DOCSLIB.ORG

Restorer Seeks Ford Fire Engine History

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Find us on Facebook under Blueskin Media 1 October 2010 Restorer seeks Ford fire engine history by the editors Military memorabilia collector Roger Wilkinson has recently purchased an old Waitati fire engine, and is looking for some history of the vehicle. The red Ford truck has signwriting ‘Blueskin VFU, Waitati’ on the door, and has an ex-military appearance. Roger is looking to restore the appliance to roadworthy condition, and would be grateful for any history on the appliance, including photos. • Roger Wilkinson: roger_wilkinson @ The old, red Waitati fire engine awaits xtra.co.nz restoration in a farm shed. Daffodil Day Board candidate withdraws from race by David Sumpter We are grateful to the residents of Blueskin Waikouaiti Coast Community Board candidate Bay and to the helpers who manned the stall and incumbent member Nancy Higgins withdrew as well as those who supplied baking for the her nomination late in September as family circumstances led her to reconsider her plans. annual Daffodil Day appeal. An especial Nancy told Blueskin News that she didn’t want to thanks to those who helped bunch up the cause an expensive by-election by resigning later daffodils.This year the stall raised $711.20 and in the process. the cancer Society was extremely grateful for An advertisement for Nancy’s election your continued support. The winners of the campaign was accidentally omitted from last raffle were: Louise Booth, basket of goodies month’s Blueskin News. We apologise to Nancy and J Constable, plant. Thanks again for and we trust that our error isn’t why she’s thinking your help. of leaving local politics. October 2010 Blueskin News 1 Waitati School AMNESTY Waitati School PTA would like to thank everyone INTERNATIONAL who contributed to the successful Waitati School Local contact: Fireworks Night on Sunday 19 September. It was a Elspeth 482 2022 fantastic night, well supported by parents, families and the community. www.amnesty.org.nz We would like to thank our sponsors: the Lotteries Commission, Waikouaiti Coast Community Board, Southern Clams, Dunedin City Council and Cargill’s Contracting. Blueskin News advertising Thank you also to the families and businesses Consider advertising locally. Contact us to book who donated items for our auction: Garden’s advertising in 2010. Our rates are: Vet/Pet Planet, Southern Honda, Orokonui • business card (up to 1/8 of A5 page): $15 Ecosanctuary, Karitane Kayaks, Jenna Packer, • up to quarter A5 page: $25 Karan Snow, Garden’s New World, Arden House • up to half A5 page: $35 Bed and Breakfast, Sammy’s Big-Ups, Fortune • up to full A5 page: $60 Theatre, Liz Abbot, Fleur’s Place, Blueskin Mowers • Double A5 page spread: $100 and Taste Nature. We plan on having it again at the Discount or waiver of the above fees may be same time next year. available for non-commercial community events. Blueskin News is “free” but we welcome koha/donations accepted at Blueskin Bay Hill Rd Hazelnuts Locally Grown Library, Blueskin General Store, by cheque to Fresh & Natural Blueskin Media, PO Box 154 Warrington, or to account Blueskin News 03 1726 0010157 00. New Seasons Hazelnuts are now available “Cracked to Order” Blueskin Media is a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer-run community publisher. Neville & Coleen Hastie, Warrington Deadline: 22nd of the month, January to For Orders: Ph 482-1931, email: [email protected] November. or see us at the Seacliff Market (1st Sunday of each month) BLUESKIN NEWS Published not-for-profit by volunteers ofBlueskin Media on the 1st of each month, February to December, 650 copies distributed around Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati and Doctors’ Point. Additional copies available at Blueskin General Store, Blueskin Bay Community Library and Warrington Post Office Boxes. Blueskin News is “free” but we welcome koha/donations accepted at Blueskin Bay Library, Blueskin General Store, by cheque to Blueskin Media, PO Box 154 Warrington, or to Blueskin News 03 1726 0010157 00. We publish anything about this area, or anything written by someone from this area; and all ranges of opinion which are expressed in a respectful way. All unattributed opinion shall be attributed to Blueskin Media. All material sent to and/or published by us is “copyleft” and may be freely copied, re-edited and re-published. Content is pooled with the blueskin.co.nz website and other local media. Content offered for publication under the above principles is welcome; please email by the 22nd of each month to [email protected]. Electronic copy should be formatted as simply as possible with two returns between each paragraph or item in a list, and after each heading. Thanks to: Coleen Hastie, Craig Marshall, Lynnaire Johnston, Peter Dowden, Kelvin & Bev Lyon Milk Vendors, Blueskin General Store, Gallery on Blueskin, the Contributors and Advertisers. Printed by Hamraki Rag, Hampden. 