Author: Ian Maxwell
Monitoring insect populations
Insects are a key part of our ecosystem. They are pollinators, they deal with waste and they are food for a host of animals. Given these benefits its important to monitor the extent and diversity of insect populations. This week the team from the Mens (and womans) Shed completed six insect monitoring stations for WAI…
Paint store for the workshop
At the Wanaka Community Workshop we use recycled materials, materials which would otherwise have been disposed of. Wood products such as timber and plywood as well as screws, nails and bolts are an important part of this. However we also reuse paint and stains which would otherwise have been disposed of. We need to store…
Lilliput Libraries
Reading is important. Important for society as a whole. Important for us as individuals. Its also fun. Encouraging reading is a key mission for Wanaka Library. Part of this is making it easy for folk to access books. With a great book collection at the library and on line, our librarians are working to complement…
Aiding our island habitats
Within Lake Wanaka are four islands – Mou Waho (120 ha), Te Peka Karara (65 ha), Mou Tapu (120ha) and Ruby Island (3 ha). The Department of Conservation in association with community groups are working to create pest free haven’s on the largest three islands. Their work has already permitted buff weka to be returned…
Gifted kit for the Workshop
The MenShed operates out of the Wanaka Community Workshop every Tuesday and Thursday morning. This week Peter Young dropped in with an offer – would we like a band saw? Would we? We would love it! Half and hour later Peter was back. Peter brought with him a band saw that had served him over…
Upgraded nest platforms for Grebes
This week John Darby who has led the program to save the endangered Great Crested Grebe’s for the last decade visited the Wanaka Community Workshop. John was accompanied by Dave Thomas and Markus Hermanns. They were checking out the refurbishment of a second batch of nesting platforms. The Great Crested Grebe is a water bird…
Bike stands from construction waste
Tired of picking your bike up off the floor? Weary of trying to balance your cycle up against a wall? The Wanaka Community Workshop has the answer to your problem – a bike stand. The stands are made from construction waste that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill. Simple, stable and custom designed…
Sarah makes a difference
Over the holidays Sarah has been picking cherries in the Upper Clutha. This week before heading back north to University she dropped into the Wanaka Community Workshop. Sarah was looking to make a contribution to our community. She joined the team from the Mens Shed for a morning. We are currently building a batch of…
Better Brew Ups
It may surprise some but its not all work at the Mens Shed. We also enjoy the odd brew – a cuppa. Indeed the time for a cuppa is a key part of our day. A time to catch up and share stories. Without running water in our kitchen our brew ups were more akin…
Fresh hands make light work
Its always great to welcome folk who drop into the Wanaka Community Centre. This week Catie called in to give a hand to the supporters of the MenShed. Catie is working in town over the University holidays, heard about the MenShed and thought she would give it a go. We were busy. The supporters are…
A great place to get involved
Gillian and her husband moved to Wanaka in July. Gillian’s family had holidayed here for years. Taking the plunge and relocating south from Auckland meant they needed to engage with the community here in Wanaka. They joined the MenShed. “It was great to learn new skills” said Gillian. But what I love most about the…
Family icon restored to glory
Early in 2021 long term Wanaka resident Lindsay dropped into the Wanaka Community Workshop. She presented a challenge. Could we restore a garden seat which her granddad had owned? At the MensShed we have people like Stu Simpson who like a challenge. With new woodwork and refurbished steel work the seat, resplendent in classic kiwi…