That’s a wrap! Christchurch local,
Andrew Shead, and Wellington photographer,
Lindsay Keats, finish the Waimakariri River photo
shoot for the Water Awareness Campaign.

That’s a wrap! Christchurch local,
Andrew Shead, and Wellington
photographer, Lindsay Keats, finish
the Waimakariri River photo shoot
for the Water Awareness Campaign..

The connection between New Zealanders and water is one of the themes behind a joint three-year national campaign by the Ministry for the Environment and regional councils. The Water Awareness campaign will get people thinking about the importance of water to New Zealand, and to every New Zealander.

Freshwater is one of New Zealand’s biggest assets. Research has shown us that New Zealanders largely take water for granted. We expect it to be available, to be of good quality and for it to be cheap.

“We are at a cross road for the future management of water,” said Minister for the Environment, David Benson-Pope recently at a Water Forum held in Christchurch. Freshwater is a core environmental issue facing the country. The effective management of water quality and quantity is a priority for the Government under the Sustainable Development Programme of Action.

The national Water Awareness Campaign supports this work and some of the tough decisions facing us in the future by “reconnecting people with the values of water – showing New Zealanders what water means to them in their everyday lives, for their families, for their lifestyles and recreational pursuits, as well as water’s importance to our national identity and the New Zealand economy,” said Mr Benson-Pope.

The campaign also provides another opportunity for the Ministry to continue building on its strong working relationship with local authorities.

“The campaign will be great for us to leverage off,” said Bill Bayfield, Chief Executive, Environment Bay of Plenty. “We now have an opportunity to work with central government and the Ministry for the Environment to coordinate a campaign on a key issue that is immensely important to New Zealand. May there be many more,” said Mr Bayfield.

Tony Allan, a sheep and cattle farmer
from Bendrose Station near Twizel didn’t
count on being in his “valuable body of
water”, Lake Ohau, in the middle of
winter to help raise awareness of water
as a precious resource.

Tony Allan, a sheep and cattle farmer from Bendrose
Station near Twizel didn’t count on being in his “valuable
body of water”, Lake Ohau, in the middle of winter to
help raise awareness of water as a precious resource.

The initial stage of the campaign includes a range of advertising in magazines, newspapers, billboards, bus shelters and the Internet – encouraging people to visit the www.4million.org.nz website.

“We need to reposition water from something that most New Zealanders take for granted to a resource that is highly valued,” said Mr Benson-Pope.

Water is essential for our survival. So let’s look after it.

For more information:
Diana Dobbinson, phone (04) 439 7556 or email diana.dobbinson@mfe.govt.nz

Part of our birthright

From the Chief Executive - Hugh Logan

Photo of Hugh Logan

I have taken on my new role as Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment with enthusiasm.

Since starting at the Ministry at the end of May, I have begun a series of conversations with many of the key people and organisations we interact with. These discussions are helping my understanding of the expectations people have about the Ministry.

There is no doubt that the quality of our natural and physical environment is a priority for New Zealanders.

Research in 2004 for the Growth and Innovation Advisory Board showed that a clear majority of people rate quality of life, the quality of the environment, education, and social services well ahead of most other national priorities.

As the Prime Minister said in the Speech from the Throne last November: “Clear air, open space, and good water quality are seen as part of our birthright. Yet our reality does not always conform to this ideal.”

That is where the Ministry for the Environment comes in.

A healthy environment is the basis of our quality of life and a strong healthy economy. New Zealand’s income relies on our natural resources and this is unlikely to change dramatically in the near future. Industries based on natural resources – agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism – will continue to be the strength of our economy. New Zealand cannot compete effectively with low cost manufacturing and primary production giants. Our size and distance from major markets make it increasingly difficult to compete internationally on price and volume. Rather, New Zealand can provide quality products and services for high-income consumers – but we must recognise that their expectations of ‘quality’ include environmental sustainability.

This month North and South magazine introduced a regular Thinking Shopper’s Guide giving “news and views on products and consumer issues as they affect our health, our environment, and the lives of the people we share the planet with.”

When a mainstream magazine goes down this path you can be sure there is now a substantial body of well-informed consumers who care about the origins of what they buy. And that is just a small reflection of what is happening internationally.

