Motueka welcomes its godwits with colour and style

September 14th, 2010

Saturday and Sunday saw a series of events centred on Memorial Hall to celebrate the annual return of the godwits to the Motueka Sandspit. The weekend celebration was very well attended, and was even discussed on Jim Mora's afternoon programme on Radio New Zealand National on Tuesday (2.20pm if you have the internet to replay programmes).

Unfortunately the godwits didn't quite make it for the party, the first travellers arriving from Alaska after their 8-day flight on the following Tuesday afternoon.

The photos below tell much of the story of the events, but in summary organisers estimated that 400-500 visitors went through Memorial Hall, enjoying displays by Forest and Bird, the Ornithological Society, TDC, DOC, and Farewell Spit Eco Tours, plus the competition entries.

In all, eight schools put art works into the competition or put up displays, and dozens of adults contributed stories and poems in their competitions. There was also a stand showing 71 outstanding photography taken by local snappers of birdlife and the Motueka foreshore was much admired.

Saturday began at 11.15 with Karakia, the official opening and speeches followed by the performance of a godwit song by the Ukes of Hazzard. Then came the presentation of competition prizes. (List of prizewinners here.) In the afternoon about 40 people heard Trevor James, of TDC, speaking on "Looking After Our Estuary", with heaps of interesting and useful information about the state of our waterways and wildlife.

On Sunday afternoon came a highlight of the weekend - an address by respected authority David Melville speaking on godwit research, which 120 people attended. Then for the hardy souls it was off in the rain to Motueka Quay with members of Ornithological Society to see what birdlife was to be spotted on the sandspit.


Godwits and chicks made by students at ...	... Rudolf Steiner school, made to life scale

Forest & Bird display, complete with running water	Lower Moutere School art entries
Some of the 71 photos in the competition
The official opening and speeches	Old and young spotting godwits

Pastel drawings by Liz Hofmann

Comment by Beth Bryant:
[Posted 22 September 2010]
This is a fantastic write up David, with all the great pics, and list of prize-winners, and writing. Well done - and many thanks. Your website is well used and great asset for the town.

The godwits are arriving, and are roosting in different areas than they have used in the past - likely because a lot of sand has washed off the sandspit in the August storm/high tide - so people need to be exceptionally vigilant if taking dogs for exercise in this area ("free dog walking" area!!). Oh Well!!!

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