Summer finally arrived during February and with everyone in catch-up mode after the wet spring, it was a relief to feel some heat and see some grass growth.
There’s been plenty going on with, another great episode of our Catchment Convos to listen to, for those in the Plant Nursery space, seed gathering now coming up, not to mention a whole host of great events coming up in March and April.
A highlight this month for the Thriving Southland team was the training rolled out by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust for our coordinators. We’re looking forward to putting the lessons learned about community-based freshwater initiatives into action with Catchment Groups and others around the region.
Also, remember to save the date for the second Southern AgriTech and Innovation Day on Thursday 1 May - last year’s event was an amazing day out at Waimumu and you won’t want to miss out this year.
A close look:
A mayfly spotted during a night training session (photo: Ainsley Adams)
Back again by popular demand
Southern Agritech is on Thursday 1 May. Like last year, it attracts some of the leading thinkers from across Australasia. With exhibitors presenting leading-edge tech and SO MUCH MORE... Tickets on sale now. Visit: https://www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/agritech2025/
Catchment Group selected for Showcase
The Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group has been selected as this year’s Catchment Group Showcase for the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Judges recently spent time with the Group, learning about their efforts across the Lora and Otapiri Gorges water catchment area, east of State Highway 96.
A major focus for the Group has been their Makarewa Headwaters Revival Project – Phase 1: Tackling Feral Animals in the Hokonui Hills. We are incredibly proud of the Catchment Group and the huge amount of work they’ve put in. This project took a proactive approach to reducing the impact of feral animals, improving biodiversity, and protecting water quality.
It assessed the scale of the feral animal problem in the area, focusing on species such as deer, pigs, goats and wild merino, ungulate pests that impact the landscape. Their efforts have gained national attention, highlighting the power of coordinated, community-driven action. For more details click here.
We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards Evening on Thursday 10 April. Keep an eye on the Southland BFEA Facebook page for ticket details – you won’t want to miss this.
Need funding for your wetland or environmental project?
Apply now!
Thriving Southland is excited to announce a new funding opportunity for Southland farmers and landowners looking to restore wetlands or undertake on-farm environmental projects.
Thanks to the Environment Southland Community Grant Agreement, $200,000 is available through the Thriving Southland Fund to support projects that benefit the wider catchment.
Funding is available now until fully allocated. Farmers and landowners can apply for financial assistance with activities such as native planting, fencing, wetland restoration, sediment traps, and other environmental improvements.
Thriving Southland Project Lead, Richard Kyte, encourages farmers to take advantage of the opportunity. “This initiative is about enhancing Southland’s environment at a catchment level. Even small projects can have a big impact, and this funding can help get them off the ground.”
The process is designed to be quick and easy, ensuring farmers can take the first step towards making a positive environmental difference on their land.
If you’ve been considering a project, now’s the time to act! Get in touch to learn more and apply today.
Key Info
Open to Southland farmers and landowners.
Projects must provide benefits beyond the individual farm at a catchment level.
Funding can be used for fencing, planting, sediment traps, wetland construction/restoration, and similar initiatives.
Applications are open now and will remain open until funding is fully allocated.
Request an application form via your Catchment Group Coordinator or email office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz.
Successful applicants will be asked to share their project journey through case studies, photos or videos.
Find out more at www.thrivingsouthland.co.nz/TSfund
Applying is simple – just request an application form by contacting your local Catchment Group Coordinator or by sending an email to office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz.
Submit your application today and take the first step towards enhancing Southland’s environment.
Even small actions can make a big impact.
Catchment Convos Podcast - featuring Neal Wallace
Don't miss our latest podcast featuring Farmers Weekly journalist Neal Wallace. In this episode, we sit down with Neal to unpack key insights from his six-week overseas tour, where he met with industry giants McDonald’s, Nestlé and Mars.
✅ Why global food giants want proof of sustainability
✅ How traceability could make compliance easier
✅ Why Catchment Groups are a game-changer for farmers
Listen now here or on your favourite podcast platform.
Growing it local in Mid Oreti to share with the community
Is your school or community group in the Mid Oreti Catchment Group area and after some native plants for a project? Or are you a local landowner or resident who is keen to buy some locally grown native plants for a restoration project at your place - for riparian strips, creating wetlands or improving biodiversity?
Mid Oreti Catchment Group has grown 500 native plants to gift and share with Central Southland schools and community projects and have native plant packs of 40 or 80 native plants for local landowners to purchase for $50 or $100 respectively.
Just email midoreticatchment@gmail.com with your project details and what you are after, or to request the plant pack handout.
100% of the funds go back into growing more natives for plants for future years too.
Spotlighting, eels and tons of fun learning at night
Photo: Ainsley Adams
Wai Connections and Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust travelled the length of the country to share their knowledge and expertise with the Thriving Southland Catchment Coordinators and Environment Southland Land Sustainability Teams during February.
We learned about inanga and the National Īnanga Spawning Programme, fun and hands on community-based freshwater monitoring, and how to run community spotlighting events. The late-night learning how to set fish traps and after dark stream walks was totally worth it. These are great ways to engage your local community and a lot of fun.
Summer is time start collecting your native seeds
A great crowd came to Mid Oreti’s summertime native seed collecting event in February and the Group decided to host their final Marshalling the Best drop-in session at the same time.
There was a great atmosphere and lots of people wandered around the AB Lime wetland gathering their tussock, flax and sedge seeds. People were shown how to plant up their seed in ice cream tubs, which were happily taken home to grow into seedlings and be planted out. The team will run a similar event for bush species in April/May at the AB Lime bush block – Motu Ngahere.
Mid Oreti Catchment Group
Mini Forest Movement Native Plant Nursery drop-in session
First Tuesday of every month - Tuesday 4 March, from 4pm to 6pm
AB Lime Nursery, 10 Bend Road, Winton
All welcome to come to our monthly native plant growing working-bee evenings at the AB Lime Nursery. Your help will go toward growing plants for the Mid Oreti Mini Forest Movement Project, which provides native plants to the local community and landowners for their planting projects. Training is provided and all ages welcome. Stay for as little or as long as you like.
Waikawa Catchment Group
Seed sourcing & Propagation Workshop
Thursday 6 March, from 4.30 - 6.30pm
Waikawa Hall
A hands-on native plant workshop. Bring along your own containers to sow seeds and take home.
Ice cream containers with holes drilled in the bottom are great!
For more info, contact Tessa Miller on 021 400 431
The Aquavan is coming to Winton
Aquavan Community Session
Tuesday 18 March, from 4pm to 6pm
Central Southland Presbyterian Church Hall, 11 Meldrum Street, Winton
Come and experience the University of Otago Marine Studies Centre Aquavan. Get hands-on with a mobile touch tank full of marine creatures and discover how our catchments, rivers, and coasts are all connected. Fun for all ages - bring the family.
If you can’t make this event, why not head down to ILT Stadium Southland on Saturday 22 March from 10am to 3pm and see the Aquavan at the annual Invercargill City Council and Sunrise Rotary Water Quality Awareness Event!
This event is on at the same time as the annual Multi-Cultural Food Festival, and there will be a range of stands in the ILT Stadium Southland’s main foyer from businesses and groups that help look after the waters in and around Invercargill, such as, Sanfords, Fulton Hogan, Environment Southland and Manaki Whitebait.
For more info on Aquavan, contact Sarah Thorne on 027 588 5200
Titiroa Catchment Group Bus Trip
From Source to Stream: Learning from the Pomahaka
Thursday 27 March, 12pm
Join us on a trip to Pomahaka Catchment to learn from the Pomahaka Water Care Group - a community tackling sediment and water quality challenges with practical, low-cost solutions.
What we'll cover:
Detainment Bunds & Sediment Traps - Simple, effective ways to reduce sediment loss
Low-Cost, Practical Solutions - What's actually working on the ground?
Lessons from the Pomahaka Water Care Group - What they've tried, what's worked, and what hasn't.
For more information and to RSVP, contact: Carmen Andrews on 027 289 0468 or Tessa Miller on 021 400 431
Edendale Aquifer Group
Navigating local nutrient issues
Monday 31 March, 10.30am - 1pm
Seaward Downs Hall
Nitrogen management is a hot topic - but what actually works in Southland, and in the Edendale Catchment? Join us as we explore practical options and real farm numbers.
What you'll hear about:
Plantain & Low-Nitrogen Systems - Can they work in our catchment?
Local Case Studies with DairyNZ - Modeling nitrogen strategies and their financial impact.
Farmer Panel: Small Changes, Big Picture - What's practical on the ground?
For more info, contact Tessa Miller on 021 400 431 or Tim McRae on 027 240 2592 or email edendaleaquifergroup@gmail.com
Waikawa Annual Meeting
Wednesday 2 April, from 7pm
Tokanui Tavern
This will cover the Structure of the Catchment Group, and general updates.
Gore Community Planting Day
SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday 16 April
Planting at the Gore Catchment Group Wetland - all welcome. More details to come.
'Opportunities in Agritourism' two-hour workshop
Tokanui on 16th April from 6.30 - 8.30 pm
Lumsden on 17th April from 6.30 - 8.30 pm
Are you interested in learning more about the opportunities to diversify your farm by setting up or growing a profitable agritourism business? Visit www.agritourism.nz for more info, or register for the workshop at office@thrivingsouthland.co.nz
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 March,
Ngā mihi
Richard Kyte (Thriving Southland Project Lead) and the Thriving Southland Team
