Draft Otago Conservation Management Strategy: Volume I
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CMS C ONSERVATION MANAGEMENT StratEGY Otago 2014–2024, Volume 1 DRAFT June 2013 Cover: Celmisia haastii on the upper Wye Valley near Queenstown with the Hector Mountains in the background. Photo: John Barkla © Copyright June 2013, New Zealand Department of Conservation ISSN 1173-2741 This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. Contents Foreword 5 Introduction 6 Purpose of conservation management strategies 6 CMS structure 7 CMS term 8 Relationship with other Department of Conservation strategic documents and tools, and other agencies planning processes 8 Relationships with other planning processes 9 Legislative tools 9 International obligations 10 Part One 11 1.1 Otago 11 1.2 Vision for Otago—2064 11 1.3 Distinctive features, values and issues of Otago 13 1.4 Treaty of Waitangi responsibilities 18 1.5 Otago by 2024 24 Part Two—Places 35 2.1 Mount Aspiring National Park Place 36 2.2 Inland Conservation Parks Place 38 2.3 Western Lakes and Mountains Place 46 2.4 Central Otago Uplands Place 60 2.5 Old Man Range/Kopuwai, Old Woman Range, and Garvie Mountains Place 66 2.6 Central Otago Drylands Place 70 2.7 Eastern Otago and Lowlands Place 76 2.8 Catlins Place 82 2.9 Marine Place 89 2.10 Freshwater Place 95 Part Three—Specific policy requirements for Otago 102 Part Four—Implementation, monitoring, reporting and review 139 Glossary 140 Appendices Appendix 1: 160 Work or activities of the Department of Conservation that meet the requirements of section 4(3) of the Resource Management Act 1991 for exemptions from land use consents Appendix 2: 170 Important ecosystems and habitats within Otago Appendix 3: 184 Islands administered by the Department of Conservation in Otago Appendix 4: 186 Priority ecosystem management sites on public conservation lands and waters in Otago identified by the Department of Conservation through the Natural Heritage Management System in February 2012 Appendix 5: 193 Threats or pests and wild animals present in Otago Appendix 6: 213 Flora and fauna present in Otago Appendix 7: 224 Iconic species in Otago Appendix 8: 225 Marine habitats and ecosystems in Otago Appendix 9: 230 Significant geological features, landforms and landscapes in Otago Appendix 10: 232 Actively conserved historic places in Otago Appendix 11: 236 Recreation destinations in Otago Appendix 12: 237 Prescriptions for the management of visitor management zones Appendix 13: 241 Prescriptions for the management of aircraft zones Appendix 14: 243 Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act provisions Appendix 15: 260 Statement of outstanding universal value for Te Wāhipounamu—South West New Zealand World Heritage Area Foreword This draft Otago Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) sets out the Department’s proposed intentions for the integrated management of natural and historic resources within Otago over the next ten years. Since the first Otago CMS was approved in 1998, there have been some significant conservation achievements in Otago, including (to mention just a few representative achievements) implementation of Ngāi Tahu Settlement Claims Act, new conservation parks at Te Papanui, Hāwea and Oteake; successes in species recovery for Grand and Otago skinks, galaxiid fishes, mohua, yellow eyed penguins and Olearia tree daisies; restoration of historic features at Macetown, St Bathans and Arrowtown; development of new techniques of wilding tree and goat control; and strong community conservation projects and partnerships – Otago Natural History Trust, Central Otago Ecological Trust, Otago Central Rail Trail Trust, Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Trust and Project Gold. Many people involved in conservation initiatives underpin these successes. There have also been, and remain, some serious conservation challenges; the intensification of land use, effects on freshwater ecosystems, pest and weed control, and marine protection. Many of Otago’s most significant and highly visited natural and historic places are located on public conservation land providing valuable contributions to New Zealand’s international identity, reputation and economy. These popular recreation and tourism destinations for domestic and international visitors alike, mean that the Department will need to remain responsive to increasing demand whilst ensuring that natural, historic and cultural values are protected. The development of this CMS comes at a challenging time for New Zealand with increasing concerns about the ongoing loss of biodiversity, effects on freshwater ecosystems and the effects of climate change. The Department has recognised nationally that to halt the ongoing decline of New Zealand’s natural heritage, we need to significantly increase the amount of conservation work undertaken