B-2 – Area 2 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 15 Boffa Miskell (2022b) consider the site to have ‘Low’ ecological value as native bird habitat, based on the isolated, patchy habitat, observations of common native and introduced birds onsite, and a review of bird species data recorded in the area. Figure 8: Pasture and riparian vegetation at Willows Road Farm (Boffa Miskell 2022b). Field surveys of the site indicate that it is generally unsuitable as habitat for Archey’s frogs. Surveys of four streams within the footprint of the Willows SFA revealed that these locations do not provide suitable habitat for Hochstetter’s Frog. Outside the Willows SFA, there is some suitable frog habitat, and a juvenile Hochstetter’s Frog was identified at a freshwater spring. This is located on the eastern side of the site, distant from the Waihi North Project footprint. The overall ecological value of the Willows Road Farm for native frogs was assessed as ‘Negligible’ (Boffa Miskell 2022b). Based on literature analysis and the highly modified character of the Willows Road Farm, the site is expected to have ‘Low’ value for terrestrial macroinvertebrate habitat. Targeted surveys for terrestrial macroinvertebrate species were not undertaken. Consequently, the overall ecological value of the Willows Road Farm for fauna was assessed as ‘Low’ (Boffa Miskell 2022b). The Mataura wetland is located near the boundary with the Mataura Stream (see Figure 3 earlier in this chapter). Although heavily grazed, it is well-defined and hosts two mature swamp maire trees. This species is classed as ‘Threatened – Nationally Critical’ and is rare
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