Here's the schedule for Maui's Dolphin Day! Please note the raft race is at 11:15am! Fashion show entrants should be registered before the raft race, and report to the tent directly after the race!

And see below for a message from KASM about donating to their jumble sale...

Maui's Dolphin Day schedule!

9am - Stall set-up, raft and fashion show registration
10:30am - Karakia - All registration close - safety check
11:15am - Xtreme Waste recycled raft race!
11:45am - DJ Dubsonic
12:20pm - Raglan Area School - Maui’s Dolphin Song!
12:30pm - Twisted Timber
1pm - Dance performances
1:15pm - The Smokehouse Band
2pm - Project Maui Fashion Show (DJ Dubsonic)
2:30pm - Stand Up and Be Counted 2 - Aerial photo
3pm - Prizegiving
4pm - Closing

Message from KASM...

KASM urgently needs funds to fight seabed mining through the EPA hearing this march. They are having a jumble sale at Mauis Dolphin day and are asking for pre-loved items to put up for sale. If you have anything you would like to donate, now is a good time to de-clutter the house! You can drop things off at Cynthia's at 16 Gilmour St (right by the Old School Art Centre).
Anything appreciated, books, toys, small furniture, jewellery, garden tools, sports gear that kind of thing.

It's almost Seaweek! And Whaingaroa Environment Centre is busy getting ready for Maui's Dolphin Day and all the fun activities coming soon...

Kia ora tatou!

The Whaingaroa Environment Centre is back in full swing and it's looking to be an exciting year.  We do lots of different projects here and are always looking for volunteers. Ever thought about helping out in your community?  Want to find out a bit more about volunteer opportunities at WEC and what we do? Want some free cake?

We're having a volunteer meeting 

WEDNESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY 1-2PM

@ Whaingaroa Environment Centre (Town Hall)

Everyone is welcome, find out about some new projects or suggest one of your own.  And did we mention there would be cake....

Summer is in full swing and you're probably busy eating tomatoes and watering with the hot weather.  Now is a really good time to get a head start on your Autumn garden though. Pop into our SEED BANK and pick up some seeds to take you into the cooler months. How about some carrots, parsnips, spinach, leeks, spring onions, swedes and turnips.  Or brassicas like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, sprouting broccoli and cauli greens. These should be sown now to ensure the three months they need until maturity if you want to enjoy them in winter.

And it's time to start scavenging for recyclables for you raft.  Get to the drawing boards and get designing for this years RECYCLED RAFT RACE held on the upcoming Maui's Dolphin Day Sunday March 2nd.  Always a great day and nothing like a little healthy competition! Pop into the Environment Centre to pick up your registration form!

And check out the preview for the upcoming movie about Xtreme Waste - Community Enterprise.  Look out for the premier screening - COMING SOON

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDkqhclPzZk

Whaingaroa Environment Centre will be taking a summer break and the office will be closed from the 20th December till the 9th January. If you have anything urgent pop in today before 5 or email us at envirocentre@whaingaroa.org.nz. Enjoy your break and see you in the new year!

Seabed mining submissions are due Dec 19th. Please take the time to put in your submission. Information on how to make a submission is available on the EPA's website:

http://www.epa.govt.nz/EEZ/trans_tasman/have_your_say/Pages/default.aspx

You can also check out KASM's template, which takes only a few minutes to fill out, thanks to the work that the KASM team has put into reading the documents and preparing this template.

www.kasm.org.nz

Please take the time to read up on the issue and understand it yourself.

"Deep seabed mining could have serious impacts on the ocean environment and the future livelihoods and wellbeing of coastal communities. Only 3% of the oceans are protected and less than 1% of the high seas, making them some of the least protected places on Earth. The emerging threat of seabed mining is an urgent wake-up call."

- Greenpeace NZ

We've had some tomato seedlings dropped off at WEC! Please come give them a good home. Leave a koha if you'd like. We'll be open until 3:30pm today and 9:30am - 3:30pm tomorrow.

Do you love Raglan the way it is?

Raglan residents & Ratepayers have invited Waikato District Council staff to help provide the information required for making a submission to validate your opinions on the future developments of Raglan.

“Rangitahi Land Company Private Plan Change 12” is a development of 500 dwellings, dairies, take away food, bottle stores, hospitality services including cafes and taverns”

7th December 2.00pm Supper Room Raglan Town Hall

- Can you imagine the Raglan Township doubling in size but in a divided layout? - What will the effects be on the Raglan feel?

- How will this affect you? Your family? Generations to come? Your Raglan lifestyle?

- Can the Raglan infrastructure cope with this type of development? (Who will pay for the upgrade?)

- What impact will this have on future rates?

If you don’t make a submission your voice won’t be heard! It’s our chance to try and alter or shelve the Rangitahi Land Company Private Plan Changes. All the concerns shared and best intentions won’t make this go away. We can make plans to get around to filling in forms but often, it won’t happen/will be too hard or we get busy and forget. Come along to the town hall and let’s get our forms in! Get the help to complete a submission for to have your opinion heard. If you cannot attend please contact us to arrange a form for your submission.

Last day to submit your form is December 13th 2013 Facebook\opotoru road protecting raglan character Email; opotoru@outlook.com

December is here! 

Lots of events are happening in December through Timebank Raglan! To join these events, get in touch with us! You can become a Timebank member or just pay cash....

Christmas gift-makin' workshops!

Wednesday December 4th

Marvellous Monsters!

5pm - Register for location

Create super cute/geeky/retro 2D monsters from recycled stuff... These marvellous monsters make awesome wee gifts from bedroom door hangings to fridge magnets and finger puppets! All materials provided, just bring along your imagination!

Sunday December 8th

Flax Wristbands

3pm - Register for location

Learn how to make a flax wristband, which makes a lovely five star gift for girls or guys or any age! Nothing beats a homemade gift, using natural materials that can be enjoyed everyday! Annie will teach you how to make a wristband. Materials are provided.

More workshops and events!

Friday December 20th

WEC and Timebank Raglan Christmas party!

Open to Timebank members, prospective Timebank memers, and WEC volunteers! Contact Bexie for details...

Saturday December 21st

Bike Maintenance

1pm @ WEC

Bring your bike down to WEC and learn how you can take care of it yourself with a few simple tools and a bit of know-how. Thanks to our Timebank member, David, for sharing his skills!

Sign up for any of these events by dropping into the Town Hall, calling us on 825 040 or dropping us a line at envirocentre@whaingaroa.org.nz