by working with Ngāi Tahu, communities, businesses and others over the next 20 years and beyond. This CMS integrates national and local priorities at ten places across Otago and identifies outcomes for these places that are special to communities and Ngāi Tahu. It also sets out a framework to increase conservation efforts over the next ten years recognising that the Department cannot do it alone. I would like to thank past and present members of the Otago Conservation Board and all those who provided feedback and attended hui and workshops during the development of this document. The Department looks forward to receiving your views on this CMS. Neil Clifton Conservator Otago and Southland Otago Conservation Management Strategy 2014–2024 5 Introduction Purpose of conservation management strategies Conservation, as defined under section 2 of the Conservation Act 1987 (the Act), is the ‘preservation and protection of natural and historic resources for the purpose of maintaining their intrinsic values, providing for their appreciation and recreational enjoyment by the public, and safeguarding the options of future generations’. The purpose of a conservation management strategy (CMS) as defined by section 17D of the Act is to implement general policies (including the Conservation General Policy 2005), and to establish objectives for the integrated management of natural and historic resources, including species managed by the Department of Conservation (the Department), and for recreation, tourism and other conservation purposes. The Act creates a hierarchy of documents to guide the Department in its management. The Act is at the top, the General Policy is next and below that are the CMS and conservation management plans. In Otago there is one recent1 operative conservation management plan for Taiaroa Heads Nature Reserve2, and one operative national park management plan, prepared under the National Parks Act 1980, for Mount Aspiring National Park3. Statutory framework for the management of public conservation lands and waters Conservation Act 1987 National Parks Act 1980 General Policy General Policy Conservation management strategies National park management plans Conservation management plans 1 Other conservation management plans dating from prior to the Department of Conservation may still exist. The intention is that these will be revoked subsequent to this strategy’s approval. 2 Part of the Pukekura Reserves Management Plan (2011) jointly developed by the Department, Dunedin City Council, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou and the Korako Karetai Trust. 3 Mount Aspiring National Park Management Plan (2011). 6 Otago Conservation Management Strategy 2014–2024 The general policies relevant to this strategy are the: Conservation General Policy (2005), which applies to all conservations lands, waters and resources managed by the Department under the following Acts: the Conservation Act 1987, the Wildlife Act 1953, the Marine Reserves Act 1971, the Reserves Act 1977, the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 and the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 The General Policy for National Parks (2005), which sets expectations and takes priority for national park management planning Other legislation for which the Minister of Conservation has a role or that is relevant to this CMS includes: the Electricity Act 1992, the Freedom Camping Act 2011, the Historic Places Act 1993, the Protected Objects Act 1975, the State Owned Enterprises Act 1986, the Walking Access Act 2008, the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 and the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. All public conservation lands and waters must be managed in accordance with the legislation under which they are held. All operative provisions of this strategy must be interpreted and applied in line with that legislation. The operative parts of this strategy are the objectives, outcome statements, policies and milestones. Objectives describe the goals that we want to achieve across Otago and support national directions and community aspirations to achieve integrated management. Outcome statements describe the future state of a ‘Place’, including its values and reflecting the changes at that Place over the 10-year term of the strategy, and will be used when making decisions. Policies describe the course of action or guiding principles to be used when making decisions. Milestones are special events that are measurable steps towards achieving the objective or outcome statement. All other text is provided as supportive background material. Each conservation management strategy is prepared with public participation according to the process set out in the Conservation Act 1987. Preparation of this strategy has involved discussions with and input from Ngāi Tahu4 and the Otago community and further