Photo: Supplied
Much of New Zealand's freshwater is struggling or in crisis. The latest environment report on Freshwater, from 2023, indicated 45% of rivers - by length- were not suitable for swimming due to E. Coli and 46% of lakes bigger than one hectare had poor or very poor health. But in the face of statistics like these, a farming community on the edge of the Lyttleton Harbour has worked together to improve the local ecosystem. The starting point was a camp set up on farmland in the 1970's by a group who wanted to provide a nature experience for disadvantaged children; the farming continued to fund the activities. But by 2010, Environment Canterbury was offering help to stop sediment build up in the waterways - a move that kickstarted a wider effort among 24 landowners. Eliza Cowey is a water engineer who told the story about a community that involved both her father and her grandfather, to this year's Water New Zealand Conference.
