Latest news with #GNSScience
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand's Ability To Monitor Geohazards Weakened By Science Job Cuts
Press Release – PSA The National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre, operated by GNS Science, provides round the clock monitoring of potential tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, and was set up after the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016. The centre providing 24/7 monitoring of geohazards will have to close at times as Government cuts force the centre workforce to be cut to the bone. The National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre, operated by GNS Science, provides round the clock monitoring of potential tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, and was set up after the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016. Last year GNS Science announced plans to cut a quarter of the 20 strong team of Geohazard Analysts by attrition following funding cuts. Yesterday, with 18 of the team left, it called for voluntary redundancies and indicated that forced redundancies could follow if sufficient voluntary redundancies are not agreed. 'Cutting the team to the bone means there is a high chance the centre will close at times when a team member falls sick or is unavailable for whatever reason – how is this keeping New Zealanders safe?' said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. Analysts work in teams of four, that is falling to three, but there must be at least two on each monitoring shift raising the risk of the centre closing due to staff absences. 'The Government needs to explain to New Zealanders why it views that this service is not as important as it was two years ago, before its funding cuts. 'Geohazard Analysts play a critical role in reviewing earthquake measurements to determine things like the magnitude and location of earthquakes and provide science advice to our emergency management services. 'The Government's decisions mean that this critical information may not be available to emergency management in times of need when lives are at risk. This is reckless for a country so vulnerable to geohazard risks like earthquakes and eruptions. 'This government does not value the role of science as we have seen with more than 400 jobs cuts throughout the sector, and a restructure announced this year with no new funding. 'The undermining of the National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre is yet another sad example of the Government's short-sighted cuts that we have seen across the public sector with little regard to the impacts on New Zealanders.' Background In September last year GNS Science announced plans to axe 59 roles, 10% of its workforce following Government funding cuts. The cuts shocked the international science community – 85 scientists from seven countries wrote an open letter to the Government stating that the cuts risk 'compromising essential geoscientific expertise and partnerships needed to address geohazards risks, which is critical for a country whose economy and community safety is so vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change'. Note: The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand's Ability To Monitor Geohazards Weakened By Science Job Cuts
Press Release – PSA The National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre, operated by GNS Science, provides round the clock monitoring of potential tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, and was set up after the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016. The centre providing 24/7 monitoring of geohazards will have to close at times as Government cuts force the centre workforce to be cut to the bone. The National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre, operated by GNS Science, provides round the clock monitoring of potential tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, and was set up after the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016. Last year GNS Science announced plans to cut a quarter of the 20 strong team of Geohazard Analysts by attrition following funding cuts. Yesterday, with 18 of the team left, it called for voluntary redundancies and indicated that forced redundancies could follow if sufficient voluntary redundancies are not agreed. 'Cutting the team to the bone means there is a high chance the centre will close at times when a team member falls sick or is unavailable for whatever reason – how is this keeping New Zealanders safe?' said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. Analysts work in teams of four, that is falling to three, but there must be at least two on each monitoring shift raising the risk of the centre closing due to staff absences. 'The Government needs to explain to New Zealanders why it views that this service is not as important as it was two years ago, before its funding cuts. 'Geohazard Analysts play a critical role in reviewing earthquake measurements to determine things like the magnitude and location of earthquakes and provide science advice to our emergency management services. 'The Government's decisions mean that this critical information may not be available to emergency management in times of need when lives are at risk. This is reckless for a country so vulnerable to geohazard risks like earthquakes and eruptions. 