Otago Regional Council

Otago Regional Council We are responsible for sustainably managing Otago's natural resources on behalf of the community.

The Otago Regional Council’s role is to manage and protect Otago’s natural environment. Our community is diverse, and we strive to be a fair and inclusive organisation. Constructive thoughts, insights and views are welcome here, but like our environment, please ‘keep it clean’ on this page. With followers of all ages, please keep comments free from spam and/or offensive language, images, video, an

d abusive, defamatory or misinformation material. Threatening or defamatory comments towards ORC staff will not be tolerated. Administrators of this page will hide comments or ban users who breach these house rules. All comments are a person’s own responsibility, and not endorsed by ORC. All comments are a person’s own responsibility and not endorsed by ORC. The Otago Regional Council's page (and its other social media pages) must not be used for electioneering purposes. Any post — positive or negative — made by any individual specifically relating to their own — or someone else's — nomination, intention to run for Council or election campaign, will be removed immediately.

What’s a day in the life of an ORC Biosecurity Officer? 🤔🌿No two days are the same! 😁One day it might start with checkin...
31/07/2026

What’s a day in the life of an ORC Biosecurity Officer? 🤔🌿

No two days are the same! 😁

One day it might start with checking on a pest plant site, followed by responding to a public report, meeting with a landowner to discuss management options and collecting data in the field.

Another day could involve surveillance work for new pest incursions, monitoring waterways, or helping identify an unusual plant or animal reported by the community.

Behind every pest controlled and every incursion detected is a team working across Otago's farms, waterways, reserves, and roadsides to help protect the places we value.

From muddy boots and field inspections to community engagement and problem solving, biosecurity is all about preventing small issues from becoming big ones.

To end Biosecurity Week, we want to give a massive shout out to our biosecurity team, mana whenua, landowners, community groups and residents who work alongside us to protect Otago! 🙌👏

🚗A great example of inter-agency collaboration today saw our Deputy ORC Harbourmaster working with Southern District Pol...
31/07/2026

🚗A great example of inter-agency collaboration today saw our Deputy ORC Harbourmaster working with Southern District Police and ORC’s Pollution team to pull a car from the drink at Back Beach, Port Chalmers. 🌊

👏 Thanks to everyone involved, and to the public for reporting this to the Pollution hotline!

📞 24/7 Pollution Hotline: 0800 800 033

Images: Black car in the water at Port Chalmers, and showing the fuel leak.

What does it take to protect Otago’s waterways from pests you can’t always see? 🤔This Biosecurity Week, we're highlighti...
30/07/2026

What does it take to protect Otago’s waterways from pests you can’t always see? 🤔

This Biosecurity Week, we're highlighting the mahi being done by our team to keep invasive freshwater pests out of Otago. 🚫

One species our biosecurity team is keeping a close eye on is the invasive freshwater gold clam.

First detected in the Waikato River in 2023, this pest can reproduce rapidly, threaten native biodiversity, and clog water infrastructure.

Otago's waterways are considered suitable for this clam’s establishment – this makes early detection and monitoring critical. 🕵🏼‍♂️

Over the past year, our team has been carrying out plankton net sampling across selected Otago waterbodies to look for freshwater gold clam larvae.

Luckily, NO freshwater gold clam larvae were detected during this year's monitoring. 🙌

While this is encouraging news, ongoing monitoring remains important.

Monitoring helps us identify any new incursions early and supports efforts to protect Otago’s rivers, lakes and native ecosystems.

You can help stop freshwater pests like freshwater gold clams spreading by using the Check, Clean, Dry method every time you visit our waterways: ✔️

👀 Check your gear for any plant matter and either leave it at the site or put it in a rubbish bin
🧼 Clean your gear thoroughly
☀️ Dry your gear for 48 hours before moving to another waterway.

Think you’ve spotted freshwater gold clams? 🧐

Report it!

📸 Take a photo
📍 Record the location
📱 Submit a report to Ministry for Primary Industries or our team: orc.govt.nz/reportpests

Let’s keep Otago’s waterways free of freshwater gold clams and other pests – together. 🤝 💪

🐞🌱 Meet some of Otago's smallest biosecurity helpers! 🌱🐞Some of our hardest-working pest controllers are tiny insects an...
29/07/2026

🐞🌱 Meet some of Otago's smallest biosecurity helpers! 🌱🐞

Some of our hardest-working pest controllers are tiny insects and fungi, also known as 'biocontrol agents'. 🕵️

They help reduce the impact of pest plants by affecting their growth or seed-producing ability.

Once established, these little helpers can provide ongoing control in places that are difficult to reach and help reduce the spread of some of our most challenging weeds.

Small but mighty, biocontrol agents are helping protect Otago's environment every day. 💪

Thanks to our friends at Bioeconomy Science Institute , you can check out the biocontrol agents that may be lurking in your backyard:
👉 orc.govt.nz/biocontrol

One report can make all the difference! 🔍🚨Our biosecurity team works across Otago to manage pest plants and animals, but...
28/07/2026

One report can make all the difference! 🔍🚨

Our biosecurity team works across Otago to manage pest plants and animals, but with such a large region, we need your help to help us understand what's happening on the ground.

In the past year, we've received more than 100 pest reports from the public, with two reports leading to incursion responses for African feather grass.

These examples highlight just how valuable local knowledge can be.

What might seem unusual or insignificant could provide the early warning needed to prevent a pest—like African feather grass—from becoming established.

If you spot a pest, see something unfamiliar, or have concerns about a plant or animal, report it:

📸 Take a photo
📍 Note the location
📱 Submit a report to us: orc.govt.nz/reportpests

Every report helps build a clearer picture of biosecurity across Otago and supports efforts to protect the places we all value.

27/07/2026

🛡️ It’s Biosecurity Week! 🐾🌿

Biosecurity is all about protecting what makes Otago special — our rivers, land, wildlife, native bush, farms and way of life.

Our biosecurity team is critical in this area of work: community education, monitoring and surveillance, and working alongside communities and landowners. 🤝

Meet one member of the team, Biosecurity Officer James – learn what biosecurity means to him.

Radar wave technology, new bus connections, and ... pest poo profiling? 💩📡 The July issue of our On Stream e-newsletter ...
23/07/2026

Radar wave technology, new bus connections, and ... pest poo profiling? 💩📡

The July issue of our On Stream e-newsletter has landed — and it’s packed with everything happening across Otago this month!

Here is a sneak peek at what’s inside:

📡 26 new flood warning stations: learn about the high-tech radar sensors (made in Dunedin!) being installed to keep our communities safer during storm events.

🌿 $919k for community-led environmental projects: check out the 28 local projects that just received a massive boost through our 2026 ECO Fund!

💩 The ‘scoop on poop’: ever wondered how our Biosecurity team tracks pests? (Hint: it’s a bit like being a wine expert, just without the glamour!🍷😅)

🚍 Public transport updates: have your say on proposed zone-based bus fares and fare caps before submissions close on 29 July. Plus, a new Ōamaru–Dunedin bus service is kicking off on 1 October.

🏖️ Love Otago’s coast? We want your feedback on the future of Otago’s coastal environment.

PLUS updates on H5 bird flu preparedness, earthquake readiness, pest plant alerts and inspiring Enviroschools stories! 💚

Read the full issue now:
👉 orc.govt.nz/onstreamjuly2026

Never miss an issue of On Stream — subscribe now:
🔔 orc.govt.nz/onstreamsubscribe

📢 BIRD FLU UPDATE: what you need to know While there are no cases in Otago yet, we want to keep you in the loop on the ...
22/07/2026

📢 BIRD FLU UPDATE: what you need to know

While there are no cases in Otago yet, we want to keep you in the loop on the latest.

📌 What’s happened so far?

Two bird flu cases have been confirmed up north: a brown skua on Petone Beach (Wellington) and a native kāhu (swamp harrier hawk) in the Wairarapa. These are the first-ever detections in the country.

The good news? There’s been no sign of it in poultry, and no mass wildlife deaths have been reported.

📌 Who is doing what?

The Ministry for Primary Industries and the Department of Conservation are leading the national response and keeping a close eye on things.

📌 What is ORC’s role?

Think of us as the regional coordinators!

We are making sure info flows smoothly between central government, local district councils, iwi and our community.

We have a solid preparedness plan ready to roll if the virus reaches Otago, and we’re managing response plans for our own council-owned land and natural resources.

📌 How can you protect yourself, your pets and our birds?

Practice these simple habits:

↔️ Keep your distance: stay away from sick or dead wildlife, and keep your dogs and pets away from them too.

🧼 Keep it clean: wash your hands and clean your footwear/gear after spending time outdoors.

🧐 What should you do if you suspect a case?

One of the biggest red flags is seeing multiple birds dying quickly in a group.

👉 If you see THREE OR MORE sick or dead wild birds in a group:

⚠️Do NOT touch, handle, or move them.

Report it immediately to MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online:
🚨report.mpi.govt.nz

Learn more about H5 bird flu and the work New Zealand is doing to prepare:
👉 http://mpi.govt.nz/hpai

Tag and share this important info with your local communities – don’t let bird flu take flight!

Shout out to our biosecurity team who absolutely smashed it at Nano Fest last weekend! 🙌 The team had a fantastic time o...
21/07/2026

Shout out to our biosecurity team who absolutely smashed it at Nano Fest last weekend! 🙌

The team had a fantastic time out and about at the Festival Hub in Wall Street Mall, connecting with so many curious minds of all ages and sharing expert tips on how to spot and stop pesky pest plants from invading gardens. Those native plant giveaways were a massive hit too! 🙌🪴

Protecting Otago’s environment is a massive team effort, and our expert crew loves giving you the knowledge to look after your own backyard as well. 🛠️

Ready to become a pest detective in your own neighbourhood? 🕵️‍♂️

Head to our Pest Hub to find out if certain pests are lurking in your backyard:
👉 orc.govt.nz/plantpests

🚨 Spotted a potential pest?
Use our quick and easy online form to report certain pests:
👉 orc.govt.nz/reportpests

Let’s keep working together to prevent pests from spreading across Otago!️💚

Thank you to the New Zealand International Science Festival for hosting us and putting on another awesome event. Bring on next year! ✨

Pictured below: our biosecurity team

What happens to winter air pollution once the sun goes down? ❄️ Our six-week community science project in Ōamaru has wra...
19/07/2026

What happens to winter air pollution once the sun goes down? ❄️

Our six-week community science project in Ōamaru has wrapped up, with local households and students helping build a clearer picture of how winter air pollution moves through neighbourhoods and into homes. 🏡

Working alongside The Air Quality Collective, 23 households monitored air quality both inside and outside their homes, while students at St Joseph's School also got hands-on with monitoring throughout the project.

While detailed analysis of results is still underway, some interesting early observations are already emerging:

🌫️ Air pollution varied across different parts of Ōamaru, with some neighbourhoods experiencing higher pollution than others.

🔥 The highest pollution levels were consistently recorded between 5pm and 7pm.

🏠 Indoor air quality often closely reflected outdoor conditions, showing how smoke from outside can make its way into our homes.

The data is now being carefully checked against our monitoring network before any conclusions are drawn, but these early insights are already helping us better understand local air quality in a community where we've historically had less monitoring information.

The learning doesn't stop here!

Next week, Dr Ian Longley from the Air Quality Collective heads to Wānaka and Hāwea, where local students, whānau and volunteers will continue helping us explore the air we all share.

Follow the progress of these projects:
👉 theairqualitycollective.org/community-air-projects

What do you notice about the air where you live on cold winter evenings? Let us know in the comments below. 👇

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180 High Street
Dunedin
9016

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+64800474082

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