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Waimatuku Stream

The Waimatuku is a low-elevation, low-relief catchment with two main waterways, the Waimatuku Stream and the smaller Middle Creek. It is long and narrow in shape and encompasses the coastal margin from Riverton in the west to Big Lagoon in the east. It extends across the Southland Plains to the Waimatuku Estuary. Total area comprises 23,700ha with shallow groundwater depth of 2-4m.

The Waimatuku Stream originates at Bayswater bog near Otautau and was straightened and channelised in the 1920’s. The stream has moderate flows derived mainly from groundwater discharge resulting in few floods or extreme low flow events. Most of the catchment has been extensively drained for agricultural use.

The area supports multiple farming types including sheep & beef, dairy and dairy support, arable & horticulture (blueberries). Significant conservation estate and maori freehold land is also in the catchment.

Waimatuku catchment has several regionally significant wetlands including the whole Waimatuku Estuary, Big Lagoon, Waimatuku Wetland, Drummond peat swap and the Bayswater Bog.

Bypass flow occurring in the poorly drained soils allow nutrient build up in the underlying groundwater and overland flow to surface water means that nitrate and E.coli concentrations are high. Sediment loadings are also high in this catchment. Data analysis suggests that substantial nitrogen, sediment and E.coli load reductions are required to support a state of Hauora in the Waimatuku catchment.

 

The list of who's involved, and the actions and/or stories reported for this catchment come from the groups that have shared their efforts through the national Healthy Waterways register. You can add your group's actions to improve the health of waterways in this catchment by using the link to the register at the bottom of this page.

The data and stories shown in this topic are sourced from the Healthy Waterways register and are not independently validated by the LAWA project. The information in the register come from councils, industry organisations, and catchment groups. The information may be incomplete and may not necessarily reflect the views of LAWA partner agencies. The topic is designed to showcase actions being taken that could provide inspiration and encouragement to others and help with our future understanding of which actions makes the most difference to the health of waterways depending on the catchment context.

Catchment characteristics

Catchment size 18,984 hectares
Wetlands 1,002 hectares
Length of waterways 288 km
Land use

Discover who’s doing the mahi

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  • Riparian planting

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    Actions
  • Wetland protection

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    Actions

See how actions are supporting water quality

  • Is it making a difference?

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    The science