WELCOME TO THE CONSERVATION BOARDS' NEWSLETTER 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Keep up to date with the activities of Conservation Boards around Aotearoa. In this issue discover highlights from Te Hiku o Te Ika, Waikato,
East Coast/Hawke's Bay, Tongariro/Taupō, Taranaki/Whanganui, Chatham Islands,
West Coast Tai Poutini, and Otago Conservation Boards. 

Issue 25 : June 2022

Sea Lion with a microphone from Sea Lion Research with RNZ, at the Otago Peninsula | Photo by Danica Stent 

INTRODUCING OUR NEW MINISTER

UPDATES AND HIGHLIGHTS

TE HIKU O TE IKA

The Te Hiku o te Ika Conservation Board has placed greater focus on better understanding the relationship that Te Hiku iwi have with the environment, places of significance and each other.

90-Mile Beach (Oneroa a Tohe), Far North District, Northland | Photo by Alan Cressler

The first week of May saw the Board meet at Te Ahu Centre where they discussed such topics as Kauri dieback, predator control, and maintaining public access to iconic sites within the region. Members were also provided with an overview of their role in the drafting of the new Draft Te Hiku Conservation Management Strategy (CMS). A progress report is being produced by the Board's CMS working group, so the Board can dive into deeper discussions on the findings of the report once it is available. 

The latter half of May included a field trip for Board members to Te Oneroa Tohe/90 Mile Beach. Members were joined by local kaumatua John Paitai (Te Rarawa) and Waitai Petera (Te Aupōuri), and DOC staff from the Kaitaia Office. The field trip was focused around understanding the various sites of cultural significance for Te Hiku iwi, and their close relationship with the surrounding environment. It was a very informative field trip with the key take away being the understating members got of the relationship Te Aupōuri has with Kuaka/Bar-tailed Godwit, and the shared whakapapa that binds Te Hiku whānau, hapū, and iwi together.     

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

WAIKATO

The Waikato Conservation Board made the most of the great weather for their field trip around the Waipa district as part of their March meeting.

Lake Ruatuna, Waikato Peat Lakes | Photo courtesy of the Waikato Conservation Board

On their March 2022 field trip, members of the Waikato Conservation Board visited three of the peat lakes in the Waipa District, south of Ōhaupō. This was hosted by local DOC staff and with a range of guests invited to kōrero. There are many important peat lakes in the Waikato, that are significant wetland systems. Members learned that originally these lakes had no natural inflows and outflows, and have been permanently altered through our farming practices. Land users created inflows and outflows which subsequently made the shallow peat lakes even shallower. Because they are nutrient rich they provide an important habitat that is particularly vulnerable to pollution and challenging to restore.

The day started at Lake Ruatuna with a discussion on peat lake values and then a tour of the recent restoration efforts at Lake Ruatuna. The Living Waters team showed members some of the restoration efforts that have been going on since 2013, such as the Pā Harakeke, where flax varieties have been planted that are significant for weaving and act as a barrier to prevent koi carp from entering the lake. It is also the spot where Spotless Crake birds are frequently encountered.

(front row, left to right) WCB members: Flora Bartholomew, Rob Chappell, Clare St Pierre,
Charlotte Muggeridge, Shelley Langton-Myers.
(back row, left to right) Puke Timoti NZCA Liaison, Bill Harris, Chair Ngati Apakura Rūnanga Trust Board,
Michelle Lewis, DOC HWT Statutory Manager and Natasha Grainger, Waikato Regional Council Lakes Advisor |
 Photo courtesy of the Waikato Conservation Board

The Board also visited Lake Rotopiko which is enclosed by a predator proof fence and no entry was allowed to the wetland discovery trail, as pest control for mice was taking place. Murray Davies, however, gave members an interesting tour along the fence perimeter and they were impressed with the weeding, pest control and trail making efforts that have been achieved through the determination of individuals. Wetlands are generally underappreciated as they aren’t accessible to the average person, but Lake Rotopiko is accessible to everyone and has an education trial that members will return to with families to share their experience.

The day ended by being welcomed to Wairoto by a karanga from Hazel Wander of Ngāti Apakura. Here members engaged in discussion on the many challenges facing the lakes, including the warming summers and surrounding farming practices. Last summer algal blooms (produced from nutrient run-off)  was so bad a great deal of wildlife was killed and the lake was closed to all recreation. Wairoto is of importance to Ngāti Apakura as a historical pā site and contains sacred burial grounds.

Lake Rotopiko, Waikato Peat Lakes | Photo courtesy of the Waikato Conservation Board

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Waikato Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

EAST COAST/HAWKE'S BAY

The East Coast Hawke's Bay Conservation Board have been working hard in writing their annual work programme and prioritising their work for the year ahead. Their top priority currently, is the generational review of Te Angiangi Marine Reserve. 

