Weather conditions and weed control in the Kaikōura zone

Read Andrew Arps', team leader for water and land in North Canterbury, first column of 2025. This January, he’s talking need-to-know information on summer conditions and exciting progress in the fight against pest plants on the Waiau Toa/Clarence River.

Take Two with Andrew – January

Kia ora koutou, and happy new year!

I hope you managed to have a relaxing holiday break with friends and whānau and are feeling energised to tackle the new year.

For me, I got the chance to relax with family, complete some projects on our property and finish a couple of books that had sat on the coffee table for a few months. All up refreshed and ready for 2025.

Our summer weather has been a bit average thus far, so I know everyone will be itching to head outside the minute we get some sun. Check out my summary on where to find the most accurate information on seasonal conditions before setting out on your next outdoor adventure.

I also share an encouraging milestone reached in our battle with invasive weeds and pests in the Waiau Toa/Clarence River catchment.

Keep tabs on conditions this summer

Check Land and Water Aotearoa (LAWA) for swimming water quality

During the summer months, we regularly test and monitor the water quality at more than 100 of our region’s most popular swim spots. We check for faecal contamination and toxic algae (cyanobacteria).

After a hot and dry December, the region has seen a number of temporary health warnings issued for our rivers and lakes where there is an increased risk of cyanobacteria or faecal contamination.

Heavy rain also washes contaminants from the land into our waterways. This runoff brings an increased risk of faecal bacteria in our rivers, lakes and costal swim spots. It’s important to hold off on swimming for 48 hours after rainfall to minimise your risk of getting sick.

Before taking a dip at your local spot, visit the Can I Swim Here? section of the Land and Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website to find where’s good to swim in Waitaha/Canterbury, as well as other sites around Aotearoa.

Beware of unpredictable weather

Our duty flood controller, Chris Fauth, is advising holidaymakers and day trippers to be cautious of unpredictable weather patterns around Waitaha lakes and rivers this summer.

The strong, hot, dry wind of our infamous nor-westers usually means heavy rain in the upper reaches of our alpine rivers such as Waiau Uwha, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Rakaia, Rangitata, Waitaki (and Waitaki Lakes) and Ahuriri. This can cause changes in river flow patterns and result in rapid rises in river levels.

Avoid potentially dangerous situations by regularly checking the weather forecast and MetService for warnings. If in doubt, keep out of the water.

Fire risk in North Canterbury

After December rain brought some relief to dry conditions in North Canterbury, Fire and Emergency New Zealand have revoked the total fire ban for Waitaha (from north of the Rakaia River to just south of the Clarence River), shifting us into a restricted fire season until further notice.

A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light a fire in the open air. Find out what our rules are around outdoor burning, and visit checkitsalright.nz to apply for a permit.

It’s important to remember that we’re still in the middle of summer, and it only takes a few dry days to go back to very high fire danger.

Waiau Toa/Clarence weed control – 10 years on and going strong

As 2024 came to a close, the annual community hui on biodiversity and weed control on the Waiau Toa/Clarence River celebrated a decade of continued whanaungatanga (collaboration) and weed management progress.

Since 2014, we’ve worked with local landowners, Boffa Miskell, Land Information New Zealand, Department of Conservation, Ngāi Tahu, Marlborough District Council and the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee to fight invasive plants and pests like, rats and stoats, in the catchment.

Led by our Kaikōura Water Zone Committee facilitator Jodie Hoggard, and kindly hosted by the Murray family in their bull sale shed, it was great to reflect on progress made over the 10 years of hard mahi and look to the future of the project.

For now, enjoy the summer season and I’ll be in touch again in March with the latest news for North Canterbury.

Andrew