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➔ Upcoming Events
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➔ Webinar Recordings
➔ Digital Badges Online Courses
Upcoming Events
2023 |
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Series Registration
Introduction to river ecology – fish, invertebrates, plants.
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Date & Time |
2 May 2023 - 11.00am – 12.00pm |
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Outline |
In this webinar we’ll follow a river from the mountains to the sea: What do you find in a small stream close to a spring? What changes when the river grows with tributaries joining? What’s special about the wide, braided river before it meets the sea? Meet the in-stream community: plants, invertebrates and fish, and why they can tell us about what’s happening in their environment. And finally: how do our activities on land change the aquatic environment? Presenter: Sandy Haidekker Sandy is a freshwater ecologist enthusiastic about aquatic invertebrates, stream health and stream restoration. Before she came to New Zealand Sandy was involved in the development river type specific indicator systems for stream health and researched the influence of changed water temperature regimes on invertebrate communities for the European Water Framework Directive. Since taking the big leap to New Zealand in 2008, Sandy has been working for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as freshwater scientist, analysing and reporting on water quality and ecology, carrying out investigations and providing science advice to inform policy development. She is now Team Leader of Freshwater Quality and Ecology, a passionate team of freshwater scientists with strong interest to apply science for healthy environmental outcomes. To register https://www.engineeringnz.org/courses-events/event/introduction-to-river-ecology-fish-invertebrates-p/ |
Impact of river management on river bird habitat
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Date & Time |
4 May 2023 - 11.00am – 12.00pm |
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Outline |
New Zealand’s rivers provide crucial breeding habitat for a number of threatened bird species, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. In this webinar we will introduce you to some of the unique bird species that call our rivers home and discuss both the positive and negative impacts that river management activities can have on these species. We will present examples of initiatives being undertaken around the country to maintain or improve river bird habitats in the context of flood mitigation or gravel extraction activities, and will discuss additional work that could be carried out in the future to further improve on these efforts.
Presenter: Nikki McArthur Nikki McArthur is an independent ecologist specialising in the conservation management of New Zealand birds and their habitats. Nikki has spent over a decade monitoring shorebird populations throughout the country, and has spent a number of years working with regional councils and the gravel extraction industry to improve the management of shorebirds breeding on rivers in the Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Canterbury regions. To register: https://www.engineeringnz.org/courses-events/event/impact-of-river-management-on-river-bird-habitat/ |
Tools that Regional Councils use to measure ecological health
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Date & Time |
9 May 2023 - 11.00am – 12.00pm |
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Outline |
How can you tell if a stream is healthy? Often, the first question that comes to mind is: Is the water clean? But chemical water quality is only one part in complex aquatic ecosystems where everything is interdependent: Plants and animals, habitat, chemical, physical and biological processes and connectivity to land and groundwater are all important components of stream ecosystems and determine if they are healthy and support a resilient and healthy community of plants and animals. How is ecological health measured and what are our obligations under the NPSFM? Presenter: Sandy Haidekker Sandy is a freshwater ecologist enthusiastic about aquatic invertebrates, stream health and stream restoration. Before she came to New Zealand Sandy was involved in the development river type specific indicator systems for stream health and researched the influence of changed water temperature regimes on invertebrate communities for the European Water Framework Directive. Since taking the big leap to New Zealand in 2008, Sandy has been working for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council as freshwater scientist, analysing and reporting on water quality and ecology, carrying out investigations and providing science advice to inform policy development. She is now Team Leader of Freshwater Quality and Ecology, a passionate team of freshwater scientists with strong interest to apply science for healthy environmental outcomes. To register: https://www.engineeringnz.org/courses-events/event/tools-that-regional-councils-use-to-measure-ecolog/
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Part A: Improving freshwater ecosystem health in drained and modified lowland waterways
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Date & Time |
11 May 2023 - 11.00am – 12.00pm |
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Outline |
