Bridging the generation gap

The Water Conservation Order, recommended by the Environment Court (GBW, 4/8) for Te Waikoropupū Springs and associated water bodies, is being closely scrutinised by interested parties including Tasman District Council and Tākaka farmers.

Earlier this week, two TDC staff members – water resource scientist Joseph Thomas and principal planner (freshwater) Lisa McGlinchey – spoke to The GB Weekly about some of the technical and policyrelated aspects of the WCO. Local farmers responded to a request for comments via spokesperson Cherrie Chubb.

Asked whether there were any significant changes between the recommendations made by the Tribunal and the Environment Court, Joseph referred to the latter’s lower limit of 0.41mg/l set for nitrate concentration at the springs. “The Court took a more precautionary approach.”

The council had copped some criticism in the EC report, which stated “…the overall impression left by the evidence is that TDC has failed to manage the catchment on an integrated basis to date. That includes a failure to review what monitoring data there is to consider linkages between surface, ground and spring water quality”.

“We take the court’s suggestion [to do more and better monitoring] constructively,” said Joseph, cautioning that it was likely to incur significant extra costs. “Drilling these deep water bores, you’re talking six-figure sums.” Accordingly, TDC has commissioned a review of monitoring in the catchment.

Youth workers Theron Burgess and Tom Lake are teaming up with Golden Bay High School Year 13 student Alicia Anton to run a “Bridge the Gap” event at the Golden Bay Community Centre.

Tom and Theron will facilitate a relaxed, fun, “getting to know each other” afternoon, with the purpose of helping elderly people and youth connect.

“The aim is to literally bridge the gap between generations,” says Tom.

Alicia’s role is to oversee the enrolment of youth who are motivated and keen to engage. All three participated in a Working with Youth training workshop that took place in Kotinga recently and are now working towards Level 3 certification in youth work.

“We had to create a youth event, and mentor a youth, as part of the qualification. This idea is Theron’s brainchild,” says Tom.

Self-described as “youth workers for life”, both men have worked with youth since they were 19 years old. Experienced and passionate about their life’s work, they have much to offer all age groups.

“So, we understand youth dynamics,” says Theron. “I wanted to connect them with elders in the community, to bridge the gap between generations.”

They are hopeful the event will seed connections that will continue to sprout and grow in the wider community.

“In these fast-paced times that we’re living, people have found it more isolating to be on their own,” says Theron. “Especially in relation to the speed which the current generation are advancing… that disconnect is more and more.”

The goal is to soften that sense of isolation.

Theron and Tom will guide the session using friendly games and conversation starters to lead into one-to-one connections. They promise a calm, relaxed, enjoyable event with a delicious afternoon tea.

“If it’s popular, we would continue to run it as a regular event,” says Tom.

Space is limited to 12 participants, six from each group. To enrol, phone Theron on ph 525 7187 and leave your name and number.

The initiative is supported by Mohua Social Services, Trash Palace, and Goodness 2 Go, all of whom Tom and Theron give thanks.

“Bridge the Gap”, GB Community Centre, Sunday 20 August, 1-3pm.

To help meet additional monitoring and research costs, TDC appended a request to the EC judge’s letter of 28 July to Minister David Parker, which included the following statement: “Council would be greatly aided by support from the Minister for the Environment, which, in some cases, would make further work streams possible that to date have been unfeasible due to financial and other constraints”.

Further research is crucial because the limited understanding of what is a highly complex hydrogeological system presents enormous management challenges. The quality of the water emerging from the springs is dependent on a variety of biological, chemical and physical processes, some occurring deep within the aquifer. But it is also thought to be affected by the quality of water flowing into the aquifer – something which is strongly linked to land-use and land-based activities in the aquifer recharge area. Quantitative models of pathways, fates and effects of...

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Midwifery: supporting women and whānau

Amy Darragh is a Core Midwife at Wairau Maternity and MERAS Marlborough regional representative. Here she shares with us what inspired her to do this important work and what being a midwife means to her.

Tell us about yourself

I find it hard to believe that I have now been a midwife for eleven years. During this time I have worked as a hospital based Midwife as well as a Lead Maternity Care Midwife in the community.

Two years ago I left Southland with my husband and teenage son. We were all ready for a change and Marlborough seemed to be the right fit for us. As a family we now feel integrated and part of the community. I am currently a Core Midwife at Wairau Maternity. The maternity team at Wairau were so welcoming and I feel very grateful to be part of an amazing team. I however, proudly continue to roll my R’s in Marlborough!

I am currently the MERAS (The Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service) Marlborough regional representative. This role involves me supporting and advocating for my colleagues, encouraging positive changes in the workplace and keeping up to date with Regional and National Midwifery issues. Last year I completed union training and attended my first MERAS Conference. What inspired you to do this work?

After the birth of my son I discontinued my nursing training. There was something about midwifery that took my interest and after investigating I realised my desperately wanted to be a midwife. I started my degree when my son was two and I’ve never looked back!

What’s your philosophy about birth, pregnancy, midwifery?

Being part of an individual’s childbirth journey is a privilege. This journey involves a unique partnership between the midwife and the pregnant person, this needs to be tailored to the individual needs.

I believe care needs to be holistic, safe and culturally appropriate. I strongly support the decision-making process by encouraging those I care for to be active participants for the care of themselves and their baby/ babies.

I also believe it is important to integrate partners and whānau in the childbearing process as defined by the woman or pregnant person. I follow the New Zealand College of Midwives Standards of Practice and the Tauranga Kaupapa cultural framework within my practice.

What do you like about this work?

After eleven years, I still can’t decide which aspect of midwifery care I enjoy the most. At present, I am fortunate enough to work on the maternity ward at Wairau as a Core Midwife as well as doing casual cover for the hospital case loading team.

This gives me the opportunity to work in a team providing secondary care as well as being able to do antenatal, labour and birth and postnatal care on a casual basis. As a midwife, I value the privileged position I’m in, supporting women, people and whānau at such a special time in their lives. Despite national midwifery shortages it’s truly a rewarding career.

Are you interested in becoming a midwife?

Find out more at www.nmdhb.govt.nz/midwifery