MEMBERSHIP AT WAIKATO ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

This is a call out to all our email subscribers asking for you to support our work by subscribing to the Waikato Environment Centre. By becoming a member of the Environment Centre, you are able to take advantange of 10% discount on most in store products including our workshops. 

Kaivolution Food Rescue, is one of our latest and greatest projects. Since its inception in October 2014, Kaivolution has rescued close to 40 tonnes of food, redistributing it to charities in Hamilton, Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Morrinsville, Te Awamutu and Tokoroa.

You can now recycle your Electronic Waste at the Centre.  By choosing to recycle your E-Waste with us you will be supporting local jobs, and ensuring that electronic waste is ethically recycled to Ministry for Environment standards.

 By becoming a member of the Environment Centre, you will directly be contributing to the ongoing success of these important projects and also to the team of staff and volunteers.

Thank you in advance for your membership

Membership Form 2015:

Waikato Environment Centre      GST # 83 829 095            

Register online   http://www.envirocentre.org.nz/register/

Or pay directly to our account:

Westpac  Hamilton  03 0318 0776781 00   Waikato Environment Centre                                                                              

Address for Cheques :

P O Box 19 104, Hamilton                                                                                                                                           

Type of membership:   

• Unwaged        $15.00
• Individual        $35.00            
• Group             $80.5 (inc GST $10.50)
• Corporate       $230.00 (inc GST $30)

CALL OUT FOR CURTAINS

It’s getting colder and our curtain stock is the lowest ever. If you have any curtains to recycle we would love to have them in store to help out others before the colder winter days.

For those of you that have the time and inclination try making the KUME curtain (requires no sewing) and is a great insulation project.

Have a look at this link http://www.kumeproject.com/about-Kume-curtains.html

BREAKTHROUGH TO WELLBEING

Please find attached our new Hamilton ‘Breakthrough to Wellbeing’ flier.

An excellent free 8 week course designed to support, equip and empower tangata whaiora to live well in the presence or absence of a mental health issue.

Break Through to Wellbeing Hamilton-1.pdf

WAIKATO BOTANICAL SOCIETY

Sunday May 10, searching for a rare bracket fungis with Landcare fungal expert Peter Buchanan. The trip will involve stopping periodically along Kaimango Road (south of Kawhia Rd) and searching Pukatea trees on conservation land for signs of the fungis - a good trip for general exploration and botanizing.

For those departing from Hamilton we will meet at the Landcare carpark for a departure at 9 am on Sunday. The final meeting point will be at the intersection of Kaimango Road and State Highway 31 (Kawhia Road) at 10 am.

More details at http://waikatobotsoc.org.nz/?tribe_events=awaroa-ganoderma-hunt

Contact Mike Clearwater or Thomas Emmitt if you are thinking of taking part so we can keep you up to date.

m.clearwater@waikato.ac.nz, 07 854 725907 854 7259 or 021 203 2902021 203 2902

Just released by our newsletter editor Susan Emmitt, the Waikato Botanical Society April Newsletter, nicely timed for our AGM. Highlights include the NZ Tree Project, Myriophyllum robustum, Te Reti trip report, plant identification Apps from Landcare Research, our latest Trip Program ...

Available at: http://waikatobotsoc.org.nz/?page_id=17

WAIKATO TIMEBANK

1. Special welcome to new members

receiving this update for the first time!

timeban.pdf

THE FAIRFIELD PROJECT LATEST NEWS

Here it is the latest exciting news attached

fairfield.pdf

Waikato Environment Centre

pleased to announce our May workshop

MAKE Household Cleaning Workshop, Thursday May 21st, 7pm, at the Waikato Environment Centre.

For only $15/person you can learn how to MAKE your own more natural Household Cleaning products in a one hour demonstration, and you will get the recipes to take home.

The MAKE products are inexpensive, quick and very easy to make. These more natural products are better for your home, family, budget and the environment too. MAKE products contain NO Parabens, No Sodium Lauryl Sulfates (SLS), NO Triclsoan, NO undesirable preservatives or additives!!! Which is all great news for us and the environment!!! MAKE - Making A Kinder Environment through the use of more natural products.

Please ring Jan 839 4452 to secure a place

RIVERLEA ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY WORK DAY

Andrea

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE MAUNGA

Book online via the website: www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz/tours.

Mum goes Free

This Mother's Day treat your mum to a guided tour and lunch at Out in the Styx. Minimum group size of four for $150 (includes one guided tour and lunch for four). $50 for each additional person.

