Newsletter

President’s Column – April 2025

Last week many of you will have read in the papers or seen on TV that the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) released its report on the Kaikoura field trip boat capsize. Its findings confirm that the boat was capsized by a whale. The report is intended to look at the facts so that it can make recommendations to increase the chance of survival should another incident like this occur, it is not looking to apportion blame. It is very detailed, including a timeline of events and the recommendations. The recommendations focus on boat fuel systems, the maintenance of life vests, and the instructions for putting on and taking off life vests. It also recommends changes to some emergency service procedures.

We were all prepared for lots of media inquiries but did not get many, thankfully.

At this time our thoughts are with our Society members who were involved in the accident and the families and friends of those who did not survive it. Our thoughts are also with the Elcock family after the sad loss this month of husband, father, and grandfather, Barry.

Thank you to those of you who were able to come to our last meeting and AGM. It was good to get our new Constitution passed. The committee will add our signatures to this at our April meeting and get it off to the Incorporated Societies team. It was also great to see some fellowship and associate honours being presented.  One of our next steps is to update the Honours rules and procedures.

Earlier in March Andrea and I managed to take a long weekend and headed off to the Marble Hill DOC Campsite in the Lewis Pass. I was hoping to get some photos of fungi on the lake Daniel’s Track, but it was pretty dry and few to be found. Below are a couple of other things that I did manage to see.

I am looking forward to some time off in May to go to the PSNZ Convention in Nelson and then the St Arnold field trip. I am not able to go on the Westport trip and hope it goes well and those going get to take some great images and enjoy each others company.

James Thompson

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