2 Blueskin News October 2010 NEWS Stunning New Public Art Work for Waitati by Antony Deaker The waharoa, ‘Ka Moemoea me Ka Tumanako’ There are three parts to the work. The painted (the dreams and the aspirations) was opened at palisade style fence represents the poutama the entranceway to Waitati School on September or stairway. The poutama here represent the 18. The work was designed and carved by Alex continued striving for higher learning and our Whitaker of Waitati. The pupils of Waitati personal aspirations, they can also be a symbol School have painted images and symbols on of various ancestors’ quest for knowledge as they to the work; ideas about their own future. climbed through the various heavens notably Costs of some materials and some labour were Tawhaki and Tane. The Pou or carved poles are supported by Creative New Zealand through on the left hand side Whakaritorito or the new the Creative Communities scheme. The project shoots and on the right hand side Te Aroha the was also supported by Te Whare Wananga o Te love. The tekoteko watching over the entranceway Whanau Arohanui which provides studio space from his position just inside the school is Utonga, and ongoing support to Alex. The wood is an representing the steely resolve of the community Australian hardwood from old power poles from to stand beside the school in its work our children. Foyle Street, Waitati. These works combine to create Ka Moemoea The waharoa is not only a beautiful addition me Ka Tumanako, a potent reminder of our to the school property it is a significant public art shared commitment to support our children work for Waitati. The school is already proud to who represent our dreams and aspirations for host artworks by Liz Abbot (the Blueskin alphabet the future. mural) and Mikaela Wilson (ceramic mosaic of Alex is now working on possible projects with New Zealand). This is the first new local public art the Ecosanctuary and the Warrington Domain. He work since the Blueskin Library murals and before has smaller works in several local galleries and is that the War Memorial. available for commissions. The carving style is a blend of contemporary and traditional elements. The sparse or minimalist Blueskin A&P Annual Meeting style is in keeping with the traditional southern Kai Tahu approach to whakairo (carving) and Notice is given of our adornment and because the wood was so hard. In the southern dialect, ‘ng’ is replaced by ‘k’, hence Ka Annual General Meeting Moemoea instead of Nga Moemoea. Alex worked October 5th 2010, 7.30pm with Kai Tahu carvers on the adornment project for the Wharetupuna, Huirapa at Puketeraki Marae @ Waitati Fire Station in Karitane and he continues to work with carvers at Puketeraki on new works. Paul Clements, Secretary everything printed here appears on our website as it arrives, in full colour, with clickable links and in searchable form October 2010 Blueskin News 3 BLUESKIN PLAYCENTRE by Mikaela Wilson Blueskin Playcentre has had a wonderful time Playcentre really encourages families to share during the last few weeks. Parents have been their cultural identity through song, play, stories creating beautiful bug masks with their children at and dress-ups. There has been talk of this for a Waitati school. The children walked together in a topic next term. We have families from Australia, choreographed procession with the Waitati school Denmark, New Zealand, California and Papua kids during the very successful recent Fireworks New Guinea. night. Parents organised the noddy train, a Children and adults have very much enjoyed horizontal bungy cord to challenge children of Hinerata’s visits. She has been encouraging us to all age groups and a small book stall. Thanks to use Te Reo in our centre. We will miss her next Waitati School for a beautiful family friendly event. term and hope she we will visit us from time to What has been fantastic is seeing parents time. Not only have we been learning spoken at Playcentre get involved with their children’s languages but we have also been learning sign learning. Parents and educators have been learning language. This has been great for all the children. stories and noticing what interests our children. Ishtar has made a big effort at sharing time to teach Ishtar and Belynda are enthusiastic and supportive our children to sign. It is incredible how quickly of the families they are working with.Thank you for young children learn. your dedication and support this term. We have all agreed as a centre that we would The other day as we sat around the kai like to move to a site at Waitati School. This is now table before sharing a healthy morning tea and in process. We feel that this will work very well for saying our karakia the adults started singing our children’s transition to school and also create a head shoulders knees and toes.
Recommended publications
  • Download Original Attachment

    Download Original Attachment

    Year Area name Count 2019 Abbotsford 363 2018 Abbotsford 341 2017 Abbotsford 313 2016 Abbotsford 273 2015 Abbotsford 239 2019 Andersons B… 362 2018 Andersons B… 327 2017 Andersons B… 304 2016 Andersons B… 248 2015 Andersons B… 217 2019 Aramoana 72 2018 Aramoana 65 2017 Aramoana 62 2016 Aramoana 55 2015 Aramoana 48 2019 Balmacewen 99 2018 Balmacewen 99 2017 Balmacewen 85 2016 Balmacewen 79 2015 Balmacewen 66 2019 Belleknowes 209 2018 Belleknowes 182 Year Area name Count 2017 Belleknowes 155 2016 Belleknowes 141 2015 Belleknowes 124 2019 Brighton 332 2018 Brighton 324 2017 Brighton 282 2016 Brighton 251 2015 Brighton 215 2019 Broad Bay-P… 222 2018 Broad Bay-P… 207 2017 Broad Bay-P… 187 2016 Broad Bay-P… 161 2015 Broad Bay-P… 150 2019 Brockville 488 2018 Brockville 454 2017 Brockville 421 2016 Brockville 353 2015 Brockville 321 2019 Bush Road 409 2018 Bush Road 372 2017 Bush Road 337 2016 Bush Road 283 Year Area name Count 2015 Bush Road 264 2019 Caversham 657 2018 Caversham 622 2017 Caversham 550 2016 Caversham 469 2015 Caversham 406 2019 Company Bay 78 2018 Company Bay 64 2017 Company Bay 58 2016 Company Bay 55 2015 Company Bay 44 2019 Concord 390 2018 Concord 362 2017 Concord 321 2016 Concord 293 2015 Concord 268 2019 Corstorphin… 121 2018 Corstorphin… 105 2017 Corstorphin… 87 2016 Corstorphin… 75 2015 Corstorphin… 65 2019 Corstorphin… 97 Year Area name Count 2018 Corstorphin… 84 2017 Corstorphin… 74 2016 Corstorphin… 59 2015 Corstorphin… 63 2019 East Taieri 331 2018 East Taieri 316 2017 East Taieri 269 2016 East Taieri 244 2015 East Taieri
  • Safety Driving Waitati Curve Realignment Project by the Editors the New Zealand Transport Agency Expects to Environment

    Safety Driving Waitati Curve Realignment Project by the Editors the New Zealand Transport Agency Expects to Environment

    Doctors Point, Waitati, Evansdale, Warrington, Seacliff 1 June 2010 Safety driving Waitati curve realignment project by the editors The New Zealand Transport Agency expects to environment. They say another key safety benefit begin realigning the tight curve in State Highway will come from the store being accessed from 1 at Waitati early next year. The work will involve Harvey St, where the speed limit is only 50km/h. shifting the Blueskin General Store to a new site The new store will have improved parking, turning next to the Blueskin Nursery, on land occupied by areas for cars, buses and trucks. the existing highway. The Harvey St intersection Because the store cannot be permanently into Waitati will also be upgraded. relocated to its new site until the highway works NZTA says the aim of the project is to are complete, NZTA will build a temporary store improve highway safety by aligning the curve so on Harvey St between the former hall and Gallery it is more compatible with the rural (100km/h) on Blueskin. As part of the project, there will be Local Identity will be improvements to adjacent QEII covenant area. The missed intersection has been designed so the registered oak tree and adjacent beech tree are not affected. The project will provide car pool parking and bus bays. Some sections of the highway not required for realignment will be made available for parking. NZTA expect the project to cost $3.5M-$4M, and construction is planned to commence in January 2011 and to be completed by December 2012. NZTA will lodge consents for this work in July.
  • Newsletter Number 55 September-November 2013

    Newsletter Number 55 September-November 2013

    Newsletter Number 55 September-November 2013 Autumn Typically changeable spring weather has brought a mix of northeasterly and southwesterly winds. The level of the 'Blueskin Blanket' has often been low, leaving the Ecosanctuary in golden morning sunshine above the clouds. The orchids certainly know that it is spring, with Corybas, Pterostylis, and Simpliglottis all flowering in profusion. So too are the robins aware, with many successful breeding attempts already. We are looking forward to a bumper summer for the biodiversity of the Ecosanctuary. Think of us over the summer and bring any friends who are visiting. Bear in mind that many of the biodiversity features of the Ecosanctuary are subtle, so consider a guided tour to get extra value from your visit. From the Trust It’s been a spectacular year for the Ecosanctuary. A few highlights by the month: January – our two young Southland Museum tuatara strut their stuff at the new viewing pen; February – work intensifies to upgrade culverts and seal off suspected mice intrusion; March – Orokonui Foundation takes shape; April – a community-led project (‘Beyond Orokonui’) is proposed to enhance the halo effect of the Ecosanctuary through trapping in the surrounding areas; May – female takahe Paku from Kapiti Island is released as a mate for Quammen and a new Memorandum of Understanding is signed with the City Council; June – a Haast tokoeka chick sighting confirms the first kiwi breeding in the Dunedin area for at least 140 years and Matariki events are well supported again; July – generous donations ensure the construction of a new two-bay shed for the workshop complex; August – a $50,000 donation from the Harry J.
  • BLUESKIN NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Est

    BLUESKIN NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Est

    BLUESKIN NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Est. 1985 SEPTEMBER 2020 Seacliff • Warrington • Evansdale • Waitati • Doctors Point • Purakaunui In this issue... Coastal Communities Cycleway page 2 Spring Predator Control page 12 Toy Library Update page 5 Waitati Toastmasters page 14 Flower Show Schedule page 8 The Great Kereru Count page 16 Eclipse - Poem page 11 plus lots more ... Editor’s Note Life Changing Blueskin Bay Community Spaces Hi everyone, well we’re back at Level 2 for a few weeks - so I’m working from home again – the difference is that now Gadgets Warrington Hall Available for birthdays, family gatherings, exercise the doors are open and the lure of garden makes it difficult Many useful items classes, dances and do’s etc at reasonable rates. to concentrate on work. It also means no Community have come into my life Hire includes a fully equipped kitchen and tables Market in September unfortunately. but the best value for and chairs. I have a few people to thank: to the Garden Club for their money to save my sanity Contact Lyn 482 2896 or Rowena 482 2667 generous donation to our funds, to Nick Beckwith for the is my TELESCOPIC Waitati Hall stunning photo on the front cover and to everyone who BACKSCRATCHER . Suitable for large meetings, weddings, parties, has sent in articles to keep us entertained and informed as Bought many years ago from concerts, dances etc. (up to 120) features kitchen, well of course as our advertisers who keep us alive. toilets, stage, sound system and large projection a $2 shop this little item has screen.
  • Re-Establishing North Island Kākā (Nestor Meridionalis Septentrionalis

