Rafting Team Battles 60kms Of Weeds On Remote River

Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 6:58 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

A recent rafting expedition on the Clarence River, near Kaikōura, helped to tackle 60km of ‘‘weed-infested beaches’’.

Environment Canterbury’s (ECan) braided river revival team spent four-days on the Waiau Toa Clarence River with a crew from Clarence River Rafting last month.

Braided river revival regional lead Greg Stanley said the team sprayed exotic weeds, including broom, gorse, buddleia, willow and poplar species at known hot spots which can only be accessed by boat.

He said staff and rafting crew spent about 250 hours on the river, tackling 60km of weed-infested beaches and banks, in a remote section of the river from Dart Stream to Boundary Stream.

‘‘The remote nature of this section of the Waiau Toa Clarence River makes access a real challenge, but rafting gets us right in there, allowing for thorough control efforts.’’

Controlling invasive species helped to protect nesting and feeding habitats for native birds, while maintaining the natural character and supported the broader ecological health of the river, he said.

‘‘Regular maintenance means smaller infestations can be controlled more effectively, reducing the level of intervention and agrichemicals needed for future control works, that can be intrusive for the local environment.’’

This year’s trip was organised by Clarence River Rafting and supported by a $9630 grant from ECan’s Kaikōura Zone Committee.

It followed a similar trip last year which had been organised by ECan’s Kaikōura staff and was supported by the zone committee and Clarence River Rafting.

‘‘Last year’s successful control work meant we could hit the ground running, focusing on areas that weren’t reached previously, including spots with dense patches of gorse,’’ Mr Stanley said.

Clarence River Rafting regularly takes clients on rafting trips through the this section of the river and manager Jordan Marsh said the difference is noticeable.

‘‘It is a funny part of the river because it is just a river access part, but it is a beautiful part of the river.

‘‘A big part of our trip is the farming side of it. There is the Molesworth and some significant private holdings and some regenerated native bush.

‘‘The gorse and broom is right on the edge of the river, but if you keep on top of it the cost is minimal.’’

Mr Marsh said the company invested its own funds and staff time into the weed control and landowners supported the work by providing poisons, napsacks and access to land.

‘‘The funding goes a long way to making it viable for us and it is important to keep on top of it, because if you left it for five years $10,000 could easily blow out to $80,000.’’

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

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