Tag Archives: NZ

DOC, News, Seismic Testing, Whale Strandings

More recent whale strandings around NZ & the Chathams & what mainstream isn’t telling you

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There was another threatened stranding of our sea creatures recently in Northland on 8 December, this time dolphins. Right on the heels of 80-90 stranded whales on the Chathams recently, 51 of those did not survive as of 30 November 2018. There were also two other NZ strandings, one on Stewart Island that saw 145 dead, another in Northland which saw a loss of 5.  This is all so tragic and with Christmas almost upon us the enormity can tend to fly under the radar. There will be more for sure. We posted a while back on this topic with other strandings, joining dots & making links to causes other than the usual mantra the authorities roll out as they have in this article.

DoC said exactly why whales and dolphins stranded was not fully known but factors could include sickness, navigational error, geographical features, a rapidly falling tide, being chased by a predator, or extreme weather. More than one factor might contribute to a stranding.

They never mention the factor that recently had alarmed conservationists in the US up in arms:

Defenders of ocean habitats and marine life are up in arms on Friday as the Trump administration is set to approve new abilities for the fossil fuel industry to conduct widescale and “deafening” underwater seismic in federal waters off the U.S. Atlantic coast.

Early in 2017 NZ saw the biggest whale stranding ever, located at Farewell Spit … 400 whales beached with 70% of those quickly lost.  Here is a mainstream media link to the event:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/89265113/Mass-whale-stranding-at-Farewell-Spit

In that article at the link there is another article referenced …  Why whales strand and how to help them. It cites the usual reasons already mentioned; ‘whale strandings are natural occurrences’.

Media is predictably quick to eliminate man’s interference with the environment as causal regarding any environmental damage. If you’re familiar with this site you will know that this denial is not uncommon. Corporations whose primarily focus is profits all vehemently deny that their practices cause damage. They are also well armed with a bevy of well paid lawyers to ‘legally’ destroy anybody who threatens those profits. People are targeted, assaulted and even lose their lives standing up to corporate profiteering.

That said, it is well to search for and consider the independent information on all events since corporations cannot be trusted to tell you the truth. They tell bold faced lies. If you doubt that watch ‘The Corporation’ doco found on the Corporations page.

The Threat of Underwater Noise Pollution to Marine Life, Particularly Seismic Testing

The following short video from oceancare.org explains concisely the threat of noise to marine life saying “underwater noise pollution is a serious threat…” (the phenomenon media doesn’t mention).

At 1.45 minutes the effect of sonar from military ships is explained and at 2.22 minutes, the effects of seismic exploration for oil and gas on marine life. As many Kiwis will know our oceans are now replete with activity from the latter, especially since our ‘esteemed’ and recently departed leader John Key signed away drilling rights to his corporate friends. Key and his corporation (aka known as the NZ Government) have no regard whatsoever for our natural environment. Corporations are about profits not people or environments. See more on Key below.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/30/trump-greenlights-another-violent-destructive-assault-marine-life-seismic-testing?

Underwater noise – the overlooked catastrophe
OceanCareOrg

Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011

my news montage.

VIDEO INFORMATION: “Basically, John Key is [was & his legacy continues] killing whales and dolphins, and potentially ruining the seafood (crabs, crayfish etc) industry in the areas where this seismic survey technology is used.

the Media has not told you ANY of this…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflecti…

The main environmental concern for marine surveys is the potential of seismic sources to disturb animal life, especially cetaceans such as whales, porpoises, and dolphins. Surveys involve towing an array of 15-45 pneumatic air guns below the ocean surface behind the survey vessel and emit sound pulses of a “predominantly low frequency (10–300 Hz), high intensity (215-250 dB).

Seismic surveying can damage the reproductive processes, auditory functions and other damaging effects to highly lucrative marine species (lobster, crab) and it poses potentially fatal effects to marine mammals.

Seismic testing is not fully responsible for whales running ashore or becoming stranded, but there is evidence that it plays a major role. Studies of seismic effects on several whale species such as Gray, Bowhead, Blue, Humpback and Sperm whales indicated substantial effects in behavior, breathing, feeding and diving patterns.

http://newdawnmagazine.com.au/Article…
Beachings and Seismic Tests

On November 28, 2004, Reuters reported that during a three day span, 169 whales and dolphins beached themselves in Tasmania, an island off the southern coast of mainland Australia. The cause for these beachings is not known, but Bob Brown, a senator in the Australian parliament, said “sound bombing” or seismic tests of ocean floors to test for oil and gas had been recently carried out near the sites of the Tasmanian beachings.

According to Jim Cummings of the Acoustic Ecology Institute, seismic surveys utilising airguns have been taking place in mineral-rich areas of the world’s oceans since 1968. Among the areas that have experienced the most intense survey activity are the North Sea, the Beaufort Sea (off Alaska’s North Slope), and the Gulf of Mexico; areas around Australia and South America are also current hotspots of activity.

The impulses created by the release of air from arrays of up to 24 airguns create low frequency sound waves powerful enough to penetrate up to 40km below the seafloor. The “source level” of these sound waves is generally over 200dB (and often 230dB or more), roughly comparable to a sound of at least 140-170dB in air.

According to the Australian Conservation Foundation, these 200dB — 230dB shots from the airguns are fired every 10 seconds or so, from 10 metres below the surface, 24 hours a day, for 2 week periods of time, weather permitting.

These types of tests are known to affect whales and dolphins, whose acute hearing and use of sonar is very sensitive.

On December 24, 2004 there was a magnitude 8.1 earthquake more than 800 kilometres southeast of Tasmania near New Zealand, with a subsequent aftershock 6.1 a little later in the morning that same day.

Then on December 26 the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck leading to the devastating tsunami that killed more than 300,000 people.

On December 27, 20 whales beached themselves 180 kilometres west of Hobart on the southern island state of Tasmania.

http://www.energy-pedia.com/article.a…
As part of Budget 2009 a total of $20 million over three years will be allocated to the seismic data acquisition programme run by Crown Minerals, which is responsible for the administration and promotion of New Zealand’s oil and gas.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/…
http://www.globalanimal.org/2011/03/2…
http://en.mercopress.com/2011/03/14/f…
http://en.mercopress.com/2010/10/27/f…

LINKS TO THE OTHER THREE VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES can be found by locating the video at Youtube. The other videos will be there on the side bar to the right.

OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS:

Call for mandatory autopsies on stranded whales

Call for autopsies on stranded whales; concern about seismic blasting

 

For more in depth information and interviews on seismic testing, the oil industry and the agenda of foreign oil companies here in our waters listen to three interviews with Rose Paige from thecontrail.com This is info you won’t be hearing in mainstream any time soon :

http://thecontrail.com/profiles/blogs/on-the-brink-radio-189-190-major-nz-whale-stranding-rose-paige?xg_source=activity

 

 

Header image Credit: thecontrail.com

 

 

 

DARPA, Lockheed Martin, News

Rocket Lab has just made NZ a launch pad for US defense satellites … NASA ELaNa-19 mission revealed

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NOTE: Periodically & randomly the facebook share option will disappear from posts on the front (this) page. If it is not appearing, click on the heading of the article to go to its own page, usually the share button will show up there. (All else failing copy & paste the url to your facebook page).

Didn’t we just know with a partner like Lockheed Martin (& now ACC as well) that there was more to Mahia’s Rocket Lab than innocent research? Doubtless, Mahia residents will have had nil consultation on this and as to Winston Peters’ ‘disarmament and arms control minister’ label, all I can say to that is, ‘what a crock’. All adds up given the big weapons fest Key hosted before departing for wealthier climes, having wrecked everything here prior …. thanks to thecontrail.com for the alert on this.

From thespinoff.co.nz via thecontrail.com

EDUCATIONAL LAUNCH OF NANOSATELLITES (ELANA)-19 LIFT-OFF, 16 DECEMBER 2018. PHOTO: ROCKET LAB / TREVOR MAHLMANN
 | Guest writer

Its latest mission may be inadvertently exposing New Zealand to the militarisation of space, writes Ollie Neas.

Rocket Lab made history on Sunday as its first ever mission for NASA made orbit from the Mahia Peninsula. The mission was the first dedicated launch of miniature satellites, or CubeSats, for NASA by a commercial launch provider.

But this was not the only reason the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa)-19 was historic. It was also the first time a satellite for a US defence agency was launched from New Zealand.

Although described as an “educational” mission, ELaNa-19 included a satellite that will conduct research for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, the Pentagon agency which develops cutting-edge technology for the US military.

DARPA’s involvement with this satellite, called the SHFT-1, has not been publicly disclosed by Rocket Lab. Nor does it appear to have been disclosed to the minister for economic development, David Parker, who approved the launch.

This launch is set to be followed by another for DARPA in early 2019 as part of a US Department of Defense programme to demonstrate that it can launch satellites rapidly in the increasingly contested space environment.

These developments come after The Spinoff revealed the extent of Rocket Lab’s work for US defence agencies last month, and signal New Zealand’s creeping involvement in US programmes to enhance its military capabilities in space.

A defence and security expert says these launches expose the risk of New Zealand inadvertently militarising space, and could also undermine New Zealand’s national security.

The SHFT-1 is described in Rocket Lab press releases as a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory satellite. But NASA’s own Orbital Debris Risk Assessment Plan for the mission indicates that the SHFT-1 is in fact a project of the DARPA Strategic Technology Office (STO), though it was designed by NASA.

The STO focuses on “technologies that enable fighting as a network to increase military effectiveness, cost leverage, and adaptability”. DARPA’s mission generally is to “maintain and advance the capabilities and technical superiority of the United States military”.

A DARPA spokesperson told The Spinoff that the SHFT-1 will measure radio frequencies to improve the performance of over-the-horizon radar ( OTHR).

OTHR is a type of radar system that can detect targets over long distances by bouncing radio waves off the ionosphere, which is a layer of the atmosphere. Its military uses include detecting missiles and stealth aircraft.

But there is no mention of DARPA or OTHR in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s briefing to the economic development minister David Parker, who approved the launch, although one paragraph of the briefing is redacted.

Released under the Official Information Act, this briefing simply describes the SHFT-1 as a NASA JPL satellite that will “study high-frequency signals to support research into galactic background emissions”.

MBIE advised the Parker that it had not identified any national interest concerns from the ELaNa-19 satellites and the New Zealand Intelligence Community identified no risks to national security. Parker’s office declined to confirm to The Spinoff whether he was personally aware that the SHFT-1 is part of a DARPA project, but responded that the minister was briefed on the launch.

“The Minister is satisfied that all the payloads, including the SHFT-1, are to be used to advance science and for research and development purposes and that the mission and purpose of the payloads is not contrary to our national interest,” his office said.

The Outer Space and High-Altitude Activities Act allows the minister to veto a satellite if it is not in the national interest. Although it prohibits the launch of weapons of mass destruction, it does not preclude the use of space for military purposes generally.

