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Critical Mass Ride Auckland Jan 09:I participated in my second Critical Mass ride before leaving Auckland for Miranda. These rides are the last Friday of the month, around the world, and in Auckland people meet up at Albert Park before heading out between 6 and 6:30pm. I ended up leading the ride for a while. I must have looked official, with my orange reflective vest, gray hair, and BOB trailer! It was fun, but I had to leave the party early to catch the last ferry back to Birkenhead before dark.
Cycling to Miranda and Te Whangai:
In early February, I loaded up the bike and cycled along the coast to Miranda. I stopped in Mission Bay for a coffee. My goal was to cycle as close to the water all the way, stopping at all the regional parks. I had never seen much of this part of New Zealand, so it was a chance to get to know it.
I was delighted to discover a cycle/walking path that the Rotary Club developed in Pakuranga. Flat, paved, and right along the waterfront, it goes for 5 km. The most delightful 5 km on the trip!
New Zealand is never flat for very long, and I was soon getting a major workout climbing the hills on the way to Whitford. The views get better as you climb, though, and I stopped to enjoy these donkeys and pony and the view:
A couple more photos from my first day's ride:
I stopped to camp for the night at Maraetai Regional Park. They had some walking tracks along the ocean, a friendly goat, and some cautious but hungry chickens wandering around.
The next day I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery along the road, and the relative lack of traffic. I didn't need a map: just keep the water on my left!
There are many wild turkeys in New Zealand, and they are not very afraid of humans.My second night on the road I stayed at Orere Point Campground, and another cyclist arrived, so we had a good chat about our travels.
The pohutakawa trees are known for clinging to the sides of cliffs over the ocean.
I stopped at all the regional parks along the road. At Tapapakanga regional park, the sheep shared the road with me, and thought I was herding them somewhere with my bike. When we reached the end of the road, and I found the gate locked, they looked at me, and I looked at them, and when I got off my bike to sit down for a bit, they gathered around me with great curiosity. This has not been my experience with sheep, who would just as soon stay far away from a human. So it was fun for me to get their photos.
On the way out of the park, I stopped near this stream
to rest and read in the shade, and wait for the sun to ease off a bit.I was happy to see this sign
for motorists to give cyclists a bit of room!
Right before reaching Miranda, I noticed a whole paddock of calves with their tails cut off.
I thought this cruel practice had been outlawed in New Zealand, so I took photos and the address of the owner. Unfortunately, the practice is still legal, though frowned upon. It is certainly frowned upon by me!!
I stayed two weeks at the home of Gary and Adrienne Dalton, while I worked on the website and other projects for their Te Whangai Trust. Whangai is Maori for 'nurture' or 'adopt', and the disadvantaged people who come to Te Whangai to work at the native plant nursery here are cared for as though they are family. This is the key to its success. In its first year of operation over 35 people found full time employment through Te Whangai. Adrienne counsels them, advocates for them, and Gary is a father figure for many.This was my 3rd visit to Te Whangai. My first visit was a year ago, my second in October 08, and now. The plants have grown a lot!
While I was there, a shipping container was delivered. It is going to be an office. It is the least expensive way to get new buildings, because you don't need a building permit or council approval to have a container.
During my visit, a major potential funder was scheduled for a visit. So I abandoned the computer, and took to the gardens to tidy up the weeds and clean windows. I wanted it to look good for this visit.
One of the rewards for weeding was making the acquaintance of a couple of unafraid frogs in the nursery. They let me get very close to them without hopping away.
The day I left, Char made more of her superb scones, and I took an extra one with me on the road. People take turns making breakfast and lunch every day for the team. Having everyone eat together is a great way to get alongside and have a chat.The potential for this approach to unemployment, and probation, is huge. Gary says things like "New Zealand has built its last prison", and here is how he sees it happening:
The Te Whangai concept can be duplicated throughout New Zealand, and has the potential to replace our present welfare system. It means:
- Replacing our present welfare system. The current system has enough resources to give struggling people money and housing, but can't seem to help free them from intergenerational dependence on handouts, and their addictions to drugs, alcohol, and resulting violence.
- Communities taking a bigger responsibility for their own - the struggling people in their midst. And having some control over the crime level in their communities.
- With increased broadband access, nonviolent offenders can live with their families and work at Te Whangai, with bracelets sending needed data over the Internet. No need for a prison cell and its many costs.
Marrying social and environmental policies to meet the needs of 21st century New Zealand
- A sustainable native forestry industry in New Zealand
- The end of intergenerational welfare payments in New Zealand
