Category: New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

With the leaves falling in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes Districts, the autumn rockfall scaling programme at the Nevis Bluff, on SH6 between Cromwell and Queenstown, will get underway shortly, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

The rock scaling occurs every autumn and spring with abseilers, suspended on ropes, inspecting the rocky face and removing loosened rocks that are hazardous to highway users many metres below.

“People should be ready for delays up to about ten minutes and allow some extra travel time for journeys between Cromwell and Queenstown,” says Peter Standring, NZTA Maintenance and Contract Manager in Central Otago.

The work is scheduled to take place over three weeks from Monday, 5 May, through to Friday, 23 May, 8 am to 5 pm weekdays, subject to weather conditions.

“We know these delays can be frustrating, but we’re asking people to be patient and to understand that they are necessary to ensure their safety, which is our number one concern,” says Mr Standring.

Abseilers working over the rocky schist faces aim to release rock, loosened by the ongoing erosion, in a controlled way when there is no traffic on the highway.

This work is part of NZTA’s ongoing monitoring and management programme for the Nevis Bluff, which is continuously monitoring movement and changes on the geologically complex bluff.

The Nevis Bluff is about half-way between Cromwell and Queenstown – 25 minutes from Cromwell, 35 minutes from Queenstown.

Work on the cycle trail, currently under construction, will be paused for a few days while the abseilers are overhead.

NZTA thanks everyone for their patience and for taking care while this important safety work is completed leading into the busy winter period.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

Source: Auckland Council

After 48 years and many career highlights, Auckland Council’s Manager of Auckland Botanic Gardens Jack Hobbs is stepping down.   

Jack’s connection to the gardens goes right back to its beginning when, as a young recruit, he helped shape the Manurewa grounds into a public botanical garden for its official opening in 1982.

Director of Community Rachel Kelleher says that while many Aucklanders will certainly be sad to see Jack go, he has achieved the extraordinary vision of helping transform what was originally farmland into the beautiful gardens and thriving visitor attraction that it is today.

“Under Jack’s leadership, the gardens have grown into a world-leading showcase where the focus is not only on plants but also people, with its exceptional collections attracting more than 1 million visitors of all ages each year,” Rachel says.

“Jack is unique in his approach to horticulture because of his ability to connect with people and inspire them to learn more about why plants are so important. For as long as I can remember, he has worked hard to welcome new visitors into the gardens by making their experience more meaningful,” she says.

Manager of Visitor Services, Micheline Newton, says Jack’s departure will leave large shoes to fill for the Gardens’ team and for supporters like the Friends of Auckland Botanic Gardens.  

“Nobody knows the gardens as well as Jack does, and his vision and leadership are evident everywhere you go. We are all proud to have worked alongside him and learnt so much,” says Micheline.

“Though we can never replace the depth and breadth of Jack’s 48 years of experience, he leaves behind a team of passionate and skilled people who will continue his legacy and vision to connect Aucklanders to the wonderful world of plants.”

Mid-way through his career, Jack made the bold move of establishing sustainable horticultural practices at the gardens that reduced the need for spraying. This represented a major shift in direction at the time and kept the wellbeing of visitors and staff as a priority.

“I am proud of the work we achieved to stop the use of pesticides on our plants. It was controversial 25 years ago but thanks to the team’s commitment, it has now become almost mainstream,” Jack says.

A few years later, Jack advocated for an education centre to be built and fought hard to get the Huakaiwaka Visitor Centre and café across the line, which has become an incredibly popular destination for people to connect.

Similarly, he pushed to get the Potter Children’s Garden established, which now provides thousands of students with the opportunity to learn how humans, plants, animals and insects are inter-connected in our environment. 

Jack says the decision to leave a job he loves so much has been tough, but the timing feels right following another two major highlights of his career.

“It’s been such a privilege to be involved in the opportunity to acquire the Nathan property adjacent to the Botanic Gardens, followed by Rosemary Platt’s offer to donate her 14 acres of land in Greenhithe complete with the most significant collection of trees I have encountered,” he says.

Over the years, Jack has earned huge respect as a horticulturist internationally and won multiple awards for plant breeding, with his star performers from the Wiri species now established around the world.

He’s starred in various television gardening programmes and published books, sharing his extensive knowledge far and wide. He developed a pivotal connection with the Friends of the Botanic Gardens and ensured this relationship was prioritised by all staff.

In keeping with this approach, Jack is quick to acknowledge the many talented staff who have supported along the way.

“Most of all I am proud of the passionate and dedicated teams we have at the Botanic Gardens and the Domain who have a common vision to connect people with plants, and who work so hard to deliver great experiences for our visitors,” Jack says. “I feel privileged to have been part of such a great bunch.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –