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Researchers call for the urgent expansion of Southern Ocean science

Source: NIWA

Today hundreds of international scientists are sounding a clarion call for urgent expansion of Southern Ocean science in the emerging climate crisis.
This week 300 scientists from 25 nations have been meeting in the Antarctic gateway city of Hobart for the first-ever international conference of the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS).
SOOS Co-Chair Dr Sian Henley said this is a critical time to bring the world together and focus on an ocean central to the global climate system.
“It is only due to long-term observations from the last 30 years or so that we now understand how important the Southern Ocean is.”
“To a large extent, the Southern Ocean controls the uptake of human-generated heat and carbon into the ocean and keeps our planet liveable.”
“However, despite the efforts of long-term programs carried out by several nations, the Southern Ocean remains one of the most under-observed regions on our planet.”
“As the extent of winter sea ice crashes and penguin populations shift dramatically, it is more pressing than ever to have a sustained and coordinated Southern Ocean observing system to understand current conditions and inform predictions of future states,” said Dr Henley.
Dr Andrew Meijers of the SOOS Scientific Steering Committee said that when it comes to climate change, the Southern Ocean is at the centre of the world.
“Global warming is really ocean warming, and the Southern Ocean controls the rate of melt of the Antarctic ice sheet, which is the single greatest uncertainty in projecting future sea level rise.”
“The rapid changes happening in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean right now create an imperative for additional research funding.”
“Much of the Southern Ocean – the deep ocean, under ice in winter, the carbon cycle, changes in biology due to sea ice, the interaction of ice sheet and ocean – remains a critical gap in our observing network.”
“We need to create a long-term and continuous program of multinational research that is circumpolar, stretching right around Antarctica,” Dr Meijers said.
NIWA Principal Scientist of Marine Physics Professor Craig Stevens, who is also a member of the SOOS Scientific Steering Committee, said that it is vital that we sustain observations of this rapidly changing component of the planet’s climate system. 
“From the perspective of a modest island economy close to the Southern Ocean, we must sustain our observations of it. If we don’t, we risk having far less warning of future changes that will be felt throughout the globe.” 
The mission of SOOS is to provide an international forum where scientists from around the world work together to define the big questions facing Southern Ocean science, and to promote and coordinate the national-level observing activities needed to achieve those scientific goals.
The central hub of SOOS is located in the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania.
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University News – Secondary school teacher training to continue at Victoria University of Wellington

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

 

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington will continue to offer secondary school teacher education in 2024.

 

“The Faculty of Education has reviewed the secondary school teacher education programmes, as well as the other teacher education programmes, and come up with some exciting new changes to make these programmes more financially viable for the future,” says Professor Carmen Dalli, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education.

 

Students interested in becoming a secondary school teacher can study either a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary) or a Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary). The Graduate Diploma is also available online.

 

To apply for one of the secondary school teaching qualifications students must have a Bachelor’s degree in at least one subject that is taught at secondary school level in New Zealand.

 

“Previously students were required to have two subjects they could teach at secondary school level. We have reduced this to one subject to make training as a secondary school teacher accessible to more people,” says Professor Dalli.

 

The University will also continue to offer a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary)  with both online and on-campus options, and a Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary), as well as a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood. Existing Early Childhood teaching programmes are also being reviewed to provide better study options for students and make sure these qualifications continue to meet the needs of the sector.

 

“We are deeply grateful to the many colleagues across all sectors of education who wrote to the University to advocate for the retention of our teacher education qualifications during the review of all University programmes this year. We look forward to continuing to offer high quality initial teacher education across all three sectors in the Wellington region for many years to come,” says Professor Dalli.

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Greenpeace – Delay of He Waka Eke Noa means big dairy still the cow in the room

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is slating today’s announcement that He Waka Eke Noa has been delayed yet again as adding insult to injury for New Zealanders, who have seen the dairy industry get off scot-free for its climate pollution while we all pay the price of climate collapse.
Greenpeace spokesperson, Christine Rose, says, “This should be the final straw for New Zealanders who have watched agribusiness get away with executing a cynical strategy of denial and delay for twenty years to avoid being held responsible for its contribution to the climate crisis.”
“Successive Governments have failed to stand up to the dairy industry, and we’ve been left with nothing but hot air and empty promises in lieu of strong climate action.
“Even now, neither of the two major political parties have a climate policy that goes anywhere near touching the dairy industry, even though it’s New Zealand’s biggest polluter. It’s time for that to change.
“The climate disasters we’ve seen this year – from Cyclone Gabrielle here in Aotearoa to the devastating fires in Maui, Hawai’i – have made it clear that we need more urgent climate action, and there is no time for delay,” says Rose.
“We need this to be a climate election because politicians must take bold climate action. We cannot continue to let the dairy industry pollute our climate unchecked while around the world, people and nature suffer the impacts of an escalating climate crisis.”
Greenpeace, alongside more than forty other organisations, is calling on all political parties to adopt ten key actions for a safe and stable climate and healthy environment – including action on intensive dairy’s climate pollution. These are outlined in a plan known as Climate Shift. More than 13,000 New Zealanders have signed on in support of the plan since it launched in June.
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Education News – Event at Ara |Te Pūkenga attracts those with a knack for a hack

