Letters to Editor 11 Sept
Main Street flooding
We have lived in Golden Bay for more than 31 years and to our recollection the main street drains always flood over in heavy rain, eg Sunday 30 August at sixish the water came onto the road up to almost two metres.
Can anyone tell me if this will ever improve?
Paul Marcussen
Evening class cuts
The ACE programme has offered a variety of courses to members in our New Zealand communities for over 100 years. These courses have provided useful skills to participants and led many to make informed career choices.
You may be aware that the Government, without consultation, has decided to make an 80% funding cut to ACE programmes run in schools. Many communities, particularly rural ones like our own, are going to lose a valuable resource if this goes ahead. For our community this means the wages for our two local co-ordinators (Collingwood and Takaka) will disappear and the viability of almost all classes will be radically affected unless they can be directly linked to literacy and numeracy.
Local ACE tutors and students intend to highlight the issue on the Village Green this Saturday morning from 10am-12pm. We invite those who would like to form an opinion to come and read material around the issue, while those who feel the same concern as we do can sign the petition and/or fill in a postcard to send to a politician.
April Stevens, ACE tutor
The Truth?
When I was a child, on Sundays, I used to listen to my father preaching “The Truth” from his pulpit. Later I went down the road and heard another man propounding his version of “The Truth” and also saying that my father was wrong. This confused me. Over the years, after dabbling with various religions and other belief sAystems, I gradually learned that everyone has their own, personal version of “The Truth” which only applies to themselves, although it may overlap with others’.
Thus I find it interesting that many people write to the editor propounding their truth as if it is “The Truth” which should be believed by everyone. Yes, Peter Rudolf, I did take Morpheus’s red pill (many years ago, but that’s another story) and it did lead to “the truth and freedom”, but it was my truth and freedom, not yours, not the politicians’, not the media’s, not anyone else’s!
During my lifetime of seeking “The Truth” I have so far only been able to come up with one objective “The Truth” and that is that every person lives their own life. Everything else I have found to be subjective and therefore debatable, including, of course, everything I have written above.
River Howe
Stiff
I went to see STiFF on Saturday night and I cannot remember laughing, or being that well-entertained, in a very long time. I am still not sure what offered me more entertainment value, the play or the music, song and dance between scenes?
Watching the show made me realise once again just how much talent exists in our community and what a special place Golden Bay is.
I want to thank all involved: actors, musicians, director and all those behind the scenes for their special efforts, as I believe all those who saw the play thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was quite a successful community laugh-fest and I will be chuckling under my breath for quite some time as thoughts and memories come back to me. Welcome spring,
Tenzin Kalden
After a very successful season of STiFF by April Phillips at The Playhouse last week, the committee of the Takaka Drama Society Inc would like to acknowledge the wonderful people of Golden Bay. Every night was sold out. Our apologies to those who missed out, it is so hard to judge how popular a show will be. To everyone who supports The Playhouse, thank you for making this show such a success.
A big “thank you” to Colin Jaquiery for donating the use of his diesel heater to warm up the public auditorium before each performance. So much nicer for everyone with the chill off the air.
It was magic to see the entire cast step up their performance for the public and really get into their roles. Once again Gary has chosen a play that comes alive when on stage. Well done one and all and thank you for your professionalism in dealing with the ups and downs of theatre life.
Theatre is alive and kicking in Golden Bay, now we just need a few more directors to put their hands up. Anyone interested? Give it a go, you may enjoy it.
Anita Hutchinson, chairperson
Boredom Buster School Holiday Programme
The Boredom Buster School Holiday magazine will be available from schools, the library, TDC office, Community Centre and I-Site from about Wednesday 16 September. Jocelynne is back so there will be stone carving, and archery was so popular there will be two sessions. Programmes and registration forms can be emailed. Contact me on 525 8876, fax 525 7928 or recreation@gbcw.co.nz.
The programme is also on the TDC website.
Dave Myall
OSCAR/Boredom Buster organiser
1080
I note Bill Climo’s catalogue of 1080 crimes committed by DOC with considerable alarm. (GBW Letters 4/9)
Since The Authorities seem to be in cahoots with the villains at DOC over 1080, perhaps it’s time to launch a private prosecution? From the evidence Mr Climo puts forward, it should be a slam-dunk conviction. And look, if it turns out the judiciary is part of the 1080 conspiracy, there’s always the Citizens Initiated Referendum option: “Should smacking naughty possums as part of good environmental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”
Christopher Mitson
What fierce defenders are we of our exquisitely unique environment here in Golden Bay. We preserve and protect our treasured land with a small but strongly growing people’s army.
Our first inspired core, our solid and dependable home-guard, our Forest and Bird Society.
Our scouts and when needs be warriors, our uncomplaining and unflagging green workforce, our Department of Conservation workers. Our gradually awakening troops, our combined communities.
We share our love of flora and fauna everywhere. We are sad and very curious to see a washed-ashore whale. We look out for our penguins. We plant and watch the trees grow for our future generations. We love to listen to the birdsong and insect chatter.
We agree introduced animals need to be removed from our still fragile environment and overburdened ecosystems. We do not agree how this should be done. The answer is not obvious to me; I find any creature’s death sad.
1080 is a poison and death from poisoning is very cruel, no one can deny that. What is our measure of humanity and compassion? We must collectively find a solution we can all support. Please let us not lose sight of our common goal to preserve and protect what we hold precious.
Tania Carey
1080
John Salmon writes (GBW 4/9): “no active environmental group is opposed to the 1080 option”. Google “1080” if you’d like to test his claim. Opposing groups are active and numerous. We fund ourselves, yet put DOC on the defensive, as last week’s Nelson Mail indicated. John must suppose that we are not environmental groups. What then does he suppose our motives are? Is there “not a single scientist in New Zealand with a low enough intellect to conclude that 1080 is a bad option”? Most studies here are funded by state agencies. Yet scientists speak out. Mike Mead explains his own research in Poisoning Paradise.
We are environmental and we are opposed. We want a forest stewardship like permaculture, balanced and harmonious. While we condemn Japan for cruelty to marine mammals, shouldn’t our own policies address animal welfare issues? Successful long-term conservation measures like the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project don’t use 1080, they use ground control. How many more such projects would 1080 budgets fund? One day our conservation dollars will be spent on sanctuaries and ground control, which are sustainable. I hope that day is coming very soon.
Robert Jenkin
Some recent correspondents supporting the use of 1080 have chosen to ignore scientific information presented in Poisoning Paradise, perhaps they haven’t yet viewed this documentary?) for example the hormone-mimicking nature of 1080 when ingested in concentrations below the level of detectability. Minute doses can have a chronic long-term adverse affect on human health and have been implicated in illnesses such as Parkinson’s Disease. Scientists worldwide now recognise the adverse effects of tiny doses of chemicals which disrupt normal cell behaviour.
It’s a pity some correspondents sought to belittle the efforts of anti-1080 campaigners. Attempting to reduce or prevent the use of poisonous chemicals in our environment is surely a laudable goal.
We humans have created the problem (introduced possums) and we need to fix it by doing the least harm. The indiscriminate and uncontrolled dropping of 1080 from the sky is completely irresponsible. Some DOC staff have admitted disquiet at the policy but when pressed fall back on its “cost-effectiveness”. Yet again science has been sidelined by economics in a depressingly familiar repetition of the process of human “development” on this earth. It’s ironic that the Department of Conservation in its efforts to protect the environment is taking the cheapest and most toxic option.
John Snelgrove
1080
In the 1950s we spread hundreds of tons of carrots laced with 1080 on our family sheep station. Miraculous result. Rejuvenating high country tussock and grasses.
We spread dozens of dog tucker carcasses laced with 1080, killing hundreds of wild pigs. Result: lambing percentage increased from 50% to 70%, in our case 600 extra lambs. Ever seen the contents of a pig’s stomach after dining on newly born lambs? It’s full of baby lambs’ black toenails!
Without 1080, much of our South Island back country would be washed out to sea. Without 1080, much of our New Zealand native bush will be trashed by opossums. Sometimes the end justifies the means and I’m sure it does with 1080. And after over 50 years of very extensive 1080 use, I am not aware of anyone being harmed by drinking water obtained from “treated” catchments.
Tony Sandall
It is amazing if something is seen, heard and said often enough people will take it as fact and repeat it as truth even if it defies logic.
Misrepresentation of 1080 research by DOC, AHB and Royal Forest & Bird is alarming and unethical. I am grateful to scientists Q & P Whiting-O’Keefe for exposing the extent of the poor science behind the claims of these organisations.
Synthesised using potassium fluoride, 1080 is not natural, contaminates ground water, stays active for months or to break down faster needs sunshine and temperatures above 20°C. 1080 kills native insects, worms, snails, cave wetas, eels, bats and birds; the list goes on.
Very little authentic, independent research has gone into investigating its environmental effects. However studies have shown, for example, that after aerial 1080, stoats change their diet from predominately rats to birds. As over 50% of a possum’s diet is fruit and seeds, rats then recover quickly, their populations increase fivefold and stay high for years.
Investigation into state-funded research reveals the mantras of consent are spun from biased distortions of the evidence.
How anyone can imagine dumping tonnes of toxic poison into our forests is a good idea is beyond comprehension.
Rita Davies
Fascinating myths peppered the letters last week, seeking to justify why we are spraying a highly toxic poison all over our wilderness. Such as: 1080 “is biodegradable and rapidly breaks down on contact with soil and water.” Sorry, no. It breaks down only after a long time in warm sunlight, and it can linger in our shady forests and cool streams for months. Even 1080’s manufacturer advises disposing of it only by burying it deep underground half a mile from human habitation and water supplies. Would anyone put such a warning on a “biodegradable” product?
The opposition is not a bunch of fanatics. Community groups and independent scientists throughout New Zealand and the world have objected to 1080 for years. United Future and Maori Party spokespeople oppose it. The Green Party has stated that 1080 should not be dropped in areas that are near farms and drinking water supplies (such as Golden Bay!)
If 1080 is safe, why is it banned or severely restricted in many countries? Why does the World Health Organization list it as “extremely hazardous” and the US Environmental Protection Agency classify it as “Category 1,” the highest toxicity rating that they assign?
Yes, pest animals are damaging our forests but 1080 is not an acceptable solution. We all need to work together to find one. Hint: even a comprehensive study commissioned by the Department of Conservation and carried out by Landcare Research in 1995 found that trapping was just as effective as 1080 in controlling possums, and only cost $5 more per hectare. I reckon it’s worth it.
Rebecca Reider
Ed. Correspondence on 1080 is closed for now.
