Upcoming Events
Exploring Drone Technology in Agriculture
A Waiora Manuherekia Project Event
On 28 November, the Waiora Manuherekia Project is hosting an informative event to showcase cutting-edge drone applications for agriculture and land management. This unique session, held at Becks Memorial Hall and on the neighbouring property of farmer Chris Pemberton, will cover the benefits, costs and regulatory aspects of drone use in farming.
Refreshments will be served at 2pm, followed by a panel discussion at 2.10pm with presentations and a Q&A. A live drone demonstration will begin at 3pm, offering a close-up look at the technology in action. Wrap up the day with a barbecue sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients, kicking off at approximately 4.30pm.
The panel discussion will feature local experts:
Joshua Dunn from Overview.nz, a highly skilled CAA Part 102 certified drone operator. Based in Queenstown, Overview.nz specialises in drone operations for challenging landscapes, including precision spot-spraying for agriculture, wetlands, and sensitive areas. With dual cameras, omnidirectional radar, and extensive experience, Joshua will share how drones enhance efficiency across difficult terrains.
Sandra Campbell, South Otago farmer and MPI on-farm support team member, will discuss her experience using drones to seed native plants on marginal land, a project where Joshua Dunn led the drone operations.
James Rae of Cottesbrook Dairy will talk about the practical use of XAG drones on his West Otago dairy farm, where drones are used for fertilising, spraying, and other key operations.
Following the discussion, a live drone demonstration will give attendees the chance to see the technology in action and explore its potential for their own farming practices.
đź—“ Date: Thursday 28 November
đź“Ť Location: Becks Memorial Hall and Clynelish, 51 St Bathans Loop Road
⏰ Time: 2pm to 4.30pm
🍔 End the day with a barbecue, sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients
RSVP today by emailing admin@mcg.org.nz
Past Events
Free Water Management Workshop:
14 October – Limited spots
MCG is excited to host a workshop with Senior Environmental Consultant Jane Robb, designed to help farmers and landowners improve their water management. This hands-on session is not only practical but also a great way to upskill and demonstrate your commitment to sustainable farming practices.
Workshop highlights include:
Understanding soil moisture storage and how to measure it
Irrigation best practices: applying water efficiently to get the best results for your crops
Water deficit calculations: how to avoid large deficits that affect growth and increase costs
Balancing water use: learn how better irrigation management can save you money while reducing environmental impacts
Upskilling in these areas can help you make better decisions for both your farm and the environment, while also being a great way to prove you've undertaken professional development in water management.
Jane will be available to answer questions — bring your soil moisture data for tailored feedback.
Limited to 25 places — RSVP now at admin@mcg.co.nz
Date: Monday 14 October
Time: 1:15pm - 3:30pm (tea/coffee available from 1pm)
Venue: Omakau Golf Club, 23 Alton Street
Community Planting Day
Join us for a fun day of planting and conservation, and help make a real difference to the Orkney Wetland.
Date: Sunday 29 September
Time: 10am – 12 noon
Location: Meet at the Omakau Domain at 9:45am sharp. We’ll convoy from there to the wetland.
Barbecue lunch provided!
Activity options
Plant native plants on the edge of the wetland
Find and pull out small willow seedlings
Cut small exotic weeds on the hill over the wetland
What to Bring
Gumboots or suitable footwear
A spade (if you have one) and gardening gloves
And remember to dress for the weather
Register Now
Please email thomsonscatchment@gmail.com to confirm your attendance (for catering purposes). You can also text or ring Nicola at 027 493 9500 for more info.If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll reschedule – so please make sure we have your contact details!
MCG AGM - All Welcome
The Manuherekia Catchment Group Annual General Meeting will be held at 4pm on Thursday 12 September at the Rugby Clubrooms.
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!
Know Your Soils: Maximise Their Potential
Thomsons Catchment Project invites you to a free practical learning day with Professor Jim Moir from Lincoln University.
Wednesday 26 June 2024, 11am – 2.30pm
The event kicks off at Omakau Golf Club, then moves to two local farms for on-site soil examination
Open to all – don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your soil management practices!
MCG AGM - All Welcome
The Manuherekia Catchment Group Annual General Meeting will be held at 4pm on Thursday 12 September at the Rugby Clubrooms.
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!
Willow management in the Manuherekia catchment.
Thank you to everyone who attended our hands-on drop-in session on 24 April to talk about willow management in the beautiful Manuherekia catchment. During the event, participants had the opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of our waterways by providing their input on where willows should be removed or retained. From enhancing biodiversity to improving access and connection to the river, each voice mattered. We discussed various aspects of willow management and we plan on prioritising sites for action based on the feedback received.
If you missed the event, don't worry! There is still time to submit your feedback. Make a contribution to the Willow Management Strategic Plan by sending your thoughts to Sally on sally.dicey@whirika.co.nz
Your engagement and insights are crucial in making a real difference in the Manuherekia catchment. Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to hearing from you.
4 April 2023
Weir project benefitting rare Manuherikia Valley galaxiid – ORC
A rare galaxiid fish population in Central Otago is set to benefit hugely from a joint community, council and contractor collaboration which has installed a fish barrier weir to better protect their habitat in Thomsons Creek.
