Ngaio drama focuses on climate change

Continued from page 1.

“We’ve heard stories about fires and floods from around the world, but now – in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle – suddenly we know climate change is real and that we all need to do something about it,” Sue says.

So, during March and April, Ngaio Union Church has a special focus on climate change and how we can each become part of the solution.

As well as the regular Recycling Collection Station (together with Ngaio Crofton Downs Residents Association) and Repair Café, we’ve taken part in a Climate Club workshop brought to us by Ngaio’s Emily Sutton of the Climate Club and we’ll host a public discussion on progress on the Climate Change Commission’s report.

The Church will also host the premiere of Angie Farrow’s climate change plays on Thursday 23 March, starting at 7pm.

Angie began writing about climate change when she was playwright in residence at the Robert Lord Cottage in Dunedin.

Since then, she’s created seven short dramas and one full-length play exploring all aspects of climate change.

“My plays are less about climate change itself and more about how we respond to it,” Angie says.

“The questions the series provokes are: ‘What does it take for us to change our thinking about the climate?’ and ‘What would it take for us to take action to avert it?’“

The dramas will introduce people to a host of colourful characters, all wrestling with what it means to be human in this confusing time for our planet.

Melanie, a young nurse, has never been disobedient, but all that changes when she attends a Climate Action demonstration and makes headline news while being carried off by the police.

Mad Meg, an elderly woman, sits atop an ancient 40-foot tree to save it from being cut down; and Gavin has been sent to a Pacific Island to write a report about the effects of rising sea levels but finds himself in conflict with his partner Airini’s family, who want him not just to write, but to do something about it.

Four professional actors, together with Ngaio’s Margaret

Are you a fun-loving nurse?

Robertson – a veteran of Khandallah Arts Theatre – will bring the plays to life.

“It’s a sort of world premiere,” says Sue.

“And afterwards, there’ll be a bite to eat, a cup of Ngaio Union Church’s excellent coffee (or tea) and a chance to talk with

Angie about the dramas and what they mean for us all.”

Ngaio Union Church is at the corner of Kenya Street and Crofton Road.

This is for everyone, so people don’t need to buy a ticket – entry is by koha. But seats are limited, so it’ll be first come first seated.

We’d love to hear from you.

The elders of Enliven’s Huntleigh and Cashmere Homes are looking for fun-loving, caring, talented nurses to join their dedicated team. With Enliven positive ageing services, you’ll enjoy a wide range of clinical work, a supportive work environment, plenty of professional development and career progression opportunities, a focus on wellbeing and lots of fun!

“I love it here. The environment is friendly, and there are recreational activities all week

I recently hosted a meeting which included local property developers and representatives from the City and Regional Councils. The background for the meeting was the need to ensure all people involved in providing more housing in our electorate, whether it be those building them or those regulating and permitting that building, understand the issues which govern the ability to build the houses everyone agrees we need.

There are essentially two types of development; greenfields and brownfields. Greenfields means building on currently undeveloped land, typically ex farmland on the edges of current urban areas, where infrastructure like sewers, water supply and other essential services don’t exist are usually built by the developer.

There is plenty happening in Ōhāriu. Last weekend I attended community events at Wadestown, Newland’s Spenmoor Reserve, Rewarewa School, Cummings Park in Ngaio and Waitohi Hub, and hosted Johnsonville Softball Club in Parliament for their 85th Jubilee. All these events were organised by volunteers, the heart and soul of our communities. However many of these organisations are struggling to find the next generation of members so I want to use this forum to encourage people to seek out and join local groups.

Brownfields development means rebuilding on existing sites, and there has been considerable discussion in recent times around how much intensification should be allowed in existing suburbs, especially changing of height limits to allow for more apartments.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages; the Regional Council in particular see their role to prevent more runoff and other material ending up in our harbours, especially the Porirua harbour in the case of development north of Johnsonville and Newlands. The Wellington City Council are concerned that the existing infrastructure cannot handle the pressure it comes under when new housing areas are developed. Existing infrastructure is aging and needs upgrading across our city, as evidenced by recent pipe failures. An advantage of intensification of existing areas means more people, therefore more ratepayers to pay for those upgrades.

Vaping is becoming an issue with our young folk, and a meeting I co-hosted with Onslow College last week was an opportunity for a health expert to outline the dangers and proposed regulations to parents. I have material and links for anyone interested in knowing more, so get in touch.

Disasters like the floods and cyclone often bring out the best in people and local groups provide the framework to deliver assistance. Being prepared is being connected, and being part of a local community group is the way to do it.

Central government is committed to supporting a communityled rebuild and recovery in the cyclone affected regions. It is good to see roads and rail reopening slowly up there, but there is no doubt we are all going to feel the effects of the damage over the coming years.

Developers of course need to make a profit, and wish to keep their compliance costs as low as possible. Many believe the Resource Management Act is too cumbersome. We as government for our part have undertaken to rewrite that act.

The feedback was good, but the success will be when there are sufficient affordable houses to meetdemand. That is certainly my goal as your MP.

That, and of course having a vibrant and functioning Johnsonville Shopping Centre we can all be proud of.

The other focus of the Government is on helping people who are really feeling the bite from the rise in the cost of living. Pensioners, students, parents, and those on main benefits will all see a boost to their income from next month.

Meanwhile keep an eye out for what is happening locally, and join in!

There’s plenty to be getting on with.