Selwyn Times: August 09, 2016

4
Tuesday August 9 2016
SELWYN TIMES
Your Local Views
Predator-free NZ a bold goal
RECENTLY THE Government
announced
ews
the bold goal
of making New Zealand
predator-free by 2050. This is a
ground-breaking initiative to
rid New Zealand of rats, stoats
and possums and is the most
ambitious conservation project
attempted anywhere in the
world.
Our native birds and plants
are a central part of our national
and regional identity and are a
ashion
real source of local pride. However,
many of our most threatened
native animals come under
constant attack from introduced
predators such as rats, stoats
and possums. These animals kill
around 25 million native birds a
year and are the most significant
cause of New Zealand’s decline
Gardening
of threatened species.
As well as being responsible
for a loss of biodiversity, predators
also wreak havoc on our
agricultural sector by spreading
disease, and destroying pasture,
crops and forestry.
The Government has allocated
an initial $28 million of
funding for the predator-free
otoring
programme, which will see the
Department of Conservation
and the Ministry for Primary
Industries work in partnership
Amy Adams
Selwyn MP
with private groups, iwi and
community sectors to help protect
our native species.
There are some great local
groups already doing amazing
work to rid Selwyn of predators.
These include the Arthur’s Pass
Wildlife Trust and the Banks
Peninsula Conservation Trust.
A new Government company,
Predator Free New Zealand Ltd,
will sponsor community partnerships
around the country,
giving local conservation groups
and pest eradication initiatives
the opportunity to receive support
for their programmes.
The target builds on the work
already being done to protect
our native species. Pest control
is at an all-time high, and earlier
this year we committed more
than $20 million to New Zealand’s
biggest ever pest control
operation, Battle for our Birds.
Achieving a predator-free
New Zealand is the next step in
our conservation journey. The
project will require a massive effort
from our communities, but
the end result will be worth it.
Ridding New Zealand of
predators is also expected to
provide major benefits for New
Zealand’s farming, research and
technology sectors. For example,
possums and ferrets are carriers
of the destructive disease bovine
TB, so eradicating them will
provide a boost for cattle and
deer farmers.
As all the technology to
achieve a predator-free New
Zealand doesn’t yet exist, scientific
development will play a key
role in the programme. The programme
is about harnessing the
strength of local communities to
achieve a predator-free country,
so I urge everyone who’s keen
to help achieve the goal to get
involved.
For more information on a
Predator Free New Zealand,
visit http://predatorfreenz.org/.
Highland Games heavy
event gets big boost
A NEW three-year sponsorship
deal for the Hororata Highland
Games’ Scottish heavy event will
be a big boost, organisers say.
Event manager Cindy Driscoll
said the investment from Gough
Cat would help continue to grow
and deliver a world class competition.
“We committed to providing
a pathway into this sport, which
can take competitors all over the
world, and the support of Gough
Cat has enabled us to provide a
training opportunity for amateur
men and women who want to
receive expert coaching in four
of the heavy athletic disciplines,”
Mrs Driscoll said.
Eighteen-time New Zealand
Highland Heavy Events champion
Pat Hellier, and 1992 Olympic
Games athlete and former coach
of Olympic shot putter Valerie
Adams, Kirsten Hellier, will be
coming down from Auckland to
coach the amateur training day
next month.
Scottish heavy athletics owe
its roots to the highland warriors
who would keep in shape
between battles by competing
amongst themselves with everyday
implements. Things like
stones, blacksmith’s hammers, a
tree trunks (cabers) became tools
for building strength for battle.
The amateur training day will
be held at the Hororata Domain
on September 3. Places are limited
and people need to preregister.
No experience is necessary
and details can be found online
at www.hororatahighlandgames.
org.nz.
This year’s highland games
will be held on November 5. The
event attracts some of the best
professional heavy athletes in the
world as well as less experienced
competitors.
asty
Leona, Mark
Bites
and the team look forward
to being of service for all your motoring needs.
Come and have a service to make sure you’re safe on the roads this winter.
• WOF Safety inspections
• Full mechanical repairs
• Servicing and warranty servicing
oney
• Tyres
• Full diagnostic equipment
• Cars, 4WDs, light commercial,
all cars including European vehicles
• Loan cars available (conditions apply)
Mark’s Automotive Ltd
Hours: Mon - Fri 7.30am - 5.30pm
PHONE 349 3344 | 559 Springs Rd, Prebbleton
Email marksautomotive@xtra.co.nz
relationship
property, employment law and resolving contractual
and estate disputes.
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or mobile 027 434 6643
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