The Great 10%er - Reforresting Aotearoa.

  We all know the current government is touting The Billion Trees charade.  What we are not hearing is how and when and due by?

Been thinking about this for some time and decided to work out a solution.  All government owned (used sparingly) land should have a bulk of the targeted trees.  If it ain't growing it ain't worth mowing.  So I say to the current Government.plant those trees. But there is a greater need on "privately" owned land to grow trees.  Good for the farm, good for the country good for environment

So what is a quicker solution??  Simple, all landowners on properties greater than 20 Hectares put native bush on 10% of their catchment.  If there is a water course (stream, river pond etc) plant those Natives  along it's shores.  Trees are good for the environment and water being filtered through the bush would be of good quality enhancing our waterways.  And not to mention the return of Native Birds in their natural habitat.

There may not be a lot of good in this, unless it was legislated - most of the land I suspect be targeted are as stated near water courses, but (especially) hill country where stock numbers tend to be lower so no drop in productivity.

Thoughts??

Btw how long would the Government take to grow 1 Billion saplings??  And how??

Aotearoa - a Republic going forward.

3 questions??

1.  Do we remain a Monarchical state when Queen Elizabeth passes?

2.  Do we become a Republic with our own President in place of Governor General?

3.  Is there another choice (maybe just Prime Minister as Head of State [HoS])?

The Argument for and against.

When "our" Queen passes is there any need to have a HoS on foreign shores.  I say no, a titular HoS has merits  (ceremonial tasking and representative of Aotearoa overseas)  My suggestion on this is a President and that president has term of 5 years.  But I am also suggesting that the Maori King/Queen also does a five year stint.  Both would operate turn about (as stated - 5 years.)

Of course this gives us as a country the ability to expand into the future, new flag, new National Anthem, New single status name (Aotearoa) and new titular HoS.

The world is a changing place and Aotearoa is testament to the road ahead with cultural diversity, new export markets, military liaisons and a noted lessening on being a Commonwealth state.  I have always said the Royal Family is far from being role models (and probably have always been that way.)  The shit that went down with Princess Diana was despicable.  And there are other things that were not really role model material.

Unlike the Governor General (who is nominated by the Government) the alternate President will be will be voted on by the Public at large, with the exception of the Maori King/Queen who leads by right (meaning 1 election every 10 years.) 

Robust discussion sought.

New Defense hardware announcements today. 23/8/2018

New video of Manawanui in Wellington 13 May 2019 posted at end of blog.

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HMNZS Aotearoa Keel Laying.

Hyundi Heavy Industries Lay Keel by Frank Rands Hyundai Heavy Industries hosted a keel laying ceremony for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s future tanker HMNZS Aotearoa at its shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, on August 13. Aotearoa’s keel laying consisted of more than 500 tonnes of carefully constructed keel blocks being positioned together in the dry dock, where she will continue to expand upwards and outwards until her launch date early next year. Aotearoa represents the first of a new fleet of RNZN ships built specifically to address the global requirements of the New Zealand Defence Force and government agencies for deployment from Antarctica to the Arabian Gulf. The keel laying ceremony took place some seven months after first steel was cut for the New Zealand Navy’s largest vessel ever. This is an exciting time for our Navy,” said Chief of Navy Rear Admiral John Martin. “It is filled with challenges and opportunities as we ready ourselves for Aotearoa, as well as our modernized frigates. It is these three ships on which our combat capability will be based.” HMNZS Aotearoa is designed to provide logistical support to New Zealand and coalition maritime, land and air units. Her primary purpose is to conduct fuel resupply but she will also be capable of supplying dry goods, water, spare parts or ammunition. Her missions will include humanitarian and disaster relief, support to United Nations security operations, support to a coalition naval task group and Antarctic resupply. The 173.2-meter-long ship will have the ability to carry 12 20-foot shipping containers, high-capacity freshwater generation plants, self-defense systems, aviation and marine fuel cargo tanks, dual all-electric replenishment-at-sea rigs and will be able to carry a Seaspite or NH90 helicopter. Aotearoa will displace 26,000 tonnes and will be operated by a crew of 64. The ship’s $493 million price tag includes the tanker’s enhanced “winterization” capabilities, such as ice-strengthening for operations in Antarctica, including resupplying McMurdo Station and Scott Base. Predecessor tanker HMNZS Endeavour was not Antarctic-capable. Thankd Red M for the article Aotearoa update. 18th April 2019 Video of Chief of Navy at Aotearoa's launching. (6th May 2019) Click for video. Image of Aotearoa (fitting out) 31 August 2019 HMNZS Aotearoa video firing up main engines - as at 2/9/2019 (Click here). And announcement of purchased Hydro/Dive vessel. Click here for Video of the New Ships Crest for Aotearoa. (as at 13/5/2019) Click here for Admiral Martin's short video of Aotearoa formation.

