Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

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further submissions to the Conservation Board who are tasked with making a final decision, and urges all kayakers who originally made submissions to reinforce their requests to the Conservation Board before 3 November 2000.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.

2001-08-23T12:23:39+12:00

The ever-thoughtful Hugh Canard asks some questions about the impacts of visitors seeking wilderness recreation experiences in Tourism, Conservation and Recreation (in Access).

2001-08-17T12:22:47+12:00

Antonia Harmer describes the adventures of an international group who enjoyed several weeks last summer exploring the Buller and West Coast regions, and kayaking on the Buller, Matakitaki, Wanganui, Taipo, Toaroha, Kakapotahi and Grey rivers (in Access).

2001-08-14T12:21:23+12:00

Fourteen years after it was requested, a National Water Conservation Order for the Buller River is in effect, protecting the Buller and many tributaries. Doug Rankin describes the history of the effort that lead to this significant milestone for one of New Zealand’s “wild and scenic” rivers in Conservation / Buller Water Conservation Order, 2001. Extracts from evidence presented by Martin Unwin and Colin Leitch are also online. Meanwhile Michael Talley and the Majac Trust are seeking a judicial review of the Conservation Order so that they can build a hydro dam on the Gowan.

2001-08-07T12:20:30+12:00

At the recent AGM, Alan Bell of Hutt Valley Canoe Club was voted Canoeist of the Year for 2001.

Whitewater NZ

2001-07-20T12:18:20+12:00

Would you believe that over one hundred years ago, the intrepid Park brothers undertook (in Education) an epic coast-to-coast canoe journey, via the Taramakau and Hurunui rivers?

2001-07-09T12:17:22+12:00

The NZRCA’s Annual Report to Members has been distributed to members, and is now online (in About the NZRCA) as Annual Report 2001 (PDF, 78k) or Annual Report 2001 (extract).

2001-07-02T12:14:43+12:00

In another historic account, Mick Hopkinson describes the first descent of Sargoods Weir on the Kawarau (in Education).