Welcome to our first newsletter for 2025, we hope you’ve managed to get some much needed relaxation time and are feeling positive about the year ahead.
It’s hard to believe that Thriving Southland is about to celebrate it’s five year anniversary!
We now support 37 Catchment Groups across more than 90% of the region. That’s more than 1500 farmers and other community members who have contributed to almost 150 projects during the past five years.
As I’ve said before, New Zealand farmers, and in my mind, led by southern farmers, are developing long-term, sustainable change through their Catchment Groups and farming businesses.
This year we will continue to build on the strong platform that’s been created, focusing on a commitment to environmental stewardship, high-value products and the freedom to innovate with the flexibility to adapt. This ability to be nimble will be crucial but we can’t stand still - and Southland Catchment Groups are leading the charge in this respect.
For example, the Christmas event in Tokanui with the South Coast, Titiroa, and Waikawa Catchment Groups joining forces with Fare Game NZ for a hands-on evening focused on practical deer management. This is a fantastic example of people getting together to talk about some of the bigger issues, like deer management, mixed in with a lot of fun and some tasty kai.
Resource of the Month:
Getting Through – What It Takes to Recover from Extreme Weather Events
Watch, listen and learn from the experience of others with Farmstrong’s new 'Getting Through' online and print resources. These resources feature insights and practical wellbeing tips from over 30 farmers, growers and industry leaders. Farmstrong has compiled them into a book and website to aid those recovering from extreme weather events and going through tough times. Read the stories here.
Our successful Southern AgriTech and Innovation Day is back for a second year!
When: Thursday 1 May
Where: Southern Field Days site, Waimumu (near Gore)
Time: 9am to 4pm (doors open 8am)
If you were among the 300-plus farmers who attended last year’s inaugural event, you will recall the energy and enthusiasm our keynote speakers and workshops generated.
Knowledge is a powerful tool – make sure you’re ahead of the game by being part of this year’s field day. Don’t miss out this year – make the Southern AgriTech and Innovation Day your must-attend event for 2025.
This event is an opportunity to look beyond the farmgate to discover emerging technologies and trends, and what these mean for your business. There’ll be keynote speakers sharing insights from the forefront of agritech and we’re bringing back the popular farmer panel discussion.
The Deputy CEO and Chief Scientist at Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Food Agility, Professor David Lamb, is among this year’s keynotes. He’s a physicist that has worked in precision agriculture for over 25 years and has led more than 40 research projects and championed the concept of smart farming.
There will also be six interactive workshops split between the morning and afternoon. There will be a range of topics, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Numbers will be limited for some workshops, so it would pay to book early.
So, if you want to explore emerging trends and their effects on your business, celebrate the entrepreneurs and innovators who are driving change, and find inspiration and motivation for the future, lock in Thursday 1 May.
You can secure an early-bird tickets from Monday 17 February here.
Early bird tickets are only $35 per person. Tickets will be $55 per person after 31 March.
Upper Mataura water testing all systems go
In December, the Upper Mataura Catchment Group finalised nine sites for a round of water testing and eDNA sampling. Funding for the initial round was approved in January and Aquatech carrying out the scoping round of water testing last week. The Group are getting back together this month, with Justin Kitto from DairyNZ interpreting the data. The Group will then determine their next steps based on the findings – exciting times!
Te Anau Basin, Orauea and Lower Waiau Catchment Groups ponder mapping project
In January, the organisation Collaborations (who do fantastic mapping work) presented a baseline flowpath, wet area and erosion mapping project option to include the Waiau FMU to farmer representatives from Te Anau, Orauea and Lower Waiau Catchment Groups.
Tom Nation and James Blythe, from Collaborations, outlined a proposal to produce a baseline mapping product with the possibility to go one step further and produce mitigations. The Group are currently debating the opportunity so watch this space!
Christmas event: Hands on workshop with Fare Game in Tokanui
This year’s Christmas event in Tokanui was a bit different, with the South Coast, Titiroa, and Waikawa Catchment Groups joining forces with Fare Game NZ for a hands-on evening focused on practical deer management, with some tips on butchery skills.
The event was part of a phased project addressing the pest issue across these three catchments. Callum, Dave, and Dwayne from Fare Game NZ expertly guided everyone through the butchery process, and to top it off, we had a BBQ grilling up the venison while the Fare Game team shared tips on cooking venison to perfection.
It was a great way to talk about some of the bigger issues like deer management while having a bit of fun. The Groups are keen to keep looking for solutions that benefit the catchment, where they're addressing the deer problem and supporting local businesses at the same time.
Huge thanks to Fare Game for donating their time and sharing their knowledge with us. We’re looking forward to more events like this in the future.
Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement Growing Stronger - and new initiatives in 2025
What a year 2024 was for the Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement, with over 2,500 of locally grown native plants in the ground across Central Southland. We did four community plantings with Winton School, while at Central Southland College we added more native planting to their restoration area next to the Winton Trail. Winton Kindergarten ran an educational session with their tamariki to enhance their backyard, and the Central Southland Toy Library landscaped with beautiful natives too.
We also helped five local landowners with projects, like planting out a newly constructed sediment trap near Browns, starting a mini native forest near Centre Bush, and continuing wetland and shelterbelt plantings on local farms and properties. Many thanks to all those involved.
If you are keen to be part of this lovely local project, please join us at our monthly native plant nursery sessions at the AB Lime Nursery – first Tuesday of every month from 4pm to 6 pm at the AB Lime, 10 Bend Road, Winton. Check our “Mid Oreti Catchment Group” Facebook page for event details.
This year we are also trying something new for local landowners with our Native Plant Grants. We have a pack of either 40 or 80 of our beautifully grown native plants, at $50 or $100 respectively. This works out as $1.25 per plant for landowners, which is all put back into growing more native plants for future projects. You can apply at any time of the year. We also have 500 plants put aside to donate to school and community group projects.
If you are thinking about restoring a riparian strip, creating a wetland, or enhancing biodiversity on your property just send the “Mid Oreti Catchment Group” a message on Facebook or email us on midoreticatchment@gmail.com
Native Seed Collecting and Sowing Workshop – Mid Oreti Catchment Group
Tuesday 4 February, from 4pm to 6pm
AB Lime Main Office Car Park, 10 Bend Road, Winton
Collect a variety of tussock, flax and sedge seeds from AB Lime's wetland to take home or sow on the day. Come and go as you please from 4pm - 6pm as there will be people around to show you how to collect and sow seeds throughout the evening. Bring along your own containers to sow seed - ice cream tubs are great! Training is provided and all ages welcome. Stay for as little or as long as you like.
Drop-in Sessions – Winton Stream’s new wetland tool
Tuesday 4 February, from 4pm to 6pm
AB Lime Main Office Car Park, 10 Bend Road, Winton
Curious about the new FREE online tool to help improve water quality and boosting biodiversity in the Winton Stream Catchment? Join us at one of our sessions to see how it works.
The tool is designed to help Winton Stream landowners identify the best spots to put wetlands, bunds and sediment traps, offering great benefits for both land and water. Find out more about the tool here: www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/mid-oreti
There are likely to be more events in the pipeline so make sure you check out the events section on the Thriving Southland website and the Facebook page for details.
Have a great February,
Ngā mihi
Richard Kyte (Thriving Southland Project Lead) and the Thriving Southland Team
