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Last Regional Delivery Committee meeting of the three-year term The last meeting of the Regional Delivery Committee this triennium took place on Thursday 11 September. It was a jam-packed agenda with discussion centring around how we’re implementing our Climate Action Plan, and a report on a private well study completed in June which shed further…
Final Strategy and Policy Committee meeting of the triennium The final Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday 10 September covered quarry dust research, the draft Council Land Strategy, and recent central government reforms. Read about the final meeting and its key outcomes. Source link
Annual water quality results continue to guide action in Upper Waitaki Our latest annual water quality monitoring results show a mixed picture for lakes and rivers in the Upper Waitaki catchment—information that is already shaping how we manage land and water in this area. Each year, we monitor nine lakes and 14 rivers in this…
Credit and debit card payments coming to Metro buses this year Metro customers in Greater Christchurch will soon have the option to board Metro buses and ferries using their debit or credit card when the first phase of Motu Move launches in November. The new payment methods are the first part of a phased roll…
Tightening the nitrogen loop in the Mackenzie Basin A new catch crop project in the Ahuriri catchment is bringing farmers, scientists and us together to explore smarter nitrogen (N) management in winter forage systems. Smarter nitrogen use Led by the Bioeconomy Science Institute (Plant & Food Research Group) and supported by us, the trial sites…
Waitaha leaders sign MOU, uniting regional and local councils in a shared commitment to Civil Defence Emergency Management collaboration. Source link
Council reviewing new Resource Management Amendment Act and its implications A new law will have several implications for how we operate, and for the region’s communities, natural environment, resource users, consent holders and Papatipu Rūnanga. At a briefing on Wednesday, 3 September, Councillors received an update on the Government’s new Resource Management (Consenting and Other…
Farm safe, waste smart: Agrecovery’s chemical collection in action If you have unwanted or expired chemicals sitting in your farm shed, now is the time to register them with Agrecovery – ahead of a Canterbury-wide collection in November. Agrecovery is a rural recycling programme partnering with us to help minimise and manage farm waste. …
Local government futures and public transport strategy: August council meeting highlights At their latest meeting, Council heard from the public on river and harbour health, native bird restoration, and a proposed solar plant in North Canterbury. Key decisions included $2.8m for wilding conifer control, adoption of the Public Transport Asset Control Strategy, and keeping critical…
Financial support lights up replacement log burner options Financial help is available to replace log burners with new, cleaner forms of heating as thousands of wood burners around Canterbury are set to expire by the end of 2027. When Lorraine and Gerald Brown discovered they had to replace the log burner that had kept their…
Community and partnership key to restoring Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour and its surrounding bays are treasured by many different people, including mana whenua Ngāti Wheke, residents and visitors. The harbour was once known for its great abundance of kaimoana, but pollution, deforestation, sediment run-off, and climate change have impacted the whenua/land and the moana/harbour. However,…
Winter grazing alternative shakes up dairy farm A Mount Hutt dairy farm has adopted a hybrid bale grazing system to protect their soil against adverse wet weather and better their overall environment. In the foothills of Mid Canterbury, with a postcard view of Mount Hutt, a fourth-generation farmer and a former butcher are challenging traditional…
Wetland restoration work protects critically endangered bird An ongoing restoration project is underway at Te Rauakaaka, near the mouth of the Waimakariri River, to enhance wetland and coastal ecosystems, boost biodiversity, and create vital habitat for endangered species – including the critically endangered matuku-hūrepo Australasian bittern, that we’re backing for Bird of the Year. Funded…
“A lot of great mahi” to restore Te Waihora “Mā whero, mā pako; ka oti ai te mahi. The task shall be achieved through unity.” This sentiment, and the vision of Whakaora Te Waihora – to restore and rejuvenate the mana, mauri and ecosystem health of Te Waihora and its catchment – were reaffirmed at an…
Stopping sediment in its tracks post-winter grazing Our land management team is urging farmers to take actions to reduce the risk of sediment and nutrient runoff into local waterways following a very wet winter grazing period, particularly in South Canterbury. Why soil conservation matters When rain hits bare paddocks following winter grazing, it can wash…
