2006 Environmental Award Winners

The Award ceremony for 2006 was a special occasion – the first time the award ceremony was held in Hastings (at the revamped Hawke’s Bay Opera House) and with two special guest speakers.   We also had sponsors that made the celebration function more special – CJ Pask an award winning and sustainable winery and a previous Cleaner Production Award winner; and Limburg Brewery, a local natural brewery which had recent success at the NZ Beer Awards.

The first guest speaker was Bridget Hunt from Pukehou School.  She was selected as one of three Sir Peter Blake Ambassadors for 2006, and in August she went to Putrajaya in Malaysia to attend the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Children’s Conference with 250 other students from over 50 countries.  She talked about her experience meeting students with enthusiasm for environmental care.

The guest presenter was Dr Mark Orams.  Mark is the executive director of the Sir Peter Blake Trust – and has a useful coordination of qualifications being both a marine scientist and a yachtsman.   He is currently director of the Coastal-Marine Research Group at Massey University in Albany.  He completed his PhD in 1995 at the School of Marine Sciences at Queensland University.  Subsequently he has published several books and more than 20 scientific papers in the environmental education and marine resource management areas.   Mark’s yachting career has seen him win a World Masters title, and numerous NZ titles.  He was a member of Sir Peter Blake’s crew on board Steinlager 2, winner of the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race.  He also assisted Sir Peter as part of Team New Zealand’s successful defence of the America’s Cup in 2000 and was an onboard scientist during Blake’s voyage up the Amazon River in 2001.

Special Judges’ Awards – HB Young Environmentalists

This year the judges decided to make a special award to some exceptional young people they encountered during the judging of the Ede Award category for schools.  These young people are taking the lead -  driving their projects towards successful completion, encouraging their peers to get involved in environmental matters, and harnessing the support of teachers and other adults as well.  

A silver tui pin was presented to:

• Anita Bothwell – Tutira School
• Bridget Hunt – Pukehou School
• Tom Logan – William Colenso College

Individual/Family Winner - Myron and Mary Dobson, Waipawa

The Dobsons are originally from Texas and since 2000 have transformed their small residential property in Waipawa from neglected orchard and paddock into a vibrant bush and pond area. They had a vision for a self sustaining bird and plant sanctuary as an oasis in the midst of a rapidly developing area for the future. They have planted hundred of trees, carefully selecting the right species for the area, which is a difficult hillside terrain with very wet and dry areas. They have planted kauri which are flourishing and propagate many of their own plants. The trees and the wetland now attracts many birds which were not present before. They even purchased a paddock next door to avoid having it subdivided and the loss of more open space in the area. The Dobsons have developed a vegetable garden and a cottage orchard with old nut and fruit trees. They will have plans for continuing to care for and add to this small area of paradise.

Community Winner - Maraetotara Tree Trust

The Maraetotara Tree Trust is a volunteer organisation formed in 2003 to restore the Maraetotara River. The aim is to make a wildlife corridor along the length of the river, and to improve the water quality of this prime fishing river. They have done a lot of work organising the clearing of rubbish and fencing off esplanade strips (with which local councils assisted). They have a well- established nursery with a paid manager for whom the Trust fundraises. The collection of eco-sourced seeds is done by both volunteers and the nurseryman, and the volunteers are fully active in all aspects of the nursery. The nursery is now fully operational with all stages of seedlings from germination to planting. They are achieving good results and have also been supplying pingao for Ocean beach dune protection work. They held a fundraising walk at Kahuraniki which attracted more than 200 people and they give talks at local schools, some of which help raise plants too. This is a true community spirited organisation.

Business Winner - Beard’s Environmental Ltd, Hastings

Beard’s Environmental Ltd is now the only certified treatment plant in Hawke’s Bay dealing with the collection, treatment and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste. They recycle and reuse products like waste oil, oily water and sludge oil – reducing pollution and minimising waste. This locally owned company started in 1995 as a truck effluent disposal business and has expanded and improved its technology in recent years. Two factors have recently enabled it to develop further – the landfill closing its doors to liquid waste which meant they could expand their business to handle it, and the major task of cleaning up after the VJ Distributors fire which meant they needed a smart way to handle 20,000 litres of oil water. Beard’s Environmental have gone to considerable lengths to reduce odours and have a good relationship with neighbours in close proximity.

Cleaner Production Winner - Responsible Resource Recovery (3R) Ltd, based in Havelock North

Responsible Resource Recovery (3R) Ltd operates the Waste Exchange in Hawke’s Bay which is a free service to businesses with the aim of providing an alternative to waste disposal. Staff provide expert guidance to businesses on options for their waste streams and facilitate links between disposers and users. One person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure! For example a company getting rid of an old conveyor belt because it was no longer safe to use with foodstuffs, found a keen buyer in a company which needed to move rocks. The company operates a website and 0800 number. It has 240 companies registered in Hawke’s Bay ( a total of 2900 across New Zealand) and managed almost 100 exchanges in the Bay last year, with demand on the increase as landfills get stricter on what they will accept. The company is operating efficiently and smartly and is making a major contribution to waste reduction in Hawke’s Bay.

