Accessible gardening at GBCH

Rural Conversations

Golden Bay’s agribusinesses and rural landowners have an opportunity to talk with Tasman District Council staff about the implications of changes to land and water management.

Top of the South Rural Support Trust and Rural Women NZ are hosting a series of Rural Conversation events around the district, including a meeting in Collingwood scheduled for 1 May.

Following short presentations from the TDC personnel tasked with implementing the changes, attendees will be able ask questions, find out what support may be available, and have one-to-one discussions with council staff.

The conversations are likely to cover a wide variety of controversial topics including, freshwater legislation, Significant Natural Areas, pest management, Outstanding Natural Landscapes and Features, resource consenting, and pricing agricultural emissions.

Members of the Ministry of Primary Industries’ On Farm Support team will also be present to explain their role.

GB Rural Conversation is on Monday 1 May, 11.30am–2.30pm, at Collingwood Memorial Hall. Refreshments provided.

NRDA visitor map

JO RICHARDS

Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) in collaboration with local businesses, has launched a new map to attract visitors to the region and encourage them to explore more and to stay longer. Designed to guide visitors through the region via 60 points of interest, the map allows visitors to create their own itinerary to suit their interests and length of stay.

A unique celebration was held at Golden Bay Community Health (GBCH) recently to open the residents’ new veggie patch.

The original idea came from the residents – many of whom had come from homes with vegetable gardens. Now with help from activities coordinator Aly Turner and the wider business community, they can return to this beloved activity. Even though the hospital has its own working garden that provides organic food for lunches and dinners, there was nowhere in-house gardeners could exercise planter, and then it became a slightly bigger project and we thought, well we could do with a few different planters. We could grow our own bits of salads, and come winter, some cabbage and cauliflower.”

The central courtyard, where most residents were already tending their own special plants, was the obvious location for the planters. Aly’s carpentry skills kicked the project off with the first one, soon added to with four disabled access beds, donated by ITM for those people with wheelchairs, walkers, and seats.

Other donations included thick plastic from Mohua Social Services, soil from Sollys, a finer seed potting mix from the Rural Service Centre, seedlings from Earth Gems Flowers and Garden, hand tools from Hammer Hardware, umbrellas from Mitre 10 in Motueka, and brackets and bolts from Waitapu Engineering. Aly brought wire frames from home to support bird netting.

“The project started before Christmas, but it’s taken a while,” she explained. “It’s been a complete community effort really. It’s everybody’s project.”

Some residents painted the five planters with wood preservative, also donated by ITM. Others have taken over daily watering.

Aly says she is overwhelmed by such a wholesome community effort that has enabled residents to enjoy “hands on” gardening again. She is also keen to call out for more volunteers to offer their own skills to the residents, to add to their joy and quality of life.

Three themed journeys – Makers, Creators and Curators, Light Footprint, and Trails and Wellness – each highlight places, businesses and operators offering a wide range of experiences. Mapped Golden Bay attractions include the Mussel Inn, GB Kayaks, Farewell Spit Eco Tours, Waikoropupū Springs, Anatoki Salmon, and Rawhiti Caves.

NRDA says there are plans to build on the approach over coming seasons with new themed journeys and itineraries on the cards

The printed map is available at a range of tourist locations, while the digital version, which incorporates QR codes, can be accessed at: www.nelsontasman.nz/ visit-nelson-tasman/themed-journeys/.