News

Murihiku Ki Te Tonga programme at centre of new NIWA MoU

On Thursday 9 November, at Te Whare o Te Waipounamu in Otautahi Christchurch, Murihiku Upoko signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chief Executive of NIWA to signal an exciting new partnership and collaboration between the two organisations, centred around collaboration on projects within the Murihiku ki Te Tonga Programme. The signing ceremony was supported by senior leaders from both Murihiku Rūnaka, including the Te Taio Team from Hokonui Rūnanga and Oraka Aparima, and NIWA, and also from Murihiku Regeneration and Te Rūnanga o Ngai Tahu, who helped to facilitate the event.

The new MoU is focused around research, science and innovation projects. It will look to grow international partnerships, and bring together the collective capability, resources, knowledge and capacity to work together on projects that will make a difference to New Zealand. Importantly, the MoU also enables and supports interested Murihiku Rūnaka to also explore and connect in their own projects and opportunities and contribute to the regenerative and intergenerational focus of the Murihiku Regeneration kaupapa.Ta Tipene O’’Regan Upoko o Awarua Rūnaka and John Morgan, CEO of NIWA sign the MoU on 9 November, 2023.

“The MoU acknowledges the vital importance that the southern ocean plays around all things related to Murihiku, for Ngai Tahu, and also Aotearoa more generally. As an ocean nation, the Ngai Tahu people must look to the sea and understand the changes that are occurring in our marine environments- both in terms of opportunities and threats. This includes looking at climate, biodiversity, sustainability and commerce”.

“ Our Ocean rights and interests within the NZ EEZ and our takiwā are enshrined and acknowledged within our treaty settlement, and we intend to be an active participate in this space, to support this rights and meet our obligations,” said Ta Tipene O’Regan as part of his opening remarks.

“We value the significance and importance of this MoU, and the ability to partner and work together to better understand our oceans, ” confirmed John Morgan, CEO of NIWA at the signing ceremony.

The MoU is focused on active projects around mutual areas of interest and focus. A number of projects (link to MKTT) within the Murihiku ki Te Tonga Programme have been identifed to activate the MoU, including support to our polar projects and expeditions, marine science and research proposals, and opportunities for education, training and internships.

“We want to grow interest and opportunities for our young people, and a pathway for our researchers and scientists in the marine space, and this MoU will help us with that. We will keep you updated on these projects and opportunities as they progress,” confirmed Terry Nicholas, Portfolio Director for Murihiku Regeneration.

Posted: 14 November 2023

NZ Aluminium smelter releases its latest Tiwai Environmental Monitoring report

On Friday 10 November, NZ Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) released its latest extensive environmental monitoring report on the impact of operations in the coastal marine area around Tiwai.

Murihiku Regeneration has been actively engaged with Rio Tinto and NZAS on both its remediation commitments, and the future operation of the Smelter. As a part of this work, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was agreed in 2022 between Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and NZAS and Rio Tinto.

As a part of the remediation programme, Rio Tinto and Awarua Rūnaka have been working closely together over the last year to build a shared vision of remediation of the site.

An Advisory Group established under the MoU works to protect both Te Ao Tūroa (natural environment) and mahinga kai activities at or near Awarua/Tiwai peninsula coastal environment is engaged on this important work. Together with technical support from a joint Remediation Working Group, site specific remediation criteria have been co-designed with NZAS and Rio Tinto. A plan for the remediation of the onsite drain network is currently under development

The research, undertaken by global company GHD, has found a limited risk to marine ecology and no increased risk of health effects for people who come into contact with sediment and surface water or consume kai moana (sea food) in the surrounding coastal marine area. The report has confirmed the decision by the remediation working group – made up of representatives of Ngāi Tahu and NZAS - to focus on discharge from the drains as a key environmental impact that needs ongoing management. Both Murihiku Rūnaka and NZAS are working with Environment Southland, who have their own environmental reporting and monitoring programme. It is understood that its next round of reporting is due in the coming weeks.

In his statements on the release of the report, NZAS spokesperson, CEO Chris Blenkiron acknowledged that Tiwai is more than 50 years old, and its practices haven’t always met expectations but they are working hard to improve its environmental record. “In particular I was really pleased that the report found that there was no increased risk of health effects for people consuming kai moana from the surrounding coastal marine area. Food gathering from the ocean is incredibly significant to our Ngāi Tahu partners but also our wider community here in Southland”

Spokesperson for Ngāi Tahu, Jacqui Caine said, “Ngāi Tahu has welcomed the partnership with NZAS on remediating the whenua (land) and coastal environment around Tiwai Point. Protection of mahinga kai activities is of upmost importance to Awarua and Ngāi Tahu more broadly. It is reassuring to know that the kai moana in the harbour is safe to eat and that we can continue this important practice that we have done for several hundred years. We are really pleased with the progress made in developing a partnership with NZAS to remediate the site. The first remediation plan we are co-designing is for the drain network. The GHD report confirms we have focused in the right areas.”

