Frequently Asked Questions

What are the issues surrounding the Black-fronted tern?

The Black Fronted Tern is endemic (unique) to New Zealand, that is, they only live and breed here. BirdLife International considers these birds to be critically endangered. They breed on the braided rivers of the eastern South Island. 10-12% of the total population of 400-500 pairs, breed on the Wairau River. The remainder breed in smaller numbers on several other braided rivers. Gravel islands of the braided river afford safest nesting sites. These islands are formed between the river channels. Predators are deterred by the water. Black fronted tern numbers are in decline due to loss of natural habitat and from predators such as stoats, cats rats etc. For further information on the black fronted tern visit the Ornithological Society of New Zealand, BirdLife International or New Zealand Birds websites.


Is the Wairau River important for any other birds?

The endemic black billed gull breed in small numbers on the gravel islands of the braided river, which offer them protection from predation. These gull are considered to be critically endangered. Other New Zealand birds which breed on the Wairau are; Pied Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Caspian Tern, Banded Dotterel, Black Shag, Little Shag, Black fronted Dotterel and Paradise Duck.


Is the Wairau being considered for RAMSAR status under the International RAMSAR Convention for the protection and conservation of wetlands?

Yes! The river meets six of the eight criteria for this classification. This international protection mechanism can permit sustainable use as at present, but it is unlikely the level of abstraction proposed by the applicant can sustain the wildlife values at stake. New Zealand currently has six RAMSAR designated sites but none of these represent the values of a braided river as the Wairau River would.


What would a Conservation Order do for the Wairau River?

Conservation Orders can be designed to protect a multitude of values including irrigation takes and can reinforce minimum flow provisions of District Plans. They can protect ecosystems and fisheries. The Wairau River has many of these attributes extending from the Wairau Lagoons at the mouth to high mountain streams and tributaries at its source. Conservation Orders can permit certain uses and prohibit others, and can ensure long term protection for permitted uses.


I've heard that nearly all Marlborough District councillors are opposed to the application; the applications have been defeated and we can all relax. Is that true?

Sadly, it is not true. Once the Council appointed a panel of commissioners and delegated the power to conduct hearings and make a decision on the applications, it passed out of their jurisdiction, some claim. It should not be forgotten, however, that Councillors are 'democratically accountable' to the community. The only way in which the applications can now be defeated is either by the applicant deciding to withdraw its application or by the application being defeated on appeal to the Environment Court. The Environment Court Hearing is due to commence early November 2009, and appeals have been lodged by TrustPower, Save The Wairau River Inc, Dept of Conservation, Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game and others.


Will local generation give Marlborough cheaper power?

Evidence at the hearing indicated that cheaper power was most unlikely, and if it eventuated would be no more than 2%. Any savings passed on to consumers would be at the Applicant's discretion. Note that Trust Power is the only current generator in the "Top of the South" and they are NOT the cheapest supplier. Go to www.consumer.org.nz/powerswitch to check for your cheapest supplier.


Will Marlborough experience power cuts without TrustPower's scheme?

With Transpower's (operator of the national grid) upgrades to the distribution system between Christchurch, Kikiwa and Blenheim, completed in 2006, Marlborough has security of supply for the next 20 years.


But doesn't New Zealand, as a whole, need power from the Wairau to meet increased national demand?

National demand for energy is increasing at approximately 170 megawatts (MW) each year. The Wairau proposal will produce only 70 MW. Therefore, a major braided river system will be destroyed in order to meet a mere five months' increase in demand. Minor economies in household use of electrical appliances and lighting would be of far greater benefit to the national supply situation. Note that due to available water flow, this proposed scheme will be able operate only 34% of the time according to the applicant's evidence at the hearing.


Hydro schemes are sustainable and produce green, cheap, energy. Shouldn't New Zealand be putting them in place wherever the possibility exists?

Not all hydro schemes are equally desirable. All the most economical hydro options in NZ have already been built. The remaining options are expensive in terms of electricity produced, in both dollar and ecological terms. There are better options from newer technologies rapidly coming on stream. In ten years time, the Wairau scheme will almost certainly be obsolete - but the flow in Marlborough's main river will have been permanently compromised. If all possible future hydro proposals in NZ were to be built, we would need other options in a very few years. Where do we go after the last river?


How long would it be before energy from the proposed scheme would be available for use?

If the Environment Court rules in the Applicant's favour, and if construction started immediately, the first power could flow into the national grid in 2012, at the earliest. However, in the Commission's interim ruling, Trust Power was to be given the power to delay commencement of construction for up to ten years. If they chose to exercise this option in full, it could be 2022 before the first electricity was generated.


What are the physical safety issues for people likely to be affected by the scheme?

For fifty two kilometres, up to 60% of the river's flow is to be diverted into an canal that runs above people's homes and farms and which crosses a major fault-line up to thirteen times. Geologists are of the opinion that a significant earthquake along this fault line is well overdue. The applicant is of the opinion that its engineering skills will negate any such natural hazard. Not all those living below the canal share the applicant's optimism.


If the Scheme is built, what wildlife issues are of concern?

Three endangered native species of bird; the magnificent black-fronted tern, black-billed gull and the banded dotterel, together with the long-finned eel, the non-migratory dwarf galaxid, northern or Canterbury galaxid and the giant kokapu, will be placed at further risk of extinction by having their habitat, food supply, and breeding opportunities reduced.


How important is the Wairau's trout fishery?

At 11,000 visits per year, the Wairau is the river most visited by anglers in the top of the South Island. It is a major regional and international tourist asset and is the closest and most accessible river for Marlborough residents.


How often will the river be at minimum flow levels if the scheme proceeds?

Flow will always depend upon rainfall and snowmelt but the key is what the minimum flow will be. The applicant proposes 10 cubic metres/ second as a minimum flow. The river has only dropped to this level 148 times in nearly 15,000 days since 1959. Even ignoring the possible effects of rapid climate change, Trust Power's diversion of water will see the river reach these devastatingly low flows for 150 days each year!


How will climate change affect the river flows if the scheme proceeds?

It hasn't been considered in the applicant's proposal. In their application, they did not mention the possible effects of climate change. However, if the scheme is put into effect, rapid climate change will almost certainly impact on its operation. Save the Wairau River Inc submitted that the survival of the central portion of the river, after 60% of its flow had been diverted further upstream, depended on the continued inflows from cooling tributaries along the North Bank of the river. The maintenance of the temperature of the river below the maximum at which trout and many other life forms are able to feed and reproduce, is a key objective. Save the Wairau River Inc presented, as evidence, to the hearings commission, a report on preliminary modeling carried out by the Climate Change Unit at the University of Waikato. This indicated that flows from the North Bank tributaries were likely to be disrupted for extended periods and to experience a temperature rise. In the panel's report granting conditional approval to the applicant, no mention was made of the possible effects of climate change. The report affirmed that panel's judgment, continued reliance could be placed on 'the cooling inflows' from the northern tributaries.


How confident can you be that Save the Wairau River Inc will succeed at the Environment Court in having these applications declined?

We wouldn't be investing so much of our time and money in fighting this case unless we were firmly convinced that we had an excellent chance of winning, based on a robust case. According to the Resource Management Act, such projects as the applicant's can only go ahead if the effects on the environment are "minor or less than minor." The decision that the removal of 60% of the average flow of a braided river is going to have an effect on the river's eco-system that is no more than minor, and is, therefore, admissible under the Act, defies common sense. There are many other points of law and evidence along with practical arguments that can be used against the application. Save the Wairau River Inc is not alone in fighting this case. The Department of Conservation and Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game, and others, have also appealed the decision.