News

Hokonui Rūnanga, Awarua Rūnaka, and WellSouth partner to create new inclusive primary health care service in Invercargill

Hokonui Rūnanga, Awarua Rūnaka, and WellSouth, the primary health organisation for Southland (and Otago), have partnered to create a novel primary health service to target unenrolled patients in Invercargill, particularly unenrolled Māori and Pacific populations. The patnership was officially signed by Rūnaka and WellSouth representatives on Thursday 30 September 2021.Making the partnership official - From left: Andrew Swanson-Dobbs (Ceo Wellsouth Primary Health Network); Terry Nicholas (Hokonui Rūnanga Health and Social Services Trust); Mata Cherrington (CEO Awarua Whānau Services). Photo: Amanda Webster

Called Te Hau O Te Ora - The Wind of Life (Health and Wellbeing), the new primary health service will start to operate out of a purpose-built facility by March 2024. Located in the Invercargill CBD, Te Hau O Te Ora will help to address the shortage of primary health care in Murihiku, particularly for those who need it most.

This partnership is a new, from the ground-up initiative that addresses the needs of the Invercargill community, with a focus on making real change that will result in improved equity of access and equity of health outcomes. The recent Covid-19 vaccination campaign has highlighted the existing issue that a number of Invercargill residents are unenrolled in a general practice. Māori health providers have reported that many of the people they provided services for remained unenrolled and unable to access primary care services, funded screening programmes and long-term conditions support. Māori and Pacific residents are disproportionately affected and miss out on preventative and ongoing health care and other social services.

A different model of care

Te Hau o Te Ora is based on a whānau-centred model of care, increasing access to primary care in the city and has the potential to make a substantive difference to Māori health outcomes in the Southern region.

Initially, the focus will be on delivering primary care services similar to those delivered by general practice and mana whenua mandated Māori health providers. As a not for profit entity, Te Hau o Te Ora’s point of difference from the outset will be the ability for clinical teams to take the time they need with their patients and their whānau as profit driven booking models are not drivers of this model of care.

The partners of Te Hau o Te Ora intend the scope of service to expand to include enhanced primary care services and other community-based supports in the near future. The capacity and capability is in place to scale the programme and bring together primary care services, NGOs community health and social services providers in one location – true integration.

Governed differently

Honoring Te Tiriti o Waitangi principle of equal partnership and governance, the new services will have a clear focus on achieving Hauora with values and practices that serve the whole community. The partnership includes a renewedcommitment to openness and transparency of operations and to developing new partnerships with Māori Investors, mana whenua mandated Māori health providers and advisors.

Run differently

The new services will directly address needs of the unenrolled particularly Māori Pacific and high needs population groups.

Services will embody Manaakitanga throughout the patient journey, including a holistic front of house for primary care facilities and a focus on improved models of care in an urban environment such as adaptable services / hours.

It will provide a response for those that are unable to be enrolled at present and support a system that has limited capacity to enrol more patients at this time.

An example for other regions

This model of primary care delivery may be applicable in other localities throughout Aotearoa, and could be used as a pilot to inform and support its use with other locations.

Posted: 1 October 2021

Te Tapu o Tāne - new environmental iwi-led charity

Find out about Te Tapu o Tāne - a new environmental iwi-led charity that’s been set up to enhance mahinga kai and whenua connections. This vision is guided by Te Ao Māori, tikanga, rangatiratanga and mātauranga of our tīpuna.

A wide range of environmental projects will be initiated to help recover natural systems, enhance indigenous biodiversity, and increase resilience.

Watch the video below from Tahu News, or read the article published in Stuff:

From Tahu News: 20 September 2021

Re-published from Stuff 16 September 2021

A new iwi-led environmental charity will receive Government funding to establish native plant nurseries and undertake restoration projects across Southland.Jana Davis, Te Tapu o Tāne Chief Executive.

On Thursday, Conservation Minister Kiri Allen announced that Te Tapu o Tāne will receive $2.125 million in Jobs for Nature funding over three years to undertake the projects.

The projects will be overseen by the Papatipu Rūnanga o Murihiku, representing Hokonui, Waihōpai, Awarua, and Ōraka-Aparima rūnanga.

Te Tapu o Tāne chief executive Jana Davis said the Jobs for Nature funding would allow the charity to fast track the launch of its first nursery, off McIvor Rd in Invercargill.

The $2.125m will build on $1.98m of funding already received from the Ministry of Primary Industries through the One Billion Trees programme, Davis said.

It would be working alongside Ngāi Tahu, local government, central government and private partners to commercially provide plant sales, as well as planting and habitat restoration services during the project.

“It’s a native tree nursery operation, and we’re going to be using it as a home base for catchment rehabilitation services. So we’ll be sourcing the seed, growing and planting natives, [doing] pest control, water monitoring,” Davis said.

