New Zealand Fishing News

Ohau Channel Diversion Wall Proving A Big Success

The Ohau Channel Diversion Wall in Lake Rotoiti is proving a major success diverting nutrients from Lake Rotorua and improving the water quality, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

31 Aug 2010

DOC seeks to put toxin in waterways to kill trout

The Conservation Department has applied for resource consent to introduce the natural toxin rotenone to the upper Karori reservoir in Wellington and the streams flowing into it this summer in an attempt to eradicate introduced brown trout.

Rare fish found in Lake Okareka stream

A rare native fish population known as koaro has been discovered in a tributary stream of Lake Okareka...

Public access under threat –Peter Dunne

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has warned that the public’s access to public resources such as fishing rivers and game areas are increasingly coming under threat, and without proper intervention will be lost forever.

ECAN approve submission on Hurunui River

At today's 9th Environment Canterbury Commissioners meeting, Commissioners agreed to lodge a submission on the revised Hurunui Water Conservation Order (WCO).

26 Aug 2010

Order bans dams on Nevis River

Hydro-electric dams will be banned on the Nevis River after amendments to a Water Conservation Order were made by a special tribunal appointed by the Environment Ministry in order to protect the extremely rare native fish species Gollum galaxiid, or Gollum.

Workplan and timeframes for Environment Canterbury outlined

Environment Canterbury’s commissioners have released the letter provided to Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide outlining the delivery of agreed outcomes and key milestones and reflects areas of priority for the Commissioners between now and October, 2013...

Group rues ruling by commissioner

A community group is "very disappointed" Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright will not investigate minimum flows set by the Otago Regional Council for two coastal North Otago waterways.

Concerns about town-country divide

The dairy industry is launching a $2 million campaign to try to make Kiwis as proud of its world-beating accomplishments as they are of the All Blacks, after a major survey showed a growing chasm between town and country.

Fishing: Birth of really big ones

Of the ova laid in the gravel beds of the Te Wairoa and other streams, only about two in every thousand will survive to return as adults three years later.

Call for regulation on dam safety

Campaigners say tougher regulation is needed to ensure dangerous dams are shut down. Unlike most other developed countries, New Zealand has no specific dam safety laws...

Editorial: River of disgrace for farmer group

Federated Farmers should hang its head in shame. Its refusal to sign the Manawatu River accord at a ceremony in Palmerston North this week was a cowardly act that marred what was to be a positive first step towards a healthier river...

Stakeholder plan for Manawatu River enhancement

University researchers working with Horizons Regional Council will combine stakeholder perspectives with current science to help create a management plan to protect and enhance the Manawatu River catchment...

nzfishing.com makes the finals of the NetGuide awards

nzfishing.com has once again made the final three of the 2010 NetGuide awards in the highly competitive Sports and Recreation section. The winner will be announced on August 19th...

New policy framework for managing the region's resources

The policy and strategy committee today recommended the adoption of the proposed Waikato Regional Policy Statement (RPS), a far-reaching planning tool that enables the use of natural resources, such as water and land...

Farmers Snub Clean River Accord

Federated Farmers has opted not to sign a high-profile commitment to clean up the Manawatu River, claiming that not everyone agrees it is in a poor state...

Farmers river move irks Mayor

Manawatu mayor Ian McKelvie is considering cancelling his Federated Farmers membership after the group refused to sign a pledge to clean up the Manawatu River...

Walking Access Commission releases guidelines

Agriculture Minister David Carter launched the New Zealand Walking Access Code for the New Zealand Walking Access Commission at a function in Wellington...

Fed Farmers concerned over wording of river accord

Councils and other groups that have signed an accord to clean up the polluted Manawatu River are angry that Federated Farmers has not yet signed...

Neil Hirtzell nets one more medal

Auckland based fishing guide Neil Hirtzel has returned from his competitive fly-fishing tour of the northern hemisphere with a silver medal...

Fonterra launches programme to tackle effluent issues

Fonterra this week launched a major new initiative designed to bring about a substantial reduction in non-compliance with regional council dairy effluent rules.

Rivers Reach Warning Levels After Heavy Rain

Bay of Plenty Regional Council has issued first warning levels to landowners on the Otara River at Opotiki, the Waimana River and the Waioeka River, all of which are in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Further farming fines of more than $40,000

Fines totaling $42,000 have been handed down to two Hauraki-based dairy farm owners and a sharemilker in the latest sentencing for dairy effluent offences...

Nominations open for EW candidates

One of the most important ways you can take part in the decisions that shape the Waikato region is to stand for election as a representative on the Waikato Regional Council (Environment Waikato)...

Hurunui-Waiau Water Management Committee considers priorities

The Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee will consider its work programme and Immediate Steps biodiversity priorities at its first ordinary meeting on Monday. The meeting is open to members of the public...

Hurunui water moratorium announced

Environment Minister Nick Smith has this morning announced his approval for the moratorium on new water takes from Canterbury's fourth largest river that will apply from this Friday, July 23 to October 1 next year...

July 23 2010

Fish farm applications back on the table

Dozens of applications for fish farms which have been frozen since 2001 are to be cleared to proceed under the latest stage of aquaculture law reforms

Irrigation NZ welcomes Hurunui moratorium

Irrigation NZ (INZ) has welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River yesterday, saying it was common sense where no proper water plan exists.

Polluters agree on clean river targets

Leading polluters of the Manawatu River will sign a commitment to reduce pollutants and toxic waste pouring into it but have left some questioning whether the commitment means anything...

Irrigation plans need 'big money' funds boost

Minister of Agriculture David Carter said changes to the Community Irrigation Fund announced on Friday would "fast-track" the development of agricultural irrigation schemes...

Park Rangers series to start on TVNZ

From the endangered Southern Hectors Dolphins of Akaroa to kiwi and kokako conservation on the East Coast, from lost tourists in Able Tasman National Park to trout fishing on Lake Taupo, Park Rangers shows uniquley NZ outdoor stories.

'Good chance of getting sick' if you swim

The Environment Ministry has just published nationwide results of monitoring carried out nationally by councils at swimming spots in rivers, lakes, lagoons and estuaries and found only 57 per cent were safe for swimming most of the time...

Nitrogen trading noticeboard established for Taupo

Environment Waikato has established a new internet-based trading noticeboard for farmers wishing to buy, sell or lease nitrogen under the new Variation 5 policy to protect Lake Taupo...

Canadian takes world rainbow trout record from his twin brother

A new world record for rainbow trout of 21.77kg has been confirmed by the International Game Fish Association.

New Collaborative Approach To Water Management

The formation of the Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee is an important step towards a more collaborative approach to freshwater management in Canterbury, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

July 15 2010

Sentencing highlights new penalties for farmers

Operators of two dairy farms within the Lake Rotorua catchment have been sentenced following incidents in 2009 where effluent was illegally discharged.

Name lands NZ fishing rep in hot water with law again

For the second time in as many months, Peter Scott, the New Zealand Fly Fishing champion has fallen foul of the authorities because he shares his name and birthday with a known drug dealer...

Study links runoff to smaller trout

New research appears to confirm what anglers have said for years – that nitrates from farm runoff mean trout in some rivers are smaller than they used to be...

July 9 2010

Weed cordon to protect lake waters

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has placed a net cordon designed to prevent the spread of aquatic weed around the boat ramp at Matahi Spit on Lake Rotoma.

Canterbury dairy effluent consent compliance rates improve

During the 2009/10 dairy season - which covers the year to the end of May - 59 percent of Canterbury dairy farms were fully compliant with their effluent discharge consent or permitted activity conditions, an improvement from 43 per cent compliance in the previous year...

Divided view on valuing sport fishery

A suggestion a report on the economic value of New Zealand's sport fishery is needed has caused some controversy within Otago Fish and Game.

More didymo research wanted

Fish and Game Otago is to appeal to its national body to support research into the impact of didymo on the Upper Clutha...

Showcase Event Honours 2010 Farm Environment Award Winners

Bay of Plenty farmer John Mackintosh was named winner of the New Zealand Farm Environment Award Trust and MAF Study Scholarship at an event celebrating the 2010 Ballance Farm Environment Awards on June 28

Another growth visible in Lake Rotorua

A dense green algal scum showing up in large amounts along Lake Rotorua’s shoreline should be avoided by people walking dogs or picnicking along the lake shore...

Innovative Water Management Group

A university professor, a director of Horticulture New Zealand, the chair of Hurunui Water, an award winning environmentally friendly farmer, and an employee of Fish and Game are among the seven community appointees to the fledgling Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee...

Synlait gives water rights to CPW scheme

Dairy company Synlait and Canterbury irrigation company Central Plains Water have buried their differences over water consents from the Rakaia River to clear the way for an irrigation scheme at Te Pirita in central Canterbury...

World Fly Fishing championships about to start

Local band, cheerleaders, held traffic, speeches and parade – little town of Lesko was witnessing today the opening of the 30th Fly Fishing Championships

Trout poached for tangi says Turangi shepherd

A Turangi shepherd convicted of poaching trout from a spawning stream said the fish were for a tangi.

Our rivers of shame

Nearly two years after a national inquiry proposed sweeping changes to help clean up New Zealand's water, pollutants and toxic waste are still pouring into rivers.

Taupo trout poaching accused linked to tragedy

A Turangi man who allegedly caught 17 trout using a net is connected to a family tragedy involving fish poaching.

$47,000 in fines for North Waikato effluent offending

A North Waikato dairying operation and its manager have been fined a total of almost $50,000 after admitting unlawful spilling of effluent from a holding pond on to land...

'Terrible smash' coming quickly

The ongoing debate about how to best manage the Manawatu River is a microcosm of the impending catastrophe and a perfect case study in the delicate balancing act regulators are forced to undertake...

Passport snag catches fisherman

One of New Zealand's top fly fishermen was stopped from boarding a plane to the World Championships in Poland, because police thought he was a drug dealer...

Didymo Confirmed in Remote Chilean Rivers

The presence of the invasive didymo, has been confirmed in remote Chilean rivers near Esquel, Argentina, by a U.S. Geological Survey scientist...

Fisherman waits 11 years for fish to be mounted

An angler has to wait 11 years to get the trophy fish he caught to be returned from the taxidermist. (This is a video clip and you need click on chapter 2)

Community Service For Trout Poachers

In Taupo District Court Judge Chris McGuire sentenced seven Turangi men who had earlier pleaded guilty to gill-netting a total of 49 trout from the Waimarino Stream, near Turangi...

Wetox turns rivers of sludge into revenue streams

Wetox has the potential to keep New Zealand's rivers and waterways clean by treating the run-off from our dairy farms, wineries and meat works.

Central Plains Water Decision Released

The hearing panel appointed by Environment Canterbury and the Selwyn District Council have released their decision on the resource consents and Notice of Requirement for Central Plains Water Trust and Central Plains Water Limited.

Rise Fly Fishing Film festival dates announced

RISE - Fly Fishing Film Festival 2010, the world's largest fishing film festival, hits theatres on the New Zealand leg of its 2010 worldwide tour throughout July...

Writer blasts powers over Manawatu river's state

The polluted Manawatu River has a history of being neglected by those in power, writes a local researcher in a book to be sold nationally...

Invasive Algae Species Discovered In Chile’s Patagonia Region

Didymosphenia, commonly known as “Didymo,” “Rock Snot” or “The Toliet Paper Weed,” has been discovered in New Zealand and North America and is now confirmed to have made its way into the Futaleufu River, in Chile’s Patagonia Region...

Silver Flies about to leave for championships

The NZ team for the worlds is leaving on Friday 4th June to Poland for the 30th World Fly Fishing Cahmionships...

Help to distribute flyers for important water advocacy event

Helpers are needed to distribute 250,000 flyers to advertise the event to Canterbury households. The flyers can be picked up between 8:30am and 5pm on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of May at 311 Montreal Street

Auckland’s water allocation to be controlled

North Shore City Council Committee Chair Grant Gillon says that there is a suggestion that a Wellington-based body will be set up to control the allocation and management of freshwater throughout New Zealand.

Mokihinui an environmental winner

The debate on the Mokihinui hydro scheme on the West Coast has wide- ranging implications. The arguments against the scheme centre on the fact that it will change the environment...

First salmon smolt release in four years

Members of the Dunedin Community Salmon Trust, Salmon Anglers Association, Fish and Game and trust support group the Hens, Jacks and Sprats Club spent the morning transferring 10,000 locally reared smolt from the hatchery, to the Water of Leith and Careys Bay...

New era for Environment Canterbury

After a powhiri and morning tea, the first meeting of the Canterbury Regional Council Commissioners, as it is being called, began...

Waimakariri seeks water management committee

People with an interest in water management in the Waimakariri district are being urged to put their names forward, or nominate someone else, for the Waimakariri Water Management Zone Committee which will be formed in July...

Lower Waitaki consents - hearing decisions

The latest consent hearing decisions for the Lower Waitaki River are now online on the Environment Canterbury website...

Rocksnot spreads in Tasman region

A survey of 40 waterways found didymo in the Riwaka and Pearse rivers and it was confirmed to be in the Maruia River from a sample collected by a member of the public....

Irrigation benefits in Wairarapa scoped

The same week as the Irrigation NZ conference in Christchurch, Rural News obtained a report looking at the economic benefits of irrigation in Wairarapa...

First public meeting of Environment Canterbury Commissioners

At their first public meeting today, Environment Canterbury's new council, led by chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazley, and deputy chair David Caygill, opened with a powhiri...

Water dispute boils over

An angry protest greeted Environment Minister Nick Smith in Christchurch last night before he announced that up to 11,000 big users of water will be forced to use meters...

Meeting of Environment Canterbury commissioners

The Commissioners for Environment Canterbury take over the governance role on May 1 2010 and their first public meeting as Commissioners will take place on Wednesday May 5, at 10 am, Council Chamber, 58 Kilmore St, Christchurch.

Dunne: DoC to be applauded for Mokihinui appeal

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has applauded the Department of Conservation for its ‘courageous’ appeal of the decision to grant resource consent for the Mokihinui Hydro Dam.

DOC to appeal Mokihinui decision

The Department of Conservation has today lodged papers with the Environment Court appealing the decision to grant resource consent for the Mokihinui Hydro Proposal on the West Coast.

Ten-year study of environment draws to close

A world-leading Motueka environmental management project is winding down this week, but the lessons it has taught about understanding the connections between land, river, sea and people are likely to be lasting...

Meridian wins consent to take water from Waitaki

State-owned electricity generator Meridian Energy says it has been given water-only resource consents for a $900 million hydro development in the Waimate district...

Forest & Bird to appeal Mokihinui dam

Independent conservation organisation Forest & Bird has lodged an appeal against the massive dam Meridian Energy wants to build on the pristine Mokihinui River.

Dam it: West Coasters resigned to losing river

In 2008, when Karamea tramper and conservationist Margaret Rich heard about Meridian Energy's proposal to build a dam on the Mokihinui River, she went to the site, stood in the tumbling water and gazed up, trying to visualise a dam the height of a 20-storey building looming above the wild river...

Govt backs new reports on state of environment

Legislation to ensure regular, independent environmental monitoring might be introduced to Parliament before the next election, the Government says...

Manawatu not world's dirtiest river

Horizons Regional Council has moved to "dispel myths" that the Manawatu River is the most polluted in the Western world. But a freshwater ecologist concedes it is the most unhealthy river in the country...

River a convenient drain for effluent

On hearing that Manawatu River was one of the most polluted waterways in the West, I was appalled. I totally agree with UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne when he says that for "too long fertiliser runoff and effluent discharges had gone unpunished and urgent action was needed", and that he supports "imposing tough limits on fertiliser use and waste discharge as self-regulation was not strong enough for many polluters".

Waikato-Tainui and EW share vision of a clean and healthy river

Waikato-Tainui and Environment Waikato came together around the council’s policy-making table yesterday to start discussions about how to achieve the shared vision of a clean and healthy Waikato River.

Hornwort Confirmed In Lake Okataina

Environment Bay of Plenty has confirmed that infestations of the aquatic pest plant Hornwort have been found in two bays at the south-western end of Lake Okataina. Delimitation work to assess the full extent of the incursion will be carried out from next week.

Backdown on water rules for Manawatu

Horizons Regional Council has backed down on its push for strict environmental regulation of farmers as a way to clean up Manawatu's waterways...

ECan records opposition to removal of democracy legislation

Council records its strong opposition to Act which has removed regional democracy in Canterbury and recommends handing Canterbury Water Management Strategy funding back to local territorial councils...

Lake Rotoehu Health Warning Lifted

The health warning in place for Lake Rotoehu since the end of 2009 has been lifted. Medical Officer of Health, Dr Phil Shoemack, says that “results of regular water testing performed by Environment Bay of Plenty confirm that the algal bloom has disappeared.

Plenty of local traditions you can get your teeth into

[from May Contain Facts by Steve Braunias]

...Our latest examination of current events leads us to nominate Taupo man Raniera Morehu as newsmaker of the week...

Morehu said local iwi should be able to take fish as a right...he. had taken the trout for a tangi, and... believed it was his customary right as a kaumatua to gather trout for food. "He broke Pakeha law to uphold his own law," she said...

May Contain Facts contacted prominent Maori consultant Local Iwi for comment...

Maori leader wants to take trout "as a right"

A prominent Maori leader caught netting trout at Lake Taupo says local iwi should be able take fish as a right...

Poacher Claims Maori 'Right' To Take Taupo Trout

A Maori leader caught poaching trout from Lake Taupo says local iwi should be given customary rights to take fish...

Westport cycle trail clears hurdle

A proposed 60-km track behind the hills north of Westport is one of 13 to clear the first hurdle in the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project and will enable anglers reach some great backcountry fishing...

Dunne joins dam critics

United Future leader Peter Dunne may join an appeal against resource consent for a West Coast hydro project. Meridian Energy's Mokihinui hydro project was granted consent on Tuesday...

EW chairman pledges council support after drought declaration

Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley says the regional council will work closely with the Government and other agencies to help support farmers through drought conditions in the region...

Mayor backs $300m hydro dam plan

Buller Mayor Pat McManus says he wishes people would focus on the positive environmental impacts of an 80m-high hydro dam to be built on the Mokihinui River, north of Westport, rather than criticising the plan...

7 April 2010

Forest and Bird MacKenzie Gathering 24-25 April 2010

Forest and Bird will be hosting a weekend for everyone interested in protecting the Mackenzie Basin from intensive dairying and development...

Dunne: Mokihinui Dam decision narrow-minded

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has described the decision to grant resource consent for an 85 metre high hydro dam on the Mokihinui River as “narrow-minded and backward”...

Mokihinui dam gets go-ahead

Commissioners have decided two to one to grant resource consent for a controversial hydro dam on the West Coast...

'Cake in one hand; blood-covered knife in other'

Canterbury council chief executives left Environment Canterbury (ECan) meetings "with a cream cake in one hand and a blood-covered knife in the other", ousted ECan deputy chairwoman Jo Kane says...

Why we might give a dam

Could there really be a way to bring badly needed irrigation water to the Waimea Plains and keep everybody else happy in the process? GEOFF COLLETT looks at the ambitious plan to dam a river to save a river...

The wealth lying in our waterways

Nelson MP Nick Smith's analogy of New Zealand water to Saudi oil is apt in various ways – not least for the potential wealth it speaks of that lies in the billions and billions of litres flowing down rivers such as the Waimea each year...

Native American people visit salmon with cultural links

Fish & Game recently escorted 27 members of the Native American tribe, the Winnemem Wintu, to the headwaters of the Rakaia River. The tribe, who came to New Zealand to investigate taking salmon back to restock their river, wanted to see the wild salmon spawning...

Environment Waikato backs Fonterra farm checks

Fonterra’s pilot programme to check the effluent management infrastructure on farms in the Waikato is well underway and receiving positive support and feedback from farmers and Environment Waikato, says Fonterra’s GM Milk Supply, Tim Deane...

Committee approval key milestone in Canterbury Water Management Strategy

The Hurunui-Waiau Zone Water Management Committee has been formally approved for establishment, and its Terms of Reference endorsed, by the Environment Canterbury Council...

Grave concerns about sweeping changes to WCO legislation

Grave concerns about the sweeping changes to Water Conservation Order (WCO) legislation, specific to Canterbury are expressed in a letter from a group of organisation incluifn Fisg & Game. Read the letter...

Summer water quality monitoring programme ends in Southland

Environment Southland has finished its weekly bathing water quality monitoring programme for the summer. Coastal Scientist Greg Larkin said that the results had generally been good all around the coast and for all the lakes and rivers during the long period of settled weather during February...

Prosecution withdrawn for dairy shed effluent discharge

Environment Canterbury has withdrawn prosecution in favour of environmental mitigation relating to unlawful dairy shed effluent discharges by two Ashburton farming companies...

Environment Canterbury will work constructively with commissioners

The Chairman of Environment Canterbury, Alec Neill, says that Environment Canterbury will work constructively with commissioners following today’s government announcement that the council’s elected representatives will be replaced by commissioners from the expected date of May 1, 2010...

Report shows health of Kaimai catchments

Environment Bay of Plenty, Environment Waikato, and the Department of Conservation, have released a state of the environment report on the health of the Kaimai and Mamaku Ranges and Waihou and Tauranga Harbour catchments...

Environment Canterbury Draft Annual Plan submissions called for

Canterbury people are invited to have their say in helping Environment Canterbury set its priorities for the year. The Draft Annual Plan 2010/11 is now available and public submissions on the plan can be made until April 30...

Kereru-shooting video sparks outrage

Five Norwegian men who shot New Zealand wildlife were today ducking for cover as a row continued over their YouTube video of protected kereru being slaughtered...

Row over shot kereru goes global

Five Norwegian men who shot New Zealand wildlife are ducking for cover as a row continues over their YouTube video of protected kereru being slaughtered...

Proposed Waipara Plan adopted for submissions

he Proposed Waipara River Catchment Environmental Flow and Allocation Regional Plan has been adopted for notification by Environment Canterbury and will be available for public submissions from Saturday April 17...

Mid Canterbury farmer fined for unauthorised water take

A Mayfield farmer, Simon Roy, has been fined $7500 after pleading guilty to a charge of taking water for irrigation without the necessary resource consent...

Duck-shooting ban reversed

A Maori trust has reversed its decision to ban hunters from duck shooting at two Wellington lakes after meeting Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson..

Native Americans in spiritual salmon mission to NZ

Two dozen Native Americans have come to New Zealand on a spiritual mission to ask their fish to return home to California...

Waterways - Privatisation by stealth

Access to lakes, rivers and bays is something kiwis take for granted. But many of our waterways are off limits to the public. Property titles can cut across riverbeds, creating a web of no-go zones in our best fishing spots...View video footage

Leo search continues

The continuing search for missing Nelson teenager Leo Lipp-Neighbours has produced no new leads despite Search and Rescue recently scouring the Whangamoa area including the lower Whangamoa Creek.

"The search is still very much alive," said Tasman police district assistant SAR co-ordinator Sherp Tucker... "If anyone has any thoughts or evidence then we really want to hear it." ...

Forestry company hit with record fine

Forestry management company PF Olsen has been hit with one of the largest fines imposed for environmental pollution after debris collapsed into streams in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

The company was fined $80,000 in Tauranga District Court this week....Large amounts of sediment and forestry rubbish slid down ridges and into valleys and streams following three days of heavy rain at Waiotahi forest near Opotiki in April 2008...

Regional Council Responds To Creech Review: Need For Change Acknowledged

Environment Canterbury has released its response to the recent Government investigation of its functions under the Resource Management and Local Government Acts...

What’s on the Horizon after the Clean Streams Accord?

“The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord has done its job of raising awareness of adverse environmental effects among dairy farmers, and the recent Snapshot of Progress clearly shows progress on the ground has stalled,” said Bryce Johnson, Chief Executive...

Hunters support MP’s call for Pencarrow duck-shooting review

Fish & Game supports United Future leader Peter Dunne’s call for a thorough review of any potential environmental impacts of duck hunting on Pencarrow Lakes...

Public Rights to Lakes Stopped By Wellington Iwi

Public use rights to the local Pencarrow lakes have been stopped by the Wellington Iwi organisation, the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust. Duck hunting has been occurring on the lake for over 80 years...

Clean Streams Accord is Past Its Use-by Date

“The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot of Progress 2008/09 released today paints a grim picture of ‘progress’ and clearly indicates that the Accord is past its use-by date.” said Neil Deans, Resource Management Coordinator, New Zealand Fish & Game Council...

Resource consent non-compliance an ongoing issue

Environment Canterbury is actively working with dairy industry partners to improve the management of dairy effluent on Canterbury farms, as highlighted in the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot of Progress report for 2008/09...

Minister takes dairy farmers to task on pollution

Agriculture Minister David Carter is putting dairy farmers who pollute on notice following the release today of the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord 2008/09 snapshot report...

Dairy accord report highlights need for improvement

The latest snapshot of Waikato dairy farmer compliance with regional council effluent management rules shows the importance of the council working with farmers to improve the situation, says Environment Waikato...

Private exploitation of a public resource

The NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers congratulates Doug Stevens for highlighting ('Morning Report') a growing problem about which we have expressed concern for some years, namely 'fishing access being sold for pecuniary gain'...

Federation of Freshwater Anglers

Anglers say access to fishing spots is declining

Anglers say traditional easy access to rivers, lakes and streams is being made harder by landowners selling exclusive access rights to guiding companies... Listen to the news item

Canterbury sharemilker fined for effluent discharge

An Ashburton sharemilker, Richard Neil Spicer, has been fined a total of $12,000 after pleading guilty to two charges, discharging effluent from an irrigator onto land causing ponding (which may have resulted in contaminants entering groundwater) and contravening an abatement notice...

Research and Monitoring Charge Proposed for Water

Environment Southland proposes to introduce a new annual charge onto resource consents for taking water, which will reduce the amount that the general ratepayer pays towards scientific investigations and monitoring the use of the region’s aquifers and waterways...

In trout-fishing heaven

Crystal-clear mountain streams and trophy-size brown and rainbow trout. SEET CHER HUNG from Singapore gushes about the trout fishing experience in New Zealand ...

Groundwater levels below average in Canterbury

Canterbury groundwater levels fell in February as a result of settled weather combined with average-to-dry conditions, according to monitoring by Environment Canterbury scientists...

Wheelchair access idea for Waimakiriri

Sponsors are needed for a wheelchair friendly platform on the northern bank of the Waimakariri River...

Environment Canterbury Council adopts, for consultation, funding of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy

The Environment Canterbury Council has voted 12-2 to adopt an amendment, for consultation, to its Annual Plan to provide $3.3M in funding for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy for the 2010/11 year...

Poaching problems on Taranaki and Ruapehu rivers

Reports received indicate that a number of foreign tourists, possibly of Polish or Czech nationality, have been sighted over harvesting trout in the Waimarino and Ruapehu areas...

Call for help at proposed One Plan hearings

Fish & Game is calling for as many people as possible to turn up to the proposed One Plan hearings in Palmerston North on the 3rd and 4th March 2010 to support Fish and Game, Forest and Bird and the Department of Conservation, while they present evidence to the commissioners on the state of our freshwaters and their ecosystems, the factors that threaten them, and the need to protect them...

Who would win fly fishing Olympic gold?

As much as I'm enjoying watching the Winter Olympics, I must admit that I think "bonus curling coverage" is an oxymoron. That's not a sport. That's a game. Anything you can do while you drink beer should not qualify as an Olympic sport. But if the Olympics want curling in the mix, why not fly fishing?

I wonder who would win medals in the various fly fishing disciplines...Sight fishing? New Zealand 1, Slovenia 2, and USA 3...

Zone and regional water management committees get the green light

The Mayoral Forum, at its meeting yesterday, gave a green light for the introduction of zone and regional water management committees proposed by the Canterbury Water Management Strategy...

Drift dives show Hurunui South Branch is ‘trophy’ fishery

Fish & Game carried out drift dives in the Hurunui catchment last week as part of a regular monitoring programme to record to the size and abundance of trout in the rivers. The information will be used to reinforce their argument for protecting the South and North branches of the Hurunui River in a Water Conservation Order. Fish & Game Officer Tony Hawker said the number of large fish in the South Branch show it supports a ‘trophy’ fishery. Fish & Game are appealing the decision by the Special Tribunal to omit the South Branch from the Water Conservation Order because they think the river is ‘outstanding’ and warranting protection.

Upper Waitaki resource consent applications being heard

A hearing to hear and decide applications in the Upper Waitaki catchment is currently being heard by a Hearing Panel in Christchurch. The hearing is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2010...

[Minutes and correspondence are also available on the ECan website]

Environment Canterbury faces the axe

The future of Environment Canterbury (ECan) hangs in the balance as the Government considers axing the council and replacing it with a commission... following a damning report on its performance.

The Government is considering taking the unprecedented step... until governance and management issues around the allocation of water rights in Canterbury are sorted out. But Labour and the Greens are already gearing up to fight the move...

DOC to provide comforts for a fee

Luxury meals, hot showers and comfortable beds could all be provided by businesses in our national parks under new commercial plans to open them up to more private companies.

The Conservation Department, which had $13.5 million shaved off its budget this year, is also considering charging for services such as the use of toilets and car parks...

Council optimistic about river partnership with Waikato-Tainui

Environment Waikato is looking forward to working with Waikato-Tainui and other iwi to achieve the shared vision of a clean and healthy Waikato River.

That vision is set out in the agreement between the Crown and Waikato-Tainui over management of the Waikato River between Karapiro and Te Puaha o Waikato (Port Waikato)...

Old Motu Coach Trail one of 13 new cycle routes planned

A joint proposal to have the old Motu Coach Trail developed as a part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project has been approved for feasibility studies...opportunities for other adventure activities before, during and after the trail include outstanding bush walks, trout fishing, and white water rafting..[See Motu River]

[See also Lucky thirteen new cycle trails planned]

Didymo hits the Waimakariri

Biosecurity measures have been tightened for this weekend's Coast to Coast event after didymo was found in the Waimakariri River for the first time...

Funding sought for strategic water study on the Mataura River

Environment Southland will seek government funding for a strategic study into water demand in the Mataura catchment...

Council to implement state of the environment water charging

A new model for funding environmental investigations and monitoring water was adopted for consultation at today’s Environment Canterbury council meeting...

Lucky thirteen new cycle trails planned

Thirteen cycle trails got the nod today to go through to feasibility studies for inclusion in Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project. They are:

1. Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle Trail (Tauranga)
2. Old Motu Coach Road (Opotiki/Gisborne)
3. Thermal by Bike (Rotorua)
4. Lake Track (Taupo)
5. Mountains to Sea Cycleway – link (Ruapehu)
6. Heretaunga Ararua: Land of a Hundred Pathways (Hawkes Bay)
7. Dun Mountain and Tasman Cycle Loop (Nelson/Tasman)
8. Old Ghost Road (West Coast)
9. Westland Wilderness Trail (Greymouth)
10. Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail (Mt Cook)
11. The Wakatipu Trail (Queenstown)
12. Roxburgh Gorge Trail (Central Otago)
13. Clutha Gold Trail (Otago)

River warnings for toxic algae

Despite cooler temperatures and higher river flows in most of the region many of Canterbury’s hill-fed rivers remain prone to developing potentially toxic algae, reports Environment Canterbury...

Hillside fine appropriate says EW

Environment Waikato says the $65,000 fine imposed today on the Crafar company Hillside Ltd is appropriate for the offending involved...

Smelly river prompts cleanup call

A call from Greens co-leader Russel Norman for improved protection of the region's waterways, after kayaking on a river smelling of cow faeces, has gained traction with councils and Federated Farmers...

Great educational day out at Lake Wainono

Last Saturday the combined efforts of Environment Canterbury, Fish and Game, Department of Conservation, Canterbury Biodiversity and local people provided an excellent appraisal of the wetland we know as Lake Wainono...

EW welcomes flow-on effect of carbon deal for Lake Taupo

A pioneering deal involving a farm-to-forestry conversion and the subsequent sale of carbon credits from the forests is being heralded as a major win for the Waikato economy and the environment...

EW hears community views on 1080

Environment Waikato is to encourage the use of a new 'low-sow' method of applying 1080 that cuts the amount of toxin used to control possums. The move is part of the regional council’s quest to find effective and affordable alternatives to aerially-applied 1080...

Freedom campers 'don't care'

Tourism operators in the Southern Lakes district are demanding tougher camping controls to stop freedom campers destroying scenic sites in the region...

A meeting will be held next month to discuss the two areas will be run by LINZ and have members from the association, the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Department of Conservation...

Chopper looking for teen

The family of missing teen Leo Lipp-Neighbours have hired a helicopter to search for him and are scouring roads for any sign of his car.

... Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Langridge, of Nelson, said Mr Lipp-Neighbours' family was extremely worried he might have lost control while travelling on a remote road..he was known to enjoy driving to remote spots and then take short walks to enjoy the views.

Police and Mr Lipp-Neighbours' family are asking people to look out for his car and report or investigate any tyre marks or other indication a car may have left the road in an uncontrolled manner.

[Anglers are asked to keep an eye out for Leo and his orange 1987 Toyota Corolla station wagon registration NQ 7258 in areas in Nelson and upper South Island areas]

View photos

Dazzling array of classes on offer at art school

A pot-pourri of classes is on offer at this year's Wanaka Autumn Art School, with instruction on everything from photography and cooking to fly fishing and painting available on the five-day programme being held on April 12-16...

Meanwhile, people have until Sunday to apply for Upper Clutha Community Arts Council grants to attend the school.

Programmes, registration forms and grant application forms are available at the Wanaka Public Library in Dunmore St and at www.autumnartschool.net.nz.

[Read about Lake Wanaka fly fishing]

Push for commercial trout farming continues

Pressure is growing on the government to lift a ban on commercial trout farming.

Federated Farmers says trout farming has the potential to be a huge export earner and is calling for the the Conservation Act to be reviewed...

Fish and Game spokesman Ric Cullinane, says not only disease, but poaching would also endanger the wild trout population and New Zealand's image...

The Government has said it intends to keep the status quo, though a Parliamentary select committee will review acquaculture legislation later this year.

Missing man sighted?

Police are following up a reported sighting of missing Nelson teenager Leo Lipp-Neighbours in Christchurch, but still have concerns for his safety...

View photos...

Wind farm opponents may challenge court's decision

Opponents of a $400 million wind farm planned for the central North Island may appeal against an Environment Court decision allowing the project to go ahead. The court approved Meridian Energy's 130-megawatt Central Wind project between Taihape and Waiouru...

Rangitikei Guardians opposed the project because of the visual effect the 135-metre-high turbines would have on a natural landscape...

Dirty River rafting no pleasure trip

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman agrees his latest venture, The Dirty Rivers Rafting Tour, sounds like something rock band AC/DC would embark on. In reality it involves Dr Norman and supporters paddling down New Zealand rivers to draw attention to their poor water quality and ask the Government to clean them up...

DOC criticised for permitting eel catch

The Green Party is "appalled" fishermen have been granted concessions allowing them to catch rare eels on the West Coast. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has granted three five-year concessions giving commercial fishermen access to catch the eels in the region's lakes and rivers...

The Press

Polluting a stream costs more than $13,000

Two firms have been slapped with more than $13,000 in fines after allowing sediment to flow into a stream while they built a passing lane near Te Kuiti last year....

Farmer fined $23,000 for polluting river

A Golden Bay farmer has been fined $23,000 for discharging effluent into the Onahau River. In the Environment Court in Nelson yesterday, Judge Brian Dwyer said 74-year-old Patricia Nancy Riley had a history of "extremely poor compliance"....

Catching up with Australia: Philip York

The European harvest of farmed trout is 203000 tonnes annually - half of our lamb exports. Yet New Zealand is about the only country on earth to ban trout ...

Trout farming back on table

Christchurch consultant Norman Moe has been involved in trout farming in Chile for decades and would set up a New Zealand farm tomorrow if he could...

Mice theory for fat fish gains traction

Two Australian tourists have landed two monster brown trout within a stone's throw of one another as speculation about the "year of the mouse" hots up in the Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game district...

Setting up a salmon hatchery on the Waitaki River

On the 26th January at 7,30pm, in the Glenavy Hall, Gleavy, local salmon anglers are holding a public meeting to gauge local interest and to consider the feasibility of establishing a small salmon rearing complex on the Waitaki River.

Trout farms risky - Fish & Game

Fish and Game has dismissed suggestions that trout be commercially raised, saying the possible risk from disease and impact on those on fishing the species for fun is too great.

Trout farm idea opposed due to risks

Any benefits from allowing commercial trout farming would be "heavily outweighed" by the risks to New Zealand's wild trout fishery, Otago Fish and Game chief executive, Niall Watson, says.

Trout farming ban should be lifted, says Fed Farmers

Listen to the news item on National Radio where Federated Farmers discuss their resonoing behind their call to lift the ban on trout farming in New Zealand.

Aquaculture To Grow The Economy

Federated Farmers believes aquaculture, along with minerals and the agricultural sector, provides three pillars for the transformation of the New Zealand economy...

Call to restart trout farming

Federated Farmers wants the prohibition on commercial farming of trout to be lifted. President Don Nicolson believes there is considerable scope for land based and freshwater aquaculture, including the farming of whitebait, fresh water mussels, eels as well as freshwater crayfish.

Tasty art on show

[review of Taste, Food and Feasting in Art at Auckland Art Gallery]

Food has been at the centre of art since the beginning. The first images created by artists were of the beasts he hunted for food...

Peter Peryer’s... image “Trout Lake Taupo” is an image which conjures up various notions about our relationship with food and hunting...

EW helping in aftermath of Awakino spill

Environment Waikato is to assist emergency services in dealing with a diesel and whey spill after a truck crash into the Awakino River, near the south-west corner of the regional council’s area, this morning...

Council committed to keeping didymo out of the Gisborne region

The Gisborne District is free from didymo (didymospenia geminate) and we need to keep it that way,” says Didymo Awareness Advocate Charlotte Tietjen. The invasive algae - commonly known as “rock snot” – have devastated many South Island rivers...

Crafar company pleads guilty to effluent charges

A Crafar dairying company Hillside Ltd has today pleaded guilty to four charges of unlawfully discharging effluent to land between November 2007 and February 2008 on the company’s property situated at Kuratau, situated south west of Lake Taupo...

EW outlines Variation 5 consent charges

Environment Waikato is announcing details of the indicative charges farmers will face for new consents in the Lake Taupo catchment...

Stonefly Lodge opens on the Motueka River

New Zealand's latest lodge Stonefly Lodge has opened for business. The lodge is designed specifically for anglers and is on the banks of the Motueka River and close to a number of other top fishing waters...