Engaging, delightful and historical children’s book released by local author

Local writer Alison Condon (pictured right) is one of two authors behind a new children’s book, titled ‘The First Kiwi Christmas’ which has been released with the aim of making New Zealand’s early bicultural history more accessible to children.

“Our early history isn’t well-known. We want to tell it in a way that children are interested in and to make it appealing,” says Alison.

Targeting 4 to 7 year-olds, this littleknown story tells of the warm relation- ship that developed between the Reverend Samuel Marsden and two Ngapuhi rangatira, Te Pahi and Ruatara. Their relationship led to a remarkable invitation to settle amongst Ruatara’s people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The story describes how just prior to Christmas in 1814 a boat is found riding the waves toward the top of New Zealand. On board are Maori and European – including Ruatara and Samuel Marsden – as well as livestock, wheat and other European goods.

They arrive on December 23 and Ngapuhi Chief Ruatara immediately starts preparing a site for Reverend Samuel Marsden to give his first message. And so, on Sunday, 25 December the first kiwi celebration of Christmas takes place at Northlands Oihi Bay.

“I enjoy writing the stories. We get it all checked off by Iwi and historians so it’s basically a dramatisation of history,” says Alison, a teacher by trade.

Alison had her first story, a school reader, published in 1995 and this new release is her 16th published book. Further works are in the pipeline that include accounts of lesser known historical figures and junior versions of historical stories done to date.

“I thoroughly enjoy the process of making our rich history available to the younger generations of Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Alison.

Purchase a copy of ‘The First Kiwi Christmas’ at Motueka’s i-Site for $15.95 or online at www.bigbook.nz

Praise for quick acting locals

Between 10.30am and midday on Tuesday, 3 December both locals and the Tasman District Council’s new camping ambassadors were out in the deluge moving on travellers from the Waitapu Bridge camping site in Golden Bay.

“When we arrived the river was very fast moving and starting to enter the car parking area of the river.

We joined a number of locals who were already taking action to assist the tourists by informing them to move into the town centre due to the rapidly rising river and surrounding flood waters,” says Sally Wood Ambassador Programmes manager.

“It’s great to see Golden Bay community members showing manaakitanga to visitors to our Golden Bay. One local had even gone to get his tractor to help stranded tourists with a flat van battery who were starting to panic.”

The tourist vehicles left Waitapu Bridge just in time as the main road, SH60, was closed shortly after the ambassadors left the popular freedom camping site.

Tasman District Council contract Youth and Community Works to provide the Freedom Camping Ambassador service trial.

This is the first year the service has been provided.

As well as assisting in weather emergencies ambassadors will be providing education and information to visitors to our region.

Promotion of the Tiaki Promise, which is a national responsible camping campaign, is key to the ambassador role.

“It’s about ensur- ing visitors have the knowledge to drive carefully, be prepared and are encouraged and supported to show respect and care for people, places and nature and to keep NZ clean and tidy,” says Sally.

“It was so awesome to see both local residents and business owners out there in that terrible weather role modelling the Tiaki Promise to tourists by caring for their safety and wellbeing.

It’s something as a small community we should be really proud of.”