Tenā koe

To close the gap between the current state of our water quality and where communities want it to be, we will all need to take action.

Here are a few more urban and rural actions Horizons has modelled that are known to reduce the amount of contaminants entering waterways across different environments - enabling us to make progress together.

As part of our Water Quality Targets Engagement, we want to know what you think about these actions being part of the suite to get us to our provisional freshwater targets. 

Taking action with spaced planting

One of these actions is planting poplar trees at different intervals on erosion-prone pastures.

Steep erodible hillsides can be stabilised and sustained as farmland because the extensive root systems of these trees bind and hold the soil in place.

This prevents soil from being washed into streams as sediment, which can fill up the small spaces between rocks and make the habitat unsuitable for fish and macroinvertebrates (insects) to live in.

Taking action with land retirement

Land retirement includes planting native trees on marginal or erosion-prone land. The root networks of these trees bind and hold soil on unstable land that can’t cope with high stock numbers trampling the land.

This action prevents soil from carrying nutrients into freshwater, which can cause long-term damage to the health of a waterbody. Additionally, land retirement can enable farms to be managed more effectively.

💧 What do you think about these actions being part of the suite to get us to our provisional freshwater targets? The survey is open until December 15, 2023. 

Rural Roadshow reminder 

There are still several opportunities to connect with us over the next few weeks. Come along to hear our staff talk about how proposed targets have been created, what they mean in practice and how you can have your say on them.
 
Details for the remainder of our meetings are as follows:

• 2.30pm Tuesday 21 November, Levin RSA, Levin
• 6pm Wednesday 22 November, Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club, Palmerston North 

Presentations will start at those times, but people are welcome to arrive up to 30 minutes early, when refreshments will be available. There will also be time for further questions and conversations afterwards over refreshments. 

If you're unable to make these meetings, get in touch with the rural advice team on freephone 0508 800 800 to discuss alternative options.