the new zealand biodiversity...

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The New ZealandBiodiversity Strategy

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTSDURING 2000–2001

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ISBN 0-478-22155-X

Published byDepartment of Conservation on behalf of the Central Government Coordinating Group for BiodiversityPO Box 10-420Wellington, New Zealandwww.biodiv.govt.nz

The agencies represented on the Central Government Coordinating Group for Biodiversity are:Department of ConservationMinistry for the EnvironmentMinistry of FisheriesAgriculture and FisheriesThe TreasuryMinistry of Research, Science and Technology

Front cover photo (from top) land snail Powelliphanta lignaria iusca (photo: I. Walker); fern in Te Urewera National Park(photo: DOC); colonial salt coral (photo: DOC); small-eared skink Leiolopisma sp., Stewart Island (photo: G. Patterson).

Printed on chlorine-free paper

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 5

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION – PUBLIC CONSERVATION LAND 6

Kiwi sanctuaries 7

Weeds 8

Animal pests 9

Offshore islands 10

Species and mainland islands 11

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION – OUTSIDE PUBLIC CONSERVATION LAND 12

Protecting natural areas on private land 13

Matauranga Kura Taiao fund 13

Improved Resource Management Act framework 14

New contestable funds 15

MARINE BIODIVERSITY 16

Baseline information on the diversity of marine communities 17

Biodiversity of the Ross Sea 17

Assessing threats to coastal and marine biodiversity 18

Raising awareness of marine biodiversity 19

Marine reserves 20

Managing the impacts on marine biodiversity at regional level 21

BIOSECURITY 22

Biosecurity Strategy for New Zealand 23

Managing threats to marine biosecurity 24

Assessment of biosecurity risks to flora and fauna 25

IMPROVING BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION SYSTEMS 26

Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) Programme 27

National Aquatic Biodiversity Information System 27

NZBS FUNDING PACKAGE TABLE 28

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Released in March 2000, the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy sets out

a 20 year plan to halt the decline of New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity –

our native species and the ecosystems that support them. The Strategy

contains information and detailed action plans for land, freshwater and marine

biodiversity, as well as for biosecurity, and for Maori and community

participation.

Central Government is playing a key role in leading, funding and

coordinating biodiversity work. Overall responsibility for implementing the

Strategy rests with a group of Ministers. This group is led by the Minister of

Conservation and Local Government, and includes Ministers for the

Environment, Fisheries, Biosecurity, Agriculture and Forestry and the

Treasurer. A group of Chief Executives is responsible for coordination and for

monitoring and reporting on funded programmes and on overall

implementation of the Strategy.

In the 2000 Budget, Government committed an additional $187 million over

five years to implement priority actions in the Biodiversity Strategy. A total of

20 programmes have been funded and are being led by the Department of

Conservation, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Fisheries and the

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This report highlights the significant

achievements made by these 20 programmes during 2000/01.

Introduct ion

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BIODIVERSIT Y CONSERVATION

Almost 30% of New Zealand’s land area is legally protected public

conservation land managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

However, an army of pests and weeds – from possums and stoats to old

man’s beard and wild ginger – pose an ongoing threat to native species

and their habitats.

The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (NZBS) funding package provides

additional funding for the following five programmes to protect

indigenous biodiversity on public conservation land.

Public Conservation Land

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Kiwi SanctuariesKiwi populations on mainland New Zealand are under seriousthreat from stoats, possums, cats, ferrets and dogs. Withoutmanagement, their numbers are expected to halve every decadeand many populations would effectively be extinct within 20years.

To help remedy this situation, five kiwi sanctuaries have beenestablished throughout New Zealand where intensive predatorcontrol will be undertaken to create safe zones for our nationalbird.

Three sanctuaries in Northland, Coromandel and Tongariro willprotect the North Island brown kiwi, while two sanctuaries on theSouth Island’s West Coast will protect the Okarito brown kiwi(rowi) and the Haast tokoeka respectively. The sanctuaries willcomplement and enhance the work presently being done throughthe Bank of New Zealand-sponsored Kiwi Recovery Programme.

• All five kiwi sanctuaries have beenestablished and staff employed to runthe programmes. Pest controlprogrammes to protect kiwi nestsduring the first breeding season areunderway and monitoringprogrammes to measure the successof the pest control are being put inplace.

• The aim in the first breeding season isto have 25% of kiwi chicks surviving to1kg in weight, when they are thoughtto be safe from stoat predation. Thiswould represent a 5% annual increasein kiwi populations at the sanctuaries.At present, populations are decreasingby about 5% annually.

• In Northland, eight sites are covered inthe Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary, totallingabout 1800ha of conservation landand 200ha of private land. Surveyshave been undertaken to determinekiwi numbers and distribution, andintensive public advocacy aboutcontrolling dogs and predators hascontinued. The sanctuary aims toexpand to cover 2000ha in theWhangarei Heads area.

• In Coromandel, an operations basehas been set up for the 13,500ha TeMoehau Kiwi Zone and predator trapsestablished over about 4000ha,including 500ha of private land. Thetrapping area will expand to coverabout 10,000ha, including a significantamount of private land.

• In Tongariro, planning for an aerialpossum control operation over the21,500ha Tongariro Forest isunderway, to be undertaken in 2002,with the aim of dramatically reducingstoat and possum numbers. DOC isalso supporting a Landcare Researchstudy of stoat and rat populationdynamics in the area.

• On the West Coast, a network of 1900stoat traps has been put in place overthe10,000ha Okarito Kiwi Zone, and34 adult kiwi pairs have been fittedwith radio transmitters. A newmanagement plan for the Okaritobrown kiwi has also been completed.Further south, a network of stoat trapshas been established in the HaastTokoeka Kiwi Sanctuary and a numberof birds fitted with radio transmitters.

