106.7FM Radio Interview: Feb 2015

Back in February 2015, Mangere Bridge WasteWise was the subject of an interview broadcast on our local radio station 106.7 FM.  Friends of the Farm's Natasha Hofmans interviewed Justine Skilling, who talked about the work we've been doing in the community over the past year to encourage waste reduction. The interview can be found here.  The links to parts 2 and 3 are on the same page.  Happy listening!

  

Working together to support an “Our Patch Approach”

By Frances Hancock

It’s truly amazing what 25 Mangere Bridge volunteers can achieve in a two-hour community working bee on the Manukau Harbour. Fantastic teamwork, a sense of humour, and a determined attitude cleared the little bay near the old Mangere Bridge of 28 bags of mangrove seedlings! It was a great workout slushing through the mud; everyone was exhausted and hugely satisfied at the end!

Again we had fantastic support from Ambury Park Farm Ranger, Janine, and Farm volunteer, Darren. Community leader, 91 year old Bill Kirk, brought water to wash down volunteers and provide us all with a drink. Bill was despatched to buy more bags because we exceeded expectations for what could be achieved. Jacqui, a resident, took photographs to record the impact of our efforts, and Meredith, who lives near the bay, spread the word.

This year a huge proliferation of mangrove seedlings along the Esplanade has caused concern among locals. To maintain harbour views and access, Mangere Bridge Residents and Ratepayers Association has led community action to remove mangrove seedlings over many years. But the problem persists due to the accelerating growth of mangrove trees in the upper harbour. The Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board is showing leadership by funding mangrove removal east of the new bridge. Manukau Harbour Restoration Society is also committed to tackling the problem.

But west of the old bridge is for locals to manage. Brian Pilkington (MBRnR Secretary) and I organise annual working bees and this time we tried an “Our Patch” approach. Rather than advertising far and wide, we invited residents who live near the bay to join forces with other volunteers. This approach encourages people who enjoy harbour views every day to share guardianship of the harbour’s wellbeing. Of the 25 volunteers, over a third either live opposite the bay or in neighbouring streets. It’s a terrific way to build a sense of community among neighbours.

In planning this event, we met Mark Read, a newly appointed Auckland Council Volunteer and Biodiversity Coordinator. Mark’s job is to support groups like ours, by providing helpful advice and practical assistance. A respectful and experienced professional, Mark visited Mangere Bridge to get to know us, learn about local efforts to care for our environment, and enjoy a guided tour of the area. To avoid problems and ensure safety for volunteers, we agreed it’s important to work within existing regulations. Mark arranged for Council contractors to collect the bags and gave us gloves.

Another mangrove working bee is planned for Saturday 23 May 2015. This time we’re calling all our community volunteers and Kiwi Esplanade residents to remove seedlings at Shelly Bay (by the Mangere Boating Club and the children’s playground) and surrounding areas. This Council-supported working bee will take place rain or shine, from 9am-11.30am.  If you have them, bring gardening gloves and a bucket, and wear footwear that won't get stuck in the mud sneakers or wet booties). 

A big thank you to everyone who supported the working bee in the bay. It’s always great to meet locals and work together with Council to care for the Harbour. If you visit the bay you, too, will be amazed by what a small group of volunteers can achieve.

Easter clean-up diverts over half the rubbish collected from landfill

By Frances Hancock

           Every year Ambury Farm Park Rangers and our Friends of the Farm group co-host an event for families aimed at creating wonderful childhood memories for kids by caring for our environment. The annual Easter Clean-up is combined with a special Easter egg hunt for kids and a family sausage sizzle.

           This year around 50 volunteers spent a couple of hours roaming the Ambury foreshore, crawling under trees and around the base of large flax bushes, and tromping through our local Tararata Stream to collect rubbish.

           The main ‘finds’ were unsurprising and feature every year. By far the most common source of rubbish is food wrappers, including potato chip bags, muesli bar wrapping, lolly wrappers, and the like. Close behind are beer bottles, plastic bottles and drink cans.

           There’s always endless amounts of plastic bags, which draws our attention because we have a popular plastic bag collection point at the weekly Mangere Bridge Village Sunday Market. We’re doing our best to reduce this source of rubbish in the landfill through creative recycling.

           This year we found numerous shoes (but no pairs!), underwear and hankies. We picked up polystyrene bits and bobs, and bottle tops by the dozens. Sadly drink straws were also a very popular find.

           We retrieved a door and a window along with many planks of wood. There was rope by the yard and even a thermos bottle. One young volunteer found a child’s toy in good condition.

           For some fun and to check our attention, Janine our Farm Ranger planted a mannequin on the foreshore, which a young volunteer found with great pride. Offering chocolate Easter bunnies as a prize, Janine also had the whole crowd guessing the weight of the rubbish we collected and how many rabbits poo she had put in a glass jar - 1234!

           This year we diverted 62% of the rubbish collected from the landfill. We weighed 35 kilos of rubbish now destined for the landfill and another 57 kilos will be sent for recycling. The 92 kilos weighed did not include the heavy wooden planks retrieved from the foreshore and other heavy items.

           Seeing familiar faces return, year after year, is encouraging. I always enjoy meeting newcomers, many of whom live locally, and working alongside them to care for our beautiful environment.

           As always, the enthusiasm and leadership of the children makes the event particularly meaningful and inspires hope for the future. A farm/community working bee offers huge educational and social value as we connect more with our environment and one another.

           Dawn and Denise, our Oddbits gals, hid the Easter eggs and it was something to watch the children swarm around the paddock in search of their well-deserved treats. Wonderful childhood memories – you bet! My son still remembers the time he and his mates found a dead sheep under the trees during Easter clean-up!

           Special thank you to the Ambury Rangers for their ongoing support for all our Friends activities and the terrific partnership they’ve forged and actively maintain with our Mangere Bridge community. Their goodwill and encouragement is hugely appreciated.