Science for public stakeholders
Better pest management
We worked with the Hawke's Bay Regional Council on a process to increase community participation in a meeting to review the Regional Plant Pest and Animal Pest Management Strategy. The process, which includes listening skills and reflective feedback, gives diverse stakeholder groups the opportunity to speak in a safe environment, enhances listening skills and understanding levels, and encourages creative thinking. This approach proved to be a powerful way of creating good will and innovative ideas, and created a useful platform for the regional council to undertake their review confident that they are heading in the right direction. As a result, pest management in the area will be scientifically sound and should also have greater buy-in from the community. Research funded by MoRST from their Dialogue Fund.
BioBlitz
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| Manning Intermediate students participating in the Christchurch BioBlitz. Image - Judy Grindell |
BioBlitz is a 24-hour quest, in which the public are encouraged to participate,
to record the biodiversity of central city parks. One of BioBlitz's goals
is to demonstrate to the non-science community that biodiversity encompasses
much more than the plants and large animals that are readily visible.
The "hidden" biodiversity- the smaller invertebrates, fungi, protozoa,
algae and bacteria-is much more numerous than the macro-biodiversity above
ground, and has an essential role in the healthy functioning of ecosystems.
Manaaki Whenua was the lead organiser in two BioBlitz events in 2005.
One of these was at Auckland Domain, and the other was at the Botanical
Gardens and Hagley Park in Christchurch. About 70 biologists from numerous
organisations took part in each. Pupils from Manning Intermediate also
took an active part in the Christchurch BioBlitz.
BioBlitz »
Auckland BioBlitz was funded through the Royal Society of New Zealand's Science and Technology Promotion Fund. The Christchurch BioBlitz was funded through effort and contributions principally from Manaaki Whenua, Christchurch City Council, the Botanic Gardens, Lincoln University, Computerland, and Global Science & Technology Ltd.
Sirtrack supporting community wildlife projects
Supporting local community wildlife projects is important to Sirtrack,
our subsidiary company. Currently, Sirtrack's major beneficiary is the
Lake Waikaremoana Hapū Restoration Trust that was established in
collaboration with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to help save dwindling
kiwi populations. In mid-2002, Sirtrack agreed to a three-year sponsorship
providing kiwi transmitters, repairs and support. In return, Sirtrack
team members participate in the annual kiwi call census, which is valuable
first-hand experience in the field. It also gives Sirtrack staff the opportunity
to offer technical support in tracking. Sirtrack has now committed to
a further three-year sponsorship which lasts until June 2008.
www.sirtrack.com
Q Careers
Two of our young Māori scientists were filmed by Project Q for
their TV series and DVDs, which will be available free to all schools
via New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). Project Q aims to encourage
secondary and tertiary students to pursue science as a career. Scientists
were interviewed by students on location.
www.qteam.co.nz
Our science in the media
| 1999/2000 | 2000/01 | 2001/02 | 2002/03 | 2003/04 | 2004/05 | |
Newspaper & magazine articles |
342 | 730 | 802 | 621 | 641 | 735 |
| TV and radio | 25 | 110 | 90 | 81 | 135 | 94 |
| Internet | - | 74 | 111 | 111 | 177 | 227 |
| Web visitor activity |
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Our web site now contains over 5500 pages. Our pages feature prominently in research-related Google searches. Last year, more people visited the site and spent more time looking around than in the previous year. Manaaki Whenua hosts web sites for eleven environmental research projects and professional societies.