This year’s AGM was held as planned on 30 June but, in contrast to all previous years, the 2022 event was conducted purely on-line as a Zoom meeting. While the committee itself has been conducting the business of the Guardians in this way for a year, the success of our AGM was going to depend on how our membership and guests would handle this new approach. In the end we need not have worried as the evening’s proceedings took place without a hitch and the agenda was covered in the normal way.

Altogether, there were 21 attendees who took part, including the guest speaker. This was an excellent turnout under the circumstances as the number was typical of most years. We also recorded eight apologies from those who would like to have attended but were unable to at the time.

The Annual Report, summarised by our Chair, Lindsay Gow, emphasised the difficulties experienced during the year that in particular affected the photographic competition. Last year’s contest had been under-subscribed and the decision was taken to cancel it this year due to the ongoing uncertainties associated with large gatherings of people in enclosed areas.

Other areas of concern have been issues with the now open and operational Transmission Gully Motorway. These concerns have to do with far too many sedimentation events impacting the catchment and Inlet and whether the extensive and complex stormwater systems will manage future events effectively.

Lindsay praised the contribution made by the Inlet Restoration Planting programme that has been managed by Andre van Halderen for the last two years. He also recognised the support of the Department of Conservation and Porirua City Council in this initiative. Significant numbers of sea rush, as well as other coastal plants, have been added to the shores of the Inlet at many locations and progress in this activity will continue into the future.

Lindsay also mentioned the contribution that Michael Waldron makes to the Website and Newsletter, both of which are important channels of communication about the work of the Guardians.

The full Annual Report and financial details are available to view below.

During the voting for next year’s committee, all current members were re-elected, a formality in this case as everyone had already expressed their wishes to continue in their roles. However, for the position of Secretary, it was necessary to vote on the new member, Jessica Taylor, who was seconded to the board earlier this year to fill the vacancy left by the departure of Marion Rosner. We welcome Jessica to the team.

Following the formal part of the evening, our guest speaker, Dr Inigo Zabarte-Maeztu, spoke to the AGM about his research on Seagrass of Pāuahatanui Inlet using a Powerpoint presentation that was streamed to the Zoom meeting for the purpose. Many found his presentation enlightening, with new research into the reproductive cycle of the plant. Some of the details presented in this talk have been expanded upon in the feature article of this month’s newsletter, and this will be followed up by a subsequent item in the December issue taking an extended look at the research itself.

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