Stay connected with The Manuherekia Voice - our collective newsletter bringing you updates from the Manuherekia Catchment Group (MCG), the Thomsons Catchment Project,
and the Waiora Manuherekia Project.
Welcome to The Manuherekia Voice - the new collective and collaborative newsletter for MCG, Thomsons and Waiora... (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)
We’re excited to bring you the first edition of our combined newsletter, now featuring updates from the Manuherekia Catchment Group, Waiora Manuherekia Project, and the Thomsons Catchment Project.
This new format will get all the interesting and useful updates to you in one go so you can keep up to date on the important work happening across our catchment.
About the Manuherekia Catchment Group (MCG)
MCG has always been about farmers leading the way in creating sustainable solutions for our catchment, especially concerning water quantity and quality. While we began with a focus on sustainable water practices, our work now extends far beyond that. Together, as a community, we are working with New Zealand's experts to ensure that what we do benefits the environment, the river, and the community. Supported by government funding, our initiatives include the Thomsons Catchment Project and the Waiora Manuherekia Project, all contributing to environmental resilience and vibrant communities.
Waiora Manuherekia and Thomsons Catchment Project are a part of MCG
Both the Waiora Manuherekia and Thomsons Catchment Projects fall under the umbrella of MCG, amplifying our collective efforts towards better water quality and biodiversity.
The Waiora Manuherekia Project, running from July 2024 to June 2025, is focused on connecting our community to the Manuherekia River and enhancing its health through various environmental initiatives.
The Thomsons Catchment Project, launched in October 2022, is a farmer-led initiative working towards improving water quality and supporting biodiversity in Thomsons catchment. A key milestone in this project is the Orkney Wetland, a five-hectare area that has been transformed into a thriving ecosystem, now legally protected through a QEII National Trust covenant, ensuring its long-term conservation.
Through these projects, we are committed to creating a sustainable, thriving environment for our future generations. We’re grateful for the support from the Ministry for the Environment, and we look forward to continuing this journey together with our farmers, scientists, and the community.
Stay tuned for updates on the exciting developments in our catchment and thank you for your ongoing support!
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As 2024 draws to a close, we’re excited to share that this year, we’ve seen incredible momentum across our projects, from hosting insightful workshops and hands-on community sessions to advancing our catchment management plan and rolling out the Waiora Manuherekia Project. Together, we’ve strengthened our understanding of the river, built invaluable connections, and worked hard to preserve the Manuherekia for future generations.
A big bonus for our team was bringing on additional administrative support, which has been a game-changer in helping us stay organised and focused. You may have noticed our new, dedicated email addresses — a small but significant improvement in our communications. We’ve also been preparing for exciting developments like the use of eDNA to gather more comprehensive data about the catchment.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed time, expertise and enthusiasm to our shared vision. Your support continues to drive positive change in our catchment.
In this edition, we’ll recap highlights from the year, celebrate key achievements, and spotlight recent initiatives. Wishing you and your whānau a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Catchment Management Plan:
A Step Forward
This year, the Catchment Management Plan (CMP) continued to be a key focus for the Manuherekia Catchment Group. The CMP is designed to guide improvements in river health and water use across the catchment.
A highlight was introducing residual flows and raising the minimum flow at the Campground from 900 l/s to 1000 l/s for the coming irrigation season, to gather evidence and understand impacts.
Collaborative meetings with stakeholders have been pivotal in explaining the CMP principles and encouraging engagement. These discussions have fostered a shared commitment to sustainable water use.
For more information on the CMP and related resources,
visit mcg.org.nz/resources.
Willow Management: Community in Action
April’s willow management session was a success, with attendees sharing ideas to enhance biodiversity and improve river access. Feedback from the session has been guiding priority areas for willow removal the past few months. Stay tuned for updates on this initiative and opportunities to get involved.
Check out the Waiora Manuherekia section in this newsletter to find out more about this initiative and how it’s been progressing.
Workshop Highlights: Sustainable Water Management
In October, we hosted a successful workshop with Senior Environmental Consultant Jane Robb to help farmers improve water management practices. Topics included efficient irrigation, soil moisture measurement, and balancing water use.
The session provided practical tools to save money, reduce environmental impacts, and support sustainable farming, with many of our attendees having the awesome opportunity for tailored advice from Jane herself.
The key takeaways from this session are available on our website.
Manuherekia River Monitoring
Dr. Dean Olsen’s ecological monitoring report, commissioned earlier this year, shows that most of the Manuherekia catchment is in good to excellent condition. Periphyton and macroinvertebrate communities indicate high water quality across most sites, despite prolonged low flows.
Some areas, such as Ophir and Dunstan Creek, require attention to address localised impacts. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring to maintain long-term river health.
Access the full report at mcg.org.nz/resources.
Irrigation and River Understanding
A recent presentation by Otago Regional Council (ORC) gave us a good overview of the previous irrigation season, helping us to better understand how water use impacts the river. These insights are crucial as we work to refine our management strategies.
A smaller working group is taking a closer look at the data, aiming to deepen our understanding of the river system. We’re looking forward to seeing the updated irrigation model. This will provide valuable insights to inform future decisions about water use and sustainability. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue this important work.
Good and Best Management Practices
Want to make every drop count this summer? Alongside the Waiora Manuherekia Project, we’ve created a guide that covers Good and Best Management Practices (GMP and BMP) for soil moisture monitoring, helping you make informed decisions for better water use. Check out the detailed guide and the new simplified, hands-on version too. Packed with easy tips and advice, it helps you irrigate better for smarter water use.
Visit mcg.org.nz/resources to access both guides.
Video of the Year
In case you missed it, we’re proud to reintroduce our inspiring video showcasing the Manuherekia catchment - the uniqueness of the landscape, the openness, the ‘big country’ feel, and the vital role of irrigation. Hear stories from local farmers who are passionate about the environment and learn about their efforts to sustainably manage the land.
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