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PM welcomes telethon for ChristchurchPrime Minister John Key today welcomed the announcement of a telethon to support the Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, the official, global fundraiser for the recovery effort for Christchurch and the Canterbury region. Rise Up Christchurch – Te Kotahitanga will be a 12-hour event on May 22 – three months after the February 22 earthquake. All funds raised will go to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. “There has been a huge outpouring of support from around the world in the wake of February’s tragic earthquake,” says Mr Key. “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to continue to throw their weight behind the Christchurch community.” Mr Key congratulated organisers for creating the event. “In the aftermath of both September’s and February’s earthquakes, there has been a huge number of people and organisations volunteering their time to help Christchurch. This event characterises that generosity, and I know a lot of people are donating their time and expertise to make the event a success.” The telethon will be broadcast from Christchurch’s CBS Arena and centres from around New Zealand by Maori Television. Mobile phones worth a million to StarshipOld mobile phones might be junk to the New Zealand public but to the national children’s hospital they’re worth a million. Donated phones from around New Zealand have now helped raise more than $1 million for Starship since the campaign launched just over two years ago. More than 270,000 phones have been donated in that time. The Starship Mobile Phone Appeal has been a huge success for the Starship Foundation which partners with recycling company Folamh to refurbish and on-sell the old phones to developing economies around the world. “We’re thrilled to announce our million dollar milestone,” says Starship Foundation CEO Brad Clark. “With all the appeal costs taken care of by Folamh, the Starship Foundation’s proceeds can go directly where it’s needed most – the kids at Starship Hospital.” The money raised from the Starship Mobile Phone Appeal is used to help fund the Air Ambulance Service. The Foundation is committed to providing $1.5 million annually to the service. Once the phones are donated, they are recorded, graded and stored before being sent to places such as Hong Kong, China or Eastern Europe where they are checked, reprogrammed, repackaged and sold. Phones beyond repair are recycled through the correct environmental channels. The public can donate phones using freepost envelopes which can be found at ASB Bank, Barfoot & Thompson, Telecom, Vodafone and 2degrees stores, The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery branches. Envelopes are also regularly inserted into national newspapers and magazines. Alternatively, phones can be put in any envelope and posted to Starship Mobile Phone Recycling Appeal, Private Bag 208005, Highbrook, Manukau 2161, FreePost: 223107 More information about the Starship Mobile Phone Appeal is available at www.starship.org.nz/phone. Tankers of trout North Shore boundAuckland / Waikato Fish & Game is preparing to release hundreds of catchable trout into Lake Pupuke on Auckland’s North Shore tomorrow. The tanker load of two year-old trout (trout of this size have more chance of surviving against pest fish in the lake) are from Fish & Game’s Rotorua hatchery. The 1000 rainbows and 100 brown trout - will be released at Sylvan Park at around mid-day. The release is in advance of an angling competition on Sunday May 1 - Lake Pupuke Challenge - run by North Shore Fly Fishers Club and Trout Unlimited. The contest provides Fish & Game valuable information on fish numbers, size and condition. Lake Pupuke was first stocked with rainbow trout in the 1880s, the first lake to be stocked in New Zealand, but as its water quality declined so did its attraction as a trout fishing lake. Today its water quality has improved dramatically due to Auckland Regional Council’s environmental work in the lake’s catchment area. The Council says that real improvements began from the late 1960s onwards when all wastewater in the lake’s catchment area was reticulated and diverted away, and they ceased pumping water out of the lake. There are about eight species of fish in the lake including trout, perch, tench, rudd and catfish. A sports fishing licence is required to fish for trout, perch, tench and rudd, which can be purchased from sports shops or online at: www.fishandgame.org.nz Thumbs up for Harbour Bridge cycle eventThe NZ Transport Agency has approved a request to use the Auckland Harbour Bridge for a new cycle event that could attract as many as 9000 competitors. The event, planned to be held on Sunday, 13 November, will involve the closure of the two outer southbound ‘clip-on’ lanes on the bridge. The NZTA and Auckland Transport have agreed that the organisers can also use the Northern Busway, which will be closed temporarily for the event. The cycle challenge will start from the Westhaven Marina in the Wynyard Quarter before crossing the harbour bridge to join the busway and continue on to Albany and beyond. “The cycle event is very much a trial,” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager Tommy Parker. “Welcoming an event of this size for the cycling community is an exciting opportunity, and with the event following close to the Rugby World Cup tournament another excellent chance to showcase Auckland.” Mr Parker says the 9000 cyclists participating will be similar to the number of running on the bridge in the Auckland Marathon. “The high level of planning into the care and operation of the bridge that allows the NZTA to provide temporary access for thousands of runners also applies to the cyclists who will be able to cross the bridge safely as well,” says Parker. “We will be expecting event organisers to deliver the same standards of safety and organisation that is achieved each year when the marathon crosses the bridge.” The two outer lanes of the bridge, and the Northern Busway, will be closed until mid-morning on the day of the event. Like the Auckland Marathon, which will be held two weeks earlier, the closures are timed so that any disruption to drivers is kept to a minimum. Public transport services that would normally use the busway at that time