environz - Take Taiao Aotearoa
February 2006
Greening the Screen - setting the scene for environmental practice
Climate change policy review released
Calling for Green Ribbon Award nominations
New ministers for the environment and climate change
National environmental standards update
The case for building more sustainably shows results
A great built environment year all round!
Waste Management – A decade of progress and still continuing…
Public have say on electricity transmission
Taking a "big picture" look at our beaches
Regulated animal-to-human transplants acceptable: Bioethics Council
Environment agreements get under way
Improving the way we manage hazardous substances
Consultation - what's coming up
Greening the Screen - setting the scene for environmental practice
South Pacific Pictures' Shortland Street is the first
carbon-neutral television series.
Everybody in the New Zealand screen industry now has the tools to contribute to 'greener' film and TV productions.
The Ministry for the Environment and the screen production industry launched a practical toolkit Greening the Screen in November 2005. The toolkit, consisting of a website and a booklet, highlights to professionals in the screen production industry the environmental impacts of their work and provides tips on how to cut back on energy use and waste.
The launch of the toolkit is just the beginning for Greening the Screen. Professionals and industry bodies are very positive but firm about the need for ongoing support to ensure its success. Over the next six months, the Ministry for the Environment and Landcare Research will help the screen industry implement the toolkit in their productions and organisations.
The development of the Greening the Screen toolkit was funded by the Ministry for the Environment, Landcare Research and Waitakere City Council, and developed in association with South Pacific Pictures and the Screen Production and Development
Association of New Zealand (SPADA). The project has been endorsed by 10 screen production organisations, including SPADA, Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand and the New Zealand Film and Video Technicians Guild.
The Greening the Screen toolkit can be downloaded from www.greeningthescreen.co.nz.
For more information, contact Annette Lusk, phone (09) 985 4809 or email annette.lusk@mfe.govt.nz.
Compost from the South Pacific
Pictures is given free to staff.
Photos courtesy of
South Pacific
Pictures, photographer: Jae Frew
Greening the Screen in daily practice
Production company South Pacific Pictures - makers of Shortland Street and Outrageous Fortune - was the Greening the Screen project's guinea pig. It chose to implement a variety of initiatives as a result of its involvement. With the purchase of a worm farm, South Pacific Pictures is now able to dispose of the 20kg of food waste created each day. The resulting compost and liquid fertiliser is given free to staff.
Waste sent to landfill and the cost of disposing of it has been reduced by 50 percent. All scripts are now printed double-sided, including scripts for cast members, and printed information for crew has been reduced in size. This has reduced paper consumption significantly and paper orders have been reduced. South Pacific Pictures now supplies washable travel mugs to all staff in an effort to reduce the use of disposable paper cups. Staff receive a discount on coffee from the on-site café if they use these mugs.
The most exciting initiative taken up by South Pacific Pictures is their commitment to CarboNZero®. The CarboNZero® programme implements initiatives to reduce energy consumption. It offsets any remaining energy use through the purchase of carbon credits, the value of which goes towards native forest restoration. Shortland Street now has CarboNZero® status and the project team believes it is the first drama series in the world to do so.
Next Steps
From the Chief Executive - Barry Carbon
Come to New Zealand and fall in love with the place and the people. I have. I now leave in March, and wish everyone working for or with an interest in the environment all the best for 2006. Keep up the great work, energy and enthusiasm.
The New Year has brought with it new ministers, a new chief executive for the Ministry for the Environment (to be announced), and new challenges for the environment and those who work for and care for it.
Over the past year, we have shepherded in a workable and effective regional water allocation plan for the Waitaki Catchment. It's now up to Environment Canterbury to put that into action. There has been excellent support and goodwill from the local community, irrigators and other affected parties.
The Resource Management Act was streamlined as far as is reasonably possible at this time. National Environmental Standards designed to provide security of decision-making and security of air quality, and to prevent toxic emissions are now well and truly in place and already having a positive impact.
Two major amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act have taken effect. They will take the HSNO Act from a good concept to a pragmatic and effective tool. Among other things, thousands of substances are soon to be considered under the new 'group standards' of the Act. This will improve efficiencies and cost effectiveness while continuing to protect the people of New Zealand and the environment.
I'm proud of all we have achieved. But the reward for achievement is the expectation that much more great work will be done. Our core activities will continue this year with fresh ideas and innovation - including sustainable industry, urban, reporting and review, and liaison with central and local government and the public.
New challenges for 2006 include a fresh look at climate change policy, which has now become urgent. We will progress our sustainable water policies, including improving flood risk Oceans Policy has reached delivery time - an exciting time.
It is with fondness I say farewell. I know I am leaving the Ministry in capable hands, including the staff who care as much as you do about this paradise New Zealand.
Climate change policy review released
Since New Zealand's climate change policy was announced in 2002 the world has changed significantly. In particular New Zealand has experienced higher than expected economic and population growth and the associated increase in greenhouse gas emissions and demand on natural resources.
More than any other developed nation, New Zealand depends on a stable climate for its prosperity, given the prominence of primary industry and tourism in our foreign exchange earnings. This is one of the reasons why New Zealand must address the serious issue of climate change.
Commissioned by Cabinet, the Review of New Zealand's Climate Change Policies was presented to David Parker, the Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues, on 9 November. The Review set out to provide a strategic 'stock-take' of climate change issues in New Zealand and how these can be addressed in the future. The Review was part of an ongoing process agreed by Cabinet in 2002 to periodically examine the state of New Zealand's climate change policies.
The review team was made up of representatives from Treasury, the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Transport and the Ministry for the Environment.
The Review identified a range of options for New Zealand climate change policies up to 2012 and beyond.
Questions considered included:
- What is the best balance between longer-term domestic policies to alleviate the effects of climate change, and the use of the internationally agreed rules which allow for cross-regional emission-reduction measures?
- Who is best placed to undertake decisions about this balance?
- How would any devolution of New Zealand's emission reduction obligations be achieved?
- What should the broad direction be of any further, or alternative, policies to mitigate New Zealand's emissions?
- What are the implications of these policies for New Zealand's strategic climate change goals and do these need to be updated?
The Review also looked at the implications for New Zealand if current, alternative, or additional climate change policies were adopted. A significant outcome from the options set out in the Review resulted in the government deciding not to implement a carbon tax, or any other broad based tax, in the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol.
Minister Parker says "New Zealand is committed to meeting our international obligations under Kyoto and achieving our domestic goal of lowering emissions. The government takes seriously the threat that human-induced climate change poses to our environment, economy, and way of life. We have an obligation to do something about it, and we will."
For more information, Erin Leigh, phone (04) 439 7506 or email erin.leigh@mfe.govt.nz or see www.climatechange.govt.nz.
Calling for Green Ribbon Award nominations
Do you know of an individual, organisation or business doing outstanding work for a cleaner, greener, sustainable New Zealand ? Then tell us about it! Were accepting nominations for the 2006 Green Ribbon Awards until 31 March 2006.
Categories and information on making a nomination are available on our website. Winners will be announced in association with World Environment Day, 5 June 2006.
For more information, contact Donna Gardner, phone (040 439 7414 or email donna.gardner@mfe.govt.nz.
New ministers for the environment and climate change
After the 2005 election, David Benson-Pope is the new Minister for the Environment and Nanaia Mahuta is the new Associate Minister for the Environment. David Parker is the new Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues. environz takes this opportunity to profile two of our new Ministers.
Profile: David Benson-Pope
New Environment Minister David Benson-Pope brings to the portfolio a wealth of experience in resource management law and practice, planning and the environment.
As Associate Environment Minister in the last term, Mr Benson-Pope championed significant changes to the Resource Management Act, and brought certainty to the marine farming industry with Aquaculture Reform Legislation.
The Dunedin South MP is a former member of the Local Government and Environment Select Committee, and was Senior Government Whip from 2002 to 2004.
Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Benson-Pope was a Dunedin City Councillor, from 1986 to 2000, after growing up in Dunedin. He was Chair of the City Council's Planning and Environment Committee and Chair of the Dunedin Heritage Fund.
In his time on the City Council he was heavily involved in a wide range of urban improvement projects, including the development of Bayfield Park and Anzac Square; the refurbishment of the municipal chambers and the Dunedin Railway Station; and water and wastewater upgrades. Mr Benson-Pope chaired the group that oversaw improvements to Dunedin's Octagon and was heavily involved in the project that drove the paving and placing of period furniture in George Street, The Exchange and South Dunedin.
Mr Benson-Pope is a trustee of the Norman Kirk Memorial Trust; was formerly chair of the Otago Youth Adventure Trust; and formerly Chair of the Spirit of Adventure Trust (Otago/Southland).
Mr Benson-Pope entered Parliament in 1999. He became a Cabinet Minister in February 2004, being appointed Minister of Fisheries, Associate Justice Minister, Minister Responsible for the Law Commission and Associate Minister for the Environment.
He took on the Environment Minister's role after the last election, replacing Marian Hobbs. Mr Benson-Pope is married to Jan and they have teenage twins Samantha and Henry. Mr Benson-Pope's hobbies include the outdoors, tramping and New Zealand art.
Profile: David Parker
The new Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues David Parker brings to the portfolio the experience he has gained as a lawyer and businessman. He is also the new
Attorney-General, Minister of Energy and Minister of Transport.
Mr Parker has been in Parliament since 2002. Prior to being appointed to Cabinet in 2005, Mr Parker was Deputy Chair of the Local Government and Environment Select Committee (in charge of the "Corngate" inquiry for Labour) and member of other committees including Finance & Expenditure.
Mr Parker's business career includes a background in establishing new businesses. He was a founder and director of Fund Managers Holdings Limited, a substantial fund management company. Before entering Parliament, his business interests focused on the creation and management of a number of agri-biotechnology companies, including BLIS Technologies Limited.
As a lawyer, he specialised in civil litigation and was a managing partner in the largest South Island-based law firm, Anderson Lloyd. He studied law and commerce at the University of Otago.
Mr Parker was co-founder of the Dunedin Community Law Centre in 1979, which became a model for Community Law Centres in other cities. He served the Law Centre in various roles for a decade.
Mr Parker replaces Pete Hodgson as the Minister Responsible for Climate Change Issues. Born in 1960, Mr Parker is married with three children and lives in Dunedin.
National environmental standards update
Standard for the clean up of contaminated land
After feedback from regional councils, the Ministry has decided to do further work on a proposed standard for the clean up of contaminated land. This work will be undertaken in partnership with regional councils. A new discussion document will be put out for public consultation, although no new date has been set for this yet.
For more information, Jonathan Coakley, phone (04) 439 7421 or email jonathan.coakley@mfe.govt.nz.
Standard for human drinking-water sources
Eighty-two submissions were received on the proposed National Environmental Standard for Human Drinking-water Sources from a range of submitters representing most relevant sectors. The majority of submissions (54 percent) were from local and central government.
We are currently summarising all submissions on the proposed standard. A hard copy of the summary report will be sent to all submitters when completed and will be available on the Ministry's website in February 2006 at www.mfe.govt.nz
For more information, contact James Court, phone (040 439 7644 or email james.court@mfe.govt.nz
Standard for air quality
In November 2005, workshops were held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to explain the latest amendments to the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality. Over 170 representatives from industry and local government, as well as interested members of the public, attended the workshops with many positive responses.
The amendments and other aspects of the air quality standards are explained in an updated Users Guide published in October 2005.
For more information, contact Louise Wickham, phone (04) 439 7475 or email louise.wickham@mfe.govt.nz.
The case for building more sustainably shows results
Botany downs School in Manukau features a
range of sustainability features including
stormwater harvesting and water reuse for
toilet flushing, high efficiency heating,
super-insulated walls and roofs, and solar
hot water heating.
The case for building sustainably is compelling. Benefits of high quality and well designed buildings that reduce waste and include efficient use of land, energy, water and materials are increasingly hard gains for any new building project to ignore.
The recently-held Sustainable Public Buildings Day in Waitakere provided some practical examples of building sustainably, including a trip to visit some outstanding examples including the Waitakere Trusts Stadium, Waitakere Hospital and the Massey Library and Community Centre.
This work forms part of the Urban Form Design & Development work strand of the Auckland Sustainable Cities Programme.
Latest research presented by the Ministry's Govt3 sustainable buildings team provided further proof in value and benefit. The report, The Value Case for Sustainable Building in New Zealand demonstrated case studies and a strong basis that there are no viable financial reasons limiting sustainable building practices in New Zealand.
"Any initial capital cost premium (two to six percent average in New Zealand ) is more than offset by operating cost savings and the gains made in increased staff productivity," Chris Wood, Govt3 Adviser said. Govt3 is the government flagship programme to promote sustainability within public agencies.
A second publication, A Guide to Sustainable Office Fit-outs is a more practical tool offering help and advice to those looking to incorporate sustainable building ideas and features into their office fit-out projects.
The guide covers a range of sustainability issues from good planning and design, improved air quality, energy efficiency, waste and water minimisation strategies and initial planning to choosing finishing products and materials.
"The benefits are many - for example where there is good natural light and ventilation, the air is fresher and healthier, and the buildings cost less to run over their lifetime," Sherilyn Gray, Urban Adviser with the Ministry for the Environment said.
"It makes good sense to incorporate basic sustainability principles into building design. Seeing 'real life' examples of leading sustainable buildings such as the Waitakere Trusts Stadium, the Waitakere Hospital, and the Massey Library and Community Centre has been inspiring. It shows that sustainable buildings are achievable and that they work," Sherilyn said.
You can read The Value Case for Sustainable Building in New Zealand and a Guide to Sustainable Office Fit-outs on the Ministry web site.
The Sustainable Buildings booklet and Sustainable Buildings summary report are available at www.sustainableauckland.govt.nz/urbpractice.html.
For more information, contact:
- Sherilyn Gray, phone (04) 439 7651 or email sherilyn.gray@mfe.govt.nz.
- Chris Wood, phone (040 439 7483 or email chris.wood@mfe.govt.nz.
Oceans Policy on the way
Work to develop an overarching management system for our oceans - to ensure we use them in a sustainable way while protecting the ocean environment - is under way again.
The Ministry for the Environment is leading an interdepartmental work programme to develop the Oceans Policy for New Zealand.
There has been a large increase over the last two decades in the demand for our ocean resources and the income New Zealand generates from the oceans. The speed of technological advances being trialled around the world is another impetus for developing an Oceans Policy. These advances include deep sea aquaculture farms, energy generation projects and the mining of minerals which may, in the next 10 to 20 years, be economically viable here in New Zealand.
New Zealand's activities in our oceans are currently managed through different and largely unconnected institutions and legislation.
The Oceans Policy is primarily about making good decisions about this great resource. It is also about new opportunities - how to make room for them, and to ensure that they and existing activities are sustainable. The Oceans Policy will be a flagship of sustainable development in action and a means to optimise the environmental, economic and social value of our oceans. The current policy work builds on the work done between 2000 and 2003. Further public consultation will take place this year.
The Ministry is currently updating its contact lists for oceans policy, so if you want to be involved, please contact us.
For more information, contact Zoe Studd, phone (04) 439 7610 or email zoe.studd@mfe.govt.nz.
A great built environment year all round!
Urban Life competition winner, Owen Bartlett, and
competition organiser Anna Wood, with Owen's
winning piece "It's good to be a Kiwi - you can have
a coloured roof".
Photographer: Alastair McAra.
The Year of the Built Environment 2005 (YBE), was a year that exceeded all expectations. The year was set up as a partnership between the Ministry for the
Environment and a number of other organisations to raise public awareness of the impact of the built environment on the quality of life. It was also an opportunity to celebrate the great and diverse work that is being done in New Zealand's built environment - our urban buildings, structures and spaces.
"Over 200 activities were held during the year covering a wide variety of topics that provided many opportunities to examine issues of the built environment," Anna Wood, the Ministry's Urban team Adviser said.
"One of the highlights was the hugely successful Open House that took 17,000 people in the country's four main centres into 50 inspiring spaces, buildings and sites."
The Urban Life art competition provided another opportunity for people to participate in expressions of the concept of the built environment. 360 entries were received and the 80 finalist pieces were exhibited both on the Ministry's website and at Shed 11, in Wellington.
The winning entry was a clay and glaze model by Nelson artist Owen Bartlett called "It's good to be a Kiwi - you can have a coloured roof".
The year's final event was the YBE Awards which acknowledged 30 buildings, sites and developments covering the length of the country and representing a range of building type, built environment spaces and activities. Wellington's own Oriental Bay
Beach redevelopment project claimed the top award.
This year, the work continues with a Youth Activity Pack resource to be used by intermediate school teachers to assist in students' exploration and learning about their neighbourhood, their cities' heritage, built environment professionals and more.
"In all, the past year has been successful in its purpose of raising awareness of the built environment. From here on, the opportunities are endless for all to build on the experience and continue to profile and celebrate our built environment," Anna said.
For full information in the YBE programme and the partners visit www.ybe.org.nz.
For more information, contact Anna Wood, phone (04) 439 7471 or email anna.wood@mfe.govt.nz.
Waste Management - A decade of progress and still continuing…
Significant new work is under way developing even more innovative ways of managing waste in New Zealand. This work follows the release of a Ministry for the Environment report Waste Management in New Zealand - A decade of progress. More recent progress includes:
Agricultural chemicals - clearing out the sheds
We will have collected some 225 tonnes of agricultural chemicals and pesticides from farms and orchards all over New Zealand for environmentally safe disposal, by the end of June 2006.
This is a brilliant result. The Ministry has been working with local and regional government to round up unused, unwanted and old agrichemicals, lying around in sheds and properties up and down the country.
The chemicals include persistent agrichemicals such as DDT, lindane and dieldrin - banned from use for years in New Zealand. However, significant stockpiles remain. We estimate there are still about 175 tonnes of obsolete or unwanted agrichemicals to be picked up and disposed of safely.
In the future, the Ministry will work with industry and councils to set up long-term collection systems for each region to ensure such a legacy will not build up again.
A report estimating remaining quantities by region Agricultural chemical collections in New Zealand is available at www.mfe.govt.nz or by contacting Tracey Morgan, phone (04) 439 7422 or email tracey.morgan@mfe.govt.nz.
Getting down and dirty with quality compost
A new national standard providing clear guidance to commercial compost producers on how to turn organic materials into compost in a safe and effective way was released in December last year.
Composts vary greatly in quality so industry, including horticultural retailers and landscapers, wanted to provide guarantees for customers. Now consumers can be assured that compost that complies with the standard has had similar checks and balances as other agricultural soil products.
The New Zealand Standard for Composts, Soil Conditioners and Mulches was launched by industry, together with Standards NZ, the Ministry for the Environment and the Waste Management Institute of New Zealand (WasteMINZ).
The standard will be used by local councils and producers, distributors and users of composts, mulches and soil conditioners.
Copies of the standard are available to buy online at www.standards.co.nz or by calling 0800 782 632.
Hazardous waste management - getting in on the Act
New elements have been added to the Ministry's hazardous waste management framework. These include the Income Tax Amendment Act 2005 (giving landowners the opportunity to apply for a rebate for work on cleaning up contaminated land), and National Environmental Standards to improve and protect air quality and prevent toxic emissions.
Some elements still under development, such as an effective waste tracking scheme, are progressing well.
The updated hazardous waste management framework is now available on the Ministry for the Environment website.
For more information, contact Jeff Page, phone (04) 439 7526 or email jeff.page@mfe.govt.nz.
The future of freshwater
The quality of our freshwater, including for swimming, is coming under increasing pressure from intensifying land uses - in both rural and urban areas.
This is one of the many issues being canvassed by the government's Sustainable Water Programme of Action - jointly led by the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This is a significant three-year programme designed to improve the management of freshwater in New Zealand for all uses.
"With the increasing and diverse demands for water, we need more innovative and flexible management practices to manage our water," Mercedes Lentz, Project Manager of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action says.
Surveys show that 90 percent of New Zealanders value clear, unpolluted water in lakes and rivers. "Clean, abundant water is a key element of our economic prosperity, environmental values, health, recreational interests and cultural identity," Mercedes says.
We already have a range of tools in place to manage water - including regional plans and water conservation orders. But with increasing demands on this valuable resource it is important that we consider how to best manage water - now and in the future.
The types of questions the Water Programme of Action aims to address, in liaison with the people of New Zealand, include: How should we best manage the economic benefits from using water for hydropower, fisheries and irrigation? How do we best protect the recreational, cultural, ecological and other values of our water? How do we manage the impacts on rivers and streams from land use such as farming or roads and houses? Further updates on progress on the Water Programme of Action are expected to be announced soon.
For more information: Mercedes Lentz, phone (04) 439 7541 or email Mercedes.lentz@mfe.govt.nz.
Public have say on electricity transmission
The public have until 28 February 2006 to comment on a draft report on whether a national policy statement and national environmental standards on electricity transmission should be prepared.
The report concludes that there are likely to be net benefits in a national policy statement and national environmental standards.
The draft report, by a reference group including the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Development, was released for comment mid-December.
The reference group will consider the submissions before finalising their report for government consideration.
National policy statements and national standards are tools under the Resource Management Act.
Ministry Senior Adviser, John McSweeney says that the national standards could ensure that the national benefits of transmission are taken into account, along with local costs in local decision-making under the RMA.
"It's also likely to be beneficial to provide guidance and national standards on the management of the adverse effects of transmission on the environment, for example regarding visual, electrical and magnetic fields and noise from substations," he added.
The draft report is available at www.med.govt.nz or www.mfe.govt.nz
For more information, contact John McSweeney, phone (04) 439 7552 or email john.mcsweeney@mfe.govt.nz.
Taking a "big picture" look at our beaches
A website resource pulling together national data on water quality at coastal and freshwater swimming beaches all over New Zealand has been created by the Ministry for the Environment.
The resource, Snapshot - Recreational Water Quality in New Zealand - provides a national overview of water quality at bathing beaches on the coast, at swimming spots on rivers and lakes, and at some estuaries and lagoons.
The aim is to improve knowledge about the state of New Zealand's recreational waters; identify national trends; and quantify the effect of human activities on recreational waters.
Reporting and Review Adviser Mike Thompson says this information will help inform policy and management decisions.
The snapshot shows that water quality at recreational sites around our coastline is generally very good. However, water quality at recreational sites on our rivers and lakes
does not always reach the same high standard. Councils around the country are involved in managing these areas with the aim of improving water quality.
The national snapshot was compiled from regional monitoring results over the most recent summer swimming seasons - 2003/04 and 2004/05. A greater number of sites are now being monitored by councils, which is good news. The website resource, which went live this month, includes links to regional council websites so the public can get more detailed information about their favourite local swimming spots.
For more information: Mike Thompson, phone (04) 439 7552 or email mike.thompson@mfe.govt.nz or visit www.mfe.govt.nz.
Regulated animal-to-human transplants acceptable: Bioethics Council
Environment Minister David
Benson-Pope
with Martin
Wilkinson, head of the
Xenotransplantation working
Group.
The transplantation of cells, tissues or organs from animals to humans for medical purposes is acceptable to New Zealanders in principle, according to a report by Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council.
The report also concludes that animal-to-human transplants, known as xenotransplantation, should be allowed with appropriate regulations.
Animal-to-human transplantation is technology not yet available in New Zealand. The report, The Cultural, Ethical and Spiritual Aspects of Xenotransplantation: Animal to Human Transplantation, was released by Environment Minister David Benson-Pope in December 2005.
The Bioethics Council compiled the report after extensive public consultation in 2005 - including nearly 300 submissions, an online forum, and 16 dialogue and hui events around New Zealand.
Martin Wilkinson, head of the Bioethics Council's Xenotransplantation Working Group, says that although the social factors of this new technology are relevant, the public understands that xenotransplantation can offer the possibility of reducing suffering and saving lives.
"These new transplantation possibilities may soon offer cures for conditions such as diabetes, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease."
Xenotransplantation can involve putting live animal tissue or cells into the human body. The Bioethics Council considers there are significant ethical issues relating to the welfare of animals, and that they should not suffer unnecessarily.
The report also raises the issue of 'xenotourism' and whether New Zealanders should be prevented from receiving 'xenografts' in other countries. The Council recommends that a national register of all New Zealanders and visitors who have received xenografts be established to protect public safety.
The report recommends that xenotransplantation be allowed to develop in New Zealand shaped by factors including the management of safety issues by a competent authority; the Treaty relationship between Crown and Maori; and cultural and spiritual factors that matter to New Zealanders. These factors include the sanctity of human life and freedom of choice.
For more information, contact John Pennington, phone (04) 439 7673 or email john.pennington@mfe.govt.nz or visit www.bioethics.org.nz.
Environment agreements get under way
New Zealand signed two trade-related environment cooperation agreements last year, which are now being implemented.
One is with Thailand, and the other with the New Zealand-Singapore-Chile-Brunei Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership. The environment agreements relate to environmentally sustainable trade, environmental cooperation and consultation on environmental matters.
The Ministry would like to find out more about New Zealand organisations or companies with environment-related interests in these countries, to maximise potential benefits.
If you have information, please contact: Kerryn Lang, phone (04) 439 7642 or email kerryn.lang@mfe.govt.nz. For more information on the environment agreements, see the International Trade and Environment page on the Ministry for the Environment website.
Improving the way we manage hazardous substances
An important milestone in managing hazardous substances in New Zealand has been achieved, with the passing of a significant new Amendment Act in December 2005.
"The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Amendment Act brings changes that will better protect the environment and human health and safety, while reducing barriers to innovation and costs to government and industry", says Dave Brash, General Manager Working with Central Government.
The Act balances the benefits of using hazardous substances with their risks.
An important change to the Act is the introduction of 'group standards'. This regime will group substances with the same characteristics together, and develop controls to enable them to be used appropriately.
"This will result in greater certainty for producers, importers and users of hazardous substances, without compromising public and environmental protection", Dave says.
The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) will use group standards to complete the transfer of approximately 110,000 existing hazardous substances to controls under the HSNO Act by 30 June 2006. This will be done through public consultation and technical development of approximately 150 new Group Standards.
"Industry can now proceed with one piece of legislation, where before there were four inconsistent and overlapping ones," Senior Adviser Matthew Bismark says.
The amendment also delivers other improvements to the Act that make it easier to understand. These include improved workability of processes for rapid assessment and reassessment.
In the coming months, the Ministry for the Environment will approach those who use hazardous substances or are interested in their use, to explain the requirements of the HSNO Act and its amendment.
For more information, contact Matthew Bismark, phone (04) 439 7672 or email matthew.bismark@mfe.govt.nz
For more information on the group standards contact ERMA: phone (040 916 2426 or email nots@ermanz.govt.nz.
In brief
Tyre Track crosses million tyre mark
More than 1.2 million tyres have now been logged on Tyre Track, the tracking system set up to promote responsible management of end of life tyres. The million tyre mark came
in November 2005, following increased uptake of the system over the preceding months. Another 200,000 tyres have been logged since November. Tyre Track is a partnership between the Ministry for the Environment, the Motor Trade Association, major tyre manufacturers (South Pacific Tyres and Bridgestone Firestone), tyre importers and collectors.
For more information, contact Alison Handley, phone (04) 439 7485 or email alison.handley@mfe.govt.nz or visit www.tyretrack.co.nz.
New guide for stream and waterway health
Look out for the Cultural Health Index guide to assess and manage freshwater health coming out soon. The user guide is an accessible tool that will help whanau, hapu and iwi assess the cultural and biological health of streams and rivers in their area. Using the Cultural Health Index: How to assess the health of streams and waterways will be available on our website in early March at www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/water
For more information, contact Kati Thompson, phone (04) 439 7596 or email kati.thompson@mfe.govt.nz.
Youth Environment Forum
The next Sir Peter Blake Trust Youth Environment Forum will be held in Wellington 24-28 April 2006. The forum is open to young people aged between 15-18 years, who are still at school. Selection of delegates will be undertaken by regional councils.
For more information, contact Chandra Quarmby, phone (04) 439 7551 or Donna Gardner phone (04) 439 7414.
Urban Design Toolkit
A one-stop reference compendium of tools and techniques to create quality urban design from research to urban development is now available. View this newly launched Urban Design Toolkit at www.mfe.govt.nz or email urban.design@mfe.govt.nz.
For more information, contact Yvonne Weeber, phone (04) 439 7564 or email yvonne.weeber@mfe.govt.nz.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Scoping a National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission
|
Comments on the draft report are invited by 5:00pm on 28 February 2006
|
Comments are welcomed on the reference group's draft report. |
Email: transmission-nps@med.govt.nz
John McSweeney, phone (04) 439 7561 or email john.mcsweeney@mfe.govt.nz |
Proposed National Environmental Standard for the Clean Up of Contaminated Land to Protect People |
To be advised |
Submissions process to be advised |
Jonathan Coakley, phone (04) 439 7421 or email jonathan.coakley@mfe.govt.nz. |
New Zealand's National Implementation Plan on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants |
To be advised |
Submissions process to be advised |
Howard Ellis, phone (04) 439 7437 or email: howard.ellis@mfe.govt.nz. |
National Environmental Standard for Biosolids |
To be advised |
Submission process to be advised (consultation with public and Local Government) |
Rosalind Groves, phone (04) 439 7722 and Chris Keenan, phone (04) 439 7512 |
