Kayakers are delighted at having their ''moonscape'' playground - the Nevis River - protected from damming.
Whitewater NZ was one of the appellants to the Environment Court in the most recent legal proceedings on whether the water conservation order on the river should be amended.
The kayaking advocacy group wanted the value of the Nevis to kayakers officially recognised. Whitewater NZ Nevis campaign spokesman Glenn Murdoch, of Christchurch, said the group was delighted with Environment Minister Amy Adams' decision to ban damming.
''We always knew that a dam was 100% incompatible with the kayaking opportunity offered by the Nevis, and the entire kayaking community is delighted that the minister has agreed with us.
''The Nevis River offers a truly unique kayaking experience in New Zealand. Nowhere else does it feel like you are kayaking on the moon.''
During the Special Tribunal hearings in 2009 on the matter, several kayakers described the river as the ''jewel in the crown'' of Otago rivers.
Mr Murdoch felt so strongly about the river his 4-year-old daughter Maia's second name is Nevis. Her younger sister Aria (2) has River as her second name.
During the past seven years, hundreds of hours had been spent by volunteers on this case, supporting the New Zealand and Otago Fish and Game's application to amend the water conservation order, he said.
''This is absolutely our ideal outcome.''
Central Otago Whitewater president Gordon Rayner, of Alexandra, said the decision was ''magic''.
''It's great to see wilderness areas left as wilderness areas for future generations to explore. It feels very good to have achieved this ... to leave a legacy like this in our own neighbourhood.''
Mr Rayner, a kayaker and kayaking coach, told the special tribunal the Nevis should not be ''sacrificed'' for hydro development. Central Otago had already given its share of rivers to the electricity industry, he said.
