Locals making conservation happen

Around 50 volunteers recently planted more than 3000 native plants on an ecologically important part of Tāwharanui Peninsula.

The Whitmore Road site had been identified as one of 15 ecologically important sites on the peninsula by a study commissioned by community conservation group Takatu LandCare (TLC).

The restoration of the site to its natural state is TLC’s first significant restoration project.

TLC spokesperson Jon Monk says conservation is a priority for many Rodney residents and he was thrilled with the turnout and volunteers’ dedication to the work.

“Volunteers make a tremendous contribution here and across New Zealand,” he says.

“Tāwharanui Peninsula has seen a flourishing of its native wildlife in the past decade and much of this success is down to the efforts of volunteers.” workers and fellow patients involved in my repair of Life. In all honesty, my only complaint was breakfast day two when my toast was too cold. Lol.

The owners of the block have done extensive weed control work across their property and fenced the restoration block, Takatu LandCare volunteers prepared the site and Auckland Council funded the plants.

The next stage of the planting will be on July 16.

Peppered by police

Once again, I would like to applaud our brave persons in blue for their wise resource allocations.

With limited personnel available, it is vital the police only target the most important high-risk areas. Those without the wisdom of our local police force might naively assume that retail and property crime would be a priority. Others might think that road safety around our schools and early childhood education facilities would be prime candidates for policing efforts. No, far more important is ensuring the road adjacent to the pepper farm stays safe. That is surely why the new 60km/hr speed limit is being so carefully monitored. Sure, stuff getting stolen and squashed children are unfortunate events, but imagine if an accident stopped the capsicum delivery trucks getting through! The police must make the hard choices, well done!

And before any conspiracy nuts suggest it, no, I don’t think the government is in the pocket of Big Pepper. All speeding is wrong, but doing over 60kph on a straight rural road is particularly egregious. Particularly if it means my salad is less tasty.

S Gonzales, Ahuroa

Ticket winners

Congratulations to our two winners of a double pass each to the French Film Festival They were Jenny Skinner, of Sandspit, and Mary Brennan, of Snells Beach.