IMPORTANT MESSAGE for people living in the Bay of Plenty - RENA Grounding On Wednesday 5 October, the ship Rena hit the Astrolabe Reef. It has been over two weeks since that day and in that time, we have seen an environmental disaster hit our waters, our wildlife and our beloved coastline.
‘Tü Tahi Tauranga!’ ‘Tauranga Stand As One!’
We are now playing the waiting game. Waiting to see what comes next. Waiting to see what our community will face.
Tauranga Moana Combined Community Service
However, as the waiting game continues, it is a privilege to be part of a community that is looking forward to a positive future. It has been a busy week. Elected Members have been involved in various meetings throughout the region. These have included community briefings and stakeholder meetings with environmental groups, the commercial sector and harbour users. Tourism operators have also met on two occasions within the past few days. This group is obviously closely affected by the oil spill but despite this, the messaging and feeling has been positive, upbeat and optimistic. The main message: the Bay of Plenty has plenty to offer and is still a great place to live or visit. The oil spill has gained national and international media attention and it is important that accurate messages are getting out there in terms of our tourism related businesses and activities. The Bay of Plenty continues to welcome visitors with open arms, especially over the coming long weekend where we hope to see a lot of sun and warmer temperatures (and not to mention a win from the All Blacks)! The support from businesses around the region has been amazing. Our sincere and grateful thanks to all of the local businesses and organisations that have helped us during the past few days.
I a rä i a rä mä te karakia hei tuwhera pai to tätou mahi. _ He ai ki te korero o ngä tupuna. “Nä to rourou näku te rourou ka ora ai te iwi.”
Saturday, 22 October 2011 at 8.30am Hopukiore (Mt Drury) In response to the Rena disaster Tauranga Moana Iwi in conjunction with Civic and Church leaders invite the community at large to join together in solidarity as a show of support for the community and nation’s efforts in dealing with this tragedy and pathway to recovery.
Programme
How you can help Oil on Beaches •
8.30am Gather at Hopukiore (Mt Drury) 9.00 am Opening Mihi & Welcome - Kaumatua Address on behalf of Civic Leaders - Stuart Crosby Opening Waiata / Hymn (Te Aroha) 9.15 am 9. 40am 9. 0am
Open Church Service - Church Leaders Closing Mihi - Kaumatua Final Waiata / Hymn (Whakaaria Mai) Closing Karakia - Apotoro Minister
10.00am Finish
Report sightings of oil on beaches to
0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774) •
Do NOT attempt to remove oil from the beach
Contaminated seafood •
A public health warning (rahui) has been issued
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No shellfish or fin fish should be eaten from waters with visible oil contamination
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Avoid touching or collecting shellfish in any affected areas
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Avoid eating fish and shellfish if it appears to smell or taste of oil
Oiled wildlife
Thank you.
Care For Our Coast Fund The local councils have banded together to create a trust fund that has been set up to help community groups care for Bay of Plenty’s coast and estuaries. Any donations to the fund will be put towards Coast Care and Estuary Care work not covered by the official recovery response following the grounding of the ship Rena. Stuart Crosby, Ross Paterson and John Cronin
Iwi Liaison Team
You can make a donation over the counter at any National Bank or ANZ branch or via internet banking to: National Bank:
Account number: 06-0489-0094734-50
ANZ Bank:
Account number: 01-1839-0256313-00
The Fund will benefit the islands, including Mötiti, as well as mainland Bay of Plenty coast and estuaries. NB: Once charitable status is obtained donations will be tax deductible.
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Do NOT attempt to handle wildlife or attempt to move or clean the animals
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Report any oiled wildlife to:
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Give the location, animal species, and the number of oiled animals
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Oiled animals will be transported by the wildlife team
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If your cat or dog becomes oiled, contact your local vet
0800 333 771
Operation Beach Clean The clean up effort will be ongoing. You must be trained to help remove oil from beaches. To register as a volunteer with Operation Beach Clean, please visit the Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s website:
www.boprc.govt.nz Iwi hotline For general enquiries call:
0800 AWHI ME (0800 294 463)