Latest news with #NigelBowen
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Collaborative restoration recognised
A restoration strategy at a local lagoon has scooped a prestigious award. Our Waitarakao: Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment Strategy was honoured with the Air New Zealand Supersteward — Tū Tiaki Award at the Local Government Excellence Awards. The award celebrated local government projects that protect and enhance the natural environment through long-term thinking, strong partnerships and actions that uphold the wellbeing of land, water and people. The project was a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury), Timaru District Council and the Department of Conservation, working closely with the community to restore the mauri (or wellbeing) of Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon and catchment for everyone. The strategy was shaped through extensive engagement with the community. It is being brought to life through actions such as predator control, beach cleanups, stream restoration, native planting, fish sampling and water quality monitoring. In a statement, project partners were said to be thrilled with the recognition. Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen said it was a great result. "It shows what can be achieved through collaboration between councils, government agencies, rūnanga and the community. "The community really got in behind this strategy, and taking care of the area with agencies as we developed the strategy. "From cleanup days to providing new pathways to the area, it was this collaboration that made it such a success." Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua chairwoman Fiona Pimm said: "Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua are pleased to see the efforts and passion of many different interests come together to protect Waitarakao". "This is a special place with historic significance to our Arowhenua whānau and more recently a place of significance to Timaru settlers. "It is a place where we share common values for protection of our environment." Department of Conservation Eastern South Island operations director Jo Macpherson said the strategy had set the benchmark for truly collaborative ecological restoration projects with treaty partners, agencies and the community working together. "It's fantastic to see these efforts recognised. "This is a really significant ecosystem and culturally significant site, but it's in poor shape so it's vital we all work together for the health of the lagoon." Awards judges described the strategy as an "outstanding community effort built on strong partnerships and purpose" and a "huge strategic piece of forward planning". Judges commended the long-term ecological vision, and the role the council played in enabling collaboration across iwi, Doc, council and locals. Judges also said the strategy was a model that others could learn from and replicate, and it had all the features of a high-quality partnership that could deliver enduring solutions. Project work and community-led restoration was now taking place in the catchment and people can find out more at — APL
Scoop
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Earthmovers Start Setting The Stage For Theatre Upgrade
Press Release – Timaru District Council Local company Paul Smith Earthmoving will start work this week to demolish the structures that are being upgraded and replaced in preparation for the earthworks required to build the laneway and museum. Contractors move onto site this week to set the stage for the project to restore Timaru's Theatre Royal. Local company Paul Smith Earthmoving will start work this week to demolish the structures that are being upgraded and replaced in preparation for the earthworks required to build the laneway and museum. Mayor Nigel Bowen said that it was good to see the physical works kick off on the project to bring new life back to more than 100 year old theatre. 'We've been too long without a theatre and have missed out on so many events and shows coming to town, so it's fantastic to see this transformational project kick off. 'It wasn't great to see all the things we've missed out on the past few years for the lack of a good venue to host them. 'The recent Six60 Grassroots tour was in theatres of our size in provincial towns throughout the country, we've not had a visit from the 7 Days crew in years, and everyone misses the major shows from the Drama League after the amazing Beauty and the Beast in 2018. 'Carols by Candlelight always filled the auditorium with light and song, proud parents shared their kids' achievements at the ARA graduation, and I think nearly every kid in the district has been on stage with Jump Jam over the years. 'The comedian Bill Bailey is playing in Oamaru in November, which could have easily been in Timaru, and Jimmy Carr is playing an 11-stop tour of NZ in places of similar size to us. The lack of a large Theatre has meant we've not even been in the running for this kind of show. 'The project isn't just to breathe life back into the theatre and bring it back to what it was. 'It's to modernise the venue and put an operating model in place to aggressively market the venue and bring shows to Timaru, so we can all benefit from the cultural and economic boost that brings.' Project Director Paul Haggath of TEAM Projects Advisory said that the commencement of the demolition works is a major milestone for the Theatre and Museum redevelopment. 'It has taken a lot of hard work from the whole project team to reshape the project to a point where we can now start the physical works, and it is great to see the project now moving forwards with pace,' he said. Murray Beeby, Projects Manager for Paul Smith Earthmoving, said: 'Paul Smith Earthmoving is delighted to be involved in this exciting project. 'We have watched its progress over the past few years and relish the opportunity to play our part in the redevelopment of what will be a central focus point for the Timaru community.' The demolition work takes place from July through to early September, the next stage of the project is the civil and earthworks, which will be kicking off immediately thereafter. A project hub for the theatre, which will offer the latest designs and behind the scenes information from the project, will be launched soon on the Timaru District Council website.
