Waihi North Project: Assessment of Terrestrial Ecological Values & Effects 62138 WNP AEE 73 8.3.2 Other Fragments We have assessed the planted vegetation and fragments (Western, Eastern, planted) within TSF3 and find none of those areas to trigger significance under the RPS or meet Section 6(c) of the RMA (i.e. they are not significant). Table 14. Assessment of TSF3 fragments of vegetation and habitats against RPS (Part B, Chapter 11A) Regional Policy Statement Criteria (Chapter 11A, Table 11-1) Assessment 1 It is indigenous vegetation or habitat for indigenous fauna that is currently, or is recommended to be, set aside by statute or covenant or by the Nature Heritage Fund, or Ngā Whenua Rāhui committees, or the Queen Elizabeth the Second National Trust Board of Directors, specifically for the protection of biodiversity, and meets at least one of criteria 3-11. Not significant- None of the three fragments are currently or recommended to be set aside by statute or covenant specifically for the protection of biodiversity. 2 In the Coastal Marine Area, it is indigenous vegetation or habitat for indigenous fauna that has reduced in extent or degraded due to historic or present anthropogenic activity to a level where the ecological sustainability of the ecosystem is threatened. Not significant- Not in the Coastal Marine Area. 3 It is vegetation or habitat that is currently habitat for indigenous species or associations of indigenous species that are: • classed as threatened or at risk, or • endemic to the Waikato region, or • at the limit of their natural range. Not significant- No At Risk or Threatened species present, or species at the natural extent of their range- beyond kānuka, mānuka and pōhutukawa, all of which remain common and widespread throughout their ranges (de Lange 2022 a, b, c). 4 It is indigenous vegetation, habitat or ecosystem type that is underrepresented (20% or less of its known or likely original extent remaining) in an Ecological District, or Ecological Region, or nationally. Not significant- Not significant. Vegetation is planted and / or exotic. 5 It is indigenous vegetation or habitat that is, and prior to human settlement was, nationally uncommon such as geothermal, chenier plain, or karst ecosystems, hydrothermal vents or cold seeps. Not significant- ecosystem types are exotic and / or planted. 6 It is wetland habitat for indigenous plant communities and/or indigenous fauna communities (excluding exotic rush/pasture communities) that has not been created and subsequently maintained for or in connection with: • waste treatment; • wastewater renovation; • hydro-electric power lakes (excluding Lake Taupō); • water storage for irrigation; or • water supply storage; unless in those instances they meet the criteria in Whaley et al. (1995). Not significant- Not wetland habitat. 7 It is an area of indigenous vegetation or naturally occurring habitat that is large relative to other examples in the Waikato Region of similar habitat types, and which contains all or almost all indigenous species typical of that habitat type. Note this criterion is not intended to select the largest example only in the Waikato region of any habitat type. Not significant- - ecosystem types are small areas of exotic and / or planted, or regenerating vegetation 8 It is aquatic habitat (excluding artificial water bodies, except for those created for the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity or as mitigation as part of a consented activity) that is within a stream, river, lake, groundwater system, wetland, intertidal mudflat or estuary, or any other part of the coastal marine area and their margins, that is critical to the self-sustainability of an indigenous species within a catchment of the Waikato region, or within the coastal marine area. In this context “critical” means essential for a specific component of the life cycle and includes breeding and spawning grounds, juvenile nursery areas, important feeding areas and migratory and dispersal pathways of an indigenous species. This includes areas that maintain connectivity between habitats. Not significant- areas concern terrestrial vegetation (Refer to Boffa Miskell 2022 for aquatic habitats) 9 It is an area of indigenous vegetation or habitat that is a healthy and representative example of its type because: • Its structure, composition, and ecological processes are largely intact; and Not significant- vegetation is comprised of plantings with very low diversity throughout- it is not a
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