Our Ōtautahi Contributions
Corfe Reserve - championing
In 2018 we chose Corfe Reserve to place our first real time water data sensor. This led to restoration work with Villa Maria College, local residents and CCC to clear invasive species, plant natives and continue to nurture the riparian zone. Corfe Reserve is now supported by passionate members of the local community who show up regularly year in and year out. We’re so proud of being a small part of this ongoing story
Peer Reserve - currently activating
Peer Reserve, part of teh 360 Trail, is just downstream from Corfe Reserve. We’re working with local residents, Villa Maria College, Bupa Retirement Village and the university to bring an intergenerational approach to this riverside restoration.
We are working weekly in Peer Reserve on Wednesday afternoon, and will hold bigger community events during winter.
JOIN THE DRINKABLE RIVERS MOVEMENT
Kaitiaki for Our Waterways
Commissioned by Drinkable Rivers, this short, educational animation provides practical advice for Aotearoa's residents on how to act as kaitiaki for our waterways.
Animation by Public Notice Social Media , Story by Authentic Storytelling , Music by Gillicuddy.
A Brief History of the Ōtākaro/Avon River
This short film explores the history of the Ōtākaro/Avon River in Christchurch, New Zealand through the thoughts and reflections of local experts and historians. It was commissioned by Drinkable Rivers; shot, edited and produced generously by Royster Productions; with narrative direction by Authentic Storytelling.
Making Christchurch the epicentre of an ecosystem of change.
The How
Real-Time Data
Our first real-time data sensor, Oracle 1, was grounded at Avonhead in July of 2019 to take half-hourly measurements of pH, nitrates, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity and reduction-oxidation potential. There are additional contaminants (such as E. coli) which must be tested manually so we've been examining those readings as well.
Education
One of our key objectives is to help share vital information between existing water champions and to use our research to create practical resources that anyone can use to help heal our rivers. Some of the things that we are learning have really surprised us.
Did you know, for instance, that your roof and your brake pads could be part of the problem? Neither did we!
It’s our job to share that knowledge with all of you so you know what you can do TODAY to make the most positive impact.
Community Engagement
Let’s face it, this is a BIG JOB. If we’re going to get our rivers drinkable again, we need to support all of New Zealand’s existing water champions and bring them together. We need to provide and support river clean-up and planting events. We also need all of our riverside communities (Riverhoods!) to take ownership of their little stretch of river. And we need to encourage our communities to get back out and engage with and enjoy our rivers.
Our goal in year one is to set up systems and resources for Riverhood 1 in the first 110m stretch of the Avon River/Ōtākaro which can be replicated for the next 220m, 440m, and so on until, in 7 years, we have 14km of the most beautiful, flourishing urban river in the world. And the Avon River/Ōtākaro is just the beginning…
Riparian Planting
Riparian planting is the strategic design and planting of (mostly native) trees and shrubs on the banks of waterways to help prevent erosion and filter sediment and contaminants out of stormwater before it reaches our rivers. One of our fellow Water Champions, Di Lucas of Lucas Associates, has put together some fantastic resources to help you learn what to plant and where. We are currently creating a landscape design and an action plan to source plants and labour for the planting of our first Riverhood near Corfe Reserve at the head of the Avon River/Ōtākaro.