title: Guidebook for Rangitoto Island AQUA field trip, Auckland, 2016

authors: Lowe, David J.

abstract: Rangitoto is arguably Auckland’s most beautiful and omnipresent landscape feature. It is a symmetrical, ~6-km wide, basaltic shield volcano that last erupted ~550‒500 cal. yr BP (c. 1400‒1450 AD), not long after the arrival and settlement of Polynesians in the Auckland region (c. 1280 AD). It is by far the largest, and the youngest, volcano in the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). The AVF consists of approximately 53 individual eruptive centres, all of which are within the boundaries of the Auckland urban area. Recent research on cryptotephras (defined below) in sediments from Lake Pupuke on North Shore and in wetlands on Motutapu Island, and on a 150-m-long drill core obtained in February, 2014, has revealed that Rangitoto has a much more complex history that previously thought, and may be better viewed as a ‘volcanic complex with multiple episodes of eruptions’ (Linnell et al. 2016). In summary, (1) activity commenced c. 6000 cal. yr BP involving minor effusive and pyroclastic volcanism; (2) a voluminous shield-building phase took place from c. 650550 cal. yr BP (c. 13001400 AD), forming the main island ediface; and (3) the final phase of activity, from c. 550500 cal. yr BP (c. 14001450 AD), was explosive and less voluminous, producing scoria cones at the summit. The flora on Rangitoto is unique among the islands situated in the Hauraki Gulf because of the island’s young age, and the fact that technically Rangitoto is an ‘oceanic’ island. Its flora and fauna are derived entirely from long distance dispersal. The island contains some 582 vascular plant taxa of which 228 (39%) are indigenous. Various other special ecological features, and studies on plant succession and their drivers, make the island a truly fascinating place to visit. At this time of year, we should see many pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) trees in flower.

text: Guidebook for Rangitoto Island AQUA field trip, Auckland, 2016 Rangitoto is arguably Auckland’s most beautiful and omnipresent landscape feature. It is a symmetrical, ~6-km wide, basaltic shield volcano that last erupted ~550‒500 cal. yr BP (c. 1400‒1450 AD), not long after the arrival and settlement of Polynesians in the Auckland region (c. 1280 AD). It is by far the largest, and the youngest, volcano in the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). The AVF consists of approximately 53 individual eruptive centres, all of which are within the boundaries of the Auckland urban area. Recent research on cryptotephras (defined below) in sediments from Lake Pupuke on North Shore and in wetlands on Motutapu Island, and on a 150-m-long drill core obtained in February, 2014, has revealed that Rangitoto has a much more complex history that previously thought, and may be better viewed as a ‘volcanic complex with multiple episodes of eruptions’ (Linnell et al. 2016). In summary, (1) activity commenced c. 6000 cal. yr BP involving minor effusive and pyroclastic volcanism; (2) a voluminous shield-building phase took place from c. 650550 cal. yr BP (c. 13001400 AD), forming the main island ediface; and (3) the final phase of activity, from c. 550500 cal. yr BP (c. 14001450 AD), was explosive and less voluminous, producing scoria cones at the summit. The flora on Rangitoto is unique among the islands situated in the Hauraki Gulf because of the island’s young age, and the fact that technically Rangitoto is an ‘oceanic’ island. Its flora and fauna are derived entirely from long distance dispersal. The island contains some 582 vascular plant taxa of which 228 (39%) are indigenous. Various other special ecological features, and studies on plant succession and their drivers, make the island a truly fascinating place to visit. At this time of year, we should see many pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) trees in flower.

year: 2016

title: COVID and streamlining Resource Management

authors: Daya-Winterbottom, Trevor

abstract: Simplifying and streamlining environmental and resource management law have been the buzz words of the past decade. My presentation focuses on the trajectory of these legislative developments in the context of New Zealand and the procedural impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

text: COVID and streamlining Resource Management Simplifying and streamlining environmental and resource management law have been the buzz words of the past decade. My presentation focuses on the trajectory of these legislative developments in the context of New Zealand and the procedural impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

year: 2020

title: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study

authors: Greensill, Angeline Ngahina

subjects: Maori

abstract: Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

text: Inside the Resource Management Act:  A Tainui Case Study Under the Resource Management Act (RMA) 1991 councils are required to promote the sustainable management of physical and natural resources within their respective areas.    In carrying out their duties, councils are obliged to recognise and provide for the relationship of Māori with their culture, traditions, lands, waters and other taonga.  They are also required to have regard to kaitiakitanga, and to take into account the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi when making decisions.    
This thesis focuses on the RMA experiences of Tainui, a hapū in Whaingaroa. It sets out to prove that in the last 19 years, since the enactment of the RMA, Waikato councils have failed to honour these obligations to Tainui.  While the RMA specifically provides for Māori interests, in reality those interests are contested and eroded by decision makers who write and enforce rules which inequitably affect Māori relationships with land and other taonga. 
The thesis engages multiple theories and methodologies including Kaupapa Māori, critical theory, autobiography, and a longitudinal case study to expose personal experiences that   bring the realities of planning impacts on Tainui to life.    The fact that Tainui has successfully appealed several council decisions to the Environment Court indicates that councils are failing to meet their obligations as laid out in the legislation.

year: 2010