WELCOME TO THE CONSERVATION BOARDS' NEWSLETTER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Keep up to date with the activities of Conservation Boards around Aotearoa New Zealand. In this issue discover highlights from Northland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Nelson Marlborough, Canterbury Aoraki, and Southland Conservation Boards.

Issue 28 : March 2023

Summer dusk at Otaki Beach | Photo by Lisa Ng (https://www.flickr.com/photos/surferlisa/8305777636/)

A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

Tēnā koutou katoa

I want to begin by sending my thoughts to our whānau in the North Island who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. It has been a difficult start to the year and as we enter the recovery phase, safety and wellbeing remain the top priority for the Government.

Fallen trees, flooding, and landslips have caused widespread damage to bridges, huts, campgrounds, and tracks managed by DOC across Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti, and Hawke’s Bay.

I want to acknowledge the hard work of our teams on the ground who are still assessing the scale of the damage and making decisions on the repairs. They are working closely with their community partners.

It has been heart-warming to witness how the country has rallied behind the affected communities, whether that be with fundraising, clean ups or just showing up to show their support. It was especially encouraging to see our Jobs for Nature teams pitching in to help the local communities while their own worksites were inaccessible, using their skills where they could to rebuild and restore.

As we enter the third year of the Jobs for Nature programme, it’s great to see that the programme’s approach to building enduring capabilities within community groups is bigger than just providing employment and extends to coming together to strengthen our communities through conservation.

A few weeks ago, I visited the Te Pēwhairangi office (Bay of Islands). I live near the Te Pēwhairangi office, so it was extra special that my first official DOC visit was to my local office. The team welcomed me with a beautiful mihi whakatau, and it was a great opportunity to discuss the work they do in the region. As a new Minister to the conservation portfolio, it was great to listen as the team shared their kaupapa and stories of the region.

Thank you all for your contributions to our conservation mahi this year.

Nāku noa, nā

Hon Willow-Jean Prime

Minister of Conservation

UPDATES AND HIGHLIGHTS

NORTHLAND

The Northland Conservation Board have had a rough start to the year facing the effect of Cyclone Gabrielle, but nonetheless remain focused on achieving their conservation goals for the year.

Members of the Auckland and Northland Conservation Boards gathered at Te Ao Marama
cultural centre at Te Hana | Photo courtesy of the Northland Conservation Board

The Board wrapped up their 2022 series of meetings with a joint hui at Te Hana Te Ao Marama cultural centre with the Auckland Conservation Board in November, with guest speakers on climate change, Conservation Management Strategies (CMS), and the Kaipara Remediation Project. This was a great time for learning, as well as an opportunity for members from both boards to share their experiences and discuss ideas. The consensus was that this was a positive experience that highlighted the value of building relationships across boards.

Northland/Te Tai Tokerau was one of the regions impacted significantly by Cyclone Gabrielle in February, where power and communications was heavily disrupted, with flooding and slips across the Kaipara region and the far north. The public meeting scheduled for February was postponed until a later date, to give the Department of Conservation staff and Board members a chance to respond to the situation at hand. The Chair, Nyree Porter, was actively involved with the community response in the far north region, supporting affected whānaū and communities.

The Bream Bay sand dunes were eroded up to 3-5 metres in some areas of Ruakākā. What happened in Bream Bay is a visual reminder of the important role that sand dunes play in providing a natural barrier from the coastal elements. Sadly, the Tara Iti (Fairy tern) chicks at Waipū did not survive the bad weather. Fortunately, the aviary at Mangawhai Aviary sustained minimal damage, and the captive birds have been returned into their accommodation.

Sand dune erosion at Ruakākā Station Road
beach access | Photo by courtesy of NCB

Following on from the past year, the Board continues their focus on several issues of interest, including Hokianga Harbour wellbeing; Kauri Ora/Kauri dieback disease; Bay of Islands Marine Mammal Sanctuary; Myrtle rust disease; the RMS Niagara Shipwreck; Stewardship land policy; and Tara Iti (Fairy Tern) Conservation. One of the key areas of focus for the Board in 2023, is to continue working on the strengthening relationships within the community and with neighbouring boards.

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

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BAY OF PLENTY

The Bay of Plenty Conservation Board remains determined on progressing their key priorities established last year.

Bay of Plenty Conservation Board members enjoying a 'cuppa tea' during their
fieldtrip to Ōkere Falls Scenic Reserve | Photo by Ayla Jack (DOC)

The Board agreed to eight priorities in their 2022-23 work plan, focusing strongly on Reclassification of stewardship land; their Conservation Management Strategy (CMS); Marine and coastal advocacy; Relationships with Iwi; Biodiversity and Biosecurity (particularly Dama Wallabies); Members' liaison roles; Working with the Department; and Global oversight (particularly climate change and tourism).

