LOWER TUKITUKI CORRIDOR CATCHMENT
Land Use: 78 percent of the catchment is in pasture, ten percent in exotic forest and four percent in orchard and vineyards. Notably, less than one percent of landcover is in native vegetation.
CATCHMENT
GROUP
Catchment Committee:
Catchment Co-ordinator Pixie Seligman
Email tukicoordinator@gmail.com
Phone 0277212423
ABOUT OUR CATCHMENT
Stretching from the convergence of the Waipawa and Tukituki Rivers to the coast at Haumoana, the Lower Tukituki Corridor is a geographically narrow area centred around the main river system. Tukituki Land Care focuses on the area from the convergence to a few kilometers downstream of the Patangata Bridge.
The catchment faces significant challenges, including severe flooding, erosion, gravel buildup, and the increasing impacts of extreme weather events. River capacity diminished when gravel extraction in this catchment ceased for a number of years worsening flood risks and eroding farmland. Issues such as biosecurity restrictions on managing Chilean Needle Grass have further complicated river maintenance efforts in the past.
Recent flooding events, particularly Cyclone Gabrielle, caused widespread damage to infrastructure and land, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
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.
Lower Tukituki Corridor Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Summary
Lower Tukituki Corridor Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Full Report
Lower Tukituki Corridor Catchment Maps
TLC FARMER TOOLBOX
Tools for the Lower Tukituki Corridor 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:
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TLC’s On-Farm Action Planning Tool - prioritise on-farm environmental actions based on their cost-effectiveness and impact.
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TLC’s Plant Selection Tool - choose the right plants for on-farm environmental projects by matching your planting zone and purpose with suitable species.
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TLC’s Surface Erosion Tool - determine the most erosion-prone areas on your farm to identify priority sites for effective soil conservation measures.
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TLC’s Water Runoff Mapping Tool - identify sites for on-farm edge-of-field mitigations such as sediment traps, constructed wetlands and detention bunds.
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TLC’s Riparian Mapping Tool - better understand riparian condition and vegetation class along waterways to prioritise where riparian management should occur.
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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.
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TLC’s Willow Management Guide - download TLC’s Invasive Willow Management Guide for insights on willows in the Tukituki, control strategies and riparian restoration.
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TLC’s List Of Advisors - connect with local advisors for tailored advice and potential funding opportunities.