There is more to Grey Power’s concerns than hospital waiting lists, housing issues, and superannuation levels.
Our grandchildren, in their concerns for global warming and the environment, don’t realise that Granny and many of us were marching 60 years ago in the Age of Aquarius to save Lake Manapouri and Te Anau being raised for power development, to stop the logging of native forest in Whirinaki and Purerora, (both now forest parks), and to keep New Zealand nuclear-free.
In 1972, the Labour Government passed legislation to maintain the natural levels of the lakes, and the Values Party, (now the Greens), was formed to contest the 1972 election. Protection of the environment and community character is part of our DNA. The largest conservation organisation is Forest & Bird, formed in 1923, and still going strong, largely maintained by senior volunteers.
The North Shore in Auckland is surrounded by the Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, and being hilly, still has significant clumps of urban bush. This provides a conduit for birds coming from the offshore Gulf islands to the Waitakere ranges in the west and creates a special environmental awareness in the local community.
Grey Power North Shore has a policy of supporting local community groups with significant senior involvement, and for more than 20 years has supported Forest & Bird by promoting its annual calendar sales. It is important continue to do so, as the need has never been greater. Our grandchildren are right.
The Shore had a large number of British immigrants arrive in the 1970’s, and the popular calendars were timed to catch the Christmas mails for Britain. Family links in the UK have faded with time, and mail is no longer a major communication format. However, the calendars are as attractive as ever as a Christmas gift and a useful household feature even in the digital age.
Purchasing a calendar is a great opportunity to support both the environment and a major senior group (see order details opposite) whilst gifting your grandchildren a helpful and attractive Christmas present.
- Footnote: It is a curious social phenomenon that young people never consider that our generation was young or teenagers. Harking back to the Age of Aquarius and the other protests such as the Vietnam War, Halt the Tour, and Women’s Liberation, I was discussing those times with a young Green canvasser and mentioned that her grandmother could have burnt her bra. Absolutely shocked, she cried, “My Granny wouldn’t do that!” She was probably right.
2025 Calendars & Diaries
Support North Shore Forest & Bird with the purchase of next year’s calendars and diaries. Funds raised from these sales are used locally to support Forest & Bird North Shore branch activities.
Conservation Calendar 2025
Featuring superb photographs of our extraordinary wildlife and wilderness habitats taken by some of our leading nature photographers.
Weighs less than 200g for
economic postage.
Envelope included.
Conservation Diary 2025
Each week brings a unique photograph of our unique landscapes, plants and wildlife. This quality week-to-view diary features public holidays and a lay-flat spiral binding. “But wait, there is more” –
in pride of place, on the cover;
“Bird of the Century”.
Contact northshore.branch@forestandbird.org.nz to purchase.
