Biodiversity & Biosecurity

Biodiversity & Biosecurity | Te Rerenga Rauropi me Te Whakahaumaru Rauropi

We will accelerate regeneration of the natural environment through implementing the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy; take decisive action for healthy freshwater, land and coastal ecosystems; build community engagement and action; and foster relationships through forging partnerships and alliances.

How we performed

5 Levels of Service

4

Achieved

1

Not achieved

0

Not measured

17 Targets

16

Achieved

1

Not achieved

0

Not measured

 

Kereru wood pigeon

Leading and partnering for biodiversity outcomes

We are creating a shared regional approach to biodiversity – enabling, leading and supporting partnerships that will protect and restore Canterbury’s indigenous biodiversity.

Level of Service 13: Lead a shared regional approach to biodiversity in Canterbury
Measure 13.1: Revitalise the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy, ensuring it identifies regional priorities and the roles of all partners and stakeholders.

Target 13.1: Continue to revitalise the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy.

Result: In 2021/22 the target was to establish a partner and stakeholder group to scope and commence the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy revitalisation. This Level of Service was achieved.

In 2022/23, further progress was made, achieving the target for 2022/23, but this was limited by the delay in the release of the final National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS IB), which provides guidance for developing and implementing regional biodiversity strategies. With the release of the NPS IB in early July 2023, work can now continue. We will build on the progress made to date, beginning with an analysis of the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy against the requirements of the NPS IB.

Achieved
Measure 13.2: Work with Ngāi Tahu on decision-making relating to indigenous biodiversity.

Target 13.2: Provide Ngāi Tahu with the roles sought for developing and implementing the regional biodiversity strategy.

Result: The target in 2021/22 was to seek Ngāi Tahu input on their priorities and preferred roles
for developing and implementing the regional biodiversity strategy, which was achieved.

For 2022/23, progressing the target relating to roles for Ngāi Tahu relied on the release of the final NPS IB which includes mandated requirements for partnering with mana whenua, including for the development and implementation of regional biodiversity strategies. As the NPS IB was not released until July 2023, roles for Ngāi Tahu were not identified and agreed.

Not achieved
Measure 13.3: Develop and implement a regional biodiversity monitoring framework.

Target 13.3: Provide two updates a year to the Mayoral Forum on the regional biodiversity monitoring framework development.

Result: Updates to the Mayoral Forum have been provided this year through the meeting agenda packs. At those meetings, progress on the regional biodiversity monitoring framework development was noted. This 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

Regional pest management

We are acting early and working in partnerships to protect indigenous biodiversity, economic production and mahinga kai from harm caused
by pests.

Level of Service 14: Provide regional leadership to act early and work in partnership to protect indigenous biodiversity, economic production and mahinga kai from harm caused by declared pests and other invasive organisms
Measure 14.1: Implement the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan (CRPMP).

Target 14.1: Undertake pest monitoring, as outlined in the regional pest management operational plan, to assess progress towards CRPMP objectives.

Result: This work has progressed well with a couple of key highlights. In particular, the use of geospatial artificial intelligence to identify nassella tussock, and the eradication of Canterbury’s last rook. Rooks are large, glossy, purplish-black birds that take freshly laid seeds out of the ground, ripping up small plants and damaging crops. There is still a risk of future incursion as they are still present in Marlborough and Otago.

Achieved
Measure 14.2: Implement surveillance, investigations and pathway management initiatives to reduce the risk of pests and other invasive organisms establishing in Canterbury.

Target 14.2a: Identify high-risk invasive organisms and develop a surveillance approach for prioritised organisms.

Result: We continue to make good progress in assessing high-risk invasive species which will be used to inform the review of the Regional Pest Management Plan, which is currently in its very early stages. We have also further expanded our focus on online marketplaces to educate traders as the sale of pest plants has started rising on those platforms.

Achieved

Target 14.2b: Develop and implement one pest pathway management initiative in collaboration with others.

Result: The Check, Clean, Dry pathway management programme we developed and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) was completed at the end of January 2023. We also reviewed our programme for pest plant and unwanted organism sales and expanded this programme beyond wholesale and retail outlet inspections to increased education and inspections at public events, the internet, and social media sales. We worked in collaboration with MPI, the Nursery Association and local clubs.

Achieved
Measure 14.3: Empower individuals and the community to assume responsibility for and take action to address biosecurity issues.

Target 14.3: Undertake at least 25 community engagement activities across the region, with support from Biosecurity Advisory Groups, to increase community awareness and reporting and action taken to manage pests and invasive organisms.

Result: We have undertaken more than 25 engagement activities across the region. This includes meeting with the newly refreshed Biosecurity Advisory Groups, publishing awareness material in community papers, rural magazines and maildrops in letterboxes, attending and hosting field days, presenting to community groups and at the Mini Education Training Seminar, utilising social media, stakeholder notices to key agencies, industry and community groups and creating a new biosecurity e-newsletter - The Biosecurity Bulletin. Last year we also undertook more than 25 engagement activities across the region.

Achieved

Priority habitats and wetland protection

We are protecting, enhancing and regenerating priority habitats and wetlands in collaboration
with the community.

Level of Service 15: Work with landowners, Ngāi Tahu, the community and agencies to protect, enhance and regenerate priority habitats including wetlands
Measure 15.1: Work with partners to implement priority habitat protection and restoration projects.

Target 15.1: Report annually on delivery of biodiversity protection and restoration projects undertaken in priority habitats.

Result: We reported on the delivery of biodiversity protection and restoration projects undertaken in priority habitats via the annual Biodiversity Projects Snapshot.

Achieved
Measure 15.2: Increase understanding of the effectiveness of Environment Canterbury-funded biodiversity projects.

