The trial draws on findings from a four-year NIWA study that show artificial wetlands to be effective for removing contaminants, like nitrogen, sediment and phosphorus, from freshwater.
The selection of a pilot site for this project involved several factors. The final choice was based on replicability, cost-effective construction and maintenance, and favourable soil conditions.
Wetland design and construction
The design and construction of the wetland features a snake like pattern of raised land that guides draining water through the system slowly, allowing for maximum filtration. In addition, the site is home to 4,800 native riparian plantings with more still to come.
Committee members at the Delany Wetland site
A 1.6-hectare section of retired pasture at Jerseyland Dairies in Culverden was ultimately chosen, in collaboration with landowners Tim and Jo Delany, who are strong advocates for biodiversity. The site’s peaty soil layer over a clay base provides optimal conditions, slowing drainage to ensure water remains in the wetland long enough for effective treatment.
According to historical survey maps dating back to the 1860s, it is likely that the site was also once part of a natural wetland drained for agriculture in the early 20th century.
To test how well the Delany Wetland is filtering out contaminants, the team is sampling and testing water from five sites across the wetland each month. August 2024 marked the first round of sampling, and thus far, the results are promising.
Community benefits
Outcomes of this constructed wetland trial will allow community-led groups, like water zone committees, landowners and industry to better understand if replicating and implementing constructed wetlands more widely could address water quality issues.
Learn more
Waiau Uwha riparian and mahinga kai restoration project
Local landowner and dairy farmer, John Faulkner, invited the committee to the site of his riparian restoration and weed eradication programme, which spans 2.5 hectares of boundary land on the edge of the Waiau Uwha river.
The Waiau Uwha is an important braided river system in Waitaha/Canterbury that provides habitat for a variety of native fish and bird species.
With support from Ministry of Primary Industries’ One Billion Trees Fund, Faulkner enlisted Native Plant Specialist, Sue McGaw, to plan the installation of 9,500 indigenous plants. There are 64 species of plants that have been placed in specific groupings called biodiversity nodes, collections of species that are often found in nature together.
John Faulkner talking about the biodiversity project
Indigenous planting initiative
In the same area, to honour the memory of a dear friend, Faulkner is working with guidance from Northern Pou Mātai Kō/Cultural Land Management Advisor Makarini Rupene to establish a site based on contemporary nohoangavalues beside the Waiau Uwha river. The site’s purpose to enhance local access to traditional mahinga kai activities. Nohoanga refers to the seasonal occupation of sites that Ngāi Tahu whānui utilised as they travelled Te Waipounamu/The South Island to gather kai and other natural resources.
Faulkner’s ambitious vision, in partnership with a network of adjacent landowners, is to restore an 18 km stretch of river that leads to Waiau township. This project would create a biodiversity corridor of Indigenous fauna to keep pest plants and predators at bay and increase the biodiversity and mahinga kai values of the area.
About the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee
The Kaikōura Water Zone Committee is a joint committee of Environment Canterbury, Kaikōura District Council, Rūnanga and members of the local community.
“This field trip was a great opportunity for our committee to meet and network with others, and to draw inspiration from catchments that are working at the local level to tackle tricky issues when it comes to water management and biodiversity,” says Jodie Hoggard, facilitator of the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee.
“It’s inspiring to see the mahi that landowners are driving to achieve better outcomes for the environment. I know the committee really valued the day, appreciated the networking opportunity and are excited to discuss how we can support similar projects in our patch.”
We allocate funding annually for water zone committees to recommend support for community-led projects that aim to improve the environment and help meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.
In its fourth year, the Waitaha Action to Impact Fund (WAI Fund) will support 24 community-led projects across Waitaha in 2024.
In 2024, we received 78 applications for our fund, totalling $1.6m, which far exceeded the funds available ($300,000).
The contestable fund aims to build community engagement and action for a better environment in the takiwā/region.
The successful applicants will be working on all sorts of exciting projects, from biodiversity, education and pest management to water quality management, trapping and planting.
