COMMUNITY NOTES

1000 Books Before School

by Sam Schraag and Shana Makuta, Whakatipu and Upper Clutha Libraries

Since launching the self-guided, early literacy programme in November 2022, more than 325 babies have registered and eleven families have completed the 1000 books challenge, with many more getting closer every day.

The 1000 Books Before School programme aims to foster a love of books and learning in our tamariki, by encouraging early reading to babies and toddlers (newborn to five years). Reading aloud for just 10 minutes each day – approximately three picture books – provides tamariki with a significant increase in their readiness for school, exposure to diverse vocabulary, amazing opportunities for snuggles and bonding with caregivers, and sets the stage for an early and long-lasting literacy skills.

The Queenstown Lakes District library teams are ecstatic with the support they have received from the community, and local families are responding to the programme with enthusiasm.

Plunket helps to promote the 1000 Books Programme in our district through their Plunket Rooms and regular baby programmes. The Southland Literacy Association includes our flyers in their newborn packs distributed at the Queenstown Maternity suite as part of the Books for Babies scheme. We are also promoted by the Queenstown Lakes Baby Box Charitable Trust, which provides any newborn with baby supplies.

Community donations funded our professionally printed programme booklets, as well as our beautiful achievement stickers, certificates, and learning collateral for families. The 1000 Books Before School was launched with a celebration event at the Remarkables Farmer’s Market and in March, we organised a sign-up drive and celebration at the Wanaka A&P show, specifically targeting families in the Upper Clutha area. Both celebrations helped raise awareness about the program and sign lots of families up to the programme, supporting children’s learning across the district.

News of the programme’s success has traveled far and wide, with the Napier Library, Ashburton Library and the Rotary Club of Taieri keen to launch their own version of 1000 Books Before School for their communities!

Keen to get your baby or toddler involved? 1000 Books Before School is open to all members of the Queenstown Lakes District Libraries and is free! Ask at your local library branch or visit our library website at https://codc-qldc. govt.nz/kids-teens/kids/1-000-books-before-school for more information.

Reduce, refuse, reuse. What are we doing and how far have we come?

by Abbey Lewis, Wanaka Wastebusters

Reusable bottles and bags are the norm now, and we’re on the way with reusable cups, but what about BYO containers or repairing rather than replacing? Wastebusters want to know if, and how, you reduce, refuse or reuse as they ask for input into their third Resourceful Communities survey

The survey aims to identify the barriers that prevent people in the Queenstown Lakes district from reducing and reusing, and is open now until Thursday, June 30th.

It will ask about a range of behaviours and takes around 10-15 minutes to complete. There are also some great spot prizes to be won.

Wastebusters gleaned some valuable insights into their community’s behaviours and concerns from the first two surveys undertaken in 2019 and 2021.

“We learned that people in our region are deeply concerned about waste and the impact it has on our environment, but this concern is not always reflected in their shopping behaviours,” Wastebusters project manager Sophie Ward said.

“We noticed changes in behaviour between the 2019 and 2021 surveys and now it has been two years we are curious to see if habits and trends have changed”

Everyone who completes the survey before June 30th can go in the draw to win some great prizes, including a Cardrona day pass, a Queenstown Bike Park pass, a Revology goodie bag, and more!

Wastebusters will release a report on the survey results in July

There will also be fare changes for registered Bee Card passengers from 1 July:

•Half-price child fares for 13-18 year olds

•Half-price adult fares for 19-24 year olds

•$2 full-price adult fares for 25+ year olds

SuperGold Card holders will continue to have an off-peak concession with their registered Bee Card (during peak times, a single fare will be $2).

The Community Connect concession, which offers half-price fares to Community Services Card holders using a registered Bee Card, also starts on 1 July.

Learn more about the upcoming bus fare changes:

by Sue Fea