Bay of Plenty kōkako numbers on the rise
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction A recent survey in the Pongakawa Ecological Area has indicated a robust and healthy population of North Island kōkako – one of New Zealand’s more highly threatened birds. Date: 22 May 2019 Survey team Joe, Dave and Amanda with a map of the 1200ha survey area.Image: Rotoehu Ecological Trust | © A total […]
Read More →Beetles about: weed moth plant targeted
Source: Environmental Protection Authority 21 May 2019 We have approved the introduction of a root-feeding beetle to control the noxious weed moth plant. The application to introduce the moth plant beetle into New Zealand was made by the Waikato Regional Council, acting on behalf of a consortium of regional councils and the Department of Conservation […]
Read More →Taking the pulse of the Hikurangi subduction zone – 21/05/2019
Source: GNS Science This will help to bring science a step closer to being able to forecast the likelihood of damaging earthquakes and tsunamis on this major fault. Led by GNS Science, the study involved the detailed analysis of several hundred earthquakes between Hawke’s Bay and East Cape to produce the first direct physical evidence […]
Read More →Measles update | ESR
Source: ESR Measles cases linked to single importation. ESR scientists say the majority of cases of measles in Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty are likely to have originated from one initial case in Auckland. ESR, which tracks all notifiable diseases on behalf of the Ministry of Health, reports there are now 142 cases of […]
Read More →Four Sisters walk in Waipoua Forest to temporarily close
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction The Four Sisters walk has temporarily closed due to the discovery of the kauri dieback pathogen in the area. Date: 20 May 2019 Source: DOC and Te Roroa DOC and Te Roroa (kaitiaki over Waipoua Forest) have announced that the Four Sisters Walk has temporarily closed. This is due to the discovery […]
Read More →Home-coming for rare rowi
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction A small population of our rarest kiwi returned to their traditional West Coast home on 9 May after growing up on Mana Island in the lower North Island. Date: 17 May 2019 These seven rowi, or Ōkārito brown kiwi, were all wild-hatched on predator free Mana Island and are part of […]
Read More →Scientists hoping to solve great eel mystery
Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research NIWA freshwater scientists are pinning their hopes of solving an age-old mystery on 10 female longfin eels who are about to begin an epic journey to their spawning grounds somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. NIWA freshwater ecologist Dr Paul Franklin says not knowing where […]
Read More →Rec fishers join environmental heavyweights to save “kauri forests of our ocean”
Source: Greenpeace New Zealand New Zealand’s leading environmental organisations have today joined with recreational fishers to call on the Government to ban bottom trawling on seamounts. The Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC), ECO, Forest and Bird, Greenpeace, LegaSea and WWF-New Zealand are urging the public to sign a petition to the Minister of Fisheries, Stuart […]
Read More →Oxfam Trailwalker on the move from Whakatane
Source: Oxfam New Zealand Oxfam Trailwalker will return in 2020 for what will be its fifth and final year in Whakatāne, Oxfam has announced, following which the charity’s flagship event will be moving to a new location. The event’s new host region is to be announced later this year. Oxfam New Zealand’s Fundraising Events Manager […]
Read More →Enriching New Zealand-Aotearoa through sustainable tourism growth
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage today released a new Tourism Strategy that aims to enrich New Zealand-Aotearoa through sustainable tourism growth. Date: 16 May 2019 Source: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment “Tourism is a vital part of New Zealand-Aotearoa’s economy and our ongoing prosperity, and connection to […]
Read More →Public calls for changes to ensure a sustainable whitebait fishery
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction Changes are needed to make New Zealand’s whitebait fishery sustainable, according to 90% of respondents to a DOC survey. Date: 16 May 2019 Whitebaiting regulations will remain unchanged for the 2019 whitebait season, which starts on the West Coast on 1 September and elsewhere in New Zealand on 15 August. The […]
Read More →Visitors to Aoraki/Mt Cook exceed 1 million
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction For the first time, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park’s annual visitor numbers have exceeded 1 million, says Conservation Minister Hon Eugenie Sage. Date: 16 May 2019 Source: Office of the Minister of Conservation Released today, summer visitor data, from some of the DOC’s top visitor sites, shows another big season despite an […]
Read More →Scientists study how to predict marine heatwaves
Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Scientists have taken a step closer to predicting marine heatwaves with new NIWA-led research finding a link between their formation and the length of time sea temperatures are warmer than normal. For the past two summers, the Tasman Sea has experienced a marine heatwave, where […]
Read More →Anne Haira and Sam Buckle join the Ministry for the Environment’s executive leadership team
Source: Ministry for the Environment The Ministry is delighted to welcome Anne Haira and Sam Buckle to its executive leadership team in June. Anne Haira will be joining us as Deputy Secretary Partnerships and Customers. She has had a rich and diverse career spanning the public and private sectors, including Kensington Swan and Fonterra. Anne […]
Read More →Iwi tell their history on Matiu/Somes Island
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction Ten new interpretative panels unveiled on Matiu/Somes on Saturday 11 May tell the story of Taranaki Whānui and their unique connection to the island. Date: 15 May 2019 “It has been almost a decade since the Crown handed back the harbour islands to Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o Te Ika, […]
Read More →Emirates Team New Zealand seek NIWA’s technical edge
Source: NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Emirates Team New Zealand has welcomed NIWA onboard for the defence of the 36th America’s Cup. Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, and NIWA CEO John Morgan recently signed an agreement that will see NIWA’s scientists working closely with Emirates Team New Zealand […]
Read More →New Zealand part of global decision to restrict shipments of hard-to-recycle plastic waste to poorer countries
Source: Ministry for the Environment New Zealand was one of about 180 countries to agree via consensus on Friday 10 May to better regulate global trade in plastic waste to prevent environmental pollution. The agreement to amend the Basel Convention means exporters of contaminated or hard-to-recycle plastic waste will require consent from the Governments of […]
Read More →Latest science comes to life in new Te Taiao | Nature – 10/05/2019
Source: GNS Science 12/05/2019 1:58 pm A create-your-own tsunami tank and a ringside seat to the super-eruption that created Lake Taupō are among the GNS Science research showcased in Te Papa’s new nature zone Te Taiao | Nature. The new exhibit, which opens to the public on Saturday (11 May) brings New Zealand’s unique landscape […]
Read More →Reassessment of methyl bromide | EPA
Source: Environmental Protection Authority 09 May 2019 We’ve produced a timeline to show the progress of an application to reassess methyl bromide. We have received an application from Stakeholders in Methyl Bromide Reduction Inc (the applicant) to reassess methyl bromide, a hazardous substance used in quarantine and pre-shipment fumigations. Every application under the Hazardous Substances […]
Read More →Rāhui placed on Ohakune Old Coach Road track
Source: Department of Conservation Introduction A fatality on the Ohakune Old Coach Road track over the weekend is being acknowledged with a rāhui. Date: 13 May 2019 Tongariro iwi, Ngāti Rangi and Uenuku have expressed their sadness at a fatality due to a medical emergency of a cyclist on the Ohakune Old Coach Road track over […]
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