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Introducing our new coastal team Canterbury’s beautiful landscapes form the backdrop for many offices within the region, including one of our own. Our new coastal team is based at Te Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour and get to enjoy the views it provides each day. The team was formed after a need was identified for more knowledge in the…
Local committee backs bat for Bird of the Year The Orari Temuka Opihi Pareora (OTOP) Water Zone Committee is backing the long-tailed bat/Pekapeka-tou-roa to take out this year’s annual Bird of the Year/Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau competition. Long-tailed bats live throughout the country and fly at dusk along forest edges using echolocation calls to hunt…
From north to south – education opportunities abound Hinds School has joined forces with our land management and biodiversity advisor Heath Melville to tackle weeds in a Banded dotterel/pohowera breeding hotspot. Hinds School students Before this year’s lockdown, students from mid-Canterbury’s Hinds School visited Kaikōura to learn about the local environment and help remove lupin…
Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee welcomes three new members The Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee is pleased to introduce its newest members, Trudi Bishop, George Howden and Elisa Knight. Gina Waibl was also reappointed to the committee. Most of Canterbury’s water zone committees have undergone a refresh this year, which has seen members who have…
Stay safe on the water this summer Make the most of your time on the water this summer. Prep and check your vessel now and brush up on your responsibilities for keeping yourself and others safe. Safer Boating Week, which runs from October 18-25 this year, is the ideal time to make sure you’re fully…
Ashburton Water Zone Committee refresh The Ashburton Water Zone Committee is pleased to introduce its newest members: Adi Avnit, Clare Buchanan and Sidinei Teixera. Chris Allen and Angela Cushnie were also reappointed to the committee. Adi Avnit Most of Canterbury’s water zone committees have undergone a refresh this year, with members who have served three…
Sean Poff named Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Canterbury’s Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has a new Group Controller – Sean Poff. Mr Poff is currently the Director of Science, Data & Insights for Ministry for the Environment, based in Wellington. He has previous experience throughout military and central government sectors, both in New…
Cashmere Stream receives funding for water quality and biodiversity improvement Government funding has been granted to help the community improve the health of Cashmere Stream, which has water clarity issues due to supended sediment. Cashmere Stream runs along the northern base of the Port Hills and into the Ōpāwaho/Heathcote River. Its water clarity has been…
Ted Talks – October 2021 Kaikōura Water Zone Committee chair Ted Howard Hear from Kaikōura Water Zone Committee chair Ted Howard, who explores water quality in the zone. Just like that, another month or two has gone by! Recently, the Committee heard from Environment Canterbury staff, who presented data and trends for Kaikōura’s surface and…
Support available to achieve the best outcomes for the land and environment Two new faces that you may see around, are our biodiversity and land management advisors for Christchurch West Melton and Banks Peninsula, Martin Rutledge and Will Todhunter. The pair are both passionate about their roles, and are keen to talk to people to…
Canterbury, let’s give it a shot! Environment Canterbury’s Chair and Deputy Chair are right behind the www.90forcanterbury.co.nz campaign to see 90 percent of Cantabrians with at least their first COVID-19 shot by Labour Weekend. Chair Jenny Hughey They have had their first shot and are challenging the region to get out in front of the…
Waimakariri water zone welcomes a new member Two members have been appointed to the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee following a refresh process to ensure new perspectives are reflected. New member, Martha Jolly was recently appointed, and Michael Blackwell was reappointed to the committee. The refresh ensures a flow of fresh ideas and opinions at the…
Constructed wetland documentary released Watch the documentary Whakaora Te Ahuriri – A Wetland for Te Waihora has been shown for the first time at the International Wetlands Conference (Intecol). The documentary, funded by us, the Government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund, and produced by us, celebrates the creation of a constructed wetland in a culturally significant and…
Ritchies public transport drivers receive Living Wage Environment Canterbury are pleased to have partnered with Ritchies Transport to pay their Christchurch bus drivers the Living Wage. In July this year, Environment Canterbury Council approved the investigation and implementation of a base driver wage that was equivalent to the Living Wage that came into effect on…
Disruptions to Metro services on 18 October Approval to support public transport drivers to receive the Living Wage was given by Environment Canterbury Council in July this year. We are working with operators to finalise and agree the amount of funding required, and a process to provide surety that drivers receive this funding. The Amalgamated…
A reminder to look out for marine pests in Canterbury this summer Boaties are being urged to check and clean their hulls to help stop the spread of marine pests in our harbours before hitting the water this summer. That’s so marine pests, which have the potential to severely damage our marine ecosystems don’t spread…
Life jacket saves life on Canterbury waterway A fisherman believes wearing a life jacket saved his life after he was forced to abandon his burning boat. The incident took place on Saturday 2 October in the Ashley River Mouth/ Waikuku. The fisherman, who we’re not naming for privacy reasons, heard a ‘boom’ and turned around…
October update: Kaikōura Zone Delivery Lead Kaikōura zone delivery lead Kevin Heays provides detail on work planned across the Kaikōura Flats. The Kaikōura Flats makes up a very important part of the area we love. The land/whenua has varied uses – from rural to urban and lifestyle blocks – all of which we rely upon…
Wet months mean more water in Canterbury, but concerns remain The pattern of dry winters Canterbury has experienced in recent years ended this year, with the region seeing a return to normal or even above normal rainfall levels in most areas. That winter rain, combined with heavy rainfall in late autumn, has left Canterbury with…
Game changing public transport options for the community At the Environment Canterbury meeting on Thursday 30 September, the Council voted to take to the community a number of potential game-changing options to stimulate the Greater Christchurch public transport system. Fare options to stimulate bus use and reduce transport emissions “We are in a climate emergency. …
From our Chair: The delicate state of the Ashburton Lakes I’m sure that for many of you the Ashburton Lakes/Ō Tū Wharekai are a favourite destination to spend a day or two out of the city and reconnect with nature. It’s a wonderful part of the country, with the big Canterbury sky stretching over the…
Mid Canterbury irrigation schemes’ consent renewals Earlier this year, several media stories focused on Mayfield Hinds Valetta Irrigation Scheme’s application for renewal of its consent. This was the first of three schemes applying for similar consent renewals in mid Canterbury – the others were Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Limited and Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Limited. Mayfield Hinds Valetta…
Focus on groundwater trends at Spring meeting It was great to get back together as a group this September, even if we had to jump on video-conferencing to make it happen, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Lucy Millar, Chair OTOP Water Zone Committee Groundwater trends We had an interesting session, including a detailed presentation from Environment…
Teaming up on pests in Kaikōura Determined community members are teaming up with staff in Kaikōura to eliminate pests. Kōrero between Ocean Ridge residents and the estate owner has led to a trapping initiative aimed at boosting the number of native bird species in the area. Pests like rats, mice, and stoats, which threaten native…
Christchurch West Melton’s special savannah Drylands provide habitat for a range of specialised native insects and plant species. Protecting them is a priority for the Christchurch West Melton Water Zone Committee. Dryland ecosystems are defined by their naturally low rainfall and free-draining soils, which are ideal growing conditions for native plants tolerant of harsh environments….
Soil conservation project benefits environment and community Reduced amounts of sediment and phosphorus are entering Hurunui and Kaikōura waterways while closer community connections are being created thanks to a four-year, $4.1 million Soil Conservation and Revegetation project (SCAR project). Some 9000 poplar and willow poles have been planted on 76 hill country farms during the…
Environment Canterbury welcomes LAWA river water quality national assessment Environment Canterbury welcomes the latest river water quality assessment from Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA). Chair Jenny Hughey said it was important to reflect on the state of all Canterbury rivers and streams, and particularly our iconic braided rivers on World Rivers Day. Canterbury not alone…
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…
Springing into activity in the Upper Waitaki Lakes Spring has arrived in the Upper Waitaki basin – a busy time for farmers in the area and for our local tourist operators, who are hopefully gearing up for summer visitors. Although COVID-19 restrictions mean our tourist season now looks different, we are expecting peak summer to…
Remediation of a former landfill site in Bexley is underway and plans to remediate another four at Le Bons Bay, Onuku, Barrys Bay and the Burwood Resource Recovery Park are being developed. Christchurch City Council Resource Recovery Manager Ross Trotter says much of the work will get under way this year. “A contractor has been…