A Whaingaroa Paddle Out has been planned for June 8th as part of World Ocean Day. With the ocean under threat through the government’s desire to approve seabed mining off the west coast there are a number of paddle-outs planned for the coast from Port Waikato down to South Taranaki. It’s all part of a coordinated community activation and organisers say they are planning for an uplifting day of kotahitanga, connection, and care for our moana, and to send a message.
Here in Whaingaroa the paddle out is set for 11am and there will be a BBQ and film screening afterwards.
The South Taranaki District Council has once again stated its opposition to seabed mining.
A round of applause from a packed council chamber followed mayor Phil Nixon’s declaration on Monday that the council has not changed its stance against Trans Tasman Resources’s desire to mine the seabed off the South Taranaki Bight.
Members of the public had filled the seats in the chamber and also an adjoining committee room, while others watched the meeting on screen from the community theatre.
Trans-Tasman Resources’ (TTR) application for seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight passed the first stage of the government's Fast-track Approvals process last week and would now be considered by an expert panel.
Only invited submitters would be able to speak to the panel, and the South Taranaki District Council had applied to be included as an affected party, Nixon said.
“We are waiting to hear back to see if we have been accepted.”
Local Councillor Lisa Thomson who is Chair of the Waikato District Council Sustainability and Wellbeing Committee says she will be bringing this issue up at their next meeting. We’ll be talking to Lisa on Friday morning and will have more details then.
In local sport the Whaingaroa Whai League team are still unbeaten in the Waikato Rugby League Senior A competition - but only just - as they drew 12-all with the Rangiriri Storm on the weekend. Carlsson Clark, Jordy Haworth and Tawhiri Waitere were 3,2,1, on the players of the day list. The result leaves them second on the table with only the Taharoa Steelers above them - and that’s who they’ll be playing next.
Meanwhile the Raglan Roosters Football team were stood up by their opposition, Ruakura FC, on Sunday. The game was part of the Scottish Cup and Ruakura FC being from the third division meant the game was perhaps a forgone conclusion but the Roosters have plenty of players in the squad this year and would have been keen to give everyone a run.