ORC Councillor and Upper Lakes Integrated Catchment Group member Alexa Forbes says the Catchment Action Plan (CAP) 2025-2035 is a community-owned and led plan, which has been developed with the support and input of ORC and mana whenua, as well as other organisations.

“The CAP was developed collaboratively by members of the Upper Lakes Integrated Catchment Group (ICG). It aligns with and supports existing community action, setting the direction for taking actions to improve the environment of the upper lakes area. It is intended to be a ‘living’ plan which means it will be continually updated and improved as more information becomes available and the action plan is further developed.”

The Upper Lakes ICG includes community members from across the Queenstown-Lakes District, comprising the Whakatipu, Wānaka, Hāwea and Waiwhakaata/Lake Hayes catchments.

Ms Forbes says the upper lakes area was selected as the second CAP to be developed, following council endorsement of the pilot Catlins CAP in November 2024.

“The group began meeting in August 2024 to co-develop the Upper Lakes CAP. In total, the group contributed well over 880 hours of their time - a significant commitment that reflects their passion and dedication to the wellbeing of the upper lakes' environment and communities.”

ICG member and Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku representative Darren Rewi says, “It’s an honour to represent Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku, and a privilege to be Māori and to be involved in planning to ensure that the Upper Lakes catchment area is looked after and managed to meet the expectations of everyone. The catchment is a Taonga for us all to work together to protect. - Ki te kotahi te kakaho, ka whati, ki te kapuia, e kore e whati. Alone we are vulnerable but united we are strong.”

Upper Lakes ICG co-chair Ayla Lucas says the development of the CAP would not have been possible without the enthusiasm, dedication and all-round hard work of the key ORC staff that were involved. “I’d like to thank ORC for providing the opportunity and the resources for bringing together the Upper Lakes Integrated Catchment Group. The collaborative process and leadership, and the bringing together of existing groups, has been a huge benefit to all involved. Conservation groups across the upper lakes have already put in some incredible mahi and this CAP, where possible, brings it together and intends to support similar mahi in the future. From my personal experience, the collaboration, sharing and knowledge, questions and challenges put forward during the workshops were an incredibly valuable part of the process in developing the CAP presented today.”

The ICG includes community members from across the Queenstown-Lakes District who have expertise in agriculture, conservation, native biodiversity, water quality, tourism and recreation. The ICG also includes a representative from mana whenua, and representatives from Queenstown Lakes District Council, Department of Conservation, Otago Fish and Game, Land Information NZ and ORC.

An Upper Lakes CAP Governance Group will be established to provide oversight and drive delivery of the CAP throughout the upper lakes' community. The voluntary governance group will include members of the Upper Lakes ICG, mana whenua, and other representatives, supported by ORC. The community will lead projects and funding efforts, while ORC will provide expertise, coordination, and technical support.

For more information and to download the Upper Lakes Catchment Action Plan 2025-2035 go to: orc.govt.nz/upper-lakes

Otago Regional Council’s Integrated Catchment Management programme was established in 2021 to lead the development of Catchment Action Plans with iwi and the community, following decisions made in the Long-Term Plan 2021-31.
 
Integrated Catchment Management is a whole-of-landscape approach that uses the catchment as the boundary. Managing the environment at a catchment scale looks at the landscape from the mountains or headwaters of the catchment down to the sea, reflecting a 'Te Ao Māori' concept of inextricable connection between people and their environment, and between every element of our natural world – ki uta ki tai / mountains to the sea.  
 
A Catchment Action Plan is a non-regulatory plan for the management and conservation of an entire catchment or catchments, building on the work that iwi, communities, and local government are already doing to protect and manage their place. These plans are not only about freshwater, but also terrestrial, estuarine, and marine ecosystems, land and soils, and human values, including livelihoods, mahika kai and wāhi tūpuna.