Stories

A DASH ACROSS THE COUNTRY

• Clubs who are well organised attract members
• Clubs who communicate well attract members
• Clubs who develop strategic partnerships attract members
• Clubs who understand that their 'clients' are their community attract members
• Clubs who know their demographics attract members
• Clubs who listen to their members and respond to their interests attract members
• Clubs who have a great Public Relations /Marketing team attract members
• Clubs who have effective programs attract members.

This week Craig Nicholson, the Principal Project Manager for the Transmission Gully project, gave us some insight into the histrory, scale and trajectory of this long anticiapted road transport corridor. The 27km four lane, median divided motorway will run between MacKays to Linden and contain a number of interchanges, including a connection to SH1 at Tawa. 

The first known reference to something that looked like the current TG was a proposal by an MP in 1919.  Desktop design was undertaken in the 1980s and extensive public consultation established there was little appetite for a coastal road, with overwhelming support for the TG alternative.  The Western Corridor Transport Study in 2006 confirmed this approach, and a project team was established at that point. Consent applications were made in 2009-2011 and environmental impact analysis undertaken. The contract was let in 2014 and design and construction began, with the opening of TG scheduled for April 2020.

TG is being built under a PPP arrangement – a public private partnership whereby the commercial partner builds the infrastructure and then maintains the road system for 25 years, during which time the government progressively pays the cost and owns the road after 25 years of operation.

There are three key construction challenges for TG. Firstly the scale. 6.5 million cubic meters of material will need to be moved, there are cut heights up to 70 meters and 27 bridges to be built, including the 230m long 60m high Cannons Creek bridge.  This will require 2.5 thousand cement trucks worth of concrete for the pylon foundation blocks alone. Secondly, there are access constraints, with only 3 access points along the route which severely constrains how the build can occur.  Thirdly there are a number of other services, including power, water and gas supply that need to be moved or built around.

The project involves a number of environmental control measures, including removing native fish and  lizard populations which will then be moved back at the completion of the build. Sediment control ponds are building built to handle runoff during the build process, and the build takes account of seismic and climatic conditions.

Craig showed us a number of pictures of the work in progress and left us eagerly anticipating the added convenience of  being able to use the Transmission Gully motorway in a few years.

Cameron began his talk state of the economy talk by tracing the history of economic recessions since of the past 50 years showing a 10-year pattern - 1997/78, 1987, 1998 and 2008.

He said it is a common perception that New Zealand blows itself up after global events. The fact is, it is before. The housing market goes crazy and people go into debt – there is a housing and consumption boom.

So, in 2017 what are we seeing?

The Auckland housing market is off the charts. Credit growth is growing faster than income growth. Will there be a recession in 2018? Cameron feels this time is different.

1. While there is a housing boom, there is no consumption equivalent – they are not hand-in-hand as previously. NZ’ers are more inclined now to save for tomorrow eg. Kiwisaver

2. There are not enough houses being built to meet the demand.

3. The Reserve bank is not sitting idly by – rather it is playing a ‘bouncer at the door’ role, not prepared to let history repeat itself.

4. Regulators for the banking sector are being stricter with the mismatch between money coming in, money going out and slower deposit growth.

5. Productivity growth – historically productivity takes a hit before economic crises. While earthquakes have led to major economic hits and productivity growth, New Zealand is working towards good growth.

Internationally interest rates are lower leading to recession and pressure on the economic fabric. Brexit, Donald Trump, and the French elections are a concern.

With a higher awareness of social justice Cameron sees New Zealand’s biggest issues as being housing and affordability, income and expenditure, and immigration. We are shifting to a new economic world and will have to tilt very gradually in a new direction – although we don’t yet know what that is.

He thinks New Zealand is in a great space and hopes that in 2018, history does not repeat.

Ros Fogel

Club Reporter

In a jam-packed omnibus meeting the following happened:

We presented both a cheque and a PHF award to Prof Graham Le Gros (FRSNZ), the Director of the Malaghan Institute.  The cheque represented the funds raised towards the Malaghan from last year’s auction, and the PHF citation acknowledged Prof Le Gros’ commitment to furthering peace and understanding in the world in line with Rotary values.  His research work in the field of allergic and parasitic diseases has made a significant contribution to scientific knowledge and health.  In his remarks the Prof noted that RCPN provided a much appreciated and motivating community face for the Malaghan.

We inducted a new member – welcome Anne Hare.  Anne is a former Olympic athlete and has been an active member in a range of community organisations including the Wellington Trust Board with Dawn and Pres Mark.  She was a former member of Wellington North Rotary Club and is looking forward to being part of RCPN. In welcoming Anne, Dawn Saunders made the comment that whatever Anne undertakes she commits to with vigour and passion – so we warmly welcome Anne as a member. She will be on the Youth Committee.

We had a heartfelt presentation from Malin Waipoura from Wellington College who attended the 28^th Rotary National Science and Technology Forum in Auckland over January.  The forum had a strong impact on Mailn – personally and in relation to his studies – and he has now committed to studying engineering. Mailin highlighted the range of science modules and visits he undertook and the camaraderie that developed very quickly across the group.  He especially enjoyed the robotics project work. The passion and inspiration provided by the keynote speaker Michelle Dickinson (aka nonogirl) also got a special mention. Malin expressed his deep appreciation of the support offered by our Club to make his attendance possible.

