Reflecting back on 2025, it was both a rewarding and challenging year and Southland’s Catchment Groups have continued to grow in number, develop and action multiple projects across the region.
On that note, welcome to Awarua Catchment Group! Read more about them below.
In this newsletter we catch up on some of the awesome Group Christmas get togethers, celebrate the Christmas competition, profile our newest board member, and find out what some Groups are planning in 2026.
The breadth of projects and topics being covered by Catchment Groups continues to expand with discussions around the likes of protecting īnanga (whitebait) adding to the many conversations and projects geared at looking after our region’s land and water resources.
Getting to know your board members
This month we profile Clare Officer who came on to the Thriving Southland Board in November. Your other Board members are the Chair Jeff Grant, Deputy Chair Simon Saunders, John White, Ed Pinkney, Alexis Wadsworth, Associate – Rosie Hunter.
Clare Officer – passionate about dairying and community
Clare and her family.
I'm a born and bred dairy farmer with a passion for agriculture and thriving rural communities. I'm married to John, and we have four children with three at high school and the youngest still at primary. We emigrated from the UK in 2006 and have worked our way through the dairy industry first as staff, and then contract and sharemilking, and eventually achieved our goal of farm ownership; buying our runoff block in 2018 followed by a dairy farm in 2022. We run a largely self-contained system, milking 550 cows and rearing all our dairy replacements and finishing all our non-dairy calves.
I manage the day-to-day operations of the dairy farm and enjoy volunteering in the community. As Vice Chair of the Southern Dairy Development Trust (SDDT), I represent the view of southern farmers and their stake in the Southern Dairy Hub. I'm also one of the leaders of the Greater Dipton Catchment Group and have been actively involved in the Group since its formation.
I enjoy being part of a crew of parent volunteers at Limehills School and am running the school farm with another parent. I’ve also been involved with the Home and School association, and Limehills Star and DLS Junior rugby. From 2022-2024, I was lucky enough to work with the awesome team at Thriving Southland as a part-time Catchment Co-Ordinator so have a good understanding of the day-to-day operations and the great work that is done.
News
Awarua Catchment Group joins Thriving Southland
The Awarua Catchment Group’s boundaries
Thriving Southland is excited to welcome the Awarua Catchment Group to our growing network. The Awarua catchment spans the Awarua Plains and surrounding coastal areas, stretching from the southern edge of Invercargill to Bluff, east toward Mokotua, and north to Kennington and Rimu.
This diverse region combines extensive wetlands, tidal estuaries, and coastal ecosystems with a mix of farming operations and growing industrial activity, creating both opportunities and challenges for the community.
This new Group brings together locals committed to protecting and enhancing the unique landscapes and waterways of the Awarua area. The group is planning a community get together on 13 March to discuss local issues and explore ways to protect and enhance the catchment, so be sure to head along and help shape a sustainable future for Awarua.
Check out the group’s Facebook page to stay in touch with the latest happenings and events. For more information contact Tinneke Staut on 0277225566 or awaruacg@outlook.co.nz or Stacey Stuart, Catchment Coordinator on 021566229 or stacey@thrivingsouthland.co.nz.
Catchment Convos Ep 16 is live
Starting the animal pest conversation
Animal pests can undo years of work if not tackled properly — and doing “enough” is often only the beginning. In this episode, we talk with Southland sheep farmer Peter McDonald about what he has learned along the way and what he believes it takes to protect native bush. Sharing practical, honest insights on pest control, neighbour coordination, and long-term thinking that truly makes a difference.
A festive finish to a fantastic year
A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to get involved in this year's Southland Christmas Competition, and to our fantastic sponsors for their generous support. If you missed our Christmas Special Newsletter, check out the 2025 Christmas Comp winners and honourable mentions here.
Recent Events
Otama Catchment Group sizing up sediment plans
During December, the Otama Catchment Group spent time looking at the catchment from the headwaters of the Otama Stream through to where it reaches the Mataura River, to understand where sediment is moving and what might help keep more of it on the land.
The Otama Catchment sits on very fertile soils, but soil movement is noticeable, particularly on steeper slopes. Most farmers in the area see this after heavy rain, and the Group wanted to understand what’s happening on farms and what small changes could realistically make a difference.
The Group has been working with Craig Simpson from Watershed Solutions, walking through a range of farm case studies. This has included retiring small areas for natural wetland development, making small changes to existing sediment traps to improve how they work, and using the natural shape of the land to slow water and catch sediment before it leaves the paddock.
Next steps include developing these case studies with the individual farmers involved. A field day will share what has been learned and the Group will also start looking at wider funding options to support work that comes out of this project.
Edendale Aquifer Group, Otama and Wendon Catchment Groups’ Christmas catch up
Wendon Catchment Group Christmas get together
The Edendale Aquifer Group (EAG), Otama and Wendon Catchments got together for a social catch up before Christmas. It was a great chance to relax and share stories from the year.
Otama and Wendon update: The Otama and Wendon Catchment Groups had some great conversations about projects they'd like to explore during the next year. This includes Otama continuing with their ‘Sediment plan workstream’ and Wendon potentially looking at some winter grazing workshops. Keep an eye out for their next idea or get in touch if you’d like to know more.
Otama Catchment Group Christmas get together
Edendale Aquifer Group update: behind the scenes, EAG have been working with Land and Water Science to develop a high-resolution, catchment “patch” map. This patch map shows where high nitrate groundwater is coming from and where there are the best chances to remove nitrogen (source and sink).
Progress also continues on their two pilot wetlands, and construction works for developing the wetland bioreactor is planned for this summer, helping to test practical ways to improve water quality.
Looking ahead, there will be a field day on the 23 March (details below) with EAG and DairyNZ. Farmers can hear about the local plantain trials occurring on partner farms across the catchment and learn from the nitrogen reduction practices that the case study farmers have tested over the past year. It’s been a busy 2025 for EAG, and it’s encouraging to see practical steps taking shape across the catchment.
Gore Catchment Group Wetland open day
The Gore Catchment Group hosted a community open day in December, at Ward’s Wetland, to celebrate the project and the mahi behind it. They brought together locals, schools, stakeholders, funders, and general supporters, and the day featured a range of speakers sharing insights from planning and construction through to ongoing care and maintenance.
It was a great chance to reflect on what’s been learned and to see the positive difference the wetland is already making.
A special thanks to Murray Wards and the Wards family for the huge amount of work they’ve put into the project, from countless hours including everything from being on the digger and tractor, to planting and maintenance. The wetland is a real credit to all your hard work.
Protecting Īnanga spawning habitats: Thriving Southland Workshop
During December, the Thriving Southland team held a workshop in Invercargill focused on protecting īnanga (whitebait) spawning habitats for ecosystem health. The event, attended by Catchment Group members from multiple coastal Groups, raised awareness of the species’ ecological importance and provide practical steps for habitat protection. This is an exciting project, bringing together Groups from different catchments, with a common purpose.
Īnanga are a vital part of Southland’s freshwater ecosystems, making up 85–90 percent of the annual whitebait catch. However, their spawning sites are increasingly under pressure from land-use changes and habitat degradation.
Follow-up events include an opportunity to learn more from Nic Naysmith, the National Īnanga Spawning Programme Lead from the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, when he is in Southland in late January, as part of DOC’s Ngā Awa restoration project underway on the Waimatuku Stream. Check out the DoC project here.
If you would like to know more about protecting Inanga in your catchment or would like to get involved, contact Stacey Stuart, Catchment Coordinator on 021566229 or stacey@thrivingsouthland.co.nz.
Upcoming Events
Mid Ōreti Catchment Group - Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session (first Tuesday of every month)
Tuesday 3 February, 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 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.
Southern Field Days Site, Waimumu
11 - 13 February
Site A188
We’ll be at the 2026 Southern Field Days at Waimumu — come and say hello! You can find us at Site A188 in the Agricentre. We’d love to see you there.
Great South - (Solar) Powering Southland
Thursday 26 February 2026
ILT Stadium Southland
This free event, hosted by Great South, is designed for Southland’s rural property and farm owners to gain practical knowledge about solar energy. Don’t miss out on expert speakers, a banking panel, and the chance to connect with solar providers. Make sure to secure your spot for (Solar) Powering Southland by completing the RSVP form here.
Contact Demi at demi.lawrence@greatsouth.nz if you have any questions.
Edendale Aquifer Group – Nitrogen Mitigation Field Day
Monday 23 March, 10am to 1pm
Starting at Brydone Hall, and heading to Jon and Birgit Pemberton’s farm
Join the Edendale Aquifer Group and DairyNZ for a field day about DairyNZ’s research on Plantain and Low N systems, Edendale Aquifer Group’s partner farms findings (plantain trials and management tweaks to reduce nitrogen loss), check out some good and not so good results regarding the Pemberton’s plantain establishment and check out their new wetland.
Lunch is thanks to Open Country Dairy.
SAVE THE DATE: Everything to Gain – What Really Matters: Paddock to Markets
Ascot Park Hotel
SEE DATE CHANGE: 6 May, from 9.30am to 3pm
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. Click here to learn more.
