BLUESKIN NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Est. 1985 MAY 2020 Seacliff • Warrington • Evansdale • • Doctors Point • Purakaunui Who’s in your bubble?

In this issue.... Don’t nark on your neighbours page 3 WCCB update page 4 Peaceful pinnipeds page 7 The Rant page 13 There’ll be dancing page 15 In the lockdown kitchen page 18 plus lots more ... Editors Note Community Spaces Hi everyone, I’m still sitting at my desk in my living room as I was last month at this time. It no longer feels odd Warrington Hall though and there is now a feeling of optimism that we Available for birthdays, family gatherings, exercise classes, dances and do’s etc at reasonable rates. may have weathered the worst – there is still no room for Hire includes a fully equipped kitchen and tables complacency however and following the rules for level 3 and chairs. will ensure our optimism is not misplaced. Contact Lyn 482 2896 or Rowena 482 2667 I have a few people to thank this month – huge thanks go Waitati Hall to Anne at Digiart who managed to print the last issue Suitable for large meetings, weddings, parties, only hours before lockdown, and will print this issue as concerts, dances etc. (up to 120) features kitchen, well. I’d also like to thank all the people who sent articles toilets, stage, sound system and large projection and those who responded to my call for pictures of the screen. bears around the community. Some may be disappointed Contact Blueskin Nurseries at 482 2828 not to see their contributions – there were just too many Waitati Hall Meeting Room to include them all. SuitableALL for committee CLOSED meetings, UNTIL small gatherings, As we are all still going to be in semi-bubbles for the next demonstrationsFURTHER etc. (up to 20 NOTICEpeople) features little time I would love to celebrate coming out of them kitchen and toilets. next month with lots of stories and pictures of what you Contact Blueskin Nurseries at 482 2828 have been doing for the last month. Sand sculptures Blueskin Bay Library Meeting Room have been appearing on the beach at Warrington and I’m Suitable for committee meetings, presentations, sure there has been lots of creative activity happening in training, interviews etc. (up to 12 people) features homes around the Bay. modular tables, large projection screen, kitchenette On Anzac day we stood in the road at dawn and listened and toilets. to the Last Post on the radio and then a bagpipe Contact Blueskin Bay Library 482 2444 | [email protected] recording my son had sent from the UK. I felt really proud Hire charge is usually applicable, details can be to be part of this great community in . obtained on request Keep safe, warm and well - Bernie

2 | May 2020 Don’t Nark on Your Neighbours! Hello from Blueskin These are very strange times, we scuttle around our villages trying to get some mind saving fresh air, to Nurseries escape the house (and sometimes those we share it We hope you are all enjoying some time in your own with), we keep our dogs on tight leads and step around backyard. We must say it has been nice to have a slower each other on the footpath. Some people are trying pace of life and stand back and smell the flowers in our to work from home in trying circumstances with own garden. too many family members and pets and testy tech. Some people are all alone, missing family and regular We are preparing for the garden centre open again when gatherings and just being able to wander around the we move back to level 3. We are hoping to be able to shops. Some people don’t have a warm comfy house, sell plants, however there will be changes to business enough money to pay the bills and buy food for a bunch procedures and you may have to be patient with stock of hungry, demanding, fighting children. Some people and plants arrival. are desperately worried about their businesses, paying 1. Bulbs can still be planted. Bulbs can be planted in pots the rent, keeping staff employed, avoiding the tax man. use a good tub mix preferably one especially for bulbs. Some people may have already lost their job or think it Shorter growing varieties are better so they don’t need will happen soon, or have had their pay cut, their hours staking. Give the bulbs space to come up between the cut or just have no idea where they stand. And of course flowers. Alternatively add some bulbs around the base while the rest of us are restless and bored and frustrated of your trees or topiary shrubs. These are particularly at home, some people are going to work every day to good around deciduous trees, planted in the lawn difficult and dangerous and probably underappreciated with a small garden at their base. You will have spring and under paid jobs. colour before the trees come into leaf. In amongst all this there have been so many examples 2. Hydrangeas – when your hydrangea flowers are past of human kindness, humour and initiative. Neighbours their best. Cut the flower stem right back to a bud or and family making an effort to reach out and offer help, branch about halfway up. Or pick them when they are to pick up shopping or to phone or skype or zoom. ready and hang them up-side- down in a nice dry spot Organisations have found new ways to provide support; inside. new services have sprung up to meet the needs of the 3. Plant an Orchard at home - Autumn is a great time to elderly, disabled, and kids not in school. The media has plant an Orchard. We are going to have a special offer adapted to the new order with regular updates, staff to Valued Customer Card holders 30% off Fruit trees writing and broadcasting from home, the inter-web is until the end of May 2020. Includes Apples, Pears, fizzing with clever skits, helpful information and mind Plums, Figs and Stonefruit. If you are not a Blueskin numbing movies and Netflix series. Valued Customer member come in and sign up to get Meanwhile some people who are feeling grumpy, who this special discount. think they are almost perfect, who know what the new 4. Apples are well suited to our climate, reasonably easy rules are and want to tell everyone else, are sneaking to care for and most are self fertile. Apples are very around watching other people from behind their versatile you can grow them in most shapes and are twitching net curtains. Then some people are telling ideal for espalier or even a dwarf variety in a pot. other people what to do, gossiping to neighbours, calling the cops, behaving like petty school kids. Don’t do it, it’s 5. Vegetable gardening - Time to plant Broad beans not helpful, no one is perfect, we are all trying to do our and garlic in your garden. You can still plant your best to adapt to the new order, everyone has to find their Brassicas and some other vegetables may need a own path through these difficulties and when the lock up cold frame. Slugs and white butterflies have been is over we still need to live in this community, be friends abundant though. with our neighbours and not feel ostracised or judged. As If you have any orders or special requests, please email us Jacinda says “Be kind”, don’t nark on your neighbours. and we can have these aside and ready for you to collect Geraldine Tait when we move to level 3. [email protected]