Gecko found at Cape Sanctuary | Photo by Doug Bailey

October 2021 saw the Board welcome in fresh faces, as newly appointed members attended their first meeting. At the same time an election was held to select a new Chair and Deputy Chair, the results saw Rena Kohere of Gisborne become Board Chair and Doug Bailey of Hastings become Deputy Chair.

This meeting included an update from Lizzie Hallsworth, DOC Senior Management Planner, who spoke to the Board on the current status of their Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) and the work that lies ahead.   

Kākāriki at Cape Sanctuary | Photo by Doug Bailey

The Board held its first meeting of the new year in April 2022 as a hybrid meeting, with half the Board attendeing in person and half via Microsoft Teams. This, however, did not prevent members from having a productive meeting, in which they received information on wild animal control in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forest Parks, from Mike Perry, DOC Wild Animal Manager, and Tim Maule, of the NZ Sika Foundation.

Also in attendance during the public forum section of their meeting, were Debbie Monahan and Belinda Sleight of Biodiversity Hawke's Bay, who delivered a presentation and gave the Board an update on the work they have been doing.  

Conservation Board Members and DOC Staff at Cape Sanctuary | Photo by Sara Robinson 

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Te Hiku o Te Ika Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

TONGARIRO TAUPŌ

The Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board has continued their commitment this year to strengthen their relationships with Iwi and reviewing their CMS.

Mt Ruapehu from Desert Road, Tongariro National Park | Photo by Jimmy Johnson

The review of their Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) remains a high priority for the Board and to help with the work, a subcommittee was established to develop and scope a plan for progression over the coming 12 months. The Board have, to date, had several conversations with Greg Carlyon from Catalyst Group around the content of their CMS and the plan they have to carry out the work.

Their May 2022 meeting was focused on key priorities such as the CMS review and continuing to strengthen iwi relationships. Both the Taranaki Whanganui and Tongariro Taupō boards met at Morero Marae in Taumarunui, where Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui presented to the group on Wednesday morning and Greg Carylon from the Catalyst Group facilitating the CMS discussion in the afternoon. The hui resumed the following day in the National Park. There were representatives from each iwi present on both days, including Ngāti Rangi, Uenuku, Tamahaki, Tamakana, Ngāti Hauā and Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Tongariro Taupo Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

TARANAKI WHANGANUI

The Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board enjoyed a very productive joint hui with their neighbours the Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board.

Members of the Taranaki Whanganui and Tongariro Taupo Conservations Boards on their final hui day |
Photo courtesy of Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board. 

Both the Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board and Tongariro Taupō Conservation Board had a combined workshop and hui on 18 and 19 May 2022. The agenda was packed with key items of interest to both boards and identified issues that could have an affect in both regions. The hui was structured in a way that incorporated formal and informal discussion sessions, to allow the two boards to make the most of their time together.

 Gerard Albert and Nancy Tuaine presenting to the Boards at Morero Marae |
Photo courtesy of Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board

Day one of the hui was located at Morero Marae in Taumarunui where they all felt the manaaki and mana of their hosts, who were Board members, iwi, hapū and whānau. The workshop included a presentation from Te Heke Ngahuru ki Te Awa Tupua strategy group. They were given a briefing by Te Kōpuka Chairs Gerard Albert and Nancy Tuaine which covered the topic of Te Heke Ngahuru ki Te Awa Tupua strategy legislation and was followed by some discussion on the impacts of these legislative requirements on both boards' CMS responsibilities.

Like any well-planned agenda, the first item segued nicely into a workshop discussion by both boards about their respective CMSs and the impacts of both legislative reform and Treaty Settlements. Both boards' communities are still working with outdated strategies.

View of Maunga Ruapehu from The Park Hotel National Park |
Photo courtesy of Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board

Day two of the hui was located at The Park Hotel in the National Park where the morning was spent together in a formal conservation board hui. Time was spent reflecting on the topics that were discussed affecting and impeding on both boards' in progressing towards CMS review. The two boards decide to work together in identifying work they can carry out ahead of their CMS reviews, this is to ensure the process runs smoothly and produces greater success. 

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Taranaki Whanganui Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

CHATHAM ISLANDS

The Chatham Islands Conservation Board welcomed in new members and a new Chairperson towards the end of last year, and have stayed persistent in completing their work in the mist of Covid-19 surges.