2000/01 NZBS HIGHLIGHTS

Kiwi sanctuary commitment

Trapping stoats has become a major focus for kiwi sanctuariesaround the country, as DOC staff battle the kiwi’s primarypredator.

At the Te Moehau Kiwi Zone, in Coromandel, a network of 600stoat traps were established over 4000ha of rugged volcaniccountry earlier this year, and will expand to cover 10,000ha by theend of 2001.

DOC Programme Manager, Jason Roxburgh, said each trapneeds to be manually inspected about 18 times a year – whichrepresents a massive undertaking. One block of 420 traps alonetakes a team of three contractors two to three days to check. Forevery second check they must carry enough hen’s eggs to rebait

the traps.

“There have been a lot ofinnovations on how to carrythe eggs without breakingthem. Each person needs tocarry about 100 eggs, whichis pretty difficult to do in therugged country we areworking in. If you slip, you canend up with a pack full ofomelette.”

Kiwi are being monitored using radio transmitters and call counts,and it is planned to live trap another significant kiwi predator –feral cats – as well. Possum and rat control, and public advocacyon the need to control dogs, is also being undertaken as part ofkiwi management and the larger Te Mauri o Moehau ecosystemrestoration project.

Above: DOC’s Moehau Kiwi Zone project manager Josh Kemp with a trappedstoat in the Te Moehau Kiwi Zone. (Photo: Jason Roxburgh/DOC)

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WeedsThere are almost 25,000 known introduced plant species in NewZealand, of which almost 250 are recognised as seriousconservation weeds.

These weeds range from climbing vines and creeping groundcovers to grasses and seaweed, and can be found in just aboutevery habitat in New Zealand. Without control, they threaten todisplace native plant species, reduce the diversity of our naturalecosytems, transform the landscape, and reduce the availabilityof food supplies to birds, invertebrates and lizards.


• DOC has completed a standardoperating procedure for weedsurveillance, so that staff now haveprocedures and funding to activelysearch for weeds that are new to NewZealand or to a particular region. Iffound early, there is a good chance theweeds can be totally eradicated orcontained.

• Nineteen new projects targetingparticular weeds were initiatedthroughout the country. If leftuncontrolled, weeds would spreadto important conservation sites andthe cost of control would escalate.Eleven new weed-led projects will bestarted, including eradication ofspartina from Otago and Canterbury,during 2001/02.

• New inventory and threat assessmentwork has also been carried out onimportant biodiversity sites to identifyfuture ‘site-led’ work, with 30 newsites receiving weed control.In 2001/02, site-led programmes willbe started at 51 new sites. Inparticular, there will be a big effort oncontrolling wilding conifers.

• A National Weeds Database has beencompleted, comprising more than60,000 pieces of information aboutweed identification, location of weedsand control methods.

Turning the tide for taiko

The ongoing battle to save the world’s rarest seabird, the taiko,from extinction is receiving a boost.

The NZBS funded a search for active nest burrows on theChatham Islands during summer, using a specially-trained dogteam. Once located, DOC staff were able to protect the breedingbirds from the predatory rats, cats, pigs, possums and weka thatare threatening the species with extinction.

There are just 100–150 taiko, or magenta petrel, surviving in theworld, all of which nest on the main Chatham Island.

“The key to helping the taiko is to locate nest burrows so that wecan conduct predator control,” said DOC biodiversity officer HilaryAikman. However, the birds favour nesting in dense Dracophyllumforests, which is difficult for humans to get around in. In addition,the nest burrows can be up to 2m long, so it is hard to determineby visual inspection whether a burrow is actively used or not.

The use of a dog team allowed staffto identify five new active

burrows, which were allprotected from predatorsand produced two chicks.Three other chicks alsofledged, making this thesecond-most successful

breeding season sincethe taiko was

rediscovered in1978.

The NZBS alsofunded the use of

video monitoring on some of the burrows, to helpstaff confirm breeding activity, to determine which birds

were using each burrow and to keep an eye on predatorsthreatening the nests.

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(Photo: M. Imber/DOC)

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Animal pestsNew Zealand’s introduced animal pests are mostly well known,from stoats and possums through to goats, deer and Himalayanthar – all of which can have devastating impacts on native speciesand habitats. Others, such as koi carp and Gambusia – the killerguppy – are less well known but pose an equally serious threat tofreshwater biodiversity.

NZBS funding is enabling the Department of Conservation toincrease control efforts for a range of pest species at priority sitesthroughout New Zealand.

Pest fish control

Pest fish were the target of a NZBS-funded survey and eradicationprogramme in the Nelson region duringthe past year.

After both mosquito fish (Gambusiaaffinis) and koi carp were discovered inthe area for the first time, a DOC teamsurveyed ponds and irrigation dams,primarily in the rural areas betweenNelson and Motueka, for both species.

As a result of the survey, 16populations of Gambusia and onepopulation of koi carp were found anddestroyed.

Both species are serious threats tofreshwater habitats and can causedeclines in native fish populations.

Left: DOC officer Tim Shaw targets pest fish ina Nelson irrigation pond with a control spray.(Photo: Nelson Mail)


• Possums were targeted using a rangeof techniques throughout the year,from Northland to the deep South. Intotal, more than 11,600ha of forest isexpected to benefit from the controland planning has commenced forfurther work. Threatened bird species,giant native land snails andinvertebrates are also facing bettersurvival prospects in the face ofreduced possum numbers.

• Goats were targeted at seven sitesthroughout New Zealand where theythreatened native vegetation, withmore than 86,000ha expected tobenefit from the control. One of theoperations, on Great Barrier Island inthe Hauraki Gulf, aims to eradicategoats from the entire island in co-operation with the local communityand authorities.

