How can we help our little blue penguins survive in this changing world?
With sleek blue feathers, a small yet solid stature and cute pink feet, the kororā (blue penguin) is a beloved part of our coastal wildlife and landscapes. Being the only penguin species naturally found around the North Island coastline, kororā are a taonga (treasure) to many coastal communities, including the likes of Kūaotunu.
How Music Shaped Thames
Music has the ability to entertain, provide comfort, lessen anxiety and uplift the spirit. The importance of entertainment was very evident during the heady, gold rush days of the 1800s in New Zealand, none more so than in Thames. Speculators and large companies brought new prosperity to Thames, and a rush of prospectors were lured to the newly opened goldfields, hoping to make their fortune.
What are your family links with Mercury Bay?
My mum, Anne, is one of the local Whitianga mosaic artists who is pretty involved in the local art scene. My dad, Laurie, used to be the local auto electrician for years here in town until his old apprentice Dallas bought the business off him. While my parents moved to Whiti in the early 90s, my granddad had bought a plot of land out near Cooks Beach back in the 50s, and his brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Edith Hansen (my great uncle and aunty), started Wilderland not long after.
To say Noah loved music and his violin is an understatement. His passion for both had him skipping meals, losing sleep and wandering the fields and forests, fiddling away the hours in practice. A young teenager, he was enrolled at Waihi College where he joined the school orchestra. Unfortunately, his passion just wasn’t enough. For all the time sacrificed and spent in practice, he just wasn’t a very good violin player and so was given only a minor role at the back of the string section. This left him feeling discouraged and frustrated and he fervently prayed for a miracle to change things.
People often say to me ‘I’ve always wanted to play the harp’ … and I believe them – it’s an intriguing instrument which both enchants and bewitches the listener at the same time.
How can we help our little blue penguins survive in this changing world?
With sleek blue feathers, a small yet solid stature and cute pink feet, the kororā (blue penguin) is a beloved part of our coastal wildlife and landscapes. Being the only penguin species naturally found around the North Island coastline, kororā are a taonga (treasure) to many coastal communities, including the likes of Kūaotunu.
How Music Shaped Thames
Music has the ability to entertain, provide comfort, lessen anxiety and uplift the spirit. The importance of entertainment was very evident during the heady, gold rush days of the 1800s in New Zealand, none more so than in Thames. Speculators and large companies brought new prosperity to Thames, and a rush of prospectors were lured to the newly opened goldfields, hoping to make their fortune.
What are your family links with Mercury Bay?
My mum, Anne, is one of the local Whitianga mosaic artists who is pretty involved in the local art scene. My dad, Laurie, used to be the local auto electrician for years here in town until his old apprentice Dallas bought the business off him. While my parents moved to Whiti in the early 90s, my granddad had bought a plot of land out near Cooks Beach back in the 50s, and his brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Edith Hansen (my great uncle and aunty), started Wilderland not long after.
To say Noah loved music and his violin is an understatement. His passion for both had him skipping meals, losing sleep and wandering the fields and forests, fiddling away the hours in practice. A young teenager, he was enrolled at Waihi College where he joined the school orchestra. Unfortunately, his passion just wasn’t enough. For all the time sacrificed and spent in practice, he just wasn’t a very good violin player and so was given only a minor role at the back of the string section. This left him feeling discouraged and frustrated and he fervently prayed for a miracle to change things.
People often say to me ‘I’ve always wanted to play the harp’ … and I believe them – it’s an intriguing instrument which both enchants and bewitches the listener at the same time.
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