The World Society of Protection of Animals programme and media manager Bridget Vercoe talks to Pippa Brown after spending five days in Samoa leading a relief mission to assist the animals affected by last week’s tsunami.
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/relief-mission-tells-of-animal-tragedy-in-tsunami-ravaged-samoa/
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Rare kokako settle back in the Waitakere rain forest after 50 years
The haunting melody of the once endangered kokako, or blue wattled crow returns to Aucklands Waitakere ranges. Pippa Brown looks at what it means to the manawhenua to have these beautiful birds back.
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/09/rare-kokako-back-in-the-waitakere-rain-forest-after-50-years/
http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/09/rare-kokako-back-in-the-waitakere-rain-forest-after-50-years/
Atenisi University's new Pacific programme challenges 'outsider' history
A new Pacific programme is set to change traditional colonial perspectives and encourage Pacific Island students to rewrite their own history. Pippa Brown speaks to Pacific Studies Researcher Dr Opeti Taliai.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-pacific-programme-to-challenge.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-pacific-programme-to-challenge.html
Operation Grapple nuclear test victim frustrated at governments lack of action
Cook Islander Tau Grieg shares her story with Pippa Brown of her fight to be recognised as a victim of nuclear radiation in the 1950's. They hope this month’s granting of the right to sue over British nuclear testing in the Pacific will be the turning point in their private battle to succeed.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/couple-in-lonely-fight-against-pacific.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/couple-in-lonely-fight-against-pacific.html
Up to 5,000 non-resident New Zealand children may be missing out on school
Thousands of Pacific children may be missing out on education in New Zealand because their parents are overstayers, says a Pasifika school trustee spokesperson. Pippa Brown talks to Ben Taufua.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/thousands-of-pacific-children-miss-out.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/thousands-of-pacific-children-miss-out.html
Kalafi Moala explores Tongan democracy
Kalafi Moala explores Tonga's desire to move the country into the future while keeping hold of it's unique Tonganness established over 3,000 years ago. Pippa Brown reviews the discussion.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/moala-explores-tongan-democracy-and.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/moala-explores-tongan-democracy-and.html
Tributes flow for Dr Ron Crocombe
Pippa Brown attends the Auckland memorial service of “Papa Ron” the father of Pacific Studies.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/tributes-farewell-father-of-pacific.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/06/tributes-farewell-father-of-pacific.html
Cockle population death thought to be due to global warming issues.
Pippa Brown attends an environmental photography exhibition at Auckland Zoo’s Old Elephant House and finds 80 per cent of the cockle population died at Whangateau Harbour earlier this year.
Keeping eyes on precious Whangateau Harbour
The Whangateau Harbour, known for its abundant marine life and inter-tidal environment, is recognised as the least spoiled mainland estuary in the Auckland region.
Its uniqueness extends both above and below the water. Dr Grace equates it to how other estuaries in the Auckland area must have been in pre-human times.
The clarity of the water is mainly due to the abundance of cockles.
“If the cockles die there won’t be as many to filter the water,” says Dr Grace, who is also a Whangateau HarbourCare Group member and Greenpeace photographer.
He attributes their sudden decline to “another of those climate change things”.
The combination of low tides at midday and very hot conditions happened twice this year in January and February and “although the event is not unusual in itself, frequency is a factor”, he say.
High temperatures probably played a major part, but a toxin or parasite could also be involved, says Dr Grace.
“This would weaken the cockle beds and make them less likely to cope with high temperatures,” he says.
The quality of water is due to other factors too. The catchment area surrounding the harbour is small and residential areas of Omaha and Point Wells have been kept to sandy low-lying areas where runoff is filtered through the sand.
“It is important not to develop higher ground,” says Dr Grace. There is an increased danger the amount of silt going into the harbour will increase when surrounding forestry is harvested.
Despite losing 80 per cent of the cockle population this year, Dr Grace thinks the quality of the estuary water is better than the rest of Auckland.
The water leaving the harbour can be clearer than that coming in from the open sea, he says.
“Visibility can be up to 15m in the harbour. It is a snorkeller’s paradise in the right conditions,” he says.
The Whangateau HarbourCare Group hopes to either promote the area around Shoe Island for a marine reserve or extend the area west from the already protected Kahikatea forest into a scientific research area.
Both would achieve the same thing, he says.
They hope a shellfish ban will prevent further depletion of cockle stock.
The group wants a proper management plan in place to stop further degradation of the estuary and has put together a 10-point protection plan for the harbour.
Keeping eyes on precious Whangateau Harbour
Photo: Pippa Brown. Photographer Dr Roger Grace stands next to Wavelets in mangrove seedlings taken in a few cm of water in the setting sun of Whangateau Harbour.
The death of 80 per cent of the cockle population at Whangateau Harbour early this year is threatening the harbour itself, says marine biologist Dr Roger Grace.
This week, Auckland Zoo is holding a photography exhibition, Eyes on Whangateau Harbour, to coincide with World Environment Day on June 5.
The Whangateau Harbour, known for its abundant marine life and inter-tidal environment, is recognised as the least spoiled mainland estuary in the Auckland region.
Its uniqueness extends both above and below the water. Dr Grace equates it to how other estuaries in the Auckland area must have been in pre-human times.
The clarity of the water is mainly due to the abundance of cockles.
“If the cockles die there won’t be as many to filter the water,” says Dr Grace, who is also a Whangateau HarbourCare Group member and Greenpeace photographer.
He attributes their sudden decline to “another of those climate change things”.
Photo: Pippa Brown. Photographer Dr Roger Grace with flounder.
The combination of low tides at midday and very hot conditions happened twice this year in January and February and “although the event is not unusual in itself, frequency is a factor”, he say.
High temperatures probably played a major part, but a toxin or parasite could also be involved, says Dr Grace.
“This would weaken the cockle beds and make them less likely to cope with high temperatures,” he says.
The quality of water is due to other factors too. The catchment area surrounding the harbour is small and residential areas of Omaha and Point Wells have been kept to sandy low-lying areas where runoff is filtered through the sand.
“It is important not to develop higher ground,” says Dr Grace. There is an increased danger the amount of silt going into the harbour will increase when surrounding forestry is harvested.
Despite losing 80 per cent of the cockle population this year, Dr Grace thinks the quality of the estuary water is better than the rest of Auckland.
The water leaving the harbour can be clearer than that coming in from the open sea, he says.
“Visibility can be up to 15m in the harbour. It is a snorkeller’s paradise in the right conditions,” he says.
The Whangateau HarbourCare Group hopes to either promote the area around Shoe Island for a marine reserve or extend the area west from the already protected Kahikatea forest into a scientific research area.
Both would achieve the same thing, he says.
They hope a shellfish ban will prevent further depletion of cockle stock.
The group wants a proper management plan in place to stop further degradation of the estuary and has put together a 10-point protection plan for the harbour.
By Pippa Brown ⋅ June 4, 2009 ⋅
Public watchdog Penny Bright fights for Auckland's rights
Pippa Brown attends a local meeting where residents say the National government's idea of an Auckland Super City has been rail roaded through.
Super City a ‘bigger public trough for bigger public snouts’
Caption: Public watchdog Penny Bright with MP John Carter at Ellerslie War Memorial Hall.
Auckland’s report on local governance is “fundamentally flawed”, says water pressure group media spokesperson Penny Bright.
Bright told a meeting of Auckland residents there had never been a cost-benefit analysis of either the Super City or proposed council-controlled organisation model.
Around 80 people attended the public meeting at Ellerslie War Memorial Hall, one of a series held by the Government, to share views on the proposed changes to councils and the planned Super City.
The council-controlled organisation model is undemocratic because the board is selected not elected, says Bright.
The public cannot go to meetings and they have no say on its statement of intent, she says.
Bright says the report recommends $28 billion of Aucklanders’ assets be transferred.
She calls it a “corporate coup and asset grab”.
“The Super City is a bigger public trough for bigger public snouts,” says Bright. She is concerned smaller contractors will be replaced by big multinational companies.
She wants more transparency in the process as well as the details of public contracts to be available for public scrutiny.
Associate Minister of Local Government John Carter and National MP Peseta Sam Lotu-liga were at the meeting.
“It is not the intention of this Government to interfere with the assets of Auckland,” says Carter.
He agrees that more work needs to be done on the council-controlled organisation model. Carter says the speed of the process is to give a level of certainty.
“We do think there has been sufficient time to consult and do things properly,” he says.
Ellerslie resident 80-year-old Robin Gray spoke on behalf of many of the people at the meeting.
“People of Auckland have been robbed of their democratic right to vote.
“People should have their final say,” he said.
Earlier this month the Green Party released a statement saying although the Government had no plans to privatise water it was not ruling out local councils doing that.
The Government has adopted the Royal Commission’s recommendations for the Auckland council of one unitary authority and one plan, and this first-stage bill was passed under urgency in May.
The current series of meetings is being held to understand what the people of Auckland want in the makeup of the Auckland council and local boards supporting it.
The Government has proposed a structure for the Auckland Council with 12 councillors elected from wards and eight elected at large, supported by up to 30 local boards.
It is asking the public to send submissions for the second bill to go through a select committee by September.
A further and final bill is to be introduced into Parliament later this year before the local body elections in 2010.
By Pippa Brown ⋅ May 28, 2009 ⋅
Cannabus gets a hit on Auckland's Queen Street
Pippa Brown meets two staunch cannabis campaigners who say they have been victimised.
http://www.tewahanui.info/wordpress2/?p=1549
http://www.tewahanui.info/wordpress2/?p=1549
Fiji digs its heels in and refuses to be bullied by Pacific neighbours
Fiji supporters say Fiji is doing well and New Zealand and Australia are threatened and deliberately acting to keep Fiji subservient in an effort to sabotage Bainimarama’s ideals. Pippa Brown looks at support for Fiji's regime and how New Zealand and Australia's stance is altering power in the region.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/05/europe-cancels-sugar-grant-fiji-regime.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/05/europe-cancels-sugar-grant-fiji-regime.html
Fiji facing increasing isolation
Fiji's military regime tightens its grip after being suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum and continues to head into a political and economic hole. Pippa Brown looks at Fiji's increasing isolation.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/05/fiji-regime-tightens-grip-plans-own.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/05/fiji-regime-tightens-grip-plans-own.html
Polyfest 2009
Pippa Brown explores the Pacific's biggest Polynesian festival in Auckland.
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/03/healthy-eating-message-in-for-next.html
http://pacificmediacentre.blogspot.com/2009/03/healthy-eating-message-in-for-next.html
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