DRAFT
Upper Waipoua Kaitiaki Group
The Upper Waipoua Kaitiaki Group formed in 2018 after community meetings sparked a shared vision to improve both the land and the community it supports.
The group is building upon the area’s rich farming history, working collaboratively with landowners to enhance the environment, community, and economic stability.
Location
The Upper Waipoua Kaitiaki Group Catchment Area is located in the headwaters for the Waipoua river approximately 25 km northwest of Masterton.
The catchment group covers the upper waipoua along with the tributaries of the Te Mara, Kiriwhakapapa, and Mikimiki.
The land use is characterised primarily by sheep and beef farming and the Tararua forest park, however there is also dairy farming, forestry and lifestyle block use.
Vision
Our community will work together to enhance our environment, our community and our economic stability.
We will achieve this by:
Using our collective power to achieve access to resources/ funding
Working together; sharing knowledge expertise and effort
Focusing on our triple bottom line – community, environment, and economic stability (farming stability)
Working to improve ecosystems and biodiversity
Showcasing the great work we are doing, telling others our story and successes
Outcomes
Extending the current group to include the Mikimiki catchment.
A connected and sustainable Upper Waipoua community group with shared values.
A healthy native ecosystem.
Projects
Water quality monitoring
The group have done four rounds of bottle sampling, along with temperature logging and citizen science to better understand the current state of the tributaries of the Waipoua.
The next step is to have sampling done for the Mikimiki and interpret all of the data that has been collected.
This will give the group a clearer understanding of what the issues are in our streams and actions that they can take to improve water quality.
Pest monitoring & control
With some large scale community planting, smaller scale farm and lifestyle planting, and being on the boundaries of Pūkaha, the group are aware that pest plants and animals are one of our big challenges.
The group are working with a local expert in our community to better understand what the pest plants and animals are in the catchment so that they can take a landscape wide approach to control.
River shading
It was highlighted during the community stream walks the vital role that shade plays in reducing water temperature and ultimately boosting biodiversity.
Creating more shade for the Te Mara stream – a tributary of the Waipoua River – is now a key focus and led to a community planting trial.
Connected community
The group want to ensure they are connected within their community as well as with groups outside their community.
To make sure they are a connected community the group host community events such as BBQ’s and explorations of local places.
The group also want to connect to the wider community including Opaki School and other Waipoua community groups.
Group sustainability
To ensure the longevity of the Upper Waipoua Kaitiaki Group they have identified the importance of the sustainability of the group.
The group will ensure sustainability by only having 2 -3 meetings per year, ensuring they have a paid coordinator, establishing a governance committee and recording progress and success.
Economically profitable and sustainable
The group are supporting members to develop cFRP plans.
These are a practical way for farmers and growers to identify, manage and reduce the impact of farming on the freshwater environment.
Catchment Group Coordinator
MICHAEL WOODCOCK
info@wairarapacc.nz
