Sat 15^th - 12:00 to 2:00

Sun 16^th - Closed

Mon 17^th - 1:00 to 5:00

Tues 18^th -1:00 to 3:00

Weds 19^th - 1:00 to 3:30

Thurs 20^th - Closed

Fri 21^st - 1:00 to 5:00

The centre will be closed from Sat 22^nd Dec to Mon 7^th Jan

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas. See you in the new year. 

Hello Everybody. 

We have a busy Sunday this weekend and we'd love to have you along for the ride. 

First off it's the Raglan Creative Market from 9am to 2pm. We'll be there with all our eco and crafty wares. Come and pick up a gift for someone special, and grab some locally made goodies from the other stalls whilst you're at it. A great chance to support the Raglan community by shoppng locally this Christmas. 

Next up is our our Afternoon Tea Working Bee - 3.30pm at Raglan West Food Forrest (Oram Park on Tahuna Ave). Come and free the trees of weeds (it won't take long), eat some cake and meet friendly people. Safe playground for the kids. This event is organised by TimeBank Raglan. 

Here's to a weekend of sun and fun - see you there!

Hi everyone, 

Because the Maui Dolphin TMP submission survey crashed last Monday, DOC have said they will give a one day extension starting now till 10am tomorrow (Wednesday 21st Nov) for anyone who missed out.

If you wanted to make a submission but didn't find the time, or know anyone who would like to, get in now! 

• The survey can be found here

• More info available from DOC here 

• WWF submission guide (which is great) is online here! 

Time to write your Maui's TMP submissions!

or maybe you have already.. good on ya! Feel free to come help at tonight's workshop...

Maui's Dolphin Threat Management Plan Submissions Workshop

@ Raglan Town Hall, Supper Room
Thursday 8th November
5pm – 7:30 pm

 5 - 6pm : Info session with KASM - update on seabed mining along our coast
6pm - 7:30pm : Submissions writing workshop. Write your submission while sharing ideas and questions.

Submissions are due November 12th
Come and show your support

Submission Info for you!

• Submit online or get more info here

doc.govt.nz/mauisconsultation

• WWF submission guide is online now here! (see sidebar on right)

http://www.wwf.org.nz/take_action/hector_s_and_maui_s_campaign_/how_you_can_help_save_the_dolphins/

• Forest and Bird's e-submission template letter is here (takes 1 minute!)

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saving-our-environment/marine-and-coastal/mauis-and-hectors-dolphins/mauis-e-submission

If anyone needs a ride to auckland on Thursday, coming back on Friday, or can drive a car back from Auckland to Raglan anytime this week/end, get in touch with WEC. Let's rideshare!

RAGLAN— HAMILTON SUNDAY SHUTTLE
Support this community driven response to our missing Sunday bus service. To be guaranteed a seat, bookings are essential.

Starting SUNDAY 4th NOVEMBER for a trial period

Mini Bus will depart

• Raglan Info Centre at 10.00am & 4pm

•  Hamilton Transport Centre at 11.15am & 5.15pm

TICKET COST: $10 each way
(Cash only)
No Concession fares
BOOKINGS CAN BE MADE AND PAID AT RAGLAN INFO CENTRE OR BY PHONING RAGLAN SHUTTLE SERVICE ON
021 0274 7014 / 021 1341 686

See the article in the Waikato Times:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/7899688/Raglan-pushes-for-Sunday-bus

Download a flyer from Chamber of Commerce here:

http://www.raglanchamber.co.nz/page.php?ref=latest-news-items&id=edit5092041fc1298

The seed bank have been having a clear out!

A load of seeds that have been sitting in the safe for one or two years need to go. We have them sitting out for you to help yourselves to, in exchange for koha. 

We have a range of random seeds, including okra, pumpkins, radish, peppers, onions, violas, meadowfoam, burdock, chervil, daisy.... and lots of other flowers and veggies (too many to name).

Come in and have a look through and add something new to your garden. 

