Recreational survey of Rakaia River

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 20

Recreational survey of Rakaia River

The conclusions of a recreational survey of the Rakaia River, released by the North Canterbury Catchment Board, say that the river provides opportunities for a wide diversity of-' recreational activities, salmon fishery being its predominant value. The report, prepared by Mr K. J. Saville-Smith for the boani, was not available at the time the four-volume resource report was released earlier in the year.

The 21-page study listed eight conclusions from an on-site survey on recreation at the Rakaia River, made during January, 1983. Mr Saville-Smith said recreationalists gained great satisfaction from pursuing their activities in an unmodified natural environment.

The river was preferred above in the region. Not only did the river attract users from the local area, but throughout Canterbury, with 14.6 per cent coming from outside the district.

The study showed that the upper river system and the gorge area were particularly attractive to picnickers, sightseers, and photographers. The area between the gorge and the river mouth supported the greatest num-

ber of activities. These included swimming, canoeing, rafting, jet-boating, camping, and eeling. Other activities listed in the survey included trout fishing, whitebaiting, birdwatching, trail biking, sightseeing, duck, quail, rabbit and deer shooting and stone collecting. The survey showed the river was overwhelmingly used by men, 85.5 per cent. It did note, however, that women gained some use from the river and women’s involvement in water-based recreation was likely to increase.