Environment & Ecology – Page 8 – Great Barrier Island News

Environment & Ecology

20°C seems the optimal temperature for life on Earth to thrive – what does this mean in a warming world

Have you ever wondered about the optimal temperature for life on Earth? For humans, 20°C is comfortable. Any warmer and we work less efficiently because releasing heat requires energy.

This bright-green invasive caulerpa seaweed is smothering the delicate marine ecosystem on Great Barrier Island. Photo / Glenn Edney

Environment & Ecology

300+ Boaties Ignore Aotea Caulerpa Ban

In the ongoing battle against the invasive seaweed Caulerpa on Aotea, more than 300 instances of vessels violating Controlled Area Notices (CANs) have been reported over the past three summers, John Walsh, Biosecurity New Zealand’s response director told AoteaGBI.news. The statistics…

The main Antipodes Island. Photo / Claire Concannon / RNZ

Subantarctic Islands’ Wildlife Thrives After Million Dollar Mouse Project

These subantarctic islands are wild and remote – some 860km southeast of Rakiura Stewart Island. Their isolation, in a far-flung corner of the South Pacific, means they’re some of the most untouched islands in the world.

Wildfire researchers at Scion say fire conditions are worsening and there are more extreme fire days each year. Photo / Scion via RNZ

Environment & Ecology

Summer Returns, So Too the Fire Risk

Wildfire researchers at Scion say fire conditions are worsening and there are more extreme fire days each year. Photo / Scion By Katie Kenny, RNZ Last summer seemed to be dominated by flooding but this year, fires are making headlines. A state…

Environment & Ecology

Suction Dredging Trial to Target Caulerpa

Suction dredging is about to begin in a battle against the highly invasive caulerpa seaweed taking hold at Aotea, Great Barrier Island.

Hauraki Gulf from Rangitoto Island. Photo / Mike Locke / CC

Environment & Ecology

DOC Ramps Up Patrols to Enforce Dog Bans on Pest-Free Hauraki Gulf Islands

Department of Conservation (DOC) officials are stepping up patrols in response to an increase in reports of dogs on the pest-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The action aims to enforce regulations designed to protect the unique environments of the…

Environment & Ecology

Freshwater Drinking Stations in Move to Ditch Plastic Bottles

Auckland Council and the Local Board has introduced three new freshwater drinking stations across Great Barrier Island in a bid to reduce plastic bottle usage and waste. The stations, located at Claris Airport, near The Currach Irish Pub, and beside…

Looking out towards the rock at Pah Beach on Aotea, Great Barrier Island.

Environment & Ecology

2024 a Make-or-Break Year for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

By Alex Rogers On one of the islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park this summer, lots of small snapper washed up dead. A friend who has witnessed the decline of the health of the Gulf over many decades filleted one…

Tryphena Helipad Proposal Stirs Controversy

The property located at 135 Rosalie Bay Road, encompassing 9181m², was acquired by its current owner in June 2022. This site, now the subject of a proposed helipad, boasts views over Mulberry Grove, stretching towards the mainland and the Coromandel.…

Herbs of Aotea, Great Barrier Island – no not that one

Above: Mānuka or Tea Tree. Photo / Sid Mosdell / Creative Commons Aotea, Great Barrier Island, is the rohe of local iwi Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea, and for centuries their ancestors have relied on rongoā, the traditional Māori medicine,…