Fast Facts

Group formed: 2014

Catchment area: 2060km2

About 340 farm owners within catchment

Membership: 180

Vision:

Our aim is for the Pomahaka River to be recognised as having the absolute highest water quality so that future generations can enjoy the river as we have.

Key activities:

1/ Farmer support

• To establish a best practice response team

• Coordination of meetings of tributary groups

• Facilitation of water testing

• Rounds of discharge testing

2/ Good Management Practices

• To promote public awareness of good management practices

• To facilitate the planting of riparian plants in the catchment

• Collaborate with industry groups to continue to roll out Farm Environmental Plans

3/ Innovative Mitigation Practices

• Research into the effectiveness of on-farm sediment traps & constructed wetlands

4/ Wider Community Engagement

• Field days

• Education of public including schools

• Connecting with community, including iwi through community nursery, A&P show and other events

• Sharing of results

• Public awareness through regular adverts, roadside signs and spreading the word through other means

Current funding:

Three year Sustainable Farming Fund Grant (ended June 2021)

One Billion Trees & Provincial Growth Fund funding to fence and plant 100kms of waterways

Jobs for Nature funding for wetland enhancement

Two science studies being undertaken in catchment – AgResearch researching further into wetland effectiveness and Phosphorus Mitigation Group researching into effectiveness of detainment bunds

Key learnings:

• Farmer to Farmer support is key

• Big things can be achieved from small beginnings - important thing is to make a start

• Smaller geographical areas are an effective platform

Where to from here?

Information gaps have been identified, and funding to be sought to fill these

Video link on Pomahaka Catchment

For more information on Pomahaka Water Care group, please visit their facebook page