Abstract
This report has been prepared as requested by Otago Regional Council, together with other councils, on behalf of the Biodiversity Working Group, Te Uru Kahika (Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa).
Project and client:
• The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) requires councils to maintain indigenous biodiversity. It also requires indigenous biodiversity to be considered in a wide range of resource management decision-making contexts and through a range of functions.
• Knowledge of whether a native species is found in a region can be essential information for maintenance of indigenous biodiversity. However, many councils do not currently have the capacity, resources, or expert knowledge to compile species lists for various taxonomic (species) groups in their region.
• Otago Regional Council (ORC), together with other supporting councils, secured an Envirolink Advice Grant to compile species lists by region for select taxonomic groups.
Objectives:
The objectives of this project were to:
• Work with taxonomic experts to compile species lists by region for four taxonomic groups: amphibians, bats, birds, and reptiles. In addition, taxonomic experts were able to compile species list for indigenous vascular plants in Nelson-Tasman region and Southland region. For every taxon listed, the taxonomic experts assigned the unique identifier from the New Zealand Threat Classification System to ensure backward and forwards compatibility with the national tool to assess threat status. The output of these species lists is an Excel spreadsheet for each taxonomic group.
• A summary report to be produced as a Word document for each taxonomic group outlining the outputs, the data sources used, and next steps where appropriate. Some of this information is also provided in the Excel spreadsheets as a ReadMe file, i.e., a worksheet outlining details of the lists.
Results and Discussion:
• Species lists were compiled for the various groups between August and December 2024. The Excel spreadsheets are provided as separate documents while the summary reports are provided as Appendices in this document.
• For the first time, comprehensive species lists have been developed for regions across Aotearoa New Zealand in a format that is readily accessible for all regional councils and unitary authorities at the appropriate regional scale.
• The species lists provide foundational knowledge to regional councils and unitary authorities. Such lists should be maintained and updated moving forward.
• Additional species lists should be developed for various taxonomic groups, starting with other groups listed in the New Zealand Threat Classification System as national threat assessments have been undertaken for them.
• Species lists should be provided to iwi and hāpu, partners and stakeholders, including Te Papa Atawhai – Department of Conservation and relevant ecological societies.
Administrators: Scott Jarvie and Jo Monks
Species lists compilers:
Amphibians: Hadley Muller, Tobia Dale and Rod Hitchmough Bats: Moira Pryde, Colin O’Donnell and the Bat Recovery Group Birds: Oscar Thomas
Indigenous vascular plants of Nelson-Tasman: Shannel Courtney
Indigenous vascular plants of Southland: Brian Rance, John Barkla and Scott Jarvie
Reptiles: Carey Knox and Rod Hitchmough