Stay connected with The Manuherekia Voice – our collective newsletter bringing you updates from the Manuherekia Catchment Group (MCG), the Thomsons Catchment Project,
and the Waiora Manuherekia Project.
From the GM: Key Milestones and What’s Next
We’re excited to bring you another edition of Manuherekia Voice.
It’s been a big few months with Waiora Manuherekia wrapping up its first year with an ambitious and fast-moving programme, funded by the Ministry for the Environment. In just 12 months, the team has delivered wetland restoration, willow removal, trail planning, youth engagement, sediment tracking, and more, proving what’s possible when a community comes together around a shared goal. We’re thrilled to continue the work, with a focus on supporting water quality.
The Thomsons Catchment Project has just completed its three-year journey, one that’s delivered a five-hectare wetland, protected native galaxiids, supported farmers with fencing and sediment plans, and created a real sense of pride and momentum in the local community.
Meanwhile, the Manuherekia Catchment Group continues to represent landowners across the region, supporting practical improvements, advocating for good policy, and working in partnership with agencies, iwi and stakeholders. In early June it was announced that the Manuherekia Catchment Group was one of the successful recipients of the Otago Regional Council’s 2025 ECO Fund.
The funding will go towards continued weed control in and around the Orkney Wetland, helping to maintain and enhance this important ecological site as part of the wider Thomsons Catchment Project. A huge thank you to Otago Regional Council for backing this mahi and to everyone working hard to protect and restore Otago’s environment.
Congratulations also to Omakau sheep and beef farmers Andrew and Tracy Paterson of Matakanui Station, who won the regional supreme title. According to the judges, Andrew, co-chair of the Manuherekia Catchment Group, and his wife Tracy have shown outstanding leadership, strategic planning, and forward-thinking use of technology.
The Manuherekia Catchment Group was front and centre in the April edition of Irrigation Leader magazine, with the detailed article on page 8.
Stay tuned for updates on the exciting developments in our catchment, and thank you for your ongoing support!
Clare Hadley, General Manager, Manuherekia Catchment Group.
Want to Join our Committee?
Our AGM is coming up on 18 September, and we’d love to see you there. If you’re interested in being part of the Manuherekia Catchment Group’s decision-making body, we’d love to hear from you.
What we’re doing at MCG matters; and it’s already having a lasting impact on our land and water, with benefits for generations to come.
Do you have a strong understanding of the catchment, the needs of irrigators, and the aspirations of our communities? Committee members attend monthly meetings, some in person, some online, and there’s a modest amount of reading involved.
To learn more, contact Clare Hadley on 0274 358 615.
Also in this edition, we feature articles about:
Calling Resolution Software Users
Submission on Freshwater Changes
Freshwater Monitoring Results Coming Soon
IrrigationNZ Chief Executive Visit
What started back in 2020 as a bold vision – to improve water quality, support biodiversity, and empower our community to lead change – has grown into something far bigger than we imagined. Together, we’ve built a thriving wetland, protected vulnerable native species, completed extensive fencing and sediment plans with farmers, mapped biodiversity hotspots, and hosted school field trips, volunteer days, workshops and community events.
The Thomsons Catchment Project was made possible by funding from the Ministry for the Environment, and with a total investment of $2.8 million, we’ve well and truly exceeded our original goals. But the true value of this project has come from what you can’t always quantify: relationships, local knowledge, and pride in a shared purpose.
In this edition, we feature articles about:
Trapping and Bird Monitoring Update
New Resources
Reflecting on Year One
It’s been a busy few months for the Waiora Manuherekia Project, with restoration work, community events, and plenty of behind-the-scenes planning all coming together to support a healthier catchment.
Launched in July last year with funding from the Ministry for the Environment, Waiora Manuherekia set out with an ambitious goal: to deliver a meaningful, community-led environmental project in just 12 months. That meant hitting the ground running, building partnerships, and getting people across the catchment involved from day one.
On 27 May, we gathered at the Lauder Rail Trail Bridge to celebrate one year of the Waiora Manuherekia Project, and what a turnout it was! We were pleased to have Hon. Andrew Hoggard, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety and Associate Minister for Agriculture and the Environment, join us on the day. He even rolled up his sleeves to plant a native tree, marking the occasion with a hands-on show of support.
Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate. We’re proud of what’s been achieved so far, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going into year two! We’ve completed all physical works, like willow removal and wetland restoration, and will be now putting our efforts into supporting freshwater improvements.
In this edition, we feature articles about:
Willow Removal Update
New Wetland Taking Shape
No Regrets Farming
Transformation at Lower Manorburn Reserve
By signing up for any of our three newsletters — MCG, Thomsons or Waiora — you’ll automatically receive The Manuherekia Voice, our collective newsletter covering all the latest updates across the catchment.
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