Source: Te Pukenga

Everyone likes a short-cut, right?
Well, over the coming days Ara |Te Pūkenga is playing host to leaders in the open data and civic technology communities with a thirst for taming numbers and coming up with big ideas.
GovHack is an annual hackathon-style competition that brings together government agencies, developers, designers, and data enthusiasts from across New Zealand and Australia to collaboratively create innovative solutions using open government data.
It’s the first time Ara (partnering with Trimble) has co-hosted the event, which is organised simultaneously in centres in Australia and New Zealand. Thousands of participants, including ākonga (students), professionals and enthusiasts, are expected to get in on the action – making it one of the largest hackathons in the southern hemisphere.
This year, data for the challenges is being contributed by organisations such as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and InfoSys. Significant prizes are up for grabs.
The three-day event kicks off at 5pm on Friday with teams given 46 hours to create an app or visualisation inspired by the data.
Amit Sarkar, Ara Creative Arts and Digital Information (CADI) senior academic staff member, said the campus was excited to be hosting teams from Dunedin via Zoom, as well as from other institutes all around Canterbury.
“It’s great to see this event evolving from being an entirely online event during Covid to a hybrid model where competitors can choose to Zoom in or come on site to our Kahukura building and work on projects in our space,” Sarkar said.
He said there would be involvement from industry with teams from Trimble and MorphIT among those signed up. Others are expected to register on the day.
CADI Academic Manager Peter Nock said GovHack garnered significant media attention and public interest due to its focus on using open data for the public good and promotion of transparency in government.
“GovHack promotes civic engagement and encourages citizens to actively participate in using government data to address real-world challenges and improve public services,” Nock said.
“It offers a unique platform for individuals and teams to showcase their skills, creativity and innovative ideas. It fosters collaboration between the public sector and the broader community, leading to the development of practical and data-driven solutions to societal problems.”
He said it offered an opportunity for government agencies to engage with the public and gain insights into potential applications of their data too. “It encourages open data policies and demonstrates the value of making government data accessible to citizens.”
Nock said the multi-disciplinary, inclusive event was an exciting opportunity for Ara.
“We align with GovHack’s strategic vision build involvement with educational institutions. In turn, it allows us to foster innovation and provide learning opportunities providing ākonga hands-on experience with real-world data.”
Let the data descend and the solution design begin!
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First Responders – UFBA National Drivers Challenge for Firefighters

Source: United Fire Brigades’ Association

Firefighters from around the country will be in Fielding at Manfeild Park on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August for the United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) national Drivers Challenge.
The United Fire Brigades’ Association Drivers Challenge together over 100 firefighters from all around the country to compete and upskill in a challenging driving competition using fire appliances (fire engines/trucks).
The competition comprises a pre-drive, theory test and 11 individual exercises, in which drivers are judged on overall ability, efficiency, aptitude and smoothness of operation of fire appliances.
The exercises are designed to test critical spatial awareness and judgment decisions that reflect the real-life challenges when driving on New Zealand roads. Challenges include bay and parallel parking, straight-line driving, lane changes, braking, estimating clearance, and negotiating serpentine and shrinking chicanes.
This event also helps with re-validation for brigade drivers completing Emergency Response Driver certificates. UFBA CEO Bill Butzbach says, ” Statistically, responding to a call in a fire appliance is the most hazardous part of a firefighter’s role. The skill involved in safely driving an 8-12 ton appliance, with the safety of the crew onboard and other road uses, while in response to an emergency cannot be understated. Many of these skilled drivers are members of community volunteer fire brigades. This event brings together a vital opportunity for sharing, upskilling, testing against compliance and simple camaraderie as isolated brigade members network in a competitive and safe environment.”
Spectators are welcome to come along and gain insight into the world of firefighters. Understand and appreciate the incredible skill it takes to control and manoeuvre a 12-ton fire truck with precision and patience.
Event details
Date: 25 & 26 August 2023
Location: Manfield Park, Fielding
Time: 0830hrs to 1600hrs (timings approximate)
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Politics News – Federated Farmers say Government’s emission pricing plan is ‘tone-deaf’

