conservation Archive

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  Smart hook – smart economics - by frog

  
  
  
  Fisher-turned-inventor Hans Jussiet explains the shield and dissolvable pin that covers baited-hooks as they are launched in this video from an ABC TVshow. Once the shielded hook sinks below the depth of seabirds and turtles, the pin dissolves and the shield is released. [Video included] read more
  November 5, 2009 9:20 pm - 5 Comments
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  The last ocean - by frog

  
  
  
  The Ross Sea is described as the world’s last ocean. The Greens support making the Ross Sea a Protected Area, which would mean protecting the Ross Sea’s Antarctic toothfish from fishing. Do you agree? read more
  November 5, 2009 9:33 am - 8 Comments
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  Burning the Mona Lisa to cook dinner - by frog

  
  
  
  Well known conservative commentator Thomas Friedman contends that destroying our biodiversity to fuel unregulated economic growth is like burning the Mona Lisa to cook dinner. The issue of how we should treat natural capital in our economy resurfaced today in a new economic think-tank report. read more
  November 3, 2009 3:49 pm - 11 Comments
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  Vote for a sustainable ocean: buy the best fish - by frog

  
  
  
  Forest and Bird has issued an update of its popular, and very useful, Best Fish Guide. The guide takes into account the state of fish stocks, the amount of seabird, marine mammal and non-target fish bycatch, the damage done to marine habitats and other ecological effects caused by the fishing to decide on its rating. [...] read more
  November 3, 2009 10:02 am - 9 Comments
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  Think our native forests were safe? Think again. - by frog

  
  
  
  “Agricultural intensification over the past 10 years has led to the highest rate of native vegetation loss since European colonisation.” Landcare Research Annual Report read more
  November 2, 2009 11:29 am - 18 Comments
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  Govt takes Green advice on saving Kauri - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  Following my call last week, today the Government has announced it will act to prevent the spread of kauri rot, the didymo of the forest that affects the native kauri tree. The kauri is an evolutionary dinosaur, first appearing in the Jurassic period 195-130 million years ago. It’s a taonga to all New Zealanders. The [...] read more
  October 29, 2009 3:29 pm - 21 Comments
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  Love Wild Rivers? Give them your support - by frog

  
  
  
  Cool. Today a new campaign has been launched for one of New Zealand’s most iconic features – our Wild Rivers. It’s great to see diverse groups – tree-huggers, deer-stalkers, bird-watchers, knobbly-kneed trampers, sharp-edged climbers, risky rafters, kool-kat kayakers, and angelic anglers – representing “over 100,000 New Zealanders” and united in seeking to protect wild rivers [...] read more
  October 28, 2009 12:37 pm - 3 Comments
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  Chalking Nick in Nelson - by frog

  
  
  
  Chalking the opinion of many on the streets of Nelson this morning and challenging Nick Smith, who welcomed Schedule 4 thus: “This Bill at long last puts some pegs in the sand in some very significant areas of New Zealand and says to the mining industries of New Zealand: “These are no-go areas.”…” read more
  October 27, 2009 2:31 pm - 7 Comments
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  The Minister’s sea lion dilemma - by frog

  
  
  
  The annual sea lion sacrifice approaches. This year is not a normal year though. Last summer the pup population nose-dived, by nearly a third. And every mum lost in a net is a number of pups that will not be born. How many will the Minister sacrifice? The first female sea lion to give birth to a pup on the NZ mainland in modern times makes a plea from the big screen. read more
  October 12, 2009 8:13 pm - 2 Comments
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  A blast from the coastal past - by frog

  
  
  
  Guess the author of this quote: “…How much coastline and seafront must be sacrificed forever before we learn that, in issues of profit versus the environment, environment must win? There can be no alternative.” read more
  October 10, 2009 11:00 am - 13 Comments
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  Mining Milford Sound? - by frog

  
  
  
  “Will he rule out of the review of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act any consideration of mining potential in Milford Sound; if not, why not?” National Parks, openness, ‘hysteria’ and cartoons. read more
  October 8, 2009 10:36 am - 12 Comments
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  Minister Smith please stand up - by frog

  
  
  
  Nick has been surprisingly silent on the decision of Ministers Brownlee and Groser to do a stock-take of our premiere conservation land for its mining potential. Was he consulted? We know he was given a copy of Brownlee’s speech prior, but did he read it? Does he support it? What’s up, Nick? read more
  October 4, 2009 9:11 am - 22 Comments
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  Frog Week with Gerry and Tim - by frog

  
  
  
  It’s frog week! My favourite week of the year. But this one comes under a large grey cloud. My local native frog rellies have not been faring well for a while. They’re threatened by all sorts already. But now they have a new predator – Gerry with his sidekick Tim. All New Zealand’s native frog species are now threatened by mining. read more
  September 29, 2009 6:02 am - 3 Comments
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  Undermining our most generous gifts - by frog

  
  
