Safety driving Waitati curve realignment project
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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.
It is intended that these will be publicly notified so
people will have an opportunity to review them
and make a submission if they wish.
The NZTA will hold a public information
evening in Waitati, at which residents can gain a
better insight of the project. NZTA will announce
details about this evening in Blueskin News.
NZTA will place further information on this
project on their website www.nzta.govt.nz in
early June.
* NZTA project manager: Simon Underwood,
phone Dunedin 955 2938,
"Inserted on behalf of the community
email simon.underwood@nzta.govt.nz
(Photo by Alasdair Morrison)"
June 2010 Blueskin News 1Blueskin playcentre
NEws Successful Jumble Sale
by Mikaela Wilson
Big “send-off” for local identitiy Another successful jumble sale was held in
by the editors the Waitati Hall on Sunday May 23. We had a
wonderful time with the café, BBQ, face painting,
Waitati streets were chokka on Friday 21 March
books, games and jumble. We would like to thank
as mourners attended a memorial celebration for
everybody who participated in the many ways
Terry Sheppard, castle builder and keen cricketer,
that made this event possible.
among his many talents, who recently died in
Blueskin Playcentre is a wonderful
tragic circumstances. An obituary will follow in
environment where parents and children learn
the next 'Blueskin News'.
and grow together. It takes a whole community to
raise a child and we have some beautiful, inspiring
and curious children in ours.
New Boards of Trustees elected The money raised at this event contributes
by Peter Dowden towards new equipment, maintenance of existing
equipment, educational toys and other resources.
Local schools have completed their Board of Thank you to those who have supported
Trustees elections. The parent representatives for Blueskin Playcentre by donating these generous
Waitati School are Nathan Clarke, Antony Deaker, gifts and vouchers. We are very grateful for your
Boris Baeumer, Bruce Muldrew and Tania Turei. support. They include: Utopia Dynamic Health,
The parent representatives for Warington School The Monarch Boat, Albatross Colony, Orokonui
are Mark Familton, Anthony Lobb, Eric Neuman, Ecosanctuary, Sonny Chin - Therapeutic massage,
Rachel Ozanne and Lynley Verkerk. Each board Blueskin Library, Gallery on Blueskin, Blueskin
also includes the principal and another staff Nursery, Taste Nature, Mandy Mayhem-bubble
member. bath, Karan Snow,Whitcoulls, Toyworld,
Boardbase, Arthur Barnetts, Dive Otago and
Waitati carvers.
The raffle will be drawn on June 1 at Playcentre.
Blueskin News
Published not-for-profit by volunteers of Blueskin Media on the 1st of each month, February to
December, 600 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, 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 editors@blueskin.co.nz.
Electronic copy should be formatted as simply as possible with two returns between each
paragraph or item in a list, and after each heading.
Produced and distributed this month with the help of: Craig Marshall, Louise Booth, Lynnaire
Johnston, Peter Dowden, Polly Higham, Coleen Hastie, Kelvin & Bev Lyon Milk Vendors, Blueskin
General Store, Gallery on Blueskin, the Contributors and Advertisers. Printed by North East
Otago Computing, Hampden.
2 Blueskin News June 2010WARRINGTON RESERVE GROUP by Karen Hobday Warrington Domain Planting Day this year is We are also looking at tidying up the uneven Sunday June 13 at 10am. Come join us, create parking area at the end of the vehicle track to the beautiful areas of native plants, attracting birds north end of the beach, below the Esplanade. and providing shelter. Bring a spade if you have We want to level out the big puddles so there is one, friends and family, all ages welcome. We will more space for parking, since many people now start at the main planting site across from the use this access point. We need to retain access for playground . We hope to have enough people to surf club and boat launching, but we have received plant out some new sites as well. As always, we lots of complaints about the numbers of vehicles will have hot drinks and biscuits for you all, and parking and driving on the beach during tourist/ a smoko table if you want to bring food to share. holiday season. We are considering a simple chain A long term planting plan is to add native plants gate across the narrow beach end of the track, along the edges of the roads to the beach and bay, which would be easy to open for beach access, and around the domain. Planting sites will be but may encourage our many visitors to park where there is an existing vegetation line, so the here instead of on the beach. What do you think? overall look of the domain won’t change. We will Lastly, a explanation for any confused readers of retain existing plants, and replace weeds with new our column. In March and April, our contribution native plants to create a more varied and beautiful to ‘Blueskin News’ was presented under a Waitati boundary to the grassed open areas and roadside. Reserve heading, a wee mistake at the editorial stage, We are excited to report that we have some and in May our column and poster disappeared funding for the long-awaited notice board/ in cyberspace, something that has been known to information area, from Telecom via the DCC. happen from time to time in our Warrington area! We are now at the stage of design, quotes, and We like your feedback. Let us know if you then securing any additional funding if needed. have any ideas, or queries about any of our You may remember that we asked the community, projects. We have a box at Blueskin Store if via ‘Blueskin News’ in June 2007, where you you want to drop off a written suggestion. would most like this information site. There Warrington Reserve Group: Karen Hobday, 482 2762 was a clear preference for the grassed area near the playground, where the road divides to go to the surf club and the bay. We plan to make this an attractive area, with plants and sculpture, as well as information on our area and wildlife. The design will include space for permanent displays, seasonal information about wildlife, and an area for local notices relevant to beach and domain. everything printed here appears on our website as it arrives, in full colour, with clickable links and in searchable form June 2010 Blueskin News 3
ART review
by Nigel Yates
Fourteen 'photograms' by Jacob Feenstra featured
in the May exhibition 'Subject to Change' at
Gallery on Blueskin (7-30 May). The photogram
is a very early form of photographic printing that
can only be accomplished in a traditional 'wet'
darkroom, an increasingly rare place with the
advent of digital photography. The technician
places an object straight onto photographic
paper and exposes it to light for a pre-determined
amount of time, and then processes the paper
in developer and fixer. The result is a silhouette.
