Successful field day at Wainono Lagoon

Environment Canterbury today reported a highly successful public field day at Wainono Lagoon in South Canterbury on Sunday 29 April.

Biodiversity Officer Sam Shannon said there had been an excellent turnout, helped by good weather despite poor forecasts earlier in the week.

“Around 100 people identified bird species on the lagoon with the help of Department of Conservation staff and spotting scopes, and enjoyed fish tank displays and an electro-fishing demonstration by Fish & Game staff, harakeke (flax) weaving, a barbecue with food supplied by NZ Dairies – and for the kids a duck-calling competition and lolly scramble,” Sam said.

“Local landowner Murray Bruce and Waihao Rūnanga representatives Aerini Heath-Boyd and John Wilkie spoke about the history of Wainono Lagoon, its cultural significance and importance to local residents. They told stories about the large numbers of eels that used to be found in the lagoon, and how commercial harvesting had decimated the population.”

The field day was a chance for the public to learn more about Wainono Lagoon and participate in the restoration project that is now getting under way.

Wainono Lagoon is a South Canterbury treasure. It is a coastal lagoon and wetland of great importance for its birdlife and native fish.

The lagoon is a 480-hectare saltmarsh and freshwater wetland that supports a wide range of native vegetation types. The margins of Wainono Lagoon are the most extensive wetland area in lowland South Canterbury.

The lagoon was once very important to Ngāi Tahu hapū of South Canterbury as a mahinga kai source. Unfortunately this is no longer the case because of the degraded state of the lagoon.

The restoration will cost $2.5 million over five years for fencing, planting and weed management.

Recently the government announced $800,000 in funding from the Fresh Start for Freshwater Fund towards the restoration, adding to $225,000 in already-allocated Canterbury Water Management Strategy funding. Environment Canterbury is also contributing further funding to ensure that this important project is successful.

There was a photo competition at the field day. This will be judged on Friday 4 May (photos should be emailed to sam.shannon@ecan.govt.nz before 11 am that day) – details on the competition and the restoration project overall can be found at ecan.govt.nz/Wainono

Canterbury Water Management Strategy

The Wainono Restoration Project was selected by the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Regional Committee as one of three key flagship restoration initiatives for Canterbury.
The Canterbury Water Management Strategy captures the community’s shared vision for managing water. It is a collaborative process involving Environment Canterbury, Ngāi Tahu, and stakeholders with an interest in water management.

The aim for biodiversity projects such as Wainono Lagoon is to provide more and better freshwater to support ecosystems, as well as improve habitat and species numbers.