Minutes 2 May 2006 - Chatham Islands Conservation Board

Confirmed minutes of the 54th meeting of the Chatham Islands Conservation Board, held at the Norman Kirk Memorial Reserve Lounge, Chatham Islands on Tuesday 2 May 2006.

The items are recorded in the order discussed. The meeting commenced at 9.15am 

Section A

A1 Karakia

Joe Tapara led the karakia.

A2 Present/apologies

Present

Board:  Toni Day (Chairperson), Peter Johnson (deputy Chairperson), Deborah Goomes (left at 4.05pm), Judy Lanauze, Joe Tapara, Jo Tuanui (left 4.55pm),
  
Department: Alison Davis (Area Manager), Allan Ross (Wellington Conservator), Colin Miskelly (Technical Support Manager, Wellington), Dave Houston (Technical Support, Wellington), Shaun O’Connor (Research, Development and Improvement Division, arrived 11.25am), Paul Gasson (Programme Manager, arrived 11am), Katrina Spencer (minute taker)

Public: Liz Tuanui (arrived10.50am), Hayley Lawrence (PhD Massey University, arrived   10.50am)

Apologies:  James Moffett, Teresa MacDonald

A3 Confirmation of agenda

Additional items added to the agenda:
B6 b) i) Chatham Islands Council long term community plan 2006-2016
B6 g)i)  Deformed taiko chick
B6 g)ii) Return of taiko bones
B6 g)iii) Shore plover translocation from Mount Bruce Wildlife centre
B6 i)iii) Proposal to export feathers of the NZ shore plover
B8 c)  Proposed Benthic Protection Areas

A4 Confirmation of minutes of meeting held on 22 February 2006

Resolution

That the minutes, subject to one change from the meeting held on the 22 February 2006 are adopted as a true and accurate record.

Peter Johnson/Jo Tuanui
Carried

A5  Matters arising from minutes of meeting held on 22 February 2006

Toni Day read through the actions arising from the meeting held 22 February 2006
Actions that needed follow-up: 

Pitt Island Ecosystem Study

Allan has discussed with Bill Carter (chairperson, Pitt Island Trust), the possibility of bidding to the Biodiversity Condition and Advice Fund as the project is too costly for Conservancy funding. Further discussion needs to be held with Pitt Island Trust looking at options for additional money to get a contractor to do the study.  Allan to do a draft bid for Alison to discuss on Pitt.

Chilean Guava

Assessment of the ecology of the weed in progress but data is not available to date.  Survey of distribution to be done shortly.
Awareness material has still to be distributed.

Research proposals

Colin Miskelly and Dave Houston are yet to prepare a fact sheet on the procedures for processing research proposals on the Chathams

Possum management strategy

Work in progress.  Anthonie will endeavour to get a summary on this to next board meeting

Seal monitoring

This is low on the Chatham Area’s list of priorities.  There was concern raised that the seals are encroaching on shag and albatross habitats on Pyramid and the Star Keys.  Local people feel that this could be a major problem in the future and needs to be considered.  Similar issue occurring in New Zealand and Allan suggested approaching the Ministry of Fisheries and the Marine Unit of RDI to find out whether any research in this area has been undertaken in the past.

Action: Allan get Nadine to ask the Ministry of Fisheries if any research is being undertaken on the issue of increasing seal numbers having impact on seabird colonies.

Biosecurity ‘Undaria’  

There is a local contractor who checks all boats for the sea weed Undaria.

Action: Letter to Council regarding plans for future funding and request report on the monitoring undertaken to date. 

Return of the taiko from Te Papa

Allan has written a letter of support for the application which needs to be made by Council.  Board wrote to local iwi requesting support. Alison received a response from Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Chatham Islands Council and Ngati Mutunga O Wharekauri.

Weed monitoring on Pitt Island

This issue to be addressed when Alison, Anthonie and Paul visit Pitt Island in June.

Section B

B1 Administration matters

a) Board budget

The board noted the small surplus predicted at the end of the financial year. The board would like to have a field inspection on South East Island next year.

