Governor-General welcomed to Canterbury

Earlier this week Environment Canterbury welcomed Their Excellencies, The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne, to Selwyn District. 

Their Excellencies were taken on a tour of key sites around Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere, starting at Ngāti Moki Marae at Taumutu and finishing at Lincoln University’s Ashley Dene Research and Development Station. 

Environment Canterbury Councillor Tom Lambie said the visit represented an excellent opportunity to showcase all the good work happening on the ground around the lake, and research activity at the University. 

“Their Excellencies saw Te Waihora first hand and the work being done to restore the mauri of the lake,” Mr Lambie said. “There was a presentation by one of the Ngāi Tahu Co-Governors, Liz Brown, who gave an overview of Te Waihora and the catchment in terms of the vision for the lake and plans for restoration of its mauri.”

This was followed by a stop at Orariki Wetland, a two-year-old created wetland designed to improve water quality, biodiversity and mahinga kai. Further on, at Lower Lake Road near Fisherman’s Point, there was discussion about farming within the Cultural Landscape Values Management Area, a particularly sensitive area near the lake. Hart’s Creek, a well-known restoration site contributed to by many farmers and other community members for more than a decade, was the final stopping point before Lincoln University.

At the Ashley Dene Research and Development Station, Their Excellencies heard a series of presentations on communities working together for better water outcomes and innovation for the agriculture, tourism and conservation sectors, with particular emphasis on environmental protection within managed landscapes.

“Everything we saw today is a crucial part of the Canterbury story,” Mr Lambie concluded. “We are very privileged to have the opportunity to present it in this way to Their Excellencies and show them the good progress we are making.”

Watch the videos 

Their Excellencies, The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne, are welcomed to Ngāti Moki Mare at Taumutu

Their Excellencies' visit to Orariki Wetland and Hart's Creek

Their Excellencies' visit to Ashley Dene Research and Development Station (including presentations)

 

The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne

Their Excellencies The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne at Orariki Wetland with Co-Governor Liz Brown