Northland Leg - First Report

Kia Ora
We started at Shipwreck Bay were we put the first sign just as you go onto the beach. There we were interviewed by Peter Jackson from the Northland Age and another lady from the Northern news. Both myself and Richard from the environment centre gave them as much information as we possibly could. We then headed down to the next spot were we thought would be a good place to put a sign up which was the next on ramp were you drive onto the beach. We travelled there by van which carried our signs and gear as well as two of our students riding along the beach on a couple of horses to symbolise the use of low impact/co2 transport. We changed riders at intervals. Next stop was the on ramp at Ahipara then the Stream that flows out of Lake Waimimiha and finally the on Ramp at Waipapakauri. Five signs were put up in total at strategic places along the beach. Already the high tides in our area have started to wear away at the sand banks along the shoreline making them steep and so it was difficult to put up signs unless they were in the places such as the ramps/river which were low access points onto the beach. Respect for our signs were evident in that all 5 are still standing and feedback has been positive. Two good articles appeared in the Northland age and the Northern news the following week. All in all it was a good day out at the beach were we were able to enjoy some horse riding as well as help in delivering an important message to the Community. As tangata whenua of Muriwhenua we hope to be able to assist you in any future projects regarding the Climate Change and hope all the other roopus enjoyed themselves as much as we did. Our group included Mane Tangitu, Wairua Mane, Wolfgram Oxborugh, Hohemi Howard, Meinata Robson all students on the Conservation Corp myself and Richard from the environment centre.

Cheers Mike

Walk the Walk Alliance

The Climate Change Relay Hikoi has entered into an alliance with another group that is staginga climate change walk from Auckland to Westport,starting 28 January 2008. We have agreedto exchange websites and theirs is www.walkthewalk.org.nz and help each other whereeverwe can.They have 3 people that will do the entire walk, with others joining in for different stretches.

They would need accommodation and sustenance along the way, and we will urge the participants in the our relay to watch out for them.In the South Island we will go down the East Coast with the mangrove baton,and we will give them our second baton out of pohutukawa to take down the West Coast to Westport.

Climate Change Relay Hikoi - Inspiring Testimonials

To all you people who know about the Climate Change Relay Hikoi but are hesitant commiting to be part of it, here are some comments from people who have carried the baton for a distance.

"I feel being energised and empowered"
"I am gratefull for the opportunity to have done my part"
"I dont feel helpless anymore"
"Its a great way to see the country"
"I did not know I could walkthat far"

And from the one that got wet when the dingy transporting the baton from the yacht to the shore capsised : " It was a great dunking"

Come on people, open some space in your busyshedules,walking is good for you!