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Does does any one in Renwick have any spare swan plants? Need to feed about 60 monarch grubs and have run out of food for them. 02108268620 if any one can help. I’m in Renwick
A track that skirts a wetland on the outskirts of Blenheim is finally complete, giving nature loving Marlburians a chance to enjoy the special area.
The 3.8 kilometre loop track around Grovetown Lagoon which has been 15 years in the making, is set to open on Sunday. Read more
It's getting exciting as we add event details to our website.
Make sure you keep November 21 - 27 free!!
Open fires, inefficient wood burners and poor wood burning practices are responsible for Blenheim’s winter air pollution.
Council encourages the use of heat pumps and modern, ultra-low emission burners that emit less smoke than older, more polluting burners. If you still have an open fire … View moreOpen fires, inefficient wood burners and poor wood burning practices are responsible for Blenheim’s winter air pollution.
Council encourages the use of heat pumps and modern, ultra-low emission burners that emit less smoke than older, more polluting burners. If you still have an open fire you’re encouraged to install a heat pump or new wood burner.
Open fires are no longer permitted in new house builds in town. If you have a wood burner it’s important to burn only dry, seasoned wood.
Don’t burn treated or painted construction timber, which produces toxic gases. For more information visit: https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/environment/air-quality
Hi Neighbours!
The April edition of the SuperSenior newsletter is out now! It's filled with all the latest news and Super Gold Card offers.
In this issue we talk to Senior New Zealander of the Year, Dr Bill Glass
We also find out more about the annual adjustment to NZ Super and the payment … View moreHi Neighbours!
The April edition of the SuperSenior newsletter is out now! It's filled with all the latest news and Super Gold Card offers.
In this issue we talk to Senior New Zealander of the Year, Dr Bill Glass
We also find out more about the annual adjustment to NZ Super and the payment dates and rates for the Winter Energy Payment.
To subscribe, follow this link: bit.ly...
To view the current edition go to bit.ly...
What ever became of the two Māori boys, Te Weherua and Koa from Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound who joined Captain Cook aboard the Resolution as it sailed from New Zealand to Tahiti in 1777?
Painting by Willem van de Velde
Why are a lot of young people buying ironing boards today from Briscoes ??
Check out this amazing pic of the HMB Endeavour and a waka in Picton harbour.
According to the post on Ships Nostalgia the photo was taken in 1997.
Did you see the replica Endeavour in Picton that year?
What was it like?
One of our aims is to strengthen links with all Te Tau Ihu iwi through our Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa, Rāngitane and Te Atiāwa trustees in the development of Tōtaranui 250 projects and events.
Calling all creative cookies and DIY devotees! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards. Whether it's an old item you've spruced up or something you've found a completely new purpose for, we want to see your creations!… View moreCalling all creative cookies and DIY devotees! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards. Whether it's an old item you've spruced up or something you've found a completely new purpose for, we want to see your creations!
Submit your entry in the 2019 Resene Upcycling Awards by sharing your upcycled masterpiece with your neighbours. Of course, there are goodies to be won including four prizes up for grabs worth $500 (plus spot prizes). Multiple entries are welcome - don't forget to include your before and after pics and mention any Resene products you've used!
As Captain Cook rounded the top of the North Island in December 1769, the French explorer Jean François Marie de Surville was as little as 40 km to the south-west, just missing what would have been a historic meeting.
In 1772 Marc Joseph Marion du Fresne spent more than two months in the Bay of … View moreAs Captain Cook rounded the top of the North Island in December 1769, the French explorer Jean François Marie de Surville was as little as 40 km to the south-west, just missing what would have been a historic meeting.
In 1772 Marc Joseph Marion du Fresne spent more than two months in the Bay of Islands.
British naval officer George Vancouver spent three weeks in Dusky Sound in November 1791.
In February 1793 the Italian explorer Alessandro Malaspina also called in to Dusky Sound.
A quarter of a century later, the German Fabian von Bellingshausen and his Russian expedition visited Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound for a week.
In 1824 the French explorer Louis Isidore Duperrey arrived with second-in-command Jules Sébastien César Dumont d'Urville.
Friday feels: Is it just me or have grape spills been few and far between this harvest? Saying that, I only ever drive the length of Scott St to work and back, so maybe I've missed a few. I hope I haven't jinxed us. (Pic from 2015)
The voyaging story of Kupe and his discovery of New Zealand? It's a fascinating read....
