www.gopi.wellington.net.nz
PO Box 57034
Mana
Porirua 5247

Secretary: Ken Rae 233 9614

From the Chairperson

Congratulations to all who entered our recent photographic competition. The winning prints are outstanding evocations of the beauty of the Inlet and of the recreational use we make of it, but all of the entries had merit and, importantly, as the article below points out, the increased number of them demonstrates a positive and increasing awareness of the values of the Inlet to our communties.

In the last Newsletter I promised that information on new ‘hands-on’ activities for 2007 would be included this time. Some information is given below but unfortunately we are not as advanced in this as I had hoped. We have negotiated one project with Porirua City Council and have two others under discussion with them and the Regional Council. It looks likely that we may get a small number of projects suitable for adoption by small dedicated teams, perhaps of residents of the locality concerned. We will keep you posted.

2007 Photographic Competition

The response to the 2007 Photographic Competition was quite simply stunning. 70 entrants submitted 271 prints - significantly up on 2006 when there were 30 entrants and 130 prints. Co-ordination was in the hands of Ken Rae with support and great team work from fellow committee members Priscilla Isaacs, Miles Deck, Alastair Harray and Tony Shaw. They were assisted in the mounting of the display on by Tony Shaw. The photos were displayed for a week at Whitby Mall from March 18, Porirua Public Library in Pataka from March 26 and Palmer's Lifestyle Centre Plimmerton from April 2. Winning prints will be viewable on our website shortly.

There was a pleasing number of entrants qualifying for the Youth Awards in each section, nineteen in total, the big winner being Adele Lambie of Whitby with four awards. Competition Judge Geoff Marshall commented that “the overall standard is very encouraging and the high number of entries is a compliment to all the people who went to the effort of taking photographs for this competition.” It is his wish that “entrants continue to get out and enjoy the beauty of the Pauatahanui Inlet, an area which we are all lucky to live near and have easy access to, and to make compelling images of the Inlet.”

Prize winners were - Nature: 1st Kevin Corrie, Whitby; 2nd Adele Lambie, Whitby; 3rd Peter Hunt Tawa; Youth Award - Adele Lambie. Recreation: 1st Graeme Press, Paremata; 2nd Mike Gits, Paremata; 3rd Maxine Olsen, Paremata; Youth Award Natalie Walker, Elsdon. Human Impact: 1st Brady Dyer, Whitby; 2nd Adele Lambie, Whitby; 3rd Bill Gilbert, Whitby; Youth Award - Adele Lambie, Whitby. Reflections: 1st Heather Chambers, Plimmerton; 2nd Ross Williamson, Papakowhai; 3rd Derek Fitzgerald, Whitby; Youth Award - Jonathan Edwards, Camborne.

This was our seventh such competition. It has raised awareness among the public about the Inlet. It has generated goodwill for actions to preserve its special character and its benefit to our city. This was reflected in the almost $1000 in support from our local business sponsors, and from the comments of those viewing the quality prints on display initially at Whitby. The Committee has resolved to hold a further competition in 2008 and once again to seek funding from our principal 2007 sponsor Porirua City Council Creative Communities Fund.

New Projects for Members

This is the year of the triennial cockle count for which we will need 100+ volunteers in November. Put a note in your diary now, probable date the week end 18-19 November. This will be a great opportunity for community involvement in working for the health of the Inlet.

In the meantime your committee is seeking to launch three other more local projects. Arrangements are well in hand, in cooperation with Porirua City Council, for tree planting on the Camborne Walkway on Sunday May 6, or if wet, May 13, rendezvous at the water Ski Club at 10 am. Alastair Harray (233 6648) is the co-ordinator Bring a spade and stout shoes. Come with the family and learn about the Camborne Walkway. Tree planting helps maintain the health of the Inlet by reducing sedimentation from soil erosion.

Alastair is also building a local group in Motukaraka Point with a view to taking responsibility for ongoing care for the walkway being extended eastward from the point. Our Chair John Wells has been advised that Greater Wellington has contracted a scientist adviser to survey the whole of the Inlet, which could identify 'Take Care' projects for local groups, and wishes to have Guardians representatives along for the inspection. The salt marsh at Shell Point on the Golden Gate peninsula is a key possibility for restoration by a local group.

Stream Monitoring

Testing the water of the four major streams entering the Inlet, Pauatahanui
Stream, Duck Creek, Kakaho Stream, Horokiri Stream, gives results that are
used by Greater Wellington to assess the health of the Inlet. Two of the tests are for water clarity and water pollutants. Keeping our streams clear and watching what we tip down storm water drains – no oil, no paint, no detergent - are ways we all can help maintain the Inlet.

Another way of helping is by joining the stream testers. We maintain a four-seasons cycle with small dedicated teams on our monitored streams. Further volunteers will be welcomed by the co-ordinators Alastair and Mary Harray (233-6648).This work requires about two hours four times a year.

Recent Committee Activities

Your committee and in particular your Chair John Wells has made a series of submissions over recent months - on the Greater Wellington Regional Development Plan, the Regional Land Transport Strategy and our comment has been invited on the Staithes Drive development between Ascot Park and Whitby and most recently on a private plan change from EQM Farming Ltd concerning Rural land at the end of Bradey's Road Pauatahanui.

John Wells is also representing the Guardians on the Rural Review Reference Group charged by Porirua City Council with assisting in the first revision in twenty years on the planning requirements for land constituting 80% of Porirua, 70% of which is in the Inlet catchment. We have a vital interest in any projected changes.

Hot Numbers for the Pauatahanui Inlet

Pollution: Discharges of contaminants to air, land, stormwater drains, rivers and the sea––and for after hours resource consent compliance queries––ring Greater Wellington 0800 496 734 (24 hours).

Boating infringements: Greater Wellington 384 5708 (24 hours).

Fisheries issues: Ministry of Fisheries 460 4702 (24 hours).

Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve: Department of Conservation 0800 368 468 (day), 0800 362 468 (a/hrs).

Let us know what you have reported so we can keep an accurate record and follow up if necessary––Ken Rae 233 9614.