Amy Adams, Pita Sharples
- 10 May, 2012 - Budget 2012 will provide
$7.6 million over the next four years for
an education programme that gives schools
and children a hands-on approach to looking
after the environment, Environment Minister
Amy Adams and Maori Affairs Minister Pita
Sharples announced today.
Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa (the Maori
immersion approach) encourage children,
their schools and their families to think
and act sustainably – at school, at home
and in everyday life.
“I’m pleased that, in tight economic times,
we can provide substantial funding for this
valuable programme as a result of the Government’s
confidence and supply agreement with the
Maori Party,” Ms Adams says.
“The Government is committed to improving
and maintaining the quality of our environment
and this funding will provide a valuable
contribution towards the support of the
Enviroschools programme.”
The $7.6m boost consolidates the interim
budget negotiated by the Maori Party in
2010 for Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa.
“This funding from the Government enables
Enviroschools to continue, and Te Aho Tu
Roa to be further developed in Maori immersion
schools, with support from programme partners
that include private businesses and local
government,” Dr Sharples says.
“Because Enviroschools and Te Aho Tu Roa
involve students, schools, whanau and communities,
the results of this investment will be long-lasting.”
Ms Adams adds: “Children are our future
environmental leaders so it is heartening
that so many of them want to be involved
in this initiative.”
Students will undertake initiatives to improve
their own schools, including reducing waste
going into landfill, installing water tanks
and planting their own vegetable gardens.
“The programme has a strong bicultural approach,
recognising that Maori perspectives and
knowledge of the environment enrich the
whole learning process,” Dr Sharples says.
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Ministers to consider
PCE report
31 May, 2012 - Conservation
Minister Kate Wilkinson and Environment
Minister Amy Adams will consider a new report
that challenges law makers to think about
issues such as the trade-offs between renewable
energy and wild and scenic rivers.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
Jan Wright has released a report titled:
Hydroelectricity or wild rivers? Climate
change versus natural heritage.
“Waterways play a key part in our native
ecosystems and our economy. Dr Wright’s
report shows that sometimes it is two positive
environmental priorities – like conservation
values and the obvious benefits of renewable
energy – that can be in conflict,” the Ministers
say.
“We would like to thank the Commissioner
for her careful consideration on how to
better protect our rivers. This is a complex
area and Dr Wright has raised some important
points. We will be considering her recommendations.”
The full range of environmental values and
needs, including how to manage conflicting
environmental priorities, are also being
considered as part of the Government’s Fresh
Start for Fresh Water reforms.
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Funding available for
innovative waste reduction projects
Amy Adams - 1 May, 2012
- Environment Minister Amy Adams today called
for organisations developing initiatives
that increase the reuse, recycling or recovery
of waste material to apply to the Waste
Minimisation Fund.
“This is a chance for organisations with
an innovative project to apply for support
from the Government to give their project
a kick start,” Ms Adams says.
Since the first funding round opened at
the end of 2009, the fund has awarded about
$20 million to more than 60 projects.
“Many of these projects have gone on to
establish themselves as businesses employing
New Zealanders and supporting our economy.
Other projects have been more community
focussed and have involved action to spread
the waste reduction message.”
To receive funding, projects need to increase
resource efficiency or reduce the amount
of waste sent to New Zealand’s landfills.
The current funding round opens today and
applications are welcome until 19 June.
Money for the Waste Minimisation Fund comes
from the waste levy charged on material
disposed of at New Zealand landfills.
For more information about applying for
the fund, visit www.mfe.govt.nz/wmf.
