MetService - Monthly Outlook - October 2023

 

Climate Drivers – Strong El Nino in place

Sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean NINO3.4 area now exceed 1.5C degrees above average, meeting the strong El Nino criterion. All climate models strengthen the event further, between now and its likely peak around Christmas, with the majority of models forecasting an intense El Nino event for summer.

 

In addition, a positive Indian Ocean Dipole event is now underway, which typically enhances the westerly flow of weather across New Zealand. The Southern Ocean should also periodically throw some stormy, cold, and unsettled bursts of wind and weather across the South Island through October, reinforcing the westerly pattern.

 

Due to the windy September, the local Tasman Sea marine heat-wave has now ended, with sea surface temperatures currently near average, to a touch cooler than average, around the New Zealand coastline. This means that a marine heatwave will NOT be factor in our late spring or early summer weather patterns.

October 2023  – Often cold & windy, with El Niño westerlies

The hallmark of El Nino in New Zealand is a cold spring.

August ran much colder than usual, nationally, and the forecast for October is also much colder than usual. Expect a colder than average October across the country, with the exception of Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. In those regions, monthly temperatures likely end up ‘about average’ BUT expect abnormal spring temperature swings between extreme heat during foehn warming in the westerlies, and intermittent cold blasts and even some high-country snowfalls.

This week, high pressure brings a relatively dry week. For the rest of October, a stronger than normal ridge is predicted over Northland, coupled with stormy, unsettled westerlies across the South Island. In between, stronger than usual westerlies are forecast – it looks likely to be a windier than normal October.

Rainfall is expected to be normal to above normal along the West Coast South Island, and in Southland. For regions in the northeast of both Islands, below normal rainfall is forecast (Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Waikato, and Waitomo, also Nelson, Marlborough and Coastal Canterbury). For Gisborne and Hawkes Bay, a burst of rain this weekend is then followed by drier westerlies (e.g. normal to below normal rainfall for October as a whole). Elsewhere, near normal October rainfall is forecast.

 MetService.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Tasman CEO to step down

Janine Dowding Tasman District Council's Chief Executive. Photo Tasman District Council.

 

Janine Dowding Tasman District Council’s Chief Executive announced today that she is stepping down

 4 October, 2023

Janine Dowding announced today that she is stepping down as the Tasman District Council’s Chief Executive at the end of January 2024. 

After 5 ½ years as CEO Janine has decided to take some time out with her family and consider what is next.

“My time with Local Government has been a steep learning curve as I have come to terms with the vast array of Council services, the diverse communities and interests, and the increasing challenges for the sector. 

"I have been hugely fortunate to work with talented and committed staff and Councillors, and a wide range of partners and stakeholders all with a common purpose to serve the interests of Tasman’s people and environment.  I have been constantly inspired by the Tasman community, the passion, diversity and the voluntary effort contributed by so many every day.  

"I know that this role will attract a high calibre of candidates with an opportunity to work in a beautiful region with an outstanding leader in Mayor King and a supportive and capable Tasman staff and Council Team.” 

Mayor Tim King said he will be sorry to see Janine leave. 

“Janine is an outstanding Chief Executive who has led the Council through the most unsettling period in our history. 

"The challenges facing the local government sector and communities including environmental and economic impacts, and the uncertainty around government reforms are amplified for a unitary authority. Janine has been an outstanding leader in supporting the Council to meet those challenges.  

"Successfully negotiating this environment requires a high level of trust between the elected members and the Chief Executive. I can attest to the strength of that relationship built on the competence, leadership and empathy Janine has brought to the role

The search for a new chief executive will now get underway Mayor King said, “it will include national advertising and a robust process to get a new Chief Executive on board early next year."

Tasman District Council.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Motueka Wastewater Treatment Plant Issues

 

A huge area of possible contamination along the coast west of Motueka

Motueka Wastewater Treatment Plant Struggling

Tasman District Council engineers have noticed that part of the filtration system at the Motueka Wastewater plant is showing signs of degradation and while it is still functioning, it is not working at optimum levels. 

Team Leader of Water Supply and Wastewater Becky Marsay says the area causing concern is the membranes that are in the final filtering stage of the wastewater treatment process. 

She says these membranes remove any remaining bacteria and minute particles before the water is discharged from the processing plant. 

“By the time the water gets to these membranes it is substantially treated.” 

Becky Marsay says the engineers and Wastewater Team are at a loss to explain why this is happening and are urgently investigating a variety of options to deal with this problem, however it is likely the membranes will need to be replaced.  

“Sourcing new membranes or having them manufactured, then getting them on to site and installed could take several months.”  

To try and control the situation the Council has had to revert to a system used prior to 2016 and pump partially treated wastewater into the adjacent soakage area where it is then filtered through the ground. 

Becky Marsay says while this area was retired several years ago, it is an option we have been forced to take to avoid uncontrolled overflows.  

The Council is working closely with Iwi, Public Health, and the Ministry for Primary Industries to ensure any potential effects are monitored and minimised. 

As a precaution, people should not take whitebait or shellfish or have contact with the water from the adjacent area until further notice. 

Warning signs will be erected in the area.

Tasman District Council press release.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

NELSON AIRPORT - Strong post-Covid Travel Recovery

Nelson Airport

 

Nelson Airport announces Strong Annual Result

Nelson Airport has released its Annual Report for the 2023 financial year (FY23), reporting EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of $9.6 million and payment of a $1.2 million dividend to the region’s two councils for the benefit of the wider region and community.

The key results for the year were:

• 915,000 passengers, up from 619,000 in FY22
• Total revenue of $16.6 million, up $4.9 million on FY22
• EBITDA of $9.6 million, 40% above budget
• Ordinary dividend of $1.2 million paid to shareholders, the Nelson City and Tasman District Councils, up 9% on the prior year

Nelson Airport Ltd chair Quinton Hall said the financial year had beaten all expectations, largely due to the strength of pent-up domestic travel demand.

“We knew the lifting of Covid restrictions would see travel increase, but the desire people have shown over the past year to reconnect with the people and places they love has outstripped all expectations. Nelsonians and New Zealanders generally have embraced the opportunity to travel with confidence to see those they’ve been separated from and experience a wider world again.”

Quinton said a successful airport was good for the whole region. “We exist to contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of Nelson-Tasman. That’s why we’re here and it’s great to be able to share some of what we’ve been doing to achieve that with both our shareholders and the wider community through the Annual Report.”

Quinton said other achievements during the year included achieving an “Excellent” customer satisfaction rating in the airport’s annual survey, the introduction into service of the new airport Rescue Fire Service fire appliance “Flick”, the completion of the new Rental Car Kiosk in front of the terminal and start of construction on a new base of operations for GO Rentals. The lodging of the airport’s Project 2-Zero planning application was also a significant milestone in the airport’s journey towards achieving its vision of being a world-class airport where zero-emissions aircraft operate.

“Along with all the mahi we have also had the great pleasure of inviting the community to join in with us at fun events and activities such as the Walk the Runway fundraiser, Nelson Anniversary Day Ice-Cream Social and the Nelson Airport Plane Spotting Photography Competition.”

The outlook for the 2024 financial year was looking tougher, but the airport was still predicting modest growth in passenger numbers, Quinton said.

“We’re expecting growth to slow in an environment of high interest rates and low economic growth, but not to retract. Our objective remains the same, to deliver prosperity and sustainability to the region every day through the provision of sustainable airport infrastructure that connects us to the world, by facilitating business opportunities and by supporting excellent experiences that add to visitor satisfaction.”

The full Annual Report 2023 is available at: nelsonairport.co.nz/reportsandpolicies

Nelson Airport.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Public Warning about Toxic Shellfish – Marlborough Sounds

Map of the affected area:

Map showing the area covered by the shellfish biotoxin alert from Okiwa Bay (The Grove) up to a line from Dieffenbach Point across to West Head in the Marlborough Sounds.

Public health warning: shellfish biotoxin alert for Marlborough Sounds

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from part of Queen Charlotte Sound due to the possible presence of toxins.

"Routine tests on mussel samples taken from Okiwa Bay (The Grove) have shown levels of diarrhetic shellfish toxins more than 3.5 times the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety specialist adviser Piers Harrison.

"The warning extends from The Grove up to a line from Dieffenbach Point across to West Head in the Marlborough Sounds.

"Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so is potentially at risk of getting sick.

"Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish from this area should not be eaten.”

Pāua, crab, and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms of diarrhetic shellfish toxin poisoning typically appear within half an hour of ingestion and last for about 24 hours. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

"As is our usual practice, monitoring of toxin levels will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly," says Mr Harrison.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

Ministry for Primary Industries.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

A recall alert from New Zealand Food Safety

 

A recall alert from New Zealand Food Safety

Wallaby brand Cookie Dough Bites (Chocolate Macadamia with Maple and Double Chocolate Hazelnut) 

22 September 2023: 

Crombie and Price Ltd is recalling:

1/ Wallaby brand Cookie Dough Bites Chocolate Macadamia with Maple and 

2/ Wallaby brand Cookie Dough Bites Double Chocolate Hazelnut 

due to the possible presence of an allergen (milk). People with a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume these products. If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.

Product identification.

Product type:     Snack product

Name of product (size):

Wallaby brand Cookie Dough Bites Chocolate Macadamia with Maple (130g)

Wallaby brand Cookie Dough Bites Double Chocolate Hazelnut (130g)

Date marking:    

All best before dates up to and including 21/09/24

Package size and description:

The products are sold in a 130g plastic package.

Distribution:

The products are imported from Australia.

The products are sold at retail outlets, supermarkets and online throughout New Zealand.

The products have not been re-exported.

Notes:

This recall does not affect any other Wallaby brand products.

Consumer advice:

Customers are asked to check the date mark on the product.

People with a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume these products. If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice. If you are not allergic or intolerant to milk, this recall does not affect you.

Customers with a milk allergy or intolerance should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

Who to contact:

If you have questions, contact Crombie and Price Ltd:

Phone: (03) 434 8311

Address: 5 Torridge Street, Oamaru

Pigeon Post News Richmond

Tasman Police Appeal for Information

 

Appeal for Information Regarding Nelson Crash

Attributed to Senior Constable Matthew Harris

Nelson, New Zealand – Authorities are calling upon the public for assistance in the aftermath of a collision that occurred in Nelson on September 12. The Tasman Police are actively seeking information related to the incident, and Senior Constable Matthew Harris has issued a plea for cooperation.

On the evening of September 12, at approximately 5:25 pm, police received notification of a collision that transpired on the footpath of Main Road Stoke in Nelson. The incident involved a cyclist and a pedestrian, both of whom have been identified.

However, the police are keen to speak with two individuals who provided assistance immediately following the collision. These witnesses played a vital role in aiding the affected parties, and their input is crucial to the ongoing investigation.

If you were one of the individuals who rendered assistance in the aftermath of this incident, please do not hesitate to contact the Tasman Police. You can reach out to the authorities on 105 and referencing file number 230912/4937.

Cooperation from the public in providing information about this incident is greatly appreciated by law enforcement as they work to piece together the details of the crash and ensure a comprehensive investigation. The Tasman Police urge anyone with pertinent information to come forward promptly, assisting in the pursuit of justice and resolution for all involved parties.

Tasman Police.

Pigeon Post News.