Tamarua growers lead the way

Various growers within the village of Tamarua have opened their plantations and shown their appreciation to Ottilie Upshall from Kawabe and Associates for volunteering her services to show growers how to take soil samples and prepare their soil samples for testing at Brookside Laboratories in the USA. The growers are keen to know the results of the samples provided so that an accurate account of what key elements is present or lacking in their soil. Once this is known to growers, it is envisaged that they will be in a better position to address what needs to be addressed and therefore produce higher quality and quantity of agricultural produce.
The visit to Tamarua is an initiative driven and funded by Ngamau Wichman Tou and Dr Kawabe as a result of her visit to Mangaia (sponsored by Geologist, Paul Landry) in May 2009. The findings of her trip in May 2009 were written and presented to Chairperson of the Mangaian Association in Auckland, Mr Kai Tangatakino who is the advisor to Nooroa Numangatini, Queen of Mangaia. The response from Mr Kai Tangatakino has been that the tests be carried out and the results summarized and presented by Dr Yasu Kawabe to him and the Queen prior to a Mangaian gathering to be held on the 21 November 2009 in Auckland.
The ‘hands on approach’ used during the visit to the village of Tamarua has lifted the confidence of the growers who participated. Ottilie Upshall who is the daughter of Dr Yasu Kawabe, soil, plant and livestock specialist, worked closely with each of the Tamarua growers, only 1 hour after touch down in Mangaia. For the three days on Mangaia Ottilie Upshall was able to show growers how to take soil samples through their plantations and how to prepare samples and paper work to send directly to the Brookside Laboratories in the USA from Mangaia.
The analysis of the soil samples sent directly to the Brookside Laboratory will take up to three weeks to arrive to the USA and then a further 3 to 4 days to analyze before the results are finally produced and sent directly to Dr Yasu Kawabe. Once Dr Yasu Kawabe has received these results, he will communicate directly with each of the growers and in May 2010, he will fly to Mangaia to further elaborate on the recommendations that he has made with each of the growers.
The Tamarua growers met with Ngamau Wichman Tou and Ottilie Upshall to provide an overview of the support that they were able to provide to the community of Tamarua on Wednesday 04 November 2009 at 6pm in the Tamarua meeting house. Ngamau Wichman Tou tells the Herald that she is happy that the growers of Tamarua have chosen to utilize the support provided and drive the project themselves. The direct linking with Dr Yasu Kawabe is integral to the growers gaining support and confidence to continue in agricultural activities.
In regards to government’s involvement, it is anticipated that a supportive role will be played.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?