• Other species targeted during the yearincluded Argentine ants on TiritiriMatangi Island, rainbow lorikeets inAuckland, pigs and wild cattle on theChatham Islands and thar in the SouthIsland.

• Pest fish koi carp and Gambusia wereremoved from ponds in Nelson afterbeing found there for the first time. Asa result of this find, a full survey of pestfish throughout the rest of the SouthIsland has been initiated.

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Offshore islandsPredator-free islands have a vital role to play in the conservationof New Zealand’s biodiversity as they provide a safe refuge for awide range of native species that are threatened on the mainland.Some of the world’s most endangered species, such as kakapo,are now found only on offshore islands.

NZBS funding will allow DOC to rid four large islands of predators– the sub-Antarctic Campbell Island (11,300ha), Tuhua/MayorIsland (1280ha) in the Bay of Plenty, the sub-tropical Raoul Island(3177ha ) in the Kermadec Group, and Little Barrier/HauturuIsland (3083ha) in the Hauraki Gulf.

The network of other predator-free islands throughout the countrywill also benefit, through improved planning to prevent rodentsfrom reaching islands and for managing any invasions that dooccur.

Rats targeted on Campbell Island

The largest island restoration project in the world was undertakenduring the year and, if successful, will be a landmark for NewZealand conservation.

DOC is aiming to completely eradicate Norway rats from the11,300ha Campbell Island, in the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean,where they have wrought havoc among native plants and birds.

The eradication operation took place in July, with the 20-memberproject team battling short daylight hours, isolation, bitterly coldwinter conditions and winds gusting up to 240 km/h in order tocomplete the operation. Four helicopters were used to distributerat toxin over the island, which had been transported there bybarge.

If confirmed as successful, New Zealand will have a huge newpredator-free sanctuary for our embattled native species. Amongthe beneficaries will be the rare Campbell Island teal and theCampbell Island snipe. The snipe was only discovered in 1997,surviving on a small rock stack off the Campbell Island coast.

The project is part of DOC’s drive to extend the number ofpredator-free offshore islands, where some of the world’s rarestbird, insect and plant species can continue the long trek backfrom the edge of extinction.


• The planning and organisation of theCampbell Island rat eradicationoperation was completed by June2001 and the bait drop successfullyundertaken in late July. Monitoring ofthe success of the operation willcontinue until at least two breedingseasons have passed with no sign ofrats.

• The Tuhua (Mayor) Island operationwas also completed in 2000. Thisoperation aimed to trial the eradicationof both rats and cats concurrently, inanticipation of attempting the same onRaoul Island. Monitoring to confirm thesuccess of the operation will continueuntil late 2002.

• Planning and consent approvalprocesses for predator eradicationprogrammes on Little Barrier/Hauturuand Raoul Island are underway. It isplanned to undertake the Raouloperation in mid-2002 .

• Biosecurity measures were put inplace for major rodent-free islands orgroups of islands to ensure theyremain pest-free. Work included thelaying of bait stations at departure andentry points, such as wharves andbeaches, and the renovation of rat-proof store rooms where supplies arestored and packed for islandexpeditions.

DOC project leader Pete McClelland uses aradio locator beacon to monitor rats fitted withtransmitters prior to the Campbell Islanderadicaton operation. (Photo: DOC)

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Species and mainland islandsNew Zealand has about 1000 threatened species, whichrepresents a huge range of biodiversity from native birds to plants,lizards and insects.

Many of these species are unique to New Zealand. About 90% ofinsects and marine molluscs, 80% of trees, ferns and floweringplants, all 60 reptiles, four frog species and both bat species arefound nowhere else on Earth.

While DOC is already targeting the protection and recovery ofmany native species, NZBS funding has allowed an additional 28species to receive further care.


• The species that benefited from NZBSfunding during the year ranged frommarine mammals and endemic birdsto tiny threatened plants, snails andskinks.

• A new recovery plan was developedfor the orange-fronted parakeet,recently confirmed as a separatespecies from the yellow-crownedparakeet.

• Research into determining whetherHector’s dolphins on the west coast ofthe North Island are genetically distinctfrom those on the east coast wasundertaken, as was a study of thewest coast population.

• Monitoring the distribution and threatsto a range of plant species, such aswetland orchids in Tongariro NationalPark and a range of species on theChatham Islands, was undertaken.

• A major survey of native fish in CentralOtago waterways was begun to helpin management of the fisheries byDOC, the Otago Regional Council andirrigation companies.

Slithering towards recovery

One of the world’s rarest snails is slithering towards recoverythanks to a new DOC predator protection programme.

The giant native land snail Powelliphanta gilliesi is restricted to atiny third-of-a-hectare plot on a remote, windswept farm inGolden Bay. With such a small habitat, the entire snail populationhas had a precarious hold on existence, facing the risks of fire,drought, stock trampling, and predator invasion.

In order to give the species a future, DOC erected a new stockfence on the farm this year, protecting about one-and-a-halfhectares in order to let the snail population expand. Under theNZBS work programme, it is planned to design and erect afurther rodent-proof fence inside the stock fence to keep rats andmice out of the snail’s habitat.

DOC staff have also planted about 1000 trees within the fencedarea, to provide an improved habitat for the snails. DOCconservation officer, Simon Walls, says it is “amazing” the snailshave survived at all, and is confident the new actions willguarantee one of our more unique residents a future in NewZealand.

Powelliphanta gilliesi. (Photo: Nelson Mail)

DOC staff erect a stock-proof fence aroundthe snail’s tiny remnant habitat. (Photo: SimonWalls/DOC)

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To successfully protect biodiversity throughout New Zealand it is important

that species and ecosystems are safeguarded on land outside public

conservation lands. The public conservation lands protect a significant

amount of mountainous and alpine areas, but about 63% of New Zealand’s

land area – primarily lowlands and coastal areas – has been converted into

farms, exotic forests, settlements and roads. A once continuous range of

unique ecosystems has been turned into a patchwork of isolated fragments

as New Zealand has prospered from the development of its productive lands.

