April 2021 - A positive attitude Fish passage Top performing dairy farmer Freeing up the way for fish - Environment ...
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April 2021 A positive attitude Top performing dairy farmer Page 4 Fish passage Freeing up the way for fish Page 8
Contents
Community planting project 3
Compliance top performers 4
People, Water and Land 6
Freeing up fish passage 8
Insight into coastal life 10
Helping steer the waka 12
Southland the big winner 14
River catchments 16
Long-term Plan 17
Updates 18
Time to think about… 19 Southland’s rivers, lakes This Long-term
On the farm 19 and estuaries need Plan 2021-2031 is a
Out in the field 20
significant reductions in challenging one.
nutrient loads. It addresses important issues that we’re
keen to get your views on. Consultation
Our People, Water and Land programme
starts in May 2021.
has been modelling how much reduction
in nitrogen and phosphorus is required Our future focus is on building real
to get the water quality improvements strength and resilience in Southland
Southlanders want to see. for the changes needed to improve our
freshwater quality and to deal with the
The numbers are big, but we have a plan.
impacts of climate change.
We will support the community to make
Some tough decisions need to be made.
changes and improvements in stages,
over time. This includes building on many We are being expected to do more by the
of the good initiatives already underway government and the community yet our
Envirosouth is published three times a year
and supporting new technologies and reserves and income have taken significant
by Environment Southland. It is delivered to
every mailbox in the region. We welcome your innovative thinking and practice. hits due to Covid-19 and the 2020 floods.
comments on anything published in
this magazine. The changes are going to affect the whole The councillors have given careful
ISSN 2537-8902 (Print) community from the agricultural industry consideration to budgeting for the long
ISSN 2537-8910 (Online) to our towns’ and city’s management of term and are mindful of how it will affect
Contact Us storm water and wastewater. Southlanders.
Cnr North Rd & Price St, Invercargill Regulation alone will never be enough; for There are options, so get in touch and let
(03) 211 5115 | 0800 76 88 45 us know what you think.
service@es.govt.nz | www.es.govt.nz
sustained improvements to water quality
www.facebook.com/environmentsouthland everyone will have to do their bit.
Cover
Surfer Marama Pou by the changing
sheds at Mitchells Bay, Riverton. See
story page 10.
Rob Phillips, chief executive, Environment Southland Nicol Horrell, chairman, Environment Southland
Environment Southland
A thriving Southland – te taurikura o Murihiku
2 Envirosouth April 2021
Reforest Southland’s Daniel Jones and Josie Blackshaw tend plants at their home nursery in Lumsden.
Gollum galaxias found in Lumsden Creek.
Community the driving force
behind planting projects
Patience is needed They have two projects underway, replanting
Lumsden Creek and a community nursery,
They applied successfully for funding
for the nursery from the Ministry for
when going for a which will be located in central Lumsden. Primary Industries’ One Billion Trees
Programme. Josie says they’ve also had
bushwalk with Josie The importance of the project has been
generous support from Community Trust
enhanced with the discovery of both
Blackshaw. “I’m a bit of Gollum Galaxias and Southern Flathead
South, their local community board and
councillor, and local businesses.
a plant nerd,” she says. Galaxias in the Lumsden Creek. Both
native fish species are threatened and Environment Southland’s land
J
osie and partner Daniel Jones are two found only in Southland. sustainability team has been “awesome”
of the driving forces behind Reforest with advice and support, and helped out at
“It’s really exciting to find these wee guys
Southland, a Lumsden-based a planting day at Lumsden School, Daniel
living in our area, and knowing that the
charitable trust and community nursery. says. A replanting project with Northern
work we are doing replanting the creek
Southland College is also germinating.
The Trust’s focus is on growing, replanting will help provide shelter and reduce water
and regenerating areas of native bush, temperature and pollution, giving these The Trust wants its Lumsden work to act as
from riparian and marginal planting to little guys a bit of extra protection they a blueprint for people to activate community
larger reserves and parks, for the benefit deserve,” Daniel says. planting projects in their own areas.
of the local eco-system and the enjoyment Reforest Southland started quite naturally, For more information check out
of the local community; “doing something with a group of Lumsden residents looking reforestsouthland.co.nz
nice for the kids and showing them what for a local planting project. The vision
can be done,” Daniel says. and idea grew from there and the group
formed a trust to help with fundraising.
