Letters to editor 12 June 2009
Tarakohe harbour
I agree with John Lee’s brief: “does anyone want Port Golden Bay anyhow?” (GBW Letters 5/6)
In a bay you can have a harbour and a port, and in port or a harbour you may have a bay. But in this case, where we already have a series of ports in a big bay, I say it is inappropriate to have a port named the same as the large bay when we already have Port Puponga, Collingwood Wharf, Parapara Wharf, Port Waitapu and Tarakohe Harbour - all within our large Golden Bay.
Take Tasman Bay, where there is Port Hardy, Greville Harbour, Croiselles Harbour, Mapua Wharf, Port Motueka and Nelson Harbour. No Port Tasman Bay.
As one of the first people to have access to a mooring in Tarakohe Harbour, I say let’s have a TDC referendum on who wants a name-change. I know of only one person, along with obviously the TDC, who wants the change.
Winston Rountree
Dad’s being punished
Dad’s not allowed around home any more! He raised his voice at Mum! He was upset at Mum for treating me with unnatural chemicals for my asthma! Instead of dealing with the causes! Like he wanted to! Dad used to come to see us when he had any spare time. Now Dad can’t see us at home!
So there is no more watching Dad climb the trees to collect fruit. No more swinging us in our backyard. No more playing soccer or chasing us around the house. No more sitting on his lap and reading us stories! No more quiet nights with Dad when Mum wants to go out! No more birthdays with Dad and no more Christmases. You see Dad’s being punished. I know how Dad feels cause we are being punished too. I’ll have to remember not to raise my voice in protest.
Name withheld
Adult and community education
I am sorry to read about the cuts to local adult and community education (GBW 5/6), and was pleased that at least one of our MPs, Damien O’Connor, shared our concerns.
At the same time I read in the Motueka Guardian how Mr Auchinvole described the budget as “...the first step in ensuring that New Zealand has a genuine opportunity to emerge from the recession in a stronger position…” because the budget “...is focused on initiatives which support jobs, maintain entitlements for those in low incomes…”. Perhaps Mr Auchinvole might explain, even rationalise, these sad cuts to our adult and community education; or is he too content cycling in Cloud Cuckoo Land?
John Lee
Reply from Chris Auchinvole, MP for West Coast Tasman: This Government considers that ACE can provide an important stepping stone for learners across the tertiary education system. However, our investment in this area is being reduced and refocused to areas more tightly aligned with our priorities in literacy, numeracy and foundation levels of education. We no longer intend to subsidise hobby and personal interest courses (eg arts and crafts courses, home maintenance).
In 2010 all school ACE funding will be replaced with a new approach that reinvests approximately 20 percent of current school-based ACE funding towards refocused priority areas, such as literacy and numeracy. It is likely that there will be only a small number of schools receiving ACE funding from the Tertiary Education Commission for 2010 and beyond.
Further information on the approach and criteria to be used for 2010 ACE funding will be made available to schools in June. Schools will still have the option to continue to deliver their existing broad range of ACE, but on a user-pays basis.
I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Minister of Education Hon Anne Tolley to ensure that the education needs of the Golden Bay community are met.
Beach access via Golden Bay Holiday Park
The current Golden Bay Holiday Park management felt they needed to change the long-standing regime for local residents accessing the beach via the camp property.
Even with the changes implemented, we have appreciated that access to the beach has been willingly provided at all times, except during the camp’s busy period, for ourselves, and our respective extended families and any four-legged attachments.
On behalf of the local residents, we are currently negotiating with the camp management for better solutions for beach access for both parties. With trust and respect from both sides, we are very hopeful of a better end result for the Tukurua community.
Cynthia Bauer and Andy Clark
Takaka Drama Society Inc
The Takaka Drama Society committee, flush with the success of our recent Panto Goes West reminds us all that live theatre is still very much with us today. Despite the easy draw of TV, videos and playstations, the theatre was packed with audiences, and the laughter and participation were loud and clear.
We invite, indeed encourage, the community to come out and support us this Sunday at our AGM (see upcoming events for details). We promise we will not badger you onto the committee – we just want to know that The Playhouse is worth preserving, and that the work the committee is putting in is supported and worth continuing.
Debbie Neale, chair, Takaka Drama Society
Golden Valley Country Music Awards
It is with great delight that I can report the awards were run very successfully with well over 200 entries, and capacity audiences on Queen’s Birthday weekend. Thanks must go to paper reports, Marble Mountain Club, locals and outsiders for raffles, sponsors for their generosity and all helpers. Without this help we would not be so successful. Winners: Senior Overall: Mathew McNeilly; Intermediate Overall: Nikita Buys; Junior Overall: Alice Watson. Thanks to everyone.
Heather Hovenden, secretary
Poetic fundraiser
Massive thanks to all who came and supported our poetic fundraiser for the Amazonian indigenous community of Shiwa Yacu a few months ago. Because of your energy we raised good money and got a great live recording of the performance which we are now releasing on CD. There will be a CD-release party at the Dangerous Kitchen on Friday 19 June at 8pm; myself weaving words with the Spontaneous Seraphs (David Dwyer and Jochen Maurer) making music.
Proceeds from CD sales will continue to benefit Shiwa Yacu in their fight for rights to their ancestral rainforest lands. Taste samples on www.myspace.com/rebeccapoetry. Thanks to this generous community for supporting others who need it. It’s a beautiful privilege to create art for such open-hearted audiences, inspiring us to give more!
Rebecca Reider
Bay Song
With the best of intentions, Bay Song was going to make a comeback in 2009. However, considering time constraints it wouldn’t be the event we had envisioned and so it will take place in NZ Music Month (usually May) 2010. Song-writing workshops will be offered leading up to the event. Apologies to anyone who has been working on either music or lyrics for Bay Song but phone me on 525 8876 and there may be a spot available in August’s Price Of Milk.
Dave Myall, Golden Bay Arts Council
