Happy Valley

Happy Valley is part of the Ngakawau Ecological District, the only ecological district in New Zealand defined by the presence of extensive elevated coal measures rocks and associated landforms and vegetation.

In 1998, the Department of Conservation recommended a 2100ha protection area as part of its Protected Natural Areas Programme (PNAP), to conserve biodiversity in the Ngakawau Ecological District. The Upper Waimangaroa recommended area for protection (RAP) included a large part of the Upper Waimangaroa Mining Permit area and part of the proposed Happy Valley mine area. Unfortunately, however, such a recommended area for protection has no binding power.

Vegetation

As mentioned in the Greenpeace submission against the mine, “The area contains excellent examples of coal plateau landscapes and biological communities, some of the best remaining nationally. These include tussock land, shrub land and heath land communities, as well as low forests of mountain beech, pink pine, yellow silver pine and southern rata and pygmy pine.”

The Happy Valley area is predominantly untouched and natural, with very few weeds. It has a high quality vegetation, with a high diversity of species and community types. Elements of particular conservation interest are the community of herbfield species, the considerable age of the forests, the presence of rare bryophytes (liverworts and mosses), and the red tussockland community.

The fact that these red tussocklands are a wetland further confirms their significance. Nationally it is estimated that about 90% of New Zealand’s wetlands have been lost in the last century. Therefore, the rest must be cherished.

Fauna

Happy Valley is home to great spotted kiwi (roa), kaka, kakariki, western weka and the endemic land snail Powelliphanta “patrickensis”, all of which are threatened species. New Zealand falcon, kea, kereru and long-tailed cuckoo have also been seen in the area, and are expected to live in the area on a seasonal basis.

The water channels of the proposed mine area are inhabitated by a large number of koura (freshwater crayfish).

Other possible inhabitants of the area include the Denniston skink, which is thought to be a taxonomically distinct species, and a new and undescribed micro-snail species, probably of the genus lotula, the discovery of which is indicative of the potential for more local species to be found in the upper Waimangaroa Valley.

Exotic species are found in only very low densities in mine area, with low populations of deer and possums and an apparent absence of goats and pigs, increasing the conservation value of the area.

Great Spotted Kiwi

Great spotted kiwi are found only in the South Island, roughly north of Hokitika, and mainly in the western and central parts of the island. There are about 20,000 great spotted kiwi in existence.

Great spotted kiwi have a “gradual decline” threat classification, with the rates of decline being higher in dry habitats than in wet ones.

The major threat to the survival of great spotted kiwi on the mainland is believed to be predation of chicks/juveniles by stoats.

Kiwi are territorial animals, defending their homes vigorously. Possession of territory appears to be an essential requirement for breeding, pair-bond maintenance, and survival.

Surveys show that the 2,932 Mining Permit area in the upper Waimangaroa Valley probably contains 75 to 145 adult great spotted kiwi.

About ten great spotted kiwi live on the proposed mine site. The mixture of forest, tussock and shrublands, as well as the fact that stoats don’t do well in high rainfall areas, means that the area makes a particularly good kiwi habitat.

The kiwi of the Happy Valley and upper Waimangaroa area have a conservation significance that exceeds their numerical importance.

As even John McLennan, the kiwi expert hired by Solid Energy, has stated, "The populations in natural refuges are expected to persist for longest, and to progressively increase in conservation status as those in other areas disappear. Such populations are therefore worthy of special protection, and every effort should be made to prevent avoidable losses, irrespective of the number of individuals involved."

Powelliphanta “patrickensis”

The Powelliphanta “patrickensis” snails are a unique part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity, comparable to kiwi, tuatara, or kakapo.

“Much of New Zealand’s biodiversity is contained within its land snail fauna, and the giant Powelliphanta land snails of North Westland and North-West Nelson are of major significance, not just nationally but internationally.” – Kath Walker, Powelliphanta “patrickensis” expert.

There are only approximately 1000 adult Powelliphanta “patrickensis” snails in existence. Their habitat is restricted to the Denniston-Stockton coal measures plateau area at and nearby the proposed mine site at Happy Valley, in the approximately 1500 ha region of the upper catchments of the Waimangaroa and Whareatea Rivers and St Patrick Stream.

Powelliphanta “patrickensis” is a small snail, compared to other Powelliphanta, with a maximum diameter of 35 mm and height of 21 mm. It has a thin, smooth, polished and glossy shell, reddish brown in colour.

The Powelliphanta “patrickensis” snails have a “nationally endangered” threat classification.

The greatest threat to Powelliphanta “patrickensis” is loss of habitat, primarily due to mining. The arrival of exotic predators has added additional pressures, but is not the main problem for Powelliphanta “patrickensis”.

There is considerable morphological variation within the range of Powelliphanta “patrickensis” in the upper Waimangaroa area, so any damage done to the snails will have even greater impact on the specific morphological types.

Powelliphanta “patrickensis” is a direct competitor with Solid Energy. Its preferred habitat is the margins of low forest amidst boggy clearings on coal measures, and its distribution closely follows that of the coal resources on the plateau.

There are three remaining core snail areas; Deep Stream, Cedar Creek-Waimangaroa River, and Cypress, and there are plans for coal mines in each of these areas. "If the lower Waimangaroa mines also eventually go ahead, about 40% of the snail's total habitat, supporting 74% of the population, is likely to be lost." - Kath Walker

Both Powelliphanta “patrickensis” and great spotted kiwi are absolutely protected species under the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1953. This is the highest level of legal protection afforded to species under New Zealand law.

The Wildlife Act does not protect habitat however. That is achieved, or not achieved, as in this case, through resource consent hearings. The practical effect of “absolutely protected’ wildlife status is, however, that ‘taking, trapping, capturing, pursuing, disturbing or molesting’ of these species requires the approval of the Minister of Conservation.