Fight for the Forests: The Pivotal Campaigns that Saved New Zealand’s Native Forests
Date: Wednesday 25 March 2020, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Cost: Free. Koha from non-members appreciated
Location: Taiwhanga Kahau — Auditorium, National Library Wellington. Entrance on Aitken Street.
Part of the Friends of the Turnbull Public Programme — 2020 series
Hear Paul Bensemann talk about the ‘Save Manoupori’ campaign. From small beginnings, a much larger movement grew. Bensemann’s book ‘Fight for the forests’ was a finalist in the 2019 Ockham NZ Book Awards.
A remarkable story of activism
Involved in conservation issues since he joined the ‘Save Manapouri’ campaign at 19, Paul Bensemann tells the remarkable story of how a group of young activists became aware of government plans to mill vast areas of West Coast beech forest and began campaigning to halt this. From small beginnings, a much larger movement grew, initially centred on the work of the Native Forests Action Council, and eventually Forest and Bird and Native Forest Action.
Research at the Alexander Turnbull Library
Paul’s book research started with a NZ Society of Authors/Copyright Licencing NZ grant that provided a six weeks’ fellowship at the Stout Research Centre. He spent most of that time at the Turnbull (using the Sir Charles Fleming and Action for Environment collections), with many follow-up visits to the Library during his three-year full-time writing project. He also interviewed many campaigners and collected many old photographs to supplement photographer Craig Potton’s beautiful forest scenes. Fight for the Forests was a finalist in the 2019 Ockham NZ Book Awards.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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76.5% Yes
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22.7% No
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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