CANTERBURY REGIONAL COUNCIL Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha

Report for the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Dec 2020 Name Date Prepared by: Environment Canterbury staff November 2019 Reviewed by: Environment Canterbury December 2019 Senior Management External review by: David Painter, DPC Ltd January- October 2020 Approved by: Dr Tim Davie, Director of December 2020 Science at Environment Canterbury

Note: This report was written over a 1-year time period so the information and data refer to a mix of dates between November 2019 and December 2020.

Report No. R20/63 PU1C/8756

978-1-99-002733-8 Print 978-1-99-002734-5 Web

December 2020

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Website: www.ecan.govt.nz Customer Services Phone 0800 324 636

Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Executive summary

Background: The Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), endorsed by the Mayoral Forum in 2009, sets out a vision and targets for improved water management throughout Canterbury. Ten Zone Committees were set up to help implement the CWMS in their own zone. The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee was established in October 2010. Importantly, the first agreements for co-governance of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere were signed in 2011 and 2012 between the Te Waihora Management Board and Environment Canterbury, providing a unique context for the Selwyn Waihora Zone. The committee worked with the community to identify desired outcomes for water management and wrote recommendations for how to achieve them in its Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP, in December 2011) and its ZIP Addendum (2013). The committee recommended a Solutions Package as ‘a significant first step’, aiming to improve cultural and environmental outcomes in the zone while maintaining farm viability and economic growth. Since the ZIP Addendum was written, the policy and planning context has changed significantly.

The question: The 2019 Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee asked for a report collating information about progress towards implementing their ZIP Addendum. The committee will use this to assess progress within the zone, and to identify their priorities for the next few years.

What we did: Environment Canterbury, with assistance from other organisations, has collated and documented existing information and data about projects, actions, and outcomes that form part of the Solutions Package for the Selwyn Waihora Zone. No new investigations or studies were undertaken, and the report is a non-glossy stocktake primarily for the Zone Committee. The report is not an efficiency and effectiveness review of the Plan, nor does it provide advice on what more needs to be done.

What we found: • This progress report takes its audience one more step along the CWMS maturity journey. It is for one of ten Zone Committees within a strategy that is multi-generational with ten CWMS target areas. Since the ZIP Addendum was written in 2013, contextual changes have included a regionally relevant Plan Change (PC5), three changes to the NPS for Freshwater Management, new 2025 CWMS targets, and the current round of Essential Freshwater Government objectives. It has been 6 years since the ZIP Addendum was drafted and nearly 7 years since the Selwyn Te Waihora section of the Land and Water Regional Plan was notified (February 2014). • The Selwyn Waihora sub-regional chapter of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan incorporated a large proportion of the recommendations in the ZIP Addendum. These recommendations are now rules and are being implemented and monitored by the Regional Council. Some of the rules are yet to come into effect. • There is work underway across all the ‘pathways’ identified in the ZIP Addendum, though some of these projects have only just begun. Environmental monitoring is showing outcomes that remain, as predicted, of concern, especially for Te Waihora, and for nitrogen concentrations in the central and lower catchment. • There remain some information gaps including the extent and effectiveness of riparian margins within the zone, current catchment Nitrogen loads, in-depth information on what changes farmers are making as a result of their Farm Environment Plans, information on how well farm viability is maintained and economic impact of changes, and a full picture of how much funding has been spent and an analysis of where else it is needed and where it might come from.

What does it mean? The Zone Committee will use the information in this report to decide what it means for progress and to identify priorities for their work programmes in the next 1-3 years. There will be varying opinions about the extent, speed and coordination of progress in the six years since the ZIP Addendum was written. The ‘what does it all mean’ part of the report remains a work in progress and will be done a) by the Zone

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Committee and key agencies working within the zone holding strategic conversations about progress and b) over the next few years as the Zone Committee, community and agencies work together to identify and take up opportunities for next steps.

How we have considered climate change: The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee has discussed climate change since the committee was first established – at first learning about its impact on water through presentations, then through incorporation of the latest climate information in the modelling done for the ZIP Addendum, and more recently through semi-regular presentations to the Zone Committee. The Zone Committee’s 2018-19 Waikirikiri Working Group took a close look at climate change in their work to identify what a healthy Waikirikiri would look like and in their road-map and recommendations to get there.

Within this report, there is a specific section (3.4.7) that considers the impact of climate change on water quantity.

ii Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Table of contents

1 Introduction ...... 8 1.1 CWMS context ...... 8 1.1.1 The CWMS Targets ...... 8 1.1.2 The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee and its Implementation Programmes ...... 9 1.2 The purpose of this report ...... 10 1.3 Structure of the report ...... 11

2 Implementation and Review ...... 13 2.1 ZIP Addendum context ...... 13 2.2 Selwyn-Te Waihora Plan Context ...... 13 2.3 Progress on implementation and review of progress ...... 13

3 Water quantity — stream flows, water takes and use ...... 15 3.1 ZIP Addendum context ...... 15 3.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context ...... 16 3.3 High level summary of findings: water quantity ...... 16 3.4 Progress on managing river and stream flows, water allocation and use ...... 17 3.4.1 Water allocation and abstraction...... 17 3.4.2 The water balance — recharge, abstraction and stream flows ...... 18 3.4.3 Waikirikiri / Selwyn River flows at Whitecliffs and Coes Ford ...... 19 3.4.4 Central Plains Water — alpine water as part of the solution to water quantity ...... 21 3.4.5 Near-river recharge and targeted stream augmentation ...... 22 3.4.6 Damming and water storage ...... 24 3.4.7 Impacts of climate change on water quantity ...... 24

4 Improving water quality through nutrient management, farming practices, and rules ...... 26 4.1 ZIP Addendum context ...... 26 4.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context ...... 28 4.3 High-level summary of findings: improving water quality through nutrient management, farming practices and rules ...... 28 4.4 Progress on actions to improve water quality ...... 29 4.4.1 Farming-related activities to manage nutrient and microbial losses ...... 29 4.4.1.1 Land-use consents ...... 29 4.4.1.2 Audited Farm Environment Plans ...... 30 4.4.1.3 Farming at better than good management practice ...... 31 4.4.1.4 Catchment agricultural load ...... 32 4.4.1.5 CPW nitrogen load ...... 32 4.4.2 Effective riparian margins to reduce P & microbial runoff ...... 33 4.4.3 Stock exclusion from waterways ...... 34 4.4.4 Drinking water ...... 35 4.4.5 Point Sources ...... 36

5 Managing the catchment to recognise its cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu ...... 37 5.1 ZIP Addendum context ...... 37

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5.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context ...... 37 5.3 High level summary of findings: Managing the catchment to recognise its cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu ...... 38 5.4 Progress on managing the catchment to recognise its cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu ...... 38 5.4.1 Te Waihora Co-Governance ...... 38 5.4.2 Poū Matai Kō — Cultural Land Management Advisor and mahinga kai activities ...... 39 5.4.3 Farmer awareness and implementation of mahinga kai values ...... 40 5.4.4 Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee focus on Ngāi Tahu values ...... 40 5.4.5 Farming land-use consents ...... 40 5.4.6 Freshwater outcomes for rivers – cultural indicator ...... 41

6 Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere rehabilitation and lake health ...... 42 6.1 Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) Addendum context ...... 42 6.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan Context ...... 42 6.3 High level summary: Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere rehabilitation and lake health ..... 43 6.4 Progress on lake interventions and health ...... 43 6.4.1 Lake interventions ...... 43 6.4.2 Lake health: Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon..... 45 6.4.3 Pātiki/flounder and tuna/eel fisheries ...... 47

7 Biodiversity – wetlands, springheads, riparian margins ...... 49 7.1 ZIP Addendum context ...... 49 7.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context ...... 49 7.3 High level summary: Biodiversity ...... 50 7.4 Progress on biodiversity enhancement...... 50 7.4.1 Projects supported by Environment Canterbury ...... 50 7.4.2 Selwyn District Council ...... 54 7.4.3 Covenants in the Selwyn Waihora Zone ...... 56 7.4.4 Te Ara Kākāriki - Greenway Canterbury Trust ...... 56 7.4.5 Central Plains Water Environmental Management Fund...... 58 7.4.6 Waihora Ellesmere Trust ...... 59 7.4.7 Wetland protection and enhancement ...... 59 7.4.8 Whakaora Te Waihora Programme ...... 59 7.4.9 Whakaora Te Ahuriri Project ...... 60 7.4.10 Near-lake wetlands protected through stock-exclusion rules ...... 61 7.4.11 Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere lake edge project ...... 61 7.4.12 Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere lake shore vegetation 2007-2017 ...... 62 7.4.13 Riparian planting ...... 62

8 Economic and related impacts ...... 65 8.1 ZIP Addendum context ...... 65 8.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context ...... 65 8.3 High level summary: Economic and related impacts ...... 66 8.4 Progress in relation to economic and related measures ...... 66 8.4.1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP ) ...... 66 8.4.2 Exports ...... 68 8.4.3 Dairying ...... 70 8.4.4 Employment ...... 72 8.4.5 Farm financial viability ...... 73

iv Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

8.4.6 Central Plains Water ...... 73 8.4.7 Irrigation ...... 73 8.4.8 District and Darfield population ...... 75

9 Water Quality — ecosystem health, nutrients, and microbial contaminant limits ...... 76 9.1 ZIP Addendum context ...... 76 9.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context ...... 76 9.3 High level summary of findings: ...... 77 9.4 Progress on water quality ...... 78 9.4.1 Current state and trends of nutrients in streams ...... 78 9.4.2 Suitability for contact recreation ...... 79 9.4.2.1 Current state and trend of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in streams ...... 79 9.4.2.2 Comparison with National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (E. coli criteria) ...... 80 9.4.2.3 Cyanobacteria at recreation sites ...... 81 9.4.3 Freshwater outcomes in the Selwyn Waihora Zone ...... 81 9.4.4 Current state of nitrogen in groundwater ...... 83 9.4.5 Nitrate in groundwater trends ...... 85 9.4.6 E. coli in groundwater ...... 86

10 Conclusion ...... 88

11 Acknowledgements ...... 89

12 References ...... 90

13 List of acronyms ...... 91

Appendix 1: Selwyn Waihora Zone Biodiversity projects supported by Immediate Steps funding (IMS) ...... 93

Appendix 2: Selwyn Waihora Zone: QEII covenant registrations during period 2012-2019 ...... 94

Appendix 3: Total extent of the fourteen most extensive wetland vegetation types around Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere surveyed in 2017...... 95

Appendix 4: Living Water — Ararira-LII River catchment programme ...... 96

Appendix 5: Further tables and figures for Chapter 6 ‘Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere rehabilitation and lake health’ ...... 98

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List of Figures

Figure 1: Map of Selwyn Waihora Zone ...... 9 Figure 2 Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum Goals, Pathways and Outcomes ...... 12 Figure 3 Allocation and usage volumes in the Selwyn Waihora Zone...... 18 Figure 4 The seven lowest consecutive days flow in each year plotted for the recorders located at Whitecliffs and Coes Ford ...... 20 Figure 5 Land surface recharge (orange), calculated at Lincoln and mean flows at Coes Ford (blue) 20 Figure 6 Percentage of total groundwater allocation used by farms in the Stage 1 and Sheffield Scheme areas 2015-2016 to 2017-2018 ...... 21 Figure 7 Broadacres TSA project infrastructure ...... 23 Figure 8 Waikirikiri/Selwyn Near River Recharge project: site blessing (1 July 2019)...... 23 Figure 9 Waikirikiri / Selwyn Near River Recharge commissioning (Autumn 2020) ...... 24 Figure 10 Waikirikiri / Selwyn Near River Recharge project site ...... 24 Figure 11 Visual description of the ZIP Addendum's approach to managing nutrients and microbial contaminants at the farm level ...... 26 Figure 12 Visual description of the ZIP Addendum's approach to managing nutrients and microbial contaminants at the catchment level...... 27 Figure 13 Distribution of land-use consents within the Selwyn Waihora Zone as at 31 September 2019 ...... 29 Figure 14 Progress on Environment Canterbury’s Regional Farming at GMP Campaigns, as at July 2019 ...... 30 Figure 15 Actions taken by Environment Canterbury against stock in waterways incidents between 2012 and 2019 ...... 35 Figure 16 The commercial catch of tuna/short-finned eels and pātiki/flounder in Te Waihora/lake Ellesmere from 2013/14 - 2018/19. Note: Tuna catch is for Te Waihora, and Pātiki is for FLA3 Quota Management Area (includes all the marine area off eastern and southern coasts of South Island)...... 48 Figure 17 Projects in Selwyn Waihora supported by Environment Canterbury (2020) ...... 51 Figure 18 The ecosystem types of Biodiversity projects in the Selwyn Waihora Zone supported by Environment Canterbury between 2011-2019 ...... 52 Figure 19 The total project costs of Biodiversity projects in the Selwyn Waihora Zone supported by Environment Canterbury between 2011-2019 ...... 53 Figure 20 Covenants in the Selwyn Waihora Zone 2020 ...... 56 Figure 21 Number of Greendots planted by Te Ara Kākāriki (2018) ...... 57 Figure 22 Number of native seedlings planted by Te Ara Kākāriki (2018) ...... 57 Figure 23 Te Ara Kākāriki Greendot Sites 2009-2018 ...... 58 Figure 24 Ahuriri Wetland ...... 61 Figure 25: Living Water Project ...... 63 Figure 26 Selwyn District GDP showing year-on-year increase (data from Infometrics) ...... 66 Figure 27: Contribution to GDP growth 2013-18 by land-related industries ...... 67 Figure 28 Exports from land-related industries in Selwyn District 2018 (data from Infometrics) ...... 69 Figure 29: Dairy cow numbers, area of dairying, and milk sollids production in Selwyn District (data from Infometrics) ...... 71 Figure 30 Land-related jobs in Selwyn District 2013 and 2018 (data from Infometrics) ...... 73 Figure 31: Irrigated area in Selwyn District (ha) ...... 74 Figure 32. Location of sites monitored for Water and Habitat Quality, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Recreational Water Quality in the Selwyn Waihora Zone...... 77 Figure 33.State (5 year median) and trend in nitrate-nitrite nitrogen (NNN) for Selwyn Waihora Zone rivers and streams...... 78

vi Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Figure 34. State (5 year median) and trend in dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) for Selwyn Waihora Zone rivers and streams...... 79 Figure 35. State (5 year median) and trend in E. coli for Selwyn Waihora Zone rivers and streams. .. 80 Figure 36 Annual maximum nitrate concentration for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 for all monitoring wells screened less than 50 m below the water table...... 84 Figure 37 5-year annual average concentrations across wells in the Selwyn Waihora Zone...... 85 Figure 38: Groundwater nitrate trends in the Selwyn Waihora Zone ...... 86 Figure 39 Median E. coli concentration in groundwater wells in the Selwyn Waihora Zone...... 87 Figure 40 Turbidity at Timberyard Point and behind the wave barrier, Jan 2015-July 2019 ...... 98 Figure 41 Secchi depth at Timberyard Point and behind the wave barrier, Jan 2015-July 2019...... 98 Figure 42 Secchi depth at Kaituna Lagoon and mid-lake site, Jan 2015-July 2019 ...... 98 Figure 43 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, mid-lake ...... 99 Figure 44 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, off Timberyard Point ...... 100 Figure 45 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, off Selwyn Mouth. Please note TP of 1800 µg/L in August 2012 was removed from graph ...... 101 Figure 46 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, Taumutu ...... 102 Figure 47 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, Kaituna Lagoon ...... 103 Figure 48 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Coopers Lagoon...... 104 Figure 49 De-seasonalised trend analysis for mid-lake site (Lake Ellesmere) ...... 104

List of Tables

Table 1 What this report does and does not do ...... 11 Table 2: Volume of water surrendered when water permits have been transferred ...... 17 Table 3 Central Plains Water irrigated area (ha) as at December 2019 ...... 21 Table 4 Selwyn - Waihora FEP Audit results as at 9 January 2020...... 31 Table 5 Water Takes from Waikēkēwai ...... 41 Table 6 Whakaora Te Waihora projects that deliver on proposed lake interventions in the Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) Addendum ...... 43 Table 7: Summary of Zone Implementation Programme Addendum (ZIPA) targets and results by 2019...... 45 Table 8: TLI score summary for Lake Ellesmere and Coopers Lagoon. The pink indicates a TLI score above the CLWRP objective. Plan objectives are 6.6. for Lake Ellesmere and 4 for Coopers Lagoon) ...... 46 Table 9. Comparison of E. coli values from Selwyn Waihora Zone sites with the NPS-FM 2020 attribute table for E. coli) ...... 80 Table 10: Summary table of LWRP Freshwater Outcomes ...... 82 Table 11. QMCI compliance with freshwater outcomes...... 83 Table 12 Health warnings for Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere from 2012-2019 ...... 104 Table 13 Commercial Tuna and Pātiki catch 2013 – 2019, including Te Waihora ...... 105

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1 Introduction The Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), endorsed by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum in 2009, has a vision:

to gain the greatest cultural, economic, environmental, recreational and social benefits from our water resources within a sustainable framework both now and for future generations.

(Canterbury Mayoral Forum 2009)

The CWMS is a collaborative process between the Canterbury Regional Council, the ten territorial authorities of Canterbury and Ngāi Tahu, as well as key environmental and industry stakeholders. In the Selwyn Waihora Zone, the important context of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and its co-governance arrangements must be acknowledged, including important practical work being undertaken under Whakaora Te Waihora initiatives. Many of the desired environmental and cultural outcomes for Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and its catchment are closely connected for Ngāi Tahu and the Zone Committee. For further information on co-governance see chapter 5.

In the ten years since the CWMS was launched, progress has been assessed and documented in a variety of ways including through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Targets Reports (Environment Canterbury 2015, 2017 and 2019), Zone Committee Annual Reports, and key agency updates.

This report is a technical report specifically requested by the 2019 Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee to help them assess progress within their zone and identify where to put their priorities and efforts over the next few years. The Selwyn Waihora Zone is shown in Figure 1.

The technical nature of this report assumes an advanced level of knowledge about the CWMS, the Selwyn Waihora Zone, the committee’s purpose and work, and scientific and technical information on water quality, quantity, consenting and local government role and work programmes.

The remainder of this introduction provides brief context and explanation about the CWMS, the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee, and the committee’s ‘package of solutions’ to help meet the CWMS targets. It also explains the purpose and structure of this report.

The following chapters each describe available information on progress towards implementing the Zone Committee’s ZIP Addendum (explanation in 1.1 below).

1.1 CWMS context

1.1.1 The CWMS Targets The CWMS set ten target areas for improved water management across the Canterbury region (endorsed and updated in 2019). Ten locally-based CWMS Zone Committees have, in the ten years since the strategy was launched, identified how they aim to meet the targets within their zone, and endorsed and supported a wide range of actions to help meet the targets.

Each committee has developed recommendations about specific actions and projects through: • non-statutory Zone Implementation Programmes (ZIPs) • non-statutory ZIP Addendum — for the Zone Committees that have had a sub-regional section of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) notified for their zone. Where appropriate, many of these recommendations are incorporated into the Statutory LWRP.

The ten CWMS targets are more visible in some Zone Committees’ ZIPS and ZIP Addenda than others. Some committees have carefully documented how their recommendations will meet the targets, and

8 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

others have taken a looser approach to doing this. This reflects the maturity journey of the CWMS, and the fact that each Zone Committee has documented their priorities and recommendations in ways that made sense to them at the time.

For the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee, the 2011 ZIP’s priority outcomes do clearly state (p.8-13) which CWMS target areas they will contribute to, and the Priority outcomes are the basis of the ZIP Addendum (2013). The ZIP Addendum itself does not mention the targets. Alongside each chapter heading in this report, symbols for each CWMS Target have been inserted to help identify which targets these actions primarily address.

For further explanation about the CWMS, its targets and the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee see the series of documents available on Environment Canterbury Regional Council’s website https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/water/canterburys-approach-to-water- management/.

1.1.2 The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee and its Implementation Programmes

Figure 1: Map of Selwyn Waihora Zone

The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee prepared its ZIP through a collaborative process and established five key areas of work: • Nutrient and Water Management • Water supply • Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and Lowland Waterways • Braided Rivers/Upper Plains/High Country • Biodiversity

The Zone Committee worked on endorsing and supporting projects within each of these areas of work.

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In 2012 and 2013, the committee undertook further community engagement as part of developing the Selwyn Waihora Sub-regional Section of the Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP).

The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee’s ZIP Addendum was completed in October 2013. It describes a water management “solutions package” for the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment including the lake. The priority outcomes from the ZIP provided the basis of the Solutions Package, thus ensuring community ideas and priorities were carried through from the ZIP to the ZIPA.

Overarching goals for the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee in the ZIP Addendum (building on the areas of work in the ZIP) include a healthy Te Waihora, Kaitiakitanga recognised, quality drinking water, biodiversity enhanced, healthy lowland streams, healthy hill-fed streams, and thriving communities and sustainable economies.

Some recommendations within the ZIP Addendum were given effect to through the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan (Plan change 1 to the Canterbury Land and Water Plan) that became operative in 2016. Others were incorporated into practical work plans by Environment Canterbury and other agencies. Some have not yet been implemented. The Zone Committee were very clear in the ZIP Addendum that (p.4):

The ZIP and this ZIP Addendum are not statutory plans under the Resource Management Act and the Zone Committee does not have the power to commit any Council to any path or expenditure. The ZIP and ZIP Addendum, however, carry the weight of the wide commitment to the CWMS of Councils, Rūnanga, and the community and a wide range of agencies and industry and interest groups.

Implementing the CWMS in the Selwyn Waihora Zone is a long-term commitment by many different parties.

It is important to note that the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee clearly recognised in 2013 in the ZIP Addendum (1.1) that:

While the [Solutions] Package is a significant first step it does not achieve all of the Selwyn Waihora ZIP outcomes and continual improvement is needed over time. A programme of action, including funding, needs to be developed and then put in place to implement this package over the next 20 years.

