River-Estuary Care: Waikouaiti-Karitane
Established 1999
River-Estuary Care: Waikouaiti-Karitane is a community conservation group based on the east Otago coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Our project work is focused on maintaining and enhancing the health of the Waikouaiti River, estuary, wetlands and greater catchment area.
The Waikouaiti River & Estuary
The Waikouaiti River catchment receives water from a 425 km2 area. The South Branch is 27 km long with an area of 87 km2 and arises from Silver Peaks. The North Branch is 57 km long with an area of 283 km2 and arises near Macraes Flat. The two branches converge 8 km inland from the coast. The lower 5 km extends through the estuary near Karitane township where the river meets the sea. The catchment contains three regionally significant wetlands including the most extensive natural saltmarsh in Otago. The rich dynamic estuary habitat is home to populations of native and endemic birds, native and introduced fish species and serves as a migratory feeding and breeding ground for significant marine and freshwater species. It is a critical link for biodiversity and food security. Two overlapping local fisheries management regimes are in place for the lower river, estuary and adjacent coastal marine environment (East Otago Taiapure and Waikouaiti Mataitai).
People and the River
People have been part of the Waikouaiti River Catchment for nearly 1000 years. First, Māori established a community, found and maintained rich sustainable mahinga kai in the catchment while regular parties set out inland from the coast on long annual migrations connected to food and resource gathering. Stored food and underground fresh water springs allowed local Māori to survive a siege of six months on Huriawa Peninsula. Later, European settlers arrived to farm, set up mission stations, schools and short lived whaling operations. Today's farms are sheep, beef, dairy and forestry operations . Customary, commercial and recreational fishing has been a significant activity in the river, estuary and adjacent marine waters. Kayaks, waka ama, and stand up paddle boards move along the estuary. There are two large scale commercial operations, Oceana Gold Mine at the headwaters of the river and Zeagold (Mainland) Poultry adjacent to the estuary. Dunedin City Council's local sewage operation is located in the area between the river and the sea, adjacent to the salt marsh. Partly because of this rich history and the integral part the river and estuary have in our lives the current generation of people of the Waikouaiti River Catchment support the goal of working together to look after the Waikouaiti River and Estuary. We still look to the river for our livelihoods, cultural landscapes, activities, food security and inspiration.
Organisation's Objectives
The objectives of River-Estuary Care: Waikouaiti-Karitane are to:
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restore balance to Papatuanuku (Mother Earth)
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have a well informed community about our river and estuary
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have our community participating in sustainable resource practices
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have a healthy, productive river and estuary ecosystem (fishing, biodiversity, general health)
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promote an understanding of the interrelatedness of our river and estuary ecosystem with adjacent ecosystems
How We Work
River-Estuary Care: Waikouaiti-Karitane works with good will and positive collaborations for the benefit of the community and the Waikouaiti River catchment. We endeavour to use best practices at the community conservation level. We develop projects based on local knowledge and science based conservation. We pilot ideas before incorporating them into our regular practice.
We are a registered incorporated society. Our structure is simple with elected officers and project leaders making up a Core Group. Anyone interested in helping with projects or having an interest in our work is considered a member. We welcome advice and help in all forms. As an incorporated society we hold an AGM, report on projects, and provide responsible financial reporting. All our work is accomplished by volunteers.