Where next for catchment groups? Lifting ambition and gearing up for the long game

Abstract

Restoring health to freshwater bodies often requires sustained effort to coordinate the actions of individual land users and reduce the cumulative effects of human activities. Catchment groups are increasingly seen, by the farming community and central and local government, as an important part of addressing freshwater challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand. Over the last three years, a team lead by the Cawthron Institute and funded by the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge has researched how to support and encourage catchment groups to act collectively to protect and enhance local waterways. Our research has primarily focused on four case study catchments and discussions with an advisory group comprised of individuals from government, councils and other agencies. The four case study catchments (and their regions) were Waitangi (Northland), Mangaone (Hawke’s Bay), Te Hoiere / Pelorus (Marlborough) and Pourakino (Southland).