Meeting Paper For West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board

TITLE OF PAPER STATUS REPORT

AUTHOR: Jan Hania

SUBJECT: Status Report for the Board for period ending 30 January 2015

DATE: 4 February 2015

SUMMARY: This report provides information on activities throughout the West Coast since the 28 November 2014 meeting of the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board.

MARINE PLACE The annual fur seal pup monitoring is being undertaken on Taumaka (one of the ), Wekakura and Cape Foulwind from 26-30 January. The information is a valuable component of assessing population dynamics of the species.

There have been some interesting recent sightings of blue whales off the coast – see below. Groups of blue whales are not very common outside the polar seas, and these may be related to groups seen off Taranaki in recent years http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/9680087/A-rare-sight-Blue-whales-in-NZ-waters

There is also an aerial Hector’s dolphin population survey presently underway off the West Coast Tai Poutini, being done by Cawthron Institute under contract to Ministry for Primary Industries. This mainly involves a series of line transects going up to 20 miles offshore, between Farewell Spit and Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, similar to a survey that was done about 15 years ago.

KARAMEA PLACE

Planning Comments were provided on two filming applications in the Kahurangi National Park.

Visitor Management The new Mackay Hut on the Heaphy Great Walk is open and in use. The old hut is in the process of being decommissioned and will be removed from site by mid February.

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 1 The recent great weather conditions have allowed the Heaphy Track team to make good progress on track work. The track team have been focused on sorting some damage done on the coastal section, prior to Christmas, and in the New Year they have turned their attention to the Mackay hill sector.

Karamea has been a busy place with visitors this summer. Our campsites and front country walks have been well utilised. Kohaihai Campsite has seen one of its busiest summers.

The Heaphy Great Walk wardens are now midway through the season’s work and are undertaking a good job liaising with visitors and keeping the facilities clean and maintained.

Community Involvement/Initiatives Two international volunteers were placed by the Department and spent three days assisting the Karamea Estuary Enhancement Project (KEEP) group working in their nursery. They also spent a day taking photographs of the Honeycomb Caves for the Oparara Valley Trust and four days taking photographs of the Heaphy Track. The photos will be available for the Department to use on the new website and brochures.

Staff assisted with the BBC filming at the Honeycomb Caves for several days.

Species Management Monitoring undertaken in the Oparara/Ugly in December and January whio security site show a successful breeding season with 37 ducklings recorded from 29 pairs. There are a further four whione ducklings in Christchurch to be released in February or March.

Animal Pest Control Goat Control During the reporting period no goat operations were undertaken but are planned for February /March 2015.

Weed Pest Control Our weedbuster contractor continues controlling weeds on private land in the Karamea area.

KAWATIRI PLACE

Planning One resource consent for gravel extraction was processed.

Eleven district comments were provided on a variety of applications including trout fishing, penguin egg collecting, rainfall gauge, drill holes, open cast coal mine, capture of seals, filming and kiwi work.

Five grazing inspections were undertaken.

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 2 Visitor Management Westport Rangers have focussed on getting the front country sites around the Kawitiri Place ready for the summer. Work has been undertaken at Cape Foulwind, Charming Creek, Denniston and Constant Bay.

Community Involvement/Initiatives The Buller Conservation Volunteers spent several days staining and painting structures at the Lyell Campsite.

Two international volunteers spent two days taking photographs of the Charming Creek Track, Cape Foulwind and Denniston for the Department to use on the new website and brochures.

The Buller Tramping Club has a management agreement with the Department and they undertook maintenance on the Goat Creek hut.

A historic coal wagon has been restored by the Department and an agreement made to loan it to the Granity Museum.

Staff attended the Fish and Game Annual General Meeting.

Species Management The annual census of the Charleston gentian management site showed it was an average year for flowering and seedling establishment.

Animal Pest Control Goat Control Both aerial and ground operations are planned within these sites. To date 18 kills have been achieved through aerial efforts in the Mokihinui South Branch. Ongoing inspections are planned within the site during January through to February 2015.

Weed Pest Control Aerial weed control was undertaken on pines at Charleston and gunnera at Cape Foulwind. Our weedbuster contractor continues controlling weeds on private land in the Kawatiri area.

Habitat Protection Bathurst Biodiversity enhancement project The Bathurst biodiversity management plans continue to be implemented with most work this period occurring in the Denniston management area. Effort has focused on establishing baseline monitoring for small mammals and possums, as well as developing plans for weed management and implementing ongoing weed control programmes.

Work currently underway includes : o Establishment and running of 30 rodent tracking tunnels prior to the TB Free aerial 1080 operation (Denniston, completed). Interim results indicate low average rodent tracking rates on the central plateau (<10%) with low to moderate average tracking rates (20-30%) around the periphery.

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 3 o Establishment and running of 15 wax tag lines prior to TB Free aerial 1080 operation (Denniston, in progress). Results from this work are currently being collated. o A programme of gorse and broom control across the plateau with contributions from SENZ and BCL (Denniston, in progress). This is a large programme, the current seasons work is approximately 70% complete. o Development of a weed control plan for Denniston Plateau (in progress). o Establishment of seedfall traps to monitor seed masting of the predominant beech species present (16 Denniston, 16 Heaphy, in progress)

PAPAROA PLACE

Visitor Management Rangers have focussed on getting the front country sites around the Paparoa Place ready for the summer. Work has been undertaken at Dolomite Point, Visitor Centre Toilets and amenity areas, Truman Track, Pororari and Punakaiki Loop track, Cave Creek Track and the Caves track.

Community Involvement/Initiatives Two international volunteers spent a day taking photographs of Dolomite Point, Truman Track and Pororari River Track for the Department to use on the new website and brochures.

Animal Pest Control Goat Control Both aerial and ground operations have commenced within this site, to date 201 kills have been made in Fox River during ground operations and 66 kills by aerial inspections. Ongoing inspections are planned in the Paparoa site during January through to February 2015.

Weed Pest Control Weed control has been undertaken in Bullock Creek, Conservation Volunteers restoration site and Nikau reserve. Our weedbuster contractor continues controlling weeds on private land in the Punakaiki area, and is working with the West Coast Regional Council at some sites.

Habitat Protection Work continues are the Conservation Volunteers restoration site.

INANGAHUA PLACE

Visitor Management The Reefton team has had a busy start to summer keeping the front country amenity and camp ground areas clean and tidy, collecting rubbish, cutting grass and cleaning toilets. As well as front country work they have undertaken hut maintenance on Ada Pass and Cannibal Gorge huts and general track maintenance.

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 4 Historic General historic maintenance of the historic assets, this includes spraying and vegetation maintenance.

Species Management Bats Science and Capability staff have continued capture and tracking of longtailed bats in Maruia Valley to establish home range and roost site locations. 48 bats have been caught to date with several recaptures of banded individuals.

Annual walking transects were also undertaken and 78 passes were recorded compared to 52 passes in 2013.

Animal Pest Control Goat Control During the reporting period limited aerial operations were undertaken due to the animals consistently being encountered lower down in the forested areas. This is due to the females kidding and the alpine growth being later this year due to late spring snowfalls. Results from inspections undertaken in Maruia West (6 kills), Lake Daniell (6 kills), with follow-up inspections planned for January/February. Ground inspections have been planned for April / May 2015.

Weed Pest Control Both aerial and ground spraying has been undertaken for Gorse, Lupin and Broom in the Maruia riverbed, Station Creek and Palmers Road.

Habitat Protection Frost Flat encloses at Maruia valley have been inspected and repairs undertaken.

MAWHERA PLACE

Planning One resource consent for a trial mining pit was processed.

Visitor Management The Mawhera team have had a busy start to summer keeping the front country amenity and camp ground areas clean and tidy, cutting grass and cleaning toilets. As well as front country work they have undertaken maintenance on the Croesus hut and track.

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 5 Community Involvement/Initiatives Pike families proposals for Great Walk and National Park Extension DOC representatives met with the Pike River families representatives committee on the 3rd of February. A number of subjects were discussed, including the future of the buildings on site, additions to the National Park, and routes that the track could take, as well as the feasibility study into the proposal that will be undertaken by DOC. Discussions with the families will be ongoing.

Staff are contributing to Tai Poutini Polytechnic’s outdoor education and tourism programme for 2016. Tai Poutini are keen to extend their involvement with the Department through their programmes.

Staff assisted with the opening of the Ngati Waewae Arahura Marae, managing the traffic control on the day. Staff also involved the Conservation Volunteers NZ who helped by planting flaxes prior to the opening.

