Author Archive

2001-03-13T22:09:30+13:00

Our Conservation team have been busy and have recently opposing the Rangitata Diversion Race resource consent to take 30.7 cumecs from the Rangitata River (Conservation / Rangitata Diversion Race submission), and supporting the Water Conservation Order for the Rangitata river (Conservation / Rangitata Water Conservation Order submission).

2001-02-19T22:08:36+13:00

The 2001 New Zealand Secondary Schools Canoeing Association (NZSSCA) Downriver and Slalom Canoe and Kayaking National Championships are to be hosted by Mt Aspiring College, on the Hawea River, near Wanaka over the period 7-10 April 2001. (The end of Term One, first week of the holidays). The venue is a class II-II hydro-controlled river that will flow at a volume of 40-50 cumecs. For more information, contact Alan Hoffman. Also, the NZ Whitewater Nationals (Slalom and DR) are being held the following weekend, 13-15 April 2001 (Easter) on the Waipori River (near Dunedin) about 2.5 hours drive from Wanaka. For entry forms and additional information, contact Alan Woods.

2001-02-19T22:07:53+13:00

Glenn Murdoch outlines Trustpower’s plans to build a dam on the Arnold river in Conservation.

2001-01-24T22:06:38+13:00

The Ashburton and Rangitata Instream Users Group is holding a series of meetings seeking support for the proposed Water Conservation Order for the Rangitata river. A meeting will be held in Ashburton on Wednesday 24 January, at the Sinclair Centre, at 7:30pm. On Tuesday 30 January a meeting will be held in Christchurch at the Christchurch Polytech Te Matauranga Maori Centre, Coventry Street at 7:30pm. Kayakers are encouraged to attend and add their support. Background to the Rangitata WCO in Conservation.

2001-01-24T22:05:54+13:00

Andi Uhl has announced the 3rd Wairoa Extreme Race will be held on Sunday 4 February. Entry is limited, so get in quick. For additional information email Paddle.Power@xtra.co.nz.

2001-01-13T22:03:12+13:00

New Zealand Canoeing (00.3) has been sent to members (unfortunately production was interrupted by the break for Christmas). The latest issue includes articles on the Hydro scheme on the Arnold (Glen Murdoch), reports from the Maritime Safety Authority (Janet Nicol), Tongariro Power Development Update (Maree Baker), Rafting on the Yampa River (Mike Savory), Boating in Corsica (Alistair Quinn), Public liability (Kent France), an excerpt from letter to West Coast Conservation Board (Jonathan Hunt), Flow dates on the Tekapo, Pukaki and Mangahao (Mike Savory) and a Membership survey (Polly Miller).

2000-12-11T22:01:28+13:00

In Safety / Hokitika Kayaking Weekend (from the White Water Club’s newsletter), Bob Morton analyses the good and bad after an epic weekend on the Kakapotahi River.

2000-12-06T21:59:29+13:00

The Minister for the Environment, Marion Hobbs, has appointed a three-person tribunal to report on the water conservation order for the Rangitata River (reported here 3 April 2000). The members include senior lecturer in resource management issues (and chair) Dr Jonet Ward, Rural Futures Trust manager Claire Mulcock and Dr Murray Parsons, consultant. The process is expected to take at least four months. For details, see Rangitata Tribunal Appointed.

2000-11-03T21:55:40+13:00

As an inspirational entree to the new whitewater season, Bill Thomson relates his experience on Nevis Bluff in high water in Access / A Nervis One or Two. Remember, we are always keen to publish your whitewater yarns and images!

2000-10-30T21:54:35+13:00

The Department of Conservation has recommended that the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board decline the NZRCA’s request for access to the Lower Karangarua River, as part of the review of the Westland /Tai Poutini National Park Management Plan. While DoC acknowledge that kayaking has minimal impact, they have decided that the disturbance of natural quiet is sufficient to reject kayaker access. The NZRCA will make further submissions to the Conservation Board who are tasked with making a final decision, and urges all kayakers who originally made submissions to reinforce their requests to the Conservation Board before 3 November 2000. For details of the NZRCA position see Access / Access to the Karangarua.

2000-10-23T21:53:51+13:00

The NZRCA has updated the Guide to the Whanganui River, mainly to reflect some changes advised by the Department of Conservation in Whanganui. Edition 11 is available now, either through DoC or the NZRCA at Access / Guide to the Whanganui River.

