AgriTech in the Manuherekia hosted at Matakanui
This hands-on event will showcase a wide range of practical innovations, including drones, tractors, electric utes, renewable energy solutions, and other tools designed to help farmers adapt, save time, and work smarter. Alongside live demonstrations, exhibitors will be on site to answer questions and share how Agritech can support farming businesses across Central Otago.
This is about seeing technology in action, not just talking about it. We want local farmers and landowners to have the chance to explore what’s available and think about what might work on their own farms.
Event Details:
📅 Friday 10 October
🕐 1:00pm start
📍 Matakanui Station, 1524 Moutere-Disputed Spur Road, Omakau
🎟 Free entry – all welcome
Fresh Water Farm Plans
We don’t know the details of these yet, but we do know they’re coming! Now is the time to gather the information you will need for these plans. We’re here to help, and one of the tools we’ve developed maps catchment features can be found on our website.
This will allow you to explore the catchment, using information from ORC and other public resources.
We will be hosting workshops on the mapping tool later in the year. It is one of a range of resources Waiora Manuherekia is working on to support landowners as they gather the information required for Fresh Water Farm Plans.
Learn How to Check Stream Health with SHMAK
Do you have a wetland or stream on your property? Chances are you’ve come across the term SHMAK – but what does it really mean?
Join us for an Introduction to SHMAK: Stream Health Monitoring Workshop and find out. This practical, hands-on session will show you how to use NIWA’s Stream Health Monitoring and Assessment Kit to assess the health of your local waterways.
Together we’ll explore key water health indicators including clarity, temperature, conductivity, macroinvertebrates, and fish populations.
When? Tuesday 14 October, from 10am to 2pm
Where? Lowburn Community Hall, 58 Lowburn Valley Road
RSVP to: nicole@otagocatchments.co.nz
Food will be provided. The workshop is hosted by Otago Catchment Community in partnership with WAI Wānaka, Otago Regional Council, Otago Fish and Game, and Lowburn Catchment Group.
Numbers are limited, so be sure to RSVP to secure your spot.
New Resource: Generic Wetland Management Plans
Healthy wetlands play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and improving water quality. To help landowners protect and restore these special places, we’ve developed a new Generic Wetland Management Plans resource.
These plans are a practical tool to help you identify and recognise wetland features on your property, assess the condition of your wetland and take effective steps to maintain or restore its ecological health.
Whether you want to bring life back to a degraded wetland or simply keep an existing one thriving, these plans provide a clear starting point for responsible stewardship. Alongside the full management plans, we’ve also come up with condensed factsheets on key wetland types:
Marsh wetlands
Bogs and fens
Ephemeral wetlands
You can download and explore all these resources here: mcg.org.nz/wetlands-in-the-manuherekia
Click to read more about what's been happening for the Thomsons Project and Manuherekia Catchment Project:
