Testing of wastewater for COVID-19 has become a routine method for identifying spread of the virus. I was pondering on the challenges of sampling the very large amounts of wastewater that are produced in New Zealand – 1.5B litres per day which is managed through around 320 wastewater treatment plants. From this we need manageableContinue reading “Wastewater woes”
Monthly Archives: October 2021
Sublime to ridiculous
In a week I feel I have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous – from fantastic mountain views and solitude to being a participant in an opaque traffic light system. Based on the cartoons and media commentary yesterday, I appeared to be in good company thinking “Huh, what?” as our COVID traffic light systemContinue reading “Sublime to ridiculous”
Did it again
I have taken to heart my own message of doing more of what I love, which includes tramping. So this week I took myself off for 3 nights in the back country in South Westland on the basis of an excellent forecast, a rare thing in a South Westland spring. I have rarely felt moreContinue reading “Did it again”
Sting in the tail
Sarah is in New Zealand MIQ, enjoying the hospitality of the New Zealand government and the selection of meals at the Grand Mercure in Auckland. So we sent her pictures of us going for a mountain bike ride and having lunch in Arrowtown – we are very kind, I know. Sarah said she liked Chris’sContinue reading “Sting in the tail”
Migrant misery
We have been watching a TVNZ mini-series called The Panthers, which brings up unpleasant parallels with New Zealand’s COVID immigration situation. The Panthers were a group formed in 1971 to stand up for the rights of Pacific Islanders and Māori. They raised consciousness and supported community wellbeing in response to significant racial discrimination, prejudice andContinue reading “Migrant misery”