The Ministry’s work programmes in areas such as climate change, air quality, water quality, and sustainable industry are at the heart of the environmental sustainability that must underpin our economy and quality of life.

I look forward to meeting and working with many of you over the next few years as part of the Ministry’s engagement with the wider community.

Coming soon: RMA resources for public and small business

The Ministry for the Environment will launch An Everyday Guide to the RMA, a package of resources to help individuals and small business better understand Resource Management Act (RMA) processes on 31 August.

The package comprises 13 booklets, an interactive CD-ROM, and a revamped website which can be accessed through www.rma.govt.nz. These will provide information and practical tools about applying for a resource consent, making a submission or having a say on plans. An 0800 RMA INFO (0800 762 4636) line will also be introduced.

You can obtain these resources from local councils, Biz Business Information offices, Citizen Advice Bureaus and the Ministry.

For more information: Viv Smith, phone (03) 365 9268 or email viv.smith@mfe.govt.nz

Time to tackle e-waste

Computers, mobile phones and digital music players, are just some of the electronic devices we use every day for work, entertainment, and in some cases as a fashion accessory.

Although these devices may improve our quality of life, they have also created a new type of waste.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), also known as e-waste, contains several toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury. The potential risk to the environment and human health makes the disposal of this waste an important issue.

The Ministry for the Environment is working with a wide range of partners from many different industries to develop voluntary, industry-led product stewardship schemes. Some of these companies are already taking an innovative approach to taking back and recycling their products. For example, Hewlett Packard, Dell and IBM will take back unwanted IT equipment from corporate customers.

Valuable resources like copper are lost when waste electrical and electronic equipment is sent to landfill rather than recycled. Reusing and recycling electrical and electronic equipment is better for people’s health and for the environment as the metals and plastics found in these products can be used again to manufacture new products.

Both Vodafone and Telecom run free collection schemes for used mobile phones that are then reused or recycled. By bringing your old mobile phones out of storage and taking them to Vodafone or Telecom’s stores you are ensuring they are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way – at no cost to you.

For more information: Helen Bolton, phone (04) 439 7728 or email helen.bolton@mfe.govt.nz

DELL Computers is holding a special eDay on Saturday 2 September 2006 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington from 9am to 3pm.

All households are invited to bring their unwanted computer equipment, of any brand, to the Westpac Stadium for free recycling.

No business computers please.

More funds to study home heating effects on kids

Minister and Claire and Jonty Puna.

Minister for the Environment David Benson-Pope
with Claire and Jonty Puna with their new heat
pump. A heat pump is better for your health and
reduces air pollution.

The Ministry for the Environment’s Warm Homes project is funding $250,000 towards a study which examines the effects of the indoor environment on asthmatic children and their families.

Minister for the Environment David Benson-Pope said the research will look into the impact on family health after changing to more sustainable forms of heating such as heat pumps, wood pellet burners and flued gas.

Mr Benson-Pope announced the funding in May this year when he visited a Lower Hutt family, Claire Puna and her son Jonty. The Puna family is one of about 400 families around the country – in Porirua, Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin and Bluff – who, with a child aged between seven and 12 and with asthma, have been recruited for the study.

Every household participating in the full study will get a new heater and, if they don’t have it already, insulation. The heaters are healthier and energy efficient making it cheaper to heat more of the house.

“We support initiatives that help New Zealanders make better choices when it comes to home heating because a warm, healthy home not only improves people’s health, it also reduces air pollution,” said Mr Benson-Pope.

The study is being carried out by the He Kainga Oranga/Housing and Health Research Programme at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago. The first phase of the study was carried out last winter and starts again over this winter period.

The core grant for the study comes from the Health Research Council, and other investors include Contact Energy and the Hutt Valley District Health Board. The total budget for the project is $3 million over three years.

For more information: Matt Hickman, phone (04) 439 7409 or email matthew.hickman@mfe.govt.nz

Cutting down on tyre waste

Photo of a Tyr-mesh cutter.

The Tyr-mesh cutter - attached to a standard tyre
changing machine - cuts up old tyres, reducing
their volume and making them easier to transport.