The Board also remains extremely active outside of their regular meetings with many individual members acting as liaisons to other environmental groups across their rohe such the Bay of Plenty Wetland Forum, Fish and Game, the Dama Wallaby Regional Coordination Group, and the Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust.

The Board continues to alternate between kanohi ki te kanohi and online meetings and; they also ensure that meetings rotate between the three main districts, Whakatāne, Rotorua and Tauranga. The Board is excited to host the New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA) in Rotorua in April for two days, making the most of a fieldtrip around the region with which to showcase some of the great conservation work being done by the Department of Conservation and community and a hui to discuss big ticket times facing the region.

Kerry Brown, Statutory Manager Eastern North
Island and Julian Lee on the Rotorua Zipline Boardwalk in Ōkere Falls Forest |
Photo by Ayla Jack (DOC)

At the end of last year the Board were hosted by Rotorua District staff, at the Ōkere Falls Scenic Reserve to observe the new zipline which was constructed and commenced operations in 2021, following a lengthy and challenging journey through the permissions application process. It was a perfect whanaungatanga opportunity between the Department of Conservation, the Board, the local zipline operator, members of the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserve Board, and concessionaire Sam Sutton. Observations on the day were that it comprised of purposely built zipline infrastructure and pathways, which fit around and over the natural environment achieving minimal effect to soil and vegetation. State-of-the-art technology meant there was very little noise from the zipline itself. The operator is also running initiatives to improve the presence of gorse around the Ōkere riparian, and planting of native vegetation like kānuka and mānuka. In addition, the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserve Board mentioned how they had received ‘Provincial Growth Funding funding’ to establish a new, open plan ablution block, in recognition of the number of visitors to the reserve.

Sam Sutton (left), owner of Rotorua Rafting speaks to board members about the infrastructure
of the ziplines within the forest | Photo by Ayla Jack (DOC)

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

WELLINGTON

The Wellington Conservation Board is focused this year on growing its capacity as a Board, to be more productive within conservation space across their rohe.

Kaka at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre | Photo by Sara Robinson (DOC)

Current focuses of the Board are to work with operational managers to understand progress on their CMS through improved reporting templates, and building better understanding of the Board around wider strategies within the Department, such as the
Te Mana o te Taiao Implementation Strategy and lower carbon transition, and how they relate to CMS deliverables.

Additionally, members are seeking to understand the community interest within their rohe and the implications for the biking proposals from the Department of Conservation in the application of their CMS. Alongside this, the Board continues to identify ways to build on its understanding of Te Tiriti obligations regarding its functions as a Board, after instigating a co-chairing module to ensure iwi representation in its governance role.

Following on from a busy 2022, the Board is setting it sights on another exciting year of meetings, fieldtrips, and engagement with wide range of individuals, community groups, and organisations within the rohe that contribute to the betterment of conservation. A major highlight in 2022 was their visit to Pukaha National Wildlife Centre in September, where members were informed on the work being done in the unfenced breeding sanctuary for native wildlife.

Kiwi in its enclosure at Pukaha National
Wildlife Centre | Photo by Sara Robinson (DOC)

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

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NELSON MARLBOROUGH

The Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board has recently been strongly focused and active in addressing biodiversity and spices protection concerns within their region.

Grant Maslowski and Jen Waite preparing a harp trap for raising to trap a roost hole
high up in a matai tree| Photo by Nick Eade

The Board received a presentation recently from the Department's Planning Team on biodiversity priorities in the Northern South Island to better understand how their work contributes to Te Mana o Te Taiao goals. In addition to biodiversity, the Board recognised the importance of building a meaningful relationship with Te Tau Ihu iwi in terms of our obligations under the Conservation Act, which is one of their on-going priorities. Members also thoroughly enjoyed the two day joint meeting with the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board which was hosted by Ngāti Kurī in Kaikōura earlier this month.

Three harp traps set in Brown River Reserve
| Photo by Nick Eade

The Board is also eagerly awaiting the decision by Marlborough District Council on the East Coast Vehicle Bylaw to protect the coastal environment and species. The Board lodged a submission on the proposed bylaw in August 2022 and presented at hearings in later on in November.

Key highlights for the Board include traveling to Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes in February where members were fortunate enough to have local iwi Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō attend and present alongside a representative from Whenua Iti Outdoors. The Board also took the opportunity to farewell departed member, Anna-Kate Goodall following the end of her term as a member. Additionally, members enjoyed a field trip to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary in the Brook Valley.

Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board members with Brook Waimārama Sanctuary staff
and DOC staff | Photo by Jo Gould

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

CANTERBURY AORAKI

The Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board has invested considerable time and effort into its strategic priorities for the year, whilst also taking time to celebrate local community conservation success.

