THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO
TE WHARE WĀNANGA O WAIKATO
Environmental Policy Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2013
Present:
Professor David Hamilton and Associate Professor Priya Kurian (Co-Chairs); Mr
John Cameron, Associate Professor Eva Collins, Rachael Goddard, Hine-iti-moana
Greensill, Mr Mark Thompson.
Secretary:
Ms Cassandra Beattie
13.28
APOLOGIES
Received
Apologies for absence from Dr Chris Eames and Ms Danyell Summers.
13.29
CONFIRMATION OF THE
COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
OF
THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICY
Confirmed
The minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2013.
13.30
LAKES UPDATE
Noted in discussion
1. The alum dosing dropped the pH levels of Oranga Lake to 5, which had no ill effect on the
few fish that were still present in the lake.
2. The next step is to look at the storm water pipes that flow into the lake to evaluate what
preventative measures could be put in place to reduce storm water input.
3. We intend to assess the establishment of charophytes and fresh water mussels for Oranga
Lake once storm water drains have been measured for silt inputs, and riparian planting
completed.
4. Pest fish removal in Knighton Lake is expected to be undertaken in 2014. Knighton Lake
may not require dredging, trials will assess this.
5. It is not possible to apply for more funding from the Waikato River Authorities until a
progress report is submitted. A new funding proposal would be a possibility for 2014.
13.31
SIR ALAN MARK
Noted in discussion
1. Approximately 70 people turned out to the presentation.
2. Sir Mark covered a huge breadth of topics.
3. The end view was that change was required, especially in the agricultural section to
ensure long term sustainability.
1
13.32
REPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR
Received
1. The April/May progress report from the Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator as
set out in the attached document.
2. A further oral report in which it was noted that:
a. 32 people attended the Planting Day where 800 plants were planted. The next stage is
to plant an additional 500 plants in spring.
b. Planting of the Maori garden has been completed and was opened with a karakea
(blessing). The garden contains medicinal and practical plants and interpretive
educational panels will be erected later this year.
c. Te Kauri Waikuku Trust (TKWT) has a contract with the Ministry of Education to
provide Environmental Education to students. With their assistance the University of
Waikato has developed a 1-day ecology programme for high school students where
they will learn about water quality, pest fish and plants. The programme will be run
by The Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator, staff and PhD students.
d. The Communication and External Relations department will develop interpretive
signage for around the lake. This is still a work in progress and would be preferable if
this signage was developed by Kīngitanga Day.
e. A video link to Bill McKibben presentation at Auckland University of June 11 in SG.03
attracted approximately 50 people.
f. Auckland University may be willing to partner with Waikato University, to apply for
funding for the development of an Organic Waste Diversion unit. Systems on the
market at present are too expensive, so there is the opportunity for the University to
develop a new concept and capitalise on it through Waikato Link.
13.33
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Received
A discussion document from the Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator on the
University of Waikato Environmental Policy and the key issues surrounding retention and
ratification of the policy, as set out in the attached document.
Noted in discussion
1. That all New Zealand universities, except Canterbury, have an environmental policy, as
do a large number of Australian and UK universities.
2. That Rachael has revised the Environmental Policy document to align with those of other
universities. This revised document needs to be considered by the Committee, as the
document is very comprehensive and some information could be pulled out and put into
the Sustainability Plan.
3. The Policy needs to be realistic, measurable and achievable.
13.34
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Considered
An update on the progress of the Sustainability Plan since the last Committee meeting.
Noted in discussion
That a dedicated meeting was to be set up to progress with the Sustainability Plan.
2
13.35
TERMS OF REFERENCE AND CONSTITUTION
Received
An update from Professor David Hamilton on the progress of the Terms of Reference and
Constitution for the Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Noted in discussion
That a meeting with Helen Pridmore was required to progress the Terms of Reference and
Constitution for the Environmental Sustainability Committee. This meeting would also be an
opportunity to have further discussion about the importance of retaining the Environmental
Policy.
13.36
RAISING SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS AMONGST THE STUDENT BODY
Reported
1. The Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator was targeting students via: social media,
posters films, newsletters and lectures.
2. That consideration be given to developing a small booklet or pamphlet that would
include: what we recycle; where the stations are; energy saving tips; transport options,
and what the University was doing in terms of sustainability.
Considered
Feedback to the Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator about the best way to distribute
information about sustainability on campus to the student body.
Noted in discussion
1. That there are several ways to effectively target students:
a. The Nexus student magazine.
b. Student email newsletter, facilitated by Mike Watson.
c. An App that could be developed by students as part of a coursework project.
d. International student orientation, facilitated by Huy Vu, would be the best way to
target students before they start at Waikato.
13.37
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
To report
The next meeting of the Environmental Policy Committee will be held on 9 August 2013 in
FMD meeting room 1.
Cassandra Beattie
Student and Academic Services Division
12 July 2013
3