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 Panks Peninsula.

How are we tracking on our Levels of Service?

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

As part of 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.

How did we do: A final National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS IB) was not released before the end of the 2022/23 year and as a result, this work has not progressed as much as we had hoped. Only limited progress towards revitalisation has been made. With the release of the NPS IB in early July 2023, work can now continue, building on the progress made to date, beginning with an analysis of the CBS against the requirements of the NPS IB.

Achieved

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 did we do: A key assumption for this work in the Long-Term Plan was that the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS IB) would be released by Central Government in 2021. The NPS IB was not released until July 2023 and as a result, this work has not progressed as planned. Roles for Ngāi Tahu have not yet been identified and agreed.

Not achieved

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

As part of this level of service we will:

13.3 Develop and implement a regional biodiversity monitoring framework

How did we do: Updates to the Mayoral Forum have included information on how the Canterbury Biodiversity Champions group and the revitalisation of the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy will support the development of a regional biodiversity monitoring plan.

Achieved

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 did we do: The delivery of biodiversity protection and restoration projects undertaken in priority habitats is reported via the annual Biodiversity Snapshot. Fourteen wetlands projects were initiated or continued this year and each project either has an existing wetlands management plan or has one in development.

Achieved

How are we doing on our key initiatives?

Develop a biodiversity monitoring framework

How are we doing: We are investigating and testing monitoring methodologies and undertaking field work and data collation. We have developed a Land Cover Database based monitoring indicator.

On track

Working with landowners to protect, enhance and regenerate priority habitats

How are we doing: We have continued to support landowners to protect and restore priority habitats by offering expert advice and funding for priority actions.

On track

Delivery of on the ground biodiversity projects

How are we doing: Funding has been allocated for targeted biodiversity projects across braided rivers, wetlands, fish habitat and pest control in partnership.

On track