Guided Tours on offer: 11am Forest Manu 2pm Tuatara Wetlands

Organic Farm NZ Waikato and OOOOBY have organised a workshop 'Growing Without Glyphosate - Better Food, More Life'. It’s on 1-4pm Saturday 16 May 2015 at Waikato Waldorf School, 85 Barrington Drive, Rototuna, Hamilton.

Info brochure attached. Pre-registration is essential – register here http://eepurl.com/bhl5Xz

The presenters are:

Dr Frank Rowson /Donald Nordeng /Tim Newton/Tony Banks

Growing Without Glyphosate Workshop.pdf

SHARING A PETITION TO REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE

Are you interested in helping reduce plastic?

The link to a petition is here calling to ban plastic bags in New Zelaland

https://www.toko.org.nz/petitions/ban-plastic-bags-in-nz

Plastic Free July preparation will be underway in June! Watch This Space!

WAIKATO BOTANICAL SOCIETY AGM TIME

It’s AGM time again for the Waikato Botanical Society. The AGM is on the Wednesday 6th of May at the University in room S.1.03 (upstairs from last year).Starting at 6:00 PM. Wine, juice, cheese and nibbles will be provided.

Paul Cashmore will be giving a talk on his recent trip to the Chatham

Islands

To find S block, park in or near Gate 8 on Hillcrest Road, walk straight in Gate 8 past the end of the driveway until you reach the end of S block.

We are calling for nominations for President, Secretary, Treasurer and

Committee. I will take nominations and apologies by email.

m.clearwater@waikato.ac.nz

COMMUNITY LAW WAIKATO ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE AN ALL NEW 10 WEEK COURSE.

see details attached

Community Law.pdf

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENVIROEXPO WORM FARM WINNER: Victoria McMichael

Victoria is a nursing student in Hamilton and was absolutely thrilled to win a worm farm .

Her first ever worm farm!

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

If you’re interested in social enterprise or you’re involved in

business and want to make a difference in your local community,

come along to our Social Enterprise event on 29 April.

• Find out about the social enterprise business model.

• Be inspired by our guest speaker, Mal Williams from Zero Waste

Wales in the UK, who will be talking about the important role of

social enterprises in Wales and what they’ve achieved there.

• Details attached

Sustainable_Business_Network_and_WRC_Social_Enterprise_Event_April_2015-3.pdf

FRIENDS OF WAIWHAKAREKE: Please note the working bee date change!

Saturday  2 May 2015 - We will be planting.
9am - midday
Meet at the gate/sign  on Baverstock Road.  Please note this may change to Brymer Road.    I'll let  you know ASAP. 
We will  be planting.   So bring a spade  and wear your gumboots as it maybe wet in the area we're planting.    Best to bring gloves to wear and most importantly  morning tea.  Look forward to seeing you on Saturday morning.

DO YOU DO PREDATOR CONTROL???

You might be interested in learning about this:

http://predatorfreenz.org/win-2500/

Any person or group who is doing predator control can enter a competition to win $2500 in exchange for entering their details on the Predator Free NZ website..

OPENING OF THE ED HILARY HOPE RESERVE

Native Forest Restoration Trust advise the opening of the  Ed Hillary Hope Reserve

732 Old Mountain Road, Waitetuna, Raglan at 11.30 Saturday 23rd May 2015

Come along and celebrate with us the opening of our latest acquisition the Ed Hillary Hope Reseve . This new reserve has approximately 180ha of established forest and over 280ha of farmland well suited for restoration. It lies on the Hamilton_Raglan Road adjoining the Four Brothers Scenic Reserve. The project will result in the largest area of native bush within 20km of Hamilton and will be a major link in the city's Halo Project.

Please RSVP by 16 May 2015 by emailing Sandy Crichton  sandy@nznfrt.org.nz

-

Invitation Hillary Hope opening.pdf

SUSTAINABLE WAIPA is holding Secondhand 

Sunday in the above towns and villages on Sunday 3 May from 10am to 2pm.

Please find the flyer attached.

Second Hand Sunday Flyer TA Final.pdf

,

KAIVOLUTION our FOOD RECOVERY BABY IS A STAR

For those of  you who don't know, Kaivolution is a Waikato Environment Centre initiative where we recover food and redistribute to charites.

We started  late October 2014 and have so far redistributed over 18,ooo kilo or.... two Killer Whales!

Radio NZ visited during the week and spent a day with Kaivolution

 I just wanted to let you know that there’s been a great response to your story on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/RadioNewZealand

If you scroll down, it’s currently the third or fourth story down. I just thought you’d like to know!

CAREERS & START LIVING EXPO

Organised by the South Waikato Lifelong Learning Group.

The 2013 and 2014 expo's were a great success and students and the general public always express how grateful they are that exhibitors make the effort to come here. They have also reported back the extraordinary difference the expo made to their lives. This is important to us here in South Waikato, especially with the challenges some of our people face.

Exhibitor Information:

DATE: 15 June 2015 - One day only

TIME: Set up at 8am.

Open 9.00am - Close 3pm

Break down by 5pm

VENUE: South Waikato Sports & Event Centre, Tokoroa, South Waikato - in the BIG ARENA

WHO IS COMING (Entry is FREE):

* Tokoroa and Forest View High Schools have committed to sending ALL STUDENTS

* Putaruru College will send a selection

* All local and surrounding schools with students 11 years old and over, are also invited.

* The general public is invited - to inspire and excite them on all things to do and careers available

COST FOR YOUR STAND: FREE! We are all grateful that you make the effort to come

Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you. Email is best, as we are volunteers and reply to you in our spare time. Reply to start.expo@yahoo.co.nz.

Tracey DeaneFor South Waikato Lifelong Learning Group

AN INTRODUCTION TO GRAFTING

FOP Introduction to Grafting.pdf

In an informal setting in Wendy's orchard, Clyde and Di will share their knowledge and step us through some of the basics to be better prepared for a more formal class in grafting(July/August).

We will cover:

o What materials and equipment you will need

o How to take scion wood (the branch that's grafted on)

o What you need to consider when selecting root stock

__________________________________________________________

Wendy's Orchard, 130 Holmwood Drive, Ngahinapouri

Saturday 25th April, 3-5pm

Please bring a notepad & pen, drinks and food to share for afternoon tea.

RSVP by Apr 21 to Wendy - email ambury7@gmail.com or txt 022 526 1972022 526 1972

HAMILTON CITY COUNCIL

In addition to making online submissions on the HCC ten year plan, you might also consider attending the 'engagement sessions' which have now replaced the formal hearings. You MUST register to attend one of these, and the details are available at the following site:

https://haveyoursay.hamilton.govt.nz/strategy-research/copy-of-hamiltons-10-year-plan/consult_view

There are three available sessions, of 2 hours each, and I suspect that only part of each is available for presentation of public comments. The dates and times, which are also provided on the site above, are:

21 April, 6.30-8.30pm, Chapel Hill Church

29 April, 6.30-8.30pm, Western Community Centre

6 May, 11.30am-1.30pm, Purdie Hall at The Link, St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Te Aroha St

TE-KAURI-WAIKUKU TRUST

Te Kauri-Waikuku Trust does restoration work in the pristine remnant podocarp forest of Te Kauri Park near kawhia.

Last year DOC carried out a successful baiting programme in this area and data shows that the rat population greatly decreased as a result.

Unfortunately one year on, the rats are coming back!

You may like to help us eradicate these pests by sponsoring a Bait Station for $25 per year.

Please find attached information about our Rat or Tui? sponsorship scheme

Rat or Tui renewal-1.pdf

KARIOI MAUNGA KI TE MOANA PROJECT

Please see below volunteer opportunities for seabird monitoring and trap deployment!

It’s an amazing sight to behold - Grey-faced petrel - also known as Oi, flying through a cold wintery storm at dusk and nesting on the Karioi coastline. That’s the dream for local volunteers and partner organisations involved in the Karioi – Maunga ki te Moana project in Raglan. That Karioi will once more be inundated with native seabirds – as well as forest birds. However – birds, and especially Oi, will only breed successfully if protected from predators like stoats, feral cats, dogs, rats and possums that threaten the eggs, young chicks and adults on the nest.

Now the dream to restore seabirds to Karioi came one step closer to reality recently with the news that the project was to receive significant funds from NZ Lottery Board. This fund as well as input from some of NZ’s top conservation experts has significantly boosted the projects capacity. The next three years are going to be immensely exciting with the current trapping network expanding from its current coverage of 130 hectares to over 1800 hectares.

The project partners will cut up to 40 km of new tracks this year and up to 500 stoat and ferret traps will be deployed across the mountain. We'll also continue work with local landowners to implement predator control on private land around the mountain too – and this is already ongoing with supportive landowners involved from Ngaruanui Beach to Te Toto Gorge.

