Stories of The Noises and Other Local Tales
Some wonderful and some heart-aching stories were shared at Heart of the Shore's event at the Sunnynook Community Centre today.
Heart of the Shore hosted a fabulous celebration of people doing amazing things to preserve and enhance our environment – in our neighbourhood, and in the Hauraki Gulf.
Sunnynook’s Tabitha Becroft talked about the transformative restoration of Lyford Reserve. It’s the largest stand of bush in the area – but was little known or used. New and restored tracks have opened up this special piece of paradise – and now it’s a haven for local walkers and kids going to and from school. Future plans include an outdoor classroom for the next generation of environmental guardians. Tabitha also spoke of the importance of keeping the waters flowing from the reserve and surrounding area into the Wairau Creek healthy.
Hauraki resident Philip Moll took us through his discovery of the internationally recognised shorebird populations of Shoal Bay, which he’s been monitoring and photographing for many years. It’s amazing to have a sanctuary housing a dozen rare and endangered birds right here in our own back yard – but they’re under increasing pressure from intensive housing development.
Sue Neureuter shared the story of The Noises islands in the Hauraki Gulf, which her family has owned for several generations. You can see the group of tiny islands to the north-east of Rangitoto and Motutapu. She spoke of their love for these jewels of the gulf, and their sadness at the decline of marine life in their lifetime. She and former Hauraki Gulf Forum executive officer Katina Conomos fear that we may be leaving the next generation with a poor copy of what our parents, and we, knew.
It was sobering to hear of the challenges we face but equally inspiring to hear what even a few people have been able to achieve.
