Letters
Free gong concert for earthquake-affected people
Gong masters Marius and Jeltje of Winema would like to offer a free gong concert to all people from Christchurch who have been affected by the earthquake and are temporarily staying in Golden Bay. The sounds of the gongs enable one to forget the day-to-day thoughts and worries one lives with and bring a deep, relaxed state of mind. Please come and join us for approximately an hour and a half and enjoy the soothing, healing, relaxing sounds of gongs, singing bowls, didgeridoo and other native instruments.
This free concert is planned for Sunday 20 March at 3pm and will be held in our gongroom at 196 Glenview Road. Please book as we have limited places available. If there are more bookings than we can accommodate we will endeavour to do a second concert.
For bookings and info phone 525 7977 www.winema.co.nz
Marius Zwijnenburg and Jeltje Kooistra
Surveillance cameras in Takaka CBD
I reply to Bruce Collings’ letter last week. The mind boggles; I have this image of Mr Collings administering a public flogging in preference to security cameras. Perhaps we could hold the floggings on the Village Green stage to music from the Takaka Citizens Band with ice cream and waffle stalls. Perhaps we could have a stall at the Village Market selling horse whips so we can all buy one and support local industry. Why not lobby TDC for a set of stocks on the old library site? Come on Bruce, get real. There is a small group of youths that enjoys destroying what society values. Let’s identify them if we can, catch them in the act and let the law take its course.
Today we live in a PC and permissive era where old-fashioned parental control seems to have been abandoned in favour of turning our kids loose to find themselves, years before they are emotionally and psychologically equipped to do so. It is distressing to stroll along Commercial Street on a Sunday morning and see the vandalism of the night before.
Alan Vaughan
Appalled and shocked are two words that come to mind when I hear about surveillance cameras being installed on Commercial Street. Coming from a country where it is repeatedly proved that “vigilance” encourages vigilante behaviour, I am fearful of the consequences of these cameras.
Recently, in an Australian town where a friend lives, cameras were installed along the main street without consulting the community. This created a complete lack of trust of the local law enforcement by the community. Once this trust is broken, it is difficult to restore. If the authorities have given up on our youth, perhaps they want to move over the Hill and let the citizens of Golden Bay use our money to provide solutions, instead of more policing.
I have appreciated the gentle nature and peace-keeping attitude of most of our police officers. This movement screams of fear and extreme measures, which I never expected to experience here in Takaka. I am completely opposed to this movement and request explanation.
Amira Mudfaery Porporina
With regard to recent articles published in your letters column, I would like to offer my support and praise for our local police.
“Big Brother” be beggared; join the real world. We are no more immune to the type of behaviour being reported on as to any other place in New Zealand.
As for “superannuated lifestyle”, read the police report column in The GB Weekly and work it out for yourself.
I support Arthur Clarence on his comments on moving events such as Mardi Gras to an area away from the town centre, as I have personally witnessed the destruction of private and public places in the main street after such functions. Bring on the “new toys” for the police, whatever helps to keep this a safer and healthier place for us all to share.
Gary Clough
I too sympathise with John Smith, who kindly clears up after the drunken pigs at the weekend (GBW 4/3). Why isn’t the Tasman Dismal Council doing this work?
Isn’t it an offence to be drunk and disorderly, or to sell alcohol to those that are? Where are the police?
As is typical of those who govern us, they want to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Witness the broad-brush demonisation and persecution of responsible freedom campers, which denies ordinary Kiwis the freedom to enjoy their own land without paying through the nose. With similarly suspicious intent, they now wish to film us when in Takaka with Big Brother television (BBTV). But we all trust government so that’s alright!
Giving up the Golden Bay County Council was clearly a mistake. How much more interference in our affairs will we tolerate? This worm has turned. If you’d like to join me in peaceful resistance to BBTV, please email NoBBTV@yahoo.co.nz.
Diamond Steve
Christchurch earthquake refugees support
We are one of the many Christchurch refugee families that made our way to Golden Bay after 22 February. We are writing to thank the Golden Bay community for their wonderfully warm support.
