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Category: Environment Canterbury

Councillors gather to discuss submissions on “consequential reforms”

Posted on January 30, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Councillors gather to discuss submissions on “consequential reforms” “This is a big conversation and it’s going to transform local government and democracy, our economy, environmental management and the work we all do for our region.” Those were the words from Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) Chair Dr Deon Swiggs on Thursday ahead of a…

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Join our Great Willowherb Hunt

Posted on January 29, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Join our Great Willowherb Hunt We’re calling on Waitaha Canterbury residents to take part in the Great Willowherb Hunt — a summer campaign to track down one of the region’s most aggressive wetland invaders. Anyone who reports a sighting between now and 28 February will go in the draw to win one of ten…

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What’s the story: Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant odour

Posted on January 29, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] What’s the story: Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant odour You may have noticed an increase in unpleasant odour around east Ōtautahi Christchurch, coming from the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bromley this week.   We know that these odours and the impacts residents are experiencing are very real, and we are committed to ensuring any…

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Proud of Canterbury? Have your say on a Government proposal

Posted on January 27, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Proud of Canterbury? Have your say on a Government proposal Regional governance is the capability to plan, fund, and deliver decisions and services that work at the scale of the region, across council boundaries, with clear accountability for results. [ad_2] Source link

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FEP data shows Canterbury farmers are making real environmental progress

Posted on January 27, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] FEP data shows Canterbury farmers are making real environmental progress Canterbury farmers are proving that steady progress pays off, with seven years of Farm Environment Plan (FEP) audit data showing a dramatic lift in environmental performance across the region. [ad_2] Source link

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Guidance for rural wastewater treatment

Posted on January 21, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Guidance for rural wastewater treatment Buying or building a rural or semi-rural property? Make sure you know where the wastewater goes. Living outside of a main population centre often means not only sourcing your own drinking water, but also finding a safe way to treat and dispose of household wastewater. Most towns and cities…

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Know your onsite wastewater system

Posted on January 21, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Know your onsite wastewater system Buying or building a rural or semi-rural property? Make sure you know where the wastewater goes. Living outside of a main population centre often means not only sourcing your own drinking water, but also finding a safe way to treat and dispose of household wastewater. Most towns and cities…

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Years of wilding pine removal minimised wildfire damage

Posted on January 21, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Years of wilding pine removal minimised wildfire damage Years of work by land and aerial crews to clear thousands of hectares of wilding pines at Flock Hill helped contain a devastating wildfire there a year ago – saving precious land, ecosystems and infrastructure from damage. [ad_2] Source link

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Tracing the source of a Hagley Park oil discharge and preventing future spills

Posted on January 15, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Tracing the source of a Hagley Park oil discharge and preventing future spills Something’s not quite right in an urban waterway running through Hagley Park. In Addington Brook, Christchurch, a small oil discharge has been found, and we’re asking the local community to check their properties for leaks and report spills that you see….

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Our fire team is ready to respond

Posted on January 6, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Our fire team is ready to respond Large or multiple fires can stretch Fire and Emergency volunteer resources – that’s when our very own fire team steps in. From Kainga to the front line [ad_2] Source link

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Check it’s all right before you light: plan ahead for stubble burning

Posted on January 5, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Check it’s all right before you light: plan ahead for stubble burning As summer approaches, many Canterbury farmers are preparing for crop residue burning – commonly called stubble burning. It’s an important part of arable farming, but it comes with responsibilities to help keep our communities safe. Why planning matters Stubble burning helps manage…

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Be a smart skipper and keep your distance

Posted on January 5, 2026 by ECAN

[ad_1] Be a smart skipper and keep your distance Waitaha Canterbury’s harbours are busy places. Large ships can’t stop quickly, and small boats are hard to see — a dangerous mix that can lead to disaster in seconds. Staying clear of big ships isn’t just good practice. It’s the law, and it could save your life.  Why you need to keep…

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Swimming after rain: what our new water-quality model really shows

Posted on December 22, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Swimming after rain: what our new water-quality model really shows Recent media coverage has suggested large parts of Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour – and almost a third of Waitaha Canterbury’s monitored swimming spots – are unsafe for swimming following recent rainfall.  We want to clarify what our water-quality monitoring is actually telling us, and how…

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A summer of action on Waitaha Canterbury's rivers – our flood protection projects

Posted on December 19, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] A summer of action on Waitaha Canterbury’s rivers – our flood protection projects Flooding is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most frequent natural hazard – and it’s getting worse as our climate changes. Across Waitaha Canterbury, we’ve seen the impact first-hand: homes damaged, roads cut off and communities disrupted. It’s a big challenge, but as your…

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Resource Management reform – a reality check for Canterbury

Posted on December 19, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Resource Management reform – a reality check for Canterbury The next three months will test Canterbury’s governance like nothing we’ve seen in decades. In the past month alone, central government has dropped three new bills, an amendment, multiple changes to national direction instruments, proposed rates caps, and a complete governance restructure on our desk….

