Four groups involved in the Kiwi Coast got together for the Bay of Islands Pastoral and Industrial Show and were thrilled with the benefits gained from the collaborative approach.
Article by Wendy Atkinson
Four Bay of Islands Landcare groups worked together in a collaborative approach this year in the Waimate Nth Landcare tent at the Bay of Islands annual show on November 14: Waimate North, Puketotara, South Kerikeri Inlet and Hupara Landcare groups.
A good number of new contacts were encouraged to network with the respective Landcare in their area. We discovered that there are quite a number of people trapping alone and living within a neighbouring Landcare Group neither the Landcare group nor the lone trapper being aware of this. These new contacts are now being linked in to the Landcare groups if they desire.
The new, collaborative approach to the Bay of Islands Show, thanks to the invitation of Waimate North Landcare group, had a range of benefits to all:
- time could be shared so that one person or group wasn’t tied up all day (although it was such fun it was easy to stay all day!);
- a range of skills and knowledge could be shared;
- enquirers could be directed to the most appropriate person;
- enthusiasm was generated;
- friendships grew;
- it generated a non-competitive workplace as we worked side by side in a supportive environment…
…Basically we were a bunch of friends having a great day and the day became a joy rather than a burden for one group to manage.
Numbers to our tent were constant and encouraging, perhaps aided by Daryl’s FREE game for children (there are few events free to families at such events!)
The game: The children had to poke Sylvester the cat (soft toy), attached to a stick, a piece of velcro sewn to his nose, through a hole in a wire cage and attempt to steel the egg sitting on top of a set trap (DOC 200). We could feel the excitement and tension in the air especially when the trap went off with a big bang! Thanks to Paul’s constant and tireless antics, this drew large numbers of children and adults to our tent. Another draw card was the table of dead and stuffed animals: large water rats, ship rats, a weasel, and ferret.
Another bonus to the day was being adjacent to Puketi Forest Trust, who had a man- made forest and native bird calls all day!
And the weather was brilliant!
