CMS CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY Otago 20154–20254, Volume 1 REVISED DRAFT June 2013November 2014 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 8 Interpretation 8 CMS term 10 Relationship with other Department of Conservation strategic documents and tools, and other agencies planning processes 10 Relationships with other planning processes 11 Legislative tools 11 International obligations 12 World Heritage Areas 13 Part One 14 1.1 The Department in Otago 14 1.2 Vision for Otago—20654 14 1.3 Distinctive features, values and issues of Otago 16 1.4 Treaty partnership with Ngai Tahuof Waitangi responsibilities 21 1.5 Otago by 20254 30 Part Two—Places 45 2.1 Mount Aspiring National Park/Tititea Place 46 2.2 Inland Te Papanui, Oteake and Hawea Conservation Parks Place 49 2.3 Western Lakes and Mountains/Nga Puna Wai Karikari a Rakaihautu Place 59 2.4 Central Otago Uplands Place 78 2.5 Old Man Range/Kopuwai, Old Woman Range, and Garvie Mountains Place 86 2.6 Central Otago Drylands/Manuherikia Place 92 2.7 Eastern Otago and Lowlands/Maukaatua Place 99 2.8 Catlins/Te Akau Tai Toka Place 108 2.9 Marine/Te Tai o Arai te Uru Place 116 2.10 Freshwater/Wai Maori Place 122 Part Three—Specific policy requirements for Otago 129 3.1 General 3.1 Authorisations General 129 Vehicles (other than aircraft) 3.2 Motorised vehciles 134 3.3 Mountain bikes (non motorised) 136 3.4 Electric power-assisted pedal cycles 138 Other forms of Transport 3.5 Watercraft 139 3.6 Aircraft 140 3.7 Animals 148 3.8 Dogs 149 3.9 Horses and pack animals 151 3.10 Structures and utilities 151 3.11 Private accommodation and related facilities 153 3.12 Marine mammal viewing 156 3.13 Commerical eeling 156 3.14 Sports fish and game bird hunting 157 3.15 Grazing and farming 158 3.16 Mining 159 3.17 Sand and shingle extraction 160 3.18 Commerical filming and photography 161 3.19 Collection of material 162 3.20 Wild animals 163 3.21 Game animals (see also wild animals) 166 3.22 Sporting and competitive events 167 3.23 Recreation activities using fixed anchors 168 3.24 Fire management 169 3.25 Ski fields 170 Part Four—Implementation, monitoring, reporting and review 173 Glossary 174 Appendices Appendix 1: 197 Work or activities of the Department of Conservation that may meet the requirements of sSection 4(3) of the Resource Management Act 1991 for exemptions from land use consents in Otago. Appendix 2: 206 Important eEcosystems and habitats types within Otago Appendix 3: 222 Islands administered by the Department of Conservation in Otago Appendix 4: 224 Priority ecosystem management unitssites on public conservation lands and waters in Otago identified by the Department of Conservation through the Nnatural Hheritage prioritising processesManagement System in February 2012 Appendix 56: 232 Threatened and at risk indigenous Fflora and fauna present in Otago Appendix 65: 246 Threats or pests and wild animals present in Otago Appendix 7: 276 Nationally Iiconic species in Otago Appendix 8: 277 Marine habitats and ecosystems in Otago Appendix 9: 282 Significant geological features, landforms and landscapes in Otago Appendix 10: 287 Actively conserved historic places in Otago on public conservation lands and waters, or managed by the Department in Otago Appendix 11: 292 Recreation destinations in Otago Appendix 12: 293 Prescriptions for the management of visitor management zones Appendix 13: 241 Prescriptions for the management of aircraft zones Appendix 134: 300 Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act provisions relating to Otago Appendix 145: 324 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 Ngāi Tahu and 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 20154–20254 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 functions of the Department of Conservation (the Department) are for the most part identified in section 6 of the Act and in other Acts listed in the First Schedule of the Act. The purpose of a conservation management strategy (CMS) as defined by section 17D of the Act is to implement statements of general policiespolicy (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 and other management plans. In Otago Region there is one recent1 operative conservation management plan for Taiaroa Heads Nature Reserve2., and There is one operative national park management plan within the area of this CMS, 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 (20121) 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). Otago Conservation Management Strategy 20154–20254 6 A lower order planning document cannot derogate from a higher order one; meaning that it cannot be contrary to it. The lower in order a planning document is, the greater the level of detail as to management intentions. The general policies relevant to this CMSstrategy 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