What we’re up to

The parties involved with the signing of the MoU in the Ararira/LII catchment in Canterbury recently took a fieldtrip to look at different waterways, how they interact with their surrounding environments and examples of small-scale interventions already being used in the area. Read about the project 👇 https://bit.ly/2PF52pB Selwyn District Council, Department of Conservation, Fonterra, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu

Two new fixed term roles are being advertised for the Whakamana te Waituna Trust in Southland. This is an exciting development for the Trust and we look forward to attracting some amazing candidates to continue the great mahi happening for Waituna Lagoon. Executive Director: https://bit.ly/3fsK5J6 Project Coordinator: https://bit.ly/3sOVcQ4

Today is #WorldWaterDay 💦 Water is precious to New Zealanders, the Department of Conservation and Fonterra both recognise New Zealand’s success depends on healthy waterways. We’re creating partnerships because no single organisation or sector has all the skills, knowledge and influence to improve freshwater and we know it requires more than just on-farm action. By partnering we are making it easier for farmers, iwi and communities to accelerate freshwater improvement. Head to our website to find out more. www.livingwater.net.nz

LOOK 👀 this is a selection of what the Department of Conservation and Cawthron Institute found at this year's fish survey in a section of Waituna Creek, Southland where we are restoring fish habitat. An increase in numbers, species and bio-mass is an indication restoration work is working! https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/waituna-lagoon/lower-waituna-creek-transformation-project/

Some Crake/Puweto cuteness for your Monday! Spotted at Lake Rotomānuka last week. The Department of Conservation and volunteers monitor these species around the Waikato Peat Lakes and other sites around the country. They can be a great indicator of the success of wetland restoration, because populations can bounce back in just a few years with the right restoration conditions. Head over to Swampbird Research for more footage of these cryptic birds.

WATCH: Peter Savage, Fonterra Productive Landscapes Transformation Manager and Living Water team member takes us through our second Cultural Health Assessment with Te Taumutu Rūnanga in the Ararira/LII catchment. Read about the project 👇 http://bit.ly/2PNahDb

Check out our latest illustrated catchment map of the Waikato Peat Lakes from the talented Katrina of SmartKat. Viewable PDF can be found on our website 👇 https://bit.ly/2ZWznl7

READ: It’s not everyday people ask you to tell them more about what you’re doing, but that's exactly what our 2021 communications survey told us. Read what learned and what we plan to do differently based on the results. https://bit.ly/3sv2lVg

Last week we reached a milestone in the Ararira/LII, Canterbury catchment. An MOU has been signed by Fonterra, Selwyn District Council, Department of Conservation and Te Taumutu Rūnanga to change the way drains are managed by recognising their ecological and cultural values as well as drainage. Ka pai!

Waitangi Day Celebrations in Waituna marked the transition of land back into Awarua Rūnanga ownership through the collective efforts of the Whakamana Te Waituna Partnership. The land was purchased to help relieve flooding around Waituna Lagoon, allowing us to manage lagoon health better and also to enable Awarua Rūnanga to reconnect with their whenua, practice kaitiakitanga and gather mahinga kai in their rohe. While Living Water funding was not used directly for land purchase, our financial contributions to other parts of the partnership were used to leverage the funds that did.

It's truly amazing to see what species are living in a narrow 500m classified drain that's been transformed into a healthy, functioning waterway in a farming area. Here's a selection of images from our team field trip to Powells Road in the Ararira, Canterbury catchment last week. Read about the project 👇 http://bit.ly/powellsroad

Last week the Living Water team hosted the Fonterra Global Sustainability Lead team on a field trip in the Ararira-LII catchment in Canterbury, to see the recently installed bioreactor and two-stage channel on farm and to Powell's Road waterway, our 500m trial site that's being managed without mechanical means to improve biodiversity while still providing drainage. Watch National Manager, Sarah Yarrow, and Site Lead Robin Smith discuss the day and stay tuned for photos! Head to our website for more information on the trials https://www.livingwater.net.nz/tools-solutions/

Pūkorokoro-Miranda land-owners Gareth and Juliet Levers show the success that can be achieved through collaboration and tapping into the resources available for predator control and fencing waterways. As a result gradually improving the quality of water leaving their property and getting between 10 and 14 possums a week across six traps. https://bit.ly/3cdLIIJ

READ: With only a few years left in the partnership, we've looked at some of the highlights, trials and projects in progress to accelerate action to improve #freshwater management across the country. https://www.livingwater.net.nz/what-were-up-to/stories-about-our-work/teaming-up-to-improve-new-zealands-freshwater

We’re helping to support mana whenua in the Wairua catchment. Site Lead, Anh has been out with Waimā Waitai Waiora partners to carry out freshwater monitoring at Pipiwai. The monitoring scheme has been set up to monitor water quality and record what species live in waterways in northern Hikurangi Repo. A number of kaitiaki came from other parts of the catchment to participate and learn about work.

How lucky are we to have these amazing wahine scientists as part of Living Water? Very lucky!!