Category: Environment

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Celebrating our success: Committee hears we’re on track with performance and consents delivery

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

The meeting started with Te Rūnanga o Waihao chair Dardanelle McLean-Smith speaking to the Committee about nitrates.

Notice of motion – private well testing events

Councillor Vicky Southworth brought a notice of motion about private well testing events to the Committee.

She asked the committee to consider a recommendation to staff to provide a report back to the Council on running region-wide events for private well owners to improve awareness regarding water quality risks.

Councillor Southworth asked for the report to include advice on:

  • budget and whether funds are available to run some events within the current financial year
  • funding required in the 2025/26 Annual Plan to run events in the next financial year.

The Committee voted 8-7 in favour.

Learn more about

how to keep your private water supply safe.

Councillor Vicky Southworth made recommendations to run private well testing events

Core services performance report for quarter one – we’re on track!

Our performance report was presented to the Committee which highlighted our progress for the first quarter of the financial year (July-September 2024).

The purpose of the report is to give assurance to the Regional Delivery Committee that our core services are being effectively delivered as per the service measures and budgets agreed in the Long-Term Plan 2024-23/Te Mahere Pae Tawhiti 2024-34.

All our service measures were either on track or have surveys planned for later in the year.

Highlights from the report across our core services this quarter:

Environmental Regulation and Protection

  • We have made good progress on the review of the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) and a plan change to the Regional Land and Water Plan (Plan Change 8). Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga will continue to be involved in this planning work over coming months to the extent they wish to be involved.
  • Good progress has been made on the implementation of both the Sustainable Consents Delivery Plan and the Compliance Improvement Project.
  • Work was done with the farming sector to ensure winter grazing practices are compliant.
  • A regional working group was established to look at alternative funding for the biosecurity programmes relating to wallabies and wilding conifers in the Mackenzie area.

Find out more about this area of work.

Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards

  • In July, Council received confirmation that $5.7M co-investment funding will be received from Central Government to help pay for climate resilience and flood protection.
  • The final report on the flood recovery project in response to the May/June 2021 flood event was submitted to the National Emergency Management Agency.
  • The Civil Defence Emergency Management team has been preparing for the annual coordination centre exercise (Pandora) in November 2024.
  • Organisational systems have been updated to capture information on how nature-based and/or multi-benefit solutions are being implemented for flood and river resilience to support reporting on service measures.
  • The Harbourmaster passed the Maritime New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety code audit this quarter, meaning safety management systems are deemed consistent with the national standard.

Find out more about this area of work.

Public transport

  • Patronage of public transport services continued to grow in quarter one by 13.6% in Greater Christchurch and 8.0% in South Canterbury.
  • Good progress has been made on the implementation of the National Ticketing Solution.
  • 17 new electric buses were added to the urban fleet, meaning that over a quarter (26%) of the urban bus fleet is now electric.
  • In September 2024, a new ferry vessel, named the Black Pearl, began operations serving Lyttleton and Diamond Harbour, almost doubling passenger capacity to 95 passengers per trip and helping to meet increased demand.
  • Public consultation on our draft ten-year Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-35 (RPTP) started on 25 September 2024.

Find out more about this area of work.

Other achievements

Progress on the sustainable consent delivery plan

Councillors heard from kaimahi (staff) that we’re on track with addressing all legacy consents (those lodged before 1 August 2023) by the end of this year.

To the end of September 2024, there has been a reduction of 72.5% in legacy applications in process, compared with a 69% reduction by the end of August.

What do these numbers mean?

We had 1225 legacy consents on 1 August 2023 and as of 11 November, we have left 228 consents.

General Manager Regulatory Implementation Paul Hulse told councillors that all of the remaining consents have an action plan in place and kaimahi are confident the backlog will be gone by the end of December.

Compliance with overall statutory timeframes is improving and we expect this to continue.

As reported in the quarter one performance report, the consenting timeframe compliance for the first quarter (July – September 2024) was 49.9%, compared with 26% for the 2023/24 financial year.

It is expected that statutory timeframe compliance will continue to improve as the backlog is addressed and that these timeframes will be met for most applications from the end of 2024.

