Case studies
Chatham Islands
Providing telecommunications services to the remote Chatham Islands, 800 kilometres due east of New Zealand, posed special challenges to Telecom.
In June 2003, Telecom completed a $300,000 upgrade on the Chatham Islands phone network including installing a new digital microwave radio system.
Telecom developed a unique solution that works in the difficult terrain and makes the most of the harsh weather conditions.
Telecom runs the equipment on the Chatham Islands using three forms of power:
- solar panels
- wind generators
- a trailer mounted diesel generator
By using alternative power sources, Telecom aims to maximise its use of green-energy and minimise the need to run the diesel generator.
Power saving campaign
In the winter of 2003 New Zealand faced a power crisis. In response Telecom started its own power savings campaign which generated more than 10% in power savings for the company - and significant saving for the country!
Telecom's total energy usage is 0.5 percent of New Zealand's total supply. Therefore Telecom is committed to improving its energy efficiency and conservation as part of its sustainable energy management policy.
Key features of the 2003 power savings campaign were:
- a target of 15% power savings
- energy efficiency audits
- installing light motion sensors at key exchanges
- using solar panels and wind turbines to generate electricity where practicable
- reviewing temperature control in Telecom exchanges and buildings
- power pledges for Telecom staff to sign up to, encouraging savings activity such as switching off computers and lights
- power rangers in Telecom buildings rewarding power saving behaviour
- encouraging staff to submit ideas on how the company can save power
- encouraging staff to save power at home
Telecom's powers saving efforts have been recognised with the company being a finalist in the national 'Energy Manager of the Year' category for the Energywise Awards, run by the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA).
Telecom's efforts haven't stopped just because the crisis is over. The power savings campaign has continued with staff encouraged to be constantly vigilant on saving energy with a new intranet site launched in 2004.
Cook Strait Cable
The laying of the 200 kilometre long Cook Strait Cable - a fibre optic cable to be laid into the sea floor between Hokio Beach near Levin in the North Island and Nelson at the top of the South Island - presented Telecom with complex environmental challenges.
Telecom is required to comply with New Zealand's Resource Management Act that sees councils issue resource consents before work can begin.
The issues that needed to be resolved included:
- those parts of the cable beyond the 12 mile sea territorial boundary
- different categories of consent, including restricted coastal activities
- various council jurisdictions and the potential this created for inconsistencies in terms of process
- complexities created by iwi dynamics in the Manawatu and fishing industry concerns
In an independent report by the Ministry of Environment, it was noted that Telecom:
- devoted considerable time and resources to undertaking consultation
- consulted widely and well before lodging the resource applications
- showed a willingness to address concerns raised by iwi and the fishing industry
Recycling
A waste audit of Telecom's Auckland offices in June 2003 identified that while we currently recycle 41% of the waste from these offices there was scope for further improvement from waste that is going to the landfill and could be recycled.
In November 2003 Telecom launched a comprehensive office recycling system throughout our Auckland offices. Staff were encouraged to:
- place non-confidential waste paper in cardboard boxes located next to desks
- place confidential waste paper either in the existing DDS bins or shredders
- use crockery cups instead of polystyrene or plastic cups
- flatten cardboard boxes and place in the stackers provided on each floor
- place glass, aluminium cans and bottles in the crates in kitchen areas
- share rubbish bins (approximately one waste bin per group of four workspaces)
- use double-sided printing and photocopying
- store and send documents electronically.
Waste watchers monitor waste in their areas, answer questions from their teams, arrange for new signs and bins and encourage people to recycle.
Stewart Island
Installing a mobile phone site at Stewart Island was always going to be challenging, given that the island is a conservation reserve, with native bush and rare kiwis etc. Before Telecom considered any options it requested input from a variety of sources:
- Southland District Council
- Department of Conservation
- local Iwi
- the Stewart Island Community Board
- prominent local personalities
- tourist operators
- Search and Rescue
The result was:
- the site was designed with low wooden poles to ensure minimum visual effect
- an existing utility site was used to avoid disturbing pristine areas of the island
- a gorse maintenance program is in place for once the site is built, which benefits Department of Conservation, as it is one less area they have to worry about
- Telecom will be using local contractors and materials - helping the wider community
- rescue and tourist operators were happy as improved coverage will aid their operations
- removal of a few non-native trees will aid the quest for native bush
- non native trees are cut for firewood and donated to the Lions Club for distribution to community groups including the elderly