Waitati School

By Antony Deaker

The Board of Trustees re-appointed Boris Baeumer as its chair at last
month's meeting and we welcomed Sarah Wilson as the staff
representative. We were pleased to note that the school roll has grown
and the operations budget achieved a small surplus for the third year
in a row. Our annual report is on the school website
www.waitati.school.nz.

At the same meeting we started the formal process of organising the
school's 150th Celebrations in 2014. We have been looking through the
school archive at images and memorabilia from the 125th and Centennial
Events and are excited about hosting a programme of events that draws
young and old together to celebrate the school. If you want to be
involved in organising the event or contributing to it in some way,
large or small, please contact our secretary Helen Shaw on 482 2888.

The senior class at school has continued its project, 'What Makes
Waitati Wicked' and is beginning to design and produce maps, artworks
and documentation of its research.

As part of its investigations these questions have arisen; Who was
Kenny Clarke and why did he donate a memorial shield to the school?
Why did games for the shield stop in the 1960's? Who played in those
tournaments? Should we start them up again? If you can help with any
information on this please contact the school.

Last month the whanau of our Maori students met at school for what
have now become quarterly hui. At the hui we shared some kai and
talked through the ways we can work together and with the school. The
hui have grown immeasurably in warmth and aroha and are a credit to
all involved. We are pleased with school's easy integration of tikanga
and can see a real growth in all of the pupils' confidence and sense
of place. The whanau group is composing a new waiata for the school.

The summer sports season is coming to an end and winter sports start
around now. A pleasing thing is the continued high participation in
team sports by our pupils. We regularly field teams of mixed height,
age and gender against teams from the schools in town which can be
less mixed and less diverse. Waitati kids are recognised for their
good spirit and high level of commitment to each other on the playing
field.

The school has taken the pro-active approach of having the senior
children at school initiate and include junior children in various
playground sports and games.

The Waitati Wanderers are finishing their second season of cricket and
have won around half their games this year, a major step forward from
last year. The whole team is batting and bowling like professionals
now with some promising talent coming through from the new players.

Waitati Open Orchards (WOO)

By Jason Ross

The Harvest Market always surprises me with who comes and what they bring,
and the March market was no exception. A great range of locally scrumped
apples arrived to put through the apple press making a huge amount of
delicious juice. Thanks to the generosity of those who donated to the WOO
Harvest Market stall, we raised enough money for many more trees for this
winter's plantings around Waitati streets.

At the April 17 market we will again have the traditional juice
press. Along with the not-so-traditional, super-modern insinkerator,
steampunked with retro formica in a bedside cabinet, apple grinder producing
apple pulp for the press. Ideas for this month's juicing include beetroot,
carrot and ginger to combine with the apple juice. ome along and join in
the fun of pressing or try the delicious nectar-like juice that this press
produces.

On the Sunday the weekend before this we will be harvesting fruit to juice.
This is a lot of fun and gives a great sense of seasonal abundance as we
pick buckets of fruit from some very productive local trees. Do you have
excess apples or pears that are of juice quality (they don't need to be
flash) that you would donate to the WOO fundraising stall? Give us a call
and we can do the picking, or bring them along on the day.

APPLE DAY – HAMPDEN – April 10

This special day will start with a thanksgiving service at 10.30 in
Hampden's beautiful, historic old Presbyterian Church. The Apple Day
celebrations will be ushered in by a "continuous morning tea" straight
afterwards (about 11.15am) in the buildings and tree-studded grounds of
the church and will finish about 3pm.

Apple Days feature displays of many types of apple and their uses that are
mostly long forgotten. The Open Orchard concept will be promoted, which
is to spread fruiting trees through our communities, in home orchards and in
the common ground. If you have any apples that could be of interest, bring
them along, as promoting local distinctiveness is what it's all about.

There will be cooking demonstrations, an operating cider press crushing out
a stream of delicious fresh apple juice from locally harvested fruit
(proceeds to the Church), along with Happy's Traditional Hot Roast Pork and
Apple Sandwiches. Musicians will try out the fine acoustics of the church,
and children can try their hand at games, old and new.

Waitati Open Orchards is a group of keen folk on a mission to plant fruit
trees in public spaces around Waitati for all to enjoy. Email
waitatiopenorchard@gmail.com to join our mailing list.

Photo: Kids enjoying last year's juice pressing.

Blueskin Bay pioneers new approach to wind power

By the editors

The signing of a memorandum of understanding between Blueskin
Resilient Communities Trust (BRCT) and Our Wind Ltd (OWL) last month
to work together towards a community owned cluster of wind turbines at
Blueskin Bay wasn't as accurately reported in the Otago Daily Times as
it might have been.
The report stated the community was "behind the plan" when in fact a
full consultation programme to gauge public support is being planned.
The MOU will see OWL provide technology support, wind resource
measurement and negotiations with local lines companies, or Trusts,
and users.
Scott Willis, manager of the BRCT says, "This may be our opportunity
to create a local electricity supply that we can largely control. It's
time we deconstructed the stranglehold the big energy companies have
on our local energy. We hope the MoU may lead to a business
partnership to bring the wind cluster to fruition."
At the signing of the MoU, Dr Morgan Williams, chair of the OWL board,
said, "Local ownership of renewable generation is a powerful
contribution to the resilience of communities. It strengthens
community engagement, provides a local investment opportunity and
diversity in electricity supplies."
OWL is a new company with a vision of communities owning their own
electricity generation, and being fully involved in the decision
making.
By contrast, Blueskin Bay Resilient Communities Trust has long
experience in sustainable energy, having run a number of projects to
improve energy efficiency, insulate local homes and share transport.
OWL says it is delighted to work with a group with such good community
understanding of the issues.

Pic: The pupils of Waitati School welcoming the OWL representatives to
Blueskin Bay with a haka.

WAITATI ENERGY PROJECT column

WAITATI ENERGY PROJECT

Hard work has being going into energy options for Blueskin Bay. On 9
March new company Our Wind Ltd (OWL) and the Blueskin Resilient
Communities Trust signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a
model for a community owned wind cluster at Blueskin Bay (see the
front page). One key thing about this agreement is the way in which we
intend all Blueskin communities to be involved. Everywhere around the
country other communities are seeking to start similar projects, and
learning from what we do.

OWL is a New Zealand company with a vision of communities owning their
own electricity generation, and we're the first community that OWL has
signed an agreement with. You may have read about this in the ODT
(http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/151080/community-set-its-own-wind-turbines),
heard about it at the WEP forum on Feb 15th, or read about it in the
last WEP email update. Or, this may be news to you. Whatever the case,
what we now have is the ability to progress the local energy story
that began right back in 2006.

We have to ensure that whatever happens, we maintain the creative and
intelligent community input that has made this project such a symbol
of community action around New Zealand. Contrary to what the ODT
reported, I make no assumption that everyone is behind it or that
there's no opposition. However, what has been achieved so far has been
done with heavy discussion, volunteer input, and one 30 hour a week
salaried position. And since this is a New Zealand first there is no
accepted way of doing things, and we've been able to, and obliged to,
make this happen with much in-kind help and support, and on our own
terms.

Many of you are aware that information on this project is now being
discussed more widely: the 'Energy and Blueskin Bay' mail drop in
December, and the WEP forum in Feb for example. I value all the new
subscribers to the WEP email list and your feedback. Yet because we
now know that for some people this project is new information, we will
have to create a very clear explanation of how it came about, and the
work to date – despite it being old hat to some. We'll be getting into
the detail of how electricity is consumed in our homes, and what the
future might hold. We'll collate and compare the work on options for
household electricity and look at the conditions involved with the
establishment of a community wind cluster. As much as is possible
we'll get into the nitty-gritty of sites, costs per household and
shape of community ownership so as to create the opportunity for
discussion and debate. And we'll be setting out the path ahead over
the next 2 years and seeking broad input into that. It's only at that
point that we'll have a good understanding of how substantial the
support for this project is.

As electricity prices begin to spiral, and national generation assets
(potentially) privatised, I hope the community enthusiasm that kicked
this ambitious project off in the first place can be focussed in a
collective vision to enable us control our energy future and harness
what is all around us. The Memorandum with OWL brings valuable
support, yet what we achieve is up to us.

Feel free to email questions or call about things you'd like to know.
There's also a wealth of documentation at the BRCT office - best time
to visit is after 3pm on Fridays.

Tel: 03 4822048 / email: waitatienergy@gmail.com

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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

OROKONUI ECOSANCTUARY column

OROKONUI ECOSANCTUARY

by Sue Hensley

Mr and Mrs Roto, the original pair of SI kaka brought to the aviary and
whose calls have helped to keep wild flying kaka in the Ecosanctuary area
are now flying free. With 16 and 26 years respectively in captivity it will
be interesting to see how they adapt to freedom and how they fit into the
existing group. Kleopatra the new female and eventually a mate will be the
new anchor birds.

Over the last year every bit of the pest exclusion fence has come under
intense scrutiny and several issues to do with the skirt, the hood and the
culverts have been identified.

It is thought that mice may still be getting in from other weak points and a
Rhodamine B dye research trial is being undertaken to check this out. Those
who walk or run the outside perimeter track may notice pellets either under
the hood or in yellow plastic tunnels. Please do not touch these. The dyed
bait is non toxic and is eaten by rats and mice. Rodents trapped inside the
fence will be tested for the dye thus determining where these pests
originated from.

Michael Fay and his team of volunteers have been trapping outside the fence
to relieve pressure from mammalian pests. They have caught an interesting
lot of pests over their first two month period including 27 ship rats, 11
mice, 4 ferrets and 20 weasels. The latter were definitely a surprise as
weasels were not previously thought to be common.

Visitor Centre and café are open every day 9.30-4.30. All day self guided
walking, guided tours and annual passes are available. Keep up to date with
events on facebook and www.orokonui.org.nz.

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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WAIKOUAITI COAST COMMUNITY BOARD column

WAIKOUAITI COAST COMMUNITY BOARD

by Gerard Collings

At our 2 March meeting the Board received funding applications from
two community groups from the Blueskin Bay area. I am pleased to
report that funds were allocated as follows;

Waitati School PTA: $1,000.00 to assist with creating a Blueskin
community telephone directory

Blueskin A & P Society: $252.00 to assist with advertising the 2 April show

The funds have been allocated from the Board's discretionary fund.
Application forms, and guidance on applications is available through
the DCC website, Board members are also happy to provide advice.

The Board has recently had concerns raised about driver behaviour in
the vicinity of Bay Rd and Bank Rd, Warrington. Staff are
investigating the issues raised, an update on the investigations will
be provided by staff at our April meeting. I have also raised the
matter with the local police.

We have asked the DCC to endorse an extension of the Southern Scenic
route through the Waikouaiti Coast area, linking to Port Chalmers. It
is our view that the proposed extension will provide significant
benefits and opportunities for our communities.

DCC are proposing a change to their freedom camping policy, the
current policy prohibits freedom camping. The proposed policy is
intended to be more permissive, we encourage you to express your views
through the consultation process when advertised.

DCC has finalised its Draft Annual Plan, public consultation on the
draft plan is underway. This year the DCC are having a road show to
provide an opportunity for members of our community to discuss the
draft annual plan with Councillors, Board Members, and staff. The
road show will be at the Blueskin A&P show on Saturday 2 April between
10.30am and 2.30pm. We urge you to take the time to participate in the
consultation and submission process. Submissions close with the DCC
5pm 12 April 2011

The Board will next meet 5.30pm 6 April at Puketeraki Marae. Members
of the public attending the 6th April meeting are asked to be at the
Marae by 5.20pm. Members of the public wishing to speak at the public
forum need to advise Jane Hinkley our Governance Support Officer
(Phone 4743374) before 12 noon on the day prior to the meeting.

The following meeting will be on 25 May at Waitati Hall.

Remember you can view the Board's meeting agendas, reports and minutes
at the Blueskin Library or through the DCC's website:
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/council-minutes

Members of the Board are only too happy to hear (by phone or email)
from members of the community about any issues within our area.

Gerard Collings (Chairperson), 4657604, 4707494, 0274848800
gerard.collings@xtra.co.nz
Alasdair Morrison (Deputy), 4822505, 4822505, 0274354384, info@calmarine.co.nz
Andy Barratt, 021890048, 021890048, asbarratt@farmside.co.nz
Andrew Noone, 4657157, 0274301727, anoone@dcc.govt.nz
Geraldine Tait, 4822517, 0212175492, gstait@clear.net.nz
Les Pullar, 4658138, 0274358020, lesgwen.pullar@xtra.co.nz
Mark Brown, 4822833, mark@blueskinnurseries.co.nz

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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust

By Scott Willis

Grass Roots Gig
A great big and heartfelt thank you to all the community volunteers
who made the inaugural GRG a wonderful night. Dana, I can report,
loved his Blueskin experience (thanks especially to Kay, Jenny and PJ,
and Sue H) and everyone I've spoken to has been so complementary of
the performers – Kay, Dana, Antony, the Blueskin Vista Social Club and
Those Fillers. Thank you to everyone involved: Carl, Xavier, Leonie,
Hank, PJ and Jenny, Kay, Simon and Lucy, Sue H, Pip, Jenna, Nicky, Jan
and Dave and the rest! To those who asked hopefully if there will be
more GRGs, I think I can confidently say a big YES! Xavier's photos
taken at the Grass Roots Gig can be seen online at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60344588@N02/

Charity Auction for Christchurch
The Grass Roots Gig raised almost $300 (after costs) to help sustain
the BRCT and services for community initiatives. The Charity Auction,
which took place during the GRG, raised money to rebuild Christchurch
resilience. All profits from the auction (a total of now over $3320)
will now be donated to 'Project Lyttleton' to use in work that
supports people affected by the earthquake. A huge thank-you to all
the individuals, groups and businesses who donated goods and services.

Project Lyttelton
Lyttelton is Christchurch's port town with its own identity, much like
Blueskin Bay. It is joined to the city by road and rail tunnels and
two road passes, and has a population of 3000. 'Project Lyttelton' is
a strong grass roots community group (and charitable trust) with a
vision of creating a vibrant and sustainable community. This
volunteer-run organisation has initiated projects like a time bank, a
farmers' market, community gardens, energy projects, The Lyttelton
News, festivals etc (see www.lyttelton.net.nz). Just like groups in
the Blueskin area 'Project Lyttelton' is well aware of the global
issues of peak oil, climate change, and financial collapses, and has
been consciously working at a local level on these issues. The
earthquake destroyed virtually all their heritage buildings, yet
caused mercifully few local fatalities. Their preparedness and
resilience resources proved their worth on the ground during the first
days of the crisis and provides inspiration and tools for other
Christchurch communities.

Our Wind Ltd
The Memorandum of Understanding signed with OWL on the 9th of March
will enable some of the trickier questions around community wind to be
addressed. This MoU is similar to other MoUs BRCT holds with other
parties in that it helps ensure a trusting relationship is maintained,
but is also crucially different in that it could lead to a stronger
relationship in the form of a partnership if there is community
support.

Funding
BRCT gratefully acknowledges the support of Lotteries which have
approved a bid for funding to support the project management of the
community renewable energy project.