Examples of successful applicants
Wairewa Rūnanga Incorporated
Wairewa Rūnanga Incorporated were awarded $15,000 for their Wairewa Mahinga Kai Catchment Group water quality monitoring plan project.
Project purpose: Surface water quality monitoring for three years at six sites across Te Roto o Wairewa catchment to inform future on-ground interventions. The purpose of the monitoring plan is to collect additional data to that of regional and city councils to help determine what parts of the catchment might be contributing known contaminants (phosphorus, sediment and E. coli), resulting in a more focused mitigation approach.
Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group
Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group were awarded $20,000 for their ARRG Field Operations project.
Project purpose: Supporting the volunteers (with paid staff) to protect the endangered bird populations on the Ashley Rakahuri River.
Upper Rangitata Gorge Landcare Group (Incorporated)
Upper Rangitata Gorge Landcare Group (Incorporated) were awarded $15,000 for weed control in the Upper Rangitata Riverbed and its tributaries.
Project purpose: Control of invasive weeds such as broom, gorse, willow, false tamarisk, lupins and any new weeds encountered. This will reduce cover for predators that prey on the endangered migratory birds that nest in the riverbed.
Satisfy Food Rescue
Satisfy Food Rescue were awarded $15,000 for their project to reduce food waste, respond to climate change and help to make our community more food secure.
Project purpose: Satisfy Food Rescue redirects edible surplus food that was destined for landfill or animal feed, to where it is needed most in our community. This means collecting surplus food from supermarkets, growers, wholesalers and cafes and redistributing it to food banks, community meal providers and schools.
Christchurch Envirohub Trust
Christchurch Envirohub Trust were provided with two lots of funding for two separate projects.
Project purpose:
Project one: The first was $8,000 for their Te Tuna Tāone / Urban Eel – action learning programme. The Te Tuna Tāone ākonga/students take on-the-ground actions to improve the health of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem for urban longfin tuna in their catchment. Their mahi aims to mitigate the impact of climatic changes on longfin tuna, within their community.
Project two: The second was $20,000 for their capacity building in the local environmental sector and provision of public-facing digital and physical resources. Workshops, events and digital and in-person resources will be provided to enhance the capacity and capability of the local environmental sector and help activate more members of the community to be involved in grassroots solutions to environmental opportunities and challenges.
About the WAI Fund
The WAI Fund was established in 2021 and has provided around $1.5m to community groups in that time.
All applications were assessed against criteria and all successful recipients must provide a minimum of 30 per cent of the total project budget; this may come from funding or equivalent in-kind contributions, such as volunteer hours.
Duntroon turns the dial on water quality with destination wetland | Environment Canterbury
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Funding helps put wetland on the map
This year the Duntroon and District Development Association was allocated funding by the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Water Zone Committee to support the maintenance of the Duntroon Wetland walkway.
This will ensure the walkway will remain accessible to foot traffic and wheelchairs, allowing visitors to relax away from the cyclists who traverse the wetland.
The wetland was created by the Duntroon and District Development Association, and all the work completed by volunteers, with contractors undertaking willow removal. The wetland contains a significant springhead, that is now protected and is popular with many visitors including Alps2Ocean cyclists. The funding will benefit all visitors and will also free up two volunteers to do other work in the wetlands.
Duntroon Wetlands with Mount Domett in the distance
“We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received. It has paid dividends in what we’ve been able to achieve,” Karan said.
“It’s not only about the number of people that are now able to enjoy this beautiful space, but it’s also about the wider environmental benefits for our catchment.”
Wetland regeneration supports catchment water quality
Duntroon Wetland is much more than a leisurely stroll, Karan said.
“It forms an important connection between our land and water, and it supports the plant and bird life, as well as water quality. Wetlands clean the water that flows into them by capturing contaminants like sediment and filtering out the nutrients.
“Duntroon Wetland is an asset for our village.”
The wetland walkway has been designed to be wheelchair accessible, with sections of boardwalk to enable visitors to negotiate the pathways in all weather.
