MAKARETU
CATCHMENT
Primary township Takapau
Area 7869ha
Land use 59 percent of the catchment is in pasture, 29 percent in indigenous forest and 4 percent in indigenous scrub. Notably, less than 3 percent of landcover is in exotic forest.
CATCHMENT
CONTACTS
Catchment co-ordinator Kahlia Fryer
Email tukitukicoordinator@gmail.com
Phone 0273426071
ABOUT OUR CATCHMENT
The Makaretu catchment spans 7869ha. Historically, the catchment's braided river system has been a valuable ecological feature, providing habitat for unique species. However, much of the native forest in the catchment has been cleared for agriculture, leaving only small remnants in the upper reaches.
Recognising the need for collective action, the Makaretu Catchment Group was formed in 2023, marking the first coordinated effort by local landowners to improve the catchment's ecosystem health. The group’s primary goal is to enhance flood resilience and protect waterways and wetlands.
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.
Makaretu Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Summary
Makaretu Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Full Report
Makaretu Catchment Maps
TLC FARMER TOOLBOX
Tools for the Makaretu 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.
MAKARETU
SUB-CATCHMENT REPORT
After consulting with landowners in the Makaretu sub-catchment, TLC engaged Access to Experts (A2E) to develop a baseline report on the Makaretu River. A2E, a Ministry for the Environment initiative, provides free access to freshwater specialists for catchment groups.
The comprehensive 30-page report, authored by Charlotte Dury, Matt Highway, and Amy Robinson, combines insights from landowner interviews with an analysis of existing data. It examines the catchment’s cultural and physical characteristics, including geology, soils, rainfall, and water quality.
Outcomes
Following a presentation of the report’s findings to farmers and landowners in the Makaretu sub-catchment, attendees agreed to allocate a TLC Demonstration Grant toward a riparian planting project in the catchment.
For more information, please get in touch with Kahlia Fryer.