35% more new consent applications

It was also shared with councillors that there has been an increase in new applications in recent months.

In October, we received 35% more new applications than the month before. We expect this increase to continue as more consents are due for renewal.

The next steps in the implementation of the consent delivery plan include the continuation of a proactive, catchment-based approach to anticipated applications for consent renewals.

There will also be a focus on finding greater alignment between consent and compliance functions.

Compliance work update

Councillors were pleased to hear about the progress to date with the transformation of our compliance service.

They heard about the work underway that looks at better integration of planning, consenting and compliance, and we told them that we’re identifying how best to identify risk areas and activities that require monitoring, while also making sure that we help resource users better understand how they can demonstrate their compliance.

New compliance risk matrix to support reporting on the new service measure

Kaimahi presented councillors with a new compliance risk matrix which has been developed as part of the compliance improvement project.

The matrix will help us build a better understanding of the compliance status of resource use across Canterbury/Waitaha by assessing both the inherent risk of the use and the management of that risk.

The new matrix aims to serve several purposes, including helping with reporting on the new service measure 5 in the Long-Term Plan.

The matrix will also help with prioritising our monitoring programme either by where on the ground we need to focus more, or what resource users need more information to be enabled to better demonstrate their compliance.

When considering the use of the risk matrix, it can be done in different ways, from looking at risk by consent in a place, e.g. Rakaia catchment; risk by consent type, e.g. water or risk by activity, dairy farm.

The next report to the Regional Delivery Committee on current compliance and incident response work and the progress of the compliance improvement project will be in early 2025.

Air quality monitoring

Over the last decade, air quality has improved considerably.

Councillors heard that poor air quality typically occurs in winter due to home heating emissions.

They also heard that:

  • Air quality pollutant standards were exceeded in all airsheds except Waimate, Geraldine and Rangiora in 2024.
  • The Clean Air Work Programme is delivered within the Environmental Regulation and Protection core service and focuses on ensuring low-emission burners are authorised, and the community is supported to transition to cleaner forms of heating and good burning practices are occurring.
  • Financial assistance is provided to mitigate any unintended negative impacts on households with limited means due to the rules.

Progress of the Clean Air Work Programme

  • Our annual winter home heating education campaign focuses on the importance of reducing smoke from home heating by using better burning techniques and good wood inefficient, well-maintained burners.
  • Kaimahi noted that we respond to smoky chimney complaints using a tiered, education-first approach and offering financial support to eligible households via firewood and home heating subsidies.
  • Noting that PM10 exceedances in Washdyke occur most months o the year, kaimahi pointed out the main sources of pollution in Washdyke include dust from vehicle movements on unpaved areas and sea salt, whereas the main pollution source in other airsheds in the region is smoke from home heating.
  • As part of our transition to the core services model, home heating reporting will be combined with other air quality reporting, including information about dust, to create holistic air quality reporting.
  • Questions were asked about air quality monitoring stations currently located in Waimate and Geraldine, which have not exceeded the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) for more than five years each.
  • Councillors asked if they could be relocated to areas where there are known issues with dust. It was noted that relocating the stations could be an issue when PM2.5 standards are eventually introduced by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and that PM2.5 concentrations in Waimate and Geraldine are still higher than targets in the Canterbury Air Regional Plan.
  • Councillors and kaimahi also discussed the Solid Fuel Burner database, the review of the Canterbury Air Regional Plan in 2028, the viability of implementing air pollution forecasts, the relationship between meteorology and air pollution, and the need for more efficient, cost-effective ways to monitor air quality, particularly when MfE introduces PM2.5 standards.

Missed the meeting? Watch the Council committee meeting on

our YouTube channel.

Related news

News

If your consent expires within the next two years, start thinking about what information you may need to collect and if you need a consultant to help you apply.

News

We often get asked how we do compliance and why it’s important. This page explains how we monitor compliance with resource consents and handle cases of non-compliance.

News

New procedures and a new team of consent planners have yielded great results in processing consent applications.