Tribal narratives suggest Kupe was the first Polynesian to discover New Zealand. Kupe was a great chief and warrior of Hawaiki (Tahiti – though some sources say it was Ra’iatea). His mana extended to … View moreThe voyaging story of Kupe and his discovery of New Zealand? It's a fascinating read....
Tribal narratives suggest Kupe was the first Polynesian to discover New Zealand. Kupe was a great chief and warrior of Hawaiki (Tahiti – though some sources say it was Ra’iatea). His mana extended to the islands his mother and father were from (Ra’iatea and Rarotonga respectively).
Legend has it that Kupe’s fishermen found that their bait was repeatedly taken from their hooks so that they were not able to catch anything. The matter was reported to the tohunga (priests) who blessed the lines and hooks. On the next fishing expedition, the fishermen saw that octopi were taking the bait from their lines, and they noticed the great octopus of Muturangi floating on the sea nearby. They realised that Muturangi (a great navigator) was causing the trouble.
They reported what was happening to Kupe, who confronted Muturangi and told him to restrain his octopus (his familiar or kaitiaki spirit). At that time, food was scarce, so the fishermen went out again. But again the bait was taken. The priests were unable to help, so Kupe decided to slay Muturangi. The priests suggested it would be better to kill the octopus, because even if Muturangi was slain, the octopus would still retain his power.
Kupe told Muturangi to restrain his octopus or he would kill it. Muturangi retorted he did not want the fishermen fishing in the sea and he would not stop the octopi from taking the bait.
Kupe then returned and prepared his canoe for the sea. He and his fishermen set out. They put out their lines but hauled them up quickly before the bait reached the bottom. The octopi followed them up. The fishermen began slaughtering them until a priest said that the octopus of Muturangi was inciting them to take the bait (through magic) and further slaughter would lead to the death of all small octopi.
The fishermen then tried to catch the great octopus, but it disappeared out to sea. Kupe returned to shore to collect provisions saying that he would follow the monster and kill him. Kupe took his wife and five children so that anything happening to him would happen to all of them. Altogether, there were 72 people on board the canoe.
Kupe caught up with Ngake (another great warrior and navigator) in another canoe and asked him if he had seen the octopus. Ngake directed Kupe towards the giant octopus, and both canoes followed him until they reached a new land. Kupe’s wife called it Aotearoa (long white cloud) when she saw the land for the first time. Kupe told Ngake to keep following the octopus while he stopped at what is now the North Cape.
Kupe explored the area to Hokianga. It is said his footprints and that of his dogs can still be seen today in the clay – since turned to stone. His dogs ran off into the bush to hunt, so Kupe left them behind. An incantation he gave turned them into stone. To this day, two rocks at the mouth of the Whirinaki River, Hokianga, are said to be Kupe’s dogs.
Finally, Kupe sailed to Rangi-whakaoma where he found Ngake. Ngake told him the octopus of Muturangi was in a cave giving birth to offspring. Kupe broke into the cave, but the octopus escaped. Kupe and Ngake gave chase as far as Te Kawakawa (Cape Palliser). Kupe named this place after one of his daughters.
After mending a broken sail, Kupe and Ngake continued their pursuit of the octopus. Kupe left his wife and daughters on Mana Island and headed to Te Wai Pounamu (South Island). As they drew near, the octopus came at them, and there was a fierce battle. Eventually, Kupe made a death-blow with his axe to the monster’s head. The octopus was hidden so that Muturangi would never find it and revive it.
It is said that, after this, Kupe and Ngake continued to explore the South Island to see what resources there were. While doing this, Kupe discovered the valuable pounamu (greenstone). He reached the end of the South Island and then ventured back up north. After staying some time at Hokianga, the entire party of people left to go back to Rarotonga and eventually to Hawaiki. In both places, they reported the discovery of the distant cloud-capped country.
Kupe gave a good report of a land full of food – plants, fish and birds – but had no people living in it. There had been quarrelling among the people at home, and some were keen to settle in a new country. Kupe explained to these people how to get to Aotearoa (which winds to follow) and where the best places in Aotearoa would be to live.
(Condensed from a version translated by S Percy Smith. The full version can be found at pvs.kcc.hawaii.edu....)
any one got land to lease? any size considered. for animal grazing , sheep / cattle
any where considered. let us know if anything is a available. please best to contact martin. email: mecilfford@xtra.co.nz or cell: 0212284065
thank you
When was the last time you visited Meretoto / Ship Cove?
Photo thanks to David James Photography
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