Jacob's prints are of common and unusual
objects found on local beaches, such as a glove in
one print, and a seahorse in another.The prints are
monochrome (black and white), although several
have small patches of colour added and one has
had selective sepia toning.
The photogram process naturally delivers rich,
deep blacks and bright whites, with few middle “RONDO” photogram by Jacob Feenstra
tones. Jacob used fibre-based photographic paper
throughout which, when properly processed,
will be of archival quality. He then immersed
the washed prints in selenium toning solution
(except for No.7 which is gold-toned). This simple
process replaces the silver halides in the print with
selenium, which is more stable, and will not fade
when exposed to sunlight. These prints could last
for hundreds of years if stored correctly.
Silhouettes such as these can draw the eye yet
have an unobtrusive, understated effect. The odd
shapes of the often unidentified objects provide a
mysterious element which arouses curiosity. There
is a quality in the best of these photograms which
is at once pleasing and hard to define.
Attached photo: No. 14 'Rondo' $485 available
from Gallery on Blueskin.
AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
Local contact:
Elspeth 482 2022
www.amnesty.org.nz
4 Blueskin News June 2010Feature
History meets Art at Coast Road Retreat
by Liz Abbott
An open day for the new Coast Road Retreat is 1930’s. The Catholic Church bought the site, built
being held on Sunday, June 6 as part of the monthly a church and began holding services in 1936. But
Seacliff market.Coast Road Retreat offers unique times change and as the businesses which served
holiday accommodation for couples, families the hospital gradually moved away following
or small groups in the newly renovated former the hospital’s closure, the pews emptied. In 1980
Roman Catholic Church at Seacliff, Our Lady of services stopped and the church was sold as a
Perpetual Succour. private residence. It continued to host a variety of
The recently renovated interior is a creative activities, however, including a medieval banquet
collaboration of carpentry, leadlight, wrought iron in 1993, live performances by local bands, the
and original artworks by local artisans including recording of Skaface Claw’s 2006 album The
Hazel Heal, James Abbott and owners, Liz Abbott Goblin Church of Seacliff, and Coast Road Market,
and Rudie Verhoef. a lively local market held in the church grounds
Located 30km north of Dunedin and 10 on the first Sunday of every month.
minutes from State Highway 1, Seacliff is an Earlier this year, the church was opened as
historic village that lies between the seaside Coast Road Retreat. The spacious, open-plan
settlements of Warrington and Karitane along the layout includes a queen-size bed and TV alcove
scenic Coast Road. In its heyday of the late 1800’s on the mezzanine level, two single beds in the
and early 1900’s, Seacliff was a thriving, bustling downstairs altar area, and a large woodburner set
settlement serving the Seacliff Mental Hospital in a stone hearth.