    Re-Establishing North Island Kākā (Nestor Meridionalis Septentrionalis

    Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. Re-establishing North Island kākā (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis) in New Zealand A thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Conservation Biology Massey University Auckland, New Zealand Tineke Joustra 2018 ii For Orlando, Aurora and Nayeli “I don’t want my children to follow in my footsteps, I want them to take the path next to me and go further than I could have ever dreamt possible” Anonymous iii iv Abstract Recently there has been a global increase in concern over the unprecedented loss of biodiversity and how the sixth mass extinction event is mainly due to human activities. Countries such as New Zealand have unique ecosystems which led to the evolution of many endemic species. One such New Zealand species is the kākā (Nestor meridionalis). Historically, kākā abundance has been affected by human activities (kākā were an important food source for Māori and Europeans). Today, introduced mammalian predators are one of the main threats to wild kākā populations. Although widespread and common throughout New Zealand until the 1800’s, kākā populations on the mainland now heavily rely on active conservation management. The main methods of kākā management include pest control and re-establishments. This thesis evaluated current and past commitments to New Zealand species restoration, as well as an analysis of global Psittacine re-establishment efforts.
  • Coastal Hazards of the Dunedin City District

    Coastal Hazards of the Dunedin City District

    Coastal hazards of the Dunedin City District Review of Dunedin City District Plan—Natural Hazards Otago Regional Council Private Bag 1954, Dunedin 9054 70 Stafford Street, Dunedin 9016 Phone 03 474 0827 Fax 03 479 0015 Freephone 0800 474 082 www.orc.govt.nz © Copyright for this publication is held by the Otago Regional Council. This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, provided the source is fully and clearly acknowledged. ISBN 978-0-478-37678-4 Report writers: Michael Goldsmith, Manager Natural Hazards Alex Sims, Natural Hazards Analyst Published June 2014 Cover image: Karitane and Waikouaiti Beach Coastal hazards of the Dunedin City District i Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Overview ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Scope ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.3. Describing natural hazards in coastal communities .......................................................... 2 1.4. Mapping Natural Hazard Areas ........................................................................................ 5 1.5. Coastal hazard areas ...................................................................................................... 5 1.6. Uncertainty of mapped coastal hazard areas ..................................................................
  • Surface Water Quality the Water of Leith and Lindsay's Creek Kaikorai

    Surface Water Quality the Water of Leith and Lindsay's Creek Kaikorai

    Surface water quality The Water of Leith and Lindsay’s Creek Kaikorai Stream Waitati River and Carey’s Creek © Copyright for this publication is held by the Otago Regional Council. This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part provided the source is fully and clearly acknowledged. ISBN 1-877265-67-5 Published August 2008 Water of Leith, Kaikorai, Waitati and Carey’s Creek i Foreword To help protect water quality, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) carries out long- term water quality monitoring as part of a State of the Environment programme. To supplement this information, targeted and detailed short-term monitoring programmes are also implemented in some catchments. This report provides the results from more detailed investigations carried out in three catchments: Water of Leith Kaikorai Stream Waitati River and Carey’s Creek The Water of Leith and Kaikorai Stream are both located in Dunedin and drain typical residential and industrial areas. Both watercourses have many stormwater outfalls which compromise water quality. The Waitati River and Carey’s Creek have little development in their catchments. The upper catchments are forested while lower in the catchment, pasture dominates. Water quality is generally very good. This report forms a baseline study from which ORC and local community programmes can work together to address various issues in the catchments. It is hoped that these catchment programmes will promote environmentally sound practices which will sustain and improve water quality. Water of Leith, Kaikorai, Waitati and Careys Creek Water of Leith, Kaikorai, Waitati and Carey’s Creek ii Water of Leith, Kaikorai, Waitati and Careys Creek Water of Leith, Kaikorai, Waitati and Carey’s Creek iii Executive summary Between July 2007 and March 2008, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) carried out intensive water quality monitoring programmes in the following catchments: Water of Leith Kaikorai Stream Waitati River and Carey’s Creek The aim of this monitoring was to establish a baseline water quality.
  • Out of the Blue

