Cruise ship calls in to Golden Bay

JO RICHARDS

Last Thursday morning, residents at the southern end of Golden Bay awoke to the sight of a large cruise ship anchored close to shore near Tarakohe.

The Europa 2 , one of several cruise ships operated by Hamburg-based company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, is a 42,830 tonne vessel with a length of 225m, manned by a crew of 380, and designed to cater for up to 500 passengers in five-star luxury. Online travel reviewer Cruise Critic wrote of the Europa 2: “Its contemporary good looks, museum-quality art and chic furnishings make it feel more like a luxe European boutique hotel than a cruise vessel.”

The ship’s short stay in the Bay was one of 13 scheduled port calls made around New Zealand during its 18-day voyage from Auckland to Sydney.

The Europa 2’s arrival at Tarakohe caused quite a stir, with the resulting chatter on social media showing the local community divided between those who welcomed the tourism dollar and others who highlighted the environmental impacts of ocean cruising.

General criticism of the cruise industry is that it is inherently unsustainable due to, amongst other things, the consumption of “dirty” fuel oil, damage to ecosystems from the introduction of alien marine species via ballast water, the use of toxic antifouling hull coatings, and large amounts of food waste.

According to information provided by Hapag-Lloyd, the company’s fleet recently switched from heavy fuel oil to marine gas oil, which produces lower emissions of sulphur, particulate matter and soot. Europa 2 is also equipped with a selective catalytic reduction system, enabling it to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 95 per cent. Regarding antifouling, Hapag-Lloyd claims the coatings used on its vessel are free from tributyl tin compounds and the ship employs ballast water treatment to prevent contamination of coastal waters with alien organisms.

On the benefits side, it’s unclear how much the visit contributed to the local economy, but Tasman District Council spokesman Tim O’Connell said it was a positive development. “We were pleased to have the Europa 2 visit Golden Bay last week – we couldn’t do much about the rain that accompanied them during their time here but it’s a welcome sign that tourists are returning to the Top of The South.”

Tim explained that because the ship was anchored, not berthed or moored, council levies were restricted to fees incurred by tourists alighting at Tarakohe Port. “A landing fee of $8 applied per passenger and I understand there were around

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400 passengers coming ashore. So a total in the vicinity of $3,200 was collected.”

Golden Bay Coachlines provided the land transport, shuttling the arrivals around the Bay. “We used four coaches in a continuous loop between Tarakohe harbour and Tākaka village so passengers could hop on and hop off at regular intervals,” explained general manager Arthur Clarence. “Two vans and a smaller bus were used in a similar fashion conveying passengers to and from local attractions such as the beaches and the Pupu Springs.” Arthur said everyone appeared to have a good time. “The passengers were happy, easy going and fun to have on board. Our drivers also enjoyed the experience.”

New Zealand operations manager for Akorn DMC Ben Dale, who coordinated Thursday’s excursion, estimated that, over the course of the day, the majority of the 450 passengers aboard went ashore, with some making more than one trip to and from the ship.

“As it was a day at leisure I don’t have any official stats…but I heard word of numerous small trips and activities booked,” said Ben, adding that passengers appear to have enjoyed their brief time in the Bay. “Feedback from the ship was very positive, they considered the day a big success.”

Although some local businesses had prior knowledge of the visit, many did not. “It was a real surprise to see the cruise ship at Port Tarakohe last Friday morning,” said Golden Bay Promotion Association chair Marg Braggins, pointing out that the visit brought mixed fortunes. “I’ve received some anecdotal feedback from local business owners and it ranges from ‘zero sales’ to ‘the best day’s sales for a long time’.”

One local tourism operator was clearly frustrated after seeing little benefit. Lisa Savage, co-owner of GB Kayaks explained that she did “a lot of work” last year with the cruise ship excursion operator before the arrangement was cancelled early January. “Then on Thursday at 4pm we get a phone call, asking us what we can offer the 400 ‘top end’ German tourists, so we put on a couple of extra staff for the day and waited and waited.” Lisa said she eventually sold four coffees and had one cruiser ask for a discount on a guided tour.

