Environment Southland News - february 2014 - Issue 32
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Environment Southland News
february 2014 – Issue 32
Envirosouth
Community consultation at
the heart of 2014
L ast month one of our scientists
finished up with Environment
Southland and in his leaving
managing vegetation in our major river
systems. This approach has never been
attempted by any other regional council in
speech he said that our scientists New Zealand.
were working at the vanguard of For once, all of those with a representative
science nationally – and he’s right. interest in our river systems were in one
Environment Southland’s scientists room, sharing their wealth of experience
are leading the way in many areas. The and knowledge and hearing everyone’s
work being done at Waituna is being point of view. The plan is long-term – 12-
closely watched by other regions, 15 years, and takes a holistic view of the
as is our innovative groundwater way we manage river systems – particularly
mapping work. vegetation associated with recreational
But it’s not just in science that we are leading activities, flood control and floodway
the way. Our working relationships with Te management. At the workshop, it was
Ao Mārama and local iwi are unmatched unanimously endorsed and will soon move
anywhere in the country and our approach to wider consultation. Ali Timms – Chairman, Environment
to river vegetation management is receiving Southland
The workshop also looked back at some of
national accolades.
the issues that we saw during an Aparima role we each have to play in improving our
In December our catchment and biosecurity catchment field trip last year. There was region’s water quality.
teams led a workshop with our River Liaison a real focus on the wider catchment, not
Community consultation needs to be
Chairs and representatives from DOC, just on drains and rivers. It was great to
founded on good science and we are
LINZ, iwi, Fish and Game and commercial see everyone looking ahead, listening and
leading the way.
contractors to discuss a concept plan for hearing each other and acknowledging the
In this issue...
Protecting Fiordland’s waters 3 Cover
A day or two in the life of a flood warning duty officer 4
Bankers battle barberry 6 Stunning fish
Good neighbours keep ragwort to themselves 6
Electrofishing is being used by Environment Southland to monitor
Stewart Island – birds, beaches and ...Norwegians? 7 fish numbers and species as part of its State of the Environment
Join us at the Southern Field Days 8 reporting responsibilities.
Boating info at your fingertips 9 Sixty sites across Southland are being monitored as part of the
programme on a five-year cycle. Fish are temporarily stunned
Protecting farming for the future 10
by an electric current, counted, measured and returned to their
Tips to protect water quality on your farm 11 natural habitat.
Ki Uta Ki Tai – from the mountains to the sea 12 Freshwater and marine scientist James Dare said eletrofishing was
How well is your well? 13 commonly used across New Zealand and in other countries as an
Clifford Creek... and why it’s neat! 14 effective way of measuring wildlife in streams. “The data collected
will provide a greater picture of freshwater habitats in Southland,”
Right mate, let’s talk whitebait! 15 he says.
Whitebait spawning 15
Cover photo – Summer student Bjorn Leith with an eel near Haldane
Not your average 9 to 5! 16 Estuary.
Is this your year to be an environmental superstar? 17
The Enviroschools Programme 18
Out In The Field... 20
Page 2
Protecting Fiordland’s waters
T he waters of Fiordland are pristine; keeping them that way is an ever-present challenge. Fiordland is home to New
Zealand’s most intact, native ecosystem. This outdoor wonderland, right here on our doorstep, is economically
important to the national tourism sector and ours to enjoy at any time.
Back in 2010 the Department of “We don’t want to be in the business of
Conservation (DOC) made a devastating cure, we want to be in the business of
find: Undaria pinnatifida, an invasive Asian prevention. So we really need the support
seaweed now common in most New of vessel owners to ensure they don’t bring
Zealand ports, was discovered in Sunday Undaria in from infected ports – Auckland,
Cove, Breaksea Sound, Fiordland. Marlborough, Lyttleton, Port Chalmers, Bluff,
you name it,” says Environment Southland
A joint-agency response was swiftly
Biosecurity manager Richard Bowman.
launched by Environment Southland, DOC,
and the Ministry for Primary Industries In a bold move never attempted elsewhere,
(MPI) with support from the Fiordland some 35,000 kina were collected from nearby
Marine Guardians. Fiordland waters in June 2011 and transferred
to Sunday Cove to act as bio-control agents.
Hundreds of juvenile Undaria plants were
Kina are native sea urchins that graze on
found at Sunday Cove, but none were
seaweed. Response manager Derek Richards
detected elsewhere. A multi-method
says the kina did what they hoped they
approach was put into action and is
would – cleared existing growth to make it
expected to continue until at least 2015. It
easier for the dive teams to spot Undaria.
includes an intensive removal programme
by teams of divers. So far, 1887 Undaria “The success of the response is in the
plants have been removed. joint-agency, multi-method approach and Undaria attached to a rope. Photo – DOC.
while the role of kina is hard to quantify, it
The response’s effectiveness to date is
shouldn’t be underplayed,” he says. “Undaria Boaties – how you can help?
such that there is cautious optimism that
is palatable to kina and it’s likely they’ve By doing your bit to stop the spread of
Undaria can be eradicated from the area.
also consumed the early microscopic stage, marine pests into Fiordland’s pristine
Eradication would be a stunning world-first,
which can remain in the marine environment environment, you become part of the
but keeping Fiordland’s waters free from
for up to two-and-a-half years.” success story.
Undaria requires a preventative approach.
This is where boaties and yachties have a Since the transfer of the kina to Sunday • Clean your vessel’s hull and marine
role to play because Undaria, like many Cove the amount of Undaria has reduced equipment.
marine pests, easily spreads by attaching significantly. In 2012, one mature plant and
itself to the hulls of vessels or mooring lines 137 juveniles were detected; in 2013 only • Check your antifouling paint is
and equipment. three juvenile plants were found. thoroughly applied and effective.
• Use the check, clean and dry method
on any mooring lines and buoys,
kayaks and other marine equipment
before use.
• Rinse and soak dive gear in fresh
water. Let it dry for a few days if
possible.
• Look out for any unusual marine life
or events such as mass deaths of fish.
Report it to MPI (0800 80 99 66) and
take a sample if you can.
• Don’t remove the kina or shellfish
from Sunday Cove as it may have
been infected with Undaria spores
and will spread. The kina is a key
part of the eradication programme
and we need them to stay put.
For more information please visit: www.
biosecurity.govt.nz/fiordland or www.
es.govt.nz/environment/pests/marine
Kina in Breaksea Sound. Photo – Chris Hepburn, Otago University
Page 3
A day or two in the life of a flood
A ndrew Kirk was at work when his phone went off at 1.33 pm on Tuesday, 10 September 2013. The text-alarm alerted
him to ‘high rainfall’ in the headwaters of the Aparima catchment. Some 21mm of rain had fallen within four hours.
When it rains hard enough up in the
headwaters of Southland’s rivers to threaten
flooding, it triggers an alarm and the
flood warning duty officer at Environment
Southland swings into action, no matter
what the time – day or night.
The 24-hour, on-call flood duty roster is made
up of full-time environmental technical staff,
many of whom are responsible for securing
samples and checking Southland’s water
and air monitoring sites.
On this occasion the high intensity rainfall
continued and more was forecast. The
headwaters of all the major rivers began rising.
At 2.05pm Andrew activated the Environment
Southland flood warning notification system.
It was the beginning of an exhausting stint
of two nights’ interrupted sleep for Andrew
as he monitored the rivers, answered
queries and responded to persistent alarms
as the floodwaters made their way down
through the catchments.
Once the flood warning notification system is
activated, data from Environment Southland’s
monitoring network of rain gauges and
water level/flow recorders is updated every
15 minutes and made available via two
automated systems: the Environmental Data
Information (EDI) telephone system; and
the Environment Southland website. Civil Environmental Technical Officer, Andrew Kirk
Defence is notified, and radio broadcasts are whether to move stock and how to manage By noon on Thursday, the pressure was off
transmitted to alert people to the situation. any issues around access to their properties. and Andrew’s stint was nearing an end.
The incoming data helps the flood warning Some 50–60mm of rain had fallen in the
It can take up to 24 hours for the floodwaters
duty officer to understand when the headwaters and nearly all rivers had peaked
to make their way down through the
floodwaters have peaked at each monitoring throughout the catchments. Morning
catchments, which gives people time to
site, what level they peaked at, and what coastal rain caused some widespread
make arrangements.
this might mean for property owners and surface flooding due to the already
population centres further downstream. “The system works really well, but it’s never saturated condition of the ground.
going to give you one-hundred per cent of
Estimating the impact is a highly technical At 4.10pm the flood warning notification
what is going to happen, because we don’t
process that takes into account weather system was switched OFF.
measure every stream,” says Andrew. “Those
forecasts, actual rainfall and scientific one-off variables can give you some pretty
models that help to predict the outcomes. scary surprises sometimes.”
“There are some serious hydrological By Wednesday morning – nearly 20 hours
Flood Log Summary
calculations going on in the background,” says in – Andrew could see a picture emerging: 10 September 2013, 1.33pm –
Andrew. “We’re lucky our senior hydrologist This was not a major flood event; it was an 12 September 2013, 4.10pm
is very skilled and regularly makes updates to intense and widespread one, characterised
our flood warning models.” by rapidly rising rivers. Alarms: 28 – warning of high
rainfall and high river levels
The service is particularly valuable to Overnight, the rain eased, but a short,
farmers, who tend to be the first affected by isolated burst of high-intensity rainfall Enquiries: 9 – from agencies,
floodwaters. They need to be able to gauge (33 mm) just before midnight had a sharp media and farmers
the likely impacts and make decisions about impact on the Pourakino River.
Page 4
warning duty officer
Managing the flood risk
R iverton dairy farmer John White
is a regular user of Environment
Southland’s river level/flow
stay on top of things he keeps an eye on
the weather reports, listens to the radio and
regularly checks Environment Southland’s
monitoring is brilliant, you couldn’t ask
for better,” he says. “It’s definitely a good
forum.”
monitoring service and flood river monitoring information online. “The
warning system.
His property lies alongside the Aparima
River and since he and his family arrived
in June last year they’ve experienced four
flood events. The farm has a 50ha top
terrace, and 85ha of low terrace flats.
“Thirty-five hectares is over the stop bank
and that goes fully under water; so a
quarter of the farm,” explains John. “The
stop banks are in place and that’s huge
because they protect the rest of the flats.
They’re doing a good job,” he says.
When the September flood hit, John
was in the middle of the calving. After
checking Environment Southland’s river
information online first thing in the
morning, he had stock shifted from the
river flats by 9am. They flooded that
afternoon and overnight. By the next
morning the floodwaters had receded.
John did his homework before buying the John and Renee White with their daughter Esther (2) among a herd on their dairy farm
farm and says he knew the flood risk. To bordering the Aparima River in the lower catchment.
River information Aparima Catchment – Flood Warning
Information
Environment Southland has a monitoring network of rain gauges and water Environment
Southland Flood
Flood warning information
Oreti Catchm
ent – Flood
Environment Southland has a monitoring network of rain gauges and water level recorders, some
Warning Contacts: Information Warning
level recorders, some of which also record water flow, throughout the region.
of which also record water flow. This information is available anytime by calling 03 211 5010.
Environment Southland Environme
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Page 5
Bankers battle barberry
W ho said they could only crunch numbers? SBS AgriBankers got stuck in at Omaui recently and proved they were
made of tougher stuff than the thick branches of Darwin’s barberry they were helping to remove.
Darwin’s barberry is a pest plant found across of the Omaui settlement. It produces A team of 14 AgriBankers arrived from as far
much of Southland, and its spiny foliage numerous berries which are spread far north as Hamilton and helped the Omaui
has slowly made its way along the roadside and wide by birds. Cutting down the trees Landcare Group and Environment Southland
before the berries Pest Plant Officers remove as many barberry
ripen helps shrubs as possible in a single afternoon. The
prevent further control work was physical and required the
spreading. bankers to cut plants at the base and treat
the stumps with herbicide before stacking
To control it
the cut stems in a heap.
effectively, many
hands are needed SBS Project Manager Clayre Watt says “It’s
– and those primarily a team building exercise for us.
are not always We thought that this way we could also give
easy to come something back to the community.”
by. Luckily the
Omaui Landcare Group Chairman, John
SBS AgriBanking
Collins says that when Environment Southland
team called and
called, he jumped at the opportunity. “It’s
asked whether
great for us, because otherwise this work just
Environment
doesn’t get done. We’ve known about the
Southland
issue for a long time, but we’re only a small
could provide
group.”
them with an
opportunity to If you or your group would like to help
help out in the Environment Southland to support the
community for region’s Landcare Groups with pest plant
their annual team control, call us on 0800 76 88 45 or send an
building event. email to service@es.govt.nz.
SBS staff help clear Darwin’s barberry at Omaui.
Good neighbours keep ragwort to themselves
T he ragwort season is here again and stalks of the yellow-headed weed are
making a prominent appearance across the region. If you find ragwort on
your property, take action to stop it spreading to your neighbours.
Ragwort is one of Southland’s hardiest Luckily, Environment Southland has already
pest plants, and is not allowed to be within done the background work into control
fifty metres of any property boundary options for ragwort for you, so all you need
or watercourse. Some 250,000 seeds are to do is call their Biosecurity team to find
produced by a single plant so tackling the out what you can do, and the best time to
problem requires a strategic approach as do it.
well as on-going maintenance.
If your neighbour’s ragwort is creating a
Senior Biosecurity Officer, Randall Milne problem for you, have a chat to them first.
says when it comes to controlling ragwort, Chances are you’ll be lucky enough to strike
mowing it simply won’t cut it. “Yes, the a good neighbour who will something
yellow flowers will be gone from sight, but about it. If that’s not the case, give us a call
the problem is only made worse as next on 0800 76 88 45.
year’s plants will grow back even more
Ragwort is a suppression pest, which means
vigorously.”
it is widespread and abundant across
In addition, cut ragwort plants can be more Southland. Keeping property boundaries
palatable to stock, and can cause them clear of ragwort is a landowner responsibility,
serious harm as ragwort contains poison and can be enforced if necessary.
which affects cattle, horses and deer.
Page 6
Stewart Island – birds,
beaches and . . . Norwegians?
T he last place you might expect to find historic Norwegian relics is a remote corner of Stewart Island. However a
nearly forgotten part of Kiwi history bridges the 17,668 kilometres between the two countries in the form of a
Norwegian whaling base hidden away at Price’s Inlet, Stewart Island.
Run by the Rosshavet Whaling Company of Matthew says the site is a snapshot into He says despite the far flung roots of the 38
Norway and abandoned in 1932, the base an important period of Stewart Island’s Norwegians who worked at the base, they
was used as a repair centre for chaser boats, heritage, when the Norwegian whaling are still very much a part of Stewart Island
which were responsible for catching and boats would sail from the base into the Ross history and the team’s work at the base has
processing whales for oil before the end Sea off the coast of Antarctica on their hunt. had a lot of local support.
product was loaded onto a bigger factory
“It’s a very special site in terms of European “The workers often went to Oban to mix
vessel for shipping.
and our history from last century, in particular with the locals; a few even married some of
Just over 70 years after the base ceased the connection between Antarctica, New the local ladies, so it’s a significant part of
production, New Zealand Historic Places Zealand and Norway,” he says. the island’s heritage. Local support has been
Trust Regional archaeologist (Otago/ great; volunteers from the community have
Having completed the surveying in late
Southland) and ‘Project Njord’ manager been helping clear the site of vegetation.”
November 2013, the team is waiting to hear
Dr Matthew Schmidt and his team are one
back from the New Zealand Heritage Places Matthew and his team hope to hear back
step closer to getting the site the level of
Trust Board (NZHPT) on their application to from the NZHPT by the end of February and
recognition and protection they believe it
have the base considered an archaeological plan to continue to work with the Southland
deserves.
site, which will offer it legal protection. District Council and the site landowners to
The first stage was applying for a grant discover more of its secrets. He eventually
Under the Historic Places Act, post-
from the Southland Coastal Heritage hopes to have an interpretation panel
1900 sites can only be considered an
Inventory Project (SCHIP) – a partnership erected with information for visitors about
archaeological site if there is substantial
between Environment Southland, the the base’s history.
evidence of cultural heritage.
Department of Conservation, the New
“A lot of people already visit, so we’ll also
Zealand Archaeological Association, “At the moment there’s nothing legal in place
look at working with the museum to get
the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, stopping anyone from taking things away,”
an information panel put in and have the
Southland District Council and Te Aō Matthew says. “It’s really quite a unique site
vegetation managed from time to time
Marama Incorporated on behalf of the as it’s still in a highly intact state and this is a
when required. It’s really special, because
Kaitiaki Rūnaka o Murihiku. Environment quick way of getting more protection.”
we’ll get to show what people used to do
Southland also committed another $10,000
The unique nature of the base is not just and how they lived, it’s great.”
to the project in October 2012.
an insight into Stewart Island’s heritage, he
This allowed the ‘Project Njord’ team to says, but a treasure of national significance.
undertake an archaeological survey and Below – Artefacts from the Norwegian
“The protection [the application will allow] is whaling base at Price’s Inlet. Photo – New Zealand
document the remaining buildings and
significant. Only five 20th century sites have Historic Places Trust, Otago/Southland Area Office.
artefacts including the wreck of the Orthello,
been declared archaeological sites by the
an old whaling ship that was used as a dry
Board of the NZHPT. This is the sixth and
dock for the Norwegian chaser boats.
the first marine heritage site.”