Ede Award Winner - William Colenso College, Napier

William Colenso College has worked steadily on becoming an environmentally friendly school since it was formed as a merger between two schools three years ago. This year a number of projects all came together which set this school apart. The Green Team comprises pupils of all ages up to Year 11, led by student Tom Logan and mentored by an enthusiastic teacher Kate Christensen, with strong support through the school management and board. A recycling project has been approved by the school board and is underway with input from the school’s landscape architect and All Brite recycling . The Green Team work regularly at the Environmental Centre planting trees and weeding. All year 7s work on the school vegetable gardens and year 8s are planting trees in specially designed areas. The school gets involved in planting days for Conservation Week. The students have plans for a maimai for birdwatching as soon as they find a suitable location, and for a drama show about the environment.

Rural Winner - Hylton and Wendy McDermott, ‘Kotare’, Maraetotara

Hylton and Wendy McDermott have been very committed to sustainable farming ever since they first arrived at ‘Kotare’ in the Maraetotara Valley 21 years ago. The 231ha farm runs 130 head of cattle and 780 breeding ewes on a balance of rolling and steep country that has the Maraetotara River and Ngamangatawa Stream running through it. The McDermott’s used the first ever Regional Landcare Grant to assist with fencing off an area alongside the Ngamangatawa Stream. They have done extensive planting, creating an area of bush and even planting a steep cliff face alongside the stream. The latest project has been to create and plant out a series of ponds in a previously boggy, ungrazable area. Waterways are fenced to restrict stock access and Hylton has invented a ‘one way’ watering hole with a solid base to prevent contamination of the waterway. Not content to promote biodiversity on their own property, Hylton and Wendy have been hardworking members of the Maraetotara Tree Trust, encouraging other farmers to support it and providing seed for the nursery from their own bush. Along with thousands of native seedlings, they have also planted pines, eucalypts, acacias and oaks for shelter , firewood and erosion control. Hylton is however modest about their achievements: “You only have to throw a tree at the ground here and it grows”.

Highly Commendeds were also awarded to

Rural  – Lloyd and Ginny Cave

Lloyd and Ginni Cave have been planting on their farm ‘Windemere’ for 20 years, with children Wes, Sam and Emma playing a part as they have grown up. There are big gulleys with steep cliff faces going through the farm and the previous owner had tried to graze these with fences in improbably places.  The Caves removed these and fenced off the gulleys and planted several of the faces in pines to stop erosion. Other areas have been planted with all types of natives, including an innovative shelter belt that is proving successful.  They have protected a 10ha podocarp forest with a QEII covenant.  Their latest project is a wetland with a series of ponds they are in the process of planting with the hope to attract pukeko back.  Improved water quality, a reduction in soil erosion and plenty of wind and sun shelter are the farm benefits, while birdlife habitats have been enhanced.  Significantly they are part of the kaka beak restoration programme in cooperation with DOC and the QEII National Trust. The family host many visitors to their lovely property from Forest and Bird,  Farm Forestry Association, apiarists, QEII and others.

New Product/Service - Water Rite Ltd

Water Rite has developed an innovative approach to waste water treatment using ENETT – Earth Negative Electrical Treatment Terminal – and in the development of a microprocessor to automatically control loading and which will ultimately allow remote control and monitoring of the site. The judges were very impressed with the innovation, the commitment to developing the project, and the potential that this may have for the environment.  This approach is very new and the judges look forward to seeing future developments.

Community - Sustaining Hawke’s Bay

Many people will have come into contact with Sustaining Hawke’s Bay.  This organisation is part funded by government and local councils to provide a useful interface between the public and environmental information and is a conduit of knowledge providing everything from sustainable living courses and environment lectures through to worm farms and Bokashi buckets. The Trust works closely with other environmental groups and with their local councils to ensure that environmental knowledge is shared, that awareness of issues is raised, and that sustainable solutions can be provided. 

Business  – Hatuma Lime

Hatuma will celebrate 75 years in business next year.   It is a family business that sees itself as a leader in sustainable farming practices.  It produces agricultural lime and for 40 years a key product has been dicalcic phosphate which the company promotes as good for soils and pasture and environmentally sustainable.  The company has managed its site by State Highway 2 with care, retiring areas no longer used and repasturing.  It provides fertiliser products tailored for specific farm needs and has a strong business ethos of sustainable business for sustainable farming.