where writer, Janet Frame, was once incarcerated. • Coast Road Retreat, 728 Coast Road, Seacliff,
Back then, the site where the church now stands • 027 7811799, info@coastroadretreat.co.nz,
was occupied by a large general store, bakehouse • www.coastroadretreat
and butcher shop until fire destroyed them in the
June 2010 Blueskin News 5Blueskin Media holds longest - ever A.G.M. by Craig Marshall The Annual General Meeting of Blueskin Media final report. A small gift was presented to Polly was held on 9 May at Gallery on Blueskin, as a token of Blueskin Media's appreciation of in Waitati, and was well-supported by our all her work over the years, along with thanks by readers and existing and prospective volunteers. acclamation. Polly is the longest serving member L ou i s e B o ot h i n d i c ate d s h e w a s m ore of Blueskin Media and was instrumental in dealing than happy to relinquish the President's with a serious financial squeeze some years ago, position and Peter Dowden was elected. and has much to do with the very satisfactory Therese Hailes and L awrence Hay were current financial state of the organisation. nominated to share the position of Secretary The meeting resolved that Geraldine Tait and to ensure there was always someone at and Alasdair Morrison would investigate each meeting. The Secretaries' job is to record the possibility of Blueskin Media becoming minutes at meetings and to distribute these, an Incorporated Society or Charitable Trust and to deal with non-financial correspondence. It was resolved to investigate producing another Colleen Hastie was nominated to the Treasurer phone directory including addresses in Blueskin position in absentia, subject to her acceptance. The Bay, Warrington, Evansdale, and Seacliff and to Treasurer's role is to maintain a two-monthly billing investigate collecting together recipes from 'The cycle to each of the paying advertisers, to record Blueskin Bayleaf ' and produce these in some form. payments both inward and out, to keep a record of It was resolved that a donation of $104 ($2 per week donations and payments, and to maintain a simple for a year) would be made to Blueskin Bay FM. set of books that record transactions and balances. After a discussion on various editorial matters, A Committee of Louise Burnside, the meeting closed at 8:45 pm. It was noted Ly n n ai re Jo h ns t on , L ou i s e B o ot h , that this broke the record as Blueskin Media's Craig Marshall, Nicky Clarke was elected. longest-ever meeting (1 hour, 15 minutes). Outgoing Treasurer Polly Higham presented her 6 Blueskin News June 2010
The BLUESKIN Bayleaf Fresh Green Salad:
Ameijoas Na CataPlana • Thinly sliced tomatoes
• Thinly sliced cucumber, peeled and seeds
by Rowan Holt
removed
There is some thing very satisfying about knowing • Thinly sliced red peppers
there is pork belly brewing in a delicious marinade, • Mixed mesclun salad leaves
getting ready for dinner. All you need for this • Olives, pitted
recipe is a friendly butcher (for the pork belly) and Dressing:
a dry pair of gumboots (to collect your cockles). • quarter cup cider vinegar
Good eggs for the pasta are essential. • quarter cup olive oil
• One pork belly, diced • pinch of sugar, salt, pepper and mustard
• Bacon, diced
• Plenty of cockles (rest them in clean salt water Mainly Music
overnight, then immerse in fresh water to
by Kim Park
expel remaining sand)
Marinade: Waitati Mainly Music is
• 3 cups white wine having a DIY and Dessert
• 5 cloves garlic Ev e n i n g f o r a l l t h o s e
• 4 shallots interested in helping us make
• half a dozen bay leaves props for our pre-school
• 2 tablespoons paprika. music sessions.
Marinade the pork then remove. Reserve rest of Come along if you’re happy spending an evening
marinade. Fry bacon then set aside. Fry pork in making drums, shakers, bean bags, scarves and an
butter and oil. odd assortment of other props which will build
Scrub and clean cockles. Steam the cockles in the up the Waitati community resources.
marinade until they open. Discard un-opened We’ll meet together at the Waitati Hall on
cockles. Thursday night June 24 from 7.30-9.30pm. We’ll
Stir through fried bacon and 1 cup cream. provide dessert and you can provide the man/
Stir through chiffonnade cut parsley and coriander. woman power.
Serve with fresh pasta and classic fresh green salad.
Fresh Pasta: ‘Traditional and not’ church opens
• 4 large free-range eggs by Peter Dowden
• 500g flour. Use high grade or strong Tipo “00” A new church group has begun gathering
Mix in food processor until it forms a dough, for worship on a regular basis in Waitati.
about 1 minute. 'Fernhill Church in Waitati' is an offshoot of
Tur n onto a the Fernhill Church in Carroll St, Dunedin,
floured board The church had been meeting every second week
and knead for in Waitati for a month or so, and had decided to go
another couple monthly on an ongoing basis, church coordinator
of minutes. and preacher Ray Rombouts told 'Blueskin News'.
Wrap in paper "We are not a traditional church but we're
or cling film traditional in our belief," Ray said. "There's the
and let it rest odd guitar and we clap a bit now and then."
in fridge for R ay t r avel s out f rom Mo s g i el to l e a d
at least 10 the Waitati ser vices under the guidance
minutes. of pastor Mark Buckle, of Dunedin.
