Recently the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord won the Guardianship and Conservation/Kaitiakitanga Award at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards, held in Auckland.
The fourth annual awards recognise rising stars and lifetime leaders among food and fibre producers.
The Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord (MRLA) brought together iwi/hapū, local and central government, farming, and industry leaders along with Massey University and environmental and recreational advocacy groups to improve the health of the Manawatū River and its catchment.
Some of the work improving the Manawatū River has included significant wastewater infrastructure upgrades (including moving to land treatment), This includes significant wastewater infrastructure upgrades (including moving to land treatment), more than 5 million trees being planted, 1,000km of stream fencing erected, 68 fish passage barriers removed, and 270 environmental farm plans and over 70 community projects completed.
Co-chair of the MRLA says: “We are delighted to receive this award. It is encouraging to have all the hard work that our teams and communities are doing, to improve the health of our awa, recognised.”
“We can see that in the data we are collecting – things change slowly. Our commitment to the awa is ongoing and we will continue to support activities that will both protect and enhance it.”
Horizons Regional Council Freshwater Manager, Logan Brown attended the awards in Auckland and accepted the award on behalf of the Manawatū River Leaders’ Accord.