New Vessel for Hydrographic and Diving by Frank Rands

The New Zealand government has approved NZ$103 million for the purchase and refit of a second-hand multi-role offshore support vessel that will be used as a dive and hydrographic support vessel by the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Following purchase, the 85-meter Norwegian-built survey vessel MV Edda Fonn will be outfitted with the dive and hydrographic systems required by the defense force.

MV Edda Fonn will replace hydrographic ship HMNZS Resolution and dive support ship HMNZS Manawanui. The two vessels were decommissioned from the RNZN in 2012 and 2018 respectively, following several decades of service.

“This vessel will ensure that the current capability gaps for diving and hydrography are filled as quickly as possible, with a proven, well tested platform,” says Minister of Defence Ron Mark.

The ship is scheduled to be delivered to Devonport Naval Base in May 2019. It will feature a 100t salvage crane, a remotely operated vehicle and a contemporary dynamic positioning system, which will allow Navy’s specialist divers to achieve greater levels of effectiveness and safety, in a greater range of conditions.

The New Zealand Navy was initially scheduled to receive a custom, new-build vessel but an NZ$148 million cost blowout in the country’s frigate upgrade project forced the government to consider a used vessel.

Defense officials identified the MV Edda Fonn, owned and operated by Norwegian company Østensjø Rederi, as the most suitable option from an initial list of over 150 candidate offshore and subsea support vessels.

“Defence officials have subjected the Edda Fonn to considerable scrutiny ahead of purchase,” says Ron Mark. “We have been assured by independent experts that it is in excellent condition, and will handle well in the operations the Defence Force will use it for,” says Ron Mark.

The vessel generally operates in the North Sea, and is under lease until the end of 2018, following which the modification process will begin.

Once delivered, final modifications will be undertaken in New Zealand. It is expected that New Zealand industry will be involved in this part of the project. The ship is expected to be in service with the Navy by November 2019.

The NZ$103 million project budget is for the purchase, modifications and introduction into service. Thanks Red M for the article.

Click Here for link to specifications. (Note location??)

Both articles from the RNZN Communicators website.

This section is based on information gleaned from Navy Today.  Manawanui is being delivered March 2019 by the owners.

Thing that raised my eyebrow was the flight deck size and could our Seasprite fit.  In the article it stated the Super Puma Helo was the largest that could fit on her.  The Super Puma is slightly bigger.

Hope you lot can read pre Decimal/new Decimal as that is how I found them and can't be fu***d converting them all!!

