MP in North for board walk

ON SITE: Nicky Wagner with Northland Conservation Board members. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

THE Northland Conservation Board has proudly showcased its achievements to Associate Conservation Minister, Nicky Wagner, during a site visit to Kerikeri.

Ms Wagner's visit on May 14 was one of a series made to conservation boards around the country to foster links between community conservation groups and the Department of Conservation (DoC).

NCB members, staff from the DoC and Heritage New Zealand, and representatives from local hapu took Ms Wagner on an inspection tour of the Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin development and also to Puketi Forest to see progress in the significant restoration efforts being made there.

NCB chairman Mita Harris said the members of the board were pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with Ms Wagner, show her what had been achieved and discuss future plans. He had been encouraged by her feedback.

Conservation cause calling National Volunteer Week was celebrated from June 21 to 27 and if you've been wondering where you can volunteer then consider conservation.

Department of Conservation Partnerships Ranger, Fiona Watson, is always keen to hear from prospective volunteers and says that by volunteering you can help care for natural areas along the coast, in the ocean, at historic places and in the great outdoors.

"It's also a great way to connect with our native wildlife and visit special places."

The volunteer days run by DoC in Whangarei and on the Kauri Coast are popular with volunteers going places they would not normally go and gaining an understanding of the work the department does. This year DoC is focusing on growing its volunteer programme, wanting to make it easy for people to connect and contribute to conservation.

Whangarei resident and conservation volunteer Ruth Dempster helps look after 40ha on Manganese Point, Whangarei Heads, and co-ordinates a volunteer group that meets every Monday to do weed control and tree planting. "I find volunteering really rewarding. I can see the results of our hard work and enjoy the team bond with the other volunteers."

For more information and to find your place to volunteer check out www.doc.govt.nz/volunteer and naturespace.org.nz.

Croquet across

the sea-sonsA group of Whangarei and Kensington Croquet Club members escaped the chilly recent weather by taking part in the Annual Convicts Social Croquet Tournament on Norfolk Island.

Six members from each club jetted off to pit their skills against players from various states of Australia on the local Norfolk Island domain - as Norfolk Island lacks a croquet club of its own. The members who participated have Jan and Neville King to thank as their discussions last year concerning options for a winter break during the 2015 Croquet "off season" led to them discovering the croquet tour group offer.

Home tutors wantedDo you enjoy a challenge? Do you have an hour or two to spare each week? Would you like to help people to gain confidence in using English? Have you considered being an ESOL (English for Speakers Of another Language) home tutor?

If you answered "Yes" to any or all of those questions then the ESOL Home Tutor Training course is for you. The course will be held on July 14, 21 and 28.

Venue: upstairs at 10 Rathbone St, Whangarei. Time: 9am to 4pm all three days. Cost: $50 for the training manual and workbook.

To find out more contact Jenny Huddleston on (09) 438-2512 or email northland@englishlanguage.

org.nz.

Share your

news for freeAre you a club, group, organisation, business, or individual contributing positively to and/or supporting the Whangarei district community? Do you want to share your news and information with the public free? Items are being accepted for the popular Whangarei Community Spirit Whangarei column.

Contact Wendy Arman on (09) 430-3314 or email exnonblonde@hotmail.com.