    Out of the Blue

    Mark Brown on the estuary at Blueskin Bay, with Rabbit Island Travel behind him and Porteous Hill and the tip of Warrington beyond. OUT OF THE BLUE MANY A WORSE PLACE MIGHT BE FOUND IN THE WORLD THAN BLUESKIN BAY, WROTE A TRAVELLER TO COASTAL OTAGO IN 1868. AS JOANNA WANE DISCOVERS, THIS WAS MEANT AS HIGH PRAISE INDEED. JOANNA WANE IS NORTH & SOUTH’S DEPUTY EDITOR. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISABELLA HARREX. 106 | NORTH & SOUTH | APRIL 2016 NORTH & SOUTH | APRIL 2016 | 107 he bar-tailed godwit flies 12,000km from T Siberia every year to summer at Blueskin Bay. Born over the hill in Port Chalmers, Mark Brown didn’t have quite so far to travel. But when he and his wife, Clare, settled here 40 years ago, their nesting instincts seemed just as irrational. Locals warned they’d go bankrupt after the couple bought five acres on the flat where there’d been a Chinese market garden, down by the river. It cost $9200 and no one had ever paid that much for land in Waitati before. Brown did a bit of gardening work, but it was Clare who brought in the money, as a chemist at the Cadbury factory in Dunedin down the coast. When they applied for a mortgage, the banks wouldn’t take her salary into account; in those days, women were considered an unreliable investment because they might decide to go off and have children. They got the loan, anyway. Tucked into the southern scoop of the Blueskin Bay estuary, Waitati was a mini San Francisco back in the 1970s “and in scale, just as dynamic”, according to stories told of the time.
  • Seacliff Revives Old Orchard

    Seacliff Revives Old Orchard

    Doctors Point, Waitati, Evansdale, Warrington, Seacliff 1 August 2010 Seacliff revives old orchard by Paul Smith The Truby King Reserve’s old orchard is Located on the corner of Coast Road about to get a make over with the Reserve and Russell Road, the orchard is thought Committee embarking on a new “open to be the site of the Seacliff Hospital’s old orchard” project. vegetable gardens. The orchard design Just a few straggly apple trees are all has been provided by Waitati tree expert, that remain of what was possibly a larger Jason Ross, from Sutherland Nurseries. A orchard planted when the Seacliff Asylum range of heritage varieties will be planted. was operating. All that is due to change The orchard will be cared for by the with a planting day due to take place on Seacliff community, but the Committee Saturday 7 August. is keen to extend an invitation for anyone Though owned by the Dunedin City interested to come and help out on Council, the Reserve is co-managed with planting day. A spade, gloves, buckets the Seacliff community. The Reserve and wheelbarrows are recommended as Committee has raised funds for the useful items to bring. project which has also received a grant The planting day begins at 11.00am. from the Waikouaiti Coast Community Volunteers should meet at the corner of Board. Coast and Russell Roads A message by Bruce Sheppard On behalf of the Sheppard family I would like Thank you for the right royal banquet to thank the people of Waitati for the support that followed, the decorations in the hall given over Terry’s passing.
  • Blueskin Newsaugust 2020

    Blueskin Newsaugust 2020

    BLUESKIN NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER Est. 1985 AUGUST 2020 Seacliff • Warrington • Evansdale • Waitati • Doctors Point • Purakaunui In this issue... Chuck Landis page 2 Truby King Reserve page 6 Blueskin Bay Yachting Club page 9 Healthy Water Catchments page 13 A Phoenix from the Ashes page 15 A Centre to Shine Bright page 18 plus lots more ... Editor’s Note Blueskin Bay Community Spaces Hi all, isn’t it nice to see signs of spring appearing, blossom and camellias are beginning to show in my garden and Warrington Hall the daffodils have their leaves well above the ground now, Available for birthdays, family gatherings, exercise classes, dances and do’s etc at reasonable rates. though no doubt we will have a snow day before spring Hire includes a fully equipped kitchen and tables really happens. and chairs. It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Contact Lyn 482 2896 or Rowena 482 2667 Chuck Landis, although not a close friend I had know him Waitati Hall since the 1990s and always found both he and Carolyn Suitable for large meetings, weddings, parties, to be great company and always interesting both to concerts, dances etc. (up to 120) features kitchen, listen and talk to. In the last couple of months I had been toilets, stage, sound system and large projection working closely with him on his story of the James Powell screen. Convalescent Home. The next chapter was to be about Contact Blueskin Nurseries on 482 2828 how they created their fabulous garden and I am really Waitati Hall Meeting Room sorry that we won’t get to read it.
  • Big Fat Solstice Feast a Success ‘Forest Creatures’ Emerged from Their Lairs on Saturday June 19 to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