1.2 The purpose of this report

By 2019, ten years after the CWMS was launched, six years after the ZIP Addendum was written, and four years after the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan was made operative (1 February 2016), current members of the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee, its temporary Waikirikiri Working Group and others ask the question, “what progress has been made in implementing the ZIP Addendum and Plan?”. This technical report aims to assist the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee to answer this question and to then identify where to focus their attention in the next phase of the committee’s work.

The purpose of this report is to collate information, assess progress, and enable the Zone Committee to identify ‘what next’ to ensure that the desired outcomes are met. Table 1 provides further information on what this report does and does not do.

This report is a technical report and assumes an advanced level of knowledge about the Selwyn Waihora Zone, the committee’s purpose and work, and about the CWMS.

10 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Table 1 What this report does and does not do Collate information

Report does… Collate existing information about Report does not… Provide information about work underway to contribute to the ‘pathways’ and everything that is being done or achieved. No outcomes that contribute to ‘what it will look like’ (see new investigations or studies were done for below for further information about ‘pathways’ and this report so there are information gaps. ‘outcomes’). These are identified within the report. Assess progress

Report does… Summarise progress towards Report does not… Assess whether every achieving the pathways and outcomes in the Selwyn ZIP or ZIP Addendum recommendation or Waihora ZIP Addendum. Selwyn Waihora Plan outcome has been achieved or is on target.

This is not an “Efficiency and effectiveness” review of the Plan although the information would be a valuable input should such a report be done in the future.

Enable Zone Committee to identify ‘what next’

Report does… Provide the material to celebrate Report does not… Provide advice on what what has been achieved to date and for a Zone more needs to be done. Committee discussion about what more needs to be done and where. At the end of each chapter there is a section called ‘Opportunities for consideration’. These are blank and can be used by the reader to identify ideas.

1.3 Structure of the report

In communicating the complex nature of the Selwyn Waihora’s multi-generational vision for achieving CWMS targets within their zone, the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee used the graphic below to describe the ZIP Addendum and what they wanted it to achieve.

Most of the recommendations in the ZIP Addendum and the provisions and limits of the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan are covered by this graphic.

This report uses a mixture of the pathways and outcomes (‘what it will look like’) from the graphic as the framework for this report, with chapters on:

1. Introduction 2. Implementation and review 3. Water quantity — stream flows, water takes and use 4. Improving water quality through nutrient management, farming practices and rules 5. Managing the catchment recognising its cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu 6. Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere rehabilitation and lake health 7. Biodiversity – wetlands, springheads and riparian margins 8. Economics and related impacts 9. Water quality — ecosystem health, and nutrient and microbial contaminant limits

Within each chapter, the report sets out:

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1. The ZIP Addendum context 2. The Land and Water Regional Plan context 3. A high-level summary of findings 4. Information available on progress

Alongside each chapter heading the report identifies which CWMS targets these actions primarily address.

Figure 2 Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum Goals, Pathways and Outcomes

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2 Implementation and Review

2.1 ZIP Addendum context

The Zone Committee understood in 2013 that the Solution Package described in the ZIP Addendum was a significant first step towards achieving their outcomes for the zone, but that it would not fully achieve some of the outcomes. The committee notes in the ZIP Addendum (p.6) that:

Continual improvement and other actions beyond those in this ZIP Addendum will be required to continue to make progress towards achieving all of the ZIP outcomes.

The Zone Committee recognised (1.4) that the Solution Package is multi-faceted and more ambitious in scope, scale and complexity than anything attempted in New Zealand to date. The Zone Committee focused on identifying the critical components of the Solution Package, not on identifying how it will be funded. The ZIP Addendum noted that (p.6)

A very significant work programme is required, along with strong leadership, to implement this ZIP Addendum and the Sub-regional Section.

The recommendations about implementation and funding (1.4) state that Environment Canterbury will work with Ngāi Tahu, Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council, Government, industry and other parties to identify and progress funding; design and put in place the programme of action to implement the ZIP Addendum and Sub-regional section, and put in place the leadership required to implement the programme of action required for Te Waihora.

The Zone Committee also recognised that regular review of progress is necessary, and that (p.8):

Some of the committee want better outcomes, and sooner. There were also concerns about the reliance on modelling, alpine water and assumptions about actual water use.

The ZIP Addendum’s recommendations about regular review of progress include those for (2.1) water quantity outcomes and (5.1) water quality outcomes

2.2 Selwyn-Te Waihora Plan Context

The Selwyn-Te Waihora section of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan became operative in 2016. Environment Canterbury’s 2018/2020 Annual Plan includes the measure that ‘a schedule of RMA Plans or variations is notified that reflects the community recommendations for environmental limits’.

For Plan Change 1 (Selwyn-Te Waihora) the date for review is 2026/27. (P.15 Freshwater Management Level of Service 4: work with the Zone Committees to lead a community process to collaboratively establish environmental limits for water quality and water quantity in Canterbury).

2.3 Progress on implementation and review of progress

Since the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee’s ZIP Addendum was completed in October 2013, the committee’s focus has been on implementation. Below are some examples of actions taken by or encouraged by the Zone Committee. • A Zone Committee ‘Selwyn Te Waihora Plan Change Implementation Working Group’ was set up in February 2016 to ensure implementation of the Plan delivered the intent of the Zone Committee’s Solutions Package. The group met for one year from February 2016 to assist in identifying farmer and community needs in implementing the plan, help communicate

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processes to the community, and make recommendations about implementation. This group had a key role to play in the development of Environment Canterbury’s consent campaigns and farmer engagement. The group was incorporated back into the whole committee in November 2016. • Committee meetings have seen a steady stream of organisations and individuals throughout the catchment come to discuss their work and their progress, and to be encouraged and sometimes challenged to do more by the committee. • Selwyn District Council and Environment Canterbury’s Selwyn Waihora Zone Team and Science Team have been asked for, and delivered, regular progress reports and discussions about implementation challenges. • The committee has been on numerous field-trips to see for themselves the progress and challenges in the zone, and to encourage those undertaking good work. • The committee has undertaken regular communication with the community to keep them informed of progress, through media articles, newsletters, and through attending a large number of planting days, meetings, seminars, other group meetings in the zone. In 2017 the committee hosted a series of seven public seminars about water issues in Selwyn at Lincoln University, attended by thousands. • The Zone Committee’s biodiversity working group is taking a strategic approach to looking at projects within the zone and helping to ensure that their Immediate Steps funding for biodiversity fits with the priorities of the committee. This is on-going work. • The Zone Committee prioritized holding their meetings throughout the zone in 2019 in order to connect with their communities. • Zone Committee members regularly attend several groups working in the zone, including the Te Waihora Agencies Group, Selwyn District Council’s drain management groups and the Environment Canterbury drop-in sessions for farmers in the zone. • Each time new members have joined the committee, further debate occurs about progress, and new members bring new ideas and energy to the challenges the zone faces. • The Zone Committee responded to community concerns about the health of the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River by setting up a temporary working group to recommend a roadmap to achieve a healthy river. In 2020 the Zone Committee will be assessing how to build those recommendations into their work programme. Many of the recommendations in the roadmap are about information requests – continuously reviewing whether rules and projects are achieving the desired goals. Research ideas are also listed. Three key themes in the report are: o Act: keep striving for innovation solutions for step-change in effort and focus and undertake research on topics where we need to know more o Review: the Working Group believed there is a lack of clarity about mid- to long-term effectiveness of current rules and practical projects. The group believes that as time passes, with better reporting and assessment of progress and outcomes, then more targeted interventions could be more confidently identified by catchment groups o Adapt: Investigate and instigate adaptive management practices to close out gaps identified through reporting, research and monitoring • Guided by the Mayoral Forum, in 2019 the Selwyn District Council has been meeting with other Territorial Authorities to assess work underway to meet the 2025 CWMS (refreshed) goals. This work will continue in 2020.

The 2019 Zone Committee has requested this report on progress to date to help them continue with their role of keeping an eye on progress.

14 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

3 Water quantity — stream flows, water takes and use All CWMS Targets are relevant to this chapter

3.1 ZIP Addendum context

In the Selwyn Waihora Zone, groundwater, lowland streams, the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River, the lowland and spring-fed streams and the lake are all one interconnected system. Groundwater is replenished from the Rakaia, Waimakariri and Waikirikiri / Selwyn Rivers and by land surface recharge — predominantly the rainfall that falls on the plains and soaks through the soil into the groundwater system, but also by irrigation. Land surface recharge is highly variable year-by-year with groundwater levels (and the flows in the connected lowland streams) responding to the amount of winter rainfall in the preceding year(s). Flows in the lowland streams and in the lower Waikirikiri / Selwyn River are at their lowest following consecutive years with little winter rainfall. At these times the cumulative impact of the many groundwater takes is very apparent. This occurred in February 2017 when the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River stopped flowing at Coes Ford following low winter recharge in the preceding three years.

There are nearly 1,700 groundwater consents and about 80 surface water consents in the catchment. About 80% of the consents do not expire until 2030-2039. Most of the abstraction in the catchment is from deep and distant groundwater, which is not subject to restrictions at times of low flow. Low flow restrictions only apply to the surface water takes and stream depleting groundwater takes. The cumulative impact of the water takes has reduced flows in the lowland streams feeding into Te Waihora.

In developing the ZIP Addendum, it was recognised that if all groundwater that had been allocated was used the impacts on lowland streams and hill‐fed rivers would also increase. Additionally, if minimum flows were increased but over‐allocation was not addressed this would result in a decrease in reliability for the small number of surface water and stream depleting groundwater takes impacted by the over- allocation of groundwater but may not result in a large change in flows.

The recommendations in the ZIP Addendum sought to address over-allocation and improving stream and river flows, primarily through setting new combined surface and groundwater allocation limits. The limits were set to achieve the desired ecological and cultural flows (90% MALF) for the lowland streams and hill‐fed rivers — but also took into account the addition of alpine water to the catchment to provide an alternative source of water for irrigation. MALF refers to 7 day Mean Annual Low Flow, an average of the annual lowest consecutive 7-day flows in a period of years.

This alpine water is provided by Central Plains Water Central Plains Water Ltd (CPW) Limited (CPW). The ZIP Addendum assumed that 30,000 ha of newly irrigated land would be provided by CPW and CPW is an important part of the 30,000 ha of existing irrigated area would receive CPW Selwyn Waihora Zone. There are water and cease their groundwater abstraction. This volume references to CPW’s history, of groundwater that was currently being abstracted was development, operation, monitoring, assumed to stay in the aquifer to reduce overallocation and and effects throughout this report. provide environmental benefit. CPW’s 2018-19 Annual The ZIP Addendum then recommended prohibiting new Sustainability Report (see Reference water takes for irrigation, discouraging transfer of water- list at the end of this report) provides take consents and requiring existing takes, at the time of comprehensive and up-to-date consent renewal, to have allocation volumes based on information on the Scheme and is a measured water use. very useful companion report to this Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum There was also recognition in the ZIP Addendum that RMA progress report. rules and limits would not deliver the ecological and cultural stream and river flows as fast or as fully as the Zone Committee wanted. The ZIP Addendum therefore sought the use of managed aquifer recharge, targeted stream augmentation or other methods of augmentation to increase base flows in lowland streams as soon as possible.

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3.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context

The Plan includes rules and limits in relation to: • Water allocation limits for combined groundwater-surface water allocation zones (with a 30% reduction on the volume allocated) to achieve ecological and cultural flows for the lowland streams and hill‐fed rivers; • Prohibiting new water takes in the over-allocated zones (Selwyn‐Waimakariri, Rakaia‐Selwyn); • Requiring a 50% surrender when water-take consents are transferred; • Prohibiting the transfer of groundwater consents where the farm is supplied with CPW water; • New (increased) minimum flows from 2025 (when the beneficial impact of CPW on the flows in lowland streams will have occurred); • Enable swaps from stream-depleting groundwater to deep groundwater; • Prohibits damming and water storage on North Branch of Waikirikiri / Selwyn River and Waiāniwaniwa.

The proposed Plan rules initially also included a requirement that existing takes, at the time of consent renewal, were allocated volumes based on measured water use reflecting the ZIP Addendum. However, in the decisions version of the Plan this had been removed.

The reasonable use test in the LWRP included 3 methods to determine the annual volume consents granted. Method one is defined as: “Records of past use, moderated to ensure the annual volume is sufficient to meet demand conditions that occur in nine out of ten years for a system with an irrigation application efficiency of 80%”.

The ZIP addendum and notified plan proposed that this method should be applied to all consent renewals. This would ensure that unused water would be returned to the environment upon renewal, until a point when the allocation was below the limit set. This proposal was not retained in the decision version of the plan, allowing all three methods in schedule 10 to be used upon renewal.

The ZIP addendum recommended that where new minimum flows were based on the seven-day mean annual low flow (7DMALF), that these statistics were recalculated with the most up-to-date flow data prior to them having effect in 2025. This did not form part of the plan change and has not yet occurred, as this will need to be completed nearer to 2025 to ensure the best possible data is considered when calculating the 7DMALF.

3.3 High level summary of findings: water quantity

• The recommendations in the ZIP Addendum and Selwyn-Te Waihora Plan have halted the decline in water quantity and set limits, above which allocation is prohibited. • Since the 2014-15 irrigation season, we have seen some reduction in water allocation. • Water metering data show that usage has been and continues to be much less than seasonal allocations. • There is continued risk that usage may increase up to allocated volumes. • The cumulative impact of abstraction combined with multiple seasons of low recharge continue to result in long term reductions in flows in the Lower Waikirikiri / Selwyn River. • Many parts of the ZIP Addendum and Plan change rely on changes occurring when consents expire, many of which do not expire until at least 2030. • Central Plains Water has provided additional water to the catchment which has enabled additional irrigated area and a reduction in groundwater usage. • The minimum flows set in the Plan do not come into effect until 2025. • Targeted Stream Augmentation and Near River Recharge Projects, which aim to increase base flows in lowland streams as soon as possible, are underway or under development and being closely monitored to determine success.

16 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

• Climate change projections indicate that pressure on water quantity is likely to increase.

3.4 Progress on managing river and stream flows, water allocation and use

3.4.1 Water allocation and abstraction With the introduction of combined surface water and groundwater allocation zones in Selwyn Waihora, all abstractions are deemed to be from the same source which enables the influence of groundwater abstraction on lowland spring-fed streams to be managed. This means that consents are no longer split in “surface water’ or “groundwater” takes, with separate allocation limits. This has enabled a number of surface water takes to ‘swap’ to deep groundwater, which would have improved the abstractors reliability of supply while switching their impact from an immediate impact on surface water to a lesser cumulative impact. The limits for the combined allocation zones were set at a level which was modelled to ensure that the cumulative impact of catchment wide groundwater abstraction did not reduce the low flows to Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere by more than 10%. This method of setting allocation and combining all abstractions into a single allocation was a first for water management in Canterbury.

Plan Change 1 also set limits for the Rakaia-Selwyn and Selwyn Waimakariri allocation zones which were lower than the allocation at the time of the plan change. This meant that these two zones were deemed to be over the allocation limit. Plan Change 1 made abstractions which do not comply with the allocation limits a prohibited activity. This ensured that overallocation did not worsen with new consents being granted.

Through the ZIPA and plan change a number of mechanisms were put in place to reduce the allocation in the zone. There has been a reduction in the number of consents in the zone since the ZIPA and plan change; this may however be an administrative change and as the volumes granted to each consent differs, consent numbers only tell part of the story. The transfer of consents provides a way for people to get water at a location which may not have previously had any allocation. This transfer of water is allowed, contingent upon a portion of the allocation being returned to the environment.

Since the plan change was notified (in February 2014), 98 consents have been transferred. Table 2 shows the volume of water before and after the transfers. This indicates that approximately 9.2 million m3/year has been surrendered through the transfer of these consents.

Table 2: Volume of water surrendered when water permits have been transferred Volume (m3/year) of allocated water on the 98 Volume (m3/year) of allocated water on the 131 transferred consents before transfer transferred consents after transfer 63517681 54296545

Electricity disconnections and power use have been monitored across the CPW Stage 1 area since the scheme started delivering water. This was based on information provided that indicated CPW shareholders were ceasing to use their groundwater consents but not surrendering them (as there was no requirement to do so). More recently, water use monitoring requirements are providing further information on these consents.

Many of the recommendations in the ZIP Addendum relating to water quantity provide for consent holders to continue to operate under their current consent conditions for the life of their consent. This means that changes occur slowly as consents expire and become renewed. This provided certainty for the consent holders while ensuring that a clear signal was sent, that change would be required when the consent expires.

The ZIP Addendum acknowledges that the Waikēkēwai Creek is a wāhi tapu site to Te Taumutu Rūnanga and that allocation from this creek could impact on the mauri on the creek. The ZIP Addendum and plan change enable surface water takes and stream depleting groundwater takes to transfer to a less connected groundwater take.

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3.4.2 The water balance — recharge, abstraction and stream flows The Selwyn Waihora Zone groundwater system and the lowland stream flows that it supports have undergone significant changes over the last few decades. The drying climate has reduced natural recharge to the system and increased the irrigation water required by plants to grow. In combination with increased productivity demands on the land, this has increased total groundwater abstraction. However, abstraction has decreased in the last few years as some groundwater supply has ceased in favour of the new Rakaia River-fed Central Plains Water Scheme. Other relevant effects on the groundwater system are the reduction in recharge from leaky stock water races as they are closed and the effects Closing water races of rising sea level on Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere lake levels and lower catchment groundwater levels. Selwyn District Council has closed approximately 300 individual sections Groundwater is the major source of water for irrigation in the of water races in the district since Selwyn Waihora Zone and is utilised extensively across the 2013. zone. Surface water abstraction within the zone is only a small portion of the total allocation in the zone, due in part Over many years, this has resulted in to the locations of streams and also that the surface water 513 km of decommissioned races. takes are often un-reliable due to minimum flow restrictions and low flow. Groundwater allocation has steadily increased In April 2020, the district has 1,700km from the 1990s and plateaued in the 2000s to 2010s. In the of races in service across 3 schemes. most recent years there has been a decrease in allocation in the Selwyn Waihora Zone. Figure 3 shows the total allocation in the Selwyn Waihora Zone and this includes the allocation in the Little Rakaia, Rakaia-Selwyn and Selwyn-Waimakariri allocation zones.

Figure 3 Allocation and usage volumes in the Selwyn Waihora Zone.

Figure 3 also shows actual use, based on water metering data. Actual use is significantly less than the allocated volumes. The amount of takes that are metered has increased since 2000 and the measured usage from these meters has been used to estimate the total groundwater usage in the zone. Usage fluctuates from year to year but shows that generally less than half of the allocated volume is used each

18 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

year. As much of the data are for groundwater abstractions, they are not subject to minimum flow restrictions and are not required to reduce or cease to take at times of low flow.

The small reduction in allocation and more significantly the reduction in groundwater usage since the 2014-2015 season are expected to be associated with the provision of alpine water by CPW allowing irrigators to use scheme water in the place of abstracting groundwater. Where usage reduces at a greater rate than allocation, this may be where consent holders still hold the groundwater consent but use scheme water. This reduction in usage resulting from the implementation of CPW was included as part of the solutions for overallocation in the Selwyn Waihora Zone.

3.4.3 Waikirikiri / Selwyn River flows at Whitecliffs and Coes Ford There are two permanent flow recorders on the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River. At the top of the catchment NIWA operate a recorder at Whitecliffs. This recorder captures flow in the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River as it leaves the hills. In the lower catchment, Environment Canterbury operate a recorder at Coes Ford, where the flow is dominated by water that emerges from the groundwater system. Between these two flow recorders the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River crosses the Canterbury Plains and interacts with the groundwater system, firstly losing surface flow and then regaining flow before reaching Te Waihora. The mid reaches of the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River can be dry for extended periods of the year. Comparison of the flows in the upper Waikirikiri / Selwyn River, at the Whitecliffs monitoring site, with the flows in the lower Waikirikiri, at the Coes Ford monitoring site, provides an indication of the cumulative impact of abstraction.

Comparing flows in the upper and lower Waikirikiri / Selwyn River (Figure 4) shows that flows in the lower catchment are changing over time, while flows in the upper catchment vary with climate but do not show an obvious trend. Comparing the seven lowest consecutive days flow in each year shows that while the flows leaving the hills have remained relatively stable the low flows at Coes Ford have become more extreme in magnitude and increased in frequency of occurrence. The most extreme example of this is highlighted in the 2016-2017 season where Coes Ford stopped flowing, but Whitecliffs low flows were like those experienced in other years.

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Figure 4 The seven lowest consecutive days flow in each year plotted for the recorders located at Whitecliffs and Coes Ford This highlights the effects of both recharge and abstraction on flows in the Lower Waikirikiri / Selwyn River. The effects of these have a cumulative effect; multiple years of low recharge combined with abstraction results in a situation where the groundwater system and lowland streams do not recover to normal levels. This was the situation which occurred in the 2016-2017 season.

As shown in Figure 5, the 2016-2017 season was the third season in a row with land surface recharge (LSR) below the long-term mean. This recharge has been calculated with data from the Lincoln climate station and this would likely reflect the conditions in much of the lower plains in the Selwyn Waihora Zone. Figure 1, above, showed that the 2016-2017 groundwater usage was lower than in the preceding two seasons, highlighting that a single season’s abstraction is not the sole cause of extreme low flows. Multiple seasons of low recharge combined with continued abstraction from the groundwater system can lead to extreme low flows in the Lower Selwyn, even when flows in the upper catchment are contributing near to average flows.

Figure 5 Land surface recharge (orange), calculated at Lincoln and mean flows at Coes Ford (blue)

While Figure 3 and Figure 4 show flows specifically in the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River, other lowland spring-fed Rivers and Streams are also influenced by the groundwater levels and therefore by recharge and abstraction within the zone. These other streams also experienced low flows in low recharge years.