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers are standing up and saying ‘no’ to the Government’s emission pricing plan, Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford says.
“The announcement made this afternoon is completely tone-deaf to the reality rural New Zealanders are living with,” Langford said.
“At a time when farmers are struggling to keep their heads above water and are looking for support, they’re instead being weighed down with more uncertainty, complexity, and cost.
“Farmer confidence is at an all-time low, and this announcement is going to do nothing to help restore it. It will only erode it further.”
Lamb prices have dropped 25% in the last 12 months, and the milk price has dropped from $9.30 to a forecast $6.75 this morning.
“Federated Farmers agreed to try and work with the Government and other sector partners to develop a plan to reduce emissions in the way that is cost effective and fair for farmers,” Langford said.
“The sector presented a credible plan 18 months ago, but we had nothing but radio silence from Government who have now compressed timelines and put themselves under pressure.
“What the Government have come back with is not a plan that’s been designed in partnership with the sector – it’s the Government plan and we have serious concerns about the impact it will have on New Zealand farmers.
“According to the Government’s own modelling it will lead to a 20% reduction in sheep and beef farming, and a 5% reduction in dairy production.
“That’s the last thing the country needs in our current economic climate, and is not something Federated Farmers would ever be willing to support.
“Federated Farmers had three clear bottom lines that needed to be met and what the Government has put forward today falls well short of meeting them,” Langford concluded.
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Daily Sector News – Tough times ahead for Kiwi dairy farmers – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Another drop in Fonterra’s forecast Farmgate Milk Price will be a bitter pill to swallow for farmers who are already under significant pressure, Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre says.
“Two weeks ago, farmers were looking at a midpoint of $8/kg MS, but things have rapidly deteriorated and we’re now looking at $6.75. That’s a significant drop,” McIntyre said.
“DairyNZ have released an updated national average breakeven figure for the season of $7.51 excluding principal repayments on debt. That means that, on average, farmers will be losing at least 76 cents on every Kg/MS they produce this season.
“The psychological impact of that for dairy farmers, who are in the thick of calving and working long hours in the elements, can’t be underestimated.
“They’re going to work every day, slogging their guts out to provide for their families, and coming home poorer than when they walked out the door at 4am that morning.”
McIntyre said that’s the reality for thousands of farming families around the country who are under serious financial stress and will be having some really challenging conversations around their dining room tables.
“There’s no denying that it’s going to be a challenging season, so it’s more important than ever that banks, dairy companies, and the Government are working with farmers to help them through it.
“Now isn’t the time to be adding any new costs or complexities for farmers who are just trying to keep their heads above water,” McIntyre concluded. 
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Education news – Zero Fees Scheme continues in Southern regions for 2024

Source: Te Pukenga

People studying with SIT | Te Pūkenga at its Southern region campuses will continue to enjoy SIT’s Zero Fees Scheme in 2024, Te Pūkenga – New Zealand In stitute of Skills and Technology has announced today.
“Te Pūkenga was established to create a stronger vocational education and training network, to better serve ākonga (students) and employers, no matter where they live. We are already seeing the benefits for our Southern ākonga, with improved access to learning opportunities and single national qualifications,” Pourangi Ako | Deputy Chief Executive Ako Delivery Gus Gilmore says.
SIT is no longer competing with every other polytechnic across the motu for ākonga and is able to collaborate with other vocational education providers in the network to make new programmes available to the region’s learners, Mr Gilmore says.
“For example, the new aquaculture programme being offered at SIT | Te Pūkenga was developed by NMIT|Te Pūkenga. Southern ākonga no longer need to move to Nelson to pursue this course of study. This makes the qualification more accessible for local people, while meeting local industry needs.”
Learners will be increasingly able to complete a single national qualification, through a mix of online, in-work and campus-based education from anywhere in the country.
“The challenges of having some 24 vocational educational or training organisations are widely recognised. We believe bringing them together, while retaining strong regional connections, best allows the most effective use of resource and the widest range of learning and training options for learners and employers.”
In 2024, the SIT Zero Fees Scheme will continue to apply to ākonga residing in the Southern region, and those studying at SIT’s Invercargill, Gore, Queenstown and Telford (Balclutha) campuses. It will not apply for SIT2LRN students with residential addresses outside of the Southern region, or those at SIT’s Christchurch campus.
For current SIT ākonga who are enrolled in multi-year programmes, the SIT Zero Fees Scheme will continue while they complete their current programmes. Those enrolling for multi-year programmes in 2024 will also continue to be eligible for SIT’s Zero Fees Scheme while they are studying at the SIT Southern region campuses ( terms and conditions apply).
“Te Pūkenga recognises the positive impact SIT makes to the local community, and we are committed to supporting local communities. The Zero Fees Scheme transformed SIT’s student numbers and made a significant impact on the region’s economy. Unfortunately, recent changes to tertiary education funding have meant the scheme is no longer sustainable,” Mr Gilmore says.
The SIT Zero Fees Scheme was introduced in 2001 with the aim of attracting more students and boosting the Southern regional economy.
SIT transitioned into Te Pūkenga in 2022. It was agreed that existing fee strategies across the network of Te Pūkenga would continue for 2023 while overall fee unification work continued.
Pricing decisions for 2025 and beyond have not been determined and are likely to be communicated in the first half of 2024, Mr Gilmore says. All local fee strategies will need to be financially viable.
Fees for online learning across the network, including SIT2LRN, are likely to be standardised. However, that work has not started yet and Te Pūkenga will work with the Tertiary Education Commission and other stakeholders to ensure compliance.
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First Responders – Advisory: New Zealand firefighters returning from Canadian wildfires