3
Positive attitude
key for top
performers
Doing the right thing However, 15% of the top performers
will be randomly selected for inspection
Meanwhile, Arjan believes the key to his
success is as simple as keeping on top of
comes naturally to by a compliance officer to ensure the everything.
integrity of the programme.
Mataura Island dairy “You really have to be aware of stuff, fix
Compliance manager Simon Mapp says things straight away and just know what
farmers Arjan and Tracy while the threshold for the programme is is happening all of the time.”
van der Straaten. high and a single slip-up in compliance
Arjan and Tracy have 119 hectares of
will see somebody removed from the
T
their own land and lease a further 120
he couple have been dairy farming programme, it puts trust in those who
hectares, milking 300 cows. As an owner-
for 22 years and are in their seventh have proven themselves to be doing the
operator with no staff, he believes it helps
season on their current property. right thing.
that he is always there on the ground
They were surprised to receive a recent “At the moment the top performers only and has full knowledge of every aspect
letter from Environment Southland naming account for around 5% of our dairy farmers of his operation. He’s aware of all the
them as one of its 50 top performers, as and we know there are many others out requirements of his consent conditions
part of a compliance programme launched there doing some fantastic work, so these and keeps abreast of any changing
last year. are really the cream of the crop. We’ve set regulatory requirements.
“It wasn’t something I had heard about the threshold very high, initially, and we
“I love every bit of dairy farming, but you
and I was surprised because I don’t think I will reassess it in time,” he says.
do always have to strive to do better in
do anything special,” Arjan says. “This is a pilot programme at this stage every aspect of the business.
The new programme recognises dairy and we only have 50 farms who have
“With the new regulations coming, it will
farmers who have proved themselves achieved the required level to be involved,
be really difficult to increase cow numbers
with five years of full compliance with all but it is a good way to acknowledge the
so you have to look at other ways to grow
their consents. This recognition provides work they put in and also to utilise our
your business.
an opportunity for them to carry out a compliance resources where they most
self-assessment, and to supply that to need to be.” “Most importantly you have to have a
Environment Southland, rather than be positive attitude because why else would
inspected by a compliance officer. you keep doing it?”
Dairy farmers Arjan and Tracy van der Straaten
on their property at Mataura Island.
4 Envirosouth April 2021
5
Strong relationship at
project’s success
Getting improvements Creating this New Zealand-first was a core
team of four from Environment Southland
Karen is a groundwater specialist who has
been with Environment Southland off and
in Southland’s rivers, and Te Ao Marama Incorporated. Maria on for the last 20 years, with stints in Central
Bartlett, senior policy advisor at Te Ao Otago and the United States in between.
lakes, streams and Marama, and Karen Wilson, team leader She says the group was tasked with bringing
estuaries is one step science, strategy and investigations together the values for freshwater into a
at Environment Southland lent their single framework that allowed councillors
closer after a major significant skills and experience to and board members to endorse Southland’s
project was completed the project. objectives, or goals.
last year. Maria spent the first half of her career
with regional councils and the second
“The National Policy Statement for
Freshwater requires councils to follow
T
half working within Ngāi Tahu. “I have a a particular menu when it comes to
he project, which sets draft
real passion for improving mana whenua delivering freshwater planning and water
objectives for freshwater based on
experiences of Resource Management quality improvements,” Karen says.
what is important to Southlanders,
Act (RMA) practice, and strengthening
has attracted national attention for its In Southland, these requirements are
relationships between local authorities
innovative approach, being the first of its being delivered through the People, Water
and mana whenua,” she says.
kind in the country. and Land programme. This is a partnership
Originally from Motueka, Maria says what’s between Environment Southland and Te
It is the weaving together of both iwi and
been wonderful about arriving in Southland Ao Marama – the environmental arm of
wider community values for freshwater that
is finding a thriving relationship. “There are Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku.
make it unique.
some really positive opportunities for mana
whenua because of that, and actually for
the region.”