The Board and DOC staff exploring the vicinity of Kura Tāwhiti | Photo by Marie-Louise Grandiek (DOC)

Since October 2022, the Board has invested time and effort into strategic priorities, namely the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Management Plan reviews and the Stewardship Land Reclassification projects. The Board focussed on key themes and topics to further progress the review of the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park Management Plan. Looking at topics such as aircraft management, and its associated challenges, has been very interesting and understanding the Department’s involvement in managing the village has been eye-opening. However, the Board has currently parked this piece of work while the Department is progressing its collaboration with tangata whenua on the review.

The Board welcomed Mike Legge, Chair of the Westcoast Te Tai Poutini Conservation Board, to their February workshop for the purpose of fostering greater cross-board connections and collaboration. But also to hear from Mike directly about his Board’s intention on their CMS review. This is a topic of high interest to the Canterbury Aoraki Board as some parcels of land around Arthur’s Pass National Park, as well as parts of the National Park itself, are within the Canterbury Aoraki rohe. While this could be a tricky situation, however both Boards are determined to communicate and positively manage the mutual conservation interest for these areas.

Pou at Kura Tāwhiti | Photo by Courtney Bennett

Mike also provided valuable information to the Board regarding the Stewardship Land Reclassification project, which has been underway for the Westcoast region for some time now. Hearing about Mike’s experience was beneficial as the Board is to provide input to the Northern South Island’s Stewardship Land Reclassification projects for areas between the Hurunui and Conway Rivers in North Canterbury.

Board members and the then Minister of Conservation, Hon. Poto Williams, at the Conservation Awards
evening in October 2022 | Photo by Joshua Neville

October continued to be a busy month for the Board, with a field trip to Kura Tāwhiti in Kā Pākihi-whakatekateka-a-Waitaha (the Canterbury plains), an ordinary Board meeting, their annual Conservation Awards evening with special attendance by the Hon. Poto Williams during her time as Minister of Conservation.

The Board is unique among other conservation boards in that they have had an annual Conservation Awards Evening for the last 21 years, thanks to the generous sponsorship of awards that are funded by the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust and Glentanner Mt Cook Ltd. Over the years there has been a steady increase in the number of applicants, which reflects the great conservation work delivered in and by local communities, schools and individuals. The recipients of this years awards are as follows:

Te Waka o Aoraki Trophy 2022 was awarded to Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust.
The Schools Conservation Award 2022 went to Te Kura o Matai Rangatira - Glentunnel School.
The Spark a New Idea’ 2022 award went to Haere Mai ki Waho Nature Education.

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

SOUTHLAND

The Southland Conservation Board been actively involved with a number of conservation projects in their region and continues to provide significant contributions.

Southland Conservation Board members on a guided tour with NZTA staff through
the Homer Tunnel | Photo by Shona Sangster

The Board has continued its strong involvement with the Predator Free Rakiura programme and finding the best ways to achieve maximum results in short timeframes. Members also discussed the increased presence of rats and feral cats on the island, as well as the role introduced species and the browsing effects they have on plant life in the lower forest storey. Additionally, the Board has engaged with the hunting community to work on some shared conservation goals that can be achieved, specifically the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation.

In October last year, the Board hosted NZCA in Invercargill, where all members enjoyed an extensive fieldtrip through the region, despite the dampened weather, and held in-depth discussions on import conservation matters concerning the region. This was a great opportunity for the Board to also hear about the NZCA's work priorities for the year ahead, and their time together was thoroughly enjoyed members of both the NZCA and the Board.

Rakiura as seen from Stewart Island Flights Aircraft | Photo by Alex McCrossin

The Board has been kept up to date on a variety of other projects and works in the Southland region, which includes learning about the proposal concepts for Milford Opportunities Project, work to implement cycleways adjacent to public conservation areas, and proposals for modifications to the Homer Tunnel in Milford Sound. Additionally, members have endeavoured to keep up their regular fieldtrips to a range oaf location in the regions with the most recent being to Rakirua/Steward Island, Milford Sound, and Te Rau Aroha Marae/Bluff Marae.

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

CONSULTATIONS OPEN FOR YOUR COMMENT

Discounts policy review: We are reviewing our discounts policy for recreational facilities and services, and invite interested partners, stakeholders and groups to participate and provide input. Submission run for the month of April.

Application for a concession by NZSki Limited: Have your say on a concession application by NZSki Limited for a lease, licence and easement with the Remarkables Ski Field Access Road and Rastus Burn Recreation Reserve, Queenstown. Submissions close 3 May 2023.

Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust: Have your say on applications by Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust for a lease, licence and easement in the Fiordland National Park and Waikoau Forest Conservation Area. Submissions close 20 April 2023.

Keep up to date with more public consultations here.

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Next time in the Conservation Board Newsletter, we hear from Te Hiku o Te Ika, Waikato, Taranaki/Whanganui, East Coast Hawke's Bay, Tongaririo/Taupo, Chatham Islands, West Coast Tai Poutini, and Otago Conservation Boards!

Find out more about Conservation Boards!