As the year prepares to disappear into the rear-view mirror, we’re gearing up for a big December for Catchment Groups in Southland.
Firstly, we hope everyone is recovering after the the storm in late October.. No doubt the clean-up will be ongoing for a while yet. As after big events that impact our communities, I’m always in awe of how the rural sector steps up for one another, looking out for neighbours and offering practical, and emotional, support.
It’s been a month of people-changes at Thriving Southland.
I want to recognise one of Thriving Southland’s founders, Ewen Mathieson, who is standing down from the Board after being there since the inception and was its first chair. He was instrumental in the setup of Thriving Southland and has been a driving force for the organisation Ewen was recently elected as the new Western Ward Councillor for Environment Southland in October’s election, so life just got very busy for him! We wish to thank him for his enthusiasm and encouragement over the years and wish him well in his new role.
Meanwhile, we welcome back two familiar faces. The first is Poppy Hardie, who returns as a fixed term, part-time Catchment Coordinator. The second is our former Catchment Coordinator, Clare Officer, who returns as a new board member. Fantastic to have you back again Clare and Poppy.
By the time you read this, the Christmas Competition will be well underway. You have until 14 December to get your entries in. So let’s get creative! More details later in the newsletter.
There’s heaps more happening out there, and of course the team at Thriving Southland wish you a safe, relaxing and happy festive period – and all the best for the New Year!
News
Thriving Southland AGM presentations showcase Catchment Group work
Thanks to everyone who came along to our AGM in November – it was a brilliant chance to look back on the year and hear from two Catchment Groups who are really putting ideas into action.
Jacqui Chamberlain and Marilyn Parris spoke on behalf of the Waiau Catchment Project, sharing the Group’s work digging deep (literally) into soil management units across the Waiau. Their project is helping farmers build a clearer picture of soil variability at a paddock scale, with the goal of developing a high-resolution soil map and decision tool that links soil type to management on the ground. It’s practical, locally driven science with real potential.
We also heard from Alison Thomas and Allan Marshall, speaking on behalf of the Waikawa Catchment Group. They walked us through their major “slow the flow"/ erosion mitigation project – a huge piece of work aimed at reducing the speed of water entering the Waikawa River, minimising erosion, and trapping sediment before it reaches the waterways.
Upper Aparima focuses on pest control project
The Upper Aparima Catchment community is gearing up to launch a coordinated pest control programme in early 2026, with a strong initial focus on possums. This initiative stems from growing concern among landowners about the resurgence of pest animals, including possums, pigs and deer following the end of of the TB free programme.
At a recent catchment group meeting, landowners and key stakeholders came together to discuss the issue and explore collaborative solutions. The Group have formed a subcommittee to develop and coordinate a pest control programme to target possums.
This initiative follows a major milestone when Western Southland was officially declared TB free on 1 July 2025. While this marks a significant achievement in disease management, it has also led to possum numbers being on the rise. One farmer stated “We probably caught 180–200 possums in the last 12 months just in traps and shooting. It’s just getting worse—more and more coming all the time.”
The goal is to complete possum control across the entire catchment by the end of 2026, with at least 80% landowner participation in the first year. Full buy-in is targeted for 2027. This community-led approach reflects the Upper Aparima’s commitment to proactive approach. The Group are are encouraging others to get involved and help shape the future of pest control in the area.
New FREE Rural Waste Guide
Are practical, on-farm and community waste solutions your thing?! If yes, have a look at this new Managing Waste Guide for on your farm and your community. It’s free to use and fully editable. So, you can save it as your own document and tailor it to suit your farm, local community or catchment. You could add your own collection points, contractor contacts, farm tips, or regional info — or keep it just as it is.
This guide was part of a recent webinar on Managing Rural Waste with Trish Rankin organised by Environment Canterbury and the NZ Landcare Trust. Email or call Sarah if you would like a copy of the slides (sarah@thrivingsouthland.co.nz or 027 5885200), and contact Charlotte (charlotte@wasteminz.org.nz) if you have any questions, updates or feedback about the guide.
And if your Catchment Group is keen to keep the conversation going, Trish is available to speak at events. She ran three Catchment Group workshops in Southland a few years ago, and they were friendly, practical, real and down to earth. Talk to your Catchment Coordinator and get some funding to help make this happen.
The annual Thriving Southland Christmas Competition is on now!
Get your Santa Hats on and get those creative ideas flowing for this year's competition. The prizes are loaded into Santa's Sleigh, and we can't wait to see the festive cheer popping up across Southland. Entries are now open (24 November to 14 December 2025). Enter as a Catchment Group, business, Individual, farm, or any way that suits you! Send us a high-resolution photo of your Christmas display to office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz winners will be announced 16 December.
2024 Winner – Santa got stuck in Footrot Flats (Davis Family)
We also have a fantastic colouring competition for the kids – pop into the office to pick one up or download from our website and get colouring. Great prizes up for grabs.
Recent Events
Lights, Camera, Balfour!
After a couple of weather delays, filming for the Balfour and Waimea Catchment Group projects finally went ahead recently under perfect skies — and naturally, it features some of Balfour’s finest locals.
The Balfour Project video showcases the incredible progress made over the past two and a half years. The Group truly took the bull by the horns, designing a project to tackle their biggest challenges: episodic runoff in the hill country and nitrate loss across the Balfour fan.
The result is a network of thriving wetlands and fully functioning bioreactors — proof of what collaboration can achieve. It’s inspiring to see just how far the project has come. We can’t wait to revisit these sites each year to track the growth, resilience, and ongoing positive change across the catchment.
South Coast
The South Coast Catchment Group held a casual get-together at the Tokanui Tavern on Tuesday 11 November. It was great to see locals come together to chat about what’s happening in the catchment and share ideas for future projects.
The Group had plenty of great ideas, including a walking track, a propagation workshop, pest control, water quality monitoring, and beach restoration. They’re keen to start restoration work at Weirs Beach to help reduce erosion and enhance the coastline.
Spring in full bloom at Mid Ōreti nursery session
It was a beautiful warm evening for the November Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement nursery session. We had the potting table outside and started a big weed and clean up job to help do a good stocktake of where we are at in the nursery. It may take us another session or two but it will look fabulous, and we should end up with lots of healthy and happy weed free plants, and a list of what plants we have we got, what needs to go in the ground, what needs to be repotted, and what seeds we need to be gathering this season.
We also had a couple of wee froggy visitors (much to everyone’s delight) and some yummy cordial and cake thanks to Christina, Cam and Eddie.
Titiroa Catchment Group exploring biodiversity
The Titiroa Catchment Group is taking the lead in exploring their catchment’s biodiversity with eDNA, identifying 19 sampling sites across the catchment. The project is driven by the members themselves, who are keen to build a detailed database of the biodiversity in their waterways.
Recently, the Group met to pick up eDNA kits and get a quick demonstration by freshwater expert, Kelsi Hayes, on how to collect samples. Six members have volunteered to collect all 57 samples by Christmas. After this, Kelsi will run some sessions with local schools, using electrofishing to ground-truth the eDNA results and a Rapid Habitat Assessment to look at stream features and see how healthy the waterways are.
Upcoming Events
Gore Catchment Group Wetland Project – Open Day
Thursday, 4 December at 12pm
200 Paterson Road
Come along and celebrate the Gore Catchment Group’s Wetland Project. This community open day is a chance to explore this 5ha wetland, enjoy a BBQ lunch, and hear from the Catchment Group, experts, and community about how we’re working together to protect our waterways and boost biodiversity. Everyone welcome — come along, show your support, and see what’s being achieved in your local community.
Please RSVP to Katie at katie@thrivingsouthland.co.nz so we can plan catering. We’ve got a wet-day back-up plan and everyone’s welcome — come along and see the difference local action makes.
Wendon Catchment Group BBQ – Christmas BBQ
Sunday 7 December from 4pm
Wendon Hall
Bring along a salad and/or dessert and enjoy an end of year celebration. All are welcome. Any questions, contact Sherryl Baird on 027 6401044.
Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session
First Tuesday of every month, from 4pm to 6pm
(No session in January and we restart on Tuesday 3 February 2026)
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 Ōreti 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.
Workshop: Protecting Īnanga (Whitebait) Spawning Habitats
10 December, from 11.30am to 1.30pm
Great South offices, Murihiku Room, 143 Spey St, Invercargill
Did you know juvenile īnanga make up 85–90% of the annual whitebait catch? These small fish are a keystone species in Southland’s freshwater ecosystems, but their spawning habitats are under threat.
Join Thriving Southland for a lunch and chat to learn:
Why īnanga are so important and why their numbers are declining
How to identify spawning sites and protect them
Practical, low-cost actions your group can take
Lunch included!
Let’s work together to safeguard these vital species and improve biodiversity in our waterways.
For more info RSVP to Stacey at stacey@thrivingsouthland.co.nz or 021566229.
Everything to Gain – What Really Matters: Paddock to Markets
SAVE THE DATE – 17 March 2026
Ascot Park Hotel
If there’s one farming event you need to attend next year, this is it! Thriving Southland presents 'Everything to Gain – What Really Matters: Paddock to Markets'. A free day of insights, real stories and straight talk about the opportunities ahead for Southern farmers.
Join Kate Scott and a line-up of leading agri, trade and policy experts for conversations that matter, connecting what’s happening in the world to what’s happening on your farm. The opportunity is in the South, let’s take it. Lunch provided.