Target 15.2: Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of Environment Canterbury-funded biodiversity protection and restoration projects.

Result: We reported on the effectiveness of Environment Canterbury-funded biodiversity, protection and restoration projects via the annual Biodiversity Projects Snapshot.

Achieved
Measure 15.3: Work with landowners to protect and maintain natural wetlands.

Target 15.3: Develop a wetland management plan for all Environment Canterbury-funded wetland projects.

Result: Fourteen wetland projects were funded this year and each project has an existing wetlands management plan or has one in development in conjunction with the landowner. Last year nineteen wetland projects were funded.

Achieved

Braided river revival / Whakahaumanu Ngā Awa ā Pākihi

We are creating landscape-scale alignment to revive these critical ecological corridors from the mountains to the sea/ki uta ki tai and restore the connections between people and rivers.

Level of Service 16: Partner with Ngāi Tahu, agencies, landowners and the community to maintain the natural character and restore the mauri of braided rivers, ki uta ki tai
Measure 16.1: Ensure partners are aligning work in braided rivers through the development and implementation of ki uta ki tai river revival strategies for braided rivers.

Target 16.1a: Support Braided River Revival/Whakahaumanu Ngā Awa ā Pākihi projects.

Result: The target in 2021/22 was to develop Braided River Revival/Whakahaumanu Ngā Awa ā Pākihi, in agreement with partners, which was achieved. For 2022/23, we have focused on engagement to strengthen alliances and promote the purpose and importance of this work, Work programmes have been agreed include Council, ngā Papatipu Rūnanga, Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, territorial authorities and Fish & Game New Zealand.

There has been a focus on extensive weed control work in rivers, aligning with our flood resilience and berm transition work, with large scale projects on the Conway River/Piri-Tutae-Putaputa, Waiau Toa, Waipara River, Waimakariri, Rakaia, Stoddards Island- Rakitata and the Ashley River/Rakahuri. We have also collaborated with community groups and others on bird monitoring and pest control in many of these rivers and on habitat enhancement in the Ashburton/Hakatere.

Achieved
Target 16.1b: Develop and implement ki uta ki tai river revival strategies with partners for priority rivers.

Target 16.1b: Develop and implement ki uta ki tai river revival strategies with partners for priority rivers.

Result: The comprehensive multi-agency programme of work in the Rakitata includes Ko te Whakahaumanu o te Rakitata Awa / the Rakitata Revival strategy, drafted for consultation in late 2023. In the Ashley River/Rakahuri, work on the ground is continuing alongside strategy development.

The Rangiora Reach Masterplan, which has gone through public engagement and is now finalised, was an agreed priority action in the draft strategy. Implementation in the Rakitata is being led by Te Rūnaka o Arowhenua as mana whenua and kaitiaki of the Rakitata, government agencies and the community in partnership.

Achieved
Measure 16.2: Actively manage Environment Canterbury-owned land to protect the natural character of rivers.

Target 16.2: Deliver three priority biodiversity protection projects on Environment Canterbury-owned land.

Result: The operational delivery of the predator control and outcome monitoring project around breeding colonies of black-billed gulls in the lower Waimakariri Regional Park has been completed.

Work is ongoing and progressing well in weed and predator control at Kōwhai Bush River Protection Reserve in Kaikōura to protect indigenous forest birds (especially black robins), and environmental weed control work in West Melton Reserves, Ahuriri Lagoon, Kaitorete Spit and Stour River reserve.

Achieved
Measure 16.3: Manage and maintain regional parks to promote and protect a range of braided river values.

Target 16.3a: Sponsor or support at least three events annually to connect the community with braided river mahinga kai, biodiversity and recreational values in a regional park.

Result: This year we ran, or were an active collaborator in, 26 events. In addition, we supported a further 29 events across our regional parks through either reduced, or no permits fees and levies. These events we ran included planting days, recreational events and celebrations to mark the opening of new tracks and facilities. Overall, there were 89 planned events/activities in the park network. Last year we supported 13 events.

Achieved

Target 16.3b: Complete The Willows development in the Waimakariri River Regional Park.

Result: In 2022/23, the target was to maintain and develop regional parks in accordance with individual park management plans, which we achieved.

We completed the Willows project as planned during 2022/23, offering a safe and accessible recreational facility to the Christchurch public engaging in outdoor exercise in a semi-wilderness environment. Planting is placed to provide a permanent, historically correct biodiversity environment that complements engineering design for flood mitigation.

Achieved

Me Uru Rākau

We are engaging and enabling landowners and community groups to protect and regenerate priority ecological catchments. A key part of this work is providing practical advice and support for biodiversity, water quality, mahinga kai, climate change mitigation and adaption, erosion control and connecting with nature.

Level of Service 17: Engage communities to protect and regenerate priority ecological catchments
Measure 17.1: Community engagement and participation in catchment-based protection and regeneration.

Target 17.1: Community engagement and participation in catchment-based protection and regeneration.

Result: Staff held or attended community and stakeholder meetings and worked with landowners across ten project sites within the priority ecological catchment of Waiau Uwha. Work included riparian woody weed control, deer fencing and upgrades of existing sheep fencing to protect and enhance biodiversity, wetland restoration, shrubland planting and community education.

Achieved
Measure 17.2: Increase biodiversity outcomes in project catchments.

Target 17.2: Monitor biodiversity outcomes against project objectives.

Result: Monitoring regimes vary across projects and include photo points, science staff monitored sites and inclusion in the project effectiveness monitoring programme. No active monitoring has taken place (as most projects are less than a year old). Photo points are installed on all completed projects and objectives and monitoring methodology are being identified for each of the new project sites.

Achieved