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One milestone down but trespassers jeopardise Cathedral Cove opening

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  14 November 2024

“We’re continuing to make really good progress reinstating the walkway, having flown in prefabricated stairs and other building materials”, says DOC’s Regional Operations Director, Tinaka Mearns.

“DOC staff and contractors are still intercepting dozens of visitors a day, who have climbed around physical barriers and signage in an attempt to access the track.

“Continuing to stop work and redirect people away from the site slows progress, while walking through the work site may result in someone being hurt. The next few weeks are crucial, with key infrastructure being installed, reliant on both weather and visitors playing ball.

“While we can’t control the weather, it’s really disheartening to see people deliberately putting the work and themselves at risk by accessing the closed track.

“The problem will become more acute as work progresses through narrow points of the landscape. Walkers will either have to go through active work sites or navigate highly hazardous cliff and rockfall sections.

“Thank you to the many people who are showing patience and good sense by staying away. To continue to help us please encourage others to do the same,” says Tinaka Mearns.

Mautohe Cathedral Cove Walking access is on track to open in December. Until the track is open, visitors can access the cove by boat or kayak.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Hawke’s Bay fund will ‘fill the trees with birds’

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  13 November 2024

The goal of the fund is to create areas of habitat alive with flora and fauna across Hawke’s Bay, and contribute to nature-based solutions to some of the region’s environmental challenges.

DOC is passing on a generous bequeathment to conservation into the management of Eastern and Central Community Trust Incorporated (ECCT). The $13.753 million is earmarked for Hawke’s Bay-based predator control and revegetation projects. This will see approximately $500,000 of grant funding available for distribution in the first funding round in 2025.

ECCT is a community trust providing charitable, cultural, philanthropic, and recreational funding and grants to community groups in New Zealand within the Gisborne District, Hawke’s Bay, Tararua, Wairarapa, Manawatū, and Horowhenua.

Alice Heather, Lower North Island Operations Director for DOC, says the money was donated with the goal to fill the bush and trees with birds.

“In practice, this means supporting projects that protect and enhance our ecosystems, and reduce the negative effects of predators on new plantings and existing tree cover,” says Alice. “ECCT has the experience and resources to manage the funding well, and we are pleased to partner with them to fulfil the dream of the generous benefactor.”

Georgina Morrison, Chair of the ECCT, says she is delighted DOC has trusted ECCT to help Hawke’s Bay’s environment flourish.

“The environment is a key priority under ECCT’s 2023-2030 Strategic Plan,” says Georgina, “and this aligns perfectly with our vision of creating more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable communities.”

Rena Kohere, Conservation Board Chair, says working together is the best way to make a difference for nature.

“By taking an integrated landscape approach with projects funded by the new conservation grants, rather than focussing on land held by one or two agencies, this funding will help realise the vision of recloaking areas of Hawke’s Bay,” says Rena.

Community groups, private landowners, iwi and agencies throughout Hawke’s Bay can apply for the funding. Applications will be assessed by an expert panel, including DOC, community conservation representatives, and iwi.

Applications are expected to open mid-2025, with funding released to the successful projects in October 2025.

Background information/FAQ

What are the timeframes for the Fund?

The first round of applications will open in June 2025.

What’s the application criteria?

These will be advertised by ECCT through its website by April 2025.

Who makes funding decisions?

Applications will be assessed by appointed members to a Grant Committee. 

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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New model gives clearer picture of the Rakaia River

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Date:

Our new Rakaia water balance model can calculate the average daily river flow at the Rakaia River mouth for the first time.

The Rakaia is one of Waitaha’s most iconic landscapes – a braided river that flows across central Canterbury from the mountains to the sea.

Its stunning natural landscape was recognised when the river was made subject to a Water Conservation Order (WCO) in 1988, protecting the river, its habitat and recreational values.

The river is fed by rain and snowmelt on the Southern Alps, so flow varies considerably, and the WCO sets minimum flow levels, below which water cannot be taken for use.

Accounting for water movement on the Rakaia

Despite the WCO, the Rakaia is still used as a water source for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation.

As the regulator, we are responsible for ensuring water users are compliant with their resource consent conditions. These include not taking water when on restriction, and adhering to daily and annual volume limits.