“We’re very fortunate in that we’ve had a group of people who have connected with this work, including neighbouring landowners Geoff and Jan Keeling, and the Duntroon School,” Karen said.
Duntroon School and neighbouring landowners Geoff and Jan Keeling have been vital to progress on the wetland restoration
”The group have taken it on themselves to put in the time and dedication to get the wetland to where it is today, coming here on their days off for working bees,” Karan said.
“When you start a project, you wonder who is going to take it on and worry that enthusiasm will drop off. It’s so inspiring and reassuring to see new people come in and give a hand and our work in this space continues to build. It’s exciting what we’ve been able to achieve here for our small community.”
Each of the region’s water zone committees has an action plan which outlines how they will work with the community to help improve the environment and meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.
After working as an ecologist for 40 years, Judith became the Chair of the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust (WBT) when it was formed in 2021. Judith organises workshops for landowners who want to increase biodiversity on their farms, runs talks about the importance of preserving the environment, and champions events to get locals out into the district.
Judith is a fundraising whizz and has helped secure over $65,000 for WBT since its inception. Her focus now is to build up capacity within the organisation, support staff and promote sound ecological principles in all WBT activities.
“I really appreciated being nominated because it was recognition of the work of all the people involved in setting up and running WBT,” Judith said. “I hope through winning this award people can see the positive side of biodiversity management in both the rural and urban parts of the district.”
Dr Judith Roper Lindsay, winner of the individual award
Miles has been a QEII National Trust representative for 23 years and has assisted numerous Canterbury landowners in protecting residual native forest, scrub, tussock grasslands, drylands, and wetlands.
He and his wife Gillian have carried out weed control work together as part of the QEII National Trust.
Miles became involved in the management of Matawai Park in Rangiora whilst Gillian focussed on district environmental advocacy.
Both have been active members of the Canterbury Botanical Society, a group that fosters appreciation and protection of native flora.
Miles and Gillian Giller, winners of the individual award
The main goal of ARRG is to protect the braided river birds that nest along the Ashley Rakahuri awa during spring and summer.
The group, consisting of over 60 active volunteers, sets traps to capture pests like rats and feral cats and monitor the nesting area.
They are constantly learning about threats to the birds, which not only include predators but also human disturbance as well.
Each year they complete a bird count along the awa – last year they found 777 nests – with this year’s count being the 25th since the group’s inception.
ARRG chairperson Sue Mardon said the group was “thrilled to be nominated and felt humbled and very grateful to win and have our year’s work recognised.”
Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group, winner of the group award
Dan Cameron from Terra Centric identified an area with a significant kōwaro/Canterbury mudfish population around Bennetts Stream. To support biodiversity around the stream and improve mudfish habitat, he worked with 44 students from West Eyreton School to plant over 250 native seedlings.
The plants were grown by the students from seed in 2023. The students have since been working with Enviroschools facilitator Siobhan Culhane to learn more about the precious kōwaro and why it should be protected.
“This project took the learning out of the classroom, made it memorable, and inspired future action to protect this special area,” said teacher Michelle Orr. “The students have started growing the next lot of native seeds for future planting of the Bennetts Stream area.”
West Eyreton School, winner of the youth award
Nominees inspire judges
Carolyne Latham, chair of the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee, was delighted by the high calibre of nominees. “The second year of the Waimakariri Environmental Awards again drew a high calibre of individuals, groups, and projects, making it very difficult for the judging panel.
“The Zone Committee is delighted to be facilitating the awards in order to recognise those who are going the extra mile, and we hope that it gives inspiration to all our residents because every little bit counts.”
Chair of the Zone Committee Biodiversity Working Group, Martha Jolly, said, “the second round of these awards brought us some truly inspiring projects that increased indigenous biodiversity, improved the monitoring of water resources, protected braided rivers, and created sustainable recreation.
“Every single applicant deserves kudos. You are our champions!”
