Protecting biodiversity

We are protecting, enhancing and regenerating priority habitats and wetlands in collaboration with the community. We are doing this by creating a shared regional approach to biodiversity – enabling, leading, and supporting partnerships that will protect and restore Canterbury’s indigenous biodiversity.

We do this through a programme of biodiversity initiatives, which deliver on the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy and Canterbury Water Management Strategy criteria to protect and regenerate priority habitats and investment in creating corridors and linkages to connect these habitats.

We are continuing work to revitalise the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy through a coordinated regional approach to biodiversity that identifies regional priorities, including marine ecosystems, and reflects the roles of all partners and stakeholders. In doing so, we are engaging with mana whenua to ensure we identify and protect kaitiakitanga roles and valued places.

This work includes:

Establishing a regional biodiversity monitoring framework.
Supporting the ‘Managing Wetlands as Farm Assets’ project.
Developing Wetlands Action Plans for willing landowners.
Building awareness of the ecological, environmental and cultural importance of wetlands.
Monitoring resource consents for wetland-related activities and undertaking compliance and enforcement of regulatory requirements
Supporting Pest Free Banks Peninsula.

How are we tracking on our Levels of Service?

Level of Service 13: Lead a shared regional approach to biodiversity.

To achieve this Level of Service we will:

13.1: Revitalise the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy, ensuring it identifies regional priorities and the roles of all partners and stakeholders
13.3: Develop and implement a regional biodiversity monitoring framework.

How are we doing:

13.1: This target has changed from being at risk at the end of quarter one, to now being on track. This is because work is now progressing well with the certainty that came with release of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity in July 2023.

13.3: An update was provided to the Mayoral Forum in quarter one. Scoping the regional biodiversity monitoring framework will be continuing in the coming months. A second update will be prepared in the second half of this financial year.

On track

Level of Service 13: Lead a shared regional approach to biodiversity.

As part of this Level of Service we will:

13.2: Work with Ngāi Tahu on decision-making relating to indigenous biodiversity and provide Ngāi Tahu with the roles sought for developing and implementing the regional biodiversity strategy.

How are we doing: This work has been impacted by the delays in the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity. Engagement is planned to occur with ngā Papatipu Rūnanga in the next two quarters.

At risk

Level of Service 15: Work with landowners, Ngāi Tahu, the community and agencies to protect, enhance and regenerate priority habitats including wetlands.

As part of this Level of Service we will:

15.1: Work with partners to implement priority habitat protection and restoration projects
15.2: Increase understanding of the effectiveness of Environment Canterbury-funded biodiversity projects
15.3: Work with landowners to protect and maintain natural wetlands

How are we doing: The delivery of biodiversity protection and restoration projects undertaken in priority habitats and their effectiveness is reported via the annual Biodiversity Projects Snapshot. Funding has been allocated across 39 projects and reporting will be done through the Biodiversity Snapshot Report at the end of the financial year. Staff will continue to focus on the delivery of these projects throughout the financial year.

There are four additional wetlands projects currently in implementation with wetlands management plans being prepared for each of them, in addition to the ongoing wetlands projects which already have a plan in draft form.

On track

How are we doing on our key initiatives?

Marine biodiversity

How are we doing: Marine pests are species that have been introduced to our waters and have the potential to severely damage our marine ecosystems by outcompeting native species for food and space. One of the threats in Canterbury is Mediterranean fanworm, which often attached itself to solid structures like wharves and vessels, or other marine creatures like oysters and mussels. Previously, it has only been detected in Lyttelton Port. A survey in Whakaraupō /Lyttelton Harbour is complete, and this has confirmed there is limited occurrence of Mediterranean fanworm outside of the inner harbour.

Surveillance has also been completed in Kaikōura, this being the last of the four Canterbury ports being surveyed. A report has been shared with Councillors and stakeholders.

On track