Draft Wellington Conservation Management Strategy Common Issues Paper 1 Hunting and WARO

Transcription

1 Draft Wellington Conservation Management Strategy 2016 Common Issues Paper 1 Hunting and WARO Contents 1. Purpose Layout of Paper Background/Context Discussion and response to issues raised in submissions Revisions Purpose To address issues raised in submissions on the topic of hunting and Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) in the Wellington CMS region. This paper should be read in conjunction with the individual responses to submissions, particularly those in Part One and Two regarding hunting in the Wellington CMS region. 2. Layout of Paper Sections 1 and 3 introduces the paper s context and purpose. Section 4 identifies issues raised in submissions on the draft Wellington CMS, and the Department s responses to these. Finally, section 5 shows the revisions that will be made to the CMS based on section Background/Context The draft Wellington Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) has a Wild and game animal section in Part One section 5. It is important to note that the Wellington CMS is a strategic document, that does not provide operational detail, and therefore does not reflect all the work that is occurring to build partnerships and improve relationships with hunting stakeholders (e.g. the Ruahine Deer Working Group (which is made up of representatives from the Game Animal Council (GAC), the wild animal recovery operations (WARO) industry, recreational hunters, the Wellington Conservation Board and the Department), working with local and national hunting groups on conservation projects, hunting and industry liaison groups etc). Recreational and commercial hunting of wild animals and game animals on public conservation lands and waters is controlled by the provisions of the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 (WACA77) and the Game Animal Council Act 2013 (GACA13). The WACA77 title identifies that it is: An Act to make better provision for the control of harmful species of introduced wild animals and the means of regulating the operations of recreational and commercial hunters, including wild animal recovery hunting using aircraft, so as to achieve concerted action and effective wild animal control... 1

2 The CMS is one of several mechanisms the Minister of Conservation must consider when making a decision on applications for commercial wild animal recovery activities. The primary decision making tool is the WACA77, consequently policies in the CMS will be considered alongside this Act when making decision on applications. The Department will manage wild animals in accordance with the GACA13 and any associated requirements or regulations. as the provisions are implemented. Part One, Section 5.14 Wild and game animal include provisions which: Guide decision making on concessions for commercial deer, pig and goat carcass recovery and live capture (referred to as WARO) State that the Department will work with the Game Animal Council and others to facilitate the hunting of game animals on public conservation lands and waters in accordance with the Game Animal Council Act 2013 and the Wild Animal Control Act Recreational hunting is also addressed in the Part Two descriptive text, outcomes, policies and milestones. The Department currently manages recreational hunting opportunities through: recreational hunting permits; Recreational Hunting Areas (RHA); and by specific arrangements for wild animal control by recreational hunters with local departmental offices. Section 6 of the Conservation Act 1987, sets out the functions of the Department. One of the primary functions of the Department is to: manage for conservation purposes, all land, and all other natural and historic resources, for the time being held under this Act, and all other land and natural and historic resources As such, the preservation and protection of indigenous species and their habitats and ecosystems is a core role of the Department. The Department recognises that recreational hunters in the Wellington CMS region have been a traditional control method for wild animals for many decades, but also that commercial hunting provides effective control. An adaptive management approach is needed to allow control to be varied in response to the observed effects of wild animals. In addition to the context above, other matters to consider are: The CMS is one of several mechanisms the Minister of Conservation must consider when making a decision on applications for commercial wild animal recovery activities (WARO). The primary decision making tool is the Wild Animal Control Act Consequently, policies in the Wellington CMS will be considered alongside this Act when making decisions on applications. Any requirements or regulations promulgated under the Game Animal Council Act 2013 are also relevant Conservation General Policy (CGP) Implications of the existing concession: the national WARO permit (carcass recovery) expires June The High Court decision between the Lower North Island Red Deer Foundation Incorporated and the Minister of Conservation. 2

