Saturday 12th October
Bee keeping workshop

10am.  Waimarie Community House, Wellington St, Hamilton East

The Hamilton Permaculture Trust has organised a day's workshop on keeping bees in your home garden.
Join us for this six-hour introduction to urban beekeeping. Observe a hive in action, enjoy a shared lunch, and come away with the basic knowledge and skills to begin keeping your own bees at home.

Cost is $40pp. Prebooking is essential as numbers are limited.
Contact the Cheryl to register, (07) 834 2249 or permaham@actrix.co.nz. 

Saturday 2nd November
Espalier Workshop

Learn how to espalier your own trees!
Espaliering is a convenient method of pruning trees to grow flat against walls or fences anywhere that space is an issue. It is ideal for small urban properties – fresh fruit can be had even from pint-sized sections!

This is a supervised, hands-on workshop held in the Kitchen Garden at Hamilton Gardens

10am – 12 noon. Cost is $20pp.  Prebooking  is essential as numbers are limited.

Contact the Hamilton Permaculture Trust to register, (07) 834 2249 or permaham@actrix.co.nz

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

On that note, support the STV campaign by donating on the pledgeme site - trying to change the present not so fair system costs money - there is a hole in the bucket at the moment.

123 Hours for STV - PLEASE HELP BEFORE SAT NIGHT
https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/1451

 Mark Servian is coordinating the STV campaign - he asks
"Please pledge to donate to the Vote STV for Hamilton IN THE NEXT 123 HOURS via out Pledge Me appeal at https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/1451.
The minimum pledge is $5, and even that much will make a difference.

With Pledge Me you only have to pay if the target is reached, and we're aiming for $1230 in the next 123 hours!!! Please pass this on to others...
We need to change the electoral system if we want a better city council..."

Don't forget to check out the Sustainable Waikato webpages for more information about candidates who met the 8 attributes which SW felt were important for our elected councillors to possess.
Our WRC candidates' meeting on Monday night showed up those who possessed enough knowledge and understanding of RC issues and those who certainly do not.

Gully Xpo event on October 3rd - Tickets available from the Environment Centre  - phone 839 4452 to book your ticket

Monday October 7th
National Wetland Trust public meeting

Public meeting to establish a Volunteers/ Friends of Rotopiko group, 5.30 pm on Monday Oct 7th at the Ohaupo Bowls clubrooms (on the right hand side of the main highway if heading south).

The National Wetland Trust has recently completed a pest fence at Rotopiko (Lake Serpentine) near Ohaupo and begun to help restore its natural character. The Trustees are keen to set up a volunteer group to help more people and the community be an integral part of this very exciting project.

Volunteers can get involved in all sorts of aspects including restoration activities (planting, monitoring, species translocations, track building, fence monitoring), wetland centre design/ exhibits/ education activities, fundraising/ events organising, guiding and much more.

If you cannot attend the meeting but would like to  be added to a mailing list for progress updates and notices about volunteer opportunities contact Karen Denyer

Saturday 12th October

Waikato Botanical Society fieldtrip

Karamu Bush Reserve and Swamp maire covenant, Te Pahu

First we will visit a small, 1.76 ha, lowland riparian forest reserve which straddles the banks of a tributary of the Kaniwhaniwha stream. These streams originate on the northern slopes of Mt Pirongia but travel through intensively farmed land in these lower reaches. Totora is the dominant canopy species of the reserve with kahikatea, kowhai, ribbonwood, pokaka and black maire also previously noted. The understorey is mainly invasive weeds with some native seedlings and is subject to extensive seasonal flooding. The reserve is administered by Waipa District Council and the Te Pahu Landcare Group have undertaken some Tradescantia weeding initiatives in the reserve, including a biological control trial, and are now interested in establishing some pest control there. On this trip the botanical society will make a comprehensive species list for the reserve and brainstorm ideas on weed and pest control to protect this regionally rare forest type.