May 2020 | 3 Waikouaiti Community Board Update Alasdair Morrison

I would like to start this month’s update by saying Thank You to a number of folk, on behalf of my fellow Community Board Members, and the wider public. Thanks must go to the proprietors of the general stores in Waitati, Karitane and Waikouaiti for keeping their businesses open during the lockdown. This has been a great help in reducing the need for people to go into the city for their daily needs. And we must not forget to say Thank You to their cheerful staff. We also say thank you to our ‘Posties’ who have continued to deliver the mail, no matter what the weather brings. We have to say Thank You to the City Council staff who have been on duty and have kept the essential services operating during the lockdown. We thank the Police for maintaining good order and doing their best to ensure that people have been obeying the Alert Level 4 lockdown rules. We also thank the Government agencies for giving us concise and clear information on a daily basis about the current pandemic. We need to say thank you for dedicated people who keep on producing the Daily Times, the Blueskin News and the POWA monthly magazine to keep us informed about current issues. We should also thank those individuals who have provided ANZAC Day tributes at the local war memorials to ensure that, in lieu of the usual public remembrance, there would still be something there for people to visit and reflect on years gone by. I would like to thank my fellow board members for their hard work in producing a yellow COVID-19 information flyer which was distributed to all residents in the north coast area early in the current lockdown period. Part way through the lockdown there had been a bit of frustration that there not been much in the way of public information coming from DCC. The Community Board Chairs had a few meetings by video link and it was agreed that each would write to the Mayor expressing concerns. The text of our letter is as follows: The pandemic and its consequences have placed unheard of pressure on people from all walks of life in urban and rural communities. There is a significant amount of anxiety regarding employment, business viability, house ownership, mortgage repayments, education and general well-being. Part of that anxiety is not knowing just when this event will end and how long it may take for the city to rebuild. In light of this, we feel that the City Council should delay the current Annual Plan process, including extending the period for submissions, and take some time out to reassess and reconvene what its priorities may be post- Covid19. We realise that this is not an easy task, but we feel it would be in the best interests of Dunedin’s urban and rural communities alike. We note that the attached advice from LGNZ allows for delayed Annual Plans. We would like to request the following: 1. That the Dunedin City Council continues to maintain only its essential work programmes and maintenance in delivering services to its citizens.

2. That new planned capital projects, which do not have a current labour content, (including George St and the Waterfront etc) be deferred for at least one year while the Council and its communities reassess their priorities post Covid-19.

3. That the 6.5% proposed rates increase for this year be deferred for at least one year while the Council and its communities reassess their priorities post Covid-19.

4. Retain all essential infrastructure expenditure and look for extra infrastructure projects with a high labour content where the Government may help fund, or partner with, the City Council.

We do not request these things lightly but, in the current environment and the uncertainty of the future, we must act positively and provide an opportunity for the community to recover physically, emotionally and financially.

4 | May 2020 This is the time of year when we make submissions to the DCC and ORC about their Annual Plans. In our submission to the Otago Regional Council we will be making our case for a much-improved bus service for our north coast region. Our submission to the Dunedin City Council Annual Plan highlights the following: • The request for no increase in rates this year. Support DCC providing assistance to pay rates bills • Support for cheaper bus fares and free bus loops in the city • Support for increasing the use of rail travel & transport • Encourage local tourism, by New Zealanders, to our North Coast area • Request to defer expenditure on Waterfront Bridge & Development and George Street re-design • Request to carry out overdue work on roads, footpaths, overhanging shrubbery, walking tracks, etc. – emphasising that these are ‘Shovel Ready’ jobs • Request to use local contractors where possible to boost employment in the South. • Carry out safety assessments on various roads which have current issues • Provide some details and clarity regarding the Waste Minimisation & Management Plan As we start to gradually move out of COVID19 restrictions we would like to hear from you about how you feel that we may be of better service to you. How best to communicate with you? Do you favour focus groups, public meetings, more information literature? Please feel free to contact any of the board members below to discuss this. We were invited to make a submission to the Department of Conservation regarding their proposal for marine reserves around the south eastern coast of the . The original closing date for this was 17th April but this has been extended to some time in the future which will be advertised in due course. We would be keen to hear from any of you who have a view on this topic. The discussion document can be found at www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/south-eastern-south-island-marine-protection/ We still have some money remaining in our Discretionary Fund which has to be allocated before the end of June. To apply for a grant, either contact a board member or download the application form from the DCC website. Our next formal meeting is scheduled for 17 June, starting at the slightly earlier time of 4.30pm at Blueskin Bay Library. Whether this will be in person, or by video link is not clear at this stage. Please feel free to contact any Board Members, or our Councillor Jim O’Malley, with any concerns you may have.