B2 Correspondence

a) Inwards correspondence

The Nelson/Marlborough Board had requested information from the Chatham Island Board on how they regarded their role in Marine Conservation.  Peter suggested that the board members attending the Maori leadership hui next month, raise this issue at the meeting. 

The board discussed the local Rahui areas on the Chathams.

Resolution

The board reply to Nelson/Marlborough Board stating that there has been no discussion on the subject, that there are no Marine Reserves on the Chatham Islands, however there are local Rahui areas.

Deborah Goomes/Joe Tapara
Carried

b) Outwards correspondence

There was no discussion

Resolution

That the financial statement and the inwards and outwards correspondence are received and approved.

Judy Lanauze/Jo Tuanui
Carried

B3 NZ Conservation Authority

a) Conservation Board Annual Report 2005/2006

The board was happy to use last year’s year’s template. Toni Day will arrange a meeting to get the board together to discuss report.  Alison said she could assist Alex with putting the report together. 

b) Chairpersons/Board Secretary Conference May 2006

There were no issues raised for Toni to take to the conference.

c) National Maori Members’ hui June 2006

This is scheduled to be held in Wellington on 31 May.  Expenses for two Chatham board members including airfares and two nights accommodation to be covered by the Authority.  The two names put forward to attend the hui were Joe Tapara and Deborah Goomes.

Resolution

The board support Joe Tapara and Deborah Goomes attending the Maori Board members’ hui. 

Toni Day/Judy Lanauze
Carried

Morning tea 10.30am-10.50am

B4 Departmental reports

a) Area Manager's report 

Alison spoke to the report.  There was discussion including particularly:

Possum Control:

Possum control in the South Chatham covenant and Tuku Nature Reserve has begun using feratox and cholecalciferol. Possum control signage is placed in areas where control is being undertaken. ECan is working with Chatham Island Council to undertake pest control on covenanted land. Clarification is needed whether this pest control only applies to covenanted land or also includes other landowner properties.  ECan plan to seek pest control funding in the years following. 

Action: Anthonie

Weed control:

Chilean flame creeper is spreading at the site of discovery.  A plan to control it is underway. An awareness publication on Chilean guava is being prepared for distribution; also a survey of the current distribution and possible areas for future invasion is being developed.

b) Update on Business Planning 2006/2007

Alison Davis spoke to the changes in the Area’s budget. The budget involves increased funding for vehicles, AO maintenance, corporate costs and capital charge/development. Funding for habitat protection is reduced.  $50,000 from the Nature Heritage Fund will be available for removal of sheep and cattle from the South Chatham Covenant. There is a reduction in the amount of funding for weed control.  Funding has been found for whale stranding events, and monitoring flora and fauna response to pest control. 

B5 Pitt Island

a) Minutes from Pitt Island Reserves Committee meeting

 No meeting was held.  Now proposed for mid June 2006

B6 Working groups

a) Community Liaison

b) Planning

i) Chatham Islands Council long term community plan 2006-2016

The draft document was tabled at the meeting.  Deborah suggested that the board could collectively make a submission.  It was felt that it would be important to assess the plan on behalf of the community in relation to conservation issues. Peter Johnson offered to prepare a draft submission for the board to approve.

Resolution

The board will make a submission to the council’s Long Term Community Plan.

Peter Johnson/Joe Tapara 
Carried

Action: Peter

B6 c) Flora 

No discussion.

B6 d) Pests

i) Possum Control and the Pest Management Strategy

Deborah read the letter that was tabled at the meeting from the Chatham Islands Council. The board discussed the letter.

Resolution

The board received the letter from the Chatham Islands Council.

Jo Tuanui/Peter Johnson
Carried

B6 e) Land management 

i) Protection at Blind Jim’s Bay
Following the board inspection in February, there was interest expressed in protecting the land at Blind Jim’s Bay. There is a need to establish what is of conservation value on the land.  Peter Johnson had expressed an interest in developing a review on the conservation values of the site.  The board felt they wanted to take the approach that they should be solely focused on attempting to preserve the land for its conservation/community values with no reference to ownership issues which will be addressed through the Treaty negotiations.  Thus Peter Johnson offered to inspect and report on its values. The Department and the board would then assess what to do to progress protection.

ii) Proposed addition to the Fourth Schedule of the Crown Minerals Act

This proposal involves improved protection from mining in the Tuku Nature Reserve.  
The board decided to write a letter to Michael Gee, Head Office, to provide support for inclusion of the Tuku Nature Reserve in the fourth schedule of the Crown Minerals Act. 
There is a need to clarify the correct name of the Tuku Reserve (stated incorrectly as Tuku Matua in the Schedule)

Action: Alex

iii)  Taia

Allan Ross explained the vesting is still waiting Cabinet agreement to the arrangements agreed between DOC and Hokotehi.  Jo Tuanui suggested that the buildings on the property could be restored for people to stay there while visiting the island.  Allan indicated the Department will assist Hokotehi Moriori Trust with the biodiversity and pest management at the site but it doesn’t have a budget to fix the house. It had offered to underwrite Hokotehi doing the job. The Board feels that DOC is fulfilling its part of the agreement and the Hokotehi Moriori Trust should take ownership on improving the built assets.  

B6 f)   Cultural liaison

i)  Allocation of cultural materials wananga and NZ Coastal Policy Statement hui

Anaru Luke (Kaupapa Atawhai Manager) will be visiting the Chathams to discuss the management of cultural materials and other issues on 24-29 May; he will be meeting with iwi individually.  The NZ Coastal Policy Statement is not yet complete for consultation as planned and Anaru will arrange for a hui with the community when it has been released.

ii) Rakau Momori

The Department now has a complete photographic record of all carvings and it will deliver a copy of this to Hokotehi. The Rakau Momori are under the ownership of the landowners although they are protected under Antiquities Act.

B6 g) Management of Live Species

i)  Deformed taiko chick

Paul Gasson explained the situation with the deformed taiko chick. Since the recovery group discussions, the bird has been removed from the Tuku Reserve and placed in an artificial nesting box in the Sweetwater.  A vet is being brought to the Chatham Islands to assess the sick bird.  If treatable, the bird could be taken away for veterinary treatment, perhaps at Massey.  The recovery team’s view is that if treatment/cause needs specialist treatment then it should be sent to Massey and may then be returned.  If it died the recovery group view was that it should be sent to Te Papa.

Hayley Lawrence commented that the chick is from a single lineage, and questioned whether the condition could be a result of a genetic disorder since its parents are brother and sister. Colin Miskelly noted that there are many situations in other bird species, e.g. black robin, where close family pairings have produced viable offspring.  Peter Johnson emphasised that this case could be an important issue for the general taiko population as a case study.  Hayley suggests that future genetic research would value tissue samples from a specimen for further analysis. 

Alison Davis wanted to confirm what would be done in the case of the chick dying.  Liz Tuanui stated her concern that Te Papa charge for research sampling of bones, which are in fact under the Crowns’ protection.   DOC and Te Papa are both responsible for overseeing collections. Colin Miskelly and Allan Ross will approach Te Papa about this issue and the loaning out of specimens

Resolution 

The Board resolved that; under the recommendation of Kate McInnis (DOC vet), the deformed bird would either be euthanised or transferred to mainland New Zealand for treatment or assessment.  In the event of death: the cause of the bird’s injury/deformity needs to be determined and the deceased bird would become a study skin following autopsy. The skeleton would then be retained for scientific study (skin and skeleton to be retained at Te Papa).  Samples of soft tissue will be kept for scientific purposes and the majority of tissue to be returned to Sweetwater for burial.

Peter Johnson/Deborah Goomes
Carried

Action: Conservancy to approach Te Papa to clarify the charge for research that requires sampling of bones held by Te Papa.       

Lunch 1pm - 1.30pm

ii)  Return of the taiko bones

Alison noted that the taiko bones that Hayley Lawrence had collected for study from around the island are going to be held at the Chatham Area Office until Anaru’s arrival; he will then discuss with iwi.

ii) Recovery Group team meeting outcomes

Colin Miskelly spoke to this.  Key recommendations included:

1. Proposing the transfer of all taiko chicks in the 06/07 season to Sweetwater Covenant. The proposal will be put forward to Board at a later date.
   
