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The annual Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards recognise the many worthwhile projects and activities that benefit the Taranaki environment.
Awards are presented for outstanding environmental projects in three categories:
- Industrial/local authority – for innovative approach or efficiency in resource utilisation, or for sound environmental performance.
- Agricultural – for sustainable farm management practices.
- Individual/school/community group – for environmental protection or enhancement, pollution control action, or environmental education initiatives.
Nominations for the 2009 close on 31 March 2009.
Click here for nomination form; or contact the Taranaki Regional Council
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2008 Environment Award winners
The 2008 awards were announced on 20 May 2008.
Business/local authority:
Furlong Motor Inn
Energy efficiency and waste minimisation initiatives have significantly reduced power and rubbish disposal bills at the Furlong Motor Inn, Hawera.
A Taranaki Regional Council waste and energy assessment was carried out in June 2007.
With the introduction of a waste reduction and recycling system 1400-1800 litres of material is now recycled each week and the amount of waste sent to landfill has been reduced by more than 50% to 1200-1600 litres per week.
Glass plastics, tins and cardboard are taken to the Hawera Transfer Station for recycling; food scraps are separated and collected by a pig farmer; used cooking oil is collected for another beneficial use; and green waste is composted.
Energy saving practices include: insulation of hot water pipes; lights turned off when not in use; energy saver light bulbs installed; large gas-fired drier only used at full capacity; electronic equipment turned off at the wall and not left on standby; and computers are set to power saver mode.
Bar and restaurant areas have been reduced to make more efficient use of space heating, lighting and bar equipment. Chiller areas have been subdivided to reduce the space that is refrigerated.
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Pukekura Park Tearooms
Management of the Pukekura Park Tearooms is committed to energy efficiency and waste minimisation in all areas of their business operation.
A Taranaki Regional Council waste and energy assessment was carried out in January 2007.
Each week approximately 960 litres of cardboard and mixed recyclables (cans, milk containers etc) are taken to the New Plymouth Transfer Station. And approximately 50 litres of food waste are separated for collection.
Now only 480 litres of waste goes to landfill each week – around a third of the volume of rubbish they had before beginning recycling.
They have also undertaken a range of energy efficiency practices including: using energy saving bulbs and reducing unnecessary lighting during opening hours; turning off lights and microwaves at the end of the day; and improving maintenance to increase the efficiency of a refrigerated cabinet. Insulation of the building was improved in a recent building upgrade by the owners NPDC.
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Ugly Duck Restuaurant
A Taranaki Regional Council waste and energy assessment was carried out at the Ugly Duck, Fitzroy, in November 2006.
Prior to the assessment some energy efficiency measures were already in place, food waste and cooking oils were being collected for beneficial reuse and recycling was being considered.
Many other waste minimisation and energy efficiency initiatives are now well established: Separation and recycling of cardboard, glass, plastic containers and cans; the collection of food waste by a pig farmer; and reuse of cooking oil has halved the volume of waste sent to landfill from 3,000 litres to 1500 litres per week.
Energy efficient practices include turning off lights in areas not used; use of energy saver bulbs; and turning off one computer. Unfortunately some electronic devices such as microwaves and televisions were left on standby overnight as wall plugs are difficult to access.
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Bella Vita Restaurant
A Taranaki Regional Council waste and energy assessment was carried out in October 2006 at the Bella Vita in New Plymouth.
Prior to the assessment some energy efficiency measures were already in place, food waste was being separated and some recycling was being done.
Since then a general recycling system has been put in place with a significant reduction in waste going to landfill.
Glass, plastic containers, cans and cardboard are separated into 240L bins for weekly collection; 20L cleaning containers are returned to the supplier for refilling; and scrap metal is stockpiled and taken to the transfer station; and food waste is collected by a pig farmer.
The residual rubbish volume is down by at least 75% from 960L a week to between a half and one 240L bin a week. Energy efficient practices include using energy saver bulbs and turning lights off in areas when not needed; turning appliances off at the wall; putting glass covers on tables to reduce laundering; and maintaining refrigerators to improve efficiency.
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Vector Kapuni
Staff introduced two initiatives (5S and Green Task Force) to reduce the environmental footprint of Vector’s office activities. Approximately 25 staff work in the main office area.
5S is designed to maintain basic discipline and order in the workplace through five basic principles: clearing and sorting; scrubbing/cleaning; storing correctly; standardisation to identify acceptable practice; and sustaining the new standards attained.
This means less stock and supplies are required on site which produces less waste and less environmental impact. Items identified as excess to requirements are offered for reuse to staff.
The Green Task Force was formed to promote environmental sustainability and to integrate environmental practices into daily work practices. The taskforce carried out an audit of Vector’s environmental impact in relation to waste output, recycling and energy consumption.
They then looked to implement initiatives in the areas identified for improvement and invited the Council Waste Minimisation Officer to meet with them. They include waste reduction initiatives (paper, cardboard and other rcyclables) and energy efficiency opportunities such as vehicle type and fuel usage; car pooling; reducing use of electrical appliances; and heating and insulation.
There has been a reduction in the printing of some documents; printers are set to double siding and recycling bins are available to all staff. The number of waste bins has also been reduced. The amount of paper used has reduced by around 50%.
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Agricultural:
John and Barbara Sextus
John Sextus has carried out contribute considerable time, effort and expense to ensure the protection and improvement of the 4.8 hectare Toko Wetland on his property.
The regionally significant wetland, located in a tributary of the Patea River, contains a variety of aquatic plants and is a valuable habitat for rare and endangered birds, including the spotless crake and dabchick.
In 2004 John agreed to participate in a field trial on the viability of pest control to protect areas of regionally significant indigenous biodiversity. John was trained to use mustelid, possum and rat traps, and cat capture cages.
Up to January 2008 John had carried out 1200 trap nights, with 169 predators destroyed, including feral cats, ferrets, stoats and weasels.
The riparian margins have been maintained and further planting carried out. John has assisted Taranaki Regional Council officers with night shooting operations to destroy more than 160 hares, more than 100 rabbits, and feral cats in the area.
Council has reached agreement with John and Barbara on a Memorandum of Encumbrance to protect the area.
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Cam and Sarah Collier
Cam and Sarah Collier are committed to an ongoing programme of sustainable land management on their sheep and beef enterprise near Lake Rotorangi, east of Eltham.
The land use and farm management practices have been matched to the potential of the different areas of their property.
The property has a long history of sustainable land management with Cam and Sarah implementing their Taranaki Regional Council Comprehensive Farm Plan and continuing the work Cam’s father began in the early 1970s.
Sixty five percent of the property consists of highly erosion prone LUC class 7 land, of which 480ha of exotic forestry has been established as a more sustainable landuse. Approximately 200ha of this is in a joint venture.
A regular soil conservation planting programme has been undertaken on the more productive hill country, with poplar poles planted on the lower slopes for soil conservation and along tracks to maintain access to the back of the farm. Between 50 to 150 poles have been planted every year for the past 20years.
A 222.9-hectare block of near pristine lowland, podocarp/hardwood native forest has been protected with a Queen Elizabeth II covenant since 1978. This block receives annual animal pest control for possums and goats in conjunction with the Forest and Bird Society.
A further 10 hectares have been enhanced with amenity plantings, blackwood establishment, wetland retirement and riparian planting, and shelterbelt establishment.
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Howe Family Trust
Since 1984, when they purchased the original 739-hectare farm, Bob and June Howe have been committed to sustainable land management on their Uruti property.
The property has active deep-seated earthflow and slump erosion and when purchased had very few trees apart from 104 hectares of native bush and sediment from erosion was flowing into waterways.
The property is 844 hectares (653ha effective) and runs 5700 livestock units (55% sheep and 45% cattle). The Howe Family Trust now owns 739 hectares, with another 105 hectares owned by two of the Howe sons, Andrew and Ian.
They identified the main areas of concern and started planting the year they arrived, and in 1984 and 1985 used catchment board subsidies to drain and contour productive slump areas and planted a small number of poplars. They have had a passion for trees.
June and Bob have done all the planting and tendering themselves and have been members of Farm Forestry for 25 years with June on the executive for 10 years. Each year planting continued on the farm, as well as maintaining existing native bush areas with annual possum and goat control.
June has been the main driving force behind the plantings, with Bob and their sons doing the work. There is a diverse mix of plantings - pines, eucalypts, redwoods, poplars, cypresses and a mixture of amenity trees. The plantings have changed the landscape, stabilised eroding soils and gullies, improved water quality created shelter, and enhanced the aesthetics of the land.
It has been a lifetime’s work for Bob and June and now, as the business is slowly being transferred to the sons Andrew and Ian, it is set to continue. Poplars are being planted annually and more recently native vegetation allowed to regenerate in gullies.
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Morrison Family Farm
The 64-hectare dairy farm at Ngaere has been in the Morrison family for 56 years. It is owned by a family partnership with David Morrison carrying out the day-to-day management.
The vision that Robert Joseph (Bob) and the late Margaret Ellen (Norah) Morrison had for their property began in 1985 with the permanent protection of a 1.6-hectare remnant of lowland primary hardwood forest with fencing and a QEII Trust covenant. It was the sixth registered covenant in Taranaki and the 13th nationally.
The predominant species is tawa and there are now many examples of regeneration in the covenant. Apart from the ongoing pest and weed control and fence maintenance the area has been self-sustaining for over 20 years.
The Morrison family has continued restoration work with plantings of native and exotic plants and trees. David has carried on fencing and planting riparian areas on Te Ngaere Stream tributaries, also creating several wetlands around them.
The naturally boggy areas have been planted with wetland species rather than being drained and developed. Approximately five hectares have been planted and once established these areas will be included in the QEII Trust covenant.
Other plantings for farm shelter and aesthetics include pines, poplars, exotic trees and native toetoe have been planted to increase the. Pest control is carried out to help protect the plantings.
The Morrisons share their garden, bush and surrounding farm with family and friends, holding regular fun events and gatherings, and opened the property to the public during the Fringe Garden Festival in 2007. David and his family have a great vision and over many years have put their plans into practice, and their work will continue.
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Murray and Zoe Barrett
Murray and Zoe Barrett have worked in with many agencies to effectively manage the environmental aspects of their 220-hectare Barrett Road dairy unit on the outskirts of New Plymouth.
The farm borders the Barrett Lake, Barrett Domain and Ratapihipihi Reserve with the Mangahererangi Stream, Mangotuku Stream and tributaries running through the property.
The Barretts have an annual planting programme to improve riparian margins, farm shelter and aesthetics. Approximately six kilometres of riparian margins have been fenced and planted to protect water quality in this important catchment. Existing native remnants hidden in the gully areas have also been fenced to protect corridors for birdlife between the reserves.
Pest control is carried out on the property. In 2007, the Barretts permanently protected a two hectare coastal forest remnant with fencing, planting and a QEII Trust covenant.
The main species include tawa, kohekohe, pukatea and puriri. It was named the Ian and Jean Kurth Bush, after the Kurth family, the previous owners for more than 100 years.
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Individual/School/Community Group:
Taranaki Arts Festival Trust and volunteers
The Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT), with support from a number of organisations and volunteers, put in place a comprehensive waste minimisation system at the three-day WOMAD 2008 festival held in March, at New Plymouth.
Approximately 75% of the almost 15 tonnes of waste material that left the site was diverted from landfill to composting or recycling. Financial support was provided from the MFE Sustainable Management Fund.
More than a year before the event TAFT made a commitment to reducing waste and a working group with a wide range of contacts was formed to develop the system and access resources.
The success of the project depended on TAFT being fully committed at the outset and represented on the working group along with the technical manager for the site.
The underlying principle for the system is: Control the inputs, manage the outputs. The working group had to plan for the high level of assistance needed for both the public and stallholders to use the system and for final sorting of material leaving the site.
All food and drink containers and cutlery on the site had to be biodegradable and the working party had to ensure they were available from suppliers.
Some Type 6 plastic items had to be sorted out of the recyclable stream to be recycled separately.
Forty volunteers were the public face of the system and were critical in educating the public and encouraging them to sort their waste into biodegradable, recycling and rubbish at the seven recycling stations around the venue. They also sorted out any cross contamination, assisted stallholders and backstage areas to use the system, and took the rubbish and recyclables away for further sorting by two paid staff.
Members of the working group supervised the volunteers and the site setup before and after the event.
The WOMAD 2008 waste minimisation system has set a benchmark for event management in Taranaki and TAFT will incorporate it into the organisation of future WOMAD festivals. TAFT is investigating a waste minimisation approach in other events that they directly manage and will encourage other promoters using the Bowl of Brooklands to consider waste minimisation.
The educational benefit to the public and volunteers is hard to quantify but feedback suggests that the opportunity to use such an accessible waste minimisation system added to the positive experience for many of the people at WOMAD.
Patrons commented that this was the cleanest public event that they had attended. By setting such a high standard for waste minimisation TAFT has raised public expectations for the management of other public events.
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Lynda Sutherland
Lynda is a very active member of the South Taranaki Branch of Forest and Bird.
She has been secretary for the past eight years, is the national delegate, has been the Kiwi Conservation Club Co-ordinator for the past nine years, and is usually present at any working bee.
Lynda has inspired many youngsters to expand their interest in the environment and biodiversity through the many activities that she organises.
Through the Kiwi Conservation Club she has involved young people in planting and maintaining areas such as Connell Reserve near Eltham and Sandy Bay near Opunake.
And each year she organises interesting excursions for the group, and one major trip. This year she took a group to Te Wera. Lynda is very passionate about her conservation work, especially her work with the younger generation which she sees as holding the future of conservation.
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Taranaki Environmental Education Trust
Taranaki Environmental Education Trust (TEET) is a charitable trust which runs environmental projects and programmes at two centres:
- The Stratford Conservation Corps for youth.
- The Taranaki Environment Centre in Inglewood which is funded by the Ministry for the Environment.
The trust promotes a sustainable future through education, practical examples of landscape design, appropriate technology and communication.
The Inglewood centre is a demonstration and education site for sustainability.
The centre facilitates the Enviroschools Programme, a Sustainable Living Programme for adults, Permaculture Design Certificate training for adults, and the Reel Earth film festival.
TEET’s programmes have encouraged individuals, communities and schools to:
- Reduce waste to landfill by changing buying practices, and by recycling and composting
- Conserve water and reuse greywater.
- Increase soil quality through organic soil management.
- Increase tree cover through planting permanent native forest.
- Grow healthy food.
- Increase biodiversity through riparian fencing and planting and pest management.
- Reduce vehicle use.
- Increase energy efficiency.
In the past four years the TEET has worked in depth with 15 schools, had 80 youths on the six-month Conservation Corps programme, had 40 adults attend the Sustainable Living Programme, 80 people complete the Permaculture Design Certificate and had many hundreds attend other workshops and meetings.
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Gavin Shoebridge
Gavin Shoebridge, of New Plymluth, has converted a car to run purely on electricity, using an electric motor and 12 deep cycle batteries.
The car charges to full overnight and has a 70 kilometre range on one charge with a top speed of 200 km/h.
The cost of the conversion was $12,000 for parts. With no emissions the car is very clean to run and costs approximately five to seven dollars per week instead of $50 for petrol.