Murihiku Regeneration is currently working with Rio Tinto around the future operation of the site, and believe that along with commitments to an agreed remediation plan, the Smelter should continue to operate in Murihiku-Southland for the benefit of the region. “We want see a future where Rio Tinto makes a long term commitment to ongoing smelter operations, and that other developers, new energy projects, and industries that include green hydrogen production also get established in Southland. We see this as a vital part of our energy transition”, confirms Terry Nicholas, Portfolio Director for Murihiku Regeneration and Upoko of Hokonui Rūnanga.

For a full copy of the report see www.nzas.co.nz/sustainability

Posted: 14 November 2023

Upoko Visit to Woodside New Energy HQ and First Nations Roundtable Meeting

A delegation from Murihiku Regeneration led by Upoko o Awarua, Tā Tipene O’Regan and Upoko o Hokonui Rūnanga, Terry Nicholas, visited Woodside New Energy’s head office in Perth, Western Australia, to participate in a series of meetings and engagements between 15 and 19 October. The visit was supported by Dr Michael Stevens and Miria O’Regan.L-R: Catherine Rawsthorne, Project Manager, Woodside Energy, Tā Tipene, Terry Nicholas, and Mike Stevens arrive at Woodside’s headquarters.

Their visit had two main purposes. First, to help gain better understanding on the nature, extent, and potential challenges associated with the proposal to build a Green Ammonia plant at or near Awarua as a part of the Southern Gren Hydrogen Project.

Secondly, to participate in a First Nations Advisory Roundtable in the immediate wake of the failed Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum. Although the negative result inevitably cast a shadow over proceedings, the Indigenous leaders were an impressive group of people and Woodside’s investment in reconciliation measures is admirable.Kōrero underway during the First Nations Advisory Roundtable.

“This engagement is the latest in a series of interactions between Woodside and our iwi. A number of Woodside staff have visited Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu as well southern Murihiku and Awarua over the last 18 months”.L-R: Jason Crusan, Vice President New Energy Solutions at Woodside Energy, and Mike Stevens in discussion at Woodside’s headquarters.

“Terry Nicholas, in particular, has cultivated positive and constructive relationships with staff at further hui in Sydney and Japan. This all stems from efforts concerning the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter’s uncertain future and exploration of New Zealand’s decarbonisation options.”

We thank Arihia Bennett, Chief Executive of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, for her early and sustained support with these kaupapa. We also thank Najette Alaraibi, Senior Advisor First Nations Relations at Woodside, for her excellent manaaki during the entire visit”, commented Dr Michael Stevens, reflecting on the visit.

It is expected that Woodside New Energy will look to follow up this engagement in Perth, with further hui, and reciprocal visits to Murihiku as the potential project develops.

Posted: 10 November 2023

Killer Whale Image from Inaugural Murihiku Expedition Wins National Award

Colin Aitchison, who took part in the inaugural Murihiku ki Te Tonga Expedition to the Ross Sea in February 2023, won a national photography award for an image he recorded on the expedition. His winning entry of killer whales frolicking in an ice channel was awarded ‘Best UAV Image 2023’ at the annual UAV NZ Conference on Oct 30, 2023. Colin is both a highly experienced drone pilot with his own company, Skyworks, as well as an accomplished photographer and videographer who has won many awards both nationally and internationally. Together with New Zealand film making icon Anthony ‘Antz’ Powell, Colin is pioneering the use of drones for research on marine mammals in the Ross Sea as part of the Murihiku ki Te Tonga programme. This is made possible in partnership with Heritage Expeditions, who support conservation and research in New Zealand and the Ross Sea Sector. You can see more of the beautiful views captured by Colin’s drone in Antarctica on the Murihiku ki Te Tonga YouTube Channel.

Antarctic Type-C killer whales (kākahi) travel along a channel made by the expedition ship in the newly refrozen sea ice. McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea, February 2023. Image by Colin Aitchison

Posted: 6 November 2023

Murihiku Region features strongly as Clean Energy Innovators at national hydrogen summit

The 2023 Hydrogen Summit, hosted by the New Zealand Hydrogen Council was held on 7 and 8 September, in Wellington. The Murihiku- Southland region featured strongly at the Conference, acknowledging innovation and action by Murihiku Regeneration and Ngai Tahu in its work with the Southern Green Hydrogen Project, and he early implementation of green hydrogen as a key renewable energy fuel for heavy transport by the HWR Hydrogen Team, with its dual fuel technology being activated in the first of its new hybrid trucks .

Presentations by the Southern Green Hydrogen Project Team, and from the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the HWR Group were clear evidence of the efforts being put in within Murihiku -Southland to advance hydrogen production and use in heavy transport.

The HWR Chair, Albert Brantly (pictured), who also works with Murihiku Regeneration as a commercial advisor, was clear that green hydrogen would play a key part in the decarbonisation of the heavy transport sector for Southland and New Zealand. He felt that Southland had a real advantage in leading in this space, and companies such as HWR needed to start on that energy transition now.

Murihiku Regeneration has been working on its energy transition plan for the region, which would feature a focus on heavy transport (land and marine) and aviation -through synthetic aviation fuel (SAF), as areas where green hydrogen could play a major role in supporting the shift to net zero.

“This plan is due in the next few week, and will be shared with our community from then”, says Terry Nicholas, Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director.

Posted: 26 September 2023