Orari River
Saturday 28 November
The Orari River Protection Group took the opportunity to recognise the beauty of local wild river, the Orari, by celebrating Wild River Day on Saturday. The group organised a number of river-based activities at the Andrew’s Stream Bridge in the Orari Gorge and encouraged locals to enjoy a day by the Orari. The new Andrew’s Stream Bridge was also formally opened and this was followed by a picnic/BBQ down by the river.
In spite of the cold, damp weather kayaking tours down the river, provided by the local adventure guiding company Alps2ocean and abseiling provided by Peel Forest Outdoor Pursuits was enjoyed by many.
Timaru deputy Mayor, Michael Oliver and John O’Neill, MacKenzie District Mayor opened the new footbridge; built to replace the old vehicle bridge, which had become unsafe and had to be removed. The Orari River Protection Group had lobbied for a replacement; and after consultation with the local landowners; Timaru District Council and McKenzie District Council, agreed to a footbridge as a replacement, so enabling continued foot access further up the Orari Gorge. This area is a popular recreational spot with fishermen, kayakers, trampers, mountain-bikers, and swimmers, and maintaining access was seen as important for the local community.
Nix Buick, previous owner of Blue Mountain Station spoke about his disappointment that the vehicle bridge wasn’t replaced by another vehicle bridge. He had built the bridge in the 1950’s and handed it over to the District Council with the assurance that the bridge would be maintained. This wasn’t done and the bridge, which he saw a being vital link and public right of way, slowly fell into disrepair.
Michael Oliver spoke about the importance of maintaining a degree of public access across Andrew’s Stream to the Upper Orari River for recreation, and John O’Neill spoke of farmers’ reasons for reticence in allowing unhindered vehicle access to private land. Roddy Brown of Blue Mountain station said that he was happy for people to come onto his property past the Andrew’s Stream area provided they ask permission first.
Ad Sintenie, chairman of the group, said, “ It was a great opportunity to celebrate our local wild river and New Zealanders’ traditional access to it””
The Orari River Protection Group also conducted its annual Bird Survey of the river that morning. The survey identified a large colony of the endangered Black-billed Gull, 2 colonies of endangered Black-fronted terns, as well as Banded Dotterel. The colonies will now be identified by signs, in order to avoid disturbance, particularly by dogs being walked in the river-bed.
Further Information
Contact Ad Sintenie, Chairperson, Orari River Protection Group Inc
