forms. I hope future generations have an education that tells our true history, teaches understanding and tolerance of things we don’t understand like other cultures and religions. We can build a better - more accepting world through knowledge, compassion, shared experiences, and open minds. What makes me glad: Kindness in all its forms. Kindness is contagious in the best possible way. It can turn a bad day good, turn a frown to a smile, it can surprise, uplift, invigorate and it just feels good no matter who it comes from or what form it takes. I love living in a community where kindness is all around, where our neighbours and loved ones give kindness unconditionally. I challenge everyone to a random act of kindness, it can be as small or as big as you want it to be. Lets make kindness the norm!

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March 2020 | 9 Purakanui Blueskin Playcentre School Kia ora e te takata o Waitētē It is great to be back at school and to catch up with Our first session everyone’s holiday stories and adventures. It was exciting of 2020 was to spend time at school over the summer break and see Monday 3 Feb. We our renovations take shape. The renovations are now were stoked to complete and look wonderful, giving us new spaces and a be back in to the lovely new look. Thanks to the North Coast Builders team swing of things, who have put a massive effort in to get the job done, and and the kids were the care and attention to detail and the finish has been quick to whip out exceptional. We appreciate these efforts and it has been the playdough great to have a local building business do the work. ingredients. After much deliberation they decided on blue and yellow dye and watched the colours blend as we worked. Playdough is therapeutic and some of the best adult laughs are had over a fresh, warm batch We had a brilliant time digging up a very impressive crop of dough. We found some biscuits trays recycled from of garlic on the first day back this year and it should be enough to keep our Friday lunches nice and healthy for the Christmas period and filled them with invented a while. Our first term topic is going to be Food Science dough deserts, miniature blue pumpkins and planted which is designed to tie in with our work with our Ministry dough gardens with dough seeds... Our dirt garden got a of Education funded Science advisor Kate Rice and also to thorough weeding and our snap peas had grown bigger celebrate the new kitchen space in the senior class. than ever over the break! We are also looking forward to our whole school camp Our littlest one on session, 18 months, was found in the coming up later in February which will see us head over Wendy house making herself a fennel and snap pea salad to Hoopers Inlet on the Otago Peninsula. This camp is in a teapot and feeding a baby doll. Too cute! designed to have us explore and appreciate a part of our We are on our way to getting a major shade sail system local environment that we don’t get to very often. built. And are making life easier by buying a dishwasher Any queries about Pūrākaunui School please call the for the parents kitchen. So Thank You! Yes you! We office on 4821026. wouldn’t have the means without the community that Tim Cook Principal gets behind our fundraising efforts.

Waitati Toastmasters Waitati Toastmasters has started off the New Year well with enjoyable meetings and members improving both their confidence and speaking skills. A new development for the club, is the decision to extend its reach by holding meetings on alternate weeks in Port Chalmers. This will mean that the Port Chalmers community will have access to an efficient and affordable way of gaining good communication skills in a supportive and enjoyable club atmosphere. Members learn to effectively organise and express their ideas, opening up an entirely new world of possibilities. Commencing on 4 March, the club will meet at 7pm at the Port Chalmers Library on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, and at Blueskin Bay library on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. The Toastmasters network of clubs, and the learn-by-doing Toastmasters education programme are a proven formula to help its members become a better speaker and leader. Visitors and new members are very welcome. For information about Toastmasters: www.toastmasters.org, email: [email protected] or Facebook @waitatitoastmasters.

10 | March 2020 WAITATI SCHOOL UPDATE We started the year with a mihi to welcome new students The Children of to our whanau. Nau mai, haere mai! We have been busy Tane Mahuta Shiver. getting into the swing of things including some amazing by Alex Gordon art work (see below). She stares out over the ocean Walk n Wheel Week without even noticing it. Monday 24 February – Friday 28 February All she can see We are encouraging all tamariki to walk, cycle, scooter or are the things skateboard to school this week. We will have a walking she thinks bus from the library every morning leaving at around she’s lost. 8.30am. If you normally drop your child/ren off to school, The gales that Metservice forecast never arrived, drop them to the library to walk with us. We are also but a gusty nor’ wester going to have the Mayor of Dunedin join us walking to rattles the windows, school on the Wednesday 19 February. bringing her back Tuesday 3 March | East Otago Senior Swimming Sports just in time Friday 6 March | School Closed – Teacher Only day to see 10-12 March | Kapuka camp – Puketeraki Marae the show: the invisible fingers of Tawhirimatea Monday 23 March | School closed Otago Anniversary playfully raking the forest canopy, sending shimmering ripples across the lush green January growth. Twinkling emeralds. The children of Tane Mahuta shiver. She says a prayer under her breath to the wind who gives no indication one way or the other. And the old spayed tom, flies bristling, spooked out the cat door and under the house.

WASTE MINIMISATION GRANTS The March funding round for contestable grants for waste minimisation small projects and community initiatives is now open. Applications are open to any idea, project, initiative or event that encourages, promotes or administers waste minimisation activities in Dunedin. • Small grants (available all year round) – applications up to $500 Now open for applications. Closes 5pm Friday, 27 March 2020 • Community projects and initiatives – up to $5,000 Application forms are available at www.dunedin.govt.nz/wmf or contact the Waste Minimisation Officer for further information on 03 477 4000.

03 477 4000 www.dunedin.govt.nz

March 2020 | 11 There’s a lot happening during this year’s Wild Dunedin Festival with events for all ages during the April school holidays. The Idiot Driver This year there’s a focus on rewilding. Orokonui Ecosanctuary is holding a Walk The idiot drives along for Wildlife, and on Earth Day you can explore the Ecosanctuary for a heavily reduced entrance fee. At a raging, break neck pace. The Halo Project is running a Landowners Field Trip in the West Harbour area What does he think he’s doing? to show you how to fund and implement a biodiversity rich reforestation plan Does he think he’s in a race? for your property. Does he care whose round the The popular guided walk on Huriawa Peninsula through the historic Te Pā corner? a Te Wera is on again this year, with a bus from the Octagon providing free transport to Karitane. Does he have to make such haste? You can catch the Port to Port Ferry from Back Beach to Wild Food Webs Does he have no-one to love him? and Fishy Feasts and a Seaweed Workshop at the Marine Studies Centre at Is his life so cheap to waste? Portobello, and also to Quarantine Island for their Rewilding Open Day. Does he ever think of others? Larnach Castle is running a Native Plant Detective activity throughout the school holidays, with prizes, and free entry for children. The Royal Albatross What a head on crash can do? Centre is putting on express tours at a bargain price, Blue Penguins Pukekura Life spent in a wheelchair. will have excellent family deals, and Penguin Place and Monarch Wildlife Cruises are offering discounts for their tours. This is a great time to visit these The odd orphan or two. local wildlife attractions, when tourism is winding down. Some say “time is money” Many other wild activities will be available at Otago Peninsula, Sinclair “What price a life?, “I say Wetland, Otago Museum, Toitū, Tomahawk Lagoon, Ribbonwood Nursery, Just stop your careless driving, NHNZ, Dunedin Public Library and the Art Gallery. And special guest Suzy Cato and local musicians will be celebrating nature through music and song. When you go out today! For all Festival information, and to become a friend and have early access to Lynda Peppercorn/Bassett the online programme and preferential bookings, visit www.wilddunedin.nz. And you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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12 | March 2020 The 9th Waitati Music & Arts Festival was held on Saturday, 22 WE SLEEP SAFE IN February. Although the day started off wet, blue skies came a went and most showers seemed to magically go around the hills, it got OUR BEDS… chilly into the evening but all in all we were very lucky weather wise Every day or two, we hear the Three stages featured music from bands & DJ’s, plus poets, comedians Waitati siren start up, wailing out and rappers. Die!Die!Die!, Soaked Oats, Soul Kitchen, Tiny Pieces of 8 and its mournful call to action. We then Skulldubbery are a few of the 35 bands who performed. hear the excitable first responders racing off from all corners in their One highlight for parents was the large kids zone offering a free program cars and trucks. It’s just what of fun and creative activities, a play area and a youth zone. Multiple arts happens around here. We take it for projects filled the festival site with colour. granted, it happens so often, and we WMF is the first festival (in the world we think!) to have equal gender balance turn over to carry on with our daily on the electronic dance music stage. The Mini Rave dance music stage routines… features 50% female talent which has not been seen at a festival ever! Since But every now and then the fickle the beginning of time male performers have dominated the dance music finger of fate points at our own scene but Dunedin is bucking the trend with an increasing number of ladies situation, and we are suddenly the (with great skills) taking to the stage each year. Hip Hop Rappers Totoro Crew grateful recipients of this amazing and Chunky Pony were highlights. first responder service. It may be a Dunedin as the City of Literature was represented on the Poet Pallet where medical emergency at the Domain, 25 spoken word acts featured, including David Eggleton. Whiskey and the a car crash on the motorway, or Wench kicked off the day and Surfer rocker Shakes and the Trouble makers a chimney fire in the village. In finished the festival in fine style. our case, it was a hedge fire. Every Waitati Music Fest 2020, aimed to be Zero Waste, meaning people were single time, it is a familiar, everyday encouraged to bring reusable cups & plates and all waste is recycled to avoid situation turned upside down by anything going to the landfill. circumstance, and life suddenly seems fragile as we sit on the edge This event grows every year and just keeps getting better, huge thanks to of trauma… all the wonderful local people who make up the massive crew that put this together each year. We love it! You realise that you are helpless to cope. It’s bigger than you can deal with. All you can do is phone the emergency number and wait. The garden hose is an embarrassingly weak defence against a wall of fire. When the Fire Brigade arrive, it is wonderfully reassuring. They have the gear, the experience, and the confidence to cope. It still seems incredible that this safety blanket that we regularly throw over our community is largely voluntary in nature, and yet so professional in its practice. The Waitati Fire Brigade is an absolute bedrock service within our community that allows us all to sleep safely in our beds. With global warming, we will inevitably be experiencing more and more adverse weather events, and it is so good to know that there are people from within the community working tirelessly for the community, and they will be there for us at the most challenging of times that we might face. Our thanks go out to them, Chris and Lois Skellett

March 2020 | 13 For life and land: international women’s day 2020 Let us not forget that it was first called ‘International Derek the working women’s’ day. Women do the majority of the world’s work, much of it unpaid. Caring for others, Dunnock domestic, sexual and birthing labour and more. Yet still I’m sure all of you have been wondering why I haven’t women are the poorest of the poor, with Pacific and Māori contributed to our local newsletter of late. The simple women bearing the brunt, experiencing poverty and low answer is moult – M-O-U-L-T. If you’s a Yank – oh sorry pay disproportionate to men and to white women. – from the U.S. of A., then it’s MOLT – looks even more “But we gave you the vote”, they say. As if that’s all we dismal doesn’t it. And indeed it is. You’s Homo so-called ever needed. The struggle is not over. For we need the sapiens have no idea. Imagine there y’are in all your state to not take women’s babies, the rivers and air to be finery down at the Gallery dancing to the D-Street Blues healthy, our bodies to be free from coercion and violence. Band and your jeans fall off, just like that, on to the floor. That’s what it’s like. There I was waiting for a few crumbs Women are still being bombarded by pressures, from a pizza at the Gallery when half me tail feathers expectations. Still women struggle with eating disorders, fall to the ground. Now it’s all right for you H. Sapienses self-harm and trauma. These are more than problems of – you can go off to Katmandu if you’re well off and buy a the individual, they are manifestations of a sick society new pair of jeans – or if you’re poor to the Sally army. Us taken inside the body. dunnocks have to suffer our new retrices and remiges Still the benefits are below liveable levels. Still housing, (wing and tail feathers) erupting from our skin like the debt and living costs make everyone’s lives difficult. Still way you lot teethe when you’re kids. All over our bodies. the violence we experience is largely from those known Underwear included. Every bloody year. And not only to us: friends, partners, family members. Still we long that, it happens after the best of summer is over and for equal, reciprocal relationships. So still women must we’re headed for winter. We sit under a bush and pick up gather together, support each other and work for the world bits of food when no one’s looking at our bald spot and of justice and freedom for which we long. lack of underwear. No wonder we’re quiet. Talk about The feminist struggles around the world are inspiring: in stress. Chile women opposing femicide, South Korea against spy- I’m one of the lucky ones. My teens left home before camera sexual exploitation and Saudi Arabia against male Christmas. Davinia Dunnock up on lower Don’s Creek guardianship. Women are leading and contributing to has still got a couple of teenagers hanging round to be important struggles for land, life and self determination. fed and her retrices and remiges are falling out 10 to Here in Aotearoa, Māori women have been leading the the dozen. Not only that, she has to look out for those struggle for babies, land and water to be protected and top predators (Karearea – NZ Falcon) zapping around respected. Women’s work is vital. In amongst the sweat picking off youngsters to the tune of a thousand a and tears, we must find space to regenerate, to grieve this year. Lucky there’s plenty of rosellas. Pity about the overwhelming world together. Let us feel the pain and hope, bellbirds. Davinia thought it a bit odd that the Orokonui together. Happy international working women’s day Ecosanctuary celebrated the arrival of said top predator. Davinia thought they’d paid a lot of money to get rid of Kyra Gillies the predators and here they are celebrating the arrival of the meanest bird-eating species of the lot. I’ll be sitting under me bush grumpy as Eeyor for the next few weeks until me gladrags start looking respectable again. See you next month if I’ve finished moulting.

