IT'S ALL ABOUT OUR FUTURE

In the heart of Hamilton, Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park is New Zealand’s largest inland restoration project. Waiwhakareke is recreating the rare and endangered wetland once widespread in our region. It is bringing back the rare plants and wildlife that make it home and creating a rich environmental, educational and recreational experience for the city.

Physical Address: Opposite Hamilton Zoo Brymer Road

When it is finished Waiwhakareke will be a rich resource for everyone to enjoy - drawing an estimated 85,000 visitors per annum by 2027 and supporting recreation, education, conservation and science. Already Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park has drawn international recognition. It is one of Australasia's Highly Commended ecological restoration projects, as judged by the Global Restoration Network.

The Hamilton City Council is proposing to sell the 5.1ha that was approved by the previous Council for inclusion in the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park. We need a BIG turn out of people at the meeting (date and time below) to show opposition to this proposal.

Please come along to the HCC Finance Committee meeting in the Council Chamber at 1.30pm on Thursday 18th to support us in trying to prevent disposal of the 5.1 ha of public land adjacent to Park.

The Council Chambers are located in the Council building in Garden Place. Instead of going to the main reception go through the entrance on the left and make your way up the stairs. Moira will  watch out for you by standing near the entrance way to Garden Place.

The more of you who can attend the better! If there is a strong show of people who are against the proposal it may tip some Councillors into voting against the proposal to sell the land.

Here is a link to the article in the Waikato Times on the proposal.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/76887710/Council-land-once-set-for-Waiwhakareke-reserve-up-for-sale-again

Here is the link to the Council report proposing to sell the land. It is the Finance committee agenda and the report is on Page 93.

http://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-council/meetings-and-minutes/Pages/default.aspx

Just through from Eunomia Research & Consulting (NZ)

We are looking for people from all walks of life to take part in focus groups about waste and recycling

They will be help on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th February .

We promise an interesting time and will look after you with drinks and snacks as well as offer a $40 grocery voucher to show our appreciation for you coming along.

Interested click here to register:

FOREST & BIRD TALKS - NOTE IN YOUR CALENDAR

Thursday 11th February

Speaker: Pip Wallace

Pip is the Convenor of the Environmental Planning Programme at the University of Waikato.

The presentation will examine the problem of human disturbance of coastal birds and how to better resolve this through spatial planning and law.

7.30pm in the Chartwell Room at Hamilton Gardens.

Peels Creek - Maratoto Sunday 14th February

9.45am Meet at the bottle at Paeroa or at 10am at the beginning of Maratoto Rd.

We will walk up Peels Creek valley to where the mine was and have lunch there. Easy walk, but there are stream crossings and a bit of swamp, so you will need good footwear with non-slip soles.

Leader Keith Wilkinson 027 3666 194027 3666 194

Please let Keith know if you are coming. Also if you want to carpool.

CIDER VARIETIES:  HELP NEEDED

I am researching particular cider apple varieties in the UK, which I believe may have disappeared from the orchards of Herefordshire and Somerset. I am aware that certain cider apple varieties were taken by nineteenth century migrants throughout the world. For example I am in contact with the Australian Society which has led to the identification of a number of  varieties of interest which were taken there. I have very little information regarding the possible transport of cider apples into New Zealand during the nineteenth century.

Does your society have any records of cider varieties from the UK being planted in New Zealand and, if so, Â whether these varieties are still cultivated? If not are you aware of such documentation or collections elsewhere in NewZealand?

Kindest regards

Dr Don Munn    dmunn_54@hotmail.com

NZAEE SEAWEEK 27 February to 6 March 2016

Get Involved! Seaweek is all about learning from each other and sharing experiences about and around the sea. No one agency or organization in New Zealand manages our ocean, it is something we all contribute to.
If you, your organization, group, company, family or community would like to hold an event, run a competition or host any other kind of activity during Seaweek we will publicise it for you – contact the National Coordinator, Mels Barton on
mels@subliminal.co.nz 021 213 7779 with your ideas.021 213 7779

Seaweek2016_briefing.pdf

Seaweek-poster-2016-PRINT-A3-3mm-bleed-.pdf

Te Ao Marama "Festival of Expression" Raglan Saturday February 13

HAMILTON CITY OF THE FUTURE!

