ProfessorJon Harding

Internet publication

Christchurch-West Melton Water Zone Committee (2011-present). A sub-committee of Environment Canterbury and Selwyn District Council. This local government committee provides advice on implementation of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. I was appointed as a freshwater scientist with local knowledge to bring my expertise to this committee.

Independent Peer Review Panel (North Bank Hydro Project)(2010-2011). This panel of 3 independent experts was appointed by Environment Canterbury to provide an independent review of the consent monitoring plans for Meridian Energy's North Bank Tunnel Hydro scheme. I was nominated for this panel because of my work on the effects of dams and impoundments of the ecology of rivers and my expertise on ecological monitoring.

Member, IUCN Red List Working Party for New Zealand Freshwater Biodiversity (2010-2011). This panel of experts provided advice on the threatened status of selected New Zealand freshwater species for inclusion in the IUCN Red List. I was invited to join this group because of my expertise on freshwater invertebrates.

Member, MfE Expert Panel on Environmental Reporting (2010-present). Invited by MfE to contribute to 2 panels on indicators for national environmental reporting on river health. I was invited to join these panels because of my authorship of a number of key national sampling and monitoring protocols.

Member, Royal Society Biological & Life Sciences Panel (2010-present). This Panel advises the Royal Society Vice President (Life Sciences) on national policy and emerging life sciences issues which the Royal Society should be taking action on. I was nominated by the New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society.

Co-chair, Organising Committee, New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society Conference in Christchurch (2010).

Member, Envirolink Development of sediment assessment protocols (2009-2011). Advisory group and science provider for the development of national protocols for the asessment of sediment in wadeable streams. This included scientists from NIWA, Cawthron, Otago, Massey and Canterbury University, as well as Landcare Research and several Regional Councils (e.g., Environment Canterbury, Wellington Regional Council).

Ministerial appointment by the Minister of the Environment as member of a 4 person Board of Inquiry (2008-2010). The Board heard submissions and re-drafted the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS). The NPS provides an over-arching framework for national and regional freshwater management. My appointment to this Board came from recommendations by freshwater scientists in central and local government.

Committee member, Science Policy, North American Benthological Society (2007-2010). This committee provided advice on Society Science Policy submissions to US government. I was invited to join the committee to provide an international perspective on global freshwater science policy.

Led and co-ordinated the development of national protocols for the assessment of physical habitats in wadeable streams (budget $170,000)(2007-2009). A collaborative project between Universities of Canterbury and Massey, NIWA, Cawthron and several Councils.

Member, Water Program of Action Reference Group (2005-2006). Provided advice for joint MfE/MAF/Dept of Conservation group that sought direction on key water programs developed across government.

Ministerial appointment by the Minister of Conservation to the Canterbury/Aoraki Conservation Board (2004-2007). The Board advised Canterbury Conservancy DoC on conservation issues and informed the Conservation Authority. I was nominated to the Board by the NZ Freshwater Sciences Society.