Board members examining millennial plantings, now part of Te Ara Manu, (left to right) Susan Thorpe, Lois Croon, Luzie Schmid and Levi Lanauze | Photo by Peter J. de Lange 

December 2021 saw the Board conduct a virtual meeting where the Chatham Islands members met at the DOC Office in Te One and linked up with the Chair sitting in Mt Albert, Tāmaki Makaurau. The Board tackled the vexed issue of beach traffic conflicting with Tōrea/Chatham Island oystercatcher nesting sites. They agreed to take the matter to the Chatham Islands Council and wider community. 

The Board's first meeting of the new year was in February at the Pitt Island School. Hamish Chisholm, Predator Free 2050 Coordinator, outlined the progress towards Chatham Islands predator free objectives and Trescia Lawson the Board's Deputy Chair ran the meeting in the absence of the Chairperson. She opened the meeting with a heart felt karakia that acknowledged the passing of Mana Cracknell, stalwart board member and widely respected Te Reo / Ta Re expert and artist. 

Board members also enjoyed their first field trip of the new year in February out on Rangihaute/Pitt Island, where they met with Malcom Lock (Locky) who took members to Glory Cottage to examine the building and hear of ongoing work, completed work and future aspirations for managing this historic site. This was followed by Tom Burlinson who met members at the Ellen Elizabeth Preece covenant (Caravan Bush) to show how the translocated of the Chatham Island petrel population is being monitored. The widespread death of mataira trees was also noted with locals and DOC staff wondering if this tree is being attacked by some sort of fungal or bacterial disease new to the islands. The Board is intending to seek advice on this die back from experts and will monitor the situation closely.   

Chatham Island oystercatcher on the South East Island | Photo by Don Merton

At its May 2022 meeting, the Board was in full attendance and face-to-face for the first time since August 2021. The Board met with Fire & Emergency New Zealand and the Local Advisory Committee to discuss emergency measures on the islands, and how to mitigate any negative affects to biodiversity on the islands. The ongoing need to progress the Chatham Islands Conservation Management Plan was also discussed in detail. 

A more recent field trip in May, saw the Board meet with Bridget Gibb from Te Ara Manu, a Jobs for Nature funded project looking at planting an indigenous tree corridor from the coastline of the Tuku East to Waiteki/Waitangi. Bridget outlined the ambitious project, explaining how many trees were needed, and then showed the members some of the hakapiri plantings that had gone in a few days before, just north of the Orea/Mangatukurewa/Nairn Stream.

Luzie Schmid, a third year Bachelor of Applied Science student from Unitec Institute of Technology, also met the Board and discussed aspects of her research into the pōhue vine that seems to be a new species endemic to the islands. Luzie is researching its taxonomic status. The spread of Austropuccinia psidii which causes myrtle rust disease on the islands was also discussed, noting that, for once, this invasive killer rust may actually benefit the islands as it is attacking Chilean guava, an exotic and now seriously damaging invasive plant of peat bogs and shrublands. 

Glory Cottage on Pitt Island | Photo by Ian Hill

The Board has recently produced a number of media releases, diving deeper into the world of conservation on the Chatham Islands. These are regularly published on Chathams.co.nz.

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Chatham Islands Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

WEST COAST TAI POUTINI

The West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board has worked closely DOC, Ngāti Waewae and Makaawhio in building the partnership and trust to work together for positive outcomes on the West Coast.  

Tramper on the Pike29 Memorial Track in the Paparoa National Park  | Photo by Neil Silverwood (www.neilsilverwood.com)

In November 2021, the Board held a two day meeting with the first day focused on reviewing their previous work plans and considering their annual Letter of Expectation from the Minister. This was a valuable meeting for members, as the Board set priorities for their ongoing future work which aligned with their Letter of Expectation. Key priorities included enhancing the working relationships with Ngāti Waewae, Makaawhio and Ngāi Tahu, initiate the review of their CMS, review the re-establishment of the Westland National Park Review and sitting in the background to maintain a watching brief on the Stewardship Land Review. 

The second meeting day was full of presentations, the first of which was from Tom Hopkins, DOC Strategic Projects Manager, who gave members an update on the Paparoa Track, Pike 29 Memorial Track and the Pike Mine Memorial Facilities development. The Board supported the installation of a pou whenua to be placed on a point on the Paparoa Track to recognise and enhance the mana and relationship between Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Waewae and the land. The final presentation was from Tom Belton, DOC Regional Lead Battle for our Birds, who spoke to the Board about the Landscape Predator Control across the  West Coast over 2021-22.

The year concluded for the Board by Kara Edwards resigning as a member to take on her new role with DOC, and newly appointed members, Lisa Steenhauer and Robert Wilson being welcomed onto the Board. 