Do you want a city that protects the Earth for future generations, that enables strong, resilient communities, that prioritises wellbeing, that helps us to live more lightly? Come along to An Evening with the Sustainability Panel, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Annie Perkins and Dr Wayne Cartwright.

Find out about their report to Hamilton City Council and a vision for sustainability in Hamilton City. Monday 15th of February, 5-7pm, at The Greenspace - 60 Te Aroha St, Hamilton. RSVP is essential to anna@envirocentre.org.nz

--

JUBILEE PARK FEBRUARY 13th

Please join us and other volunteers at Jubilee Park this Saturday, February 13th at 9.00am. The Jubilee Care Group meet at the Migrant Centre car park area.

The red dot is where the group meets and the light blue dot shows the local bus stop.

The majority of the tasks we engage in are weeding, pest plant removals and planting New Zealand native trees.

For all the projects we carry out a ‘Health & Safety’ briefing with the volunteers on site before starting projects and an explanation of tasks for the day.

Most of the sites require the volunteers to have;

1. Suitable footwear (gumboots good as many sites are wet & muddy)

2. Raincoat during (Spring/Autumn etc.)

3. Sunhat & own sun block (skin cancer prevention)

4. Gardening gloves (I have some pairs, however pays to bring your own just in case)

5. Drink (water is good, i generally provide orange juice but good to bring your own)

6. Lunch or food (not provide so volunteers if working through need to bring their own food, projects usually require physical activity so they need to have something to sustain themselves)

Community Planting Co-ordinator | Parks and Open Spaces

DDI: 07 838 650107 838 6501 | Mob: 021 286 2066021 286 2066 | Email: gerard.kelly@hcc.govt.nz

WWF HABITAT PROTECTION FUND

HI Everyone

The WWF Habitat Protection fund is open and closes on 13 March. Check out the link below for criteria and application form.

http://www.wwf.org.nz/what_we_do/community_funding/habitat_protection_fund/

Cheers Moira

Moira Cursey  Waikato Biodiversity Forum Coordinator

0800 2463480800 246348 FREE

027 2223791027 2223791

www.waikatobiodiversity.org.nz

COUNT ME IN HUI FOR AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY AND INFO FOR YP (YOUNG PERSON HUI)

count me in hui.pdf

DO YOU KNOW OF OR WORK WITH 16 -18 MAORI AND PASIFICA YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE EDUCATION SYSTEM (NOT IN SCHOOL)
The Ministry of Education Count Me In Team (CMI) will be holding a hui to meet with agencies and community networks and those who are interested in referring young people.
This meeting will be to meet with referral partners to discuss referral processes and any feedback/reporting interests.
When: 16th February 2016
Where: Western Community Centre at 46 Hyde Avenue Nawton
Time: 1.30 – 2.30pm

hui2.pdf

GRANDVIEW COMMUNITY GARDEN INSECTS TONIGHT

CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 17

Recent government freshwater reforms aim to improve how freshwater is managed in New Zealand. For example the NPS-FM 2014 requires councils to include mechanisms in regional plans to allow freshwater quality objectives to be met. These may include “edge-of-field” mitigations such as constructed wetlands, and larger multi-landowner mitigations such as Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs). ICWs involve the reanimation (restoration) of wetlands to treat point and diffuse sources of polluted water while delivering on extensive biodiversity, cultural, aesthetic, and recreational values at local and catchment scales. We are lucky to have Dr Rory Harrington (Ireland), founder of the ICW concept, visit New Zealand in mid-February 2016 and present a seminar/workshop on ICWs, and how they might be applied to New Zealand situations.

The attached flier includes details of how to register for this day-long seminar/workshop hosted by Landcare Research and University of Waikato. There is a cost of $50 to cover catering and admin costs. Places are limited

wetlands Workshop.pdf

FUTURE LIVING CONVERSATIONS

If you want to live well and still be kind to the planet, these free introductory conversations are for you! The Future Living Conversations are fun, practical gatherings, offering you the future living skills needed to help you reduce carbon emissions, save money and create a healthier lifestyle. Come along to a supportive relaxed environment where you can ask questions, learn, and meet local experts and like-minded folk. The speakers include business owners, city council staff, enthusiasts and knowledgeable locals.

Future Living Conversations are facilitated by Waikato Environment Centre and are funded by Hamilton City Council. The conversations complement the Sustainable Living Aotearoa on line programme at www.sustainableliving.org.nz

ADMINISTRATOR POSITION AVAILABLE

Taiohi Toa is a registered Charitable Trust working in partnership with Hamilton Police Youth DevelopmentWe are seeking an experienced Administrator Extraordinaire who is confident with MYOB, financial reporting and payroll processing.

This is a fulltime position and we welcome applicants with:

 MYOB expertise

 Previous experience with funding application processes, contractual reporting and obligations

 Initiative and excellent communication skills

 Payroll processing (IMS)

 Ability to provide secretarial support

 Knowledge of Tikanga Maori

 General administrative skills including data entry

For an application pack please contact:

Taiohi Toa Trust

Private Bag 3078, Hamilton 3240 07 856 1355, Email: admin@taiohitoa.org.nz

Applications close Friday, 12th February at 5:00pm

TOOLBOX PARENTING COURSES

Parenting courses starting in the Waikato

Build a great family team. Join a Toolbox parenting group in your region and discover new ideas and strategies to add to your parenting kete.

Toolbox courses term 1 2016.pdf

ROOM WANTED

My name is Paula Bisphan I am the CEO of the Waikato Children’s Literacy Charitable Trust in Hamilton. I wanted to know if there are any community houses in Hamilton willing to share some office space on a casual basis long term, complete with the use of a computer phone and printer fax copier scanner etc.? Must be affordable thank you . The charity also needs advice to fund a new educational project for childrens Literacy and numeracy aged 5 to 12 years.

Contact Details

Name: Paula Bisphan

Phone: 02040928369

Email: paula77@slingshot.co.nz

VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR FOR INSIGHT ENDOMETRIOSIS IS SEARCHING FOR VOLUNTEERS

"CHANGING FUTURES”

Registered Charity as 'Endometriosis Waikato' (CC10906)

Phone or Text: 022 5855 124022 5855 124 Available Weekdays 9am - 5pm

email: admin@insightendometriosis.org.nz

Vollie Add.pdf

SOLSCAPE PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE at RAGLAN

In April 2016 we offer our popular Permaculture Design Certificate Course again at Solscape in Raglan, New Zealand.

This 2-week intensive learning experience will deliver participants their Permaculture Design Certificates while exploring the ideas of Designing for Change.

The course starts at April 8th and finishes at April 22nd 2016. The tutors are Rick Thorpe, Liz Stanway and the Raglan Permaculture Community.

Please visit website: http://www.solscape.co.nz/pdc2016

NZAEE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday 11 February 2016

Owen G Glenn building at The University of Auckland, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland Central.

NATIONAL NATURAL BUILDING DAYS

13 - 14 February 2016

An opportunity to come and visit a selection of Natural Buildings around New Zealand

Have a look here

The DV Bryant Trust is partnering with the Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit to co-host the 2016 Hamilton launch of their annual ‘State of the Nation’ report, this year entitled ‘Moving Targets’.   

It will take place in the City Council’s Reception Lounge in Garden Place on Wednesday 17^th February beginning with refreshments at 5.00 pm.  Policy Analysts Alan Johnson and Reina Harris will present the latest data, analysis and commentary on our children and youth, crime and punishment, work and incomes, social hazards, and housing.

Come and get the latest ‘snapshot’ on social progress (or otherwise) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

For further information contact Lindsay Cumberpatch on lindsay.cumberpatch@bryanttrust.co.nz or phone or text (021) 279 2680(021) 279 2680.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LIVING CONVERSATIONS

If you are interested in Greening Your Lifestyle but would like to learn through conversation, hands on examples, encouragement and even meet some experts.... then we have the Future Living Conversations. Find out about vegetable gardening, reducing waste, energy efficiency, ethical food choices and much more.

You can come to all the 8 topics or pick and choose...how cool is that.

Running for 4 Thursdays starting 25 February at Western Community Centre.

If this interests you then contact Tania on tania@envirocentre.org.nz and we will keep you posted.

FREE PAPER

We have just received another pallet of brown paper in rolls so please log in to NO THROW and let us know if you would like a roll or two. 

HERE

CERTIFICATE FOR HOME ENERGY AWARENESS March 2016

Coming up in Hamilton on 7 March 2016 is the opportunity to learn more about how clients can improve the warmth, dryness and efficiency of their homes.

The Certificate in Home Energy Awareness is a one day, level one course from the Home Performance Advisor programme. The course takes trainees through the conditions for a healthy home, controlling heat loss, heating, moisture control and ventilation, and keeping on top of other energy costs. It’s ideal for anyone working in the health and/or housing sector with input into improving clients’ health and homes.

For more information: www.homeperformanceadvisor.org.nz

Jo Wills Home Performance Advisor programme

021 2777 042021 2777 042

Ooooby is proud to be sponsoring the Six Figure Farming NZ Tourbringing Jean-Martin Fortier and Curtis Stone for three weeks of workshops,and an extra one just added in South Auckland. Read more

Learn the inner workings of small-plot growing and discover how urban micro-farming can be a profitable enterprise while regenerating the land and your local food system..

Jean-Martin Fortier and Curtis Stone will share the design and workings of their individual enterprises – both the production and the business– with insights and knowledge that has been hard won,but ready for you to take and implement.

Details of what you can expect at these workshops,can be found at www.sixfigurefarmingnztour.com.

2WALKandCYCLE 2016 Conference: Call for Papers reminder

We are delighted to introduce Gil Penalosa as our keynote speaker. Gil is the founder and chair of the board of the internationally recognized non-profit organization 8 80 Cities, based in Canada. He is passionate about cities for all people and advises decision makers and communities on how to create vibrant cities and healthy communities for everyone regardless of age, gender and social, economic, or ethnic background. His focus is on the design and use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as sustainable mobility: walking, riding bicycles, using public transit, and the new use of cars.

Express your Interest here

DOMINION PARK DESTINATION PLAYGROUND FEEDBACK

Talofa Lava, Kia ora colleagues, friends and whanau,

As part of Hamilton City Council’s commitment to our community, the Parks and Open Spaces team is currently working on a project which will see a new playground created at Dominion Park.

It’s an exciting project for the community and the neighbourhood, and we’re keen for the community to develop a strong sense of ownership/kaitiaki toward what will be a major “Destination Playground” investment in the area.

The project is currently in a development stage, with two concept designs created. The staff managing the project are keen to hear the community’s views on the two designs. Your comments will inform the final decision on which concept is developed into our new playground.

The Council has an online presence for this project, and there’s still an opportunity to provide feedback closing on Tuesday 02 February 2016

We’re encouraging members of our community to visit www.hamilton.govt.nz/dominionpark to check out the playground project concepts, and provide commentary through the click-through survey found on that page.

RESTORATION ECOLOGY SEMINAR

by Dr Jennifer Funk: Thursday 28 Jan, 4-5pm, SG.03

Jennifer Funk is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Chapman University, California, USA. She is visiting U Waikato for 2 weeks on her sabbatical. Her research focuses on identifying characteristics of invasive plant species and using that information to restore native plant communities. Please join us for a special School of Science seminar. If you would like to meet with Jennifer while she is in Hamilton, please contact Daniel Laughlin (d.laughlin@waikato.ac.nz)

Time and Place: Thursday 28 Jan, 4-5pm, SG.03 (University of Waikato campus)

Trait-based approaches to ecological restoration in invaded plant communities

Seminar Abstract

One of the greatest challenges for ecological restoration is to identify which species will establish, co-exist, and perform the desired suite of services to re-establish ecosystem function. Organizing candidate species into plant functional groups based on a few key attributes for a given system may elucidate which species are likely to succeed as well as their influence on ecosystem function. I will discuss the functional trait approach to restoration in the context of resource limitation and plant invasion. Community ecology theory predicts that an invasive species will be unlikely to establish if there is a species with similar traits present in the resident community or if available niches are filled. I will discuss results from two experiments and the implications for management of invasive plant species. The first experiment examines resource manipulation in a desert annual community and the second examines competition in serpentine grassland.

