title: Offshore petroleum and minerals: Plugging gaps in the present framework

authors: Barton, Barry

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: For twenty years, it has been realized that there is a gap in New Zealand’s environmental law in that there is no general environmental legislation for the exclusive economic zone, and now for the extended continental shelf that includes areas more than 200 nautical miles offshore. The jurisdiction of regional councils under the Resource Management Act 1991 does not extend beyond the 12-mile limit, about 22 km offshore. (The jurisdiction of territorial authorities extends only to the mean low water mark.) That has meant that oil and gas operations beyond the 12-mile limit have not had proper environmental scrutiny. Public concern about such matters has sharpened in the light of petroleum exploration in the Raukumara Basin off the East Cape, although so far it has only reached the stage of seismic exploration. The Deepwater Horizon blowout on the Macondo prospect in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 also looms large in public debate. With a lower profile but with a similar potential to cause environmental harm is the possibility of seabed mining operations. A company is gearing up for deep seabed mining off New Britain in Papua New Guinea. Globally, the main targets are cobalt-rich crusts, polymetallic nodules (on the abyssal plain), and massive sulphide deposits (near hydrothermal vents). In New Zealand iron sands are also attractive. Other possible future uses of the offshore are carbon capture and storage and the extraction of gas hydrates. Existing operations such as fishing by bottom trawling present risks of environmental harm to the benthic environment, especially to features such as seamounts. The Minister for the Environment has now announced his intention to introduce a bill to plug this legal gap, at least in relation to petroleum development and seabed mining. Action on this is most welcome. It is desirable to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal, and of the legal framework for oil and gas well drilling in general. Some surprising gaps remain even if the Minister’s proposal is enacted.

text: Offshore petroleum and minerals: Plugging gaps in the present framework For twenty years, it has been realized that there is a gap in New Zealand’s environmental law in that there is no general environmental legislation for the exclusive economic zone, and now for the extended continental shelf that includes areas more than 200 nautical miles offshore. The jurisdiction of regional councils under the Resource Management Act 1991 does not extend beyond the 12-mile limit, about 22 km offshore. (The jurisdiction of territorial authorities extends only to the mean low water mark.) That has meant that oil and gas operations beyond the 12-mile limit have not had proper environmental scrutiny. Public concern about such matters has sharpened in the light of petroleum exploration in the Raukumara Basin off the East Cape, although so far it has only reached the stage of seismic exploration. The Deepwater Horizon blowout on the Macondo prospect in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 also looms large in public debate. With a lower profile but with a similar potential to cause environmental harm is the possibility of seabed mining operations. A company is gearing up for deep seabed mining off New Britain in Papua New Guinea. Globally, the main targets are cobalt-rich crusts, polymetallic nodules (on the abyssal plain), and massive sulphide deposits (near hydrothermal vents). In New Zealand iron sands are also attractive. Other possible future uses of the offshore are carbon capture and storage and the extraction of gas hydrates. Existing operations such as fishing by bottom trawling present risks of environmental harm to the benthic environment, especially to features such as seamounts. The Minister for the Environment has now announced his intention to introduce a bill to plug this legal gap, at least in relation to petroleum development and seabed mining. Action on this is most welcome. It is desirable to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal, and of the legal framework for oil and gas well drilling in general. Some surprising gaps remain even if the Minister’s proposal is enacted.

year: 2011

title: Five case studies exploring the value of technology education in New Zealand secondary schools

authors: Bowskill, Nicholas Ralph Martin

subjects: Technology education

abstract: There are many factors that influence students in their choice to take vocationally focussed or general technology subjects at secondary school. Equally, there are many factors that contribute to whether or not they succeed in their studies, and what value they place on the different types of knowledge and skills they learn. A student‟s choices cannot be separated from the social and environmental context in which the student acts. This study presents five case studies that explore the context and experiences of five, very different students of technology who have all recently graduated secondary school. Each case study brings together data from semi-structured interviews conducted with the student participant, one of their parents and their principal technology teacher at secondary school. They provide an insight into how each student perceived their technology education, what influenced them in choosing technology classes, what knowledge and skills they learnt, how that knowledge and skill has served them in their transition into the workforce or tertiary study, and what they perceive are the differences between vocational technology education and general technology education.

text: Five case studies exploring the value of technology education in New Zealand secondary schools There are many factors that influence students in their choice to take vocationally focussed or general technology subjects at secondary school. Equally, there are many factors that contribute to whether or not they succeed in their studies, and what value they place on the different types of knowledge and skills they learn. A student‟s choices cannot be separated from the social and environmental context in which the student acts. This study presents five case studies that explore the context and experiences of five, very different students of technology who have all recently graduated secondary school. Each case study brings together data from semi-structured interviews conducted with the student participant, one of their parents and their principal technology teacher at secondary school. They provide an insight into how each student perceived their technology education, what influenced them in choosing technology classes, what knowledge and skills they learnt, how that knowledge and skill has served them in their transition into the workforce or tertiary study, and what they perceive are the differences between vocational technology education and general technology education.

year: 2012

title: The legacy of Ngatoroirangi: Maori customary use of geothermal resources

authors: Stokes, Evelyn

subjects: geothermal resources

abstract: Geothermal activity has always been regarded as a significant traditional resource among Maori communities of the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo districts. The principal settlements of the tribes of Te Arawa, Ngati Tahu and Ngati Tuwharetoa were associated with geothermal areas. Outside the Taupo Volcanic Zone there were numerous other hot springs which were also highly valued by Maori. Areas of surface geothermal activity all have some traditions, cultural and historical associations for local tribes. Geothermal resources were used in various ways.

text: The legacy of Ngatoroirangi: Maori customary use of geothermal resources Geothermal activity has always been regarded as a significant traditional resource among Maori communities of the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo districts. The principal settlements of the tribes of Te Arawa, Ngati Tahu and Ngati Tuwharetoa were associated with geothermal areas. Outside the Taupo Volcanic Zone there were numerous other hot springs which were also highly valued by Maori. Areas of surface geothermal activity all have some traditions, cultural and historical associations for local tribes. Geothermal resources were used in various ways.

year: 2000