Letters 11 November
“Mystery” Dress
I and my family are happy to confirm that the dress featured in your recent article (GBW 7/10) belonged to Olive Irene Neville Lloyd, my much loved late great-grandmother: “mamgu” to us in Welsh.
The dress was stolen from our house in Motupipi and then mysteriously found its way onto public display, which has caused us anger and distress. We would like to make clear that no local building contractor and none of our previous or present tenants was responsible.
We invite all those whose hands it has passed through since the theft to contact us <floramllloyd@gmail.com>, to apologise or otherwise explain what they thought they were doing. Anyone with a legitimate and genuine interest in the provenance of the dress is welcome to do the same.
According to Wikipedia there are only small patches of land on the planet where the concept of terra nullis applies, and they are in Antarctica and East Africa. Terra nullis is territory where anyone can simply go in and take what they like and then pass it on to whoever they like without fear of prosecution by the legal landowner.
Adam Lloyd
allshorts 2011
If you missed the opportunity to see allshorts 2011 at the Village Theatre or would like a second chance to see this wonderful collection of NZ short films, we have a continuous free screening at Takaka Memorial Library in the Young Adults section until Friday 18 November. Thanks to GB Arts for lending the large screen TV.
The Village Theatre will also be screening a single allshorts movie before the main feature throughout November.
Sarah Kay, manager, Village Theatre
Green voters
Don’t squander this chance to use MMP while we still have it. Tick party vote Green, if you give your electorate vote to Damien O’Connor hopefully we will be able to form a coalition with Labour and kick National into touch.
Peter Barrett
The ETS and Farm Emissions
I’m fully in favour of a Carbon Tax to discourage burning of fossil fuels and to encourage the development of alternative energy sources. However, the way the ETS is applied to beef and sheep farms makes little sense to me. I’m aware that farming is responsible for around half of NZ’s gross emissions, and the burning of fossil fuel (for transport and electricity) is responsible for most of the rest.
My point, however, is that these are two completely different things - the one is part of a Carbon Cycle (which turns every 12 years or so) and the other is not. Once you burn it, it’s gone (into the atmosphere) for good! The methane emitted by animals is converted in the atmosphere to CO2 in about 10-15 years, and is re-absorbed by grass, which is eaten by animals, which is re-emitted into the air...and so on.
The NET emission of greenhouse gas over a 15-year period is ZERO in this system, and should not be taxed in the same way as burning coal over a 15-year period, in my humble opinion.
The difficulty appears to be that the government uses GROSS emissions instead of NET emissions in working out who should pay what proportion of the tax. I believe that, as long as a farm remains in a steady state (ie not increasing or decreasing productivity), there should be no ETS liability. Only when productivity increases or decreases will there be any NET effect on the Carbon emissions. Would somebody please correct me if I’m not talking sense?
Albie Burgers
Boat ramp security barrier loan
Does the Hon Mayor Kempthorne stand by his "explanation" that the $57,000 barrier "will return profit from year one because the works will be covered by a loan" as reported by you on 7 October? If so, could he please explain his explanation? Can the community please be informed where such loans can be obtained; and is such a loan limited to that amount; and could it be utilised for strictly personal gain?
Rahi Doerper
Response from Mayor Richard Kempthorne:
The council will fund the construction of the barrier arm at the boat ramp through a loan from one of the council’s banks. This is common practise for the development of capital projects where a loan is raised within a very defined and specific use. It is expected the income raised from the use of the boat ramp will cover the charges of the loan as well as funding the maintenance and contributing to further developments within the immediate area. In the case of this development the funding through a loan enables the council to recoup the cost of the changes and ongoing development to be funded by those who derive the most benefit i.e. the boat ramp users.
The loan funds, as with all of the council’s loans for capital projects, cannot be used for anything other than the purpose intended. The funding of developments through loans is a common practice within the public and private sectors with nearly every bank competing for this business leading to often competitive rates for the borrower.
Top of the South MX
Congratulations to the Harwood family, Sue and Charlie Shuttleworth and all the helpers and NMCC for another well -run, well orgainsed fantastic weekend of MX. The track was perfect, the weather was awesome and the riding was amazing. Great to see so many locals supporting the event too. Well done to the young local riders who made it onto the podium (Hayze and Hunter).
Obviously the future of MX in Takaka is looking mighty strong with these young riders and many others following in the footsteps of the local legend Hamish Harwood. See you all again next year.
Jo James
Takaka Flood Modelling Open Day
As part of its investigation into how the Takaka township may be affected in the event of a large flood in the Takaka River the Council is holding a public open day. The open day is a means for the community to discuss the project - its origin, why, what is going to happen and how the community can play a role. Flood modelling has provided a platform for a greater understanding of what may occur in the town and surrounding rural areas will be available to the existing community and assist with future planning options, as well as informing an appropriate Civil Defence response.
