Latest news with #JennyShipley
RNZ News
10-05-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Erosion threatens to wash away Russell's waterfront
The erosion is threatening to undermine the Strand, Russell's waterfront road. Photo: Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice Ongoing erosion, accelerated by Cyclone Tam's big swells and high winds, is threatening to wash away the waterfront of one of New Zealand's most historic towns. Russell resident and former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said options for protecting Russell's vanishing beachfront were already being investigated when last month's wild weather suddenly gave the project urgency. She said the shore had been receding for about the past 18 months, with erosion starting to undermine the road reserve and a historic cannon. It was also exposing the roots of the pōhutukawa trees that lined the town's waterfront. Erosion is exposing tree roots along Russell's waterfront. Photo: Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice "Then Cyclone Tam came along and coincided with some very high spring tides and an onshore wind. There's been a very big impact in the last three weeks," she said. As a short-term measure, the Far North District Council had sandbagged and placed rock fill in the worst area, just below the cannon. Shipley said a working group had already been discussing possible solutions with the council and Far North Holdings. "We thought we had time… and of course it never goes as fast as I would like it to, but this is not a straightforward question. We do need to get best advice, then try and find money to remediate it." If nothing was done, the beachfront road and buildings would eventually be threatened. "With every high tide that's got an onshore wind, it's posing more risk to the road reserve." Erosion opposite Russell's Town hall, before temporary repairs were carried out. Photo: Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice Shipley said there were many theories in Russell about what was contributing to the erosion. Those theories included rainwater from buildings running across the road instead of going into stormwater drains, or changes to tidal action caused by the wharf's floating pontoons. Expert advice so far was that there was no single significant factor, she said. The erosion is worst around the historic cannon, opposite Russell Town Hall. Photo: Supplied / Jenny Shipley The working group included representatives of the Russell Wharf Trust, the local community board and placemaking group, Kororāreka Marae, businesses, the council and Far North Holdings, with herself as chair representing the Russell Destination Management Team. The hoped to come up with a medium-term solution in July or August, which would then be discussed with Russell residents and stakeholder groups. How quickly it could be implemented would depend on the cost, she said. The council was also investigating whether central government assistance would be available given that it involved storm damage to a road. Ultimately, the working group aimed to restore the gentle slope that used to run down onto the shingle beach. "It is a long term issue. It will be potentially costly, so we have to be mindful that we've got to then find those funds or take our turn," she said. Emergency repairs aim to protect Russell's waterfront from further erosion until a solution is found. Photo: Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Al Etihad
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Culture Summit Abu Dhabi kicks off seventh edition
27 Apr 2025 12:37 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) kicks off the seventh edition of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the leading global forum dedicated to culture, creativity, and cross-sector collaboration. Taking place at Manarat Al Saadiyat from April 27 – 29, 2025, the summit brings together thought leaders, artists, policymakers, and innovators from around the world for three days of impactful dialogue and theme of the seventh edition, Culture for Humanity and Beyond, will navigate the ever-dynamic relationship between culture and humanity in a period of transformation. Across the three days, the Summit will see attendees exchange new perspectives on reimagining the future, as traditional thinking gives way to newer figures and former ministers will engage in ministerial dialogues and sessions surrounding culture and global policy. These sessions will feature Jenny Shipley, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Iveta Radičová, Former Prime Minister of Slovakia. Other sessions, including panel discussions, case studies, and creative conversations will feature academics, authors, founders and directors such as Mo Gawdat, Author and Former Chief Business Officer at Google X; Glenn Lowry, The David Rockefeller Director, The Museum of Modern Art; Tim Marlow, Chief Executive and Director of the Design Museum in London, Awan Amkpa, Dean of Arts and Humanities at New York University Abu Dhabi, Thomas Heatherwick, Founder and Design Director, Heatherwick Studio; Sir John Akomfrah, Film Director - Smoking Dogs Films; Maja Hoffman, Founder and Executive President at Luma Foundation and LumaArles; Hashim Sarkis, Dean at Massachusetts Institute for Technology; Colleen Atwood, Costume Designer; Susan Buck-Morss, Distinguished Professor - CUNY Graduate Centre and Cornell University; Sir William Sargent, Chair at Framestore; Professor Iyad Rahwan, Professor and Director, Max Planck Institute for Human Development; Koyo Kouoh, Executive Director and Chief Curator - Zeitz MOCAA, and many sub-themes will be explored in depth across the Summit's duration:Day one will tap into the power shifts in today's world, from the digital revolution to volatile geopolitical landscapes, and how these shifts are reshaping the cultural two will examine how culture and the creative ecosystem are adapting their policies and models to fully leverage these new final day will present a range of innovative solutions that could redefine new frameworks for the culture sector and humanity on a broader Summit Abu Dhabi is an annual global forum that brings together international leaders from the cultural and creative industries to explore ways in which culture can transform societies and communities by DCT Abu Dhabi, the event's key global partners include UNESCO, The Economist Impact, the Design Museum, Google, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and the Recording partners include Image Nation Abu Dhabi, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, Cultural Foundation, The National, the Club de Madrid, the Abrahamic Family House, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Institut Français, Institut du Monde Arabe, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, TeamLab, Maktaba, House of Artisans, and Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute. The Summit reflects DCT Abu Dhabi's commitment to preserving, protecting, and promoting Abu Dhabi's rich cultural heritage while fostering creativity and innovation to build a more inclusive and sustainable global cultural future.