As international tourism rebounds after a difficult few years, cruise ships are returning to region with 10 booked through the 2023/24 season. But it’s uncertain whether a stop in Golden Bay will be on the itinerary, according to international marketing lead and business support co-ordinator for Nelson Regional Development Agency Donna Adlam. “I don’t know of any coming into Golden Bay as of yet, but this is very much subject to change, and not confirmed.”

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Museum’s Weekly archive

Can anyone out there help us? We at the museum keep past copies of The GB Weekly in our archives. A recent stockcheck shows we still have outstanding the following issues: 7 April 2019; 24 December 2020; 16 July 2021; 30 July 2021; 24 December 2021; 20 May 2022. If anyone has any of those issues, could you please donate them to the museum for our archives? We would really appreciate it.

Sally Gaffney, Golden Bay Museum, ph 525 6268 Beach signs confusing and polluting

I totally agree with Reg Turner’s letter in last week’s paper (GBW, 27/1) that the multitude if signs near the causeway over the lagoon to Milnthorpe beach are not just confusing but also environmentally polluting. I can still remember when the causeway was just a heap of boulders covering the two culverts in the lagune giving access to the beach; no signs or other markings but just being careful when crossing. The small wooden markings on the beach, placed there by Milnthorpe Park creator Dick Nicholls, were there to show the start of the tracks into Milnthorpe Park. We are lucky to have a quiet, unpolluted beach like that where we can still walk the dog at all times of the day, do some fishing, or just relax without being plagued by all sorts of rules and regulations more suited to other beaches in the Bay crowded with holiday makers.

Jan Groen

Don’t phone and drive

I’m concerned about the number of people I see on a daily basis using their phones while driving. Especially concerning is the number of local business operators using them while driving and advertising their company at the same time. Maybe mandating hands-free in company vehicles could be an option? It only takes a few seconds of inattention to cause an accident and potentially ruin a life. Please don’t be “that person”.

Thanks,

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Review: The Road Dance

Screening Schedule - February

(subtitles) FINAL

In Golden Bay we know more than a little about living in smaller, more remote neighbourhoods, and the importance of bonds with family and the community.

Imagine this isolation magnified several hundred times to a tiny settlement on the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis, off the north-west coast of Scotland. The year is 1916 and the outside world is about is about to intrude on the quiet peaceful life of the villagers, as the Great War brews in Europe.

Young Kirsty Macleod (Hermione Corfield) is our main character, in the unenviable situation of being the main preoccupation of the village’s few eligible bachelors; but having been born with an unusual yearning to become more than a crofter’s wife.

The craggy, treeless island where the same families have lived through generations has an undeniable wild beauty. But with its almost neolithic stone dwellings, the overpowering impression is that nothing has changed in hundreds of years.

Kirsty longs to leave and is almost envious when the young men of the village are conscripted to fight on the Western Front.

The community holds a “road dance” to farewell the brave men of fighting age (four boys barely out of their teens), and one of these is Kirsty’s secret beau, Murdo (Will Fletcher). Like her, he is a more sensitive soul than his neighbours, mocked by his friends for being more interested in poetry than farming and drinking. After a brief confrontation between Murdo and a drunken, jealous neighbour, Kirsty briefly leaves the gathering and is attacked by an unseen assailant.

Kirsty suffers a concussion. The village doctor (Mark Gatiss) keeps her at his cottage overnight for observation. As she gradually realises what has happened, her inability to show Murdo any affection as he leaves, and determination to keep her pregnancy a secret, is heartbreaking. In these less enlightened times, Kirsty would face disgrace and expulsion from her village, which although outwardly benevolent, was still maintained by a blinkered patriarchy that would be unsympathetic to her blameless plight.

Tragedy compounds as inevitable news begins to reach the families whose sons have fallen in Europe.

As Kirsty gradually discovers that she has support from unexpected allies, the reverse might prove true with previously trusted neighbours she has known all her life.

The Road Dance examines a grim and sadly ageless subject. Countless women throughout history never had the chance to tell their story of abuse, but Kirsty finds the courage she needs. While the war is changing the world geopolitically, fighters like her will begin to improve the way society views women.

