Letters 10 June 2011
Free Trade Agreement
At the meeting addressed in Takaka on 1 June by Murray Horton of CAFCA, we learned that the Trans Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement being negotiated at present by the Government will have far-reaching effects on the daily lives of everyone in New Zealand.
It is much more than a “free trade agreement”. It will give big US corporations rights in New Zealand that they don’t have at present.
For instance, the big pharmaceutical companies could claim that Pharmac has an unfair commercial advantage because it negotiates on our behalf for low cost medicines. They could sue the health department for supporting Pharmac, claiming discrimination against them. This could be the end of Pharmac and the beginning of paying US prices for our medicines. Professor Jane Kelsey of the Auckland University political science department, verifies all this in her book, No Ordinary Deal. More information is available on <www.TPPWatch.org>.
What can we do to prevent this happening? Write to our MPs.
Moira Tilling
Physical Activities advertising
Thank you to the staff of The GB Weekly for putting the free publicity advertisements in. This has been a very good idea.
Golden Bay RDA
Ed. You are very welcome.
Chemical toilet chemicals
I wrote last week to correct the misinformation that has been circulated about chemical toilet chemicals. The 11 April article in The Press was a mixture of incorrect information and bad journalism.
I was very disappointed to see that the Green MP was quoted making a sweeping incorrect statement about formaldehyde. This is scaremongering. There are many available chemicals, not just bronopol (which it seems Christchurch is mainly using) and zero chemical systems. Briefly, bronopol and glutaraldehyde both break down in water and air to simple biodegradable molecules, eg carbon dioxide.
Do not get confused between toxic chemicals (these are monitored by law) and toxicity (a measure of what harm a chemical or its breakdown products can cause).
I agreed that we need to treat the environment in a healthy way. Chemical toilets are very useful when there is a public health issue such as we have now with predominately young tourists who poo indiscriminately.
Paul Marcussen
The earthy round house
I have been informed that a women’s group built the earthy hexangled round house at the Community Gardens, even making the bricks onsite. The construction is perfect and made it easy building the shelving.
I’m always interested in the history of places that I move into. We, at Our Community Stall, have just moved in from Rototai. Finally, after years, the round house will reach its full potential with earthy natural fruits and vegetables from the community to the community. If any of those women are still in the Bay will you please contact me on 525 7666 or see us at the stall Wednesday to Friday. Thanks.
NgAngA
Trees for Babies
Once again Keep Golden Bay Beautiful would like to honour our newest and youngest citizens by presenting them with kowhai trees.
We are having an afternoon tea at the Golden Bay Community Centre this Sunday at 2pm. We hope the parents of the babies born since October 2009 will come along with their children and join us for this informal occasion. During this event they will be able to pick up their child’s tree as well as meet lots of other parents with similar-aged children. Billy Kerrisk will also join us so that she can give parents a book on the importance of reading to your child, something she feels passionately about.
We love growing these trees for the babies and hope they enjoy watching their tree grow, while at the same time keeping Golden Bay golden with its flowers.
Kathy Hindmarsh, secretary, Keep Golden Bay Beautiful
Golden Valley’s Country Music Awards
On behalf of the Joan Whiting Rest Home residents who attended Sunday’s Golden Valley Country Music Awards, I would like to sincerely thank Judy Ray and her team for the invitation and the wonderful, amazing experience.
The event was very well run, we were looked after so well and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. A heartfelt thank you to you all.
Patricia Martin
Thank you to our community board
I would like to convey my sincere thanks to our Golden Bay Community Board. I attended a planning meeting at the Onekaka Hall a wee while ago and we discussed the need to slow down the traffic on Ironworks Road and Washbourn Road. These roads are both used by old farts and tarts, deaf dogs and wee sprogs. It is a pleasant stroll to be shared with vehicles when they travel slowly. So thank you, community board members, for listening to our concerns and acting on our behalf and arranging the erection of our two new community signs.
You do make a difference, cheers.
Lynne Johnston
Price Of Milk variety concert
The Price Of Milk variety concert will be on a Saturday night in August or possibly on 3 September. If anyone has an event planned for any of those dates could you please let me know ASAP. <recreation@gbcw.co.nz>, 525 8876, 027 669 7142. Thank you.
Dave Myall, Golden Bay Recreation co-ordinator
Proposed new sports facility
Like Peter Blasdale, I am an enthusiast. I see a foyer full of local art, sports fields, courts and the facilities to accommodate these activities, indoor facilities for other community groups. Friday night basketball, youth drop-in centre, perhaps a recording studio, Takaka Fresh FM broadcasting from here with youth radio Friday and Saturday night, a warm pool where my whole whanau can swim all year round, a gym etc. The Golden Bay Sevens, Golden Bay Open (tennis, badminton and squash), football, hockey, netball, athletics, dance: the list goes on. The roll-on benefits for our hospitality and cultural industries. Meeting rooms and conference rooms, opportunities of employment for youth and full-time facilitator.
I say “Yes, I already pay for Upper Moutere and Murchison; for a little more we can have our own asset.” I look forward to the day when I will enjoy the more sedentary activities in a warm, purpose-built facility.
David Lewis
Golden Bay Tennis Club captain, Coach for Tennis
in Schools and supporter of Takaka Rugby Club
Illness prevention
We all know how well the doctors serve the community when we need them for first aid, trauma and diagnosis. They are specialists at the bottom of the cliff but true health is not obtained at the bottom of the cliff. For true health we all know that we need good food, water, exercise, caring support and a healthy environment. Our elderly and infirm don’t deserve to be placed at the bottom of the cliff, they deserve to be amongst the community enjoying all it has to offer. One solution could be using available money to build a new home next to a child care centre or hot pool centre or health recreation centre. This would also provide illness prevention and associated activities.
When you are elderly and infirm and need extra care it does not necessarily mean you are sick. Personal experience tells me our doctors deal with emergencies, not long-term health.
Peter Carlton
Mining in Golden Bay
I am saddened that the people who object to all progress in Golden Bay will be patting themselves on the back for stopping investigation of mining in our area, by perhaps a company of no substance. Surely we should welcome the proposal, then make judgement once we understand the ramifications? If another company should bother.
Peter Woods
Christchurch earthquake appeal
The St Vincent de Paul Society urgently requires blankets, duvets, knitwear and thermals in the ongoing help to Christchurch earthquake-affected people. Winter in Christchurch is tougher in damaged houses with limited or no heating. If you are able to give any of the above please deliver to 6 Lake Cresent. Thankyou.
Kaye, Cynthia, Sheryl
Golden Bay Youth Council Youth event
Congratulations to the Youth Council for putting on a great day of fun, entertainment, learning, connecting, inspiration and music. Golden Bay is a great place to grow up, and to develop our talents. I’m now looking forward to the next project.
Sheryl Nalder
Broadband coming to the Bay
At the next community board meeting on 14 June we will have a presentation from Chorus regarding the broadband initiative coming to Golden Bay.
Chorus provided the following statement: As part of the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative, Chorus will soon be undertaking network upgrades that will enable the delivery of faster broadband to 750 rural schools and communities by the end of 2016. This will involve laying fibre-optic cables and the deployment of more roadside cabinets throughout rural New Zealand. Some of this work will be in the Golden Bay area and Chorus is keen to share their plans with us at our next community board meeting on 14 June.
We warmly invite everyone who is interested to this public presentation, which will be between 11.45am and 12.30pm and will allow time for questions from the floor.
Carolyn McLellan, chair, Golden Bay Community Board
