state of the environment 2002

IntroductionThe Northland environment is vitally important as its

quality governs the way we live and function every day.

What is the current state of Northland’s environment?

Just how clean are our beaches and rivers for swimming?

How clean is our air? The full report, which is on the

Northland Regional Council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz,

aims to answer some of those questions. This booklet

provides highlights from the major findings of the report.

This is the Northland Regional Council’s first State of

the Environment (SOE) report. It aims to inform both

the Regional Council and the public on the state of

Northland’s environment, the human pressures on it and

the Council’s responses to environmental issues.

The Northland Regional Council has gathered all its

monitoring results, studies and information to give a

snapshot of the state of our environment today. The

SOE report is the result of several years of work by

Northland Regional Council staff.

The SOE report brings together information gathered

by the Northland Regional Council’s various monitoring

programmes, including State of the Environment

monitoring and compliance monitoring required through

the resource consent process. Information has also been

included from organisations such as the Department of

Conservation (DoC) and the National Institute of Water

and Atmospheric Research (NIWA). This Report

provides a benchmark against which future changes can

be measured.

The content of the State of the Environment report is

linked to the Regional Policy Statement for Northland.

The Statement provides an overview of and direction for

the environmental management of the region. To achieve

this, it contains objectives, policies, methods and

anticipated environmental outcomes. This report also

aims to provide information for measuring the

effectiveness of our policies.

It does not aim to provide solutions for specific

resource management problems – rather it provides

information to help with environmental decision

making.

This snapshot identifies issues covering air,

freshwater, the coast and land.

state of theenvironment 2002

Highl ights from the Northland State of the Environment Report 2002

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H i g h l i g h t s f r o m t h e N o r t h l a n d R e g i o n a l C o u n c i l S t a t e o f t h e E n v i r o n m e n t R e p o r t 2 0 0 2

C a r i n g f o r N o r t h l a n d a n d i t s E n v i r o n m e n t – F u l l R e p o r t a t w w w. n r c . g o v t . n z

Welcome to the Northland RegionalCouncil’s first State of the EnvironmentReport. This Report provides baselineinformation on the health of ourregion’s natural and physical resources.It allows us to review what ishappening in our environment,determine why it is happening andreport on what we are doing about it.This first report is an ‘accountabilitycard’ – an environmental balance sheet- against which future changes can bemeasured.

The Regional Council has taken an‘objective approach’ in putting thisreport together and the findingsdemonstrate that real progress is beingmade in many areas. Notwithstanding,there are also some major issues thatthe region faces, particularly:• The on-going rapid development of

our coastal environs as holiday areasand the resultant sewage-disposalproblems;

• The poor standard of water qualityin some rural areas;

• Risk from erosion in many of theregion’s coastal settlements;

• Threats to the region’s biodiversityfrom animal pests, weeds andchanging land use patterns.

Chairman’s ForewordAir

The report has also highlighted theareas where the Council lacksinformation:• Sustainable land use management –

are our existing practicessustainable? How can we intensifyland use without causingenvironmental degradation?

• The management of our ‘at risk’groundwater aquifers and theprevention of contamination - byseawater and land-use activities.The Regional Council recognises

that the region needs timely andaccurate information about theenvironment and it has put in placeprogrammes to monitor the state of theenvironment and to detect changes.The Council’s monitoring programmeswill give information on effectiveness ofthe policies of the Council’s variousplanning documents and will providevital direction as the Council moves toconsider the implementation of more‘effects based’ environmentalmanagement regimes.

Positive change in Northland’senvironment will not just happen on itsown - we all need to be aware of theissues and there is a challenge for allindividual Northlanders to takeownership and responsibility for ourenvironment. A key element toprogress is a self recognition of theneed for environmental enhancement.

The Northland Regional Council willcontinue to work with a variety ofagencies, including governmentdepartments, the three district councils,business, iwi and local communities toeffect positive change in theenvironment.

Northland’s on-going prosperity willhave a strong reliance on the region’sunique environment. Future State ofthe Environment Reports will map ourprogress towards the achievement of a‘sustainable development’ frameworkfor Northland.

Mark FarnsworthChairman



Air QualityClean air should not be taken for

granted. While Northland generallyhas good air quality because ofprevailing winds that quickly dispersepollutants, there is room forimprovement. Air quality incidents andissues dominate the complaintsreceived by the Northland RegionalCouncil. There is an increasingintolerance of contamination of the air(including offensive odour, smoke andagrichemicals) from the numbers ofcomplaints that are received. A smallnumber of industries are responsiblefor the majority of trade discharges.

State of Environment• Northland’s air quality is dominated

by the region’s exposure to theprevailing south-westerly winds,which quickly disperse airpollutants.

• PM10 (particulate matter such as insmoke and vehicle exhaust)concentrations fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. Weather, particularlywind speed, has a significant effecton PM10 concentrations. Monitoringin Whangarei has shown that PM10

concentrations are either good oracceptable 74% of the time. Attimes, PM10 concentrations approachor exceed recommended guidelines.These excesses are not great, and arelikely to occur in the early hours ofthe morning under cool, winterinversion conditions.

• Carbon monoxide (CO)investigations in Whangarei haveshown that, at times, elevatedconcentrations of CO are present inthe central city area. Earlier surveysrevealed concentrations aboverecommended guidelineconcentrations. However, morerecent monitoring showed no

excesses of the guidelines. This is

likely to be more related to sampling

times rather than a reduction in CO

concentrations.

• Monitoring of sulphur dioxide (SO2)

in the Marsden Point industrial area

has revealed relatively low

concentrations. However, there are

occasional results that approach the

boundaries set in the National

Ambient Air Quality Guidelines.

What is the Council doing?• Resource consents are required by

industries that discharge

contaminants to the air.

• The Air Quality Plan for Northland

contains rules that permit, control or

prohibit activities which cause

discharges of pollutants to the air.

This plan is almost operative.

• Additional State of the Environment

monitoring programmes for air

quality are planned.

• The NRC supports industrial codes

of practice such as those published

by the Agrichemical Education Trust.

What can you do? • The rules that exist for air pollution

do not allow discharges of largeamounts of smoke. If you see asmoky chimney puffing out largeamounts of blue hazy smoke, thisshould be reported to the NorthlandRegional Council. This should notbe confused with white steam, whichis allowed to be discharged.

• Get your chimney checked andcleaned regularly. Do not burn wetwood, green wood, householdrubbish, coal, painted wood,cardboard or driftwood. Many ofthese give off a lot of smoke. Paintedwood can give off dangerouschemicals and driftwood containssea salts that can damage the woodburner. Consider other forms ofheating that will reduce pollution inthe air.

• Reduce car use by pooling withneighbours or friends, and keep thecar well maintained. Consider bikingor walking where possible.

• Be considerate to your neighbours byminimising smoke nuisances andpreventing agrichemical spraydrift.

what we’ve found in our Air

Industrial discharges from a timber mill in Northland



what we’ve found in our WaterSurface WaterQuality

Water quality in surface waters andlakes is a major issue in Northland.Water quality varies between pristine inupper native forest catchments andhighly impacted in modified lowlandcatchments. Many decades of forestclearance, wetland drainage andpastoral farming have substantiallydegraded much of the region’s rurallowland water quality. Many lowlandwaterways in the region are in a poorstate, with most being unsuitable forswimming.

Improvements in surface waterquality are being made through betterfarm dairy effluent treatment systems,wastewater management and sewagetreatment systems. However, there isstill room for improvement. When theRegional Water and Soil Plan wasreleased in 1994, farmers were given10 years to improve their farm dairyeffluent systems. Since then, Councilstaff have graded systems and beenworking with farmers onimprovements. But as the 2004 targetdate looms closer, the requirements forstricter conditions agreed with thewider community are steadily cominginto force.

Pressures• There are more than 1000 consents

to discharge to surface water or landin Northland that have the potentialto result in the contamination ofsurface water.

• Farm dairy effluent treatmentsystems are by far the mostnumerous point source discharges tosurface waters and land inNorthland. Presently, 51% ofsystems discharge to land – the

remaining 49% continue to dischargeto surface water.

• Over the last few decades, throughindustry amalgamations andimprovements in wastewatertreatment, pressures on Northland’swaterways from industrial dischargeshave decreased significantly.

• During the last decade municipalsewage treatment systems have beenprogressively upgraded in an effortto reduce the environmental effectsof these discharges.

• Approximately 45% of Northland’spopulation rely on septic tanks withground soakage fields to dispose ofwastewater. Potential problems existwhere these are poorly maintainedor where the density of septic tanksis high.

• Diffuse source runoff represents thegreatest source of contaminantsentering waterways. This includesrun-off from pastures and races as aresult of stock dung, urine andfertiliser application, and direct stockaccess to waterways.

• The Northland Regional Council isnotified about approximately 180incidents affecting surface watereach year.

State of the Environment• Water quality in the Northland

region varies greatly from upper

native forest catchments, which are

often pristine, to highly impacted

modified lowland catchments.

• Most lowland rivers and streams are

unsuitable for swimming. Higher

levels of disease-causing organisms

are found in catchments with high-

intensity land use.

