Agenda of Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party

Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party item: 4.1

10 March 2021

TITLE:	Draft Biosecurity Operational Plan
ID:	A1412051
From:	Don McKenzie, Biosecurity Manager
Authorised by Group Manager:	Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Environmental Services, on 03 March 2021

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

An Operational Plan is reviewed annually as a requirement of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (section 100B) and a review of the current plan and recommendations for changes are described in this report.

Recommended actions

1. That working party confirms the proposed improvements to the Biosecurity Annual Plan.

2. Staff present the final draft with all improvements to the next meeting of the Working Party for their confirmation prior to council adoption at the July full council meeting.

Background/Tuhinga

An Operational Plan is prepared and reviewed annually as a requirement of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (section 100B). It describes how the Regional Pest and Marine Pathways Management Plan 2017- 2027 will be implemented for a given year.

Council adopted the first operational plan in 2017 and annual reviews have been conducted since. The reviews are a statutory requirement under the Act and council must review and adopt the annual plan for the 2021/2022 year by the end of September each year. A copy of the draft Biosecurity Annual Plan 2021/2022 is attached to this item.

The results of each operational plan are published in an Annual Report which is also a requirement of the Act. A copy of the Biosecurity Annual Report for last year can be viewed at https://www.nrc.govt.nz/resource-library-summary/plans-and-policies/pest-management/biosecurity-operational-plans-and-reports/.

Attached to this item is the draft Operational Plan which staff have reviewed and improvements to the measures and text are described below. Once the Biodiversity and Biosecurity Working Party consider the proposed changes and provide any further direction the final draft will be provided for confirmation at the June Working Party meeting and then presented to full council for their adoption in July.

Proposed Improvements include:

1. Include an additional measure to report on bicultural training activities and projects we are working on with Māori on to better reflect our partnerships and commitment to building bicultural awareness.

Measure: 100% of biosecurity staff will have attended at least one Māori cultural awareness training workshop.

2 Improve the wording of a performance measures for feral deer to provide better clarity on what is being achieved within that activity.

· Deer farm fence inspections:
Current wording: All deer farm fences are inspected bi-annually in partnership with the Department of Conservation.
Proposed wording: Any faults in deer farm fences observed via field inspections that pose a risk to deer escaping are reported to the Department of Conservation within 24hrs for remedial action.

(Reason – NRC staff have the statutory powers to survey farms and fences however the department administers the deer fencing regulations and compliance with those standards. More regular fence checks are required, and staff will continue to work in partnership with DOC to improve the overall standard of deer farm fences.)

· Deer records and management site visits:
Proposed wording: Known deer populations are surveyed and mapped across Northland.

This revision is a better measure of operational practices.

3 Ensure that more bilingual text is used for the headings throughout the plan and Annual Report.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Biosecurity Operational Plan 2021-2022 ⇩

Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party item: 4.2

10 March 2021

TITLE:	Deer Response Update
ID:	A1412052
From:	Vivienne Lepper, Biosecurity Officer - Pest Plants and Don McKenzie, Biosecurity Manager
Authorised by Group Manager:	Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Environmental Services, on 03 March 2021

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report gives an update on the Russell forest sika deer eradication project, and it also provides staff advice on the current deer farm management regime in Northland.

Recommended actions

1. Staff will keep the working party updated on progress on the stakeholder forum to understand any financial implications and engagement issues.

2. Council staff will continue to work with the Department of Conservation to gain the necessary powers required to carry out the Northland deer eradication work.

Background/Tuhinga

Russel Forest Sika Deer Eradication

Eradication of the sika herd in Russell has been a priority for NRC and DOC and although actions over the last 25 years have reduced sika deer to low numbers, eradication has not been achieved. A lack of access to private land to undertake eradication activities in a coordinated manner has been identified by Department of Conservation (DOC) expert eradication advisors as a key reason for eradication failure.

NRC Biosecurity staff, local hapū, and DOC deer eradication technical advisors have developed a Russell Sika Eradication Programme, that sets out a three-year timeline and methodology for carrying out a successful sika eradication programme, including a proof of concept approach on a property with a known sika population.

