Bluegreens Newsletter February 2013
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NZNatsBluegreens Newsletter February 2013
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Hello everyone Welcome to a new year of Bluegreens news, projects and new challenges. We open the year with the annual Bluegreens Forum, which you are warmly welcome to attend. This years forum is to be held on the weekend of Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March at Tatum Park, Levin, hosted by Otaki MP Nathan Guy and Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie. The 2013 forum features a range of interesting speakers, including MPs, local government representatives, environmental enthusiasts and key stakeholders. Further information here. Key forum topics: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Resource Management Act reform Freshwater management National cycleways A pest free New Zealand Pitch a policy - speakers from the floor
The annual forum is always a stimulating think tank and we welcome your ideas, policy proposals and of course, environment and conservation stories and successes. I would like to acknowledge the new appointment of Hon Dr Nick Smith to the position of Minister of Conservation and recognise outgoing Minister Hon Kate Wilkinson for her work in the portfolio. Hon Wilkinson was a strong believer that conservation is everyones responsibility and worked hard to build relationships between DOC and the community. With her encouragement volunteer numbers increased by 25 per cent, and partnerships with organisations to conserve and protect increased dramatically. She was also very keen on the concept of a Predator Free NZ and that work will be fully discussed at the Bluegreens Forum. I conclude with words from the Prime Minister: Bluegreens are a part of a new generation of thinkers who believe that successful economic and environmental policy can and must go hand in hand in order to provide a cleaner, greener, brighter future for all New Zealanders Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister.
Nicky Wagner Chair, Bluegreen Caucus Committee
New Auckland ferry service offers alternative to motorway gridlock
This month has seen the launch of a new ferry service for the Auckland suburbs of Beach Haven and Hobsonville Point. Prime Minister John Key joined Auckland Mayor Len Brown on Sunday 3 February to open new ferry terminals in the two suburbs, supporting public transport initiatives and the conservation of fossil fuels and carbon. Len Brown says the new service is great for public transport. Aucklanders are looking for alternatives. This service provides commuters with a convenient and pleasant alternative to motorway gridlock. There will be two morning and three afternoon sailings each week day. The service will take 30 minutes from Hobsonville Point to Downtown and 40 minutes from Beach Haven. We all know that the number one stumbling block to being the worlds most liveable city is our transport system, Brown says. The opening of this new route and these new terminals is another example of the steady progress we are making. The terminal at Hobsonville Point is a partnership project between Auckland Transport and the Hobsonville Land Company. HLC chair Adrienne Young-Cooper says the initiative is a major milestone.
Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key and Auckland Mayor Len Brown launch new ferry service
Hobsonville Point will now be served with frequent bus and commuter ferry services. Establishing public transport services early in the life of the development is visionary and establishes sustainable transport patterns early. Further details here.
Conservation Minister marks World Wetlands Day
Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith has this month launched the game bird habitat stamp and art prints for 2013 to mark World Wetlands Day, celebrated internationally on 2 February each year. This is the 20th in the New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Collection series, and features the Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) or makatu. The Game Bird Habitat Stamp programme is designed to raise funds for the protection and enhancement of wetlands and game bird habitat through the sale of the annual stamp and related products. The stamps are used to endorse hunting licences with the funds raised going towards the conservation projects.
Conservation Minister Hon Dr Nick Smith on World Wetlands Day
Dr Smith says it is not the first time that a non-game bird has been chosen for the stamp. New Zealand is the stronghold for the bittern, but there are thought to be less than 1000 birds living here. I applaud the work of the Game Bird Habitat Trust which applies the funds raised from the sale of stamp items to various wetland projects. To date, over $1 million has been raised. The Minister says while the bittern is fully protected and not a listed huntable game bird, its choice reflects the fact that Fish & Game and the Trust, and hunters who contribute via their game bird licence purchase, are well aware of the need to protect other wetland inhabitants, especially if theyre endangered. We have long recognised that the key to sustainable management and harvest of game birds is good habitat, so that if you look after the habitat, the birds and fish will generally look after themselves. He says buying habitat stamp items is a simple and inexpensive way for all New Zealanders to give direct support to wetland habitat protection. Earlier limited editions prints featuring other birds including the mallard, pheasant and quail are also still available. Further information from Fish and Game NZ here.
Lake Ellesmere Te Ara Kakariki plant out day
Away from the cut and thrust of Parliament, it doesnt take much to convince Environment Minister Amy Adams to get her hands dirty. The Selwyn MP was part of a large group of volunteers involved in the recent Te Ara Kakariki plant out day in the Lake Ellesmere catchment area, which saw volunteers plant more than 2500 native plants. The native plants are already making a significant difference to the area, Amy Adams says. I absolutely love being involved in initiatives like this. Preserving and restoring our environment is an important responsibility for all New Zealanders all year round.
The aim of the initiative is to create corridors for native wildlife and a filtering system to the waterways. This will aid the improving health of Lake Ellesmere at the bottom of the catchment and provide a greenway of food sources for native wildlife.
Environment Minister Amy Adams at the Te Ara Kakariki plant out day
It makes me proud to see so many people put their time and energy in to local projects. This is an important initiative and I congratulate everyone involved.
Project Gold showcases childrens conservation work
Pupils at Cromwells Goldfields School have taken a real hands-on approach to their Project Gold conservation activities. Last term they worked with their school caretaker to establish a native garden within the school grounds. Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says the gardens and other related projects bode well for the districts green future. The project proved popular as the school received wide community support via donations of pavers, native plants, compost and the use of a digger. Once the ground had been prepared, the students were further assisted by a horticulturist, who helped in the selection of tree and shrub placements. The pupils efforts have already been rewarded, as the garden has a attracted publicity and outside visitors, including teachers and pupils from other schools.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean admires Goldfields School pupils handiwork
Jacqui Dean says the children are being taught the beauty, value and importance of conservation at an age where theyll continue the practices learned at school throughout their lives.
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