Locals learn about co-op’s water quality work

Field days were held last week to mark a 10-year ‘living water programme’ at Hikurangi catchment, Kaipara Harbour and Lake Ellesmere, Christchurch. Fonterra and DoC organised the field days.

At Jordan Valley Farm, Northland, visitors heard about work in the Hikurangi catchment by Fonterra and DoCto improve water quality and increase the numbers and variety of native species.

The Hikurangi catchment covers about 55,000ha feeding the Wairua River that flows into the Kaipara Harbour. Within the catchment is a 13,140ha floodplain of which 5670ha is included in a swamp drainage scheme.   

The work is being done with local dairy farmers Nga Kaitiaki O Nga Wai Maori and other stakeholders, including the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group, Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council.

The day included activities run by The Whitebait Connection and NgaKaitiaki O Nga Wai Maori. Local primary school children took part.

Fonterra living water project manager Tim Brandenburg says it has spent the first year bringing together organisations and people to focus on the right projects and build on work already underway in the catchment. 

DoC commercial partnerships director Geoff Ensor says the open day allowed people to learn about the work and share ideas for how they can get involved.

Living Water

The Living Water scheme involves organisations and communities at four catchment sites in the main dairying regions.

The other catchments are Pakorokoro / Miranda at Takapa Moana / Firth of Thames; three Waikato Peat Lakes - Areare, Ruatuna and Rotomanuka; and Awarua-Waituna in Southland.