We will then proceed to the upper catchment area on the northern slopes of Pirongia to a private property with an interesting QEII covenant. Here a remant patch of mature swamp maire can be easily accessed and we can explore a more pristine riparian forest margin.

Meet 9.30am at the junction of the Raglan highway (SH23) and Te Pahu Road (on the left from Hamilton) just over the Waipa river bridge at Whatawhata (by the church). From here we will drive 7km down Te Pahu Rd to the intersection with Grove Rd on the left. We will be accessing the reserve through private property here.

Easy to moderate grade
Contact Liz Overdyck 07 825 9743 or email eg3@waikato.ac.nz

Sunday 13th October

Waikato Branch Forest and Bird walk - Miranda

Leave Hamilton at 8.30am.
Arrive 10am for Miranda Shorebird Centre "Welcome to the Birds" Guest speaker Rick and Elis Simpson. Wader Quest. Learn about their efforts to raise awareness and funds forthe spoonbilled Sandpiper. Gardening afterwards if willing to stay for an hour or so. And/or a visit to the hot pools. High tide is at 2.30.
Very easy. Good for families.

Leader Katherine Hay phone 021 267 2773. Phone if you want to carpool.

Forest and Bird talk tonight

Chartwell Room at Hamilton Gardens, 7.30pm.

The speaker will be Avi Holzapfel who will be speaking on Community Involvement in Kiwi Recovery.

Kiwi are iconic birds, powerful symbols of our social identity and natural heritage. Yet all five species of kiwi have declined, some to precariously low numbers, and are still under threat mainly from introduced predators.

 Coordinated efforts into recovery and protection of kiwi began in 1991 and are supported today by a variety of Trusts, partnerships, corporate sponsorship and over 80 kiwi recovery projects initiated by local volunteerbased community groups. Together, private groups protect kiwi over 60.000 ha - equal to the area that DOC is protecting. This talk will examine some of the ingredients that have made kiwi recovery a truly national project, and asks whether it can be a model for the protection of other species in New Zealand.

Avi has worked  since 1999 for the Department of Conservation initially as an advisory scientist, he has focussed in recent years on threatened species management.

Since last year he has been the manager of DOC’s terrestrial ecosystem team in Hamilton.

2nd October

Ecological Restoration 2013: The Waikato Story

Keynote Speaker: Dr Paul Reynolds, Chief Executive, Ministry for the Environment

Hosted by Waikato University’s Environmental Research Institute Enjoy a showcase preview of 10 major Waikato ecological restoration and biodiversity projects due to be presented at the 2013 World Conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) in the USA.  Network with the presenters and researchers, including Waikato's top environmental scientists and practitioners.  Free registration including finger food lunch and refreshments. By 25 September.
For full programme and speakers details and registration

Monday 23rd September.

Waikato Regional Council Candidates evening

7pm Chartwell Room, Hamilton Gardens

We have invited Hamilton City candidates, plus candidates from the immediate surrounding constituencies and the Nga Hau e Wha constituency.

Candidates will be speaking for 5 mins then the floor will be open for questions. Mark Servian is the MC.

It would be good if people can come along with a question or two prepared.

There will be supper and a chance to chat informally to the candidates.

See you then!

Sustainable Waikato questionaire
You can have a look online at the responses which candidates have given to the questionaire put out by Sustainable Waikato. Unfortunately there are quite a number who have not responded; notably only one from both Rates Control  and New Council-New Direction responded. You can see who has received a Green Tick.

3 October 2013

Friends of the AJ Seeley Gully Charity Function

6pm

The newly forming “Friends of the AJ Seeley Gully” is an expanding group of people who either live nearby or have a special vested interest in the welfare of the parcel of land gifted to Hamilton City Council by Dr Alwyn Seeley.

Alwyn recently passed away and as a dedication to his generous heritage it was decided to carry on his legacy via this organization and associated proactive activities. Via the support of Hannah and Associates, organisers of the Waikato Home & Garden Show, it was decided to organise a Charity Fund Raising Function with the intention of investing all profits raised into ongoing development and improvements in the Reserve. In particular, items to be built and displayed at the Waikato Home & Garden Show GullyXpo will be installed in the AJ Seeley Gully.

Tickets are limited to 300 and are $30 each, which includes entry to the Waikato Home & Garden Show, one free beverage (a extensive range of locally crafted beers, wines, coffee, tea, and fruit juice will be on hand),some wholesome snack foods and entertainment. It is also planned to run actions and raffles of artworks and other artisan pieces.

The function is set for 6pm Thursday 3rd October in the Stables Cafe, Bar and Gallery, which is situated at eastern extremity of the Waikato Home & Garden Show complex.

Programme

• 6pm arrivals and complimentary drinks
• Mathew Bannister and Martin Griffiths, Guitar, Cello and vocals
• Light snacks and nibbles served
• 7.00 pm Talks and preamble to Art Auction including addresses by Cr Martin Gallagher, Professor Bruce Clarkson and Jenny Scown, Art Curator
• 8.00pm Formal Art Auction of selected sculptures and paintings by celebrated artisans- catalogue to be posted soon
• 8.30pm (approx.) Redrock and Blue, Paul Alderton and Serena Murdoch, drums, violin, harp and vocals.

Further drinks are available at bar prices, with a percentage going into the charity fund and there is an option to purchase an especially prepared meal by culinary chefs (will need to pre-book then pay on the night).

Email the Environment Centre if you want a ticket.

Civic Award nominations now open

The annual Hamilton City Civic Awards recognise the contribution of tireless and proactive individuals in the city. Anyone who has made a significant contribution to Hamilton can be nominated for a Civic Award.

Nomination categories include involvement in arts, dedication to people, the environment, education, sport and enterprise.

As you are a involved with community groups and volunteers who fit within the categories above, I thought I would let you know about this prestigious award.

Nominations can be made on our website . We also have hard copy nomination forms (which I have attached) available at our libraries and Council offices.

Nominations close midday, 2 October.

Civic Award Nomination Form 2013.pdf

Candidates evening Monday 9th September

Just a reminder to come along to the Exhibition Hall at Hamilton Gardens on Monday evening for the Environmental sector candidates' evening.
We are not running the usual format so have divided the evening into Wards and Mayoral candidates -

7pm   West Ward
7.45pm East Ward
8.30pm:   Mayoral 

You are welcome to be there all the time if you wish but otherwise come along when your ward is on and stay for the Mayoral candidates at 8.30.
Times are approximate. The evening will be mc'd by Warwick Sylvester.

Our Regional council evening is on the 23rd September in the Chartwell Room at Hamilton Gardens.

STV Campaign

STV Campaign needs your help:

The 'Vote STV for Hamilton' leaflets are now printed so if you want some to give away to your friends, colleagues and others, just email with a drop-off place and someone will get some to you. They are also looking for volunteers to put leaflets in letterboxes and give them away at events, so please reply if you are up for that too :o).

So far STV is  running a very basic campaign due to funding restraints - leaflets etc, but would like to be able to do more - badges, posters, so if you are able to donate to the campaign, please do so.
Dontate Now - You can transfer online into the STV bank account: 'Electoral Reform Coalition – Waikato' Kiwibank bank account: 38 9015 0061771 00.

 Here is why STV is a better system:

STV - Single Transferable Vote - a fairer system

• As a proportional system STV better reflects the overall wishes of the voters and therefore provides more effective and fairer representation for all significant points of view.  It is the only proportional representation system that works with multi-councillor wards, so it is the Local Body equivalent of MMP. 

• FPP – ‘First Past the Post’- is a ‘blunt tool’ where all the candidates voted for are ranked equally, whereas in real life voters are likely to prefer some candidates ahead of others. STV enables voters’ preferences to count. 

