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Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Drinking water still a risk: Greenpeace
Greenpeace says Gore is not out of the woods yet in regards to nitrate in the water, but the council says levels are going down all the time and are of acceptable standard. Greenpeace said in a statement it had tested a sample collected from the Gore town supply, which returned a result above 5mg/L nitrate (NO3-N), a level associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. Above this level of nitrate, the New Zealand College of Midwives recommends pregnant people consider finding another source of water because of the increased risk of preterm birth. The sample was collected on Wednesday and tested with an optical spectrometer, which is standard equipment for testing nitrate in the field, and followed the organisation's standard testing procedures which have been externally reviewed by GNS science. While the township's do-not-drink notice has been lifted, Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe says there was still a risk to public health. Gore issued a do-not-drink notice last Friday after the town supply exceeded the maximum allowable value (MAV) of 11.3mg/l for nitrate. It recorded 11.4mg/l. Greenpeace said the limit was set in the 1950s to avoid blue baby syndrome, but it did not take into account the more recent health science that has linked several health risks with long-term exposure to nitrate at levels below the current legal limits, including bowel cancer and preterm birth. "We know the source of this pollution. It's the overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser in intensive dairy farming, led by Fonterra and their lobbyists at Federated Farmers." Gore District Council critical services general manager Jason Domigan said the Water Services Act required all councils to provide water that was safe by meeting current drinking water standards. That set the MAV of nitrate at 11.3mg/l. This is in line with World Health Organisation guidelines, an international standard, and has, in recent years, been through various levels of scrutiny through parliament and the national drinking water regulator Taumata Arowai. He said since the sample on Friday, July 18 of 11.4mg/l, the council had seen a continuous decline in the nitrate concentrations at the East Gore Water Treatment Plant. Accredited laboratory results showed these were at 5.88mg/l at noon on Thursday. "The council will continue to monitor through additional sampling over the coming weeks as we calibrate new nitrate probes installed at Coopers Well and the East Gore Water Treatment Plant." — APL
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Drinking water still a risk:Greenpeace
Greenpeace says Gore is not out of the woods yet in regards to nitrate in the water, but the council says levels are going down all the time and are of acceptable standard. Greenpeace said in a statement it had tested a sample collected from the Gore town supply, which returned a result above 5mg/L nitrate (NO3-N), a level associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. Above this level of nitrate, the New Zealand College of Midwives recommends pregnant people consider finding another source of water because of the increased risk of preterm birth. The sample was collected on Wednesday and tested with an optical spectrometer, which is standard equipment for testing nitrate in the field, and followed the organisation's standard testing procedures which have been externally reviewed by GNS science. While the township's do-not-drink notice has been lifted, Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe says there was still a risk to public health. Gore issued a do-not-drink notice last Friday after the town supply exceeded the maximum allowable value (MAV) of 11.3mg/l for nitrate. It recorded 11.4mg/l. Greenpeace said the limit was set in the 1950s to avoid blue baby syndrome, but it did not take into account the more recent health science that has linked several health risks with long-term exposure to nitrate at levels below the current legal limits, including bowel cancer and preterm birth. "We know the source of this pollution. It's the overuse of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser in intensive dairy farming, led by Fonterra and their lobbyists at Federated Farmers." Gore District Council critical services general manager Jason Domigan said the Water Services Act required all councils to provide water that was safe by meeting current drinking water standards. That set the MAV of nitrate at 11.3mg/l. This is in line with World Health Organisation guidelines, an international standard, and has, in recent years, been through various levels of scrutiny through parliament and the national drinking water regulator Taumata Arowai. He said since the sample on Friday, July 18 of 11.4mg/l, the council had seen a continuous decline in the nitrate concentrations at the East Gore Water Treatment Plant. Accredited laboratory results showed these were at 5.88mg/l at noon on Thursday. "The council will continue to monitor through additional sampling over the coming weeks as we calibrate new nitrate probes installed at Coopers Well and the East Gore Water Treatment Plant." — APL
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Concern as signs point to more heavy rain for Nelson Tasman region
The Nelson Tasman region is facing months of work to recover from recent bouts of bad weather. Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon Forecasters say more bad weather is brewing which could bring significant rain to parts of the country, including the top of the South towards the end of this month and into early August. Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly GNS Science) meteorologist Chris Brandolino said the next seven to 10 days would be dry from tomorrow. It would bring some short-term respite for those involved in the cleanup in the Nelson Tasman region. However, there would be "a pivot point" as the end of the month approached and more heavy rain could be on the horizon. Brandolino said the source centred on the Tropics which has been experiencing a lot of unusually warm water and there was a tilt toward La Niña conditions. When that happened in the north it resulted in more rain and thunderstorms in Australasia. "So when these lows come across from Australia or the Tasman Sea there is this source of moisture pooling and waiting, and if that area is active with rain and thunderstorms, that low pressure over the Tasman Sea when it does form, it can tap into that moisture over the Coral Sea, over Papua New Guinea, over the West Pacific and the Tropics and siphon that down." That is what the top regions of the South Island have been experiencing in the last few weeks, Brandolino said. "It is a river in the sky that's able to leverage that moisture and turn it into rain." It would take a break but in about 10 days the weather would change again. "That's the concern - there could be these areas of heavy rain again ... those are the themes that are emerging for very late this month and as we work into the first week of August." An example of some of the widespread damage to roads and infrastructure in the Nelson Tasman areas. Photo: Supplied/ Nick Smith An army of volunteers has swung into action in the Nelson Tasman region to help flood-affected farmers and orchardists with the massive cleanup ahead. It comes as the government announces a $600,000 support package for farmers, growers and foresters across the battered district. The chairperson of the Top of the South Rural Support Trust Richard Kempthorne told Morning Report the funding was "great news" and "very helpful". He expected there would be a lot of requests to the Mayoral Relief Fund, which will receive the largest portion, for things that weren't covered by insurance. As a former mayor of Tasman District, he had seen many adverse weather events. "This surpasses all of them by quite a chunk. ... It's just enormous, you cannot plan for it." The cleanup could be "swamping and daunting" and he advised people to try and take it one step at a time to avoid being overwhelmed. Farmers and growers should ask for help if they needed it, Kempthorne said. Silt, stones and debris would need to be removed by heavy machinery while the standing up of fences would also be a priority. There was a lot of thought going into what needed to happen in the river system and stopbanks in the longterm, Kempthorne said.
Euronews
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
EU delegation ejected from Libya after diplomatic 'trap', source says
Military leader Khalifa Haftar — who holds de facto power in large parts of eastern Libya — orchestrated a meeting on Tuesday as a means of "trapping" an EU delegation into recognising the legitimacy of the Benghazi-led Libyan administration, a source familiar with the issue told Euronews. The delegation was declared "personae non gratae" and asked to depart Libyan territory upon arrival at the airport of Benghazi. The mission travelled to eastern Libya after meeting in Tripoli with representatives of the Government of National Unity (GNU) — the internationally recognised executive led by Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, which controls Tripoli and western Libya. The parties had reportedly discussed joint patrols and repatriation strategies to counter illegal migration. The delegation then journeyed to Benghazi to meet with the Government of National Stability (GNS), which controls the city of Benghazi and eastern Libya. In reality, however, real power lies with the military rule of Khalifa Haftar. The group — which included European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner — intended to meet with Benghazi authorities to discuss strategies to stop the departure of migrants to European shores. Their journey, however, was limited to Benghazi airport, where Prime Minister Osama Saad Hammad and two GNS ministers were waiting for the EU mission, with photographers and cameras in tow. The seemingly routine reception carried the risk of portraying EU officials alongside representatives of an officially unrecognised government — effectively, at least in the media, a de facto recognition of the GNS. The EU delegation's objections led first to negotiations, but ultimately to the expulsion of the officials, who were declared personae non gratae. The Libyan government then issued a communiqué accusing them of carrying out an "unauthorised" mission and of "disrespecting Libyan national sovereignty." The Italian government described the situation as a misunderstanding of protocol. In an interview with Italian broadcaster RAI, Interior Minister Piantedosi attributed the cancellation of the meeting "at the last minute' to 'resentment on the Libyan side over the overzealousness of some European delegation officials.' He downplayed the incident, calling it a 'serious episode' but insisting it did not undermine cooperation with Benghazi authorities. Brunner and EU ministers proposed a condition for the meeting A source familiar with the incident told Euronews however that it had been clearly agreed by the delegation that "only Haftar's people — meaning the military — would be present" at the meeting. The idea of other political personnel attending 'had been discussed only hypothetically and was to be addressed later, if necessary', according to the source. As previously reported by Italian and international media, Italy's Special Envoy to Libya Nicola Orlando was instructed to disembark first and politely asked that no photos be taken, due to the potential diplomatic implications. Once clearance was given, the EU delegation disembarked and was escorted to a waiting room — though apparently, unpublished photos and video footage were already being taken. When pressed for an explanation, the Libyan organiser of the visit reportedly replied by phone: 'This is the Benghazi government, you have to accept it.' According to the Brussels source, the Libyan side made clear that 'in the meeting with Haftar, the government and the prime minister will also be present.' Commissioner Brunner and the EU ministers attempted to resolve the situation, according to the source, by proposing a meeting with GNS representatives, on the condition that the talks be officially framed as involving only Haftar and his military associates. Despite repeated efforts by the European side, the Libyans refused, insisting: 'We are the government.' The source concluded: 'It was obviously a trap.' Who is General Haftar and what are his plans for Libya? After the Libyan civil war and the death of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Haftar gradually expanded his influence through his Libyan National Army (LNA), eventually controlling much of Cyrenaica and Fezzan. After more than a decade of military clashes for control of Libya, the Benghazi-based government and the 81-year-old LNA leader have gained the upper hand over the Tripoli administration. The Tripoli government enjoys international backing, but it remains weakened by internal conflicts among allied militias. 'In recent weeks, there have been significant developments, and the eastern government has become emboldened. Now they have Russian weapons, so they are very powerful — and have a lot of money,' said another source familiar with the issue. 'This government is trying to assert itself and is using all forms of pressure,' the source added, citing migrant departures to Europe as an example. Their aim is to 'to push Tripoli aside and be the only government."
