scenic flight - waikato · ari since he was four years old. he’s spent lots of time marvelling at...
TRANSCRIPT
INSI
DE THIS
ISSUE #54
SEVEN WONDERSWHAT’S YOURS?
10 TIPSFOR PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
CLEAN STREAMSFUNDING FOR FARMERS
35
6
WHAT’S GOING ON?
YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS UPDATE FROM ENVIRONMENT WAIKATO
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITEwww.ew.govt.nz
FACTSQUICK
HAMILTONPlans to bring tui back to Hamilton are
on track, with no rats and only one possum found after the fi rst round of
pest control at our Hamilton Halo site in Whatawhata.
COROMANDELWhat will the Coromandel Peninsula
look like in 2050? We ask local people to have their say as a
new project is launched to build a framework for managing growth and
change in the area.
LAKE TAUPOEnvironment Waikato is helping
farmers operate successfully under a nitrogen cap designed to protect water
quality in Lake Taupo.
BIODIVERSITY THE TOTALITY OF GENES, SPECIES,
AND ECOSYSTEMS OF A REGION.
AT LEAST 100 WAIKATO NATIVES ARE THREATENED WITH
EXTINCTION.
ALL REPTILES, FROGS AND LAND MAMMALS AND 90 PER CENT OF
OUR FRESHWATER FISH, INSECTS AND SPIDERS ARE
FOUND ONLY IN NEW ZEALAND.
WONDERA WAIKATO
All Black legend Colin Meads DCNZM, MBE – who himself embarks on a new direction this month – kicks off ‘Seven Wonders’, nominating the place in the King Country where he grew up.
Colin’s place lies just south of Te Kuiti in “good strong country”. It’s the farm where he’s lived and worked for most of his 71 years until his retirement on 1 February.
The farm is as much the stuff of rugby legend as Colin himself. He and his brother Stan, who also became an All Black, built formidable strength cutting 400 acres of scrub there by hand.
Colin loves the quietness of the place and its pockets of rugged, natural beauty. On a clear day, from the top of the hills, you can see Ruapehu and Taranaki. Up there, you feel like you’re standing on top of the world.
It’s also a place rich in history, with an old pa site where warriors could see their enemies coming from miles away.
The waterways fl owing through the farm gullies will always be special to Colin. One of his fondest childhood memories is swimming in the creek with Stan and the neighbours’ kids.
And he reckons the “best water in New Zealand” bubbles out of a spring on the property.
“It’s part of the sale agreement that we can go back any time to get our drinking water,” he said.
Like Colin, you probably have a place that's special to you and we'd love you to share it with us. Visit www.ew.govt.nz to make your nomination – you might even discover a new favourite picnic spot or remember a place you haven't visited since childhood.
WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR AND YOUR NEW LOOK ENVIROCARE. TO CELEBRATE, WE’RE
LAUNCHING A NEW CAMPAIGN ‘ONE WAIKATO SEVEN WONDERS’ TO UNCOVER THE
TOP SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WAIKATO, AS VOTED BY YOU.
care FEBRUARY 2008
ENVIROCARE 3 www.ew.govt.nz
W I NW I NA WAIKATO SCENIC FLIGHT THANKS TO WAIKATO AERO CLUB AND ENVIRONMENT WAIKATO YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WING YOUR WAY AROUND THE WAIKATO AND CHECK OUT THE WONDERS OUR REGION HAS TO OFFER.
YOUR NAME ................................................................................................................................
HOME TOWN .............................................................................................................................(for website display purposes)
DAY TIME PHONE ......................................................................................................................
NAME OF WONDER ................................................................................................................
COPYRIGHT: I confi rm that this image and story is my own and authorise Environment Waikato’s use and display of them during this campaign. I understand that this image and story will be publicly viewable on the campaign website from February 2008.
Please don't send original photos as photos will not be returned.
PHOTOGRAPHER:
CUT ALONG
7 what’s yours?
STORY
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
SIGNED ..........................................................................................................................................
NOMINATEYOUR WONDER
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW• Nominations must be in our hands before 22 February 2008.
• Environment Waikato staff members and their immediate families are not eligible for the major prize draw.
• Nominate as many wonders as you like.
• Photos and text submitted must be your own.