Waikouaiti Coast Community Board : 2019 -2022 AlasdaIr Morrison, Chairman [email protected] 0274 354 384 Geraldine Tait, Deputy Chair [email protected] 021 217 5492 Andy Barratt [email protected] 021 890 048 Sonya Billyard [email protected] 027 253 9205 Mark Brown [email protected] 021 169 2303 Mandy Mayhem-Bullock [email protected] 021 919 555 Jim O’Malley, DCC Councillor [email protected] 021 525 547

May 2020 | 5 OURThe Godwits are leaving SEAWEED Sea rimu Bull kelp Bladder kelp

Seaweed is abundant on beaches after storms. The most common ones seen on Warrington Beach are pictured above: Bull Kelp, (Durvillaea poha), Bladder kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and what some people call Sea Rimu, (Cystophera). Fleur Sullivan has a great recipe whereby she stews cockles in bags made from split Bull Kelp. This strategy of using Bull Kelp storage bags has been used to store mutton birds and was also used to distribute the 500,000 baby paua rescued by Kati Huirapa Puketeraki and used to seed our rocky shore about 6-7 years ago. The tiny paua were sewn into Bull Kelp bags and popped under rocks by the many volunteers involved. After slowly eating their way out – these paua are now growing to reproductive age and are protected by our Rahui. Bladder kelp can be washed, dried on the washing line in the wind and cut into 3cm squares to fry in hot oil for 3-5 seconds to make yummy crispy seaweed chips. Not so welcome – but also edible as Wakame, is the noxious weed Undaria. Kai tahu volunteers physically cut this weed out while diving, because it replaces native kelp forests. Arriving from Japan in ship bilge waters, it has been spreading along the Southern Coast since 1987. While our indigenous species can grow really tall – our native kelp forests off the coast of Seacliff are the biggest kelp forests in the world, Undaria only grows to 2m, is slimy and dies out in the summer – and along with it – any baby crustaceans that have made their home there. Our native seaweed on the other hand is a breeding grounds for crustaceans, molluscs and are the base of the food chain that makes up our wonderful marine ecosystem. Seaweed health is marine environment health! For more information see: niwa.co.nz/static/web/MarineIdentificationGuidesandFactSheets/Beautiful_Browns_Ver1-2016-NIWA.pdf

PorOtagot To Por tHarbour Cruises & W iFerryldlife To-urs CYCLE FERRY

020 416 24250 6 | May 2020www.porttoport.co.nz Peaceful Pinnipeds Our mainland wildlife has probably never had so much peace and quiet as it has over the last few weeks! Fur seals and sea lions along the coastline and beaches might be left wondering where all the people have got to! Since the arrival of people into this country, until almost the point of extinction, animals such as the New Zealand Fur Seal and the New Zealand Sea Lion (formally known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion) had been hunted. First by the Maori for red meat, then by the Europeans for their fur coats and blubber. These days they are fully protected and are able to be NZ Fur Seal – John Burke observed by lucky locals, lounging on beaches or rocky coastlines around New Zealand, once again. By the early 19th century there were almost none left on the mainland. But there are now an estimated 200,000 New Zealand Fur Seals, with an annual increase of around 2%. And an estimated 10,000 New Zealand Sea Lions, with a slight decrease. The difference between sea lions and fur seals can be found in their appearance. Sea Lions have a square shaped snout where fur seals have a pointed snout. Sea lions are a lot larger than fur seals, weighing in at around 400 kgs for a large male, compared to around 200 kgs for a large male fur seal. They like to lounge around in slightly different areas. Sea lions tend to prefer sandy beaches, whereas fur seals like rocky shorelines. Sometimes you may see the 2 species mix. But if this is happening it’s often because a sea NZ Sea Lion – Sean Hesletine lion is hunting a fur seal! They hunt and eat fur seal pups. These animals do share some characteristics and are both what we call pinnipeds, which is the Latin word for a carnivorous, fin footed marine mammal. During the recent lockdown period and the absence of people fishing, going to the beach, sightseeing and boating near these creatures, they’re probably getting their first slice of peace since the early 19th century! There’s plenty of time to lounge around and sleep! Rachel McGregor

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May 2020 | 7 PUT IT AT THE KERBSIDE COVID-19 on your usual collection day

We will be collecting rubbish from your yellow-lidded wheelie bin until Friday, 8 May. From Monday 11 May Glass recycling has 240 litre we will be collecting Collected weekly in your started again. recyclables only. offi cial DCC black bag.

Check your collection calendar or download the app DCC Kerbside Collections to know which week is blue or yellow for you. GO TO: www.dunedin.govt.nz/covid-19 for more information.

DunedinCityCouncil | @DnCityCouncil | (03) 477 4000 | www.dunedin.govt.nz

YOU’RE GOING TO GET A RATES BILL We know it’s a really diffi cult time and the last thing you need right now is another bill. This is the instalment for the April to June 2020 period. But if you’re struggling fi nancially to pay, contact us for help.

PHONE US WRITE TO US EMAIL US ONLINE 03 477 4000 Dunedin City Council [email protected] www.dunedin.govt.nz PO Box 5045 Dunedin 9054

Please don’t stop paying your rates or cancel your direct debit. We can work together to make a plan that works for you.

