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Welcome to the August edition of On Stream.
In this issue, all the rain has got us thinking about flood protection, plus, we’re a fan of new funding for hill country erosion control AND we meet the Sir Ed Hillary of galaxiids. So, strap on your crampons and read on!
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A look at ORC’s flood protection schemes
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The Lower Taieri Flood Protection Scheme near the Outram Bridge in November 2018
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Otago’s communities and livelihoods are built around our beautiful waterways; however, some of our low-lying geography and proximity to these waterways makes us prone to the way in which they naturally respond to rainfall and snow conditions.
In addition to monitoring and responding to flood events when they do occur, ORC undertakes a large programme of work to maintain flood protection infrastructure and river corridors across Otago.
ORC owns and maintains three flood protection schemes, three drainage schemes, and a combined flood and drainage scheme, and works alongside Environment Canterbury in the part ownership and maintenance of the Lower Waitaki River Control Scheme.
The drainage schemes work to ensure low-lying productive land remains viable for use, while our flood schemes work in addition to this to help mitigate the risk of flooding that would otherwise impact our day-to-day lives – affecting our homes, businesses and supporting infrastructure such as transport networks (road, rail, air) and other essential services (water, wastewater, telecommunications, power).
We work hard in between flood events to ensure that our flood protection infrastructure, drainage networks and river corridors are well maintained, resilient, and capable of performing when the rain and snow inevitably arrive.
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The Lower Clutha Flood Protection and Drainage Scheme during 2020 flooding
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Save the date!
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It’s your water, our future, and now is when we can make a plan for it — together.
Our draft Land and Water Regional Plan drop-in/online discussions are happening soon.
Drop-in locations:
Ōamaru Weston Hall — 18 September
Dunedin Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Auditorium — 19 September
Ōwaka Owaka Memorial Community Centre — 4 October
Balclutha Cross Recreation Centre — 5 October
Ranfurly Maniototo Golf Club — 9 October (midday)
Mosgiel Coronation Hall — 9 October (evening)
Wānaka Lake Wānaka Centre, Armstrong Room — 16 October
Cromwell Cromwell & Districts Presbyterian Church, Auditorium — 17 October
Millers Flat Millers Flat Hall — 18 October
Ōmakau Ophir Hall — 27 October
Online discussions:
Region wide Online — 6 October
Queenstown Online — 10 October
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for further updates and information.
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Ask an ORC Scientist
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Even a hoar frost can’t stop science!
Pete uses an electric fishing machine to check galaxiid numbers in Thomson’s Creek
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This month, we talk to freshwater scientist Pete Ravenscroft.
Pete, our biodiversity team leader, is a hunter and fisher who has been with ORC for eight years.
An ecologist specialising in native fish, he spent 28 years with DOC and was heavily involved in the earliest research into our rare galaxiid species.
What is a galaxiid?
Galaxiids are split into two groups: non-migratory and migratory. The whitebait fishery here in Otago is centred around four diadromous species (meaning they can move between salt water and fresh water), with the most common whitebait being the īnaka, which is a poor swimmer and therefore doesn’t travel too far inland.
Banded and giant kōkopu are more coastal, while the kōaro (both migratory and non-migratory) is the Ed Hillary of galaxiids, with the ability to climb 70-metre waterfalls. It has formed populations in many lakes, such as Hāwea, Wānaka and Whakatipu.
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The Ed Hillary of galaxiids, the kōaro
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Non-migratory galaxiids live their lives within the confines of creeks. Prior to DNA testing, people tended to lump them into one species: the Common River galaxias. There are now up to 13 lineages and counting, many of these endemic to Otago, some found in a single catchment.
Think a waterfall-climbing fish is amazing? Did you know we need kōaro to have freshwater mussels? The mussel spat (baby mussels) are carried in their gills – it’s a parasitic relationship, but this isn’t a judging place.
Pete’s favourite native fish is the dusky galaxias: “It’s such a unique fish; they can live for 30 years. For a little fish of 150mm, that’s a long life cycle.”
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The dusky galaxias, a tiny methuselah
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How did we get so many different species?
We have some epic volcanic activity to thank for the many and varied species of galaxiids in Otago. Otago’s land mass is really old compared to the rest of New Zealand. Millions of years ago, what would become Otago’s mountains rose up, trapping lakes and rivers and the different species of fish into their own geographic areas.
For a fish that’s basically been around since the dinosaurs, it’s sad to report that in the space of the last 30 years we’ve lost 50-60% of the entire population. And it’s not like they ask for much — the Teviot flathead, for example, occupies less than a hectare of habitat across its entire range.
We work with landowners actively trying to protect the fish.
“Farmers say, ‘These fish have been here for as long and even longer than my family has, we need to look after them.’ The Kyeburn farmers are also a great example, doing things like retiring land and creating management plans.”
The Kyeburn is the last stronghold of the Central Otago Roundhead galaxias, which is why taking the trout out is one of the actions taking place: “because big fish eat little fish.”
Why are galaxiids worth saving?
“These fish are endemic to Otago, found here and nowhere else in the world. If we allow these things to go extinct, there’s something wrong with us as a species.”
Do you have a question for Pete about Otago’s native fish species? Email askascientist@orc.govt.nz.
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Groundwater monitoring network expands
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Drilling equipment at first site in the Maniototo Basin
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If you live in the Maniototo area, you may have spotted a big rig, like the one above, drilling in your neighbourhood. This work has been part of ORC’s region-wide upgrade to its groundwater State of the Environment monitoring network.
The Maniototo aquifer is one of Otago’s largest aquifers by area, and yet it is one we know the least about.
Only two shallow bores currently monitor this aquifer, but six sites in the Maniototo Basin have been identified for 11 additional bores that will provide our scientists with a more accurate picture of water levels and quality across the Maniototo.
At each site, a shallow bore is being drilled to monitor near-surface groundwater, while a second bore will target the deeper part of the aquifer. These new bores will expand and upgrade the current monitoring network, allowing us to learn more about Maniototo groundwater, and should be completed in September.
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Looking to get the jump on rabbits?
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We’ve made a series of videos packed with helpful information about fencing, fumigation and the correct use of Pindone pellets.
Read about how we can help you and watch our videos here.
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Who do we love?
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Annie Cervelli (left) and Megan Davies (right) from the Hidden Hills Residents Association
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The Hidden Hills Residents Association are a marvellous bunch of residents banding together to tackle the rabbit problem in Hidden Hills, Wānaka.
Successful ECO Fund Rabbit Incentives recipients, the group have completed their fencing project and are now starting to manage resident rabbits with a long-term, sustainable management approach.
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Groups join forces for Lake Hāwea
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Major players in Lake Hāwea environmental management are joining forces to strengthen their impact in the area.
The Lake Hāwea Stakeholder Group (LHSG) includes a broad spectrum of members who share the goal of improving the Lake Hāwea environment for future generations.
The group, initiated by local farmers in the Lake Hāwea Catchment Group, was supported by the Guardians of Lake Hāwea and includes Otago Regional Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Land Information New Zealand, Contact Energy and WAI Wānaka.
Group Chairperson Richard Burdon, of Glen Dene Station and The Camp, says “Having all these organisations connected and aware of what each other are doing will improve the way we work for our environment. Sharing knowledge and resources will make our environmental efforts a lot more effective.”
The group will initially focus on ways to optimise resources and outcomes and intend to create an action plan for biodiversity, biosecurity and water quality outcomes, and advocate for research into best practice methods for protecting water quality and ecosystem function specific to Lake Hāwea and its outstanding alpine environment.
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Funds to help Otago combat hill country erosion
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Hill country erosion slips near Waihemo
SOURCE: GOOGLE, MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES, AIRBUS
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With climate change events becoming fiercer and more frequent, and the effects felt much further downstream, especially in terms of infrastructure damage caused by slips and landslides, it’s welcome news that a Government funding boost will help hill country erosion control in Otago.
The overall focus of MPI’s Hill Country Erosion Programme is improving water quality and enhancing long-term sustainable land use. ORC’s $429, 537 share of $25 million total funding will go towards capacity building, prioritisation and rehabilitation.
The first step is to work out where the priorities are for us to engage and help farmers develop erosion control plans, which will include planting the right vegetation to mitigate erosion. Tree-mendous!
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Pest of the Month: Spartina
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I am Spartina!
Spartina is a grass that forms thick clumps in estuarine environments and can cause a build-up of sediment. This can increase the risk of flooding and change the habitat for wading birds and other estuary plants and animals.
Spartina is fast growing and commonly 1m in height with stiff, upright stems originating from thick rhizomes. The stems have broad, pointed leaves from their base to the top, where several long fingers contain the seed.
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Think you’ve seen Spartina in Otago? Let us know by calling us on 0800 474 082 or emailing biosecurity@orc.govt.nz.
Visit our Pest Hub for more information.
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Tarras students dig into soil
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Tarras school students have been learning about what lives in their school grounds.
Lucy, their Enviroschools facilitator, got them thinking about what lives under their feet. The students identified the different types of soils they have at the school and what that means for the plants that grow in those spots.
They have big plans for planting more vegetables, fruit trees and native plants and are learning that to have healthy plants, they need healthy soil.
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Tarras students learning about soil
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Bus patronage on the up
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Bus curious? Get on board with the hot new trend that’s reducing emissions and the need to find a park.
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More than four million bus passengers across Dunedin and Queenstown took an Orbus service between July 2022 and June 2023.
This worked out to be nearly three million in Dunedin (2,797,300 passengers) and more than a million in Queenstown (1,252,982 passengers)!
Patronage numbers are up 18% in Dunedin, despite the reduced timetable that ran for six months. In Queenstown, patronage increased by 55% despite a reduced timetable running for eleven months. Dunedin returned to a full timetable on 1 February, while Queenstown returned to a full timetable in June.
When compared to pre-Covid data from 2018/19, bus patronage in Dunedin shows a 10% increase. The situation differs for Queenstown, which instead shows a 15% decrease over pre-Covid patronage numbers.
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ORC ABC
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R is for … Riparian
Riparian zones are the land beside a creek, river, lake or wetland.
Planting native grasses, sedges, flaxes, shrubs and/or trees in riparian zones
improves the health of Otago’s waterways by filtering nutrients before they reach the water, including nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria such as E. coli.
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Find out about monthly Otago Regional 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 lisa.scott@orc.govt.nz.
If you have been forwarded this email, you can sign up here.
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