• Water quality for aquatic ecosystems

is highly variable. Guidelines are

regularly not met in developed

catchments, including the Wairua,

Whakapara, Mangakahia, Awanui

and Waitangi Rivers.

• Specific studies have shown that

waterways in both the Ruawai and

Te Kopuru areas are degraded as a

result of intensive agricultural

activity. In the Ruawai area,

waterways are severely degraded.

• Most rivers are safe most of the time

for stock to drink. However, faecal

coliform levels increase during and

after rainfall due to runoff. Some

sites do exceed the stock water

guidelines and could be considered a

risk to stock.

• Ecosystem health in native forested

catchments is excellent. However at

all other sites habitat quality is

moderately poor to poor. Lowland

streams, especially in agricultural

and urban areas, have poor

ecosystem health.

• Of the 35 or so native species of

freshwater fish found in New

Zealand, 20 are known to inhabit the

Northland region. Exotic and pest

fish are widespread, with 10 known

species found in Northland.

Stock drinking from a stream can foul waterand cause damage to banks.



What is the Council doing?• The Regional Water and Soil Plan for

Northland includes specific waterquality guidelines for differentpurposes.

• Resource consents are required forpoint source discharges to water andland.

• Consent compliance monitoringprogrammes assess the effect of thedischarges on the environment.

• State of the Environment monitoringprogrammes have been implementedto assess the state of river waterquality and ecology and how thatchanges with time.

• Northland Regional Councilsupports several streamcare groupsthat are involved in riparianplanting, weeding and removingrubbish from waterways.

What can you do?• Improve farm dairy effluent

treatment systems.• Form a streamcare group to remove

rubbish and plant stream or lakesides.

• Keep stock out of water bodies.• Help stop the spread of aquatic

weeds and pest fish. They cause a lotof damage.

Farm dairy effluent can be treated and applied toland as fertiliser.

Waipoua River is classed as a pristine environmentand protected from use in irrigation schemes.

Water Quantityand Flows

Water quantity refers to the naturalflows and levels of groundwater,springs, streams, rivers, lakes andwetlands.

Northland’s landforms and ecologyhave adapted to the natural waterquantities available. However, humanactivity has had a major effect on waterquantities – about 95 percent ofNorthland’s natural wetlands have beenlost in the development of artificialdrainage. Development of roads,stopbanks and drains can easily disruptnatural drainage patterns. Future waterdemand will require the use ofalternative sources, particularly storageof water in dams or reservoirs.

Droughts are a regular occurrence inNorthland, about every three or fouryears.

Pressures• Northland’s water resources are

under increasing pressure to meetdemands from a variety ofconsumers – including theagriculture, horticulture, watersupply and industry sectors.

• Currently, there are 416 consentsallocating some 560,000 cubicmetres per day of water fromstreams, rivers and dams inNorthland.

• The Wairua, Whangarei Harbour,Waitangi and Kerikeri catchmentsare heavily utilised for their waterresources.

State of the Environment• Annual rainfall ranges from 900mm

in low-lying coastal areas to over2900mm in higher altitudes.

• Flows vary greatly betweencatchments, which can be largelyattributed to rainfall patterns,catchment size and geology.

In Northland, catchment geologygreatly influences low flows duringdrought conditions.

• Northland’s climate is such that itwill experience a regional drought,on average, once every three yearson the east coast and inland, andonce every four years on the westcoast and at high altitudes.

What is the Council doing?• The Regional Water and Soil Plan

contains rules that set standards forminimum water quality or minimumlevels of water flows.

• The main policy on droughtresponse is an emphasis on the datacollection network, publicity andearly warning of potential droughtproblems.

• Minimum flows have beendetermined to protect the manyfunctions of water.

• The Northland Regional Counciloperates a hydrometric networkconsisting of 37 sites (24 river level,4 tidal, 9 rainfall). The network iscomplemented by 55 daily rainfallreader sites, and 13 lake levelmonitoring sites.

Agriculture 3%

Horticulture 44%

Industry 36%

Water Supply 2%

Other 15%

Groundwater Volume Allocated



what we’ve found in our WaterWhat can you do?• Check to see whether a resource

consent is required before extractingwater from rivers, streams or lakes.

Conserve water by:• Adopting a tap in your household

and make sure it is never leftdripping. Dripping taps waste a lotof water.

• Turning off the tap while brushingyour teeth.

• Quickly repair dripping taps orleaking pipes.

• Consider low-flush toilet options tosave water.

• Wait until your dishwasher is fullbefore using it.

• Watering the garden at cooler timesof the day to reduce evaporation.

• Collecting rainwater from the roof towater the garden.

