Wasewase Sustainable Coastline Climate Justice Initiative
Traditionally it is said that Te Rā (the sun) and Hine Raumati (the summer maid) had a child, Tānerore. The saying, ‘Te haka a Tānerore’ (Tānerore's war dance) refers to the shimmering of hot air during summer.
Summer is a period where we enjoy life outdoors, the weather, nurture livestock and plants, and enjoy scenery that resembles the glory of God and its promises. It is also the season of Christmas, a time of gathering and healing and celebrating God’s promise of peace and justice on earth.
Our advances to move with technology, combined with the rapid development and growth of humanity, have desecrated the earth, created as good and beautiful by God.
In July last year, at the Wasewase AGM, a Climate Justice paper was presented encouraging our church youth to join a group dedicated to cleaning up our coastlines.
The idea was conceived when my family had a Saturday lunch at Buckland’s Beach. We witnessed a group cleaning the beach, enjoying the sun and working for the common good.
Further discussion occurred at the congregation levels, and we were excited to introduce the concept to the Wasewase. Each Tabacakacaka was fully aware of its implications and what they could contribute to their local communities.
The Connexional E-messenger shared a story about the New Plymouth Samoan Youth picking up trash at one of their beaches. This powerful message challenged today's youth to leave their comfort zones and challenge the status quo.
Youth need new challenges to revitalise how they see nature in their local surroundings and appreciate the meticulous handiwork of the creator.
A few years back, a Fijian family erected a tent at Buckland’s Beach and a father took his children to sleep for two nights near the waterfront. I asked him why he did that. He told me about the waterfront in his village, and how the natural sound of the waves slashing across the rocks and sand helped him realise how connected we are to nature.
The developing world has caused much disconnection.
We took this idea to join local groups already engaged in cleaning up beaches and we joined the Sustainable Coastline group. They provide schedules for gatherings at nominated beaches to pick up trash. They provide all the necessary safety gear and collection bins, and we provide the manpower to do the task.
Unfortunately, our youth have been slow in responding to some of the requests this summer, as most groups are preparing for their Annual Youth Camp at Foxton. They have been fundraising since Christmas to participate in the camp.
I moved to Wellington Wesley Parish recently. Here the coastlines of the southern tip of the North Island are very tempting to members of the Fijian and Tongan congregations, for collecting seafood and lighting campfires. Often with the local Iwi they share hotspots for collecting mussels, sea cucumbers (a Fijian delicacy) and seagrapes, known in Fijian as ‘nama’.
The idea is to make this one of our Climate Change initiatives this year, and it will be known as “Welly Southern Tip Clean.”
A matasiga or cell group, whose members reside in the areas close to the south Wellington coastlines, is now taking the initiative to spearhead this project. They will work in partnership with stakeholders like the Wellington City Council for example, and other community groups, who are also focused on the same initiative.
The message is clear, as was told to our forefathers in Genesis, we must look after the blessings that our God has given us.
It is our duty, as tasked by God, to do so.