3 4. Discussion and response to issues raised in submissions General 1. Deer and pigs are referred to as pests multiple times, when they are now termed wild animals. Accept in part. Under the Biosecurity Act 1993, regional councils are responsible for preparing regional pest management strategies and pathway plans to ensure that a coordinated approach to pest control is taken. The Department is required to control pests in accordance with the relevant regional pest management strategy. The Greater Wellington Regional Pest Management Strategy identifies feral red, fallow and sika deer, feral goats and feral pigs as pests. The Horizons Regional Council s Regional Pest Animal Management Strategy, also identifies red, sika, sambar and fallow deer, feral pigs and feral goats as pests. Therefore, it is legitimate to refer to deer as pests, but the reference to deer as either pest or wild animal is inconsistent in the draft CMS. There is ambiguity between the definitions of wild animal and game animal in the Wild Animal Control Act 1977, and the Game Animal Council Act 2013 respectively. The definition of wild animal in the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 (WACA77): (a) means i) any deer (including wapiti or moose): ii) any chamois or tahr: iii) any goat that is not A) held behind effective fences or otherwise constrained; and B) identified in accordance with an animal identification device approved under the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012 or in accordance with an identification system approved under section 50 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and approved by the Director General for the purposes of this Act: iv) any pig that is living in a wild state and is not being herded or handled as a domestic animal or kept within an effective fence or enclosure for farming purposes: v) any member of any species or class of land mammals that the Governor General may from time to time, by Order in Council, declare to be wild animals for the purposes of this Act; and (b) includes the whole or any part of the carcass of any such animal; (c) except for deer lawfully kept in captivity for the purposes of farming, does not include any animal kept in captivity pursuant to a permit or licence that is effective for the purposes of section 12 during the currency of the permit or licence and the observance of all conditions under which the permit or licence has been issued: (d) does not include an animal that is part of a herd designated to be a herd of special interest under section 16 of the Game Animal Council Act

4 The definition of a game animal in the Game Animal Council Act 2013 (GAC13): a) means i) any chamois, deer, or tahr: ii) any pig that is living in a wild state and is not being herded or handled as a domestic animal or kept within an effective fence or enclosure for farming purposes; and b) includes the whole or any part of the carcass of the animal These definitions imply that feral pigs, chamois, tahr and deer are both wild animals and game animals. Other species are only wild animals. The text and Policies in Part One and Part Two have been revised to use wild animals when referring to deer instead of pests to provide clarity and consistency. Also see new text added at the start of Appendix The role of recreational hunting in managing wild animal impacts on biodiversity is not recognised adequately in the CMS. Accept in part. Text refers to Terms such as conservation partners (defined in the Glossary) and people, partners and community are inclusive and incorporate recreational groups e.g. hunters. Where appropriate, better recognition has been added in Part One and Part Two Places. 3. Policy Include in accordance with specific Game management plans to Policy in order to restrict or close access to conservation areas for WARO. The CMS needs to have regard to the deer management plan. Reject, no text change. The CMS does not identify locations for WARO. Locations for WARO were assessed during the review of the national WARO permit, developed through a concession process, and it is an operational matter that does not need to be included in the CMS. However, there are conditions associated with the concession, one of which is that the activity must be consistent with a CMS, and the decision maker will need to take that into consideration when assessing an application for WARO in the Wellington CMS region. WARO is approved under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 (WACA77), with regard given to the purpose for which the lands concerned are held when determining where WARO can occur on public conservation lands and waters. WARO may be granted over land managed under the Conservation Act 1987, the Reserves Act 1977, the Wildlife Act 1953 and the National Parks Act 1980, which have their own provisions where the Minister may close access to the land. See response to Issue 4 below. 4. Concern that some sections of the CMS appear to allow WARO access to the currently closed areas of the Ruahines. Amend Policy b) so that WARO is only allowed in Red Zones if consistent with a deer management plan, and only once that plan is operative. Reject. Text has been added to Policy b) to provide context for possible WARO use in a Red Zone. The identification of Aircraft Access Zones in the draft CMS and the identification 4

5 of locations for the national WARO concession are two separate processes. Where WARO is restricted or allowed is an operational matter and does not need to be included in the CMS. For the draft CMS, the four land parcels within the Ruahine Forest Park were Red zoned as there are conservation, including recreational, values present and adverse effects need to be avoided (criteria for Red zone is outlined in Appendix 14 of the CMS). Areas designated as Red zones are areas where a concession application to land an aircraft should be declined. However, concessions may be granted for aircraft landings associated with the construction, operation or maintenance of equipment or utilities that have been authorised by the Department, or to support wild animal control or to support research authorised by the Department. CMS should establish management objectives for indigenous species and their habitats and ecosystems to prevent the loss of indigenous species, and the full range of their habitats and ecosystems. A CMS should also prioritise the threats posed by pests and wild animals to indigenous species, habitats and ecosystems. Policy b) provides for this as WARO assists the Department in providing a means of effective control (via concerted action) of wild animals. Under legislation and the CGP 2005, recreational hunting has caveats attached to it in terms of not diminishing the effectiveness of control operations, and being compatible with the management of public conservation lands and waters and natural resources generally. Public conservation lands and waters are available for commercial hunting unless consideration of the statutory provisions establishes reasons for restrictions or closures (see CGP 4.2 (e) and (f)). A condition associated with the National WARO concession, is that the activity must be consistent with a CMS, and the decision maker will need to take that into consideration when assessing an application for WARO in the Wellington CMS region. See new Policy in Recreation in the Central Spine Place. Policy Wild and game animal 5. WARO is detrimental to the success and enjoyment of recreational hunters who play a statutory role in controlling wild animals. Reject, no text change. The CMS identifies hunting as a recreational value and provides for the continued support of this as a recreation opportunity, see Outcome 6.2 and Recreation Values in the Central Spine Place and Outcome 8.2 and Recreation Values in the Wairarapa Place. The CMS has also been revised to provide better recognition of the role of recreational hunters in wild animal control, see response to issue 2. The Department s use of both recreational and commercial hunting as a pest and wild animal management tool is consistent with CGP 4.2 (e) and (f). CGP 4.2 (e) states: 5

6 Commercial hunting of wild animals and animal pests should be encouraged to maximise the effective control of them, while minimising any adverse effects of hunting on planned outcomes at places. And CGP 4.2 (f) states: Recreational hunting of wild animals and animal pests should be encouraged where this does not diminish the effectiveness of operations to control them and is consistent with planned outcomes at places. As in 4.2 (f) of CGP, recreational hunting has caveats attached to it in terms of not diminishing effectiveness of control operations and being compatible with the management of public conservation land and resources generally. WARO is an operational matter and is not determined by the CMS, but does need to be consistent with the CMS as discussed above. See response to issue 2 above and revisions to Central Spine Place in terms of the CMS recognising the recreational importance of hunting. 6. Amend Policy (Wild and game animal policy) so that WARO is only granted where: a. It is in accordance with the Wild Animal Control Act 1977, the Conservation Act 1987, and any active deer control plan, Accept in part. Text has been added to the start of Section 5.14 Wild and game animal. The text outlines that WARO is controlled by both the Wild Animal Control Act 1977, and the Game Animal Council Act The Minister must consider this CMS when deciding on applications for commercial wild animal recovery activities. Also see new Policy in Central Spine Place. b. No concession may be issued for land zoned red/closed to WARO, c. The provisions of the Ruahine Forest Park Conservation Management Plan regarding closed and restricted WARO access to areas of the Ruahines must be retained, at least until the implementation of a deer management plan. Reject, no text change to Policy See response to issue 4 and 11a. d. undue impacts from deer are evident or exceed the agreed management intervention densities or thresholds set for ecosystem management in the deer management plan, e. where research indicates that recreational hunters are unable to adequately control the impacts of deer upon vegetation, f. any changes or reviews of WARO must be consulted with all affected parties, and Accept in part. One of the functions of the Department is to foster the use of natural and historic resources for recreation, so long as it is not inconsistent with their conservation. Preservation and protection of indigenous species and their habitats and ecosystems is a core role of the Department. An adaptive management approach is needed to allow control 6

7 to be varied in response to the observed effects of management. No change to Policy , see revisions to Central Spine Place and new Policy g. Visitors will not have their wilderness experience affected by WARO activity. Accept in part, no text change to Policy See new Policy in Central Spine Place which takes into account the effect of WARO on visitors. However, it should be noted that the term wilderness is not used in the CMS other than in the context of gazetted wilderness areas. A wilderness area, as per the National Parks, Reserves and Conservation Acts has specific provisions, and such areas are formally approved and gazetted. There are no wilderness areas in the Wellington CMS region. The Ruahine Forest Park is made up of a mix of backcountry, remote and some front country experiences. See Appendix 13 in the draft CMS for the types of visitor experience associated with these prescriptions. Central Spine Place 7. Aerial 1080 drops should be restricted to not coincide with the roar, which is an important time for hunters. Accept in part. In May 2017, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (in Taonga of a Nation: Saving New Zealand's birds) noted that "It is vital to recognise that aerial application of the toxin 1080 remains essential for the foreseeable future. An aerial 1080 drop will effectively (and cost effectively) knock down populations of possums, rats and stoats to low levels over large areas, even when these areas are rugged and difficult to access". In developing the CMS, the Department received strong support for restoring natural ecosystems and undertaking pest and wild animal control and these aspirations are reflected in the long term vision for the region as a whole (section 2) and outcomes for Places, most notably that for the Central Spine Place. Plan objectives and policies that are directed at achieving the vision/ outcomes, for example Policies , (region wide) and (Central Spine Place) specifically refer to the outcomes of controlling pests and wild animals and do not refer to the method that might be applied. The Department make decisions on the use of pest control methods at a national operational level, using available technology and resources. The method and timing of control is an operational matter, but needs to take into account matters raised in the CMS. Therefore, a new Policy, has been added to Section Recreation in the Central Spine Place. This policy addresses a number of matters for the decision maker to consider when assessing applications for WARO in the Central Spine Place, including consideration of the Ruahine Deer Management Plan and the effect on recreational hunters during the roar period. 7

8 8. Deer recovery (outside of restriction areas) will be closed to WARO from 1 st December 30 th April each year. Accept in part, consideration of the roar period has been included as a criteria when assessing a concession application for WARO in new Policy in the Central Spine Place. 9. Establish a recreational hunter managed zone for deer control in the Central Tararuas. Reject, the Department does not intend to create a hunter managed zone or Recreational Hunting Area (RHAs) at this location. Ten RHAs were created between 1980 and 1986 in response to a decline in deer populations and concern from hunters that opportunities for recreational hunting were being restricted. The establishment and management of RHAs is provided for under the Wild Animal Control Act Presently, populations of deer in the central Tararuas have not declined to 1980s levels, and there are multiple opportunities for recreational hunting within the Wellington CMS, including the Aorangi RHA. However, as per Policy , the Department will work with the Game Animal Council and others to facilitate the hunting of game and wild animals in a manner that is compatible with the management of public conservation land. 10. Outcome 6.2 a. Only acknowledges recreational hunting to assist in controlling wild animals. Hunters are valid participants in recreation in conservation lands. The Outcome for Wairarapa Place (8.2) should be adopted for the Central Spine Place. Accept in part. The outcome begins by saying hunting is a popular and supported recreation activity, however text has been added to strengthen this. See revised text. 11. Policy (create a deer management plan): a. The protection of the Ruahine Forest Park Conservation Management Plan should not be removed in relation to closure areas, before the deer management plan has been implemented. Accept in part. Policy 6 on page 11 of the draft CMS states: Give primacy and effect to approved conservation management plans until they are withdrawn or revoked, except where they clearly derogate from this draft CMS. The Ruahine Forest Park Conservation Management Plan (RFPCMP) does not derogate from the draft CMS as it was considered when the CMS was being drafted. There are no timeframes in the draft CMS for when the RFPCMP will be revoked, but Policy has been added to the Central Spine Place for assurance that the RFPCMP will not be revoked until the deer management plan has been developed 8

9 and approved. See response to Issue 13 h, where the timeframes for the development of the deer management plan have been reduced. b. Include policy so that direction of the deer management plan will be adopted in the implementation of the CMS Reject, no text change. The deer management plan will be developed with recreational and commercial hunting partners after the Wellington CMS is made operative. The deer management plan will need to be consistent with the CMS, but the direction and implementation of the plan is an operational matter. New Policy in the Central Spine Place, does provide for consideration of the deer management plan (when it has been developed in accordance with Policy ) when assessing applications for WARO. c. Concept of sustainable management of deer through deer management plans are adopted for all forest parks in the region. d. Plan to include consideration of adaptive deer management concepts, sustainable management of the game resource and the health of the vegetation. Accept in part. One of the functions of the Department is to foster the use of natural and historic resources for recreation, so long as it is not inconsistent with their conservation. Preservation and protection of indigenous species and their habitats and ecosystems is a core role of the Department. An adaptive management approach is needed to allow control to be varied in response to the observed effects of management. The Ruahine Deer Working Group (which is made up of representatives from the Game Animal Council (GAC), the WARO industry, recreational hunters, the Wellington Conservation Board and the Department) have been working collaboratively since early 2016 to inform decisions for management of deer in the Ruahine Forest Park, and work towards a common goal of a sustainable hunting resource existing in harmony with a resilient and healthy ecosystem. Text has been added to the Outcome 6.2, Natural Values Issues and Opportunities, and new Policy in the Central Spine Place. e. Want provision included in the CMS that the deer management plan will have priority over other deer control options in the CMS. Reject, no text change. The Department uses a range of control methods depending on considerations such as purpose of control, site specific values, ease of access etc but decisions regarding the most appropriate method to use in a given situation are operational, outside of the scope of a strategic document like the CMS. The 9

10 Department does however value the contribution that others, including recreational hunters, make towards pest and wild animal control. 12. Issues and Opportunities (3 rd bullet point) f. Changes to management policy and practice in relation to wild animals must be consulted upon with all stakeholders. Accept in part. Consultation with affected parties and stakeholders, including PSGEs, tangata whenua, and recreational and commercial hunters has been including as a criteria when assessing applications for WARO in the Central Spine Place. See new Policy g. Decisions made by the Department in controlling game animal populations in the past have lacked justification. Decision making must be based on sound assessment of wild animal population trends and impacts on biodiversity values. Accept in part, see response to Issues 6 d) and e) and 11 c) and d). 13. Milestones , , (development and implementation of deer management plan) h. Reduce the timeframes for this to be achieved Accept. Milestones have been revised. i. Expand to all the Forest Parks, not just Ruahine Forest Park Reject, no text change. The Ruahine Deer Working Group (which is made up of representatives from the Game Animal Council (GAC), the WARO industry, recreational hunters, the Wellington Conservation Board and the Department) have been working since early 2016 to collaboratively identify issues and inform decisions for management of deer in the Ruahine Forest Park. Such work has not yet been conducted for the other forest parks in the Place. However, there is nothing in the CMS that would prevent a deer management plan being developed for the other forest parks during the life of the CMS. Maps Map 4 Aircraft Access Zones 14. Hunters want j. the Ruahine and Rimutaka Forest Parks closed to WARO through being Red Zoned, k. the Waiohine area in Tararua Forest Park closed to WARO through being Red Zoned l. summer closure of central Tararua Forest Park (December to April inclusive) m. complete closure of the Wairarapa reserves n. to include a new map that shows WARO restrictions, separate to Map 4 that shows other helicopter restrictions 15. Restrict WARO in Tararua Forest Park and prohibit it in Rimutaka Forest Park 16. Change all Map 4 to Red Zone the Forest Parks so that WARO is prohibited 10

11 Reject, no changes to maps. Text has been added to Policy b) to provide context for possible WARO use in a Red Zone (see response to Issue 4). Where WARO is restricted or allowed is an operational matter and does not need to be included in the CMS. The Aircraft Access Zones in the draft CMS and the location for the national WARO concession are two separate processes. See response to issue 4. 11

12 5. Revisions Text that is underlined is added text and text with strikethrough is deleted text. All CMS where deer are referred to as pests, this will be changed to wild animals Part One 4.1 Natural values Internationally, nationally, and regionally significant geological and landscape features for the region are listed in Appendix 8 ( The presence of the New Zealand transcurrent fault zone with a series of north east to south west trending faults (Ohariu, Wellington and West Wairarapa faults) has defined the Wellington and Wairarapa landscape of mountain range with broad flood plains. The Manawatū landform is characterised by the dissected uplands west of the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges grading westwards to river terraces, alluvial plains and sand country. These geological and landscape features influence the ecosystem and habitat types present (see Appendix 2 As such, the Wellington CMS region is recognised nationally as an area where a diverse range of significant habitats and ecosystems support many threatened and at risk species, such as Gardner s tree daisy, hauhau/brown mudfish, takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) and matukuhurepo/australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus). Many of these sites have been identified using the Department s prioritising tools for natural heritage management and restoration to ensure that a full range of New Zealand s ecosystems and biodiversity is maintained (see Appendix 4 Places that the Department considers nationally important for natural heritage management are listed in Appendices 2, 3, 4, and 7 ( and include: Beech and podocarp forests Coastal and marine areas Dune ecosystems Wetlands Freshwater ecosystems. Threatened and at risk species present in the Wellington CMS region are listed in Appendix 5 ( The future protection of the region s natural heritage is dependent on ensuring that a considered level of protection and management is undertaken by the Department in partnership with Post Settlement Governance Entities (PSGEs) and tangata whenua, the public, and others to ensure that further biodiversity loss does not occur in priority natural 12

13 areas. They can then be progressively restored for future generations. This priority is consistent with working towards achieving Predator Free , an ambitious goal to rid New Zealand of the most damaging introduced predators threatening our natural taonga. Management methods such as wild animal and pest plant eradication and management, biosecurity surveillance, maintenance of pest free status, monitoring and advocacy, are likely to be undertaken with PSGEs, tangata whenua, local authorities, recreational and commercial hunters and the public. National conservation initiatives, such as Battle for our Birds and War on Weeds, are all operational programmes implementing the intermediate outcomes and objectives of the Statement of Intent, and the Department s 2025 stretch goals (as developed in 2015). Outcomes these initiatives are trying to achieve, are reflected throughout this draft CMS. The Department implements its responsibilities under the Forest and Rural Fire Act 1977, the Fire Service Act 1975, and the Forest and Rural Fires Regulations 2005 through its National Fire Plan. 1 work/predator free new zealand 2050/ 13

14 4.4 Engagement The Wellington CMS region has a long history of community engagement with conservation, including: the public s early interaction with the Forest Parks through tramping and because of their close proximity to urban centres: and the immense influence that volunteers and the public had at Kāpiti and Mana islands, playing a central role in developing New Zealand s conservation and restoration ethos. This strong connection with the environment has meant that the Wellington CMS region is home to many conservation groups doing important conservation work (see The Department also acknowledges the work of non government organisations such as Forest and Bird, New Zealand Landcare Trust, Fish and Game New Zealand, Federated Mountain Clubs, the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association and many others who undertake conservation work both on and off public conservation lands and waters. The Department recognises it has an important role in facilitating partnerships and supporting others to engage in conservation. Working with PSGEs, tangata whenua, local authorities and the public, including schools, tertiary education organisations such as Victoria and Massey University, and other education providers can support existing or new conservation programmes. Much of the work undertaken by community groups occurring within the Wellington CMS region involves pest and wild animal control and planting of native flora. Restoration activities on freshwater habitats, such as stream channels and wetlands, are increasingly being undertaken by community groups both on and off public conservation lands and waters. Within the region there are 690 approved, registered and formalised QEll covenants covering just over 14,000ha. The Department has an opportunity to work with these community groups and private landowners to provide support and resources, which can contribute towards a range of conservation gains across land areas that may otherwise be under represented. Important activities for encouraging communities to initiate or lead conservation programmes include: Support for huts and tracks in the Ruahine, Tararua, Remutaka and Aorangi Forest Parks Support services for a range of campgrounds, such as those within the Wairarapa and Rangitikei area Coastal restoration Pest and wild animal management and control within Forest Parks and priority ecosystems to enhance indigenous fauna Native plantings that provide ecological corridors for indigenous fauna. The Department works with a wide range of statutory agencies to achieve common objectives and mutually agreed priorities. Examples include: New Zealand Transport Agency on roading, New Zealand Walking Access Commission on access; OSPRI NZ (TB free New Zealand programme) on possum control, local authorities on biodiversity and pest management, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga on historic places, Wellington 14

15 Regional Fish and Game Council on sports fish and game bird related issues, the Police and Search and Rescue on emergency responses, the Royal New Zealand Navy on conservation management and compliance, and the Game Animal Council on improving hunting opportunities. There is an opportunity to develop business partnerships across the Wellington CMS region to support a variety of creative and innovative conservation projects 15

16 Section 5. Regional policy requirements for the Wellington CMS region 5.2 Aircraft 2 Policies May require the following in concessions for aircraft landings 3 : a) no landings near specified tracks, huts or car parks; b) the use of global positioning systems and other technologies for monitoring purposes; or c) the holding of and compliance with certification in a noise management scheme approved by the Department, in specified locations Should not grant concessions for aircraft landings in the Red Zone, as shown on Map 4 (see except: a) for the construction, operation and/or maintenance of equipment (e.g. meteorological, seismic) or utilities (e.g. communication systems, transmission lines) authorised by the Department; b) for wild animal control activities in accordance with (Wild and game animals) Policy and Policy (Part Two Central Spine Place) 4 ; or c) to support research, monitoring or the collection of material authorised by the Department Should grant concessions for aircraft landings in the Yellow Zone, as shown on Map 4 (see only in accordance with: a) Policy or 5.2.7; or b) the following limits: i) for commercial purposes, two landings per concession per day at any one site (defined as any landing site within a 1 kilometre radius of the initial landing site) and a maximum of 20 landings per site per concession per year; or ii) for recreational purposes, two landings per aircraft per day at any one site (defined as any landing site within a 1 kilometre radius of the initial landing site) and a maximum of 20 landings per aircraft per site per year. 2 For more information see Appendix This includes landings, take offs and hovering. 4 WARO assists the Department in providing a means of effective control (via concerted action) of wild animals. Public conservation lands and waters are available for commercial hunting unless consideration of the statutory provisions establishes reasons for restrictions or closures (see Conservation General Policy 4.2 (e) and (f)). 16

17 5.2.4 Should grant concessions for aircraft landings in the Green Zone, as shown on Map 4 (see including in accordance with Policy or Wild and game animal Wild animals are deer, goats and pigs not in captivity, including the whole or any part of the carcass. They are managed under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 and the Minister has responsibility for the granting of: Concessions for commercial wild animal recovery operations involving aircraft (issued under the Conservation Act 1987) Permits for commercial and recreational hunting; and Permits for holding wild animals in captivity in safari parks or deer farms The Minister must consider this CMS when deciding on applications for commercial wild animal recovery activities. Any requirements or regulations promulgated under the Game Animal Council Act 2013 are also relevant. Other concessions may also be required under the Conservation Act 1987; for example, aircraft access for recreational hunting. Game animals are deer and wild pigs, including the whole or any part of the carcass managed under the Game Animal Council Act Under the Act the Minister may designate any species of game animal in a specified area on public conservation lands to be a herd of special interest if the required criteria are met. A herd management plan is developed for each herd of special interest, setting out the objectives and strategies for the management of the herd to achieve the expected benefits to be gained from managing the animals for hunting purposes. As at 14 August 2017 no herds of special interest were gazetted within the Wellington CMS region. The Game Animal Council (see Appendix X) has a range of functions associated with the hunting of game animals. The Department works with the Council to effectively manage of game animals on public conservation lands and waters Wild and game animal Policies 17

18 Deer, pig and goat live capture and carcass recovery Should grant concessions for deer, pig and goat carcass recovery, and deer live capture on public conservation lands and waters only: a) in accordance with the Wild Animal Control Act 1977; and b) where the frequency, timing and location of the activity can be managed. Game animals Work with the Game Animal Council and others to facilitate the hunting of game animals on public conservation lands and waters in accordance with the Game Animal Council Act 2013 and the Wild Animal Control Act

19 6. Central Spine Place 6.1 Description The Central Spine Place is made up of the Ruahine, Tararua, Remutaka, and Aorangi Forest Parks (the Forest Parks), Manawatū Gorge Scenic Reserve and a number of public conservation lands and waters next to the Forest Parks (see Map The Forest Parks are managed to protect their natural, cultural and historic resources, and subject to this purpose, to facilitate public recreation and enjoyment. The Forest Parks form the spine of the region, covering the chain of mountains extending from East Cape to Cook Strait. They are characteristically steep and rugged, with sharp crested ridges and steepsided valleys typical of a deeply dissected landscape. The Forest Parks encompass mountainous landscapes containing extensive tracts of relatively unmodified indigenous vegetation, including emergent podocarps, kohekohe, beech forests, and sub alpine shrubland, with areas of alpine grasslands. Similarly, Manawatū Gorge Scenic Reserve forms part of the spine, and its landscape provides the community and visitors with a stunning sight, with its steep greywacke ranges rising on both sides of the Manawatū River and with native forest and shrublands remaining on its steep sides. The Central Spine Place is indicative of many of the values in the Wellington CMS region. It plays a significant role in the cultural history of Post Settlement Governance Entity (PSGEs) and tangata whenua, features notable geological features, including landforms created by faults and uplift, has historic and recreation significance, and contains threatened fauna and flora including whio/blue duck, North Island brown kiwi, North Island kākā, kākāriki/red crown parakeet, kārearea/new Zealand falcon, small scale skink puareinga/woodrose, kōhūhū, pikirangi/red mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala) and tāpia/white mistletoe (Tupeia Antarctica). A focus for the Department within the Wellington CMS region is to improve people s health and wellbeing and sense of connection to nature. The Central Spine Place embodies this goal by providing the community and visitors access to special places where they can escape the urban environment and engage in recreation and back country experiences; learn about nature through education initiatives; and immerse themselves in nature by becoming involved in conservation activities with the Department. 6.2 Outcome The Central Spine Place is valued for its terrific natural features, and expansive landscapes. Communities value the ecosystem services provided by this Place. Geological features remain in their natural state. Structures such as huts and bridges complement natural features. Extinctions of threatened species, including whio/blue duck, North Island kākā and giant land snail have not occurred, and populations are safe and improving where sustained pest management and monitoring is occurring. Ecosystems are recovering or are in a healthy functioning state 19

20 as a result of integrated programmes between the Department, PSGEs and tangata whenua, and conservation partners. 5 Pest control work, undertaken with others, means that users of the Forest Parks and Manawatū Gorge Scenic Reserve notice an increase in native bird song, including from North Island kākā, tūī (Passeriformes novaeseelandiae), and kākāriki/red crown parakeet. The network of historic sites which includes huts, tracks and cultural sites is protected, and stories enable visitors to connect with the past. A direct connection with history occurs through ongoing public use of historic huts. The Department engages with the community, PSGEs and tangata whenua to identify historic and cultural values, and they are actively involved in telling these stories to visitors. More people participate in recreation in this Place. Visitors enjoy a wide range of experiences from small group activities, to easily accessible walking, hunting, mountain biking and vehicle use areas, and accommodation areas such as huts and campsites. Recreation networks and new opportunities, are managed in cooperation with PSGEs and tangata whenua, commercial concessionaires and users. Access to the Forest Parks, including helicopter access, is managed to balance impacts on all Forest Park users and the environment. Visitors encounter aircraft occasionally in the Ruahine, Tararua, and Remutaka Forest Parks, and only rarely in Aorangi Forest Park. Recreational hunting is a popular and supported recreation activity within the Forest Parks. Wild animal numbers are managed so that natural habitats and ecosystems are recovering or in a healthy state and the long tradition of recreational hunting is recognised. Hunting is encouraged to assist with the control of deer, goats and pigs, in collaboration with national and local hunting groups, and commercial concessionaires. A network of backcountry destinations providing access and accommodation is maintained within the parks in accordance with Department funding, Department and community priorities, and visitor demand. Access and accommodation are also provided or maintained by community volunteer organisations and partners. Supporting this network, access points to the Forest Parks, particularly Aorangi and Ruahine Forest Parks, have been legally formalised with private landowners, local authorities and the New Zealand Walking Access Commission. Users of the Forest Parks are aware of the restrictions and their responsibilities when crossing private lands, through the improved communications and information. Conflicts between users of the Forest Parks are managed. The cooperative relationship between the Department and PSGEs and tangata whenua and their involvement in the management of the Forest Parks is greatly enhanced through their input into decision making and sharing of knowledge and skills, particularly in biodiversity and recreation projects. Through successful and positive partnerships between the Department, PSGEs and tangata whenua, and conservation partners, Manawatū Gorge Scenic Reserve s biodiversity, scenic and recreational values are preserved, sustained and enhanced. Biodiversity threats are assessed and are sustainably managed. The reserve is managed as a special place, with re introduction of native birdlife alongside high visitor use and community support. 5 For the purposes of this document, conservation partners include local authorities, private landowners, community groups and the public. 20

21 Private accommodation baches in Orongorongo and Corner Creek valleys have been, or are being, phased out, or are publicly available. 21

22 6.3 Policies 2. Natural values Values There are four priority ecosystem units within this Place: Manawatū Gorge (Manawatū Gorge Scenic Reserve), Northern Ruahine (Ruahine Forest Park), Upper Waiohine River (Tararua Forest Park), and Mount Barton (Aorangi Forest Park). These areas are prioritised for the indigenous species, habitats and ecosystems they support, including North Island brown kiwi, whio/blue duck, North Island kāka, giant land snail, Wellington green gecko (Naultinus elegans punctatus) and areas of mixed conifer broadleaved and beech forests on greywacke ranges (see Appendix 4 Ecosystem services are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human wellbeing. The Forest Parks provide important services to the community, including: protection of water quality and quantity; amelioration of the impact of large rain storm events by reducing flooding; soil creation and retention, and carbon sequestration to mitigate human production of carbon dioxide and its effects on the climate, due to the extensive forest cover; and water supply catchments for many towns. The Forest Parks are valued for their native forest habitats, including podocarp, beech and fuchsia forests, which support a large diversity of plants and animals, such as the puareinga/woodrose, leafless mistletoe, North Island kākā, and kārearea/new Zealand falcon (see Appendices 2 and 5 Improvements in pest control and monitoring in certain parts of the Forest Parks, with a focus on the pests that are the greatest threat to indigenous fauna and forest systems, have resulted in significant drops in pest numbers and increasing populations of some native bird species including tītipounamu/north Island rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris granti), pōpokotea/whiteheads (Mohoua albicilla) and kākāriki/red crown parakeet. Project Kākā, conducted in the Tararua Forest Park, is a positive example of this type of ongoing work throughout the Forest Parks. There are two gazetted Ecological Areas in Tararua Forest Park: Penn Creek and Manakau. These contain succesions of montane to alpine vegetation, including a sequence of montane hardwood conifer forests, and lowland and montane forests respectively. The Central Spine Place has many significant landscapes, namely the Ruahine, Tararua, Remutaka, and Aorangi ranges, and the Putangirua Pinnacles. These landscapes provide the neighbouring communities and visitors with an immense forested skyline and mountain range backdrop, and dramatic prominent pinnacles (see Appendix

23 Issues and opportunities Policies. Threats to public conservation lands and waters, protected wildlife, and ecosystem services within this Place include pest animals and plants (including wilding pines and the potential threat of didymo) (see Appendix 6 unauthorised grazing, stock trespassing, and fire. Greater partnerships with others in pest management, and improvements in monitoring, may lead to expansions of remnant populations and re introductions of locally extinct species within the Place. Protecting existing whio/blue duck and eastern Brown kiwi populations is a priority for the Department. Deer, pigs and goats are present throughout the Forest Parks and require management, but are recognised as a recreational and commercial hunting resource. The Department recognises that recreational hunters in the Wellington CMS region have been a traditional control method for wild animals for many decades, but also that commercial aerial hunting provides effective control. While it is a function of the Department to foster the use of natural and historic resources for recreation, this must be managed so it is not inconsistent with their conservation. The Department s primary function under Section 6 of the Conservation Act 1987, is to manage for conservation purposes, all land, and all other natural and historic resources, for the time being held under this Act, and all other land and natural and historic resources whose owner agrees with the Minister that they should be managed by the Department. Preservation and protection of indigenous species and their habitats and ecosystems is a core role of the Department. Understanding the numbers, and trends and impacts of wild animals on biodiversity, can assist the Department in their management. An adaptive management approach is needed to allow control to be varied in response to the observed effects of wild animals. Recreational and commercial hunting is encouraged for its contribution to wild animal and pest control, in addition to its recreational importance Work with PSGEs, tangata whenua, hunters and conservation partners in the Central Spine Place to: a) Control pest populations to protect native species and encourage regeneration; b) Identify areas for re introduction of native species Partner with local and national recreational and commercial hunting groups and associations others to create a deer management plan for the Ruahine Forest Park, that applies an adaptive management approach, that and is consistent with the statutory functions of the Department and the values, Outcome and Policies for the Central Spine Place Revoke the Ruahine Forest Park Conservation Management Plan 1992 following the development and implementation of the deer management plan for the Ruahine Forest Park, as provided for in Policy Improve awareness of the effects of dogs on native birds, and in turn, improve quality and availability of information about kiwi/bird aversion requirements, and where there are restrictions on dogs within this Place, by working with other agencies and the public. 23