Welcome to the winter edition of our newsletter! We're excited to bring you more stories, updates and insights, and to delve into topics that matter to you. The big news this winter is we’ve secured a whopping $1.9 million from the Ministry for the Environment's At-Risk Catchment Fund. This funding will help us improve water quality, boost biodiversity, and support our thriving community. Exciting projects are on the horizon and we’ll keep you updated on our website!
We value your thoughts and feedback, so please take a moment to read our stories, and let us know what you think. Don't forget to invite your friends to join our newsletter community by visiting this link. A big shoutout to all who’ve been part of our journey so far – we’re grateful for your support!
Exciting Funding Secured
Earlier this month, Hon. Andrew Hoggard, Minister for Biosecurity and Associate Minister for the Environment, visited our catchment to announce a significant funding boost. We’re thrilled to announce that the Manuherekia Catchment Group secured $1.9 million from the Ministry for the Environment's At-Risk Catchment Fund, part of the Jobs For Nature programme. This funding, available from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, aims to address environmental concerns and enhance the catchment's overall health.
“The Ministry for the Environment has identified priority catchments in need of support, and the Manuherekia catchment is one of the first selected. This approach empowers communities to drive improvements in their local environments.”
– Minister Hoggard
This funding will benefit more than just our catchment. MCG co-chair Anna Gillespie says that by delivering the actions for improved water quality and the associated cultural, economic and social benefits, we’ll be in a position to provide case studies and pathways for farmers, communities and catchment groups across New Zealand.
“This funding completes the journey that started with Living Manuherekia, and we will share our learnings widely.”
– Anna Gillespie
In 2023, the 'Living Manuherekia' team engaged with local stakeholders to develop a vision and action plan for the catchment. We gathered 1000 ideas, refining them into key actions to be implemented with the new funding. These actions focus on preserving local history, enhancing native biodiversity, protecting natural landscapes, supporting sustainable farming, and boosting the local economy.
Upcoming projects include community clean-ups, willow removal, native plantings, river care initiatives, and the development of walking and cycling trails. Community involvement in these activities is crucial, and we look forward to celebrating our successes in June 2025.
“This funding has united our community to focus on the Manuherekia. It’s a wonderful thing to be empowered to achieve long lasting and intergenerational benefits for a community you love.”
– Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan
This funding marks a significant step forward for the Manuherekia Catchment, setting a precedent for community-driven environmental improvement projects across New Zealand.
Thomsons Catchment Project Update
The Thomsons Catchment Project hosted a successful soils field day on 26 June, with a blend of engaging indoor sessions and hands-on field visits. Farmers left the event with a deeper understanding of how to maximise soil productivity while maintaining long-term soil health. The tips and techniques shared by Professor Moir will hopefully help us all implement best practices to reduce losses to waterways and wind erosion.
Earlier this year, Otago Regional Council undertook two successful upstream runs at the Thomsons Fish Barrier to remove trout. The team removed seven large trout, 193 smaller trout, and two perch.
During the runs, they were pleased to see more than 80 Galaxiids, numerous upland bullies, and 19 eels - all left in the creek to continue thriving. Many thanks to Pete Ravenscroft, Brent Dungey, and their teams for their excellent work.
The Thomsons Catchment Project bird monitoring group has been active and thriving the past few months, meeting regularly to venture into the wetland and count the birds. Despite often braving wet and cold weather, their dedication remains unwavering. If you're interested in joining us for future bird monitoring sessions, please contact Nicola at 027 493 9500. Also, keep an eye on the Thomsons Project Facebook page for updates and pictures from these awesome bird monitoring activities.
Throughout April, the Thomsons crew embarked on a remarkable journey to enhance local biodiversity through wetland island planting. Partnering with Matukituki Natives, Pukerau Nursery, and Central Otago Polytechnic, more than 2,200 native plants were planted across the wetland, marking a significant step forward in their conservation efforts.
For more information on future events and initiatives, please visit www.mcg.org.nz/thomsons-project
Willow Management Consultation
Thank you to everyone who attended our hands-on drop-in session on 24 April to talk about willow management in our catchment. Hosted by the Manuherekia Catchment Group, the event aimed to gather input and ideas on how best to manage willows along the waterways.
It was fantastic to see so many of you there, sharing your ideas on how we can enhance biodiversity and improve river access. From lively discussions to practical suggestions, every voice mattered as we debated which willows should stay and which should potentially go.
We talked about different ways to manage willows, and we plan on prioritising sites for action based on your feedback. Your insights are guiding our next steps. This event showed just how committed our community is to taking care of our environment and making decisions together.
Curious about what's next? A significant portion of the funding MCG has just received will be used for willow removal, starting with the Poolburn Gorge.
Visit www.mcg.org.nz to stay updated on upcoming activities and how you can get participate. Your involvement is crucial in shaping the future of our catchment.
Central Otago MP Visit
Earlier this month, MP Joseph Mooney, along with MP Miles Anderson, spent a gorgeous winter day in Central Otago, talking about the importance of water and irrigation for our region. They shared captivating stories about our rich irrigation history, from water races built by gold miners to historic reservoirs like Upper Manorburn, Poolburn, Idaburn and Falls Dam – all constructed in the early 1900s.
Their visit included a stop at Omakau School, where enthusiastic students gave a tour of their awesome tunnel house. The school kids are growing native seedlings for local planting, alongside vegetables and fruits for their meals.
The tour wrapped up with a visit to the impressive Thomsons Creek Wetland, which feeds into the Manuherekia River.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, MP Mooney highlighted the beauty and importance of the Manuherekia and Ida Valleys, calling them “stunning places with a fascinating history.”
This visit brought to light the critical role of irrigation, the power of community initiatives, and the captivating heritage that defines Central Otago.
Save the Date: MCG AGM
Mark your calendars! The Manuherekia Catchment Group Annual General Meeting will be held at 4pm on Friday 30 August at the Rugby Clubrooms. Location is to be confirmed, so stay tuned for updates. We look forward to seeing you there as we discuss our progress, future plans, and continue our work towards a sustainable and thriving community. Don't miss it!
Update on ORC Invoice
At last year's AGM, we shared that Otago Regional Council (ORC) had invoiced us $65,000 for pre-application costs for consents under PC7. We expressed our concerns and objections regarding these charges at the time, and were awaiting further advice.
We’re now delighted to announce that our efforts have paid off, and ORC has withdrawn the invoice. This resolution is a significant relief for our group, allowing us to allocate our resources towards our ongoing projects and initiatives without the burden of this unexpected expense.
Planting Natives Guide
We're very excited to share our latest video release with you. It showcases the incredible efforts from a recent planting day organised by the Gillespie family, and is a simple step-by-step guide for planting natives with community volunteers. Check it out!
Visit our website to check out all our videos.
