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4 — Times, Wednesday, November 3, 2021
ADVERTORIAL KC15212
Save your backyard birdsong I
f you are running out of activities to keep the kids busy during this lockdown, Pest Free Howick Ward (PFHW) might have some ideas for you. The team at PFHW is encouraging locals to get involved with backyard trapping over the spring and upcoming summer season. It’s a risky business for our native birds to move about the region but there is a plan to make it safer, and you can help with it. PFHW coordinator Lorelle Stranaghan shares some tips to get started. “Take a look around your garden - do you have a citrus tree with the rind nibbled off the fruit? Chances are this could be a rat enjoying a midnight feast. “There are traps available to borrow if you want to get started. We also provide guidance on using the traps. “A lot of locals are already practising backyard trapping, and we can see their work paying off as we
Silvereye
often hear the backyard birdsongs. For them, this is the time to check if the traps are working or not.” Howick Local Board chairperson Adele White says community efforts can help the native bird population thrive. “Our urban environment is an
Photo Josie Galbraith
important habitat for birds, insects and reptiles – they can only thrive if pest numbers are low. “This project has been going on for a few years now with a number of locals and schools already actively involved, however, to be even more effective we need
approximately every fifth household involved. “The Pest Free team runs yearround activities throughout the Howick ward which covers the suburbs of Pakuranga, Howick, Botany, Flat Bush and East Tamaki, and would love for more people to get involved.” Pest Free Howick Ward project is funded by Howick Local Board and focuses on suppressing the pest animals and plants to create a secure environment for our wildlife to thrive. Those interested to get involved or borrow a pest trap or to learn how to use it can get in touch with the team at pestfreehowick@ gmail.com
RESULTS FROM A REGION-WIDE BIRD SURVEY
One of the most comprehensive bird surveys completed by Auckland Council (963 bird counts at 330 sites across the region)
Last chance to get funded
Art in the open
The latest round of Howick Local Board’s 2021 Quick Response Grant closes on Friday, 5 November. The grant provides up to $3000 towards arts, community, environment, events, heritage, and sports and recreation-related projects. The projects must align with the local board’s funding priorities and start after 31 December 2021. Successful applicants will be announced at the board’s business meeting on 6 December 2021. Further details and application form can be found online at aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/grants (go to Howick Local Board section).
owick’s contemporary art gallery is inviting locals for a visit to Aotearoa’s largest outdoor sculpture park. Tickets for Te Tuhi’s visit to Gibbs Farm on 11 November are selling like hotcakes. The renowned outdoor sculpture is home to a range of impressive large-scale sculptures by local and international artists and is open by appointment only on monthly visitor days. These tickets offer a rare opportunity to explore this 400-hectare open-air sculpture park overlooking the stunning Kaipara Harbour while supporting Te Tuhi’s Creative Community development programme. The development programme includes Te Tuhi Café – the gallery’s training café for people with intellectual disabilities; the provision of art, design, and art appreciation classes; and supporting local creative community activities. The charitable trust is supported by Auckland Council and Howick Local Board. Tickets can be booked online via www.
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88.5° ARC x 8, 2012 by Bernar Venet (above); Jacob’s Ladder, 2017 by Gerry Judah (right). Photos supplied
iticket.co.nz/events/2021/nov/te-tuhi-gibbsfarm. Pack your own picnic or opt for an Eat My Lunch pack and you’ll be supporting a Kiwi kid in need. This event will follow government guidelines in order to take place safely.
Get active with AKL Paths W
showed: ■ 61 different bird species were detected across Auckland ■ 37 of those were native ■ 21 of these bird species are endemic to New Zealand, meaning they are found nowhere else ■ 17 were ‘threatened’ or ‘at risk’ species ■ Half of the top 10 most common birds were natives ■ The top three most common birds were all natives: tūī, riroriro (grey warbler), pihipihi (silvereye) ■ Birds are a good indicator of ecosystem quality and condition as they are high up the food chain; if birds are doing well, it’s likely bugs, worms, plants and other life forms they feed on down the chain are doing well too. The results of this survey reflect the amazing efforts of restoration teams from the community, Auckland Council and DoC in enhancing habitats and controlling pests. Detailed results can be found on OurAuckland.nz
hether you’re enjoying a morning or an evening jog, looking for a way to get fit and active, or just want a change of scenery from being locked inside the house, the AKL Paths website is a great resource for finding a route that suits you. You could try a scenic route along the Musick Point Path overlooking the Tāmaki River mouth. Running along the path will give you views across the Hauraki Gulf to Rangitoto, Browns, Motuihe and Waiheke islands. Bucklands Beach Path is a lovely 60-minute return flat stroll alongside the Tāmaki Estuary. This family-friendly 5.2km walk offers fantastic views to Rangitoto Island,
the Waitematā Harbour and Maungarei / Mt Wellington. From the marina, the path takes you along the boardwalk to Little Bucklands Beach where you can wander the sandy beach, the grass areas, or walk the flatly paved footpath along the other side of The Parade. If you’re looking for a quick jog, Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bush might be the one for you. This popular path is a great way to explore the best of what Barry Curtis Park has to offer all year round. The 1.8km path is fully paved and mostly flat, with a few small ‘ups and down’. There are several other popular paths across the Howick Ward such as Burswood Loop Path, Eastern Beach Path,
Half Moon Bay to Wakaaranga Creek Path and Highbrook Path that you can explore in your neighbourhood. More details can be found out at aklpaths.co.nz. Please follow the Alert Level guidelines when using outdoor public spaces for exercise and recreation.
HAPPY DIWALI
“I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all who celebrate Diwali. “For some of you, your celebrations may be with a smaller group this year, however, I am sure you will enjoy all the delights I know this festival brings.” Adele White, Chairperson, Howick Local Board
Supporting local creative talent
Arts Out East is inviting local creatives to receive funding support for their next creative project. Activities and projects taking place within Howick Local Board area are eligible for this support. Expressions of interest are being sought from artists, makers, coders, dancers, actors, producers and other creative practitioners to produce an online project or event. For more info on how to apply: https:// www.artsouteast.org.nz/get-support. Arts Out East is supported by the Howick Local Board.
Stay connected
Stay updated with local updates and news about your local board area through Howick Local Board’s social channel facebook.com/ HowickLB. You can also join their mailing list at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Howick to receive monthly e-news updates in your inbox.