Latest news with #Visser


USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Olympic track and field standout Nadine Visser in images
Nadine Visser has been a significant part of the Netherlands' success in track and field events for over a decade, with the talented athlete earning accolades at world championships across Europe. While Visser fell short of an Olympic medal, her accomplishments in securing a spot on Team Netherlands at the Summer Games are just one more impressive mark on her resume. Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser Track and field star Nadine Visser


NZ Herald
16-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Northland orca expert: Reject Waipiro Bay marina fast-tracking
It would span the equivalent of about 17 rugby fields, with dredging up to 3m deep removing the equivalent of about 21,000 twenty tonne truckloads of seabed. Dredgings will be made into mudcrete to help reclaim the equivalent of about six rugby fields of the area for carparks and shops. The marina design notably includes 14 super-sized 50m boat berths, for which no potential price range has been indicated in economic reports supporting the application. The applicant's economist estimates 30m berths could sell for up to $1.2 million. A spokesperson for Heatley's Azuma Properties and Hopper's Hopper Developments said they were taking a cautious approach regarding wildlife impacts Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Bishop is considering whether to allow the developers to apply for fast-tracked consenting via an expert panel. A spokesperson for Bishop would not confirm a decision date, stating only that 'advice to inform a decision is expected shortly'. In response to Visser's orca concerns, Bishop's spokesperson said he was able to make an assessment based on feedback from a range of people including locals, the Minister for the Environment, other relevant ministers, local authorities and Māori groups. If referred, the developers can submit a more detailed application, which the spokesperson said would be subject to Environmental Protection Authority checks. Bishop's spokesperson said fast-tracking cut through the 'thicket of red and green tape and the jumble of approvals processes that has, until now held NZ back from much-needed economic growth while still protecting the environment'. Meanwhile the developers' spokesperson said the marina aimed to enhance boating access and services for the eastern Bay of Islands, while contributing to the local economy and community. 'We know how important it is to approach this kind of development with care - especially in a coastal environment like Waipiro Bay. 'Hoppers and Azuma are committed to responsible development and have a strong track record of delivering high-quality marine projects,' the spokesperson said. Visser has written to Bishop outlining her concerns, saying the marina should instead go through the standard Resource Management Act (RMA) process so community views can be properly considered. Her stance aligns with Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, who recently said the RMA allows people to have their say. Visser said the fast-track application 'underplayed' the long-term and irreversible environmental changes that would severely affect orcas and dolphins. She also challenged the application's claim that the marina would not adversely alter marine mammal habitats. Waipiro Bay marina could not be viewed in isolation from other coastal developments across NZ, she said. 'People think of it like it's just a single marina, but that's not the case.' Visser said orcas travelled 100–150 km a day along the coastline. 'They live as long as humans do. Think about how much coastal development we've seen in our lifetimes, and you'll understand what orca are facing. There's a cumulative impact.' Visser said the proposed Waipiro Bay marina would permanently destroy a nationally important area for NZ's fewer than 200 orca, which are ranked as 'nationally critical' — the Government's highest threat level. She said orca needed relatively undeveloped places to rest, socialise, raise young and feed. Developers are seeking the option of fast-track consenting to develop a $100 million-plus marina to the left of the yachts moored in the foreground Waipiro Bay. Waipiro Bay was one of those key places, making it significant in an increasingly crowded marine environment. Visser said the wider Bay of Islands, including Waipiro Bay, was declared a marine mammal sanctuary in November 2021. The sanctuary restricts human and boating interaction within 300 metres of marine mammals. Visser said the marina's public boat ramp would dramatically increase vessel traffic in Waipiro Bay and surrounding areas, raising the risk of harmful boat interactions including boat strike which she had already documented in the Bay of Islands. Dr Ingrid Visser's decades of work looing out for orcas was regonsied with a Kiwibank Local hero of the Year Award in 2024 However, the developers' spokesperson said orca pods successfully navigated Whangārei Harbour's Marsden Cove marina, another Hopper development. Orca often hunted stingray there, offering onlookers memorable experiences. 'Their presence and co-habitation is something we value,' the spokesperson said. The developers reiterated that Waipiro Bay marina was designed to be functional and beneficial to the local community and economy. ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

