News & Events

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.

Read the full story.

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.

Read the full story.

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.

Johannes is studying for an MSc in conservation biology at the School of Biological Sciences at Victoria University, Wellington. He is studying the ecology, breeding biology and conservation status of the South Georgian Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides georgicus). The South Georgian Diving Petrel is listed as nationally critical and is the sole Procellariiformid seabird in New Zealand that only breeds in sand dunes. If that is not enough to spike your interest; it might also be an undescribed, cryptic species!

The only extant population of South Georgian Diving Petrels in New Zealand is located at Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), off Stewart Island. Invasive predators have been removed from Codfish Island more than a decade ago, but the population does not appear to be increasing in size. Vegetation encroachment and erosion have been put forward as potential hypotheses for the lack of population growth. Therefore, the focus of the study is to assess the nest site selection of South Georgian Diving Petrels at Codfish Island. Habitat selection is an important part of ecological research. Understanding if and why species prefer certain habitats and avoid others is crucial to successful conservation management. Through this research dune management may be implemented specifically to aid the South Georgian Diving Petrels on Codfish Island.

Stay tuned for further updates from Johannes.

Every two years, the National Wetland Trust organises a gathering of community groups, landowners, iwi, scientists, wetland managers and students who are interested in sharing and learning about wetland restoration. Usually spread over three days, the symposia include field trips, practical training opportunities, soapbox sessions and presentations from a wide range of enthusiasts and professionals.

Check out the website for the proceedings of this year’s conference, some of which have a coastal theme.