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Delta Deployment will return from Canada on Sunday 20 August.
Delta Deployment is the fourth group of firefighters to go to Canada in the past few months. In total New Zealand has sent 92 firefighters from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Department of Conservation and forestry companies to help fight wildfires in Canada this year.
Delta is the last deployment, as there have been no new requests for firefighters from Canada and New Zealand now needs to prepare for our own wildfire season.
The experience gained by the firefighters on these deployments will be extremely valuable, as New Zealand begins to prepare for what current forecasts suggest may be a hot dry summer.
Date and time : 7am, 20 August
Location: Auckland International Airport (right hand side of the public arrivals hall)
  • Acting Chief Executive Russell Wood
  • Delta Deployment spokesperson Dave Woon
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Construction Industry News – Site Safe launch first Virtual Reality training course for New Zealand’s construction industry

Source: Site Safe

Site Safe New Zealand is excited to announce the launch of its first virtual reality (VR) health and safety training courses to New Zealand’s construction industry.
From 15 August 2023, learners in Auckland will be able to book VR formats of the Foundation Passport Building Construction and Civil courses.
These VR courses have been designed to provide health and safety training through a virtual onsite experience, that accurately simulates hazards and risks present in a real construction environment.
Developed with industry, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and SkillsVR, the Foundation Passport Building Construction and Civil courses set the standard for health and safety training and knowledge in New Zealand’s construction industry.
Foundation Passport health and safety training is suitable for people who are existing and new to the construction industry, particularly those who are unfamiliar with construction in New Zealand.
Learners who complete the one-and-a-half-hour VR course receive a digital Site Safety Card (valid for two years). The digital card includes a green ‘Foundation’ indicator, showing they have completed the foundational training that allows them to work safely on a New Zealand construction site.
Virtual reality (VR) training is an innovative, future focused learning format that allows for real life scenarios to be digitally simulated for training purposes and eliminates the risk of making mistakes.
Learners will gain the tools and knowledge to keep themselves and others safe in areas such as working at heights, working in trenches, delivering materials, and laying foundations through an interactive, technology driven virtual experience.
VR training is also more time efficient, cost effective, and accommodating to people with different learning styles. VR delivers consistent training content and results in high learning outcomes.
“As the industry’s leading safety organisation, we are committed to working alongside industry to make sure our training is the gold standard in giving our kaimahi the knowledge they need to stay safe on site. It’s fantastic that we are able to add VR to our classroom and online delivery options so that our people have the best possible learning experience.” says Brett Murray, Site Safe’s Chief Executive.
VR health and safety training allows for people to be fully immersed in and engaged with their learning. Using VR headsets and controllers, learners complete interactive tasks, such as hazard and risk identification, PPE selection, and identifying how to keep themselves and others healthy and safe in a construction environment.
Job seeker Jacob Hedley was the first person to complete the VR Foundation Passport training course, and in one-and-a-half hours, he gained his digital Site Safety Card and important skills that would help him in his search for a job.
“I was actually blown away, I told my missus, I told my brother-in law, father-in-law, and a friend over in Australia,” said Jacob.
As a key sector currently facing a skilled labour shortage, the development of VR health and safety training is an innovative way of getting people ready for work in the construction industry.
Site Safe Chief Executive Brett Murray says many parts of the construction industry are “crying out for more workers, especially ones who are well trained and committed to a career in construction.”
“By utilising technology such as VR, Site Safe continues to lead in providing innovative and effective ways of delivering workplace health and safety training,” says Brett. “It is important that we are doing all we can to ensure that construction is seen as a safe and attractive sector to work in. Training plays a big part in building the competence and confidence of our workforce to produce good work outcomes.”
Book your place now in Auckland
VR courses will be available in Wellington and Christchurch in September 2023.