Blueskin General Store 1551 Waikouaiti-Waitati Rd, Waitati 9085 Mon – Sat 7:30am – 7:00pm; Sun 9:00am – 7:00pm Tel 03 482 2741

14 | March 2020 WAITATI BOOK CLUB by Ian Melvin

Jan. Started our year in style with TV MOVIES a pizza evening at The Old Storage War on Plastic – Hugh Fearnley- 1917 – WW1 movie recommended Room Karitane with partners. A Whittingstall (River Cottage) leads by Martin and Paul “great camera great nite. Thanks to Nico and the charge against plastic*. BBC1 work, feels like you are right there!” Thomas and team for their generous doc series includes wet wipes mostly BEER hospitality. plastic end up in sewerage! Follows British recycling to Malaysia where Marc recommends after reading Feb. First meeting, a bbq above Richard Emerson’s The Hopfather Thornicroft Rd, overlooking the bay. it is stockpiled or burnt causing health issues for locals!! and trying some of his signature beers eg “Taieri George” THE BOOK *Watch it here: www.dailymotion.com/video/ The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos x7ax51ce And then moving onto beers that Ruiz Zafón, met with general MUSIC inspired them: Chimay Blue and approval from members present. Gulden Drak ( both Belgian) Concert program RNZ. Demise Marc “entertaining but with of? Helen Clark describes cuts as “from hop dominated beers to sweet reservations” echoed most of us. “dumbing down of NZ culture” high alcohol complexity – Yum!” Scott only one keen to read more in Discover classical music gems eg. In the same vein, from me series. KHANDOSHKIN Folk songs in the Rinkus�kiai Porteris from Lithuania Other books Russian Salon – Olga Pasiechnyk lovely malty dark beer 9.5/ 10 Ian – The No 1 Detective Agency by soprano accompanied by violin and WORD Harpsichord. Best Sunday morning Alexander McCall-Smith, a series Agitate – to disturb, keep moving, music ever. set in Botswana. All great feel good keep up the discussion of a question. reading 8.9/10 THE MEANING OF LIFE Growing up, it all seems so one- sided, Opinions all provided, The future pre-decided, Detached and subdivided, In the mass- production zone Nowhere is the dreamer, Or the misfit so alone “Subdivisions” Neil Peart/Rush.

THE OLD STORAGE WANTED Shop & Cafe ROOM @ all-round talented OPENING HOURS colleague Mon -Thur weekdays & ends 8.30 am - 6pm wood fired pizza Fri & Sat antipasti & more fri & sat from 4.30 pm - 8 pm manager's license 8.30 am - 7.30pm sun from 12 pm- 3.30pm Sun local beers & wines (kitchen closes 30 min earlier) 9.30 am - 5pm

Book a table: 03 465 7331 | fb: Salt & Sugar 03 465 7331 Salt & Sugar General Store General Store | [email protected] [email protected]