The barrier has been installed in Thomsons Creek in the Manuherekia catchment, to the southwest of Omakau township, which is a tributary to the Manuherekia River.
Dating back more than two years, the $150,000 Thomsons Catchment Project is co funded by the Ministry for the Environment, through a Jobs for Nature grant of $110,000 and an Otago Regional Council contribution of $40,000.
A celebration was held yesterday, 3 April, to mark the completion of the fish barrier. Attendees included members of the Manuherikia Catchment Group, ORC Councillors, Thomsons Catchment Project committee, Fish & Game and the engineers and builders involved.
The fish barrier in Thomsons Creek near Omakau. Photo: Thomsons Catchment Project
Thomsons Catchment Project Manager, Nicola McGrouther, says the project grew from a galaxiid survey of the whole catchment in January 2021, in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, Fish and Game and ORC.
The Thomsons Catchment Project’s overall goal is to increase galaxiid numbers, through use of a fish barrier, wetland riparian planting and fencing, to be followed up by fish monitoring, she says.
“Design criteria included installing a robust 1m high weir across Thomson Creek, to stop fish access upstream, but also to allow floods to pass safely over the structure,” McGrouther says.
Thomson Creek was temporarily diverted around the weir site during construction, to allow for suitable foundation material to be installed.
"It wouldn't have been achieved without the fabulous work and support from Mount Aurum, Breens Civil and Central Excavating,” she says.
ORC Chair Gretchen Robertson, who attended the celebration, says “we’re thrilled to be able to get behind the Thomson's Creek project. This is about environmental gains and much needed positive community focus.”
“The fish barrier will protect native fish from predation from trout and perch. Central Otago Roundhead Galaxiids are special native fish with the same conservation status (nationally endangered) as the rare South Island Kaka”, says Cr Robertson.
ORC Chair Gretchen Robertson (L) and Manuherikia Catchment Group Chair and Thomsons Project Executor Anna Gillespie opening the fish barrier yesterday
“Thomson’s Creek is about local people chipping in whatever they can to bring a vision alive.”
“The ORC gets huge satisfaction from seeing the positivity, collegiality, and environmental gains projects like this generate. The buzz is contagious and we're seeing more community-driven environmental projects popping up,” Cr Robertson says.
“The work of the Thomson's Creek Committee, a group of mainly local Manuherikia farmers, undoubtedly inspires others to get involved in making a difference for their special places too”, she says.
ORC Councillors and attendees also got their hands dirty, planting natives donated by the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust for the project. A public Open Day is being planned. Great example of collaboration
Anna Gillespie, Manuherikia Chair and Thomsons Catchment project executor opened the fish barrier with Chair Robertson.
“It was a really special day, with an incredible turn out from councillors, who were genuinely interested and positive about the project.”
“The fish barrier has been a collaborative process with the ORC and water users and it’s exciting to get the first project finished. This is the first of three major tranches of work, including the constructed wetland, and working with farmers”.
Extensive plantings around Thomsons Creek. Photo: Thomsons Catchment Project
ORC’s Manager Environmental Implementation Libby Caldwell says the community driven project was a “really great example of collaboration across many stakeholders”.
“It’s really exciting to see this work happening to protect our galaxxid populations in Thomson’s creek. This project’s important as all of Otago’s non-migratory galaxxid species are threatened with extinction,” Mrs Caldwell says.
To better understand what fish species were present, the fish survey identified the presence of the roundhead Galaxias, which is a non-migratory galaxxid, meaning they do not migrate from the waterway from where they hatched, but live in the same section of water for their whole lifecycle.
“The fish barrier will ensure that undesired species of fish, which prey on our native galaxxids are restricted in their access to these fish populations, enabling them to thrive,” Mrs Caldwell says.
When in full operation, electric-fishing will be undertaken to remove any trout of upstream of the gate, which will then be released downstream.
The fish barrier complements other parts of the Thomsons Creek Conservation Project, which includes fencing, planting and wetland enhancement, which together would contribute greatly to protecting galaxxids and reducing the chances of those taonga becoming extinct, she says.
Other ORC support for project
The stages completed to date of the Thomsons project have received financial support from the ORC fund which was established to provide consent processing and compliance funding support to projects. The fund is for projects which have an environmental benefit but require resource consent.
Read more about Thomsons Catchment Project here at https://www.mcwater.co.nz/Thomsons-Catchment-Project
2 February 2023
VIP visits – Amongst recent VIP visitors were the Minister for the Environment, the Hon. David Parker, and MfE’s Director of Policy Implementation and Direction, Sara Clarke, who stopped by on World Wetlands Day to inspect work being done on our constructed wetland. Committee member and farmer Anna Gillespie helped to host them.
Caption: The Environment Minister, the Hon David Parker visiting the wetland site in January, along with (on the left) Sara Clarke (Mfe Director of Policy Implementation and Direction) and Anna Gillespie (Manuherekia Exemplar Governance Co-Chair and local farmer.
Another visitor has been Rob Wardle from the QEII Trust who is not only helping put the wetland site into a QEII covenant, but also got hands-on pulling out some woody weeds, ably assisted by committee member Haines Battrick who helped to host him. Haines is a Senior Environmental Officer at the ORC.
