Please find the electronic version of MPA News (Vol. 10, No. 5) attached as a PDF file:

MPA102.pdf

Community Bus Service Questionnaire

Help make a community bus service for Kaitaia, Houhora, Ahipara and Doubtless Bay a reality by filling the questionnaire on the link below.

By assessing local needs, CBEC will be able to tailor the bus routes and schedules to best service the residents of the district.

This survey will be held from:
Monday 10 November to Friday 28 November

There are two ways to complete this questionnaire

1. Visit www.cbec.co.nz and then click on the link on this webpage to take you to the Bus Service questionnaire.

2. Paper copy and collection boxes at the following locations:

Kaitaia - CBEC, Te Runanga O Te Rarawa, Te Oranga, Kaitaia Recycle Station, Age Concern, Bells Produce, The Korner Dairy, Brakes Colourplus, Kaitaia Far North Pharmacy, Kaitaia Health Centre, Pak ‘N Save, Top Health, PaperPlus, Te Whare Hauora (49 Redan Road), VIP Dairy, VIP Takeaways, The Warehouse.

Ahipara - BIDZ Takeaways, Ahipara Health & Resource Centre.

Awanui - Awanui Hotel, BP 2GO Ninety Mile Motors, Awanui Bakehouse and Tearooms.

Doubtless Bay - Bush Fairy Dairy, Coopers Beach Four Square, First National Mangonui, Karakari Peninsula Information Centre (The Rusty Anchor Backpackers), Mamaru Clinic, Mangonui Information Centre, Shell Taipa.

Houhora - Houhora Service Station, Houhora Wharf Store.

CBEC and Te Runanga O Te Rarawa thank these businesses for supporting this survey.

For further information please contact Gillian at CBEC on 09 408 1092

Tune in to our Environment

Do you have a burning question concerning the environment for our representatives at the Northland Regional Council? Rongo Bentson has alerted us to this opportunity to voice our concerns and hear what the NRC has to offer:

Kia Ora

This Tuesday night on Te Korero A Te Rarawa 94.4 FM from 8 to 9:30 we will have the Chairman of the Northland Regional Council Mark Farnsworth back in the Studio with his Deputy Ian Walker. We will get a regional update and it is of course a golden opportunity to have korero and voice your whakaaro on the environmental issues that comes under the jurisdiction of the NRC such as the pollution of our waterways and kaimoana.

So be sure to tune in, whakarongo mai, korero mai, waea 09 408 4030.

Te Korero A Te Rarawa is replayed every Sunday at noon.

No reira

He mihi nui ki a koutou katoa

Rongo Bentson

Programme Host

Te Korero A Te Rarawa is replayed every Sunday at noon.

Te Hapua Earthbrick Housing Charitable Trust is running a series of workshops and open home days:

EARTHBRICK BRICKLAYING WORKSHOPS

15 kms north of Kaitaia, Northland

Fridays & Saturdays - Nov 20th - December 6th
10a.m to 3p.m. Cost; $50 per day

Hands on training as part of an experienced bricklaying team
Booking essential as places are limited.
Contact: Pam Laybourn 09 405 5582
www.earthbricks.co.nz

EARTHBRICK HOUSE OPEN DAYS

Venue: Off Sweetwater Rd, Lake Ngatu -15 kms north of Kaitaia House Tours ,Construction information, Brickmaking and Bricklaying Demonstrations

Wednesday 10th Dec & Saturday 13th Dec

10a.m to 3p.m.

Contact: Fonteyn Marsh: 021 214 5788
Pam Laybourn 09 405 5582
www.earthbricks.co.nz

Transition Town Kaitaia presents:

The POWER of COMMUNITY

When Cuba lost access to Soviet oil in the early 1990s, the country faced an immediate crisis.

This film tells the story of the Cuban people's hardship, ingenuity, and triumph over sudden adversity - through cooperation, conservation, and community.

How Cuba survived 'PEAK OIL'. A story of hope
For more information on the film, please click here.

Thursday - 13 November -7 pm
at the Little Theatre in Kaitaia.

Followed by an open forum for discussion.