Water takes have flow meters installed. These devices send us information on water taken each day.

The Rakaia water balance model combines these data with that from a flow recorder operated by NIWA near Fighting Hill in the Rakaia Gorge, and accounts for natural loss to groundwater and water discharged from Highbank Power Station into the river, to calculate the daily average flow at the river mouth.

View the

Rakaia water balance model on our Rakaia River webpage.

Preserving the river mouth environment

As the Rakaia emerges from the gorge, it spreads out over a wide gravel bed in several ever-changing braids. This makes measuring flow volumes almost impossible.

Water and Land Science Manager Elaine Moriarty says creating this model was the best way to explain river levels at the river mouth.

“Because the Rakaia has so many braids crossing such a wide stretch of the plains, we can’t set up a flow meter.

“We have a passionate community of anglers and recreational river users, and we hope this information will assist them in understanding the variables influencing the flow of the river.”

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DOC to trial paid parking at high use sites

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  13 November 2024

The pilot is funded by $3.8 m from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Work includes car park improvements and introducing paid parking systems for car parks at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast, and White Horse Hill, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury.

People from across Aotearoa and the globe are drawn to our stunning landscapes and nature. It’s DOC’s job to protect and restore nature and ensure these experiences are good, says DOC’s Heritage & Visitors Director Catherine Wilson.

“These three car parks are among our busiest. We can’t just keep building bigger car parks – it doesn’t solve the issue or uphold these outstanding areas. We have to modernise and innovate to deliver for nature and for New Zealand.

“A user pays approach for DOC car parks has long been mooted as a sensible solution – with the goal of reducing pressure and generating revenue at our popular sites.

“The approach brings us in line with overseas solutions for similar issues. By contributing to costs at high use sites, visitors give back to the places they enjoy, helping create a more regenerative model to sustain New Zealand’s precious biodiversity.

“No decisions have been made regarding pricing or charging mechanisms. DOC is in the planning phase for the paid car parking pilot. This work includes engaging with partners and stakeholders, and addressing site-specific concerns.”

“Sites like White Horse Hill car park are already over capacity on peaks days with an estimated 700 vehicles per day. At times there are up to 150 vehicles parked up to 1.5 km down the access road.

“For this site, we will be exploring solutions, such as pre-booked parking, to help manage visitor demand and mitigate the environmental impacts that come with heavy use.” 

DOC anticipates car park charges will be in place at all three pilot sites next summer (2025/26). The trial period will be 12 months and findings will inform how and where DOC might charge for car parks in future.     

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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If in doubt, stay out: Lessons from a river safety course  | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

By Lucy Holyoake 

Evaluating if a river is safe to cross, and knowing the best way to do so is a vital skill for trampers in the backcountry. 

Here are some of the lessons I learned at a river safety course, and why I think you should do one too. 

I’ve heard a lot of stories of river crossings gone wrong, but this one stuck with me.  

A couple I met at the river safety course told me about a recent overnight tramp they did with a group of friends. They were all quite new to tramping and had just started doing overnight trips. They’d picked a relatively easy track, with one small unbridged stream close to the car park.  

On the way in the stream was about ankle deep, clear and slow moving. They all crossed it without issue.

But overnight, it rained. A lot.  

The rain continued to pour the next morning, but everyone was itching to get home and dry, so they packed up and headed back down the track. 

The stream was unrecognisable. 

It was in flood: the dirty water was swollen and surging, waist-deep in places with tree branches were being swept rapidly down-stream.   

The group knew the car was close. It was Sunday, they needed to get back for work the next day. Only this flooded stream stood in their way. 

So: they crossed it anyway. And very nearly didn’t make it home. 

Wading through the thundering dirty water, each step forward nearly toppled them into the river and swept them away. 

An example of a dangerous flooded river, Snowy Creek by Dart hut | Gareth Jones, DOC

They were very lucky not to have drowned that day.

The experience shook them. Which is how we came to be on the same river safety course. 

Lesson #1: Don’t 

Right off the bat, the course instructors hammered this point: you never have to cross an unsafe river. 

It may sound too simple but it’s some solid advice. 

The couple made the decision to cross the flooded river because they felt it was their only option. They were on the last day of their trip, soaked and tired, just wanting to get home. They disregarded the danger and chose to go in anyway. 

They were lucky. One misstep, one loss of balance in the surging water and they could have been killed. 

Many of the course instructors were search and rescue volunteers. They all had stories of trampers, both experienced and new, underestimating the danger of crossing an unsafe river. Horror stories where if they just hadn’t got in the water, if they’d waited for the water level to drop, if they’d only crossed at the bridge instead, they would still be alive. 

Lesson one sunk in for all of us. If a river is unsafe, do not attempt to cross it. 

It’s not worth your life. 

A bridge over flooded Snowy Creek | Gareth Jones, DOC

Lesson #2: Preparation is crucial 

The instructors were clear that the first method for avoiding unsafe river crossings is to do your research before you head out. 

During your planning, make sure you: 

  • Choose a track that is suitable for every tramper’s skill and experience. If there are members of your party that are not comfortable with river crossings, choose a different track. 
  • Identify any river crossings on your intended route, as well as alternate track options if the river is unsafe. Choose routes with bridged crossings where possible. 
  • Always check the weather before you go. Be prepared to choose a different track without river crossings if the weather forecast predicts heavy or prolonged rain. 
  • Have a plan if you need to wait for a flooded river to drop. Take extra food, warm clothes and emergency shelter in case you need to wait a few extra days. Consider taking a satellite communication device so you can tell someone you will be late out. 

Doing this prep beforehand sets you up to make safe, informed decisions around rivers while you’re out there. 

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Two trampers study map during break, Kokatahi Whitcombe Area

Lesson #3: What to do instead of crossing an unsafe river 

Sometimes, no matter how well we prepare, things can go wrong. If you find yourself standing in front of a river that isn’t safe to cross, what do you do instead? 

Option 1: Wait it out.  

River levels can drop as quickly as they rise. Sometimes that can mean that if you wait a few hours, a swollen river can become safe to cross.  

But it could also take days for the water level to drop, depending on the weather or snow melt conditions. This is where your extra food, clothes and shelter come in. Once the river levels have dropped, crossing may be possible again. 

Option 2: Use your ‘Plan B’ 

Check your map for your chosen alternative routes without river crossings and take those instead. Sometimes there may be a bridge further along the river, so always check your map for these! 

Option 3: Return the way you came 

If you can get home safely by turning around and returning the way you came, do it.  

Option 4: Call for help 

If options 1-3 fail, call for help. It’s safer than attempting a potentially fatal river crossing. Always take a distress beacon with you, just in case.  

Whitcombe Pass track, Whitcombe river in flood | Brian Dobbie 

Lesson #3: The warning signs of an unsafe river 

You might be wondering, what exactly is an unsafe river? 

The instructors broke down the key things to look for when assessing whether a river is unsafe.  

Some rivers are naturally deep and fast flowing, even without being in flood. These can be unsafe to cross at any time. Flooded rivers are very dangerous to cross.  

Here’s how to spot an unsafe river: 

  • The sound of rolling rocks on the riverbed 
  • Dirty, discoloured and/or cloudy surging water  
  • Visible debris in the river such as tree branches 
  • Water moving faster than normal walking speed

If these features are present, the river should not be crossed. 

Sometimes only one of these features may be present. For example, if a river is flowing faster than walking speed but is only ankle deep and there are no nearby debris up or down stream, crossing may be possible. 

You should always look for the features of an unsafe river and assess them against the crossing location, considering any upstream and downstream hazards that could make your crossing dangerous. 

Even if deemed a safe river, crossing can still be risky – the place you chose to cross is vital.

Trampers looking for a safe spot to cross a river | NZSAR 

Lesson #4: Crossing a river involves careful assessment 

We broke into small groups to learn how to identify a safe place to cross. The instructors told us that no matter the river, always stop to discuss and assess as a group. 

We learnt to look for a spot that has: 

  • Water depth below thigh deep on the shortest person 
  • Water speed no faster than walking pace 
  • Accessible entry and exit points (steep banks can be a hazard and may prevent safe entry/exit) 
  • No white water or rapids (turbulent, frothy water) 
  • Flat riverbed surface with minimal obstacles like large rocks 
  • Runout with minimal hazards (where the river will lead you if you are swept downstream) 

Not only are you selecting the safest place to cross, but you’re also choosing your emergency path down the river, if you do get swept down. This is why it’s vital to identify the risks downstream as well as where you plan to cross. It’s all about minimising the risk if you do get swept down. 

I was particularly horrified by the concept of getting caught by a strainer – which is when an object like a tree branch lets water flow through but can trap other objects underwater (like people…) with the power of the current keeping them stuck. 

Being a strong swimmer is not a guarantee against drowning if you are swept down a river. There are so many hazards present in rivers that could cause even the strongest swimmers to drown – which is why choosing the right spot is so important. 

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Ohinemuri River in flood, a tree branch strainer in the centre | DOC 

Lesson #5: The mutual support method is the safest way to cross 

If you do cross: how do you do it safely? That was what my group and I were all here to learn. 

After a morning of learning theory, we got to practice crossing a river as a group. 

Wading in by myself first, the water flow was surprisingly strong. It was easy to see how you could lose your footing. Especially if you were on your own in the water. 

Lining up in our group of three, we practiced the mutual support method, which is designed to give you extra stability and safeguard against anyone losing their footing and being swept. 

As a group we waded into the water wearing our boots, clothes and packs. The strongest of the group were at the upstream end, with the less confident members in the middle. 

Our chest straps were left undone and our waist belts were secured but loosened. We wove our hands between our neighbours back and their pack, grabbing on tightly to the top of their pants on their other side.  

Keeping our bodies side on to the current, we crossed the river in slow, small steps, moving in a diagonal line downstream so we weren’t fighting against the current. 

In moments when peoples’ footing became unstable, the strength of the rest of the group kept them upright and they were able to regain their footing. 

It was incredible just how much safer using this method felt, compared to standing in the river alone. 

Trampers practicing the mutual support method | DOC 

Lesson #6: You really don’t want to be swept down a river 

At the end of the course, we got to experience what it’s like to be swept down a river (with careful precautions in place).  

In mutual support formation, three of us waded into a section of the river that was deliberately too deep in the centre. We walked along the riverbed until our feet couldn’t touch the bottom. 

Then the water swept us off our feet. 

Feeling ourselves begin to float was honestly terrifying. I felt an immediate loss of control and had to fight the rising feeling of panic. We’d waded into a safe spot and the instructors were on hand with floatation rings on ropes, so my brain knew I was safe. But my body didn’t quite get the message. 

Putting theory into practice, we didn’t let go of each other, staying with our arms linked. We lifted our legs up in front of us, leaning back against our packs. While we don’t take life jackets on tramps into the backcountry, our packs are the next best thing, full of pockets of air in between your gear. 

The people on either end used their free arms to try and steer us to shore. And it wasn’t easy! On our first attempt, we couldn’t get out on our own and the instructors had to throw in the rope for us to grab. But they let us feel the fear first! 

Please don’t underestimate the danger of being swept down a river! One trapped boot, one boulder to the head or one unavoidable waterfall is all it could take to cause a drowning.

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Hollyford River in flood, making a bridged crossing impassable | DOC

Final lesson: If in doubt, stay out 

If you take anything away from this blog, let it be that. If you have any doubts about whether a river is safe to cross, or whether you have the skills and experience to cross safely, stay out of the water. 

Doing the river safety training was one of the most helpful outdoor trainings I’ve done as a tramper. Knowing how to identify if a river is unsafe gives me the confidence to make hard decisions when I’m outdoors. And honestly, learning about all the ways a river could drown me was quite the reality check! 

If you like to spend your time in the backcountry, please consider doing some formal training. It could save your life. 

The Mountain Safety Council’s website is a great place to start learning the skills you need to be safe around rivers in the backcountry.  

They have instructional videos, online learning tools and safety manuals to help you level up your knowledge and skills. Check them out at https://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/learn/skills/river-safety 

There are numerous river safety courses you can do around the country – you can find one near you through the Mountain Safety Council’s training webpage.

