News

The tsunami risk for Gisborne is lower than estimated in previous reports but is still up there as one of the most at-risk areas in New Zealand, experts say.

The dunes west of Gisborne city would block a lot of a tsunami but there were city areas with a moderate to
high level of risk, such as along the riverside walkways, the logging terminals, the lower ends of Customhouse and Grey Streets, and the Waikanae campground.

Wainui properties would also be protected by the dunes, but some areas up and around stream outlets had a moderate to high level of risk.

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A charity whose business involves getting their hands dirty is to set up in Northland, having pulled millions of litres of rubbish from New Zealand seas.

Seacleaners charity founder Hayden Smith was in Whangarei last month to meet with sponsors, with a view to getting a full-time operation set up in Northland within the year.

Since forming in 2002, the trust has collected 27 million pieces - about 3.4 million litres - of rubbish, mainly from Auckland’s harbours, using community volunteers.

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The New Zealand Coastal Society has published Adapting to the consequences of climate change: Engaging with communities to assist coastal professionals, decision-makers and communities in preparing for sea-level rise and the associated effects of climate change.

The aim of this publication is to encourage the development of best practice in working with communities as they adapt to the consequences of climate change.

The publication includes examples of how local authorities are engaging with the public and working to create climate-smart communities. Some of this work includes considering when and how to engage with communities in planning processes, as well as how to make general and site-specific information, such as estimated sea-level rise, available in a way that supports better decision-making.

The publication is divided into three sections:

• Section 1 is an overview of the national landscape in addressing the consequences of climate change.
• Section 2 provides a discussion on engaging with communities on this issue.
• Section 3 looks at how Coastcare groups and communities are addressing climate change. The case studies were prepared in collaboration with the Coastal Restoration Trust.

Much of the information in this publication is based on presentations that were given at the 2015 Australasian Coasts and Ports conference that was held in Auckland last September.

For more information, images or to set up interviews, please contact editor Shelly Biswell at shelly@biswell.net or 021 985 843.

The New Zealand Coastal Society is an IPENZ technical group that was formed in 1992 to promote and advance knowledge and understanding of the coastal zone. It provides a forum for those with an interest in the coastal zone to communicate amongst themselves and to the public.

The government might meet any shortfall in public pledges to buy private land in the Abel Tasman National Park, Minister of Conservation Maggie Barry says.

The 7ha of beachfront land at Awaroa Inlet is the focus of a crowd-funding campaign, started by a small Christchurch property firm, which aims to buy the land and give it back to New Zealand.

If the project succeeded, free access to the land would be secured for the public in perpetuity, she said.

The campaign has a deadline of 15 February, and tenders close next week. The Givealittle project page will only pay the funds if they reach the $2 million target, and if the target is not reached, donors’ credit cards will not be charged.

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A new web-based resource to help people explore, monitor and restore our country’s estuaries is now available.

The resource has three interactive maps, which show places of interest as well as sites where management agencies and local estuary care groups are active.

The web pages are supported by resources for groups, schools and families. One of the maps illustrates opportunities to explore estuaries on foot, by bike and in kayaks. A social media page showcases what’s happening around the country and promotes the use of the #OurEstuaries hashtag.

Explore the web resource on www.doc.govt.nz/estuaries or email ourestuaries@doc.govt.nz to contribute to this living resource.

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