Master of Environmental Management at Massey University

Environmental Management in New Zealand A photo-essay of the Masters of Environmental Management Programme at Massey University

Photographs by Edgar E. Sacayon. Postgraduate Student of the Master Programme. July 2014

Students of the Master of Environmental Management Programme at Massey University. 2014

From left to right upper row: Edgar E. Sacayon, Jerry Teng, Andrew McCall, Roger Sakambari, Zivana Pauling, Neil Langley, Soupamit Naovolat, Amber Mellon, Silvia Villacis, Kibrom Fekadu. From left to right lower row: Hendra Aquan, Goupeng River, Natazia Mckee

Environmental Management in New Zealand The Masters New Zealand

Environmental Management Programme at Massey University in is a three-semester programme that allows students to get a broad experience in different areas. The programme is composed of one core paper divided in modules, and several elective papers that allow the student to pursue his own interests. of

This photo-essay aims to present my experiences as a student of the programme and is not meant to cover the full range of activities that can be included. Most of the images were taken during a one week field trip to the South island to visit companies, district and regional councils to understand the working skill which are expected from an environmental manager.

Environmental Policy

During the environmental policy module we made a critical review of the Manwatu-Wanganui policy on water. This allowed us to understand some of the environmental policy instruments used for environmental regulation. Photo: The Beehive is the common name for the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment produces a series of independent environmental reports that are used by parliament members to create, adjust or modify environmental policies. The reports are produced by a team of multidisciplinary scientists. Although they provide advice they cannot control the final decision of the central government.

Carl Walrond assistant of the Commissioner for the Environment with a background in Natural Resource Management, explains that not only academic knowledge is important for this work. Diplomacy and communications skills are essential to interact with conflicting parties when addressing environmental issues.

West Coast Regional Council

Regional Councils are the administrative institutions in charge of resource management. New Zealand’s regional boundaries were designed following watersheds. This allows the regions better natural resource management in their territory. Photo: Greymouth farms near the Tasman Sea.

West Coast Regional Council

Johnny Horrox and environmental scientist at the West Coast Regional Council explains the process of resource consent to community members. “Together with a geologist we provide technical advice and asses environmental issues that affect stakeholders in the regions. One of the biggest problems is small mining operations that do not comply with pollution control� comments Johnny.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Oceana Globe Mine, is an open pit gold mining operation in the town of Reefton. In contrast to third world countries where mining operations usually conflict with local communities, the territorial authorities support the company due to the high environmental standards practiced in the company.

During the visit to the mine, students where given complete access to the facilities. “Land rehabilitation and water quality are monitored on a regular basis� explains Duncan Ross, head of the environmental management department.

Geographic Information Systems

At the Nelson Department of Conservation (DOC) GIS laboratory, Dough Anderson explains the complete informatic infrastructure used by DOC to manage all New Zealand’s conservation land and waters, which is approximately one third of the country area.

Some of the applications for GIS are: monitor habitat change, track wildlife demographics and predict future land and resource use.

Commercial Fishery

Fishing vessels stationed in Nelson’s harbor. Sealord commercial deapsea fishery is New Zealand’s second largest seafood company.

Sealord Commercial Fishery

Dorje Strang, General Manager of Harvest Operations, explains to the students their sustainability policy which includes scientific research and stock assessment to manage fish stocks. The company invests more than $20million every year into research, to measure how to harvest seafood sustainably and minimize the impact on the environment.

According to Strang one of the biggest operation costs is the diesel fuel used to drive the vessels. “Biodiesel production form fish oil is not an economic alternative because we get a better profit by selling it to final consumers� explains Strang when asked about biofuel production.

Sustainable Development in Kaikoura

Kaikoura is located in the northeast coast of New Zealand’s south island. After an economic crisis due to the decline of the whaling industry, the council initiatives turned the town into a successful tourist destination. In 2011 was awarded the Green Globe Communities certification.

Sustainable Development in Kaikoura

Rachel Vaughn, district planner for Kaikoura district council explains to students the range of activities that have allowed sustainable development. “We have reduced our waste, increased our energy efficiency and improved our environmental performance� by adopting the Green Globe protocol from United Nations explains Vaughn. The protocol provides guidelines to measure the communities carbon footprint, waste production, water consumption and energy use.

Some of the tourist attractions of Kaikoura are fishing and whale watching. Crayfish is captured with cages and managed sustainably.

All females with eggs are returned back to the sea in order to maintain stable populations.

Tourism Development Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs is a small town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town has been transformed into a tourist destination.

Hanmer Springs

A community board is responsible for promoting local tourism and regulate businesses for development of a sustainable tourism industry,

Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development

Papers from the Energy stream allow students an understanding of the principles of energy supply in rural contexts and for sustainable development. Photo: Palmerston North Wind Farm

Carbon Neutral Wine Production

Yealands Estate is a carbon neutral winery. Life Cycle Assessment has been used in New Zeland to understand the environmental impacts and life cycle carbon emissions of producing wine. This has allowed the wine industry to enhance its environmental performance, access European markets and improve the economic revenues.

Carbon Neutral Wine Production

Yealands Estate is located in Marlborough. David Foes explains how the use of thermal transfer technology reduce energy consumption as well as some of the agricultural practices to make wine production sustainable. “Sheep feed on weeds in the vineyard, this reduces the carbon footprint by saving fuel consumption in weed mowers and pesticide use� explains Foes.