Old and unwanted tyres are a problem in New Zealand. Every year between 3-4 million tyres, or one tyre for every New Zealander, require disposal or recycling.

Tyr-mesh NZ Ltd, a member of the voluntary Tyre Track initiative supported by the Ministry for the Environment, has developed a simple and innovative tool that quickly, safely and efficiently processes tyres to a state that makes recycling and reuse a viable economic option.

Whole tyres cause problems in landfills because they are bulky, trap air, and move around. The Tyr-mesh system significantly reduces the size of old tyres, making them easier to transport and store.

Approximately 70 whole tyres fit in a standard 7.5m rubbish skip. Using the Tyr-mesh system, this number increases to 350, substantially reducing the volume of the tyre waste and saving money in transportation costs.

Tyre waste created by the Tyr-mesh system can be used in 17 different ways, such as a rubber ‘Hardstand’. This is an underground rubber mat made from old tyres which provides a stable platform to reduce bogging at farm troughs and gateways.

The Tyr-mesh system has generated a lot of interest in the tyre industry and recently won an Innovation Award at the Mystery Creek Field Days.

For more information: Paul McHardy, phone (04) 439 7540 or email paul.mchardy@mfe.govt.nz

Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Fourth National Communication now available

The New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 – 2004 and New Zealand’s Fourth National Communication have now been published.

The New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Inventory is compiled annually and reports on the emissions and removals of greenhouse gases from six sectors: energy; industrial processes; solvents; agriculture; land-use, land-use change and forestry; and waste.

New Zealand’s Fourth National Communication provides a snapshot of New Zealand’s progress in implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It covers trends in New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions and removals, policies and measures, projections of emissions and removals, research and observations, financial assistance and technology transfer, climate change impacts and adaptation, and public participation and awareness activities. This publication also contains New Zealand’s reports on the Global Climate Observing System and on Demonstrable Progress under the Kyoto Protocol.

These publications are required under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol and are an essential part of the Ministry’s ongoing reporting on the state of New Zealand’s environment.

You can download both publications from www.climatechange.govt.nz/resources/reports/ index.html. There are also limited printed copies of each publication available on request – phone (04) 439 7546 or email publications@mfe.govt.nz

For more information:
Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Sonia Petrie, phone (04) 439 7498 or email sonia.petrie@mfe.govt.nz

Fourth National Communication: Helen Plume, phone (04) 439 7627 or email helen.plume@mfe.govt.nz

Maori korero about high quality urban design

Saul Roberts, Waitakere City Council and
Rau Hoskins, Maori urban design expert with
Lindsay Gow, Ministry for the Environment.

Saul Roberts, Waitakere City Council and Rau
Hoskins, Maori urban design expert with
Lindsay Gow, Ministry for the Environment.

At a Maori urban design workshop in Waitakere recently, some 40 design professionals, iwi and local government had a korero about the way designers can incorporate Maori urban design concepts into contemporary urban designs.

This workshop was the first national discussion about these issues to be organised by the Ministry for the Environment.

The Kaupapa for the workshop was to create an exchange of ideas about Maori perspectives on urban design to build a platform for effective Maori participation in quality urban design.

Key themes included:

Questions on what the term urban design means to the wider Maori community, their sense of place and iwi specific issues.
How to showcase quality urban design and build capacity within iwi.
How to make positive Maori urban design processes happen, for both Maori and the wider community.
Future directions to share and collate information.

Ministry Deputy Chief Executive Lindsay Gow, who spoke at the event, said that with well over half of our Maori now living in towns and cities, it is essential that our urban environments better reflect wider Maori values and aspirations.

“Our towns and cities are important expressions of New Zealand’s cultural identity and urban design needs to reflect elements of our unique Maori heritage. We are keen to map a way forward for how best to develop and apply Maori design concepts both for Maori communities and for urban design generally,” Lindsay said.

The workshop was hosted by the Ministry for the Environment, Te Puni Kokiri and Waitakere City Council as part of the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol and Sustainable Cities Programme of Action.

