NZ 2012 International Film Festival

23 August to 16th September at Lido Cinema in Centreplace

For the full film schedule    http://www.nzff.co.nz/hamilton

The pdf attached has details of the following movies: 
Chasing Ice   4.45pm 1 Sept, 2pm 2 Sept.
Song of the Kauri  6.15pm 4 Sept, 6.15pm 5 Sept.
The Last Ocean  4.15pm 8 Sept, 6.30pm 9 Sept.
The Last Dogs of Winter  6.15pm 10th Sept, 4pm and 8.15pm 11 Sept

There are group discounts for over 20  people

(There will be no Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival this year in Hamilton)

Saving the Planet_H.pdf

The Bridal Veils/Waireinga Falls trip

which was to be this Sunday has been postponed to

9th September, Sunday.

Waikato Botanical Society Evening Seminar Series

20th August, Monday, 5.30 pm - 7 pm

Waikato Environment Centre, 25 Ward St (Level 1) Hamilton 

"Compensating for ecological harm in development - what are we really achieving?"

Marie Brown (PhD student, University of Waikato)

Abstract

Ecological compensation is increasingly required under the Resource Management Act 1991 to help counterbalance the adverse effects of development on ecosystems and species. Agreements are signed and often not followed up and there is a lack of information on the success of implementation. This research investigated the outcomes of 110 consents issued by councils that included positive conservation measures as part of mitigation requirements. In addition, 116 semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders to build a picture of how this mechanism is being used in New Zealand, and how it's use might be improved. The presentation will cover the key results and observations, with particular emphasis on the impact of compensatory mechanisms on rare plant communities and species.

Marie is a former council enforcement officer and environmental policy advisor

Gold coin donation please.

People are welcome to join in for dinner afterwards at a nearby restaurant.

Contact person: Cynthia Roberts croberts@doc.govt.nz or work 07 849 4935 or 021 123 1060.

New Zealand Post offer of Community Post envelopes

Applications for these close 31 August.  You will need to apply on line.  Please note that you will be asked to describe a future project requiring envelopes and that if your applicaiton is accepted, they will not arrive until 31 October.

Volunteers wanted for

fruit tree planting in the community

 4th – 7th September (Tuesday to Friday)

The Western Community Centre has organised for fruit trees to be planted throughout 100 homes within the Nawton and Crawshaw community area. If you are interested come to the volunteer brief on  27th August, ( Monday) at the Western Community Centre.

Contact a volunteer co-ordinator - either:

Paula Hitchman – Hitchpj1@student.op.ac.nz   or    

Laura Yates – Yatesla2@student.op.ac.nz

Free workshop

on "How to Plant Fruit Trees"

30th August. Thursday

9am to 12pm or 1pm to 4pm

Grandview Community Garden, 183 Grandview Road, Hamilton

The workshop includes, chosing fruit trees for different times of the year, choosing the right place sun, spacing, etc., planting techniques for different soils, using compost and mulch, staking, and more...

Contact details: Western Community Centre 07 8474873

'Designing Sustainable Cities' talk

15 August (Wednesday)

6-7pm

Playhouse Theatre, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato. Parking in Gate 2B, Knighton Rd.

As part of the Winter Lecture Series, the University of Waikato’s Professor of Environmental Planning, Bob Evans, discusses sustainability in urban design, what’s important in rebuilding a city such as Christchurch and what Hamilton needs to do to enhance urban design. Also, the University’s Sustainability Co-ordinator Rachael Goddard will look at environmental issues and what’s being done in the Waikato and on the University’s campus.

'You Are What you Eat'

29 August (Wednesday)  

6-7pm

Playhouse Theatre, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato. Parking in Gate 2B, Knighton Rd.

The University of Waikato’s Professor of Agribusiness, Jacqueline Rowarth speaks about the agricultural contribution to food in the region, local chef and restaurant owner David Kerr on the rise of good food in the Waikato over the years, and Waikato Psychology Professor Darrin Hodgetts on the issues around poverty and food choices.

