Kakapo Brook Resource Consent Hearing 13 October, 2015

Protect and enhance braided river ecosystemsPromote cooperation between stakeholders Initial focus on the native birds that breed on

Canterbury’s braided rivers

Conway River -downstream from Inland Road Bridge

- Single small channel, easily crossed in the Spring? Similar to Kakapo

Banded Dotterel nest

Black-Fronted Tern Nest

Banded Dotterel on the nest

Black-Fronted Tern tarapiroeThreatened with extinction - Nationally Endangered = Acutely threatened, 2 steps away from extinction, in serious declineNests on open gravelsFeeds on small fish, some inverts

Banded Dotterel tutwhatu

Threatened – nationally vulnerable to extinctionFeeds on invertebrates in the wetted margins - flow variability

importantOften breed and feed on the on turf

vegetation away from the channels

South Island Pied Oystercatchertorea

• At risk of extinction – declining• Feeds on and off river • Nests on and off river

Reduced Flows?• Algal risk• Possible reduced in-stream food production

(68% Invertebrates, 90% Fish per Jellyman)• Possible reduced flow variability resulting in

less wetted margin for food production

Canterbury RPS Significance• Per Sanders evidence :

“a. It supports four indigenous bird species that are threatened, at risk, or uncommon, nationally or within the relevant ecological district (Criterion 4);

b. It contains an association of indigenous species, namely the various river and wetland birds just mentioned, that occurs within an originally rare ecosystem, that is, a braided river (Criterion 6). “

• “More bird surveys would add confidence about the number and location of birds potentially affected”

• RMA Section 6: protection of a) natural character, c)significant habitats of indigenous fauna

• CRPS Significance - meets 2 of the criteria• Surveys usually done October or November, possible under-

estimation • Open flat habitat suitable for river-birds• Reasonable numbers per hectare – all are ‘significant’ • Flat-lining affects food production in important breeding season

(Sept – Jan):- variability of the wetted margin is lost, - possible decreased invertebrate production, - possible small decrease in fish, - further stress on ‘at risk’ populations of river-birds

Summary