Waitaki Catchment Recreation and Tourism Activities – Written Report: Collation, synthesis and presentation of existing studies

O’Neill, P. & Pfluger, Y.

Ministry for the Environment, Leisure Matters

2004

Ministry for the Environment

www.mfe.govt.nz

This report is available online in HTML and PDF, pritned copies may be ordered from orders@mfe.govt.nz

information@mfe.govt.nz

This report collates and synthesises information from existing studies and personal accounts from people who have an interest in recreation and tourism activities which are supported by or associated with water bodies in the Waitaki Catchment.

Information revealed Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park is an icon site within New Zealand recreation and tourism. The park attracts high numbers of New Zealand and overseas visitors to participate in nature based recreation activities. While water use is not a key feature of most outdoor recreation activities in the park, the condition of the general environment in which people experience activities effects their experience.

The most significant effect of changing water use for visitors’ to Aoraki/Mt Cook experiences is likely to be on their perceptions of landscape and the naturalness of the environment they are visiting.

The upper catchment is at least a nationally significant fishing area due to its scenic value, number of fishing opportunities, general reputation as a fishing area and anecdotal evidence of popularity for out-of-region New Zealand and overseas anglers. Popularity is predicted to increase from both international and domestic users due to general growth in the area. Changing water use will affect experiences through altering fish habitat and scenic values.

Use of the lakes and rivers in the upper catchment is generally popular for summer water based activities such as power boating, rowing, sailing and kayaking. These activities attract large numbers of visitors to the area for summer holidays and events. Changed water levels are likely to affect all water based activities. The extent is related to the amount of change to water levels. Under current conditions all of the current activities are predicted to grow in popularity.

Currently some activities, such as kayaking and rowing on Lake Ruataniwha, are facilitated through planned water releases and water level management by Meridian Energy Limited. Other activities, in particular boating are hindered by low water levels in lakes which can make launching difficult, particularly during the early summer.

Off water activities are predicted to grow in popularity in the upper catchment. In particular, as a result of increased area of public conservation land gained through the tenure review process, walking, tramping, hunting, mountain biking, and four wheel drive use are predicted to experience growth.

Skier days as a result of snow making are also predicted to increase. General tourism is predicted to grow as a result of the Mackenzie Heritage Centre development planned to open in 2006. Growth in activities such as scenic flights, gliding and heli-biking is also predicted as a result of general growth in the area. Tourism growth is likely to stimulate development in local communities. For communities and tourism activity providers to grow there needs to be confidence in water availability for towns and businesses.

Tourism activities in the area rely on natural experiences and scenic values. It is unclear what influence changes to water use will have on scenic attributes and subsequently tourism activities.

There are a large number of water-based recreation activities in the lower catchment. Currently the most popular activities are power boating and sailing in various forms on the lakes and fishing, shooting and jet boating on the lakes and rivers. Commonly activities are based around summer holiday visits to the area which often include camping.

Factors which reflect the significance of the Waitaki River for fishing are: three major fish species can be caught on the same river; the size of the river allows for solitude and limited interaction with others; the size of fish caught. Fishers from outside the area are reported to commonly visit the Waitaki River to fish it for a week at a time. The lower Waitaki provides a unique “big river” experience, which is likely to continue to attract both New Zealand and international visitors.

Modification of the Waitaki River is likely to impact fishing experiences, as it will change the current ‘big river’ experience. The extent habitat and experiences are changed would be determined by the amount of impact. Changes are likely to be less fish habitat and lower fish numbers; increased fishing intensity; decrease in the number of braids in the river; greater access to the river.

Fish & Game New Zealand considers the Waitaki River and associated wetlands outstanding publicly accessible gamebird hunting and waterfowl habitats of at least regional importance. Water flows are likely to decrease habitat and change hunter experiences.

The Waitaki River is a significant river for jet boating because of its large braided nature. Water flow levels affect jet boating experiences. Lowering water levels would reduce the ‘big river’ experience, number of braids in the river and reduce the quality of the experience. This is likely to lead to greater conflict between fishers and boaters. A constant lower river flow would make it more predictable. This is predicted to increase its appeal for novice boaters but decrease its appeal for experienced boaters.

The lower Waitaki is not currently a highly visited international tourist destination. Growth is reported though and the development of community initiatives and the alternative travel route between Christchurch and Queenstown is likely to increase its significance.

The lakes are a significant summer holiday destination for many predominantly local visitors. The Waitaki River attracts a considerable number of visitors especially during the height of the salmon fishing season.

The Vanished World enterprise is an example of how future tourist development could occur in the lower Waitaki. It is a community driven project that is based on strong cooperative partnerships and community support. Other tourism initiatives based on the same principles are likely to be equally successful.

Tourism development based on significant industries such as viticulture have been proposed. There is immense potential to develop a tourism industry that plays to the existing strengths of the area. Strengths include nature based experiences and local culture and heritage.

Keywords:

Tourism, Environment, Waitaki, Ecotourism, Conservation

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