Wow it’s been another massive month of activity with grazing tours, Groups swapping notes and lots of learning going on out there among our region’s many Catchment Groups.
Big congratulations to Otago Southland Young Farmer Tom Slee who was crowned the FMG Young Farmer of the Year in New Plymouth in early July. Tom is one of the founders and stalwarts of the Surfing for Farmers initiative in Southland. Nice one Tom!
Please take time to check out the funding opportunities below – sometimes it can seem daunting applying for funding but there’s plenty of people happy to help with ideas and form-filling out!
Great to see the Awarua Catchment Group checking out some of the amazing initiatives happening in Bluff, and elsewhere there’s been plant potting, pest meetings, logo launches and native fish-finding missions.
And following the success of the recent emergency preardeness workshops, we’re holding some more. A huge thanks to Taranaki Catchment Communities for the original module and prepardeness plan template that the workshop is based on. A great example of Groups working together!
As we head into another busy part of the farming calendar, remember to keep in touch, keep talking and remember the warmer months are not that far away.
Have a great August everyone!
Board Profile – Jeff Grant
Jeff Grant is the Independent Board Chair of Thriving Southland, bringing an amazing career in agribusiness, governance, and politics to the table.
Alongside his wife, Julia, Jeff has farmed sheep, beef, and deer at Balfour since 1983 and recently in Ida Valley with his daughters.
Jeff first stepped into the national spotlight in 1987, serving two terms as the Member of Parliament for Awarua. Following politics, he transitioned into professional governance, directing or chairing over 28 companies and boards. Notably, he chaired AgResearch, NZ Meat Board, OSPRI, Milford Tourism and held directorships with Landcorp, Wrightson and SBS Bank, among others.
In 2018, his international expertise was called upon when Beef+Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association appointed him to head the red meat sector Brexit and FTA response in London, safeguarding vital export ties. His extensive contributions earned him the Lincoln University Bledisloe Medal in 2021.
At Thriving Southland, under his leadership, the board's strategy remains focused on providing "tools, not rules". He ensures regional initiatives remain community-led and economically viable, steering Southland's rural communities toward lasting profitability and prosperity.
News
Introducing Benita MacLean
Our new Catchment Coordinator for the Mataura FMU
We welcome Benita MacLean as the new Catchment Coordinator for the Mataura FMU, working alongside Tessa Miller.
Having grown up on a sheep and beef farm in Motueka, agriculture has always been a big part of her life. Her background includes farming, land management and erosion control, banking and community engagement. She’s passionate about sustainability on farm and supporting young people into the primary sector.
She’s excited to connect with the incredible people and communities that make up the Southland region, so if you see her out and about come and say hello.
Funding opportunities
Environment Southland – Catchment Improvement Funding and Key Native Ecosystems
Landowners are eligible to apply for catchment improvement funding to do work that will contribute to improved water quality. Southland landowners and Catchment Groups are eligible for 50% or 70% subsidy, up to a threshold of $10,000 per year on an environmental project on farm. These might be things like planting, land retirement, building a detainment bund or fencing off waterways.
For more information about the catchment improvement funding or to apply, contact a land sustainability officer from Environment Southland. More information can be found here.
You can also get funding support for a Key Native Ecosystem (KNE) – an area identified by Environment Southland for its high indigenous biodiversity values, such as important ecosystems, species, and habitats. Environment Southland can work with you as a landowner to protect, enhance and restore the indigenous biodiversity values of your area. Assistance may include advice on legal protection, weed control, fencing, restoration planting, pest control establishment or funding for biodiversity outcomes.
For more information, get in touch with the Environment Southland biodiversity team on 0800 76 88 45 or email service@es.govt.nz.
NZAS Sponsorship and Donations Programme
Round two will open on 1 August and close 31 August. Funding for Southland-based non-profit organisations, up to $5,000, can be sought for health and safety initiatives, education programmes, sport, recreation and wellbeing activities that support a healthy and active community, cultural activities that promote inclusion and diversity, initiatives that raise awareness of, protect and enhance the environment and activities that acknowledge significant days/events to encourage community connection.
For more information, guidelines and application form, visit:
www.nzas.co.nz/our-community
Southland Horizons – A Southland Foundation Award
These awards support Southlanders with a dream to pursue, a talent to grow, or a vision to strengthen their community. Any age. Any field. Any pathway.
Up to ten awards of $10,000 each will be offered to people with a genuine connection to Southland who are ready to take the next step in their journey (apply from 29 June to 21 August). These awards are designed to make a real and meaningful difference, providing recipients with the opportunity to pursue goals that may have previously felt out of reach.
Southland Horizons is about more than academic achievement alone. They are looking for people with determination, character, vision, and the desire to make a positive contribution in their chosen field or community.
For more information click here.
Catchment Group logo school competition creates a winner
After years talking about designing a logo, Hedgehope Makarewa Catchment Group decided to ask their local school if they could help design a logo.
Daniel Withington, their Principal, got right in behind it. The students spent some time with Hokonui Runanga Inc picking their brains about the local connection for the catchment, and the legend of Matamata – the shapeshifting taniwha who rests in the Hokonui Hills at East Peak – captured their imaginations, along with the Makarewa Falls, the Hedgehope Stream and the Makarewa River.
Following a round of voting by the Catchment Group, Hedgehope School student Rylan Hall’s design was selected for its colourful eye-catching design. The Group loved its blues and greens with the river winding through the bush and fields, and its great shape, clear writing, and especially having the date they were established.
We are now getting it made into a Catchment Group sign to pop it up at their local hall and will hopefully find funding to get a few more made to put up locally to help promote their Group.
Hedgehope Makarewa Catchment Group want to thank all the students for their beautiful designs, and their fantastic Principal Daniel Withington for his wonderful support.
Awarua Catchment Group bus trip checks out Bluff projects
In late June, Awarua Catchment Group members enjoyed a bus trip to two unique Southland ventures operating within their catchment area. First up was a visit to the Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust (BHMET), where the Group learned about the ongoing restoration work to protect native biodiversity and enhance the hill. Members also enjoyed discussions around possum control, particularly the Autotrap AT2200 traps that many landowners across the catchment are already using, gaining some valuable tips and tricks.
The second stop was the pāua farm at Ocean Beach, where participants gained an insight into the aquaculture industry and the innovative processes involved in growing this highly valued seafood.
The trip provided a great opportunity to connect, learn about some of the outstanding environmental and business initiatives taking place right on Awarua’s doorstep. Thank you to our hosts and everyone who joined us for an enjoyable and informative day.
Edendale Aquifer Group visit Balfour Catchment Group
The Edendale Aquifer Group headed to the Balfour Catchment Group alongside DairyNZ’s Justin Kitto to learn from another community working through similar nutrient challenges. The visit was a great opportunity to see wetlands already established, hear first-hand what has worked well (and what hasn’t), and discuss how some of these learnings could be applied along the Edendale Terrace.
A key takeaway from the day was the importance of understanding how water naturally moves through the landscape. Rather than trying to force water into a wetland, the best outcomes come from working with the landscape, identifying natural flow paths, and directing nutrient-rich water through treatment areas before it reaches streams and rivers.
A huge thank you to the Balfour farmers for opening their gates, sharing their experiences, and being so generous with their time.
The following day, Justin spent time back in the Edendale catchment, walking farms along the terrace to identify potential wetland opportunities. It was a stunning winter’s day and a great chance for farmers to look at their properties from a different perspective. With the Edendale Aquifer Group’s new nitrate prioritisation tool now helping identify areas of greatest opportunity across the catchment, these conversations are an exciting step towards turning science into practical action.
Hedgehope Makarewa Possum Control Meeting
We had a great turnout for the Hedgehope Makarewa possum control meeting. This is a new project to keep possum numbers low to protect farming businesses and biodiversity. Expert advice was offered by local NZ Conservation Services’ Toby Halliday, and Environment Southland’s Dave, Raoul and Michael, and Nic Melvin, a district forester from Matariki Forests.
We got to see a variety of baits, bait stations and traps, and thanks to a lot of work before the meeting by Nigel, Mo and Sally, had over 25 landowners covering around 6200ha keen to be part of a Possum Control Area (PCA).
All this work paid off, and Environment Southland are keen to establish a new PCA in the area and undertake an initial knockdown of possum numbers, and local landowners will fund the ongoing annual control to keep possum numbers low. This was a great outcome for the Hedgehope Makarewa team, and they want to continue to work with locals to remind them of the important of this project and the ongoing maintenance. This is a really cost-effective way of protecting your property from possums and protecting your farm.
Waimatuku and Nga Awa team sharing ideas
The Waimatuku crew met up at the Drummond Pub for some nibbles and an update from the DOC Nga Awa Team. They’ve been looking at whitebait spawning habitat, wetland design and supporting local landowners to support the Waimatuku Stream and the critters that live there. We finished by sharing ideas on how they could work with the local community next year, and if you live in the catchment and have an idea for a farm visit, project or something else to look after the Waimatuku Stream please let Pat know – phoffmann@doc.govt.nz or 027 252 6533.
Lower Aparima Catchment Group Wintering Tour
The Lower Aparima Catchment Group held its annual wintering tour recently, with members visiting a range of sites to learn about different approaches to environmental stewardship and wintering systems.
The day began at the Whitebait Bridge with an engaging discussion on īnanga, our native whitebait species. The topic sparked a robust and thought-provoking conversation among attendees. The Group then visited a large wintering barn in the early stages of construction. Discussion focused on the opportunities this would provide within the wider farm system. The final farm stop showcased a hay-on-pasture multi-day wintering system that has been operating for three seasons. Both stops highlighted very different systems but both focus on animal welfare, pasture and soil management and improved environmental outcomes. The tour concluded with a BBQ at the Fairfax Hall, providing a great opportunity to catch up and continue the discussions from the day.
Smiles, plants and hot chocolates
We’ve had fantastic evenings at the June and July Mid Oreti Catchment Group monthly nursery sessions. The team potted up 100s of small native plants carefully dug up from the paths in the AB Lime bush block (with their full permission) as a bit of a trial. We are hoping that at least half of these take, as it will leap start some of these slower growing species and give them a second chance as they weren’t going to be allowed to grow on the path much longer!
It been lovely having some new faces joining our regular crew, and Christina’s surprise coffees and hot chocolates went down an absolute treat! Brad and Gabby from AB Lime have been working with the Winton Golf Club to help plan and plant up some areas in native plants, and the Group are also working with Margie Ruddenklau from the Ōreti Community Board to help with replanting an area of the Winton Trail too.
So far this year over 1200 native plants have been sold to local landowners (only $1.25 a plant – this buys the seed raising and potting mix to keep the project going), or donated to local community and school groups by this project.
Learning together – A Great Day Out with FarmRight Team
A big thank you to the FarmRight team for inviting Sarah, Stacey and Benita along to their recent team day. It was a great chance to chat about why Catchment Groups are such an important part of our rural communities, get an update on farm planning and the tech that can help you record your progress, and hear about how FarmRight works with their local and global communities.
The day also included a visit to AB Lime to see some of their great initiatives, including their big sediment bund in action after the recent rain.
It was great to see how it slows and captures sediment before the water gradually drains away over the next few days. Days like these are a great way to share ideas, learn from each other and have some fun.
Helping Farmers Get a Head Start on Farm Plans
In June, ACE partnered with Environment Southland to deliver two Farm Plan Information Sessions for farmers across the Aparima FMU. The sessions were designed to help farmers get a head start on developing their farm plans, with Environment Southland’s Farm Plan Team providing hands-on support throughout the process. The sessions also provided an opportunity to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of farm plan requirements. It was great to see farmers gaining confidence that many of the good management practices already happening on farm are helping make a positive difference.
Upcoming Events
Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session
When: First Tuesday of every month, from 4pm to 6pm
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.