NZBS funding is contributing to a range of initiatives for biodiversity

conservation outside of public conservation lands.

Outside Publ icConservation Land

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Matauranga Kura Taiao fundTraditionally, the transfer of knowledge among Maori has involvedexpert individuals, tohunga and waananga (schools of learning).However, modern influences have seen this system graduallydecline and the recording, collection and dissemination ofmatauranga Maori has increasingly taken other forms. As well,there has been a gradual decline in the traditional knowledgebeing passed on to whanau, hapu and iwi.

Nevertheless, many kaumatua have traditional knowledge relatedto cultural activities and experiences associated with our nativebiodiversity.

The Matauranga Kura Taiao fund has been established, throughthe NZBS, as a new contestable fund to support hapu and iwiinitiatives to retain and promote traditional Maori knowledge andits use in biodiversity management. It also provides an opportunityfor tangata whenua to participate in managing biodiversity in theirrohe.

The fund is administered by Nga Whenua Rahui, which reportsdirectly to the Minister of Conservation. Applications to the fundare accepted from Maori organisations, hapu and iwi.

Protecting natural areas on private landThree existing agencies – the QEII National Trust, the Nature Heritage Fund, and Nga Whenua Rahui – haveconsistently helped landowners to protect private land and to increase the extent of protected areas in NewZealand.

Each agency is suited to different needs. The Nature Heritage Fund and Nga Whenua Rahui are both contestablefunds that support projects to protect indigenous ecosystems by purchase or covenant, with Nga Whenua Rahuiparticularly assisting Maori landowners. The QEII National Trust helps landowners wanting to establish covenantson their land. Together, they have proven to be a successful means of protecting biodiversity.


• The first applications to theMatauranga Kura Taiao fund will besought in late 2001.

• Almost 1400ha of land in fourseparate blocks, all with highconservation values, wereprotected in perpetuity from theNature Heritage Fund’s NZBSallocation. Funding has also beencommitted to purchase a furtherfour properties totalling 1469ha,and some additions to a numberof existing projects helped tosecure a further 970ha.

• The QEII National Trust approved7928ha for protection during theyear, of which more than 5100hawas protected with the additionalNZBS funding. About 98% of theTrust’s covenants are in thedeveloped lowland, coastal andsemi-coastal landscapes of NewZealand. The Trust is also placingmore emphasis on monitoringexisting covenants, with anadditional 175 monitoring visitsplanned.

• Forty-seven new applications werereceived by Nga Whenua Rahui,and kawenata for eight parcels ofland totalling almost 8500ha wereformally signed between theMinister of Conservation and Maorilandowners. All of these had highecological and cultural values. Afurther 10 new applications wereapproved as well as five projectsinvolving fencing and possum andgoat control programmes. A totalof $500,000 was committed fornational priority pest controlprogrammes on previouslyprotected areas.

In recognition of their success, the NZBS implementaion package has funded an increase in each of the threeagencies’ activities.

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• Progress in 2000/01 centred onpreparing preliminary wording for aNational Policy Statement onbiodiversity, which was presented to ajoint central and local governmentforum in June 2001. This work wasundertaken by a technical draftinggroup, led by the Ministry for theEnvironment and involving localgovernment. The wording emphasisesthe important of biodiversity, andseeks to be sufficiently broad to allowcouncils to exercise discretion indetermining the most appropriate andeffective means to achieve theoutcomes. It is expected that a rangeof methods could be used, includingincentives, voluntary mechanisms,education, rules, preparation ofstrategies and active management.

• Plans for progressing the preliminarywording of the National PolicyStatement during 2001/02 includeworkshops and hui with tangatawhenua and key interested groups,including landowner representatives,local government and environmentalgroups. A Board of Inquiry willformally notify the proposed NationalPolicy Statement and receive publicsubmissions. It is expected that thefinal version will become operational in2002/03.

Improved Resource ManagementAct frameworkA key way to protect indigenous biodiversity on private land is toensure the Resource Management Act (RMA) framework helpsguide landowners and local authorities in private landmanagement.

Proposed amendments to the RMA clarify the Act’s coverage ofbiodiversity issues and set out explicit biodiversity functions forregional and territorial councils. A National Policy Statement willprovide guidance on how local authorities should take account ofbiodiversity in exercising their RMA functions, including policystatements, plans and resource consents.

Protecting Taranaki wetlands

Four Taranaki landowners came together with the QueenElizabeth II National Trust during the year to protect nativebiodiversity on a local wetland.

The Clarke Road Swamp is a 4ha wetland that oozes its wayacross four properties between Inglewood and Huirangi, and isone of only few representatives of the type of swampy lowlandthat was once found throughout Taranaki.

The Mawson, Moore, Shaw and White families combined toapproach the Trust for open space covenants, with three of thecovenants registered by July this year. QEII National Trust chiefexecutive Tim Cossar said the enthusiasm of the landowners wasan example of the continuing demand for covenanting on privateland throughout New Zealand.

The wetland is dominated by swamp maire in association withpukatea in the south and Carex species in the north, and is alsohome to the spotless crake – now very restricted within theregion. “With the help of the additional NZBS funding, more andmore biodiversity such as this will be able to be protected by theTrust throughout the country,” Mr Cossar said.

(Photo: QEII National Trust)

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New contestable fundsIn order to support the National Policy Statement on biodiversity,two new contestable funds are being established to deliver adviceto land managers and to fund projects to maintain the conditionof biodiversity.

