Otago Canoe and Kayak Club

Conservation

For OCKC River Conservation and Action AGM 2009

This past year action and support for New Zealand Rivers has geographically been quite wide spread.

1 For the incoming new National Government ministers we wrote to: · Both the Minister and Associate Ministers for Tourism. This was to explain to them the place our wild and scenic rivers play in attracting many tourist dollars to this country. · The Minister for the Environment about the specific role different types of rivers contributes to the wider natural environment and flora and fauna of this country. · Attended a forum to meet the Minister for Conservation and find out about the future of rivers running through publicly owned land. · Attended an ORC workshop about proposed water allocation, use and minimal flow regime for local rivers.

2 In support of conserving what is left of kayaking rivers:

· Proposed Hurunui River Water Conservation Order (WCO) North Canterbury. We wrote an initial submission in support of a WCO to the Special Tribunal. And wrote subsequently appealing part of the report from the special tribunal on the proposed. Essentially we (OCKC) want both braches of the river protected, and minimal flows over the summer months maintained.

· Notified CONTACT Energy that OCKC wishes to be involved in any communications about future HYDRO proposals on the Clutha River below the town of Alexandra

· Matakitaki River Hydro Power scheme Murcheson. We submitted against the construction of a dam on this river. And wrote to the Tasman Council in support of keeping all local rivers clean for tourism and recreational uses.

· Nevis River Otago. Spent a weekend visiting the river and subsequently prepared and wrote the submission against a dam on the river. This information from OCKC became part of the submission made by the Otago Branch of the Forest and Bird Organisation against putting a dam on the Nevis River.

3 Networking with other Kayakers. · In April I attended the NZRCA AGM and heard the Green MP Metiria Turei from Dunedin describe the "Greens" order of priority for conserving rivers; Habitat, Recreation and Tourism.

Maggie Oakley September 2009

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