The meeting started with Te Rūnanga o Waihao chair Dardanelle McLean-Smith speaking to the Committee about nitrates.
Notice of motion – private well testing events
Councillor Vicky Southworth brought a notice of motion about private well testing events to the Committee.
She asked the committee to consider a recommendation to staff to provide a report back to the Council on running region-wide events for private well owners to improve awareness regarding water quality risks.
Councillor Southworth asked for the report to include advice on:
budget and whether funds are available to run some events within the current financial year
funding required in the 2025/26 Annual Plan to run events in the next financial year.
Councillor Vicky Southworth made recommendations to run private well testing events
Core services performance report for quarter one – we’re on track!
Our performance report was presented to the Committee which highlighted our progress for the first quarter of the financial year (July-September 2024).
All our service measures were either on track or have surveys planned for later in the year.
Highlights from the report across our core services this quarter:
Environmental Regulation and Protection
We have made good progress on the review of the Regional Policy Statement (RPS) and a plan change to the Regional Land and Water Plan (Plan Change 8). Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga will continue to be involved in this planning work over coming months to the extent they wish to be involved.
Good progress has been made on the implementation of both the Sustainable Consents Delivery Plan and the Compliance Improvement Project.
Work was done with the farming sector to ensure winter grazing practices are compliant.
A regional working group was established to look at alternative funding for the biosecurity programmes relating to wallabies and wilding conifers in the Mackenzie area.
In July, Council received confirmation that $5.7M co-investment funding will be received from Central Government to help pay for climate resilience and flood protection.
The final report on the flood recovery project in response to the May/June 2021 flood event was submitted to the National Emergency Management Agency.
The Civil Defence Emergency Management team has been preparing for the annual coordination centre exercise (Pandora) in November 2024.
Organisational systems have been updated to capture information on how nature-based and/or multi-benefit solutions are being implemented for flood and river resilience to support reporting on service measures.
The Harbourmaster passed the Maritime New Zealand Port and Harbour Marine Safety code audit this quarter, meaning safety management systems are deemed consistent with the national standard.
Patronage of public transport services continued to grow in quarter one by 13.6% in Greater Christchurch and 8.0% in South Canterbury.
Good progress has been made on the implementation of the National Ticketing Solution.
17 new electric buses were added to the urban fleet, meaning that over a quarter (26%) of the urban bus fleet is now electric.
In September 2024, a new ferry vessel, named the Black Pearl, began operations serving Lyttleton and Diamond Harbour, almost doubling passenger capacity to 95 passengers per trip and helping to meet increased demand.
Public consultation on our draft ten-year Canterbury Regional Public Transport Plan 2025-35 (RPTP) started on 25 September 2024.
Councillors heard from kaimahi (staff) that we’re on track with addressing all legacy consents (those lodged before 1 August 2023) by the end of this year.
To the end of September 2024, there has been a reduction of 72.5% in legacy applications in process, compared with a 69% reduction by the end of August.
What do these numbers mean?
We had 1225 legacy consents on 1 August 2023 and as of 11 November, we have left 228 consents.
General Manager Regulatory Implementation Paul Hulse told councillors that all of the remaining consents have an action plan in place and kaimahi are confident the backlog will be gone by the end of December.
Compliance with overall statutory timeframes is improving and we expect this to continue.
As reported in the quarter one performance report, the consenting timeframe compliance for the first quarter (July – September 2024) was 49.9%, compared with 26% for the 2023/24 financial year.
It is expected that statutory timeframe compliance will continue to improve as the backlog is addressed and that these timeframes will be met for most applications from the end of 2024.
35% more new consent applications
It was also shared with councillors that there has been an increase in new applications in recent months.
In October, we received 35% more new applications than the month before. We expect this increase to continue as more consents are due for renewal.
The next steps in the implementation of the consent delivery plan include the continuation of a proactive, catchment-based approach to anticipated applications for consent renewals.
There will also be a focus on finding greater alignment between consent and compliance functions.