of day will be maintained on adjoining roads. Auckland Transport’s Community Transport Manager, Matthew Rednall says the event gives cyclists the opportunity to experience the Northern Busway from a different perspective. “It also provides a broader opportunity to promote cycling, road safety and the sharing of the road between cyclists and car drivers,” Mr Rednall adds. Mr Parker says the NZTA is aware of the interest from cyclists wanting to ride across the bridge, and an event like this provides that opportunity without compromising the main function of the bridge as the strategic transport link for communities on both sides of the harbour. “The request from the event organisers – Total Ventures Ltd supported by Cycle Action Auckland – was approved by the NZTA after only careful and deliberate consideration. If November’s trial is a success, the cycle challenge could become an exciting addition to Auckland’s events calendar,” Mr Parker says. People wanting to register their interest in the event can do so at, www.facebook.com/cliponchallenge Government gives Team NZ $36mGovernment support for Emirates Team New Zealand’s entry into the 2013 America’s Cup in San Francisco has been confirmed. Under a commitment made in 2007 by the previous government, the National-led Government is contracted to contribute up to $36 million to support Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup bid. “The funding has the potential to generate significant economic benefits for New Zealand, in particular for our world-class marine industry,” says Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter. “With the eyes of the world on San Francisco in 2013, we will use the America’s Cup to our full advantage by showcasing New Zealand’s technology, products and services, and encouraging tourism. "In the current economic climate, it is important that maximum benefit is gained from this significant investment of taxpayer money, and the Government’s expectations in this regard are clear.” An independent economic impact assessment of the 2007 campaign showed a direct economic benefit to New Zealand of $74.4m. The funding also retains up to 100 highly skilled specialists in New Zealand, including yachtsmen, designers and engineers. “New Zealand is renowned for its skills in building high-quality, innovative marine equipment. Every time we compete internationally, we are showcasing the expertise of our marine industry,” says Mr Carter. Emirates Team New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s reconfirmation of support. “The Government’s contribution allows us to be competitive on the world stage,” says Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton. “We are very much the arrowhead of a major New Zealand export industry and we take pride in showcasing the New Zealand brand, skills and expertise across the major yachting regattas of the world. The pinnacle for us will be to bring the America’s Cup home and with New Zealand’s support behind us, we plan to do just that.” Hospitals charge for carparkingCarparking arrangements for visitors and patients to Waitakere and North Shore hospitals will be changing. These changes will apply from 13 June at Waitakere and 1 July at North Shore. Due to growing demand for public carparking spaces, Waitemata DHB is introducing paid parking for patients and visitors to Waitakere Hospital. “We have attempted to keep parking free at Waitakere for a number of years but a growing population and the introduction of new services such as 24-7 emergency services for children – and adults from mid-June – mean Waitakere Hospital is now the busiest it has ever been in its history,” says chief executive Dave Davies. To ensure there is more parking available for the public, visitors and patients to Waitakere Hospital will have to pay a small fee of $3 for the first hour’s parking and $2 for every subsequent hour. This will be introduced via an automated parking system, with barrier arms installed and operational at Waitakere from 13 June. Visitors and patients will need to pay at one of the pay machines before returning to their vehicle. “We recognise that this change will have a big impact, so we’ve capped the charge to a maximum of $11 per day,” says Dave. Paid parking hours at North Shore Hospital for patients and visitors will also be extended to include weekends and weeknights. There will also be a slight increase in charges, with the charge for the first hour’s parking now $3, an increase of $1. The maximum charge per day will also increase by $1 to $11. “We have kept our parking charges unchanged for a number of years, but growing pressures mean we have to introduce these changes, which will apply from 1 July. “The no charge policy for the first 30 minutes will remain – enabling patients to be dropped off for appointments – and the $2 subsequent hour fee will also be unchanged.” Along with helping to manage parking demand, proceeds from the parking charges will go towards helping fund new parking facilities at both hospitals. The new parking charges at both hospitals (applicable 24 hours, 7 days a week at Waitakere from 13 June and North Shore from 1 July):
The parking system is automated. Patients and visitors will need to pay before returning to their vehicle. Alternative travel options for getting to both hospitals, such as bus and rail, can be found by calling 0800 10 30 80 or at www.maxx.co.nz Hunt is on for NZ’s oldest tellyA nationwide search to find the oldest working television in New Zealand was launched today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman. The Oldest Telly competition, part of a Going Digital campaign to raise awareness of the switchover to digital television, encourages New Zealanders to rummage through their homes and garages for their oldest TV set. The winning entry will then be converted to digital TV next month ahead of the first switchover in Hawke’s Bay and West Coast in September 2012. ‘’Digital has changed the way we watch TV with better reception and sound quality, as well as more channels and features such as onscreen TV guides,’’ Dr Coleman says. ‘’It will be great if we can unearth some examples of the earliest televisions and make them digital ready to show viewers that you don’t need a new TV to receive digital television. ‘’Even televisions which showed the first moon landing in 1969 or Dick Tayler’s 10,000 metre victory at the 1974 Commonwealth Games can be converted.’’ Veteran television broadcaster Philip Sherry says digital television has changed the viewing landscape for the better. ‘’I've been involved in broadcasting in New Zealand since 1962 so have witnessed the evolution of television from black and white to colour and now to digital broadcasts. ‘’Digital TV represents the next generation of broadcasting in this country, and I'm encouraging Kiwis to search high and low for some truly old televisions to enter in the Going Digital competition.’’ Information about switching to digital TV and the Oldest Telly competition is available from www.goingdigital.co.nz or the free-phone helpline, 0800 838 800. Large scale mangrove clearance rejectedA panel of three independent commissioners has rejected an application to completely strip Mangawhai Harbour of all its mangroves. Applicant the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society Incorporated applied to the Northland Regional Council in August last year for five coastal permits which if granted would have allowed it to remove approximately 87 hectares of mangroves – effectively stripping them from the entire harbour. The society had also sought permission to burn felled mangroves that could not easily be removed, to dredge about 1.7km of the upper harbour channel and to deposit dredged material on to the foreshore “for the purposes of beach creation”. The society’s application was publicly notified in October last year, attracting almost 300 submissions by a 01 November cut-off date. Of those, 243 submissions supported the proposal, 42 opposed it, three were neutral and one did not say. A three-member regional council Hearings Committee, chaired by Napier-based independent commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen, heard the application in Mangawhai earlier this month. (subs: April 2011) In their decision, the commissioners said they accepted evidence from the society and numerous other submitters that mangroves had spread into areas where they had not been historically present. “We consider that the spread of mangroves has been greatly facilitated by the two roading causeways that cross the upper arms of the (Mangawhai) estuary. Nevertheless, the spread of mangroves is nature’s response to the existence of those causeways and we reject submissions that the current extent of mangroves within the wider harbour should somehow be excluded from the harbour’s natural character.” The commissioners felt it was important to differentiate between people’s landscape or amenity aspirations - and natural character. While they accepted some would prefer mangroves weren’t present, “a dislike of mangroves cannot legitimately, in our view, translate into a conclusion that mangroves are neither natural nor an intrinsic component of the harbour’s natural character”. Given the society’s applications were for the total removal of mangroves from the harbour, “on the evidence presented we are unable to conclude that the effects of that mangrove removal on natural character will be minor”. In a similar vein, the commissioners said while changes were made to the Regional Coastal Plan for Northland in July last year to allow for mangrove removal, the plan “directs us to apply a cautious approach to the proposed removal of mangroves”. “In our view this means that the removal of mangroves should only occur where it can be clearly demonstrated that the adverse effects of doing so will be no more than minor. We have already found that is not the case here.” The commissioners had similar concerns about the effects of the overall proposal on birdlife (in particular the New Zealand Fairy Tern) and shellfish in the area. They also commented on a “paucity of information” about the scale of the proposed burning of felled mangroves, once again finding they could not conclude the effects would be no more than minor. All things considered, the commissioners said the applications did not pass either of two “gateway” tests for non-complying activities set out in the Resource Management Act, effectively leaving them with little choice but to decline the society’s applications in their entirety. However, the commissioners suggested a more modest mangrove removal proposal for Mangawhai Harbour “may very well prove to be appropriate”. They invited the society to “reflect upon a proposition which was neatly summarised, in our view, by one submitter”. That submitter said total eradication of mangroves would destroy a wonderful habitat, but conversely, total neglect of the issue would simply allow them to take over most of the shallow areas in the upper harbour. The submitter’s solution was to selectively manage mangroves in a balanced way to control mangrove spread, but also preserve the special parts of the harbour where salt marshes nestled between the mangroves and dry land. The commissioners’ decision can now be appealed to the Environment Court for 15 working days. New digital breast screening unit launchedWomen in the Rodney region will have easier access to breast screening and more choice, thanks to a new digital mobile breast screening unit launched today by New Zealand’s first breast physician Dr Jackie Blue. Local provider, BreastScreen Waitemata Northland, screens about 35,500 women a year. The new mobile unit will operate from up to six sites throughout Rodney, replacing fixed breast screening sites in Orewa and Warkworth. Health Minister Tony Ryall says this will make it easier for women to have breast screening, as in many cases, the unit will come to their area. It’s the second digital mobile unit for BreastScreen Waitemata Northland, which delivers breast screening services on behalf of BreastScreen Aotearoa, the national screening programme that provides free mammograms every two years for women aged 45 to 69 years. Dr Blue says the unit will improve access and choice for women in the region. “The needs of women in rural areas of Rodney are best met by a mobile breast screening service in their own communities. The digital mobile unit will be able to screen an additional 700 women over the number screened at the fixed sites in Orewa and Warkworth. “The unit uses the latest in digital breast screening technology and means the screening process will be quicker for women because the quality of the