Meeting Paper For West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board

TITLE OF PAPER STATUS REPORT

AUTHOR: Mark Davies

SUBJECT: Status Report for the Board for period ending 2 September 2016

DATE: 6 September 2016

SUMMARY:

This report provides information on activities throughout the West Coast since the 15 July 2016 meeting of the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board.

MARINE PLACE – There is nothing to report in this period

MONITORING

The West Coast monitoring team are about to collect a series of five-minute bird counts and distance sampling data in the Heaphy valley. This is a repeat of last year’s survey to provide base line data to monitor changes in bird abundance and diversity. Last year’s survey found that all the common forest birds were present, indicating an intact community, although the rarer species were missing. Base line kiwi call count monitoring of Great Spotted Kiwis in MacKay Downs found an average call rate of 5 calls per hour. This is similar to the nearby Gunner Downs and Gouland Downs, but much lower than the Heaphy valley (12 calls/hour) and this is thought to reflect the differences in habitat.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 1 PLACE

Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans

 Two comments were completed by the district on plant samples and guided fishing.  Grazing monitoring has been undertaken on four properties.

Visitor Management

The final stage of the Heaphy track upgrade has begun with the Koura Beach realignment completed and planned to be opened by 3rd of September. The remainder of the work (Mackay Hill and Twin beach) still progressing. Also on the Heaphy track, a large slip was cleared at Wekakoura Point and the roof at Katipo shelter was also replaced.

Community Involvement/Initiatives – Suvi van Smit

A Kiwi Guardian programme have been created for the Oparara Basin and two geocaches placed in preparation for Conservation Week.

Species Management Traplines in the Oparara/Ugly whio security have been open for the season. High numbers of rats have been recorded in the traps.

Planning for the Battle for our Birds aerial 1080 operation in Kahurangi National Park has been completed over the past few months. We are waiting for suitable weather windows to run the operations. Research on whio nesting success during aerial 1080 operations will be undertaken this Spring. Transmitters are being placed on female whio so their nests can be monitored.

Animal Pest Control – Goat Control

No work undertaken since last report - operations are planned to recommence September 2016

Possum Control –

No possum control work has happened in this period.

Weed Pest Control

Some weedbuster work has been undertaken over the period around the Oparara River.

Habitat Protection

As part of the Heaphy Bathurst project tracking tunnels were run in August for rodents (1 night) and stoats (21 nights) in the lower Heaphy and at Mackay Downs in the upper Heaphy. Rats were tracking at 11% in the upper Heaphy and no stoats were detected. In

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 2 the lower Heaphy rats were tracking at 86% and stoat lines have yet to be retrieved. This information will be incorporated into data being collected for Battle for Birds. 15 A24 self- resetting traps were also established in the exclusion area for aerial 1080 around Mackay Hut.

Fire No fires this period.

Monitoring Rodent tracking tunnels for the Battle for our Birds 1080 operations have been run during August throughout Kahurangi National Park. No results are available at present.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 3 KAWATIRI PLACE

Planning

RMA, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans

Four comments were made by the district office for: collection of harvestmen spiders; collection of gentians; collection of beetles; and an ultra-marathon sporting event.

Four resource management “affected party approvals” have been completed for: a truck wash facility discharge; housing subdivision, clearing of creek and installation of weir; and burial of compost waste.

A one -off concession was completed for grazing of sheep.

Grazing monitoring has been undertaken on five properties.

Visitor Management

Vegetation cut between the Lyell Saddle and the Lyell carpark and reactive rockfall and windfall work up the Gorge on the Old Ghost Road. The resurface project was completed mid-August. Maintenance work has continued at Constant Bay, Brittania Track, Denniston and Charming Creek walkway.

Community Involvement/Initiatives

A Kiwi Guardian programme has been created for Tauranga Bay, Charming Creek and Denniston. Geocaches have also been placed in these locations in preparation for Conservation Week.