GroundwaterClean water is one of Northland’s

most scarce resources. Despite our highrainfall compared with other parts ofthe country, the small area of landmeans most rainfall drains away to therivers and the sea. Northland’sgroundwater resources are underincreasing pressure with changes inland use, particularly as more land isused for horticulture. There are largeincreases in population during summerwhen tourists stay for their holidays,which puts increasing pressure oncoastal sewerage systems.

Most of Northland’s groundwaterresources are relatively small in volumeand vulnerable to overuse. Salt-waterintrusion into coastal aquifers has alsobeen a problem in some areas.

Pressures• Changing land use practices from

traditional farming to orcharding andmarket gardening, together with anincrease in tourism, has resulted inincreasing pressure on many ofNorthland’s aquifers.

• The largest user of groundwater inNorthland is agriculture, particularlyhorticultural irrigation.

• Changes in land use have thepotential to alter the recharge ratesof underlying aquifers.

• Northland’s many coastal aquifersare at risk from saltwater intrusionand contamination from poorlymaintained effluent disposal systems.

State of the Environment• Northland’s variable geology has a

major influence on surface waterflow regimes and degree ofgroundwater recharge.

• Groundwater quality at all sitesmonitored meets the 1995 DrinkingWater Standards for the parametersmeasured.

• Pesticide surveys have shownconcentrations well below the

maximum acceptable value fordrinking water in the aquiferssampled.


contains rules covering groundwatertakes, use, diversions, and drillingactivities that have the potential toaffect groundwater resources.

• The State of the Environmentgroundwater monitoring programmegathers baseline information on thequantity and quality of differentaquifers in Northland. Thegroundwater quality network is soonto be extended.

• A number of investigations ofaquifers have been carried out as theresult of specific issues arising indifferent areas.

What can you do?• Keep sewerage systems well

maintained.• Bury dead stock rather than

dumping in holes which feed intostreams and aquifers.

• Keep bores sealed to prevent wasteand contamination.

A recently cleared drainage channel in Northland.



LakesNorthland has a large number of

shallow lakes. Most of these have beenformed between stabilised sand dunesalong the West Coast. The dune lakesare grouped on the Aupouri, Karikariand Pouto peninsulas. They vary insize, with the majority being between 5and 35 hectares in area and generallyless than 15 metres deep. Lake Taharoaof the Kai Iwi Group is one of thelargest and deepest dune lakes in thecountry, covering an area of 237hectares and being up to 37 metresdeep.

Pressures• Aquatic weeds are a major threat to

Northland’s lakes. Some speciespose a significant threat to both thewater quality and aquaticbiodiversity by smothering nativespecies. In some shallow lakesaquatic weed growth can be over theentire area of the lake.

• Lake water quality is affected by landuse in the surrounding catchment.Unrestricted stock access toforeshore areas as well as pastureand groundwater inputs contributeto nutrient enrichment of lakes,promoting weed growth and algalblooms.

State of the Environment• Kai Iwi Lakes have exceptionally

high water quality, with high visualclarity and no obvious signs ofeutrophication (a buildup innutrients which leads to excessiveplant growth and reduction inoxygen).

• Pouto dune lakes have shown somevariations in water quality. Some ofthe lakes inspected showed signs ofeutrophication.

• Populations of the endangered nativedwarf inanga fish are presentthroughout the Pouto dune lakesystem, the only place they can befound in New Zealand.

• Variable levels of water quality havealso been recorded in the Aupouridune lakes. Surveys have shown thatthe lakes with the highest levels offaecal bacteria are where stock haveaccess, and are the same lakes whichshow higher levels of algae andreduced water clarity.

• Lake Omapere has ‘flipped’ betweenalgal and weed dominated statessince 1985. Currently, the oxygenweed Egeria densa and a potentiallytoxic algal bloom continue to be amajor problem.


contains rules that prohibit thedischarge of any sewage and animaleffluent into the dune lakes asspecified in the plan.

• Recently, 31 lakes in Northland weresurveyed for aquatic plants. Aquaticplants were first surveyed in 1986and by visiting the lakes again, NRChopes to be able to compare changesin aquatic plant communities.

• The Council continues to monitorLake Omapere for water quality andweed quantities.

• Education programmes emphasisethe importance of clearing boats andtrailers of aquatic weeds to preventweed spread.

What can you do?• Revegetate lake margins to improve

water quality, provide habitat forbirds and fish and reduce bankerosion.

• Fence off lake margins to preventstock excreting directly in waterwaysand degrading water quality.Investigate ways of providingalternative water supplies.

• When hunting, fishing, tramping orboating:

• Ensure your boat and propeller arecleared of weeds after use on a lake.

• Use toilets provided, or dig a shallowpit at least 10 metres from the lake,river or stream.

