Earth Hour market an example for future

An estimated 4000 people pledged their support for Earth Hour in Mount Maunganui on Saturday night.

Mauao Performing Arts Centre and the Gourmet Night Market collaborated to form the Earth Hour market at Coronation Park.

The market was driven by the cause, meaning no electricity could be used.

A solar powered performance stage was made by Sunsonic, which can run for up to 49 hours if required.

The vendors used gas to cook their gourmet meals.

Lucie Caines, owner of stall Love Raw, did all of her prep before the market and used chillybins on the night.

Kim Renshaw, organiser of the Gourmet Night Market, said the Earth Hour market can be used as a catalyst for future markets.

“I’d like to take some of these components and use them all the time,” she said.

“When you run an event you’re creating waste and using resources. You’re actually putting something negative into the environment.”

She said incorporating environmentally friendly methods into an event makes a difference.

Gourmet Night Market volunteer Chris O’Donnell agreed.

“At the end of the night there will be hardly anything going to actual waste.”

Renshaw said they achieved 95.4% waste diversion from landfill.

“So that means for 250kg of rubbish, we sent only 10kg to landfill by using composting and recycling waste options.”

The market began at 5pm, although many turned up well before that.

“I’m a little overwhelmed by the turnout. It surprised me how positive everyone was and how open they were to talk about it [Earth Hour],” Renshaw said.

“It’s incredible to think that we can serve 3000 people dinner without power.”

Tauranga local Bree Mulford said she wasn’t aware of Earth Hour.

“I didn’t even know about it until this year but I think it’s a really good idea.”

Earth Hour officially began at 8.30pm, and a young local made the countdown.

A documentary explaining the cause was presented on a pop-up, inflatable screen and afterwards fire dancers had the crowd standing up on their feet.

Surrounded by colourful lanterns, families relaxed on blankets with their candles. No electric lights made for a picturesque market.

A candle return system meant the public paid $2 for a candle and were reimbursed once they had returned it.

On the negative press regarding neighbouring restaurant owners who claim the markets were taking away customers, Renshaw said she simply thinks they have missed the point.

“These are the people that live in this area and they’re all here together tonight, hanging out, not at home on their iPhones or on the internet. This is what real life is.

“In the grand scheme of their [restaurant owners] little bit of loss of profit – this is way more important.

“The whole thing comes from a place of love. I could do it all year – but it just wouldn’t be as special.”

Bethlehem college student Tom Rutherford said he loves what the Tauranga City Council has done with Coronation Park.

“What I really like is the park didn’t used to be like this. The park used to be trees everywhere and about 6-8 months ago they took everything away so you could have this area.

“It’s given us more community events and it’s really good because all the cruise ships come in and the park is the first thing they see.”

Renshaw said she is in the early stages of planning a mid-winter market.