Existing access to the multi-day Waiatoto River is under threat by new access arrangements outlined in DoC's Mount Aspiring National Park Draft Management Plan (PDF, 760K). The plan intends to limit Waiatoto trips to maximum of 12 people and only the period 15 October to 31 December. Clubs such as Whitewater CC have taken 30-strong combined kayak and raft trips down the Waiatoto in recent years, often in later summer, so the current proposals will dramatically curtail kayaker access. The plan will direct the work of the department in the park for 10 years. Submissions are due by 4.30pm Tuesday 30 June 2009 to Mount Aspiring National Park Management Plan Review, PO Box 176, Alexandra 9340 or email to: bhunt{at}doc.govt.nz (Please replace the {at} with @ to email.).#

Network Tasman is proposing hydro dams on the Matakitaki river and the Glenroy river near Murchison. The company has purchased land in the Matakitaki valley and is conducting feasibility studies. An initial round of consultation has been announced with a meeting for kayakers in Murchison on 21 June 2009. Show Network Tasman that they should keep their hands off the Matakitaki and Glenroy.

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Apparently a permit system is being enforced for access through the Kaingaroa Forest to sections such as the Jeff's Joy run on the Rangitaiki river. The forest is managed by Timberlands and permits can be obtained from Independent Security Consultants Ltd. (ISCL). Timberlands provide data on forest access and permits. You need a copy of your drivers licence and details of vehicle registration, make and description.#

The NZRCA are appearing at the Hearing for the Water Conservation Order for the Nevis River from 9am on Thursday 4 June in Cromwell (Golden Gate Lodge Conference Centre, Barry Avenue). If you are in the area, come along and show your support. Contact Glenn Murdoch for details. #

The Canterbury Mayoral Forum is consulting on a sustainable water management framework for Canterbury through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS). The discussion document (PDF, 1.3Mb) offers four options including improving current mechanisms, advancing environmental protection, reconfiguring consents and infrastructure, and advancing infrastructure. Public meetings (PDF, 96KB) are being held throughout Canterbury during May. Kayakers interested in the future of Canterbury rivers including the Rangitata, Hurunui, Clarence and Waimakariri should review the strategy and submit their feedback. Submissions from the public will be accepted up to 5pm, Friday 5 June 2009. If you want an oral hearing for your submission, you need to submit by Monday 25 May.#

Contact Energy has dusted off plans for four separate hydropower dams on the Clutha River. Existing dams at Clyde and Roxburgh would be joined by dams at any of Luggate (25m, 86MW), Queensberry (14m, 160MW), Beaumont (30m, 185MW) and Tuapeka Mouth (50m, 350MW). Contact is seeking public comment on the proposals before selecting preferred options for further advancement in 2010. Details and discussion forum are available at www.contactenergy.co.nz/clutha.#

Whitewater NZ Conservation Officer Glenn Murdoch is busy putting together a slideshow demonstrating the beauty of our wild, remote and scenic rivers. He is looking for high quality images that can be used in campaigns and in presentations to stakeholders. The images don't need to be of steep rapids or boaters doing radical moves - we are after images that show how beautiful our rivers are. If you are happy to share your photos, contact Glenn at .#

The NZRCA Annual General Meeting was held yesterday in at the Awara Clubrooms in Christchurch. Outgoing President Mike Birch presented the Annual Report to Members for 2009. Following elections of officers, Polly Miller (Christchurch) is the new President. Duncan Catanach is the new Vice-President. Ian Gill-Fox (Christchurch) is the new Safety Officer, following on from Glenn Murdoch who has been coopted as South Island Conservation Officer. Mike Birch steps down from President after four years and is now looking after Access. Sophie Ballagh (Dunedin) is new Communications Officer after Robin Rutter-Baumann. Thanks to Robin Rutter-Baumann, Graeme McIntyre and Sue Robertson for their previous efforts on behalf of kayakers.

The AGM passed the remit to change the registered name of the association from 'New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association' to 'Whitewater New Zealand'. The change in branding will be processed over the next few months.

Special guest Metiria Turei MP described Green Party policies in relation to rivers and water, and gave some advice on how to engage with the Government and Ministers of Parliament. The AGM also heard from Paul Caffyn (KASK) about areas of mutual interest to river and sea kayakers, and from Josh Stevenson (VentureOut) regarding the implications of Maritime NZ's commercial kayaking guidelines (PDF, 84KB) and how they may effect clubs. Glenn Murdoch showed slides and video arising from the recent Wild Rivers workshop in Murchison.

Graeme Wilson (nominated by Whitewater Canoe Club) is Canoeist of the Year for 2009 (well done, Graeme!). The next AGM will be in Wellington on Saturday 24 April 2010.

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The latest NZ Canoeing has been sent to members, featuring NZRCA Draft Conservation Strategy (Duncan Catanach), Conservation News (Tony Ward-Holmes), AGM, The Clarence River (Maggie Oakley), Release schedule, [Seeking] Canoeist of the Year. Read more in NZ Canoeing 09.1 (PDF, 1.2Mb).#

Cumec Magazine Issue #7 (March 2009) is out now (subscriptions), featuring Himalayan River Girls (Sophie Hoskins and Malika Davies), NZFKS 2008, Laos (Sean Bozkewycz and Lachie Carracher), Kayaker Categories, Fiordland, The Upper Otaki (Chris Lacoste), Sevens Creek (Shaun McManamny), Paddlin'Fit - Finding the Balance (Megan Foster), Surf Kayak Technique - Posture and Trim (Ross Boardman), Interview: Hayley Shepherd, Technique: Boofing 101 (Ben Jackson) plus Photography Technique with Graham Charles, Sam and Josh's Top Ten Tips to Norway, News, Environment (NZRCA), Gearbag and the Gallery.#