1. Kakapo Brook Resource Consent Hearing 13 October, 2015 Protect and enhance braided river ecosystems Promote cooperation between stakeholders Initial focus on the native birds that breed on Canterbury’s braided rivers

2. Conway River -downstream from Inland Road Bridge - Single small channel, easily crossed in the Spring ? Similar to Kakapo

4. Banded Dotterel nest

6. Black- Fronted Tern Nest

8. Banded Dotterel on the nest

9. Black-Fronted Tern tarapiroe Threatened with extinction - Nationally Endangered = Acutely threatened, 2 steps away from extinction, in serious decline Nests on open gravels Feeds on small fish, some inverts

10. Banded Dotterel tutwhatu Threatened – nationally vulnerable to extinction Feeds on invertebrates in the wetted margins - flow variability important Often breed and feed on the on turf vegetation away from the channels

11. South Island Pied Oystercatcher torea At risk of extinction – declining Feeds on and off river Nests on and off river

12. Reduced Flows? Algal risk Possible reduced in-stream food production (68% Invertebrates, 90% Fish per Jellyman) Possible reduced flow variability resulting in less wetted margin for food production

13. Canterbury RPS Significance Per Sanders evidence : “a. It supports four indigenous bird species that are threatened, at risk, or uncommon, nationally or within the relevant ecological district (Criterion 4); b. It contains an association of indigenous species, namely the various river and wetland birds just mentioned, that occurs within an originally rare ecosystem, that is, a braided river (Criterion 6). “ “More bird surveys would add confidence about the number and location of birds potentially affected”

14. RMA Section 6: protection of a) natural character, c)significant habitats of indigenous fauna CRPS Significance - meets 2 of the criteria Surveys usually done October or November, possible under- estimation Open flat habitat suitable for river-birds Reasonable numbers per hectare – all are ‘significant’ Flat-lining affects food production in important breeding season (Sept – Jan): - variability of the wetted margin is lost, - possible decreased invertebrate production, - possible small decrease in fish, - further stress on ‘at risk’ populations of river-birds Summary