A Paparoa Wildlife Trust meeting was attended by staff. The Trust is in the process of establishing 50kms of trapping lines in Roaring Meg ecological area. Three juvenile kiwis were released back into Paparoa ranges and another two will be released on the upcoming public open day on 15 February.

Staff chaired the Blackball History Group annual general meeting.

Staff attended the launch for the new education resource developed by the West Coast Penguin Trust at Lake School. Meetings have been held looking to develop a joint education venture between Enviroschools, the Trust and the Department.

Volunteers spent two days assisting with planting and weeding at Cobden Island. Three volunteers spent a day doing biodiversity work at Maruia on bats.

Historic General historic maintenance of the historic assets, this includes spraying and vegetation maintenance. The Garden Gully stamper battery was inspected just prior to the Christmas break, due to deterioration of the supporting beams. It was found that while the supporting beams are deteriorating they still have some life left in them and there is no risk in the immediate future of the battery falling over.

The Haupiri steam shovel is due to be removed in the next couple of months from its existing site and taken to Shantytown for restoration.

Species Management Great Spotted Kiwi Three kiwi eggs have been removed from the Paparoa Range with one of the eggs being infertile and the remaining two at Willowbank being incubated. Three juvenile ONE kiwi have been released on the Croesus Track with two more planned for release in February.

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 6 Whio/ Release sites are being arranged for six juvenile whio due to be released in the Moonlight-Pike Recovery site later this month.

Animal Pest Control Goat Control During the reporting period aerial operations were undertaken through the Ahaura Gorge (7 kills), Mt Elliot (14 kills), Rotomanu (2 kills). Recent ground inspections have been undertaken throughout the Rotomanu area with an additional 18 kills recorded.

Tahr Control Ongoing inspections for the escaped Waikiti Tahr were recently successful in locating a group of four tahr (1 old male and 3 juvenile animals), of which three of these were killed. It was noted that all 3 juvenile animals encountered were all of the same age and size making it unable to confirm them as young male or female tahr.

Possum/Rat Control AHB has undertaken aerial pest control operation in the Atarau Block on behalf of DOC (20, 000ha – Roaring Meg).

Weed Pest Control Aerial Spraying has been completed in upper Grey Riverbed/Mt Harata. Aerial, boat and ground based willow control commenced in the Lake Brunner Catchment.

Pampas, yellow flag iris, barberry and parrots feather control work has been undertaken in Greymouth area.

Habitat Protection Ongoing weed control and planting has occurred at Cobden Island.

Monitoring Monitoring of TB Free possum control operations has been undertaken where their operations include public conservation land.

Fire Callouts attended – staff support for Canterbury Craigieburn cutting fire 26th January.

HOKITIKA PLACE

Planning Resource Consents received, Regional and District Plans, Management Planning S95 RMA, approval as an affected party sought as follows:

West Coast Regional Council 15/11/14 Wayne Whyte - new beach access, Totara lagoon/Ruatapu 19/11/14 Butlers Mining - gold mining, Butlers 8/12/14 McKay Mining - gold mining, Bowen Terrace, Mikonui 15/12/14 Cranley Farms Ltd - gold mining, Arahura 5/1/15 Martin Nolan - rock protection work, Kokatahi River

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 7 5/1/15 Gemma Martin - stone collection, 8/1/15 Southwest Energy - gravel extraction, Totara River 20/1/15 Westland Milk Products - discharge to River 20/1/15 Lewis Acker - diversion of Waimea Creek for gold mining Council 4/12/14 Kaniere Farms Subdivision - subdivision, Taminelli Creek, Kaniere

Visitor Management In the holiday period there have been very high numbers of campers at the DOC campsites at Mahinapua, and Goldsborough. A couple of after-hours water supply problems at Lake Kaniere and were promptly dealt with by staff.

Track work has been done in the Whitcombe Valley and hut maintenance done in the Whitcombe and Toaroha.

The building team completed an assessment of work required on Ivory Lake hut and work will be done later in the year. The team also completed repairs to the damaged Tutaekuri Hut, which was caused by falling tree branches during Cyclone Ita. Neave and Mullins Basin huts have been painted.

Tracks at Mahinapua, Ross, and Goldsborough have been maintained to keep them in good condition for the large number of visitors.

Staff have built a new viewing platform at the and completed the extension of the track.

Community Involvement/Initiatives The DOC West Coast facebook page continues to grow. As at 16/1/15 the page has 1369 likes and weekly engagement statistics are steadily increasing. Content has been consistent, excluding the holiday break where the page was monitored but we were not actively posting. We are working on creating a bank of ‘evergreen content’ so that we have stories to share during quieter periods.

The Department is again taking the opportunity to sponsor the ‘One Ocean’ prize at the Driftwood & Sand Festival and one sculpture will be selected that links to caring for the marine environment.

Species Management Trap checking, clearing and maintenance has been done in the Styx, Arahura and Taipo. Volunteers are continuing to do a great job looking after the trap line in the Kawhaka.

Twenty Five whio eggs taken in the ONE programme were successfully hatched and chicks raised at Peacock Springs. Chicks will be released in early February; five in the Arahura, 10 in the Taipo and 10 at Moonlight.

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 8 Staff checked reports of a possible shearwater nesting site in the Whitcombe area. No birds were seen but photographs evidence of possible nesting has been found.

Science staff spent a few days in the area looking for Chesterfield skinks and identified 4 as being Chesterfield skinks. This identification is currently being checked through DNA testing.

Animal Pest Control Tahr Control Exclusion Zone inspections undertaken including checks of the Deception, Rolleston, Taipo/Mt Tara Tama areas did not locate any tahr.

Possum Control After recent mechanical problems with the Goodnature A12 traps located in Otira, these have now been upgraded and re-deployed back into the field.

Weed Pest Control Weed control has concentrated on infestations of Spirea, Pampas and Gunnera. Staff have spent a lot of time talking to landowners about weed issues.

Our Weedbusters Ranger, Derek Wills has done survey, advocacy and control work in the Taramakau, Arahura and at Ross. Derek also works in the Greymouth area.

Staff have been trained in using the Department’s new weeds database.

TE WAHI POUNAMU PLACE

Planning Two requests for s95 affected party approval were received and processed for areas in the Te Wahi Pounamu Place.

Staff provided comment on: • 8 applications for non-recreation concessions • 3 concession variations • 2 concession reissues • 6 wildlife act authorities / research and collection permits • 2 mining access arrangements

Staff also processed 13 applications for one-off permits.

Visitor Management The South Westland team have had a busy start to summer keeping the front country amenity and campground areas clean and tidy, cutting grass and cleaning toilets from Lake Ianthe to Jackson Bay. Front country work has been undertaken on the Harihari Coastal Walk, 3 Mile Pack Track, Neil’s Creek, , Gillespie’s Beach, Ship

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 9 Creek and Lake Ellery. In the back country the Copland Valley from the roadend to Welcome Flat has been scrubcut, and the Haast Paringa Cattle Track scrubcut has also been completed. Cassel Flat hut has been spring cleaned and tracks cleared of windfalls; Stafford Hut has also been spring cleaned and windfalls cleared.

Franz Josef Glacier Valley has suffered from ongoing slumping issues with the glacier access track which has been time consuming to resolve, but an excellent viewpoint has been maintained throughout the busy summer period. Work is currently underway to provide a less troublesome view point.

Fox Glacier Valley work has included raising the carpark and toilets by one metre and three metres respectively to prevent flooding.

Community Involvement/Initiatives The NWSI region has been trialling a new system for managing volunteers, called Engage. The software has been installed on 5 computers in South Westland, and has proved to be a valuable tool for managing volunteer hours and reporting on volunteer contributions.

Interns from university programmes at Waikato and Otago have been contributing long term (up to six months) to the biodiversity programme. Volunteers from the wider New Zealand public have also contributed substantial hours to the biodiversity and visitor asset programmes, including Welcome Flat Hut wardens.

A delegation of about 20 National Park managers from China visited Westland Tai Poutini National Park on December 19. The visit was part of a multi site visit around the , organised with Lincoln University, with a focus on World Heritage Management. They viewed the kiwi pre-release enclosure and learned about DOC’s efforts to recover rowi, and visited the valley to learn about DOC’s visitor asset management programme.

January has involved a large amount of planning for events in the district during February and March. Events scheduled for these two months are World Wetlands Day, Seaweek, the Whataroa A&P Show and DOC participation in the Lions Club Salmon Fishing Competition.