Roll out as thin as you can and shape as you wish. F e r n h i l l C h u r c h a t Wa i t a t i m e e t s i n
Long or flat, you can cut or rip into shapes or even the Waitati Hall on the first Sunday of
use a pasta cutter. each month, starting June 6, at 2:30 pm.
Ray Rombouts, 484 7414
June 2010 Blueskin News 7Orokonui Ecosanctuary
by Sue Hensley
walking down the valley. A kereru pair have been
seen feeding their chick near the platform and
added value was given to one group studying seed
dispersal when a kereru poo jam-packed full
of seeds literally dropped in from the sky.
It is with sorrow we note the passing of local, The robins have been very quiet and one has
Terry Sheppard. Terry's relationship with the been spotted back at home in the Silverpeaks.
Orokonui forest goes back many years before the The success of this translocation will not be fully
Ecosanctuary was even thought of. He cut and known until spring.
kept open some of the tracks in there, enjoying the Ever been up close and personal with fungi
peace of the valley, and remained a regular walker or mosses? Two Orokonui field trips (including
in Orokonui until his death. microscopic analysis) are planned for June. David
Initially he had severe reservations about the Orlovich is leading the Fungi Foray on the 12th
proposed fenced sanctuary and attended most and Maia Mistral is delving into Magical Mosses
of the local meetings to air his concerns. He was and Liverworts on the 13th. Both are 10am-3pm
keenly interested in all aspects of the project, often and $39 a head.
asking challenging questions. But by 2006 he was The Visitor Centre and café are open every
a supporter. day from 9.30sm - 4.30pm. The Centre is free to
In March of that year he held a party for the explore as is the
birds, opening his home, Egmont Castle, to a large Pa Harakeke walk (Flax Plantation) and the
number of interested people who paid a gold coin 9km perimeter track. Guided and unguided
donation for the privilege. All proceeds went to walks available. We have a Facebook page as well
the Orokonui Ecosanctuary and, as Terry put it, as a website, www.orokonui.org.nz, to keep you
helping to bring back the kiwi. Unfortunately he up to date.
did not live to see the return of the kiwi which we
hope will take place later this year.
The first rare plant translocation has been
undertaken. Val Fay of Green Fingers fame has
been cultivating this grassy sedge (Carexinopinata)
until there were enough to plant out in several
locations. This is also part of a research project
that will look at factors governing growth success
in an area free of mammalian browsers.
Two more kaka chicks have fledged and one
of the juvenile tieke/saddleback appears to have
taken up a territory close to the valley track where
it has been seen by two school groups who were
Colin Hall Fencing Contractor
Specializing in Lifestyle Blocks
Tel: 03 482 2110 Cell: 027 326 4678
E Mail: colinhall@xtra.co.nz
New Fences & Old Fence Repairs
Restoration Maintenance & More
8 Blueskin News June 2010Warrington SCHOOL
by school staff and parents
A big thank you to Jo Ward and Tim Locker Waikouaiti
who have chosen to stand down from the Board • Thursday 24 June: East Otago High School
of Trustees at this election. Their input into Open Day
the school over the last three years has been • Wednesday 30 June: Book Car followed by
appreciated. Thank you to those who stood for Book Club
the election and congratulations to those who • Friday 2 July: End of Term 2
were successful. Monday 19 July: Term 3 Starts
Well done to our group of Year 6 pupils
who participated in the Sports Otago Activ8
competition – they were great representatives for
our school and worked together as a team to solve
the challenges they were set.
Congratulations to the Literature Quiz team
who came second in the Dunedin competition
against a large group of schools. This team showed
remarkable knowledge of books.
It's fantastic seeing so many of our pupils
involved in after-school activities: four hockey
teams, one netball team, one miniball team, after-
school drummers and our monthly book club.
Our Vision Map is now on display and looks
superb. This was a major undertaking for the
school and thanks to Juliet Novena Sorrell who
worked with us to achieve such a stunning piece
of work.
Calendar:
• Wednesday 2 June: Blueskin Bay Library Book
Car visit (all Dunedin Public Library users are
welcome) followed by Book Club
• Week commencing 7 June: Matariki Week
• Wednesday 16 June: Blueskin Bay Library
Book Car visit
• Tuesday 22 June: Kaupapa Festival at
June 2010 Blueskin News 910 Blueskin News June 2010
June 2010 Blueskin News 11
WAITATI SCHOOL
by Jenna Packer
supportive learning and social environment for
both the children and families of the schools.”
Dr Boris Baeumer has been living in Waitati
since 2001 and will be involved with the school for
Waitati school children have been out and about
years to come. Boris aims to “make sure that our
lately. The two most recent school excursions
children have access to modern technology” and
have seen something for everybody, with a visit
is “a great fan of inquiry-based learning, tailored
to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, an Otago Museum
to the individual needs of the child”.
sleep-over and urban walk and pool trip. We had
Antony Deaker is Ngai Tahu from Kati
great support from the parents and the tireless
Huirapa ki Puketeraki at Karitane and has been
teachers in making the outings possible. And of
proactive in supporting the school to build
course the education staff at the ecosanctuary and
relations with our runaka. He's from a family of
the museum who worked alongside our school
teachers and educationalists with two children at
teachers, to capture the children's imaginations
Waitati School and two to come.
and attention. The children were particularly
Nathan Clarke is already well known to the
lucky to have participated in a special programme
school community as a member of the previous
at the ecosanctuary involving walking the whole
Board and brings continuity to the governance
length of the stream and – an evident highlight
of the school.
judging by the children's comments – testing the
Tania Turei is Ngati Kahungungu and has lived
health of the water. The Room 1 children said they
in Waitati for five years. Tania seeks to contribute
really enjoyed “looking in the stream and finding
to the school community and says “our school is an
invertebrates, which meant that the stream was
excellent school and I am committed to continuing
healthy”, “checking the conductivity of the water”
its proud and unique character”.
and “catching the creatures”. Another real treasure
Of course, the school also continues to enjoy
that day was sighting a tieke (saddleback) – a very
the strong support of the staff and community, in
rare event! Not only did the children return from
fundraising, trips and contributions to curriculum.
the visits enthused and excited; the staff at both
Many thanks must go to the volunteers who have
venues observed that our kids have a hunger for
recently gained a grant of $5000 to be spent on
learning, a genuine caring for each other, respect
teaching and learning resources and some outdoor
for the staff and interest in the environments
tables and seats... and with this beautiful autumn
they are in. It takes a village to raise a child, and
weather the children could be lunching outside for
the children here benefit enormously from the
a wee bit longer – touch wood!
involvement of the local community in their
education, whether it be academic, sporting,
environmental or social.
The school has, like all schools in New Blueskin Bay Library
Zealand, recently held Board of Trustee elections.
The new Board will be commencing our term with Hours
the school in good shape, financially and in terms Monday: 2.00 pm – 7.00 pm
of work done in policy areas and planning, as well Tuesday: 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm
as in the excellent curriculum teaching. Wednesday: 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm
Our new trustees bring great skills and Thursday: 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
networks to our school: Friday: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
Bruce Muldrew has had strong exposure to 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
changing and improving culture and performance Saturday: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
in organisations as an engineer. Bruce says, “I have
a strong belief in the value of children attending
smaller rural schools as this offers a far more
12 Blueskin News June 2010June 2010 Blueskin News 13
WaRrington playcentre
by Ed Bickerstaff
Kia ora Koutou from Warrington Playcentre I love this cultural transmission between the
We hope you are all keeping warm and cosy children and the expanding, changing nature of
as the days shorten and grow colder. Matariki will Playcentre.
reappear soon in our night skies and we are looking It was great to see our old Playcentre children
forward to making lanterns and joining the school back for a visit from Warrington School. Thank
in the week of June 8 for the lantern walk and New you for your lovely songs. Thanks also to Blueskin
Year celebrations. Bay Library, which brought over a selection of
On June 11, at Warrington Playcentre, Kaitrin books for our children to enjoy.
McMullan will be weaving her storytelling magic Happy third birthdays to Reuben, Ella and
with a Matariki theme at 11am. All preschoolers Arlo, and for Phoebe and Roland's upcoming
and caregivers are welcome to come and listen. birthday celebrations.
Our new group of youngsters is beginning to Warrington Playcentre is open Wednesday and
make Playcentre their own and are introducing Friday 9.15am - 12.15pm. All welcome, children
us to sign language, calligraphy and Japanese under two-and-a half free.
phrases (amongst other things). The older children Warrington Playcentre, Christine (supervisor),
have been making the most of the fine weather, phone, 027 227 7329
playing in the sandpit, putting out fires, driving a
fire engine (thanks to Christine),
and introducing the younger
ones to the pleasures of riding
a motorcycle down the concrete
path.
14 Blueskin News June 2010WEGies report
by Lynnaire Johnston
We may have been having the longest, most drawn
out autumn in years, but that doesn’t mean winter
isn’t just around the corner. In fact, the stormy
conditions forecast for this last week of May, could
well be the harbinger. It’s not long till the shortest
day, either, so one way or another, Jack Frost will
not be long in appearing.
For many communities winter’s time to lift the
drawbridge and hunker down for a few months of
hibernation. Not the good folk of Waitati, though.
If anything, it’s a challenge to emerge from the
burrow and party. So, make a note of June 19 – it’s
a Saturday – and be prepared to cut loose.
The Waitati Edible Gardeners are planning The
Big Fat Solstice Feast, a opportunity for feasting,
dancing, and dressing up. Yes indeedy, anyone
attending this “occasion of occasions” will be
wearing their best Forest Creatures gear. It won’t
matter if it’s from the 60s, 70s, or 80s, as long as
there is some relationship – however tenuous –
with creatures of the woods and trees – real or
imagined.
The format for the feast is this: at 6pm, little
Waitatians will meet at the Waitati Hall for pot
luck yummies and lanterns. (You will need to bring
your own lantern). Countess Mayhem will preside
over the Little Fat Solstice Feast and Lantern
Parade for Little People.
Following this, at 8pm, the real party begins
with a BYO feast and bottle of your favourite tipple.
Music for dancing the night away will be provided
by the perennially popular SkyBus and Oleh, both
well known to regular Waitati party-goers.
Tickets for this not-to-be-missed event will be
$10 on the night or $8 if bought in advance from
Taste Nature or the Blueskin Bay Library.
Waitati Edible Gardeners, Lynnaire Johnston,
482 1364
June 2010 Blueskin News 15Waitati Energy project
by Scott Willis
Community Energy wouldn't that send a strong message to reduce
One of Waitati’s true gentlemen, so full of energy, demand and ensure greater household efficiencies?
has left us. Terry Sheppard was a real character Solar hot water, Photovoltaics, Ultra-Smart meters
with a big heart and a disarming grin, and was and insulation all figured prominently too in the
someone who knew with certainty what it was he discussion. This is what an integrated energy
wanted to do, even when bureaucrats and officials community would look like: a truly distributed
were less than convinced. I can’t get used to no energy grid, with increasing levels of energy
longer seeing him on his bike, and it is Terry’s efficiency being monitored in our metering and
abrupt absence and the sense of close community billing systems, and rewarded with rebates and
that was evident following his death that is so energy technology subsidies. We know what value
reminiscent of who Terry was, and who we are: subsidised insulation can bring, in terms of lower
engaged, passionate and present. Terry won’t be power bills, lower carbon footprint, fewer health
forgotten, the memories are as strong and honest issues and greater family comfort. Imagine the
as his Castle, with its tonnes of stone and concrete. elegance of building our own generation, giving us
You've left a powerful legacy Terry, not just in the ability to conduct an annual subsidised energy
the structures you created, but in all of those you programme within the Blueskin Bay area.
touched and inspired. I just wish I'd taken up How will this be possible? One of the most
your offer to put a wind turbine on the top of the valuable insights shared at that meeting was that
Castle, cuz! at a larger Blueskin community of around 700
Community Turbine households (from Purakaunui to near Seacliff
Earlier in May (on the 5th) I reported to the WEP for our section of the grid dependent on the
group at Waitati Hall on our feasibility study into Waitati sub-station), we spend at least $700, 000
the community turbine. A large productive group on electricity annually – that’s 700K practically
asked questions and fuelled a buoyant atmosphere in perpetuity. What if we decided to spend that
with valuable discussion. A clear message about same amount, or a substantial portion of it, on
this generation project, from those present, was our own electricity? The investment would be
that integration with our consumption practices firstly used in establishing our own turbine, and
is important in ensuring the community turbine then using its generation to return benefits to our
secures community support. We now know for own community, not investors elsewhere in NZ
example that there is a high likelihood of good or Australia.
financial viability and therefore returns for our What now? Community consultation, which
community, in establishing a community turbine. will involve an open day and surveys; establishing
There's still work to do in establishing a final potential business agreements; conducting the last
assessment, but financial viability is crucial. There feasibility assessments; and establishing our own
were also very clear indications that a community legal body to own and manage the turbine.
turbine is a way of achieving an integrated energy
community – allowing us to live within our means Quince season is here!
rather than despoiling someone else's landscape
A new range of delectable chutneys,
and environment while consuming electricity from
sauces and jellies showcasing new
other sources (renewable and non-renewable).