More express options to the city for Rolleston commuters Selwyn-based commuters will benefit from more direct buses to and from Christchurch, with the launch of a new collaboration between Metro and Bentley Coachlines. In June, Bentley Coachlines approached us for approval to run privately operated commuter services from Rolleston to the city. Staff have worked…
Annual groundwater survey yet to show improvements in water quality More E. coli detections and rising nitrate concentrations were found in Waitaha Canterbury groundwater last year. Our annual groundwater quality survey report for 2024 has been released (PDF file, 3.4MB), with water samples from 349 wells across Waitaha sampled and analysed. The wells tested are…
We’re backing the matuku-hūrepo for Bird of the Year Our regional parks and forests team is stepping into campaign mode – not for an election, but for Bird of the Year. Our candidate? The shy but spectacular matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern). Spotting one of these large native birds is a rare privilege. Fewer than 1,000 remain…
Let’s clear the air on outdoor burning rules As the warmth of spring approaches, many Cantabrians begin clearing their gardens or fields, often by burning waste. Each year, we receive hundreds of complaints about outdoor burning from across Waitaha Canterbury. If you are planning an outdoor burn, there are important rules you need to follow…
Trailers, tyres and teamwork will help us reach rubbish off the beaten track A riverside clean-up event along the northern banks of the Waimakariri River is planned for Sunday 10 August, offering locals an opportunity to make a real difference in a special part of Waitaha Canterbury’s natural landscape. The clean-up will run from 10am…
Decades of river bird data comes to life in new mapping tool A decades-long dream for braided river care groups across Waitaha Canterbury has come to life with the launch of a new GIS-based mapping platform that brings together more than 60 years of river bird survey data into one accessible public database. A regional…
Candidates confirmed for Canterbury Regional Council election Elections will be required in all seven constituencies for Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) in the October local elections. Nominations closed at midday on Friday 1 August. The regional council’s general manager governance Lisa Goodman, who is also the deputy electoral officer, confirmed that 34 nominations had been…
Adoptions and approvals at Canterbury Regional Council’s 600th meeting At the 30 July Council meeting, Councillors adopted a range of strategies and plans, including a 100-year braided river revival strategy and a plan to allow the carriage of pets on buses in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. Chair Craig Pauling opened the 600th meeting of the Canterbury Regional Council…
Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project: Restored wetland attracts rare birds Birds known for their mythical status are taking refuge at a newly restored wetland around Aotearoa’s largest lagoon, bringing hope for future generations. For the last five years, Te Taumutu Rūnanga have been leading a project to rehabilitate the lower-mid catchment of Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream connecting…
A little smoke is okay – but no longer than 15 minutes We’re clearing the air on smoky chimneys and what the rules really mean for Waitaha Canterbury households. There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm fire on a cold evening in Waitaha. But although wood burners keep many homes cosy, they can…
Council provides feedback on resource management reforms We will provide feedback to the Government on proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA). Source link
Our Waitarakao wins big at local government awards Our Waitarakao: Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment Strategy has won the Air New Zealand SuperSteward — Tū Tiaki Award at the 2025 Local Government NZ Excellence Awards and been praised as a “huge strategic piece of forward planning”. The award category celebrates local government projects that protect and…
Catch crops a powerful tool for reducing nitrogen leaching Looking for a way to reduce the risk of nitrogen (N) leaching and make the most of the valuable nutrients left behind after winter forage crop grazing? A catch crop could be the answer. The role of a catch crop — a short-term crop sown between…
Community champions leading the way for Biosecurity Week As part of Biosecurity Week (21–27 July), we’re celebrating the people and groups across Waitaha/Canterbury working hard to protect and restore our unique biodiversity. Whether it’s removing invasive pests, restoring native habitats, or educating the next generation, these local champions are building a better future through ‘haumaru…
Community champions leading the way for Biosecurity Week As part of Biosecurity Week (21–27 July), we’re celebrating the people and groups across Waitaha/Canterbury working hard to protect and restore our unique biodiversity. Whether it’s removing invasive pests, restoring native habitats, or educating the next generation, these local champions are building a better future through ‘haumaru…