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Projects on the go:
Kaikoura's Significant Natural Areas Project
Council recognises that our district has a special ecological heritage which is not only of significance to locals, but is nationally important and in some cases, even internationally important.
As the Biodiversity Officer for Kaikoura District Council, I am here in an advisory capacity, to encourage those who may be interested in protecting/increasing Kaikoura's indigenous biodiversity, whether it be a small piece of bush, or a large area of primary native forest, a wetland, a school planting programme or anything in between. I can help with information, contacts, help you choose the right means of protection for your area, assist in sourcing funding and making applications and generally be here to help you.
One thing we are working on is the Significant Natural Areas Project.
The Council has a duty to maintain (and improve) this resource for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. This is the reason why the Kaikoura District Council and a specially formed SNA Land Care Group, are currently beginning to carry out a Significant Natural Areas (SNA) project for the Kaikoura area.
It's basically about promoting the protection and management of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and fauna through partnership agreements with landowners.
The emphasis of this project is on voluntary protection - there is nothing to say that landowners must take part in this project. In line with this, the SNA Land Care Group are in the process of contacting an initial group of landowners. This will be followed by continuing discussion with interested landowners, prior to any fieldwork taking place.
Newsletters relevant to Kaikoura SNA projects are available, if you would like to be on the email distribution list contact Jodie Denton, Biodiversity Officer, for further information on 03 319 5026, or look under Newsletters on these pages.
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AWARDS RECOGNISE REGIONAL WEEDBUSTERS
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The modest heroes of New Zealand's great outdoors, those volunteers who spend their long weekends clearing weeds from our native bush parks, reserves, coastal dunes and tussock grasslands, can expect some well deserved recognition this year.
Weedbusters encourages nominations from even the smallest groups. Even if you are only spending short periods clearing weeds, your contribution is important and every little bit adds up.
DOC weeds spokesperson Helen Braithwaite says weedbusting efforts around Canterbury and in the High Country in the past couple of years have involved many schoolchildren and retirees, as well as private landholders who have encouraged their neighbours to join in specific weedbusting work.
She says the awards have been designed to recognise the various efforts that are made. There are five categories:
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Public land
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Private land
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Industry/organisation
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Education
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Excellence
Image: Sally Blunt, from Kaikoura, wins the Weedbuster Awards in 2008, well done Sally!! |
For more details refer to www.weedbusters.org.nz.
Weedbusters is an interagency programme supported by the Department of Conservation, Biosecurity New Zealand, Federated Farmers, Biodiversity New Zealand, NZ Landcare Trust, Nursery and Garden Industry Association, NZ Biosecurity Institute, NZ Plant Protection Society, and all unitary and regional councils in New Zealand.
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Protection of Areas of Indigenous Biodiversity
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Noticeably since about 2004, the awareness of indigenous biodiversity in our district had been on the rise. So too has the interest in the protection methods offered by the likes of QEII National Trust. From a Council point of view this is very pleasing to see; it means that more and more of the districts private landowners are recognising & appreciating the importance of the indigenous biodiversity on their land and looking to protect it long term for the generations to come. As a general rule of thumb - most of the districts indigenous biodiversity is found on private land, so it is great to know that it is continuing to be being recognised, appreciated and managed. |
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As a summary
Since the beginning of 2004 when there was not a single registered QEII covenant in the Kaikoura district, there are now:
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5 fully registered covenants ranging (total 875ha).
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9 approved and being progressed towards registration.
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2 Landscape Protection Agreements approved between Council and QEII for protection of road reserve areas high in biodiversity values. Total area of all 11 is 189ha.
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1 prospect subject to Board approval (0.7ha)
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And 6 other expressions of interest on the books
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It is important to note that protecting areas of indigenous biodiversity on your land (whether it be wetlands, native bush/forest, landscapes, coastlines, lakes, tussock grasslands, geological features etc) is a completely voluntary decision on your behalf. There are no statutory rules anywhere that tell you, you have to. |
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Kaikoura Coastal Marine and Protection Society
The Society is a group composed of commercial, recreational and customary fishers. 'When we sat around a table, we all realised that we were saying the same things in differing ways; that we care for our marine environment and we wish to pass it on in an enhanced form to future generations'.
For further information contact:
Ann McCaw
Phone: 03 319 5835
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Lyell Creek Stream Care Group
Their vision is to improve the water quality of Lyell Creek so that a level of 200 ecoli faecal coliforms or less can be achieved.
In pre Maori times it was an important mahinga kai area but with agriculture practises & the draining of swamp lands, the in stream values have deteriorated. The creek is still used for white baiting and has a substantial trout population. The creek had deteriorated to a level that the water was no longer safe for human contact.
The group is comprised of landowners, farmers, Kaikoura District Council, Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Fish & Game, Crown Public Health, Iwi and Kaikoura residents.
Over the last 5 years the Stream Care Group has encouraged landowners and farmers to improve land use and agricultural practises so that water quality could be improved. This included fencing, installation of stock troughs, culverts for stock crossings, bridges and riparian plantings. The Stream Care Group has assisted landowners with accessing funding from the Environment Canterbury Enhancement Fund.
For further information contact
Phone: 03 319 5026
Email jodie.denton@kaikoura.govt.nz
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Huttons relocation project
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An attempt to establish a new breeding colony for the Huttons has been conducted - The Department of Conservation, Te Runanga O Kaikoura, Whale Watch Kaikoura and the Kaikoura District Council were jointly involved in a trial translocation of Huttons shearwater. Some young birds were moved from their main breeding colony in Te Uwerau Nature Reserve to a site at the south eastern end of Kaikoura Peninsula. It is hoped they will then believe this site is their home breeding ground. |
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The seabird currently breeds at only two sites in the Seaward Kaikoura mountains and setting up more breeding colonies is an insurance for the long term survival of the species. A new colony would be a safeguard, should some disaster destroy the two existing colonies
The accessibility of a Kaikoura Peninsula breeding colony will enable the local community to become more involved in protection of the seabird.
For further information contact
Paul McGahan
Department of Conservation
Kaikoura Office
03 319 5714 |
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Coastal Conway Landcare Group
A group of farmers & landowners working together to improve the financial returns from their land and develop a more viable local community. Although this group is actually within the Hurunui District, they are doing do some good things environmentally and conservation wise.
Their mission is: "To address land use issues in our area in an integrated and sustainable manner, so the environment, biodiversity, farm profitability and property rights are maintained and improved".
In addition to that they arrange field days and inspections and QEII covenants in the area now number 10. There are also hundreds of hectares of native bush protected by fencing although not covenanted.
For further information contact:
Frank Wilding (Group Chairman)
Phone: 03 319 2702
Fax 03 319 2792
Bruce MacFarlane (Biodiversity)
Phone 03 319 2708
Fax 03 319 2900
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WAIMANGARARA RESTORATION PROJECT:
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Kaikoura Branch
The Waimangarara is a major stream draining the upper slopes of Mt Fyffe, near Kaikoura township. It forms a large alluvial fan, which because of flood threats has become a reserve administered by Canterbury Regional Council. Growing on the reserve is about 100 ha of forest of mixed quality; areas of weeds, exotic forest, mixed with native forest ranging from nursery Kanuka to magnificent Podocarp stands. It was blessed with a promising native bird population.
The local Forest and Bird group began a restoration project on 65 ha of this reserve, with Regional Council approval in February 2002. The objectives were to restore native birdlife through predator control and to enhance the native forest through weed control and interplanting with selected native trees. The Regional Council, Trusts, and private donations have provided generous funding for the project.
There is now a various assortment of traps and bait stations being used to kill possums, feral cats, stoats, ferrets, weasels, and rodents. Up to April 2005, results have been impressive with a significant increase in the population of many bird species such as Bellbirds, Tui, Brown Creeper, Grey Warbler, Wax Eyes, Fantails and a promising start to increasing Rifleman and Bush Robin numbers. Weed control continues and over 500 selected native trees will have been planted by the end of winter 2005.
For further information contact Barry Dunnett on 03 319 5086.
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East Coast Community Organisation: ECCO
The first meeting of the Clarence/Kekerengu communities was held in August 1997 and in December 1997 the group was formally named ECCO (East Coast Community Organisation). Soon after ECCO became an Incorporated Society. The boundaries of this group are from the Ure River in the north to the Ohau Point in the south.
The community decided on its own form of landcare group according to the needs and capacities of the area. The focus of the group is community issues and problem solving of those issues when they arise. ECCO provides representation on Landcare and environmental issues and aims to bring the community together regularly with social functions, working bees, tree planting and general care for our coastline and property. Quarterly meetings are held and when required, issue based sub committees meet and report back on the various issues.
For further information, contact the ECCO Chair, Derrick Millton
Postal Address: Derrick Millton
196 Waipapa Rd
R D 1
Kaikoura
Phone: 319-6341
Email: millton@xtra.co.nz
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