Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2009-07-15T22:58:43+12:00

Whitewater NZ works to protect and conserve rivers, improve opportunities for kayakers to enjoy our whitewater resources safely, and protect public access to rivers for recreational use. Incorporated in 1957 as the New Zealand Canoeing Association (NZCA), the national association reorganised in the late 1990’s as the NZ Recreational Canoeing Association (NZRCA). At the recent AGM it was agreed to rebrand as Whitewater New Zealand. We’ll be rolling out the new brand starting with whitewater.mytestsite.nz and NZ Canoeing.

We’re also making some significant changes to whitewater.mytestsite.nz. Our migration to a modern content management system will deliver some great new features: user accounts and profiles, add pictures to forum posts and comments (great for showing gear), commenting on sections, event calendar, section ratings, photographic slideshows and more. Expect to see changes over the next few weeks.

Whitewater NZ

Cumec Magazine Issue #8 (July 2009) is out now with a Safety and Rescue flavour, featuring an interview with Zak Shaw, 10 Lessons Learnt from the River, All the Way on the Whitcombe (Keith Riley), Come with me… (Nikki Kelly) plus columns on surf kayak technique, photography, river safety, shoulder instability and some great photos.

2009-07-09T09:10:50+12:00

The Matakitaki River is under threat of three dams, which would inundate the Middle Matakitaki and dewater the Lower Matakitaki. We need your feedback about the damming of the Matakitaki by 12 July 2009.

Conservation

2009-06-21T15:11:51+12:00

Existing access to the multi-day Waiatoto River is under threat by new access arrangements outlined in DoC’s Mount Aspiring National Park Draft Management Plan (PDF, 760K). The plan intends to limit Waiatoto trips to maximum of 12 people and only the period 15 October to 31 December. Clubs such as Whitewater CC have taken 30-strong combined kayak and raft trips down the Waiatoto in recent years, often in later summer, so the current proposals will dramatically curtail kayaker access. The plan will direct the work of the department in the park for 10 years. Submissions are due by 4.30pm Tuesday 30 June 2009 to Mount Aspiring National Park Management Plan Review, PO Box 176, Alexandra 9340 or email to: bhunt@doc.govt.nz.

Access

2009-06-09T11:25:39+12:00

Network Tasman is proposing hydro dams on the Matakitaki river and the Glenroy river near Murchison. The company has purchased land in the Matakitaki valley and is conducting feasibility studies. An initial round of consultation has been announced with a meeting for kayakers in Murchison on 21 June 2009. Show Network Tasman that they should keep their hands off the Matakitaki and Glenroy.

Conservation

2009-06-03T19:41:44+12:00

Apparently a permit system is being enforced for access through the Kaingaroa Forest to sections such as the Jeff’s Joy run on the Rangitaiki river. The forest is managed by Timberlands and permits can be obtained from Independent Security Consultants Ltd. (ISCL). Timberlands provide data on forest access and permits. You need a copy of your drivers licence and details of vehicle registration, make and description.

Access

2009-05-28T16:49:23+12:00

The NZRCA are appearing at the Hearing for the Water Conservation Order for the Nevis River from 9am on Thursday 4 June in Cromwell (Golden Gate Lodge Conference Centre, Barry Avenue). If you are in the area, come along and show your support. Contact Glenn Murdoch conservation@whitewater.mytestsite.nz for details.

Conservation

2009-05-17T16:21:08+12:00

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum is consulting on a sustainable water management framework for Canterbury through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS). The discussion document (PDF, 1.3Mb) offers four options including improving current mechanisms, advancing environmental protection, reconfiguring consents and infrastructure, and advancing infrastructure. Public meetings (PDF, 96KB) are being held throughout Canterbury during May. Kayakers interested in the future of Canterbury rivers including the Rangitata, Hurunui, Clarence and Waimakariri should review the strategy and submit their feedback. Submissions from the public will be accepted up to 5pm, Friday 5 June 2009. If you want an oral hearing for your submission, you need to submit by Monday 25 May.

Conservation

2009-05-05T21:34:53+12:00

Contact Energy has dusted off plans for four separate hydropower dams on the Clutha River. Existing dams at Clyde and Roxburgh would be joined by dams at any of Luggate (25m, 86MW), Queensberry (14m, 160MW), Beaumont (30m, 185MW) and Tuapeka Mouth (50m, 350MW). Contact is seeking public comment on the proposals before selecting preferred options for further advancement in 2010. Details and discussion forum are available at www.contactenergy.co.nz/clutha.

