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Presentations
Rivers Group
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01:02:05
Rivers & climate change: resilience, floods & tipping points
In their natural form, rivers are resilient, and as ‘messy’ rivers they are usually able to absorb and respond dynamically to a natural range of floods without changing form. However, this resilience is arguably under threat. Firstly, managed channels are often designed to resist change, which renders them potentially more vulnerable to disturbance by large floods that exceed design capacity. Secondly, predicted climate change is likely to see a phase-shift (upwards) in flood magnitude and frequency. Do New Zealand’s rivers have the capacity to adjust to forecast changes in flood magnitude and frequency: are they resilient in the face of predicted rapid global change? To answer this question this webinar follows two threads. Firstly, we need to understand the scale of modification that has taken place in our river systems in recent decades, which we can achieve using an index of change (Natural Character Index), comparing what is observed today (post-management) with what might be expected (pre-management). Secondly, we need to understand the potential phase-shift in flood magnitude and frequency: how big will floods become? A palaeoflood archive is presented from the Whanganui River, which reveals a connection between very large floods and the El Nino Southern Oscillation signal in New Zealand. The potential impact of large storms on river channels can be devastating, exceeding even the natural capacity to adjust without changing form when tipping points are crossed. The prospect for significant future change in New Zealand’s riverscapes must be taken seriously by society. This paper argues there is a pressing need to make room for the river and manage for (much) bigger floods. Ian is Professor in Physical Geography at Massey University in Palmerston North, where he co-directs the Innovative River Solutions group and has been based since 2003. His research in fluvial geomorphology provides an integrated understanding of river systems at multiple spatial and temporal scales. He has completed numerous projects for stakeholders in river management and worked in catchments throughout New Zealand, as well as the UK and Europe. Prior to arriving in New Zealand, Ian completed his PhD at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1996, which was followed by a lectureship in Physical Geography at Northumbria University. He is passionate about educating students in NZ’s rivers and linking geomorphology with river management.
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18:03
Rivers Groups - Beyond the Stopbanks
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54:50
Building successful partnerships with academia
August 28th 2020, presented by Heide Friedrich and Diego Ravazzolo
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01:01:50
Rivers Group | Natural Channel Design
Presented by Bryn Quilter, Senior Civil and Environmental Engineer May 25 2022 Stream channels are being modified and we are losing opportunities to provide for enhanced ecological and fluvial geomorphological functions or processes. Stream channels are often over-armoured with large rock or erosion is being exacerbated by unsuitable channel design. These changes can lead to the cumulative loss of habitat heterogeneity for aquatic biota, altered stream behaviour, increased sediment loading, risk to infrastructure from erosion, and increased future management and maintenance costs. In the absence of any specific national guidance material, a Natural Channel Design (NCD) approach can be used integrate ecological, fluvial-geomorphological and engineering principles as well as good engineering practice. This webinar aims to deliver a practical snapshot of what NCD is about and what resources you can use to help your everyday engineering practice.
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49:48
Geomorphic consultant | What is it and how do you do it?
Presented by Selene Conn, August 2022
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01:03:21
Cultural and environmental values series | 1
Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi): Meanings, principles, and importance for contemporary river management in Aotearoa New Zealand Presented by Dr Meg parsons September 7 2022
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59:40
Cultural and environmental series | 2
The NPS-FM and Te Mana o te Wai (Te Ao Māori & River Ecosystem Management) Presented by Linda Te Aho September 13 2022
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59:48
Cultural & Environmental series | 3
Navigating towards Te mana o te Wai | Empowering and enabling iwi hapu Presented by Linda Te Aho September 21 2022 In this webinar as part of our cultural series you will learn more about the how to of navigating towards Te mana o te Wai. Linda Te Aho will share with you methods to assist with empowering and enabling iwi hapu involvement. This will consider determining the right level of engagement, including considering the purpose and goals of the engagement, as well as the level of importance to a Council and level of interest for Māori.
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01:01:18
Cultural & Environmental series | 4
Title: Mana Whenua Statements (cultural impact assessment) Presented by Julian Williams Learn how to demonstrate Kaitiaki obligations to Te Ao Māori and achieve genuine engagement. You will learn about Mana Whenua Statements also known as cultural impact assessments which provide Mana Whenua decisions against the proposal or policy to decision makers. An understanding of these is fundamental for involvement in developing today’s river management including for research, planning, consultation and operation activities.
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