Page 7
Join us at the
Southern Field Days
E nvironment Southland’s will have staff from across the organisation at
Waimumu during this year’s Southern Field Days to answer your questions and
to provide advice on areas that are of concern to you. Here are the thoughts from
a few of them about the Field Days and what they are keen to talk to you about.
Russell Winter – Dairy Liaison Officer
We have friendly staff with many year’s of experience and knowledge, so we can hopefully work
with you to achieve good financial and environmental outcomes. I’m keen to talk to farmers
who are considering converting their existing property to dairy as well as people looking at
buying a farm for a dairy conversion.
I’m also available to talk to existing dairy farmers about their consents that are due for renewal.
So if you are in need of guidance as to the current requirements for farm dairy effluent disposal, Russell Winter
including effluent from wintering barns, feedlots, stand-off pads and silage pads, then look out
for me at the field days.
Dave Burgess – Senior Biosecurity Officer (Pest Animals)
I really enjoy the general positivity of the field days. The weather is usually fine and sunny and
the atmosphere is relaxed.
I’ll be available during the field days to talk about the benefits and workings of the Possum
Control Area programme and general pest control options. We’ll have a range of pest control
products available to look at and discuss. Drop into the Environment Southland tent and join us
for a cuppa and a chat.
Dave Burgess
Leonie Grace – Senior Pollution Prevention Officer
I like to see people coming in for a chat at the field days, looking for new ideas and seeing what
pollution prevention is all about.
I’m keen to offer advice on sustainable waste management and where to dispose of waste and
hazardous materials responsibly including unwanted chemicals, oil and fuel. I can also help with
contaminated land queries – especially old sheep dip sites and landfills.
Randall Milne – Senior Biosecurity Officer (Pest Animals)
The field days are a great opportunity to talk with a range of people about farming-related
issues. Come along to the Environment Southland tent and talk to me about what’s happening
across the region with weeds, clover root weevil and dung beetles. Leonie Grace
The tent is a one-stop shop for people to speak face-to-face with our friendly staff and
councillors about their environment.
George Ledgard – Environmental Scientist (Land and Soil)
The field days are a great chance to talk to farmers off property in a relaxed, neutral environment.
I’m available to talk about anything to do with nutrient and sediment transfers on and off farms
and within the wider environment and how these affect water quality.
Government has asked councils to set freshwater quality limits. We are at the very beginning
of this process so now’s a great time to talk to us and get advice on what you can do to reduce
nutrient losses. Understanding where losses are occurring and how to mitigate them today is the
best way to future proof your farming operation.
Randall Milne
Page 8
Sonya Nicol – Senior Planner (Water and Land 2020 & Beyond)
I really enjoy getting out and talking to people that can make the difference on the ground, and
explaining what we are doing in the water space.
I’m keen to talk to people about what the Water and Land 2020 & Beyond project is all about,
how you and your property may be affected by any changes, and also how you can become
involved in the discussions. Talk to me about our Focus Activity plan changes regarding riparian
management, nutrient management, wintering and hill country development as well as what the
next steps are for catchment limits.
Gary Morgan – Senior Land Sustainability Officer
George Ledgard I like to see the new products, innovations and ideas and taking part in promoting sustainable
agriculture. I also like patting the alpacas!
I’m available at the field days to talk about trees on farms, soil mapping, soil health, riparian
plantings, water quality, constructed wetlands, erosion, winter grazing practices, rules, and
nutrient management. In fact, anything that’s of concern to you and your farm.
Farmers need to make time and visit the Environment Southland tent so they can get ahead
of the game and be prepared for catchment limit setting. They need to find out what the
opportunities and potential risks might look like.
Clip this coupon, fill in your details and bring it along to the
Sonya Nicol Environment Southland tent at the Southern Field Days to go in
the draw to win a $200 ILT voucher.
Name: ______________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________________________________________________
Gary Morgan
Boating info at your fingertips
If you are out boating in unfamiliar
waters this summer, make sure
you check out the free MarineMate
early stages, the app will be
useful for boaties and councils
alike.
The MarineMate app is
the brainchild of Waikato
Regional Council’s navigation
smartphone app. “Boating regulations differ
safety programme manager,
Nicole Botherway. It has been
MarineMate combines all the latest between regions, so as well as
developed with funding from
information relevant to your current finding out the boating rules
Maritime NZ, the ACC, Land
location, so you can practice safe boating in Southland you can check
Information NZ and regional
wherever you decide to take your vessel. other regions too.”
council harbourmasters, with
The app provides up-to-date information Lyndon says MarineMate will support from Water Safety
on speed limits, mooring zones, towing help councils in providing a New Zealand.
access lanes, boat ramp locations, local area safer boating environment.
The MarineMate app is
notices and tides. “We hope to get an idea
available for iPhone, iPad and
about the types of vessels
Southland Deputy Harbourmaster Android devices. To download
people are using and the
Lyndon Cleaver has been involved in the it free of charge, visit the iTunes
safety equipment they have
development and says that although in its store or find it on Google Play.
on board.”
Page 9
Protecting farming for the future
W hen Allan Baird walks down his hallway each day, he’s reminded of his grandfather and the work he did for the
community. Hanging on the wall is William Baird’s CBE. A former chairman of the Southland County Council for
12 years, he was presented with it in 1969 for his services to local government.
Allan is a dairy farmer with 750 cows on of land. “I want to be involved and affect the moved his family back to rural Southland,
280ha at Benmore and a further 200ha at community; wider than that, the province.” where his father was
Dipton West. He’s also the Vice President willing to step back and
Allan completed an agri-
and Dairy Chairman of Southland Federated
Farmers. His great grandfather bought the
commerce degree and
post graduate diploma
“I want to
let the next generation
be take over.
farm nearly 95 years ago. involved and affect the
at Lincoln and spent 14 In 2008 Allan decided
Allan says it’s a tradition to be involved years working around the community; wider than to convert their sheep
in farming, but it was the actions of his world in accounting and and deer farm to dairy.
grandfather that now motivates him to want
to do more than just look after his own piece
finance. In 2002, married
with two young boys, he
that, the province. ” He says the migration
away from sheep farming
across Southland has brought about many
changes. “Our challenge now is to allow
the new land use to be fully engaged. To
farm to the fullest of what the land can
allow,” he says. “Sheep farming is different.
Stocking rates are different, grass growth
requirements are different. Dairy farming
actively encourages pastures to grow till
conditions stop them.”
Allan says a lot of farming is tradition. “It’s
what your father did.” While it’s important
not to completely discard those practices,
farmers are getting new information all
the time, so it’s about implementing those
practices that are still beneficial for the farm
and the environment.
“My dad was a good tree planter,” Allan
says. He and wife Helen have just planted
a number of natives with consideration of
the waterways and riparian margins. He
says he likes having trees on his property,
it adds to the aesthetics and they’re good
for the stock and nutrient filtering. “It takes
a little longer in farming practice for that
consciousness to develop. The first five
years is about survival, then you can start to
consider the wider aesthetics and what you
want to leave behind,” Allan says.
Allan Baird
Page 10Water and Land 2020 & Beyond
Allan believes that farmers do care
about what they do and their effect
Tips to protect water quality on your farm
on the environment, and that science The importance of water to the Southland way of life is undeniable, but what is more
is helping farmers to make better important is safeguarding the quality of our waterways for generations to come.
decisions. As a consequence he thinks,
Environment Southland is encouraging the farming community to get behind good
the next generation of farmers will be
management practices, which make up the first part of the Water and Land 2020 & Beyond
better prepared than the previous.
project, and to do their bit to help improve water quality.
Allan is a lot more aware of issues
“At the moment we’re concentrating on good management practices, specifically
like sediment flow, since having been
implementing better riparian management, wintering practices and nutrient management,”
involved with Federated Farmers, and
says Environment Southland senior resource planner Sonya Nicol.
Environment Southland through the
Water and Land 2020 & Beyond steering The focus is on ensuring that farming activities that may affect water quality are following
group. these good management practices.
On his Dipton West property, which Factsheets available on the Environment Southland website provide handy tips on how to
is predominantly hill country, he now make simple changes that will help protect water quality.
considers the contours and runoff from
activities like winter grazing, while on
the Benmore property the mitigations Wintering:
are mostly around nutrients. Paddocks used for this purpose are thought to contribute a significant amount to nutrient
“It’s been helpful that the council has and sediment loss.
been able to convene the Water and • Where possible, choose paddocks that have structurally sound soil types and are away
Land steering group particularly when from waterways to reduce nitrate loss.
we are looking at the challenging
rule-setting requirements,” Allan says. • Provide transportable troughs for stock
“It’s really a think tank with a range of drinking water.
different views. There would be nothing
worse than rushing something through
Riparian management:
that is impractical.”
Allan says his involvement in issues Riparian zones act as buffer between water
wider than his farm is really borne out of and land, so it’s important to minimise any
wanting to ensure that farming remains effect nearby activities on adjacent land
attractive for the next generation. “It’s a could have.
desire of mine that one or both of my • Fence riparian zones to exclude stock
boys go into farming.
• Plant appropriate species in the riparian
He wants to try and ensure that when zone suited to the condition of the site
rules are created, there is a good reason which can control erosion as well as filter
for them and that they don’t make it sediment and help prevent pollution.
harder for future farming sons to come
home.
Nutrient management:
Implementing a nutrient management plan not
only helps reduce losses to waterways but can
also save you money. Benefits can include:
• Providing proof to outside organisations
that you have instigated good management
practices with respect to nutrients on your farm
• Saving money on fertiliser by using nutrients
recycled through farm dairy effluent.
Page 11Ki Uta Ki Tai – from the
mountains to the sea
Why the health of our waterways runs deeper than just
improving water quality.
F ed by the Waihopai and Oreti rivers that wind through Southland, the New River Estuary is a tidal lagoon where sea
water mixes with the river flow to create a dynamic environment that has sustained life in the region for hundreds
of years.
From the early days of Māori settlement, on many projects, including the Water and everything we do as kaitiaki (guardians).
when a rich supply of resources meant Land 2020 & Beyond initiative. The management of our waterways is an
villages dotted its edges, to banks that are important part of this.”
Southland’s waterways are crucial from a
now dominated by farmland, the Koreti, or
cultural perspective says Ailsa. “There are Although the Koreti is of great significance
New River Estuary, has played a significant
reports coming through about Southland’s to iwi, it’s not only a Ngāi Tahu issue.
role in shaping Southland’s history.
deteriorating water Responsibility rests
Over time, European settlement, land use quality, which not Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā on everyone in the
change and reclaimation have caused only affects access to muri ake nei – Southland region.
major problems for the delicate health of traditional mahinga kai In December last
for all of us and the
the estuary and its connecting waterways, (food and gathering year, Water and Land
generations that follow
something Iwi Policy Officer Ailsa Cain says sites), but our 2020 & Beyond
has an effect on more than just wildlife. kaitiakitanga – our responsibility to act as steering group members, Te Ao Mārama
guardians to these resources.” representatives , Environment Southland
“There’s a fundamental relationship between
councillors and staff, came together for
Ngāi Tahu and the river, land and estuary” Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – for all
a field day on the banks of the Waihopai
she says. “Our association with Koreti isn’t of us and the generations that follow – one
to discuss the impacts of freshwater
just historical, it’s a long established and of the core Ngāi Tahu values, is central to
management.
continuing relationship that we want to this relationship.
preserve.” “It was an opportunity to physically see
“For all of us and the generations that
how everything is interconnected and how
Te Ao Mārama Inc, the body responsible for follow, it’s about the responsibility we have
this is a part of projects like Water and
representing iwi on resource management to leave behind our environment in the
Land 2020,” Ailsa says. “It showed what the
matters with councils, works in close same or better state for our children and
problem looks like in real life, rather than
partnership with Environment Southland their children. It’s the underlying driver for
just discussing it in a meeting.”
Senior resource planner Fiona Young says
the trip had been a success. “The idea behind
it was to look at the connection between
water quality and land use and look forward
in terms of future generations. Big changes
will have to be made, and we’ll need to see
how they’ll affect the community and the
challenges that come with it.”
Ailsa agrees there is no quick fix to the multi-
faceted issue of Southland’s water quality,
but is positive Te Ao Mārama’s cohesive
relationship with the council and their shared
goal to revitalise the Koreti will be realised.
“It’s a long process, but Ngāi Tahu and many
other people feel a strong affinity with and a
responsibility for the estuary. It’s an ongoing
connection we all have and we are all in it
for the long term.”
Waihopai River, Invercargill, circa 1906.
Muir & Moodie, reproduction from a black and white gelatin
glass negative. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Registration: C.012842
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