Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review

Lease name : MIDDLEHURST

Lease number : PM 031

Conservation Resources Report - Part 1

As part of the process of Tenure Review, advice on significant inherent values within the pastoral lease is provided by Department of Conservation officials in the form of a Conservation Resources Report. This report is the result of outdoor survey and inspection. It is a key piece of information for the development of a preliminary consultation document.

Note: Plans which form part of the Conservation Resources Report are published separately.

These documents are all released under the Official information Act 1982.

December 10

RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT

MIDDLEHURST

PASTORAL LEASE

CONSERVATION RESOURCES REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

OCTOBER 2010 RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1: INTRODUCTION...... 2 Map Topographical/Cadastral...... 3 PART 2: INHERENT VALUES ...... 4 2.1 Landscape...... 4 2.1.1 Landscape Context...... 4 2.1.2 Landscape Description...... 4 Map Landscape Units and Values ...... 9 2.2 Geology, Landforms and Soils...... 10 2.2.1 Geology...... 10 2.2.2 Landforms ...... 11 2.2.3 Soils...... 11 2.3 Climate...... 11 2.4 Land Environments of New Zealand (LENZ) ...... 12 Map LENZ Threat Categories ...... 13 2.5 Vegetation...... 14 2.5.1 Ecological Context...... 14 2.5.2 Vegetation and Flora...... 15 2.5.3 Problem Plants ...... 31 Map Botanical Values...... 32 2.6 Fauna...... 33 2.6.1 Birds and Lizards ...... 33 Map Bird and Lizard Values ...... 35 2.6.2 Freshwater Fauna (fish and invertebrates) ...... 36 Map Freshwater Fauna Values ...... 39 2.6.3 Terrestrial Invertebrates ...... 40 Map Invertebrate Values...... 44 2.6.4 Problem Animals...... 45 2.7 Historic...... 45 2.7.1 European Heritage Values...... 45 Map Historic Values...... 48 2.8 Public Recreation...... 49 2.8.1 Physical Characteristics ...... 49 2.8.2 Legal Access...... 49 2.8.3 Activities...... 49 PART 3: OTHER RELEVANT MATTERS AND PLANS...... 50 3.1 Consultation...... 50 3.2 District Plans...... 50 3.3 Conservation Management Strategies...... 51 3.4 New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy ...... 51 PART 4: ATTACHMENTS...... 52 4.1 Additional Information...... 52 4.1.1 Scientific Names of Species...... 52 4.1.2 References Cited...... 56

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PART 1 INTRODUCTION

Middlehurst Pastoral Lease (hereafter called “the property”) is leased by Middlehurst Station Limited. The property covers approximately 11420 hectares on the Inland Kaikoura Range and Mt Lookout between the Awatere and Clarence rivers in South Marlborough. It comprises one large parcel of land on the upper northwest slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range (with a small part extending onto the southeast side of the range at the head of Bluff River), two other parcels (connected to the first) on Mt Lookout and Mt Winterton, and a separate parcel along the Awatere River gorge, upstream from the confluence of the Winterton River.

The property mostly comprises steep broken country from an altitude of approximately 600m at its northern point in the Awatere valley to over 2400m along the crest of the Inland Kaikoura Range. The property is drained by Winterton, George and Tone rivers, which are tributaries of the Awatere River.

Middlehurst Pastoral Lease lies mainly in Tapuae-o-Uenuku Ecological District (ED), with a small area at the south-eastern end lying inside the Dillon ED. Both of these are part of the Clarence Ecological Region (ER) (McEwen, 1987). Although Tapuae-o-Uenuku ED has not been surveyed as part of the Protected Natural Areas Programme, Dillon ED has; and a large area was recommended for protection which crosses the ED boundary into Tapuae-o-Uenuku ED. This area, known as Dillon RAP 7: Tone, covers the parts of the property to the west of Thomas Stream, but not including Thomas Stream, and up to the crest of the Inland Kaikoura Range (Courtney and Arand, 1994).

The property adjoins Tapuae-o-Uenuku Scenic Reserve to the northeast, Molesworth Recreation Reserve to the south, and Ka Whata Tu O Rakihouia Conservation Park to the southeast, and southwest. It adjoins Mt Gladstone Pastoral Occupation Licence to the north and freehold parts of Middlehurst Station on other western and northern boundaries. Access to the property is from Seddon via Awatere Valley Road. Unformed legal access to the property is delineated along the Awatere, Winterton, George and Tone rivers, though not all these rivers provide practical access.

The tenure review inspection of the property was undertaken during February 2010 by a number of specialists. These specialists’ reports (listed below) form the basis of this Conservation Resources Report. o High Country Tenure Review Programme, Landscape Assessment, Middlehurst Pastoral Lease. Blakely Wallace Associates, April 2010. 13pp. o Vegetation Report for William Stream, Tone and Awatere river survey areas, Middlehurst Pastoral Lease Tenure Review. Simon Moore. 12pp. o Vegetation Report for Mt Lookout, Middlehurst Pastoral Lease Tenure Review. Jan Clayton-Greene. 12pp. o Vegetation Report for Winterton River headwaters, Middlehurst Stream and Mt Winterton, Middlehurst Pastoral Lease Tenure Review. Shannel Courtney. 17pp. o Assessment of the Bird and Lizard Values of Middlehurst Pastoral Lease, South Marlborough. Peter Gaze, May 2010, 10pp. o Middlehurst Pastoral Lease, A Report on the Aquatic Fauna Surveys. Scott Bowie, June 2010, 16pp. o Middlehurst Pastoral Lease Tenure Review Survey: Invertebrates. Ian Millar. 16pp. o Historical Assessment for Awapiri Station Pastoral Lease: Steve Bagley, June 2010, 17pp.

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Topo Map

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PART 2 INHERENT VALUES: DESCRIPTION OF CONSERVATION RESOURCES AND ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

2.1 LANDSCAPE

2.1.1 Landscape Context

Middlehurst Pastoral Lease is centred on the northwest slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range with a small part extending onto the southeast side of the range at the head of Bluff River. The property extends from Tone Saddle in the southwest to the upper slopes of Mitre Peak in the northeast. It lies between Tone River in the south and Winterton River in the north. The two most dominant features of the property are the steep rocky northwest faces of the Inland Kaikoura Range and Mt Lookout (1814m), a prominent pyramid-shaped mountain isolated from the main range.

The Inland Kaikoura Range separates the Awatere valley from the Clarence valley and is flanked across the Clarence valley by the parallel Seaward Kaikoura Range. The massif of Tapuae-o-Uenuku (2885m) is the dominant and crowning feature of the northeast South Island. The property lies between the Awatere and Clarence faults. Tectonic movement has been a major factor in the appearance of the land, resulting in mountain uplift and subsequent landslides, rockfalls, disjointed landforms, steep slopes and displaced streambeds. Volcanic features are also apparent in the colour of screes and bluffs on Mt Lookout. The landscape has an arid, harsh and rugged character.

The property comprises three largely-separate blocks, most with straight-line boundaries unrelated to the topography. It is physically and visually part of the upper Awatere valley; a remote part of the South Island high country. The property lies close to Molesworth Station, a well-known high country station.

2.1.2 Landscape Description

For the purposes of this landscape assessment Middlehurst Pastoral Lease is divided into four landscape units, reflecting areas of similar landscape character. For each landscape unit, landscape character is evaluated using the following criteria: o Naturalness: the condition of the natural vegetation, patterns and processes and the degree of modification present o Legibility: expressiveness: how obviously the landscape demonstrates its formative processes o Aesthetic Factors: e.g. distinctiveness and coherence. Distinctiveness is the quality that makes a particular landscape visually striking; frequently this occurs when contrasting natural elements combine to form a distinctive and memorable visual pattern. Coherence is based on characteristics including intactness, unity, continuity, and compatibility (intrusions, alterations, disruptions tend to detract from coherence) o Historic Factors: historically valued attributes in the context of a high country landscape o Visibility: the visibility of the landscape from public vantage points

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Awatere River (LU 1)

The Awatere River landscape unit is a narrow wedge-shaped section of the property with an arbitrary boundary unrelated to topography. The Awatere River flows through a gorge with steep and prominent slopes, buttresses and chutes. The property boundary cuts across the scarp so that it excludes some of these landscape features, especially on the northwest side of the river. Exposed bedrock has a pinkish hue revealing its volcanic origin. Slopes vary from moderately steep to very steep. The river follows a meandering path through the gorge.

Vegetation is variable and includes scrubby vegetation (manuka dominant) associated with rocky bluffs and steep gullies. Elsewhere are scattered manuka, sweet brier*1 and low-producing pasture. Broom* has established a firm hold in the gorge and at the time of inspection was in full flower and very conspicuous.

Visual Values The deeply incised river gorge and steep rocky slopes, particularly on the northwest side of the river (some of which lies outside the property boundary), and the meandering river, are visually distinctive and memorable. Naturalness is reduced by the severely modified vegetation which also negatively affects visual and scenic values. The presence of broom* also downgrades visual values to some degree. With time and appropriate management, the condition of natural values could be reversed.

Landscape Vulnerability The river gorge unit is highly modified by grazing and burning. Regenerating manuka shrubland is still vulnerable to fire. The unit is vulnerable to: o Broom* and possibly wilding pine* spread. o Burning/removal of native shrublands. o Feral animal damage.

Evaluation Criteria Value Comment Naturalness low to Manuka shrubland is present on steep slopes and bluffs. medium Legibility high Slopes, buttresses and volcanic parent material clearly reveal formative processes. Aesthetic medium Gorge formation is distinctive and memorable. Broom* Factors infestation disrupts coherence. Visibility low Not easily visible from public places. Largely hidden from the Awatere Valley Road.

Mt Winterton (LU 2)

The Mt Winterton landscape unit is typical of the north- and northeast-facing slopes on the western side of the Winterton River. The adjoining freehold parts of the property have a similar appearance and landscape character. It appears as a dissected and crumpled landscape with few distinguishing features, except for the narrow steep-sided gorge of the Winterton River. Mt Winterton rises to 1162m. Vegetation appears (although only observed from the air) as predominantly grassland with areas of shrubland (sweet brier* and grey shrubs). Pockets of riparian shrubland may be present within the Winterton River gorge. It has an arid appearance and is highly modified.

1 Naturalized (introduced) species are indicated by an asterisk *

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Visual Values This is typical mid-altitude rangeland with few distinguishing features. It appears as developed hill country.

Landscape Vulnerability The slopes of Mt Winterton are highly modified. This country is fragile and unsuited to major change or intensive landuse. This unit is vulnerable to: o Wilding tree* spread. o Feral animal damage. o Unsympathetic earthworks.

Evaluation Criteria Value Comment Naturalness low Exotic species are dominant. Legibility medium Formative processes apparent but not obviously expressed. Aesthetic medium Not striking or distinctive; typical mid-altitude rangeland. Factors Visibility low Maybe visible from the Awatere Valley Road but at some distance. Appears as foreground foothills to the Inland Kaikoura Range.

Mt Lookout (LU 3)

This landscape unit includes the upper part of Mt Lookout, above approximately 1000m. The boundary between the leasehold and freehold parts of the property is again an arbitrary straight line boundary. Mt Lookout (1814m) is a prominent local landmark in the upper Awatere valley. It is isolated from the main range and has a distinctive summit. The unit also includes the upper basin of Middlehurst Stream and some upper tributaries of the Tone, George and Winterton rivers.

The bluffs and upper spurs are the most distinctive features of Mt Lookout. They have very prominent bands of volcanic rock, with cone-shaped scree slopes below the bluffs. The bedrock and scree are a characteristic chocolate-brown colour with a tinge of red, which contributes to the distinctive appearance of Mt Lookout. Some scree slopes extend quite a distance downslope. Scrubby patches of manuka and snow totara are conspicuous on the steep southeast-facing slopes. The predominant vegetation below the scree and rock is over-sown pasture, depleted short tussock and silver/grey mat-forming mouse-ear hawkweed*. Shattered rock is also present within the pasture zone.

The northwest slopes of Mt Lookout are not as steep as the southeast slopes. The slopes are bare and dry with bedrock close to the surface, steep and sometimes rocky gullies. Pasture, matagouri and scattered shrubland form the main vegetative cover. Upper Middlehurst Stream drains northeast from Mt Lookout to the Awatere River.

Apart from the modified vegetation, the other signs of human intervention are fences and well grassed access tracks. On the southeast face the fence forms the upper boundary of over-sowing and top-dressing which in spring conditions creates a conspicuous line on this face. A small building and an access track are located on the southwest side.

Visual Values Mt Lookout is a prominent and distinctive feature in the upper Awatere valley. It is visible over a wide area. It is prominent due to its height, location away from the main range, distinctive summit and the colour of the rock and scree. The upper portion in particular has significant inherent visual and scenic values.

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Landscape Vulnerability The most likely threat to landscape values is any farm development or more intensive landuse that would further reduce or affect remnant shrubland. This unit is also vulnerable to: o Wilding tree* spread. o Burning. o Feral animal damage. o Unsympathetic earthworks.

Evaluation Criteria Value Comment Naturalness low Some patchy shrubland, especially around the summit cone. Legibility medium Tectonic, volcanic and erosional processes legible. Aesthetic medium Visually distinctive and memorable. A degree of Factors modification to vegetation disrupts coherence. Visibility high Highly visible within the Awatere valley.

Inland Kaikoura Range

This landscape unit covers the majority of the Middlehurst Pastoral Lease. It includes all the northwest slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range from near Tone Saddle in the south to the slopes below Mitre Peak and Tapuae-o-Uenuku in the north. This unit is divided here into two sub-units based on river catchments; however the attributes of both sub-units are similar.

Winterton River tributaries (LU 4a) This sub-unit covers the portion of the north- and northwest-facing slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range that drain to the Winterton River, including an upper tributary of Totara Stream. These strongly dissected slopes feature a series of short but very steep tributaries, some with upper basins. Upper faces are steep and rocky with precipitous slopes, buttresses, bluffs, jagged and fretted rock outcrops, debris chutes and extensive scree. Vegetation on the upper slopes is predominantly gravel and rock with sparse alpine cushionfield. The southern tributaries of Winterton River flow through a large mid-altitude basin with relatively extensive wetlands.

Mid-altitude ridges between the upper tributaries are moderately-steep and broken. Vegetation appears to be predominantly modified grassland with some scattered riparian shrubland.

Tone River tributaries and Bluff River basin (LU 4b) This sub-unit covers the portion of the north- and northwest-facing slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range that drain to Tone River (including George River) and the small part of the property in the upper Bluff River catchment. Upper slopes and the summit ridge have the same rugged mountainous characteristics as those within the Winterton sub-unit. Apart from a small area adjacent to the Tone River, south of Thomas Stream, most of this sub-unit lies above 1200m altitude.

Vegetation on upper slopes is confined to a sparse covering of alpine cushion plants at sheltered sites. Most mid slopes support modified grassland with a scattering of shrubs and some tall tussock. The shrublands become denser and more extensive in the deeper gullies. Patches of snow totara occur, often on southern faces close to streams.

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Visual Values The scale, their rugged features and vast screes of these mountain slopes are highly impressive and form a memorable and distinctive backdrop to the Awatere valley. The lower slopes, while having reduced natural values are, in landscape terms, an integral part of this mountain backdrop.

Landscape Vulnerability This high-altitude, steep and mountainous terrain is geologically unstable. Vegetation at these altitudes is highly vulnerable to disturbance. Grazing and burning has modified vegetation on lower slopes. This unit is vulnerable to: o Over-grazing. o Burning. o Feral animal damage. o Inappropriate and unsympathetic earthworks.

Evaluation Criteria Value Comment Naturalness variable High on upper slopes and basins; low on lower colluvial slopes. Legibility high The rugged mountain slopes are very expressive of tectonic movement and related processes. Aesthetic high Very striking and distinctive; impressive scale. Factors Degradation on lower slopes detracts and downgrades coherence. Visibility variable Majority is highly visible as part of the Inland Kaikoura Range. An important backdrop to the upper Awatere valley.

Significance of Landscape Values

High-altitude parts of the property are an integral part of the Inland Kaikoura Range, southwest of the central massif of Tapuae-o-Uenuku and Mitre Peak. The Inland Kaikoura Range is the highest mountain range outside the Southern Alps and is a dominant feature of Southern Marlborough. The upper mountain slopes retain all their natural processes, characteristics and features. These are quintessential rugged South Island high country mountains with highly impressive landforms, scree, rockland and associated sparse alpine vegetation.

Mt Lookout is a very prominent and distinctive feature of the upper Awatere valley. Especially significant are the prominent bands of volcanic rock on the summit and upper spurs, and the relatively extensive volcanic screes below the bluffs. The colour of the bedrock and scree is distinctive.

The Awatere River gorge contributes to the scenic and amenity character of the river. Its steep rocky slopes, outcrops and buttresses are visually distinctive and highly impressive.

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Landscape Values Map

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2.2 GEOLOGY, LANDFORMS AND SOILS

2.2.1 Geology

Middlehurst Pastoral Lease is underlain by two major groups of rocks, deposited in the Early and Mid Cretaceous periods. The southeast side of the property lies on well-bedded sandstones and mudstones and poorly-bedded sandstones of the Early Cretaceous Pahau Terrane, collectively referred to as greywacke. Within this geology occur other rock types, as minor beds or lenses. Near the extreme eastern corner of the property the greywackes have been hornfelsed (baked) by the igneous intrusion forming Tapuae-o-Uenuku, though the hornfelsed rock appears to be just beyond the property boundary (Rattenbury et al, 2006).

The northwest side of the property, around Mt Lookout, lies on Mid Cretaceous rocks, divided into two sub-groups. The eastern part of this area, including the lower southeast slopes of Mt Lookout and the Mt Winterton block, is underlain by two formations interpreted as arising from a fan-delta complex that infilled the fault-controlled basins. These formations unconformably overlie the greywacke. They are the Gladstone Formation of indurated conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and mudstone and the younger Winterton Formation of moderately indurated, mildly deformed conglomerate and siltstone.

The western part of this area, from the southeast mid-slopes of the Mt Lookout Ridge and including the northwest outlier of the property along Awatere River, is largely on Lookout Formation. This formation consists of basal conglomerate and coal measures overlain by extensive volcanic flows of trachybasalt and trachyandesite (intermediate in composition between trachyte and basalt and andesite, respectively), interbedded with volcanic conglomerates, sandstone and limestone lenses. In the lower part of this formation, the volcanic flows were terrestrial in origin, while the later ones were produced underwater. The volcanics are inferred to have been fed by numerous dikes from the major Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku intrusion immediately northeast of the property. Dikes emanating from this intrusion are visible in the Gladstone and Winterton Formations and the greywacke.

Overlying these geologies is a scattering of middle to late Pleistocene landslide debris and alluvial fan and terrace deposits and generally smaller Holocene swamp, scree and landslide deposits.

The main structural features in the area of the property are the active Awatere and Clarence faults, which run parallel on either side of the property. These are two of the four major dextral strike-slip faults (the others being the Wairau and Hope faults) that strongly influence geology and geomorphology in the south Marlborough-north Canterbury region. They are involved in stress release from the oblique continent to continent convergence between the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates which has resulted in the elevation of the Southern Alps and Kaikoura ranges and in the separation of Nelson from Otago.

The Awatere Fault lies within one kilometre of the northwest sector of the property, along the Awatere valley. The Clarence Fault is slightly more distant, lying across the lower southeast slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range. The Clarence Fault is associated with the rapid uplift occurring in that range.

Rattenbury et al, (2006) also indicate the presence of a third, shorter, active fault running through the property just west of Mt Lookout summit. This fault is sub-parallel with the Awatere Fault and converges toward it north of the property. The downthrown side of the fault is also its downhill side, so movement on this fault may be responsible for uplift of Mt Lookout. Older faults, considered to be inactive (i.e. showing no signs of movement during the past 125,000 years) are present in many parts of the property.

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2.2.2 Landforms

The property lies across the northwest slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range, from just below Mitre Peak in the north to St Bernard and Tone Saddle in the south. It includes much of the Mt Lookout ridge which runs parallel to the main range, about six kilometres distant. Active uplift of the range has formed the steep, high mountain ridges and incised valleys with mostly narrow alluvial flats which typify the property. The altitudinal range of the property is over 1800m, from Mt Symons (2408m) to approximately 600m on the Awatere River. Mt Lookout summit reaches 1814m.

Given the steepness of much of the property, large landslide deposits are surprisingly rare. A significant exception, however, is the large basin below Mt Cold. This has formed by infill of the original valley by debris of a large rockslide from the ridge north of Mt Cold. The main wetland in this basin is somewhat unusual in that the stream channel running through it has a series of peat or peat/mineral dams restricting flow. A final dam at the lower end of the wetland controls outflow onto the face of the lower end of the rockslide infill, which drops abruptly to the incised valley below.

Small-scale features on the property are some small areas of “patterned ground”, consisting of stripes, rectangles and hexagons of coarser stones within a matrix of finer material, in the dry, flat areas of the large basin northwest of Mt Cold. This is a periglacial phenomenon assumed to be caused by frost action.

The deeply incised Awatere River section of the lease flows through a gorge with steep and prominent slopes, distinctive buttresses and chutes. The meandering path of the river has had obvious effects by the natural process of the river progressively cutting through the volcanic rock that occurs in this area.

