WAIPA CATCHMENT PLAN ACTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION 2014/15 About this document In 2014/15, the River Authority is giving increased priority to projects that support the implementation of the Waipa Catchment Plan.

This document lists actions that parties can undertake to support the implementation of the Waipa Catchment Plan in 2014/15.

The actions are grouped into: • soil conservation • cultural and community • sustainable land management • maintaining/improving water quality • protecting/restoring indigenous biodiversity. About the Waipa Catchment Plan The Waipa Catchment Plan sets a 20 year plan to support the restoration and protection of the health and wellbeing of the (and the ).

The Waipa Catchment Plan is currently being finalised and is expected to be released in October 2014.

The Waipa Catchment Plan has been developed: • in collaboration with the Waipa Zone Liaison Subcommittee and representatives of Waikato-Tainui Te Kauhanganui Incorporated, Maniapoto Māori Trust Board, Raukawa Charitable Trust, Ngati Mahanga and Ngati Koroki Kahukura • with co-funding from the Waikato River Authority.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/waipaplan [email protected] Freephone 0800 800 401 Soil conservation 1. Carry out investigations into the long term effectiveness of soil conservation programmes in the catchment and potential risk to water quality improvements. 2. Implement new riparian enhancement programmes, along the following High Priority reaches: • Mangapiko Stream between Te Awaumutu and (Map 1) • Waipa River between Toa’s bridge and the confluence with Mangaorongo Stream (Map 1) • Waipa River between the Kaniwhaniwha and the confluence with the Waikato River (Map 1) • Mangapu sub-catchment (Map 2)

Note: It is important that applicants contact Waikato Regional Council as part of their project planning to ensure that bank stabilisation requirements are considered as part of these projects. Map 1 Priority reaches for riparian protection for soil conservation

Content is currently under review and additional sites may be added for 2015 onwards Map 2 Priority reaches for riparian protection for soil conservation in the Mangapu

Content is currently under review and additional sites may be added for 2015 onwards Cultural and community 1. Develop plans to restore access, mahinga kai and other cultural uses of the awa. Restore customary resources where access exists. 2. Identify and map Wāhi tapu and areas/sites of cultural significance throughout the Waipa catchment. 3. Develop prioritised list of community projects and implement to enable ‘quick wins’ in engaging people with the Waipa River catchment. 4. Identify and support specific projects to engage tāngata whenua and the community in achieving their aspirations for rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, karst and areas of indigenous vegetation or habitats of indigenous fauna. Sustainable land management 1. Investigate alternative land use options, including afforestation, for areas where land use does not match capability. 2. Investigate impact of land use intensification throughout the catchment e.g. dairying, cropping, and horticulture. 3. Identify the needs and aspirations of Māori Multiple Owned Land Block trustees and develop specific and targeted environmental programmes that suit their unique needs. Maintaining/improving water quality 1. Identify properties in shallow lakes catchments that require property/farm plans to reduce nutrient loads (in order of priority): a. Milicich b. Posa and Pataka c. Ruatuna d. Mangahia 2. Develop and implement comprehensive property / farm plans for all identified farms, where landowners are willing, in shallow lakes catchments to reduce nutrient loads. 3. Assess the cost/benefit of implementing Sustainable Milk Plans in Priority 1 nutrient catchments (Map 3) in the catchment 4. Implement Sustainable Milk Plans in identified priority nutrient catchments (Map 3) in the Waipa. Map 3 Priority nutrient catchments for nutrient load reduction Protecting/restoring indigenous biodiversity 1. Identify properties containing Priority 1 Biodiversity sites (Map 4, and table of Waipa Priority 1 Biodiversity sites) that require biodiversity protection and restoration plans. 