Water Quality

Survey - recreational users of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai (it's only a few minutes of your time)

What's in the water ? Lincoln University is undertaking a survey of recreational users of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai.
We’d like you to tell us what you think and know about water quality, and how it affects your recreational activity.
We’d appreciate your contribution to our survey. Take part in the survey (5-8 minutes)
This research has been reviewed and approved by the Lincoln University Human Ethics Committee.
For any further information contact:
Dr Ronlyn Duncan: Ronlyn.Duncan@lincoln.ac.nz, Tel: 325 3838 Ext: 8105
http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/waterquality

Actions and Advice on Aquaculture

Yachting New Zealand has received a lot of feedback from our recent position paper on aquaculture. It is great that while publicising the issues and our position on this subject that we are also raising awareness.

YNZ encourage clubs to get in contact with their regional council to see how they can have input in to the process. This could be done in a number of ways including suggesting changes to the Regional Coastal Plan, being added to the Interested Parties list for new applications, or making submissions on applications in your area.

What's in the water? A survey of recreational users of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai

You are invited to participate in the project by completing this electronic questionnaire.
The aim of the project is to take a snapshot of the following-
What do recreational users (e.g. wind surfers, walkers, shell fish collectors) of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai know about microbiological water pollution
What factors influence their decisions about water quality to undertake recreational activity
To what extent do recreationists utilise information provided by sources such as the regional council and recreation clubs.
As a recreational user of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai (the Estuary) over the age of 16 years, participation in this project will involve the completion of this online survey that should not take any longer than 10-15 minutes.
More details and survey

Rena disaster - what can you do to help?

Anyone wishing to help the oil recovery effort or report oil should contact 0800 645 774.
Maritime New Zealand are urging people stay off local beaches, saying those ''playing with oil'' and attempting to clean it up are hampering the official Rena response team. Sightings of any affected wildlife should be reported it to 0800 333 771.

Rena New Zealand's worst maritime environmental disaster

Environment Minister Nick Smith has labelled the Rena New Zealand's worst maritime environmental disaster, with oil expected to wash-up on shores for months to come. Since Rena ran aground on Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga last Wednesday, an estimated 350 tonnes of heavy fuel oil has leaked from its ruptured hull into the Bay of the Plenty. More than 1300 tonnes and 200 tonnes of diesel is still on board. Fears the ship would break up and its 1368 containers fall in to the sea have been growing as bad weather continues.

12 million dollars to clean up Lake Ellesmere, New Zealand's most polluted lake.

Almost $12 million was committed yesterday by the Government, Environment Canterbury (ECan), Fonterra and Ngai Tahu, to be spent on measures including native planting, fencing and scientific research. Speaking yesterday at the tiny Ngati Moki Marae near Ellesmere's edge, Environment Minister Nick Smith said the focus would be on reducing nutrients from agricultural runoff, which would require a tougher approach on rogue farmers. Some lakeside land would have to be bought, he said.

Wellington windsurfing locations among those that exceeded national recreational water quality guideline.

In most places and on most days, our region's beaches and rivers were fine for swimming last summer, Greater Wellington's recreational water quality monitoring report for 2010/11 On the Beaches shows.

However, two coastal sites in Porirua exceeded the national recreational water quality guideline repeatedly, and in most cases rainfall was not a contributing factor. "Most sites only exceed guidelines after heavy rain as it washes contaminants from agricultural and urban areas into our waterways," says Greater Wellington Senior Environmental Scientist Summer Warr.

Document your windsurfing places - Tiakinga Ngā Taonga - Protect the Treasure

Let's face it, without our favourite windsurfing places where would our sport be? Certainly our Christchurch friends will be feeling the pain at present. This project http://livingwatersdoco.co.nz documents the use, importance and dynamics of Porirua Harbour and demonstrate how integral the area is to local lives. Why not do the same with your area?

River and lake recreation research workshop - feedback wanted

We need feedback on issues around windsurfing on lakes and rivers - we're aware of some issues that have arisen but would like to hear them all, so please contact us with any feedback . More ...

YNZ Submissions on Aquaculture published

In Briefings newsletter around Christmas time we drew your attention to the matter of Aquaculture Legislation Amendment Bill (No 3) in front of parliament at the time, with public submissions due earlier this month. Yachting New Zealand’s concern is to protect New Zealand’s Coastal areas from being overrun by aquaculture which could potentially inhibit access to cruising and recreational waters enjoyed by generations of kiwi boaties and yachties.