Community Contact wishes everyone safe

DECEMBER 2014 & January 2015
Community Contact wishes
everyone safe holidays, a very
happy Christmas and a
wonderful New Year!
With kind thanks to Fay Eggeling for her generous donation
Don’t Take a Pom Whitebaiting
So I sort him out some gear,
I take him to a “possie”,
I am a Kiwi hunting guide,
And say “You’re sure to get em ere”.
Shooting and fishing too,
I show him what to look for,
I’ve guided tons of blokes around,
I show him how to do it,
From way across the blue,
He says “By joves, that just top hole, I
I even take them whitebaiting,
say,
Cos that’s in my line of work,
There’s nothing in it.”
But I’ve just met a champion,
Well! He nets near twenty pounds,
A champion, “Pommy Burk”.
And I help him lift it in.
With receding chin and monocle,
I show him how to slip the knot,
He’s a funny looking bird,
And tip em in the bin.
He says “By Joves” and “What ho there”,
Elworthy the third just looks at ‘em,
“I’m Elworthy—the third”.
And as true as my name’s Jack,
“I wish to catch some whitebait”.
He says “By Joves: they’re all too small”.
I ask “yer gotta net”.
And chucks the buggers back.
He says “No, I’ve only tried the rod,
But I haven’t caught one yet.”
Origin Unknown
Well, yer know, yer gotta meet one.
Thank you
Natalia Yates for
all your hard
work for
Community
Contact this year!
Community Contact needs a
new contact person for Franz
Josef! It doesn’t have to be the
CDO. Please contact the
compiler if you’re interested.
Community Contact is compiled from the contributions of the people of South Westland. Articles, items,
news, recipes, stories, etc. from everyone are most welcome. All personal opinions should be signed and
publication is at the discretion of the Community Contact team. The views expressed in Community Contact
are not necessarily the views of the CC board. Send your articles or adverts to your contact or e-mail to
weegerm@hotmail.de by 15TH January to be included in the February issue.
lizhawker@farmside.co.nz
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Community Contact 12 3166 0042300 02 with your name & what the deposit is for. Please do not send cash.
1
2
Fox Glacier
DECEMBER & JANUARY
FOX GLACIER NEWS
As the official start of Summer rolls up, we are instead bracing ourselves against mid winter
weather of winds blowing straight from the pole, heavy rain laced with hail and that always pretty
snow well below the tree line. Good ol spring weather!
First up Thanks so much to everyone who organised, helped out at, and supported this
year’s bonfire and fireworks gala held at the fire station at the start of November. About $3,500.00
was raised for the school, as well as a great night had, of games, good food and a pretty cool
fireworks display. And of course it was a beautiful fine evening!
So thanks again to all of you who took the time to come out and enjoy the evening and appreciate the time and effort put in
by a whole lot of people to make it all happen.
GOODBYE TO CHRIS, BECS AND ZAHYLA
I know this is slightly old news but none the less important. Back at the start of November we waved goodbye to a couple of
our long time residents as Chris and Rebecca (Becs) and Zahlya left Fox, and headed north to Whangarei.
Becs arrived here in Fox way back in 2000 to be a “Doris” for Alpine Guides and Chris not long after, working in hospitality.
They met here, partied here and between the two of them were a big part of our Fox community. Among other things, Chris
served as a volunteer fireman, with Becs doing a huge amount of work with the fundraising team for the community centre.
They will both be missed and hopefully Whangarei will appreciate what they have gained in now having the Jones/Morgan’s
as part of their community! Best of luck in your next adventure.
SCHOOL NEWS
This past month has been a busy time for the school with Pet day kicking it
all off, followed closely by the
Gala evening, then the following week saw the junior class head off to Wanaka for their school camp. Coming up at the end
of the month (27th &28th Nov) is “tournament” held in Hari Hari , followed the week after(2nd -5thth Dec) by Year 7 and 8
heading off to Christchurch for their “city visit” camp.
Then before we know it, it’s the end of the school year with an evening on Tuesday 16th Dec to wrap up the year and
farewell some of our students and catch up with Santa. This is followed by the final school day on Wednesday, to pack up
and get set for a much deserved Christmas break.
Well, till next time...BRING ON SUMMER!!!!