Register your details confidentially at: www.dunedin.govt.nz/rates-payment-request-form

DunedinCityCouncil | @DnCityCouncil | (03) 477 4000 | www.dunedin.govt.nz

8 | May 2020 By the time the May Blueskin News goes to press the event will have already happened but we felt this is a news to share it is a story of adaptation and resilience to our changed world. One of the many sections of society strongly affected by VENUE: YOUR BUBBLE the restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic are musicians and their audiences. Whether for hobby or for an income, these creative humans thrive off sharing their tunes in venues which are best packed to the rafters with absolutely no social distancing! Hugs are the norm, sharing drinks, cigarettes, dancing together… those days are temporarily suspended. Thousands of audience members live in our community, people who love to go out to a bar, club or stadium, to hear, to feel the music & to socialize with friends. We are missing out on a part of our culture which helps us feel whole. And while this may be ok for a few weeks, it may not be good after a few months! After only 2 weeks in a bubble and noticing more and more people are live streaming their music over the internet, the Waitati Music Festival decided to investigate this possibility and partnered with some clever tekkie types. The resulting project was called Waitati Music Fest live and on 18th April streamed 12-hours of live acts and DJ’s to the world. Artists contributed by broadcasting (live streamed) from their bubble locations, we featured musicians from USA, UK, Auckland, ChCh and of course lots of local Dunedin based acts. It was a project that gave an opportunity to musicians to once again share their work while also developing skills navigating and learning new technologies, it also hopefully helped some wannabe audience members have a virtual break from this (un-)reality. By Katie Peppercorn

Warrington Surf Life Saving Club

Warrington Surf Lifesaving Club has Don’t worry, it doesn’t start with surf swimming!! closed for the season and for our nation- With the season ending, it is important to recognise wide lockdown. the hard work and success of our athletes, members What a fantastic season our kids and teenagers have and lifeguards. Last season WSLSC climbed on the had, but let’s not forget the adults! About one third of National podium to collect medals for IRB racing and our lifeguards are local people who want to be involved was in the top ten clubs in NZ. This season our lifeguards in beach activities and enjoy using the clubs large supply competed at the fast and furious National SLS of surfboards, paddle boards, rescue boats, surf skis and Championships in Gisborne and brought home medals canoes – joining a team, joining in group training or just in both Male AND Female Canoe events, again making it heading out for some fun alone or with friends and family. into the top ten clubs. This season we are recruiting interested adults! If you The beach is a busy place in the evenings after work and would like to improve surf swim skills, gain skills, in first weekends and it seems that all that fun got turned into aid, marine radio, marine craft and rescue techniques – silverware. If you enjoy being part of a team, love getting why not join up? out amongst it and want to make new friends locally – Email [email protected] the course starts sign up to join – In It For Life. late winter.

May 2020 | 9 BLUESKIN BAY LIBRARY 28 Harvey Street, Waitati, 9085 • Ph 03 474-3690 www.dunedinlibraries.govt.nz – Digital Library Our Digital Library Explore the Digital Library Here are two new features, free with your library is always open membership: Library members can access a range of eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines from home via our website www.dunedinlibraries.govt.nz. n Wheelers ePlatform: eBooks

n Ulverscroft: audiobooks

n BorrowBox: eBooks, audiobooks

n Romance Bookcloud: eBooks

n PressReader: newspapers and magazines

n Storybox: children’s video stories n Beamafilm, Australasia’s premiere streaming channel with hundreds of award-winning To access online content via the website you need documentaries, independent features and festival to login with your Library card ID and password. favourites. Here’s one you may have missed when Alternatively you can download the eBook / it came around cinemas – “Pecking Order eAudiobook apps, mentioned above, from the debuted in Britain to eggcellent reviews – easily Apple or Google Play stores depending on the best New Zealand film since Hunt for the whether you have an Apple or Android device. You Wilderpeople”. Pecking Order is hilarious, unique, will still need your Library card number and and a heart-warming slice of Kiwiana which is password when initialising the apps. sure to delight and surprise people of all ages. If you are not a Library member go to Join on the Library website and click on the online registration form, select digital membership and provide the information needed. Use the membership number you are given at the end of the form or in the email sent to you, plus the password you selected, to use our digital platforms noted above. n TumbleBookLibrary, our new eBook collection Digital Hotline 03 474 3690 for children offers over 250 animated, talking If you need help with our Digital Library or Digital picture books. The site also features Spanish and Membership, give us a call. The Library operates a French books, read-along chapter books, non- Digital Hotline for customers experiencing fiction books, and exciting games and puzzles. difficulties of any sort related to our Digital Library Read as many books as you want, when you want, and Digital Membership. and on any device. There are no check-outs, holds, or bulky downloads, books are available instantly. Our staff are available: TumbleBookLibrary is a great Monday to Friday - tool for parents and teachers to 8:30am to 5pm, get kids to use the computer Saturday and Sunday - educationally as well as being a 9am to 5pm perfect choice for reluctant readers.

