MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Did you know.....Spring weather, school holidays, and MAZ!
The determination of Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) trustees to provide a stimulating place for recreation is certainly working. The car park is pretty well full on the sunny days: little kiddies on the play equipment, others on the court with their scooters and trainer bikes, walkers, mountain bikers, and keen skateboarders using the bowls. As one parent commented: "It's so great to see the big kids and the littlies all sharing the space and looking out for each other." Jason Parks Contractors are enjoying their work extending the 'streetscape' skateboard area, creating areas for planting along with the humps and bumps, with the funding coming from the ASB Community Trust. MAZ Charitable Trust, led by Colin Gallagher, has undertaken comprehensive planning with timelines to accommodate 16 stages, all depend-ant on fundraising and grants. Over the next few years we could well see a flying fox, astro turf on the concrete court, free flow skate area, more play equipment plus a fort, barbecue tables and shelters, seating and planting, sound shell and stage - a wonderful facility, and all achieved by volunteers. If you can help in any way, would like to make a donation, dedicate a memorial seat, or supply equipment, go to mangawhaiac-tivityzone.co.nz for details or contact Colin direct.
Museum fundraising continues Behind the scenes at the new museum on Mangawhai Park, volunteer work is at an alltime high. With the opening date set for December the pressure is on. In the vast basement, a team has been busy preparing and labelling exhibits ready for display, while upstairs, hammering, sawing and painting continues on the structures: geological forms, early Maori, gum, timber, tram car and bach, (there's even a dunny), wharf shed, Niagara display, Big Dig, fairy terns, and more, plus cafe and foyer set up. As part of the ongoing fundraising, Mangawhai Singers will be presenting the annual spring song festival on Friday 17 October 7.30pm, and an afternoon performance on Saturday 18 October at 2pm. "Showtime" is the theme, guaranteed to please, and as these concerts are extremely popular you will need to secure a ticket ASAP, just $20 from Village GAS and Books & Gifts in Wood St. Anniversary weekend, and again at Easter, the museum will be holding their big Book Fair. If you are having a sort out of clean, saleable books, please consider donating them. They can be left at the museum, or phone Graeme Smith 431 4357 or 027 215 1467 for collection. Early bird tickets for garden ramble Time too, for early bird tickets to Mangawhai Garden Ramble on November 8-9. Supported by Palmers Planet, this is a major fundraiser for our local Plunket and Kindergarten groups, and is always well-supported. Tickets just $15 until Labour weekend, thereafter $20. Avail-able at Fresh in the village, Books & Gifts in Wood St. Gardening range at Village GAS Spring weather does tend to make you focus on the garden, so remember you can get all you need at Village GAS. Their seed range includes heirloom tomatoes and micro-greens, together with seedlings, compost, fertilisers and tools. Did you know that kale, yes kale, makes fabulous pesto? Just make sure you take out the rib, blanch the kale, and use pine nuts. Breeding record for fairy tern The little NZ fairy terns are starting to breed out on the spit - a fragile time for all. The NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust annual general meeting was held recently, when members were ad-vised that the 2013/14 breeding season, with a total 20 eggs laid, saw 12 hatched and all 12 chicks fledged, a record since the protection programme began in 1980s. In Mangawhai, six pairs nested, and nine chicks fledged. Much of the success lies with the trapping programme and the monitoring of the refuge every day throughout the season. Trust convenor Heather Rogan said there could be no let up on efforts to en-sure the survival of the fairy tern, particularly in the area of predator control and habitat protection. Under the conditions set for the Harbour Restoration Society's mangrove removal consent, no work is permitted during the NZ fairy tern's breeding season from September to February. And remember, if you are out on the spit/wildlife refuge, no dogs, guns, or horses.
„ News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts 431 4711, email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz. |