Auckland / Waikato News > May 2008

AUCKLAND/WAIKATO FISH & GAME
BI-MONTHLY NEWSBRIEF

(Published following each Bi-Monthly Council meeting)

If you require further elaboration or clarification of items contained herein, or any other matters relating to F&GC business, please contact your local F&G Ward Councillor or the office

Matters Arising from Council Meeting of 12 April 2008

1. Following recommendations from Auckland/Waikato Council, Minister of Conservation upholds Council’s decision to refuse to grant authority for upland game preserve in Auckland/Waikato region.  In making decision Minister acknowledges that under Section 23 of the Wildlife Act the sale of hunting rights by game preserves is illegal and that the A/WF&G Council is the organisation responsible for the management of fish and game in its region - not the national body (NZF&GC).

2. Council has received an application from a group seeking to enhance pheasant habitat along with a request for a relaxation in season conditions as applies to such; Council has requested staff to investigate situation.

3. Discussion ensured regarding the utilisation of sub gauge inserts, with it recognised that such played valuable role in recruiting and retaining hunters and their usage should be continued.

4. Concern expressed regarding the use of larger size steel shot with it recognised that in the A/W region provided non toxic shot did not exceed the mass of bb lead equivalent this was not an issue.

5. Concern expressed by Council at certain proposed F&G legislative amendments. One which could see regional F&G autonomy restricted will be vigorously opposed by Council. Another aimed at covering the operations of Upland Game Preserves would also be opposed. Sect 23 of the Wildlife 1953 is clear and unambiguous in making the sale of hunting rights illegal. The spirit and intent of Section 23 being to ensure all New Zealanders can hunt gamebirds bereft of social position or affluence – the establishment of upland game preserves also setting a precedent for paid duck hunting preserves and privatisation of trout fishing waters.

6. Councillor Colin Sherrard nominated for Waikato Conservation Board.

7. Councilor John Atkinson’s devoted and dedicated input on Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game’s behalf as NZ F&GC representative over the last seven years recognised.

8. Support and assistance for F&G received from Rachel Kelleher, Area Manager DoC Waikato, and also Harry Wilson, CE for EW, recognised with it agreed that letters of commendation be sent to their employers.

Matters Arising from Chief Executives Report

1. Drift dives continued to be undertaken.

- Whakapapa River clarity down to only around 6mt from 8mt in previous years, with water having a definitely milky tinge, most probably from the lahar last winter, that came from the Whakapapa-iti catchment – nevertheless in the upper reaches there were reasonable numbers of big fish.

- Waipa River - upper reaches well above Toa’s bridge with numbers high, namely rainbows 25 –44 cm, but with the occasional big brown.

- Ohinemuri River - fish numbers very patchy but with some surprisingly good fish in the longer pools.

- Waihou River – vast numbers of fish, namely small as to be expected in the Waihou but still some large fish with over 70 viewed greater than 30cm in length per kilometre.

2. Te Awamutu fishing contest in Lake Arapuni again proved successful with 54 trout entered to provide data for the management of Arapuni – highlight was the large number of big rainbows caught with many over 2kg.  Many of these fish were 2+ year old rainbow from the 2006 hatchery release.  Fish from this release should put on a lot of condition/weight over the next few months and we should see some very large 3 year old fish caught in Arapuni this winter.

3. World Fly Fishing Champs.  Although based in Rotorua, undertaken with 1208 trout caught and released in the Waimakariri Stream – 1276 in the Waihou River and 1304 in the Wanganui River. Competition won by the team from the Czech Republic with NZ coming second.

4. A number of adds for the sale of shooting rights noted on Trademe, all of which were pulled when firm notified – one currently with our solicitor where we may prosecute under Section 23 of the Wildlife Act i.e. sale of hunting rights

5. 1000 swan feeding on eel grass growing on the mudflats beside Mangere International Airfield which has taken up considerable staff time – number of swan being well above last year probably in response to the Waikato drought.

6. As a consequence of the drought an incredible amount of staff time and effort has been expended to control all types of gamebird species in all sorts of circumstances – school swimming pools, confectionary factories, horse studs and various types of crop including lettuce and turnips.

7. Staff investigating large dairy farms being established in the Awakino Valley and 3,000ha property at the head of the Waipa Valley which is being syndicated to up to 25 dairy farmers.

8. Meeting held with Wallace Corp who are looking at construction of a hydro power scheme on the Little Waipa Stream that would utilise the vertical drop between the Arapuni/Putaruru Road and Horahora Road.  It would be run as a “run of the river scheme”. It is still early days but our concerns with scheme are likely to be the impact on trout recruitment into Lake Karapiro, the impact of diverting the Huihuitaha Stream and water quality in the Little Waipa.

9. Another meeting held to discuss LINZ proposal to spray 100ha of aquatic weeds in Lake Karapiro with diquat, with it agreed there would be no spraying in the first two weeks of May or south of the Little Waipa Stream.

10. Office recently contacted by DoC and NIWA ecstatic at discovery of Myrophyllum robusum which is somewhat of a rare plant discovered in F&G land, further evidencing that our habitat works benefit not only hunted species.

11. Application made to WCEET Annual Funding meeting for some $800,000 to undertake habitat and hunting improvement works on Council’s Eastern Whangamarino block.

12. $1700 from Trust granted to Cocks Block Society for predator/pest control programme.

13. Friday 22nd February Council’s Dean block weir sabotaged with all 16 boards missing as well as several of the pipes and locks that held the boards in place.  Also on block a number of maimais broken into and gear stolen along with a hire tractor driven into the wetland.  We have a good idea who the culprits are, however it is essential that if you notice people on our blocks you ask them for their F&G permit to be on the land.  If they don’t have one take full particulars including vehicle registration number.

14. Staff liased with DoC over the removal of the small island in the Patetonga Lagoon where a duck shooter was shot several times last year to prevent a repetition of such and hopefully resolve long standing disputes on the lagoon.

15. After two years of intense debate and general unpleasantness necessitating the use of the Official Information Act and an approach to the Ombudsman, as a consequence of our objection and efforts approximately only one third of the 200ha of public roads SWDC initially sought to close are to be closed – these being roads that have no interest to F&G or likely to provide any benefit for the wider public in future years.  Roads of interest to us will remain open.  The income (around $200,000) from the closures to be placed in a separate fund to promote future public access via the acquisition of suitable land or rights to use land.

16. Angler access signs replaced on Lakes Arapuni and Karapiro – if you happen to observe the cretinous imbeciles who continue to vandalise our signs, please do what you can, especially photos and vehicle registration numbers.

17. Meeting attended by staff of Waipa wetlands and Lakes Accord to discuss management of Lake Serpentine, Maratoto, Mangahia and Koromatua.

18. Objection lodged to discharge of sewage by WDC into Lake Waikare with appropriate media releases and liaison with iwi and DoC undertaken to ensure a united front.

19. Staff apprehended two hunters shooting way over their limit near the Ongarue Stream Road in this year’s special parrie season without permits.  Firearms were confiscated and prosecutions are ensuing.

20. As a consequence of the drought we have been deluged (pun intended) with mark-up disputes.

21. After considerable delay, contrivances and attempts at intimidation, our honorary ranger Alan Butler gave superb evidence in the Pukekohe court last month which saw two individuals successfully prosecuted for hunting without a licence, using lead shot and having an undismantled and unsecured gun in a boat.  Each were fined some $1200, word of which will undoubtedly spread quickly in the area (Lower Waikato River) which coupled with the sterling works undertaken by Honorary ranger Andrew Kerr will help in getting the message across to hunters in this area that unsporting and unsafe behaviour can no longer be undertaken with impunity.

22. Former Councillor Bill Axeby’s funeral attended in Whitianga – an excellent turnout and send-off for an amazing person who has put so much time, effort and energy into hunting and fishing activities for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

Next Council Meeting 14th June 2008 Hamilton

Gamebird Habitat Trust (ie. duck money from the Duck Stamp that gamebird hunters buy) is now open to receive applications for the 2008 season – closing date if 30th June 2008.  Application forms available from the Fish & Game website at www.fishandgame.org.nz or our office.

Back to Reel Life