'Aorere Catchment Project; a community approach to improving catchment wellbeing.'

This Sustainable Farming Fund project, based in the Golden Bay area of the Tasman District, focuses on understanding water quality issues and their impact for wider catchment / farming sustainability. The work was originally sparked by aquaculture industry concerns following reduced harvest opportunities, linked to declining water quality.

The project has been running since July 2006 and considerable progress has been made. Reduced 'run off' from dairy farming activity has resulted in improved water quality which in turn has improved harvesting opportunities for the aquaculture industry. 

A celebration took place in November 2008, in the form of a lunch, where guests enjoyed shellfish chowder and fine cheese - link to article>. 

Community meeting at Pakawau Hall.

The project has gone from strength to strength and has received considerable media attention, attracting the attention of Minister for the Environment Dr. Nick Smith.

On Friday 26th June 2009, Dr. Smith along with 70 guests from the local community, Fonterra, DairyNZ, Fish and Game, Tasman District Council, and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry attended another celebration of the great work undertaken by the community - link to article>.

The celebrations include the publication of a booklet entitled 'Aorere Our River Our Future', available for download on this page.

The success of the project was reflected in the 'Deputy Director General of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s' announcement of a further $259,000 grant over 3 years. 

Aorere River.

Available for download, 'Aorere Our River Our Future.' 

Celebration of a successful 3 year project. (file size 3.3MB): 

Available for download, 'The Aorere Catchment Project, a small community rising to a big challenge.' This document provides a summary of the successes and key milestones associated with the project. (file size 1.4M):