Report to ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & REGULATIONS Committee for - - PDF document

Page 1 of 3 A6474711040390

18–259

Title:

Geological and Nuclear Sciences Update on the Hikurangi Margin Project Presentation

Section: Environmental Services & Protection Prepared by: Murry Cave (Principal Science Advisor) Meeting Date: 13 June 2018

☐ Legal ☐ Financial  Significance = low

Report to ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & REGULATIONS Committee for information

SUMMARY

The purpose of this report is to introduce representatives from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) to the Committee and to outline from a Council perspective the significance of the research that GNS is undertaking in Gisborne/Tairāwhiti. It has long been recognised that a rupture on the Hikurangi Margin will have a significant impact on the region. GNS, along with the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), and international agencies are jointly undertaking research to better diagnose the peril posed by the Hikurangi subduction zone; New Zealand’s largest boundary fault. While the Hikurangi Subduction Zone extends from near Cook Strait to beyond East Cape, the research is focussed on Gisborne/Tairāwhiti. GNS and NIWA have received Endeavour funding of $6.479m from the Ministry

• f Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE) to support this research.

The decisions or matters in this report is considered to be of low significance in accordance with the Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Environmental Planning & Regulations Committee: 1. Notes the contents of this report - and in particular: a) Notes the content of the Geological and Nuclear Sciences presentation.

Authorised by: Nicholas Zaman Director Environmental Services & Protection

Keywords: Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), Hikurangi Margin, Hazards, Seismic risk, earthquake rupture. Seismic shothole drilling

Page 2 of 3 A6474711040390

BACKGROUND

1. GNS, NIWA and international researchers from a variety of organisations have been undertaking research into the Gisborne/Tairāwhiti segment of the Hikurangi Subduction Zone under the umbrella of a project entitled Diagnosing the peril posed by the Hikurangi subduction zone; New Zealand’s largest plate boundary. 2. This project has received funding of $6.497m from the MBIE Endeavour fund with significant additional funding and logistic support provided by the international partners. 3. The project comprises several facets; a. Paleo-seismic investigations at Pakarae; b. Installation of a large number of seismograph stations across East Cape over the 2017- 2018 summer; c. The installation of several instruments (Ocean Bottom Seismometer and Absolute Pressure Gauges) on the seafloor outside the 12 Mile limit; d. The drilling of three scientific drillholes offshore of the 12 Mile limit; e. The acquisition of seismic data largely offshore of the 12 Mile limit, and f. The acquisition of an onshore seismic survey from the coast north of Gisborne to the Bay

• f Plenty over the 2018-2019 summer. This survey will involve drilling several approximately

50m deep seismic shotholes each of which will hold around 350kg of explosives.

ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Criteria This Report The Process Overall The effects on all or a large part of the Gisborne district Low Low The effects on individuals or specific communities Low Low The level or history of public interest in the matter or issue Medium Medium Inconsistency with Council’s current strategy and policy Low Low Impacts on Council’s delivery of its Financial Strategy and Long Term Plan. Low Low

• 4. The decisions or matters in this report are considered to be of low significance in accordance

with Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy. 5. This matter requires no action from Council apart from noting the contents of the presentation from GNS.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

6. It is understood that GNS and NIWA have engaged with local communities and will continue to engage with those communities directly.

CONSIDERATIONS

Financial/Budget 7. There is no financial implication for Council. Legal 8. There should be no legal implications for Council. It is noted that the seismic shotholes will require Resource Consents.

Page 3 of 3 A6474711040390

POLICY AND PLANNING IMPLICATIONS

9. There are no policy and Planning implications

RISKS

• 10. There are no significant risks associated with these matters. The public interest in such activities is

noted.