Latest news with #Aotea
1News
2 hours ago
- General
- 1News
Seabed mine fears ignite coast towns on Ocean Day
A match lit six weeks ago in the coastal Taranaki town of Ōpunakē has ignited fires the length of the North Island – and far across the Pacific – with seabed mining opponents taking to the coast on World Ocean Day. South Taranaki's 15-year fight against an Australian mining bid was picked up by more than 200 surfers, stand-up paddleboarders, body boarders, waka ama crew and kayakers at eight spots along the coast between Wellington to Auckland on Sunday. As they paddled-out from Island Bay, Whanganui, Pātea, Pungarehu, New Plymouth, Raglan, Port Waikato and Muriwai hundreds more rallied on shore, with organisers saying strong turnouts in New Plymouth and Raglan took total numbers over 1200. Four-thousand kilometres away, supporters in Tāhiti also hit the waves, they said. Fiona Young of Protect Our Moana Taranaki said coastal communities jumped on board after the first paddle-out at Ōpunakē in April. ADVERTISEMENT Surfboards and water craft spelled-out 'no seabed mining' on the black sand of Autere. (Source: Courtesy Tania Niwa Photographer) 'It's important being connected together for this, because if given the greenlight here it would set a very dangerous precedent for all the rest of our coast and the Pacific.' 'It's a new experimental extractive industry that doesn't belong in our oceans.' Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) has approval to vacuum up 50 million tonnes of sand annually from the South Taranaki seabed for 35 years to extract iron, vanadium and titanium. But the company still needs consent to discharge 45 million tonnes of unwanted sediment a year back into the shallow waters – 160,000 tonnes daily of a recognised pollutant. After a decade failing to win discharge consent right through to the Supreme Court, Trans-Tasman last year quit the latest environment hearing to seek consent via the new Fast-track Approvals Act. Many locals feared sediment would smother reefs and stunt marine photosynthesis by filtering sunlight. ADVERTISEMENT TTR's executive chairman Alan Eggers said the discharge wouldn't bother the marine ecology. 'De-ored sands will be returned immediately to the seafloor in a controlled process to minimise the generation of suspended sediment … the plume generated is localised,' said Eggers, who's also executive director of TTR's new owners, Australia miner Manuka Resources. The mining ship would work as close as 22 kilometres off Pātea. Saturday's cold snap cloaked Taranaki Maunga with winter's first heavy snowfall but, after dawn karakia, 20 surfers shrugged off the chill at Pātea Beach and formed Sunday's first circle on the water. Among them was Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Shay King (centre) was with Rachel Arnott and MP Debbie Ngārewa Packer at Pātea, saying Trans-Tasman Resources is a two-legged version of the ocean whirlpool Te Korokoro o Te Parata that almost destroyed the ancestral waka Aotea on its journey to Aotearoa. (Source: Te Korimako o Taranaki) As a Ngāti Ruanui leader, she fought the miners for a decade before entering Parliament. ADVERTISEMENT Ngarewa-Packer said World Ocean Day helped highlight that the proposed mine was an untested precedent, here and internationally. 'Seabed mining leaves behind the sludge, or the mud. Imagine 45 million tons of sludge… a lot of our magic reef life and our marine life will be absolutely annihilated.' Sand extraction was common but didn't involve dumping most of what's taken back into the environment, opponents say. Among the 100 supporters on Pātea's beach and dunes was onshore oil driller Hayden Fowler. Despite working in an extractive industry, Fowler brought his teenage daughter Amelia to Pātea to oppose the marine mine. 'I just don't think it's the right thing to be doing.' 'A lot of people don't actually understand what will take place if it happens… so it's probably a little bit misunderstood as to how bad it could be.' ADVERTISEMENT Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui kaiwhakahaere Rachel Arnott said TTR kept losing in court because judges found environmental safety evidence unconvincing. 'TTR had nothing and in the Fast-track application we still haven't seen any sign that they've adapted to the courts' demands for proof – nothing fresh in terms of evidence.' On Sunday afternoon, 500 gathered at New Plymouth's Autere, or East End Beach, to cheer more than 130 taking to the waves. Fiona Gordon, Tasman Van Bergen and Jane Bowden-Dobson paddled out to oppose seabed mining on World Ocean Day. (Source: Te Korimako o Taranaki) Surfer Fiona Gordon said she was there to celebrate the ocean. 'The beautiful things that it brings to our lives and the risks that are posed when we start interfering with that, in ways we don't fully understand.' Many travelled from Pātea to join the Ngāmotu event including Bruce Boyd, head of community underwater science researchers Project Reef. ADVERTISEMENT Bruce Boyd says he doesn't want one iota of change on the rich reefs of the Pātea Banks revealed by his citizen science group Project Reef. (Source: Te Korimako o Taranaki) 'I dive off Pātea, that's my playground, and I don't want to see what's there changed in any way, shape, or form. Especially not covered by that sludge.' TTR expected to earn US$312 million a year before tax, giving shareholders a near 40% rate of return on investment of US$602 million. The company promised an economic boost in Taranaki and Whanganui, creating over 1350 New Zealand jobs and becoming one of the country's top exporters. Opponents believed the financial benefits would land with mostly-foreign shareholders. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
RNZ News
11-05-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
The missing black petrels of Great Barrier Island
For nearly 30 years, researchers have been banding black petrel fledglings before they make their maiden migration to Ecuador. Only a handful of birds have ever come back. RNZ’s In Depth reporter Kate Newton travels to Aotea-Great Barrier Island to meet the birds, and the dedicated team trying to figure out the mystery of where they go. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
NZ Herald
26-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay club rugby: Maroons turn it on for Red
'It will be a week-by-week thing from now on. Obviously I want to help Taradale retain the Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy this season and if I can't do it on the field I will help out off the field. 'This club has been so good to me over the years,' Gardner explained. He was full of praise for MAC. 'They kept their heads up for the entire game.' Winger Flynn Allen celebrated his 50th outing for Taradale with a hat-trick. Former All Black Sevens player Trinity-Sponer-Neera scored 46 of the Mighty Maroons' points with four tries and 13 conversions. In his first outing of the season for MAC after Tonga Sevens duty fullback John Ika was classy. Flanker Solomone Kuli Kefu Fono and halfback Bronson Hokianga were also prominent for the visitors. Havelock North gave winger Epeli Tanadroga a winning 50th outing with their 67-5 romp over Clive at Farndon Park on Saturday. The closes game of the round saw Hastings Rugby and Sports pip Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 41-39 at Elwood Park on Saturday. Like Taradale, Napier Old Boys Marist maintained their unbeaten run with a 38-25 win against Napier Technical at Park Island on Friday. Fullback Patrick Hedley, centre Kere Penitito and prop Lee Moleli were the key architects in the hosts' victory. 'It was a physical encounter as one expects when these two teams meet. While we're excited about the experience our youngsters are getting as we build for the future we know we've got three tough games with Hastings, Taradale and Pirates remaining,' NOBM co-coach Ellery Wilson explained. Texans manager Cyril Whitburn said the youngsters on their roster gained plenty of confidence out of their competitive effort. Prop Nik Patumaka, in his 50th outing, and former Magpies prop Tim Farrell impressed with their powerful carries. First five-eighth Leighton Shaw and centre Bogi Kikau were the best of the Tech backs. On Thursday night Central kept their Top Six hopes alive with a 37-19 win against Aotea in Waipukurau. 'We're happy to take the five points after not having a good day in the previous round against Havelock North,' Central coach Rob Evans said afterwards. 'Aotea are very strong up front but we were able to get our lineout maul working well early which is what we wanted. We've given away three games during the last 10 minutes but tonight we were running well at the end of the game,' Evans added. Hooker Tui Kuru, lock Dylan Wind and centre Ollie Wichman were all prominent in the tidy team effort from the hosts. Aotea manager Bryan Te Huki heaped kudos on Central's disciplined and clinical display. 'We had to defend for long periods and their defence was very good.' Openside flanker Te Rangi Williams and lock Jacob Stephenson were the best of the Aotea players. Scorers: Central 37 (Tui Kuru (2), Karl Lepelaars, Semi Vodosese, Mokau Lambert, Dylan Wind tries; Lambert, Braydon Hardwidge cons; Hardwidge pen), Aotea 19 (Gene Ropoama, Weller Hauraki, Jacob Stephenson tries; Hoera Stephenson (2) cons). HT: 17-7. Napier Old Boys Marist 38 (Kere Penitito (2), Johnny Lauano, Te Kahika Thompson, Kane Ngawhare tries; Patrick Hedley 5 cons, pen , Napier Technical 25 (Oliver Larbi (2), Manaaki Aranui tries; Leighton Shaw 2 cons, 2 pens). HT: 24-15. Taradale 108 (Trinity Spooner-Neera (4), Brayden Cunningham (3), Flynn Allen (3), Dylan Ramsay (2), Nathan Ramsay, Ian Rore, Billy Ropiha, Toby Single tries; Apooner-Neera (13), Andrew Gardner cons), MAC 19 John Ika (2), Penisini Taufa tries; Alatasi Tupou (2) cons). HT: 54-5. Hastings Rugby and Sports 41 (Koby Deacon (2), Connor McLeod, Jeriah Mua, Jardine Chung-Ching, Jeria Mua tries; Oscar Sowman (5) cons, (2) pens), Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 39 (Anaru Paenga-Morgan (2), Al Momoisea, Jehmial Ross, Nick Agnew, Waisake Tora tries; Andrew Tauatevalu (2), Carlos Kemp cons; Tauatevalu pen). Havelock North 67 (Oscar Ritchie (4), Tawhiri Gifford-Kara (2), Tom Woelders, Cooper Flanders, Marcus Leach, Valentino Taito, Le'Sharn Reiri-Paku tries; Reiri-Paku (4), Ethan Taylor, Ash Robinson-Bartlett cons), Clive 5 (Kyan Lowe try).
