Kaikōura Water Zone Committee Chair Ted Howard updates on past projects, meeting dates and his appreciation for those who are working hard to protect our taio (environment).

Key projects

I have now been Chair of the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee (KWZC) for five years and it has been great to see such an array of impressive environmental projects delivered over this time.

Love the Lyell’s annual event has always been a great show of community collaboration and collective action for the environment. Wetlands such as Nagari show how dedicated our local landowners are, and work in the Waiau Toa/Clarence shows the diversity of actions that are needed to enhance and protect biodiversity in Kaikōura District.

It is inspiring to see some of the openness of landowners, managers, and community members in wanting to do the right thing for the environment.

Our Committee

Our Zone Committee is made up of a group of people who are passionate about water and our members have lots of different backgrounds, experiences, and expertise to draw from.

We meet monthly in the Kaikōura District Council chambers, to chat about a diverse range of topics relating to water including policy, science, and values.

Meetings are public, so you are more than welcome to join us. You can find information about past meetings as well as dates and times for future ones on our website.

Freshwater and biodiversity

Freshwater is fundamental to all of us, and there can be many competing claims on it. There can also be too much of a good thing, so flood protection is one issue among many that we pay attention to.

We also allocate Immediate Steps Biodiversity Funding (IMS), which is all about supporting positive projects and initiatives that protect and enhance our precious wai (freshwater) and biodiversity in the Kaikōura Water Zone. Last year, we were able to support many different projects, allocating more than $100,000 of IMS funding.

Applications to the fund are open all the time and there is help on hand if you are not sure about the application process. Just contact us or one of the Committee members.

Our Annual Report for 2018-19 is available online to see some of the other projects that we have supported.

Being thankful

Lastly, I would like to say thanks to all those in the community who are helping to create good environmental outcomes. It can be as simple as picking a bit of rubbish out of a stream or its bank, moving a compost pile away from the creek, or planting a native tree to help stabilise a bank. All those little things add up to make a big difference.

It is encouraging to see so many people who care about our beautiful taiao (environment) creating many paths to a positive future.

Nga mihi nui,

Ted.