2 Methodology
2.1 Overview
Recreational stakeholders were initially surveyed through phone calls to identify key freshwater recreational groups, the values important for their recreational pursuits and the specific water bodies concerned.
A project methodology was then developed comprising:
- a targeted internet survey of recreationalists who are members of national recreational groups (we expected this survey to provide a measure of the popularity of particular water bodies, as well as providing information about special or unique locations for particular forms of recreation)
- a random telephone survey of the public about their use of water bodies for specific types of recreation and recreational behaviour, and locations/destinations
- a literature review of existing information, including previous studies, statutory provisions, and information collected on particular forms of recreation.
We designed our surveys to obtain information from both the general public and recreational organisations. Tourist operators were not included (they are being covered by a separate WoNI project identifying tourism values). Additional information about the recreational use of wetlands and water will continue to be gathered through the 2005 consultation.
2.2 Targeted internet survey of recreationalists
A list of national recreational organisations was compiled in consultation with SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand), Fish and Game New Zealand, the New Zealand Outdoor Recreation Association, and Outdoors New Zealand (see Appendix 2). These groups were also consulted on the best form of the survey. Freshwater recreational associations identified were then approached directly about their use of freshwater resources, and to gauge their interest in supporting the project.
Online surveying was identified as a relatively easy, fast and inexpensive way to collect information. An online internet survey was developed using Surveywriter [Surveywriter online survey tool, www.surveywriter.com.] software and targeted at 'active recreationalists', national associations and groups representing recreational users of freshwater.
Following a pilot run of 10 recreationalists, we distributed the web link for the survey via the national representatives of recreational groups to their members and affiliates. We also advertised the survey on various web pages and in hard-copy publications, according to the best approach for each recreational organisation. The survey link was distributed to those members with email addresses. [Privacy issues meant that these groups could not pass on membership information to the Ministry.] The survey was made live for 20 days, from 27 January to 16 February 2004.
Some recreational groups are not represented in the results due to a lack of capacity to reach their members by email. Notable among these are whitebaiters and hunters, including duck shooters. Whitebaiting information has been included through existing information. The general public was not targeted for this survey.
We received 771 responses to the internet survey. The results were organised and tabulated using Surveywriter software. BRC Marketing and Social Research were contracted to analyse the data and produce a report (BRC, 2004a). A list of organisations contacted and details of this sampling method can be found in the full report (BRC, 2004a).
2.3 Random telephone survey
The telephone survey sampled the general public to obtain information about broader public views on water bodies of national importance for recreation. Much freshwater recreation in New Zealand occurs outside the activities and influence of organised groups and associations. Recreation is often 'general' in terms of how people actually interact with a water body, but the association with the water body is still crucial for the experience. We chose a nationwide random telephone survey of the public as our method.
BRC Marketing and Social Research were contracted to undertake the survey. BRC prepared a survey questionnaire based on that used for the internet survey, to allow the results to be compared. BRC piloted the questionnaire and made some minor adjustments before commencing the full survey.
For this survey, a national random sample of n=1041 freshwater recreational users [Interviewees were 15 years or older and had participated in a freshwater recreational interest or activity during the preceding two years.] from households with telephones were interviewed between 27 February and 7 March 2004. For statistical details of the sample and sample error, please refer to BRC 2004b Interviewing was done by telephone from BRC's Wellington call centre.
2.4 Summary and review of existing information
We found existing information through internet and library searches, and through networking with other departments and recreation stakeholders. Existing information included some national and regional surveys of specific water bodies looking at general recreational values, and surveys of particular recreational activities relating to fresh water. We included information from national-level reports. Information considered but not used in this report is marked with an asterisk (*) in the references (Appendix 3).
The primary sources of information used to supplement that gathered from the surveys were:
- Wetlands of National Importance to Fisheries (Davis, 1987)
- The Geography of Freshwater Angling in New Zealand: A summary of results from the 1994/96 National Angling Survey (Unwin and Brown, 1998)
- Angler Usage of Lake and River Fisheries Managed by Fish and Game New Zealand: Results from the 2001/02 National Angling Survey (Unwin and Image, 2003)
- information on the most important water bodies for whitebaiting, provided by regional conservancies of the Department of Conservation and whitebaiting associations (Appendix 5)
- current water conservation orders (Appendix 4).
We have analysed this information and the results are included in the final list of freshwater bodies of national importance (Table 1).
2.5 Analysis of information
From the phone and internet survey information we included water bodies identified by 10 or more respondents. We then ranked these to identify the most used water bodies for particular activities.
The criteria used for inclusion of non-survey information were as follows:
- wetlands - those rated 'A' in Wetlands of National Importance (Davis, 1987)
- fishing - water bodies identified as having over 10,000 angler day visits in the 1994 or 2002 Fish and Game National Angling Surveys (Unwin and Image, 2003; Unwin and Brown, 1998)
- whitebaiting - the most important whitebaiting fishery water bodies as identified by Department of Conservation experts and representatives of whitebaiting associations (Appendix 5)
- water conservation orders - those specifying protection or preservation of recreational values (Appendix 4).
Information gathered through the internet and phone surveys, and relevant existing information, was then combined to produce a final list (summarised in Table 1, full table see Appendix 1) of water bodies of national importance for recreational use.
