Category: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

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Braided river works reduce flood risk and enhance biodiversity

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Significant milestones in our regionwide berm transition project

The shovel-ready funding gave us a unique opportunity to roll out our regionwide berm transition project, a targeted and strategic programme of weeding and underplanting along our rivers, helping to make them stronger, safer and more resilient.

Milestones as of August 2023:

  • More than 60 berm transition sites have now been established across the region 
  • Six large-scale fairway clearance projects have commenced to remove encroaching vegetation from sections of the active braid
  • Targeted weed control has been undertaken on more than 1,200 hectares
  • Pest trees have been targeted in more than 60 hectares of riverine wetlands
  • The 250,000 native plants we have put in the ground, plus those generated by natural seed dispersal have resulted in an estimated 500,000 new plants across the region.

“Above and beyond the quarter of a million plants we’ve put in the ground, we’ve seen a huge number of wild native seedlings naturally spreading where weed pressure has been removed,” Regional Lead – Braided River Revival Greg Stanley said.

“With ongoing management, these wild plants will continue to recruit into the wider area. That is hugely exciting.”

Partnering with communities

We couldn’t have done this without our communities and willing partners, including local contractors and the members of the public who got in behind our community planting days.   

Milestones as of the end of August 2023:  

  • Over 45 contractors have been involved in the project to date 
  • 80% of them were local businesses, 19% were Māori-owned businesses 
  • 130,606 total hours worked by both contractors and internal staff 
  • The monthly hours worked averages the equivalent of approximately 816 fulltime employees (FTEs).  

“We’ve certainly made a positive change with our project and, as the one-off funding comes to an end, our focus will move to how we hold onto that change and where we apply our effort next,” Greg said.   

“We’ve proven that these ideas can have a positive impact on these infested lower reaches. We’ve cleared huge reaches of the river to allow it more space to spread and braid. We’re looking forward to seeing where we might get to apply these strategies next.”

Enhancing river resilience

The regionwide berm transition project has provided an opportunity to investigate new ways of doing work in rivers, putting the focus on ‘soft’ infrastructure, such as weed clearance and native species understory planting. These methods provide significant flood protection, climate change resilience and biodiversity benefits.  

Berms are the managed area between the active braid of the river and the stopbanks. Together with stopbanks and trees, these river berms play a critical role in flood protection, helping to slow flood water and absorb force.  

However, berms are often negatively affected by weeds which:  

  • Smother flood protection trees, increasing the risk of erosion 
  • Damage stopbanks and other essential infrastructure 
  • Out-compete native species 
  • Decrease native habitat diversity 
  • Encroach into the waterway and detract from its natural character  
  • Minimise recreational values. 

Waipara River before, showing trees growing in the riverbed

Waipara River during clearance works

Waipara River after, showing new native plantings

Enhancing berm resistance through native plant replacement

As we replace pest species with native plantings, we further increase the berms’ resistance to invasion.   

Some of our earlier berm transition sites projects are proving successful on the Waimakariri and Rakahuri Ashley rivers and the work continues on more than 20 rivers across Waitaha.  

Holding onto what native plant life remains and building on that is the key to a stronger, more resilient landscape.  

“Our native vegetation is more diverse, more disease resistant, and more competitive. It fits perfectly into the local ecosystem and supports the balance of flora and fauna. Native vegetation captures more light and can happily grow beneath many of our exotic tree species; we don’t have to have one or the other,” Greg said.   

“We could be in the last 10 years of trying to hold onto native vegetation on Waitaha river berms. As a result of climate change, things are only going to get harder, so now is the time to invest in what we have left.”  

At a time when we need our river corridors to function better than ever before, we have the blueprint for success. Now we just need the ongoing funding that will enable us to continue to make a difference, he explained.     

“We’ve made a dramatic change to our sites on the berm transition map however it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what could be achieved with permanent co-investment in holistic river management. It’s a great start, but also a very small start – the difference now is that we’ve got a recipe.”

Hakatere River before, showing significant weed encroachment

Hakatere River after we’ve cleared the weeds from the site

Hakatere River with newly planted native plants

Permanent central government co-investment 

Significant flood protection, biodiversity, and community projects like this have been made possible due to the Government’s one-off COVID-19 response shovel-ready funding. However, climate change-induced events across the country have highlighted the urgent need to remediate outdated flood protection infrastructure.

Currently, regional and unitary councils invest about $200 million each year in flood protection schemes. With ageing structures no longer able to meet the levels of service expected by communities against the challenge of climate change, this is expected to fall short of what’s needed by $150 million per annum.

Read the call from Te Uru Kahika to Central Government for long-term co-investment.

What is increasingly clear is that a shared investment today means lower overall recovery costs, and better protection for the environment, and for current and future generations.

Read more about our other key achievements across our biodiversity programme in our latest Biodiversity Snapshot Report.

Featured news

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Stopbanks, vital for flood defense, safeguard lives and infrastructure. Collective responsibility ensures their effectiveness in averting major floods.

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Collaborating with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura to enhance Hurunui River berm, improving flood protection, climate resilience, and restoring native habitat.

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CityCare Property, share their mahi challenges, motivations and hopes for the future of the Waimakariri River weed control and planting project.

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Rare braided river birds in Hurunui protected for another season

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Rare braided river birds in Hurunui protected for another season | Environment Canterbury

Date:

Braided rivers are rare ecosystems. The plants and animals that live on them are highly adapted to living in the rivers’ dynamic physical environment.

“In New Zealand, our braided rivers support high levels of endemic, threatened, or at-risk species,” said James Schaap, Land Management and Biodiversity Advisor. “Many of these species are either unique to the braided river environment or dependent on it to complete a critical life phase. Canterbury has two-thirds of New Zealand’s braided rivers.”

In 2017, the Hurunui Waiau Uwha Water Zone Committee hosted a meeting of braided river experts to identify the key values, threats, and gaps for braided river biodiversity management in their region. Together, they agreed that a strategic management approach to address the multitude of threats facing our braided river ecosystems was urgently needed.

This group formed the Hurunui Biodiversity Trust which now works to protect the rare species living on the Hurunui and Waiau rivers in partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC), community groups and landowners.

Black fronted tern chicks in a nest amongst the rocks in a braided river bed

Managed breeding islands

Braid islands provide the best breeding habitat for many species of braided river birds.

The Braided River Birds Flagship Programme, with the help of DOC, has focused on habitat enhancement, trapping predators and monitoring efforts.

Some of the ongoing work to improve habitats:

  • Deepening channels around breeding islands to create a ‘moat effect’, discouraging predators from reaching the islands.
  • Adding and shifting gravel to the top of islands to add height. This protects the islands from flooding which can sweep away nests.
  • Predator trapping to lessen the number of raided nests.

Monitoring of breeding sites

The group has also conducted ongoing monitoring of breeding success rates both on and off the managed islands to identify the best interventions for future efforts.

The results on the Waiau River speak for themselves. In the last season, black-fronted tern achieved 96% hatching success of one or more chicks on the protected Shark’s Tooth Island. This compared to 64% on the natural islands that the group monitored and only 9% on the mainland.

“This is really impressive in a challenging environment, it proves the efficacy of the interventions we have undertaken and it makes a good case for further investment,” said James.

Unfortunately, at the enhanced island on the Hurunui, NIWA Island, no black-fronted tern colony was established this season. This was most likely due to disturbance from other river users such as clay pigeon shooting. Happily, banded dotterels did successfully breed on the island. Breeding activity has been recorded for all past seasons of the project at NIWA Island.

Predator trapping resulted in a total of 175 target species caught at NIWA Island and 73 caught at Shark’s Tooth Island.

The black-fronted tern has a small global population, with an estimated population of between 5-10,000 individuals

Project goals and long term-vision

Project goal

The medium-term (five-to-ten-year) goal for this project is to see a hopeful future for the braided river birds in the Hurunui.

Specifically, we would like to see:

  • Stable or increasing populations of endangered black-fronted tern/ tarapirohe and black-billed gull/ tarāpuka.
  • Implementation of a considered management plan that finds a good balance between action, monitoring and costs and a better understanding of the most cost-effective initiatives.
  • Easily available, user-friendly, high-quality information on the programme’s design and results so it can be used for future research.

Long-term vision

By 2040 we want to see native braided rivers birds flourishing on our rivers.

We will know we have succeeded when:

  • Braided river birds such as the black-fronted tern/tarapirohe, wrybill/ngutuparore, black-billed gull/tarāpuka are thriving on the Hurunui and Waiau Uwha Rivers.
  • Mana whenua, community, and landowners support and co-lead this work.
  • There are adaptive, enduring structures/ social arrangements in place to support the increasing health and mauri of these rivers/awa.

Environment Canterbury © 2023
Retrieved: 11:09pm, Thu 09 Nov 2023
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/zone-news/hurunui-waiau/rare-braided-river-birds-in-hurunui-protected-for-another-season/

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Awards for champion businesses battling stormwater contamination

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Awards for champion businesses battling stormwater contamination | Environment Canterbury

Date:

Keeping contaminants out of stormwater drains

In urban areas of Christchurch, stormwater grates usually lead directly to waterways – including from worksites.

Not all stormwater is treated, and that’s why it’s important to keep contaminants out of these drains. This helps keep rivers and streams clean, creating a healthier habitat for fish, plants, and insects. 

An awards panel, made up of zone committee members, Christchurch City Council and our staff, found that this year’s winners went the extra mile in their stormwater practices.

Red Spur’s urban land development in the Port Hills

Find out more about the winners!

Cleanco Truck Wash – Champion Stormwater Superhero 

The panel found that Cleanco Truck Wash had excellent containment of contaminated water and practiced good separation of liquid and solid chemicals and wastes.  

Winning actions for stormwater protection: 

  • A family business passionate about business and environmental sustainability.  
  • Demonstrates capture, treatment and safe disposal of solid and liquid wastes. 
  • Disposes of treated wastewater by sending it to an artificial wetland for final bio-treatment. 
  • Undertakes safe placement and handling of hazardous chemicals. 
  • Has good staff training and spill response capabilities. 

Cleanco Owner Operator Steve Hohaia said they were proud to win this award. 

“It shows our commitment to reducing the pressure our business puts on the stormwater system,” he said.  

They see protecting stormwater as an integral part of their work. 

 “We wanted to future-proof the business and reducing our carbon footprint was a key goal.”

Oji Fibre Solutions (NZ) Ltd (OjiFS) – Champion Stormwater Superhero 

The panel awarded Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS) new state-of-the-art ‘Packaging Southern’ facility, a top spot for the great implementation of their environmental management system (EMS) and avoiding contaminated stormwater leaving their facility.

Winning actions for stormwater protection:

  • A large modern cardboard manufacturing plant operating to international standards through a comprehensive EMS.
  • Minimising and recycling waste.
  • Containing, collecting and treating any wastewater, and solid wastes to avoid contamination of stormwater.
  • Safe placement and handling of hazardous chemicals and spill response training and capabilities.
  • Excellent monitoring, auditing, and reporting of environmental performance and adaptive management.

A representative from OjiFS said that this award “means a lot to the business” as it’s a testament to Packaging Southern’s diligent operational procedures in safeguarding water systems.
OjiFS plans to continue to invest in automation and their EMS to improve the management of water and waste to keep the stormwater system healthy.

Resource Recycling Technologies (NZ) – Champion Stormwater Superhero

Resource Recycling Technologies (RRT) received this award for excellent collaboration and adaptation to achieve best practice in treating contaminated stormwater at their Woolston metal recycling facility.

Winning actions for stormwater protection:

  • The collection, treatment and recycling of used metals is critical for an environmentally sustainable future.
  • This business commenced over 50 years ago and is meeting the challenge of increasingly stringent environmental regulation.
  • Putting in place an innovative advanced stormwater treatment system designed by e2Environmental and supplied by e2silt0 that achieves a high level of wastewater treatment before discharge into the stormwater network.
  • Good systems to test and maintain the performance of the treatment train, including use of external contractors.
  • Has made plans and some initial actions to expand this stormwater treatment facility to cover all uncovered areas at the metal recycling facility.

Terry McDonald, Director of Resource Recycling Technologies, said it’s important work. “Metals can produce toxic chemicals and other dangerous substances in the recycling process.”

“At RRT, all products are handled to ensure there are no spillages, leaching or pollution of any kind. We believe this is important in protecting our waterways for future generations,” said Terry.

IAG NZ Repairhub Ltd – Champion Stormwater Superhero

The panel chose IAG NZ Repairhub Ltd as an award winner for its exemplary use and recycling of stormwater, as well as good stormwater treatment at its carwash in the Hornby car repair facility.

Winning actions for stormwater protection:

  • Stormwater is captured and stored for use in the vehicle washing operation.
  • Wastewater is treated and recycled for vehicle washing.
  • A high-level wastewater treatment system operates before discharge from the site.
  • Good identification and handling procedures for hazardous chemicals and spill response capabilities.
  • Good separation of uncontaminated stormwater areas from the enclosed workshop building.
  • Minimal risk of contaminating stormwater before discharge to the stormwater network.

“At Repairhub, we are very passionate about the environment and our sustainability plan. Protecting the stormwater discharge is part of this plan at every Repairhub site,” said CEO Gary Geeves.

The award means a lot to the crew at Repairhub,

“We are very proud to be receiving an award as recognition of our commitment to protecting the environment” said Gary.

Red Spur Ltd – Champion Stormwater Superhero

Redmund Spur Ltd is an urban land development in the Port Hills under construction by Red Spur Ltd. It was selected as an award winner because it demonstrated excellence in collaboration, teamwork, and commitment to managing the source of contaminants entering the stormwater network.

Winning actions for stormwater protection:

  • As an urban land development on the highly erodible Port Hills, Redmund Spur is faced with serious soil erosion and control challenges. It has met these challenges with passion and commitment to succeed in minimising the amount of sediment contaminated stormwater leaving the development site.
  • Enlisting technical consulting firms and experts to build capacity and trial innovation on a progressive improvement path.
  • Managing the area of exposed soil well through the seasons by undertaking progressive development of small area stages.
  • Reducing slope lengths on sites using contour banks on slopes and drains.
  • The innovative application of small and large stormwater detention basins with stormwater treatment systems.
  • Working collaboratively with regulators to address problems and develop acceptable solutions to erosion control, sediment movement and treatment.

“Gathering data, analysing it and using this along with an ever-increasing array of tools and many practical experiments has changed the way we think and act with regard to stormwater management,” said owner, Dan van Asch.

Dan said it was a team effort, with everyone involved in the development over the last five years playing a role.

“We are very proud of the results achieved on this site and hope to be able to continue to develop our ideas and techniques with our future work,” Dan said.

Superheroes acknowledged by the Christchurch Mayor

This year’s award winners were celebrated in style with a special ceremony hosted by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger.

“Congratulations to all the businesses who have won these awards,” Mayor Mauger said.

“It’s great to see how much effort these Christchurch companies have put in to ensure our local waterways are protected. They are making a real improvement to cleaning up our stormwater.”

Each business was formally presented with a plaque by Mayor Mauger, commemorating their achievements and outstanding commitment to keeping Christchurch’s waterways in good shape.

“This award gives us great pride in being recognised and knowing that our efforts are appreciated,” said Terry McDonald, Director of Resource Recycling Technologies.

Resource Recycling ensure there’s no pollution to our waterways

The Cleanco team were also very pleased to take away the award.

“We are very proud of our business and this award is for the recognition for the time and financial effort we have put into the business,” said Owner Operator Steve Hohaia.

The Christchurch West Melton Water Management Zone Committee plans to run the awards again in 2024.

Tips for good stormwater practice

Annabelle Hasselman hopes the awards will inspire other workplaces to take the next step in managing run-off from their sites.

“The biggest threat to our urban rivers is from the contaminants that flow into them from stormwater.”

Every business that makes a commitment to managing or treating the stormwater from their property is a win for the health of our urban rivers and groundwater.”

Cleanco’s goals is to reduce their carbon footprint.

Key tips include:

  • Clean up: Chemical spills should be cleaned up straight away. Likewise for small hardware items. Think about methods for prevention, such as installing bunds or filters.
  • Safe space for substances: Being smart with how and where industrial items are stored prevents accidents from happening in the first place and lessens the impact if they do.
  • Sweep it up: Keep the shop floor, yards and pathways clean of grit, grime and small items that could otherwise end up in our rivers when it rains.

Find out more ways to protect our waterways.

Oji Fibre Solutions accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.

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Oji Fibre Solutions accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.

Repairhub accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.“/>

Repairhub accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.

Red Spur accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.“/>

Red Spur accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.

