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Principally focused on righting water woes A long career in education, a passion for science, and a keen interest in trout fishing has led John Cruden to his new role on the Orari Temuka Opihi Pareora (OTOP) Water Zone Committee. John Cruden – the newest member of the Orari Temuka Opihi Pareora Water Zone Committee…
From our Chair: New fund supporting community groups Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury Regular readers of my column will know just how much I value an engaged community and how I’m always encouraging people to get more involved. Whether having a say in council’s plans or proposals, or being actively involved in environmental work through…
September update: Selwyn Waihora Zone Delivery Lead Selwyn Waihora Zone Delivery Lead Gill Jenkins Hear from Selwyn Waihora Zone Delivery Lead Gill Jenkins, as she talks about sediment and stormwater in the zone and updates us on one of the many local projects underway. Selwyn Waihora’s waterways have many precious species including kōwaro (Canterbury mudfish),…
New planting sites will bring back a piece of natural Canterbury The establishment of two large native planting sites will mark another major step toward restoring native biodiversity in the Selwyn region of the Canterbury Plains. In August, members of the Te Ara Kākāriki Canterbury Greenway Trust and friends gathered to plant the first of…
Report shines light on progress towards water management goals A new Environment Canterbury report details the actions underway to manage fresh water in the region. The Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) was adopted in 2009 and sets out a community-led approach to sustainable water management. It encompasses 10 target areas and sets water management goals…
New community organisation fund taking action for the environment Applications are open for a new contestable fund for community organisations who want to take action for a better environment in Canterbury. Building community engagement and action The Waitaha Action to Impact Fund was established to enhance community engagement and action, and encourage environmental projects that…
New regulations for whitebait fishing COVID-19 Alert Level 3 rules At Alert Level 3, you can fish for whitebait during the whitebaiting season. Fish locally, stay 2 metres from other river users and remember boating is not allowed. You legally must also comply with all current whitebait regulations, including: only fishing from the…
Celebrating a decade of biodiversity improvements The Hurunui Waiau Uwha Water Zone Committee (HWUWZC) recently visited a landmark restoration project established 10 years ago at Smothering Gully, located eight kilometres north-east of Waipara, to learn about biodiversity improvements gained through fencing and weed control. The project is a partnership between landowners Hamilton Glens farm, the…
Freshwater catchment group brings the community together Establishing a collective voice and providing an opportunity for the community to have a say on freshwater are two of the reasons behind the formation of the Sefton Saltwater Creek Catchment Group, which is due to celebrate its first anniversary this month. The group’s vision is “Healthy Waterways,…
September update: Kaikōura Zone Delivery Lead Kaikōura zone delivery lead, Kevin Heays Kaikōura zone delivery lead Kevin Heays updates us on outdoor burning during Alert Level 4, the catchment approach, and how to get in touch. Alert Level 4 has come again, and this time round feels familiar, but also different. With the Delta variant…
Avoid lighting outdoor fires in lockdown Help keep essential staff safe by not lighting outdoor fires during lockdown. We’ve received a large number of calls from people concerned about outdoor fires during Alert Level 4. Even if the fire is under control, the smoke often results in 111 calls which mean firefighters need to deal…
Ted talks – August 2021 Ted Howard – Chair of Kaikōura Water Zone Committee The last time you heard from me the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee was on the hunt for more members. I’m now pleased to announce that we are welcoming a new member – Des Bolton. Des is a Kaikōura Plains based dairy farmer…
Cass Bay planting day a success despite weather Inclement weather tried its hardest to put off about 45 dedicated volunteers from the Cass Bay planting day recently, but to no avail. The hardy souls – made up of Whaka Ora Healthy Harbour staff, Wai Ora staff, volunteers from the community, Cass Bay Residents Association and…
COVID-19 key updates from Environment Canterbury Get the latest information on the evolving COVID-19 situation and advice on how we are responding and adapting to government directives and the changing situation. Update 1: 19 August 2021 New Zealand is at alert level 4. Please go to the Government’s dedicated website covid19.govt.nz for COVID-related updates and…
Supporting action to improve Selwyn’s freshwater It was a slightly different looking Selwyn Waihora water zone committee that met early this month. We said goodbye to Te Rūnanga o Wairewa rūnanga representative Dr Benita Wakefield and community representative Paul Hodgson, and welcomed new members James Booker, Simon Bryant, Helen Troy and Khan McKay. Selwyn Waihora…
