Andrew von Dadelszen Former Regional Councillor

Last Thursday I joined more than 100 local residents who heard how strong science is monitoring the effects of the Rena grounding – one year on.

Waikato University chair of coastal science, professor Chris Battershill, is leading the research team, which includes academics and students from University of Waikato, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, University of Canterbury and Manaaki Taha Moana. Chris and professor David Schiel of Canterbury University led a very positive briefing, which is showing (on initial findings) that sea life seems to have recovered incredibly quickly from the effects of the terrible oil spills of last October. With more than 30,000 samples from tuatua, pipi, paua, kina, crabs and cockles having been regularly tested we already have considerable confidence in the recovery process. It is great to have good scientific knowledge, rather than uninformed speculation, driving this process. However, it took the only politician in the room, List MP Brendan Horan, to persistently harass the scientists, looking for a negative story.

This really was a good news story, albeit preliminary in its research outcomes, and one that all Bay of Plenty residents should be celebrating. Well done to all the partners in this process – once again it is a collaborative approach using good science that is giving us all renewed hope. Sorry naysayers – this is not what you wanted to hear!

If you have a view on these or any other local government issues, I invite you to email me: [email protected] or visit www.vond.co.nz