SUBMISSIONS FOR MINIMUM HOUSING STANDARDS

Messages from Laura on behalf of the Action Station team.

The government are currently taking submissions from the public on their Bill to improve minimum housing standards for rentals in New Zealand.

This is our opportunity to push for standards that would ensure everyone in New Zealand has access to a warm, dry home.

Will you make a quick submission? It will take 5 minutes.

<http://www.actionstation.org.nz/minimum-housing-standards>

The Bill that would enact the proposed changes has just been tabled in the House and referred to Select Committee. What that means is thatmembers of the public can now have a say on minimum housing standards for rentals in New Zealand by making a parliamentary submission.

The catch is these submissions close on January 27th

We believe that's because although the changes proposed by the government have been a very welcome first step on the path to warm, dry and affordable homes for all - The Bill doesn’t go nearly far enough, and they know it.

Thanks so much for caring,

Laura on behalf of the Action Station team

TPPA (Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement)

Heres Laura again..

The TPPA is a far-reaching “trade deal” that was negotiated in secret by the governments of New Zealand, USA and ten other countries. It was agreed upon after years of covert negotiations in October of last year.

Now that the text of the agreement has been made publicly available, it is clear that the deal is designed to serve the interests of large corporations and powerful states, not the interests of people or the planet.

Here are five reasons we believe New Zealand should say no to the TPPA:

The TPPA will:

• Take away our democratic right to decide our own laws and policies in ways that best serve the national interest
• Put corporate interests ahead of urgent priorities like climate change, affordable medicines, internet freedom, quality jobs, social justice
• Allow foreign companies to sue us for taking measures to protect the environment or public health in ways that damage their profits
• Give foreign investors special rights not available to New Zealanders and a guarantee that government won’t restrict foreign purchases of residential homes and land or control of key sectors
• Bind New Zealand governments to a pro-corporate agenda for the indefinite future, in violation of our democracy, sovereignty and the Treaty of Waitangi

The TPPA will be signed in New Zealand on February 4th despite the fact that the majority of New Zealanders do not want us to sign the deal.

So we’ve launched a petition for people who disagree with this un-democratic and dodgy deal so that we can show our dissent. We’ll be delivering this petition to Parliament just before the signing, so please add your signature and share widely to help us make this petition huge.

Sign and share here >> www.actionstation.org.nz/dontsign

Power to the people,

Laura on behalf of the team at ActionStation.

Applications are in for a Coal Mine on the Panirau Plateau – have your say and be a voice for Ecological Justice!

Mokau South Resources has submitted a number of resource consent applications to the Waikato Regional Council for a coal mine on the Panirau Plateau, about 20km east of Mokau and in the Mokau River catchment. If a mine were to go ahead in this location it would have negative implications in terms of water quality, ecosystem health and traffic volumes, not to mention Climate Change! The Waikato Environment Centre is encouraging people to have their say on this proposal. The deadline for submissions is 5.00pm on Tuesday 2 February.

Coal Action Network Aotearoa has been working with Anglican Action Social Justice Centre to develop a submission guide. They have consulted with some experts and produced a guide that has some excellent submission points. You can access a word version of the submission guide here and a pdf version here.

You can also contact Anna at the Waikato Environment Centre for a copy of the guide - anna@envirocentre.org.nz

If you would like to hear more in person about Mokau South, their application and the submission process - please come along to the Waikato Sustainability Network on Monday 25^th of January, 12-1.30pm. Robert Moore from Anglican Action will be talking about his research and the submission process.

Waikato Sustainability Network Meeting – Monday the 25^th of January, 12-1.30pm

Are you interested in talking with others about sustainable food and agriculture, the health of our waterways, climate change, waste minimisation, the sharing economy...

Sharing knowledge, information, insight and questions is what the network is all about. Very informal. Conversation and korero over lunch. Come along if you can - 12-1.30pm, Monday 25th of January. Kapu ti provided. Contact Anna for more information – anna@envirocentre.org.nz

Robert Moore will be there to talk about his research on Mokau South’s intentions to develop a coal mine on the Panirau Plateau and how the community can have a say about this!

FREE NUTRITION & WELLNESS COURSES FOR SENIORS 65+

Please check out our FB page and our website www.ageconcern.gen.nz

 Attached is the flyer for our course for seniors 65+ that starts in February

age concern Feb 2016.pdf

TEDX RUAKURA

Welcome to 2016!

The TEDx Team have been back into planning for a couple of months now. And we are looking forward to having a bigger and better TEDxRuakura in 2016.

How can you help?

As a complete voluntary endevour the TEDxRuakura team needs as much help as it can get. Here are a few ways you can help us out this year.

#1 Spread the word!

Get the word out to friends, family and TED lovers everywhere. Get them to sign up to this newsletter, follow us on Facebook or twitter, or write us a nice letter or postcard :)

#2 Help out as a volunteer

We are making this years event bigger and better, this means we need a few more hands to help. We have a few spaces on the TEDx organising team, so for those real full on TED Heads this could be for you. Plus we need some other helpers out for odd jobs and other things for the next 6 months and on the day. Shout out by whatever means you have available and let us know you are keen.

#3 Speakers, We know you are out there!

The event would not be possible without an amazing cast of speakers, so who do you know who has an idea worth spreading?

Let us know and then we will let them know that we think their idea is GREAT!

#4 Show Me The Money (or in kind Sponsorship)

To make an event like this work we need a few people (businesses) who love TEDx so much they reach into their pockets and give some sponsorship.

We have gone over the books and we know what we need for a great event so if you want to help out by sponsoring the event this year let us know. This could be in cash or kind.

#5 Watch some videos

Get yourself all revved up for this years event and start watching some great TED and TEDx videos. You can find all our last years speakers HERE.

WAIKATO INSTITUTE FOR LEISURE & SPORTS

LEAD THE WAY – A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

We offer up a specially designed programme for current and potential leaders working/volunteering within the not-for-profit sector. The programme is a National Certificate in Business, First Line Management Level 4 and it is delivered over an 8 month period with 8 Sunday sessions and then the participant goes back into their organisations and does the practical side of the learning. The participants also have to complete workbooks and an organisational based project. It’s a very practical programme of study for potential and current leaders within our community & volunteer organisations and offers up an opportunity for people to work/volunteer whilst they are gaining a nationally recognised qualification

Waikato LTW Flyer - December 2015.pdf

WAIKATO BOTANICAL SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND TRIP

Saturday: explore Waikawau headland and beach. For those meeting us on Saturday morning we will meet at 10am, outside the Waikawau tunnel at the end of Waikawau road

Sunday: walk up Mt Whareorino

Monday: visit the largest puriri tree in NZ at a little reserve in Waikawau. Leave at lunchtime.

The trip up Whareorino will be 8-9hrs so a good level of fitness will be required. The other days will be easy. Bring good boots

I have arranged a place to camp on Nukuhakari Station (after finding out recently the Waikawau campground has been closed). Please bring everything you would normally bring when camping. Hopefully we have use of the shearers quarters for toilets, cooking etc but if they are still shearing we might be elsewhere. I will be able to confirm exactly where we will be camping at the start of next week.

Nukuhakari Station is at the end of Te Marama road, off Waikawau road, off Manganui road if coming from the south or Mangatoa Rd if you are coming from the north.

Can you confirm you are are coming on the trip so I can let the manager know exact numbers by the end of the week.

Can people also let me know if you are planning to arrive on Friday night or Saturday morning by the end of this week. I will be there from Friday night.

I am away in the field this week but will answer any questions when I get back on the weekend.