Historic Work has been undertaken on the Harihari Coastal Walk, 3 Mile Pack Track, Roberts Point, Tatare Tunnels, Chancellor Hut, Copland Valley and Haast-Paringa Cattle Track.

Animal Pest Control Goat Control Recent ground operations focused around the McCulloughs and Vine Creeks. These inspections encountered more goats than previously envisaged with a total of 149 goats removed. It was noted that the goats encountered in the southern areas of the

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 10 block were of the pure angora strain, thus different to the common goat encountered at this site. Additional aerial inspections are planned for February 2015.

Tahr Control During the reporting period, limited aerial operations by way of the AATH offsets were undertaken due to the animals being consistently encountered lower down in the forested areas. This is due to the females kidding and the alpine growth flourishing more towards January – March. All aerial operations are now due to commence late January, after the holiday period, these delays have also allowed the visitor / hunter numbers to reduce.

Weed Pest Control Willow regrowth has been controlled at Lake Wahapo and Docherty Creek. Yellow flag iris was controlled at Ōkārito township.

Extensive aerial control of willow is scheduled for late January/early February at Docherty Creek/, Lake Wahapo/Waitangitaona River, Lake Rotokino/ White Heron Lagoon and Poerua River. Gorse in the Valley above the State Highway road bridge will also be part of the aerial control programme. Ground control will be focussed on buddleia and tradescantia.

Habitat Protection Air New Zealand Glaciers to Wetlands Restoration Project Five hundred trees of mixed-native species, produced at the Department’s Glaciers to Wetlands Nursery in Ōkārito, have been planted by Department staff, student interns, Franz Josef Glacier Guides and the Westport Volunteer Corps. They were planted at the Lake Wahapo/Waitangitaona River restoration site.

Volunteers have also been active at the Glaciers to Wetlands Nursery in Ōkārito. Work has concentrated on pricking out and potting on seedlings and preparation prior to this season’s seed collecting.

Around 100 double-set stoat traps have been deployed by a local contractor on the spit west of Ōkārito Lagoon. The traps will protect shore and wading birds that are prolific on this stretch of coastline.

Monitoring Rowi Recovery All twenty-one of the 51 sub-adult rowi (resulting from the 2013/14 breeding season) that were released in North Ōkārito have been monitored on a monthly basis since their release in October. All of the birds have survived, gaining weight and prospering.

The 2014/15 breeding season is coming to a close. Of a total of 71 eggs rescued to date, 46 chicks have hatched and 11 fertile eggs are being incubated at West Coast Wildlife Centre. Fourteen eggs have been infertile or expired due to embryonic death. This is

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 11 proportionally fewer than the expected 25-30%. Two eggs remain in the forest and will be rescued when they are 25 days old.

Chicks are progressively released from the West Coast Wildlife Centre to the Department’s Franz Josef Pre-Release Pens, and then transferred to Motuara Island crèche.

Transmitter changes and ongoing work at the Pre-Release Pens will occupy the team over the next few months.

Haast Tokoeka Recovery As with rowi, the 2014/15 breeding season is coming to a close. Thirty-three eggs have been rescued to date; resulting in 18 chicks, 2 fertile eggs currently incubating at West Coast Wildlife Centre, and 13 eggs that were infertile or subject to embryonic death.

Activity over the coming months will centre on changing transmitters and transferring juveniles to island crèches. Orokonui Ecosanctuary is currently constructing a crèche, which will provide valuable back-up space, additional to Centre Island and Bute Island/Lake Te Anau, and Rona Island/Lake Manapouri.

Fire Fire activity has been limited to monthly equipment testing and maintenance.

Visitor Centre Statistics

Visitor Centre Total Number % Increase or decrease for same Visitors from 1 July period last year 14 to 30 June 2015 Punakaiki 69117 (July-Dec 14) 5.36% increase Reefton 27629 47% increase ( perhaps due to foot traffic to the bank?) Franz Josef 41595 8.8% increase Haast 38567 (July-Dec 14) 23% increase on same period 2013

RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Board notes the information in this report.

Jan Hania Director, Conservation Partnerships North & Western South Island Region

DOCDM- 1534452 - Status Report to 30.01.15 12