First Responders – Strong winds increase fire danger for Canterbury
Produce Exports – Early, positive start to New Zealand export onion season
Pacific Environment – Solomon Islands and New Zealand Government join forces to control Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
Solomon Islands has formed a new partnership with New Zealand to step up the response to the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) which, if left unchecked, would pose a serious threat to food security and coconut and palm oil industries.
Last Friday (15th January 2021) a Grant Funding Arrangement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Ethel Tebengi Frances, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, McKinnie Dentana, and the Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Hannah van Voorthuysen that commits approximately SBD$10 million over a two year period to strengthening management and control of the CRB in Solomon Islands.
The partnership supports biosecurity officials to control and prevent the spread of existing CRB infestations. A new strain of CRB from Guam (CRG-Guam) is proving resistant to current biocontrol measures and has the potential to impact 50-90% of coconut, oil, sago and beetle nut palms without intervention.
The new partnership will therefore increase provincial CRB surveillance, clean-up and management activities; establish internal quarantine protocol to limit the spread of CRB between provinces; and collect and analyse CRB samples to inform integrated pest management practices. It builds on work completed by MAL to map out sites of CRB infestation across Solomon Islands which is informing the response.
In 2020, MAL Biosecurity officers worked with New Zealand-based AgResearch to conduct delimiting surveys in the provinces, and sent beetle samples to New Zealand for testing. Findings from this work will enable biosecurity officers to prioritise high risk infestations in the provinces and support communities to manage, control and potentially eradicate CRB infestations.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary of MAL, PS Ethel Tebengi Francis said Solomon Islands is very grateful to the New Zealand government for this timely funding support.
“We are so blessed that New Zealand again saw it fit to continue supporting the nation in this fight to control coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation on our coconuts and oil palm plantations.”
“This funding comes at the right time when all the impacts of COVID 19 is putting a lot of pressure on our economy. As a country we need to look at how to recover and the coconut and palm oil industries are those that we need to focus on because they bring in a lot of money into the economy.”
PS Ethel also acknowledged the previous partnership arrangement with New Zealand that was implemented through the Pacific Community (SPC) and thank the Acting New Zealand High Commissioner for the trust of her government to accept the request made by Solomon Islands government to implement the funding on our own and she promise that MAL will do its utmost best to deliver to their expectations.
Acting New Zealand High Commissioner Hannah van Voorthuysen noted that this partnership is complemented by a broader NZ$18m programme supporting Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu to manage the spread of CRB across Melanesia. This includes research through New Zealand Crown Agency AgResearch to find new biocontrol methods as well as support for regional awareness, surveillance and coordination by The Pacific Community (SPC).
“This is a destructive and difficult pest to manage,” she said, “community driven eradication measures will be supported through high-quality scientific research and regional efforts as we work collectively to rein in the beetle’s destruction of coconut and palm trees that are essential for food security and livelihoods in Solomon Islands.”
Director of Biosecurity Solomon Islands, Francis Tsatsia emphasised that CRB is still a major and very serious threat to Solomon Islands. The Coconut pest has unique life cycles and biology which makes it very difficult to contain and eradicate. It is very crucial everyone understand how best to manage the pest to reduce its population. “The message for communities remains simple: cut, burn and kill. If you suspect you have CRB, can see visible damage, and if the palm looks like it will not recover, then cut down the tree. Use or burn the wood straight away, as this will reduce the chance that the CRB spreads, or the larvae inside the tree continue to grow. Tidy your community areas of rotting wood, and manage compost and manure carefully to ensure that the beetle breeding sites are minimised”.
If you notice CRB in your community, or see signs of damage, please report it promptly to the BEEC office on 131 CRB Toll Free line.
Animal Welfare – More cows to be exported from Port Taranaki
Education – New research from ERO highlights impact of Covid-19 on education sector
First Responders – A fire at Rawene in the Far North is now contained.
MotorSport – Vodanovich set for single seater debut in 2021 Castrol TRS
Reigning Best Bars Toyota 86 Champion Peter Vodanovich has today confirmed he will take part in the full nine race 2021 Castrol Toyota Racing Series.
The 19 year old Aucklander will compete in his first single seater championship when he takes to the track for the first round in January, the 66th New Zealand Grand Prix on Hampton Downs' long circuit.
Vodanovich doesn't have a background in karting as so many racing drivers of all levels do. His skill set was forged behind the wheel of a simulator and put to the test over just two years of racing in New Zealand's popular 2K Cup Category, in a BMW E30 and in a Ssangyong Actyon Ute after winning the 2017-2018 Ssangyong Scholarship.
Instantly fast when he moved to the Best Bars Toyota 86 Championship, Vodanovich secured the 2019-2020 title at the delayed final round having been at the sharp end of the closely fought championship throughout the season.
A member of the Erebus Motorsport junior programme in Australia, Vodanovich's international plans were hit by the global pandemic and he has tested both the Toyota FT50 and current FT60 cars ahead of his confirmation in the 2021 championship field. Despite the unusual circumstances, he’s relishing the opportunity to race.
“It’s pretty surreal to think my first race weekend in a single-seater will be the Grand Prix but I am looking forward to the challenge and the experience of racing against New Zealand's best talent,” a delighted Vodanovich explained.
“I am very grateful to my sponsors and the Kiwi Driver Fund for their help getting me on the grid. I've been training hard in the gym and on the simulator and I have gained confidence from this preparation off the track.
“Despite my lack of experience in single-seaters I'm fully focused on being as competitive as possible.”
“I have had a great relationship with Toyota starting off only a few years ago in a 2K Cup Toyota MR2 before moving onto the 86 series, going on to win the 2019/20 Championship. It's awesome to now be progressing to their premier category.
A host of supporters have got behind the Best Bars champion to make his GP debut possible, including ITM, Post Haste, Creme Insurance, Racing Sims, Evans European, Nexen and DTM, David Nightingale Bayleys, Storerite Logistics, Champs Fitness, Sean Dowling, Goldwise and even popular online racing community Race Cars In Sheds!
In 2021, because of the global pandemic, the Castrol Toyota Racing Series will run over a shortened three weekend programme. Starting with the New Zealand Grand Prix is also a departure from the normal championship routine. The earlier calendar date is designed to attract high profile New Zealand drivers still at home following the Christmas break and provide a rare opportunity to run the Grand Prix with the very best Kiwi drivers available in it.
The second round of the championship will be on the shorter Hampton Downs National track before it concludes at Manfeild, Circuit Chris Amon.
2021 Castrol Toyota Racing Series
Round 1: Hampton Downs – 22nd –24th January 66th New Zealand Grand Prix
Round 2: Hampton Downs – 29th –30th January
Round 3: Manfeild – 12th –14th February