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Collective community action is well supported locally, as was demonstrated at this Enviro Collective workshop hosted by Somerview Farm The nature of collective community action typically starts small and gradually spreads outwards. Individuals, farm owners and farm teams, catchment groups, and in the case of Mid Canterbury - a catchment collective. Ensuring there is a district-wide vision requires leadership and collaboration as locals can come together around a common goal.

“We know the average outcome of El Niño, but no El Niño is average.” That is the message from Earth Sciences New Zealand Chief Scientist Weather and Seasonal Forecasting Chris Brandolino, as farmers begin preparing for what could be one of the strongest El Niño events on record. Earth Sciences New Zealand has confirmed El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and expects the climate driver to strongly influence New Zealand’s weather through spring, summer and

Canterbury and Otago farmers and growers are being encouraged to check their irrigation systems and water-use plans now, as El Niño increases the likelihood of drier conditions across eastern parts of New Zealand. Earth Sciences New Zealand has confirmed that El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are expected to strongly influence New Zealand’s weather into 2027. Irricon principal environmental consultant Sarah Rickard says the outlook is a timely remi

It’s amazing to think that the Carters Creek catchment group is now three years old. One of the more recent achievements of the group has been looking after a council reserve area next to the creek on Melcombe Street, gradually planting it out to reduce sediment and pollutants entering the creek. A nearby local in his eighties wandered over to tell us recently that he enjoys visiting the site. The area is no longer an eye sore and he feels we are doing a good job protecting

Professor Matthew Wilson on the left and researcher Xander Cai on the right, holding the prototype sensor, which will be mounted to a pole above fence height and linked to a computer system which runs the AI technology. Amy Riach A brand-new venture for GPS signals: moonlighting for a water management system on New Zealand farms. Using artificial intelligence and satellite technology, a new research project designed to measure soil moisture may help to guide Kiwi farmers mak

"Absolutely shocked!" From right, Michelle, Tony, and Kate Roberts, thrilled to celebrate their unexpected win at Ballance Environment Trust Awards. From Merino Downs, the Roberts' were named winners of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase in Christchurch on July 2. Supplied. Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. Instead, they began with a passion, a move south, and a willingness to build their future fr

No matter which government comes to power after the 2026 New Zealand general election, it may make little difference to farmers if the people speaking on their behalf are not getting it right. That is the view of Groundswell spokesperson Jamie McFadden, who says the biggest issue facing the sector is not just policy, but a growing disconnect between farmers, advocacy groups and government. “The biggest challenge is the disconnect,” McFadden said. “It’s a disconnect from the r

The Whitcombe Landcare Group has been quietly building real momentum across the upper Rakaia catchment, with the past year marked by practical progress in freshwater monitoring, pest management and community-led environmental action. Backed by facilitation support and targeted project funding, the group has been turning local knowledge and landholder commitment into meaningful work on the ground. One of the group’s main areas of focus has been developing a coordinated pest ma

Kerry and Paul Harmer continue with riparian planting 560 carex secta plants within the Ashburton Lakes catchment on Sunday 22 March. Gathering science/facts has been an ongoing focus for the Ōtūwharekai Ashburton Lakes Catchment Group, we then use these facts to drive catchment-wide and on-farm management decisions to minimise our farming footprint. Our monthly water testing results of waterways travelling through our properties from several different sites show samples take

As with most parents, my mornings and life blood are fuelled by the beautiful brown elixir that is coffee. We even splurged on our own machine and our Covid panic buy was not extra toilet paper, but 20 kg of green beans and an at-home roaster. Owning a home coffee machine comes with both advantages and challenges. The water tank requires frequent refilling and it’s easy to overfill when in a rush. After one particularly sleepless night, I did exactly that, but instead of the

Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack. Footrot Flats has been part of kiwi culture since it was created by Murray Ball in the 1970s. Supplied. After several tough seasons in the agriculture sector, there’s a sense things are finally turning, says Garry Diack, Ravensdown chief executive. “We’re a bit of a cork in the tide of farmer fortunes. When the fortunes are going well, so do we. The long-term outlook for sheep and beef has given a bit more confidence to the sales proces

A community gathering in the Greenstreet Hall to talk about the Ashburton River, hosted by Greenstreet Catchment Group. Across Mid Canterbury, catchment groups are getting on with the job of improving their natural environment, building resilience and strengthening community connections. One group in particular – the Greenstreet Catchment Group – has found its groove over the past year, demonstrating what is possible when local leadership is backed by consistent support from

Castle Ridge Station’s Paul and Kerry Harmer after being named Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Supplied Castle Ridge Station’s Kerry Harmer says she and her family were “blown away” to be named the Canterbury Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards on March 5. “We were pretty overwhelmed,” she says. “We don’t really think we’re doing anything amazing. We just do what we think is right for us and for the pla

Environment Canterbury is proposing an average rate rise of 2.9%, but several councillors fear the environment will pay the price. SUPPLIED Canterbury’s regional council is proposing a rate rise of under three percent, as it faces major reform and financial constraints. Environment Canterbury adopted its draft 2026/27 annual plan on February 25 proposing an average rate rise of 2.9%. But one councillor broke down in tears as she expressed frustration at the constraints placed

Canterbury councils are divided over a government proposal that would replace elected regional councillors with a mayor-led board, with Ashburton backing the change while Environment Canterbury warns it would undermine regional governance. PHOTO MT HUTT SKI AREA Canterbury councils are divided over a government proposal to replace regional councils with a mayor-led board. Ashburton District Council generally supports the proposal, Selwyn is more cautious, and Environment Cant

Over the past year, the Ashburton Forks Catchment Group has moved from establishment into delivery. The emphasis has been on practical action, learning from what’s happening on the ground, and building a group that provides value for the people farming in the catchment. The group covers the Ashburton Forks, Staveley and Alford Forest areas, bounded roughly by the Rangitata Diversion Race, Thompsons Track, and the North and South Branches of the Ashburton River. It’s a distinc

A fishing representative says Greenpeace's "vandalism" of Rakaia's iconic salmon statue has hurt a rural community just to make a political point. Greenpeace protesters defaced the large statue on February 15, just weeks after a $300,000 ratepayer-funded refurbishment. The activists replaced the salmon's eyes with cartoon-style crosses and added a speech bubble reading ‘Fonterra killed my family’. Greenpeace Aotearoa freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe said the protest aimed t

‘Let’s keep the momentum going’ was the theme for a field day hosted at Pencarrow Farm in early December. Presenters balanced acknowledging current action, which is proven to reduce nitrogen (N) losses, with new and emerging science targeting further reductions. Collaboration across the sector is evident and remains a critical part of collective action to manage N. Acton Farmers Irrigation, Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation, Barhill Chertsey Irrigation, DairyNZ, Enviro Collectiv

Methven farmer John McCaw fears the council’s stockwater service exit could come at the detriment of a natural waterway intertwined in the network. McCaw said he supported Ashburton District Council's decision to end the service in Mid Canterbury, but warned that a full closure “represents a grave threat to the future of the Mount Harding Creek”. “It’s more than just a water race." He is happy to see the end of the stockwater service but wants the water to still be used to ma

Ashburton deputy mayor Richard Wilson, who chairs the stockwater transition group, described the decision to partially close the Pudding Hill stockwater race network as “a significant decision in our district's history". SUPPLIED The oldest stockwater scheme in Mid Canterbury has become the first domino to fall in a “significant decision in the district’s history”. The Ashburton District Council is working to exit the stockwater service delivery by June 30, 2027. The council