Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) has formally proposed an alternative to the Government's local government reforms, warning that rushed, one-size-fits-all changes risk
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/stories/2026/canterbury-front-of-mind-as-reforms-progressA farmer-led approach to improving local water quality is tipping conventional thinking on its head in North Canterbury's Amuri Basin. Sourced from the Waiau Uwha and Hurunui Rivers, there are 149
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2025/amuri-basin-farmers-drive-water-quality-improvementThe Ashburton water zone is bordered by two large braided rivers — the Rakaia and Rangitata — and divided by the Hakatere (Ashburton) and Hekeao (Hinds) rivers. It has been extensively modified over...
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/water/whats-happening-in-my-water-zone/ashburton-water-zoneThe Hurunui and Waiau Uwha Braided River Bird Project began in 2017 and aims to to protect and enhance habitat for black-fronted terns and black-billed gulls on the Hurunui and Waiau Uwha Rivers
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/water/whats-happening-in-my-water-zone/hurunui-waiau-uwha-water-zone/hurunui-and-waiau-uwha-braided-river-bird-projectCanterbury’s approach to freshwater management is changing. From 2026, new local leadership groups will replace the existing Water Zone Committees, building on their legacy of community involvement
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/water/whats-happening-in-my-water-zoneWe work to protect and enhance the mauri and special values of all Waitaha Canterbury's waterways by monitoring water quality and quantity and restricting activity where necessary to ensure
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/water/water-conservation-ordersA conservation group in the Lindis Pass has been awarded thousands of dollars to help eradicate Russell lupins – an exotic weed revered by visitors that is destroying our native habitat. The dazzling...
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/community-effort-to-protect-native-habitat-from-iconic-pest-plantCollectively, lifestyle blocks can have a significant impact on our environment as they typically have more people and infrastructure on a smaller land area, and are concentrated in areas where
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/farmers-hub/lifestyle-blocksSome of the smallest residents at the Orari Gorge got a helping hand thanks to a grant from the zone committee’s Immediate Steps biodiversity fund. The committee granted $36,500 towards a four-year...
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/zone-news/orari-temuka-opihi-pareroa/biodiversity-funding-helps-protect-gecko-habitatMore E. coli detections and rising nitrate concentrations were found in Waitaha Canterbury groundwater last year. Our annual groundwater quality survey report for 2024 has been released (PDF file
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2025/annual-groundwater-survey-yet-to-show-improvements-in-water-quality