Initially, the majority of the enhancement projects were focused within the Temuka Township, where work was undertaken to improve the stream’s water quality and increase biodiversity along its margins. The Taumatakahu Stream Care Group received support from Environment Canterbury and the Timaru District Council to carry out planting and fencing. They also created an attractive walkway along the stream.

In order to facilitate projects, a Community Advisory Team was formed - made up of 8 community members and representatives from Environment Canterbury, Fish & Game, DOC and Timaru District Council. Initiatives completed to date include 4 community planting events, a demonstration day to look at what lives in the stream, and a stream walk to highlight ways of assessing stream health.

Since 2008, focus has turned to the rural stretches of the Taumatakahu. 2 landowners have received funding from Environment Canterbury’s Environmental Enhancement Fund to help fence off a stretch of the stream close to an important spring. The town-based stream care group was more than happy to volunteer time to help the farmers plant these areas, the planting falling at a busy time of the year for the farmers. 

“It’s great getting the town people helping on a country project, as it’s all the same waterway and to everyone’s benefit,” Environment Canterbury’s senior resource care coordinator Judith Earl-Goulet said.

Environment Canterbury staff stress that if stock are not kept out of the upper reaches of these spring fed streams, the water quality of the whole stream is threatened. It is hoped that stretches of the Taumatakahu Stream will become demonstration sites, where people can learn about rural stream enhancement.