Native plants and the Natural Heritage fund

This weekend is shaping up to be a nice one for gardening. Unfortunately I'm not much of a gardener. I'm the person who wanders along paths admiring the new growth and calculating the amount of time and effort that has gone into a planted area. Gardeners tell me that the results outweigh the effort.

If you're planning to plant natives this planting season then Rodney District Council has a fund that may be able to help you with some of the costs towards this. It's called the Natural Heritage Fund. It seeks "...to support community initiatives to better manage, protect and enhance biodiversity and natural habitats. These initiatives are expected to have clear and enduring environmental benefits. The Fund is not intended to support natural heritage restoration or enhancement activities that will result in private or economic gain. The NHF will complement other Rodney District Council community grant initiatives and will not duplicate other incentives or the responsibilities of other organisations." You can read more from the "Natural Heritage Fund Information and Application Form" which is available as a pdf from the Council website.

Rodney District Council’s natural and coastal environment manager, Maximus Smitheram, says people can apply for funding for any project that protects and enhances the natural environment, but some will be given priority.

“Any project that protects, enhances or restores indigenous vegetation and wildlife habitats will be looked at very favourably, but priority will be given to practical environmental initiatives like fencing and native planting projects and those that involve voluntarily covenanting natural areas,” says Mr Smitheram.

The Natural Heritage Fund was established in December 2006. Applications for funding up to the value of $2000 will be considered by council officers and if approved, will be granted immediately. Applications for larger amounts (up to $5000) are also welcome, and if received by 11 April will be considered by councillors at the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on 8 May. Applications submitted after this date will be considered in the next funding round.

The Natural Heritage Fund Information and Application Form booklet is available from Council offices, on request from 0800 426 5169 or on the Council's website.

HOW TO: Rate items on the catalogue

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that American Gods had a five star rating on our catalogue. This is a rating from readers who obviously really liked the story. (Granted, there are only 5 ratings but still, that's a 100% success rate...)

Here's how to rate your favourites (or un-favourites).

Step 1: Login to "My info"

Step 2: Look the item up on the catalogue.

Step 3: Click the star to rate the item. Choose carefully - once you've rated it you can't change your mind and go back.


To find out how many people have rated an item hover your mouse over the stars. A label will pop up listing what the rating is and how many people have rated it.

Have fun!

Royal Commission on Auckland Governance

The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance has been established by the Government to investigate local and regional government arrangements for the Auckland region in the future. They are now calling for submissions on the issues.

You can find all the information on their website Royal Commission on Auckland Governance. A copy will also be available in the libraries later this week.

NZ Post Children's Finalists

The New Zealand Post Childrens Book awards are one of the highlights for Kiwi authors, illustrators and publishers. The finalists for 2008 have been announced and they are....(drum roll please)....

Picture Book
The King’s Bubbles by Ruth Paul (Scholastic New Zealand)
Out of the Egg, written and illustrated by Tina Matthews (Walker Books)
Rats! Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House New Zealand)
Tahi – One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Ali Teo and John O’Reilly (Random House New Zealand)
To the Harbour, written and illustrated by Stanley Palmer (Lopdell House Gallery)

Non Fiction
A Mini Guide to the Identification of New Zealand Land Birds by Andrew Crowe, illustrated by Dave Gunson (Penguin New Zealand)
Reaching the Summit by Alexa Johnston with David Larsen (Penguin New Zealand)
Weather Watch New Zealand by Sandra Carrod, illustrated by Karsten Schneider and Richard Gunther (Reed New Zealand)
What is a Fish? By Feana Tu’akoi, designed by Vasanti Unka (Scholastic New Zealand)
Which New Zealand Spider? By Andrew Crowe (Penguin New Zealand)

Junior Fiction
Dead Dan’s Dee by Phyllis Johnston (Longacre Press)
The Dumpster Saga by Craig Harrison (Scholastic New Zealand)
The Mad Tadpole Adventure by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Scholastic New Zealand)

My Story Sitting on the Fence: The Diary of Martin Daly, Christchurch 1981 by Bill Nagelkerke (Scholastic New Zealand)
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Gecko Press)

Young Adult Fiction

Salt by Maurice Gee (Penguin New Zealand)

The Sea-wreck Stranger by Anna Mackenzie (Longacre Press)

Tomorrow All Will Be Beautiful by Brigid Lowry (Allen & Unwin)

The Transformation of Minna Hargreaves by Fleur Beale (Random House New Zealand)

Zillah by Penelope Todd (Longacre Press)

The finalists were selected from more than 130 children’s books published in New Zealand in 2007 and submitted for the awards. NZ Post support a range of activities during April including author visits to schools and libraries so look out to see if there is something happening near you. The winners are announced in April. Check out these books (and many more fabulous local authors) at your Rodney Library.

HOW TO: Get to the catalogue on dial-up internet

Are you on dial-up? Is it frustrating to watch the library catalogue load oh-so-slowly? There is another way!

'Airpac' was designed for use on your mobile phone. It's a stripped down, picture free version of the catalogue, perfect for slow load speeds or when you don't want to be connected for very long. This also makes it great for dial-up. You can do all the things that you'd do on the regular catalogue - search, reserve, check what you have out, renew items etc.

Here is the web address.

http://www.elgar.govt.nz/screens/airpac/airpacindex-s8.jsp