The Buller Conservation Volunteers completed work with a Ranger during this period including: weeding at Kawatiri Beach Reserve and potting up seedlings in conjunction with Buller Cycling Club; plant protection work at Charleston; removing vegetation from around a historic building at Charleston; weed removal at Mokihinui River mouth and planting of natives; removal of the exotic plant Cathedral Bells from ; and planting of natives at Kawatiri Beach Reserve with the Buller Cycle Club.

A Ranger has undertaken additional Health and Safety training with the volunteers.

A management agreement has been put in place with the Buller Boardriders to “adopt” Les Warren Park and maintain it as a recreational area including as a site for teaching junior surfers.

Grazing monitoring has been undertaken on five properties.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 4

Historic

The maintenance of the Denniston Aerial Tower is nearing completion, while the drainage around the stone walls in Conns Creek Yard are finished. Work is being priced for drainage along the stonewalls at Denniston.

Species Management Planning for the Battle for our Birds aerial 1080 operation in the Mokhinui catchment in conjunction with TbFree has been completed over the past few months. We are waiting for suitable weather windows to run the operations.

A significant number of injured and/or malnourished Fiordland crested penguin have been found on the beaches over the winter months. They have been rehabilitated locally, or in some cases, sent to Wellington Zoo for treatment.

Animal Pest Control – Goat Control - No work undertaken since last report - operations planned to recommence September 2016

Possum Control – There has been no possum control this period

Weed Pest Control

The weedbuster program has continued following up on problem weed infestations over the winter.

Monitoring Rodent tracking tunnels for the Battle for our Birds 1080 operations have been run during August in the Mokihinui catchment. No results are available at present.

Fire No fires this period.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 5 PAPAROA PLACE

Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans

Two district comments have been completed on lichen collection and filming of birds.

One resource management “affected party” approval has been completed for gravel extraction.

Visitor Management

The windfall along the Inland pack track (Fossil creek to Bullock creek) was cleared and structure repairs have begun. Planting at Bullock Creek Carpark has been completed by Conservation Volunteers NZ. Maintenance has been completed along the track, Pororari and Truman Tracks.

Community Involvement/Initiatives

A Kiwi Guardian programme has been created for Paparoa National Park and two geocaches placed in preparation for Conservation Week.

A year nine student spent the day with a Ranger doing work experience and undertaking a variety of tasks around the Paparoa National Park.

Species Management Te Papa researchers have continued research work in the Westland petrel colony over the winter. Monitoring of the condition of boundary fences around the petrel colony has been started. A new fence along the southern end of Maher Swamp has been completed.

Animal Pest Control – Goat Control - No work undertaken since last report - operations planned to recommence September 2016

Possum Control No work this period.

Weed Pest Control The weed-buster program has continued following up on problem weed infestations over the winter.

Habitat Protection No specific habitat protection work this period, other than already mentioned in other parts of the report.

Monitoring No monitoring work this period.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 6 INANGAHUA PLACE

Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans

District comments were completed for: - a road realignment of existing easement concession - collection of dead plant material and fungi research

Monitoring has been undertaken on 5 grazing licences.

Access Arrangement (AA) applications are being processed for: - small scale alluvial gold mining near Slab Hut Creek - small scale gold mining in the , West Bank area

A one-off permit was issued for heli-logging at Blacks Point

Visitor Management - The start of Lake Daniel Track has been gravelled - Windfalls, vegetation, a slip and tree that’s come down on the track around Murray creek have been cleared - General track maintenance and hut services on some of the serviced Huts have been completed - Repairs under taken on a boardwalk on St James Walkway

Community Involvement/Initiatives A geocache has been placed as part of the Conservation Week Geocaching competition.

Historic - The Lodge interior has been painted - Vegetation has been cleared around Snowy battery and Powerhouse, Lankey’s Tram, Bolitho Battery

Species Management No species work undertaken over the winter

Animal Pest Control –

Goat Control - No work undertaken since last report - operations planned to recommence September 2016

Stoat Control - Monthly checks of Doc200 trap network have continued over winter in the Lake Daniell area. Trap catch remains stable with stoat catch low over winter but rat numbers are on the increase.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 7 Possum Control

A12 network of possum traps remain operational in the Lake Daniell area with possum numbers very low. Next trap check planned for November.

Rat control - Planning for the Te Maruia Battle for our Birds operation is underway in response to increasing rat numbers. The operational area has been reduced to 30,000ha targeting the areas with the highest numbers of rats. A small area on Marble Hill (~200ha) is being targeted with A24 stoat/rat traps to see if they can suppress rat numbers through a beech mast event.

Weed Pest Control Ground based weed control is planned to start in the Upper Maruia riverbed in November.

Fire No fire call outs have been attended this period.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 8 MAWHERA PLACE

Planning

- Two NZDF live firing exercises in Caledonian Creek and Half Ounce Creek conservation areas have been approved - Provided comment on assignment of grazing licence and a bach concession near Greenstone River - Processed and approved AEO for small scale alluvial gold mining in Callaghans Creek near Ahaura - Processed and approved AEO for rock quarry near Rapahoe

Visitor Management - Last 2 windfalls cleared off Point Elizabeth walkway left over from cyclone Ita. General track work completed on track also included replacing 2 retaining walls and drainage work - General track work at Moana (Rakatane and Velenski tracks)

Community Involvement/Initiatives Four geocaches have been placed as part of the Conservation Week Geocaching competition. A ranger met with a group of medical students from Dunedin who were visiting the Coast to learn about regional medical issues as part of their training.

Historic - Steps repaired/upgraded at Davidson Locomotive and toilet painted - Slip cleared from Croesus track - Vegetation clearance around foundations at Brunner Mine site - Small fence built along edge of car park/above Tynside Chimney at Brunner Mine site to keep visitors on track - Hochstetter Dam sprayed

Species Management A dead little blue penguin was found on Karoro beach. The cause of death was uncertain.

Fiordland Crested Penguin. A Fiordland Crested Penguin was picked up off the North Beach Road in Cobden. The penguin appeared to be dazed (potentially hit by a car) but it was otherwise in good condition. After some quick rehabilitation in the bird was successfully released.

Great Spotted Kiwi Annual transmitter changes of ONE birds completed in conjunction with the Paparoa Wildlife Trust.

Whio/ Whio will be nesting soon and regular monitoring will be undertaken in the Moonlight to observe nesting success.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 9 Animal Pest Control – Goat/Tahr Control - No work undertaken since last report - operations planned to recommence September 2016

Weed Pest Control Weed control undertaken at Lake Hochstetter

Habitat Protection Ongoing work at Cobden Island in conjunction with CVNZ and CASRA producing good results with good numbers of whitebait being observed in the newly formed channels

Fire No fire call outs have been attended this period.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 10 HOKITIKA PLACE

Planning Resource Consents received, Concessions/Permissions, Management Plans

27 June 2016 to 29 August 2016

Work has been undertaken on 10 resource consents as follows;  Eight resource consents for Section 95 RMA ‘affected party’ approval were completed o Gold Mining - change to total disturbed area, German Gulley o Commercial use in rural zone, near . o Gold mining in the Mikonui valley. o Gold mining, increase in area, Mikonui valley. o Discharge of treated dairy effluent, Kowhitirangi. o Rail protection works, . o Gold Mining, German Gulley, Stafford. o Exploration permit, gold Mining, near Totara Lagoon.