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New biocontrol agent deployed to control Chilean needle grass

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council




New biocontrol agent deployed to control Chilean needle grass | Environment Canterbury















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Once established, it can be difficult and costly to control with seed spreading very easily on clothing, machinery, vehicles, feed and on livestock.  

Chilean needle grass populations are very localised in Canterbury, with the majority of known sites in north Canterbury with one other site in West Melton.

Rust fungus kills pest plant

Uromyces pencanus is a rust fungus that damages the top layer of the Chilean needle grass leaves causing increased water loss and premature death. This technique is successful in dry conditions – a potential match made in heaven for north Canterbury conditions.

CNG rust mixed with talcum powder painted onto leaf

Invasive species advisor Dr Morgan Shields says that he has his fingers crossed for the success of the Chilean needle grass rust in Canterbury.

“Biocontrol is an excellent tool but also a fickle thing. You can do all the testing but never quite know how successful it will be until sometimes years down the track,” Morgan says.

“The rust is host specific, meaning that it will only attack Chilean needle grass.”

It’s been a long road to get this rust into Aotearoa from its native home of South America. It was first approved for release here in 2011 but researchers from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research had to wait a decade for the export permit from Argentina before importing it in 2022.

Find out more

Environment Canterbury © 2024
Retrieved: 5:05pm, Tue 12 Nov 2024
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/new-biocontrol-agent-deployed-to-control-chilean-needle-grass/

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Soldiers helping DOC on the West Coast

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  12 November 2024

Soldiers from 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (2/1 RNZIR) in Burnham have contributed significant conservation work to Te Maruia Waka Huia special biodiversity area, northeast of Greymouth on the South Island’s West Coast.

From 4-8 November, the 24 army personnel worked in challenging weather conditions to upgrade a critical trapping network. The battalion built 83 trap boxes, cut and cleared nine kilometres of overgrowth on an existing trapline, carried in the new trap boxes to replace the old trap boxes, swapped the internal trap mechanisms, and carried out the old traps. 

On completion of that work, they went on to cut a new seven-kilometre trapline and moved 61 existing traps onto the new line.

Chris Hickford, Greymouth District Operations Manager says that keeping the job of protecting the many rare animal and plant species of Te Maruia is a massive effort.

“The help from 2/1 RNZIR has made a significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity in the area.”

Te Maruia Waka Huia is a stronghold for native and endemic species. Tomtit, rifleman, robin, tūi, fernbird, silvereye, grey warbler, bellbird, kaka and kākāriki are all found in good numbers in this area of forest, thanks to regular predator control operations including this intensive predator trapping network.

Warrant Officer Class Two Adrian Christie said the work they have assisted with is not only great training for soldiers but also benefits the local community.

“It assists our newest soldiers with navigation, carrying their packs, surviving and working in the close country environment. It also gives them personal satisfaction of doing a worthwhile job for the community.

“In addition it helps DOC out, which is great for us because they help provide us with some of their best training areas in the South Island.”

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

Posted on

Small community restoring Kurow Wetland

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

The Kurow Wetlands, located 60km northwest of Ōamaru behind the small town of Kurow, were once overgrown with weeds, including invasive crack willow. This natural wetland has since been restored and is now maintained by dedicated local volunteers.

In 2014 a small group of volunteers came together, with the wider support of the Waitaki Valley Community Society, to help restore and preserve the wetlands. They’ve been working tirelessly ever since, with water quality at the heart of much of their work.

Previous work has seen:

  • the development of a walking track through the wetland
  • crack willow removal and weed clearance work
  • planting thousands of native plantings.

Group of volunteers getting new native plantings in the ground

“We have seen the benefits that can be achieved from willow removal in the waterway,” local volunteer Karen Turner said.

In the part of the wetland that has had willow removal, the stagnant water can now flow better out to the Waitaki River, improving the quality of the stream, which is a rest stop for species such as tuna (eel).

“We were just a small group of passionate locals who knew there was something special there behind the Kurow shops,” local volunteer Karen Turner said.