image can be checked immediately. Images can be transmitted electronically from one site and examined by radiologists in another, and specialist expertise can be shared between different regions.” Breast screening services throughout the country are expected to be fully digital by 2013. Dr Blue says around 620 women die from breast cancer each year. “We know that routine breast screening reduces the chance of dying of breast cancer by between 20 and 30 percent for women aged 45 to 69. “But it is not just about numbers and statistics. Imagine the huge loss suffered by the whanau and friends of these women, and the workplaces and communities they are part of.” Tony Ryall says that nationwide, around 330,000 women aged 50 to 69 were screened for breast cancer from January 2009 to the end of December 2010, an increase of nearly 42,000 women when compared with the previous 24-month period. “This is a great result for women, their families, and the health system.” The new unit will begin operating from 1 July, and public meetings are being held to help decide which sites it will operate from. Rodney women will also have the choice of having their mammograms at the fixed sites in Takapuna and at Waitakere Hospital. The launch of the new digital unit also marks the five-year anniversary of services at BreastScreen Waitemata Northland. For further information about breast screening, or to make an appointment, women can ring freephone 0800 270 200, or see the website: www.nsu.govt.nz Auckland bus and train service upgradeBus and train services across Auckland will be upgraded. Auckland Council has been working with Auckland Transport on the issue in the wake of figures showing public transport patronage at its highest level in 60 years. Mayor Len Brown says when demand for public transport is increasing at the rate it is at the moment, providing enough trains and buses is obviously an issue. “I’m pleased with the speed at which Auckland Transport and the operators have responded to the issue, and I encourage people to continue to let us know when they see potential issues.” Transport Committee chair Mike Lee says, "Aucklanders are using public transport in record numbers. It's no longer correct to say people will only take their car to work. "We need to cater for more people using buses and trains and that is why we need projects like the inner-city rail loop to increase services to the west and south, unclog our roads and deliver economic growth." The latest figures show that between 1996 and February 2011, bus patronage has increased by 61.2 per cent, ferry by 89.2 per cent, train by 341.5 per cent, with an overall public transport patronage increase of 79.6 per cent. The upgrades involve bus services to the Hibiscus Coast, the North Shore, the isthmus and Botany. It also involves train services on the Eastern and Southern Lines. On Hibiscus Coast bus routes including 893, 895 and 897 buses are reaching capacity at peak. Larger vehicles have been moved to areas of greatest need. Phase One of the Silverdale Park and Ride will be complete by the middle of the year. Increased frequency is also being considered.
Funding agreement announcedThe Auckland Council and the Independent Maori Statutory Board have reached an agreement on the board’s funding for the 2010/11 financial year and a process to avoid misunderstandings and conflict in the future. As a result of the agreement, the Board will be able to withdraw its pending High Court action. The agreement, which will allow the Board to meet its statutory obligations and carry out its Work Plan released earlier this year, was announced today by Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Board Chairman David Taipari. Under the agreement, the direct cost to ratepayers of the Board’s activities in 2010/11 will be $984,200. The Council and the Board have also identified resources within the Council’s existing operations and budgets that will be made available to the Board to enable it to meet its statutory obligations and deliver its Work Plan. The Council will therefore provide support services such as finance and IT, and meet accommodation and one-off fit out costs. The approximate value of the allocated overhead is $264,000 and one-off accommodation expenses are $250,000. The Council will also part-fund the Board’s planned audit of the efficacy of the Council’s activities in meeting its statutory obligations to Maori and the Board’s programme to identify a list of issues of significance to Maori, as required by law. Two seconded policy advisors from within existing resources will also be made available. The value to the Board of these existing resources to be made available by the Council out of current budgets is estimated to be approximately $265,000. The Council and the Board have also agreed a process to reach a Funding Agreement, as required by law, for 2011/12 and future years. This will involve good faith negotiations against the set of principles including recognition of the Board’s independence and the need to be cost effective and avoid duplication between Council and Board functions. Both the Mayor and Mr Taipari said they were pleased agreement had been reached not just for 20101/11 funding, as required by the Government’s Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 which established the Independent Maori Statutory Board, but for a process for the future. “This is a funding package which allows us to deliver our work programme and meet our statutory obligations and I commend the Mayor for his leadership towards achieving consensus both within the Council and between the Council and the Board,” Mr Taipari said. Mr Brown said it had not been easy for the Council to comply with the Government’s legislation establishing the Board but it had now done so. “I would like to thank Councillors Alf Filipaina, Christine Fletcher, Richard Northey and Penny Webster, Council CEO Doug McKay and the Board negotiating team for reaching this agreement. “Both the Council and Board can now look forward to working together in the best interests of all Aucklanders to build a stronger city, a larger economy and support our local communities, and I value the positive contribution the Board is already making in our committees,” Mr Brown said. Pumping waves greet surfersNear-perfect conditions greeted surfers for the first event