Appendix D: Cultural Values
D.1 Cultural Values of the Waitaki Catchment
All information regarding the values of Kai Tahu, mana whenua, have been taken from Appendix P of the Meridian Energy Assessment of Effects on the Environment for Project Aqua, titled "Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) Project Aqua", 30 June 2002.57 The extension of this information to other demands for water allocation cannot be made by the project team.
While it is likely that some impacts associated with irrigation will be in common with that for Project Aqua, the quantum is likely to vary considerably. It should also be noted that some impacts might be avoided through integrated planning and design, and implementation of mitigation activities.
D.1.1 Spiritual and Cultural Values
Aoraki and the waters flowing from it are considered sacred, as they define Kai Tahu's cultural identity. Their presence and sense of awe invoke a sense of belonging and tribal cohesion (page 80), as well as wairua, or spiritual essence. The affinity of the iwi with the environment is strong; "land, water, ecosystems and Kai Tahu are interrelated with bonds that should not be broken" (page 78), and the wellbeing of the people is associated with the maintenance and health of the natural environment (page 80).
The connection with the Waitaki River is still strong, and the life force, or mauri, of the river, still exists. However due to the construction of the Upper Waitaki power scheme the values have been eroded, as the natural flow paths have been disrupted and now controlled by humans. Kai Tahu believe that if the mauri of an entity is desecrated or defiled the resource itself, Kai Tahu and others are at risk (page 31).
Traditionally, Kai Tahu Rūnanga have kaitiakitanga over the river, which means they have responsibility for managing and allocating resources. This has been eroded over time as the Upper Waitaki power scheme was constructed and other river uses have been allocated without Kai Tahu involvement.
D.1.2 Mahika Kai
Mahika kai is a key component of Kai Tahu cultural identity, including the traditional sites, species and practices that provide food to the iwi. The continuation of a mahika kai culture provides the centre that holds the tribe together (page 37).
Mahika kai sites exist along the Waitaki River, tributaries and margins, wetlands, hydro dams and natural lakes. Plant, bird and fish species, both introduced and native, are all gathered for cultural use, and some species have been formally classed as taoka species (in Schedule 97 of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act, 1998) (page 38). Of the vast number of mahika kai areas and species traditionally utilised, few remain accessible today (page 42). Many were lost over recent decades (page 42). The increased settlement, modification of the plains the hydro developments posed the biggest threat to the resources (page 42).
The trend is for further loss of riparian habitat and mahika kai sites.
D.1.3 Taoka Sites and Other Archaeological Sites
In addition to mahika kai sites, other taoka and archeological sites in the region include rock art, middens, ovens, rock shelters, waahi tapu sites, urupā, kaika nohoaka, trails and umu. Most of these are on the plains and foothills, although some include wetland areas or riparian margins of the river. These sites reinforce the connection of Kai Tahu with the land and environment, and their sense of belonging to the area.
Kai Tahu already experience losses due to the Upper and Mid Waitaki River developments for hydroelectric power generation, in terms of land, waahi tapu and other sites of significance. While many of the remaining sites are well documented (notable is the rock art at Takiroa is deemed "of national significance" by NZHPT58; page 44), there is a risk that these sites will not be adequately protected in future from incidental, natural or intentional causes. There are further sites, not documented, that may also be lost due to further intensification of farming or other developments in the district.
D.2 Impacts from Irrigation Sector Expansion
Given the range of irrigation developments currently proposed, detailed information regarding cultural impacts has not been sought by the project team. With the exception of protecting specific land attributes, it is understood that the upmost importance for future abstractions is the maintenance of the existing waterway attributes otherwise affected by land intensification and encroachment, and water quality issues associated with irrigation runoff and recharge. Some examples are given below:
- Based on the Project Aqua CIA poorly managed irrigation is also likely to lead to a reduction of mauri of the rivers due to a decrease in water quality. Reduced water quality may also impact on mahika kai, as the quality of habitat affects species availability and quality. This was raised as an issue for the lower Waitaki as a result of Project Aqua in CIA (page 93)
- Possible encroachment of agricultural land to riparian zones / wetlands / native grasslands as the value of land increases and intensification of land use is also considered a major issue. This would result in further loss of mahika kai sites and possibly other waahi tapu and waahi taoka sites. This general issue was raised as a concern in the CIA for the lower Waitaki.
- The development of irrigation demands is likely to affect the hydrological profile of the river, although on a smaller scale than Project Aqua. Concern has been raised in the CIA about changes in lake level regimes in Aviemore, Benmore and other lakes to manage supply of water for Project Aqua (page 96). The impact on these substitute mahika kai sites may also be a concern with the change in water allocation from energy to irrigation. Such concerns would be likely to extend to any allocations for irrigation.
The potential irrigation demands also include several cross-basin transfers, which could also raise the possibility of cultural sensitivities with regard to eroding the mauri values of the Waitaki River beyond that of in-catchment diversion.
The above is provided as examples the impacts likely to be of interest, and should not in any way be interpreted as a definitive response to the issues discussed.
D.3 Cultural Impacts, Hydroelectricy Sector Expansion
D.3.1 Cultural - Instream and Wetland Effects
D.3.1.1 Spiritual and Cultural Values
Spiritual and cultural connection with the Waitaki River will be adversely affected due to the further modification of the natural ecosystems, the loss of awe from the "big river" experience and the further disconnection of the river from Aoraki to the sea. Kai Tahu are concerned that the mauri of the river will be destroyed. The identity and connectedness that Kai Tahu have with the Waitaki River, a sense of wellbeing, belonging and tribal cohesion, will be eroded with the changes and reductions in flow (page 80).
The overriding issue is that the development will have cumulative impacts on the existing losses experienced from previous developments. Kai Tahu Runaka have a kaitiaki role over the sustainability of the Waitaki River from Aoraki to the sea, and this is challenged by developments.
The thought of having a totally engineered river throughout the catchment that is of paramount importance to Kai Tahu Whanui was of concern to the three kaitiaki Runaka (page 31). Kai Tahu have one sacred river, and there is no alternative or substitute to the loss of spirituality or cultural identity if the values of the river are affected.
Under the proposed flow regime mitigation offered by Meridian, Kai Tahu values would not be adequately protected. There is no alternative river for Kai Tahu that can replace the sense of cultural identity. Because the spirituality of the river comes from its size and its pathway from Aoraki to the sea, any modification to these characteristics affects its spirituality and sacredness to Kai Tahu.
D.3.1.2 Property Rights
The de facto property rights of Meridian taking water from the river into hydro canals impacts on Kai Tahu's interests to own, manage, access and use the waters of the Waitaki (page 81).
D.3.1.3 Mahika Kai
Mahika kai is the basis of culture, and the unrelenting cultural imperative is to keep the mahika kai intact, to preserve its productivity and diversity of species (page 101). The loss of mahika kai impacts adversely on the body and soul of Kai Tahu (101), and cause profound social and cultural stress (102), as the foundation for their identify (the river and its resources) is being taken away from them.
The CIA considers the instream flow regime proposed by Project Aqua will adversely impact on
- the diversity and abundance of species,
- the ability to access and gather mahika kai and
- the ability to educate future generations of significant mahika kai practices.
This is due to the loss of riparian mahika kai habitat and the interconnectedness of the main river with the riparian side channels, wetlands, backwaters, groundwater etc (including the disconnection of tributaries and springs to the main channel). Changes in river flow regimes is considered to affect mahika kai populations due to temperature changes, interconnectedness with tributaries, water quality and habitat.
Intensification of agriculture is also considered to contribute to a loss of mahika kai sites due to encroachment of farmland into riparian areas and the increase of effluent discharges and fertilisers impacting on water quality. Kai Tahu is also concerned with the vulnerability of mahika kai bird species with more exposed gravel and better access by predators (103).
There are 30 mahika kai sites in the lower Waitaki Valley that Kai Tahu want to see protected from the changes in flow regime.
Meridian propose mitigation measures to protect instream values associated with mahika kai. These include the flushing regimes to mimic natural river dynamics, and numerous river works to maintain and enhance riparian cover, braiding, interconnectedness between the river and the tributaries and predator and weed control to maintain the gravel bed habitat for birds. These measures deal mainly with the protection of habitat and species survival overall, and may not protect specific historical mahika kai sites, which is of cultural significance to Kai Tahu.
D.3.2 Cultural - Out-of-Stream Effects
D.3.2.1 Archaeological Sites
No known sites located with in the footprint of Project Aqua but several lie in the near vicinity and are therefore at risk of damage during construction of the scheme and supporting infrastructure (page 84). Rock art is considered particularly vulnerable to humidity, groundwater levels, airflow and microclimate, dust and vibration - up to 1km away from works. Of particular significance are:
- I40/53 (S127/155) - Takara rock shelter to the edge of the old river terrace, with rock art "of national significance" (NZHPT). Canal 3 located 200m to the north of the terrace edge.
- Unrecorded sites, Francis land - evidence of human occupation. Power Station 2 and Canal 3 lie within approximately 150m of the site and wetlands area.
- I40/8 (S127/1) - Otakaroa - containing stone tools and remains of moa. Canal 3 is located less than 50m from the northern extent of remains.
Mitigation during construction, such as earthworks plans and dust control, is likely to reduce the potential effects on the sites, although the long term effects of groundwater and humidity changes is not so clear.
Wider Cultural Landscape Affected
To gain a full understanding and appreciation of past lives and activities of early Māori in the valley it is necessary to view archaeological sites within their wider context i.e. the connection between settlements and mahika kai sites (page 87).
- Lone Hill limestone bluffs, Gards Rd. Rockshelters and flat land have evidence of occupation. The positioning of the canal impinges on the integrity of the known sites in and around the bluff (page 87).
- Site and wetland at Priests Road, near the proposed site of Power Station 2. The wetland and sites on the above terrace should be considered to be part of the sites wider area and protected (page 88).
- Limestone bluffs, Maerewhenua to Kokoamo. The placement of a large power station structure between rock shelters (oriented towards the river) and the river will impinge significantly on the cultural values of this area, as the line of site to the river will be completely obscured (page 88).
The CIA has listed several specific culturally significant sites in the Waitaki Valley that require protection from development.
There are no mitigation measures proposed by Meridian energy to reduce the impact on the cultural landscape from the canal and power station structures.
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