29 August 2007 - Christchurch

Forest & Bird media release for immediate use

Protection sought for Hurunui

An application was lodged today to protect the Hurunui River in Canterbury under a Water Conservation Order.

The joint application to the Ministry for the Environment by Forest & Bird, Fish & Game and the NZ Recreational Canoeing Association, with support from the Department of Conservation and Ngai Tahu hapu Ngai Tuahuriri and Ngati Kuri, would give the upper Hurunui similar status to a national park.

Forest & Bird’s South Island Field Coordinator Chris Todd says a Water Conservation Order would protect the Hurunui’s nationally outstanding wildlife, white-water, high country landscape and cultural values.

“The Hurunui provides outstanding habitat for native fish and birds, especially nationally endangered black-fronted tern and black-billed gull, and is one of the most popular rivers in New Zealand for fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking. It is a natural treasure which merits the protection of a Water Conservation Order.”

The Hurunui is Canterbury’s sixth largest river by volume, and flows 200 kilometres from its headwaters in the Southern Alps to the sea near Cheviot. A Water Conservation Order would protect the river and its upper tributaries, Lake Sumner and seven smaller lakes formed by retreating glaciers that are considered icons of the South Island high country.

An application has been made by a consortium of power companies and irrigators to dam Lake Sumner and the Mandamus River (which joins the Hurunui River). If this proposal goes ahead it will severely reduce endangered tern and gull habitat, prevent fish and eels from migrating, curtail white-water rafting and canoeing and vandalise one of Canterbury’s best-loved landscapes, Chris Todd says.

A Water Conservation Order would prevent destructive development of the upper catchment, which is currently virtually unmodified, but would allow existing irrigation schemes below the upper catchment to continue, he says.

“The Hurunui is one of Canterbury’s most loved rivers. It is home to some of our most endangered species and provides some of our best recreation and stunning landscapes. A Water Conservation Order will protect this magnificent part of our natural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations.”

Background notes

The Hurunui is one of the most diverse river catchments in Canterbury, ranging from bush-fringed lakes, steep, rocky headwaters and gorges to braided shingle riverbeds, and supports an equally diverse range of habitats and native biodiversity.

Fifty-eight bird species have been identified in the catchment, including 17 threatened species. Significant river birds include three nationally endangered species: the black-fronted tern (between 5-12% of the entire population), grey duck and southern crested grebe, as well as black-billed gull (in serious decline) and banded dotterel (in gradual decline). The catchment is also home to birds uncommon in most of Canterbury, especially grey teal and NZ shoveler.

Twenty-nine fish species have been identified in the catchment, including 25 native species and six threatened fish species, and the catchment has been identified as having national importance for aquatic biodiversity. It is also an important recreational fishery for brown trout and salmon, with an estimated 20,000 angler days per season.

The Hurunui catchment also contains several endangered native plant species, and surrounding beech forest supports a healthy population of endangered mohua (yellowhead) and critically endangered orange-fronted parakeet (kakariki).

Applications for Water Conservation Orders are lodged with the Ministry for the Environment. If the ministry believes an application is worth considering, it sets up a special tribunal to hear submissions on the proposal to determine whether it qualifies for a Water Conservation Order. Any appeals against a tribunal’s decision are heard by the Environment Court.

A Water Conservation Order on the Hurunui would prohibit damming of the main stem of the river, major tributaries above the confluence with Mandamus River, and Lakes Sumner, Marion, Sheppard, Taylor, Mary and Loch Katrine. It would also ban discharges into the river or alteration of lake levels, and would require that the natural state of the upper river be retained.

ENDS

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