And, finally, we had a new member talk from Julie Hood.  Julie gave us a set of personal and illuminating insights in her talk “Four endings and a beginning”.  The endings were her job, a friendship, a relationship and a car.  For the second time Julie chose to leave a job – in this case CE of the Veterinary Association of NZ – after 10 years to take a career break and explore “what next” for her.  The benefit of purposely taking the time out to refresh and regroup came through clearly.  Also in recent times Julie lost a dear friend to cancer and had a relationship end.  All these events are life changing and, to top it off, her much loved and highly symbolic Saab convertible died unceremoniously and had to be traded in for a Kia.  Through all of this Julie has been inspired by the experiences and wisdom of others – she shared some of her favourite quotes and books – and sees her current stage in life as an exciting new beginning.

We had all bases covered with participants in half marathon run and walk and 10km run and walk.  Met up with a Rotarian from Auckland who had completed 46 marathons and was down for the day.  The T shirts certainly get noticed.

Zealandia is the world's first fully fenced urban sanctuary with a 500 year vision to restore a Wellington Valley Forest and freshwater ecosystem as closely as possible to their pre-human state. The 225 hectare eco-sanctuary is a ground breaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of nature wildlife back into the area, six of which were previously absent from mainly in New Zealand for over 100 years. Their ultimate restoration goal is to create a self sustaining ecosystem as free as possible from non-native species.

Paul Atkins discussed the 500 year journey with part covering the last 20 years. He commented on the 1990s and the building of the 9 km fence which was predator proof, killing all predators which was considered absolutely crazy at the time. Crazy is now the reality. His comments were focused on the next 20 years. 2016 saw  126,000 visitors to the sanctuary and Zealandia is in good health and the Valley has managed to transform the city.

Living with nature is the strategy for the 2016-2035 period covering within and beyond the fence.  Zealandia will be the place to transform biodiversity, people and knowledge and through this to transform our capacity for living with nature. A large aspect of this will be making Wellington a better place to live and part of this will be the sanctuary to sea project. This will cover looking at the whole water catchment area from Zealandia lake to the sea with one area in the migration of eels.

Another aspect will be Enhancing the Halo, outside the fence. There is a huge predatory presence there and part of the aspect will be to reduce the number of predators. This will let people hear the birds and restore them in that area. Hopefully this will enable the establishment of a New Zealand urban ecology research centre with active research projects in the sanctuary and establish the health benefits of contact with the natural world. The focus is on the Valley that transforms the way we live with nature, not just in Wellington but in New Zealand and the outside world

Pauls last comments were to refer us to their website at www.visitzealandia.com/livingwithnature

Ed

“Everyone person you meet with inspire you in some way” (Liam)

This week we heard from the three most recent RYLA-ians that we sponsored onto this programme. Steve Lawton (Mr RYLA) introduced the trio of Adam, Liam and Jamie, noting that they bring to 18 the number of people that we have sponsored onto the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards over the last five years. Steve also paid tribute to Warwick Bell and John Williams, who has just completed his 14th year as facilitator, reminding us that both (and Steve too, for that matter) had been awarded PHFs for their enormous contribution to RYLA.

These three very impressive young men spoke in turn about their takw-aways and learnings from the programme. Specific highlights included our own Gaylene, with special mention for the “Fish” and “First follower” videos (check both out – they’re great), the inspirational team of our Governor General and her husband, hearing about the various challenges that key speakers had overcome, the Adrenalin Forest (high wires course) and the great teamwork and camaraderie of the five days.

A key takeaway message for all participants was that a characteristic of leadership is the willingness to take on the opportunities that life gives you, to do your best, own the consequences and move on. Liam summaried the programme in five words: enthuasic; empowering; rewarding; fun and inspiring – with his noting that everyone is inspiring in some way.

All three of our speakers intend to keep up the RYLA energy and vibe through SMART goal setting, engaging in service, and being more deliberate about making the most of each day – a possibly saluatory reminder to the rest of us to do likewise!

The trio concluded with a Scout’s version of congratulating someone the “BRAVO”.  You had to be there ;-).

The RYLA session resonated so well with the Trustees Scholarships Victoria offer and our focus on future citizens.

I thought our Rotary colleagues might appreciate seeing this film clip:

www.victoria.ac.nz/change-lives
 

and scroll down to select the ‘Donations at work’ button.

Rotary Club of Wellington has been donating to Victoria every year since 1994 – we sincerely appreciate their (your) support.

I’d be very grateful if you could share this link with our team!

Warm regards,

Ros

Rosalene Fogel

Development Manager – Bequests and Senior Stewardship

Email: Rosalene.fogel@vuw.ac.nz

Victoria University Development Office

Website  www.victoria.ac.nz/developmentoffice

Hi Howard and Bob

There were eight keen Perambulators who turned up at Lyall Bay for a walk organised by Paula. After walking up nearly 200 steps to Houghton Terrace, we walked along a ridge to get to Te Raukawa Moana Lookout, then down to Princess Bay and a walk back to our cars. Great coffee stop finish at Bel Mondo café and International Food Market on Tirangi Road. A great walk in excellent company!

Thanks

Bev

In 1974 the Kirk Labour Government introduced a superannuation scheme that could have been worth $300 billion today.

Muldoon’s subsequent government put a stop to that, promising instead a universal pension at age 60 that was 80 percent of the average wage.

Today the pension is payable five years later at age 65 and it is 66 percent of the average wage.

And Kiwisaver, aka the Cullen fund, is worth a mere $30 billion.

People are living longer and most will not have enough money throughout their retirement.

That is where financial advisors like Fred Dodds come in.