Denise Batchelor is a visual artist based in Hokianga who has been selected for this year's Wild Creative arts initiative. Photo / Supplied
Hokianga artist Denise Batchelor has been selected for this year's Wild Creative arts initiative.
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Wild Creations is a joint Department of Conservation and Creative New Zealand initiative supporting artists to engage with nature and conservation.
Fellow artist Sarah Hunter who is originally from the Hawke's Bay, was also selected.
Both artists will undertake a DOC conservation experience, and complete an artistic project based on the places, people and stories of Aotearoa.
Batchelor is a visual artist who works primarily in digital media, both still and moving images.
She is planning a project called "The Heart of a Forest" which explores the life force of a kauri forest.
"The central idea or kaupapa of this arts project is to observe moments of wonder, creating work that inspires both local community and visitors alike to essentially embrace the nature of kaitiakitanga," she said.
The artists will receive a stipend, project material costs and travel costs.
They will have one year to plan and take up DoC experiences in support of their project. At the end they are expected to produce new work, based on their experiences and outlined project.
DoC director general Lou Sanson said Batchelor and Hunter have a strong focus on the relationship between people and nature, including the importance of katiakitanga (guardianship).
"That feeling of connection with our nature and heritage is a crucial part of making conservation a success," Sanson said.
"Wild Creations is about inspiring New Zealanders by engaging them with nature. I'm looking forward to seeing how this year's artists tell these stories."
A multi-arts event celebrating positive solutions for environmental and social change is coming to the Hokianga.
The Hokianga Festival for Change will be held in Rawene and Kohukohu from February 28 to March 1.
Run by Hokianga Community Educational Trust, there will be music, visual arts, films, storytelling, literature, performing arts and te ao Māori, along with stalls, technology and displays.
Events are held at various locations in Rawene and Kohukohu including the Boatshed and New Era cafes, Village Arts and No. 1 Parnell art galleries, Clendon House and Rawene town hall.
The festival starts with a pōwhiri and karakia at Rawene Town Hall on Friday at 10.30am.
Three inspiring speakers - Tony Watkins, Kennedy Warne, and Sue Bradford - will wrap up the festival at the Village Arts Gallery on March 1.
John Wigglesworth will moderate the conversation.
As large numbers are expected, arrive at 1.45pm to be seated for a 2pm start.
Visit www.rawenenews.com/event/hokianga-festival-for-change/ for programme details.
There is an impressive line-up of performers at this year's Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Concert at the Station in Kawakawa.
Entertainers who are set to perform in the big green carriage shed on March 1 include the Bay of Islands College kapa haka group, the magnificent Bella a Capella singers, Te Whanau group and the Kerikeri Ukelele Group.
There will also be the wonderful voice of Carleen Still and the nostalgic string music talent from the Martin Family capped off with the country-style singing from Jack Tane.
For just $10 per head, the three-hour concert MC'd by Far North mayor John Carter is great value for money and supports a great community cause.
Doors open at 1.30pm and the concert starts at 2pm.
Bring your own chairs or a blanket to sit on.
Learn what makes Northland's Coastguard Air Patrol tick during an open day on March 15.
If you're thinking about volunteering or want to know more about how to contribute to Coastguard New Zealand's mission of saving lives at sea from the air then head along to Kerikeri airport between 10am and 1pm.
The Coastguard covers all of Northland from Whangārei up to Cape Reinga, coast to coast, providing aerial search and guidance to the rescue vessels.
Phone 09 407 3330 or visit www.coastguard.nz/regions/northern for more information.
The Great Whangaroa Kiwi Can Raft Race is back on March 14.
Schools, businesses, clubs and families are all gearing up to compete in the fun annual event where a wide variety of home-made craft race from Clansman's Wharf to the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club.
This year's action kicks off at 10am at the Whangaroa harbour and wraps up around 1pm.
The event is organised by the Whangaroa Kiwi Can Charitable Trust which runs the Graeme Dingle Foundation Kiwi Can programme in the Far North.
Kiwi Can is a life skills and values programme for 5-12 year olds which promotes a can-do attitude and encourages children to take responsibility for their actions.
Entries close on March 6.
Pick up an entry form from Kaeo School office or contact Tracy Walker on 021 213 9470 or tracy.walker@dinglefoundation.org.nz
The upcoming Kororipo Heritage Park Festival promises to be a fun family event with great kai and entertainment.
There will be live music, food, kapa haka, art, exhibitions, tours and talks, and a children's playground at the March 21 event from 10am-7pm.
The free festival is part of Tūhono Kerikeri, a programme of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of Kerikeri.
Tūhono Kerikeri project events coordinator June Pitman said Kerikeri is the first community in New Zealand to formally celebrate its bicentennial year.
It was at Kororipo that Hongi Hika extended an invitation to Reverend Samuel Marsden to establish his Christian Mission in October 1819, an invitation that was also endorsed by Rewa – another prominent rangatira.
Soon after, the mission was established under the direct protection of Hongi in the shadow of his pā at Kororipo.
Kororipo Pā and neighbouring Rewa's Village will serve as the perfect backdrop for festival-goers.
"Māori settlement of the Kororipo Basin predates the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Kerikeri as a Pākehā settlement by centuries.
"The bicentennial is important in that it provides an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the history of this place, and their connection to it."
The line-up of performers includes Bay of Islands-based Troy Kingi, fusion group Blue Pearl, and the Māori Sidesteps.
Local kapa haka groups, musicians and other entertainers will also perform throughout the day, with artists exhibiting works with a strong Tūhono Kerikeri theme.
"The Kororipo Heritage Park Festival Day has been over 200 years in the making – so it will be a party not to miss," Pitman said.
The Kororipo Heritage Park Festival Day is a partnership programme between Ngāti Rēhia, Far North District Council, the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the Department of Conservation, Far North Holdings and Northland Inc.
Head to the Packhouse Market on February 27 from 5pm-9pm for a great cause.
There will be bands, food and entertainment at the Blaze Aid fundraising gala which aims to support the Australian bushfire relief effort.
Students from local schools will hold stalls at the event – including from Springbank School - and local fire stations are also supporting the event.
Funds go to Bobin Public School, a small school in rural New South Wales which was destroyed by the bushfires.
They will use the donation to buy teaching materials and resources.
If you'd like to have a fundraising stall at the event, contact Michelle on Michelle.chapman@springbank.nz or 021 214 4886.
• If you have an upcoming event or a snippet of news you'd like to share, email jenny.ling@nzme.co.nz along with your contact details.
Three of the whales succumbed on the shore.