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Latest News
Summer reading
Posted On: Friday, 21 November 2008
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NewSplash and the Wai Care Annual Report – two great reads…
Looking for a bit of light reading while enjoying the long evenings as summer approaches? If so, look no further than these two publications that are hot off the press. You can either click on the links for a PDF version or see your Co-ordinator for a hard copy.
NewSplash
The Wai Care NewSplash newsletter has great stories from across the city and comes to you twice a year.
In the November 2008 newsletter we highlight three key areas:
- Actions that groups are taking like rubbish and replanting projects
- The creative side of Wai Care showing new things that have been developed to help get the message out there about waterway health
- Life in our streams including some surprising finds
Left - adult stonefly and right - juvenile stonefly found at
the Waikopua Stream, Manukau
If you have any great Wai Care projects that you think would be good to show in our next newsletter (April 2009), let your Co-ordinator know. We are also always keen for story ideas for our website so get thinking and get talking to us!
Annual Report
Our annual report provides a summary of the work that we have all been doing during the July 2007 – June 2008 financial year. As you read it you will see that there has been much happening in the programme, and it’s not just water quality monitoring.
Wai Care groups have been involved in a huge range of activities throughout the year from stencilling stormwater drains with messages to remind people that these drain to the sea, to creating murals, growing native seedlings and planting streambanks.
It’s all in the annual report so take time out to have a read.
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NewSplash Newsletter April 2008
Posted On: Monday, 19 May 2008
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Exciting theatre productions
Happy bugs
Neighbours working together
Algae blooms
Integrated Catchment Management Plans
All this and much more can be found in the latest Wai Care NewSplash newsletter – April 2008.
You’ll find some handy tips about safety on stream banks, an unfortunate story about eels affected by a sewage spill and some inspiring stories of Wai Care groups who are out and about caring for our streams. It’s well worth a read!
Click here to download a PDF: NewSplash April 08
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New Job Opportunity
Posted On: Monday, 14 April 2008
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MAP Enviromental Educator role advertised
This is a part time position - details below
http://vacancies.arc.govt.nz/jobcentre/applycod.asp?job=196
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Job Opportunity
Posted On: Tuesday, 18 March 2008
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North Shore City Council is advertising a Pollution Prevention Officer position. Find out more here
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Help prevent the spread of Didymo
Posted On: Thursday, 14 February 2008
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Didymo alert!
Since 2004 didymo has been an unwelcome guest in New Zealand’s waterways.
Didymo, or ‘rock snot’ is an invasive freshwater alga that forms dense fibrous mats, with the texture and appearance of wet cotton wool. It can grow quickly, choking waterways and affecting habitat and food sources for fish, plant and invertebrate species.
So far didymo has been confined to the South Island but North Islanders should still be alert as didymo can hitchhike on equipment such as boats, trailers, waders, fishing rods, kayaks, bikes, tramping boots and potentially even on fish taken from the South Island and released in the North.
Here are some ways to help prevent the spread and keep our waterways clean:
Check, Clean, Dry
Before leaving a lake or river, check your clothes, shoes and equipment. Using the methods described below, wash all gear that has come into contact with water as soon as you can. Didymo cells are microscopic hitchhikers - they attach themselves to your gear and can’t be seen by the human eye – so it’s really important to wash everything, every time.
If cleaning is not practical, make sure your gear is completely dry to the touch, inside and out, then leave it for at least another 48 hours before using in a different waterway. Wetsuit material (such as that on Waders) may need even longer to completely dry.
How to clean
Soak or spray all surfaces for at least one minute with either dishwashing detergent or nappy cleaner (two large cups or 500 mls with 10 litres of water) or bleach (one small cup or 200 mls with 10 litres of water). Otherwise soak for at least one minute in very hot water kept above 60 °C (hotter than most tap water) or at least 20 minutes in hot water kept above 45 °C (uncomfortable to touch). 
For more information, check out www.biosecurity.govt.nz, and report possible sightings of didymo to Biosecurity NZ on 0800 80 99 66.
Photos: Didymo in Hawea River
courtesy of Ruby Jones
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