For more information:
For further information on the workshop and to become part of any future newsletters and information on the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol contact: Yvonne Weeber, phone (04) 439 7564 or email urban.design@mfe.govt.nz

Environment House earns A+ on energy savings

The Ministry for the Environment’s head office Environment House in Wellington is a leading light on energy efficiency. The Ministry’s energy savings have also captured the attention of other ministries with building projects.

An independent audit report released in May rated Environment House as a highly energy efficient office building, finding the building’s energy consumption to be only 40 percent of the average energy use of similar buildings in New Zealand. The result? Savings of $100,000 per year on energy compared with the energy used by similar buildings.

The energy consumption at Environment House has been kept very low through careful selection of building materials, roof insulation, sensor lights, smart air conditioning and building management systems. There is also a high awareness among staff of ways to save power.

Senior Adviser Govt³, Chris Wood said the audit result has inspired the Ministry to look for further savings such as dimming perimeter lighting, fine tuning the air conditioning system, and strengthening existing staff initiatives.

“Creating a culture of energy management does cause energy use to drop,” says Chris.

The Ministry will continue to monitor Environment House for environmental performance including energy use.

The sustainable use of resources is a key objective of the Govt³ programme which works with government agencies to improve their environmental performance. Govt³ is about practical action and there are now 48 core public sector agencies focusing on minimising their use of energy, using more sustainable materials, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, and buying products that are healthier for the environment.

Other government building projects incorporating ecologically sustainable designs are the Ministry of Education’s new schools, New Zealand Defence Force (Navy and Air Force projects), and the Department of Conservation.

The Ministry for the Environment is providing advice on sustainability related matters for a number of new buildings, and fit-outs of existing buildings that include energy efficiency. The Ministry’s Govt3 team is working with 20 other Govt3 agencies where this energy focus is central to their project planning.

For more information: Chris Wood, phone (04) 439 7483 or email chris.wood@mfe.govt.nz

Packaging Accord addresses glass recycling

Following a drop in price for recovered glass in late 2004, the Packaging Accord has seen significant activity to keep glass recycling on track towards its target of 55 percent recycling by 2008.

This has included importers of glass voluntarily contributing over $1m to support existing recycling, and recyclers and local government working together on collections.

A new Glass Packaging Forum has been established, comprising companies which are manufacturing, importing, filling or selling glass bottles. The forum is now funding the development of new uses for recycled glass. Partnership projects to date include a cycle-track development in Palmerston North and crushing trials in Nelson and Hurunui.

The New Zealand Packaging Accord was signed in August 2004 as a partnership between industry and government to improve the sustainability of packaging used in New Zealand.

Further information is available from the Glass Packaging Forum’s new website www.packagingaccord.org.nz/GlassPackagingForum.php

For more information: Maria Gracie, phone (04) 439 7433 or email maria.gracie@mfe.govt.nz

Councils awarded for tackling climate change

Caption: From left to right: Hon David Parker, Minister Responsible
for Climate Change Issues, ICLEIA/ NZ Executive Manager Martin
Brennan, Southland District Council Deputy Mayor Jim Copland,
Carterton District Council Councillor Jill Greathead, Masterton District
Council Mayor Bob Francis, Dunedin City Council Councillor Leah McBey,
North Shore City Council Chief Executive John Brockies, Wellington City
Councillor Celia Wade-Brown, Auckland Regional Council Chair
Michael Lee, and CCP-NZ National Programme Manager Diana Shand.

The Government recently acknowledged seven leading councils in the Communities for Climate Protection® – New Zealand Programme.

Part of the international Cities for Climate ProtectionTM campaign, the Communities for Climate Protection – New Zealand (CCP®-NZ) supports councils to cut greenhouse gas emissions from their own activities and within their communities.

“The Programme empowers councils to deliver multiple benefits,” says Hon David Parker, Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues.

“It helps councils audit their energy use to plan for and deliver savings. This leads to increased efficiency and lower bills compared to business as usual. It also contributes to lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Most importantly, it helps councils preserve our environment so future generations can enjoy the unique Kiwi way of life.”

