Rangitoto Ramblings
Motutapu Stakeholders Group – after asking last year if we could join this informal group and been told no, we were pleasantly surprised to receive an invitation to the last meeting. Now called the Motutapu and Rangitoto Stakeholders group it is an informal way of keeping all the organisations working on the two islands up-to-date with projects, events and concerns.
Rangitoto – a smoke free destination? What do you think? Watching with concern the tinder dry undergrowth namely the dead weeds, the visitors that disembark from the ferry and light a cigarette and the fire last year the Trust wondered whether Rangitoto should be like Kapiti Island a smoke-free destination. If you have to have a puff then you have to be on the wharf or similar. It would be a shame to see Rangitoto literally go up in smoke because of a carelessly dropped cigarette butt. The Trust is keen to get your feedback.
Charities Commission – a recent seminar held be the Charities Commission was attended by Shirley who found it extremely helpful. We are encouraged to put our Charities number on all our documentation and of course if you donate to the Trust we can give you a receipt to claim off your tax. The Museum has a receipt book as well so just ask.
Permit – Yes we finally got our permit!!! After asking for extra time to peer review the application we finally signed it off a few months ago. We need to keep good records so at Bach 38 there is a new records book for noting visitor numbers, sales and any interesting incidents. Read Susan’s report for more detail. Currently your Trustees are following up with Management Agreements for Bach 38 and 114 and about Bach 80 with the Department so that a transparent procedure is put in place for their maintenance and renting out to the public.
Rangitoto Wharf – the wharf upgrade has been postponed until after the Rugby World Cup, difficulties with resource consent and engineering details meant it was better to delay the project. Also the costs involved were too high so the eventual wharf will be a much planner affair than originally envisaged.
Summit Track – The summit track is getting a long overdue upgrade. With the numbers of people climbing the track – during the school holidays on the fine weekend over 600 people alighted from the ferry each day – the track has become dangerous and is very uneven in places.
Motutapu Dual - The Dual run by the Motutapu Trust ran again this year. The Trust asked them not to traverse through the Kidney Fern Track and Prison Camp and we are pleased to report they did as we asked. There are still some timing issues with runners still coming down the summit track as visitors are trying to go up but the Dual is set to run again on the 26th March 2011.
Rugby World Cup – while there are no games scheduled to be played on Rangitoto we will need to be prepared for an influx of visitors. Fullers are looking at new ways to increase the visitor experience, we will keep you informed. We certainly will be trying to have the Museum open during that time but will need more volunteers so if you are interested drop a line to Susan.
Bottled Water – we needed water for our volunteers while they work. Waiwera Water has allowed us to have an account and provides water at cost. We are now selling it at Bach 38 to very grateful people who find themselves parched after the climb to the summit. It has become a nice money earner for us and helps with the repair and maintenance of Bach 38.
Toilets at Rangitoto Wharf – earlier this year these caused a real stink and it wasn’t their smell. The old toilets which couldn’t cope with visitor number were revamped and it raised a more than eyebrows. They are now unisex with a row of toilets and a separate row of basins. The front wall was replaced too only it was see-through. Supposed to cut down vandalism and loitering it was too embarrassing for many members of the public. It is nice to see that a opaque mural has now been affixed to the bottom half to provide a ‘modesty line’.
Website – Thanks to Andy the website had a major facelift last year and a lot more photos and stories have been added. There is also a Facebook page for Rangitoto and photos can now also be linked to Flickr. So if you take photos or can remember a story that you would like to share Andy is only too pleased to put them on the web.
Pest eradication - Richard Griffiths reports that the program continues to go well, only one hedgehog has been found and no new indications of rats, mice or rabbits. They are reminding people to pack items going to the Island properly e.g. closed lidded containers, no open boxes etc and for people to check camping gear before getting on the ferry.
Open Day – North Head – 19th September 2010 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Barracks. Picnic on the reserve while listening to the 1812 Overture being played.
Auckland and North Shore Heritage Festivals 2010 – See Susan’s newsletter for details, Fullers will be doing all the bookings, so pencil a visit on one of the Sundays in September and October.
Fullers – The ferry timetable for the Summer of 2010/11 will be the same as last summer, so there will be a ferry sailing from Half Moon bay and ones to Home Bay on Motutapu. They will also be involved with transporting volunteers for the Sustainable Coastlines cleanup of Rangitoto Island in December.
Thank you for reading
Elizabeth Andrew
Rangitoto Ramblings [doc] 452kb
