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Our waterways support all life in Otago including rare galaxiid fish, the mahika kai we collect, the swimming holes we love, how we earn our living, and the water we drink. The health of some Otago waterways is excellent but others need improving.
Over the next two years we need your help to develop a new Land and Water Plan so all our waterways can be healthy and safe, from the mountains to the sea (ki uta ki tai). The Government’s goal is to improve water quality within one generation, and puts this responsibility with regional councils and communities. The time to start this journey together is now.
From November 2021 until the end of 2022, we’ll visit communities to seek your knowledge and views on local waterways. Your goals and preferences for local waterways, combined with the science we’ve collected and input from iwi, will guide how ORC proposes to manage water and land in your area.
The first freshwater management areas we will be visiting are Upper Lakes and Catlins, so if you live in these areas, keep any eye out for more details soon.
So, whether you're an angler, a swimmer, a farmer, a food gatherer, or you just love our waterways, we hope you'll come and tell us what you think should be in Otago’s new plan for looking after waterways and land. Find out more from 1 October at www.orc.govt.nz/LandWaterRP
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