Compliance work update
Councillors were pleased to hear about the progress to date with the transformation of our compliance service.
They heard about the work underway that looks at better integration of planning, consenting and compliance, and we told them that we’re identifying how best to identify risk areas and activities that require monitoring, while also making sure that we help resource users better understand how they can demonstrate their compliance.
New compliance risk matrix to support reporting on the new service measure
Kaimahi presented councillors with a new compliance risk matrix which has been developed as part of the compliance improvement project.
The matrix will help us build a better understanding of the compliance status of resource use across Canterbury/Waitaha by assessing both the inherent risk of the use and the management of that risk.
The new matrix aims to serve several purposes, including helping with reporting on the new service measure 5 in the Long-Term Plan.
The matrix will also help with prioritising our monitoring programme either by where on the ground we need to focus more, or what resource users need more information to be enabled to better demonstrate their compliance.
When considering the use of the risk matrix, it can be done in different ways, from looking at risk by consent in a place, e.g. Rakaia catchment; risk by consent type, e.g. water or risk by activity, dairy farm.
The next report to the Regional Delivery Committee on current compliance and incident response work and the progress of the compliance improvement project will be in early 2025.
Air quality monitoring
Over the last decade, air quality has improved considerably.
Air quality pollutant standards were exceeded in all airsheds except Waimate, Geraldine and Rangiora in 2024.
The Clean Air Work Programme is delivered within the Environmental Regulation and Protection core service and focuses on ensuring low-emission burners are authorised, and the community is supported to transition to cleaner forms of heating and good burning practices are occurring.
Financial assistance is provided to mitigate any unintended negative impacts on households with limited means due to the rules.
Progress of the Clean Air Work Programme
Our annual winter home heating education campaign focuses on the importance of reducing smoke from home heating by using better burning techniques and good wood inefficient, well-maintained burners.
Kaimahi noted that we respond to smoky chimney complaints using a tiered, education-first approach and offering financial support to eligible households via firewood and home heating subsidies.
Noting that PM10 exceedances in Washdyke occur most months o the year, kaimahi pointed out the main sources of pollution in Washdyke include dust from vehicle movements on unpaved areas and sea salt, whereas the main pollution source in other airsheds in the region is smoke from home heating.
As part of our transition to the core services model, home heating reporting will be combined with other air quality reporting, including information about dust, to create holistic air quality reporting.
Councillors asked if they could be relocated to areas where there are known issues with dust. It was noted that relocating the stations could be an issue when PM2.5 standards are eventually introduced by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and that PM2.5 concentrations in Waimate and Geraldine are still higher than targets in the Canterbury Air Regional Plan.
Councillors and kaimahi also discussed the Solid Fuel Burner database, the review of the Canterbury Air Regional Plan in 2028, the viability of implementing air pollution forecasts, the relationship between meteorology and air pollution, and the need for more efficient, cost-effective ways to monitor air quality, particularly when MfE introduces PM2.5 standards.
Missed the meeting? Watch the Council committee meeting on
If your consent expires within the next two years, start thinking about what information you may need to collect and if you need a consultant to help you apply.
We often get asked how we do compliance and why it’s important. This page explains how we monitor compliance with resource consents and handle cases of non-compliance.
Our new Rakaia water balance model can calculate the average daily river flow at the Rakaia River mouth for the first time.
The Rakaia is one of Waitaha’s most iconic landscapes – a braided river that flows across central Canterbury from the mountains to the sea.
Its stunning natural landscape was recognised when the river was made subject to a Water Conservation Order (WCO) in 1988, protecting the river, its habitat and recreational values.
The river is fed by rain and snowmelt on the Southern Alps, so flow varies considerably, and the WCO sets minimum flow levels, below which water cannot be taken for use.
Accounting for water movement on the Rakaia
Despite the WCO, the Rakaia is still used as a water source for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation.
As the regulator, we are responsible for ensuring water users are compliant with their resource consent conditions. These include not taking water when on restriction, and adhering to daily and annual volume limits.