10 | May 2020 At Warrington School we have Purakanui been coding some robots called sphero with the coding you School make spin around and around I hope this article finds everyone safe and well during this they can also change colours extraordinary time in New Zealand and around the world. and you can make them spell Curiously we only had one full week of school since I your name. last wrote my monthly summary, but it was a good one! In ruma toru there has been a hype of excitement with We had a guest student, Charlotte from Nova Scotia in the incubation of 23 eggs. 23 did!!! We put the eggs Canada, spend most of that week with us. We had lots of in an incubator and waited 3 weeks until they hatched. fun with her and learned lots about Canada. During that Lilly Tilyard marked off the days on a calendar. We week we also hosted a move premier with the screening waited patiently… of the documentary Motoitoi which was made in 2017 On Monday the 9th of March we came to school very and involved the school children. It is a fascinating and excited because it was the due date for our chicks, and informative film. The cinematography is stunning and we were seriously amazed to see 11 fluffy little chicks…. it has a great deal of powerful sentiment. The school is Everyone was so excited. After 3 more hours, 3 more very proud to have been involved. I urge people with an chicks hatched. We have 14 chicks in our class and we interest in our wonderful local area to make the effort to take very good care of them! see this film when it is released generally. Lilly Tilyard and Henry Smith Room 3. Term Two begins tomorrow and we look forward to catching up with everyone, albeit remotely. We have Two weeks ago the Highlanders came and we played been busy preparing ourselves for distance learning rip rugby first we did some passes and then we played throughout the holiday break and feel ready to give it octopus then we played a proper game of rip rugby and a go, as there are a myriad great resources available. then we went in front of a poster and got pictures and As teachers we have been doing some very useful tech signatures on lots of things like drink bottles and lunch upskilling in preparation. boxes and signature cards thank you to the Highlanders for coming to our school. We also look forward to when we are back together in person at school and can welcome back our Little Pipi’s This Friday we are going to Puketeraki marae where all playgroup on Thursday mornings. Any queries about classes will be doing a short form of their Mihi they have Pūrākaunui School please call the office on 4821026. been working on so far this term. Tim Cook Principal Alliayh Wi and Isaac Pretorious

May 2020 | 11 Local Online Storytime Nature’s Gifts for Kids. From Mackenize Muster “A Century of Favourites” ‘Uncle Duncan’s Printed in 2000 and composed by Tui Wreford. Lockdown Storytime’ is a collection of In this mad and frantic world of ours colourful stories for There seems no time to pause or browse kids aged 4-10, with Amongst the gifts which around us stand a new story added Created for us by a loving hand.

every 2 days during How long is it since you last heard, Level 4 Lockdown. When darkness fades, the song of a bird? Story titles include: “Pruscilla and the Flying Horse”, Or saw a spider’s web be-dewed? Larry The Lockdown Leprechaun”, and “100 Sacks of As the rising sun brings a day renewed? Wormy Spuds”. What of the brilliance of the stars? The stories, written and narrated by Purakaunui Or do the headlights of the cars writer Duncan Eddy, are available free online at Mingling with the street light’s glare www.uncleduncans.podbean.com Make you forget the stars are there? Uncle Duncan’s Lockdown Storytime has been included in a “Virtual Storytime” resource prepared The plains, the mountains and the sea for use by teachers and librarians during lockdown. The birds, the beasts are ours - all free. You can find this selection of new and classic NZ But with the blindness our way of life brings children’s stories read by their authors at www. We pass them by for material things. coalitionforbooks.nz/storytime God grant that ere it is too late “Getting on that list alongside Margaret Mahy and We will have learned to appreciate Joy Cowley was just a fluke.” said Duncan. “Writing The peace,the beauty, the flower, the tree for kids is all about the lols. I’ve got zero clout in the And all he has given to you and me. industry.”