“We’re so incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. Without people and organisations recognising the importance of what we’re working towards and who are willing to get in behind what we’re doing, we wouldn’t have been able to undertake this work,” Karen said.

“This prized wetland would still be an impenetrable, weed-infested little backwater surrounded by farmland.”

While a lot of wetlands are not easily accessible, Kurow Wetlands is just a short walk from the town centre of Kurow.

It’s home to a wide range of flora and fauna including the endangered long-fin eel and short-fin eel.

It’s been designed with the community in mind; the walking tracks are wide enough for prams and wheelchair users, and it is accessible for families to enjoy.

It also forms a part of the Alps to Ocean cycle trail, New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail that weaves its way from the Southern Alps near Mt Cook Village to Ōamaru.

The Kurow Wetlands walking tracks are wide enough for prams and wheelchair users

Vital role of wetlands

Acting as a natural ‘filter’ for water, wetlands play an important role in water quality, absorbing nutrients and trapping sediment that would otherwise make its way into our freshwater.

By slowing the water flow from land and releasing it slowly in dry periods, they also play a vital role during periods of high or low rainfall.

While historically many of the country’s natural wetlands have been drained, some have simply been concealed by weeds, unable to realise their environmental potential.

Funding for projects

This project is supported through the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee’s Action Plan funding for 2024. 

Each of the region’s water zone committees has an action plan which outlines how they will work with the community to help improve the environment and meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.

Posted on

Rowi kiwi finds a new home

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  11 November 2024

Rangers with the Predator Free South Westland project spotted the kiwi on recently analysed trail camera footage in the Whataroa River area, about 15 kilometres away from where most of the kiwi live, in the Ōkārito Forest.  

Rowi spotted on trail camera footage about 15 km from where most of the kiwi live
Image: DOC

DOC Principal Science Advisor Hugh Robertson says the rowi has most likely “moved” to the Whataroa River area because “home” at Ōkārito is getting busy.

“The fantastic work done by DOC’s Franz Josef staff increased the population from about 160 birds in the early 1990s to over 600 birds by 2022, and the population continues to grow.

“With the population pressure building in Ōkārito, they are now spreading their tiny wings and wandering further afield in search of their own territory.” 

In the past, management of the kiwi population focused on efforts to grow the population by removing eggs from the forest for safe hatching and rearing.

But now that Ōkārito forest is part of the Predator Free South Westland project, kiwi are able to raise their own chicks into adulthood. This has resulted in population growth, and the expansion of kiwi habitat. 

Fortunately, the area the kiwi has moved into is also part of the Predator Free South Westland project area, which is managed to stop re-incursion of stoats, rats and possums, making it better habitat for kiwi.  

Duncan Kay, Operations Director for Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP), who manage the Predator Free project says, “ZIP is maintaining about 85,000 hectares as predator-free in South Westland, and the mahi of the last four years is bearing fruit.

“This is the predator-free dream becoming a reality – seeing birds like rowi not just surviving, but spreading out and being comfortable in the landscape that is their natural home.”

DOC Avian Avoidance Trainer Anya Kruszewski is keen for people who live in the area with dogs to enrol in upcoming kiwi avoidance training.

“As the area where kiwi live grows, and as kiwi are exploring, there are more opportunities for dogs to be in contact with kiwi. Any dog is capable of killing a kiwi, and avoidance training can help reduce this risk, though dogs always will need close supervision in areas where kiwi are found.”

Visit the Kiwi Avoidance Training website to register for a course in South Westland. The first course is coming up this Thursday 17 October: Kiwi Avoidance Training

Background information

Rowi had declined to a single population of just 160 birds in the 1990s, when efforts to prevent their extinction started. 

Since that time, the population has grown to more than 600 birds, mostly with the help of intensive breeding intervention programme Operation Nest Egg. Kiwi eggs are removed from their nests for safe hatching and rearing until they reach a safe weight of around 1.2kg and are returned to the wild.  

In 2018, in response to growing rowi numbers in the Ōkārito forests, rowi were introduced to the Omoeroa ranges between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, part of their historical distribution area. 

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz