July 14, 2016

Media Release

Environment Canterbury welcomes new Wainono funding

Environment Canterbury today welcomed the announcement by Environment Minister Nick Smith that Te Rūnanga o Waihao would receive more than $500,000 for restoration of Wainono Lagoon in South Canterbury.

Commissioner Tom Lambie said the funding would build on the local community momentum that has developed around lagoon restoration work.

“This is a great success for Waihao Rūnanga and a credit to their longstanding work for the environment, and the wider community,” Mr Lambie said. “We appreciate the partnership we have with Waihao Rūnanga and look forward to supporting them in this new project.”

The initial Fresh Start for Fresh Water Wainono Restoration Project formed a partnership between Waihao Rūnanga, landowners, the Ministry for the Environment and Environment Canterbury.

“It has clearly demonstrated how collective responsibility and combined resources from central and local government and individuals can effectively deliver a shared vision for better environmental outcomes,” Mr Lambie said. “I would like to particularly acknowledge the role of the Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee working with the local community.

“Central government funding has enabled restoration activities at a scale that can address legacy environmental issues and work towards environmental resilience for the future,” he said. “When we operate with practical measures at this scale we can see a future for the lagoon where its former values can be restored.”

The Waihao Runanga’s Te Mana O Te Wai project will carry on the work of the Fresh Start for Fresh Water Project by extending the existing programme across more of the Wainono catchment.

It will have a focus on mahinga kai values and work around the lagoon as well as in priority tributaries. “We can also help develop Rūnanga capacity in its environmental stewardship work,” Mr Lambie said.

“This is Waihao Runanga’s project. Environment Canterbury will support them and contribute to the work by providing project management and administration services. The Department of Conservation is also providing resources to this project.”

Background - Purpose of the fund

The purpose of the Te Mana o Te Wai Fund is to help Māori improve the water quality of freshwater bodies (including lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and lagoons) that are of importance to them by:

• Supporting iwi/hapū to play an active part in improving the water quality of their local freshwater bodies

• Enabling iwi/hapū to actively participate in managing their local freshwater bodies

• Developing partnerships and working in collaboration with others

• Helping iwi/hapū and the wider community recognise the importance of fresh water in supporting a healthy ecosystem, including supporting human health.

The concept of Te Mana o Te Wai reflects the recognition of fresh water as a natural resource the health of which is integral to the social, cultural, economic and environmental well-being of communities.

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