OUR VISION

Healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing for future generations.

We know through community consultation that the people of the Upper Clutha place a high value on the environment. With large parts of our region based in the rural sector, it is especially important to increase the pace of transition towards sustainable tourism, farming and business practices.

Securing healthy ecosystems for future generations requires purposeful action that is supported by research, monitoring and data collection to make evidence-based decisions. WAI Wānaka work with leading experts and the community to understand and protect our catchment.

Below you can find out about WAI Wānaka’s rural initiatives across the Upper Clutha.

On-Farm Environmental Support

WAI Wānaka support landowners to accelerate their efforts towards achieving their biosecurity, biodiversity and freshwater goals – as laid out in their farm environment plans. Work might include: planting, plant maintenance, biodiversity monitoring, fencing, pest plant and animal control as well as catchment group support.

This programme is funded through the Ministry of Primary Industry’s Catchment Extension Services Programme.

Catchment Groups

There are many environmental demands on rural landowners and farmers that are more easily understood and tackled as a group.

WAI Wānaka are supporting local landowners and have facilitated the establishment of 6 of the 7 main catchment groups and 4 small landholder groups operating in the Upper Clutha Catchment.

Upper Clutha Native Biodiversity Strategy

What might native biodiversity look like in the Upper Clutha Catchment in 100 years? This strategy sets out a future where native biodiversity helps define who we are, what we do and where we enjoy ourselves.

This approach can be used to guide actions, obtain funding, and help bring all of the different groups involved with biodiversity conservation together at a strategic level.

Monitoring: Biodiversity & Freshwater 

Biodiversity and freshwater monitoring helps landowners track changes over time to make decisions based on data to protect and improve biodiversity within their farm systems.

WAI Wānaka have developed a monitoring package to assist landowners to collect and collate this information, including visual soil assessments, bird counts, stream health assessments and vegetation photo points.

Embracing Te Taiao – On the Farm

This education programme connects the classroom with environmental issues and solutions on farms in the Upper Clutha catchment.

WAI Wānaka have developed in-class and in-field activities for students to explore the connections between our environment and rural land use, focused on whenua (land), tangata (people), wai māori (freshwater) and āngi (air). Funded by Otago Regional Council’s ECO Fund.

Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao

This project has been completed. It aimed to connect leading scientists, researchers, local farmers and community to develop an understanding of land-use and land management options that enhance Te Taiao – the natural world.

One of three nationwide projects funded by Our Land and Water’s National Science Challenge as part of a place based pilot project to ‘Revitalise Te Taiao’.