Chris R. de Freitas

Myocardial infarct death and temperature in Auckland, New Zealand

Daily myocardial infarct deaths for Auckland (36° 51′S, 20 m above sea-level) show an increase in mortality rate with decreasing temperatures over the entire thermal range. Parallel studies in Brisbane and Montreal predicted a minimum death temperature between 21 and 24° C, but no such point was apparent. Lack of temperatures above 21° C, together with the small overall thermal range, is thought responsible.

Reflections and Prospects

Views about the state of New Zealand’s environment vary from those seeing it as pristine to those who believe the environment has been largely destroyed. Our own assessment identifies a number of weaknesses particularly with respect to environmental data, the protection of lowland, coastal and ocean ecosystems, pest control techniques, urban air quality and carbon emissions. An aspect of new environmentalism is that ideas and judgements about the nature of environmental problems and the required responses can gain momentum quickly and fuel environmental activism that is poorly informed. The campaign for local food is one illustration of this which has been of particular significance for New Zealand. The dangers of new environmentalism are shown by the way some of the claims about the benefits of local food are misleading, capable of being captured by big business rather encouraging local entrepreneurialism and are partly elitist in the interests served. Belief in the possibility of green growth is another aspect of the new environmentalism where prospects are mixed. Confidence in the ability of market-based instruments to resolve environmental problems is not supported by their use and the business community as a whole is not increasing its support for green business strategy. Public support may be greater for environmental protection when economic development is seen to threaten conservation. Some of the gaps in environmental management are addressed through large numbers of community-based environmental projects. The final part of the chapter provides guidance on how to keep in touch with developments affecting the state of the environment in New Zealand.

Ocean and Coast

The ocean and coastal environments are a fundamental part of the New Zealand way of life. Most of the population live within easy travel distance to the coast and for many people the ocean plays a large part in recreational activities, including family holidays, swimming, surfing, fishing or boating. The ocean holds particular spiritual and cultural values of importance to Māori and is considered an important food source. Many of the traditional Māori practices connected with the sea still exist and as well Māori have an ownership interest in a large share of the commercial fishing industry. Concerns over the environmental effects of fishing and waste disposal in coastal waters have increased in recent years. Considerable gaps exist in the ability to monitor changes in the marine environment identifying a weakness in any claims to be an environmentally responsible nation. The need for an ocean policy framework has long been recognised but has still to be realised.

Agencies and Laws

This chapter explores the main components of the environmental management system that has existed since the early 1990s. The key influences shaping the design of the system are explained and the connection to the larger reform of the public sector that occurred in the 1980s. The agencies and law that make up the environment management system are described. The Resource Management Act is the central piece of legislation and also one of the most debated parts of the environmental management regime. A guide to the controversy surrounding the Act is given by distinguishing the perspective of environmentalists, business interests and Māori. The final part of the chapter looks at New Zealand’s participation in international environmental treaties which are another influence shaping our environmental laws as well as being a measure of the national commitment to the environment relative to other countries.

The New Zealand Environment

This book addresses three key questions. What are the main threats to the quality of New Zealand’s environment? How are these threats being dealt with? How is the state of New Zealand’s environment to be judged? This chapter sets the context by explaining how New Zealand’s ecological evolution in relative isolation from other ecosystems has left special environmental challenges including vulnerability to invasive species as well as the ‘normal’ pressures on the environment from the growth of population and economic activity. Internationally, three trends are tending to focus more attention on the state of environment: declining resource availability, increased transparency and increasing expectations. New Zealand is affected by this ‘new environmentalism’ which puts its green image under growing threat. Although some environmental stresses have been reduced, many of New Zealand’s endemic wildlife remain under threat as habitat ecosystems are damaged or destroyed and invasive species spread. The serious nature of these problems questions whether enough is being done to protect the environment.