• Wonders must be natural landscape features, not man made.
• Results of the prize draw will be published on Environment Waikato’s website by 1 March, and winners will be notifi ed by telephone or email.
Nominate your wonder on our website, www.ew.govt.nz, or use the entry form below and go into the draw to win a fl ight over the Waikato and a picnic lunch in Taupo.
The fl ight will be three hours with commentary on Waikato landmarks and selected wonders.
The carbon from the scenic fl ight will be offset with tree planting. Please contact Environment Waikato on 0800 800 401 if you would like to participate.
We live in an amazing region full of natural wonders, from gushing geysers and glowworm caves to stunning beaches and bush covered mountains.
All of us have a place that is precious and we’d love to know what yours is. Nominating your wonder is easy.
• Fill in the nomination form below and post it to:
One Waikato, Seven WondersFreepost Environment WaikatoPO Box 4010 Hamilton 3247
• Visit our website www.ew.govt.nz and enter your details online. You can also see other people's nominations here – you might even fi nd a new favourite picnic spot.
The Waikato Aero Club
was established in 1933, and
continues to the present time offering
top quality fl ight training and charter
services. Operating a modern fl eet with
experienced instructors and commercial
pilots, training can be tailored to meet
individual circumstances and budgets.
Charter fl ights can be organised from
multiple locations throughout
New Zealand allowing fl exibility
and relaxed travel.
For information on our services
visit www.fl ywaikato.co.nz
Enter win &We have fi ve home care and fi ve garden care packs
of awesome organic Earthwise products to give
away. Just nominate your wonder and be in the
draw to win. To see the full range visit
www.earthwiseshop.co.nz
ave fi
awes
way. J
dr
We haa
of a
aww
HOW TO ENTER
ENVIROCARE 4 www.ew.govt.nz
7 what’s yours?
Your councillors share th
eir
Thames-Coromandel councillor SIMON FRIAR’S favourite is WHANGAMATA HARBOUR and estuary. It’s a safe place to go boating, a great place to surf, and a fantastic spot for children to play in.
Hamilton councillor PAULA SOUTHGATE
chooses the WAIKATO RIVER. You can
swim in it, boat on it and fish from
it and it brings power to our plugs,
water to our taps and tourists to our
towns. It is our beautiful namesake,
our taonga, from the mountains to the
sea, a life-giving artery.
Taupo councillor LAURIE BURDETT
loves LAKE TAUPO because of
its clear water, quiet bays,
and
the stunning cliffs and bush
that
surrounds it. Her favourite b
ay is
Whakaipo, where you can get
back
to nature.
Hamilton councillor TONY ARMSTRONG’S pick is RAGLAN, with its old buildings, clean harbour, beautiful beaches and coffee shops. You can kayak, fish and jet ski, and a Maori pa site sits above the green farm paddocks.
Central Waikato councillor IAN BALME has chosen Te Akau South’s remote and
untouched WEST COAST BEACHES north of Raglan. He used to work his horses on
them and loves their natural beauty.
Whether it’s summer or winter
MT RUAPEHU is a spectacular sight, says
Hamilton councillor JANE HENNEBRY.
Take the chair lift in any seas
on to be
in awe of its majesty.
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnttttttttttttttrrrrraaaaallllllllllll WWWWWWWWWWWaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiikkkkkkkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttttoooooooooo ccc
hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssss cccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooooooooooosssssssssseeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnn TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee AAAAAAAAAAAAkkkkkkkkkkkkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuu
uuuunnnnntttttttttooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddddddd WWWWWEST COAooooooooffffff RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggglllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnn..... HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHeeeeeeeeeeeeee uuuuuuuuuuuuuussssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddd ttttttttttt
tttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeemmmmmmmmmmmmm aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnndddddddddddddddddddd llllllllloooooooooooovvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssss tttttttttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrr nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa
rrrr
seseseseseseseseeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
HaHaHaHaHaHaHHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHHaHaHaHaHaHHaHHaHaHaHaHHaHHaHaHH mimimimimimimimimimmmimimimimimimmimimimimimmimimimimimmimimimimimimimiimimmmimiimmmmimmimimimimimimimmimmmimmiltltltltltltttltltltltltlttltlltltlttttltltltllllltlttttttonononononononnononononononononononononononononononononononononononnon c c ccc c c ccccc cccccccccccccccccouououououoououououououoouououououooooooooouoouo nnncncncncncncnnncncnnncncnncnncncnc llllllllllilillillillilillli oooolololololoooolololololoololoooooor r rr rrrr r rrr rrrrrrrrr PAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAAPAAAULULULULUUUUUUULUUUULUUUULUULLLUU A A A A A AAA AAAAAA SOSOSOSOSOSOSOSSOSOSOSSOOS UUUUUUUUUUU
chcchcchchchchchchchoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosessssesesesesesesesessesesesessesesessessessesesesseseseseesessssesssssssssssssssssessesesesssssess s ss s s sssssss ththththththththtththhe eeeeee ee WWAWWWWW IKATATATATATATTATATATATATATATATATATATTATTOOOO OOOOOOO RIVER...
swswswswswswsswimimimimimimimmiimmimmm i i iii i iiin n n n n nnnn n itititititititittttititittititittiititttittitititit, , , ,,, , ,,, bobobobboboboboboboboobobbbbobobobbbobobb ataaaaatatatatattatatatataaattattaaaaatataaa o o oo o oooooon n n nnnnn n ititititititititittt a aa aa a aa andndndndndndndnddd f f f ffffffffisisisisisisisisis
itititititititttiti aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnndndndnddndndndnnndnnnndndnd i i i iii iiit t ttt t ttttttttttt brbbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbbrinininininiininini gsgsgsggsggsgsgsgsg pp p pppp ppppppppowowowowowooowowererererererererr tt t t t ttt tttto o oooooooo ouououououououououououoour r r r rrrrr rrr
Hamilton councillor
PAT GREGORY’S wonder
is HAMILTON LAKE, which
is also a great pla
ce to
exercise her dog. P
at
thinks the view, f
ramed
with large palm tr
ees
out over the wate
r, is
absolutely beautifu
l.
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHHHHHaHH mimimimimimimimimmimimimimiimmimimimimmmmm ltltltltltltltltltltltltltltltltllltltltlttlttttttttttltttltltltltltononononononononononononononononononononononononononononoonooooo c ccc c cc ccccccccouououououououououoouuooo ncncncncncncncncncncncncnncncilililililililililililillli lolololololololololololllol r r r rr rrrrrr
PAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAAPAAPAAAPAPAPAPAPAPAPAPPAAPAPAPAAPAPAPAPAPAPAP TT T TT TTTTTTT TTTT T TT GRGRGRGRGGGGGGRGGGGGRGGRGRGRGRGRGRGGGGRGGGGGRGGGGGRREGEGEGEGEGEGEGEGGEGEGEGEGEEGEGEE OROROROROROROROROROORRORORORRRY’Y’Y’YY’YY’Y’Y’YY’YYY’SSSSSSSSSSS
isisisisisisisisi HAM
Matamata-Piako councillo
r FRANK HEALEY’S
choice is the IGNIMBRITE BLUFFS on his farm.
These Hinuera stone cliff
s flank the path the
Waikato River once followed as it
flowed on
its way to the Firth o
f Thames, before the
Taupo eruption changed
its course.
nnooooorrrrrrrrrttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhh
iiiiiiiiiiiissssssssss
bbb uuuttttttttttttttttt
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
bbbbbbbeeeeebbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeee AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh
eaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuRRRRRRRRRRRRRRhhhoooooooooorrrrrrrrrssssssssssssssehhhhhhoooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrsssssssAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss eeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKoooooooooonnnnnnnnnnn oooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Waipa-King Co
untry councillo
r
ANDRA NEELEY’S wonder is MANGAPOHUE
NATURAL BRIDGE, near Marakop
a Falls in a
reserve
on the Waitomo
to Marakop
a road. This nat
ural
limestone brid
ge is a lovely
spot to take
friends and
family and ch
ildren love th
e glowworms.
yyyyyyyyyyy ssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssoooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnn tttttttttttttttttoooooooooooo bbbbbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeee
aaaajjjjjjjjjjjeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssttttttttttttttyyyyyyyyyyyy....
FRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRANANANANAANANANANANANANANANANANANANANANNANANANNNANNNNANNNANANAANAAAA K K KKK K KKKKKK KKK KKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKK HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEHHEEHHEHHHHHEHHEHEEEHEHEHEHHHEHH ALALAAALALALALALALALALALLALALALALAAALALALAAALALALALAAAAAAAAAALAAAALEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEEYEYYEYEYEYEYYEEYYEYEYEEYYY’S’S’SS’S’S’SS’S’S’’S’S’S’SS’S’S’S’S’S’S’’S’’’S’SSSSSSSSS
UUUFFFFFFFFFFFFSSSSSSS ononononononnnoonoonoononooonooooonooonoonononnoonoo h hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhisisisisissssisisissisisissisisisssisisisiiisisisiisissiisisisisisssi fffff f fffff f f fffffffffffffffffffffararararaaaaararaaaarraraa mm.m.m.mmmm.mmm.mmmmmm.m
kkk tttttt ttttttttttttheheheheheheheheheeheheheheheeheheheheheheheheeheheheeeeheheehehheheheeeheheeeehh p p p p p pp p ppp ppppppatatatatattatatatatatatattatatatattttatatttttttattatatattathhh hh hh hhhh h hhhhhh hhhh hh hhh h thththththththththththththththththhththththththththththththtththtthtt e eeee ee eeee e eeeeeeeeeee ee eeeeeeee
asasasasasasssssas i i i iiiiiiiiiit ttt t t tttttttt flflflflflflflflfflflfllfflowowowowowowowoowowowooo edededededededededededdededd ooooooonnnnnnnnnn
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggaaaaaaaaaa uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Waipa-King Country cou
ncillor
JOHN FISHER has been looking out over
MAUNGATAUTARI since he was four years old.
He’s spent lots of time marvelling at the b
ush
and watching the clouds come down over this
magnificent mountain.
HHaHHaHaHaHaHaHHaHaHaHammmimimimimimimiimimimimmiimmmimmm ltltltltltltltltltltltltltlttltlllttltltltltltltttononononononononononononnononnonononnonnonnononononnn c c ccccc cc ccccc ccc cccc c ooooooooouououououooououoououoooooouuouo ncncncncncncncncncnnnnnnpipipipipipipipipipiipipipipiipippicckckckckckckckckckckckckckkkckckkckckckkkkckkkkk i i i iiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssssss sss sssss RARRARARARARARARARARARAR GGGLGLGLGGLGGGG Aclclclclclclclclclclclclclclcleaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaeaaeaeeaeannn n n nnnnn nn nnnn hahahahahaahahahaaahahhahahahahahaaaaaaahaahaaaaarbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbrbbrbrrbrbbbbrbbrrbrbrbrbrbrr ououououououououououououuououoououuououououooouourr,r,r,r,rrr,rrrr,r,rr,rr cocococococococococococococococcooofffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee s s s s s s s s s ss s s ss sssssshohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohoohohooohhohohohohohooohoh ppppspspspspspspppsppppppsppspsppps.. . .jejejejejejejejejejejejejejejejejejejejejeejjjejejjejejjett ttt t t ttt tt t tt tttttttt t tttttt skskskskskskskskskskskskskskskskskskskskskssskskskskskkskkki,i,i,i,i,i,i,i,ii,ii,i,i,i,i,i,ii,iiii,ii aaaaaa aaaa aaaaandndndndndndndndnddnddddd a a a aaa aaa aaaa abababababababababababovovovovovovovovvoovvo eeeeeeeeeee ththththththththhhhththeeeeeeeeeee grgrgrgrgrrggrgrrrrgreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
TTTTTTTTTeeeeeeee
KKKKKKKKKKKaaaaaaaauuuuuuuwwwwwwwhhhhhhhaaaaaaa
tttttttaaaaaaaaa
North Waikato-Hauraki councillor and
council chairman PETER BUCKLEY nominates WHANGAMARINO WETLAND near
Te Kauwhata, because it's an internationally
significant site, and home to a diverse range
of unique and rare plants and animals.
