Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2009-01-14T19:59:45+13:00

Duncan Catanach has compiled the NZRCA’s Further Submission on National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation. The proposed NPS seeks to encourage electricity generation from renewable sources, but NZRCA’s concern is that rivers are not renewable.

Conservation

2008-12-17T16:25:37+13:00

Genesis Energy have advised that the Poutu Canal will be reinstated on Friday 19th December, reducing the flow in the Tongariro River below Poutu intake to 16 m3/s

General

2008-12-08T12:20:09+13:00

The rāhui on the Waikato River between Control Gates and Huka Falls on the Waikato River has been lifted.

Access

2008-12-05T16:03:09+13:00

The Poutu Canal outage has been progressing ahead of schedule. The original completion date was 23 December, however, the likely finish date for this project is now between 16 and 19 December. When the project is finished the canal will be reinstated, reducing the flow in the Tongariro River below Poutu Intake to 16 cumecs.

General

2008-12-05T10:52:07+13:00

The NZRCA has made a joint application with Fish and Game for a Water Conservation Order for the Hurunui River. Our intention is to protect the outstanding recreational amenity from damming or extraction. If you agree the Hurunui is deserving of protection for future generations, please read the background information and make a submission before 15 December.

Conservation

2008-12-01T12:48:45+13:00

The NZRCA is assisting the Hawkes Bay Canoe Club and Genesis Energy to organise the next Piripaua release on 7 December. In order for the release to go ahead a minimum number of kayakers will need to register on-line at http://nzrivers.wufoo.com/forms/register/. Update 05 December: The Piripaua Release has been cancelled due to insufficient registrations

Access

2008-11-28T09:50:27+13:00

Following a drowning on Wednesday 26 at Spa Park, it has been requested that river users show their respect by refraining from using the Waikato River between Control Gates and Huka Falls on the Waikato River. Futher notice will be given once this section is opened. If you have any questions, please contact Helen Brosnan at Taupo District Council (07 376 0835).

Access

2008-11-27T14:04:39+13:00

See the premier of Means of Production at PaddlerZone on Friday 5 December (from 6:30pm). Entry is $2 to aid the NZRCA work on the Hurunui Water Conservation Order.

Conservation

2008-11-17T22:32:22+13:00

CUMEC #6 features female kayakers doing slalom, sea kayaking, expedition paddling and surf kayaking. The issue contains articles on dealing with headspace, descending the Marsyandi, an introduction to surf kayaking, the first descent of the Big River, and an interview with Nikki Kelly.

General

New Zealand rivers are under threat as never before. NZ Whitewater: 125 great kayaking runs could soon be ’75 great kayaking runs’. Did you know that the proposed Kaituna dam would meet NZ’s energy growth for little more than four weeks? The dire situation facing NZ rivers is portrayed in Our rivers are not renewable (Chris Todd) and A perfect storm (Tony Ward-Holmes).

2008-10-24T12:31:59+13:00

The Tekapo Whitewater Course release for Sunday 26 October has been cancelled. A new release is available on Monday 27 October.

Access

2008-10-19T15:09:51+13:00

The NZRCA and Meridian have agreed release dates for the Tekapo river and Tekapo Whitewater Course. The Pukaki will also be running on Sunday 1 February and Sunday 15 February 2009. Also, Poutu and Rangipo releases on the Tongariro have been arranged with Genesis Energy for Saturday 3 January and Sunday 4 January 2009 respectively.

Access

2008-10-17T09:59:26+13:00

Earlier this year, Genesis Energy undertook a significant maintenance programme on the Poutu Canal. Electricity shortages and bad weather meant that the programme was not finished. A further 8 week outage of the canal commencing on the 28th October is scheduled to allow the planned works to be completed. The Tongariro River below Poutu Intake is likely to flowing at about twice that of the present 16 cumec minimum flow (i.e. between 30 and 35 cumecs). It should be noted that these flows are estimates only and will be subject to natural variation (e.g. weather events) and generation flow changes.

General

2008-10-04T21:26:00+13:00

The iconic Nevis river is the subject of plans by Pioneer Generation to build a 40MW hydro dam. In opposition to this Fish & Game have applied for a variation to the Kawarau Water Conservation Order (WCO) seeking to impose a prohibition on damming the river, along with conditions on minimum flows. The NZRCA has submitted in support of the variation to ensure recognition and protection of the outstanding recreational values of the Nevis River. These values are well-described in Ben Willems’ early descent as “one of a kind in New Zealand – an unforgettable experience”.

Conservation

2008-09-30T21:54:51+13:00

Jim Lynch (chair), Dr Gerry Closs, Dr Gail Tipa and Adrienne Williams have been appointed to consider an application for a Water Conservation Order on the Hurunui River. Water Conservation Orders are set up to recognise and sustain waters that are considered to be outstanding as a habitat or fishery, or for scenic, scientific or recreational values.

The tribunal will consider an application by Fish and Game and the New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association (PDF, 5.3MB) for a water conservation order to recognise and sustain the outstanding amenity and intrinsic values of the Upper Hurunui waters and the contribution that the Lower Hurunui River makes to those values. The tribunal members have sound experience in dealing with RMA matters and water conservation orders. The special tribunal will meet shortly and then organise a hearing and report back to the Minister with recommendations about whether there should be an order and if so, in what form. The findings of the special tribunal can be appealed to the Environment Court.

