April update: Kaikōura zone delivery lead

The last month has seen further planning and progress towards our work programme. As a reminder, the work programme is a big bit of work that helps us forecast budget needs, resources required and areas to prioritise, based on what we’re hearing from the community and what our organisation decides upon each year through the Annual Plan.

Take a look at my previous column if you’d like to know more about the work programme.

Essential Freshwater farmer guidance

Kaikōura zone delivery lead Kevin Heays

Kaikōura zone delivery lead Kevin Heays

This month I want to focus on some guidance that staff have created for farmers facing the new regulations coming in from central government  the Essential Freshwater (EF) package.

This package ultimately sets out a raft of goals to help landowners implement actions to help improve freshwater throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. All within a generation  a pretty hefty goal.

Environment Canterbury’s role when it comes to the EF package is to understand how these new regulations will impact farmers and support the development of on-the-ground (or in-the-paddock) actions that are doable for our farming communities, and which will satisfy the package's rules.

I believe it is important that all rural communities have an understanding of this package as well, so I encourage everyone to have a look at it. Townies, life-stylers  all residents and landowners, in fact — could do well to keep up with this stuff.

I recommend you have a read about what it might mean for you and our environment on our Essential Freshwater package page.

Te Mana o te Wai

At the core of the EF Package is the concept and framework of Te Mana o te Wai. Te Mana o te Wai recognises that freshwater health is integral to the social, cultural, economic, and environmental wellbeing of communities.

The regulations put the health and wellbeing of water at the forefront of any land use.

This means any activity that is being planned on the land must consider the health of nearby waterways as the most important aspect. We’re currently working with our partner Papatipu Rūnanga to understand Te Mana o te Wai in a Waitaha/Canterbury context.

What this means for Kaikōura 

Here in Kaikōura, we have a brilliant team of people who will help guide landowners on these new regulations.

Land management and biodiversity advisor Heath Melville, land management advisor Peter Bradshaw, and resource management officer Garry Husband are all available to support landowners in understanding what’s required and, of course, are available to answer any questions or concerns people might have.

I’m proud of the mahi our team are continuing to do in the area. Remember  we are here to help!

Get in touch

As always, if you want to discuss any of this with me give me a bell on 027 656 2230. I can also pass you on to one of the team if your questions sit better with them.

I know in just a few days Easter will be upon us, with ANZAC Day quickly succeeding that. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday period (for those that get holidays). And for those that don’t, keep up the great mahi  and thank you for keeping the wheels turning. 

Take care and chat again next month,

Kev.