CATCHMENT STOCKTAKE - MAKARA
SUMMARY
In September 2023, TLC awarded a $10,000 Demonstration Grant to the Makara Catchment Group to carry out a whole catchment assessment to celebrate successes and give direction for future actions.
Twenty-five landowners from the Makara sub-catchment participated in the study, representing a land area of 14,806 hectares.
OUTCOME 1. STATE OF THE NATION REPORT
A final report produced by agricultural consultants KS Agri offers valuable insights into environmental challenges and opportunities in this sub-catchment, gleaned from farmer interviews, analysis of Farm Environmental Management Plans, and mapping.
The report not only explores key indicators such as DIN, phosphorus, and turbidity but also provides insights into a wide range of data, including erosion pole planting, wetland creation, and riparian fencing.
The report also offers actionable recommendations, including increasing the number of water testing sites and managing existing sediment traps and dams.
In addition to providing valuable and actionable data for the farmers in this catchment, the study also served as a unifying force, bringing together farmers in the area. At the conclusion of the project the farmers and their families gathered at the Elsthorpe Hall to share a beer and sausage sizzle and hear a presentation by KS Agri on the preliminary findings.
Download the final report here.
OUTCOME 2. WATER TESTING PROGRAMME
Following recommendations from the above report, local landowners agreed to use a TLC grant to begin a water testing programme at four sites within the sub-catchment.
Between August 2024 and August 2025, TLC supported the Makara Catchment Group with monthly water testing at these sites. The testing was carried out by ALS Environmental and the summary report was produced by Water Sense Te Wai Tikanga. You can download the report here.
For more information, please get in touch with Pixie Seligman.
FURTHER INFORMATION & CONTACT
To find out more about the Makara sub-catchment, head to the Makara sub-catchment page on this site.
To get in touch, please contact TLC Catchment Coordinator Pixie Seligman:
Email: tukicoordinator@gmail.com
Phone: 027 721 2423