6 Envirosouth April 2021
the heart of The team
As well as Karen and Maria, the
core team also included Dr Jane
Kitson and Ned Norton. Read
more about Jane on pages 8 and
9, and read more about Ned and
Within the steps of the national policy Karen says they weren’t sure it could be
his role as co-science lead for
statement there is room for each region to done at the outset. “We were by no means
the programme in our December
determine how it will fulfil the requirements. certain that we would be able to bring the
2020 issue of Envirosouth,
In Southland, this provided the opportunity two world views together, but we did.”
available online, www.es.govt.nz.
to draw on both the community science
analysis that had been done, and the
Hauora
iwi work. Overall the primary goal is to
“We were by no means This is Southland’s expression of
ensure hauora; the health and wellbeing of
waterbodies, people and land in the region. certain that we would be Te Mana o te Wai. Essentially the
Maria explains, “Typically what happens
able to bring the two world word describes the state we want
our water to be in – resilient,
in RMA processes is the environmental views together, but we did.” meaning it can take a few knocks
science will be sitting on one side and the but will be strong enough to
mana whenua expressions will be sitting KAREN WILSON
bounce back.
on the other, and they run along slightly
different tracks never quite meeting. So it’s
Te Mana o te Wai
very difficult for mana whenua to see the Both agree that the strength of the
Te Mana o te Wai is an important
outcomes they’re seeking represented [in relationship that was already in place from
concept for how water is
consent and planning decisions].” years of partnering between Te Ao Marama
managed and utilised in New
and Environment Southland was key.
The approach in Southland started with Zealand. It recognises the
a conversation. Maria: “We knew we had “Hopefully we’ve done this in a way fundamental importance of
awesome material to work with. We had that honours the work and relationship water in that protecting the
Environment Southland’s environmental building that has taken place over many health of freshwater protects
science and a body of work from mana decades, which has allowed us to be in the health and well-being of
whenua on indicators of health. We said, the privileged position to do this work the wider environment. It is an
‘We should be able to do something with successfully. We were definitely standing approach that protects the Mauri
this – not sure this has been quite done on many shoulders to get to this point,” (life-force) of the water.
this way before.'” Karen says.
There were several challenges. The first, Maria says all the ingredients existed People, Water and Land
and possibly largest, was in learning how to enable this to happen. “I just remind programme
to talk to each other with their different people all the time how fortunate you all The People, Water and Land
knowledge bases and different ways of are that it was possible for these threads to programme is a partnership
thinking and working. come together because of the investment with Te Ao Marama Inc. (as the
over many years. Southland was uniquely environmental arm of Ngāi
“We put investment in upfront in Tahu ki Murihiku). It is about
placed to be able to achieve something as
understanding each other, getting a taking the next steps to improve
special as this.”
common language and always checking Southland’s water and land, and
back. We drew a lot of pictures to help takes a ‘mountains to the sea
communicate our thoughts to each approach: ki uta ki tai’.
other and ultimately by the time we were
working with the numbers and describing
Mana whenua
objectives, all of our foundation work just
Indigenous people
fed into that process,” Maria says.
Karen Wilson, team leader science, strategy
and investigations, Environment Southland (L)
and Maria Bartlett, senior policy advisor, Te Ao
Marama.
7
Freeing up
8 Envirosouth April 2021
fish passage
If we’re looking to Just look at whitebaiting, and its
importance to many people in the south,
our past for future she says. “With more passages, fish
inspiration - kanakana Through her company, Kitson Consulting, will be able to move freely
Jane works at the interface of mātauranga between inland streams
(lamprey) are a good Māori and science, assisting organisations
and the sea, which will help
place to start. to develop and apply enduring
boost numbers of these
environmental solutions.
T
he fact they’ve been around for more Mātauranga Māori is an holistic perspective amazing native species.”
than 360 million years, survived four encompassing all aspects of knowledge
mass extinctions, and existed at the and seeks to understand the relationships ALI MEADE
same time as dinosaurs, should give us between all component parts and their
pause to ponder what we can learn from interconnections to gain an understanding
them about adaptation. of the whole system. Manmade structures in streams such as
Murihiku-based ecologist and culverts can disrupt this passage and
Jane says it’s important to reiterate that
environmental scientist, Dr Jane Kitson create a barrier for fish travelling between
although mātauranga has been around for
(Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe, Waitaha), led inland streams and coastal waterways.
a very long time, it is also a dynamic and
the 2012 Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga (NPM) evolving knowledge system based on its “Between 2015 and 2017 our science team
project on kanakana/lamprey and the own principles and frameworks. mapped over 80 fish barriers within the
use of harvest mātauranga to monitor Southland roading network, and we know
population trends. The fish passage project is a really
that there are also a number of barriers
positive step because there are some
The unique and unusual kanakana, an to fish movement on private land in
easy wins that can be achieved with
ancient, boneless eel-like fish, with a Southland.”
