The margins of Wainono Lagoon are the most extensive wetland area in lowland South Canterbury. The lagoon was very important to Ngāi Tahu hapū of South Canterbury as a mahinga kai source. Unfortunately this is no longer the case because of the degraded state of the lagoon.

Work to protect and restore animals and plants in and around the lagoon is supported by local landowners and rūnanga, the Wainono Water Users Group, the Department of Conservation, QEII Trust, Fish & Game, Waimate District Council and Environment Canterbury. It is in everyone’s interests to work to protect and restore Wainono Lagoon and this what the restoration project is all about.

The Wainono Lagoon Restoration Project

In March we welcomed the great news of the Government’s announcement of $800,000 in funding towards restoration of the lagoon from the Fresh Start for Freshwater fund. This will go a long way towards arresting and reversing the decline in the water quality and biodiversity values of the lagoon by enabling landowners to create effective riparian buffers in order to absorb sediment and nutrients before the contaminants get into the waterways. This will complement an existing $225,000 project funded by the Canterbury Water Regional Committee and the Lower Waitaki Zone Committee which is supporting weed management, fencing and planting around the lagoon margins.

Actions so far

• In April a public day at the lagoon was attended by over 150 people who learned about the fish species to be found in the lagoon and about the cultural history of the area.
• Community workshops have now been held in the Hook and Hakataramea catchments to talk to local landowners about the support available to assist them with reducing sediment and nutrient losses. Both meetings were well attended and we have a number of riparian fencing projects about to get underway that will be part-funded through the Fresh Start for Freshwater restoration project.
• A planting day is also being organised for spring – we will post details about how to get involved nearer the time.
• A field survey has been carried out to identify any obstructions to native fish passage for all road crossings in the Wainono catchment. A number of structural issues were identified with fords and culverts that could be remediated. While these rivers have naturally drying reaches, we need to ensure that when flow opportunities do occur, that fish can take advantage of them.
• An initial survey has been undertaken to monitor project outcomes by identifying changes in perceptions and practice around water quality and land use practice.

Public Field Day

Thanks to all those who came along and supported the open day on 29th April.

Wainono Field Day Photo Competition winner: Debbie Stowell

Fish and Game Officers Hamish Stevens and Josh Markham demonstrate electro-fishing to fascinated onlookers at the Wainono Field Day in April.

Electro-fishing is a procedure used for fish surveys. An electric current is passed through the water via a hand-held electrode. The electric current stuns fish close to the electrode. Fish are netted and placed in a bucket of water or holding tank. They can then be observed, measured or tagged. They recover quickly and are released back into their habitat.

Wainono Lagoon Restoration Newsletter

Keeping in touch with the Wainono Lagoon restoration

We will be letting everyone know how we are progressing with the restoration work through regular newsletters.

Issue 2, October 2012 (3 MB)
Issue 1, April 2012