Dune lake (Stick lake) at Pouto Peninsula. DoC.

Clearing boats and trailers of aquatic weed isimportant to prevent spread to other lakes.



what we’ve found on our CoastCoastal Hazards

Northland has an extensive coastlineof about 1700km, featuring manyharbours, estuaries and bays. There arealso many islands.

The coastline is rich in cultural andnatural heritage features, and is animportant source of food and minerals.Shellfish and fish stocks support manylocal communities as well as marinefarming and fishing industries.

Modification of the coastline hassubstantially changed the naturalvegetation and about one-third of theregion’s population lives in coastalsettlements. More houses are beingbuilt in popular areas, putting pressureon the coastal environment. Ports,marinas and industrial developmentshave been established at MarsdenPoint, Portland, Whangarei and Opua.New Zealand’s only oil refinery is atMarsden Point and a new deepwaterport is also being built there.

Pressures• Coastal subdivision with

inappropriate setbacks and poorconsideration of coastal processeshas increased the risk or threat ofcoastal hazards.

• It is likely that future climate changemay result in increased periods ofstorminess and sea-level rise, bothincreasing the threat of coastalhazards.

State of the Environment• La Nina weather conditions have

been dominant in the past few years.This has caused increased waveenergy to the east coast ofNorthland, shifting large volumes ofsand offshore.

• Northland’s west coast beaches areconsidered to be accreting, movinglarge volumes of sand onshore andbuilding healthy vegetated foredunesalong its length.

What is the Council doing?• The Regional Coastal Plan for

Northland includes methods tomanage coastal hazards inNorthland.

• Coastal Hazard reviews arecontinuing to assess coastal areasthat are likely to be subject to coastalhazards.

• Consent monitoring includesmeasures to monitor the effects ofsand extraction on the shoreline.

What can you do?• Any modification of the coast

requires a resource consent from theNorthland Regional Council. Makesure permission is obtained beforeany work commences.

Coastal WaterQuality

High standards of coastal waterquality are important for activities suchas swimming and water sports, marinefarming, shellfish gathering, tourismand cultural uses. The quality of wateron Northland’s coastline is affected bycontaminants in rivers, streams andrunoff from the land. In some confinedareas of the coast, water quality is alsoaffected by septic tank contamination.Most of the time, coastal water qualityis safe for bathing. However, at times –especially after rainfall – runoff makesswimming or collecting shellfish unsafein some places.

Pressures• Oil spills, sewage overflows, and

dumped refuse are the most commonincidents recorded by the Councileach year affecting coastal waterquality.

• At times of high rainfall, rivers andstormwater are the main sources ofcontaminants discharging to thecoast, carrying runoff from urbanand agricultural land.

• Untreated sewage discharges fromboats have the potential tocontaminate shellfish, marine farmsand swimming waters.

• Boat maintenance facilities havebeen shown to be sources of heavymetals and toxic antifoulant residuesin the Whangarei Harbour and Bayof Islands.

State of the Environment• The water quality at the majority of

Northland’s bathing sites isreasonably good for bathingpurposes.

• Water quality, at virtually all sitesmonitored, is reduced to areasonably poor level for severaldays following heavy rainfall.

Matapouri Bay presents many challenges in themanagement of coastal hazards.

Ngunguru estuary – after rainfall many estuariescan be unsafe for swimming.



• Sites in semi-enclosedestuaries/harbours and in the vicinityof river mouths have the highestproportion of unsafe sites.

• Many sites in harbours and estuariesmay be at times unsuitable forshellfish gathering.

What is the Council doing?• The Regional Coastal Plan for

Northland includes rules for thecontrol of the extent and type ofdischarges to the coastal marine area.

• Resource consents and compliancemonitoring programmes minimisethe effects of discharges in thecoastal marine area.

• State of the environment monitoringprogrammes include the study ofharbour water quality and thesuitability of water quality forbathing.

• The introduction of marine pollutionregulations has made it illegal todischarge untreated sewage fromboats into shallow coastal waters.

What can you do?• Use rubbish disposal facilities rather

than contaminating roadsides andestuaries and spoiling the coast.

• Install sewage holding tanks onboats or use onshore facilities on daytrips.

• Take care when refuelling boats asmany accidental spills add up to amajor pollution source. Keepabsorbent pads handy to mop up anyfuel spills. Keep bilges clean.

• Let the Northland Regional Councilknow of any contamination sourceson the coast – such as oil and fuelspills, dead animals and abandonedvehicles.

• Keep your septic tanks and soakagefields well maintained.

