Thames (NZ): Thames remembers the 'Rainbow Warrior'

What do these two have in common - The Karaka Bird Hide and Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior?

  

Left: Boardwalk leading to the Karaka Bird hide, Brown Street Thames. 

Right: The Rainbow Warrior 1985 at Marsden Wharf, Auckland. Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/nuclear-free-new-zealand/rainbow-warrior

BACKGROUND

The Bird Hide was officially opened 15th November 1993. It came from an idea by Keith Purnell of Thames, as a way of raising the awareness of the community and council towards environmental issues. The dream became a reality with a partnership, and the help of Environment Waikato. This led to plans being submitted for council planning approval, which was duly granted. Along the way members of the Forest and Bird Society became involved, plus members of the public who lent a hand. 

     An initial grant of $9000 was received from the ‘Rainbow Warrior Compensation’ fund. Altogether the costs were estimated at $28,000.  The vision has left a lasting legacy on the foreshore that is visited by people from all around the world.

 

Left: The Small Gauge Railway track loops around the foreshore reserve near the entrance to the Karaka Bird Hide - named after the Karak Creek located to the south.

Right: The view out to the Firth of Thames from one of the viewing windows in the Karaka Bird Hide.

Below: The simple understated sign that signals the entrance to the Bird Hide.

" Karaka Bird Hide

Royal N.Z. Forest and Bird Protection Society with the

Help of generous donations and voluntary labour built this

Walkway and Hide for your enjoyment; Best viewing 2hrs before - 2hrs after H.W."

WHAT CAN YOU SEE?

Well, you 'should' be able to see some information on the Rainbow Warrior that was bombed while anchored on the Auckland waterfront thirty five years ago - 10 July 1985. 

     "A Portuguese crew member, Fernando Pereira, was killed in the explosions. The Rainbow Warrior had been involved in protests over French nuclear testing in the Pacific. French Secret Service (DGSE) agents were sent to prevent it leaving for another protest campaign at Mururoa Atoll." nzhistory.govt.nz

     You 'should' also be able to see an identification panel for the birds that can be viewed from the hide.

     At present these information / identification panels are 'missing,' removed when the hide was painted. It hopefully is a priority to get these panels returned to the hide!

     There is an article in Coromandel Life Spring 2015, that included a photo of the panels, as well as photographs of the birds that could be seen on the firth of Thames.

Source:  Coromandel Life Spring 2015,

New Zealand was awarded compensation from France for the 'bombing', following a United Nations ruling. Money from this compensation was therefore given to contribute towards the construction of the Karaka Bird Hide at Thames,

Further Information:

Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior Educational resources.

Thames (NZ): Progress resiting the Captain Cook Memorial at Kopu

While we have been in lockdown, many of us may have forgotten the resiting of the Captain Cook Memorial east of the old and new Kopu Bridges. Thanks to Carolyn for the tip-off that progress has been made. The area is at present surrounded by a high fence, awaiting finishing in the near future.

The Captain Cook Memorial, on the ground north of the entrance to walkway over the 'new' Kopu Bridge. The entrance to the 'old' Kopu Bridge on the right.

 

The land has been levelled and a wooden boardwalk constructed. The Cook Memorial sits in the centre and is surrounded by several block structures, which I assume are seats.

The plaque and interpretative boards are yet to be put in place.

Thames (NZ): Walkabouts around Thames during Covid-19 Lockdown

Introduction: Life under Lockdown 3 May 2020

As we await to hear whether the country will be allowed more freedom under Lockdown Level Two (possibly next week), its timely to review what impact 'Level Three' has had on the town of Thames.

Shops such as Read Bros, Mitre 10, Noel Leeming, The Warehouse,  Needles N Pins and Carsons Bookshop have opened for contactless shopping. Ring, text, email or use online shopping. Various cafes and takeaways are open using contactless protocols. Yes, and can you believe it that on the first day McDonalds was open, people waited on average one and half hours!

The walking and biking continues, while drives to the beach are a norm for many. On a recent visit to the reserve at the end of Burke Street, the beach and walkway was lined with people fishing from shore - while kayakers fished a short distance offshore.

Going Walkabouts at The Thames

Thamesites are discovering what the town has to offer on their journeys around the town. Maybe it one for the many walkways,steps, reserves that are explored - perhaps for the first time, or for the first time in many years.

1. Walking by the Shortland Wharf, on the verge near Queen Street, is a much worn plaque that remembers the first Methodist Service at Shortland Town 20 October 1867.

"Tucked away by a tree at the Shortland Wharf is a plaque that commemorates the first Methodist Church service. It reads: “Near this site the Rev George S Harper led his first Methodist service of worship in Thames on the 20th October 1867. Text: 1 John 1:7” (photo below)
The goldfield had been open just two months, when Rev Harper stood on a barrel outside Sheehan’s Duke of Edinburgh Hotel adjacent to the Shortland landing. A large group gathered to hear the sermon, which Harper repeated twice that first day. Churches of all denominations were quickly established on the Thames Goldfield." Page 1, Thames Memorials & Plaques (2016)

ABOVE: Commemorative plaque at Shortland Wharf.

2. Walking at the Burke Street Reserve, located by the sea on the south side of the street a few landmarks and memorial plaques can be seen. We featured the new bench seat on the reserve in May last year, now we have another seat further south on the path that leads to the Beach Road entrance.

The seat shown blow is probably made by the Thames Men Shed, and has a plaque on the back that features a dog and the name "Pirate". Was this someone's dog, or meant to commemorate something more general? If you know, could you let me know.

  

The view looking back to central Thames from the Burke Street Reserve is special. From this reclaimed land, it is easy to imagine yourself sailing along and arriving at the Thames around the time of the goldrush.

ABOVE: “Colour Harmonics” sculpture by Michael Smither, 

which is sited on the reserve to the south of Burke Street. 

3. Walking childhood footpaths. My challenge today was to trek up to my childhood home and walk the footpaths that I played on over 60 years ago. Well I made it to The Terrace, and wandered in my memory past the Franklyn Street Store (on the corner of The Terrace and Franklyn Street). Down the steps and then along the path that was so perfect for learning to ride a bike and roller-skate all day long! Amazing that it seemed so narrow, as a child it was a wide highway!!

   

Far left: The corner of Terrace & Fanklyn Street. Middle: The steps that led down to the Franklyn Street Store. Right, The western footpath between Sealey and Franklyn Street.

Below: Then & Now views of the Franklyn Street Store.

If you went to Thames South School, the route to school followed Sealey or Frankyn Street, along Sandes Street, down the Hape and along Rolleston Street to school.

  

 Above Left: Corner of Sealey Street & Augustus Street North, looking west to Firth of Thames.

Above Right: Franklyn Street.

Below: Sandes Street from the Franklyn Street intersect.

CHALLENGE: Have you taken the opportunity to walk somewhere new, or step back in time and walk a childhood path? At Thames or in another town?

During Lockdown  'take another look' at YOUR town, and ponder the history that surrounds you,

ABOVE: A 'colourised' view from the Una / Karaka Hill over one hundred years ago.