Thursday 26 October 2006 Media Statement

Public Spotlight on Tackling Core Environment Issues

The challenges of reducing rubbish, managing flood risks and the need to take climate change seriously are being tackled head on by the Ministry for the Environment at public meetings across the country starting on Monday.

The Ministry for the Environment “Talk Environment” meetings run from Monday 30 October until Friday 10 November in 17 communities from Whangarei to Invercargill.

“On the ground meetings with the public provide a constructive forum for discussing the issues on our agenda and getting feedback direct from local communities,” says Hugh Logan, Chief Executive, Ministry for the Environment.

“This engagement provides valuable information to help inform the Ministry’s programme of work for the next 12 months. It also gives communities an insight into the most pressing environment issues.”

Central to this year’s public meetings will be:

• Preparing for the inevitable impacts of climate change
• Managing the risks of flooding
• Actively keeping freshwater clean
• Reducing rubbish
• Environmental standards and reporting.

“Our climate is changing. If we prepare for the changes we will reduce the risk and costs, and potentially benefit from the opportunities from a changing climate,” says Mr Logan. “Adapting for climate change is commonsense risk-management practice that will assist our long term sustainability.

“In addition, how communities manage land use and development, within the constraints of our land and water resources is vital to our economic and environmental future.

“Most Kiwis expect a clean healthy environment - this doesn’t happen by accident. We’ve all got a role to play,” says Mr Logan.

Details of the Talk Environment meetings are attached.

Media contact:Anna Hughes, Media Advisor, Ministry for the Environment – Manatū Mō Te Taiao Ph 04 439 7569 or 027 28 28 827.

Ministry for the Environment 2006 Talk Environment Meetings

Location Date Time Address

Wellington Monday 30 October 2006 7.30am – 9.30am Westpac Trust Stadium, Level 2, West Lounge, Waterloo Quay, Wellington
Whangarei Tuesday 31 October 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Forum North, Rust Avenue
Whangarei
Dunedin Tuesday 31 October 2006 7.45am – 9.45am The Dunedin Centre
1 Harrop Street, Dunedin
North Shore Wednesday 1 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Bruce Mason Centre
Cnr Hurtsmere Road & The Promenade, Takapuna
Invercargill Wednesday 1 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Ascot Park Hotel
Cnr Tay Street & Racecourse Road, Invercargill
Auckland Thursday 2 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Sky City
Auckland Rooms 3 and 4
88 Federal Street, Auckland
Christchurch Thursday 2 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Christchurch Convention Centre
95 Kilmore Street, Christchurch
Tauranga Friday 3 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Mills Reef Winery
143 Moffat Road
Bethlehem, Tauranga
Queenstown Friday 3 November 2006
7.45am - 9.45am Rydges Lakeland Resort - Queenstown Room
38-54 Lake Esplanade
Queenstown
New Plymouth Tuesday 7 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am The Quality Hotel Plymouth International
Cnr Courtenay & Leach Streets
New Plymouth
Gisborne Tuesday 7 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Lawson Field Theatre - Rose Room
Fitzherbert St
Gisborne
Napier Wednesday 8 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Mission Estate Winery - Chapel
198 Church Rd
Taradale
Napier
Blenheim Wednesday 8 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Scenic Circle Hotel
Corner Alfred & Henry Streets
Blenheim
Nelson Thursday 9 November 2006 7.30am – 9.30am Monaco Hotel and Resort
6 Point Road
Monaco, Nelson
Palmerston North Thursday 9 November 2006 7.45am - 9.45am
Kingsgate Hotel - Steeple Room
110 Fitzherbert St
Palmeston North
Hamilton Friday 10 November 2006 7.45am - 9.45am Sky City - Waikato Rooms 1 & 2
346 Victoria St Hamilton
Greymouth Friday 10 November 2006 7.45am – 9.45am Kingsgate Hotel
32 Mawhera Quay Greymouth

Ends

© Scoop Media