Whanganui Midweek

Exciting times for our Coast environs

Group grateful for heartening results of work on Nth Mole

- Lyn and Graham Pearson

Coast Care members remain heartened and grateful to the huge turnout of helpers at last winter’s community planting day near the North Mole. It was the start of a joint project with the Whanganui District Council (WDC) to block off and stabilise the huge blow-out that repeatedly sends sand across Morgan St, making it impassable to most vehicles.

The helpers put in 5000 spinifex, the native sand-binder plant, across the front dune area, before sharing a barbecue lunch.

The spinifex has grown well and is already catching blowing sand. This area will be extended with a further 10,000 plants at community planting days on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, August 14. (A planting day on the rear dunes, between Manuka St and Bamber St, is also planned for Sunday, September 18).

We have also appreciate­d being part of Te Puwaha, the first truly community-led large-scale project under the transforma­tional Te Awa Tupua legislatio­n. The abundance model, that uses the Tupua Te Kawa values, has a strong focus on environmen­tal protection and enhancemen­t — something our coast and Awa need.

The abundance model of Te

Puwaha, shared through nga hui, is working to deliver great outcomes for these areas. We also appreciate­d meeting with representa­tives from surfing, fishing, Progress Castleclif­f, residents, the Department of Conservati­on (DoC), WDC, Horizons and local iwi, as we shared ideas and informatio­n, developing plans, we can all happily live with.

Working inclusivel­y develops understand­ing away from seeing the dunes and coastal areas as just a dump site or place to roar around on bikes, dune buggies and horses.

Developing respect (manaakitan­ga) for this fragile environmen­t vital for establishi­ng a healthy and stable coastal area, which is becoming especially important in this time of anticipate­d sea level rise.

It is great to also hear the WDC actively committed to developing a coastal policy and plan, showing it at last believes this area is important too.

Last weekend we noticed fisher folk, walkers, families and sea birds all enjoying the partly completed repairs to the seaward end of the North Mole.

We are thankful to the work teams, the way the constructi­on has developed and to all who have contribute­d as part of Te Mata Puau.

The end of the North Mole is now clear of dangerous concrete rubble and reinforcin­g rods. Instead are carefully chosen rocks, placed in appropriat­e spots, creating the foundation of a strong and tidy mole.

Cashmore contractin­g operators, iwi representa­tive Kahurangi Simon and Horizon’s engineer Dougal Ross have done an amazing job over summer, and the favourable autumn weather has insured positive progress. Some members of Coast Care are seeing something they had given up hope for in their lifetime!

Lyn and Graham Pearson, who love living in Castleclif­f, are actively involved in Castleclif­f Coast Care and other local environmen­tal initiative­s.

Internatio­nal Day of Families 2022

celebratio­ns date is Sunday, 15 May 2022. The aim of Family Day is to spread awareness about the benefits of the family systems to mass. Internatio­nal Family Day is celebrated on 15th May every year since 1994.

Purpose of Family Day

UN General Assembly realized the importance of the basic family system and declared 15 May as Internatio­nal Family Day in 1993, and firstly was celebrated on 15 May 1994. The family system is the most essential element of social solidarity and a serene society. Since 1996 the UN has been proffering a yearly theme for this Day.

UN Secretary-General urged the public policy-makers to settle the obstacles in the family system. The working conditions of parents affect them to play a smart role for their families.

The Internatio­nal Day of Families is, therefore, a source to attract the attention of policy-makers to develop need-based policies to create a nurturing environmen­t at the family level for children, because a dysfunctio­nal family system cannot build a functional society.

Facts of the Internatio­nal Day of Families

1. The Day was declared by the UN in 1993 and was first celebrated on 15 May 1994.

2. The year 1994 was the Internatio­nal Year of Families that 3. was proclaimed by the United Nations.

The Theme of the Day was firstly proffered by the UN in 1996 and on-wards.

4. The utmost reality of this Day is to acknowledg­e the people about the benefits of a family system.

5. Family Day provides an opportunit­y to resolve the family affecting issues.

Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Internatio­nal Family Day

As far as this pandemic has brought disaster to our socioecono­mic system, it has also made us think about the value of family lost in the hustle of modernizat­ion. It has brought us back the worth of the walled- chamber where its identity was defaced. Although the 20th century has brought many biological and social

developmen­ts for us yet in its flow, our moralities, our individual presence and our affection have been drowned and faced an eternal death. When the whole world was bound to a social distancing and we all are now in a state of isolation, a family hasn’t been kept away from us. Our blood relations are providing us relief, they have even embraced us when the world where we always struggled spared us. Hence this pandemic is although a disaster for many of us as it is continuous­ly snatching our dear ones from us yet proved a blessing in disguise to make us revalue our stances for ourselves before it is too late.

Some indoor activities with your kids

1. You can have drawing, colouring or painting with young kids.

2. You can purchase a cake and can more decorate it with edible colours along with your family.

3. You can do gardening at home with children, kitchen gardening is also very interestin­g.

4. Riding a bike with kids makes a lot of fun.

5. You can also enjoy camping at the nearest camping spot along with your family.

6. Playing board games with children creates very joyful moments.

7. Decorating your home or organizing your family photo album with help of your family is so cute job.

The simple activities with family make the relationsh­ip stronger and healthier. Always spend more time with family.

 ?? Photo / Supplied ?? Helpers at last winter’s community planting day.
Photo / Supplied Helpers at last winter’s community planting day.
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