Resource Recycling accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.“/>

Resource Recycling accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.

Cleanco accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.“/>

Cleanco accepts their award from Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and zone committee Chair Annabelle Hasselman.

Environment Canterbury © 2023
Retrieved: 11:09pm, Thu 09 Nov 2023
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/zone-news/christchurch-west-melton/awards-for-champion-businesses-battling-stormwater-contamination/

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Young entrepreneurs wow at awards night

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Young entrepreneurs wow at awards night | Environment Canterbury

Date:

A student-led company selling natural, sustainable dog treats won the inaugural Environment Canterbury Regional Excellence Award for Environmental Solutions.

The Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) awards night celebrated high school students in Ōtākaro North and Ōtākaro South who had set up their own companies from scratch. There were seven awards presented on the night, across a number of categories, including the Environmental Solutions Award sponsored by us.

Mariella Howard and Natalie Berie, senior students from Hagley Community College, won the award for their company For Earth NZ. Over the last 12 months, they refined, marketed, and sold their natural, healthy dog treats made from ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables, which would otherwise be thrown out.

Their company’s focus was combatting food waste, although their sustainability focus didn’t end there; with recycled packaging and environmentally friendly product creation.

Councillor Greg Byrnes was one of three judges of our award and said For Earth stood out. “The students considered sustainability in every step of their process – from using raw materials that would be thrown away to making sustainable choices with their packaging and advertising.

“This is the first year we have sponsored an award for the YES programme and we are excited to support the environmental entrepreneurship of rangitahi in Waitaha/Canterbury,” said Councillor Byrnes.

“To consider the environment in all we do is to recognise that this blue dot we call home is the most important thing we share in common.”

Other winners from the night included a book production company, students who made bags and aprons for their teachers, cup holder creators, and a decal company. Two of the groups, Bookado Books and Danceversity, placed first in the National Excellence Awards and will attend the national YES final alongside the Ōtākaro North winner Cup Boost and the Ōtākaro South winner Amoria.

Natalie Berie and Mariella Howard from Hagley Community College were the winners of our award

Councillor Greg Byrnes presented our Excellence Award for Environmental Solutions on the night

Environment Canterbury © 2023
Retrieved: 1:38pm, Wed 08 Nov 2023
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2023/young-entrepreneurs-wow-at-awards-night/

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From our Chair: Plans being put in place for cruise ship passengers

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

From our Chair: Plans being put in place for cruise ship passengers | Environment Canterbury

Date: | Author: Peter Scott, Chair, Environment Canterbury

Environment Canterbury © 2023
Retrieved: 4:35pm, Thu 26 Oct 2023
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/stories/2023/from-our-chair-plans-being-put-in-place-for-cruise-ship-passengers/

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Volunteers sought for trapping project

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Volunteers sought for trapping project | Environment Canterbury

Date:

Protecting braided river birds

Birds that make their home along Canterbury’s braided rivers include dotterels (banded and black-fronted), tōrea/South Island pied oystercatchers, poaka/pied stilts, terns (black-fronted and white-fronted) and tarāpuka/black-billed gulls. Many are endangered or under serious threat.  

The trapping programme will target mammalian animals such as rats, mustelids (ferrets, weasels, and stoats), hedgehogs, and possums. 

Traps will be provided and installed by us alongside free training for volunteers.

We’re looking for local volunteers who will service traps along the Hakatere/Ashburton River.

Trapping workshop in Ashburton

A workshop offering more information for those interested will be held on Thursday 16 November, 5.30pm, at the Mania-O-Roto Scout den in Ashburton. 

Donna says it’s a great way for locals to give back to nature.

“It’s an opportunity for people to learn more about the biodiversity in their area and pick up life-long trapping skills.”

The trapping lines will run for about two to four kilometres along both sides of the Ashburton River/Hakatere, from the top of Lake Hood, downstream towards Wakanui School Road. 

It’s hoped the programme will get underway in November. 

Volunteer or find out more

For more information on the project and volunteering, or to register for the workshop email ecinfo@ecan.govt.nz 

Header image (photographer Don Geddis): The project will protect precious bird species such as the tarapirohe/black-fronted tern.

