M.A.D Conservation Services

30/03/2026

WHIO in the Riwaka

Out for a morning wander and happened to find this Whio.
I would be REALLY keen to know if anyone else spots this.... this bird spotted around Frasers orchard area of the river.
Whio in the Riwaka would be amazing!!!

16/03/2026

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25/02/2026

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14/02/2026

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Curious about the health of our local waterways? 🌊🤔💦

If you’re in the Riuwaka catchment, we’d love you to join us for a free Freshwater Monitoring Workshop next Friday.

Come learn how we can assess stream life and health plus gain practical skills you can use in your own stream or river 🐟🐌No experience needed - whether you’re brand new or are already a freshwater enthusiast, you’re very welcome!

As our last workshop was washed out by some very on-brand Kiwi weather, it shows it’s important to register ☀️☔️. So please email Kate at [email protected]

Motueka Catchment Collective

24/01/2026

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Rabbit boom has Tasman hopping

31/12/2025

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Tasman Police have received a report of an overdue tramper in the Baton Valley / Ellis River / Twins area of the Kahurangi National Park.

The 66-year-old man was due to return home on 30 December but has not done so.

The man is around 177cm tall, approximately 100kg.

To help our search teams, we would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Baton Valley / Ellis River area since the afternoon of 26 December.

Search and Rescue would appreciate also hearing from anyone who has been around or stayed at the Flanagan’s Hut – and who may have seen a man matching this description.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105, either online or by phone, and quote event number P064981672.

10/12/2025

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Last month, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced feral cats would be added to the Predator Free 2050 strategy.

08/12/2025

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December 2025: A 5-minute TV feature from the "Seven Sharp" news show introducing the non-profit Via Ferrata Takaka Hill project, its volunteers and the new ...

06/12/2025

😪😪
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12/11/2025

11/11/2025

📣 Reminder: TDC Rivercare Meeting Tomorrow Night

TDC’s first Motueka Catchment Rivercare meeting is happening Wednesday 12th November, 7pm at the Motueka Library. All welcome.

Some Motueka Valley residents have asked where the middle catchment fits in. We asked the Council, and here’s their response:

"The portion of the “Middle” Motueka River managed by Council is within the Lower Motueka River Y area, extending up from the coast to just upstream of the Graham River, and so would be covered by the Lower Motueka Catchment meeting this coming Wednesday.

People are welcome to attend whichever meeting they find the most convenient and to give us feedback on any river issues they see either at the meeting or through the Rivercare email address. As well, information pamphlets/brochures distributed at each meeting will be available online following the meetings."

We’ve included a graphic showing the River X and Y targeted rate areas covered in the Lower Motueka meeting. Anything outside X or Y is classed as Z. Although the meetings don't specifically address Z rated areas, the Rivercare team have encourage anyone in these areas to also get in touch with questions or concerns.

You can email them at [email protected].

05/11/2025

We’ve been starting to hear more and more about pesty plant species popping up on properties affected by the severe flood events earlier this year.

Floods are like a magic carpet for w**d seeds, spreading them far and wide, and providing a nutrient-rich medium for them to germinate in. While Asiatic knotw**d is high on the list of concern, many other common w**ds have taken advantage of the situation.

With spring well and truly here, we are starting to see sycamore, blackberry, convolvulus, hawthorn, robinia and old man’s beard showing up in new places in Tasman, adding to the burden on affected landowners.

These are some of the most persistent and annoying w**d species. Sycamore (pictured) in particular is toxic to horses, so keep an eye out for seedlings in paddocks where horses are kept.

Our Biosecurity team are always available to identify w**ds and provide comprehensive advice on the most effective ways to control them.

Some of these w**ds can be very hard to get rid of once they are established, so early intervention is key. We also have dedicated pamphlets with advice for controlling pest trees, shrubs, vines and grasses. These are available at our service centres and on our website, tasman.govt.nz/pests-and-w**ds.

If you need advice, please get in touch with our Biosecurity team at [email protected] or by calling us on 03 543 8400. We’re here to help!