• In multi-councillor wards, under FPP the largest minority of voters get to elect most or all of their choices, under STV the vast majority of voters always get to elect at least some of their choices.

• With STV there are fewer wasted votes. By ranking candidates, voters are more likely to have supported at least one successful candidate.  Rather than a ‘winner takes all’ approach, the vast majority of people contribute to the outcome. As a result they are more likely to feel engaged with the democratic process.

• Under FPP mayors may be, and usually are, elected with a minority of votes.  In the past Hamilton has had mayors elected with 30% of the votes cast, meaning that 70% of those voting did not support them.  With STV the second preferences of voters would go towards electing the mayor who enjoys the most overall general support

• By changing to STV, the HCC would be using the same system as the DHB elections, which would therefore be less confusing for voters. 

Waikato Environment Centre Environmental Candidates evenings:

We invite everyone to come along and meet the candidates in the upcoming local body elections. As there are so many HCC candidates the evening will be in the larger hall and there will be a different format from usual.

9th September:  HCC candidates at 7pm in the Exhibition Hall at Hamilton Gardens, chaired by Warwick Sylvester

23September: WRC candidates 7pm. in the Chartwell Room at Hamilton Gardens, chaired by Mark Servian

Sustainable Waikato announcement:

ASSESSMENT UNDERWAY

Sustainable Waikato has recently sent all candidates for Hamilton City Council and Waikato Regional Council elections a questionnaire to complete. The questions are framed around our sustainability vision and the attributes we would hope councillors would have. Responses to these questions will be assessed along with other publicly available information on each candidate, according to strict criteria, to determine whether we will endorse the candidate for the upcoming election. We expect to announce the candidates that we are endorsing by September 19.

We invite you to visit our website to follow the progress of our assessment so that it may help inform you for your voting decisions at the elections. You can also follow us on Facebook and become a supporter by emailing supporters@sustainablewaikato.org.nz. We hope you find our information useful as we strive towards a sustainable Waikato!

Dr Chris Eames

Sustainable Waikato Spokesperson

Friday 30th August
Hamilton Junior Naturalists Club
This week’s topic is Working Dogs - How Are They Trained? Come and find out, and meet Bengi the Beagle and Ariane Bright, University of Waikato. 7pm at the Hort Centre at Hamilton Gardens

Missed this off the list of interesting international festival movies to go to:
The Moo Man
Wed 04 Sep at 1.30pm and Sun 15 Sep at 1.30pm

Lido Cinema
Andy Heathcote’s The Moo Man is a “keenly observed, beautifully filmed documentary about a Sussex farmer struggling to survive in a world of big supermarkets and oppressive health and safety regulations. A hit at the Sundance Film Festival, this gentle, honest film keeps its audience enthralled from sunny start to tear-stained finish – an impressive achievement, since it’s about cows. Steve Hook, the ‘moo man’ of the title, runs a small family dairy farm and sells raw (i.e. unpasteurised) milk at local farmers’ markets and via doorstep delivery. It is, he says, the only way he can keep the farm going in a world where it costs 35p to produce every pint, but a farmer gets only 27p from the supermarkets… Filming took place over a year and the seasons play their part in the film without ever being exploited for picturesque effect. Indeed, it is the ability to shape the material into an emotionally satisfying story without ever manipulating it that makes The Moo Man one of the best British documentaries in many a moo-n.” — Nick Roddick, Evening Standard

Link to the film trailer -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaDpW8WdyM4

Wednesday 4th September

Talk at the University:
12pm in Room AG.30 at the University opp the library, talk by the renowned Israeli human rights activist, Jeff Halper, hosted by Waikato University group, Students for Justice in the Middle East.
Mr Halper is an academic and activist who helped found and is director of the non-violent ‘Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions’. According to ICAHD, more than 18,000 Palestinian homes have been destroyed by the Israeli authorities since 1967. According to Mr Halper, this is only one of a range of oppressive measures used to oppress the Palestinian people.