Appendix 1 Volume Three South Marlborough Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes 19. Mt. Duncan/Mt. Rutland/Mt. Cullen Biophysical - Geopreservation site: Okiwa Bay Pelorus Schist. Values The hilly ranges are largely covered in indigenous beech and broadleaf forest. - - Unencumbered by development. Perceptual - Visually important elevated backdrop of indigenous and regenerating vegetation to Values the Rai, lower Pelorus and Kaituna River valleys. - These, undeveloped and vegetated ridges in northern parts of the valleys provide visually attractive natural patterns, noticeably the Mt. Duncan ridge. Associative - Mount Richmond Forest Park provides a semi-remote forest experience currently Values characterised by unmodified landscape. - The area is managed by DOC. Overview Based on the above values, Mt. Duncan/Mt. Rutland/Mt. Cullen have been identified as ONFs due to their exceptional biophysical and associative landscape values and very high sensory landscape values. The indigenous forest in conservation estate, which covers the elevated ridges, assists in framing the adjacent valleys as well as providing a strong and continuous natural framework connecting a number of valleys. Modifications include: occasional walking tracks; back country huts; masts and overhead transmission line to Okiwi Bay; part of Ronga/Croisilles Road (by Ronga Saddle); a disused mine (near Mt. Cullen); and trig stations. 20. The Wairau Lagoons Biophysical - Wairau Boulder Bank/Te Pokohiwi, lagoon and delta are geopreservation sites Values identified as nationally significant landforms. - Highly natural wetland, being a large coastal lagoon-estuarine system and unique estuarine ecosystem, protected as a DOC Reserve. - The lagoons are of national importance for wading birds. - Wairau Bar dry shrublands. Perceptual - Aesthetically interesting and broadly unmodified landforms of the estuarine Values landscape and boulder bank. - Expansive open sea views out to Cloudy Bay and White Bluffs/Te Parinui o Whiti. - Ebb and flow of weather-protected coastal waters. Associative - Māori/early polynesians archa eological sites, including middens, campsites and moa Values remains on the boulder bank and around the Wairau Lagoons. New Zealand’s oldest archaeological site. - One of the first landing points in New Zealand by early Polynesians, some 700 years ago. - Cultural importance of the Wairau Lagoon and Wairau Boulder Bank acknowledged by the Crown in iwi Treaty of Waitangi settlement. - Wairau Lagoons Walkway. - Impressive SS Waverley shipwreck. Overview Based on the above values, The Wairau Lagoons has been identified as an ONF due to its exceptional biophysical and associative landscape values and very high sensory landscape values. The coastal area and river mouth, which includes the Wairau Boulder Bank/Te Pokohiwi and lagoon, contributes important biophysical values to the Wairau River valley landscape. The Wairau Boulder Bank and lagoons are nationally significant as intact geological landforms, and provide nationally significant habitats for native, vulnerable and rare waterfowl and birds. The lagoon features extensive glasswort herbfields alongside App 1 - 20