CONFIRMED

Minutes of the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board 132ND Meeting, 3 May 2013, Bowling Club, Karamea 8.15am

Present: Stewart Robertson (Chairperson) Dr Clare Backes Doug Baker Dr Mike Legge Terry Scott Kim Thomas Paula Sheridan

In Attendance: Chris Hickford (Community Support Manager) Mary-Anne Thorpe (Board Support Officer) *Bob Dickson (Area Manager Buller) * Denotes partial attendance

S Robertson welcomed Board members to the meeting in Karamea and thanked them for putting in such a long day on the previous day’s field inspection (2 May).

S Robertson reflected on the difficult time DOC staff were going through personally with the DOC restructuring and said that staff had the full support of the Board.

The meeting was adjourned at 10am for morning tea and reconvened at 10.15am. Lunch was taken between 12.30pm and 12.50pm. The Board continued into the afternoon with the meeting concluding at 2.06pm.

1.0 Apologies Apologies were received from Jane Jones, Kori Hutana, Gerry McSweeney and Mike Slater.

“Moved that apologies be sustained.” Kim Thomas/Mike Legge Carried unanimously

2.0 Agenda Confirmation, Timetable and Declarations of Conflict of Interest Additional letter to ratify – Bach application - Barber Chairperson advised that at 9.30am Bob Dickson Buller Kawatiri Area Manager would give an overview on the Departments work in the Buller Area

K Thomas declared a conflict of interest on issues regarding Denniston, Cascade Coal and Buller Coal/Bathurst Resources Ltd.

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Conflict of interest documents circulated by Nelson Marlborough were discussed and West Coast Board decided to continue with its present arrangements.

P Sheridan had a possible conflict with a submission on the Westland National Park Management Plan Review from the Franz Community Group and advised that this submission had been requested to be withdrawn by the writer.

P Sheridan tabled a letter from B Reay regarding his fishing concession in Westland National Park. C Backes, as concessions committee chair will look into this issue. Action: C Backes

S Robertson advised Board he had been emailed by a bus operator, re non— response from the Director General to a letter suggesting a levy on campervans so they could park in DOC carparks. Since he made contact with the Board, he has received a reply from the Minister. Board to acknowledge. Action: S Robertson

3.0 Confirmation of Minutes from 15 February 2013 meeting Confirmation of the unconfirmed minutes.

Resolution: “That the minutes of the meeting of 15 February 2013, having been previously circulated to the full Board, be confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting, subject to any corrections.” T Scott/M Legge Carried unanimously

Note: The confirmed minutes, once confirmed are posted on the Board’s webpage.

4.0 Matters Arising Follow up on actions from previous meeting: Westpower – Waitaha Hydro - nothing further to report.

Resolution: “Moved that letter to DOC West Coast and letter to NZCA re Denniston Plateau; letter to PF Olsen on renewal of FSC chemical derogation, and letter to Minister of Conservation re DOC Changes all be ratified.” M Legge/D Baker Carried unanimously

5.0 Chairperson’s Report – S Robertson S Robertson said it had been an extremely busy time between meetings. He thanked the DOC for working so well with the Board and thanked Board members for their support to meet deadlines etc. which was much appreciated. A

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group meeting was held prior to NZCA visit in April and proved extremely useful.

S Robertson had contacted 10 out of 13 Board Chairs regarding the changes within DOC. Of these only two indicated that they were unlikely to express concern about the proposed changes. All the other chairs replied that they would take it up with their Boards to respond. This information was conveyed to NZCA in Hokitika on 10th April.

S Robertson thanked C Backes and D Baker for agreeing to remain on the Board until new members had been appointed.

6.0 Correspondence Correspondence Schedule

Resolution: “That the inwards correspondence be received and the outwards approved.” C Backes/P Sheridan Carried unanimously

7.0 Statutory Planning

7.1 CMS Progress Report C Hickford advised J Jones, J Lyall and C Hickford had arranged to get together for a meeting but this was delayed by the announcement of the restructure. They decided to postpone meeting until there was more clarity on the new DOC structure. Other conservancies are currently working through their CMS review processes. M Legge asked if Board could get a draft of the CMS report before next meeting. Action: C Hickford/BSO

7.3 Conservation Services Programme – M Legge M Legge told Board about this programme whereby fisheries pay for research on seabirds, seals etc. and DOC charge a levy. He said the West Coast is un- monitored, with limited data available. He would like to see increased observer days, especially on the West Coast. After general discussion, M Legge was asked to write a submission, as was done last year. Action: M Legge

7.4 Westland National Park Management Plan Review S Robertson and M Legge were part of the hearing panel for the Plan review and gave the members an update on the hearing and process to date.

Motion “Moved that the Board delegate authority to M Legge and S Robertson to work with the Department on the wording of the Westland National Park Management Plan Draft Review, and report back to the Board as necessary.” C Backes/D Baker Carried unanimously

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P Sheridan suggested social media could be used to more effect in informing and involving younger people about matters such as management plan reviews.

Resolution: “That letter to DOC National Office on the West Coast National Park Management Plan Partial Review Process be ratified.” K Thomas/M Legge Carried unanimously

7.5 Overdue review of Paparoa National Park Management Plan C Hickford advised that there was no change to the plans that had been previously advised. The intention is to complete CMS documents nationally, then in 2014 work on reviewing the outstanding Management Plans will commence. Management Plans must be consistent with CMS’s so to achieve this consistency the CMS’s will need to be completed first.

8.0 Conservation Advice Conflict of interest – see 2.0 K Thomas.

8.1.1 The Board discussed proposed changes to Cypress mine conditions which Solid Energy New Zealand (SENZ) requested, i.e. asking if they could delay the starting date for predator control work on the kiwi management plan. Council wrote asking Board to expand on its reasons for their opposition to which Board replied. There has been no correspondence since.

8.1.3 Concessions and Access Arrangements Overview C Backes stated that her term with the Board ends 30.6.13 and someone is needed for the role of Concessions Chairperson. This matter was deferred to 13.0 Administration.

The Board is having trouble getting these final reports to the decision maker. The Board give advice on concession applications and would like to see their advice incorporated into final report. C Hickford will follow up with the Permissions/SLM Manager to ensure that the Board receives these reports as agreed. Action: C Hickford

8.1.4 Allocation of Concessions by type around the Shared Services Centres The Board are receiving significantly less concession applications to give their advice on. C Backes received details of how concessions have been allocated to Shared Service Centres around the country. While aircraft, boating, marine mammal, ski fields, WARO concessions are all now processed in Canterbury, the West Coast process events, extraction, grazing, mining, structures and vehicle.

C Backes asked if the Board would still be consulted on aircraft and marine mammals even though these concessions are processed in Canterbury.

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C Hickford replied that SLM/Mining/Concessions work is undertaken by staff based in the Shared Service Centres however if the concession application was located on the West Coast then Board advice would be sought consistent with the agreed triggers for consultation. The mining application work for New Zealand is processed in Hokitika as the bulk, but not all of, mining occurring public conservation land is on the West Coast. Any issues the Board have should be directed to Judi Brennan, the Permission/SLM Manager for the Hokitika Centre.

Board will receive regular Fortnightly Concessions Reports which makes them aware of any applications to be processed etc.

One member asked about the signing off of letters. As discussed at previous meetings, the Chairperson of specific committee are authorised to sign off letters.

8.1.5 Proposed new process for Board advice on concessions Dunedin (circulated 18.2.13) – this document was a proposed process Southland Board was looking at adopting and the Board need not reply.

The application for a bach concession by Barber was received. This is a residential occupation and the applicants have lived here for many years. They want a term of 30 years, so application will have to be notified.

Resolution: “That letters to Solid Energy New Zealand and Buller District Council re proposed changes to Cypress Mine conditions; letter to DOC re Buller Coal Limited Access Arrangement EP 40628, EP 51078 and Barber bach application be ratified. C Backes/M Legge Carried unanimously

8.2 Land exchanges, disposals, revocations etc NZCA had enquired about land at Waiho, Franz Josef not yet added to National Park. The response from DOC was that no resources were available. C Hickford said that SLM staff were mostly working on treaty settlement work which was taking priority at present.

C Backes to draft letter to Minister and NZCA re legalisation for land to be gazetted. Action: C Backes

Resolution: “That letters to DOC re proposed road widening of southern approach to Fox River bridge, and letter to DOC on revocation of SPA and disposal application Garvey Creek, be ratified. K Thomas/M Legge Carried unanimously

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9.0 General Business

9.1 Consideration of any matters arising from public forum H Macbeth addressed the Board with his concern about West Coast Regional Council resource consent application (to itself) to do further excavation of Blackwater Creek into the Otumahana Estuary. M Legge expressed surprise that the application had not been publicly notified and suggested that as a Karamea ratepayer, H Macbeth should be able to address river protection with the council.

Mr Macbeth said that he understood that the Area Manager had said DOC had concerns about a new consent, but was happy with the existing consent.

Mr Macbeth also talked about a walking track in the area of the Oparara Arches.

The Board thanked Mr Macbeth for the information he gave and asked the Department to keep them informed of the Otumahana Estuary matter.

The Board agreed to write to the WCRC requesting wider consultation and more information on the resource consent application. Action: S Robertson

9.2 NZ Conservation Authority Visit and update S Robertson gave a verbal report on the NZCA visit, which was a very positive experience. Along with C Backes and P Sheridan he accompanied the NZCA party on their field trip to Franz Josef on 10th April. He and C Backes attended a working dinner that same evening where the proposed changes to DOC were discussed.

The following day, C Backes and S Robertson attended the NZCA meeting in Hokitika and were encouraged to see the Authority agreeing to write to the Director General about the proposed DOC changes.

9.3 Buller Area Overview S Robertson welcomed R Dickson Area Manager to meeting. The Buller area covers a long and large mass of land, employing 30 permanent staff based at , Westport and Karamea. The focus is on visitor work in Punakaiki and Karamea, and track and bridge improvements in the Heaphy. Oparara Basin always has access challenges and is on a maintenance schedule, with no new work planned other than improving access to the main arch. Numbers walking the Wangapeka Track have declined over the years. It is a rugged and challenging track, and difficult to keep open. Buller and Nelson staff are working together with the aim to reclassify Wangapeka from a track to a route.

Denniston Brakehead – staff are looking at ways to attract more visitors and will be implementing a destination management plan. The Area proposes to replace the viewing platforms at with one large platform.

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The Area manages eight back country huts, with the Forks Hut recently being refurbished. They are investigating possibilities of outside groups managing the huts, with an on-line booking system to be organised for the Old Ghost Road cycleway. This would advise availability of accommodation in huts so walkers and cyclists can plan their trips and know they will be accommodated for.

Work is being undertaken in the Oparara on trying to grow Whio breeding pairs. Biodiversity and weeds programme is going well, especially with the weeds- buster officer visiting and advising landowners. Much favourable feedback has been received.

B Dickson said they have ongoing work with the mining industry which is always demanding and challenging.

The Area has continued engagement with communities and schools, and is currently running the Kiwi Ranger programme at Denniston and Punakaiki.

There has been good feedback on mountain bike trials on the Heaphy Track. This is the third and final year for the trial. Nelson Marlborough Board will get to review this activity and advise NZCA on whether this activity should continue.

A new Heaphy Bridge has been built and track upgrades continue. Monitoring on the track show it has cut up in places. This isn’t solely because of mountain biking, as when large groups of trampers travel together the effects are similar. The numbers of trampers using this track have increased, mainly due to sponsorship with Air NZ.