Conservation

Stefan Gilmour advises the Wairoa Extreme Race is going to be back for 2010. It is going to be a one-day race format with the time trial starting at 10.20 sharp, and the head-to-head races starting at the conclusion of the time trail. The event will be held on Saturday 13 February 2010 with Sunday 14 being a back up day, and or fun event day such as a ball race (to be confirmed). Entries will open in early January with the entry cost to be confirmed. Entries will also be limited to first 64 in each division mens and women’s. At the conclusion of the racing there will be a prize giving and gathering at a location to be confirmed and announced at a later date.

2009-12-27T22:08:39+13:00

The latest NZ Canoeing has been sent to members, featuring Conservation news (Hurunui, Matiri, Mokihinui, CPW, Log books, Access) (Tony Ward-Holmes), A day on a wild river (Tony Ward-Holmes), The Upper Waiau River (Polly Miller), What is a river worth? (Jeremy Watt), Release schedule. Read more in NZ Canoeing 09.3 (PDF, 5.2Mb).

Whitewater NZ

2009-12-20T21:16:33+13:00

Commissioners have indicated in a Minute (issued 18 December) that consents for the Stockton Plateau hydro project have been approved. The project is likely to slightly reduce the number of days on which the Ngakawau is boatable, but the water quality will be improved by the removal of mining pollutants. The project was supported by Whitewater NZ, as the 240GWh expected from the scheme makes a Mohikinui dam less necessary.

Conservation

2009-12-14T23:15:47+13:00

DOC have released the Operational Plan for the St James Conservation Area. It recognised the value of the Upper Waiau, noting Below the point where it is joined by the Ada River, the upper Waiau River is one of the best rivers for rafting and kayaking in the eastern South Island.

Kayaking access via 4WD over Maling Pass is confirmed (p42): Provide 4WD motorised vehicle access as far as the Waiau River via Maling Pass and Edwards valley for rafting/kayaking and canoeing. Thanks go to Hugh Canard and Whitewater Canoe Club for leading negotiations with DOC and demonstrating kayaker access on a successful Upper Waiau trip on Labour Weekend 2009. Helicopter access is being determined via other processes.

Access

2009-12-14T15:31:20+13:00

Genesis Energy have advised that the Rangipo Power Station is planned to be shut down between the 7th and 18th January 2010. Based on past years, the flow below Rangipo dam will be approximately 19 cumecs (including the discharge from the Waihohonu tunnel). The increased flows will affect the Access 14 and Access 13 sections of the Tongariro River. To check the flow on these sections, visit the Genesis Energy website.

Access

2009-12-14T15:03:44+13:00

Release dates for 2010 have been added to the Events & Releases section for:
Tongariro River
Waikaretaheke River
Tekapo River

Access

2009-11-18T23:04:26+13:00

Across the country, the organisations involved with Wild Rivers are hosting a “Day on a Wild River” to help everybody understand the beauty and importance of New Zealand’s remaining wild rivers. Over the weekend 28-29 November, events including raft and kayak descents, fishing, bush walks and tours, environmental talks, picnics and bbqs will occur at various locations.

Saturday 28 Nov: Matakitaki River, Mikonui River, Orari River, Otaki River and Mohaka River.

Sunday 29 Nov: Nevis River, Hurunui River, Hutt River, Waiohini and Waingawa Rivers.

5 December: Kaituna River.

Conservation

Antz Longman advises, CUMEC Magazine issue #9 is out now featuring Canadian Summers, Creeking in Val Sesia, Italy by Justin Gale, interview with Mike Dawson on the Sickline World Championships, Interview with Cooper Lambla on 12 months in NZ, Voss Extreme week by Jason Juno, The Southern Circuit (NZ) by Megan Foster & Crescent Head/Byron Bay (AUS) by Tracy Gibson, Murray White Water Festival from Western Australia. There’s also tests of a range of river booties, our regular photography and technique columns from Graham Charles and Zak Shaw, some tips for ‘portage training’ in Paddlin’ Fit plus some seriously stunning photos in the gallery. A big shout-out to Max Kneiwasser from Canada for providing the stunning cover image of Kiwi paddler Simon Rutherford on Tatlow Creek in British Columbia.

2009-11-05T17:38:24+13:00

Whitewater NZ Conservation Officer Tony Ward-Holmes advises, “The Central Plains Water Commissioners have issued “Minute 11” (PDF, 453KB), which in their words is “in effect an interim decision.” The decision is that the remaining consents (apart from those for the Waianiwniwa reservoir which were previously turned down) will be granted. They will be subject to various conditions, the details for these have not been worked out yet. There will be another day or two hearing in Jan or Feb to sort them out.

Minute 11 does not state the exact water take that will be granted from the Waimakariri – a decision is expected in the next fortnight. The commissioners have already said in previous minutes that the water take will be much reduced from the original application. The latest proposal is for a maximum 25 cumec take, where they will only be able to take half of whatever water is available above 63 cumecs, as opposed to the original application for all water above 63 cumecs, up to a maximum of 40 cumecs. The commissioners also note: “Potential impacts on the safety of kayakers in the vicinity of the Waimakariri intake will need to be addressed, but in our view can be addressed as a matter of final design. The applicant has agreed to a condition which requires a safety audit of the final design by a suitably qualified expert.” I think everyone’s evidence has been heard and paddling on the Waimakariri will be far less effected than it would otherwise have been. Huge thanks to everyone that helped.

Conservation

2009-10-31T09:11:46+13:00

The Mangahao Release, which was scheduled for today, has been cancelled due to mechanical failure. Todd Energy have advised that the slalom course will be running with 12 cumecs from 11:30 AM.

Access

2009-10-29T20:11:59+13:00

Gordon Rayner advises another speed limit uplifting has been arranged to allow jetboats to travel on the Upper Shotover on Sunday 1 November. There will be 8 to 10 jet boats, travelling upstream through the Upper Shotover Gorge from Skippers bridge to McLeod’s during the time corridor of 11am to 12pm. The jet boats will travel downstream from McLeods to Skippers bridge during the time corridor of 2:30 to 3:30pm. The jet boat organiser is Pete Steele (027 2650078).

Safety

2009-10-28T19:42:23+13:00

Eight conservation and outdoor recreation groups have combined to fight for New Zealand’s wild rivers. The groups are Fish & Game, Federated Mountain Clubs, Forest & Bird, Whitewater NZ, the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ, the NZ Rafting Association, the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers and the Environment and Conservation Organisations of NZ. The campaign comes in the wake of plans for a large hydro dam on the West Coast’s pristine Mokihinui River, irrigation water storage dams on Canterbury’s Hurunui River and indications that the Government is considering scrapping water conservation orders nationwide.

The eight organisations, representing more than 100,000 New Zealanders, are united in calling for stronger protection for New Zealand’s remaining wild rivers. There are a finite number of wild rivers left, the groups say. Damming them is irresponsible and short-sighted, especially when there are much more responsible and sustainable options. Energy planning must become more strategic, focusing on efficiency rather than building more dams. The Electricity Commission has said that NZ could make savings of 6400 gigawatt hours a year – equivalent to 20 Mokihinui dams – at less cost than building new electricity generation.

Conservation

2009-10-20T20:20:32+13:00

A speed limit uplifting has been arrange to allow jetboats to travel on the Upper Shotover on Sunday 25 October only. There will be 10 to 20 jet boats, travelling upstream through the upper Shotover Gorge from Skippers bridge to McLeod’s during the time corridor of 11am to 12pm. The jet boats will travel downstream from McLeods to Skippers bridge during the time corridor of 3 to 4pm. The jet boat organiser is Dave Douglas from Danseys Pass (027 4361314).

Safety

2009-10-15T10:33:28+13:00

According to the Press, the Hurunui Water Project have placed their resource consent applications for a dam and weir on hold for a year, to allow the processes established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy to try and resolve issues with the scheme.

Conservation

2009-10-06T22:45:02+13:00

Dambusters are organising a Save the Hurunui march in central Christchurch on Friday 16 October. We are keen to get as many kayaks on the mighty Avon at 12.15pm on the Friday, and float from the Bridge of Remembrance to Victoria Park. It’ll be all wrapped up in half an hour, so easy to fit into the busy paddler’s lunch hour. If you’d like help with boat transport please contact Polly on president@whitewater.mytestsite.nz.

Conservation