Hokitika’s Regent Theatre 3.30 – 5.30pm Saturday 27 March
WEKA, OPPORTUNIST AND BATTLER
The book launch will be more than a simple traditional celebration of a new book. It will be an opportunity for folk to learn more about the birds’ ecology and how to protect them while having them live nearby.
Trust Scientist and renowned bird ecologist, Kerry-Jayne Wilson will MC the event, sharing the stage with her friend and the author, Ralph Powesland.
Event Components:
- MC: The Trust’s own Kerry-Jayne Wilson – renowned bird ecologist and long time friend of Ralph.
- Ralph Powesland with an illustrated talk on his book and weka ecology, accompanied by Agnes Takacs, photographer in attendance.
- 1949 recording of A P Harper talking about Charlie Douglas and weka on the Coast in the 1890s. (And Canterbury in the 1870s!)
- Video of children’s author Joy Cowley reciting her poem Weka, weka, nosey pecker.
- A reading of some of Charlie Douglas’s views on weka – should be our national bird etc.
- Weka photography competition results. (Judged by Greymouth Photography Club). Winners on the main screen, all entries looping on smaller screen in foyer.
- Display of how to trap predators but not catch wekas – with DOC staffer in attendance at display to explain.
- Display and promo on dog aversion training, register of interest for next training.
- DOC Operations Manager, Nic Kunzmann on stage to refer folk to display trapping and aversion displays.
- Raffle (book prize) to be sold and drawn during the event.
- Q&A session.
- Formal launch ribbon cutting.
- Post formalities: Ralph and Agnes on hand to sign books (Take Note selling at the event).
- Also social time with refreshments for about an hour after the formalities. Includes time to look at trapping display.
There will be a modest cover charge of $10 for entry. The book will be available at the event for $25.
The Theatre will have bookings available on its website soon. www.hokitikaregent.com
While materials were chosen that would stand up to the harsh coastal conditions, those same coastal conditions are conducive to plant growth! Occasional checks of the fences have been carried out by volunteers and rangers so that any maintenance needs can be identified and remedied. The never-ending need for maintenance is managing the vegetation that can grow through the fence, for example gorse, blackberry and hydrangea, pushing it to breaking point in places, or flop over causing damage from the weight of rank grass, rushes and weeds such as montbretia.
Volunteers recently spent a few hours tidying up the main fence along Woodpecker Bay north of Punakaiki so a big shout out to them - thank you Fiona, Jony, Reef, Katrina, Mandy, Marty, Teresa and Deb! Flax had been pressing down on the fence, but now the fence has been freed up by these wonderful volunteers - and they picked up a fair bit of rubbish too.
Volunteer Natassja Savidge has offered to check and help maintain the Hokitika penguin protection fence and joined Ranger Lucy Waller and Manager Inger Perkins in May to inspect the length of the fence. Some minor issues were found but the main finding was the extent of the vegetation growth that was damaging the fence in places. Big thanks to Natassja!