West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board on the Franz Josef Glacier February 2022 | Photo by Joy Comrie

February 2022 saw the Board begin the new year with a two day meeting in the Franz Josef township. This was to understand the issues currently being faced in the Glacier Country, and the Board was grateful to Wayne Costello, DOC Operations Manager South Westland, for hosting the Board during their stay. Many of the issues in Franz Josef were important for the Board to understand as they look to progress into the CMS review, as well as the interlinked issues with the Westland National Park. 

On day one of the meeting, members took a helicopter ride over the Franz Josef Glacier to the site of a potential new landing site for tourism helicopters. Members also saw first hand the startling recession of the glacier. This was a valuable experience to understand both the issues relating to climate change and the impact on adventure tourism in the region. Later in the day the Board walked to the glacier viewing area to gain insight into the issues relating to tourist safety and the glacier experience.

On day two the Board held their formal meeting, which included a number of presentations, such as a joint presentation from the Predator Free South Westland Project and Zero Invasive Predators, an update on the Te Tai Poutini One Plan (TPP) development, the Tahr programme, and a review of Statutory Management Planning. From this visit it was clear that there will be significant issues associated with climate change, tourism, and the Glacier Country township's survival.

In April 2022 the Board planned another two day meeting, in Westport with a field trip to Stockton Mine. Unfortunately, this had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 and resulted in a one day meeting which was divided into the Board meeting and a workshop on the CMS review. Board members received two presentations from DOC staff, the first was from Scott Freeman, DOC Senior Ranger Biodiversity, who gave an update on work being done in the Buller District, which included an update on the Heaphy Track damage. The second was from Jess Curtis, DOC Strategic Projects Manager Tourism Pressures, on her work regarding the Oparara Project. Both presentations were valuable for the Board to understand two significant developments in the Buller region.

The meeting concluded with DOC Management Planner, Robyn Roberts, and Laurien Heijs joining Board members as they initiated their CMS review and held open discussions on how they can progress the review. The success of this meeting can be gauged by it going on past 6pm with ideas and discussions, and could have continued on longer. It was a very productive relationship building session between the Board and the planners, which resulted in an analysis of key issues with the present plan, what should be addressed in the new CMS and what opportunities for the region should be captured in the new CMS.

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

OTAGO

The Otago Conservation Board has a strong reputation in advocating for a more sustainable future for tourism in New Zealand and they plan to make this a key focus in their work this year. 

Central Otago Rail Trail  | Photo by DOC

The Board welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report of February 2021 Not 100% – but four steps closer to sustainable tourism and will continue to highlight and support initiatives that will ensure a regenerative and sustainable future for the sector. During the pandemic, many Kiwis have taken up the opportunity to explore more of “their own back yard”, appreciating what we have and a growing desire to find ways they can actively participate in the protection and enhancement of te taiao and our natural environment. 

The Otago region is seeing a growing desire from tourism businesses and regional tourism organisations to contribute to the conservation of our lands, waters and biodiversity. As businesses re-engage with international markets and welcome manuhiri from overseas back to Aotearoa, the Board is presented with an unique opportunity to re-start in a way that benefits local communities and our natural places and species in partnership with the DOC. As a Board, they are planning a hui in September in Wānaka to explore how the growing desire from the tourism sector and indeed visitors to “do good” can be embraced for the benefit of conservation. 

In other exciting news, the Board over the last six months has achieved a milestone in delivering the partial review of the Otago CMS (around biking) to the New Zealand Conservation Authority for their consideration. The partial review has been a long process, so members are delighted that significant progress is being made and are excited by the opportunities this represents for both biking and conservation.

Finally, the Board is continuing to advocate for conservation outcomes from the South East Marine Protection Process. They have noticed huge conservation gains to be had by protecting marine areas on and around the Otago Coast and look forward to the outcome of this process. Growing their understanding of section 4 of the Conservation Act 1987 remains a priority for the Board and with some additional training scheduled to follow up on a hui held last year with the same focus. 

GET INVOLVED - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Otago Conservation Board meetings can be found on the website.

CONSULTATIONS OPEN FOR YOUR COMMENT

Proposal to vest part of Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve: The Minister of Conservation has publicly notified a proposal to vest a part of Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve near Queenstown in Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Submit your feedback on this proposal by 26 June 2022.

Help us improve conservation management planning and concessions legislation: We want to hear your views on proposals within the Conservation Management and Processes Bill to improve conservation management planning and concessions (the permissions system). Submissions close on 30 June 2022.

Help us reclassify stewardship land on the West Coast: Have your say on the proposed reclassifications for 504 pieces of stewardship land on the West Coast before final decisions are made. Submissions close 26 July 2022.

Keep up to date with more public consultations here.

THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING TO OUR NEWSLETTER 

Next time in the Conservation Board Newsletter, we hear from Northland, Auckland,
Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough, Canterbury Aoraki, and Southland Conservation Boards!