Steven Knight
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TARANAKI REGIONAL COUNCIL NEWSLETTER December 20159 No. 9 Garden paradise Pukeiti’s Stead Walk was a riot of colour for admiring visitors during the recent Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular. Pukeiti, Tupare and Hollard Gardens have had a good spring growing season and are at their best for the busy holiday period. Summer garden fairs: Page 8 Environmental Award winners 2015 ‘Mighty’ efforts Environmental action in education (sponsored by Taranaki Daily News) Koromiko Kindergarten, Hawera Uruti School win recognition Kiwi Conservation Club (Nth Taranaki Forest and Bird) Farmers, an iwi rununga, businesses large and “Farmers, businesses and Councils are Environmental leadership in land management (sponsored by Dow AgroSciences) small, individuals, a school and a kindergarten spending millions to protect and enhance the are among the 15 winners of Taranaki’s environment, and just as important are the Tersana Farms, Tarata flagship Environmental Awards this year. hours and sweat invested by volunteers, as Stephen and Shirlee Barrow, Waitotara catchment individuals or groups, in projects big and Richard and Kellie Coe, Waitotara catchment “These awards highlight and celebrate mighty small, and the work of teachers striving to efforts right across the community,” says David instil in their young charges a respect for the Te taiao me te pākihi – Environmental leadership MacLeod, Chairman of the Taranaki Regional environment.” in business (sponsored by Ngāruahine, Ngāti Council, which has been making the annual Ruanui, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki and Ngāti Mutunga) presentations since the early 1990s. This year’s awards take the total to 234 since Energyworks Industrial Coatings Division they began in 1993. Steven Knight, Possum Control Taranaki “They recognise important work that ensures Shell Todd Oil Services (Māui Production Station) that Taranaki will continue to offer unrivalled The Environmental Awards were revamped lifestyle opportunities, while future-proofing two years ago, with sponsorship introduced to Environmental leadership in dairy farming our vital industries and giving them the allow greater recognition at a higher-profile (sponsored by Fonterra) strength and resilience to face whatever presentation ceremony. Bill and Gail Gribble, Eltham challenges lie in the years ahead.” This year, five Taranaki iwi – Ngāruahine, Moorlands Trust Partnership, Ngaere The awards, in five sponsored categories, were Ngāti Ruanui, Te Ātiawa, Taranaki and Ngāti presented at a ceremony in New Plymouth on Mutunga – joined Taranaki Daily News, Dow Environmental action in the community 29 October. AgroSciences, Fonterra and Methanex as (sponsored by Methanex) category sponsors. Janice and Howard Hughes, Eltham Mr MacLeod says the efforts of the winners Taranaki Conservationists and many others like them are a major reason Mr MacLeod says the iwi involvement adds an Dawne Morton, Bird Rescue that Taranaki enjoys a generally good and extra dimension to the flagship awards. “We’re Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust improving environment. Winner profiles:Page s 2 -7 From the Chair Big effort on recovery The annual Taranaki Regional Council from June floods, slips Environmental Thousands of riparian plants and poplar poles The Storm Recovery Package was aimed at Awards presentation is have been planted on Taranaki farms in the helping farmers mitigate the damage to what always a highlight, aftermath of the widespread flooding and slips in some cases was years of investment and and this year’s was no in June. hard work they had put into their properties exception. through the Council’s Hillcountry Land The Taranaki Regional Council’s $500,000 Management and ring plain Riparian It’s humbling to see Storm Recovery Package, plus an additional Management Programmes. the delight of award $150,000 in resilience funding from the recipients at having Ministry of Primary Industries, has resulted in: The Council’s Director-Operations, Stephen their good work recognised. It’s obviously a Hall, says the Council was pleased to be in a A total of 8959 three-metre poplar poles thrill, whether they are individuals, schools, position to assist farmers badly hit in what for and 486 smaller poles being planted on 100 iwi, farmers or corporates. most would have been a once-in-a-lifetime hillcountry properties to stabilise hillsides event. “Full recovery will take a while longer The Council itself is delighted to be able to and prevent erosion. Landowners, but the region is off to a very good start.” offer such recognition, in partnership with contractors and Council officers achieved our award sponsors. As I said at the this despite wet and slippery conditions in Meanwhile, the Government has set aside an