2. Develop and implement comprehensive biodiversity protection and restoration plans with willing landowners in identified Priority 1 Biodiversity sites (Map 4, and table of Waipa Priority 1 Biodiversity sites). 3. Develop and implement projects to enhance riparian protection and habitat for kokopu, piharau, tuna and koura. Key waterways include: • Firewood Creek - forest edge to Waipa River • Streams in the Kaniwhaniwha catchment - forest edge to Waipa River • Mangakara Stream - forest edge to Waipa River • Mangatutu headwaters - forest edge to Map 4 Priority 1 biodiversity sites in the Waipa catchment

Content is currently under review and additional sites may be added for 2015 onwards Waipa Priority 1 biodiversity sites

SITE NAME DESCRIPTION SIGNIFICANCE SIZE (HA) TENURE Lake Mangakaware Peat lake National 4.46 Crown(TA)(100.0%) Recreation Reserve Lake Rotopotaka Wildlife Peat lake Regional 2.38 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Management Reserve Lake Ruatuna Wildlife Crown(DOC) Peat lake Regional 5.46 Management Reserve (86.7%),Private(13.3%) Moanatuatua Peat Restiad bog National 24.28 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Scientific Reserve Koropupu Scenic Reserve Significant 24.89 Crown(DOC)(98.9%) Oparure kahikatea stand Kahikatea wetland Significant 17.83 Private(99.9%) south of Pehitawa Stewardship land - Significant 248.62 Mixed Matakana Lake Mangahia willow Peat lake Local 8.81 Private(86.7%) margins Lake Ngaroto Recreation Crown(TA)(86.9%), Peat lake National 40.11 Reserve Crown(Other)(13.1%) Fragment next to the Private(84.7%), quarry along Kaniwhaniwha Kahikatea fragment Regional 4.89 Crown(Other)(15.3%) Str Lake Koromatua Wildlife Peat lake National 10.27 Crown(DOC)(87.0%) Management Reserve Crown(Other)(96.0%), Wetlands Peat lake Local 23.92 Private(4.0%) Lake Ngarotoiti Wildlife Peat lake Regional 3.24 Crown(DOC)(94.7%) Management Reserve A small, convoluted area of vegetation on an un-named Moakurarua wetland Local 2.08 Indeterminate tributary of Moakurarua Stream within farmland. Oparure kahikatea stand Private(72.3%), south of Pehitawa - Wetland Significant 16.96 Indeterminate(27.4%) extension Oparure kahikatea stand Private(71.6%), south of Pehitawa - Wetland Significant 1.72 Indeterminate(28.4%) extension Rakauwhatiakue Stream Two medium-sized, lowland areas of herbaceous freshwater Indeterminate(95.1%), Likely 2.39 wetland vegetation with some deciduous hardwoods Private(4.9%) Johnstones Wetlands Wetland Local 23.32 Private(100.0%) Hollow Hill Scenic Reserve Significant 35 Crown(DOC)(99.4%) Te Raumauku Caves Scenic This protected site is part of Te Raumauku Caves Scenic Crown(DOC)(93.5%), National 8.51 Reserve C Reserve Crown(Other)(6.5%) Patterson Road wetland A regenerating wetland area of nearly 6ha. Regional 5.91 Private(100.0%) Four narrow, convoluted wetlands along the Waipa River and Waipa River-Otorohanga two of its tributaries next to State Highway 31 (Kawhia Road) Local 9.47 Mixed wetlands just north of Otorohanga. Tanekopuwai Significant 4.59 Indeterminate Pine sheltered forest Two thin native tracts of vegetation. An unnamed tributary between Grove Road and Likely 4.59 Private(100.0%) from the Waipa River runs through both fragments. Waipa /Hauturu Road Large forest fragment Significant 145.62 Private(100.0%) bush Waitomo Caves Scenic Significant 9.06 Crown(DOC)(98.8%) Reserve Lake Milicich Peat lake Likely 1.65 Private(100.0%) Wetland South of Te Anga Wetland Significant 4.92 Private(100.0%) Road Puahue Quarry Road A willow dominated wetland area with two small lakes on the Local 6.99 Private(100.0%) eastern willow fragment western edge. SITE NAME DESCRIPTION SIGNIFICANCE SIZE (HA) TENURE Ouruwhero Road wetland Two small, lowland wetland areas Local 3.21 Private(100.0%) remnants Indeterminate(76.3%), Pehitawa Significant 26.19 Private(23.7%) Te Rauamoa Block (Part)- Large area of indigenous forest and scrub on steep to rolling Crown(DOC)(97.6%), National 1297.42 Pirongia Forest Park hill country. Crown(Other)(2.3%) Maru Road protected gully A small, protected, lowland, broadleaf-podocarp gully remnant Regional 2.84 Private(100.0%) remnant Crawford Road Wetland Regional 54.62 Private(81.6%) Koropupu Scenic Reserve Likely 18.74 Private(97.0%) Extension River Extension Significant 249.62 Private(99.8%) Waipuna Scenic Reserve Significant 349.42 Crown(DOC)(99.3%) Waipuna Scenic Reserve Significant 203.12 Private(98.4%) Extension Rangitoto Swamp Significant 3.51 Private(96.2%) Waipuna/Te Anga Road Forest fragment Significant 34.17 Private(98.9%) bush fragment Puketawai Road wetland Three small, privately owned lowland wetlands Local 2.37 Private(100.0%) remnants Wetland near the Parkland A large wetland area with a tail of mixed hardwoods which Road and Puahue Road Likely 4.33 Private(100.0%) follow a gully from the southern wetland edge. corner Mangaotama Stream willow 70ha of grey willow wetlands following the Mangaotama Private(87.4%), Regional 70.36 wetlands Stream Crown(Other)(12.5%) Kahikatea stand on Te Kauri A protected kahikatea stand within a large tract of indigenous Regional 1.67 Private(100.0%) Stream, Limeworks Loop forest Protected kahikatea Six small QEII kahikatea remnants situated in undulating remnants near Paterangi Regional 1.02 Private(100.0%) countryside School Te Raumauku Caves Scenic This protected site is part of Te Raumauku Caves Scenic National 7.91 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Reserve B Reserve Lake Mangakaware Two kahikatea stands connected by an area of willow wetland. Regional 3.37 Private(100.0%) kahikatea stand This site consists of an almost solid totara canopy and is Unprotected totara stand expected to contain scattered pole titoki, kahikatea, miro and Regional 3.98 Private(93.6%) close to Martelletti Road the occasional pokaka. Te Kauri Stream kahikatea This is a dense kahikatea stand that is located on the Te Kauri Regional 1.41 Private(98.6%) stand near Limeworks Loo Stream. Kaniwhaniwha Scenic A relatively large DoC reserve covered mostly in secondary Reserve and Stewardship National 225.19 Crown(DOC)(98.3%) forest, but including some primary forest Area Pirongia Conservation Park National 3383.75 Crown(DOC)(84.8%) Turitea-Whakariawaka Site comprises six areas of indigenous vegetation on National 131.71 Private(100.0%) forest moderately steep to rolling hills Murchies cave forest Indigenous forest Regional 38.59 Private(96.9%) Maru Road south - A small protected, lowland secondary rewarewa/tawa forest Regional 1.12 Private(100.0%) protected remnant 3 remnant Maungatautari Ecological Protected, areas on the margins of Maungatautari Ecological National 34.3 Private(99.2%) Island - QEII Covenant Island and included within the pest-proof fenceline. One of the largest mires in the Waipapa Ecological Area which Waipa Mires National 150.03 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) is comprised of a restiad bog and tussockland. Maru Road south - Two protected, lowland, secondary rewarewa/tawa forest Regional 3.05 Private(100.0%) protected remnant 1 remnants This site contains several areas on the margins of Maungatautari Ecological Maungatautari Ecological Island and are included within the National 338.12 Mixed Island - Unprotected pest-proof fenceline. Protected totara stand close Almost solid totara canopy with scattered pole titoki, Regional 1.01 Private(100.0%) to Martelletti Road kahikatea, miro and the occasional pokaka. Maungatautari Ecological This site is a very large area of indigenous forest types National 968.96 Crown(TA)(99.1%) Island - Scenic Reserve enclosed within a pest-proof fence. SITE NAME DESCRIPTION SIGNIFICANCE SIZE (HA) TENURE Crown(DOC)(71.1%), Hakarimata Ranges National 1561.03 Private(27.3%) Five areas of indigenous forest located on hill country either Pururu forest National 189.84 Private(100.0%) side of the Waipa River east of . Te Raumauku Caves This site comprises two small fragments of forest located Regional 6.93 Private(89.1%) southern remnants adjacent to Te Raumauku Valley Road. Mt Kokako Forest Regional 2767.11 Mixed Mangakotukutuku Regional 281.28 Crown(DOC)(99.3%) Stewardship Area (Part) This site comprises one very large continuous area of forest, Pureora Forest Park- on