  
  On 23 September 1887 – 122 years ago yesterday – Te Heuheu Tukino of Tuwharetoa gifted the mountains of Tongariro, Ngaruhoe and Ruapehu to the people of Aotearoa…. This anniversary was sullied by the fact that the Crown is now considering the Park’s mining potential. read more
  September 24, 2009 2:30 pm - 12 Comments
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  “I feel a change coming on” - by frog

  
  
  
  Fonterra has more than just its financial restructure head-ache to mull on this weekend. Its dogged support for rainforest-destroying palm kernel feed (PKE) must now be giving them a cracking migraine. read more
  September 19, 2009 9:37 am - 24 Comments
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  Parliament mined, fossils detected - by frog

  
  
  
  I glanced out my window this afternoon and was alarmed to see Parliament lawn swarming with menacing figures dressed in white suits and armed with metal detectors, seemingly prospecting one of New Zealand’s finest heritage sites for minerals. read more
  September 16, 2009 4:13 pm - 18 Comments
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  World Bank Goes Green? - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Sometimes something really good happens. The World Bank has withdrawn funding for the palm oil sector including the Wilmar company that supplies [PDF] palm kernel to Fonterra. The World Bank is not satisfied that the palm plantations they loaned to in parts of the developing world met acceptable standards for sustainability. Congratulations to the Forest [...] read more
  September 14, 2009 12:22 pm - 77 Comments
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  Minister mining for inspiration - by frog

  
  
  
  An avid frog reader has sent in this photo of the Minister of Energy and Resources, Gerry Brownlee, mining inspiration from a quality resource. read more
  September 14, 2009 9:09 am - 33 Comments
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  Sober Sunday reading - by frog

  
  
  
  Kim Knight at the Sunday Star Times provides welcome investigative journalism today in a story and major feature on the origin of the massive amount of palm kernel expeller (PKE) that New Zealand imports for supplementary feed on dairy farms. She writes: It looks like Armageddon. It’s just a palm plantation. Palm oil is a [...] read more
  August 23, 2009 10:32 am - 57 Comments
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  Sorry Sealions, it’s “too radical” to save you from extinction - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  DOC and Tim Groser’s excuse for dumping the Hookers Sealion population management plan that the plan is “too radical” and imposes costs is ridiculously lazy and stupid. The Bluegreens are clearly a complete greenwash – how disappointing. There was a moment or two when it looked like they might have been genuine in their commitment, [...] read more
  August 12, 2009 12:46 pm - 4 Comments
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  Topical Tropical Forests - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Today we are launching an e-card to support my Member’s bill that will regulate the import of illegal and unsustainable tropical timber and wood products. Please send one now to the Prime Minister. In additional to the e-card, next week we are working with visiting Papuan activists Paula Makabory who is speaking in Auckland, Wellington [...] read more
  August 7, 2009 10:32 am - 7 Comments
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  Dairy pollution in a protected Wild River - by frog

  
  
  
  The Fishing News reported last year that: The Mohaka River has to be the jewel in the crown of Hawkes Bay trout fisheries, yet the upper reaches of this magnificent river are in decline due mainly to intense dairy farming and the subsequent effluent run-off. One of its tributaries is the Taharua River, into which [...] read more
  August 4, 2009 7:30 am - 14 Comments
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  Recommended Sunday listening - by frog

  
  
  
  Some great listening and viewing this morning on NZ environmental issues. Podcasts and on-demand TV means those who slept in haven’t missed out – so enjoy. RadioNZ’s Insight doco at 8am was on carbon offsetting. Reporter Ian Telfer narrated a well-rounded look at the benefits and risks inherent in the largely-unregulated voluntary carbon market. Includes [...] read more
  July 26, 2009 12:15 pm - 23 Comments
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  Prince Charles, Kevin Rudd and frogs - by frog

  
  
  
  Check out this great little jam of HRH Prince Charles’ recent appeal to save the world’s rainforests (‘The Prince and the Frog’). It’s made by Tasmanian forest campaigners. To join in the campaign go here . read more
  July 22, 2009 3:50 pm - 14 Comments
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  The world’s most diverse seabird community needs you - by frog

  
  
  
  If ever there was an opportunity to protect a marine environment abundant in unique species, a growing tourism interest, and with minimal impact on fishing interests, this is it. The Subantarctic region is recognised as being of international significance. While the islands themselves enjoy considerable protection as nature reserves, little of the marine area surrounding [...] read more
  July 9, 2009 2:00 pm - 3 Comments
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  Organics industry growth in jeopardy - by Sue Kedgley

  
  
  
  In the 2005 cooperation agreement between the Green Party and the previous Labour-led government, we negotiated funding for an Organics Advisory Service (OAS). It included mentoring support for conversion to organics and peer support for organic farmers. Unfortunately, after three years of successful service to the organics sector, the modest $2.15 million funding has now [...] read more
  June 30, 2009 4:42 pm - 63 Comments
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  NIWA study backs Green New Deal planting & fencing - by frog

  
  