NaturalCharacter ofthe Coast

One of the major natural features ofNorthland is its coastline. Settlementsserve as a focus for water-basedrecreational activities and tourism.Farmland has been developed andsubdivisions have resulted in a greaterconcentration of people living andholidaying along the coast. Extractionof sand is also a potential factor inchanging the natural character of thecoast, which is monitored. Mangrovesand saltmarshes in estuaries serve asimportant nursery areas for fish speciesand breeding areas for birds.

Pressures• Increasing coastal subdivision and

use of the coastal area has resulted inincreased pressures on coastalmargins, particularly foreduneenvironments (especially where thereis unformed access).

• Extraction of sand has concentratedaround the entrances to harboursand estuaries. Where extractionoccurs close to the shore, there ispotential for impact on the adjacentshoreline.

• Historically, development in coastalcatchments, including land clearanceand associated catchmentdevelopment, has resulted inpressures on estuaries and harboursfrom sediment-laden waters.

State of the Environment• The greatest loss of natural character

has occurred along the east coast ofthe Northland region.

• Where coastal erosion has been aproblem, the coastline has beenarmoured with hard materials, andthis has significantly degraded thenatural character of the coastline.

• Coastal subdivision developmentshave degraded the natural characterof many beaches in the region.

• Northland’s west coast remainslargely unmodified with only a fewsmall settlements along its length ofseveral hundred kilometres.

What is the Council doing?• Regional and District Plans cover a

range of issues related to coastaldevelopment and resource use.

• Studies are presently beingundertaken to determine thesustainability of sand extraction inthe Kaipara Harbour.

• Methods are being developed toassess the state of health withinestuarine environments.

• A number of community coast caregroups have been formed throughoutthe region.

What can you do?• Do not take sand or shells from

beaches. Leave them for everyone toenjoy.

• Check to see if a Resource consent isrequired from the NorthlandRegional Council before undertakingany modification of the coast.

At Pouto Peninsula, sand extraction has recentlybeen stopped because concerns for thesustainability of the operation.



what we’ve found on our LandIndigenousBiodiversity

Northland supports a wide variety ofnatural areas, including indigenousforests and shrublands, wetlands,rivers, lakes, streams, dunelands,coastal and marine habitats. Each hasits own diverse plant and animalspecies creating a unique biodiversityin Northland. Biodiversity is importantfor the maintenance of resilientecosystems and provides for futureeconomic, scientific and culturaldevelopment, and also provides lesstangible aesthetic and spiritual benefitsas well as a more interestingenvironment in which to live.

Pressures• Since 1850, approximately 80% of

Northland’s indigenous vegetationhas been converted to pasture,horticulture, pine plantations orurban areas.

• Remaining habitats are small andfragmented. This increases thepressures from surrounding landuses.

• Introduced pests and weeds are amajor threat to Northland’sindigenous biodiversity.

State of the Environment• Today, approximately 22% of the

Northland region remains inindigenous forest.

• Only 5% of the original coastal andfreshwater wetlands remain.

• There are more than 100 threatenedplant and animal species in theNorthland region. This is greaterthan any other region in NewZealand.

What is the Council doing?• The major focus for Council pest

management is possum controloperations.

• Biological controls have successfullybeen released for a number of pestplants.

• About half of the remainingindigenous vegetation is protected bythe Department of Conservation, orthrough other legal means such ascovenants.

• Northland Regional Council has setup an environmental fund to helpimprove and protect Northland’snatural environment, including itsindigenous biodiversity.

• The Council is part of a regionalforum, the Northland BiodiversityEnhancement Group, formed toco-ordinate efforts in promoting andenhancing biodiversity in Northland.

What can you do?• Consider creating a covenanted area

on your land. This will protect theland for the future, no matter whoowns it. The QE II Trust andWhangarei District Council bothadminister covenants.

• Join or form a landcare group toaddress land management concernsin your area.

• Enhance biodiversity by plantingnative trees and restoring wetlands.

• Support the Northland RegionalCouncil in its fight against possums.Keep your land free of possums andhelp neighbours in trapping an area.

Endangered New Zealand Dotterel makes its homeon Northland beaches. DoC.

Invasive forest weeds carpet the floor of a bush remnant at Maungatapere. DoC.

Exotic Forestry is a major industry in Northland.



HazardousSubstances andContaminatedSites

Hazardous substances comprise

substances that present a significant

danger to people and the environment

because they are chemically reactive,

explosive, flammable, corrosive, toxic

or can cause diseases. They range from

oil-based products used in road

construction and vehicles to metallic

products used in engineering, tanning

and timber treatment. Pesticides and

other agricultural chemicals are also

used widely in Northland.

Pressures• There are around 450 industrial sites

in the Northland Region that on a

daily basis use hazardous substances

as part of their operations. These

industries include the agriculture,

horticulture and forestry sectors. In

addition there are many other

smaller industries that as part of

their process use hazardous

substances. These include boat

builders, panelbeaters and vehicle

spray painters.