the identification, prioritisation and
sucker mouth, horny teeth and a rasping implementation of fish passage around Fish passage is mandatory under the new
tongue, is one of many native fish species Southland. freshwater regulations. The council is
in need of increased protection measures working closely with Te Ao Marama to align
in southern waterways. About 76% of our She says people are adapting their
both iwi and council priority areas, and is
freshwater fish are either threatened with, thinking around human interactions
also working closely with landowners and
or at risk of, extinction. with our environment, and this increased
catchment groups within the programme.
understanding bodes well for the
In July last year, Environment Southland challenges we face as a community. Identifying the right spots for fish passages,
was awarded $385,000 from the and prioritising installation points,
Government’s Jobs for Nature programme Environment Southland biosecurity and
including linking passages, were important
to identify, prioritise and remediate biodiversity manager Ali Meade says the
initial aspects of the work, Ali says.
fish barriers in Southland’s rivers and project has a target of restoring fish passage
streams. Environment Southland will by removing 250 barriers in streams and Native fish species supported through the
contribute $115,000 from existing tributaries across the region by mid 2025. work include kanakana, ōkopu, īnanga,
biodiversity budgets over five years common bully, redfin bully, bluegill bully,
It aims to retrofit fish ladders, baffles, spat
to the project. torrentfish, banded Kokopu, kōaro, and
rope to culverts, or use rocks and pools
longfin eel and shortfin eel.
Jane, who has a strong background to raise water levels, to remove in-stream
in ecology and traditional ecological barriers to restore fish passage and Ali says solutions will be tailored to each
knowledge research, is working with increase the sustainability of indigenous individual barrier taking into account
Te Ao Marama Incorporated(TAMI), fish populations. the native species, stream connections,
the environmental arm of Ngāi Tahu ki ecosystem health, and impacts of exotic
“With more passages, fish will be able to
Murihiku. TAMI is a key partner in the fish species.
move freely between inland streams and
passage project. the sea, which will help boost numbers of
“Native fish species are connected to us these amazing native species,” says Ali.
in so many ways. They are part of our
identity. It’s actually about who we are.”
Murihiku-based ecologist and environmental
scientist, Dr Jane Kitson with kanakana
(lamprey) in her net.
9
Surfing gives
insights into
coastal life
Surfer Marama Pou is as much a part of the beach at Riverton as the rocks,
the colourful changing sheds and the sea itself.
M
arama is in the water whenever she “I grew up with an appreciation for what’s Pods of Hector’s dolphins now make
gets a chance. She has been surfing above the water and under the water… regular appearances along the coastline,
since her father popped her on a when I was a kid we learned how to snorkel and Orca are sometimes seen at certain
board with him at Mitchells Bay when she and dive under the water and forage times of the year from Colac Bay.
was just two. Part of a legendary surfing for seafood and fish and all that kind of
“You can see other whales and other
family, she’s now passed the surfie gene stuff. So, you kind of learn to respect the
marine life that you never used to see, so
on to her daughter Keita, 12, and is helping environment a bit more because you
it says a lot about the environment, but
women across the region get into the know what’s going on underneath there,”
it also says it’s the reason why we should
water, as Southland ambassador for the she says.
look after it.”
Aotearoa Women’s Surfing Association.
Being in, around and on the water so
Marama credits surfing and the sea for
“I started competitively surfing when I much, she’s witnessing changes to both
helping her recover from a potentially
was about 15-16 and I was a rep for the the coast and the marine habitat.
devastating stroke just four years ago.
Southland and Otago region,” she says.
“During Covid-19 I walked the beach every
“You wouldn’t be able to tell now,” she
“Every two or three years my parents day because it was the only thing we could
says. “My whole right side collapsed and I
would pull us out of school for a couple do because we weren’t allowed to surf,”
was temporarily paralysed.
of months and throw us all in the van and she says.
that was our schooling. We drove around “I didn’t have any rehabilitation so surfing
“I took photos every so often and actually
New Zealand, up the East Coast and down was one thing that helped me get back on
captured some of the erosion just in
the West Coast learning where we were my feet again.”
Taramea Bay.”
from and surfing and skateboarding.”
“Surfing is just about having fun. If you
Bigger tides also drag sand away or
Unsurprisingly, looking after our coastline take all your worries to the sea then why
expose formations beneath the sea, which
is a priority for Marama and her family. are you there? It’s just a way of letting go of
changes the way waves break, she says.
everything and not having to worry. Living
in the moment. Being a part of the sea.”
Marama Pou on the beach at Riverton.
10 Envirosouth April 2021Coastal plan
Surf breaks of regional significance
are being identified as part of a
review of the Regional Coastal Plan,
which sets out how Environment
Southland manages the coastal
marine area.
The current Coastal Plan was
notified in 1997 and as a result is
out-of-step with current legislation,
particularly the requirements of
the New Zealand Coastal Policy
Statement.
A strategic direction for the review
has been adopted and lays the
foundation for developing an
effective and efficient Coastal Plan
In addition, fourteen discussion
papers have been prepared
covering topics including public
access, historic heritage, structures,
water quality and aquaculture
There will be opportunities for the
public to contribute to discussions
and provide feedback on many
elements of the Coastal Plan
development before it is notified for
formal public consultation in 2022.
11New role to help
Working with people and passing on knowledge is something that well and truly
resonates with Mike Trent.
I
n his new role as Environment Southland The role is a natural next step for Mike, as In 2019, Mike was seconded into an iwi
principal advisor, Māori, Mike sees an working with iwi and tangata whenua has liaison role, which meant working between
opportunity to help steer Environment been a large part of his career. and supporting both Environment
Southland in the right direction and Southland and Te Ao Marama Incorporated
He spent many years working in the
broaden the knowledge of staff and (TAMI), which is responsible for mana
fisheries sector for the Ministry for Primary
councillors, with a particular emphasis on whenua interests with regard to resource
Industries. There he worked alongside
Te Ao Māori me tōna tirohanga (the Māori management, along with other aspects
nominated tangata tiaki/kaitiaki and the
world and perspective). related to local government in Southland.
four Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku Rūnanga as well
“I think ‘Kaiurungi’ seems to be a pretty as whānau groups. “Helping people gain a bit more of an
good description of what I do. Urungi as understanding and perspective in relation
Mike joined Environment Southland as a
a verb means to steer, generally a waka to Te Ao Māori can only be beneficial,
senior investigator in the compliance team
(canoe, conveyance), and helps to navigate especially in local government. There
in 2017. Soon after, he began facilitating a
are always people who will show some
the waters – basically keeping the waka on regular weekly te reo and tikanga session
hesitancy, for various reasons, but generally,
track like a rudder.” with his colleagues to introduce and
nothing is particularly insurmountable
promote Te Ao Māori to compliance staff,
if parties don’t want it to be – it’s about
and also to aid them in their work and
understanding what the barrier is and
personal growth.
finding a way to get past it together.”
Mike Trent, Environment Southland’s principal advisor, Māori is helping to share knowledge about Te Ao Māori in Southland.
12 Envirosouth April 2021steer the waka
The principal advisor, Māori role is “The Treaty of Waitangi is about
about supporting staff to understand partnership; we should all be clear about
the responsibilities, considerations and what this means. This role will allow
obligations towards Māori in legislation
such as the Resource Management Act
the team at Environment Southland to
strengthen their cultural understanding
About Mike
and the Local Government Act. But and create more opportunities for us to
more broadly, Mike wants to make sure work together. Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua
knowledge and understanding of Te Ao te waka
“Mike brings a strong mātauranga Māori
Māori is embedded into the organisation.
component to the role. Mike will be able Ko Nukutawhiti te tangata
“I’m not here to be the ‘Māori face’ of to korero (speak) with the team and create
Environment Southland. What I’m here a safe yet strong culture, while building Ko Rotokakahi te awa
to do is to act more as a guide for staff, confidence. He’ll be able to support staff Ko Hinerakei te maunga
executive team and councillors so that at Environment Southland to identify the Ko Ohaki te marae
te taha Māori (Maori aspect) is woven opportunities that exist to work with iwi.
Ko Te Urunga Mou tonu rāua ko
into the fabric of the organisation as a
natural process.
“Tena koe Mike, he mihi nui, he mahitahi, Maru O Te Huia ngā Whare Hui,
mauri ora te rangatira.”
Ko Te Puna O Te Ora te Whare
Natural curiosity drives Mike to learn Kai
more about a wide and diverse range of
“In order to move forward, subjects. He is often reading, researching Ko Te Uri o Tai te Hapu
we must be open, honest and studying topics he’s interested in. On Ko Ngapuhi, Ko Te Rarawa,
and have respect and his days off, you’ll find him in his tunnel Ko Te Aupōuri ngā iwi
houses at Gorge Road, where his family
understanding for each hydroponically grow watercress and
other’s culture." strawberries along with a variety of other
vegetables and fruit, often experimenting
MIKE TRENT
with new ways to grow.
He started with one tunnel house, adding
“In order to move forward, we must others over time and now it’s turned into
be open, honest and have respect and a small business, which frequently sells
understanding for each other’s culture. out of its Southland-famous sun-ripened
Māori have had to do that to live in strawberries.
the society that we have. To make that
partnership real, it makes sense that He’s keen to encourage others to join
we need to have the same effort for him and learn more about the world
understanding, respect, openness and around them.
honesty for Māori culture.” “I don’t profess to be anything special
Dean Whaanga, Kaupapa Taiao Manager and I don’t see myself as that. Sharing
at TAMI, says Environment Southland knowledge is my way to contribute in a
and Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku have been positive way to the organisation and in
working together for more than 20 years. turn, the wider community.”
The principal advisor, Māori role shows
a maturing and continued trust in that
relationship.
13Southland the big
SIT course
Connections between Environment Southland and the Southern Institute
of Technology’s (SIT) School of Environmental Management are proving a
winner with graduating students gaining key regional council roles.
T
he wider region is also benefitting SIT offers a Bachelor of Environmental “We’re really honoured to have that
with students staying in the south Management and a Graduate Diploma in partnership.”
after finishing their SIT studies. Environmental Management.
SIT students compete with the brightest
SIT School of Environmental Management The advisory board helps her team stay minds in the country studying the same
programme manager Dr Christine Liang current and aware of the latest industry area and more than hold their own,
says Environment Southland plays changes and trends. Christine says.
several integral roles in the success of the
“It’s so valuable, because as academics we’re It’s crucial to have regional council staff
school’s courses from staff involvement as
mostly in the classroom,” Christine says. reinforcing material taught in the classroom.
advisory board members, course content
advice and guidance, guest lectures, field The summer internships are hugely She says Environment Southland is also
trips, staff research, and the provision of beneficial to students and the reputation extremly supportive with resources and
summer student internships. of the school, she says. staff time, and the connections also create
fantastic networking opportunities.
14 Envirosouth April 2021winner from
A great example of this was when two It’s great to have people from the regional “I have to be familiar with a wide range of
Bachelor of Environmental Management council available to assist students, he says. topics to ensure that I can competently
Year 3 students, Brennan Mair and Xinxin assess a broad range of applications from
“They are great role models and give
Zhang, were selected to present at the various industries,” he says.
the students a first-hand perspective
‘Weathering the Storm’ conference in
on what’s needed at each level. We do His studies at SIT provided a strong
Invercargill in December 2019. This
have quite a few students who’ve gone foundation for further learning, he says.
highlighted the quality research taking
on to full employment with Environment
place locally at undergraduate level, “Also, a lot of the staff here are SIT
Southland.”
in SIT’s Bachelor of Environmental graduates so I was able to easily form links
Management programme. Environment Southland acting consents on a personal, social front.”
manager Bruce Halligan says it’s a
“It was great they had the backing
real asset having an environmental
of Environment Southland for that
management school based in Southland
conference and for showcasing their
as it’s a good fit for the work the regional
work,” Christine says.
council and other environment-focused
School of Environmental Management organisations undertake.
Distance learning facilitator Dr Tapuwa
“The course is tailored towards the local
Marapara (who has also spent time at
job market, meaning people are coming
Environment Southland) supervised
through and getting into jobs and staying
Brennan’s research, which involved
local, spending money, and buying
building a water sampling device that
houses.”
can be attached to a drone for use in
freshwater locations where extracting That’s a real win-win for Southland as
the water sample is difficult. retaining people after studying is one of
the major goals of attracting students Environment Southland consents officer Sol
Tapuwa says the connections between the Kim at the Waikiwi Stream.
south for tertiary education, he says.
two organisations help ensure students are
prepared for what’s needed in the industry. “It’s a really positive story.”
“Creation of farm environment plans is an One of the course graduates who now
example of an area of study that is integrated works at Environment Southland is Sol
into the course, as they are becoming more Kim. He is a consents officer.
and more important as a tool to assist with
farm operation.”
SIT environmental management students
practice water monitoring on the Aparima
River – Anita Osborne, Brennan Mair, Marcus
Tūwairua, Rhett Tran, Nancy Zhao with
Environment Southland senior environmental
technical officer, Stacey Stuart and team leader
monitoring and evaluation, Darren May.