rolling to steep hills (DOC 2010b), comprising the most National 11934.18 Crown(DOC)(98.1%) Waipapa River Extension Northern section of Pureora Forest Park Mt. Pirongia Forest Park The site is a section of the indigenous forest on Mt. Pirongia. National 1629.39 Crown(DOC)(98.1%) Otoru Scenic Reserve Three moderately sized, lowland indigenous forest remnants Regional 236.51 Crown(DOC)(99.1%) Te Raumauku Caves Scenic This protected site is part of Te Raumauku Caves Scenic Regional 3.45 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Reserve A Reserve Indigenous forest on Relatively large, south and east facing hillside of regenerating hillside in Kaniwhaniwha Regional 177.67 Private(100.0%) indigenous forest. Stream A small area of indigenous vegetation on moderately steep Crown(DOC)(74.4%), Ruahoanga Scenic Reserve Regional 8.05 slopes in a small stream basin Crown(Other)(25.2%) This protected site contains three parts which together form Pirongia Forest Park (Part) a large area of Pirongia Forest Park (FP) and is the most National 3246.03 Crown(DOC)(99.9%) extensive tract of indigenous forest in Kawhia ED. Mixed native vegetation This is a large area, around 169ha, comprised of native near Fillery Road and Te Regional 168.38 Private(99.2%) hardwood and native shrubland. Kauri Stream This site comprises an indigenous tawa dominated forest Indigenous forest OShea Rd National 8.9 Private(98.9%) remnant. Located in the and part of an extensive Cowan Wildlife Refuge indigenous forest tract which includes Tauraroa forest and National 1283.69 Crown(DOC)(98.5%) Reserve Pureora protected forest. Mangakotukutuku Stream Large area mainly comprising lowland submontane Regional 357.55 Private(96.6%) forest indigenous forest This privately owned, unprotected site comprises two Waipa River forest moderate-sized remnants together with numerous small Regional 94.68 Private(99.7%) fragments A fragments of indigenous vegetation along the Waipa River, east of Pururu. This protected site is part of Te Raumauku Caves Scenic Te Raumauku Caves Scenic Reserve and is located between Honikiwi Road and Te National 23.78 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Reserve D Raumauku Road at Te Raumauku. A moderately sized area of logged primary indigenous forest Paewhenua Road forest on moderate to very steep slopes between the Waipa River Regional 18.61 Private(100.0%) remnant and Paewhenua Road, north of Te Toa bridge. Forested hill draining into Relatively large sized indigenous forest and scrubland, which National 113.51 Private(96.6%) Waikoha Stream provides habitat for a nationally vulnerable fauna species. The protected site is located near Rangitoto Pa and is part of Crown(TA)(50.0%), Pureora protected forest an extensive indigenous forest tract It comprises a range of National 763.07 Private(47.4%) vegetation types, including representative exam Mt. Pirongia, Sainsbury This site contains indigenous forest and small proportions of Regional 147.94 Crown(Other)(80.9%) Road indigenous forest scrub This privately owned site comprises one moderate-sized Barber Road forest lowland forest remnant and three small lowland forest Regional 46.64 Private(100.0%) remnants remnants Tolley Road-Pureora Forest Submontane, broadleaved indigenous shrubland and Regional 166.56 Private(100.0%) outlier A indigenous forest Whakarautawa Stream Medium-sized area of indigenous vegetation spanning two Regional 60.9 Private(96.8%) forest bioclimatic zones Podocarp forest at eastern Lowland forest of mixed hardwood podocarp Regional 50.56 Private(100.0%) periphery of Mt. Pirong Waite Road protected forest A group of three protected tawa forest remnants (25ha Regional 25.95 Private(100.0%) fragments combined) SITE NAME DESCRIPTION SIGNIFICANCE SIZE (HA) TENURE Rangitukia Stream tributary Incised gully containing diverse broadleaf-conifer canopy Regional 2.81 Private(100.0%) forest remnant including hinau. This site features a threatened flora species. Podocarp forest at Rangitukia Stream in Indigenous forest, regenerating scrub and treeferns. Regional 29.92 Private(99.4%) periphery Ngakoaohia Stream Small area of forest located along the Ngakoaohia Stream Regional 