Healthy Waterways
Between the Two Rivers has several ongoing projects that all share the common goal of making our catchment a better place. With the hard work of our team and support of the community we hope these projects will create meaningful change.
Lake Runanga
water testing project
Lake Runanga Water Testing Project December 2023 Water samples were collected from RuÌ„nanga Lake in December 2023 using sampling kits provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and examined for environmental DNA (eDNA) by Wilderlab in Wellington. ​Wilderlab classified RuÌ„nanga Lake as ‘very poor’. This is consistent with previous classifications based on low clarity, high nutrient concentrations and sparse macrophytes. Several animal, invertebrates and fish species DNA was also identified. Most surprisingly, a freshwater jellyfish that arrived from China in the 1950s was detected for the first time.
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Please click below to access full report
Stream Health Assessment Project
February 2024
Prior to Cyclone Gabrielle, Between the Two Rivers was founded on the community's passion for understanding and improving the quality / health of our waterbodies.
It is exciting to saying that we are heading back in that direction after being a little preoccupied post cyclone. B2R's science guru, Kit Rutherford and Geoff Holland have made a start by monitoring streams at four sites on the 15th February 2024.
The four sights are:
- Okawa below Gorge
- Okawa at Shanley Road
- Waitio at Ohiti Road
- Kikowhero at Matapiro Road
Further sampling is planned in February and March. If you are interested in helping, contact Kit Rutherford on 0274 476 043.
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Please click below to read the full assessment of the first samples.
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Water Consent Workshop
with HBRC
This workshop has come to life due to a need that had been communicated by members of our community. Initially, people asked for a handout with council rules around waterways, as there have been confusions when consents are needed.
However, as this was too complex to narrow down to one page, the HBRC has generously provided their time and resources for this meeting.
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The slides for the presentation can be accessed below
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