3
4
Bruce Bay
DECEMBER & JANUARY
The Bruce Bay Sports Day Committee would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors
of this year’s Sports Day and Ball:
4 Square Franz Josef
Fox Store
Mt Cook View Motels
58 On Cron
Fulton Hogan
New World Hokitika
Across Country Quad Bikes
Glacier Country Kayaks
Pine Grove Motels
Alpine Adventures
Glacier Hot Pools
Rentons Hokitika
ANZ
Glenfern Villas
Russell & Lorene Allison
Aspects Salon and Day Spa
Glynis Condon
Sicon Fergusons
Asure Brookvale Motel Wanaka
Grey Valley Courier
South Westland Horse Treks
BedsRus Hokitika
Griffen & Smith Mitre 10
South Westland Salmon
Bidvest
Sportsworld Hokitika
Carrol & Mike Browne
Take Note Hokitika
Cheekys
Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio
Coffee & Equipment
The Jade Factory
Cooks Saddle Café & Saloon
The Landing
Dean Caldwell Ltd
Waimea Estates
Electronet
Hann Construction
Waitoto River Safari
Ellerys Hokitika
Helicopter Line
West Coast Scrap & Steel Ltd
Eunice Sullivan
John Pfeifer Panelbeating
Westland Dairy Sheds Ltd
Farmlands Whataroa
Johnston Motors Haast
Westland Greenstone Ltd
Fern Grove Souvenirs
Keywest Computers
Westland Pharmacy
Fish and Cruise Wanaka
Lakeland Adventures
Wild Outdoorsman
Flagstaff Earthmoving Ltd
Maggie Williams
Fox Glacier Motors
McMullan Timber ITM
Bruce Bay Sports
Xmas
70
Lorraine Molloy
Whitebait Raffle Results:
Lamb
74
S Tozer
st
1
8kgs
K Mahuika
Franz package
47
Mata Holliday
2nd
4kg
Paul Cowan 7627 685
Ladies
25
May Cain
rd
3
9093
2kg
Mark Beynon 139AMorgans Rd Timaru 027 246 Mens
44
Bev & Terry
4th
9006
1kg
Barbara Jebson 7 Stanwood Grove Darfield 317
14
Kent Martin
5th
1kg
Ross Birchfield
6th
1kg
Jo Clarke Fox Store
Franz Romantic
Package
Wanaka package Mike Haan
Other Raffle Results:
Boys
22
Bev & Scott Southby
Girls
12
Keiah Alexander
Childrens
16
Jamie Marshall
Grocery hamper 37
Reece c/- J McLaren
We would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors and supporters to help make our day a success.
5
Haast
Long held Okuru property
To be sold by Tender
DECEMBER & JANUARY
Pink Pine, Southern Rata and Kowhai.
In 1938 some of the land near the Turnbull river was subdivided
and sold to Joseph Harris and has since been grazed in the
Several large native bush blocks will be offered for sale by tender
intervening years by Kerry Eggeling and now Kim Landreth from
which opens in early December and closes on February 4, 2015.
Wanaka
The freehold land covers a total area of 264 hectares in five
Early on the Wallis brothers selected large white pine (kahikatea)
blocks which are located near the coast between the Okuru,
trees more than a meter in diameter as peeler logs which were
Turnbull and Hapuka rivers some 15km south of Haast.
cut and shipped from the Jackson Bay wharf for the Sydney firm
Most of the property has had only two owners in the last 125
of Dixon Primer. Later the Buchanan family took up Silver Pine
years. The holding is the last remnant of West Coast land
cutting rights over the property for a period.
originally held by Norman and Arthur Wallis timber merchants of
Greymouth. The two brothers operated timber mills for nearly fifty The opening of the Haast Pass 50 years ago, and the
years throughout the West Coast from Inangahua Landing in the establishment of a large mill by Carter Merchants Ltd allowed for
more intensive logging of the property in the 1960s.It is estimated
north to Whataroa in the south. The land for tender was among
that by 1969 more than 20,000 cubic metres of Kahikatea and
the last areas to be milled.
over 5000 cubic metres of Rimu were processed through the mill
Its first owner was Joseph Cuttance, a local farmer who was also
at Hannah’s Clearing.
Okuru’s resident postmaster and harbourmaster. In the 1880s,
In the past forty five years the native bush has quickly
he was successful in a government land settlement ballot and
regenerated with mature, semi mature and juvenile Kahikatea
held the land as part of a bush grazing property.
and Rimu throughout the property. The bush attracts flourishing
In 1924, Norman Wallis travelled to Okuru from Greymouth. He
native birdlife, native fish are present and deer are seen feeding
had his supplies replenished by Mick Sullivan who farmed near
at times. The bush blocks are located in two parcels; one on the
the Fox Glacier and then rode on horseback via the HaastHaast-Jackson Bay Road (56 hectares) and the other on the
Paringa cattle track to inspect and eventually purchase the
South Turnbull Road (208 hectares).
property.
