Estuary Monitoring Toolkit Turning the Tide 2006

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities

Gretchen Robertson & Monica Peters

Published by the TAIERI Trust, 2006

Cover Artwork by Theresa Reihana - www.maoriart.com Illustrations by Monica Peters Graphic Design by Mark Jackson - www.ecoimage.co.nz

This work is copyright. The copying, adaptation, or issuing of this work to the public on a non-profit basis is welcomed. No other use of this work is permitted without the prior consent of the copyright holder(s). The TAIERI Trust acknowledges the Minister for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund, which is administered by the Ministry for the Environment. The Ministry for the Environment does not support or endorse the content of this publication in any way.

I Acknowledgements

Thank you to the Waikouaiti-Karitane River and Estuary Care Group for your patience in trialing early drafts of the monitoring section. To Dr Barry Robertson and Leigh Stevens of Wriggle Coastal Management, your willingness to work with us to develop user-friendly tools for estuarine monitoring and assessment have transformed this kit from an idea to a reality. To Mark Jackson for his wonderful graphic design skills. To the Cawthron Institute for providing images and advice, especially Rod Asher for his species identification knowledge. To employees of the New Zealand Landcare Trust for providing information about community estuary groups around New Zealand. To the Manawatu Estuary Trust for providing us with inspiration and a copy of your wonderful CD. To the Auckland Regional Council and Christchurch City Council for information about your estuarine programmes. To NIWA for providing inspiration through your mangrove based ‘Estuary Monitoring by Communities’ document. Thanks also to Rob McGowan for providing the photos demonstrating the traditional uses of estuarine sediments for piu piu dying. We note the huge voluntary efforts being made by estuary- care groups throughout the country and recognise your passion as a huge motivating force. Our huge gratitude for the vital funding role of the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund. We also acknowledge the support offered by the NZ Landcare Trust. We would finally like to extend a huge thanks to our friends and families who encouraged and supported our vision for engaging communities in caring for their local environment.

II Contents

Acknowledgements II Contents III Turning the Tide: What can this kit do for us? IV The Authors V Chapter 1 - Introduction 1 Why care about mud? 1 Culture and History of Our Estuaries 2 Why value estuaries? 4 The Ecology of Our Estuaries 5 The plants of the estuary 9 Chapter2-ASolid Grounding 10 Step One: - Holding an initial meeting 11 Step Two: - Mapping what you know 14 Step Three: - The Matrix 17 Where to next 20 Chapter 3 - Building up a Picture of Estuarine Health 22 Investigating Estuarine Impacts 23 Mapping Tips - Info you need to get underway 25 Mapping your estuary 27 Estuary Warrant of Fitness Check 48 Taking it to the next level 54 What's Possible? 55 Chapter 4 - Sharing the Knowledge 58 General Estuary Resources for the Classroom 59 Fieldtrip Resources 61 Resources for Adults 63 Chapter 5 - Linkages and Networks 64 Some New Zealand Estuary Groups and Projects 65 Community Group Case Studies 66 A Network of Experts 72 Seeking Funding 74 Making Submissions 76 References 77 Appendix 1 - Species 80 Common Species of the Estuarine Mudflat 80 Other Estuarine Organisms 90 Seaweeds 94 Appendix 2 - Cockle Monitoring Methodology 96

III Turning the Tide: What can this kit do for us?

Chapter 1: Introduction: Why Care About Mud What can this part do for us?

# Introduce the special features of estuaries # Put your estuary into a national context

Chapter 2: A Solid Grounding This section outlines a structured process for getting together as a community to share ideas and think about the future of your estuary. What can this part do for us?

# Provide information on how to run a community meeting # Record the known current and historical condition of your estuary # Assess the community values associated with the estuary # Highlight key areas for future action

Where to next? You decide! Every estuary will have a different set of issues and values, where you want to go next is your decision. This kit provides the tools to assist. You can choose as many or as few as you want.

Chapter 3: Chapter 4: Chapter 5: Building up a Picture Sharing the Knowledge Linkages Monitoring Widening Resources, estuarine ecology awareness networks & advice

What can this part do for us? What can this part do for us? What can this part do for us? # # # Further community links Build up a wider community Provide inspiration from, and links appreciation to, other community groups to the estuary # # # Get schools involved Outline resources available Fill knowledge gaps # # # Unite communities in learning and Offer advice on getting involved in Track changes over time having fun in their local environment local government planning # Illustrate to agencies genuine # List agencies with interests in interest/concern from the estuaries community # Add credibility to issues raised with resource management agencies

IV Turning the Tide The Authors

Gretchen Robertson Monica Peters

This kit arose from a One of my long-term community’s desire interests is getting to know more about science out there the Waikouaiti and making it fun. Estuary, Otago. Over the years, I Monica and I worked have worked on a with this community diverse range of to trial a draft kit conservation-related based predominantly publications, on ecological facilitated volunteer monitoring. It environmental became clear while working with this management/restoration projects, carried out community, that scientific monitoring can leave habitat assessments, and monitored birds and more questions unanswered than answered plants in many places around the world. within estuaries. Although a lot of useful information was gained, a suite of useful I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts and more information was also missed. recently a Diploma of Science in ecology. A component of my diploma involved assessing After further work on this resource, we have the ability of resources to allow communities to endeavoured to design a kit that can be of participate in scientific monitoring. The draft value across New Zealand. It harnesses estuarine monitoring kit became my model for communities’ valuable existing knowledge as this work. Monitoring does not need to be a baseline for decision making on future action confusing, onerous or boring! and provides tools for moving forward. In my current wetland restoration work with the After graduating with a BSC Honours in New Zealand Landcare Trust, I’m inspired and ecology from the University of Otago in 1999, I impressed by the conservation projects took up water quality scientist positions within developed and implemented by dedicated the Wellington and then Otago Regional community groups around New Zealand. I Councils. I currently work for the New Zealand believe in the value of coordinated bottom-up Landcare Trust where I was project coordinator approaches for protecting and enhancing the for the TAIERI Trust from 2001-2006. The TAIERI environment. Trust is a multi-stakeholder integrated catchment management project aiming to enhance information exchange and waterway health within the Taieri River catchment. I am also an Otago Regional Councilor representing the Dunedin constituency.

Science can never substitute for the intimate day to day relationship a community has with their environment. The taste of a fat juicy cockle, the squelch of gumboots across the mudflats, the carnival atmosphere of whitebaiting season, or the rituals of a pair of oyster catchers may seem like minute details tangled amidst our busy lives. But it is these inherent observations that shape our values and aspirations for our local estuary. These small details arm communities with a set of tools enviable within any scientific laboratory.

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities V VI Turning the Tide Chapter 1: Introduction Why Care about Mud? Estuaries are the point where streams and rivers rest momentarily as they contemplate their destiny amidst the great salty ocean. As the river lulls in its peaceful respite, it starts to

unload its burden - particles washed from the Introduction headwaters, foothills and plains of the surrounding catchment. These particles accumulate within the estuary as mementos of the river’s journey. The health of the surrounding land very much affects the health of the estuary.

Estuaries are far more than just a geological process however! We New Zealanders love our estuaries! Estuaries have long been regarded as useful to humans as sheltered The health of your local harbours and food gathering sites. It is no estuary reflects not only the surprise that most large towns in New Zealand current value, but also the are built around them. Although we have historical value, your recognised the benefits estuaries can provide, community placed on it. we have not realised our own strength in terms of our impacts upon them. With population increases and industrialisation our impacts have been ever intensifying.

Human development around the margins of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch Photo, Cawthron Institute

Local people check for whitebait at the mouth of the Kakanui Estuary Photo, Gretchen Robertson

1 Turning the Tide 2 Piupiu washing Completed piupiu An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities Piupiu dying, Matakana Island illustrates the huge role estuaries had and as reeds are harvested dyed and washed. The process of making a piupiu (grass skirt) continue to have in the lives of tangata whenua. Culture and History of Our Estuaries the ingredients of these beautiful traditional works, The plants, water and mud of the estuary all act as with empty shells. Photo, Monica Peters Erosion has revealed these middens laden Moa hunter site, Papatowai, Catlins, Otago. Tangata Whenua Values Sheltered coastal sites were theour first early homes Polynesian for migrants. Fish,and shellfish waterfowl formed a majoras part did of moa the in diet, thesettlement. very Several early important years “moa of hunter” sites have been identified inenvironments, estuarine typically on dry shinglesand spits dunes or bordering lagoons ormouths. river Sites on the eastIsland coast include of Papatowai, the Pounawea South andWairau the Bar, and in theand North Opito Island, on Tairua the Coromandel Peninsula. Estuaries and their surrounding marginsregarded are by Mãori as aMany taonga have or historical treasure. and culturaland importance may include wahi tapuare (sacred mahinga sites). kai They (food gathering)provide sites, significant and habitats for aculturally range important of animals including fish, tuna (eel), birds, reptiles, amphibiansinsects. and Many plants found inused estuaries for are weaving, medicine and carving.

Introduction Culture and History of Our Estuaries

European settlement Current Threats to Estuaries When European settlers began arriving in the Notwithstanding the Resource Management early 19th century, like Mãori they were Act 1991, many estuaries remain vulnerable to attracted to estuaries. The large estuaries

harmful influences. Introduction made excellent natural harbours. Cities and towns like Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, The major threats are: Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin and Bluff soon developed around them as transport in ! excess silt flowing in from land clearance the developing colony was predominantly by ! pollution from sewage, industrial wastes coastal shipping. Small ports sprang up in and agricultural run-off practically every harbour in Northland and the ! oil spills Coromandel in the 1860s, as settlers stripped ! invasion by introduced species the land of its kauri timber and gum and ! reclamation shipped them to large ports at Auckland ! extraction of sand and gravel. (Waitemata Harbour) and Onehunga (Manukau Harbour). These activities decrease the habitat available for estuarine plants and animals, spoil Because estuaries were viewed by many recreational activity in the area, and jeopardise European settlers as unproductive wastelands, the role estuaries play in maintaining the estuaries were reclaimed for harbours and health of coastal fisheries and waters. pasture utilised for sewage disposal and rubbish dumps. Mãori never accepted this view and actively protested when sewage and stormwaters were discharged into estuaries. A number of claims to the Waitangi Tribunal focus on the destruction of traditional estuarine food-gathering areas. The spiritual and cultural dimensions of Mãori objections were expressed by Ngati Pikiao claimants in their Kaituna River claim, which stated that ‘to mix waters that had been contaminated by human waste with waters that were used for gathering food was deeply objectionable. Since the passing of the Resource Management Act in 1991, local authorities have been required to manage estuaries and other coastal areas in a Sewage discharge pipes around the margins of the sustainable manner and Avon-Heathcote Estuary, Christchurch respect Mãori cultural and Photo, Cawthron Institute spiritual values (Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, www.teara.govt.nz).

3 Turning the Tide Why value estuaries?

Introduction The estuary plays an important and complex role in the life of the coast, acting as a:

! breeding and feeding ground for fish and The RAMSAR Convention birds ! buffer for the coast from storms and floods Globally there is only one international ! filter for sediments and pollutants from treaty dedicated to ecosystem coastal waters conservation. Estuaries are classified as ! record of past environments and events a form of wetland and indeed it is these ! place for recreation (such as water sports, wetland ecosystems that have been fishing, shellfish gathering, duck shooting, specifically targeted. birdwatching) ! site for marine farms. The value of wetlands as habitat as well as the severe threats they face, are In the past, many New Zealanders failed to motivations for the ‘Convention on appreciate the value of estuaries. Their lives Wetlands of International Importance within our towns and on farms seemed to be especially as Waterfowl Habitat’ ( the independent of the state of coastal waters. But RAMSAR Convention). with an expanding population demanding clean water for recreation and aquaculture, people are learning that healthy estuaries are an asset and deserve careful management.

Manawatu River Estuary Photo, Manawatu Estuary Trust Of the 6 internationally recognised RAMSAR The Future sites in New Zealand, 2 are estuaries: Miranda (Firth of Thames) and the Manawatu River It’s up to us to decide what future is in store for Estuary. our estuaries. Many communities have turned the tide on historical degradation and are now actively working to improve the health of their estuary. This resource kit is designed to assist communities to come together, share information and take the next steps should they wish to become more actively involved.

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 4 The Ecology of Our Estuaries

A. The Physical Environment What happens to sediment?

How many and how big? Estuaries are temporary landforms. Rivers deposit sediment eroded from the land, and New Zealand has over 300 estuaries that vary tides bring in sand from the sea floor. If more Introduction in size from small coastal creeks and lagoons sediment comes in than flushes out, an (as small as 1ha) to large harbours, sounds estuary will age and eventually die as it fills up and fiords (up to 15,000ha). The majority of our with so much sediment that it turns into dry estuaries are under 500ha. land.

How were they formed? Around New Zealand, infilling of estuaries progresses at different rates according to their Our estuaries were formed through a variety of shape, and the volume of sediment arriving. means. These include former coastal river or The fiords of the lower South Island have glacial valleys, coastal plains, rocky shores hardly changed in the last 6,500 years. In (fiords) and tectonically active zones. Most of contrast, Waitematā Harbour has accumulated our estuaries were developed from valleys metres of sediment and is at an advanced formed by river and glacial activity during the stage of infilling. If sediments continue to last glacial period. These were filled with water accumulate on its vast intertidal mudflats, as the sea level rose approximately 10,000 some areas will rise above the high-tide level years ago. and become permanently dry. Sometimes a dramatic event can lead to the What happens when freshwater meets death of an estuary, or a section of it. During saltwater? the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake part of the Ahuriri Lagoon was raised by over 1 metre, The mixing of fresh and sea water within an well above the high-tide level. estuary creates a unique and dynamic environment. Freshwater is less dense and Human activity has increased erosion and hence lighter than saltwater and will therefore changed the flow of rivers into and through flow above the heavier seawater. In estuaries estuaries, speeding up the infilling of many. with a large contributing river, a salt wedge is Scientists analysing estuary sediments have formed (see diagram below). This is a wedge- discovered that before humans arrived in New shaped bottom layer of seawater which is Zealand, estuaries filled slowly. Less than 1 pushed up the estuary along the river bottom millimetre of sediment accumulated on the with each incoming (high) tide. The separation estuary floor each year. In some North Island between the freshwater and saltwater (the estuaries, sediments are now accumulating at interface) can break down on an outgoing an annual rate of 20 millimetres (low) tide. Such conditions of mixing will create (Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand; zones of brackish, or diluted seawater (a www.teara.govt.nz). common feature of estuaries).

Diagram from the Auckland Regional Council’s ‘Estuaries Kit’

5 Turning the Tide The Ecology of Our Estuaries

Introduction A. The Physical Environment (cont) B. The Biological Environment Twice-daily tides create both fluctuating salinity This is a picture of levels and extremes of temperature. This sediment cores means those choosing to live in estuaries are taken by some pretty tough characters. University of Tough but highly productive Otago researcher Marc Estuaries are some of the most productive, if Schallenberg not the most productive, ecosystems in the from Lake world. Each year they produce about as much Waihola, Otago. per square metre as a tropical rainforest, four times as much as good New Zealand pasture, A long pipe was ten times as much as our near shore sea and used to extract a twenty times as much as the deep ocean. Only column of a small part of this living material is consumed sediment from through direct grazing by herbivores. Over 90% the bed of Lake of the plant matter produced breaks down into Waihola. This tiny particles called detritus. Detritus and the showed two micro-organisms feeding off it, provides fuel interesting facts. for primary consumers such as amphipods, Firstly that the rate of crabs, molluscs and fish. sediment deposition to the lake was greatly accelerated after European What is productivity? arrival and subsequent land clearance. The primary productivity of a community is the rate at which living material is The core also showed that although Lake produced per unit Waihola is currently regarded as a area by plants predominantly freshwater system, it was (which are termed once an estuary. Dr Schallenberg knows primary producers). this as cockle shells were found buried Net primary deep in the mud. A process called carbon productivity (NPP) dating enabled him to age the cockles as can be measured in 2100 years old. Dr Marc Schallenberg terms of kilograms predicts that sea level rise may see the of dry organic matter Lake revert to an estuary again within as per hectare per year little as 100 years. (kg ha-1 year -1 ).

Picnic on the shores of Lake Waihola, Otago Photo, Gretchen Robertson Diagram from the Auckland Regional Council’s ‘Estuaries Kit’

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 6 The Ecology of Our Estuaries

Wow! Some New Zealand estuaries are so productive they can support up to 500 Mudflat snails(Amphibola crenata) and Introduction up to 2500 Cockles (Austrovenus stuchburyi) per square meter.

Although able to support high densities of On the mid to lower shore are Stalk-eyed mud plants and animals, estuaries are not as crabs (Macropthalmus hirtipes ) and Ghost diverse as other ecosystems, as relatively few shrimps (Callianassa filholi ). The shrimps are species can tolerate such a highly variable hidden deep inside complex burrows beneath environment. volcano like mounds.

