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Above: photos taken after heavy rain inundated parts of Otago earlier this month. Clockwise from top left: flooding at Lake Tuakitoto; the Emergency Coordination Centre team at a briefing during the recent flooding event, a slip on an Otago Peninsula road; heli-gauging to monitor river flow; flooding affected Clutha and the Taieri.
When there is a significant weather event like the recent flooding, ORC staff respond as part of Emergency Management Otago to coordinate responses, personnel and equipment, and keep the public updated about what is happening. You can stay informed during a weather event by following Emergency Management Otago’s Facebook page and checking their website.
Kia ora! Welcome to On Stream for Ōketopa/October.
This month, there’s never been a better time to talk about preventing hill country erosion; we wade in at an Enviroschools Day, and find out what’s happening with our proposed land and water plan.
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Talking hill country erosion with Murray Harris
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Murray Harris, advisor to the hill country erosion project
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A familiar face to many, Murray Harris has 40+ years’ experience in erosion. “I’m completely eroding,” he jokes.
Murray can read a hillside in a glance and pick out its features. We filmed a video with him recently to promote our hill country erosion project (mapping and identifying erosion-prone spots in our region) – you can watch it here. You can get in touch with ORC programme lead Alison Turner to find out more and get involved.
After the recent flooding, we all realise the importance of protecting Otago’s hillside country from erosion. Many landowners have damage to their land, fences, farm tracks and other infrastructure from slips and erosion after this event. The relationship of steep slopes, geology/soils, loss of tree support and rainfall exceeding 40-50 mm means there are potential risks to some erosion-prone places.
Murray looks for key indicators: soil colour, depth of topsoil, supersaturation (i.e. poor drainage), active sub-surface springs, heavy clay texture, vegetation (such as rushes), and fencelines (are they straight). He also tracks and detects other landscape features by looking at old photos.
There are a range of tools available to address erosion, but ORC’s programme focuses on retiring land from grazing, fencing, and planting the right tree — poplars have a place, a range of native plants can assist with reducing erosion, and forestry options can help with erosion control on some sites.
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Murray with programme lead Alison Turner at a property near Dunedin
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Ōtepoti Primary Hui, the Great Southern BioBlitz
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Students from Waikouaiti School rocking the hi-vis at the Ōtepoti primary hui
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The Ōtepoti Enviroschools Year 4–6 Hui was an absolute blast this year!
The Ōtepoti Dunedin Enviroschools team celebrated the Great Southern Bioblitz at Tomahawk Beach and lagoon recently. Students from 10 schools in Ōtepoti and Clutha looked closely at all that is living in the rock pools, sand dunes and fresh water as well as on the land.
A team of experts talked about the importance of biodiversity — how every living thing plays a part on this interconnected Earth — and students thought about how they could encourage biodiversity.
Ōtākou Enviroschools were very humbled to work with experts across Ōtepoti, including:
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Department of Marine Science | Te Tari Pūtaiao Taimoana (University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka), through the NZ Marine Studies Centre
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Orokonui Ecosanctuary — Te Korowaio Mihiwaka
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University of Otago’s Department of Zoology | Te Tari Mātai Kararehe
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Botanical Society of Dunedin
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Otago Regional Council
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South Dunedin Poet Lorikeet Jenny Powell, with City of Literature Dunedin
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Pam McKinlay.
The support that Enviroschools' action receives from our environmental education community is unbelievable. It enriches our schools' sustainability journeys and strengthens our voice as advocates for the living world.
Kā mihi nui to all who attended and supported the event.
Want to get in touch? Contact Leisa.deKlerk@orc.govt.nz
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When your waders match the reeds: Catchment Advisor Janice Huang blends in at Tomahawk Lagoon
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Janice and Enviroschools Coordinator Leisa de Klerk at the hui facilitated by the Ōtepoti Enviroschools team from Dunedin City Council
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Proposed Land and Water Regional Plan
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At a Council meeting on Wednesday, 23 October, Otago regional councillors did not vote on whether to notify or pause its proposed Land and Water Regional Plan, following the announcement of Government’s pending legislative change.
Council will now work with Government to develop the new national direction on freshwater before notification of ORC's plan can happen.
A big thank you to the thousands of people involved over the past almost-five years in helping draft the plan, from attendance at public meetings and giving feedback, to our partnership with mana whenua on the journey and the wide variety of rural and urban industry groups who got involved.
For people with consents, there will be no change, but if you have questions, you can email consent.enquiries@orc.govt.nz.
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Another Dunstan ward councillor — update on representation review
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In a representation review on the number of ORC councillors for the region, Council has voted for one extra councillor for its Dunstan ward, with one less in Dunedin.
The change was prompted by population growth in the ORC’s Dunstan ward — largely Central Otago environs. The final proposal is to drop one of Dunedin’s six councillors and boost Dunstan’s representation from three to four.
Every six years, all councils are required to review their representation arrangements, including how many councillors there are and the areas they represent.
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Do you know how to cross a bar safely?
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Otago Regional Council Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook
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Bar crossing? Otago Regional Council Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook wants to make sure you do so safely.
“Always do your preparation,” says Mr Rushbrook. “Every bar can be dangerous, so plan your crossing. Check the maritime forecast, never cross at low tide, and if you can, have a chat with the locals about the best place to cross, and always let people know your intentions. If in doubt, don’t go out.”
The Harbourmaster’s advice comes as the recreational boating season in Aotearoa New Zealand gets underway. There have been several bar crossing fatalities in 2024 already, and with the holiday season fast approaching and thousands of people preparing to head to Otago’s coastal waters, harbours, lakes and rivers, this year’s summer safety campaign is focused on knowing your stuff and checking your gear.
Mr Rushbrook says signage has also been employed to reinforce the importance of care around bar crossing.
“Otago Regional Council has recently updated signage at Taieri Mouth and Karitāne for bar crossing safety, and further signage will be placed at Ōwaka.”
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An updated sign at Taieri Mouth has key information to consider before crossing the bar
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“Whether you’re a boatie planning to cross a bar or a keen paddleboarder or kayaker heading out on an Otago lake or river, whatever you like to do, take the time to do a thorough check of your vessel and all your gear before you head off,” says Mr Rushbrook.
“Before going out, prep your boat, safety and communication equipment — check the weather.
“No matter if you’re on a power boat, jet ski or kayak, remembering the boating safety code is integral.”
The Boating Safety Code reinforces five key messages:
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Wear your lifejacket
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Take two waterproof ways to call for help
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Check the marine weather forecast
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Avoid alcohol – booze and boats don’t mix
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Be a responsible skipper
Whatever your level of experience, the ORC Harbourmaster team has made a series of videos containing some great advice to keep you safe. Watch them here.
Follow the ORC Harbourmaster team on Facebook to keep up to date with events in your area. Visit the Harbourmaster web page for other helpful information for boaties.
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Members of yo.eco with MP Chlöe Swarbrick
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The Young Environmental Collective (yo.eco) is a passionate and dedicated team of 18–35-year-olds based in Upper Clutha.
Their mission is to engage, support, and empower the 18-35 demographic for positive environmental outcomes. Since their establishment in 2022, they have successfully organised community events focused on sustainability, politics, and empowering change through the voices of young local leaders.
The group has actively participated in local and national submissions, addressing issues such as local developments threatening native fish species and the fast-track bill. Additionally, they serve as connectors and communicators for other local environmental groups, linking their demographic with volunteer opportunities and highlighting significant local environmental issues that often get overlooked or missed by the busy lives of 18–35-year-olds.
To find out more, or if you know someone who might like to join their ranks, head to their Instagram.
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A face only a mother could love
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A kanakana/lamprey and, inset, close-up of a lamprey’s sucking mouth
PHOTOS: Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls CC BY-SA 4.0; inset: teamwelch CC BY-SA 4.0
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Kanakana, as they are known in the South Island, or lamprey eels, were an important food source for mana whenua. Once found in river-thick schools, they are now semi-rare.
This ancient species diverged from other fish before bottom jaws or stomachs evolved. Exercising the prerogative to change their minds, lamprey start out as ammocoete (a blind, worm-like creature that burrows in silt and feeds on microorganisms) filter feeders before migrating downstream to the sea where they become bloodsuckers, before returning to the rivers to breed. This makes them an anadromous fish, meaning a fish or fish species that spends portions of its life cycle in both fresh and salt waters.
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Natural hazards team visits Glenorchy
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Natural hazard risks and possible ways to manage and adapt to hazards affecting the Dart-Rees floodplain were the topic of conversation when our natural hazards team spent two days in Glenorchy recently.
There was an interactive drop-in session on the second day, featuring an adaptation game, adaptation pathways activity, and opportunities to have chats with the experts and staff from ORC, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Emergency Management Otago.
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It was a great opportunity to hear from the experts and get input from the community about their observations, as well as what adaptation actions they would like to see in the future to manage risks and adapt to changes in the long term.
One thing that stood out is the community’s interest in taking an integrated approach to managing the environment, including ways to manage hazard risks that also have ecological and environmental benefits.
What happens next? Community feedback will input into the development of a draft Natural Hazards Adaptation Strategy for the Head of Lake Whakatipu area. We will be sharing a draft with the public.
Thank you to all the community members who were able to join us for the presentation and drop-in sessions in September. Special thanks to attending councillors, QLDC, Emergency Management Otago, NIWA, Beca and Damwatch Engineering Ltd for helping us make these sessions a success.
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A natural hazard game helps to build understanding of risks and consequences
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ORC staff and residents chat over a cuppa at the Glenorchy hall
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A is for … anadromous
Anadromous fish live most of their lives in salt water but are born in fresh water and return to fresh water to spawn.
This is unlike catadromy, where fish migrate from fresh water down into the sea to spawn, such as eels/Tuna
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Why is Bennett’s wallaby a pest?
Bennett’s wallabies were first reported in Otago in the early 2000s, having hopped the fence from neighbouring Canterbury, where they were introduced in 1874.
Bennett’s wallabies foul pasture, destroy agricultural crops, contribute to erosion, and compete with livestock at a rate of three wallabies to one stock unit.
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Bennett’s wallabies stand up to 80 cm tall, with a tail length of around 62 cm. Males can reach over 20 kg in weight, with females reaching 14 kg.
Wallabies have now become a serious pest issue that requires central and local government, iwi, farmers, landowners, and communities all working together to protect our region.
How you can help
Here in Otago, we still have a chance to stop these pests in their tracks.
If you see a wallaby, dead or alive, report it: www.reportwallabies.nz or phone us on 0800 474 082.
Find out more about why wallabies are pests on our Pest Hub.
Let's work together to eradicate this pest once and for all!
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Cute? There’s nothing cute about the way wallaby are wrecking NZ’s environment.
From left: Bennett’s wallaby; rear paw prints — the small inside toes rarely leave marks; rear paws.
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Extra bus trips for cruise ship season
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A cruise ship at Port Chalmers
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This cruise ship season, 81 cruise ships are expected to arrive in Port Chalmers between 15 October 2024 and 9 April 2025.
We’re adding extra buses to and from Port Chalmers (Route 14) to meet the cruise ship season demand — but on the busiest days, you will need to plan ahead to make sure you get the bus.
Busiest days in November and December:
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Tuesday 5 November
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Tuesday 26 November
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Monday 2 December
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Tuesday 24 December
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Sunday 29 December
Bus timetables for cruise ship days
Extra buses will be running at times we expect there to be a need, and then the scheduled Route 14 timetable will run for the rest of the day.
Scheduled buses will leave Port Chalmers and the Bus Hub with enough capacity to pick up passengers along the route.
Cruise ship schedules can change due to weather conditions or other factors. If a ship cancels on a day when additional buses were scheduled, extra buses will no longer run, and the normal bus service operates as usual.
Please check our website for a schedule showing additional buses, visit the Orbus Dunedin Facebook page, or call the customer service team on 0800 ORBUSDN (0800 6728736).
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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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