We are developing a Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) in partnership with Kāi Tahu whānui, and with feedback from the greater Otago community.

Join the kōrero on the proposed direction of the Plan to care for Otago's lakes, rivers and streams and guide the activities that impact them.

We have a summary of proposed new rules and regulations that we encourage you to look over.

Get involved

Read all about the draft Plan and the proposed new rules and regulations:

About the area

Under national legislation, regional councils must manage waterways at an appropriate scale for setting freshwater objectives and limits. 

We have set five Freshwater Management Units (FMUs) and have divided the Clutha/Mata-Au FMU into five rohe (areas) as it is the largest river in the country, by catchment and volume. 

The Roxburgh Rohe extends from the Clyde Dam to Beaumont, and covers Alexandra, Clyde and Roxburgh. The rohe includes some important tributaries for the Clutha/Mata-Au, such as the Fraser River (also known as the Earnscleugh), Benger Burn, Teviot River, and Beaumont River. Lake Roxburgh is roughly in the middle of the rohe along the Clutha Mata-Au River, while the Fraser and Teviot River catchments host the Fraser Dam and Lake Onslow, respectively. 

The Clutha Mata-au River is important in Kāi Tahu traditions and history, and mana whenua have an ongoing relationship with wāhi tupuna and mahika kai values. The area is also home to wetlands, galaxiids and landscapes with high natural character. 

Economic profile and snapshot

The Roxburgh Rohe, the neighbouring Manuherekia Rohe, and the northern part of the Taieri Rohe are combined when considering socio-economic information. These communities have close economic ties – for example, people often live in one area and work or spend time in the others. The three areas combined are referred to as the ‘Inland’. 

In 2018, the area was home to around 13,000 residents (6% of Otago’s population), an increase of 15% from 2006. The economy of this area depends on the water-reliant agriculture sector (which provides for one in five jobs) and tourism-related industries (15% of all jobs). The third largest sector in the area is administrative services (13%), with the employment services sub-category providing 10% of all jobs. Together, these industries account for around half of the employment in the ‘Inland’ area. 

It is important to understand Māori history and the Māori economy when developing policy and assessing its impacts. Pre-European Māori history shapes today’s Aotearoa, and the Māori economy is integral to the national economic system. ORC is partnering with Aukaha and Te Ao Marama to develop an overview of Kāi Tahu history and economy. This work will be included in the economic impact assessment, available 2023.

Science profile

Reports and publications

​Proposed new rules and regulations for the Roxburgh Rohe

Download the Roxburgh Rohe Chapter

This summary provides an overview of the provisions relating to the Roxburgh Rohe (area). This includes environmental outcomes, target attribute states and area-specific rules and limits. The rules and limits are in addition to those in the region-wide rules covered in the other summaries.

If you are unsure of any particular terms, there is a ​​glossary of terms.

Overview of content updates:

  • 13 October 2023:
    • Amended information on cultivation in Table 2 for clarity
  • 25 September 2023:
    • Added Roxburgh Rohe boundary map
  • 24 September 2023:
    • Added timeframe for achieving the environmental outcomes for target attribute states

A map of the Roxburgh Rohe boundary is shown below.

 

 

Map of the Roxburgh Rohe

Want to know more?

Contact your rohe's Catchment Advisor for advice and assistance on sustainable land management practices that protect Otago’s waterways.

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Email customerservices@orc.govt.nz

Tel 0800 474 082