season’s produce is now on sale at
Production of electricity close to its consumption
point provides great efficiencies. T he V i ll a ge P ot a ge r
Increasing the power we hold over our own Open daily, corner Doctors Pt Rd & Foyle St, Waitati
consumption is something that was woven through Also at the Coast Rd Market, Seacliff
the community turbine discussion. If we can link Phone 482 1364
our share of the turbine to our power bill, in a clear Local food for local people
message about the amount we've been rebated,
16 Blueskin News June 2010The WEP meeting was a valuable public and participation while ensuring we can also moment to examine more closely some of the take pragmatic steps to build a more resilient and ideas we hold collectively. Would a community sustainable community. However, please don't just turbine mean we hand control to a CEO? (Opinion, wait for the formal consultation events planned! Blueskin News, 1 May 2010). Probably, yes, at least Contact me at the BRCT office, come in to have some control. For as co-operative or company a look at a copy of the feasibility study, attend the shareholders we'd be likely to vote for someone to WEP meetings to find out more, and don't forget do the 'work' of managing our asset: at present we our great wee community newsletter, “Blueskin have no control over the management decisions News”, as a place to air opinions. behind the electricity we consume and the price Waitati Energy Project, Scott Willis, 482 2048, we pay for it. Of course, my work involves finding waitatienergy@gmail.com (join the WEP email a way to enable strong community involvement list), http://transitiontowns.org.nz/waitati June 2010 Blueskin News 17
opinion
Blueskin Bay Conservation Strategy
by Joseph Dougherty
Blueskin Bay is a special place. Fringed on three penguins, shore bindweed, falcons and Hector's
sides by hills, all of which are decorated with dolphins; and in helping both to restore health to
bush to some degree, and on the fourth by the the local ecosystem and enhancing the quality of
open ocean and a long thin sand bar. Dominated life of the local community.
in its centre by a large estuary, Blueskin Bay is, Much more could be achieved in terms of
for an area so close to a city, a seriously wild and support for existing projects if it were possible
open place. to have dedicated means of support from local
It is a privilege to be able to live here. It offers people, or from local groups and from local and
much to the outdoor enthusiast and much to those central government agencies. These projects
who simply wish to enjoy a feeling of space and would also do better if linked to each other more
naturalness in their own home. general conservation efforts, such as pest control
However, as we probably all know, not all is or weed control.
perfect here in the Bay - the fish in the estuary Conservation work requires skilled people,
are a sad echo of the multitude here only 40years knowledge, labour, time, materials and above all,
ago. Hector's dolphins are present only in very low funds. Identifying mechanisms to source funds
numbers, only a fragment of the estuary's marshes and, I believe, to generate some of the needed
remain, eelgrass is vastly reduced, only tiny funds from local resources, is vital to the long
pockets of podocarp forests (rimu, totara, miro, term health of our ecosystem. Otherwise projects
kahikatea) are still to found, pests abound and stutter, falter and sometimes are simply undone
native birds and lizards are seriously reduced in over time.
number and diversity. The benefits to all and to our local environment
Which is why many people have been from having a plan for ecological management and
attempting to reverse these problems; focussing ecological restoration could be huge.For one, we
on restoring an area or helping a species. There could restore the Bay to being a fishing spot of note
are many wonderful, dedicated people living here, if we had a concerted programme of identifying
doing their best to right the situation. the needed actions and pursuing them. Forty
There are landowners in the Bay who have years ago, fishermen said, the Bay was so full of
taken the attitude that their place needs to have flounder that 50 was a good catch and to get that
its naturalness enhanced and have been actively took only an hour or so. A steep contrast with
restoring native bush to their property, like today's experience.
Frank and Lynley O'Neill at Waitete Bush, and Could we restore them? I believe it is worth
Warren and Sarah Hogg at Carey's Creek delta a try and I extend an invitation to all people
in Evansdale. There are also people who have interested in discussing such an idea to get in
taken on enhancing public lands, such as at touch with me or to write to the 'Blueskin News'
Orokonui, Warrington Domain, Doctor's Point to share their ideas.
and elsewhere. Conservation Strategy proponent, Joseph
Much has been achieved. Yet, I believe, much Dougherty 482 2006, jannjo@earthlight.co.nz
more could be achieved if there was a plan for the
ecological management of the whole catchment
of Blueskin Bay. This could be something like a
Conservation Strategy,which in itself could form
a part of a Sustainability Strategy for Blueskin Bay.
Much more could be achieved in terms of assisting
struggling local species of plants and animals, of
which we have a few; such as sea lions, little blue
18 Blueskin News June 2010Waitati Film Society
by Leonie Rousselot
Tuesday June 1 Tu e s d a y J u n e 2 2
COMRADES IN DREAMS (Germany 2006). SUN ALLEY (Germany 1999).