Free event - donations appreciated.
Organised by Transition Town Kaitaia.
www.transitiontowns.org.nz

Experiencing Marine Reserves - Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust

Experiencing Marine Reserves Delivery:

EMR is in full swing summer delivery mode here in Northland. Twelve Northland schools a receiving the full EMR programme this term, coordinated by Kim Boyle and Nicki Wakefield.

Successful Marine Education Wananga

To see the proceedings, click here

Free Community Guided Snorkel Day - Summer Series:

Supported by the Department of Conservation, Whangarei Lions & New Zealand Refining Company.

Where:

Reotahi Beach (after McLeods Bay follow Reotahi Rd, then Beach Rd to end) (opposite Motukaroro Island and Marsden Pt), Whangarei Heads.

When:

Saturday 20th December 2008 10am - 3pm

Saturday 17th January 2009 10am - 3pm

Saturday 31st January 2009 10am - 3pm

Saturday 14th February 2009 10am - 3pm

Sunday 1st March 2009 10am - 3pm - To celebrate the start of Seaweek.

www.seaweek.org.nz

What:

Guided snorkels at the Whangarei Harbour marine reserve site at Reotahi, information and BBQ.

Weather permitting - cancellations - More Fm

Bring your own gear or get free hire for our mask, snorkel, fins and wetsuit's. Recommended for everyone 5 years old plus. All children under 15 years must be accompanied by an adult. Bring sunblock and money for BBQ. Experienced guides and advanced safety procedures will be in place on the day.

For further event information please contact: info@emr.org.nz or phone 09 436 4418 mobile 027 243 4818 website www.emr.org.nz

Marine Leadership Competition:

Do you want to take action for the marine environment?

Enter the Seaweek Marine Leadership competition for participation of 1 or more year 7 - 11 school age students to go on a 7 day youth sailing adventure with R Tucker Thompson Trust (www.tucker.co.nz) and 1 or more
year 8 or higher school age students to go on an Open Water Scuba Dive Course with Dive! Tutukaka (www.diving.co.nz)

This competition is open to Northland students only.

For entry forms contact info@emr.org.nz

Download entry form now:

sail or scuba competition trip - seaweek 09.doc

Corporate Brunch Fundraiser:

The Department of Conservation and Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust are organizing a brunch to celebrate seaweek with Northland organisations and business people.

With special guest speaker; Stephen Tindall, presenting on successful business & the environment and there will also be special marine presentations and spot prizes.

Venue: A'fare, Whangarei

Date: 6th March 2009, 9am - 11am

Cost: $60

For tickets and enquires contact Nicki Wakefield nicki@emr.org.nz

Proceeds from event go towards the Seaweek Marine Leadership competition for participation of 1 or more year 7 - 11 school age students to go on a 7 day youth sailing adventure with R Tucker Thompson Trust (www.tucker.co.nz) and 1 or more year 8 or higher school age students to go on an Open Water Scuba Dive Course with Dive! Tutukaka
(www.diving.co.nz)

Marine Education & Seaweek 2009:

A marine educator's forum has been set up to discuss event ideas for Seaweek 2009 and share marine education materials. Visit:

http://www.marinenz.org.nz/index.php/forums/

Hei kona mai

Samara Nicholas

P.S. If you don't hear from me much over the next few months, will be due to being busy with our first baby. Please contact Kim Boyle (kim@emr.org.nz) for urgent EMR matters.

Disclaimer:

Any views here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Far North Environment Centre

The Far North Environment Centre is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Media release from Eco Office: (www.environmentvote.org.nz)

For further information contact Cath Wallace on:
04-463-5713(w) or 04-970-8696 (H).

Labour and National fail environmental test

Environmentalists from two major New Zealand environmental groups surveyed political party policies regarding New Zealand's environment, but the two biggest parties in Parliament failed the test.

"A Labour-led government may do more for the environment than a National-led one, but, judging by their commitments, the main parties will need the influence of the Maori Party and the Greens if they are to make real progress."

"We asked the political parties to commit to 25 policies that would tackle climate change, clean up New Zealand's rivers, save our oceans, protect natural heritage and exercise environmental leadership. Both major parties refused to make clear commitments."

