Rangitīkei farmers take lead in water quality monitoring
Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC) chairperson Roger Dalrymple says farmers in his region are taking a national lead in water quality awareness and monitoring.
A new toolkit to help the development of capability and education for catchment leaders and coordinators has been unveiled.
The Catchment Toolkit, a new website, was launched last month as part of NZ Landcare Trust’s ACE programme. The ACE Programme is a NZ Landcare Trust project, funded by the Ministry for the Environment (from the Essential Freshwater Fund) and supported by Fonterra.
“The Catchment Toolkit is a go-to resource hub, designed to empower and educate community-based catchment leaders and coordinators,” explains NZ Landcare Trust chief executive Nick Edgar.
“Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey in catchment management, this toolkit provides a wealth of information, knowledge and tools.”
He says the website consolidates a comprehensive online library housing numerous resources and offers a one-stop shop for everything catchment-related.
“This marks a significant stride towards fostering sustainable land management practices and is particularly noteworthy for us at NZ Landcare Trust, given our unwavering dedication to championing clean waterways and sustainable land management practices for the past 26 years.”
Edgar says ACE’s commitment to knowledge dissemination spans three core pillars:
"The Catchment Toolkit is the home of the ACE programme and the portal for its online learning,” Edgar adds.
“We’ve been dedicated to the realisation of the ACE program for the past 15 years. The launch of the ACE Catchment Toolkit is a true testament to our commitment as an organisation to empowering communities.”
Edgar believes the Catchment Toolkit, with a focus on building the capabilities of catchment groups, is set to create a lasting impact on sustainable land management practices and water quality improvements for generations to come.
Registrations of interest for the programme are now open.
Environment Southland is inviting feedback on two bylaws that play a critical role in safeguarding the region's waterways and ensuring the safety of the local community.
While the North Island is inundated with rain, Southland is facing receding water levels as warm weather and lack of rainfall continues.
Entries have opened for the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards.
Organisers are expecting another full field of 40 of the country’s top shearers for the popular Speed Shearing event at this year’s Southern Field Days at Waimumu.
The Southern Field Days Innovation Awards have a great record in picking winners and the winner of the 2024 event will be putting up a display to support the event at this year’s show.
A buoyant farm economy should make for a successful 2026 Southern Field Days, says chairman Steve Henderson.

OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…
OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…