MBIE was asked to comment on whether it informed the minister about DARPA’s involvement, but said it would be treating The Spinoff’s questions as an Official Information Act request. Rocket Lab, which provided comment for The Spinoff’s last article, did not reply to a request for comment about the SHFT-1.

Little has been revealed publicly about the broader SHFT programme, which stands for the Space-based High Frequency Testbed. But public records show that US federal government contracts for the programme have been awarded to the defence and weapons contractor Raytheon, the scientific research institute SRI International, and Systems & Technology LLC, a company specialising in “advanced research and development for defense, intelligence and homeland security applications”.

The second DARPA satellite to be launched from New Zealand is called the R3D2 and is part of a joint programme between DARPA and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Last month The Spinoff revealed that Rocket Lab would be launching this satellite but until now it was not known whether the launch would be from Rocket Lab’s New Zealand launch site on the Mahia Peninsula, its yet-to-be-constructed site in the US, or some other site entirely.

DARPA now confirms that the launch will be from the Mahia Peninsula and likely in February or March 2019. Rocket Lab has not publicised this launch in any way and has declined two invitations from The Spinoff to comment on it.

David Parker’s office says that he has been informed about DARPA’s interest in the launch but has not considered an application for the R3D2 satellite. “Each application for a payload permit is considered on a case-by-case basis against the requirements in the Outer Space and High-altitude Activities Act,” his office said.

DARPA spokesperson Jared Adams says that the R3D2, which stands for RF Risk Reduction Deployment Demonstration, will demonstrate a new type of “membrane reflect-array antenna”.

“The demo seeks to prove a smaller, faster to launch and cheaper capability, providing increased communication coverage typically covered by geo-communications satellites. The R3D2 effort is in partnership with, and sponsored by, the Office of the Secretary of Defense as part of an effort to demonstrate rapid acquisition of small satellite and launch capabilities.”

It is not clear whether other satellites will be included on this launch. But the US Department of Defense will pay Rocket Lab US$6.5 million, which is close to the US$6.95 million for the whole NASA ELaNa-19 mission.

The US Department of Defense has actively pursued rapid launch capabilities in recent years as other nations challenge its dominance in space. Responding to these challenges, the Trump Administration announced plans in August to create a dedicated Space Force as a sixth branch of the US military.

Rocket Lab’s two DARPA launches indicate that New Zealand is to play a role in US space initiatives. Terry Johanson, a lecturer at Massey University’s Centre for Defence and Security Studies, says that this may pose risks to New Zealand’s national security.

“Some of the threats are from our own cooperation with a larger partner who wants to push their own national interest, which may not necessarily align to what our national interests are in maintaining the non-militarisation of space,” he said.

“An opponent of America could see New Zealand as a more vulnerable area in which to target indirectly America’s space programme or defence program. For example, Russia, North Korea or China could potentially undertake operations here to sabotage the American defense programme.”

Johanson also suggests the government may not have full information about what is being launched from New Zealand due to the Technology Safeguards Agreement, the treaty signed to allow for the transfer of US rocket technology to New Zealand.

The agreement requires the US to provide a written statement about spacecraft it proposes to launch from New Zealand, but precludes New Zealand from launching any spacecraft that the US deems contrary to its laws or policies.

Last Thursday Winston Peters, who is the disarmament and arms control minister, announced that New Zealand will chair the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2019.

“New Zealand’s emerging space industry makes it particularly relevant at this time that we contribute to the effective international control of sensitive missile-related technologies,” Peters said.

BE SURE TO READ THE COMMENTS AT THE LINK:

https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/17-12-2018/revealed-rocket-lab-ha…

https://thecontrail.com/forum/topics/revealed-rocket-lab-has-just-made-nz-a-launch-pad-for-us-defence-

There are so many hidden references in the first article.  We are so toast.

RELATED:

China and Russia band together on controversial heating experiments to modify the atmosphere

https://thecontrail.com/forum/topics/china-and-russia-band-together-on-controversial-heating-experimen?xg_source=activity

1080, cancer, Chemicals, News, Poison

The links between cancer & pesticides in our environment that the industries continue to deny

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In the 1970s, Dr Samuel Epstein wrote ‘The Politics of Cancer’ outlining the environmental health risks of chemicals contributing to cancer. The respective industries continue to minimize or deny those impacts.

You can listen to a series of interviews with Dr Epstein by Dr Mercola on chemicals in our environment and cancer prevention at this link.
Further you could also read our own Dr Meriel Watts’ excellent book called ‘The Poisoning of New Zealand’. She writes in Section One about pesticides and cancer citing the British Medical Assn’s report (p 41):

“While no causal link has been proven between pesticides and forms of cancer … there are serious doubts about the scientific validity of some of the studies which have been undertaken and there is no epidemiological evidence available for many pesticides. In other words we do not know whether or not many pesticides are harmful or not in day to day use.” 

Taken from Culliney et al (1992) she cites a long list of links made between pesticides & cancer:

meriel watts 2_0001

meriel watts 2_0002

I highly recommend you read her book. Libraries may hold it I would imagine.

Recently, Carol Sawyer posted information on an Otago article that gives details of a study from the University of Otago on the legacy of pesticides found in our environment. They hail a move to organic farming as being preferable. Carol details the NZ health (& other) statistics which are very damning to us as a nation.

NEW ZEALAND’S HEALTH STATISTICS

1) “Close to half the men in New Zealand and Australia are at risk of getting cancer, giving Australasia the highest regional rate in the world, latest estimates from The World Health Organisation (WHO) show.

WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) estimates the risk of New Zealand men developing cancer before the age of 75 years is 46.27 percent. The agency estimates the risk for women in New Zealand at a third.” RNZ , 16 September, 2018

2) We have five times the global average of motor neurone disease, and the highest mortality rate from MND in the world.

3) We have one of the lowest male fertility rates in the world.

4) We have one of the highest rates of asthma in the world.

5) NZ is “a high risk country for multiple sclerosis”. Southland has among the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand. Southland is the second largest region in New Zealand and, in all, over half of Southland’s land area is public conservation land, while farms occupy 85% of the remaining land.

https://www.msnz.org.nz/…/Multiple-Sclerosis-in-NZ-S.-Alla-…

6) We have the second highest rate of teenage bullying out of 51 countries.

7) We have the highest youth suicide rate in the developed world.

8) We have the worst rate of domestic violence in the world.

9) We have the third highest rate of sexual assault in the world.

“British medical journal The Lancet has published a report indicating the sexual assault rate in New Zealand is far higher than the world average. It placed the country third highest, alongside Australia.” The report looked at data from 56 countries and “placed New Zealand at the third-highest rate alongside Australia.” RNZ, 14 February 2014

*****************************************************

I don’t know about you, but I think our massive 1080 poison use, (at present, 90% of world usage, and ongoing for 64 years now, since 1954), and our enormous use of agri-chemicals on farms must have something to do with it.

Note : I haven’t put in all the references but these health/social statistics are easily found on the net.

Below is the University of Otago’s article:

Otago study shows legacy of pesticides difficult to avoid

29/7/2013

Otago research shows banned pesticides (or their toxic degradation products) remain in the sediments of farm streams many years on.

An Otago study shows that the tell-tale legacy in rural South Island areas of pesticides banned many years ago remains, regardless of the type of sheep and beef farming now taking place on the land.

The research, led by Department of Chemistry recent PhD graduate Dr Pourya Shahpoury and just published in the international journal Environmental Pollution, nevertheless shows that average pesticide levels found in sediments of streams running through the 15 South Island farms assessed as part of the study were still within recommended thresholds.

The most frequently detected pesticide (chlorpyrifos) found in the stream beds is one that is approved in New Zealand for current use against pests. However, the study also found chemicals (or their toxic degradation products) present that had been widely used many years ago before they were banned.

The team of Otago Chemistry and Zoology Department researchers compared the presence of chlorinated pesticides at streams running through five sheep and beef farm clusters located near Amberley, Akaroa, Outram, Owaka and Gore.

In each of the five areas, one property was farmed organically, a second was farmed using the integrated pest management (reduced pesticide use) farming method, and a third was farmed conventionally. The farms were carefully selected with the help of a design formulated by Otago’s Agricultural Research Group on Sustainability (ARGOS), which studies farm management strategies in New Zealand.

Sediment samples were taken from the 15 different farmland streams during the spring/early summer, the period when pests and weeds are most active, resulting in more intense application of pesticides compared to winter or autumn.

Dr Shahpoury says chlorinated pesticides, within recommended thresholds, were found throughout the study areas regardless of the farming practices that took place on the farms eight to11 years preceding the study.

“Although the chemical chlorpyrifos was the most frequently detected in stream sediments, in contrast to our expectations, its concentrations were not highest in stream sediments from conventional farms and were found at similar levels across all three different farm types. This may have been due, at least in part, to its high potential to undergo vapour drift and re-distribution,” he says.

READ MORE

https://www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/research/otago051129.html?fbclid=IwAR1Uc8R5CL__zomW77DGpsHVWkgSY0ALpy-uHI_z2DoE0C7Hk1b_8n9Russ

 

PHOTO: envirowatchrangitikei … spraying roundup onto fields adjacent to a school in Marton, NZ.

1080, Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation, News, Poison

Since the nationwide protest against NZ’s 1080 use social media numbers have ballooned from 154K to 207K & that’s not including opposition outside of social media

3 Comments
Thanks to Carol Sawyer for this update:
AN UPDATE ON NUMBERS! – ANTI-1080 FACEBOOK GROUP MEMBERS/FOLLOWERS SMASH THE 200,000 THRESHOLD!!

So… what has happened since the huge, nationwide protest on September 8, 2018?

41223424_10217168251182559_9073396967198949376_n
A hikoi against 1080 use in NZ culminated in thousands protesting nationwide on 8 September … folk continue to protest nationwide
Many thought this was a temporary surge in anti-1080 enthusiasm and that it would drop off. Not so! If you count the nine groups listed in my original posts on membership, the figures are :

27 August, 2018 – 154,575
6 September, 2018 – 175,627
4 December, 2018 – 184,421

So, since 27 August, 2018, numbers of the nine main groups have grown by 29,846 people…..or THREE HUNDRED PEOPLE PER DAY!

The total for anti-1080 membership/followers on Facebook groups is now well over 200,000. See below. (All groups listed here are current, and active up to today!)

*****************************************************************

There are of course many groups that are not listed here. I have only listed those groups with 1,000 or more followers or members.

Here they are again with the latest figures and now three new groups have reached the 1,000 member target – “America Against 1080 – Stop Poison Drops in New Zealand”, “Operation Ban 1080 Open”, and “ABC’s of 1080”.

PLUS there are three groups of over 1,000 members that I realized I didn’t count before – “Stop 1080 Poison “, “Anti 1080 Action Ruapehu”, and “Ban 1080 Poison in New Zealand”.