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12 | May 2020 THE

Which vegetables by Mandy Mayhem Bullock to plant in Autumn. by Hilary Rowley This is an opinion piece designed to promote feedback. If you feel you'd like to respond – email [email protected] Here we all are, stuck at home with time on our hands, What makes me glad finally able to do some gardening, but it is really late in WAITATI! - My Home. the season. I always think of the 2 ships full of Scottish Living in such a caring and resilient community. Right now Blueskin Bay is the only place I would like to be. settlers who arrived here in March and had to throw Earth under my fingernails – spending a little bit of time themselves into a flurry of house building and vegetable each day in the garden, pottering and appreciating the gardening almost immediately. You can see why the plants whilst listening to nature all around us. Māori people and Johnny Jones’ mob had to feed them My Bubble – Thank goodness for my busy hive of a home, that first year. my cruisy kids and my unflappable husband, always happy to go with the flow whatever life brings us. Here is a list of vegetables which it may be possible to grow from seed. If it is a sunny, dry autumn and the frosts What makes me sad come late, we may be OK and our vegetables will get a Disposable gloves littering the supermarket carpark bit of growth on before it gets too cold for them. It also People who think rules for level 4 do not apply to them depends on your location. Seeds planted in a sunny, My kids begging for the internet 24/7 well drained, north facing spot which is out of the cold What makes me mad Southerly winds will do much better. Greed and selfishness Lettuce (cos is a good winter type), radish, parsley, silver Hidden agendas beet, spinach, turnips, beetroot, broad beans, coriander, Bigots and Dictators mesclun salad winter mix, carrot, fennel, rocket, peas, snow peas. These, may or may not produce an edible crop before winter, but at least you will have something to eat in the spring hungry gap when there is very little available. It is probably too late to plant brassicas (the cabbage family), and celery unless you can get your hands on some nice well grown seedlings. Again plant these out in a good sunny, sheltered spot. A good quick indoor salad option is to grow sprouted seeds. These are fast and delicious, and you don’t even need to go outside to harvest them. A sprouter is good and easy to use, but not essential. It is possible to do sprouting in a preserving jar, rinse them with fresh water each day using a sieve. PROVIDING A RANGE OF During the refugee ration challenge we did last year, I think I only survived by sprouting our ration of lentils, as RESIDENTIAL, RURAL AND there is nothing green to eat in ration kits. INDUSTRIAL FENCING I find the smaller seeds easier to sprout without going rotten. Just be sure that your seeds are not treated in SOLUTIONS any way, organic is best. Here are a few to try: alfalfa, mung bean, adzuki bean, chickpea, sunflower, radish, 027 333 1744 fenugreek, clover, broccoli, beetroot. [email protected] Enjoy your isolation and make the most of it. We will all facebook.com/andersonfencingnz have fantastic gardens this coming spring regardless of all the other apocalyptic happenings around us. May 2020 | 13 The circus comes to town My introduction to Ridgways show – Mandy Mayhem-Bullock I was living in Wellington and I had just completed my BA Waitati at Victoria, working at a Deluxe cafe, running an after school care Volunteer programme and wondering what my Fire Brigade next move would be. All has been quiet within the One evening I Brigade and we have put in received a call from place extreme measures to friend and roadie, Grant ‘the Wheel’ keep our volunteers safe. Prankhurd. Grant There is no training currently being earned his moniker under taken, the most vulnerable whilst working for Ridgways family circus as a tent hand and also performer. of our volunteers have been stood He rode a Unicycle , Juggled and could walk the wire ( slack rope mainly). down, checks of equipment are Over the years and travels he maintained a connection with Cary, the family’s being undertaken by selected youngest son and owner of a show called Circus . Our conversation was personal only, even our turnout short, the Circus was in town and they were looking for a clown. system has been modified so I needed no encouragement, I knew that moment it was what I was going to firefighters are not exposed to do. The very next day I was at the show checking out the outfit., they were at others in the event of a call out. Avalon park in the Hutt valley. My first encounter was with Pat Ridgway at We take this opportunity to ask the the ticket box. Her perfect hair and makeup on a road weary face , she was community not to light fires even welcoming but stiff, her diamond knuckle duster fingers handed me a ticket within your bubble. It is a risky task for the front row, the one and only time I was an audience member. burning up the prunings and we (the Invited back to the trailer by Cary the Cowboy after the show , there was Community) do not want to a brief job interview.The job was mine if I wanted it. I had inherited an old put the brigade members at risk. Bedford schoolbus ,this was a major draw card, I also had my own routine and In this regard we know who burns a name – SlapHappy ( a word my Granny used to describe a hasty job) which most often and have been in touch incorporated the classic circus humour of Slapstick. The only other applicant with them. was a Mime named Puzzle, he didn’t really stand a chance. While we have procedures in place Over the following months I commuted to the show from my Island bay flat in the event of an emergency be while I packed my life into storage. My debut in the circus ring was Trentham it medical, fire, or other we would park near the Racecourse, nobody came to the show, it was the evening prefer that we all stay in our bubble. Princess Diana’s funeral was televised. My 25th Birthday party was a trailer trash theme on the circus lot, I was the Let’s ALL work to keep each other tattooed lady, a last chance to say bye to my capital city chums before life on safe. the road for real. It would be 5 years to the day – hard slog, blood ,sweat and With the ending of daylight saving tears for 5 minutes of sequins and spangle. we remind everyone Charlie and Pat Ridgway purchased pairs of animals from Sydney’s Taronga to check your Zoo when they came out to NZ in the 1950s. The created the largest travelling smoke alarms. menagerie in the Southern Hemisphere and in 1962 when Sole Brothers These will be a decided to get out of the business they bought some of their animals too. life saver for you The name Ridgways mean circus in New Zealand. This circus we all grew up and your family. with deserves its position in our nations arts and entertainment history, based In closing, a big on longivity and impact of Ridgways family in New Zealands cultural narrative. thank you to the They were pioneers,tough and innovative dragging the show over ragged community for no terrain bringing the magic of the circus to small town NZ. calls to date over the It is my greatest honour to have worked shoulder to shoulder with these lock down period. legendary characters. Paul Clements 14 | May 2020 There’ll be dancing, dancing in the streets...

