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	<title>Grey Lynn 2030 Transition Community &#187; General</title>
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	<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz</link>
	<description>Positive Vision – Practical Action</description>
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		<title>Action for Tree Protection in Urban Areas</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/08/28/action-for-tree-protection-in-urban-areas/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/08/28/action-for-tree-protection-in-urban-areas/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:23:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SuperCity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Urban Design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=590</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Clause 52 of the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2009, banning general tree protection in urban areas. ACTION IS NEEDED NOW &#8211; IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO START WRITING NOW (if you haven&#8217;t already) and please pass this on to others who might be also be interested. It is expected that the government [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F08%2F28%2Faction-for-tree-protection-in-urban-areas%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p>Clause 52 of the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2009, banning general tree protection in urban areas.</p>
<p>ACTION IS NEEDED NOW &#8211; IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO START WRITING NOW (if you haven&#8217;t already) and please pass this on to others who might be also be interested.</p>
<p>It is expected that the government will put this Bill through the final parliamentary process as soon as possible &#8211; possibly starting  on Thursday 27th August, with the critical final voting stage possibly on the 8th or 9th September (there is a week&#8217;s recess in between).</p>
<p>We urgently need people to write letters NOW to MPs and to their local newspapers to help influence the final decision.  There is also talkback radio.</p>
<p>The Labour Party and the Greens already oppose this Clause, so it is best to target National (in particular), Maori and United Party MPs.   If you live in an electorate with a National MP, please write directly to them, voicing your concerns, saying you are a<br />
constituent.  It is really important to target National electorate MPs, in particular Nikki Kaye (Auckland Central); Paula Bennett  (Waitakere), and Sam Lotu-Iiga (Maungakiekie) as they are most vulnerable, with slim majorities.</p>
<p>PLEASE ASK THEM TO REMOVE CLAUSE 52 OR SUPPORT AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING TREE PROTECTION SYSTEM.</p>
<p>Here are some points you could include (a couple more added from earlier Alert):</p>
<ul>
<li>government ignored large proportion of submitters who objected to this Clause</li>
<li>Options are available from the NZ Arboricultural Association that will save time, money and the environment without removing general urban tree protection (see below** for a broad outline as   conveyed to MPs at the Select Committee stage, but were ignored)</li>
<li>once law, developers will be able to clear fell a site and not have to replace any lost trees through replanting</li>
<li>many trees will be cut down as soon as it becomes law</li>
<li>with development pressure so great in the Auckland region, there will be increasing number of sites with little or no tree cover for shade, screening or visual amenity &#8211; any trees planted will be of a size that will take    decades to provide such functions</li>
<li>listing, or scheduling, of trees in the District Plan, as the only permissible means of protecting trees, is costly, time consuming and very limited</li>
<li>listing, or scheduling, will potentially involve more cost and council staff time than administration of current tree protection rules</li>
<li>the well recognised and diverse functions and values of trees, clearly identify trees as being of community value, and need to be taken into account as well as that of an individual property right</li>
<li>NZ risks losing its international clean green image that it has worked hard to promote and could negatively affect tourism.</li>
</ul>
<p>You can also look at The Tree Council&#8217;s pages for more comprehensive ideas.</p>
<p>**(from the NZ Arboricultural Association) Improvements to the  existing system (i.e. not prohibiting general urban tree protection)  include:-</p>
<ul>
<li> Lifting the permitted baseline (requirement for a resource  consent) and allowing a higher level of activities ­ like pruning ­ to go ahead without the need for a consent (based on additional</li>
<li> criteria, for   example, utilising Œapproved contractor¹ provisions  or similar),</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Allowing a greater level of delegation, so that the  appropriate council officers can sign off on the majority of  consents, therefore reducing the level of staff involvement,</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Allowing on-site, instant, carbonated or electronic  decisions,</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Standardising some of the rules (i.e. the ³super city²<br />
concept),</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Increased efficiency through a review of the internal council processes and administration procedures.</li>
</ul>
<p>Here is a more comprehensive list of Auckland MPs than was sent in the earlier Alert:</p>
<p>Auckland MPs:- (you can cut and paste whole list)<br />
<a href="mailto:Nikki.kaye@parliament.govt.nz">Nikki.kaye@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:paula.bennett@parliament.govt.nz">paula.bennett@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:sam.lotu-iiga@parliament.govt.nz">sam.lotu-iiga@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Jonathan.coleman@parliament.govt.nz">Jonathan.coleman@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Murray.McCully@parliament.govt.nz">Murray.McCully@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Rodney.hide@parliament.govt.nz">Rodney.hide@parliament.govt.nz</a></p>
<div id=":xm">
<a href="mailto:John.key@parliament.govt.nz">John.key@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Chris.carter@parliament.govt.nz">Chris.carter@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Judith.collins@parliament.govt.nz">Judith.collins@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:David.cunliffe@parliament.govt.nz">David.cunliffe@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Phil.goff@parliament.govt.nz">Phil.goff@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Allan.peachey@parliament.govt.nz">Allan.peachey@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Ross.robertson@parliament.govt.nz">Ross.robertson@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Pita.sharples@parliament.govt.nz">Pita.sharples@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:David.shearer@parliament.govt.nz">David.shearer@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Maurice.williamson@parliament.govt.nz">Maurice.williamson@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Pansy.wong@parliament.govt.nz">Pansy.wong@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:phil.goff@parliament.govt.nz">phil.goff@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:jonathan.coleman@parliament.govt.nz">jonathan.coleman@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Judith.collins@parliament.govt.nz">Judith.collins@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:david.cunliffe@parliament.govt.nz">david.cunliffe@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Rodney.hide@parliament.govt.nz">Rodney.hide@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:john.key@parliament.govt.nz">john.key@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:wayne.mapp@parliament.govt.nz">wayne.mapp@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:murray.mccully@parliament.govt.nz">murray.mccully@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:ross.robertson@parliament.govt.nz">ross.robertson@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:david.shearer@parliament.govt.nz">david.shearer@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:lockwood.smith@parliament.govt.nz">lockwood.smith@parliament.govt.nz</a>;</p>
