UPPER TUKITUKI CORRIDOR
CATCHMENT
Primary township Waipukurau
Area 3,259ha
CATCHMENT
CONTACTS
Catchment co-ordinator Kahlia Fryer
Email tukitukicoordinator@gmail.com
Phone 0273426071
ABOUT OUR CATCHMENT
The Upper Tukituki Corridor catchment spans 3,259ha, with Waipukurau at its centre. This diverse sub-catchment includes farmland, lifestyle properties, urban infrastructure, and Māori land trusts, each with unique interests and challenges.
At the TLC workshop in December 2024, attendees explored key issues facing the catchment, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for future management. A major concern identified was the absence of a formal catchment group, making it difficult to coordinate efforts across a landscape where land use and priorities vary widely.
Additionally, the following issues emerged:
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Gravel accumulation in the river – While some see this as a risk to infrastructure, others may not view it as a top priority, reflecting the diverse perspectives within the catchment.
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Water quality – The catchment receives inflows from multiple upstream areas within the Tukituki system but is not meeting HBRC water quality targets. This raised important questions about accountability, influencing factors, and practical steps landowners can take to improve conditions.
The discussion also considered whether a sub-catchment approach is the right fit for this area and how greater community engagement could be fostered to support collective action.
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.
Upper Tukituki Corridor Sub-Catchment Plan: Summary
Upper Tukituki Corridor Draft Sub-Catchment Plan: Full Report
Upper Tukituki Corridor Catchment Maps
TLC FARMER TOOLBOX
Tools for the Upper Tukituki Corridor 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.