National Wetland Restoration Symposium
Wetlands and water: from drought to storms
Auckland 12-14 February 2014
Organising committee
Karen Denyer
National Wetland Trust
David Lawrie
National Wetland Trust
Kristy Hall
Keith Thompson
Shonagh Lindsay
Nick Goldwater
Miranda Bennett
Wolfgang Kanz
Trudy Rankin
Dave Campbell
Mel Galbraith
Dianne Fraser
John Sumich
Beatty Wiggenhauser
MWH New Zealand Ltd
National Wetland Trust
National Wetland Trust
Wildland Consultants
Auckland Council
Auckland Council
NZ Landcare Trust
University of Waikato
Unitec
Unitec
Forest & Bird
Auckland Council
The Committee wish to thank the following for their
contribution in organising this event: Abigail Forbes
(Auckland Council), Shona Myers (Wildland Consultants),
Jack Craw (Auckland Council), Rachel Griffiths (Auckland
Council), Rachel Turner (Boffa Miskell) and Rodney Straka.
Cover photos: Waimangu valley, Rotorua (Wildland Consultants); Manuka peatland, Awhitu Regional Park (Karen Denyer);
Okahauiti Wetland, Waiheke Island (Karen Denyer); Waimangu geothermal valley, Rotorua (Wildland Consultants). Photos above:
Harbourview reserve, Te Atatu, Auckland (Wildland Consultants); Mangrove in Okahauiti Wetland, Waiheke Island (Karen Denyer).
Photo opposite: Kayaking in Kaitoke Wetland, Great Barrier Island (Karen Denyer).
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Overview
The 6th National Wetlands Restoration Symposium
The 2014 Symposium has been organised by the National
for knowledge exchange, training and networking for
Conservation, Auckland Council, Unitec, Landcare Research,
2014 held in Auckland aims to provide a practical forum
people committed to wetland biodiversity and restoration
throughout New Zealand.
We hope that all participants will explore new ways and
ideas, exchange knowledge, challenge existing paradigms
or debate current best practices and new techniques.
The symposium will be of relevance to community groups,
care groups, iwi, landowners, students, professionals,
researchers and business interested and involved in
wetland restoration and management.
Wetland Trust in association with the Department of
Northland Regional Council, NIWA and Fonterra, NZ Landcare
Trust, Forest and Bird Protection Society and Wildland
Consultants.
The National Wetland Trust is a non-profit organisation
established in 1999 to increase the appreciation of wetlands
and their values by all New Zealanders. The trust aims to build
a national wetland interpretation centre for people to learn
more about wetlands and experience their special qualities.
Visit our website for details: www.wetlandtrust.org.nz.
Thank you to our sponsors for their support.
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Programme
WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014
8.00am to
8.55am
Registration and Information Desk open
9.00am
Opening Powhiri
9.15am
Welcome - Chairperson National Wetland Trust
9.30am
Keynote Speaker - Dame Anne Salmondß
10.10am
MORNING TEA
Parallel Sessions
Communities Restoring Wetlands (Part 1) Climate and Hydrology (Part 1)
10.40am
11.00am
11.20am
Monica Peters: Are we scientific citizens?
measuring the success of our restoration
projects.
Kerry Bodmin: Combining maatauranga
Maori and science in restoration of Maurea
Islands, Waikato River.
Heather Turuke Thomson: Restoring our
wetlands, restoring our people – a kaitiaki
perspective on wetland research and
restoration.
11.40am
Wendy Henwood: Ko Tangonge Te Wai –
making a start.
12.00 to 1.00pm
LUNCH
Workshops
Gina Lucci: A review of the impacts of
developed peat soils on nutrient fluxes,
water quality and wetlands.
Jordan Goodrich: Summer drought reduces
both carbon dioxide uptake and methane
emissions at Kopuatai bog.
Alex Keyte Beattie: The functional role
of the wire-rush (Empodisma robustum)
canopy at Kopuatai bog.
Keith Thompson: Managing wetlands in
the farming landscape: the importance of
hydrology assessments.
Parallel Sessions
Aquatic Weed and Pest Control (Weeds)
1.00pm
Kate Legget: The Weeds are Easy - Tales
from Te Henga Wetland.
1.20pm
Nick Singers: Controlling grey willow in the
Te Matapuna/south Taupo wetland and
other conservation management.
1.40pm
Corinne Watts: Willows & weevils: Insect
community responses to introduced willow
and their control
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Climate and Hydrology (Part 2)
Workshops (see programme below)
Samwell Warren: Exploring hydrological
Workshop 1: “Weaving and sharing the kete
relationships between Wairarapa Moana and – communicating wetland experiences from
Lake Wairarapa.
the flax roots”
Tapuwa Marapara: The effect of tree
planting on soil hydrology and carbon
sequestration in wetlands undergoing
restoration.
Hugh Robertson: Water regime
characteristics of New Zealand wetlands:
building a national dataset.
WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2014
Parallel Sessions
Communities Restoring Wetlands (Part 1) Climate and Hydrology (Part 1)
2.00pm
2.20pm
2.40pm
James Griffiths: Can aerial laser scanning
inform conservation management of
invasive Salix cinerea in New Zealand’s
palustrine wetlands?
Stanley Bellgard: Use of the silverleaf
fungus Chondrostereum purpureum for
bio-control of stump-sprouting, riparian
weedy tree species in NZ.
Caleb Clarke: Alternatives for wetland
restoration. Opportunities for the
restoration and creation of intermittent /
back wetlands.
Workshops (see programme below)
Workshop 1: “Weaving and sharing the kete
– communicating wetland experiences from
the flax roots”.
TBC
AFTERNOON TEA
Parallel Sessions
3.10pm
3.30pm
3.50pm
4.10 to 4.40pm
5.00 to 7.00pm
Indigenous Biodiversity of Wetlands (Part
1)
Bev Clarkson: A vegetation tool for wetland
delineation
Chris Tanner: Effects of nutrient additions
on the indigenous biodiversity of Waikato
wetlands.
Sarah Beadel: Mountains to the Sea –
restoration of wetlands on the margins of
the Tarawera River.
Coastal Wetlands
Claire Webb: Mangrove Management in
Auckland - a balancing act (friend or foe?)
Carol Lundquist: Scientific information
underlying the management of mangrove
expansion.
TBC
Soapbox session: open microphone for delegates to share information/requests/ notifications
Chair’s Shout - Join the Chair and Trustees of the National Wetland Trust in Carrington’s Pump House for some relaxed socialising.
Hot and cold snacks will be provided compliments of the National Wetland Trust. Building 33, Gate 3, Unitec Campus (about 5 mins
walk from the venue).
THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2014
8am-8.30am
9.00am
9.30am
Information Desk open
Keynote – Dr Dave Campbell: Peatlands, carbon, and climate change
Parallel Sessions
Communities Restoring Wetlands (Part 2) Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
(Part 1
Abbie Spiers: Funding Droughts and Storms Chris Tanner: What is that floating in your
in a teacup: Perceptions and experiences of cocktail? New generation stormwater
wetland managers.
wetlands
DOC sponsored technical session
Workshop 2 (2 hrs): “Improving wetland
health – setting limits and bottom lines”
Tim Davie: Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere –
target setting and co-governance
5
THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2014
Parallel Sessions
Communities Restoring Wetlands (Part 2) Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment (Part DOC sponsored technical session
1
Workshop 2 (2 hrs): “Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines”
9.50am
10.10am
10.30am
Kristy Hall: The dichotomy of engineering
and the environment: can wetland systems
facilitate improved flood management and
catchment restoration?
Sarah Whitwell: The restoration of Wirihana Shane Kelly: Degraded urban tidal creeks:
Wetland by Project Twin Streams – an urban concepts for producing community and
wetland restoration case study.
environmental benefits.
Kathryn Bates: Promoting environmental
outcomes for storm water along the
Otakaro/Avon River red zone.
Philippa Crisp: Council experiences in
limit setting: Wairarapa.
Mary Beech: Protecting the ecological
values of the Ashburton Basin.
MORNING TEA
Parallel Sessions
Communities Restoring Wetlands (Part 3) Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment (Part DOC sponsored technical session
2)
Workshop 2 (2 hrs): “Improving
wetland health – setting limits and
bottom lines” continued.
11.00am
11.20am
11.40am
Peter Roberts: Communities restoring
wetlands
Nathan Burkepile: Techniques for Restoring
Floodplain Habitat: Examples from North
America. Are they applicable to New
Zealand?
Melinda Dresser: Community wetland
monitoring and catchment action plans
12.00pm
12.20 to 1:20pm
LUNCH
Rebecca Eivers: Floating wetlands for
restoration of shallow Waikato peat lakes.
Wolfgang Kanz: Designing constructed
stormwater wetlands to maximise contaminant
removal, mitigate flows, and capitalize on
ancillary benefits
Matthew Bloxham: Wetlands and their use in
urban stream rehabilitation
David Greig: Wetlands for Highways: habitat
considerations
Parallel Sessions
1.20pm
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Indigenous Biodiversity of Wetlands (Part Methods for Wetland Protection
2)
Todd Landers: Landscape scale monitoring
of changes in Auckland’s regional wetland
assets.
Shona Myers: Wet or land? - Changing
paradigms in the definition of wetlands
plus more! Our experience with achieving
significant enhancement and mitigation for the
loss and modification to wetlands.
Hannah Rainforth: Communicating limits
- an iwi perspective.
Karen Denyer: Restoring Rotopiko – what
are we striving for?
David Burger: A catchment response for
Waituna Lagoon.
DISCUSSION
Workshop session
(see programme below)
THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2014
Parallel Sessions
Indigenous Biodiversity of Wetlands (Part Methods for Wetland Protection
2)
1.40pm
2.00pm
2.20pm
2.40pm
3.10pm
3.30pm
Olivia Burge: Native forest regeneration
under Leptospermum scoparium in AwaruaWaituna wetland.
Todd Landers: Indigenous biodiversity
values of restored wetlands in Auckland.
How natural are they?
Lisa Forester: Top Wetlands Project - looking
after our northern wetlands.
David Greig: Mudfish and roads: what’s the
connection?
TBC
James Griffin: Gumlands - dry wetlands?
Agriculture and Wetlands
Aquatic Weed and Pest Control (Pest fish)
AFTERNOON TEA
Workshop session
(see programme below)
Richard Suggate: The challenge of
Adam Daniel: Impact of invasive fish on
sustainable dairy farming alongside healthy,
wetlands and potential mitigation options.
resilient ecosystems.
Helen McCaughan: It is possible to control a
TBC
pest fish in a modified urban wetland. Travis
Wetland.
3.40 to 4.05pm
Closing comments - NWT Chair and field trip housekeeping
5.30 to 9.30pm
Dinner - optional extra for delegates, includes entry to Auckland Zoo, guided tour of the Te Wao Nui (NZ Biodiversity) exhibit, buffet
dinner, welcome drink and dinner talk by Ian Fraser. Participants to make their own way to the Zoo entrance. See the organisers for
your zoo entry band. Entry can be made anytime during the day. Tickets are limited, and regrettably restricted to delegates only.
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Workshops: Wednesday - Thursday 12-13th February
WEDNESDAY 12TH
FEBRUARY
WORKSHOP 1: Weaving and sharing the kete – communicating wetland experiences from the flax roots.
1.00 to 2.20pm
The sheer volume of wetland restoration
information on the internet, scientific
papers, technical reviews, and in
monitoring tools can be overwhelming
(the ‘storm’). On the flip-side there is
also a perceived paucity of information
available to community groups that
outline on-the-ground perspectives
and learnings from their peers (the
‘drought’). This may be especially
pertinent for tangata whenua. This
session is an opportunity to provide
feedback on appropriate and effective
means to communicate wetland science,
1.00pm
Josh Ormsby, Jonathan Brown and Rimutere Wharakura.
1.20pm
Cheri van Schravendijk-Goodman, Monica Kei hea te Maatauranga Mania? – the realities of accessing the ‘digital wetland’ for
Peters; Lorraine Dixon Nardene Berry.
community restoration projects.
1.40pm
All
THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY
WORKSHOP 2: Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom lines.
How do we protect wetland health in changing landscapes? Can we set limits or thresholds to ensure wetland values are maintained?
This special technical session aims to help wetland managers protect New Zealand wetlands.
Time
Overview
Sponsored by
The Department of Conservation’s Arawai
Kakariki wetland restoration programme aims
to protect and restore nationally significant
freshwater ecosystems based on a strong
scientific foundation.
DOC Arawai Kakariki Wetland Restoration Programme
Hugh Robertson, Chair (DOC)
Session introduction - Limits for wetlands, what does this mean?
Time
9.30am to 10.30am
And
11.00am to 12.20pm
9.30am
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Overview
Sponsored by
Waikato Raupatu River Trust
Organisers
Cheri van Schravendijk-Goodman (WRRT),
Monica Peters, Nardene Berry (Landcare
Trust)
“He waka eke noa/ we’re all in this waka together – Perspectives of WaikatoTainui scholarship recipients on the challenges and benefits of tribal capability
development for wetland restoration”.
Facilitated discussion – how can we improve access to wetland information for community groups and tangata whenua?
THURSDAY 13
FEBRUARY
Time
WORKSHOP 2: Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom lines.
How do we protect wetland health in changing landscapes? Can we set limits or thresholds to ensure wetland values are
maintained? This special technical session aims to help wetland managers protect New Zealand wetlands.
Overview
Sponsored by
9.40am
Tim Davie (ECan)
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere – target setting and co-governance
10.00am
Philippa Crisp (GWRC)
Council experiences in limit setting: Wairarapa
10.20am
Mary Beech (DOC)
Protecting the ecological values of the Ashburton Basin
11.00am
Hannah Rainforth (Ngati Rangi Trust)
Communicating limits - an iwi perspective
11.20am
Karen Denyer (National Wetland Trust)
Restoring Rotopiko – what are we striving for?
11.40am
David Burger (Dairy NZ)
A catchment response for Waituna Lagoon
12.00pm
DISCUSSION
Open session – are we protecting wetland health?
WORKSHOP 3: Weeding out wetland invaders
Weeds are a problem for just about any lowland wetland in New Zealand and controlling them is a big part of most
restoration programmes. This workshop has tips on how to identify and control key wetland weeds, and a practical
session using an online tool to identify weeds in your wetland.
Time
Overview
Sponsored by
Organisers
1.20pm to 2.40pm
Practical session for wetland owners
and managers with weed problems.
Auckland Council Biosecurity,
National Wetland Trust, Weedbusters
Mary Stewart and Karen Denyer
1.20
Mary Stewart
Introduction to wetland weeds
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Workshops: Wednesday - Thursday 12-13th February
THURSDAY 13
FEBRUARY
Time
WORKSHOP 3: Weeding out wetland invaders
Weeds are a problem for just about any lowland wetland in New Zealand and controlling them is a big part of most
restoration programmes. This workshop has tips on how to identify and control key wetland weeds, and a practical
session using an online tool to identify weeds in your wetland.
Overview
Sponsored by
1.20 to 2.40 pm
Practical session for wetland owners
and managers with weed problems.
1.30pm
Karen Denyer
The Good, the Bad and Ugly - sorting the weeds from the natives
1.40pm
Led by Karen Denyer
Practical session. Test an online web tool to key out weed specimens available for
you.
1.55pm
Mary Stewart
AQUATIC. Weed control options – which is right for you?
2.05pm
Carolyn Lewis
Introduction to Weedbusters
2.15pm
All
Weed clinic – ask your vexing weed questions and the speakers and audience will try
to answer them.
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Auckland Council Biosecurity,
National Wetland Trust, Weedbusters
Organisers
Mary Stewart and Karen Denyer
Field Trips - Friday 14th February
FRIDAY 14TH
FEBRUARY
Field Trip 1
Tupare Wetland/ Marie Neverman
Reserve
8.30am-2.30pm
This 140 ha wetland was purchased
by the Native Forest Restoration
Trust in 2008. It comprises a mosaic
of intact ecosystems on the Kaipara
Harbour. The trip will include a talk
by trustee Geoff Davidson on the
site’s history, ecological highlights
and future restoration works,
followed by a visit to the coastal
margins and surrounding forest.
Shorter trip for those wishing to
leave early.
INTRODUCTION TO AUCKLAND FIELD TRIPS
Field Trip 2
Tawharanui Regional Park
8.30am-4.30pm
New Zealand’s first open sanctuary
integrating conservation, recreation
and farming. The trip will include
an introductory talk by parks staff
on the history of the park and
conservation programmes, and
guided walks to restored freshwater
wetlands, coastal lagoon, saline
wetlands and the pateke release site.
There will be free time at the park for
exploring and bird watching.
Field Trip 3
Te Henga Wetland & Wainamu
Dune Lake
8.30am-4.30pm
Visit the largest freshwater wetland
on the Auckland mainland, Forest
and Bird’s Te Matuku Reserve, and
Lake Wainamu, an impounded dune
lake, subject to pest fish eradication.
The wetland and lake areas have
predator control to allow the
translocation of pateke in the near
future.
Field Trip 4
Constructed urban wetlands
8.30am-4.30pm
Visit a number of stormwater
wetlands, including Waiatarua
Reserve, the largest restored
urban wetland in Auckland, two
recently constructed wetlands on
the Hobsonville Peninsula, and the
Bayside Drive wetland, floating
wetland at Brown’s Bay, and a large
constructed wetland at Long Bay.
Compare the different approaches
and discuss the multiple benefits that
constructed wetlands can deliver.
Optional guided day tours (by coach) to a range of Auckland Wetlands. See details at www.wetlandtrust.org.nz/symposia_field_trip.html
Please
1.
2.
3.
note:
Field trips are optional, $55 each
Packed lunch included
Be prepared for any weather, gumboots recommended, bring sunblock and extra drinking water recommended.
Disclaimer
The 2014 Wetlands Symposium Committee reserves the right to amend any part of the Symposium Programme or Events.
The 2014 Wetlands Symposium will not accept liability for damages of any nature sustained by participants or their accompanying persons, or loss of, or
damage to their personal property as a result of the Symposium.
11
Keynote Speaker
Salmond, Dame Anne
Keynote address
Wai Ora and Wetlands
Campbell, Dave
Keynote address
Peatlands, carbon, and climate change
Globally, peat wetlands (‘peatlands’) have taken up CO2 from the atmosphere
for millennia and steadily stored away a fraction of the carbon in the form of
peat, preserved by the anoxic conditions promoted by high water tables and
low nutrient levels. Carbon sequestration is a critical ecosystem function in
peatlands, whereas the gaseous forms of carbon (CO2, methane) emitted from
peatlands are important greenhouse gases that impact on the climate system.
The science community is concerned about potentially serious feedbacks
to climate warming if the natural greenhouse gas balances of vast areas of
peatlands are disturbed. While much has been learnt about the carbon cycles
of northern hemisphere peatlands, little is known about these processes in
functionally equivalent southern hemisphere ecosystems. The peatlands of
northern NZ form a very distinct group with vegetation dominated by vascular
plants belonging to the exclusively southern hemisphere restiad ‘rush’ family.
They are also unusual because peat accumulation of many metres depth has
occurred despite the frequently warm and dry summer conditions. Research is
now underway to answer questions about the rate at which NZ peat wetlands are
accumulating carbon, and their sensitivities to human modification and potential
climatic shifts such as increased frequency of droughts. This presentation will
describe the international context for the peatland carbon-climate research
being carried out within NZ peatlands, including preliminary results, which will be
used to inform wetland restoration efforts. Comparisons will also be made with
the carbon and greenhouse gas balances of peatlands converted to farmland.
12
University of Waikato
davec@waikato.ac.nz
Notes
Abstracts of Oral Presentations
Notes
Bates, Kathryn
Session: Communities Restoring Wetlands
Promoting environmental outcomes for stormwater along the Otakaro/
Avon River red zone.
After the earthquakes in Christchurch much of the area along the Ōtākaro/
Avon River from the central city to the estuary, which had formerly been
residential land, became uninhabitable. Since the “red-zoning” of this land the
Avon-Ōtakaro Network (AvON) a community-based, science-informed network
of individuals and organisations has been promoting the future use of the
Ōtākaro/Avon River and the surrounding red zone lands as an ecological and
recreational reserve for the community. AvON comprises many people with an
interest in the area, including those who wish to see remedial environmental
stormwater systems in the form of constructed wetlands, attenuation basins
and similar features integrated as a fundamental constituent of any spatial
plan regardless of its future designated land use. Water quality of the river has
been poor with current and ongoing infrastructure rebuild issues continuing
to degrade the river’s condition. As a member of the AvON Strategic Steering
group I would like the opportunity to present our ideas for how constructed
wetlands and similar options could not only enhance the area but more
importantly restore the health of the river as well as increase habitats and
biodiversity in the area. In addition AvON is working collaboratively with various
groups including local rūnanga on specific projects which will also enhance
the region. Although AvON has a clear and popular vision with full community
support, it also faces a variety of challenges in the implementation of this vision.
Avon-Ōtakaro Network (AvON) – community group
kathrynbat@gmail.com
13
Beadel, Sarah
Session: Indigenous biodiversity of wetlands
Mountains to the Sea: restoration of wetlands on the margins of the
Tarawera River.
It has long been the vision of many people living or working near the Tarawera
River to recreate a natural corridor from the “mountains to the sea” along
the banks of the River. The Tarawera River flows through the western side
of the Rangitāiki Plains, which was formerly a vast wetland covering c.30,000
ha. The plains are within the Te Teko Ecological District, and have been
highly modified for intensive agriculture and horticulture. Only c.500 ha of
wetlands now remain, most of which has been heavily modified by drainage
and clearance, changes to natural water levels, weeds, pest animals, and
other human-induced impacts. There are already many restoration initiatives
alongside or near the River, including projects underway at Matatā Lagoon,
Tumurau, Awakaponga, Pūpūwharau, Parimahana, riverside restoration in
Kawerau township and adjacent to the industrial paper mills, and the NorskeWildlands wetland restoration site. Building on these existing initiatives, three
iwi have recently combined forces with two of the large industrial corporates
to undertake ecological restoration alongside the River. Various projects have
been initiated, including enhancement of whitebait habitat, weed control,
propagation and establishment of new populations of threatened species, and
planting to recreate kahikatea forest and maire tawake (swamp maire) stands.
Wildland Consultants Ltd
sarah.beadel@wildlands.co.nz
14
Notes
Beattie, Alex Keyte
Session: Climate and Hydrology
The functional role of the Empodisma robustum canopy at Kopuatai bog
Notes
Northern New Zealand peatlands are distinct from their northern hemisphere
counterparts because peat formation is dominated by the vascular plant species
Empodisma robustum. The properties of the plant canopy play a key role in
the functioning of these bog ecosystems, although this has not been fully
quantified. The aim of this research is to identify how the structural properties
of the E. robustum canopy at Kopuatai bog affect the ecosystem exchanges of
carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour between the bog and the atmosphere.
Spatial sampling of canopy biomass revealed a strong vertical stratification of
living and dead plant material. The mass of the canopy is dominated (51%)
by 0.8 kg m-2 standing-dead E. robustum litter, mostly located in the lower
portion of the canopy. The standing-dead litter was found to have different
water retention properties at different stages of decomposition: the most
degraded litter suspended in the canopy can absorb 240% more water from rain
than the less decomposed material located higher in the canopy, and it retains
moisture for much longer. Incubations of standing-dead litter were carried
out to gauge the impact of moisture content and temperature on the rate of
litter decomposition, and to estimate its contribution to the overall ecosystem
respiration. These experiments showed a strong response of CO2 flux from
microbial respiration to both moisture content and temperature. The degree of
litter decomposition was also found to affect the CO2 flux. The most decomposed
litter material produced 40% more CO2 than the least decomposed samples.
The University of Waikato
amk40@waikato.ac.nz
Co-author (s): Dave Campbell, The University of Waikato
15
Beech, Mary
Session: Workshop 2 Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines (sponsored by DOC)
Protecting the ecological values of the Ashburton Basin.
Ō Tū Wharekai/Ashburton Basin is one of the best remaining high country
wetland and braided river ecosystems in the Canterbury Region and is highly
valued by Ngāi Tahu. The basin comprises a diverse range of aquatic habitats
and is home to some 35 threatened species of plants and animals. The
Department of Conservation (DOC) manages 66,000 ha of the basin under
the Arawai Kākāriki wetland restoration programme. In the early years of
the programme the focus was on identifying key threats, and understanding
the site and some if its secrets. Based on this information we identified a
number of indicator species and habitats to monitor and inform progress
towards our restoration goals. We have implemented a number of management
actions, including willow control in Lambies Stream, predator control for
braided river birds, and a cultural health assessment. The indicators are
starting to demonstrate our successes and where we still need to improve
our management. This talk presents some of the successes, failures, and
challenges we have had in trying to ensure that the intrinsic values of the
wetland and braided river ecosystems are protected, enhanced and appreciated.
Department of Conservation
mbeech@doc.govt.nz
16
Notes
Bellgard, S. E.
Session: Aquatic Weed & Pest Control
Use of the silverleaf fungus Chondrostereum purpureum for biological
control of stump-sprouting, riparian weedy tree species in New Zealand
Notes
Conventional willow control in wetland and riparian areas of New Zealand
is undertaken using cut-stump and/or drill and injection application of
glyphosate. The presence of herbicide residues in catchment water supplies
has seen the investigation of non-chemical alternatives to poplar and willow
control in Auckland water catchment areas. We have demonstrated, in
glasshouse trials, the efficacy of a water-soluble, gel-based formulation of
Chondrostereum purpureum to control the regrowth of crack and grey willow
(Salix fragilis and S. cinerea). Chondrostereum purpureum isolate ICMP 16392
(isolated from a Prunus sp.) produced the fastest biomass accumulation in
liquid culture. Crack willow was significantly more susceptible to cut-stump
infection by C. purpureum than grey willow in the glasshouse trial at the end
of the 23-week period. Two different formulations were tested; at the end
of the trial, there was no significant difference between them with respect to
monthly biomass accumulation. Successful field applications of C. purpureum
through cut and paste and drill and injection were confirmed by the presence
of fruiting bodies on both treated species. Resprouting ability as measured
by shoot number was significantly lower on C. purpureum inoculated stumps.
Landcare Research
bellgards@landcareresearch.co.nz
Co-author (s): V. W. Johnson2, D. J. Than3, N. Anand1, C. J. Winks1, G. Ezeta4
S.L. Dodd1
1
Landcare Research, 2 EnForm Tech, 3 Biodiscovery New Zealand, 4 Auckland
Council
17
Bloxham, Matthew
Session: Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
Wetlands and their use in urban stream rehabilitation
After years of piping waterways as part of so-called stormwater improvements,
Auckland Council has begun a process of stream daylighting - removing
culverts to resolve flooding issues culverts were once supposed to solve.
Streams are also being day-lighted to recreate aquatic habitat for a range of
native fish and aquatic invertebrate species. Most attempts to restore streams
in urbanised catchments focus on reach-scale enhancement of physical
habitat without giving due consideration to ecological outcomes and without
assessing catchment scale impacts, which for degraded urban streams are
normally associated with urban stormwater run-off. Stormwater contaminants
associated with even small rainfall events can place a cap on biodiversity
improvements and therefore limit reach-scale habitat improvements. If we
are to recreate even a subset of the aquatic fauna found in reference state
streams, there will be a requirement to capture and intercept as many gross
contaminants in stormwater inflows as possible. Can wetlands assist stream
rehabilitation projects in which even small rainfall events limit a stream’s
biodiversity potential? My presentation discusses wetland approaches
Auckland Council are trialing to help stream rehabiliation projects succeed.
Auckland Council
matthew.bloxham@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
18
Notes
Bodmin, Kerry A
Session: Communities restoring wetlands
Combining maatauranga Maori and science in restoration of Maurea
Islands, Waikato River
Notes
Weeds are one of the greatest challenges to any restoration project. Add
intermittently flooded islands and you have quite a challenge. The Maurea Islands
restoration project offers a unique opportunity to restore two islands side by
side in the Waikato River using different restoration principles. The western
island restoration philosophy utilises native plant resilience with no herbicide
use. Manual weed control followed by replanting purua grass and harakeke
to out-compete the highly invasive pest plant,s reed sweetgrass and yellow
flag iris, is being tested on the western island. In addition, the pest plant alder
is to be used as a nursery for kahikatea and other swamp forest species that
previously would have flourished along the Waikato River. Conversely, on the
eastern island standard herbicide treatments for weed control have been used
followed by replanting with native species. The development of a restoration
plan and implementation methods brings together maatauranga Maori,
restoration aspirations and goals from the local Maurea Marae, facilitated by
Waikato Raupatu River Trust (Waikato-Tainui), together with science expertise
from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and
Landcare Research (LCR). The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Waikato
Regional Council have provided their support in kind, with the restoration
plan and western island works funded by Waikato River Authority, and eastern
island works funded by the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust.
NIWA, Hamilton
kerry.bodmin@niwa.co.nz
Co-author (s): Cheri van Schravendijk-Goodman1, Paul Champion2, Dr Bev
Clarkson3
1
Waikato Raupatu River Trust 2NIWA 3Landcare Research
19
Burge, Olivia
Session: Indigenous biodiversity of wetlands
Native forest regeneration under Leptospermum scoparium in AwaruaWaituna wetland
Native forest can and does exist in wetlands. In Awarua-Waituna wetland,
Southland, there is an abundance (10,000 ha) of manuka, which suggests the area
is suitable for forest. However, forest regeneration is rare and patchy. The site
also suffers from frequent, large fires which are exacerbated by the flammability
of manuka and other associated species. Existing regeneration is correlated
with distance to existing forest remnants, suggesting the landscape is suffering
from fragmentation due to historic and current clearance for agricultural use. We
investigated the factors preventing forest regrowth by sowing 14,000 seeds into
the wetland, manipulating their growing conditions and following their survival,
germination and growth. We also investigated whether erecting 7 m bird perches
could reduce fragmentation effects, by encouraging bird visits. We found that
all the sites investigated within the wetland were suitable environments for
forest species to grow. Light levels, soil nutrients and water table all affected
seedling success ¬ but these differences were overwhelmed by herbivory from
pests species (rats and possums). The practical use of bird perches was limited
by the pest species within the wetland. The effect of pest species is such
that not only will forest be slower to regrow at the site, but it is likely a very
different forest will result, depending on whether pest control is undertaken.
University of Canterbury
orb16@uclive.ac.nz
Co-author (s): Kelly, D Wilmshurst, J
University of Canterbury, Landcare Research
20
Notes
Burger, David
Session: Workshop 2 Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines (sponsored by DOC)
A catchment response for Waituna Lagoon.
Notes
Waituna Lagoon, an intermittently closed and open coastal lake or lagoon
(ICOLL) system in Southland, is highly significant for its ecological, cultural and
recreational values. The lagoon forms part of the internationally recognised
Awarua wetland complex, listed as a Ramsar site in 1976. Dairying and
other pastoral land uses are dominant in the catchment and lagoon water
levels have been artificially managed since 1912. Lagoon water quality and
ecological health have declined over recent years due to increases in nutrient
concentrations and a decrease in macrophyte (Ruppia sp.) cover and biomass.
The risk of a regime shift (”lagoon flipping”) to a turbid, algal-dominated state
is considered highly probable if further actions to improve water quality are not
implemented. This includes the need for a further reduction in nutrient loading
from the catchment. On-going research is focused on improving the scientific
understanding of the catchment and identifying and applying management
solutions to reduce loads at the catchment-scale. These measures are in
addition to the considerable efforts already made to achieve best practice onfarm. Management of the catchment remains complicated by differences in soil
types, the need for drainage and close coupling with lagoon hydrology and
water quality. Collectively, this work will underpin a community-led catchment
management plan which aims to achieve a balance between sustainable farm
operation and lagoon ecosystem health. This talk will present the background
and challenges and outline the catchment response and on-ground actions
being implemented towards meeting a long term solution for the lagoon.
Dairy NZ
David.Burger@dairynz.co.nz
21
Burkepile, Nathan
Session: Communities restoring wetlands
Techniques for Restoring Floodplain Habitat: Examples from North
America. Are they applicable to New Zealand?
In 1990 the Yakama Native American Tribe (Yakama Nation, Washington
State, U.S.A.) began the development and implementation of a comprehensive
project to restore native riparian and wetland habitats on a landscape scale
along anadromous fish-bearing waterways in a highly developed agricultural
portion of the Yakama Reservation. This presentation showcases the techniques
used to restore hydrology to disturbed and disconnected floodplain wetland
habitats. The techniques presented will include stop bank and levee removal,
water right acquisition, spillway development, water control structure design
and placement, channel and wetland landscape re-contouring, home site
relocation, and the use of grade control structures. This presentation will
also discuss considerations necessary for using a multi-disciplinary planning
approach to large-scale floodplain restoration. Results of these efforts have
not only benefited the conservation of rare and endangered species, it also
provided civic benefits in the reduction of flooding events in developed
areas. Many of the techniques described are currently not being used in
New Zealand and may provide new tools for restoring wetland and riparian
habitats. The presentation will demonstrate that comprehensive floodplain
restoration implemented in this manner is cost-effective, requires little
long-term maintenance, provides benefits to both the general public and
the ecosystem, and is conducive to attracting multiple funding sources.
Northland Fish & Game
nburkepile@fishandgame.org.nz
22
Notes
Clarke, Caleb
Session: Climate and Hydrology
Alternatives for Wetland Restoration - Opportunities for the restoration
and creation of intermittent wetlands/back wetlands and increasing
floodplain engagement.
Notes
Wetlands that once occurred in many parts of our cities and rural landscapes have
been lost through land development, earthworks , drainage and urbanisation,
along with the important ecosystem services these wetlands provided for
hydrological and biodiversity benefits. Restoring lost wetlands and retrofitting
new wetland areas to modified landscapes can often be a challenge, with large
costs for earthworks and or lining, conflicts with other land uses and potential loss
of existing riparian habitat when placing these wetlands in the low areas that can
sustain the wetland through groundwater interactions. Morphum Environmental
Ltd are engineers and consultants involved in water sensitive design and green
infrastructure. This presentation will showcase some innovative approaches to
find opportunities for wetland retrofits with case studies that involve minimal
earthworks, remain off-line from the primary existing permanent watercourse,
but increase ephemeral wetland habitat to sustain a range of wet and dry tolerant
plant species. It is suggested that these types of wetland open a large number of
retrofit possibilities with high engineering feasibility and significant ecological
benefits. The creation of such distributed wetland areas can provide significant
opportunity for social interaction with the water cycle and increased amenity.
Morphum Environmental Ltd
caleb@morphum.com
Co-author (s): Mark Lowe and Thomas Nikkel
23
Clarkson, Bev
Session: Indigenous Biodiversity of Wetlands
A vegetation tool for wetland delineation: how to tell our wetlands from
our drylands.
The first step in managing or restoring a wetland is to map its boundaries,
including the wet and dry areas. Water levels can change dramatically with the
seasons and weather events, but plants are proving a useful tool to indicate the
wet from dry parts at any time of year. A tool for delineating wetlands using
plants as indicators has been developed for New Zealand wetlands. Five habitat
classes following the USA wetland delineation system were defined: obligate
wetland (OBL: occurs almost always in wetlands), facultative wetland (FACW:
occurs usually in wetlands), facultative (FAC: equally likely in wetlands or
non-wetlands), facultative upland (FACU: usually in non-wetlands) or obligate
upland (UPL: almost always in non-wetlands). More than 900 native and exotic
wetland vascular plants found in New Zealand wetlands were then allocated
to the habitat class in which they most frequently occurred. Measurement of
vegetation composition and abundance is combined with the species habitat
class to calculate a wetland index to assess whether the site is a wetland or
not, and to determine boundaries. In initial field trials the vegetation tool
has been shown to be useful for delineating wetlands at most sites. However,
in wetlands where vegetation cover is sparse (e.g., mudflat), where plant
communities have been disturbed (e.g., sites destroyed by fire), or where
there are strong elements of FAC species (e.g., pakihi and gumland heaths),
additional assessments of soils and hydrology are recommended. In addition,
trials of a plant-based ‘dryness index’ along a hydrological gradient showed
promise as a surrogate for monitoring changes in wetland hydrological status.
Landcare Research
ClarksonB@landcareresearch.co.nz
Co-author (s): Paul Champion, Brian Rance, Peter Johnson, Kerry Bodmin, Lisa
Forester, Philippe Gerbeaux, Paula Reeves
24
Notes
Crisp, Philippa
Session: Workshop 2 Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines (sponsored by DOC)
Council experiences in limit setting: Wairarapa.
Notes
Greater Wellington is in the process of reviewing the Wellington Regional Plan.
A draft overarching plan has been developed, which is to be followed by a
collaborative approach to natural resource management for each of the five
zones in the region. One of these zones is the Ruamahanga catchment, an
agricultural landscape that is currently facing land use pressures. An irrigation
scheme is also being proposed for the valley. Other natural resource challenges
that could affect the region’s wetlands are roading projects, increased demand for
drinking water and land development. Limit setting is a major focus for Greater
Wellington at present, especially for rivers and streams. Limits for wetland health
are also proposed. Our approach has been to recognise that different wetland
classes have different hydrologic regimes and physiochemical characteristics,
e.g., bogs receive water input from rainfall only, are nutrient-poor and usually
acidic. Defining limits for these characteristics will not be easy, however, and
we are currently using narratives to describe the requirements for wetland
aquatic ecosystem health and mahinga kai. How limits could be developed for a
wetland system associated with Wairarapa Moana, a 10,000 ha complex in the
lower Ruamahanga Valley, is a big challenge. The area is currently the focus
of intensive restoration efforts, but there have been large historical impacts.
The issues associated with developing wetland health limits will be discussed.
Greater Wellington Regional Council
philippa.crisp@gw.govt.nz
25
Daniel, Adam
Session: Aquatic Weed & Pest Control
Impact of invasive fish on wetlands and potential mitigation options
Common carp and other invasive fish are known to degrade water clarity, damage
macrophyte communities and decrease waterfowl abundance. Several invasive
fish species are found in New Zealand wetlands including: gambusia (Gambusia
affinis), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (C. auratus), catfish (Ameiurus
nebulosus), tench (Tinka tinka) and rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmu).
Options to control invasive fish include draining wetlands, rotenone, netting,
trapping and electrofishing. Each fish removal operation is unique and requires
careful planning to be successful. Potential invasion by pest fish is now
included as a primary factor in prioritising wetland restoration or floodplain
reconnection projects conducted by Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game. Wetlands
that are constructed in areas likely to be inundated by pest fish are designed
to be ephemeral or with water control structures to facilitate fish removal.
Fish & Game New Zealand Auckland/Waikato Region
adaniel@awfg.org.nz
Co-author (s): David Klee, Fish & Game New Zealand Auckland/Waikato Region
26
Notes
Davie, Tim
Session: Workshop 2 Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines (sponsored by DOC)
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere – target setting and co-governance
Notes
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere has been the centre of enormous resource
management attention in the past three years. There have been three broad
threads of work which are closely intertwined. First, under the auspices of the
Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), Ngāi Tahu and Environment
Canterbury have been exploring a co-governance model for the lake and its
catchment area. This is the first time co-governance has been started in NZ
when it has not been required through statute. While at an early stage, it
has been an important part of developing stronger relationships for resource
management in the region. The second impetus has been the development of
a “sub-regional plan” for the catchment, putting into effect the National Policy
Statement (NPS) requiring the setting of water quality limits. The community-led
process has been driven by the CWMS zone committee, a group of community
representatives who are a designated as a sub-committee of both Environment
Canterbury and Selwyn District Council. The role of science in the planning
process has been one of assisting the community to come to their decisions
rather than leading the debate. The third work strand is Whakora te Waihora,
a project funded by MfE, Ngāi Tahu and Environment Canterbury which is
starting to implement practical rehabilitation works in and around the lake. The
approach so far has been to concentrate on three tributary catchments for the
lake (as well as the lake). Work includes substantial riparian planting for habitat
improvement and also the trialling of reinstating macrophytes in the lake.
Environment Canterbury
Tim.Davie@ecan.govt.nz
27
Denyer, Karen
Session: Workshop 2 Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines (sponsored by DOC)
Denyer, Karen
Session: Workshop 3 Weeding out wetland invaders
The Good, the Bad and Ugly - sorting the weeds from
the natives
Restoring Rotopiko – what are we striving for?
Rotopiko is a peat lake and swamp forest complex in the Waikato lowlands
that is currently undergoing a major transformation led by a community group,
in partnership with the local council and Department of Conservation (DOC).
Fourteen thousand years in the making, it took less than a century to remove
all the surrounding peatland vegetation, reduce water levels fragmenting the
single large lake into three smaller water bodies, and replace much of the native
flora and fauna with introduced species. Over the past 25 years, the DOC and
Waipa District (and their predecessors), have undertaken varied native and
exotic plantings, and, more recently, extensive willow control and purchase of
surrounding farmland for a buffer. This year the National Wetland Trust began
a major pest eradication and restoration project as part of the planned National
Wetland Centre. How far can we turn back the clock in restoring this system?
What targets could, and should, be set, and how will we know when we have
reached them? This talk will outline the work the Trust and agencies are doing
at the site, and discuss the current objectives and monitoring regimes. It will
outline the Trust’s dual approach to create a major visitor experience including
constructed wetland ‘gardens’, and translocation of showcase threatened
species, while restoring the more natural features that remained at the site.
Feedback on the approach will be welcomed at the end of the workshop session.
National Wetland Trust
karen.denyer@wetlandtrust.org.nz
28
Weeds are a major problem for just about any lowland
wetland in New Zealand. Controlling them is an important
element for any restoration project, but many problem
weeds look similar to valued native plants! How do you
know what to spray and what should stay? This brief
presentation will introduce some of the easily confused
native and exotic plants in wetlands, and give you some
tips to help learn ways to distinguish them in the field.
National Wetland Trust
karen.denyer@wetlandtrust.org.nz
Notes
Dresser, Melinda
Session: Communities restoring wetlands
Community wetland monitoring and catchment action plans
Notes
The NZ Landcare Trust has been active in catchment management for a number of
years now. We have been working with farmers, agencies and the wider community
to develop Community Catchment Action Plans around some of Waikato’s
shallow peat lakes. We will outline this work, drawing on the comparisons
between the catchment sizes and the different communities around the lakes
using a few examples - from a completed Community Catchment Action Plan
for Lake Tunawhakaheke to two in progress at present: Lakes Rotomanuka and
Lake Ngaroto. We will outline WETMAK (Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Kit)
and introduce new developments since the kit was first released late last year.
Delegates will be introduced to WETLINK - an on-line wetland restoration group
database. We will describe how important it is for groups monitoring wetlands
to store data for such things as reporting purposes and funding applications, as
well as general interest. We are working collaboratively with Nature Space in this
area and will encourage groups to register with Nature Space and explain why.
NZ Landcare Trust
nardeneandmelinda@landcare.org.nz
Co-author (s): Nardene Berry, NZ Landcare Trust
29
Eivers, Rebecca S
Session: Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
Floating wetlands for restoration of shallow Waikato peat lakes
Many peat lakes in the Waikato Region are within catchments used for dairy
production. These lakes are therefore susceptible to eutrophication from
elevated catchment nutrient and sediment loads. Constructed wetlands and
sedimentation ponds are being used to intercept run-off and reduce loads
to downstream lakes. Up to twenty-six treatment systems within five peat
lake catchments were sampled over five seasons from 2010 to 2011. Inflow
and outflow concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and suspended
solids were determined for treatment systems and attenuation efficiencies
calculated. Attenuation of pollutants varied significantly seasonally and
between different systems. Removal of nitrate-N, organic-N and fine sediment
was particularly poor in some systems due to high nutrient loadings and low
hydraulic residence times. Floating treatment wetlands (FTW) were installed
within two existing systems at Lake Kaituna (KT1 and KT2) and trialled
as a method to enhance nutrient and suspended sediment removal. Both
reductions and increases in nutrient species occurred through the systems
in association with fluctuating flow rates and occurrence of anoxia. Site KT1
within more degraded peat and closer to the lake margin was frequently anoxic
while KT2 had reduced efficiencies when flow rates were high (< 0.1 ms-1).
Recommended design considerations to address these inherent processes of
FTW will be made and further results from spring sampling will be presented.
University of Waikato
bex.eivers@gmail.com
Co-author (s): David P. Hamilton1; John M. Quinn2
1
University of Waikato; 2National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
30
Notes
Forester, Lisa
Session: Methods for wetland protection
Top Wetlands Project - looking after our northern wetlands
Notes
It is estimated that about about 5% of the former area of wetlands remains
in Northland. These wetlands fall into several different classes or types, some
of which are critically rare. Like other regions, the wetland crisis in Northland
is not only about loss of area, it is about loss of rare and unique wetlands.
Wetland loss has continued despite Regional Water and Soil Plan rules. A nonregulatory approach was adopted which resulted in the establishment of the Top
Wetlands Project. The project objective is to identify, document, and promote
the protection and improved management of significant indigenous wetlands.
Key phases included: producing a ranked list of Northland’s best wetlands;
developing care guidelines for each wetland type; preparing a Wetlands
Strategy with time-bound objectives and options for wetland care, recovery,
and monitoring; and working with landowners to implement the strategy.
Over 300 of Northland’s best wetlands were identified and ranked into groups
by region, ecological district and wetland type. From this group the top 150
wetlands were identified. This involved developing a ranking system that fitted
with accepted methods without bias to the biggest wetlands, though size was
still important. After the wetlands were ranked 495 landowners of 153 wetlands
were contacted offering information about their wetland, advice and assistance.
This resulted in a number of calls which were, for the most part, surprisingly
positive. A number of landowners have since applied for assistance with
fencing or pest control and a few wetlands have been given formal protection.
Northland Regional Council
lisaf@nrc.govt.nz
31
Goodman, Cheri van Schravendijk
Session: Workshop 1 “Weaving and sharing the kete – communicating wetland
experiences from the flax roots”
Kei hea te Maatauranga Mania? The realities of accessing the ‘digital
wetland’ for community restoration projects.
Since 2010, an MBIE-funded national wetland restoration research programme
has been underway bringing together a broad range of agencies, scientists and
end user representatives to implement scientific and restoration programmes
and wetland monitoring tool development. However, whilst our scientific
understanding of freshwater wetland (mania, repo) systems continues to grow,
there is little to suggest that the transfer of this information and uptake by
our end user communities is effective. We used our personal experiences with
our communities to scope out potential barriers to uptake and identified the
following: (i) the broad range of information sources and the time needed
to access the information required; (ii) the use of scientific language and
complicated information formats that can overwhelm non-scientific community
members and/or decrease their level of interest and engagement; (iii) a lack of
information about tangata whenua perceptions and tikanga around wetlands;
and (iv) a lack of case studies on community experiences in wetland restoration.
In this age of i-pads, i-pods and i-phones, it makes sense to find ways to exploit
available digital technology to develop an internet-based portal to disseminate
and share information and experiences in the wetland space. But what could
this look like, and is it really the best way to move information around? This
presentation will provide the whakapapa (background and connections) for a
proposal that has been compiled for the development of a ‘one-stop’ freshwater
wetland website with the following key aim: To enable enhanced sharing of
resources (both scientific and non-scientific) with the wider community.
Waikato Raupatu River Trust
CheriV@tainui.co.nz
Co-author (s): Monica Peters1., Lorraine Dixon2, Nardene Berry3
1
. Phd Candidate, University of Waikato; 2. Waahi Whaanui Trustee, Huntly;
32
3
NZ
Notes
Landcare Trust, Hamilton
Goodrich, Jordan P
Session: Climate and Hydrology
Summer drought reduces both carbon dioxide uptake and methane
emissions at Kopuatai bog
Notes
Global climate change is likely to influence the frequency and severity of
drought events in many regions. This has implications for changing carbon
(C) storage in peatland ecosystems, which provide an important global sink
for atmospheric C. The C balance of a peatland is governed largely by gains
from photosynthetic uptake and losses from ecosystem respiration and
methane (CH4) emissions. The relative impacts of drought on these individual
components are not well understood and may alter the C balance differently
depending on peatland type, vegetation, and timing of drought. We measured
ecosystem scale CO2 and CH4 fluxes at Kopuatai bog during two contrasting
years, capturing the impact of a historically extreme drought on these major
components of the ecosystem’s C balance. From 1 January to 1 May 2013 (main
drought period), cumulative net CO2 uptake was 35% less than during the same
period in 2012. Increases in ecosystem respiration during the drought were
responsible for up to 88% of the difference in net CO2 storage, while differences
in photosynthetic uptake were comparatively small. The drop in water table
depth during the drought led to substantial depression of CH4 fluxes. For
example in April, mean daily CH4 flux during the drought (23 mgCH4 m-2
day-1) reduced to approximately 25% of the mean flux measured in April
2012 (93 mgCH4 m-2 day-1). Despite increased respiration, the relatively
consistent photosynthesis and reduced CH4 fluxes led to a net storage of
C during drought, albeit significantly smaller than the previous wet year.
University of Waikato
jordan.p.goodrich@gmail.com
Co-author (s): Dave I. Campbell, Louis A. Schipper, Mike J. Clearwater
University of Waikato
33
Greig, David
Session: Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
Wetlands for Highways: habitat considerations
The Transport Agency (Agency) through its Stormwater Treatment Standard
for State Highway Infrastructure provides guidance on the use of wetlands to
manage run-off quality from pavements. Responding to the need for stormwater
treatment, a range of artificial wetlands have been constructed by the Agency
throughout New Zealand. These have been created to meet stormwater
treatment requirements as part of resource consent processes, and many more
are planned. For example it is proposed that the new state highway from Puhoi
to Warkworth will create over forty new wetland environments adding greatly
to the natural character of the area. Many positive biological and biodiversity
benefits stem for the creation of these wetlands particularly when they are in
areas near other habitats, and more so when placed in areas devoid of major
streams, wetlands or lakes. However, given the utilitarian nature of the wetlands,
inevitably they will be impacted by removal of sediments and pollutants they
are designed to capture and treat. When these ‘maintenance’ activities occur
they disrupt the ecology that would have developed within them, including
any linkages created between neighbouring habitats. In designing artificial
wetlands that will undergo maintenance, ecological disruption can be catered
for both in the habitats created and the way in which this is done. Three artificial
wetlands being developed or already constructed by the Agency are discussed
from throughout the country detailing the issues related to maintenance of
biological values and biodiversity. Hydrological aspects of these wetlands will be
considered given the changes in climates likely to occur in the decades to come.
The Tranpsort Agency
David.Greig@nzta.govt.nz
Co-author (s): Lisa Hack, GHD
34
Notes
Greig, David
Session: Methods for wetland protection
Mudfish and roads: what’s the connection?
Notes
The New Zealand Transport Agency (Agency) is currently planning and
constructing many large roads throughout New Zealand. Wetland and
watercourse habitats are significantly modified by these projects and a range
of mitigation and remedial works are currently being planned and implemented
by the Agency as a result of resource consent conditions under the Resource
Management Act. Increasingly efforts to address impacts on aquatic vertebrates
are being required, in particular those on mudfish. Three Agency projects will
be presented from throughout the country to illustrate the types of impacts on
mudfish habitat that typically occur, the types of assessments required in support
of resource consent applications and the management solutions adopted. Each
project is unique in the environmental setting and the way authorisations have
been gained. Stakeholders in the projects include Department of Conservation,
Iwi and Regional councils and collaborative approaches to management
systems also vary to some extent. Given the threatened nature of the mudfish
nationally these projects can provide many needed lessons for the scientific and
planning community that will assist in the wider conservation efforts. Where
restorative and compensatory systems are used it will be possible to confirm
assumptions supporting chosen management techniques and also understand
how adaptive management can be implemented where required. Of great value
also will the understanding of the needs, costs and issues associated with
long-term management of the areas. A discussion of the need for collaborative
management will also be presented to stimulate debate on who should lead this.
The Transport Agency
david.greig@nzta.govt.nz
Co-author (s): Lisa Hack, GHD
35
Griffin, James
Session: Methods for wetland protection
Gumlands - dry wetlands?
Gumlands are a unique heathland type, wet in winter often dry in summer, and
as such present a challenge in the use of the term ‘wetland’. Gumlands occur
on gentle slopes on sites previously occupied by kauri forest. Extreme leaching
caused by acidic kauri litter creates a soil pan that impedes drainage and forms
a gumland over hundreds or thousands of years. Gumlands are characterised by
low-fertility vegetation adapted to wet/dry cycles. They also contain plants and
wildlife of national significance. However, only a fraction of gumlands remains
and further loss continues. The main threats to gumlands are clearance and
development (agriculture, forestry, horticulture and housing) and impacts of
nutrient enrichment and weeds. Current Northland Regional Council (NRC)
rules require wetlands to be wet and planning provisions are unlikely to provide
an effective management strategy. NRC has produced a report for northern
heathlands which will help people to understand why gumlands are wetlands and
why they are unique to NZ. NRC’s recently adopted Regional Policy Statement
includes provisions on identification and protection of significant indigenous
biodiversity. Gumland identification and mapping is a practicable option as they
have specific soils, can be large in area and, in contrast to other wetlands,
are stable over time. Mapping of northern heathlands is a first step towards a
management strategy that recognises compatible uses, threats and appropriate
planning provisions to protect significant indigenous biodiversity values. It also
provides certainty for landowners and an efficient approach to management.
Northland Regional Council
jamesg@nrc.govt.nz
36
Notes
Griffiths, James
Session: Aquatic Weed & Pest Control
Can aerial laser scanning inform conservation management of invasive
Salix cinerea in New Zealand’s palustrine wetlands?
Notes
We investigated the potential of Aerial Laser Survey (ASL) to inform large scale
conservation management of grey willow (Salix cinerea), an invasive weed in New
Zealand’s palustrine wetlands. In particular, we focused on two metrics: tree
height and canopy density, which influence the efficacy and target specificity
of aerially broadcast herbicides. We compared ground based grey willow height
and canopy density records, and aerial herbicide deposition data with ALS data
from study sites at Whangamarino, Tongariro delta, and Hart’s Creek, Lake
Waihora. Analysis revealed strong relationships between ALS derived metrics
and ground based measurements indicating ALS data could be used to tailor
aerial herbicide operations so grey willow is more effectively targeted while
undesirable non-target impacts are avoided. ALS surveys undertaken before
and after aerial herbicide application could also be used to help quantify
ecological outcomes of willow control. These capabilities, and the development
of variable flow-rate technologies that allow precise weed targeting in precision
agriculture, suggest that ALS could play an increasingly important role in the
conservation management of grey willow and other tree weeds in the future.
Department of Conservation
Jgriffiths@doc.govt.nz
Co-author (s): Clayson Howel David Burlace
37
Hall, Kristy
Session: Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
The dichotomy of engineering and the environment: can wetland systems
facilitate improved flood management and catchment restoration?
Achieving the joint aims of efficient stormwater management and ecological
restoration can sometimes seem diametrically opposed. While there are some
excellent examples where urban and rural development interface, there are others
where watercourses undergo extensive engineering works to prevent flooding
to people and property. This presentation will discuss how wetland systems can
be used to improve floodplain management. This can include the use of wetland
plants to reduce the roughness coefficient and improve hydraulic conveyance in
open watercourses, in situations where dense vegetation may be less appropriate
from an engineering perspective. Natural or artificial wetland systems can also be
enhanced to absorb flood flows and reduce flood peaks in catchments. Examples
will be presented from throughout New Zealand of how wetland systems can
be restored or created to achieve joint engineering and environmental benefits.
MWH
kristy.hall@mwhglobal.com
38
Notes
Henwood, Wendy
Session: Communities Restoring Wetlands
Ko Tangonge Te Wai: making a start
Notes
Tāngonge, once a significant lake and wetland area near Kaitaia in the Far North,
was drained and modified in the early 1900s. Environmental manipulation
destroyed the productive ecosystem and impacted on the people, the land
and the waterways. Species disappeared; rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga
practices and knowledge were eroded. A large area is being returned to local
whanau, hapu and iwi as part of the current Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
The vision for the future is to put life back into Tāngonge. We have begun
gathering local stories and collating data to inform planning and decisions,
and have identified areas for further research. Work to date has highlighted a
number of complexities that require consideration in planning for this longterm staged wetland restoration, including flooding (the practice of diverting
flood waters from the township), the Kaitaia sewerage system, catchment land
use and practices, and effective governance. Relationships, collaborations and
participation are therefore key to us making a difference. Although in the early
stages of development, people with a wide range of expertise and skills have
come on board: Tāngonge whanau, iwi, local marae, land trusts, and schools,
government agencies, and researchers. We are working alongside five local
schools so that Tāngonge becomes part of their curriculum activities; currently
they are each developing a species research project within the overall Tāngonge
project. The project also provides an opportunity to mentor and upskill whanau
members in environmental and research skills. The presentation will outline our
progress to date, and discuss some of the strategies used to meet the challenges.
Te Runanga o Te Rarawa
raywen@igrin.co.nz
39
Kanz, Wolfgang
Session: Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
Designing constructed stormwater wetlands to maximise contaminant
removal, mitigate flows, and capitalize on ancillary benefits
Constructed stormwater wetlands have received considerable attention over the
last two decades, with significant changes in their design and application as a
result of ongoing research effort. Stormwater wetlands are inherently complex
management practices due to the dynamic nature of stormwater flows. Their
urban setting also poses challenges, both in terms of space constraints and
socio-economic drivers. Wetlands can also become prominent features in the city
landscape, and require sensitive integration into urban spaces to ensure acceptance
by surrounding communities. Auckland Council constructed stormwater wetland
design guidance addresses the above issues, with proposed changes improving
contaminant removal whilst also allowing for improved ecological values and
amenity where practical and desirable. Proposed design changes take into account
the Auckland-specific context, offer more flexibility for stormwater practitioners
and other designers, and take greater advantage of natural processes.
Auckland Council
wolfgang.kanz@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
40
Notes
Kelly, Shane
Session: Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
Degraded urban tidal creeks: concepts for producing community and
environmental benefits
Notes
Identifying suitable land-based controls for managing stormwater contaminants
in catchments surrounding Auckland’s most contaminated urban estuaries is
particularly challenging. These areas tend to lack space suitable for the installation
of large stormwater treatment devices, and the cost of installing and maintaining
numerous, small treatment units is generally prohibitive. The upper reaches of
tidal creeks and estuaries adjoining these areas are often polluted, inaccessible
and unsightly, with degraded ecological, amenity and aesthetic values. These
areas represent a degraded, and potentially under-valued and under-utilised
wetland resource. Concepts and design strategies were therefore developed for
using the coastal margin to constrain stormwater contaminants (and therefore
reduce downstream effects), while also maximising outcomes for the local
environment, native wildlife, and recreational, aesthetic and amenity values.
The project brought together stormwater engineering, ecological enhancement
and landscape design within an integrated framework, and established a set
of design principles based on the following themes: ‘link’, ‘leverage’, ‘slow’,
‘couple’, ‘diversify’, ‘celebrate’ and ‘prepare’. Using these principles, a series
of conceptual designs were created and explored. Overall, it illustrated that
there is a range of potential options for utilising the coastal margin to improve
overall environmental and social outcomes. However, further work is required
to refine the ideas that were generated and apply them to a ‘real life’ situation.
Coast and Catchment Ltd
shane@coastandcatchment.co.nz
Co-author (s): Gary Marshall, Nick Scales1 Roger Seyb, and Hayden Easton2
1
Jasmax 2 PDP
41
Landers, Todd
Session: Indigenous biodiversity of wetlands
Indigenous biodiversity values of restored wetlands in Auckland. How
natural are they?
Biodiversity offsets are conservation activities intended to compensate for the
residual, unavoidable harm to biodiversity/ natural heritage values caused
by use of land for non conservation purposes. Restored wetland habitat
is increasingly being promoted as a ‘biodiversity offset’ by developers in
Auckland; either as a direct substitute for aquatic biodiversity lost or degraded
by developments, or a method of stormwater treatment that provides additional
social and biodiversity benefits. Constructed wetlands are particularly important
on the Auckland isthmus because so much of the original wetland habitat (c.
99.5%) has been lost from this landscape. However, how natural are these
restored wetlands? One of the main criticisms of offsets is their inability to
re-create the complex species patterns, relationships, nutrient cycles etc.
of natural wetlands. Auckland Council’s Wetland Biodiversity Monitoring
Programme has included sampling in a number of stormwater wetlands and a
small network of plots has also been established in two of Auckland’s largest
constructed urban wetlands at Waiatarua and Kohuora Park. This paper will
compare and contrast key wetland indicators for these constructed urban
wetlands and contrast their values with natural wetland systems from urban,
rural and ‘back-country’ landscapes from throughout the Auckland Region.
Auckland Council
craig.bishop@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Co-author (s): Craig Bishop, Jade Khin, Auckland Council
42
Notes
Landers, Todd
Session: Indigenous biodiversity of wetlands
Landscape scale monitoring of changes in Auckland’s regional wetland
assets
Notes
The Auckland Council’s Wetland Biodiversity Monitoring Programme aims
to obtain a comprehensive verifiable assessment of the region’s wetland
biodiversity, key threats, and management actions. Monitoring includes
systematic field measurements at around 200 wetlands on a five-yearly cycle.
Data collection includes the use of standardized 10 minute bird counts,
vegetation data, soil and foliage nutrient status and wetland condition
assessment using the standard national protocols. Analyses on the first four
years of field data (n = 150 wetland sites) has been conducted, and a number of
interesting patterns and relationships are evident. A large number of potential
biodiversity indicators can be derived from the plot data. This paper will discuss
the relative merits of indicators under consideration for reporting on wetland
values to different council stakeholders; for example reporting for Council
biodiversity staff vs. a community group with an interest in a specific site vs.
Local Board politicians. The wetland monitoring program has recently been
expanded to include better data and trends on key regional wetland assets, and
we will discuss the approach and rationale for this part of the program. Further
details of the monitoring programme will also be discussed including the major
practical challenges we have faced in collecting this first baseline measure of the
Auckland Region’s wetlands, and recommendations for further improvement.
Auckland Council
craig.bishop@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Co-author (s): Craig Bishop1, Karen Denyer2, Jade Khin1
Auckland Council, 2Papawera Consulting
1
43
Leggett, Kate
Session: Aquatic Weed & Pest Control
The Weeds are Easy - Tales from Te Henga Wetland
Te Henga Wetland is the largest and most significant wetland on mainland
Auckland. It is located on the remote West Coast, and is surrounded by the
diverse Bethells community. The wetland is a focal point of the Bethells Valley
and has a complex mix of significant values and threats. It is 95% privately
owned with 17 different individuals, government agencies and interest groups
contributing to its management. Landowners and the wider community have
shaped how the wetland is managed. Parts of the community are strongly
interested in the wetland’s restoration while other parts of the community
are concerned about the use of sprays. This issue has at times polarized the
community. Legacy councils and the current Auckland Council have a 15year history of working with landowners, agencies and interest groups to
help restore the wetland through coordinated pest plant control work on grey
willow, crack willow, alligator weed, royal fern and Mexican water lily. While
the talk will detail the ecological objectives, control methods and monitoring
methods used, it will also explore the principles and practices of successful
landowner engagement, community engagement and collaboration. The
talk will provide a useful background to the Te Henga Wetland Field Trip.
Auckland Council
kate.leggett@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Lewis, Carolyn
Session: Workshop 3 Weeding out wetland invaders
Weedbusters and Wetlands
An update on Weedbusters and the resources available for all those tackling
weeds in wetlands and working to get communities and groups involved in
protecting these natural areas from ‘garden escapees’.
44
Weedbusters
carolyn.lewis@xtra.co.nz
Notes
Lucci, Gina
Session: Climate and Hydrology
A review of the impacts of developed peat soils on nutrient fluxes, water
quality and wetlands
Notes
There are around 200,000 ha of peat, or organic, soils in New Zealand and
a third have been developed and are under intensive agriculture. The unique
properties of peat make it both a fragile and highly productive resource.
Because these soils are often close to and connected (via drainage) with natural
peatlands and wetlands, their management potentially has a great impact on
natural aquatic ecosystems. ‘Reclaiming’, or development, of peatlands through
drainage, cultivation, application of fertilisers and lime, results in increased
mineralisation, peat consolidation and shrinkage. These processes may lead to
increases in gaseous and dissolved losses of nutrients and sediment to the wider
environment. There have been a limited number of studies in NZ on the losses of
dissolved nutrients from peat soils under agriculture, and much remains unknown
regarding nutrient fluxes with changes in drainage and level of development. Few
developed peatlands will be restored to their original functioning state, meaning
that without a major policy change in land use, the only way to mitigate the effects
of farming on peat soils is by changing the way these delicate soils are farmed
to minimise nutrient losses to water. This presentation will review NZ research
on developed peat soils, and what important gaps remain to be examined. We
cannot turn back the hands of time on the development of peat soils, but a
better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for nutrient loss will aid in
the development of effective and economic mitigation strategies for these soils.
AgResearch
gina.lucci@agresearch.co.nz
45
Lundquist, Carolyn
Session: Coastal wetlands
Scientific information underlying the management of mangrove expansion
While mangroves are indigenous, and an integral part of functioning estuaries
in northern New Zealand, rapid expansion of mangrove forests has occurred in
recent decades, resulting in widespread support for estuarine restoration projects
focusing on mangrove removal. Mangrove expansion is primarily associated with
changes in land use that increase terrestrial sediment erosion and deposition
into coastal and estuarine environments. Objectives for mangrove removal in
northern New Zealand often include a desire by local residents to restore open
estuary sandflat conditions in areas that have been colonised by mangroves
since the 1950s, and reinstate the navigational, recreational and amenity
value of these areas. A recent court decision has highlighted that improved
catchment management is an integral component of mangrove management,
and that many mangrove removals to date have been unsuccessful at ‘turning
back the clock’ and returning estuaries to sandier substrates. Here we present
preliminary guidelines for mangrove management in order to prioritise
locations for both removal activities and management of seedling expansion.
These guidelines suggest site specific characteristics and methodologies for
mangrove removal that are more likely to result in successful erosion of mud
and vegetative material, and that minimise adverse impacts to estuarine health.
NIWA
c.lundquist@niwa.co.nz
Co-author (s): Andrew Swales, NIWA
46
Notes
Marapara, Tapuwa
Session: Climate and Hydrology
The effect of tree planting on soil hydrology and carbon sequestration in
wetlands undergoing restoration
Notes
Wetlands offer a diverse range of services which include flood mitigation, water
quality improvement and carbon sequestration. The physical, chemical and
hydraulic properties of soils in wetlands have an effect on surface hydrology
which is critical for the delivery of these ecosystem services. These properties
are in turn affected by vegetation and hydrology. There is growing knowledge
about the changes in surface and subsurface hydrology due to vegetation
changes (particularly tree planting) in uplands and other terrestrial area, yet
little is known about the effects in restored forested wetlands. Forested wetland
types have attracted attention with regards to restoration for ecosystem service
delivery. However, their restoration often fails compared to other wetland types.
This is because of lack of information on bio-physio-chemical processes, soil
properties, fluid flow pathways and the feedback between these properties.
Moreover, very little is known about the re-establishment of trees in frequently
flooded systems which have been cleared of trees in the past. If soil properties
have changed then reversal to a re-afforested state may be difficult. There is need
for the design of restoration strategies that successfully optimise deliverance of
ecosystem services. This study aims to evaluate the effect of planting trees as a
restoration strategy on the soil’s physical and hydraulic properties and organic
carbon content as well as to spatially delineate areas where intervention may
optimise delivery of ecosystem services in an ephemeral wetland in Wairarapa.
Victoria University of Wellington
tapuwa.marapara@vuw.ac.nz
Co-author (s): Bethanna Jackson Stephen Hartley
Victoria University of Wellington
47
McCaughan, Helen
Session: Aquatic Weed & Pest Control
It is possible to control a pest fish in a modified urban wetland. Travis
Wetland, Christchurch
Travis Wetland is a complex of freshwater streams and ponds covering 119 ha,
with connections to the Avon River. Historically a wetland, it was converted to
agriculture in the 1850s and since 1994 has been a Christchurch City Council
(CCC) restoration area, co-managed with the Travis Wetland Trust. In April
2008 the noxious fish rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) was detected in
the main pond. The Department of Conservation (DOC) and CCC carried out
survey work throughout the wetland, finding a significant number of rudd
in the main pond. Since then, panel gill nets have been used to reduce the
population down to low levels. Over six seasons, using the same methodology,
the rudd catch has gone down from 388 fish per season to four fish per season.
Department of Conservation
hmccaughan@doc.govt.nz
Co-author (s): John Skilton, Christchurch City Council
48
Notes
Myers, Shona
Session: Methods for wetland protection
Wet or land? Changing paradigms in the definition of wetlands plus more!
Our experience with achieving significant enhancement and mitigation for
the loss and modification to wetlands
Notes
Wetlands continue to be under threat from major new projects of national
significance, as well as regional and local initiatives for growth and development.
Increasingly, how wetlands are defined and assessed have real implications for
how the resource gets addressed at the decision-making stage of applications for
resource consents. Our recent RMA experience with addressing the definition of
a wetland, as well as mechanisms for protection, enhancement, and mitigation
for the loss and adverse effects on wetlands, have been tested in the Environment
Court and at Board of Inquiry hearings. We present some of the outcomes
of expert conferencing and decisions that have the potential to change how
wetlands might be considered in the future. District and Regional Plan rules and
consent conditions requiring enhancement, monitoring and mitigation of effects
on wetlands will be discussed as well as approaches to adaptive management.
RMA processes including expert conferencing and negotiated outcomes will
be discussed in terms of whether this achieves better or ‘just best’ outcomes,
and how varied success can be with achieving ‘no net loss’ and ‘like for like’
integrated outcomes. Our experience with decision-makers’ real interest in the
outcome is also explored. The challenge of achieving practical and real ecological
outcomes vs. stormwater/flood functions, as mitigation for the loss of wetlands
associated with roading projects, along with the use of wetlands as mechanisms
to gain environmental lots for regional and local growth, will be explored.
Department of Conservation
shona.myers@vodafone.co.nz
Co-author (s): Ian Boothroyd, Golder Associates, Auckland
49
Peters, Monica
Session: Communities restoring wetlands
Are we scientific citizens? Measuring the success of our restoration
projects
All around the world community groups with the right tools, training and support
are measuring environmental change using science-based methods. However, the
ways in which NZ groups measure the success of their restoration interventions are
largely unknown. To better understand the place of environmental monitoring in
community restoration projects, a questionnaire was sent to groups throughout
NZ. The results provide insights into why and how groups use (or don’t use)
science-based tools to monitor restoration success and what barriers there may
be to using toolkits such as WETMAK. Additionally, how community-generated
data are (or could be) used for wider environmental reporting are important
considerations given today’s political climate. For example, the Department of
Conservation (DOC) now relies on much greater input from community groups to
drive works on the ground; the Land and Water Forum underscores the need for
an expanded community role in environmental decision-making; and funders
require increased outcome monitoring by groups to quantify the value of their
investment. Community groups with robust data will be in a far stronger position
to contribute to decisions affecting their local landscape and simultaneously
prove to funders that their money has been well spent. Given the lack of recent
SOE reporting, a vision for the future could be this: community-derived toolkit
data from restoration projects around the country are drawn into a national data
set that both complements and supplements agency-collected data. The report
provides a clearer picture of national trends and community groups’ commitment
to restoring degraded landscapes receive greater recognition and support.
University of Waikato
monica.a.peters@gmail.com
50
Notes
Rainforth, Hannah
Session: Workshop 2 Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines (sponsored by DOC)
Communicating limits: an iwi perspective
Notes
Why do we attempt to put limits in place? Partly out of respect for the things
around us, and partly so we, as humans, can continue traditional practices
(e.g., fishing, ceremony, or navigation) and leave space for others (in the
future) to do the same. For iwi, this plays out as limits that both incorporate
and restrict human uses. It means limits that recognise human relationships
to and connectedness with the natural world, while maintaining that the
natural world has a mana of its own. It means limits that not only speak to
numerics but that include measures of the maintenance of social practices,
the health of waters and the people belonging to them. This talk outlines
some iwi and hapū considerations when undertaking limit-setting, and
presents an iwi perspective on what limits mean for Māori and our aspirations. Ngati Rangi Trust
hannah@ngatirangi.com
Roberts, Peter
Session: Communities Restoring Wetlands
51
Restoring urban wetlands
Restoring wetlands at Musick Point, Bucklands Beach, within the boundary
of an operating golf club provides unique challenges. The pathway to
progress is discussed and the results to date, four years on, are illustrated.
Howick Golf Club
peter.roberts@xtra.co.nz
52
Notes
Robertson, Hugh
Session: Climate and Hydrology
Water regime characteristics of New Zealand wetlands: building a
national dataset
Notes
How much water does a wetland need? That depends. It is widely accepted
that the water regime is the single most important determinant for maintaining
wetland function, ecological integrity and ecosystem services. However, our
basic understanding of the water regime patterns of New Zealand wetlands is
limited. In contrast to rivers and lakes, there are no national monitoring sites
that can be used to investigate the status and trend of wetland water levels,
which restricts our ability to set national or regional policies. We sought to
collate data to characterise the water regimes of different wetland types (bog,
swamp, fen, ephemeral wetland, etc) drawing on all known hydrological records
from university, crown research, central and regional governments, and other
groups. Over a period of six months (2012-2013) over 100 water level records
from 31 sites were collected, covering many years of data logging. While there
are many gaps in the information base, the georeferenced records allow for the
development of a national dataset on wetland hydrology. In time, it is envisaged
the national dataset will help provide a basis for establishing guidelines on water
diversion and drainage, which take into account the water regime requirements
of wetlands. This talk will provide an overview of the water level information
collated so far, with specific examples, and discuss future opportunities.
Department of Conservation
harobertson@doc.govt.nz
53
Robertson, Hugh
Session: Workshop 2 Improving wetland health – setting limits and bottom
lines (sponsored by DOC)
Introduction
How do we protect wetland health in changing landscapes? Can we set limits
or thresholds to ensure wetland values are maintained? This special session
aims to help wetland managers protect New Zealand wetlands. Introduction and
facilitation by Dr. Hugh Robertson.
Department of Conservation
harobertson@doc.govt.nz
54
Notes
Singers, Nick
Session: Aquatic Weed & Pest Control
Controlling grey willow in the Te Matapuna/south Taupo wetland and
other conservation management
Notes
Te Matapuna or the south Taupo wetland occupies approximately 1500 ha of the
southern margin of Lake Taupo, between the Tauranga-Taupo River and Waihi.
The wetland was formed following the 232 AD Taupo eruption, and is dominated
by fen, swamp and marsh vegetation types. Since the 1960s grey willow has
invaded large areas of the wetland and is the major threat to its ecological
values. Since 2007 Project Tongariro funded by Waikato Catchment Ecological
Enhancement Trust in partnership with the Department of Conservation (DOC)
has undertaken restoration project. This has involved initially undertaking a
range grey willow control trials including aerial spraying of selective herbicides
(Metsulfuron and Triclopyr) and ground control methods in association with
monitoring control efficacy and conservation outcomes. The outcomes of
these trials and other conservation management actions will be presented.
Project Tongariro
nicholassingers@slingshot.co.nz
55
Spiers, Abbie G
Session: Communities restoring wetlands
Funding Droughts and Storms in a teacup: Perceptions and experiences of
wetland managers
What is a ‘healthy’ or an ‘unhealthy’ wetland, in the eyes of a wetland manager?
What management and monitoring activities are being undertaken in wetlands
across New Zealand? What are wetland managers saying about perceived barriers
to change and improvement of wetland health, and potential ways to overcome
them? These questions are currently being explored in a project investigating
the perceptions of wetland health among people who are managing NZ wetlands.
Decision makers, academics, indigenous leaders, opinion leaders, community
groups and wetland site managers, including farmers, have been interviewed
from a range of locations across NZ. Initial results are being presented, with a
particular focus on i) perceptions of what is a ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’ wetland
and how this is judged, and ii) key management-related themes emerging
from the interviews. Perceptions about wetland health seem to be strongly
influenced by the type of vegetation present (native or exotic; level of diversity;
width of buffer, if any), with managers also looking for signs of algal scum,
pugging or grazing and/or land development nearby. Key management-related
themes emerging include project ‘drivers’ and the challenge of sustaining
restoration efforts, monitoring activities and their link to decision-making and
management actions, the accessibility or appropriateness of funding, land use
regulations, education and advice, and land ownership and communication
issues. Further interviews and surveys are being undertaken to strengthen
the analyses and explore the range of perceptions and managerial responses.
Charles Sturt University
ramblers.song@gmail.com
56
Notes
Stewart, Mary
Session: Workshop 3 Weeding out wetland invaders
AQUATICS: Helpful tips for wetland weed control
Notes
Have a weedy wetland? What to consider before you start. Council staff share their
experience from working on aquatic pest plants across the Auckland Region.
The presentation includes how to get information, planning and an overview
of common techniques. Lots of photos, live samples and an opportunity to
ask questions of wetland specialists. This presentation covers the following:
Advice (where to go for experience, funding, advice re techniques, legalities,
landownership, resources), Quality (planning - quality of control based on
timing, H&S, right technique for the plant, planting), Understanding (understand
plant ecology and wetland ecology), Achievability (working in a sustainable way
re number of species tackled and scale of work so don’t become overwhelmed),
Techniques (biocontrol, hand pulling, drill & inject, cut stump), Information
(Collecting information – photopoints, datapoints etc), Changing approach
through time (reviewing techniques over time and as wetland recovers), SUCCESS!!!!
Auckland Council Biosecurity
Mary.Stewart@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
57
Suggate, Richard
Session: Agriculture and Wetlands
DOC/Fonterra Community Investment in Water Programme – The
challenge of sustainable dairy farming and alongside healthy, resilient
ecosystems.
Fonterra and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have a common interest in
protecting the health of New Zealand’s waterways, so that all New Zealanders
can benefit from the quality of our water and natural habitats. Fonterra and
DOC are working together infive key catchments across New Zealand, sharing
joint coordination of a $20 million community investment fund over 10 years. Together, they will jointly administer and allocate funds to protect sensitive
catchments and show how a sustainable dairying industry can exist alongside
healthy, resilient ecosystems that together enrich the lives of all New Zealanders.
Department of Conservation
rsuggate@doc.govt.nz
Co-author (s): Leana Hunt, Fonterra
58
Notes
Tanner, Chris
Session: Indigenous biodiversity of wetlands
Effects of nutrient additions on the indigenous biodiversity of Waikato
wetlands
Notes
The composition and diversity of indigenous wetland vegetation is known to be
strongly influenced by nutrient availability. To test the nutrient status (nitrogen or
phosphorus limitation) of wetlands in the Waikato and their response to nutrient
addition, we undertook a fertilisation experiment across a gradient from an early
successional swamp (Toreparu) to a mid-successional fen (Whangamarino) to
a late successional bog (Kopuatai). Fertiliser (N, P, N+P or nil) were spread 4
times per year in 1 m2 plots over a three-year period. Vegetation composition
and cover were assessed before and after the period of nutrient addition.
Biomass, plant nutrient levels and root growth were assessed at the end of the
experiment, and regrowth in the harvested plots measured after a year to assess
recovery. Responses varied markedly for the different wetlands. Phosporous (P)
addition had a marked negative influence on the growth of many species. In
particular, the growth of wire rush (Empodisma robustum) cluster roots was
curtailed under P fertilisation, drastically reducing its ability to form peat. Key
results and implications from the study will be summarised and discussed.
NIWA
c.tanner@niwa.co.nz
Co-author (s): Bev Clarkson1, Brian Sorrell2, Kerry Bodmin3, Scott Bartlam1,
Karen McKee4, Irv Mendelssohn5
1
Landcare Research, 2Aarhus University, 3NIWA, 4USGS, 5Louisiana State
University
59
Tanner, Chris
Session: Stormwater and Wastewater Treatment
What is that floating in your cocktail? New generation stormwater
wetlands
Urban stormwater ponds receive liberal doses of a complex cocktail of
contaminants every time it rains more than a few millimetres. Wetlands have the
potential to remove a wide variety of these contaminants including dissolved
and very fine fractions that are not readily treated using other technologies such
as ponds. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are an innovative new constructed
wetland option that expands the range of situations where wetland treatment
can be applied for water quality and ecosystem enhancement. FTWs consist of
emergent wetland plants growing on buoyant mats or rafts on the water surface.
The plant roots grow through the floating mat and into the water below. Although
the key nutrient removal processes operating are similar to those operating in
surface-flow wetlands, FTWs have a number of unique attributes which can
provide advantages over conventional systems in some situations. In particular,
tolerance of deep and fluctuating water levels enables FTWs to be retrofitted into
ponds, lakes, slow-flowing and tidally-influenced waters. The plants growing
in FTWs assimilate nutrients and directly from the water column, in contrast to
bottom-rooted emergent macrophytes which take them predominantly from the
bottom sediments. The roots also provide a large surface area for adsorption
and biofilm attachment within the water column, and promote quiescent anoxic
zones beneath the floating mats. Until recently there has been little reliable
quantitative information available on their pollutant removal performance. This
paper briefly introduces the key elements of this novel new ecotechnology and
overviews stormwater pollutant performance data from recent side-by-side
field trials comparing equivalent stormwater ponds with and without addition
of a FTW. The results suggest that inclusion of a FTW in a conventional retention
pond can increase its performance for a wide range of key stormwater pollutants.
NIWA
c.tanner@niwa.co.nz
60
Co-author (s): Karine Borne, Elizabeth Fassman-Beck
Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland.
Notes
Thompson, Keith
Session: Climate and Hydrology
Managing wetlands in the farming landscape: the importance of
hydrology assessments
Notes
The lowland landscape throughout New Zealand, particularly in the North Island,
is dominated by agriculture and practically all wetlands are remnants of their
former extent influenced, to a greater or lesser extent, by farming activities. The
Greater Wellington Regional Council has over 100 wetlands on its database and
although biodiversity information is available for many, little is known about the
dynamics of most of them. Hydrology is the most important ecological factor
in wetland functioning and, therefore, in sustainable wetland management.
Recognising this, in 2010 the GWRC identified ten significant wetlands in the
Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast that are, or soon could be, under hydrological stress,
and assessed their present and future water status. Surface flows and losses
were estimated and the role of subsurface aquifers was assessed from existing
borehole data and modelling. Each wetland was characterised by analyses of
water samples for 20 chemical parameters, and chemical signatures assisted
with the identification of water sources. Vegetation types were recorded and
plant indicators and soil types, particularly peats, provided further input to the
assessment of water status. Each wetland was field surveyed and data were
integrated and supplemented with published information, where available.
Recommendations were made for future hydrological monitoring and the effects
of future water abstraction for farming and other purposes was predicted.
Standard wetland management today is largely reactive, rather than proactive
and we suggest that these rapid, multi-parameter but hydrology-based,
predictive surveys are valuable tools in planning for sustainable management
of sensitive wetland ecosystems in a landscape dominated by agriculture.
Wetland consultant
keith@bogman.co.nz
Co-author (s): Tim Park & Juliet Milne
Greater Wellington Regional Council
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Thomson, Heather
Session: Communities restoring wetlands
Restoring our wetlands, restoring our people – a kaitiaki perspective on
wetland research and restoration
Toreparu is a 550 acre wetland nestled between the rolling hill country of Ruapuke
to the north and Manuaitu to the south. It is part of the western coastline
of Waikato as encapsulated in the saying: Waikato he taniwha, Maniapoto he
wharawhara, Karioi he maunga, Aotea he whenua, Whaingaroa he moana,
Kawhia he tangata. Toreparu might be considered a metaphor for cultural
and socio-political histories of our people at Mōtakotako. Numerous old pa
and kainga encircling it signal its strategic importance to tribal well-being, its
abundance and diversity of natural resources. Rights to resources obligated a
responsibility for them; the possession of which sustained tribal well-being and
enhanced tribal influence. There was no part that was unknown, unnamed, or
unused. Since 1840 our people have endured alienation from Toreparu through
land sales, legislation, and transfer of customary title to individual property
rights. Such processes have enabled individuals to extract resources without
regard to people or place. Consequently, Toreparu has undergone major
ecological changes, including grey willow infestation, diminished biodiversity,
increased sedimentation, and degradation.
While the scientific lens is
invaluable for identifying and analysing physical data as to cause and effect,
what is overlooked is the fact that Toreparu’s state is mirrored in her people
who once occupied her rich expanses. Restoring Toreparu is essentially about
restoration of relationships - between people and land, people and water, and
the species that inhabit this special place. My contribution to this symposium
is to explore those relationships, their interconnection and their severance.
Mōtakotako Marae, (Ngati Whakamarurangi/Tainui
paringatai@slingshot.co.nz
62
Notes
Warren, Samwell
Session: Climate and Hydrology
Exploring hydrological relationships between Wairarapa Moana and Lake
Wairarapa
Notes
Wairarapa Moana wetland complex is located on the eastern shore of Lake
Wairarapa. It is a 67 ha fractured wetland running from Lake Domain in the
north to Onoke Spit, 30 km south at Palliser Bay. While it is only 18.6% of its
original 360 ha expanse, it is one of the largest wetland complexes in the North
Island. Since the 1970s, artificial manipulating of lake levels and clearances
and drainage for farming have had detrimental impacts on the size and
nature of these wetlands. Currently, efforts are underway by the Department
of Conservation (DOC), Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), and
private interest groups to preserve and enhance what remains. Since hydrology
is the dominant forcing component in any wetland system, understanding a
wetland’s hydrology is critical for future management and restoration. While
these wetlands historically had a very close relationship with Lake Wairarapa,
little is known about the contemporary relationships they now share. My thesis
involves using comparative analysis of open water level, shallow groundwater
and other water budget data to identify the relationship between Lake
Wairarapa’s hydrology and the hydrology of Boggy Pond, Mathew’s Lagoon, and
the Wairio Wetlands. It will complement and build on the study of water quality
and water budgets of Mathews Lagoon and Boggy Pond being undertaken by
Cheng, and the Lake Wairarapa water balance work being undertaken by GWRC.
Victoria University of Wellington.
samwellwarren@gmail.com
Co-author (s): Bethanna Jackson, Victoria University of Wellington.
63
Watts, Corinne
Session: Aquatic Weed & Pest Control
Willows & weevils: Insect community responses to introduced willow and
their control
In New Zealand, willows (Salix species) are major invaders of riparian
zones and wetlands. However, the impacts of willows on the invertebrate
fauna within wetlands have yet to be quantified. We examined the beetle
communities within three Waikato wetlands with varying grey willow (Salix
cinerea) densities and invasion stages. Willow-dominated vegetation had more
beetles than native wetland vegetation and the composition differed. The taxa
responsible for the differences seemed to be responding to the increasing
structural complexity of the vegetation following grey willow invasion. More
recently, we have investigated the effect of grey willow control on the insect
community in a large scale experiment at Whangamarino, Waikato. The insect
community appears to respond more to changes in habitat complexity (i.e.,
leaf fall after willow control) than by the direct toxic effect of the herbicide
used. From a conservation perspective, these results are encouraging and
suggest that, although grey willows dramatically alter the composition of insect
communities present, through the removal of the willows these communities
can be restored to compositions similar to those found within native wetlands.
Landcare Research
wattsc@landcareresearch.co.nz
Co-author (s): Danny Thornburrow, Bev Clarkson
Landcare Research
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Notes
Webb, Claire
Session: Coastal wetlands
Mangrove Management in Auckland - a balancing act (friend or foe?)
Notes
Mangrove forests within the Auckland Region have expanded over the last
two decades particularly in tidal inlets and estuaries. Expansion is linked to
increased sediment inputs from surrounding catchments in response to land
use changes. Mangrove expansion influences not only natural systems and
processes but also the way in which Aucklanders connect with and perceive
the estuarine environments affected. Mangroves have an innate ability to
colonise, and facilitate, the development of suitable habitat to expand their
range. As a result, the intrinsic biodiversity values and ecosystem services
provided by mangroves are now in direct conflict with the community’s desire
to access, appreciate and use intertidal areas. The call to manage mangroves
within Auckland’s inlets and estuaries presents a challenge as the biodiversity
values and ecosystem services of these forests (such as productivity, nursery
habitat and erosion protection) are weighed against community desires and the
potential adverse effects of mangrove removals that tangible benefits to both
the environment and community are achieved. Historically, the management of
dynamic ecosystems has been reactionary, often with unintended consequences
and as a result, a precautionary approach is usually adopted with actions based
on current best practice. Although research on temperate mangroves has
progressed over the last few years, the high degree of variability associated
with site specific environmental conditions makes it difficult to develop a ‘one
size fits all’ approach to management. In this context, mangrove management
in Auckland has proceeded at a slow pace despite increasing pressure from
communities to undertake removals. In response, the Auckland Council has
revised the approach to mangrove management through a number of statutory
and non-statutory mechanisms. This paper discusses mangrove management
within the Auckland Region in the context of conflicting views on ecosystem
values and the effects on recreational and amenity needs of the community.
Auckland Council
claire.webb@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
65
Wharakura, Joshua Ormsby Jonathan Brown and Rimutere
Session: Workshop 1 “Weaving and sharing the kete – communicating wetland
experiences from the flax roots”
He waka eke noa/ We’re all in this waka together’. Perspectives of
Waikato-Tainui scholarship recipients on the challenges and benefits of
tribal capability development for wetland restoration.
The wetland space is not necessarily one that can get people excited - particularly
rangatahi. They are wet, can be smelly, swarming with mosquitoes and at a quick
glance can appear bereft of biodiversity. It should be no surprise then that within
our tribe (Waikato-Tainui) we are currently experiencing a wetland-science
capability ‘drought’ - one which has the potential to have dire consequences
for the way in which our people (now and in the future) can engage in wetland
restoration, monitoring and management. This presentation is our story. Beginning
from shared aspirations for the improvement in the health and well-being of our
Tuupuna Awa - the Waikato River - we were encouraged by a tribal educational
scholarship opportunity focused on wetlands. Founded on a relationship between
the Waikato Raupatu River Trust, Landcare Research, WINTEC and DOC, the
scholarship has provided us with a stepping stone into environmental sciencebased studies. At the same time, this scholarship has given us some insight into
the barriers that could impede the entry of more of our people into this field some of which are unexpected and unrelated to the study of science itself. We
will provide a brief description of each of our journeys within the scholarship
programme, and conclude our talk with some of our ideas around how agencies
and scientists could better engage and encourage more Maori into science.
Ecoarb, Waikato; Maurea Marae; Turangawaewae marae
josh@ecoarb.co.nz; johnmmbrown@gmail.com; rimwha93@student.wintec.
ac.nz
Co-author (s): Jonathan Brown1, and Rimutere Wharakura2
Waikato Raupatu River Trust, 2Wintec
1
66
Notes
Whitwell, Sarah
Session: Communities restoring wetlands
The Restoration of Wirihana Wetland by Project Twin Streams: An Urban
Wetland Restoration Case Study
Notes
Project Twin Streams (PTS) is a West Auckland environmental restoration project
that works with communities to restore the streams in their local neighbourhoods.
The vision statement for PTS is “Working together for healthy streams and
strong communities”. The project works toward this vision by partnering with
community organisations to engage local residents with the restoration process.
In addition to streams, the project area includes Wirihana Wetland, one of the
only naturally occurring urban wetlands in the Auckland region. Located in the
suburb of Glen Eden, Wirihana Wetland is heavily impacted by the surrounding
urban landscape. Since beginning work in 2009, the project has faced many
challenges. These challenges can be categorised broadly as biological (e.g.
weeds), social (e.g. perceptions and behaviours of local residents) and physical
(e.g. erosion/hydrological) in nature. Using a combination of contactor works,
community engagement and volunteer work, some of these challenges have
been successfully overcome and the condition of Wirihana Wetland has improved
greatly. Other challenges, however, will require on-going management or
major financial investment to address. To date, the restoration of the wetland
has been a great success and while it is not yet complete the learnings from
this case study could be valuable for future wetland restoration projects.
Thomas Civil and Environmental Consultants Ltd
sarah.whitwell@tcec.co.nz
67
Dinner and Zoo Event
EVENT TIMETABLE
9.30am to 6.30pm Zoo visit and self-guided tour of Te Wao Nui wetland exhibit
People registered for the dinner can go to the Zoo at any time between 9:30am-6:30pm with their complimentary wristband for
identification. The Zoo closes to the public at 5:30pm but dinner attendees can enter later.
5.00pm
Richard Gibson, Curator, Auckland Zoo
Te Wao Nui Native Fauna and Wetland Exhibit
Talk at the Central Lawn
(located near the entrance to Te Wao Nui and the Orangutan House)
6.30pm
Arrival at the Elephant House
6.45pm
Welcome - Kristy Hall, National Wetland Trust Deputy Chairperson Kristy Hall
7.00pm
Buffet Dinner
8.15pm
Dessert
7.30pm
9.00pm
68
Dinner Speech
Ian Fraser, Field Conservation Programme Manager, Auckland Zoo
The Zoo: Conservation, Community, and Water
69
Conference arrangements
VENUE: All conference rooms are in Building 180, centred on the
“The Hub” - plenary and concurrent sessions in the Red and Gold
Lecture Theatres, workshops in Room 180-1105 (see map). Toilets
are located off the courtyard between the three rooms. Also situated
on this courtyard are a pharmacy and bookshop. Postal services
are available at Campus Copy Centre, located beyond the pharmacy.
Please ask for directions if needed.
BANKING AND CURRENCY: An ANZ Bank branch is located on the
Mt Albert campus for banking needs, Building 114. There are two
ATM machines on campus – one opposite the Gold Lecture theatre, the
other outside the ANZ bank.
EMERGENCIES: In case the building needs to be evacuated in
emergency the assembly area is the grassed area outside the Red
and Gold Lecture Theatres.
PARKING: There is parking available on-campus, some free and some
Pay-and-Display ($3 per day). Although it is outside of the teaching
semester, please avoid staff parking areas. (see map inside front
cover).
NAME BADGES: Delegates are requested to wear their name badge
at all times. The badge confirms access to all sessions, morning and
afternoon teas, lunches and functions.
CATERING: All refreshments will be situated in the foyer of the Red
Lecture Theatre. Please note that food and drink may not be taken
into lecture theatres.
SMOKING: Unitec is a smoke-free campus.
policy.
Please respect this
MOBILE PHONES: Please remember to turn off your mobile phone, or
put it on silent when in the lecture theatres.
COMPUTER / INTERNET ACCESS: Guest access to the Unitec wireless
network is available for access to the internet:
Login: conference Password: Auckland14
Uploading of presentations can be carried out at the computers in
the lecture theatres or registration desk.
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TELEPHONES: There is a public telephone available behind the coffee
cart in Building 180.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT, TAXIS AND SHUTTLES: Public transport
timetables are available through the MAXX website (www.maxx.
co.nz).
Auckland Co-op Taxis - 09-3003000
Green Cabs - 0508-447336
Regency Cabs - 0800-3778844
Corporate Cabs- 09-3770773
COPY CENTRE: The Unitec Copy Centre offers a full range of copying
and publishing services - Building 117, Mt Albert campus (815
4315).
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES: Pt Chevalier Medical Centre - 1181
Great North Road, Point Chevalier (09-8466244) Mt Albert Medical
Centre - 986 New North Road, Mount Albert (09-8467493)
White Cross Accident & Medical Clinic – 52 St Lukes Rd, St Lukes (098153111) If an emergency, please call 111 (or 1-111 if calling from
a Unitec line).
Conference locations
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Thank you for joining us.
We hope that all New Zealanders will appreciate wetlands.
Good luck to everyone in your endeavours to enhance and restore wetlands throughout New Zealand.