Suzanne Williams

Congratulations to Dr Mawera Karetai on her opinion piece of last Friday’s Beacon; it is of superlative quality, well-conceived and crafted and deals with the importance of inter-relationships of all peoples, communities and families in a similar manner to forests.

I, too, recently viewed the film, Think Like a Forest, well made by Sam Gibson of Gisborne in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, which may be picked up on TVNZ+. It carries a well-thought-out message on ways of mitigating a similar disaster in the future, what is being done, and leads into Mawera’s thoughts in correlation and expansion.

I am right behind her, and I recommend that anyone who has not done so, read her very important and far-reaching message.

Hukutaia Domain is my favourite place also (although I can’t get there easily now); it is well looked after by the Care Group; very beautiful, unique and seems to have a spiritual quality, perhaps because of the magnificent ancient Upokorehe puriri Burial Tree, Taketakerau.

It is followed closely in my estimation by Marawaiwai Reserve, where there is a short walk through a lovely stand of mainly kahikatea trees around a stream; a gentle, pleasant walk, although the bush seems to lack any love or even care, and the toilet is dreadful.