The project has come a long way since its initiative in 2009 – when trapping of rats, possums and stoats started at Upper Wainui Reserve with a few enthusiastic volunteers – and there are plans underway for more volunteer opportunities to help with seabird monitoring and to deploy traps over the mountain starting in April/May.

For more information or to register your interest to volunteer either regularly or occasionally please email wordsbybexie@gmail.com

Seabird monitoring starts this week, and we are seeking more volunteers to help ASAP!

Also, feel free to join our Facebook group Karioi Maunga Volunteers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/748382735277223/

PARENTING FUEL UP - MAY 2015

For cost saving in the home and goal setting have a look at the attached

Parenting Fuel Up Workshops May 2015-1.pdf

Rat or Tui renewal-1.pdf

SEVEN YEARS WITH SUPERMAN: WINNING AT CONSERVATION

This Thursday - 23rd April 2015

7.30pm Chartwell Room, Hamilton Gardens , following the AGM.

Rod Morris, natural history photographer, and film-maker from Dunedin will talk about the legendary Don Merton and his battle against the odds to save species such as saddleback, black robin and kakapo. The talk will be illustrated with many of Don’s own photographs.

Through the 1970s Rod worked for the NZ Wildlife Service and for much of that time he worked under the the legendary Don Merton, who was battling to save some of our most endangered bird species.

It is the early experiences under Don Merton’s leadership that Rod draws on for this talk.

Don died on April 10th 2011, and many now regard the growing numbers of saddleback, black robin and kakapo he left behind as his legacy to us, but did he leave something else as well?

At a time in our history when the old problems faced by the Wildlife Service appear to be resurfacing again under the current Government - a ‘difficult’ economic climate, the withdrawal of government support for conservation, and the lack of any political will to tackle environmental issues, does Don Merton’s work once again provide the blueprint to chart a way forward?

>From 1980, for nearly 25 years, Rod went on to make wildlife documentaries for NHNZ, several of which focussed on the work of Don Merton.

Rod continues to advocate Don Merton’s legacy and relevance in conservation today.

Everyone welcome. Supper provided.

ENVIRO EXPO THIS WEEKEND STARTING FRIDAY 10th

CLAUDELANDS EVENT CENTRE  10am to 5pm

Come along and support your Environment Centre

For the first time Wild Care Trust will showcase a real live Pukeko Chick. Step inside the cosy Yurt , learn about seedling care and how to make a fun movable garden, find out about major water quality issues in the Waikato and how you can help….and lots,lots more!!

Solar Power Seminars Reminder April 15th and 16th ( this is the same event on both nights)

Please RSVP as numbers are limited

Evaluating Community Change and Moving the Needle Two Workshops

by Mark Cabaj

MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKING

SOLAR WORKSHOP AT THE CENTRE

Please note this is the same workshop over two nights

Come learn about how to keep the POWER in your hands, spaces are limited so please reserve a place. Gold coin donation appreciated details attached

WAIKATO ENVIROEXPO & LIFESTYLE BLOCK EXPO

Don’t forget  to put aside the dates April 10th 11th 12th at the Claudelands Event Centre for free entertainment and learning. We will also have retail products available including worm farms with a special show price on the giant Hungry Bin!

USUALLY $295......... show special  $275

RAGLAN COCONUT YOGHURT BACK IN STOCK

This yoghurt has been very popular and fresh stocks have now arrived!

HAMILTON ORGANIC GARDENERS

The next HOGs meeting is on 11th April at 2pm at the Environment Centre (at 242 Peachgrove Rd, near the 5 x Roads roundabout. There’s loads of parking behind the shops and you can enter the EC through the back door).There will be a demonstration of how to make Apple Cider Vinegar and some to taste. We’ll discuss the benefits of using ACV (as its often called) by drinking it and it’s uses around the house and in the garden. It's a great way to use windfall apples.The swap table will be there. It would be great if you could bring along your extra plants, seedlings, produce, apples! etc. You’re welcome to sell items also.Light refreshments will be served. $2 Entry to cover costs thanks.

GREEN RIBBON AWARDS

The 25th Green Ribbon Awards, which honour New Zealand's environmental leaders, are to be a joint endeavour for the first time between the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation. Ministers Barry and Smith have requested a more integrated approach to the awards between the Ministry and the Department to showcase our work together in a 50/50 partnership process to the wider community. The Ministers have also indicated their desire for the Loder Cup award to also be presented at the Green Ribbon Awards Ceremony from 2016.

The Green Ribbon Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals, organisations, businesses and communities to protecting and enhancing New Zealand’s environment.

The Green Ribbon awards for 2015 have been revised from the previous 12 awards to the following 10 categories:

Environmental Projects Leadership

Protecting our biodiversity Business leadership

Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions Community leadership

Minimising our waste Leadership in communication and education

Protecting our coasts and oceans Public sector leadership

Caring for our water Philanthropy and partnership

Past winners include school groups that have encouraged environmental awareness among the next generation, businesses that have made sustainability integral to their day-to-day work, and community groups that have planted thousands of trees, eradicated pests and protected native species.

Minister Barry and Minister Smith issued a joint media release about the Green Ribbon Awards on 5 March 2015.

Detailed information about Green Ribbon Awards as well as making a nomination can be accessed through the Ministry for the Environment and Department of Conservation websites www.mfe.govt.nz/greenribbon and www.doc.govt.nz/greenribbon.

Nominations close on 10 April.

BAT TOURS

If you’re after something different for the holidays either for yourself or an evening out with the  kids, book in for an evening ‘Bat Tour’ through the Waikato Museum , see attached for details and booking

FOREST & BIRD CONSERVATION UPDATE

Not only will the proposed Ruataniwha water storage lake in Hawke’s Bay lead to poorer water quality in the Tukituki River Catchment, but it will also lead to mature native forest being destroyed.

This mature podocarp and beech forest in the Ruahine Forest Park is home to long-tailed bats and other rare and threatened native species. To allow this land to be buried under the lake, the Department of Conservation is proposing revoking its conservation park protected status and to swap it for a block of private land.

In a submission to DOC on the proposal this month, Forest & Bird said both steps - revoking the conservation park status of the 22 hectares and the land swap – would be unlawful….see more view it in your browser.

WAIKATO ENVIROEXPO  & LIFESTYLE BLOCK EXPO

WE WILL BE THERE WITH BELLS AND WHISTLES! Please come along to support your local environment centre !

BALLOONS OVER WAIKATO IS THIS WEEK

Have a look at the program

http://www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz/2015-programme

UNIONS WAIKATO  we invite you to join us at a meeting to hear KRISTINE BARTLETT's story.

Kristine and the Service and Food Workers Union, Nga Ringa Tota have won an historic legal victory for thousands of low-paid women workers.  The win is a huge step forward for the rights of working women and it shows that for far too long 'women's work' has been undervalued and underpaid.

Where:    The Media Centre, Rhode Street School, Hamilton

When:     Wednesday 25 March 2015

Time:       6:00 pm

Maxine van Oosten

Kristine Bartlett event.pdf

Please read the latest Neighbourhood support Bulletin ( especially Hamilton East  residents )

NeighbourhoodBulletin212-2.pdf

 VANUATU NEEDS HELP

90 per cent of housing and major infrastructure damaged in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila alone, the head of Oxfam says Cyclone Pam is "likely to be one of the worst disasters ever seen in the Pacific".  

Find out how to help our Pacific neighbours over on the Element website or head straight to  oxfam.org.nz  to donate to the organisation's emergency response appeal. 

HAMILTON ORGANIC GARDENERS

Have organised a visit to Steve and Jenny Erikson’s Chaos Springs property in Waihi for 1.00-3.30 pm Saturday 18 April 2015.

Chaos Springs is a 200 acre mixed cropping farm raising pasture, animals, fruit, and vegetables in the Waitawheta Valley near Waihi. There are certified organic and make compost and soil management tools to help growers take control of their soil fertility. In particular they manufacture a compost tea mixer and spreader. See their website at www.chaossprings.co.nz/our-farm.html

While we will be talking to them about all aspects of of organic farming and gardening, in particular we will discuss compost making, actively aerated compost tea and mulches - as a follow up from the workshops last year on these subjects.

 Please contact Tony Banks for more Detail

hamiltonorganicgardeners@gmail.com

KOANGA INSTITUTE WORKSHOPS IN HAMILTON

http://www.koanga.org.nz/products/education/hamilton-tour/

 HAMILTON COMMUNITY CENTRE OF MUSIC : SITUATION VACANT

Please promote and encourage the attached vacancy to your families, friends and networks.  Sistema Waikato is advertising for six tutors for their initial launch 2015. 

Please note it is not essential that a successful candidate be a musician.  If you require more information, contact Ann Shafer, contact details below.  Many thanks Ioana

 From: Ann Shaffer [mailto:ashaffer@waikato.ac.nz]

Sistema Waikato Tutor Job Description March 2015.docx