About the Coleridge Habitat Enhancement Trust (CHET)

The Lake Coleridge Hydro Electric Power Scheme (Lake Coleridge HEPS) was the first government-built hydroelectric power station in New Zealand.  It opened in 1914 and was purchased by the private company Trustpower in 1998.
 
In 2022, Trustpower sold some parts of its business (its retail division and company name) to Mercury, but retained its power generation assets including the Coleridge HEPS, and rebranded this power generation company to become Manawa Energy.

The power station operates by diverting water from the Wilberforce and Harper Rivers, and the Acheron Stream, into Lake Coleridge for storage. The storage and use of water for power generation causes lake level fluctuations. 
Just prior to Trustpower purchasing the HEPS the resource consents authorising the operation of the Scheme were renewed. As part of this process the Coleridge Habitat Enhancement Trust (CHET) was formed to administer an environmental enhancement fund. CHET’s work was not impacted by the Trustpower sale and continues with the rebranded power generation entity, Manawa Energy.
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The trust fund was established to provide a means of mitigating some of those environmental effects that could not be anticipated or provided for during the consenting process. This money is available to put towards environmental projects that ensure freshwater habitats in the area are enhanced, maintained or created.

Variation to the Rakaia Water Conservation Order 2013
In 2013 Trustpower was granted a variation to the Rakaia Water Conservation Order, allowing the additional use of Lake Coleridge to store water for downstream farmers for irrigation, operational from September 2015. This has since transferred to Manawa Energy. As a result of the Water Conservation Order variation, another charitable organisation was established – the Rakaia Catchment Environmental Enhancement Society Inc (RCEESI). ​

Lake Coleridge Power Station

Important wildlife habitats in the Coleridge basin

​The Lake Coleridge area has some significant habitats that support unique and threatened New Zealand flora and fauna. The area is characterised by hardy sub alpine species that are adapted to survive in dynamic and extreme environments such as high winds, fast moving rivers and temperature and altitude extremes. 

High country lakes and wetlands

Canterbury high country braided river

High country vegetation

High country lakes and wetlands
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Lake and wetland areas provide habitat for native long and short-finned eels; a range of water birds including the endemic Australasian Crested Grebe whose primary breeding area is Canterbury high country lakes; and highly valued recreational sports fish (trout and salmon).

These species all rely on the well-being of waterways and wetlands connected to Lake Coleridge and the surrounding lakes, lagoons and pool systems.

Braided Rivers

The braided river beds of the Wilberforce, Harper and Upper Rakaia Rivers provide a specialised habitat for unique bird species including wrybill, black-fronted tern, black-billed gull and other threatened riverbed nesting birds.

Braided rivers are extremely rare around the world. The South Island, and particularly Canterbury, is a hotspot for this geographic phenomenon. These rivers provide unique habitat that supports animals found nowhere else on earth. 

Indigenous Canterbury high country vegetation

​High country vegetation maintains a local seed source and provides habitat for unique New Zealand wildlife.

CHET Trustees - 3 year terms

TRUSTEE REPRESENTATIVES:

• Selwyn District Council - Councillor Bob Mugford (Chair)
• Manawa Energy - Ryan Kane
  
• Department of Conservation - Ronan Grew
• Landowner Representative - Rebecca Rose
• Fish & Game - Lyndon Slater
• Forest & Bird - Donna Field

OFFICERS:

• Judith Pascoe - Secretary
• Andrew Welsh - Coordinator

Some work CHET is involved in

• Financially supporting weed control in the braided river systems in a collaborative partnership with the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, Environment Canterbury, Manawa Energy and local landowners.
  
  
• Supporting braided river bird projects led by BRaid (Braided River Aid).
  
  
• Predator trapping around Australasian Crested Grebe nesting areas as well as on braided rivers to protect vulnerable ground-nesting birds. CHET also contributes financially to larger-scale predator trapping on the Rakaia River coordinated by LINZ/ECan/DOC.
  
  
• Working to improve visitor signage and facilities that help protect vulnerable habitats in collaboration with other organisations with responsibilities in the area and landowners.
  
  
• Helping to coordinate the efforts of various organisations that have responsibilities in the area by sharing information about work occurring or required. 

Find out more about CHET's work:

• Annual Summary of Activities 2017-18 (PDF)
• Annual Summary of Activities 2018-2019 (PDF)
• Annual Summary of Activities 2019-2020 (PDF
• Annual Summary of Activities 2020-2021 (PDF)
• Annual Summary of Activities 2021-2022 (PDF)

​Research undertaken or commissioned by CHET:

• Crested grebe survey (2021)
• Canterbury Knobbled Weevil Survey (2021)

CHET Trust Deed

​Click to download a copy of the CHET Trust Deed (PDF).

Contact

Andrew Welsh, CHET Coordinator
Email: coleridgehabitattrust@gmail.com