Aerial celebration ready for liftoff

we think they deserve it.’’

Many of the members had children who lived at home and had attended mainstream school until the age of 21, after which they transitioned into residential care. ‘‘For most families, it is quite a shock,’’ Gill said.

‘‘It’s about letting families know they are not alone. If they have troubles, they can come to us for help.’’

The group meets regularly with Nelson Marlborough Health general manager of Disability Support Services Jane Kinsey.

‘‘Our clients’ families also have a huge role to play in care and support,’’ Kinsey said. ‘‘We acknowledge the important role that families have in caring for their loved ones.

‘‘We have a focus on ensuring strong communication with families about their loved ones who we support to live as independently as possibly.’’ The sky’s the limit for a new Tasman event set to lift festivalgoers up, up and away.

The inaugural Lift Off Abel Tasman festival will celebrate all things aerial, including hot air balloons, skydiving exhibitions, scenic flights and fireworks, for two days over Labour Weekend.

The festival will kick off its first day at Motueka Airport, while Kaiteriteri Beach will host the final day, with a beach party theme.

Nelson Tasman Air co-owner Carsten Buschkuehle spearheaded the event after organising similar events in his native Germany.

He said he had seen how events similar to Lift Off had boosted local communities elsewhere.

All the profits from the festival will go back into the community, with half being set aside for future local events and the rest going to local charities, including Motueka Community Pool, Tasman Bay Guardians, Abel Tasman Eco Tours and Project Janszoon.

Event organiser Johny O’Donnell said the event was an opportunity to showcase Abel Tasman at the start of the visitor season while raising awareness and funds for restoring the biodiversity of the national park.

‘‘The level of work that’s happening in Abel Tasman is quite unique, it’s unlike anything else in the country.’’

Project Janszoon is a trust working to restore the ecology of the park over a 30-year period by reducing predator numbers and weeds, reviving ecosystems, and reintroducing native birds, animals and plants.

O’Donnell said he expected more than 15,000 visitors to the festival, based on similar events around the country, but it would be more involved than the ones in other regions.

Along with family activities, live music, displays and markets, eight hot air balloons have been confirmed to take part in the ‘‘night glow’’, which involves the balloons being tethered to the ground while putting on a performance to music.

Having the night glow on the beach would be the first of its kind in the world, O’Donnell said.

Our Town Motueka co-ordinator Claire Hutt said it was going to be a ‘‘huge’’ event, and was expected to be the biggest on the region’s calendar.

To support the weekend of activities, Hutt said local businesses and hospitality venues would be encouraged to extend their open hours.

For more information, visit Lift Off Abel Tasman on Facebook or www.liftoff.nz. Tickets will be on sale from September 3.