Jet Boating NZ (JBNZ) Co-application for a … · sweep down the valley. ... Use comprises events...

Jet Boating NZ (JBNZ)

Co-application for a

Conservation Order

on the

Ngaruroro River

JBNZ Conservation Order Application – Ngaruroro River 15th May 2013 of 15

INDEX

Page

Applicant Details 3

Application Summary 4

The sport of Shallow Water Jetboating 5

Shallow Water Jetboating on the Ngaruroro River 6

Jetboating passenger trip per year 6

Outstanding attributes of the Ngaruroro River 7

Restrictions and Prohibitions Sought by JBNZ 9

Authorisation 9

Ngaruroro River Map 10

Photographs 11-15


APPLICANT DETAILS

Applicants legal name Jet Boating New Zealand Inc

Applicants common name JBNZ

Applicant Bev Owen-Cooper

Executive Officer


Contact Details PO Box 313 Rangiora 7440

03 315 6694

[email protected]

JBNZ Logo

mailto:[email protected]


APPLICATION SUMMARY

JBNZ is applying for a conservation order over a section of the Ngaruroro River in order to provide its

members and their guests with certainty that they will continue to be able to enjoy the high level of

benefit from their recreational use of the Ngaruroro River.

Over the course of a year, JBNZ estimates there are at least 2400 passenger trip per year on this section

of river. (See table 1 for the methodology).

The section from “The Cable” at Whanawhana (NZTopo50 BK37:918-158 down to the Fernhill bridge

(NZTopo50 BK38:230-114) – see map on page 10 - is revered for its persistent and reliable shallow water

boating experience. This section is preferred when in low flow, however the very characteristics our

members seek are the result of ongoing riverbed modification brought about by the regular floods that

sweep down the valley. During minor floods the nature of the riverbed means that many new “shallow

water” channels appear – offering variety.

Each fresh or flood changes the course of the channels – they are highly mobile, providing new shallow

water boating opportunities when the river flow once again drops.

Any modification to the ‘natural’ run of river flows is likely to reduce the mobility, number and nature of

the small channels that are an outstanding feature of this section, greatly reducing the value to JBNZ

members. A desire to ensure the natural characteristics of the river are retained is the driving force

behind this application.


THE SPORT OF SHALLOW WATER JETBOATING

Members of JBNZ utilise the unique attributes of a waterjet powered, shallow draft, light weight, yet

robustly built ‘Jetboat’ to participate in an adventure sport called Shallow Water Jetboating.

Shallow water jetboating involves travelling along riverbeds where sections of the stream may be as

little as 50mm deep. The specialised design of the ‘jetboat’, with nothing protruding below the bottom

line of a robust hull, and when driven by a skilled driver, enable sustained navigation over what would

seem impossibly shallow water.

From time to time, generally as a result of driver error, the craft will run aground. This event

precipitates considerable effort to return the boat to water which must be at least 500mm deep to

enable the boat to accelerate back to the 30+ km/hr speed required for shallow water passage.

Our members seek to enhance their river reading, navigation and boat handling skills as often as

possible. With skill, shallow multi-channelled rivers can be navigated with a high degree of reliability.

Depending on driver skill and ambition, the challenge is often to choose the shallowest navigable

channel. The more variety in the riverbed the better, preferably with multiple channels running over a

riverbed made up of a fine, loose aggregate.

Shallow water jet boating often involves the entire family. It is an exciting yet safe family oriented

sporting activity.

Over the course of a year, our members will offer a ride to many guests. With most boats capable of

carrying up to 4 people, many members of the public will be introduced to the sport and to the

excellent river environment proved by the Ngaruroro River. See Page 6 for details.

There are other branches of jetboating, including white water (deep, swift water constrained by large

boulders), sprinting (specialised craft competing against a clock on purpose built tracks) and river racing

(specialised craft competing in special events).

The vast majority of hours are conducted on shallow water, family oriented jet boating adventures.

See photographs on pages 11 - 15


SHALLOW WATER JETBOATING ON THE NGARURORO RIVER

The section of river downstream of “The cable” at Whanawahana (NZTopo50 BK37:918-158) to the

Fernhill Bridge (NZTopo BK38:230-114) is highly valued for shallow water jetboating.

The common launching point on the Ngaruroro is at Maraekakaho (NZTopo50 BK38:113-054), where,

fortunately, a gravel extracting site provides excellent access. This enables access both up and down

the river.

In the river above The Cable, the nature of the river changes dramatically. Above here, safe navigation

requires the skills of a white water specialist. In this section large rocks and pressure waves abound.

The limit of navigation is generally a location knows as the forks (the Taruarau River confluence

(NZTopo50 BJ37:872-221), although in high flows navigation a few kilometres above this point is

possible.

JETBOATING PASSENGER TRIPS PER YEAR

Jetboat drivers always carry at least one crew member and often up to four passengers. Typically the

passengers vary from trip to trip, ensuring that over a year a significant number of the general public

are introduced to the very special experience of Jetboating on the Ngaruroro River.

Statistics of use are not recorded.

Use comprises events organised by Jet boating NZ and private trips.

The following table provides an indication on the level of use for the Whanawhana to Fernhill Bridge

section. It is based on the assumption that most use occurs at weekends, with a slightly higher level of

use during the summer months.

JBNZ events attract members from throughout NZ and often span two to three days.

Description Number of weekends

Boats per weekend

Passengers per boat

Total People

Winter period 21 8 2.5 420

Summer period 21 15 2.5 788

JBNZ events 10 40 3.0 1200

Total passenger trips per year 2408


OUTSTANDING ATTRIBUTES OF THE NGARURORO RIVER

WHANAWHANA TO FERNHILL

JBNZ considers the braided reach of the Ngaruroro River mainstem between Whanawhana and

Fernhill as outstanding in terms of the jetboating experience it provides. The particular

values/attributes that make it outstanding are as follows:

Attribute 1 - This reach is the only one in the North island that:-

a) Consists of multiple channels over a high proportion of the 52 km reach

b) Consistently presents a riverbed comprised of fine aggregates and containing very few rocks

large enough to cause hull damage.

c) Provides many different driving experiences depending on the flow – on this river even minor

changes in the rate of flow (by as little as 2-5 cumecs) significantly alter the experience.

d) Has a course which changes frequently. Even minor freshes will change the course of shallow

channels because of the fine loose nature of the aggregate. This provides variety to the driver

and requires constant application of skill.

e) Has such a high value to members. No other North island river comes within 10% of the value

of the Ngaruroro. Many members frequently travel to the Ngaruroro from as far afield as

Wairarapa, Wellington, Manawatu, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland.

Attribute 2 – Accessibility is excellent

a) The Ngaruroro is highly accessible with many launching and retrieval locations

Attribute 3 - Unmodified nature is highly valued

a) The river has relatively few man-made constrains like stopbanks to modify its nature, which

allows it to express its natural character according to the geology of the area, flow regime, and

upstream gravel supply.

b) While water abstraction currently occurs from this reach, at current rates this does not

significantly affect members.

c) The natural flow is highly variable

a. Small changes in flow will modify the depth. A small rise in flow may add many more

channels providing new shallow water opportunities

b. A small drop can equally alter the challenge

d) Even minor freshes change the course

a. Frequent freshes change the course of the river, partly because the aggregate is fine

and loose. This means that every time our members use the river, the experience can

be quite different. This means their ‘reading the river’ skills (navigation of the best

path) are constantly challenged


e) An unmodified river is pleasing to the eye.

f) Flood protection structures often create severe hazards – thankfully there are not many on this

river.

g) The turn-around point is defined by the river – it suddenly changes its nature at the

Whanawhana cable. For our members this is a vastly more satisfying experience than being

forced to turn around by an imposed rule. A situation that is sadly all too common on many

other rivers.

Attribute 1:4 – Clean water

a) The nature of the catchment means the water carries very little fine sediment. This is both

visually appealing but also makes it much easier to read how deep the water is.

b) Nutrient levels are low which ensures the water stays clean which is both pleasant to look at

and ideal for family picnics and swimming; – activities commonly associated with a jetboating

outing.

Attribute 1:5 – Safe stream banks

a) Most of the course stays well away from the banks, where there is a risk of willows blocking the

path

b) Flood protection structures are of a low scale

Attribute 1:6 – Conflict of use with other users is minimal

a) Good visibility ensures different user groups are aware of each other

b) This is not a highly rated fishery – there are not enough deep pools to support a strong fish

population


RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS SOUGHT BY JBNZ

1. Natural movement of gravel is retained

To ensure the river continues to form multiple channels that regularly change their size and

form JBNZ seeks that:

(a) Beyond essential flood protection works, there is minimal disruption to the natural

movement of gravel through the mainstem of the river upstream of Fernhill as

might be caused by the building of dams and weirs.

(b) The flow of the river is not modified by the construction of water storage facilities in

the upper catchment (upstream of Whanawhana) that will cause more than a minor

change to the natural flow of the river.

2. No physical barriers

JBNZ seeks that there are no physical barriers like dam structures or weirs erected across the

mainstem of the river that might impede the safe movement of jetboats up or down the entire

length of the entire river.

3. Maintain the natural flow of the river

JBNZ seeks that there is no significant modification to the existing minimum flow regime of the

mainstem of the river between Whanawhana and the Fernhill bridge. Existing consented water

abstraction volumes and minimum flow restrictions are recognised and agreed as acceptable.

4. Discontinue dangerous river management practices

a. River management practices like creation of river training structures using railway irons

create structures that pose a high risk to the safe use and navigation of jetboats and

should be discontinued.

b. Many existing river management structures (like railway iron groynes) become exposed

as a result of erosion and create a high risk to the safe use and navigation of jeboats.

These should be removed as they are found.

AUTHORISATION

This application is authorised by Jet Boating New Zealand (JBNZ)

Bev Owen-Cooper Date 15/5/2013

Executive Officer


Whanawahana (Cable) to Fernhill Bridge section with yellow highlight


A group having a break just below the cable at Whanawhana having travelled from Maraekakaho.

Yellow highlight covers

the Whanawhana to

Fernhill bridge section

of the Ngaruroro River


The consequence of not paying attention.


A side channel that was perhaps too small


Boat following perhaps too close!


Vehicles and trailers parked at Maraekakaho on a JBNZ organised event

Jet Boating NZ (JBNZ) Co-application for a … · sweep down the valley. ... Use comprises events...

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