Rain doesn't dampen Christmas parade spirit
The rain poured down on Waipu's Christmas Eve parade as a small but enthusiastic crowd lined the main street, huddling under umbrellas to cheer on the nine floats braving the weather, led by the pipe band in rain capes. Nine floats were forced out because of safety concerns or because rain damaged their decorations. Supreme winner was Scottish Steampunk-themed Kraken's Lair, featuring a dirigible airship. Second place went to Circool Circus' artistic white-draped meditation on the stillness of the subconscious mind; and third place to Waipu Walkway and Cycleway's Bohemian Rhapsody extravaganza featuring dozens of Freddy Mercury lookalikes. Best new entry was the exotic Wayans Balinese Massage team, Best business were the energetic cardio-drumming girls and best club went to Waipu Surf Club with its 90th year celebration of Waipu's endless summers.
Shellfish collecting ban
Visitors to local beaches this summer have no excuse for not knowing shellfish collection is banned. In June this year, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) temporarily closed Marsden Bank and Mair Bank for shellfish collection. Last week local hapū Patuharakeke, as the kaitiaki (guardians/caretakers) put a rāhui in place to protect mahinga kai (customary food gathering) and mātaitai (fishing grounds). At a dawn ceremony on Wednesday, two pourāhui (posts) marking the rāhui, were blessed and unveiled. One pou is by the Marsden Point oil tanker berth, the other just north of Mair Rd. Patuharakeke has also placed signs explaining the rāhui at beach entry points and boat ramps. Before the June closure, there was a ban on gathering pipis from Mair Bank after Patuharakeke raised concerns in 2014 about the overharvesting of pipis. Pipi numbers fell from an estimated 10,000 tonnes in 2005 to less than 100 tonnes in 2014. In response to further concerns about the overharvesting of mussels, Patuharakeke lodged a proposal with MPI in 2017 asking to close Marsden Bank and Mair Bank to the gathering of all shellfish. In just one season, the mussels off Mair Bank were almost completely exhausted so action needed to be taken. Later in the year, MPI ran public consultation on the closure proposal; 12 of the 13 submissions received supported it. The closure's main objective is to help regenerate shellfish on Marsden and Mair Banks, to increase future numbers for customary and recreational fishers. The closure also recognises the customary practice of Patuharakeke in exercising kaitiakitanga over all species of shellfish on the Bank. The rāhui applies to the taking of all shellfish species, including crustaceans and squid/octopus. Surfcasting and fishing for finfish is still permitted. Patuharakeke also request people avoid driving on the beach as this destroys the shellfish habitat and damages juvenile shellfish.
Waipu Surf Club fun day