Promoting Local Ngāi Tahu Bill to Parliament We are again promoting a Local Bill to Parliament which, if passed, will ensure mana whenua representation on the Council. In 2019 the Local Bill with Ngāi Tahu did not pass its first reading in Parliament. To ensure ongoing contribution and representation, in October 2020 we appointed two…
Review of nutrient management modelling tool released The Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries have released a review of the nutrient loss modelling tool Overseer, and the Government has responded to this. Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Stefanie Rixecker said Overseer is used extensively in Canterbury to model nutrient losses from land…
A plan for action for Ashburton water zone William Thomas – Ashburton Water Zone Committee Chair When the Ashburton Water Zone Committee met in late July, there was a lot to discuss after a busy few months. The flooding that followed three days of heavy rain at the end of May affected the whole region…
Getting Christchurch West Melton’s action plan underway Christchurch West Melton Water Zone Committee Chair Kevin Brown provides an update on the committee’s newest members and their plan for the year ahead. Committee Chair Kevin Brown I’d like to start by welcoming some new committee members to the group. We had the committee refresh earlier this…
From our Chair: Virtual fence to give boost to birdlife New Zealand leads the world in pest management. That’s not to say we don’t have our challenges, but we’re years ahead of most countries when it comes to exploring and trialling new approaches. Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury Going wireless One such approach that I…
Understanding our precious water resource Applications close on Sunday 15 August for this year’s Untouched World Foundation’s Waterwise Canterbury programme. From 12 to 17 September 2021, students aged 15 to 24 will come together to explore and understand issues pertaining to our most critical resource – water. About the programme The group from Waterwise 2020…
August update: Kaikōura Zone Delivery Lead Kaikōura zone delivery lead Kevin Heays updates us on what the team will be focusing on for the rest of the year. Our zone delivery team has got a few priorities that we want to focus on over the next year. Many of these follow on from work that’s…
Constructed wetlands could reduce nitrate concentrations A recent presentation on the benefits of integrated constructed wetlands by scientist Dr Michelle McKeown has prompted the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee to consider the possibility of a pilot project that would aim to reduce nitrate, phosphorous, sedimentation and E. coli levels in local waterways, as well as improve…
Helping people burn better Environment Canterbury air quality implementation officers Mark and Marie collectively have ten years’ experience helping Cantabrians get the most out of their fires. They love showing people how to build a roaring fire that’s smoke-free, so we can all breathe cleaner air. During winter, Mark and Marie are busy working with…
Styx Living Laboratory Trust was established in 2002 to work towards achieving Christchurch City Councils “Vision 2000-2040 The Styx”. Find out how it’s going. Source link
Have your say on Stormwater Management Plans The Christchurch West Melton Water Zone Committee is encouraging community members to get involved and have their say on the future of the city’s stormwater management. Christchurch City Council (CCC) is currently running consultation on two draft stormwater management plans (SMPs) – for the Huritini/Halswell and the Ōpāwaho/Heathcote….
Lend a hand at the Cass Bay planting day Join the Bay community’s planting day where they aim to plant 3000 native seedlings, adding to the previous year’s effort to help reduce sedimentation in Lyttelton Harbour. In 2020, a group of over 30 volunteers from Environment Canterbury and Conservation Volunteers NZ began planting the banks of Cass Bay…
Passionate Twizel farmers push for improved water quality Farmers around Twizel and Ōmārama are making inroads towards improving the health of local waterways and catchments. And their cause has now been bolstered by support from Fonterra and Environment Canterbury. The Spring Creek and the Willow Burn streams, within the Ahuriri catchment, are benefitting from local…
Co-innovation project advances irrigation practices A five-year collaborative project involving NIWA and a pilot group of Waimakariri farmers has seen a shift from a ‘just-in-case’ approach to irrigation to a ‘justified’ approach, where landowners use real-time data and forecasts to make science-based irrigation decisions. Irrigation Insight Programme Throughout the NIWA-led Irrigation Insight programme, farmers have…
Waimakariri bus services recently celebrate six months of operation Carrying more than 30,000 passenger trips, the 91 and 92 Waimakariri direct bus services from Kaiapoi and Rangiora to central Christchurch recently celebrated six months of running. Metro spokesperson Thomas McNaughton said the most popular morning trips from Rangiora and Kaiapoi are those leaving between 7am and 7:30am, but customers…