During June, we’ve spent some time reflecting on what Thriving Southland has helped happen during the past five years.
As a community-led group dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the Southland environment, our mission is to bring farmers and the community together to identify common opportunities.
In a Stuff story marking the five-year milestone, Richard noted that one of the keys to success could be attributed to empowering farm communities to leverage their local knowledge to apply science on the ground.
An example of this was the Beyond Regulation project which looked at opportunities to improve sustainable land management practices in the Mataura catchment. When farmers see the benefit of a practice, they adopt it. Richard added that the Thriving Southland approach in 2020 was a clear departure from traditional approaches.
Thriving Southland’s ability to be adaptable has also helped it achieve its ambitions. Since it was set up in 2020, Thriving Southland has supported 160 projects in 37 catchments in the region. As part of efforts to engage with the community, there have been a staggering 882 events, which reached more than 12,000 people.
We are privileged to work with so many amazing people in our region and look forward to continuing to build on the momentum achieved during the past five years. Read the full story here.
On that note, we are delighted to have the continued support of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), which this month announced continued funding for Thriving Southland for the next year. We truly appreciate the support, recognising the great work of the Southland Catchment Groups.
MPI Director-General Ray Smith (left) and Thriving Southland Independent Chair
Jeff Grant sign the funding agreement.
Welcome to the team Katie Alderton and Stacey Stuart – our new Catchment Coordinators
Katie Alderton
Katie was born and raised in Southland and completed her schooling locally before moving to Dunedin to study teaching. She now lives in Gore with husband Cameron, and three children, Evelyn, Violet and Walter. She loves to play and coach netball and is President of the Gore Knapdale Netball Club. During the warmer months you will often find her in her ever-expanding vege garden.
Stacey Stuart
Stacey was born and raised in rural Southland, and the connection to the land has always been a defining part of her life. Alongside husband Callum and children, Charlie and Eliza, they owns a small sheep, beef and cropping farm at Wrights Bush.
After graduating from Otago University in 2007, Stacey spent the past 17 years as an environmental field technician with the Environment Southland, working on State of the Environment projects and hydrological monitoring, amongst other things.
When she’s not on the farm, she’s catching up with friends and family, or tramping and camping in our spectacular national parks.
Two Catchment Forums, One Shared Vision
This year’s Catchment Group Forum series wrapped up after two brilliant events that brought together catchment leaders, farmers, and guest speakers from across Southland, Otago, and the Manawatū. Hosted by the Waikaka and Orauea Catchment Groups, both forums celebrated local action and shared learnings — with a strong focus on sediment reduction, practical farm solutions, and building relationships across regions.
#1 Waikaka Forum – Wetlands, Mapping and “Daisy Chain” Thinking
The first event was held on-farm at Waikaka in late May, where the Waikaka Catchment Group shared their innovative approach using high-resolution sediment risk maps developed by Land and Water Science. Instead of focusing on one big fix, they’re creating a series of small sediment traps across the landscape — a “daisy chain” approach that spreads the benefit and reduces the risk of failure in major weather events.
Attendees were treated to insights from the Thomsons Catchment Project in Central Otago. Sharing information ideas and overcoming challenges is a key part of the Catchment group ethos and it’s great to see it happening between regions.
Their large-scale wetland development — is already having an impact, with deep pools, over 44,000 native plants, fish barrier work, and more than 50 km of riparian fencing completed across their catchment. Their hands-on “Sediment Hotspot” visits show how small actions, like a bund or a diverted track, can lead to big improvements in water quality. Big thanks to the team for coming down to share their journey.
#2 West Range Forum – Connection, Collaboration and Catchment Ideas
The second and final forum for 2025 took place at West Range Station, hosted by the Orauea Catchment Group. A big thanks to the Chamberlain family and the Manawatū River Catchment Collective (MRCC) who made the journey south to share their experiences and spark ideas.
The MRCC speakers — a board member, a local farmer, and a catchment coordinator — each offered valuable insights into the challenges and successes of working together at a landscape scale. Their stories had plenty of crossover with Southland’s journey and gave attendees practical inspiration to take home.
The day included an update from the Waiau Catchment Soil Project team, and a farm tour of erosion control pole planting and wintering systems at West Range Station. Add in some Southland sunshine, shared kai, and a lot of good conversations — and it was a day to remember.
With two events, two regions, and dozens of passionate people involved, this year’s Forum series was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when Catchment Groups come together. While the landscapes and approaches may differ, the vision is the same. Thanks again to everyone who hosted, shared, travelled, or turned up to be part of it.
Southland District Council Community Partnership Fund funding opportunity
The Southland District Council’s Community Partnership Fund supports local initiatives and projects. Their nine community boards approve grants from their respective funds, and each has developed individual criteria for applications. Everything you need to know (criteria, closing dates and application forms) can be found under your relevant Board - read more here.
The Between the Domes Catchment Group recently welcomed three members from the Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group, who shared insights into their Makarewa Headwaters Revival Project and pest control efforts.
It was a valuable and engaging evening, full of good conversations and practical information. The Makarewa team spoke about their feral pest problem—what's working well, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they’re managing feral animal control in the Hokonui Hills.
The discussion didn’t stop when the presentation ended. It was great to see people sticking around to share stories, ask questions, and swap ideas. These kinds of catch-ups are a real win, helping to strengthen connections.
Waiau Catchment Soil Project all go
The Lower Waiau, Orauea, and Te Anau Basin Catchment Groups and Land and Water Science have been hard at work on the Waiau Catchment Soil Project — and things are really starting to take shape.
In mid-May, Land and Water Science delivered preliminary soil management unit (SMU) maps. Since then, the project has moved into Phase 2, led by a committed group of 12 local farmers. This phase has involved “ground-truthing” the maps — a big job that meant digging and assessing nearly 80 soil pits across the catchment.
It’s been an impressive effort over just three weeks, and Land and Water Science is now pulling all the data together — a complex process involving detailed analysis, modelling, and the creation of clear, practical outputs.
Phase 2 will wrap up in the next few weeks and soon the Waiau catchment will have access to high-resolution SMU maps, offering soil data at both the farm and paddock scale. This will be a powerful tool for making smarter land-use decisions and improving environmental outcomes.
The project has also received a funding boost through the Meridian Power Up Fund, to help with the digging of soil pits across the catchment. If you're part of the Waiau catchment, now’s a great time to get involved and help steer the future of this exciting project.
Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session
Tuesday 1 July, from 4pm to 6pm
AB Lime Nursery, 10 Bend Road, Winton
All welcome to come to our monthly native plant growing working-bee evenings at the AB Lime Nursery. Your help will go toward growing plants for the Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement Project, which provides native plants to the local community and landowners for their planting projects. Training is provided and all ages welcome! Stay for as little or as long as you like.
Lower Aparima Catchment Group Annual Wintering Tour 2025
Friday 18th July, from 1pm to 3pm (followed by BBQ and refreshments)
Starting and finishing at Fairfax Hall
We’re heading out for a look around the catchment – checking out a wetland oxbow, a new sediment trap and wetland project, plus some classic Southland winter grazing. Come for the whole thing or jump in along the way, we’ll make sure you know where we are! We’ll wrap up the day with a BBQ thanks to The Grocer. For more information contact John 0272023945 or Stacey 021566229
Have a great July,
Ngā mihi
Richard Kyte (Thriving Southland Project Lead) and the Thriving Southland Team