The vehicle contributes to maintaining the region’s air quality and to promoting Taranaki’s clean and green image.
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Enviropower Inglewood High School
Enviropower Inglewood High School is a pilot energy conservation and generation project for schools.
The one-year project began in July 2007 project and is funded by Venture Taranaki and the Ministry for the Environment and is assisted by Ecoinnovations and Enviroschools.
The project aims to reduce power consumption and to enhance sustainability education opportunities.
There are three strands - Conservation, Generation and Education.
The project recognises that with increasing demand on energy future generations will have to look to new energy sources and that this generation will have to use energy more sustainably and efficiently until longer term changes are made.
Conservation methods that have been implemented at the high school include: reviewing and reducing water heating, and more efficient lighting and computer systems. Generation options include the installation of power generation from a wind turbine that feeds the school or the national grid and solar panels.
Although the generation capacity is not large there are great educational and trial benefits. With students involved in many aspects of the Enviropower project education is perhaps the most important strand.
As well as educating the next generation the project spreads the message into the community through the students and their families.
Students audit electricity use in their own homes and aspects of Enviropower are taught in geography, social studied, maths, science and art. The Enviropower project is a great learning experience for everyone involved.
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Midhirst School
Ms McGregor has initiated a recycling project, that the whole of Midhirst School has integrated into their school day.
It involves the separation of plastic, metal, paper, cardboard and food scraps from the daily waste, which are put into different coloured bins and collected for recycling.
The food scraps go into the composting bin in the school garden.
This is an ongoing project and the aim is to make this a habit in the children’s lives both at school and at home.
The project contributes to the sustainable management of the region’s natural and physical resources by helping to reduce the amount of new resources used and landfill space used.
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St Josephs Primary School, Hawera
In late 2005 the school became concerned about the growing amount of waste generated by the school.
The waste removal system was struggling to cope, costs were increasing and attitudes to recycling were generally poor.
With the assistance of the Taranaki Regional Council’s Education officer, the school carried out a waste audit which revealed that much of the material being sent to landfill could be recycled.
The project has been lead by Deputy Principal Rik Allen, whose class surveyed students and staff to discover what the barriers were. With the help of the Education Officer they then came up with some possible solutions.
A system was introduced where each class has access to containers for genuine non-recyclable waste, recyclable waste and one for food waste only. The bins are brightly painted to make sure they were used appropriately.
Each class has a turn for a month doing the collection, depositing the waste in the correct bins and putting them out for collection. Bins for food waste were made more accessible to students playing outside and are emptied into the compost bins as part of the daily collection process.
The children also visited all classes and the school office with advice on reducing waste, such as reusing single-sided paper, turning off lights and computers, efficient use of cardboard, and reusing resources for other purposes.
The system is functioning well, the school is using the compost and children have been involved in planting shrubs and flowers. The cost of waste disposal has been drastically reduced and the children have gained an enormous educational benefit from being involved in the ongoing programme.
The school incorporates environmental education into other teaching programmes and has used the Council Education Officer to study environmental issues such as water quality and Civil Defence Emergency Management.
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2007 Environmental Award winners
Business Category
Environmental Products NZ Ltd – for creating fashion products from a pest and increasing awareness of the negative environmental impact of possums.
EcoInnovation – for promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy systems.
Firth Industries Hawera – for advances in wastewater treatment and environmental performance.
Agricultural Category
Mark and Leigh Caskey – for sustainable farming and commitment to improving biodiversity.
Stephen and Helen Newton – for protection of primary forest remnants.
George and Bobbie Oliver – for riparian management and sustainable farming.
Community Category
East Taranaki Environment Trust - for protection and enhancement of biodiversity.
The joint Herekawe Stream Walkway Project - for environmental enhancement and community/industry partnership.
Vogeltown School - for increasing environmental awareness and understanding through environmental education.
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