Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

2012-05-31T15:52:04+12:00

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr. Jan Wright has issued a report “Hydroelectricity or wild rivers? Climate change versus natural heritage” (PDF, 5MB) highlighting the weaknesses of the current options for preserving wild and scenic rivers. The report criticises the recent National Policy Statements for Renewable Electricity Generation and Freshwater Management: “Where the two NPSs may have counterbalanced each other, instead they favour developing hydroelectricity. The NPS on Renewable Electricity Generation does not sufficiently recognise the irreversible damage of some renewable electricity proposals. And the NPS on Freshwater Management does not explicitly recognise the value of preserving wild and scenic rivers” (p68).

The report examines the competing demands for preservation and development of rivers. The most robust means for protecting rivers outside national parks is a Water Conservation Order but only two WCOs have been granted since the Resource Management Act (RMA) was introduced in 1991. The most recent WCO of significance to kayakers was that obtained for the Rangitata River. Whitewater NZ and Fish & Game applied for a WCO on the Hurunui but this was rendered untenable by the ECAN act passed by the National Government in 2010. A WCO may cost the applicant more than $500,000 and take many years to process.

This has led to an ad-hoc regime of development and protection, with protection for instream recreation generally lacking. The National Policy Statement (NPS) on Renewable Electricity Generation and the NPS on Freshwater Management both skew decisions in favour of hydro development over recreational amenity. For example, “as a starting point the consent process under the NPS on Renewable Electricity Generation does not consider the irreversibility of a hydroelectric scheme on a river. Taking irreversible damage into consideration would encourage lower impact alternatives” (p59).

Where rivers run through land under DOC stewardship, they fall between the cracks in legislation, as “DOC can only take into account the conservation value of land on either side of the river” and LINZ (who administers the riverbed) is “not required to consider the conservation value of the riverbeds (and consequently the rivers) when granting occupation rights” (p64).

The report notes that no schedule of wild and scenic rivers exists and suggests the Minister for the Environment or the Land and Water Forum might create such a schedule. The report concludes, “Where such conflicts exist between hydroelectricity and wild and scenic rivers – climate change versus natural heritage – I have concluded that we need to pay more attention to the protection of the rivers.”

The report offers the following recommendations:

The Minister for the Environment direct her officials (or the Land and Water Forum) to consider how the NPS on Renewable Electricity Generation or the NPS on Freshwater Management can be amended to better recognise the value of wild and scenic rivers.
The Minister for the Environment direct her officials (or the Land and Water Forum) to:
investigate which wild and scenic rivers outside conservation land would be good candidates for protection with water conservation orders,
and
investigate streamlining the water conservation order process by requiring a decision within nine months of an application and the hearing of applications by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The Minister of Conservation direct her officials to identify important wild and scenic rivers running through stewardship land and reclassify the land if they consider the rivers need protection.
The Minister of Conservation direct her officials to investigate transferring the administration of riverbeds located within conservation land to the Department of Conservation.
The Ministers for the Environment and Conservation seek amendments to legislation so that either:
a commercial operation on conservation land must have approval under the Conservation Act 1986 before resource consents can be sought.
or
a commercial operation on conservation land that requires resource consent is considered at a single concession–consent hearing, and that the concession and consent decisions are made separately.

Conservation

2012-05-22T10:40:50+12:00

Meridian announced today that they are no longer pursuing a dam on the wild and scenic Mōkihinui River citing concerns over their ability to secure resource consents and approval to inundate conservation land. The proposed 80m dam would have inundated an entire class III-IV section from Mōkihinui Forks down to Seddonville. It would effectively eliminate the upstream class IV-V section from the Johnson-Allan confluence by replacing the lower run with a 14km lake. Whitewater NZ had appealed the resource consents to the Environment Court along with Department of Conservation, Forest & Bird, and West Coast Environmental Network Trust.

