OCC - Otago Catchment Community Inc

07/07/2025

ORC quarterly newsletter Te Mātāpuna | The Source

📰 Fresh updates across Otago! 🌿

The latest issue of our quarterly newsletter, Te Mātāpuna | The Source, is out — packed with stories, tips, and behind-the-scenes work from across the region.

Here’s a peek at what’s inside:
🔥 Tips for burning dry firewood — for warmer homes and cleaner air
🧬 How eDNA is helping us discover what’s living in our rivers and lakes
🌬️ The latest on air quality improvements in many Otago towns
🚢 A recent oil spill response exercise — and how it helps us prepare for disaster
🙋 Thinking of standing as a regional councillor? Learn how you (or someone you know) can stand in this year’s local elections

… plus heaps more!

👉 Read the latest issue online now:
orc.govt.nz/tematapunajune2025

📣 Tag and share to keep your community in the know. 😎

07/07/2025

For those in the Alexandra area with an interest in learning more about digital story telling...

UPCOMING FREE COURSES AT CENTRAL OTAGO REAP

📱📸 Want to get the most out of your smartphone or tablet camera?
Join our hands-on workshop in Alexandra & Cromwell and learn how to:
✅ Take clear, confident photos
✅ Organise and find pics in your gallery
✅ Share photos safely via email, text or social media

Alexandra: https://www.coreap.org.nz/com-edu/course/capturing-sharing-moments-digital-photos-alexandra

Cromwell: https://www.coreap.org.nz/com-edu/course/capturing-sharing-moments-digital-photos-cromwell

🎬✨ Create a short video with Canva workshop!!
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:
📷 Choose personal photos or video clips
🎞️ Turn them into a meaningful digital story
📤 Share your video via email or social media

Alexandra: https://www.coreap.org.nz/com-edu/course/create-share-video-workshop-canva-alexandra

Cromwell: https://www.coreap.org.nz/com-edu/course/capturing-sharing-moments-digital-photos-cromwell

Alternatively you can call 0800 267 327 or email [email protected] to book

03/07/2025

Entries are open!
Take the time while its a little quieter on farm to enter this years Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
ENTER here: https://nzfeawards.org.nz/apply-now/

OR - NOMINATE
Do you know someone that needs a helping hand to put themselves forward?? YOU can now nominate them by clicking this link: https://nzfeawards.org.nz/nominate-an-entrant/
We will call them for you and let them know the great news!

Any questions give me a call
Pip Standish
0273124151
[email protected]

Bayleys Real Estate Country & Co Realty Ballance Agri-Nutrients Beef + Lamb New Zealand Southland Deer Branch of NZDFA Hill Labs Rabobank New Zealand Environment Southland DairyNZ Norwood NZ

03/07/2025

You've probably heard us mention Wai Connection - we've been able to do great stuff with Otago Catchment Groups because of this funding...

The Wai Connection project is largely funded by the Ministry for the Environment, with the intention to build capacity and capability in Catchment Groups throughout NZ 💧

Here's a clip from Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust about the Wai Connection project ⛰️

02/07/2025

📢 Following a successful first round, round two of Aotearoa Catchment Extension (ACE) is open for registrations of interest💧

ACE is a training programme tailored with expert advice to enhance the capability and skills of those working in and with catchment groups.

NZ Landcare Trust is excited to announce the next round of the ACE – Aotearoa Catchment Extension programme! Building on its growing success, registrations of interest for the 2026/27 round are open.
https://www.catchmenttoolkit.co.nz/ace-programme--registrations-of-interest/

29/06/2025

24/06/2025

A small songbird with greyish head, white eyebrows, brown back and rump, cinnamon breast and belly, white and black bands across the upper breast, and a long black and white tail. Five percent of South Island birds are mainly black with black-brown over the rump, belly and flight feathers, and somet...

17/06/2025

Abundant freshwater monitoring knowledge was shared and gained at last week's Community Based Freshwater Monitoring Workshop in Dunedin's Kaikorai Valley💧

Ngā mihi nui to Arai Te Uru Marae for hosting us, and to Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust's trainers Patricia and Tema’u for imparting your knowledge, and running us through NIWA's Stream Health Monitoring Assessment Kit (SHMAK) framework 💦

In 2024, OCC received Wai Connection funding from Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. We are using this funding to deliver upskilling and engagement opportunities for Otago catchment groups.

16/06/2025

When disaster strikes, how prepared would you be? 🤔🌊💥🌋

Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management is kicking off their annual Community Resilience Survey — and they’d love your help!

What’s the goal of the survey?
✔️ Understand how aware you are of local hazards
✔️ Find out how prepared you feel for an emergency
✔️ Learn the best ways to keep communities informed during natural disaster emergencies.

The survey only takes 5–10 minutes — and you'll go in the draw to WIN 1 of 5 emergency grab bags! 🎒

👉 Take the survey now: https://feedback.askyourteam.com/Uymg8Xj

Tag and share this survey with your whānau, friends, and local community groups!

Survey closes 30 June.

📷 Pictured below:
A typical grab bag with assorted emergency items including a torch, first aid kit and gloves.

15/06/2025

A2E Access to Experts Knowledge Connect Webinar, including "turning water quality data into actionable steps for landowners" with Upper Taieri Wai Inc. Catchment Group

We're excited to celebrate the success of the Access to Experts (A2E) service! Join us on Monday, 26th June, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, for the A2E Catchment Group Webinar, hosted online. 💻🌊
In this final session, Ben Frost (Beca) will lead a discussion with experts Duncan Gray (PDP), Ric Balfour (NZLT), and Juliet Milne (Traverse), sharing their amazing work with local catchment groups:
✅ Duncan will dive into the West Coast Farm Plan project, helping farmers monitor water quality at the catchment level.
✅ Ric will showcase how the Mangahia Catchment Group uses GIS tools to drive restoration and water quality improvements.
✅ Juliet will share her experiences with the Upper Taieri Catchment Group, turning water quality data into actionable steps for landowners.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into advancing freshwater management!

📅 Save the date and register now to secure your spot:https://www.access2experts.net.nz/events/]

10/06/2025