    Big Fat Solstice Feast a Success ‘Forest Creatures’ Emerged from Their Lairs on Saturday June 19 to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

    Doctors Point, Waitati, Evansdale, Warrington, Seacliff 1 July 2010 Big Fat Solstice Feast a Success ‘Forest creatures’ emerged from their lairs on Saturday June 19 to celebrate the winter solstice. Organised by Lucy Jack of the Waitati Edible Gardners, revellers donned their favourite forest costumes, and headed to the Waitati Hall to eat, drink and be exceedingly merry at the big fat solstice feast. Thanks to the number of participants and the generosity of the bands – Skybus, Leo LaDell and Oli Cameron for refusing to accept payment – the WEGies coffers swelled satisfactorily. Plans are afoot, reports Lucy, for a return match next year. NEwS Locals call meeting on ‘boy racer’ problem by Peter Dowden and Karen Hobday Locals are calling a public meeting to discuss community action on the problem of vandalism to the Warrington Domain lawns. With several visits to Warrington in June by car enthusiasts known as ‘boy racers’ from Dunedin, the Domain has been left in a muddy condition and residents’ sleep has been repeatedly disturbed. The Warrington Reserve Group has agreed to host the meeting. Various proposals to deal with the issue will be presented in five-minute time slots with brief question-and-answer sessions. The meeting will then be opened for a general discussion. Organisers want people to contribute creative, practical ideas for a positive solution. • Warrington Memorial Hall, 7.30pm, Thursday, 8 July. Caught in their sartorial splendour (from • If you wish to make a 5-minute presentation top) were Derek Onley (left) and Rosemary of your idea to solve the ‘boy racer’ problem, Penwarden; Jackie Fanning (left) and Lucy Jack please email: [email protected] • See also page 2.
  • Trip Report January 6 – 24, 2019 | Written by Client Karen Worcester

    Trip Report January 6 – 24, 2019 | Written by Client Karen Worcester

    New Zealand Birding & Nature | Trip Report January 6 – 24, 2019 | Written by Client Karen Worcester With Guide Greg Smith, and participants Karen, Fiona, Kay, Lesley, Kit, Elena, Jan, and Linda Sun., January 6 | North to Hauraki Gulf Welcome to New Zealand! Some of us met yesterday while getting to know Auckland a little better, and were happy to meet Mark Ayre, our New Zealand guide. We gathered in the lobby of the Grand Millennium Hotel, and then out we went to the comfy Mercedes bus we’d be calling home for the next few weeks. We left Auckland and drove south towards Mangere. Along the freeways here and in other open spaces, restoration plantings of native plants are common, and include New Zealand flax, cabbage tree (Cordyline, reminiscent of Dracaena), putokahwa (or New Zealand Christmas Tree) and toi toi (Austroderia - looks somewhat like pampas grass). The area is dominated by small volcanic peaks, often covered with lush vegetation. Some of the small volcanoes near the coast were used by the Maori as lookouts. Their sides still show the remnants of war trenches they used for cover. We drove along the south edge of Mangere Bay, out onto a causeway towards Puketutu Island. Wastewater ponds parallel the causeway on one side, with tidal mud flats on the other - this made for excellent views of shorebirds and waterfowl. Elegant Black Swans floated in the ponds, along with Mallard/Grey Duck hybrids. Welcome Swallows flew overhead, welcoming us to the first morning of our trip. As always, the first morning of the first day is a rush of new species.