<p>Nick Smith, (Minister for the Environment) and his press secretary:-<br />
<a href="mailto:Nick.smith@parliament.govt.nz">Nick.smith@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Simon.beattie@parliament.govt.nz">Simon.beattie@parliament.govt.nz</a></p>
<p>The Select Committee:- (you can cut and past the whole list)<br />
<a href="mailto:Nikki.kaye@parliament.govt.nz">Nikki.kaye@parliament.govt.nz</a>; Chris <a href="mailto:auchinvole@parliament.govt.nz">auchinvole@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:David.garrett@parliament.govt.nz">David.garrett@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:George.hawkins@parliament.govt.nz">George.hawkins@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Shane.jones@parliament.govt.nz">Shane.jones@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Rahui.katene@parliament.govt.nz">Rahui.katene@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Russel.Norman@parliament.govt.nz">Russel.Norman@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Phil.twyford@parliament.govt.nz">Phil.twyford@parliament.govt.nz</a>;<br />
<a href="mailto:Louise.upston@parliament.govt.nz">Louise.upston@parliament.govt.nz</a>; <a href="mailto:Nicky.wagner@parliament.govt.nz">Nicky.wagner@parliament.govt.nz</a></p>
<p>The full list of MPs was sent with the earlier Alert, along with newspaper contacts.</p></div>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Enviroschools make the press</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/07/08/enviroschools-make-the-press/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/07/08/enviroschools-make-the-press/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:59:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Auckland City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enviroschools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=528</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Western Leader 26 June Council cash saves schools’ green scheme A council cash injection of $90,000 will keep the Enviroschools programme going in Waitakere city for another two years. Twenty-six west Auckland schools take part in the nationwide scheme funded by councils and the government. But the scheme, set up to promote recycling, sustainable living [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F07%2F08%2Fenviroschools-make-the-press%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Western Leader 26 June</span></strong><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Council cash saves schools’ green scheme</span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">A council cash injection of $90,000 will keep the Enviroschools programme going in Waitakere city for another two years. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Twenty-six west Auckland schools take part in the nationwide scheme funded by councils and the government. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">But the scheme, set up to promote recycling, sustainable living and to teach how to grow food, looked set to falter after the Education Ministry announced plans to slash funding. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The ministry says the programme doesn’t teach core skills like literacy or numeracy. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">“Naturally we were concerned that without our support the programme may well fall over,” Waitakere deputy mayor Penny Hulse says. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The council will give the EcoMatters Environment Trust, which delivers the programme, $30,000 in 2009/10 and another $60,000 in 2010/11. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">That’s on top of the $30,000 it already pumps into the scheme. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">“Obviously we hope the government will see sense and reconsider its decision but we want to ensure the programme’s survival in the west for the next two years at least,” Mrs Hulse says. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Whether it extends beyond that is up to the new Auckland Council to decide, she says. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Education Ministry spokeswoman Mary Chamberlain says the programme is worthy but the ministry has to focus its resources where they will make the most difference. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">She says raising achievement, particularly among Maori students, lifting literacy and numeracy levels and reducing the number of young people who leave school without worthwhile qualifications, are priorities. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The ministry would continue to provide support materials for schools that looked at topics such as sustainability. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">2 July 2009 Taranaki Daily News</span></strong><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">TARANAKI’S environmental watchdog won’t provide funding for a leading educational green scheme because it is fearful of ‘‘double-dipping’’. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Regional council chief executive Basil Chamberlain told a council meeting on Tuesday that it needed to be mindful of giving money to programmes already supported by the district councils. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The Ministry of Education announced last month an early withdrawal from its $4.6 million contract with the nationwide enviroschools programme. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The New Plymouth District Council has provided $15,000 over each of the past three years while councils in South Taranaki and Stratford allocate $7000 and $2500 respectively. The ministry had been giving the local programme $32,500. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The three district councils are not committing themselves to a funding boost for enviroschools, and say the programme will need to apply for extra money and its application will be considered. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Councillor Neil Walker said he would like to see the TRC support the scheme. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘We do have a particular interest in this area. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘It’s a valuable programme – it teaches students about the environment, the kids work in the community and do practical things like growing fruit trees and looking after waste,’’ Mr Walker said. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘We need to make an effort to get the Government to look at this again.’’ </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Mr Chamberlain argued that education was the role of central government and the TRC needed to be mindful of the Government’s decision to cut the programme. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘If the Government has decided to cut this, for whatever reason, does this mean the council authorities should stand up? ‘‘We’re all aware of double dipping.’’ Council chairman David MacLeod said the council had sent a letter in support of the scheme to central government and was happy to support them in that way. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">A quarter of the country’s schools belong to enviroschools. In Taranaki 19 schools take part. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The programme sees students taught environmental sustainability and ecological issues in practical lessons often held outside the classrooms. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Schools say it will be harder to educate students about sustainability issues without the external support. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile, national enviroschools representatives met with the ministry last Monday to thrash out details of the transitional funding between now and December. Negotiations were continuing. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <strong><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Waikato Times 1 July 2009 (Editorial)</span></strong><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">By any standards the Enviroschools programme has been a stunning success. Started in the Waikato over a decade ago, it now boasts a quarter of New Zealand schools as part of its network with hundreds more waiting to join. No-one makes them do that – they can see the merit in the scheme and the benefit to pupils. Enviroschools has met none of the resistance and angst associated with introducing the likes of new assessment standards or a new curriculum. Instead it has grown organically – and is now even being exported. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The Enviroschools Foundation, which is based in Hamilton, also makes the point that for every dollar of government funding, it secures another two dollars from regional partners and supporters. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">That’s not good enough, according to Education Minister Anne Tolley, who has abruptly pulled next year’s funding, apparently without warning, leaving a shortfall of more than $1 million annually which the foundation must scramble to replace if it is to continue functioning at the same level. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">If it can’t, 16 jobs may be lost, seven of them based in Hamilton, but that is not the point. The point is the pupils. The foundation assists schools in providing education that suits students who don’t flourish in a classroom environment, and stretches those who do. The innovative programme is based on the children themselves identifying what they want and going about getting it. That may involve working with budgets, making presentations, writing funding applications and so forth, along with the practical aspect of perhaps digging and maintaining a vege garden if that is what the school has decided it wants. The minister has put the spotlight on standards of numeracy and literacy – she should be able to see just how valuable the Enviroschools programme would be in contributing to that. The scheme will also be setting up students for the future in other ways. As we bemoan the loss of traditional values, it doesn’t get much more traditional than learning how to grow vegetables or plant trees or conserve energy. But these are not just skills of the past, as our future is about to develop a much greener tinge. The eco sector is set to be one of the major growth industries of the next 20 years, and those who are well schooled in it will have a head start. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Enviroschools is likely to be able to find alternative funding sources, since the government only started chipping in 21⁄2 years ago. Going cap in hand to possible </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">2 funders will be difficult during a recession, though, and there is another problem around the corner. Councils have been happy to continue their funding, but Local Government Minister Rodney Hide’s planned scaling back of council activities may put a squeeze on them and at that stage the programme really does face uncertainty. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">To diminish the programme’s effectiveness would be a shame; to lose it altogether would be disastrous. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The Government’s axing of funding is short-sighted and mean spirited. It should reconsider. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <strong><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Waikato Times 27 June</span></strong><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Enviroschools’ staff are lobbying the Government in an effort to stop their funding being cut and save 16 jobs – seven of them in Hamilton. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <img style="font-family: Arial;" src="http://cache-thumb1.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/docserver/getimage.aspx?regionguid=20f54b3e-18e5-41ee-84ba-0d1149cb6762&amp;scale=112&amp;file=14822009062700000000001001&amp;regionKey=DDTM%2bbop68WOzBq%2bP43i6w%3d%3d" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Photo: IAIN McGREGOR.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Education Minister Anne Tolley announced this month the Government would no longer contribute $1.6 million a year to the popular Enviroschools programme. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The programme, in which dozens of Waikato schools are involved, sees students taught environmental sustainability and ecological issues in practical lessons often held outside the classrooms. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The concept, developed in the Waikato in the 1990s, has since been extended to schools across New Zealand. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Heidi Mardon, Enviroschools Foundation’s Hamilton-based national director, has been in Wellington this week lobbying the Education Ministry to continue the Enviroschools funding. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Enviroschools directly employs 16 people, seven of them based in Hamilton. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘We’d all be gone if the cut goes through,’’ Ms Mardon said. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">They would know next week if their lobbying had been successful. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Ms Mardon said that through local councils, funding at grassroots level remained secure, but the Government’s funding cut would affect facilitator training and development work and presented the programme with a major problem. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘We didn’t see it coming quite as quickly [as this]. We had a contract until mid next year, and we expected that contract to be honoured . . . we did not expect to be cut right now. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘It’s very hard to understand why they’re doing it.’’ </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">The cut in funding has been called shortsighted by Waikato principals, who have hailed the benefits of the scheme. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Most schools have specific Enviroschool teachers and are regularly visited by Enviroschools co-ordinators. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Tirau School principal Leo Spaans was ‘‘fairly much devastated’’ by the ‘‘shortsighted’’ funding cut announcement which, he felt, was not well thought through. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘I was quite disappointed. As part of the new curriculum, we’re looking at giving back to the community, sustainability, environmental issues, etc, and then funding gets cut – it doesn’t make things any easier for the school.’’ </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">He believed the Government’s decision to cut Enviroschools funding was at odds with its </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Te Miro School’s flourishing vegetable garden is a product of the newly-pruned Enviroschools programme which has had its funding axed as part of Government cost-cutting because it is not a ‘‘core spending’’ priority. messages about New Zealand’s Te Aroha Primary School prinneed to plan for a more cipal Kevin Johnson was sustainable future. unhappy about the funding cut, </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Enviroschools had engaged the and felt it was strange for the entire community. Government to promote sustain </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘We’ve done quite a bit in the ability in the curriculum when it two years we’ve been involved in was pulling money from the the project – we’ve got sustainEnviroschools programme which able gardens which provide food helped achieve the sustainability for the foodbanks, we’ve planted goal. ‘‘It has come as a shock. the native gardens throughout There are all kinds of programthe schools with the support of mes which have been axed, and the Enviroschools team, and this is just another cost-saving we’re working to replant bush. measure.’’ </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘It’s a big initiative. The imMr Johnson said Te Aroha Pripact (of funding cuts) will be mary was a very keen Envirohuge in small rural schools.’’ school, and he pledged to press ahead with the school’s environmental work because it benefited the wider community. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Enviroschools lessons were particularly beneficial for students who struggled with conventional learning, or had special needs, a point also made by Nick Quinn, principal at Hamilton’s St Peter’s Chanel Catholic School. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘It’s absolutely practical learning at its best,’’ Mr Johnson said. ‘‘It’s not a one-off learning thing, we’re teaching kids a way of life.’’ </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Teachers and students thrived on the Enviroschools learning, Mr Johnson said, praising a ‘‘wonderful’’ Enviroschools coordinator who regularly visited Te Aroha Primary. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Education Minister Anne Tolley did not respond to specific Times questions, but a statement from her office said: ‘‘The decision was taken because in tough economic times, the Government is focusing on its core spending priorities for the education system of raising literacy and numeracy and increasing the numbers of pupils leaving school with educational qualifications. This programme does not contribute directly to these priorities.’’ </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">Prime Minister John Key, who visited the lower Coromandel this week, also defended the decision to cut the Enviroschools funding, saying his administration had redirected the money to literacy and numeracy. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">‘‘Obviously, no-one likes cutting programmes,’’ Mr Key said. </span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <span style="font-family: Arial;">He said he believed a lot of what was taught in the Enviroschools programme would be picked up by teachers, and said its website would continue to offer on-line learning.</span><br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /> <br style="font-family: Arial;" /><br />
</span></p>
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		<title>May Monthly Meeting Poster</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/05/06/may-monthly-meeting-poster/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/05/06/may-monthly-meeting-poster/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2009 04:27:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition Towns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[poster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[warren snow]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=365</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Please put this up on a wall in your neighbourhood. Thanks Click on the image to view the PDF]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fmay-monthly-meeting-poster%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p><a title="PDF" href="http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/warren-snow-poster.pdf" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-368" title="warren-snow" src="http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/warren-snow.gif" alt="warren-snow" width="105" height="146" /></a></p>
<p>Please put this up on a wall in your neighbourhood.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Click on the image to view the PDF</p>
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		<title>Sustainable Living Centre &#8211; Course Update</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/05/05/sustainable-living-centre-course-update/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/05/05/sustainable-living-centre-course-update/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 02:55:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable living]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=363</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tree Systems and Agroforestry Module 9, Permaculture Design Cert Sat 9 May    8.45am-5pm    $80-$180, Finn Mackesy &#38; Gary Marshall; Guest tutors Wade &#38; Jenny Cornell Note – new booking and inquiry details for all permaculture workshops &#8211; see above. Pre-payment required. Introduction to forest ecology; tree crop design; species for firewood, timber, amenity, ecological restoration [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F05%2F05%2Fsustainable-living-centre-course-update%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">Tree Systems and Agroforestry </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">Module 9,<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Permaculture Design Cert</span> </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Sat 9 May    8.45am-5pm    $80-$180, </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Finn Mackesy &amp; Gary Marshall; Guest tutors Wade &amp; Jenny Cornell</span></span></p>
<p><strong><em><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Note – new booking and inquiry details for all permaculture workshops &#8211; see above. Pre-payment required.</span></span></em></strong><br />
<span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Introduction to forest ecology; tree crop design; species for firewood, timber, amenity, ecological restoration and habitat; forest restoration; coppicing wood lots; plantation management &#8211; pruning, thinning, harvesting; agroforestry &#8211; integration with livestock.</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">Sustainable Home Water Systems</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-gb"><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Policy and Design Practicalities</span></em></span><br />
<span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Wed 13 May    6.30-8.30pm    $10 </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Damon Birchfield, Land-use planner and sustainability consultant/researcher</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Water is a precious resource. This seminar discusses both the policy environment related to water conservation in NZ, as well as the practicalities to designing a more sustainable home water system – from rainwater tanks to greywater systems. Find out how much water you could save, and how to access financial assistance when purchasing water conservation technologies. </span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">The Beauties of Biodiesel</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-gb"><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Fuel from last week’s fish &amp; chip oil</span></em></span><br />
<span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Wed 20 May    6.30-8.30pm    $10</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Andre’ Hamman, Director NZ Ester Fuels Ltd</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Imagine having a sniff of your normally stinky diesel tail pipe – and all you smell is a faint cooking oil odor – if that!</span></span><span lang="en-nz"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Andre’ Hamman is director of a new Biodiesel manufacturing company based in Tuakau which has production capacity of 2 million litres pa. Find out about biodiesel manufacturing, hear about the possibilities for use from factory forklifts to the household runabout.</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">Fruit, Nuts and Berries  Module 10<br />
(prev Mod <img src='http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/wordpress/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_cool.gif' alt='8)' class='wp-smiley' /> </span></span><span lang="en-gb"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">Permaculture Design Cert</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Sat 23 May    8.45am-5pm    $80-$180</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Finn Mackesy &amp; Gary Marshall Guest tutor Derek Craig, Oak and Thistle Ltd</span></span></p>
<p><strong><em><span lang="en-gb"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Note – new booking and inquiry details for all permaculture workshops &#8211; see above. Pre-payment required.</span></span></em></strong><br />
<span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Orchard design, layout and management; selecting appropriate fruits / nuts / vines / berries; beneficial insects; planting and propagation; plant health, pests and disease; herbal lay; integration with small animals.</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">EDIBLE GARDEN CULTURE </span></span><span lang="en-gb"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000; font-size: large;">Part 3.<br />
Waste to Resource Cycle</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Sat 30 May </span></span><span lang="en-gb"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">8.30am-10.30am   11am-1pm (repeat)   $20</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">Richard Main, co-founder Unitec Hort Sanctuary, environmental educator</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #000000;">An 8-part practical series designed to get participants up-skilled in home fruit and vege production. This module covers: composting, and utilizing available materials in a productive and sustainable garden system. </span></span><span lang="en-nz"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Due to demand we are holding a second repeat class on the same day.</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: medium;">Other news and events!</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Biodynamic Organic Gardening Group – May field trip</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">This month we are going to join the Kaipara BD group in putting down a</span></span><span lang="en-us"><strong><em> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">cow pat pit</span></em></strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"> at Sandie Wendt and Patrick Corfe’s place in Kaukapakapa.  Sandie has been biodynamic on her 33 acre property for 25 years.  She has a large garden, labyrinth, beehives, chooks and other farm animals and a wetland. This will be a great opportunity to explore the use of biodynamic gardening on a larger scale. </span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The field trip will still go ahead, rain or shine, but in case of torrential rain, please ring Sandie Wendt on 09 420 5624. </span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Date</span></strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">:           17 May 2009</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Time:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">10.30 for 11am</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Where:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Makarau Rd (driveway goes up hill beside Makarau Hall), Kaukapakapa. </span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Parking:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Do NOT go up driveway. Please park at bottom of drive beside hall.</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">What to bring:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Food for shared lunch</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">What NOT to bring:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Dogs</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">What to wear:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">old clothes, boots/gumboots, raincoat/sunhat, garden gloves</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Cost:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">gold coin koha and $10 for new BOGG members</span></span><br />
<span lang="en-us"><strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">Places are limited</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">so please book in early by phoning Sarah on 826 4276.</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Bio-diesel Co-op</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">EcoMatters Environment Trust is pleased to announce we have a bio-diesel co-operative operating.  We have secured a high quality bio-diesel derived from locally sourced waste oils. The oils have been put through a system in such a way that they are readily usable in almost all diesel engines without conversion. It burns so cleanly that you can’t see or smell a thing coming out of the tail pipe!</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">The diesel will be $1.10 per litre with an annual membership fee of $25. Once you are a member we can come to an arrangement in terms of supply. At the moment people will be able to fill up here at EcoMatters </span></span><a href="http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?hl=en&amp;tab=wl" target="_blank"><span lang="en-nz"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; color: #0000ff; font-size: x-small;">http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?hl=en&amp;tab=wl</span></span></span></a><span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"> but we can to do a pick up system where you can take containers home and use them at your own discretion.</span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">So if you do have a diesel vehicle, here is your chance to power it on a waste product and get around carbon neutral! </span></span></p>
<p><span lang="en-nz"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">If interested please contact Aaryn Barlow on 826 4276 or email <a href="mailto:aaryn@ecomatters.org.nz" target="_blank">aaryn@ecomatters.org.nz</a></span></span></p>
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		<title>Involved with Voluntary Groups who need a web site?</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/04/24/involved-with-voluntary-groups-who-need-a-web-site/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/04/24/involved-with-voluntary-groups-who-need-a-web-site/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:58:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[People's Times]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=184</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you involved with another voluntary group besides GL2030? If that group is trying to get online, but lacks the budget or know-how to do it independently this could be for you. Help is now at hand in the form of innovative community web service, the People’s Times . A brand new addition to Aotearoa’s [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F04%2F24%2Finvolved-with-voluntary-groups-who-need-a-web-site%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Are you involved with another voluntary group besides GL2030? If that group is trying to get online, but lacks the budget or know-how to do it independently this could be for you.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">
<blockquote>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Help is now at hand in the form of innovative community web service, the <a id="l3lm" title="People’s Times" href="http://%28www.peoplestimes.org.nz%29/">People’s Times</a> . A brand new addition to Aotearoa’s digital landscape, the People’s Times has brought together the latest internet technologies to create a world-class website with a very homegrown mission – supporting New Zealand’s grassroots groups to communicate, organise and promote their activities, while also giving individual Kiwis a place to express themselves.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The People’s Times offers three purpose-built, integrated services in one place. They are:</p>
<ul style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">
<li>People’s Times Communities – offering simple, ad-free homepages for groups with user-friendly networking tools and online storage built in;</li>
<li>People’s Times News – NZ’s first dedicated &#8220;citizen journalism&#8221; platform: anyone can submit original articles and pictures or link to stories elsewhere; and</li>
<li>People’s Times NoticeBoard – searchable, community-oriented free listings (also accessible directly at <a href="http://www.noticeboard.org.nz/">www.noticeboard.org.nz</a>).</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It may be ambitious in scope, but the sites features are simple in application and determinedly non-commercial – everything on the site is free to use, and ads are kept to a minimum – making it ideal for groups who haven’t yet made it online for reasons of expertise or expense.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The People’s Times is the result of a partnership between the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, leading open-source developers Catalyst IT and e-learning specialists Flexible Learning Network, and the project has received financial support from the Community Partnership Fund as part of the Government’s Digital Strategy.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Project Director Richard Wyles says that the site began life in time-honoured fashion – as jottings on the back of a napkin over a beer with a friend.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">&#8220;Many of us are involved in groups and clubs at the neighbourhood level – they’re a really vibrant and vital part of New Zealand society. Yet despite the internet revolutionising the way people do business and even run their social lives, many small, local groups are yet to make the leap online.&#8221;</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Drawing on his experience using open-source web technologies to support communication and learning in business and education, Richard started to think about how the latest web developments could be customised to produce something simple and practical for community groups.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">&#8220;We were trying to think of a way to help grassroots groups to harness the new communication tools available in the digital age, without needing to develop the infrastructure individually. Organising virtually can reduce the administration burden for small groups, while helping to ensure their accessibility to new generations of members.&#8221;</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Richard had also become interested in the burgeoning web phenomenon dubbed &#8220;citizen journalism&#8221;, which is becoming increasingly popular internationally. As a result, New Zealand’s first dedicated citizen journalism platform – People’s Times News – is one of the three strands that make up the site.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Adding the Noticeboard to the mix was a logical third step, providing for community listings such as advertising school fairs, public notices, and Lost and Found.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For more information visit <a href="http://www.peoplestimes.org.nz/">www.peoplestimes.org.nz</a> or info@peoplestimes.co.nz</p>
<p><br style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;" /></p></blockquote>
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		<title>Green List</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/04/07/green-list/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/04/07/green-list/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:26:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green List]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=266</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Sustainable Business Network has just launched Green List. This is a new online directory of green products and services where listings are compared against basic principles of sustainability At Green List you can compare prices and products as well as seeing where the suppliers rate themselves against against six principles of sustainability: cyclic, solar, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F04%2F07%2Fgreen-list%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p><a id="f27g" title="The Sustainable Business Network" href="http://www.sustainable.org.nz/cms/index.php">The Sustainable Business Network</a> <span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> has just launched <a href="http://greenlist.co.nz" target="_self">Green List.</a> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">This is a new </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">online directory</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> of green products and services where listings are compared against basic</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> principles of sustainability</span></p>