Climatic conditions play a large role in determining the flow conditions in the lower Selwyn Waihora Zone; this combined with large volumes of groundwater being able to be abstracted from the zone can contribute to very low flows. If groundwater usage increased up to the amounts allocated, these low flows would be likely to worsen, especially in consecutive years of low recharge. While the most extreme dry years correspond with multiple low recharge years, the declining trend in low flows at Coes Ford (shown in Figure 3) persists even in periods of higher recharge, indicating that cumulative effects of abstraction within the catchment are contributing to long-term reductions in flows.

20 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

3.4.4 Central Plains Water — alpine water as part of the solution to water quantity The CPW irrigation scheme commenced operations in 2015, with the final stage (Stage 2) being commissioned in October 2018. For detailed information on the scheme, it’s background and its current operations, see the Central Plains Water Trust’s Annual Sustainability Report 2018-19 (web link is in reference list in this report). The completed scheme supplies water to an area of approximately 47,500 hectares between the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers. CPW delivers water to 310 farm connections. At peak demand the scheme can deliver 28,000 litres per second, irrigating 50,000 hectares. Table 3 shows the 2018-2019 irrigation areas, for different parts of the scheme.

The scheme forms an integral part of measures outlined in the ZIPA for delivering the CWMS outcomes in the Selwyn Waihora Zone. The CPW irrigation scheme development has changed the water balance in the catchment in two ways. Firstly, and most significantly, the scheme has reduced the water taken for irrigation from groundwater. CPW water from the Rakaia River and Waimakariri River now irrigates about 28,400ha that was previously irrigated from groundwater. Some areas have been fully replaced with a supply from CPW, allowing the groundwater take to not be used at all, and some other areas CPW water is prioritised for use and the existing groundwater take is retained but only used at times when CPW water is restricted or being sourced from storage. This partial replacement reduces the usage of groundwater but may not show as reduction in allocation as the consents to abstract groundwater are retained and included in the allocation. CPW’s 2019 Annual Report states that CPW has observed a reduction in groundwater take of 68% for CPW shareholders over the last four years.

Table 3 Central Plains Water irrigated area (ha) as at December 2019 Stage 1 Stage 2 Sheffield Irrigated area 22,800 20,000 4,600

The second way CPW influences the water quantity in the Selwyn Waihora Zone is by additional recharge from the land previously unirrigated but now irrigated as part of the CPW irrigation development. This additional recharge is a much smaller component of the water balance and is actively being managed to ensure that drainage through the soil profile is reduced to reduce Nitrate leaching from irrigated land. Figure 6 shows the percentage of total groundwater allocation utilised by farms in the Stage 1 and Sheffield Scheme areas between 2015-16 and 2017-18. This indicates that farms use in the order of 20% of their groundwater allocation.

Figure 6 Percentage of total groundwater allocation used by farms in the Stage 1 and Sheffield Scheme areas 2015-2016 to 2017-2018

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As CPW has only recently been providing water into the catchment, the flow data in the lowland streams do not have sufficient length of record to differentiate between climate induced variability and any benefits realized from additional alpine water being brought into the catchment. As time passes and more seasons of data are collected, it is expected that the effects on flows will be able to be seen.

3.4.5 Near-river recharge and targeted stream augmentation With the delicate balance between too little water and too much water in the lower catchment and the large distance between potential recharge areas and the lowland streams, the Selwyn Waihora ZIPA (Recommendation 2.12 p.19) supports evaluation and trialling of aquifer recharge options, starting with recharge very close to the target stream before moving further up-gradient. The Zone Committee named the project the Targeted Stream Augmentation (TSA) project, with the key issues to resolve including water availability, feasibility, acceptability from a cultural viewpoint regarding mixing-of-waters, and other issues such as groundwater mounding in the lower catchment.

In the winter of 2015, following initial assessments a short-term pilot trial to augment a tributary of Boggy Creek was undertaken using a nearby irrigation well. Groundwater naturally feeds Boggy Creek, so the groundwater supply was acceptable from a mixing-of-waters perspective. The experiment provided confirmation that the augmentation improved water quality and quantity, with no adverse effects. The cost of pumping was the key long-term project cost, so alternative wind and solar power options were explored for the first long term TSA installation at the head of Raywell Farm Stream, a tributary of the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River (the Broadacres TSA project). This tributary was a historical stronghold for native aquatic species (in particular the Canterbury Mudfish / Kōwaro) due to a natural trout barrier but suffered total loss of species during the 2014/15 drought. Design and construction of four wells (one supply well and three groundwater level observation wells), and a solar array (see Figure 7) took place during 2016 and 2017. Site commissioning was undertaken just before the end of the dry spell and confirmed that the 40 l/s supply could guarantee water requirements for mudfish in the upper section of the tributary when springs were not naturally flowing. Mudfish habitat improvements (terracing of banks and some clay lining) are consented but are waiting for the springs to dry again. A mudfish transfer permit has been granted by DOC, with initial mudfish release planned for winter 2021 if the habitat is deemed suitable at this time.

A follow-up large scale project, the Waikirikiri / Selwyn Near River Recharge project was enabled by grant funding from Ministry for the Environment (Freshwater Improvement Fund) and Environment Canterbury along with offtake access to a Central Plains Water Scheme pipeline. The project is situated in a partially cleared pine plantation beside the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River up-gradient from its confluence with the Hororata River. Construction began in Winter 2019 following a site blessing (see Figure 8), with initial commissioning taking place in Autumn 2020 (see Figure 9). A period of extended full scheme commissioning is required to be completed by late winter 2021 to confirm the appropriateness of operational procedures and monitoring.

The infrastructure is designed to recharge up to 3.5 cubic metres of water per second (m3/s) of currently consented but unused Rakaia River stock water and irrigation water into a large recharge basin and nearby dry flood channel of the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River when the river is not flowing nearby and groundwater levels in the catchment are low. These constraints avoid any potential for direct mixing of recharge water and natural river water as well as negative effects from raising groundwater levels when they are not low. Some recharge water is expected to resurface in lower Hororata River tributaries (also Canterbury Mudfish / Kōwaro habitat) before joining the remaining recharge as groundwater, which will eventually show up in the springs of the lower Waikirikiri / Selwyn River system. The effects of site operations will be monitored and assessed over the coming years to further refine operations. The area around the recharge basin includes new lizard habitat and a new multi-level native dryland forest, using the surrounding pine trees as protection from adverse weather conditions. Greendale School have adopted the site through Enviroschools as their Living Laboratory, assisting with planting, predator control, monitoring and future plans for the site. See Figure 10 for a photo of the project site.

22 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Figure 7 Broadacres TSA project infrastructure

Figure 8 Waikirikiri/Selwyn Near River Recharge project: site blessing (1 July 2019)

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Figure 9 Waikirikiri / Selwyn Near River Recharge commissioning (Autumn 2020)

Figure 10 Waikirikiri / Selwyn Near River Recharge project site

3.4.6 Damming and water storage The Selwyn Te Waihora Plan prohibits damming and water storage on North Branch of Waikirikiri / Selwyn River and Waiāniwaniwa.

Storage for Central Plains Water irrigation is provided by Lake Coleridge, through an arrangement with TrustPower, and by a water storage near Sheffield. The large pond near Sheffield is supplied by water from Waimakariri River, can store up to 2.15 million m3, and provides water to the 4,300 ha Sheffield scheme. Irrigation water started to be delivered to this scheme in November 2017.

3.4.7 Impacts of climate change on water quantity The rate at which climate change knowledge and recommendations are progressing is faster than the statutory planning cycle. This means that ZIPAs and resulting plan changes may be made under different climate recommendations to those which may be current for the period the plan is operative.

Projected climate and river flow for the Waimakariri catchment for the 2040s and 2090s was completed by NIWA in April 2011 and was shared with the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee soon after. The effects

24 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

of assessed climate change on groundwater and irrigation requirements for the zone were provided to the Zone Committee by Aqualinc’s 2011 companion report titled “Projected effects of climate change on the Lees Valley Option”.

At the time of PC1 the current guidance on climate change was outlined in the 2008 document: Climate change effects and impacts assessment: A guidance manual for local government in New Zealand. Based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment (2007). This guidance used 12 global climate models and six emission scenarios. This resulted in a wide range of possible futures. Using the current knowledge and guidance at the time the following conclusions were drawn: • The exact effects of climate change are uncertain, the combination of different climate models and scenarios resulted in a wide range of possible futures. • Rainfall is the most significant input into the water balance, climate change predictions at the time indicated annual rainfall could change by -10% to +9%. • Climate change was not explicitly modeled as this would result in a very wide range of possible equally as likely outcomes or an average scenario which would hide the uncertainty in climate predictions.

Since the ZIPA and Plan change occurred there has been further guidance on climate change. The current guidance from the MFE was released in 2016 and updated in 2018. The guidelines are based upon the IPCC Fifth Assessment and supersede the previous guidance.

The current (2018) guidance uses a different set of Global Climate Models and emission scenarios to the previous guidance. The predictions made under the current guidance indicate the following key message for Canterbury (NIWA 2019): • The projected temperatures in Canterbury are expected to increase with time and greenhouse gases, by 0.5-1.5°C by 2040, and 0.5-3.5°C by 2090. • Projected changes in rainfall show variability across the Canterbury region. • The future drought potential is projected to increase. • Mean annual low flow is predicted to generally decrease by late century. • Floods are expected to become larger for many parts of Canterbury. • Sea-level rise will continue to lift the base mean sea level, meaning the tidal range will exceed current ranges.

The current recommendations provide increased certainty around climate change with a reduced number of possible futures. These however continue to show variability in rainfall predictions, which remain the largest component of the Selwyn Waihora water balance. This means that the conclusions drawn around the water balance, when the ZIPA was developed, are likely to be similar under the current guidance.

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4 Improving water quality through nutrient management, farming practices, and rules Relevant CWMS Targets: Environmental limits, Ecosystem health and biodiversity, Kaitiakitanga, Drinking water, Recreation and Amenity Opportunities

4.1 ZIP Addendum context

The lag in the impact of the land-use nitrogen load in the catchment was recognised in the ZIP Addendum as meaning things were going to get worse before they will get better (p.29). The ZIP Addendum noted that even if there was no further land-use intensification in the catchment a 35% increase in the load of total nitrogen entering the lake was to occur in the next 10‐20 years as a result of the historical land-use. The water quality in streams, groundwater and the lake did not reflect the nitrogen load from existing land-use.

It was also recognised that different contaminants from agricultural land-use needed to be managed differently. Stock exclusion is key for reducing microbial contaminants. Riparian management, as well as fertiliser and soil management, were key for reducing phosphorus losses. Nitrogen load limits with property nitrogen discharge limits was key for reducing nitrogen losses.

The graphics below were used in Zone Committee presentations to visually describe the ZIP Addendum’s approach to managing nutrients and microbial contaminants at the catchment and farm level; a multi-faceted approach will be needed to achieve the desired changes.

Figure 11 Visual description of the ZIP Addendum's approach to managing nutrients and microbial contaminants at the farm level

26 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Figure 12 Visual description of the ZIP Addendum's approach to managing nutrients and microbial contaminants at the catchment level The Zone Committee recognised the importance of managing nitrogen and phosphorus, and the need for actions in the catchment and in the lake.

At the catchment scale, the ZIP Addendum recommended (5.3 and 5.5 p.37 but mis-labelled 4.3) nitrogen load limits for agriculture and for Central Plains irrigation which was based on farms above a nitrogen loss threshold (15kgN/ha/yr) achieving reductions that reflected a mid-way point between operating at GMP and maximum feasible mitigation as understood at the time. Maximum feasible mitigation is defined as ‘the point along the advanced mitigation spectrum where all feasible mitigations have been employed for a given farm type, and is the point beyond which it would be necessary to change land use in order to achieve further reductions in nutrient (and other contaminant) losses.’

The ZIP Addendum also recognised that a 50% decrease in phosphorus was needed to improve water quality in Te Waihora. The Zone Committee saw the decrease in phosphorus being achieved through improved farm practices, driven by audited farm environment plans (FEPs), and effective riparian margins (that significantly reduced or eliminated run-off to waterways) on 750km of streams and 1000km of drains (4.3 and 4.4).

At the farm-scale, the Zone Committee saw improved nutrient management being driven by audited FEPs (5.8) and changes in land-use or intensification being constrained by property-specific N losses (5.5).

The Zone Committee were also concerned about the increasing nitrate concentrations in drinking water. The ZIP Addendum also recommended (5.2) that the Canterbury District Health Board, Selwyn District Council and Environment Canterbury continue to investigate, communicate and implement options (including funding options) to address the unacceptably high and increasing nitrate levels in drinking water wells that supply community schemes and, particularly, individual households, with the goal of continual improvement.

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4.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context

The Plan put in place a comprehensive nutrient and microbial contaminant management framework including: • A phosphorus sediment risk area; • Catchment nitrogen load limits for farming and point-source discharges; • CPW nitrogen load of 979 tonnes (Overseer 6.1.3) for land not yet irrigated. Under Overseer version 6.2.3 this is equivalent to 1,755.8 tonnes N/year); • Farms over 15kgN/ha/yr achieving reductions beyond Good Management Practice1 (GMP) (30% for dairy, etc) • Land-use consents from farms with nitrogen losses greater than 15kgN/ha/yr, within the lake zone of the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area, or the Phosphorus Sediment Risk Area with property nitrogen loss limits and audited farm environment plans; • All farms that required farming land-use consents, or were supplied with water from CPW, required to prepare Farm Environment Plans and have their implementation audited.

The Plan also included additional stock exclusion requirements within the catchment, including: • Extending the application of the regional stock exclusion rules to drains. • Restricting all stock access to the lake and riverbeds and wetlands in the CLVMA

4.3 High-level summary of findings: improving water quality through nutrient management, farming practices and rules

• 316 land-use consents have been issued, with Environment Canterbury’s regional campaigns providing targeted information to farmers. Formal warning letters have been sent to 16 farms who have not yet lodged consents. • Over 50% of Farm Environment Plan Audits in the Selwyn Waihora Zone have achieved an A Grade, and information to help improve farmer knowledge and farm management is slowly becoming increasingly sophisticated. • Industry groups are playing an important role in helping farms to understand and take actions to improve their management practices. • Further reductions in nitrogen loss beyond GMP will be required for many farmers by 2022. • There is no estimate of the current agricultural Nitrogen load for the zone. • Management of Phosphorus and microbial run-off requires effective riparian management and stock exclusion. Fonterra and Synlait farmers have made good progress in excluding stock from waterways on their farms, and Environment Canterbury is prioritizing the response to any stock in waterway incidents. However, there is no information on the length of riparian margins planted on streams and drains in the zone, and there is currently no coordinated programme considering how to deliver the extent of effective riparian margins needed. There are however many localized projects underway to contribute to these goals, including those that form part of the Swimmable Selwyn at Coes Ford Project. • Councils and the District Health Board continue to work together on management of drinking water and wastewater. Increasing nitrate concentrations in groundwater remain a concern for private well owners. Canterbury representatives are part of the Ministry of Health’s Chief Science Advisor’s working group that is looking at health implications of nitrates in drinking- water.

1 Good management practice (GMP) in the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment requires compliance with Schedule 24 and the other factors in Policy 13.4.15 under the Land and Water Regional Plan, not compliance with the GMP definition introduced by Plan Change 5 to the Land and Water Regional Plan.

28 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

4.4 Progress on actions to improve water quality

4.4.1 Farming-related activities to manage nutrient and microbial losses

4.4.1.1 Land-use consents Farming land-use consents under Plan change 1 were required from 1 July 2017.

The number of land-use consents issued within the Selwyn Waihora Zone as at 31 Sept 2019 was 316. The map below shows the distribution of these consents (both points and areas) within the Te Waihora LWRP area.

Figure 13 Distribution of land-use consents within the Selwyn Waihora Zone as at 31 September 2019

Campaigns to ensure consents are applied for Several farming land-use consent follow-up campaigns have been undertaken in the catchment since early 2017 to ensure farms apply for consent where needed. The first campaign targeted all farms over 10 hectares. Letters advised farmers of their responsibilities and outlined the circumstances of when a farming land-use consent would be required.

NCheck was put in place to ensure farms could readily establish their nitrogen losses to determine whether they needed consent or not. Environment Canterbury’s Zone Delivery Team also established (and continue to run) regular drop-in sessions to support farmers with the whole farming land-use consent process, including preparing Farm Environment Plans (FEP) and implementing Good Management Practices, applying for consent, and getting ready for an FEP audit.

Following the initial campaign, several targeted campaigns have been run since mid-2017 as part of a regional ‘Farming @ GMP’ program. The campaigns relating to the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment include the first regional campaign that focussed on farms with greater than 50ha of irrigation throughout

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the region, and the third campaign that focussed on farms over 10ha in size with less than 50ha irrigation (or no irrigation) in Selwyn Te Waihora and the Hinds catchments. The graph below outlines the progress on the regional campaigns, as at July 2019. Further reporting information can be found at https://ecan.govt.nz/reporting-back/land-use-consent-to-farm

Figure 14 Progress on Environment Canterbury’s Regional Farming at GMP Campaigns, as at July 2019

The regional campaigns have included targeted communication to farmers explaining what exactly is required, working with the agricultural industry and providing one on one support to farmers in fulfilling their requirements.

Targeted letters to farmers first focused on providing information to establish if a farming land-use consent was needed and have progressively moved on to compliance and enforcement steps. In the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment 16 formal warning letters were sent on 24 October 2019 to farms who had not yet lodged consents. The letters state that if consents have not been applied for by 6 December 2019, then farms will be subject to further enforcement actions.

4.4.1.2 Audited Farm Environment Plans All farms that require farming land-use consent, or are supplied with water from CPW, need to prepare a Farm Environment Plan and then have their implementation audited. The first audit is required 12 months after their farming land-use consent is obtained. They are then audited at a frequency that is determined by their Audit grade. Farms that receive a C or D grade, are non-compliant with their farming land-use consent and farms with repeat C or D grades enter an enforcement process.

Farm Environment Plan under farming land-use consents need to address the following: • Irrigation • Nutrient Management • Cultivation and Soil Structure • Animal Effluent and Solid Animal Waste • Waterbody management (wetlands, riparian areas, drains, rivers, lakes, mahinga kai) • Point Sources • Water Use (excluding irrigation)

30 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

• Additional Sub-regional requirements e.g. Cultural Landscapes/Values Management Area (CLVMA) mahinga kai targets

The FEP Audit Programme has 23 Certified FEP auditors with over 2,000 audits having been conducted in Canterbury since inception. There is a quality assurance programme in place and auditors are subject to ongoing training requirements and spot-checks by Environment Canterbury.

Table 4 below outlines the FEP audit results within the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment since 2015/16. Note that these numbers reflect the impact from the Audit frequency, i.e. farms that receive an A grade are not audited again until a further three (individual farms) or four (Scheme) years. B grade farms are audited again in two years. C is annually, and D is within six months.

Table 4 Selwyn - Waihora FEP Audit results as at 9 January 2020

A B C D Totals

Individual 1 3 4 2015/2016 Scheme 18 8 26

2016/2017 Individual 4 4 Scheme 52 59 6 1 118

Individual 14 9 1 24 2017/2018 Scheme 83 59 6 148

Individual 73 72 6 2 153 2018/2019 Scheme 40 112 9 3 164

Totals 281 326 28 6 641

Note: scheme data includes collectives/enterprises

Farms that achieve an A grade have demonstrated that they are operating at GMP (over 50% of Selwyn Te-Waihora FEP audits to date) while B grade farms are on track to implementing GMP and expected to reach that by next audit or reduce to a C grade. Both A and B grade farms are deemed compliant with their Farming Land-use consent (>90%).

CPW’s 2018-19 Annual Sustainability report (p.24 and 25) provides more detailed information on CPW- related FEP audits.

As at 1 July 2019 a new system of collecting data from individual FEP audits was implemented. The aim is that in November 2020 Environment Canterbury will be reporting an extended set of aggregated data for the 2019/20 financial year (but will not identify any individual property for privacy reasons). This information will help improve farmer education and provide further insights into the challenges of implementing GMP.

4.4.1.3 Farming at better than good management practice

Number of farms required to make reductions beyond GMP All farms that require farming land-use consents, where their nitrogen losses are over 15kgN/ha/yr, have/will have conditions on their consents requiring that the following reductions in nitrogen loss, beyond GMP, are made by 2022: • 30% for dairy; or • 22% for dairy support; or

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• 20% for pigs; or • 5% for irrigated sheep, beef or deer; or • 2% for dryland sheep and beef; or • 7% for arable; or • 5% for fruit, viticulture or vegetables; or • 0% for any other land-use.

GMP implementation Over the past five years, farmers have been asked to deal with a huge amount of change. Canterbury has seen a huge and positive change in attitude and actions from the farming sector.

Many different organisations have been supporting farmers to reduce N losses beyond GMP. Some of the work underway includes:

Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc (ESAI) supports 112 farmer members in the area between Waikirikiri / Selwyn River, Rakaia River, SH1 and the coast. ESAI provide information, discussions, updates and new ideas around minimising nutrient losses. ESAI is a 15 year old catchment group which also supports the Quorum Sense regenerative farming movement and the Harts Creek Streamcare Group. In 2020 ESAI e held an independently facilitated strategic planning day to think about their focus in the immediate, medium and long term as a highly proactive and respected group. Minimising nutrients and E. coli in our lowland streams is important although a considerable proportion of farmers operate under 15 kg/N/ha with an overall average estimated at 30 kg/N/ha. ESAI is embarking on a project that will look at gathering information on an Ellesmere area basis to see what nutrient losses actually are, what streams are doing and when, what fencing and planting projects are being done and so on. A future project will help farmers lower their nutrient losses and deal specifically with areas where improvements need to be made.

Understanding of what it means to go beyond GMP is constantly evolving. There are a variety of research projects underway in this zone. An idea for the future is to collate these projects.

4.4.1.4 Catchment agricultural load The development of the ZIP Addendum included modelling to estimate the catchment agricultural Nitrogen load. The basis of the modelling was the “baseline” land-use in the catchment in 2011 plus that expected with the consented Central Plains Water irrigation scheme. A “Look-up Table” provided estimates of N losses, based on Overseer version 6.2.0. The Look-up Table N losses assumed that farmers were at GMP. The catchment agricultural N loss was estimated from the sum of the N losses for all land in the catchment.

The Zone Committee recognised that N losses needed to be reduced and that farmers would need to go beyond GMP. After much deliberation and discussion, the committee recommended an agricultural Nitrogen load limit of 4,800 TN/yr. This figure was based on farms achieving a reduction in nitrogen losses that reflected a mid-way point between GMP and maximum feasible mitigation.

There is no estimate of the “current” agricultural Nitrogen load. In theory this could be done by applying a matrix to the most recent estimates of GMP N loss for different land-uses to the 2019 distribution of land-use in the catchment. In practice, this probably would only provide limited information on whether the agricultural Nitrogen load limit is being met. This is because of the assumptions that would be needed on how many properties have reduced N losses beyond GMP-loss rates and the challenges in updating the 4,800 tN load limit to the current version of Overseer and the current definition of GMP- loss rates.

4.4.1.5 CPW nitrogen load When the ZIP Addendum was developed, Central Plains irrigation development was consented but not constructed. The CPW consent had limits on the concentration of nitrogen lost from farms, but not an overall limit on losses from the Scheme.

32 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

The Plan required that existing irrigated land be managed to achieve the same reductions for all other farms in the catchment. This required that where a farm is leaching more than 15kgN/ha/yr that they first were limited to the losses from the farm, that existed between 2009-13. Then in 2017, they were to reduce to the 2009-13 losses that reflected GMP. Then by 2022, make the following reduction: • 30% for dairy; or • 22% for dairy support; or • 20% for pigs; or • 5% for irrigated sheep, beef or deer; or • 2% for dryland sheep and beef; or • 7% for arable; or • 5% for fruit, viticulture or vegetables; or • 0% for any other land-use.

The Plan allocated a nitrogen load to Central Plains Water of 979tN/yr for new irrigated land. In accordance with CPW consents, granted under the Plan, this limit has been recalculated as 1,983,595 tonnes N/yr using OverseerFM version 6.3.2.

CPW’s Environmental Management Strategy requires all irrigators to have an FEP before they are able to take water from the scheme. CPW note in their Annual Sustainability Report for 2017-18 that comparison of N-losses with LWRP limits is complicated by changes in the definition of GMP for the Selwyn Waihora Zone and changes in Overseer versions.

As described in CPW’s 2018-19 Annual Sustainability Report (p.26); • Nutrient Budgets and FEPs have been prepared for all Stage 1, Stage 2 and Sheffield Scheme properties. • Calculated cumulative nutrient losses from existing irrigators in the Scheme is 27% less than in the baseline period 2009-13. • The entire Scheme (including 19,000 Ha of new irrigation) is achieving a cumulative nitrogen loss approximately 3% lower than that estimated for the baseline period. • The year-end nutrient budgets for all new irrigators are approximately 40% below the nitrogen allocation of 1,983 tonnes N/year specified in the LWRP. • However, there is still 8,000 hectares available for a nitrogen allocation, and under version 6.3.1 of OverseerFM, 9 properties within Stage 1 and 10 within Stage 2 converted to irrigation within their dryland baseline and therefore may require a nitrogen allocation in the future.

Environment Canterbury has a programme of work scheduled for 2020 to work with Irrigation Schemes, including Central Plains Water Limited on compliance and implementation issues.

4.4.2 Effective riparian margins to reduce P & microbial runoff Effective riparian margins slow down overland flows from surrounding land and allow particulates to drop out of the runoff. This reduces the amount of phosphorus and microbial contaminants entering the waterways (and hence into the lake) and improves in-stream ecological health. The active management of riparian margins involves the fencing out of stock and may include planting of riparian margins and adjacent high risk, sensitive or heavily impacted areas.

The ZIP Addendum recommended effective riparian margins be put in place on 750 km of streams and 1,000 km of drains (4.3).

Unfortunately, there is a real lack of information on the length of effective riparian margins on the streams and drains in Selwyn Waihora, and there is no overarching programme to deliver the extent of effective riparian margins identified in the ZIP Addendum to support achieving a 50% decrease in phosphorus that was identified as needed to improve water quality in Te Waihora.

The paragraphs below provide information on work underway to contribute to riparian margins. For further information see chapter 7 (Biodiversity).

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• Farm Environment Plan objectives and targets require farms to manage property risks from runoff and exclude stock in accordance with the regional rules. • Improving the management of riparian margins is an important part of various practical projects in the Selwyn Waihora Zone. This includes Living Water (LII/Ararira), Whakaora Te Waihora (Huritini / HalswellRiver, Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream, Kaituna and other waterways) and Snake Creek projects. Riparian management in these projects includes native planting, and information on the projects are included in Chapter 7 (Biodiversity). • The Swimmable Selwyn@Coes Ford Project includes a focus on ensuring there are effective riparian margins to stop or significantly reduce surface runoff from paddocks and exclude stock from streams and drains. This Environment Canterbury-led project emerged from multiple sessions of Zone Committee members and the community identifying Coes Ford as a key site in the zone/district for swimming, water quality, recreation, biodiversity and amenity values. • Water quality drops between Chamberlains Ford and Coes Ford with the only tributary in between being the Silverstream catchment. The project includes industry working with farmers to reduce microbial contaminants in Silverstream. A progress report on this project, including the results of microbial contaminant (E. coli) monitoring at 11 locations, was provided to the Zone Committee at its June 2019 meeting. Achievements to date include:

o 95% of the catchment has been visited by staff, including all the large and intensive properties and the location of waterways (drains) accurately recorded along with direction of flow. There is excellent awareness and compliance with stock exclusion from all waterways, including ‘drains’. Stock are now excluded from the full length of the three main streams in the 1,500 ha catchment. Stock are still to be excluded from some drains. o Environment Canterbury funded fencing for 6 properties (4 dairy, 2 beef finishing) covering 3.1km and 43 sites. This work was completed in March 2019 to improve riparian margins of paddocks and dairy tracks, and vegetated buffering of runoff from paddocks. o Fish and Game (Water and Wildlife Trust) have been working with farmers to rebatter banks and plant banks. Approximately 3km of Snake Creek and some of Silverstream, along with in-stream modifications to restore some flow and depth variety has been completed thus enhancing spawning habitat. 3 springheads have also been protected, with 2 planted out by DairyNZ staff, Zone Committee members & staff. Fonterra’s Sustainable catchment programme is now a project partner for the next 2 years. o All intensive and large properties have farming consents and auditing to date shows mainly Bs and an A audit. o In 2017-18 monthly water monitoring has been carried out. Compared to 2012-2013, results showed a decrease in E. coli in McGraths at Leeston Rd, and in Silverstream at Chamberlains Rd with no difference at other sites. A decrease in phosphorus was shown in McGraths at Leeston Rd with no difference at the other sites. Nitrates were shown to have increased at all sites. Faecal Source Tracking showed no human, but avian and ruminant E. coli present in each sample. It is not possible to determine the relative proportions of ruminant versus avian E. coli or determine specific ruminant sources. Comparisons in both 2012/13 and 2017/19 showed high E. coli with little or no rainfall, possibly conveyed via tile drains. A new permanent water sampling site has been installed in Silverstream upstream of the Selwyn confluence.

4.4.3 Stock exclusion from waterways Stock in waterways can have a direct impact on water quality or ecological values.

Clean Streams Accord - Fonterra and Synlait The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord, signed in 2003, is an agreement between Fonterra, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry for the Environment, and Local Government New

34 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Zealand. The accord is a voluntary initiative that aims to contribute toward clean, healthy freshwater resources including streams, rivers, lakes, groundwater and wetlands in dairying areas (Dairy NZ 2018).

Fonterra and Synlait have provided data to show progress towards stock exclusion and compliant stock crossing points. Both organisations have achieved 100% stock exclusion in defined waterways and 100% compliance with stock crossing points in the last few years.

Environment Canterbury Responding quickly and effectively to incidents is a priority for Environment Canterbury. Environment Canterbury and Fish and Game have worked together on a response protocol and have set targets for responding to reports of stock in waterways. The first priority is get the stock out of the waterway to make sure there is no further damage. The incident is then investigated to determine what action should be taken, including enforcement. This protocol has resulted in more site visits, more enforcement action, and, most importantly, more stock kept out of waterways (Environment Canterbury 2019: Stock exclusion from waterways. January – June 2019 six monthly snapshot).

Figure 15 below shows actions taken by Environment Canterbury against stock in waterways incidents between 2012 and 2019.

In addition to responding to incidents, regular communication is provided by Environment Canterbury to landowners to help keep stock out of waterways.

Figure 15 Actions taken by Environment Canterbury against stock in waterways incidents between 2012 and 2019

4.4.4 Drinking water The Zone Committee was not satisfied about the fact that increasing nitrate concentrations in groundwater are inconsistent with Ngāi Tahu freshwater objectives, or the ZIP drinking water outcomes. As quoted in the ZIP Addendum (p.31)

The committee wants the situation to be addressed, though it is uncertain how this can be done.

The Canterbury District Health Board, Selwyn District Council and Environment Canterbury are all part of the Canterbury Drinking Water Reference Group of all Canterbury’s council-owned and operated registered drinking water supplies, set up following the Havelock North waterborne outbreak. The group

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meets regularly to discuss drinking-water issues across the region including options to address increasing nitrate levels. The group has noted that private wells are generally shallow and subject to water quality issues, and a significant future issue that may lead to extensions of public water supplies to provide service.

The group undertook a stocktake of supplies, required upgrades and financial spend required in 2018. This showed that the Selwyn District Council had 13 out of 24 schemes in full (bacterial and protozoa) compliance with Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand. In 2017-18 Selwyn District Council spent $11,638 on drinking-water related capital and $5,041 on Operations. Providing high quality drinking water is one of Selwyn District Council’s priorities. Significant funding has been allocated in 2019 to upgrade water treatment plants.

The Selwyn District Council is currently working with Environment Canterbury and Community and Public Health to update their webpages with useful information for private water supplies (For example those found at https://cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/drinkwaterfaqnitrates.pdf). The Council has increased its monitoring of nitrates for all schemes to identify trends and to allow early response to any situation.

Other initiatives within the zone to address nitrate in drinking-water include:

Community and Public Health (Canterbury District Health Board) Community and Public Health have continued to communicate with health professionals on any potential nitrate risk through a tool known as Health Pathways. Health Pathways is designed and written for use during a patient consultation. Each pathway provides guidance for assessing and managing a patient with a particular symptom or condition. Health Pathways has a trigger for practitioners to ask patients about their source of drinking water.

During 2019 Community and Public Health has worked collaboratively with Selwyn District Council around some specific areas where nitrate and pathogen contamination has been identified as an issue from a number of point sources and diffuse sources. Community and Public Health’s nitrate communication plan is to be updated in consultation with joint working partners (Environment Canterbury and Territorial Authorities), early in the new year. In addition a reminder regarding the need to consider drinking water nitrate and E. coli risk for pregnant and breastfeeding women has recently been sent to Midwives and GPs.

Environment Canterbury and the Canterbury District Health Board have a joint work programme that includes practical work and research for drinking and recreational water issues.

The Zone Committee’s Waikirikiri Working Group The Zone Committee’s Waikirikiri Working Group (2018) remains very concerned about increasing nitrate concentrations in private drinking water wells. What to do about increasing nitrate was the subject of much debate amongst the group, including the difficult issue of ‘who pays’ for private drinking water well owners to test their water and treat it if needed. The Working Group has asked the Zone Committee to remain focused on this topic.

Nitrate issues at the national level The Ministry of Health’s Chief Science Advisor has convened a group to work with the Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for the Environment, the Health Research Council and others to look at health implications of nitrates in drinking-water. Environment Canterbury is part of this group and will keep the Zone Committees up to date in 2020.

4.4.5 Point Sources In addition to management of point source discharges through the Sub-regional Plan, the ZIP Addendum recommended (in 5.6) that Environment Canterbury ensure an appropriate methodology is agreed and applied to estimating nitrogen losses to land from existing community sewage systems and industrial trade processes. The ZIP Addendum also recommended that Environment Canterbury work with industry and the Selwyn District Council to improve understanding of phosphorus losses to land from major point-source discharges.

36 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

5 Managing the catchment to recognise its cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu Relevant CWMS Targets: Kaitiakitanga, Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity, Recreation and Amenity]

5.1 ZIP Addendum context

The ZIP Addendum recommended (3.1, p. 24) that the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan:

Recognise Te Waihora as a Ngāi Tahu cultural landscape of particular importance, reflecting the relationship of Ngāi Tahu with the lake and the mahinga kai, wāhi tapu and wāhi taonga values that define that relationship.

Recognising Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere as a Ngāi Tahu cultural landscape means that activities that may affect the lake and the relationship of Ngāi Tahu to it are managed in way that reflects the sensitivity of the lake to those activities and the degree of risk to particular values. The ZIP Addendum also recommended protection of Waikēkēwai as wāhi tapu.

5.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context

The Plan created a Cultural Landscape Values Management Area (CLVMA), encompassing the lake, its margins and tributaries, to reflect the concentration of cultural sites and values associated with it. The CLVMA is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

There are additional requirements in the CLVMA:

• Farming land-use consents with audited FEPs are required for all for properties larger than 10 hectares within the Lake Area of the CLVMA. • Audited FEPs for farms within the Lake Area of the CLVMA and CLVMA tributaries have an additional objective and targets to protect mahinga kai and manage waterways and drains recognising their cultural and ecological sensitivity to discharges of contaminants. • Some activities that would be permitted if outside the area require consent if they are within it e.g. new domestic wastewater treatment plants. • Other consented activities within the CLVMA will need to consider any adverse impact on cultural sites. • For community sewage discharges – there is to be no direct discharge to surface water or groundwater. • Farmed cattle, deer or pigs are prohibited in the bed of a lake or river in the CLVMA.

Through Plan Change 5, a mahinga kai target was also introduced in 2018, for all farms that require farming land-use consents.

The Plan includes a cultural indicator in the freshwater outcomes for the rivers and streams in the CLVMA (Table 11 (a)).

The Selwyn Te Waihora Plan prohibits water takes from Waikēkēwai.

Farm Environment Plan auditing is required to assess whether the mahinga kai objective in the CLVMA is being addressed.

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5.3 High level summary of findings: Managing the catchment to recognise its cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu

• Te Waihora Co-Governance arrangements have resulted in significant practical biodiversity projects around the lake. • The Zone Committee supports the further development of Te Mana o te Wai as a guiding principle for freshwater management, and honour and respect work with our partners at all times having Te Reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all their decisions. • The Committee supports the further development of Te Mana o te Wai as a guiding principle for freshwater management. We agree with the concept of taking a holistic approach to the management of freshwater that reflects the integrated nature of the water cycle, with a focus on the health and well-being of water bodies that underpin our freshwater ecosystems. • We also welcome the strengthening of mana whenua values in freshwater management, specific Kaitiakitanga targets. These targets focus on key aspects of freshwater management for tangata whenua in our region, partnership and co-governance, and restoration of wāhi taonga and mahinga kai. • There are new responsibilities for farms in the catchment to address mahinga kai and surveys show there is increased farmer understanding of mahinga kai. Substantial training has been provided to individual and scheme-based farmers, along with resources and standards to evaluate whether mahinga kai outcomes are being achieved through on farm FEP audits. • The number of surface and groundwater takes from the Waikēkēwai catchment has reduced. • 25% of farms within the CLVMA still need to apply for their farming land-use consents. Environment Canterbury is working closely with these farmers to assist in the sometimes difficult task of incorporating mahinga kai into their applications. • There is still a lack of information about abundance and quality of freshwater mahinga kai species. • The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee has prioritized furthering their understanding of mahinga kai and Ngāi Tahu values, holding regular meetings and stays at Marae in the zone, practicing their Te Reo, and learning about mahinga kai in the zone.

5.4 Progress on managing the catchment to recognise its cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu

5.4.1 Te Waihora Co-Governance Advancement on managing the catchment to recognise its cultural importance for Ngāi Tahu has been made on three main levels under the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group. Firstly, the Group itself incorporates Ngāi Tahu values in the strategic direction it sets at the governance level. Secondly, the Group governs the management of the lake-level, where Ngāi Tahu values are incorporated in the decisions on the periodic opening of the lake. And thirdly, the Group governs the Whakaora Te Waihora Programme (an extensive ecological and cultural restoration programme for Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere) which incorporates the views and values of Ngāi Tahu through its engagement with Rūnanga on the development and delivery of projects in the programme.

The Te Waihora Co-Governance Group was formed in 2012, and is a unique long-term relationship agreement with the vision to restore the mauri of Te Waihora while maintaining a prosperous land based economy and thriving communities for current and future generations. The Group initially comprised of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (TRoNT) and Environment Canterbury, and has grown to include Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council and the Department of Conservation. Out of the ten places for members on the Group, five places are always for representatives of TRoNT (with the other five places for representatives of government). Co-governance of the lake was one of the 2015 CWMS targets (“A formal co-governance arrangement for the active management of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and its catchment”). The parties hold kaitiaki and statutory responsibilities in relation to Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and its catchment and have come together under a voluntary Co-Governance

38 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Agreement. It is the only example in New Zealand of a voluntary agreement between iwi and government to jointly manage a water body.

The lake level of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere is managed by periodically opening the lake to the sea. The decision to open the lake is through a joint consent held by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Environment Canterbury, and incorporates the views and values of multiple stakeholders (including iwi, government, farmers, and community groups). Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere (also known as “Te Kete Ika o Rākaihautū – The Fish Basket of Rākaihautū”) is of cultural importance to Ngāi Tahu because of the lake’s significant populations of tuna/eel and pātiki/flounder. This importance was recognised through work by the parties of Co-Governance to amend the National Water Conservation Order for the lake, which now allows the lake to be opened at times of the year that facilitates the migration of tuna/eel and pātiki/flounder, and so improve their stocks in the lake.

The Whakaora Te Waihora Programme began in 2012, and has developed and delivered a range of restoration projects through its Phase One (2012-2017) and now also in its Phase Two (2017-2027). Key achievements include: (many of these are described in more detail in the biodiversity chapter) • In Phase One, o Achieved real-time monitoring of lake water quality. o Developed an updated nutrient model for the lake. o Completed scientific investigations, including for fish recruitment/fisheries management, the lake opening, mahinga kai bio-health, assessment of nutrient attenuation, and nutrient cycling. o Began the trial establishment of macrophyte beds and artificial habitat creation. This project is delivered by NIWA, and has identified remnant populations of macrophytes/water plants, where samples are grown in culture at Taumutu, before being planted back in the lake in a trial to restore the lost macrophyte beds with the goal to improve water quality and fish habitat. o Installed over 200,000 plants. o Restored Te Repo Orariki / Taumutu Wetlands, in partnership with Te Taumutu Rūnanga. o Supported Te Ara Kākāriki to deliver the Kids Discovery Plant-out, reaching 11 schools and 1,000 students. o Re-battered 21.3km of waterways to reduce sediment from entering the lake. o Implemented restoration actions for the Huritini / HalswellRiver, Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream, Hart’s Creek, and Kaituna River. o Held five Farm Environmental Plan (FEP) workshops, completed 53 FEPs, and held two field-days. • In Phase Two, o Investigating options to remove the legacy phosphorus from the lake-bed. This builds on work completed in Phase One, where options are being identified through a hui (led by Te Taumutu Rūnanga) and subsequent investigations. o Delivering the Whakaora Te Ahuriri project, which is creating a constructed wetland. The goals of the project are to improve water quality, biodiversity values and mahinga kai values, and the project is being monitored through a Mātauranga Māori monitoring programme as well as measuring changes in water quality. o Expansion of existing planted sites at Ahuriri Lagoon. o In partnership with Te Taumutu Rūnanga, delivering the Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project that is restoring Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream. o Co-funding the Weed Strike Force project, that is delivered by the Department of Conservation, and which is controlling willows and weeds on the lake-shore. o The maintenance of existing installed plants to maintain 11 priority riparian sites.

Further information about Co-Governance projects is found in Chapters 6 and 7.

5.4.2 Poū Matai Kō — Cultural Land Management Advisor and mahinga kai activities To support the effective implementation of the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area (CLVMA) a Poū Matai Kō – Cultural Land Management Advisor role was created at Environment Canterbury, the first of its kind in New Zealand. The role supports farmers with understanding mahinga kai and the

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actions they need to take to protect mahinga kai in accordance with the Farm Environment Plan mahinga kai objectives and targets.

As part of the Poū Matai Kō role the following activities have been occurring in the catchment: • One-on-one site visits with farmers to clarify how to implement the mahinga kai objectives and targets on farm. • Shed forums for farmers to clarify how to implement mahinga kai objectives and targets on farm. • Training of FEP Auditors about mahinga kai. • Inclusion of standard checks to assess whether mahinga kia targets have been met as part of the audit framework. • Noho Marae for FEP Auditors. • Working with industry partners to support delivery of mahinga kai objectives and targets on farm. • Development of guidance material about implementing mahinga kai through FEP’s: https://www.canterburywater.farm/fep/mahinga-kai • Information on mahinga kai species in the catchment: https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your- region/your-environment/our-natural-environment/mahinga-kai

Work specifically with Synlait Milk Company has also seen the inclusion of mahinga kai reflected in their Lead With Pride whole farm audit program and funding provided to Taumutu Rūnanga for specific projects.

5.4.3 Farmer awareness and implementation of mahinga kai values A phone survey of farmers’ understanding of mahinga kai was undertaken in 2018. This survey was repeated in 2019. The survey found that: 1. Selwyn Waihora farmer awareness of mahinga kai showed significant increases compared to 2018. 2. Farmers in the Selwyn Waihora Zone have significantly increased their implementation of mahinga kai values compared to 2018, suggesting that long-term relationships with farmers are having the greatest impact.

