Free ‘Tex-Mex wallaby quesadillas with parmesan mayonnaise’ will be on the menu at the Northland Regional Council (NRC) marquee at the upcoming Northland Field Days.
About 40 kilogrammes of minced wallaby will be used to create the quesadillas which will be made available to visitors at the upcoming Thursday 27 February to Saturday March 01 Dargaville event.
A joint creation by the NRC, NorthTec | Tai Tokerau Wānanga Level 4 cookery students and their tutor Hughie Blues, the council expects to give away about 1800 portions of quesadillas over the three days of field days from the council’s usual site – I1 and I2.
Council Kaipara constituency representative John Blackwell says last year’s giveaway was venison bruschetta with red onion jam and horopito creme fraiche.
“Over the years the council has transformed a variety of pest animals, plants and even insects into an array of edible field day treats all designed as a fun way to spark added public interest in its broader work.”
The wallaby for the giveaway has been sourced from Blenheim company Premium Game because there’s no local wild wallaby stock.
Councillor Blackwell says while there are no known wallaby populations in Northland, they could potentially spread to the region from nearby areas like Kawau Island and Rotorua Lakes.
“These animals are classified as an ‘exclusion pest’ due to their potential to cause significant environmental and economic harm.” “They threaten native bush by eating seedlings, hindering regeneration, and also impact farming and forestry by consuming pasture and exotic seedlings.”
Councillor Blackwell says the council has successfully collaborated with the hospitality students for field days over a number of years and he’s pleased the two organisations will be working together again this year.
Lisette Buckle, NorthTec | Tai Tokerau Wānanga Pathway Manager- Service Industries, says the relationship between Northtec and the council is yet another chance for Level 4 cookery students to work on something “a little bit out of the ordinary”.
“Students and their chef tutor, Hughie Blues, will be on site over the three days preparing and serving the food.” “It’s always good for our hospitality students to get out and about, catering at events and gaining experience which will help them get into a great career.”
Councillor Blackwell says for anyone keen to try the wallaby quesadillas, the best time to visit is around 10:30am, 12.30pm or 2pm each day.
He says council’s site is on a popular road at field days with other community groups and agencies nearby making it easy for the public to access information and have a chat about all things environmental.
“A key focus for field days this year is biosecurity, including our Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) and this event is the perfect opportunity to engage directly with some of our key stakeholders.”
He says as biosecurity is a focal point, the council will be highlighting the importance of managing pest animals and plants to ensure biodiversity thrives. (This includes addressing issues related to incursions of deer, wallabies, turtles, clams, and other pest species).
“Our usual crowd favourites, pest animals, and pest plants (including how to get rid of weeds) will feature alongside biodiversity information, including updates on dune lakes and bitterns.”
Staff from our land management team will also be on site again, showcasing a catchment model and providing information on the Hill Country Erosion Fund, as well as the use of poplars and willows for erosion control.
Councillor Blackwell says the council’s climate action team will be seeking active participation in one of their ‘serious games’ such as the NIWA climate game and wave simulation.
“They will also be sharing information about the Electrify Northland initiative and conducting climate change surveys and we’ll also have information about other council work, including our Environmental Awards, and other general business.”
A number of regional councillors, including Cr Blackwell, will be on site during the field days and look forward to catching up with those attending the event.
Responding to the draw of the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment (Duty to Provide) Amendment Bill:
“Finally, the House of Representatives will have a chance to debate the wokery in the banking sector that has seen farmers and other unfashionable sectors treated like second-class borrowers,” says ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron, who is also leading an inquiry into rural banking practices.
“The ACT team will be looking at the detail of this bill. We’ll continue to make the case for tackling woke banking practices at its cause. That includes the Net Zero Banking Alliance, which major banks in the United States, Canada, and Australia are rightly fleeing. We’ve also challenged the stupid climate commitments placed on banks by the Financial Markets Authority.
“In the meantime, I’m celebrating the fact that these issues, once only discussed with frustration across the farm fence, are now being addressed in New Zealand’s highest chambers of power.”
This morning’s Stats NZ child poverty statistics should act as a wake-up call for the government: with no movement in child poverty rates since June 2023, it’s time to make the wellbeing of our tamariki a political priority.
“Poverty is a political choice we do not have to accept. We can choose to end it–our mokopuna deserve nothing less,” says Green Party co-leader and Child Poverty spokesperson, Hon Marama Davidson.
“Every child in Aotearoa deserves a warm, dry home and a full belly. We have all the tools we need to give them that and more.
“What we need is ambition and commitment to end the cycle of thousands of children across generations falling through the cracks and being set up to fail for the rest of their lives. It is high time we started supporting our children to thrive.
“It’s well understood that the first few years set the stage for the rest of a child’s life. Living in a household mired in poverty has lasting consequences for the wellbeing of ourpēpi andtamariki.
“Unfortunately, as we have seen today, 156,000 children are growing up in material hardship. This is a national shame.
“Māori, Pacific and disabled children are disproportionately affected by child poverty, with 1 in 4, 1 in 3, and 1 in 5 children growing up in material hardship respectively. These are the very groups hit the hardest by the policies of a Government which has bent over backwards to hand billions of dollars in tax cuts to wealthy landlords, while ignoring the many struggling.
“The Green Party campaigned to end poverty for all families in Aotearoa by providing everyone with an Income Guarantee that would ensure every household and every child has all they need to thrive.
“We can’t keep tinkering around the edge and watering down child poverty reduction targets like we’ve seen the coalition doing this term. Our plan will put children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making and policy, where it should have been all along,”says Marama Davidson.
Crews will be carrying out routine maintenance overnight Sunday on a stretch of State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway.
The stretch of road between Omahu Road and Evenden Road will be closed from 8pm and reopening at 5am on Monday, in time for commuter traffic.
Signposted detours will be available.
During the closure, crews will be working on a range of maintenance, including focusing on flexible median barrier repair, signage repair and road surface repairs if and where needed within the Omahu to Evenden stretch.
Sunday’s closure is part of routine monthly maintenance – one Sunday night a month, crews will be focused on a range of maintenance on a different section of the expressway.
At this stage, the following dates have been confirmed for the remainder of the year:
23 March 24 August
27 April 28 September
25 May No October closure at this stage
29 June 2 November
27 July 7 December
While these dates are confirmed, the stretch of expressway closed on any date may change at short notice depending on the maintenance priorities at the time.
The dates are also weather dependent and if postponed, the following Sunday will be used as the contingency date.
Further north, a section of State Highway 50 through Ahuriri, in Napier, will be closed during the day on Sunday for a triathlon event.
SH50 will be closed from Napier Port’s eastern gate through Ahuriri Truck Bypass, Bridge Street and Hyderabad Street to the peanut roundabout intersection with Pandora Road.
A stretch of State Highway 1 south of Foxton is closing to southbound traffic as the Levin to Foxton safety improvements project progresses.
The southbound lane of SH1 will be closed from the southern entrance to Foxton through to the intersection with Oturoa Road between 9am and 3pm weekdays for 1 week from Monday 17 to Friday 21 March 2025.
The road will remain open to northbound traffic.
A signposted detour will be in place for southbound road users, who will be detoured left onto Union Street and into Foxton Shannon Road, onto State Highway 57, through to Queen Street East, and back to State Highway 1 in Levin. Detour signage will be in place.
The lane closure is necessary to allow crews to complete a second coat seal on the highway and undertake some remedial tasks.
While northbound traffic will remain on the highway, a reduced speed limit will be in place. The detour route is expected to add an additional 15 minutes to journey times.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi wants to thank people for their understanding during this work. A one-way closure allows crews to complete the work as efficiently as possible, minimising ongoing disruption to motorists.
When we rebuild a section of the road and apply a chipseal finish we need to come back later to carry out a second coat seal. This locks in the seal to make it waterproof, keeps it stronger and safer for longer, and helps reduce the likelihood of flushing occurring.
About the project
This work follows the completion of Stage 2 of the SH1 Levin to Foxton safety improvements project. Stage 2 saw flexible median and turnaround facilities constructed at Oturoa and Koputaroa roads. A small section of side barrier was also installed on the southbound lane just south of the Oturoa Road intersection to prevent vehicles driving into a ditch
“Thermo Earth of Love Project” to Enhance Surface Temperature Observation and Advance its Solutions Further
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 February 2025 – On January 27, 2025, Tenchijin announced the launch of “Thermo Earth of Love Project,” a proprietary satellite program aimed at enhancing surface temperature monitoring capabilities. The company’s satellite is scheduled for launch in 2027.
Thermo Earth of Love Project – LST Observation Satellite
has been utilizing satellite data to tackle various societal challenges, including climate change mitigation, aging infrastructure, and urban planning. Among the extensive range of satellite data, Tenchijin places particular importance on surface temperature data.
Surface temperature has been one of the key satellite data types Tenchijin has worked with since its founding. As Tenchijin has collaborated with stakeholders such as agricultural producers, local governments, and water utilities to address their challenges, it has recognized the growing importance of this data. In recent years, with increasingly severe summer heatwaves, knowing not only air temperature but also ground heat level has become even more critical. Tenchijin believes that surface temperature data is essential for understanding the impacts of climate change, assessing disaster risks, and developing effective countermeasures.
It is this belief in the potential of surface temperature data that led the company to take the significant step of developing its own satellite. The project name “Thermo Earth of Love Project” symbolizes both the warmth of Earth that surface temperature data reveals (Thermo Earth) and Tenchijin’s love and dedication to the planet (Love).
Continuous observation and analysis of surface temperature from space allow us to reexamine the relationship between Earth and humanity from the ground up. By making surface temperature data a standard part of society and transforming it into solutions that enhance people’s lives with greater safety and security, Tenchijin aims to contribute to a better future for the next generation.
The Value of Surface Temperature Data
Overlaying Multiple Datasets
Tenchijin does not view satellite data as a single-use resource but rather as part of a comprehensive big data approach. Tenchijin employs a unique method, uncommon in the space industry, by overlaying different satellite datasets and combining satellite data with ground-based data (such as sensor data, statistical data, and GIS data).
Key Satellite Data Handled by Tenchijin
Satellite Imagery When people think of satellite data, satellite imagery (visible images) is often what comes to mind. Many private companies, both in Japan and abroad, provide satellite imagery. At Tenchijin, these images are used to monitor natural changes, detect urban development, and identify structures and other features.
SAR Imagery Satellite imagery can also capture information that is invisible to the human eye. One example is Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, which has recently gained attention. While SAR satellites like Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s advanced radar satellite “Daichi-4” (ALOS-4) have traditionally been developed under government initiatives, private companies have also started entering the field. Tenchijin uses SAR data to analyze ground deformation and related phenomena.
Surface Temperature Surface temperature refers to the temperature of the ground itself. Unlike air temperature, which measures the temperature of the atmosphere, surface temperature indicates how hot or cold the ground is.
Surface temperature is a specialized dataset collected by various national satellites, including those from the Japan Meteorological Agency, JAXA, and NASA. Traditionally, this data has primarily been used by scientists and researchers.
However, since its founding, Tenchijin has been applying surface temperature data to business use cases. The reason why this data had not been widely adopted in business before lies in its complexity and the rarity of overlaying multiple satellite datasets.
Why has Tenchijin been able to leverage this data?
The answer lies in the company’s name. The name “Tenchijin” embodies its core mission:
“Ten” (Sky): utilizing satellite data from space
“Chi” (Earth): integrating ground-based data
“Jin” (People): enhancing people’s lives and activities through data
Because Tenchijin was founded with a vision of integrating multiple data sources, the company was able to quickly realize the potential of surface temperature data.
Surface temperature plays a crucial role in Tenchijin’s existing services, such as evaluating the risk of infrastructure deterioration, selecting optimal locations for renewable energy, and assessing suitable areas for agriculture adapted to climate change.
Recognizing the value of surface temperature data early on, Tenchijin has been conducting research and development to create proprietary high-frequency, high-resolution surface temperature information. This involves integrating data from JAXA’s GCOM-C satellite, the Himawari weather satellite, and various international satellites.
We are currently utilizing this technology in the free-to-use WebGIS service called “Tenchijin COMPASS” and in the water utility DX service for local governments and water service providers, known as “Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterLeak.”
What is “Thermo Earth of Love Project”?
The “Thermo Earth of Love Project” is an initiative by Tenchijin, a company that has long believed in the potential of surface temperature data. Through the development of its own satellite, this project aims to enhance surface temperature observation, with a satellite launch planned for 2027.
Starting in 2027, expanded coverage and higher resolution surface temperature data will significantly advance our solutions. We envision specific applications in the following areas:
Enhancements in Water Infrastructure Management High-resolution, high-frequency surface temperature data will enable more advanced maintenance and management of water infrastructure. This includes improving leak detection accuracy, providing near-real-time monitoring for rapid response, and enabling the prediction and preventive maintenance of water pipes. Additionally, this data will be utilized to assess damage from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, contributing to urban planning and disaster management efforts.
Precision Agriculture By leveraging more detailed surface temperature data, we can enable precise monitoring of crop growth conditions, early detection of pests and diseases, and optimal selection of crop varieties. Near-real-time analysis of climate change and soil temperature variations will enhance the accuracy of harvest planning, supporting the development of sustainable agricultural models.
“Thermo Earth of Love Project” represents a bold step for Tenchijin, a startup that has previously deployed satellite data-driven solutions, as it now ventures into the domain of space hardware development.
In the space hardware sector, business models have traditionally been hardware-driven, where companies develop their own satellites and sell the resulting observation data. However, Tenchijin’s solution-driven vertical integration approach is a rare and pioneering initiative, even on a global scale.
Tenchijin’s strength lies in knowing the data required through real-world business applications. By identifying data that can effectively address societal challenges, Tenchijin believes it can fully unlock its value.
Surface temperature data, in particular, is a specialized form of information monitored by government satellites, such as those from the Japan Meteorological Agency, JAXA, and NASA. This is precisely why it is significant for not only government agencies but also private companies to possess and utilize this data, broadening its potential applications.
Tenchijin is guided by its mission of “optimizing human civilization through space big data” and its core values of “thinking from a space perspective” and “engaging in activities beneficial to Earth.” “Thermo Earth of Love Project” is a major step toward achieving these high aspirations.
The satellite data capturing Earth’s state holds limitless possibilities. “Thermo Earth of Love Project” expresses both the warmth of surface temperature and a deep love for the planet.
Tenchijin firmly believes that surface temperature data is an invaluable resource for humanity. Tenchijin sincerely hopes you will follow and support the challenges it faces in “Thermo Earth of Love Project.”
Please attribute to Detective Inspector Martin James, Eastern District Investigations Manager:
Police can now confirm the name of the man who died in Hastings Sunday 23 February, and are appealing for information to assist in our ongoing investigation.
A homicide investigation was launched after a man was pronounced deceased in Hawke’s Bay Hospital around 11pm, after he was brought into the hospital following an assault.
Police can now confirm he was 33-year-old Keith Pati, of Flaxmere, Hastings. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones at this time.
Police are continuing to focus our enquiries on the area of Camberley. In particular, we are wanting to hear from the residents of Huia Street and Takahe Street
Police are asking residents to report any items that may have been located in the area, including discarded clothing items.
If you have found any property not belonging to yourself in the area, please contact Police.
You can contact us via 105 either online or over the phone – please quote reference number 250217/0218.
Reducing child poverty substantially needs only half the current public spend on roads, says philanthropist Liz Greive, as new StatsNZ data shows the burden of poverty on children has increased over the last two years.
StatsNZ data released today showed that around 156,000 children live in hardship, meaning their families don’t have all the essentials to meet basic needs – around 36,000 more children since 2022, and a higher proportion of children than two years ago.
Greive said it did not have to be this way. “New Zealanders care about each other – and we can change the terrible situation that is causing toxic stress for far too many mokopuna in our country.”
Last year, officials told the government that reaching current 2027/28 child poverty targets would require investment of $3 billion a year – which is only around half our public spend on roads. The proportion of children in poverty has now increased to more than double those 2027/28 targets.
“If we can find enough resources for our roads, we can find enough resources for our children,” said Greive. “As a society, right now we are choosing to keep child poverty high, and we can change that choice. Our country can support all our families – politicians need to know this is our priority.”
Greive said there was no need to make 156,000 children wait before they got all the basic essentials.
“I want to give hope: we can make a difference by letting decision makers know what our priorities are: happy childhoods and flourishing lives for all our country’s children.”
Greive said people in a position to do so could also consider donating to charity to immediately reduce the effects of poverty on children.
“Kids experiencing hardship can’t wait for leaders to make the right decisions, so we try to help as many as we can right now,” said Greive. “The more people join us, the more kids we can assist.”
Share My Super enables older people to easily support a range of partner charities focused on both systems change and immediate needs of children in hardship. Greive funds 100% of Share My Super’s operating costs so all donations go directly to their partner charities.
“Child poverty is shocking and unnecessary – each of us can work towards a better future for our kids. If we lift up our kids, we lift up our country” said Greive. “And together, we can end child poverty.”
– Share My Super (founded 2020 by Liz Greive) is a unique meta-charity; supporting carefully chosen partner charities who are all doing amazing work to alleviate the impacts of growing up in hardship.
– In 2023 Liz established a separate charitable foundation which will fund Share My Super in perpetuity
– Share My Super support their partner charities to ensure effectiveness of their programmes and robust governance.