****************************************************************

Groups with more than 1,000 members /followers :

Operation Ban 1080 – 84,670
NO to 1080 Use in NZ – 31,821
1080 Eyewitness – 22,065
Ban 1080 Party – 13,888
Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation – 9.389
New Zealand’s Not Clean Green – 8,688
The Graf Boys – 6,211
Ban 1080 – South Island – 4,331
Ban 1080 Poison in New Zealand – 4,224
Stop 1080 Poison – 3,944
Operation Ban 1080 Open – 3,875
Stop 1080 NOW – 3,408
Anti 1080 Action Ruapehu – 1,776
ABC’s of 1080 – 1,118
America Against 1080 – Stop the Poison Drops in New Zealand – 1,003

TOTAL = 200,411

PS : There will be some overlap, particularly between “Operation Ban 1080” and “Operation Ban 1080 Open” members, but counteracting that there are many CURRENT groups just under the 1,000 member threshold.

For example –

Groups with under 1000 members/ followers :

Stop Poisoning Coromandel Peninsula – 987
1080 in Fiordland – 819
Church of Poison Free New Zealand – 775
1080 Poison Protest Action TPPA – 743
Save Raukumara From 1080 – 722
1080 Alternatives NZ – 721
Stop 1080 Poison Fox Baits in Tasmania – 453
1080 Free Rolleston – 438
NZ Farmers Against 1080 Poison – 417
Whangarei Ban 1080 – 266
Northland 1080 – 238
Dunedin Against 1080 – 146

TOTAL = 6,725

…and many more smaller groups.

***********************************************************

OVERALL TOTAL MEMBERSHIP/FOLLOWING OF ABOVE GROUPS = 207,136!!!!!!

EMFs, News, RF Radiation, Smart Meters

A reminder that Smart Meters can seriously endanger your health … the must-watch Take Back Your Power doco

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I’m ever grateful to Josh del Sol’s production of this video, made at his own expense, illustrative of the passion some people have for social justice. They stick their necks out to warn the public when it would be easier not to.  It was my first eye opener to the hidden dangers of smart (dumb) meters, cleverly named to make you think they are the experts. They are not. This meter is not compulsory in NZ, remember this when you are told you have to have one. You don’t. See stopsmartmeters nz  website for info on that, and see also our Smart Meter pages for other info and videos on topic.

Published on Dec 1, 2017

SUBSCRIBE 704
The 2013 NSA spying scandal exposed vast programs to monitor your personal communications. Now, energy utilities and governments are reaching into your own home, through fast-tracked “smart” meters and spy-ready technology. But what if you have a choice? At stake is in-home surveillance, increased bills, emerging health risks and more hacking vulnerabilities. With compelling insight from whistleblowers, researchers, government agents, lawyers, doctors and environmentalists, the award-winning documentary Take Back Your Power takes us on a journey to expose corporate and government corruption and erosion of rights in the name of “smart” and “green.” What you’ll discover will surprise, unsettle and empower you. Watch “Take Back Your Power” now: http://takebackyourpower.net FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/TakeBackYourPower TWITTER: http://twitter.com/TBYPfilm Produced & Directed by: Josh Del Sol Featuring: B. Blake Levitt, Foster Gamble, Bill Vander Zalm, Jeffrey Armstrong, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, James Turner esq, Dr. David O. Carptenter, Viginia Farver, Ian R. Crane, Michael Mitcham, Cal Washington, Anura Lawson. This film clip contains material used pursuant to fair use doctrine under 17 U.S.C. 107 and has been vetted by an experienced clearance attorney. The award-winning documentary Take Back Your Power uncovers the shocking story behind why hundreds of local governments are standing against the multi-billion dollar rollout of ‘smart’ utility meters. Take a journey of revelation, examining evidence of in-home privacy invasions, systemic over-billing, extortion, health & environmental harm, fires and unprecedented hacking vulnerability. And be inspired by emerging solutions. With compelling insight from whistleblowers, government agents, lawyers, doctors, researchers and environmentalists, Take Back Your Power investigates the claimed benefits and emerging risks of a profit-based global initiative that seeks to change the way we live. What you’ll discover will surprise, unsettle and ultimately empower you. https://takebackyourpower.net/
PHOTO: stopsmarters NZ
brodifacoum, News, Poison

In 2004 the authorities killed almost 60% of an already endangered resident dotterel population with brodifacoum poison

2 Comments

Bill Benfield writes in his book The Third Wave (pp 76-77), on the use of brodifacoum poison, an anti-coagulant used by the Department of Conservation in NZ to kill pests. It is seen under the trade names of Talon and Havoc. An animal may get a small sub-lethal dose of brodifacoum, and later more doses until a critical poison level is reached & the victim dies. A single sub lethal dose however can remain with an animal for its whole life. Brodifacoum has a half life of 157 days in the soil. Some insects can consume brodifacoum baits and have no ill effect but of course if they are part of a bird’s diet they can be catastrophic.

As DoC do not monitor insects before and after brodifacoum operations, the consequences of their activities on endangered species is unknown.

This is how it was that the Auckland Regional Council poisoned nearly 60% of the resident population of endangered North Island dotterel at Tawharanui Regional Park in 2004: through eating brodifacoum baits and poisoned sand-hoppers!

When I read of these incidents I’m always left pondering as to whether the NZ agencies that purport to be saving our native birds are actually being truthful?

Connect the dots here…
1) DoC doesn’t monitor insects before & after poisoning operations
2) Insects eat brodifacoum
3) Dotterel EAT insects
4) 60%, in this instance, of the already endangered dotteral population dies

Is this really rocket science people?

PHOTO: Wikimedia

REFERENCES: All references to Bill Benfield’s information are listed in his book The Third Wave.

RELATED: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1709/S00012/huge-by-kill-of-brodifacoum-poison.htm

 

 

1080, DOC, News, Poison

“Twenty years of 1080 in the Haast Valley has killed our kea population”

4 Comments

By PAMELA ADAMS   SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2018

WHERE HAVE ALL THE KEA GONE?

“On the night of the 30th November [the day of the last 1080 drop] a single kea was heard screaming in the trees behind the township. After that the five kea in Haast township were never seen again. Two years later there are still no kea in Haast Township … twenty years of Compound 1080 in the Haast Valley has killed our kea population … and on the 15th November 2018 the Department of Conservation plan to aerially drop Compound 1080 poison again on Haast……”

 

The photo above is the saddest thing I have seen in years – taken today – a flax bush in full flower and not a single kea to be seen.

 

Back in November 2010 the flax bushes in Haast township were filled with the noise and antics of kea fighting over the sweet nectar. One evening I saw seven kea in one bush. The next photo was taken on the 10th November 2010……..

 

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Kea in flax bushes in Haast township

By April 2016 we had five kea permanently living in the town – this photo below was taken on the 12th April 2016………..

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Kea sitting on the roof of the Police Station in Haast township 12th April 2016

But on the 30th November 2016 the Department of Conservation as part of their Battle for our Birds campaign aerial spread Compound 1080 near Haast township (True Left Haast drop zone)……..

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1080 signs (Cron Creek) State Highway 6, 1st December 2016

 

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1080 sign on farm just south of Haast township (State Highway 6th) 30th November 2016
On the night of the 30th November a single kea was heard screaming in the trees behind the township. After that the five kea in Haast township were never seen again. Two years later there are still no kea in Haast Township ………..

So the flax bush flowers and there is nothing to eat its sweet nectar. Compound 1080 does not increase native bird numbers………… Sixty years of Compound 1080 has not saved New Zealand wildlife…….. twenty years of Compound 1080 in the Haast Valley has killed our kea population………..

 

And on the 15th November 2018 the Department of Conservation plan to aerially drop Compound 1080 poison again on Haast……

 

Why? There is nothing left to kill.
1080, Conservation, DOC, News, Poison

DoC admits their 1080 rat control operation only lasts 3-6 months … ANNUAL poisoning now for Heaphy Vlly & Coast

2 Comments

From Carol Sawyer
1 Nov 2018

DoC ADMITS RAT CONTROL ONLY WORKS FOR 3 – 6 MONTHS !!
HEAPHY VALLEY AND COAST – TO HAVE ANNUAL AERIAL 1080 POISONING

I have been sent this letter with the comment “Look at this Carol, this is the first time I have seen DOC admit that the poison only holds back numbers of rodents for 3-6 months!”

It is indeed the first time they have admitted that! DoC say in their letter :

“The Department estimates that each pest control operation will provide a window for native species to breed and thrive that lasts around three to six months before rat numbers start to build up again.”

Look at the attached graph… only five months after the 1080 drop, the rat numbers had become HIGHER than they were at the time of the drop and were continuing to climb.

The 20,667 ha area extends over the western end of the Heaphy track, and the drop will take place between October and December, 2018.

**************************************************************

“7 September, 2018

Dear……

This letter is to let you know abut changes to pest control work happening in the Heaphy Valley and along the Heaphy Coast in the coming year.

The Department is moving to trial an annual rodent control program starting from this year in this area due to consistently high numbers of rats outside operation times. These high numbers are impacting the bird and bat populations in the area and threatening other vulnerable native species.

The Department estimates that each pest control operation will provide a window for native species to breed and thrive that lasts around three to six months before rat numbers start to build up again.

The pest control will be closely monitored to ensure it is obtaining the outcomes needed to protect species.

Over the coming months, we will be conducting a consultation process with landowners, the local community and other interested parties.

A fact sheet containing further information on the pest control in the Heaphy Valley and coast is attached.The map shows the indicative boundaries of the operation.

DoC will be contracting a local pest control operator to carry out the work and notifications will be sent out closer to the time of the operation.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of what is proposed then please do not hesitate to contact me at the address below by September 30th, 2018.

Kind regards,

Jess Curtis
Senior Ranger – Bathurst Project
Dept of Conservation”

 

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Banking, Money, News

What NZ CEOs are paid

1 Comment

It’s difficult to be positive about the obscene salaries these people receive. Especially in light of Rogernomics & the Neo-lib disaster that destroyed so many people. And continues to do so. Great idea for those at the top, not so for those at the bottom. Of course it was a scam & in my opinion never intended to benefit everybody. We can see who it is benefiting right in plain sight here.

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From the NZ Herald

Chief executives at New Zealand’s biggest companies got a 2.2 per cent pay rise last year, taking their average earnings to $1,755,352 in the 2017 financial year.

It was the second-smallest increase in the 13-year history of the Business Herald’s CEO pay survey.

The survey covers the top 50 companies listed on the sharemarket, with the exception of some property firms whose management structure makes it difficult to calculate CEO pay, and the addition of Fonterra because of its size, and Herald publisher NZME, included in the interests of transparency.

Fifteen executives experienced earnings declines last year, compared with nine recorded in the previous year’s survey. The 2.2 per cent average increase was the lowest on record, apart from 2011, when average CEO pay fell by 0.4 per cent.

While CEO earnings increases were modest compared to some previous years, 38 of the 50 chief executives in the survey still received more than $1 million in remuneration, and their average was 55 times the median annual income Kiwis received in that year, recorded at $31,928, according to Statistics NZ.

