Where to now for the Department of Conservation on the West Coast?

Deborah Carden

Caves and karst management is recognised internationally as a specialised field of work. Like land surface areas the subterranean systems have their own full range of natural, cultural and historic values and associated management matters.

The caves and karst of the West Coast Te Tai o Poutini of New Zealand's South Island hold significant values, providing representativeness at international, regional and local levels. The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages most of the karst areas on the West Coast, which are found in Karamea, Charleston, Punakaiki, Greymouth and Haast. Paparoa and Kahurangi National Parks are renowned worldwide for their karst formations.

Prior to the year 2000 management by DOC focused on the National Parks with 14 caves being actively managed. The transfer of Timberlands forest blocks to the Department in 2000 increased karst areas around Westport three-fold and doubled Greymouth limestone assets.

'Where to Now' was a question that the Department of Conservation (DOC), West Coast/Tai Poutini asked itself in 2001 after the land transfer. While there is deeper understanding four years on of the extent and complexity of this limestone inheritance, this is still a pertinent question to ask periodically, to ensure management priorities are updated as necessary.

 

1. Strategic Directions

Geographic isolation has had a major influence on New Zealand's heritage, being an advantage and a burden at the same time. Unique plants and animals evolved without threat until man's arrival brought practices and species from other places that posed, and pose today, significant threats and adverse effects on the health of the natural environments.

The Department operates under Acts of Parliament to achieve its mandate of protection of natural, historic and cultural values on one hand and the fostering of recreation and appropriate use on the other. The Conservation Act 1987 is the primary act, with others relevant to caves and karst being the National Park Act 1980, the Reserves Act 1977, Native Plants Protection Act 1934 and the Wildlife Act 1953. The National Karst Guideline 1999 and locally developed policies and procedures assist staff with their work.

Natural heritage covers natural ecosystems and habitats and the associated indigenous land, freshwater and marine species. Historic heritage management contributes to the understanding and appreciation of New Zealand's history and cultures and covers natural features and land as well as human associations. The department has obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi whereby relationships are sought and maintained with tangata whenua (iwi Maori).

KARST RESOURCES

The integrity of a karst system is dependent on the relationship between water, land, vegetation, soils and people. In general it is accepted that karst sites are vulnerable to human impact. Damage to fragile underground values is virtually irreversible. In the context of New Zealand's limestone landscapes the West Coast karst is relatively unmodified. Hydrological systems link catchments, with water often submerging in one valley system to a resurgence in the next. The Coast is lucky in that most of its karst is forest covered and relatively unmodified. It does not have to deal with the adverse consequences of surface activities such as occurs in the Waikato. Ground water contamination is a major issue there and is difficult to resolve.

Strategic planning has classified caves into categories to assist management direction.

The classification assessed representativeness, significance and importance and was collated into an inventory along with information on the history of use, potential threats and essential work. The information collectively determines the type of access that should be allowed.

VALUES

IMPACTS

 

2. Operational Management

HISTORY

Since the inception of the department caves and karst work on the Coast has had variable levels of attention. In the mid 1980s interest and ability was high. Attention declined when experienced staff moved on, to be re-activated in the mid 1990s. From then there has been a steady though relatively low-key involvement that increased in impetus following the Year 2000 transfer of ex-Timberland's land to the Department.

KEY STEPS

Trevor Worthy, palaeontologist and caver,
assessing fossil bones, Metro/Te Ananui cave.
Close up of fossil bird bones, Metro/Te Ananui.

 

NOTE: Current thinking of palaeontologists is to leave the bones in situ as DNA technologies have improved to the extent that a spoon-full of soil taken from beside a bone can determine what the bird was, its gender, how old it is, what lived on it.

 

WEST COAST KARST INVENTORY

West Coast sites were inventoried over a twelve month period in 2001/02 after which DOC contracted palaeontological advice and listened to the opinions of associate groups and interested individuals.

Geopreservation rankings were assigned and these help to determine the sites to which effort should be directed, so effort and resources are used to the best advantage. Ranking may change as more information about sites becomes available i.e. cave flora or fauna have not been assessed to any degree.

OTHER WORK

A geology graduate has been contracted to develop a 'Best Practice' guideline (due September 2005) that focuses on cave monitoring procedures and on impact control methods.

Working with licensed operators is an important task, there being two major concessionaires on the West Coast, one in the Honeycomb Hill Caves at Karamea and one in the Metro/Ananui cave near Charleston. As well, regular contact is made with NZSS and regional caving groups.

The Department recognises it cannot do all its protection and use work itself and appreciates having good relationships with key cave and karst users.

 

3. Ten Year Outlook: 2004 to 2014

STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

Inspection of cave fauna, Chippy Wood in the Metro/
Te Ananui cave, Paparoa National Park
On the abseil. Single rope competencies essential

OPERATIONAL OUTCOMES

 

4. Conclusion

We look forward over the next few years to a useful association with our karst associates in New Zealand and overseas.