We were given a holiday home on Pohara Beach and many people in the community gave us help. The Aubergine Cafe helped us out with laundry, the library provided us with access to the internet and books for the kids, and the WINZ women were so helpful. And I can not speak highly enough of the lovely women who set up and staffed the welfare centre; Sarah, Jeanine, Vicky and others. Not only did they help with toys and books, cups of tea, rescue remedy, and fresh food and baking, but they also provided great doses of sympathy and a listening ear, which was just what was needed. It was like having a loving family take care of you just when you needed it. We wish we could have stayed in Golden Bay while our community is repaired, but we need to be closer to Christchurch to sort things out, so have based ourselves in Hanmer Springs for now. We look forward to returning to your part of the world next summer.
Thanks again Golden Bay community.
Emily Anderson
A very big thank you to all the Golden Bay people who made our stay here a very warm and welcoming experience and to the ladies at the support centre.
Rob and Leoni Baker
The GB Community Board wishes to thank all those agencies who have set up and manned the Takaka Quake Centre. What a wonderful welcome to all those people who have arrived in Golden Bay seeking reprieve from the Christchurch quakes.
Our gratitude to the Anglican Church who provided the premises at 23 Motupipi Street; Heartlands Services, Golden Bay Community Workers, WINZ, and Golden Bay First National who have all been involved in the setting up of this first response centre.
Special thanks to all the volunteers who have ensured that there is someone there to greet people when they arrive and to assist them with their individual needs; you have done a fantastic job.
So many in our community have rallied around in so many ways to ensure our neighbours from Canterbury have felt supported and secure. We thank you, one and all, who have provided that special Golden Bay welcome to shaken Cantabrians.
Carolyn McLellan, chair, Golden Bay Community Board
Recognising volunteer coaches
Golden Bay Swimming Club held its club champs and carnival night last Friday. A big thank you to all those people who came and cheerfully assisted getting it all up and running and tidied away at the end, and our great bunch of swimmers.
I would like to recognise the commitment and time given by our club coaches throughout the season. Lori for our competitive and development squad swimmers, Lisa –intermediate supported by Zak and Holly, and Rob, Jocelyn, Ryoko, Barbara, Bruce for the learners group. Sports coaching takes an incredible amount of time and energy.
It is timely to remind ourselves to thank and support all our volunteer coaches of all sports. The challenge we face with isolation is balanced by the huge community effort and involvement in the youth sports. As we head from summer into winter take time to thank these people and support those taking on the winter codes. Golden Bay sport cannot exist without these people.
Marian Milne
Ligar Bay baches
The TDC could have taken a gentle stand with the homes at Ligar Bay; instead they have gone for the most heavy-handed.
If ever there’s a time for compromise it is when peoples’ homes are at stake. I refuse to believe that the views of a few other residents, or their real estate values, have any weight, because I have confidence that our representatives are reasonable, and that stance is draconian.
How does this nonsense come about? Did it seem reasonable in the blinkered light of the council chambers? If so, it looks dreadful now that it’s out in the daylight. And short-sighted. And very optimistic in expecting the residents to meekly pack up and leave. Much more likely picketing and media everywhere, and those in the TDC who haven’t seen sense being exposed as small-town bigots and way out of their depth.
But it won’t come to this. Do the sensible thing and preserve the status quo; renew the licences for another 25 years. That’s common sense the Golden Bay way.
Humfrey Newton
HAM radio operators
I am interested in identifying any persons in the Bay who are HAM radio operators and have access to a radio. You all are a valuable resource if we lost normal communications. I have a pure sine wave generator that you can use if necessary. Please text me on 027 464 8244. Thanks.
Bruce Dooley
Women’s football
The Women’s Football babes are now kicking the ball around on Tuesdays at 3.30pm at the high school field due to darkness setting in earlier. Everybody welcome. It’s all about fun and fitness. See you there. Michelle and Martine 525 7595.
Tinbum
A big thank you to Mark and his wonderful team for another successful Tinbum event. Even the weather afterwards didn’t deter spirits. Also, a huge thanks to all the sponsors for the prizes, and in particular to Peter and Kerry Geen for the wonderful print of Taupo Point, which we won. Roll on next year.
Wendy, Wouter and Erin de Maat