The average CEO increase was in line with the 2.3 per cent rise Kiwis received last year.

Former Fonterra boss Theo Spierings was the highest-paid executive last year. Spierings, who stepped down last month, received $8.3m for the 2017 financial year, up from $4.66m he received a year earlier.

READ MORE at the link (graphs & figures included)

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&objectid=12134854

 

images

 

the-imf-confirms-that-trickle-down-economics-is-indeed-a-joke

1080, News, Poison

Despite high rates of abandonment and failure of previously monitored kea nests the Kea Conservation Trust plans to continue

2 Comments

Carol Sawyer recently drew attention to a letter to the editor by scientist Dr Jo Pollard that expresses concern over the Kea Conservation Trust’s plans.

carol kea post 19 oct 18.jpg

LETTER, OTAGO DAILY TIMES, 16 October, 2018

“Dear Sir

I read your article on the activities of the Kea Conservation Trust (ODT 10/10/18) with despair. Paying no heed to the recent deaths of two pet kea that were blood sampled by DoC, this volunteer group is continuing with its blood sampling of wild kea. The group is also planning more interference with kea nests, despite high rates of abandonment and failure of nests which they have monitored previously. Normally, a female kea spends years building her nest then can use it for life. Even a preschool child knows that disturbing a bird’s nest is likely to cause abandonment and attract predators. Scientific literature backs this up. Research has also shown that stoats and possums are not normally a threat to kea nests, but other kea and falcons are and are likely to be attracted by monitoring. Science and common sense indicate that kea would be much better off left alone.

Yours Sincerely

Dr Jo Pollard (BSc (Hons), PhD)”

5G, EMFs, News, RFR

Spark respond to 5G concerns

1 Comment

From thecontrail.com

Dear Andrew,

I obtained your email from the 5G Briefing put out by Spark in August this year. I was highly disappointed to see that Spark does not seem to have any concerns – or self investigation – regarding any potential health issues involved with EMF waves in general and in particular high frequency millimetre waves. Concerns over the dangers of EMF/EMR are – despite what our media, corporations and government departments will tell you – have been around for many years and there are many peer-reviewd and official studies showing the multiple dangers of this type of technology.
I could easily add many links here for you regarding these dangers and if you wish me to, I would be more than happy to provide these links. However, for now I would like to get your attention and – to be honest Andrew – see if you will give me the time of day to respond to my email, or just label me as a crank and shove me to the junk mail folder. Let me assure you, I am an intelligent and well researched person with nothing but concern for my family, my community and my country and I would like to think that Spark has similar values.
Unfortunately, it is obvious from the 5G Briefing that Spark is a nprofit-driven corporation that is rushing head-first to what will potentially be a health nightmare, does not do it’s own due-diligence and puts sales ahead of public safety. And for what reason?
Below is an email I sent to Spark regarding 5G. Continue scrolling to see their response. Discussion paper here
agenda 21/30, Global Governance, Global Government, New World Order, News

That ‘World Order’ again, this time Ardern & Merkel

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More on the ‘world order’ Jacinda keeps mentioning. This is from April this year. Thanks to Martin at uncensored.co.nz for the link.

Jacinda is getting us used to the coming ‘new world order’... by mentioning it here & there so’s it won’t be new when it finally kicks in. As have other world leaders since George Bush Snr first mentioned it right after the Gulf War in 1991 or thereabouts.

From Radio NZ

The Prime Minister says there has been a deepening in the relationship between New Zealand and Germany.

Ms Adern thanked Ms Merkel for supporting a potential free trade agreement between New Zealand and the European Union and expressed the hope that trade talks will begin next month.

The EU’s member states are expected to decide whether to give the talks the go-ahead in May.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues in their first meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, including the various pressures threatening the world order.

READ MORE

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/355348/merkel-ardern-discuss-threats-to-world-order

Photo: AFP / Emmanuele Contini / NurPhoto

Jacinda Ardern has met with the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin to discuss key security challenges faced by both nations.

1080, DOC, News, Poison

The very Govt organization that issues consents for 1080 drops is to conduct the ‘independent’ review of DoC’s recent aerial operation that killed 8 cows

2 Comments

“Waikato Regional Council will undertake the independent review.“ NZ Herald.

Related: https://envirowatchrangitikei.wordpress.com/2018/09/29/with-an-estimated-158-stock-deaths-pa-in-nz-docs-proposed-independent-review-of-the-waikato-1080-drop-that-killed-8-cows-is-rare-indeed/

This is all very in-house isn’t it? Not unlike how the Police investigate themselves. Or how Monsanto long ago in the 1970s tested Roundup themselves for safety. Also a bit like asking the second hand car dealer to check over the car you are looking to purchase.

Dr Meriel Watts appealed to Environment Waikato (now Waikato Regional Council, WRC) in 2010 to desist from the use of 1080 as they considered the issuing of up to 20 year consents for aerial dispersal of the said product:

“Re: EPRO and EcoFX Resource Consent Applications

Dear Mr Laing,

I am writing to you on behalf of Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa New Zealand to express our profound opposition to Environment Waikato’s anachronistic proposal to allow 10- or 20-year resource consents to EPROand EcoFX to aerially disperse 1080 in the region.

As you are no doubt aware, 1080 is classed by the World Health Organisation as an Extremely Hazardous pesticide (Class 1a WHO). You may not be aware that as such it falls within the category of Highly Hazardous Pesticides for which the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is seeking a global phase out.

That Environment Waikato is contemplating 10 or 20 year consents to use, let alone aerially disperse, 1080, when a UN agency is promoting a global phase out of all such pesticides is extraordinary. I can only assume that you officers are not aware of the situation.

To issue consents of 10 or more years duration also flies in the face of ERMA’s concern about such on-going widespread dispersal of 1080 in the environment, and their support for more research into alternatives. There will be no room for introduction of alternatives in the EW region if these consents are granted.”

1080 is a broad-spectrum poison: it kills all oxygen-breathing animals and organisms. This alone is reason enough to cease dispersing it into the environment. It indiscriminately kills and contaminates everything from the insects that underpin the native fauna food chain to precious native birds, dogs and farm animals. There are so many recorded instances that there is no need to elaborate on them here. Nor the fact that the suffering of these animals on the way to death is extremely inhumane.

That New Zealand has such a history of poisoning its indigenous species, livestock and companion animals is a shame we have to live with. But we do not need to perpetuate it. Thankfully the era of poisoning everything we don’t like is passing, and intelligent new, targeted approaches to pest management are taking its place.

It is time now for Environment Waikato to move forward with the rest of the world, and introduce alternatives. Trapping has been shown to be an effective method of controlling possums, at the same time utilising a valuable resource for the benefit of the national economy, and trapping technology is continually improving. On the other hand, years of experience of 1080 dispersal has shown that this approach is not sustainable, it has to be repeated at regular intervals, each time with its negative consequences for the environment.

Pesticide Action Network therefore urges you to reject the idea of extended resource consents for aerial dispersal of 1080, and to instead focus your resources on rapid introduction of sustainable, environmentally friendly, and socially supportive alternatives such as trapping.

Yours sincerely,

Meriel Watts, PhD,

Pesticide Action Network

SOURCE

When a PHD & author of 2 well known books* on the effects of poisons on human beings & environments, takes the time to warn those who are mandating widespread poisoning of the environment of the dangers therein, you would think that that authority would heed the warning. But no, not only have they continued dropping 1080, it increases yearly. And the rules have even been changed so that 1080 can be delivered straight into waterways without a consent from council!

Indeed since that time the Government itself has been busy making the product for the country (NZ) that was already using 80% or thereabouts of the world’s supply. Cleverly re branding it to make its image slightly more palatable to the non questioning public.

2openlab

We are expected to now believe that an investigation into this recent incident involving the death of 8 cows (including aborted calves) by the very organization that is not only a branch of the same tree and pro 1080, will be independent? 

They are all under the same Government umbrella!  DoC, Regional Council, Orillion. May as well save themselves the time, money & effort because we can fairly safely bet on what the outcome will be.

*(The Poisoning of New Zealand, 1994 – and – Pesticides and Breast Cancer, 2007) 

1080, DOC, News, Poison, Water

Fight against 1080 goes to Te Taitokerau Māori Land Court

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A must watch is yesterday’s interview of Alan Gurden & Emille Leaf. They refer to the problems raised in this article that 1080 is purportedly addressing.

The article below is from Herald:

An urgent injunction has been lodged in the Māori Land Court Te Taitokerau to stop the Department of Conservation making 1080 drops over public or private land.

The injunction was accepted at the Te Taitokerau land court in Whangārei on Thursday afternoon on the grounds of the urgency of the case, said a spokesman for the applicants.

The injunction will be considered today.

Lodged by Northland men Riki Ngatoki and Hayward Brown, it was prepared with the help of Nga Tikanga Māori Law Society Inc.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) is due to drop 1080 poison over Russell State Forest and part of Cape Brett in the next two weeks, weather permitting, after laying taster bait last week.

A spokeswoman said a copy of the injunction was delivered to the Whangārei office late last week.

DoC has called off all planned drops until the outcome of the injunction is known, she said. DoC could not comment further while the matter was in that process.

The injunction did not specify the Northland drops but applied to the use of 1080 anywhere over Māori land in New Zealand, Ngatoki said.

Another case is expected to be heard in the Environment Court this week, lodged by Auckland opponents of 1080 trying to stop a drop in the Hunua Ranges.

But Nga Tikanga Māori Law considers the matter its injunction is based on is about land and ownership rights.

It is understood Māori Land Court injunction refers to land boundaries and legal descriptions in the intended Northland drop zone.

Ngatoki said the underlying argument is about returning to tangata whenua the right to say what happens on Māori-owned land. He said poisoning the land and water was not part of the values of past generations or of tikanga Māori.

READ MORE

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12129942

Photo: Carol Sawyer

Homeless, Housing, News, State Housing

New Zealand has worst level of homelessness in the world, Labour says

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A piece of old news that mainstream is highlighting again without pointing to the obvious instigators of the whole thing pre labour, the sale by nats of thousands of state homes. Not rocket science really is it? Still, the property developers had a field day & laughed all the way to the banks owned by their buddies. Key’s managing one now I believe and NZ’s debt he racked up, well that appears to have benefited him as well. Under neo lib economics the poor can just eat cake as far as they are concerned.

THE NATS HAVE BEEN LAND BANKING TAMAKI STATE HOMES ON PRIME REAL ESTATE SINCE 2012, CLEARING OUT THE POOR TO MAKE WAY FOR PRIVATE MANSIONS

From Stuff

New research indicates New Zealand has some of the worst rates of homelessness in the developed world.

At the last census in 2013 there were roughly 41,705 Kiwis who were “severely housing deprived” – about 1 per cent of the population.

Using data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a Yale study has compared the statistics to those from other developed nations, which put New Zealand on top of the list on a per-capita basis – although the researchers note significant comparability issues thanks to the differing ways each country measures homelessness.

READ MORE

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94983470/new-zealand-has-worst-level-of-homelessness-in-the-world-labour-say

1080, News, Poison

DoC’s latest by-kill – 10 cows poisoned by 1080, 13 Sept, 2018, bees feeding on carcasses

2 Comments

The farm with the cow deaths adjoins Mapara Wildlife Reserve, administered by the NZ Department of Conservation. 1080 baits were photographed in the neighbouring farm paddock. Bees could be seen feeding on the poisoned carcasses…  so 1080 is potentially going into our NZ honey!!!

This is not an irregular occurrence folks, remember the news hitherto hidden from the ’90s of 570+ dead sheep, reported by Dr Meriel Watts! See the working document on poisoning by 1080 being compiled still as we speak. Since publishing some of these farm deaths it’s become very apparent by feedback from farmers that we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Remember, the incidents are hidden by DoC in the paper work.

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

10 cows POISONED by 1080 13/09/2018.  Video at the source shows a bee feeding on the poisoned protein/salt on the poisoned carcass. DOC is out of control. Photos & Videos- Lefur Dan

1080, Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation, News, Poison

Timaru’s ban 1080 protest

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Thanks to Darrell McGrath for this fantastic coverage of the Timaru protest on Saturday 8th September. They had a great turnout. Well done Timaru!

Darrell McGrath

What can one say, Timaru you did a great job in turning up to a very important cause.
8th of September 2018 will go down in the record books for the amount of people who came together, to stand together and to voice their concern over the use of a poison, 1080.
Throughout New Zealand, from the Cape to Bluff, over the last 5-6 months, two blokes set about creating awareness on both islands. Alan and Emile began the HIKOI OF A POISONED NATION.
Incredibly brave move as it was the cold winter months and the 8th Sept was the day they would congregate in Wellington outside the Beehive.
Not sure on the actual number, but with Wellington holding the main event, many, many towns throughout both islands, came together in full support for the banning of 1080.
I was born and bred here in Timaru, I went away for a few years but returned. Only the day before (the 7th) I saw some post that was looking like a typical Timaru response, ONLY 6 were showing as going. I thought that was just typical of Timaru, so many voice their own opinion, so many not having much knowledge on many topics, but when action takes place, you don’t see them.
I was absolutely wrapped in what i saw outside the Timaru City Council building. One by one, the people gathered and in the matter of 4–50minutes, an incredibly great turn out.
Well done to ALL who showed, well done to the ones who organized the Timaru 1080 Gathering and as we all get together, country wide, lets hope that common sense takes place and this government actually KILLS 1080 ONCE AND FOR ALL.
I see many posts where the blame points to the immediate government, it can’t just be blamed on this one, as over the last 30 years, this criminal element has been going on through many puppets, of different parties.
If this Government now, run my Jacinda Adern wants to put herself and party on the map of good, NOW IS THE TIME. KILL KILL KILL 1080!!!

Timaru, this video is for you, all those that supported a worthy cause in exposing and bringing an end to this democidal ingredient.
#hikoiofapoisonednation

1080, Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation, News

The peaceful anti 1080 protest Saturday 8th Sept: find a venue near you

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Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation shared a Page.

 

Updated here when information becomes available:
THURSDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2018.

The NORTH ISLAND HIKOI was at FOXTON about 2pm yesterday walking South toward LEVIN and PARAPARAUMU.
Dan Lane and Emille’s daughter Te Ora are now with the Hikoi.

The SOUTH ISLAND HIKOI departs PICTON today.
Alan Gurden will be having a rest day with his family in Wellington.
Meet Alan again at the INTERISLAND FERRY TERMINAL at 10 am on Saturday for his final walk to Parliament.

“Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation” is a PEACEFUL PUBLIC PROTEST march from Bluff and Cape Rienga.
It FINISHES at PARLIAMENT, Wellington on SATURDAY 8 SEPT. (See simultaneous events around country below)

In WELLINGTON the SOUTH ISLAND HIKOI will start from the INTERISLANDER FERRY TERMINAL at 10am, walk silently along the footpath and meet the NORTH ISLAND HIKOI at the RAILWAY STATION. They will then walk to PARLIAMENT for the main Peaceful Public Protest 12.30pm – 3pm (with speakers). Afterwards people may gather on the Wellington WATERFRONT near TE PAPA Museum.
Some people may choose to stay in Wellington until Tuesday 11 September when MP’s will be present to hear the outcome of negotiations IF we do not get the answer we want from from Government on Saturday.

BRING YOUR WHANAU – it is the kids we are doing this for!
You could WEAR BLACK to show your grief for the victims of this poison.
You could bring A WHITE CROSS in memory of the wildlife, farm animals, pets and people killed or maimed by1080 poison.
You could wear a CHEMICAL HAZARD SUIT AND MASK to show the danger of this poison (good for anonymity too, if you are shy to protest).
You could bring PLACARDS and BANNERS. No swear words please –
Have respect for our children.
Some placards will be available for people who can’t bring one.
You could wear a NAME TAG. There will be people you will never get a chance to meet again.
You could bring laptops/tablets to show pictures of death caused by 1080 to unbelievers.
Please THINK AHEAD. WARM CLOTHES, RAINCOATS, UMBRELLAS, WATER , FOOD, PHONE, CAMERA.
We are expecting a big crowd.

SUPPORTING EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY:
SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2018 In alphabetical order.

AUCKLAND, (AOTEA SQUARE) 1pm- 3pm (Wear Black)

AUCKLAND (MANUREWA), Montford Park, Weymouth 2pm

BLENHEIM SEYMOUR SQUARE at 11.45 am.

CHRISTCHURCH (CNR COLUMBO AND MILTON STREETS) 12-3pm
Route provided at location. Silent Protest, hazard suits and anonymous masks provided if you do not have them).

CHRISTCHURCH, (EASTSIDE), 250 Pages Rd 10-11am.

CHRISTCHURCH (RANGIORA) 32 River Rd, 10-11am

CHRISTCHURCH (ROLLESTON) at Pest Control Research (PCR) 1080 poison factory 8 Centrum Lane 9am-11am then move to SH1 and to city for the main event. (bring your own disposable white chemical hazard suit and mask if you can, some provided)

EKETAHUNA, Meet at the Big Kiwi, 12.30pm

DUNEDIN, John Wickliffe House, 265 Princess St,1-3pm

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER, outside DOC Office, 12pm

HAMILTON, Norris Ward Park 12pm

INVERCARGILL, Wachner Pl, 12pm

KATIKATI, Memorial Hall, 2pm

KAWAKAWA, War Memorial Park on HW entrance to Kawakawa. Family friendly peaceful bbq protest 12.30-3.30pm

KERI KERI, Domain 10am-2pm for chat, speakers, sharing ideas and march. Shared bbq lunch.

MOTUEKA, Starting from Memorial Park, Pah St along Main St to DOC office, High St, 2-3pm

MOSSBURN Outside the Stag, 11.00 am – 2.00 pm.

NEW PLYMOUTH, Taranaki District Council, 12-3pm

OPOTIKI, 10-11am Outside DOC office on Bridge St.

QUEENSTOWN, Memorial Gates,corner of Marine Parade and Church St, 12.30

ROTORUA, Lakefront, 12.30 – 3pm

STRATFORD, Memorial Hall carpark, 11am

TAIRUA, outside Community Hall, 10.30am-12pm

TAUMARUNUI, Hakiaha St by Police Station near Morero Marae, 10am

TAURANGA, Mount Maunganui, Mt Drury, 2pm

TAUPO, Lake 12.30

TIMARU, District Council Building, 2 King George Pl, 2pm

TOKOROA, outside info Centre on Main Rd, 12.30-3pm

TURANGI, Bridgelodge carpark by coffee cart to farewell convoy, 7.30am

WAIHI, ? ,2pm

WELLINGTON, 10 am from Interislander ferry terminal – walking the footpath silently to Parliament. Start time there at 12.30pm for guest speakers etc

WELLSFORD Community Centre 10am

WHAKATANE, Walking from info centre, along Strand to Council, Boon St etc back to Gap then driving to HUB Shopping Centre grassy area. 10.30am-12.30pm

WHANGANUI, River Markets, 11am

WHANGAREI, Mander Park, Western Hills Dr, 12-2pm

SUPPORTING EVENTS after 8 SEPTEMBER

HAMILTON SUNDAY 23 September 2018 1.30 pm.
Bikers against 1080 Protest Ride. Gate 1 Carpark at Hamilton Gardens.
Supported by the Bush Bashers

EVENTS ALREADY HELD: in alphabetical order.

CHRISTCHURCH SQUARE SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER. 2PM TILL 4PM
D-beAtmAstAblAstA’s #BAN1080 BUSK-A-THON!
This is a musical event to draw attention and inform the chch public of the detrimental affect 63years of govt, doc poisoning our wildfood and waterways with 1080 poisons and it’s torturous affect on our ecosystem that is being turned into a toxic wasteland for our future generations!
We must stop these Terrorists!!! Please come and be informed of the truth.! Raising funds for travel to Wellington Sept8 #Ban1080 Rahui Hikoi!Private · Hosted by Gary Gurden and Sharn Nu’u

MOTUEKA About 30 people marched up the main street from 12- 2pm.

NAPIER A protest was held outside the DoC office Friday 24 August.

NELSON CITY SATURDAY 25 AUGUST A SILENT PROTEST of 120 people dressed in White greeted the Hikoi on the CATHEDERAL STEPS.
Support meetings were held on Monday 6 August and Friday 17 August.

RICHMOND (Nelson) About 30 people marched from Three Brothers Corner to the Tasman District Council office on Friday 24 August.

PICTON The Hikoi greeted Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage at the ENDEAVOUR CENTRE on Thursday 30 August 2pm.

TE PUKE protest

TOKAANU/TURANGI protest

ROTORUA SATURDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 11am till 2 pm.
Starts at the Lake front, then march down Tutanekai St to the corner of Fenton/Amohau Sts, then back to the Lake Front.

WAITOMO, 31 August, Brown Town, Stop the Drop Fundraiser at Riverside Lodge.

WANGANUI hosted a well supported two day event held in on the 10 -11 th of August including a Peaceful Public Protest (PPP) at the Wanganui Poison Factory now called Orillion.
Orillion was until recently called Animal Control Products (ACP) a New Zealand State Owned Enterprise (SOE) and before that simply “The Wanganui Poison Factory” set up by the NZ Government in the 1950’s.

A Hikoi is a protest WALK, a long journey taking days, weeks or months.
This Hikoi started on 15 June so it is now in it’s 11th week.
North Island leader Emile Leaf started at Cape Reinga
South Island leader Alan Gurden started at Bluff.
This Hikoi is ORGANIC. IT WILL GROW naturally.
START TIME 9.30 – 10 am AM DAILY.
Average 30 kilometres per day, Daily distances decided by weather, camping spots, health & safety, etc
Join it wherever you can, for as long as you can.
Feel free to organise a satellite hikoi or support network in your area to support the main Hikoi.
Follow ” Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation” or “Kaitiaki of Aoteoroa” facebook pages and you will get an idea of when the walkers are close to you.
IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT EXACT TIMES AND PLACES.

