No.03 2003

The drought of summer–autumn 2003 The effects of the severe drought which struck much of New Zealand during summer and autumn are already evident in reduced earnings for the pastoral industry (see MAF media release) and the ‘Target 10%’ campaign to reduce electricity consumption.

The Bullock Creek polje
Location of the Bullock Creek polje
A drain cuts through native sedge (Carex sinclairii) vegetation at Bullock Creek.
The limestone country of the Buller District offers some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, from the famous blowhole and pancake rocks at Punakaiki to the bushclad gorges and towering bluffs of Paparoa National Park.
Every year, hundreds of trampers enjoy the challenge of the steep terrain and river crossings of the Inland Pack Track, unaware that one of New Zealand’s most unique wetlands, the Bullock Creek polje, is hidden a

NZ Landcare Trust Integrated Catchment Management
This Ministry for the Environment Sustainable Management Fund project is aimed at sharing community-level best practice in Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) nationally. The purpose is to establish a network of ICM practitioners and participants at the community level, and to provide opportunities for sharing experiences, tools, and approaches throughout New Zealand.
ICM aims to integrate the management of land, water, and related biological resources for sustainable and balanced use.

Water resources in autumn 2003
River flow
River flows in autumn were far below normal in most of New Zealand, except in Northland and Gisborne, where they were well above normal. There were extremely low flows in March and April in Wellington, Marlborough, Otago, West Coast, and Southland. Most rivers began to recover in May.
Water clarity
Streams were much clearer than usual for this time of year in the southern North Island and lower South Island, as a result of the low flows, with very few floods to stir up river sediments.

Whatawhata Sustainable Land Management Project
Whatawhata Stream two years after pine planting.
Rainfall simulators used in runoff research at Whatawhata.
Land and water researchers, farmers, and regulatory agencies are working together in a catchment management group to improve the sustainability of hill land management.