The biodiversity advice fund will provide information to landmanagers to encourage sympathetic management of biodiversity.Potential applicants to this fund include regional councils andterritorial authorities, Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, NewZealand Landcare Trust, and Nga Whenua Rahui.

The biodiversity condition fund will provide assistance with thecosts of pest and weed control, fencing and other managementactions aimed at maintaining and improving the condition ofbiodiversity. Landowners are likely to be the main applicants.Organisations such as regional councils and QEII National Trustmay coordinate applications on behalf of landowners.

Making the funds contestable will ensure assistance is targeted tothe highest priority projects and will provide an incentive for co-operation and collaboration between organisations.


• The new committee will be establishedand a call for applications will be madein early 2002.

The rolling tussocklands typical of the Lammermoor-Lammerlaw ranges.(Photo: Brian Patrick/Otago Museum)

Lammermoor land purchase

The Nature Heritage Fund hasprotected a significant 1300ha block ofCentral Otago tussockland, thanks toNZBS funding.

The block, on the Lammermoor Range,has significant ecological values. Whilemostly snow tussock, there are alsomixed shrublands, sedge/rushwetlands and bog pine remnants onthe block and populations of athreatened freshwater fish, the duskygalaxias, in Deep Creek. Protection ofthe existing vegetation, especially onthe stream margins, will help tosafeguard the fish’s spawning habitatand water quality requirements.

The block will form a significant part ofthe proposed Te Papanui ConservationPark, to be managed by theDepartment of Conservation.

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New Zealand has one of the largest maritime areas of any country in the

world, with an Exclusive Economic Zone that covers 1.3 million square

nautical miles.

This vast area, the fourth largest EEZ in the world and fifteen times larger

than New Zealand’s land area, contains about two-thirds of New Zealand’s

biodiversity.

In fact, there may be even more marine biodiversity than we presently know.

Around seven new species are being identified from the marine environment

each fortnight, many of them unique to New Zealand.

The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy identified that we know very little

about this vast biological resource, or about how our activities might be

impacting on it. Accordingly, the Government has funded a range of

programmes aimed at increasing our knowledge of marine biodiversity, a

finding ways of protecting it, developing frameworks to improve decision-

making, and increasing public and stakeholder participation in marine

conservation.

Marine BiodiversityBIODIVERSIT Y CONSERVATION

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Biodiversity of the Ross Sea

The seas around Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are a richbiological resource. Despite the extreme cold and completedarkness for about three months of the year, the area supportshigh biodiversity and high productivity.

New Zealand has a strong historical association with the regionand is actively involved with the Antarctic Treaty system. Likemuch of the Antarctic region, the Ross Sea is coming undergrowing pressure from human activities, particularly fishing andship-based tourism.

This research programme, led by MFish, aims to develop a morecomplete inventory of the biodiversity present in selectedmarine communities in the Ross Sea region. The seafloor of theRoss Sea is particularly notable for its rich community ofsuspension feeders, especially sponges and bryozoans.

The research will ultimately help ensure improved managementof the Ross Sea, and will support the development of a networkof protected marine areas in the region.


• Research on the biodiversity of thewestern Ross Sea was undertaken as partof a 41-day voyage to the Ross Sea duringthe year. Videos and scientific samplingmethods have enabled the identificationof many macrobenthic organisms, anumber of which are new to science.

• A review of existing information on thebiodiversity of the Ross Sea and BallenyIslands is underway, to draw togethercurrent knowledge on the area and helpset research priorities for the future.

• The Museum of New Zealand isidentifying and storing fish species fromthe Ross Sea. Many of them are new toscience.

• Continued research of Ross Seabiodiversity will be undertaken over thenext four years, and partnerships with theresearch programmes of other nationswill be sought. A dedicated researchvoyage is scheduled for the third year ofNZBS implementation.

This programme, being led by the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish), aims to develop a more complete understandingof the biodiversity in selected marine communities identified as being at risk from human impacts.

By building up the level of baseline information at these sites, through targeted research, it will be possible tounderstand what the impacts of human activities are and will ensure better management by a range of agencies.


• Over the past year, three selectedmarine communities – seamounts,the deep seafloor, and the lacecoral communities aroundSeparation Point, between Tasmanand Golden Bay – have beenstudied in order to gain a morecomplete understanding ofbiodiversity in these areas.

• The National Institute of Waterand Atmospheric Sciences (NIWA)was commissioned to survey thestate and extent of lace coral(bryozoan) communities aroundTasman and Golden Bay. Thesurvey aimed to determinewhether the coral has recoveredsince the end of trawling anddredging in 1980 and, if so,whether the bryozoans areimportant habitats for juvenilefish.

Baseline information on the diversity of marinecommunities

• A review of current knowledge ofdeepwater benthic (seabed)biodiversity throughout NewZealand’s EEZ has been undertakenin order to identify potential areasfor future research.

• Research on seamounts on thenorth Chatham Rise was undertakenin April, from the NIWA researchvessel Tangaroa, with the aim ofimproving our knowledge of thephysical, biological and ecologicalcharacteristics of seamounts. Videoand still photographic surveys andtrawls were conducted, and thebiological samples collected in thetrawl survey are being identified.A provisional list contains some 350species, many of which are newdiscoveries to the New Zealandregion. Several are new to science.A similar survey was carried out onBay of Plenty seamounts, for whichresults are also being processed.

• In addition, MFish has contributedto funding a book on the ecology ofsub-tidal rocky reefs. Rocky reefs inNew Zealand are enjoyed by manyand support some of the nation’smost valuable fisheries. The bookwill bring a wider appreciation ofthe ecology of rocky reef habitat,their fisheries and the need forsustainable management.

• As related NZBS programmes areimplemented, such as the NationalAquatic Biodiversity InformationSystem, further research prioritieswill be identified. Other marinecommunities that could be studiedinclude marine dumping sites,estuaries, fish habitats, andaquaculture and reclamation sites.

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Assessing threats to coastal andmarine biodiversityA range of human activities, from coastal development todeforestation, farming, aquaculture and fishing all have potentialimpacts on the biodiversity of marine and coastal areas. Someland uses, for example, can result in sedimentation and pollutionof the sea.

New Zealand needs to improve its knowledge and understandingof these threats, and how to reduce their impacts on the marineenvironment. The ability to manage these threats is also limited,because key information is spread across a range ofmanagement agencies and interest groups.

The goal of this programme, led by MFish, is to develop a risk-based framework for consolidating and assessing existinginformation on threats to coastal and marine biodiversity.


• MFish will continue working togetherwith other marine agencies andinterest groups to identify priority risksand develop practical support tools tomanage risks to the marine andcoastal biodiversity.

The exotic seaweed Undaria is a highly invasive species that is well adapted tothe environmental conditions found in New Zealand. It was first discovered inWellington Harbour in 1987. Since then it has spread rapidly and is now foundfrom Gisborne in the north to Stewart Island in the south.(Photo: Cameron Hay/DOC)

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Raising awareness of marinebiodiversityOne of the best ways to protect our marine biodiversity is to fosterappreciation of the biological richness of our seas and why thisresource is precious.

This programme, being led by MFish, aims to raise awareness ofthe importance of marine biodiversity among the public and keyinterest groups. It will also provide information on the threatsfacing it and what tools are available for improving ourmanagement of the marine environment. One of the main goals ofthe programme is to provide regular updates on progress acrossall the marine biodiversity programmes.


• MFish is currently further developingits website to provide improvedinformation on marine biodiversity andbiosecurity. MFish is workingcollaboratively with DOC and MfE onthis project, which will produce arange of information on marinebiodiversity and biosecurity over thecourse of the programme.

Demoiselle (Photo: DOC)

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• DOC has a target of creating 15 newmarine reserves over the term of theNZBS, in addition to the 16 existingreserves, which will go a long waytowards achieving a network ofrepresentative protected marine areasthroughout New Zealand.

• A number of marine reserve proposalscontinued to make progress towardsapplication or approval, with NZBSfunding assisting in progressing arange of these.

• DOC began developing a nationalclassification system for the coastalmarine environment. This will helpguide selection of suitable marinehabitats and ecosystems forprotection.

• Surveys of five possible marine reservesites were undertaken during the year– at Hokianga Harbour and thesurrounding coast, in Northland;around Tiritiri Matangi Island, in theHauraki Gulf; in the eastern Bay ofPlenty; on the Wairarapa/Cape Pallisercoastline; and in Fiordland.

• DOC began a two-year investigationinto marine reserve design, which willhelp increase understanding of theappropriate size a marine reserveneeds to be to protect differentspecies and habitats.

• Work on developing a publicawareness strategy for marinereserves and an agreed marineprotection strategy with Ngai Tahuwere initiated, with the aim ofimproving iwi, stakeholder and publicsupport for marine protection.

• Biological monitoring programmeswere carried out at six existing marinereserves. Where programmes havebeen ongoing for more than two years,the monitoring has shown increases inthe size and numbers of target speciesat the reserves, such as snapper, rocklobster and blue cod.

• Improved management of marinereserves will continue, through theplacement of appropriate boundarymarkers and information signs, adedicated law enforcement presenceand biological monitoringprogrammes.

Marine reservesMarine reserves are an effective means of protecting marinehabitats and ecosystems, as they prevent the taking of anymarine life from within the reserve’s boundaries. They also providethe opportunity for increased scientific understanding of marineecosystems and the benefits of marine protection.

This programme, led by DOC, aims to support the establishmentof new marine reserves and the management of existing marinereserves, and to improve public and iwi support for marinereserves.

When in the marine environment, it is on rocky reefs that NewZealanders spend much of their time – fishing, snorkelling, diving,shellfish-gathering and photographing.

In order to foster an increased understanding and appreciation ofthis important marine habitat, a new book is being prepared tobring the ecology of shallow rocky reefs to life for a generalaudience.

“We know a lot about rocky reefs, but most of it is buried intechnical literature,” said NIWA Principal Scientist and joint editorNeil Andrew. “The book will feature all the big-ticket species, suchas paua, lobster and snapper, plus all the other things that wehaven’t graced with common names, such as many of theseaweeds and sessile animals.”

The bulk of the funding for the project is coming through NIWAand the Ministry of Fisheries marine biodiversity programme, witha scheduled publication date of late 2003.

Blue cod (Photo Simon Hayes/DOC)

21

DOC has been able to continue surveyingpossible marine reserve sites around NewZealand with the help of NZBS funding.Here divers run a transect line across thickEcklonia kelp forest, off Great Barrier Island.(Photo: Linda Grace)

Managing the impacts on marinebiodiversity at a regional levelThis programme, led by the Ministry for the Environment, aims todevelop improved tools for managing the impacts of humanactivities on marine biodiversity through regionally based casestudies. These tools will help with managing existing informationon marine biodiversity and the sharing of information betweenagencies, and ensure community and agency views are taken intoaccount in planning and decision-making.


• MfE has completed a scoping study,focused on the Firth of Thames andBanks Peninsula, which reported onthe opportunities and constraints toeffectively managing the impacts onmarine biodiversity at a regional level.The study also highlighted the need fora common ecologically basedframework to assist in data collection,interpretation and managementdecisions.

• Development of a shared, ecologicallybased information system in selectedcase study areas will continue. Theprogramme will pursue progresscollaborative initiatives with regionallybased agencies, iwi, and communitygroups for the purpose of promotingmarine biodiversity.

• MFish is also working with Ngai Tahuto develop a case study of customarymanagement in the South Island.