Cheers

Thomas

temmitt@doc.govt.nz

EnviroExpo 2016.

Are you a business, organisation or community group with an awesome product or initiative to share with the community?

Well, here is your opportunity to do just that! Come and join the EnviroExpo 2016. The EnviroExpo is part of the Waikato Show - 15,000 people attended the show last year, so this is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the Waikato Community.

Join us to inspire and enthuse our community with endless possibility. Contact Anna for a copy of the EnviroExpo prospectus today – anna@envirocentre.org.nz

An Opportunity To Be Inspired

…Come and join with others to positively encourage Hamilton City Council to become a leader in the area of Sustainability.

An Evening with the Sustainability Advisory Panel

Monday the 15th of February, 5-7pm,

The Green Space, 60 Te Aroha St, Hamilton

Nibbles provided, RSVP to Anna at anna@envirocentre.org.nz

What’s it all about?

In 2013, Hamilton City Council formed the Sustainability Advisory Panel. The purpose of the panel was to undertake an annual technical assessment of Council’s Sustainable Hamilton Strategy.

In March 2014, the panel presented a report to council with a number of recommendations including that sustainability should be an overarching framework for all economic, social and environmental strategies.

In May 2015, the panel also submitted their report to Council’s 10-Year Plan consultation process to have it formally received by Council. You can access the panel’s report here

A summary was presented to the August subcommittee – see here.

These are exciting times! The panel’s report and recommendations are currently being considered by council. The CEO will be reporting back on the panel’s report at a council meeting on Tuesday the 23rd of February (meeting starts at 1.30pm, so pop it in your diary now!).

And even more exciting news...Mayor Julie Hardaker recently signed the Local Government Leaders Climate Change Declaration – so the time is ripe to get behind Hamilton City Council and support this wonderful direction. Here is your opportunity to get involved…

Come along to “An Evening with the Sustainability Advisory Panel”

Monday the 15th of February at The Green Space

5pm – Welcome

5.15pm – Presentation of the panel’s report and history of the panel

6.15pm – Where to from here? Hamilton City Council meeting on the 23rd of February

7pm - Close

Let’s show our support for Sustainability in Hamilton!!

Waikato Climate Action – Clean-up Mission

A message from the Waikato Climate Action network - If you see any “Solution not Pollution” notices like this around town, the Waikato Climate Action Network would like to know - they are on a post event clean up mission. CONTACTwaikatoclimate@gmail.com

TIMEBANK WORKSHOPS

Happy New Year! I have returned from the holidays feeling even more enthusiastic about living a more ethical lifestyle that is thoughtful of the world we inhabit. That means lots of resolutions about being more self-sufficient in the kitchen, learning new skills and producing less waste. I am sure that many of you have similar resolutions.

To help us with these resolutions, Waikato TimeBank will be running some fun, informal workshops.

The workshops will be run by TimeBankers for TimeBankers and will be limited in numbers to help the learning process and also because venues might restrict group sizes. If the workshops prove to be popular then we will repeat them for those who missed out.

Not in Timebank? No problem. It’s easy to join Waikato TimeBank. Sign up online or contact me using the email address above

"Cost" to attend: 1 TimeBank Credit

To register contact me, Sarah, at waikatotimebank@gmail.com

TAMAHERE POTTING DATES 2016

Seasons Greetings!

As there is so much to do at the nursery we will make an early start this year on 22nd January.

Our first potting morning will be on FRIDAY 22nd January at the Tamahere

Nursery (Devine Rd, off Airport Rd, next to Tamahere School Hall) from

9am-12 noon. Don't forget your morning tea.

Look forward to seeing you then.

Thanks in anticipation,

Catherine Smith

blchsmiths@gmail.com or 07 855829607 8558296

2016 PLANNED POTTING DATES FOR THE DIARY

22 January

19 February

18 March

15 April

13 May

10 June

15 July

19 August

16 September

14 October

18 November

9 December

MAUNGATAUTARI RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW.

Please find attached information on the Maungatautari Reserve Management Plan Review. The attached letter is our way of informing you as a key stakeholder of our intent to commence a review of this plan.

