CANTERBURY WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY:

WAIMAKARIRI ZONE

RECREATION:

CURRENT STATE REPORT

Prepared by Mary Sparrow for Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council

Contents

Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………………..i

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Waimakariri Zone ...... 1 1.2 The Profile ...... 3 2 THE WAIMAKARIRI ZONE WATERBODIES ...... 5 3 WATER RELATED RECREATION ...... 9 3.1 Waimakariri River and Tributaries ...... 9 3.1.1 Waimakariri River ...... 9 3.1.2 Kaiapoi River and tributaries ...... 17 3.1.3 Eyre River and tributaries...... 26 3.2 The Ashley River/Rakahuri and tributaries ...... 29 3.2.1 Ashley Gorge and Lees Valley ...... 29 3.2.2 Mt. Thomas Forest Park ...... 32 3.2.3 Okuku River ...... 35 3.2.4 Ashley/Rakahuri Regional Park...... 36 3.2.5 Ashley River/Rakahuri – general opportunities for jet boating and fishing ...... 38 4 THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 40 4.1 The beaches ...... 40 4.2 Tūhaitara Coastal Park ...... 40 4.3 Ashley/Rakahuri estuary and tributaries ...... 42 4.3.1 Pegasus ...... 43 4.3.2 The Taranaki Stream ...... 45 4.3.3 Ashley River/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek Estuarine Areas ...... 45 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... 46 APPENDIX 1: SUMMARY OF RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES BY ACTIVITY ...... 47 APPENDIX 2: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION TRACK COUNT RECORDS ...... 52 REFERENCES ...... 54

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This document canvasses the recreation opportunities offered on or close to water in the Waimakariri District. It has been prepared to assist the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee with developing its recommendations for their Zone Implementation Programme addendum.

The main waterbodies in the Waimakariri Zone are identified for the purposes of this report are:

 The Waimakariri River and its northern tributaries: the Eyre River and Coopers Creek, Kaiapoi River, Kaiapoi/Silverstream, Ohoka Stream (north and middle branches), Cust River and Cust Main Drain, and Cam River and its tributaries including Northbrook Ponds.

 The Ashley River/Rakahuri and its tributaries: including the Townshend and Whistler (in Lees Valley), the Glentui, Garry, Okuku and Makerikeri Rivers, and the Taranaki Stream and Salt Water Creek that discharge into the estuary.

 The coastal environment: Kairaki, Pines, Woodend, Pegasus and Waikuku Beaches, and Lake Pegasus and the coastal wetlands: Tūtaepatu Lagoon, and at Pegasus, the Eastern Conservation Management Area and the Mudfish Conservation Management Area.

The recreation activities on the Waimakariri River are included in this report although the management of the river under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy is with the Regional Committee, and measures to manage this river will be included in an alpine rivers section of the Canterbury Land and water Regional Plan (CLWRP).

The focus is on opportunities, on what opportunities there are in the District for activities on or close to water. It is important to appreciate that it is not only the District’s increasing population that is looking for opportunities in the outdoors but also people living in Christchurch. The District has large areas of public land which is being developed for recreation including the Tūhaitara Coastal Park, the Waimakariri and Ashley/Rakahuri Regional Parks and the Department of Conservation’s estate to the west of the District. Other areas close to water where public access is available include such areas as the banks of the Cust Main Drain. The Waimakariri District Council’s Ashley Gorge and Silverstream Reserves, the Northbrook Ponds and Kaiapoi Lakes are also important recreation areas.

The main opportunities for swimming include the beaches, which are all patrolled during the summer by paid lifeguards. The swimming hole created each year in the Ashley River/Rakahuri at Rangiora and at Ashley Gorge. Other locally significant areas include the upper Eyre, the Okuku and Lees Valley. There are many locations along the Waimakariri River where it would be possible to swim, but these have not been identified in detail, and will depend on the level of the river.

The Waimakariri River, the Kaiapoi River and Pegasus Lake are used extensively for rowing, dragon boat and mana-waka paddling. The Waimakariri Yacht and Power Boat Club is based at Kairaki, and there are opportunities for small boat sailing on Pegasus Lake. The Ashley Gorge, upper Okuku and the Waimakariri River (particularly the gorge) are valued for white water kayaking. The Waimakariri River is one of the most heavily boated rivers for jet

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boating in New Zealand, and there are some opportunities for jet boats on the Ashley and Okuku Rivers depending flow. Jet boats and Kayaks provide the only practical means of gaining access to the stunning scenery of the Waimakariri Gorge.

In addition to the recreation opportunities offered by the Waimakariri and Ashley/Rakahuri Regional Parks and these afforded in the Department of Conservation’s foothills parks, there are numerous stream-side esplanade and other reserves which provide opportunities to access the lowland streams. In addition, there are the Kaiapoi Lakes and the Northbrook Ponds which provide opportunities for passive recreation close to the District’s two main urban areas, while the conservation management areas provide similar opportunities at Pegasus.

In view of the wide ranging opportunities it is more important to focus on the provision of facilities in the more popular recreation areas than looking to increase the range of opportunities. These could well include more specialised facilities such as the platform at McIntosh’s Hole to allow a wheelchair bound person to fish from the bank, in addition to toilet and changing facilities, seating, picnic tables and barbecues.

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Waimakariri Zone

The Waimakariri Zone is one of 10 water management zones established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS). This strategy is designed to provide for communities to participate in the collaborative management of water resources at a local level. To achieve this objective a series of zones were established across Canterbury, which coincided to a greater or lesser degree with territorial authority areas.

Activities in each of these zones are overseen by a joint Environment Canterbury/territorial authority advisory committee established under the Local Government Act 2002. Each Zone Committee has elected/commissioner representatives of Environment Canterbury and the territorial authority or authorities whose territories are included in that Zone. The remaining members of the Zone Committees are community representatives selected because of their links with their respective communities and their interest in water management.

A cornerstone of the CWMS is to ensure that Maori has the opportunity to honour their values of kaitiakitanga or guardianship of the natural resources of the area. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (TRONT) has a close relationship with Environment Canterbury, and participated in the development of the CWMS from the outset. Each of the Zone Committees has Rūnanga representatives to ensure that the aspirations of Maori are incorporated in regional water management decisions at all levels. The Waimakariri Water Zone Committee has representatives of Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, which is based at Tuahiwi.

The boundaries of the Waimakariri Zone approximately coincide with the boundaries of the Waimakariri District, which is bounded to the south by the Waimakariri River and from Pegasus Bay in the east. The Puketeraki Range forms the western boundary and to the north is the Hurunui District. The only variation between the District and Zone boundaries is around the Okuku River area where the Zone extends to include the entire Okuku River catchment.The following map shows the Waimakariri Zone.

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1.2 The Profile

The purpose of the profile is to provide an overview of the key recreational opportunities linked with the Waimakariri District’s water resources. This current state report is designed to assist the Zone Committee in making recommendations in their Zone Implementation Programme, which will inform measures to be included Sub Regional Chapter of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (CLWRP) and ‘on the ground actions’. The Zone Committees recommendations aim to deliver on the community outcomes.

The CLWRP is the regional planning document that provides the framework for the management of Canterbury’s water resources, in accordance with the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) and the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (CRPS). While sub- regional chapters of the CLWRP are designed to provide flexibility to establish water management regimes that meet the aspirations of the various communities across Canterbury, these sub-regional chapters must also fit within the general policy settings of the CLWRP.

Annex B of the 2009 CWMS document sets out the fundamental principles and among the supporting principles is “recreational and amenity opportunities”. The Strategy states:

 Rivers, lakes, groundwater and wetlands provide opportunities for enjoyment, recreation and tourism.

 High quality water ensures contact recreation such as swimming, fishing, boating and other water sports are able to be enjoyed throughout Canterbury.

 Adequate environmental flows should ensure that recreational users and tourists can enjoy Canterbury rivers.

 Eco-tourism opportunities are recognised and encouraged

A further supporting principle, fundamental to the enjoyment of natural resources for recreation is access. Annex B states:

 “Public access to and along rivers, lakes, waterways and wetlands is maintained and, where appropriate enhanced. Access may need to be limited in situations including where environmental risk, public safety, security of assets, cultural values, biodiversity and farm management require.”

CWMS Annex G, finalised in July 2010, sets out goals and activities to be undertaken under the auspices of the Strategy. In the preamble for recreational and amenity opportunities it is noted: “There is no consistent information source on the extent and quality of water-related recreational activities in Canterbury, with the exception of the angler surveys by Fish and Game. Without this information, the benefits of recreation including tourism benefits cannot be accurately described/measured.”

The investigation and monitoring activities relating to recreation identified in Annex G of the Strategy document are:

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 “Need to map and better understand recreational opportunities available at present, where activities occur and trends.  Better understanding what contributes to the quality of recreation experiences and differences among natural and artificially created environments.  Identify key recreational sites in the region”

The Recreational Profile for the Waimakariri Zone is one of a number of research documents that provide background information to the Zone Committee. For the purposes of this “current state” analysis a relatively broad definition of the recreational and amenity opportunities provided by the District’s water bodies will be adopted. In addition to the recreational opportunities in or on water, those available close to water will be reviewed. In some instances, information is available concerning the level of activity and in others it will only be possible to identify the activities occurring in certain locations.

The recreational profile will draw on a range of sources including the Department of Conservation, Visit Waimakariri, the Te kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, Cure Boating Club and Waimakariri Yachting and Power Boating Club websites, the regional documents prepared by the jet boat and kayaking organisations for the CWMS, and consultation with Waimakariri District Council officers. The information provided about jet boating and kayaking in this document summarised the information relevant to the Waimakariri District from the regional reports, and those seeking more information about these activities should refer to these reports. Information about the number of full fishing licences currently held by people living in the District has been provided by the North Canterbury Fish and Game.

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2 THE WAIMAKARIRI ZONE WATERBODIES

The Zone occupies approximately 225,000 hectares. A large portion of the area has fertile flat land, or productive rolling downs. Much of the land east of Rangiora is reclaimed swamp, which is still subject to poor drainage and occasional flooding. The north-western portion of the area is hill and high country. These hills, including Mt Oxford, Mt Richardson, Mt Thomas and Mt Grey dominate the District’s western landscape.

Under the CWMS, the Waimakariri River, along with the other alpine rivers, is the responsibility of the Regional Committee and from a planning perspective separate from the sub-regional plans for Zones under the CLWRP. From a recreational perspective, however, the Waimakariri River is included in this profile.

The District’s two main rivers are the Waimakariri and Ashley River/Rakahuri, and the differences between them are summarised in the following table.

Features Waimakariri River Ashley River/Rakahuri

River source Arthurs Pass region, at the crest Lees Valley of the Southern Alps

Area of catchment 3564 square kilometres – 2500 1340 square kilometres – square kilometres in the approximately 670 square mountains kilometres inland of the gorge

Length of river 151 kilometres 130 kilometres

Tributaries Bealey River Whistler River Poulter River Townshend River Esk River Glentui River Broken River Garry River Eyre River and tributaries Okuku River Kaiapoi River and tributaries Makerikeri River

Sources of water at Approximately 90% of the water Approximately 50% of the mouth reaching the mouth of the river catchment is inland of the originates inland of the Ashley River/Rakahuri Gorge Waimakariri Gorge and 50% is downstream from this point. Source of water for flood flows vary.

Sources of high Usually from heavy rain in the Usually from heavy rain in the flows Southern Alps from the north- Lees Valley and/or on the west foothills

Peak flow recorded 3990 cumecs (1930) 2830 cumecs (1951)

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The Waimakariri River is one of Canterbury’s alpine rivers and has its origins in the Arthur’s Pass National Park. Approximately 90% of the water that goes out the mouth of this river flows through its gorge. The current course of the river is quite a young river and in relatively recent time it ran to the sea to the south of Banks Peninsula, through the waterbody now known as Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora. In the early days of European settlement flood waters from the Waimakariri River ran through the centre of Christchurch along the bed of the Avon River. The Waimakariri River now has extensive stop-banking, and the major modifications to the lower reaches are designed to protect residential areas to the north and south of the river. The water from the Waimakariri River is also important because it feeds the pristine aquifers beneath Christchurch and Kaiapoi.

A key feature of the Ashley River/Rakahuri is that approximately half of its catchment is to the east of its gorge, which is in sharp contrast to the Waimakariri River. From the perspective of flood hazard management, flood flows frequently originate in the downs to the north and enter the Ashley River/Rakahuri via the Okuku and the Makerikeri Rivers. This occurs when there are heavy easterly rains on the plains and foothills. The Glentui and Garry Rivers which also join the Ashley River/Rakahuri from the north to the east of the gorge make a significant contribution to inland recreational opportunities in the Department of Conservation’s Mt Thomas Forest Park.

The District’s other two rivers, the Eyre and the Cust arise further to the east and are regarded as “foothills rivers”. The headwaters of the Eyre River are north of the Waimakariri Gorge. Like the Ashley River/Rakahuri, significant reaches of these rivers carry little or no surface water for some months each year.

A further feature that distinguishes the Eyre and Cust Rivers from the District’s larger rivers is that in the initial years of European settlement neither river reached the coast. Instead they discharged into major wetland areas, the Mandeville and Flaxton Swamps respectively. During the 19th Century numerous drains were dug to remove sufficient water to allow settlement in the south-east of the District. There was an Eyre Main Drain and a central Cust Main Drain with the latter having a series of lateral drains. Since the mid-19th Century the Cust River has discharged into the Cust Main Drain system via the Number 1 Drain.

In the 1920s and 1930s as part of a major project known as the Hayes Scheme to manage the lower Waimakariri River, the Eyre River was diverted directly into the Waimakariri River via a cut known as the Eyre Diversion. This project also involved finally closing off the North Branch from the main stem to create the river now known as the Silverstream. In addition to these modifications directly affecting the rivers in the Waimakariri District, the Hayes Scheme saw main stem straightened and the location of the mouth of the river stabilised, so that the Brooklands Lagoon became a permanent feature. The main effect of the changes made in the 1920s/1930s for the District was to substantially reduce the risk of flooding at Kaiapoi.

Today the east of the District is intersected by a series of spring-fed tributaries of the Waimakariri and Ashley River/Rakahuri tributaries. In addition to the Silverstream, the northern tributaries of the Waimakariri include the various branches of the Ohoka Stream and the North, Middle and Southbrook streams that converge to the east of Rangiora to form the Cam River. The Cam Riverlike the Ohoka Stream, Silverstream and the Cust/Main Drain system converge to the west of Kaiapoi to form the Kaiapoi River that flows into the Waimakariri River close to its mouth. The Taranaki Stream is the main tributary of the

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Ashley River/Rakahuri that joins it from the south, while Saltwater Creek feeds into the Ashley estuary from the north.

Few wetlands remain. The Tūtaepatu Lagoon in the Tūhaitara Coastal Park near Woodend is located close to the site of the former Kaiapoi Pa and has great significance for Maori. Tūhaitara Coastal Park is an extensive area of coastal land that was the subject of the Ngāi Tahu Settlement and is managed jointly by the Ngāi Tahu and the Waimakariri District Council.

Close by the Tūtaepatu Lagoon are two wetland areas associated with the Pegasus development. The Eastern Conservation Management Area covers a substantial area to the east of the new town and is cross-crossed by waterways. During the development of this area over 120,000 native plants were planted, and by 2009 birds were starting to settle in this area. To the west of the town and beside the Western Ridge is a smaller wetland established to protect indigenous Canterbury Mudfish.

Northbrook Ponds at Rangiora is a man-made ponds and wetland based on the former sewer ponds and earlier the site of a fellmongery. It was developed by the Waimakariri District Council in the early years of the 21st Century. This area has recreational and heritage values, enhanced with signage explaining various features and provides natural habitat for wildlife.

In view of the number of small streams in the Waimakariri District, the Waimakariri District Council’s approach to taking esplanade reserves and strips is also a relevant. The taking of esplanades is provided for in the RMA, and allows councils to claim esplanade reserves or strips without payment when subdivisions of land adjacent to a river greater than three metres wide and involving a new lot(s) of less than four hectares. With subdivision of land involving the creation of a new lot(s) of greater than four hectares the Waimakariri District Council is able to claim an esplanade but has to pay for it, with the cost determined by valuations.

RMA Section 229 specifies that an esplanade reserve or esplanade strips has one or more of the following purposes:

“(a) to contribute to the protection of conservation values by, in particular,— (i) maintaining or enhancing the natural functioning of the adjacent sea, river, or lake; or (ii) maintaining or enhancing water quality; or (iii) maintaining or enhancing aquatic habitats; or (iv) protecting the natural values associated with the esplanade reserve or esplanade strip; or (v) mitigating natural hazards; or (b) to enable public access to or along any sea, river, or lake; or (c) to enable public recreational use of the esplanade reserve or esplanade strip and adjacent sea, river, or lake, where the use is compatible with conservation values.”

There are significant differences between esplanade reserves and esplanade strips. An esplanade reserve is a surveyed area of land for which the Council assumes responsibility under the Reserves Act 1977, and the reserve remains as surveyed irrespective of whether the river maintains the same course. Esplanade strips remain with the owner of the adjacent land with controls on the management set out in the document establishing the strip, such as requirements for fencing of part or all of the area along the river and controls on the times

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and conditions under which the public are able to gain access. For example, access to an esplanade strip may be stopped at the time of the year when ewes are lambing, and people may be allowed at other times but without dogs and/or guns.

The Waimakariri District Plan adopted a “starred-river” method for identifying the priority- rivers for taking esplanades. The selection of the starred rivers in the Waimakariri District Plan was based on proximity to populated areas or areas where development was identified as likely to occur. These areas include the Silverstream, the Ohoka Stream and the Cust River. The Taranaki Stream, a tributary of the Ashley River/Rakahuri, is a priority stream for esplanade from State Highway 1 at Woodend to the estuary.

Other rivers such as the Ashley River/Rakahuri, the north bank of the Waimakariri River and the Cust Main Drain did not require esplanade priority status as the land adjacent to these water bodies is in public ownership. Similarly, most of the coastal area in the District outside of the beach settlements is in public ownership, and is administered under the Reserves Act 1977 or by the Te kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust.

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3 WATER RELATED RECREATION

3.1 Waimakariri River and Tributaries

3.1.1 Waimakariri River

This recreation current state report addresses the range of recreation activities in various reaches of the Waimakariri River, even though the management of this river is the responsibility of the CWMS Regional Committee as are Canterbury’s other alpine rivers.

 The Waimakariri Gorge

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The headwaters of the Waimakariri River are in the Southern Alps in the vicinity of Arthurs Pass, in the Arthurs Pass National Park administered by the Department of Conservation. The Puketeraki Range provides the western boundary of the Waimakariri District and the Waimakariri CWMS Zone, and therefore determines the extent to which the analysis of the recreation opportunities associated with the upper Waimakariri River focuses on the gorge (shown above), rather than the areas further inland of this lying within the Selwyn District and the Selwyn-Waihora CWMS Zone.

Access to the Waimakariri Gorge is limited to people kayaking down the river, and those in jet boats which are able to travel up through the narrow and steep sided gorge. Those travelling on the midland railway line have fleeting opportunities to see into the gorge, but apart from these there are few other opportunities for people to see into the gorge. Both the regional documents prepared by the Jet Boat Association and Kayaking interests identify the key features of the Waimakariri Gorge from their respective perspectives.

Jet Boating on Canterbury Rivers identifies the length of the Waimakariri River from the confluence of the Poulter River, just inland of the western limits of the gorge, to Woodstock in the east as 29 kilometres all of which is boatable, except in high flows. It is considered to be nationally significant and its scenic attractiveness on a scale of one to five is “5 inspiring”. “User days”, a measure developed by those involved with jet boating to indicate the extent of use, have been estimated as 5000 per annum plus 7,500 trips by commercial operators. This reach of the river is free from speed restrictions, and from a difficulty perspective is classed as “one” or “family boating” with “rocks, rapids, gorgy”, and has a gradient of 4.6m/km.

The launch locations for those wanting to jet boat the Waimakariri Gorge are at Woodstock and by the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge, although the full length of the middle reaches from the jet boat launching ramp by the Motorway Bridges to the mouth of the gorge is boatable. The origins of users are described as: international, national, regional, local and family, and the activities undertaken: commercial, trout and salmon fishing, racing, tramping and search and rescue.

Jet Boating on Canterbury Rivers notes that under the RMA 1991 territorial authorities have control of activities on the surface of water. Also that the Local Government Amendment Act 2002 enabled regional councils to assume control of maritime navigation and safety in their regions. In Canterbury the Environment Canterbury Navigation Safety Bylaw 2016 controls the “uplifting” of speed controls and defines boating rules.

In the first Proposed Selwyn District Plan there was an attempt made to introduce controls on the activities of jet boats in the Waimakariri Gorge, similar to those that were in force on the Shotover River in Queenstown. The opposition from the community to this provision in the proposed plan was one of the reasons for the Selwyn District Council withdrawing that entire plan. When developing its initial plan under the RMA 1991 the Waimakariri District Council released a discussion document to test opinion concerning the noise of jet boats in the Waimakariri Gorge, but there was insufficient concern about this issue for any measures curtailing jet boat activity in the Gorge to be pursued.

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Source: Jet boating on Canterbury Rivers p.14

Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers – valued reaches and flow requirements provides an assessment of the reach of the Waimakariri Gorge from Mount White Bridge, which is just inland from the Poulter River to the Gorge Bridge. From a Kayaking perspective this stretch of the river is classified as Class II to II+ with features and values describing it as “beginner and intermediate white water, overnight wilderness trip, impressive wild and scenic river” Developing beginner to expert downriver racing run.” (p.ii) This is supported with the following comment: “Outstanding river for downriver race kayaking, wild and scenic gorges and Canterbury high country scenery.”

Class II is described as for novice paddlers on the international scale of river difficulty with “straightforward rapids with wide clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional manoeuvring may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. Rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated Class II+.” Appendix 1 Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers (p61)

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Paddlers in downriver multisport racing kayaks round the Hamilton Rapid in the Waimakariri Gorge. (Source: Photo: Ian Fox, Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers, p.27)

Kayaking the Waimakariri Gorge from the Mt. White Bridge to the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge is one of the iconic stages of the annual multisport Coast to Coast run from west to east across New Zealand’s South Island. On occasions this stage has been bypassed because of flood flows in the river. There is also the possibility of having too little water for the kayak stage of the Coast to Coast because of an irrigation take from the river above the end of the stage. This was taken into account when finalising the consent conditions for the Central Plains Irrigation Scheme take from this river. If there is a risk of the draw down resulting in a flow level that would prejudice the kayak stage of the race, this take is required to cease a specified time ahead of race day.

 Middle reaches of the Waimakariri River

The middle reaches of the Waimakariri River are from the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge to the Motorway Bridges and the adjacent jet boat launching ramp in the Waimakariri River Regional Park.

Jet Boating in Canterbury gives the length of the stretch of the river from Woodstock to the State Highway I Bridges as 69 kilometres all of which is boatable approximately 95% of the time. Although the quality of the experience is described as “something special” the scenic attractiveness is assessed as “2” with the most uninspiring being “1”. This reach of the river is very heavily used, with an estimate of 15,000 “user days” and a further 1,000 commercial user days per annum. There are a wide range of users of jet boats on the middle reaches of the Waimakariri River and these are understood to include commercial interests, trout and salmon fishers, family boating, racing and search and rescue.

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The middle reaches offer “excellent shallow water and braided challenges. It is excellent for learning to read shallow water, and develop and hone the techniques necessary in these situations without risking boat damage, although willow on berms are a risk that can be avoided. It is also noted that the river remains boatable in low flows during summer, although the extent of the challenge increases. For example, the river “can drop to about 30 m3/s in the lower section, when the minimum flow for Class 1 boaters is 60 m3s, and is still navigable. It should be noted that the current minimum flow for irrigation takes from the Waimakariri River is 41 m3/s which is considered too low for jet boating by people who are inexperienced.

The Jet Boat Association’s ramp just up-stream from the State Highway I bridges is widely used by jet boat owners from the greater Christchurch area. It is located within the Kaiapoi Island section of Environment Canterbury’s recently created Waimakariri River Regional Park. In the early days of European settlement this area was part of a 2800 hectare island between the current main-stem and the then North Branch. This area has been extensively developed with facilities for the public including barbecue/picnic tables and parking, with special spaces reserved for people with disabilities close to the unisex toilets also designed to cater for those with limited mobility.

Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers sees the middle reach of the Waimakariri River as being used widely by downriver racing paddlers, particularly for training. Willows on the river banks are seen as a hazard that can be avoided as can river protection works. Most of the rapids are considered relatively straight forward, although there can be significant turbulence where braided channels join. (p73) It is also noted that there are many intermediate access points, and attention is drawn to ones at Downs Road on the north bank and the Pylons at McLeans Island, also known as the Harewood Crossbanks, on the south bank.

The Ōtukaikino Creek, which is sometimes referred to as the Waimakariri South Branch joins the Waimakariri River from the south at State Highway I. The Goynes which are on this creek are seen as a popular flat water picnic area and are used on occasions by canoe clubs for flat water and slalom training, as well as kayak instruction. The Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers also notes that the Groynes is widely used by the public for picnicking and swimming.

 The Waimakariri River from State Highway I to the sea

This reach of the Waimakariri River is particularly heavily used for a wide range of recreation activities. As far as boating is concerned, jet boats are not permitted downstream of the State Highway I Bridges, but there are two yacht clubs based in the area. The Stewarts Gulley Yacht Club is based on the south bank at Stewarts Gulley and is regarded as outside the scope of this report. The Waimakariri Yachting and Power Boat Club is based at Kairaki and plays a major part in providing yachting opportunities for people in the Waimakariri District, particularly young people. This club also holds regular regattas competed in by members of other Canterbury yacht clubs.

The following photographs are from the 2016 North Canterbury Sailing Regatta held on 21/22 February. This was the first such regatta that the Club had held since the 2010 earthquake and it attracted a near record entry of 35 crews (49 sailors).

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Yachts being unloaded Waimakariri estuary February Yachts assembled for regatta on Waimakariri estuary 2016 February 2016

P Class yachts approaching a mark February 2016 Sunburst yachts approaching a mark February 2016 (Wamakariri Yacht and Power Boat Club Inc. website) (Wamakariri Yacht and Power Boat Club Inc. website)

The Waimakariri estuary is very popular for fishing, particularly whitebaiting and salmon fishing. At the mouth there is surfcasting for kahawai, elephant fish and greyboys, and herrings are also caught in the vicinity of the river mouth. Fish such as kahawai can be caught without a licence from Fish and Game New Zealand but an angler has to have a fishing licence to catch salmon.

North Canterbury Fish and Game advise that currently there are 2,266 adults with addresses in the Waimakariri District currently hold full fishing licences. Licences also allow anglers to fish for trout a certain times of the year and in specific locations across the Region.

Trout are caught in the Waimakariri River, but generally further up-stream. Sea-run trout can be caught close to the mouth, and these are fish that originated in a river and have spent a portion of their lives in the sea.

The Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association Inc. holds salmon fishing competitions in the lower Waimakariri River.

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Waimakariri estuary salmon fishing competition 2014 Recovering the winning fish caught by a junior angler in (NZ Salmon Anglers Assn Inc. website) 2013 competition (NZ Salmon Anglers Assn. Inc. website)

The Waimakariri estuary is a popular fishing spot, even when the conditions are not ideal as is shown by the presence of anglers in February 2016 when the river was running high and discoloured as is shown below

Waimakariri mouth February 2016 Waimakariri mouth February 2016

Close to the confluence with the Kaiapoi River, McIntosh’s Hole is an important fishing location on the Waimakariri River. As part of the Waimakariri Regional River Park development, a site has been developed to enable wheelchair bound anglers to fish from the bank. The following map shows the location of McIntosh’s and identifies the location of the wheelchair angling platform.

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Map identifying the location of the wheelchair angling platform (source: Waimakariri Regional Park Brochure – Environment Canterbury website)

The Canterbury Waimakariri Regional Park brochure advises that keys to gain access to the platform are available from the Kaiapoi department store, Blackwells, and that anglers wishing to use the platform must visit in person to obtain the key.

There are opportunities for swimming in the lower Waimakariri River when the river is relatively low, but there have been lives lost when people without life jackets find themselves in the river when it is running high. The water in this area of the river is tested regularly by Environment Canterbury to determine if it is meeting contact water quality standard.

The current monitoring locations are at Reids Reserve, which is close to the State Highway 1 bridges and the Stewarts Gully Yacht Club further down-stream. Recent sampling indicates that the standard of the water in contact recreation terms is classified “poor”. At both locations the SIC (sanitary inspection category) is assessed as “moderate”. The following graphs show the sampling results, and it should be noted that these are presented in logarithmic rather than equal interval graphs.

2015/16 contact water samples Stewarts Gulley (Source: 2015/16 contact water samples Reid’s Reserve (Source: Environment Canterbury website) Environment Canterbury website

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Over recent years there have been some changes which have impacted on the water quality in the lower river. Initially, there were plans to remove any effluent discharges from the Belfast Freezing Works from the Waimakariri River, although as the result of the extensive earthquake damage to the Christchurch sewer lines Silver Fern Farms still retains the right to discharge in emergencies. Such discharges would be made from a pipe attached the Old Main North Road Bridge, and in the past when frequent discharges were occurring there was significant odour which residents living nearby found objectionable. Prior to the opening of the Waimakariri District Council’s Eastern District Sewer System in 2006, the discharges from the Kaiapoi Sewerage Ponds located close to McIntosh’s went into the Waimakariri estuary via Jockey Creek. Sampling at the Waimakariri River mouth was discontinued in 2010/11 and based on these results the quality of the water at this location is classified as “very poor”.

3.1.2 Kaiapoi River and tributaries

The next section discusses the various spring-fed streams associated with the Kaaipoi River. The following map shows the locations of the various streams.

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s

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3.1.2.1 Kaiapoi River The Kaiapoi River through the Kaiapoi town centre hosts a number of recreation activities as well as providing the base for the Waimakariri Coast Guard. The main user of the Kaiapoi River is the Cure Boating Club, which dates from 1866. Other Christchurch based rowing clubs practiced at Kaiapoi in the post 2010/11 earthquake era when the conditions at Kerr’s Reach curtailed the amount of use that could be made of that venue. A major recent Christchurch based user, the St Margaret’s College Rowing Club, is considering establishing club facilities at Murphy Park.

The Cure Boating Club lost its clubhouse in the 2010 earthquake. It has recently opened its replacement building, costing in the vicinity of $1.8 million, $200,000.00 of which came from the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust.

The Club has a competitive senior squad, a competitive master’s membership, and local high school rowing programme in conjunction with the Rangiora and Kaiapoi High Schools. Its membership mainly comes from the North Canterbury area, including the towns of Rangiora and Kaiapoi, although a few of its members come from Christchurch. In all it has approximately 60 members and 40 active rowers.

New Cure Boating Club clubhouse (source: Cure Cure Boating Club rowers on the Kaiapoi River Boating Club website) (Private collection)

Further photographs illustrate the number of Cure Boating Club crews and the use that these make of the Kaiapoi River for training.

Cure crews on the Kaiapoi River down-stream of Cure crews on the Kaiapoi River in the town centre Kaiapoi (Private collection) with the MV Tuhoe recently lost on the Waimakariri bar, in the background (Private collection)

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The Cure Boating Club also ran a marathon race in 2016 which saw crews rowing from the Old Main Road Bridge on the Waimakariri River down to the estuary, and then up the Kaiapoi River to the Williams Street bridge in the centre of Kaiapoi.

The course of the Cure Boating Club’s 2016 Bridge to Bridge race.

The Kaiapoi River is used by people involved with dragon boat racing and waka-ama paddling for practice. These people put their boats into the water at Murphy Park, and reasonably easy access to the river is important, as these boats are a good deal heavier than the boats used by rowers.

Dragon Boat on the Kaiapoi River (Photograph: Susan Dalzell)

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Fishing in the Kaiapoi River includes whitebait, trout and salmon. Salmon that originate from the Silverstream hatchery, in particular, are likely to find their way into the Kaiapoi River. In 2015 approximately 70 “hatchery return” fish were recorded at the Silverstream hatchery and a further 100 in the lower Waimakariri River. These fish are identified from a fin clipped before it is released. Members of the Salmon Anglers Association are involved with the clipping of fish, and it is reported that they clipped approximately 210,000 in 2015, as their contribution to Fish and Game’s hatchery enhancement programme.

Residents do not swim in the Kaiapoi River because the poor water quality is widely recognised. The Kaiapoi River water is tested for recreation quality by Environment Canterbury and high E coli counts inevitably recorded. The following graph shows the test results for the summer of 2015/16.

Kaiapoi River Contact Recreation test results for Ecoli 2015/16 Source: Environment Canterbury website

Environment Canterbury’s water quality monitoring for contact recreation summary for 2015/16 which canvassed the five previous years testing records shows that the situation with respect to E coli in 2015/16 differed little from previous seasons.

Year No. of samples 95% ile SIC Suitability for recreation grade (SFRG) 2010/11 75 2400 High Very Poor 2011/12 76 2400 High Very Poor 2012/13 76 2400 High Very Poor 2013/14 76 2280 High Very Poor 2014/15 76 2420 High Very Poor Source: Robinson and Bolton-Ritchie: “Water quality monitoring for contact recreation Summary of 2014/15 season” Environment Canterbury website.MAC stands for Microbiological Assessment Category

Based on these results there is signage at the river advising that “Swimming is not recommended at this site.”

There has been a good deal of concern over an extended period about the way in the overall state of the Kaiapoi River and it is currently the subject of a number of research and other projects designed to improve the overall performance of the water body.

3.1.2.2 Cust River/Cust Main Drain

 The Cust River

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The Cust River enters the Main Drain system via the No.1 Drain at Fernside. The reach of the river between Swannanoa Road at Fernside and the Oxford Road (Scenic Highway 72) Bridge is often without water during summer months. In dry seasons other reaches of the Cust River upstream of the Oxford Road Bridge can also be without water which prompts the trout rescue activity by North Canterbury Fish and Game officers.

NZFishing.com reports that this river offers good brown trout fisheries in spring when flows are good. Most of the Cust River lies on private land so this website advisers that fishers to check with the landowner before they start fishing.

The Cust River is one of the priority-rivers for the taking of esplanade. There have been opportunities for the Waimakariri District Council to take esplanade strips along some portions of the Cust River, but currently these are not linked to provide continuous access along this river.

 Cust Main Drain

Flows in the Cust Main Drain system would appear to becoming more reliable, possibly as the result of the commencement of the Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme in 1999/2000. In 2008 Environment Canterbury reported that the Cust Main Drain at Threlkelds Road was one of very few rivers in Canterbury to record mean flow over the five seasons 2001 – 2006 higher than the mean flow for the full record. In this instance the increase was +5%. This conclusion is supported by recently work undertaken for the hydrological current state report for the Waimakariri zone (Megaughin and Hayward, 2016).

Extensive investigation of the Cust Main Drain was undertaken in the late 1980s during the development of the Waimakariri River Regional Plan. It was concluded that low flows were not creating serious difficulties for the fishery as the adult fish were able to swim down- stream to deeper water.

The Cust Main Drain is relatively popular for trout fishing, and its lower reaches for whitebaiting. Tuana (eels) are also present in this waterway. There are no barriers to access to the Cust Main Drain for fishers.

There are generous grassed areas on either side of the Cust Main Drain between Ashworths Road and Skewbridge Road and beside these shingle roads with low traffic volumes. These areas are popular with walking groups and for people to exercise their dogs.

Main Drain close to Skewbridge Road Bridge Main Drain from Ashworths Road Bridge

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A few people choose to swim in the Main Drain close to the Skewbridge Road Bridge, despite the advice that from a contact perspective the water quality is currently shown as “very poor” on Environment Canterbury’s website. The last year in which this waterway was systematically monitored for contact recreation water quality was 2005/06, and the results of testing for E coli in that summer season are set out below.

Main Drain E Coli test results 2005/06 (Source: Environment Canterbury website)

3.1.2.3 Ohoka Stream

There are two main branches of the Ohoka Stream which join on the south side of Mill Road east of the Ohoka village. There is a third and smaller branch of this stream that feeds into the mainstem in the vicinity of Christmas Road. From a recreation perspective the esplanade is probably the most significant feature of the Ohoka Streams.

Access to the northern side of the stream is provided by the Mill Road reserve for a limited stretch of the river east of the junction of Mill and Christmas Roads. An esplanade strip has been established on the opposite bank for this reach of the river.

The Ohoka Stream above the Christmas Road Bridge is a priority river for esplanade under the Waimakariri District Plan, although in settling a planning appeal the Council agreed with residents that taking esplanade on this stretch of the river for “access” should be omitted from the Plan. Some areas of the Ohoka Stream between Christmas and Jacksons Road have had esplanades established.

For some of the distance between Jacksons and Whites Roads the Ohoka Stream runs through the Ohoka Reserve. This part of the stream has seen significant environmental enhancement with the speed of the flow improved by narrowing the bed and planting the banks. A community group has also been involved with the establishment of an area of indigenous plants in a part of the reserve not required for other recreational uses.

A further esplanade and formed walkway along the Ohoka Stream has been established to the east of Bradleys Road with the development of the Millstream subdivision adjacent to the Ohoka village in the 1990s.

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Ohoka Stream (middle branch) in the Ohoka Millstream walkway from Bradleys Road Reserve

3.1.2.4 Kaiapoi/Silverstream

There would appear to be some confusion about the point at which the Silverstream becomes the Kaiapoi River, but this section considers recreation activities from the headwaters of the Silverstream to the confluence of this waterway with the Ohoka Stream and the Cust Main Drain north of the Island Road Bridge. This stream is one of the starred rivers in the Waimakariri District Plan, and a number of esplanades have been created, although some have been reduced in width.

The major recreation area for the recently established Silverstream subdivision to the west of Kaiapoi is bisected by the Kaiapoi/Silverstream. The presence of the stream adds considerable amenity value to the reserve area and to the subdivision as a whole.

An additional feature of the recreation and amenity value of the Silverstream is the Silverstream Reserve, located on the reach of the stream between South Eyre Road and Baynons Road and west of Heywards Road. In 2009, the Waimakariri District Council adopted a reserve management plan for the Silverstream Reserve under the Reserves Act 1977. While some of the existing lease arrangements were to continue, this plan provided for streamside planting and access from a designated car parking area. Community participation in the on-going environmental enhancement of the reserve is encouraged, with support from a Silverstream Reserve Advisory Group.

In addition to the streamside recreation and amenity values of this stream, it was a relatively popular fishing stream for trout and salmon, particularly in the vicinity of the new subdivision. Trout, salmon and tuna are currently found in this stream.

3.1.2.5 Cam River and tributaries including the Northbrook Ponds

The Cam River joins the Kaiapoi River to the west of the Kaiapoi urban area, and is also a “priority river” for esplanade under the Waimakariri District Plan.

This stream has been the focus of considerable biodiversity enhancement since the Waimakariri District Council commissioned its Eastern Districts Sewer Scheme and discharges into the Cam River system ceased. The protection of the stream has been assisted by the availability of funds from a Cam River Fund established by order of the Environment Court, as part of the settlement of a case brought by members of the

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community when the Waimakariri District Council was found to be operating the then Rangiora sewerage system in breach of its resource consent in 2000. Grants have been made from this fund to assist farmers to fence land bordering the Cam River and install alternative stock water systems.

The Cam River offers opportunities to fish for trout. NZFishing.com reports that the Cam River supports reasonable populations of brown trout in the one to four pound size range. Access is available at the Tuahiwi end of Bramleys Road, from Youngs Road which leads off Lineside Road between Kaiapoi and Rangiora, and from the Lower Camside Road Bridge on the north-western side of Kaiapoi. To the east of Revells Road the Council established an esplanade on the south bank of the Cam River. Unfortunately this does not provide a continuous walkway as there is another small stream joining the Cam River some 250/300 metres from Revells Road.

The Northbrook Ponds provide a very significant recreation resource in Rangiora. This series of linked ponds was developed by the Waimakariri District Council in the early 2000’s on the site of the Northbrook Sewer Oxidation Plant, and was prior to the site of a fellmongery. The area covers approximately 6 hectares of which 3.4 hectares is ponds surrounded with indigenous vegetation. Pathways and bridges provide access through the area. The recreation experience is enhanced by the addition of educational signage explaining the ecological and heritage significance of areas within the site.

Northbrook Ponds signage explaining the ecological Northbrook Ponds remnants of fellmongery and signage values explaining the heritage feature

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3.1.2.6 Kaiapoi Lakes

Although not part of the Waimakariri River system, these lakes immediately to the north of Kaiapoi are close to the Cam River and are located on a 25 hectare site. The Kaiapoi Lakes have been created from shingle pits, and the reserve area offers opportunities for passive recreation, including picnicking. Some people take the opportunity to kayak on these lakes, which are also stocked with “course fish”, introduced species other than trout and salmon, and also feature native fish including tuna (eels).

The Kaiapoi Lakes have been a significant bird breeding area in the District, and a study carried out in 1994 by the Canterbury Ornithological Society identified 31 species at the site. These included eight rare or uncommon species of which five were breeding at the reserve. A concept plan developed in 1997 provided a buffer zone to protect these birds, but recent development may have reduced the value of this area as a breeding ground.

3.1.3 Eyre River and tributaries

The Eyre River rises in the foothills relatively close to the Waimakariri Gorge, and its main foothills tributaries are Coopers Creek and Gammons Creek. For much of the year east of the Scenic Highway 72 Bridge south of Oxford the Eyre River has limited above ground flows. This means that this river offers relatively limited water related recreation opportunities.

Water returning to the lower reaches Eyre River (Photo Ian Kennedy WDC)

There is a swimming hole, however, on Coopers Creek at Mountain Road which is used by people living in that area.

The headwaters, Coopers Creek and the Eyre River are within the Department of Conservation’s Oxford Forest Park which has a number of formed walking and/or mountain biking tracks of varying length and difficulties.

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Recreation opportunities in the Oxford Forest Park (Department of Conservation website)

The most prominent of these is the Wharfedale Track, work on which commenced in 1879 with a view to opening up access to Lees Valley. It is described as a “long and easily graded track” and it used to be used as a stock route to move stock from the upper plain to Lees Valley. The Wharfedale Track crosses the saddle between the headwaters of the Eyre River and the Townshend River which is a tributary of the Ashley River/Rakahuri. The other main tracks in the area are from Coopers Creek to Ryde Falls and the View Hill car park to Ryde Falls.

The Department of Conservation has recorders on this track and advises that “the Wharfedale [Track] saw an increase in use last year, likely as a result of the upgrades funded through the Community Conservation Partnership Fund Scheme which were well publicised to the mountain bike community through social media.” (See Appendix 2 for the counts recorded on this track from January 2011 to December 2015)

The Jet Boat Association indicates that under certain river conditions there are opportunities for jet boating on the Eyre River. Jetboating on Canterbury Rivers indicates that it is possible to boat the 35 kilometres from the Waimakariri River to the Oxford (SH72) Bridge, but a high flow (flood) is needed. The level of the challenge posed is described as Class 3, and the river is described as “shingle, willows, braided” with a gradient of 6.3m/km. (p.85)

Class 3 is “adventure boating. Expert skills required. Boat damage/loss probable if mistakes made. Families not recommended. Crew and driver at risk if accident occurs….” (p 24) In fact, it is understood that jet boating the Eyre River is really only feasible as the river level is decreasing after a flood flow when the shingle is no longer being carried along

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in the water, thus avoiding the risk of stones in the intake. The following photograph shows the Eyre River in high flood at the Eyre Diversion.

Eyre Diversion 31 July 2008 (Photo: Ian Kennedy Waimakariri District Council)

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3.2 The Ashley River/Rakahuri and tributaries

3.2.1 Ashley Gorge and Lees Valley

The Ashley Gorge and Lees Valley offer significant recreation opportunities. In response to a leaflet survey designed to identify community values while developing the Waimakariri District Plan, more respondents identified Ashley Gorge as an area that warranted landscape protection than any other area within the District including the Waimakariri Gorge.

The Ashley Gorge Reserve is one of the District’s most popular reserves. It is located beside the river as it leaves the gorge, and its facilities include toilets, changing sheds and play equipment. The land rises steeply on the northern side of the river, and this area which features native beech forest is managed by the Department of Conservation.

The reserve also includes a camping ground operated under contract from the Waimakariri District Council. The stretch of the river beside the reserve is swimmable under normal flow conditions and is very widely used. The following photographs were taken in January 2016 with the temperature approaching 30oC

Swimming at Ashley Gorge Reserve 23 January 2016

Ashley Gorge Reserve attracts picnickers as well as those intending to swim, and these people often include those in the older age groups who enjoy the natural environment and gain pleasure from watching children playing in the reserve as well as in the water. Waimakariri District Council research indicates that on public holidays the reserve attracts between 2,000 and 5,000 people. People from Christchurch some 60 kilometres away are frequently among the visitors as the reserve is a convenient way-point on round trips from the City through Loburn, returning along Tram Road or across the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge down State Highway 73.

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Picnickers at Ashley Gorge Reserve 23 January 2016 Picnickers at Ashley Gorge Reserve 23 January 2016

Other widely recognised swimming locations in the Ashley Gorge area include one to the east of the Gorge Bridge which is accessed from the reserve and another at Middle Bridge in the gorge. There are also recognised swimming holes in Lees Valley, at the Townshend River, the Whistler River and the upper Okuku River.

In addition there is a scenic route which offers a round trip available from the Ashley Gorge Road, up Lees Valley to the Okuku River at the head of the valley, returning via the Okuku Saddle and Loburn. When The Okuku River is low it can be forded by car, but it is advisable to make this trip in a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

The following aerial photograph shows the Ashley Gorge.

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The Ashley Gorge is valued for Kayaking. The reach from Gillespies Bridge in Lees Valley to Middle Bridge is rated as class II (III) for difficulty, and is recommended for “developing beginners and intermediate white water kayakers”. The area is described as having a wilderness feel, as it is a wild and scenic river gorge in “Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers – valued reaches and flow requrements.” It is 8.3 km in length with a gradient of 5.2 m/km. (Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers p16)

The reach from Middle Bridge to the Ashley Gorge Reserve is the more difficult with a class III+ rating and recommended for outstanding intermediate/advanced white water kayakers. In terms of scenery it is similar to the upper gorge. This stretch of the gorge is 12 km in length and has a gradient of 7.5 m/km.

The flow requirements in the Ashley Gorge for kayakers vary for those with differing abilities:

Reach of river Beginner m3/s Intermediate Advanced m3/s Expert m3/s m3/s Gillespies to 10-30 10-16 20-100+, - Middle Bridge Middle Bridge to - 10-45 20-200 20-250+ Reserve

The following photograph shows a kayaker navigating white-water in the Ashley Gorge at an estimated flow of 10 m3/s.

(Source: Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers p38 – Photographer Doug Rankin)

3.2.2 Mt. Thomas Forest Park

The Glentui River is the first of the tributaries of the Ashley River/Rakahuri to the east of the gorge. The headwaters of the Glentui River are in the Department of Conservation’s Mt Thomas Forest Park, which also features Mt. Richardson. The Department’s map below shows the tracks and the location of toilets in this area. The Blowhard Track, like the Wharfedale Track also owes its origins to the movement of stock from Lees Valley to the upper plain. The popular Glentui picnic area, which is serviced with a long-drop toilet, is a

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feature of this Forest Park. This area also offers bush walks, access to the river and views of waterfalls.

Glentui area within the Mt Thomas Forest Park (Source: Department of Conservation website)

The headwaters of the Garry River, the Ashley River/Rakahuri tributary immediately downstream of the Glentui River, provide a further picnicking and camping opportunities in an area serviced with toilet facilities in the Mt. Thomas Forest Park. This area also has a range of tramping opportunities, with tracks of varying lengths, which are shown on the following diagram. See Appendix 2 for the track counts for Wooded Gully.

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The Garry River area within the Mt. Thomas Forest Park (Source: Department of Conservation website)

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3.2.3 Okuku River

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The Okuku River is a tributary of the Ashley River/Rakahuri, which like the Glentui and the Garry has its source in the foothills to the north. It rises at the back of Lees Valley and is crossed close to its source by those undertaking the “round trip” through Lees Valley. The confluence of the Ashley River/Rakahuri and Okuku Rivers at Fernside marks the western end of the recently created Ashley/Rakahuri Regional Park.

The stretch of the river between the Okuku River Bridge and the Ashley River Bridge, at Rangiora, is extensively used by 4-wheel drivers. When the river is higher after a period of rain, jet boats can be heard in the section between these two bridges. There are a number of recognised swimming holes on the Okuku River and the area close to the Okuku River Bridge is used by both picnickers and swimmers.

This river is also valued by advanced kayakers. The stretch of the river from the Lees Valley Road to Fox Creek is described as outstanding for advanced and expert white water kayakers (call III+ and IV), with flows of 10 – 60 m3/s for advanced kayakers and 10 – 100+ m3/s for expert kayakers. (Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers p.32). Like the Ashley Gorge, the kayaking experience on the upper Okuku is described as having a “wilderness feel” and as “wild and scenic river gorges”.

3.2.4 Ashley/Rakahuri Regional Park

The Ashley/Rakahuri Regional Park Management Plan was signed off after extensive consultation in 2008, and measures to establish the park were included in the 2009/19 Environment Canterbury Long Term Plan.

The following maps of the Regional Park illustrate the wide range of recreation opportunities this area has to offer.

The Okuku to Rossiters Road area provides opportunities for shooting, 4 wheel driving and the use of all-terrain vehicles on the north side of the river which are not permitted elsewhere in the Park. There are also camping opportunities identified on the south side of the river in this area.

There is also a recognised swimming area close to the confluence with the Okuku River opposite the junction of Mt. Thomas and Kennedys Hill Roads.

Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park: Okuku to Rossiters Road (Source: Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park Management Plan)

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The section of the Regional Park from Rossiters Road to Tulls Road is the closest to Rangiora and is heavily used. Each year Environment Canterbury creates swimming holes close to the Cones Road Bridge across the river and at the groyne by the Rangiora Race Course.

The stop banks in this area are popular year-round for biking and walking, with or without dogs. This area also features the Mike Kean Walkway which runs from the Ashley Picnic Ground to the railway bridge car park, named in honour of Mr Kean, a Community Board Member, who played a prominent role in the establishment of the Regional Park.

The Ashley Picnic Ground which is on the south side of the river east of the Cones Road Bridge, is provided by the Waimakariri District Council on land leased from Environment Canterbury. The grounds have been extensively landscaped by the Waimakariri District Council over recent years and are popular as an over-night “park-up” stop for campervans. The parking and toilets are also used by the adjacent MBX Club.

Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park: Rossiters to Tulls Road (source: Ashley Rakarhuri Regional Park Management Plan)

Environment Canterbury has recently begun monitoring water at the Cones Road Bridge for contact recreation quality, and the following graph shows the E Coli readings for the 2015/16 summer.

Source: Environment Canterbury website

Since the 2010/11 season the recreational water quality at this location has “fair”, and the SIC (sanitary inspection category) is “moderate”.

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Year No. of 95% SIC Suitability for recreation grade samples ile (SFRG) 2010/11 46 482 Moderate Fair 2011/12 61 385 Moderate Fair 2012/13 76 455 Moderate Fair 2013/14 76 294 Moderate Fair 2014/15 74 434.8 Moderate Fair Source: Environment Canterbury website

The Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park from Tulls Road to the coast also provides a wide range of recreation opportunities. These include walking. swimming, picnicking, and kitesurfing. Jet skiing and kayaking occur in Saltwater Creek, which flows into the estuary, as well as the Ashley River/Rakahuri estuary.

Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park: Tulls Road to the coast (source: Ashley Rakarhuri Regional Park Management Plan)

3.2.5 Ashley River/Rakahuri – general opportunities for jet boating and fishing

The Ashley River/Rakahuri is described by NZFishing.com as typical of many small to medium sized Canterbury rivers in that it gets very low during summer months. The fishing is best between October and December in the lower reaches.

Trout are found in the Ashley River/Rakahuri, and in seasons when various reaches of the river are without water Fish and Game officers are called upon to rescue fish. Sometimes mature salmon are found in the lower reaches of this river.

There are opportunities for jet boating on the main-stem of the Ashley River/Rakahuri. Jet Boating on Canterbury Rivers notes that boating on the river is highly flow dependant, and that willows are rampant between Rangiora and Gorge, which limits boating and creates navigational and safety hazards. Boats have been sunk as the result of running into willows in the past. Jet Boats on the Ashley River/Rakahuri are also likely to encounter difficulties in shallow water

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Source: Jet Boating on Canterbury Rivers p30.

The gorge has been boated on several occasions when the River is in flood. The downstream run is very challenging and access is only possible at Ashley Gorge Reserve, Middle Bridge and Gillespies Bridge.

The minimum flows on the Ashley River/Rakahuri required for jet boating are, for the gorge from Lees Valley to Middle Bridge 50 m3/s, and from Middle Bridge to the Reserve 70 m3/s. For the reach from the Reserve at the Gorge to SH 1 the minimum for experts is given as 20 m3/s and for a family boater 30 m3/s.

Access at Rangiora is restricted by Environment Canterbury fencing. Also, there is no uplifting of speed restrictions below the State Highway 1 (SH 1) Bridge. Riverbed nesting birds are found from SH 1 to Okuku confluence. The Ashley/Rakahuri Rivercare Group has a well-established management and monitoring programme and indications are that jet boats do not disturb birds when nesting.

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4 THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT

4.1 The beaches

There are four recognised areas for swimming along the Waimakariri coast. From south to north these are Pines Beach, Woodend Beach, Pegasus Beach and Waikuku Beach. The most recently opened-up of these is Pegasus Beach which is accessed through Pegasus.

There are no facilities at Pines Beach, although there is a camping ground nearby and also a car park behind the dunes. There is a need for toilet facilities in this area for the fishing community as well as for people swimming at Pines Beach. Environment Canterbury tests the water at the beaches and grades the water at Pines Beach as “good”.

Woodend Beach does not have any facilities at the beach although there are toilets as the Woodend Beach Reserve. It has a surf-patrol each year from mid-December to mid- January. The water quality at Woodend Beach is graded by Environment Canterbury as “very good”. This beach is also used extensively by race-horse trainers to exercise their horses, and a user agreement is now in place under the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2016.

The area is also used extensively by recreational riders who like to use both the beach and the forest trails by the Tūhaitara Coastal Park. These may be individuals or groups such as the Pegasus Riding Club and the Cust Equestrian Group.

The Pegasus Beach has a car park area close to the coast and a formed walkway over a relatively low dune which include steps down to the beach. The beach is also patrolled from mid-December to mid-January. It has toilet facilities at the car park and the area is secured with a locked gate at night. Environment Canterbury has been testing water at Pegasus Beach for five seasons and in 2015/16 did not have sufficient data to give the water at this location a grade.

Waikuku Beach is just to the south of the Ashley River/Rakahuri mouth. It has an active surf club, and the beach is patrolled from mid-December to mid-January. There is a camping ground nearby, and the area has toilet facilities and a playground. The water at Waikuku Beach is graded “very good” by Environment Canterbury. Like the other beaches in the Waimakariri District the sea cannot be viewed from the car park because it is behind the dunes. The only location from which a person with disabilities can view the surf from a vehicle in the District is at Waimakariri River estuary at Kairaki.

The Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2016 provides for land yachts (including sand yachts and blokarts) to use the beach from the Waikuku Beach horsefloat car park and access trail, which is south of the Waikuku Beach, to the mouth of the Waimakariri River.

4.2 Tūhaitara Coastal Park

The Tūhaitara Coastal Park is managed by the Te kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, which was established as part of the Ngāi Tahu settlement and has representatives of Ngāi Tahu and the Waimakariri District Council. The Trust has a long term vision for the development of the coastal park, which already has walkways and trails stretching along the coast from Pines Beach to Waikuku. The walkway from Pines Beach/Kairaki to Waikuku is 10.5 kilometres, and from Woodend Beach Road to Kiwi Avenue at Waikuku is 5 kilometres.

40 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

The following map provides an indication of the recreation opportunities provided by the park and also shows the road from Pegasus to Pegasus Beach and the walkway to the beach at that location.

Source: Tūhaitara Coastal Park Brochure

Of particular significance is the Tūtaepatu Lagoon, which is east of Woodend and close to the Pegasus Eastern Conservation Area. This lagoon has been the focus of much of the environmental restoration work of the Trust, and has received considerable funding assistance from the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee’s Canterbury Water Management Immediate Steps Programme.

Viewing platform at the Tūtaepatu Lagoon (Source: Tūhaitara Coastal Park Brochure)

41 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

4.3 Ashley/Rakahuri estuary and tributaries

The following map show the Ashley/Rakahuri estuary and the tributaries that flow into it.

42 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

4.3.1 Pegasus

The man-made lake at Pegasus is a feature of this development. While the water in the lake is consented for secondary contact, Environment Canterbury added the lake to its testing regime in 2014/15. Although it currently meets contact recreation standards most of the time Environment Canterbury indicates that it has insufficient data to officially grade it for contact recreation. The following graph shows the E Coli readings for Lake Pegasus for 2015/16.

Lake Pegasus water quality testing 2015/16 (Source: Environment Canterbury website)

Lake Pegasus is valued for swimming and has been used for the swimming leg of the Pegasus triathlon. Members of the Pegasus community are also pressuring the authorities to maintain contact recreation standard water quality in the lake. It is understood that it would be very difficult to maintain recreation standard water quality in Lake Pegasus in the long term because of difficulties that will be associated with doing this given the water source and the structure of the lake. To date there has been one cyanobacteria outbreak, during the summer of 2015/16, which lead to the closure of the lake for swimming.

Lake Pegasus is extensively used for dragon boating and waka-ama, by those practicing and for major contests, including a secondary schools regatta, which brings a large crowd to the town.

Waka-ama paddlers on Lake Pegasus (Photo: Merv Davis)

43 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

Dragon Boats on Lake Pegasus (Photo: WDC)

Small yachts are also sailed on Lake Pegasus.

Pegasus has two significant wetlands, the Eastern Conservation Management Area and the smaller Mudfish Conservation Area of 1.7 hectares adjacent to the Western Ridge Conservation Area. The Eastern Conservation Management Area has been extensively planted with indigenous plants and has paths and board walks to allow residents and visitors to enjoy the wetland area.

Eastern Conservation Management Area 2009 (Photo: Pegasus Town Ltd.)

The smaller Mudfish Conservation Management Area is beside the western ridge that separates the Pegasus urban area from the Pegasus Golf Course, an area which is of great significance for Maori. The Western Ridge is also a formally established conservation area under the Reserves Act 1977, and these two areas are subject to a management memorandum involving Ngāi Tahu, Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, the Waimakariri District Council and the town’s developers.

44 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

4.3.2 The Taranaki Stream

The Taranaki Stream is included in this section rather than the section of this profile which describes the recreation activities and/or opportunities associated with the Ashley River/ Rakahuri, because of its links with Pegasus and the coastal environment.

The Taranaki Stream rises inland from Woodend, and from where it is crossed by State Highway 1 it is a priority river for esplanade in the Waimakariri District Plan. This stream flows through and provides a number of water features for the Pegasus Golf Course. Water from the wetland areas at Pegasus and Lake Pegasus also ultimately finds its way to the Ashley River/Rakahuri estuary via the Taranaki Stream.

The Waikuku Reserve of 9.7 hectares lies between the beach settlement at the Kings Avenue/Queens Avenue and more recent Allan Drive settlement and there are currently discussions between the Council and the Community about the development of the area as a natural park. The Taranaki Stream flows along the western side of this reserve, and when subdivision occurred an esplanade reserve was established from Waikuku Beach Road to the stopbank to the north. There is also walkway in the road reserve between Kings Avenue and the beach settlement, established to allow safer pedestrian access between the two settlements as Waikuku Beach Road carries heavy traffic particularly at holiday time.

Like the estuarine areas of the Ashley River/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek, whitebait and tuna (eels) are found in the Taranaki Stream.

4.3.3 Ashley River/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek Estuarine Areas

The estuarine areas at the mouth of the Ashley River/Rakahuri, including Saltwater Creek include a string of wetlands with important ecological values, including some special invertebrates and plant communities. These combine to provide a significant habitat for many birds, and over the years there have been reports of many rare or relatively rare species being sighted including: royal spoonbills, spotted shags, bar-tailed godwits, banded dotterels, black and pied stilts, black-fronted terms, white-fronted terms, Caspian terns, white-faced herons, little owls, wrybills, grey tailed (Siberian) tattlers and red-billed gulls (source: Birds of Christchurch website).

The Ashley River/Rakahuri and Saltwater Creek Estuarine areas are recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a wetland of “international significance”. The Regional Coastal Environment Plan for the Canterbury Region lists it as an area of “significant natural value with Maori cultural values; wetlands, estuaries, coastal lagoons; marine mammals and birds’ ecosystems, flora and fauna habitat; historic places; coastal landforms and associated processes.”

Environmental groups have shown an interest in having the estuarine area a RAMSAR site or wild life sanctuary. The RAMSAR Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the Convention was signed in 1971.

45 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

While the Regional Park covers part of the estuarine area, there are other areas which are vested with the Department of Conservation. These are a coastal area of 221.32 hectares vested under the Conservation Area Pacific Ocean Foreshore Conservation act 1987, and a smaller area of 10.72 hectares within the estuarine area also vested under the Conservation Area Ashley River Mouth Conservation Act 1987.

Both these areas Department of Conservation controlled areas are towards the north of the estuarine area close to Saltwater Creek. Included among the recreation opportunities in the Saltwater Creek area is the Saltwater Creek walkway which is partly on land controlled by the Waimakariri District Council and partly on land for which Environment Canterbury is responsible.

Fenton Reserves and Entitlements established under the Ngāi Tahu claims Settlement Act 1998 also exist in this area. Access for Fenton Reserve owners and the holders of Fenton Entitlements for mahinga kai purposes is a right established by this statute, and a Fenton users’ agreement is currently being negotiated between the owners and holders of entitlements and the Council.

The Waimakariri District Council and Environment Canterbury have an interest in managing the competing interest and activities in this estuary. The Waimakariri District Council’s Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2016 seeks to control access in order to protect the area’s natural values including the bird’s breeding areas, and a user agreement has been signed off by the Council and local kitesurfers is now in place to control the activities of this group of recreational users. Environment Canterbury provide ranger patrols to support these controls, and the Waimakariri District Council makes an annual contribution towards this.

The Ashley River/Rakahuri estuary like the Waimakariri River estuary is important for fishing, particularly whitebait, and Kahawai and other ocean run fish. The area is also an important breeding ground for whitebait and flounder.

Recreation water quality monitoring has been undertaken in the Ashley River/Rakahuri estuary, but was discontinued in 2011/12 and is currently classified as “poor”. Recent sampling has shown high E Coli counts.

5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This document has been reviewed by Maureen Whalen, Matt Dodson and Ellie McNae (Environment Canterbury) and Geoff Meadows and Veronica Spittal (Waimakariri District Council).

46 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

APPENDIX 1: SUMMARY OF RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES BY ACTIVITY

Locations providing opportunities for swimming

Locations Features Townshend, Wistler and Access via the winding Lees Valley Road, no recreation contact upper Okuku (Lees Valley) water testing Ashley River/Rakahuri Middle Bridge: swimming hole in the middle of the gorge valued for its relative isolation. Ashley Gorge Reserve Very popular, well-appointed with facilities (toilets, changing sheds, and play equipment), and adjacent camping ground. Below Gorge Bridge: popular swimming hole does not have facilities but is accessed from the Reserve. Water quality graded “good” when rain affected data is removed Rangiora: holes created each year by Environment Canterbury (Ecan), water quality testing since 2010/11 graded “fair”. Potential for cyanobacteria outbreaks in the lower river. Toilets provided at the Ashley Picnic Ground by the Waimakariri District Council (WDC). Okuku River Several recognised swimming holes used by people living in the area. No water testing being undertaken. Waimakariri River Various opportunities along the river, vary from season to season. Testing for contact recreation water quality at Reid’s Reserve and Stewarts Gully graded “poor”. Coopers Creek Swimming hole at Mountain Road used by people living in the area. Main Drain Limited use by swimmers in the vicinity of Skewbridge Road Bridge. Water quality graded “poor” Environment Canterbury. Last tested for contact recreation in 2005/06. Lake Pegasus Consented for secondary contact. Water quality testing introduced in 2014/15, test show E Coli levels currently acceptable for swimming. Lake closed in 2015/16 when cyanobacteria present. I used for swimming leg of the Pegasus Triatholon. Pines Beach Close to the Waimakariri estuary. Water quality “good”. No facilities at the Beach. Camping ground nearby, and car park behind the dunes. Need for toilet for the fishing community. Woodend Beach Water quality “very good”. Horse training on the beach. Surf patrols on duty from mid-December to mid-January. Pegasus Beach Recently opened with access from Pegasus. Toilets at beach, and board walkway over the dunes. Waikuku Beach Surf patrols mid-December to mid-January. Base for Waikuku Beach Surf Club. Camping ground close by. Public toilets and playground available.

47 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

Locations providing opportunities for boating

Locations Features Waimakariri River - Gorge Kayaking and jet boating, difficulty moderate and scenic values very high. Public access not available, glimpses into the gorge available from the Midland Railway Line. Middle reaches Kayaking and jet boating, boatable from State Highway 1 (SH 1) Bridges to Gorge, braided river presents challenges, particularly for jet boats when the river level is low. Access available at a number of points. Kayaking identifies Downs Road and the Harewood Crossbanks. Jet boat launching ramp by SH 1 Bridges available to all. Lower river Yachting, clubs based at Stewarts Gully and Kairaki. Waimakariri Yachting and Power Boat Club has 80 year history focuses on family boating and youth participation and holds regattas on estuary. Jet Skiing popular on estuary. (Note: river closed to jet boats below SH 1 Bridges) Eyre River Jet boating: boatable from the Eyre Diversion to the Scenic Highway 72 Bridge at Oxford, only when in flood. Classified as adventure boating, with risks to crew and drivers stressed. Not for family boating. Kaiapoi River Rowing: Cure Boating Club established 1866, senior and masters rowing squads training on river. Club works with District High Schools to provide rowing programme. Christchurch clubs used river after 2010/11 earthquakes. Bridge to bridge race sees rowers travelling from the Old Main Road Bridge on Waimakairi River to Williams Street Bridge, Kaiapoi. Dragon boating and Waka-ama: Paddlers use river uses for practice. Lake Pegasus Dragon boating: competitions including the Christchurch Secondary Schools event, and training. Waka-ama: training. Yachting: small boats Ashley River/Rakahuri Jet boating: opportunities limited by river level, willows present hazard. Gorge has been boated by experienced driver when river in flood, with the reach from Middle Bridge to the Reserve particularly challenging. Kayaking: Gorge is highly valued for grade II to III+, with the reach from Middle Bridge to the Reserve the more difficult. Wilderness value is rated highly. Jet Skiing: in the estuary and Salt Water Creek. Okuku River Kayaking: Upper reach valued for experienced paddlers, including highly rated wilderness experience. Jet boating: limited by flow

48 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

Locations providing opportunities for fishing

Locations Features Waimakariri River Salmon: length of river including estuary during season, with controls on spawning areas. Require a licence, renewed annually issued by Fish and Game. Very popular with fishers using both sides of the river. Trout: length of river, with sea-run trout most likely in the lower reaches. A fishing licence is also required to catch trout. Whitebait: Very popular for whitebaiting, with bait caught in the estuary and the lower reaches of the river. Kahawai and other ocean run fish (not salmon): mainly caught surf-casting at or close to the mouth. Kaiapoi River Salmon: some salmon raised at the Silverstream hatchery find their way back into the Kaiapoi River. Trout: limited trout fishing in the upper Kaiapoi Whitebait: quite popular for whitebaiting despite the issues with water quality. Cust River Trout: good fishing for brown trout early in the season when flows in the river are good. Later in the season it is sometimes necessary to rescue fish as river level drops. Tuna (eel): are found in varying numbers throughout the northern tributaries of the Waimakariri River system. Cust Main Drain Trout: good fishing, with the larger fish able to swim downstream to deeper water when water level declines. Tuna (eel): are found in varying numbers throughout the northern tributaries of the Waimakariri River system. Whitebait: limited amounts of whitebait caught as far upstream as the Skewbridge Bridge. There are no constraints on access to the Cust Main Drain. Kaiapoi/Silverstream Trout: lower reaches popular with trout fishers prior to the development of the Silverstream subdivision. Salmon: some fish clipped for identification return to the hatchery each year. Tuna (eel): are found in varying numbers throughout the northern tributaries of the Waimakariri River system. Cam River Trout: reasonable populations of brown trout available. The main access points at the Tuahiwi end of Bramleys Road, Young’s Road and Lower Camside Road. Tuna (eel): are found in varying numbers throughout the northern tributaries of the Waimakariri River system Ashley River/Rakahuri Trout: described as typical of many small to medium sized Canterbury rivers with fishing best in the early summer in the lower river, but available all season upstream from Rangiora. Salmon: some caught in the lower reaches of the river. Whitebait: the estuary and Salt Water Creek are very popular for whitebaiting Tuna (eels): present in the river and tributaries Kahawai and other ocean run fish (not salmon): caught at the mouth or from the sea close to the mouth. Kaiapoi Lakes Tuna (eels): present in lakes established from old shingle pits to the north of Kaiapoi. “Course fishery” established by Fish and Game.

49 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

Locations providing opportunities for picnicking, walking and other river/stream side activities

Locations Features Waimakariri River Regional Walking, and cycling tracks and picnicking facilities provided on Park the north side of the River, with car park and toilet facilities close to the SH 1 Bridges. Fishing platform for wheelchair bound fishers at McIntoshs Hole by the confluence with the Kaiapoi River. Kaiapoi River Riverside walkway, incorporated into the Waimakariri River Regional Park Kaiapoi Island walkway, with access off the Old Main North Road. Cust Main Drain Area between Ashworths Road and Skewbridge Road particularly popular with walking groups and for walking dogs. Road reserves on both sides of the Cust Main Drain with shingle roads carrying low volumes of traffic. Cust River A priority-river for taking esplanade, with some reaches with esplanade strips but not linked to form continuous walkway Kaiapoi/Silverstream A priority-river for taking esplanades, with some strips established with reduced width. The stream is a feature of the Silverstream subdivision and runs through the main reserve in the development. Community planting of indigenous plants is a feature of the Silverstream Reserve. Ohoka Stream A priority-river for taking esplanades to Jacksons Road. Esplanade strip established downstream of Christmas Road. Community planting and stream enhancement in the Ohoka Reserve. Esplanade walkway established on the north branch east from Bradleys Road as part of the Millstream subdivision. Cam River A priority-river for taking esplanades. Esplanade strip has been established from Revells road. Northbrook Stream Northbrook ponds established from the former Rangiora sewer ponds and on the sight of a previous fellmongery developed in the early 2000s offers passive recreation with a series of walkways with signage providing information about ecological and heritage values. Taranaki Stream A priority-river for taking esplanades. Esplanade established from Waikuku Beach Road to the stopbank, with a walkway along the stream edge an enhanced with planting. Oxford Forest Conservation The Wharfedale Track begins at the Coopers Creek/View Hill Area car park and is the best known of the tracks in this conservation area. Other tracks include the walkway to the Ryde Falls. Department of Conservation (DoC) counter shows significant recent increase in the use of the Wharfedale Track. Ashley River/Rakahuri Gorge Gorge Reserve offers opportunities for short walks, and members of the community walk dogs in the areas immediately below the Gorge Bridge. Mt. Thomas Conservation The Glentui picnic area marks the beginning of the Richardson Area Track leading up to Mt. Richardson, and a number of shorter tracks. The Richardson Track links with the Blowhard Track, which connects Lees Valley with the Okuku area. The Garry River picnic area marks the starting point for another group of foothills tracks including the Wooded Gully Track and a number of other inter-connecting tracks offering walks of varying lengths.

50 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

Ashley/Rakahuri Regional Okuku to Rossiters Road: Offers opportunities for walking, with Park or without dogs and cycling on stop-banks. All-terrain vehicles can be used in areas to the north of the river in this part of the Park. River care group seeks to protect the habitat for rare and/or endangered birds that nest on the riverbed. Rossiters to Tulls Road: Features the Rakahuri Trail running from Groyne 1 eastwards along the south bank of the river is a shared mountain bike/walk way. The Mike Kean Walkway runs from the Ashley Picnic Ground to the Railway Bridge car park, named in honour of Mr. Kean who played a major part in the establishment of the Park. Entrances to the riverbed on the north side of the river are available. The river care group also actively involved in this area. Tulls Road to the coast: Further walking and cycling opportunities. Bird watching is a feature of the estuary as there are opportunities to view many very rare or rare birds in this area, some of which are migratory. Kite-surfing is also featured at the Ashley/Rakahuri estuary. Tūhaitara Coastal Park Pegasus Bay Walkway in this park, administered by the Te kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, offers opportunities for walking, mountain biking and horse riding. The walkway stretches from Pines Beach in the south to Waikuku in the north, following closely to the coast. Toilet facilities and picnic areas provided along the walkway. Tūtaepatu Lagoon major wetland of great significance to Maori, to the east of Woodend. The subject of major ecological restoration work, which has been assisted with funding from the Waimakariri Zone Committee’s Immediate Steps Biodiversity Fund. Pegasus wetlands Eastern Conservation Management Area: an extensive wetland which has been the subject of extensive planting of indigenous species adapted to wetland conditions with paths and boardwalks through the area. Mudfish Conservation Area and adjacent Western Ridge Conservation Area: areas to the west of the Pegasus urban area protected because of their significance for Maori and the protection of indigenous mudfish. Kaiapoi Lakes Located to the north of Kaiapoi, reserve developed from former shingle pits offer opportunities for passive recreation including facilities for picnicking.

51 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

APPENDIX 2: DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION TRACK COUNT RECORDS

Counts recorded for the Wharfedale Track: January 2011 – December 2015

Source: Department of Conservation

52 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

Counts recorded for Wooded Gully Track: January 2011 – August 2015

1200

1059

1000

800 685 691 677 661 632 606 585569567 600 540531 523 499 503 493 508 468

379 376 366 400 340 344 351 312 330 329 314 290 299 299 304 269 279 257 252 250 231 226 204 192 158 156159 161163 166 154 200 132 134 101 59 73 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0

31386 100084750 2011 JUL 2011 100084750 31386 JUL 2012 100084750 31386 JUL 2013 100084750 31386 JUL 2014 100084750 31386 JUL 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 SEP 2011 100084750 31386 SEP 2012 100084750 31386 SEP 2013 100084750 31386 SEP 2014 100084750 31386 SEP 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 FEB 2011 100084750 31386 FEB 2012 100084750 31386 FEB 2013 100084750 31386 FEB 2014 100084750 31386 FEB 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 JAN 2011 100084750 31386 JAN 2012 100084750 31386 JAN 2013 100084750 31386 JAN 2014 100084750 31386 JAN 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2013 JUN 2013 100084750 31386 31386 100084750 2011 JUN 2011 100084750 31386 JUN 2012 100084750 31386 JUN 2014 100084750 31386 JUN 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2015 DEC 2015 100084750 31386 31386 100084750 2011 DEC 2011 100084750 31386 DEC 2012 100084750 31386 DEC 2013 100084750 31386 DEC 2014 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 APR 2011 100084750 31386 APR 2012 100084750 31386 APR 2013 100084750 31386 APR 2014 100084750 31386 APR 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 OCT 2011 100084750 31386 OCT 2012 100084750 31386 OCT 2013 100084750 31386 OCT 2014 100084750 31386 OCT 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 AUG 2011 100084750 31386 AUG 2012 100084750 31386 AUG 2013 100084750 31386 AUG 2014 100084750 31386 AUG 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 NOV 2011 100084750 31386 NOV 2012 100084750 31386 NOV 2013 100084750 31386 NOV 2014 100084750 31386 NOV 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2011 MAY 2011 100084750 31386 MAY 2012 100084750 31386 MAY 2013 100084750 31386 MAY 2014 100084750 31386 MAY 2015 100084750 31386

31386 100084750 2012 MAR 2012 100084750 31386 MAR 2013 100084750 31386 MAR 2014 100084750 31386 MAR 2015 100084750 31386 31386 100084750 2011 MAR 2011 100084750 31386 Source: Department of Conservation

53 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC

REFERENCES

Canterbury Water Management Strategy (Canterbury Mayoral Forum 2009)

Kayaking on Canterbury Rivers: reaches, values, and flow requirements (Ecan Report R14/31 prepared by DA Rankin, N Earnshaw, IMG Fox and T Botterill)

Jet Boating on Canterbury Rivers – 2015 (Prepared for Environment Canterbury by Rob Greenaway, Rob Gerard and Ken Hughey)

Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park Management Plan (Adopted 2008 Ecan)

Silverstream Reserve Management Plan (Adopted 2009 Waimakariri District Council)

Progress Towards Community Outcomes 2009 (Waimakariri District Council)

Waimakariri District Plan

Tūhaitara Coastal Park Brochure (Tūhaitara Coastal Park website)

Waimakariri Regional Park Brochure (Ecan website)

Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2016 (Waimakariri District Council)

Department of Conservation website

Visit Waimakariri website

Cure Boating Club website

Waimakariri Yachting and Power Boating Club website

NZFishing.com website

Waimakariri zone: Hydrology Current State Report (Ecan Report R16/xx, prepared by M Megaughin and S Hayward)

54 Waimakariri Zone Recreation: Current State Report Prepared by Mary Sparrow For Ecan and WDC