Latest news with #JULESCHIN
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Warning hoiho still at risk
The Penguin Rescue sanctuary at Kātiki Point endeavours to save the embattled hoiho from extinction. PHOTO: JULES CHIN While Moeraki's yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) are enjoying their annual "holiday" at sea, conservationists warn their battle for survival is far from over. Penguin Rescue manager Rosalie Goldsworthy said the critically endangered birds, at present fledging at sea for up to six months, faced a grim return home. The Kātiki Point sanctuary continues its efforts to protect the birds, but mounting environmental pressures, including disease and pollution, threaten progress. One looming danger is highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has increasingly impacted seabird populations. Ms Goldsworthy noted some recent positive signs, such as improved feeding conditions and movement between colonies. However, she warned these gains were overshadowed by escalating ocean warming and local pollution. A recent Environmental Defence Society report identified the Otago coast, including Moeraki, as experiencing some of the most extreme marine heat. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust backed the report, which links environmental degradation directly to rising hoiho mortality. Among local concerns is the Moeraki wastewater treatment plant, established by the Waitaki District Council in 2023. Ms Goldsworthy said treated water from the plant had turned nearby beaches green and might be harming marine life, including hoiho and the world's rarest sea lion species. "There's a civic responsibility to care for this environment. "And charging contaminated water into the ocean, into the habitat of really endangered species, it's not my idea of taking responsibility," she said. The Otago Regional Council (ORC) audited the plant in 2023 and found significant non-compliance with nitrogen limits. Council staff also acknowledged irrigation failures, which may have led to over-irrigation and nutrient runoff. While the ORC's last tests showed no toxic organisms in the green beach material, and no concerns from recent shellfish or seawater samples, Ms Goldsworthy remains worried about untested contaminants such as E. coli. "We've never seen this kind of runoff before," she said. She was urging the council to move the septic outflow further from the coast as the issue was "fixable". Despite ongoing conversations, "we haven't had any joy at all". "The council is talking about privatising the water, the delivery of water and the removal of wastewater — this should be a priority action for them."
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
‘Gap' in care to be fixed
A new mental health and addictions service for young people in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago is expected to begin operating later this year. Aroha Metcalf. PHOTO: JULES CHIN Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) has confirmed it is seeking proposals for the service, which will cater for children, adolescents and youth. A request for proposals on the government's GETS website, expiring on May 19, says the service will "address the current service gap" in the region. In a statement, HNZ Te Waipounamu community integration group manager Aroha Metcalf said the service was expected to begin in the "second half of 2025". Ms Metcalf said she could not say more until the contract was awarded, but confirmed the new service had emerged from the "Te Hurihanga — Time for Change" review.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
‘Great and brave' Access workers seek public support
Access Community Health support workers protest on Severn St yesterday. PHOTO: JULES CHIN The wild weather across the South Island did not stop "brave" Access Community Health (ACH) workers from protesting on Severn St in Oamaru yesterday. Public Service Association (PSA) organiser Poppy Stowell said the Oamaru protest was part of union strikes throughout the country calling for the public's support for the workers' fight for better pay and conditions. About 20 support workers lined both sides of busy Severn St with protest placards, receiving toots and hollers of support from people in vehicles and pedestrians. Ms Stowell said International Worker's Day was chosen for the first strike action in almost 20 years for the workers whose employer, ACH, has not offered them a pay rise in two years. "We've got a bunch of really great and brave Access workers, care and support workers out on strike today. "In bargaining this year the employer has tried to cut a bunch of terms and conditions for these workers, trying to get rid of tenure-based pay, trying to reduce their sick leave entitlements. "And they've said, 'until you agree to all of these cuts in your conditions, we won't even talk about pay'. "So, we're really out here trying to send the employer the message that we want them to come to the table and to put their best foot forward, to put the funding that they've received back into the workers' pockets, because these guys really do an amazing job for our community," Ms Stowell said. ACH chief executive Androulla Kotrotsos said "it is simply not true" they were looking to take away tenure-based pay or sick leave entitlements. "We remain committed to a fair bargaining process ... We would like to provide an increase for our workforce and understand their frustration." ACH contracts were entirely government funded and there was an uplift of up to 3.2% for some contracts in July 2024 to meet rising costs, "but it was not tagged for pay rises, nor was it sufficient to do so," she said. Ms Stowell said better terms and conditions and pay for the workers would allow them to "live with dignity". ACH supports more than 40,000 people with nursing, personal care, rehabilitation and household assistance to enable them to live independently in their own homes. About 2939 support workers and 219 nurses are employed by ACH in New Zealand. PSA Oamaru delegate and support worker Serayna Harris said the lack of a pay increase was not fair to the dedicated support workers. "We're worth more than that. Without us, people can't stay in their homes. We are essential workers," Mrs Harris said. Ms Stowell said the workers help look after "vulnerable people" in the community. "Getting out on strike is a huge deal for these workers, because they're so committed to the support that they can provide, and to helping those people who really need it the most."