The eradication programme / methodology is based on science, expert technical advice from DOC, practitioners with international experience in these issues. The approach also aims to empower ngā hapū in their kaitiaki role in Russell and ensure their sustained involvement in keeping pests, particularly wild deer out of the ngahere.

In a nutshell, the approach involves an initial DNA survey to establish the population status of sika (i.e. a database recording each individual sika), followed by dedicated professional hunters to undertake eradication activities, and that will tick of every individual animal until we achieve eradication.

A proof of concept approach is being advanced on a property where it is known to have sika and land access has historically been denied for undertaking eradication activities. The proof of concept will provide costs and effort data which can be modelled for the wider Russell eradication area and will test the statutory powers required to gain access to private property when landowner access is not forthcoming.

Section 16 of the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 (WACA) provides the Minister of Conservation the ability to enter land to control deer. The statutory process to gain access has commenced.

Coordinated access to multiple private properties is critical to successfully implement the proposed eradication programme. If this cannot be achieved, then this calls into question whether deer eradication is possible.

Deer Farm Management

As has been previously reported, DOC is responsible for the deer farm permitting and fence inspection processes. Currently, the majority of deer farms are missing permits, some deer fences are failing, and deer continue to escape unnoticed due to absentee farmers and poor management.

An example of the complexity and need for inter-agency alignment was highlighted during two recent reports of deer sightings:

1. While NRC is the lead agency for Northlands deer eradication programme, NRC does not have the necessary powers under the Wild Animal Control Act 1977 to enable the response team to carry out deer control on properties where landowner permission is denied. These recent reports of deer sightings have not been responded to with the urgency required, due to a landowner who does not want to give access for deer control. As well as this incursion, we have a number of examples across Northland where we have reports of deer, but our response team have been denied access.

2. Deer farms are continuing to contribute to the feral deer population in Northland, and the current 2 yearly fence inspection seem to be insufficient to ensure farms are managed to a standard that minimizes deer escapes.

Staff believe that there needs to be a closer alignment between deer farm inspections with the wider Northland deer response activities, with a focus on improved compliance and building relationships that will benefit the farmers and our environment.

Northland Deer Eradication Forum

To achieve deer eradication in Northland will require multiple agencies, tangata whenua, landowners and communities to work together with a common goal of achieved eradication.

To this end, staff are underway with the formation of a stakeholder forum which will seek to include tangata whenua, regional members of OSPRI, NRC, DOC and Deer Industry NZ to examine the issues and provide strategic and operational advice to align agency and stakeholder activities with the common goal of achieving deer eradication in Northland.

Staff will provide ongoing updates to the working party as this programme of work.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Russell Forest Sika Eradication - Project Outline 2020-2024 ⇩

Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party item: 4.3

10 March 2021

TITLE:	Kauri Dieback
ID:	A1412054
From:	Vivienne Lepper, Biosecurity Officer - Pest Plants and Don McKenzie, Biosecurity Manager
Authorised by Group Manager:	Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Environmental Services, on 03 March 2021

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

This report is an update on the Northland Kauri Dieback programme.

Recommended actions

· Biosecurity staff will update the working party on the progress of the National Pest Management Plan at a future Working Party meeting.

Background/Tuhinga

New external funding for Northland Kauri Dieback Management

Northland Regional Council received $1.14M in December last year from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade walking trails around Northland to protect kauri. The project will create new jobs, boost local economies and improve trail walking experience along the Te Araroa Trail in Northland. Project works have commenced with construction underway at Kauri Mountain. Other sections of the Te Araroa trail that are part of the mitigation project are in Kerikeri, Waikare Valley, Helena Bay, Whananaki, and Matapouri, see attached map.

We have also received $120,000 from the Kauri Protection Fund from MPI to increase the capacity of Northland Regional Council’s Kauri Dieback Team. The additional FTE will increase the council’s capacity by at least 50%. We are nearing the end of the recruitment process for an 18-month fixed term position to fill this role. The successful candidate will be focused on developing and implementing a community and stakeholder engagement plan to ensure our key messages around kauri dieback are reaching all corners of our communities.

Kauri Ora – An iwi collaboration.

The Department of Conservation have allocated $3.5million as part of the Jobs for Nature programme to four Northland Iwi, Te Roroa, Te Rarawa, Ngati Wai and Ngati Kuri. For Te Roroa this is a whole of forest scale approach and is focused on finding where the infection lies and getting on with treatments. It has a component of education and other applications including weed and pest control. For the other iwi partners involved it’s about building their capacity to undertake forest protection. Kauri Ora will engage with MPI, DOC, and other agencies and wishes to sustain the positive relationship it currently has with NRC.

Changes to the National Kauri Dieback Team

The National Kauri Dieback Team at MPI is undergoing a restructure on the back of the last election. The Government has committed $32million over 5 years to roll out a National Pest Management Plan for Kauri Dieback, the strongest form of protection under the Biosecurity Act. The proposed draft programme structure for the National Pest Management Plan is attached. Members from the Biosecurity Team are attending a meeting on 11 March with MPI and other stakeholders to discuss this further.

Operations

The NRC Kauri dieback team are nearing completion of the aerial survey soil sampling project. The last properties to be visited and sampled have proven to be difficult to access, so Biosecurity staff will be working through options to gain access over the next few months.

Kauri Dieback workshops are scheduled once a week from March to deliver kauri dieback education and key hygiene messages to hapū, community groups, and schools around Northland.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Attachment 1: Kauri Boardwalks Map ⇩

Attachment 2: Proposed Kauri Dieback NPMP_ KPP structure Jan 2021 ⇩

Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party item: 4.4

10 March 2021

TITLE:	Freshwater Update
ID:	A1412056
From:	Lisa Forester, Biodiversity Manager and Jacki Byrd, Biodiversity Specialist - Freshwater
Authorised by Group Manager:	Jonathan Gibbard, Group Manager - Environmental Services, on 02 March 2021

Executive summary/Whakarāpopototanga

A summary of current and planned freshwater initiatives is provided below including the Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF) Dune Lakes project, lakes ecological survey, lakes strategy, new FIF pest fish proposal, potential koi carp incursion at Kai Iwi Lakes, Check Clean Dry and dune lakes galaxias research.

Recommended actions

· That the report Freshwater Update is received and further working party updates are provided as the programmes proceed.