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Cleaner air for Waitaha Canterbury: Celebrating our region's progress towards clear air

Posted on December 18, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Cleaner air for Waitaha Canterbury: Celebrating our region’s progress towards clear air Thanks to 25 years of regional planning, regulation, and community action, air quality across Waitaha Canterbury has improved dramatically — with high-pollution days dropping from up to 60 a year in some towns to fewer than 10 today. Monitoring across our seven…

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Summer safety alert: Beware of rising river levels and unpredictable weather

Posted on December 18, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Summer safety alert: Beware of rising river levels and unpredictable weather Before heading to your favorite Canterbury rivers or lakes this summer, check the weather forecasts and river conditions, especially for rainfall in the Southern Alps. Hot, dry nor-west winds often signal heavy rain in alpine headwaters, which can cause rivers to rise quickly…

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Do your bit to stop rubbish dumping at rivers and beaches this summer

Posted on December 17, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Do your bit to stop rubbish dumping at rivers and beaches this summer As the weather warms up, we’re reminding everyone that Illegal rubbish dumping harms the environment and leaves ratepayers footing the bill, and those caught can face hefty fines. Each summer, we receive reports from concerned locals region-wide about large piles of…

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The humble cabbage tree leaf proves a tough competitor at Wrybill Trophy Awards

Posted on December 16, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] The humble cabbage tree leaf proves a tough competitor at Wrybill Trophy Awards What if the leaves of the humble tī kōuka (cabbage tree) could be used for a greener, more sustainable and profitable future? That’s the question Yiting Su from Breens Intermediate explored in his winning science project at the 2025 Wrybill Trophy…

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Stay safe while exploring southern lakes this summer

Posted on December 16, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Stay safe while exploring southern lakes this summer The southern lakes of Mackenzie Country are among Waitaha Canterbury’s most popular summer destinations for boating, camping, and recreation. With the community, boaties, and energy companies all sharing these waters – it’s up to all of us to keep safety front of mind. Extra care needed…

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Top tips from a series of South Canterbury farming workshops

Posted on December 16, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Top tips from a series of South Canterbury farming workshops South Canterbury farmers upskilled on their environmental practices at a series of workshops in Glenavy in October and November. If you missed out – here are the top tips from each workshop. [ad_2] Source link

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Delays expected to bus routes 8, 27 and 125 in early January

Posted on December 16, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Delays expected to bus routes 8, 27 and 125 in early January A week of upgrades to the Harewood, Gardiners and Breens Roads intersection will cause delays for Metro’s Routes 8, 27 and 125 from 5pm on Sunday 4 January 2026.  The Christchurch City Council-led works include the installation of new traffic signals and…

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Help stop the spread of freshwater pests

Posted on December 16, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Help stop the spread of freshwater pests Whether you’re out fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, or boating on our freshwater lakes and rivers this summer, the threat of freshwater pests spreading and invading is more real than ever. These pests can choke native water plants and destroy spawning areas for the fish that call…

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Tiny pellets, big problem: How Christchurch is fighting plastics in our waterways

Posted on December 16, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Tiny pellets, big problem: How Christchurch is fighting plastics in our waterways Unannounced site visits to Ōtautahi Christchurch plastic manufactures have revealed significant improvements in the fight to prevent nurdle pollution — stormwater’s tiny microplastic foe.   Nurdles are small plastic pellets used to make most plastic products, typically ranging from 2-5 mm in diameter. When they enter stormwater drains and flow into waterways, nurdles and other microplastics pose…

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Love Our Lakes: Protecting Mackenzie and Waitaki waterways as visitor numbers set to climb

Posted on December 15, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Love Our Lakes: Protecting Mackenzie and Waitaki waterways as visitor numbers set to climb Stunning lakes, blue skies, and… thousands of visitors! With summer tourism set to boom in Mackenzie and Waitaki, Love Our Lakes is back to remind holidaymakers that we’re all responsible for taking simple steps to keep our iconic lakes healthy…

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Meet the robot protecting our harbours from marine pests

Posted on December 15, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Meet the robot protecting our harbours from marine pests Our coastal team can now tackle new areas of  Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour for surveying and marine pest control , thanks to Kiwi tech company Boxfish Robotics and Earth Sciences NZ (formerly NIWA). Every year, we undertake biosecurity surveillance at four ports and harbours across  Waitaha Canterbury, searching for invasive marine species that can damage Aotearoa New Zealand’s marine biodiversity. One of the biggest…

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Final Council meeting of the year prompts robust discussions

Posted on December 12, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Final Council meeting of the year prompts robust discussions Canterbury Regional Councillors had a full agenda in the final council meeting of 2025 that prompted discussion around committee representatives, allowances, and nitrates on Wednesday 10 December. Councillors were appointed to represent the Canterbury Regional Council on several trusts and community advisory groups during the…

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Route 7 frequency increase causing increase in patronage too

Posted on December 12, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] Route 7 frequency increase causing increase in patronage too It’s not just the frequency that’s increased on Metro’s Route 7 Halswell to Queenspark service, but also now the patronage.   In April the route switched to running every 10 minutes from 5.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays and every 15 minutes outside of those hours,…

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School students take action to protect Te Repo o Papatahora wetland

Posted on December 12, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] School students take action to protect Te Repo o Papatahora wetland A group of tomorrow’s scientists from Te Rōhutu Whio School in Tauwharekākaho Rolleston visited Te Pā o Moki marae in Southbridge in October to learn about the biodiversity of its surrounding land and help protect it for future generations.  Ākonga (students) planted native…

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‘Marine hotels’: Invertebrate lodgings provide insights into Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour’s health

Posted on December 11, 2025 by ECAN

[ad_1] ‘Marine hotels’: Invertebrate lodgings provide insights into Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour’s health Deep below the surface of Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour are invertebrates offering important clues about the health of the harbour. Earth and marine scientist Dr Joyce Yager knows this better than most. She’s keen to learn more about the invertebrates that call Whakaraupō home…

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