In a Whitewater NZ media release, Conservation Officer Tony Ward-Holmes said, “This decision has meant that the Mokihinui will remain a pristine river valley, providing outstanding wilderness kayaking and rafting opportunities.”

Conservation

2012-05-19T17:24:47+12:00

The Otago Daily Times reports that Trustpower has postponed the Arnold hydro scheme citing adverse economic conditions. Trustpower have been granted consents for the scheme and the agreed mitigation for the loss of kayaking amenity is an artificial kayak course. The scheme may be re-activated in the future.

Conservation

2012-05-01T08:51:27+12:00

Contact Energy has announced that it won’t be proceeding with proposed hydro development options for Luggate (25m, 86MW), Queensberry (14m, 160MW), Beaumont (30m, 185MW) and Tuapeka Mouth (50m, 350MW). In a report in the Otago Daily Times Contact hydro projects manager Neil Gillespie said “Contact has decided not to proceed with any of the options being investigated for hydro-generation development on the Clutha at this time and has ceased all work pertaining to it.” Contact chief executive said, “On current demand forecasts, the Clutha options are not economic in the foreseeable future.” The proposals may be resurrected in the future if economic conditions change.

Conservation

2012-04-22T19:40:38+12:00

Whitewater NZ Access Officer Matt Bennett has been following up on the Aratiatia situation and provides the following update:

Last month a group of kayakers including Ben Brown and other Red Bull athletes were unable to kayak at Aratiatia. The group initially paddled the lower section of the Aratiatia rapids on the Waikato River. It was a warm up run and their intention was to scout the full rapid and paddle it on the next release.

That was the plan. As they waited for the release a Mighty River Power (MRP) employee came out from the power station and chatted to them about their intentions. It seemed like a casual and amiable interaction. Then the Police showed up and the kayakers were told categorically that MRP would not be releasing the water while they were still waiting to paddle.

This is where it all gets complicated. There are a lot of parties involved. MRP has consent to control water on this section of the Waikato River. Part of the consent requires that they mitigate lost recreation opportunities and because it becomes a workplace for them they must manage safety at the site under the Health and Safety in Employment Act (HSEA). The consent is issued by Waikato Regional Council (WRC) under their waterways policy. They are required under Maritime NZ to manage waterways. MRP called WRC with a concern and because neither of the Taupo Harbour Masters were available the council recommended that MRP ask the Police to intervene.

We believe that MRP and WRC are confused over their HSEA responsibilities and how they are applying the legislation. The only real question is, “how are we going to respond?”

Our first step was to get the story from all the varying parties. Believe me, this was no easy task. Now we’re going to tackle this on three fronts. First we’re seeking legal advice on our rights. Second we’re going to actively engage with the Waikato Regional Council in the further development of their Waikato River Waterways Management Plan. And finally we are going to go to Mighty River Power and encourage them to be more inclusive of kayakers in their Aratiatia operation.

This will all take time. In the meantime you probably want to know what you should do. Simply, continue as normal. If you have an encounter with Mighty River Power staff, it is essential that you do not elevate the situation. Be compliant and take notes on who, where, when and what, and then email the details directly to me at access@whitewater.mytestsite.nz. Most importantly, make good decisions on the water.

Access

2012-04-21T20:15:16+12:00

Josh Neilson (Southern Underground Productions) is touring his latest extreme sport documentary Transcendance featuring Mike Abbott (whitewater kayaker), William Trubridge (freediver), Vanessa Quin (downhill mountain biker), Jokke Somer (wingsuit base jumper). This documentary offers an insight into the extreme sports experience backed by the research of Dr Eric Brymer. Follow four of the worlds most tallented extreme sports athletes through indepth accounts matched with equally breath taking cinematography. Dates: Wellington, 28 April and Christchurch 2 May.

