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Sea-level threat from melting ice
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Scientists fear a giant Antarctic ice shelf threatened by global warming will help spark a rise in sea levels if it collapses.
The Wilkins Ice Shelf is being held together by a rapidly shrinking strip of ice, now just 500 metres wide at its narrowest point.
Ice shelves are floating extensions of ice sheets, formed as a sheet hits the coast and spreads on top of the sea. Experts say it could break up at any time. The Wilkins Ice Shelf spans 13,680 square kilometres 22 times the size of Lake Taupo. As the ice hits an island or bay it becomes trapped. He compared it to an ice cube in a glass of water when the cube melts, the water level does not rise, because the ice cube has already displaced the water.
Tim Naish, of Victoria University's Antarctic Research Centre, said its collapse would not directly add to rising sea levels. "It's the cork in the bottle.
But the ice sheet and glaciers now trapped by the Wilkins Ice Shelf could add new water to the sea if released.
Professor Naish said the Wilkins Ice Shelf was being affected from above and below by global warming."
When the Larsen B ice shelf broke up in 2003, nearby glaciers started moving eight times faster. .
On top, pools of melted water were seeping into cracks, freezing and pushing them apart. But that did not include the effect of melting ice in the Arctic and Antarctic.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted a rise in sea levels of 59 centimetres by the end of the century. New studies were now talking about sea level rises between 1.
Victoria University climate change professor Martin Manning, who was on the panel, said this was because of a lack of published research on the subject.
"But we are starting to see things happen so quickly that it's a struggle for science to keep up.6 metres and 2 metres by 2100."
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Bid to relax sewage rule slammed
By DAVID WILLIAMS – Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Environmentalists are shocked the Christchurch City Council wants the freedom to pour raw sewage into the Avon and Heathcote rivers more often.
The council also wants to be able to increase the number of places around the city where it can release untreated sewage.
The council says upgrading Christchurch's wastewater network to ensure fewer sewage discharges into the city's rivers is an ineffective use of money, with no environmental benefit.
One environmentalist says the council's plan is "completely unacceptable".
That is despite spending more than $40 million upgrading the network, which can be overwhelmed by stormwater in heavy rain, causing overflows of untreated sewage.
As reported in 's State of Our Rivers series last year, the council cannot meet its consent condition to discharge sewage into the Avon and Heathcote catchments only once every two years.
City council network planning manager Simon Collin said achieving the standard of one discharge in two years was "not an effective use of ratepayers' money, given that there is no tangible net benefit to the environment from doing so".
The council is seeking a variation from Environment Canterbury (ECan) to lower the standard to once every six months and increase the number of discharge sites from 12 to 25.
Computer modelling suggested maintaining the network may cost another $120 million.
Original estimates for the work were $40 million, but while the Heathcote River work was finished, another $125 million would need to spent on the Avon, he said.
The original consent conditions required the capital upgrade to be completed on the Heathcote by 2005 and on the Avon by 2010.
The increased costs were coupled with an economic recession, and the consent variation would give the council "breathing space". .
The new consent would push the deadline for the Avon back to 2017.
Spending $125 million cleaning up the wastewater network was reasonable considering the council boasted assets of $4. "The idea that human excrement floating through our iconic waterways is not of any tangible benefit to be removed is a little bit shocking," he said.
Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust chairman Alex Drysdale said there were significant health risks associated with sewage overflows, and he accused the council of "shifting the goalposts" in its attempt to relax consent conditions.7 billion.
He had sympathy for ECan's position as "policeman and executioner", but said it was being asked to do too much and could not deliver.
"If it wasn't dangerous, why would we have a sewer system?" he said.
Mt Pleasant Yacht Club commodore Tony Wornall said it was not advised of a spill a few years ago and a few members suffered stomach bugs.
"There's no public defender of the environment," he said.
"Our concern is the health of our members using the Estuary.
Any dilution of the standard was a big concern, he said.
There were nine overflows into the Avon and Heathcote last year seven over an eight-week period during winter.
There were nine overflows into the Avon and Heathcote last year seven over an eight-week period during winter.
The application is likely to be publicly notified next month.
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Teen falls 50m on Mt Ngauruhoe
The Thursday, 15 January 2009
Youthtown Trust Rescue Helicopter
STEEP SLIP: Rescue services prepare to evacuate the injured tramper to hospital.
A teenager was flown to hospital coughing up blood after tumbling 50 metres down Mt Ngauruhoe, resulting in a gravel slide which then landed on him.
Youthtown Trust Rescue Helicopter pilot Hendry de Waal said the 16-year-old, of Auckland, was on a day tramp with friends across the central North Island's Tongariro Alpine Crossing. .
But as they climbed the northern side of Mt Ngauruhoe about 9. It's a 45-degree angle slope he went down.
"He was about halfway up when he fell. Then a lot of rocks fell afterwards, hitting him."
The teenager suffered head, neck and shoulder injuries and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
"He was talking but was in a lot of pain and coughing up blood.
The crossing is considered the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is listed in many publications as in the top 10 day treks in the world.
A hospital spokeswoman said earlier today he was being observed in one of the wards and was in a stable condition.5 kilometres) and takes about seven to nine hours. It spans the length of Mt Tongariro (18. It is popular during summer. It is popular during summer.
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At least two people have died attempting the crossing
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Tagger killer may be granted bail – judge
– Friday, 12 December 2008
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FOUND GUILTY: Bruce Emery was found guilty of the manslaughter of 15-year-old teenage tagger Pihema Clifford Cameron.
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‘BETTER THAN NOTHING’: Pihema Clifford Cameron’s mother leaves court clutching a framed photo of her dead son after Bruce Emery was found guilty of his manslaughter.
Emery was today found guilty of the manslaughter of 15-year-old teenage tagger Pihema Clifford Cameron.
Tagger killer convicted of manslaughter
Tagger killing trial
A High Court judge has signalled to convicted businessman Bruce Emery he may be granted bail and could be sentenced to home detention.
Comeskey argued his client had a close-knit family, had no previous convictions in New Zealand, had been on bail since shortly after being arrested and had always abided by the conditions.
Following the verdict Emery’s lawyer Chris Comeskey asked the court to hear an urgent bail application.
Crown lawyers opposed the application saying because Emery was likely to be sentenced to jail for the manslaughter he should not be on bail prior to sentencing on February 13. .
“It cannot be said to be an impossible outcome,” the judge said.
However Justice Hugh Williams disagreed, saying while it was unlikely Emery would not serve a prison term, because of the unique circumstances it could not be ruled out.
The judge said it was likely if bail was to be granted it would be on the condition Emery’s wife was guarantor.
Justice Williams ajourned the hearing until Wednesday to allow time for Comeskey to prepare affidavits from his client and his Indonesian wife of more than 20 years.
He also asked for reports to be prepared on Emery’s financial situation and requested police to ask the family of Pihema to give their thoughts on the prisoner being granted bail.
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Mother charged for child’s truancy
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Policeare prosecuting a mother whose child has missed nearly half the school year in one of the worst truancy cases on record.
The woman is understood to have told officials that her son could not attend school because he had no shoes or text books.
The Education Ministry may also seek costs after flying her son to Gisborne for an interview at Gisborne Boys' High School.
The year 9 pupil, now aged 14 and enrolled at Kapiti College, had missed 143 half days of a possible 336, though his mother provided explanations for his absences on only five occasions, principal Tony Kane said.
Officials arranged for his boarding fees to be paid through a scholarship in a final attempt to get him back in school – but he never showed up for the new term.
The decision to prosecute was a last resort.
The school had gone to great lengths to work with the family, including involving police and Child, Youth and Family.
"We're just not getting sufficient cooperation," Mr Kane said.
"Ultimately it's the parent's responsibility to ensure that their child's going to school and she's failing to do that. "I guess it's just that we feel we're making no progress any other way.
Under the Education Act, parents must ensure children aged under 16 attend class. .
Mr Kane said truant children quickly fell behind. But the maximum fine is just $150 and truancy prosecutions are unusual, with only 30 since 2006.
"There were only two weeks in the year where he was present every class, every day, so there's no consistency.
"There were only two weeks in the year where he was present every class, every day, so there's no consistency."
An Education Ministry spokesperson said the matter had been referred to police. This is happening week-in, week-out, so it's impossible for him to make any progress.
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Tumour boy takes first steps
Tuesday, 04 November 2008
ROSS GIBLIN/The
FINDING HIS FEET: Without the weight of the tumour a Wellington Hospital team removed from his stomach late last month, 14-month-old Alex Gonzaga is learning to walk instead of getting around on all fours.
East Timorese toddler Alex Gonzaga has taken his first steps in Wellington Hospital after a life-saving operation to remove a massive tumour from his stomach.3-kilogram benign tumour last month.
The 14-month-old, holding his mother's hands and sporting tiny squeaky jandals, walked for the first time yesterday thanks to a 10-member medical team who volunteered their time and skills to remove the 3. The revealed details of Alex's surgery, and since then his story has spread around the world.
Alex and his mother, Elisa Da Conceicao, were flown to Wellington Hospital about three weeks ago for the operation. Before the operation Alex was restricted to moving and eating on all fours because of the size and weight of the tumour. Shy, but smiling, Mrs De Conceicao said yesterday that her son's improvement since the operation was just wonderful.
She had been impressed by the doctors. .
Alex's tumour was spotted by a doctor in East Timor and scanned on a visiting medical ship. Alex would not have received the same treatment in his homeland.
Paediatric surgeon Brendon Bowkett, who led the surgical team, said it was great to see Alex smiling, playing with toys and getting around "like a normal kid". Alex was transferred to the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (Romac) programme, which organises medical and surgical experts as well as immigration visas and interpreters.
Ward 19 team leader Trish Lee said it had been heart-warming watching Alex's progress. "His recovery has been dramatic and quick – faster than we expected," Mr Bowkett said.
Alex and his mother were transferred to Ronald McDonald House yesterday while Rotary organises tickets for them to return home. "It has been really great seeing him go from a quiet, almost immobile little boy to a happy, active, mischievous toddler taking his first steps," Mrs Lee said.
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Once Alex is back in his village and reunited with his four siblings, the Alola Foundation will provide nutritional support for him during the remainder of his recuperation
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Midwife care in NZ slated
– Saturday, 25 October 2008
New Zealand's midwife-led maternity system has been slammed.
Obstetricians have warned Australia not to introduce the system, citing the poor state of care in New Zealand.
The Australasian professional body for obstetricians has also called for the immediate release of a report detailing maternal deaths in New Zealand, which are believed to have doubled since the introduction of midwife-led care.
The letter said New Zealand's system had problems, and "clearly the college is opposed to the introduction of a New Zealand-type system for Australian maternity care".
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Ranzcog) this month sent a scathing letter about New Zealand's maternity system to its members.
The letter raised concerns about a "quarantined maternal mortality report which reportedly shows a doubling in maternal mortality since the introduction of midwife-led care".
Australia is reviewing its maternity system.
Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick, who is responsible for maternity issues, said a committee had been formed in 2005 to investigate maternal deaths and the deaths of babies around the time of labour.
Ranzcog president and author of the letter, Dr Christine Tippett, said she understood a special report into maternal deaths had been with Health Minister David Cunliffe for some time.
It was always expected the process would take some time and a report, which would include mortality figures from 2006, would be released in the next few months, she said.
Tippett said New Zealand had great trouble recruiting obstetricians and gynaecologists because of systemic problems such as a lack of collaboration with midwives and a lack of information about outcomes for women.
It should be released immediately, she said. The country was just starting to compile data about outcomes for mothers and babies, which was "irresponsible", Tippett said.
A national maternity inquiry completed recently after the death of a baby in Wellington Hospital demonstrated the range of problems in New Zealand, she said.
New Zealand's Ranzcog representative, Gillian Gibson, backed calls for maternal death figures to be released, saying it would help people in the sector understand what changes were required.
New Zealand's Ranzcog representative, Gillian Gibson, backed calls for maternal death figures to be released, saying it would help people in the sector understand what changes were required.
"We acknowledge that there is more we can do to strengthen maternity services, to build a more collaborative model of care which encourages better communication between the team of health professionals," Chadwick said.
The latest maternity services consumer satisfaction survey showed 90 per cent of women were happy with their maternity services.
The Australian system was heavily privatised and could be extremely expensive for families, she said.
New Zealand College of Midwives chief executive Karen Guilliland said Australian obstetricians and private maternity services were extremely strong and because of this the public system had serious workforce deficits, with many women having difficulty accessing care.
This was in the same way as doctors providing maternity care.
As a result, Australian health authorities were recommending midwives be able to make claims on the public insurance system.
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National Party health spokesman Tony Ryall called for the information on maternal deaths to be released, saying there was great interest in it, and withholding it unnecessarily created suspicion
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Police name weekend road crash victims
Monday, 08 September 2008
Police have released the names of the two people killed on the roads at the weekend.
James Wilson Higgie, a 21-year-old builder from Alexandra in Central Otago, died on Earnscleugh Road, between Clyde and Alexandra, about 9.
Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw of Central Otago CIB said it appeared Mr Higgie was travelling away from Clyde with three other men on motocross bikes when two of them collided.55pm yesterday.
Mr Shaw said the injured man had since been discharged from hospital and was recovering at home with family.
Mr Higgie died at the scene and a second rider was admitted to Dunstan Hospital with moderate injuries.
Police were seeking information about the movements of these or other motocross bikes in Clyde on Sunday evening.
An investigation into the cause of the accident was continuing.
Police also released the name of an 18-year-old woman who died in an Oamaru car crash yesterday.
Police were particularly interested in a vehicle believed to have passed the four motorcycles close to the Clyde bridge, travelling towards Earnscleugh.45pm.
Natasha Sheree Maindonald, 18, died in an accident on Parsons Road about 5.
Police were investigating the cause of the crash.
Four others in the car escaped serious injury.
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