of the 2011 Northland Scholastic Surfing Series Event held at Ahipara on Friday 8 April 2011. Clean 1.0-1.5m waves wrapped around the points and were fanned by light to moderate offshore winds all day. In the highest number of entries seen in a NSSS event since its start in 2010, competitors and spectators were treated to some great waves and hot surfing by Northland's groms. In the Girls Division Mangawhai Head's surfer Alana Thrasyvoulou (Rodney College) beat fellow team mate and close friend Robyn Turnbull (Rodney College) in thier final. Thrasyvoulou picked off a long peeling left and linked a number of smooth round house cutbacks all the way to the beach. In her first year competing in the NSSS Thrasyvoulou was stoked on the waves on offer in the Far North. In the Longboard Division it was another close battle between Karl Hines (Bream Bay College) and Jake Moffat (Bream Bay College) . Both surfers were pleased to be surfing the contest peak with only a few others in the water, but it was Hines who surfed with style and picked off the best waves in the final. In the Bodyboard Division lone surfer Sam Moffat(Bream Bay College) had it "all to himself" but was lucky not come away with more than he bargained for after a close encounter with the reef. One of the most exciting divisions of the day was the Under 14 Boys division, which saw current Under 14 National Champion Manu Scott Arrietta (WBHS) absolutely blitz every wave that came his way. Local Ahipara surfer Sergio Hansen (Kaitaia College) enjoyed the home break advantage picking off some of the better waves in his heats, surfing with style into the finals. Ryan Renall(Rodney College) also relished in the left handers and the goofy footer from Mangawhai Heads built on his good performance in the series from 2010 making the final at Ahipara. In the finals Hansen's first wave was a long one, scoring a 5.5 out of a possible 10, and he backed it up with a few other good scores. But it was Scott-Arrietta who smashed his second wave all the way to the beach to secure the win. In the hotly contested Under 16 division there was some explosive surfing going down, with a few upsets along the way. With 30 entries in the division, it was evident that the popularity of the location and the series had pumped numbers up. Early stand-out Matt McGregor (Kamo High School) showed confidence in the increasing sized waves linking some near perfect round house cutbacks with big-end section bashes. McGregor, who was in the 2010 Northland team was unlucky to be knocked out in Round 2, but put on an impressive show all the same. Fraser Seymour (WBHS) was a stand out all day and enjoyed the increase in size during the event and surfed with ease into the finals. The smooth natural footer linked some solid off the top surfing with fast, sharp gouges back into the pocket. Local Ahipara surfer Flynn Cribb also relished at his home break and picked off some of the better set waves to make the finals. But it was Joe Palmer (Kerikeri High School) who dominated the final and showed his forehand advantage by locking in a solid 7.5 out of a possible 10 on his second wave, building a lead that eventually the other surfers could not match. In the highly anticipated Under 18 Boys Division we saw Sandy Bay and veteran NZ competitor Paxti Scott-Arrietta(Kamo High School) face off against Mangawhai Head's surfer Louie Smith (Rodney College). Both surfers are no strangers to the pumping waves of Ahipara and both relished in their semi-final heats with some explosive surfing . In the final local Ahipara surfer Marlin McMeekin (Kaitaia College) picked off some great waves and showed true local knowledge. Scott Arrietta started off the final by smashing a number of massive backhand re-entries on 2 consecutive waves but came unstuck on his third wave which opened the door for his opposition. Smith replied with one of the highest scoring rides of the day , an 8.0 out of 10, linking half a dozen vertical re-entries with smooth, fast cutbacks surfing all the way to the beach and taking the win. Results:
Photo credits: Tony Baker / Paul Hansen / Heath Worsfold The NSSS Committee would like to thank Paul Hansen and the Far North community for supporting the event at Ahipara, and to all the parents and competitors who made the event possible. Noise walls to showcase local artworkPainting has started on the noise walls along sections of the NZ Transport Agency’s SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension motorway project as completion of the of the new highway takes a step closer. The wooden walls are between three and four-and-a-half metres high and will be painted bright orange with patterns overlaid in 3D relief. They are being installed alongside the motorway lanes to reduce traffic noise to neighbouring homes and businesses. The distinctive orange colour of the walls is an indirect reference to clays used by the ceramics industry that was once based in the area. The same colour is represented in the tiles lining the Clarks Lane footbridge over the motorway. Once painted, Helensville artist Jeff Thomson will add a ‘tyre track’ design inspired by vehicles travelling along Muriwai Beach. The coloured ‘tread’ relief patterns will feature along the 700 metres of noise wall included on the project to create New Zealand’s largest public artwork. Plantings of native shrubs around the walls will also help to maintain the natural environment. Urban design specialists Jasmax collaborated with the NZTA, Jeff Thomson and Auckland Council (formerly Waitakere City Council) on the walls project, which is just one part of an overall arts programme for the Hobsonville motorway. Jeff Thomson says the project is much bigger than anything he has worked on before. “I actually spent two years walking throughout New Zealand in the early 1980s making small artworks on letterboxes for people I met along the way, so it feels quite natural that I’m now back making art on the roadside, although on a much larger scale,” he says. Other art works associated with the project include the Sinton Windows installed by artist John Radford and the clay tiles by artists Matt and Kate McLean. “It is a good opportunity to show that there is more to constructing a new motorway than concrete and asphalt,” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland, Tommy Parker. “The noise