Individual members of the Forum may be very interested in Maungatautari, some may have enjoyed a historic association (volunteer or otherwise) and care to share their views / experiences / skills and knowledge with us.

Advertising via newspapers will commence late January as per the image below. We look forward to receiving any comments and working with interested persons over the upcoming months in drafting the plan.

Ngā mihi,

Demelza Murphy Reserve Planner Waipa District Council

..............................................................................................................

Feedback letter to community with an interest in Maungatautari.pdf

LIVING STREETS MESSAGE

HCC FEEDBACK ON POTENTIAL LIGHT CONTROLLED CROSSINGS

I know it's the holiday season and you've probably all just settled back to contemplate some relaxation and celebratory eating, BUT if you can manage it sometime before January 15th, HCC is requesting some feedback on potential light-controlled pedestrian crossings.=

You may be startled to learn that I have some reservations about them, so I've outlined my arguments below, which I have sent to Ngaire Atmore in the City Transportation Unit at HCC. If you would like to go to this sitehttp://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-services/transport/safetyaccessimprovementprogramme/Pages/default.aspx

you can see the site maps for the proposed crossings and also provide feedback.

While Living Streets is usually delighted to see a light-controlled crossing, the two proposed in this case seem among the least necessary in many ways. Oddly enough, the Heaphy Tce crossing has always seemed surprisingly safe - I think it is so busy, so narrow and therefore so threatening to drivers that they automatically slow down and look. It's possible that awful things have happened there that I'm unaware of, but I think it's far more important to get a controlled crossing (or another raised bed zebra crossing) on Boundary Rd (which really is dangerous), either near the roundabout (ie about equidistant from the roundabout with the existing lights on Fifth Ave) or at the Migrant Centre.

Similarly, the proposed crossing on Horsham Downs Rd doesn't address the real safety issue in that area, which is the roundabout. That area has already claimed a life or two, and there is a desperate need for real traffic calming measures. Rather than the cost of a single light-controlled crossing some distance down the least dangerous arm of the intersection, I would suggest the money be spent at the roundabout to install raised bed zebra crossings on all four arms, a small distance back from the actual roundabout - i.e., as has been done on Peachgrove Rd at Five Cross Roads. Those two raised bed crossings have made an enormous difference to the safety of crossing at Five Cross Rds roundabout, and the only problem is that they haven't been also provided on Boundary Rd and Brooklyn Rd.

Any constructive feedback you can provide is helpful, so if you can spare a few minutes, please go to the site and give your views (which may of course be completely different to mine!)

All the best for a safe and very happy holiday season.

Kind regards,

Judy

MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Today the Ministry launched a new consultation. This is on the new Marine Protected Areas Act. The document can be reached at the link below

http://mfe.govt.nz/publications/marine/new-marine-protected-areas-act-consultation-document

Raewyn MacGregor – Analyst, Remediation Projects

Ministry for the Environment – Manatu Mo Te Taiao

FOREST & BIRD MESSAGE

NZ's current Marine Reserves Bill is more than 40 years old, and desperately out of date.

After promising an update for nearly 15 years, the Government has finally released a discussion draft - which does not include 96% of NZ oceans.

That's right. The entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is specifically left out of the draft legislation. Some extraordinary habitats and animals exist only in these deep seas and need certainty of protection. The only certainty offered in this document is to the oil, gas and mineral industries.

This may be the one chance in our lifetimes to create legislation that allows meaningful protection of our oceans. Let's make sure the Government gets it right.

We ask that you take some time from your day or evening to urge the Government to include the EEZ in their proposed Marine Protected Areas Act. Consider writing a letter by hand. It's often more effective, and postage is free.

You have until 5.00pm on 11 March 2016 to do so, but ... no time like the present! The discussion document and information on how to make a submission can be found by clicking on this link.  http://www.mfe.govt.nz/consultation/mpa

You can read Forest & Bird's media release here

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/publications/media-release/proposed-marine-protected-areas-legislation-will-fail-our-ocea