Environment Canterbury © 2023
Retrieved: 4:36pm, Thu 26 Oct 2023
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/zone-news/ashburton/volunteers-sought-for-community-trapping-project/

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Summer safety alert: Beware of rising river levels and unpredictable weather

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Date:

It’s that time of year, when swarms of Cantabrians take to our rivers and lakes for fishing, swimming, four-wheel driving, camping and exploring. 

This time of the year is when some summer weather patterns can catch people off guard and leave them stranded as a result of rising river levels.  

With the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) last month declaring the official arrival of El Niño – a naturally occurring global climate cycle expected to result in stronger or more frequent winds and rain in the west this summer – it’s even more important to stay vigilant.  

No matter what you’re doing in or around our rivers this summer season, be aware of weather forecasts and, if in doubt, keep out.  

Weather patterns impact on rivers

The strong, hot, dry wind of Canterbury’s infamous nor-westers usually means heavy rain in the upper reaches of our alpine rivers such as Waiau Uwha, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Rakaia, Rangitata, Waitaki (and Waitaki Lakes) and Ahuriri. 

This kind of rain has a significant impact on what’s happening in our local waterways, flood controller Nick Griffiths says. 

“The northwest conditions that generate rain in the alpine parts of these large catchments catch many people out – they cause hot and sunny weather on the plains, coupled with rapidly rising river levels and the potential for these waterways to flood with very little warning,” Nick says. 

The wide riverbeds and braided nature of these rivers also mean that river users can enjoy a dry area of the riverbed without realising that braided flow channels that were dry, or that they may have forded easily when travelling to their spot on the river, have now risen behind them, preventing them from safely exiting the riverbed later in the day. 

Incidents alongside the Waimakariri

From vehicles getting stranded to being washed completely downstream, Regional Park Field Ranger Quentin Garlick has seen it all working alongside the Waimakariri River, the region’s most heavily used river for recreation. 

This year we’ve already seen five people trapped on the roof of their vehicle in the Waimakariri, resulting in a Westpac rescue helicopter rescue mission. In a previous year, Quentin recalls a day when three different vehicles got stuck.  

“It can be a perfectly sunny day and there’s no water at all coming down the river when suddenly it floods,” Quentin says.  

At this time of year, vehicles regularly get stranded and are sometimes washed downstream

A vehicle being rescued after becoming trapped in rising water

In norwesterlies, flow channels that were low or dry can rise quickly, preventing people from safely exiting the riverbed

Check the weather before you go

“It can happen so quickly. The problem is that people aren’t checking weather conditions in the mountains before they rock on down to the river!”  

He urges people to check the river flow data and flood warnings on social media and to be on the lookout for orange flood warning signs when they’re spending time at the river over the summer months.   

If there is a nor-west blowing or even a small amount of flooding, Quentin’s advice is simple – stay away!  

“Sometimes we get several groups of people going onto riverbeds in flood. That’s a dangerous idea – if it’s a fast flood, there’s no way you could get everyone off the riverbed before it all turns to chaos,” he says.  

“Cars can be washed right off the riverbed and putting yourself in harm’s way by entering flood waters puts others at risk who might try to help you when you get into trouble.”

View current information about hazards and navigation safety events in the Canterbury region.

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Silly season strandings: don’t get caught out!

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Date:

It’s that time of year, when swarms of Cantabrians take to our rivers and lakes for fishing, swimming, four-wheel driving, camping and exploring. 

This time of the year is when some summer weather patterns can catch people off guard and leave them stranded as a result of rising river levels.  

With the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) last month declaring the official arrival of El Niño – a naturally occurring global climate cycle expected to result in stronger or more frequent winds and rain in the west this summer – it’s even more important to stay vigilant.  

No matter what you’re doing in or around our rivers this summer season, be aware of weather forecasts and, if in doubt, keep out.  

Weather patterns impact on rivers

The strong, hot, dry wind of Canterbury’s infamous nor-westers usually means heavy rain in the upper reaches of our alpine rivers such as Waiau Uwha, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Rakaia, Rangitata, Waitaki (and Waitaki Lakes) and Ahuriri. 

This kind of rain has a significant impact on what’s happening in our local waterways, flood controller Nick Griffiths says. 

“The northwest conditions that generate rain in the alpine parts of these large catchments catch many people out – they cause hot and sunny weather on the plains, coupled with rapidly rising river levels and the potential for these waterways to flood with very little warning,” Nick says. 

