What we’re up to

Living Water was at #Opengates2018 last weekend, on Tony and Raewyn van Gool's farm in the Waituna Catchment. A spot of fishing with the fyke nets produced 5 eel, 2 kokopu, 1 bully and a whole lot of inanga, the van Gool's fencing and riparian planting along the waterways and establishing wetlands across the property means these species can thrive! You can read about our work in Waituna here https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/waituna-lagoon/

Did you know there are 5 species of Mudfish/hauhau/waikaka/kōwaro in Aotearoa? All of them are classified as "at risk" or "threatened" We're helping to protect our mudfish by working with Department of Conservation and Fonterra protecting and restoring wetlands, drains, water-races and swampy streams where mudfish may live. Read more about what we're doing here: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/our-progress/ Photo: Rod Morris

We’re excited about the government announcement that Yarrs Flat at Te Waihora/Lake Ellsemere is one of two land restoration projects in New Zealand given the go ahead under the Billion Trees Programme. Living Water has been working here over the past five years that has laid the groundwork for this investment – we couldn’t have done it without our Department of Conservation site lead, Robin Smith, who has shown real commitment for this very special lake and wetland environment in Canterbury. Love your work Robin! Check it out! https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/two-land-restoration-projects-given-go-ahead-under-one-billion-trees?fbclid=IwAR0iO5FwzA_drYdHeuWEfqPIK5bvjFyW0roLruL53ZZDrB3cbqgkBzvkku0

The Lake Ruatuna Living Water team and community volunteers got together last night for a BBQ/trapping workshop "we got heaps out of the workshop - was great inspiration for us to keep going out there with the reminders of the birds and wildlife we are helping. You guys are awesome!" 🤗 We think all you volunteers are awesome! Find out what's been happening in the area here: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/lakes-areare-ruatuna-rotomanuka/?fbclid=IwAR26Ur5FRM111Eb2t_FGMwqEeTONTMxLBYaLhiDwjZj3-g4ILPfxyTOvZBk

Department of Conservation and Fonterra working together, but how does this work? Hear it straight from the horse's (or cow's) mouth, we had a chat to Doug Dibley, Fonterra Farmer Solutions Manager to see how Living Water fits into his role. https://www.livingwater.net.nz/our-progress/im:1432/how-are-fonterras-farm-source-teams-helping/

The Snake Creek restoration project in Canterbury has made headlines! We have been supporting this Water and Wildlife Habitat Trust project, initiated by Fish and Game New Zealand, along with CAREX and Environment Canterbury. Results from the annual stream survey found native species like long-finned eels, bullies and freshwater crayfish, as well as some one-year-old trout!

Did you know we have a total of 54 projects either on the go or finished? These projects are all different tools that can be scaled up and used to improve water quality on farms. Head over to our website to see what we've been working on https://www.livingwater.net.nz/how-were-working/

Fonterra's Open Gates is happening again this year on November 11. This is a great chance to take a look behind the gates at what really goes on a Fonterra farm and to see how farmers are transitioning to more sustainable models. Head over to their site to get more information: https://www.fonterra.com/…/environment/water/open-gates.html

It's amazing what we can accomplish when we work together! Environment Canterbury CAREX Fish and Game New Zealand working together to support farmers and WaterAndWildlifeHabitatTrust to do our annual habitat survey of a 4km long restoration project.

We're 5 years into our 10 year partnership and boy, have we achieved a lot! This has only been possible with the help of some of the best scientists, farmers, mana whenua and partner organisations. Imagine what is possible in the next 5 years.

Wow, our Fonterra and Department of Conservation Living Water partnership was recognised today by South Korean politician and diplomat and previous Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, at the #IDFWorldDairySummit, acknowledging our commitment to sustainable dairying and freshwater ecosystems thriving side by side. What an honour! Thanks to Tim Mackle (DairyNZ) for tweeting it! https://twitter.com/tim_mackle/status/1051654886197157888

Fonterra farmers, Graeme and Sharon Gillett have been Living Water - DOC & Fonterra trailblazers since June 2014 when they partnered with us on the first ever riparian planting project with help from our Living Water Wairua River and Fonterra Farm Source Northland teams. They went on to establish the first Living Water / QEII covenant on their farm, were the first to have an ecologist survey their land, and built a dam to provide water storage and wildlife habitat. In doing so they've not only left a legacy for their kids who are now running the farm, but also inspired their neighbours to get involved. #earlyadopters #freshwateronfarms. Watch their story here https://youtu.be/w-Gu2BwBQ2c

Today we farewell our Department of Conservation colleague Mike Paviour, who has done amazing work for Living Water - DOC & Fonterra and the #WaikatoPeatLakes. He is heading off to a great role with Waikato Regional Council. Mike told us: “I don’t think I am leaving so much as spreading the Living Water virus to WRC and other catchments. My work will be really similar in many ways, and the beliefs in working with landowners for environmental and agricultural gains is a core DNA truth for me. I think it is all a case of thinking globally, nationally, regionally and working locally and will always be grateful for the great opportunities Living Water has provided NZ, the Waikato, conservation and my own knowledge and growth.” Thanks Mike, Noho ora mai.

Check out the latest Manatiaki Koawa Rivers Group newsletter featuring a story about the Living Water - DOC & Fonterra and Land and Water Science project to control peak runoff for farm contaminant retention in the Waituna Lagoon Southland

What a day and what a way to celebrate #ConservationWeek! Thanks to all the kids from Gorge Road School and the reps from Southland District Council, Environment Southland, Fonterra, Department of Conservation, Living Water Waituna Lagoon, and the Waituna Landcare and Recreational Users groups. The kids had fun doing some detective work to find where on the map the Bittern nest was hidden and the lucky winners got a Kowhai tree, while everyone got a gift pack with a certificate, chocolate Kokopu and a Living Water sticker book.

Living Water Site Lead Dion Patterson, caught up with Dr Rebecca Eivers from Streamlined Environmental Services to look at how sediment traps are contributing to improved water quality at Lake Ruatuna in the Living Water Waikato Peat Lakes and on-farm options.