Social housing for crayfish
Huge sediment plumes caused by severe weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle, have destroyed marine habitats across part of the motu. In Tauranga moana - Tauranga Harbour, port dredging has also played a part.
Tua Karalus runs commercial dive company Deep Dive Division - he's part of a team creating artificial reefs, so hundreds of marine creatures have a new place to call home - he thinks of it as social housing for crayfish.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Heading Off: Chatham Islands
travel national 37 minutes ago 'Heading Off' is our weekly travel segment when we jet off to either a local or international destination. Today we're staying close to home and heading to the Chatham Islands. It's a big week for the community because the annual Festival of Science kicked off for its fifth iteration. One of the lead organisers is Alicia Cui and she joins Jesse live from the Chathams.
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
Past the point of safe return, nowhere to go but Antarctica
Flight Lieutenant Ben Pickering (left) and Squadran Leader Adam Palmer (right) Photo: Davina Zimmer Just two hours into a dangerous rescue mission to Antarctica , the crew on board the Royal New Zealand Defence Force super hercules hit their first snag. They were told that Christchurch, the designated airport they would divert to if they had to turn around, was too risky for landing. Freezing fog had already ruled out Invercargill and Dunedin, and now Christchurch. Next on the list was Wellington. But Wellington's runway was closed for maintenance. Today The Detail hears how the sole job of one of the two co-pilots on board was to keep watch on the ever-changing, unpredictable weather and find a new destination for the emergency turnaround. The closed runway problem was sorted, but not before the mission leader got involved from Christchurch and phone calls were made. It was one of many risks that had to be weighed up against the purpose of the mission - saving a life. Defence got the call for help from the US National Science Foundation at McMurdo Station to pick up one person who needed urgent medical care, and two others who were also ill. Squadron leader Adam Palmer was in charge of the mission - his first time in the lead - and watched every moment on his laptop from Christchurch. He says that the dangers rescuers face could be "any number of things". The NZDF's C-130J-30 Super Hercules. Photo: Davina Zimmer "We talk about almost a perfect triangle. You need the aircraft to play the game, the weather in Antarctica to be good, the weather in New Zealand to be good, as well as the weather en route." But the greatest danger is that the rescue plane goes beyond the point of safe return and the weather turns bad. The crew took off from Christchurch knowing the weather was not looking good for landing at Phoenix Airfield at McMurdo Station. "Initially there were reports that there was going to be snow and big reductions in visibility," co-pilot flight lieutenant Ben Pickering says. The weather forecast kept changing on the flight down but in a positive way, he says, and the poor conditions initially predicted on the runway never eventuated. From their airbase at Whenuapai, Palmer and Pickering explain the preparations and planning that took place in the five days from the first call to the defence force for help, to take off from Christchurch. Even though a patient was seriously ill, Palmer says a number of things had to be put in place to minimise the risk, including creating a runway at McMurdo to make landing safe. "Because it is winter at the moment they haven't maintained the runway to the standard they normally would during the summer season," he says. A team from the US base had to clear excess snow, groom and compact the 10,000 foot runway. In its message of praise for the "heroic" mission, the US Embassy says it was a feat that took precision and extraordinary skill. In typical low-key fashion, Pickering describes the landing by captain Andrew Sledger as "good". Pickering says night vision goggles were used for much of the flight but the clarity of the airfield meant they could remove them for landing - but that in itself was a danger. "When you take the goggles off suddenly there is no terrain definition. So you get this effect called the black hole effect where if you can imagine the outline of a runway lit up and there's just absolutely nothing around it except for darkness, it just feels like you're floating in space and it can cause some optical illustions where you feel like you're low." Despite the safe landing, there were more risks to come, including "hot refuelling" the plane in minus 30 degrees Celsius while the patients were loaded on board. The US Embassy says the NZDF delivered on a mission that was "nothing short of heroic" and that tested "every ounce of skill and bravery". Palmer says it is the riskiest operation he has overseen but also "massively rewarding". "Having had the J (hercules) for 11 months to now go and do this is awesome for the team." Pickering says it is the toughest real-life mission of his career so far. "When you see the pictures of us landing - from the outside - onto the runway, it would be a pretty significant moment if you needed to leave Antarctica seeing a 730 land ready to pick you up. For me that was pretty cool." Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Cold weather snap set for country this week as spring start looms
Snow in Tekapo on October 9, 2025. Photo: Supplied Brisk temperatures and icy cold weather maintains a tight grip on much of the country as the last few weeks of winter hit. But how long is the cold snap set to last? Well the official end to winter is nearing, with September 23 closing in ( Springs scientific start date ). However, MetService said it was not going to warm-up anytime this week, with cold southeasterlies locking in frosts, snow and icy conditions. They said the combination of high pressure and low-pressure systems were driving the southeasterlies. Low temperatures were forecast for all on Monday and Tuesday, except regions in the far north. "This squeeze of systems is funnelling cold air up from the south. Eastern regions will have to wait until midweek for the cloud to clear, but elsewhere it's a run of frosty, sunny winter days," MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said. Lynden said the dreary clouds should disappear by Wednesday. MetService said some ski fields - including Canterbury fields - should expect a snow top-up near the end of the week. "Cool temperatures and clear skies will make for some primo conditions on the mountains," MetService said. "Layer up in the mornings, watch for icy roads, enjoy some crisp, sunny afternoons once the midweek clearance arrives...," MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden added. The North Island's Desert Road - State Highway 1 - was closed earlier this week because of snow. While Cook Strait passenger ferry sailings were cancelled over the weekend due to strong winds and large swells. The story is southeasterlies!! ↖️️ Looking through today and into tomorrow, cold southeasterlies continue to keep a chill on the country. ️The east coasts catch cloud as moisture moves in off the ocean, keeping things a bit grey and dreary for the likes of Dunedin,… Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
