Transforming Taranaki NZIF Conference 2013 Don Shearman Land Services Manager Taranaki Regional Council

Riparian: definition Riparian zone: the strip of land alongside a waterway, wetland or lake. Interface between land and water.

What type of riparian fence?

Overview Significance of programme Issue & why: intensification of dairying Development of Riparian Management Strategy Property planning development Regional Action Plan Voluntary implementation New fencing rule and RFWP review Summary of success factors

Why are we doing it? RMA 1991 statutory requirement Section 5 natural resources, 6 and 7 preserving natural character of rivers and margins, sec 30 responsible for control of land & water for water quality Regional Councils produce Regional Policy Statement (1994) RPS identifies regional issues, objectives, policies, methods of implementation and anticipated environmental outcomes Intensification of dairying and its effects on water quality

Taranaki ring plain 300 catchments 14,500kms Length NZ coastline Loss of native vegetation

Why we think it’s significant Scale: fence and plant 4,500kms with over 6 million trees Transforming Taranaki landscape- corridors from mountain to sea 3,000ha Used a collaborative approach to engage over 2000 landowners Largest revegetation project in NZ on private land without subsidies or rules

Dairy Farming in Taranaki 1744 (2361six years ago) dairy farms in Taranaki (14.9% of NZ dairy farms) 486,915 dairy cows in Taranaki Ave herd size 280 cows on 100 ha effective 172,000 ha effective = 2.82/ha(4/ha) (10.8% of NZ dairy cows) North Island 325 cows on 119ha 2.72/ha

What’s the issue? 1959/60 258,375 dairy cows (NZ Dairy Board) 1985/86 382,383 dairy cows (LIC-NZ Dairy Statistics) 1990/91 398,224 dairy cows (54% increase in 30yrs) 1995/96 427,884 dairy cows (LIC-NZ Dairy Statistics) 1999/00 482,000 dairy cows (further 21% in 10yrs) 2001/02 501,004 dairy cows (nearly doubled in 40 yrs) 2005/06 481,272 dairy cows (LIC-NZ Dairy Statistics) 2010/11 486,915 dairy cows (LIC-NZ Dairy Statistics) 2011/12 484,204 dairy cows (LIC-NZ Dairy Statistics)

MCI values ecological ‘health’ is good to excellent in upper catchments but decreasing further down the catchments (more intensive land use, but also a change In hydrological conditions)

Riparian management - a practical science based solution

Benefits of riparian management Improved stock management and safety Liver fluke Reticulated water = better production Interception of runoff – sediment and faecal matter Shading of waterway = reduced temperature Shade and Shelter/Aesthetics & recreation Riverbank stability Riverine wetlands = nitrate reduction Reduction in flooding Improved biodiversity Future proofing markets/detractors

bank stabilisation fish habitat plant nutrient uptake overland flow filtering flood control wildlife habitat livestock excreta/damage shade leaf input wood input Generalised widths to provide riparian functions After: Dosskey et al. (1997)

Stakeholder collaboration Turn idea to reality Working papers with early stakeholder engagement eg. vegetation extent, stocking rates Draft strategies and plans – creating foundation Consultation with wider community no surprises Taranaki Inc solution to problem Ongoing working relationships with partners eg RAP

Delivery of solution Clear direction through strategy 1993 Voluntary approach without subsidies Clear definition of roles & responsibilities Focus at the business unit level Provision of GIS property specific plans innovation & servicing Advocacy to ensure market can meet demand for native plants

Riparian plan development

Riparian plans

DCS Accord Targets and RAP 2003 National Accord: response to dairy expansion in South Island Dairy cattle excluded from gumboot streams, lakes and their banks (50% by 2007, 90% by 2012) Principles: agree to develop actions that recognise improved water quality at the farm level will focus on headwaters and drains 2004 RAP: building on existing programme to improve water quality 90% farms to have property plans by 2010 (supply vs demand) Catchment targeting and marketing Baseline streams on 1:50,000 topo series 50% of fencing and planting implemented by 2010, 90% by 2015 Federated Farmers also signatories

1 st Order streams and drains

Riparian plan coverage

Report on progress Mar plans covering 13,445km 9851km ex+ impl fence (76%) 6203km ex + impl vege (62%) all planholders have fenced 2,765kms and planted 1509kms Last year 387km fenced & 225km planted To March 459 fenced & 354km planted Approx 3200km to fence & 3,800 kms left to plant 3 million plants in ground

Fonterra fencing rule Terms of condition and supply for gumboot streams Only 60% of streams and no planting - restricting water quality objectives Understanding required with Fonterra for Taranaki programme Continue with RAP targets –Riparian plan with fencing and planting required by 2015 Q & A’s with field staff Regional Freshwater Plan review

Freshwater plan review Riparian management certificate of completion= permitted Fencing and planting by 1 July 2020 Farming a controlled activity Satisfactory progress required 1km per year for 5 years

Is it achievable? 1458 farms have 3000kms to do 92% of farms have less than 1km per year for 5 years before rule kicks in. 148 of these have >1km per year Full Contractor rates $ per year for 1km Actively implementing plans - plants grown to order for next three years in advance Yes it is!

Is it achievable?

Native Plant Scheme Plants don’t exist on the shelf to complete job Tenders for supply of native plants Wide range of species (36) Plants at wholesale rates (average sale price $2.50 to $3.50) Preference for eco-sourced plants

Native plant numbers

Will it improve water quality? Comprehensive water quality monitoring programme linked to SEM Local: Huatoki 10kms farmland, MCI improves 90 to 108 from 3km urban vegetation Local: Waiokura best practice project 40-52% vegetation = decrease ecoli 8% /Yr+ sediment down 40% National: MAF and PCE report; riparian does work Internationally: Brighouse Bay improved after 30% fencing, Humber River model 59% reduction through fencing viz 12% for < cows

Conclusion Clear understanding of issue Practical solution to problem supported by science Consultation and engagement = Taranaki Inc Clear understanding of roles technology and innovation with appropriate resources Implementation happening under a voluntary approach without subsidies New fencing rule a fillip only to achieve original vision Well positioned to achieve water quality objective under RMA Transforming Taranaki’s landscape by 3000ha