Take photos and videos and SHARE them on Facebook pages, Facebook Community Groups and your local newspapers, TV stations, etc.
When you make posts on Facebook, Instagram etc be sure to hashtag#hikoiofapoisonednation #ban1080 #KaitiakiOfAoteoroa. (get someone to show you how) and SHARE SHARE SHARE with your friends.

If you want to DONATE online. BNZ acc.no 02-0844-0118658-000
Acc name A. Gurden & Mr E . Leaf There are always expenses.
Please text only to leaders Emille Leaf 021 0237 7287 or Alan Gurden 022 4971 825.
Please respect other road users.
This is a PEACEFUL PUBLIC PROTEST to STOP the use of DEADLY POISONS in New Zealand.

1080, News, Poison

Far North 1080 aerial drop called off following outrage from iwi over no consultation by DoC

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“The meetings were more like “information sessions” … “At no time did they ever stand up to the iwi authority and say ‘do you agree to us dropping 1080 out of a helicopter onto this land. At no time.”

These are familiar words around NZ these days & a characteristic of Agenda 2030 (formerly Agenda 21). The method used in these meetings that as the person says are more like information sessions, are run using a special technique called the Delphi technique. The merely give the public the illusion of having been consulted. District Councils are using it also when they consult the public on their plans. They’re getting very gung ho in my opinion. Provide these scams of consultation then fire ahead and do what they planned to do all along. We’re seeing this time after time and opposing them is very difficult. Regarding iwi consultation/partnership, in the Horowhenua recently the local Council was seen via a leaked report, to have paid a local iwi a large sum of money to halt their objection to the council’s plan for partly treated sewage disposal on wahi tapu. A Crown tactic from time immemorial, find a complicit individual or group & by pass all the rest.

Here in the case of 1080 drops it appears not all iwi had been consulted. This matter was highlighted in June this year.

The article is from stuff.co.nz

The Department of Conservation has postponed a controversial 1080 aerial drop in the Far North following outrage from iwi who say they weren’t consulted.

A small group of Whangaroa residents obtained information from DOC under the Official Information Act after hearing about its plan for an aerial drop on the 2400 hectare Whangaroa forest for winter-spring of this year to reduce pest numbers.

Spokesperson Asha Anderson said when she shared the document with the community some were shocked to see their names listed as being ‘fully supportive’ of the plan.

“In fact, the opposite was true and some had actually spoken out against 1080 at DOC’s hui,” Anderson said. “This is a serious breach of trust, and included misrepresentation of a local trust and Treaty partner.”

READ MORE

https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/106724561/DOC-postpones-Far-North-1080-aerial-drop-following-outrage-from-iwi

1080, News, Poison

The government-owned lab, Asure Quality, that tests all the EU bound NZ honey, has no test for 1080

3 Comments

Note: it costs over $400 to test for 1080 the article points out … similarly when I last looked it cost over $500 to test for glyphosate. This of course makes it cost prohibitive for the average person. It is also quite bizarre given the tonnage of 1080 (4,000 pa) that is dropped on our ‘clean green’ (the pellets are green) country.

A TEST FOR 1080 POISON IN HONEY FOUND – BUT IS IT ANY USE ?

By Carol Sawyer

A couple of weeks ago I shared a comment from beekeeper David Brown of Kati Kati, Bay of Plenty. David said :

“Bees have an average foraging range of 3 km and many of us put our hives in or near the bush to collect the lovely bush honey. The bees not only collect the nectar, they also collect sap and resin extracted by the trees and surrounding foliage. They need water as well. ……

The 1080 dust will be collected and taken back to the hive as a food for their young larvae.

1080 that is taken up by the plants is taken back to the hive in the form of nectar and resin that will be converted into honey and propolis

The water has many uses throughout the hive.

Are we putting 1080 into our honey that we feed our kids ?

“Are we putting 1080 into propolis products, which it’s said has many healing and medical uses ?”

​I spoke to David Brown yesterday​ and he pointed out that beeswax products are also an issue.

It takes 7 gms of honey to make 1 gm of wax, he said, so if 1080 is present in the honey, the 1080 poison will be at 7 times greater concentration in the wax. We use beeswax to make lip balms, body lotions and cosmetics, and beeswax candles.

Another beekeeper who has long held concerns about 1080 in honey, Roy Arbon from Greymouth on the West Coast of the South Island, concurs with David Brown on this and, as he pointed out to me, beeswax candles are burnt in churches!

Roy Arbon has been trying to find out where he can get honey tested for 1080 residue. It has taken him three months and he says he has contacted every laboratory in the country. There are only five laboratories apparently. Even the government-owned lab, Asure Quality, has no test for 1080. (Interestingly, Roy tells me Asure Quality test all the NZ honey headed for the European Union.)

Eventually the government-owned Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) put Roy onto another Crown research institute, Landcare Research, and they have a test for 1080 in honey.​ Roy says they can test for 1080 in honey down to 0.005mcgs per kg​. This costs $422 plus GST.

Scientist Sean Weaver, formerly of Victoria University, said in the film “Poisoning Paradise” that 1080 is an endocrine disruptor in parts per TRILLION.​

0.005 mcgs per kg is 5 parts per BILLION. Therefore they need to be measuring in parts per trillion to satisfactorily prove the honey is safe for human consumption.
“Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that can interfere with endocrine (or hormone) systems at certain doses. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders. Any system in the body controlled by hormones can be derailed by hormone disruptors.” – Wikipedia

Surely the honey industry, as a whole, needs to look at this question seriously and demand to be notified well in advance of any 1080 drops in their area so they can move their hives. (1) I am sure there are many conscientious beekeepers who do just that, but it appears from a glance at comments on the NZ Beekeepers’ forum that quite a number are not aware of, or concerned about, the danger.

​(1) However, Roy Arbon says “most departments dropping 1080 do notify the beekeeper if the beekeeper has his hives registered under the American Foul Brood Pest Management Plan (AFB PMP) and everyone is supposed to”, but, he continues, where, for example, do you move 450 hives?!! Good question.

***********************************************************************.

Don Mac posted this comment in NZ Beekeepers Forum on April 23, 2015 :

“There has been a documented connection between 1080 and poisoning of bees. Back in 1988 ‘jam bait’ containing 1080 for possum control was used around the Te Kuiti area. Unknown to the manufacturer the supplier of the raw material used sugar in a batch that attracted bees who took it back to the hives. Inspection of honey comb showed green cells from the dye used in the jam bait to prevent birds eating it.

“Wallaceville testing found 2.2mg/kg of 1080 in the green honey, but were unable to find the 1080 in the dead bees”. Pictures from John Bassett, retired beekeeper from the Te Kuiti area.

Today no sugar or sweeteners are used in vertebrate toxic baits for rats, possums and mustelids .”

( Link here – https://www.nzbees.net/…/5652-whats-the-connection-between…/ )

Don Mac has been incorrectly informed. I spoke to Bill Simmons, Sales and Marketing Executive, Animal Control Products, Whanganui, a year ago. ( ACP , now trading as Orillion, is the government-owned factory that produces NZ’s 1080 baits and other poison products). He assured me sweeteners are still used in 1080 baits. “How else would we attract possums ?! ” he said. He wouldn’t tell me the exact sugar percentage but said, cryptically, that it was in two figures and it wasn’t a three – which means, I presume, that the baits are between 20% and 30% sugar and will therefore be attractive to bees.

ACP ( trading as Orillion ) safety data sheets state :

(a)0.04% 1080 PELLETS
(b)0.08% 1080 RODENT PELLETS
(c)0.08% 1080 PELLETS
(d)0.10% 1080 FERAL CAT BAIT
(e)0.15% 1080 PELLETS
(f )0.2% 1080 PELLETS

Synonyms: 1080 pellets
Active Ingredient: Sodium fluoroacetate 0.04% -0.2%
Other Ingredients:
(a, b, c, e, f) Cereals, sugars and binders
(d) Fishmeal, fish oil and binder

So you can see they mention sugars.

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“Hungry Bees 1080 Poison Risk to New Zealand Honey Says DoC” – Film by The Graf Boys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQVj1mcBEPw

SOURCE

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Below are the photographs Don Mac mentions, plus photos of beehives near 1080 poison signs in various parts of the country – Ruapuke, Kaikoura, Collingwood and Coromandel.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Banking, Homeless, Housing, Money, News

25 years ago 74% of all NZ households lived in their own home … so who owns NZ now? (Bryan Bruce)

2 Comments
To watch Bryan Bruce’s revealing documentary at Youtube, click on this link. 
This is a real eye opener, especially if you were born after the nineties. I remember how it was as do all the other folk of my generation. Pre Rogernomics ripoff. And I heard/read recently a comment by Roger Douglas who conceded Rogernomics may not have been a good thing or words to that effect. (A woops in other words). I don’t buy that. He & others like him were well looked after following the ruination of our country. Travelling the world, educating others on their supposed ‘success’, teaching their policies of structural adjustment. Successfully ruined a lot of people & feathered their own nests would be more to the point. These people have no heart for those who suffer at their hands. Zilch.

Published on Oct 15, 2017

Analysis of the New Zealand housing crisis and solutions to it by award winning documentary maker Bryan Bruce
1080, News, Poison

TULL Chemical in the US that made 1080 has shut down … where will NZ source 1080 from now? (updated post, Tull still operating)

9 Comments

Please not that Tull as it turns out is actually NOT SHUT down as previously thought. Read about that here: https://envirowatchrangitikei.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/the-controversial-tull-chemical-co-in-alabama-us-suppliers-of-pure-1080-to-nz-is-not-closed-as-claimed/

From Carol Sawyer

TULL CHEMICAL CO, OXFORD, ALABAMA, HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS ! SO…. WHERE WILL WE BE SOURCING OUR PURE 1080 FROM NOW?!!

The seedy little factory in Burton St, Oxford, Alabama – from whence New Zealand sourced its pure 1080 poison for so many years, has finally closed its doors!

Yet we are still, according to the NZ government, importing our pure 1080 from the USA. So, where are we getting it from ?

NO to 1080 Use in NZ reported on 16 August :

“Let’s be absolutely clear about the FACT that 1080 poison is NOT a ‘natural’ substance. This OIA dated last week from the New Zealand Government confirms that the SYNTHETIC poison 1080 is manufactured in the USA and imported into NZ. It is now processed into baits at the two factories: Wanganui and Rolleston.” – see attached.

In 2004, factory owner Charles Wigley said :

“… he makes as much as five tons of the poison annually, with most of it being exported to New Zealand. He said his only U.S. customer is the Department of Agriculture, which said it uses less than four tablespoons of Compound 1080 annually in sheep collars. The collars kill coyotes by poisoning them when they bite an animal’s throat.

The poison collars are used in nine states, but the government said they only kill a couple dozen coyotes annually. It was once used in California, but voters there in 1998 approved a ballot resolution banning the use of Compound 1080 and another poison, sodium cyanide.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/…/f4103ea0-4390-4c34-8929-…/…

In an article in ‘The Anniston Star’ by Zach Tyler, March 11, 2015, Wigley was reported as saying he thought he was the sole producer of 1080 used in pest control and that “New Zealand is, far and away, my largest customer”.

In another news article at that time, Tull Chemicals’ owner Charles Wigley said that NZ imported 90% of his product, Australia 7%, and Israel 3%. I can’t find the article, bother it, but those figures are embedded in my head ! (The factory was in the NZ news in 2015, because of the infant formula threat).

************************************************************************

SO HAS THE NZ GOVERNMENT TOLD THE TRUTH ?

Are we still importing pure 1080 from the USA ?

Have we simply got a massive stockpile here to use up until it is manufactured in NZ or replaced with another nasty poison ?

Is this the reason that the Rolleston factory, Pest Control Research Ltd, has finally been given consent to manufacture 1080 baits?

Will they be allowed to manufacture pure 1080 poison as well in the future?

Or will the government-owned factory “Animal Control Products’, trading as Orillion, start manufacturing pure 1080 poison again, as they did for some unknown reason from 1998 to 2002?

Photo : The old Tull Chemical factory in Oxford, Alabama

SOURCE

POSTSCRIPT

We have a postscript from a reader at Facebook:

“The West Coast Regional Council has admitted a secret $500,000 investment in a pest control company and new factory which is looking to manufacture 1080 poison at Rolleston, near Christchurch.
The council released a statement this morning after being outed by the Greymouth Star.
Once the factory is operational, the regional council will be involved in 1080 from manufacturing to consenting and even the application of the poison through another council-owned company.
Company Office records show the Rolleston partnership with Pest Control Research NZ Ltd was formed in May 2013. It has only two shareholders — Christchurch man Malcolm Thomas with 51 per cent, and the West Coast Regional Council with 49 per cent. This story came out in The Herald, October 2014.”

carol 1080 factory closing

News, Poison

Between 2012 & 2014, Auckland Council tested wild pigs for brodifacoum (rat poison) residues … of the 14 tested, 13 were positive for poison residues (Clyde Graf)

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From Clyde Graf

Many people in New Zealand rely on wild pigs to feed the family.

Between 2012 and 2014, Auckland Council tested wild pigs for brodifacoum (rat poison) poison residues. Of the 14 pigs tested, 13 of them were positive for poison residues.

The Department of Conservation aerially spreads brodifacoum bait across offshore islands to eradicate targeted wildlife. The DoC policy for using the poison on the mainland is however, far more strict. (see below)

Oddly, brodifacoum can be brought over the counter at hardware stores all around New Zealand, and some regional councils dish tonnes of the stuff out to local communities to spread around – like on the Coromandel Peninsula, where there are pigs present.

Perhaps a review of the use of this poison is warranted??? And while they’re at it, put a moratorium on 1080 poison as well …

OIA request details below:

brofidacoum testing 1

 

brofidacoum testing 2

1080, News, Poison

Around 4,000 tonnes of 1080 poison is dropped on NZ p.a., enough to kill 60 million people, & the quantity increases yearly

14 Comments

Best take care in the bush or anywhere near 1080 drops. Your Govt appears reluctant to test for 1080 & threatened prosecution remember of the NZ medical doctor who advised testing before and after 1080 drops. (You really would think the Dept of Health would be praising the good Doc for wanting to look after the health of NZ citizens). You’d also be forgiven for thinking they were hiding something. Check out the Suspected 1080 Poisoning pages at the main menu. Protect yourself by educating yourself because the authorities are telling us that although 1080’s deadly to dogs it’s harmless as a packet of crisps to us. Doesn’t really add up does it? And it appears that not only is the quantity of 1080 being increased, but the strength as well. Two years ago friends told me that in a private conversation with poison contractors, the latter were laughing that the strength had been doubled & activists didn’t even know. When asked why the extra strength their response was, ‘to kill the deer’. Well that is certainly happening. You can take or leave that comment as you wish, but the source is 100% reliable. Read below to see the quantities that are being dropped …

By Carol Sawyer

HELICOPTERS DROPPED ENOUGH PURE 1080 POISON FROM THE AIR TO KILL AS MANY AS 60 MILLION PEOPLE IN 2017 – ( 1/100th teaspoon pure 1080 can kill an adult )

In 2015, approx 2 million kgs ( or 2,000 tonnes ) of 1080 poison baits were dropped by the air onto this land of ours. (967,000ha x 2kgs per ha).

In 2016 DoC alone dropped 1080 poison baits over more than 720,000 ha in 2016, but one has to add (unknown) OSPRI /TbFree figures to that, so the area poisoned is probably more like 150,000 ha ( 3,000 tonnes baits ).

As the amount of 1080 poison baits used increases every year, last year it is generally thought that between 4,000 and 5,000 tonnes of 1080 poison baits were dropped from the air.

The percentage of pure 1080 poison in the baits is 0.15%, so If we assume the more “conservative” figure of 4,000 tonnes of 1080 poison dropped from the skies last year, 0.15% of that tonnage contains enough pure 1080 to kill approximately 60 million people, (when ingested at maximum efficiency), and make another 60 million people very sick… just ONE YEAR of poison !
( The LD50 for human beings is 0.7 to 2 mgs per kg bodyweight )

The photo below shows three teaspoons containing one gram of salt, one gram of sugar and one gram of fat.

carol spoons.jpg

Imagine one twentieth of that amount of pure white 1080 poison powder instead of salt or sugar, ( or 1/100th of a 5 gm teaspoon ), and that is how much pure 1080 poison it can take to kill one 50 kg human being….. or to put it another way, two 1080 poison baits ( and less than one bait for a small child ).

We do this every single year, and the amount keeps increasing, not decreasing.

PHOTO: Carol Sawyer

1080, News, Poison

Although officially there are virtually no possums in the area DoC says it’s going ahead with a South Westland 1080 aerial drop anyway which in turn will create a rat plague

7 Comments

CASCADE, HOPE, GORGE RIVER CATCHMENTS – 1080 DROP TO GO AHEAD DESPITE NO POSSUMS!

By Carol Sawyer

A DoC source told me today that the Hope River area had possum monitoring done and the bite cards showed there are virtually no possums in the area. I have been informed that the people who did the monitoring can’t understand why this drop is going ahead, and that DoC were thinking of cancelling it but that now, however, DoC have said that even though there are no possums there, it is too late to stop the drop, and it has to go ahead.

It’s all a bit confusing because it is an OSPRI drop and OSPRI drop 1080 for possums only, but it is also a DoC drop, as it is on DoC managed land and the map says Battle for the Birds and “rat control”. I guess with this method they’ve got a bob each way !

*******************************************

Of course 1080 poison, as DoC admit themselves, is no good for rat control because after an initial knock back they end up with a rat plague. I have been told by an editor of www.1080science.co.nz that the reason for rat plagues following 1080 drops is that “Nature abhors a vacuum”. After a 1080 drop there is a vacuum, the rats are the fastest breeding creature in the forest, and there is more food available.

“…..increased rat abundance following possum control is a consequence of greater availability of, or reduced competition for, seeds and fruit.”

Here is scientific proof of rat increases after 1080 drops :

“Ship rat demography and diet following possum control in a mixed podocarp–hardwood forest”
https://newzealandecology.org/nzje/2834.pdf

********************************************

IN CONCLUSION, the drop will go ahead without justification. It will kill the non-existent possums and cause a rat plague. Good work again, DoC and OSPRI.

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“The treatment area covers up to 31,338ha comprising of land between the Gorge and Jerry Rivers in the south,to the edge of public conservation land on the true left of the lower Cascade River, and part of the Arawhata Conservation Area. The area includes the Cascade, Gorge and Hope Rivers’ catchments.
We wish to advise that this operation is due to take place as soon as practicable from 10 August 2018 onwards, weather dependent.” Jennifer Lawn, OSPRI, 27 July 2018

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Site of DoC’s aerial 1080 drop

Photo (Header image) Ngaire Hart : “Aerial View Mouth of the Cascade River Emptying into the Tasman Sea West Coast South Island New Zealand”

 

 

1080, News, Poison, Water

Keep NZ rivers poison free

2 Comments

 

Published on Jun 23, 2016

New Zealand Streams: The Fight to keep them 1080 Poison free! PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO! https://youtu.be/2K1Z-0F4IAg Made by The Graf Boys – Clyde & Steve Graf Email thegrafboys@xtra.co.nz Web http://www.thegrafboys.org/ Web http://www.thegrafboys.org/ Web http://www.tvwild.co.nz/
1080, DOC, Environment, News

School holidays still & Corner Peak Route in the Timaru 1080 drop zone is still littered with whole cinnamon flavoured baits!

7 Comments

So sad to see our beautiful country poisoned like this. And the apparent carelessness with which it is dropped and left for humans to touch. Little ones could easily run ahead, pick up those pretty looking baits & taste them before you even had time to stop them. Getting difficult isn’t it to be able to walk the wild places safely any more?
EnvirowatchRangitikei

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From Carol Sawyer

“One third to to one half of a cinammon-flavoured 1080 bait, comprised of cereal and 25% sugar, and as you can see an attractive ‘lolly-green’ can KILL a preschooler. A nibble, or even a lick of a bait could make a child very ill.”

It’s the school holidays and this is the Corner Peak Route, in the Timaru Creek 1080 drop zone area… late this afternoon.

Ten tonnes 1080 baits were aerially dropped here on 20 June, 2018. We have had an enormous amount of rain since then and yet, nearly 4 weeks later, here are baits looking as intact as when they were dropped from the sky

37229107_2152662435014071_7077455149974683648_n.jpgOne third to to one half of a cinammon-flavoured 1080 bait, comprised of cereal and 25% sugar, and as you can see an attractive ‘lolly-green’ can KILL a preschooler. A nibble, or even a lick of a bait could make a child very ill.

This photo of children with 1080 baits in the Timaru Creek aerial 1080 drop zone, on the Corner Peak Route, shocked many people when it was posted online yesterday. (The photo was taken late yesterday afternoon, 15 July, 2018)

So Kirstin Dana and I decided to go and have a look for ourselves this afternoon. We climbed the Upper Timaru Creek Track to the Corner Peak Route, which is the red dotted line on the map.

We didn’t have to go far on the Corner Peak Route before there seemed to be baits everywhere. One had been crushed by a boot…. I hope that person cleaned his footwear when he got home. I poked one bait open with a stick and as you can see it was still vivid green inside.

The photos of the 1080 baits I here are just two of 13 baits that I photographed on just one 75 metre stretch of the track’

37206075_2152665121680469_1612590220547457024_n.jpg

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Bear in mind this is exactly 25 days since the drop. These 12 gram baits look as though they have just come out of the manufacturer’s bags ! You can see the ice on the track in the photo below.

37190760_2152663108347337_1349924782526693376_n.jpg
Ice visible on the track

A lot of 1080 must have been eaten though, as in two hours of walking we heard ONE bird… a Grey warbler on the other side of the valley. Apart from that, not a sound.

37190762_2152663558347292_4003940956268134400_n.jpgWe came across sheep, including a dead one, and three donkeys, at the junction of the Upper Timaru Creek Track and the Corner Peak Route. They appeared to be in the drop zone – the closest baits we found on the track were approximately 100 metres up the hill from them.

It’s not really good enough this sort of thing, is it?

These baits are 0.15% pure 1080 poison and for anyone who doesn’t believe my calculations and wants to work it out for themselves… the LD50 of pure 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) is 0.7 to 2 mgs per kg of bodyweight, according to the govt-owned 1080 bait manufacturer, Animal Control Products, in Whanganui . The baits at Timaru Creek are standard 12 gm baits.

The average weight of a two-year old is between 12 kgs ( girl ) and 12.7 kgs ( boy ). One third to one half of a bait can kill a two-year-old ( boy or girl ).
A 3-year-old ( average weight 14 kgs ) could be killed by just over 1/2 bait ( 9.8mgs ).

And remember, this is NOT an exact science… they haven’t exactly experimented to come up with those figures. Nor are they likely to have exaggerated!

37253179_2152661745014140_2056146894958100480_n.jpg

1080, News, Poison

Despite 4K+ signatures against, a 1080 drop over Luggate, Alice Burn & Luggate Creek is going ahead

8 Comments

By Carol Sawyer

LUGGATE, NR WANAKA, OSPRI AERIAL 1080 POISON DROP GOES AHEAD, 19 JULY, 2018 – INCLUDING INTO THE ALICE BURN AND INTO LUGGATE CREEK

Despite a petition against the Luggate 1080 drop having 4,208 signatures, and a massive effort by some members of the local community to stop this drop, or at the very least have their concerns heard.

Despite the fact that, with no justification, OSPRI walked out of a public meeting, held to discuss the Luggate 1080 drop – a fact backed up in a media report by TBfreeNZ committee member Phil Hunt, who was there at the time.

Despite the fact that they have since destroyed the film they took of that meeting, which would have shown a calm and non-threatening gathering of 30 people, whereas they claimed they walked out over fears for their safety.( They had two security guards – these OSPRI men are mice ).

Despite the fact they have refused consistently to answer Luggate community queries since, ( with OSPRI Operations Extension officer Jennifer Lawn even hanging up the phone on Luggate resident Tracey Morrow, saying she didn’t have time for this conversation).

Despite the fact they have steadfastly refused to do any proper community consultation

Despite all of this and more……the drop goes ahead. These people care nothing for small communities or their concerns

1 ) OSPRI notification of aerial 1080 drop scheduled 19 July, 2018 – Wanaka Sun, 12 July, 2018

2 ) Map of drop zone ( We think ! There have been four maps !)

3 ) Photograph of public meeting in the Lake Wanaka Centre, 31 May, 2018, after OSPRI walked out. Phil Hunt, TBfree NZ committee member tried to assist by answering questions as well as he could.

See here : https://crux.org.nz/…/government-agency-walks-out-of-wanak…/

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5G, Cellphone Towers, EMFs, Health, Mobile Phones, News

One of the most controversial aspects of the 5G system proposed for NZ is the proposed use of millimetre wave frequencies that cause eye damage research reveals

2 Comments

Research published in 1994 (“Experimental studies on the influence of millimeter radiation on light transmission through the lens” Klin Oczna. 1994 Aug-Sep; 96(8-9):257-9) showed that rats exposed to millimetre wave radiation for only 56 days developed changes in the lens of their eyes. 

The wave length used was 5.6 mm (53 GHz).  The power output was 10 milliwatts/cm2 (100,000,000 microwatts/m2).

The authors, Prost M, Olchowik G, Hautz W, Gaweda R, conclude the abstract for their study by stating that “radiation in millimetre range can induce changes in the lens, predisposing to cataract development.”

READ MORE

http://www.5g.org.nz/2018/07/08/eye-damage-in-rats-exposed-to-millimetre-wave-radiation/

1080, Environment, News, Poison

‘Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation’ – A peaceful hikoi protesting the widespread use of 1080 in NZ is happening now

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This peaceful hikoi protesting the widespread use of 1080 in NZ started out on 14th & 15th June from the far North and the far South of NZ.

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From the organizers:

What is the PLAN for this PEACEFUL PROTEST?
How is this “Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation” going to work?
Start date, 14th & 15th June 2018.
Emile Leaf starts at Cape Reinga.
Alan Gurden starts at Stirling Point, Bluff.
This Hikoi will be ORGANIC. IT WILL GROW naturally.
START TIME 7 AM DAILY.
Average 30 kilometres per day, Daily distances decided by weather, camping spots, health & safety, etc.
One rest day per week.
Join it wherever you can, for as long as you can.
Follow ” Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation” on this facebook page and you will get an idea of when it is close to you.
IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT EXACT TIMES AND PLACES.
Take photos and videos and share them on the Facebook site and SHARE SHARE SHARE with your friends.
If you want to Donate online. BNZ acc.no 02-0844-0118658-000 Acc name A. Gurden & Mr E . Leaf. There are always expenses.
Please text only to Emile 021 0237 7287 or Alan 022 4971 825.

For more information about 1080 & why the hikoi is taking place, go to the link below (you will find links to the full mission statement & other important info at the bottom of that page):

https://www.tv-wild.com/hikoi

Updates will be added to this page as they appear on FB (for those who are not on FB).

Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation on FaceBook

Research the truth about 1080 that your authorities are not telling you, the independent research. See links at our 1080 pages here, especially the resources page. Particularly you need to watch the GrafBoys’ 4x international award winning environmental doco called ‘Poisoning Paradise’ that your government doesn’t want you to see.

If you share the vision, watch out for the hikoi in your area & support by your presence, walking with them (long or short distance, whatever you can do) and/or providing them with refreshments. Contact details are at the information links provided above.

EnvirowatchRangitikei

UPDATES as available:
(note FB users regular updates at the Hikoi page, links above)

(Latest at the top)

Wednesday 18th July

Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation UPDATE…

The Hikoi will continue as planned on Saturday 21st leaving The Strand Takapuna at 9am and following the previously arranged route to Onepoto Domain and onto the Harbour Bridge at 12noon.

Our application to NZTA for a supported bridge crossing has been declined. NZTA themselves have been supportive and helpful through this process but say it is too short notice to make arrangements. Emiles earlier communications to authorities were redirected, referred and ignored which has left us at the 11th hour.

NZTA have said they will be prepared and ready to manage an ‘unplanned event’ if that occurs. Please be aware that crossing the bridge on foot may incur a fine of $100. We are told that the police have no power to make arrests. Many of us feel strongly enough to walk regardless and believe the processing of our numbers by the authorities would be impractical.

We welcome your support on Saturday any way it comes. Please join the hikoi where you feel comfortable. You may choose to make the harbour crossing on foot in the hikoi tradition, by vehicle, waka….

Emile is walking under his sovereign native rights and anyone walking him with him will be under korowai manaaki under that context. Which basically means we are as one person.

Sat. 30th June
A little behind in updates. Here is what the hikoi page is currently reporting:

Today from the North: “Ata marie koutou. Heading to start off again from Whakapara..”

whakapara staking claim to kaitiakitanga dy 11

From the South: Said goodbye to alexandra same way we woke them up .
Some may not approve of my methods but the truth needs to be told . The truth is ugly and confronting!
But grab a tissue and get over it we have a job to do.
To re claim our right to guardianship of the whenua in this country ,
STOP the use of 1080 and the Aerial dispersal of all pesticides altogether in N.Z.
Support gained while we were there and shown as we left was awesome
Well worth the sore throat.
TOMORROW we leave from clyde dam lookout to walk to Cromwell should arrive at about 2 pm

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22nd June

I have a lovely day off in the sun and we just got visited by Paul and Paula from the taieri mouth motor camp in Dunedin diverted out of their way to come and see us so good on you guys he video Paula did for us

21st June

Morena from @Cath Hopa-Pioletti   Emile has had cell phone coverage reception problems. But just note: He will be in kaitaia at the RSA tonight to give a talk. He is travelling the eastern route of SH1 at the moment. He is having a bit if a rest today too. Then continue on from Monganui. He gave a talk at Kaeo last night too and speaking where he can get more coverage.Due to weather conditions the journey may detour.  @Cath Hopa-Pioletti is the contact person.

Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation- Accommodation Offers

Are you able to provide other support eg walk, support vehicle, kai, koha, etc? 

This is for people wanting to offer accommodation to the Hikoi teams- Alan Gurden (South Island) and Emile Leaf (North Island) .

See the accommodation form at this link:   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMjMRuemyXr1rFDhoNJxf4Ssx2YWGxhtKGG1cnwIjZ6Fvj5g/viewform

Please check route on www.tinyurl.com/poisonednation and Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation FB page for updates

From the South Island … “Quiet day restoring
Signage doin washing and then did 13 km towards raes junction from waikoikoi where we left off yesterday prked up at tapanui motorcamp day off walkin tomorro rest the bones poor reception so dont b sad if we dont answer your txts Southland hikoi power to the people!!!”

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20th June

Resistance to using 1080 grows in Far North
Article from Herald, DoC misleading the public on several counts about their operations
http://www2.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/article.cfm?c_id=16&objectid=12073542

Comment on FB from a supporter Royden Dick:

I was Blessed to get the opportunity to walk with the peaceful protesters on their Hikoi of a Poisoned Nation for the first 3 days from bluff.
We met some truly awesome, soulful, down to earth people along the way.
I am overwhelmed with the support these guys are receiving from the public on their journey whether it be Honks, toots, yeeha’s and woohoo’s from motorists to people stopping and giving koha’s of food and money to help these guys on their journey.

There was still the odd bird flicked our way and a dude pretending to shake the crap out of an imaginary can of coke and to these folks I say sorry to you for having such a sad and crappy day as you seem to be very angry and upset, I hope your day gets better for you.
Going off the support received so far the angry upset kiwi’s having a crappy day are the extreme minority, Seems as though everyone else is happy as.

NZ YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!

I ask anyone and everyone who gets the opportunity to meet and join these guys on their travels to parliament to do so. Whether it be for 5 days or 5 minutes to make a stand against 1080 and all aerial poisons in Aotearoa. They are not walking for their own agendas and interests but for YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN.

I look forward to walking again as soon as possible.
Thanks again guys and Kia Kaha.

NELSON MAIL REPORTS:
https://www.pressreader.com/@Jim_Hilton.1/csb_OIzsnr0slpSp8gpohBeZ5pOmpCd6hThmAN8LqtkCStQ