Field Demonstration and Workshop . on \J\J est Coast La·nd Use and Soils Westport and Buller 5~ 7 December 1 984

G. Mew and C. W. Ross

N.Z. Soil Bureau Record 99 Department 'bf Scientific. and Industrial Research New Zealand, 1985

FIELD DEMONSTRATION AND WORKSHOP

ON

WEST COAST LAND USE AND SOILS

WESTPORT AND BULLER

5.:.7 DECEMBER 1984

A record of a meeting of the West Coast Soils and Land Use

Resource Group (SLURG) at Westport.

Convenor: P.J. Brierley, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Greymouth

Secretary: G. Mew, New Zealand Soil Bureau, Nelson

Compiled by: G. Mew & C.W. Ross

New Zealand Soil Bureau

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research

1984

This report is intended to serve as a record of the workshop for those who participated in it and for others directly interested in the resources of the West Coast regiqn. The material included is not regarded as published, and should not be referred to in publications without the consent of either the author of the material, or the compilers of this report.

P.' D. HASSELBERG, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - 1985

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INTRODUCTION

This report is a record of a field and indoor discussion meeting from 5-7 December 1984 during which land use issues in the Buller area were considered in the broadest sense. Topics ranged from a resurgence in interest in the West Coast beech resource, through developments in Buller agriculture and horticulture, as well as the potential of the northern pakihis, to conservation and population implications of land use options.

In addition, reports were presented on West Coast soils and land use research, a resolution was passed suggesting a joint approach to grazing under trees, a meeting summary session was held, and a further meeting was proposed for 1986.

There was general agreement that the Soils and Land Use Resource Group meeting provided an essential forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, and some discussion took place as to whether future meetings should be held at shorter intervals.

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PARTICIPANTS

Annadale, Duncan (D.D.) Department of Lands and Survey, Westport.

Ayson, Ted (E.C.)

Sealing, John (J.D.)

Berg, Peter (P.J.)

Bishop, David (D.)

Brierley, Peter (P.)

Campion, Richard (R.)

Carter, Caroline (C.)

Coll, David (D.)

Cook, Clive (C.)

Dench, Barry (B.)

Edwards, Eddie (E.)

Ellis, Murray (M.W.)

Ewing, Mary (M.)

Ferguson, George (G.)

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Westport.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nelson.

New Zealand Forest Service, Hokitika.

New Zealand Forest Service, Westport.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Greymouth.

Department of Lands and Survey, Hokitika.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Darfield.

Westland Catchment Board, Westport.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nelson •

• Valuation Department, Hokitika.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nelson.

Department of Lands and Survey,· Hokitika.

Department of Lands and Survey, Westport.

Waipuna Station, Grey Valley.

Fitzgerald, Russ (R.E.) Forest Research Institute, Rangiora.

Forde, Bernard (B.)

Francis, David (D.)

Gifford, Andrew (A.)

DSIR, Head Office, Wellington.

Ministry of Works and Development, Greymouth.

Valuation Department, Hokitika.

Gilbertson, Barry (B.J.)New Zealand Forest Service, Hokitika.

Gleason, Curt (C.D.)

Hancock, John (J.)

Jackson, Ross ~R.J.)

Joblin, Dave (A.D.H.)

Kirkland, Bill (W.H.)

New Zealand Forest Service, Hokitika.

Valuation Department, Hokitika.

New Zealand Forest Service, Hokitika.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lincoln.

Farmer, Mai Mai.

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Laing, Bob (B.)

Mcintosh, Mark (M.)

McLaren, Ron (R.G.)

McLeod, Ian (I.)

Meates, David (D.)

Merrin, Elton (E.)

Mew, Geoff (G.)

Northcott, Ray (H.K.)

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Westland Catchment Board, Greymouth.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Westport.

Lincoln College, Canterbury.

Private Valuer, Hokitika.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Greymouth.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Greymouth.

New Zealand Soil Bureau, DSIR, Nelson.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,· Nelson.

Orchard, Michael (M.J.) Westland Catchment Board, Greymouth.

Palmer, Alan (A.) Massey University, Palmerston North.

Reekie, Warren (W.) New Zealand Forest Service, Reefton.

Retallick, Anne (A.F.) Westland Catchment Board, Greymouth.

Richards, Kit (C.R.) New Zealand Forest Service, Hokitika.

Robin, Paul (P.) New Zealand Forest Service, Reefton.

Ross,· Craig (C.W.) New Zealand Soil Bureau, DSIR, Lower Hutt.

Salmon, Guy (G.W.) Native Forest Action Council, Nelson.

Smale, Peter (P.E.) Division of Horticulture & Processing, DSIR, Riwaka

Stapleton, David (D.J.).Ministry of Works and Development, Greymouth.

Stimpson, David (D.)

Suggate, Richard (R.)

Taylor, John (J.)

Wheadon, Mike (M.)

Williams, Prue (P.)

Ministry of Works and Development, Greymouth.

Department of Lands and Survey, Hokitika.

Lincoln College, Canterbury.

New Zealand Dairy Board, Greymouth.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Greymouth.

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PROGRAMME

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 1 .00 p.m.

The West Coast beech resoUl"ce - opportunities and threats

Chairman: Geoff Mew

Panel: George Ferguson Curt Gleason Bob Laing Duncan Annandale

Developments in Buller agriculture - Mark Mcintosh

Departmental update on recent and current work; particularly in Buller region

Chairman: Craig Ross

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research

New Zealand Forest Service

Department of Lands and Survey

- Bernard Forde - Geoff Mew - Peter Smale

- Dave Bishop - Russ Fitzgerald

- Mary Ewing

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries - Prue Williams - Ray Northcott

Westland Catchment Board - David Coll

New Zealand Dairy Board - Mike Wheadon

THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER

The potential of the northern pakihis

Chairman: Peter Brierley

For forestry - Ross Jackson

For Department of Lands and Survey - Mary Ewing

For private farm development - Bill Kirkland

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FIELD EXCURSION

Co-ordinator: Prue Williams

* Undeveloped pakihi on Virgin Terrace - Mary Ewing

* Dairy development on pakihi at Silverstream dairy unit, Cape Foulwind - Ray and Mary McKenzie1

Mark Mcintosh

* Horticultural development· on dune soils at Utopia Road

* Dairy farming on yellow-brown sand soils with diversification possibilities at Waimangaroa

Evening talk and discussion:

- John and Pam Wieblitz, Clive Cook

- E.J. Colligan, Geoff Mew

Conservation priorities for the Coast - Guy Salmon

Chairman: Murray Ellis

Discussion on interdepartmental co-operation on integrated land use for farming and forestry

Chairman: Bernard Forde

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER

Buller horticulture

Chairman: Dave Joblin

The "potential" - John Taylor

Current developments and future possibilities - Clive Cook

Employment and population implications of Buller land use options - Dave Stapleton

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Meeting summary

Panel: Mike Wheadon Peter smale Ian McLeod Allan Palmer Mike Orchard

Business Meeting

Chairman: Peter Brierley

* Apologies

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* Resolution on grazing under trees * Suggestions for future meetings * Date for next meeting * Subject area * Convenor

Closure of meeting.

- --·-· ·--. ·. ;;_- .--:-·

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THE WEST COAST BEECH RESOURCE - OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

George Ferguson Waipuna Station, Grey Valley

Mr Ferguson referred to the major resource potential of West Coast forests, both State and private, pointing out that farming and forestry are complementary industries. He compared the West Coast beech resource with that of Southland, and questioned the lack of comparable utilisation on th~ Coast. In particular, he asked why the resources within the Victoria Forest Park could not be sensibly used.

Up to 130 OOO ha of West Coast forest could be utilised for long-term (80 year rotation) production of beech, with the aim 2f managing the resource in perpetuity. At present some 250-350 OOO m of wood/year are going to waste or being burnt. Beech is a difficult timber to saw and season; high costs of preparation are involved, and there is still a need for marketing. The major benefit of a chip industry would be to use a waste product to .provide cash. If this was done then a further 80-100 people would be employed to directly service the industry, with unknown additional numbers forming an infrastructure.

Mr FerguMn concluded by urging support for a West Coast ·beech industry, preferably financed by West Coast capital and capable of being self-supporting without Government backing. For years a beech industry has been talked about with no resulting action.

Questions were mainly on what were the chips used for and what sort of industry could be envisaged. Chips are used in making high quality paper; at present an export industry from Lyttleton is envisaged, although further processing in New Zealand is seen as desirable. Private resources and some government wood would be utilised in a small plant. Some hand-planting of beech may be needed for replacement.

Curt Gleason NZ Forest Service, Hokitika

Mr Gleason pointed out that beech forests were already being managed, even though some were only being managed for preservation of the ecosystem. The major difference between the Forest Service and other owners was that NZFS had to manage for multiple use of forests using the concept of 10 year forest management plans.

A major beech utilisation scheme had been proposed in the 1970s to utilise low grade wood. Public response had been largely hostile due to the large extent of the scheme and the proposal to replace one third of the forests with fast-growing Pinus radiata. Also industry had responded negatively. A long period of inactivity followed.

Ninety thousand hectares of production forest have been identified in the Inangahua and North Westland areas. An industry already exists in these forests to extract high-grade sawlog material but not the low-grade chipwood material. Appropriate management can increase the proportion of high-grade material in a forest.

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Fifteen percent of State-owned forests in this region could be used <for production. NZFS has the expertise to manage the forests but mar~eting of the resource has still to be promoted.

Discussion was mainly about the potential of the different beech species. Red and hard beech predominate in West Coast beech forests, in association with podocarps currently being logged. All the beech species can be successfully regenerated. There are attempts to get hard beech

.recognised as a merchantable timber, but at present red and silver beech ·have more potential as there is more experience with them.

'Bob Laing ·Westland Catchment Board, Greymouth

Mr Laing defined.the Catchment Board's role in administering the 1941 Water and Soil Act and the 1967 Water and Soil Conservation Act, in relation to removal of forest cover. The former act did not bind the Crown but the latter does, through water use and the maintenance of water quality.

There was a long history of warnings of the consequences of forest removal for land stability from people such as Sir Julius Vogel, Captain Campbell Walker, and Mccaskill. A need was evident to maintain forest cover to prevent erosion and its consequences. It was suggested that all forested headwaters should be reserved for conservatiop purposes •

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Methods of logging can influence water quality, but in general removal of forest cover increases peak run-off and can lead to downstream flooding. However, trees in grassed catchments generally reduce peak flows.

While the Board supports industrial development and the creation of new jobs, it has to ensure that development is not to the detriment of the existing environment and community. The Board is looking into research requirements, is involved in detailed hydrological monitoring, and maintains contact with research agencies already working in the region.

Discussion concerned the implications of various forms of land development for quantities of water in major rivers. Mr Laing implied that recent developments had had a significant effect on the increased incidence of major flooding in Greymouth. Mr Ferguson stated that, with the new beech project, there would be no logging in the headwaters. Mr Laing commented

·that the implications of lowland logging were still not known.

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Duncan Annandale Department of Lands and Survey, Westport

Mr Annandale described recent land clearing operations on Mawheraiti farm settlement. In 1982 cost of clearance was $1323/ha. Trees were bulldozed and windrowed as there was no sale for the timber. Much soil was left heaped in the windrows. In 1983 cost of clearance was $1304/ha using an excavator to clear a rather wetter site. Rows were smaller with less ,

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soil. Again, no timber sales could be made. In 1984 the timber was sold and the site logged by NZFS before land preparation using an excavator. Only minor windrowing with minimal soil disturbance was necessary. Cost was $862/ha, a considerable saving. Five hundred hectares could be brought into pasture on Mawheraiti by these methods, many with alluvial soils, for dairying or deer units. Lands and survey have left some bush remnants and have not cleared hillsides on this block.

Discussion covered land costs,, site preparation, and planning. The cost of buying the land is not taken into account in calculating development costs. Vegetation does not have to be dessicated before burning off. No management plans, which are done by block, have been completed yet.

General discussion

TWO main topics were covered, land development effects on hydrology and broad implications of beech utilisation. Lands and Survey development is also affecting runoff, but they do not have to produce environmental impact reports. Attempts are made to carry out development over small areas in different catchments. The recent budget will probably slow down the rate of farm development.

It is now thought that beech can be chipped economically, using bark and waste to generate electricity, possibly supplemented with coal; however, transport costs may still present problems. Portable chippers may utilise smaller wood sizes in the forest. Most nutrients will be retained on site because they are largely in the slash. Some fertiliser trials have been carried out, with little response from beech, also biomass studies to find out where nutrients are concentrated. In contrast to beech, pines need supplementary fertilisers. Much is known about major tree nutrients, but not so much about trace elements, and there is a need for· further research.

Beech differs from pine, being a hardwood, and should result ·in a higher priced product. More utilisation should take place in New Zealand, but this is dependent on the development of secondary industries. It was suggested that the State and private industry might be in conflict but this was denied. The Forest Service tendering system ensures that wood is made available.

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DEVELOPMENTS IN BULLER AGRICULTURE

Mark Mcintosh Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Westport

Mr Mcintosh defined the Buller region as extending from Karamea to Charleston, and including the Inangahua. The main type of farming is with livestock. Development has been rapid, especially in recent years. It has taken place on 2 types of land, previously undeveloped land, and on consolidated land. The greatest changes today are on the latter, although_ some 1000 ha of the former await development on Cape Foulwind. Increased returns have mostly come from livestock enterprises. Sheep are used initially for ground consolidation, followed by dairying., but other forms of livestock farming exist.

GOATS

There are between 13 and 16 goat farms with about 260 female goats and 360 males. Sixty-four percent of the goats are feral, being used for weed control (largely gorse), 25% are for dairying and 11% for mohair production (angora goats). At the moment, returns are small and the future uncertain.

DEER

Deer are of relatively recent introduction to the Buller region and show some promise. There are between 9 and 11 farms with some 30-40 animals/farm. Numbers have risen from 200 to· 435 in 1983/84, mostly from local capture of animals. Many of these are sold outside the district and the money is used for farm development. The West Coast has advantages of suitable feed production patterns and a packing plant at Hokitika for venison. Main limitation is available finance.

BEEF

Both cattle numbers and breeding cows have declined from 1974 to 1984, total cattle at 3.7% per annum and breeding cows at 4.4%, so that overall numbers are now about 10 OOO. Financial returns are not as good as for sheep,_and cattle cause pugging on wet soils. There is interest for the future in dairy beef with probable returns of $30-40/su (sheep $18~20/su), and this could result in a short-term increase in stock numbers. The Kokiri meatworks near Greymouth provides a slaughtering facility.

SHEEP

Since 1979 there has been a huge rise in sheep numbers, to about 74 OOO in 1983, largely as a result of Lands and Survey development programmes (Lands own 60% of the sheep in the region). Much of the development has been on Cape Foulwind as an interim stage to dairying, hence numbers are likely to decline in the future. The increases per year between 1974 and 1984 were 57% for total sheep numbers and 65% for breeding ewes. Numbers are now static.

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DAIRYING

There has been a steady increase in dairying over the, last 10 years, to an existing figure of 105 dairy farmers in the region,(cf 200 in Westland). Cow numbers have increased at an average rate of 3.5%/year and milk production has increased at 5.8%/year. Lands and Survey•s plans to settle 2 dairy units/year may be affected by the budget but these new farms, as well as increased production from existing farms, are expected i to lead to a 7% overall increase/year in the near future. The Karamea dairy company has built a new casein plant at a cost of $3.2 M which is at present only working at one third of its capacity. It wants more milkfat as soon as possible to offset the development costs, but part of these costs will be passed on to the farmer.

Discussion was concerned with how dairying production was being increased on existing farms, how farmers could be made to produce more efficiently, and what were the prospects for an increase in dairy produce. Production is being expanded through drainage improvement, higher stocking rates, better pasture species and increased soil fertility. It is thought the latter can be maintained by improved management systems, without having to resort to higher rates of fertiliser application at increased costs. Catchment Board recommended that further drainage proposals should be put up as soon as possible as the subsidy might soon be removed. It was felt that if medium producers were encouraged to produce more, then low producers would feel uncomfortable and have more incentive to lift production. Some new expertise has come into the region but Lands and Survey now has no money for quick settlement schemes. MAF is not in the business of buying farms. Lands will carry on developing the remaining 1000 ha of Cape Foulwind; 4 500 ha are already in grass. It may well be that, as a result of the budget, land values for poorer land may decline, in which case Lands and Survey development costs may not increase in the future.

The Dairy Board has reserves of $360 M, but at the rate this is being paid out to farmers it will only last a further 2 years. The Board has a good marketing record but the future is uncertain. Sheep farming is not a very viable alternative as there is no freezing works on the Coast and transport costs are high.

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DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE ON RECENT AND CURRENT WORK

D\S.I.R.

Bernard Forde

Dr Forde described the range of activities that DSIR was involved in ·on the West Coast. Biological industries divisions are looking at plant materials, industrial divisions are studying titanium oxides and anode carbon. Geological Survey is evaluating coal resources and has.published a number of local geological maps. Soil Bureau has also published local maps and is carrying out a new soil survey centred on Westport. The Division of 'Marine and Freshwater Science is investigating hoki populations off the auller coast. Following a multi-disciplinary study of the Buller, Mr Rob James of Riwaka was appointed liaison~scientist for the West Coast in 1983. On his retirement he has been succeeded part-time by Mr Peter Smale, also of Riwaka. A direct phone link between Greymouth and Southern Industrial Development Division, Christchurch, was established· in January 1984. Several manufacturers have visited SIDD as a result.

Geoff Mew

Mr Mew reported that the field work for the soil survey of the l: 50 OOO Westport sheet was virtually complete and that initial data sorting was half done. The extent of the surveyed area is from Birchfield in the north to Charleston in the south, and east to about the Blackwater River •. He also drew attention to a joint drainage study on Okarito soils at Mawheraiti with MAF and Lands and Survey, of which half the treatments are in place.

A background paper giving a general overview of the soils of Buller (excluding the Inangahua) was presented to the meeting and is included here.

INTRODUCTION

The soils of the whole of Buller County are shown on soil maps at a general scale of four inches to one mile (1:253 440) by New Zealand Soil Bureau (1968). Specific parts of the county have been, and are being, studied in more detail. Soils of the Westport district were surveyed by Harris and Harris (1939) at one mile to one inch, those of Charleston­Punakaiki by Laffan (1980) at 1:50 OOO, and the Mokihinui~Orikaka region by Heine and Mew (1981) at the same scale. O'Byrne (1981)studied the Karamea region in a soils assessment for horticultural crops at one mile to one inch. Mew is currently re-surveying the soils around Westport within the 1:50 OOO Westport metric sheet. Most of the data on potentially productive soils of the Buller district were summarised in DSIR Discussion Paper No. 7, August 1982. However the 1982 discussion centred on areas outside State Forest control which, coincidentally, are generally the flattest and most easily accessible areas within the county. Major areas within State Forest thought by New Zealand Forest Service to have greater management potential than in the past are included in the Charleston and Mokihinui surveys mentioned above. An internal report was presented to New Zealand Forest Service on soils of part of the Oparara basin, Karamea, in June 1978. i·

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For .the purpose of this discussion it is intended to retain the distinction between land currently within State Forest and that outside State Forest control because the forests are largely confined to the relatively high altitude or hilly and steep to very steep' terrain.

SOILS OF THE STATE FOREST AREAS

Karamea Region

Between the Oparara River and the coastal strip is a large granite intrusion that is mainly deeply weathered. Soils are chiefly yellow-brown earths and podzols, the latter gleyed in many instances. Some organic soils occur .on flat sites and ·rolling slopes. Soils on adjacent Tertiary sandstones and limestones tend to be relatively shallow yellow-brown earths, some gleyed.

South of Karamea, and particularly Granite Creek, is an area of strongly dissected hill country underlain by Lower Pleistocene and Tertiary conglomerates and soft sandstones. Soils are mainly yellow-brown earths and eroded sl9pe variants, as soils slips are relatively common because of the well-defined soil/sandstone interface.

Mokihinui-Orikaka Region

This region is bounded to the east by the fault line at the edge of the steeply-rising Glasgow Range, and to the west by the coal reserve of Stockton-Denniston. Two zones of hill country at the north and south ends are separated by the eastward extension of the Denniston Plateau. The hills at the north end are underlain mainly by sandstones and mudstones which carry a complex array of soils, chiefly yellow-brown earths, gleyed · yellow-brown earths and podzols. The soils in the hill country at the southern end of this region are similar except that there are fewer podzols and some intrusive rocks such as granodiorite and monzodiorite occur. High level terraces with organic soils are located above the Buller River.

In the central area bordering the Denniston Plateau the flat and rolling country Of the plateau largely continues to the foot of the Glasgow range, underlain by mudstones and sandstones. However, some quite large areas of granite and greywacke alluvial gravels also occur, and carry very poorly drained strongly gleyed podzols. Other soils in this part of the plateau extension are either gleyed yellow-brown earths or podzols.

Charleston-Punakaiki Region

A region of strongly dissected hill country with mainly Tertiary rocks lies between the Paparoa Range and the coastline from the Totara River to slightly south of the Punakaiki River. This region is bounded to the west by a series of very steep limestone bluffs, and the limestone extends some distance inland. Soils on the limestone are yellow-brown earths, some of which are ·strongly gleyed. The soil landscape is a complex of bluffs, sinkholes, caves and extremely broken terrain. Tertiary silty sandstones, often with a capping of gravels from old dissected terraces, occupy the area between the limestone and the granite of the Paparoa Range. Soils are chiefly steepland soils related to yellow-brown earths, some of which are

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strongly gleyed. Because there is a relatively abrupt transition from soil to underlying sandstone, a potential slip plane occurs on many of the: ' steeper slopes. Soil erosion is prevalent in some parts of this region, and has been the subject of several studies (Laffan 1979, 1 and 2). Old outwash terraces in the northern part of·the region carry very poorly drained strongly gleyed podzols.

SOILS OUTSIDE STATE FOREST AREAS

The following section is partly reproduced from DSIR Discussion Paper No. 7 and the sub-regions described below approximate those in the West Coast Regional Planning Scheme. Distribution of combined soil and land units greatly simplified, is shown on Fig. 1.

(1) Karamea

Contains one of the two significant areq.s of better quality soils in the Buller region. These are on older dunes, the Karamea River flats, and the river flats at the mouth of the Little Wanganui ~iver. The largest resource of peats (e.g. the Kongahu Swamp 6.6 km ) and peaty soils is found in this sub-region.

(2) Mokihinui

Only a few areas of relatively flat, well-drained land on the southern banks of the Mokihinui River.

(3) Buller Coalfields Plateau

These shallow soils, of very low natural fertility, are found on the exposed plateau between 650-1000 m. Relatively flat land but agricultural potential very low.

(4) Westport-Granity

Contains the second potentially significant area of better quality soils - a mixture of coastal lowland, swamps, fans, river flats and poorly drained terrace land.

(5) Westport-Cape Foulwind

A large area domi.nated by imperfectly or poorly drained soils with some peats. Natural fertility is low and high maintenance levels of fertiliser are required for productive use.

{6) Coast Road (Charleston)

A limited area with almost all soils poorly drained, shallow or extremely low natural fertility and subject to erosion on slopes. Underlain in places by coal or clay deposits of possible economic significance.

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(7) Buller Gorge

A very small area of well drained alluvial soils, some areas of imperfectly drained soils and a small area of peaty soils.

In the course of recent re-mapping of soils north-east and south-west of Westport over the summers of· 1982/83 and 1983184, we have identified small areas of yellow-brown sands and weakly developed yellow-brown earths not previously recognised. Unfortunately such areas are not extensive, but they do have only relatively minor limitations· to intensive use. They exist mainly from Black Creek through to Birchfield. We have also noted a number of fan and alluv .Lal sj_ tes, chiefly between Deadmans Creek and VJaiinangaroa, where ,the poorly drain.ed soils are underlain by relatively pure cle.ys. A clay mining firm in Ylestport l1as been prospecting some of this country.

INTERPRETATION OF SOILS DATA F'OR LAND USE

Of the e.reas outside State. Forest, and with slopes generally less than 15°, e.bout one third have soils with potential for more intensified use than is current. some. of the free draining alluvial soils may need flood protection for reliable use for horticulture, Measuring areas from the existing soils maps, it would appear that there are about 7600 ha of better quality soils present in the Buller.

Approximately 3000-3500 ha are in the Karamea sub-region, 2500 ha in Westport-Grani.ty and the remainder in the Mokihinui, Buller Gorge and Cape Foul wind sub-r-egion_s. These soils are rather he t.erogeneous 1 mainly of alluvi3l origin but \-lith ?- significant proport.ion of soils on older sand dunes. At this stage of DSIR investi_gations they cannot necessarily be considered soils of high value for production .of food in terms of Section 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1977. Rather they· are the best soils in a region characterised by infertile, poorly drained soils. More detailed rating for agricultural suitabi.lity will be available after the current soil survey is completed in the Westport region.

On the arei;lS within State Forest, few have slopes less than 15° and many have slopes in excess of 30°. Areas with slopes less than 15° generally carry soils that are either poorly drained or strongly poclzolised, or both. Their potential. for intensive use. in conventional terms is thus severely limited4

Of the soils on slopes between 15° and 30°, the well drained yello; .. 1-brown earths lacking a slip plane and on stable parent materials are the most versatile soils· for forest management purposes. These soils are limited in extent. Soils that are potentially unstable, and erodible parent· materials, must be treated with extreme ce.ution. They occur eround Karamea, to the north of the Buller River, and along the western margins of the Paparo a Range. Specific distribution pat terns are shown in the Soil Bureau reports quoted in the Introduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Soils that are versatile, that is that can be adaoted with minimum inputs to a large variety of uses, are extremely limited in distribution within Buller County. They are the yellow-brown sands of the coastal strip

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.and the well-drained alluvial soils Of Karamea and a few other river valleys. Soils of the flatter land (<15°) that are of reasonable quality total some 7600 ha outside state Forest, and in some sub-regions suc!1 as· Karamea, more int:.ensi ve use of these soils could be rna·de, taking into acco~.:r!t cl i:natic .and other factors. ·

REFERENCES

Departm,,.1 t of Scientific and Industrial Research. 1982: Report to the Minister of' Science and Technology on DSIR visit to the Buller, 31 May - 11 clune 1982 by a science and technology assessment group. Depa.rt1nent of Scientific and Industrial Research Discussion Pape.r· No. 7.

Harris, C.S.; Harris, A.C. 1939: Soil surve~ of Westport district. Department· of. Scientific and Indusi;rial ·Research ·Bulletin No. 71.

Heine, J.C.; Mew, G. 1981: Soils of Mokihinui:-Orikaka region, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand. Soil Survey. Report 59.

Laffan, M.D. 1979: Slope stability in the ·charleston-Plmakaiki region, South Island, New Zc;alan.d. 1. Landslide potential. ?· Soil disturbance· by windt hrow· and P.odoc3.'rp log.glng on s-te·~plan.d soils formed from cliocene sHty sandstone. New Zealand Journal of Science 22: 183-192 and 193-201.

Laffan, M.D. 1980: ·Soils of Charleston-PLtnakaiki region, South Island, New Zearand. New Zee.land Soil Survey Report 47.

New Zealand Soi.l Burea1J 1968: General survey of the soils of South. Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Soil Bureau Bulletin 27.

0' Byrne, T .N. 1981: Interim report on suitability of soils in the Karamea district for kiwifruit and other horticultural crops. New Zealand Soil Bureau District Office Report NS 15.

Work on iron pans and drainage in association with Dr C. W. Ross of Soil Bureau was also referred to and is described in the following note:

IRON PANS AND DRAINAGE OF l>EST COAST 'PAKIHI'

A common misconception is that all soils under pakihi vegetation have an iron pan that impedes drainage. This infers that the iron pan is the principal cause of waterlogging in these soils and that the land can be effectively drained by breaking up the pans.

Widespread soil surveys by the NZ ,'.;oil Bureau on the W8'>·t Coast since 1972 have dovered a wide range of pakihi land. They have shown that iron pans are by no means always present or may be so deep as to have little influence on surface wetness.

It is our contention that, in many cases, waterloggi.ng results. mainly from other forms ?f dense soil horizons with low permeability. Not from the iron pans as such. These dense layers cons·ist of subsurface horizons with closely-packec! part(cles of silt and Yery fine sand and others wher~ pores are infLlled with translocated organic matter and other colloidal material (Jackson 1980).

19

Soil survey on the West Coast has identified 22 distinct soils under pakihi land (Mew 1983 l . They can be broadly grouped as follows:

1. Shallow and stony soils. · ,,, 2. Deep soils with high silt and fine sand contents. 3. Shallow to moderately deep sandy soils. 4. Shallow or deep organic soils.

Many soils under pakihi land, except peats, show little or no improvement after conventional drainage by open ditches. This is a consequence of the very slow, vertical and lateral permeabilities of these soils. The only practical techniques which show signs of promise involve re-contouring the surface into parallel ridges, with drains at the ends of

. the intervening hollows, or methods of reshaping the land surface to achieve surface shedding of water rather than trying to facilitate drainage through the subsoil.

An experiment designed to evaluate different forms of drainage on deep silty/fine sandy soils is being carried out jointly by the Department of Lands and Survey, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the NZ Soil Bureau in the upper Grey Valley. The results from this trial should do much to enhance our understanding of this very difficult problem.

REFERENCES

Jackson, R.J. 1980: Physical properties of wet land soils, West Coast, South Island. Pp 292-295 in: R. Lee (Ed.): Soil groups of New Zealand, Part 5, Podzols and gley podzols. New Zealand society of Soil Science, restricted publication. N.Z. Government Printer, Wellington.

Mew, G. 1983: Application of the term 'pakihi' in New Zealand - A review. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 13: 175-198.

Peter Smale

Mr Smale outlined his background with the Division of Horticulture and Processing at Riwaka, including investigations with apples, kiwifruit and vegetables, also blueberries and tea, both of which might be relevant on the West Coast. Close liaison is maintained with Clive Cook of MAF. The former liaison-scientist, Mr James, had investigated the possibility of a tweed cottage industry using local wools and this will be followed up. Links with Plant Physiology and Applied Biochemistry Divisions may have benefits for the Coast.

N.Z.F.S.

Dave Bishop

Dave Bishop reported on the Buller forestry work under 4 headings:

1. Environmental/Recreation Concerns are with ~arst management, caves, native snails, also the

organisational aspects of walkways such as at Charleston and the Britannia Walkway.

20

2. Plantation forestry One thousand hectares have been planted to date; 60%- on hill country

yellow:brown earths frcm mudstone and sandstone, 20% on coal measure.grits at Fairdown, and 20% on Addison terrace soils. NZFS is now largely pianting on non-forested land. Some special purpose species such as cypresses and blackwood are being planted in small blocks.

3. Indigenous forest3y Seventeen thousand m /year are being cut at present and this

commitment exists until 1986. Some utilisation experiments are being made with Nothofagus truncata.

4. General Some time is spent on advisory work, including looking at mining and

prospecting proposals, such as coal exploration.

Russ Fitzgerald

The main FRI work on the West Coast is on forest nutrition, but there are no trials in the Buller. Trials are chiefly located in Central Districts, where soil maps have been found use·ful in typing trial sites. Originally, trials were with Diammonium phosphate. Currently tests are being carried out using rock phosphate on Okarito soils; these include types, rates, and various pre-treatments such as V-blading. Some comparisons with Northland are possible. Work is also being carried out using Lotus species to supply N; effects when combined with either superphosphate or rock phosphate look much the same. Also, if Lotus is sown prior to V-blading, it comes up again afterwards. Demonstrationtrial work has been carried out on dredge tail~ngs at 3-Mile Hill and Nemona with Lotus, clover and alders. Forest grazing possibilities offer exciting prospects; up to 200 OOO ha in New Zealand as a whole. NZFS and Lands and Survey are already co-operating in Northland.

Department of Lands and Survey

Mary Ewing

Mary Ewing described Lands and survey•s Buller work. under 3 headings:

1. Farm development Main areas where this is being carried out are on Cape Foulwind and

Caroline terraces, with 4800 ha in grass and 900 ha to be sown down over the next 3 years. It is intended that there should finally be 54 dairy units and 1 sheep unit. Two units were settled this year; 3-4 will be settled each year until year 2000 when settlement will be complete.

2. Reserves and walkways A management plan is being prepared for the Buller Gorge reserve. Four

walkways exist and 1 is under development. Some recent work has been done at Denniston.

,_-_ ... _ .... - ..•... _____ .,,_ ..

21

3. Other Crown land Monitoring is being carried out on progress with prospecting and

mining licenses. ,.

M.A.F.

Prue Williams

MAF Research Division is doing some work in support of the dairy industry in the Buller. It is also involved in fertiliser modelling, and in making computer prediction models for individual farms based on research trials, of which there are a limited number in the Buller. MAF is co-ordinating the drainage trials at Mawheraiti which are at an early stage, and is involved with management aspects of other research trials also.

Ray Northcott

Mr Northcott described the drainage treatments which are being evaluated on the Mawheraiti trial site in the Upper Grey Valley. These are; subsoiling in one direction, subsoiling in·2 directions, field tiles (still to be inserted), humps and hollows, and shingle;,:filled slits.

Westland Catchment Board

David Cole

Catchment Board work in the Buller is in 2 main fields; river protection works and drainage works. River protection works may be in isolated spots to prevent flooding and erosion. These works set the pattern for general rating systems for districts, as has been done for Karamea. Plans are in hand for the Maruia river valley. Also river schemes are prepared such as that for Westport which has been presented to the Borough and County. Costs are estimated to be in excess of $3 Mand the Board has been asked to review the scheme to reduce costs. This means that a lower design standard would have to be accepted which is undesirable.

Examples of drainage works include the Kongahu swamp scheme where all off-farm drains have been put in and farmers are working on on-farm drains. Half to two-thirds of the swamp has been drained. There are also smaller isolated works to improve older drainage systems. The Board spends about $200 OOO/year on drainage, which is 50% government subsidised (this includes the Kongahu and on-farm works). River protection works cost an extra $3;,:.400 OOO •. Recently there has been a big fall;,:off in demand for small drainage work due to a lack of local finance.

New .Zealand Dairy Board

Mike wheadon

22

Mr Wheadon described his work as being 80% on the West Coast and the rest elsewhere. His main concern was to boost milk production, mainly through the PROD group, and in conjunction with M. Mcintosh of MAF. The aim is to increase production from 1.3 M kg to 2 M kg by 1990. Karamea suppliers are in greatest need of help at present. He is also involved with ·sire proving schemes on the Coast. If an extra dairy factory was to have gone ahead, it would probably have been at Westport, not Reefton.

' \ .

General discussion

Discussion began on what would happen with the run-down of indigenous .forest logging in the Buller. The reply was that some logging would continue until exotics came on-stream around 2000. There were several comments about means of drainage. Humping and hollowing is considered too expensive for the private sector, but estimates for it vary from $300~ $1000/ha. Lands and Survey are trying it at Kapitea Farm Settlement. The question of stock effects on humps if cattle were to be grazed in exotic forests on pakihi land was raised, but could not be adequately answered because of lack of information or trials. It must not be assumed that stock grazing in forests will necessarily be an economic proposition.

23

THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER

THE POTENTIAL OF THE NORTHERN PAKIHIS

For forestry - Ross Jackson NZ Forest Service, Hokitika

Mr Jackson said that knowledge gained in Central Districts could equally well be applied in Buller. A computer modelling approach was being used, namely the SILMOD programme. High prices for land preparation ($600-1 900/ha) tended to limit profitability. However the 10% Treasury-recommended rate of return was easy to achieve on pakihi land which only needed to be V-bladed. Overhead charges matter quite a bit to NZFS; V-blading and a double spray for gorse at about $650/ha means an overhead rate of $80/year. Economics depend on the return from wood, and comparisons between Canterbury and Sydney prices can make a considerable difference. Planting at low stocking rates on farm land is looking increasingly attractive because of minimal land preparation costs. Considerable potential is also seen for agroforestry on pakihi sites, although there is a possible need to investigate compaction effects.

An example of the breakdown of costs and returns on a p~kihi site using the SILMOD programme is. as follows:

Forest name Age of trees at ·clearfelling Mean DBH at clearfelling Recoverable volume - thinnings

Harvesting method

sawlogs - pulplogs

Distance from forest to sawmill Location of sawmill

Sawmill conversion factor

Charleston 30 years 51 '3m o m 387 ~3 44 m Skidder 20 km Near Bald Hill. Farm outside Westport (Tauranga Bay sawmill). 52.2

Cash flow analysis ($/ha)

COSTS

Growing costs Preparation Establishment Administration Thin 1 Prune 1 Prune 2 Prune 3 Fertilise 2 Fertilise 3 Dothistroma control Dothistroma control Dothistroma control Dothistroma control Fertilise 4

Harvesting costs Extra roading Logging and loading

Sowing cost

Cartage cost

REVENUES

YEAR OF OPERATION

0 1

0-Clear fell 5.7 5.7 8.6

11.4 4.0 9.0 5.0 1.0

10 .o 14.0 21.0

C/F-1 C/F

C/F

C/F

Thinnings - pulp 0.0 Sawn timber C/F Pulp logs C/F Chips C/F

(A) TOTAL COMPOUNDED COSTS (B) TOTAL REVENUES

NET WORTH (B-A)

24

(C/F)

PRESENT NET WORTH (DISCOUNT RATE 10%)

INTERNAL RATE OF RETURN

NET TOTAL LOG VALUE/ha SAWLOG STUMPAGE $/ha

3_

SAWLOG STUMPAGE $/m BREAKEVEN SAWLOG STUMPAGE/m3

ACTUAL COST COST COMPOUND ED AT 10%

224 4299.53 297 5182.47

62 11280.48 118 1319.34 170 1900.75 189 1601.35 192 1240.99 114 1494.54 186 1514.09

19 226.45 38 374.29 38 281 .21 19 96.03

186 482.44

198. 17 217.99 3338.31 3338.31

. 15326. 28 15326.28

1714.38 1714.38

ACTUAL REVENUE

LOCAL EXPORT TO MARKET AUSTRALIA

0 0 43780.93 68198.38

814 .. 30 0 1447.10 0

51890.89 51890.89 46042.33 68198.38

-5848.56 16307.49

-304. 70 849.60

9% 11 .8%

25445.38 47601.42 25165.18 48135.53

65.01 124.35 80. 12 82.22

.. ,, .. .. ,· ,,

25

Discussion covered site index and output measurements, possible tree species for agroforestry, also environmental .and economic effects, and definition of pakihi sites. It appears that pakihi is not confined to flat land, but that sites such as Fairdown are included. Site :indices (height in metres at age 20) of about 25~27 may be expected from pakihis (28~30 are considered good). Site index is not necessarily a good measure of productivity; in southland, for example, the trees are short and fat with indic3~ of 22~24, bu§ high productivity. Recoverable sawlogs average about

11 370 m and pulp 54 m for Westland. Possible tree species for agroforestry include radiata because it is best known, but blackwood, macrocarpa and Lawson•s cypress might also be considered. The drying effect of trees on pakihi land needs to be investigated in a farm forestry context, as it may help to prevent pugging. There is also a major need for a comprehensive economic model to test the viability of farm forestry. NZFS is committed to supplying logs to local sawmills until 1986, after which decisions must be made on whether a supply of wood will be maintained until local exotic plantings are mature about 2000.

For Department of Lands and Survey - Mary Ewing Department of Lands and survey, Westport

It was pointed out that soils were complex in the pakihi development blocks and potential was limited by this. The aim was to achieve balanced use between the more suitable sand dune types and other kinds of pakihi, with dairying as the preferred land use because it brings in higher returns than sheep. Costs of a development programme are:

Tracks, drains, clearing Lime at 3.75 t/ha Pakihi starter mix at 750 kg/ha Seed at 22 kg/ha Fencing into 8-15 ha paddocks 500 kg/ha 22% KS superphosphate 500 kg/ha 22% KS superphosphate

TOTAL

1 00-150 $/ha 140 190

65 220 115 115

950-1000 $/ha

Interest rates mean that this is only marginally economic, however, established units on Cape Foulwind are doing all right. Units have been sold at $242 OOO at settlement and are just breaking even on overall development costs. The potential seems best for dairying, as sheep need more than 1 man unit to look after them. Sheep numbers of 10 su/ha have been used, with 88% lambing.

Deer farming is another option, with 40 ha being able to carry 100 hinds which can fetch prices of up to $1000.

Comparative gross margins are; sheep $56/ha, dairying $304/ha, deer $326/ha, but variable. These figures do not include interest c~arges.

Ther·e is also some potential for pakihi reserves to preserve ecologically important areas. Some areas may not be economic to develop, and there is a need for combined teams from Lands, NZFS and Wildlife to look at additional pakihi areas before further.development decisions are made. ,

26

Discussion was about the attractiveness of the deer option, costing in terms of land prices and interest rates, size of. units and also the linkage between dairy development and the dairy factory. Deer appear to be the most profitable option at present but this may be influenced by higher interest charges and actual prices paid for them. Initial land prices and interest charges are not included in the costings given but probably vary between $85-100/ha. Average size of dairy units is 100 ha carrying 135 cows and replacements. There is potential for 180 cows, with potential production of 20-30 OOO kg. Lands and Survey recognise that there is a linkage between developing dairy units and the dairy factory supply, hence the aim of establishing a further 48 dairy units. some combination of dairying and deer may however be possible; sheep are not considered to provide sufficient economic returns.

For Private Farm Development - Bill Kirkland Maimai, Grey Valley

Mr Kirkland farms a sheep and beef unit at Maimai, adjacent to Mawheraiti in the upper Grey Valley. He bought the farm in 1974 and ran 1500 su mainly on 120 ha of recent soils. The rest of the property comprised 440 ha of pakihi land with variable soils, and 12 ha of dredge tailings planted with pine trees. By the end of 1974, 2600 su were being run, with 600 ha of pakihi developed using similar methods to those of the Department of Lands and Survey. By 1984 Mr Kirkland was running 4000 su; the number was 4600 su, but some reduction was necessary to increase per animal production. He recognised the need.for good subdivision and rotational grazing on pakihi land, with V-blading to open up only the most obvious drain lines then a digger to.put in a few strategic drains. The first stage is burn to remove manuka and bracken fern. Lime is applied by ground-spreading at a rate of 4-7 t/ha and superphosphate is applied at 750 kg/ha in an initial dressing from the air, followed by 375 kg/ha the next autumn and following spring. Development costs are as follows:

Initial drainage Tracking Lime (ground spread) Fertiliser (air spread) Seed Gorse control Fencing boundary, materials Labour Electric fencing

TOTAL

12 $/ha 6

150 330

50 10 80 50 40

$728/ha

Mr Kirkland said he divided a 40 ha block into 5 paddocks of 8 ha. Gorse regrowth was sprayed then later controlled by rotational grazing. Costs are generally lower than those incurred by Lands and survey because smaller areas are tackled with more conservative expenditure and without high contract labour charges.

27

Development costs of $728 must include stock (12 su/ha at $20 each • $240) therefore t·otal = $968. The interest on capital outlay at 15%/year comes to $145/year. Marginal returns/ha are $240 for lambs and $165 for wool, totalling $405 '

less marginal costs/ha: Interest Stock replacement Shearing and health Fertiliser

TOTAL Therefore, marginal return/ha •

$145 30 40 80

$295 $110 (But with labour.costs included

this figure is more than halved)

Mr Kirkland considered that there was a need for a balance of soil types on a farm. Having some pakihi land was an advantage. Different numbers of stock units should be allocated to different soil types. There is still a place for pakihi development, especially where there are smaller farms with pakihi adjacent to them. Farming pakihi has difficulties, esi::secially in wfnter, but it is good in summer. All stock sold off the farm is in fat condition unless there are high prices for store animals. The average number of stock units for the farm is 13.3/ha; this could be raised to 15 but would need more fertiliser and possibly better management. Farmers do need some access to pakihi land. Increased farming brings more people to a district, creates jobs and avoids the monoculture of forest.

General discussion

Questions were asked on the following topics:

1. Pugging and drainage

Mr Kirkland said there were no pugging problems on his pakihi due to the use of sheep in early development and the build-up of a fibrous mat under the grass such that the pastures could support mob-stocking. Some more drainage probably could be put in if the economic climate was right.

2. Additional on-farm labour, and costs compared with Lands and survey

An additional on-farm labour unit at Maimai would cost about $12000-$15000/year. Additional stock units would total about 2500, giving a figure of $6/su for labour, or $72/ha/year. This would reduce current profitability quite considerably without carrying out further improvement. Fertiliser costs are lower than those of Lands and Survey because of some ground application. Mr Kirkland does not have the short-term investment capital to commence dairying and is more interested in sheep and beef. Lands and Survey consider that dairying shows greater potential for improvement.

28

3. Potential for grazing under trees, and trees in farmland

Mr Kirkland was cautious about the potential for grazing under trees and preferred the idea of separate woodlots to trees planted in farmland. It was postulated that about the same numbers of people are employed in 300 ha of forest compared with a farm of similar size. There is a need for more information on the economics of grazing under trees on the West Coast. Other ways of land preparation rather than V-blading (e.g., bedding plough) might be investigated. Attitudes to farming and forestry were discussed, with a plea for flexibility in thinking and a need defined for an integrated approach. Comparable figures for economic returns from forestry need to be presented to put alongside those of Lands and survey and the private sector. There should be cost-benefit analyses for both farming and forestry from a number of pakihi soil sites, as much of the data are site­specific. Prices for trees will be subject to free market conditions from now on but good management will obviously lead to better trees commanding higher prices.

Tree spacing in pastures may range from as low as 50 stems/ha to 220 stems/ha; there is little information on management with the lower numbers. SILMOD works on 200 stems/ha. Lower tree cull rates might be envisaged. Central North Island studies have shown good liaison between NZFS, MAF and Lands and Survey. General economic trends indicate a merging of farming and forestry.

29

FIELD EXCURSION

on ·the field excursion the following sites were visited:

1. Virgin Terrace; undeveloped pakihi vegetation on Charleston soils.

2. Silverstream dairy unit, Cape Foulwind. (The following notes were supplied by Mark Mcintosh)

HISTORY: 1980 - Developed into dairy_farm from sheep. Employed a 39% share-milker •

. 1984 - Farm settled in June of 1984 New settler ..: R. McKenzi_e (Waikato).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Area:

Soils:

Pastures:

Grassed swamp and bush Roads and buildings TOTAL

55 ha Kini peat soils

94.39 ha 6.06-ha 2. 93 ha

103.38 ha

15 cm fibrous peat over 80 cm fibrous peat with scattered timber, on cemented gravels. Original cover sedges, rushes and swamp forest. Peats are shallow over parts of the area and may be underlain by cemented sands.

48 ha Utopia sandy soils Varying depths of sandy loam with iron pans over compacted sand. Original cover broad leaved podocarp and coastal scrub. Altitude ranges from 5 to 50 m a.s.l. 12 ha arable, balance pakihi and heavily undulating. Tendency to revert to gorse and rushes under inadequate management.

53 ha fair (pakihi) 40.5 ha fair to good (rolling dunes).

Waste Area: 4.5 ha bush 2 ha swamp

Production:

3 ha buildings and waste

1980/ 81 1981 /82 1982/83 1983/ 84 1 98 4/ 85 Season

14576 kg milk fat 17005 18605 21481 (165 kg M.F ./cow) (Mid. Nov.) - 9% ahead of last season.

- 134 cows producing 0.9 kg M.F./ cow/day.

- other stock include: 57 heifers 51 calves.

'

.,·· ..... ; ...... ·:·,.···.· .... ··.·~ .·:·:· ......... : .. -........... ~.; .. ,·: ...... • .. ·. •· •·.'·: .. · ":"."• .. .. •.' ... , •. -.. ,.'·.·.··· ....... · , .. ,, -·

30

Cow Numbers: 1980/ 81 1 31 1981/82 132 1982/83 132 1983/84 132 1984/85 133

Future Trends: Increase cow numbers by 20-25 per year until 200 cows are reached. Calve 1 week earlier next year. Further improve area - hump and hollow

remove timber and rushes subsoil.

Soil Nutrient Levels (April 1984): average over 4 paddocks

Minimum desired levels

pH 5. 75 5.8

Calcium 8 7

Phosphate 20 18

Potassium 3

5-6

Sulphur 28 1

3. Utopia Road; property of John and Pam Wieblitz, with tunnel houses

... , ..... ··- . ,., ,· •"·· .... •. ···~ ·• .. , ... '"

and Mahinapua sand under cultivation for a wide range of horticultural crops. Supplies to Westport market and gate sales.

4. Waimangaroa; property of Mr Colligan. (a) Dairying and land development on Mahinapua sand with

diversification possibilities. (b) Revaluation work in Buller County.

Andrew Gifford described the revaluation that is currently being carried out in Buller County and which will be complete by July 1985. A start was made at Karamea. Valuation generally is based on recent sale fi·gures. T.he budget has imposed some uncertainty on movements in valuation, but it is not policy to speculate on how the market will respond. The department is awaiting new sales to see how land values will move. Valuers have found that some of the poorer quality land values are artificially high because of demand from people seeking alternative life styles.

31

EVENING SESSION

CONSERVATION PRIORITIES FOR THE COAST - Gµy Salmon Native Forest Ac1;ion Co1.1ncil, Nelson

Mr Salmon first defined conservation in a general way which showed that both farmers and foresters practise conservation. He then explained the ro!e of the Native Forest Action Council, which has 5000 members nation-wide, with a few hundred on the West Coast, in commenting on, for example, the Buller Forest Management Plan and the Waimea County Scheme. Main interests of NFAC are in 3 fields:

1. Preservation as a land use

Under this heading they support establishment of a national system of ecological reserves, the wilderness concept as defined by Federated Mountain Clubs and the Forest Service, and maintaining the scenic character of unmodified parts of' New Zealand. Some mining proposals may be worthy of support, as all they leave is a small hole in the ground; many prospecting attempts in fact cause more environmental damage.

2. A rational approach to the use of land

This includes sustainability in the long term. Overcutting of' podocarps on the Coast has largely led to exhaustion of the resource. Also, the justification of' a change in land use in economic terms, for example farming and forestry on the Perseverance block in. the Inangahua. Thirdly, the adoption of a multiobjective viewpoint is sought in contrast to. sectional interests. MWD, Mines Department, Lands and Survey, regional planning authorities should have overviews but often do not. This may come if' a Ministry for the Environment is created. Some national integration has resulted from the NZ Conservation Strategy.

3. To bring in a democratic approach to planning

NFAC wants a greater say from the public in land use planning.

Buller Forest Management Plan

NFAC opposed the NZFS viewpoint that continued logging would be carried out in an area where reserves and the Punakaiki National Park might be set up. It supported the National Park concept and suggested sustained yield fran podocarps rather than clear felling, as NFAC studies had shown prolific regeneration. It also suggested reform of the sawmilling industry for better useage of timber, and the planting of' special purpose tree species. Land outside State forest could be used for development, including tourism, agriculture.and horticulture, to provide more, or alternative, employment if' the 70-strong workforce dependent on forestry was reduced. NFAC supported the DSIR alternative strategies for the Buller but considered that its• own suggestions have been more positive. Some results are showing up, as there has been a change in attitude fran NZFS, including the Conserva§or at Hokitika. Added values dif'3er radically for podocarps, being $300/m for dressing timber and $5000/m when timber is used for furniture production.

32

Waimea County

NFAC is concerned at the way that the woodchip industry has been developing, and its effect on the reduction of' lowland forests. The / industry is considered to be wasteful as all timber is being chipped, even if it is of sawlog quality. Total removal is a result of greed, and leaves wasteland. NFAC would prefer to see a managed beech resource, with reserves, some land for farming and some set aside for soil and water protection purposes. Thus planning procedilres would be applied to privately owned land, taking' public opinion into account through the Planning Tribunal.

Discussion was about the history of the Murchison area, the economics of forestry and alternative land uses in the Buller, a changed app~oach to land use planning, and the need to look carefully at.any new proposals for chipping beech.

Mr Ayson pointed out that much of the wasteland in the Murchison area resulted from drought and accidental fires in 1914, but conceded that subsequent land clearing had been excessive, and there was a need for more control. Much of the· very steep country is not suitable for farming so it is not a rational land use to clear fell the beech forest.

Mr Salmon questioned the NZFS assessment of a 6~8~ rate of return over the rotation time for radiata in the Buller. He considered other species would be a wiser investment. He also suggested that continued conventional milling of podocarps was uneconomic to NZFS, and the only people making money were the sawmillers with long-term contracts to obtain timber supplies. He considered the main barrier to land development in the Buller was lack of initiative, as developments in agroforestry, deer farming and kiwifruit production showed the land's potential. There is a need tor more outsiders to come in with skills and capital. Economic subsidies are not the answer if land reverts when they are removed.

It was pointed out that the South Westland management evaluation programme was a planning exercise which met many of NFAC's criteria; Mr Salmon agreed it was a good model and contrasted it with the situation in the Waikato wetlands and the commitments made to NZ Steel. In reply to a question on whether NFAC had considered purchasing its own reserves, Mr Salmon pointed out that this was not possible in an egalitarian society and that .NFAC therefore concentrated its attention largely on conservation issues on publicly-owned land.

DISCUSSION ON INTERDEPAllrMENTAL CO-OPERATION ON INTEGRATED LAND USE FOR FARMING AND FORESTRY

A need to ensure implementation of recommendations on integrated farming and forestry proposals was identified. There was general agreement that no single form of land use was sacrosanct, and that there was little local experience with agroforestry. Discussion took place on work in the Central North Island, _in Northland, Southland and Otago; there are also proposed study sites in Nelson and Canterbury. The West Coast is likely to have its own special problems which will need investigation. An interdepartmental study group was proposed which would include NZFS, Lands and Survey, MAF, the Catchment Board and DSIR. Both NZFS and Lands said they were enthusiastic about the suggestion, subject to resources and priorities. The group would look largely at practical implications of; combining farming and forestry with minor research input if appropriate. A sub-group of 3, Peter Brierley, Ross Jackson, and Mary Ewing volunteered to write a letter to be forwarded to the appropriate departmental heads.

33

FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER

BULLER HORTICULTURE

The "Potential" - John Taylor Lincoln College, Canterbury

John Taylor described his 1000 m2 horticultural research plot area on sands, leased for 3 years at Carters Beach, and supported by the Regional Development Council. The site near Westport was chosen because oft its climate and proximity to transport. Mr Taylor described his previous venture as a· private nurseryman near the Westport domain in 1970-71 growing plants in containers. The venture had suffered from attacks by Phytophthera, a major problem.

Advantages seen for the Westport area for horticulture were:

1. Climatic - Christchurch is colder in the winter than Westport which has winter temperatures comparable with Tauranga, although average annual temperatures are cooler in Westport. In fact there is more frost in Tauranga than in Westport, which has more sunshine in summer than Christchurch, although overall summer temperatures are lower. Humidity is high but no higher than Auckland. Hail is not a major problem. Generally the climate is even_ and equitable.

2. Cheap land - cheap suitable land is available.

3. Transport - road, rail and air transport is readily available.

4. Available labour.

Disadvantages of the Westport area were:

1. Weed problems - excessive growth of weeds.

2. High rainfall - despite this Mr Taylor's site was workable 10 minutes after the rain had stopped. The high rainfall also caused rapid leaching of fertiliser. Investigations are taking place with slow release fertilisers to replace nutrients.

3. Cold winds - winds are cold but are steady and blow from constant directions. Windcloth has been erected on the south side of the plots.

4. High humidity - this only affects some crops.

5. Limited local market - locally there are only 4000 people to supply, therefore any commercial venture must be aimed at an export market.

6. Lack of local horticultural expertise - there is a need for bringing in experts in horticulture and marketing to train local people in these skills.

7. Shortage of capital - any major horticultural enterprise needs thousands of dollars investment capital.

The main experimental crop Mr Taylor is trying is blueberries, with 12 cultivars planted. Tamarillos are to be tested in the tunnel house, also fejoas; banana passionfruit, Cymbidium orchids, guavas, and mioga (Japanese shoot ginger) •

34

Current developments and future possibilities - Clive Cook Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nelson

The existing situation.in the Buller district was described as :t"ollows:

.• '

Full time commercial units (estimates only)

Part:time units (gross revenue $2000.: $8000, but mainly $2000:$5000)

T nursery (Westport) T vegetable unit (Westport) 1 kiwifruit unit (Karamea)

Staff numbers

3 2 3

2 kiwifruit units 2 nurseries 1 strawberry unit 1 flower growing unit 2 glasshouse tomato units

Small producers and trial areas

Tunnel houses

Asparagus Orchard

tomatoes flowers

apples stonefruit citrus

5+ 1 1 1

Tamarillos 1 · Trial crops - blueberries, etc.

(mixed horticulture) 1

Present and possible potential dollar values of crops in the Buller were given as follows:

Labour - 1990 1984/85 1990 Permanent Casual

Kiwifruit $ 200 OOO $ 1-2 M 9 40 (could be 60) Nursery - shrubs $ 100 OOO $ 100 OOO 3

ferns $ 5 OOO $ 10 OOO 1 Vegetables - tomatoes $ 10 OOO $ 30 OOO 1 6

others $ 50 OOO $ 100 OOO 2 2 Strawberries $ 5 OOO $ 10 OOO 6 Flowers/others $ 1 OOO $ 10 OOO 30 TOTAL $ 371 OOO $ 1 .456 M 16. 84 ( 1 04)

Mr Cook went on to discuss how he saw future developments. The most obvious crop with expansion possibilities was seen as being kiwifruit, followed a long way behind by nursery crops, tomatoes and vegetables. Crops with proven viability in other areas, but yet to be developed on the Coast included asparagus (may be out of phase with the rest of the country and hence at an advantage), flowers, for both local and Christchurch markets, babaco, for local markets, tamarillos and possibly other crops not yet identified.

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Crops with prospects

COST/ha RETURN/ha LABOUR/ha CAPITAL RUNNING

Kiwifruit $ 20 OOO $ 10 OOO $ 20 000~35 OOO .1 .3 (15) p c

Nurseries $ 50 OOO $ 100 OOO $ 150 OOO 4 Tomatoes

(plastic) $ 350 OOO $ .2 M $ .4 M 40 (glass) $ 650 OOO $ .4 M $ .75 M " 60 (super glass) $ 1 M $ .5 M $ 1 M • 55/70

person on West Coast Vegetables

(high value) $ 3 OOO $ 3 OOO $ 8 OOO .5 (low value) $ 2 500 $ 750 $ 2 500 .1 - .2

A few final relevant points were, firstly that spot marketing to obtain high prices requires considerable skill, secondly the New Zealand market for most crops is saturated therefore they must be exported, and thirdly the necessary infrastructure (cool stores, advisors, etc.) is lacking in the Buller region.

Discussion centred around the crops that are being currently tried on the Coast, the financial and research implications of development, and the possibilities of the indigenous flora.

It appeared that d~velopments with kiwifruit were slow because of the large capital investment required and the costs involved in the infrastructure of chilled storage, packhouses and handling facilities; despite the ideal climate of the Karamea district, it is isolated. Developments in Golden Bay where the dairy compan~ is using their facilities for out of dairy season handling of kiwifruit were referred to. There are interesting possibilities for some planting on the good soils of dairy farms.

Infrastructure was also mentioned in reference to development and marketing of potential blueberry crops. The MAF trial at Greymouth, established in 1980 and now protected from bird predation, is producing >3 t/ha. It was suggested that selling should be at first on the local market, but an alternative viewpoint was that, if the crop was grown for export, it was li.kely that 50% would not be of high enough quality and local people would have to be persuaded to eat it if they were not familiar with it.

About $100 OOO investment is necessary for any major crop, and netting to protect blueberries from predation could make them almost as expensive as kiwifruit to develop. At present there appear to be better opportunities for capital investment than in Buller horticulture. It was suggested that research was necessary on flowering, ripening times and selection of the most suitable sites before investment was warranted on a large scale. One question concerned the possible use of cheap coal for glasshouse heating; it has apparently not been tried but needs a large investment and the conclusion was the coal was not much cheaper than in Christchurch. Research is also considered desirable on pepinos but there appears to be a limited export market. However, Watties could be interested in it as a filler for fruit salad.

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The potential of indigenous ferns, shrubs and Sphagnum was discussed. It was considered that cultivars had some potential but because of their size, they would have to be of very good quality to obtain high pric~s; Sphagnum is not being cultivated at present although there are some trials (at Karamea) on growth rates. ·

Conclusions appeared to be that it was better to aim for a diversity of horticultural crops in a region, that precision growing of crops was essential for high returns and that the West Coast had some climatic advantages over Canterbury.

EMPLOYMENT AND POPULATION IMPLICATIONS OF BULLER LAND USE OPTIONS -Dave Stapleton, Ministry of Works and Development, Greymouth

Mr Stapleton considered all land uses discussed previously in the context of total employment and the economy of the Buller District. The data are from 1976 but there has not been much change since that time.

Job numbers: 3072, (41% basic, 86% of which are land-based. (59% servicing

For each basic job there are 1.36 non-earning dependents, and the ratio is higher for servicing jobs. Including servicing jobs and dependents, there are 4.98 people financially dependent on each basic job. Main reason for this high ratio is that the servicing structure is left over from a time of higher population, as the following figures show:

Buller population: 1945 early 1950s

1972 1984

9600 10500 8200 8400

Government policy is now to maintain viable communities through the development of their own resources. Hence the hospital is currently overfunded by 16% as the population is not large enough to sustain it (total Coast population : 34 OOO). Buller population figures must be raised to 10 500 by 1990. This also applies to schools and the servicing industry generally. How then to raise numbers in the Buller region?

Basic jobs, Optimistic scenario Pessimistic scenario estimated 1984 : 1255 for 2001 2414 . fo.r 2001 : 989

294 in agriculture 410 294 294 in coal 800 120 279 in cement 300 none - closed down 131 in forestry 200 50 - sustained yield 73 in clothing 75 75 54 in plastics 60 100 54 visitor servfces & tourism 175 225 52 in fishing 150 100 24 in hunting 24 25 jobs

+ Titanium 220 loss of railway 135 (Also there would be a temporary increase if loss of port 50 new port construction was carried out) loss of hospital.: 120

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As can be seen from the figures, coal and cement employ large numbers.· Agriculture employs lower numbers, and an increase in this sector would not help a great deal, however titanium mining and processing would help.· The actual future numbers will probably be somewhere between t.he 2 options which is likely to lead to a decline in the servicing seqtor.

Discussion was mainly about means of increasing tourism, with one question on limestone reserves. Mr Stapleton said that a West Coast Tourism Council had been formed to promote the Coast and investigate what tourists 1 want. He did not see the Karamea~Collingwood link as being valuable in '1

promoting tourism in view of a projected cost of $60-:70 M; other invest~ ments might be better for sustained yield. One suggestion was to improve the start of the lower Buller Gorge road in order to attract more tourists to Westport.

