|
|
Kia ora and welcome to our first On Stream for 2026! Jump on in …
Question: what do a wallaby, a 3D-printed puzzle, and a trip down memory lane have in common?
Answer: They were all stars at our tent at the Lake Hayes A&P Show recently.
We had a great time connecting with the local community, and our biosecurity, catchments and project delivery teams were busy giving advice and talking to people. A highlight was collaborating with Friends of Lake Hayes — their display of historical photos and the story of the lake’s restoration journey was a wonderful reminder of why the work we do together matters so much.
|
|
|
|
|
A stuffed wallaby. Remember to report any wallabies you see, dead or alive, at reportwallabies.nz
|
|
|
|
|
ORC freshwater ambassadors Zoe and George at our tent at Lake Hayes A&P Show
|
|
|
|
|
Friends of Lake Hayes brought old photos of Lake Hayes to show attendees the history of the lake
|
|
|
|
Live in Roxburgh or the Teviot Valley?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We’re coming out to you next week.
We’ve been working with the Roxburgh community for a while now, assessing natural hazards in the area. Our latest study looked at debris floods. Keen to find out more? Join us to learn about the new study on the debris flood hazard and associated risks from Coal Creek to Dumbarton.
When: Wednesday, 18 February
Where: Roxburgh Golf Club, 280 Scotland St
You can come along to both or either of our sessions:
Drop-in session |3–6pm
-
Drop-in anytime.
-
Explore the detailed hazard and risk maps.
-
Chat with staff from ORC, Central Otago District Council, and Civil Defence Emergency Management.
Presentation with Q&A |6.30–9pm
|
|
|
|
|
What’s the issue?
Roxburgh sits on land known as alluvial fans. Alluvial fans are formed by the sediment from mountain streams accumulating over a long time. This creates fertile soil and natural drainage, making the area well-suited for farming, gardening and everyday living.
Living on these alluvial fans comes with challenges. The Roxburgh area is exposed to debris floods. These can be dangerous because they are unpredictable; they can happen quickly and with great power, posing a risk to infrastructure, homes and lives.
Alluvial fans and debris floods have always been here and are naturally occurring. We’re working to understand more about the risks and the impact they could have for the Roxburgh community.
|
|
|
|
We know what you did last summer
|
|
|
|
|
The buoys of summer . . . buoy in Te Awa Ōtākou / Otago Harbour
|
|
|
And we’re pretty happy about it!
Our freshwater ambassadors have been out and about having chats lakeside about the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ method, the Harbourmaster was pleased with everyone’s behaviour on the water in coastal and Central Otago, and wallaby sightings reported over the holidays made a huge contribution to efforts to stop this pest skipping south.
|
|
|
|
|
A wallaby — help us get the jump on these pests!
|
|
|
Wallabies were seen in some far-flung places: Taieri Gorge, Waikerikeri (Central Otago), Tokarahi (North Otago), Naseby and Chatto Creek. We received a high number of credible sighting reports, with most reports from locals.
Reporting signs and sightings, dead or alive, is a huge help — it’s easy to do online at reportwallabies.nz — please try to pinpoint the location as much as you can.
|
|
|
|
|
A Trap and Trigger team member uses a drone to scout for wallabies
|
|
|
|
|
|
This wallaby in the Hawkdun Range was no match for the team’s thermal imaging
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speaking of wallabies … specialist hunters, including our contractors at Trap and Trigger, have been hard at work right through the recent holidays, monitoring and protecting our beautiful backyard.
These photos above show their latest work in the Hawkdun Range, where their drone surveillance managed to locate and nab a wallaby!
|
|
|
|
Reflecting on last year, ready for a new one
|
|
|
|
|
Planting during the Clutha hui at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands, Ōtepoti Dunedin
|
|
|
The end of the school year is always a flurry of activity for Enviroschools across the region, with Central Otago, Clutha, Dunedin and Wānaka hosting their primary hui at the end of 2026.
Every year, Enviroschools hosts around 25 hui for ākoka (students) from early childhood to secondary, to support schools in their sustainability and environmental journey. Bringing together schools from across the districts connects ākoka with other young leaders, creating change within their school communities, inspiring action in their own schools and sparking change in their systems. The economic, environmental and social benefits increase significantly when young people are involved in the planning of their actions from start to finish, and these hui were no different.
|
|
|
|
|
Recycling bicycles in Ōtepoti Dunedin
|
|
|
Following from the Queenstown and Waitaki hui in October, the rest of the Enviroschools team held theirs in November and December to take advantage of great weather and the end of the school year.
Clutha Enviroschools learnt raranga (Māori weaving), made seed bombs and helped with some planting at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands, Dunedin.
Enviroschools dived into hands-on workshops around recycling bicycles, sustainable transport and encouraging biodiversity. Central Otago Enviroschools focused on Zero Waste, learning how to compost and make homemade household cleaners, and discovering more about slow fashion. Wānaka Enviroschools built on a food resilience theme, starting the day by picking strawberries and then making edible clay seed bombs, taking turns making smoothies on a bicycle, and learning how to create natural water filters.
|
|
|
|
|
Picking strawberries in Wānaka
|
|
|
The Ōtākou Enviroschools tīma want to express how grateful we are to the organisations that collaborate with us to bring these rich learning experiences in environmental education. Nothing we do is in isolation — and we are lucky to have such passionate experts across our region. Roll on 2026’s hui!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over 280 different species of bird have been identified in Otago.
Not to ruffle the feathers of other regions, but we think that's pretty amazing biodiversity, so we worked with Tūhura Otago Museum and ornithologist (a person who studies birds) Oscar Thomas from the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka to produce a series of infographic factsheets. You find them on our Birds of Otago page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stealthy and over your nonsense, the morepork is also widely known by its te reo Māori name, ruru. Both names are given for its distinctive call, which can be heard at night. Its flight is silent — to catch insects and small birds by surprise.
It’s range is anywhere with suitable native forest habitat, more common in southern and western Otago. It’s also found across Aotearoa New Zealand.
|
|
|
|
Have your say on changes to the navigation bylaw
|
|
|
|
|
The ORC Harbourmaster in Te Awa Ōtākou / Otago Harbour
|
|
|
Otago Regional Council is refreshing its Navigation Safety Bylaw this year, and your feedback is welcome.
Main proposed changes to the 2020 bylaw are:
-
A mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS) to be carried by commercial vessels
-
New restrictions on how long you can anchor in one spot
-
A new online reporting system
The area covered by this bylaw covers navigable waterways in Otago, harbours along the Otago coast, 12 nautical miles out to sea, and Lake Dunstan in Central Otago. However, the bylaw excludes the Queenstown Lakes area – Queenstown Lakes District Council has jurisdiction over all lakes and waterways there.
Consultation closes 20 February. Read the draft bylaw, complete the survey and have your say.
|
|
|
|
Welcome back to school on the bus!
|
|
|
|
|
Public buses are an affordable way to get to and from school this term.
Orbus fares are only $1.50 for children and youth aged 5 to 18 with a registered Bee Card, for a single trip. They will need to top up their Bee Card. The cash fare is $3 in Dunedin and $4 in Queenstown. Learn more about the Bee Card.
Check out this 'How to catch the bus’ guide with lots of information about catching the bus and planning your journey.
Find the latest timetable information for Dunedin and Queenstown.
Please note: demand is always high at this time of year with the return to work, tertiary institutions, and schools. Please be patient and plan ahead, as buses are likely to fill up quickly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why is Mediterranean fanworm a pest?
Mediterranean fanworms can form dense underwater beds of up to 1000 individuals per square metre, outcompeting native species for food and space. They can also threaten commercially and culturally important kaimoana species, such as kuku/kūtai (mussels), tio (oysters) and tipa/tupa (scallops).
What does it look like?
Size: Generally 10–50 centimetres, but can grow up to 80 centimetres on occasion.
Appearance: Tubes are leathery and flexible with a muddy appearance. A prominent spiral crown of feeding tentacles extend out of the tube.
Distinctive features: A single large spiral of feeding tentacles, often banded in bright colours, such as orange, purple or white.
Habitat: It attaches to a wide variety of hard surfaces, including rocks, wood, steel, concrete, shellfish and artificial materials, but can also be buried up to 10 centimetres deep in soft substances.
|
|
|
|
|
Mediterranean fanworm
PHOTO: NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL
|
|
|
What should I do if I spot it?
ORC is currently developing a marine biosecurity programme and needs to obtain more information on species distributions before pursuing management options.
If you think you have spotted Mediterranean fanworm, please let us know.
Learn more about how to spot Mediterranean fanworm on our Pest Hub.
|
|
|
|
Trash travels — don’t let it reach our waterways
|
|
|
|
|
ORC Catchment Advisor Janice (left) and Biosecurity Advisor Nadika (right) with a couple of the Tomohaka / Tomahawk locals who have ‘adopted’ a drain in their neighbourhood
|
|
|
This month, the Adopt a Drain team is focusing on keeping rubbish out of stormwater drains.
Rubbish that ends up on our streets doesn’t just stay there. When it rains, items like bottle caps, cigarette butts and plastic debris can wash into stormwater drains and flow straight into our lakes, rivers, wetlands and the sea.
When rubbish reaches the water, it not only spoils the view, it also causes problems for freshwater and marine life. Taoka (treasured) species, such as tuna kuwharuwharu / longfin eel or pūteketeke / Australasian crested grebes, can mistake rubbish for food, which can be fatal.
By keeping rubbish out of stormwater drains, we’re helping to protect Otago’s wildlife and the health of our waterways.
A stormwater reminder
Stormwater isn’t pure rainwater. As it flows over the ground and paved areas towards a drain, it picks up pollutants. Whatever goes down a storm drain, whether poured in intentionally or washed down with rainwater, enters our waterways untreated.
Small actions can go a long way:
-
Dispose of rubbish properly and pick up stray items when you can
-
Secure kerbside recycling and rubbish bins — make sure lids are firmly closed and rubbish is bagged, not loose
-
Stay extra mindful on windy days — don’t let your beach picnic become a trash storm!
-
Safely sweep up gutters, driveways and footpaths to prevent debris washing into drains
-
Cover trailer and ute loads when transporting waste
-
Choose reusable items to reduce single-use consumption.
Get more ‘Only Drain Rain’ tips.
Go the extra mile with our Adopt a Drain programme!
Ready to take a more hands-on role in caring for local waterways? Our Adopt a Drain programme is an easy, community-driven initiative centred around preventing stormwater pollution from the comfort of your own neighbourhood, school, or place of work. At the end of an Adopt a Drain session, an ORC metal fish is installed on a chosen stormwater drain — free of charge!
To sign up or express interest, email catchments@orc.govt.nz — we’d love to hear from you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This metal fish installed beside an ‘adopted’ drain reminds people to only drain rain
|
|
|
|
|
Find out about upcoming community events and Council meetings here.
|
|
|
Feel free to forward this email to anyone who might like to read it. If you have any story ideas or want to know anything specific about anything in this issue, let us know by emailing onstream@orc.govt.nz
If you have been forwarded this email, you can sign up here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
