Rena impacts under the microscope

For immediate release: Friday 1 June, 2012

A team of experts form across New Zealand will join local science experts next week to begin a New Zealand first study into the impact of the containership MV Rena on the environment.

The study will provide detailed information on the success of clean-up techniques as well as the recovery of the things that local people value, like kaimoana and sandy beaches.

Rena Recovery Manager Catherine Taylor said the project is one of the biggest pieces of work within the Rena Recovery programme.

“We expect this research will produce some fascinating data on how several parts of the environment have recovered following the release of oil, containers and their contents,” she said.
Professor Chris Battershill, Waikato University Chair of Bay of Plenty Coastal Science, will lead the research team known as Te Māuri Moana, which includes academics and students from University of Waikato, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and the University of Canterbury.

“By working collaboratively we have been able to utilise the expertise of academics nationwide. We have been able to align our work to existing studies and have developed innovative approaches to achieve a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme,” he said.

Maori perspectives are also being integrated into the research with leadership and input from local iwi and Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

“Since the grounding of the Rena we have been working very closely with iwi to capture traditional environmental knowledge (Mātauranga Māori) and ensure cultural values are respected. This has been beneficial and is a model we plan to continue with,” Professor Battershill said.

Catherine Taylor said that this project is creating a new level of scientific research in the Bay of Plenty which has national relevance.

“A New Zealand coastline has never been through this level of pollution before so what we discover will be ground-breaking in understanding the resilience of New Zealand environments,” she said.

Ms Taylor said that regular updates will be provided to inform the community of results from these studies.

“As soon as results become available we want the community to be the first to know,” she said.

Field work will begin next week, with a full write-up of most projects completed by early 2013.

Rena Recovery is responsible for monitoring the long-term environmental recovery from the 2011 grounding of the containership MV Rena in the Bay of Plenty.

If you want to keep up to date with Rena Recovery information visit www.renarecovery.org.nz and sign up to receive the Rena Recovery newsletter.

Ends.

Background
• Rena Recovery is responsible for the implementation of the Rena Long-Term Environmental Recovery Plan published by the Ministry for the Environment.
• Rena Recovery is funded by the Ministry for the Environment.
• Rena Recovery funding for Te Māuri Moana is almost one million dollars.

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