2.2.3 Soils

Higher altitude parts of the property on the mountain ranges are devoid of soil or have poorly- developed shallow soils along the ridges and steepland soils on the upper slopes. Mid-altitude slopes mostly have shallow hill country soils. Recent alluvium along rivers and streams has sandy loams. The predominantly alkaline nature of the volcanic rocks is likely to add significant natural fertility to the associated soils.

Significance of Geology, Landforms and Soils

The geology of Middlehurst Pastoral Lease is complex and interesting. The property spans a diverse range of geologies and landforms. High rates of uplift, extensive faulting and prominent summits, contribute to the significance of the landforms. Notable features are the high steep slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range, the large basin of the upper Winterton River below Mt Cold, the prominent volcanic summit of Mt Lookout and the incised Awatere River gorge.

2.3 CLIMATE

Middlehurst Pastoral Lease has a relatively dry inland climate with high sunshine hours. Annual precipitation varies from around 800mm in the Awatere valley to over 2400mm at the crest of the range. The area experiences a wide temperature range between summer and winter. Snow may lie at higher altitudes for several weeks during winter. Winds are predominantly from the northwest, with occasional south or southwest winds (Tomlinson, 1976).

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2.4 LAND ENVIRONMENTS OF NEW ZEALAND (LENZ)

LENZ is, as described by Leathwick et al. (2003), “a classification of New Zealand’s landscapes using a comprehensive set of climate, landform and soil variables chosen for their role in driving geographic variation in biological patterns.” The classification units of LENZ, termed land environments by Leathwick et al. (2003), aim to “identify areas of land having similar environmental conditions regardless of where they occur in New Zealand.” Therefore “LENZ provides a framework that allows prediction of a range of biological and environmental attributes. These include the character of natural ecosystems, the vulnerability of environments to human activity, and the potential spread or productivity of new organisms” (Leathwick et al. 2003). Leathwick et al. (2003) present the LENZ information at four levels of detail, with Level I containing 20 environments, Level II containing 100 environments, Level III containing 200 environments and Level IV containing 500 environments. These LENZ classes are presented nationally to assist use at a range of scales.

In an analysis of the LENZ Level IV data, with consideration of the remaining indigenous vegetation cover and the legal protection of these environments, Walker et al. (2005) proposed a threat classification for the remaining indigenous biodiversity in New Zealand’s environments based on the two components of vulnerability (likelihood of loss): poor legal protection and risk of loss. This threat classification (Table 1) has become the recognised benchmark for the promotion of threatened LENZ conservation.

Table 1 LENZ threat categories and definitions (Walker et al. 2005)

Category Criterion acutely threatened <10% indigenous cover remaining chronically threatened 10-20% indigenous cover remaining at risk 20-30% indigenous cover remaining critically under-protected >30% indigenous cover remaining <10% legally protected under-protected >30% indigenous cover remaining 10-20% legally protected less reduced and better protected >30% indigenous cover remaining >20% legally protected

On Middlehurst Pastoral Lease, several small areas of lower-altitude country lie within the ‘chronically threatened’ land environment, occurring on the southeast side of Mt Lookout, above the Tone River; and above the Awatere River. The vegetation of these is generally highly modified, with few native species present. Small areas of lower-altitude country lie within an ‘at-risk’ land environment. Other parts of the property, below approximately 1100m altitude, lie in ‘under- protected’ or ‘critically under-protected’ land environments. These areas also have been modified and retain little of their original vegetation communities. All other high altitude parts of the property lie within ‘less reduced and better protected’ land environments.

Significance of Land Environments Small lower-altitude parts of the property lie within an at-risk land environment. Remaining parts of the property lie within critically under-protected, under-protected or less reduced/better protected land environments.

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LENZ Threat Map

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2.5 VEGETATION

2.5.1 Ecological Context

Ecological Districts The majority of Middlehurst Pastoral Lease lies in Tapuae-o-Uenuku Ecological District; the remainder, which is along the Tone River, falls in the Dillon Ecological District. Both of these Ecological Districts are within Clarence Ecological Region. Dillon Ecological District has been surveyed as part of the Protected Natural Areas Programme (PNAP) (Courtney and Arand, 1994), with a large area recommended for protection (Dillon RAP 7 – Tone) covering the upper Tone River and including Tone Saddle and St Bernard. This area crosses the ecological district boundary into Tapuae-o-Uenuku Ecological District; however, PNAP surveyes have not been undertaken for this district.

There are two unpublished reports (Williams, 1984; Clare, 1990) and a published paper (Williams, 1989) which describes the vegetation of the Inland Kaikoura Range. Williams (1984) includes two ‘sites of significance’. Both of these sites occur within the property in the upper Winterton River catchment: 1. Lookout Creek: low forest and scrub communities of mountain totara−mountain toatoa−Brachyglottis cassinioides with scattered mountain beech on the eastern slopes of Mt. Lookout; 2. Winterton Basin: alpine and subalpine scree, bluff, grassland, herbfield and wetland communities.

Existing Vegetation In general terms, indigenous communities on the property become less modified as altitude increases. The least modified communities lie in the alpine zone where the property boundary coincides with the main ridge of the Inland Kaikoura Range. With the exception of the presence of hawkweed* species and the relatively light effects of browsing by animals, these communities are largely as they would have been in pre-human times.

Below the alpine zone human modification through burning, grazing, over-sowing and the influx of wild animals and weeds have modified vegetation patterns. A matrix of exotic grassland, native- dominated grassland, bluff communities, scree, shrubland and herbfield are present. The few terraces and gentler slopes are either dominated by exotic grasses or induced shrublands of matagouri and sweet brier*. Many steepland areas are only sparsely vegetated.

There are occasional refugia on lower south-facing mountain slopes and in riparian zones, which indicate the composition of the original vegetation. Mountain totara, mountain ribbonwood and mountain toatoa would have dominated the woodland and forest communities in the montane zone of the Tone River catchment.

Introduced hawkweed species are widespread over the property and, like elsewhere in the South Marlborough ranges, continue to expand their distribution and density. Broom* has invaded the riparian slopes, scarps and terraces of the Awatere River including other areas on the property.

Historic Vegetation Patterns Pre-human vegetation below treeline on the valley floors may have contained a high component of matai in the Awatere catchment (McGlone and Basher, 1995), doubtless along with lower elevation mixed broadleaved species, many of which remain represented. The dry slopes of gentle to moderate gradient are likely to have been dominated by mountain totara, mountain ribbonwood, mountain toatoa and broadleaved species such as akiraho and kapuka. Bluffs are likely to have been dominated by Helichrysum spp, Brachyglottis monroi, Pachystegia ‘B’ and Heliohebe spp. In the subalpine

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zone snow-tussockland would have dominated along with shrublands of mountain inaka and snow totara. Alpine communities are likely to be comprised of much the same species as they are today.

However, fire caused widespread vegetation change, as described by McGlone and Basher (1995): ‘…Widespread fire broke out in the early Polynesian era and between 750 and 600 years B.P. the Awatere catchment lost most of its forest cover, which was replaced by bracken, grass and scrub. There was a slight recovery of forest and scrub after 600 years B.P. when burning frequency lessened. Increased burning, grazing and introduction of exotic weeds accompanied the penetration of the region by European pastoralists in the 1860’s. The post-1960 era is clearly indicated by the upsurge of Echium vulgare and Pinus spp.’

2.5.2 Vegetation and Flora

The property is divided into five main areas for this description of the vegetation.

Awatere River

The riverbed and adjacent slopes on this part of the property were surveyed. Steeper riparian slopes and bluffs were only able to be examined through binoculars. The altitudinal range of this survey area is between 600m and 800m.

The main vegetation communities are: o Mixed riparian bluff communities; o Broom* scrub and shrubland on scarps, riparian slopes and terraces; o Mixed pasture/grassland on scarps and riparian slopes; o Kanuka scrub and low forest on alluvial terraces and toe slopes; o Mixed broadleaved treeland and scrub on colluvial scarps and riparian slopes; o Juncus rushland in an alluvial terrace depression.

The vegetation on this part of the property is highly modified. Burning, over-sowing, spraying, grazing, browsing by wild animals and weeds, particularly broom*, have substantially reduced native plant communities along this section of the Awatere River. There is some native vegetation on bluffs and steep scarps as well as some remnant scrub on terraces, but none are ecologically intact.

Riparian bluffs are typically denuded. Occasional Helichrysum intermedium, coral daisy, Pachystegia ‘B’, Brachyglottis monroi and wharariki comprise remnants of the original plant community but spraying of broom* appears to have destroyed much of the native vegetation. Broom* is now the most common species on these bluff systems and appears to be increasing.

Broom*, along with mixed pasture species, occupies gentle scarps and slopes as well as much of the steepland. There are very few native species remaining in this vegetation apart from occasional kanuka, matagouri, silver tussock and bracken.

A small stand of kanuka is present on an alluvial terrace across the river from the convergence of the Lee Brook. The understorey is largely absent as a result of grazing/browsing pressure and the loss of a proximate seed source. Occasional Coprosma rhamnoides, Asplenium flabellifolium, Parsonsia sp. and Clematis sp. are present in the interior and the margins contain Coprosma propinqua subsp. propinqua, Corokia cotoneaster, tauhinu, as well as numerous exotic species such as wall lettuce*, tall oat grass* and Yorkshire fog*.

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A highly modified wetland remnant is present in a depression on an alluvial terrace below the bluff faces southwest of highpoint 962. Juncus articulatus* is the most common species with tall oat grass*, Yorkshire fog* and occasional Carex secta and C. coriacea.

The best stands of mixed broadleaved vegetation occur towards the northeast part of this area. Despite the pressures from spray drift and the invasion of broom* there are sparse and uncommon patches of scrub containing mountain totara, kapuka, akiraho, Myrsine divaricata, kanuka and kohuhu.

Threatened/Notable Flora No threatened plant species were observed on this part of the property.

South Marlborough endemic species present are Pachystegia ‘B’, coral daisy and Brachyglottis monroi.

Mt Lookout

The landforms and geology govern the vegetation patterns in the Mt Lookout area. The substrate is primarily basalt and andesite volcanic outcrops or soils derived from volcanics, overlying a siltstone that outcrops in the lower parts of the area on southern slopes. The lower bluffs on the eastern side appear more siliceous and underlain by siltstone.

The main vegetation communities are: o Bluff and rockland communities on basalt and andesite; o Pachystegia ‘B’ and/or coral daisy shrubland on bluffs and rock outcrops; o Celmisia coriacea herbfield on bluffs; o Mixed shrub-herbfields on bluffs and steep rockland o Sparse herbfield on volcanic boulderfield and scree; o Wetland, turf and seep vegetation in stream headwaters; o Sparse herbfield in deflation hollows on siltstone; o Sparse herbfield and cobblefield on ridge deflation surfaces o Mixed hard tussock herbfield on side slopes; o Mixed hard tussock shrubland on stable scree, boulderfield and slopes; o Snow totara shrubland on volcanic slopes, toe slopes interfluves and bluff benches, ; o Mixed shrubland on toe slopes; o Hawkweed* herbfield on side slopes, well drained interfluves, bluff benches and deflation surfaces. o Mixed mountain toatoa-Brachyglottis cassinioides-mountain ribbonwood-snow totara forest on side slopes; o Mixed mountain totara-mountain toatoa-mountain ribbonwood forest on side slopes; o Mountain totara forest and treelands on side slopes, rock outcrops, gullies and riparian slopes; o Mixed shrubland-tussockland-herbfield on alluvial terraces; o Sparse shrubland-herbfield on alluvial terraces o Mixed mountain totara-manuka-kowhai forest on side slopes and riparian slopes. o Mountain beech treeland on riparian margins; o Manuka scrub and shrubland on sideslopes; o Kowhai-mixed broadleaved treeland and scrub on lower sideslopes, toeslopes and riparian margins; o Mixed exotic grassland on toeslopes, perched basins and gentle sideslopes; o Silver tussock-hard tussock-bristle tussock-mouse-ear hawkweed* herb-grassland on sideslope interfluves, debris cones and toeslopes; o Hard tussock grass-cobblefield on ridge crests, debris cones and sideslopes

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Mt Lookout is a distinctive landform. The upper part of the peak consists of numerous lava flows and outcrops, from which many screes and boulderfields originate. The lower slopes are gentler although they are often dissected by steep-sided gullies and guts. Siltstone underlies the volcanic rock, outcropping on the southern side of Mt Lookout. On upper slopes there are a number of springs, seeps, flushes and wetlands.

The bluffs and rock outcrops support a sparse but diverse covering of vegetation depending on altitude and aspect. Typically this includes coral daisy, blue tussock, bristle tussock, Trisetum tenellum, Elymus solandri, Dichelachne crinita, Pachycladon stellatum (nationally critical), Myosotis australis “white”, creeping pohuehue, golden speargrass, patotara, Colobanthus acicularis, C. buchananii, Acaena caesiiglauca, Wahlenbergia albomarginata, Asplenium trichomanes, and Luzula sp. On the eastern side, on the more siliceous rocks, Pachystegia sp. (B), Brachyglottis monroi, Muehlenbeckia ephedroides (declining), white fuzzweed and Exocarpus bidwilli are also present. On the northern side the best developed rockland flora occurs on the largest bluff systems and especially on those that are south and east facing. The dominant bluff species here are Celmisia monroi, Colobanthus acicularis, Ranunculus monroi, bristle tussock and Hieracium lepidulum* with rarer associates of Ewartiothamnus sinclairii (declining), Pachycladon stellatum (nationally critical), Myosotis macrantha, Pimelea traversii, Geum cockaynei, Muehlenbeckia ephedroides (declining), Heliohebe pentasepala, hybrid coral daisy (Helichrysum coralloides x H. parvifolium), Gentianella corymbifera, Grammitis poepiggiana and Epilobium crassum. At lower altitudes Pachystegia ‘B’ joins the other dominant species as a common element also joined less commonly by Brachyglottis monroi, Helichrysum parvifolium and Carmichaelia australis var. ‘ovata’. With the exception of the occasional hawkweed* these systems are relatively weed-free and in good condition. However, the accessible benches and ridges are heavily browsed and support several species of adventive weeds such as mouse-ear hawkweed*, black medick* and horehound*. On the flatter more stable outcrops with a little fine talus present such as on the ridge tops Carmichaelia monroi, Melicytus “Kaikoura”, Gingidia decipiens, Stellaria gracilenta, Celmisia gracilenta and Coprosma petriei are commonly present.

Beneath these bluffs there is frequently a mosaic of screes and boulder fields which vary in their clast size and stability. The more stable boulder fields host a sparse covering of vegetation including a range of grass, herb and woody species with Melicytus “Kaikoura”, hard tussock, silver tussock, blue tussock, Oxalis exilis, Epilobium pycnostachyum, Anisotome filifolia, Carex breviculmis, Hebe pimeleoides, Elymus solandri, Acaena caesiiglauca, Raoulia australis, R. apicinigra, Luzula rufa, Parahebe decora, Lycopodium fastigiatum, creeping pohuehue, Helichrysum parvifolium, Blechnum penna-marina and Hieracium praealtum* usually present. This community thins out as the substrate becomes more mobile with many of the mobile slopes devoid of vegetation. Celmisia gracilenta, Myosotis traversii and Leptinella atrata ssp. luteola sometimes occur on the finer screes. On the northwest flanks of the ridge above Middlehurst Stream the screes support Myosotis traversii, Epilobium pycnostachyum, E. forbesii (naturally uncommon), Stellaria roughii, Hebe epacridea and rarely Leptinella dendyii, Lignocarpa diversifolia (naturally uncommon) and penwiper.

Snow totara shrubland is scattered. On the northern slopes it is either confined to the base of talus slopes on interfluves or perched on isolated benches of the bluff system,where it’s associates include mountain toatoa, Melicytus “Blondin”, golden speargrass, Myrsine nummularia, hard tussock and two unnamed Pimelea species: P. “middle” and P. “shining”. On the bluffs it also occurs with wharariki and Brachyglottis monroi. On the south-facing slopes of Mt Lookout pockets of snow totara shrubland occur on many of the toe slopes. Other shrubs such as mountain wineberry and porcupine shrub are often present. Under the canopy and in the gaps between shrubs, silver tussock, hard tussock, Blechnum penna-marina, Elymus solandri, creeping pohuehue, Anisotome filiformis, golden speargrass, Oxalis exilis, Ranunculus insignis and Wahlenbergia albomarginata are often present. One set of rock outcrops within one of these shrublands supports a population of Cardamine bilobata (declining). With decreasing altitude and decreasing slope the diversity of these shrublands appears to increase, with other shrubs such as Coprosma dumosa, tauhinu, Olearia cymbifolia, Myrsine nummularia, matagouri and mountain toatoa occurring.

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Bare pavement, shallow scree, skeletal soils and loess deflation areas on the broad parts of the ridge crest on true left of Middlehurst Stream have a characteristic red coloration to the substrate and are sparsely vegetated by Stackhousia minima, white fuzzweed, Koeleria cheesemanii, Celmisia gracilenta, Carex breviculmis, Stellaria gracilenta, Poa lindsayi, blue tussock, Lachnagrostis lyallii, Convolvulus fractosaxosa (naturally uncommon), Geranium brevicaule, Coprosma atropurpurea, patotara, creeping pohuehue, Raoulia australis, Carmichaelia monroi and mouse-ear hawkweed *. On the south eastern side of Mt Lookout siltstone underlies the volcanics and at a change in slope, possibly a fault line, there are a number of deflation hollows which have a distinctive sparse plant community of Leptinella pectinata, Galium perpusillum, Poa lindsayi, blue tussock, Viola cunninghamii, Anisotome aromatica, Luzula rufa, Wahlenbergia albomarginata, and mouse-ear hawkweed *.

Hawkweeds* and exotic pasture grasses* typically dominate the lower and/or gentler slopes of Mt Lookout (i.e. the lower slopes to the north and the west), several of these areas have been over-sown and top-dressed. The main exotics are tall oat grass*, Chewing’s fescue*, mouse-ear hawkweed* (especially on northwest-facing slopes and on dry interfluves), St John’s wort*, sheep’s sorrel), browntop*, sweet vernal*, and cocksfoot*. White clover* is an additional component where there has been over-sowing. Nevertheless, native tussocks (hard tussock, silver tussock and bristle tussock) are still the structural dominants in many places. Raoulia australis, Luzula rufa, Wahlenbergia albomarginata are also common.

Diversity increases with increasing altitude. Species often present at higher altitudes are bristle tussock, hard tussock, silver tussock, blue wheatgrass, cocksfoot*, Raoulia subsericea, R. apicinigra, R. parkii, Carex breviculmis, C. goyenii, Uncinia sinclairii, Scleranthus uniflorus, Blechnum penna-marina, patotara, Acaena caesiiglauca, Coprosma petriei, tauhinu, Geranium brevicaule, Wahlenbergia albomarginata, creeping pohuehue, Hebe pimeleoides and Pimelea sp. (possibly a hybrid between Pimelea “limestone” and Pimelea oreophila; Colin Burrows pers. comm.). Pimelea sericeovillosa is present on the western spur between 1400 and 1500m altitude.

Porcupine shrub, Ranunculus insignis, Cystopteris tasmanica, Anisotome aromatica, Carmichaelia monroi, Heliohebe pentasepala and Brachyglottis bellidioides are present on the rocky side slopes within the grasslands, tussocklands and herbfields.

Springs and flushes on higher slopes support a range of wetland turf communities which are typically dominated by native species and retain much of their original character. One of the most diverse of these wetland communities lies just above the highest section of the vehicle track southwest of Mt Lookout. It supports Carex gaudichaudiana, Schoenus pauciflorus, Carex berggrenii (naturally uncommon), Nertera balfouriana, Luzula migrata, Celmisia “rhizomatous”, Isolepis subtilissima, I. aucklandica, Ranunculus cheesemanii, Hydrocotyle montana, Oxalis exilis, Galium perpusillum, Epilobium “minutiflorum”, Viola cunninghamii, Colobanthus apetalus, Lagenifera barkeri, Chaerophyllum colensoi var. delicatulum (nationally critical), Poa pratensis* and white clover*.

Carex gaudichaudiana, Isolepis aucklandica, Hydrocotyle montana, Ranunculus cheesemanii, Carex hectorii, Carex berggrenii (naturally uncommon) and Euchiton polylepis (naturally uncommon) are present in most of the seeps and riparian turfs throughout the area inspected. Soft rush* is occasionally present. Chaerophyllum colensoi var. delicatulum (nationally critical) and Lagenifera barkeri (naturally uncommon) are present in at least one seep above the headwaters of Winterton River. On the northwest side of Mt Lookout Leptinella dioica and Lagenifera barkeri are present in riparian turfs.

Wetter areas on higher slopes support a Schoenus pauciflorus-dominated wetland, with Hydrocotyle “montana”, Nertera balfouriana and Viola cunninghamii frequently present. In contrast, the wetlands lower down the slopes are modified and degraded.

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Mountain totara forest occurs in a few of the small, incised gullies that drain the lower parts of the main Middlehurst Stream catchment (western branch). They are clearly remnant and despite extreme summer drought stress and severe grazing there is some limited recruitment into the surrounding mostly exotic grassland. Species diversity is very low and the ground cover is almost non-existent, but there are significant occurrences of woody associates such as Myrsine divaricata, Olearia paniculata, kanuka, Coprosma linariifolia, kapuka, kohuhu, Hebe traversii, Corokia cotoneaster, Coriaria sarmentosa, prickly shield fern and the climbers lawyer, Clematis petriei (naturally uncommon), Parsonsia capsularis and Carmichaelia kirkii (declining). Elsewhere in the catchment mountain totara is scattered as individual trees or open stands that are actively recruiting on the steeper sideslopes with little vegetation cover.

The middle reaches of this branch of Middlehurst Stream are lined with a belt of riparian shrubland and treeland. Again, these are obviously relicts following large fires but appear to be thickening up and expanding upslope despite continuous grazing pressure. The main species here are manuka and kowhai, but very significantly, there is a small stand of mountain beech also surviving here. Other less common associates include those found in the totara forest along with Olearia odorata, wharariki, Carmichaelia australis var. “ovata”, Coprosma propinqua, C. dumosa, sweet brier* and toetoe.

The headwaters of the eastern branch of Middlehurst Stream have a distinctive mountain totara- manuka-kowhai forest on side slopes and riparian slopes. Manuka is common where the forest has been cleared but grades to mountain totara forest with kowhai and kohuhu. Lower-stature trees and shrubs within this forest include weeping matipo, Olearia coriacea (naturally uncommon), Carmichaelia australis var. “ovata”, pink broom, Coprosma propinqua, Corokia cotoneaster, tauhinu, sweet brier* and gooseberry*. The lianes Parsonsia capsularis and Carmichaelia kirkii (declining) are also present. Ground-cover species in the forest include Dichondra sp., Carex inopinata (nationally endangered), Schizeilema trifoliolatum and wall lettuce*.

The headwater tributary of the Winterton River that drains Mt Lookout (ie the north western branch, at approximately 1300m altitude) contains pockets of mountain ribbonwood. Near the head of this branch there is a distinctive mixed mountain toatoa-Brachyglottis cassinioides-mountain ribbonwood-snow totara forest on the side slopes above the stream. This forest also contains occasional mountain totara, Olearia cymbifolia and Hebe rakaiensis. Ground-cover species in this forest include Acaena dumicola, nettle and wall lettuce*. Wetter areas support Gingidia trifoliolata (naturally uncommon), Ranunculus insignis, Epilobium macropus, Mentha cunninghamii and Chaerophyllum ramosum.

Mountain totara dominates the forest a little lower down this branch of the Winterton River. Brachyglottis cassinioides, Olearia odorata, snow totara, mountain ribbonwood, mountain toatoa and matagouri are also common. This community often grades to shrubland, which includes mountain wineberry, tauhinu, Pittosporum anomalum, Coprosma propinqua, Hebe traversii, Carmichaelia australis, wharariki and sweet brier*. Carmichaelia kirkii (declining) is relatively common in the forest. Clematis petriei (naturally uncommon) is present in both the forest and shrubland. In many places ground-cover species are absent. Species present in some of the moister or more inaccessible areas are Acaena dumicola, A. caesiiglauca, Chaerophyllum ramosum, nettle, Blechnum penna-marina, Wahlenbergia albomarginata, Epilobium sp., hawkweed*, exotic pasture grasses* and wall lettuce*.

This type of forest and shrubland is present in all the headwater tributaries of Winterton River on the eastern side of Mt Lookout within the pastoral lease. In some locations the trees form a sparse treeland rather than forest. Higher sites have more mountain ribbonwood, whilst snow totara is absent from lower sites. The northern-most tributary of Winterton River on the property cuts through andesitic volcanics and siltstone. Occasional manuka, kapuka, Olearia paniculata and Coprosma linariifolia are present in this catchment.

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Williams (1984 & 1989) refers to the shrublands containing Brachyglottis cassiniodes, matagouri, mountain toatoa, Hall’s totara and pink broom as being an unusual community in the context of the Inland Kaikoura Range. Since these publications these communities appear to have thickened possibly as trees have matured and recruitment has occurred. Williams (1984) describes this community as containing the lowest altitude Hall’s totara-mountain toatoa forest in the Awatere Valley, and the only known population of Brachyglottis cassinioides from the Inland Kaikoura Ranges.

Riparian rock bluffs on the northern and eastern part of the lease support Hebe rupicola, Carmichaelia australis, porcupine shrub, Aciphylla glaucescens, Clematis petriei (naturally uncommon), prostrate kowhai, Epilobium brevipes (naturally uncommon), and occasionally Muehlenbeckia ephedroides (declining). At lower sites coral daisy, pink broom, Brachyglottis monroi and Ewartiothamnus sinclairii (naturally uncommon) are frequently present.

The fresh alluvium of the river bed supports tussocks of Carex petriei, C. buchananii and C. virgata along with Acaena inermis and several exotic herbs, most notably Sagina procumbens*.

The streambeds support a mosaic of wetland seeps, exotic pasture grasses*, hawkweeds* and shrubland. Raoulia australis, hard tussock and silver tussock are common on older terraces. Helichrysum depressum occurs on open stonier ground. Shrublands typically contain Aciphylla glaucescens, Olearia cymbifolia, O. odorata, mountain wineberry, matagouri and sweet brier*. Pink broom, Carmichaelia australis, Pittosporum anomalum, Clematis petriei (naturally uncommon) and mountain toatoa are occasionally present. The wetland seeps in the riparian zone frequently contain Carex gaudichaudiana, Carex berggrenii (naturally uncommon), Carex hectorii, Leptinella dioica, Hydrocotyle sp., Epilobium sp. and Euchiton polylepis (naturally uncommon). At some of the more modified sites Juncus articulatus* is present.

In the lower parts of Middlehurst Stream, elder*, gooseberry*, sweet brier*, blackcurrant* and broom* have infested to varying extents.

Threatened/Notable Flora The high base fertility of the basalt rock and soils derived from it, as well as the extensive complex of bluff systems, screes, wetlands and gullies that still have some woody cover, have provided habitats for a number of threatened and notable plant species.

Two ‘nationally critical’ plant species are present in this area: a significant population of the cress, Pachycladon stellatum (a South Marlborough endemic), is present throughout the volcanic bluff system, including seedlings and evidence that plants had flowered and fruited, and, Chaerophyllum colensoi var. delicatulum, which is present in at least two wetlands. The bluffs provide a new northern limit for Pachycladon stellatum.

One ‘nationally-endangered’ plant species is present: a large population of Carex inopinata is present in forest in the headwaters of the east branch of Middlehurst Stream. This newly-discovered population is the largest and healthiest naturally-occurring population known in South Marlborough.

Four ‘at-risk’ (declining) species are present: the cress Cardamine bilobata is found on rock outcrops; Muehlenbeckia ephedroides occurs on many of the bluffs and rock outcrops; Carmichaelia kirkii is in totara forest in the headwaters of Winterton River and in both branches of Middlehurst Stream, extending the known range of this species to the north and east; and Ewartiothamnus sinclairii is on semi-shaded riparian bluffs in the headwaters of the Winterton River and in Middlehurst Stream.

Ten ‘at-risk’ (naturally uncommon) species are present: Lagenifera barkeri Carex berggrenii, and Euchiton polylepis are common in the higher altitude wetlands and seeps around Mt Lookout;, Clematis petriei and Olearia coriacea are found in many of the shrublands and forest remnants;

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Gingidia trifoliolata occurs in wetter areas beneath forest shrubland in the head of the Winterton, , Convolvulus fractosaxosa is present in the shallow scree/skeletal soil areas on the ridge west of Middlehurst Stream, Epilobium brevipes is found on the riparian bluffs of Middlehurst Stream; , Epilobium forbesii and Lignocarpa diversifolia occur on the scree slopes on the north western flanks of Mt Lookout.

Two Pimelea specimens of interest were collected during the survey. The first of these is possibly a hybrid between Pimelea “limestone” and P. oreophila. This could indicate that Pimelea “limestone” (which is a basicole) is present on the bluffs. P. “limestone” is currently not ranked but recent taxonomic work indicates that an appropriate ranking would be ‘nationally critical’ (Colin Burrows, pers. comm.). The second specimen has been identified as Pimelea sericeovillosa which is currently ranked as not threatened but recent taxonomic work indicates that an appropriate ranking would be ‘at-risk’ (naturally uncommon) (Colin Burrows, pers. comm.).

South Marlborough endemic species present are Pachycladon stellatum, E. forbesii, Ewartiothamnus sinclairii, Pachystegia ‘B’, Olearia coriacea, coral daisy, pink broom and Heliohebe pentasepala. The population of Carex hectorii on Mt Lookout is the only known population in the northern South Island (the only other South Island populations occur in Otago). Other species which are notable for their rare or uncommon occurrences within the South Marlborough region are: Carex goyenii, Epilobium crassum, Grammitis poeppigiana, Helichrysum depressum, Myosotis macrantha and Pittosporum anomalum.

Mountain beech is confined to a few individual trees throughout the whole property, and is extremely rare on the western side of the Inland Kaikoura Ranges as a result of catastrophic Polynesian and European fires (Williams, 1989).

The headwater streams of the Winterton River, which drain off Mt Lookout have the lowest altitude Hall’s totara-mountain toatoa forest in the Awatere Valley, and the only known population of Brachyglottis cassinioides from the Inland Kaikoura Ranges (Williams, 1984).

Mt Winterton

This area was viewed by aerial inspection with no subsequent ground survey undertaken.

This almost disjunct part of the pastoral lease, centred on Mt Winterton, comprises a combination of relatively gentle landforms of stream headwaters and ridges on the western side of Mt Winterton. It is underlain by regularly bedded and tilted Cretaceous siltstones forming a uniform series of parallel ridges and valleys. This contrasts with the steeper, more incised topography on the eastern flanks of Mt Winterton, where the siltstone layers are almost vertically bedded due to faulting. The eastern margin of this lease area adjoins the incised, convoluted section of Winterton River and spans an altitude of 700-1160m. This includes some of the lowest altitude land on the pastoral lease.

The main vegetation communities are: o Mixed shrubland and scrub of matagouri, Coprosma propinqua, kohuhu and sweet brier* along riparian strips, concave sideslopes, colluvial toeslopes, and steep sides of secondary watercourses; o Manuka-mixed grey shrub shrubland; o Porcupine shrub (Melicytus alpinus-M. “Blondin”) shrublands on colluvial toeslopes and hillside boulderfields; o Chewing’s fescue* grassland along watercourses and gentle valley headwater floors; o Hard tussock-mixed exotic herbs and grasses, and tussock-herb-grassland on hillslopes and ridges; o Hawkweed* herbfield on moderately steep sideslopes, ridges and headslopes.

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On the gentle western landforms, much of the cover is a mix of exotic and native herbs, and exotic grasses, especially hawkweed*, white clover*, red clover*, Yorkshire fog*, sweet vernal*, browntop*, cocksfoot* and Poa pratensis*, with or without a sparse hard tussock cover. By the species mix it is apparent that this area has been over-sown. There are localised boulderfields which support porcupine shrub (Melicytus alpinus-M. “Blondin”) shrublands.

On the steeper eastern faces, rocklands and screefields are scattered through the upper slopes and ridge shoulders. Shrubland and scrub occurs along the secondary stream courses flowing east and north off Mt Winterton, on adjacent side slopes and along the riparian zone of Winterton River. These comprise a mosaic of matagouri, Coprosma propinqua, tauhinu, kohuhu, manuka and sweet brier* as dominants but also support Carmichaelia australis and Coriaria sarmentosa.

Mouse-ear hawkweed * is dominant on the western flanks on moderately steep interfluves where moisture deficit is extreme.

Threatened/Notable Flora Muehlenbeckia astonii (nationally endangered) and fierce lancewood (naturally uncommon) have been recorded from Winterton River (Martin, 1932; Clare, 1990) although it is not clear whether these species occurred on the property. This is the only record of M. astonii for Inland Marlborough. The notable South Marlborough endemic, pink broom, while not observed during the fly-over, was recorded from bluffs in Totara Stream by Clare (1990). As Mt Winterton was not surveyed on the ground, the presence or absence of these or other threatened/notable flora cannot be confirmed.

Inland Kaikoura Range of the Winterton River Catchment

Part of this area was surveyed by a ground inspection and other areas were inspected from the air.

Parts of the Winterton River headwaters, including Totara Stream, comprise lands with little or no soil. The area is largely made up of extensive, high relief greywacke bluff rocklands with associated scree slopes and debris cones. The altitude ranges from 900 to 2488m, from lower montane through to nival bioclimatic zones. In contrast, other parts have gentle, low relief topography and associated outcrops, including the headwaters of the western branch of the Winterton River and the extensively bluffed terrain north of the basin. The flat sites of the basin wetland complex are altitudinally tiered and connected by watercourse flushes. The steeper country is representative of the higher-altitude parts of the property on the flanks of the Inland Kaikoura Range.

The main vegetation communities visited in the headwater basins and adjoining areas are: o Schoenus pauciflorus rushland in basin; o Euchiton laterale herbfield in basin; o Chewing’s fescue* grassland in basin; o Carex coriacea sedgeland in basin; o Carex muelleri-silver tussock grass-sedgeland in basin; o Carex sinclairii-mixed herb sedge-herbfield on flushes; o Epilobium pycnostachyum screeland on mountain sideslopes, headslopes and debris chutes; o Raoulia cinerea screeland on gentle convex slopes and ridge crests; o Snow totara shrubland on broad interfluves and outwash fans; o Mouse-ear hawkweed*-mixed prostrate shrub shrub-herbfield on broad interfluves, outwash fans and mountain slopes; o Epilobium hectorii-Crassula-Pseudognaphalium herbfield on loess pans; o Mixed communities on bluffs and rock outcrops.

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Viewed from the air, the main vegetation communities of the east branch of the Winterton River and the Totara Stream headwaters are: o Mountain totara-mountain ribbonwood forest and treeland on lower slopes and gullies; o Kapuka-akiraho-mixed grey scrub and shrubland on lower mountain slopes and streamsides; o Matagouri scrub and shrubland on lower mountain slopes and streamsides; o Manuka-mixed grey scrub on sideslopes; o Snow totara scrub on mountain sideslopes and scree margins; o Hard tussock-bristle tussock tussockland with scattered golden speargrass and broad-leaved snow-tussock in places on moderately steep sideslopes; o Hard tussock-bristle tussock- mouse-ear hawkweed* tussock-herbfield and tussock-herb- gravel-loamfield on moderately steep sideslopes and ridges; o Rockland with sparse herbs on greywacke bluffs and ridges; o Coral daisy rockland on greywacke bluffs; o Vegetatble sheep on scree, rockland, bluffs, sideslopes and ridges; o Sparse herbfield on scree.

Within the basins, the main communities are defined by hydrology and landform. Wetland vegetation is confined to gentle, concave topography and watercourses (c. 10ha in total and between 1450-1600m altitude, with the largest being around one hectare in extent) with a peaty substrate. Various dryland communities are on a range of convex landforms including colluvial toeslopes, fans, hillslopes, outcrops and gentle ridges. Small, loess-capped seasonally-wet deflation pans are scattered in a few places throughout the main basins and support a very distinctive ephemeral wetland community.

The peaty, basin wetlands are predominantly covered in native vegetation constituting a mix of grass-sedgeland which is interdigitated with reaches of mat herbfields. Schoenus pauciflorus is the main cover of the grass-sedgeland along with discrete stands of Carex coriacea and the smaller- statured Carex gaudichaudiana. Exotics in this vegetation type include soft rush* and, in the drier margins, Chewing’s fescue* dominates. Where Chewing’s fescue* hasn’t yet invaded, these margins are dominated in places by Carex muelleri and silver tussock. The tussock species, Deschampsia cespitosa (declining), is present in low numbers along the water course of the main wetland amongst the Carex coriacea sedgeland. This is a new locality record for this species. Juncus pusillus (naturally uncommon) and Eleocharis gracilis are also sporadically present.

The mat herbfields occur on the peatiest parts of the wetlands and are probably inundated for some of the year. The dominant mat herb species are Euchiton laterale, Rytidosperma australe, and Agrostis muelleriana with lesser amounts of Viola cunninghamii, Lobelia angulata, Galium perpusillum, and Hydrocotyle sulcata. Euchiton laterale is by far the most common species, occurring exclusively over some of the wetland. Flushes that drain or connect the various wetlands occur on steeper slopes and support, in addition to the herbs listed above, Carex sinclairii, Gentianella grisebachii, the broad-leaved form of Leptinella dioica, Carex sinclairii, Uncinia divaricata, Montia calycina, Ranunculus cheesemanii, Plantago triandra, Schizeilema nitens and Chaerophyllum colensoi. Carex berggrenii (naturally uncommon) and Plantago obconica (naturally uncommon) have also been recorded from this habitat in the Winterton Basin (Williams, 1989).

The dry open loess pans which support ephemeral wetland species are scattered through the basins at two altitudinal levels and are very localised and small in extent. The unique and very distinctive flora it supports is typically ephemeral, or capable of withstanding intense frost heave, inundation and drying out. The main species are Epilobium hectorii, Crassula multicaulis (nationally critical), Viola cunninghamii, Pseudognaphalium ephemerum (nationally critical), Agrostis muscosa, Poa lindsayi, Myosotis discolor*, Epilobium microphyllum, E. cockayneanum, Wahlenbergia albomarginata, Montia calycina, Rytidosperma pumilum, adder’s tongue, woolly moss and sheep’s sorrel*.

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The remainder of the basin complex and slopes extending up onto the Inland Kaikoura Range have enough of a gradient to allow free drainage of water which, in stark contrast to that of the wetlands, supports a low, scattered dryland vegetation.

The broad, gentle interfluves and outwash fans have 40% or more bare ground, mostly loess, cobble pavement or rockland, supporting open shrublands of snow totara and low-statured shrub-herb-short tussockland dominated by bristle tussock, cotton daisy and associated with blue wheatgrass, blue tussock and a host of prostrate shrub species: Hebe epacridea, H. pimeleoides H. pinguifolia, Pimelea sericeovillosa, P. “middle”, Carmichaelia monroi, Acrothamnus colensoi, Gaultheria crassa, Coprosma petriei and rarely, Olearia cymbifolia, along with a range of small, mainly composite herbs including Raoulia apicinigra, R. subsericea, R. australis, Leptinella pectinata subsp. pectinata, Brachyglottis bellidioides, Acaena caesiiglauca, Schizeilema pallidum (naturally uncommon) and the hawkweeds*. Mouse-ear hawkweed* is the dominant flatweed on some of the outwash fans adjoining the wetlands.

The deflation and lag surfaces (erosion pavements where loess is actively being removed by wind) scattered throughout these dryland communities support a characteristic suite of mat shrubs and herbs, one of the more notable being pygmy heath (declining), and including Epilobium hectorii, Chaerophyllum colensoi, sheep’s sorrel*, Scleranthus uniflorus, Luzula aff. rufa, Coprosma atropurpurea, Brachyscome sinclairii, Geranium brevicaule, Leptinella pectinata and Chionohebe pulvinaris.

The absence or rarity of many shrubs, tall tussocks and speargrasses strongly indicates that, for the loess and colluvial areas at least, there has been a significant impact by grazing (both livestock and wild animals) in this basin over many years. The vegetation has regressed to low-statured life-forms with limited browse appeal. As with most of the property, all areas accessible to browsing animal now support induced communities and have almost certainly suffered local extinctions of species most vulnerable to habitat degradation.

The alluvial flats adjacent to the watercourses that bisect the basin have a siltier substrate which is strewn with boulders. The vegetation here is still an open shrub-herb-tussockland of predominantly bristle tussock, cotton daisy, Raoulia australis, and hawkweed* with scattered shrubs including Ozothamnus “albida”. Species confined to the riparian and splash zones of the watercourse include Epilobium macropus, E. brunnescens, Juncus antarcticus, Lobelia angulata, Hydrocotyle “montana” and Poa dipsacea, while on the fresh gravel surfaces are Epilobium melanocaulon, E. microphyllum, creeping pohuehue, Carex petriei, Raoulia tenuicaulis, Acaena fissistipula, A. saccaticupula and Lachnagrostis lyallii. Leptinella serrulata (naturally uncommon) has also been recorded in this habitat in the Winterton Basin area (Williams, 1989).

The extensive screeland that encircles the basin extending down from the Inland Kaikoura Range has a good representation of the flora that characterises this habitat type, including some nationally rare species and regional endemics. The screes are dominated by Epilobium pycnostachyum and include E. forbesii (naturally uncommon), Wahlenbergia cartilaginea (naturally uncommon), Celmisia gracilenta, Stellaria roughii, Lobelia roughii, Melicytus “Kaikoura”, Myosotis traversii, Poa buchananii and vegetable sheep. Viper’s bugloss*, which is a common component of the lower altitude screes, is absent here. A regional endemic, Raoulia cinerea (naturally uncommon), is present in a few places on the most gentle scree slopes, being largely confined to a very specific habitat of fine argillitic pavement which is prone to frost heave.

Extensive greywacke rocklands and bluff systems fringe Winterton basin and are also the dominant landforms northeast of the basin, extending approximately five kilometres to the northern boundary of the property at Totara Stream and Mitre Peak. They range in altitude from 1200 to 2500m and are largely devoid of vegetation, especially throughout the higher altitudes. Also, species diversity is low. Signature species that characterise the bluff communities are Helichrysum parvifolium, coral daisy, vegetable sheep, Raoulia bryoides, Aciphylla monroi, Celmisia allanii, Melicytus “Kaikoura”,

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Hebe epacridea, Colobanthus acicularis, bristle tussock and Epilobium glabellum. These communities are highly natural due to their inaccessibility to browsers, and have probably altered little since pre-human times.

The scree of the east branch of the Winterton River and the Totara Stream headwaters varies in depth and quality from fine argillitic clasts to large, blocky scree, relating to the variously banded greywacke bedrock. These communities are very sparsely vegetated or completely devoid of vegetation, especially on massively banded bluffs and above 2000m altitude. Coral daisy and vegetable sheep are the dominant species in these communities. Snow totara shrubland is an obvious scree margin community. Ranunculus haastii has also been recorded from the scree slopes in the north branch of Winterton River (Clare, 1990).

Where there are soils, such as on toeslopes or along water courses, these are generally incipient. Rarely, they are present as older relicts on small stable areas which are being incrementally lost by erosion. The tussockland vegetation on these older soil remnants have better retained their structural elements than those on more recent soils, probably because they are less accessible and less frequently visited by browsing animals. It is only at these sites that tall tussocks (e.g. broadleaved snow-tussock) and speargrasses (e.g. golden speargrass) were observed.

There are a few large areas, on mid- to upper slopes and ridges of less steep topography, where open tussockland and herbfield have been able to develop on relatively stable loess or gravelly, skeletal soils. This is the most extensive type of vegetation cover in this area. It is dominated by hard tussock, bristle tussock and hawkweed* but with an apparently diverse component of low-statured native shrubs and herbs including cotton daisy.

Lower altitude colluvial slopes and rocky slopes up to 1200m support the main extent and diversity of woody vegetation cover in this area, with scattered remnant stands of mountain totara and mountain ribbonwood on colluvial slopes which have survived both past burning and erosion. Associates identified here are mountain toatoa, kapuka and akiraho.

On rockier sites and colluvial slopes, usually extending from lower to mid sideslopes along the main watercourses of the Winterton and Totara catchments, are scattered grey shrublands with mountain tauhinu, Brachyglottis monroi, Hebe venustula?, Coprosma propinqua, wharariki, small-leaved olearia (probably O. cymbifolia) and possibly Brachyglottis cassinioides. In some instances, remnant individuals of kapuka and akiraho are structural dominants in these communities, especially on rocky sites along the convoluted parts of the main watercourses where they have managed to survive/recover after fire. Manuka and matagouri shrublands are commonly interspersed through these grey shrublands. Generally, these various shrubland communities appear to be thickening up and expanding upslope.

Muehlenbeckia astonii (nationally endangered) and fierce lancewood (naturally uncommon) have been recorded from Winterton River (Martin, 1932; Clare, 1990) although it is not clear whether these species occurred on the property. This is the only record of M. astonii for Inland Marlborough.

The South Marlborough endemic, pink broom, while not observed during the fly-over, was recorded from bluffs in Totara Stream by Clare (1990).

Threatened/Notable Flora Two ‘nationally critical’ plant species are present in this area: populations of both Crassula multicaulis and Pseudognaphalium ephemerum were found on the ephemeral areas of the Winterton Basin wetland. This occurrence of Crassula multicaulis is one of only six known sites; and this record extends the northern limit for Pseudognaphalium ephemerum.

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Two‘at-risk’ (declining) species are present: Deschampsia cespitosa adjoins the watercourse in the main part of the Winterton Basin wetland; and Leucopogon nanum occurs on the outwash fans. This is the northern limit for Leucopogon nanum.

Seven ‘at-risk’ (naturally uncommon) species are present or have been recorded on the property: Carex berggrenii, Epilobium forbesii, Juncus pusillus, Leptinella serrulata, Plantago obconica, Raoulia cinerea, Schizeilema pallidum and Wahlenbergia cartilaginea were found around the Winterton Basin wetland. Carex berggrenii and Plantago obconica were not found during this survey but have been recorded previously in Williams (1989) or Clare (1990). This is the northern limit for Plantago obconica and is one of three known localities in the northern South Island.

Pimelea sericeovillosa is currently ranked as not threatened but recent taxonomic work indicates that an appropriate ranking would be ‘at-risk’ (naturally uncommon) (Colin Burrows, pers. comm.).

South Marlborough endemic species present are: coral daisy, Epilobium forbesii, , Raoulia cinerea and Wahlenbergia cartilaginea. Other species which are notable for their rare or uncommon occurrences within the South Marlborough region are: Agrostis muscosa, Eleocharis gracilis, Gentianella grisebachii, Euchiton laterale and Ranunculus haastii. Ranunculus haastii was not recorded during this survey, but was noted in Clare (1990).

Because of the rarity of wetland systems in South Marlborough there are many species occurring in the Winterton basin wetland system that are regionally and nationally important. Also, because it is one of the largest wetland complexes in South Marlborough and that it occurs further north than most of the other South Marlborough wetlands, it is the northern limit for several species.

The ephemeral wetlands on the open loess deflation pans are nationally important. This is a naturally rare ecosystem and is highly vulnerable nationally to a range of threats including weed invasion, earth disturbance, pugging, surface disturbance by stock and hydrology alteration. It supports a suite of nationally threatened and at risk species that are entirely confined, or almost so, to this ecosystem. With the combination of South Marlborough endemics and national rarities, these pans also support a unique combination of species.

As the Winterton-Totara catchments was not surveyed on the ground, the presence or absence of these or other threatened/notable flora such as Muehlenbeckia astonii (nationally endangered), fierce lancewood (naturally uncommon) and pink broom cannot be confirmed.

Inland Kaikoura Range of the Tone River Catchment

The survey of this part of the property covered the best remaining representative communities along the Tone River from near Tone Saddle (1160m) to the property boundary near the confluence of Thomas Stream (900m). Time was also spent in Williams Stream which is representative of the tributaries of Tone River in the southwest part of the property, comprising greywacke substrate over a range of landforms, and the field work has been extrapolated to cover the parts of the area that were not able to be visited. This area is contiguous with the previous, Inland Kaikoura Range of the Winterton River Catchment to the north.

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The main vegetation communities are: o Midribbed snow-tussock grassland on mountain slopes; o Snow totara shrubland on colluvial mountain slopes; o Matagouri and matagouri-sweet brier* shrubland on fans, alluvial flats, toe slopes, spurs, alluvial flats and mountain slopes; o Mountain ribbonwood-mountain totara mixed forest, treeland and scrub on lower slopes and riparian footslopes; o Mixed communities on riparian bluffs and scree; o Wharariki flaxland on colluvial slopes; o Carex secta-mixed grassland in an ephemeral stream channel; o Hawkweed* herbfield on fans, mountain slopes, scree and ridges; o Mixed riparian shrubland; o Bedrock (outcrop) communities on ridges and slopes; o Mixed herbfield on scree slopes; o Mixed exotic grassland in valley floors, ridges and hill slopes; o Mixed herbfield and stonefield on ridge crest and shoulder slope scree; o Mixed herbfield-grassland in riverbeds.

The general pattern of vegetation on mountain slopes below 1100m is matagouri-sweet brier* shrubland associations on drier north-facing slopes and remnant mountain totara and mountain ribbonwood associations scattered on lower south-facing slopes. A mosaic of other communities is present according to landform, altitude, slope, aspect and substrate. Scree, rockland and snow- tussockland communities tend to dominate the steeper headwater valleys above 1400m.

Midribbed snow-tussock communities are present on west-facing slopes near Tone Saddle and are probably more widespread at higher altitudes. The most common associate species include Brachyglottis monroi, vipers bugloss* and mouse-ear hawkweed*. Other species include mountain tauhinu, Geranium brevicaule, hard tussock, Wahlenbergia albomarginata, cotton daisy, Celmisia monroi, Hieracium lepidulum*, cocksfoot* and sheep’s sorrel*.

Subalpine shrubland dominated by snow totara occurs near Tone Saddle, largely on colluvial slopes and talus. The key associate species include mountain inaka, mountain toatoa, Olearia cymbifolia, hard tussock, midribbed snow-tussock, wharariki and vipers bugloss*.

Matagouri and matagouri-sweet brier* shrubland dominates dry, sunny montane slopes of moderate gradient which have been burned in the past. They also dominate flatter areas along the river on flats, toe slopes and fans. Common associate species include mouse-ear hawkweed*, Hieracium caespitosum*, tall fescue*, sheep’s sorrel*, white clover*, Trifolium arvense*, viper’s bugloss*, cocksfoot*, Acrothamnus colensoi, Coprosma propinqua subsp. propinqua and hard tussock. Mountain ribbonwood, mountain tauhinu, Helichrysum depressum and Aciphylla glaucescens occur locally on fans and toe slopes in this community.

Mountain ribbonwood and mountain totara communities occur as small remnants in areas which have escaped burning. These tend to be on south-facing shady, lower slopes. Common associate species include matagouri, Hebe traversii, wharariki, mountain toatoa, mountain wineberry, Coprosma propinqua subsp. propinqua, sweet brier*, scrub pohuehue, Carmichaelia australis, Hieracium lepidulum* and wall lettuce*. The canopy is uneven and gaps are dominated by pasture grasses.

Riparian bluffs retain natural and semi-natural plant communities. Common species are Brachyglottis monroi, coral daisy, Helichrysum parviflorum, Pachystegia ‘B’ and Heliohebe pentasepala.

Screes between 900m and 1100m altitude typically support few species. Epilobium melanocaulon, E. pychnostachyum and viper’s bugloss* are the most common species present.

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Wharariki flaxland occurs on colluvial slopes which have been burned in the past. The most common associate species include mouse-ear hawkweed*, midribbed snow-tussock, hard tussock, Acrothamnus colensoi, Aciphylla glaucescens and golden speargrass.

Depauperate Carex secta sedgeland is present in an infrequently flooded stream channel on an alluvial fan northwest of St Bernard. The community is highly modified and is being colonized by tall oat grass*, tall fescue*, Yorkshire fog*, white clover*, Juncus articulatus* and Carex ovalis*. Native species include a few individuals of Celmisia traversii and mountain ribbonwood (including seedlings).

An extensive, flat greywacke ridgetop and associated shoulder slopes are present northeast of St Bernard near the main ridge of the Inland Kaikoura range. This area is representative of the frost- prone ridge crest and the shoulder slopes elsewhere along the range on the property. With the exception of two species of hawkweed*, all species recorded were native. The plant community is likely to have undergone very little change since pre-human times.

The ridge top communities are very sparse and tend to be largely aggregated along shallow banks where loam has formed through frost heave and wind-trapped sediment. Blue tussock is the dominant species. Associates include Celmisia allanii, Raoulia parkii, R. grandiflora, Kellaria villosa, Chionohebe pulvinaris, Luzula pumila, Aciphylla monroi, Epilobium tasmanicum, Colobanthus buchananii, mouse-ear hawkweed* and Hieracium lepidulum*.

Shoulder slopes are also very sparsely vegetated. Scattered vegetable sheep is the dominant species regardless of aspect. South-facing slopes also support Raoulia grandiflora, Poa buchananii, Koeleria cheesemanii and Epilobium glabellum. North-facing slopes support blue tussock, Chionohebe pulvinaris, Raoulia grandiflora, Celmisia allanii, Aciphylla monroi, Pimelia ‘shining’, Stellaria gracilenta and Hieracium lepidulum*. Otherwise this community is intact and has changed very little since pre-human times.

Diverse native riparian shrublands approximate their pre-human composition in a few places where incised gorges have protected vegetation from animal browse and burning. Hebe traversii, H. decumbens?, Brachyglottis monroi, and wharariki dominate. Associate species include akiraho, Olearia cymbifolia, Pseudopanax ternatus, Ewartiothamnus sinclairii, Pittosporum anomalum, Carmichaelia australis, Aciphylla glaucescens, Asplenium richardii, Clematis petriei? (naturally uncommon), lawyer, mouse-ear hawkweed* and Chionochloa flavescens.

Bedrock outcrop communities on ridges and slopes tend to support a sparse cover of vegetation. The most common species include Brachyglottis monroi, Helichrysum parvifolium, coral daisy and mouse-ear hawkweed*. Other species include Colobanthus acicularis, Asplenium richardii, Heliohebe pentasepala, Leptinella pyrethrifolia, Poa colensoi and Melicytus ‘Kaikoura’.

Scree communities are also sparsely vegetated. Species include Lobelia roughii, Stellaria roughii, Epilobium pychnostachyum, E. forbesii (naturally uncommon), Wahlenbergia cartilaginea (naturally uncommon), viper’s bugloss* and Myosotis traversii.

Mixed exotic grassland dominates many of the flats, ridges and slopes as a result of historical burning, top-dressing and over-sowing. Browntop* and cocksfoot* are common with Yorkshire fog* becoming more prevalent in damp sites. Mouse-ear hawkweed*, Hieracium caespitosum*, sweet brier* and viper’s bugloss* are common associates. The most common native species are matagouri, mountain tauhinu and bristle tussock.

An ‘erosion pavement’ occurs on the lower end of the spur coming off highpoint 2061, above the main branch of William Stream. This area is characterised by stony bare loamfield with sparse vegetation which is prone to frost heave. Mouse-ear hawkweed* is the dominant species. Carpet

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grass, Hieracium caespitosum*, bristle tussock, Raoulia australis and R. parkii are the most common associates.

The most common riverbed species are Epilobium melanocaulon, viper’s bugloss*, and mouse-ear hawkweed*. Other species include creeping pohuehue, Raoulia australis, R. tenuicaulis and a number of introduced grasses and herbs. Where no major floods have occurred recently, woody species such as Brachyglottis monroi and matagouri are present.

Threatened/Notable Flora Three ‘at risk’ (declining) species is present: Ewartiothamnus sinclairii occurs in riparian shrubland. Muehlenbeckia ephedroides occurs in a variety of communities up to the subalpine zone. Carmichaelia kirkii was observed along the riparian margin of the main stem of the Tone River within the lease. Its presence confirms other records from the Tone River within the lease.

Three ‘at-risk’ (naturally uncommon) species are present: Epilobium forbesii and Wahlenbergia cartilaginea occur on screes. Epilobium brevipes occurs on montane and subalpine rock outcrops.

South Marlborough endemic species present are:, coral daisy, Epilobium forbesii, Ewartiothamnus sinclairii, pink broom, Pachystegia ‘B’, Heliohebe pentasepala and Wahlenbergia cartilaginea. Other species which are notable for their rare or uncommon occurrences within the South Marlborough region are: Helichrysum depressum and Pittosporum anomalum.

An Epilobium specimen collected from the ridge top may be a ‘nationally-endangered’ species: E. pictum, though the sample was of insufficient quality to be positively identified. Similarly a sample of what may be Clematis petriei (naturally uncommon) was collected from a gorge but it is not possible to confirm this identification without flowering material which was not available;

Notable Flora

Notable plant species recorded on the property are listed in Table 2 below. Threat categories are those proposed by de Lange et al. (2009).

Significance of Vegetation and Flora

Middlehurst Pastoral Lease supports extensive areas of intact rockland, gravelfield and scree vegetation, especially on the upper slopes of the Inland Kaikoura Range and the Mt Lookout massif. These plant communities are highly representative of the original vegetation. Lower-altitude plant communities are mostly modified, though relatively extensive areas of shrubland are present along rivers and streams. Totara forest and treeland, and minor areas of beech forest are present on the slopes of Mt Lookout. The property supports important wetland plant communities (a rare community in South Marlborough), notably in the upper Winterton River basin and the higher altitude seeps on Mt Lookout. Important populations of five threatened species, Carex inopinata (nationally endangered), Chaerophyllum colensoi var. delicatulum, Crassula multicaulis, Pachycladon stellatum and Pseudognaphalium ephemerum (all nationally critical) are present on the property. A plant tentatively identified as Epilobium pictum (nationally endangered) was found near St Bernard. Populations of six ‘at-risk, declining’, 16 ‘at-risk, naturally uncommon’, 10 ‘regionally rare’, and a further four South Marlborough endemic species are present. There are also several plants at their distribution limits.

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Table 2 Notable plant species, Middlehurst Pastoral Lease.

Species Name Threat Status or Notable Distribution on Middlehurst Feature Pastoral Lease Threatened Carex inopinata Nationally endangered. Middlehurst Stream headwaters. Chaerophyllum colensoi Nationally critical. Wetlands, Mt Lookout. var. delicatulum Crassula multicaulis Nationally critical; one of six Ephemeral wetland, Winterton known sites. Basin. Pachycladon stellatum Nationally critical; northern Mt Lookout basalt bluffs. limit; South Marlborough endemic. Pseudognaphalium Nationally critical; northern Ephemeral wetland, Winterton ephemerum limit. Basin. At-risk Cardamine bilobata Declining. Rock outcrops, Mt Lookout. Carex berggrenii Naturally uncommon. Winterton Basin wetland (Williams 1989); Mt Lookout seeps. Carmichaelia kirkii Declining; at its northern limit. Riparian shrublands and totara forest margins. Clematis petriei Naturally uncommon. Middlehurst Stream Convolvulus fractosaxosa Naturally uncommon. Rockland and shallow scree, north Mt Lookout. Deschampsia cespitosa Declining. Wetland, Winterton River basin. Epilobium brevipes Naturally uncommon. Rock outcrops and bluffs, especially above 900m altitude. Epilobium forbesii Naturally uncommon; South Screes, especially above 900m Marlborough endemic. altitude. Euchiton polylepis Naturally uncommon. Wetlands and seeps, Mt Lookout area. Ewartiothamnus sinclairii Declining; South Marlborough Riparian bluffs and shrublands endemic. Gingidia trifoliolata Naturally uncommon. Wetter areas beneath shrubland Mt Lookout area. Juncus pusillus Naturally uncommon. Wetland, Winterton Basin. Lagenifera barkeri Naturally uncommon. Wetlands and seeps around Mt Lookout Leptinella serrulata Naturally uncommon, Winterton Basin, alluvial (Williams 1989) Leucopogon nanum Declining; at its northern limit. Winterton Basin, outwash fan. Lignocarpa diversifolia Naturally uncommon. Upper Middlehurst Stream. Muehlenbeckia Declining. Throughout on a range of dry ephedroides habitats. Olearia coriacea Naturally uncommon. Shrubland on Mt Lookout Plantago obconica Naturally uncommon; northern Wetland, Winterton Basin limit. (Williams 1989). Raoulia cinerea Naturally uncommon; South Fine argillitic scree on gentle Marlborough endemic. topography. Schizeilema pallidum Naturally uncommon. Winterton Basin; outwash fan.

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Wahlenbergia cartilaginea Naturally uncommon; South Screes, especially above 900m Marlborough endemic. altitude. Notable Agrostis muscosa Regionally rare. Ephemeral wetland, Winterton Basin. Carex goyenii Regionally rare. Mt Lookout, near summit. Carex hectorii Only known population in the Wetlands and seeps, Mt northern South Island. Lookout. Carmichaelia glabrescens South Marlborough endemic. Riparian forest and shrublands, (pink broom) Middlehurst and Winterton Eleocharis gracilis Regionally uncommon. Wetland, Winterton Basin. Epilobium crassum Regionally rare. Northern Mt Lookout massif bluffs. Euchiton laterale Only a few localities in South Wetland, Winterton Basin. Marlborough; regionally rare. Gentianella grisebachii Regionally rare. Wetland, Winterton Basin. Grammitis poeppigiana, Regionally rare. Northern Mt Lookout massif bluffs. Helichrysum coralloides South Marlborough endemic. On bluffs/rocklands. (coral daisy) Helichrysum depressum Uncommon in Tapuae-o- Shingle river beds and fans. Uenuku ED and regionally uncommon in South Marlborough. Heliohebe pentasepala South Marlborough endemic. Rocklands. Myosotis macrantha Regionally rare. Northern Mt Lookout massif bluffs. Pachystegia ‘B’ South Marlborough endemic; Widespread on near southern limit. bluffs/rocklands. Pimelea sericeovillosa Taxonomic work indicates it Winterton Basin; Mt Lookout. should be naturally uncommon (Colin Burrows pers. comm.). Pittosporum anomalum Uncommon in Tapuae-o- Riparian shrubland in gorge. Uenuku ED and regionally uncommon in South Marlborough. Ranunculus haastii Regionally rare due to high North branch Winterton River palatability. (Clare 1990).

2.5.3 Problem Plants

Species of hawkweed*, particularly mouse-ear hawkweed*, are widespread throughout lower- altitude parts of the property, as they are through much of the upland parts of South Marlborough. A substantial infestation of introduced broom* is present on the property in the Awatere River gorge. Elder*, gooseberry*, sweet brier*, blackcurrant* and a small infestation of broom* are present at lower altitudes in the Middlehurst Stream-Winterton River area. Chewing’s fescue* is present in wetlands in the upper Winterton River basin. Otherwise the property, especially at higher-altitudes, is free of invasive introduced plant species.

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Botanic Values Map

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