COMMUNITY UPDATE | DECEMBER 2023
Tēnā koutou katoa
Welcome to our last issue of the Toitū Te Hakapupu newsletter for 2023.
We have more updates to share with you on the work happening in Te Hakapupu/Pleasant River, including plantings, fencing and key findings from scientific studies, as well as the chance to meet more of the project team.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us. You’ll find the project partners and their contact details at the end of this newsletter.
For our new subscribers and those who would like to know more about the project, you can learn more on our dedicated project webpage .
Planting days a huge success
A community planting day was held in September on landowner Steven Foote’s property, corner of Jefferis Road and State Highway 1. This event kicked off the 2023 planting season and saw the first plants go in the ground as part of the project.
More than 50 people attended, and the community planted 1200 natives, contributing to the improvement of water quality in the area.
Well done!
The community hard at work during the September planting day.
In October, more than 30 Year 5 and 6 students from Karitāne and Waikouaiti schools in East Otago took part in another planting day just north of Waikouaiti.
A regionally significant wetland had been fenced off on a piece of private land to protect it from stock, and the children helped plant over 100 native trees along the riverbank on this property.
They also learnt about the health of the river from one of ORC’s catchment advisors, Jack Mathieson, did some water quality testing, and saw some taoka (treasured) species in the river including kōura (crayfish) and tuna (eels).
The children also took part in a cultural health discussion with local mana whenua representative, Julia Rata-Te Raki.
Ka pai, kids!
Students from Kāritane and Waikouaiti schools near the Pleasant River Estuary.
Meet some of the team
Soraya Engelken
Otago Regional Council - Project Engagement Officer
What’s your background?
Soraya: I was born in the Netherlands and moved to New Zealand at 6 years old. I spent most of my life in Christchurch and Dunedin before moving to Brisbane in 2017. The majority of my working life has been spent in hospitality management, in cafes and stadiums.
I took a career turn when I began working for Brisbane Sustainability Agency as an officer on a flood resilience project. In May this year, I returned home to Dunedin and began working for Otago Regional Council on the Toitū Te Hakapupu project.
What excites you most about this project?
Soraya: So far this has been an amazing experience, and I am constantly learning about the environment and how we are taking positive action to protect it. Engaging with landowners and community members is a real highlight for me. The people in this catchment are so friendly and hospitable!
I am excited to see the impact the project is making now and even more excited to see the benefits for this beautiful catchment in the years ahead. To think, the work we are doing today will enhance biodiversity and improve the quality of the rivers and estuary for future generations to enjoy to its full capacity, and we are playing a part in this happening — that's the real winner for me.
Tim Ware
Otago Regional Council – Communications Advisor
What’s your background?
Tim: I’ve lived in the lower South Island all my life; growing up in Mosgiel, Dunedin and Ōamaru and now having settled in Dunedin again for more than 20 years. I’ve spent nearly all of that time in communications...
What excites you most about this project?
Tim: I love how here in New Zealand we have access to such beautiful locations right here on our doorstep...
The work never stops
- We have worked on 13 properties in the catchment in 2023
- 4.5 km of fencing will have been constructed before the end of the year
- Over 22,000 trees have been planted thanks to the Aukaha planting team and the community
- At this point, we have interest from 17 landowners for work on their property in 2024
- We’re looking to kick off next year’s planting season in May/June 2024
Life in Te Hakapupu
The restoration of Te Hakapupu/Pleasant River catchment benefits more than just the community, landowners and those who value this beautiful East Otago river.
There are other species that live here that will thrive from improvements in the catchment’s water quality. Meet some of them below:
Poaka / pied stilt, also known as the white-headed stilt...
Matuku moana / white-faced heron...
Kawaupaka / little shag...
What’s the plan?
The Toitū Te Hakapupu Catchment Action Plan is taking shape and will continue to develop in the coming year...
How can you get involved in the project?
If you’re a landowner... register your interest here .
You can email tth@orc.govt.nz
Complete this survey
Contacts
If you have any questions or would like to talk with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Melanie White
Email melanie.white@orc.govt.nz
Soraya Engelken
Email soraya.engelken@orc.govt.nz
Katharina Ruckstuhl
Email katharina.ruckstuhl@otago.ac.nz
Steph Scott
Email eocatchmentgroup@gmail.com
Disclaimer
The Ministry for the Environment does not necessarily endorse or support the content of the publication in anyway.
Copyright
This work is copyright. The copying, adaptation, or issuing of this work to the public on a non-profit basis is welcomed. No other use of this work is permitted without the prior consent of the copyright holder(s).
