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Application for a Water Conservation Order on the Hurunui River

Last updated: 27 July 2009

Special Tribunals Report

The Special Tribunal completed its report on the application for a Water Conservation Order on the Hurunui River. An electronic copy of the report can be found through the link below.

The report was sent to the Minister for the Environment, the applicants, and all submitters on the application on Friday 14 August 2009.

If you would like a hardcopy of the Tribunals report, or have any questions regarding the process from here on, please contact Alex Miller at the Ministry for the Environment on (04) 439 7432 or alex.miller@mfe.govt.nz

Hearing of Evidence

The Special Tribunal commenced the hearing with a procedural session on Friday 13 March 2009, before proceeding to hear all evidence on the application from 30 March 2009. Having heard evidence from all parties, the Special Tribunal adjourned the hearing on 15 May 2009 and is now in the process of preparing its report to the Minister for the Environment.

Expert evidence and evidence submitted throughout the course of the hearing can be viewed through the link below:

Background information

In August 2007, the Minister received an application for a Water Conservation Order to be made on the Hurunui River. The applicant is the New Zealand and North Canterbury Fish & Game Councils and the New Zealand Recreational Canoe Association.

The application was supplemented by further information provided to the Minister in March 2008.

Appointment of Special Tribunal

In August 2008, the Associate Minister for the Environment appointed a special tribunal to hear and report on the application under section 202 of the Resource Management Act 1991.

Following their appointment, the Special Tribunal was provided with the following information:

  • Fish and Game and NZRCA application dated
  • Further information provided to the Minister
  • Relevant provisions of the RMA

Public notification and submission period

The Special Tribunal publicly notified application on Wednesday 12 November 2008. Submissions closed on Monday 15 December 2008.

During the initial submission period, a number submitters sought preferences to the proposed Water Conservation Order.  The preferences include matters such as: water quality standards, level and rate of flow, inclusion of the Mandamus River and other tributaries, recognition of further outstanding cultural and spiritual values, and integration with a regional plan.

The Special Tribunal publicly notified these preferences and called for further submissions. The further submission period closed on Friday 13 February 2009.

Submissions and further submissions can be viewed through the following link:

Hearing directions and pre-circulation of Evidence:

Notice of hearing and directions in regard to the pre-circulation of expert evidence was served on all applicants who indicated that they wished to be heard in support of their submission. Directions for the precirculation were amended by the Special Tribunal on Tuesday 3 March 2009. These notices can be viewed through the following links:

Hearing of Evidence

The Special Tribunal commenced the hearing with a procedural session on Friday 13 March 2009, before proceeding to hear all evidence on the application from 30 March 2009. Having heard evidence from all parties, the Special Tribunal adjourned the hearing on 15 May 2009 and is now in the process of preparing its report to the Minister for the Environment.

Expert evidence and evidence submitted throughout the course of the hearing can be viewed through the link below:

Resources: