Unmanageable jungle in the backyard? The Practical Kiwi
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RNZ News
2 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
19 hours ago
- RNZ News
Unmanageable jungle in the backyard? The Practical Kiwi
If your garden has escaped on you these winter months and now resembles more of a jungle, Philip Thomsen is here to help. He's a horticultural expert, and has lectured in the subject, as well as being a City Council Parks Officer. Nine to Noon last spoke to him about his book The Practical Kiwi Gardener - he also has a YouTube channel called Phil the Practical Gardener. Phil's new book is Down-to-Earth Gardening, which is stocked with handy tips on gardening and of all, it's aimed at the average home gardener. Susie talks to him about what's going on in the garden over winter, and what preparation can be done for the spring. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Frosty start for the South, temperatures down to -6C
Frosts and sub-zero temperatures were widespread across the South Island. Photo: RNZ / Jean Edwards Frosts were widespread across the South Island on Tuesday with temperatures as low as -6.2C. The sub-zero temperatures will bring frosty mornings and clear sunny afternoons for much of the country this week, MetService says. Shortly after 7.30am Omarama was sitting at - 6.2C, while overnight Queenstown dropped just below - 2 °C, Franz Joseph was 0.7C and Nelson dipped to 2C. Between a Ridge and a Low Place - Weekly outlook Cold southerlies are gripping NZ this week, locking in frosty mornings and crisp, sunny afternoons for many. Inland & southern areas can expect widespread frosts, while eastern regions (like Canterbury to Hawke's Bay) face… Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti said a high pressure system would bring cold temperatures, light south westerlies and fine conditions - particularly in central and western parts of the country. "We are expecting the frosty conditions to persist up until the weekend because we are seeing sub-zero temperatures in a lot of places up until Friday night. Frosty conditions are definitely on the cards for the remainder of the week," Shiviti said. Shiviti said said afternoon and maximum temperatures would range about the mid teens for most areas. The system's south-easterly flow was bringing rain to eastern coastal parts of the North Island which were expected to remain for at least the next two days. Elsewhere clear, crisp conditions were expected for much of the country. Later in the week another front "pushing in the from the south west" could bring showers to western parts of the South Island such as Fiordland and the West Coast.
