Project to restore heavily-polluted Canterbury lake gets funding boost

Friday, 22 January 2021

Lake Ellesmere from above. The lake has been polluted by dairy run-offs. (File photo)

Restoration work at one of the most polluted lakes in the country is getting a $2.6 million Government cash injection.

Conservation Minister Kiri Allan has announced $3.4m of Jobs for Nature funding will go to groups working to restore Canterbury’s Lake Ellesmere, and Wairarapa’s Wainuioru River catchment.

It is part of a $1.25 billion Covid-19 recovery package aimed at providing nature-based jobs for 11,000 people over the next four years.

Lake Ellesmere – or Te Waihora – is in a heavily-farmed part of the Selwyn district, and its water quality is very poor, according to Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA).

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A public health warning has been in force since late 2017 due to high levels of toxic algae in the water.

Regional council Environment Canterbury previously told the Government nearly every farm in the district would need to shut down to get the lake to meet national water quality standards.

Allan said the ongoing restoration work, lead by the local Taumutu rūnanga, had been helping restore the iconic ecosystem since 2013.

“[The Lake Ellesmere project] will deliver jobs and a lasting legacy.”

Allan said up to 31 people would be employed over four years to plant more than 250,000 native plants and trees.

Conservation Minister Kiri Tapu says the Lake Ellesmere project will improve the quality of “this lake of significance”.

The goal was to create 44 hectares of catchments along the southwest edge of the lake, to catch and absorb excess nutrients from farm runoff.

“Workers will be undertaking ground preparation, planting and weed management along with other conservation tasks to improve the biodiversity and freshwater values of this lake of significance,” Allen said.

Te Taumutu rūnanga chair Liz Brown said as kaitiaki (guardians) of the lake, Te Taumutu Rūnanga whānau had advocated for its care, restoration, enhancement, and protection for generations.

“Our aspiration is to restore the mauri (life force) of Te Waihora, thereby enhancing a healthy and plentiful fish basket that all hapū can gather from.

“Mass native planting around Te Waihora will contribute to our aspirations and employ many people in our takiwā (region).

“We are excited to be part of this project.”

Lake Ellesmere is considered one of the most important wetland habitats in New Zealand, providing homes for numerous birds, plants and invertebrates.

It has the highest number of bird species – 203 – recorded anywhere in New Zealand.

Allan also announced $816,000 of Jobs for Nature funding to build on the work of the Wainuioru Community River Care Group in the Wairarapa’s Wainuioru catchment.

Eight people would be employed to remove pest plants and trees, and the investment would help fund the development of further restoration projects.

“It is fantastic that Jobs for Nature can accelerate this vital conservation programme in the Wairarapa while providing local people with meaningful work and showcasing how the rural sector are addressing environmental issues in the region,” Allan said.