Community Directory
Six months from conception to delivery by a dedicated team of
community volunteers and the Waitati PTA, the Community Directory is
now on sale for a mere $8 at the library and the shop. BRCT is a proud
supporter of this project.

About the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust
Established in 2008, BRCT's main community action is energy and it
provides umbrella services to Waitati Edible Gardeners, Get-The-Train
and Blueskin Low Oil Commuting. BRCT trustees and officers are
Lynnaire Johnston, Antony Deaker, Simon Sheppard, Ross Johnston, Tony
Wilson, and Gerry Carrington. Jeanette Fitzsimons is the trust's
patron. More information on the Trust's vision, mission, objectives
and activities is available on the Transition Waitati webpage:
www.transitiontowns.org.nz/waitati or by contacting me on 03 482 2048.

Blueskin Bayleaf

By Rowan Holt

Leaves crunching around your feet, seed pods exposed, colours
changing, appetites raging. Autumn is when we start to prepare to
hunker down for winter. Foraging, harvesting, preserving and
organising is a part of us and this ancient ritual unfolds every year
at this time.
This is a simple and nourishing soup that you can keep adding to and
leave on the stove to heat for a quick snack or meal; it is especially
nice if you have been working outdoors. The flavours will develop and
improve over a few days.

Best Autumn Soup (vegetarian and almost vegan)

Saute 1 large red onion in 1T oil and 1T butter until soft.
Add 5 chopped, clean potatoes, 2 cups chopped peeled pumpkin, 2
carrots chopped and lots of chopped garlic.
Add 1T flour, 1t caraway seeds, 1t cumin seeds, 1t coriander seeds and
1t yellow mustard seeds, cook for 2 minutes.
Add ½ cup stock (any flavour) and stir. Continue adding ½ cups stock
gradually until you have added 4 cups.
Add chopped field mushrooms, 1t salt, cracked pepper, wild thyme and
2T Worcestershire sauce.
If you have any split cherry tomatoes left, add those now, too.
Simmer for 10 minutes and it is ready to eat.
Serve with cheesy toast, a dollop of yoghurt and cracked pepper.

Eco-sanctuary trapping and rabbit-meat bait supply

by Miachel Fay

To reduce pressure on the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary perimeter fence, and
create a narrow friendly zone for birds that insist on flying over it,
the eco-sanctuary has begun a programme of trapping around the outside
of the fence. The trap line has two hundred and sixty traps of
different types targeted at ferrets, stoats, weasels, hedgehogs, rats
and mice. Approximately fifty of these traps are baited with rabbit
meat and to maintain supply we need a dozen 'full-grown rabbit
equivalents' each month.

If you trap or shoot rabbits, or have a cat that brings them to the
back door, we would be very willing to take them off your hands.
Ideally they should be put in a plastic bag (with their fur on) and
put in the freezer to be collected at a convenient time, but I could
probably respond quickly to a phone call if you don't fancy a rabbit
freezing next to your pork chops.

If you can help please give me a call on 482 2806 or email
<mikeandvalfay@paradise.net.nz> or drop them off at my letter box at
827 Mt Cargill Road. Thank you.

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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

NOTICE: Anzac Day Remembrance Service – Monday 25 April

NOTICE: Anzac Day Remembrance Service – Monday 25 April

Waitati Hall and Cenotaph, commencing at 10am

Please bring a plate for a shared community morning tea at the end of
the service.

Who will share their stories?

PJ Clarke shared his family history with respect to Anzac involvement
at last year's service, and we are keen to have others from the
District share their family oral history... maybe 2-3 people would
like to take 5-7 mins each, honouring the memory of a family member.
We can help you with presentation if this is all that holds you back.

Volunteers willingly received for helping with any aspect of this
community commemoration – set up, clean up, bugler, poppy
representative, morning tea, traffic management, sound.

* Helen Beamish 4821440 or hbeamish@kinect.co.nz

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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".