HOT  TOPIC

at the Māpua & Districts Community Association’s September meeting, was a presentation from Skye Davies assisted by Sandra Bishop on the Tasman Environmental Trust .(TET)  This was established in 2000 and has an office in Richmond. It’s main mission is “connecting people to nature conservation in their environment”. Skye used the Tree image showing how TET was the trunk  “connecting bureaucracy (funders & political systems) to the [grass roots] people doing stuff on the ground”. She noted that TET has 3 key themes

1. Knowing our treasures – what is especially precious; what is under threat in our area. The Waimea Inlet was noted as a high priority system both nationally and also as part of the regional strategy for Te Tau Ihu o te Waka a Maui – Top of the South . The importance of telling stories to raise awareness about these is important
2. Taking Action- thousands of volunteers have planted 35,000 native plants ;1.000 traps have been set around the Waimea Inlet for predator control . Skye noted here how much people enjoy these activities for the value of the result and also for the connections with other like-minded conservationist
3. Connecting for greater impact –“ how to all pull in the same direction” ; aligning priorities and pooling resources . Taking the Waimea Inlet as an example she noted the involvement of Mana Whenua & Kotahitanga mo te Taeo; Moturoa Trainee Project; Battle for the Banded Rail; Forest & Bird; TDC & NCC; MDCA Currently TET is focusing on strategies for using the $1million granted  from the Plant One Billion Trees Project

Those at the meeting were interested in how to make contact with TET and keep informed of its activities – Skye noted the Website and Facebook as ways to do this and also encouraged subscribing to the monthly Tasman/Nelson Conservation Volunteers’ Newsletter.

 

LOCAL MEET THE CANDIDATES MEETING – Māpua & Tasman Districts

At the meeting on 26 August, all 4 Mayoral candidates plus the 10 Ward Councillor candidates plus two Hospital Board candidates fronted up to a meeting of over 100 interested residents in the Mapua Hall. The evening’s proceedings were also live-streamed on MDCA Facebook’s site which was accessed by 873 viewers . It was encouraging to see the numbers of both women and younger candidates – the need for gender & age diversity being stressed by several of them. Each candidate had the same time slot to present their rationale for seeking election and respond to 7 pre-submitted questions. Processes relating to the contract and managements for the controversial Waimea Dam as well as ways of managing and contributing to effective councillor/staff relationships & communication systems were both high on the topics of interest.

Penny Griffith preceded these presentations  with a short explanation of the STV (single transferrable vote) system for voting which will be voted on as a referendum at the coming elections. She urged voters to adopt this system.

Marion Satherley (MDCA Chairperson)  thanked all the candidates for their contribution and staying power throughout a long intensive evening and we were all urged to “ vote in this region we love”

 

WHAT’S IN A NAME – MĀPUA ?

Many of us will have seen the information relating to the correct spelling ( and pronunciation ) of our district’s name – Māpua. MDCA  thanked  David Mitchell and Naomi Apōro for their time & work  with the NZ Geographical Society to establish the correct format for this and a number of other names in the region . It was seen as especially fitting that this had been publicized and celebrated in Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) .There was discussion on acknowledging ( and using) the dual names for local regions such as Moturōa ( Rabbit Island) Motuiti ( Rough Island) Mamakū ( Ruby Bay)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Bruno noted the success of, and appreciative response to,the “Facebook Live” video casts of presentations such as the Candidates’ meeting – allowing many who cannot attend evening meetings to be informed and become involved . Another top posting this past month( 209 views) was  on the issue of the school students needing to walk through a flooded underpass to and from the school bus stop on Mamakū Drive

For the first (and hopefully last!) time since being established, the site was hacked and used to spread spam around the world.  Our Internet provider closed the site down so no one (not even our techie) could access it.  It took a week of to-ing and fro-ing between the provider, techie & MDCA before the site was active again.  We are putting things in place so this doesn’t happen again!!

 

MAPUA WATERFRONT & WHARF

Marion Satherley (MDCA rep on the Mapua Waterfront Working Group- MMWG) reported that there was much discussion between the member groups on the option of sharing costs to assist in the completion of the Ngaio Tree Reserve development. The Ngaio Tree sub-committee will work on possible ways forward  and these will be reported on at the October MDCA meeting

 

DOMINION FLATS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT

Helen Bibby reported  on the possible plan to build a boardwalk through the underpass  as a solution to school students getting wet when it is flooded .

 

COMMUNITY WELLBEING/TRANSPORTATION

The  Reports of the Community Wellbeing Survey for Mapua/Ruby Bay & Districts  and Tasman District have been widely distributed on line and paper copies also made available ( Mapua Community Hall  & Library)

A Community Forum to follow up the 300+ suggestions  prioritizing and time-framing them into action plans was held on September 19^th. See elsewhere in this issue for details of that meeting

Elena Meredith stressed the importance of MDCA listening and responding to the community’s priorities

 

WATER /ENVIRONMENT  

Bruno Lemke reported from the Ruby Bay Coastal Homeowners’ Group – noting that members had :

1. met with Rob OI’ Grady ( TDC Engineering Project Manager) on a two hour “walkabout” around Ruby Bay viewing and discussing the seawall, coastal erosion and other drainage issues. The group members were impressed with his interaction with them as well as the detailed notes and many photos he took, He has undertaken to report back
2. spent time with a TV1 filming crew looking at & discussing historical and current coastal issues. This footage was shown as a TV1 News Item Tuesday 14 September

 

AN AED IN RUBY BAY ?

Wayne Chisnall is working through the requirements to set up a “Give a little “ Page to  be posted onto Facebook enabling  Ruby Bay residents to support and  help in the $2,800-$3,000 fundraising required to purchase and install an  AED in the local area.

 

Future Hot Topics:

14 October  –   Project Janszoon

Mapua Dawn Chorus

Predator Control

11 November – Mapua Community Care Project ( see below)

 

Māpua Community Care Project (MCCP)

All members of the community were invited to attend both a community consultation meeting at Māpua Hall October 23 at 7.30 pm and their preceding AGM at 7pm

 

Te Tau Ihu International Generational Strategy Hui

Cr Anne Turley noted that these Hui are being held around the region – contact Naomi Aporo for more details

 

 

Be sure to attend our next monthly meeting:  Monday, 14 October   at 7 PM, Bill Marris Room, Mapua Hall.

MDCA works closely with TDC to ensure our community functions in a way that suits the majority of our residents. To have a vote that counts, become a financial member of MDCA by simply paying a $10 membership fee.

 Submitted by:  Elena Meredith

At the Mapua & Districts Community Association’s August meeting, outgoing Executive members Helen Bibby, Trish Smith & Tim Hawthorne were thanked for their significant contributions to the Association’s work over many years in the areas of environmental; Waterfront Park and digital communication systems all of which enhance our sense of wellbeing and connectedness to our surroundings and to each other.
The MDCA Executive for 2019/20 is : Marion Satherly (Chairperson), Wayne Chisnall (Deputy Chair), Desiree Dunlop (Secretary); Aileen Connell (Treasurer) ; Naomi Aporo, Mike Kinimonth; Bruno Lemke; Elena Meredith.
Cr Tim King (who is not standing as a Ward Councillor in the coming local body elections) was also thanked for his m any years in the role with his regular attendance at meetings and his reliable follow up on issues raised.
Marion noted that she had attended Tasman Area Community Association (TACA) in July and both Julian Eggers chair of Wakefield Community Council) as well as Cr David Ogilvie (Motueka) were warmly welcomed to the MDCA meeting . The importance of making such links across the wider region was strongly affirmed. It was noted that MDCA & TACA were jointly hosting the Meet the Candidates meeting for the upcoming Local Body elections on August 26th 7pm in the Mapua Community Hall.
The passing of Ralph Cotter was noted with recognition of his community involvement over the years and the ongoing engagement with and contribution to the community made by Margaret (his wife)
Haere ; Haere ; Haere Ra moemoe ra i te rangimarie, e koro. Go now and rest in peace
SOCIAL MEDIA
Tim was warmly thanked for his significant contribution in bringing MDCA into the more modern communication age . His role on Exec will be taken up by Bruno Lemke .
Tim reported that from July 2018 through June 2019 MDCA posted :
• 171 notices on the Facebo ok page viewed 88,143 times
• 8 videos 7 of which were “Facebook Live” video casts of presentations at monthly meetings
The numbers who “ like” the Facebook page grew from 812 to 950 & MDCA is now followed by 1024 people
Since May 2019 we have been averaging 2 Mail chimp emails per month to our 92 subscribers
MAPUA WATERFRONT & WHARF
Marion Satherley (MDCA rep on the Mapua Waterfront Working Group
MMWG) ) reported on the current status of the planned development for the Ngaio Tree Reserve (NTR) noting that cost estimations exceed funds available which will mean that the development will be staged.
The suggestion was made by an MMWG community rep that maybe the represented community groups could contribute funding for the “above ground costs” such as: tables, seating, bike racks, dinghy stands; lighting; drinking fountains and playground equipment. Cr Tim King noted that while TDC appreciated and supported this approach, TDC was only asking the community to contribute to the costs and if there is any shortfall, TDC will still be covering the costs.
After significant discussion, the following motion was passed:
That MDCA is happy to try to fund-raise towards the completion of the Ngaio Tree Reserve development, depending on the outcome of revised costings: Helen Bibby; Tim Hawthorne

