Mangarara Catchment

Area 4,000 ha

Land Use: 92 percent of the catchment is in pasture and seven percent in exotic forest. Notably, less than one
percent of land cover is in native vegetation.

CATCHMENT
GROUP

Catchment Committee: Greg Hart, Hamish Frizzell, Bryn Henderson, John & Sandy Foster, Brian Lorenz, Simon and Justine Foster

Catchment Co-ordinator Pixie Seligman

Email tukicoordinator@gmail.com

Phone 0277212423

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ABOUT OUR CATCHMENT

The Mangarara catchment, east of the Patangata Bridge, is the smallest in the Tukituki region, covering just under 4,000ha. Despite its size, it faces significant soil erosion and sedimentation. Cyclone Gabrielle exacerbated these issues, raising the stream bed by up to 60cm in some areas and contributing to one of the highest sediment yields in the region - approximately 6.5 tonnes per hectare annually.

A lack of woody vegetation and invasive crack willows compounded these problems, increasing flood risks. To address this, the community, with TLC’s support and advice from Access2Experts, has developed a two-phase erosion and sediment control strategy. Immediate actions include crack willow removal and afforestation with poplars and hardy natives like kanuka. The catchment also secured $50,000 from the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust to clear willows from priority sites. Initial work is complete at the Tukituki-Mangarara confluence.

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.

Mangarara Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Summary

Mangarara Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Full Report

Mangarara Catchment Maps

TLC FARMER TOOLBOX

Tools for the Mangarara 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:

TLC’s On-Farm Action Planning Tool - prioritise on-farm environmental actions based on their cost-effectiveness and impact.
TLC’s Plant Selection Tool - choose the right plants for on-farm environmental projects by matching your planting zone and purpose with suitable species.
TLC’s Surface Erosion Tool - determine the most erosion-prone areas on your farm to identify priority sites for effective soil conservation measures.
TLC’s Water Runoff Mapping Tool - identify sites for on-farm edge-of-field mitigations such as sediment traps, constructed wetlands and detention bunds.
TLC’s Riparian Mapping Tool - better understand riparian condition and vegetation class along waterways to prioritise where riparian management should occur.
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.
TLC’s Willow Management Guide - download TLC’s Invasive Willow Management Guide for insights on willows in the Tukituki, control strategies and riparian restoration.
TLC’s List Of Advisors - connect with local advisors for tailored advice and potential funding opportunities.