2000-10-16T21:53:12+13:00

Progress is being made as recreational and conservation groups coordinate their efforts to achieve adequate mitigation for the Tongariro Power Development Scheme in preparation for Genesis Power Ltd’s application for resource consent renewal. Wade Bishop has written a useful background to the negotiations in Conservation / The Tongariro Power Development Scheme (TPD).

2000-10-04T21:52:29+13:00

A kayaking event in memory of Niamh Tomkins is planned for Full James, Taupo on 2nd and 3rd December 2000. It is open to everyone of all ranges of abilites. There will be a Dinner and Party at Finn Machaulls Irish Pub on Saturday night. Event sponsors include Perception, Down Under, Canoe And Kayak and Mighty River Power. Many spot prizes have been organised. Event t-shirt and dinner is included in entry fee. Entry fee ($35) and form due 17th November. Further information will be put on NZFKC web site in the next two weeks. Contact: Helen Brosnan.

2000-10-02T21:50:53+13:00

The latest issue of NZRCA’s official newsletter “NZ Canoeing” is now available to members. Features include the nomination of Ron Wastney of Nelson for Canoeist of the Year, an update from President Robin Rutter-Baumann regarding challenges facing the NZRCA, background on the Tongariro Power Development and Waikato River Resource Consents projects, paddling in California and other stories. More details in NZ Canoeing / NZ Canoeing 00.2, Spring 2000.

Whitewater NZ

2000-09-27T21:45:34+12:00

The NZRCA’s submission against Rangitata South Irrigation Limited’s resource consent application to Environment Canterbury (Canterbury Regional Council) is online at Conservation / NZRCA submission on Rangitata South Irrigation Limited’s resource consent.

2000-09-20T21:44:41+12:00

The NZRCA’s constitution was modified at the 2000 AGM and the current version is now available at NZRCA / Constitution.

2001-10-30T12:35:02+13:00

A rodeo in memory of Niamh Tomkins is scheduled for 8 & 9 December, at Fuljames Rapid, Waikato. More information on Events & Releases and at Niamh Tomkins Memorial Kayak Event.

2001-10-29T12:33:16+13:00

In a press release (PDF, 60k) yesterday, the NZRCA wrote “The NZRCA extends its condolences to the families of Annabel Atkinson and Hayley North, who drowned following a fatal accident while canoeing on the Clarence River near Hanmer Springs on Friday 26 October 2001.

In line with a recently established agreement to assist the Maritime Safety Authority to investigate accidents involving kayaks and canoes the NZRCA will appoint advisors to work alongside the MSA. The NZRCA hopes that a full and detailed investigation into the accident will provide lessons that will enhance the safety of kayakers and canoeists and prevent a reoccurance of such a tragedy.

The NZRCA urges all kayakers and canoeists to consider carefully the dangers inherent in kayaking and canoeing and to continue taking precautions to ensure personal safety.””Schoolgirls drown, town in mourning” (The Press)

Safety

2001-10-23T12:31:09+13:00

Meridian Energy has announced dates for releases on the Lower Waiau river, Southland, from the weir at the Mararoa confluence to Monowai. Release flow is 35cumecs (though several releases will be 45cumecs to accommodate the Jet Boat Association). Details in Events & Releases.

2001-10-16T12:30:15+13:00

Shoulder dislocations are a particular risk for kayakers. Robin Rutter-Baumann passes on some lessons from an incident in the Rangitata Gorge (in Safety).

Safety

2001-10-08T12:28:13+13:00

The scheduled recreational releases for Labour Weekend and all of November have been cancelled due to the low lake level of Lake Tekapo. The first release will hopefully now be on the 1st and 2nd of
December. Cancelled releases have been rescheduled in December and January. Meridian Energy are not required to provide recreational releases unless the level of Lake Tekapo is above 704.5m. They are not allowed to generate (after 1 October) unless the lake is above 704.1m. On 1 October the lake was at 703.37m with about 50% of the average inflow of 84 cumecs. It is expected that they will not be able to generate until early November. This could all change with a big rain of course (refer Events & Releases).

2001-10-05T12:27:18+12:00

The new Events & Releases page lists upcoming releases for rivers like Mangahao, Pukaki, Tekapo, Waikaretaheke and Wairoa, along with whitewater events like slaloms and rodeos.

2001-09-14T12:25:54+12:00

NZRCA Conservation Officer Maree Baker has submitted mitigation options arising from Mighty River Power‘s Waikato resource consent applications (in Conservation). Sections affected include Reid’s Farm, Huka Falls, Aratiatia, Arapuni and below Karapiro.

2001-09-09T12:25:01+12:00

A selection of Alan Bell’s images of kayaking around the North Island in Winter are in the Whitewater Gallery.