Monthly Outlook For Weather - November 2023

November 2 - Todays weather over Richmond

 

MetService weather monthly outlook

November 2023 Outlook – An Assortment of Weather Systems, but Dry Emphasis 

November starts off with the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Lola quickly moving away to the east, although another Tasman Sea low is likely to bring rainfall back onto the country later this week. This rain should particularly favour northern and western parts of the North Island, although some places like Southland and inland Otago could also see brief, but useful bursts for a time as well.

Once this low clears away, a longer period of drier and more settled weather is expected country-wide, as a large high builds over New Zealand from the Tasman Sea. Isolated showers could occur under this high, but overall rainfall should be limited for most places.

Around mid-month, we may see westerlies returning, resembling October’s predominantly westerly pattern. Fronts might move up the South Island but are likely to weaken quickly as they encounter the high over the North Island. Some of these fronts should bring slightly wetter than normal conditions to the west of the South Island, with the south seeing more uncertainty, coinciding with the return of bursts of gusty westerly winds for many places.

Temperatures are forecast run warmer than average through much of the month, although a cooler period might be seen during the start to mid-month under more settled skies. 

November presents a mix of slow-moving lows, followed by an extended dry and settled period, which gives way to unsettled westerlies in the south. Overall, forecasts hint at slightly drier than normal for most places, but these conditions might occur at different times of the month depending on the location.

Map showing forecast rainfall for November 2023, relative to the November normal.

MetService Communications

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Land Purchase for long awaited Swimming Pool and Recreation facilities - MOTUEKA

 

Motueka's seaside pool

Land Purchase Progresses Motueka Pool Potential

Tasman District Council's recent purchase of land on King Edward Street is being welcomed as a long-term investment to benefit the Motueka community meeting the expected demand for recreational space and facilities.

In conjunction with property owner Kerry Krammer, we have come to a mutual agreement to allow our purchase of land encompassing 99, 111b and 113b King Edward Street.

A potential use of some of the land is the development of a swimming pool and recreational facilities.

Both parties acknowledge the land purchase is a significant step forward in a long-held desire to provide a community pool for Motueka, a concept that has been keenly advocated by local residents for more than 25 years.

Enabling something that will be of significant long-term value to the wider community was seen as important to Kerry Krammer in offering the land to the Council.

Further progress on the site’s future – including design, timeline and costs of development – will be subject to Tasman’s 10-Year Plan discussions and consultation with locals.

The Council deliberately moved away from areas in eastern Motueka that have been identified by Ministry for the Environment as being exposed to greater risk with sea level rise.

The purchased sites will be tenanted up to the point of any development taking place, therefore generating income in the interim.

Council has been in touch with the current tenants and a number of stakeholders to inform them of the purchase and anticipated plans.

This purchase was aided by the Motueka Community Board which approved funding through the Motueka Reserves Financial Contributions.

 

The Council will keep the community informed of any further developments in due course.

Tasman Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

What’s On - Richmond

RICHMOND YOUR CHANCE TO LEARN TO DANCE

It’s on, it’s special, I had to let you know. The lovely Tango community awaits you with lovely dancing and Tango festivals await you.

In Richmond this evening - your last chance to learn the beautiful dance of Argentino Tango - start tonight or start up the classes next week and catch up.

Grab a dance partner and come and join us for a 7 week course in Richmond then tango your way into 2024 with style!

Contact Anne-Maree directly on annemaree@tangolibre.com to register your interest.

No experience needed just contact: annemaree@tangolibre.com

Held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Hall, 35 William Street, Richmond.

Time 6.30pm to 8pm this evening.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

DOC and Air New Zealand partnership for conservation

Photo credit DOC.

Air New Zealand and DOC partnership renewed and expanded

Date:  26 October 2023

DOC and Air New Zealand have renewed their partnership to work together for conservation, today announcing a further five-year commitment and a doubling of direct investment annually.

Building on more than a decade of collaboration, the renewal will see Air New Zealand directly invest more than $5 million in DOC biodiversity programmes over the next five years.

The funding will continue the airline’s support for sustained pest control and species monitoring across five of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and the increased contribution will welcome DOC’s nationwide Conservation Dogs Programme to the partnership.

DOC Director-General Penny Nelson says that the enduring partnership with New Zealand’s national carrier demonstrates the value of nature in Aotearoa.

“The environment is fundamental to tourism. When people experience nature that is wild, healthy and unique, it has a positive impact on them. Our environment is a major drawcard for international visitors and New Zealanders alike.

“Sadly however, we have more than 4000 species threatened or at risk of extinction. This partnership with Air New Zealand means we can do more for native species than we could do alone.

“On the Milford track for example, our partnership has helped control predators to the point where we could bolster the population of pāteke/brown teal. Air New Zealand flew in 60 pāteke, plus funded radio transmitters to monitor their success. 

“When a tramper hikes along the track, they now have the chance to spot pāteke as well as many other birds, reptiles and insects thriving thanks to our partnership.

“This is the sort of impact we can make with long-term partnerships with business, so it’s great to be furthering our work alongside Air New Zealand.”

In addition to the direct investment, Air New Zealand will also provide more than $5 million of in-kind support. This support includes continuing to fly conservation dogs and threatened species, as well as through initiatives to raise awareness of the biodiversity crisis and ways that both New Zealanders and international visitors can support conservation efforts in Aotearoa.

Air New Zealand Chief Sustainability Officer Kiri Hannifin says the airline is delighted to expand its long-running partnership with DOC to include the world-leading Conservation Dogs Programme.

“New Zealand’s unique and precious biodiversity is under constant threat. Continuing to implement a range of science-based initiatives to respond to this threat is vital.

“Our increased investment will support the DOC Conservation Dogs Programme to mentor, certify and support dog-handler teams to detect New Zealand’s protected species or unwanted pests.

“These highly trained dogs and their handlers are at the forefront of the fight against biodiversity loss in Aotearoa.”

Since the partnership began in 2012, it has achieved more than 42,000ha of sustained pest control alongside some of the most iconic Great Walks, flown more than 4,300 threatened species and conservation dogs, and enabled over 30 million engagements with people through joint storytelling.

DOC.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond

Māpua Streets for People pilot opens

Māpua

Māpua 24 October 2023 - 

Streets for People pilot opens

After months of design work and weeks of construction Māpua’s Streets for People pilot layout of shared paths, cycle lanes and raised pedestrian crossings is now being used by riders and walkers.   

The project was officially launched with help from the students of Māpua School on Friday. (20 October 2023).  

Tasman District Council Transportation Manager Jamie McPherson is grateful to the many residents and business owners in Māpua who have given their time and energy to helping the design team with the incredibly challenging task of fitting the pilot improvements into the available street space.  

He says there was plenty of ambition for improvements – and the pilot layout is only a small step towards meeting it. 

“I hope people can look past some of the elements that clearly will not meet the future ambition, like the planter boxes that are temporarily in place of possible future gardens/trees, or the cycle lane that we would like to be wider if only there was enough space.” 

One of the innovations included in this Streets for People project was that our contractor, Downer, used more than 52 tonnes of recycled concrete aggregate as fill under the new footpath.  

The recycled concrete aggregate comes from stockpiled concrete from footpath replacements, kerb and channel and other jobs that have waste concrete which is then crushed and reused instead of being sent to landfill. 

But Jamie McPherson says the Māpua project is not over yet. 

“We will soon be seeking feedback on how users now interact with the street, and whether they think the layout meets the goal of making it safer and more convenient for people who are not in motor vehicles to get around.” 

We have already made some early adjustments outside Foursquare and the bakery where planter boxes were removed to ease access for large delivery trucks and the disability park outside the Medical Centre is back.  

Jamie McPherson adds that he is proud of the team of people who have worked hard to deliver this first stage of the project. 

“It hasn’t been easy, especially when some people in the community don’t agree with the decisions being made or even the goal of the project, but the team care deeply about making Aranui Road and Māpua an even better place and have been buoyed by the many messages of support.” 

Jamie McPherson, Transportation Manager.

Tasman District Council. 

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Māpua

Tākaka Hill night-time closures and day-time stop/go traffic management - State Highway 60 - for maintenance and resurfacing

Night closures: 

from 29 October to 24 November - Sundays to Thursdays from 8pm to 5:30am. Short opening around 1am for queued traffic. 

Day-time works: 

from 14 to 17 November from 6am to 6pm under stop/go traffic management. Plan ahead for 30 minute delays.

State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill summer maintenance

Night Closures & daytime works

Maintaining the resilience of a critical highway link will see night-time closures and day-time stop/go traffic management of State Highway 60 over the Tākaka Hill later this month.

Rob Service, System Manager, Top of the South, says doing the maintenance work now ensures the Tākaka Hill will be in tip-top condition for the busy Christmas holiday period.

Between Sunday, 29 October, and the morning of Friday, 24 November, the road will be closed every Sunday to Thursday between 8pm and 5:30am with a short opening around 1 am for queued traffic.

The highway will also be subject to daytime speed restrictions and stop/go traffic control between Tuesday, 14 and Friday, 17 November (weather dependent) from 6am to 6pm. During this time, drivers can expect 30-minute travel delays.

Mr Service says there is a substantial amount of work to be done, so night closures are essential if it is to be completed as quickly as possible.

“Contractors will reseal parts of the road on both sides of the hill and carry out other maintenance work, such as clearing water channels, fixing slips and guard rails, and attending to general maintenance.”

“This work is essential. It’s kind of like the maintenance you do on your house. Regular upkeep stops small jobs from becoming bigger and more expensive ones later on,” Mr Service says.

Because of the road’s narrowness and to keep contractors safe, the road will be closed at night while the work is done. It will allow contractors to complete their work faster.

Mr Service appreciates the closures and day-time speed restrictions will be inconvenient for residents and regular road users. But he says they are essential.

“Some of this work, such as chip sealing, must be done during the day when conditions are warm and dry. But we realise travel over the Tākaka Hill is vital for residents and local businesses, which is why we are ensuring there will be day-time access on the route."

“It’s also important people obey speed limits in road work areas and follow the instructions of our contractors. It is all about keeping everyone, both road crews and drivers, safe,” Mr Service says.

Drivers can expect delays when crossing the Tākaka Hill and should factor this into their travel plans.

Night closures

• The closure will be in place between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka and will run from 29 October to 24 November.
• The closures will be between 8pm and 5:30am.
• The road will open once each night around 1 am for traffic at two road closure points.
• Vehicles travelling over the hill need to be at the Aaron Creek Road closure point by 12:30am or at the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by 1am.

Daytime Stop/Go traffic controls

• Day time stop/go traffic management will be in place between Tuesday, 14 and Friday, 17 November.
• It will run from 6am to 6pm.
• Drivers should plan ahead and expect 30-minute delays.

Aaron Creek Road – road closure point for eastbound traffic. Road users wanting to travel over Tākaka Hill on the 1am opening, please be at this location by 12.30am. 

Riwaka Valley Road – road closure point for westbound traffic. Road users wanting to travel over Tākaka Hill on the 1am opening, please be at this location by 1am.

These roadworks are weather dependent and may be rescheduled.

Waka Kitahi

Pigeon Post News, Richmond. 

Sponsor:

Annemaree@tangolibre.com