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Wild Rivers: The Hurunui
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Canterbury's Hurunui river provides an outstanding habitat for native fish and birds, especially our nationally endangered black-fronted tern, black-billed gull and dotterel (in decline). It is under threat from both irrigation and hydro-electric schemes.
Where is the Hurunui?
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The Hurunui river
Northwest of Christchurch, the Hurunui gathers the mighty headwaters of the eastern Southern Alps, and flows through gorges and lakes, winding its way for 200 kilometres to the sea.
Why’s it so special?
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A resident of the Hurunui river - the banded dotteral.
The Hurunui is Canterbury’s sixth largest river by volume. Lake Sumner and seven smaller lakes formed by retreating glaciers are considered icons of the South Island high country.
As well as being one of Canterbury’s most loved rivers, it is also home to some of our most endangered species, such as our black fronted tern.It is one of the most popular rivers in New Zealand for fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking.
It is an example of one of the most diverse river catchments in Canterbury, ranging from bush-fringed lakes, steep, rocky headwaters and gorges to braided shingle riverbeds, and supports an equally diverse range of habitats and native biodiversity.
Fifty-eight bird species have been identified in the catchment, including 17 threatened species. Significant river birds include three nationally endangered species: the black-fronted tern (between 5-12% of the entire population), black-billed gull (in serious decline) and banded dotterel (in gradual decline). The catchment is also home to birds uncommon in most of Canterbury, especially grey teal and NZ shoveler.
Twenty-five native fish species have been identified in the catchment, including six threatened fish species. It is also an important recreational fishery for brown trout and salmon, with an estimated 20,000 angler days per season.
The surrounding beech forest supports a healthy population of endangered mohua (yellowhead) and critically endangered orange-fronted parakeet (kakariki).
What’s going to happen?
A consortium of power companies and irrigators (the “Hurunui Water Group”) has lodged an application to dam Lake Sumner and the South Branch of the Hurunui River. If this proposal goes ahead it will severely reduce endangered tern and gull habitat, prevent fish and eels from migrating, curtail white-water rafting and canoeing and ruin one of Canterbury’s most-loved landscapes.
Meanwhile a decision for the Water Conservation Order has been issued by the Special Tribunal recommending that sections of the Upper Hurunui are to be protected. This decision has been appealed by both supporters and opposes of the Order. Forest and Bird has appealed the decision and are seeking further protection of the Hurunui.
If successful, a Water Conservation Order will protect this magnificent part of our natural heritage for the enjoyment of this and future generations. But we have to fight off this proposal first to make it secure.