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22


Biosecurity in New Zealand has traditionally focused on the protection of

agriculture and trade. In recent years, however, the importance of

biosecurity for protecting the environment and people’s health has been

recognised and biosecurity programmes have been expanded to include

indigenous flora and fauna and new programmes have been developed for

marine biodiversity.

Recent discoveries of the varroa bee mite, red imported fire ant and the

painted apple moth all illustrate risks posed by invasive introduced species.

The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy recognised the central role that

biosecurity has in protecting our indigenous biodiversity from new threats.

Accordingly, NZBS funding is contributing to several important biosecurity

initiatives.

Biosecurity

23

Biosecurity Strategy forNew ZealandNZBS funding is being used to develop a comprehensiveBiosecurity Strategy for New Zealand. The strategy will set outgoals, objectives and measurable targets for New Zealand’sbiosecurity programmes, to provide direction and guidance to allagencies involved in biosecurity. It will also seek to raisebiosecurity awareness amongst stakeholders and the generalpublic.

The Minister for Biosecurity’s advisory group, the BiosecurityCouncil, is coordinating the strategy’s development. Anindependent strategy development team is managing the processin partnership with biosecurity stakeholders.

2000/01 NZBA HIGHLIGHTS

• Nine stakeholder working groups wereestablished during 2001 to identifyissues to be considered within thestrategy. The working groups covereda range of sectors, including localgovernment, environment, primaryproduction and public health.

• A research report was jointlycommissioned with the Ministry ofResearch, Science and Technology tooutline current and recent biosecurityresearch and its relevance tobiosecurity applications.

• Involvement of the public in developingthe strategy began in October 2001,with publication of an Issues Paper toserve as the basis for submissions andfor nation-wide public consultationfrom October to December 2001.A draft Biosecurity Strategy will beproduced in April 2002 and madeavailable for a second round ofconsultation from May to July.

• It is expected that the completedstrategy will be completed byDecember 2002.

23

Biosecurity risks (Photo: MAF)

24


• Baseline surveys are being undertakenat high-risk points of entry to NewZealand (ports and marinas) todetermine which indigenous andintroduced marine species arecurrently present. Regular surveillancewill be undertaken at these points ofentry and at other high-risk sites todetect any new arrivals of non-indigenous marine species in NewZealand.

• Work has begun on drafting newregulations to reduce the risk posedby vessel hull cleaning. The regulationswill ensure the fouling material (marineorganisms attached to the vessel hull)is contained, treated and properlydisposed of, so that no viable sporesor fragments find their way back intocoastal waters. Regulations will notcome into force for two to three years,to allow for the upgrading of vesselcleaning processes to meet thestandard.

• Research is under way on areas forexchanging ballast water to help tominimise the risks posed by ballastwater discharge. Under the ImportHealth Standard for ballast water,foreign ballast water can currently onlybe discharged into New Zealandwaters if it has been exchanged on thehigh seas or is fresh water. Informationmaterial for use by ships masters willbe developed once areas forexchanging ballats water have beenidentified.

• A risk profile is being developed ofexotic species that are most likely toarrive and establish in New Zealand,and have an adverse effect on themarine environment. Increasedunderstanding of the risks posed bythese species will allow bettertargeting of border control andsurveillance, and assist with incursionresponse planning.

• Incursion response tools are beingdeveloped for responding toundesirable exotic marine organisms.The Ministry of Fisheries hasdeveloped a generic incursionresponse process and incursionresponse plans for six high-riskspecies.

Managing threats to marinebiosecurityThe Northern Pacific seastar, the European green crab and theAsian clam are not household names in New Zealand but, likepossums and stoats, they pose potential threats to ourindigenous biodiversity.

In fact, there is a wide range of marine organisms that could easilyfind their way into the country, rapidly spread and become pestsin the marine environment.

Most exotic marine species arrive on the hulls of ships, or in theirballast water, which means that ports and marinas are where newand unwanted species will most likely establish a foothold in NewZealand waters.

With NZBS funding, the Ministry of Fisheries is leading a marinebiosecurity programme that includes work on risk assessment,standard setting, surveillance and incursion response.

24

Pink maomao (Photo: DOC)

25

This inconspicuous-looking bivalve is one of a number ofinvasive marine species being targeted by the Ministry ofFisheries through its enhanced marine biosecurity programme.

The Asian clam (Potamocorbula amurensis) is a major threat toour marine environment, and could easily be accidentallyintroduced into New Zealand in ships’ ballast water.

In San Fransisco Bay, in the United States, the Asian clam wasaccidentally introduced in 1986 and, by 1988, had reachedaverage densities of 2000 clams per square metre. It is nowhaving major impacts on the bay’s marine environment.

With the help of NZBS funding, the Ministry of Fisheries isamending the standards for ballast water arriving in NewZealand to reduce the risk of accidental introduction, increasingsurveillance for the species nationally, and encouraging thepublic to be on the lookout for this and other marine invaders.

The Ministry of Fisheries says the Asian clam is just one of anumber of marine species which, if established in New Zealand,could have devastating ecological and environmental effects.“We are all well aware of the impacts that possums and stoatshave on our natural environment. The challenge is to ensure wedo not allow the same mistakes to be repeated in our marineenvironment.”

Assessment of biosecurity risksto flora and faunaThe Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is leading a programme toassess risks to indigenous flora and fauna from pests andunwanted organisms associated with risk goods entering NewZealand.

Asian clam(Photo: United States Geological Survey)

25


• A coordinator and one risk analysthave been appointed and a secondrisk analyst will be appointed in 2001/02.

• Risk analysis policy has beenamended to ensure that risks to floraand fauna are included as part of theprocess.

