NZRCA News

Submissions sought in effort to protect Nevis River

6 September 2008

Submissions are invited to the Special Tribunal to assess Fish and Game's application to amend the Kawarau River Water Conservation Order 1997. The initiative is specifically in opposition to plans by Pioneer Generation to put a 40MW hydro dam on the Nevis through a loophole that requires the wild and scenic character of the river to be maintained but doesn't prohibit damming. Fish and Game's application seeks amendments to the water conservation order as it applies to the Nevis River to prohibit dams on the river and to set minimum river flows to protect fishery and amenity values, and to better recognise the river's outstanding wild, scenic and natural characteristics, trout fishery, trout habitat, native fish habitat, cultural and historic characteristics. Kayakers know the Nevis as a nationally outstanding run posing a consistent challenge to expert paddlers. Send submissions (in the prescribed format (RTF, 40KB)) to alex.miller@mfe.govt.nz or by post to Special Tribunal - Kawarau River Water Conservation Order, c/- Alex Miller, Ministry for the Environment, PO Box 10362, WELLINGTON 6143. Submissions must be received by the Special Tribunal by 3rd October 2008.

Whakapapa release in doubt

5 September 2008

Genesis Energy have advised that the proposed Whakapapa release for tomorrow (September 6) is unlikely to proceed due to a lack of water. Update 6 September: The release has been postponed until Sunday, but this is also unlikely to proceed.

Trees in our rivers

27 August 2008

Hugh Canard offers a warning about trees in our rivers from the recent stormy weather.

NZ Energy applies for Matiri Hydro consent

23 August 2008

NZ Energy Ltd has applied for resource consents through the Tasman District Council for a hydro scheme on the Matiri River. The proposed scheme (PDF, 2Mb) would take water from the outlet of Lake Matiri and run it through 2.2km long penstocks on a power station between the confluence of the east and west branches of the Matiri river. The scheme would take up to 6.3cu from the river to be returned below the powerstation. The scheme is situated above the normal Matiri Gorge run. The NZRCA has made a submission to preserve the kayaking amenity on the Matiri.

See the proposed location in Google Earth.

SPARC Hillary Expedition 2008/2009 applications open

21 August 2008

SPARC have announced that applications for the Hillary Expedition 2008/2009 are now open. Funding is available for up to six teams for outdoor adventures in New Zealand or around the world. Applications will be accepted till 26 September 2008.

Network Tasman proposes 30MW hydro scheme on Matakitaki

16 August 2008

Network Tasman is proposing a 30MW hydro dam on the Matakitaki river near Murchison. Two possible locations have been proposed; a lower one at Blue Rock would interfere with the popular Middle Matakitaki run, and an upstream location at Mammoth Flat is above the regularly paddled sections. The company has purchased land in the Matakitaki valley and anticipates conducting feasibility studies.

The Matakitaki contains some of the most popular runs in the district not including the mainstem of the Buller River and attracts kayakers throughout New Zealand. Writing about the scheme in the Nelson Mail, Karen Goodger notes, Hydro proposals in that region have met stiff opposition in recent years but [Network Tasman Chairman] Mr Kearney said the Buller River conservation order did not extend to parts of the Matakitaki. River users such as kayakers would be concerned but the company hoped to consult and work through those issues. Despite kayaker representations, the Matakitaki was not directly included in the Buller Water Conservation Order but flows into the Buller mainstem are required to be maintained.

See the proposed locations in Google Earth.

Mick Hopkinson wins Whitewater Explorer award

6 August 2008

Mick Hopkinson has been recognised as an international Explorer in the Class of 2008 honorees by the United States-based International Whitewater Hall of Fame. Mick Hopkinson was a slalom racer in Britain before putting his energy into exploration including first descents on the river Inn in Switzerland and Austria, the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, and the Dudh Kosi in Nepal. He was also a member of Nepal's Karnali expedition and the 'Taming of the Lion' first descent team on the Indus River in Baltistan. More recently he has been knocking first descents in Wyoming's Wind River Range and on New Zealand's West Coast. Mick is a passionate exponent of the sport and of preserving whitewater for future generations. He operates the New Zealand Kayak School in Murchison.

Wairoa release dates for 2008/2009

28 July 2008

Bruce Clarke at Kaimai Canoe Club has passed on the Wairoa Release dates for the 2008/2009 season.

CUMEC Magazine Issue 4

13 July 2008

Antz Longman advises, 'CUMEC Magazine Issue 5 is now available at book and kayak stores all over New Zealand. In this issue we take a look in to the history of Slalom Kayaking at the Olympics and profile the NZ and Australian athletes heading to Beijing, Interview with Australian C1 Slalom paddler Rob Bell, Wairoa Extreme Race, seven Drytops reviewed, Destination Malaysia and a lot more. There also a special subscription promotion with this issue. All subscriptions/renewals received between the 1st of July and 30th of September go in the draw to win 1 of 40 kayaking DVDs.'

Nepali girls kayak - can you help?

7 July 2008

Sophie Hoskins, Hester Hilbink and friends are working on a project to teach Nepalese girls to kayak. Sophie writes, 'A friend from Sweden is organising this project. She has lived there for about eight years and really wants to introduce the local Nepalese women to kayakng and rafting so they can work as safety boaters and raft guides. This is the first project of this kind and the girls are super excited as they haven't had the chance to learn these skills.

We are trying to get as much gear as we can fit in our luggage to take over for them so we can leave each girl with a full kit and maybe some spares. So if anyone out there has spare gear they would like to donate or sell cheap including paddles, dry-tops, splash jackets, kayaks, B.A's, booties, helmets, warm paddling gear, river knives, throwbags, spraydecks, etc. - anything you think may be handy to them for raft guiding and safety boating, we would love to hear from you please em sophiehoskins@gmail.com or contact them at their blog.