(Research First, 2019).

5.4.4 Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee focus on Ngāi Tahu values The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee has prioritized furthering their understanding of mahinga kai and Ngāi Tahu values, holding regular meetings and stays at Marae in the zone, practicing their Te Reo pronunciation, and learning about mahinga kai. A recent report that examined mahinga kai themes within zone committee agenda minutes over a six-eight month period in 2019 noted that mahinga kai is being advocated by the Rūnanga representatives on the committee as well as a few practical workshops related to mahinga kai (Environment Canterbury Regional Council 2019).

5.4.5 Farming land-use consents

In the CLVMA Approximately 25% of farms in the CLVMA still need to apply for their farming land-use consents and there is an Environment Canterbury programme underway to follow these up. A number of farmers within this group who irrigate more than 50 hectares of irrigation were sent final warning letters about applying for land-use consent in October 2019.

40 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Waikēkēwai Table 5 outlines the number of surface and groundwater takes from Waikewai active in 2012 (during the ZIP development process), in 2012, and in June 2019. The number of surface and groundwater takes from the Waikēkēwai catchment has reduced. There is still one surface water take that was existing prior to the Plan change.

Table 5 Water Takes from Waikēkēwai Year Number of Surface Water Takes Number of Groundwater Takes 30 June 2012 2 89 1 February 2012 1 35 30 June 2019 1 45

5.4.6 Freshwater outcomes for rivers – cultural indicator The Plan includes, for rivers and streams in the CLVMA, the following cultural indicator:

Freshwater mahinga kai species are sufficiently abundant for customary gathering, water quality is suitable for their safe harvesting, and they are safe to eat.

Information specifically relating to this cultural indicator is not available. Water quality information for the rivers and streams is provided in Chapter 9.

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6 Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere rehabilitation and lake health Relevant CWMS Targets: Kaitiakitanga, Environmental Limits, Recreation and Amenity Opportunities]

6.1 Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) Addendum context

The ZIP Addendum stated that (6.0, p. 44)

In-lake and near-lake mitigation options are required to complement statutory rules, load limits and other activities to reduce and manage the nitrogen and phosphorus loads from agricultural land and point sources. For example, it is estimated that the effects of the legacy phosphorus in the lake needs to be reduced by 50% if the ZIP outcomes for the lake are to be achieved. The legacy phosphorus cannot be reduced by changes to land-use or land management practices, the issue must be addressed through measures in or near the lake. Not addressing the legacy phosphorus means accepting more or less the current trophic state of the lake, and potentially a worse state as the catchment nitrogen and phosphorus loads increase.

The ZIP Addendum listed some of the proposed lake interventions (6.0, p.44): • Lake-opening and lake-level management • Macrophyte bed restoration • Addressing the legacy phosphorus in lake bed sediments • Retirement of lake margins • Floating and lake-margin wetlands • Flood-water routing and detention

The Zone Committee expected the water management solutions package described in the ZIP Addendum would result in:

• Increased tuna and pātiki fisheries; • Clearer water on the lake margins; • Improvement to lake health; • A reduction in the risk of algal blooms in the lake.

6.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan Context

Table 11(b) of the Plan identifies the freshwater outcomes for Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere in relation to dissolved oxygen (DO), maximum temperature, lake SPI, trophic level index (TLI), water clarity, suitability for primary contact recreation and mahinga kai.

Table 11(l) of the Plan identifies limits for Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere in relation to mid-lake TLI, total phosphorus, total nitrogen and chlorophyll-a, and lake margin TLI.

The Lake is also subject to a National Water Conservation Order (Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere), made in 1990 and amended in 2011 to recognise the indigenous vegetation and cultural values of the lake.

42 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

6.3 High level summary: Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere rehabilitation and lake health

• As part of their leadership and direction for those working across the catchment to restore the mauri of Te Waihora, the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group are leading the delivery of lake interventions through the Whakaora Te Waihora programme. Further actions are being delivered by other stakeholders. • Although Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere has a healthy and active commercial fishery, most of the targets in the ZIP Addendum have not been reached. This is because of the large geographical and temporal scale of the issues. • Future management challenges will be addressing the legacy phosphorus (for which there is no current solution) and managing the water quality of the lake given that nitrogen concentrations of in-flows are expected to get worse before they get better.

6.4 Progress on lake interventions and health

The Zone Committee’s long-term aspiration for Te Waihora catchment (ZIP Addendum p. 5) is

To restore the mauri of Te Waihora while maintaining the prosperous land-based economy and thriving communities

The Zone Committee acknowledged in their ZIP Addendum (p.5) that achieving this vision will be a challenge and noted the reality that the health of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and the nitrate concentrations in lowland streams and drinking-water wells will increase before they get better. This reflects the 10-20 year-long lag between agricultural nitrogen losses from the land and load to the lake, the legacy phosphorus in the lake sediments from 150 years of agriculture, and the Central Plains Water irrigation development. The Zone Committee noted that (ibid, p.5-6)

The proposed recommendations will halt the decline and turn the tide so there is improvement to Te Waihora and the waterways in the catchment”...and that further actions need to be identified in the future if the Committee’s long-term goal of rehabilitating Te Waihora to a state similar to that in the 1940s-1960s is to be achieved.

6.4.1 Lake interventions The Te Waihora Co-Governance Group lead the work on lake interventions, primarily through the Whakaora Te Waihora programme, which is an operational programme with the long-term goal to restore and rejuvenate the mauri and ecosystem of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and its catchment (also see section 7.4.8), and also through the management of the opening of the lake.

Whakaora Te Waihora is in its second phase. Phase One of the programme (2012-2017) initiated restoration actions with a budget of $10.6M (funded by the Government’s Fresh Start for Fresh Water Fund, Environment Canterbury, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu), and a summary of the key achievements are available on-line (https://tewaihora.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Achievements- of-Phase-One-of-Whakaora-Te-Waihora-2012-2017.pdf). Phase Two of the programme (2017-2027) is building on the work of Phase One, and is focused on delivering projects in six work packages identified by Co-Governors, with summaries of annual reports available on the programme’s webpage (https://tewaihora.org/welcome-tautimai/).

Whakaora Te Waihora supports the delivery of a variety of projects, some of which are delivering on the proposed lake interventions in the ZIP Addendum. These are summarised in Table 6 below. Table 6 Whakaora Te Waihora projects that deliver on proposed lake interventions in the Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) Addendum

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Whakaora Te Waihora Whakaora Te Waihora project Proposed lake Phase Two Work interventions in the ZIP Package Addendum Investigations into options for the lake- Recommendation 6.1. opening (A Phase One project). Lake-opening and lake- level management. Work package 1. Hui with stakeholders to discuss the Recommendation 6.2. Reducing the legacy updated nutrient model for Te Waihora / Addressing the legacy phosphorus and sediment Lake Ellesmere (developed in Phase phosphorus in lake-bed in Te Waihora. One), and investigation of scenarios for in- sediments. lake activities. Work package 3. The restoration of Te Repo Orariki / Recommendation 6.4. Transforming the lake Taumutu Wetlands (A Phase One Floating and lake-margin shore to wetlands. project). wetlands. Whakaora Te Ahuriri: Developing a constructed wetland to attenuate nutrients and sediment, and improve biodiversity and mahinga kai, in Ahuriri Lagoon. Weed Strike Force (DOC and ECan): Controlling willows and weeds on the lake shore to allow the natural restoration of wetland sites. Developing a feasibility study for wetland restoration at the end of Embankment Road (Greenpark). Trial of floating wetlands (as part of the trial establishment of macrophyte beds). Work package 2. Major Trial establishment of macrophyte beds. Recommendation 6.5. water quality improvement Macrophyte bed of Te Waihora. restoration.

Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is periodically opened to the sea to manage the balance between the multiple values of the lake. Lake openings can flush out nutrient-rich water and have even temporarily reduced the Trophic Level Index (TLI) of the lake (when an incursion of sea water increases the lake salinity resulting in the suspension of sediment/phosphorus and an increase in water clarity). However, a prolonged increase in salinity negatively impacts on the lake-shore wetland vegetation that requires freshwater/brackish conditions.

Opening the lake is governed by the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group, with the resource consents held jointly by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Environment Canterbury. There are multiple factors that are taken into account when making the decision to open the lake, and many groups have the opportunity to air their views before a final decision is made.

There are also a range of other projects that are delivering on some of the proposed lake interventions in the ZIP Addendum. Some of these projects are summarised in section 7.3, and include: • The Department of Conservation who manage the wetlands in their conservation estate that comprises a large proportion of the lake-margin; • Environment Canterbury’s Selwyn Waihora Zone Team who work with landholders to protect lake-margin/near-lake wetlands through stock-exclusion rules; • The Living Water programme (Department of Conservation and Fonterra) that is restoring the lake-margin wetland of Yarr’s Flat; and, • Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury who support research in and around the lake.

44 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

6.4.2 Lake health: Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon

Summary of ZIP Addendum targets and results to date At present, there has been little progress on the achievement of ZIP Addendum recommendations for Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon Lagoon (Table 14). The only targets that have been partially achieved have been for Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, where Kaituna Lagoon has met the Trophic Level Index (TLI) objectives and has better water clarity than the rest of the lake, and there has been a reduced occurrence of known toxic algal species. Although the other targets have not yet been met, the scale of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon Lagoon will require further time for certain interventions (such as the establishment of macrophytes to improve water quality) and the delivery of further interventions for other targets.

Table 7: Summary of Zone Implementation Programme Addendum (ZIPA) targets and results by 2019. Area Target/ objective Method of Result assessment Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere Water clarity ZIPA target: Compare Turbidity and water clarity behind the wave barrier is in margins “clearer water on Secchi depth comparable to the nearest open water site (Timberyard and centre of lake margins”. and turbidity Point). lake. between the wave barrier This is not surprising as macrophytes are not established and other and the wave barrier does not intercept particulate sites. contaminants/sediment from the main body of the lake.

Kaituna Lagoon is clearer than the mid-lake site. Trophic Plan outcomes: TLI scores vs The TLI exceeds the Land and Water Regional Plan Level Index 6.6 (mid lake); plan (LWRP) objective most years for Te Waihora/Lake (TLI). 6.0 (margins). outcome. Ellesmere. Kaituna Lagoon has met plan TLI objectives every year since 2010. Information on ZIPA target: “risk Frequency The lake has been in warning for high cyanobacterial algal blooms. of algal blooms and duration biomass since December 2017. The current warning is due reduced”. of warnings; to the high biomass of cyanobacteria and no toxic species dominant are currently present (and have not been present since algae. mid-2018). Since the start of monitoring in 2009, toxic species (Nodularia) have bloomed sporadically (Jan 2009, May 2011, Feb 2012), but have not bloomed since 2013. Since 2013 warnings have been due to picocyanobacteria and Merismopedia. These species are now shown to be non-toxic in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, but they occur in high densities. It is these high densities that trigger the warnings.

Therefore, there is no evidence of reduced occurrence of warnings, but there is a reduced occurrence of known toxic species in the lake. Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon Lagoon Trophic Level Plan outcome: TLI scores vs The objective has not been met in all years since the start Index (TLI). 4.0. plan of monitoring in 2003, mainly due to high total nitrogen outcome. concentrations.

Water clarity There is no evidence of improved water clarity behind the wave barrier on Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere (i.e. the wave barrier that is a site for the trial establishment of macrophytes/water plants) compared to the open water site (at Timberyard Point) (Appendix 6, Figures 1 and 2). But this is to be expected as macrophytes/water plants are yet to be established behind the wave barrier. Further plantings of

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macrophytes are scheduled for 2020/2021, and only when there has been a successful establishment of macrophytes/water plants will it be possible to confirm if their presence improves water clarity.

Water clarity was frequently higher in Kaituna Lagoon than in the open water sites in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere (Appendix 6, Figure 3). There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is a more sheltered site, and therefore the winds do not stir up the sediment on the lake bed as much as other parts of the lake. And secondly, this site is more strongly influenced by freshwater inflows.

Lake TLI scores vs plan objectives For most sites in both Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon Lagoon, the TLI scores do not meet plan objectives. The only exceptions were for Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere where: • Kaituna Lagoon mostly met the TLI objective of 6.6, but also failed to meet the lake margin site objective of 6 in more than half the years between 2009 and 2019; and, • For 2002-2003 and 2010-2013. The TLI in 2012-13 would have been influenced by large volumes of saline seawater in the lake that were the result of an extended period for the lake- opening.

The TLI, or Trophic Level Index, is a measure of the nutrient status of a lake, and uses the four criteria of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), the water clarity, and algal biomass. • For Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, TP exceeded the plan limit most years, TN plan limits were mostly met, and algal biomass plan limits were met for half of the years between 2009 and 2019 (Appendix 6, Figures 4-8). • For Muriwai / Coopers Lagoon Lagoon, though TP and algal biomass plan limits were mostly met, TN exceeded plan limits and increased the TLI to above plan limits (Appendix 6, Figure 9).

It is difficult to assess if there have been any trends in the four criteria that determine TLI in a lake like Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, because of the many variables that can have an influence (such as varying wind/wave suspension of sediments, lake opening and seawater incursion, and variations in lake level). There have been only two statistically significant trends Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, where: • TN increased between 2009 and 2019 at the mid lake site (TN also increased between 2009 and 2019 at the Timberyard Point site, but this was not statistically significant) (Appendix 6, Figure 10); and, • TP decreased at the Taumutu site (TP also decreased at some other sites, but these were not statistically significant).

Table 8: TLI score summary for Lake Ellesmere and Coopers Lagoon. The pink indicates a TLI score above the CLWRP objective. Plan objectives are 6.6. for Lake Ellesmere and 4 for Coopers Lagoon) Ellesmere Ellesmere Ellesmere Ellesmere Ellesmere Coopers Date mid-lake Timberyard SelwynMouth Taumutu Kaituna Lagoon 2008-2009 7.1 7.1 7.0 7.0 6.9 4.5 2009-2010 6.9 6.9 7.0 6.9 6.4 4.7 2010-2011 6.3 6.4 6.2 6.3 5.4 4.2 2011-2012 6.4 6.5 6.5 6.5 5.7 4.4 2012-2013 5.8 5.9 6.2 5.2 5.3 4.4 2013-2014 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.6 6.0 4.3 2014-2015 7.2 7.1 7.2 7.1 6.5 4.1 2015-2016 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.7 6.3 4.1 2016-2017 6.9 6.7 6.8 6.8 5.9 4.1 2017-2018 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.5 5.8 4.4 2018-2019 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.6 6.2 4.4

46 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Water quality entering Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere The health of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is a reflection of the existing legacy phosphorus on the lake bed, the state of the habitat on the lakeshore, and the quality of the water entering the lake (which is a combination of both surface water and groundwater). As summarised in section 9.4, nitrogen concentrations in both surface water and groundwater are elevated and increasing, and phosphorus concentrations in rivers are stable but E. coli concentrations are elevated in some streams and increasing in others. This confirms what was previously noted by the Zone Committee, that nitrogen concentrations entering the lake will get worse before they get better, which is a consequence of the 10-20 year-long lag between agricultural nitrogen losses from the land and load to the lake.

Health warnings due to (potentially toxic) cyanobacteria There has been a health warning in place at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere since December 2017, which is due to a high cyanobacterial biomass (Appendix 6, Table 1). However, no toxin-producing cyanobacteria have been detected since mid 2018.

The cyanobacteria biomass in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is comprised of different species, which vary in toxicity. • Picocyanobacteria and Merismopedia are the dominant species. The large biomass of these species has been responsible for the health warnings that have been issued since 2013. They are both regarded as potentially toxic, although current (2018-2019) populations of these cyanobacteria in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere have been shown to lack the ability to produce toxins. • Nodularia is a scum and bloom forming toxic species that has bloomed sporadically (January 2009, May 2011, and February 2012), but not since 2013.

6.4.3 Pātiki/flounder and tuna/eel fisheries The commercial tuna/eel fishery in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere has been a controlled fishery since December 1978. Since October 2016, the Ministry of Primary Industries has managed the South Island tuna/eel stocks (ANG) as individual long-finned eel (LFE) stocks and short-finned eel (SFE) stocks. For tuna/short-finned eels in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere (SFE13), the Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) is 134,120kg and the Customary Allowance is 34,380kg. Currently there are five commercial tuna/eel fishers on the lake, and the TACC for tuna/short-finned eels is reached most years, with the exception of 2018/2019 when there was a decrease in the commercial catch (Figure 16). By agreement, tuna/long-finned eels are not commercially harvested.

The commercial pātiki/flounder fishery in in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is part of the FLA 3 Quota Management Area (that includes all the marine area off the eastern and southern coasts of the South Island). The Total Allowable Commercial Catch (TACC) was originally set high for pātiki/flounder, as they grow fast, are short-lived and have a variable recruitment, so a high TACC allows fishers to take advantage of years of high abundance, which is reflected in the variable catch (Figure 1). The TACC for the FLA 3 Quota Management Area has never been exceeded.

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Commercial Pātiki and Tuna catch incl Te Waihora 160000 140000 120000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Tuna catch (kg) Pātiki catch (kg)

Figure 16 The commercial catch of tuna/short-finned eels and pātiki/flounder in Te Waihora/lake Ellesmere from 2013/14 - 2018/19. Note: Tuna catch is for Te Waihora, and Pātiki is for FLA3 Quota Management Area (includes all the marine area off eastern and southern coasts of South Island).

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7 Biodiversity – wetlands, springheads, riparian margins Relevant CWMS Targets: Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity, Kaitiakitanga, Recreation and Amenity

7.1 ZIP Addendum context

The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee, in their ZIP and ZIP Addendum, were very clear that alpine catchments, braided rivers and coastal lagoons of the zone contain species that are highly distinctive, many of which are threatened. The Committee wanted to see remaining significant high-quality examples of indigenous biodiversity on the plains protected and noted the opportunity to work with industry and landowners to integrate biodiversity into farming systems through demonstration sites, local trusted ‘experts’, articles in agricultural papers, existing field days and discussion groups (Selwyn Waihora ZIP p.33).

The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee’s ZIP Addendum recommended (4.1, p.25):

“The sub-regional section and other plans being developed (statutory and non- statutory) and the Environment Canterbury work programme will support catchment interventions that are essential to meet the desired outcomes for the Selwyn Waihora catchment. The key catchment interventions include wetland protection and enhancement, effective riparian margins, drain management, stream macrophyte management, and sediment management”

All of these interventions are needed to deliver the outcomes expected from the Zone Committee’s Solution Package.

7.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context

While most biodiversity protection and enhancement does not require Statutory rules, the Plan does have numerous policies that enable lake, catchment and flow restoration, as well as rules that introduce stock exclusion rules relating to wetlands near Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and that prohibit some activities for reasons that include biodiversity and ecosystem protection.

Lake, Catchment and Flow Restoration policies include those that: • Enable lake restoration activities that re-establish aquatic plants, lake margin wetlands and remove phosphorus from lake bed sediments in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. • Enable catchment restoration activities that protect springheads, protect, establish or enhance plant riparian margins, create restore or enhance wetlands and target removal of macrophytes or fine sediment from waterways. • Enable managed aquifer recharge and targeted stream augmentation to assist with improvements to lowland stream flows and their ecological and cultural health where, by design, construction, and operation of any project: a. Adverse effects on cultural values, including those associated with unnatural mixing of water, are remedied or mitigated; and b. Adverse effects on the availability, quality and safety of human drinking water are avoided; and c. Adverse effects on fish passage are avoided or mitigated; and d. Inundation of existing wetlands is avoided or mitigated; and e. There is no net loss of significant indigenous vegetation or significant habitats of indigenous biodiversity; and f. Adverse effects on people, property and drainage systems from raised groundwater levels and higher flows are avoided, remedied or mitigated.

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7.3 High level summary: Biodiversity

• Many different organisations, community groups and individuals are working towards enhancing biodiversity in the Selwyn Waihora Zone. • The Zone Committee has supported 56 biodiversity projects with Environment Canterbury’s Immediate Steps funding, all of which collectively contribute to the committee’s main areas of focus (wetlands, lowland streams, hill-country catchments, high-country lakes). • Extensive funding across many different projects has come from Selwyn District Council, Environment Canterbury, Department of Conservation, local rūnanga, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Trustpower, Central Plains Water, Ministry for the Environment, Fonterra, Fish and Game, Christchurch City Council, among others. • There have been 13 new QEII covenant registrations in the zone during 2012-2019. • The Whakaora Te Waihora programme has established an extensive, inter-generational restoration programme for Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere and delivered major works including hundreds of thousands of native plants installed, re-established and enhanced wetlands, willow control, community engagement, and key research. The programme’s Whakaora Te Ahuriri project is developing a constructed wetland that will improve water quality, mahinga kai, and biodiversity values, and will be an example that can be replicated both locally and nationally. • Large numbers of community members, school students, and organization staff have got involved in planting projects. • Private landowners, especially those with farms by the lake, are being supported to comply with stock exclusion rules, to undertake GMP, and to permanently remove stock from wetland areas, as well as undertaken their own often-substantial self-funded planting projects. • Other than the detailed information contained in this report, a full picture of progress on the suite of biodiversity and catchment interventions identified in the ZIP Addendum is not available. Overall data for these many projects, including location, funds spent, and survival rates have not been coordinated or mapped by any one group. A key risk is inadequate funding to deliver the work required to achieve the targets.

7.4 Progress on biodiversity enhancement

In order to remedy the substantial loss of indigenous biodiversity from the Selwyn Waihora Zone, there are many organisations across the zone working to enhance biodiversity in a variety of ways. While the approach of each organisation is varied, there is commonality in the desire to halt further loss of indigenous biodiversity and increase the amount of available habitat for native species.

The following sections provide: • A stocktake of the biodiversity protection and restoration work supported and/or carried out by Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council, Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, Te Ara Kākāriri, the Central Plains Water Environment Management Fund, and the Waihora Ellesmere Trust. • Information on wetland protection and enhancement programmes around Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. • Information about three riparian planting programmes currently underway.

