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Kia ora 2025! We hope you managed to enjoy some time relaxing with friends and whānau over the break.
It’s going to be a big year for ORC, with local government elections in October, which might seem a long way off, but it’s time to start thinking about it now and whether you or someone you know might fit the bill. We'll have more info on our website in the coming months.
In this issue, our Check, Clean, Dry ambassadors have been putting the wind up lagarosiphon over the break, we celebrate a partnership putting in the hard yards fighting wilding conifers, and we ask a marine biologist from Austria how she found the sea.
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We have 16 species of grasshopper in Aotearoa New Zealand, but one is only found around Alexandra — the Nationally Vulnerable grasshopper Sigaus childi — and it’s super cute!
Sigaus childi’s colours range from pale grey through earthy tones to green and black. Some individuals closely match lichens that grow in rocks in the area, but others resemble gravels or pebbles. They rely on camouflage rather than hopping to evade predators, as their hops are short: 30–40 cm long and 15 cm high.
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Public–private partnership clears Stevenson’s Peninsula of wildings
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Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group carrying out some wilding pine work at Stevenson's Peninsula
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The Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group has removed 1700 wilding pines from the 2000-hectare Stevenson’s Peninsula in a collaboration with Mount Burke Station landowner Tim Burdon.
The work involved a total of 409 hours of intensive clearing.
The Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group is a relative newcomer to the fight against wilding pines, and this was their first major wilding pine control operation.
Left uncontrolled, this iconic peninsula would ultimately be cloaked in an exotic pine forest which would displace the native kānuka, grey shrubland and snow tussock grasslands.
The work was funded from grants provided to the group by Queenstown Lakes District Council and ORC, and a contribution from Mount Burke Station landowner Tim Burdon who says, “As a landowner I could not afford to achieve control on this scale. It is hugely satisfying to be part of the collaboration of public–private funding to clear Stevenson's Peninsula of wilding pines in one operation."
The work was completed by Central Wilding Tree Control and Landcare Services and Aspiring Helicopters, with the help of Wanaka Water Taxis for boat access. Ground crews used chainsaws to fell the coning trees in sometimes very challenging terrain. Where wilding pines were sparse, ground crews were dropped in and out by helicopter. Cheers to Tim and everyone involved.
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Learning to raranga (Māori weaving) in Wānaka
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Enviroschools has been part of the Otago Regional Council since 2016, employing the Regional Coordinator for Otago and supporting facilitators through the various city and district councils.
Schools in Otago have been participating in Enviroschools activities and celebrating the kaupapa since 2002, with Waitati School and Glenorchy School being the first schools to embrace environmental education as a part of their school strategy. Since that time, Enviroschools has grown to 101 schools across early childhood, primary and secondary, with 25,200 students involved.
As an Enviroschool, early childhood centres and schools commit to a long-term sustainability journey, where ākonga and their wider hapori connect with and explore the environment, then plan, design and take action in their local places in collaboration with their communities.
The Otago Regional Council and Enviroschools facilitators from the city and district councils and other organisations support schools with their Enviroschools journey by providing connections, expertise, advice and encouragement, and so each school’s environmental achievements looks different depending on their focus and support from their wider school communities.
There is no one way to be an Enviroschool, and the kaupapa is about creating a healthy, peaceful, sustainable world through learning and taking action together. The emphasis is on holistic student action, with ākonga empowered to participate in genuine ways for environmental and social action. Through action in schools and providing important professional development to both kaiako and ākonga, ORC and our council partners are committed to supporting authentic student participation in environmental education across Otago.
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Ākonga get stuck into composting in Alexandra
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Exploring the biodiversity of the rocky shore in Dunedin
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Ōtepoti Dunedin’s Water of Leith at high flow
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As well as providing Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management services when flooding occurs, we also operate and maintain flood protection and river management infrastructure to help mitigate the impact of flooding on neighbouring communities.
This infrastructure can be made up of assets such as floodbanks, groynes, trees and rockwork. These may be constructed in a coordinated way to form larger-scale ‘schemes’ that are specifically designed to mitigate the risk of flooding to, for example, the lower-lying areas of Lower Taieri, Lower Clutha and Dunedin’s Water of Leith. They may also be smaller-scale schemes, singular assets or softer engineering approaches that we maintain within waterways, and overall contribute to the resilience of many of Otago’s communities in response to flood events.
When there is a large weather event, this infrastructure can be damaged and need repair. Our engineering team have recently updated our flood repair programme – you can check it out at orc.govt.nz/floodrepairprogrammes.
The Flood Recovery Works map now includes the repair sites identified following the October 2024 event.
Thank you to everyone in flood-effected communities who lent a hand to their neighbours during the recent event; being prepared is the best way to lessen the effects and the cost to our communities.
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Did you know — as well as flood protection using hard engineering, we’re investigating Nature-based Solutions as a way to mitigate flooding? Find out more.
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CHECK, CLEAN, DRY to prevent ‘rock snot’ spreading this summer!
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Didymo, also known as 'rock snot', is a type of algae. It can form massive blooms on the bottom of streams, rivers and lakes. Didymo impacts water quality and biodiversity.
Lagarosiphon is another freshwater pest to prevent from spreading. It's an underwater, bottom-rooted weed. It can grow up to 5 metres tall upon reaching the water surface — and is hard to get rid of!
Such freshwater pests can spread through a single drop of water or the smallest plant fragment.
If you’re moving your boat, kayak, paddle board or any other gear between waterways this summer, always:
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Check your gear for any algae and/or plant matter, remove them and leave them at the site or put them in a rubbish bin.
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Clean and soak your gear thoroughly for 20 minutes.
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Dry your gear for 48 hours before moving to another waterway.
Our summer ambassadors, Jimmy Daamen and Kyra Martyn, have been hard at work over the break spreading the good word on how to prevent freshwater pests like lagarosiphon and didymo expanding across our stunning lakes in Central Otago.
They’ve been chatting with boaties, kayakers, paddle boarders and other water users, giving them more info about the Check, Clean, Dry method to prevent freshwater pests spreading.
Find out more about keeping safe in, on or near the water this summer.
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Kyra and Jimmy chatting to some local boaties at McNulty Inlet
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Ramping up lake level recording
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The new lake level recorder at the Glenorchy boat ramp
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We’re future proofing Whakatipu Waimāori / Lake Wakatipu water level monitoring at the Glenorchy boat ramp.
The water level recorder at Glenorchy boat ramp was installed three years ago as a trial. The data has been so valuable that we’re future proofing this monitoring site and making it a permanent part of the monitoring network.
The existing solar-powered water level recorder will be upgraded and raised an extra 2.1 metres, which will improve the information we collect about the lake’s water level changes and ensure it can keep monitoring during very high lake levels.
The near real-time information we receive from these recorders (e.g. rainfall, river flow and lake levels) is used to alert Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management of potential flooding to assist with a response.
It also complements our other flood response tools, such as flood forecasting models which can be used to forecast water levels for the lake and Glenorchy Lagoon.
Near real-time data from the Glenorchy boat ramp water level recorder and data on a number of other environmental parameters can be viewed on our Environmental Data Portal: orc.govt.nz/edp.
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Anna deals to some lagarosiphon at Bullock Creek
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ORC Biosecurity Specialist — Marine and Freshwater Anna Kluibenschedl spends her days working to protect Otago’s rivers, lakes and marine environments.
She gives technical advice and works with communities and stakeholders to help prevent the spread of pests such as lagarosiphon and didymo.
How did Anna come to this role?
Originally from land-locked Austria, a career in marine biology may not have seemed an obvious choice.
“I started out working as an alpine ecologist, but I was interested in how seaweeds and algae adapt to their environment, and it led me to marine biology.”
After working in different parts of the world, including Antarctica, she found her way to Aotearoa New Zealand and then to ORC, where she now works to address biosecurity risks and threats to our waterways and marine environment.
“An important part of managing threats is giving technical advice so people know things like what to look for and what to do if there is an issue, as well as developing a biosecurity plan for marine and freshwater pests.”
What does Anna love about her job?
“I love Otago, and I enjoy being able to make an impact, helping to keep the waterways safe and deal with any issues facing the region, such as invasive species. A good example for this is the ongoing management of an invasive marine pest, the Mediterranean fanworm, Sabella.
“I think Kiwis are more aware of the importance of biosecurity than many other countries, but we can forget about biosecurity impacts when they’re hidden underwater. Our marine and freshwater environments are unique and valuable, and we need to work together to protect them by controlling and preventing the spread of pests.”
An important part of Anna’s role is supporting the Check, Clean, Dry programme, which aims to prevent freshwater aquatic pests from entering and spreading throughout Otago's waterways.
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Manuherekia River, Central Otago
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The Waiora Manuherekia Project: restoring the river and beyond.
Driving initiatives to enhance the health and accessibility of the Manuherekia River and its surrounding areas and supported by the Ministry for the Environment, this project has been engaging with the local community since July 2024 to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.
Wetland Restoration Funding
In October 2024, the Waiora Manuherekia Project opened a funding call for landowners and farmers to enhance and protect their wetlands. Following a review of expressions of interest, ten wetland restoration projects have been selected for funding to help rejuvenate these vital ecosystems through planting, fencing and pest control.
Willow Management
Insights from last year's willow management consultation have guided priority areas for removal at Poolburn Gorge, Hills Creek and Lauder Creek. Resource consent is under review, and removal will also pave the way for planting native vegetation, transforming these sites into inviting spaces for the community.
Alexandra Riverside Park Project
The Waiora Manuherekia Project is supporting the Alexandra Riverside Park project — a dynamic effort supported by the Central Otago District Council and Kāi Tahu to transform lower Tarbert Street into a lively riverside green space.
Led by the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust, this project has been made possible with the backing of several valued partners, including the Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Lottery Grants Board, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Aukaha, Anderson Fencing and Earthworks, Heritage New Zealand, and the regional and district councils. Together, they’re shaping Alexandra’s riverside into a welcoming space for family recreation, community events, and an essential link for local trail networks.
River of Dreams Competition
The River of Dreams Competition is under way, and the creativity pouring in from across the catchment is incredible. Designed to celebrate the Manuherekia River and its importance to the community, the competition invites local school students to showcase their connection to the river through artwork, photography or storytelling. Find out more.
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Welcome back to school on the bus!
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Buses are an affordable way to get to and from school this term.
If you are under 13 years old, you can take the bus for free with your registered Bee Card. If you are between 13 and 18 years old, you can get discounted youth fares with a registered Bee Card. A single-trip fare is $1.20 in Dunedin and $1.50 in Queenstown. Learn more about the Bee Card.
Check out this handy ‘How to catch the bus’ guide with lots of information about how to catch a bus and plan your journey.
Find the latest timetable information for Queenstown and Dunedin.
Please note: demand is always very high at this time of year with the return to work, tertiary institutions, and schools. Please be patient and plan ahead, as buses are likely to fill up quickly.
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Greased lightning! Electric bus update
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Did you know we’re planning to transition all Dunedin and Queenstown buses from diesel to electric in the next few years?
This will happen in phases as we sign new contracts with bus operators.
So far, we’ve introduced 11 electric buses (e-buses) to the Dunedin fleet, servicing routes 5/6, 10/11 and 15. Transport is a major contributor to Otago’s total emissions. Our 11 e-buses are reducing fuel consumption by 240,000 litres of diesel a year and improving air quality — a significant contribution towards Dunedin's 2030 zero carbon goals.
In mid-2025, another 13 e-buses will be introduced to Mosgiel, Brighton, Green Island and Fairfield services (routes 70, 77, 78, 80 and 81).
Our passengers say they like e-buses because they’re a smoother, quieter ride and they feel they’re contributing to a healthier environment.
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Keep your canine pals safe
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We love our dogs, so let's keep them safe this summer!
The hot summer weather often sees more toxic algae blooming in our lakes and rivers. These naturally occurring algae can be harmful to people and animals — just a teaspoon is enough to be fatal.
In rivers, look for dark brown mats like tar on the riverbed — mats can detach and wash up in the shallows and on banks.
In lakes, look for murky green water like a pea soup.
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If your dog has eaten any toxic algae, see your vet immediately.
Signs of poisoning include:
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Lethargy
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Muscle tremors
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Fast breathing
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Twitching
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Paralysis
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Convulsion
If there is toxic algae in a river or lake, avoid going into the water. Keep your dog away. Don't go swimming.
Find the latest toxic algae sightings at orc.govt.nz/toxicalgae.
To report suspected toxic algae, call our 24/7 Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033 or email pollution@orc.govt.nz.
Find more useful tips to stay safe on, in and near the water this summer at orc.govt.nz/summersafety.
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O is for … ornithophile.
An ornithophile is a person who loves birds. The word was first used in the 1880s.
The related word ‘ornithophilic’ means fond of birds. Keep an eye out for a wonderful new resource, Birds of Otago, coming to our website very soon!
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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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