Those passionate about Maniototo’s freshwater can attend the Tiaki Maniototo (TM) project’s community session at the Maniototo Rugby Clubrooms in Ranfurly at 2pm this Friday (July 28).

It’s a chance to hear what has been achieved, what’s coming up; ask questions of the TM team, and enjoy a cup of tea and a snack.

Some of the achievements to date have been seventy kilometres of fencing, willow and geese control, recreation sites and water monitoring and getting 30,000 plants in the ground.

TM communications officer Bill Morris said the group had been busy beavering away doing lots of planting and fencing.

“This is an information session… getting everyone together and making a start in engaging the community in what we are doing.

“It’s an opportunity for discussion and to hear people’s concerns.”

Two years ago, TM was funded from the Ministry of the Environment’s Jobs for Nature programme to develop a catchment management plan and to implement planting and fencing of waterways, pest control and freshwater monitoring in the upper Taieri catchment.

Habitat Restorations Aotearoa carried out autumn planting on Mark Paterson’s site. PHOTO: Will Nelson Tourism Central Otago

The focus of TM is on enhancing water quality and the recreational, cultural, biodiversity and economic values in Maniototo. The group is about halfway through the five years of government funding. 

Find out more on TM’s facebook page.