 An additional two resource consents were received. o Rock removal and erosion protection works Wainihnihi Creek. o Proposed subdivision Lake Mudgie

 District comments have been provided on 12 Concession applications o Harvest of Aciphylla and Gentianella plant species. o Research and Collection - orchid pollination, Arthurs Pass NP. o One-off filming of wildlife. o One-off filming with drone. o Research, glaciological monitoring, Rolleston Glacier. o Exploration permit for gold mining in Butlers Reserve, Ruatapu. o Section 24 Land use enquiry, MacGregor Creek. o Placement of repeater tower on Mt French and Mt Greenland. o Research and collection of Harvestman from PCL. o Necropsy permit for marine mammals. o Wildlife Act, Taonga Species, Deaths Corner. o Gold Mining extension of term, Goldsborough.

An additional comment was provided on a ministerial enquiry relating to roadside vegetation clearance, within the roadside corridor, between the township of Otira and the Otira viaduct and a Grazing enquiry.

Visitor Management  Completed construction works of retaining walls on the steep slip of the Ross Water Race Walkway.  Started track resurfacing to wet and muddy sections of the Mananui Walkway. (This is part of the Westland Wilderness Cycle Trail.)  Removed windfalls and carried out track surface maintenance on the Lake Walkway.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 11  Ongoing maintenance work on front country tracks and Goldsborough, , Hokitika Gorge and camp/picnic areas.

Community Involvement/Initiatives

Five Geocaches have been set up in the Hokitika district as part of activities for Conservation Week.

A presentation on tramping safety was given to the local Hikoi (Group aimed at getting people involved in outdoor activities) at the Arahura Marae for Ngati Waewae.

Historic –  Maintenance has been completed around the Ross Bell Tower, Ross jail, de Bakkers cottage, Ross cemetery and Ross Water Race Walkway.  Cherry trees around Ross Goldfields Heritage area have been pruned and wind throw and track/structure maintenance along the Kaniere Water Race Walkway has been cleared.  General maintenance around Mananui Mill site and Tramline.

Species Management – Fiordland Crested Penguin Close to 20 Fiordland crested penguins have been found dead or in weak states since July. Birds have been found between Okarito and north of Westport and most showed signs of starvation and emaciation, as well as two suspected dog kills. Four of the penguins were sent to Wellington Zoo for surgery and specialist treatment and two could be released after some care.

Little Blue Penguin

Unfortunately, there have been further little blue penguin deaths with one bird found dead on SH6 at Hou Hou Creek as well as a second penguin killed on SH6 at 14 Mile. A third penguin was killed by a dog on the beach between Arahura and Awatuna.

Whio/Blue Duck Whio are only a few weeks away from making their first nests and a survey in Kawhaka Creek in late August showed much territorial chasing and activity. The first dog searches for nests will start in the Styx valley in mid-September.

Volunteers are helping us implement a new trap line on the true left side of Kawhaka Creek.

Powelliphanta augusta The captive population in Hokitika is currently 1,309 snails and 1,254 eggs. Since the beginning of July there has been 129 eggs hatch adding to the population with 75 eggs laid over the same period. Survival rates remain stable.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 12 Preparations for a release of 300-400 snails to the Mount Augusta VDT this spring are being made to maintain manageable captive population levels. Depending on how breeding proceeds through the summer there may be more releases the following autumn.

Currently waiting for results of mark-recapture monitoring carried out by SENZ over the summer at the Stockton and Mount Rochfort P. augusta snail areas. This will help to inform decision making around the future direction of the captive population.

Animal Pest Control

Goat Control - Tahr Control No work undertaken since last report - operations planned to recommence September 2016

Possum Control - No work undertaken since last report - operations planned to remove trap line.

Weed Pest Control – There has been no weed control since last report.

Fire – no fires to report

Windblown Timber

Since the last report just over 600 cubic metres (m3) of timber has been extracted by four operators; comprised of 300 m3 of red beech extracted from two sites at Marble Hill, Maruia and 300 m3 of rimu extracted from 3 sites near Harihari. There has also been small roadside operations to remove trees left leaning over the road at Lake Kaniere and on the old Christchurch Road (Taramakau end) and a small amount of timber salvaged at Ballyhooley Scenic reserve in exchange for clearing the fence line. Total revenue expectations of around $1.2M nett, a total salvage volume of around 7000m3 and a continuation of the programme at a low level for at least the next 6 to 12 months remain unchanged.

The Department has had significant support for the implementation of the Windblown Timber project from the Ministry for Primary Industries, not least of which has been the secondment to the project since June 2014 of Alan Tinnelly from MPI’s Indigenous forestry team. This secondment came to an end this July.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 13 TE WAHI POUNAMU PLACE

Planning – Resource Consents received, Regional and District Plans, Management Planning

27 June 2016 to 29 August 2016

Work has been undertaken as follows:  Three resource consents for Section 95 RMA ‘affected party’ approval were completed: o Construction of two dwellings beside a Schedule 2 wetland, Okarito o Small scale alluvial goldmining, River Valley o Small scale black sand mining, coastal area of South Westland

 An additional resource consent was received o Proposed subdivision at Okarito Forks

 District comments have been provided on 11 concession applications o Harvest of Aciphylla and Gentianella plant species o Research and Collection, little penguins, o Research and Collection, Fiordland crested penguins, Open Bay Islands / o Research and Collection, Fiordland crested penguins, o Research and Collection, Necropsy permit, Blanket application for PCL o Research and Collection, investigating lichen, Blanket application for PCL o Research and Collection, NZ Harvestmen study, Blanket application for PCL o Hold and Handle, Tuatara, Wildlife Centre o Section 24 conservation values enquiry, Mahitahi River o Section 24 marginal strip clearance, o Easement across PCL to extract rock and undertake stream training, Haro/Evens Creek

 Concessions / Letters of Authority completed o One-off filming permit (with drone) for native birdlife o One-off filming permit for a hunting show, Jacobs River o Easement to authorise a culvert extension, Topsy Falls

 The following 7 pre-application meetings were conducted o Flying parties into remote huts, Landsborough/Arawhata/Gorge o Mini-hydro scheme on McCulloughs Creek, Whataroa o Site visit to rock storage site and a review of extraction/stream training, Haro/Evens Creek o Boating on the Waiatoto/ o One-off filming permit including use of drone, multiple locations o Possible forested sites for Disney o Tender process regarding beehives

 Monitoring reports completed o Annual review of cleanfill sites on PCL o Grazing monitoring along with associated huts,

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 14  Compliance issues addressed o Abuse of guiding privileges at Welcome Flat Hut o Alleged illegal discharge of weapon in Valley o Alleged illegal guiding up the Valley o Cattle escaping from concession and into protected wetland o Air user groups concern about drone flightpath of a research party up the Franz Josef Glacier Valley o Illegal use of drone by a member of the public up the Franz Josef Glacier Valley o Clarification of EOI process for beehives o Illegal guiding at Ship Creek o Illegal guiding in the Fox Glacier Valley

Visitor Management

Ongoing track maintenance has been completed on the following front country tracks: Harihari Coastal Walk, Wilberg Walk, Sentinel Rock, Franz Josef Glacier Track, Lake Wombat, Douglas Walk, Alex Knob, Canavans Knob, Moraine Walk, Minnehaha, Gillespies Beach, Ship Creek, Lake Ellery, Monro Beach, Roaring Billy and Wharekai te kou.

Lake Ianthe boat ramp has been repaired and the old toilet block refurbished into a shelter.

Track resurface work has commenced in the Franz Josef Glacier valley and on the 3 Mile Pack Track.

Community Involvement/Initiatives

A Kiwi Guardian programme has been created for Okarito and Fox Glacier. Geocaches have been placed in Haast, at Sentinel Rock, Okarito Wharf, Lake Wahapo and the Whataroa Old Bridge in preparation for Conservation Week.