26

Improving Biodiversity Information Systems


The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy recognised that, in order to turn the

tide in the decline of our biodiversity, improved information is needed in

New Zealand to inform management decisions.

Three broad types of information issues were identified that currently

constrain biodiversity management – a limited awareness of existing

information, difficult access to existing information, and significant gaps in

that information.

In order to address these issues, two new programmes have been funded:

a Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS)

programme and a National Aquatic Biodiversity Information System (NABIS)

programme.

27


• A steering committee from a range ofagencies, including central and localGovernment and crown researchinstitutes, has been established.

• A review of web-based national,international and global biodiversity/natural heritage information systems,and a report on how to carry out auser-needs analysis, has beencompleted.

• An information system for presentinggeographical and key texturalinformation has been developed andimplemented within DOC.

• A ‘biodiversity information platform’ isbeing progressively implementedthroughout DOC, and will gradually bemade available to other approvedusers. It is intended that the systemwill ultimately be available over theInternet.

National Aquatic BiodiversityInformation SystemIn order to improve management of the marine environment, it isvital that all management agencies have access tocomprehensive information about the present state of marinebiodiversity.

The National Aquatic Biodiversity Information System (NABIS)aims to help achieve this goal by bringing together existinginformation about the marine environment, and presenting it insuch a way that a range of agencies has access to it.

The NABIS will also assist in making the best managementdecisions by identifying key biodiversity information that should betaken into consideration and where any information gaps remain.

This programme is being led by the Ministry of Fisheries inconsultation with the Ministry for the Environment, Department ofConservation and regional councils.


• Scoping of the NABIS system hasbeen undertaken and implementationwill commence, in discussion withpotential users of the system, over thenext year.

Terrestrial and FreshwaterBiodiversity Information System(TFBIS) ProgrammeThe TFBIS Programme aims to improve awareness of andaccess to existing information about terrestrial and freshwaterbiodiversity. This will help biodiversity managers to achievebiodiversity goals. The programme is being led by the Departmentof Conservation.

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28

NZBS Funding Package TableLand and Freshwater (condition)Land and Freshwater (extent) Marine biodiversity and

biosecurityTerrestrial

Biosecurity

TOTA

L ($

m, G

ST

incl

.)18

2838

4855

187

Lead

Age

ncy

Pro

ject

2000

/120

01/2

2002

/320

03/4

2004

/5To

tal

Con

serv

atio

nK

iwi s

anct

uarie

s2.

336

1.78

91.

770

1.71

82.

371

10.0

Wee

ds1.

315

3.24

94.

629

6.10

47.

472

22.8

Ani

mal

pes

ts2.

444

5.74

36.

959

9.00

010

.231

34.4

Offs

hore

isla

nd e

radi

catio

ns0.

776

0.48

41.

184

0.38

30.

360

3.2

Mai

nlan

d is

land

s an

d ot

her

spec

ies

reco

very

wor

k1.

306

1.91

83.

875

4.49

44.

994

16.6

Impr

ovin

g th

e co

nditi

on o

f bio

dive

rsity

on

priv

ate

land

0.00

00.

250

1.50

01.

969

2.81

36.

5

Sub

tota

l:8.

177

13.4

3319

.917

23.6

6828

.241

93.4

Bio

secu

rity

Ass

essm

ent o

f bio

secu

rity

risks

to in

dige

nous

flor

a an

d fa

una

0.06

00.

169

0.33

80.

563

0.56

31.

7

Dev

elop

a c

ompr

ehen

sive

Bio

secu

rity

Str

ateg

y fo

r N

ew Z

eala

nd0.

225

0.22

50.

210

0.15

00.

150

1.0

Sub

tota

l:0.

285

0.39

40.

548

0.71

30.

713

2.7

Con

serv

atio

nC

oord

inat

ion

and

gove

rnan

ce0.

300

0.37

50.

450

0.45

00.

450

2.0

Terr

estr

ial a

nd fr

eshw

ater

bio

dive

rsity

info

rmat

ion

syst

em0.

808

1.45

82.

078

2.56

12.

714

9.6

Bio

dive

rsity

adv

ice

0.00

00.

404

0.81

11.

001

1.33

73.

6

Mao

ri kn

owle

dge

base

and

par

ticip

atio

n0.

040

0.31

50.

665

0.66

50.

665

2.4

Env

ironm

ent

Impr

oved

regu

lato

ry fr

amew

ork

and

natio

nal a

ccor

d0.

788

0.45

00.

255

0.25

00.

250

2.0

Con

serv

atio

nIn

crea

sing

pro

tect

ed a

reas

on

priv

ate

land

2.21

53.

140

5.15

58.

875

11.1

2530

.5

Sub

tota

l:4.

151

6.14

29.

414

13.8

0216

.541

50.1

Fish

erie

sM

arin

e In

form

atio

n1.

475

2.42

02.

870

4.17

03.

189

14.1

Mar

ine

bios

ecur

ity1.

676

2.17

81.

998

1.99

81.

998

9.8

Dev

elop

men

t of a

n in

tegr

ated

oce

ans

man

agem

ent s

trat

egy

for

NZ

0.84

41.

125

0.56

30.

000

0.00

02.

5

Con

serv

atio

nM

arin

e re

serv

es1.

205

1.60

51.

930

2.93

53.

820

11.5

Fish

erie

sE

duca

tion

and

awar

enes

s pa

ckag

e on

mar

ine

biod

iver

sity

0.00

00.

096

0.09

60.

096

0.09

60.

4

Env

ironm

ent

Sup

port

ing

achi

evem

ent o

f mar

ine

biod

iver

sity

goa

ls a

t the

regi

onal

leve

l0.

187

0.60

80.

664

0.61

80.

402

2.5

Sub

tota

l:5.

387

8.03

28.

121

9.81

79.

505

40.9

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