Rural update January 2023
We hope you had a chance to take a break over the Christmas and New Year period to spend some time with friends and family and to enjoy the wonderful weather that we have had over the past few weeks.
The team here at WAI have been in various destinations enjoying time with family, friends and exploring the scenery and nature that NZ has to offer.
We are back on deck now, the Jobs for Nature team have been busy with plant maintenance and pest control this week and the rest of us are busy planning for an exciting year ahead. Be sure to get in touch with us if you have some work for the team or if you have any questions about the work we are doing in the catchment, we are happy to help!
UPCOMING EVENTS
WAI Wānaka are hosting an NZFAP Plus (New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme Plus) workshop for farmers, farm workers and rural professionals in the Upper Clutha Basin. NZFAP Plus is a programme designed to extend beyond the standard farm assurance programme NZFAP, and support farmers in building a better and more resilient business fit for the future and the next generations, and in preparing for customer and regulatory expectations.
Alan McDermott and Simon Stokes who were the authors of the standards programme, will provide an understanding of the NZFAP Plus framework and its application in your farm business.
Working through NZFAP+ will give you as farmers:
- An understanding this new quality assurance programme being promoted.
- Guidance on the management requirements
- Data required to move forward in your business – for people, the environment and biosecurity.
- A clear framework to follow for decision making around your farm’s critical resources, communicating to your wider team and planning for the future.
Workshop details:
Date: Tuesday 21st February
Time: 9.30 am – 4pm
Venue: Wanaka Community Hub
Tea, coffee, and lunch will be provided.
We encourage you to bring your family/farm staff or colleagues to learn with you.
Intensive winter grazing consents workshop
Are you yet to submit an intensive winter grazing (IWG) consent and need some assistance? Otago Regional Council is hosting an Intensive Winter Grazing Consents Application Workshop, this workshop will:
- Walk you through the IWG Online Resource Consent Application Form, where you fill in the application form and identify the necessary information.
- Give a clear understanding of what a critical source area (CSA) is, discuss the importance of CSA’s and the way they relate to your consent application and offer up management strategies.
- Walk you through the IWG Management Plan Template
- Show examples of Paddock Wintering Plans
This workshop will likely be held in late February; however, the date is yet to be confirmed. If you would like to attend this workshop, please click on the button below to express your interest and we will get in touch with you with more details.
UPDATES
Do you have staff that are interested in upskilling?
We are looking to form small groups for farm workers within the Upper Clutha catchment. Joining an action group is a great way to learn, share experiences and test ideas with other farming members of the group to make positive changes on farm in the future.
We will provide subject matter experts to grow knowledge and upskill staff on a range of topics and connect them with further development opportunities.
These action groups are open to all ages and levels of experience. If you or your farm staff are interested in joining an action group, please email Lucy Murray lucy@waiwanaka.nz.
Protecting the gains – QEII Restoration Agreements
QEII have developed Restoration Agreements as a legal protection for the time, effort and investment landowners have contributed to their properties throughout the Jobs for Nature programme.
If you have a native planting site(s) planted or maintained under Jobs for Nature by the WAI team, and are looking to protect it in the long-term, get in touch.
A QEII representative will visit for an inspection, and if accepted this site may be eligible for further funding to protect the biodiversity values of the site.
Jobs For Nature Video Series
We have completed a series of videos explaining the Jobs for Nature work we do within the catchment. Click on the link below to view these videos.
Whakatipu Wild School is looking for sites
Whakatipu Wild School are coming to Wānaka and looking for locations to explore in the Upper Clutha. Do you have a patch of bush and/or a sheltered stream where the forest school could set up one day a week for the term? Ideally close to town and easily accessible the learning space will be somewhere that children can explore curiosity, courage and living with care.
If you’re interested to learn more, give Sarah from Whakatipu Wild School a call on 021 1606 112 to have a chat.