Some other interests of Kit Withers

My interests include: other cultures, nature, aerobics, and GENEALOGY.

Click here for maps of Wellington region,
Wellington City,
and where I grew up in Auckland Parnell.
These maps come from "http://www.mapquest.com/

In 1994/95 I started a neighbourhood reforestation effort for the adjacent MAKARA PEAK PARK acquired by Wellington City Council at that time. Since then we have
-planted 3-4000 native seedlings provided by WCC nursery
-got an old track recut thru the gorse up the main creek to a beautiful waterfall
- given our support to the newly formed Makara Peak Park advisory committee which I am on
- started a native plant nursery with about 700 young trees as of 1.10.98.

For a photo by Nick Sawicki c1996 of a view of the regenerating bush from above the T beyond the Allington Road watertanks, have a look at these ferns and lancewoods.
Here is a view of the South Island from the track to Makara Peak from Makara Road taken by Nick.
wellington-makara-02.jpg For a view of the peak when it last snowed c1991, try this one.

The Council has appointed an advocate for the park, Simon Kennett, who is doing a great job bringing together the energy of the mountain bikers: the plan is to cut 50 km of dual purpose bike and walking tracks thru this 125 hectare reserve in the next 5 years! A lot of it is high fire risk = GORSE so we plan to plant fire-retardant natives at the edges of these parts of the tracks.

It's a great feeling seeing these trees poking their heads thru the gorse that has grown up with them over the last few years. Remember planting on reserves is planting for future generations. We hope to begin planting mid to late succession species in established bush areas in the park to bring in the native birds attracted by their berries.

If you'd like to take a guided tour through AOTEAROA (NEW ZEALAND), try Akiko - NZ on the web.

I am the New Zealand representive for Atenisi University

http://kalianet.candw.to/atenisi/index.html

in TONGA.

This is a a small private university inspired by the spirit of the ancient Greek philosophers. (Atenisi is Tongan for Athens.)
This article from the Tonga Chronicle on their 1995 graduation was taken from the Tonga homepage.

If you'd like to take a sabbatical in an
entirely unique cultural South Pacific island, you might consider
writing or phoning its founder:
 Professor Futa Helu, Atenisi Institute, Box 220, Nukualofa, TONGA
phone  00676 25034
 OR email atenisi"att"candw.to
 For Tongan family trees showing migration there are the SCHAARF FAMILY at

and the HELU FAMILY at helu.html

For Pacific news, try

THE KAVABOWL AT http://pacificforum.com/kavabowl/ and

David Robie's Cafe Pacific.

For a challenging newsgroup, try the Nekeneke email newsletters on MAORI SOVEREIGNTY.

 To read these, email johnt"att"raumati.wn.planet.gen.nz 


Kit Withers 
kitw"att"slingshot.co.nz
phone 64 4 476 9554