“So rain, hail or shine we’ve got somewhere to work, and when projects come up we can go out and do plantings and then come back, and the projects we’re doing are more than just planting – we want to understand the significance of the areas.”

It is expected the new nurseries will produce more than 700,000 new native plants and trees each year, he said.

“It’s all endemic, native species, focusing on waterway planting and reforestation.

“So a lot of flaxes, beech, tōtara, anything that we can use to help prevent run-off, basically getting rid of exotic species and replanting it native.”

Seeds for the nurseries to grow these plants would be eco-sourced, meaning that if seeds are taken from a specific area then the plants would go back to that area, Davis said.

“Depending on where the projects are, depends on where the seeds sourced from,” he said.

About 25 kaimahi (workers) would be employed during the three years of funding, with the first beginning on Monday, he said.

“We’ll be starting nursery operations first thing Monday, hopefully sowing seed on Tuesday.

“I’m super excited, I’m going to close the laptop for a few weeks and get to know the new team. We’ve got some really cool, young rangatahi coming on board that are new to the industry.”

Te Tapu o Tne had also been engaging with Southern Institute of Technology to create tailor-made courses for nature-based work which would include training in Mātauranga, he said.

“This project is more than just establishing a native tree nursery; this is full scale catchment rehabilitation from a te ao Māori perspective,” Davis said.

Te Tapu o Tāne translates to The Sacredness of Tāne and his tamariki.

Posted: 21 September 2021

Murihiku Regeneration and Fortescue Future Industries signs collaboration agreement to develop large scale Green Hydrogen plant in New Zealand

Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has signed a collaboration agreement with Murihiku Hapu of Ngāi Tahu, that will see them working together to assess and potentially develop a large scale, renewable green hydrogen production project in Southland, New Zealand.

The project proposes construction of a large-scale hydrogen plant in Southland which aims to achieve first production in early 2025, with potential for multiple stages of expansion in future. The project is subject to an initial assessment process and an investment decision by the Board of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd and New Zealand Investor Boards.

FFI Chief Executive Officer Julie Shuttleworth AM said, “FFI’s goal is to become the world’s leading fully renewable energy and green products company.

“Our work with Murihiku Hapu as representatives of Ngāi Tahu during the early days of this project demonstrates an alignment of our respective values and a common vision for Southland’s and New Zealand’s potential role in leading a green hydrogen transition. We believe our whanaungatanga will ensure a successful future outcome for all New Zealanders.

“FFI recognises, respects and upholds the principles of The Treaty of Waitangi. We recognise Murihiku Hapu’s mana whenua of Southland and greatly value their guidance and contribution to the future success of this project.”

Murihiku Upoko, Tā Tipene O’Regan said, “This project could be one of the world’s first large scale green hydrogen facilities, powered by existing and new renewable energy generation. We hope to support greater New Zealand wide renewable generation investment, while at the same time contributing to the management of New Zealand’s dry-year risk. Despite being a regional opportunity, this project will be developed in New Zealand’s national interest.

“The project could enable the creation of a hub for hydrogen innovation in New Zealand and provide significant economic growth through regional and national hydrogen industry job creation, as well as diversifying and broadening New Zealand’s skilled workforce.

“FFI’s global hydrogen industry leadership and Fortescue’s successful track record of partnering and collaborating to develop large scale, complex capital projects, makes working alongside them an exciting prospect.”

Murihiku Regeneration Programme Director, Terry Nicholas said, “The FFI and Murihiku Regeneration team will be sharing further information with Murihiku and Ngāi Tahu Whānui and also the wider Southland community as we progress this project. We are actively engaging across many areas to understand and share in the opportunities this project will provide.”

About FFI:

FFI is the 100 per cent renewable green energy and industry company of Fortescue Metals Group Limited (Fortescue).

FFI is establishing a global portfolio of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia operations that will position FFI at the forefront of a global renewable hydrogen industry. FFI will leverage Fortescue’s world leading track record of innovation and development of large-scale integrated infrastructure assets in order to deliver FFI’s vision of green hydrogen becoming the most globally traded seaborne energy commodity in the world, with an initial plan to produce 15 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen by 2030.

FFI’s vision is further supported by Fortescue’s commitment to lead the heavy industry battle against global warming, and in March 2021, Fortescue announced an industry-leading target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. FFI is a key enabler of achieving this target through the development of its green electricity, green hydrogen, green ammonia, and other green industrial projects.

Media contact:

Michael Vaughan, Fivemark Partners

E: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]

M: +61 422 602 720

Posted: 2 August 2021

Rio Tinto records financial profit

On 28 July 2021 Rio Tinto released it’s Interim Half Year Results for 2021.

The global multi-national mining group has recorded a US$12.1 billion profit for the first six months of 2021 and a record high dividend payout of US$9.1 billion.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said “Government stimulus in response to ongoing COVID-19 pressures has driven strong demand for our products at a time of constrained supply resulting in a significant spike in most prices. We focused on safely running our world-class assets and supplying products to our customers. This enabled us, despite operational challenges, to deliver record financial results with free cash flow of $10.2 billion and underlying earnings of $12.2 billion, after taxes and government royalties of $7.3 billion.”

See summary slides of Rio Tinto’s Half Year Results 28 July 2021.

What does this mean for Aotearoa and Tiwai?

The Spinoff has published an article written by Bernard Hickey about the role Tiwai had to play in Rio Tinto’s record profits. The price New Zealanders are paying in terms of ‘energy poverty’ is also discussed.

While Tiwai Point’s owner posts spectacular results – crediting dirt-cheap NZ power as a key factor – New Zealanders struggle with high electricity prices that are set to rise even further.

See Bernard Hickey’s article: Why those is energy poverty should be angry about Rio Tinto’s latest results - it’s definately worth taking the time to read.

From the article:

“Rio Tinto, the owner of the Bluff aluminium smelter, noted in its results statement how successful its threat to shut down the smelter late last year had been. The threat led 51% state-owned Meridian Energy to give Rio Tinto a $60m per year electricity price cut, which means the smelter now pays just $35 per megawatt/hr. That compares with the average wholesale electricity price since January, when the price cut was introduced, of $239 per megawatt/hr. The price this week in the lower South Island is $103/mw/hr.

“Lower energy prices, on average, compared to 2020 first half benefited underlying EBITDA by US$43 million, mainly due to lower energy prices at our aluminium smelters, including the new agreement reached during the first half in relation to the electricity supply to New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS)” Rio Tinto results statement.

Rio Tinto reported this lower price deal had contributed to its record US$12.1b profit in the first six months of 2021 and its record high dividend payout of US$9.1b. It illustrated its “outstanding financial results” slide with a picture of a Bluff Smelter worker. “

Posted: 1 August 2021

Tiwai Smelter power could be diverted to hydrogen by 2023

The following article was published by RNZ reporter Phil Pennington on 1 August 2021 .

Tiwai smelter power could be diverted to hydrogen by 2023

Read Phil’s report below:

The government has been told Southland could start producing green hydrogen as early as 2023.

Various companies are exploring green hydrogen, which could generate jobs and soak up electricity production left excess if Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter shuts in 2024.

Emails released under the OIA show the giant Australian mining company, Fortescue, began wooing the Government over hydrogen more than a year ago.

“They are aiming for production of hydrogen from 2023,” an official wrote in July last year.

Another note says “design and consenting for H2 plant… by 2025” - and has a question mark over whether this might use “600MW” of power, a bit more than the smelter has has had contracts for.

The emails show Fortescue has had repeated meetings or talks with Energy Minister Megan Woods, officials at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Department of Conservation, Meridian Energy and Transpower.

It had “rapidly developing plans” for Southland, the company told MBIE.

Woods’ office said, in an email last October, that Fortescue “are quite advanced with plans for Tiwai for hydrogen”.

Her office mentioned the company wanting to get in touch with the Government’s Just Transitions Unitbut a later note says “Just Transitions can’t help”.

Asked by RNZ about the 2023 and 2025 dates, Fortescue said: “Timing is dependent on obtaining the required consents and approvals in New Zealand, and investment approval from the Fortescue board.”

Officials put the company in touch with the Environment Ministry’s fast-track consenting implementation team.

In an email three months ago, Fortescue sought another meeting with Minister Woods for its Fortescue Future Industries chief executive Julie Shuttleworth.

This followed queries from MBIE in March about what commercial models for electricity supply would support hydrogen production.

The email shows the company is offering “support of the battery project”; other documents refer to testing large battery technology in trucks.

Hydrogen produced by renewable electricity is known as green hydrogen, which remains mostly an experimental technology with uncertain markets.

Two big power companies, Contact and Meridian, have announced they are looking for partners to look into building a plant in Southland.

Meridian says there has been “high quality” international interest.

The power company has done repeated deals to provide cheap electricity to the smelter, under the threat from smelter owner Rio Tinto that, without a deal, it will shut up shop - the latest earlier this year.

Rio Tinto has done a similar thing in Iceland.

The threat at Tiwai remains despite rising aluminium prices helping push the multinational to a record half-year profit this week - and a $9 billion dividend payout to shareholders.

The OIA emails show officials were not sure about Fortescue’s interactions with Rio.

It had been in talks with the Murihiku Regeneration programme of local iwi. The iwi would not comment on the discussions.

The miner has been accused recently by Aboriginal groups of breaching laws protecting sacred sites.

A Fortescue spokesperson said the company “had a long, proud and widely acknowledged positive impact on Aboriginal people and communities in Australia”.

“Fortescue’s primary objective at all times is to work on a cultural heritage avoidance basis.

“In consultation with traditional custodians, Fortescue has worked to avoid and protect approximately 6000 Aboriginal heritage places.”