Waiora Manuherekia Project Marks First Anniversary

Celebrating Progress and Planting for the Future: Waiora Manuherekia Project Marks First Anniversary

Lauder, Central Otago – Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Transformative environmental mahi in the Manuherekia catchment was celebrated on Tuesday, 27 May, near Lauder, marking the first anniversary of the Waiora Manuherekia Project—a significant community-led initiative focused on restoring native ecosystems and strengthening connections to the awa.

Minister Hoggard with Anna Gillespie, Co-Chair of Manuherekia Catchment Group and Co-Chair of Waiora Manuherekia Governance Group.

The event opened with a mihi and welcome from the Mayor, followed by remarks from Anna Gillespie, Co-Chair of the Manuherekia Catchment Group, and Co-Chair of the Thomsons Creek Project.  Anna Gillespie acknowledged the years of groundwork that laid the foundation for the project’s success and spoke about the power of locally led action.

Around 50 people attended the celebration, with apologies noted from ORC councillors who were engaged with the Council’s Annual Plan process.

Four Years in the Making

Although the Waiora Manuherekia Project was formally launched in July 2024 with funding from the Ministry for the Environment, it builds on more than four years of prior work under the Thomsons Creek Project. That foundation enabled the community and local landowners to move quickly and effectively once the broader project was underway.

A recent milestone included the removal of invasive crack willow—50 metres upstream and 100 metres downstream of the Lauder Creek Bridge on the Otago Central Rail Trail (OCRT). These areas are now being replanted with native species, including kōwhai, to support biodiversity and improve water quality.

The project has also worked closely with Omakau and Poolburn Schools, setting up growing houses for native plants and offering propagation workshops for locals—ensuring community involvement and capability stays strong.

“Those planting these trees know they may never see them fully grown,” one participant said, “but they’re doing it for the benefit of tamariki and future generations.”

First-Year Achievements

In less than a year, the Waiora Manuherekia Project has delivered impressive outcomes:

-Treated 70 hectares for invasive weeds
-Planted 15,000 native plants across 7.75 hectares of riparian, lake, and wetland areas
-Built or repaired 67.7 kilometres of fencing
-Supported 14 wetland restoration projects in partnership with 12 landowners
-Completed soil and landscape mapping to support on-farm decision-making
-Connected with the wider community through events, school competitions, hands-on training, and regular pānui

Project lead Clare Hadley said the results reflect a shared vision and strong local drive: “Our aim from day one has been to reconnect the community with the Manuherekia River and enhance its mauri through practical, hands-on restoration. The enthusiasm and support we’ve had is truly inspiring.”

Looking Ahead

The next key stage for the project is the ecological reconnection of the Clutha (Mata-Au) River at Riverside Park with the Linger and Die on the Manuherekia River—an ambitious initiative aimed at restoring more natural flow patterns and creating a stronger biodiversity corridor.

“This is just the beginning,” Hadley said. “With such a committed and engaged community, we’re confident the mahi will continue to grow and flourish.”

For more information and updates, visit the Waiora Manuherekia website.