Marine biologist Steph Borelle (centre, between Denise and me) started a petition calling on the Mayor Len Brown to ban plastic bags in Auckland.

Mayor Len Brown: Ban Plastic Bags in Auckland

That petition has now reached 3339 signatures. Steph will be delivering the petition to The Mayor at council chambers in Henderson tomorrow, 9:30, 6 Henderson Valley rd.

BYO Bags Waiheke has been active for many years on the island making bags and liaising with shop keepers who become 'local heroes' for offering alternatives.

Held at MORRA Hall, local film maker and performance artist Larissa Wallin gave a heartfelt expression of her journey of discovery of the harm caused by plastic bags.

Next Jennifer Fountain from BYO bags spoke on the history of the campaign on the island and the work BYO bags continues to do,

John Stansfield presented a video about a fascinating technology for turning waste into robust products.

Then Denise outlined the current political and industry situation on the issue of single use plastic bags, including the National Government in Wellington's refusal to declare plastic bags a 'priority product' under the waste act, and the need for regulatory change to further industry away from single use plastic bags.

From the vigorous discussion various working groups were formed, and one of the things that came out of the discussion was submitting to the local board plan.

If you submit to the local board plan, let them know that you:

would like the Local Board to take action, including regulation, to reduce waste on Waiheke, particularly single-use disposable plastics like plastic shopping bags.

To make it even easier, one of the working groups from the meeting produced creative postcards, which when delivered to Auckland Council form official feedback for the plan.

They can be collected from the Waiheke Greens stall, and other stalls at the Ostend Market on Saturday.

In whatever form, get your submissions in!

This morning I was made an honorary Blackpuddlian and mucked in to help plant fruit and nut trees on the road reserves and berms of Blackpool.

Once established these trees will provide the public good of seasonal fruit and nuts.

A grant from the Waiheke Local Board has empowered the recently revived Blackpool Residents Association (or BRA) to plant 250 fruit and nut trees on public land on roadsides, out the front of houses, Piritahi Marae and the Pony Club, with a further 50 trees going to Rakino island.

A flurry of interest from residents of our islands narrowest point saw over 100 Blackpuddlians of all ages turn out on a cold July morning to choose their plants and get digging. By 1pm all plants had been distributed and most are in the ground right now!

The types of trees on offer included 5 different varieties of Feijoa, Guavas, Hazelnuts, a variety of citruses, passionfruits, peaches, plums, apples and pears and much more!

Once people had taken the trees back to their roadside, they commit to become a "Tree Guardian" and assume responsibility for the upkeep of those trees.

"The tree guradians won't be left unsupported." Says Chardy Parkes, Blackpool Tree Leader group co-ordinator.

"We'll be mapping the trees, staying in contact with everyone, to give them ongoing advice around pruning, fertilising, mulching, companion planting and especially encouraging people to use local organic resources to look after these trees"

After the grant from the Waiheke Local Board, there will be no ongoing costs to the ratepayer, and there will be huge benefits to the community at large, as people get to know their neighbours, share knowledge about maintaining fruit trees, and build community resilience around food.

Waiheke Local Board Chair Paul Walden is right behind the initiative, and turned up shovel in hand to get digging. He hopes to see similar projects all over the island, and possibly serve as a model for other Auckland communities. 

“This is all about empowering communities” says Paul Walden, Chair of the Waiheke Local Board 

Blackpool was an ideal part of the island to launch this initiative, due to it's active and connected residents association, which led the project, and who recently piloted 'Kai Conscious' project of the Waiheke Resources Trust, aimed at reducing food waste.

One of the most significant developments of the second half of the 20th century was the emergence of a new political awareness. One that recognised the world as a single body of finite resources, and sought to create a society where human endeavour does not come at the cost of the planet which sustains us, or in which we harm or oppress each other.

Articulated wonderfully by the 'United Tasmania Group' - which later became the Tasmanian Greens, this declaration, called 'The New Ethic', outlines a new awareness, and is as significant and ground changing as the US declaration of independence at the start of it's revolutionary war, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Whilst written in 1972, it's goals are still the ethos which drive Green Parties worldwide. A truly inspirational and ground-breaking document, just as relevant today on Waiheke as it was 42 years ago on our neighbour island across a small sea.

this, together with the 'Green Charter' of the Green party of Aotearoa NZ guide and inspire me every day.