'This government does not value the role of science as we have seen with more than 400 jobs cuts throughout the sector, and a restructure announced this year with no new funding. 'The undermining of the National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre is yet another sad example of the Government's short-sighted cuts that we have seen across the public sector with little regard to the impacts on New Zealanders.' Background In September last year GNS Science announced plans to axe 59 roles, 10% of its workforce following Government funding cuts. The cuts shocked the international science community – 85 scientists from seven countries wrote an open letter to the Government stating that the cuts risk 'compromising essential geoscientific expertise and partnerships needed to address geohazards risks, which is critical for a country whose economy and community safety is so vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change'. The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
New Zealand's Ability To Monitor Geohazards Weakened By Science Job Cuts
The centre providing 24/7 monitoring of geohazards will have to close at times as Government cuts force the centre workforce to be cut to the bone. The National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre, operated by GNS Science, provides round the clock monitoring of potential tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, and was set up after the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016. Last year GNS Science announced plans to cut a quarter of the 20 strong team of Geohazard Analysts by attrition following funding cuts. Yesterday, with 18 of the team left, it called for voluntary redundancies and indicated that forced redundancies could follow if sufficient voluntary redundancies are not agreed. "Cutting the team to the bone means there is a high chance the centre will close at times when a team member falls sick or is unavailable for whatever reason - how is this keeping New Zealanders safe?" said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. Analysts work in teams of four, that is falling to three, but there must be at least two on each monitoring shift raising the risk of the centre closing due to staff absences. "The Government needs to explain to New Zealanders why it views that this service is not as important as it was two years ago, before its funding cuts. "Geohazard Analysts play a critical role in reviewing earthquake measurements to determine things like the magnitude and location of earthquakes and provide science advice to our emergency management services. "The Government's decisions mean that this critical information may not be available to emergency management in times of need when lives are at risk. This is reckless for a country so vulnerable to geohazard risks like earthquakes and eruptions. "This government does not value the role of science as we have seen with more than 400 jobs cuts throughout the sector, and a restructure announced this year with no new funding. "The undermining of the National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre is yet another sad example of the Government's short-sighted cuts that we have seen across the public sector with little regard to the impacts on New Zealanders." Background In September last year GNS Science announced plans to axe 59 roles, 10% of its workforce following Government funding cuts. The cuts shocked the international science community - 85 scientists from seven countries wrote an open letter to the Government stating that the cuts risk 'compromising essential geoscientific expertise and partnerships needed to address geohazards risks, which is critical for a country whose economy and community safety is so vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change'. Note: The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Living next to an active volcano
Photo: Brad Scott - GNS Science Graham Leonard Photo: Jeff McEwan, Capture Studios Taranaki Mounga is one of New Zealand's about a dozen active volcanos - but what does that actually mean for locals? Volcanologist and GNS principal scientist Graham Leonard shares the latest research and preparedness advice.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Bioshields Could Help Slow Tsunami Flow
GNS Science - Latest News [Page 1] Lead researcher and GNS Tsunami Scientist Jean Roger said the study findings are expected to help local governments, planners, environmental agencies and infrastructure managers make informed decisions about natural environment management and natural ... More >> GNS-Led Voyage To Hunga Volcano Returns With New Insights Into 2022 Eruption Monday, 24 June 2024, 10:53 am | GNS Science Scientists are now much closer to understanding what triggered the most violent volcanic eruption in more than a hundred years thanks to the return of a successful month-long expedition to Hunga volcano (Tonga) led by GNS Science. More >> Ancient Polar Sea Reptile Is The Oldest Ever Found In The Southern Hemisphere Tuesday, 18 June 2024, 9:37 am | GNS Science An Early Triassic Nothosaur fossil vertebra, from about 246 million years ago, discovered in New Zealand has upended long-standing hypotheses on how, when and from where nothosaurs and other early sea-going reptiles dispersed around the globe. More >> New Guidance Encourages Planners Not To Let Landslide Risk Reduction Opportunities Slip By Monday, 29 January 2024, 11:42 am | GNS Science Today GNS Science has released new land-use planning guidance to manage and reduce the risks of landslides. The Landslide Planning Guidance: Reducing Landslide Risk through Land-Use Planning strongly encourages landslide risk to be considered early ... More >> GNS Science Is Expecting Many Thousands Of Landslides Because Of Cyclone Gabrielle Wednesday, 15 February 2023, 1:37 pm | GNS Science Landslides are a national hazard, responsible for taking lives and costing New Zealand around $300M a year. GNS Science provides some advice to New Zealanders about how they can stay safe during extreme weather events, and how they can help. ... More >> Revised Earthquake Hazard Model Helps Aotearoa New Zealand Increase Resilience Tuesday, 4 October 2022, 6:25 am | GNS Science Aotearoa New Zealand's updated National Seismic Hazard Model estimates the likelihood of future earthquake shaking hazard to have increased throughout most of the country, ranging from almost no change to more than doubling in some areas. On average, results ... More >> New Zealand Partnership Increases Geothermal Presence In Japan Thursday, 21 April 2022, 3:48 pm | GNS Science GNS Science and Geo40 have today announced a geothermal coalition which will see them establish a physical presence in Tokyo. The move to open an office in Japan demonstrates the strength of New Zealand's expertise in the geothermal space, and ... More >> DART Network Proves Invaluable In Assessing Tsunami Threat Following The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Eruption Tuesday, 18 January 2022, 5:34 pm | GNS Science Aotearoa New Zealand's network of DART buoys proved vital over the weekend as tsunami experts raced to analyse the tsunami threat to our coastlines following a large, explosive eruption at Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in Tonga. DART (Deep-ocean ... More >> GNS Science Conduct Trench Work On Rauoterangi Fault Tuesday, 25 May 2021, 12:01 pm | GNS Science GNS Science has conducted a geotechnical study on the Rauoterangi Fault in Feilding in the hope to carbon date the fault line and analyse the risk it poses. The study has been fully funded by the Earthquake Commission Kōmihana Rūwhenua (EQC), with ... More >> Ground-breaking Climate Change Collaboration Awarded PM's Science Prize Tuesday, 30 June 2020, 4:42 pm | GNS Science Dr Richard Levy and Dr Nancy Bertler at the Ice Core Facility, GNS Science GNS Science is proud to be part of the Melting Ice & Rising Seas Team that has been awarded the Prime Minister's Science Prize. The project is a ground-breaking ... More >> Revised Hazard Posters For Mt Ruapehu 2020 Friday, 12 June 2020, 11:52 am | GNS Science Ruapehu is an incredible winter playground, and as mountain users prepare for the 2020 season a revised set of hazard posters will help them know how to keep themselves safe on the volcano. The key message remains the same: Ruapehu is an active ... More >> Government's Support For Science Sector Crucial For NZ's Recovery – GNS Science Wednesday, 3 June 2020, 2:23 pm | GNS Science Science and innovation will play a crucial role in New Zealand's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and GNS Science welcomes today's announcement of additional support for the sector. Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Megan Woods ... More >> International Recognition For GNS Science's Research Output Tuesday, 5 May 2020, 2:48 pm | GNS Science Cutting edge research and high-impact partnerships have cemented GNS Science's position as a thought leader in earth and environmental sciences, recognised in the annual Nature Index . In the 2020 Index , published this month, GNS Science is ranked ... More >> GNS Science Continues To Monitor NZ's Geological Hazards During COVID-19 Crisis Monday, 23 March 2020, 12:27 pm | GNS Science New Zealand's four geohazard perils – earthquake, volcano, landslide and tsunami – are still being continuously monitored despite the COVID-19 pandemic, GNS Science says. GNS Science is taking a precautionary approach to protect the health of its ... More >> Moving Mountains On The Ocean Floor May Hold Key To East Coast Earthquakes Wednesday, 4 March 2020, 1:14 pm | GNS Science Earthquakes and slow slip events may be influenced by mountains on the ocean floor, or 'seamounts', according to new research co-authored by GNS Science. A paper published today in Nature Geoscience magazine found that seamounts can have ... More >> Shallow magma driving volcanic activity at Whakaari Friday, 13 December 2019, 1:37 pm | GNS Science Volcano monitoring data from Whakaari/White Island indicates a shallow body of magma is present and eruption risk continues, GNS Science experts say. Since Monday's tragic events there has been no further eruptive activity at Whakaari/White Island. ... More >> GNS Science maps show risk levels at White Island still high Thursday, 12 December 2019, 5:02 pm | GNS Science Risk assessment maps released by GNS Science (dated 02 and 12 December 2019) show the crater floor of Whakaari/White Island is still a high-risk area, with a further eruption looking increasingly likely. The maps were released at a National Emergency ... More >> Risk of Whakaari/White Island eruption remains high Thursday, 12 December 2019, 11:17 am | GNS Science The risk of further eruptions at Whakaari/White Island is unchanged and remains high, GNS Science experts say. More >>
