News in brief 24 February part 2
First line of rescue for stranded whales
Project Jonah is appealing to the experience of locals in Golden Bay to bolster their first line response in New Zealand’s notorious stranding hot spot, Farewell Spit.
With two sponsored training events in the region this week, more than 75 local residents will join thousands of Kiwis trained as marine mammal medics.
“We’ve got trained medics in Golden Bay, but we need more. Farewell Spit is a hot bed for mass strandings and we rely on locals to be the first line of response,” says Project Jonah CEO Kimberly Muncaster.
“Golden Bay locals have been rescuing whales for decades, so they know what they’re doing. But some residents don’t feel confident coming to a stranding without training,” she says.
The first course was run yesterday at Golden Bay High School, where 30 Year 12 students learned critical life-saving skills.
On Saturday 25 February, Project Jonah will train an additional 35 locals to become marine mammal medics, at Pohara Hall.
There are still a few places available on the Saturday course, for those locals wishing to attend please call Kimberly Muncaster on 021 682 142.
“Our one-day whale rescue course gives people the confidence and skills to help when whales strand. Saving whales can be dangerous work, so it’s important people understand the risks so they can keep themselves and others safe too.”
“Every stranding is different and we learn something new. It’s important we share new learnings with those at the heart of stranding rescue – the locals,” says Ms Muncaster.
On completion of the course, all trainees receive a whale rescue handbook, a stranding cue card and a high visibility vest. After that, they’re added to Project Jonah’s national stranding database and contacted directly in a stranding emergency.
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An extensive 30-year multi-million dollar project to restore Abel Tasman National Park’s natural ecology is being launched with initial funding from a private family trust.
The far-reaching ecological project aims to enhance native forest and wildlife over close to 80 per cent of the 22,500-hectare park by 2042, the 100th anniversary of the park and the 400th anniversary of Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman finding New Zealand.
Project Janszoon is a partnership between the Department of Conservation and the Project Janszoon Trust, formed last December to support the Abel Tasman conservation programme with initial funding from a philanthropic New Zealand family which wishes to remain anonymous.
Project Janszoon Director Devon McLean said the project was named after the middle name of Abel Tasman to symbolise restoring the ecological heart and essence of the park.
“The Project Janszoon Trust wants the 2042 celebrations of the park’s 100th anniversary and the 400th anniversary of Abel Tasman’s visit to be a celebration of an outstanding conservation success story.
“Project Janszoon’s restoration programme will expand on the Department’s pest control and species recovery work in the park and that of the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust which we will also work alongside and support, including its wilding pine control programme.”
DOC Nelson Marlborough Conservator Neil Clifton said Project Janszoon’s long-term, large-scale approach would enable the tide to be decidedly turned against the introduced plants and animals that damage Abel Tasman’s natural landscape and wildlife so native species can thrive there again.
It is aimed to highly involve iwi and the community in the project and to carry out educational programmes.
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Make sure you’re enrolled for the union poll
Eligible electors in the Tasman and Nelson area are being encouraged to make sure they are correctly enrolled in time to vote in the Amalgamation poll on 21 April 2012.
Registrar of Electors for West Coast-Tasman electorate Sue Gage said all eligible electors will need to enrol or update their enrolment details by 2 March to be able to vote in the poll. Electors on both the General and Maori electoral rolls are eligible to vote in the poll.
“The poll will be held by postal ballot so only those people who are correctly enrolled will receive voting papers and be able to have a say. This means it is important that newly eligible electors enrol as soon as possible and that electors who are currently enrolled make sure their enrolment details are up to date.”
“Enrolling is quick and easy to do. Enrolment forms are available from all Post Shops, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56), by Freetexting your name and address to 3676, or by requesting or downloading one from the elections website www.elections.org.nz.
”The website has lots of useful information and you can also check your enrolment status on line.”
Sue Gage said that people can also check their enrolment details on the roll at any Post Shop, courthouse or public library.
“Anyone who has moved house or changed their name or other details should update their enrolment details to make sure these are correct. You can update your details by filling in a change of address form at your local Post Shop or by filling in a new enrolment form.”
Sue Gage said that locals who are on the unpublished roll will need to apply to their local Electoral Officer to cast a special vote in the poll.
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Funding round for community arts activities
If you are planning a community art event, performance, exhibition or mural you can apply for funding assistance from the Tasman Creative Communities Scheme.
The scheme managed by the Tasman District Council is open for applications three times a year with closing dates of 10 March, 10 July and 10 November.
With the purpose of supporting and encouraging arts activities throughout the district, applications can be made by individuals or groups.
The scheme has very clear criteria that must be met before any application is accepted, including projects must be completed within 12 months after funding is approved, benefit the local community and take place within the district, amongst others. The full set of applications criteria can be found with the application form at Tasman District Council offices and Libraries or at http://www.tasman.govt.nz/
Projects or activities that received funding in 2011: Street flags for St Arnaud $1,500; weekly Golden Bay Art Talk radio show on Fresh FM. $1,098; NZ Youth Choir’s tour to the Tasman region $1,000. Stage Challenge / J Rock youth music and drama events $1,000; Shakespeare Festival for youth in the Tasman/West Coast region $647; Aorere Goldfields, Ballroom Cave cabaret show $500; Kapa Haka at the annual Motueka Christmas in the Park $500; “Move It” stage performance $1,000; Rock da House music festival $1,500; Golden Bay Pottery Club - to enable people to have a go at pottery activity $577.50; Sarau Festival - mosaic mural $1,000; Mapua Literary Festival in March 2012 $750; Painting a mural of Brightwater’s history $2,000; Writers in Residence programme $1,000; Creative sewing workshops for youth $500; Youth workshops song writing and recording workshops $750; Traditional crafts workshops $660; Community painting workshops $500; Clay, glazes and kilns workshops $200; Creative design and fashion show and four workshops $1,000; Colouring workshops $150; Carving and weaving programme $2,000; Visual Arts Exhibition $1,000; Top of the South Art Awards Show $1,000; Bay Song 2011 $775.
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