Nick Smith
27 July, 2011
Using recycled plastic bottles to make floating
wetlands is helping nature restore water
quality in Rotorua’s lakes, Minister for
the Environment Nick Smith says.
Dr Smith was at Lake Rotoehu today to launch
a new 2800 square metre floating wetland
made from 364,000 recycled plastic soft-drink
bottles. The wetland is one initiative of
the Rotorua Lakes protection and restoration
programme in which the Government has invested
$72.1m.
“Native plants are planted on floating islands
of plastic bottles, which then form a new
habitat for both the plants and wildlife.
The roots of the plants reach into the water,
removing nitrogen as the plants grow. Because
the plants are naturally working to remove
the nitrogen from the water, we are giving
nature a hand to solve a man-made problem,”
Dr Smith said.
“The Bay of Plenty Regional Council and
the Te Arawa Lakes Trust have successfully
used floating wetlands on local lakes and
are looking to extend their use. Nitrogen
from intensifying land-use is one of the
causes of the algal blooms that choke the
waterways in and around the Rotorua lakes.
“As well as improving the quality of water
in the lakes, the floating wetlands are
also providing a habitat for wildlife such
as native crayfish species like koura, and
bird life.
“Using recycled plastic drinking bottles
that may have otherwise ended up in landfill
is in itself great for the environment,
but to use them to help improve water quality
and provide a habitat for local wildlife
is a huge bonus.”
+ More
Green Growth Discussion
paper launched
Nick Smith, David Carter
5 July, 2011
New Zealand needs to consider how it leverages
off its clean green brand in global markets
and how new technologies can be developed
to reduce environmental impacts, Environment
Minister Nick Smith and Acting Minister
for Economic Development David Carter say.
The Ministers today launched the Advisory
Group on Green Growth's discussion paper
in Wellington. The eight-member Advisory
Group was announced by the Government in
January to ensure the Government receives
the best advice on green growth initiatives.
“There is significant work occurring internationally
on green growth, green jobs, and clean technology.
We need to ensure Government policy helps
New Zealand take up the opportunities,”
Dr Smith said.
“New Zealand has a strong heritage of innovative
policies that support green growth like
the ITQ system in fisheries, the ETS to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and schemes
that enable the cap and trading of nutrients
into water catchments. This work is about
identifying future policy that will support
business innovation and technologies that
will grow the economy as well as improve
the environment.”
Mr Carter said: “This is another part of
the Government's plan to build a faster
growing economy. The world is looking for
products and services that have lower environmental
impacts and we want New Zealand to be well
placed to take up these opportunities.
“This discussion paper draws on green growth
work from the OECD and seeks input on how
Government can help businesses transition
to a low-carbon economy. We encourage businesses
to engage with the Advisory Group to support
its report to Government in December,” the
Ministers said.
+ More
Increased funding for
Tauranga Environment Centre
Nick Smith
27 July, 2011
Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced
the Tauranga Environment Centre will receive
$60,000 from the Community Environment Fund
to help it deal with local environmental
issues – a $20,000 increase on last year’s
funding.
“Environment Centres provide valuable support
to community initiatives to improve the
environment in their areas. The Tauranga
Environment Centre has a strong reputation
for providing practical tips on household
sustainability including education on waste
reduction and recycling. Projects the centre
has supported in raising environmental awareness
include the Sustainable Backyards programme
and the National Jazz Festival,” Dr Smith
said.
In addition the Tauranga Environment Centre
will also benefit from its participation
in a study to explore the feasibility of
a nationwide Environment Centre network.
“This network would enable the centres to
share ideas and achieve a level of national
consistency that will help them better meet
the needs of the Government and their communities.
“This boost in funding to the Tauranga Environment
Centre is part of the Government’s overall
funding increase of $89,000 to the country’s
12 Environment centres bringing total funding
this year to $589,000.
“The Government recognises the important
contribution that Environment Centres make
in New Zealand. This additional funding
will help centres like Tauranga manage the
environmental challenges faced by their
regions,” Dr Smith said.
