Tell us what you think about our draft strategy for maintaining Otago’s Indigenous Biodiversity.

Are the draft vision and outcomes ambitious enough? What do you think about how we plan to get there?

This draft strategy is the next step after our 2018 Biodiversity Strategy and 2019 Biosecurity Strategy. It includes a long-term vision for the region and shorter-term outcomes to aim for between now and 2040. It also contains ORC’s approach to supporting and strengthening the collective effort of mana whenua, communities, landowners, businesses central government and local councils. It sets the course for us to deliver on our responsibilities and meet our community’s expectations to look after our unique biodiversity. The final strategy will guide our future work, but it won’t create new rules.

The draft does not include budgets or work plans, we’ll be asking for your feedback on these through our Long Term Plan and Annual Plan.

Our Councillors provided direction for the draft strategy and have endorsed it for public feedback. To prepare the draft we worked in partnership with Kāi Tahu, and collaborated with the Department of Conservation, and local councils. We received insights from across the region and nationally, through more than 44 key stakeholder meetings, and a wide range of research.

Phase one: Developing the strategy (we are here)

• Research
• National strategy & policy
• Feedback we've already heard
• Existing vision and goals
• Collaboration with the Department of Conservations and local councils
• Partner with mana whenua
• Insights from key stakeholders

The draft builds on what we’ve already heard from you, and existing visions and goals for Otago, and aligns with Te Mana o te Taiao, Aotearoa New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy, as well as national policy.

The draft brings together ORC’s work programmes and strengths, for example: the knowledge we hold, our approach to integrated catchment management, biosecurity work, and empowering others through our catchment advisors.

After feedback closes we will take it on board and create a final draft. We’ll take that to council for adoption early in 2026.

Otago’s indigenous or unique, biodiversity is remarkably varied. It ranges from the cheeky kea in the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, to mokomoko (skinks) sun-basking on schist tors in Central Otago, from giant wētā literally freezing on the Rock and Pillar Range/Pātearoa, to hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) on our coast. Galaxiid fishes cling to refuge streams, while threatened cushion plants and native grasses eke out a living on wind-scoured ridge-tops. Lowland podocarps, kānuka shrublands, and rare dune systems hold remnants of once-dominant ecosystems. Cockles/Tuaki nestle in coastal estuaries and offshore, pakeke (New Zealand sea-lions), forests of Giant Kelp/Rimurapa and sponge gardens play their part. 

 Under pressure from threats like habitat loss, invasive pests, and climate change, maintaining what we have will require a significant team effort. That means partnering with Kāi Tahu, and working closely with agencies, local councils, communities, landowners, and businesses. Many of these groups are already taking action across Otago. The scale and quality of this work is a strong foundation, and the choices we make now need to build on it.