Wildbase rehabilitation of wild birds and animals
Our speaker this week was Rodney Wong, a well-known Manawatu business leader, and prominent Rotarian. He was accompanied by his wife, and Scott Bruce (‘Scotty’), a member of Milson Rotary Club and co-founder of the Wildbase Recovery Centre in Palmerston North.
The purpose of Wildbase is to rehabilitate wild birds and animals treated at Massey University, especially threatened species, and allow the public to view the activities at the Centre.
The Wildbase vision grew out of the success of Scotty’s kiwi house project, and the need to upgrade the wildlife hospital at Massey University. The City Council already operated an aviary in the Esplanade, which could be included in a new facility.
Rodney and Scotty focussed on the way a collaboration developed between Massey, three local Iwi, the City Council, and Rotary. Consultants from Seattle were engaged to develop a feasibility study and preliminary budget. Although Wildbase would benefit the local community, it was decided to avoid loading the funding burden onto it, if at all possible.
This has been achieved through sponsorship and contributions in kind from local businesses. The Wildbase hospital at the university was completed in February 2017 at a cost of $2M. The rest of the project will cost over $4M, and about $100,000 per annum will be needed for running costs.
Visitor numbers are expected to exceed 200,000 per annum, and entry is free.
This was an example of a very ambitious project, which Rotary made happen through leadership, networking, and management skills.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
The Hikoi on Tuesday 19th
I copied this from a Facebook page: The expected route of the hīkoi on Tuesday is from Takapuwahia Maree in Esldon towards Porirua and along Kenepuru Drive to Tawa, then up Middleton Road to Johnsonville, down Ngaraunga George and along the old Hutt Road to Wellington. They are anticipating significant congestion on the roads between 06.00am and 12.30pm.
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