Mentoring for aspiring writers begins in Northland
Know someone with dreams of becoming a published writer?
Do you have a friend or family member who doesn't have time to commit to a tertiary course but needs occasional help from a real published author?
Creative Writing Northland has launched in Whangārei, Dargaville and the Bay of Islands.
A collective of volunteer mentors, Creative Writing Northland assists aspiring writers of all ages to complete goals which they set themselves. Mentees will be matched with published writers, and each mentee will be assisted to set their own goals then work towards completing the goals.
It's a non-profit organisation and we keep costs as low as possible.
The first six mentors are all published authors and have won numerous awards between them. Jody Reynolds, Catherine Lea, Jenny Purchase, Janine Williams, Renee Liang and Michael Botur are ready and waiting to receive applications from those wanting a mentor. From Kamo to Kaikohe to Kaitaia, we can do our best to go where the learners are.
Apply at creativewritingnorthland.com...
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!
NO SANDMINING BREAM BAY/RUAKAKA - Please Sign Petition
The locals and community are summarizing all the feedback.
They are currently summarizing the ideas and then we will organize strategic actions etc.
In the meantime,
1. Keep inviting people to the page
2. Encourage signatures (online petition)
3. Print the updated sign and ask shops businesses / work / clubs etc to display.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
#ruakaka #waipu #Takhiwai #langsbeach #whangarei #Onertreepoint #whangareiheads #reotahi #paruabay #mcleodbeach #onerahi #tamaterau #uretiti
www.endangeredspecies.org.nz...
No Sandmining Bream Bay/Ruakākā
Help protect our precious coastlines by signing the petition to stop destructive sand mining in Bream Bay, which includes Waipu Cove, Langs Beach and Ruakākā.
Sand mining destroys sea floors, erodes coastal protections, and threatens the habitats of critically endangered species like the tara iti - our most endangered bird with less that 40 left.
Why is this so urgent?
McCallum Bros Ltd (MBL), an Auckland-based mining company, is planning to extract 9 million cubic meters of sand from the seabed in Bream Bay over the next 35 years. Their proposal includes dredging up to five nights a week, for six hours at a time, with all the sand being sold to Auckland's construction industry.
This operation is expected to generate $270 million in revenue, or approximately $7.7 million annually, for MBL. Meanwhile, Bream Bay will see no benefits—only lasting harm. The dredging will cause irreversible damage to marine life, fish populations, and surf breaks, devastating the local ecosystem.
MBL is seeking consent for this project through the fast-track process, which excludes public consultation. This means we have no say in whether they can take our sand, destroy marine habitats, and damage our seabed.
The proposal will be presented to the government in mid-January 2025. We are at a critical moment.
Take action now — sign and share this petition to protect Bream Bay.
www.endangeredspecies.org.nz...