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Kia ora and welcome to our May issue!
Inside . . . what’s hot: summer’s water quality results, what’s fresh: pastures, and who’s cool: a pair of Herbertian pest detectives.
Why wouldn’t you read on…?
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A summer of swimming: how did Otago’s waters measure up?
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Before you dipped your toe in Otago’s rivers, lakes, or beaches this summer, chances are ORC’s environmental monitoring team had already been there first.
Over summer, the team were out testing popular swimming spots across the region to make sure they were safe for people and whānau to enjoy. Between December and March, water quality was checked every week at 35 sites — including freshwater swimming holes and favourite coastal beaches.
Good news, results were overwhelmingly positive:
Out of 512 samples collected from 32 main swimming sites, only a small number showed elevated bacteria levels:
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3% of samples were temporarily unsafe, and health warnings were put in place.
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Another 3% had slightly higher bacteria levels, where swimmers were advised to take extra care.
Whenever results exceed safe levels, ORC works closely with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to share health warnings, so people know when it’s best to stay out of the water.
Keeping an eye on toxic algae
Alongside bacteria testing, ORC also monitored lakes and rivers for potentially toxic cyanobacteria (algae).
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Blooms were detected at Butchers Dam, Lake Waihola, and Upper Tomahawk Lagoon.
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Levels were high enough to trigger warnings, which stayed in place until conditions improved.
How do Otago’s sites stack up overall?
Looking at longer-term water quality:
A few locations continue to record more frequent high bacteria levels and are graded poor:
All monitoring results are published on the LAWA website, making it easy for swimmers to check conditions before heading out.
ORC will be back on the job again next summer — testing, tracking, and helping ensure Otago’s favourite swimming spots are safe to enjoy.
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Moving Day reminders for southern dairy farmers
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This Hereford/Friesian cross is unmoved
PHOTO: JULIE ASHER / ODT
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‘Moving Day’ is approaching and will take place over several weeks. It’s a long-standing tradition where dairy herds are moved between farm properties from 1 June every year.
Effluent from stock trucks can pose risks to road users and nearby waterways, so we’re urging farmers to stand off their animals for at least four to 12 hours before transport.
ORC, along with several local authorities, operates nine roadside effluent disposal sites across Otago. These include six sites on State Highway 1 between Pukeuri and Clinton, and three on inland highways at Raes Junction, Brassknocker Road and Tarras.
Farmers moving herds along roads should keep stock away from roadside drains to avoid disturbing soil and causing sediment and effluent to enter waterways.
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Roadside stock effluent disposal sites in Otago
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Standing off green feed
Cows should be stood off green feed for at least four, but no more than 12, hours before loading. This helps reduce the amount of effluent produced during transport.
For animal welfare reasons, DairyNZ recommends using a grazed-out paddock or stand-off pad rather than a concrete surface, which can lead to tender feet and is unsuitable for lying down.
For general enquiries, contact the ORC Environmental Implementation team catchment advisors on 0800 474 082 or email catchments@orc.govt.nz
Stock truck effluent spills into waterways can be reported to ORC’s Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033.
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The Government has signalled significant changes to how local government is structured across New Zealand, and that process is now moving forward.
While the detail of what this means for Otago is still taking shape, the Otago Regional Council is closely following developments and will engage fully as the picture becomes clearer. No decisions affecting our region have been made yet.
We're committed to working alongside Otago's councils through this process to make sure the functions that matter most to our communities — caring for our rivers, freshwater and land, managing our air, protecting against floods, emergencies and pests and weeds, and keeping people connected through public transport — are well understood and accounted for in any future planning.
Our focus in the meantime is on doing the work we've committed to doing. Our teams are delivering across the region, and that won't change while national conversations play out. We'll continue to keep our community informed as things develop.
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Saying ‘walla bye’ to wallabies in the Flagstaff area
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A wallaby — say ‘walla-bye’
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The Flagstaff wallaby operation has been making steady progress since October 2025, with our contractor intensively surveying over 5,200 hectares for wallabies through the City Forests, Silverstream and Swampy Summit areas to date.
Suspected wallaby sign has been picked up in two areas and is awaiting verification. If confirmed, further work will be done in these areas to locate and remove any wallabies present. A survey of the Leith Valley area is due to start mid-May, followed by the Waitati Valley in June. Our contractor will contact Leith Valley residents to arrange access permission where needed.
