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Archives For 30/11/1999

West Coast marine reserves

Department of Conservation —  08/09/2014

By Katrina Henderson, DOC Franz Josef

Five West Coast marine reserves were opened yesterday in Punakaiki—the culmination of nearly 10 years of work to protect more of our marine environment.

Kahurangi Marine Reserve coastline. Photo copyright of Andrise Apse.

Kahurangi Marine Reserve coastline

These are the first marine reserves to be created on the West Coast, bringing the total number of reserves in New Zealand to 44, covering 9.5% of the territorial sea.

They include three of the five largest marine reserves in mainland New Zealand.

The West Coast reserves cover a total area of more than 174 km2 and covers a range of unique West Coast ecosystems from the mountains out to sea.

Three reserves adjoin National Parks (Kahurangi, Paparoa and Westland Tai Poutini) and Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area shares a boundary with three reserves.

Hector's dolphins. Copyright: Brian Sheppard.

Hector’s dolphins

Waiau Glacier Coast Marine Reserve and the small Tauparikākā Marine Reserve also border mātaitai reserves which help to extend the protection offered and recognise the shared responsibility we have in the guardian role with the tangata whenua.

Special species

A number of taonga species can be found within the West Coast marine reserve network including kekeno/New Zealand fur seal, kororā/little penguin, Tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin, and rimurapa/bull kelp.

Upokohue/Hector’s dolphins are found along the coast, but Taupirikākā offers the chance to possibly spot these majestic creatures just metres from the shore, as they cruise the coast.

Tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin. Photo copyright of John Reid.

Tawaki/Fiordland crested penguin

The reserves are also home to plenty of other species of marine life, including turfing seaweeds, mussels, surf clams, reef stars, flatfish, gurnard, stargazers and sharks. Together, the five reserves aim to protect examples of the wide diversity of the region’s distinctive marine habitats and species.

A collaborative process

The process that led to the creation of these five marine reserves began in 2005. A joint initiative between DOC and the then Ministry of Fisheries led to the establishment of the West Coast Marine Protection Forum. This was a diverse group representing the many interests involved in the marine environment of the West Coast, ranging from tangata whenua and community representatives through to commercial fishermen and environmental protection advocates.

The Forum is an excellent example of the collaborative regional forum approach encouraged by New Zealand’s Marine Protected Areas policy.

Jewel anemones. Photo: P. Ryan.

Jewel anemones

Key to the approach of the forum was an emphasis in true West Coast style on common sense and compromise. In the Punakaiki Marine Reserve for example, two areas of beach were left out of the reserve to allow for recreational fishing, shellfish gathering and whitebaiting.

Recreational hand-picking of beach stones, non-living shells and driftwood is allowed in the reserves.

Quad biking and horse riding is also allowed on the foreshore of the reserves, but only in a manner that does not disturb marine life.

Read more on DOC’s website.

Ship Creek at dusk. Photo copyright of Andrise Apse.

Ship Creek at dusk

In Marine, West Coast , , ,
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A korowai for Kaikōura

Department of Conservation —  11/08/2014

New Zealand’s largest and deepest marine reserve, along with our first whale sanctuary and our first seal sanctuary, came into effect on Friday.

Kaikōura with marine reserve in the background.

Kaikōura with marine reserve in the background.

Five new customary fishing areas, and more sustainable recreational fishing regulations, were also established.

Humpback whale. Photo: Ann McCaw.

Humpback whales pass through Kaikōura on their northern winter migration

The journey began nearly 10 years ago with the establishment of Te Korowai o Te Tai ō Marokura, a group of local people and agencies who recognised that Kaikōura’s magnificent and valuable marine environment was under pressure.

Hutton’s shearwater/tītī. Photo: Graeme A Taylor.

Hutton’s shearwater/tītī

A korowai is a chiefly cloak laid over something to protect and care for it.

The sanctuaries, marine reserve, and fisheries management tools established are each strands of an interwoven cloak that cares for the Kaikōura (Te Tai ō Marokura) Marine Management Area.

Dusky dolphins. Photo: Caroline Wilkins.

