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Kia ora and welcome to our June issue!
In this issue: we’ll be rabbiting on about ways to manage pests at community drop-ins around the region this month as part of our review of the Regional Pest Management Plan. Don’t clam up, join the discussion!
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Get involved! Help shape Otago’s new pest plan.
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Earlier this year, we had over 900 responses to our survey asking which pests worry you the most.
Now it’s time to dive a bit deeper and look at ways to manage the pests that are top of your list. Whether in person or online, tell us what you think and help shape Otago’s new pest management plan.
Upcoming drop-in sessions:
Wānaka | Monday, 22 June, 3–6pm | Wānaka Community Hub meeting room
Ōamaru | Tuesday, 23 June, 3–6pm | Scottish Hall
Alexandra | Wednesday, 1 July, 3–6pm | Alexandra Community House
Queenstown | Thursday, 2 July, 1–4pm | Queenstown Events Centre
Ranfurly | Monday, 6 July, 3–6pm | Māniatoto Park Stadium and Rugby Clubrooms
Can’t make it to a drop-in? Tune in to our online session: Tuesday, 30 June, 7pm.
Feedback closes 8 July.
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Ōamaru drop-in session: new Muddy Creek Flood Study findings
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Ōamaru North residents are invited to meet Otago Regional Council (ORC) and Waitaki District Council (WDC) staff this month to learn more about the findings of the recent Muddy Creek Flood Study completed by ORC.
Manager Natural Hazards, Dr Jean-Luc Payan, says the study improves understanding of where flooding may occur for a range of flood scenarios and helps answer community questions about flooding in the area.
Come along to a public drop-in to find out more:
25 June 2026 | 3.30–7.30pm
Function Room B1 (upstairs), Network Waitaki Event Centre, 2 Centennial Park Road, Ōamaru North
Community members are welcome to attend at any time during the session and stay for as long as they like.
At the drop-in, you can:
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learn more about flooding in the Ōamaru North area and what the new flood information means for the area
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ask questions about the study and updated flood information
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hear about next steps and future planning processes
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get information on general emergency preparedness.
The community can talk with ORC’s Natural Hazards team about the new flood information, as well as WDC’s Planning staff about how the information may be used in future planning processes.
The new information can be used to:
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improve understanding of Muddy Creek flooding in the Ōamaru North area
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support future preparedness, planning and community resilience
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identify areas where further detailed study may be needed to support planning or development
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inform future planning to implement the National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards 2025.
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Muddy Creek and the study area
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Getting ready for bird flu
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The highly pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 strain, a type of bird flu, is a highly contagious disease that affects birds and can also infect some mammals. While H5N1 has not been detected in New Zealand, it could arrive here via migratory wild birds.
The Ministry for Primary Industries is leading New Zealand's preparedness for H5N1, while ORC is preparing to support communities with information and guidance if the virus is detected.
If you see three or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, or a sick or dead marine mammal, do not touch or move them. Report the sighting to the Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 with as much location detail as possible.
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New Contour Channel progressing
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One of the new bridges complete
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An upgrade of flood protection in West Taieri is progressing, with a $9 million redevelopment of West Taieri Contour Channel flood protection moving closer to completion.
Work involves reconstruction of a 6.5-kilometre section of floodbank near Outram to improve floodbank resilience and provide ongoing protection for critical infrastructure, the community and farming activities in the West Taieri area.
The project is funded by the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund and Otago Regional Council, $5.4 million and $3.6 million respectively.
The Contour Channel in West Taieri is a very important structure, providing flood protection to the people and property of West Taieri, including the township of Outram, 7,300 hectares of highly productive agricultural land, Dunedin International Airport and State Highway 87.
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The Contour Channel and the area it will protect
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What the work involves
The work includes the reconstruction of the floodbank from Miller Road to Woodside Road, approximately 6.5 kilometres, and requires approximately 57,000 cubic metres of material to construct – enough to fill an Olympic-sized pool around 23 times!
The floodbank is made from locally sourced fill material with a new filter fabric layer inside to increase its performance. The project includes the replacement of up to three bridges, so it’s a huge piece of work.
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Installing the filter layer
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The project is making good progress and is on track to be finished by December 2027. Crews will take a break over winter and resume later this year as ground conditions improve. When it’s completed, the upgraded floodbank will help the area better withstand and recover from flooding.
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Catching the bus safely in winter
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Now the cold weather has really kicked in, our bus operators are regularly assessing road and driving conditions and informing us of delays, changes and cancellations, which we then share via regular bus alerts.
You can also track your ride and plan your trip with the Transit app, which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play and easy to use. Download the Transit app for free.
Please take care while walking to and from your bus stop. Here’s some tips:
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If it’s dark at your stop – use your phone screen to wave down the driver.
