Hurunui
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STOP PRESS:
Undaunted by the nasty weather local Gore Bay residents braved the elements on Saturday 17 July to plant 1000 pingao plants. Also known as golden sand sedge, these sand binding plants were once common across Canterbury's beaches, helping to stabilize sand dunes and enhance indigenous biodiversity. The Gore Bay Ratepayers Asociation thanks the volunteers and Jason Roberts of the Christchurch City Council Coastal Care Programme for his assistance
Hurunui - A Canterbury biodiversity 'hotspot'
Its district boundaries 30 minutes north of Christchurch, Hurunui begins at Leithfield and extends to the Conway River just south of the Kaikoura Peninsula and comprises the ecological regions of Lowry, Puketeraki, Spenser, Hawdon, Canterbury Foothills, Canterbury Plains.
Department of Conservation rate the forest bird life of Hurunui as the most diverse in the Canterbury Conservancy. Great-spotted kiwi/roroa are found in good numbers, yellowhead/mohua, käkä, kea, orange-fronted parakeet/käkäriki-whero (endangered), and blue duck/whio (threatened) are present. Bats/pekapeka may exist in the area.
Motunau Island is of international significance as a habitat for seabird species (such as fairy prion) but is at threat from boxthorn infestation. It is the most important seabird breeding area between the Marlborough Sounds and Foveaux Strait. It is also the main breeding colony of the white-flippered penguin.
A variety of indigenous plant communities characterise the more developed/modified eastern half of the district, particularly remnant coastal hardwood forest, mixed shrubland, savannah woodlands, and tussock grasslands. The largest känuka woodland in Canterbury is found near Medbury. Areas of remnant podocarp forest such as Wandle Bush, Terako Downs and Lottery Bush are significant. Prostrate
köwhai and cabbage trees are indigenous features of particular interest.
Hurunui contains the easiest passes to the West Coast (Te Tai Poutini) from Canterbury. The passes were utilised by Mäori for travel and trade, particularly for the precious jade - pounamu (greenstone). The Hurunui lakes were extensively used for mahinga kai, particularly for waterfowl and eels/tuna.
The Canterbury Conservancy has been undertaking a mainland island restoration programme in the upper catchment of the Hurunui River. This programme aims to enhance a suite of species such as beech forest birds and plant species. These include what is thought to be the only population of orange-fronted parakeets(right) in New Zealand, the largest population of mohua in Canterbury, and other forest species such as kaka, great-spotted kiwi (below, right) and South Island robins.
More information on biodiversity in Hurunui can be found at the following link:
Community Actions
The Hurunui area includes many groups of commited people working to protect and
restore its indigenous biodiversity, ranging from weedbuster groups through to waterway
and coast care initiatives. Some examples include:
- Hanmer Springs Weedbusters Group, a small group of dedicated locals are
addressing weed management issues on public land around the Hanmer Springs.
- Port Robinson Reserves Committee, have responsibility for significant areas of
reserves with high biodiversity values. The reserves committee has a partnership
with the Trees for Canterbury initiative and have been revegetating steep erosion prone
coastal cliffs. - Omihe Foundation (a charitable trust) have formed a partnership with the land manager (department of conservation) of the Kowai Rivermouth to facilitate community involvement in the restoration of the hapua (lagoon) of the Kowai River. Rangiora High School are a major partner in this initiative.
- Waiau Citizens Association – Riverside reserve project.
- Culverden Community Committee – InnesDrain (Rutherford Reserve) The community committee, have been working over some time to clear and re-vegetate in natives the section of Innes Drain which runs through Council owned land called Rutherford Reserve.
- Amberley Beach Coast Care – The Care group is working on raising awareness of coastal environmental issues. A walkway including boardwalk was cut through and completed a couple of years ago thanks to the local lions club.
- Pahau Enhancement Group - Members work with ECan’s Resource Care team and the Amuri Irrigation Company to improve water quality, protect aquatic fauna and flora, the recreational values of the Pahau and Hurunui Rivers and economic benefits to land owners through sustainable farming.
- Tiromoana Bush – A major restoration project emerging from the mitigation of resource consents for a major landfill.
In 2008 Hurunui District Council adopted a biodiversity strategy with the vision that or natural values are maintained and enhanced by Council, landowners and other parties working together in partnership, voluntarily and cooperatively, in a non-regulatory framework. Download a copy of the Strategy here:
Hurunui Biodiversity Strategy (590 KB)
Council supports landowners biodiversity projects through the Mainpower Hurunui Natural Environment Fund. Details at:
Mainpower Hurunui Natural Environment Fund
For further information contact the Hurunui Biodiversity Ambassador. Details below:
Dale McEntee,
Hurunui District Council,
66 Carters Road,
PO Box 13,
Amberley
Ph: 03 3140059 or 027 7332109
Nape Nape, part of the Hurunui coast (left); Mt Isobel & native shrubs (centre)