Fly the catchment

Our Vision

Restore the mauri (life giving properties) of the Waihi Estuary.

Our Mission

Working together for the next 20 years to restore and replenish the Waihi Estuary; Pongakawa, Kaikōkopu, and Wharere Rivers and surrounding lands, contributing waters and associated biodiversity.

What change is required?

Reducing sedimentation

We need to reduce sedimentation significantly.

Lowering Nitrogen & Phosphorus

Total nitrogen down to 66% and Phosphorus down to 30%

Reducing Ecoli

Bringing Ecoli down 50%

Our programme covers

Best Practice and Innovation

This workstream is focused on innovative ways to deliver environmental excellence at the farm level, sub-catchment level and also nationally. Specific projects include:

pilot plans on a range of Lighthouse Farms, which bring together farmers who are leading the way with innovative farming approaches that have a low impact on the environment
developing a Digital Pan Sector Land Environment Plan.
working alongside primary sector groups (dairy, pastoral, forestry, horticulture) to develop Land Environment Plans templates that meet both customer specific Global GAP standards and National Environmental Standards for freshwater.
encouraging rapid uptake by commercial land users to develop and implement Land Environment Plans.
detainment bunds and planting in the upper catchment area.

Information and Monitoring

This workstream is focused on ensuring there is robust data, research and monitoring available for landowners, hau kāinga and wider Waihi Estuary Catchment community. Specific projects include:

use of drone footage and evidential capture of current state and changing state.
live monitoring plan and contaminant source tracing.
development of a cultural monitoring programme.

Restoration

This workstream is focused on creating healthy, diverse and connected habitats and ecosystems within Waihi Estuary Catchment. Specific projects include:

estuarine rehabilitation.
riparian corridor plan.
riparian, wetland and ngāhere (forest) restoration and establishment.
Facilitating access to funding, knowhow and services to carry out the above work.

Extension, Education and Community Connection

This workstream is focused on connecting landowners, hau kāinga, sector groups, volunteers and communities to our projects, to our learnings and to each other.

The pilot project involves a targeted approach to fostering active, connected and engaged communities through the establishment of Wai Kōkopu Community enabler roles.

The role of the enabler is not to carry out consultation but to: