The days are lengthening out, but it’s still all go as we welcome Spring. We hope everyone is keeping their spirits up during such a busy time and that the weather keeps being favourable to calving and lambing.
To give you some much needed time off farm, there are quite a few different farmer catch ups being held and it’s always good to have bite to eat, a hot drink and a natter with a neighbour.
We’ve got plenty of great Catchment Group yarns to warm your heart this month, from the Garston School stream health day (check out the majestic photos below), to new Catchment Group signs popping up all around the region, and a fantastic working bee in the Lora Gorge.
As you’d expect, September will be a reasonably quiet month on the events front, but before we know it, it’ll be time to give that BBQ a good wash down in preparation for summer!
Stay safe out there!
Garston School stream health day a hit with school kids
Supported by the Upper Mataura Catchment Group, Thriving Southland, and Environment Southland, students from Garston School enjoyed a fun, hands-on day exploring their local catchment at Diggers Creek. They traced the journey of the Mataura River from mountains to sea, learned how land-use affects waterways, and built a mini catchment model.
Rotating through three interactive stations, the children tested water temperature, clarity, and pH; identified aquatic bugs to calculate stream health; and observed signs of stream condition, including sediment, algae, and eDNA sampling. The day was made possible by the wonderful support of the Garston School team and parents, with a special thank you to Shona and Matt Tayler for hosting us at their beautiful property – and what a bonus to have such a cracker day.
Catch the latest Catchment Convos Podcast episode on Agritourism
Agritourism. What is it? Why it matters, and how could it be a game changer for our rural communities? Our very own Rachael Halder sits down with Marijke Dunselman, founder of Agritourism New Zealand, to get the inside word on a fascinating area of opportunity.
Insights from independent research of four great Catchment Groups
Independent research commissioned by Thriving Southland has revealed the critical success factors that enable Catchment Groups to build strong community participation and achieve tangible environmental improvements.
The study, conducted by Scarlatti in March 2025, examined four successful Southland catchment group projects: Understanding your Landscape's Resilience (Mataura Catchment Group), Targeted Solutions to Balfour's Environmental Challenges (Balfour Catchment Group), Understanding the movement of nutrients (Edendale Aquifer Group), and Carbon Neutral Dipton (Greater Dipton Catchment Group).
The research found that the most successful projects were driven from the ground up, with farmers firmly in the driver's seat. "Once you lose the farmers' trust, you lose the project," noted one project participant. External organisations achieved the greatest impact when they enabled and empowered communities rather than trying to lead.
Science must be locally relevant and participatory. Farmers valued data collected from their own land and systems over broad assumptions. The Balfour project achieved 100% engagement partly because farmers were involved in data collection, not just as recipients of information. "If you jump that first phase of science, it won't happen. You may get that handful of farmers who are always going to be on board, but you won't get the wider community," explained a Balfour project participant.
The research also identified several other practical insights for Catchment Groups:
Start with willing participants but don't abandon those who need more time
Keep farmers at the centre of decision-making as projects grow and attract external support
Invest in the right people - particularly catchment coordinators who are trusted by the community and skilled at facilitation
Make science hands-on with farmers involved in data collection and solution development
Plan for extension early to spread impact beyond the core group
The research confirms what the Thriving Southland team have observed – that when communities are empowered to lead with solutions that work for their land and water, supported by credible science and the right people, they can achieve remarkable environmental outcomes.
Farewell to Ainsley Adams, facilitator of the Mid Oreti Catchment Group
Thriving Southland is saying farewell to Ainsley Adams, Mid Oreti’s Catchment Group facilitator since 2018, as she leaves for a new opportunity in Dunedin.
Ainsley and Sarah
The Mid Oreti group's passion from the start has been improvements in water quality and biodiversity across their catchment, which was right up her alley, she says.
When she moved to Southland, she didn’t know a lot of people, but joining a Catchment Group made getting to know a like-minded community easy.
Ainsley reflects that the ability of Thriving Southland to connect different Groups and facilitate collaboration has taken the entire region forward. Witnessing changes to community mindset has been transformative.
When she started in 2018 and regulatory changes came in thick, Catchment Groups were very defensive. But over the last seven years, there has been a shift to Groups wanting to understand their landscape and the effects they may have on it, front-footing change and leading environmental improvements.
Thriving Southland played a huge role in mindset change, she says.
One project from the Mid Oreti Catchment Group she particularly enjoyed was a Mini Forest Movement. Locals would visit AB Lime every month and learn how to grow native trees from seed. The project was set up when the group realised planting costs were sometimes prohibitive. The trees grown from seed would go to the community for free or to farmers for $1.25 per tree.
“It breaks down the barriers to planting, it also improves engagement with the community”. Ainsley says anyone interested in joining a Group can do so, even if they are not involved in farming. “Out there somewhere is a Group that shares your interest and a community you can fit in to”, she says.
Making Sense of the Rules: Farming, Cultivation, Winter Grazing and Wetlands
Access the full webinar recording, PowerPoint slides, and helpful links from our recent session with Landpro. Everything you need to better understand current regulations is available on our website.
Funding Opportunity: Meridian Energy Power Up Community Fund
If you live in a community near one of Meridian’s generation assets (White Hill – Mossburn, Dipton, Lumsden or Manapouri – Te Anau, Manapōuri, Clifden and Tuatapere) then you can apply to their Power Up Community Fund. Your application must meet the Power Up Community Fund objectives and selection criteria, with one of the fund’s key objectives being to promote environmental awareness and programmes that sustain and improve the quality of the environment in the community.
The next funding round for Power Up White Hill and the Manapōuri Community Fund is open now, and applications need to be submitted by 19 October.
Looking for funding but don't live near their generation assets? Meridian’s Decarbonisation Fund is available nationwide for projects that reduce carbon emissions.
Spotlight on Īnanga: Guardians of Our Waterways
Photo credit: Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust
Īnanga (Galaxias maculatus) are small, silvery native fish found in coastal rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands across New Zealand.
They’re best known as the main species in the whitebait catch, making up around 90% of the harvest each year. Beyond their value to fishers, Īnanga play a vital role in the ecosystem, feeding larger fish, birds, and eels.
These fish have a fascinating life cycle that includes migration from the ocean, spawning in estuarine vegetation, and returning to freshwater. Spawning happens from late January to June, peaking in April, often timed with the moon and high spring tides.
Īnanga lay their eggs in damp soil among long grasses and rushes near the upper edge of the saltwater wedge, areas where freshwater meets the sea. Protecting these spawning sites is key to sustaining whitebait populations, and many sites are reused year after year.
Let’s look after these little locals, they’re more important than they seem! That’s why we’re excited to bring small workshops to coastal Catchment Groups over the next few months — to connect with Groups, share ideas, and explore together how we can protect īnanga for the future.
Waiau Catchment Soil Project: Te Anau Basin, Orauea and Lower Waiau
The soil mapping data is here! After six months’ work, the Waiau Catchment Soil Project Committee and Land and Water Science have released the Soil Management Unit (SMU) maps.
Case studies will trial practical uses like identifying fert zones, integrating with farm software, supporting Freshwater Farm Plans, and creating easy “mapping packages” for farmers.
The Committee is planning an event for the Waiau Catchment to hear directly from Land and Water Science, learn how to access the maps, see examples of how the data is already being put to use, and share ideas on how it could be applied in ways that are relatable and practical for farmers.
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Edendale Aquifer Group sampling and Pie-Day Friday with FarmSource Wyndham!
During the past year, the Edendale Aquifer Group has been busy monitoring nitrate levels through monthly water testing. In that time, nearly 400 samples have been collected from more than 100 sites across the area. These results are now being collated and will soon be shared with Edendale Aquifer Group members.
A huge thank you to FarmSource Wyndham for hosting our August Water Quality Testing Session. It was fantastic to join in with Pie-Day Friday. A great way to connect as we head into calving season!
Catchment Group road signage spring up all over Southland
As you are driving around Southland you might have noticed some new Catchment Group signs around. Lower Oreti, Waikawa and Makarewa Headwaters have popped new signs up this month.
We know the Groups are really proud of the work they have done, and having a well-designed sign can be a great way to raise awareness of your Catchment Group.The Lower Oreti Catchment Group noticed lots of new people joining their Facebook page since their sign went up a few weeks ago. It can also be a great way for local businesses to support your Catchment Group.
Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group Working Bee hits the spot thanks to the wonderful Westpac Water Care Grant
A special spot on the banks of the Makarewa River in the Lora Gorge is looking fantastic after a Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group working bee in mid-August.
The group were really excited to use part of their $10,000 Westpac Watercare Grant, to create a lovely community picnic area at their community restoration space on the banks of the Makarewa River in the Lora Gorge.
We had Catchment Group members, including locals and kids plus five awesome humans from Westpac helping out. The crew set about opening up existing plantings to gauge where the gaps were for the new plants, and sawdust was used for mulch. Plants were sourced from our Mid Oreti Catchment Group nursery, and kindly gifted by Te Tapu o Tāne and local residents.
The Group is grateful for the generous donation of timber that was laid to form a gravelled path and to define the area where the picnic table sits - and we can’t overstate how grateful we are for being selected as recipients of the Westpac Watercare Grant.
Not only do we receive the funding that enables us to do things like this, but we also receive an additional helping hand in the form of capable, enthusiastic people from Westpac. Thank you guys!
Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session
[ 2 September, from 4pm to 6pm – AB Lime Nursery ]
First Tuesday of every month
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.
Conservation Week: Environment Southland events for kids
[ Saturday 6 September – Bug hotel building ]
Saturday 6 September at the Southland Community Nursery Education Centre
Parking at 185 Grant Road, Otatara.
Come along to a morning making a special home for the tiny creatures in your garden. All materials provided (but feel free to bring anything you want to use). Bring own water bottle. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
Nature art with Steph MacDonald
[ Sunday 14 September – Mores Reserve, Riverton ]
Ever thought about creating an artwork that will biodegrade back into the regenerating forest you’ve created it in? Now’s your opportunity. Visit Mores Reserve’s regenerating forest and discover a bit about the wildlife living there while you create an artwork which will go back into the earth and forest itself. Wear weather appropriate clothing. Bring own water bottle. Suitable for ages 5 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Enter the Nature Art Competition
[ From 1 - 21 September ]
Create art using only natural, fallen materials – like leaves, twigs, seedpods or soil, and send Environment Southland a photo of your entry along with the artist’s name, age and the artwork location to Environment Southland on Facebook.
For further info, contact the Environment Southland biodiversity team on 0800 76 88 45 or service@es.govt.nz
Save the date – Thriving Southland AGM
[ 13 November, 1.30pm – 3.30pm, Kelvin Hotel, Invercargill ]
Join us for a bite to eat, a catch up with other Southland farmers and friends, find out about what Thriving Southland have done over the last financial year, and plans for the current year. Also hear about some of the amazing projects Catchment Groups are working on in Southland.
Have a great September,
Ngā mihi
Richard Kyte (Thriving Southland Project Lead)
and the Thriving Southland Team
