News

Murihiku Southland Regional Energy Development Plan - Supporting the energy transition for the region

As a part of Murihiku Regeneration’s energy transition programme, we are pleased with the release of the Transpower and PowerNet discussion document around the development of a Murihiku-Southland Regional Development Plan.

“We are very pleased that Transpower, working with PowerNet, have kicked off this process. It speaks to the need for urgent action around the energy transition and decarbonisation.”

“They both spoke at our recent Energy and Innovation Wananga on 24 May, and have picked up on our comments for the need for infrastructure investment, based around a sensible plan that enables growth and economic and social development”, confirmed Terry Nicholas on the release of the initial discussion document.

Transpower has confirmed they have received 23 enquiries for new generation projects in the Southland and Southern Otago regions totalling over 4,400 MW recently. Almost 1,200MW has progressed beyond the enquiry stage. They have also received 18 enquiries for potential non-generation connections, such as load connections for new electrified process heat 10 of these are embedded within PowerNet’s network. This sort of interest requires coordination and alignment and good engagement with communities.

“We have been talking about the need to support new major energy projects that bring jobs, investment and create other opportunities for our communities. We will be taking this process seriously and support it as a part of our own programme of work.”

The process of creating a regional development plan links various businesses, community groups, iwi, local and central government to capitalise on the region’s abundant renewable energy resources, both to increase renewable generation and support the decarbonisation of existing industries, alongside supporting potential new growth.

For those interested in engaging here is a summary of the process.

Murihiku Regeneration wants to ensure that Transpower hears from the Murihiku-Southland community as its create its Regional Development Plan and will be supporting early discussions over the coming months.

We welcome your input to ensure that a wide view is considered. We have a workshop planned with them and key stakeholders on 17 August and we will update our comments after that meeting.

We encourage you to also reach out to Transpower at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] to register your interest in being part of these discussions, and to share this document with others you know who may have an interest. Fir those of you who wish for us to represent or consider your views and inputs, please contact us at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] or visit our website.

We also enclose the full discussion document release for you to download.

Key Contact Information:

• Transpower – [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

• Murihiku Regeneration – [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

Posted: 27 July 2023

Bluff Rangatahi Zone 2023 - Join our team of volunteers

Rangatahi Zone is an initiative by the Tuurama Trust to add some fun, healing, inspiration, and creativity to the Murihiku community. It will be a three day event over the next school holidays. Held across Bluff in free activities for young people from 10 to 18 years old.

The imitivates goals are as follows:

1. To uplift our Rangatahi

2. Provide fun activities that give our Rangatahi a chance to have a number of different experiences and connections

3. Show Rangatahi ways of looking after their emotions through Rongoa, Mahi Toi, and many other forms of expression

They are currently looking for volunteers for this year’s Rangatahi event so please have a look theres lots of different roles and activities that you or your organisation might be able to help with.

If you would like to join the team again, please fill in this form.

Dates: 26-28 September 2023, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (first week school holidays)

Times: 12noon – 5pm daily, Karakia at 11am for kaimahi

For more information on the event, look here at the Rangatahi Zone website.

Posted: 26 July 2023

Murihiku ki Te Tonga Acquires Globally Significant Antarctic Sample Collection

On July 19, 2023, the Murihiku ki Te Tonga – Ross Sea Sector Research & Monitoring Programme took possession of a globally significant collection of scientific samples from Antarctica. The samples include a wide range of top predator species – Antarctic toothfish, Adélie penguins, South Polar skuas, Weddell seals, minke whales, and killer whales – and took six expeditions to Antarctica to collect.

Key top predators in the Ross Sea. Clockise from Top left: South polar skua, Type-C killer whale and Antarctic toothfish, Weddell seal and Pagothenia borchgrevinki, crabeater seal, Adélie penguin, and minke whale. Photos: P.H. Ensor (killer whale), R. Currey (minke whale), R. Eisert

The primary objective of this research, led by Dr Regina Eisert, is to support the Ross Sea region Marine Protected Area (MPA). The Ross Sea region MPA due south of Murihiku is the world’s largest MPA and administered by CCAMLR, an international association that regulates Southern Ocean fisheries using ecosystem-based management. In 1997, New Zealand started a fishery for toothfish in the Ross Sea region that expanded to include vessels from other CCAMLR nations. Antarctic toothfish is a valuable, large and high-fat fish exported primarily to Asia and the USA. In 2017, CCAMLR established the MPA following an extended campaign driven by New Zealand and the USA.

Steve Bamford of Boxman Christchurch in front of the TITAN refrigerated container, or ‘reefer’, that contains the bulk of the sample material. This reefer is capable of keeping contents at -40°C. This is very important for ensuring the integrity of scientific specimens long-term, as animal tissues are not fully frozen at normal freezer temperatures. Photo: R. EisertWhile the MPA was a major achievement, ongoing research & monitoring are mandatory to maintain the region’s protected status and demonstrate that existing restrictions on fishing are effective. Major gaps remain in our understanding of how the Ross Sea food web works and how removal of toothfish affects other species, for example Weddell seals and killer whales that also like to eat toothfish and may depend on it.

The Murihiku Antarctic sample collection is unique worldwide in containing sequential samples from key top predators spanning the entire period from the pre-MPA baseline until after the establishment of the MPA (2013-2020). Murihiku ki Te Tonga is continuing this critical scientific research.

Part of the collection is stored in extreme cold temperature freezers (-80°C). Photo: R. EisertMurihiku Regeneration is working with TITAN Containers NZ, supplier of state-of-the-art refrigerated containers, and Boxman Christchurch. Through the Ministry of Primary Industries, Boxman Christchurch recently acquired the certification needed to receive and store biological specimens from Antarctica. Secure and reliable sample storage is key to building capability for research, science and innovation and signals another milestone achievement for Murihiku Regeneration.

Posted: 24 July 2023

Honouring international Partnerships - Murihiku Sister City Visit to Kumagaya, Japan

As part of the Invercargill sister-city relationship with Kumagaya in Japan, a Mayoral delegation from Invercargill is visiting Kumagaya city over the period 19-25 July, 2023.

Included in this delegation is Michael Skerrett, in his position as one of the Upoko of Murikiku Hapū. Michael was honoured today as a part of a key civic ceremony.

In the picture shared by Mayor Nobby Clark, Michael Skerrett blessed with water the glass huia and was honoured by city officials in recognition of is mana and status. Mayor Clark acknowledged that, ‘during the ceremony, Michael was recognised as a person of high status, also in his role in representing mana whenua. It brough mana to the whole delegation.”

The sister city relationship with Kumagaya is an important one for Invercargill, and for Murihiku Regeneration as it seeks to identify opportunities to innovate and grow the region both from a social and economic perspective. The Japanese hold the Iwi, Māori relationship as a key and central part of any ongoing international relationship. They also value continuity and Michael Skerrett has provided that cultural link for this relationship.

This visit recognised Michael Skerrett’s long association with previous international delegations, with Kumagaya City specifically, and in working with Invercargill City Council,

Michael’s attendance provides an opportunity to have Murihiku Regeneration and Hapū represented, at a governance level as a part of the Office of Upoko, alongside local government as partners, and to form key relationships with relevant international people and other entities at a mana to mana level. This visit will help the broader Murihiku Regeneration work across the four pou, and also focus in on potential new economic opportunities relating to projects such as green energy and aquaculture.

We are very pleased that Michael was able to represent both Invercargill City Council, Murihiku Regeneration and also the whanau, Iwi, Hapu and all of our community on this delegation”, said Terry Nicholas as Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director.

Posted: 24 July 2023

Nominations now open for Murihiku whānau to be a part of creating a new brand of identity for Green Energy Project

Murihiku Regeneration is coordinating the establishment of a new Cultural Identity Group to creating a new brand identity for the Southern Green Hydrogen Project. Nominations are now open for applications to be a part of this group.

Kapa Haka group preforming at the Energy and Inovation Wananga in May

Southern Green Hydrogen is the name given to a hydrogen facility development in Southland, led by Meridian and Woodside Energy in partnership with Mitsui and Murihiku Regeneration (on behalf of Ngāi Tahu). Ngāi Tahu have the option to step in as a project partner, which includes a seat on the governing board, at the final investment decision stage.

We are looking for up to six members to support the development of a new brand for the Southern Green Hydrogen Project. Members will be remunerated – and we are seeking people who are committed, capable and also willing to be part of potentially other future projects in this space.

The aspiration is to create a vibrant bicultural brand which reflects the connection of the project to Murihiku-Southland and mana whenua. An external branding agency will be engaged to help deliver this project, with the specific deliverables being:

• A new brand identity for Southern Green Hydrogen – an evolution of the current brand that includes a cultural element or elements to connect the brand with iwi, hapu and whanau

• A new logo

• Brand guidelines, including colours, typography, use of te reo

• Photography guidelines The Brand Project is being led by Meridian Energy, on behalf of Southern Green Hydrogen.

Participating Members will be required to:

• Participate in an in-person workshop with the agency to explore the cultural context of the project and its significance to Māori and the region.

• Participate in two review sessions, run by the agency, to review and discuss draft and then revised brand concepts.

Expressions of Interest from people will be collected through Murihiku Regeneration at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] and will remain open until 5pm on 16 August 2023. A selection panel made up from representatives from each of the partnering organisations in the project will select the members of the group. Successful applicants will be advised in late August 2023.

Posted: 21 July 2023