A-hunting they did go

Mohua 2042 initiatives

In May last year, a group of dedicated community members launched the Mohua 2042 Sustainable Strategy – the culmination of three years’ collective work. Supported by funding from Tasman District Council (TDC) community grants, and the GB Community Board, the group has now formed a charitable trust to deliver on the vision of “Thriving Community, Healthy Environment”.

Group chair Debbie Pearson tells The GB Weekly that the “strategy is now turning into action – we are in a place to channel enthusiasm for sustainable ideas and deliver on them”.

The newly formed trust (comprising chair Debbie and trustees Mark Manson, Grant Knowles, and Reggie Luedtke) already has its first three initiatives planned: a sustainability tour of Golden Bay; a support service for “purpose-owned businesses”; and a food resilience workshop.

First up, the sustainability tour is scheduled as a day trip “for locals, by locals” – to be held on Tuesday 30 May as part of Climate Action Week. Debbie says, “It’s a full day of activity.” Attendees will be collected at 10am from the Golden Bay Visitor Centre (via a coach or carpool arrangement). From there, the tour will visit four businesses in the Bay to hear about and observe their commitment to sustainable practices, allowing for about an hour at each site.

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Mixed weather conditions over the weekend proved no barrier to competitors in the Collingwood Tavern Pig Hunt.

Publican Renae Swan tells The GB Weekly that the event is held annually over three days, culminating with a weigh-in, meat auction, and prizegiving at the tavern, with this year’s event held last Sunday.

Celebrating its 11th year, the hunt was first started by former publican Tinky Hovenden and his daughter Vicky, along with local farmers Mark and Wendy Strange. Mark says, “We started it as there were lots of local hunters saying that they wanted a Collingwood hunt.”

The entrant list of 82 adults and 54 children across 11 categories is made up mainly of locals. “The event is more local-based this year,” says Renae, “though some years we have hunters from as far away as Murchison and Tapawera.”

Sunday afternoon was sunny with a cold wind blowing, as a large crowd of hunters and families gathered to observe the weigh-in and partake in the gumboot-throw and hare-carry games. One hunter from East Tākaka, Ariana Winter (aged five), told The GB Weekly that she had been hunting since she was three, and what she likes best “is shooting the possums”.

As the weigh-in was concluded and results tallied, hunters gathered in and around the clubrooms, nourished by chippies and some cold beers, followed by a meal of lamb roasted on the spit. A large group of junior hunters (aged three upwards) braved the wind and took part in the hare-carry and gumbootthrow on the grassed area at the rear of the tavern. Says organiser Mark, “We like getting the families and little people involved in the hunt; for us it’s a community thing.”

Next up was the meat auction, followed by prizegiving – where every attendee won a spot prize. The largest stag was taken out by mother-son team Wendy Brooks and Kyle Gardiner. Says Wendy, “It’s just about getting out there isn’t it? We were down in Murchison for Kyle’s rugby – so we tied it in with the hunt. We shot the stag [an impressive 99kg], Kyle won his rugby against Murchison, and we came home in time to celebrate two twentyfirsts and two fiftieths.” Says Kyle, “It’s really just a good excuse to go hunting, and I love spending quality time with my mum.”

Renae was pleased with the event. “I’m very happy with how it all went, and I am very grateful for our generous sponsors. We don’t have a final tally yet, but all of the funds raised will go to Collingwood Rugby Club and Collingwood St John.” Renae extends a big thank you to Mark and Wendy Strange, Kate and Tobie Busbridge, and Chantelle Riordan for their efforts on the day.

More photos and full results on page 3

Sol Morgan will provide commentary about the sustainable elements of local businesses that are on the journey to the first site, which will be HealthPost in Collingwood. From Collingwood, the tour will stop (and perhaps sample the wares) at the Mussel Inn, followed by lunch at a local café in Tākaka township. The fourth destination is the Kiwi Spirit Distillery in Motupipi, where Terry Knight will share their story over some tasters. Then everyone will be returned to the Visitor Centre.

Support for the tour has come from the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum as part of Climate Action Week. Events are happening across the region as well as online (https:// www.nelsontasmanclimateforum.nz).

The second initiative is spearheaded by Reggie – providing support for “purposeowned businesses” (POBs) in the incubation phase. Reggie explains that a POB could be thought of as existing between traditional non-profits and for-profit companies. The common denominator is that the POBs' commitment to both societal and...

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