Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2005-04-22T11:13:00+12:00

Richard Sage of Bliss-Stick Kayaks has written an account of the first descent of Tree Trunk Gorge on the Tongariro River.

2005-04-19T23:00:00+12:00

Duncan Catanach compiled the NZRCA’s submission opposing the dam and TVNZ interviewed Duncan Catanach and Nick Collins for the news on 18 April.

Conservation

2005-04-18T10:12:00+12:00

The Summer 2005 (05.1) issue of NZ Canoeing has been sent to members and includes articles such as A season of it (Tony Ward-Holmes), Conservation Update (Duncan Catanach), Death of the Mokau (Duncan Catanach), First Descent of the Mokau, Living Rivers Coalition launched in December 2004, Hugh Canard’s speech at the Living Rivers Coalition launch, 15 December 2004 (Hugh Canard) and an update on the Gowan (Duncan Catanach).

2005-04-12T17:39:00+12:00

[1 April 2005] The inaugural Tongariro River Release weekend is on tomorrow with 35 cumecs below Poutu Intake on Saturday and 30 cumecs below Rangipo Dam on Sunday. The NZRCA is grateful to Genesis Energy for supplying the water and assisting with public notification and signage. There are new warning signs at the take-outs before hazardous Waikato Falls and Tree Trunk Gorge, and there will be arrows leading to the take-out above Waikato Falls, which isn’t easy to find. Dress warmly – the Tongariro River is also notoriously cold. The runs are famous for continuous class III and IV whitewater. Whitewater of moderate difficulty is scarce in the North Island and intermediate kayakers, in particular, will enjoy the releases. The releases planned for April 16,17 have been postponed due to a lack of water in the Tongariro River and Lake Moawhango. Update 12 April: Genesis and the NZRCA have agreed to new releases on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June.

2005-03-18T15:37:00+13:00

[18 March] King Country Energy has applied for a resource consent to dam the Mokau River in Taranaki. The proposal involves a 44m earth dam 4.3km below Wairere Falls that would inundate the existing rapids (including Little Huka and Corkscrew Rapid) and destroy the existing recreational amenity. You can make a submission by sending a ‘Form 13’ (PDF, 480k) to Environment Waikato, PO Box 4010, Hamilton East (phone 0800 800 402) by 18 April. A contact person, if required, is Diane Palmer. You must also send a copy of your submission to King Country Energy, PO Box 363, Taumarunui, Attention Kit Wilson at the same time. Update, 22 March: Nick Collins has created a coordinating website and the media has picked up the story (temporary link). You can also read about a 1951 descent of the Mokau.

2005-03-17T16:09:00+13:00

[23 Feburary] BOPDHB has issued a media release saying the algal bloom has extended to Okere Arm (PDF, 32k) of Lake Rotoiti, and advise recreationalists to avoid ‘significant’ contact with lake water (for example, in the Kaituna River). Refer diagram (not yet updated). Update: 4 March, the previous warning has been extended to Kaituna River..Kayakers and white water rafters are the dominant users of the area, so we advise them and everyone else to keep out of the water until further notice, says Medical Officer of Health Dr Phil Shoemack. Update: 17 March, Following a meeting between Toi Te Ora Public Health and local rafting and kayaking operators, Toi Te Ora Public Health have agreed to undertake research into the effects of algal bloom on river users.

2005-03-14T14:15:00+13:00

The body of a Finnish man has been recovered from trees in the Waiau River in Southland, after a kayaking accident (incident 20050311)
. The man and a friend were kayaking in the upper reaches of a river when the man capsized. The MSA is investigating.

2005-03-11T12:25:00+13:00

Are you an Instructor or Participant on a River Safety or River Rescue course? Kayak Safety or Rescue Certificates are available for Instructors to print out or they can be printed out by Participants prior to the course and signed by the Instructor on completion of the course.