NZ Herald
16-07-2025
- Science
- NZ Herald
Northland orca expert Ingrid Visser co-authors global study on orcas sharing prey with people
Northland orca expert Ingrid Visser has co-authored a special study about orcas sharing food with humans. Photo / NZME Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen. Northland orca expert Ingrid Visser has co-authored a special study about orcas sharing food with humans. Photo / NZME Northland orca expert Ingrid Visser has been involved in a global study that shows killer whales attempting to share prey with people. The authors of the study found 34 instances of wild killer whales approaching humans and offering food including freshly acquired fishes, mammals and even invertebrates. The orcas were documented undertaking the unusual practice in four oceans for more than two decades. The whales approached people, dropped the item and awaited a response. Visser said these cases provide opportunities for orcas to practise learned cultural behaviour, explore or play and in so doing learn about and potentially develop relationships with people.


The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
Wanted man slips through the cracks
Wanted man slips through the cracks – again The fugitive wanted in connection with the disappearance of Sodwana Bay skipper John 'Matambu' Dercksen was reportedly apprehended for shoplifting – and let go after a court hearing. According to reports, the theft and subsequent arrest of Tomas Frederik 'Ferdie' Visser occurred in the Heidedal area of Bloemfontein on 17 March – one year and one day after Dercksen disappeared without trace. ALSO READ: R100k reward to catch fugitive linked to missing Sodwana skipper His hearing was held on 18 March; the charge was withdrawn and he was released. 'It was R151 for two packets of smoked Viennas and a tin of beans, so they didn't run his ID number, thinking it was just a petty theft,' said Cherie Eilertsen, Dercksen's sister. 'I'm encouraged that we now know where he is… And he's got to surface every two to three days to steal something to eat. 'I'm not focusing on the fact that they released him because there's a lot of good that's come from this; he's living rough, nobody's helping him, he's having to steal. 'We now need to bring him in.' Visser has been wanted in connection with Dercksen's disappearance in March last year. He was apprehended in Mozambique five days after Dercksen went missing, presumed murdered, but 'botched' extradition proceedings saw charges against him withdrawn. Although he was sent back to prison to see out the remainder of a previous sentence for which he had been parolled – and broken parole conditions – Visser managed to escape – while doing community service – from the Tonga Community Correction office in Mpumalanga at which he was being held. He has been on the run since, but a warrant of his arrest was issued earlier this year in connection with a sexual assault case in Nelspruit. An anonymous angler earlier this year posted a R100 000 reward for information leading to Visser's arrest. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The Citizen
14-07-2025
- The Citizen
Missing Sodwana Bay skipper: Family receives reports of suspect spotted in Bloemfontein
The fugitive wanted in connection with the disappearance of Sodwana Bay skipper John 'Matambu' Dercksen was reportedly apprehended for shoplifting in Bloemfontein – and let go after a court hearing. The Zululand Observer reports that according to information, Tomas Frederik 'Ferdie' Visser was allegedly arrested for shoplifting in the Heidedal area of Bloemfontein on March 17 – one year and one day after Dercksen disappeared without trace. Dercksen was last seen in the company of Visser when the latter chartered Dercksen's boat in Sodwana Bay. He has since disappeared without a trace and his boat was later found, destroyed by a fire, in Mozambique. ALSO READ: R100k reward to catch fugitive linked to missing Sodwana skipper Visser's hearing in Bloemfontein was reportedly held on March 18, the charge was withdrawn and he was released. 'It was R151 for two packets of smoked Viennas and a tin of beans, so they didn't run his ID number, thinking it was just a petty theft,' said Cherie Eilertsen, Dercksen's sister. 'I'm encouraged that we now know where he is… And he's got to surface every two to three days to steal something to eat. 'I'm not focusing on the fact that they released him because there's a lot of good that's come from this; he's living rough, nobody's helping him, he's having to steal. 'We now need to bring him in.' Visser has been wanted in connection with Dercksen's disappearance in March last year. He was apprehended in Mozambique two months after Dercksen went missing, presumed murdered, but 'botched' extradition proceedings saw charges against him withdrawn. Although he was sent back to prison to see out the remainder of a previous sentence for which he had been out on parole (and broken parole conditions), Visser managed to escape from the correctional facility in Mbombela at which he was being held while doing community service. He has been on the run since. A warrant of his arrest was also issued earlier this year in connection with a sexual assault case in Mbombela. An anonymous angler earlier this year posted a R100 000 reward for information leading to Visser's arrest. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!