walls not only fulfil a practical purpose but add some visual character along sections of the motorway.” The noise walls are being erected alongside the motorway at Hobsonville Road near Westgate, Squadron Drive, Sinton Road, Trig Road and Brigham Creek Road roundabout with SH16. The NZTA is also investigating looking to incorporate design elements at Lincoln Road and other interchanges so that the theme is similar along the Northwestern Motorway. The six kilometre, four-lane Hobsonville motorway is the last section to be completed of the new SH18 as part of the strategic Western Ring Route, which will create a motorway alternative to SH1 and help to ease congestion through central Auckland. The project also includes a three kilometre-long four lane extension of the Northwestern Motorway [SH16} to a new roundabout at Brigham Creek Road. The NZTA plans to complete the $220M project in September, six months ahead of schedule. The new motorway will help to reduce congestion on Hobsonville Road and open up access to the growing Northwest region of Auckland. For more information phone 0800 520 202 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz/hobsonville Tree nominations soarArborists are faced with assessing more than 4000 trees covered by 579 nominations received via local boards seeking their possible scheduling as notable trees. Assessments will determine which trees meet the criteria for scheduling through a series of plan changes to the former city and district councils’ district plans. Auckland Council called for nominations to ensure that notable trees in urban areas currently protected by general tree protection rules across Auckland do not lose that protection on 1 January 2012 when these rules must be removed from district plans following changes to the Resource Management Act. Currently, 3690 trees in the Auckland region are listed for protection. A further 1376 were recommended by previous councils and community boards prior to amalgamation. Officers will be checking to make sure there are no double-ups of trees nominated earlier and the council will advise property owners by letter about pending site visits. Officers hope to have completed arborist assessments by the end of May so plan changes can be notified in June. “The call for nominations clearly galvanised local boards and other interested groups into action,” Councillor Cameron Brewer, chairperson of the Planning and Urban Design Forum, said. “It’s great that communities have shown so much interest in their neighbourhood trees and having local boards leading the process was the right thing to do.” Mr Brewer said the assessment task arborists now face will be both time consuming and expensive. “While assessing over 4,000 trees will cost the ratepayer in the short-term, we expect from next year there will be considerable savings for the council with less resource consents needing to be sought and processed.” Mr Brewer said given the sheer number of trees that have been nominated for assessment, the politicians will be relying on arborists’ advice on which trees meet the strict assessment criteria. “We will have to take arborists advice on how many of these nominated trees should be protected. Not everyone’s going to be happy, but the council’s decisions need to be based on expert advice,” said Mr Brewer. Most local boards sent in nominations, the largest number of trees being nominated by the Albert Eden Local Board (70 nominations incorporating 1237 trees) followed by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board (17 and 515 trees). Other board nominations:
Anchor gives $500,000 to Kiwi communitiesSports equipment, computers and new books for the library are just some of the things that 84 lucky schools from around New Zealand will be able to purchase thanks to the Great Anchor Milk Run. “The Great Milk Run will see more than $500,000 invested into New Zealand communities”, says Anchor’s Craig Irwin. Every day for 84 days, Anchor will award a new winning consumer $2,500 for themselves and $2,500 for the school of the winning consumer’s choice. Anchor will then also give one lucky New Zealander and their nominated school $50,000 each in the grand prize draw, opening up a world of opportunities. This is the second year Anchor has supported Kiwi schools and Mr Irwin says it was seeing the difference the prize money made to last year’s winning school that made Anchor want to continue this initiative. “We know that schools today are under enormous pressure to raise money for facilities and equipment and we are glad to be able to help so many around the country get the things they need,” says Mr Irwin. Last year’s grand prize winner was Waterloo School in Lower Hutt which used its $50,000 to purchase flat screen televisions for each of its 24 classrooms. “$50,000 was a huge prize. Our school community has always worked hard to fundraise for various projects but it would have taken us 18 months to generate that amount of money,” says Graeme Sullivan, Principal of Waterloo School. “We had a long term IT project planned but with the $50,000 we were able to complete it three years ahead of schedule.” The Great Anchor Milk Run is on now and will run until 26 June. Over the promotional period, Anchor will be giving schools and consumers the chance to win their share of over $500,000 cash by simply purchasing any 1L, 2L or 3L bottle of Anchor milk. To be in to win, customers will enter the unique code on the reverse of Anchor milk bottles by texting to 311 or entering online at www.anchormilkrun.co.nz. To follow the progress of the Great Anchor Milk Run and see which schools are winning visit anchormilkrun.co.nz. Read In raises money for ChristchurchAuckland Libraries, in conjunction with the New Zealand Society of Authors, hosted over 170 authors, at 32 locations across Auckland, to raise almost $5,000 for earthquake stricken Christchurch. The funds raised, through the generosity of donations on entry, will go to the New Zealand Government Christchurch Earthquake Appeal and will assist with the rebuilding of both infrastructure and community in Christchurch. Allison Dobbie, Manager Libraries and Information at Auckland Council, says: “The fact that we could organise such an extensive and successful fundraising event in this timeframe is testament to the relationship between authors and libraries. “The