Environment Southland

Environment Southland Working with our communities to improve Southland's environment. Remember, we are here to help.

Community Rules

Firstly, thank you for being part of our online community and participating in conversations with us. We share content that tells Murihiku Southland’s unique story through the people that live in the region and the work that Environment Southland does for now and the future. We want to create an open, safe, and enjoyable experience for everyone interacting with our Council channel

s. To meet these expectations, we have community rules to help the Environment Southland communications team manage and moderate users' comments and activity. Our community rules outline user behaviour and actions our team will not tolerate on our channel. If rules are breached, we have a one-strike policy, and we will take the necessary steps to manage the incident fairly and consistently for all users. We will do our best to respond to your comments, queries, and constructive feedback. If you see a te reo word or phrase we have used and don't know its meaning, you can ask us or head to www.maoridictionary.co.nz. For the full list of community rules, visit our website https://www.es.govt.nz/about-us/about-council/social-media-policy

02/08/2026

🌿 Great environmental outcomes happen when people come together with a shared vision.

Last year's winners of the Environmental Action in the Community Award proved this through their collaborative efforts in ecosystem regeneration. The Kew Bush Education and Restoration Programme brought together the Friends of Kew Bush and Southern Institute of Technology School of Environmental Management to transform a rare kahikatea forest into a thriving hub for conservation, education and research.

🌱 Students and volunteers continue to work side by side, turning the site into both an outdoor classroom and a living laboratory for native species to flourish.

💚 A big shout-out to RealNZ for supporting us in recognising the partnerships, passion and community action making a real difference for Southland's environment.

Nominations for this year have closed, and our judges are reviewing a strong field of entries. We're looking forward to spotlighting the groups driving positive environmental change across Murihiku Southland.

31/07/2026

🔥Burning dry firewood from trusted Good Wood suppliers is one of the simplest ways to help improve Murihiku Southland's winter air quality.
Our annual firewood giveaway is a chance to recognise the people who make our communities stronger, while also highlighting the importance of choosing cleaner heating options.

🪵 We're thrilled to announce Kelly as the second recipient of a load of firewood.

Nominated by her daughter Kayln, Kelly's impact on her community in Murihiku Southland speaks for itself. From supporting local organisations and community events to mentoring young people and being generous with her time, she's someone who is always there to help.

⤵️Hear Lumberjack Rob read Kelly what her daughter wrote in her nomination:

🔗Read more about air quality on our website: https://brnw.ch/21x4B1Z

31/07/2026

Love the land down here? So do we.

Protecting Southland's unique environment doesn't always mean getting your hands dirty. Sometimes, it starts with simply noticing what's around you.

The free iNaturalist.org app helps identify the plants, insects, and animals you discover—and your observations could also help our biosecurity team detect pest plants earlier, giving us a better chance to protect the places we all love.

This Biosecurity Week, find out how you can turn your next walk or wander around the garden into something that makes a real difference.

Watch the video below, then download iNaturalist and start exploring.

🌿 Biosecurity Week | Meet the people helping protect Southland's biodiversityFor Raoul Thomas, biosecurity is about givi...
30/07/2026

🌿 Biosecurity Week | Meet the people helping protect Southland's biodiversity

For Raoul Thomas, biosecurity is about giving Southland's native wildlife the best chance to thrive.

Since joining Environment Southland in 2019, Raoul has worked across a range of biosecurity programmes, helping protect our region from pests and supporting responses to new incursions. He also works alongside schools, community groups and landowners, sharing knowledge and supporting action on the ground.

One project particularly close to his heart is the work of the Omaui Landcare Charitable Trust.

"Environment Southland helps with technical support and some of the legwork, but volunteers do the bulk of the work," Raoul says. "They're making a significant difference to this place."

Thanks to the dedication of local volunteers, trap lines are helping protect one of Southland's biodiversity hotspots, home to native species including the increasingly rare red-crowned kākāriki, tūī and kererū.

Before joining Environment Southland, Raoul worked in forestry and ran his own pest control business, bringing decades of practical experience to the role.

When he's not working, you'll often find him outdoors. One of his favourite Murihiku Southland spots is Ruapuke Island, where he enjoys freediving in some of the clearest waters in the region.

💚 This Biosecurity Week, we're celebrating the people, volunteers and communities working together to protect the places and species that make Southland special.

🏆This Biosecurity Week, we're celebrating a Southland success story and the people helping protect our marine environmen...
28/07/2026

🏆This Biosecurity Week, we're celebrating a Southland success story and the people helping protect our marine environment.

🌊🦠Marine pests can impact our marine environment, boating and fishing activities, and local industries. That's why community awareness and action play such an important role.

Last summer, John Carter joined our team as a Marine Ambassador to support the Protect Our Paradise campaign across Southland, talking with boaties, schools and community groups about simple steps to stop the spread of marine pests.

