Council’s Wharekopae River Restoration Project is one of eight finalists in the New Zealand River Awards.
The New Zealand River Awards are organised by the Cawthron Institute to highlight projects that have a positive impact on waterways around Aotearoa.
The Wharekopae River Restoration Project is a finalist in the ‘river stories’ section of the awards, which recognises those who are working at a regional level to improve river health.
The project aims to improve poor water quality in the Wharekopae River that runs through the Rere Rockslide and Rere Falls. Nearly all sheep and beef farms in the catchment have completed farm environment plans and are taking measures to improve water quality in the river.
The eight finalists are currently being judged by leading New Zealand journalist and natural history author, Gerard Hutching.
The winning river story will be announced at the New Zealand River Awards celebration evening in Wellington on 7 November 2019.