Despite the subject matter, there is plenty to enjoy about this film. The message may feel modern, but it is also a refreshingly old-fashioned tale. Many have called it a modern “weepy” - a cathartic form of storytelling that runs an audience through a gamut of emotions, to ultimately leave us feeling buoyed up and inspired by the conclusion.

The harsh landscape of Lewis is undeniably stunning, and the performances are compelling. Hermione Corfield seems destined for great things after this performance, but another standout was Alison Peebles as “Old Peggy”. The stern village matriarch initially seems to champion oppressive and archaic morality, but ultimately proves that wisdom does come with age, and a village wise woman is not someone to be trifled with.

For a more lighthearted take on complications in a remote island community, tomorrow night is your last chance to see The Banshees of Inisherin. The very welcome reunion of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson (last combined to great comic effect in 2008’s In Bruges), examines what happens when one of two lifelong friends decides to abruptly end the relationship. Nominated for nine academy awards, this will prove a perfect antidote to a week of gloomy weather.

Fri 24 4:00 The Amazing Maurice (PG) 8:00 We Are Still Here (M)

Sat 25 8:00 Antman & the Wasp: Quantumania (M) FINAL

Sun 26 4:00 Met Opera: La Traviata (PG) $35/$30 8:00 Tar (M)

Ticket Prices:

Adults (16 and over) $16

Seniors (65+), Students, Members $14

Concession - Members $12

Children (4-15) $10

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THIS PROGRAMME:

VALENTINE’S DAY MOVIE:

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, we are screening the remastered Titanic in 3D, the greatest love story in time for Valentine’s Day. Also showing Saturday 11th February, both at 7.30.

ENCORE SCREENINGS

We have 4 popular films that we are screening for the last time on this programme. Be quick to catch them before they go for good!

Movie Descriptions

THE NIGHT OF THE 12TH (M) (subtitles) Drama/Thriller 2hrs

An investigator becomes painfully obsessed with a confronting murder case. Sooner or later, every police investigator comes across a case that remains unsolved and that haunts him.

MET OPERA: MEDEA (Cherubini) (M)

Having triumphed at the Met in some of the repertory’s fiercest soprano roles, Sondra Radvanovsky stars as the mythic sorceress who will stop at nothing in her quest for vengeance.

TITANIC: 25TH ANNIVERSARY 3D (M) Drama/Romance 3hr 10min

James Cameron’s Oscarwinning, romantic epic returns in 3D for this special 25th Anniversary. An actionpacked romance set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the “unsinkable” Titanic

WE ARE STILL HERE (M) Drama 1hr30m

Eight Indigenous heroes from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific must overcome obstacles in their way so they can finally be masters of their own destiny in this multiprotagonist drama.

THE AMAZING MAURICE (PG) Kids/Family 1hr30m

This story follows Maurice, a streetwise cat, who has the perfect money-making scam. He finds a dumb-looking kid who plays a pipe and has his very own horde of rats.

MET OPERA SEASON RETURNS

For all our Opera fans, we have our first 2 Met Operas screening on this programme. Come along and be swept up by these spectacular productions.

THE ROAD DANCE (M) Drama/True Story/War 2hrs

Inspired by true events, and adapted from the novel of the same name, this period drama centres on a young woman in a small community on the Isle of Lewis in the years leading up to World War I.

MET OPERA: LA TRAVIATA (Verdi) 3hrs 15m

Soprano Nadine Sierra stars as the self-sacrificing courtesan Violetta—one of opera’s ultimate heroines— in Michael Mayer’s vibrant production of Verdi’s beloved tragedy.

TAR (M) Drama/Music 2hr40m

Cate Blanchett stars as Lydia Tár, the groundbreaking conductor of a major German Orchestra. We meet Tár as she’s preparing for a muchanticipated live performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony.

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? (M) 1hr 50m Romance

A filmmaker learns more about love than she expected while filming her childhood friend’s assisted marriage in this British rom-com starring Lily James and Oscar winner Emma Thompson.

ANTMAN & THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA (M) 2hr Action

Super-Hero partners Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp, this time sees them and their families exploring the Quantum Realm.