In 2021, North Canterbury Fish & Game secured funding from the government “Jobs For Nature / Freshwater Improvement Fund” to work with the use of a bequest left to Fish & Game by James McIntyre to protect and restore nursery habitats to enhance the salmon fishery in the Rakaia and Waimakariri rivers.
The over $1,600,000 project was funded by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and completed in collaboration with Environment Canterbury (ECan), Rakaia River Fishing Promotions and the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association. For the last three years, this funding grant has employed two staff members, Steve Terry and Belinda Bull.
The project aim was to secure, enhance or re-establish 60ha of streams and wetlands through a minimum of 10km of new fencing, thereby improving the nursery and rearing habitat for fish and waterfowl species within these ecosystems and enhancing downstream water quality. Through negotiations with landowners in the High Country, the “High-Country Wetland & Waterway Protection” project has exceeded its targets, with the retirement of approximately 370ha, utilising existing fences, along with over 20km of new fencing.
This initiative has been strongly supported by local high-country stations and a range of project partners. ECan has contributed water chemistry data from ten streams in the Rakaia catchment, enabling ongoing discussions with landowners about protecting water quality. The Cawthron Institute has provided technical support and analysis, while Rakaia River Fishing Promotions has contributed $70,000 towards fencing on Double Hill Station, supplemented by an additional $50,000 from Manawa Energy, funding the retirement of 77 hectares of wetlands and waterways.
Additional support has come from the QEII Trust and ECan’s wetland ecologists, who have provided advice and assessed wetland species at Glenariffe Station. Meanwhile, Karina Kelly, a master's student from Canterbury University, has authored a thesis on the restoration of wetlands and waterways, which is currently under internal review. NCF&G has played a vital role by offering both expert advice and administrative oversight for the entire project.
Key Benefits for North Canterbury Fish & Game:
- All Glenariffe catchment streams are now fully fenced, ensuring improved water quality and habitat protection, benefiting all the species we manage.
- 121 hectares of wetlands have been fenced off in the Glenariffe catchment, safeguarding the pristine water quality of Glenariffe Stream.
- Stronger relationships with landowners, with many proactively approaching Fish & Game to discuss further opportunities for wetland retirement and conservation.
This project not only marks a significant achievement in the restoration of North Canterbury’s freshwater ecosystems but also serves as a model of successful collaboration between community stakeholders, environmental agencies, and landowners, ensuring a healthier future for the region’s iconic salmon populations.