Well, in a manner of speaking. News today that the UN has agreed that New Zealand has rights over approx 1.7 million square kilometres of seabed, outside of Exclusive Economic Zone. This is the end result of a huge amount of work by scientists and MFAT officials over a number of years (including some good friends of mine- you know who you are!).
The Continental Shelf Commission was a body set up under the auspices of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to look at the status of the shelf beyond Exclusive Economic Zones. New Zealand was the fifth country to make a submission to extend our continental shelf in 2006. The submission has been analysed by the UN for two years before agreement.
Essentially the decision gives New Zealand certainty about our rights to the shelf and, should we choose to, the ablity to use resources such as minerals and petroleum. One of the caveats on the decision is that New Zealand must pay up to 7% of any revenue obtained from exploiting the resources in the new area to the International Seabed Authority to support developing countries in working to protect their own shelf rights.
From what I have heard New Zealand’s submission was world leading, and will be used as the model by other countries. Hats off to the excellent public servants who led this work.
As a member and supporter of the Karori Sanctuary I headed along to the AGM today. The Sanctuary is quite simply a treasure for Wellington and New Zealand. Nancy Mackintosh-Ward and her team are doing a terrific job. As is the Board headed by Richard Bentley. It has been a good year with a solid operating surplus, a 6% increase in visitors from last year (up to nearly 70,000) and some terrific conservation outcomes including the first tuatara bred in the wild on the mainland for hundreds of years. Progress on the Visitor and Education Centre has been slower than planned, but work is now underway. At the AGM members were given a sneak preview of the re-branding for the Sanctuary. It looks great, and will play its part in moving the Sanctuary to a truly international tourist destination. The best bit of the AGMs I have been to is the pride and interest of the volunteers who attend. There are now 460 volunteers contributing to smooth running of the Sanctuary.
The Shield is due in town at lunchtime! Watching images of referees wearing white, no gaps in the lineout, and Bernie’s moustache, 1982 seems so long ago it is from another age. Can it really be that long since the Ranfurly Shield was in Wellington? Whatever, a top effort from a team on top of its game. Along with Piri Weepu, who is firing at the moment, I thought Tamati Ellison, Jeremy Thrush and Ross Filipo had huge games. Thomas Waldrom added a lot from the bench too. The NPC title is also looking a good prospect- and what a year that would make for Wellington rugby. Congrats all round.
They say it is best to get to the St Teresa’s School Fair early- and it was easy to see why this morning. It felt like the whole of Karori was there, lots of bargains to be had, and great to see the community in action. We followed this up with a few meets and greets at the Karori Mall and some door knocking down the South end. Lots of encouragement and a couple of vigorous discussions later it was off to the Wellington/Wairarapa School Trustees Association conference. It was great to hear Lester Flockton from Dunedin there talking about the new curriculum. It really is a great opportunity for schools to develop and exciting learning programme, relevant to their communities and to our overall future as a country. There was an interesting and in-depth Question and Answer session. Allan Peachey was there representing the Nats, and while I have to respect his knowledge of the education sector, it is clear that his agenda is all about a ‘major cutback’ in the education public service. Once again, the National Party agenda for public services is exposed. Righto- off to watch the rugby. 1982 was a long time ago- it has to happen. Go the Lions!!
The man in the middle of this photo is Harvey Daniel. He lives in the Hutt, but I know his son Ed who lives here in Wellington Central. I met Harvey yesterday when I went out to Lower Hutt to hear the PM speak to the Hutt City Grey Power. He is 96 years old, but still very alert. He told me, and the PM, that he has voted Labour every election since 1935. It was an honour and pleasure to meet Harvey, and I only hope I am still as full of beans as him at that age.
The PM was in fine form yesterday, giving a comprehensive account of key issues for seniors and how Labour had been working to improve their quality of life. We also got confirmation at the meeting that the free off-peak public transport for seniors, announced in this year’s Budget will kick in Wellington from 1 October. This will be a terrific boost coming on the same day as the increases to superannuation begin, with an extra $23 a week for singles and $45 for couples. Great stuff.