15Taking a wider view to
river catchments
More people will soon Ewen, who farms at Oteramika, says Waituna
is reasonably, “new on the block”, as far as
Environment Southland land sustainability
officer Sam Dixon says liaison committees
be able to advise the liaison committees go. were already wanting and trying to do
more. Broadening their scope gives them
council about the river “All the other liaison committees on the
that and it also aligns well with the whole-
main rivers have been there for many
catchments where they years,” he says.
of-catchment approach being taken by
Environment Southland.
live and work – and that “We have only just come into being in the
“Their scope encompasses the ability
last few years and our involvement at this
will be an interesting point in time has only really been on a
to advise council on the entirety of
the catchment, the entire physical
exercise, says Waituna maintenance cleaning regime every 3-4 years
within the main channel and we don’t work
environment. Land and water is very
Catchment Liaison the whole catchment.”
important and we know it’s inter-
connected. This means land issues can
Committee chairman River Liaison Committees were established also be talked about.
in 1979 in conjunction with Federated
Ewen Pirie. Farmers. Today, there are eight Catchment
“We know a lot of our compounding
issues aren’t coming from the people who
T
Liaison Committees – Te Anau Basin, Oreti,
he Catchment Liaison Committees border the river. So we need to ensure
Mataura, Makarewa, Waiau, Aparima,
have a new terms of reference that those further up the catchments are at the
Waimatuku and Waituna.
provide for greater scope, more table to talk about the issues and possible
flexibility and the potential to advise the The committees are made up of solutions,” says Sam.
council on catchment-scale interventions. representatives, which are, ideally, evenly
“We will also need to take a good look at how
spread throughout each river catchment and
They replace River Liaison Committees the work can be funded for the future in a
are elected annually by their communities.
and will look beyond the river works, way that is fair and transparent to everyone.”
land drainage, erosion control and flood They advise and assist Environment
Ewen believes that probably one of the
management bordering waterways they Southland in the development of annual
biggest issues is that people don’t see
have traditionally focused on. Their advice maintenance works programmes and
past their own back door as far as water
can now extend to emerging issues, budgets, and they provide an important
is concerned.
including biodiversity, cultural values, local contact for each river community
water quality and quantity, ecological regarding special river and land drainage “Certainly in the Waituna, a lot of the issues
health and soil health. management issues. that we’ve got are in the very lower reaches
of the Waituna and the people that live in
the headwaters of it, until quite recently,
didn’t even realise where their water went
or that they were part of Waituna.”
He hopes people from throughout the
catchment will start to get involved.
“We’ve [Waituna Catchment Liaison
Committee] floated the idea of a
maintenance bank restabilisation rate, but
we’ve had very little feedback from within
the catchment at this stage,” says Ewen.
“It’s all going to be an interesting exercise as
to where things go over the next few years.”
Waituna Catchment Liaison Committee chairman
Ewen Pirie on the banks of the Waituna Creek,
which runs through his Oteramika farm.
16 Envirosouth April 2021HAVE
Long-term Plan
YOUR SAY
Te Mahere Wā–Roa
2021–2031
Our Long-term Plan sets the scene for the next ten years. This is
also an opportunity for everybody to provide feedback on our
plans. There will be a variety of ways to do this and we will let you
know about these soon.
MAY
Consultation
This is your opportunity to find out
more about our Long-term Plan and
provide feedback (submissions) on the
proposals included in it.
Council hears submissions
Those who have indicated they
wish to speak to council about their
submissions are invited to do this.
Deliberations
Councillors will consider all the
feedback received and make decisions
on the final Long-term Plan.
Extraordinary council meeting
Council will adopt the Long-term Plan.
Check out our website to stay up-to-
date with the Long-term Plan process.
www.es.govt.nz
JULY
17Updates
Outdoor burning Plan update Environment
As we head into the cooler The proposed Southland Water and Awards
months, a reminder that outdoor Land Plan has become partially
This year the Environment
burning is prohibited within the operative from 1 March 2021.
Southland Community Awards
Gore and Invercargill airsheds
Appeals to the objectives, except celebrate 25 years of recognising
over this period.
objective 16, of the proposed plan Southland’s environmental
All outdoor burning, except for have been resolved through the champions.
leisure activities like barbecues, Environment Court, and the court
Nominations for the awards open
braziers and hangi, is prohibited has now directed the council to
on 21 June and there are multiple
between 1 May and 31 August. make changes to this section of
categories to enter including rural,
the plan.