Limestone exists both in the proposed Punakaiki National Park, in the Tiropahi Reserve and adjacent State forest. It appears that prospecting has been carried out in the Tiropahi Reserve.

Government policies seem to favour boom and bust cycles which are felt by the Regional Development Council not to be in the best interest of towns like Westport. However, the proposed titanium industry could last for 100 years. Non-renewable resources may have to be used to get the necessary boom.

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MEETING SUMMARY SESSION

Mike Wheadon Dairy Board, Greymouth

Mr Wheadon summarised the qualities and .. resources of the area" There is a range of soil types including some free-draining sand country which could be under horticulture rather than grass" The climate, with 2000 mm of rain and good sunshine hours, is an advantage" Adequate transport exists" There is however concern over the amount of expertise that exists locally" Some is present, but horticultural advice comes mainly from Nelson, which is too far away" Confidence is lacking in local people" There is a need for more advertising to draw in people from outside" There has been progress, with increases in livestock units, especially in dairying" The deer industry has some problems, especially with capital; both beef cattle and sheep numbers are falling" One question is, can the pakihi country sustain dairying? Deer and dairying are the best options at present for creating additional jobs and people on the lando Horticulture is only being experimented with at present" Population numbers are very dependent on the future of the coal and cement industries" There is plenty of scope for development and the region has many advantages" What the area needs is promotion in a united way"

Peter Smale DoSoioRo, Riwaka

Mr Smale said that the Coast had a history of much talk but little action" The formerly proposed tea industry was an example" The area needs enterprising people such as the horticulturalists at the site visited on the field trip" There are disadvantages with the local climate such as insufficient heat units, too much rain and high humidity" Citrus could be grown by home gardeners but could not compete with the North Island" Apples could probably not compete either" Sprays would have to be extensively used and are expensive" The area attracts alternative life-stylists who grow horticultural crops but are anti-chemical sprays" Marketing is a major problem" Blueberries are being promoted, which will be all right for a few growers, but there are problems with larger industries" Mr Smale sees future big developments in more extensive agriculture, with horticulture probably still being small in 10 years time and mainly supplying local markets, with some specialist exports"

Ian McLeod Hokitika

Mr McLeod considered that the continued development of large areas of pakihi land by Lands and Survey was very important compared with horti­cultural development, however there should be more intensive use.of the better soilso The forestry/farming debate is interesting in that conservation pressures are forcing foresters to compete with farmers for suitable lowland country, "of which there is a restricted area in the Buller" There are opportunities for farm forestry, horticulture and tourism" However, there is a need to convince people to change land uses and their own traditional attitudes; many projects require financial evaluation in detaiL The private owner is not interested in wider or1

social issues but in surviving and making a profit" Horticulture has

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considerable potential but there are still many technical problems. Traditional occupations have been gold and coal mining and timber extraction, not farming. People will adapt tq new ideas but need to be shown what can be done, for example, with farm forestry, and need to see what are the most economic options. ·

Allan Palmer Massey University, Palmerston North

Dr Palmer considered that education in the broadest sense was needed. NFAC have shown how successful this can be. Possibly other groups should follow their methods. Horticultural units can work, for example the one visited. It is easy to start them but hard to sustain them. New .. developments should be on suitable soils; at least 60 cm of well-drained soil is needed for kiwifruit. Transport costs will always be high on the Coast. Mistakes made in the North Island need not be repeated here, for example complete clearance of land, then replanting shelter later. Native forestwindbreaks can be left. In the field of tourism there is a potential for on-farm activities, also rafting; many successful operations exist in the North Island. The future lies in hard work to increase the population.

Mike Orchard NZ Forest Service, Hokitika

Forests form a backdrop to the Buller region and cover some 380 OOO ha. They are largely managed for protection purposes, 16% in scenic and ecological reserves, 70% in protection and amenity, reserves, and 12.5% for production. Because reading is needed in forests (for access by private cars, beekeepers, aa well as logging trucks), high initial c~sta are incurred, therefore high returns are needed. A further 2 M m of sawlogs for another 80 years could

3be produced; the industry would be more

efficient if the accompanying 8M m of chipwood could also be utilised. Less than 1% of the production forest is in exotics, with a planting rate of 150 ha/year until 1989 ~hen 900 ha will have been planted. The eventual aim is to produce 25 OOO m from exotica which will come on-stream in 2005. However, a decision will have to be made in 1986 on management strategy, whether to aim for sustained yield, or give up. NZFS ia seeking joint venture blocks; it needs 900 ha on the flats for farm forestry, either in wide-spaced plantings, or woodlots, shelter belts or trees planted in association with drainage blocks.

Discussion was mainly about the economics of development and economic effects on planning. It was agreed that simple economic models were necessary to compare farming and forestry options. NZFS is becoming more competitive now after maintaining an historical role of absorbing the unemployed. One idea is that forestry blocks might be set up then sold. Capital inflow is very necessary for the Coast, which compares with the rest of New Zealand 60 years ago. Market forces may ultimately determine what happens in land use; they affect Lands and Survey in that farm development has to be economic before farmers can be settled on the land. People need to be able to profit from their investments and also need some security. Many family businesses on the Coast invest outside the region.

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SLURG BUSINESS MEETING ,_::·

.Apologies

Apologies were received, and accepted, from; K. Powell, W. Alexander, D. Eadie, R.J. Jackson, P.H.P. Houghton, G.P.S. Allan.

General business

1.. Agroforestry concept

A proposed resolution prepared by P. Brierley, M. Ewing and R. Jackson was read. It was amended by G. Mew to include a suggestion that the group, when formed, should document their progress.

A motion that the amended resolution should be included in a letter to be sent to all heads of departments was passed on a show of hands.

The letter and resolution are as follows;

P.O. Box 162 Greymouth

13 December 1984

Dear Sir

At the Westport Interdepartmental Land Use Meeting a lot of interest was created in the possibilities for greater livestock/forestry integration.

It was recognized at the meeting that there are a lot of questions to be answered - both from an economic and productivity viewpoint.

The possibilities for integrated land use are widespread - from private farms and Lands Department blocks, to revised Forestr.y Department planting

.. systems and mine land reclamation areas, etc:

It was also felt by the group that, at present, no one organization has all the necessary information, though jointly we probably have a substantial amount.

The group recommends to you that

.a) A small interdepartmental group is set up, as outlined below, to collate information and plan joint action to set up 2 demonstration areas.

b)

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That where appropriate each department put forward areas of their land for consideration by the group for possible demonstration sites. This includes the identification by MAF, of some private sites.

That you delegate to your representative authority to co-operate by means of providing all available information, the offer of sites or stock and management, and some limited resources. !

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The resolution which was unanimously passed at the meeting is as follows:

"That the Conservator of Forests (Hokitika), the Commissioners ot Crown Lands at Hokitika and Nelson, the Directors ot the MAF R~search and Advisory Services Divisions, the Director ot Soil Bureau, DSIR, and the Director, FRI, establish by the end of February 1985, a study group comprised of one representative for each of the Land Districts, two from the Forestry Conservancy with responsibilities in Westland, one · representative fran FRI, one representative from each of the Research and the Advisory Services Divisions of the MAF, and one representative from Soil Bureau, DSIR, to investigate the concept of joint use of land for production of tree and pastoral products".

The aims ot the study group would be to assess available information and then put forward a specific proposal for the setting up of .a demonstration area(s).

These demonstrations would be designed to test the feasibility from (a) a physical production viewpoint and (b) an economic viewpoint, of extending a form of integrated livestock/forestry enterprise onto appropriate state and private land.

It must be stressed that the proposed group is for "information" purposes only - and will not be involved in any specific recommendation for the use of land owned by any Department.

Could you please indicate whether you support the establishment of this group. .

If so please nominate the staff you wish to join the group by the 31 January 1985.

As the Land Use Group Convenor, I am prepared to organize the first meeting of the group, at which time a chairperson will be elected.

Your staff were party to, and in agreement with, the pro_posal as outlined.

Should you wish to clarify any points don't hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

(Peter Brierley) Convenor Interdepartmental Land Use Meeting

2. Next meeting

Some general suggestions and comments were made concerning a further meeting;

* Follow-up on cost comparisons for farming and forestry * Fewer topics with more in-depth appraisal * Less theoretical, with more time in the field * Possible meeting on the South Westland integrated land use study * Evening sessions to be kept brief * Meetings were a valuable means of keeping in touch in view of the

virtual demise of the Land Resource Advisory Committee of the West Coast United Council

* Documents should be pre-circulated. i

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The venue agreed on for the next meeting was the Inangahua/Reefton/ Maruia area, centred on Reefton.

Convenor : to be G. Mew, DSIR, supported by NZFS to produce a written record of the meeting and secretarial services.

Time : in 12~18 months.

Possible topics

* Mining * Recreation forestry * Tourism * Water resources (including run~off experiments from pakihi) * Future developments in the dairy industry, including infrastructure * Forestry/dairy options for development from cutover forest.

3. vote of thanks

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the organisers. This was carried by acclamation.

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