Education

2012-04-17T09:54:59+12:00

Hugh Canard has passed on a warning regarding a steel cable hazard (incl. photos) on the Granity Creek section of the Buller River: There is a steel cable in the top of the first class III rapid above Granity Creek rapid. This is the rapid that pushes right against the bank and has large boulders in the flow. The cable may be attached to a concrete block. The cable is just to the right of the largest boulder at the top of the rapid, which is a logical eddy to scout from. It will be covered but still dangerous at higher flows. Avoid.

Safety

2012-04-11T15:58:27+12:00

Access 10 on the Tongariro River (below Poutu Intake) will be flowing at natural flow from 16 to 28 April, while Genesis Energy undertakes routine maintenance at Tokaanu Power Station. For river flow see http://www.genesisenergy.co.nz/genesis/generation/rivers-lakes-and-rainf…

Access

2012-04-04T12:49:01+12:00

It’s time for NZ Canoeing 12.1 with articles such as Whitewater New Zealand News, Safety Course Subsidy, Women on Whitewater (Kylie Laxton-Blinkhorn), Conservation Update (Tony Ward-Holmes), NZKS turns 20! (Sarah Fawcett), Mōkihinui, Mōkihinui, Mōkihinui, Mōkihinui, Eh (Mick Hopkinson), How good is your rescue kit and techniques? Part 2 (Matt Barker), Wairehu Playhole (Matt Bennett), Releases and Events. We’ve dispatched it to members, so check your mail, grab the download (PDF, 5.7MB) or check with your club.

NZWW

2012-03-15T08:39:15+13:00

Ben Brown reports that yesterday police prevented a group of kayakers from running the Aratiatia rapid on the Waikato river. The Police are presumably enforcing clause 3.9.1(d) in the Waikato Regional Council Navigation Safety Bylaw (PDF, 1.3MB) that states, “Not operate any vessels (other than for maintenance purposes) within 200 metres of the Taupo gates and hydro dam structures on the Waikato River.” (PDF, 1.3MB). This rule has not been enforced on kayakers on Aratiatia before now and the rapid has been increasingly paddled since the first descent in 1998. Kayakers intending to descend Aratiatia can try submitting a “Bylaw exemption application form” to obtain an exemption from clause 3.9.1(d). Note the $125.00 fee.

Access

2012-03-09T21:55:12+13:00

The NZ Conservation Authority (NZCA) released a report late in 2011 entitled Protecting New Zealand’s Rivers. The full report is available on the Department of Conservation website, www.doc.govt.nz and is well worth a read. The NZCA is an appointed representative body whose role is to advise the Minister of Conservation and the Director-General of Conservation.

The report starts by summarising the current state of our rivers, in part:
all is not well with New Zealand’s rivers and there is increasing public concern about their state
national demand for fresh water in New Zealand has almost doubled in the decade between 2000 and 2010… and demand for energy continues to grow, which means more rivers could be modified to enable hydro-electricity, whether by damming or diverting water out of a river
water quality in major rivers has declined since 1989…
important values, such as natural character and recreational use of enjoyment of rivers are not being adequately protected in existing National Policy Statements and Regional Plans…
…and also recognises that there is no central government agency responsible for protecting rivers – although it acknowledges the part played by Fish and Game, Forest and Bird, Whitewater NZ, and concerned individuals who are fighting many battles.
The NZCA seeks and recommends comprehensive protection for a representative range of rivers. The set of selected rivers should be genuinely protected in perpetuity in their natural state and should include rivers with outstanding ecological, landscape, scenic, recreational, amenity and cultural characteristics and values.

