08/11/2005

Kiwi House and bird flu pandemic

During the past few months Council, the Otorohanga District Development Board and the Otorohanga Zoological Society have been investigating options to redevelop the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Aviary complex.
The Kiwi House, as it is affectionately known, was constructed in the early 1970s and is this country's foremost breeding facility for rare and endangered species - bird, animal, flora and fauna.
More than 50,000 people visit the Kiwi House each year and the centre is operated by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of staff and volunteers.
The Otorohanga community has in recent times developed a 'proud to be kiwi' theme centred around our world renowned kiwi house, and our streets feature a myriad of Kiwiana murals, window displays and trails which are very popular for visiting school groups, and the annual Kiwiana Festival, hanging baskets and traditional friendly kiwi shopping experience clearly identifies Otorohanga as the Kiwiana capital of the world.
The zoological society has been considering various options to upgrade its facility to cater for the increase in visitor numbers, and council and the development board have agreed to contribute some funding, support and expertise to ensure the Otorohanga Kiwi House continues to be one of the very best tourist experiences m our district.
Certainly the ideas that are coming out of the wider consultation process are very exciting indeed, and I look forward to the results of this work' coming to fruition.
I want to also draw your attention to the potential threat of an avian bird flu pandemic to this region.
I do not wish to be alarmist but please do not think that this is like the hype over the Y2K computer threat which did not ultimately eventuate.
Everything crossing my desk leads me to believe it is not a matter of if - but when - we face an outbreak of some degree here in New Zealand.
Some compare this to the flu epidemic of 1918 when 50 to 100 million people worldwide were casualties, and others suggest an infection rate of about 40 per cent and a mortality rate of 2 per cent.
Two per cent equates to around 90,000 kiwis, so everyone could be affected in some way. Our industries, businesses, farms, prisons, councils, schools, and families must have a contingency plan in place to function in
the event of many of their personnel having to be isolated and out of circulation.
I would advise you to prepare yourself now by storing clean water, non perishable food supplies and basic medicines in case you have to stay home, and keep healthy, fit and active to help your immune system ward off infection. Don't let the bird flu affect we kiwis!

Councils lead by example

Otorohanga and Waitomo District Council staff led by example during National Push Play Day on Friday.
In Otorohanga a team of council staff and elected members took part in a two-hour cycle challenge, which required them to take turns riding an exercycle that was situated outside the council premises in Maniapoto St.
In the end the team clocked up a combined total 50.2km.
Sport Waikato co-ordinator Robbie Matthews said it was great to see the council taking a proactive role in the Push Play campaign.
Ms Matthews said it was particularly pleasing to see some individuals who were not initially keen on taking
part in the challenge, giving it a go. 
In Te Kuiti, Waitomo District Council staff were encouraged to take part in a swimming pool challenge - competing in a game of water polo, relays and lengths of the pool.
With a main focus on participation, 56 per cent of Waitomo District Council staff took part.
Meanwhile many schools and organisations across the district held events of their own in order to celebrate National Push Play Day, while individuals tied green balloons on their mailboxes to show their support.
Ms Matthews said by looking at the amount of green balloons around the community on Friday, it was clear the "Push Play" message is alive and well.
National Push Play Day is coordinated by Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) and aims to encourage New Zealanders to be more active.