Leaked Transcript by M Gardner
Leaked Transcript of Late Night Conversation
between Two NZ Marine Specialists #1 and #2
NZMS1: “What a fantastic response you have overseas for your documentary about NZ marine life! ”
NZMS2: “Yes, the show aired last week in Europe & Canada. It will be shown soon in Australia, too”
NZMS1: “Wonderful! And when will we see it here in NZ?”
NZMS2: “Well, I don't know. I can't get it on the TV networks here!”
NZMS1: “Damn! That is so frustrating! New Zealanders should be the first to know about their ocean. There is a lot going on that people just wouldn't let happen if they knew about it.“
NZMS2: “It's driving me mad. We need to get this out to people. Look at this TV schedule. There are THREE programmes on about how to kill fish. There are NONE about how they live!”
NZMS1: “Hmmm. I'm thinking. Did you know what Jim Nollman is doing these days? He's the man who works on interspecies communication with whales and dolphins. Look at his website. He talks to this Japanese reporter about the worldwide protest about the Japanese dolphin and whale slaughter. The Japanese media, together with the government, don't bother reporting any of the protests to the Japanese people. Ignorance, like consent, is manufactured. It happens in Japan. It happens here.
NZMS2: “Damn. We gotta change that ignorance manufacturing. I think we should change the Broadcasting Charter. There are 14 items in the charter about the types of programmes that should be shown and HALF A SENTENCE about natural environment. HALF A SENTENCE. It should be a full item all on its own. We need to be showing NZ wild life shows every day -- mangrove biodiversity; fish ecology, shellfish, pollution, marine reserves...I'm going to ring Ian Fraser right now and tell him..”
NZMS1: “Hey, I got it! Let's tell him we want Marine Reality TV. Put cameras in the marine reserves. Cameras in the mangroves. Cameras on the coastal areas.”
NZMS2 “Yeah! Could be brilliant. Did you hear about the latest about crayfish? How the females prefer really big males because that's how she gets all her eggs fertilized. Otherwise she becomes partially infertile. Did you know in Canada, you can't take the big lobsters. Why do we let that happen here?”
NZMS1 “I wonder if that is why Crayfish Region Two is collecting less than 1 crayfish per pot.
NZMS2 “We're downbreeding our snapper stocks, forcing the population to be smaller and smaller by the way we fish out so many and such large sized fish. “
NZMS1: People could be watching it all on prime time. How all these fish come together for a group spawning and then BAM! there's a fishing net breaking everything up. “
NZMS2: “Yeah, there is lots of sex in the sea. The show will zoom to the top the ratings.”
NZMS1: “Ok. NOW let's ring Ian Fraser....”
the WEKA comments: Free as a Bird
the WEKA comments: Free as a Bird
What kind of brain do you think these humans have? I am only a dumb bird, only a weka. All I can say is what I see. These humans love boxes. Boxes of all sorts. They make buildings that are boxes. They put up fences that make boxes of the land. I am told they even have social customs that put themselves all in different boxes -- what can any creature make of that?
This is what humans do. I hear that one box of humans -- the Whangarei District Council -- told another box called Mathers, Butt & Partners they could make some boxes of fences and buildings and roads at the end of Ngunguru Ford Road, Ngunguru, Whangarei. Another set of boxes of humans disagree. Three so far -- a government agency called DOC, another social group called Iwi and even maybe others are appealing to still another box of humans called the Environmental Court. The Court is a box of humans who decide when others all disagree.
This place is what we birds know as Whakairiora. It is an old old seaside forest. My family has stories of the place going back through veils of time. Beautiful stories, very special ones. The way we remember all of these old stories is part of the way we are. See, each story has a part that connects to another story. When we tell one story, another pops up. Sometimes more than one. Our stories are only mosaics, all patches of different shapes, with connections in all directions.
That's how we know Whakairiora. A patchwork of different shelters, foods, neighbours, markers, learning places, sacred spots. What is hard for us is boxes. Faced with fences and buildings and grids of roading, we wekas get terribly confused. We can't seem to match our mosaics with the boxes of the humans. For good or bad, who knows?
But there are so so many places boxed up. Can there be any way to let Whakairiora stay free?
(more information on www.ncag.org.nz)
Butterfly Bay Resort Development Follow-up
Contacts in Northland pass on the following link.http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3389083a6015,00.html
The article summarizes the latest resolutions to concerns and protests about resort development at Butterfly Bay.
Some commentators feel that blogs helped get the message around. The role of blogs in NZ media, environment and ecology discussions is rather new and quite unknown. Of course, we would like to think blogs such as this one could be useful. What do you think? (use comment link below. word verification now required by users so as to avoid spam)
M Gardner, co-ordinator
Japan Dolphin Day
Japan Dolphin Day, October 8th, 2005: Protest the Slaughter
WHAT: An international day of protest has been organized to urge the Japanese authorities to ban the slaughter of dolphins.
WHEN: October 8th, 2005
WHERE: Worldwide
WHY: Every year, fishermen in Japan hunt and kill about 20,000 dolphins and other whales in the most brutal way imaginable. This is the largest massacre of dolphins anywhere in the world. The fishermen say they kill the dolphins primarily as a form of "pest control." They say the dolphins eat too many fish, and that they are simply eradicating the competition. We need to let them know that these crimes against nature are unacceptable to the rest of the world. Help us send a powerful message to the Japanese dolphin hunters and their government: STOP THE DOLPHIN SLAUGHTER.
OUR GOAL: Our goal is to make this the biggest global protest against the dolphin slaughter in history.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: Everyone! This event is not limited to animal protection organizations. NGOs, schools, music bands, various clubs, businesses and concerned citizens are encouraged to show up. Please contact your friends and neighbors, local schools, civic clubs and anyone else you can think of.
LIVE ACTION
Join us at noon on October 8th at a Japanese embassy or consulate office near you.
AN EMAIL PROTEST
HOW: It's simple. Click on the link below. It will take you to a list of Japanese embassies around the world. Choose one and let them know how you feel about the dolphin massacres:
www.embassyworld.com/embassy/Japan/Japan1.html
BUTTERFLY BAY DEVELOPMENT? by Sue Gibbison
BUTTERFLY BAY DEVELOPMENT? by Sue Gibbison
³Why should we believe that this American-owned resort will have a positive impact on the community?²
³Why would we want chemicals and waste-water pumped into the land and sea?²
³Why destroy the nesting grounds of our endangered dotterel?²
³What happens to our monarch butterfly?²
These were just some of the questions being asked at a community meeting
held at Northland¹s Tauranga Bay on Wednesday to discuss a proposal for an
elite spa resort accommodating 229 guests at neighbouring Butterfly Bay.
Cerulean Properties, based in San Francisco, have applied for resource
consents to develop their huge resort in the secluded bay which provides
sanctuary to one of the largest monarch butterfly populations in
Australasia.
Consents sought by Cerulean include a coastal permit to discharge 219 cubic
metres per day of reject water and chemicals from a desalination plant, a
discharge permit for 135 cubic metres per day of treated wastewater and a
land use consent to carry out earthworks in the foredune where the
endangered dotterel is known to nest. It is estimated that a massive 82,700
square metres of vegetation will be removed prior to the building of 74
chalets, an arrival lodge, a spa building and treatment rooms, a
fitness/yoga centre, three swimming pools, two tennis courts, maintenance
and service buildings and staff accommodation.
Locals are seriously concerned about the effects of vegetation removal on
such a steep slope in area already prone to slippage and soil erosion.
Furthermore the area is known to have supported a large pre-European Maori
population and an archaeologists¹ report states that ³it is inconceivable
that [archaeological sites] do not exist within the proposed development.²
Such sites are protected from damage, disturbance and modification of any
nature under the Historic Places Act.
The effects of the proposed desalination plant are unknown, but David Pattemore
of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society NZ states that dueto the shelter provided by offshore islands the effects of the doubly-concentrated salt water returned to the sea could have repercussions for the greater coastal area. This is in stark contrast to Cerulean¹s
assurance that the salt and chemical-laden water will ³disperse to normal
within 10 metres².
Besides the negative effects on local bird, butterfly, reptile, plant and
marine life, locals are worried about problems generated by the increases inroad
traffic which will be required to develop and service the resort. Many
are unconvinced by Cerulean¹s promise of bringing a ³large and concentrated
boost to the local economy², citing research by CAFCA (Campaign Against
Foreign Control of Aotearoa) which reveals that foreign ownership and
investment in NZ do not guarantee more jobs for locals.
Consultation between Cerulean and the local community has been selective
and non-representative. The proposed development at Butterfly Bay is just one of
many cases in Northland and around New Zealand where a foreign investor has
targeted prime coastal land. Once developed, the peace and tranquility of
these beautiful spots is lost forever.
Cerulean¹s proposal and submission forms are available to the public at NRC
offices in Whangarei and Kaitaia and at FNDC offices in Kaikohe, Kerikeri
and Kaeo. Anyone may make a submission to either FNDC (ph:0800 920 029) or
NRC (ph:0800 002 004) quoting Application Number: RC 2050842. Submissions
must be received before the deadline of Wednesday 27 July.
To support the community or to make a contact with the author of this report please email jeppesen@slingshot.co.nz
What worlds we are choosing by M Gardner
What worlds we are choosing by M Gardner
Look at land use – and marine use-- of our coasts now, while we can. There is a call for a moratorium on coastal subdivisions. There is a call for tourism as an industry to be supported with government coastal land purchases. There is a call for pa zoning for lands in Maori title that are the last large wild blocks in already subdivided, privately owned coastal areas. There is a call for marine protection and against seabed sandmining.
