Waimakariri migrant family plants trees to give back to community
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Life in North Canterbury is a world away from growing up in post-revolution Iran.
Rohiyeh Faramarzi and her family have lived in Woodend for 20 years and wanted to give back to their adopted community by planting trees.
Working with the Waimakariri District Council’s greenspace team, Faramarzi was able to develop a planting project that led to a tree planting day at Rangiora’s Dudley Park last Saturday, August 27.
“With the support of the Waimakariri District Council, we have been able to create an ongoing dialogue about how we can contribute bycreating spaces in our parks where people and families can come and gather.”
Faramarzi fled her home country to escape her family’s persecution due to their Baha’i Faith.
“The persecution of the Baha’is affected the way Baha'i families and my family went about their lives.
“After the Iranian revolution, persecution intensified and Baha'is no longer had any civil rights or freedoms.
“Baha'is were arrested on false charges, land was confiscated, businesses were closed, and young Baha'is were banned from entering university.”
She moved to India where she met her husband, Shahriar Faramarzi, and after the birth of their first child they decided to move ‘‘toa smaller, quieter and more peaceful country’’.
In New Zealand, the couple’s two daughters have studied at university, completing law and engineering degrees – something Faramarzi was unable to do in Iran.
Their Baha’i Faith has always been important to them and teaches the importance of serving “communities to uplift them and make them better”.
Last year the couple decided to do something to mark 100 years since the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Faramarzi said she was inspired to think about the natural environment, leading to the tree planting project.
“Planting trees really comes from a desire to uplift and beautify our shared surroundings. Our environment reminds us how connected we are as a human family.
“We all benefit from a healthy, safe environment and we also have a responsibility to contribute to it.”
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
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Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.5% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.2% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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44.7% Yes - we like to be prepared
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42.1% Nah
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13.2% This is on my to-do list!
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