– “Forgotten Moko” is Share My Super’s campaign launched this week, headed by Sir Ian Taylor.www.sharemysuper.org.nz
– Cost of roads is approx $20-$22 billion over three years see page 5 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is urging the government to put child poverty back on the agenda after official data showed an increase of children living in hardship over the past two years.
It’s likely an extra 36,300 children are living in material hardship compared to 2022, according to official child poverty statistics from StatsNZ released today.
“Child poverty data was trending down from 2018 but in the past two years we have seen an increase in material hardship rates which is a concerning trend,” CPAG executive officer Sarita Divis said.
Stats NZ figures showed a likely 156,600 New Zealand children – 1 in 7 or 13.4 percent – are living in material hardship where their families cannot afford the basics.
Those numbers were significantly higher for Māori (23.9 percent), Pacific (28.7 percent) and disabled (21 percent) children.
“Colonisation and discrimination are at the root of these disproportionate rates for marginalised groups. The government needs to reverse the cuts made to community-led approaches.”
“We know the broad brush stroke of economic growth benefits those already doing well and doesn’t help raise incomes of those struggling,” Ms Divis said.
“We need to see a concerted effort with policies that we know will help. The government has ignored official advice on introducing measures to help improve child poverty rates and instead has focused on cruel actions that we know hurt children such as benefit sanctions.”
CPAG urged the government to address urgent matters like food insecurity.
“For a long time now, as a country, we have lived with low wages and inadequate welfare, an unfair tax system, high housing costs, and ongoing underinvestment in key services that help the lowest-income families,” Ms Divis said.
“And as our cost of living has increased substantially over recent times, along with increased unemployment, it is no wonder that parents, despite their best efforts, struggle to provide the basics for their children.”
The aim of the Child Poverty Reduction Act (2018) is to address a significant and sustained reduction in child poverty.
While in opposition National supported the implementation of the act. At the time current child poverty reduction Minister Louise Upston said then the targets were not ambitious enough.
The Prime Minister also talked about child poverty in his maiden speech to parliament in 2021 and we urge both to go back to their commitments.
Save the Children is calling on the Government to commit to investing in policies to lift more children and whānau out of poverty following the release of today’s latest child poverty statistics that show no progress on meeting targets over the past year, and particular groups of children more at risk.
Child Poverty Statistics for the year ending June 2024 released today by Stats NZ show the number of children experiencing hardship in their everyday lives has largely remained the same, with specific groups of children – including mokopuna Māori, Pasifika and disabled children and those living in sole parent households – particularly impacted by poverty.
The cost of housing continues to push many families into poverty, with one third of low- income families spending more than 40% of their income on housing, compared to an average of 20% for all households. Today’s figures do not include those children and families living in emergency housing, the hardest end of poverty.
“Child poverty is complex and needs political commitment and investment across all governments if we are to achieve real change and enable all children in Aotearoa to thrive,” says Save the Children New Zealand’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey.
“If we are to meaningfully reduce child poverty levels, we must be committed to meaningfully lifting the incomes of low-income families, including lifting welfare levels, and tackle the availability and cost of housing for all New Zealanders whether renting or owning their own homes.
“We cannot be trapped into seeing this as a single term or single government issue. And most importantly, we must not give up.”
Ms Southey says the data across the reporting period from 2018 shows a lift in poverty levels since 2021, although the primary measures remain lower than, or at, the 2018 baseline.
“Although there is no statistically significant difference to report, the graphs show that over time we are no longer moving the dial in the right direction and this is extremely concerning.
“We cannot ignore that one in four of our children are living in material hardship and one in five are living below the poverty line after housing costs in Aotearoa. For each of these numbers, a real child is experiencing the everyday hardships of not having enough.
“For particular groups of children, this number is much higher. Pasifika children continue to experience poverty at a higher rate than other groups of children. It is essential that we understand the why of these statistics so we can make the necessary changes to ensure Pasifika children do not lead lives disadvantaged by poverty.”
Ms Southey says children living in sole parent households are also significantly impacted by child poverty. Nearly 80% of households living on the lowest incomes are sole parent households, on average living on a disposable income of less than $46,000.
“By any measure this is a shockingly low-income level for a family and is directly contributing to levels of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand,” she says.
“It is not acceptable that our economic systems are set up to push sole parent families into poverty, this is a critical area for change.”
Save the Children is calling for targeted policies and investment to significantly improve support for sole parent families that would ease the economic burden they are living under.
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
