Get Real On Rivers

25/08/2026

https://www.topsouthnow.co.nz/news/6a8cb7e42313dd451dc449bf?fbclid=IwdGRjcAT7BilwZG9mBWZkaWQWUNLFFAwXdyZZBsSqL5ugew6L9XH3cGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7UizJY67OPn70rT8AqWfYdlR78BSVNCI1oehOp6EEV51f-etcmDdAhAZdMEA_aem_pw77Z76eTsMaWqrJABCRGQ

Tasman river management staffing lags peers

22/08/2026

https://whatsoninvers.nz/flood-risk-drives-gravel-rule-changes/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAT1-W5wZG9mBWZkaWQWUM8l4StjX82ZNrnbLP_vpTLNCBq7gGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7EqLoSmTJ3axQSaBOVvEz4HtBrL6CAIIv7WkebHLsn-YZRtivvmAI3XEoR9w_aem_xDYGClatG3ND1lJDeWWXzQ

Southland farmers may soon be able to pull gravel from rivers and their own properties without going through a resource consent process, under proposals announced by National at the South Island Election Conference. Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds has backed the plans, saying gravel build-up in local...

18/08/2026

Moutere Hills Community Centre TONIGHT 7pm for our final public Rivers meeting.

All welcome to attend

Join our database and sign the petition for positive change to river management in Tasman.

Hear feedback on what is being done, what hasn’t been achieved.

Rose R

17/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1898zxMxcn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

17/08/2026

Happy Monday to everyone following.

Interesting moves pre election by National regarding gravel/silt and river management

It’s welcomed however is it empty promises to gain votes 🗳️ surely we deserve a functional safe rivers maintenance service as Councils have left them neglected creating constant flood threats all over NZ.

I’m delighted it’s out in the public conversation let’s ensure it’s followed through on.

Our final booked rivers meeting is TOMORROW NIGHT Tuesday 18th August 7pm Upper Moutere Recreation Centre.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

It’s an update on our progress so far, gravel information from TDC, where you as property owners are at.

We need to ask Murchison and Tapawera IF they wish to be added to our future meetings, IF we are intending to form an Incorporated Society and hear the positive steps taken by TDC to date.

As a community we must continue to meet, discuss and plan TOGETHER for a positive outcome.

Rose
Spokesperson for
Get Real on Rivers
Tasman
[email protected]

14/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E6vEeRCpD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Following last month's severe flooding in Kaikōura, Hurunui and Marlborough and high level discussions on river management that I initiated with Ministers and others, I am delighted to announce that if re-elected, National will develop National Standards under the replacement for the RMA for gravel extraction from rivers and for on-farm quarries.

A consistent national rule for river gravel extraction will support both aggregate supply and flood management – gravel build-up raises riverbeds and flood risk, and extraction is often the most cost-effective flood protection available.

A National Standard for on-farm quarries will let farmers take aggregate for tracks and maintenance without unnecessary consenting costs.

We need to be pragmatic, especially given the amount of material loosened in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake still making its way down.

06/08/2026

Meeting with David Arseneau from TDC River Management today went well - Sue Grey and Keith Upson were in attendance along with Miraka from TDC.

Understanding that river maintenance lost 50% of its central government funding when the catchment board became part of Councils regionally, gives a better idea of why rivers have been neglected in Tasman and greater NZ.

We discussed the sole contractor situation at length, it was agreed one dominate contractor isn’t working for rate payers and this needed to change for fairness and equality across the region so smaller local firms can compete.

With only 3 full time and 1 part time staff for the whole river management team at TDC limited time/resources is a key issue.

Gravel was discussed at length, David has been at TDC for 2 years, the way consents have been managed or not as the case may be , is being reviewed and changed. Part of the Global Rivers Consent has not allowed for the main rivers to be cleared-this is being addressed.

Replacing the Willow must be done in suitable areas, a $2 million dollar price tag means central government must support this process and we need locals in groups to help facilitate this planting.

Central government must commit an annual budget towards regions with extensive river networks. This is our focus.

Working with TDC to resolve these issues means we can help ensure the systemic problems are resolved and to be apart of those resolutions as a community.

I will email our data base in the coming days with a more detailed brief of this 2 hour meeting.

03/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17zv7PNoPE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

27/07/2026

At least this MP is taking interest in River Management and Councils responsibility towards rate rate payers! Breath of fresh air!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ETfh3fKZb/?mibextid=wwXIfr

You can’t beat Wellington on a good day….unless you’re in Hanmer Springs, Gore Bay, Kaikōura, Marlborough Sounds….anyway, I am back to Parliament for another busy week ahead.

Better river management and improved governance of councils are pertinent discussions and in the House, we’ll be hearing debate on a number of Bills, including a special one hour debate on various petitions.

Today, the Parliament forecourt is draped in flags as we welcome women from across the Pacific to Parliament. Happy Tuesday everyone.