Nineteen councils have joined the CCP-NZ Programme since it was launched in July 2004, representing 63 percent of the country’s population. Participants include city, district and regional councils located in rural and urban areas in New Zealand. Through the programme, councils undertake detailed inventories of emissions from council operations and from their communities, they set emissions reduction goals, and most CCP-NZ councils are now developing and implementing local climate change action plans.

“The programme is an excellent example of how central and local government can work together to achieve significant financial and environmental benefits for the community,” said Wayne Wescott, Chief Executive Officer, ICLEI-A/NZ.

CCP-NZ is part of ICLEI’s international Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. In New Zealand, ICLEI-A/NZ works in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment, with support from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and Local Government New Zealand.

The following councils were recognised at a ceremony held during the Local Government New Zealand annual conference in Wellington during July this year:

Dunedin City Council – Participation Certificate and Milestone 1 Community
Auckland Regional Council – Participation Certificate and Milestone 1 Community
Southland District Council – Milestone 1 Community
North Shore City Council – Milestone 1 Community
Masterton District Council – Milestone 1 Community
Wellington City Council – Milestone 2 Corporate
Carterton District Council – Milestone 2 Corporate and Milestone 2 Community.

For more information: Visit the CCP-NZ website http://ccp.iclei.org/ccp-nz

Public invited to comment on human embryo research options

The Bioethics Council wants New Zealanders to start considering the issues around the use of human embryos for research, in particular to think about what we are able to do with embryos and what we should do with them.

Later this year the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) will be advising the Minister of Health about embryo research and is now seeking the views of the public.

The source of embryos for research could be embryos remaining at the end of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Alternatively, embryos could be created for research purposes by using donated eggs and sperm or by using a form of therapeutic cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer or SCNT).

The Bioethics Council has launched a six-page booklet to encourage participation in the discussion. Acting Chair of the Bioethics Council, Dr Martin Wilkinson, is aware that embryo research raises complex questions. He says people may disagree about the issues, but says that all views are worthy of respect.

“The booklet aims to assist in discussion about the use of human embryos for research. It is part of the Bioethics Council’s role to get this type of dialogue started for New Zealanders.

“Your views matter and need to be heard, even if you have never thought about embryo research before,” says Martin.

More information about embryos and The Cultural, Ethical and Spiritual Aspects of Using Human Embryos for Research booklet can be found at www.bioethics.org.nz. The web-based discussion forum will be held on this website from mid-August. You can find the ACART discussion papers and make a submission direct to ACART through their website at: www.newhealth.govt.nz/acart.

For more information: John Pennington, phone (04) 439 7673 or email john.pennington@mfe.govt.nz

New work begins to address changing climate

Government agencies are rolling up their sleeves to start work on a series of programmes and initiatives to address climate change.

The work programmes – called Climate Solutions – were recently approved by the Government as part of New Zealand’s wider climate change response. This response includes recognising climate change as a longterm, strategic issue for New Zealand. Hon David Parker, Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues, says the programmes, which will be implemented across government, including by the Ministry for Environment, will help New Zealand prepare for and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

“The Government is looking at its longterm policy settings around climate change. There has been much focus on the Kyoto Protocol response for 2008-2012. While this remains important, it is only a subset of climate change,” says Mr Parker.

“We are looking at how New Zealand can meet, over the coming decades, the challenges posed by climate change – to our economy, environment and way of life. Accordingly, the focus of the work programmes is first and foremost on the long term.”

Work programmes include considering an increased focus on managing the impacts of climate change, developing an energy strategy, options for managing deforestation, and finding effective methods of reducing agricultural emissions.

“There are no easy answers to the problem posed by climate change. The Government is looking at a wide array of measures. Over the coming months, ministers and officials will be engaging extensively with the various groups affected as we progress towards final policy decisions,” says Mr Parker.

Dave Brash, General Manager Working with Central Government, stresses the importance of working with New Zealanders to develop future climate change policies that are realistic, enduring and effective.

“Climate change is an issue that affects everyone. There are likely to be huge challenges, but there will also be huge opportunities and it is vital that everyone is involved in a wider conversation on New Zealand’s climate change response,” Dave says.

“The Ministry for the Environment’s role will be to work with other government departments to ensure we are all coordinated, taking a measured approach, and engaging with key stakeholders on the way ahead.”

blue sky and clouds above hills

New Zealand will be significantly affected by a changing climate.

The work being undertaken on climate change policy links closely to the New Zealand Energy Strategy, the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, and the Sustainable Development Water Programme of Action.

The report Climate Solutions, Whole of Government Climate Change Work Programmes is available from www.climatechange.govt.nz.

For more information: Dave Brash, Dave Brash, phone (04) 439 7640 or email dave.brash@mfe.govt.nz

Minister leads dialogue on climate change

Hon David Parker, Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues, has started the first in a series of discussions with key stakeholders.

The first conversation on the future direction of climate change policy was hosted jointly by Minister Parker and the Ministry for the Environment in Auckland on 3 August.

Minister Parker says there will be opportunities for other interested parties to be involved in the engagement process. Further public consultation is expected later in 2006.

Leading environmental ventures in South East Asia

Attending the Brunei workshop were HRH
Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah
(front row, second left), Martin Ward and Iain
Haggarty (second and third position, middle row).

The Ministry for the Environment has teamed up with our South East Asian partners to champion environmental projects under our trade-related environment agreements.

In June, the Ministry visited the Brunei Ministry for Development to participate in a two day workshop on Environmental Impact Assessment. The workshop was the first formal activity under the Trans-Pacific Environment Cooperation Agreement, signed by Brunei, Chile, Singapore and New Zealand in 2005. The workshop was a good opportunity for the Ministry and New Zealand consultant, Martin Ward, to provide training on how to reduce environmental impacts of major industrial projects.

Senior Adviser Kerryn Lang, who attended the workshop, says it was was very well received with positive feedback from all participants. A highlight of the event was the attendance of Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah.

The Ministry continues to work with Brunei, Chile and Singapore to develop environmental initiatives in areas of importance to New Zealand. This will include a meeting of senior environment officials from Brunei, Chile and Singapore in Wellington this September.

On other international news, June saw our Deputy Chief Executive Lindsay Gow, and two Ministry officials travel to Bangkok to meet senior officials from the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

This meeting was the first formal requirement under the Environment Cooperation Arrangement signed with Thailand in 2005 and covered a wide range of topics. These included our approach to multilateral environmental agreements, integrated water resources management, sustainable cities and sustainable tourism.

The Thais expressed interest in developing sister city arrangements with New Zealand counterparts.

For more information: Kerryn Lang, phone (04) 439 7642 or email kerryn.lang@mfe.govt.nz

Mapua clean-up progress

From left to right: Susan Rodgers, Site Operations,
and Kim Morgan, Ministry for the Environment reviewing
the new rock wall and development of the public
walkway at the Mapua Contaminated Site Remediation.

The previously contaminated marine sediments have been
replaced with fresh clean material and the rock
wall completes this part of the project.

Good progress is being made with the clean-up of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company property at Mapua, near Nelson, despite some soil moisture problems.

High moisture levels have seen Environmental Decontamination Limited adopt a heating process to reduce the moisture content before putting soil through its decontamination processing plant.

Staff have also built a series of drying pads and are using covers to keep the soil dry during wet weather.

“The end result is that plant production has steadily increased, and production rates are expected to increase further over the coming months,” says Ministry for the Environment site manager, John Roosen.

“We are looking forward to handing the property back to the community later in the year,” says the Ministry’s Corporate and Community General Manager, Fiona Morgan.

The Ministry will issue a final report on the Mapua Clean-up Project after the handover.

The Ministry is managing the project, in partnership with the Tasman District Council and contractors, as well as working closely with the local community and iwi.

Restoration work is showing positive results.

“One of the indicators of the project’s success is signs of life in a formerly ‘dead’ eastern seashore area. There has been a noticeable increase in marine and animal life, such as shellfish, pipis, earthworms and birds,” says Fiona.

On the western side, an unregulated landfill has been cleaned of solid waste and is now being restored with soil from elsewhere on the site.

John Roosen says “the foreshore and an adjacent stream at the landfill are being excavated to remove contaminated soil and marine sediments.

“The area is being reinstated with clean marine gravels and backfilled to form a more natural beach contour. The stream will then be planted with native rushes from the surrounding area, and further vegetation will be added,” he says.

This area will be largely classified as residential. Forty percent of the decontaminated site will be set aside for public access.

Environmental Decontamination Limited is using innovative New Zealand-made technology – known as the Mechano-Chemical Dehalogenation (MCD) plant – to cleanse the contaminated soil.

There is comprehensive monitoring, both on-site and off-site, to ensure the health and safety of clean-up staff and surrounding residents.

The Mapua site was used from the 1930s to 1988 for the production of organo-chloride pesticides, such as DDT and dieldrin.

For more information: Kim Morgan, phone (04) 439 7447 or email kim.morgan@mfe.govt.nz

Hazardous substances classification complete

Implementation of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act reached an important milestone last month when the transfer of notified toxic substances to the Act was completed and a new approval mechanism for hazardous substances, known as a group standard, was established.

To date, some 5000 products of various types have been transferred from old legislation, including dangerous goods, pesticides and veterinary medicines, and more than 118,000 notified toxic substances (NOTS). The Dangerous Goods Act and Toxic Substances Act have ceased to apply.

Completion of this transfer is the result of many years of hard work towards a comprehensive legislative framework for hazardous substance management.

Ministry Environmental Stewardship Manager, Russell Harding, congratulated the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) on the finished task.

“The new group standards are a key component of a recent amendment to the HSNO Act resulting from the Ministry’s Hazardous Substances Strategy to improve the Act’s workability,” Russell says.

“These group categories will improve the way we protect our environment and set a benchmark for the safe management of hazardous substances throughout their life-cycle.”

Many of the amended HSNO conditions will be introduced progressively over the next few years. The Ministry for the Environment, ERMA New Zealand and the Department of Labour, along with many other enforcement agencies, are now turning their focus to the compliance and enforcement of the HSNO controls.

For more information: Russell Harding, phone (04) 439 7492 or email russell.harding@mfe.govt.nz

Waste management

The Ministry for the Environment is working on a range of waste policy issues such as waste levies and product stewardship.

Visit the Ministry’s waste issues web page at www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/waste for the latest information on these issues. This information is being updated regularly so watch this space.

For more information: Nigel Ironside, phone (04) 439 7446 or email nigel.ironside @mfe.govt.nz

Ministry is back on the road again

Talk Environment, the Ministry flagship event is out on the road from 27 October to 10 November this year. Senior managers and staff from the Ministry will be visiting regions throughout New Zealand to talk with business, community groups and local government about the work the Ministry is doing. Topics include water, waste, national environmental standards, environmental reporting and climate change.

We look forward to meeting with you and hearing your views about our policies, programmes and direction.

Keep an eye out for more details on dates and venues on our website at www.mfe.govt.nz/withyou/talkenvironment/index.html

Christchurch office

The Christchurch office of the Ministry for the Environment has relocated to shared office space with the Ministry of Transport branch office at: Level 7, Te Waipounamu House, 158 Hereford Street, Christchurch. Main office phone (03) 365 9270 and fax (03) 365 9560.

Consultation – what’s coming up

The wider community will be asked to provide input into the following consultations on environmental issues over the next few months. The plans and dates are intended as a guide only and may be subject to change.

Topic	Approximate date	Input	Contact
Climate Change Policy	September 2006 – March 2007	See www.climatechange.govt.nz	Phil Gurnsey, Climate Change Policy Manager, phone (04) 439 7660 or email: phil.gurnsey@mfe.govt.nz
Talk EnvironmentRoadshow	27 October – 10 November 2006	Feedback on Ministry work programmes.	Cameron Sherley, phone (04) 439 7555 or email: cameron.sherley@mfe.govt.nz
Proposed framework for Managing contaminated Land in NZ – a discussion paper	To be confirmed	Comments sought	James Court, phone (04) 439 7644 or email james.court@mfe.govt.nz
Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill – Select Committee consultation process	Closes 1 September 2006	The Local Government and Environment Select Committee is calling for submissions on the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill.	http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/Default.htm

environz - Take Taiao Aotearoa August 2006

Water makes us who we are