This report updates the information on annual patterns of settlement for the red rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii) on crevice collectors at key sites in CRA 3 (Gisborne), CRA 4 (Napier and Castlepoint), CRA 5 (Kaikoura), CRA 7 (Moeraki), and CRA 8 (Halfmoon Bay and Jackson Bay). An annual raw and standardised index is produced from the groups of collectors at each site. Data and standardisations for Napier and Castlepoint were explored in some detail.

This report describes a preliminary stock assessment for silver warehou on the western Chatham Rise, New Zealand. Reconstruction of a catch history for the fishery is detailed. A minimum virgin biomass was estimated at between 20 500 and 20 750 tonnes. The model was insufficiently informed by the available data for an assessment of the stock.

The commercial eel (longfin, Anguilla dieffenbachii; shortfin, A. australis) monitoring programme captures processor recorded data from individual landings throughout New Zealand on eel catch weights, species composition, size grades, and catch location at the catchment level. This report provides detailed results from the 2015–16 to 2017–18 fishing years, and also examines trends in the North and South Island time series from 2003–04 to 2017–18.

This report summarises bycatch and discards in hoki, hake, ling, silver warehou, and white warehou trawl fisheries for 1990–91 to 2016–17, based on analysis of fisheries observer and commercial catch effort data. Javelinfish, other rattails, and spiny dogfish were the main bycatch species recorded by observers. Total annual bycatch for the period ranged from 17 500 t to 49 000 t; total annual discards (for 2002–03 to 2016–17) were 5000 t to 25 000 t and decreased significantly after 2002–03.

In this report, we use expert knowledge and spatial data on the extent and types of erosion initiated during previous storms as the basis for assessing the erosion susceptibility for the current exotic forest estate in the East Coast region and – in more detail – for four currently forested study sites in the likely event that they will be subjected to episodic storms at some stage during the rotation cycle of P. radiata (~27–30 years). Furthermore, by selecting study sites within two lithologically and structurally contrasting terrains, we identify geologic and topographic factors that influence the development rate and type of erosion process that ultimately determines the degree of susceptibility (low to very high) of different areas within and between study sites.

This technical review supports the discussions in the main body of the report. It is a source of more detailed discussion (and references), and was distilled down for the main body of the report. The sections contained within the technical review covered the three topics within the SLMACC (Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change) Climate Change Effects on Soils theme (soil carbon, soil services and soil nitrogen), and represent a compilation of the findings of these three groups. The evidence for the climate change projections for New Zealand is also presented in this technical review. The individual reviews were undertaken using available literature and combined with current best knowledge from national experts. The national experts were brought together at a workshop in February 2013 to investigate and debate the evidence in order to be more certain of the outcomes of climate change on soils.

The main aim of this research was to develop new knowledge and a set of analytical tools and datasets to help wine producers adapt to local spatial and temporal variations in climate in New Zealand’s vineyard regions, and thereby to help ensure the future sustainability of the industry. The research involved several inter-related phases, starting with an assessment of existing climate data for the main vineyard regions of the country, but with a particular focus on the Marlborough region as it is New Zealand’s premier wine producing region. As air temperature is considered to be the most important environmental factor affecting variations in grapevine response, it was the variable selected for the most detailed analysis in this study.

This report summarises bycatch and discards of fish and invertebrates in New Zealand arrow squid and scampi trawl fisheries for 2002–03 to 2015–16, based on analysis of fisheries observer and commercial catch effort data. Barracouta, silver warehou, and spiny dogfish were the main bycatch species in the arrow squid fishery, with total annual bycatch of 9000–40000 t and discards of 1000–16000 t. Javelinfish, other rattails, and sea perch were the main bycatch species in the scampi fishery, with total annual bycatch of 2400–5600 t and discards of 900–4100 t.