Presentation to the Hurunui Waiau Zone Committee

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1 Presentation to the Hurunui Waiau Zone Committee Ian Fox Committee Member, Whitewater Canoe Club (WWCC) Graeme Wilson Vice President, Whitewater NZ & Vice President, WWCC October 2010

2 WWCC has around 200 members Established 30 years ago

3 Formerly NZ Recreational Canoeing Association Joint Applicant for water conservation order on the Hurunui former and current applications National body for kayaking and canoeing Principal activities are safety and advocacy Represent c 20 clubs and 1,000 members Affiliates include other clubs such as Arawa (Christchurch over 500 members) SPARC survey 209,652 NZers kayaked during the one year survey period on par with those who play netball

6 Grade 1 moving water, few riffles eg Avon Grade 2 easy rapids with waves up to one metre eg Waimakariri, lower Waiau, parts of Hurunui Grade 3 rapids with high irregular waves, drops and narrow passages eg, parts of Hurunui (Maori Gully) Grade 4 difficult, experts only eg, upper Waiau or Maori Gully in flood Grade 5 very difficult, long and violent rapids Grade 6 extreme, very dangerous

12 Grade 1: Avon Grade 2: Waimakariri Grade 2+: Hurunui, Waiau, lower Rangitata Grade 3: Hurunui, Opihi Grade 4: Rangitata gorge, upper Waiau

13 Include: Hope, Boyle, Lewis, Mandamus, Mason, Waipara, Dove, Glenrae, North Esk, Conway, Hanmer, Jack s Stream Waiau (multiple sections) Hurunui (multiple sections...sisters Stream down to below the Mandamus confluence, and lower down as well)...and no doubt others exploration is ongoing

14 Highly valued white water river (above the introductory flatwater grades) Of national significance to our sport (recognised by the Special Tribunal) Enormous use in Canterbury For instruction Novices to experts Accessible Natural flows - reliability and variability Scenery and remote character 110 km from Christchurch

15 High use but only one test Other considerations of waterway importance include: Whitewater value Landscape value Use value Scarcity value Status value...and the Hurunui features on these tests too.

16 The MFE Special Tribunal found that the mainstem of the Hurunui is outstanding for kayaking and recommended a Water Conservation Order (WCO) from the mainstem s confluence with Sisters Stream to its confluence with Surveyors Stream at the end of Maori Gully and outstanding for its natural character, fishing, cultural and spiritual aspects, and indigenous fauna We disagree with the tribunal s view that the South Branch is not outstanding as we believe it to be outstanding in its own right and due to its contribution to the rest of the river The test of outstanding is a national test

17 We value: Natural flows Different river each time Allows users to run harder or easier sections on a familiar river as volumes change Maori Gully steps up with increasing volume this is not typical of other rivers Flood and fresh flows add challenge, and also change the river Reliable flows Refer to the WWCC evidence to the Special Tribunal which compares the attributes of the Hurunui with a range of other rivers

18 Maori Gully has been paddled regularly since the early 1970 s Historic descent by the Park brothers in the 1890 s, recently re-enacted (Steve Gurney) Whole river recently rafted as part of the Water Whisperers Tangaroa film WWCC, CPIT, NZ Defence Force, Schools, UCCC, individuals Most kayakers are not in clubs (Whitewater NZ information)

19 In the 2006/7 season we recorded nearly 400 trips by individual WWCC members on official club trips on the Hurunui river which will understate the true usage As part of our Water Conservation order application we surveyed WWCC members just over half our membership, and these members claimed over 11,000 trips on the Hurunui during their paddling careers to date

20 Above Mandamus Lake to Sister s Stream Access issues, otherwise a good grade 2 section Sister s Stream to Jollie Brook Grade 2 with short gorge Jollie Brook to Maori Gully (Seaward River) Grade 2 high use Maori Gully 2 km of Grade 3 only such water in Canterbury (grade, ease of access, distinct section, not part of a much longer paddle) Maori Gully via Hawarden Gap to below the Mandamus Grade 2 with Grade 3 at the Gap Nationally significant kayaking above Mandamus

21 Below Mandamus Mandamus to SH at Balmoral Low flows and willows Balmoral to SH1 Willows, low flows SH1 to sea Willows, and has been used for multi-sport Low summer flows (post-irrigation) might preclude kayaking use in this stretch

22 Upper Hurunui above the Lake shallow and access is a barrier Other tributaries have been explored not generally feasible, but are valued for their contribution to the main stem South Branch A unique Grade 2 pool-drop section with access issues N. Esk River is Grade 4>3 technical paddle with access issues

23 Less than 20 cumecs grade 3 Pool drop, rocky suitable for novices and intermediate paddlers cumecs grade 3 More force, swifter, but still gaps between rapids suitable for intermediate paddlers cumecs grade 3 Water turbulent at and between rapids, with fewer opportunities for quick rescue and a swimmer would most likely be swept into the next rapid suitable for intermediate paddlers cumecs grade 3/3+ More powerful again, water turbulent at and between rapids, a swimmer would most likely be swept into the next rapid suitable for intermediate paddlers

24 cumecs grade 3+ Big waves, powerful currents and tougher holes a swimmer would most likely not be able to be rescued until flatter water near the end suitable for strong intermediates and experts 100+ cumecs grade 4 Big waves, powerful cross currents and large holes a swimmer would most likely not be able to be rescued until flatter water near the end of the run suitable for experts only

25 Hurunui River Above Jollie Brook. This section is paddled frequently and regional slalom competitions have been held in the gorge.

26 Hurunui River Jollie Brook rapid. Site of SI and national slalom championships. WWCC has funded public toilets here.

27 Hurunui River Jollie Brook section start. Very popular section for instruction, river rescue training.

28 Hurunui River Jollie Brook to Seaward River section Deep clear water with generally safe Grade 2 rapids.

29 Hurunui River South Branch confluence. The South Branch contributes the variable flow and at times much of the silt.

30 Hurunui River Maori Gully Deep pools and bed rock rapids. Flow 60 cumecs.

31 Hurunui River Maori Gully at 15 cumecs The character changes markedly with changes in the natural flow.

32 Hurunui River Maori Gully at 15 cumecs.

33 Hurunui River Late summer low flows present new challenges.

34 Reliable natural flow Accessible Range of kayaking opportunities Stunning surroundings The S Branch ensures flow variability and flow variability changes the river Lake Sumner provides the reliability Enormously important white water river for kayakers in Canterbury

35 Devil s Fang Falls created 2007

36 Upper catchment Lewis, Boyle, Hope Hope - Waiau grade 2+/3 at cumecs, a mix of open braids and deep gorges Upper Hope no kayaking access Boyle a stunning short run through rocky gorges, when the flow is right! Lewis/Boyle paddled by youth groups based at Boyle Outdoor Centre

37 Upper section access has been difficult, carry in over Maling Pass, or helicopter trip but improved recently with DOC taking over the St James station Access via Glenhope Station is not permitted Would have much greater use if access was easier 2-4 days, described as the best wilderness river trip in Canterbury and possibly New Zealand or in the world More difficult than the Clarence which also offers a multi-day wilderness trip Grade 3-4+ section the narrows ; many grade 3 and 4 rapids which are rare in Canterbury Very steep bedrock rapids from Ada confluence Lower gorge also grade 2+ to 3

38 Hanmer section from the Waiau Ferry Bridge down Grade 2-2+ at cumecs Grade goes up as flow rises, especially in the gorges Good for beginners, can spend a day on the river Generally safe for swimmers even in larger flows Takeout at Leslie Hills Rd Mix of open braids and gorges

39 Below Leslie Hills braided and willow-choked Reduced flow has contributed to willow spread across the channels Dangerous to paddle There has been a fatality on this stretch Lower section by SH1- good for novices but no easy access from river-mouth back to the road

40 Marble Point

41 Shark s Fin

42 Shark s Fin

43 Shark s Fin

44 Destruction of our habitat Dams flood whole valleys and destroy rivers irreversibly Diversions reduce the flow to a trickle Downstream of dams are flow controlled not natural Water quality is getting worse Access is often an issue

45 Rivers gone in part or whole Includes Waitaki, Pukaki, Tekapo, Ohau, Kawarau, Clutha, Waiau (Southland) Rivers with diminished flows Includes Waimakariri, Selwyn, Rakaia Rivers made dangerous with intake structures Includes Waiau and Waimakariri Rivers threatened...hydro power, irrigation Too many to mention

46 Non substitutability one river is not the same as another river Flat water kayaking is not a substitute for whitewater or vice versa Non-whitewater mitigation is not mitigation Artificial courses can provide only limited mitigation Flow releases and flow regimes must consider recreational needs

47 The New Zealand Energy Strategy notes that over 80% of our country s hydro electricity generation resource has already been developed. New Zealand Energy Strategy, 2007, section Water is a renewable resource our rivers are not.

48 Rivers - for our children and our children s children.

Graeme Wilson Vice President, Whitewater NZ & Vice President, Whitewater Canoe Club

Graeme Wilson Vice President, Whitewater NZ & Vice President, Whitewater Canoe Club May 2011 Formerly NZ Recreational Canoeing Association National body for kayaking and canoeing Principal activities are