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Kia ora and welcome to the September issue!
This month we can’t ‘kelp’ but love seaweed, and we’re inviting locals to join a ‘grate’ initiative – Adopt a Drain.
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Earthquake risk in Clutha Delta assessed
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The potential effects of earthquakes in the Clutha Delta area, including Balclutha and Kaitangata, have been assessed as part of Otago Regional Council’s natural hazards work.
The risk assessment looked at three different earthquake scenarios and found in the largest case of a ‘rare’ Magnitude 7 earthquake centred near the Clutha Delta, the area could be widely affected by severe ground shaking and extensive liquefaction and ground deformation. This scenario has the lowest likelihood of occurring — a less than 0.04% chance in any year.
In the ‘likely’ scenario, with a 1% chance of occurrence in any year, light to moderate ground shaking would be experienced at the Clutha Delta and would have only minor impacts.
These studies help to give us a better understanding of the seismic hazards and risk in the area and feeds into the Clutha Delta Natural Hazards Adaptation work — collaborating with the community to build resilience.
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Higher fines for environmental breaches
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Fines for environmental breaches have significantly increased — in some cases by up to 900%.
The changes, which came into effect on 4 September, are the first update to the Resource Management (Infringement Offences) Regulations 1999 in 25 years.
Penalties are now separated for individuals and companies, with infringement fees ranging from $600–$2000 for individuals and $1200–$4000 for companies.
Some offences, such as breaches of land-use restrictions, have seen the sharpest increases. Companies can face maximum fines of $4000 for serious breaches, including illegal contaminant discharges, ignoring abatement notices, or breaching water shortage directions.
The Ministry for the Environment says the higher penalties are intended to be a stronger deterrent, as previous fines were often lower than the cost of compliance.
Last year, Otago Regional Council (ORC) issued 62 infringement notices under the previous fine levels.
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Seaweed — unsung superhero of the sea
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Our resident ‘seaweed fan girl’, Anna
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Aotearoa New Zealand has over 1,000 species of seaweed.
They are a group of multicellular algae that come in many shapes and colours, some you will recognise from your beach walks and coastal explorations. One species — the bladder kelp — is one of the fastest-growing species on Earth, growing up to half a metre per day to reach sunlight!
Seaweed is packed with nutrients — many species can be eaten or used as fertiliser in gardens. It can even be turned into art in the form of pressings! Seaweed is incredibly important for our environment. Bladder kelp, for example, forms forests that act as critical habitats for countless species, from snails and juvenile fish to crayfish and pāua. The kelp acts as a nursery, providing food and shelter and supporting a healthy coastal food web, supplying energy that sustains different species.
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Three different types of seaweed: brown (small piece of bladder kelp), red (New Zealand has a huge diversity of these) and green (edible sea lettuce)
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Seaweed absorbs excess nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) from land runoff, improving coastal water quality. It absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, helping to mitigate climate change — but this is changing. Our kelp forests are at risk as waters warm up, reducing the survival of native seaweed species and increasing pressures from invasive competitors, such as undaria. Undaria is a highly invasive seaweed that can form dense underwater forests, outcompeting native species for light and space, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems — that’s why it’s important to keep your boat hulls and gear clean to prevent pest species like undaria from spreading across Otago’s coastlines.
Our resident ‘seaweed fan girl’, Anna, (Biosecurity Specialist — Marine and Freshwater) says, “Every second breath we take comes from algae, and seaweed is a vital part of that story. They feed and shelter countless coastal creatures, protect our shores from erosion, and even hold reefs together like nature’s glue. We’re only just beginning to uncover the incredible compounds seaweed hold. Solutions to some of today’s biggest challenges may well be hidden in these underwater forests.”
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Queenstown and Dunedin bus passenger numbers continue to rise
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Orbus passenger numbers are at a seven-year high!
From July 2024 to June 2025, a record number of trips were taken in Queenstown and Dunedin.
Dunedin passenger numbers rose by 3% to more than 3.4 million trips compared to the same period in 2023–2024 (a 37% increase since 2018–2019).
Queenstowners took nearly 2 million bus trips — a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2023–2024 and a 33% increase since 2018–2019.
Otago’s patronage numbers compare favourably with other medium-sized regions, and now well surpass pre-Covid levels.
Thank you for hopping on board and supporting us!
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Why are rooks a pest?
Rooks in large numbers will eat fields of recently sown crops. They also pick at stands of walnut trees. Large parliaments (the name for a flock of rooks) of these birds could inflict significant damage on Otago’s grain and new grass crops.
In recent years, ORC and Environment Southland have been working together with communities to eradicate these pests. The goal is to reduce the number of rooks in Otago to zero over the next 10 years to prevent negative effects on economic wellbeing and the environment.
What do they look like?
Rooks are large birds with glossy, purplish-black feathers. They are part of the crow family, although we don’t have crows in New Zealand, so if you see something that looks like a crow, it might be a rook.
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They have a powerful beak with whitish patches of skin around the base. They are a social bird, and you can hear them coming by the distinctive sound of their ‘kaah’ and their wings as they fly.
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What can I do?
If you think you’ve seen a rook, we need to know. Please report it!
For further information on rooks, visit our Pest Hub.
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S is for … sporophyll.
The word originates from the ancient Greek words spora (seed) and phyllon (leaf). It refers to a leaf-like structure on plants that bears spores, commonly seen in ferns or mosses. Some seaweeds also have structures described as sporophylls; for example, the invasive seaweed undaria. This species features a distinctive ruffled section at the base of its blade, which releases spores into the water when mature.
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The distinctive sporophyll (circled) on undaria
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These info panels at Beaumont Bridge, installed by NZTA, replace previous ORC signs and highlight the native species and history of the area.
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Good signage makes our lives easier, providing the right info where you need it.
We’ve just installed new info boards at Glenorchy boat ramp, we’re loving the new Beaumont Bridge signage featuring critters we work to protect, and new signage will soon be installed at Lake Dunstan.
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Above left: at Glenorchy boat ramp, this sign shows how high the lake has risen during major floods. The average level of Whakatipu Waimāori / Lake Wakatipu is around 310 m above sea level. The Glenorchy waterfront reserve starts to flood at 311 m, and in 1999, the lake reached a record 312.78 m — the highest ever recorded! Above right: new signs being installed at Lake Dunstan feature everything to help keep you safe on the water and tips to keep the environment pristine.
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Never voted? Give it a try! Always voted? Lead the way …
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Whether you’re a first-time or expert-level voter, we know people are busy and voting can slip down the ‘to do’ list.
By voting in your local body elections, you’ll have your say on who will make important decisions on behalf of Otago communities for the next three years.
Have you received your voting forms in the mail?
If you have, follow the instructions (for ORC you will rank the candidates, putting 1 for your favourite), then pop in the post so it arrives before noon on Saturday, 11 October, or find your nearest voting location and pop it in a ballot box.
If you haven’t received your voting papers yet, check if you're on the electoral roll. Whether you are or not, you will need to complete a 'special vote'.
All the where, when and how of voting is on our website.
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Celebrating Otago Polyfest
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Enviroschools Regional Coordinator Lead Leisa talks to OAR FM at Otago Polyfest
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Enviroschools joined the ORC team at the 32nd annual Otago Polyfest earlier this month.
Our stall offered the community a chance to connect, share, and engage with the work and projects our staff are involved in. It also gave our team a valuable opportunity to actively engage with a diverse and vibrant community — one that helps shape our direction and deepens our understanding of the region we serve.
One of Aotearoa’s longest-running Māori and Pacific cultural festivals, Otago Polyfest brings together thousands of tamariki, rakatahi, whānau and kaiako to celebrate language, identity and community through performances and vibrant cultural experiences.
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ORC Catchment Advisor Polly demonstrates how water flows through a catchment area
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Community stormwater initiative kicks off at Tomohaka / Tomahawk Lagoon
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A metal fish installed beside a drain reminds people to only drain rain
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Something exciting is happening in Dunedin – the Adopt a Drain pilot has officially launched at Tomohaka / Tomahawk, with plans to roll out similar stormwater initiatives across Otago.
The Adopt a Drain community programme offers a hands-on opportunity to learn about stormwater and how it travels through an urban area, as well as simple actions people can take to prevent stormwater pollution. This is important because stormwater isn’t treated — whatever goes down the drain ends up in local waterways and affects the environment, fish and animals.
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Why Tomohaka / Tomahawk Lagoon?
In 2017, in response to concerns about water quality, ORC supported the local community to begin scoping lagoon restoration works for Tomohaka / Tomahawk Lagoon. In 2023, an ecological assessment was commissioned, and the highest priority action to improve the lagoon was to prevent pollutants entering it.
This year, the Tomohaka / Tomahawk Lagoon area was chosen for the pilot community programme in collaboration with the Dunedin City Council.
Manager Environmental Implementation Libby Caldwell says this has been a priority area for ORC as identified in the Long-Term Plan 2021–2031.
“Tomohaka / Tomahawk Lagoon’s close-knit community has been very active in preserving and improving this catchment, and the area has around 60 stormwater drains that flow into the lagoon, plus more drains along Highcliff Road, so it seemed like a good fit for this new initiative. Stormwater education is just one area of focus to support enhancing the lagoon health. The community is also working hard to fence and plant the streams that flow into the lagoon,” says Libby.
Local community group ECOTAGO has also been a driving force, working with schools to raise awareness about the lagoon’s health. The Adopt a Drain community programme will complement and help amplify their mahi.
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Keen to see Adopt a Drain in your community?
We’re excited to grow this initiative across Otago! If you’re keen to learn more, express interest or explore how Adopt a Drain could work in your area, get in touch with our Catchment Advisor team at catchments@orc.govt.nz or visit orc.govt.nz/adoptadrain.
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Why stormwater matters
Stormwater isn’t pure rainwater. As it flows over the ground and paved areas towards a drain, it picks up pollutants. Whatever goes down a storm drain, whether poured in intentionally or washed down with rainwater, enters our waterways untreated.
Understanding how stormwater networks function and how to stop pollutants such as car oil, soap suds, solvents, fertilisers and other pollutants and litter from entering a storm drain is important for everyone.
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Roxburgh hazard management
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What's the issue?
Roxburgh sits on a type of land called an alluvial fan. Alluvial fans are formed by the sediment from mountain streams accumulating over a long time. This creates fertile soil and natural drainage, making the area well-suited for farming, gardening and everyday living.
Alluvial fans and debris flows have always been here and are naturally occurring. We're working to understand more about the risks and the impact they could have for the community.
Living on these alluvial fans comes with challenges. The Roxburgh area is exposed to several natural hazards — especially debris flows. These debris flows can be dangerous because they are unpredictable; they can happen quickly and with great power, posing a risk to infrastructure, homes and lives.
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An alluvial fan is formed as sediment and debris flow downstream
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Otago Regional Council is leading a work programme to better understand these debris flows and their impact on the Roxburgh community. We will be going out to discuss our latest risk assessment and share the findings.
This work is carried out in partnership with Central Otago District Council, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and Civil Defence Emergency Management, hand in hand with the Roxburgh community.
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Pollen in a stormwater drain
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At this time of year, our 24/7 Pollution Hotline gets lots of calls about ‘paint spills’ in gutters, puddles, and streams. More often than not, the culprit is actually pollen.
How can you tell it’s pollen?
• Looks like a yellow or greenish dust, often forming swirls or patches on the surface.
• May have a light floral smell.
• Usually washes away after rain or blows away in the wind.
It can be found on footpaths flushed through stormwater systems, so you may see yellow dust in nearby gutters or puddles.
On rivers and lakes, it’s sometimes mistaken for toxic algal blooms.
Still not sure if it’s pollen or something more harmful? No worries! It’s better to be safe than sorry – you can still use our 24/7 Pollution Hotline: orc.govt.nz/reportpollution or phone 0800 474 082.
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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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