The animals of the estuary

Fine-grained sediments readily settle in the sheltered environment of the estuaries, and typically support dense colonies of polychaetes, molluscs and crustaceans. Many of these invertebrates tunnel vigorously Ghost Shrimp through the sediments, riddling the surface of the intertidal flats with evidence of their activities. As sheltered food-rich environments, estuaries are ideal nursery areas for many species of Wow! crustacea and fish. At least 30 commercially In a single year the mudflat important species including mullet, sole, snails living within a square gurnard, flounder, sole, red cod, eels and metre of the estuary eat whitebait use New Zealand estuaries at some their way through 58kg of stage in their life cycle. mud leaving behind them a faecal trail of undigested Migratory birds also use estuaries as places in sediment bound by mucous. which to breed and build up their energy stores for their long-distance flights. Gulls, Oystercatchers, Pied Stilts, Shags, Herons, In the sheltered sandflats, cockle beds Mallards and Black Swans are just some of the (Austrovenus stuchburyi ) can reach impressive birds commonly seen in estuaries around the proportions. Buried deeper than cockles, are country. wedge shells (Macomona liliana ) whose long siphon leaves characteristic bird foot-like Wow! impressions on the sand. Christchurch’s Avon-Heathcote estuary supports around Tunnelling mud crabs 4000 Oystercatchers, (Helice crassa ) are who together found on the upper consume a shore along with the air staggering breathing mud snail 1,472,000 ()Amphibola crenata Tunnelling Mud Crab cockles per day. sifting through the sediments on the search for food.

7 Turning the Tide The Ecology of Our Estuaries

Introduction The plants of the estuary Shrubs such as Marsh ribbonwood (Plagianthus divaricatus) and Manuka The plant communities fringing the (Leptospermum scoparium) grow where the estuary act as a physical buffer land becomes more stable. between the land and the sea by trapping sediments and absorbing Where the tide laps against raised banks, the excess water. Stems and branches saltwater tolerant glasswort (Sarcocornia of plants reduce water flowing quinqueflora) forms dense carpets ranging in from the land as well as scatter colour from reddish waves from the estuary basin, brown to blue-green. while dense root mats trap The common name sediments helping to reduce refers to the use of the erosion. Through the action of plant’s mineral-rich binding and stabilising sediments, ash by early plants can effectively “catch” glassmakers. pollutants washed or leached from the catchment. The plants also In the middle parts of supply the estuary with organic Leptocarpus the marsh are the turf material which breaks down and similis forming Remuremu feeds the estuary ecosystem. (Selliera radicans) and Shore Pimpernel Common estuarine margin plants include: (Samolus repens), both bearing small white ! Soarccornia quinqueflora Rushes (e.g.Juncus maritimus , Leptocarpus flowers. Glasswort similis), ! Sedges (e.g.Scirpus americanus , Carex littorosa), and ! Flax (Phormium tenax )

Exotic Invaders Spartina (Spartina maritime ) was introduced in order to stabilise estuary sediments for eventual reclamation. Marram(Ammophila arenaria) was sown to stop dunes from eroding, in some cases to protect adjacent farmlands. Both crowd out native species and alter the natural movements of sand and estuary sediments. Spartina in particular is often now targeted for eradication.

Spartina, New River Estuary, Southland

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 8 The Ecology of Our Estuaries

Eel grass (Zostera sp .) grows on gently graded The estuary is a diverse and very special place. intertidal flats and provides food and shelter It is home to a diversity of species. Many are for fish, shellfish and crustaceans as well as permanent residents, while some visit the buffering the higher beach from the effects of estuary from time to time (like migratory birds,

tides and currents. Occasionally, the slender whitebait and coastal fish). Within New Introduction green leaves (not at all related to terrestrial Zealand there is another species which grasses) are washed up on the shore. Look predominantly chooses to make its home closely and you might see a tiny limpet along the margins of estuaries, people! Most (Notoacmea helmsi scapha) with an elongated of our cities were established adjoining shell specially adapted to fit on to the narrow estuaries. Although many have been altered, leaves. estuaries are still significant landscape features in New Zealand. The following Floating in the water chapters provide tools for building up or attached to rocks knowledge and caring for these often in flat sheets, fast misunderstood and mistreated ecosystems. growing seaweeds (macroalgae) such as Ulva, Enteromorpha andGracilaria can colour parts of the estuary green or brown within a Notoacmea helmsi matter of weeks.

The estuary is transformed to a green tinge by Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce), Papanui Estuary, Otago Peninsula. Photo, Gretchen Robertson

9 Turning the Tide

Chapter 2: A Solid Grounding Bringing everyone together to share community is a really important process. You knowledge, assess priorities, and map out a may be interested to know that in 2005, the future for your estuary. United Nations held their first International Conference on Engaging Communities. At this Sometimes life is so busy we forget to look conference it was widely recognised that there beyond our individual schedules and front is a global crisis in engaging the community. gates. We forget that we are part of a We are not getting together like we used to. If community living within a local environment. we are to make a difference we need to work We forget the reasons why it was we chose to as a team! make our home along New Zealand’s beautiful coast. This chapter looks at the Shared enthusiasm beats a pile of characteristics of your local estuary and helps technical reports on a shelf hands down! you figure out what is important to you as a community. “The only resource that really matters for a

science organisation is its people and A Solid Grounding To enable the best information to be collated their passion, intellect and willingness to and the most useful action programmes to be weld individual strengths into the power of developed, everyone needs to get together the minds working collectively”. and share ideas and knowledge. This means Morgan Williams, Parliamentary not just the community but as many other Commissioner for the Environment interested parties as possible (e.g. researchers and resource management agencies). Bringing a wide range of skills together is a prerequisite to making a real difference! However making sure you have a good local turnout is vital too. Getting together as a

Boatsheds, Kakanui, North Otago Photo, Gretchen Robertson

Our community and our environment make up our habitat! Having a healthy, happy habitat is up to us.