Tui 2000 AGM

22 August (Wednesday)

Starting at 5.30pm.

The Atrium, Vision Forest Lake,

2 Minogue Drive Forest Lake

Pizza will be supplied. 

Agenda for the AGM:

• Minutes from the last meeting
• Financial report
• Chair report
• Nominations for the Committee
• Patron
• Other business

Email Katherine Hay with any apologies and/or nominations

katherine@envirocentre.org.nz, or ph 07 839 4452

Following the AGM, the group will have the opportunity to  move to the Woodworkers' Hall, 8 Storey Ave, Forest Lake to hear Chris Smuts Kennedy speak on 'All Things Kakapo'.  The details are in the following article.

'All Things Kakapo' Talk

22 August (Wednesday)

7-8pm

Woodworkers' Hall, 8 Storey Ave,  Forsest Lake, Hamilton

The Friends of Hamilton Zoo are hosting a talk by Chris Smuts Kennedy (scientist) about the kakapo ("Sirocco") who is visiting Maungatautari Ecological Island reserve for six weeks. The kakapo is a critically endangered NZ parrot, which has been rescued from possible extinction. Chris' talk named "All Things Kakapo" will cover the re-discovery, the breeding programme and future of Kakapo and how to 'meet' with the engaging "Sirocco" on Maungatautari.

Admission: A minimum of a gold coin donation please (towards Kakapo fund), supper served afterwards.

Contact person: Betty Collins.  Ph 07 838 6953 –DDI work, or 07 847 8271 home

Sunday 12 August
Forest and Bird Trip to New Find Mine on Mt Te Aroha

8.00 leave Hamilton to drive to Te Aroha
Turn right at clock tower and drive past domain.
Take 2nd road out of town (sealed road to Waiorongomai)
8:50 meet at carpark at end of this road
Bring torches

High on the slopes of Te Aroha, this goldmine was discovered in October 1881.

We’ll walk up the upper track, have lunch on the site of Carr’s store at the vanished mining settlement of Quartzville, and then leave the track to scramble uphill to the mine which has the most impressive stope to the surface of any New Zealand mine. Other points of interest are the tramway with its three inclines and the remains of Hardy’s hut.

This walk is suitable for older children and adventurers of all ages.
Leader: Philip Hart ph. 07 856 7992

Sunday 19 August

Waikato Botanical Society
Waireinga/Bridal Veil Falls Field Trip
9 am

(Bad weather alternative date : 9th September)
Botanical enjoyment and a survey of some of the special orchids that grow at this site.

Meet: 9 am Countdown Super Market, Whatawhata Road, Dinsdale to car pool, or at 9:40 am at Te Mata School.
Return: Hamilton by 3pm

Grade: Easy / Medium

Bring: Lunch, drink and warm and waterproof clothing

If coming and for cancellation notification contact Cynthia Roberts: croberts@doc.govt.nz, work 07 8581034, mobile 021 123 1060, or home 07 849 4935.

Royal Society of New Zealand Waikato Branch

Lecture Series, Facing the Future 
All welcome.

Tuesday August 14
7.30 pm

Fish farming in the Waikato region

Dr Hilke Giles
Coastal Scientist
Waikato Regional Council

Room S.G.01
Gate 8, Waikato University

Aquaculture began in the Waikato with inter-tidal oyster farms in the late 1960s and mussel farms in the early 1980s. The Waikato region is now the second biggest region for aquaculture with 1500 hectares allocated to mussel and oyster farming. Central government has identified aquaculture as an important industry with the potential to make a much greater contribution to the nation's wellbeing. The law that governs marine farming has been re-written and took effect in October 2011. Some of the law changes have a direct impact on the Waikato region, including allowing marine farmers to apply for consent for fish farming. Fish farming will be allowed in the Wilson Bay Marine Farming Zone (up to about 4000 tonnes annual production) and in a new 300 hectare zone about 10 kilometres offshore from Coromandel town that has been created by the law. This zone can accommodate another 8000 tonnes of fish farming. In this presentation I will briefly discuss the law reform and the regulatory processes related to fish farming. I will also provide an overview of the potential environmental effects of fish farming, past and present projects instigated to help assess and manage these effects and some specific examples of how Waikato Regional Council will manage the environmental effects of fish farming.

