Dedicated to democracy, enjoying and restoring the Mahurangi, meaningful climate action, and curiosity—
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Jade River – Ronald Locker ode to the Mahurangi
A sea of jade, unruffled
reflects each sunlit headland
On this still morning
the boat glides smoothly
at gentlest dip of oars
through leaves and sea scum
drifting on the tide…
Best understood by least represented
Cohort that best understands the enormity of anthropogenic global warming is that which is least represented in Parliament. It is also the age-group that is least enrolled, and votes least. But given the great gulf between the awful reality of global warming…
Preface to payback for all the pleasure
Since this is not the first history of the Mahurangi, some excuse for its writing seems called for. Tribute is also due to those who have gone before. The first history of the district was the work of the late Terence Otway, son of a former postmaster of Warkworth…
Acknowledging friends of the Mahurangi and author
In preparing my husband’s manuscript for publication, the skills and commitment of many people have been called on and generously given. In particular I should like to record my thanks to Friends of the Mahurangi for undertaking the publication of Jade…
About its singular meat-scientist author
Ronald Harry Locker’s links with the Mahurangi go back to his Jamieson great-grandparents, early European settlers in the district. Derived from the association was a lifelong and passionate interest in how both natural and human forces have shaped the region. He…
Global climate action party brainstorming breakfast
Counting its Values Party roots, after 42 years it has only a few thousand members. If the Green Party’s membership, and its 10.7% electoral support, were an indication of how seriously New Zealanders view anthropogenic global warming…
Short open letter to environmentalists
As conservation scientists concerned with global depletion of biodiversity and the degradation of the human life-support system this entails, we, the co-signed, support the broad conclusions drawn in the article Key Role for Nuclear Energy in Global Biodiversity…
Work on Warkworth pilot to reduce sediment generation
Omelettes can’t be made without cracking eggs, nor roads and houses built without moving a certain amount of earth. On the big jobs, such as residential subdivisions, the resource consents required ensure that robust controls are put in place, which…