<p>At Green List you can compare prices and products as well as seeing where the suppliers rate themselves against <span style="font-family: Tahoma;">against six principles of sustainability: cyclic, solar, efficient</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">, safe, social, and certified.</span></p>
<p>Like TradeMe, you are able to <span style="font-family: Tahoma;">comment on the listings. You are able to see all the consumer endorsement</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">s.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">If you have a product or service you want to list, the listing is free for the next 18 months.</span><br style="font-family: Tahoma;" /></p>
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		<title>Focus Groups</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/04/02/focus-groups/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/04/02/focus-groups/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:10:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[focus groups]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=252</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Grey Lynn 2030 is made up of a number of focus groups. If you have an idea for a group we can help you promote it and find people who want to get involved. The object of education isn’t knowledge; it’s action. &#8211; Thomas Kempis How will you be in action? Don&#8217;t say it is [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F04%2F02%2Ffocus-groups%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Grey Lynn 2030 is made up of a number of </span><a style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;" title="focus groups." href="../../focus-groups/" target="_blank">focus groups.</a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> If you have an idea for a group we can help you promote it and find people who want to get involved.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;" /></p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>The object of education isn’t knowledge; it’s action.</em> &#8211; Thomas Kempis</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">How will <em>you</em> be in action? Don&#8217;t say it is too hard, I don&#8217;t know enough etc etc. If you have the idea and the energy things can happen.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Grey Lynn 2030 Water Group</strong></p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To give you the idea of how a focus group can start. I know nothing about streams except that I walk across the WellPark Reserve stream often on the way to Westmere School. The stream looks dirty and unloved. Here ends my knowledge on streams.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At the end of last year, a few neighbours got together to pick up the rubbish around the stream. Then we contacted WaiCare who came and had a look at the stream quality. They told me to have a chat to the council about the stream which I did. The council are now going to clean up all the weeds and also have donated $4,000 of plants!  I mentioned my idea at the Grey Lynn 2030 meeting and have now found some knowledgeable people in our community who have professional expertise on streams and water in our area. Grey Lynn 2030- Water group is now in gestation. We are looking at what other stream groups have done like <a title="Project Twin Streams" href="http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/AbtCit/ne/twinstreams.asp" target="_blank">Project Twin Streams</a> and Friends of <a title="Oakley Creek" href="http://oakleycreek.org.nz/" target="_blank">Oakley Creek</a> and seeing what we can copy and implement here in Grey Lynn.  Now am sorting out the community planting working bee on Sunday June 28th&#8230;.So it just takes somebody to get things moving and then other like minded people get involved too.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have loads of ideas but not enough hours in the day&#8230;</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Waste Free Lunch Day</strong> &#8211; Pt Chevalier Primary is running a weekly Waste Free Lunch Day. I have the information on how Pt Chev school have organised it. Looks very easy. If you would like to encourage your kid&#8217;s school, your own school or your workplace to take up this idea, let me know and I will send you the files.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong><a title="EcoMamas" href="http://ecomama.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">EcoMamas</a> </strong>- is there a group of Mums with little kids who want to meet other like minded parents in the community?</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Plastic Bag Campaign -</strong> contact <a title="Lynn Green" href="mailto:greenly@xtra.co.nz" target="_blank">Lynn Green</a> at Waste Away if this is of interest to you. Once Lynn has caught her breath after the eWaste Action I have heard she is hatching a plan&#8230;</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Traffic Calming on Warnock St</strong> &#8211; Pt Chev used to have a group called Slower and Less Traffic &#8211; Salt. They did some great work around Traffic Calming. Would be excellent to get this going in the area.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Any other ideas?</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We have a fantastic community of talented people, we just need some people to put their hand up  and lead the groups.</p>
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">
<p style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Suzanne Kendrick</p>
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		<title>Free energy-efficient Light Bulbs from the ACC</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/03/25/free-energy-efficient-light-bulbs-from-the-acc/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/03/25/free-energy-efficient-light-bulbs-from-the-acc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 23:07:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACC]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=239</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I read Keith Ng on the Public Address blog this morning having a rant about why get involved with Earth Hour. He suggests there is no need to bother. So if you forget about it, load up some energy efficient light bulbs at home or give some to your friends. And if you can&#8217;t afford [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F03%2F25%2Ffree-energy-efficient-light-bulbs-from-the-acc%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p>I read Keith Ng on the <a href="http://publicaddress.net/5777#post5777">Public Address</a> blog this morning having a rant about why get involved with Earth Hour. He suggests there is no need to bother. So if you forget about it, load up some energy efficient light bulbs at home or give some to your friends. And if you can&#8217;t afford to buy energy efficient lightbulbs, I have some good news from the council below.</p>
<p>It is a long and (quite funny) post but he makes a good point&#8230;</p>
<blockquote><p>Go buy an energy efficient lightbulb and spend Earth Hour with the lights on watching TV &#8211; you&#8217;d come out ahead by a long, long way. Better still, take an hour&#8217;s wages and buy energy efficient bulbs for people who don&#8217;t have them. That&#8217;d actually be worthwhile.</p></blockquote>
<p>Just further to the Earth Hour promotion. In support of Earth Hour, Auckland City is helping to distribute 10,000 energy saving light bulbs (compact fluorescent lights) to the Auckland community. These are Ecobulbs and are being supplied by a NZ company called EnergyMad (they are not being purchased by Council).  500 bulbs are being delivered to each community library to distribute.</p>
<p>The bulbs should be available from Community libraries from Thursday 26th March,  morning onwards (and will continue to be available until they run out). The limit is 3 bulbs per person.</p>
<p>These bulbs use 80% less electricity, and last around 10 times longer than ordinary incandescent light bulbs.  As most people will probably know, they do contain a very small amount of mercury, however information about this is located at the link below. I note that the mercury in most dental fillings contains up to 50–100 times the mercury of an Ecobulb.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ecobulb.com/nz/FAQs.htm#3A" target="_blank">http://www.ecobulb.com/nz/FAQs.htm#3A</a></p>
<p>Cheers<br />
<em>Keeping Auckland&#8217;s Future Bright&#8230;</em><br />
Brent Bielby<br />
Senior Sustainability Policy Analyst</p>
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		<title>Meola Reef Day</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/03/12/meola-reef-day/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/03/12/meola-reef-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:44:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meola Reef]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=210</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Meola Reef Community Picnic Grey Lynn 2030 are invited to a community picnic at Meola Reef, organised by Auckland City Council, on Saturday 21 March 2009, 1-5pm. There will be musical performances and presentations from local groups as well as activities for adults, young people and children. Learn about fresh water invertebrates in the stream [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F03%2F12%2Fmeola-reef-day%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img src="https://docs.google.com/File?id=dfdq7fmz_90d52p4pd3_b" border="0" alt="" width="678" height="116" align="bottom" /></span></p>
<p><strong>Meola Reef Community Picnic </strong></p>
<p>Grey Lynn 2030 are invited to a community picnic at Meola Reef, organised by Auckland City Council, on Saturday 21 March 2009, 1-5pm.</p>
<p>There will be musical performances and presentations from local groups as well as activities for adults, young people and children. Learn about fresh water invertebrates in the stream with Wai Care, go on a tour of the reef, meet Fairy Clare and find out about how you can volunteer in and around Meola Reef and the creeks. Pack a picnic lunch, water and sunscreen and celebrate your community and environment at the reef.</p>
<p>If it rains, the picnic will be delayed to Saturday 28 March. Due to limited parking near the reef, walking or cycling is recommended. There will also be a free bus operating throughout the afternoon to and from Meola Reef, Pt Chevalier and Westmere.</p>
<p><strong>Bus stop pick up points are: </strong></p>
<p>Pt Chevalier Shopping Centre, Great North Road, Pick up outside WINZ<br />
Pt Chevalier Road. Pick up corner of Dignan St<br />
Garnet Road Shopping Centre. Pick up opposite Oban Road<br />
Garnet Road. Pick up opposite Warwick Avenue</p>
<p>For more information, go to the Auckland City Council website <a href="http://www.aucklandcity.govt/events">www.aucklandcity.govt/events</a> or call the helpdesk 379 2020.</p>
<p>Eva Lawrence</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;" /></span></p>
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		<title>Want to B_E_E a Tester?</title>
		<link>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/03/09/want-to-be-a-b_e_e-tester/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/2009/03/09/want-to-be-a-b_e_e-tester/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:52:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suzanne Kendrick</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greylynn2030.co.nz/?p=200</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Grey Lynn 2030 has been asked by Bee if we would like to get involved with testing the new product range We are B_E_E – a family-owned Kiwi business (all girl power) who create and distribute a range of environmentally responsible household cleaning products (the ones with the cheeky, talking labels) – see us at [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="fblike" style="height:25px; height:25px; overflow:hidden;"><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greylynn2030.co.nz%2F2009%2F03%2F09%2Fwant-to-be-a-b_e_e-tester%2F&amp;layout=button_count&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;font=arial&amp;colorscheme=light" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow Transparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px;"></iframe></div><p>Grey Lynn 2030 has been asked by Bee if we would like to get involved with testing the new product range</p>
<p><em>We are B_E_E – a family-owned Kiwi business (all girl power) who create and distribute a range of environmentally responsible household cleaning products (the ones with the cheeky, talking labels) – see us at www.bee.co.nz </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Our products are meticulously designed, made and externally accredited to the highest environmental and health standards – and all formulations are checked and approved by one of NZ’s leading dermatologists for skin safety. Now, because we’ve done some extra work and further improved our products, we want to re-test &#8211; which is where we hope you can help us! </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em> We’re looking for a lovely bunch of people to join our team for our standard round of dermatological testing (we don’t test on animals &#8211; just willing participants and ourselves!). </em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em>Testing will be held in Freemans Bay, Auckland over three consecutive weeks for around 60mins – 90mins (Thursday evening, first being the 19 March, and kick off after work), and participants must be able to attend all three sessions.</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p><em> We’d love if you were interested – of course you’ll be remunerated, and it should be a bit of fun. Please email us to register your interest and for more information – info@bee.net.nz</em></p>
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