Environment

Science Minister Penny Simmonds will open the second annual Sustainable Solutions Symposium in Rotorua on Thursday, focusing on turning waste into valuable products. The event, hosted by the Bioresource Processing Alliance (BPA), brings together researchers, industry leaders, government agencies, start-ups and students to explore solutions to environmental challenges through circular

The southern New Zealand dotterel population has surged by 52 percent following a successful aerial predator control operation on Stewart Island. The annual bird count at Southland beaches last week revealed the dotterel population has grown from 105 in April last year to an estimated 160 - the biggest annual

A new Emergency Management plan for Southland has unearthed an unnerving detail about warning systems in the event of a tsunami. This week, Southland's civil defence emergency management group adopted its plan for the next five years - a 106-page document which will now be sent to the

Environment Southland has identified toxic algae in the Aparima River at Thornbury, raising concerns for public safety and animal health in the area. The discovery follows routine monitoring, which found conditions suitable for algae growth in the river. Earlier in the week algae was reported in the Mataura river. Algae

Environment Southland has confirmed the presence of toxic algae in the Mataura River, specifically downstream of the Riversdale bridge. The discovery follows routine monitoring, which identified concerning levels of algae that may pose risks to both people and animals using the river. Algae also at Aparima river. Algae are a

Environment Southland has welcomed a decision by the Environmental Protection Authority to approve the release of Blaptea elguetai, a leaf-feeding beetle that will help control the invasive Chilean flame creeper. The approval is seen as an important step in tackling one of the region’s most aggressive pest plants. Chilean

Environment Southland is marking a major biosecurity success after eradicating the invasive seaweed Undaria pinnatifida from Broad Bay on Rakiura Stewart Island. The breakthrough follows the discovery of a single craypot carrying Undaria in September 2020. The pest was immediately removed and treated, triggering a detailed monitoring programme. Extensive follow-up

Recent survey results from Southland’s Waituna Lagoon have given the Department of Conservation (Doc) a reason to be hopeful, with signs the wetland may be recovering from years of environmental decline. The annual monitoring showed a sharp drop in algae levels and an increase in aquatic plant Ruppia, which