15 January 2008 University Embraces Vision for a Living Lake

Lincoln University is investigating proposals for a dedicated research centre focused on the restoration of Te Waihora-Lake Ellesmere, in cooperation with the Taumutu Runanga of Ngai Tahu.

The University’s intentions were confirmed at the recent Waihora-Ellesmere Living Lake Symposium, organised by the Waihora Ellesmere Trust and attended by 150 people representing stakeholder and interest groups, as well as lay people with an interest in the lake.

Lincoln University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Roger Field,  says Te Waihora-Lake Ellesmere is a critical resource which is right in the University’s neighbourhood and deeply important to local communities.

“Lincoln University and Te Taumutu Rununga have a Charter agreement which recognises Te Waihora as an important local issue, and both organisations are strongly supportive of the concept of a research centre to enhance this important wetland.”

The Living Lake Symposium provided an important opportunity to review the lake’s health and its values, and to discuss future plans and management actions, he said.

Dr Ken Hughey, Professor of Environmental Management, says the lake’s condition has a mixed scorecard overall, but with some real positives.  

“While some aspects ofwater quality have improved, the lake remains hyper-eutrophic, and we know that it is only the geography of the area which saves it from severe algal blooms.  In terms of water quantity, inflows have declined significantly over the last decade and this has influenced lake level management.  The once world-renowned brown trout fishery is in an extremely poor state and requires urgent and concerted management action if it is to be restored.

“On the positive side the lake remains extremely important to Ngai Tahu, although there are issues surrounding its management and access to resources.  The indigenous fisheries, including the nationally important eel fishery, are performing positively - but issues remain about management and habitat.”

The lake is a wetland of international significance for birdlife with the highest species diversity of any site in New Zealand.  Most wildlife values are positive, although concern is growing for swampbirds as freshwater wetlands reduce in size and quality. Native vegetation communities are of national significance and are mostly in good condition, including a range of nationally threatened plant species.

The symposium concluded that a future vision for the lake should be built around the Ngai Tahu and DoC Joint Management Plan.   A number of management agencies made an immediate response to the event, including a commitment from the Department of Conservation to protect the freshwater wetlands and a comprehensive set of actions from Fish and Game for restoring the brown trout fishery.  Ngai Tahu confirmed initiatives for management of their resources and Environment Canterbury pledged its support for the Living Streams programme, a review of resource consents and investigation of re-establishing weed beds.

In addition to Lincoln University’s research proposal, the Waihora-Ellesmere Trust is working on the publication of the symposium’s key findings and is considering plans for a Lake Visitor Centre, on site interpretative displays and riparian management.

About Lincoln University
Lincoln University continues to achieve international recognition for its teaching and research activities.  It is renowned for its entrepreneurship, relevance and as a catalyst for new and diverse approaches to stimulate the development and transfer of knowledge.  The University fosters alliances with the users of research information both nationally and internationally and has established a number of significant alliances with other research organisations.  The University is structured into four divisions: Commerce; Agriculture and Life Sciences; Environment, Society and Design; and Bioprotection and Ecology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Elizabeth Owens
External Relations Director
Lincoln University
Phone: 027 249 1960
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