presentation ceremony, one of the major many cases. additional $416,000 of relief funding, which is reasons that Taranaki enjoys a generally being allocated via the Taranaki Disaster Repairs to 3.5km of fencing, with more to good and improving environment is that Relief Committee, made up of the region’s be inspected and repaired in summer when people and organisations like our winners three District Mayors and the Chairman of the ground conditions dry out. are willingly stepping up to do their bit. Taranaki Regional Council, David MacLeod. The supply of 6.5 tonnes of grass seed to Every year, millions of dollars and The funding is aimed at repairs to uninsurable revegetate 267 ha of slip tails. thousands of hours of work, much of it by infrastructure such as fences and tracks, and volunteers, go into protecting and A total of 50,000 riparian plants being pasture reinstatement. The Committee is enhancing Taranaki’s environment and supplied to 122 farms, mainly on the ring aiming to get grants to successful applicants encouraging others to do the same. The plain. by Christmas. awards are positive recognition by the Council on behalf of the community. It’s certainly good to be able to focus on the positive after what has been a tough year for Taranaki many. The widespread flooding and slips in Regional Council Showcasing outstanding contributions to our environment June came at the very worst time for farmers, and the effects are still sorely felt. Dawne Morton Environmental action The Council was pleased to be able to offer in the community assistance by way of a $500,000 Storm - Bird Rescue Category sponsor: Methanex New Zealand Recovery Package, and the three District Mayors and I are also working together as Dawne Morton is dedicated to the rescue, survive return to Dawne to be nursed back to the Taranaki Disaster Relief committee rehabilitation and release of orphaned, sick health and released. allocating Government relief funds. and injured birds, and is one of the most Dawne is assisted in her work by vet students experienced bird rescuers in the country. My sincere hope is that the coming festive and community volunteers. season brings everyone, most especially the She works closely with the Department of families still coping with the aftermath of Conservation and the Massey University Video profile: bit.ly/Awards2015F the June storm, an opportunity to put aside wildlife hospital. stress and worry and find some real peace Each year the Department of and joy. Conservation sends around 30 I can highly recommend visits to Tupare, birds from Taranaki to Dawne Hollard Gardens and Pukeiti over the for treatment. Others are sent summer break, either for relaxed family by vets and the public. time or to join the fun of one of the garden In the first day or two, the fairs. The three gardens are all looking birds receive life-saving first stunning, and some exciting developments aid at Dawne’s large Turakina are unfolding at Pukeiti. aviaries before going to See you in 2016! Massey for clinical David MacLeod - CHAIRMAN assessment. Those that can Page 2 December 2015 Recount Environmental action in the community Taranaki Category sponsor: Methanex New Zealand Regional Council Showcasing outstanding contributions to our environment Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui Trust In 2014, Ngāti Ruanui developed practical voluntary guidelines for the petroleum and minerals industry to successfully engage with iwi and hapu. The guidelines set out ways for industry and iwi to establish dialogue and for all parties to demonstrate kaitiakitanga in the development of petroleum and mineral resources. The guidelines assist understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, sustainable resource management, and iwi understanding of environmental guardianship in relation to petroleum and mineral resources. The guidelines are a blueprint for sophisticated engagement with tangata whenua which includes the ‘Maori world view’ and provide a consistent and respected approach to designing the engagement process to address issues of concern to tangata whenua. The guidelines are endorsed by the Taranaki-based petroleum and minerals industry. Video profile: bit.ly/Awards2015G Janice and Howard Hughes Howard and Janice Hughes’ vision is to return Soldiers Park in Eltham to its natural beauty as a native tree reserve. Howard has voluntarily coordinated community volunteers and Eltham Primary School students to develop the reserve, with support from South Taranaki District Council, Taranaki Regional Council and the Taranaki Tree Trust. Volunteers cleared old man’s beard, broom and other weeds earlier in 2015 in preparation for planting. Howard and the Eltham Primary students have planted native shrubs and trees along the stream and walkway, which borders the school. The project encourages students to understand and