March 2020 | 15 Warrington Fire Letter to the Editor, Blueskin News On Saturday 11 January past we experienced a major fire around our houses here in Warrington, an exploding “A gardener, asked for secret of his/her success, transformer dropped a lighted fuse onto our macrocarpa replied “Trowel and Error” hedge. With the Nor’Wester wind blowing that day On Thursday 13 February sixteen of us took the flying embers quickly ignited another macrocarpa hedge opportunity to wander around Warrington and admire across the other side of our property. Fire brigades three wonderful gardens, one a well established garden were quickly summoned and just in time managed to belonging to Tessa and Mark which featured everything control the blaze This blaze could be seen all around from berries, fruit trees, nut trees and very healthy Blueskin Bay. We were immediately struck just how looking raised gardens containing many different veges supportive and helpful both the fire brigade and the local and ne’er an aphid in sight. Warrington community were. Locals turned out offering The second, less than three years old, had beautiful tone buckets, food, water and assisted with the brigade hoses. on tone plantings , newly constructed glasshouse and We were extremely anxious as we stood looking at our featured an authentic Japanese gate. It too had fruit house in between these two macrocarpa hedges which trees which were fairly new plantings, yet to produce by now had become raging infernos. fruit and it showed us what can be achieved on a very We would like to pass our most heartfelt thanks to not steep site. Thank you Heather and Cris. only the members of our fire service, both volunteers The third, was only 9 months old. Not that you’d know and otherwise but to the general public especially from by the evidence of shrubs, annuals and colourful houses around our Ferguson street property. Whilst perennials, all of which looked like they had been there our property was relatively unscathed, our neighbours, for quite some time. We were all blown away by the especially one in particular had a very sad outcome – their amount of work that has gone into your garden, thank you Lesley and Pete. home uninhabitable. It certainly brought home to us the potential danger of living close to large macrocarpa Over a cuppa and lots of natter, we chose the vege and hedges and thank goodness for the water supply from the flower competition and many availed themselves of a school swimming pool. What a privilege to live in a place purchase from the sales table. For information on all our club activities, please phone Lyn 482 2896 or Daphne with such a great community spirit. 482 2428. Sincerely, Lyne Carlyle Alistair and Jacquie Wright

Warrington Surf Life Saving Club

Warrington Beach is a busy place in the summer, with skills is clearly valued by local parents. Why not come more swimmers and a growing number of Warrington down and join us for a sausage a free cuppa and a chat Surf Life Saving Club members. and learn how you can be part of this great community On Saturday mornings, likely your peace is disturbed for initiative. a couple of hours while our Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Competitions are a way of encouraging our members to teams practice their skills in rescue techniques with the train and extend themselves in the sea water. National five other clubs in Otago joining us on the beach. The IRB and Regional Competitions are commonly held at our is the key tool for deep water rescue and WSLSC drivers beautiful sheltered beach – the Junior South Island and crew are among the top 10 teams in NZ. Champs and Senior Southern Regional Champs as well Our Junior Surf group are out in force on Sunday as South Island IRB competitions – come along and mornings, 10am – 12 with a community Sausage sizzle at watch these hardy athletes, join our Facebook page, noon at the clubhouse. With over 100 children registered email [email protected] or come along to our for our “Nipper” program, learning cold water survival Sunday lunchtime BBQ to find out more!

16 | March 2020 Halo Project embraces Aramoana and Long Beach As our Predator Free work now embraces Aramoana and Long Beach, we started with information sessions in both communities. Locals told us about their predator trapping and control already going on. Feedback we got was really positive and plenty of people signed up to host a possum trap in their backyards. Plus, our (reasonably-priced) easy-to-set backyard rat traps were snapped up! We’re excited about further supporting their efforts and working collaboratively towards achieving a predator free future. If you’re keen to host a trap or learn more about what we do, check out our website (www. haloproject.org.nz) or get in touch with the team Predator traps and lures explained by Halo Project staff at recent public at [email protected] or 022 026 2115. info sessions. Photo credit: The Halo Project. Forest restoration a step closer We’re also delighted that, through our Forest Restoration Project, a number of landowners in the Halo Project area are to receive funding for replanting native forest, thanks to Trees That Count! The Halo team works with landowners to develop forest restoration plans, make grant applications and coordinate work on the ground. If you’re a landowner interested in establishing and maintaining indigenous forest on your property, we would like to hear from you. Want to learn to collect seed and grow native trees? If you’re interested in learning how to collect and store eco-sourced seeds and propagate native trees, we’re organising a series of half day fieldtrips within the Halo area in early Autumn. Please register your interest by contacting James – [email protected] or ph 022 424 8459.

