Kakanui Community Catchment Project January 2016

from the NEWSLETTER for the Kakanui

We have begun the third Strong messages delivered sheep and beef farmers are advised to prepare year of the Kakanui to farmers at Community Land and Environment Plans (LEP) which is Community Catchment facilitated by Beef + Lamb NZ, at least to Level Catchment workshop 2 stage which includes the nutrient budget. A project (KCCP) and Level 1 workshop was held in the catchment A small group of catchment landholders increasing involvement in May 2015 and attended by 14 local farmers. and industry representatives attended this from farmers and other Both of these plans will assist farmers’ workshop event held at the Maheno Hall in confidence in complying with the ORC’s water landowners in the mid-November. catchment is a priority. plan change 6A which takes effect in 2020. The key issue identified and which needs Activities and information Sue Brown delivered a forthright message at to be addressed, is to ensure that all the meeting when she shared key learnings sharing will continue famers throughout the catchment have from Aorere River Catchment project in Golden through until the project’s prepared nutrient budgets using the Bay which she has been involved with for completion in spring 2016. Overseer model and developed farm over 10 years. “Farmers need to get alongside environmental plans. Taking these steps their neighbours to ensure they take action The project’s main focus will ensure farmers understand the level on ensuring the environmental health of their is to increase knowledge of nutrient losses from their property so farm for the future. It is the responsibility of all mitigation measures can be taken on-farm and awareness of the farmers to act and contribute to the greater with management practices to address methods to improve good,” she said. any issues. The on-farm plans will identify water quality, reduce hot spots to improve soil management The collective actions of the farmers have had soil erosion and increase (eg. direct drilling or minimum tillage in a very successful outcome with the Aorere biodiversity of aquatic high risk areas); reduce stock access to catchment project winning the 2015 Morgan life and native plants. The waterways by installing stock crossings, Foundation NZ River prize awarded by the upcoming activities will fencing streams and drains and other International River Foundation. Benefits of be aligned to enhance the aspects like effluent management. a cleaner river have also boosted the mussel farming industry in Golden Bay which requires environmental resilience Doug Brown, Maheno farmer and local clean seawater to meet viable production Councillor on the Regional Council and health of the wider levels to survive in business. And of course the (ORC), called for farmer champions to step catchment. residents and many visitors to the region have forward to encourage farmers in their local also benefitted significantly from improved catchments, (for example the Kauru and The broad catchment water quality. includes the main Island Stream) to understand the role they each had to play to contribute to the health Janet Gregory, the NZ Landcare Trust South Kakanui River and its of the whole river catchment. Island Team leader further emphasised sub catchments of the the need for a strong farmer-led group to The Irrigation Company Waiareka Creek, Fuchsia work collaboratively together for the whole (NOIC) required all of their irrigators to catchment’s future. She is working with Creek and Kauru River. prepare farm environment plans (FEP) on farmer-led groups in the Pomahaka catchment which they will be audited and required to Managed by the NZ in South Otago, South Canterbury farmers meet the conditions of in future. Dryland Landcare Trust and the in the Opihi-Temuka-Orari-Pareora Zone and project coordinator North Canterbury farmers in the Hurunui Sue Brown, farmer spokesperson from Aorere -Waiau Zone. Nicola Holmes, the catchment. project is principally funded by the Ministry for the Environment with support from North Otago Irrigation Company, Beef + Lamb and Ravensdown. Pride in Kakanui map produced A comprehensive map entitled Pride in the Kakanui - our community working together to ensure a sustainable environment to promote the environmental values and other attributes of the entire catchment has been printed for reference by local residents, new arrivals and visitors to the area. The map outlines the catchment boundary and clearly shows the perspective of how the catchment area fits within the greater area. The by-line The Kakanui River – from the mountains to the sea /Te Kakaunui Awa - ki uta ki tai is an apt minor title. Videos on tree planting now available on The Kakanui River catchment is integral You tube to a healthy environment, provides us Kakanui catchment farmers can now access three short and with food and fresh water, shapes our comprehensive videos produced in the Waitaki district to local and cultural identity, underpins encourage farmers to plant trees and integrate trees with our economy, and has significant value irrigation infrastructure. to the people and tangata whenua of the district. The health of the river is The topics of the three videos cover the benefits of trees, everyone’s business. planning and preparation; integrating trees with irrigation infrastructure; and planting along waterways and creating The main feature of the map is the wetlands. comprehensive list of recreational options available locally from hunting The films were initiated by The Waitaki Irrigators Collective and tramping in the hills to kayaking, Limited (WIC) and made with funding support from the Waitaki white baiting and bird watching District Council to encourage the protection and enhancement of around the estuary – and lots more amenity and landscape values throughout the district. as well. WIC Policy Manager Elizabeth Soal said “Trees bring benefits both Of particular interest are the lists (of to farm owners and the wider community. Installing irrigation some) of the valued aquatic, bird systems can mean trees are removed, and we are encouraging and plant species that live within farmers to retain as many trees as possible, establish new the region – plus historic sites such plantings and consider other options, like creating wetlands”. as Clarks Mill and Kuriheka Estate. Access KCCP project co-ordinator, Nicola Holmes said “The videos points to the Kakanui River are also noted. are an excellent resource to promote actions for enhancing Photos around the outside of the map show environmental stewardship on farms. Improved water quality, recreational activities, farming types, historic sites livestock shelter and shade, increased biodiversity and farm and bird life from the Kakanui mountain peaks down values are just some of the benefits of tree planting.” river to the mouth and right up the Waiareka Creek Harriet Palmer, a contractor with significant experience catchment to . The lowland longjaw galaxiid producing similar films and projects for the New Zealand Farm which is highly prized amongst the broad biodiversity Forestry Association compiled the videos. She encourages other in the catchment is included. farmers to take action with planting trees to reap their future KCCP project coordinator Nicola Holmes said “The benefits. project steering group asked for a map that could The films can be viewed on the website www.waitakiirrigators. highlight the river as being an important resource for co.nz or on YouTube: everyone both locally and nationally. We consulted with pupils at the Kakanui and Five Forks schools, www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuHtCpVUEQ&feature=youtu.be www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpEUXEZyM6U&feature=youtu.be www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8_b7ivNpPY local residents, and asked for feedback from the wider community to get their views on important elements to include”. We are looking for sponsorship in the coming months to have the maps erected at key public locations around the catchment, for example at Gemmells Crossing and the Kakanui headland. Copies have also been presented to local schools and will be distributed to halls within the catchment. One of the maps has been posted at the Kakanui Store and owner Inday Bungard says it has created real interest and comment Bryce Burnett above the river gorge. from store visitors during the holiday period. QE II covenant bush thriving A very picturesque 19 hectare covenant protecting native bush that is thriving in the Kauru River gorge upstream of the Kauru Hill Road bridge. It’s located on the 360 ha deer farm of Bryce and Janice Burnett and has been fenced off from stock access since 2002. Possum control using traps and baits has been undertaken by the Animal Health Board which has allowed vigorous re growth on the steeper top slopes adjacent to the fences and protected the mature species down closer to the river. In addition to large numbers of the more common native species like broadleaf, lancewood, pittosporum, tussocks, toe toe, cabbage tree and coprosma, two notable species include the Mt Cook lily (Celmisia hookeri) and a native mistletoe (Tupeia antarctica). Bryce says he is “Delighted with the rejuvenation of the stand over the past 13 years and values the sanctuary that’s been created for increasing numbers of native birds living in the area.” A small number of other covenants have been created within the Kakanui catchment and at least one protects native tussock species high up in the local hills.

Looking down the Kauru River to end of covenant with fencing to keep stock out. Volunteers make the ecological monitoring programme work Over 10 local volunteers have donated time on Tuesdays during the nine week December – early February collection period to ensure the Ecological Monitoring System (EMS) is a success this summer. The trapping and collection of insects and invertebrates from traps at nine sites throughout the Kakanui catchment has now completed its second and final season. The next step is for the thousands of creatures to be sorted into flying insect types (eg. flies, wasps and bees) and crawling invertebrates (eg. centipedes, beetles and slaters). Once that process is completed the species will be formally identified. Retired scientist Bob Cooper who manages the programme says the identified collections and the schedule of plants recorded at each site will provide an Environmental monitoring volunteers ready to clear traps even on accurate picture of the flora and fauna species present in wet days! a range of ecosystems, from the high tussock lands down to willow wetlands and exotic pasture areas. For further information on any of these topics or the Bob says “We are seeking to determine the species Kakanui Community Catchment Project please contact; that are beneficial and will enhance sustainable farming Nicola Holmes, Project Coordinator locally.” The final report for the EMS will be completed in [email protected] / 03 465 1278 / 027 2327578 spring 2016 and will show the diversity and abundance of If you wish to sign up for the NZ Landcare Trust e news species living in the catchment. please go to the website www.landcare.org.nz and sign in. The EMS undertaken in the Kakanui catchment is a first and the process can be applied nationally in other catchments. As a result of this project a generic guide has been produced. The toolkits to the community guide are available on this link: www.landcare.org.nz/Regional- Focus/Christchurch-Office/Kakanui-Catchment-Project/ Ecological-Monitoring-Guide