Karamu River Catchment Collective

12/05/2026

Beyond the Fence | Virtual Fencing in Action

We’re excited to be teaming up with Beef + Lamb New Zealand to bring you a hands-on look at virtual fencing in a real farming context.

This isn’t theory — it’s about what actually works on farm.
Come along to:
✔️ See virtual fencing in action
✔️ Understand the real costs and setup
✔️ Hear what’s working (and what’s not)

This is a great chance to look at practical applications and get a clear view without the sales pitch.

Light lunch on arrival followed by BBQ at conclusion of farm tour

Raukawa Hall
1403 Raukawa Road - followed by on farm demo at Glenalvon Farm

Friday May 22, 12.00 - 4.30pm

👉 Register here:

https://beeflambnz.com/events/blnz-beyond-fence-virtual-fencing-action-field-day

10/05/2026

Across the catchment, our trappers are inventing crafty methods to catch pest species. Leftover eggshells from breakfast filled with peanut butter and cat biscuits are Johns go-to, and he said it works a treat.

01/05/2026

Introducing our "Treasures of Te Karamū" series

The first taonga: Pekapeka Wetland

Stretching 4.5km long and 800m wide, this 98-hectare palustrine wetland is one of the last remaining in Hawke’s Bay, and one of its most ecologically significant. Since the 1990s, it’s been the focus of major restoration to strengthen flood resilience and restore biodiversity. Recognised as one of the region’s most valuable wetlands, Pekapeka also holds rich cultural significance. It has had wāhi tapu status since 1997 under the Historic Places Act 1993.

What makes Pekapeka special is what it shelters.
It is home to one of Aotearoa’s largest populations of matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) a Nationally Critical species, with less than 1,000 remaining birds. Once seen in flocks, they are now rarely encountered, often standing alone, perfectly camouflaged among the reeds. Standing up to 70cm tall, they are quiet wetland predators, feeding on fish, eels, frogs and insects. When disturbed, they freeze, disappearing into their surroundings. In spring, males send out a deep “boom” across the wetland.

But the matuku is not alone.

Pekapeka supports a rich community of wetland birdlife, including NZ dabchick, little black s**g, little s**g, white-faced heron, mute swan, grey teal, marsh crake, spotless crake, pied stilt, shining cuckoo, morepork, kingfisher, welcome swallow, North Island fantail, silvereye, black s**g, and Australasian harrier.

Together, these species show the health and complexity of this treasured ecosystem. This is what makes Pekapeka a treasure within the Karamū.

Ngā mihi nui ki a
Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Department of Conservation
Fish & Game New Zealand
Forest & Bird
NZ Landcare Trust & volunteers,

Many thanks for caring for this treasure over the years 💚💚💚

29/04/2026

A beautiful day on the river with Irongate school students.
We rotated groups around stations to..
Assess water quality
Study Macroinvertebrates
Assess habitat and flow
Develop site diagrams

Amazing what can be found when you look closely.
Thankyou Sustainable Hawkes Bay for working with us.

23/04/2026

Conservation week is already underway for us, starting with the groundwork at our first wetland restoration for the season.

This morning we were on site with landowners in the Mangateretere sub catchment with Annabel at Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Jimmy from Boundary Spraying. This is an important site as wetlands like this are now rare, with only around 4% of original wetland remaining in Hawke’s Bay.

Parts of the wetland hold strong indigenous cover, including areas of rautahi (Carex geminata) and umbrella sedge (Cyperus ustulatus). Invasive species like Japanese honeysuckle, pampas, cowcress, and crack willow are also present and need to be managed carefully.

Right now, it’s all about site preparation. Identifying priority weeds, planning control, and setting the site up so new plantings have the best chance when they go in the ground over the next 8 weeks or so. It’s not the most visible part of restoration, but it’s one of the most important.

23/04/2026

Out in the catchment, it’s often the quiet work that makes the biggest difference.

Stoats were introduced to Aotearoa in the 1800s to control rabbits, but our native birds have paid the price.
This one was caught, lured into a DOC200 trap. Protecting our biodiversity takes all of us.

Together, through trapping and ongoing care, we’re helping give our native species a fighting chance.

Small actions. Shared responsibility. Real biodiversity gains.

17/04/2026

From Te Mata Peak, the Heretaunga Plains stretch wide. Rivers wind through productive land, connecting communities, livelihoods, and ecosystems. It’s a view that offers perspective, and a view of our shared responsibility.

We all play a role in protecting this place, our whenua. What happens in the hills flows downstream through the awa, linking our land, water, and people.

Together, we are restoring and caring for our catchment, one step at a time.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive

15/04/2026

The Karamū River Catchment Collective provides a locally led platform for improving land‑management practices, water quality and biodiversity across the Heretaunga Plains.

Through practical projects and science-based research, KRCC offers its members opportunities to boost on‑farm productivity, future-proof their rural business, and deliver long‑term environmental gains for their communities.

KRCC provides a forum for farmers, orchardists, wine growers - anyone with a stake in the long-term sustainability of our catchment - to share knowledge, exchange ideas and work together on practical initiatives.

In addition, membership offers you a say in how available funding is spent in your sub-catchment, potentially funding on-the-ground projects in your area, and on your farm.

Find out more: karamurcc.co.nz

02/04/2026

Yesterday we attended a fantastic wānanga hosted by Sustainable Hawke’s Bay and Operation Pātiki, focused on learning more about pātiki (flounder).

It was a great insight into the cultural importance of this taonga species, along with its fascinating ecology, migration, and the challenges it faces in our waterways. Seeing the monitoring and field work in action really brought it to life.

The journey of pātiki — from the river mouth to upstream tributaries — is a great reminder of the need for a whole-of-catchment approach. What happens upstream impacts everything downstream.

We looked at a number of different fishing practices including electric fishing which was fascinating. Got a close up of some lively Whitebait and impressive eels.

A big thanks to everyone involved for sharing their knowledge and bringing the community together

01/04/2026