Waiheke Island sheep raises $4,000 in three weeks for court case

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Multi Pawley raising money for Save Kennedy Point (SKP).

Tourists and residents on Auckland's Waiheke Island have been digging deep to help a sheep raise funds to fight against a marina development.

Longtime resident Sue Pawley sets out daily with mixed-breed sheep Multi to ask for donations needed for a legal battle in the Environment Court.

SKP chairperson David Baigent and Sue Pawley with Multi the sheep at Ostend Market

In just over three weeks, they have raised $4,000 and raised awareness of the issue.

Protest group Save Kennedy Point (SKP) has lodged an appeal in the Environment Court against an Auckland Council consent for Kennedy Point Boatharbour Limited to build a 186-berth marina.

Kathy Voyles is working on the campaign to save Kennedy Point.

* Waiheke Island protest group gears up for court

* Waiheke Island marina plan drives wedge between Māori groups**

The hearing will be held in Auckland in the week starting on February 26, 2018.

Now the race is on for the group to raise enough funds to pay for it.

The community group has raised about $175,000, but needs another $50,000.

Multi and Pawley, who are helped by resident Kathy Voyles, are doing their best.

Voyles accompanies Pawley, who walks with crutches due to hip and knee problems, on the trips into Oneroa and to the Saturday Ostend market.

Multi wears a small barrel for donations strapped onto her back along with a small poster detailing what the money is for.

It can be a bit of a task trying to keep Multi from eating the geraniums outside the Citizen's Advice Bureau at the top of the village but otherwise she is fairly well behaved, Voyles said.

The only times they can't go out is in high winds because Multi doesn't like them.

And a few cashew nuts now and again keep her happy.

'She's a very good sheep,' Pawley said.

'Multi is a conversation starter. So many people had not heard of the marina development and we've yet to meet anyone who is in favour of it.

'We've had people from Hong Kong, for example, say that they don't want the island to become like Hong Kong and we've had people from the United States and Australia contribute.'

Some give five cents, others $100, she said.

'People we meet are very touched by the money we have to raise to fight an appeal.

'Perhaps we need more legislation to protect our fragile environments.'

A storm on January 4 and 5 damaged a boat ramp pontoon at Half Moon Bay in Auckland, increasing concerns about Kennedy Point Boatharbour's plans for a floating marina car park.

'No developer is mightier than nature.

'This design is really exposed to the weather and being lashed by winds from the west.

'Look at what happened recently to Half Moon Bay Marina and just imagine a floating pontoon carpark.

'Waiheke relies upon supplies coming from Auckland and if the boats and marina were broken up in a storm that could impede food and oil coming to the island for some time.

'It's like sinking another wreck like the Niagara in our little bay and just waiting for a storm.'

To boost Multi's efforts, SKP is organising a major fundraiser for February 17.

Called 'Sun Kissed Picnic', it will be at a private bay on the island and feature a line up of musicians, with comedian Jeremy Elwood as MC.

Ticket prices are $49 (adults), $10 (children aged between five and 15), with children up to the age of four free.

Sun Kissed Picnic VIB (Very Important Besties) cabanas are available and accommodate up to eight people.

Email info@skp.org.nz for details and bookings.