A minute with Marco - February

Kaikōura and Hurunui Waiau Uwha zone delivery lead Marco Cataloni is back with his monthly column.

Kia ora everyone! While summer may be wrapping up, nothing is slowing down — there’s certainly a lot going on in Kaikōura and Hurunui Waiau Uwha.

Action plan funding ensures continuation of vital local projects

Marco Cataloni

Kaikōura and Hurunui Waiau Uwha zone delivery lead Marco Cataloni

One update I can give you is about the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee’s Action Plan. This was discussed in its final meeting last year and will see ongoing support for some awesome local projects — which the zone delivery team provide help and assistance.

Hāpuku Catchment Collective receives support

It was agreed to recommend the allocation of $35,000 towards the Hāpuku Catchment Collective project. The catchment is home to the Hāpuku Scarp wetland, which is the largest remaining freshwater palustrine (partly salty) wetland (fed by rain, groundwater or surface water) in the area and hosts some of the country’s southernmost tawa and black maire trees. This will be the second year the committee has supported the initiative, and the new funding will go towards weed and predator control, and riparian enhancement.

Waikōau/Lyell Creek clean-up and plantings

The committee is also recommending the allocation of $2,000 towards cleaning up and planting around Waikōau/Lyell Creek as well as local planting days in the zone. An annual Waikōau/Lyell Creak clean-up is held here and it’s awesome how many of you help keep this area neat and tidy. Planting days are held at the creek often.

Zone delivery update

The Zone Delivery team continues to work with the local community on a number of different topics including best practice farming, animal and weed pest control and protection and enhancement of wetlands. This involves our staff meeting and talking with locals to help them make positive environmental decisions.

A key focus in Kaikōura and Hurunui Waiau Uwha this year will continue to be our engagement and interactions with the community. As always, we are here to help — so never hesitate to get in touch.

Looking ahead

There is lots going on in the catchment as we settle into 2023. We will continue to work hard on the implementation and completion of the above projects, along with others, over the rest of the financial year.

Take care everyone and talk again next month!

Marco.