Mammoth infestation of moth plant

On a nice drive along Rushbrook Rd recently I came across the largest patch of moth plant I had ever seen. It festooned all the trees on the side of the road and, being covered in flowers, it made quite a pretty sight.

It had about 10,000 flowers which would produce about 200 seeds each, giving a grand total of about two million airborne seeds. With the

Hikurangi Swamp on one side, a southwesterly wind would send all these seeds in the direction of the Russell State Forest.

So T. McMurchy was quite correct in his worries that it could get into our native bush. For those interested, the site is about halfway along Rushbrook Rd on the left hand side, growing on totara trees on the side of a hill.

David Brind

Kamo

Real roading costs

I have read the letter in the Advocate written by Wally Hicks of Kohukohu, and I am amazed that someone who is obviously a “studier” of politics, can read so many errors in only one subject — transport, and one that has had many excellent articles in this newspaper.

However, to correct a few bloopers I have spent some time going back on some of his mistakes.

First of all, the State Highway, four lanes and all, was to have cost $450m from Whanga¯ rei to Marsden Point in 2017, not the $590m it is today. Read the announcements and get the dollar cost for yourself. And Wally, ask your friends when the first car or truck will drive that route on four lanes. If the road had started at the last election, we would be near to completion by now.

The costs of road construction have probably gone up in the last three years but I would question your maths of $1 billion for 20km when the published figure is $600-$700,000.

Wally’s comments on the rail have some merit as a project that will benefit all of the North but, again, how long to the first train on that spur line?

Will it be the same as Minister Twyford’s housing debacle (he is also the Minister of Transport), with associates Julie Ann Genter and our own Shane Jones to help?

If Wally has faith in that trio to deliver on time, God help us all.

As a final comment, when will the Members of Parliament, from both sides, leave the roads to the highly paid experts from the NZTA — that is if they haven’t all left under Twyford’s term of interference, and just let them get on with it?

T Hughes Whanga¯rei

Friendship Force

Last week, a charming US family from Florida flew in to taste the delights of New Zealand, beginning with wonderful Whanga¯ rei.

They are Jeremi and Sherry Snooks, Brookson, aged 8, and Gabriel, aged 13. Jeremi is CEO of Friendship Force International, whose vital message and mission is “World peace through friendships”.

He is guest speaker at NZ’s annual Friendship Force Conference, held this month in Blenheim, and will inspire and empower grassroots members to become strong advocates and examples of intercultural friendship and how to plant the seeds of world peace in action.

Friendship Force began in USA over 40 years ago under the auspices of President Jimmy Carter, in the days of the Cold War, initiating planeloads of 400 “ordinary citizens” to travel between England, America and Russia, being home-hosted, and talking around the dinner tables.

There are now active clubs in 60 countries, with 20 throughout NZ.

Whangarei’s 75-strong membership makes it one of the

strongest; we celebrate 35 years of travel, hospitality, culture and long term friendships this November. Mayor Sheryl Mai is our patron. Gwendolyn Needham, Field Rep, NZFF, Northern Region Whanga¯rei