Background/Tuhinga

Freshwater Improvement Fund Dune Lakes

Workstream	Actions undertaken in last 3 months	Planned actions in next 3 months
Pest fish control	A training exercise was undertaken at Lake Kapoai to upskill staff for a grass carp removal operation. This was followed by a three-day field operation at Roto-otuauru (Lake Swan), Poutō trialing experimental grass carp removal methods. Over 2.5 days of netting, 36 fish were captured. Methodology has been refined so higher catch rates are expected for the next operation in March and for other lakes later this year including Lake Heather. eDNA samples have been taken from Lake Ōmāpere and Waipū Golf Club ponds to assess the efficiency of this method in detecting pest fish in still waterbodies. A full fish survey was undertaken at Lake Ngatu in conjunction with Ngai Takoto iwi and four Kaitiaki Rangers. This was a training exercise to upskill Kaitiaki Rangers in the capture and identification of native and pest fish in lakes. 4,776 fish were caught, mostly common bullies and inanga. A fish survey of Ruakaka Dune lake was held with Patuharake iwi in preparation for a dune lakes education day with the community. A healthy tuna (eel) population is present.	Second grass carp operation planned for March at Roto-otuauru (Lake Swan), Poutō. Further eDNA sampling in lakes. Pest fish removals at Rototuna, Poutō. Pest fish surveillance training with DOC, regional councils and external contractors to upskill in pest fish removal and align practices.
Aquatic weed control	The annual NIWA Ecological lake survey undertaken in the Far North, which was deferred till spring due to Covid, included baseline submerged plant cover assessments of three lakes proposed for weed eradication (Lagarosiphon major) with the herbicide Aquathol K. Lake Ngatu was treated in September 2020 and two post operation snorkel surveys, and one full LakeSPI assessment have since been undertaken as part of EPA monitoring requirements. Despite searching areas where the plant had been dense, no sign of Lagarosiphon was seen. In two of the lakes it was found that Egeria densa, another serious pest weed that cannot be eradicated with this herbicide, has increased in dominance and NIWA recommended that these lakes were not suitable for treatment. Iwi lakebed owners were consulted and agreed with the proposal to use the herbicide in lakes elsewhere where eradication could be achieved. Staff, MfE and DOC are currently in discussion over alternative lakes. These include two lakes on the Poutō Peninsula and two at Mt Camel in the Far North with hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), which can be treated with Aquathol K. Reconnaissance at Lake Camel was completed where there are two water bodies. At least one is treatable with Aquathol K. A joint media release from Te Uri O Hau, NRC and Department of Conservation was put out in December to advise the public about the hornwort found in the two Poutō lakes and the threat of this serious weed to the many high value dune lakes in this area. NRC would lead control in Lake Egg and assist with DOC/iwi lead operation in the other unnamed lake on DOC managed land.	A full LakeSPI survey will be undertaken in Lake Ngatu by NIWA divers during lakes survey week in late March as part of EPA monitoring requirements. Advice is being sought from NIWA and staff are planning for further control of hornwort in the lakes at Poutō and Mt Camel in the spring of 2021. Unused herbicide for last year’s operation in spring is currently being stored at a registered facility in Auckland.
Sediment and nutrient mitigation	A contract is in place with Fulton Hogan to undertake sediment and nutrient mitigation earthworks at Lakes Ngatu and Rotokawau in autumn 2021. Planning is underway to assess sites for sediment mitigation at Kai Iwi Lakes.	Undertake sediment mitigation work (swales, sediment traps and wetland area). Organise a planting day at the wetland.
Maori Lakes Strategy	Iwi have taken the initiative to progress this objective by investigating ways of using maramataka to monitor, research and restore lakes. Te Hiku Maruwai and biodiversity staff are in partnership organising a three-day wānanga in Te Hiku involving iwi from all over Te Tai Tokerau and further south. Key lakes scientists have been invited and a field trip is planned to showcase local dune lakes and their issues and values.	Marae-based wānanga planned for 26-29 April
Education	Sixty students from 24 schools across NZ attended a freshwater event at Wharerimu on the banks of the Rotokakahi River, in January. This event was held in conjunction with Te Aho Tu Roa’s biannual noho taiao, this time held in Pawarenga at Taiao Marae. A Dune Lakes Education Day was held with two schools at Ruakākā Dune Lake, in association with Patuharakeke hapū and the Bream Bay Coastal Care Trust.	Two more dune lakes education events are planned: Kai Iwi Lakes in May and a at Poutō in June.

Lakes ecological survey

Northland Regional Council has a programme of lake monitoring for around 90 lakes, of which 36 lakes are surveyed on a rotational basis over a maximum of five years. Additionally, annual surveillance is undertaken on prioritised lakes for early detection of weed incursions. NRC engage NIWA to conduct field assessments of the lakes which involves a team of NIWA divers as well as Northland Regional Council and Department of Conservation aquatic and wetland ecologists.

The lakes are assessed for ecological value including endangered species, wetland and emergent vegetation extent and species composition, submerged vegetation abundance and composition (including LakeSPI assessment), water bird, fish and aquatic invertebrate presence and abundance. The lakes are given an Ecological Value Score based on data collected and threats are identified with management recommendations made for each lake. Reports cards are updated for each lake and feed into the Lake Strategy (see below). This work aligns with requirements of the NPS Freshwater.

The annual lakes ecological survey is planned for late March 2021 and will assess 19 lakes across the rohe.

Lakes Strategy

The council’s Northland Lakes Strategy updated in 2014, is currently under review by NIWA through an Envirolink Medium Advice Grant ($35K). The draft of the new Northland Lakes Strategy will be available for NRC review by the end of April with the final report delivered by the end of May 2021. The scope of the work covers:

• Audit of recommended actions from last strategy – achievements and non-performance, current gaps and recommended changes

• Review and update of strategy including incorporation of latest information

• Reranking/prioritisation

• Consideration of nutrient processes and climate change for ecosystem response

• Alignment of recommendations with the national Essential Freshwater package

It is planned that the council’s Lake Strategy will be audited externally and reviewed regularly in order to keep pace with work programmes and new information.