R Dickson told Board the Area had purchased a crushing machine. Gravel can be crushed on site and, like the Heaphy Track which is a lot muddier on this side; the crushed gravel can be spread over the track to remedy the muddy sections. He said there were concessionaires taking tour groups through the Track.

A driver is to have more people taking an active part in recreation. This benefits the economy but also local communities. Hut fees and transport are the only cost to individual.

DOC don’t manage the Down Valley track, it is managed by the Oparara Valley Trust. It is a low use track.

The review of the Kahurangi National Park Management Park would give an opportunity for public to seek mountain biking activities to be included in the Park.

R Dickson spoke about the channelling in Blackwater-Granite Creeks. It is spilling into the estuary and building up. The creek needs cleaning up, which could be done as a natural process. WCRC want to open a 500m strip near

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Blackwater Creek. DOC supports this, but will not negotiate a new consent. The local community were not notified by WCRC.

T Scott asked why numbers had declined on Wangapeka Track. R Dickson said it is a national decline. There are problems at the Nelson and Little Wanganui ends with continual challenges and access. K Edwards said it was a very challenging track and transport was a problem as isolated at both ends.

The ‘Great Walks’ usage is increasing.

9.4 Old Ghost Road cycleway – R Dickson explained how this evolved. In 2009 the Department had a Memorandum of Understanding to open the Lyell Dray Road and hut and re-establish the track to open up for walkers and bikers. The Mokihinui Lyall Backcountry Trust (MLBT) put in an application for funding for a $2million cycleway to be constructed. The MLBT then sought a management agreement from the Department to allow this work to proceed. Presently the MLBT is seeing further funding support. The track is now 70% complete. In July 2013 the track will be open to walkers. There is a concession in place for heli-biking.

S Robertson thanked R Dickson and asked that Board support be conveyed to his staff going through the restructure.

9.5 Denniston Plateau – update from Department C Hickford told the Board the Department is processing applications from Buller Coal and its other operations on the Denniston Plateau. Solid Energy NZ also has interests on the plateau.

T Wilkes will advise Board in due course on Denniston. Forest & Bird have appealed the Environment Court decisions to the High Court.

P Sheridan asked whether DOC has any long term plans for the Plateau. C Hickford said the CMS sets out the strategy for public conservation land management on the Stockton/Denniston plateaux; however SENZ and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) also manage areas of land on the coal field plateaux so DOC needs to work with others if the plateaux are to be managed holistically. Unlike Denniston, much of the Stockton Plateau area is managed by SENZ.

In September 2012 DOC was approached by Guy Salmon acting in a facilitating/mediation role for Buller Coal to bring parties together – Buller Coal, Solid Energy, Forest & Bird, Historic Places/Trust, DOC, Crown Minerals & Petroleum with the aim of discussing opportunities to establish/progress a reserve on the Denniston Plateau. The parties recently reconvened with a further meeting taking place, which a representative of Ngati waewae also in attendance.

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The Minister has recently visited to familiarise himself with the Denniston Plateau and the proposed mine site.

C Backes asked how any reserve could be protected from mining. C Hickford said placing land on Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act was a possible option to achieve this.

M Legge asked why these meetings were kept confidential. The Board weren’t aware of any meetings and he believed the Board Chair should have been involved, at least as an observer. C Hickford replied that this was a process driven by Buller Coal Ltd, not DOC and the Board should take any concerns up with them.

It was agreed that the Board contact Buller Coal Ltd seeking copies of minutes from the meetings, copies of maps and overlays of the proposed reserve and request they be invited to attend future meetings. Action: S Robertson

9.6 DOC restructuring – update from Department C Hickford reported that a large number of internal staff submissions had been received on the draft structure proposal. The Stage 1 Report setting out information including the high level structural design, regions and locations, and management layers had recently been released. The West Coast and Nelson Marlborough would now form one region with a Senior Tier 3 (Conservator level) Director, Conservation Services position based in Hokitika and a Tier 3 Director Conservation Partnerships position based Nelson. Further information in the Stage 2 Report will be released to staff on Tuesday 7 May and then later released to the media and public.

S Robertson asked about individual contracts with expiry dates etc. C Hickford said the next step for affected staff will be to go into a Management of Change process that had been negotiated with the PSA. The expectation is that by the end of July all staff will know the outcome for themselves, with the new structure in place by 2 September.

M Legge asked if the Board could be kept advised. C Hickford replied that there wasn’t any further information that he could provide at this stage. Senior staff would brief their staff in the first instance on 7 May, with any announcements advised publicly later that day.

C Backes asked C Hickford what was hoped to be achieved with the new structure. C Hickford replied that in addition to other changes the new structure creates new business groups, focussed on growing conservation partnerships and managing conservation assets. There is clear emphasis on both delivering the business as well as growing the business, and better enabling the Department to work in partnership with iwi, communities and business to deliver conservation on the ground.

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T Scott asked whether any involvement with tängata whenua had occurred, and stated Ngai Tahu Settlement Act, effects on staffing. He questioned if things don’t work out what will happen next – will restructuring never end.

10.0 Statutory Advocacy S Robertson spoke to his report and referred to his planning table. He advised Board of items that had reached conclusion and should now be removed from table.

On 17 April he attended meeting on SNA Draft Project Plan Change at the Grey District Council. DOC Planning Officer D Newey and Greymouth Area staff were also in attendance. A stakeholders meeting will be held next Friday 10 May. A lot of work has been done with land owners.

Westland District Council – Transfer of Functions – letter to be ratified see below.

Solid Energy NZ proposed changes to Cypress monitoring conditions covered previously.

S Robertson thanked C Backes for her input in writing the submission on the proposed Freshwater Reform 2013 and Beyond.

Resolution: “That letter to Westland District Council re Transfer of Functions Section 33 of Resource Management Act 1991; submissions on Resource Management Reform Bill, the Resource Management Reform 2013 a discussion document and the Proposed Freshwater Reform 2013 and Beyond be ratified.” M Legge/D Baker Carried

11.0 Information to be noted

Recommendation: “That the following reports be taken as read and issues discussed.” M Legge/D Baker Carried unanimously

11.1 Conservator’s Report T Scott said he was concerned that the whio were not going that well. M Legge asked whether any candling and/or fertility testing is done. 60% don’t hatch.

C Hickford said that flooding events may have contributed to this. Population dynamics change from year to year. Juvenile and other predation reduces numbers, some juveniles head to other areas to find new homes. M Legge suggested that if there was inadequate food sources available, (poor nutrition) this could possibly be linked to breeding condition.

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Page 2 M Legge pointed out comments about the NZ fur seal. This was an example of the Conservation Services Programme and why the Board should make a submission.

S Robertson said he liked the Planning Report at start of each Place and members also thought it was useful.

South West Energy was mentioned in various reports to Board, they would like to know who this is. Action: BSO

M Legge asked about the future of the snails. C Hickford said it was a condition of the consent and was ongoing until 2016. BSO to follow up M Legge’s previous request about published reports on snails. Action: BSO

Page 11 2nd para – aircraft monitoring surveys in the Fox and Franz glacier valleys. The Board are very interested and look forward to seeing these results.

Page 13 T Scott asked what the long term objective for tahr was. C Hickford replied the Himalayan Tahr Control Plan sets the objectives, targets densities.

D Baker told Board that tahr are shot in totally inaccessible areas, the animals hide in the scrub when they hear the machines coming. Tahr are ruining the bush and another means may need to be looked at to keep numbers down.

T Scott commented that no reporting on Whio in Te Wähi Pounamu Place was done. He would like to see more energy go into Whio as a threatened species. C Hickford replied that there is a Whio Recovery Plan which identifies several catchments and unfortunately the Makaawhio is not one of these. However, there is ongoing stoat trapping and predator control work in other areas including, for example the Landsborough, and while not specifically aimed at Whio protection this work has benefits for whio in the area.

11.2 Conservancy Planning Update Board pleased to see Planning Report reinstated into the meeting papers. It was noted that Land & Riverbed Management Plan was now combined with the Land & Water Plan.

11.3 Permissions Update – Mining/Concessions/SLM C Backes said the new section on compliance in this report was really good and improved. Also better having a combined report. Agreed to invite Permissions/SLM Team Manager J Brennan to next meeting. Action: BSO

11.4 Conservancy Pou Kura Taiao Report was acknowledged.

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11.5 Visitor Asset Capex Expenditure Update Board asked how the Department manage to receive extra funding for projects such as the Hokitika Gorge extension. C Hickford said the Department have to put in a bid for funds, and this had been granted for this project.

12.0 Liaison 12.1 Public Forum Hamish Macbeth welcomed the Board to Karamea. He is very sympathetic to funding for DOC staff and the Board. He spoke of advocacy over the years and acknowledged Blackwater Creek, with Otumahana Lagoon-Flagstaff collectively 400ha, 2nd largest on the Coast (400ha). He was concerned that West Coast Regional Council were applying for resource consent to extend excavation of Blackwater Creek into Otumahana Estuary. WCRC want to extend 10m wide and 1m deep for an unspecified number of times. He expressed concern at potential adverse effects on the ecology of the estuarine area and its island.

Mr Macbeth advised the Board he had put in a submission to the consent (despite it not being publicly notified).

Mr Macbeth was also keen to know about the nature of the arrangement Oparara Valley Trust (OVT) have with DOC, as well as the future of the Down River walking track the Trust manages – might it have better potential as a mountain bike track. He wanted to know whether the community would be able to have any input when any new arrangements were entered into.

C Hickford said OVT have an agreement with DOC for the assets it manages. He suggested that the appropriate time to consider and discuss mountain biking opportunities was when the Kahurangi Management Plan was reviewed.

S Robertson thanked H Macbeth for bringing his issues to the Board. He summed up what H Macbeth required, i.e. for the Board to ask DOC to keep them informed, the Board to be party to discussions, and for the Board to contact WCRC on state of play with Blackwater Creek consents etc. (see 9.1).

12.2 Liaison Reports Otago Conservation Board – Mike Legge will organise a meeting with Chair when he next is in Dunedin.

D Baker told Board that kiwi monitoring in the area at back of Spring Creek was proceeding. A group of individuals were thinking of a tourist opportunity for visitors to view kiwi. Only speculation at this stage.

Stockton Community Consultative Group – Kim Thomas hasn’t had any contact from this group. Their restructure is being delayed.

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13.0 Administration 13.1 Financial Report The Board noted the information in the paper that had been circulated.

13.2 I.T. options for Board to consider using at meetings S Robertson said it would be useful to be able to have access to the internet at meetings. This will be implemented at next meeting. Also members unable to attend meetings may be able to join in via Skype (this will be trialled with P Sheridan at July meeting).

13.3 Electronic Distribution of Board Papers was discussed. Board asked if a copy of a draft agenda could be sent out so they could add any agenda items. Action: BSO

M Legge suggested that the Chair should be provided with a laptop. This would guarantee all files/documents were available each time a new Chair was appointed (no agreement was reached).

13.4 NZCA Minutes – Board decided it wasn’t necessary to include with Board papers. These could be read then filed when distributed by email. Also available on NZCA website.

Further discussion on electing a Concessions Chairperson took place.

“Moved that M Legge be nominated as Concessions Committee Chairperson. C Backes/T Scott Carried unanimously

14.0 Press Release S Robertson will organise a press release.

15.0 Next Meeting The next meeting will be a one day meeting held in Hokitika on 5 July 2013. P Sheridan put in an apology for this meeting.

Brief discussion held re September meeting. It was decided to contact J Jones and check her availability for 19/20 September. Action: BSO

Meeting closed: 2.06pm

S Robertson Chairperson 5 July 2013

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