Water takes have flow meters installed. These devices send us information on water taken each day.
The Rakaia water balance model combines these data with that from a flow recorder operated by NIWA near Fighting Hill in the Rakaia Gorge, and accounts for natural loss to groundwater and water discharged from Highbank Power Station into the river, to calculate the daily average flow at the river mouth.
As the Rakaia emerges from the gorge, it spreads out over a wide gravel bed in several ever-changing braids. This makes measuring flow volumes almost impossible.
Water and Land Science Manager Elaine Moriarty says creating this model was the best way to explain river levels at the river mouth.
“Because the Rakaia has so many braids crossing such a wide stretch of the plains, we can’t set up a flow meter.
“We have a passionate community of anglers and recreational river users, and we hope this information will assist them in understanding the variables influencing the flow of the river.”
New biocontrol agent deployed to control Chilean needle grass | Environment Canterbury
Scheduled maintenance
We are conducting maintenance updates this evening and our Rainfall and River flow pages will be unavailable for a time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
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Once established, it can be difficult and costly to control with seed spreading very easily on clothing, machinery, vehicles, feed and on livestock.
Chilean needle grass populations are very localised in Canterbury, with the majority of known sites in north Canterbury with one other site in West Melton.
Rust fungus kills pest plant
Uromyces pencanus is a rust fungus that damages the top layer of the Chilean needle grass leaves causing increased water loss and premature death. This technique is successful in dry conditions – a potential match made in heaven for north Canterbury conditions.
CNG rust mixed with talcum powder painted onto leaf
Invasive species advisor Dr Morgan Shields says that he has his fingers crossed for the success of the Chilean needle grass rust in Canterbury.
“Biocontrol is an excellent tool but also a fickle thing. You can do all the testing but never quite know how successful it will be until sometimes years down the track,” Morgan says.
“The rust is host specific, meaning that it will only attack Chilean needle grass.”
It’s been a long road to get this rust into Aotearoa from its native home of South America. It was first approved for release here in 2011 but researchers from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research had to wait a decade for the export permit from Argentina before importing it in 2022.
The Kurow Wetlands, located 60km northwest of Ōamaru behind the small town of Kurow, were once overgrown with weeds, including invasive crack willow. This natural wetland has since been restored and is now maintained by dedicated local volunteers.
In 2014 a small group of volunteers came together, with the wider support of the Waitaki Valley Community Society, to help restore and preserve the wetlands. They’ve been working tirelessly ever since, with water quality at the heart of much of their work.
Previous work has seen:
the development of a walking track through the wetland
crack willow removal and weed clearance work
planting thousands of native plantings.
Group of volunteers getting new native plantings in the ground
“We have seen the benefits that can be achieved from willow removal in the waterway,” local volunteer Karen Turner said.
In the part of the wetland that has had willow removal, the stagnant water can now flow better out to the Waitaki River, improving the quality of the stream, which is a rest stop for species such as tuna (eel).
“We were just a small group of passionate locals who knew there was something special there behind the Kurow shops,” local volunteer Karen Turner said.
“We’re so incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. Without people and organisations recognising the importance of what we’re working towards and who are willing to get in behind what we’re doing, we wouldn’t have been able to undertake this work,” Karen said.
“This prized wetland would still be an impenetrable, weed-infested little backwater surrounded by farmland.”
While a lot of wetlands are not easily accessible, Kurow Wetlands is just a short walk from the town centre of Kurow.
It’s home to a wide range of flora and fauna including the endangered long-fin eel and short-fin eel.
It’s been designed with the community in mind; the walking tracks are wide enough for prams and wheelchair users, and it is accessible for families to enjoy.
It also forms a part of the Alps to Ocean cycle trail, New Zealand’s longest continuous cycle trail that weaves its way from the Southern Alps near Mt Cook Village to Ōamaru.
The Kurow Wetlands walking tracks are wide enough for prams and wheelchair users
By slowing the water flow from land and releasing it slowly in dry periods, they also play a vital role during periods of high or low rainfall.
