In just 12 months, the Wairarapa Catchment Collective has shown what’s possible when local communities come together with shared purpose and practical ambition. Across the region, catchment groups have been busy driving real, measurable change — and it’s only the beginning.
When the Collective formed in 2023, it built on years of groundwork laid by local leaders, farmers, and regional partners. Our vision was simple: to support thriving, resilient catchment communities who are leading their own environmental solutions. In just one year, that vision has started to take solid shape.
Catchment groups right across Wairarapa are proving that when communities work together, they can achieve much more than any individual could alone. Whether it’s improving freshwater health, enhancing biodiversity, or simply bringing neighbours together, our farmer-led groups are making things happen on the ground.
We’ve supported our 14 active catchment groups to create impact and engage with their communities across almost 70 workshops, events and planning sessions. We’ve helped groups secure external funding for doing more of the good stuff, and have helped many by reducing the struggle of applying for and managing funds.
One of the standout achievements this year has been the success of community-led monitoring. Across 44 sites, local catchment groups have carried out water quality testing and stream health assessments as part of the Wai Connection project. This hands-on monitoring, in partnership with Mountains to Sea Wellington and supported by the Essential Freshwater Fund, has empowered communities to better understand the health of their waterways and make decisions based on solid, local data. Citizen science tools like SHMAK kits have made water testing more accessible, while new apps have enabled groups to log data directly from the field.
We’ve also seen an impressive rise in pest monitoring and biodiversity tracking. Through collaboration with pest management specialist John Bissell of Backblocks Environmental Management Ltd, our groups have been using trail cameras, chew cards, and proven monitoring methods to build a clear picture of local pest populations. Over 7000 hectares in the Tinui-Whareama catchment were monitored, revealing an unexpected finding: feral cats were more abundant than possums in some areas.
What makes this all possible is our strong partnership approach. From Greater Wellington Regional Council to the Ministry for Primary Industries and Mountains to Sea Wellington, we’ve been fortunate to work alongside organisations that genuinely value community partnerships.
Looking back on the last 12 months, it’s clear the Wairarapa Catchment Collective has built real momentum. We’ve achieved a lot, but the best part is knowing this is just the start.
Our focus for the next 12 months is on helping even more community catchment groups get established, so if you’re keen to learn more or get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can keep building strong, connected catchment communities that lead the way.
Originally published in the Wairarapa Times Age.