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Kia ora and welcome!
In this issue: candidate profiles are up, a roll call, and meet the snail leaving a trail of victims.
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Solution for farmers, growers and water users
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Otago’s farmers, growers, and water users now have at least five years before changes to consents will occur, after ORC worked with Government to find a solution.
Ever since legislation was passed in October 2024 preventing the notification of the draft Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP), ORC has been working with the Government to find a way to provide certainty for farmers, growers and water permit holders until a new plan is in place.
The delay of notification of the LWRP and continued reliance on Otago’s existing planning framework has created issues for farmers and growers, and water permit holders, affecting their ability to operate and resulting in undue costs. For this reason, Council requested that the Government consider a legislative fix that would extend the expiry date of existing short-term water permits and override certain discharge provisions of the Regional Plan: Water for Otago.
The amendment will extend the duration of most existing short-term water permits for another five years, on the assumption that this extension will allow water permit holders to continue exercising these permits until after a new plan is put in place.
ORC Chair Gretchen Robertson says, “I’m very pleased that positive collaboration with the Minister for the Environment has enabled this solution, which is pragmatic and avoids unnecessary costs and regulation until the new freshwater rules are in place.”
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An acoustic doppler velocimeter (ADV) — used to complete water flow measurements on rivers and streams
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Ryan from our Environmental Monitoring team recently braved icy -5°C temperatures to collect important river health data from our site at the head of the Manuherekia near Oteake Conservation Park, above St Bathans.
He collected an environmental DNA sample to help detect and monitor local organisms, did some State of the Environment water quality testing and measured river flow — spending nearly an hour in icy water, where anything taken out of the water instantly froze! Talk about dedication to science.
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Why is bomarea a pest?
Even though its flowers are very pretty, if left uncontrolled, bomarea can smother and eventually destroy your favourite plants.
Bomarea invades shrublands and the interiors of remnant forests (patches of native forest that have not been significantly disturbed by human activities).
The vines grow into the tree canopy and form large masses, which smother the supporting trees. Seedlings can establish in the shade of forest interior, creeping along the ground, strangling saplings, and smothering low-growing species.
Extensive infestations in the tree canopy alter light levels, which can kill mature trees and prevent the establishment of native species.
Bomarea is present across Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, and West Harbour, so if you are in these areas, keep an eye out and get rid of it.
What does it look like?
Size: This climbing vine can grow several metres tall.
Leaves: Thin, pale green, long and pointed.
Flower/seed heads: Trumpet-shaped flowers that are produced in drooping clusters of 15—20 flowers. They are red on the outside and bright yellow with red spots on the inside. The fruit is a capsule that ripens and splits to reveal bright orange/red fleshy seeds that are dispersed by birds.
Root system: Underground, the plant consists of a long rhizome (an underground fleshy stem) with roots and tubers that look like potatoes. The size of the rhizome and tubers varies depending on the age of the plant.
Habitat: Includes disturbed forests, forest margins, riparian margins (land that runs alongside a waterway, such as a river, stream, lake, or wetland) and shrublands.
If I find it on my property, what should I do?
Physical control:
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To prevent the spread of seed, remove all flowers and seed pods as they appear. Place seed pods in a black plastic bag, letting the sun cook the contents before disposing of them.
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Where possible, cut the vines and dig out all the rhizomes. Regrowth can occur from any rhizome fragments left in the soil.
Chemical control:
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For small infestations, cut near the base of the stem and paste with a glyphosate, picloram or triclypor gel-based product. It is recommended that these gels are not used too close to valuable or desirable species.
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For larger infestations, use a broadleaf-specific foliar spray. When possible, take the infestation out of other foliage, bundle and spray directly.
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Follow up treated areas several times a year to treat any regrowth as necessary.
For more information on bomarea, visit our Pest Hub — and let's work together to give it the boot!
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Bomarea — ‘pretty’, but a pest!
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Members of the Ōtokia Creek and Marsh Habitat Trust
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The Ōtokia Creek and Marsh Habitat Trust is an eco restoration project focused on re-establishing native vegetation along the Ōtokia Creek in Brighton.
Started by a group of locals in 2020, the trust has planted 20,000 trees in the creek catchment and wetlands. The goal is to reforest from the source of the creek to the ocean to restore a healthy habitat for native birds and insects, mitigate the effects of farming runoff on water quality, and provide vegetation cover to cool the water of the creek in a time of climate change.
They regularly monitor water quality and are pleased to see that bird and insect populations are already increasing, including the recent arrival of a kākā, and the discovery of a rare native spider.
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Tekelloidis australis, found by PhD student James Croft-Bennett at a volunteer day attended by the University of Otago Botany Department. Not much is known about the spider because of its rarity.
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The project has several funders, including ORC’s ECO Fund and Lotto, and is supported by the landowners along the creek edge. The success of the project is down to the volunteers who donate their time and labour to planting and maintaining the trees.
The ecological effects of this mahi are already evident for a small group who have expanded into a reforestation project that brings the community together. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates on their next community tree-planting days, or email otokiatrust@gmail.com for volunteering opportunities.
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Some of the planting completed by the group
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One of Otago’s two species of carnivorous (Rhytididae) snails, Powelliphanta spedeni can move surprisingly fast to grab prey with its mouth.
Once the prey is enveloped and suffocated, it is torn apart by the snail’s sharp, rasping teeth. These teeth, known as radulae, sit in a deadly ribbon in the snail's mouth.
All land snails have these teeth, not just the carnivores. For example, the common garden snail has over 14,000 teeth, which it uses to eat plants. Other snails use their teeth to break down decaying plant matter.
For information on Otago’s carnivorous snails, slide over to our carnivorous Rhytididae snail page.
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New ORC headquarters named
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One of the design panels recently installed on the building
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ORC’s new building in Dunedin now has a name: Aonui, relating to the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world.
The name Aonui has great mana and significance in both te ao Māori and in Kāi Tahu tradition. In the celestial world, Aonui is the son of Rehua, known as Antares in western astronomy.
The name and elements of the building design have been derived from mātauraka (knowledge) provided by mana whenua cultural experts Dr Megan Pōtiki, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Edward Ellison.
The pūhoro patterns (a traditional motif in Māori design) represent the water’s movement and speed as it journeys across the whenua. The location of the building is also significant, with the Toitū awa (stream) adjacent to the site of the building.
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Our pollution response team deals with the stuff the rest of us don’t want to, all in the name of protecting Otago’s environment.
They could be called out to dead animals in our waterways, heavy vehicle accidents, septic tank spillovers, reports of sediment from worksites getting into our harbour — they are hands-on when it really counts, because not everyone's day involves a wheelbarrow and a dead goat.
Looking after Otago’s environment is a true team effort, so if you see pollution, report it 24/7 If you observe an instance of pollution to water, air, or land in Otago, call the Pollution Hotline (staffed 24/7) on 0800 800 033 or fill out the form on our website during work hours.
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On a roll? Make sure you’re on this one!
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Voting opens 9 September!
If you’ve not already organised to have your papers sent out in the mail, never fear — from 9 September until 10 October, you can make a special vote and still have your say. Its easy! Simply go to your nearest district council office (listed here under special voting locations), fill out the declaration form, then complete your voting form. You can then post your vote in the mail or put it into an authorised ballot box on the spot.
How does STV work?
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Small school with big heart first to use refreshed Holistic Reflection
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St Joseph’s ākonga in front of their amazing mural showcasing diversity
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The Ōtākou Enviroschools team were honoured to be a part of St Joseph's Queenstown Enviroschools Reflection during the final week of Term 2.
The ākonga conducted a guided tour showcasing all of the mahi their school has been doing on their journey to increasing their sustainability, using things like:
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‘Good on one side’ paper and Paper 4 Trees recycling.
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A worm farm for recycling lunch food scraps and making quality soil for the gardens.
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A bug garden to keep bugs safe so they can continue to do their important jobs in the ecosystem.
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Play shed turning trash into treasure for creative and imaginary play.
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The school gardens including vegetables that are given away, a nursery for all school leavers to receive a kōwhai, and a prayer garden — all driven by the Garden Club.
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Litter less lunch box initiatives and the monitoring of packaging.
Enviroschools is a holistic programme that also prioritises how the learning spaces affect physical and emotional wellbeing, so the totem poles, a school mural that represents all the cultures at the school, and the exercise stations are also important for the Enviroschools kaupapa.
Following the tour, the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) solid waste team, QLDC Wakatipu Basin councillors, and the Ōtākou Enviroschools team worked with the group of ākonga to identify what is going well in the school and decide next steps. We look forward to seeing the actions that come out of this reflection.
For more information, contact the Enviroschools team at enviroschools@orc.govt.nz.
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Bringing back oioi to Te Hakapupu
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Measuring 1-metre-high flourishing oioi 27 months after planting at Te Hakapupu
PHOTO: Angelina Young
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Restoring native ecosystems in Te Hakapupu / Pleasant River is crucial for creating a resilient catchment, ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea).
A key part of this is re-establishing oioi (jointed wire rush), a native wetland plant once common in the area. Oioi helps slow water, trap sediment, improve water quality, store carbon, and support native wildlife — while also enhancing cultural and recreational values.
An experiment in the South Arm of Te Hakapupu by the kaitiaki from Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki and residents of Tūmai Beach Farm Park tested how best to bring oioi back. Many plants are now thriving.
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What’s new in public transport?
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On demand, Mosgiel
A bus service in Mosgiel that represents a new era of public transport, Orbus On Demand is now operating in Mosgiel.
We’ve seen good uptake in our new service areas of East Taieri, Wingatui and Kinmont, and our increased coverage across Mosgiel is providing better connections for the wider community.
The 22-seat wheelchair-accessible electric bus travels to about 100 stops, and passengers can book a trip by phoning our customer services team between 8am and 5pm weekdays on 0800 672 8736 or using the Orbus On Demand app.
The service runs on weekdays from 8am to 6pm.
The map below shows the most popular pick-up and drop-off locations.
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A map of the Orbus On Demand service zone
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Outgoing councillor Alexa Forbes christens the on-demand service
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Electric buses, Mosgiel
A new fleet of 13 electric buses is now servicing Mosgiel and Brighton routes, including six large 75-passenger buses introduced to increase capacity during peak times and allow for further bus-use growth in Mosgiel.
The launch of the electric fleet and Orbus On Demand are the final steps in moving all Mosgiel buses to zero emissions, enabling ORC to deliver cleaner, more sustainable public transport for the region.
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Fare changes
Central government requirements to increase the proportion of public transport funding from fares means we’ve had to put them up.
From late September, adult fares will rise from $2 to $2.50, and 5–18-year-olds will pay $1.50 in both Dunedin and Queenstown. The youth (13–18 years old) Bee Card fare in Dunedin will increase from $1.20 to $1.50.
SuperGold remains free during off-peak hours and will be the new adult fare of $2.50 in peak hours.
The Community Connect discount remains at 50% and will be half the new adult fare at $1.25.
You’ll need a registered Bee Card to get these fares. All cash fares remain unchanged.
Queenstown ferry fares and Queenstown airport cash fares remain the same.
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Upper Lakes survey — still time to take part
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Love the Wānaka, Hāwea and Whakatipu areas? Help shape the future of Otago’s Upper Lakes!
After six community workshops, the Upper Lakes Integrated Catchment Group has put together a draft action plan — it outlines strategies to care for the land, water, biodiversity and cultural values of this beautiful region. Now, we need your feedback.
There are 12 draft strategies we are focusing on to enhance the Upper Lakes area, including:
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controlling predators, such as stoats, possums and feral cats
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restoring native bush and wetlands
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managing wilding conifers and invasive weeds
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reducing pressures on fresh water from stormwater and wastewater
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increasing community science, research and knowledge sharing.
Whether you live nearby, visit often or simply treasure this stunning part of Otago with its beautiful lakes, soaring mountains and unique biodiversity — your feedback will help guide how we take action.
Give your feedback on the draft plan now.
The survey takes only 5–10 minutes and closes end of Sunday, 24 August.
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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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