Euronews
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
EU delegation ejected from Libya after diplomatic 'trap'
Military leader Khalifa Haftar — who holds de facto power of large parts of eastern Libya — orchestrated a meeting on Tuesday as a means of 'trapping' an EU delegation into recognising the legitimacy of the Benghazi-led Libyan administration, according to a source familiar with the issue. The delegation were declared "personae non gratae" and asked to depart Libyan territory upon arriving at the airport of Benghazi. The mission travelled to eastern Libya after meeting in Tripoli with representatives of the Government of National Unity (GNU) — the internationally recognised executive led by Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah which controls Tripoli and western Libya. The parties had reportedly discussed joint patrols and repatriation strategies to counter illegal migration. The delegation then journeyed to Benghazi to meet with the Government of National Stability (GNS), which controls the city of Benghazi and eastern Libya. In reality, however, real power lies with the military rule of Khalifa Haftar. The group — which included the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner — intended to meet with Benghazi authorities to discuss strategies to stop the departure of migrants to European shores. Their journey, however, was limited to Benghazi airport, where Prime Minister Osama Saad Hammad and two GNS ministers were waiting for the European mission, with photographers and cameras in tow. The seemingly routine reception carried the risk of portraying European officials alongside representatives of an officially unrecognised government — effectively, at least in the media, a de facto recognition of the GNS. The EU delegation's objections led first to negotiations, but ultimately to the expulsion of the officials, who were declared personae non gratae. The Libyan government then issued a communiqué accusing them of carrying out an "unauthorised" mission and of "disrespecting Libyan national sovereignty." The Italian government described the situation as a misunderstanding of protocol. In an interview with Italian broadcaster RAI, Interior Minister Piantedosi attributed cancellation of the meeting "at the last minute' to 'resentment on the Libyan side over the overzealousness of some European delegation officials.' He downplayed the incident, calling it a 'serious episode' but insisting it did not undermine cooperation with Benghazi authorities. Brunner and EU ministers proposed a condition for the meeting A source familiar with the incident told Euronews however that it had been clearly agreed by the delegation that "only Haftar's people — meaning the military — would be present" at the meeting. The idea of other political personnel attending 'had been discussed only hypothetically and was to be addressed later, if necessary', according to the source. As previously reported by Italian and international media, Italy's Special Envoy to Libya, Nicola Orlando, was instructed to disembark first and politely asked that no photos be taken, due to the potential diplomatic implications. Once clearance was given, the EU delegation disembarked and was escorted to a waiting room — though apparently, unpublished photos and video footage were already being taken. When pressed for an explanation, the Libyan organiser of the visit reportedly replied by phone: 'This is the Benghazi government, you have to accept it.' According to the Brussels source, the Libyan side made clear that 'in the meeting with Haftar, the government and the prime minister will also be present.' Commissioner Brunner and the EU ministers attempted to resolve the situation, according to the source, by proposing a meeting with GNS representatives, on the condition that the talks be officially framed as involving only Haftar and his military associates. Despite repeated efforts by the European side, the Libyans refused, insisting: 'We are the government.' The source concluded: 'It was obviously a trap.' Who is General Haftar and what are his plans for Libya? After the Libyan civil war and the death of Gaddafi in 2011, Khalifa Haftar gradually expanded his influence through his Libyan National Army (LNA), eventually controlling much of Cyrenaica and Fezzan. After more than a decade of military clashes for control of Libya, the Benghazi-based government and the 81-year-old LNA leader have gained the upper hand over the Tripoli administration. The Tripoli government enjoys international backing, but it remains weakened by internal conflicts among allied militias. 'In recent weeks, there have been significant developments, and the eastern government has become emboldened. Now they have Russian weapons, so they are very powerful — and have a lot of money,' said another source familiar with the issue. 'This government is trying to assert itself and is using all forms of pressure,' the source added, citing migrant departures to Europe as an example. Their aim is to 'to push Tripoli aside and be the only government."
