Get behind Earth Day

On Monday, April 23, I tried to purchase parking in Picton as did many other people. The machine would not accept coins nor eftpos cards. We all had to pay by credit card at $1 per hour – I have no dispute with that. But then we were all charged a 50 cent transaction fee.

My gripe is that we all tried to pay by cash but could not. The transaction fee at 50 cents is a rip off. One hour parking cost $1.50 not $1. There was nothing on the machine to say a transaction fee would be charged.

I have contacted the council and its reply was ‘‘unsure why the machine was not accepting coins’’.

I make the point we all tried to pay by cash, then were ripped off. Many did not pay at all.

I will be recommending to other travellers not to stop and shop in Picton. And, yes, I did spend some money in the shops. Hampden Street School in Nelson celebrates its 150th anniversary on Friday and Saturday,

October 19-20. A variety of activities are planned for all attendees to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming back as many former students and staff as possible. We are collating a database of contact details to send further information to people who are considering attending. To join the database and register your interest, please call Hampden Street School on (03) 548 1825.

Alternatively visit hampdenstreet.school.nz, register online bit.ly/hss150 or like us on Facebook facebook.com/hss150/

Of the three major responsibilities set out for Climate Karanga Marlborough in its mission statement one is educational. ‘‘CKM’S educational function is to increase New Zealand society’s awareness of, and its preparedness to meet, the impending challenges that rapid climate change will entail.’’

Last year, it was with this educational obligation in mind that CKM decided to organise Marlborough’s and New Zealand’s first public Earth Day Party event.

The weather was kind; about 20 local stallholders agreed to support the event; a panel of distinguished experts gave lectures on climate change and all-in-all about 500 members of the public attended.

This year’s Marlborough Earth Day Party has now been and gone. The members of the CKM steering group responsible for organising the event are exhausted, but well satisfied with the outcome.

Preparations started well in advance in the hope of increasing the number of stallholders to 40 or so and visitors to 1500.

The Marlborough District Council and the Rata Foundation helped with generous grants and the day turned out to be a far greater success than had been anticipated. The weather again was kindly.

A great panel of expert speakers came from over the North Island and more than 60 stallholders from the Marlborough community participated.

Most importantly, about 2500 local people from all age groups attended. As an added bonus, 86 electric bicycles took part in a parade, which set a New Zealand record for such gatherings.

The event now faces a serious problem arising from its success. Given the exponential rate of its growth in its first two years, and the fast-growing community awareness of the importance of climate and environment, come next year, the event could again double in size.

This will represent far too major a task for the relatively few members of the Climate Karanga steering group to take on.

The Earth Day Party’s educational function is most impressive, but it remains only one of the several missions that their constitution binds them to attend to.

Preparation for this year’s party started in November and gradually built in pace and demanded considerable time from the 10 or so

CKM members heavily involved. In short, unless an alternative solution is found, Earth Day Party 2019 is not going to happen and the province will be much the poorer for the loss of the opportunity that has been created.

With this in mind, CKM is keen to make the community aware of the situation. Maybe there are others in Marlborough, who have an interest in being involved in such an event?

Maybe there are other ways of such an event being organised that can still keep the focus on the critical educational role of Earth Day.

CKM does not have the numbers to carry out all this work, especially for an event that is growing so rapidly in popularity. If Earth Day is going to happen in 2019, it will need help from many more energetic volunteers from the community, who realise the importance of this work, and are prepared to give some of their time to the preservation of their planet.

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party.

If you have feedback or ideas please send them to info@climatekaranga.org.nz