PING PONG at Warrington Hall

Mondays 4.30 adults Tuesdays during school term 3.30 kids and teenagers CASH ONLY Beginners Welcome For more info TXT 022 6474738

March 2020 | 17 18 | February 2020 CLASSIFIEDS BLUESKIN COMMUNITY MARKET First Sunday of every month. Rain or shine. Grassy area next to the Gallery. LILLIPUT LIBRARIES 28 Brown Street, Waitati Coast Road and Watson Streets, Warrington BABYSITTER AVAILABLE My name is Rose. I am 16 and a confident, mature, experienced child minder. Phone 021 08693991 HAY & FEED SOLUTIONS Phone: Richard 03 465 2253 (03 465 BALE) BLUESKIN PLAYCENTRE Open Mon, Tues, Wed from 9 –12 during term time. Come and visit us! We are located at Waitati Primary School. WAITATI TOY LIBRARY Toys for children aged 0 – 7 years. All toy hire 50c per toy per two weeks. Membership is $10 – 20 per six months (volunteer/regular). One-off toy hire available. Session times in the Blueskin news and on local community Facebook pages. YOGA WITH TESS Warrington Hall Every Thursday evening 6.15pm $10 per class, please bring your own mats. WANTED Antique or old (pre 1960’s) sewing machines. If any one has one lurking under the bed or cast out in the garage or shed and would love to rehouse or sell, please get in touch. Thanks. Susan 03 482 2644 MOVING MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS CLASS Thursdays 10.30am-12 noon at Waitati Hall, starts from the 19 of March. Casual $15, 10trip $100, shinebrightcentre@ Seeking Home-Based Educators in your Area gmail.com or 021 207 0664 Have you considered a career as a Home-Based PILATES FOR BACK AND POSTURE Educator? Thursdays at 1pm – 2pm at Waitati Hall and Mondays at 11am at Karitane Hall, Newcomers welcome. Casual $15, Come and join a team who are passionate about 10trip $100, [email protected] or 021 207 0664 providing the best possible opportunities for our young children to learn and grow, in a nurturing NORDIC WALKING – A WHOLE BODY WORK OUT IN NATURE environment. Wednesdays 9am at Karitane Peninsula, Casual $15, 10trip As a Wild Things educator, you: $100, [email protected] or 021 207 0664 • Work from home and choose your own hours ONE DAY QIGONG RETREAT • Earn good income working as a self-employed Sunday 8 March 9am to 4.30pm at Waitati Hall, $65, contractor booking [email protected] or 021 207 0664 • Design your own early childhood programme THE HOLISTIC HEALTH NURSE with support from qualified teaching staff Consultations available for all your health concerns. Jen is an experienced Registered Nurse, Naturopath and • Undertake training and develop your career as Herbalist. Call now on 027 292 3519 you work REVEGETATION WORKSHOP If you are interested in starting your career in Early Are you interested in revegetation techniques, funding Childhood Education but want to be with your own opportunities and where to source seedlings? I’m planning children while you learn and earn, give us a call a free workshop in Waitati mid to late March. Please email today for a no obligation-free chat. Pauline at [email protected]. Contact Wild Things on 0800 44 44 70 or email us on WANTED [email protected] People interested in restarting the All Saints Vege Co-op. Contact Giselle 027 272 4478 or Louise at Waitati Library.

March 2020 | 19 Ph. 03 425 0447 | 022 080 7567 email [email protected]

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AD SIZES PAGE LAYOUT COST We welcome and thank you for your contributions and invite A4 = 210 x 297 Full page advertisement $300 you to send your short articles of local interest, calendar A5 = 210 x 148 Half page advertisement $150 events, milestones, history, historic images, poems, recipes, A6 = 148 x 105 Quarter page advertisement $ 75 photos of local events, advertising; and anything else you wish A7 = 105 x 74 Business Card size $ 30 to share with your community. Where possible, please try to Classified Ad $5 limit articles to 250-300 words max, about half a page. Any (Free for under 18 or non-profit) opinions or views published in the Blueskin News are those of each contributor solely and not necessarily those of the Editor CONTACT US or Blueskin News Committee. Editor Bernie Cornford Email [email protected] CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING To submit your classified ads, calendar entries & article All donations gratefully received. Bank a/c 03 1726 0010157 00 submissions for publication please send your text and any photos Please include a reference to indicate that it is a donation and to: [email protected] by the 15th of each month a name, if you want a receipt.

'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media: voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point, Purakaunui), Dunedin, New Zealand. All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin news". Printed by Digiart Design Limited

20 | March 2020