Chemical monitoring of sediments in estuaries within the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in the Firth of Thames, Whaingaroa (Raglan ) Harbour, Port Waikato, Aotea Harbour, Kawhia Harbour and Tairua Harbour. Sampling frequency = every 5 years. Sampling began in 2003 (not at all sites) and is ongoing, but irregular. Number of sites = 103 total; 10 sites have been monitored twice, and 93 sites sampled once so far. Extent of site = 10,000m2 (100m x 100m). Number of replicates = 12 per site. Measured variables = Sediment characteristics (cadmium, nickel, lead, zinc, chromium, copper, arsenic, organics, antimony, mercury and silver). Sampling protocol & QA = Internal sampling protocol. All analysis on the sediment samples was undertaken on the sub-2mm fraction of the sediments and was conducted by Hills Laboratories

Tidal monitoring in the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Automated tidal recorders are located at Raglan Wharf, Manu Bay, Kawhia, Tararu (Firth of Thames) and Whitianga. Sampling frequency = Continuous (tidal recordings made every 60 seconds). Sampling began in 1990 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 5 total. Number of replicates = 1 per site. Measured variables = Tidal height.

Physical, chemical and biological monitoring of estuaries within the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in the Southern Firth of Thames and Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour. Sampling frequency = 3month intervals until 2009 (Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct), biannually since 2009 (Apr and Oct). Number of sites = 8. Extent of site = 10,000m2 (100m x 100m). Number of replicates = 12 infaunal cores and sediment samples per site, 2-6 sediment plates (depending on location), 10 measurements taken per plate. Measured variables = Infaunal communities (species identifed to lowest taxonomic level possible and enumerated, key bivalves measured). Indicator species condition analysis (using adult bivalves). Sediment characteristics (grain size, TOC, chlorophyll a). Sediment erosion/deposition (cm/y): depth of sediment layer is measured on each sampling occasion (using metal plates, initially buried at 100mm depth and 10 knitting needles). Sampling protocol & QA = Follows methodology of Thrush (1988). Sediment analysis used Galai laser sediment analyser, Malvern Particle Analyser, Hills Laboratories. Infaunal samples used internal QA procedures and were processed internally or with Wilma Blom at Auckland Museum.

Monitoring changes in the extent and distribution of different intertidal vegetated habitats in selected estuaries in the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Data are used to track trends indicating the health of our harbours, assess resource consent applications, identify potential issues (provide useful focus for harbour care groups), identify emerging issues, provide indication of the effectiveness of policies. Baseline information was derived from aerial colour photographs taken between 1995 and 2003, ground-truthed in field surveys. Between 2004 and 2009 estuaries were surveyed using aerial photography and field surveys. Sampling sites are located on the Coromandel Peninsula and the West coast (Aotea to Raglan). Sampling frequency = Coromandel Penninsular estuaries; colour aerial photographs (1995, 1996), field surveys (1997 to 1999). West coast estuaries; colour aerial photographs (2002, 2003), field surveys (2004, 2005). Estuaries are re-visited every 5-7 years (varied timing). Number of sites = 16. Extent of site = complete estuary. Number of replicates = 1 photograph. Measured variables = multispecies (vegetaion) mapping. Sampling protocol & QA = Analysis using arial photography. The classification of vegetation types broadly follows the proposed national classification system, developed under a Ministry for the Environment Sustainable Management Fund project.

Water quality monitoring in estuaries within the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Sampling sites are located in Raglan and Kawhia estuaries, Firth of Thames, Whangamata, Whangapoua and Whitianga estuaries. Sampling frequency = Monitoring is carried out in one estuary every two years. During the 12-month period of monitoring, there are a total of eight visits. Six of these are at 2-monthly intervals, while the remaining two occur after a periods of heavy rain. Sampling began in 1999 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 4 sites per estuary. Number of replicates = 1 per site. Measured variables = Sites are visited within an hour of mid-tide on an outgoing tide. Water measurements: water depth, salinity, DO%, temperature, PH, Enterococci, Faecal coliforms, TP, NNN, NH4, Chlorophyll a, turbidity. Sampling protocol & QA = Quality control measures are undertaken in accordance with EW’s ISO 9001:2000 standards including procedures for the collection, transport, storage of samples, and methods for data verification and quality assurance to ensure the consistency of data across the programme. Samples are sent to IANZ registered laboratories for analysis. Back-up samples are held for two months until results have been verified by routine quality assurance procedures.

Water quality monitoring of swimming beaches in the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Sampling frequency = Weekly (Dec to Feb); alternating every year between West Coast and Coromandel Peninsula sites. Sampling began in 1999 and continued until funding for the programme was withdrawn in 2009/10. Number of sites = 25 total; West Coast (9), Hauraki Gulf (6), Coromandel East Coast (10). Number of replicates = 1 per site. Measured variables = Sample taken from top 0.5m water column in water depth approx 1m. Lowest depth in dataset was 2 m. Water measurements: salinity, temperature, Enterococci. Number of people swiiming at the site is also recorded. Sampling protocol & QA = Aim to determine whether the water quality is suitable for contact recreation (for example, swimming).

Beach profiling in the Waikato region for Waikato Regional Council. Sites are located on beaches on the Eastern Coromandel Peninsula (Port Jackson to Whiritoa inclusive) - apart from one site on the western side (Te Puru School). Sampling frequency = irregular until 2002, than 6monthly. Sampling began in 1978 and is ongoing. Number of sites = 34 total (12 beaches). Extent of site = dune to low water transect (usually less than 200m). Echo sounding at some sites up to 2km offshore. Number of replicates = 1 per site. Measured variables = Beach profiles. Sampling protocol & QA = Since 1996 we have adopted the Emery Pole method of profiling. This involves measuring the change in height between two 1.8 m graduated poles by sighting to a fixed point (usually the horizon) over short distances (3 to 5 metres) measured by a tape measure. More detail in Stewart (2002). Internal QA protocols.