While historically many of the country’s natural wetlands have been drained, some have simply been concealed by weeds, unable to realise their environmental potential.
Each of the region’s water zone committees has an action plan which outlines how they will work with the community to help improve the environment and meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.
The report states that “[Environment Canterbury’s flood recovery updates] are comprehensive and accessible, and cover both physical works as well as financial information.”
It also highlights ourriver rating district liaison committeesas an example of transparent, meaningful engagement that gives communities influence in Council decision making, saying “Environment Canterbury’s rating district liaison committee meeting notes are publicly available. They indicate a good level of transparency by the Council on work carried out, financial management, and work programme options.”
Our Chair Craig Pauling welcomed the recognition for the work we’ve done.
“As the Auditor General says, climate impacts don’t respect territorial boundaries and we’ve been working across the region on a plan with shared actions.
“We were the first council in New Zealand to declare a climate emergency, and it’s great to see our work in this space being positively recognised,” he said.
“We know we must continue to take robust, consistent, holistic climate action to protect the unique taiao (environment) of Waitaha/Canterbury.
“We welcome the Auditor General’s recommendations on ways we can further strengthen and improve our efforts to provide a thriving and climate-resilient region for ourselves and future generations,” Chair Pauling said.
The Office of the Auditor General report
The How well four councils are responding to a changing climate report explores our climate response and that of Christchurch City Council, Nelson City Council and Whanganui District Council.
The Office of the Auditor General initiated the report to understand how well the four councils are moving from talking about climate action to taking action. It recommends that all councils adopt clear climate strategies, strong community engagement, and robust reporting to meet the challenges posed by a changing climate.
The list of topics earmarked for consideration under the new collaborative approach features many of the major challenges facing land-based sectors in Waitaha and beyond.
Potential joint research projects include:
impacts and mitigations of agriculture on the environment
farm economics under changing climate, legislation and market forces
climate change adaptation and mitigation
resource management planning
peri-urban planning and management
waterways management.
Council Chair Craig Pauling and Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards
Identifying opportunities for regional growth and sustainability
The new partnership will also provide a pathway and motivation for us and Lincoln University to collaborate on identifying opportunities for the region and developing strategies to capitalise on those opportunities.
Under the new agreement, we’re committed to:
facilitating and extending the work of the University through the co-creation and delivery of research projects
providing training, supervision and resources for suitable student-led research projects
providing work assignments and internships for high-quality student candidates
contributing expertise to Master’s and Doctoral students.
Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards says the MoU is a natural fit between two prominent, like-minded organisations committed to ensuring a more sustainable future for Waitaha and its residents.
Lincoln University’s purpose is to facilitate excellent research and education in the land-based sectors, to help shape a world that benefits from a greater understanding of the relationship between land, food and ecosystems.
The efforts of our staff, researchers, students and graduates will directly contribute to advancing agriculture, agribusiness, environmental management, recreation and tourism within the Waitaha region and beyond.
Lincoln University: Leaders in sustainable land-based learning
Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki/Lincoln University has increased its student population year-on-year since 2018. It is on track to achieve its highest-ever student headcount of 5,000 by the end of 2024.
Lincoln is New Zealand’s only specialist university focusing on the land-based sectors. It is renowned globally for the quality of its teaching and research programmes, its graduates’ high employability, and its outstanding campus experience.
Council Chair Craig Pauling, a Lincoln graduate himself, says Lincoln University and Environment Canterbury have a long-established history of sharing knowledge and expertise, and the new agreement will build on the past to benefit the future.
“It makes sense that we work closely with a leading learning organisation such as the Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University to benefit us all.”
Councillor John Sunckell has been a strong advocate for this MoU and is thrilled to see it get to this point.
“Those in education, research, and innovation can bring so much to our work by way of new ideas and ways of doing things. By working together, we are setting a powerful example of how we can unite to protect our natural world, our land-based productive sectors and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.”
