What we’re up to

Ecosystems and our land and water environments are complicated and differ greatly across New Zealand. Soil types and water pathways can vary from paddock to paddock, farm to farm, and region to region so solutions have to be designed and tailored to their unique location. This is why we are designing and trialling solutions in five very different catchments, so we can help determine what solutions will work best in which locations, find out more 👇 https://www.livingwater.net.nz/how-were-working/

We have been working with University of Waikato Masters student Callum Douglas in Otakairangi who presented his findings on measuring the degradation and recovery of a drained wetland remnant at the New Zealand Hydrological Society Conference. Awesome work, Callum! Read about our work in the area here: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/wairua-river/ #NZHSNZMS2018

Here's Site Lead, Kaipara Harbour/Wairua River Catchment, Andrew, water sampling in Otakairangi. The area has been severely degraded with much less biodiversity, due to frequent fires and the area being drained/modified for production. We are water sampling to see if our trials in this area are working - we won't have a definitive answer for a number of years but there are some signs that things are improving, stay tuned to find out more. Read about what we are trialling here: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/wairua-river/

Our partners in the Ararira-LII River catchment, CAREX presenting to Environment Canterbury on the highlights and lessons learned from their projects in the last 5 years. Lessons learnt are being applied to Living Water’s on-farm and water network projects in the Ararira-LII catchment and the Waituna catchment in Southland. Read more https://www.livingwater.net.nz/#where

Hint: It's enough to go around the earth 4.5 times! The answer is 180 000km 😮 They're home to over 40 native species, that's why Department of Conservation and Fonterra are working together to take care of our waterways 💦

Have you ever seen a Kākahi or freshwater mussel? Once plentiful they are now in decline, (due to a number of contributing factors) they are excellent at filtering sediment out of water. They live from 30 to 50 years and grow to between 60 and 80 mm. Kakahi are found in sheltered parts of rivers and streams where the bed is sandy or silty, and in lakes. We are doing our best to see that critter like these will stick around, find out about our work here: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/ 📸: Landcare Research

Really proud to be at the Sustainable Business Awards with the Department of Conservation and Fonterra team. Living Water is a finalist in the ‘Partnering for Good’ category...a great honor halfway through our 10 year partnership! #SBNAwards

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

Congratulations to the Waituna partners and Whakamana te Waituna, receiving a regional award for most improved river for Waituna Creek at the #NZRiverAwards 2018 last night. Environment Southland Chair Nicol Horrell receiving the award from Lou Sanson (Department of Conservation) and Vicky Robertson (Ministry for the Environment). Ngai Tahu, Southland District Council, Fonterra, Te Runanga O Awarua http://community.scoop.co.nz/2018/11/new-zealands-most-improved-river-announced-2/

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

Here's Site Lead, Kaipara Harbour/Wairua River Catchment, Andrew, water sampling in Otakairangi. The area has been severely degraded with much less biodiversity, due to frequent fires and the area being drained/modified for production. We are water sampling to see if our trials in this area are working - we won't have a definitive answer for a number of years but there are some signs that things are improving, stay tuned to find out more. Read about what we are trialling here: https://www.livingwater.net.nz/catchment/wairua-river/

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/