7.4.1 Projects supported by Environment Canterbury Environment Canterbury supports the protection and restoration of biodiversity in the Selwyn Waihora Zone in a variety of ways, including through a variety of funding avenues. The projects supported by these funds are located across the zone and in a variety of ecosystem types, as detailed below:

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Figure 17 Projects in Selwyn Waihora supported by Environment Canterbury (2020)

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Figure 18 The ecosystem types of Biodiversity projects in the Selwyn Waihora Zone supported by Environment Canterbury between 2011-2019

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Figure 19 The total project costs of Biodiversity projects in the Selwyn Waihora Zone supported by Environment Canterbury between 2011-2019

Immediate Steps funding Environment Canterbury’s Immediate Steps (IMS) programme was established to support on-the- ground projects that can be initiated or supported by Zone Committees in the short-term, to protect and restore indigenous freshwater biodiversity and support progress towards achieving the CWMS goals for Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity and Natural Character of Braided Rivers. Annually, $100,000 of IMS funding is allocated to each of Canterbury’s 10 zones for biodiversity protection and restoration projects which will contribute towards achieving these goals. Since the 2010/2011 financial year, Environment Canterbury and the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee have worked together to support 56 biodiversity projects across the zone with IMS funding.

In line with the recommendations of the ZIP and in support of the ZIP Addendum, 45 of these IMS projects focussed on the protection and enhancement of native biodiversity and 11 projects have focused on community/creation projects. In terms of ecosystem types, IMS support has focussed on projects concerning priority ecosystems recommended in the ZIP and ZIP Addendum: • 16 projects supported wetland protection/enhancement, • 15 supported lowland streams, • 11 supported Hill-country catchments, and • five supported high-country lakes. • The remaining nine projects focussed on braided rivers, Banks Peninsula stream catchments which feed into Te Waihora, the Canterbury plains, and Intermontane streams in the foothills.

The details of all projects from the Selwyn Waihora Zone supported by IMS funding can be found in Appendix 1.

Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy projects There have been 58 Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy (CBS – Environment Canterbury) funded projects in the Selwyn Waihora Zone since 2012 either completed or in progress. Of these, 32 were in other water bodies, eight in wetlands, 14 terrestrial and four in braided rivers. Fourteen of the CBS projects have been creation/community projects and 44 have been protection projects.

Fish habitat fund projects There have been nine Fish habitat projects in Selwyn Waihora Zone since 2012, all of which were protection projects. Five of these projects focussed on Mudfish Conservation, one on Upland Longjaw protection, and three habitat enhancement projects (Environment Canterbury managed biodiversity funds).

Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere Flagship projects There have been 25 Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere Flagship projects funded by the CWMS Regional Committee. Twenty-three of these have been protection projects all involving weed control and occasionally planting in addition to the control work. The two creation/community projects were planting projects.

Regional Wetlands Programme projects The Regional Wetlands Programme has supported weed control work in an oligotrophic (low nutrient) bog in the upper Rakaia. This bog is nestled into a much larger wetland area and supports several threatened and specialised plant species, including carnivorous plants. The fragility of this plant community is well suited to a cautious approach, hence the need to engage expert contractors. The site will also be legally protected by a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (QEII) covenant.

Braided River Flagship (CWMS Regional Committee Immediate Steps Funding) There has been an ongoing programme of joint weed control for the Rakaia riverbed and associated ecosystems. This has involved Environment Canterbury, DOC and LINZ in coordination with the

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Whitcombe Landcare Group, local leaseholders and land owners, and Trustpower. This has included yearly control work between 2012-2019 with an effective area of approximately 20,000ha.

A Rakaia weed control strategy (including mapping) was developed in 2012 and reviewed and updated in 2017.

The Braided River Flagship has also supported a 12 hectare wetland fencing project.

Braided River Regional Initiatives There is a predator control program, initiated in 2017, for nesting braided river birds on the south side of the Rakaia river but which crosses the boundary in terms of influence and outcomes. This is jointly managed and funded by DOC, Environment Canterbury, and Trustpower through their Rakaia Environmental Enhancement Fund.

7.4.2 Selwyn District Council

Significant Natural Area programme The Selwyn District Council (SDC) has added 24 Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to the pre-2012 list of 49 assessed sites (total 73). Landowners/managers are being advised and supported by SDC with protection, management and restoration actions for their SNA areas. SDC is continuing to identify new sites that are suitable for SNA assessments.

Selwyn Natural Environment Fund (SNEF) Over the 2012–2019 period, Council has allocated $331,000 of funding to indigenous biodiversity across 85 projects. The top priority for this funding is existing native biodiversity such as QEII Covenant and SNA areas. Over the period SDC has considerably grown the size of the SNEF fund.

Selwyn District Plan The Selwyn District Council is in the process of undertaking its District Plan review and as part of that process it formed a Biodiversity Working Group made up of a variety of stakeholders to inform the review of the Indigenous Biodiversity chapter in the Plan. This includes improving and refining the objectives and rules for the protection and management of native biodiversity in the District.

Biodiversity Coordinator position Since 2017 SDC has employed a full time Biodiversity Coordinator to work with landowners, the community, agencies, and internally within SDC towards the promotion, restoration, protection and management of native biodiversity. In 2019 another Biodiversity Coordinator was employed.

Community engagement and Community Group funding The Selwyn District Council works closely with the Selwyn community including landowners, community groups, schools and reserve committees to restore, manage and promote native biodiversity. Te Ara Kākāriki and Waihora Ellesmere Trust have received significant funding from Council to help enable their significant efforts towards community biodiversity projects in the District. Council staff have worked closely with agency colleagues to ensure that, where appropriate, work programmes are joined up and synergised, and that information flows are improved to help ensure improved biodiversity outcome within the District.

Selwyn District Council SDC Reserves The Selwyn District Council has undertaken a programme of restoration planting efforts on several Council reserves across the district and has prepared a Reserve Management Plan for the significant lowland wetland Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon.

Selwyn District Council Drain, Weed and Sediment Management The Selwyn District Council regularly notifies local iwi of works that might affect their values, including notification prior to spraying and weed cutting. The Council supports planting of classified drains and has developed a planting guide and process for planting applications received. The Council provides

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guidance to ensure that planting does not negatively affect maintenance activities. The Council funds and supports drainage committees with drain cleaning practices and maintenance to remove macrophyte cover from classified drains and has a consent condition requiring the removal of historic sediment from the Osbornes Drain which is being worked through. The drainage committees remove accumulated sediment from classified drains through annual maintenance. The Council is also considering proposals by Living Waters to trial ‘sediment traps’ in the LII drainage scheme.

The Zone Committee, in their 2013 ZIP Addendum (sections 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6) described the need for a substantial increase in effort and investment in drain-side planting, aquatic weed clearing, mechanical sediment clearing, and drainage restoration plans. To date, the amount spent probably remains closer to Business-as-Usual spend by the District and Regional Councils in 2013.

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7.4.3 Covenants in the Selwyn Waihora Zone

Figure 20 Covenants in the Selwyn Waihora Zone 2020

Queen Elizabeth II National Trust According to the QEII 2018 Annual Report, to date Canterbury has 382 approved, registered and formalised covenants making a total of 16,906.4 ha covenanted (Figure 20). This includes 13 new QEII covenant registrations in the Selwyn Waihora Zone registered and formalised during the period 2012- 2019 with a total of 119.6 ha covenanted. Wetlands and streams are features of most of these covenanted areas. For a full list of these see Appendix 2:.

The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust As at 31 March 2019, The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (BPCT) has 71 covenants that provide legal protection for 1,460 ha of land on the Banks Peninsula. This includes a 42 ha area of remnant native forest in the Selwyn Waihora Zone, as mapped in Figure 20. The protection of this area was supported with funding from the World Wildlife Fund, Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council.

7.4.4 Te Ara Kākāriki - Greenway Canterbury Trust Te Ara Kākāriki (TAK) was established in 2006 and works to restore indigenous biodiversity to the Selwyn Waihora Zone by facilitating restoration planting of native vegetation. TAK works with land owners, volunteers, and 16 local EnviroSchools. TAKs initial focus is on the Hororata and Huritini / Halswell river catchments with a long-term plan to link up Greendots across the central plains. To date, TAK have planted 78,000 plants at 73 Greendots sites covering 16 ha. Figure 21, Figure 22, and Figure 23 show the detail of these plantings.

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Figure 21 Number of Greendots planted by Te Ara Kākāriki (2018)

Figure 22 Number of native seedlings planted by Te Ara Kākāriki (2018)

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Figure 23 Te Ara Kākāriki Greendot Sites 2009-2018

7.4.5 Central Plains Water Environmental Management Fund Part of the mitigation package offered by CPW during the resource consent process involved the establishment of funding for three environmental initiatives: • The CPW Environmental Management Fund (EMF) • The Te Waihora Environmental Management Fund (TWEMF) • Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere Lake Opening. The EMF and TWEMF were established during the 2015-16 irrigation season. Contributions to these funds are provided by Scheme shareholders. The fully operational Scheme generates approximately $115,000 annually for the EMF to allocate. An independent Environmental Management Fund Committee (EMFC) is responsible for managing and allocating the EMF, whereas the TWEMF fund is provided directly to Ngāi Tahu who manage allocation and annual reporting of fund expenditure.

The primary focus of the EMF has been the enhancement of biodiversity across the Selwyn Waihora catchment. To date, funding has been provided for the planting of native species (79%), development of wetlands (18%) and research (3%). Since its formation, the EMF has allocated approximately $400,000 of funding to groups and individuals within the catchment.

The fund has regularly supported and will continue to support Te Ara Kākāriki Greenway Canterbury Trust (TAK) with their spring plant-out days and other work (CPW 2019).

Other environmental initiatives across the scheme area for 2018-19 include planting at several sites, donations to a school planting day, establishing lizard habitat areas and working with Environment Canterbury to develop the Aquifer Recharge Project (CPW 2019).

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7.4.6 Waihora Ellesmere Trust The purpose of the Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) is to facilitate and encourage the implementation of the Community Strategy and, with such a broad range of goals, targets and actions, this means that WET is involved in many different projects. This includes:

• Annual Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere Bird Count: The annual census of wetland birds around Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere • Living Lake Symposium: A biennial event bringing together a range of expert presenters • State of the Lake Report: Written in conjunction with the Living Lake Symposium. • Green Footprint: A partnership between Waihora Ellesmere Trust, Youth Hostel Association, Selwyn District Council and EnviroSchools completing plantings at Coes Ford, Chamberlain Ford, Lakeside Domain and the shores of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere. • Waihora Ellesmere Catchment Riparian Restoration Programme: A project starting in 2008 and running until 2011. Over the three years, more than 50,000 native plants were established at over 20 different locations. • Sustainable Drain Management project: A project working with Environment Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu, Selwyn District Council and Lincoln University, to support and encourage landowners to improve management of drains and waterways around the lake.

7.4.7 Wetland protection and enhancement In addition to projects focused on general biodiversity, projects related specifically to the enhancement and protection of wetlands are underway throughout the Selwyn Waihora Zone led by a variety of organisations, many of which have been previously mentioned.

7.4.8 Whakaora Te Waihora Programme The Whakaora Te Waihora programme is an extensive ecological and cultural restoration programme for Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere, and is an operational programme of the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council, and the Department of Conservation). Whakaora Te Waihora began in 2012, and has the goal “To restore and rejuvenate the mauri and ecosystem of Te Waihora and its catchment” (see the programme’s strategic summary at https://tewaihora.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Whakaora-Te- Waihora-Strategic-Summary_end-of-Phase-One-30-June-2017-version.pdf). The timeline to achieve this vision is two generations (approx. 35-40 years), and the programme is currently in its second phase.

Phase One of Whakaora Te Waihora was delivered from 2012-2017 with the goal to establish the programme and begin the delivery of major works. The budget for Phase One was $10.6 million (funded by the Government’s Fresh Start for Freshwater Fund, Environment Canterbury, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu), and a summary and map of the achievements of Phase One can be found here https://tewaihora.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Achievements-of-Phase-One-of-Whakaora-Te- Waihora-2012-2017.pdf.

Key achievements of Phase One include: • Planting over 200,000 plants across 81 sites, and planted four Department of Conservation sites on lake-shore. • Re-establishing Te Repo Orariki / Taumutu Wetlands in partnership with Te Taumutu Rūnanga. • Conducting willow control at priority sites, (delivered by the Department of Conservation) and due to combined efforts in recent years willows have largely been controlled on the eastern shore of the lake. • Supporting Te Ara Kākāriki to deliver the Kids Discovery Plant-out, that engaged 11 schools and 1,000 students to install native plants over 11 sites. • Re-battering 21.3km of waterways to reduce sediment from entering the waterways. • Conducting key research, where the results are being used to inform future management interventions including:

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o The trial establishment of macrophytes (conducted by NIWA); and, o A wetland nutrient attenuation assessment for inflows to Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere (https://tewaihora.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Wetland-Nutrient-Attenuation- Assessment-for-Te-Waihora-Final.pdf, conducted by NIWA).

Phase Two of Whakaora Te Waihora is from 2017-2027, and is building on the results of Phase One. A summary of annual reports is available on the programme’s website https://tewaihora.org/welcome- tautimai/.

Current projects and achievements of Phase Two are: • Continued support for the trial establishment of macrophytes (conducted by NIWA). • The Weed Strike Force, a partnership project delivered by the Department of Conservation/DOC, and funded by Environment Canterbury, Whakaora Te Waihora, and DOC which is controlling willows and weeds around the lake-shore. o This project has allowed the employment of a three-person full-time crew, which has improved the efficiency of the control work. o In 2018/2019 willows and weeds were controlled over 794.5 ha. At all sites significant natural regeneration (i.e. native plants growing because of the reduced competition from the willows and weeds) was observed. • The Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project, which is a partnership project with Te Taumutu Rūnanga to restore Te Waikēkēwai / Waikēkēwai Stream. o In 2017/2018 a riparian site behind the Ngāti Moki Marae was planted. o In 2018/2019 the riparian margin between Ngāti Moki Marae and Te Repo Orariki / Taumutu Wetlands was restored. • Continued support for the Kids Discovery Plant-out (delivered by Te Ara Kākāriki and Enviroschools). • The Whakaora Te Ahuriri project (see 7.4.9 below).

7.4.9 Whakaora Te Ahuriri Project The Whakaora Te Waihora programme is involved in several projects including the Whakaora Te Ahuriri project, which will create a constructed wetland at Ahuriri Lagoon to improve water quality, biodiversity and mahinga kai values. The project is governed by the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group, and has a budget of $3.5 million that is being funded by Environment Canterbury, the Government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund, and NIWA.

Key achievements of the Whakaora Te Ahuriri Project: The project has been an example of cooperation and consensus, with rūnanga, neighbouring landholders, consultants, staff, officials, and Co-Governors all working together, and is involving the following workstreams. Key milestones to date have been: • The design was completed with the input of many partners including rūnanga and the Ahuriri Lagoon Steering Group; • On 4 February 2019 the site was blessed before the start of the engineering and earthworks (https://tewaihora.org/ahuriri-lagoon-wetland-project-blessed/); • The engineering and earthworks have been completed; • 44,0000 terrestrial plants have been installed, with another 2,000 to be installed by the Kids Discovery Plant-out in the autumn of 2020; • 80,000 aquatic plants are being installed;

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• A Mātauranga Māori monitoring programme was developed (with rūnanga input), and is being delivered (https://tewaihora.org/maori-knowledge-and-surveying-paint- a-picture-of-wetlands-past-and-present/); and, • An applied research methodology (to measure changes in water quality) has been developed. • The constructed wetland is now partially complete with progress shown via periodic drone videos on the project’s webpage https://tewaihora.org/whakaora-te-ahuriri/.

Figure 24 Ahuriri Wetland

7.4.10 Near-lake wetlands protected through stock-exclusion rules In 2012 Environment Canterbury’s operative regional plan was the Natural Resources Regional Plan (NRRP). This plan contained Rule WQL21 which applied across the region and prohibited any intensively farmed livestock from the river bed. It also prohibited any farmed cattle, farmed deer and farmed pigs from certain waterways and provided a permitted pathway with conditions for other stock (as do our current rules). At the end of 2014, the Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) was notified and applied alongside the NRRP until it was made operative in 2016.

In 2016 Plan Change 1 introduced rules into the LWRP which were specific to Selwyn Te Waihora. This saw the introduction of additional conditions to the region wide stock exclusion rules. It extended these rules to apply to drains (but excludes any sub-surface drain or drain without surface water) and introduces a Cultural Landscape/Values Management Area, which removes the option of a permitted activity within this area.

Multiple changes have also occurred to the region wide LWRP stock exclusion rules since 2012. These have mostly been smaller amendments and have included (but not limited to) clarification around when the rules apply to braided rivers, allowing cattle to access some hill and high-country lakes and the inclusion of an Indigenous Freshwater Species Habitat.

7.4.11 Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere lake edge project Following Plan Change one, the Te Waihora lake edge project run by Environment Canterbury worked to collaboratively deliver on the policies of the LWRP. 31 Lake edge landowners (mix of sheep, beef and dairy farms) affected by plan requirements were supported via letter drops, a community meeting, on farm site visits, and the regular Leeston and Darfield drop-in sessions. The project worked with these landowners to accurately map the wetlands on their property and support them in identifying GMP. A

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map of identified wetlands and a short report of their waterbody management practices was produced for each property and may be attached to their farm environment plan. As a result, 12 landowners have removed stock from wetland areas, and eight have applied, or are in the process of applying, for a stock access consent.

7.4.12 Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere lake shore vegetation 2007-2017 The following summary is from an Environment Canterbury technical report in preparation. Data is unpublished and may change.

Results of the 2017 lake shore vegetation survey show that Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere margins continue to support, the largest contiguous wetland habitat in lowland Canterbury (approximately 4,500 ha). These wetlands in turn support some of the largest areas of native vegetation remaining in lowland- coastal Canterbury. (See table next page)

We suggest that an approximate 500 ha net reduction in extent of all three main lakeshore habitats - brackish wetland, freshwater wetland and terrestrial – recorded within the re-surveyed area over the last 10 years, results from a combination of factors: post-earthquake changes to bed levels, wave-lap erosion, a succession of very dry years and low freshwater inflows in the years prior to 2017 survey.

Despite this reduced area of vegetated wetland habitat (largely replaced by open lake water) we consider that, overall, the state of lakeshore wetland vegetation has improved over the last ten years. A general trend of progressive reduction in grazing pressure (both in terms of area grazed and stock type and numbers) described in earlier survey reports had continued over the 2007-17 period. At the time of the 2017 survey, about half of lakeshore wetlands were still being grazed. However, since completion of the 2017 field survey, further substantial areas of lakeshore wetland have been retired from grazing.

Control operations carried out in Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere shoreline wetlands over the last eight or so years have reduced willow extent within targeted areas (mostly DOC reserves). There are now some spectacular examples of freshwater wetland vegetation recovery following willow control. Spread of willows into freshwater wetlands on the lake shore east of the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River mouth have been effectively contained. However, outside of these control sites willows, especially grey willow, have continued to spread through freshwater wetland habitats west of the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River mouth. At present, most of the affected area is sparse-scattered willows. These need to be a priority for control, especially where invading native freshwater wetland vegetation.

Although overall condition of shoreline vegetation has improved over the last 10 years, we still noted localised adverse impacts from farming activities during survey. These included recent examples of vegetation clearance and pasture development, and stock access resulting in de-vegetation and pugging of wetland habitats. New LWRP rules are currently being implemented to better control stock access to lake shore wetlands.

The other significant adverse impact on lakeshore wetland vegetation is from vehicle use. This is a problem on public conservation land, particularly the large and nationally important Greenpark Sands Conservation Area. Damage to native saltmarsh vegetation from vehicles here has worsened over the last ten-year monitoring interval.

See Appendix 3 for details on the total extent of the fourteen most extensive wetland vegetation types around Te Waihora, as surveyed in 2017. Wetland habitat and ‘nativeness’ of the vegetation are noted.

7.4.13 Riparian planting There are a variety of organisations leading projects in the Selwyn Waihora Zone specifically related to the creation, enhancement, or protection of riparian margins.

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Living Water Living Water is a 10-year partnership, 2013-2023, between Fonterra and the Department of Conservation with a focus on finding game changing and scalable solutions to support the Living Water vision of farming, freshwater and healthy ecosystems thriving side by side. The Living Water focus in the Ararira catchment has been on transforming the drain and water network into a healthy freshwater ecosystem in a productive agricultural landscape. The approach in the Ararira has been to identify the catchment’s values (ecological, cultural especially) and pressures, and design solutions appropriate for the catchment and in the best locations to achieve our outcomes.

The Ararira surface water catchment boundary (red border outline) and Fonterra farms (coloured polygons) are shown in Figure 25 below.

Figure 25: Living Water Project

To date the programme has planted 3,737m of waterway, covering 63ha of the 6,600ha catchment total area. The programme is also supporting initiatives such as on farm and catchment water quality sampling, sediment sampling and designing sediment traps, and undertaking ecological and cultural health assessments. Outside of the Ararira catchment, the living water programme has been supporting work in the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River catchment including the work of CAREX at Silverstream and the Water and Wildlife Habitat Trust (Fish and Game) at Snake Creek

More detail on the Ararira catchment plantings can be found in appendix 4.

Harts Creek restoration The long-term restoration of Harts Creek continues today with enhancement planting and drain and nutrient management in the catchment. This restoration of the creek is led by a variety of groups and landowners including the Harts Creek stream care group, who have been supported with IMS funding for a restorative planting project in 2019/2020.

Snake Creek restoration project North Canterbury Fish & Game are leading a joint three-year project with The Water & Wildlife Habitat Trust to restore Snake Creek, an important tributary of the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River in Canterbury. Working with local farmers, Environment Canterbury and the University of Canterbury CAREX group, and with a large proportion of the funding coming from the Ministry for the Environment, the project aims to restore four kilometres of Snake Creek and improve the water quality downstream at Coes Ford.