Large pods of dusky dolphins live in the vicinity of the Kaikōura Canyon

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere, Chairman of Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and Te Korowai member, Tā Mark Solomon says:

“The negotiations were long and hard, but for me the whole process was a beautiful expression of community. I think the whole of New Zealand could look at this as an example of how communities can come together to look after their resources for themselves and their children,” he says.

Dusk at Kaikoura. Photo: Katrin-Lena | flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0.

Dusk

Mā te whakapūmau i te mauri me te wairua o “Te Tai ō
Marokura”, ko mātou ngā kaitiaki o ngā taonga a Tangaroa
kei te arataki i te iwi hapori, ki te whakangaruru i te
momona me te waiora o te āhuatanga o te Taiao, mo ngā
whakatipuranga o aianei me ake tonu ake.

By perpetuating the mauri and wairua of Te Tai ō Marokura
we as kaitiaki of Tangaroa’s tāonga are leading the community to achieve a
flourishing, rich and healthy environment where opportunities
abound to sustain the needs of present and future generations.

(The vision of Te Korowai o Te Tai ō Marokura)

In Marine, Native animals, Nelson/Marlborough , , , , , , , ,
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Poupou marine reserve markers unveiled in Fiordland

Department of Conservation —  01/04/2014

By Te Anau Conservation Services Ranger, Chloe Corne

Unique, individually carved poupou marine reserve markers were installed across Fiordland and unveiled in a special ceremony. Read on to discover how it was done…

Each poupou has a unique face and body design. Carved by Bubba Thompson.

Each poupou has a unique face and body design carved by Bubba Thompson

For the Fiordland Marine Guardians, the unveiling of newly erected poupou marine reserve markers in Charles Sound/Taiporoporo represented an important milestone and was the rewarding culmination of several years’ collaborative planning.

In his address during the unveiling ceremony, Guardians Chairperson Malcolm Lawson, acknowledged the significant effort put forward by the collaboration of the Fiordland Marine Guardians, DOC and local iwi from the Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka (the mandated Iwi Kaitiaki) on behalf of the wider Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Karanga perfomed by Rangimarie Suddaby, of the Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka, during the unveiling ceremony.

Karanga perfomed by Rangimarie Suddaby, of the Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka, during the unveiling ceremony on board the DOC vessel ‘Southern Winds’

While marine reserves are traditionally marked with white triangles, the poupou project derived from a mutual desire to put in place marine reserve markers more in keeping with the natural and cultural heritage of the fiords.

For Ngāi Tahu, the poupou symbolise enduring kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of Te Moana o Atawhenua (Fiordland).

Poupou at Wet Jacket Arm, Acheron Passage, overlooking the sound, with Fiordland Bottlenose Dolphins in the background.

Poupou at Wet Jacket Arm, Acheron Passage, overlooking the sound, with Fiordland Bottlenose Dolphins in the background

Poupou cut an impressive figure from the walls of the fiords

Poupou cut an impressive figure from the walls of the fiords

The project—led by Stewart Bull, the Ngāi Tahu representative on the Guardians, and project managed by DOC Senior Ranger Richard Kinsey—commissioned Bubba Thompson, a skilled local carver from the Awarua Rūnanga, to design and carve the poupou.

Each has the same basic shape, but with varying design differences in the face and body.

Designed to be both attractive and functional, they will be named after various ancestors from Kai Tahu Whānui history.

Production and installation of the poupou was jointed funded by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and DOC.

So far, ten poupou have been installed, in sometimes challenging wind and sea conditions.

High winds and steep, slippery rocks make installing some of the poupou difficult. Here Pete Young braces Allan Harms so that he can use the drill, while Ronnie Bull (above) keeps the poupou straight.

High winds and steep, slippery rocks make installing some of the poupou difficult. Here Pete Young braces Allan Harms so that he can use the drill, while Ronnie Bull (above) keeps the poupou straight

Still to be installed are the markers for Te Hapua Marine Reserve in Sutherland Sound and Te Tapuwae o Hua (Long Sound) Marine Reserve.

DOC and the Fiordland Marine Guardians are yet to decide if the markers for the older reserves in Milford and Doubtful Sounds will be changed.

Fourteen new poupou, newly arrived from Bluff.

Fourteen new poupou, newly arrived from Bluff

With the new poupou now in place, marking not only the marine reserves but an important part of New Zealand’s cultural heritage, all of the DOC staff involved are celebrating it as a significant achievement and are looking forward to installing the last few poupou in the remaining reserves.

In Fiordland, Marine , , , , ,
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Photo of the Week: Erect-crested penguin

Department of Conservation —  05/03/2014

This week’s photo shows an erect-crested penguin on New Zealand’s subantarctic Bounty Islands.

Erect-crested penguin. Photo: Tui de Roy. Copyright. DOC use only.

The image celebrates Seaweek 2014 (1–9 March 2014) — a national celebration of our marine environment with hundreds of events taking place around the country.

It also represents the wildlife now protected as a result of the three new subantarctic marine reserves established this week.

Photo copyright Tui de Roy | DOC use only

In Islands, Marine, Photo of the week , , , , , , ,
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Jobs at DOC: Brian Sheppard, Government Support

Department of Conservation —  24/01/2014

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Brian Sheppard, Government Support Manager, based in Wellington.

Brian with his camera in Rotorua.

Capturing memories at Wai-o-Tapu, Rotorua

At work

Some things I do in my job include… helping the flow of information between the Minister and department, and supporting managers to meet the Minister’s requirements.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by…strengthening the ties between the Minister and department.

The best bit about my job is… getting to know so many people with such a strong commitment to the department and its work.

The funniest DOC moment I’ve had so far is… advising on a request from Japan to ship a block of glacier to Fukushima as a feature exhibit at a New Zealand stand in a trade show. I found what permissions were needed so that the Fukushima prefecture could make the necessary arrangements to collect and ship it out in a refrigerated container ship. I did warn them though that the Japanese border control people might have some difficulty in deciding whether a one cubic metre block of ‘dirty ice’ was an acceptable import. It was let into the country, did what was required for the duration of the show, and everyone was happy.

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires or enthuses me most is… John Holloway, a previous director at DOC, who had a remarkable ability to draw on and apply his strong understanding of land management and ecology to guide the department’s work. He provided sound, pragmatic, advice and direction that earned him the huge respect of staff and associates on all sides of conservation issues. 

Bird on the wharf at Chaffers marina, Wellington.

Taking terns at Chaffers marina, Wellington

On a personal note…

My stomping ground is… the Wellington coastline which, like the city itself, offers so much variety in such a small area – from the downtown waterfront, to family beaches and wild coastline, especially the uplifted rocks along the Taputeranga marine reserve on the south coast.

My greatest sporting moment was… a rare event as I rarely ‘do’ sport. While at university, I rowed in an eight for the ‘May Bumps’. England’s river Cam is too narrow to pass and so, after a staggered start, the aim is to catch and bump the boat in front. We never won but I had a great time, even with the ominous name of our boat ‘B.A. Cantab (failed)’.

In my spare time I… spend quality time with family (including our ‘grand dog’ Bailey) and friends, mostly cooking, eating and having fun, but I also spend a lot of time, and probably too much money, with my photography.

I also provide support by telephone through the Cancer Society, for people dealing with head and neck cancers and I am a ‘consumer representative’ for head and neck cancer programmes run by district health boards. The most recent of these has been assisting in the development of plans for faster cancer treatment to meet new requirements of the Minister of Health. This work lets me give something back for the fantastic support that I received for dealing with tongue cancer nearly a decade ago.

A photograph of Wellington's south coast by Brian Sheppard.

Wellington’s south coast

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is… Just do it!

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is… make the most of life. You only get one chance.

In work and life I am motivated by… the energy and enthusiasm of others.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is… have a look at conservation challenges in other countries, recognise the importance of what we have and what we are achieving, then do your best to build on it.

Brian's dog Bailey at the beach with a stick.

Bailey (the grand dog)

Question of the week…

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? I would love to have met the photographer, Brian Brake. I only became aware of his work through an exhibition at Te Papa. He had mastered his art over a long career in New Zealand and overseas. His work, in monochrome or colour, is stunning. It would have been great to see him at work and to follow his thought processes that led to the recognition and capture of the essential elements of a scene. What’s more it all happened before digital photography and Photoshop. What a master!

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