Waiora Manuherekia Project
It’s been a busy few months for the Waiora Manuherekia Project, with exciting progress across our community initiatives. From celebrating creativity in the River of Dreams competition, to bringing science into schools with Lab-in-a-Box, and supporting farmers with wetland restoration funding, we’ve seen fantastic engagement from across the catchment.
Our willow removal efforts are helping to restore key waterways, improving both biodiversity and access for the community. Meanwhile, the Alexandra Riverside Park project is taking shape, with recent work opening up stunning new views of the confluence of the Manuherekia and Clutha/Mata-Au Rivers.
As part of our ongoing wetland restoration efforts, new fencing is being installed across some key wetland areas in the Manuherekia catchment. These fences play a crucial role in protecting fragile ecosystems.
A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved. Your efforts are helping to create a healthier, more connected future for the Manuherekia.
Lab-in-a-Box
Over the past couple of months, the Waiora Manuherekia project has brought science engagement into schools through the Lab-in-a-Box initiative, a mobile science lab in partnership with Genomics Aotearoa and the University of Otago. Students have had hands-on experiences exploring river health and biodiversity using tools like environmental DNA (eDNA) to identify species.
"All the Lab-in-a-Box sessions started by asking students what they do in and know about the river. It’s been fantastic seeing them so engaged, learning more about the life in and around the Manuherikia.” - GM Clare Hadley
River of Dreams Competition Wrap-Up
The Waiora Manuherekia 'River of Dreams' competition wrapped up in February, showcasing 38 entries that captured the community’s strong connection to the Manuherekia River.
Central Otago students from across the catchment got creative over the summer holidays and shared memories of their riverside adventures. Entries included photos, drawings, poems, stories, and even a diorama — bringing to life treasured moments spent by the water.
Judge Shane Norton from Radio Central had the tough job of selecting the winners.
“It was a real challenge to pick the winners. So many fantastic stories captured the magic of childhood memories by the river — popping manus, skimming stones, catching fish, and those unforgettable first encounters with eels.” - Shane Norton
The competition was part of the Waiora Manuherekia Project’s community engagement efforts, encouraging local families to reflect on the importance of the river.
“The Manuherikia River is at the heart of our community. We all know it's a great place to spend time with family and friends, but it’s easy to take it for granted. This competition has been a great way for students to express what it means to them, and it’s been wonderful to see their creativity shine.” - GM Clare Hadley
Congratulations to all the winners and participants for sharing their creativity and love for the river. Visit mcg.org.nz/competition to check out the winning entries.
Mapping our catchment
Part of the Waiora Manuherekia Project is to understand our landscape as a deeper level. We know what we know – but ‘as the saying goes’ – we don’t know what we don’t know.
To that end, we’ve been working with Collaborations, an organisation who build mapping models of catchments, by overlaying existing information from a range of sources, including lidar and topography/slope/soil data to provide flow paths and erosion potential.
They provide the maps in a visual and user-friendly way at a broadbrush level and we look forward to sharing those maps with Manuherekia farmers at workshops in June. More coming soon!
Supporting Wetland Restoration: Funding Update
A key highlight of our project in 2024 was the opportunity for landowners and farmers to receive one-off funding to enhance and protect their wetlands. Wetlands play a crucial role in improving water quality, managing flood and drought impacts, and providing habitats for native species — making their restoration a priority for the catchment. The funding supported key activities such as fencing, weed control, and native planting.
The funding call, which closed on 19 November, saw strong interest from the community, and has resulted in 12 successful project applications (across ten landowners). We’re now working closely with these farmers to bring their wetland restoration efforts to life. From planting and fencing to broader restoration work, these initiatives will help protect and enhance these valuable ecosystems.
To stay up to date on these projects and other Waiora Manuherekia initiatives, follow us on Facebook and visit mcg.org.nz/funding-available-for-wetland-restoration.
Willow Removal: Restoring Waterways for the Community
Willow management is a priority focus area in the Integrated Catchment Enhancement Plan (ICEP) of the Waiora Manuherekia Project. While willows were originally introduced to stabilise riverbanks, many have become invasive, choking waterways, creating artificial dams, causing sediment release, altering natural flow patterns, and outcompeting native vegetation.
Recent efforts have made significant progress, with willow control underway at key sites, including Poolburn Gorge, Hills Creek (SH85), Falls Dam and Matakanui Station. Once the willows are cleared, in some areas the next step will be planting native vegetation to enhance these spaces, creating scenic spots for locals and visitors to enjoy — particularly at Lauder Creek.
Alexandra Riverside Project Update
The Alexandra Riverside Park project, led by the Central Otago District Council and Ngai Tahu, is transforming lower Tarbert Street into a lively riverside green space. This development will link the town centre with the Manuherikia River, creating a community hub with walkways, seating, terraces, and a bike hub for both residents and visitors.
A key part of this project was the removal of invasive willows along the banks of the Manuherikia, which the Waiora Manuherekia team was pleased to support in partnership with the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust and Central Otago District Council. This work has opened up stunning views at the junction of the Manuherekia and Clutha/Mata-Au Rivers, significantly enhancing the riverside landscape. Planting of native vegetation will occur later in autumn.
Looking ahead, a new trail is planned to be developed from the park through to the Linger and Die Reserve, creating a seamless connection to the existing trail network along the Manuherikia River.
This transformative project has been made possible with the backing of several valued partners, including the Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Lottery Grants Board, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Aukaha, Anderson Fencing and Earthworks, Heritage New Zealand, and the regional and district councils. Keep an eye on the Waiora Manuherekia Facebook page for further updates.
Drones in Action: From Demo Day to Real-World Use
Since our Exploring Drones in Agriculture session in November, we've taken what we learned and put it into practice. One of the drones showcased at the event is now helping with weed control in a wetland restoration project. With support from Overview NZ, we've been using drone technology to target weeds in hard-to-reach areas, making restoration work more efficient and precise.
Events like the drone day spark conversations, but the real impact happens when we apply these innovations on the ground. We’re excited to keep exploring how technology can support sustainable land management — watch this space!
Click to read more about what's been happening for the Thomsons Catchment Project and Manuherekia Catchment Project:
