Bluegreens

New Zealands environment and our natural heritage hold the key to our nations future prosperity. As Bluegreens, an environmentally conscious group, we believe there is a need to keep reminding everyone that sustainable development is the way to prosperity. We are committed to getting it right and invite you to join us by passing on this newsletter.

Chairs message
Hello Everyone The big environmental news this week is that the Land and Water Forum (LAWF) has released its third and final report on Fresh Water management. Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Environment Minister Amy Adams have welcomed the report which will provide the foundation from which the Governments strategic direction for water management will progress. The Forums key recommendations identify how water can be better allocated for high-value use, focus on what councils and communities need to actively manage water quality and call for clearer accountabilities for resource managers and users. I think we all join the Ministers in applauding the wide buy-in on fresh water management from such diverse interests, and the hard work they have put into the process over the last three years. We are all concerned about a decline in water quality seen in many areas, and the risks to our biodiversity, our economy, iwi interests and recreation. And agree with LAWF as they identify the need for better collaboration, and consideration of the full range of values we hold and what it means to deliver on those values when making decisions around fresh water. Mr Carter and Ms Adams say they will carefully onsider the reports recommendations and that this work will feed into further progress in the fresh water reform programme, from which weve already seen the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, the Fresh Start for Freshwater Clean-Up Fund, and the Irrigation Acceleration Fund. See www.landandwater.org.nz for Land and Water Forum report.

Nicky Wagner Chair, Bluegreen Caucus Committee

Tokelau reaches solar power goal

A third New Zealand-funded solar power system in Tokelau has been completed, meaning almost 100 per cent of the territorys electricity needs are met through solar generation. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says the Tokelau Renewable Energy Project is a world first. Tokelaus three main atolls now have enough solar capacity, on average, to meet electricity needs, Mr McCully says. The $8.5 million solar power project involved constructing solar-based mini grids on three atolls. Until now, Tokelau has been 100 per cent dependent upon diesel for electricity generation, with heavy economic and environmental costs, Mr McCully says. New Zealand is very pleased to be able to support Tokelau in reaching its renewable energy goals through an advance of $7 million in New Zealands aid allocation to the territory. Completed on time and on budget, the project is an excellent example of how small Pacific nations can lead the way on

renewable energy development. Building on the success of clean and affordable energy solutions for Tokelau, Tonga, and the Cook Islands, New Zealand will co-host a Pacific energy summit in March next year. Read the full press release

Nappy recycling facility a world first

Last months official opening of Envirocomps disposable nappy recycling facility in Upper Hutt marks a world first. The purpose-built plant, opened by Environment Minister Amy Adams, will compost millions of disposable nappies each year, breaking them down into safe, odourless compost instead of sending them to landfill. Ms Adams says this recycling operation is the sort of initiative this Government wants to back. It is the first of its kind in the world to be composting nappies and is a great example of a New Zealand business taking the lead in waste minimisation, she says. It is estimated there are about 17,500 babies aged under two and a half in the Wellington region wearing disposable nappies, producing more than 6600 tonnes of waste each year. EnviroComp founder and director Karen Upston (pictured here with Hon Amy Adams) says the operation aims to compost about 1000 tonnes of this waste each year through its Upper Hutt plant about five million nappies - with capacity for the plant to quadruple in size. The company has already composted about 16 million nappies at its North Canterbury operation since it opened in 2009. EnviroComp was awarded $730,000 from the Governments Waste Minimisation Fund to carry out a feasibility study and then set up the plant. The Waste Minimisation Fund provides financial support to projects which increase resource efficiency and decrease the amount of waste going to landfill. Money for the fund comes from a waste levy charged on material disposed of at landfills. Supporting a project like EnviroComps is a practical way the Government can encourage New Zealanders to reuse, recycle, recover and decrease the amount of waste going to our landfills. I encourage other manufacturers and distributors to take responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products once they reach the end of their lifecycle. Click here for more information about the Waste Minimisation Fund.

Manurewa planting on St Annes Reserve foreshore

A large group of volunteers from the Wattle Downs community joined National MP Dr Cam Calder and fellow Bluegreens Chris Severne and Howard Alexander (pictured at left) recently to help plant over a thousand grasses, shrubs and trees on the foreshore of the St Annes Reserve recently. It was a beautiful sunny morning and with the number of volunteers it was a matter of a few hours only and over 1100 plants were in the ground, Dr Calder says.

A chat around the BBQ was a pleasant end to a productive and enjoyable morning. Dr Calder says the Bluegreens have an important role to play in the National Party in shaping policy but also have the fun of getting involved with local projects in our respective communities. He has always enjoy being part of planting programmes, even after having spent years as a student in Taranaki planting pine forests from dawn till dusk.

Native birds get greater protection from stoats

Native birds including great spotted kiwis in the Nelson Lakes National Park will have greater protection from stoats now that self-setting traps are in the region, says Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson. The self-resetting traps have been installed in the area of the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project. Ms Wilkinson says great spotted kiwis have been successfully reintroduced to the area and to ensure their ability to breed without the young being killed by stoats, a protective network of traps must be set in the park. The traps will also help protect breeding populations of kaka, robin, bellbird and other native species that thrive at Lake Rotoiti. Ms Wilkinson says. These new traps - that have passed animal welfare standards - can kill up to 24 pests, and reset themselves each time by a gas-powered mechanism. This will allow for Department of Conservation staff to spend more time on other conservation work in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project instead of tending to the traps. Ms Wilkinson announced the $4 million, three year trial to test self-resetting traps for pest control in October 2010. The project was part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Green Party.

Ms Wilkinson is pictured here with (from left) DOC ranger Jenny Long, stoat trial national team leader Craig Gillies, and at right Greens MP Eugenie Sage. Read the press release here

Kilmarnock employment workshop recycling initiatives

Kilmarnock Enterprises Christchurch employment workshop for those with varying levels of disability is well known for its quality wooden toys. But it is also developing several recycling and environmental initiatives. Hon Kate Wilkinson and Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner recently viewed the full recycling of cardboard packaging for numerous uses. Ms Wilkinson and Nicky Wagner visited the many departments of the workshop and were amazed at the scale and diversity of the operation. An impressive level of recycling includes Gough oil containers which are washed and cleaned then sent back to the company instead of being disposed of in landfills. Cardboard packaging is cut into 1 x 1 cm pieces, packaged then used in numerous applications from horse stable flooring to garden mulch. All cardboard packaging containing product deliveries to the workshop is retained and recycled. From the recycling of plastic and cardboard packaging to quality control of food and grocery packaging, the enterprise has also just manufactured new wooden restaurant tables for Dux Dine, which is about to open in the building adjacent to Kilmarnock Enterprises on Riccarton Rd. Kilmarnock Enterprises has contracts with many high profile corporates and organisations. Kilmarnock Enterprises and its Riccarton Road workshop have provided employment opportunities for the disabled for many years. Those employed in the workshop were proud to demonstrate their processing and manufacturing systems in action, while Business Development Manager Michelle Sharp outlined the broad scope of corporate contracts currently being fulfilled. Ms Sharp says the Enterprise is currently operating at 70 per cent capacity and she welcomes any interest or approaches to secure further contracts to be able to operate at 100 per cent. She says the manpower required to fulfil more contracts is certainly able to be met, without question. Contact Michelle Sharp at michelle@kilmarnock.co.nz

Landmark strategy to protect Kaikoura coastline

Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikoura Coastal Guardians) is an integrated coastal management strategy that encompasses the coast from Clarence to Waiau. This community driven initiative has taken over six years to develop, and Kaikoura MP Colin King is pleased to have been involved in the process since its inception, alongside Coastal Guardians Chair Mr Lance Wichman. Mr King says the initiative has been shaped by input from stakeholders including community and recreational fishers, iwi, Forest and Bird, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry for the Environment. Te Korowai was developed around the principle of gifts and giving; nothing is agreed to until there is 100 per cent consensus. Mr King now anticipates working with the Minister for the Environment to develop legislation that will enshrine the Te Korowai proposal into law, protecting the regions kaimoana for future generations. He says as the local MP he gets a great deal of satisfaction from being able to plug into the wisdom of

people like Chair Lance Wichman, (pictured here with Mr King on Ward beach) whose advice is priceless as we as a nation tread the line between environmental care and economic progress. Lances influence and focus on issues of sustainability and economic progress have been invaluable, says Mr King. Ward is a small community and the beach was once the departure point for wool and tallow that was shipped out to the world. Today the beach and coastline is famous for its crayfish, and the management shown by the local crayfishing industry is regarded as best practice internationally. Relationships between government, business, experienced and knowledgeable people and those in the wider community are thriving all around rural New Zealand but are largely overlooked. Here in Marlborough the relationship between a major fishery, its staff and the creation of a management strategy that will ensure the long term health of our coastal area is something to be celebrated, Colin King says.

Natural Heritage Protection Bill passes first reading

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean is pleased her Conservation (Natural Heritage Protection) Bill has passed its first reading without opposition. The bills aim is to send a clear message we are serious about protecting our natural resources and wildlife. Ms Dean says in her view any offence endangering native wildlife or damaging protected natural habitats should incur tough and consistent penalties. As a committed Blue Greens member Jacqui, and many others of us, want our countrys wildlife and naturally historic resources better protected for future generations.

Meola Creek Restoration Project Update

The Auckland Central Bluegreens are continuing their work to restore Meola Creek. In early November, an enthusiastic band of Bluegreens volunteers removed approximately 400kgs of weeds from the site, allowing new plantings to flourish and ensuring the local environment is protected and enhanced. Local MP Nikki Kaye and the Auckland Central Bluegreens emphasise Meola Creek is an iconic Auckland waterway that needs restoring. If the weeds are not removed they smother the existing plants, so it will be an on-going weeding exercise until the new plantings shade out the weeds. During their cleanup day on Saturday 3rd November, volunteers removed a lot of weeds at the Meola Creek Restoration site. The warm, damp spring weather meant the weeds had taken off but the volunteers assure they were up to the challenge. Work on Meola Creek is ongoing, and the Auckland Central Bluegreens are always looking for new volunteers. The next day of work at Meola Creek will take place in February.

The Bluegreens are Nationals advisory group on environmental issues. As Bluegreens caucus members, we are committed to exploring environmental policy in areas such as biosecurity, conservation and outdoor recreation. We believe environmental issues are too important to be left to the fringe of politics and should be a mainstream issue for all New Zealanders.

CONTACT BLUEGREENS

FREEPOST: Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand | email: nicky.wagner@parliament.govt.nz | www.bluegreens.co.nz

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