New FIF pest fish proposal

A $3.3million expression of interest application was submitted to the Ministry for the Environment’s Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF). The spread of pest fish is an ongoing issue throughout Te Tai Tokerau (Northland).

This project aims to raise public awareness to the problems associated with pest fish by educating local communities through public events and marae-based workshops. A comprehensive iwi- and hapū-led education package will be rolled out through marae, Enviroschools, noho taiao, and Te Aho Tū Roa. Educational material (e.g. videos, promotional material) will be created and distributed.

The project will attempt to slow the spread of pest fish in Te Tai Tokerau by employing four Kaitiaki Rangers who will be equipped to respond to pest fish incursions, remove grass carp from one iwi-managed lake to allow it to return to a more natural vegetated state, and facilitate the pest fish workshops. One administration and logistics person will also be employed to support this mahi.

If the bid is successful, NRC will hold the project funds but iwi will lead the pest fish control work, advocacy and education roles. This project is a partnership with NRC and with most of the iwi across Northland. Letters of support were received from four iwi and the Department of Conservation.

Potential koi carp at Kai Iwi Lakes

In late December 2020, information was passed on to council Biosecurity staff that disgruntled trout anglers planned to release koi carp into Northland’s high value Kai Iwi Lakes. Staff and representatives from the Department of Conservation, Kaipara District Council and the affected iwi and hapū (Te Roroa and Te Kuihi, respectively) subsequently developed a response. Following consultation, Northland Regional Council took a lead role, with close support from the other partners.

A single koi carp released into these lakes, which are of national and international importance, could result in establishment of a koi population which would result in severe ecological damage, ruin recreational activities (thereby affecting revenue from tourism), and negatively impact on Māori cultural values. Eradication of koi in these lakes would be extremely difficult.

In early February, DOC received a report of an orange, 40cm fish near the entrance to the ‘Sin Bin’ area of Lake Taharoa from a member of the public. Immediately, eDNA samples from all three Kai Iwi Lakes were collected using a trawl net sampler along three transects per lake by NRC staff, with assistance from DOC. No koi DNA was detected in these samples.

A netting programme and a drone survey are currently underway in Lakes Taharoa and Waikare. An underwater drone has been used to record video along transects at the bottom of Lake Taharoa. This footage is being analysed. An aerial drone will be also be used to spot koi from the air, a method that has been used successfully in Waikato.

Public engagement and communication included a media release that has been picked up by the Northern Advocate, and a number of signs and flyers distributed to the public at the lakes informing them about the netting operations and outlining the potential impacts of koi on the lakes should they become established. The Biosecurity Incursion Officer leading the programme is updating the stakeholders with regular situation reports.

Check Clean Dry

The annual Check, Clean, Dry (CCD) summer advocacy programme (funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries with $20,000) began in late November. This year a council CCD advocate and two Kaitiaki Rangers are delivering the freshwater pest awareness campaign. Activities have included:

· CCD advocacy stall at the Whangārei Agricultural and Pastoral Show. An aquarium display showing freshwater pests and native species and a hidden weed game for children attracted a constant stream of interest. CCD surveys were collected with an incentive prize for participants.

· Kaitiaki Rangers attended Waka Ama events at Lake Ngatu, speaking to participants, distributed collateral and collected CCD survey information.

· On-going lakeside advocacy by the Kaitiaki over the holiday period.

Dune Lakes Galaxias Research

Further discussions between Kaipara District Council, NRC, DOC staff and iwi have taken place regarding Kai Iwi Lakes and how to best sample gambusia populations and monitor the status of the dune lake galaxiids (DLG) including a site visit to establish monitoring sites and planning to undertake sonar surveys to monitor DLG shoals within the lakes.

Attachments/Ngā tapirihanga

Nil

Councillor Justin Blaikie	Councillor Marty Robinson	Councillor Rick Stolwerk
Ex Officio Penny Smart	TTMAC representative Georgina Connelly	TTMAC representative Juliane Chetham
TTMAC representative Michelle Elboz	TTMAC representative Nora Rameka