level of donation and collaboration demonstrates the strength and generosity of the writing and reading community and their concern for colleagues and the people of Christchurch." Among the participating authors were Emily Perkins, Tessa Duder and Kevin Ireland and included some authors from Christchurch. Authors read for between eight and 12 minutes, mostly from their own works. Despite the dreadful weather, people came along to their local libraries and everyone enjoyed themselves. “It was the perfect mix: the Society of Authors and the libraries, and is something we would be keen to continue to develop in the future,” said Maggie Tarver, CEO of the New Zealand Society of Authors. “Our members write so that their books can be read or heard and this was a perfect opportunity to do that.” The event was well supported by the Auckland community, and was greatly received by those that attended. “The level of support has been amazing, with some libraries raising in excess of $500,” she said. Commercial fishing in marine reserve investigatedThe Department of Conservation (DOC) is investigating a report that a commercial fishing boat appeared to be fishing in the Motu Manawa / Pollen Island Marine Reserve in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. The North Western Motorway passes through the marine reserve which is located between Pt Chevalier and Te Atatu. A motorist has told DOC that he saw a fishing boat that appeared to be laying nets in the marine reserve. DOC rangers, who responded to a phone call from the motorist, have seized two nets and about 80 fish. “We’re investigating the incident and if we find an offence has been committed we’ll be prosecuting,” says Phil Brown, the biodiversity manager at DOC’s Auckland Area Office. Marine reserves exist to protect areas that have distinct features that warrant preserving. They enable the marine life in the reserve to live in their natural state. The Motu Manawa /Pollen Island Marine Reserve protects some 500 hectares of the inner reaches of Waitemata Harbour. It includes the intertidal mudflats, tidal channels, mangrove swamp, saltmarsh, and shellbanks surrounding Pollen and Traherne Islands. The reserve supports an abundance of birdlife. It is a rich feeding ground for white faced herons, pukeko, spotless crake and the endangered banded rail. The wetlands are also important for non-waders, like kingfisher and fernbirds, and for migratory birds such as godwits, knots and sandpipers that fly to northern Asia to breed. DOC has had a number of successful prosecutions involving fishing and collecting shellfish in marine reserves in the Auckland area in recent months. In August last year a man was fined $1000 after pleading guilty to taking kina from Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve and to giving false personal details to a DOC ranger. He was also ordered to forfeit his fishing gear. In December two men were fined $500 each and ordered to pay court costs after pleading guilty to “taking” from the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve. They were caught by DOC rangers fishing from a boat in the reserve. The pair were fined, even though they hadn’t caught anything, because the offence ‘taking’ from a marine reserve includes attempting to take seafood. Two Gisborne men were recently sent to prison for taking crayfish, kina and paua from the Te Tapuwae o Rongokaka Marine Reserve north of Gisborne. One was jailed for eight weeks the other for six weeks These are the longest sentences handed down for taking from a marine reserve and followed a joint operation by DOC and Ministry of Fisheries. DOC asks anyone who sees someone fishing or collecting seafood in a marine reserve to call 0800 DOC HOT / 0800 362 468. Integrated ticketing beginsThe first step in the staged introduction of HOP smartcard for Auckland was announced today by Auckland City Mayor Len Brown, with dates of the rollout to be advised shortly. Integrated ticketing using a single standard smartcard accepted on all public transport services is a major step forward in convenience, providing cost and time savings for commuters and more effective and accurate ways to gather fares and patronage data, says NZTA’s Auckland regional director, Stephen Town. “The convenience of the HOP smartcard may well prove the point where many commuters opt for public transport and leave their cars at home,” he says. Mr Town says the launch of the Auckland ticketing system has national implications as it forms the basis for national ticketing standards and implements core transport ticketing infrastructure which can be used for the whole of New Zealand. The NZTA has partnered with Auckland Transport planners for some years on the Auckland integrated ticketing programme, including development of a parallel national programme, as well as developing NITIS, a national standard which enables integration with other ticketing equipment and transport service providers. The system’s capital cost is $60 million, with a 10-year operating cost of $80m. The NZTA is providing a $42.95m share of the capital funding, and Auckland Transport is providing a $15.3m share. The NZTA is also funding $20m for the central (national) system to provide for expansion, and for the inclusion of transport services in other regions. The initial planning for integrated ticketing started in 2006 and the system tender was released in late 2007, to ensure Auckland and eventually the rest of the country received the best and most cost efficient system available. The contract to introduce integrated ticking was signed with Thales NZ in December 2009 by the former Auckland Regional Transport Authority, now managed by Auckland Transport. Mr Town says congratulations are due to Auckland Transport, the system providers and to all the transport partners and companies for working so successfully to bring this system to Aucklanders, and soon to other New Zealand centres. “The NZTA is delighted that the first stage of this system that will revolutionise public transport travel will be rolled out in time for the Rugby World Cup,” says Mr Town. Additional information about the HOP smartcard is available at, www.myhop.co.nz New research on beach ripsNew research about how the configuration of beaches and climate cycles affect rip currents will help improve the accuracy of forecasts of