1. Natural Character
Marlborough District

2. Personnel James Bentley, Alan Rackham, Boffa Miskell
Pere Hawes, MDC Policy Planner
Brin Williman, MDC Rivers Engineer
Val Wadsworth, MDC Hydrologist
Neil Deans, FGNZ
Peer Review
Michael Steven
Peter Hamill, MDC

3. What is Natural Character?
Natural elements,
Natural patterns and
Natural processes
Extent of human influence on this
NOT indigenous; nor landscape
Section 6 (a) RMA

4. Primary Attributes River channel River Shape Flow regime Water Quality
Absence of exotic flora/ fauna  
Structures/ human modification

5. Primary Attributes contd
Riparian edge
Extent of native flora  
Structures/ human modification
Wider Landscape
Landscape character

7. Result Assessed 38 rivers/river segments
Potential range of natural character from 8-40
Actual range 16-40
Initial concerns with purpose and process
Worked through; takes time
Debates between ‘river experts’ robust
Ultimately considerable agreement

8. Points of Difference/Issues
5 point scale to rank each attribute
Concerns about adding ordinal data
Debate about what natural character is not yet resolved
Few objective measures; relies on expert assessments which may vary between regions
Peer review still continuing; some issues but largely complimentary