The report concludes with a series of key recommendations. Of particular note to kayakers are:

Government commitment is required to protect river systems and river reaches that remain in or are close to, their natural state and or have outstanding wild, scenic and amenity characteristics. Many of our rivers are already highly altered from their natural state, especially in their lowland reaches. A commitment to protect those remaining outstanding or natural rivers would prevent any further loss of these high-value rivers. Once these values are lost it is expensive and almost impossible to return them to their previous state-a poor legacy for future generations.
A key objective of national water policy should be the establishment of a representative network of protected rivers, including rivers with outstanding ecological, landscape, scenic, recreational, amenity and cultural characteristics and values. It is equally important that rivers with outstanding characteristics be protected, even if they are no longer in their natural state. Once established, this network should be genuinely protected and not eroded by development proposals.
Other recommendations include:

to conduct a stocktake of the extent of river protection in New Zealand is to provide baseline information
to allocate a government or quasi-government agency specific responsibility for protecting rivers, including advancing water conservation orders (WCOs)
that Regional councils could make greater use of prohibited activity status in regional plans to secure protection (from development and extractive uses) for remaining wild and natural rivers with outstanding values
to ensure water management properly reflects the conservation status of conservation land and the rivers within it
to ensure that landowner permission (eg, DOC) should be obtained prior to lodging resource consent applications to modify or extract water from rivers in public conservation land – to avoid the current situation where a full consent process can be completed only to have use of conservation land, where required, declined
that rivers, including water, within national park boundaries should have national park status
that Water Conservation Orders (WCOs) be retained and strengthened to provide protection for rivers and other water bodies with outstanding values; that WCOs be able to provide for enhancement of outstanding characteristics; and once granted that WCOs be harder to amend or revoke; and that Canterbury rivers once again be considered under the standard RMA process after October 2013 (ie, the expiry of the ECan Act). The report notes that the different statutory tests for a new WCO or applications to amend an existing WCO in Canterbury mean significantly less weight is given to the requirement to preserve and protect nationally outstanding water bodies, and greater weight is given to potential uses of water.
that a National Environmental Standard on Ecological Flows and Water Levels should be implemented.
that the Resource Management Act be amended to allow regional councils to use moratoria to pause consent applications while a river’s in-stream values are assessed, flow regimes developed, and plans amended.
We will watch with considerable interest to see whether the recommendations from the NZCA are adopted by either DOC or the Minister.

Conservation

2012-02-25T12:55:40+13:00

River Safety and River Rescue Course subsidies of $100 are available to Whitewater NZ members, thanks to the generous support of Water Safety NZ. You can join a course organised by the NZ Kayak School or contact any NZOIA kayak level 2 instructor to run a course for you. Read Course details and subsidy forms. These courses have great content; if you have never taken one there’s no time like the present! If you have taken one, refreshers are a good idea.

Safety

Cumec Magazine Issue number 15 is out now and available through kayak and bookstores across NZ and Australia. Inside you’ll find features on paddling in the Northeast of Turkey, the Devils Postpile in California, the Teva Lea Race, BlissFest 2011, an interview with Tanya Faux, gear reviews, event reports, and heaps more. Check it out this holiday break, and get inspired to hit the water.

2011-11-20T13:39:21+13:00

Whitewater NZ held its Annual General Meeting for 2011 in Turangi on 17 September. Most of the current Executive Committee were relected to their current positions. Thanks to outgoing officers Matt Barker (Education), Nick Clendon and Dave Annear (Safety). Welcome to Matt Bennet (Access) and Evan Freshwater (Safety). Doug Rankin was voted Canoeist of the Year.

NZWW

2011-11-11T10:59:52+13:00

A temporary “reservation” of a portion of the Wairoa River, Nelson, has been granted for tree-felling and overhead cable recovery of the logs across the river. All activities including but not limited to swimming, wading, angling, or boating of any kind not directly associated with the logging will be prohibited.

The temporary reservation applies between 05:30 and 16:00 on any weekday between Monday 14 November and Friday 2 December 2011. There are no restrictions on public access on any Saturday or Sunday.

The area in which this temporary reservation applies is a 250m stretch of the Wairoa River adjacent to the Department of Conservation picnic area that is approximately 350m north of the intersection of Wairoa Gorge Road and Old Mill Road. The felling is on the east/right bank, and logs will be cabled across to the west/left bank.

For any questions contact Tasman Harbourmaster Steve Hainstock (03) 543 8433 / harbourmaster@tasman.govt.nz

Access

2011-11-03T17:21:46+13:00

Unfortunately, Genesis Energy have advised that the recreational releases scheduled for this weekend (Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November) from Whakamarino and Piripaua have been cancelled due to health and safety reasons.

The broken bridge in the river, which is currently posing a significant hazard to kayakers, is expected to be removed soon.

Access

2013-08-03T12:59:23+12:00

Kaimai Canoe Club have announced Wairoa river release dates for 2013-2014, with flows starting on Sunday 14 September and ending Sunday 11 May.

Access

Whitewater New Zealand and Fish & Game have successfully appealed to the Environment Court to protect kayaking on the Nevis River from dam proposals such that by Pioneer Generation Ltd. The Environment Court decided that the kayaking amenity in the lower gorge of the Nevis River is outstanding and should be protected through a prohibition on damming.

Based on evidence presented by prominent local kayakers the court recognised that the progression of kayaking equipment and skills has increased the recreational amenity of the Nevis, specifically the lower gorge, and that the impact of a hydro dam on the amenity would be detrimental, especially due to compression (if access was restricted to release days), loss of a warm-up section and loss of natural character. Furthermore, a prohibition on damming via a Water Conservation Order offers greater certainty of protection than district and regional plans.

The decision is just reward for Whitewater NZ’s legal counsel Maree Baker-Galloway and the kayakers that presented on behalf of Whitewater NZ including Glenn Murdoch, Gordon Rayner, Pete Simpson, Roy Bailey, Keith Riley and Dave Ritchie, as well as Whitewater NZ submitters in previous years.

Video by Pete Simpson that was presented at the Environment Court

2013-05-26T11:38:05+12:00

The proposed Hurunui and Waiau River Regional Plan has been appealed to the Christchurch High Court by multiple parties including the Hurunui Water Project (HWP), Amuri Irrigation Company and North Canterbury Fish & Game Council. Of most concern, HWP seeks to remove the prohibition on damming the Hurunui mainstem and South Branch. Amuri Irrigation is seeking changes to minimum flows and raises concerns regarding the impact of new irrigation with respect to established farming activities. Fish & Game argue that the nitrogen load limits increased under the plan do not safeguard the life-supporting processes in the Hurunui river.

Conservation

2013-05-15T21:10:14+12:00

This year the Whitewater NZ Annual General Meeting was held in Auckland on 11 May 2013, to which people came from far and wide. As people gathered into the Auckland University lecture theatre it was a time to catch up with old friends and make new ones over the mandatory coffee and home-made muffins kindly baked by our Auckland hosts AUCC.

The meeting was facilitated by Matthew Bennett (President) and Graeme Wilson (Vice-President) and attended by the other members of the Executive Committee as well as representatives and delegates from kayaking clubs across the country. Each Officer gave a small presentation on their area of responsibility, where conservation, the RMA changes and access were once again hot topics.

“Canoeist of the Year” was a tough one this year with eight nominations all deserving of the title. After a lengthy process of voting and re-voting the Executive Committee and delegates finally decided that this year the award would go to not just one of the nominees but two: Bruce Webber (and family) and Ian Fox.

Bruce was also our guest speaker this year giving a humorous yet inspirational presentation on the topic of ‘Introducing Young people to the sport of kayaking’. Before the meeting ended, new Officers were nominated and voted onto the Executive Committee positions that were being vacated this year, with even some roles having more than one member voted in – that was great to see. Our thanks go to Sarah Fawcett, Jo McWilliam, Evan Freshwater and Mike Nooney for their work on the Executive, and we welcome Marnie Fornusek, James Rae, Peter Davis, Martina Naplawa and Anna Matson.

The meeting successfully finished on time and even though that was the end of official AGM business it was not the end of AGM activities. While some had to head home, other stayed and organised themselves to head down to the Wairoa River that afternoon in order to paddle and raft the season’s final release the following day. What a great day Sunday turned out to be: beautiful day, great people all having fun and keeping each other safe on the water. It’s easy to see why they call it “Going to Church at Wairoa”.

Thank you to all those who attended and helped to make it a successful AGM and a great week end.

Whitewater NZ

2013-05-05T16:24:44+12:00

Whitewater NZ Inc. will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Auckland on Saturday 11 May at The Conference Centre, City Campus, University of Auckland.

All members and interested parties are welcome to join us for election of new officers, Canoeist of the Year, and discussion on topics regarding whitewater kayaking including, “How can Whitewater NZ help our member clubs with a focus on membership & the recent RMA changes.”

Agenda:
9.30am Coffee & Welcome
10.30am AGM – Including reports from all officers
12pm Lunch
1pm Guest Speaker : Bruce Webber – Introducing Young people to the sport of kayaking & General discussion
2pm Coffee
2.30pm Focus discussions: How can Whitewater NZ help clubs in gaining and maintaining membership / How can Whitewater NZ support clubs in regard to the recent RMA changes
4pm Finish

4.30pm Day trippers leave for airport / weekenders drive to Wairoa campsite – campers stop for dinner on the way.

Sunday 12th May

Join Whitewater NZ officers and members for a run down the Wairoa.

Whitewater NZ

Environmental Canterbury (ECAN) commissioners have accepted recommendations from a hearing panel on the proposed Hurunui and Waiau River Regional Plan. The plan arises from the Zone Implementation Plan (ZIP) developed by the Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

The commissioners replaced elected councillors after the National government passed the ECAN act forcing Fish & Game and Whitewater NZ to withdraw their application for a Water Conservation Order for the Hurunui River.

From kayakers’ point of view, positives in the plan include maintenance of the prohibition of damming on the Hurunui North Branch (including Lake Sumner) and the Hurunui South Branch (both per the NRRP before), but negatives include the potential for additional water takes, such as that wanted by the Hurunui Water Project.

The proposed protection of the river from dams has been achieved after a long and drawn out process, says Fish & Game’s Tony Hawker, “from lodging of the original Water Conservation Order application in 2008 and the subsequent hearings in 2009; the Hurunui Water Project consent applications; the Dambuster Hurunui protests; the re-application of the Water Conservation Order in 2010; The Hurunui Waiau Zone Committee process and finally the hearings for the Hurunui Waiau Regional Plan in 2012.”

2013-03-14T09:33:27+13:00

“Proposed RMA reforms are of serious concern to kayakers and any other person that relaxes and recreates in the outdoors. The government’s proposed reforms for the Resource Management Act and freshwater management pose a real threat to water-based recreation,” says Whitewater NZ President Matthew Bennett in a media statement released yesterday. “They put at risk New Zealanders’ values and quality of life.”

The discussion document “Improving our resource management system” (PDF, 4.4MB) proposes to remove clauses protecting recreational amenity and add new requirements to provide for “renewable energy” and “provision of infrastructure.”

A round of public meetings is taking place, but Dunedin, Greymouth and Wellington opportunities have already passed. Whitewater NZ encourages kayakers to read the document, review our notes at RMA reform vs recreation and make strong submissions before the 2 April deadline.

Conservation

2013-03-03T10:13:02+13:00

Graham Charles is re writing NZ Whitewater for its 5th edition. He is interested in any new runs, changes, access, changes or issues – basically anything that might be worth noting to make this edition as useful as possible for locals and visitors alike. “Even new runs that will always remain the domain of locals; we should publish the fact that it is done and first ‘D’ etc. As we’ve all learned over the years – if we haven’t published it – we can’t fight for it.” Feel free to contact Graham at imagematters@clear.net.nz.

Access