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Roads and footpaths may be slippery – don’t rush to your stop; leave a few minutes earlier.
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Put down your phone – look where you’re going.
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Get a grip – avoid shoes with slippery soles.
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Plankton checks help us spot banned clam
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Sinéad (left) and Anna carry out freshwater checks in some rather lovely places
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Using a specialised net, Sinéad and Anna from our Biosecurity team have been out collecting freshwater plankton, microscopic free-floating plants and animals, across some of our region’s most beautiful waterbodies.
We have been sampling for these tiny critters to keep an eye out for the larvae of the invasive freshwater clam (Corbicula). While the clam has so far only been found in the North Island, we’re working to spot any sign of it as early as possible to ensure that, if it is found in Otago, we can take action promptly.
One single clam can release up to 70,000 larvae into the water every year. Before the larvae settle in the sediment, they float freely in the water, which is where our sampling method gives us a chance to detect them early. This is important because if they become established, the clams can clog water infrastructure and have negative impacts on species in our waterways.
This work is coordinated by Biosecurity New Zealand and is being carried out across other regions as well. Invasive freshwater clams spread mainly through larvae that hitchhike on wet gear and equipment, so whenever you move your gear (including boats, paddleboards and jet skis) between our lakes and rivers, make sure you check, clean and dry to prevent the spread of freshwater pests.
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Volunteers from Queen’s High School with Oscar the border collie
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Tomahawk Smaills Beachcare Trust are full steam ahead with their project ‘Growing Habitat for NZ Sea Lions’.
There are also lots of wonderful people helping with planting in the dunes of Tomahawk, and we are stoked to be supporting too, through our ECO Fund.
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Oscar ‘supervising’ the planting
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Why is rough horsetail a pest?
Rough horsetail spreads aggressively through its deep, extensive rhizome (fleshy underground stem) system and spores, making it very hard to control or eradicate. It thrives in a wide range of soil types and conditions, often outcompeting crops and desirable vegetation. It can threaten the biodiversity of wetlands and waterway edges.
Its resilience to many herbicides and its ability to regrow from even small root fragments make it persistent and costly to control.
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What does it look like?
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Size: Can grow up to 1.2 metres high.
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Leaves: There are no leaves, but reed stems, which can create large stands. The stems are hollow and have coloured ribbed bands.
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Flowers: It does not produce flowers. Instead, spores are concentrated at the tip of the stem on an asparagus-like head.
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Root system: Rhizomes can grow to 1 metre deep.
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Habitat: Includes forest margins, riparian margins (land that runs alongside a waterway, such as a river, stream, lake or wetland) and ponds.
What should I do?
Do not attempt to undertake control of rough horsetail yourself. If you think you have found it, please let us know by reporting it.
Learn more about how to spot rough horsetail on our Pest Hub.
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Guide to minimising farm waste
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Farm waste is part of everyday farm life, from silage and bale wrap to scrap metal, wire, timber and tyres. Managing it well not only reduces environmental impact, it helps protect soils and waterways and keeps your farm safer.
To support this, we’ve created new guidance for Otago communities, catchment groups and farmers. Because options differ across the region, one of the most effective steps is developing a local waste minimisation guide so everyone knows where materials can be reused, recycled or safely disposed of within your local area.
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Living landscape hosts teacher hui
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Teachers learn about the biodiversity of the muddy shore with the Marine Studies Centre
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What an inspiring day for the Ōtepoti Dunedin Enviroschools Teacher Hui bus trip around the stunning Otago Peninsula!
Teachers from across Ōtepoti came together to connect, learn and explore some of the incredible environmental, cultural, and community initiatives happening right on our doorstep. From coastal ecosystems and biodiversity projects to local stories of kaitiakitaka, the day was filled with rich learning and meaningful conversations.
This hui encouraged kaiako/teachers to see more of the Otago Peninsula as part of our wider Ōtepoti Dunedin living landscape, an important concept in Enviroschools. Habitats are places to live; the Earth provides habitats for an incredible array of microscopic life, insects, plants and animals, which make up our ‘biodiversity’ – the variety of life. We humans have a tendency to impose our structures and lifestyles on the environment; instead, we need to adapt to our surroundings and tread more lightly.
A huge thank you to our tour guide, Hoani Langsbury, and everyone from the NZ Sea Lion Trust, Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust, Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, Save the Otago Peninsula, the NZ Marine Studies Centre and The OPERA (Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance) who shared their knowledge, passion, and commitment to caring for people and place. These opportunities help strengthen connections between schools, communities and the environments we learn from every day.
We loved seeing kaiako gathering ideas, building relationships and returning to their kura/school inspired to support ākoka/students in taking action for a more sustainable future.
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The group at Smaills Beach
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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
If you have been forwarded this email, you can sign up here.
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