Funding For Clarence River Weed Control

Wednesday, 22 January 2025, 9:19 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

An ongoing weed control project at Clarence River is set to receive a funding boost.

The Kaikōura Zone Committee gave its support at its November meeting to an application from Clarence River Rafting for funding to continue work which has previously been led by Environment Canterbury’s (ECan) Kaikōura staff.

The Waiau Toa Clarence Braided River Weed Strategy has been supported by the zone committee since 2014 and has cost around $200,000 to date, with funding Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and ECan.

As well as weed control, ECan has also led pest management on the river, trapping predators like cats and stoats.

The river is home to more than 125 species of threatened or at-risk flora and fauna, including native braided river birds, like the tarapirohe / black-fronted tern.

It is also of significance to Ngāti Kurī.

The project had been previously led by former ECan Kaikōura senior biodiversity officer Heath Melville, who worked with Clarence River Rafting to transport ECan staff, volunteers and equipment to the site in recent years.

The project will now be led by Jordan Marsh, of Clarence River Rafting, with support from ECan’s Kaikōura zone facilitator Jodie Hoggard.

In the application, Mr Marsh said the company planned to continue with ground-based spraying and pest control work along the banks of the river between Ravine stream and Boundary creek.

‘‘We are hoping that with consistent work and funding for this project, we will see the continued reduction of multiple pest species through this area of the river and surrounds.

‘‘This part of the river, protected on both sides by the foothills of the seaward and inland Kaikoura ranges, has a range of endemic plants of significant ecological value to the are’’

The work will target broom, gorse, duddliea, lupins, willow and a variety of other pests.

The Waiau Toa / Clarence weed control programme is a collaborative project involving LINZ, Boffa Miskell, ECan, the Department of Conservation, Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura, the Marlborough District Council and local landowners.

Mrs Hoggard said the project has been successful over 10 years thanks to the collaboration.

‘‘The Waiau Toa / Clarence weed control mahi is a great example of what’s possible through cross-agency collaboration with landowner support.

‘‘It is amazing to reflect on the progress made given the enormity of the Waiau Toa / Clarence catchment and the pest and weed issues present.

‘‘Working collectively has proven to be an effective way to operate, allowing us the maximum impact and biggest bang for buck on our investment.’’

The company asked for $11,300, but the zone committee supported the use of its remaining zone committee action plan budget funds of $9630.

Clarence River Rafting has indicated it will meet any funding shortfall.

Each zone committee was allocated $50,000 for its action plan budget for the 2024/25 financial year.
The funding application will now be considered by Environment Canterbury’s regional delivery committee at its next meeting.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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