Stages 1 and 2 of the project are now complete with Stage 2 seeing the intended 600 m planted, as well as an additional 168m planted either side of Snake Creek, 580m planted on true right downstream snake creek, and a springhead at McGraths Creek being planted. One sediment trap was installed immediately below Leeston Road and approximately 20 instream features have been installed along the 1348 metres that was restored in 2018/2019 financial year. Stage 3 is to begin in October 2019.

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8 Economic and related impacts Relevant CWMS Targets: Indicators of Regional and National Economies]

8.1 ZIP Addendum context

The ZIP Addendum states (p.1) that one of the values underlying the water management package developed by the Zone Committee is:

agriculture, underpinned by reliable water supply for irrigation, is a significant contributor to the local and regional economies.

This is consistent with the ZIP Priority Outcome of ‘Thriving communities and sustainable economies.’

When the Zone Committee was developing nutrient management recommendations it was conscious of the contribution of farming to the economy and to the local communities. The committee was concerned about the impact of tough nutrient management requirements on the economy. In 2013, when the ZIP Addendum was produced, the Central Plans Water (CPW) irrigation development was consented but not yet implemented.

The ZIP Addendum notes (p.36) that

[T]he additional development from CPW and gradual intensification is estimated to contribute about $310 million to Regional GDP (including flow on) above the current Regional GDP contribution from agriculture of $620 million. It is estimated that implementing the nitrogen mitigation measures to achieve the proposed load limit will reduce the contribution to Regional GDP by $30 million. It is estimated that the total cash farm surplus will be about $250 million/yr, down by $40 million/yr from the surplus without nitrogen mitigation, though still more than the current total farm surplus of $180 million/yr.

The committee also was concerned about the impact of tough nutrient management rules on farm financial viability. The ZIP Addendum notes (p.36):

[T]he proposed Solution Package sets the agricultural load at the level achieved with management practice at 50% between good management practice and advanced mitigation. This is an average reduction in nitrogen loss of about 13%. The results of Dairy NZ’s analysis of dairy farms in Selwyn Waihora indicate that this level of reduction in nitrogen losses would, on average, have a 5% or less adverse impact on farm profitability (EBIT – earnings before interest and tax) though this will vary depending on milk price and debt level.

8.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context

The Plan introduced tough farming and nutrient management rules including: • Nitrogen loss reductions beyond good management losses; • A catchment agricultural load; • A nitrogen load for the Central Plains Water irrigation development.

Specifics of these are discussed in other chapters of this report.

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8.3 High level summary: Economic and related impacts

• Land-based industries, including farming, are an important part of the Selwyn District’s economy. The Selwyn economy is strong and has out-performed the Canterbury region as a whole, with agricultural exports making up 90% of the district’s GDP. • Dairying is a significant contributor. In the five years since the ZIP Addendum was completed in 2013, milk solid production has increased by 8.1 Million kg, and jobs in land-related industries increased 866, primarily in dairy product manufacturing. • There is a lack of information on the impacts of tougher nutrient management requirements on farm financial viability but there are some anecdotal indications these effects are being felt.

8.4 Progress in relation to economic and related measures

Comprehensive information on the Selwyn District’s economy, employment and population is provided by Infometrics (https://ecoprofile.infometrics.co.nz/Selwyn%2bDistrict) and forms the basis for this section of the report.

It is difficult to assess the impact of the ZIP Addendum recommendations and the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan on the economy and population of the district as many other factors will also have influenced these. The economic information does, however, reinforce the importance of land-based industries, including farming, to the Selwyn District economy.

8.4.1 Gross Domestic Product (GDP ) The Selwyn economy is strong and has out-performed the Canterbury region as a whole. Different factors have contributed to this: population increase and residential relocation following the 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes, industrial and commercial shift to the south/west sector of Greater Christchurch, and a steady increase in farming productivity. The Selwyn economy continues to be based on farming with agricultural exports making up 90% of the district GDP.

Figure 26 Selwyn District GDP showing year-on-year increase (data from Infometrics)

Many industries have contributed to the GDP growth in Selwyn District. An indication of the contribution from land-based industries (including farming) can be seen in Figure 27 on the contribution to the GDP

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increase from 2013 to 2018 by different industries. Over this period, Dairy Product Manufacturing was the industry that made the greatest single contribution to the growth in GDP (0.67%), ahead of Professional, Scientific & Tech Services (0.44%) and Dairy Cattle Farming (0.40%).

Figure 27: Contribution to GDP growth 2013-18 by land-related industries

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8.4.2 Exports The Selwyn District has an export economy with 97% of GDP from exports in 2018. In contrast, for New Zealand as a whole, only about 30% of GDP is from exports.

Exports share of GDP, 2008 – 2018 (from Infometrics)

In 2018, nearly 90% of the exports were from land-related industries with dairy product manufacturing exports of $1.6 billion making up nearly 80% of exports from the District.

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Figure 28 Exports from land-related industries in Selwyn District 2018 (data from Infometrics)

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8.4.3 Dairying Dairying is a significant contributor to the Selwyn District economy. Dairy cow numbers and milk solids production increased annually until 2015. In the six years since the ZIP Addendum was completed in 2013, dairy cow numbers have increased by 14,160, the area of dairying by 1,407 ha and milk solids production by 8.1 million kilograms.

Revenue from dairy farming contributes to local and regional economies. Dairy farming revenue varies with the payout from dairy companies. The July 2019 quarterly economic report for Selwyn District reports that

“returns for Selwyn dairy farmers are expected to be $438m for the 2018/19 season, down $14m on last season based on a subdued forecast farmgate milk price of $6.30-$6.40/kgMS from Fonterra. Nonetheless, this should be well above break even for most farms, which may support the flow of expenditure into rural towns.”

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Figure 29: Dairy cow numbers, area of dairying, and milk sollids production in Selwyn District (data from Infometrics)

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8.4.4 Employment Land-related industries provide about 23% of the jobs in the District. Dairy cattle farming was the second largest employer with 1,209 jobs in 2018 (5.6% of the jobs in the District), behind Defence with 1,325 jobs (6.2% of the total). In the five years since the ZIP Addendum was completed in 2013, jobs in land- related industries have increased from 4069 to 4935, mainly from the increase in jobs in dairy product manufacturing (Synlait and Fonterra processing plants) and, to a lesser extent, in dairy farming. The number of jobs in other farming sectors decreased. There was a net increase of nearly 4,000 jobs in

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the District over this period with the net increase in jobs in land-related industries contributing 22% of the total. Figure 30 Land-related jobs in Selwyn District 2013 and 2018 (data from Infometrics)

8.4.5 Farm financial viability When developing the recommendations in the ZIP Addendum, the Zone Committee was concerned about the impact of tough nutrient management requirements on farm financial viability. There is limited information available to assess impacts on farm financial viability.

In the preparation of this report bankers were asked if they could provide information on this topic. The bankers commented that it was a challenge to assess the impact of the Plan’s nutrient management requirements as many factors impact on farm financial viability. The bankers suggested that specialist rural accountants (such as Brown Glassford & Co, Alexanders, Lay & Associates) could be asked to provide benchmarking data looking at the change in farm profitability in different locations with different nutrient management requirements. Changes in land value was also suggested as a possible indicator, however, there are many factors that contribute to changes in land values, not just the impact of nutrient management requirements. Anecdotally it has been suggested that land values near Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere have been adversely impacted by the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan requirements.

The Zone Committee heard about the financial impact of the nutrient management requirements on Canlac Holdings at the 01 August 2017 meeting and visited the farm in November 2017. Canlac Holdings is a 348 ha high-performing dairy farm near Dunsandel. Under the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan the farm must reduce nitrogen losses by 30% below their GMP (good management practice) baseline. This is assessed as having a 5% reduction in farm profit. This is line with the modelling that informed the Zone Committee’s development of the ZIP Addendum recommendations, however, it is the result from only one farm.

8.4.6 Central Plains Water The Section 32A Report for the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan refers to a 2013 report by Central Plains Water that estimates the economic gains from the scheme – annual direct and indirect agricultural output and processed output could increase by $592 million per year; the impact on wider economic activity is assessed as approximately $1 to $1.4 billion per year; direct plus indirect employment from the scheme is estimated to increase by about 1130 jobs, 416 of them from the expansion in farm output. A further 714 jobs will come from processing, transport and related off-farm activity; the construction phase was expected to generate 181 jobs and 1777 indirect jobs and generate $325 million in direct benefits and $368 million in indirect benefits.

CPW irrigation development was completed in 2018.

The 2018/19 Annual Sustainability Report by the Central Plains Water Trust reports (p.15) approximately 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in the wider Christchurch region as a result of the scheme. The report also mentions a $592M pa increase in agricultural output, provision of supplementary/backup water supplies for the Springfield and Sheffield communities, growth in rural communities, school rolls, increased business activity and new businesses directly resulting from the scheme operations, and construction of 20 turnouts (connections to the scheme) to provide contingency for rural firefighting. Other positive benefits listed include long-term security of water supply for Shareholders (current consents expire in 2047), reliable irrigation that has supported cultivation of alternative high value crops such as chrysanthemum, hemp, sunflower etc, long-term environmental funding to ecological projects and programmes in the catchment, and the fact that the scheme’s environmental management requirements advantageously positions Shareholders for potential regulatory changes such as the Action for Healthy Waterways policy package.

8.4.7 Irrigation Reliable irrigation increases the productivity of land, increasing economic activity. Detailed estimates of irrigated area in Selwyn District (see Figure 31) are available for 2012 and 2015 from an Aqualinc report of July 2016 for Environment Canterbury – “Irrigation Report / Canterbury detailed irrigated area mapping”.

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Figure 31: Irrigated area in Selwyn District (ha)

The 2015 estimates of irrigated area are likely to include most, though not necessarily all, of CPW Stage 1 development. Irrigated area has increased since 2015 with CPW Stage 2 and Sheffield irrigation developments.

The ZIP Addendum assumed that CPW would provide irrigation water to 60,000 ha, with 30,000 ha of this being dryland that had not previously been irrigated (i.e. new irrigation) and 30,000 ha being to already irrigated land (replacing groundwater takes). CPW irrigation development was completed in 2018, providing irrigation water to 55,000 ha.

See section 3.4.4 and CPW’s 2018-19 Annual Sustainability Report for further detail on hectares irrigated by CPW.

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8.4.8 District and Darfield population For context in this report, this section shows population growth within the zone. The population of Selwyn District has grown quickly over the last eight or so years following the Canterbury earthquakes. Other factors, such as the development of the Fonterra and Synlait factories at Darfield and Dunsandel respectively, will also have contributed to population growth. Darfield, one of the rural towns in the District, has grown at a slower rate than the District overall.

Selwyn District Population (data from Infometrics)

Selwyn District Population (data from Infometrics) Population Annual increase 2010 41,000 3.5% 2011 42,900 4.6% 2012 44,400 3.5% 2013 46,700 5.2% 2014 49,500 6.0% 2015 52,700 6.5% 2016 56,200 6.6% 2017 59,300 5.5% 2018 62,200 4.9%

Darfield population (data from Infometrics) Population Annual increase 2010 2,290 2.2% 2011 2,370 3.5% 2012 2,360 -0.4% 2013 2,500 5.9% 2014 2,580 3.2% 2015 2,630 1.9% 2016 2,720 3.4% 2017 2,840 4.4% 2018 2,900 2.1%

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9 Water Quality — ecosystem health, nutrients, and microbial contaminant limits Relevant CWMS Targets: Environmental Limits, Drinking Water, Kaitiakitanga, Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity, Recreation and Amenity Opportunity

9.1 ZIP Addendum context

The Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee’s ZIP Addendum recommended a package of statutory policies and rules and other non-statutory actions to progress water quality issues and make progress towards achieving the ZIP outcomes.

The ZIP Addendum is clear (p.29) that the lag in the impact of the current (2011 baseline) land-use nitrogen load means things will get worse before they get better.

It is estimated that even if there was no further land-use intensification in the catchment we can expect a 35% increase in the current load of total nitrogen entering the lake in the next 10-20 years because of the effects of current land- use. The current water quality in streams, groundwater and the lake does not reflect the nitrogen load from the current land-use.

The ZIP Addendum also expressed the Zone Committee’s concerns about drinking water (p.31).

The increasing nitrate concentrations in groundwater are not consistent with Ngāi Tahu freshwater objectives. Nor do they achieve the ZIP drinking water outcome. This is not satisfactory, and the Zone Committee wants the situation to be addressed, though it is uncertain how this can be done.

9.2 Selwyn Te Waihora Plan context

The Plan includes limits and outcomes for rivers (Tables 11(k) and 11(a)) and limits for groundwater in relation to: • Nitrate toxicity limits for 28 named waterways/locations rivers; • Suitability for primary contact recreation for 28 named waterways/locations; • Ecological health indicators for 28 named waterways/locations (macrophytes [water weeds], oxygen, temperature, and siltation); • Nitrate-N and E. coli for groundwater.

Environment Canterbury monitors 12 surface water sites for water and habitat quality, 15 sites for Aquatic Ecosystem Health and four sites for primary contact recreation (Figure 32). Data from these monitoring locations have been used to assess progress towards ZIP outcomes.

76 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Reporting progress in implementing the Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum

Figure 32. Location of sites monitored for Water and Habitat Quality, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Recreational Water Quality in the Selwyn Waihora Zone.

9.3 High level summary of findings:

Surface water In the Selwyn Waihora Zone surface water quality monitoring shows that: • Nitrogen concentrations are elevated and increasing especially in the lower catchment but only exceed prescribed limits at three sites. • Phosphorus concentrations in rivers are stable but E. coli is elevated in some streams and increasing in others. • Cyanobacterial growths and E. coli concentrations compromise the swimmability of several sites within the zone. • Ecological health outcomes for algae and temperature are mostly achieved. • Freshwater outcomes for dissolved oxygen, macrophyte growth and particularly fine sediment deposited on the stream bed are often not met. • Macroinvertebrate communities typically did not achieve the freshwater outcomes.

Groundwater In the Selwyn Waihora Zone groundwater water quality monitoring shows that: • Nitrogen concentrations are elevated and increasing in the mid-plains area, but lower adjacent to the alpine rivers and Te Waihora. • Nitrate exceeds the Maximum Allowable Value (MAV) at four sites.

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• E. coli has been detected in approximately 50 % of wells, but only 4 of 62 wells exceeded the proscribed limit.

9.4 Progress on water quality

9.4.1 Current state and trends of nutrients in streams The following section describes the current state and trends of nitrogen concentrations for the Selwyn Waihora zone. Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential nutrients for plant growth and in rivers and streams regulate the occurrence of nuisance algae and macrophyte growths. At high concentrations nitrogen, in the form of nitrate, may be toxic to aquatic life.

Current state (median concentration over five years for a site) is represented by the bars on the graphs. A green arrow represents a decreasing trend, while red represents an increasing trend. Trends were calculated over 10 years. Compliance with plan limits for nitrate are not shown on this plot due to being variable between sites.

Figure 33.State (5 year median) and trend in nitrate-nitrite nitrogen (NNN) for Selwyn Waihora Zone rivers and streams. Nitrogen concentrations were typically greater in the spring-fed lowland streams than those draining hill country (Figure 33). A number of lowland sites show increasing trends and it is of note that two hill-fed sites, Selwyn at Whitecliffs and the Waiāniwaniwa river are also increasing. Nitrogen concentrations show a declining trend in the LII River.

Dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentrations are variable across stream types (Figure 34). Concentrations were the highest in the Waiāniwaniwa River, but also elevated in Boggy Creek and Doyleston Drain. The Selwyn at Whitecliffs had the lowest median concentrations and a reduction in concentration over time, while the Hawkins River showed an increase.

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0.03

0.025

0.02

0.015

DRP (mg/L) 0.01

0.005

0

Figure 34. State (5 year median) and trend in dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) for Selwyn Waihora Zone rivers and streams.

Nitrogen limits

Limits for nitrate concentration have been set, by river type, across the Selwyn Waihora Zone (Table 11k). These limits were designed to protect against toxicity effects of nitrate and accounted for the current state of water quality at the time of plan drafting.

Compliance with the plan is assessed using annual statistics; median and 95th percentile, compared to the stream type limit. Amongst the twelve sites monitored in the zone only three exceeded their respective limit in any year. Boggy Creek and Doyleston Drain exceeded in 2 out of 5 years while Harts Creek exceeded in 4. However, given the increasing trends in nitrate at several sites there are likely to be more exceedances at various sites in the ensuing years.

9.4.2 Suitability for contact recreation

9.4.2.1 Current state and trend of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in streams Suitability for swimming may be influenced by faecal contamination or the occurrence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria. E. coli is used as an indicator of faecal contamination. In the Selwyn Waihora Zone E. coli concentrations are variable across lowland spring-fed and hill-fed streams (Figure 35). Concentrations are greatest in the Waiāniwaniwa River and Boggy Creek. Two sites (Selwyn at Coes Ford and Waikēkēwai Creek) show an increasing trend in E. coli concentration.

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800 700 600 500 400 300 200 E.coli (MPN/100mL) 100 E 0 . c o l i

Figure 35. State (5 year median) and trend in E. coli for Selwyn Waihora Zone rivers and streams.

9.4.2.2 Comparison with National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (E. coli criteria) The National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 (NPS-FM 2020) has an attribute table for E. coli (Table 9 in NPS-FM 2020 Appendix 2A) that sets four different criteria for E. coli concentrations to meet to achieve suitability for recreational contact. All four criteria must be met for a site to be deemed swimmable. Note, some criteria have a joint attribute state i.e. a median concentration less than 130 E. coli/100mL stretches across A to C bands, while a 95th percentile of greater than 1200 E. coli/100mL stretches across both the D and E bands.

In the Selwyn Waihora Zone most sites exceed the D or E band thresholds for median or 95th percentile criteria, despite meeting the criteria for A, B or C attribute bands based on the percentage of samples exceeding either 540 or 260 E. coli/100 mL (Table 9).

Waikirikiri / Selwyn River at Whitecliffs and Hawkins River both meet the C band indicating for at least half of the time, the estimated risk of infection from contact with the water is 3% or less. Kaituna River, Huritini / Halswell River, Boggy Creek, Doyleston Drain and Harts Creek consistently exceeded the E or D-E band across all E. coli criteria. This indicates an increased infection risk from faecal bacteria and pathogens when in contact with the water at these sites.

Table 9. Comparison of E. coli values from Selwyn Waihora Zone sites with the NPS-FM 2020 attribute table for E. coli)

Samples exceeding Samples exceeding 95th Site Name Median 540 MPN/100mL (%) 260 MPN/100mL (%) percentile

Waikirikiri/Selwyn - Whitecliffs 7% 12% 53.5 688 Waiāniwaniwa 53% 75% 579 2420 Hawkins River 9% 20% 91 907.25 Kaituna River 42% 55% 291 2116.2 Huritini / Halswell River 44% 81% 488 1986 LII River 8% 31% 147 1439.15 Waikirikiri/Selwyn - Coes Ford 12% 25% 175.5 1643

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Boggy Creek 74% 89% 727 2224.7 Doyleston Drain 37% 63% 308 2420 Harts Creek 32% 61% 299 2110.85 Lee River 8% 29% 142 727 Waikēkēwai Creek 12% 27% 86 2420

NPS-FM 2020 attribute state A B C D E A-C D-E

9.4.2.3 Cyanobacteria at recreation sites The occurrence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms can impact the swimmability of a site. Four swimming sites on the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River are monitored for cyanobacteria blooms during the swimming season. Cyanobacteria algae grow on the bed of the river. A public health warning or Action Status is notified either if there is greater than 50% cover, or if there is greater than 20% cover and mats are detaching from the bed of the river.

While there is significant variation from year to year due to climatic factors, swimming sites on the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River frequently exceed cyanobacteria guidelines designed to prevent exposure to toxins. In total across the 2014 and 2019 swimming season there were 75 days in Action Status.

9.4.3 Freshwater outcomes in the Selwyn Waihora Zone Freshwater outcomes for rivers are detailed in Table 11(a) of the plan. Table 11(a) contains outcomes for Cyanobacterial cover and E. coli., but these topics have already been covered in section 9.4.2 and so are omitted from this section. The remaining outcomes pertain to ecological health, such as the growth of algae or the availability of oxygen in the water.

Table 10 shows the extent to which sites meet the criteria for each freshwater outcome. Temperatures are for the most part better than the prescribed outcome, but dissolved oxygen levels have consistently dropped below the required level at several sites, notably the Waiāniwaniwa River, Hawkins River and Waikēkēwai Creek. Excessive water weed (macrophyte) growths were observed to occur regularly in the LII River, Lee River and Waikēkēwai Creek. Algal growth met the outcomes in all monitored streams except for the Waikirikiri / Selwyn River at Coes Ford and Doyleston Drain. A greater issue for ecological health is the occurrence of fine sediment on the stream bed. All monitored sites exceeded the freshwater outcome on at least two out of five years and several sites consistently exceeded.

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Table 10: Summary table of LWRP Freshwater Outcomes Nitrate Toxicity DO % Total Emergent Cyanobacteria Nitrate Toxicity Temperature Sediment - 95th Periphyton (over 5 years) Saturation Macrophytes Macrophytes mats - median percentile Site Name No. of years LWRP freshwater outcomes not met over 5 years LWRP Limit Measure

Selwyn - Whitecliffs 0 0 No Limit Set No Limit Set 1 2 0 0 80% of samples <30 98% Waiāniwaniwa 0 5 No Limit Set No Limit Set 0 5 0 0 80% of samples <30 83% Hawkins River 0 5 No Limit Set No Limit Set 0 5 0 0 80% of samples <30 100% Kaituna River 2 4 No Limit Set No Limit Set 1 5 0 0 Max cover <20 10 Huritini / Halswell River 0 1 1 0 0 5 0 0 Max cover <20 10 LII River 0 4 5 0 0 5 0 0 No Limit Set Waikirikiri / Selwyn River 1 2 0 1 0 2 - Coes Ford 0 0 95% of samples <30 95% Boggy Creek 0 3 3 3 0 5 2 N/A 95% of samples <30 100% Doyleston Drain 1 3 3 4 0 4 2 N/A 90% of samples <30 72% Harts Creek 0 0 4 1 0 4 4 0 Max cover <20 2 Waikēkēwai Creek 0 5 5 5 0 5 0 0 80% of samples <30 97% Lee River 0 1 5 3 0 5 0 0 No Limit Set No. of years LWRP freshwater outcomes not met over 0 of 5 1 of 5 2 of 5 3 of 5 4 of 5 5 of 5 5 years

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The ultimate measure of stream health is an assessment of the macroinvertebrate community. Table 11(a) stipulates a minimum Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index (QMCI) score to be achieved at each site and by river type. Table 11 lists the sites monitored for QMCI, the QMCI score to be exceeded and the proportion of samples that must exceed. Only one site, Birdlings Brook, consistently met the freshwater outcome for QMCI and several sites did not meet the outcome on any occasion. Table 11. QMCI compliance with freshwater outcomes.