What do these calls all have in common – and more keep coming! They are put forward by people educated in the skills of environmental science, ecology, biology, sustainable design and environmental justice. These are current issues and solutions based on experience both here and overseas, drawing on knowledge from deep within our twin traditions here and from the world over.
These calls come up against the current practice of zoning, regulation and commerce. The norms are what are known by decision makers and actors: the politicians, bureaucrats,accountants, engineers, tradespeople, architects. Many of them come from backgrounds which know little if anything of these skills. Environmental education is the gift for lucky children of today but an optional extra for many of today's adults.
So how are these calls to be appreciated by the very people who may have most need of knowing and possibly least awareness of the importance of the knowing?
Right now, this can -- and does --degenerate into the adversarial method of law and argument, of lobbying and politicking. Gagging, as seen with the recent West Coast open cast mining case, becomes an important tool.
How could we as a society respect these calls, give weight to the knowledge represented? How do we make room for wisdom?
There are whisperings of “another” world. One where, displayed in places and activities throughout the world, these calls, and the knowledge behind them are the basis for decisions, designs and actions. Sustainable house design. Earth homes Permaculture landscapes. Dream Farms Urban Food Gardens. Indigenous Knowledge Tipu Ake
All a few examples. There are many more.
The “ real “ world, that global state of consumerism and industry, is publishing the Millenium Report, crying out that the ecosystems of the world are in jeopardy. Simply put, the ways things are being done can't be done anymore.
Here on our coasts, there is some space, a little time and the smell of the sea is in the air. Depending on how you and I respond to the calls, case by case, issue by issue, at election time and in between -- we truly could choose which world we would have arise.
Once were scientists: NZ intellects for cash
Once were scientists: NZ intellects for cash by M Gardner
The alliance of science with commerce (see extract “Unholy Alliance” by Mae Wan Ho, earlier blog on this site) is hurting us here in New Zealand more than it is helping us. Most of the time we as a society don't know exactly what this problem is. We “know” this is “how things are”. We “know” if there is any problem, it's surely to be with us – or them -- as individuals. Trust the system. Still, we have that vague unease.
So now is the time to exhume a story buried on page 18 of the weekend Herald. The story is based on the Friday media release from the Royal Forest & Bird Society. A modern work-a-day NZ scientist/consultant was barred from appearing in court to give evidence against an open cast mining proposal. He was asked to appear by opponents. He agreed. But in the last moments, he withdrew. This was because Landcare Research warned him that, legally, as an employee, he was not to reveal in court that he sometimes worked for them. But the prosecuter was certainly going to ask him, under oath, during cross-examination.
See, Landcare Research, a crown research institute, was putting up two other scientists to appear in court on behalf of the mining proposal. Staff are quoted as saying ”Long standing mutual relationships...contracts worth several hundred thousand dollars could be adversely affected” if the court heard that the scientist/consultant on behalf of oponents worked for Landcare. The mining proposal itself was being put forward by Solid Energy, a state-owned enterprise.
Bluntly, the scientist was gagged. He was caught in the web spun by our own state enterprise, crown research institute and judicial system. The citizens groups protesting the mine were literally undermined.
This incident is made public only after information was released to Forect & Bird Society under the Official Information Act. (Hurray to the Society for investigating!) How many other incidents like this exist in NZ? Will our society face up to them or is it to be the secret burden of lone individuals caught in our system?
What can we do for our system? How do we make research democratic? How do we develop a new ethical context for our scientists? How do we create a way to us as a society to believe in them again?
New Zealand is not the only society with systems that hurt us like this. But 14 other countries are taking dramatic steps to help themselves. They are members of Living Knowledge, an international network of Science Shops, non profit science consultancies.
According to their flyer, “Science Shops are one interface tween science, its researchers and society.... A science shop provides independent participatory research in response to concerns experienced by civil society.” Fine, high sounding words.
But let the actions of these groups explain themselves. The first action was in the 1970's by a group of Dutch chemistry students creating disinfectants to help the Viet Cong fight disease. Today, Danish “shops” investigate queries from citizens and NGOs free of charge. The Vienna Science Shop launched research into how the university could arrange itself to support its single parent students, which led to institutional changes. The Bonn Science Shop has a staff of 25 and focuses on civil society, sustainabillity, environment and health as well as the labour market. In the US, poisoned drinking water supplies were investigated and replaced for a rural Kentucky community. In another US example, two companies were finally held legally responsible for wrongful death due to water pollution they created.
Maybe independent non profit science consultancies could provide another turangawaewae for the NZ science worker of many disciplines. Maybe this could help us as citizens to identify some science, for all the politics, as in service of our common good. Maybe there is still a chance for the environment here, on land and in the sea.
