Shirin's blog

Meriel Watts, scientist for the Pesticide Action Network, and local resident, talks of the dangers of spray drift from pesticide and weedspraying on Waiheke, citing a possible link to increased cancers and fatigue syndromes.  

Currently residents have no recourse against spraying, but she suggests that wineries should take the long term view, and switch to organic pesticides and weedkillers.   Concerned residents can contact her, merielwatts@xtra.co.nz, with any specific concerns or for ideas on how to approach the neighbours.

Interesting Listener article on winery spraying  http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3531/columnists/10303/vine_arts.html 

She also discusses the risks Roundup, and how people seem unaware of the high health risks associated with even small exposure.  See the article in Nov/Dec 2009 Organic New Zealand.    

With the Supercity, there is a risk that our roads,  currently sprayed with organic weedkiller, will need to fall into line with an Aucklandwide policy of using Roundup on roads.  

Personally I think it would be good to compile a list of wineries and landscape gardeners with details on whether they use pesticides,weedkillers, or fungicides and whether or not these are organic, with a view to supporting those that are keeping our environment safe.  

Let's start the ball rolling here.

Listen to the interview with Merial Watts on Island Life.

Shirin

 
Spraying at Cable Bay. Nearby residents need special  filters fitted  to filter out insecticides and herbicides from their water.

The Select Committee

A beautiful day at Onetangi, had the usual suspects and other concerned residents huddled into a dark room to submit on the Supercity GAC concept. To their credit, the Select Committee seemed on the whole to be listening, with committee members asking pertinent questions and showing interest in Waiheke issues.    

The waste contract came up again and again as a focus for community dissatisfaction with Auckland City Council decision-making,  as a reflection of the negative and anti-participatory culture at ACC and as an illustration of the fact we need a community board with more authority and power to make budgetary decisions.  Both in terms of local awareness of  local issues, but also because we have an educated and committed population that is keen to self-manage its affairs.

Tony Sears opened with a plea for local decision-making, this was followed by me, for the Campaign for Fair Ferry Fares, talking about the sorry state of public transport and the need to have a transport management plan which meets the needs of islanders  as well as tourists.    

Brent followed with a radio submission on the importance of radio for participatory democracy and the support we've had from the Community Board which makes this possible.    We found out that the Hon. John Carter, chairman of the committee was also chairman of Dargaville community radio for 4 years.  

Bernard Rhodes spoke on the biosphere reserve idea and Nikki Kaye asked for more information on this to be provided.    

I didn't sit through it all but the calibre of submissions was incredibly high, making me proud to live in this community - Speakers  offered a range of theoretical perspectives or anecdotal stories which reflected their commitment to local democracy,  the importance of protecting Waiheke Island from turning into another suburb, and  which showed a strong awareness that the Supercity represents a consolidation of power which needs to be addressed.

Check out the coverage - Click the links

John Carter Podcast 

One News  

NZ Herald

It would be great if submitters posted comments on their view of the proceedings or comments that they made at the hearings.

This Monday, the Campaign for Fare Ferry Fares will be presenting Nikki Kaye, our MP, with a petition calling for affordable and sustainable fares on the Waiheke to Auckland Central Route.  

Recognising the importance of sustainable and affordable public transport, she has agreed to present this petition to Parliament as part of the discussion on the Public Transport Management Act. 

This programme broadcasts on the Thursday, 18 June at 7.00pm and Sunday, 21 June at 12 noon.  

Phil Twyford talks about why it's important to make submissions on the Supercity, what kinds of issues to submit on.  In the second half he talks about the outcome of the Mount Alber bi-election. 

Listen to podcast

One Waiheke is a group coming together to make submissions on the supercity.   Listen to Island Life on Saturday 10 to 12 to hear more about them, as well as Colin Beardon's suggestions for Waiheke becoming part of a UNESCO Heritage area.  

TheOne Waiheke link  is very useful in terms of telling you where to submit as well as key issues you can talk about and how to frame the submission: 

Information below supplied by Nikki Kaye's office: 

Submissions

Submissions will close on 26 June 2009.

Hearings

 It is currently proposed that hearings will be held throughout Auckland from 6 July 2009.  Those who wish to appear before the Select Committee should advise that with their written submission.

Further Information

The most recent announcements from the Government on Auckland’s local government can be found at http://www.national.org.nz/auckland

More information on the Select Committee can be found at http://www.parliament.nz

Where do you see Waiheke under a supercity structure? 

Woolworths is on target to reopen next Monday, says Tony Hayes, area manager for Woolworths.   The shop will reopen in the 40% of the building where the roof is structurally sound.   There will be no deli section, or in store bakery, but packaged bread, dairy, frozen foods, vegetables and pre-packed deli foods will be available.  

The store plans to reopen with topselling lines but some things will be unavailable due to reduced space.   There will initially be 5 checkouts which can be used by trolleys or baskets.   Customers can also expect new shelves and changes in how items are organised in the space.  

At this stage it is unknown when the remaining 60% will be reopened as the fire damage was extensive, but it will be rebuilt to its previous capacity.  

Meanwhile the online service will be available until the 28th of June.  This has become increasingly popular with 55 orders a day coming through.  

Jim, at Fullers, also contacted Woolworths and they are offering a $20/return for people wanting to shop in town.  A free shuttle service can take you door to door. 

Local support for Woolworths has been tremendous - with Pukekoe Signs giving up space to manage the online shopping pickup,  and Sealink helping with freight. 

Crews are working 24 hours/day to reopen the shop.  All goods will be brought in new as all fire damaged goods were removed from site and either destroyed or repackaged in town.  

On another note, local businesses are thriving, with all reporting increased patronage.  Steve, the Oneroa Butcher, says new people are walking in every day. Te Mataku Oysters in Tahi Road,  are now stocking milk and are open to ideas of what else they could carry and Food Direct is seeing an increased interest in their online shopping.   The Four Square and top shop in Oneroa have a good range of fresh fruit and vegetables.  

It would be great to see a competitive range of staples on offer on the island - pasta, cheese, bread, sugar, where prices are significantly higher in the smaller shops than buying from Woolworths. 

Recorded interview with Tony Hayes, Area manager for Woolworths.

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