The results of the modelling will be available as will council staff to discuss and outline the options available to the community in order to identify the community’s preferred response to the flood hazard risk.
Public Open Day: Friday 18 November, 12pm to 6.30pm, Takaka Bowling Club, 17 Hiawatha Lane.
Chris Choat, TDC Communications
Lack of long-term rentals in the Bay
Ah, springtime rhythms in Golden Bay. Birdsong symphonies, green grass shimmering, cows bellowing for missing babies and that familiar uncertainty in the pit of my belly as I search for a new house. Again. Yes, I’ve lived here nearly four solid years, and for the last three summers I’ve found myself cast out of rental accommodations. This year I knew my home was temporary; not so, the last two times around. I’ve been replaced by holidayers who will pay for a night what I pay for a week’s rent; and more subtly, by higher-paying tenants as a landlord decided to jack up the rent during the summer housing crunch.
I know I’m not the only one. Many of us from overseas are amazed at New Zealand’s relative lack of legal protection for tenants. When will we as a community recognise this as a major issue of economic class? Who’s going to build affordable housing for year-round tenants? Or is Golden Bay only for property owners and transients? Is it time for Occupy Takaka? Or perhaps Occupy the Empty Mansions of Pohara? Who’s got a home for me? If not moved by my situation, you could help me for the sake of our valiant posties, who so kindly still forward me mail sent to my four different local addresses. I don’t want to burden them with too many more.
Rebecca Reider, rebecca.reider@gmail.com
Pohara dog owner take note
Keep Golden Bay Beautiful would like to thank all the wonderful people who put in time over the last two months cleaning up our roads and coast. Our yearly spring clean of the Bay, with the support of the community, helps keep our area as beautiful as it is.
We would like to give a special thank you to Golden Bay Rubbish Collection Ltd who picked up the majority of our rubbish bags, saving our volunteers a trip to the Transfer Station; to TDC for covering the cost of rubbish disposal; the Mussel Farmers Federation for keeping an eye on and cleaning our beaches throughout the year and to the class from Takaka School who planted over 80 trees in a riparian project.
The only grumble we have this year (apart from to all the lazy people who throw their rubbish out on roadsides or leave it on the beach) is to the dog owner at Pohara who does the right thing dealing with his/her dog’s business on the beach, to then negate it by dropping the doggy bag going through the camp - obviously does it many times!
Kathy Hindmarsh, secretary, KGBB
Local poet
A couple of weeks ago there was an article in this paper about Bella van Susteren, my daughter, going to Wellington to read her poem at the book launch of the NZ Poetry Society Anthology 2011. We did some fundraising at the supermarket the following day. We were very moved by the generosity from our Golden Bay community, in supporting Bella to get to Wellington. In the space of a few days, we made enough money to pay for her trip, accompanied by her father. Bella read her poem at the book launch. She had a wonderful trip, and was also very inspired by the other children who also read their poetry. So, a huge thank you to all the lovely people who supported Bella. We are very grateful.
Anna Lakeman
Grain Mill Company
Thanks everyone for the great feedback that we received in regards to our exhibition of grain mills and flakers at Golden Bay Organics over the last two weeks! Today (Friday) is your last chance to see the mills and flakers in action and - last not least - to enter the draw. We wish you happy milling and good health!
ps. Please note that grain has a very long shelf live if stored properly in a cool, dark place opposed to flour which is prone to degradation due to its huge surface area - one of the many advantages to mill your own flour freshly when you need it.
Ute and Jochen, The Grain Mill Company
Nelson Council’s Maori seat
In an increasingly racist country, isn’t this the most ridiculous suggestion we have heard for a long time? What possible justification is there for such a move – or are they intending to have seats specifically for Scots and Dutch?
Talk of a government being in partnership with Maori is a latter day invention and formed no part of the Treaty, the relevant portion of which states quite clearly: Maori chiefs “...cede to Her Majesty the Queen of England absolutely and without reservation all the rights and powers of Sovereignty.”
In reality there is a partnership, through the ballot box, for all New Zealanders and it should be irrespective of race. This is no longer true in New Zealand where our democracy has been grossly compromised by having Maori-allocated seats. A distortion that no democracy should even contemplate. What makes the distortion even more grotesque is the fact that Maori openly state that their objectives are only for the betterment of Maori. To hell with the majority of the population!
Come on, Nelson, cancel this stupid idea immediately. If a Maori candidate can’t get elected by their own efforts what loss is that to the wider community? We have to assume that voters elect the people they think will be the best councillors – whatever their race. Or doesn’t the elected mayor believe that?