23.1 Private(99.8%) protected forest near Pekanui Road. Protected Kairangi Stream Two QEII protected tawa forest gully remnants Regional 7.01 Private(100.0%) tributary gully remnants Indigenous Forest on Waipa This site contains indigenous forest situated on Waipa DC land Regional 184.56 Crown(Other)(98.9%) DC land on the south-eastern slope of Mt. Pirongia. Six small forest fragments located near Tahaia Bush Road at Bush Road protected forest Regional 28.71 Private(100.0%) Rewarewa Te Reti Road Scenic Reserve A large (30ha) protected area of broadleaf-podocarp forest Regional 30.22 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Rotoorangi Road protected A protected lowland kahikatea remnant Regional 4.55 Private(100.0%) remnant Pirongia Forest Park Medium-sized, privately owned area containing lowland Regional 62.35 Private(100.0%) extension D submontane indigenous forest Podocarp forest on Eastern margin of Mt. Pirongia DoC Reserve. Indigenous Regional 23.36 Crown(TA)(99.3%) Tawhitiwhiti Stream forest, small-leaved scrub and treeferns. Bromley Road forest A small area of indigenous vegetation on moderate hill slopes Regional 7.11 Private(100.0%) remnant Steep west facing slope of the Rangitukia Stream covered in Mt. Pirongia margin at mostly logged primary tawa-podocarp forest and secondary Regional 3.96 Private(100.0%) Rangitukia Stream broadleaved-small-leaved forest. The site is connected to the large forest in Mt. Pirongia and was fenced in 1994. Protected Gillard Road Two small protected kahikatea stands in farmland near Lake Regional 1.75 Private(100.0%) kahikatea remnant Mangahia. Protected northern A series of five small-medium (0.5 - 7ha) protected tawa Mangapiko Stream Regional 13.77 Private(100.0%) forest remnants. tributary remnant Rotoorangi Road protected A protected small lowland tawa remnant Regional 1.36 Private(100.0%) remnant Barker Road protected Six small, protected fragments of secondary podocarp and Regional 12.1 Private(100.0%) forest fragments hardwood forest Two large areas of indigenous forest on hill country either side Waimahora Forest Reserve Regional 242.42 Crown(TA)(95.2%) of the Waimahora Stream, east of Te Kuiti. Tunawaea Stream protected The privately owned site comprises one large, protected area Regional 95.68 Private(100.0%) forest of submontane indigenous forest. Two QEII protected tawa forest remnants situated in west Dillon Road end protected facing gully heads, containing the headwaters of unnamed Regional 7.39 Private(100.0%) gully remnants tributary streams. The privately owned site comprises one large, one medium and two small, privately owned, forest remnant contiguous Pureora Forest Park with the northern boundary of an extensive indigenous forest Regional 125.81 Private(99.5%) northern forest extensions tract which includes the Pureora Conservation Area and Pureora Forest Park. This protected site comprises two small and medium-sized Moakurarua Stream fragments of secondary forest located near the end of Turoto Regional 28.89 Indeterminate protected forest Road north of Honikiwi. Bromley Road protected Medium-sized, protected area of lowland tawa forest. Regional 11.07 Private(100.0%) forest Pukekura south gully Large area of connected tawa gully remnants on the northern Regional 10.19 Private(100.0%) remnants foothills of Maungatautari Ngutunui Stream Scenic Medium-sized fragment of secondary forest located in Regional 36.69 Crown(DOC)(94.7%) Reserve moderately steep hill country Koroko Road broadleaf- A large area of broadleaf-podocarp forest on the south- Regional 51.55 Private(100.0%) podocarp remnant western foothills of Maungatautari. An intact remnant of native vegetation including kahikatea on Rolley Road Scenic Reserve Regional 3.56 Crown(DOC)(92.4%) the north-eastern foothills of Mt. Pirongia. Yarndley’s Bush scenic The largest kahikatea remnant in the Waipa District. Regional 13.53 Crown(TA)(100.0%) reserve SITE NAME DESCRIPTION SIGNIFICANCE SIZE (HA) TENURE Waite Road South protected An indigenous forest remnant on the southern end of Waite Regional 2 Private(100.0%) bush block Road, near Pirongia Forest Park. Protected area on the Limeworks Loop Road An area of indigenous vegetation buffered by large pines Regional 4.97 Private(100.0%) bridge Waipa DC reserves adjacent A series of small areas of Waipa District Council Reserves that to Maungatautari Ecological are contiguous with Maungatautari Ecological Island (MEI), Regional 4.05 Crown(TA)(93.8%) Island but not included within the pest-proof fence. Protected Whanake forest Six small to medium (3 - 10ha), protected tawa forest Regional 28.27 Private(100.0%) remnants remnants on Whanake Hill. A large forest fragment located on a steep hillside next to Te Rauamoa Scenic Reserve Regional 63.14 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Okoko Road near Te Rauamoa. Large area of submontane and lowland indigenous forest on Private(74.2%), Tauraroa forest Regional 4221.71 hill country to the West of the Rangitoto Forest Block Indeterminate(24.9%) A protected area of potential wetland in the eastern side Protected restoration area and mixed indigenous vegetation in the western area, with Regional 1.79 Private(100.0%) 270 m west of St Leger possible restoration planting. Mangahia Stream protected Multiple protected remnants of mixed indigenous scrub and Regional 4.3 Private(97.6%) riparian margins hardwood species. Te Raumauku Caves This site comprises five small forest fragments located at Te Private(82.4%), Regional 15.21 northern remnants Raumauku near Honikiwi Road. Crown(Other)(17.2%) A medium-sized forest fragment located next to Pekanui Road Walter Scott Reserve Regional 43.84 Private(97.6%) near Ngutunui. Hauturu East Conservation This publicly owned site is the small, north-eastern corner of Regional 9.65 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) Area (part) the Hauturu East Conservation Area Protected indigenous forest Indigenous forest remnant including kamahi, rewarewa, Regional 15.83 Private(100.0%) south of Waite Road kahikatea, tawa, mamaku and climbing rata and scrub. Two small remnants of mixed indigenous treefern land and Corcoran Road protected scrub with some tawa likely. This site is located on the eastern Regional 1.82 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) forest remnants foot hills of Mt. Pirongia. North-east facing limestone slope covered in small-leaved Karamu Scenic Reserve Regional 4.79 Crown(DOC)(83.4%) scrub with an area of treeferns and native trees The site comprises six small, submontane, areas of indigenous Waipa River-Pureora Forest forest, scrub, and bog contiguous with -Pureora Forest Park- Regional 18.46 Mixed outliers Waipapa River Extension. This publicly owned, protected site comprises one large Pureora Forest Park B fragment consisting of tawa forest and contains a tributary of Regional 183.45 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) the Mangawhio Stream and Mangarata Stream. Protected manuka kanuka Predominantly south facing hillside with dense vegetation of shrub at the end of Wright Regional 8.47 Private(100.0%) manuka-kanuka scrub. Road Puniu River submontane A very large, privately owned, area of indigenous forest to the Regional 869.49 Private(99.6%) forest east of Puniu River marginal strip. This privately owned, protected site comprises two small Millard Road protected lowland tawa forest remnants, rimu-tawa forest and swamp Regional 9.85 Private(100.0%) forests forest and is suitable habitat for At Risk wetland species. Pureora Forest Park This publicly owned, protected site comprises one large area (Wharepuhunga Outlier Regional 626.43 Crown(DOC)(99.8%) of indigenous forest. no.2) Southern Sainsbury Road Contains young, regenerating, probably tawa dominated Regional 3.48 Indeterminate protected forest remnant broadleaved forest. This publicly owned, protected site comprises one large area Ngaroma Scenic Reserve and one small areas of indigenous forest north of Ngaroma, Regional 118.23 Crown(DOC)(99.7%) on hill country. This publicly owned, protected site comprises one large area southwest of Ngaroma which is included as an outlier Pureora Forest Park of Pureora Forest Park, comprising unmodified podocarp- Regional 302.71 Crown(DOC)(100.0%) (Wairehi Road outlier) broadleaved forest, tawa forest and secondary broadleaved forest.