Over the past 100 years New Zealand’s lowland waterbodies have been modified by streambed lowering, channel straightening and field drainage. Drainage has now occurred to the extent that over 90% of NZ’s wetlands have been lost. While wetland drainage has now largely ceased, lowland waterbodies are subjected to ongoing channel maintenance through mechanical macrophyte clearing, weed spraying and streambank reconstruction. These actions are undertaken to ensure the productivity of surrounding farmland and to protect homes and infrastructure from high water levels. Progressively, many lowland wetland-stream complexes have been replaced by grid-patterned drain networks. Yet, these modified waterbodies are still freshwater habitats that can harbour surprising high, and often overlooked, instream values. This webinar will explore how drain maintenance practices alter stream habitat and affect instream life—with a focus on freshwater fish and discuss a 10-year fish and habitat monitoring programme in Waituna Creek (Southland), which captured a major stream bank reconstruction initiative and a restoration project that included installing two-stage channels and instream habitat structures. discuss an ambitious project in the Ararira-LII River (Canterbury plains), that aims to reimagine catchment drainage by consolidating and scaling-up various alternative ecosystem friendly drainage management methods to an entire lowland catchment. Presenter: Dr Robin Holmes Robin is a freshwater ecologist at the Cawthron Institute. He is involved in a range of projects with a focus on river and stream restoration, freshwater fisheries management and community approaches to river heath improvement. His research interests include land-use impacts on aquatic ecology and understanding native fish and salmonid life-histories and population dynamics. Recently, he has been involved in projects to enhance freshwater ecosystem values within agricultural landscapes, through actively restoring physical / structural stream habitat and promoting alternative land and stream management practices. He has a co-lead role in supporting the current MBIE-Endeavour Fish Futures programme: https://www.fishfutures.co.nz/. To register: https://www.engineeringnz.org/courses-events/event/part-a-improving-freshwater-ecosystem-health-in-dr/ |
Part B: River engineering for flood control: instream ecological effects and how to monitor and manage them.
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Date & Time |
16 May 2023 - 11.00am – 12.00pm |
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Outline |
Communities and regional authorities around New Zealand actively manage river corridors to protect lives and property from flooding and erosion. There are a variety of methods to control and manage the impacts of flooding, with key actions including stop-banks, gravel extraction and managing vegetation within the active channel. In addition, various forms of bank protection are routinely employed to prevent erosion, such as rock walls, groins or managed willows. While these techniques can be effective at reducing flooding and erosion risk, they can have negative impacts on river health. Impacts include altered hydrology, reduced habitat complexity and reduced connectivity with floodplain habitats (e.g., riparian areas and floodplain wetlands). Collectively, these effects can reduce fish and macroinvertebrate habitat quality with flow-on consequences for overall river health. This webinar will discuss the potential ecological impacts of river engineering (for flood control) and pair these impacts with potential actions to minimise and / or mitigate instream ecological impacts. This session will draw on the general river management literature and reflect on my recent experience in the Hawkes Bay region. Here I was involved in developing an ecological monitoring plan, with HBRC, to help manage the potential ecological effects of gravel management in the braided rivers of the Heretaunga plains. Presenter: Dr Robin Holmes Robin is a freshwater ecologist at the Cawthron Institute. He is involved in a range of projects with a focus on river and stream restoration, freshwater fisheries management and community approaches to river heath improvement. His research interests include land-use impacts on aquatic ecology and understanding native fish and salmonid life-histories and population dynamics. Recently, he has been involved in projects to enhance freshwater ecosystem values within agricultural landscapes, through actively restoring physical / structural stream habitat and promoting alternative land and stream management practices. He has a co-lead role in supporting the current MBIE-Endeavour Fish Futures programme: https://www.fishfutures.co.nz/. To register https://www.engineeringnz.org/courses-events/event/part-b-river-engineering-for-flood-control-instrea/ |
Estuarine Ecology
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Date & Time |
16 May 2023 - 11.00am – 12.00pm |
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Outline |
Estuaries are coastal waterbodies where freshwater meets the ocean. They host a diversity of flora and fauna, act as conduits for migratory species, and are transition zones where transformations of energy and matter occur. In addition to their ecological importance, estuaries are places of significance for the people of Aotearoa, delivering substantial economic and cultural value. This talk will review key ecological functions in estuaries and how they translate to goods and services that we value. The influence of land-based contaminants delivered to estuaries via freshwater and the difficulties of managing these ecosystems will also be covered. Presenter: Drew Lohrer Dr Drew Lohrer has been working as an estuarine and coastal seafloor ecologist at NIWA since 2002, and is now Principal Scientist and Strategy Manager of NIWA’s Coasts & Estuaries Centre. Drew’s research specialty is ecosystem functioning—how seafloor invertebrate communities influence important ecosystem processes such as primary production and organic matter breakdown—and how loadings of sediments and nutrients from land impact estuarine health and functioning. To register https://www.engineeringnz.org/courses-events/event/estuarine-ecology/ |
STRATEGIC OVERVIEW OF RIVERS & CATCHMENTS: GEOMORPHOLOGY & RIVER MANAGEMENT
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Date & Time |
2-day workshop – Wellington
Day one: classroom Day two: field trip, Waikanae |
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Cost |
Cost – $900.00 Council Staff – $200.00 discount Rivers Group - 10% discount Please mention discount when making the booking |
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Where to register |
Email Rachael Armstrong - Rachael.Armstrong@hbrc.govt.nz |
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Outline |
Key Learning Objectives/Outcomes Familiarity with key principles in fluvial geomorphology and their application to various river management situations (e.g., catchment (and regional) planning, sediment flux issues, relation to flood hazards). Key themes Management issues for which geomorphic insight is fundamental:
Spatial Dimensions of geomorphologically-informed river management Catchment
Channel planform: Braided, wandering gravel-bed, active meandering passive meandering, discontinuous watercourse (wetland/swamp) Channel geometry
Geomorphic units
Bed material size
Temporal dimensions of geomorphologically-informed river management Timescale: Geologic, geomorphic, engineering Magnitude-frequency relations Equilibrium versus non-linear relations Legacy effect (landscape memory) Processes of geomorphic river adjustment
Evolutionary trajectory of rivers (and recovery potential)
Geomorphology and river health (condition) What do we measure where, how and why? What do we measure against? Geomorphic relations to Māori conceptualisations of rivers A living river ethos, mauri, mana, ora How geomorphology can support river management (indicative only – set up follow up specialist courses) Scoping river futures - Proactive and precautionary approaches to Visioning & Catchment Planning Concern for treatment response Geoethical considerations – concerns for social and environmental justice
Presenters Ian Fuller, Gary Brierley, Jon Tunnicliffe |
TOOLS IN FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY WORKSHOP |
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Date & Time |
Wellington Full-day, 8-hour workshop |
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Cost |
$600.00 Council Staff – $200.00 discount Rivers Group Members - 10% discount Please mention discount when making the booking. |
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Where to register |
Email Rachael Armstrong - Rachael.Armstrong@hbrc.govt.nz |
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Outline |
Key learning outcomes Familiarity with a series of tools useful for geomorphic analysis in river systems. NB: Please note this workshop introduces these tools by way of demonstration and does not provide technical specialist instruction. Key themes • Conceptual principles: The River Styles Framework • Leveraging LiDAR and SfM surveys to map rivers’ physical habitat mosaic • Manual and automated mapping approaches for channel, floodplains, and riparian areas • Geomorphic Change Detection and NCI (Natural Character Index) • Sediment transport principles • 1D and 2D approaches to river morphodynamics • Network-scale considerations: Geomorphic hotspots • Mapping catchment connectivity An overview of readily available Toolkits in Aotearoa New Zealand
Presenters Ian Fuller, Gary Brierley, Jon Tunnicliffe |
FLOOD HYDROLOGY WORKSHOP |
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Date & Time |
Monday 6th March 2023 Full day workshop ECAN, Christchurch |
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Cost |
$600.00 Council Staff – $200.00 discount Rivers Group Members - 10% discount Please mention discount when making the booking. |
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Where to register |
Email Rachael Armstrong - Rachael.Armstrong@hbrc.govt.nz |
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Outline |
Part A. Overview
Part B. Flood Frequency Analysis (FFA)
Part C. Rainfall – Runoff Modelling
Part D. Wrap-up
Presenter David Leong | Technical Director, Hydrology & Hydraulics, Tonkin + Taylor |
LOWLAND DRAINAGE OPERATIONS AND RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT - Field Trip |
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Date & Time |
Monday 3 April 2023 8.00am – 5.30pm Tauranga |
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Cost |
$500.00 Council Staff – $200.00 discount Rivers Group Members - 10% discount Please mention discount when making the booking. |
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Where to register |
Email Rachael Armstrong - Rachael.Armstrong@hbrc.govt.nz |
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Outline |
Key Learning Objectives/Outcomes Develop an understanding of lowland drainage and pumping systems operations and management, with a selection of drainage riparian best practice and water quality enhancement works. The field trip will incorporate a range of common drainage maintenance methods with discussion around water quality issues, environmental guidelines, best practice riparian management, habitat restoration and water quality treatment via constructed wetlands. The field trip will be most beneficial to practitioners involved with drainage system maintenance and operations and there will be good opportunities to share experiences and lessons learned from other areas. The field trip will take place around the Te Puke – Maketū area (Bay of Plenty) and comprise a range of operational, land management, cultural and science presenters to explore contemporary drain waterway management that is sympathetic to indigenous fish species (mainly inanga and tuna), terrestrial birdlife and cultural values. Bay of Plenty (like many other regions in NZ) has had many thousands of hectares of wetland/saltmarsh areas historically drained to create valuable farmland. This field trip/seminar will look at how stakeholders are working together to enhance the waterways (including artificial and modified watercourses) to maximise their potential for restoring water quality and habitat for indigenous species. Key themes Drainage maintenance methods: A wide range of drainage maintenance options will be demonstrated including weed cutting options, herbicide spraying, saltwater flushing, biological controls (grass carp), and mechanical clearing using hydraulic excavators. Drain riparian practice: Various styles of drain and waterway riparian management will be demonstrated including examples of DairyNZ best practice guidelines. Native fish passage & habitat: Examples of inanga ponds, inanga spawning preferences and spawning area enhancement works. The field trip will also include various examples of fish passage through floodgated structures. Environmental guidelines: Discussions around the new National Works in Waterways Guideline produced by MfE and how drainage works will recognize the guidelines. Cultural perspectives: The seminar will include a presentation from local Iwi/Hapū to explain cultural values and the importance the mauri of the waterways and taonga species. Constructed wetlands: The tour will include a site visit to a recently constructed treatment wetland installed to intercept nutrient-rich runoff from an agricultural catchment before it enters the drainage network. Presenters will discuss design and costs for the project and lessons learned. Wildfowl habitat: [optionally possible to invite F&G to present on wildfowl preferences] Itinerary TBC
Participants will need to be able to walk over rough terrain and have sturdy footwear (& waterproof clothing if wet). |
COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT | Level 1 |
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Date & Time |
Thursday 15 June 2023 Interactive Online Workshop |
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Cost | $249 per person | |
Where to register |
Email Rachael Armstrong - Rachael.Armstrong@hbrc.govt.nz |
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Outline |
This level 1 module focuses on building a foundational understanding of good communications practices as they relate to engagement in your everyday role, including stakeholder engagement and communicating complex subject matter to lay people. Good public communication and stakeholder engagement skills are important to have in a river teams’ tool kit. These can assist you when communicating with the public, as well as to the media, and can apply to all sorts of situations such as public consultation or engagement and crisis/issues management. This will be delivered online in one 4-hour morning session using a combination of presented materials and interactive learning. Preparation prior to the module is not required, though some optional preparation guidance will be provided to participants to maximise their learning experience. WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
SKILLS ACHIEVED
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Webinar Recordings
Cultural and Environmental Values |
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Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi): meanings, principles, and importance for contemporary river management in Aotearoa New Zealand | Sept '22 | |
The NPS-FM and Te Mana o te Wai (Te Ao Māori & River Ecosystem Management) | Sept '22 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING |
Navigating towards Te mana o te Wai | Sept '22 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING |
Mana Whenua Statements (cultural impact assessment) | Sept '22 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING |
Legal Obligations River Legislation Series Values |
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River Legislation Series | 1 | Nov 1 '22 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING |
River Legislation Series | 2 | Nov 8 '22 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING |
River Legislation Series | 3 | Nov 15 '22 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING |
River Legislation Series | 4 | Dec 2 '22 | CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RECORDING |
Digital Badges Online Courses
If you wish to complete any of these courses, contact Rachael.Armstrong@hbrc.govt.nz for free registration details for Regional Council employees.
We have 20 spaces for each course available
AM 101 –Introduction to Asset Management | FULL
WM 104 –Introduction to Flood Risk Asset Management | Number of registrations: 5 spaces left
CC 101 –Introduction to Climate Adaptation in Asset Management | Number of registrations: 6 spaces left