Conservation

2008-09-30T21:27:42+13:00

The NZ Freestyle Kayak Series encompasses four events throughout New Zealand over a four month period. The series commences with Blissfest 2008 in Dunedin (3, 4, 5 October, details). 1 and 2 November features the Tekapo Throwdown and 20 and 21 December has Xmas @ Kaituna. The focus of the NZFKS is to provide an opportunity for kayakers to participate in a fun social environment where the emphasis is on giving things a go. Each event includes both fun and semi-competitive events and have included events like pairs ball-racing, downriver freestyle and social rodeos.

Access

2008-09-26T11:32:25+12:00

Genesis Energy have advised that the proposed Whakapapa release for tomorrow (September 27) is unlikely to proceed due to a lack of water. Update 27 September: The release has been postponed until Sunday, but this is also unlikely to proceed. Update 28 September: The release has been cancelled.

General

2009-05-04T12:54:13+12:00

Whitewater NZ Conservation Officer Glenn Murdoch is busy putting together a slideshow demonstrating the beauty of our wild, remote and scenic rivers. He is looking for high quality images that can be used in campaigns and in presentations to stakeholders. The images don’t need to be of steep rapids or boaters doing radical moves – we are after images that show how beautiful our rivers are. If you are happy to share your photos, contact Glenn at conservation@whitewater.mytestsite.nz.

Conservation

2009-04-27T21:35:04+12:00

The NZRCA Annual General Meeting was held yesterday in at the Awara Clubrooms in Christchurch. Outgoing President Mike Birch presented the Annual Report to Members for 2009. Following elections of officers, Polly Miller (Christchurch) is the new President. Duncan Catanach is the new Vice-President. Ian Gill-Fox (Christchurch) is the new Safety Officer, following on from Glenn Murdoch who has been coopted as South Island Conservation Officer. Mike Birch steps down from President after four years and is now looking after Access. Sophie Ballagh (Dunedin) is new Communications Officer after Robin Rutter-Baumann. Thanks to Robin Rutter-Baumann, Graeme McIntyre and Sue Robertson for their previous efforts on behalf of kayakers.

The AGM passed the remit to change the registered name of the association from ‘New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association’ to ‘Whitewater New Zealand’. The change in branding will be processed over the next few months.

Special guest Metiria Turei MP described Green Party policies in relation to rivers and water, and gave some advice on how to engage with the Government and Ministers of Parliament. The AGM also heard from Paul Caffyn (KASK) about areas of mutual interest to river and sea kayakers, and from Josh Stevenson (VentureOut) regarding the implications of Maritime NZ’s commercial kayaking guidelines (PDF, 84KB) and how they may effect clubs. Glenn Murdoch showed slides and video arising from the recent Wild Rivers workshop in Murchison.

Graeme Wilson (nominated by Whitewater Canoe Club) is Canoeist of the Year for 2009 (well done, Graeme!). The next AGM will be in Wellington on Saturday 24 April 2010.

Whitewater NZ

2009-04-22T13:05:40+12:00

The latest NZ Canoeing has been sent to members, featuring NZRCA Draft Conservation Strategy (Duncan Catanach), Conservation News (Tony Ward-Holmes), AGM, The Clarence River (Maggie Oakley), Release schedule, [Seeking] Canoeist of the Year. Read more in NZ Canoeing 09.1 (PDF, 1.2Mb).

Whitewater NZ

Cumec Magazine Issue #7 (March 2009) is out now (subscriptions), featuring Himalayan River Girls (Sophie Hoskins and Malika Davies), NZFKS 2008, Laos (Sean Bozkewycz and Lachie Carracher), Kayaker Categories, Fiordland, The Upper Otaki (Chris Lacoste), Sevens Creek (Shaun McManamny), Paddlin’Fit – Finding the Balance (Megan Foster), Surf Kayak Technique – Posture and Trim (Ross Boardman), Interview: Hayley Shepherd, Technique: Boofing 101 (Ben Jackson) plus Photography Technique with Graham Charles, Sam and Josh’s Top Ten Tips to Norway, News, Environment (NZRCA), Gearbag and the Gallery.

2009-04-20T18:20:10+12:00

The NZRCA is assisting the Hawkes Bay Canoe Club and Genesis Energy to organise the next Waikaremoana release on the Waikaretaheke River. In order for the release to go ahead a minimum number of kayakers will need to register on-line at http://nzrivers.wufoo.com/forms/register/. Update: The Piripaua release will be going ahead this Sunday (3rd May 2009).

Access

2009-04-09T12:54:34+12:00

An ambitious proposal for a $60 million artificial whitewater park as part of Stage 2 of the TelstraClear Pacific Events center has been launched. The Counties Manakau Community Trust are seeking expressions of support from the community. The scheme would offer an Olympic quality whitewater course that would also attract school groups and tourists. Sign up to show your support.

Education

2009-04-08T12:06:01+12:00

The commissioners hearing the resource consent application for the Central Plains Water (CPW) scheme have indicated they are likely to reject plans (PDF, 96KB) for a dam in the Waianiwaniwa Valley.

The NZRCA has opposed the CPW project’s request to take up to 40cu from the Waimakariri river due to the significant impact that would have on the recreational amenity for kayakers. A final decision has yet to be issued, and the matter may yet be appealed to the Environment Court.

Conservation