Tenders (no offers accepted prior) close for the five blocks
One outstanding feature was the large quality of mature
at 4pm Wednesday Feb 4, 2015 at 17 Helwick St, Wanaka.
Kahikatea and reaching nearly 55 metres in height. NZ’s tallest
surviving native trees are Kahikatea, with one measuring over 65
Contact Sue Grant 021 443 906 or Callum Grant 021 244 9047
metres. The property also had harvestable stands of mature rimu
@ Harcourts Wanaka
as well as many other native species including Miro, Silver and
6
Franz Josef
DECEMBER & JANUARY
7
Franz Josef
DECEMBER & JANUARY
8
Whataroa
DECEMBER & JANUARY
9
Whataroa
DECEMBER & JANUARY
Okarito
DECEMBER & JANUARY
Out & About in Okarito
Okarito has a change in the air with people moving in and
out – and in the nature of the village this is the way it has
always been. From the heydays of the gold rush in 1865
where the town was the hub of the West Coast to the days in
the 1960’s when the local papers declared Okarito would
cease to exist (when the last pub burnt down!), and it was
close, with a population then of just four.
But just like the continual ebb and flows of the tides so do
people come and go. As we watch new homes going up and
older ones exchanging owners, we also bid a very fond
farewell to faces familiar to us all – Richard, Edwina, Monty
(and of course Flynn the dog).
After 14 years renting kayaks at
Okarito Nature Tours, they are
headed south to the Cromwell area –
Monty is off to school there and
Richard and Edwina to a change of
pace inland! We wish them all the
very best in their exciting new
adventures and know that they will
be very much missed about the
village by all. We look forward to
their visits back to the coast and
trust they will come accompanied
with the occasional peach or two!
Okarito Nature Tours will carry on
with business as usual with
newcomers Bas and Gemma who
have taken on the business with a 5
year lease and will be renting kayaks
and whipping up that fabulous coffee
(under the watchful eye of pro
barista Mel who is back on board).
Mark this one on your calendar, grab your tramping boots or
your mountain bike, your great sense of bush navigation and
maps of old you’ve had tucked away and bring them along to
the Great Route Finding Meet at Okarito on Sunday, Dec 7th.
The South Westland Wilderness Cycle Trail Project is looking
for bush savvy volunteers to help with route planning from
Franz Josef to Okarito and Okarito to Whataroa. Come along
and find out what the buzz is all about and help us plan the
next great adventure on the coast! See the poster in this
issue for more info or contact Paula on 753 4223.
And further along in the New Year, Okarito Boat Tours is
once again partnering up with Department of Conservation
to bring you a day of celebration with World Wetlands Day.
Make a note for Sunday, Feb 02nd –
there is an international photo
competition for the event for photos
taken from a Wetlands area and we
will have a great new fun event to
add to the “Locals go Free” boat
trips. Watch local posterboards for
more info!
We hope you all have lots of family
and friends coming around this
holiday season and we look forward
to some beautiful summer weather
to celebrate in! Enjoy and we look
forward to seeing you out and about
in Okarito!
For more on what’s happening in
Okarito visit our facebook pages at
www.facebook.com/VisitOkarito and
www.facebook.com/donovansstore
10
and www.okarito.net
11
Hari Hari
DECEMBER & JANUARY
12
Hari Hari
DECEMBER & JANUARY
13
*Need a painter?
*Need a Gib Stopper?
For all your electrical
and heat pump needs.





Servicing of heat pumps
Freeview TV
Installing heat pumps
General electrical work
Fujitsu accredited Installer
DAVE DELORE
027 291 6699
Email: david_delore@hotmail.co.nz
Kevin Hansen Painters
Whataroa
0275 753405
Licensed Building Practitioner
New Homes, Additions, Renovations,
Concrete Work, Gib Stopping, Tiling
and Finishing Work a Specialty
Phone: 751 0170 Cell: 0272 751017
Email: deancaldwell@getrheel.co.nz
GLACIER
CONCRETE
Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue will be resuming monthly
visits to Franz Josef and Fox Glacier in
the summer on the following dates:
Franz Josef : 7th Oct, 4rd Nov, 2nd Dec,
6th Jan, 3rd Feb, 3rd Mar, 7th April, St Johns
Rooms
Fox Glacier: 20th Oct, 18th Nov, 15th Dec,
20th Jan, 17th Feb, 17th March, 21st April,
Fire Station
Appointments can be made by ringing Juliette
on 03 906 0317 or Tina on 03 906 0307.
For all your concrete
needs in Westland
Call Tim Gibb on 0211584043 to
discuss your requirements.
Driveways, dairy sheds, lime bins,
foundations, pole sheds, animals
shelters, standoff areas, farm race
ways etc.
Now might be the time to add a concrete
patio or pathway.
Glacier Contracting can also provide
gravel , sand, large stones for soak holes
etc and can do your site preparation
work. Call Tim for a free no
obligation quote. Email
glacierenterprises@xtra.co.nz
14
Hari Hari
DECEMBER & JANUARY
15
Hari Hari
DECEMBER & JANUARY
16
17
Ross
DECEMBER & JANUARY
Totara 150 event, and he won't be he next year. He died in
2013, in the New Zealand bush that he loved, and will be
Any readers who felt a strange sense of deja vu last month
missed at West Coast events for years to come.
were quite correct. A regrettable administrative lapse on the
part of this correspondent meant that Ross Ramblings was sent One person who was at the Totara 150 event was our new
in from an entire year ago. If you didn't notice anything amiss, community development co-ordinator Mike Keenan, who is
looking after our town and Kumara. You can keep an eye on the
then perhaps that goes to show how slowly things change!
noticeboard to find details of a welcome for Mike sometime
However 150 years ago times were changing on the West
soon.
Coast, and much shifted in the space of a year. In April 1864,
the Lyttleton Times suggested that enough lives had been lost Much of last month's erroneous information can now be given
accurately for this year. The playgroup is again hosting minister
in the exploration of a 'very rough and dangerous coast', and
that though the West Coast may be suitable for a penal colony, Vivien Harbor to tell Christmas stories to the kids. This is at
10am on Thursday 11 December. It will be an exciting morning
it was otherwise unlikely to attract settlers for many years to
come. In August the paper suggested that if a West Coast gold – at 11am Sally Richardson will be along for the final Melody
Makers session of the year.
field was to be forced upon Canterbury, settlers should be
consoled that it was in the remotest corner of the province!
The usual Ross playgroup Christmas party is also being held –
this is always a great event because it features not only
But in mid November 1864 news reached eastern Canterbury
swimming and a jolly (and for the children, oddly familiar)
of a 'New Rush on the West Coast', 40 miles south of
Santa handing out presents, but also antique fire engine rides.
Greymouth. In December a Lyttleton Times correspondent
Come along at the pool from 10.30am-1pm on Sunday 21
detailed how the increasing population of miners, many who
December. Playgroup will provide sausages, but everyone
arrived by steamer, were “completely bewildered by the
should bring a plate to share. If you'd like your child to receive
density of the bush, the numerous rivers, and the difficulties
a present from Santa, small wrapped and named presents can
connected with travelling”.
“Complaints are in every person's mouth about the quantity of be snuck into a sack in the playgroup kitchen from now on.
The school is also holding an end of year event at the pool on
rain that falls here.”
2014 has hosted a particularly cold and wet spring, but we can 10 December. In Ross 11 December will be the last day of
school for the year. Things are looking good in the classrooms,
at least retreat to warm and dry houses. The Totara 150 gold
panning event in Ross at the start of this month featured a bit with a recent (and pleasant) Education Review Office visit
providing an incentive to get new brightly coloured cupboards
of this blustery precipitation, but was a success nonetheless.
Many excited young panners took home their pots of gold, and and couches matching the other new furniture.
Finally, the last housie date for the year is 5 December. This
we look forward to a bigger event next year. 2015 marks the
true birth of the Ross township; by late 1865 newspapers were always features scrumptious baking to raise money for the
featuring complaints about the impassable mud-ridden streets pool, which in turn helps save our children from what 150 years
ago was beginning to be known as a particularly New Zealand
and grog shops.
death.
The last time there was a big heritage event in Ross, the
highlight was arguably not the crazy old machinery or costume
parade, but the speech by long-time West Coast historian Les
Wright. This address was no dutiful obligation to be endured
by the crowds: Les was passionate about his subject and our
town, we listened, he made exploration and mining history
sparkle down through the years. Les Wright wasn't at the
Ross Ramblings
South
Westland
Rubbish
Permanent
Casual
&
Commercial &
Household
HARI HARI
TO
FOX GLACIER
(03) 753 4151
18
South Westland Communities Development Project
Haast * Bruce Bay * Fox Glacier * Franz Josef * Okarito * Whataroa * Hari Hari * Waitaha * Ross
South Westland Communities Development Project (SWCDP) involves:

Supporting communities to be innovative, to generate their own solutions to local issues, and to become more self-reliant
and resilient. It will support community-driven projects that enable people to come together, build trust and begin working
towards achieving community outcomes.

Enhancing the ability of the people of South Westland to develop and celebrate strong, resilient communities and
generate community driven sustainable solutions to local issues, having regard to the diversity of each community’s
identity, culture, heritage, natural environments and economic opportunities, their small populations and remoteness from
service centres
The Department of Internal Affairs has funded the employment of a Community Development Facilitator for SWCDP for three
years (2014-17). WestREAP is the project manager and community associations in Haast, Bruce Bay, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef,
Okarito, Whataroa, Hari Hari and Ross are partner organisations. In Ross SWCDP will work in co-operation with the KumaraRoss Community Development Project, also funded by Department of Internal Affairs.
David Stapleton has been appointed the Community Development Facilitator for SWCDP. David is trained in geography,
economics and town and country planning and has had a long experience in regional and community
development and strategic planning, including with the Ministry of Works and Development, as Principal
Executive Officer of the West Coast United Council, Development Planning Manager of the West Coast Regional
Council, manager of the Port of Greymouth, and through Coast Link Services consultancy. Since 2010 he has
been
WestREAP’s
Community
Networker.
Planning is underway to:

Visit each of the South Westland communities to bring community associations up to date on the project
and discuss next steps.

Identify leaders and organisations within the communities with potential projects and ideas.

Assist each community association conduct a self-review to identify its needs for development and training to better carry
out its functions.

Engage service providers with SWCDP and South Westland people and organisations.

Support schools to include SWCDP as part of their student leadership training programmes.

Hold community planning meetings in each community and for South Westland overall during January to July 2015 to
produce community development plans.

Hold a Community Led Development Workshop in South Westland.
If you have a vision for a community led project, want to be involved in community decision making
and leadership, or want more information on SWCDP contact:
David Stapleton, South Westland Community Development Facilitator,
on (03) 762 6515, (027) 48 48 722, outreach@westreap.org.nz.
and also let your local community association know.
A SWCDP page will soon be on www.westreap.org.nz
THE REMEMBER POEM
I remember the cheese of my childhood
And the bread that we cut with a knife,
When the children helped with the
housework,
And the men went to work not the wife.
The cheese never needed a fridge,
And the bread was so crusty and hot,
The children were seldom unhappy
And the wife was content with her lot.
I remember the milk from the bottle,
With the yummy cream on the top,
Our dinner came hot from the oven,
And not from the fridge or the shop.
The kids were a lot more contented,
They didn't need money for kicks,
And hung on a peg in the lav,
Just a game with their mates on the
It took little to keep us amused.
road,
The clothes were boiled in the copper,
And sometimes the Saturday flicks.
With plenty of rich foamy suds
I remember the shop on the corner,
But the ironing seemed never ending
Where a penny's worth of sweets was
As Mum pressed everyone's 'duds'.
sold
I remember the slap on my backside,
Do you think I'm a bit too nostalgic?
And the taste of soap if I swore
Or is it ... I'm just getting old?
Anorexia and diets weren't heard of
I remember the 'loo' was the lav,
And we hadn't much choice what we
And the bogey man came in the night,
wore.
It wasn't the least bit funny
Do you think that bruised our ego?
Going ‘out back’ with no light.
Or our initiative was destroyed?
The interesting items we perused,
We ate what was put on the table
From the newspapers cut into squares,
And I think life was better enjoyed.
19
What’s happening at DOC during December and January?
Rowi Release October: Save Kiwi Week
Locals were treated to sunny weather and a grand view at Donovan’s, Ōkārito Lagoon on October 24, where Te Rūnanga o
Makaawhio lead a pōwhiri, welcoming home nineteen of our very
rare Rowi. These birds spent most of the year on Motuara Island,
in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, where they grew and learned to
fend for themselves. After the ceremony, which was attended by
SWA School students, sponsors and stakeholders, as well as locals, DOC’s Rose Hanley-Nickolls and Ian Graham displayed two
handsome specimens for people to get up close.
Many remarked that “this has made kiwis real for them”, and
being part of releasing them into the sanctuary where they will
live was a terrific privilege. More comments: “The thing I liked
most was getting to hold and release a kiwi." - Charles, Year 9. “It
was a wonderful opportunity to have." - Niamh, Year 9. “It was
fun and we learned a lot." - Cameron, Year 8.
Let’s do it again next year! Thanks to Okarito community, and all who participated in this event.
Okarito Nursery Community Work
“Spring has sprung, the grass has ‘ris’, I wonder where the “boidies” is.” (From a Marx Bros film)
We have sown heaps of native seeds and are cranking. If you live in the village, and would like to help out, feel free to wander over and
check the board for tasks you can do, or talk to someone who is working in there. Right now we are pricking out & potting up
Conservation Week Event
“It’s your Fault!” glacier walk, with Dr Tim Little, of Victoria University was well attended; more than 50 people came to learn more about
the geology of the glacial valleys of the West Coast whilst walking up the Franz Josef valley. It was enough to work up a hunger, so luckily
DOC barbecued some snaggers for everyone. Thanks Wayne and Rod, for organising the event.
Seaweek (in Feb 2015)
Seaweek is a national celebration of our marine environment, coordinated by the NZ Association for Environmental Education and DOC is a
proud supporter. Events throughout the week provide opportunities for Kiwis to take to the water, get active on a coastal walk, bike ride or
cleanup beaches, learn about our amazing seabirds – and much more. Haast will host an event at Ship Creek. Watch out for more activities
at your favourite Marine Reserves along the West Coast.
Lion’s Club Fishing Competition (in March 2015)
Held annually at McDonald’s Carpark, Lake Mapourika for more than 20 years, this event is popular. DOC will run activities alongside the
competition so we can all get involved with native fish and our beautiful lakes and rivers, and the unique plants which grow near them. For
more information on any of the events above, visit our website http://
www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/events-and-awards or talk to Cornelia
Vervoorn 03 752 0084 or Jo Mead 03 752 0082.
Mitre 10 Takahe Rescue
During November we promoted the Takahē Recovery Programme and sold
carry bags for $1.99 each to raise awareness of the needs of these incredible and rare birds. We invite you to join us; pop in to see if we have any
bags left.
Haast Tokoeka Chick Named Ben
Named by student Ben Wright, aged 8, in a draw, this wee chick hatched
on October 10 with the help of staff at West Coast Wildlife Centre, Franz
Josef. Haast School visited Doc’s Haast Incubation room in September, and
watched Rose health check the egg, while learning about the trials & tribulations of being a kiwi. They hope to see or hear Ben in the wild one day.
20
Haast Visitor Centre News
The Haast Visitor Centre is now open 7 days a week from 9am to 6pm but closed Christmas Day
“Between Places” Art Exhibition, Haast Visitor Centre
Kate Buckley, a visiting artist, has been working with our local South Westland schools and rural schools on the West Coast of Ireland. The
“Between Places” project specifically focuses on a partnership between Haast School, South Westland and Inver School, Mayo County. The
children have described what is special about their environment using the visual arts, then compared their worlds with each other. There
will be an official opening of the exhibition at the Haast Visitor Centre, 6.30pm on the 13 th December and everyone is welcome. The
exhibition will remain on display until the 31st January 2015. For more information call the Haast Visitor Centre 03 750 0809.
Roar Ballots
The Haast Roar ballot has been drawn, with 563 applicants, all of whom should have been advised of their outcome. Confirmations should
be returned to the office by 4pm, 9th January 2015. Unsuccessful applicants from the initial ballot draw may apply for unconfirmed blocks
by phone from 9am on the 16th January and must quote their allocation number.
Tahr Ballots
Tahr information packs will be available from the 1st December, either on the DOC website www.doc.govt.nz or by phoning the Haast
Visitor Centre. The Tahr Ballot closes on Friday 30th January 2015 at 4pm and the ballot will be drawn on Wednesday 11 th February
2015.
DOC Campsites and Family Activities this summer
A great place to take the family this summer is Gillespies Beach, near Fox Glacier, site of a former gold mining town and also of a seal
colony; or how about MacDonald’s Campsite on Lake Mapourika, where you can swim or boat, or catch a trout? Then there is Lake
Ianthe, further north on State Highway 6. All sites have drinking water and toilets, though sites are on a “first come, first served”
basis. Check DOC’s website for details and pricing, and remember, dogs are not allowed except by permit at Gillespies.
http://
www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/west-coast/glaciers-area Aren’t we
lucky to have these beautiful campgrounds so close?
depends on many factors, including
whether you are male or female, your
I have missed the last couple of issues but
size and how much you have eaten.Even
have still been around doing stuff. This last
small amounts of alcohol affect your
couple of weeks has been much busier. I
judgement,
and
the
ability to drive safely begins to deteriohave been in the office trying to clear away paperwork so I
rate
after
just
one
drink.
So if you drink at all, don’t drive.
can go on holiday.
Call a taxi, take a bus or get someone who hasn’t been drinkWell, there was a group of three who went to McDonald's
ing to drive you home. Think ahead - it’s always easier if you
creek and eyed a tent up. Once everyone had left the area
have a plan.
they swooped, scooping the tent and its contents into the
back of their vehicle. About a week later I went to an address The safest option is if you drink then do not drive.
The 2nd police position here has been advertised and it
and the stolen property came to light. They all were very
quick to blame each other and came up with all sorts of sto- sounds like there are a few people applying which is great. It
will still be a month or so before they actually get here but I
ries. A search of their address uncovered cannabis seeds,
would just like to thank everyone for their support while I
cannabis pipes, bongs and spotting knives. Further digging
located stolen courier parcels as well, that never quite made have been here by myself. It is great to work within all the
it to the rightful owners. It also appears they have been rip- communities knowing I have that support.
ping off camp ground honesty boxes. They will definitely be
I have received a few calls from people recently who have
appearing in a court facing a raft of charges.
wanted to discuss issues they are aware of. This is great and I
always encourage open and honest discussions and need to
We have also had a couple of drink drivers over the last
month. I keep going on about this but it is a problem. Below know what issues people feel are affecting their communities. It is always treated confidentially and I will always try to
is from the Police website.
work with people to find a solution.
From 1 December 2014 the alcohol limit for drivers aged 20 As always the cannabis growing season is pretty much here,
years and over lowers from 400mcg of alcohol per litre of
although the hail we have had recently may be knocking the
breath to 250mcg. The blood alcohol limit lowers from 80mg seedlings around. I am always interested in any suspicious
of alcohol per 100ml of blood (0.08), to 50mg (0.05).
vehicles parked in suspicious places at suspicious times so let
me know. Every time I search an address I seem to find
For drivers under 20, the limit stays at zero.
around 100 or so cannabis seeds so there must be quite a
few people out there planning on doing some gardening.
The law says you must not drive if the amount of alcohol in
your breath or blood exceeds these limits.The number of
Everyone keep safe out there and keep the communication
alcoholic drinks you can have before you reach these limits
21
going, Bill Parker
South Westland Police Report
22
23
24
CHURCH SERVICES—December 2014
7th
Catholic
14th
21st
25th
10.30am
Ross
Hari Hari
Whataroa
28th
10.30am
9am
5pm Sat.
9am
9am
10.30am
9am
10.30am
9am
9am
11am
11am
M. Tea after
Franz Josef
5pm
5pm
Fox Glacier
11am
Haast
5pm
South Westland Catholic Parish: Contact Fr. Michael Mahoney, 0210333746 or 037534140
Note: This mass is the normal parish schedule. It is wise to check that a mass has not been changed for some special reason .
Anglican
7th
14th
19th
24th
25th
11.30am, communion
9.30am, communion
Ross
Hari Hari
9.30am
Whataroa
11.15am
Franz Josef
28th
9.30am
4pm, communion
3pm
9.30pm, nine
lessons & carols
Jacobs River
Haast
6pm
Anglican Contact: Rev’d Vivien Harber (03) 755 5125
Anglican
4th Jan
11th Jan
Hari Hari
9.30am
Whataroa
11.15am
Franz Josef
3pm
18th Jan
23rd Jan
25th Jan
9.30am
3pm
6pm
Haast
Cycle Trail Exploration Day
Fit, bushwise volunteers needed to help us find a route through the Okarito
Forests.
Sunday Dec 7th
Meet at Donovan’s Store, Okarito, 10am with your bike & your tramping boots
Lunch provided. Sausage sizzle when it’s all over!
Phone Paula 03 7534 223
25