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 10 Step One: Holding an initial meeting meeting desired end point - generally there is a community liaison Ideas for an effective meeting: Making sure your meeting ispossible as relies effective of as three main factors 1. ensuring the meeting2. will getting be a well wide facilitated range of people along to the 3. having a process to take attendees to an a 1. Facilitation It’s a good idea tothe think meeting about first the up. facilitation Do of experienced you facilitator have at an hand? Thisshould person be carefully selected. Forchairperson example of the a local clubmanner may required have to the chair aminded meeting members, of but like- may notexperienced be in encouraging useful discussion amongst a wide diversity of people. There are many places youensure could your go meeting for is help well to facilitated. organised and www.landcare.org.nz There will be plenty of qualified facilitators within your local The staff responsible for community outreach programmes Ideas for Where to Seek Facilitation Help: are an independent organisation with a team of professionally

Your City or District Council - within your Council will beresource particularly sections. useful. You Try may the also environmentalCouncilor consider education to asking and lead for the an meeting experienced facilitation. Regional Your Local Department of Conservation Office trained facilitators. Check outYour Regional Council - or education officer within each for office. a staff member near you. council, just ask to beexperienced referred elected to Councillors an who appropriate may person. be There willing may to also help be out. The NZ Landcare Trust

Turning the Tide This chapter provides key ideasorganise for such how a best meeting to andextracting two information tools from for the combined group (a mapping exercise andreally a important matrix). you It complete is thesebefore exercises deciding to utilise anyprovided of in the this other toolkit. tools Withoutwhat a knowledge feeling already of exists andcommunity what values, the any future actionwill pathways not be as effectivethe as wide they buy-in could required be to orsuccess. make have them a The first step to understandingestuary your is local getting together aspeople many as interested possible to sharevalues. knowledge This and means organising ainvolving meeting both community members and external stakeholders (such as localmanagement resource agencies and researchers). 11 A Solid Grounding Step One: Holding an initial meeting

2. Ensuring Good Attendance newspaper ads, and ads in the local shop). Try to ensure you have people present who Once you have determined who will lead the can answer the following questions: meeting, think about ensuring you pull in the crowds! Firstly ensure the proposed date and ! What is the current health of the estuary (e.g. time suits most of your attendees. Think about food resources, natural vegetation, and whether a weekend or week day is best and pollution)? then if a day time or evening meeting is most convenient. Ring around some key participants ! What changes have occurred within the and gauge suitable dates with them. Make estuary (reclamation, flows, water quality, sure you aren’t scheduling the meeting for a abundance of flora and fauna etc)? date that clashes with other important events (e.g. an All Blacks test)! ! What changes have occurred in the catchment (e.g. conversion of surrounding Once you have organised a date that suits land to dairying, removal of septic tanks, your key participants, draw up a list of other explosion of housing development, etc)? A Solid Grounding potential attendees. Make sure you have secured a venue that can meet the numbers ! Where are the sources of potential pollution? you expect. Inviting a wide variety of attendees can be done through a variety of means (e.g. ! What are the special features of the estuary phone calls, emails, fliers, radio (areas of natural habitat, swimming sites, announcements, school newsletters, cockle harvesting beds, whitebait breeding areas etc)?

! What do people like, and not like, about the current condition of the estuary?

Ideas for people to invite

! Commercial and recreational fishers ! Local Iwi/hapu ! Long standing members of the community ! Existing landcare groups ! Local clubs (Lions, Rotary, birdwatchers, patchwork, etc) ! Recreational user groups (kayaking, walking, boating etc) ! Local teachers ! Local school pupils ! Your local Department of Conservation coastal ecologist ! Your local Fish and Game officer ! Your NZ Landcare Trust coordinator ! Your local Councilors (Regional and District/City) ! Your Regional Council coastal scientist and land resource officers ! Relevant City/District Council staff (eg. engineers, planners, parks and recreation officers etc) ! Nearby university researchers (students or lecturers) ! Forest and Bird representatives ! Federated Farmers staff ! Scientists from institutes nearby like NIWA, Cawthron, or Landcare Research ! And a wide invitation to the general community

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 12 Step One: Holding an initial meeting Photo, Manawatu Estuary Trust Flock of Birds over Manawatu Estuary

Turning the Tide The first step once youeveryone have together gathered at a meetingthey is all to introduce ensure themselves andbackgrounds. their You may like tobrief kick talk off from with a a inspirationalspecial expert value on of the the localpeople estuary. focused This on will their get surroundings.this After the following two stepsthrough will an lead effective you process forinformation gaining you the want from theyour attendees meeting: of their knowledge ofthe the estuary health and of the valuescomponents they of place the on estuary. 3. An Effective Process 13 A Solid Grounding Step Two: Mapping what you know

Aim: To get diverse stakeholders together to ensure information is being shared and share as much existing information as relationships are being built. Don’t worry if possible about the estuary traditionally opposed agencies are present in the same group. Key meeting principles for the facilitator 3. Equipment available for everyone 1. Small groups not one large group Everyone should leave the meeting feeling like It’s a great idea to split your attendees up into they were actively involved throughout the small groups. If the group becomes too large, process. Each group should have their own individuals can dominate the process making aerial photo or map and marker pens. A good it difficult for others to contribute. We suggest way to ensure everyone gets to put their groups no larger than 8. Ensure the room is set thoughts on the map is to give each group a up to accommodate this. Rather than rows of set of ‘sticky notes’ and pens as well as their seats try tables with chairs around them. permanent marker. This means people can write their thoughts down and stick them onto 2. Mix and match is best the map. A Solid Grounding Try to ensure the groups are organised so that a wide variety of stakeholders are present in 4. There are no right or wrong answers each group. Don’t leave it up to individuals to It is important for people feel their thoughts are form their own groups as they will cluster into valued and respected. Everything goes down their existing social networks. The aim is to on paper at this stage.

What you will need:

! One current aerial photo and one historical aerial photo (as far back as possible, if available) blown up to at least A3 size (enough for each group). These can be obtained from your City/District Council or Regional Council generally. Or visit Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/index.html) for a free download enabling you to obtain aerial photography for anywhere in the globe! Some images are a little blurry but for many estuaries good images will be available (coverage is constantly improving over time). It’s a good idea to laminate these photos. ! If aerial photos are not available use topographical maps of the estuary and surrounding land. You will need 2 copies, 1 will be required to map the current situation and the other to map the historical situation (again laminating is a good idea). Again have enough copies for each small group. ! Markers for writing on the maps (enough for each group). ! Meths or nail polish remover and a rag (this can remove permanent marker from laminated surfaces). ! ‘Sticky notes’ adhesive paper (enough for each group). ! Enough pens/pencils for everyone. ! A photocopy of the instructions provided on the following page for each group.

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 14 your Step Two: Mapping what you know Points where natural streams and rivers flow Any known pollution discharge points (eg Any septic tank zones aroundAreas the where estuary the estuary has been Areas where the margins of the estuary are Areas where the margins of the estuary are Special areas (e.g. swimming sites, into the estuary stormwater, sewage, industrial waste) reclaimed still in a natural statevegetation, (e.g. native saltmarsh bush, native tussock, etc) highly modified (e.g. areas ofurban reclamation, development, intensive agriculture, horticulture, road around the margin etc) harvesting areas, areas with conservation value, whitebaiting areas etc.) What to record on current aerial! photo or ! ! ! ! ! ! Step 2: Historical Situation (25mins) Step 3: Reporting back Step 4: Collating the information Step 1: Current situation (25mins) map: What to record on youror historical map: aerial photo Mark on your historical photoall or the second features map that haveover changed time. significantly Use the listinspiration. above again for Get together as one groupsmaller again. groups Each will of then the presentand their ideas maps back to the main group. Somebody will then collect allmaps the and groups’ collate the informationmain onto maps two (one for currentone information for and historical). This canmeeting. be done after the Ruataniwha Estuary Photo, Gretchen Robertson

Turning the Tide You will complete two maps:and a a current historical map map The purpose of this exercisecollective is understanding to of build the up characteristics a of your estuary. We wantand to what know makes what or it made isfollowing it like list that just way. provide The ideas.right There or are wrong no answers, justmuch try information to as get possible. down as Read this first! Photocopy this sheet (one for each group) 15 A Solid Grounding Step Two: Mapping what you know

A Solid Grounding

Example aerial photo with notes about the estuary’s current state.

NB: Although this is a real estuary, information contained on this page is fictional.

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 16 Step Three: The Matrix You may not be able to fill in all of the Completing these matrices may take some Everyone should be involved in recording the Only community members should be Once the ratings and importance weightings Ask the community whether they feel there Make sure everyone feels that their Summarising the results is important as Fill the matrices in as one group during the Instructions for facilitating the matrix exercise: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. multi-stakeholder meeting. This should be done after the mapping exercise. information (especially the historical situation). If that is the caseleave just the fill rest. in Over what time youcome you can back may and and be fill able in to more information. time and debate. We cannotof give the an time estimate required asdepending it on will the vary group significantly and estuary. current and historical ‘ranks’ forcharacteristic. each involved in determining the currentimportance community rating. have been recorded, go backas over a the group findings and summarisehave together found. what For you example youthe may estuary have has found a lowshellfish rating but for shellfish abundance resources of havecommunity a weighting. high You can alsowhether determine an estuary is improvingdeteriorating or over time for eachcategories of if the you have aknowledge good of historical the area. everyone needs to leave theshared meeting sense with of a the meeting outcomes. are any aspects of theto findings give they more would attention like inmight the be future. a There range ofdeclining issues shellfish highlighted resources, e.g. loss ofhabitat, natural and pollution. Record anygiven priorities (these will be thefurther starting meeting point in for the a near future). contributions were highly valued. Alsoknow let they them are welcome tomeeting attend in another the near futureforward to on discuss any the priority way issues raised. 10. Make sure you collecteveryone contact before details they for leave.

Look backwards to move forward “Titiro tui muri, haere whakamua”

for approaching resource management agencies for assistance with priority issues estuary characteristics and their associated community values To prioritise issues for futureTo action provide the community with a useful tool To assess a range of current and historical Biological and physical characteristics Natural character and values Existing negative effects Potential for adverse impacts. ! ! ! Aims: ! ! ! ! Turning the Tide The matrix sheets cover four key aspects: For this step you willone need group to and come fill together in as sheets. the The attached matrix matrix sheets willscore enable the you current to health ofyou your have estuary the and knowledge if available,back to in reflect history and highlightimportant changes. that It as is many peoplepresent as who possible can are contribute knowledgeestuary. on However the it is importantcommunity that decides only how the much valueplace they on each characteristic. 17 A Solid Grounding Step Four: A Second Meeting

Aim: To develop initial actions for priority issues 1. Collate the information from the last meeting. This means producing two large main maps (a During the first meeting people got together to current map and a historical map) by bringing share existing knowledge. They also identified all the information together from the group existing and potential estuary issues. The next mapping exercise. Also gather up all four stage is to get together again and decide: matrices and highlight on these the key priorities people identified at the last meeting. a. Whether the community wants to take further action on priority issues. 2. Contact all the participants of the last b. What these actions might be. meeting and anyone else you feel should be invited and arrange a second meeting.

3. Put up the two maps and the four matrices up on the wall so everyone can see the results of the last meeting. Recap on these results.

A Solid Grounding

4. Split the attendees into small groups again and give each a large sheet of paper. Get them to write each of the priority issues onto the sheet with a circle around it (see the example diagram below). Then get them to attach as much information as they can about each issue (including possible causes and whether there is much information about the issue). Kakanui Estuary, North Otago Sometimes priority issues may be linked e.g. poor flushing and low shellfish resources (link them on the diagram).

Issues Diagram Example

Don't know much about the Urban development historical cover Saltmarsh Decline Reclamation Less flow

Don't know Irrigation about trends Poor Shellfish Resources Poor Flushing

Silt Don't know Horticultural Over-harvesting how much sprays Pollution silt is Erosion building up

Septic tanks Urban development Freezing works waste

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 18 At this point you should have an agreed set Step Four: A Second Meeting Next develop an agreed action plan. Again For shellfish the following shared actions Conduct further monitoring to determine Undertake annual surveys of cockle Educate the community of the need to stop Educate people about not contaminating Upgrade old septic tanks (Regional Council, and responsibilities may be derived: how safe the shellfish areCouncil, to Public eat Health) (Regional abundance (MAF, Regional Council, community) overharvesting (MAF, community, schools) stormwater (Regional Council, City Council, schools, community) City Council, community) 9. ! ! ! ! ! ! put up a large sheetissue. of Ask paper the for group each to priority potential contribute ‘future ideas actions for to improvesituation’. the Also ask them tothere consider is whether enough information orinitial whether action an might be toseek conduct more research accurate to answers onAfter solutions. recording this information forget each them issue, to throw uppotential some groups, names individuals, for or agenciesmight that be able to help. 10. of priority issues, shared visionsagreed for potential these, actions. and Ask meeting attendees whether they would personallyto like be involved in followingpriority up issues. on It any may of be the interested that in some working people on are implementingactions the for one issue ofOthers particular may interest. want to beis involved possible in that all some issues. issues It linked are that so it closely makes senseHave to a combine contacts them. list forinvolved those in wanting each to issue. be Eachinclude issues members group of must the communityalso but preferably will include a diversitygroups of such other as researchers andmanagement resource agencies. Early partnership formation will greatly assist yourpathways action into the future. Chooseleader an for initial each group whocontacting will members be of in that charge group of them and together. getting Taieri Mouth, Otago

Now use this information as a basis for Split into small groups again. Give everyone Get each group to report back on the people complying with the legal limits for shellfish that are safe tocommunity eat members able to harvest their For shellfish you may all share the following shellfish harvesting. legal daily allowable number ofwithout cockles declines in the over all population visions: Report back on the findings and discuss as ! ! ! ! Turning the Tide developing a shared vision forgroup. the Write entire down each prioritylarge issue sheet onto of a paper andtime. discuss As one a at group a writeshare down for those each visions issue. you a group. 8. 7. another large sheet of paper.to Again write get the them priority issuescircles onto around the them. sheet This with timeattach ask information groups on to how theyeach would of like the components tofuture look (i.e. ideally their in visions). the information they have recorded andthe discuss results as a group. 6. 5. 19 A Solid Grounding Where to next

At this point it is over to each community and What if you want to educate the wider issues group how they proceed. The guidance community? and knowledge that may be provided through partnerships with experts such as scientists Chapter 3 provides methods for educating the Council staff, DoC etc will be hugely valuable. community (including school kids) on the Each situation will vary and the possibilities for importance of estuaries. how you choose to proceed are limitless. What if you want to talk to others or make a It is important that each issues group reports submission? back to the main group periodically and for the group as a whole to adopt and react to the The final chapter (Chapter 5) will give you a new information. The issues groups must seek series of networks and linkages to others the buy-in and support of the wider group for interested in estuaries. This chapter will also any new implementation plans. Therefore it assist those communities who want to get would be useful for the facilitator to organise involved in making submissions to their local regular meetings of the overall group. Also councils etc. A Solid Grounding consider the publication of community newsletters (which keep the wider public up to date too).

What if you need more information?

‘Building up a Picture’, Chapter 3 leads you through an initial investigation of the current state of your estuary. We recommend completing this section if you have questions about the health of your estuary. Completing this section will enable you to run your estuary through a warrant of fitness check. This will highlight the severity of problems occurring in Waituna Lagoon, Southland the estuary. For each of these it then suggests ‘what to ask for’ in terms of developing future detailed research and action programmes with external partners.

An estuaries toolkit for New Zealand communities 20 21 Turning the Tide Matrix A: Physical and Biological Characteristics of the Estuary Photocopy this Sheet

Estuary Characteristics Explanation Long-term Historical Rank Mid-term Historical Rank Current Rank Better or Current Community Choose and record a period as far Choose and record a date say 20- Worse with Importance Weighting back as there is knowledge e.g. 30 years ago, there should still be Time? This determines the importance 1950-60 (info may come from written good living memory of the period of each of the current scores for records, old aerial photos, older available. = rank the various characteristics within community members etc). improving your estuary (to you as a with time community). Date period: Date period: Current Date: = rank You can chose: 1= low importance decreasing 3= medium importance with time 5= high importance = rank Eg: an estuary may score 1 for remaining area of estuary but the small stable area may not be important to the local community as it is a very healthy internationally renowned bird breeding ground with associated ecotourism. It may therefore scorea1for 1. Area of Estuary (ha) The larger the estuary the higher the 1=less than 500ha, 2=500-2500, 1=less than 500ha, 2=500-2500, 1=less than 500ha, 2=500-2500, community importance and a 1 potential value (this is measured in 3=more than 2500ha 3=more than 2500ha 3=more than 2500ha for area. hectares) X = unknown X = unknown X = unknown NB a hectare is…. Rank: Rank: Rank: Notes: Notes: Notes: 2. Diversity of intertidal An intertidal habitat is the area of land 1=limited array of habitats 1=limited array of habitats 1=limited array of habitats habitat between low and high tide. It is covered 2=moderate array of habitats 2=moderate array of habitats 2=moderate array of habitats in water at times, but is not permanently 3=many habitats present 3=many habitats present 3=many habitats present covered. X= unknown X= unknown X= unknown Estuaries with the greatest array of intertidal habitats have the greatest Rank: Rank: Rank: potential for high intertidal biodiversity Notes: Notes: Notes: and therefore have high ecological value.A diverse habitat will have a mix of vegetation types and substrate types. Habitats include: rushes, reeds, seagrass, tussocks, herbfields, scrub, rock, cobble, gravel, mobile sand, sand, shell, muddy sand, soft mud, shellfish beds.

3. Diversity of subtidal A subtidal habitat is the area that is 1=limited array of habitats 1=limited array of habitats 1=limited array of habitats habitat permanently covered by water (often a 2=moderate array of habitats 2=moderate array of habitats 2=moderate array of habitats channel). 3=many habitats present 3=many habitats present 3=many habitats present Estuaries with the greatest array of X= unknown X= unknown X= unknown subtidal habitats have the greatest potential for high subtidal biodiversity and Rank: Rank: Rank: therefore have high ecological value. Notes: Notes: Notes:

4. Flushing Flushing is the time during which a 1= poorly flushed (more than 10days) 1= poorly flushed (more than 1= poorly flushed (more than quantity of freshwater coming from a 2= moderately flushed (3-10days) 10days) 10days) stream or seepage remains in the 3= well flushed (less than 3 days) 2= moderately flushed (3-10days) 2= moderately flushed (3-10days) estuary before being carried out to sea. X= unkown 3= well flushed (less than 3 days) 3= well flushed (less than 3 days) Very well flushed estuaries are least at X= unkown X= unkown risk to build up of contaminants. Rank: Notes: Rank: Rank: Notes: Notes:

5. Freshwater input Work this out using the ratio of freshwater 1= more than 100 1= more than 100 1= more than 100 input (m3/s) : area of estuary (ha). You 2= 10-100 2= 10-100 2= 10-100 may need to seek advice from your local 3= less than 10 3= less than 10 3= less than 10 council as to the flows rates of X= unkown X= unkown X= unkown contributing freshwater inputs. A ratio of 30m3/s:15ha of estuary is a ratio of 2. Rank: Rank: Rank: Notes: Notes: Notes:

6. Extent of mangrove Natural vegetation such as mangroves 1=low or severely reduced 1=low or severely reduced 1=low or severely reduced and/or saltmarsh habitat (found in Northern New Zealand only) 2=moderately reduced 2=moderately reduced 2=moderately reduced and/or salt marsh act as buffers filtering 3=habitat present in unaltered 3=habitat present in unaltered 3=habitat present in unaltered contaminant and sediment entry to an extent and in good condition extent and in good condition extent and in good condition estuary. Estuaries where (for area outside the natural range (for area outside the natural range (for area outside the natural range mangrove/saltmarsh habitat have been of mangroves use saltmarsh alone) of mangroves use saltmarsh of mangroves use saltmarsh reduced have lower biodiversity with less X= unknown alone) alone) feeding and nursing habitat. X= unknown X= unknown Rank: Notes: Rank: Rank: Notes: Notes:

7. Extent of shellfish Occurrence of shellfish resources 1= low perceived value by 1= low perceived value by 1= low perceived value by resources enhances the current value of the estuary. community community community 2= moderate perceived value by 2= moderate perceived value by 2= moderate perceived value by community community community 3= high perceived value by 3= high perceived value by 3= high perceived value by community community community X= unknown X= unknown X= unknown

Rank: Rank: Rank: Notes: Notes: Notes: 8. Extent of fish resources Occurrence of fish resources also 1= low perceived value by 1= low perceived value by 1= low perceived value by enhances the current value of the estuary. community community community 2= moderate perceived value by 2= moderate perceived value by 2= moderate perceived value by community community community 3= high perceived value by 3= high perceived value by 3= high perceived value by community community community X= unknown X= unknown X= unknown

Rank: Rank: Rank: Notes: Notes: Notes: Matrix B: Natural Character and Values of Our Estuary Photocopy this Sheet

9. Regulatory status of the Estuaries are often important habitat for 1= low regulatory status 1= low regulatory status 1= low regulatory status estuary coastal fish and birds (including 2= medium regulatory status 2= medium regulatory status 2= medium regulatory status internationally migratory birds). Estuaries 3= high regulatory status 3= high regulatory status 3= high regulatory status can therefore carry a high status in local X= unknown X= unknown X= unknown and regional plans especially in terms of their wetland and wildlife values.

10. Recreational Use Estuaries can be a significant resource for 1= Low utilisation for recreation 1= Low utilisation for recreation 1= Low utilisation for recreation recreational activities such as kayaking, 2= Medium 2= Medium 2= Medium swimming, boating, walking etc (fishing 3= low utilisation for recreation 3= low utilisation for recreation 3= low utilisation for recreation and other food gathering activities are considered in a different section). Rank: Rank: Rank: Notes: Notes: Notes:

11. Cultural Significance Estuaries can be a significant resource for 1= low perceived cultural 1= low perceived cultural 1= low perceived cultural recreational activities such as kayaking, significance significance significance swimming, boating, walking etc (fishing 2= medium 2= medium 2= medium and other food gathering activities are 3= high perceived cultural 3= high perceived cultural 3= high perceived cultural considered in a different section). significance significance significance X= unknown X=unknown X=unknown