Welcome to the Godwits

Every year around the second week of September, the first of the godwits arrive in Motueka after their epic, non-stop flight from Alaska. To celebrate their return, the Motueka Arts Council have organised a weekend of displays, competitions, films, and information about these birds.

There will also be a viewing of the godwit from the Motueka Sandspit and estuary, their summer home for the next six months. You are invited to take part in the celebrations by entering the competitions.

Competitions include photography, short story and poetry for adults, and art for school children. The topic is "Motueka Sandspit and Estuary - Summer home of the Godwits." Entry forms are available from Potter Patch, 188 High Street, Motueka, or can be down-loaded from www.motuekaonline.org.nz/events-calendar.html

All entries will be exhibited in the Motueka Memorial Hall for the weekend 11/12 September, with winners announced and prizes awarded on Saturday afternoon.

- Minister of Conservation to open godwit celebration.
The Hon Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Conservation will be in Motueka to open the Welcome to the Godwits celebration on Saturday 11 September, at the Motueka Memorial Hall. The event, organised by The Motueka Arts Council, is to celebrate the return of the godwits to our estuary. It will include displays, art, slide shows and photographs of godwits and the estuaries around Motueka. There will be stands from Doc, TDC, OSNZ (Ornithological Society NZ), Forest and Bird, local schools and a godwit song from Paul Bond and his Ukes Of Hazzard. Speakers include: Trevor James, TDC Resource Scientist on the importance of the estuary, and David Melville with the latest research on godwit migration. On Sunday, members of the OSNZ will help you view the newly arrived godwits with telescopes at the old wharf.

Programme:

- Saturday 11 September
10.00am - 4.00pm - Memorial Hall open to view displays
11.15 - Karakia, official opening and speeches
11.50 - Ukes of Hazzard godwit song
11.55 - Kate Wilkinson, presentation of competition prizes
2.00pm - Trevor James, TDC resource scientist
2.30pm - Readings of winning story and poem

- Sunday 12 September
10.00am - 4.00pm - Memorial Hall open to view displays
1.30pm - David Melville, ornithologist, godwit research
3.00pm - Viewing of godwits from Motueka Quay

Monday 13 September
2pm - Movie, Winged Migration, State Cinema Motueka

Event listed by birdy2

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