Kia ora tatou, and welcome to the March edition of REEF. This month’s newsletter is absolutely jam-packed with activities and events, all over the Bay! With Sustainable Backyards coordinating everything from garden tours to workshops , you are spoiled for choice with eco-friendly activities for all the family. Please feel free to share this newsletter among your networks, and as always, if you have anything you would like included in the next edition, simply email Natalie.ridler@boprc.govt.nz Have a great month and enjoy the summer events we have on! Māori Youth Science Scholarship availableThe London International Youth Science Forum is generously awarding a scholarship that covers full registration costs for a year 12 or Year 13 Maori student to attend the London International Youth Science Forum in July. The cost of international travel will be covered by the Talented School Students Award Fund, which is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Māori students who apply should have a passion and aptitude for the sciences and be confident in Te Reo Maori. Applicants must have a good awareness of tikanga and be confident about sharing some of their knowledge at the London International Youth Science Forum. Applications close on 15 March and applicants must complete the application form and include all the documentation required. Visit their website. Tauranga Multicultural FestivalOnce again the Historic Village will come alive with colourful activities, cultural performances and community spirit. The festival is Multicultural Tauranga’s signature event. It is a perfect means to demonstrate and celebrate our motto: promoting cultural diversity and harmony in the community. Seaweek Events in the Bay of PlentyThere are LOADS of activities and events happening across the Bay for Seaweek, including clean ups and night tours – definitely something for everyone and a great chance to learn more about our coastal environment. Check out the website for all dates and times. Waiotahe River, Wildlife and State of the RiverMarch 4 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Freshwater fish in the Waiotahe River. Come and find out about NZ’s fish and the threats they face. A talk followed by a fieldtrip to the Waiotahe River to check some traps and discover some native fish up close. Bookings essential: whakatane@envirohub.org.nz. Gold coin donation Bee Mania at Experience Comvita!March 4 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Join Comvita’s guided tour and discover the world of the honeybee and the wonder of nature’s intelligence. The tour explores the healing power of nature through New Zealand’s native plants. See the world through the eyes of the honeybee and learn how they share the gifts of nature with us. In the beehive; immerse yourself in the extraordinary harmony of their world. For information: 801 BEES BEES or 07 533 1987 Starting: 11am, 1pm & 3pm Cost $13 for Adults, $4 Children 5 – 15 years, under 5’s free. Sustainable Backyards Garden TourMarch 5 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Gold coin. Learn how to live more sustainably; Spend a morning exploring what sustainable living looks like. Bookings essential: ace@katikatiresource.co.nz – Gold coin donation. Awatapu Lagoon: Restoring the MauriMarch 10 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Join the Whakatane Intermediate Halo Care Group as they run their second community event. Help the team pick up rubbish, remove tags and check their predator traps. Free sausage sizzle will be provided. Come and experience the beauty within the lagoon environment. Free event. House of Hope Foodbank Garden Open Day/Working BeeMarch 10 @ 10:30 am - 4:00 pm Do you have spare time to support re-establishing the House of Hope Foodbank Garden? See/hear the vision for this project; bring energy/garden tools to help with the Working Bee. For more information: 07 3238003 Kawerau Urban Food Forest Planting DayMarch 11 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Muck in at the KUFF planting day, sowing and planting. Bring gloves & drinking water. Donations of trees, shrubs, vines all welcome. For more information: Hannah Edwardson 07 323 6300. Join a Guided Tour with the Otanewainuku Kiwi TrustMarch 11 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Join our experienced guide through the Otanewainuku Forest to a swimming hole and a waterfall on the Whataroa stream. This walk takes about 3 hours. Moderate fitness needed. There are some steeper sections and a small river crossing. Bring water, lunch, sunhat, sunblock, boots or sturdy shoes. Bookings essential: sustainablebackyards@envirohub.org.nz or 021 2543343 – $15 adults, $5 children (0-17yrs). All proceeds go towards conservation of Otanewainuku Forest. Come Along to Harbour Fun Day!March 12 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Fergusson Park, Matua A fun day of hands-on outdoor activities to learn more about the Tauranga Harbour’s land, water and wildlife. Join in the festivities such as entertainment, face painting, bouncy castles, food and storytelling. More information here. Free entry. Become a Ninja Turtle Eco Warrior!March 14 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm - Katikati Community Centre Always wanted to be part of the conservation of turtles? How can you contribute to saving these magnificent creatures? Come along and hear how you can be a Ninja Turtle Eco-Warrior! Suitable for all ages. For more information: ace@katikatiresource.co.nz Wormfarm WorkshopMarch 18 @ 12:30 am - 3:30 pm - Tauranga Historic Village Wormfarm Workshop A workshop that shows participants how to look after and maintain a healthy worm farm. Participants are able to take home their very own worm farming kit so they can get started straight away. Bookings essential: 07 577 7684 - $34.50 My Backyard Garden Project – Gathering materialsMarch 18 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm - 6 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua The My Backyard Garden Project aims to build organic edible gardens with families who have little gardening knowledge to then share and learn from each other. Starting with the gathering of resources and materials. If you have any unwanted compost, mulch or soil let us know. We will accept any drop off deliveries. For more information: brent@mixitlive.tv Hukutaia Domain Night WalkMarch 19 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Hukutaia Domain, Woodlands Road, Opotiki Come for a walk through the Domain to see and hear the creatures of the night, including glow worms. Bring torch and sturdy footwear. In cooperation with Te Upokorehe. Info: 07 315 8293 Autumn Equinox GatheringMarch 19 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Whakatane Community Gardens, 20 King Street, Kopeopeo, Whakatane One of four events the Whakatane Community Gardens host each year celebrating the equinoxes and solstices with free entertainment, kids activities and food. Info: whakatanecommunitygardens.com Waikareao Estuary Clean-upMarch 21 @ 10:30 am - 2:00 pm Local schools and Estuary Care Groups will be clearing rubbish from the Waikareao Estuary with help from volunteers from TCC and BOPRC. More information: radleigh.cairns@tauranga.govt.nz World Water Day Film NightMarch 22 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm De Luxe Theatre 106 Church Street, Opotiki Water Whisperers ‘Tangaroa’. Documentary by Kathleen Gallagher plus a short film. Water Whisperers Tangaroa explores the work of 10 communities as the seek to heal damaged waterways and protect them for future generations. For more information: whakatane@envirohub.org.nz. $10 Waiora Water Workshop for Teachers22 March, 10am-2pm - Redwood Valley Farm Paengaroa. Free to attend! Come along for a day of hands-on learning about freshwater in a beautiful setting. Gain skills and knowledge around water quality to take back to your school and share with students and colleagues. All schools who attend receive a FREE water testing kit. To register your interest contact Janie.stevenson@boprc.govt.nz Katikati Kaiway TourMarch 23 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Katikati Community Centre, 45 Beach Road Meet the co-ordinators of this community-led Edible Walkway between Fairview and Gilfillan roads. For more information: ace@katikatiresource.co.nz or 07 5490399. Bookings essential: Sport BOP 07 5780016. Gold coin donation. Celebrate Neighbours Day – RotoruaMarch 23 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Rotorua Youth Centre, 6 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua At the youth centre we embrace our neighbouring businesses, networks and youth. Let’s get together. Bring a plate, new recipe or seeds to swap. For more information: activities@rotoruayouthcentre.org Wall-E Night Owl CinemaMarch 25 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Papamoa College, $5 Night Owl Cinema is a cinema under the stars. Come and join us for an epic movie, delicious popcorn and food from our food trucks. About a small waste-collecting robot embarking on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind. G, 1h 38m. Mountains to the Sea Katikati Community DayMarch 25 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Meet at Carpark at Wharawhara Rd Come and help us clear invasive weeds alongside the Wharawhara Stream, followed by a picnic. Before an evening walk to look for small creatures of the night, we will take a look at where our town water comes from and provide a hands on demonstration of water quality testing. There will also be time to check out a native fish display before a dusk expedition to look for native bats! Hunting for Wharawhara nightlife then rounds off big wild day out! This is a joint initiative by Aongatete Forest Restoration Trust and Uretara Estuary Managers. Wear gumboots. Bring gardening gloves and tools, torch and your picnic. Register at Katch Katikati: info@katchkatikati.org.nz or 07 549 5250 – Free event. Managing Your Household Waste WorkshopMarch 27 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Katikati Community Centre, 45 Beach Road Hints and tips to turn your waste into something useful. Upcycle ideas that are fun, easy and save you money as well as the environment. Bring your own creations to share with the group if you have any! Bookings essential: ace@katikatiresource.co.nz or 07 5490399 – Gold coin donation. Kaitiakitanga Festival – Caring for Our EnvironmentMarch 30 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm - Ranfurly Court, Concert Chambers, Kawerau Sell, swap your harvest of organic foods, up cycled art and crafts, maori medicines and remedies, kids wearable arts, music and inspirational speakers on sustainability. For more infomation: sheryl@pouwhakaaro.co.nz Autumn Harvest EnviroFestMarch 31 @ 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Rotorua Youth Centre, 6 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua Celebrate summer with a sustainable and educational flair; included will be pickling, preserving, composting, gardening, worm-farming workshops fruit & vegetable stalls. More information: 07 343 1012 |