Why Rawhiti Domain?
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Rawhiti Domain is beside the sea in New Brighton, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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This coastal area was ravaged by the thousands of earthquakes which hit our city in 2010 and beyond resulting in the loss - completely gone, not coming back kind of loss of over 6,000 homes and gardens.
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Due to this loss of feeding grounds, our butterfly, bee, insect, bird and fungi populations are in decline because of lack of food.
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Monarch butterfly numbers were large pre-earthquake and a unique feature in our community.
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Rawhiti Domain is the heart of our community - literally in the middle with sports activities but not much else to do. Serendipity comes into play here - the proposed natural play area where the Monarchs live, from the air, is naturally in the shape of a heart!
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Rawhiti has the potential to be a beautiful, educational and welcoming place for the community, children and visitors to spend leisure time and a beautiful feeding ground of flowering natives and exotics for the Monarchs, bees, other insects and birds for coming generations.
People remember the butterflies. If you mention Monarch butterflies in New Brighton, people's faces light up as they tumble words out telling you of the numbers, the masses, and the beauty. Then, there were the earthquakes of 2010...and beyond.
This area was affected by the earthquakes resulting in the loss - completely gone, not coming back, kind of loss, of over six thousand residential homes. Many of these homes had gardens and these gardens were the food source for our bees and butterflies.
Rawhiti Domain is the heart of our community. Literally, in the middle. It has rugby, soccer, and hockey fields. Netball and volleyball courts, a golf course, and a very cool dog exercise area. There are large open spaces used by athletes and the archery club - not at the same time - funny image in my head now.
On the west side of the Domain is an area we fondly call 'The Wooded Area,' which has long been designated on council plans to develop for children's natural play.
Serendipity comes into ‘play’ as the shape of this play area is a heart within the heart of New Brighton.
The Guardians have taken the council plan and developed the concept far beyond a simple upgrade. With support from local authorities, a natural playground will be created on the natural contours of the land, with natural materials.
So, it is the task of The Guardians to protect and enhance with the natural playground and botanical garden, regenerating the food source of our bees, butterflies, bugs and fungi to ensure they are part of our community, in masses, for generations to come.
As the garden develops and grows, may our community also grow and heal.