The wide riverbeds and braided nature of these rivers also mean that river users can enjoy a dry area of the riverbed without realising that braided flow channels that were dry, or that they may have forded easily when travelling to their spot on the river, have now risen behind them, preventing them from safely exiting the riverbed later in the day. 

Incidents alongside the Waimakariri

From vehicles getting stranded to being washed completely downstream, Regional Park Field Ranger Quentin Garlick has seen it all working alongside the Waimakariri River, the region’s most heavily used river for recreation. 

This year we’ve already seen five people trapped on the roof of their vehicle in the Waimakariri, resulting in a Westpac rescue helicopter rescue mission. In a previous year, Quentin recalls a day when three different vehicles got stuck.  

“It can be a perfectly sunny day and there’s no water at all coming down the river when suddenly it floods,” Quentin says.  

At this time of year, vehicles regularly get stranded and are sometimes washed downstream

A vehicle being rescued after becoming trapped in rising water

In norwesterlies, flow channels that were low or dry can rise quickly, preventing people from safely exiting the riverbed

Check the weather before you go

“It can happen so quickly. The problem is that people aren’t checking weather conditions in the mountains before they rock on down to the river!”  

He urges people to check the river flow data and flood warnings on social media and to be on the lookout for orange flood warning signs when they’re spending time at the river over the summer months.   

If there is a nor-west blowing or even a small amount of flooding, Quentin’s advice is simple – stay away!  

“Sometimes we get several groups of people going onto riverbeds in flood. That’s a dangerous idea – if it’s a fast flood, there’s no way you could get everyone off the riverbed before it all turns to chaos,” he says.  

“Cars can be washed right off the riverbed and putting yourself in harm’s way by entering flood waters puts others at risk who might try to help you when you get into trouble.”

View current information about hazards and navigation safety events in the Canterbury region.

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From our Deputy Chair: A win for biodiversity and endangered species

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

The NPS-IB applies to all public and private land in Aotearoa New Zealand. It sets a new standard for the way district councils, with help from regional councils (including us), identify species and areas that are considered taonga.

It outlines the need for all decision-makers to take a precautionary approach when considering adverse effects on our indigenous biodiversity, and requires councils to work in partnership with Māori, who are kaitiaki (guardians) of biodiversity.

Simply put, it means councils are required to consider areas and habitats with significant indigenous biodiversity in all planning and decision-making processes.

The NPS-IB also requires councils to take steps to ensure activities, like new developments, don’t have a negative impact on the population of our indigenous flora and fauna.

At Environment Canterbury we’re passionate about protecting and enhancing our indigenous biodiversity and are already investing heavily in this space. We’re currently in the process of updating and revitalising our Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy, which we expect to be able to share with the community in the new year. 

Between July 2022 and June 2023, we supported almost 200 projects to enhance our biodiversity which has resulted in 45ha of native plantings, over 45,000 plants, 41,000m of fencing, 83,000ha of weed control and almost 3000ha of active pest control.

Let’s pick a path

While the NPS-IB is a big win for biodiversity outcomes in Canterbury and Aotearoa, it also comes with challenges for us as a regional council as we work to balance competing priorities to maintain the good work that’s being done, with the work we know needs to be done to help future-proof the region.

We’ll be exploring how to best do this over the next six months as we turn our attention to developing our next Long-Term Plan, which will guide us on the decisions we make over the next three years. We’ll also be working to develop our Regional Policy Statement which will include some new biodiversity outcomes to align with the NPS-IB.

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Community lead the charge on pest and weed control

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Multi-agency effort

The weed control strategy has been running for several years now with input from many stakeholders, including Boffa Miskell, Toitū Te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand, Department of Conservation, Marlborough District Council, the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee, and us.

“It’s a great example of cross-agency collaboration alongside landowners, getting some great results for the wider catchment, for biodiversity, for on-farm benefits with reduced ‘agriculture weeds’, for recreational and amenity benefits and water quality benefits,” Jodie said to those in attendance.

“Given the enormity of the Waiau Toa/Clarence catchment and the pest and weed issues that are present, working collectively is a smart and effective way to operate. Bigger bangs for the buck and many hands make light work, as they say.

“These issues won’t go away with a one-man band approach,” she said.