Taking action for
World
Water Day.
Fresh water = life.
Here in the Upper Clutha Catchment, we all rely on our lakes and rivers. Whether it’s for drinking, swimming, or just enjoying a peaceful day by the water, our community thrives because of these precious resources.
But what would happen if our waterways became too polluted to be safe?
It’s hard to imagine when we see seemingly pristine waters. But sadly, the health of our lakes and rivers is declining.
This World Water Day, let’s take collective action to safeguard our fresh water for future generations to come.
Photo by Deanna Gerlach
The importance of our fresh water
Water covers approximately 71% of our planet, and yet only 3% of the earth’s water is fresh. Here in the Upper Clutha Catchment, we are fortunate to be surrounded by deepwater lakes and braided rivers, something we often take for granted. Unlike most other parts of the world, including many areas of Aotearoa, we have access to fresh water that we can drink from and utilise on a daily basis.
A backyard
worth protecting.
The Ministry for the Environment’s recently released report ‘Our Freshwater 2023’ estimated that 46% of all lakes in Aotearoa larger than 1 hectare have poor or very poor health.
Our deepwater lakes, Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, are among the 2% of lakes larger than 1 hectare that have been rated good or very good.
While water quality is currently perceived as being generally good, our waterways face increasing pressures on five fronts: urbanisation, rural development, tourism growth, climate change and aquatic pests.
“Growing up here in Wānaka, my lasting memories of my childhood are of chilly lake dips, evening picnics, and daring leaps off the wharf...
Now that I have my own family here, I realise how much our life revolves around the waterways...
I want to do my part to protect them and ensure they’re here to be enjoyed for many years to come."
- Ash, WAI Wānaka Volunteer
Photo by Deanna Gerlach
The ‘BIG FIVE’
To pave the way for positive change, it’s important to first understand the challenges at hand. Research shows our waterways face increasing pressures on five main fronts:
URBANISATION
RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
CLIMATE CHANGE
TOURISM GROWTH
AQUATIC PESTS
Our PURPOSE:
Accelerating community action for fresh water
WHY WAI?
Prior to WAI Wānaka, there were multiple entities working independently on freshwater research and conservation projects within the Upper Clutha. WAI was formed to facilitate collaboration between groups and foster a greater impact across the catchment.
Wai is the te reo Māori word for water. For us at WAI, it also stands as an acronym for Water Action Initiative.
By working together, we empower our communities to understand their water, their environment, and their impact.
Our mahi focuses on three strategic pillars: community action, research, and success through partnership.
WAI Volunteer Leni, photo by Victoria Sheridan
We couldn’t do it without you...
WAI Wānaka team at the lake, 2023.
As a non-for-profit organisation, we depend on the generosity of donors and the support of grants to sustain our initiatives.
A huge thank you goes out to those who donate to WAI and continue to support our initiatives - we wouldn’t be here without you.
Your donations and involvement are what keep our mission afloat. However, we recognise that not everyone is in a position to give. We deeply appreciate those who support us in other ways, whether it be volunteering, attending events, following our journey on social media, or spreading the word about WAI to friends and whānau.
Our VISION:
Healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing for future generations
Having healthy freshwater ecosystems are essential for the sustainability of our drinking water here in the Upper Clutha. They support aquatic life, contribute to our local economy through tourism, and enhance the scenic beauty of our surroundings.
Our team is on the ground, working with local individuals, catchment groups, landowners, councils, businesses, community groups and schools to improve ecosystem health, reverse biodiversity loss and keep our water healthy.
Research shows that community wellbeing is closely linked to the natural environment, and connectedness to nature can enhance our emotional, physical and mental health, as well as reduce feelings of social isolation.
We believe that the more people know, the more prepared they are to step up. Each of us – locals and visitors alike – have a part to play in protecting this special place.
870
LOCAL tamariki participatED in nature-based learning with wai IN 2023.
83%
OF PRIMARY INCOME FARMS ACROSS THE CATCHMENT are engaged WITH WAI .
1,156
ADULTS IN THE UPPER CLUTHA ATTENDED A WAI EVENT IN 2023.
“We do what we do, because we want our work to be effective and enduring. We want the people involved with our projects to look back with pride at what our community has achieved by working together.”
- Lucy, WAI Wānaka team member
A glimpse into our everyday mahi
Mitigating stormwater pollution through ‘Drains are Streams’
We work with local schools and urban neighbourhoods to raise awareness on the impacts of stormwater pollution in our waterways and ways to take collective action. Learn more here.
Supporting microplastics research in our deepwater lakes through ‘A Teeny Tiny Truth’
We are working alongside PhD student Veronica Rotman to investigate microplastics in Lake Wānaka. A great opportunity for volunteers to get involved in important research. Learn more here.
“I decided to volunteer for [A Teeny Tiny Truth] because I think its a really
“I decided to volunteer for [A Teeny Tiny Truth] because I think its a really important project. The more research we can do on our lakes the better!”
- Silver, WAI Wānaka volunteer
Accelerating action in our urban neighbourhoods
Improving the health of urban streams and green spaces in our communities through education and the facilitation of community-led urban action groups. Learn more here.
Supporting local farmers working towards environmental goals
We work closely with landowners of the Upper Clutha facilitating workshops, organising on-farm environmental projects, conducting biodiversity monitoring and coordinating rural catchment groups.
Learn more here.
Click here for an overview of our mahi
How can you take action for World Water Day 2024?
Friday, 22 March marks World Water Day here in Aotearoa New Zealand - an opportunity for communities of the Upper Clutha to come together and take action for our vulnerable lakes and rivers.
Whether it’s contributing a donation to support our efforts here at WAI, volunteering, following along on social media or starting the conversation with a neighbour, every action counts.
Donate to WAI Wānaka today to help us continue to work towards safeguarding our fresh water. Every donation, big or small, helps to create positive change for the environment.
Click here to make a donation.
Become part of our team of amazing volunteers. Fill in our questionaire and let us know how you would like to participate.
Click here to express interest in volunteering with WAI, or email eva@waiwanaka.nz.
Join us at one of our upcoming community events, including monthly beach clean-ups, plant maintenace sessions and stream monitoring.
Click here to see our upcoming events.
Keep updated by signing up to our community newsletter and following us on social media (Instagram: @waiwanaka Facebook: WAIWanaka).
Click here to read our blogs and past newsletters.
Spread the word to friends and whānau on the declining state of our lakes and rivers and the importance of their protection for future generations.
Click here to learn more about our waterways and the five major pressures.
Today’s actions shape the legacy of clean water we hand down to our children.
The impact of your support
Helps fund vital scientific research, education programmes and community events.
Helps develop and support the continuation of education programmes with local tamariki.
Helps support our stream monitoring and stormwater awareness sessions in the community.
Helps boost our volunteer programme capabilities and opportunities.
Stop by to say hello during World Water Day
We’ll be out around the catchment for World Water Day on Friday - come by to have a chat with our team at the following locations throughout the day:
Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka
Wānaka i-site
New World Wānaka (Dunmore St.)
Wānaka food trucks
Wānaka Hotel
Hāwea Store
*email getinvolved@waiwanaka.nz for more info
KĀ MIHI NUI
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
WAI Wānaka invests your support in sustainble programmes and essential research, working with our partners to deliver meaningful impact towards safeguarding our waterways for future generations.