Super Puma Helicoptor (Used in North Sea with New Manawanui)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 24 passengers plus attendant
• Length: 16.79m (main body), 18.7m (with rotors turning) (55 ft 0½ in, 61 ft 5in)
• Rotor diameter: 16.20 m (53 ft 1½ in)
• Height: 4.97 m (16 ft 4 in)
• Disc area: 206.12 m² (2,217 ft²)
• Empty weight: 4,660 kg (10,274 lb)
• Useful load: 4,490 kg (9,899 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 9,150 kg (20,172 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1A2 turboshaft, 1,376 kW (1,845 shp) each

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 327 km/h (177 knots, 203 mph)
• Maximum speed: 277 km/h (150 knots, 172 mph) max cruise
• Cruise speed: 247 km/h (133 knots, 154 mph) econ cruise
• Range: 851 km (460 nmi, 529 mi)
• Service ceiling: 5,180 m (16,995 ft)
• Rate of climb: 7.4 m/s (1,457 ft/min)

Hope you lot can read pre Decimal/new Decimal.

Seasprite SH- G (RNZAF)

General characteristics

• Crew: 3 (Pilot, Co-pilot/Tactical Coordinator (TACCO), Sensor Operator (SENSO))
• Length: 52 ft 7 in (15.9 m)
• Rotor diameter: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
• Height: 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
• Disc area: 1520.53 sq ft (141.26 sq m)
• Empty weight: 7,040 lb (3,193 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 12,800 lb (5,805 kg)
• Rotor systems: 4 blades on main rotor and tail rotor
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T58-GE-8F turboshaft, 1,350 shp (1,007 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 143 knots (165 mph, 265 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 130 knots (150 mph, 241 km/h)
• Range: 366 nmi (422 mi, 679 km)
• Service ceiling: 22,500 ft (6,860 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)

Armament

• Hardpoints: 2× side fuselage mounting stub/pylon stations
• Missiles: Non-US aircraft carry a variety of guided missiles, including the AGM-65 Maverick (often used in the anti-ship role) and dedicated anti-ship missiles.
• Torpedoes: 2× Mk 46 or Mk 50 ASW torpedoes

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What the Ministry of Defense think they have bought.

What the Government has paid for!!

"SATIRE FOLKS"

Click on this Link for announcement from Admiral John Martin.

Latest Navy Today has announced the new Commanding Officer for HMNZS Manawanui.

LtCdr Andy Mahoney is a former RN'er who transferred here after being on Exchange as Fleet Warfare Officer and PWO/XO of HMNZS Te Mana.  We all wish him well!!

Btw there is a very good article on Manawanui.  "Clear as Mud" as we say.

Click on this Link to go to a Government Document released today (7/01/2019) on Manawanui.

Two images of Manawanui ready to enter and then entering Dry Dock in Denmark getting fitted out and painted military Gray

 The artists view.

This image above is artistic impression.

This is the actual finished product - just out of dock and ready for steaming home. (I assume  the retrofit has occurred)

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Silhouette, Aotearoa,Canterbury and Manawanui foreground.

Click Here for Video of Manawanui in Wellington 13/5/2019

Click here for Rear Admiral David Proctor's video of recent events surrounding The ANZAC upgrade and Manawanui and Aotearoa updates. (17/5/2019)

Click here for Video of LtCdr Andy Mahoney, first CO of HMNZS Manawanui and his 360 degree tour of his ship.

Click here for video of Manawanui being commissioned by our PM!

The Hoary Chestnut.Comm Games top ten per capita

Every games we get the "oohh but we punch above our weight"  So how do we measure alongside our other top ten countries?  Results are quite astounding.










First Table by Medal position, followed positions by Per Capita

Country	Population	Table Position	Population per medal
Australia	24000000	1	163265
England	53000000	2	670989
India	1,300,000,000	3	4750000
Canada	36000000	4	679245
New Zealand	4600000	5	148387
South Africa	56000000	6	2000000
Scotland	5295000	7	160454
Wales	3063000	8	133178
Cyprus	1170000	9	146750
Nigeria	185989000	10	16908090

Wales	3063000	8	133178
Cyprus	1170000	9	146750
New Zealand	4600000	5	148387
Scotland	5295000	7	160454
Australia	24000000	1	163265
England	53000000	2	670989
Canada	36000000	4	679245
South Africa	56000000	6	2000000
India	130000000	3	4750000
Nigeria	185989000	10	16908090