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Catlins FMU
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We are developing a Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) in partnership with Kāi Tahu whānui, and with feedback from the greater Otago community.
Join the kōrero on the proposed direction of the Plan to care for Otago's lakes, rivers and streams and guide the activities that impact them.
We have a summary of proposed new rules and regulations that we encourage you to look over.
The Catlins Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) runs along the southern coast of Otago.
With extensive conservation lands and rainforests, it is a popular holiday destination, and the population expands in summer and over long weekends. The Catlins contains many unmodified river, coastal and estuarine ecosystems, including an extensive spread of indigenous land cover. The landscape is made up of low ridges running in a north-west/southeast direction which supports the native forest and high-producing grasslands.
The climate is more temperate than inland Otago with high and reliable annual rainfall, which usually provides ample water supply.
Land use in the Catlins includes sheep and beef farming, minor dairy grazing and a sizeable (and growing) forestry industry. This mostly occurs in the valleys and hill country.
In 2018, the Catlins FMU was home to around 1,600 residents. In the 12 years between 2006 and 2018, the population decreased by 4%, in contrast to the Otago region as a whole, which rose 16%. Most Catlins residents live rurally, and nearly 40% of the population live in the Owaka, Kaka Point, or Pounawea townships.
Water resources are essential to the Catlins local community and economy. Most Catlins workers are in the agriculture or tourism sectors, which are closely tied to the area’s natural resources, such as biodiversity, landscapes, freshwater and soil.
It is important to understand Māori history and the Māori economy when developing policy and assessing its impact. Pre-European Māori history shapes today’s Aotearoa, and the Māori economy is integral to the national economic system. ORC is partnering with Aukaha and Te Ao Marama to develop an overview of Kāi Tahu history and economy
- View the Catlins FMU economic snapshot that provides local economy information
- View more regional economic information
- View the media release for new Otago economic reports
The dominant soil is brown soils and podzols. Brown soils occur with moderate structure and drainage making these soils suitable for cultivation. Podzols occur where acid leaf litter and high rainfall combine, mainly in indigenous forest. They have low natural fertility and root growth and require fertiliser for grassland farming.
Catlins FMU land use summary
The Catlins usually has more water than is needed, as rainfall is high and evapotranspiration low. We use observed flows to decide on allocations rather than calculating naturalised flows.
ORC monitors flow in the Catlins and Owaka rivers, and we use hydrological modelling to estimate flows for other catchments. The main sources for water use are the Puerua River and Owaka River catchments, mainly for rural supply and dairy sheds. Water use compared to availability is the highest in the Puerua River catchment.
The headwaters and native vegetation have been left intact, which helps to maintain good water quality. However, cleared valleys allow intensive farming, and some of the parameters we monitor indicate that water quality is degraded. We monitor water quality and ecology for the Catlins River, Owaka River, Maclennan River and the Tahakopa.
We combine the results from this monitoring to indicate the state of a river or stream. For the Owaka and Tahakopa rivers, suspended fine sediment and E. coli results didn’t meet the national bottom line according to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, and these rivers are categorised as degraded overall.
Trend analysis results for the Catlins River are mixed. The 20-year trend indicates a high likelihood of degrading water quality for most attributes, while the 10-year trend indicates likely improvements for many of the attributes.
Catlins FMU Water Quality State and Trends Technical Report
Introduction to water quality
Catlins FMU water quality summary
Most groundwater is hosted in fractured rock. This differs from most of Otago, where groundwater is mainly found in alluvial deposits. However, groundwater in the Puerua catchment is found in alluvium of the Lower Clutha delta.
Groundwater use in the Catlins is generally low, with only 20 completed bores in the area for community supply, stock, domestic supply and industry. There are only five consents to take groundwater, and the rates of take are low.
The Catlins has extensive freshwater biodiversity values including rare and threatened species, and vulnerable ecosystems such as ephemeral wetlands, dune slacks, estuaries, lake margins and wetlands. These ecosystems contribute a lot to national biodiversity, but are often threatened by processes such as land use change and invasive species. We know little about their extent and/or condition.
A diverse range of native freshwater fish, invertebrates, birds, plants and a bat depend on freshwater ecosystems in the Catlins. The 19 native freshwater fish are two eels, five bullies, four migratory galaxias (whitebait), lamprey, smelt, torrentfish, estuarine triplefin, black flounder and three non-migratory galaxias. The threatened freshwater fishes are non-migratory galaxias and the lamprey. Freshwater invertebrates are freshwater crayfish, freshwater mussels and shrimp.
Many native birds depend on freshwater ecosystems, either as permanent or mobile residents. Threatened birds are the Australasian bittern, the black stilt and the at-risk black-billed gull. Many plants are freshwater-dependent, including the threatened heart-leaved kohuhu. Introduced sports fishes are brown trout and perch. We do not have full information at a species level, particularly for freshwater invertebrates, non-vascular plants and algae. Many native freshwater species are under threat and continue to decline.
Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems but extremely sensitive to human activity. The Catlins contains four estuaries: Waipati/Chaslands Estuary, Tautuku River Estuary, Tahakopa Estuary, and the Catlins River Estuary. The Catlins River Estuary is most affected by human activity and experiences algal growth problems, increased sedimentation and poor sediment oxidation compared to the other three less-modified catchments.
The Catlins has some of Otago’s more unmodified estuaries such as the Tautuku and Waipati/Chaslands estuary which are fringed by native forest and contain a natural transition between estuary and dunes/salt marsh/wetland into native forest and low mud content. While some good examples of more “natural” estuaries exist, impacts from sedimentation and nutrients can accumulate and degrade these sensitive environments.
Download the Catlins FMU Chapter
This summary provides an overview of the provisions relating to the Catlins Freshwater Management Unit (FMU). This includes environmental outcomes, target attribute states and area-specific rules and limits. The rules and limits are in addition to those in the region-wide rules covered in the other summaries.
If you are unsure of any particular terms, there is a glossary of terms.
Recent content updates:
- 26 September 2023:
- Added proposed environmental flows, level and take limits for lakes and rivers and added information regarding whether further allocation of water is available
- 25 September 2023:
- Added Catlins FMU boundary map
- 24 September 2023:
- Added timeframe for achieving the environmental outcomes for target attribute states
In its new Land and Water Regional Plan ORC must set environmental outcomes for the freshwater values identified in the Catlins FMU.
An environmental outcome statement describes the desired future state that communities in the Catlins FMU and tangata whenua would like to see for a specific value.
The environmental outcome statements are very similar across all FMUs and rohe in Otago, which reflects the fact that the aspirations that tangata whenua and the different communities have for the environment are largely consistent across the region. Table 1 sets out the draft environmental outcomes for the Catlins FMU.
Table 1: Draft environmental outcomes
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Value |
Environmental Outcomes for Catlins FMU |
Attributes to measure and monitor
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NPS-FM compulsory values (apply to every FMU/rohe) |
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Ecosystem health |
Freshwater bodies support healthy freshwater ecosystems with thriving habitats for a range of indigenous species, and the life stages of those species, that would be expected to occur naturally. |
Rivers: Ammonia Nitrate Suspended fine sediment E. Coli Dissolved reactive phosphorus Periphyton Macroinvertebrates (MCI/ASPM) Fish IBI E. Coli primary contact sites Macroinvertebrates (QMCI) score*¹ Deposited fine sediment* Dissolved oxygen* Ecosystem metabolism* Lakes: Phytoplankton (Chlorophyll-a) Total nitrogen Total phosphorus Ammonia Cyanobacteria* Submerged plants (natives)* Submerged plants (invasive)* Lake-bottom dissolved oxygen* Mid-hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen* |
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Human contact |
Water bodies are clean and safe for human contact activities and support the health of people and their connections with water bodies. |
Rivers: E. Coli Suspended fine sediment Periphyton E. Coli primary contact sites
Lakes: Phytoplankton (Chlorophyll-a) Cyanobacteria (Biovolume cubic millimetres per litres)* |
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Threatened species |
The freshwater habitats of threatened species are protected and support the persistence and recovery of threatened species over time. |
All the attributes listed for Ecosystem Health above.
Recency of presence National conservation category and status Regional conservation category and status Number of sub-populations |
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Mahika kai (food and resource gathering) |
Mahika kai resources are restored to a condition in which populations of valued mahika kai species are self-sustaining and plentiful enough to support cultural take. Mana whenua are able to safely access, harvest and use these resources now and in the future. |
All the attributes listed for Ecosystem Health above.
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Other values (apply to every FMU/rohe) |
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Natural form and character |
Freshwater bodies and their riparian margins, and any connected receiving environment including any estuaries and hāpua (lagoon) are able to behave in a way that reflects their natural form and character to the greatest extent practicable, and the natural form and function of unmodified water bodies is protected. |
Rivers: Suspended fine sediment Periphyton Macroinvertebrates (QMCI) score* Deposited fine sediment
Lakes: Phytoplankton (Chlorophyll-a) Cyanobacteria* Submerged plants (natives)* Submerged plants (invasive)* Lake-bottom dissolved oxygen* Mid-hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen* |
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Drinking water supply |
Provided the health and wellbeing needs of water bodies and freshwater ecosystems are met, source water from water bodies (after treatment) is safe and reliable for the drinking water supply needs of the community. Activities do not introduce or increase the concentration of contaminants in water, so that, after existing treatment, it no longer meets drinking water standards |
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Wāhi tūpuna (sites of significance to iwi) |
Cultural associations with wāhi tūpuna are maintained, visible, and whānau are able to access, use and relate to wāhi tūpuna now and in the future. |
Coming soon.
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Fishing |
Fish are safe to eat; and Insofar as it is consistent with the protection of indigenous and threatened species, the spawning and juvenile rearing waters for trout and salmon are provided for. |
Rivers: E. Coli Suspended fine sediment Periphyton Nitrate Suspended fine sediment Macroinvertebrates (MCI/ASPM) Fish IBI Macroinvertebrates (QMCI) score* Lakes: Phytoplankton (Chlorophyll-a) Cyanobacteria (Biovolume cubic millimetres per litre)* |
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Irrigation, cultivation and production of food and beverages |
Provided the health and wellbeing of water bodies and freshwater ecosystems and human health needs are met, the cultivation and production of food, beverages and fibre is enabled. |
Rivers: Suspended fine sediment Periphyton Water quantity |
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Wetlands |
Wetlands are protected, and their ecosystem health, indigenous biodiversity, and hydrological functioning is restored where degraded. |
Coming soon.
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Taoka species (treasured species) |
Thriving, connected habitats for indigenous species are restored and sustained for ever and their mauri is intact. |
Coming soon. |
¹*Asterisk indicates that the baseline state of these compulsory attributes is not known, but monitoring is now being undertaken.
Attributes are indicators that we can measure and monitor. Attributes tell us about the state of a river or lake. A target attribute state (TAS) is the state that an attribute must achieve to make sure that an environmental outcome is met. The timeframe for achieving the TAS for each FMU is set by the environmental outcomes for the FMU. For the Catlins FMU, the environmental outcomes are to be achieved by 2030. By monitoring attributes and comparing their baseline state with their TAS we learn how well how well we are on track towards achieving the environmental outcomes for this FMU.
While the environmental outcome statements are largely consistent across Otago, baseline states and TAS are usually specific to each FMU and rohe. Attributes for each value and baseline states for those attributes have been identified along with trends derived from the Otago Regional Council's State of the Environment (SoE) monitoring data.
The baseline state and TAS for the Catlins FMU are in the map below.
This map shows the proposed monitoring sites and the attribute states in Otago.
Zoom into an area and view the various locations of proposed monitoring sites in an area(s).
Select the yellow dot representing a proposed monitoring site to see the Target Attribute States.
You can further select the Target Attribute States table to view a larger version of the table.
(Note: If you are on a mobile device, tap on the arrow next to the 'X' icon for the table to show.)
National direction requires Council to set limits as rules or action plans (as appropriate) to achieve the environmental outcomes. This can be done at a region-wide level or at FMU/rohe level. The draft region-wide rules are set out in different chapter summaries, including Primary Production, Wastewater Management, Stormwater Management, Earthworks and Drilling, Environmental Flows and Limits (Water Quantity) and various others. However, for the Catlins FMU a number of specific rules are proposed that are needed to make sure the environmental outcomes for this FMU are achieved overtime. These additional rules, which will be included in the Catlins FMU chapter of the new Land and Water Regional Plan, are shown in the table below.
Table 2: Overview of proposed additional provisions for Catlins FMU
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Contaminants of concern |
Draft LWRP |
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Rivers
Groundwater:
Estuaries:
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The Catlins FMU chapter will also include take limits and environmental flows and levels for rivers and lakes in this FMU.
Take limits reflect the total quantity of water that can be taken, dammed or diverted from a stream, river, lake or aquifer. Once the combined rate of take for all consented water takes, diversion or damming activities from a water body matches this take limit no further water can be allocated in new consents.
Environmental flows (for rivers or streams) or environmental levels (for lakes and aquifers) include minimum flows or levels that when reached all consented (and some permitted) takes, diversions and damming activities must cease. These restrictions on water taking, diversions or damming activities typically occur during dry periods and are needed to make sure after important values, such as threatened fish, drinking water supply or mahika kai (food and resource gathering) values, are looked after.
Environmental levels and take limits for the Catlins FMU’s lakes are shown in the table below. Given the uniqueness of these lakes, it is proposed that a narrative take limit is set for these lakes that prohibits any new takes, damming or diversions that could impact lake levels (except for takes that are permitted under the Resource Management Act 1991). This will ensure that these lakes will continue to behave naturally.
Table 3: Environmental levels and take limits - Lakes
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Name |
Environmental level(s) |
Take limit |
Further allocation available (estimate based on best available information) |
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Natural lakes (unmodified) |
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Catlins Lake/Kuramea Lake Wilkie |
Natural minimum water level |
Narrative – no new taking, diversions, damming or discharges from the lake or upper catchment. |
No |
Environmental flows and take limits for the Catlins FMU’s rivers are shown in the table below. Take limits and environmental flows are often set as a percentage of the 7-day Mean Annual Low Flow (7-day MALF). The 7-day MALF is a flow statistic that provides an indication of how low the flow gets in a typical year.
For smaller rivers or streams with a mean flow of 5,000 l/s or less, such as the Purakanui River or Nugget Stream, a total take limit is set as 20% of the 7-day MALF. For larger rivers with a mean flow of more than 5,000 l/s, such as the Catlins River, a larger take limit is set at 30% of the 7-day MALF.
Restrictions on water takes, diversions and damming activities in catchments of smaller rivers or streams are triggered when flows are at 90% of the 7-day MALF, whereas for larger rivers these restrictions do not kick in until flows are at 80% of the 7-day MALF.
Rivers managed by default minimum flows and take limits
Table 4 provides estimates of the actual minimum flows and take limits for different catchments based on the default method using the best available information to determine the 7-day MALF of each catchment. The numeric minimum flows and take limits will not be included in the LWRP. Instead, the LWRP will refer to the relevant % of 7-day MALF.
Table 4: Rivers managed by default minimum flows and take limits
| Name |
Environmental flow(s) (l/s) |
Take limit (l/s) |
Further allocation available (estimate based on best available information) |
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River catchments with a mean flow ≤ 5,000 l/s and managed by default limits
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Cosgrove Creek |
51 |
11 |
Yes |
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Hinahina Stream |
15 |
3 |
Yes |
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Isas Creek |
33 |
7 |
Yes |
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Karoro Creek |
149 |
33 |
Yes |
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Nugget Stream |
170 |
38 |
Yes |
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Otara Stream |
0 |
0 |
No |
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Pillans Stream |
33 |
7 |
Yes |
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Puerua River |
475 |
106 |
Yes |
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Purakaunui River |
622 |
138 |
Yes |
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Waiheke Stream |
243 |
54 |
Yes |
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Waipati River |
2113 |
792 |
Yes |
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Waitangi Stream |
33 |
7 |
Yes |
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Wilkes Creek |
57 |
13 |
Yes |
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River catchments managed by default limits (Mean flow > 5,000 l/s) |
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River catchments with a mean flow > 5,000 l/s and managed by default limits
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Catlins River |
809 |
303 |
Yes |
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Tahakopa River |
1159 |
435 |
Yes |
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Tautuku River |
2090 |
784 |
Yes |
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Waipati River |
2113 |
792 |
Yes |
Outstanding water bodies are water bodies that have one or more outstanding values. National direction requires the Otago Regional Council to identify outstanding water bodies and protect their important values. The table below lists the outstanding water bodies in this FMU and describes their outstanding values.
A map of these water bodies are available below as well.
You can zoom in and view the various water bodies in an area(s).
Water bodies are shown in a blue colour. Select an area to view the water body name .
(Note: if you are on a mobile device, after selecting a water body, tap on the arrow next to the 'X' icon to view more information.)
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Unique identifier |
Site identifier |
Values and characteristics |
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Ecology |
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ECL46 |
Tautuku River |
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ECL47 |
Tahakopa River Bog |
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ECL48 |
Waimāeroero / Maclennan River Podocarp Swamp Complex |
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ECL49 |
Tautuku River Estuary |
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ECL50 |
Pounawea / Catlins Estuary |
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ECL51 |
Mokereta |
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Physical |
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PHY28 |
Pūrākaunui Falls |
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PHY29 |
Kuramea / Catlins Lake |
Excellent and unusual example of a large tidal lagoon (lake) with shape controlled by Settlement Fault along east side. Elongate intertidal lake linked by a narrow estuary to the sea.
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PHY30 |
Tautuku Bay coastal features |
A pristine environment containing some of the best examples of typical Catlins coastline landforms. One of the few bays in New Zealand with an almost completely unmodified catchment except for sparse logging operations. Florence Hill lookout gives a spectacular v Tautuku River estuary and salt marsh, Tautuku Bay 4km-long white sandy beach, sandspit and indigenous forested-covered sand dunes, a tombolo opposite the spit at the southern end of the beach linking Tautuku Peninsula to the mainland.
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PHY31 |
Tahakopa River estuary and alluvial swamp |
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PHY32 |
Waipāti / Waipati estuary |
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Recreation |
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None identified. |
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Natural character |
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NAT26 |
Kuramea/Catlins Conservation Park |
Active Bed
Margin
Context
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Natural features and landscapes |
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LAN58 |
Pounawea / Catlins Lake |
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LAN59 |
Pounawea / Catlins River |
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LAN60 |
Pūrākaunui River |
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LAN61 |
Tahakopa River |
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ORC must also identify in its plan sites, lakes or reaches of rivers or streams that are regularly used, (or would be regularly used if the water quality was good) for recreational activities such as swimming, paddling, boating, or watersports. To learn where the primary contact sites are in the Catlins FMU, see the map below.
Zoom in to view the various primary contact sites in a specific area(s).
A pink dot represents a proposed primary contact monitoring site.
A purple dot represents a primary contact (recreation) site.
(Note: If you are on a mobile device, after selecting a dot, tap on the arrow next to the 'X' icon to view more information.)
Contact your FMU's Catchment Advisor for advice and assistance on sustainable land management practices that protect Otago’s waterways.
Sign up to our monthly newsletter On Stream for regular updates
Email customerservices@orc.govt.nz
Tel 0800 474 082
