Holiday schedule for the Centre
It's all go here at the Centre while we try to get through our busy to-do lists and get ready to shut the doors for the holiday. Below are the dates and times so that you know when we'll be here and when we'll be putting up our feet for a rest.
It's a busy time at work for everyone and it can be a squeeze to get prepared for the festivities as well as get through the workload. To help with that, we have a couple of late nights in the shop coming up so that you can pop in after work for some last-minute shopping.
Late night shop opening:
Tuesday 13 December until 7pm
Thursday 22 December until 7pm.
Centre and office closed:
Friday 23 December 2016 at 4pm until 10am Monday 16 January 2017
Shop closed:
Saturday 24 December 2016 at 2pm until 10am Monday 16 January 2017.
Christmas shopping at the Centre
Sustainable gifting doesn't mean disappointment and boring presents. We have lots of awesome Christmas presents and stocking-fillers for all your whanau and friends here at the centre. From gardening delights to fancy knickers (those famous Thunderpants), candles that smell so delicious you will be tempted to eat them, drink bottles and reusable straws you can take anywhere, toys, stationary, weta houses and gorgeous snail mausoleums, and beaded tree necklaces.There's something for everyone.
Pop in on weekdays between 10am and 4pm, on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm, and don't forget our late nights listed above.
Green Drinks at WEC
When: Tuesday 13 December 3.30-7pm
Where: Waikato Environment Centre, 242 Peachgrove Road, Hamilton
Remember that you are invited to join us for our pre-Christmas drinks next Tuesday.
Join us to celebrate the year that has been and to enjoy some festive cheer with one another.
Come and taste some Kaivolution treats and some of Katherine's famous punch, while delighting in some Christmas craft creations if you choose. And if that's not enough, we have a little line-up of events to entice you in:
- 4pm - Sustainable gift-wrapping, a Furoshiki deomostration by Tania Ashman
- 5pm - Music and songs by Samantha Rose and Shine Murphy
- 5.30 - Eco Shop delights with our retail extraordinaire, Jan Graham
- 6.15pm - Poetry with Hepara Isaac
- 6.30pm - Poetry with Stephanie Christi
Do you have a rental property?
Check out our new service!
Earlier this year the Residential Tenancies Amendment (RTA) Act came in to force which requires rental properties to comply with certain standards, including fire safety and insulation.
- Landlords have until July 2019 to ensure their properties have adequate levels of insulation, but here is why you shouldn’t delay:
- There are currently insulation subsidies available, but once these are used up landlords will have to pay full price for their insulation.
- There will be a last minute rush, where all the landlords that haven’t planned ahead will need to have insulation installed. To avoid high prices from reputable companies, or to avoid poor quality work by fly-by-night/cowboy installers, get your property ready now!
- Getting your property up to standard can take longer than expected. Plan ahead and get your insulation installed in time to avoid a $4000 penalty.
The Waikato Environment Centre now offers RTA Compliance Certification, and other services to help make sure your home is safe, healthy, and resource efficient.
Tania and Camilla are both qualified Home Performance Advisors and can offer you a professional and supportive service that ensures you are given all the information you need to comply with legislation.
Our service is competitively priced, with all profits going to support the Waikato Environment Centre and its many initiatives (including enabling us to run community workshops on creating safe, healthy, and environmentally sustainable homes).
If you would like to learn more about what we can do for you to help make sure your properties are compliant and certified, or to see whether any of our other Home Performance services might be of interest, please get in touch with Tania or Camilla: info@envirocentre.org.nz
Earth Matters Radio Show has gone weekly!
Summer is here and hopefully, at least for some, there will be some much needed downtime. Perhaps some time to be with our friends and family and reflect a little. In next weeks show (December 14) Anna and Samantha will spend some time exploring deep ecology, discussing an exciting project about Integral Ecology and sharing some thoughts on the need to remember our interconnectedness. Tune in every Wednesday at 5pm on Free FM 89.0. Shows are also replayed at 2pm on Mondays and if that doesn't suit your schedule, you can catch up on the podcasts online at any time: http://www.freefm.org.nz/free-fm-on-demand
Waste Minimisation Facilitator Job
Waikato Regional Council have an exciting position in waste management and community engagement. They are looking for a Waste Minimisation Facilitator to fill a 6-month secondment period. Check out the advertisement for more information or visit www.waikatoregion.govt.nz or phone 0800 800 401.
Last few days to submit:
Draft Lake Domain Management Plan
RESTORE wants a swimmable lake! Submissions close on Sunday 11 December. If you want to have your say, please join us in making a submission on the Draft Lake Domain Management Plan: Submission to Hamilton City Council. Access the online form here: https://haveyoursay.hamilton.govt.nz/parks-and-open-space/draft-hamilton-lake-domain-management-plan/consultation/subpage.2016-10-06.6294160787/view/
Sustainability Workshops in Te Aroha
Adventures in Sustainability Waikato is running a series of workshops for the whole of next term on Tuesday nights in Te Aroha. Sign up soon (spaces are limited) to learn how to live a more sustainable life. See the poster below for more information.