We are really fortunate to live in an area that has an amazing array of native birds whose diversity, Spill populations and survival are greatly by Scott Bagley aided by the the Halo project, This rainbow , private slick wet trapping and everyone who nurtures dream of progress Birds of and protects our natural environment never went Blueskin Bay that these birds call home. beneath the surface so we sunk By Dean Griffiths One of the upsides for our whanau being in lockdown is having more roots deep time to watch, appreciate and wonder at the native birds that visit our below confusion Waitati home and the antics they get up too. We are frequently visited by and drew South Island Robin, Kereru, Tomtits, Piwakawaka (fantail), Starlings, Grey new lives warblers, Chaffinches, Sparrows, Bellbirds, Song Tthrush and even Kaka now above the death occasionally pay us a visit. around us. South Island Robin: We are often joined by one of two different south island robins as we tend the garden, explore our backyard forest and occasionally one even joins on the deck for a cuppa. They will fly around from one vantage point to another curiously observing us and looking out for scrumptious bugs to feed on and often coming to within a foot of us. Did you know that during the breeding season the female Robin builds the nest while her mate brings her food 2-3 times per hour and the chicks leave the nest when about 3 weeks old, and continue to be fed by their parents for a further 5-6 weeks. May 2020 | 15 Blueskin Resilient Halo Project Communities Trust still operating May 2020 Despite suspension of all fieldwork, the I hope you have all managed in your bubbles Halo Project team over the lockdown period. There’s no doubt that are working from we’ve all discovered things in ourselves and in our home and are keen surroundings that we hadn’t noticed or appreciated to hear from you – before. BRCT is one of the community organisations whether you’ve got that make up a wider support network and we’ve questions or comments, or would like to be involved in appreciated the coordination of the Dunedin City some way. Council and other organisations like Volunteering Prior to the lockdown we installed an intensive stoat Otago through the lockdown. If you are having any and rat trap network on Mikiwaka, using self-resetting difficulties and don’t know where to go, we can help taps. While the traps reset themselves (perfect in a direct you to assistance. lockdown situation!), they do need to be periodically The BRCT team has, like everyone, been in lockdown re-gassed and refilled with lure, and trap-line tracks through April. This doesn’t mean all has stopped, need maintaining. If this sounds like something you’d although lockdown certainly has presented us with be interested in doing (when permitted), please email or some challenges. Firewood orders, for example, phone us. couldn’t be delivered as log delivery was considered The possum breeding season is upon us. Keeping your non-essential. The Enviro Hubs Aotearoa South backyard traps regularly baited and set now, will help Island Hui that BRCT was due to host in Waitati prevent the next generation of possums from spreading back into previously controlled areas, and is critical to was cancelled due to COVID-19. In its place a two keeping possum numbers low. day national virtual hui was held, however, with 41 participants. It is hard staring at a screen all day and Volunteers help us monitor little blue penguin numbers paying attention to online discussion, but wonderful around Doctors Point and Mapoutahi twice during each breeding season. This season, we’ve recorded the to discover that we can work effectively remotely and highest numbers since our monitoring began. We hope reduce emissions. that this indicates a local population recovery following BRCT will continue operating remotely as we manage stoat attacks in 2014. the transition through Alert levels and between The Halo Project is now on iNaturalist NZ. We’ve started offices. Paid and volunteer staff can manage emails a ‘project’ that brings together all the observations of but obviously there will be no office visits although we nature from within our area. To contribute, all you have look forward to a time when meetings can occur again to do is make a species observation. It’s already a great over a coffee at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. resource for nature lovers, students and professionals. The Blueskin Energy Network (BEN) is now an Head to www.inaturalist.nz. electricity retailer for all of Otago and Southland and Lastly, remember, if you are taking your cat to the vet, Blueskin Energy Ltd (which owns BEN) has secured ask for a microchip and registration form. These are free a new partner that will eventually enable BEN to from Pet Doctors at the Gardens Vets. be offered nation-wide. We want to develop a more You can subscribe to our quarterly newsletter by comprehensive peer to peer system and smart phone emailing [email protected] or via www.haloproject. app similar to the P2 model that everyone loved so org.nz/subscribe or ph 022 026 2115. We’ll keep you much. updated on operations in response to changing Alert The BRCT website is www.brct.org.nz and you can Levels. We’re also on Facebook www.facebook.com/ halobeyondorokonui. contact us by email at: [email protected] or by phone on 027 488 8314. Photo: Fernbird on Mt Cargill – observation recorded in iNaturalist NZ Andy Pearce CC-BY-NC [original image]) By Scott Willis

16 | May 2020 WAITATI BOOK CLUB by Ian Melvin

April, a big thank you to Marc for organising a Faulty Towers version of a video/phone conference meeting. Getting us all virtually in one place at around the same time, mostly. Goes down in Bookclub history, with one of our members having to take time out in a semi inebriated state, to rescue his chimney flu that had blown off the roof! All of this in the middle of a world wide health crisis and a national lock down. Who needs fiction when we have the reality of life! THE BOOK TV / MOVIE WORD The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly Ross – If you’re interested in a Paul – BUBBLE!! by Jean-Dominique Bauby glimpse into an intriguing religious An interpersonal space: one Martin – All agreed a marvellous culture try the four part series substance surrounded by another, achievement! Me – everyone should Unorthodox on NetFlix. Esty usually a liquid. read this book. Inspiring! the protagonist wants to leave Me – I of course prefer the second the Samar sect of Hasidic Jews version, but a word, as with OTHER BOOKS in New York. A process far from Martin – Walking to Jerusalem by sustainable, I am happy to never simple. Loosely based on Deborah hear again. Justin Butcher 2018. A group of Feldmans book of the same title. Brits under human rights charity MEANING OF LIFE .. on this theme you might also like ‘Amos Trust’ embark on a journey Me – borrowed from Neil Young walking from London to Jerusalem. Chaim Potok’s books, The Promise, Lively, intelligent, pleasurable The Chosen, My Name is Asher Lev. Out in the fields they’re turning the read. The political, social realities MUSIC soil I’m sitting here hoping this water of Palestinians presented is A taste of WOMAD from Nikki, conscience provoking! will boil the best of quite a few she You give me words, words between recommended. the lines of age. The Dead South In hell I’ll be in Living in castles a bit at a time, the good company. King started laughing and talking Try it on YouTube, a brilliant video! in rhyme. You give me words ...

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]

May 2020 | 17 Kia ora fellow gardeners/friends. As you know, this column usually begins or ends with a notable quote. This month is no different. In one of the library books I got before The Lockdown “When Good Gardens Go Bad” along with many valuable hints and words of wisdom was this little quote – “Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has many more votes, a longer memory and a In the Lockdown Kitchen sterner sense of justice than we do. “ Elspeth Moody This has never been demonstrated so dramatically as in these past few weeks of self isolation and some would I’m sure that everyone has their own list of things to be say, deprivation. I am very fortunate to be blessed with thankful for right now, but here’s something from mine... many folk who have been in touch to see how I’m doing. it’s autumn and I’ve had lots more time than usual to do For me nothing has changed since I live alone anyway, nice things with the produce I’ve been harvesting. Plums, the only difference being, the car has been stationary for blackberries, apples and tomatoes have been going into weeks on end and it certainly has been good for my bank jams, sauces and chutneys that have been as satisfying to balance. The one positive that I have observed is lots make as to eat. more people are out walking (usually in the middle of the My definition of a good recipe at the moment is one that road) and all are keen for an introduction and a natter. uses things I already have in my cupboards or that can The latter has been true of the garden club members be adapted easily because, really, who wants to go to the too who have all been keeping in touch with one another supermarket right now if they don t have to? This one when recipes , photos, hints and jokes have been ’ circulated as we do our best to keep everyone’s pecker definitely fits the bill. ’It s a forgiving recipe that can take up and a genuine concern for each other. We are blessed a fair bit of substitution and adjusting of quantities, and to know so many people in our Blueskin bubble and the main ingredients are ready now in a lot of people’s like you, we all look forward to getting back to normal glasshouses. whatever that may mean. Kia kaha. Have a go, and don’t be afraid to make a few changes if you Lyne Carlyle don’t have the exact ingredients in your pantry. If you’re not sure how hot your chilies are, don’t put them all in at once! There is plenty of simmering time, so taste the sauce at intervals and zing it up with a bit more chili if it’s not quite to your taste yet. Green Tomato Chili Sauce 12 large green tomatoes, peeled 8 small hot peppers, finely chopped 3 onions 3 capsicums, finely chopped (green or yellow ones are best to keep the sauce a nice colour) 2 cups sugar 2 cups white vinegar Wild Dunedin 1 tsp allspice 1 tsp celery seed The Wild Dunedin Festival has been postponed till 1 tsp ground nutmeg April 2021. 1 tsp ground cloves But we’ve put together the Wild Bubble to keep Throw chopped tomatoes into a large saucepan and bring you thinking about nature and wildlife, and what’s to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add chopped onions in your backyard. It’s full of films, stories, photos and peppers and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add sugar and activities for all ages, great for the lockdown and vinegar and simmer another 10 minutes before adding or any time. the spices. Simmer gently for a couple of hours until it https://hail.to/wild-dunedin/publication/K5iuzrG thickens. Pour into hot, sterilised bottles or jars.

18 | May 2020 Seeking Home-Based Educators in your Area Have you considered a career as a Home-Based Educator? Come and join a team who are passionate about providing the best possible opportunities for our young children to learn and grow, in a nurturing environment. Roasted Whole Cauliflower As a Wild Things educator, you: • Work from home and choose your own hours Yotam Ottolenghi’s Simple Cookbook • Earn good income working as a self-employed ingredients contractor 1 large cauliflower with its leaves intact • Design your own early childhood programme 45g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 2 Tblspn olive oil with support from qualified teaching staff wedges of lemon, to serve • Undertake training and develop your career as coarse sea salt you work method If you are interested in starting your career in Early Using a pair of scissors, lightly trim the leaves at the top of Childhood Education but want to be with your own the cauliflower, so that about 5cm of the cauliflower’s head children while you learn and earn, give us a call is exposed. today for a no obligation-free chat. Fill a pan large enough to fit the cauliflower in salty water. Contact Wild Things on 0800 44 44 70 or email us on Bring to a boil and carefully lower in the cauliflower [email protected] exposed head down: don’t worry if the base sticks out a little. Bring back to a boil, cook for six minutes, then transfer the cauliflower to a colander, exposed head down. Set aside for 10 minutes, to drain and cool. Heat the oven to 170C fan. Make the tomato sauce and set aside (optional). Mix the butter with the oil. Put the cauliflower stem side down in a medium baking tray and spread the butter mix all over the cauliflower. Sprinkle over sea salt, and roast for 1.5 – 2 hours, basting the cauliflower with the buttery juices five or six times during cooking. The cauliflower is done when it’s super-tender and a dark golden-brown, and the leaves are crisp and charred. Remove from the oven and serve witha sauce (optional) and a little extra salt for sprinkling on top. This will go really well with Elspeth’s Green Tomato Chili Sauce - just dip the roasted florets in and enjoy.

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

May 2020 | 19 Hopefully everyone is coping through the Covid19 lockdown, staying safe and sane. If you’d like to discuss your property I’d love to hear from you.

For Sale For Sale Autumn Gardening

50 Park Rd, Warrington 107 Doctors Point Rd

For Sale For Sale “Autumn is natures natural time for planting!” We have a wonderful selection of trees, shrubs, edibles, perennials & lots of bird

96 Doctors Point Rd 800 Rd feeders for our loved native birds Kirsty came highly recommended and she did not AND disappoint. She was very professional and a great Enjoy a delicious lunch & communicator. She over delivered on everything she the BEST locally roasted coffee in town, while said exceeding our expectations. Sellers of 11 Pitt Street. charging your electric car or bike at our solar Kirsty Coulter powered charging station! Property Consultant #welovegardening

MOBILE 027 311 4445 DIRECT 425 9943 2 Harvey Street, Waitati Phone 03 4822828 EMAIL [email protected] www.blueskinnurseries.co.nz Nidd Realty Limited MREINZLicensed Open 7 days from 8.30am

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'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 | May 2020