Media releases
Check out the latest media releases issued by Environment Waikato.
Find out what the hottest environmental issues are this month and what we are doing about them.
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EW and TCDC protecting lives from flooding
August 22, 2008
Environment Waikato and Thames-Coromandel District Council are making good progress over protecting people’s lives in a flood-prone part of Coromandel township.
‘Sacrifice paddocks’ need careful management if used
August 22, 2008
Use of so-called "sacrifice paddocks" is best avoided and they need particularly careful management if they are used, says Environment Waikato’s sustainable agriculture coordinator Bala Tikkisetty.
Settlement promises new focus on river health
August 22, 2008
The new Waikato River co-management agreement involving Waikato-Tainui and other iwi is positive for the health of the river and the wider regional environment, says Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley.
Expanding effluent storage a wise move to cope with winter wet
August 18, 2008
Waikato farmers would best protect the environment by keeping effluent irrigators switched off until local soils have had a chance to dry out, says sustainable agriculture coordinator Gabriele Kaufler.
Arapae Wetland court action
August 18, 2008
Environment Waikato is prosecuting three parties over alleged illegal works in the Arapae Wetland area south of Te Kuiti.
Forecast good news for Waikato region, but worries not over
August 18, 2008
There is good news for the rain-soaked Waikato region this week, with finer weather forecast over the next few days – but the worries are not over yet, Environment Waikato says.
Waikato rivers respond to overnight rain
August 16, 2008
Waikato Rivers have responded to overnight rain in the region, but falls were not as heavy as expected.
Emergency response team eyes rainfall over the next 48 hours
August 15, 2008
Flood models based on the current weather forecast suggest water levels in the lower Waikato and Waipa rivers will not rise as high as last week.
Hamilton houses still safe after overnight rain
August 15, 2008
Hamilton river front houses are still safe from flooding, despite the swollen Waikato River coming under more pressure from overnight rain in the Taupo area.
High river levels not expected to threaten Hamilton properties
August 14, 2008
Environment Waikato is working closely with Mighty River Power (MRP) to carefully control the release of water from Lake Taupo through the Waikato hydro system in advance of more heavy rain.
More heavy rain forecast for region
August 14, 2008
Fresh heavy rain forecast for Taupo on Friday means Environment Waikato and Mighty River Power will be working together over the next few days to manage the potential for additional water flows in the Waikato River.
Piako and Waihou rating proposals released
August 12, 2008
Amendments to the systems for collecting rates for the Piako and Waihou flood protection schemes have today been recommended by Environment Waikato’s river and catchment services committee for formal consultation.
Collaboration key to addressing Lake Taupo erosion issues
August 12, 2008
Collaboration between Environment Waikato, Taupo District Council, Mighty River Power, Tuwharetoa and other groups is the key to addressing Lake Taupo foreshore erosion problems, says EW’s regulatory committee chairman Ian Balme.
Clean Streams funding still available
August 07, 2008
Farmers are being reminded they have just four more years to apply for financial help from Environment Waikato to fence stock off from waterways under the Clean Streams programme.
EW urges careful management of flood-damaged pasture
August 07, 2008
Environment Waikato is urging Waikato farmers with flood-damaged pasture to seek expert advice to help paddocks recover and get grass growing again.
Cambridge’s Te Miro School celebrates environmental award
August 07, 2008
Environment Waikato’s deputy chairman John Fisher, Waipa mayor Alan Livingston and other councillors from Waipa District Council and Environment Waikato helped Te Miro School celebrate its prestigious green-gold Enviroschools award in Cambridge today.
Waikato welcomes positive transport statements
August 06, 2008
A new focus on road safety announced by the Government will help reduce the number of crash deaths in the Waikato, which had the highest regional road toll in the country last year, says Regional Transport Committee chairman Norm Barker.
Finer weather eases pressure on Waikato River system
August 06, 2008
As expected, water levels in the swollen Waikato and Waipa rivers are easing today as finer weather gives the catchments a chance to drain.
EW seeks help managing pest animals and plants
August 06, 2008
Environment Waikato is seeking the community’s help in the battle against pest animals and plants.
Flood protection scheme coping well with huge flows
August 05, 2008
Every two seconds, enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool is pumping past Ngaruawahia through the Waikato River today, as recent heavy rain continues to drain through the catchment.
Mayors voice concerns over storms
August 05, 2008
From Waikato Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group.
Power companies need to give higher priority to restoring power to farms during storms so that animals don’t suffer, Hauraki District Council mayor John Tregidga said at yesterday’s meeting of the Waikato Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM) Group in Hamilton.
Waikato-Auckland commuter rail on regional agenda
August 05, 2008
A possible commuter rail service between the Waikato and Auckland is again gaining a higher profile on the region’s transport agenda.
SH1 unlikely to be closed by flooding
August 05, 2008
Easing of rainfall in the Waikato over the past day has taken some pressure off rivers and Environment Waikato modeling now suggests floodwater is unlikely to spill onto SH1.
Waikato dairy farmer set to save thousands following research trial
August 04, 2008
After seeing the results for himself, dairy farmer and 2005 Waikato Sharemilker of the Year Mike Visser has no doubt effluent can be successfully used to grow maize – without any commercial fertiliser top-ups.
Staff working to keep flood pumps operating
August 04, 2008
Environment Waikato staff are monitoring a stop bank at Mangatawhiri this morning, in anticipation of floodwaters spilling onto about 40 hectares of farmland.
EW on heightened alert after heavy overnight rain
August 03, 2008
Environment Waikato’s emergency response team is on heightened alert after heavy overnight rain on Lake Taupo and the Upper Waipa River catchment.
Big rivers still to reach flood peaks
August 01, 2008
Farmers and other land owners near the Waipa and Waikato rivers could expect ponding on their properties to last for at least 3-4 more days as the flood peak following this week’s storms works its way through the system.
Diesel spill in Waikato River
August 01, 2008
Environment Waikato and Hamilton City Council staff are investigating the source of a diesel spill in the Waikato River, which appears to have originated near the Fairfield Bridge in Hamilton.
Flood watch shifts to Waipa River
August 01, 2008
Environment Waikato’s emergency response team is monitoring the upper Waipa catchment as heavy rain continues to drench the King Country.
Emergency response team to monitor weather over the weekend
July 31, 2008
Environment Waikato’s emergency response team will remain on standby throughout the weekend to monitor rainfall and river levels and keep land owners and agencies updated.
Staff on alert as Waipa and Waikato Rivers rise
July 31, 2008
Environment Waikato emergency management staff remain on alert as the Waipa and Waikato rivers continue to rise.
CEO position to be re-advertised
July 31, 2008
Environment Waikato is to re-advertise the position of chief executive.
Rainfall heaviest in western catchments overnight
July 31, 2008
More rain fell across the Waikato overnight, with heaviest falls recorded in western parts of the region.
Hauraki Plains rivers continue to rise
July 30, 2008
Environment Waikato is offering assistance and technical advice to Hauraki District Council as HDC works to shore up a stop bank beside the lower Waitakaruru River.
River management systems coping well with heavy rainfall
July 30, 2008
Environment Waikato’s river management systems are coping well as a burst of severe weather moves over the region.
The media releases listed on this page cover the past month, and are updated every week.