Three years of hard work and collaboration on the Thomsons Catchment Project was celebrated on Friday.

It also marked the official opening of a new walking path and viewing platform overlooking what was once a muddy paddock – now transformed into a thriving wetland teeming with native plants, birdlife and biodiversity.

The 5ha Orkney wetland (named after the McLeod’s farm that it’s situated on), originally received funding from the Ministry for the Environment’s Jobs for Nature fund.

Thanks to the dedication of local farmers, volunteers, and the Ministry for the Environment's Freshwater Improvement Funding, the wetland has flourished into a thriving ecosystem.

Managed by the Manuherika Catchment Group, it was also protected by a QEII National Trust covenant, after being signed over in October 2024.

Thomson project manager Nicola McGrouther said they have worked closely with the community to improve water quality and support biodiversity.

She said from the very beginning the initiative has been very farmer-driven.

“It’s about a group of locals who cared deeply about improving water quality and wanted to take action.”

“The late Matt Hickey sowed the seed in those early meetings, and from there, the community stepped up. We’ve had farmers, scientists, school kids and volunteers all mucking in.”

Teams of locals and experts dug out 1.5 hectares of land, planted 41,000 native Carex secta, and welcomed the return of native species – including longfin eels, black-billed gulls and galaxiids.

A dedicated bird monitoring team now kept watch over the wetland, while a backyard growers group cared for native plants at home - to be planted out at future restoration days.

“We hope this project inspires other communities,” Nicola said. “We’ve lost 90% of our wetlands across New Zealand. Projects like this show what’s possible when people work together.”

Across the catchment, 50,000 native plants have been planted, 50km of fencing has helped lift riparian protection from 87% to 95%, and school-led water quality monitoring has been carried out in partnership with the Otago Regional Council and Enviroschools.

Work to protect the threatened Central Otago roundhead galaxiid has improved fish passage at three key sites, while pest control and bird monitoring were helping biodiversity flourish. The project has created eight full-time equivalent jobs and attracted $2.8 million of investment over 3.5 years.

“Seeing the wetland today, you realise it’s so much more than just a restoration project,” Nicola says. “It’s a legacy. It’s what happens when a community comes together with a shared vision.”

The celebration on Friday with 60 stakeholders, ended with a free BBQ lunch, reflections from key speakers, and a walking tour of the wetland, with the Otago Central Rail Trail providing the perfect vantage point to appreciate the transformation.