2005-03-08T10:35:00+13:00

In a joint media release (PDF, 73k), Contact Energy, the NZRCA and Central Otago Whitewater the parties have announced that Contact Energy will fund the design and construction of whitewater kayaking facilities in the Hawea River downstream of the Hawea Dam, subject to gaining resource consents. Once completed, NZRCA and COW will be responsible for management and operation of the course while Contact Energy will contribute to its ongoing operation and maintenance. The agreement addresses issues specific to kayak users in relation to impacts on recreation as a result of damming the Hawea and Clutha Rivers. The NZRCA has withdrawn its appeal to the Environment Court.

Conservation

2005-03-07T21:25:00+13:00

[4 March] Kayakers and environmentalists will be staging a major protest this weekend at BullerFest over a proposal to put the Gowan River into a hydro canal. Protesters plan to rally and erect signs around the Buller region during the weekend BullerFest. Protesters plan to rally and erect signs around the Buller region during the weekend BullerFest. The Majac Trust wants to put five kilometres, or half the length, of the Gowan into a canal to run a power station, says NZRCA Conservation Officer Duncan Catanach.
It will reduce the river’s typical flow from more than 23 cumecs to 9 cumecs for 79% of the time effectively destroying the character and qualities of the Gowan River, particularly its unique whitewater and as a major trout and eel fishery. The Living Rivers Coalition has issued a media release (PDF, 103k). Update 7 March: The weekend protest was successful. “We had one or two hundred kayakers and rafters really enjoying the Buller, Living Rivers coalition spokesperson Duncan Catanach said. You could really see why the Buller River is protected by a conservation order.

Conservation

2005-03-02T12:00:00+13:00

The Ministry for the Environment has issued a discussion document on freshwater values and use and is seeking feedback on the issues and options identified. As part of the Sustainable Water Programme of Action the Ministry has identified water bodies of national importance for recreation (map) and says Canoeists and kayakers appear to be well represented in the survey results, probably due to the high level of organisation of their national representative body and a high level of response to the opportunity to influence national policy. As a result, the water bodies identified in the internet survey strongly reflect canoeing and kayaking values. (section 4.3). However, some river and lakes of importance to kayakers may not be listed, so submissions are welcomed until 18 March.

2005-02-23T20:53:00+13:00

[31 January] In the wake of the collapse of Project Aqua, the Government is seeking to provide greater certainty and efficiency in the way the RMA operates. The Resource Management and Electricity Legislation Amendment Bill adds more consideration of the ‘national interest’ in RMA decisions, as defined by central government. Forest and Bird and others see the changes as Think Big II, allowing the Government to override local decision making (see Submissions needed on Resource Management Act changes (PDF, 24k)) in favour of infrastructure development. The NZRCA is preparing a submission raising its concerns, and it is recommended that concerned kayakers also take the opportunity to be heard. Submissions close on 16 February 2005, and should be sent (FREEPOST) to Clerk of the Committee, Local Government and Environment Select Committee, Select Committee Office, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. Refer Guidelines on making a submission (PDF, 224k). Update 23 February: The submission period can be extended to 25 February, upon request.

2005-02-22T20:50:00+13:00

[18 January] The ACC has launched public consultation on the Drowning Prevention Strategy. Drowning is the third highest cause of unintentional death in New Zealand, surpassed only by road vehicle crashes and accidental falls, and water safety is an issue for all kayakers. The strategy touches on a number of areas of concern to kayakers including the role and competence of the MNZ in investigation and analysis of kayaking related incidents/accidents, the controversial Rule Part 91, the role of Water Safety NZ and the future for subsidised River Safety Courses, the future of the Tasman Whitewater Response Unit and similar groups, jetboats on rivers, the attitude and understanding of Police (Kayaker ordered off Maitai, July 1999) and Harbour Masters (Huka descents ‘total stupidity’, December 1999), quality of Police advice, signage on rivers, design of artificial river works and control structures, the future of the NZRCA Incident/Accident Database, the extent of mitigation of hazards such as Rock ‘A’ and more. The NZRCA will be making a submission, but clubs and interested individuals should also make their views known. As usual, please copy the NZRCA with your submission, so we know where you stand. Submissions are due by 18 February 2005. Update 22 February: The NZRCA’s submission is online.

Safety

2005-02-22T11:15:00+13:00

The Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Board has now published its draft water allocation plan for the Waitaki Catchment. Submissions are due Wednesday 20 April 2005.

2005-02-17T09:17:00+13:00

[3 February] A new release date of
19 February has been agreed with King Country Energy. Updated 17 February: King Country Energy have confirmed the release for this Saturday. Enjoy!

2005-08-19T08:52:00+12:00

Biosecurity NZ has issued a Controlled Area Notice over the Mararoa and Waiau rivers in Southland to control the further spread of Didymosphenia geminata (Didymo). This means that from August 19 a permit is required before kayaking on these rivers, including at Kiwiburn. According to BNZ’s media release, the best protection is to avoid the rivers altogether. The next best is to dedicate equipment specifically for use only in the affected rivers. The third is to use the approved cleaning methods on your equipment afterwards.

2005-08-09T10:03:00+12:00

WL Gore is backing adventurous young New Zealanders through a scholarship scheme run by Adventure Philosophy. The Good for Life scholarships have supported a variety of adventures including first kayak descents of Bolivian gorges, an epic on Fiordland’s mighty Kaipo Wall, wilderness tramping in the Mt Aspiring region, retracing the historic trails of Chalmers and his Maori guides through central Otago, a traverse the length of the country raising awareness of haemophilia, and an all-women journey through remote Fiordland. Application forms for the 2005 Gore-Tex Good For Life Scholarships can be obtained at www.adventurephilosophy.com. Now you can get support to do that great paddling adventure you have been thinking of… Entries closed 3 December 2005.

2005-08-08T12:15:00+12:00

Maritime NZ (formerly MSA) have released their accident investigation report (PDF, 786k) into the Crooked River fatality from March 2004. The NZRCA has congratulated the MSA on the excellent quality of the report, produced by Ian Logie.

2005-07-29T11:26:00+12:00

Warren Hales of HBCC has advised the remaining dates for Whakamarino and Piripaua releases.

2005-07-28T11:25:00+12:00

TrustPower is about to launch a $240m hydro power scheme in the Wairau (PDF, 828k)valley, that would divert 50% of the Wairau river through six powerstations on a 46km canal beside the river. The section affected is a braided, low-gradient reach from the Branch river to Renwick. The project plan includes a rodeo facility at the canal outlet. The company is expected to submit resource consents to the Marlborough District Council in the near future.

2005-07-22T10:00:00+12:00

Tomorrow’s Whakapapa release has been cancelled due to lack of water in the river.

2005-07-19T11:10:00+12:00

The Tauhara North No. 2 Trust has erected a locked gate at the “Hay Barn” on the access road to Ngawaapurua (Fulljames) rapids, on the Waikato River. Access (including foot access) past this gate is not permitted.

The NZRCA understands that the landowners have closed access because of a number of instances where people are being disrespectful of their land. The landowners are concerned that people and large groups have been camping without permission, and with disregard for the land – e.g. unsatisfactory toilet facilities, and leaving rubbish and mess. The landowners are also worried about their liability for people’s safety. They also have concerns about other non-kayaking related issues including unauthorised hunting, house truckers and dumped cars.

The vast majority of kayakers respect the land and don’t make a mess or disrespect the area, but we ask that all kayakers respect the closure. Anyone who trespasses may jeopardise any future availability of access. The NZRCA will be exploring solutions for access and will be communicating with the security company which is managing the access on behalf of the landowners.

2005-07-17T14:17:00+12:00

Mike Abbott was voted Canoeist of the Year, 2005. Well done, Mikey!

Whitewater NZ

2005-07-17T14:14:00+12:00

At a positive and productive AGM in Taupo, there were plenty of changes to the NZRCA Executive. Robin Rutter-Baumann stepped down as President to take up the role of Communications Officer. Mike Birch is the new President of the NZRCA. Tony Ward-Holmes is now Vice-President. Simon Callaghan is the new Treasurer, and Duncan Catanach is the new Conservation Officer. We welcome Bruce Webber as the new Education Officer and Guido Wassink as Newsletter Editor. The NZRCA thanks outgoing Exec members Rob Wells and Steffan Lamont for their excellent work as Treasurer and Education Officer respectively.