2. Proposal to transfer snipe from South East Island to the Ellen Elizabeth Preece Covenant (Caravan Bush), Colin will assess the habitat on Pitt Island and develop a proposal. 
   
3.  Look into possibilities of translocating black robins to Tapuaenuku Island (Little Mangere)
   
4. Possible tui transfer to the Awatotara Covenant.  Ralph Powlesand and the Area Office may put forward a proposal for 07/08. 

iii)  Proposed shore plover translocation from Mount Bruce – Shaun O’Connor

The Star Keys was proposed as a good release site for Westie’s offspring bred at Mount Bruce.  It is likely that there will be enough birds in the 06/07 breeding season to transfer.  It is proposed that 15 individuals are released each year for 3 years to Star Keys.  Before birds can be transferred to Star Keys there is a question of customary title to the site so we need to consult with those stakeholders before this can be considered any further.

The birds at Mt Bruce have avian pox. It is being tested to see what strain and whether this strain is present on South East.  Another issue is the three shore plover males held in captivity (Westie’s offspring) are very aggressive and captive space is in sort supply.  It is proposed that these birds are released on an island off the North Island coast to mix with an existing shore plover population. This would increase genetic diversity.

Resolution

The Board supports the recovery group proposal to transfer the Western reef shore plover progeny to the Star Keys subject to disease issues and the three remaining male birds be released at the other New Zealand site. Note that DOC will be consulting with Iwi and landowners. 

Peter Johnson/Jo Tuanui 
Carried

h) Research proposals

i) ChEARS research report on third and final excursion

Alison suggested encouraging Hamish to create a publication on Chatham Island geology that would be available to the general community. The board will also be seeking a copy of the full ChEARS report from Hamish when completed.

Action: Write a thank you letter to Hamish and his team for providing such valuable information to the Board during the ChEARS study. 

ii) Proposal to export feathers of NZ shore plover – Colin Miskelly

An Australian researcher is interested in gaining feathers of NZ shore plover for a genetic research project.  He explained the benefit of the information that would result.  Colin Miskelly asked the Board’s opinion whether to authorise the permit for the export of feathers of NZ shore plover to Australia. He suggested attaching a memorandum of understanding stating the requirements of the loan of the feathers.

Resolution

The board supports the export of 36 feathers to Australia for genetic research being undertaken. Request the end report should be sent to the board. 

Jo Tuanui/Joe Tapara
Carried 

B7 Conservation Management Strategy monitoring

a) Three CMS items monitored

 i) Indigenous Species
 ii) Coastal management and Te Whanga
 iii) Treaty Relationships

Alison spoke to report.  It was noted that Chris Robertson’s analysis and report on albatross data has yet to be completed. The board thanked Alison and Colin for the detailed report and positive achievements being reported. 

Peter reiterated that it is likely that the water quality of Te Whanga will decrease with increasing intensity of farming.

b) Suggested CMS monitoring items for 2006/2007

The board needs to ratify the monitoring items for 06/07 at the August meeting.

Note that no resolutions were passed on the Conservation Management Strategy monitoring items and the remainder of the meeting as there were insufficient members remaining at the meeting for a quorum.

B8 General business

a) Loder Cup nominations 2006

The board supported that Amanda Baird’s nomination remains for the 2006 Loder Cup Awards.

b) Report on the board field inspection 23 February 2006

The board accepted this report to be included in the board’s Annual Report. The board thanked Peter Johnson for his detailed report on the day.

c) Proposed Benthic Protection Areas

Alison gave a presentation to the board on the proposed protection areas and in particular the areas proposed in the oceans surrounding the Chatham Islands.

d) Presentation on taiko genetics

Hayley Lawrence gave the Board an interesting presentation on the research findings in her study of taiko genetics.

B9 Next meeting date and venue

The next meeting of the board will be held on Tuesday 15th August at the Norman Kirk Memorial Reserve Lounge

The meeting closed at 5.55pm

Toni Day
Chairperson

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