  
  Yesterday, Kevin Hague MP blogged on the voluntary efforts to improve water quality and water-way ecology in the Aorere catchment. And, the Greens continue to promote a Green New Deal stimulus measure to spread fencing and planting across the country, to create jobs and restore waterways at the same time. Today, the National Institute of [...] read more
  June 30, 2009 12:41 pm - No Comments
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  Aorere shows the way on water - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  On Friday I had the opportunity to attend a celebration of the Aorere Catchment Project in Golden Bay. When I had been presenting the Green New Deal in Takaka several local people had mentioned the project to me in tones of pride, so I jumped at the chance to attend the celebration. read more
  June 29, 2009 12:50 pm - 43 Comments
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  Whaling, redefining the verb - by frog

  
  
  
  The International Whaling Commission is meeting this week in Portugal. NZ is ably represented by former Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer and, according to news reports, he is “respectfully urging” Japan to lift its threat to hunt humpback whales in the Antarctic. The ODT reports he told the IWC: new evidence about the endangered status of [...] read more
  June 25, 2009 9:41 am - 5 Comments
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  Greenpeace’s new fishing video - by frog

  
  
  
  This new vid from Greenpeace features TV fishing personality and extreme stunt fisherman Matt Watson talks about fishing and sustainability, echoing what Metiria Turei wrote on World Oceans Day. read more
  June 23, 2009 3:03 pm - 2 Comments
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  Fair Trade Forests - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  This week in London, Chatham House are hosting the 14th conference in a series on illegal logging. With deforestation accounting for at least 20% of greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the loss of 137 plant, animal and insect species per day, action is urgently needed. Of equal, if not greater, concern is the ruthless [...] read more
  June 23, 2009 9:56 am - 5 Comments
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  Damning the tourism jewels - by frog

  
  
  
  The Greens continue to campaign alongside others for the Mokihinui River gorge in the Buller District to remain a wild and scenic free-flowing river. Meridian Energy has applied to the Councils and DOC for consents and concessions to dam the gorge. It’s on protected conservation land, and has historic artifacts such as the old pack [...] read more
  June 22, 2009 1:01 pm - 11 Comments
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  A bouquet to the Bay - by frog

  
  
  
  Hawke’s Bay has come up with a solution to one of the main sources of pollution in the scenic and popular Tukituki River. Two months ago I highlighted some photos of Tukituki algae blooms on the Baybuzz blog, noting that: The slime is associated with low flows due to over-allocation of the water during summer drought flows, [...] read more
  June 16, 2009 7:36 pm - 7 Comments
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  Procurement: which costs are saved? - by frog

  
  
  
  The Government has just announced it is to review and reform state sector procurement. The Government Procurement Reform Agenda is based around four key themes: ·         Cost savings. ·         Building procurement capability and capacity. ·         Enhanced business participation. ·         Improved governance, oversight and accountability. Cost savings:  just to the Government’s expenditure or also saving costs [...] read more
  June 11, 2009 11:55 am - 4 Comments
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  Forestry bullies seek to fell our Aussie Bob - by frog

  
  
  
  Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown may lose his seat if he doesn’t pay court costs of A$240,000 to Forestry Tasmania by the end of the month. The costs relate to a landmark Federal Court case that Bob took in 2006 against the state owned enterprise. He alleged that Forestry Tasmania were breaching Federal threatened [...] read more
  June 10, 2009 1:50 pm - 13 Comments
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  The summer of ’69 is still with us - by frog

  
  
  
  1969 – the year the PLO appointed Yasser Arafat leader; Vietnam protests were raging; Yoko and John were bedding-in again; Apollo 11 lands on the moon; Woodstock opened; the Beatles released Abbey Road; two computers were first networked; and capital punishment was abolished in the UK. The same year, an article by G R Fish* [...] read more
  May 22, 2009 3:14 pm - 12 Comments
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  Solid Energy: 100% Pure Greenwash - by frog

  
  
  
  You’d be forgiven for thinking Solid was in the business of environmental enhancement, with a bit of mining on the side! Alas, it’s an illusion. read more
  May 13, 2009 7:00 am - 10 Comments
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  The water crisis – a sequel - by frog

  
  
  
  Water pollution comes from other sources beside dairy (see post last night), so a broader solution is needed, than just best-practice and full compliance from the dairy industry. NZ also needs a basic standard for water quality that says all water must be swimmable, and if it isn’t at the moment, then it needs to [...] read more
  May 10, 2009 11:00 am - 57 Comments
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  Nice words, but where’s the action? - by frog

  
  
  
  The release of a Strategy for New Zealand Dairy Farming slipped quietly under the public’s radar this week, with few media picking it up. At the Strategy launch, the PM and Ag Minister David Carter mooed in the direction of the environment: the PM said, “It is important that farmers step up and take leadership [...] read more
  May 9, 2009 8:05 pm - 6 Comments
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  RMA Phase II: a Pandora’s box? - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Today, the Government announced its “work programmes” for Phase II of the reform of the New Zealand’s resource management laws… These reforms are opening too many Pandora’s boxes at once. Unless achieving better environmental outcomes becomes a key objective, they will simply facilitate the increased degradation of our water, land, coast and communities that are the very reasons we all love this country and which underpin the brand our export industries need. read more
  May 8, 2009 2:32 pm - 5 Comments