Winter is the time when our air business and community. You can
quality is at its worst. Cold, still Several policies, as required by choose to nominate yourself or
air and smoke from home heating the National Policy Statement for others who you know are doing
devices means pollution lingers Freshwater Management 2020, great things for Southland’s
and impacts on the health of all have also been included in the environment.
Southlanders, particularly our changes to the plan. These relate
As well as cash prizes to be won
most vulnerable (our children to natural inland wetlands, rivers
in each category, the awards
and elderly people). and fish passage.
provide a wonderful opportunity
Outside the airshed, outdoor Further aspects of the plan remain to showcase the environmental
burning is permitted, but if you are under appeal and are going work and commitment of people
considering burning, make sure through the Environment Court in our region.
you are aware of the rules and do process.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page
not create a smoke nuisance. It is
and website for more information
also important to check the current
and details on how to nominate
fire status of the region with Fire
yourself or someone else.
and Emergency New Zealand.
18 Envirosouth April 2021Time to think On the farm
about...
MAY JUNE
MUSTELIDS & RATS – While getting the RABBITS – Winter is the most effective
duck pond ready for shooting season, time for rabbit control before they start By KARL ERIKSON
consider setting and checking traps for breeding again in spring. Check our online Principal land sustainability officer
mustelids and rats. Southland Pest Hub for advice, or call the
Our land sustainability officers, in
biosecurity team.
conjunction with our farm plan service, can
now offer advice to farmers about the things
they can do to reduce their greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions.
Land sustainability services have tended
to focus on soil conservation and more
recently, on good management practices
that look to improve fresh water quality
CHECK, CLEAN, DRY – When moving your and biodiversity.
boat between waterways this duck shooting Services for specific and practical land
season, remember to Check, Clean and Dry management advice on greenhouse gas
all your gear to ensure you don’t spread any ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT mitigation, like tree planting, had usually
unwanted freshwater pests. FUND – Get your application in now. This been offered with an intention to improve
fund can assist with projects to protect water quality or soil erosion processes.
and enhance indigenous biodiversity on So, what may be some options to reduce
private and community-owned land in greenhouse gas emissions (with benefits
Southland. Visit www.es.govt.nz/eef for for water quality and biodiversity) on
more information on how to apply. Southland farms?
• Riparian management plans – tree
JULY planting to capture carbon and reduce
run off of contaminants entering water
WALLABIES – The animals, not the rugby
• Shelter belt tree planting plans – tree
type, are capable of causing huge impacts planting to capture carbon and reduce
ROUGH HORSETAIL – Now’s a good time on Southland’s biodiversity and economy soil erosion
to spot and control rough horsetail. This if they get established here. If you happen
weed can grow up to 2m tall and invade to see or suspect a wallaby in Southland, • Farm woodlot/forestry plans – tree
wet areas, causing flooding. planting to capture carbon with water
report it to us immediately.
quality benefits
GORSE AND BROOM – We’re asking • Overseer nutrient budget advice – GHG
Southlanders to be good neighbours, and profiles within Overseer can be explained
remove all gorse and broom within 10 to farm owners
metres of their property boundary. Good
• Advice on nitrogen fertiliser use to ensure
neighbour rules also apply to ragwort efficiencies i.e. timing and application
and nodding thistle. There are a range amounts to reduce denitrification
of control options, check our online and production of nitrous oxide gas (a
Southland Pest Hub or call the biosecurity powerful GHG) and leaching of nitrate
team for advice. below the root zone
•` Advice to improve soil organic matter,
and therefore, carbon stores in soil.
SOUTHLAND PEST HUB Now is the time to plan for how greenhouse
gas emissions can be reduced on your
To find out more about pest animals and weeds in Southland, including farm and Environment Southland’s land
control advice and the latest rules, visit our online Southland Pest Hub at sustainability staff are here to help.
www.pesthub.es.govt.nz. Or call the biosecurity team on 0800 76 88 45.
19Out in the field
Coastal and marine environmental scientist Sorrel O’Connell-Milne and harbourmaster Lyndon Cleaver on board the Kewa earlier this year. As part of a trip to
Rakiura Stewart Island, staff undertook training using side-scan sonar and drop camera images to assess benthic (seabed) habitats in Southland.
Environmental education facilitator Josh Sullivan shows children some of Biosecurity officer Becky Goodsell is checking the effectiveness of weed
the fascinating macroinvertebrates found in the Mataura River during the On control on the pest plant buddleia at The Divide in Te Anau.
the Fly Mataura River Festival in February.
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