Island time

by Ann Packer

When did you last visit Matiu Somes? The island is there in the centre of our view all the time, yet many locals seldom get on a ferry and take the trip. Who knew you could overnight there? Hire a house or pitch a tent? There’s even a tiny museum, as well as an impressive urupa, memorialising 48 people.

Ann Garry, who’s lived in Eastbourne for 30 years, is one of the motu’s team of half a dozen volunteer meet-and-greeters, who supervise biosecurity checks, and explain health and safety rules – including what to do in an emergency: don’t call an ambulance!

A hugely enthusiastic former committee member of Eastbourne Forest Rangers (EFR), who provide the weekend welcomers (there are also volunteer rangers employed by DOC during the summer, helping maintain the island’s tracks), Ms Garry first visited the island when her children were at San Antonio school, more than 20 years ago.

Once every six weeks or so she takes a turn greeting visitors at the wharf whare, where bags are checked – these days for seeds and Argentinian ants rather than mice, though they have been known to make an appearance – and she loves every minute of it. Her favourite time of year is late November, when the penguins come ashore at night and some of the resident tuatara may be seen. Prebooking is essential for the island’s two houses, sleeping 12 and nine –the education house and the recently renovated caretaker’s cottage – and the 12 campsites, all of which are booked well in advance for holidays. A third house is occupied by the kaitiaki ranger.

Every time Ms Garry is on duty she meets people coming for the first time. “Last year it was a Lower Hutt lady who was 82, and she’d never been before. You meet lots of young travellers, too.

“When I go there I imagine all the people who have walked on it before and will do in the future. I often say that per square inch it packs a punch in terms of history – Kupe’s arrival and pre-European history, then the settlers arriving on their ships from overseas and docking there to quarantine if there was disease on board, ‘enemy aliens’ being interned there in both world wars, the gun emplacements that were built and manned and it being an animal quarantine for many years. Now it is an historic and scientific reserve that anyone can visit.”

Acting chief ranger for EFR, Gail Rumble, has been involved with the island for about 15 years; she was helping out on a penguin project when Ray Smith suggested she join the Forest Rangers.

Mrs Rumble says the ferries are amazing, taking the rangers and their equipment over to the island. But while there’s always been a good team to help meet and greet, Covid slowed things down and many people’s situations changed. Couples like the Heines who came through Forest & Bird and the tramping clubs have passed on, and while there are younger people coming in, they don’t seem to stay so long, she says. She’s wanting to increase the numbers again in time for summer. “We could take on another group after August so they’re up to speed for summer.”

People interested in volunteering on Matiu Somes need to be keen, fit, enjoy the outdoors, be confident meeting groups of people, and want to engage with the owners of the island, Taranaki Whānui Ki Te Upoko O Te Ika a Māui – represented by Gemma, who lives in the kaitiaki ranger’s whare. “I’ve learned so much from her,” says Mrs Rumble. “She has a totally different way of looking at things.”

For more information on volunteering on Matiu Somes contact: gail@therumbles.org.nz

Mondays

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 4th Mon, 10am St Ronan's Church hall for morning tea followed by a speaker - $2 entry. Transport can be arranged for these meetings on request, ph 562 7365 or 562 8387.

• “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.00am.

• Toy Library - Two Monday Sessions at 1.30-2.30pm and 7.30-8.30pm. EastbourneToyLibrary on Facebook. Kathy 0273551950

• DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 12 noon, Drop in anytime to visit a session or call James on 022 043 7841 to arrange a visit.

• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. Lucy 021 335 391.

• The Historical Society’s Eastbourne History Room above the library is open 2-4 pm every Monday.

• Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade training every Monday 7-9pm. Ph 562 7001 for more info.

• Keas: Monday 5.15pm – 6.15pm. Kea Leader: Ed 021 738 699

• Venturers: 7.00pm - 9.00pm, Susan 0275 35 4962.

Tuesdays

• Pt Howard Playcentre Tues 9.15 -11.45am. Lucy 021 335 391.

• DB Playcentre Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 12 noon, Drop in anytime to visit a session or call James on 022 043 7841 to arrange a visit.

• Muritai Tennis Club 9.30–noon. Merryn 562 0236.

• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 5627096.

• East Harbour Women’s Club Morning Tea & Chat Group 10am. Contact Glendyr 562 7181.

• Indoor Bowls Club 1.30pm, at the croquet club, Oroua Street. Rosemary 562 7365

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Barrie barrielittlefair@gmail.com 0204 1234511. Women welcome.

• 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impact - teens to 70+) Music Movement Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.com

• Pump Dance junior & intermediate hip hop. 4pm onwards. St Ronan's Hall. 0274373508. info@pumpdance.com

Wednesdays

• Cubs: 5.30pm - 7.00pm, Ed 021 738 699.

• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.