✅John’s passion helped turn conversations into action, and the programme delivered some impressive results. Most importantly, 95% of people approached stopped to talk about marine biosecurity, with many already taking steps to help stop the spread of marine pests.

💙A huge thank you to everyone who got involved. Together, we're helping protect the places Southlanders know and love.

Thanks to the programme’s success, funding has been secured from our partner Biosecurity New Zealand for it to continue in the 2026/27 season.

🛥️Heading out on the water this season? Make sure your vessel is clean before moving between locations and help prevent the spread of marine pests.

❗It might look beautiful in bloom, but Bomarea is a serious threat to our native bush. 👉 Bluff and Rakiura are areas whe...
26/07/2026

❗It might look beautiful in bloom, but Bomarea is a serious threat to our native bush.

👉 Bluff and Rakiura are areas where Bomarea might be hiding, so keep an eye out.

With cascading clusters of striking red and yellow flowers, it's easy to see why this vine was once grown in gardens. Unfortunately, birds spread its bright orange seeds far and wide, allowing it to invade streams, riverbanks, shrublands and forest edges.

Once established, Bomarea climbs high into the forest canopy, smothering trees, blocking sunlight, hindering the growth of native seedlings, and even killing mature trees.

👀 Keep an eye out for:

➡️ Hanging clusters of reddish flowers with yellow and red spots on the inside
➡️ Ripe capsules that split open to reveal bright orange seeds
➡️ Dense climbing vines forming thick masses over trees

Rather than trying to remove it yourself, report it to us on 0800 76 88 45 or through pesthub.es.govt.nz. We'll advise on the best course of action. The sooner we know about it, the easier it is to control in your community.

💫 Nominations for the Environmental Action in Education Award closed in mid-June, and our judges are now reviewing an im...
24/07/2026

💫 Nominations for the Environmental Action in Education Award closed in mid-June, and our judges are now reviewing an impressive range of entries. We can't wait to share these inspiring projects from across Murihiku Southland.

🌟 While we wait for this year's finalists, we're looking back at last year's winner, Mararoa School, where through the Enviroschools Aotearoa NZ programme, students embraced their role as kaitiaki through tree planting, beekeeping and school gardens.

Judges were impressed by the tamariki's enthusiasm, commitment to environmental action, and the strong connections built between the school and community.

The Environmental Action in Education Award champions schools, kura kaupapa Māori, early childhood centres and tertiary institutions that empower learners making a positive environemental difference in their communities.

💚 Thanks to our sponsor Fonterra for helping us recognise and celebrate the educators and learners creating a more sustainable future. 🌱

🌿 Got a project that will improve your local environment? Funding of up to $5,000 is available for Mataura catchment gro...
23/07/2026

🌿 Got a project that will improve your local environment? Funding of up to $5,000 is available for Mataura catchment groups.

The Mataura Catchment Group Grant supports local projects that:

💧 Improve water quality
🌎 Strengthen climate resilience
🦋 Support biodiversity
🌱 Protect and conserve soil

Projects can be carried out on public land where active management is limited, or on private land where they provide wider community and catchment benefits.

✨ Need some inspiration? In 2024, the Waikawa Catchment Group received funding to enhance riparian margins along the Waikawa River upstream of the world-famous Niagara Falls. Community members joined staff from Environment Southland, Thriving Southland and Southland District Councillor Paul Duffy to clear weeds and plant 400 eco-sourced native plants. Armed with spades and augers, the team completed the planting in under an hour, showcasing the community spirit and hard-working approach Southland is known for.
If your group has an idea that will benefit the whenua, we'd love to hear from you. Because when the environment thrives, Southland thrives. 💚
Apply online at www.es.govt.nz/Funding Applications close 31 July each year.

22/07/2026

🔥 You’ve blown us away by the response to our Annual Firewood Competition, with more than 450 heartfelt nominations pouring in from across Invercargill and Gore.

Burning dry firewood from trusted Good Wood suppliers is one of the simplest ways to help improve Southland's winter air quality.

That's why each year we use this competition to recognise great people in our community while raising awareness of cleaner heating choices.

We’re thrilled to announce the first recipient of a load of firewood, Beverly.

Beverly was nominated by the team at Ārahi Māori Women's Welfare League, who wanted to recognise her strength, resilience, and commitment to her whānau and community.

📹 Here’s Doreen on why they nominated her.

21/07/2026

👉 How Southland is preparing for the impacts of the changing climate is on the table this week, along with discussions about protecting local interests on national policy, and preparing to resolve matters related to Waituna and the Gore District Plan.

🌲Councillors’ decisions help shape how we manage Southland's environment, support communities and advocate for the region's interests.

📅Chair Jeremy McPhail shares a preview of the topics up for discussion at the Council meeting, which starts at 10.30am on Wednesday 22 July.

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Corner Of North Road & Price Street
Invercargill
9810

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