% % samples samples to meet that met LWRP LWRP LWRP Site Name Objective Objective Objective Waikirikiri / Selwyn River - Whitecliffs 5 80% 60% Waireka/Waiāniwaniwa River 5 60% 0% Hawkins River - Deans Rd 5 80% 33% Kaituna Stream - Upper 6 100% 40% Prices Stream - Upper 6 100% 0% Kaituna Stream - Lower 5 100% 0% Prices Stream - Lower 5 100% 0% Silverstream 5 80% 40% Waikirikiri / Selwyn River - Coes Ford 5 80% 40% Hanmer Road Drain 5 80% 0% Boggy Creek 5 80% 20% Harts Creek - Lochheads Rd 5 80% 0% Birdlings Brook - Lochheads Rd 5 80% 100% Waikēkēwai Creek 5 80% 0% Jollies Brook South Branch 5 80% 0%

9.4.4 Current state of nitrogen in groundwater

Nitrate nitrogen concentrations Concentrations of nitrate in groundwater vary spatially across the Selwyn Waihora Zone. Figure 36 shows annual maximum nitrate concentration for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 for all monitoring wells screened less than 50 m below the water table (criterion specified by the LWRP), plotted by well location. The Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand set a Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) of 11.3 mg/L nitrate nitrogen for the protection of bottle-fed infants from methemoglobinemia. The MAV is set for short term consumption, so we compare maximum recorded concentrations, rather than long-term average concentrations, to the MAV. Nitrate concentrations are generally: • Lower around the margins of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and also adjacent to the alpine rivers (Waimakariri in the north and Rakaia in the south) • Higher in the mid-plains area away from any rivers. • Higher than the MAV at four monitoring sites: Te Pirita, Darfield, Bankside and Killinchy. • Lower in deeper groundwater.

The background to Figure 36 shows the latest (2018) nitrate risk map based on all measured nitrate concentrations in groundwater. A high-risk zone around Greendale marks an area where a 2015 investigation found several nearby wells exceed the MAV. Low risk areas occur along the alpine rivers

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and around lake margins because of river seepage losses, denitrification and upwelling of deep groundwater that are likely to keep nitrate concentrations low in the shallow groundwater.

Figure 36 Annual maximum nitrate concentration for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 for all monitoring wells screened less than 50 m below the water table.

In the Selwyn Waihora Zone a limit of 8.5 mg/L nitrate nitrogen has been set for groundwater in Table 11(m). This limit applies to the 5-year annual average concentration measured across all wells in shallow groundwater (less than 50 m below the water table). The following graph shows these 5-year annual average concentrations over time compared to various limits and thresholds.

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Figure 37 5-year annual average concentrations across wells in the Selwyn Waihora Zone. The annual average nitrate concentration in groundwater has decreased slightly in recent years. 2015 and 2016 were very dry, especially through the winters and low groundwater recharge is considered to have caused lower than average water levels and nitrate concentrations across the Canterbury Region. The most recent 5-year (2014–2018) annual average nitrate concentration is below the limit and currently at 50% of the Maximum Acceptable Value for drinking-water.

9.4.5 Nitrate in groundwater trends Trends in groundwater nitrate concentrations have been calculated using 10 years of data from 2009 to 2018. Overall, more wells (54%) show increasing trends in nitrate concentration than decreasing trends (29%). About one fifth of the wells show no trend. For those wells with very likely worsening trends, the rate of increase in nitrate concentrations over the past 10 years ranged from about 1 to 6% of the mean concentration per year. Wells with very likely improving trends were decreasing in nitrate concentrations by around 3 to 4% per year, in general.

Nitrate trend data are summarised in Figure 29. The spatial pattern is similar to the nitrate concentration map with improving trends mainly in the foothill areas, along the alpine rivers and Kaitorete spit and worsening trends in the central and lower plains. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater appear to be both worsening and improving around the Lincoln/Broadfield area. The improving trends are generally occurring in very shallow wells while the worsening trends are in deeper groundwater (see map inset).

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Figure 38: Groundwater nitrate trends in the Selwyn Waihora Zone

9.4.6 E. coli in groundwater Groundwater in the Selwyn Waihora Zone is vulnerable to faecal contamination, especially where the water table is shallow, the groundwater is unconfined and there are discharges of human wastewater, animal effluent and grazing animals on the land. E. coli bacteria are used as an indicator that faecal microorganisms have entered the water.

The Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand set a Maximum Acceptable Value of less than 1 microorganism per 100 millilitres of water for E. coli.

The catchment limit for E. coli in groundwater is a median concentration of <1 organism per 100 millilitres measured over the length of the record (Table 11(m) of the LWRP). Around 50% of the wells we monitor have had one or more detections of E. coli bacteria present over the length of record (Figure 39). Note that the length of record differs by well, with the oldest E. coli records dating back to 1998. Only 4 of the 62 monitoring wells in the catchment where more than five E. coli samples have been taken have a median concentration above the limit. These wells with E. coli present in more than half of the samples are shallow, ranging from 7.6m to 24.4m deep.

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Figure 39 Median E. coli concentration in groundwater wells in the Selwyn Waihora Zone.

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10 Conclusion

This report was requested by the 2019 Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee – they are the primary audience. The report is a collation of existing information about projects, actions and outcomes that are underway as part of the Solutions Package described in the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee’s 2013 ZIP Addendum. This work is undertaken by a wide range of organisations including Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council, Te Waihora Co-Governors, rūnanga, private landowners, and a wide variety of NGOs, Government Departments and community groups.

The aim of the report is to enable the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee to assess progress within the zone and to identify their priorities for the next 1-3 years. The report is not a review of the Selwyn Waihora sub-regional chapter of the LWRP, nor does it assess whether every recommendation in the ZIPA or CWMS target has been achieved or answer the complex question of whether the CWMS is ‘working’.

There is work underway across all the ‘pathways’ identified in the ZIP Addendum, though some of these projects have only just begun. Environmental monitoring is showing outcomes that remain, as predicted, of concern, especially for Te Waihora, and for nitrogen concentrations in the central and lower catchment.

The Selwyn Waihora sub-regional chapter of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan incorporated a large proportion of the recommendations in the ZIP Addendum. These recommendations are now rules and are being implemented and monitored by the Regional Council. Some of the rules are yet to come into effect.

It is envisaged that the Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee and others working in the catchment will use this report to identify priorities for further work. The high-level summaries at the start of each chapter show a mix of positive work and progress and concerning trends or areas where there is more work to do. As the Zone Committee expressed in its 2013 ZIP Addendum, a very significant work programme is required, along with strong leadership, to implement this solutions package.

There remain some information gaps including the extent and effectiveness of riparian margins within the zone, current catchment Nitrogen loads, in-depth information on what changes farmers are making as a result of their Farm Environment Plans, information on how well farm viability is maintained and economic impact of changes, and a full picture of how much funding has been spent and an analysis of where else it is needed and where it might come from.

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11 Acknowledgements Reporting progress on the multi-generational Canterbury Water Management Strategy is complex. The Zone Committees are one of many groups and agencies helping to guide, implement and monitor the strategy. This is the first time a comprehensive report has been attempted to help a zone committee assess progress and the task has not been simple.

The context within which the CWMS targets and ZIP Addendum were written, within the first ten years of a long-term strategy, meant that concise measurable milestones and outcomes were often not identified. It is envisaged that the next ten years of the CWMS will require Zone Committees to turn the innovative and strategic ideas within their ZIPS and ZIPAs into more measurable 3 yearly milestones within zone committee Action Plans. The CWMS targets will continue to be reported on a regional basis.

We wish to thank the many individuals from within Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council and other groups including Central Plains Water Ltd and some zone committee members who have given substantial time to this project. Your contributions, feedback and commitment have been greatly appreciated. A special thanks to long-term Selwyn Waihora Zone Facilitator Ian (Whit) Whitehouse who got this project going before he retired, and to Dr David Painter who peer reviewed the draft report.

We apologise for any errors or information gaps within this report. The report is intended to be used as a working document for the Zone Committee.

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12 References Canterbury Mayoral Forum. (2009). Canterbury Water Management Strategy. Strategic Framework – November 2009. With updated targets, provisional July 2010. Canterbury Water.

Central Plains Water Limited. (2019) Annual Report. For the year ended 30 June 2019. https://www.CPW.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019-Annual-Report.pdf

Central Plains Water Trust. (2018) Annual Sustainability Report 2017-18. http://cpw.org.nz/wp- content/uploads/Annual%20CPWT%20Sustainability%20Report%202017_18.pdf

Central Plains Water Trust. (2019) Annual Sustainability Report 2018 – 19. http://cpw.org.nz/wp- content/uploads/Annual%20CPWT%20Sustainability%20Report%202018_19.pdf

Dairy NZ. 2018. Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord – Five years on.

Environment Canterbury Regional Council. (2015). Canterbury Water Management Strategy Targets Progress Report June 2015.

Environment Canterbury Regional Council. (2017). Canterbury Water Management Strategy. Targets Progress Report.

Environment Canterbury Regional Council. (2019). Canterbury Water Management Strategy. Targets Progress Report.

Environment Canterbury Regional Council (2020). Mahinga Kai: an overview of agenda items and discussions. Looking into zone committee agendas, minutes, discussions and analyse themes associated with mahinga kai and upcoming fit for future goals/targets. R20/22 PU1C/8701

Ministry for the Environment. (2018) Climate Change Projections for New Zealand: Atmosphere Projections Based on Simulations from the IPCC Fifth Assessment, 2nd Edition. Wellington: Ministry for the Environment

NIWA (2019). Climate change projections for the Canterbury Region.

Research First (2019). Environment Canterbury Mahinga Kai Research Report. July 2019.

Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee. (2011) Zone Implementation Programme. Report No. R11/106, Environment Canterbury.

Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee. (2013) Selwyn Waihora ZIP Addendum. Report No. R13/92, Environment Canterbury

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13 List of acronyms

ANG South Island tuna/eel stocks as managed by Ministry of Primary Industries BPCT Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust CBS Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy (Environment Canterbury) CLVMA Cultural Landscape Values Management Area (in Canterbury’s Land and Water Regional Plan) CPW Central Plains Water Ltd CWMS Canterbury Water Management Strategy DOC Department of Conservation DRP Dissolved reactive phosphorus ECan Environment Canterbury E. coli Escherichia coli bacteria EMF Environmental Management Fund of Central Plains Water Ltd ESAI Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture Inc FEP Farm Environment Plan GDP Gross Domestic Product GMP Good Management Practice IMS Immediate Steps Biodiversity (Environment Canterbury funding for biodiversity that Zone Committees make recommendations for projects to finance) IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change LFE Long-finned eel stocks LINZ Land Information New Zealand LSR Land Surface Recharge LWRP Land and Water Regional Plan (Environment Canterbury) MALF 7 day Mean Annual Low Flow, an average of the annual lowest consecutive 7-day flows in a period of years MAV Maximum Allowable Value MFE Ministry for the Environment mg/L Milligrams per litre MPN/100ml Most Probable Number per 100 millilitres NIWA National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand NPS National Policy Statement NRRP Natural Resources Regional Plan, Environment Canterbury P Phosphorus PC (#) Plan Change followed by the relevant Plan Number QEII Queen Elizabeth II National Trust – Independent charitable trust that partners with private landowners to protect sites on their land with covenants QMCI Quantitative Macroinvertebrate Community Index SDC Selwyn District Council SFE Short-finned eel stocks SH1 State Highway 1 SNEF Selwyn Natural Environment Fund (Selwyn District Council) TACC Total Allowable Commercial Catch TLI Trophic Level Index TN Total Nitrogen

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TP Total Phosphorus TSA Targeted Stream Augmentation WET Waihora Ellesmere Trust ZIP Zone Implementation Programme (Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee) ZIPA Zone Implementation Programme Addendum (Selwyn Waihora Zone Committee)

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Appendix 1: Selwyn Waihora Zone Biodiversity projects supported by Immediate Steps funding (IMS)

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Appendix 2: Selwyn Waihora Zone: QEII covenant registrations during period 2012-2019

QEII Property Environment Type Date Area (ha) Co-funded covenant registered by ECan reference

5/11/273 Wilson - Old Taitapu Banks Pen’ Podocarp forest 08/03/2013 5.6267 No forest

5/11/274 Otarama Plains Forest, wetland 31/07/2012 2.3005 No

5/11/291 Lochaber Downs Foothills Scrub, wetland 13/01/2015 4.6156 No

5/11/297 Snowdon Montane Scrub, wetland, stream 19/08/2014 15.893 Yes

5/11/318 Snowdon Montane Tussock, wetland 11/09/2014 3.2980 No

5/11/320 Ringwood Farm Foothills Forest, scrub, stream 14/01/2015 11.495 No

5/11/321 Ringwood Farm Foothills Tussock, wetland 13/01/2015 4.3256 No

5/11/326 - Montane Scrub, tussock 20/06/2016 10.507 No

5/11/337 High Peak Montane Wetland 05/10/2016 3.4340 Yes

5/11/342 High Peak Montane Scrub, wetland 05/10/2016 49.732 Yes

5/11/379 The Point Montane Forest, stream 02/04/2019 2.1245 Yes

5/11/380 Round Top Montane Forest, scrub, stream 02/04/2019 4.28 Yes

5/11/381 Long Spur Montane Forest, scrub, stream 02/04/2019 1.96 Yes

This table does not include any pre-registration (proposed or approved) QEII covenants, some of which may be receiving Environment Canterbury support.

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Appendix 3: Total extent of the fourteen most extensive wetland vegetation types around Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere surveyed in 2017.

Wetland habitat and ‘nativeness’ of the vegetation are noted

Vegetation Total Exotic Native Mixed Area ha Area ha Area ha Area ha Saltmarsh herbfield (brackish wetland; native and 1,946 0 1,518 428 mixed native-exotic) Saltmarsh grassland (brackish wetland; exotic and 925 185 0 740 mixed native-exotic)

Marsh ribbonwood shrubland (brackish wetland; 333 0 264 69 native and mixed native-exotic)

Freshwater wetland grassland (freshwater wetlands; 284 139 0 145 exotic and mixed native-exotic)

Three square reedland (brackish wetland; native and 283 0 116 167 mixed native-exotic)

Sea rush rushland (brackish wetland; native and 250 0 176 74 mixed native-exotic)

Sparsely vegetated (brackish wetland; native and 199 6 184 9 mixed native-exotic)

Willow forest and treeland (freshwater wetland; 130 109 0 21 exotic and mixed native-exotic)

Raupo reedland (freshwater wetland; native) 49 0 38 11 Native freshwater wetland rushland (freshwater 26 0 4 22 wetland; native and mixed native-exotic)

Bog rush tussockland (freshwater wetland; native 19 0 4 14 and mixed native-exotic)

Harakeke flaxland (freshwater wetland; native) 17 0 12 4 Freshwater sedgeland (freshwater wetland; mixed 15 0 11 4 native-exotic)

Carex secta tussockland (freshwater wetland; native 10 0 8 2 and mixed native-exotic)

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Appendix 4: Living Water — Ararira-LII River catchment programme

Living Water - Ararira/LII sub-catchment, Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere (also includes Silverstream in Waikirikiri / Selwyn River catchment)

Year Name of site Project aim Area Waterway /location (ha) length (m) 2014/2015 Yarrs Flat Wildlife Wetland rehabilitation aimed at 1.75 0 Reserve. stimulating ongoing DOC and DOC community investment 2014/2015 Silverstream Support for CAREX project in 1.06 212 wetland. Waikirikiri / Selwyn River catchment. Five Springs Farm Application of waterway rehabilitation tools. 2015/2016 Tārerekautuku/Yarrs Weed control aimed at stimulating 1.41 0 Lagoon. Selwyn ongoing Selwyn District Council District Council investment in wetland rehabilitation 2015/2016 Yarrs Flat Wildlife Wetland rehabilitation aimed at 53.73 0 Reserve. stimulating ongoing DOC investment DOC 2015/2016 Tārerekautuku/Yarrs Weed control aimed at stimulating 0.92 0 Lagoon. Selwyn ongoing Selwyn District Council District Council investment in wetland rehabilitation and reserve management for improved freshwater ecosystem outcomes 2015/2016 Silverstream Support for CAREX project in 0.98 832 Restoration. Waikirikiri / Selwyn River catchment. Five Springs Farm Application of waterway rehabilitation tools. 2015/2016 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.08 93 Ararira River main enhance freshwater ecosystem channel health. Creation of riparian buffer to minimise impact of surface run-off and enhance riparian biodiversity. 2016/2017 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.09 165 Constructed wetland enhance freshwater ecosystem health. Constructed wetland to treat surface run-off and protect springs. 2016/2017 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.04 65 Drain planting enhance freshwater ecosystem health. Sustainable drain management 2016/2017 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.19 220 Spring head and enhance freshwater ecosystem waterway health. Spring protection and sustainable drain management 2016/2017 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.15 325 Drain planting enhance freshwater ecosystem health. Sustainable drain management 2016/2017 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.48 380 Spring head and enhance freshwater ecosystem waterway health. Spring protection and sustainable drain management

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Year Name of site Project aim Area Waterway /location (ha) length (m) 2017/2018 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.43 450 Goulds Road enhance freshwater ecosystem waterway. health. Spring protection and Waikirikiri / Selwyn sustainable drain management River catchment 2017/2018 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.50 415 East Maddisons enhance freshwater ecosystem Road health. Spring protection and waterway/springs sustainable drain management 2017/2018 Powells Road Stage Sustainable drain management and 0.09 140 1. habitat enhancement Selwyn District Council 2017/2018 Fonterra Farm. Accelerate sustainable dairying and 0.32 80 Days Road spring enhance freshwater ecosystem health. Spring protection and sustainable drain management 2018/2019 Powells Road Stage Sustainable drain management and 0.28 360 2. habitat enhancement Selwyn District Council 2018/2019 Powells Road - Sustainable drain management and 0.64 950 lower. habitat enhancement Selwyn District Council 63.15 3737

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Appendix 5: Further tables and figures for Chapter 6 ‘Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere rehabilitation and lake health’

Figure 40 Turbidity at Timberyard Point and behind the wave barrier, Jan 2015-July 2019

Figure 41 Secchi depth at Timberyard Point and behind the wave barrier, Jan 2015-July 2019.

Figure 42 Secchi depth at Kaituna Lagoon and mid-lake site, Jan 2015-July 2019

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Figure 43 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, mid-lake

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Figure 44 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, off Timberyard Point

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Figure 45 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, off Selwyn Mouth. Please note TP of 1800 µg/L in August 2012 was removed from graph

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Figure 46 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, Taumutu

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Figure 47 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Lake Ellesmere, Kaituna Lagoon

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Figure 48 TLI and components (plus turbidity) as annual averages and scatterplots, 2009-2019, Coopers Lagoon

Figure 49 De-seasonalised trend analysis for mid-lake site (Lake Ellesmere)

Table 12 Health warnings for Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere from 2012-2019

2012-2013 Te Waihora/Lake Action Date Reason Ellesmere Action trigger first Picocyanobacteria > 1.8 mm3/L 16/08/2012* exceeded at two sites Notified CPH & CCC 24/01/2013 CDHB media release 25/01/2013

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Consecutive Picocyanobacteria < 1.8 mm3/L results below 7/02/2013* two consecutive samples Action mode Notified CPH & CCC 27/02/2013 CDHB media release 27/02/2013

2013-2014 Te Waihora/Lake Action Date Reason Ellesmere Action trigger first 14/01/2014 Picocyanobacteria > 1.8 mm3/L exceeded Notified CPH & CCC 4/02/2014 CDHB media release 5/02/2014 Lake still in action mode, only Notified CPH to downgrade to 30/07/2014 picocyano present, zero fortnightly sampling Anaebaena/Nodularia

2017-2019 Te Waihora/Lake Action Date Reason Ellesmere Two consecutive Advised CPH and TAs results below (Suggested downgrade to 30/08/2017 Action mode alert level) CPH decided to change signs but keep warning in place (i.e. 1/09/2017 no press release issued) Two consecutive Advised CPH and TAs All samples < 0.5 mm3/L in two results below Alert 9/10/2017 Warning removed consecutive runs mode Reached alert Advised CPH and Tas. No Above alert level (non-toxic 2/11/2017 level warning issued species) Reached action Above trigger level (non-toxic Notified CPH & CCC 24/12/2017 level -> warning species, Merismopedia) CDHB media release 25/12/2017

Table 13 Commercial Tuna and Pātiki catch 2013 – 2019, including Te Waihora

Year Tuna/short-finned eel catch (kg) Pātiki/flounder catch (kg) 2013/14 122,000 39,939 2014/15 119,000 58,627 2015/16 109,000 121,517 2016/17 118,000 24,452 2017/18 148,807 11,718 2018/19 75,282

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106 Environment Canterbury Technical Report Facilitating sustainable development in the Canterbury region www.ecan.govt.nz

Environment Canterbury offices

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Report number: R20/63 © Environment Canterbury 2020

Cover photo: Lake Coleridge