The Spinoff
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Spinoff
The cost of being: A full-time student, part-time nanny flatting in Wellington
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 20-year-old second-year university student explains her approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 20. Ethnicity: NZ European. Role: I'm a full-time second year student at Vic uni, also working part time as a nanny. Salary/income/assets: I earn around $320 per week from work and also receive the student allowance of $200ish per week. My living location is: Suburban. Rent/mortgage per week: I live in a five-bed flat, $1,200 per week – I'm in the smallest room so I pay $204. Student loan or other debt payments per week: Not currently paying anything off my student loan or other loans . Typical weekly food costs Groceries: We all cook our own meals due to dietary requirements, but I'm lucky enough to eat at work four nights a week. Food is the thing I splurge on most as I value healthy, often organic food. It costs a bit, but the markets are great for fresh produce. It can range from $80-$100 per week including toiletries and any extras. Eating out: Around $25, I get takeaways once a week and the odd dinner out with friends or my boyfriend. 1154 is one of our favourites – a great pasta place on Cuba Street. We like the $12 weeknight meals. Takeaways: Included in eating out. Workday lunches: I buy lunch at uni a few days a week, $30. Cafe coffees/snacks: I do love a good coffee or matcha but have been making them at home recently. On a splurge week I'll spend around $30… sounds a lot when you write it down! I love a vanilla shot which is usually an extra 60 to 90 cents. Other food costs: Iron supplements, which is around $40 a month. Savings: I have a $1,000 emergency fund and recently had a $1,000 car fund which just got spent on my yearly insurance and mechanic. I have around $10,000 in Kiwisaver and investments on Sharesies and Invest Now. I worry about money: Sometimes. Three words to describe my financial situation: Grateful, blessed, stressed. My biggest edible indulgence would be: Big on the drinks! Supreme coffee grinds for my at-home machine, matcha powder or Pukka tea. In a typical week my alcohol expenditure would be: $6 – usually buy some drinks or a wine once a month. In a typical week my transport expenditure would be: I drive into uni as I head straight to pick the kids up after my lectures, I spend around $70 on petrol per week. I estimate in the past year the ballpark amount I spent on my personal clothing (including sleepwear and underwear) was: $800. My most expensive clothing in the past year was: Bought a 21st dress recently for $120 I got on sale from Ownley (down from $200) and also a quilted jacket for the Welly winters which was around $160. My last pair of shoes cost: New Balance 480s, which were around $160. My grooming/beauty expenditure in a year is about: Found this amazing skincare made on Great Barrier Island called Aotea which hits the wallet, and I buy a couple makeup items per year, but apart from that I get at-home haircuts. My exercise expenditure in a year is about: I love to surf so mostly the free outdoor gym, I pay a $7 weekly membership to City Fitness (that I don't use, but locked in for a year). I love the climbing gym which I spend around $20-$60 per week on depending how much I go. My last Friday night cost: $55, paid for a gig for a friend and me. Most regrettable purchase in the last 12 months was: Gym membership. Most indulgent purchase (that I don't regret) in the last 12 months was: $120 skincare. One area where I'm a bit of a tightwad is: Clothes and shoes I put off buying. Five words to describe my financial personality would be: Saver, quality spender, investor. I grew up in a house where money was: Tight. Just my mum and me, who struggled to keep up with the bills. I always had what I needed but the stress of going into our family debt seeped in. The last time my Eftpos card was declined was: Taking my two cats to the vet! In five years, in financial terms, I see myself: I would love to save up a deposit for a tiny house by then, have an emergency fund of $5,000 and continue my investments. Having a small travel fund started in preparation for a world trip is also a goal. Describe your financial low: Ran out of leave, off work for two weeks sick with a rent increase coming up was stressful. I've found having an emergency fund a lifesaver, if you can even contribute a few dollars a week – when you need it, it can take a load off. I would love to have more money for: More than two-ply toilet paper. I give money away to: I'm grateful to be in a position to sponsor two beautiful kids through Tearfund, I also donate to Hagar International – an organisation working with women survivors of trafficking and modern slavery.
