Open letter to the Blythe community

In April 2023 a science report Land use change on the margins of lowland Canterbury braided rivers, 2012-2019, Report No. R21/05, was released by Environment Canterbury. This report was picked up by media and a story ran in Stuff that drew particular attention to the braided stretch of the Blythe River from Nape Nape bridge to the sea.

A local landowner contacted us as a result of the media article and questioned the inclusion of the noted stretch of the Blythe. During subsequent months, Environment Canterbury was made aware of the angst this had caused to the community, and concerns that the report was inaccurate, culminating in an independent review funded by the local community which called into question the methodology used for the report and some of the findings. Environment Canterbury withdrew the report, accepting the shortcoming in the methodology and inaccuracies within the findings that the independent review showed. A review of the methodology and findings for the report is being carried out (results due mid-2025).

The report was commissioned to understand, at a regional level, the extent of development in Canterbury’s braided rivers. While it was never intended to single out specific areas, the way the data was presented resulted in the Blythe being highlighted and inaccurate conclusions being drawn about the land use in that location. We apologise for the upset caused by the report, and for the time it took to act on the information from the community.

A review by the Ombudsman’s Office determined that the Council’s science report administration process followed for the 2021 study was inadequate given the nature and features of the study. We acknowledge this shortcoming for the report. Since 2021 we have significantly improved our science report review process, and we are in the middle of having that independently assessed for adequacy as a science provider.

There has been an increased focus on working with Blythe catchment landowners who continue to undertake considerable environmental protection work in the area.

Ngā mihi

Dr Tim Davie
Director Science
Environment Canterbury