Forwarded message from Forest and Bird:

"Forest & Bird is calling for an additional management option to be put forward in the Threat Management Plan:

It is important we mention the 100m depth contour as these dolphin prefer these waters (depth is a key factor), also they are found in harbours so they need to be mentioned.

I am asking each branch to write a personal submission - some branches might only write a few lines, but each personal submission this government receives is important.

Submissions close on the 12th of November, so there is still time to be a voice for nature!

What you can do to help Maui's:

1. Write a personal (or branch) submission on the threat management plan review

2. Visit your local MP and raise this issue

3. Spread the message in your local community that submissions are needed

4. If you only have a few minutes then send an electronic submission that we have already prepared to the Ministers, you can do this at: http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saving-our-environment/marine-and-coastal/mauis-and-hectors-dolphins/mauis-e-submission

5. Continue to only buy sustainable seafood by using Forest & Bird's Best Fish Guide

Here is more detail for those that are interested in writing a submission:

Firstly all the information, like where to send the submission and where to download the Threat Management Plan document and other supporting information can be found at: http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/saving-our-environment/marine-and-coastal/mauis-and-hectors-dolphins/write-personal-submission

It is important that you send the submission you write to DOC (mauiTMP@doc.govt.nz) and MPI (mauiTMP@mpi.govt.nz) but ALSO to the decision makers - Minister of Conservation kate.wilkinson@parliament.govt.nz, Minister for Primary Industries David.Carter@parliament.govt.nz and the Prime Minister john.key@parliament.govt.nz. Don't be afraid to send your submission to all 5.

If you don't want to email a submission you can physically post one to:

Maui's Dolphin Threat Management Plan
TMP Submissions
P.O Box 5853
Wellington 6011

Here are some key points you might like to make in your submission:

• What do Maui's dolphins mean to you personally.....
• Raise the fact that you are very concerned about the lack of adequate protection being proposed in the Threat Management Plan review for our critically endangered Maui’s dolphins. Specifically the threat management options put forward do not go far enough to protect these incredible vulnerable dolphins.
• Raise the issue that there is a real disconnect between the risk assessment report on Maui’s dolphins (this is a science report which DOC and MPI wrote after holding an expert scientific workshop of which I attended for F&B) and the proposed management options. Forest & Bird does not believe the best available science has been used by managers.
• Maui’s dolphins and the south island sub-species Hector’s dolphins are the smallest and rarest in the world. Both dolphins have declined significantly primarily because of fishing related mortalities, specifically gill nets and trawling.
• The latest population study estimates there are only 55 Maui’s dolphins over the age of one left in our waters.
• The Threat Management Plan concludes that fishing related threats are still the number one threat to the survival of both Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins. The expert science panel estimated that fishing alone is killing five Maui’s dolphins each year, but Maui’s can only cope with one death, from human activities every 10 – 23 years. This is unsustainable and the management options put forward in the TMP review do not go far enough to ensure long term survival.
• The government has a vision statement that “ Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins should be managed for their long-term viability and recovery throughout their natural range”. The only way to achieve this goal is to ensure that these dolphins are fully protected from all threats, fishing and non-fishing related everywhere they are found.
• Let the government know that YOU want to ensure the survival of Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins and that YOU support the international recommendations made by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress.
• As fishing is the number one threat I believe an additional management option for Maui’s should be put forward and selected by Ministers:
• Put forward the additional management option which is the only option which will ensure the survival of these dolphins: Expand the areas of protection from gill netting and trawling to cover the entire range of the Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins, offshore to the 100 m depth contour and including all harbours along the West Coast of the North Island.
• Include the map below if you want to highlight all the areas which need protection - you can copy this from this email or you can download it at http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/campaigns/mauis-and-hectors-dolphins/hectors-dolphins-distribution
• Let the government know that if immediate action is not taken Maui’s dolphins are highly likely to become extinct in our lifetime. The time to act is now, the world is watching the New Zealand Government.