Outstanding contribution award for Mid-Canterbury braided river expert
A well-know Mid-Canterbury braided river expert today received an Outstanding Contribution Award from Environment
Canterbury. Ashburton’s Matthew Hall received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the management
of Canterbury’s land and water resources.
Mr Hall has given a life time of service to the waters and the ecology of the braided river systems throughout Mid and
South Canterbury. He has been actively involved in the Fish and Game Council and a founding member of the “Save the
Rivers Campaign in Mid and South Canterbury.
In receiving the award Mr Hall said: “Every movement of the river for me has a meaning. I understand its secrets. I am a
part of it. It is a part of me.”
Matthew hall
In recognition of the outstanding contribution Matthew Hall has made to the management of Canterbury’s land and water
resources in Canterbury.
Matthew Hall has given a life time of service to the waters and the ecology of the braided river systems throughout Mid
and South Canterbury.
A keen fisherman and ecological observer, he took what was a passing interest of a young man in matters of the
environment to a life commitment and passion in which he has been recognised by his peers and the judiciary alike.
His association with the braided river systems and pelagic fisheries started at a young age. As a kid catching herring
at the Rangitata mouth he became a legend in his own time, achieving the nick name of the ‘Herring King’.
An active and passionate fish and game licence holder Matthew has always had strong views. As a result it was only a
matter of time before he was elected to the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, serving as an office holder from1985 to
1989.
With the demise of Acclimatisation Societies in 1989 Matthew took up the challenge and continued his involvement with
Central South Island Fish and Game.
Matthew was the inaugural chairman of the transitional body, seeing the changes through from local societies to a
regional body.
He was elected Chair of the fledging Central South Island Fish and Game Council, and then served variously as Chair from
1990 through to 1994 during the early years of the council.
Part of Matthew’s commitment to the management and support of the fisheries and the braided river ecosystem was right at
the front-line, as an appointed Warranted Officer for Freshwater Fisheries. Originally warranted by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, Matthew continues to hold a Fish and Game warrant to this day.
Matthew was delegate to the South Island Salmon Committee from 1984 through to 1987 and an active participant in the
Salmon Symposium of this time. He also actively served as an organiser for the ‘onboard’ observer in the Salmon By-catch
monitoring program.
For 20 or more years Matthew has been a faithful student in the study of the braided river systems of mid and south
Canterbury. His intimate knowledge and understanding of these rivers and their ecology has no equal in any of the
Rakaia, Rangitata and Ashburton Catchments.
It was in this field of work with ‘Save the River’s campaign’ that Matthew’s expertise and accumulated knowledge came to
the public eye. Not only did he give evidence in his own right at the hearings, he was also asked to give independent
expert evidence to the presiding Judge at the successful Rakaia River Conservation Order Hearing.
Several years later he did the same in relation to the Rangitata Conservation Order, while continuing as a submitter in
his own right and an expert witness for the ‘in-stream user group evidence’.
As one of the founding members of ‘Save the Rivers Campaign’ in Mid and South Canterbury, Matthew also had a wider
involvement in the community as a hut holder and office holder of the South Rangitata River Hut Holders Association.
From meagre beginnings as the ‘Herring King’, Matthew went on to become a legend amongst his peers in the art of salmon
and trout fishing, as well as a renowned whitebaiter.
As a private person and dedicated family man, the true extent of Matthew’s contribution did not become fully apparent
until the submission period of the Conservation Order process on the Rakaia River.
His understanding was an example to all who heard him during those early battles - as one that was not just passionate
about a braded river but also understood how the rivers lived, their natural cycles and the life that flourishes within.
Through this contribution, Matthew Hall has contributed to a richer and more diverse Canterbury environment. Today we
recognise this service.
Ends