• Hazardous Substances Records

(formerly Dangerous Good Records),

show there are approximately 700

premises in Northland licensed to

store hazardous substances.

• Between 1993 and April 2001 a total

of 115 incidents involving hazardous

substances excluding oil spills at sea

were recorded by the Northland

Regional Council. Most of these

incidents involved the spillage of a

hazardous substance ranging in

volume from a few litres to a

100,000 litre spill of premium gradepetrol. This large spill was recordedat Port Road, Whangarei.

• Between 1993 and April 2001 a totalof 598 incidents involving oil spillsinto the sea were recorded by theNorthland Regional Council.

• There are large volumes ofpetroleum products and flammableliquids stored and transported withinthe region.

• The use of pesticides in the region iswidespread.

State of the Environment• There are approximately 1500

contaminated sites in the Northlandregion. These range from sites thathave been confirmed contaminated,those that are currently underinvestigation, to those that havebeen remediated. The majority ofpotentially contaminated sites inNorthland are small and relativelylow risk.

Hazardous substances are stored safely at this depot at Pohe Island.

What is the Council doing?• The Council requires contingency

plans for industries that usehazardous substances.

• The Council has an ongoingprogramme of preliminaryinvestigation, assessment andremediation of contaminated sites.

• The Council provides a collection,storage and disposal service forwaste hazardous substances andprovides a rapid response in theevent of a hazardous substancesincident.

• The Council participates in variouscross-organisational groups thatmanage hazardous substances andwastes.

What can you do?• Ensure hazardous substances are

stored correctly, and make sure theyare disposed of safely. Contact theNorthland Regional Council if youare unsure of the correct methods.



what we’ve found on our LandLand and Soils

Northland has a wide variety oflandforms, soil types and an almostsubtropical climate, which providesideal conditions for many different landuses. Pastoral farming is the dominantland use in the region. Exotic forestryhas been a growing land use in theNorth, which is likely to reduce soilerosion and improve water quality.

Pressures• Land use change has had the greatest

effect on soil health and erosion.• Unsuitable land management

practices can place significantpressures on soil health. Stockovergrazing and increased stockingdensities on farms increases thepotential for soil compaction,pugging and erosion.

• Exotic forestry now occupiesapproximately 10% of the region,and has positive effects on soilerosion and subsequent water qualitywhen the trees are growing and fullyestablished. However, soils can beadversely affected during harvesting.

State of the Environment• Information on soil types, geology,

slope and drainage have been usedfor classifying land in the Northlandregion. The New Zealand LandResources Inventory (NZLRI)assesses capability based on eightland use capability classes.

• The most widespread form oferosion on pastoral land inNorthland is gully erosion. Sheeterosion is also common throughoutthe region.

What is the Council doing?• The Soil and Water Plan for

Northland contains rules relating toland disturbance and vegetationclearance.

• The Council promotes sustainableland management throughenvironmental education, field days,and by supporting industry Codes ofPractice.

• A sustainable land use monitoringprogramme has been proposed, andwork has started on the ‘500 soils’project to assess soil health andaerial photos of the region are beingupdated to assess land use change.

• District Councils are largelyresponsible for controlling land use.District Plans contain rulescontrolling land use, such as thosefor subdivisions.

What can you do?• Plant trees and revegetate areas of

bare soil to reduce erosion.• Manage stock to avoid pugging and

erosion.

Natural HazardsFlooding is the most common

natural hazard in Northland. Manytowns in Northland are susceptible toflooding because they have been builton floodplains. The region is alsovulnerable to tsunami from earthquakesaround the Pacific Rim. Fire is also arisk for the region, because droughtsoccur regularly and the region has a lotof forestry, scrub and grass areas thatare prone to fire. Many coastal areas areparticularly dry during summer andautumn, increasing the risk of scruband grass fires. There are also largetracts of forestry planted in these areas.

Pressures• Many towns in Northland are built

on floodplains that are prone toflooding.

• Large areas of productive farmlandand associated structures are locatednear rivers and on floodplains.

• Similarly, flooding of land adjoiningthe coast and around tidal estuariesby storm surges and exceptionallyhigh tides has only become aproblem since that land has beendeveloped for urban or farming uses.

State of the Environment• Flooding from rivers is by far the

most widespread and mostfrequently occurring natural hazardaffecting Northland.

• Northland is outside of the moreactive tectonic and volcanic zones,but some parts of the region maystill be susceptible to localisedearthquake damage.