South Waikato-Rotorua councillor NORM BARKER nominates the WAIMAKARIRI STREAM, which begins at the base of the Mamaku Ranges and flows into the Waihou River. It is fed by natural springs and is steeped in history.
flflflflflflflflfllflflflflflflflflflflflflfflfflflffflflflffflflflfffflfflffflflllfllflflflfllff ooooooooooowowowoooowowowooooowowoowowoows s ssss s inininininininininininininiiniininininininininininininiininiininnininiinnntttttttttttttbybybybybybybybybybybbbbbbyybybybybybybybyybybybyybybybybybybbybybbybybybybybybyyyyyyyyyyy nn nnnn nnnn nnn nn n nn nn n n n n nnnnn nnnnnnnnatatatatatttatattatttatatatatttttatattatatttatattttattatttatatataaaa uuurururuuuuuuuuuruuuuuruu aaaaaininininniininiininniiiininnnniniiniiniiiininininnnnnnn h hhhhh h h hhhhhhhhhh isisisisissisistototototototottotototot ryryryryryryryryryryryryyryryryryryryryryryryyyryryryrryyryyryyrryryryryyyyyryryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
ENVIROCARE 5 www.ew.govt.nz
YOU FENCE AND PLANT IT –
WE’LL HELP FUND IT
There are many reasons to fence and plant streams, including fewer stock losses from bogging and drowning, reduced erosion and cleaner drinking water for animals.
Raglan farmers Nicola and Craig Rowlandson have been using the Clean Streams fund to protect streams, bush and wetland areas on their property.
“Grazing management is now easier, the bush is regenerating, and there’s safer grazing for weaner calves,” Nicola said.
The couple is encouraging other farmers around the region to use the fund, saying it helps stock
and pasture management and farm aesthetics.
“It’s a good business decision and it’s really satisfying helping to improve the environment of the Raglan harbour catchment,” Craig said.
Environment Waikato land management offi cer Therese Balvert said fenced and planted areas created “buffer zones” between land and water, reducing the fl ow of faecal matter, phosphorus and sediment into the waterway.
“Obviously we’re interested in the environmental benefi ts, but at the end of the day, if
it’s a natural waterway and farmers want to fence it, we can probably fund it,” Therese said.
“We want to encourage them to use the money while it’s still there.”For more information about the Clean Streams fund and how to apply, please call Environment Waikato on 0800 800 401and ask for your local land management offi cer.
BENCHMARKING TAUPO
WAIKATO MOTORISTS TAKING PART IN DRIVE-THROUGH TRAFFIC SURVEYS NEXT MONTH WILL BE HELPING TO SHAPE A BETTER TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR OUR FAST-GROWING REGION.The information will be used to develop the Waikato Regional Transportation Model (WRTM), the region’s main transport analysis tool.
Project manager James Bevan said special ‘traffi c survey’ signs would indicate the approach to a temporary drive-through survey site. Motorists will be asked to participate in a quick survey.
“The surveys are extremely important. We need to know how and why people travel to ensure investments in transport services and infrastructure are based on accurate and reliable travel pattern information,” he said.
The WRTM will look at the impact of current and predicted traffi c fl ows, including projects such as the Waikato Expressway, Te Rapa Bypass, Kopu Bridge and other roading improvements.
It will also provide a passenger transport planning tool to improve bus timetabling and access new bus routes, particularly within Hamilton.
The project is being undertaken by Environment Waikato, Transit, Hamilton City Council, and Waikato, Waipa, Taupo, Matamata-Piako and Thames-Coromandel district councils.
For more information visit www.ew.govt.nz or telephone 0800 958 687.
Ninety-three per cent of the manageable nitrogen load in the Taupo catchment comes from farming, livestock being the biggest source.
Since July, farmers have been required to obtain resource consents that cap the amount of nitrogen leaching from their farming activities. They are being given nitrogen discharge allowances, benchmarked on historical land use patterns from 2001-2005.
Environment Waikato’s Jan Hania, who is managing the process, said signifi cant progress had been made.
He said the Lake Taupo Protection Trust had assisted in developing booklets that had been sent to all affected farmers to explain the benchmarking
process, and to let them know help and advice was available. The Lake Taupo Protection Trust is also currently funding the benchmarking phase of the process.
“We have gone to signifi cant lengths to ensure farmers are informed about our Regional Plan changes and many farmers have been very proactive about working with us,” he said.
The new rules to protect the water quality of Lake Taupo were proposed in a variation to the Waikato Regional Plan in July 2005 and came into force in July last year. Although some aspects of the variation have been appealed to the Environment Court, the rules still apply.
For information about benchmarking, nitrogen discharge allowances or Environment Waikato’s new rules to protect water quality in Lake Taupo, please call Jan Hania, Faith Barber or Derek Ryan at Environment Waikato’s Taupo offi ce on (07) 378 6539.
ENVIRONMENT WAIKATO IS HELPING TAUPO FARMERS OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY UNDER A NITROGEN CAP DESIGNED TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN LAKE TAUPO.
IF YOU’RE THINKING OF FENCING AND PLANTING A NATURAL WATERWAY ON YOUR FARM, WE COULD PAY UP TO 35 PER CENT OF THE BILL THROUGH OUR CLEAN STREAMS FUND.
TRANSPORT TOMORROW’S
NICOLA AND CRAIG ROWLANDSON
ENVIROCARE 6 www.ew.govt.nz
THINGSYOU CAN DOH
TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
CHANGE YOUR LIGHTBULBS DITCH THE DRYERSwap the four most used light bulbs in
your house (like in the kitchen and lounge) with compact fl uorescent light bulbs. These use 20 per cent of the electricity of regular light bulbs, saving
you $65-$70 a year.
Line dry clothes as much as possible. Drying two loads a week on the clothes line instead of the dryer could save you more than $50 a year.
UNPLUG IT GO NATIVETalk isn’t always cheap! Unplug
your mobile phone charger. It will keep drawing power when left in the wall, even
when there’s no phone attached.
Plant natives in your garden to create habitat for New Zealand plants and animals. Call our biosecurity team on 0800 BIODIV (0800 246 348) for advice on what to plant.
PLANT A TREE CHOOSE COLDA kauri tree can absorb more than 100
tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime, so join a beach care, river care or land care
group and get involved with an environmental restoration project in your back yard. Call us
on 0800 800 401 to fi nd out how.
Use cold water for washing clothes. It uses about 80 per cent less power than hot water washing and will save you about $50 a year.
SHOWER SMARTER SHUT IT DOWNIf your shower head can fi ll a two-litre container in less than 13 seconds, you could use a more effi cient one. These can
be purchased from hardware stores and will save you up to $400 a year.
Shut down your computer at the end of the day and on weekends – it will use about 75 per cent less energy than leaving it running continuously.
GET ON THE GRASS GIVE IT A BREAKWash your car on the lawn – it’s a
natural fi lter that will soak up the detergent rather than sending it directly down storm
water drains to end up untreated in our streams and harbours.
Got an old beer fridge in the garage? Turning it off during the week when it’s not used will save you about $100 a year in electricity.
Thanks to www.energywise.govt.nz for help with this information.
ENVIROCARE 7 www.ew.govt.nz
WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT EVENTS ARE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER AT POPULAR LAKES, RIVERS AND HARBOURS AROUND THE REGION?
An up to date calendar is available on our website to help you avoid congested areas and stay safe on the water. Zone closure information for Lake Karapiro is included.
Visit www.ew.govt.nz/navigation.
KEEP INFORMED!
IF YOU OWN PART OF A GULLY IN HAMILTON CITY AND YOU’RE INTERESTED IN GULLY RESTORATION, THEN YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO FUNDING TO HELP WITH THE CONTROL OF PEST PLANTS.
For criteria and information check out www.ew.govt.nz or contact Darion Embling on Environment Waikato’s freephone
0800 800 401.
HEARINGS ON A PROPOSED WAIKATO REGIONAL PLAN VARIATION RELATING TO HOW WATER IS ALLOCATED IN OUR REGION HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY SINCE DECEMBER 2007 AND ARE SCHEDULED TO WRAP UP THIS MONTH.
The new rules were proposed because pressure on our region’s water resources has increased signifi cantly in recent years. Council decisions on submissions will be released later in the year.
For more information visit www.ew.govt.nz/policy.
ENVIRONMENT WAIKATO IS MAKING GREAT PROGRESS TOWARDS BRINGING TUI BACK TO HAMILTON.
IF YYOMACO
ForENVIRONMENT WAIKATO
TUI TO TAKE FLIGHT AGAIN
The Hamilton Halo project, launched last year to protect native bird habitat, is already showing promising results.
There is very little native bush around Hamilton city, and those few areas are usually overrun with pests such as possums and rats. This means there are not many safe places for native birds to breed.
So while there are plenty of food sources to attract birds into the city, the breeding areas are under such pressure from predators that tui are not raising enough offspring to colonise places like Hamilton.
Native birds’ two major predators are ship rats and possums, which climb into their nests and eat eggs and chicks. In fact, only 27 per cent of tui chicks in the Waikato region survive to leave their nests.
Knowing tui will fl y up to 20 km to feed, we have drawn a 20 km radius around Hamilton and identifi ed breeding sites where pest control will help them breed safely within this ‘halo’.
Intensive pest control got underway last October and November at our fi rst Halo project site at Old Mountain Bush Rd, Whatawhata.
The operation was highly successful, with no rat footprints found in monitoring tunnels after poison had been laid, compared with 60 per cent beforehand. Possum control was also successful, with only one possum caught during monitoring after bait was laid at the site. This should dramatically increase tui nesting success. Other birds, like bellbirds and kereru, will also benefi t.
Don Johnstone, one of the land owners involved with the Whatawhata site, said he was pleased to have an opportunity to help the native bird population.
“If it benefi ts Hamilton, it benefi ts the community and tui are lovely to see,” he said.Hamilton group Tui 2000 has also come on board the Halo project by announcing plans to raise more than $100,000 for pest control at a second site at Maungakawa Reserve, near Cambridge. The group hopes to enlist volunteers to work at the site.
Monitoring at our Whatawhata Halo site will be undertaken throughout the year and pest control will continue during the bird breeding season.
COROMANDEL
BLUEPRINT PROJECT LAUNCHES
This was pinpointed recently when local people were asked to look ahead and identify what they valued about the area. Clean water, local jobs and good infrastructure, such as reliable power and road networks, were some of the other important issues highlighted.
At the rate the peninsula is developing and changing, it is clear careful planning is needed to provide these things while preserving the area’s special character.
There has been a 13 per cent increase in the number of houses in the Thames-Coromandel district since 2001, compared with eight per cent for the rest of New Zealand. If current trends continue, the total number of houses may increase by 20 per cent over the next 35 years to a possible 38,800, putting pressure on the district’s infrastructure, communities and sensitive environments.
Thames-Coromandel District Council, Environment Waikato, Hauraki Whaanui and the Department of Conservation have
initiated the Coromandel Peninsula Blueprint – a project that will build a framework for managing change and development out to 2050. With both councils involved with planning issues, working together will help ensure decision making is consistent.
Together we are working with the Coromandel community to explore how the land and coastal environment should be used in the future. This requires thinking about a huge range of issues – here are just a few.
• Where is it best to place new industrial and housing areas so they don’t impact negatively on our special landscapes?
• What should our harbours look like and what recreational facilities are important?
• What new infrastructure and facilities will we need and where will they go?
For more information please visit www.tcdc.govt.nz or call the district council on (07) 868 0200.
THERE’S A CLEAR MESSAGE FROM THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA
COMMUNITY THAT THE AREA’S NATURAL LANDSCAPES ARE SPECIAL
AND NEED TO BE PROTECTED.
ENVIROCARE 8 www.ew.govt.nz
Cr Norm Barker (chairman) Environment Waikato
Cr Paula Southgate Environment Waikato
Mayor Bob Simcock Hamilton City Council
Mayor John Tregidga Hauraki District Council
Mayor Huge Vercoe Matamata-Piako District Council
Mayor Dale Williams Otorohanga District Council
Cr Glenys Searancke Rotorua District Council
Mayor Neil Sinclair South Waikato District Council
Mayor Philippa Barriball Thames-Coromandel District Council
Cr Allan Sanson Waikato District Council
Mayor Alan Livingston Waipa District Council
Mayor Mark Ammon Waitomo District Council
Cr Andrew Welch Taupo District Council
Kaye Clark Transit New Zealand
Rosalie Orr Land Transport New Zealand
Environmental sustainability appointee Vacant
Safety and personal security appointee Vacant
Access and mobility appointee Vacant
Cultural interests appointee Vacant
Health appointee Vacant
Economic development appointee Vacant
REGIONAL LAND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE
401 GREY STREET, PO BOX 4010, HAMILTON EAST 3247FREEPHONE 0800 800 401www.ew.govt.nz
ENVIRONMENT WAIKATO AND HOUSING NEW ZEALAND CORPORATION HAVE JOINED FORCES TO HELP CLEAN UP THE REGION’S AIR.
Following recent talks, Housing New Zealand has announced it will install heat pumps in its Waikato properties as wood burners wear out.
Wood burners are a major contributor to PM10, one of the region’s worst air pollutants.
About 25 properties in four areas where PM10 is known or suspected to be a problem – Hamilton, Te Kuiti, Huntly and Ngaruawahia – were earmarked for the appliance swap last year.
Wood burners used for home heating contribute about 72 per cent of PM10 in Hamilton air, 67 per cent in Te Kuiti and 85 per cent in Ngaruawahia.
CLEAN HEAT, FRESH AIRExpressions of interest in fi lling
the committee positions of
environmental sustainability,
safety and personal security,
access and mobility, cultural,
health, and economic
development are invited
from regionally representative
groups. Expressions of
interest close at the end of
February 2008.
Further information on the
committee is available from the
council’s secretary on
0800 800 401.
f i t i fillif i t i filli
GET INVOLVED
ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE WAIKATO IS THE NEED FOR ENHANCED ROADING AND OTHER TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.
More than $200 million is invested in regional transport-related activities annually it is the job of the Regional Land Transport Committee (RLTC) to support the planning required.
Environment Waikato coordinates the work of the committee, which includes representatives from local councils, transport agencies and community appointees.
Most of the funding comes from central government, assisted by local ratepayers. With lots of projects competing for the money available, the RLTC has the important task of deciding on the priority of regionally signifi cant projects such as the SH2 safety improvements, the Kopu Bridge replacement, Taupo’s Eastern Arterial Bypass and the Waikato Expressway.
“One of our key objectives is to make sure the region’s transport infrastructure meets future needs, given the big increases in freight volumes traveling within and through the Waikato,” said Cr Norm Barker, the RLTC’s chairman.
“We need effi cient transport systems to support economic growth, and to help reduce the number of crashes on our roads.
“Meeting the needs of the many different groups in the region is also important. Having strong community appointees is an integral part of rising to that challenge and we’re currently looking to fi ll six vacancies.”
COUNCILLORS' CONTACTSName Constituency Phone Email Name Constituency Phone Email
Tony Armstrong Hamilton (07) 829 8609, 021 224 4708 [email protected] Simon Friar Thames-Coromandel 027 592 6322 [email protected]
Ian Balme Central Waikato (07) 829 8855, 021 719 920 [email protected] Pat Gregory Hamilton (07) 843 7755, 021 229 7524 [email protected]
Norm Barker South Waikato-Rotorua (07) 883 1839, 027 270 9914 [email protected] Frank Healey Matamata-Piako (07) 888 1630, 027 432 9617 [email protected]
Peter Buckley North Waikato-Hauraki (09) 232 6777, 021 227 3436 [email protected] Jane Hennebry Hamilton (07) 854 0223, 021 229 8591 [email protected]
Laurie Burdett Taupo (07) 378 3025 [email protected] Andra Neeley Waipa-King Country (07) 873 6946, 027 327 9233 [email protected]
John Fisher Waipa-King Country (07) 827 3628, 021 229 8373 jmfi [email protected] Paula Southgate Hamilton (07) 856 1470, 021 589 957 [email protected]
Environment Waikato planner Megan Collins said the move would help the council meet the national environmental standard (NES) for PM10 by the government’s target date of 2013.
“In addition to PM10 being a regional health issue, if we don’t meet this target our ability to issue resource consents for new and existing industry could be hampered,” she said.
PM10 particles measure about a fi fth the width of a human hair across and are small enough to get into human lungs. They can worsen asthma and allergies and contribute to respiratory illness and heart disease.
“Our current estimates show we’d need to replace about 500 existing solid fuel burners with heat pumps in Te Kuiti alone to meet the NES by 2013,” Ms Collins said.
For information about air quality in your area, visit our website www.ew.govt.nz.
TRANSPORT PARTNERS SET PRIORITIES
Verd
ict 1
3702