Kahahakuri Catchment

Area 7,778ha

Primary township: Ongaonga

Land Use: 92 percent of the catchment is in pasture, three percent in orchard and vineyards and two percent in indigenous forest.

CATCHMENT
GROUP

Catchment Committee Chair Andy Gunson

Catchment Co-ordinator Pixie Seligman

Email tukicoordinator@gmail.com

Phone 0277212423

JOIN US

ABOUT OUR CATCHMENT

The Kahahakuri catchment, covering approximately 7,778ha, lies near the township of Ongaonga. This area features a mix of pastoral farming, cropping, and orchards, with a range of soil types.

The spread of cow cress, a fast-growing aquatic weed, has become a significant problem in the catchment. It blocks streams, damages culverts, and causes flooding. At the same time, streambank erosion and shingle build-up threaten productive farmland and water quality. Recognising the need for a long-term solution, farmers in the catchment, with support from TLC, have accessed expert advice through the Access2Experts programme, working alongside technical experts from Massey University.

THE BIG PICTURE

The Big Picture

As part of The Big Picture project, TLC has developed independent, science-backed catchment plans for each of the 17 sub-catchments of the Tukituki River. These farmer-led plans address key environmental challenges specific to each area while identifying practical, affordable solutions. These plans do not impose rules or regulations but they give farmers and catchment groups a roadmap for future planning to improve water quality, boost farm productivity, and open the door to future funding opportunities.

TLC partnered with environmental planning consultancy Environment, Innovation and Strategy Ltd (EIS), who collected data specific to each sub-catchment, including erosion maps, flow path models, land use capability, soil types, and water monitoring information. Alongside the scientific data, in December 2024, TLC hosted workshops for farmers and growers in each sub-catchment to make sure the solutions aligned with the realities of farming and growing in each sub-catchment.

Kahahakuri Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Summary

Kahahakuri Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Full Report

Kahahakuri Catchment Maps

TLC FARMER TOOLBOX

Tools for the Kahahakuri Catchment

As part of The Big Picture, TLC has developed the TLC Farmer Toolbox, designed to support landowners in making informed decisions and enable them to implement changes with confidence, ensuring that time and money are invested wisely.

The TLC Toolbox includes the following:

TLC’s On-Farm Action Planning Tool - prioritise on-farm environmental actions based on their cost-effectiveness and impact.
TLC’s Plant Selection Tool - choose the right plants for on-farm environmental projects by matching your planting zone and purpose with suitable species.
TLC’s Surface Erosion Tool - determine the most erosion-prone areas on your farm to identify priority sites for effective soil conservation measures.
TLC’s Water Runoff Mapping Tool - identify sites for on-farm edge-of-field mitigations such as sediment traps, constructed wetlands and detention bunds.
TLC’s Riparian Mapping Tool - better understand riparian condition and vegetation class along waterways to prioritise where riparian management should occur.
TLC’s ETS Guide- download TLC’s ETS Guide for key information on the Emissions Trading Scheme, including its purpose, benefits, eligibility, enrolment process, and potential costs and returns.
TLC’s Willow Management Guide - download TLC’s Invasive Willow Management Guide for insights on willows in the Tukituki, control strategies and riparian restoration.
TLC’s List Of Advisors - connect with local advisors for tailored advice and potential funding opportunities.