On August 15th Jo Mead, Community Ranger, Franz Josef, arranged for Fred Lichtwark to give a talk in Whataroa on the economic benefits of on-farm riparian and shelter planting. The talk attracted a number of district and regional councillors along with local farmers, and has spurred on valuable discussions on new and promising ways to broaching freshwater values with landowners in the area.

Our work with the Wilderness Trust is ongoing and they are making exciting progress with regards to fundraising, track selection and the forming of a sustainable management strategy.

The Okarito Community Nursery is well under way in its preparations for Spring. Nina Robb, Weed Buster Ranger, Fox Glacier, has begun an initiative within the local communities to try and encourage people to replace invasive species around their properties with natives raised at the nursery.

Conservation Week: work with Haast Primary School students to make tracking tunnels, so that they can identify and record what lives in the bush surrounding their school. This will be followed up with a pest control operation if necessary.

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 15 Investigations continue into online application and payment systems for the Haast Roar and Tahr Hunting Ballots. Meetings have been attended with Haast Community groups re: the development of a branding and marketing plan for the Haast area (in conjunction with Development West Coast and WestREAP). BNZ staff as part of the “closed for good” project were to work on the community walking track “Dennis Road” however bad weather forced a change of plans which saw them head to Haast Primary School for gardening and workshops on financial literacy.

Historic

Harihari Coastal Walk, Tatare Tunnels, Douglas and Callery Suspension Bridges, Gillespies Beach Cemetery, Galway Beach track and the Miners Tunnel Track all received routine maintenance.

Blacks Rail Tractor is now on display at the Pakihi Walk; now that it is back, a shelter will be built and interpretation will be installed.

Species Management –

Rowi breeding season is underway with 2 eggs taken for ONE to date. These are currently being hatched at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef before they head to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for rearing. This year the Okarito sanctuary is receiving an aerial 1080 operation as part of the 2016 Battle for our Birds and subsequently a proportion of our monitored kiwi population will be left to lay and hatch eggs in situ with chicks monitored through to a safe weight from predation. In October last season’s cohort of ONE chicks will be brought off Motuara island, where they have been held for the past 8 months and released back into the Okarito Sanctuary. Track clearing is ongoing in the sanctuary in order to improve access.

Haast tokoeka

Haast tokoeka breeding is also underway with 5 incubations detected to date. As with the Okarito Sanctuary, the Haast sanctuary received an aerial 1080 operation in order to improve the breeding success of kiwi. Chicks will be monitored intensively through to a safe weight from predation. Last year’s cohort of 9 ONE chicks are now at a weight where they are ready to be moved from Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin to their new home on Rona Island in Lake Manapouri. This has involved significant input from the team at Orokonui, with health checks, supplementary feeding, and subsequently weaning. Upgrades to the sanctuaries trap network are due to commence in October with Goodnature A24 traps and intensified track networks being installed.

Weed Pest Control Our newly established weedbuster position has been busy liaising with landowners in Fox and Franz Josef to control weed plants within the community and private land areas.

Animal Pest Control – Goat /Tahr Control - No work undertaken since last report - operations planned to recommence September 2016

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 16 Tahr Control - No work undertaken in MU2 since last report – AATH offsets planned to recommence September 2016

Monitoring – Jo Macpherson The small mammal indexing has been completed in the Haast/ Arawhata, Landsborough/ Clarke, Abbey Rocks and Okarito areas as part of the pre-monitoring for Battle for our Birds operations. All sites have shown large increases in rodent numbers and will be re-measured after 1080 application.

Fire There have been no fires in this period.

Visitor Centre Statistics

Visitor Centre Total Number Visitors % Increase or decrease for same from 1 July 16 to 30 period last year June 2017 10761 (1/7 to 24/8) -6.43% 7117 (1/7 to 24/8) -7.46% Franz Josef 2682 (1/7 to 24/8) Haast July 2015: 2084 29% increase from last year July 2016: 2959

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

Mark Davies Director, Operations Western

DOCDM- 2854178 - Status Report September 2016 17