Woolly sea art in Greerton

From mermaids lying in tree branches, to hammer head sharks drifting down trunks, Greerton Village trees have once again been garlanded with artistic and vibrant woollen creations.

e yarnbombing theme for this year’s annual winter celebration is ‘Waterways of the World – Ngā ara wai o te Ao’.

“ is theme allows us to celebrate and be inspired by our waterways,” says Greerton Village Mainstreet manager Mahia Martelli.

Mahia, who came into her new role earlier this year, says Waterways of the World recognises local iwi of Tauranga Moana - the seas of Tauranga – which are Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Pūkenga. is year locals and yarn bombers from around the country and one from the UK have participated, with Ray White Greerton and Greerton Village Community Association sponsoring prizes.

Everyone is encouraged to pop into the village and vote for their favourite tree with three main categories to vote for – schools, general public, and the new category – sustainability.

e tree with the most votes in each category will receive $500 towards their nominated charity.

“ is year we have the sustainability award for our crafters and artists who have been able to repurpose works they’ve made in previous years,” says Greerton

Village Yarnbombing coordinator Chrissy St Amant. Manual voting is available at MD's Leatherworks, Robyn's Cottage, Red Cross Shop, Ray White Greerton, Greerton Lotto and Waipuna Hospice Shop.

Online voting is also possible.

Many trees are displaying QR codes.

Firearms Registry now operational

Nearly 250,000 rearms licence holders in Aotearoa have now begun entering their rearms and arms items into the new Firearms Registry, ful lling a promise the Government made in 2019.

item a licence holder possesses, they will record such things as the make, model and serial number.

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“ is is an additional way for you to help the crafters raise funds for their individual charities.

“Just scan your phone over the QR code and follow the link online to their Givealittle page.” e new digital Firearms Registry began operating June 24, with Police Minister Ginny Andersen saying the system delivers another milestone in improving rearms safety and oversight in New Zealand. e Minister says for each arms

Voting closes at 10am on ursday, August 3, with the winners made public on the Greerton Village and the Greerton Community Yarn Bombing Facebook pages on Monday, August 14.

“Ongoing licence holders will need to record in the registry whenever they sell, purchase, modify, or notify the theft or loss of their rearms. People in possession of rearms have up to ve years to complete the registry – however when undertaking certain activities, like buying or selling a rearm, they will need to enter their details into the registry sooner.”

Chrissy, rst

Chrissy, who has taken over the reins of running the yarnbombing for the rst time this year, has crocheted up nine Matariki stars which will be hiding in shop windows.

“You nd them, scan in the QR code and go in the draw to win $200 to spend in Greerton Village.”

“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Chrissy for this year's Yarn Bomb event,” says Mahia. “We are both newbies so it has been an exciting experience.”

Mahia says the yarn bombing has been given an extra lift with the introduction of Christmas lights to help give Greerton Village vibrancy.

“It gets dark early in winter so the lights will hopefully bring a little bit of cheer.”