Four lives that could not be more different and a A film about life in the
single passion that unites them: the unconditional 1970's at the tail end of
love for their cinemas, somewhere at the end of Sun Alley, in the shadow of
the world. From North Korea to Wyoming, India the Berlin Wall… A lively,
to Burkina Faso, we follow their efforts to make beautifully played coming-
their audiences dream every night. The film of-age tale that takes a
dives into a set of fascinating lives where stories comic look at an era usually portrayed through
from the everyday and from the silver screen bleak dramas or espionage thrillers. 101min
frequently merge into something magical.100min
T u e s d a y J u n e 2 9
T u e s d a y J u n e 8 I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND (Czech
McLAREN MOVEMENT MUSIC Republic 2007) Czechoslovakia, 1963. Jan Dite
AND CONFLICT (Canada) is released from prison after serving 15 years. He
14 short films by N McLaren, see April 27. 52min goes into semi exile in a deserted village near the
German border. In flashbacks, he tells his story:
Tuesday June 15 he's a small, clever and quick-witted young man,
BERLIN IS IN GERMANY (Germany 2001). stubbornly naive, a vendor at a train station.
After 11 years in prison, the former GDR citizen Thanks to a patron, he becomes a waiter at upscale
Martin Schulz has been released from jail into a hotels and restaurants. "A sexy bit of satire …
unified Germany. With nothing but East German easily one of the cleverest and wittiest comedies to
documents and money and good humour, he come out of Europe in recent years." 120min
re-establishes contact with his former wife and
son. Fellow jailbird Victor gets him a job in a
video store. But Schulz's past is haunting him.
Not being able to get a taxi driver's license
because of his criminal past and his contact to
the shady Victor leads to serious trouble.93min
blueskin bay fm
by Peter Dowden
Blueskin Bay FM 88.2 held its official launch on
Saturday 1 May. The radio station was welcomed
to Warrington School by Mark Familton from the
Board of Trustees.
Andrew Noone and Alasdair Morrison from
DCC/Waikouaiti Coast Community Board
declared the station open and cut the ribbon.
Hinerangi Ferral-Heath from Kati Huirapa
Runaka ki Puketeraki told the legend of sound
waves being bestowed by the birds, the greatest of
which in our area is the Toroa or albatross.
Representatives of other community radio stations
Oamaru Heritage Radio, Puketapu Radio and
Toroa Radio gave their support.
Steven Rainbow, of Warrington, won the best logo.
June 2010 Blueskin News 19FREE* Classifieds YOUR AD HERE editors@blueskin.co.nz for HOUSE TO RENT: Lovely House in Waitati, 4 classified ads in this column. bdrm, from June. $300 per week. 0272941770 *Classified ads are “free” but we would Dates and rent are negotiable. appreciate a koha/donation of $0.50-$1.00 per HOUSE MINDER: Into my 4th year around line of text: at Blueskin Bay Library, by cheque Blueskin Bay. Mild-mannered paleontologist, to Blueskin Media, PO Box 154 Warrington, or non smoking, will look after your pets and plants. to account Blueskin News 03 1726 0010157 Available from Sept-Dec 2010. jeffreyhrobinson@ 00. Blueskin Media is a not-for-profit, 100% yahoo.co.nz 027-4467-915. ] volunteer-run community publisher. ROLLER SKATES WANTED: Old school NOTE TO ADVERTISERS: Ads run her for rollerskates wanted urgently! adult sizes. Please three months. We are happy to repeat them if phone Mandy Mayhem 482 2752. requested by advertisers. FERNHILL CHURCH AT WAITATI in the Waitai WAITATI HALL Large modern kitchen facility. Hall. First Sunday of each month, 2:30 pm. All Meeting room, an attractive facility for a variety welcome. Cuppa to follow. Contact: Ray Rombouts, of functions. For more information or to hire this 484-7414 venue phone Blueskin Bay Library 482 2444 WARRINGTON HALL: For all bookings: please LOCAL LANDSCAPES freshly drawn by Liz phone Rowena Park 482 2667 Abbott. Available direct from the artist at Seacliff. MILK VENDOR: Kelvin Lyon for all your milk, Also last minute original gifts including cards, prints, cream, flavoured milk, custard and fruit juice. patches and other unique handprinted souvenirs. Phone 482 2698 Ideal for posting. Gift vouchers available. Liz's Art LOCAL SHOP: Blueskin General Store, State Shed is open on the first Sunday of the month from Hwy 1, Waitati: 7.30am-8.30pm Mon-Sat; 11am-2pm (during the Coast Road Market) or by 9am-8pm Sun. Tel 482 2741 appointment. ph 027 699 5390 REBIRTHING, SPIRITUAL COACH: David Baillie, ND, BSc. Waitati Valley and Dowling St. 0211-22-0910 www.gemstonetherapy.info [06] PHOTOCOPYING for only 8 cents: St Barnabas Church now has a photocopier and we are offering a photocopy service for 8 cents a page. Contact Louise at the Blueskin Bay Library on 482 2444 if would like to take advantage of this service. 20 Blueskin News June 2010
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