Back to Blog

Jim O'Malley: How rural landowners can help our local lizards

Jim O'Malley is a local conservationist supporting the development of the Wairarapa Lizard Strategy which includes a region-wide survey of our lizard populations. The strategy and survey is a partnership between Wildlands Consultants, Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa and like-minded individuals. Rural landowners and catchment groups can help play a part in surveying and protecting our local lizard populations....

Pest animal control project launched

Pest control is an integral part of our catchment groups’ action plans and visions. It supports a range of outcomes from improving biodiversity and preventing the spread of disease, to water quality and animal health.We’re excited to launch our own Catchment Collective pest control project in partnership with Greater Wellington Regional Council. We’re offering our catchment groups a programme of assistance with expert advice and planning, monitoring to understand what’s in your patch,...

End of year highlights: growth, collaboration, and community action

It’s been an inspiring first six months for the Wairarapa Catchment Collective as we’ve hit the ground running since launching in June 2024. Despite a slow start due to funding delays, the energy and enthusiasm from our catchment groups have turned challenges into milestones, showcasing what’s possible when communities unite for a shared purpose.A Collective Vision in ActionFrom the outset, our vision has been to empower a thriving network of catchment communities. And in just half a year,...

Catchments Wānanga Recap: building resilient, engaged communities

Our recent Catchments Wānanga had a fantastic turnout, with representatives from catchment groups across the region coming together for an afternoon of learning and connecting. Thanks to those who attended, Maddy Glover from Mountains to Sea Wellington for her mahi organising the event, and event funding from Wai Connection and New Zealand Landcare Trust.The Wānanga began with a lively speed networking session where attendees shared 500-year visions for their catchments, highlighted successful...

Small catchment with big aspirations

The Wakamoekau community catchment group has some awesome kaupapa underway with support from Greater Wellington and Mountains to Sea Wellington.The group might have a small catchment but they have big aspirations for the health of the awa and surrounding whenua.The group has began a new planting project focused on restoring four hectares of riverbank. The group is experimenting with a unique permaculture method, planting in small circles of about 25 trees each. These circles will be temporarily ...

Catchments Wānanga

We’re excited to invite catchment group leaders and members to our Wairarapa Catchment Collective Wānanga!21 November, 2-5pm | Greater Wellington, MastertonThe Wānanga is an opportunity for anyone involved or interested in catchment groups across Wairarapa to come together, learn, share, and connect. Expect insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and practical tools to strengthen your mahi.We’ve also got an exciting workshop lined up on how to engage your community, with a specia...

Wairarapa post cyclone survey highlighting ongoing needs

Still feeling the effects of last year’s weather events? You’re not alone.A recent survey has found that 75 percent of people in affected areas in Wairarapa reporting ongoing property, financial, social and wellbeing impacts from the cyclones.Run by the Wairarapa Recovery Office (WRO), the survey findings have been shared with government, rural sector and social service agencies to help target future resources and support at the areas of most need. These activities will build on the huge amo...

Mangapakeha poplar workshop & bbq

We had an awesome day out at the recent Mangapakeha Poplar Workshop & BBQ with the Tinui Whareama Catchment Group recently.We dove into the art of harvesting and maintaining poplars, learnt about planting for erosion control, and enjoyed some delicious kai while chatting with the locals about their plans to work together to improve the resilience of their catchment and community.The workshop wrapped up with a special Father’s Day prize draw. Everyone went...

Farmers safegaurding our waterways

Wainuioru is a small rural community east of Masterton. The Wainuioru Community River Care Group (WCRCG) was set up after a community meeting at the Wainuioru Hall in September 2017, attended by more than 60 people.‍The group encompasses over 37,000 Ha of land around the upper Wainuioru River and its tributaries.Their vision is for a healthy river, thriving community, farms, forests, and ecosystems with the aim to:Monitor the water quality and condition of the upper Wainuioru River;Develop and...

Upper Waipoua Kaitiaki meets with Potangaroa Education

The Upper Waipoua Kaitiaki group came together in 2018. It is a small but enthusiastic group of farmers and small block owners who aim to work together to enhance the biodiversity and the community. A focus for the group is trips to explore the river and local area so that they can come together as a community, celebrate successes, and share learnings. This has provided a purpose and encouragement for landowners to fence and plant the Waipoua River, undertake pest control, and monitor the river...

Wairarapa Catchment Collective launches

We’re still buzzing from the turnout at our launch and inaugural AGM last night! Over 50 representatives from catchment groups, rural industries, and environmental organisations came together to help us celebrate. Chair Richard Johns highlighted the strong foundation laid by previous catchment group programmes and the exciting journey ahead for our new Collective. We're committed to supporting catchment groups to grow and thrive.Project Lead Kirsty McCarthy and Partnership Lead John Hart share...

Whangaehu Bideford Catchment Community Group are shining a light on conservation

With a burger in one hand and torch in the other, Mountains to Sea Wellington and the Whangaehu Bideford Catchment Community Group (WBCCG) gathered around the Taueru River and got to know each other and the awa a little better.Nestled in the northeast of Masterton, the Taueru River meanders through the Wairarapa region, its waters weaving through hills and valleys before joining the Ruamāhanga River.As the BBQ was sizzling away, WBCCG members prepared themselves for a night of spotlighting and ...

Locals dive into a waterway exploration

In the heart of Wairarapa's eastern hill country, the Whareama River and its tributaries, like the Tīnui River, stretch for 40 km, connecting the community with nature. However, the serenity was disrupted last summer as cyclones submerged the township of Tīnui and left farms underwater, revealing the vulnerability of their beloved river.This setback became a rallying cry for the community to unite for the betterment of the Whareama River. A dedicated group emerged with the mission of "improvin...