Laurie Tuff
Golden Bay Democratic School
Tomorrow, Saturday 12 November at the Community Centre at 2pm, Kahurangi School Establishment Group will hold a public meeting and talk about what has been happening with the school’s progress since the last public gathering in March this year.
Throughout this presentation there will be a powerpoint display and opportunities to ask questions. Following this Margaret Giroux (holistic education professional) will lead a ‘vision building’ workshop whereby participants will have the unique opportunity to help create the look and function of Kahurangi School. Given that students are co-creators of their environments and opportunities in Democratic Schools we encourage young people to attend this workshop and voice their needs and desires. Everyone is welcome to join us afterwards for a cuppa, nibbles and a chat. Childcare will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there.
Rae McDowell, Kahurangi Educational Trust
Throwing stones at birds
There is no need for people to throw stones at birds nesting on the seashore and in estuaries. Such behaviour demonstrates a thoughtless and nasty attitude towards wildlife.
Marion Riley
Little Day Out
I would just like to extend a huge thank-you to everyone who helped out or donated items for our Little Day Out garage sale on Saturday. The GB Weekly, Fresh Choice for donating sausages, the toy library for the loan of the bouncy castle, and all the locals who donated items and supported the event. The sun shone and a good time was had by all, see you next year.
Katie Lavers, on behalf of Collingwood Playcentre
This year's tours in Ireland
Happy walkers have returned from two memorable walking tours this June and July.
They have written to me of having loved the diversity of both walking and non-walking activities during their time with us in the west of Ireland.
We flew in our own little Aer Arann plane to Inis Meain, the middle Aran Island, where we spent a wild, wet day with our unique and very popular island guide Mairin Conneely. An utterly memorable day of personal connections and adventure, including visits to local people in thatched cottages, a mass in Irish with live harp music and much laughter as Barty's trusty van hurtled down the dry stonewall-lined island roads.
One walker who, incidently, has joined us on three of our five trips, wrote: "climbing to me is a sacred thing". This sentiment rang true as we walked high in the Maamturk Mountains in Connemara with gifted local guide, Gerard Mangan. This is Connemara atmospheric scenery at its very best.
Gerard has the uncanny knack and ultimate skill of pacing our walks, and regaling us with fascinating facts (and some fiction), so that we very soon find we are much higher than we think - if you know what I mean!
Rachel Ryan
Did you let off fireworks on Pohara beach?
Isn’t Guy Fawkes fun to celebrate? Aren’t fireworks cool to look at? But when it comes to getting drunk and polluting our public beaches don’t you think that’s a little over the top? We were disgusted to find more than one hundred fireworks scattered along Pohara Beach on Sunday. We also found a fire still burning. What if a little kid ran across the embers and burnt his/her feet? We filled a large rubbish bag with fireworks, bottles, cans and other rubbish within one hundred metres of the Pohara boat ramp. We find this disturbing because all of this would have gone into the sea. Imagine how many fish would have died because of this! So, be our guest to celebrate events but please collect your rubbish and help our environment.
By Laila Balzer (10) and Cherry Boomert (11)
Whitebait Wednesdays
I’ve been whitebaiting a few times and understand the attraction – the peaceful connecting with nature blended with the anticipation and hopefully satisfaction of a good catch. Often followed by a drink with friends – a good day indeed.
My question is do you want your grandchildren’s children to enjoy this too? There are stories of days gone by when catches were so big that excess whitebait were used as compost on the garden! Sadly those days are gone. And yes there are many reasons for the decline – lose of habitat, contaminants from towns, roads and farms in the waterways and overfishing in many areas to name a few.
So I wonder if in Golden Bay we could adopt a voluntary limit on ourselves, by not whitebaiting on the 24 hours of Wednesdays? This would increase the chance of more whitebait making it past all the nets to spawning grounds. Only one day out of seven so it's still not great odds but at least some would get a better chance. Humans and the impacts of our ways of living is a very new set of problems for whitebait – that they have not had time to adapt to. This would be in addition to any other regulations set by DOC of course.
Not an enforced rule but the concept spread by word of mouth among Whitebaiters. On Wednesdays the keen folk could visit favourite spots to talk to anyone who is still whitebaiting – asking them to leave Wednesdays to the whitebait too. A fantastic alternative action for Wednesdays would be to restore habitat for whitebait – to give back to the ecosystem you are taking from – get planting.
In time it could become the norm here in our slice of paradise – where the "Whitebait welcome Wednesdays". Whitebaiters could this work? Would you be willing? What do you see as the problems with this idea? How could we overcome those problems?
Looking forward to some conversation about this possibility and hopefully better whitebait numbers in the future.
Claire Webster
correction
In our 9 February 2011 article on the democratic school initiative in Golden Bay, it was incorrectly stated that Discovery1 is a democratic school.