• Because of its long coastline and theencircling shape of many of its eastcoast bays, Northland is susceptibleto tsunami generated by majorearthquakes around the Pacific Rim.

• The Aupouri, Karikari and PoutoPeninsulas and the coastal area from

Gully erosion is common in Northland.



Doubtless Bay to Mangawhai tend tohave lower rainfall than inland areas,and there is a risk of scrub and grassfires during summer and autumn inmost years.

• During high-intensity rainstorms,debris avalanches are a commonphenomenon on some of the steep tomountainous country in Northland,regardless of vegetative cover.

What is the Council doing?• River management in Northland is

the responsibility of both theRegional and District Councils.

• Northland Regional Council operatesa flood warning service, based oninformation collected by river flowmeters, rain gauges and tidal gauges.

• During an emergency, the NorthlandRegional Council’s Civil DefencePlan, together with the variousDistrict Council plans, provides theframework to co-ordinate theorganisations, services and people ofNorthland to guard against theeffects of a disaster.

What can you do?• Have an emergency kit prepared in

case of an emergency such as aflood, earthquake or tidal wave.

• Do not build on flood plains.• Keep streams clear of blockages such

as fallen willow branches.

Solid WasteSolid waste includes any refuse or

waste material, including semi-solidsludges, produced from domestic,commercial, or industrial premises orprocesses.

Over the last decade a number ofchanges have occurred in landfillmanagement in Northland. Many of thesmall rural tips, which were poorlysited near harbours and tidal estuaries,have been closed, covered and sealed.These closed tip sites have beenreplaced with more appropriately sitedmodern transfer stations.

The disposal of refuse is nowundertaken at larger, more centralisedlandfills. At a number of landfills theoverall management of the site hasbeen improved by excluding thegeneral public from the landfill face.

Pressures• There are now four waste disposal

sites operating in the Northlandregion. This compares to 39disposal sites in 1992.

• It is difficult to provide an accurateamount of the total volumes of solidwaste produced in the region.

However, the volumes of wastesproduced in the region appear to beincreasing.

• The incidence of illegal dumping hasdeclined over recent years.

State of the Environment• For the foreseeable future it is likely

that landfilling will continue to bethe preferred option for the disposalof the region’s refuse, either in theregion or exported to Auckland.

What is the Council doing?• Open and closed landfills are

regularly monitored for compliancewith consent conditions.

• The completion of waste audits andcleaner production guidelines havebeen prepared and promoted for anumber of targeted industries.

What can you do?• Use transfer stations and landfills.

Never litter or dump wasteelsewhere.

• Try to minimise household andbusiness waste through recycling.

• Contact the Northland RegionalCouncil for advice on cleanerproduction for businesses to reducewastage in byproducts.

Flooding is the most common natural hazard inNorthland.

An old rural tip at Kawakawa, now closed.



how are we doing?The Northland Regional Council,

together with the people and industriesin the Region, are making progresstowards sustainable management of theenvironment.

This State of the Environment Reportprovides a benchmark for futurereports, so we can see any changes thatare occurring in the environment anddevelop policies and plans to deal withany problems.

We can also identify gaps in ourknowledge and work towards allocatingfunding and staff to conductingmonitoring in those areas.

The Northland Regional Council hasset out desired outcomes for themanagement of the Region’s resourcesin the Regional Policy Statement 1999.In addition, the Council has a RegionalCoastal Plan, Regional Air Quality Plan,Regional Water and Soil Plan. Thesecontain rules that may allow, restrict orprohibit activities related to ourenvironment.

The NRC, like all other localauthorities, is required under the LocalGovernment Act 1974 to prepare anAnnual Plan, which outlines the natureand scope of significant activitiesundertaken by the organisation over thefinancial year.

Any monitoring aims to identifywhat is happening to the state of theresource and whether we are achievingthe outcomes specified in the plans.These goals are listed in the full State ofthe Environment report.

Copies of the full report are availablefrom the Northland Regional Council’swebsite at www.nrc.govt.nz

For more information contact:Northland Regional CouncilQuayside and Robert StreetWhangareiPhone: 09 438 4639Freephone: 0800 002 004Fax: 09 438 0012e-mail: [email protected]: www.nrc.govt.nz

Feedback from thecommunity is importantto help the Council makedecisions. Your views arewelcome.

Please fill out the feedbackform opposite and return itto the Northland RegionalCouncil.

Matapouri



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Caring for Northland and its Environment2 Quayside, Private Bag 9021, Whangarei.

Phone 09 438 4639 Fax 09 438 0012 Freephone 0800 002 004 E-mail [email protected] www.nrc.govt.nz

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SOE Co-ordinatorNorthland Regional CouncilPrivate Bag 9021Whangarei

state of the environment 2002

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