June 20, 2002
The Environmental Risk Management Authority conference will be held in Auckland next week on 26 and 27 June, at the Waipuna Convention Centre in Mt Wellington. Around 200 people from around New Zealand and from overseas are expected to attend, including scientists, manufacturers and importers, research companies, government agencies, health and safety managers, legal advisors, waste management consultants, environmental groups.
This will be an important event for Maori - and the Authority is inviting anyone with an interest in the issues to attend.
The conference will be opened with a mihi by John Hohapata-Oke, Mataatua/Te Arawa and Chairperson of the Authority's Maori advisory committee, Nga Kaihautu Tikanga Taiao. Other members of Nga Kaihautu are listed below and most of them will all be there:
- Te Kei, Wilson, Merito Mataatua-Te Arawa-Tainui.
- Dr Mere Roberts, Tainui
- Hirini Matunga, Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Porou and Ngati Paeranigi (Atiu, Cook Islands)
- Darcia Solomon, Ngai Tahu, Rangitane, Ngati Kuia, Ngati Apa, Ngati Toa, Ngati Raukawa, Te Atiawa
- Sam Napia, Nga Puhi. Ngati Kauwhata
This is the Authority's 4th national conference and will cover genetically modified organisms, the introduction of new plants and animals to New Zealand and the management of hazardous substances.
On the first day, the conference will discuss genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including the ethical and spiritual dimensions. A keynote opening address on the 'Ethics of Biotechnology' will be given by an independent ethicist, Dr Barbara Nicholas of Christchurch.
There will also be a special workshop on Maori and biotechnology led by Manuka Henare of Auckland University. This workshop will present recent research on Maori views of genetic engineering and will also give advice to gene scientists on issues of concern to Maori.
Another workshop will look at the effects that biotechnology might have on the environment and how we are monitoring to see what is happening. This will be an opportunity to highlight the knowledge that Maori people have of their local environment and to discuss how their role as kaitiaki might tie in with scientific monitoring of GM effects.
There will also be workshops about bringing new plants or animals into Aotearoa New Zealand - and what can happen to native ecosystems if they get in. One workshop will outline New Zealand's border control regime and will look at the 'people factor'. What plants and animals are people trying to bring into New Zealand, why do they do it, and are they aware of the potential environmental risks and the cultural risks?
On the second day there will be presentations on 'green chemistry', including a special session by Richard Morley-Hall, Environmental Manager for The Warehouse New Zealand Ltd. This will show how companies can reduce their impacts on the environment through controlling pollution and the use of hazardous substances.
Hon Marian Hobbs, Minister for the Environment, will give a keynote address on the evening of Wednesday 26 June outlining the Government's approach to GMOs, new organisms and hazardous substances. Media personality Ruud Kleinpaste will be a guest speaker later in the evening.
Further information about the conference and the registration brochure can be found on the events page.
Registrations are still open and people can also come along on the day to the Waipuna Convention Centre, 58 Waipuna Road, Mt Wellington.
Members of the news media are welcome to attend all or part of the conference. Media passes will be available at the registration desk.
For further information contact:
Julie Watson
Manager, Communications
ERMA New Zealand
Tel: 021 674 954