It’s 2075 in the Upper Lakes. Together, mana whenua and the community have carried out decades of mahi for our catchments, adapting along the way.

In the valleys, takahē cross paths with trampers, emerging from thick golden tussock, bird colonies can be watched as they nest undisturbed on braided river gravels, and as dusk falls pekapeka tou-roa (long-tailed bats) glide overhead, through ancient beech canopies chasing moths. Pīwauwau (rock wrens) jump from boulder to boulder within alpine basins and along ridges. Tuna kuwharuwharu (longfin eel) can be seen feeding amongst native submerged plant beds and gliding out into the crystal-clear depths of our lakes.

The waterways, lined with native riparian plants, offer abundant mahika kai (food and resources) for Kāi Tahu whānaui, and the environment offers wild foraging for the wider community. Tamariki (children) splash and swim at the lake shorelines in the clean water, then rest under the shade of native trees to tuck into a freshly cooked trout for lunch. Behind them, wetlands and bush weave through sustainable, thriving farms renowned for their food and fiber produce – a mosaic of native biodiversity and productive land. Photo: Alan Jiang | unsplash

In our towns, a connected network of streams, wetlands, and green space cools the landscape brings nature to the heart of daily life. Nature-based solutions form part of the infrastructure that is necessary to ensure the health of the water as it heads downstream. Photo: Michael Amadeus | Unsplash

Mana whenua connection to place and taoka is flourishing, mātauraka (knowledge) is strong and rakatirataka (authority) evident.  Locals value the thriving native biodiversity around them, happily sharing fruit harvests with kākā and kākāriki. The community welcomes visitors who come to connect and contribute, helping to ensure the catchment remains vibrant for generations to come.