"We were surprised by how poorly both the two major parties scored. Neither of them showed the kind of commitment needed to keep New Zealand clean and green."

Each of the eight main Parliamentary political parties were asked to confirm commit to the 25 environmental policies with a yes or no and were given space to clarify their answers. Of the seven political parties that responded, only National and Labour refused to answer "yes" or "no."

"National scored abysmally. They refused to sign up to any of the policies, but they picked up 27% for making some small steps in the right direction. Worryingly, along with United Future, they had the worst response of any party on responding to climate change (4/20) and had the weakest approach of any party to cleaning up New Zealand's freshwater (2/20). ACT refused to even respond.

"Labour also refused to commit fully to any of the policies, but their comments on the survey showed they are willing to do more than National for the environment. They scored 45% overall. Their strongest commitments were in saving our oceans (12/20) and saving New Zealand's natural heritage (12/20). Labour made few commitments to clean up New Zealand's freshwater (5/20) or to show environmental leadership (5/20)"

"United Future gained 53%, scoring well on cleaning up New Zealand's freshwater, but did very badly on tackling climate change (4/20) and protecting New Zealand's natural heritage (3/20)."

"Jim Anderton's Progressives scored 60%. Their strongest commitments were on saving the oceans (14/20), protecting New Zealand's natural heritage (17/20) and environmental leadership (14/20) "

"New Zealand First and the Maori Party scored far better than expected given their voting record in Parliament, where both parties have opposed environmental legislation. New Zealand First gained 76% and the Maori Party gained 87%. Both parties scored well on environmental leadership and the Maori Party scored the best of any party on cleaning up New Zealand's water ways."

"The Greens scored the best of any political party and were the only party to score 20/20 for tackling climate change.

The overall results of our survey was:

Information on the survey can be downloaded at: http://www.environmentvote.org.nz/party-ratings.asp

The voting record of political parties over the last 3 years can read here at:
http://www.environmentvote.org.nz/events.asp

For information on the issues and policies that we used in our survey read:
http://www.environmentvote.org.nz/key-issues.asp

Vote for the Environment is supported by Greenpeace and ECO. It is registered as a third party under the Electoral Finance Act 2007.

The response from each party that did respond can also be found on the www.environmentvote.org.nz website.

Disclaimer:

Any views here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Far North Environment Centre

The Far North Environment Centre is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

CBEC & Te Runanga O Te Rawara Community Bus Service - Community Meetings

You are invited to attend the community meetings to discuss the proposed CBEC and Te Runanga O Te Rarawa Community Biodiesel Bus Service at the follow locations and dates:

All members of our communities are invited to attend these meetings as we want your input into this service.

Community Bus Service Questionnaire:

We would like everyone individually to participate in our Community Bus Service Questionnaire survey so that we find out what you want from a bus service. Our aim is to provide services that meet those needs as best possible.

This survey will be held from Monday 10 November to Friday 28 November.

The survey will be available online at www.cbec.co.nz (clicking on the link on this website will take you to the survey).

The survey will also be available in paper copy to pick up and drop off at collection boxes at the following locations:

Awanui - Awanui Hotel, BP 2GO Ninety Mile Motors
Doubtless Bay - Bush Fairy Dairy, Coopers Beach Four Square, First National Mangonui, Karakari Peninsula Information Centre (The Rusty Anchor Backpackers), Mamaru Clinic, Mangonui Information Centre and Shell Taipa
Houhora - Houhora Service Station, Houhora Wharf Store
Kaitaia - CBEC, Te Runanga O Te Rarawa, Bells Produce, The Korner Dairy, Brakes Colourplus, Kaitaia Far North Pharmacy, Kaitaia Health Centre, Pak N Save, Top Health, Paper Plus, Te Hauora O Te Hiku O Te Ika, VIP Dairy
Ahipara - BIDZ Takeaways, Ahipara Health & Resource Trust

CBEC and Te Runanga O Te Rarawa thank these businesses for supporting this survey.

For further information please contact Gillian at CBEC on 09 408 1092