Response to 2007 Budget

One of the highlights in this years budget is the $8.8 million dollars over the next four years that I and my party have negotiated. This money will be used for the integrated habitat management, with local communities of 3 of NZ's most significant wetlands in New Zealand. I must alert Mr Cullen to the fact that not only did he wrongly take credit for that new money but he also got the description of its purpose completely wrong.

The three wetland areas where this money is directed are major assets to our country.

The first is the Whangamarino wetland near Hamilton. At well over 5500ha, the Whangamarino Wetland is home to 239 wetland plant species, including many rare and vulnerable species. 60% of them are indigenous. It plays a major role in flood control in the Waikato area, is a key water bird habitat and is home to native fish, including short and long finned eels.

The Whangamarino Wetland is listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. A number of invertebrates occur in the wetland including seven species of molluscs, seven species of water flea. Aquatic insect life includes dragonflies, damselflies, water beetles, non-biting midges, craneflies, midges and water and a tinywater skate Microvelia is possibly the most abundant animal in the wetland.

The only species of moth in New Zealand with an aquatic larva (Nymphyla nitens) is common in this wetland.

The second is the Ashburton Lakes, Rangitata River area in Canturbury. It was here, on the shore of the Maori Lakes that I announced this new funding. This area is one of the best remaining high country wetland complexes in our country. The nearby premium braided river habitats remain outstanding examples of freshwater ecology. The around 12 lakes and tarns drain generally into the Ashburton River (south branch) and Lake Heron drains northwards through an extensive wetland into the Rakaia catchment.

The lakes/tarns are bounded by glacial moraines, outwash and alluvial fans, or are kettle holes in former glacial surfaces. The smallest lakes freeze over in winter. Each differs in the details, in having either streamside swamps, stony beaches and/or turflands. The Upper Rangitata is one of few braided river habitats in New Zealand largely free of invasive weeds.

This money will help to protect species upported by these habitats, e.g. wrybill/ ngutuparore, crested grebe/k