Wharf waterpipe up grade: In relation to concerns and local queries about suspected leeching from contaminated soil relating to these road works near the Wharf, communication from TDC confirms that their test results show no risk to human health from this .
ROADS AND PATHWAYS
TDC‘s conditions have resulted in the dropping of proposed plans for walking access across private property linking Jessie St and Aranui Road MDCA will check with TDC what these conditions are. Meantime Wayne will explore possibilities of an alternative option with foot traffic getting to Jessie St through the new subdivision on Aranui Road .
DOMINION FLATS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT
Helen Bibby reported on the ongoing growth in both the numbers and heights of trees/plants in the domain. Work on the back track is progressing slowly. There is now a bridge over the swampy area and we hope this track will be completed within the next month. A group meets every Tuesday to plant or weed and we welcome anyone who would like to volunteer some time to join us as we won’t run out of things to do. Tools are provided and we work from 9 till 12 with a decent coffee break around 10.30 to sort out the world. Come on – it’s fun!
Helen is resigning from the Exec but will remain in her coordinating role for this project and will liaise with Naomi as the Executive member. She was warmly thanked for her regular and enthusiastic updates as well
as her astounding ability to access funds! Many thanks from all us Mapuians!
COMMUNITY WELLBEING/TRANSPORTATION
The Community Wellbeing Survey for Mapua/Ruby Bay & Districts held over July received 324 responses while the TACA survey on transport received 54 responses both of which are around 20% response rate .
The three main issues identified were the need for;
• a reliable ,efficient ,affordable and well publicized transport system in the area;
• expanded and extended health services both “ medical” & wider community support
• increased social connectedness between residents and a wider range of services and transport
Access on-line copies of the grouped and summarized reports as well as the TACA survey) via the MDCA Website www.ourmapua.org/wellbeing . Paper copies will be available at the Mapua Community Hall
A full summary of the responses and suggestions from this survey can be found further on in this edition of the Coastal News .
The plan is to follow up responses and suggestions relating to the identified themes with a forum in September of Key stakeholders and interested individuals from both Tasman and Mapua/Districts to set up working parties to “ put wheels/ walking feet under the ideas
If you are interested being part of this future development, please contact
Elena Meredith at elena.meredith@xtra.co.nz
WATER/ENVIRONMENT
This expanded subcommittee will cover:
• Local project/environmental groups such as Dominion Flats; Mamaku Wetlands; Waimea Inlet
• Water updates and issues including water infrastructure and freshwater quality
• Climate change concerns and updates Climate change concerns and updates
• Any other specific environmental matters relevant to Mapua and Districts
Naomi Aporo will be hold this will be hold this portfolio on the Executive

Bruno reported from the Water Infrastructure Group noting that this group of independent Ruby Bay residents will now focus solely on Ruby Bay issues and will report to MDCA to ensure that there is continuity in the wider community ‘s approach to these issues.
Julie Nevin (Ward Councillor candidate ) spoke briefly on her concerns over sustainability and resilience with a focus on environmental issues; community connectedness and transparency in community consultation. She plans to hold a forum in Mapua during September to discuss these issues and sought feedback on levels of interest and potential venues
AN AED IN RUBY BAY?
The question of interest in and demand for an AED in the Ruby Bay area was raised. It was agreed that this issue would be posted onto Facebook to see if Ruby Bay residents support and will help in the fundraising required to purchase an AED . Between $2,800 –$3,000 is required for such a purchase and installation. If you are interested, please contact Wayne Chisnall via info@ourmapua.org or phone him directly
Future Hot Topics
9 September
Tasman Environment Trust
Tasman District Voting system
14 October
Project Janszoon
Mapua Dawn Chorus
Predator Control
11 November
Mapua Community Care Project ( see below)
Mapua Community Care Project (MCCP)
All members of the community were invited to attend both a community consultation meeting at Mapua Hall October 23 at 7.30 pm and their preceding AGM at 7pm
Te Tau Ihu International Generational Strategy Hui
Cr Anne Turley noted that these Hui are being held around the region.
Contact Naomi Aporo for more details
Mapua Community Phone Directory
Mapua & Districts Business Association (MDBA) is seeking help and input to update this local phone directory. Suggested a request be put onto Facebook to seek volunteers . The Secretary will follow this up

Be sure to attend our next monthly meeting:
Monday, 9 September at 7 PM, Bill Marris Room, Mapua Hall.
MDCA works closely with TDC to ensure our community functions in a way that suits the majority of our residents. To have a vote that counts, become a financial member of MDCA by simply paying a $10 membership fee to our NBS account 03 1354 0356471 00 with your name & phone number as a reference.
Submitted by: Elena Meredith