The power of community with Deputy Mayor Lawrence Kirby

First published in the Kāpiti News on 17 July

Young people getting involved in our community is something that always grabs my attention. Taking the opportunity to meet with Nerys, Charlotte, Innes, Arianawen, and their teacher, Anne-Marie, about a project they’re passionate about, was a top priority.

The young women have formed an Eco-Action group called ‘Voices of our Future’. Their first action was to create a “Generational Chair”. They have come together every Friday afternoon for the last term, in their own time, to build it. They were inspired by an idea from women in the province of Québec, Canada, who started a group called Mothers Step In, which initiated painting and designing chairs to be placed around tables in important places like city councils, reminding those seated there to consider future generations in their decision-making process. 

Photo (pictured left to right): Innes Han, Nerys Anderson, Anne-Marie Doucet (teacher), Deputy Mayor Lawrence Kirby, Charlotte Haxton, Arianawen Jones.

See larger image.

The movement has grown significantly, with now in total 100 chairs having been adopted across Québec, including the National Parliament. In keeping with this, these girls have requested that their chair be made visible in our Council space.

The chair’s design is split into two halves – one symbolising what could happen if we do nothing about climate change and the environment; the other showing the better outcomes of doing something. This project is the first of a few ideas that the girls have for their group, which is based out of the Raumati Tech Centre on Hillcrest Road. Next, they are working on designing and creating a mural made from moss that they will grow on the wall of the centre. In future they’d like to work more with reinvigorating the land behind the Tech Centre with plantings and restoration.

The Raumati Tech Centre has received funding from Council’s Climate Action Grants in 2023 and 2024. They have developed the only sustainability programme being used at centres like theirs in New Zealand. They’re involved with composting, recycling, working with students to incorporate environmental care and climate action into their everyday lives.

In keeping with theme of environmental care and restoration, more than 20 restoration planting, friends and guardian groups operate throughout Kāpiti. They deliver environmental projects and work on protecting and preserving our local flora and fauna. Most of these are run by volunteers and are out in their particular focus areas every week. I’ve had the privilege of popping in on a couple of these groups in the last weeks – one at Greendale Reserve and one at Weggery Drive Reserve.

The Greendale Reserve has a stand of kahikatea trees that are well over 100 years old and the reserve has been planted fully by volunteers over the last 40 years on land that was farmed and then set aside as part of the Camelot development. The result is a maturing area of bush beautifying the area and restoring the stream that runs through it. It’s well worth a visit and the brief stroll.

The Weggery Drive Reserve borders the Waikanae River and Weggery Drive. After the loss of some significant trees due to a storm in the area a few years ago, a team of committed volunteers have replanted the area and are expanding the plantings around the shared pathway. Again, restoring the environment with the trees and plantings creating beautiful bush areas to be enjoyed by future generations.

I am encouraged by the many people of our older and younger generations that are actively involved in their spare time to do something to preserve, restore and regenerate our natural environment. The future is brighter when we can all together take responsibility and act for the betterment of our world.