Scoop
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Earthmovers Start Setting The Stage For Theatre Upgrade
Contractors move onto site this week to set the stage for the project to restore Timaru's Theatre Royal. Local company Paul Smith Earthmoving will start work this week to demolish the structures that are being upgraded and replaced in preparation for the earthworks required to build the laneway and museum. Mayor Nigel Bowen said that it was good to see the physical works kick off on the project to bring new life back to more than 100 year old theatre. 'We've been too long without a theatre and have missed out on so many events and shows coming to town, so it's fantastic to see this transformational project kick off. 'It wasn't great to see all the things we've missed out on the past few years for the lack of a good venue to host them. 'The recent Six60 Grassroots tour was in theatres of our size in provincial towns throughout the country, we've not had a visit from the 7 Days crew in years, and everyone misses the major shows from the Drama League after the amazing Beauty and the Beast in 2018. 'Carols by Candlelight always filled the auditorium with light and song, proud parents shared their kids' achievements at the ARA graduation, and I think nearly every kid in the district has been on stage with Jump Jam over the years. 'The comedian Bill Bailey is playing in Oamaru in November, which could have easily been in Timaru, and Jimmy Carr is playing an 11-stop tour of NZ in places of similar size to us. The lack of a large Theatre has meant we've not even been in the running for this kind of show. 'The project isn't just to breathe life back into the theatre and bring it back to what it was. 'It's to modernise the venue and put an operating model in place to aggressively market the venue and bring shows to Timaru, so we can all benefit from the cultural and economic boost that brings.' Project Director Paul Haggath of TEAM Projects Advisory said that the commencement of the demolition works is a major milestone for the Theatre and Museum redevelopment. 'It has taken a lot of hard work from the whole project team to reshape the project to a point where we can now start the physical works, and it is great to see the project now moving forwards with pace,' he said. Murray Beeby, Projects Manager for Paul Smith Earthmoving, said: 'Paul Smith Earthmoving is delighted to be involved in this exciting project. 'We have watched its progress over the past few years and relish the opportunity to play our part in the redevelopment of what will be a central focus point for the Timaru community.' The demolition work takes place from July through to early September, the next stage of the project is the civil and earthworks, which will be kicking off immediately thereafter. A project hub for the theatre, which will offer the latest designs and behind the scenes information from the project, will be launched soon on the Timaru District Council website.
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
NIWA Study On Native Forest Likely To Influence Carbon Policy
A recent study of carbon storage in native forests could affect the efforts of Canterbury's mayors to address climate change. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (Niwa) recently completed a study of native forests and found they could be absorbing more carbon dioxide than previously thought. The Canterbury Mayoral Forum, which brings together the region's mayors, and Environment Canterbury (ECan) have been working to address climate change, with the forum launching the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan in December. While more research is needed, ECan said initial indications were indigenous forests and some grazed pasture areas in the South Island could be effective at absorbing carbon. ''The recent Niwa-led study is an exciting development in the way we look at carbon in the atmosphere and the types of ecosystems that absorb carbon,'' an ECan spokesperson said. ECan adopted its own climate action plan last year and is reviewing its forest management strategies to address climate risks and and carbon opportunities. ''We have backed native planting and restoration of ecosystems on marginal farmland as it supports climate resilience, biodiversity and water quality goals,'' the ECan spokesperson said. ''We keep up to date with research like this and take it into consideration as our plans and policies are reviewed and updated. Canterbury Mayoral Forum chairperson Nigel Bowen said the research findings are timely as the forum continues to address climate change. ''We know that we need to work with nature to address the dual climate and biodiversity challenges we face. ''We recognise the importance of our native forests and the multiple benefits that native vegetation provides, including absorbing greenhouse gas emissions and improving indigenous biodiversity.'' But Mr Bowen said while absorbing greenhouse gas emissions will help the help the country meet its international emissions reduction targets, reducing emissions at source remained the priority. Niwa atmospheric scientist Dr Beata Bukosa said both native and exotic forests played a vital role in absorbing carbon through photosynthesis, but previous studies may have underestimated the amount of carbon taken up by native forests. Using advanced modelling and Niwa's supercomputer, the researchers examined a decade of atmospheric data, from 2011 to 2020. ''It was thought that some areas and land use types were in a near-balance state with the absorption and release of carbon,'' Dr Bukosa said. ''Earlier estimates of how much carbon was removed by New Zealand land ecosystems ranged from a net 24 to 118 million tonnes a year. ''Our research found that New Zealand's natural environment absorbed around 171 million tonnes of carbon annually.''
RNZ News
15-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Decision time for councils on water
Councils are running out of time to decide the future model of their water services, which need tens of billions of dollars of investment over the coming decades. Rates are to set to rise steeply in some places to meet the cost. But the new model is also to enable more long-term borrowing by new entities that are to be established. By September 3, councils must opt for and outline a financially sustainable model of how their drinking, waste and stormwater services will be delivered. Of the 66 councils, 45 have chosen to combine, with 18 councils keeping their water serices in house and three are going alone with council-controlled organisations. Nick Davis is a public policy expert and partner at Martin Jenkins and he speaks to Kathryn about the movements of councils all around the country. Kathryn also speaks to Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate and Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen about the decisions their councils are making.
