Native taonga mark new beginnings in Matariki
Planting free native trees will enhance district for wildlife
The star cluster Matariki (Pleiades) rises again on July 13 and we will once more see the light of the nine stars that make up this remarkable cluster. I love how well known Matariki has become over the past decade, celebrated as an important marker of the beginning of the Ma¯ ori New Year.
I celebrated the beginning of Matariki season by taking part in the first of three community planting events, held on the last Saturday of June at Parihaka.
I lost count of how many native trees and shrubs we planted, but the number would have been significant considering how many volunteers and community groups mucked in on the day.
It was a heart-warming sight and reminded me once more what a special place Whanga¯ rei District is. The next two planting events will be happening on the Saturdays of July 11 and July 25.
I encourage you to take part if you can. It’s a wonderful experience where you’re guaranteed to meet friendly, community-minded people.
In the spirit of Matariki and new beginnings, today is also the day we kick off the Po¯ hutukawa Coast Programme for 2020. Over the past 29 years, we have given away nearly 70,000 native trees.
I have a personal affinity with this project, being involved in my role as Horticulture Supervisor at Whangarei District Council during the 1990s.
What started as an effort to reestablish coastal po¯ hutukawa, has become a conscious movement towards championing our native trees and wildlife, and today our district is all the richer because of it.
What started as an effort to re-establish coastal po¯ hutukawa, has become a conscious movement towards championing our native trees and wildlife, and today our district is all the richer because of it.
Trail closure forces Te Araroa walkers onto busy road
● Maik Patu:There is a much bigger Issue here, the trail is flawed by no infrastructure. We see a constant stream of walkers with no where to camp.. due to no camping signs, no available drinking water and no toilets at the end of a days trail. Relying on the kind hearted ness of house/Bach owners is no way to run the show !.
Topafi P Vailim: Her land her rights. Te Araroa has these informal agreements all along the route and it is a shame this person cant see the benefits of leaving it open. Perhaps it could be partly fenced? The idea that walkers bring any more seeds than foraging seed ingesting birds, like the wood pigeon, is wrong. Will she be closing the area to Kukupa also? and what about the wind, will she be banning the wind from blowing seeds around...there is a massive area of plantation pine right there, there is your weed source.
● Chris McFarlane: I think she is
doing what she wants with HER
From today, each ratepayer in our district can collect two native trees from one of the suppliers as follows:
City dwellers and people living in the north of the district can drop in to Botanica in First Avenue between 10am and 4pm, seven days a week. Tutukaka Coast residents collect trees from Tawapou Coastal Natives Nursery, phone 434
3971.
Southern residents may pick up trees from Robbie Jones, phone 432 7329. People living to the northeast and Whanga¯ rei Heads can pick them up from Alan Willis and Rona MahyWillis, phone 436 2808.
Ask these experts for advice on the best plants to take for planting. land. It sounds like these walkers have been disrespectful.
● Mas Seirep: Private property. Stay off. Simple.
Northport move: Road transport experts slate case for shifting Auckland operations
● Waru Josephine: Northland need this project. Our kai moana (shellfish) was destroyed when Marsden Point was extended more than 10 years ago. The pipi/tuatua beds never recovered Growth has happened in the area but not without sacrifices. Northland has
Consider your soil type and property situation before choosing your tree, as not all native trees enjoy high winds, wet feet or salty coastal breezes. You might also want to consider whether your chosen trees need full sun or partial shade, and think of the future height of any tree you’re planting — are there power lines nearby, or is there a view that could be affected? Be kind to your new native trees and give them a home that will suit them now and into the future, and celebrate Matariki through planting and regenerating our native taonga. If you have any questions about the Po¯ hutukawa Coast Programme call our friendly Contact Centre team on 09 430 4200. the highest unemployment with Whangarei topping that scale. We need revitalization, not only for our economy but our state of health and well being also...
● Jamie Rodriguez: Our railway network is not up to the task of shifting the freight south.If anywhere it should go further south of Auckland.
● Ron Leggett: That’s to be expected from Road Transport ‘experts’. They know most of the goods will go by rail .Thats why the new rail link is being built.
● The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is 85.
● Actor-director Sylvester Stallone is 74.
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73.
● Actor Geoffrey Rush is 69.
● Actresswriter Jennifer Saunders is 62.
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● Actor Jeremy Suarez is 30. 1 Astronomer Royal 2 b) 500 3 Estuary 4 Jane Austen 5 Sri Lanka
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