when and where dangerous rips occur on New Zealand beaches, potentially saving lives.The research builds on a 10-year collaborative project between NIWA and the University of Waikato to study and forecast rip currents at Tairua Beach in the Coromandel. Using images from a computer-controlled camera set up at the end of the beach, scientists have been looking at how rips develop, migrate and change over a 10-year period to build models to forecast rip occurrence. A rip is an offshore current concentrated in a narrow channel along a beach, often catching swimmers unaware and pulling them out to sea. Generally, the orientation, size and strength of rip currents depend on offshore wave conditions, including height and angle of the waves. By analysing wave characteristics against rip currents on the video images over a 5-year period, a predictive model to forecast rip occurrence was developed. Seventy-five percent of the time the model accurately predicted a rip current would occur. Now new research is looking at how the how the shape and configuration of the beach – including the location of sandbars, channels, and the position and slope of the shoreline – can impact rip currents, to improve the accuracy of the forecasts. University of Waikato senior lecturer Dr Karin Bryan says the new analysis provides exciting information about how stable rip currents are, where they might develop and how many there might be. “Looking at the video you can clearly see some rip currents that did not move for nearly a year, especially near the headlands. At the central part of the beach, you might see up to 8 or 9 currents occurring. The central ones are really different, shifting and changing and even disappearing after a few weeks. We can extract precise measurements of these rips, which are used to fine-tune our model for forecasting rip currents, ultimately providing the level of accuracy needed to help surf lifesaving initiatives.” Scientists have also been looking at how La Niña and El Niño climate cycles impact rip currents. “With each climate cycle the beach rotates, pushing all the sand to one end of the beach. That movement is really controlling the size, stability and location of rip currents,” Dr Bryan says. “It’s the first time we have really analysed how these large-scale patterns control the smaller scale rip current patterns.” NIWA coastal scientist Dr Giovanni Coco says the biggest gaps in global knowledge on rips is how currents react with the seabed. “As a rule we know the larger the waves, the stronger the rip. But that’s not the only factor. We are now getting a much clearer idea of how beach morphology, shape and structure are related to rips developing. Because we have been collecting video data for so long at Tairua, we are in a unique position to be able to do this kind of work.” “It’s a significant step forward internationally,” Dr Coco says. Surf Lifesaving New Zealand Life Saving Services and Education Manager, Brett Sullivan, says a high proportion of drownings that occur on the coast are directly related to rips. They are also responsible for the majority of rescues performed by lifeguards. “Rips are a significant hazard on New Zealand beaches and Lifeguards spend many hours working to reduce the risk they pose to the public. People drown fast so any new research that helps Lifeguards to focus their attention and lifesaving equipment to where it is needed most, certainly has the potential to save lives.” The research is a long-term collaborative project between NIWA and the University of Waikato, assisted by Environment Waikato. Family violence fallsRecorded family violence is still going up, but the rate at which it is increasing is slowing down the latest police crime statistics show - news that has been welcomed by the Families Commission. Police statistics for the 2010 calendar year released today show that recorded family violence assaults increased by 1.2 per cent. “Any increase in recorded family violence might seem to be bad news,” says Chief Families Commissioner Carl Davidson. “But what we know is that these offences tend to be significantly under reported. In recent years we have seen a very effective focus on family violence through such campaigns as It’s Not OK and White Ribbon; a huge increase in anti-violence action by many organisations throughout the country; and improved police procedures for dealing with and recording family violence. This has resulted in reported family violence offences going up, and we’ve welcomed that as evidence that not only are the campaigns working, but that public tolerance of family violence has decreased.” Mr Davidson says that the latest statistics add a new dimension to that overall good news. “While reported family violence continues to increase, the actual rate of increase is slowing down. Police statistics show that in the 2007/08 fiscal year, family violence offences went up by 28.1 per cent, in 2008/09 they went up by 13.1 per cent, and in 2009/10 by 8.5 per cent. The statistics released today indicate that slowing down is continuing. The police statistics paint a similar picture to those contained in the New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey released by the Ministry of Justice in December 2010. This survey showed there had been a substantial drop in the incidence of confrontational offences by partners from 22 crimes per 100 adults in 2005, to 14 per 100 in 2008. “Couple the Ministry of Justice’s research with today’s statistics and we are starting to see some evidence that not only are people more willing to report partner violence, the actual incidence of it is going down” Mr Davidson says. However, with 25 of the 72 homicide victims in New Zealand in 2010 a result of family violence, Mr Davidson says now is not the time for anti-violence campaigners to sit back and say “job well done.” “One murder, one assault, one abuse of a child is too much. As a society we must protect our families by continuing to take an active stand against family violence in any form and wherever it occurs. “Now that we have some evidence that these campaigns are contributing to an actual downturn in the incidence of partner violence, we have to reaffirm our commitment, step up our efforts and do even more so the momentum for family wellbeing is not lost.” |
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