Hilke Giles is coastal scientist at Waikato Regional Council. She has an MSc, PhD (Marine Biology) and PGDip (Management Studies) from Waikato University and an MSc (Applied Systems Science) from the University of Osnabrueck, Germany. Prior to working at Waikato Regional Council Hilke has worked at NIWA, specialising in the environmental effects of aquaculture. Her role at Waikato Regional Council covers a diverse range of coastal resource monitoring and management aspects.

Reminder - Laurence Boomert is speaking in the Waikato Environment Centre tonight - everyone welcome. 

6pm for pizza and drinks (pls RSVP 839 4452)
6.30pm  for the presentation

Also come and hear about  the Hamilton Timebank which will be starting in Hamilton soon. For anyone involved in voluntary work this is a great initiative to value the work you do, have others do lovely things for you as well, and generally improve social community networks - make Hamilton a better place to live.

Thursday 9 August
GE Debate

12.30pm
Student Centre (Level 1, opposite Bennetts) WSU

NB this is in addition to the evening event at the Trade Union centre which we advertised in our 3/08/2012 newsletter.

The Green Party have organised a GE tour involving taking two Australian farmers, (Julie Newman and Bob Mackley), around New Zealand to talk with people about their experiences of the GE crops grown in their regions.

They will share their findings on the effects the release of GE crops have had on their communities and businesses. Julie and Bob will also cover the issues of liability and co-existence for organic and non-GM farmers.

Contact Sapphire for more info president@wsu.org.nz

Saturday 1 September  

Interfaith Planting Day at Waiwhakareke 

2:00 - 4:00pm - meeting at 2pm sharp for a brief orientation
Meet in the car park across from the main entrance
to the Hamilton Zoo, Brymer Rd.
Bring gumboots, a spade, a sunhat, and a smile!
It will be the first day of spring and will go ahead RAIN OR SHINE

For more information on visit: http://wifco.wikispaces.com

The Waiwhakareke site is: http://waiwhakareke.co.nz

Organic Feasibility Study starting this week

The Feasibility Study on Organic waste in the Hamilton CBD is starting this week, supported by funding from WEL Energy Trust and Hamilton City Council’s Envirofund.  Nandor Tanczos is undertaking the project for the Waikato Environment Centre to establish the best option to reduce organic waste going to landfill, by finding productive uses for it, educating the community about reducing the amount of organics in landfill, as well as looking at ways of reducing the initial waste in cafes and restaurants.

Organics are a problem in landfill as they produce methane during the decomposition process, which is a greenhouse gas. Transporting organics to landfill also increases carbon use, and landfills reach their capacity sooner.

The Environment Centre is fortunate to have someone of Nandor’s calibre to take on this role.  Nandor, a former member of the Waste Advisory Board, is committed to the principle of zero waste, and understands the practical complexities of waste minimisation, having introduced the Waste Minimisation Act to Parliament in 2006. Since then Nandor has been working with a variety of community organisations around civic and community engagement.

Nandor will be working with food outlets to assess the average quantities being produced, what avenues for disposal are available at present, looking at the barriers for outlets to responsible disposal of organics, and consulting with a wide range of partners and assessing possible business opportunities for commercial enterprises.

Whilst there are a number of organic processing businesses already operating either taking just garden waste, or a mixture of food and green waste, there are some exciting new processes being researched currently, so it is going to be interesting to see the results of this study in a few months’ time.