Since 2011, there have been 22 reported Bennett’s wallaby sightings in the Dunedin area. A detailed search of the area in 2022 found wallaby scat at numerous locations across the Flagstaff area, including Silverstream, Whare Flat and Swampy Summit. In response to the continued presence of this pest, ORC has engaged High Country Contracting to undertake surveillance and control in the area.
The operation is expected to be completed by August 2026. However, there may be the need for some flexibility if there is a need to revisit ‘hotspot’ areas of wallaby activity.
See more information about this operation and why wallabies are pests.
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The area covered by the Flagstaff wallaby operation
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Our Dunedin offices have moved
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The foyer / customer support area in Aonui, ORC’s Dunedin office
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Otago Regional Council’s Dunedin-based teams are now together under one roof at their relocated office at 180 High Street in Dunedin, improving collaboration and making it easier for the public to access council services.
The central city location offers customer support for all enquiries, including Orbus services, along with dedicated on-site and accessible parking. Importantly, ORC’s other offices, depots and services across the region remain unchanged.
The building, owned and redeveloped by Port Otago, has been designed in partnership with mana whenua, with cultural elements developed alongside Aukaha and artworks by Kāi Tahu artists featured throughout.
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The entranceway into Aonui has easy access and customer parking
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The move brings staff into a modern, fit-for-purpose workspace that supports better ways of working, and the team looks forward to welcoming the community.
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Nika and Sue from ORC’s customer support team are ready to welcome you to Aonui
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New strategy aims to improve access and connectivity
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Bus passengers in Ōtepoti Dunedin
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ORC will start working on a Public and Active Connectivity Strategy for Otago later this year.
The strategy aims to connect up existing cycling and walking opportunities with our public transport network, to service a wider range of journeys and people. With over 500 kilometres of walking and cycling networks between Queenstown and Dunedin, there are great opportunities to improve access to public transport and create additional connections.
With a hilly region that lends itself to a combination of walking or cycling and public transport (for those of us who walk or bike downhill to work and bus back up the hill), the strategy will centre on improving connectivity and access to existing public transport services and active transport networks.
ORC will work with territorial authorities and key stakeholders to identify opportunities for improved connections, infrastructure and knowledge sharing.
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African feather grass control work to begin after incursion
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“I thought the plant was quite unusual,” says Herbert resident Elizabeth King, who discovered the pest in the Waianakarua area and reported it.
“So I took a photograph and sent it to my daughter Tilly, as I was keen to get it identified. She was pretty sure it was African feather grass, knew it was not meant to be in Otago and sent me a link to the Otago Regional Council website.
“ORC responded very quickly, did a site visit, had it officially identified, and have made a plan for removal. They also held a meeting with the community. Their response has been swift and amazing. We are hoping now they can remove it successfully without it spreading.
“The Waianakarua River is a beautiful river which we need to look after. We are really lucky Tilly knows her plants, as I could easily have picked and spread the seeds!”
Portfolio lead Andrew Noone says, “We are grateful to both Tilly and Elizabeth for acting as pest detectives and reporting this incursion, meaning we can carry out control work to stop this pest spreading further.”
What happens now? Seed heads have been removed, and the team has engaged a contractor to undertake the control works. Initial herbicide spray treatment will start shortly, with secondary spray treatment in September and further spot spraying as needed from 2027 until 2029.
Funnily enough, African feather grass is May’s pest of the month! Spooky.
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Why is African feather grass a pest?
African feather grass produces large amounts of seeds that are carried by wind and water or caught in animal hair and clothing by their barbed bristles. It also spreads when its rhizomes (underground fleshy stems) are moved by machinery, cultivation, or dumped plant material and soil. This plant can spread quickly, crowding out other low-growing plant species. It can also impact our production and economic values.
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What does it look like?
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Size: African feather grass is a tussocky grass that forms thick clumps up to 2 metres high.
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Leaves: Whitish green on top, ribbed, and dark green underneath. The leaf edges feel rough when touched, and the casing is covered in hairs.
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Flowers/seeds: The flowers form a long, thin, straw-yellow-coloured spike, sometimes with a purplish tinge. The seeds have bristles that allow them to easily attach to clothing, animal hair or wool.
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Root system: African feather grass produces lengthy, fibre-like roots and stems that will form new shoots.
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Habitat: Includes open areas, shrubland, grassland, coastal areas, cliffs, riparian margins, gravel beds, wasteland, and roadsides.
What should I do?
Do not attempt to undertake control of African feather grass yourself. If you think you have found it, please let us know by reporting it.
Learn more about how to spot African feather grass on our Pest Hub.
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We are reviewing our regional pest management plan, kicking off with an online survey asking which pests worry you the most. With over 500 responses collected so far, the top ten pests are:
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Rabbits
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Feral cats
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Possums
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Pest pines
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Mustelids
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Rats
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Sycamores
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Deer
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Feral pigs
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Willows
Is this YOUR top ten? Have your say at orc.govt.nz/whichpest before 29 May.
We’ll be holding drop-in sessions around the region in June, too, so stay tuned for more detail about that. The new pest plan is expected to be all go in 2028.
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On the lookout for fanworm
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Divers hunt for Mediterranean fanworm in Ōamaru Harbour
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Ōamaru folk might have spotted our divers in the harbour recently. We were there checking for the highly invasive Mediterranean fanworm.
This fast-growing marine pest can form massive colonies, clogging up our beautiful marinas and smothering native life. It spreads by hitching rides on boat hulls, moving from harbour to harbour.
Mediterranean fanworm was found in Dunedin’s harbour in August 2024. Luckily, an additional search showed no further spread outside of that first site. Now we’re doing routine checks around the coastline. Our dive contractors spent two days checking Holmes Wharf, boat hulls and underwater structures, and no traces of Mediterranean fanworm were found.
What should you do if you spot this pest?
Report it asap: orc.govt.nz/reportpests
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Mediterranean fanworm on a boat hull
PHOTO: BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL COUNCIL
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Mediterranean fanworm
PHOTO: CSIRO
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A study in green: Students for Environmental Action’s glorious garden on the corner of Forth and Dundas streets
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Students for Environmental Action (SEA) is a University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka club that runs throughout the academic year, bringing together students who care for the environment and volunteering with community groups around Ōtepoti Dunedin.
They are a modest club in terms of numbers, but just one of many that lead the environmental movement on campus.
What makes SEA unique is their garden. It serves as a study area and chill space – and produces a decent amount of food. Meeting every Sunday, anybody is welcome to come along and enjoy the sun. The garden is open to the public, so if you’re ever on the corner of Forth and Dundas streets, feel free to drop by!
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. . . Otago has over 1100 species of butterflies and moths?
They belong to a group of winged insects known as Lepidoptera or lepidopterans (meaning ‘scaly winged’). Each butterfly or moth wing is covered by thousands of tiny scales.
Fun facts: butterflies taste with their feet, they cannot chew and a group of them is called a kaleidoscope!
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Wanted: good eggs who care about their local environment
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The Clutha River/Mata-Au at Kaitangata
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We are developing action plans for two Clutha River/Mata-Au catchments, and we’re asking people to put in an expression of interest so we can form two groups to develop each of them.
The areas are:
1. Inland Mata-Au/Clutha, which extends from the Nevis and Lindis to Dunstan, Ida Valley and Manuherekia to Alexandra and through Roxburgh to Millers Flat. Find out more about the Inland Mata-Au/Clutha action plan.
2. Lower Mata-Au/Clutha, which extends from the Pomahaka to Clinton and Balclutha, from Beaumont to Milton and along the coast from Mata-Au/Clutha Mouth to Toko Mouth and up to Taiari/Taieri Mouth. Find out more about the Lower Mata-Au/Clutha action plan.
If you care about good environmental outcomes for your area and think you’d be an asset to either of these groups, get involved!
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Queenstown Primary students get hands-on for wetland restoration
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Queenstown Primary School students using water clarity tubes
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Last year, Queenstown Primary School and Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, in collaboration with Queenstown Lakes District Council, began their restoration project for the Matakauri Wetland, located at the north end of Gorge Road.
Having started in the spring of 2025, the Year 5–6 students have just completed another two-day session. The Conservation Curiosity Collective (C3), who featured in On Stream in March (because they are awesome), has been facilitating hands-on sessions to build students’ knowledge and skills.
In working towards the vision of the wetland as a thriving source of life and opportunity for students to foster a passion for nature, the C3 group’s sessions included predator monitoring and control, riparian planting and conducting stream health assessments. They also managed to plant 450 trees during the two sessions! Every six months, students will visit the wetland for workshops to collect data for their ecosystem monitoring records.
The Enviroschools programme encourages student-led action with restoration projects such as this, building student curiosity and empowerment. By forming connections with their communities, these kaitiaki can take action for their local environment.
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Nicky Gray (Queenstown Enviroschools Facilitator) talking to the students about where the water in Horne Creek, running through the Matakauri Wetland, comes from
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Students looking at the macroinvertebrates found in Horne Creek
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Find out about upcoming community events and Council meetings here.
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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
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